Gord Perks City Councillor, Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park

Council Highlights Toronto City Council meeting of January 29, 2020 Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Toronto City Council at its business meetings. The complete, formal documentation for this latest meeting is available at http://www.toronto.ca/council. Plan for implementing the ravine strategy Council unanimously adopted an implementation plan for the Toronto […]

Council Highlights Toronto City Council meeting of December 17 and 18, 2019 Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Toronto City Council at its business meetings. The formal documentation for this latest meeting is available at http://www.toronto.ca/council. Funding for city-building efforts Council approved an extension to the City Building Fund, agreeing […]

Toronto City Council meeting of November 26 and 27, 2019 Council Highlights is an informal summary of selected actions taken by Toronto City Council at its business meetings. The complete, formal documentation for this recent meeting is available at http://www.toronto.ca/council. Housing Funding model for Toronto Community Housing Council unanimously approved a new funding model for […]

Climate and Environment   Declaration of Climate Emergency   Council voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency and adopted a stronger target for emissions reductions – aiming for “net zero” emissions for Toronto by 2050. In recent years, Toronto has experienced more frequent flooding and other severe weather events. The weather is expected to get “hotter, […]

Housing and Social Support Transformation of Toronto Community Housing Council voted unanimously to adopt Tenants First, a transformational plan to create better living conditions and experiences for tenants of Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCH). The plan also establishes a separate City organization to manage and operate TCH’s seniors-designated buildings. Those 83 buildings are currently home […]

Realignment of transit responsibilities Council adopted several motions after discussing the current status of City-Ontario government discussions about the realignment of responsibilities for Toronto public transit between the City and the provincial government. The motions include asking City staff to report on the possibility that the realignment process, including questions about the technology involved, will […]

Finances Impact of the provincial budget Council supported a motion to request the Province of Ontario to reverse its announced retroactive cuts that result in the loss of about $178 million that was included in the City of Toronto’s balanced budget for 2019 as adopted in March. Council will also convey the willingness of City […]

Toronto City Council meeting of April 16 and 17, 2019 Council Highlights is a summary of a selection of the decisions that Toronto City Council made at its recent business meeting. The City Clerk’s full, official documentation is available at http://www.toronto.ca/council. Transportation King Street transit Council decided to make the features of the King Street Transit […]

Public transit Toronto’s transit system Council adopted recommendations and motions that address ongoing discussions between the City and the Ontario government on the management of public transit projects in Toronto. The actions adopted by Council include responding to two letters the City received from the province in late March. The letters name four specific projects […]

Housing Now Council approved the Housing Now plan, which is designed to increase the supply of new affordable rental housing in mixed-income communities by making municipally-owned properties available to non-profit and private organizations. The first phase of Housing Now is expected to deliver about 10,000 new residential homes, including up to 3,700 affordable rental homes […]

Integrating public transit fares   Council agreed to ask Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission to accelerate their plans for full and affordable fare integration, including a single fare for rides in Toronto. In addition, Council adopted a motion asking for a report proposing a governance model for Metrolinx that ensures a transparent, formal decision-making process […]

Creating new affordable rental housing    Council authorized financial incentives for the construction of 600 new affordable rental homes on provincial lands at 27 Grosvenor/26 Grenville Streets and in the West Don Lands. The City incentives include exemptions from development-related charges as well as from municipal taxation. In a separate action, Council authorized capital funding and […]

Implementation of Tenants First strategy Council approved the integration of City programs and services for seniors at more than 80 seniors-designated buildings in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) portfolio, as recommended in the Tenants First report. The seniors-designated buildings will be managed by a new entity separate from TCHC. One of several motions that […]

Next steps for transit projects  Council voted to proceed with planning work needed to advance design of a relief subway line in the east downtown area, with the section between Queen Street East and Gerrard Street East to be aligned under Carlaw Avenue. Council also supported preparing a business case for extending the relief line […]

Growth strategy for child care   Council approved a 10-year strategy for expanding child care and early learning programs in Toronto and authorized staff to meet with federal and provincial representatives in pursuit of a tri-government agreement on expanding child care and early learning. The City’s vision is a licensed child-care system serving 50 per cent […]

Council Highlights is an informal summary of a selection of the decisions Toronto City Council made at its recent business meeting. The City Clerk’s formal documentation is available at http://www.toronto.ca/council. Scarborough subway extension     Council approved the McCowan alignment for the extension of the Bloor-Danforth subway (Line 2) from Kennedy Station to Scarborough Centre, and approved an […]

