A report on Toronto's core services is recommending city hall scale back its snowplowing standards and privatize more garbage collection as ways to trim costs to meet a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall.

Snippets of the wide-ranging review are being released in phases this week in a series of committee reports at city hall.

Potential cost-saving measures are contained in a report to city hall's public works and infrastructure committee, which oversees the city's streets, utilities and waste collection services.

The report, which was released Monday, is the first to be made available to the public.

According to the report, introducing and expanding the contracting of solid waste collection is the most significant cost reduction opportunity.

The city should also consider eliminating the free garbage tag program because it would increase revenue from bag tag sale and provide additional encouragement to recycle, the report states.

End fluoridation of drinking water?

As for Toronto's water system, the report suggests the city stop the fluoridation of its drinking water, but such a step would have an impact on dental health.

It would be "very likely" that the dental health of Toronto residents would decline, according to the review.

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong told CP24 that such a proposal would likely face opposition at city hall.

Minnan-Wong said there are few cuts to be had when it comes to the city's water, garbage and transportation services, but the report suggests savings can be found "through things like contracting out grass cutting."

Here are some more highlights from the report:

  • Regarding street sweeping, residential and collector streets could be left alone after the spring clean-up is completed.
  • Snow removal standards are described as higher than required and can be reduced on residential streets, although the department indicates snow removal is only carried out as streets become impassable
  • Snow windrow clearing could be eliminated
  • Consider reducing the target rate for waste diversion and or setting target rates by category of waste producer

Mayor Rob Ford ordered the core services review after he was elected last fall and promised to end the so-called "gravy train" at city hall.

The review was conducted by private consulting firm KPMG to determine which city services should be cut or eliminated as the city tries to find millions in savings because of a $774 million budget shortfall.

Consultants looked at cuts that other cities have made or services that they have privatized.

Vaughan criticizes Ford

During an interview with CP24's Stephen LeDrew, Coun. Adam Vaughan was critical of the report's findings and of Ford's move to launch the review.

"How could you possibly, in this day in age and in this climate, recommend as a cost-saving measure in Toronto (that) we won't clear your snow and that will let us cut your taxes?" Vaughan said. "What's next? You're not going to keep the street lights on?"

He said the cuts would fall short of the mayor's cost-trimming target, saying they would only account for five per cent of the city's budget.

Vaughan blasted the mayor and suggested the report, at a cost of about $3 million, was a waste of taxpayers' dollars.

"Six months into office we now know what this guy is all about," Vaughan said of Ford. "This guy will stop at nothing, in terms of spending, to do nothing."

KPMG ranked identified the potential savings for each recommendation with a high, medium or low rating.

More recommendations will be released this week.