01 Dec River Ward E-Newsletter, December 1, 2024 | Bulletin électronique du Quartier Rivière, 1 décembre 2024
For those of you who celebrate, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and a safe and Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you have opportunities this month to enjoy time with family and friends and take part in many festive events and activities. You are all invited to the River Ward Holiday Dinner on December 19 at the Hunt Club Riverside Park Community Centre. There will be two seatings: 5pm and 6:15pm. Please RSVP with my office to reserve your time and seats.
The City’s 2025 Budget is expected to be approved on December 11. It has been a challenging budget, particularly setting the Transit budget and its associated fare modifications and levy on your property tax bill. I did not support the budget at the November 25 Transit Commission Budget. It is filled with red flags and assumptions that cause me tremendous concern. It also raises bus pass rates for seniors by 60%, eliminates free transit for 11 and 12 year olds and eliminates the youth bus pass and fare. As a Transit Commissioner, at every single meeting, I focus on how to improve service, especially the reliability of bus service. I don’t see this prioritized in the Budget – I am disappointed.
There are a number of local events related to the festive season planned this month, please take note below for more information. In December, we recognize: International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3), National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Dec 6), River Ward Holiday Dinner (Dec 19), Christmas (Dec 25), Hanukkah-Chanukah (Dec 25 to Jan 2), Boxing Day (Dec 26) and Kwanzaa (Dec 26 to Jan 1).
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