Toronto Council meets today! It’s their first regular meeting since July, so the agenda is big. Mayor Chow has set the tripling of the vacant home tax as her first key matter, so that’s up first. Here's the stream. Long thread ahoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4PCfVJnQvs
This week’s @cityhallwatcher has a full rundown of the 165-item+ agenda. We’ve got stuff about dog parks, WiFi, student snacks, budget chasms, EVs and golf. Plus more! https://toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/chw248
Speaker Nunziata notes there's been more work on AV upgrades in the Council Chamber since the last meeting. She can once again control member microphones, which should help mitigate the chaos. Also: for the first time, we can watch council in 1080p. The future is full of wonders
Mayor Olivia Chow declares today Public Health Day in Toronto, noting the agency turns 140 this year. We get a display of some old-timey public health pictures, and then some new-timey public health pictures. Here’s a selection.
Dr. Eileen de Villa is here and at the podium. She is bescarfed, as always. “There are simply not enough words to express the gratitude that I feel for my talented, committed and hard-working colleagues at Toronto Public Health,” the Chief Medical Officer says.
A new addition to the agenda: Councillor Paula Fletcher has moved to extend the pilot project allowing booze in 27 select parks through to at least March 31, 2024. The initial pilot period expired on Oct 9. There have been very few complaints. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.22
Councillor James Pasternak rises to speak about the attacks in Israel and condemn the recent rally at Nathan Phillips Square. “We must condemn terrorism and hate in all its forms.”
Councillor Jon Burnside has received an answer to his administrative inquiry on whether the city has a policy requiring staff to keep their cameras on when attending meetings remotely. The city manager says a policy is being developed. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IA11.1
Councillor James Pasternak has received an answer to his inquiry about why the Better Living Centre hosted a Pink Floyd exhibit given band member Rogers Waters’ recent statements. Exhibition Place CEO says they reviewed the display and deemed it acceptable https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IA11.2
Secrets will be revealed! Councillor Jennifer McKelvie says the City has received permission to release the RFP documents for the province’s new blue box program. Coming later today, followed by debate on this item tomorrow. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE6.3
At Councillor Stephen Holyday’s request, Council holds a recorded vote on a 39-storey development proposal for Jopling Ave. It CARRIES 23-1.
And this item about pursuing permit parking on Loungbourne Drive in Etobicoke CARRIES 21-3. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EY7.23
After running through the order paper, more than 100 items are approved as a package without debate. There are now 68 items left for consideration, including 23 member motions. Agenda is here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2462/23198
First item is on the vacant home tax. Council will vote on whether to triple the rate from 1% of assessed value to 3%. Nearly 20K properties have received bills — most because they failed to file a declaration. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EX8.7
Councillor Fletcher is asking staff about a new proposal to exempt new construction for up to two years from paying the vacant home tax. BILD, the advocacy group for developers, is pushing for no time limit on this exemption. Here’s their letter: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/cc/comm/communicationfile-172719.pdf (PDF)
Mayor Olivia Chow moves to direct additional revenues from the vacant home tax to the MURA program that acquires buildings and protects affordable housing units.
“We’re not talking about ordinary homeowners. We’re talking about those who are accumulating a lot of units of housing, and no one should be keeping a home empty during this housing crisis,” says Chow, arguing in favour of the increase to the vacant home tax.
Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to declare that the “ultimate goal of the vacant home tax is to collect zero dollars.” Uh, sure, okay?
Holyday also moves for a new exemption to the tax for secondary residences kept while people are undergoing medical treatments, telling a story of a constituent who moved to cottage country but kept a condo in Toronto they stayed at while getting cancer treatment in the city
“I don’t support the increase from 1% to 3% because I fear that it is about the money,” declares Holyday. He thinks the vacant home tax should be a “policy tool” and not about raising revenue. He urges council to vote against the hike.
Councillor Mike Colle speaks in support of the vacant home tax, arguing that vacant homes can create a burden for the city, citing examples like when “bandits” break into an empty house and steal the copper plumbing. You definitely got to watch out for bandits.
