It's Great If You Have A Place At The Trough.......

City needs to look at grant cuts first

By SUE-ANN LEVY

The city's own budget documents say it all.

From 2001 to 2007, the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) budget -- the terribly highbrow name given by the socialists for the city's generous grants scheme -- jumped by 20% from $34.4 million to a $41.4 million pot this year.

During Mayor David Miller's first term alone -- that is from 2003 to 2006 -- the grants pot increased by nearly 15%.

Grants given to a slew of access and equity groups -- most of whom say they spend their money to stamp out racism -- nearly doubled since the socialist regime took over City Hall.

Even this year as His Blandness and his puppets plead poverty, the CPIP budget was topped up by 3% -- a "moderate increase to reflect an increase in inflation," city manager Shirley Hoy said during the March 26 budget briefing.

Bear in mind that the CPIP does not cover another $7 million in grants handed each year to the homeless industry or the annual pot of Toronto Atmospheric Fund grants initiated by former city councillor and now federal NDP leader, Bicycle Jack Layton.