Matt ElliottAfter passing this amendment by Councillor Paula Fletcher calling for more density and affordable housing, Council votes via show of hands to approve report on next phase of waterfront revitalization. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EX19.2
Council dips back into their debate about indoor temperatures in rental units, and the potential for setting a new rule for a maximum temperature of 26 degrees. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH17.5
Councillor Dianne Saxe moves to have staff report on "avoidable sources of indoor heat" in rental units like "fossil gas stoves."
"I'm alarmed that some voices in this conversation have said, 'hold on, hold on, this is going to make it more expensive for landlords!'" says Councillor Perks. He points out things like the fire code and building code also raise costs for landlords, but no one thinks twice.
Councillor Saxe's motion to report on avoidable sources of heat in rental units, like gas stoves, CARRIES 18-4.
Recommendation to report back on implementing a 26 degree maximum temperature, and to request the province amend the RTA to introduce a max temp, CARRIES 21-1.
Council votes via show of hands to adopt a motion from Councillor Dianne Saxe to look at raising some charitable funds to do environmental protection work on Toronto Islands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.IE18.10
Council votes 19-0 to APPROVE a revamped Affordable Home Ownership program, raising the eligibility threshold to households who make up to ~$160,000 per year. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH17.7
Wow. In a big surprise, Council has just voted to receive and take no action on the Ombudsman's report on the 2022-2023 decision to deny refugees access to the shelter system. No debate and no recorded vote. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.1
The receipt motion on the Obudsman's report from Councillor Paula Fletcher was slipped in right before the lunch break. The report, focusing on refugee access to shelter beds, was previously scheduled for debate later this afternoon — now that debate won't happen.
Anyway, that brings us to the matter of lunch.
Council will return at 2 p.m., with 49 items left to deal with, including 37 member motions that should mostly go pretty quick. See you back here soon.
Council is back from lunch. They're kicking things off with a presentation honouring TTC driver Marc Torres, who rescued passengers from a burning car after a collision in October. He's in the chamber with his family today to be honoured for his service.
Thompson rises on a point of order about the decision before lunch to dispense with the Ombudsman report.
"What a shameful act that has taken place today ... to waive this particular matter, not to deal with it. In fact, we're treating dogs better than people in this city."
Thompson wants to re-open the Ombudsman report item so it can be properly debated. But a motion to re-open is DEFEATED 9-14.
Fletcher suggests as an alternative, a bunch of councillors and staff have a meeting with staff to "iron some of these things out" regarding the Ombudsman report.
"Maybe there'll be something that comes back to council, but I think that's the most appropriate way to do that."
"I must tell you, I had a hard time reading this report and for this council to just allow it to pass like that, it's just shameful," Councillor Thompson says again regarding the Ombudsman report on refugee access to shelter beds.
Councillor Dianne Saxe's motion for a report on allowing trailers to serve coffee and baked goods CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.5
Councillor Bradford's motion for a report on "nuisance lighting" CARRIES 17-5. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.9
Councillor Matlow's motion to establish an advisory board to look at ways to give Toronto more autonomy and powers FAILS to get the votes it needs to make the agenda. Vote was 13-10. It needed a two-thirds majority. It will be referred to Exec Committee. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.15
Councillor Ainslie's motion to support a high-speed rail connection between Toronto and NYC CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.23
Councillor Pasternak's motion to oppose the President-elect's proposed tariffs on Canadian goods CARRIES via show of hands. Now that Toronto Council has weighed in, I think Trump will probably reconsider. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.27
Councillor Thompson's motion requesting the federal government respond to Trump's tariffs by slapping tariffs on goods like "delivery trucks and automobiles and auto parts that regularly conceal smuggled firearms" CARRIES 20-2. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.29
Mayor Olivia Chow's motion to issue more licenses to water taxi operators serving Toronto Islands and improve water taxi service CARRIES via show of hands. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.MM24.39
After the member motion run through, there are now just 14 items left on this council agenda.
At the end of the tunnel, light.
Up now: the Shelter Safety Action Plan. Staff have put together a 36-month plan designed to reduce violence and improve safety for both shelter users and staff. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EC17.4
Mayor Olivia Chow asks staff about the federal funding plan for refugees in shelters. Staff confirm Ottawa is funding 95% of costs this year, but plan to reduce that to 75% next year and then to 50% the year after.
Councillor Nick Mantas asks if the federal government is being a "fair and honest partner" to the city re: refugee funding.
"We're very concerned about what this signal means for the future funding of this program," staff say, diplomatically.
"Do you think that property taxpayers should be the source of primary funding for asylum seekers in our city?" Councillor Lily Cheng asks General Manager of Shelters Gord Tanner.
"The shelter system in Toronto cannot support the immigration system of Canada," responds Tanner.
On the shelter item, Councillor Amber Morley moves for shelter supervisors and managers to complete appropriate anti-Black racism incident management training."
Councillor Alejandra Bravo moves to accelerate the expansion of the specialized refugee shelter system. Motion also asks council to reconfirm commitment to make shelter beds available to everyone regardless of status.
"It is really frustrating to try to explain to people that you can't arrest your way out of the homeless crisis," notes Councillor Mike Colle. "I think the premier now says he's going to fine homeless people $10,000 — how in the hell is that going to work?"
"I saw first-hand how the Ukranian refugees were treated versus how Black people from Africa were treated when they came here," says Councillor Chris Moise. "I hope there were lessons learned from that."
Mayor Olivia Chow moves to call on the feds to reverse planned changes that'll reduce access to housing assistance for refugees, and to provide a "welcoming response" and "coordinated national system" for all refugee arrivals.
Bravo's motion to accelerate expansion of specialized refugee shelter system and housing options CARRIES 23-0.
Recommendation to request the province allow all safe-injection sites to continue to operate CARRIES 18-4.
The Chow and Morley motions CARRY via show of hands. Remainder of safe shelter strategy item CARRIES 21-1.
Up now: SmartTrack. Still a thing! But increasingly less of a thing. Because of cost increases, staff are recommending axing two of the remaining stations in the plan, at King-Liberty and Finch-Kennedy. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.3
This is, obviously, quite a change from the original 2014 SmartTrack plan pitched by John Tory. That one had 22 stations. Ah, memories.
Councillor Myers asks why Metrolinx's costs for building these SmartTrack stations keep going up. Staff say Metrolinx blames labour market conditions & interest rates. Myers asks if Council can request a third-party audit. Staff say council can request, but province has to agree.
Councillor Bravo asks about the status of a pedestrian bridge that was promised as part of the King-Liberty SmartTrack station. Staff confirm that if the station is removed from the plan, the bridge will be, too.
jarek@GraphicMatt But hey, the St. Clair station project which includes a car tunnel to carry an extension of Gunns Road is still going ahead, so we know where the City's priorities lie