Toronto has approved an outdoor sign tax that will generate $10.4 million annually from roadside billboards, large signs on buildings and rooftops, and other advertising.
The tax, along with new regulations governing what types of signs are allowed and where, was pushed by arts advocates as a source of revenue for arts projects.
But council decided to put $1.4 million of the money into civic beautification and the rest into general coffers for next year while the budget committee and council ultimately decide.
That means councillors who wanted to spend that money on other projects, from graffiti eradication to hockey rinks, will have time to make their case.
Devon Ostrom, a spokesman for the arts lobby, brushed that concern aside. “I’m confident it’s going to go to the arts because the budget committee has the moral responsibility at this point,” he said. “The tax wouldn’t exist without the arts community coming forward and pushing for it, or even inventing it in the first place.”
But Councillor Kyle Rae, who sits on the budget committee, warned he can’t offer guarantees.
“I can’t give them that because council is supreme, and council waffles and prevaricates and changes its mind whenever the wind blows in another direction,” said Rae (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale).
Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s) was more reassuring. He said the city was simply following normal procedure by routing the revenue through the budget process.
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Richard Lautens/Torstar News Service
A woman strolls through Yonge-Dundas square past all the ads. City council yesterday approved a tax on billboards.
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