Vancouver City Council passed the 2012 City Operating Budget tonight at a Special Council Meeting, investing in affordable housing, parks and recreation services, and libraries, as part of a forward-looking fiscal plan for the coming year.

“Even in the midst of a challenging economic climate and a $52 million budget gap, we’ve delivered a budget that is balanced, progressive, and pragmatic,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “This budget fully protects and supports programs that impact Vancouver’s most vulnerable, including priority investments for homelessness and affordable housing, child care and seniors. We’re protecting all funding and support for arts and culture programming, continuing our support for Vancouver’s Greenest City goals, and increasing support for Vancouver’s public libraries and parks and recreation services.”

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With a $20 million shortfall remaining for the 2011 budget, Mayor Gregor Robertson says that tough choices will have to be made but Council will protect Vancouver’s most vulnerable from cuts.

“My goal is to see us limit a property tax increase to the 2% range, which we accomplished last year. To do that, we’ll need to make some hard choices to close the $20 million budget gap,” said Mayor Robertson. “Unlike the Provincial or Federal government, cities are not allowed to run deficits. We made some tough but fair choices last year and we’re prepared to do it again, while continuing to protect our most vulnerable citizens.

“There are four priority areas that we will not be cutting: affordable housing, the environment, public safety, and arts and culture. These are services that are crucial to making Vancouver a world-class city; council has been committed to them and we will continue to support these priorities. 

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