Toronto Council meets today! It's their first meeting since July, so we're all feeling a bit rusty. Mayor Chow has designated an item about — what else? — speed cameras as her first key matter, so that'll be up first. Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...
For a full preview of the agenda, see this week's edition of my City Hall Watcher newsletter. In addition to speed cameras, we've also got debates on car-sharing, crisis workers on the TTC, noisy pickleball, encampments and more. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/gondola-lo...
In a late addition to the agenda, Mayor Olivia Chow wants to pay tribute to the late Jane Goodall and giraffe researcher Anne Innis Dagg by creating a program offering free school field trips to the Toronto zoo. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Things kick off with some welcomes to Councillor Neethan Shan. He's back on Council after winning the by-election to replace former councillor Jennifer McKelvie in Ward 25. "Congratulations — and welcome back," says the mayor.
Chow pays tribute to the Elder Garry Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, who died recently. Chow notes that Sault gave Council its ceremonial silver teapot, which is on display in the chamber. "Elder Sault, I will see you again," says the mayor.
Councillor Michael Thompson rises to speak on the "proliferation of gun incidents in our communities." He highlights "some of the great policing work" in responding, pointing to recent seizure of six handguns in Scarborough's 41 Division.
Councillor Nunziata also speaks on gun violence, pointing to the fatal shooting of JahVai Roy and the resulting police work. Mayor Olivia Chow echoes the sentiment, adding that her office has helped to find a new home for Roy's mother.
Councillor Jamaal Myers rises to note that the TTC Board has voted to rename the streetcar storage yard on Leslie Street in honour of former mayor David Miller. The request for the renaming came from Miller's wife, apparently. Myers says Miller "kept the city's transit vision moving forward."
As expected, all the various speed camera items on the agenda are joined together to create an omnibus item. A speeding omnibus, kind of like that bus in that famous movie, The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down.
Council takes a quick show-of-hands to approve an affordable housing plan for Quayside, including some confidential extra recommendations. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Stephen Holyday wants to vote against new traffic signals at an intersection in Scarborough. Okay then. Signals are APPROVED 22-1. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Holyday also wants to combine some items requesting new community safety zones (which would permit the use of speed cameras under the current law) into the speed camera omnibus debate. Chow says she's okay with that. The omnibus grows.
After reviewing the agenda, 80 items are held for debate. The other 78 pass on consent. We're halfway there! Sorta. Not really. Still, this could maybe a short meeting? Let's see if I can't jinx it.
Up now: speed cameras! Doug Ford says he's going to ban them. Can this collection of city councillors possibly say or do anything today that might change his mind? Let's find out. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Chernos Lin asks about the highest speed recorded by Toronto's speed cameras. Transportation General Manager Barbara Gray says it was 187 km/h in a 50 km/h zone at Midland & Montgomery — on Jan 25 at 10 p.m. "That's shocking," says Chernos Lin.
"Have we ever issued a speed camera for 1 kilometre over the speed limit? Or two kilometres?" asks Chernos Lin. "No, we have not," says Gray, definitively.
Gray says the City didn't want to reveal the threshold over the limit at which the cameras start ticketing — now reported at 11 km/h — because the city worried drivers would just adjust and assume the "real" speed limit is the posted limit plus the threshold.
"We feel very strongly that automated enforcement is a critical piece of speed management. It's a critical piece of Vision Zero," says Transportation GM Gray. She's concerned that removing the cameras will reduce the progress the city has made reducing road injuries and deaths.
Matlow asks about Ford's claim that speed bumps can replace speed cameras. Gray says the city already install lots of speed bumps and other traffic calming measures, but speed bumps aren't really appropriate on arterial roads because they can mess with transit and emergency services.
Councillor Bravo asks about the finances of the speed camera program. CFO says 24% of fine revenue is remitted back to the province. Admin costs take 35%. Remainder goes to road safety initiatives, including to pay the salaries of 18 police officers, plus crossing guards, etc.
