Economic and Community Development Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 9 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
EC1.1received
Economic and Community Development Committee Overview
The Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services will present an overview of the Divisions that report to the Economic and Community Development Committee and major initiatives for 2023.
The Economic and Community Development Committee received the item for information.
EC1.2adopted
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) - 2023 Operating Budgets - Report 1
This report brings forward Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual Operating Budgets for approval by City Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006. City Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through a special tax levy on the commercial and industrial properties within the respective BIA boundaries. There are currently 84 established Business Improvement Areas in the City of Toronto, of which 50 Business Improvement Areas 2023 Operating Budgets are submitted for City Council approval through this report. No City funding is required since the financing of individual Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets is raised by a special levy on the commercial and industrial properties within the respective Business Improvement Area boundaries. The recommendation in this report reflects the board-adopted 2023 Operating Budgets by the respective Business Improvement Areas' Boards of Management and General Membership. Complete budgets and supporting documentation have been reviewed by City staff to ensure that the 2023 Operating Budgets for Business Improvement Areas reflect Council's approved policies and practices.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council adopt and certify the 2023 recommended Operating Budgets and Levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas: Business Improvement Area 2023 Operating Budget ($) 2023 Levy Funds Required ($) Albion Islington Square 256,684 187,414 Baby Point Gates 77,220 59,094 Bayview Leaside 268,266 193,266 Bloor by the Park 108,113 78,606 Bloor West Village 682,446 424,164 Bloordale Village 240,990 147,522 Bloor-Yorkville 5,050,992 4,444,605 Broadview Danforth 345,448 307,658 Cabbagetown 573,733 427,189 Chinatown 914,636 544,180 CityPlace and Fort York 603,765 447,299 College Promenade 294,942 234,252 Corso Italia 363,454 251,440 Crossroads of the Danforth 320,299 197,154 Downtown Yonge 3,850,425 2,995,325 Duke Heights 3,660,921 3,135,318 Fairbank Village 470,192 263,975 Financial District 1,900,759 1,305,554 Forest Hill Village 239,710 196,832 Gerrard India Bazaar 353,317 159,954 Greektown on the Danforth 1,467,545 424,899 Hillcrest Village 278,575 237,373 Junction Gardens 565,540 361,285 Kennedy Road 283,171 256,135 Kensington Market 232,249 185,700 Lakeshore Village 241,582 106,579 Lawrence Ingram Keele 238,220 190,004 Liberty Village 544,178 406,207 Little Italy 791,718 383,522 Little Portugal Toronto 780,361 346,995 Midtown Yonge 238,788 180,084 Mirvish Village 108,071 81,814 Mount Pleasant Village 430,096 233,435 Oakwood Village 83,926 37,929 Regal Heights Village 136,890 22,540 Riverside District 424,237 206,258 Roncesvalles Village 396,040 333,628 St. Clair Gardens 151,560 96,160 St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood 2,052,869 1,492,205 The Beach 452,861 415,412 The Kingsway 616,943 261,943 The Waterfront 3,124,287 2,090,955 Toronto Downtown West 4,739,568 3,940,240 Uptown Yonge 398,619 250,941 Village of Islington 261,758 164,105 West Queen West 382,015 351,167 Weston Village 299,727 149,600 Wexford Heights 462,674 242,331 Wychwood Heights 113,678 28,678 Yonge Lawrence Village 286,008 240,955 Total 41,160,066 29,719,880
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer recommends that: 1. City Council adopt and certify the 2023 recommended Operating Budgets and Levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas: Business Improvement Area 2023 Operating Budget ($) 2023 Levy Funds Required ($) Albion Islington Square 256,684 187,414 Baby Point Gates 77,220 59,094 Bayview Leaside 268,266 193,266 Bloor by the Park 108,113 78,606 Bloor West Village 682,446 424,164 Bloordale Village 240,990 147,522 Bloor-Yorkville 5,050,992 4,444,605 Broadview Danforth 345,448 307,658 Cabbagetown 573,733 427,189 Chinatown 914,636 544,180 CityPlace and Fort York 603,765 447,299 College Promenade 294,942 234,252 Corso Italia 363,454 251,440 Crossroads of the Danforth 320,299 197,154 Downtown Yonge 3,850,425 2,995,325 Duke Heights 3,660,921 3,135,318 Fairbank Village 470,192 263,975 Financial District 1,900,759 1,305,554 Forest Hill Village 239,710 196,832 Gerrard India Bazaar 353,317 159,954 Greektown on the Danforth 1,467,545 