Waste collection east of Yonge Street Council considered the matter of curbside waste collection service east of Yonge Street and voted to refer the matter to staff for further study and a later report to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. The current curbside collection system is split between contracted collection west of Yonge Street […]

Revenue strategy Council adopted measures involving City of Toronto revenues, agreeing to ask the Ontario government to make legislative reforms that will allow the City to implement tolls on roads owned by the City and a tax on hotel and short-term accommodation rentals. Council specified that all revenue collected from road tolls on the Don […]

Toronto’s transit network   Council approved recommendations on negotiated terms for cost sharing and revenue sharing with the Province of Ontario and its transit agency, Metrolinx, and authorized City officials to enter into intergovernmental agreements on a range of transit initiatives. A “Stage Gate” process will be established for the planning, design and delivery of the […]

Work plan for rail deck park   Council approved funding to study the feasibility of a “rail deck” park involving a major park space above the rail corridor between Bathurst Street and Blue Jays Way in Toronto. Staff were asked to report back next year on an implementation strategy that addresses matters such as options for […]

Toronto’s 15-year transit plan   Council adopted recommendations for moving ahead with key projects that will form Toronto’s transit network by 2031, including approval of additional technical and planning analysis of a SmartTrack concept with up to six new stations and an Eglinton West LRT (light-rail transit line), a one-stop Scarborough subway extension, an Eglinton East […]

Syrian refugee settlement in Toronto  Council endorsed the actions of staff in support of Syrian refugee resettlement, including efforts to address local xenophobia and provide financial and organizational support to groups sponsoring refugee agencies such as Lifeline Syria. Staff received authorization to enter into agreements with community partners and use City resources to implement Toronto’s […]

Poverty reduction strategy Council adopted the vision, objectives, recommendations and actions for a poverty reduction strategy called TO Prosperity, with a work plan for 2016 that includes 75 City initiatives, many of them involving partnerships. Almost one in five adults between the ages of 18 and 64 in Toronto and more than one-quarter of the […]

Taxis, limos and Uber Council voted to ask staff to report in 2016 on a way to equitably regulate all providers of ground transportation – including taxis, limousines, and Uber vehicles – and to begin consulting on regulations that will ensure a “level playing field” for providers and take into account the City of Toronto’s […]

Expanded gaming at Woodbine Racetrack Council debated expanded gaming at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack and passed a resolution in support of the proposal, subject to conditions. The approval sets the stage for the development of an integrated entertainment complex including gaming and non-gaming development at the Woodbine site in the northwest part of the city. Council […]

Gardiner Expressway East   Council debated approaches for addressing the deterioration of the eastern section of the elevated Gardiner Expressway and voted in favour of a Hybrid option that retains an elevated expressway with a continuous link to the Don Valley Parkway. Work is to include re-decking the elevated expressway east of Jarvis Street and re-decking […]

Appointment of new City Manager  Council appointed Peter Wallace as Toronto’s City Manager effective July 13. The City Manager, as the most senior official in the City’s administration, is accountable to City Council for the policies and programs delivered by the Toronto Public Service. Wallace succeeds Joe Pennachetti, who retired as City Manager on May […]

Spadina subway extension project Council approved increasing the capital budget for the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension project by a total of $150 million – with $90 million covered by the City of Toronto and the other $60 million covered by the Regional Municipality of York. Council’s action on this agenda item included seeking clarification of […]

SmartTrack work plan      Council approved funding to study the accelerated SmartTrack work plan outlined in a report that was prepared on the public transit proposal earlier this year. In addition, Council adopted a series of related recommendations addressing matters such as finances, design, number of stations, frequency of service, plans for electrification and public […]

Deputy mayors for Toronto      Council approved amending the City Council procedures to provide for the establishment of up to four deputy mayors, one to assist the mayor in each of the city’s four regions, to be appointed and removed by the mayor. There is a requirement that the mayor designate one of the deputy mayors […]

Approval of basketball training centre Council approved a proposal for the long-term lease of land at the west end of the City’s Exhibition Place grounds to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. for the construction and operation of a 6,300-square-metre/68,000 square-foot basketball training centre. The facility will include two indoor basketball courts. Much of the […]

Eglinton Connects plan Council approved Official Plan amendments to implement the Eglinton Connects Planning Study in support of intensification along the Eglinton Avenue corridor, where Metrolinx is currently building the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (light rail transit) line – much of it to be underground. The new Eglinton Avenue envisioned will be an attractive avenue supporting […]