Bravo asks about a speed camera in front of Dufferin Mall, installed after a cyclist died —could that camera be replaced by speed bumps? Gray says no, because there's a lot of bus traffic. "Have you ever been on a large vehicle like a bus that goes over a speed hump? Uncomfortable."
Councillor Burnside, a former cop, says when he used to do traffic enforcement on Avenue Road he wouldn't stop drivers unless they were doing 75 km/h or over. "Maybe that was a little high," he admits. "A little high," agrees Gray.
Burnside's point is that maybe the 40 km/h speed limit on Avenue Rd and other streets is too low. Getting a ticket for "going 50 or 51 on Avenue Road that's six lanes wide, seems to be the kind of thing that would get under people's craws," he says. Gray points out there are schools on Avenue Road.
Mayor Olivia Chow asks the city solicitor whether council could ask staff to disclose the threshold. Lawyer says no, because telling people they wouldn't get ticketed until they are doing 11 km/h over would be "tantamount to raising the speed limit."
"Are flashing lights as effective as the cameras?" asks Councillor Lily Cheng. "We had flashing lights before we had automated speed enforcement. And through the introduction of automated speed enforcement we've seen a much more significant safety improvement," say transportation staff.
Councillor Vince Crisanti asks about the postal strike and how it's affecting the speed camera program. "At this point with the Canada Post strike, we are not able the mail out the tickets, so we are not issuing tickets at this moment," say staff. (!)
"We know that this initiative has worked and continues to work. If we remove it, are we at risk of liability?" asks Councillor Moise. Solicitor says municipalities are generally not liable for policy decisions, but she expects it's "very likely" the argument would be made in a lawsuit.
Councillor Mike Colle asks about the premier's idea that roundabouts could provide safety and replace speed cameras. Gray says the problem in urban areas is that roundabouts require a lot of land, and the city doesn't have a lot of land available.
Time for speakers on the speed cams. "Speed kills," says Mayor Olivia Chow. She lists examples of people who lost their lives to speeding drivers in Toronto. "Each tragedy is a painful reminder that behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community that is forever changed."
"When the province is saying that they're going to rip out these effective tools, their decision is wrong. We need to protect our kids and our seniors," says Chow.
"My message is simple: don't speed, and you won't have to pay any fines," says Mayor Olivia Chow on her support for the speed camera program.
Councillor Thompson asks Chow if she can share anything from her recent conversations with the premier re: speed cameras. "I have not been able to persuade the provincial government that you cannot just put speed bumps on arterial roads, because it slows down emergency responders," says Chow.
Councillor Stephen Holyday has motions. - reduce operating hours of cameras - reduce number of cameras - limit cameras to school zones only - wrap cameras in "high-visibility" vinyl wrap.
"I had a little bit of fun — I doctored up a picture of a camera near my house. It's a WASP!" says Holyday, displaying a photoshop he made of a speed camera with a yellow-and-black vinyl wrap.
Wasp photoshops are signal that it's time for Council to take a lunch break. They'll be back at 2 p.m. to park this speed camera debate.
Council is back, and councillors are making announcements. Councillor Saxe says she's brought some treats from Harbord Bakery to share. "One of Toronto's great bakeries, eighty years old, and has just barely survived the reconstruction of Harbord Street."
Council votes 20-3 to REJECT a billboard application for 2 College Street. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Council votes via show of hands to APPROVE an implementation plan for developing the new Ookwemin Minising island in the port lands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Council has picked back up the speed camera debate. Councillor Carroll ask Holyday about the hours in his school zone motion — would he be open to extending them to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.? "If that's what wins the hearts and minds of this council, absolutely," says Holyday.
"I find it, frankly, very hypocritical of the Premier of Ontario, who talks about his support for the police, but ignores what all the chiefs of police across Ontario are telling him — that they want us to be able to keep those cameras that keep people safe," says Councillor Matlow.