424,899 Hillcrest Village 278,575 237,373 Junction Gardens 565,540 361,285 Kennedy Road 283,171 256,135 Kensington Market 232,249 185,700 Lakeshore Village 241,582 106,579 Lawrence Ingram Keele 238,220 190,004 Liberty Village 544,178 406,207 Little Italy 791,718 383,522 Little Portugal Toronto 780,361 346,995 Midtown Yonge 238,788 180,084 Mirvish Village 108,071 81,814 Mount Pleasant Village 430,096 233,435 Oakwood Village 83,926 37,929 Regal Heights Village 136,890 22,540 Riverside District 424,237 206,258 Roncesvalles Village 396,040 333,628 St. Clair Gardens 151,560 96,160 St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood 2,052,869 1,492,205 The Beach 452,861 415,412 The Kingsway 616,943 261,943 The Waterfront 3,124,287 2,090,955 Toronto Downtown West 4,739,568 3,940,240 Uptown Yonge 398,619 250,941 Village of Islington 261,758 164,105 West Queen West 382,015 351,167 Weston Village 299,727 149,600 Wexford Heights 462,674 242,331 Wychwood Heights 113,678 28,678 Yonge Lawrence Village 286,008 240,955 Total 41,160,066 29,719,880
EC1.3amended
The purpose of this report is to appoint directors to the Boards of Management of four (4) Business Improvement Areas (BIA) that fall within more than one Community Council boundary for the new term of Council and make necessary changes to Schedule A of the Municipal Code, Chapter 19.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council, in accordance with the City's Public Appointments Policy, appoint the following nominees to the Business Improvement Area Boards of Management set out below at the pleasure of Council, and for a term expiring at the end of the term of Council or as soon thereafter as successors are appointed: DuKe Heights: Aronov, Vladislav Bortoletto, Lou Cunsolo, Marco Damjanovic, Bogdan Gelbloom, David Goldkind, Murray Hertzman, David Menceles, Andrew Pliamm, Lew Punjani, Shafiq Rumanek, Jordan Serebryany, Carmela Tannous, Alaa Fairbank Village: Greco, Gino Konietzny, Kurt Kremizes, Taso Mazzone, Damiano McBean, James Mian, Asad Nielsen, Lorol Sousa-Freire, Jessica Torrone, Enzo Mount Pleasant Village: Antonio, Alyssa Cilla, Annalisa Fournier, Tanya Heller, Gregory Kutas, Matthew Lawrence, Corey Zammit, David Uptown Yonge: Chang, Peter Kiru, John Lokash, Stephen McKeown, Kevin Miadens, Brent Pyatt, Eva Reshetnikova, Sofia Soong, Mathew 2. City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended by changing the number of members of the Fairbank Village Board of Management to eleven (11); changing the number of members of the Kennedy Road Board of Management to nine (9), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 21, Scarborough Centre; changing the number of members of the Parkdale Village Board of Management to eleven (11), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park; changing the number of members of the Riverside District Board of Management to fourteen (14), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth; and changing the number of members of the Wexford Heights Board of Management to nine (9), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council, in accordance with the City's Public Appointments Policy, appoint the following nominees to the Business Improvement Area Boards of Management set out below at the pleasure of Council, and for a term expiring at the end of the term of Council or as soon thereafter as successors are appointed: DuKe Heights: Aronov, Vladislav Bortoletto, Lou Cunsolo, Marco Damjanovic, Bogdan Gelbloom, David Goldkind, Murray Hertzman, David Menceles, Andrew Pliamm, Lew Punjani, Shafiq Rumanek, Jordan Serebryany, Carmela Tannous, Alaa Fairbank Village: Greco, Gino Konietzny, Kurt Kremizes, Taso Mazzone, Damiano McBean, James Mian, Asad Nielsen, Lorol Sousa-Freire, Jessica Torrone, Enzo Mount Pleasant Village: Antonio, Alyssa Cilla, Annalisa Fournier, Tanya Heller, Gregory Kutas, Matthew Lawrence, Corey Zammit, David Uptown Yonge: Chang, Peter Kiru, John Lokash, Stephen McKeown, Kevin Miadens, Brent Pyatt, Eva Reshetnikova, Sofia Soong, Mathew 2. City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended by changing the number of members of the Fairbank Village Board of Management to eleven (11); changing the number of members of the Kennedy Road Board of Management to nine (9), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 21, Scarborough Centre; changing the number of members of the Parkdale Village Board of Management to eleven (11), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park; changing the number of members of the Riverside District Board of Management to fourteen (14), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth; and changing the number of members of the Wexford Heights Board of Management to nine (9), number of Councillors to one (1) and wards to Ward 21, Scarborough Centre.