Auditor General and Integrity Commissioner appointed Council appointed a new Toronto Auditor General and Toronto Integrity Commissioner. Valerie Jepson was appointed Integrity Commissioner, effective September 6. Beverly Romeo-Beehler was appointed Auditor General, effective December 16. Council deferred making a decision on the appointment of a Toronto Ombudsman. Filling of councillor vacancies  Council declared the office […]

Eglinton Avenue plan Council approved the 21 recommendations of the Eglinton Connects Planning Study, a comprehensive planning review of Eglinton Avenue that responds to the opportunity presented by the building of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit line. The plan envisages a vibrant community along the street, with residential living, employment, retail and public uses. […]

Billy Bishop Airport Council authorized City staff to negotiate with the Toronto Port Authority and Transport Canada on a plan/phased framework to manage growth at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Council’s discussion and actions are in the context of a Porter Airlines’ request for an exemption from the existing ban on commercial jets and the […]

Appointment of TTC chair Councillor Maria Augimeri was appointed Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Councillor Augimeri will be the TTC Chair until November 30, 2014 and until her successor is appointed. The appointment for the remainder of the current term of Council follows Councillor Karen Stintz’s resignation as TTC Chair effective February 22. […]

Plan for managing traffic congestion        Council endorsed a comprehensive congestion management plan with numerous initiatives such as upgrading software for traffic signal management to help improve traffic movement on Toronto streets. The congestion management plan is intended give the City the ability to better respond to changes in traffic conditions, improve traffic efficiency along key […]

Investing in Toronto Community Housing      Council adopted reports on steps to transform Toronto Community Housing (TCH) into a landlord of excellence. The City will provide $864 million in capital funding for TCH repairs over the next 10 years, and is asking the federal and provincial governments to contribute $864 million each toward TCH repair […]

This quick summary includes:

Scarborough rapid transit, Development charges, Impacts of July 8 storm, Council’s strategic planning, Governance of the Toronto Zoo, and others!

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Security during June’s G20 Summit in Toronto – Allocating ice time at Toronto’s arenas – Toronto’s marathons – Greenbelt designation for Humber and Don Valleys – Donation of used ambulances – Energy retrofits pilot program – Energy retrofits pilot program – Biogas facility for Toronto Zoo – Addressing alcohol-related violence – A plan for best use of Toronto’s parks

More leash-free areas for Toronto’s dogs – Etobicoke-Finch West LRT project moving along – Candidate protection fund – City’s use of debit cards for business expenses – Issue of pedestrian fatalities – Protocol on interruptions to recreation programs – Support for Toronto’s child care programs – Handling public complaints – Service sector’s role in Toronto area’s economy – Strategy for a diverse City workforce – Expansion of BMO Field

Towers proposal in Don Mills – Queen’s Quay redevelopment – Funding to move Transit City along – Film and television industry – Film and television industry – Appointment of new Poet Laureate for Toronto – Street parking for car-share vehicles

Union Station revitalization – Appointment of Integrity Commissioner – Social housing action plan – Future of east Gardiner Expressway – Vision for Toronto’s western waterfront – City-wide recreation service plan – Incentive for energy efficiency retrofits – New life for the Guild Inn site – Proposal to make Rouge Valley a national park

Green roofs in Toronto – Real estate strategy – Funding for construction of affordable housing – Jarvis Street plan – Two-stroke engines – greening strategy – Support for walkers – Noise issue – railway work – Funding for student nutrition programs – Washrooms in stores – Roncesvalles Avenue streetscape – Toronto to bid for World Police and Fire Games

City of Toronto’s accountability officers – Compensation of non-union employees – Homelessness and mental health – Pilot project for wider public access to Internet – Security at City facilities – Support for recreational skating – Unpaid parking tickets – Redevelopment of Kipling Acres facility – Special meeting – March 31, 2009 : Approval of the City’s 2009 operating budget

Freeze on development charges –
Toronto beaches plan-
Legacy projects for Pan Am Games bid –
Appointees to Build Toronto and Invest Toronto –
New top financial official for the City –
More outdoor rinks to open early next season-
Yonge-Eglinton Centre

New downtown transit line a high priority – Smoking prohibited at City playgrounds – Federal gas tax agreement – Designer chosen for June Callwood Park –
Scheduling of non-emergency construction work – Ambulances donated to Central American city

