Toronto Council meets today! Mayor Olivia Chow has designated an item about the not-so-great condition of Toronto’s infrastructure assets as her first key matter, so that’ll be up first. Meeting is streaming here. I’ll do it live. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT1k...
I had a full preview of the agenda in a special Friday edition of my newsletter. Other big items include allowing more dense housing on major streets (now scheduled for first-thing tomorrow), e-scooters, Eglinton bike lanes and Gardiner construction. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/toronto-co...
We begin today, though, with a tribute to the late Councillor Jaye Robinson. She died last week from cancer. First elected in Don Valley West in 2010, she served as Chair of Infrastructure and as TTC Chair during her time.
Councillor Pasternak, elected the same year as Robinson, says he went to Robinson for the “real scoop” on the Barry and Honey Sherman murders, and notes he helped her get Drake a fence exemption. Also credits her with getting him to stop chewing on his highlighter. Multitudes.
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik notes Robinson’s support of women’s sports. One of Robinson’s final official acts was to work with Malik on this motion to advance pro women’s soccer in Toronto. It’ll be considered at this meeting. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Thompson recalls how he and Robinson “conspired” to prevent former mayor Rob Ford from cutting the budget for economic development and culture. Robinson was one of the first of Ford’s initial inner circle to push back against some of the moves his admin was making.
Robison was later booted off Ford’s executive for having the temerity to publicly suggest the mayor should take a leave of absence following the whole crack video thing. Councillor Gord Perks calls it a “moment of courage.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
After the tributes to Robinson, Council opts to recess until 2 p.m. to allow time for councillors to speak with Robinson’s family and attend a funeral for Councillor Shelley Carroll’s father. I’ll see you back here at 2.
A new addition to the council agenda: after being asked to review the economic case, staff are now recommending increasing the number of units permitted in six-storey buildings on major streets. Original recommendation was up to 30 units. Now up to 60. www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis...
Council is back. Councillor Holyday moves to refer the City Manager’s answer re: the cost of installing signage at Sankofa Square (formerly known as Yonge-Dundas) to Executive Committee for more consideration. That CARRIES 11-10. Close one! secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
(This is at best a symbolic victory for Holyday. Chow’s Executive isn’t likely to do anything with the item.)
Council votes to ADOPT a new wage schedule for the city’s longstanding Fair Wage Policy. It CARRIES 23-1, with only Holyday opposed. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Council votes via show of hands to extend the Chief Information Security Officer’s mandate to include city agencies and corporations. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Paula Fletcher moves to defer an item about “free-floating” car sharing (i.e. Communauto) to the next Council meeting. Apparently there are some questions that need answers. That carries via show of hands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Noting that councillors are holding a hell of a lot of items for debate, Mayor Olivia Chow moves to extend this meeting through to 8 p.m. tonight so they can finish off a few more items than they would otherwise. Council agrees to that schedule change.
And now — at last — council starts their first debate of the day. It’s about a report on Toronto’s corporate assets. Staff reviewed $73 billion worth of infrastructure and found ~40% is in poor condition. City is short $26 billion needed for repairs over next decade. Not ideal.
By category, the biggest infrastructure need in this group of assets (“core assets” like roads and pipes were a separate earlier report) comes from the TTC, by far. Needs $2.4 billion per year. Here are the top ten contributors to this infra gap.
Also as part of the item, staff are giving a presentation on the province’s latest housing bill, Bill 185. Queen’s Park promised to make Toronto whole after earlier Bill 23 changed development charges framework, but this bill, staff say, only returns “six cents on the dollar.”
The biggest remaining beef between city and province re: development charges is province disallowing “housing services” as an eligible development charge expense. City was banking on using dev charge revenue to fund affordable housing and shelters.
Councillor Michael Thompson gets up to ask questions about development charges. “Would I be accurate in saying this is all very complex and confusing?” Planning staff confirm it: “You would be definitely correct on that.” Thompson: “Thank you.”
Mayor Olivia Chow, speaking the on asset management report and development charge shortfall: “These two reports combined paint a picture that is problematic, but let’s stay hopeful, because other levels of government are listening.” She says councillors should advocate together.
Holyday has motions. He moves to have council endorse continued ability for third-parties to appeal projects at the OLT. He also wants to continue requirement that statutory notices are published in newspapers, not just online. Text is here: secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Perks: “Between what we have heard on our capital asset report and Bill 185, it is plain that the actions of the federal government and provincial government are deteriorating the quality of life for people who live in Toronto, who live in Ontario and who live across Canada.”
