Repair of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority-owned Heritage Barn and Dwelling at 6461 Steeles Avenue East and Placement of Portable on Site - by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher

It is the only veterinary hospital and rehabilitation facility for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals in the Greater Toronto Area and the busiest wildlife centre in Canada. Admitting approximately 5,000 patients each year representing over 270 unique species (including many species at risk), and helping tens of thousands more via an internationally admired wildlife emergency hotline and a myriad of public education initiatives, the Toronto Wildlife Centre is a leader in the field of wildlife rehabilitation. In May 2014, City Council approved supporting the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's decision to permit the Toronto Wildlife Centre to locate within the Rouge National Urban Park. In February 2018, City Council approved Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's capital budget which included a project known as the Menno-Reesor Restoration Project in the amount of $3.5 million. In July 2018, City Council approved including restoration of the heritage barn and home as part of the larger restoration project. In January 2019, the Toronto Wildlife Centre notified by Downsview Park that it must vacate its current location by August 1, 2019, thus requiring the Toronto Wildlife Centre to move into its new hospital site at 6461 Steeles Avenue by the spring or summer of 2019. The restoration project at the 67-acre, 6461 Steeles Avenue East location is one of Toronto's largest restoration sites and work on the site includes converting a former corn field into a healthy renaturalized area that will be home to the largest wildlife hospital in Canada, and will include numerous pens and enclosures to house hundreds of wild animals while they recover from injuries. The project includes protecting, restoring and expanding existing natural areas, regrading the site back to a more natural landscape, removing old tile drains, recreating a healthy stream onsite along with a significant amount of riparian habitat, reforestation of parts of the site, meadowland plantings throughout the site, and provision of both perimeter and security fencing where appropriate. Due to major structural issues with the barn, it cannot currently be used to store restoration equipment or materials and poses a workplace health and safety issue. The Toronto Wildlife Centre currently assists approximately 5,000 animals per year. The Toronto Wildlife Centre has been working on site for over one year and has architects and engineering firms ready and able to meet the accelerated timelines. Reason for Urgency: The 100 year-old barn and farm house are in need of immediate repair, and portables must be moved, in order for the project to proceed and be ready for occupancy by the spring of 2019.

2. City Council direct that funding for this initiative come from the previously Council approved $3.5 million budget for the 6461 Steeles Avenue East restoration project, up to a maximum of $450,000, subject to approval from the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, for a zero impact on the City of Toronto Capital Budget.