“YOU BE THE BUDGET
CHIEF”TORONTO STAR READERS GIVE THE ARTS
LOW PRIORITY
According to Toronto Star readers who responded to the
Star’s online game, “You
Be The Budget Chief,” low priority should be given
to civic investment in Toronto arts.
Toronto Star reported on the early results of this game
in its March 30 issue. The game gives Star readers an opportunity
to make virtual additions or cuts to a short list of City
and City-funded programs. Readers expressed a preference
for supporting the fire department, public transit and cleaning
up litter, over further investment in Toronto’s arts
community.
The results indicate a lack of understanding of the positive
impact of Toronto’s arts sector, which vitalizes the
city, bringing in much needed tourist dollars, strengthening
business activity, contributing to safer streets and engaging
the city’s dynamic and diverse community, to name
a few.
According to Councillor Joe Mihevc, Vice Chair of the City’s
Budget Advisory Committee, “[the game] gives you a
sense of where people’s values are. They don’t
tell you how to fix the machine, but they give you values
to help you set priorities.”
Not all arts supporters read The Star. Anyone concerned
about how Toronto arts will be affected in the upcoming
budget allocation ought to express their views by participating
in the game.
While Budget Advisory Committee has recommended a $400,000
increase through Toronto Arts Council to Toronto artists
and their organizations, City Councillors will not take
a final vote on the recommendations until April 19.
It takes more than clean streets to create vitality in
a city!
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