EC1.4adopted
Economic Development and Culture Grants - 2020 and 2021 Allocation and Grant Reform
As part of its work, the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) Division oversees a diverse portfolio of programs and services, which includes grants to support: local art programs, arts and cultural festivals, public art and cultural institutions; business retention and expansion activities, business improvement areas, sector development and international trade; tourism, and the film, music, and interactive digital media sectors; and, historical sites in Toronto. In alignment with the City's strategic priority to invest in people and neighbourhoods, Economic Development and Culture grants support and enhance the business sectors and the cultural fabric of Toronto, helping make it a city that celebrates diversity. This report has a dual purpose: it provides information on the grants issued through Economic Development and Culture programs in 2020, which totalled $38,518,803.73, and in 2021, which totalled $38,719,470.06, and proposes changes to be implemented as part of Economic Development and Culture's overall reform of its grants programs. While Economic Development and Culture grants are critical to the sustainability of organizations in the business and cultural sectors, efforts are needed to improve their accessibility, transparency and accountability. In 2018, Economic Development and Culture started an internal process to advance these objectives. Since then, Economic Development and Culture has been updating its approach to grant programs and practices, also in alignment with the City of Toronto's Community Grants Policy introduced in 2019. Informed by this process, changes have been implemented in specific programs, such as the Business Incubation and Commercialization Grant Program, as adopted by Council in April 2022, and the Cultural Festivals Funding Program, adopted by Council in November 2021. This report recommends further changes to grant programs and directed grants (targeted investments to address strategic and/or urgent needs such as COVID-19-related efforts) and outlines next steps. Combined, the proposed changes chart a way forward to improve granting practices in Economic Development and Culture while recognizing the necessity of retaining a measure of flexibility to support Council priorities, incent innovation and address changing market conditions.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council delegate authority to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to allocate directed grants in a manner consistent with Attachment 2, to the report (December 19, 2022) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to third party non-profit organizations or registered charities as defined in and in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy up to a value of $500,000 each out of its Council approved budget until the end of the grant cycle in December 31, 2023 and to negotiate, enter into and execute any funding agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements until the end of December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report annually to the Economic and Community Development Committee on all directed grants approved and issued through Recommendation 1 above. 3. City Council delegate authority to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue to offer event sponsorships to third parties including businesses, festivals, non-profit corporations, registered charities and educational institutions up to a value of $500,000 each out of its current Council approved budget and to negotiate, enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements until the end of December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report annually, for information, to the Economic and Community Development Committee on all event sponsorships issued through Recommendation 3 above. 5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture or other City division heads as appropriate, in consultation with the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer as appropriate, to: (a) apply for, receive funds and to negotiate, enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements and any ancillary documents (with a value of up to $500,000) with the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and/or agencies of the federal and provincial governments in support of the City of Toronto's Corporate Strategic Plan and the Economic Development and Culture Division 2022-23 Strategic Directions and any subsequent strategic plans approved by Council; and (b) distribute these funds as may be stipulated in the governing funding agreement, which may reference the issuance of grants to third party non-profit or charitable organizations, in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor until the end of the grant cycle in December 31, 2026. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on a plan to align the three programs currently called the Cultural Hotspot, Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative, and Live Arts Mentor programs, with the City's Community Grants Policy in the third quarter of 2023. 7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, or designate with the appropriate delegated commitment authority, to negotiate, enter into and execute grant agreements of up to $500,000 for grants in support of the Toronto Music Industry Strategy 2022-2026 to third party non-profit or registered charities, as defined in and in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy until December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the City Solicitor. 8. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee with an update on aligning the Closed Museum Grant and the Toronto Railway Historical Museum Grant programs with the City's Community Grants Policy and Advancing Reconciliation, Equity and Inclusion - Re-imagining a New Future for Toronto History Museums Plan, and report back in the first quarter of 2024.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council delegate authority to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to allocate directed grants in a manner consistent with Attachment 2 to third party non-profit organizations or registered charities as defined in and in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy up to a value of $500,000 each out of its Council approved budget until the end of the grant cycle in December 31, 2023 and to negotiate, enter into and execute any funding agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements until the end of December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report annually to the Economic and Community Development Committee on all directed grants approved and issued through Recommendation 1. 3. City Council delegate authority to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue to offer event sponsorships to third parties including businesses, festivals, non-profit corporations, registered charities and educational institutions up to a value of $500,000 each out of its current Council approved budget and to negotiate, enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements until the end of December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report annually, for information, to the Economic and Community Development Committee on all event sponsorships issued through Recommendation 3. 5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture or other City division heads as appropriate, in consultation with the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer as appropriate, to: (a) apply for, receive funds and to negotiate, enter into and execute any agreements, including any amendment, renewal or extension agreements and any ancillary documents (with a value of up to $500,000) with the Government of Canada, Government of Ontario and/or agencies of the federal and provincial governments in support of the City of Toronto's Corporate Strategic Plan and the Economic Development and Culture Division 2022-23 Strategic Directions and any subsequent strategic plans approved by Council; and (b) distribute these funds as may be stipulated in the governing funding agreement, which may reference the issuance of grants to third party non-profit or charitable organizations, in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor until the end of the grant cycle in December 31, 2026. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on a plan to align the three programs currently called the Cultural Hotspot, Youth Cultural Incubators Stabilization Initiative, and Live Arts Mentor programs, with the City's Community Grants Policy in Q3 2023. 7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, or designate with the appropriate delegated commitment authority, to negotiate, enter into and execute grant agreements of up to $500,000 for grants in support of the Toronto Music Industry Strategy 2022-2026 to third party non-profit or registered charities, as defined in and in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy until December 31, 2023, on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the City Solicitor. 8. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee with an update on aligning the Closed Museum Grant and the Toronto Railway Historical Museum Grant programs with the City's Community Grants Policy and Advancing Reconciliation, Equity and Inclusion - Re-imagining a New Future for Toronto History Museums Plan, and report back in Q1 2024.