“If we want to build housing, don’t build it on the backs of someone who sacrificed to pay their mortgage and pay their bills,” says Councillor Vince Crisanti, who says he is not a fan of the vacant home tax.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza moves to extend the exemption period from the vacant home tax for cases where a homeowner has died, from two years to three years.
Perruzza says this extension to the vacant home tax exemption will “give people additional time to come to grips with the loss of a loved one.” He also says it will help with cases where there are arguments re: probate.
Nunziata would like Perruzza’s motion amended so the word “died” is replaced with “passed away.” Perruzza not like the word “die.” “It doesn’t sit right with me,” she says. Perruzza agrees.
On that note, Council breaks for lunch. Back at 2 p.m.
Council is back! Before the debate resumes, Mayor Olivia Chow pays tribute to Lobbyist Registrar Christina De Caprio. Her term has expired. Chow praises her for creating a culture of accountability.
Via a show of hands, Council votes to approve a new slate of board members for the Toronto Music Advisory Committee. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CA8.5
Back to the vacant home tax. Councillor Paula Fletcher moves for any property being rented for 28 days or more that does not have a long-term lease tenant in place to be subject to the vacant home tax. This primarily targets landlords who are skirting Airbnb regulations.
Mayor Olivia Chow’s motion to direct additional revenue from the Vacant Home Tax to the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) program CARRIES 23-1. (Matlow was also a yes.)
Holyday’s motion to state that the goal of the vacant home tax is to achieve zero vacancies CARRIES via show of hands. So does his motion for a report on an exemption for people keeping a secondary residence for medical reasons.
Perruzza’s motion to increase Vacant Home Tax exemption in cases where the property owner has died from two years to three years CARRIES 18-6.
Fletcher’s motion to make landlords who are renting their units for 28+ day stints but don’t have leased tenants in place subject to the Vacant Home Tax CARRIES 18-6.
Holyday wants a separate vote on increasing the Vacant Home Tax from 1% of assessed value to 3%. The rate increase, effective for the 2024 tax year, CARRIES 21-2.
Up now: a proposal to require taxi and Uber/Lyft/etc drivers to use electric vehicles by 2031. Rumours swirling that there could be a major motion coming. Feel the intrigue. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EC6.6
Foreshadowing: Councillor Shelley Carroll asks staff what Council’s track record is with significant policy changes made on the fly via amendments moved during Council meetings. Staff say it’s not always gone great.
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie asks City Solicitor Wendy Walberg about the legal implications should Council adopt a motion today stopping new licensing of Uber/Lyft/etc drivers. Walberg says she can’t comment on that in public session.
For some context on this debate, the City had about 59,457 licensed Uber/Lyft/etc drivers as of this past June, compared to 6,667 taxi drivers. Both numbers are down from before the pandemic. New taxicab licenses haven’t been issued since 2016.
Councillor Lily Cheng asks if a cap on the number of Uber/Lyft/etc drivers would be enforceable. Municipal Licensing & Standards Executive Director Carleton Grant seems to suggest it’s doable, floating that City Hall could enforce a cap of 52K drivers, based on current numbers.
“Do the companies involved know that we’re considering a cap today?” asks Councillor Dianne Saxe. Grant says no. If you haven’t figured it out yet, there is a motion coming that would put a cap on the number of licensed drivers in Toronto using platforms like Uber, Lyft, etc.
Grant says over 62% of current Uber/Lyft and taxi drivers working in Toronto do not live in Toronto.
Councillor Gord Perks asks if it’s true that Uber, Lyft and other ride-share companies lobby a lot. Grant says yes. There has indeed been a lot of lobbying — Uber alone has made 3,800+ lobbying communications since 2013, peaking in 2015/2016.
Heck of a moment. Mayor Olivia Chow is taking Grant to task for not delivering requested reports on the Taxi and Uber/Lyft industry by deadlines requested by Council. Things get pretty tense. “I apologize that reports are coming later than expected,” Grant says.