“It’s the Great Canadian Swindle,” says Perks, of feds and province downloading infra costs to municipalities. He quotes Hazel McCallion: “The federal government has the money, the provinces have the authority, and municipal governments have to clean up the mess.”
Time to vote. Councillor Holyday’s motion to request the province continue allowing third-party appeals at the OLT for affordable housing projects FAILS 5-18.
Councillor Holyday’s motion requesting province continue to require Toronto to post statutory planning notices via newspaper ad (not just online) FAILS 9-14.
Council votes 24-0 to endorse planning staff feedback on the province’s Bill 185. Generally, they are not fans. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The report on the corporate asset management plan detailing how much of our public infrastructure is falling apart also carries 24-0.
Downsview is up now. Council considering community development plan for former airport lands in Councillor James Pasternak’s ward. Report lays out plan for 115,000 new residents and 52,000 jobs. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
There are actually two Downsview reports on the agenda. The community development plan and this secondary plan and zoning item. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Anthony Perruzza says he thinks Downsview is “the future centre of the GTA.” He says previously cities located on riverbanks, but “this future centre is bounded by highways — the modern rivers! It’s criss-crossed by rail lines — the modern rivers!”
A hot mic moment from Councillor Brad Bradford, chatting with another councillor: “You don’t like pickle ball? I like pickle ball.” Things are getting scandalous.
On an item about the East Harbour project, Councillor Paula Fletcher moves to reiterate a previous request that it contain at least 20% affordable housing. She notes City Hall is paying for the GO Station at the site, under the SmartTrack program. Motion CARRIES via show of hands
Things getting a bit tense during a debate on arts funding. Councillor Cheng has moved for a report on a timeline for achieving “equitable funding” for arts orgs. Currently, Etobicoke Arts is most well-funded of the six orgs. Holyday is worried Cheng’s motion will lead to a cut
Other councillors are also concerned about Cheng’s motion, arguing that different parts of the city have different needs. “We have to take an approach where we meet the need where it is,” says Councillor Bravo. Here’s the recommended allocations for 2024.
Cheng’s motion for a report on a timeline for achieving equitable funding for arts organizations across the city CARRIES 11-7.
And that will wrap things up for today. Council will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. to tackle an agenda that somehow still has 61 items on it. (28 regular items and 33 member motions.) See you back here tomorrow morning. First up: e-scooters — threat or menace?
Council will start day two of their meeting soon. We may be a bit delayed getting started as Mayor Olivia Chow is currently on stage at an announcement for Toronto’s WNBA Team. (Personal note: We’re getting season tix) When it starts, stream will be here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2y...
Meanwhile, back at home court, Council votes 13-3 to APPROVE a 12-storey project on Sheppard West. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
On an item about King Street transit, Councillor Chris Moise passes a quick motion requesting a report on automated enforcement. That CARRIES via show of hands, as does the item. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: e-scooters. The city has legalized other forms of “micromobility.” Staff are recommending legalizing “low-speed vehicles” (tiny electric cars) today. But e-scooters are recommended to remain banned. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Staff confirm to Councillor Pasternak that it’s legal to sell and own e-scooters in Toronto but not legal to use them anywhere on public streets. But is there any enforcement? Staff say there were 89 tickets issued for sidewalk scooter riding in 2023. “Not a lot,” staff admit.
Per the staff report, city staff do believe the current ban on e-scooters is succeeding in limiting their use: “Although some people are riding e-scooters illegally in Toronto, it is thought that the prohibition has kept the number lower than if they were permitted.”
I’m a bit skeptical of this. I have trouble imagining a person who’s like, “damn I’d love to ride my e-scooter but I have too much respect for generally-unenforced City of Toronto bylaws.”
Councillor Moise asks if police have the power to confiscate e-scooters from people riding illegally? Staff say no, because it’s legal to own an e-scooter.
Transportation Services GM Barbara Gray says if there were better federal and provincial standards/regulations for e-scooter design (especially re: safety, batteries, speed governors) her division would potentially be more likely to support legalizing e-scooters.
On to speakers. Councillor Amber Morley moves for the transportation department to conduct a count of micro-mobility users (including e-scooters) this fall.