EC1.5amended
COVID-19 Shelter Transition and Relocation Plan Update 2023
This report provides an update on the COVID-19 Shelter Transition and Relocation Plan, which was adopted by Council on April 6, 2022 to guide a phased, gradual transition from temporary shelter sites. This report provides an update on the phase 1 work plan approved in April 2022, and outlines next steps for phase 2 of the plan in 2023. There are currently 23 temporary sites operating as part of the City's shelter system, including shelter hotels and non-hotel sites. There is also a program that operates as a partnership with an Indigenous service provider independent of the City's shelter system. These temporary sites, the majority of which were created at the beginning of the pandemic to support physical distancing requirements in the shelter system, shelter approximately 3,000 individuals and are now providing about 30% of the spaces in the City's shelter system. With the wind-down of COVID-19 response funding for shelters from other orders of government, a thoughtful approach to gradually closing the sites is needed. A sudden reversal of these spaces would cause significant disruption to the vital services delivered through the sites and the vulnerable Torontonians who rely upon them. This report requests the authorities required to implement the COVID-19 Shelter Transition and Relocation Plan for 2023 and 2024. This includes the authority to enter into lease/licence extensions and agreements at temporary shelter sites to continue to support those programs beyond their current contract or lease end dates, and amendments to the associated service agreements. As part of phase 2 of the transition plan, up to five temporary shelter sites will be closed in 2023. If current projections change, the timelines for the plan will be revisited and an update will be provided to Council. The emergency shelter system plays an important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of those experiencing homelessness, but the solution to homelessness is permanent affordable housing with supports. The success of the COVID-19 Shelter Transition and Relocation Plan is dependent on availability of additional deeply affordable and supportive housing opportunities for people to move out of shelter more quickly. While the City, in partnership with the federal and provincial governments as well as the non-profit sector, has moved rapidly to create almost 3,600 new affordable and supportive housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness as part of the 24-Month Housing and Homelessness Plan (2021-2022), new and enhanced investments from the federal and provincial governments are necessary to scale up efforts to adequately address Toronto's homelessness challenges. In addition to new supply, investments in homelessness prevention and poverty reduction measures such as increases to social assistance benefit rates and housing benefit program allocations, which better respond to the actual cost of living in Toronto, are necessary to prevent more households from falling into deep poverty and homelessness.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Acting Chief Procurement Officer, to enter into the necessary amending agreements on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor to increase the value and extend the term of twelve (12) existing non-competitive blanket contracts/purchase orders and five (5) existing competitive blanket contracts outlined in Attachment 2, Table 1 and 2 to the report (December 23, 2022) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer, to April 30, 2024 and contingent on funding in the 2023 budget. 2. City Council, in accordance with Section 71- 11.1C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control By-law), grants authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to amend contract number 47022573 with A.S.P. Incorporated, to add $1,018,637, net of all taxes and charges ($1,036,565 net of HST recoveries) to the contract, thereby increasing the contract value from $24,429,452 to $25,895,976, net of all taxes and charges ($895,488 net of HST recoveries), as outlined in Attachment 2, Table 3 to the report (December 23, 2022) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer. 3. City Council, in accordance with Section 71- 11.1C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control By-law), grants authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to amend contract number 47021955 with Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd., to add $2,309,318, net of all taxes and charges ($2,349,962 of H.S.T. recoveries) to the contract, thereby increasing the contract value from $19,999,000 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($20,350,982 net of H.S.T. recoveries) to $22,308,318 net of all taxes, as outlined in Attachment 2, Table 4 to the report (December 23, 2022) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer. 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to negotiate and approve lease/licence extensions in relation to the properties identified in Confidential Attachment 1, Table 5, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. The proposed business terms for any such future lease/licence extensions must generally reflect the existing terms and conditions, as amended by the terms and conditions contemplated for that property in Confidential Attachment 1, Table 5 to the report (December 23, 2022) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer, and on such other or amended terms and conditions as may be deemed appropriate by the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. The required funding must be available in the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's approved budget and no extension shall extend later than April 30, 2024 without securing further City Council approval. 5. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 23, 2022) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer upon the expiration of the last agreement of the leased and/or licensed premises, as Confidential Attachment 1 contains instructions to be applied to negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City of Toronto. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to work with regional Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) partners to establish a coordinated regional response to support the arrival of refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers and to work with the federal and provincial government to provide funding for this purpose. 7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or designate to: a. Allocate any funds received from the federal and provincial governments, or a related federal or provincial agency or corporation, and enter into agreements with other participating municipalities in support of a coordinated regional response to support the arrival of refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers, such agreements to be on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor; and b. Allocate any funds received from the federal and provincial governments, or a related federal or provincial agency or corporation, and enter into agreements as may be necessary to provide programs and services to refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers in Toronto in accordance with approved budgets. 8. City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide support for the planning, programs and services related to large-scale refugee claimant and/or asylum seeker arrivals, including additional dedicated allocations as part of the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit. 9. