Community Improvement Plan Amendment for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program to Increase Tax Increment Equivalent Grants and Annual Program Update Report

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The decision

2025-12-16 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on December 16 and 17, 2025, adopted the following: 1. City Council adopt the amendments to the City-Wide Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment Incentive Program, as shown in Attachment 1 to the report (November 19, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to increase the Development Grants to 100 percent of the municipal tax increment for successful applications submitted by December 31, 2027, including any applications submitted prior to the Council approval of amendments.

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2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft By-law to amend the Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment Program, as may be required. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to: a. examine opportunities to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, particularly businesses seeking to invest in new technology, innovation, or undertake smaller renovation projects that do not trigger a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant or qualify for support under the Economic Development and Growth in Employment Incentive Program, including exploring additional supports outside of the Economic Development and Growth in Employment Program that may help stimulate or support such investment; b. identify strategies to improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness in Employment Areas, including measures that stimulate additional capital investment and modernization of facilities; c. engage industry stakeholders, including Business Improvement Areas, to understand their specific needs and interests related to additional capital investments that support business growth and create and retain jobs; and d. report back to City Council in the second quarter of 2026 with options to advance these objectives.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

This report proposes temporary changes to the City-Wide Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program to support the Mayor's Economic Action Plan in Response to United States Tariffs. The CIP amendment would temporarily increase the value of development grants offered through the incentive program to encourage business investment and job creation in the near term.

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Specifically, a new program stream would provide development grants equal to 100 percent of the municipal tax increment over a five-year period. This enhanced support would be available for eligible applications submitted by December 31, 2027, including any applications submitted prior to the Council approval of amendments. All other program eligibility requirements would remain unchanged, and the program would continue to operate within its existing annual funding cap of $20 million. These proposed changes respond to City Council's direction to explore ways to boost industrial investment and job creation in Toronto and align with priorities outlined in the Action Plan for Toronto's Economy (APTE), including actions to encourage investment, support job growth, and maintain the city's competitive edge through tools such as tax incentives. The amendment ensures the program remains responsive to current market conditions, including economic uncertainty and competitive pressures resulting from ongoing U.S. trade policy issues. The report and recommendations were developed in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer. This report also fulfills City Council's direction for staff to provide an annual update on the EDGE Incentive Program, which is otherwise required in the first quarter annually.

Staff recommended

The Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommend that: 1. City Council adopt the amendments to the City-Wide Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program, as shown in Attachment 1 to increase the Development Grants to 100 percent of the municipal tax increment for successful applications submitted by December 31, 2027, including any applications submitted prior to the Council approval of amendments.

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Considered

2025-12-03 · Planning and Housing Committee · amended
Decision as filed
The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that: 1. City Council adopt the amendments to the City-Wide Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program, as shown in Attachment 1 to the report (November 19, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to increase the Development Grants to 100 percent of the municipal tax increment for successful applications submitted by December 31, 2027, including any applications submitted prior to the Council approval of amendments.
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2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft By-law to amend the Community Improvement Plan for the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Program, as may be required. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to: a. examine opportunities to support Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, particularly businesses seeking to invest in new technology, innovation, or undertake smaller renovation projects that do not trigger a Tax Increment Equivalent Grant (TIEG) or qualify for support under the Economic Development and Growth in Employment (EDGE) Incentive Program, including exploring additional supports outside of the EDGE Program that may help stimulate or support such investment; b. identify strategies to improve productivity, innovation and competitiveness in Employment Areas, including measures that stimulate additional capital investment and modernization of facilities; c. engage industry stakeholders, including Business Improvement Areas, to understand their specific needs and interests related to additional capital investments that support business growth and create and retain jobs; and d. report back to City Council in the second quarter of 2026 with options to advance these objectives.
Clerk’s note
The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on December 3, 2025 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.
2025-12-16 · Toronto City Council · adopted

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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