Start making cuts to employee pensions and benefits. Governments do not need to provide expensive defined benefit pension plans to its employees any longer, times have changed and they need to join the rest of society.  They also need to eliminate the paid holidays of Easter Monday and Remembrance Day  as again, only government get these days off with pay. Once these come in line with the rest of society, then they can look at closing arenas, libraries, fire stations, and selling off buildings. With all the advances in the building code and private -side safety liability, why do we still need as many fire fighters when there is a shortage of paramedics. There are a lot of ways to cut - lets make sure it includes the compensation offerings of city employees as a first step.