Grant says full reports on the taxi and rideshare industries, transportation impacts, etc will be out by the end of 2024. “I cannot speed it up,” he says.
Councillor Alejandra Bravo moves a long motion with tweaks to the staff-recommended incentive program that will provide breaks on licensing fees for drivers who convert to EVs ahead of the deadline. Full text should be here shortly: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EC6.6
Councillor James Pasternak moves to explore reducing license fees for taxi owners and for owners who cancelled their licenses during COVID to reactivate. https://x.com/TorontoCouncil/status/1712199019491885553
Councillors concerned re: Pasternak’s motion to let owners of cancelled/revoked taxi licenses reactivate their licenses. Perks asks if it would apply to drivers whose licenses were revoked for criminal reasons. Pasternak says he’s open to revising his motion to exclude criminals.
Nunziata rules parts 2, 3, and 4 of Pasternak’s motion out of order, as the issue of taxi licensing is not technically before council at the moment. And that’s the end of that digression.
Here’s the big motion. Councillor Mike Colle moves to cap the number of licensed Uber/Lyft/etc drivers at the current level, until staff report back on further regulations for the industry.
Councillor Mike Colle says if you go downtown all you see is Uber drivers “circling and circling and circling” and contributing to air quality problems.
Councillor Brad Bradford asks Colle if he thinks it’s fair to restrict people from earning extra money during the coming holiday season by driving for Uber/Lyft. Colle says this is just a temporary one-year cap, and he thinks the wages earned by drivers are pretty pathetic anyway
Councillor Stephen Holyday asks Colle if this cap could actually increase emissions, as people who currently rely on bountiful access to Uber and Lyft say “to heck with this!” and decide to drive themselves instead. Colle says he does not think this is likely.
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie moves to amend Colle’s motion capping Uber/Lyft/taxi licenses at current levels, specifying that drivers who own electric vehicles can continue to get licenses.
But McKelvie says she’ll vote against implementing a cap on licensing today. She urges Council to instead adopt her second motion, which asks for a report on options for limiting the number of licenses.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza moves to extend the lifespan of taxicabs that weren’t in active use during COVID, allowing them to continue driving for longer than the standard seven years.
Perruzza floats the idea of requiring all Uber drivers to paint their cars “Hot Pink”, similar to how the City has standards for taxi cabs. Alas, he does not bring that forward as a motion.
Perruzza recounts the history of Toronto taxi regulations in Toronto, noting City Hall loaded up on regulations for taxis but then “in one fell swoop, Adam Smith came into the picture, and — poof — all was gone.”
Carroll wants a ruling on whether Perruzza’s motions are in order, because they’re not really related to the report before council. Nunziata says she’ll check on that.
Councillor Jaye Robinson says the Colle’s motion is not a pause, but rather a “slippery slope” toward more restrictions. She doesn’t think a cap on Uber/Lyft licenses is necessary. “The market will take of it!” she says. She goes on to complain about a lack of parking.
Nunziata has a ruling. Perruzza’s motion about taxi replacement rules is out of order, as that issue is not currently before council. And that’s the end of that chapter. She also admonishes Perruzza for being on his cellphone in the council chamber.
Councillor Brad Bradford blames “various interested parties” for pushing for a cap on the number of Uber/Lyft licenses. He calls Colle’s motion “irresponsible” and warns it could leave city hall “legally liable.”
Bradford closes by saying he doesn’t like the complaints about the pace of staff reports and missed deadlines, arguing that council is to blame for issuing so many report requests across a range of issues and not setting clear priorities.
Perks downplays concerns that city could get taken to court over Uber/Lyft license cap. He says city is involved in 100+ legal cases right now. It’s just part of “taking on powerful interests.” “So bring it. Bring it! I look forward to our litigators standing up for our rights”
Councillor Stephen Holyday moves to receive the item, effectively killing it. The motion draws some laughs from colleagues.
