Ski hills issue could lead to more open budget consultation

Ski hills issue could lead to more open budget consultation. Skiers enjoy the slopes at Earl Bales Park. Staff file photo/NICK PERRY

This year, the plan was kept confidential because it would mean the jobs of about 370 part-time employees at ski hills in Earl Bales Park and Centennial Park were in jeopardy. The proposed change only came to light after CUPE Local 79 went to the press with the story after city staff had informed them of potential layoffs.

Shelley Carroll, the city's budget chief, said she'll be asking the city's executive committee to look at ways to balance confidential personnel matters when they are tied to a service reduction that deserves full public consultation.

"We need a discussion about human resources issues with respect to budget, and how are you going to consult with your community," said Carroll.

"I think the community will welcome that. Right now a lot of people say, 'I have difficulty understanding the budget so I don't have an opinion. I just don't want to pay for this.' The question is how do you explain that and deal with the labour force fairly in the same way?"

Carroll said city staff have been conservative in whether or not to choose to release details about certain cuts - on Friday, the budget committee went behind closed doors to discuss overtime issues with Toronto parking enforcement officers. And she said it may not be necessary to do so each and every time.

It's unlikely that such a policy will be put in place in time to change the process in the 2010 budget. But Carroll said there aren't other large-scale policy changes this year that are tied to personnel and therefore in-camera.

"There are reductions in departments, but there are no removals of whole services - there are no other selling of assets or renting out of whole operations," she said. "And we're still gathering feedback from the community so we don't even know if this is going to happen. I think the comments from the union were made to escalate hysteria."

Next year, she said, a more open policy for debate will likely be more essential, as the city braces for more cuts still in 2011.

"What we've provided to the public so far is the details for 2010 and the outlook for 2011, but I can tell you that the menu of reductions we chose from is really for two years. So the tough stuff's coming and if it's all going to be in camera, I don't know how I can sell it to my community."