Empowering Toronto: Moving Forward with a City Charter - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

A long history of events, including recent meddling in our local election the denial of highway tolls, and unilateral changes to our land use plans, has demonstrated that our City isn't able to fulfil basic functions residents expect of a municipal government without the looming threat of provincial interference. Toronto is Ontario's capital and will continue to contribute to our Province's success as a whole. However, it's time for Canada's largest city to have the tools it needs to effectively chart its own course to decide how we grow, get around, support each other, and improve our quality of life. A City Charter will also assist in making the division of roles and responsibilities between senior levels of government and City Hall more transparent and therefore more accountable to the public. Council has already supported a City Charter in principle. This Motion requests the City Manager to now provide a report on delivering more autonomy for Toronto's local government.

municipal elections; b. municipal governance structure; c. local land use and zoning decisions; d. local fiscal matters including the ability to determine revenue sources, set tax rates, borrow funds, and allocate monies; and e. personnel decisions.