"This is a premier that talks about law and order, but believes that people who are driving at excessive speeds should face no consequences," says Councillor Matlow. "I find it insulting, I find it shameful, and I find it incredibly disappointing."
Councillor Chris Moise has a motion for a report on the average speeds by speed camera location, and a breakdown of all city spending on traffic calming measures over the last few years.
On behalf of the mayor and Matlow, Councillor Jamaal Myers moves for a report on various data, including the "lowest recorded speed at which a ticket was issued." Seems like a clever way to publicize the threshold without actually publicizing the threshold.
Myers says this is another issue that highlights the need for Toronto to look at becoming a charter city. "Whether it's speed cameras, whether it's bike lanes, whether it's blue bins, we can't seem to make a decision without Doug Ford running interference because someone got in his ear."
Councillor Burnside moves for a review of speed limits on roads with four or more lanes.
"In some locations, we've made the speed limit ridiculously low," says Burnside, explaining why he wants a review. "Going 65 on Avenue Road? That's a problem. Going 51? I'm not so sure."
Councillor Brad Bradford moves to qualify Council's support for speed cameras, limiting it only to support for cameras in school zones.
Bradford says council needs to have the "humility" to recognize that the current speed program isn't working. He wants to see "practical road design changes." "These cameras are meant to protect pedestrians, but they can't do that if they are constantly lying on the ground."
Councillor Saxe has a motion for a report on what it'll cost to maintain current levels of speed enforcement without the automated speed cameras. She suspects the cost will be quite high.
Responding to comments about speed limits on Avenue Road and Mount Pleasant, Saxe says, "These speed limits are set for a reason, at the request of the community to protect the lives of people in my community."
"We already have huge problems around schools, with long line-ups of cars because people are afraid to let their kids walk to school!" says Saxe. "Taking away the cameras in school zones will make it less safe for those kids."
Councillor Gord Perks plays a clip of Doug Ford suggesting Parkside Drive have speed bumps and "turnabouts" (i.e. roundabouts). Perks notes those are ridiculous, unserious ideas, because Parkside Drive is a TTC route and adjacent to protected parkland, leaving no room for roundabouts.
"Premier Ford has already done everything in his power to make Parkside Drive less safe!" says Perks, pointing the finger at the province's anti-bike lane legislation for the slow rollout of the plan to narrow the street by installing bike lanes.
Say what you will about city councillors, but they generally have a pretty good sense for when issues are radioactive with voters. I've seen no signs of any worry in this debate — even from the suburbanites — that support for speed cameras will cost them support in next year's election.
I think Doug Ford benefits a lot from his Queen's Park opposition always tending to assume that his populist instincts are correct, and so they water down their criticism with too much nuance and hedging. He doesn't always know what voters want — sometimes it's just personal grievance.
Councillor Mike Colle moves for a report on what it would cost to build roundabouts at all 819 Toronto schools. Probably a lot!
Colle also displays this photo of himself, Councillor Nunziata, former mayor Mel Lastman and Jack Layton, putting up one of the city's first red-light camera signs in the 90s.
"If you take away the cameras, it's gonna kill kids! Simple as that. Kids are gonna die. So the premier is willing to allow that to happen, because his election polling tells him his voters love this," declares Councillor Mike Colle.
Nunziata declares a five-minute recess. I think they're just killing time waiting for some Councillor Paula Fletcher motions to be ready.
Councillor Lily Cheng moves for a report on "time-of-day variable speed limits" in school zones. "I'm speaking to you today as a councillor, but also as a mom," she notes.
Explaining her motion for variable speed limits in school zones, Cheng says, "I do also acknowledge if you get a ticket for going over 30 at 2 a.m., probably you're not going to be very happy about that, because most people don't want to drive 30 km/h at 2 a.m."
Councillor Perruzza moves to pause the speed camera program (and issue only warnings) until staff can report back on modifications to the program.
Weird undercurrent in this debate where some councillors casually suggest most drivers just ignore all signage, so the signs warning of a speed camera ahead must be much bigger and much flashier than typical signage.
