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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT1kzFzYcvM
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. https://toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/toronto-council-gets-set-for-major
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.
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.
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.”
Matt Elliott
Cameron MacLeod
Arthur Gron
Jérôme