David Soknacki
Projects
The purpose of this section is to share with readers some of my research on Toronto issues. The attached spreadsheets do not pretend to be complete; corrections and additions are welcome.
Core Service Review
In order to determine what opportunities are available for savings, the City of Toronto engaged a consulting firm. After participating in a number of public consultation sessions, the consultants listed their ideas in a number of reports.
In order to quantify the choices, I extracted the information into a spreadsheet, which is available for download.
These reports followed in the tradition of the 2008 Mayor's Independent Fiscal Review Panel Report.
Both reports present recommendations for Toronto's economic viability - from the obvious to the toxic.
Download the file (Excel 63 kb)
Comparing Falling Rates of Crime
Much has been made of the decreasing rate of crime. Using statistics from Toronto and four other large North American cities, I charted per capita crime rates over the last 15 years. According to the stats, Toronto is not doing well as well as others in reducing violent crime, and is average in reducing property crime.
Download the file (Excel 47 kb)
Crime Severity and the Level of Policing
In 2010 Statistics Canada issued their 2009 crime severity index report (latest report). Included in the report was a table showing the level of policing by metropolitan area.
On a spreadsheet I compared crime severity with the level of policing. The trendline showed cities with more severe crime had higher levels of policing.
Download the file (Excel 21 kb)
Transit Efficiency
In trying to understand changing efficiencies in Toronto's transit operations, I graphed trip numbers, employees, and the fleet size since 1985. Using Statistics Canada figures, I converted into constant dollars the cost of the transit system, cost per trip and average hourly wage.
Download the file (Excel 38 kb)
Councillors' Remuneration
Few issues generate so much excitement among members of Council as a discussion of their level of pay. Although there are gaps in the series, I charted remuneration, the cost of living and average family income since 1975.
Download the file (Excel 28 kb)
Private investment is usually welcome, but ...
Private investment into public infrastructure, like the Raptors' sponsorship of the basketball court above, provides badly needed benefits. With careful planning and hard work, often sponsors can be found for community sized projects.
However, not all projects fit the needs both of public and private sectors.
Ramp up the scale to the size of a subway, or make it controversial like a homeless shelter, and appropriate participants will be scarce.