Item - 2021.GL26.4

The General Government and Licensing Committee received the report (October 5, 2021) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services for information.

In November 2020, the provincial government announced they were initiating a second intake to their Audit and Accountability Fund. Large urban municipalities were able to apply for funding to undertake third party reviews with the goal of finding service delivery efficiencies, while protecting front-line services, which presented the City with a chance to further expand on and review the recommendations received as part of the 2019 Value-Based Outcomes Review.

In February 2021, the City of Toronto received confirmation they had three project applications accepted into the program:

1. Digital Modernization of Revenue Services

2. Digitization of Needs-Tested Programs

3. Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area Regional Procurement Collaboration Assessment

Successful applicants were to use provincial funding to hire an independent third-party reviewer who was required to submit a final report which outlined their analysis, findings and actionable recommendations. This report transmits the findings of the completed independent third-party reviews, conducted on behalf of the City of Toronto.

The recommendations and findings will inform future strategies for modernizing our financial decision-making to achieve Council's priorities and contribute to long-term financial sustainability.