Government. The Toronto City Hall viewed from Nathan Phillips Square.

The Toronto City Hall viewed from Nathan Phillips Square.

The Ontario Legislative Building is the standing symbol of Toronto being the seat of government in Ontario.

Toronto is a single-tier municipality governed by a mayor-council system. The Toronto City Council is a unicameral body, comprised of a mayor elected by direct popular vote and 44 councillors representing geographical wards throughout the city. All members of the city council, including the mayor, serve three-year terms without term limits. (After the 2006 municipal election, members of the council will serve four-year terms.)

The city council is divided into six standing committees with between 9 and 12 members: policy and finance, administration, works, economic development and parks, community services, and planning and transportation. Additionally, the city has four community councils that make recommendations on local matters to the city council, but possess no final authority. Each city councillor serves as a member on a community council.

Toronto has an operating budget of C$7.1 billion. The city receives funding from the Government of Ontario in addition to tax revenues, including $2.5 billion dollars for mandated purposes, $2.0 billion for special-purpose bodies such as the Toronto Public Library and Toronto Zoo, $1.7 billion of directly-controlled funds, and $900 million for capital financing and non-programs.

Torontonians are represented at the federal and provincial governments by 22 Members of Parliament in the House of Commons and another 22 Members of Provincial Parliament in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

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