Creating a Small Business Friendly Approach to Licensing and Permitting

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The decision

2025-11-12 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on November 12 and 13, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to extend the Red Tape Hotline pilot by a period of 2 months to January 30, 2026 and enhance marketing efforts of the Red Tape Hotline over the fourth quarter of 2025, in consultation with local Councillors to ensure uptake in their wards. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back on the Red Tape Hotline for businesses as part of the progress report on the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy in the second quarter of 2026, with a plan to make the program permanent within existing resources.

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3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to review recommendations generated from the Red Tape Hotline that are specific to business licensing regulations and include as part of its report back on the Business Licence and Permit Applications Action Plan in the second quarter of 2026 any related bylaw amendments or other operational improvements where feasible. 4. City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licencing and Standards to establish a streamlined process to transition existing business owners to the new licence classes established under the Bars, Restaurants and entertainment Venues Framework, where they have otherwise not altered their business practices. 5. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services to report back to Economic and Community Development on February 24, 2026, on: a. a more business-friendly approach and protocols for small business licenses and permits with a focus on compliance rather than enforcement and issuing a summons for these simple matters; b. an outline for a cross divisional training and education plan by Municipal Licensing and Standards and Economic Development for small business owners and operators; and c. updates and a timeline for operation on the Small Business Solutions Office, the one-stop-shop for small business services contemplated in the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy, including the promotion and accessibility of the Office's services for small business owners and operators.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

City Council on October 8 and October 9, 2025, referred Item EC23.10 to the Economic and Community Development Committee for consideration.

Considered

2025-10-28 · Economic and Community Development Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to extend the Red Tape Hotline pilot by a period of 2 months to January 30, 2026 and enhance marketing efforts of the Red Tape Hotline over the fourth quarter of 2025, in consultation with local Councillors to ensure uptake in their wards. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back on the Red Tape Hotline for businesses as part of the progress report on the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy in the second quarter of 2026, with a plan to make the program permanent within existing resources.
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3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to review recommendations generated from the Red Tape Hotline that are specific to business licensing regulations and include as part of its report back on the Business Licence and Permit Applications Action Plan in the second quarter of 2026 any related bylaw amendments or other operational improvements where feasible. 4. City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Emergency Services to report back to Economic and Community Development on February 24, 2026, on: a. A more business-friendly approach and protocols for small business licenses and permits with a focus on compliance rather than enforcement and issuing a summons for these simple matters; b. An outline for a cross divisional training and education plan by Municipal Licensing and Standards and Economic Development for small business owners and operators; and c. Updates and a timeline for operation on the Small Business Solutions Office, the one-stop-shop for small business services contemplated in the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy, including the promotion and accessibility of the Office's services for small business owners and operators.
2025-11-12 · Toronto City Council · amended

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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