Showing several videos of low-speed vehicle crash tests, Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to delete the staff recommendation that these tiny electric vehicles be permitted to operate in Toronto. “I have grave concerns,” he says.
Councillor Chris Moise says he’ll vote against the continued ban on e-scooters, pointing out there’s already thousands of people using e-scooters in the city. “Putting our heads in the sand is not really going to change this.”
Councillor Dianne Saxe moves to request the provincial government allow the city to license courier and transportation businesses and the micro-mobility vehicles they use.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza moves for staff to look at installing signage in parks and along trails letting people know which micro-mobility devices are permitted.
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie has a motion to give the police a “briefing note” explaining which micro-mobility devices are allowed and which are banned.
Time to vote on micro-mobility and e-scooters. Councillor Holyday’s motion to NOT allow low-speed vehicles (tiny electric cars) to operate in Toronto FAILS 4-18.
Councillor Perruzza’s motion to look at installing more signage in parks and along trails letting people which micro-mobility vehicles are allowed CARRIES 13-9.
Recommendation to continue to ban the use of e-scooters on public streets in Toronto CARRIES 19-3.
Recommendation to allow the use of low-speed vehicles (tiny electric cars) on Toronto streets CARRIES 19-3.
Recommendation to request the provincial government allow Toronto to license courier businesses and their vehicles CARRIES 21-1.
All other motions carried via show of hands. Remainder of micro-mobility recommendations as amended CARRIES 22-0.
Council has moved on to an item from Councillor Mike Colle recommending the city embark on a program to paint 1,000 new street murals. Councillor Lily Cheng moves to have Mayor Olivia Chow help paint the first mural at Mel Lastman Square. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Cheng’s motion CARRIES via show of hands. Colle’s graffiti item as amended CARRIES 22-0.
That takes council to lunch. There are 53 items left on this council agenda, including 34 member motions. Those member motions will be dealt with after lunch break. The debate on allowing more dense housing on major streets will follow. See you back here at 2 p.m.
Council is back. Councillor Lily Cheng announces that May is Asian Heritage Month. Mayor Olivia Chow echos that, and announces that today is Newcomers Day. She shouts out 167 city staffers volunteering their time today to help out with festivities at Nathan Phillips Square.
Before they get to member motions, Chow says she’s concerned that some of these motions are coming on-the-fly and staff haven’t been given a chance to review them and write reports. She says she’ll be reluctant to vote to waive referral unless a matter is really urgent.
Councillor Brad Bradford’s motion to report on if there are any ways to speed up Gardiner construction gets added to the agenda via a show-of-hands vote. Bradford holds it for debate. They’ll come back to it. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Chris Moise had brought a motion requesting a $2.7 million budget increase for the Lower Don Trail project. Chow says she thinks items like this should go to Executive Committee. It doesn’t end up mattering — Moise moves to withdraw it. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Bradford’s motion to request the province create “safety zones” around places of worship gets added to the agenda on show-of-hands vote. Matlow holds for debate. Bradford is mad because he wanted to hold it. But Matlow’s hold stands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Lily Cheng’s motion for a report on whether the city should require more visitor parking in suburban development FAILS to make the agenda. Vote was 15-9. It needed two-thirds. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Cheng’s motion for a report on “equitable funding and distribution of Canada Day Events” across the city is ADDED to the agenda on an 18-6 vote. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Cheng’s Canada Day event motion CARRIES via show of hands. A similar Cheng motion for a “report on the current distribution of City-funded cultural events” across the city also makes the agenda on an 18-6 vote. Carroll holds this one for debate. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Moise’s motion for a report on the merits of “transitioning the governance and operations of Moss Park Arena from a Board of Management to a City-operated arena” CARRIES 21-3. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Matlow’s motion to request the province implement commercial rent control for small businesses and develop standardized commercial leases gets ADDED to the agenda on a 20-4 vote. Bradford holds this one. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Paula Fletcher’s motion for a report on building more housing and affordable housing on Villier’s Island in the port lands CARRIES via show of hands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Mayor Olivia Chow’s motion to give staff authority to open the Jameson on-ramp gate on the Gardiner when it’ll help traffic CARRIES via show of hands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Wake up, planning nerds. Council is about to debate the EHON report that would allow six-storey buildings and townhouses on major streets across the city. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
In a nutshell, if this item passes it’ll enable denser residential development in areas along major streets currently zoned as Neighbourhoods. Staff say it’ll unlock development on more than 31,000 lots.
