Shocked to hear city Scrooges plan to trash Christmas dinner

[attach]4673[/attach]Some Scrooges at city hall are talking about cancelling Christmas for some of Toronto’s neediest families.

Christmas time is special because we take time out to reflect about what is truly important: family, friends and community. That’s why as city councillor for Ward 29, I am so happy to help host an annual Christmas Dinner for Seniors.

It’s why I was so shocked by the recent proposal to trash Christmas for Toronto’s most indigent families.

A big part of Christmas in Toronto is the charity drives to collect food and toys for families in need. I don’t know about you, but when I see the ads for them I think of little Tiny Tim on his crutches or little Cindy Lou of Who-ville. These charity drives don’t just give hope and joy to thousands of children and families in need but help the rest of us pause, step back and think about what matters in life. They help all of us get into the spirit of Christmas.

Now a little part of city hall helps to make that happen. It’s called the Christmas Bureau and, though it is not run by elves, it does not cost a lot — about $100,000 — compared to the $3 million dollars for the consultant’s report that talks about cutting city services like the Christmas Bureau.

Christmas is not gravy. Like all the religious holidays — from Ramadan to Diwali — and festivals in this city, it gives life meaning.

That same report talks about closing libraries, leaving the snow blocking city roads longer, cutting thousands of child care spaces, and cutting back on the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services. These things are not gravy either. They contribute to the economic success of Toronto. They are part of why renowned accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers ranked Toronto second of all the cities in the world.

I have attended public meetings and received thousands of emails about these cuts. Residents were very consistent in saying they wanted the city to help those in need and that they saw a link between quality city services and Toronto’s economic success.

So I voted no to cancelling Christmas for Toronto’s neediest families as did a majority on the Economic Development Committee, but I am not sure that is the end of this sad little proposal.

Which leaves me asking, like little Cindy Lou Who, “Why are you taking away Christmas? WHY?”