Rob Ford Pitches 17,000 Buyouts

Toronto's leadership hopes a bunch of workers are looking to hop off the 'gravy train' this summer.

The City of Toronto hopes to take a big chunk out of its $774-million budget shortfall by offering buyout packages to 17,000 city employees. Mayor Rob Ford said the city employes “thousands” too many people, and that the city must downsize if it has any chance of remaining fiscally stable. The buyouts, which were offered this afternoon, offer up to six months' pay in a lump sum if employees sign off on or before Sept. 9. The buyouts won't be offered to police, library, or transit employees, but they're open to just about everyone else employed by the city.