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to establish a working group with Ontario Health to collaborate on approaches to support individuals experiencing homelessness who move between hospitals and shelter, including those accessing Emergency Departments and having challenges accessing appropriate shelter, housing or health care. 10. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to work with regional Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) partners to establish a coordinated regional response to support homeless and underhoused individuals in their local communities, and to work with the federal and provincial government to provide funding for this purpose. 11. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to send a letter to the Ontario Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions requesting more funding for mental health services, crisis beds, withdrawal management services, and treatment programs for people experiencing homelessness in order to properly serve the expansion of the City of Toronto's shelter bed capacity, and ensure that the City can work with partners to provide necessary health, mental health and harm reduction supports to individuals staying in shelter, and to coordinate these supports as they move through the shelter and housing system. 12. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee, in the third quarter of 2023, on the feasibility of developing a plan for Shelter Transition and Relocation to Housing, so that clients do not return back to shelters. 13. City Council request the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee, in the third quarter of 2023, on the feasibility of obtaining more rent supplements/housing allowances to assist in transitioning shelter clients to housing. 14. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to consider the ongoing use of shelter-hotels to provide single room occupancy unless there is a couple needing shelter and report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the third quarter of 2023. 15. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to consider conducting an audit shelter-hotel operations examining health and safety, harm reduction practices, food quality, rules such as bed checks and COVID infection control practices and report to the Economic Development Committee in the third quarter of 2023. 16. City Council request the Province of Ontario immediately implement recommendation 1 from the Auditor General of Ontario's Value for Money: Homelessness report (December 2021): - To take a more coordinated and cohesive action oriented approach to preventing and reducing homelessness in Ontario, we recommend that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing take a lead role, in collaboration with other ministries that fund or directly provide services and supports to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, in developing a provincial strategy with specific actions, targets, and timelines to collectively aim to address the issues that contribute to homelessness. 17. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to explore creating a granting pathway to fund local service organizations that provide emergency housing support for refugee claimants in order to create additional capacity outside of the City's shelter system. 18. City Council request that the Federal and Provincial Governments provide funding to local service organizations that provide emergency housing support for refugee claimants, in order to create additional capacity outside of the City's shelter system.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and the Acting Chief Procurement Officer recommend that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with Purchasing and Materials Management, to enter into the necessary amending agreements on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor to increase the value and extend the term of twelve (12) existing non-competitive blanket contracts/purchase orders and five (5) existing competitive blanket contracts outlined in Attachment 2, Table 1 and 2 to April 30, 2024 and contingent on funding in the 2023 budget. 2. City Council, in accordance with Section 71- 11.1C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control By-law), grants authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to amend contract number 47022573 with A.S.P. Incorporated, to add $1,018,637, net of all taxes and charges ($1,036,565 net of HST recoveries) to the contract, thereby increasing the contract value from $24,429,452 to $25,895,976, net of all taxes and charges ($895,488 net of HST recoveries), as outlined in Attachment 2, Table 3. 3. City Council, in accordance with Section 71- 11.1C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control By-law), grants authority to the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to amend contract number 47021955 with Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd., to add $2,309,318, net of all taxes and charges ($2,349,962 of H.S.T. recoveries) to the contract, thereby increasing the contract value from $19,999,000 net of all applicable taxes and charges ($20,350,982 net of H.S.T. recoveries) to $22,308,318 net of all taxes, as outlined in Attachment 2, Table 4. 4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to negotiate and approve lease/licence extensions in relation to the properties identified in Confidential Attachment 1, Table 5, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. The proposed business terms for any such future lease/licence extensions must generally reflect the existing terms and conditions, as amended by the terms and conditions contemplated for that property in Confidential Attachment 1, Table 5, and on such other or amended terms and conditions as may be deemed appropriate by the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. The required funding must be available in the Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's approved budget and no extension shall extend later than April 30, 2024 without securing further City Council approval. 5. City Council authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report upon the expiration of the last agreement of the leased and/or licensed premises, as Confidential Attachment 1 contains instructions to be applied to negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City of Toronto. 6. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to work with regional Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) partners to establish a coordinated regional response to support the arrival of refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers and to work with the federal and provincial government to provide funding for this purpose. 7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, or designate to: a. Allocate any funds received from the federal and provincial governments, or a related federal or provincial agency or corporation, and enter into agreements with other participating municipalities in support of a coordinated regional response to support the arrival of refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers, such agreements to be on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor; and b. Allocate any funds received from the federal and provincial governments, or a related federal or provincial agency or corporation, and enter into agreements as may be necessary to provide programs and services to refugee claimants and/or asylum seekers in Toronto in accordance with approved budgets. 8. City Council request the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide support for the planning, programs and services related to large-scale refugee claimant and/or asylum seeker arrivals, including additional dedicated allocations as part of the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit.