If you want to really drill down on how this might affect your neck of the woods, staff have created 25 maps showing affected areas in each ward. (I don’t know why the map titles & legends are in morse code.) www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
I’m expecting motions from councillors trying to remove streets in their wards from the “major street” designation. To try to pre-empt that, planners reviewed 22 streets highlighted by resident associations and found they were not “significantly different” from other streets.
Councillor Nick Mantas is attending virtually and trying to ask staff questions, but there’s a ridiculous echo. “Do you have a headset?” Nunziata asks. Mantas does not. Should have saved one from that flight. They try a few times but the echo persists. Nunziata moves on.
Mayor Olivia Chow is the first speaker on the housing-on-major-streets item. She moves the new staff recommendation to allow up to 60 units in the six-storey buildings. She also moves to have staff pursue opportunities to make some of these projects affordable housing.
Mayor Olivia Chow: “By building this way, we’re saying yes to more neighbours and we’re saying yes to newcomer families … We’re building their dreams because we’re building homes. If we don’t do that, it’s very difficult for people to stay in Toronto.”
Councillor Nick Mantas moves to have staff conduct community consultations on intensification and allowed heights along Huntingwood Drive in Scarborough. He says this doesn’t remove the street from the Major Street designation, but he wants the consultation.
Councillor Jon Burnside moves to remove the Major Street designation from Sloane Avenue in his ward.
Councillor Paul Ainslie moves to remove the Major Street designation from Guildwood Parkway to allow for more review. He’s concerned about drainage and the impact on the Scarborough Bluffs.
Councillor Vince Crisanti submits a list of streets in his Etobicoke North ward he’d like to remove from the Major Streets designation. He says his constituents have told him they don’t like the impacts of densification and don’t want it.
“The biggest concern I have with this policy is the risk to the character of the established communities,” Crisanti says of allowing six-storey buildings and townhouses. He says this policy would allow developers to change the “core characteristics” of neighbourhoods.
Councillor Stephen Holyday stands and asks Crisanti a bunch of questions designed to make it clear that Etobicoke North residents have poor transit access. The point, I think, is that council shouldn’t allow more housing there because there’s not enough transit service.
Councillor Shelley Carroll is using the overhead projector to display photos of small apartment buildings that have existed in suburban neighbourhoods for decades. “This is not something new. This is not terrifying weird science. This is not the end of the world.”
Councillor Stephen Holyday is next to speak, but instead leaves the chamber in a hurry. Councillors joke that he needs to go get his props. Maybe it’s true? I am not sure. Anyway, they move on. He’ll get his turn later.
Councillor Dianne Saxe moves to remove part of True Davidson Drive from the Major Street Designation. She says it’s a technical amendment related to the steep topography of the area. She’s very supportive of the report otherwise. “It’s a long time coming,” she says.
Holyday is up now. “Make no mistake, council — people are talking about this. People see this in Etobicoke Centre as DESPICABLE. They see this as insensitive. They hold council in contempt. They use words I can’t even say because they’re unparliamentary.” I think he’s opposed.
Holyday has a photo of himself standing next to a six-storey building. “Spot the councillor! Oops, there he is! That’s what six storeys is! Imagine that next to a bungalow where there’s been nothing before — that’s deplorable.”
Holyday has also again brought his framed photo of Doug Ford giving Mayor Chow a giant novelty cheque for hitting the 2023 housing target. He decries what he calls a panicked “housing, housing, housing” approach, saying it is not necessary.
Holyday has three motions: 1) Defer the item to December 2) Delete recommendations, replace with new model where public can give input on every development application 3) Delete eligibility of “through-lots” that have frontage on major and local streets.
Because Holyday moved deferral, all other debate stops and Council debates the deferral. Speaking on the matter, Perks calls deferral “cowardly.” Holyday gets MAD. Nunziata asks Perks to apologize. Perks eventually says, sure, okay, and says he doesn’t think Holyday is a coward.
Holyday’s motion to defer the housing-on-major-streets item to December FAILS 4-20. Blaze it.
Back to the debate. Councillor Parthi Kandavel has a motion similar to the Mantas motion, requesting some community consultation with residents on Pharmacy Avenue, Brimley Road and McCowan Road. Doesn’t change the designation, but lets people give feedback.
Councillor Brad Bradford, speaking on the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhood program’s achievements to date and those still to come, says, “These are big, transformative swings that will forever reshape growth and housing opportunities in the city going forward.”
