Looking Back on Toronto’s 2024

By Muzaina Hossain

2024 was a dynamic year for Toronto, marked by significant developments in public services, safety, taxes, cultural events and sports that shaped the city’s future.

This year, Toronto residents saw a 9.5% increase in property taxes, slightly lower than the proposed 10.5%. Plans to cut $12 million from the Toronto Police Service and eliminate snow-clearing services were rejected, ensuring essential city operations were uninterrupted. 

On the safety front, CTV News has ranked Toronto as Canada’s safest city in 2024, due to the 1.3% decline in major crimes, with 37,320 incidents compared to 39,019 in 2023. This trend reflects the effectiveness of ongoing community safety initiatives, keeping Toronto ahead of other major cities in Canada.

To further enhance accessibility, Mayor Chow announced extended hours for all 100 Toronto Public Library branches by July 2026. Supported by an $8 million investment, this initiative aims to transform the city’s libraries into even more accessible hubs for learning and community support. 

Earl Haig student Anosha Azizabadyfarahani says “this is an amazing initiative because longer library hours will give me more access to quiet study spaces, free resources, and programs that can help with schoolwork.”              

Atris Akbarpour, another Haiger, backs this claim, saying “this will be beneficial to students because it allows students to utilize library programs as much as possible and gives them more time to study in a peaceful environment.” 

Cultural events also left a significant mark on Toronto’s economy in 2024. Notably, Taylor Swift’s two-week Eras Tour in November generated a 15% spike in recreation and entertainment spending. Out of town visitors spent an estimated $141 million on local businesses through spending on hotels, dining, and shopping, highlighting the powerful cultural and financial impact of major events.

Sports in 2024 brought both challenges and triumphs for Toronto. Canada’s national soccer team made a strong Copa América run but narrowly missed out on third place after their loss to Uruguay. Following the same loss, the Toronto Raptors missed the 2023-24 playoffs, falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, while the Toronto Blue Jays were eliminated from postseason contention.

On a brighter note, Canadian athletes excelled at the Summer Olympics, winning nine gold, seven silver, and 11 bronze medals, placing 12th in the medal standings and 11th overall. Continuing the winning streak, the Toronto Maple Leafs, after a 2023-24 playoff loss to the Boston Bruins, are performing strongly in 2024-25, staying near the top of the divisional standings. 

From navigating fiscal challenges to fostering safety, equity, and cultural vibrancy, Toronto in 2024 was a hub of transformation as the city looks ahead to an even brighter future.