Councillor Fletcher's motions are ready. She moves to: - Amend Bradford's motion to make it clear Council supports speed cams in school zones AND community safety zones. - Refer a bunch of motions to the City Manager so they can be part of any negotiations with Queen's Park re: the cameras.
Fletcher's point is that it doesn't make sense to pass motions that make changes to the speed camera program until and unless the city gets any indication that these changes will actually help convince Ford to let the city keep the speed camera program.
Things pause as Councillor Stephen Holyday, unhappy that Fletcher is trying to refer three of his motions, wants to know if he's allowed to give a speech opposing the move. The ancient texts are consulted at great length, and it is decided he doesn't get to speak. Okay then.
After much consideration, Councillor Fletcher withdraws her amendment to Bradford's motion. She says instead she'll just vote against the Bradford motion. Okay then.
Time to vote on speed camera stuff. Council first votes via show of hands to conduct a review of the appeals process for speed camera tickets. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Brad Bradford's motion to make it clear that Council only supports speed cameras in school zones (not broader community safety zones) FAILS 5-20.
Councillor Fletcher's motion to refer motions from Holyday and Cheng that would change the speed camera program to staff so they can instead be part of negotiations with Queen's Park CARRIES 21-4.
Councillor Holyday's motion to look at installing colour vinyl wraps on speed cameras, perhaps to make them look like wasps or other types of wildlife, CARRIES 20-5.
Councillor Burnside's motion for a review of speed limits on wide roads in community safety zones CARRIES via show of hands. So does Councillor Saxe's motion for a report on costs of replacing the speed camera program with police officers. And Colle's motion for a report on the cost of roundabouts.
Councillor Perruzza's motion to pause the speed camera program while staff consider changes FAILS 4-21.
A recommendation from Mayor Olivia Chow to send notification to households about the loss of speed cameras in their neighbourhood and the safety impact is APPROVED 20-5.
Chow's recommendation to consider creating a blackout period after a driver receives their first speed camera ticket, so they can't receive subsequent tickets until they receive their first ticket in the mail, CARRIES 20-5.
Chow's recommendation to install larger signs warning drivers of speed cameras CARRIES 21-4.
Matlow voted the wrong way on Chow's blackout period recommendation, so they retake the vote. This time it CARRIES 17-8.
Recommendation for council to express its continued support for speed cameras CARRIES 24-1. Guess who.
Councillor Myers' motion to report on the lowest recorded speed at which tickets were issued by the speed cameras CARRIES 20-5.
Councillor Matlow's motion to have the City Solicitor report on options to protect all road safety measures, including speed cameras, CARRIES 22-2.
And that's it for the speed camera debate. Will any of it move the premier? TBD.
Up now: deferred revenue. Wait, don't fall asleep! Councillor Stephen Holyday wants to know about the "dire" state of the city's development charge reserves. The CFO confirms that the situation is indeed pretty dire, and the city may need to delay some capital projects.
Holyday, I think, is trying to argue that Council's recent decisions to defer or waive development charges to support affordable housing have created this budget crisis. But on questioning from Perks, the CFO says those decisions aren't really a factor here — it's just a market thing.
"I've had smaller developers mention to me that, you know, what a burden the DCs are on them kicking off their project, because they'd like to see it financially viable. And my response is, 'That's not my problem,'" says Holyday
Councillor Gord Perks, meanwhile, blames the provincial government for making changes to legislation governing development charges. But nothing will change today. No motions moved on the deferred revenue item. It CARRIES via show of hands.
The Toronto Parking Authority's Environmental, Social and Governance report for 2024 is ADOPTED by Council 19-1. Curious. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
And that'll do it for today, apparently. Council wraps up early as Nunziata notes there's a playoff game tonight. Back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. with 68 items left on the agenda.
Council does not seem super motivated to get started this morning. 15 minutes after bell time, and there are still a lot of empty seats in the chamber. When they do get started, eventually, the first item will be about TTC crisis workers on the TTC. Watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfsD...
