Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds from the Development at 124 and 128 Pears Avenue to Toronto Community Housing Corporation for 250 Davenport - by Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll

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The decision

2023-11-08 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on November 8 and 9, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council increase the 2023 Operating Budget for Non-Program on a one-time basis by $30,000 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 124 and 128 Pears Avenue (Source Account: XR3026-3700793) secured for capital improvements to public housing at 250 Davenport to be utilized at 250 Davenport to build a free, reliable high-speed WiFi connection to the internet in shared spaces (Cost Centre: NP2161).

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2. City Council direct that the $32,000 be forwarded to Toronto Community Housing Corporation upon the signing of an Undertaking by Toronto Community Housing Corporation that governs the use of the funds and the financial reporting requirements.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

As ConnectTO recognizes, access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet is essential, as daily life in our city increasingly requires connectivity. Internet access is an important enabler of a good quality of life for Torontonians of all income levels. Inequalities in Internet access reflect underlying disparities in infrastructure and market competition, impeding full economic and social inclusion. This digital divide creates a serious barrier to economic opportunity for residents and a threat to the city's long-term economic growth.

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In particular, none of the eight Toronto Community Housing buildings in Ward 11 have been provided with affordable, reliable high-speed internet, and no funding is available to do so in the near future. Council requested the federal and provincial governments to fund such internet access where necessary for full economic and social inclusion, but without success. The City is holding sufficient Section 37 money, earmarked for upgrades to the Toronto Community Housing building at 250 Davenport, to make capital improvements that can rapidly create and furnish a computer/printer room and to build a free, reliable, durable high-speed WiFi connection to the internet in spaces shared by all tenants. This will make a lasting impact on the quality of life of the tenants.

Staff recommended

Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll, recommends that: 1. City Council increase the 2023 Operating Budget for Non-Program on a one-time basis by $32,000 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 community benefits obtained from the development at 124 and 128 Pears Avenue (Source Account: XR3026-3700793) secured for capital improvements to public housing at 250 Davenport to be utilized at 250 Davenport to create and furnish a computer/printer room and to build a free, reliable high-speed WiFi connection to the internet in shared spaces (Cost Centre: NP2161).

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