Councillor Gord Perks, chair of the Planning & Housing Committee, is the last speaker on the item. He urges councillors to vote against the motions by Crisanti, Ainslie, Burnside and Holyday. “We can’t do zoning bylaws where individual councillors opt out,” he says.
“Whether we want it to happen or not, people are going to move to Toronto. You do nothing by planting your throne on the beach and saying ‘I’m going to hold back the tide,’” says Perks. He says the right approach is smart planning to accommodate growth
Holyday’s motion to DELETE all the staff recommendations re: allowing townhouses and six-storey buildings on major streets and instead start over with a new model FAILS 3-21.
Chow’s motion to adopt the new staff recommendation to allow up to 60 units in the six-storey buildings permitted on major streets CARRIES 23-1.
Holyday’s motion to remove eligibility for “through lots” that border on both major streets and local streets from the new density permissions FAILS 5-19.
Burnside’s motion to remove the Major Streets designation from Sloane Avenue FAILS 7-17.
Ainslie’s motion to remove the Major Streets designation from Guildwood Parkway FAILS 10-14.
Crisanti’s motion to remove the Major Streets designation from parts of Kipling, Steeles West and Martin Grove in his ward FAILS 4-20.
Chow’s motion to look at ways to turn some of these new townhouse and six-storey building units into affordable housing CARRIES 23-1.
Council votes 21-3 to APPROVE report allowing six-storey buildings and townhouses on major streets city-wide.
Mayor Olivia Chow suggests powering through and completing the agenda tonight. That CARRIES. They’ll take a 30-minute break at 6 p.m. then come back and get it done.
Dealing with some quick items, Council votes 21-1 to approve a 7-storey rental development at 1400 Gerrard East. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Dep Mayor Ausma Malik’s motion to look at Lamport Stadium as a home for a new pro women’s soccer team, seconded by the late Coun. Jaye Robinson, CARRIES 22-0. “This motion is reflective of her ideas and her determination and her leadership,” says Malik. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: eglintonTOday. That’s their capitalization, not mine. It calls for bike lanes across the central section of Eglinton. I’m told they’re planning to open an LRT there soon but that could just be a longstanding rumour. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Frances Nunziata moves to coordinate signals to “minimize congestion” on the part of Eglinton that runs through her ward.
A technical amendment by Matlow and the Nunziata motion both CARRY. The eglintonTOday complete streets plan (with bike lanes) is APPROVED 20-1.
In the last hour or so, Council approved a major YIMBY housing item and a major bike lane item with minimal pushback. That’s pretty remarkable when you think back to how contentious these kinds of issues used to be. Anyway, they’re on break now ’til 6:30. 11 items left.
Council is back for their (Evening Session). The new stream is here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc1a...
Up now: an item about the provincial Transit Oriented Community program. Of 7,898 units proposed at the six TOCs in Councillor Fletcher’s ward along the Ontario Line route, just 215 are designated as affordable. About 2.7%. She’s not thrilled about that. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The item CARRIES via show of hands after Councillor Perks offers some advice to Premier Doug Ford: “It is always better to say yes to Councillor Fletcher.” Her fight for more affordable housing at TOCs will continue.
Up now: Bradford is looking for ways to speed up construction on the Gardiner. He asks staff if they’ve done 24/7 Gardiner work in the past. They have, on the eastern section. For current work, they can do 24/7 but can’t do noisy stuff like demolition work secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Staff explain that noisy work on Gardiner construction isn’t currently permitted between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays. Holyday asks staff to define “noisy.” Staff say they’ve installed noise meters around the area and consider noisy to be anything above 70 decibels.
This is an interesting debate. It’s easy to be dismissive of overnight noise concerns but also some of the condo buildings along the central section of the Gardiner are REALLY close to the highway. Like “reach out and touch it” close. Or “throw a chair and hit a car” close.
Councillor Cheng wonders if the city could use AI to “create a repair plan” for the Gardiner. She heard about Japan doing it. “I’m wondering, have we explored that?” Staff say AI is “interesting” and they have sensors on the Gardiner that are like an early step toward AI.
Staff confirm that they’re already using prefabrication for a large part of the Gardiner project. 700 box-beams are already being fabricated north of Toronto and will be brought in to be installed in place.
