Establishing an Enforceable Enhanced Code of Conduct for Construction and Repair Companies Under Contract to the City of Toronto - by Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Lily Cheng

Unfortunately, Torontonians are experiencing growing frustration with the consequences of unsatisfactory project management by third party contractors in the field. This has resulted in unjustified lane closures, abandoned construction sites, inadequate notice for water and power shutoffs, the blocking of private driveways, litter on private property and sometimes inadequate cleaning up of completed construction sites. Live traffic lanes have been closed off as private parking lots for construction workers even though nearby side streets and other parking options are often available. These situations negatively impact the movement of fire, police and Emergency Medical Services vehicles responding to 911 calls and other crisis, negatively affects local businesses (big and small) in the transport of goods to the marketplace and the impedes civilian commuter traffic including school buses and Toronto Transit Commission vehicles. My office has received complaints from numerous constituents expressing concerns over seemingly abandoned work sites, sometimes displaying scattered tools, machines, and construction materials for weeks on end and extensive unjustified lane closures and blocked driveways. Businesses along Chesswood Drive have faced unspeakable and unjustified barriers to conducting commerce during road construction work in 2023. This is the third such attempt by City Council in less than three years to address this matter, which is causing enormous harm in our local neighbourhoods and in the local economy. A Motion directing staff for enhanced enforcement measures to stop unjustified lane closures and was adopted by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in January 2020 and Member Motion MM47.27 asking the same was adopted by City Council in July 2022. This Motion is more prescriptive and is looking for an enhanced and enforceable draft Code of Conduct to be adhered to by companies under contract to the City of Toronto, backed by enforcement measures.