Holyday says even on a councillor salary he can’t afford to buy an electric vehicle. He says this item isn’t about making life easier for the ride-share industry, and will just cause hardship.
Mayor Olivia Chow says she’ll support the cap on Uber/Lyft licenses, saying it makes sense to do a pause as full review of industry is worked on. She says it doesn’t make sense to give advance notice because people would just rush to get licensed before any deadline.
Time to vote on the tangle of all this Uber/Lyft/taxi/EV stuff. Holyday’s motion that the item be “received for information”, aka sent straight to the trash bin of history, FAILS 3-20.
Bravo’s motion for a revised incentive program to encourage drivers to switch to EVs ahead of the city deadline CARRIES 21-2.
Councillor Chris Moise voted the wrong way on Holyday’s motion. Whoops. On a redo, Holyday’s motion to shoot this item into the sun and never speak of it again FAILS 2-21.
Councillor Pasternak’s motion to explore reducing license fees for taxi and limo owners who have vehicles that are not operational CARRIES 19-4.
Councillor Colle’s motion to cap the number of Uber/Lyft/etc and taxi licenses at the current level, until the city completes its review of the vehicle-for-hire industry, CARRIES 16-7.
McKelvie’s motion for a report on options for limiting the number of Uber/Lyft/taxi/etc licenses CARRIES 22-1.
Item as amended, requiring Uber/Lyft and taxi drivers in Toronto to switch to electric vehicles by the end of 2030, CARRIES 22-1.
After a few housekeeping items are dealt with, Council concludes for the evening with 59 items left on the agenda. Back at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Nunziata reminds everyone to be prompt, and shouts out Carleton Grant. “You’re doing a great job.”
Council is back for day two. Up first will be Mayor Olivia Chow's request for Trudeau to include funds for a national student nutrition program in the next federal budget. After that: the mysterious future of blue bins. Streaming live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdfCWPTP-3A
Not a great turnout to start day two. Speaker Frances Nunziata notes there aren’t 18 members in attendance, which means they don’t have the numbers needed to introduce new items.
Speaking about the importance of student nutrition programs, Chow notes she was involved in the original creation of the program in Toronto, way back in the 1980s. It’s grown and now provides 220K+ meals per school day.
The current student nutrition program costs gov $30 million a year. City says ideal investment to meet current need is $100 million. The feds have committed to a National School Food Policy. Chow would like that to mean providing funds in their 2024 budget.
Mayor Olivia Chow announces police officers with Toronto’s hate crime unit will be in the Council Chamber members’ lounge at 11 a.m. to speak with councillors. Chow says a motion on “community safety and anti-hate” is coming later today.
Up now: the new “producer responsibility” blue box program developed by the provincial gov. A confidential procurement document has now been made public, and explains why city hall is reluctant to bid to continue to collect recycling after 2026: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-239140.pdf (PDF)
One concern for the city regarding the new blue box program: the terms would likely require the city to hire replacement workers in the event of a labour dispute City would also need to reduce contamination rate from ~30% to 4%, which report describes as “virtually impossible.”
New model will see those who produce materials shoulder cost and responsibility for recycling. Rather than having separate recycling bins for every manufacturer, the companies will band together and contract either muni govs or private operators to collect stuff.
Another concern for the city: the new blue bin collection contract requires the use of “Artificial Intelligence camera technology that streams real-time videos of all Blue Bin tips into trucks to record non-recycling material.” Not clear this tech actually exists.
Councillor Saxe asks if this new blue bin model, which was ostensibly designed to shift costs and responsibilities to producers, actually just creates more costs and responsibilities for municipalities. Staff confirm it would likely create more costs for Toronto, if city bids.
“In other words, this RFP is a poison pill — and one this city should not accept, right?” asks Councillor Saxe. “Um, this RFP is very challenging for the city,” says GM of Solid Waste Services Matt Keliher.
