It's that time once again to reflect on how the year treated us, what it meant to us individually and how it will be remembered in years to come. From a city's perspective, 2009 was a bit of a tough go.
It was economically difficult. We watched helplessly as the recession carried over from 2008 into 2009, bringing with it increased welfare costs and more jobs lost as each month went by. The effects of the economic downturn - though apparently making its recovery - will be felt long into the future.Our city is looking at a $500-million deficit in its operating budget for 2010, while the province is carrying an estimated $24.7-billion shortfall and the feds may claim the biggest deficit in their history at $56.2 billion. Those are large numbers to have in the red and it will mean cuts to public services, programs and potential tax hikes. The year was smelly and inconvenient. The majority of Torontonians went 36 days without garbage or recycling pickup during the Municipal Workers' Strike and saw city parks turned into temporary garbage dumps. It was the year that forgot summer. Chilly and rainy weather put a real damper on summer plans, but - on the bright side - it kept all the garbage from stinking up too much.It was the year the city rolled up its sleeve. In an effort to combat the new H1N1 virus, provincial governments nationwide opened vaccination clinics and launched massive marketing campaigns geared to get people immunized. By year's end, at least 400 people across Canada had died from the virus. Stories about local lives lost, like that of Etobicoke teen Evan Frustaglio, spurred thousands to head to clinics and wait for hours for their shot.Overall, Torontonians should be proud to remember 2009 as the year we survived. We're a resilient bunch. The city endured and residents plowed through. Kudos to everyone.With us we take a few things to look forward to: hosting the G20 summit next year, the Pan Am Games in 2015 and seeing Transit City plans for cross-town light rail transit beginning to come to fruition. Toronto holds a municipal election next fall and it'll be an exciting one - currently anybody's race - especially for those looking to fill Mayor David Miller's seat. One can't help but feel optimistic about the promise 2010 holds. After the year Toronto's been through, it really can't get much worse.