EC1.6referred
Lessons Learned from Shelter Hotel Operations
City Council on July 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2022, referred Motion MM47.55 to the Economic and Community Development Committee. Sustainable emergency shelter services by the City that can meet its long-term shelter plan goals under the Housing and Homelessness Plan, need to both centre its objectives on the health and well-being of individuals that are homeless and be financially prudent in order to help the greatest number of individuals. The City's process of contracting for hotel rooms, which allowed the overspending of $13 million dollars, and continues to pay retail day rates for hotel rooms instead of for long-term transitional housing, undermines the ability to meet the City's own objectives. The expense is taking resources that could be used in different ways to help more people that are currently without housing options.
The Economic and Community Development Committee referred Item EC1.6 to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration for consideration.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Anthony Perruzza, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to work with the Medical Officer of Health to ensure all current and future shelters provides a safe and healthy environment for all and to report back to City Council on the success rate of its strategy in helping transition individuals into transitional or permanent housing. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to: a. develop an immediate strategy to transition away from shelter services in hotels commencing with the hotel operators that have invoiced and charged the City of Toronto for services not in accordance with the express terms of contract, as found by the City's Auditor report on Item 2022.AU12.2; and b. prioritize within the strategy a plan to develop alternate forms of shelters, including creating additional transitional housing to address homelessness. 3. City Council immediately revoke the delegated authority for the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into or alter agreements with shelter providers without City Council approval.
EC1.7adopted
Extending the UrbanHensTO Pilot Project
The UrbanHensTO pilot program began on March 2, 2018 and permits registered households in specific wards and areas of the City to have up to four hens on their property for the purposes of enjoyment and personal egg production (hens cannot be raised as livestock to eat). Staff undertook a comprehensive review of the pilot program in fall 2021, which included extensive stakeholder consultation and considered impacts on food security and sovereignty, access to veterinary care, animal health and welfare, public health and nuisance, and equity impacts. City staff brought a report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in March 2022 ( 2022.EC28.10 ) recommending city-wide expansion to create a safe and permanent hen keeping program with enhanced program requirements. In April 2022, City Council directed that the pilot program be extended until March 31, 2023 and that additional wards and areas be included in the pilot. Council also directed the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division (MLS) to conduct further consultation on staff's recommendations and to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee. As a result of the Economic and Community Development Committee meeting schedule and to provide reasonable time to consult with additional stakeholders and draft a follow-up report, staff intend to bring the follow-up report requested by Council to the April 25 Economic and Community Development Committee meeting. Given the current pilot program expires on March 31, 2023, it is recommended that the pilot be formally extended until May 31, 2023 to provide clarity to current participants and Toronto Animal Services (TAS) staff.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct that the current pilot project in Chapter 349, Animals, Section 349-4.1, Hens Pilot program, be extended until May 31, 2023.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Shelley Carroll recommends that: 1. City Council direct that the current pilot project in Chapter 349, Animals, Section 349-4.1, Hens Pilot program, be extended until May 31, 2023.