“Do you know if GFL is going to be bidding?” asks Councillor Lily Cheng, of the new blue bin program. “I presume that GFL is going to be bidding,” says Keliher.
Here’s the Board of Directors of Circular Materials, the new org steering this new producer-responsibility blue bin program. Like a Megazord made up of various corporate brand names. https://www.circularmaterials.ca/board/
Councillor McKelvie moves for Council to convey that they are “disappointed in the terms of the existing RFP” for new blue bin program. Not mad; just disappointed. She also moves to continue negotiations to try to achieve a better deal.
Councillor Stephen Holyday wonders why so many of his colleagues are looking sad about this new blue bin program. “For the first time in a long time, we’ve got a mechanism here to UPLOAD a city service to someone else! UPLOAD!”
McKelvie’s motion to express disappointment about the terms of the RFP for the new blue bin program CARRIES 21-1.
McKelvie’s motion to continue negotiations through to the end of March 2024 with the hopes of a better RFP framework CARRIES 21-1. Item as amended carries via show of hands.
During those votes, one councillor was overheard suggesting Holyday could wallpaper his office with printouts of various votes where he was the only dissenter.
A new addition to the agenda: Perks has a motion, with confidential recommendations, to respond to the Artscape receivership proceedings and “protect the City’s interests and preserve the properties for affordable housing and community cultural uses.” https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.32
On an item about the capital budget, Councillor Lily Cheng asks if it’s true the city is projected to underspend on projects by $1.6 billion at year-end. Staff say yes. She also asks if it’s true a bunch of projects are way behind schedule. Staff say that’s true.
Cheng points out that the city’s IT department is showing most of its programs to be under “significant delay.” Look at all this red. Interim CFO Stephen Conforti says labour challenges are a factor in many of these.
Councillor Stephen Holyday introduces an “urgent motion” related to Etobicoke’s special mechanical leaf collection. The service was finally scrapped in the 2023 budget. Holyday has plans to try to get it back for 2024.
And on that leafy note, Council breaks for lunch. Back at 2 p.m. with 56 items left on the agenda.
Council is back. They’re about to start running through the member motions, which are generally requests from councillors for reports or minor changes. They typically require two-thirds support to make it onto the agenda.
During the break, Mayor Chow used her strong mayor powers to create a new “Service Excellence Committee” with focus on “leveraging 311 data to understand how we can improve City services.” It’ll be chaired by Holyday and vice-chaired by Ainslie. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mayoraldecisions/2023/mayor0017.pdf (PDF)
Before they get down to business, Councillor Mike Colle presents Mayor Chow with a t-shirt from this weekend’s Toronto Marathon. Marathon organizer Alan Brookes is also here. Chow’s doing the 5K, we’re told.
Mayor Olivia Chow has introduced a motion to have “City Council condemn in the strongest possible terms all forms of hate, including Antisemitism and Islamophobia.” Nunziata suggests Council vote on that first. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.37
But Chow says the motion may need a few tweaks. They’re holding it. So instead they’ll vote on a few other items first.
Councillor Paula Fletcher’s motion to look at new affordable supportive housing opportunities for 1117 Danforth CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.3
Councillor James Pasternak’s motion to have staff develop an “enforceable code of conduct” for construction companies doing work for the city CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.10
Councillor Nick Mantas’ motion to authorize payment to reimburse him for costs incurred when he missed a flight home from a conference in Italy gets added to the agenda but held for debate. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.15
Councillor Dianne Saxe’s motion asking for a report on increasing rental replacement requirements when rental buildings are demolished CARRIES via a show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.16
Councillor Paula Fletcher’s motion to extend the Alcohol in Parks pilot to at least the end of March 2024 CARRIES 17-3. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.22
Councillor Paula Fletcher’s motion to endorse “the potential use of City-owned lands for large-scale battery storage” near the Hearn in the port lands CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.25
Councillor Gord Perks’ motion with some confidential recommendations re: Artscape and the future of its properties CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.32
Mayor Olivia Chow’s motion to establish a Renters Action Committee and a City-School Boards Advisory Committee CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.34
Councillor James Pasternak’s motion that “City Council unequivocally condemn the attacks by Hamas terrorists launched on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, and affirm its support for Israel's right to self-defense” CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.35
Councillor Stephen Holyday’s motion to bring back mechanical leaf collection in Etobicoke FAILS 8-13. (Saxe was also a ‘no’.) https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.36
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik’s motion to take steps to protect trees at Ontario Place from the provincial redevelopment plans CARRIES 22-1. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.39
Mayor Olivia Chow is speaking about her “Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate” motion ahead of the vote. Motion includes creating an “anti-hate package of information” and asking police to create community safety zones around “areas of critical infrastructure and potential targets.”