Council approves multi-year capital plans and 2009 capital budget – Policies to reduce packaging and waste – GO Transit to invest in Union Station revitalization – Management of Union Station – Lobbyist Registry – Committee appointments – Bid to host 2015 Pan American Games – Toronto street food pilot project – Extension of outdoor ice rink season – Eco-Roof incentive program –

Improving Toronto’s economic competitiveness – Woodbine Live project – Local food in City childcare centres – City to increase its court capacity for 2009 – Labour disruptions to public transit – Green fleets – Cleaner parks on long weekends

Council gives green light to Mayor’s Tower Renewal – Joseph Pennachetti confirmed as the new City Manager -City to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2009 – City to invest federal funds in youth gang prevention work – Fort York to be revitalized for bicentennial celebration – Fiona Crean appointed Toronto’s first Ombudsperson

Council approved a new Councillor Expense Policy which is available at http://www.toronto.ca/city_council/pdf/councillor-expense-policy.pdf.

A total of 4.4 kilometres of new bike lanes were approved for Royal York Road, Simcoe Street, Stanley Avenue and Birchmount Road. The City intends to add 50 kilometres of new bike lanes for 2008. The overall goal is to build 1,000 kilometres of bikeways in the City.

The City will launch a pilot project to help the public guard against harmful UV rays.

Council approved the creation of a new award, the Dr. Sheela Basrur Occupational Health and Safety Award, to be given out annually to the Division that has best contributed to staff safety and health programming through joint management-staff efforts. Dr. Basrur, the City’s former Medical Officer of Health, passed away earlier this year.

Council approved an environmental assessment amendment that would allow expanded service along the Western Waterfront LRT. It would allow streetcars to travel along Fleet Street to the Canadian National Exhibition grounds and continue on to Dufferin Street.

City Council approved that a $75 million dividend from the sale of Toronto Hydro Telecom will go to the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to help address the backlog of repairs required to the City’s public housing units.

City Council approved the recommendations of the environmental assessment, paving the way for construction of this first Transit City light rail line to start next year.

As an extension of Toronto’s Climate Change Action Plan, the City and its agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) will review the impact of climate change, especially severe weather, and develop plans to mitigate the impacts on City operations and infrastructure.

City Council approved an incentive package to help secure the Woodbine Live project for Toronto. The project is a major development planned for North Etobicoke near Woodbine race track that will include the construction of a new entertainment facility, hotel, and retail complexes.

To help revitalize Toronto’s waterfront, City Council approved an $11 million environmental assessment to study the removal the Gardiner Expressway east of Jarvis Street.

City Council approved a 10-year sponsorship agreement between Exhibition Place and MTS Allstream Inc. The new conference centre being built within the heritage facade of the former Automotive Building will be named Allstream Centre – A Conference and Convention Centre at Exhibition Place.

Council approved a plan to transform Bloor Street between Avenue Road and St. Paul’s Square into a pedestrian-friendly environment. The project will be financed by the Bloor Street Business Improvement Area, with the City contributing some of the funds for the road construction costs.

Council voted in favour of allowing the Toronto Police Service to build a new police station on the site of a vacant 94-year-old school in the city’s west end.

Council adopted motions to increase the initial taxicab pick-up fee by $1, from $3 to $4, and raise the meter per kilometre rate from 25 cents per 0.170 kilometres (170 metres) to 25 cents for every 0.155 kilometres (155 metres) travelled.

City Council approved the continued development of the Toronto Museum Project, an initiative dedicated to chronicling Toronto’s history through the lens of social, cultural and economic diversity with a strong emphasis on the city’s post-Second World War development.

City Council appointed Geri Sanson the City’s new Integrity Commissioner, effective September 1. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice, complaint resolution and education to Council members (as well as to appointees of most of the City’s agencies, boards and commissions) on the application of the City’s Code of Conduct and other bylaws, policies and legislation that deal with ethics in the local government.

City Council approved the use of municipal authority to reduce the availability of handguns in Toronto. Amendments to a Toronto land use zoning bylaw will restrict the use of guns and gun-associated activities to establishments operated by the police.

The City will look to capitalize on the historic appeal of Old City Hall in future years, with staff directed to identify potential new uses for the site once its lease as a Provincial court house ends in 2016.

Council endorsed actions from the report Making Toronto the Best It Can Be, which has recommendations from industry leaders, City staff and Member of Council to enhance Toronto’s ability to serve as a premier tourist destination and reap the economic benefits.