Councillors seemingly looking for some overlooked silver bullet that’ll speed up this Gardiner work and get it done faster than mid-2027, but truth may be that 60-year-old elevated highways are hard to rebuild, especially if you’re trying to keep lanes open throughout.
Councillor Nunziata demands that a transportation staffer physically drive west across Dundas Street from City Hall to Jane Street. “I want you to drive. Not cameras, drive! I want you to feel it! I want you to feel the congestion!”
Hovering over this debate is the fact that the Gardiner is set to be Doug Ford’s problem by the end of this year, subject to ongoing due diligence process. We should gift wrap it.
Councillor McKelvie moves to have a report on potential ways to speed up Gardiner construction come forward in July, as part of a larger Congestion Management Plan report. Staff will look at more 24/7 construction, more prefab construction and creating a working group.
Bradford wants a separate vote on the part of McKelvie’s motion that says consideration of 24/7 Gardiner construction should try to minimize “impacts to the local community.” He doesn’t like it. That part of the motion still CARRIES 20-3.
Rest of the Gardiner construction item CARRIES via show of hands. Report will come in July on whether there are any ways to speed this whole thing up.
Council votes 19-1 to approve a 13 storey development at 1095 and 1111 Danforth Avenue. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Council votes 21-1 to approve an official plan amendment for Danforth between the DVP and Coxwell. Someone’s cranky. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: Councillor Mantas took a trip to Italy for a conference. He got council to approve extra funds to cover costs related to a missed flight. Other questionable expenses were revealed later. Fletcher wants more safeguards to prevent this kind of thing. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Fletcher’s motion to require councillors to submit receipts before they seek council approval for reimbursement of any travel costs CARRIES 22-0, with Mantas in favour of the policy he inspired.
Up now: Councillor Bradford’s motion to ask the provincial government to create legislation that’d allow for the creation of “safety zones” around “places of worship; faith-based schools, daycares, community centres and museums” etc. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
This item has provoked strong reactions. Opponents argue it could unduly restrict speech by limiting where people can protest. Supporters argue it’ll keep people safe from antisemitism and other hate, and that it’s based on “bubble zone” law around reproductive health clinics.
Mayor Olivia Chow is asking questions of city legal staff. “Under existing law, one could apply and get an injunction if a place of worship feels there are grounds?” Staff say yes. “Isn’t there a trespassing law that could apply?” Staff say yes.
We’re at the PROCEDURAL CONFUSION part of the meeting. Councillor Matlow wanted to place a motion but the clerks hadn’t posted it yet. Some councillors appear to rise to kill some time so it can be prepared. Bradford gets MAD and says there’s been “obstruction” and “gamesmanship”
Councillor Matlow’s motion deletes the Bradford motion and instead asks the City Manager to develop an action plan to address any issues surrounding protests using existing laws and bylaws, respecting the charter.
Matlow says the “biggest shame” of Bradford’s motion is that it’s “virtue signalling.” “It won’t actually do anything. It won’t save a life. It won’t support a single individual. It won’t protect anyone in the community.”
Councillor Pasternak has a motion. It tries to more clearly define where the “bubble zones” restricting protests would exist should the province grant the requested legislation and also work in some elements from Matlow’s motion.
“I need you to remember that Jews in Toronto are 14 times more likely to experience a hate crime than anybody else in the city. Five times more likely to experience a hate crime than in other places like NYC. It’s bad here,” says Councillor Saxe, in support of the Bradford motion
Councillor Brad Bradford urges council to vote for the Pasternak amendment and his motion (as amended). He says councillors should reject the Matlow motion, “which he is working with on behalf of the mayor.” Matlow objects to that characterization. Bradford withdraws.
“Don’t talk to me about virtue signalling BS. Don’t talk to me about that in this council chamber. Let’s make the ask for additional tools and support that will help city staff execute on the mandate to keep our communities safe,” says Bradford.
Matlow’s motion to NOT request the provincial government pass legislation to allow for “safety zones” around faith-based institutions and instead develop an action plan using existing laws CARRIES 13-11.
Matlow’s motion carrying made Pasternak’s motion redundant so that’s the only vote. So that’s the end of that.
Matlow’s motion to request the province implement commercial rent control CARRIES 21-1. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
And that will do it. Council wraps up their May 2024 meeting agenda at 10:34 p.m. Everyone seems pretty tired and cranky but at least they don’t have to come back tomorrow. Weather looks pretty good. Maybe try a patio.
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