“Together we can help people feel a bit safer, a little bit more supported, and we can keep our global beacon of hope burning bright by making a place where everybody feels like they belong,” says Chow.
Chow’s “Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate” motion CARRIES 23-0. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.37
After that flurry of action, there are now 27 items left. Up next is a batch of five requests to convert lands zoned for employment to mixed use. Chief Planner recommends against conversion, though he does leave door open for later conversion of one site. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CC11.18
Councillor Amber Morley moves to convert land on Evans Avenue in her ward currently zoned for employment to mixed-use. She says site is currently under-utilized. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CC11.18
Councillor James Pasternak moves to convert 3710 Chesswood Drive from an area zoned for employment to a “regeneration area” which allows more uses. He’s got a map of the site. It’s right near Downsview Park station.
These debates are interesting as properties rezoned to permit residential uses instantly become more valuable. At same time, precedent suggests when residents move into land near industrial uses, they tend to complain about the industrial uses — truck traffic, fumes, noise, etc.
The fear is since residents vote in numbers far greater than industrial buildings, councillors will end up sympathetic to the residents, and they will end up working to drive out the employers. Then the wheel keeps turning.
“Industrial property is sacred. You don’t give it away,” says Councillor Shelley Carroll, urging council to be purists and vote against conversion of employment lands.
“Because the landowner makes so much money if we re-designate these properties, we get lobbied very heavily,” notes Councillor Dianne Saxe, warning that often the property owners’ promises and plans for community benefits, etc will change after the rezoning goes through.
Councillor Anthony Perruzza moves to convert 2450 Finch West from lands zoned for employment to a regeneration area, allowing more uses.
“I happen to be a Star Trek fan,” begins Councillor Perks, noting that the new series recently had an episode that’s an “homage to Toronto.” He describes the plot, saying it’s a “great vision for Toronto.” His point? We’ve got to protect lands for the film industry.
Councillor Perruzza’s motion to convert 2450 Finch West from employment lands to allow more uses FAILS 8-16.
Councillor Morley’s motion to convert lands on Evans Ave in her ward from employment lands to mixed use FAILS 7-17.
Councillor Pasternak’s motion to convert a site on Chesswood Drive in his ward from employment lands to zoning allowing for more uses FAILS 9-15.
Item as amended CARRIES via show of hands. No employment lands will be converted today.
Whoops, one more conversion item: Councillor Paula Fletcher moves to refer an item about zoning changes in the massive East Harbour development back to committee. That CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.PH6.3
Up next: things may get a bit scandalous, as Council debates a report on the activities that led to the resignation of former mayor John Tory. Integrity Commish found Tory violated the Code of Conduct by voting on an item related to the World Cup. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CC11.3
The Integrity Commissioner is also recommending Council endorse amendments to the City of Toronto Act to “address instances of workplace harassment and discrimination by Members of Council.” He says there’s a gap in current rules that need to be addressed. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CC11.2
Speaking about the Tory report, Integrity Commissioner says his report may raise additional questions worthy of investigation by the Lobbyist Registrar, the Ombudsman and the Auditor General. He points out past cases where Council has referred Integrity reports to those offices.
