Matt ElliottDeputy 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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM18.22
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.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/lone-female-councillor-booted-from-mayor-s-executive-1.1317020
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. https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-245958.pdf
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! https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IA18.1
(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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EX14.11
Council votes via show of hands to extend the Chief Information Security Officer’s mandate to include city agencies and corporations. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EX14.3
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE13.4
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: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH12.7
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH12.7
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EC12.2
There are actually two Downsview reports on the agenda. The community development plan and this secondary plan and zoning item. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH12.1
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!”
Both Downsview items CARRY unanimously, 24-0. Council officially down with Downsview.
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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2y0JAgEtA
City Council - May 23, 2024
Meanwhile, back at home court, Council votes 13-3 to APPROVE a 12-storey project on Sheppard West. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.NY13.3
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE13.3
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE13.1
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. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE13.9
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.
Dylan Berry
Stewart Russell@GraphicMatt they passed this? Food delivery companies don't own the bikes, so this will be an unenforceable law.
I doubt most of the riders could afford insurance
@scruss They passed it but most requests from council to the provincial government don't go anywhere so probably mostly symbolic.
@GraphicMatt yes, Councillor Saxe is very dedicated to getting cyclists licensed and insured - as long as it's not her kind of cyclist licensed and insured
Ben Zanin@GraphicMatt dear council: nice use of passive voice there so no one person can be accused of thinking something quite demonstrably counterfactual.
(Thank you for the coverage, Matt.)