Here we go. But first, Mayor Olivia Chow makes an announcement: "They won last night!" She congratulates the Toronto Blue Jays for heading to the ALCS.
Councillor Lily Cheng announces the first-ever Korean Heritage Month, and celebrates the success of KPop Demon Hunters and its Toronto writer/director Maggie Kang. Chow also thanks the "KPop stars that have captured the hearts of my granddaughters."
After some housekeeping, Council begins their debate on adding crisis workers to the TTC. The workers are to be stationed at Union Station, Spadina Station and Bloor-Yonge Station, and respond to calls anywhere in the downtown U-shaped subway map. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Adding crisis workers on the TTC will cost $540K this year for a test pilot, then $1.8 million for full implementation next year.
Councillor Brad Bradford asks if these crisis teams would respond to assaults or reports of weapons on the TTC. Staff say these workers will only respond to non-violent calls. Bradford wants to know the percentage of calls that are non-violent. Staff say they'll get those numbers.
"Someone experiencing a mental health crisis and it's a non-violent scenario, then you don't need — and I would suggest you should not have — a police officer with a full gun belt on, a bulletproof vest on that says 'Police' across the chest, speaking to them," says police rep.
Mayor Chow is the first speaker on the TTC crisis worker item. She points to stats showing that the percentage of TTC riders who say they feel safe has increased from 54% to 65%. "We can do a lot more! We're not stopping there. Let us welcome these crisis workers."
Councillor Holyday moves for the crisis service to post data on the Open Data Portal. He also moves for a report on putting more police officers on the TTC.
Holyday calls this a "terrible report." He's frustrated that there's no "business case" for expanding the crisis service on the TTC and the $1.8 million annual cost. He says he'll vote against this.
"This is what it takes! We heard about $1.8 million. The city has spent ten times that to dig out a piece of equipment we mistakenly got stuck somewhere, that had no implications for the life, health and safety of Torontonians at large. $1.8 million is a drop in the bucket!" says Councillor Moley.
"It staggers me that people resist making the smaller dollar investment for the better outcome," says Councillor Gord Perks of the crisis workers on the TTC initiative. "If we are not here to improve the lives of the people who live in Toronto, what are we doing?"
"I had some problems with my car this week, and I had mentioned to someone that I was going to take the TTC. And they said, 'Are you crazy?'" Councillor Thompson tells us. "That's the view," he says. He supports this crisis worker program to help address the issue.
Councillor Bradford has two motions. - Asking the TTC to reallocate funds to hire more special constables - Report on more data on the kinds of calls the TTC crisis workers will respond to
"If you talk to the public, if you listen to TTC customers, they would like to see an additional presence of special constables or transit police in the system," Bradford explains. He says while this crisis worker program is "potentially helpful" it's also an "inadequate response to the problem."
Myers, the TTC chair, asks Bradford where the TTC should reallocate funds to pay for more special constables. "I'm not on the TTC," Bradford says. "So I've asked the TTC to look at that." Myers says the TTC is facing a $90 million budget shortfall. "It's about prioritization," Bradford says.
Bravo asks Bradford if he knows how many special constables the TTC is adding this month. He doesn't know. It's 12, she says. "So what data are you using to make this recommendation?" Bravo asks re: his motion. "It's not my job to dictate the exact number of special constables," Bradford says.
Councillor Matlow presents an 'alternative' to Bradford's motions. Instead of reallocating funds for more special constables, his motion asks the TTC to ensure they've got the funds to keep hiring constables.
Council breaks for lunch. They'll vote on this crisis workers item after lunch. "There's cake back there for the Blue Jays," Nunziata announces. "Councillor Colle wants to take a picture." Back at 2 p.m.
Via Councillor Saxe's Twitter account, here is a photo of the aforementioned cake. The Blue Jays cake. And a knife-wielding mayor. It reads "Start Spreading the News." Pretty great, but I think they should have used the full quote.