“I cannot investigate all aspects — or all of the parties involved in — the City of Toronto’s agreements with MLSE concerning the FIFA 2026 World Cup,” notes Integrity Commish Jonathan Batty, intriguingly.
Batty seems to have prepared answers to a range of potential questions in a big binder that he is now reading from. An organized guy.
“If Council wishes to receive a comprehensive review about what transpired before the City entered into an exclusive services agreement with MLSE for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, I am not sure asking me to conduct a third inquiry into Mr. Tory will meet that objective,” notes Batty.
Councillor Bravo asks City Solicitor Wendy Walberg whether she thinks there are other avenues for investigating some of this MLSE/Tory/Rogers stuff. Walberg says the Auditor General could look at the financial side of the deal.
Notable that some councillors who voted to authorize staff to pursue the World Cup deal — it passed 21-2 last term! — now seem very concerned about the World Cup deal.
Anyway, no significant motions on the Tory report or the new anti-harassment policy recommendations. They both CARRY via show of hands. Will there be future investigations into the World Cup deal? TBD.
Nunziata asks Council if they’d like to finish the agenda tonight or come back tomorrow. Perks moves to take a 30 minute break at 6 p.m. then come back and try to finish by 8 p.m. “Even the person who often votes no is saying yes,” notes Perks. “Who’s that?” jokes Holyday.
Up now: an Ombudsman’s report on how the TCHC responds to human rights complaints. Ombudsman found TCHC had a page on their website about a Human Rights Unit but — whoops — the unit did not actually exist. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.DM11.1
Councillor Paula Fletcher agrees with the Obudsman report, but wasn’t happy with process that didn’t inform the TCHC board about report findings before publication. She moves to require that in the future. That CARRIES via show of hands.
I don’t know whether it makes sense to have a policy restricting councillors from using virtual backdrops, but I am starting to think they should be restricted from using this one backdrop with the fancy office and big TV.
On an item responding to the province’s Bill 109, Councillor Chris Moise moves to request Queens’ Park consider a time limit and penalties for property owners who aren’t building on development-ready sites. That CARRIES 22-1. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.PH6.2
After asking for a recorded vote on this Ontario Land Tribunal hearing settlement item so he can vote against it, Councillor James Pasternak is caught saying “I hope it doesn’t lose” on a hot mic. Glimpse at how the sausage gets made. It CARRIES 23-1. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.CC11.9
Item increasing parking penalties at some lots so the penalty is no longer cheaper than the cost of paying for parking CARRIES 22-1. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.GG6.25
Up now: a pilot project that will test out some on-street paid parking areas where there are no ticket machines. People will need to pay via app. Councillor Holyday asks why this is happening. Staff say their machines are expensive and equipment is aging. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE6.2
TPA staff do say that even in these “mobile-only” zones, customers will still have the option of walking a bit further to a machine and getting a pay & display ticket with cash. It’ll just be “less convenient.”
Staff also add that they’re going to be testing new types of payment in these pilot zones, including payment via text message and payment via QR code. Still trying to make QR codes happen.
Holyday says he’s concerned about this mobile-only parking pilot because he knows some people — including family members — who don’t have smartphones. He says these zones could be a barrier for those people.
Council takes a break to grab some dinner. Meeting will resume at 6:30 p.m. with ten items left on the agenda. The end is near, but the night grows dark.
Council is back. There’s a new stream for the after-dark session. May contain adult themes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txbbj7io6Fc
By a show of paws, Council APPROVES Councillor Chris Moise’s motion for a new City-wide approach to Off Leash Dog Areas. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE6.8
On an item about the HousingTO plan, Councillor Fletcher passes a motion directing staff to make sure there are still non-digital options to get on the affordable housing waiting list. That CARRIES via show of hands, as does the item. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.PH6.1
Up now: ConnectTO, City Hall’s plan to increase internet connectivity. This new report calls for an “expanded Toronto public Wi-Fi strategy.” Here’s a chart of free public Wi-Fi locations by ward. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.EX8.8
Councillor Brad Bradford moves for a progress report on efforts toward optimizing the fibre network and an inventory of city hall’s fibre infrastructure.