Council put its support behind the principles to reduce poverty recommended in the 25 in 5 Declaration.

Council approved $340,000 in funding to provide youth employment opportunities to clean graffiti and beautify neighbourhoods through the Graffiti Transformation Investment Program.

Enhanced housing and support services to get panhandlers off the street were approved by Council. Building on the successful Streets to Homes program, the enhanced services will take a housing first approach, getting panhandlers into housing while providing support services that will help them remain permanently housed.

City Council unanimously approved its first-ever city-wide financial incentives program to stimulate growth in key value-added economic sectors, including manufacturing, bio-medical, environmental, information technology, creative industries and tourism. The new investment will produce new jobs, and eventually increased City revenue through property taxes.

Council agreed to allow motorcycles and scooters to use the City’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes.

Council endorsed the expansion of the existing underground PATH system to include a new underground York St. pedestrian connection between Union Station and Wellington St. W. The $65-million project is based on the need to plan and prepare for the significant increase in pedestrian demands within Union Station over the next 15 to 20 years.

City Council expressed its support for International Car Free Day, an annual event celebrated by 100 million people in 1,500 cities around the world that is supported by the European Union, the United Nations and the federal government.

Council recommended a package of stiffer penalties for red-light running offences. The proposed new fines and penalties will be sent to the Government of Ontario for consideration and implementation. As part of the package, the City is requesting the Province to consider raising the fine from $180 to $500, and increasing the demerit points from three to five for red-light running offences.

City Council approved a motion asking the federal government to ban handguns in Canada, including the sale, purchase and possession of any handgun. Police officers and military personnel would be excluded from the ban. Council also voted to ask the Government of Canada to institute a mandatory five-year minimum sentence for any person found guilty of handgun possession and those persons involved in the sale or purchase of such firearms.

Council voted to extend the current leaf and yard waste, as well as Christmas tree collection schedules starting in September 2008.

Council ratified the Agreement on Cooperation and Consultation between the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario, signed on January 15, 2008.

Council adopted the Creative City Planning Framework, a plan to increase economic competitiveness and long-term prosperity by adopting a Cultural Planning model and developing “Creative Toronto.” Cultural Planning seeks to leverage the connections between place, culture and the economy.

City Council approved a motion to oppose the Federal government’s Bill C10, which would allow tax credits to be denied to productions deemed to have “offensive content.” Canadian law and the current tax credit system already require Canadian productions to meet high standards of quality and decency.

A report outlining new options for holiday shopping was received for information only by Council, which means the status quo remains. Most stores in the City must continue to close on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.

Council unanimously approved a new bylaw that allows for the production of energy from renewable energy sources and cogeneration sources city-wide, and for the distribution of the energy off-site, such as the electrical system or to a district energy system.

Council unanimously approved the Green Fleet Plan 2008-2011, which will see the City purchase more environmentally friendly vehicles. These vehicles will help the City Fleet meet or surpass its emission reduction targets adopted by Council: it will reduce locally produced smog emissions by 20 per cent by 2012, and meet Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction targets.

City Council adopted a new approval process for bicycle lanes in the city. In an effort to streamline the bicycle lane approval and reporting process, all bicycle lane matters will now be routed to Council through the City’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

City Council adopted a new approval process for bicycle lanes in the city. In an effort to streamline the bicycle lane approval and reporting process, all bicycle lane matters will now be routed to Council through the City’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

Council approved a motion asking staff to report back on strategies to decrease or eliminate the risk of rabies transmission when dogs and cats are sold to the public, including the requirement that all dogs and cats to be licensed and fully immunized against rabies at the point of sale.

Council adopted amendments to the City’s tree bylaws to better protect both City-owned trees and trees on private property.

Council adopted amendments to the City’s tree bylaws to better protect both City-owned trees and trees on private property.

Council approved a Toronto Street Food Pilot for the summer of 2008 to introduce the sale of safe, healthy, nutritious and ethnically-diverse foods at selected locations.

Agenda for Prosperity – a strong, vibrant and internationally competitive Toronto Council endorsed the Agenda for Prosperity – A Prospectus for a Great City as the framework for major strategic policies impacting economic competitiveness and growth.

These Council Highlights, produced for your convenience, is a summary of Council’s recent decisions. Council Highlights is not intended to serve as an official record of the meeting. If you have questions about this summary, please contact Strategic Communications at 416-392-8937.