Council's back, and dealing with some quick items. After a quick amendment by Councillor Josh Matlow, Council votes via show of hands to approve a development proposal on St. Clair West. Some residents were pretty mad about it. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
After an amendment from Councillor Paula Fletcher to move up the implementation date, Council votes 21-3 to APPROVE the implementation plan to require apartment building landlords to install colour-coded signage indicating their RentSafeTO inspection score. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Back to the crisis service debate. Councillor Holyday's motion to report on deploying more police officers within the TTC CARRIES 16-7.
Councillor Bradford's motion requesting the TTC reallocate funds so they can hire more special constables FAILS 9-15.
Councillor Matlow's amendment to a Bradford motion, requesting that staff report some stats on potential TTC crisis worker calls to the Economic & Development Committee, instead of straight to Council, CARRIES 19-5.
And the amended motion to request the report on potential calls that could be handled by the new TTC crisis service CARRIES 21-3.
Matlow's alternative motion, that the TTC ensure they've got enough funds in their budget to hire special constables, CARRIES 23-1.
Council votes 23-1 to APPROVE deploying crisis service workers on the TTC subway system. They'll be stationed at Spadina Station, Union Station, and Bloor-Yonge, and respond to calls anywhere in the downtown U-shaped track area.
Councillor Matlow's motion to look at in-sourcing more city services and relying less on contractors is ADDED to the agenda on a 24-1 vote. Councillor Holyday wants to debate it. They'll come back to it. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Carroll's motion to defer installation of the planned Sheppard East bike lanes until the city figures out what's up with Doug Ford's bike lane legislation CARRIES via show of hands. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Moise's motion to devote some Section 37 funds to sprucing up the new site of the St. Lawrence library branch CARRIES via show of hands. The rumour is that the new location is the old WE Charity HQ at Queen & Parliament. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Pasternak's motion to request the Board of Health consider piloting a mobile eye-testing clinic at schools gets added to the agenda on a 21-3 vote. Holyday holds it for debate. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Via show of hands, Council votes to appoint newbie councillor Neethan Shan to the Economic & Community Development Committee. And also the zoo board. Lucky guy. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
After the member motion run-through, there are a svelte 27 items left on the agenda. Up now: micromobility, like e-scooters and e-bikes. Staff have submitted a report on recent efforts to enforce the rules. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Councillor Holyday wonders if there's an opportunity with the upcoming holidays to remind the public that e-scooters are "not something that should be on Santa's list." Because they are illegal to use on Toronto streets.
Councillor Myers asks staff what they would do if they found out a Toronto store was selling e-scooters. Nothing, staff say. While e-scooters are illegal to use on Toronto streets, they are legal to own and use on private property, so stores can sell them.
Council keeps losing quorum during this micromobility debate. Speaker Nunziata is very frustrated as councillors continue to get up and wander off. "Either you pay attention, or we just delete the whole item! If councillors are not interested, let's just adjourn!"
This micromobility debate is especially dull because: a) the city has shown no ability to enforce its ban against e-scooters; and b) this report doesn't recommend anything new related to micromobility rules.
Do we know how many e-scooters exist in Toronto, Cheng wonders. No, say transportation staff. Do we have a plan to enforce the ban? Police rep says they are looking at another blitz in the new year. "Maybe even two."
"What is the standard that we would like to achieve under which we would then legalize e-scooters?" Councillor Cheng asks. "Because it just seems like we're in a purgatory." Transportation GM Barbara Gray says they're looking for regulations on things like wheel size standards.
Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin moves to share info about the city's e-scooter regulations — i.e. that they are banned on public roads — with school boards, so that info can reach parents directly.
Councillor Holyday moves for parks staff to install signage reminding people that e-scooters are not allowed on park trails.
Councillor Thompson moves to request the federal government introduce stronger regulations on e-scooters, and for the province to update the definition of "power-assisted bicycles" under the Highway Traffic Act.
