Kelly says he is 'optimistic' councillors will pass proposed budget

Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly says he is “optimistic” that a majority of councillors will vote in favour of the proposed budget despite harsh criticism from Mayor Rob Ford.

Kelly made the comment to reporters at city hall Tuesday afternoon ahead of a Wednesday council meeting to debate and finalize the budget.

The $9.6-billion operating budget includes a 2.23 per cent property tax hike, including a 0.5 per cent hike to cover a shortfall in funding for the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway line into Scarborough.

“I am optimistic,” Kelly said. “This (council) is a truly democratic institution and there isn’t caucus discipline and things like that so there may be some slippage, but at this point I am optimistic.”

Ford has previously called the budget the “worst” he has seen since assuming power and has vowed to introduce a number of amendments on the floor of council to create $50 million in savings, though he has not disclosed what those amendments will be.

Speaking with CP24 following his press conference, Kelly said he is “disappointed” Ford has so far refused to share the alleged savings with his colleagues on council.

“If there are good ideas in there why weren’t they presented to the executive committee and why weren’t they presented to the budget committee?” he said. “He may get some questions, but others may choose not to participate in the charade.”