EC1.8adopted
Leveraging Post-Secondary Institutions for a Stronger Workforce
Toronto is home to a number of world-class, publicly-funded post-secondary institutions and plays host to over 100,000 students from around the world. To meet the needs of a changing labour market, many of these institutions' programs include practical, hands-on placement requirements for students. After being paused at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, on September 1, 2022, the City relaunched the Omnibus Program with academic institutions for the 2022-2025 period. The Omnibus Program helps City Divisions bring on post-secondary students for unpaid work placements within the City. Acknowledging the keen interest in the program, the City should work to secure agreements with more academic institutions, including universities, so that quality placement opportunities are not lost. The City of Toronto is one of the top employers in Canada and a major player in a number of critical industry sectors. As we look for our local economy to come back stronger than ever, we must be working in collaboration with our partners, like post-secondary institutions, to promote and strengthen workforce development opportunities. We have no time to waste. I am asking that the City Manager report back in short order on the agreements so that additional student placement intakes can begin in September 2023.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Directed the City Manager to report to the April 25, 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee on the implementation of a revised omnibus agreement(s), that includes securing agreements with more post-secondary institutions and advancing additional opportunities for placements that align with the needs of the city and practical course requirements, in preparation of student placement intakes in September 2023.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Shelley Carroll recommends that the Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Direct the City Manager to report to the April 25, 2023 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee on the implementation of a revised omnibus agreement(s), that includes securing agreements with more post-secondary institutions and advancing additional opportunities for placements that align with the needs of the city and practical course requirements, in preparation of student placement intakes in September 2023.
EC1.9amended
Review Of Extreme Weather Supports For Homeless And Under-Housed Individuals
Members of our communities, faith leaders, outreach workers, and advocates have made requests for the City to open Emergency Warming Centres sooner, in more accessible locations, and for longer hours throughout the winter months. Prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures has led to preventable injury, mental distress, and death. In response, I am requesting that staff undertake a review and propose changes to these policies so that we can accommodate greater flexibility and effectively address the impacts on homeless and under-housed individuals' health and well-being.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to review all policies and procedures related to the opening and operations of Emergency Warming Centres and report back at the April 25, 2023 meeting with recommendations on improvements that can be made including opening centers more proactively and reinvesting in community-outreach programs, such as Out of The Cold, which could reduce the pressures on city facilities. 2. Directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to continue to use their discretion that takes into account all weather conditions when it comes to opening warming centres, not solely predicated on an emergency cold weather alert being issued, while this report is being prepared. 3. Referred the following motion from Councillor Paul Ainslie to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration for consideration as part of the report requested for April 25, 2023: "1. Economic and Community Development Committee request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to consult with the Medical Officer of Health and relevant medical experts to examine and revise the environmental conditions required to declare an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, prioritizing the minimization of loss of life and cold-related injury and report to the April 25, 2023 meeting on: a. aligning the opening of warming centres with the declaration of an Emergency Cold Weather Alert; b. delegating authority for declaring an Emergency Cold Weather Alert and the opening of warming centres to the Medical Officer of Health; c. ensuring that the Cold Weather Response Plan is implemented between September 15 and June 1 each year, in line with the time period in which the City of Toronto's minimum temperature by-law comes in to effect for tenants; d. ensuring hot meals, adequate washrooms, showers, harm reduction supplies, and on-site social work and health supports are available in warming centres; e. securing appropriate space - either within the City's portfolio, through public service partners such as the TTC, by purchasing sprung structures, or through commercial rental opportunities - to ensure an equitable, City-wide network of warming Centres; and f. the funding required to deliver an equitable, City-wide network of warming Centres, either through the City or through agency partners, with a fair wage policy in place for all staff."
Staff recommendation as filed
It is recommended that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee directs the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to review all policies and procedures related to the opening and operations of Emergency Warming Centres and report back at the April 25, 2023 meeting with recommendations on improvements that can be made including opening centers more proactively and reinvesting in community-outreach programs, such as Out of The Cold, which could reduce the pressures on city facilities. 2. The Economic and Community Development Committee directs the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to continue to use their discretion that takes into account all weather conditions when it comes to opening warming centres, not solely predicated on an emergency cold weather alert being issued, while this report is being prepared.