Councillor Chris Moise moves that the CTO consult with council’s advisory bodies when developing the expanded public Wi-Fi strategy.
Councillor Lily Cheng moves for the CTO to conduct research on the adequacy of affordable internet plans for people in low-income housing, noting that often the plans available are pretty darn slow.
“Some of you may have noticed I have trouble connecting my own computer here,” says Councillor Anthony Perruzza, while introducing this motion. “We have noticed,” confirms Councillor Paula Fletcher.
Councillor Chris Moise’s motion to consult with council’s advisory bodies on developing the expanded public wi-fi strategy CARRIES 21-0.
Councillor Bradford’s motion for a progress report on fibre optimization CARRIES 19-2.
Councillor Cheng’s motion for research on the adequacy of internet plans for people in low-income houses CARRIES 21-0. So does the Perruzza motion. And the ConnectTO item as amended.
In his speech about the ConnectTO plan, Councillor Perruzza referred to “pointy heads” who were pushing various internet policies. Perruzza now rises to clarify he was not calling any of his council colleagues “pointy heads”, but was rather referring to some lobbyists. So noted.
On an item about the city’s net zero building strategy, Mayor Olivia Chow moves a long motion she says was inspired by this summer’s extended periods of poor air quality. Full text will be here: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE6.4
Councillor Stephen Holyday rises to question Chow about her motion’s reference to “equity-deserving groups.” She says she wants to make sure building retrofit designs include things like wheelchair accessibility. Holyday says he’s cool with that.
Chow’s amendment CARRIES via show of hands. Six items left.
Up now: Councillor Mantas and his Chief of Staff missed their flight home from a conference in Italy. Mantas needs authorization to pay for extra costs incurred. Staff say the full three-day trip, including the missed flight, cost about $18,500. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.15
Councillor Jon Burnside asks if there’s an explanation for why Mantas missed his initial flight home from Italy. Staff say they haven’t received an explanation. “Everything seems a little bit opaque to me,” Burnside concludes.
Speaker Nunziata notes that there may be a “legal issue” with this Mantas travel item, so she is recommending that Council stop discussing it for now. Legal staff are going to talk to Mantas offline. Dun Dun Dun.
I did think it was a bit strange Mantas didn’t declare a conflict of interest over an item that could save him thousands of dollars.
Mantas now rises on a point of order to declare that he will be declaring a conflict of interest over this travel cost item. Since Mantas brought the item to council himself, the only remedy is to withdraw the item entirely.
Fletcher notes that it’s kind of weird that legal staff stepped in to prevent Mantas from voting on this item and getting in really deep trouble related to this conflict of interest.
City Solicitor Wendy Walberg clarifies she wasn’t the one who warned Mantas about his conflict of interest. Nunziata says it was other staff who raised it and Mantas himself chose to withdraw the item.
McKelvie, who seconded the Mantas motion, says she thinks there was something “fundamentally wrong with the process here.” There is tons of confusion about whether Mantas sought advice from the Integrity Commish. McKelvie says the item will “come back on another day.”
Motion to withdraw the Mantas travel motion CARRIES via show of hands. What a long strange trip it’s been.
Last item is Councillor Cheng’s motion urging the province to build Cummer Station on the extended Yonge subway line. I told you there’d be adult themes. Councillor Jamaal Myers, the TTC chair, moves to prepare a business case for the station. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.MM11.19
Attending this meeting virtually, Councillor Josh Matlow inadvertently displays a “Thumbs Up” thought bubble.
“We have to make North York better again!” declares Councillor Mike Colle, endorsing Cheng’s motion for the extra subway station. That rallying cry appears to be work. The item CARRIES 19-1.
That will do it. After two full days filled with speeches, motions and tense legal drama, Council’s October 2023 meeting agenda is concluded.
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