"You see young people WHIZZING around the city of Toronto on these devices that are banned and problematic!" says Councillor Thompson. He says we need stronger regulations. He says he's been to China and seen streets covered in e-scooters.
Deputy Mayor Malik moves to have staff consult with local councillors on places to install more sidewalk decals that remind people not to ride scooters and bikes on sidewalks.
"I think the decals on the sidewalk are actually ridiculous," says Burnside. "If people are riding an e-bike or e-scooter on the sidewalk, the last thing we want them doing is looking down and reading messaging." Still, he moves to ensure any decals added are approved by Transportation Services.
Councillor Cheng moves to request the cops do more enforcement blitzes on e-scooters.
"I think we need to do better, and I think we need to chart a clear path toward the legal pathway to riding an e-scooter in Toronto," says Cheng, pointing out that it doesn't really make sense for the city to have bylaws it can't enforce.
Councillor Thompson's motion to request stronger federal and provincial regulations on e-scooters and micromobility devices CARRIES 23-0.
All other micromobility motions CARRY via show of hands. So does the item as amended. The war against e-scooters whizzes on.
With no debate, Council APPROVES an expansion of the areas where free-floating car share services like Communauto can operate. The cars don't actually float. Vote is 22-1. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: tree maintenance. At one point, the city was saving money by contracting out a lot of tree pruning to private vendors. These days, though, the cost is very similar. Insourcing could save money long-term and make operations more flexible, the report says. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Holyday expresses some skepticism about the cost comparison in the report, but the rest of council generally likes what they're seeing. Council votes 22-1 to APPROVE more in-sourcing of tree pruning.
Up now: the Bathurst bus. After Council nixed plans to install RapidTO bus lanes north of Bloor, staff have recommended some tweaks to no-stopping zones and turning restrictions instead. But Councillor Holyday still has concerns. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Letter attached to item from the Casa Loma Residents Association expresses opposition to the no-stopping restrictions. "How are customers to shop there if there is No Stopping between 2 pm and 7 pm Monday to Friday and 12 pm and 7 pm on weekends?" they wonder. www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)
"We know that transit is central to the quality of life and to the economy of this city, and the Bathurst bus is part of a transit corridor that serves 35,000 people and would serve more, if it weren't stuck in traffic," says local rep Councillor Dianne Saxe, supporting the changes.
Saxe says the parking changes in this compromise plan for Bathurst will have minimal impact, because the spaces only have an 18% average peak occupancy. The changes will displace just $38 a day in parking revenue.
"There's no question that dedicated bus lanes would be better for transit, but they would have wiped out all parking 24/7 on both sides of the street. And my community has asked me to try something smaller first. And if it doesn't work, we'll be back," says Saxe.
Councillor Stephen Holyday says the no-stopping zones will hurt local businesses on this part of Bathurst. He says improving transit travel times isn't worth the trade-off for local biz. He wishes the proposal were better.
Councillor Brad Bradford also says he doesn't think this Bathurst compromise plan strikes the right balance and will hurt small businesses. "They depend on curb access for customers, deliveries and the weekend trade. I think their voice really matters in this process."
"Look, it's great to see the councillor in Etobicoke and the councillor in the Danforth so concerned about Bathurst Street," Councillor Mike Colle says, with sarcasm.
"Have some respect for the councillor! Have some respect for the people of colour — low-income people, hard-working people — who have to sit on that bus, two hours each way, every day," says Colle.
Without debate, Council votes via show of hands to seek to intervene in the Ontario Court of Appeal case about encampments. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Council votes 23-1 to order a Rosedale homeowner to tear down this wall they’ve built on the edge of their property on city-owned land. Only Bradford opposed. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: Councillor Matlow's motion to direct staff to reduce the use of external consultants at city hall. Councillor Holyday has concerns. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
"I'm troubled by the tone of this memo," says Holyday, defending city hall's use of consultants. "I think it undermines the management of our public service ... it seems to imply that it's inefficient to bring in specialized expertise."
