Toronto tax hike: Staff propose 6.9 per cent increase [Video]

Toronto taxpayers could see their bills go up by a few hundred dollars a year on average as part of a new staff-proposed budget that would invest millions more in transit, housing and other services.

The budget, which was released at Toronto City Hall on Monday, includes a 5.4 per cent property tax hike in addition to the annual 1.5 per cent hike to the city building fund, which is a levy designed to help fund critical infrastructure projects. As a result, taxpayers would see their bills increase by 6.9 per cent or about $268.37 a year on the average home with an assessed value of $692,031.

Taxpayers will also see 3.75 per cent increases to water and garbage fees as part of the budget.

Mayor Olivia Chow says there is money in the budget to hire more first responders, expand food programs, and add more apartment inspectors to make …