No one else comes to the defence of the consultant class. Matlow's motion to reduce the use of external consultants and prioritize internal resources CARRIES 22-1.
Up now: should there be a new off-leash dog park near Bloor West & Kipling? ProtectNatureTO says city should call off the dogs, because the land is in a protected nature area. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The dog decision will have to wait. Council breaks for dinner. Back at 6:30 to deal with the dog park and 16 other items left on this agenda.
Matlow takes the mic in the chamber: "The great Canadian tradition of Thanksgiving is coming up, and all of us would like to start moving toward the weekend festivities. So please come take part in civic pride, democratic discourse, and do your jobs. We're waiting for you."
Alas, the council chamber is still mostly empty. Watch here to see if they ever get a quorum for their evening session. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFQM...
They get enough to get going. The dog park on Bloor West is approved by show of hands. So is a dev proposal on Bathurst Street. Up now: Bradford's motion to make a sponsorship deal for some app-connected lockers in parks that let people access sports equipment. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
City Manager Paul Johnson has concerns about Bradford's motion. "I think the concept is one that is good ... but the process here has just not been smart." He thinks it'd be better if this motion had gone through committee.
Bradford's motion calls for the city to accept sponsorship from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart fund to acquire Equip lockers. They open via an app.
The City Manager says the city hasn't had a chance to look at whether there's a Canadian vendor for this kind of thing. He thinks it makes sense to go through the proper process to see if there's an opportunity for local procurement.
Councillor Paula Fletcher moves to amend the motion to first look to see if there are Canadian vendors that can provide this kind of sportsball sharing service.
Fletcher's amendment to look at buying Canadian on the sportsball sharing item CARRIES via show of hands. Moving on.
Up now: raves! Councillor Paula Fletcher wants the city to do more to shut down the late-night parties in the Port Lands and along the Don River. She says the ravers are making a big mess and destroying the ecosystem. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Fletcher's motions to look at ways to shut down the raves CARRIES via show of hands. Up now: jet skis! Should the city have more regulations on rental services and enforcement to stop noisy jet ski riders? secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Some procedural confusion now, as Councillor Brad Bradford wanted to introduce a motion, but he's not here, so Councillor Kandavel is trying to move it on his behalf. But he doesn't really know what Bradford's intent was. He's trying to answer questions about a motion that he didn't write.
Mayor Olivia Chow, an avid paddler, explains that it's not so fun when you're in a kayak and a jet ski rips by and creates a big wake. "I have seen kayakers and especially paddle boarders — they lose their balance and they wipe out!"
The jet ski item CARRIES via show of hands. Report on strengthened enforcement is due before the next jet ski season.
Up now: Councillor Pasternak's motion for public health to look at a pilot where they do vision tests in public schools. Councillor Holyday has concerns. He says kids can just go see an optometrist, and he's worried about adding more responsibilities to public health.
Nobody else wants to see a debate about vision. Burnside calls the question. The school eye-testing motion is APPROVED 20-2. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Up now: is pickleball too darn loud? Perhaps "due to the loud and frequent sound of the hard plastic ball hitting a solid paddle"? Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik has a motion for a report on "best practices and directions for noise mitigation" for pickleball courts. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
The motion to look at ways to make pickleball quieter CARRIES 19-1. Newspapers can go to press now. They’ve got their A1.
Councillor Lily Cheng's motion to conduct a communications campaign about ending Intimate Partner Violence CARRIES 20-0. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Almost done. Up now: Mayor Olivia Chow wants the zoo to develop a program where schools get free admission for field trips. Mayor says she loves the zoo and wants kids who can't afford the admission to experience it. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
Chow's motion to look at a free field trip program for the Toronto Zoo CARRIES 19-1.
Looks like we made it. Toronto Council's October 2025 meeting is in the books. "Happy Thanksgiving — and enjoy your turkey!" concludes Nunziata.
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