Economic and Community Development Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 10 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.
EC27.1amended
Overview of Employment Lands in the Area South of Eastern Avenue
The Manager, Official Plan, City Planning will give a presentation on Overview of Employment Lands in the Area South of Eastern Avenue.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to report to the Film, Television and Digital Media Advisory Board on the outcomes and next steps from sector-specific consultations, prior to reporting to the Planning and Housing Committee with final recommendations on the south of Eastern Avenue employment land conversion requests.
EC27.2adopted
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) - 2022 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 85 established BIAs in the City of Toronto, of which 52 BIAs 2022 Operating Budgets are submitted for City Council approval through this report. No City funding is required since the financing of Business Improvement Area Operating Budgets is raised by a special levy on the commercial and industrial properties within the respective BIA boundaries. The recommendation in this report reflects the board-adopted 2022 Operating Budgets by the respective BIAs' Boards of Management and General Membership. Complete budgets and supporting documentation have been reviewed by City staff to ensure that the 2022 Operating Budgets for BIAs reflect Council's approved policies and practices. Covid-19 impacts, including reduced levels of activity/expenditures, resulted in significantly increased net contributions to accumulated surplus reserves for most BIAs during 2021. Accordingly, most BIAs have been able to budget for withdrawals from the same reserves to minimize or eliminate BIA levy increases for 2022.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council adopt and certify the 2022 recommended Operating Budgets and Levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas: Business Improvement Area 2022 Operating Budget ($) 2022 Levy Funds Required ($) Albion Islington Square 293,059 186,293 Bayview Leaside 299,313 193,377 Bloor by the Park 84,146 78,606 Bloor West Village 598,832 412,704 Bloorcourt Village 270,292 203,489 Bloordale Village 232,644 147,522 Broadview Danforth 345,289 301,110 Cabbagetown 589,454 390,954 Chinatown 840,080 543,985 Church-Wellesley Village 566,415 269,752 College Promenade 305,356 234,253 College West 37,608 22,384 Crossroads of the Danforth 360,798 142,399 Downtown Yonge 3,851,125 2,995,325 DuKe Heights 4,126,840 3,135,317 Dupont by the Castle 147,385 137,841 Fairbank Village 316,473 213,473 Financial District 1,855,506 1,305,554 Forest Hill Village 335,148 196,932 Gerrard India Bazaar 211,333 157,956 GreekTown on the Danforth 1,487,331 424,900 Hillcrest Village 239,168 207,778 Junction Gardens 517,363 344,080 Kensington Market 227,226 204,967 Lakeshore Village 108,448 99,822 Lawrence Ingram Keele 250,445 189,988 Leslieville 276,940 167,500 Liberty Village 508,739 394,762 Little Italy 631,392 383,518 Little Portugal on Dundas 679,684 245,196 Midtown Yonge 223,244 164,463 Mount Pleasant Village 309,033 220,447 Oakwood Village 72,721 37,929 Ossington Avenue 142,317 70,886 Pape Village 122,530 96,041 Parkdale Village 268,644 232,907 Riverside District 309,217 200,239 Roncesvalles Village 718,868 323,910 Rosedale Main Street 277,168 239,022 ShopTheQueensway.com 222,491 159,501 St. Clair Gardens 110,301 88,286 St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood 1,728,245 1,351,043 The Eglinton Way 415,526 290,037 The Kingsway 376,834 241,272 The Waterfront 2,490,027 1,890,913 Toronto Downtown West 3,411,157 3,085,760 Village of Islington 258,805 150,230 West Queen West 378,856 344,116 Weston Village 315,517 144,038 Wexford Heights 625,050 242,331 Yonge + St. Clair 739,047 578,824 Yonge Lawrence Village 259,780 209,968 Total 34,369,210 24,293,900
Staff recommendation as filed
The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer recommends that: 1. City Council adopt and certify the 2022 recommended Operating Budgets and Levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas: Business Improvement Area 2022 Operating Budget ($) 2022 Levy Funds Required ($) Albion Islington Square 293,059 186,293 Bayview Leaside 299,313 193,377 Bloor by the Park 84,146 78,606 Bloor West Village 598,832 412,704 Bloorcourt Village 270,292 203,489 Bloordale Village 232,644 147,522 Broadview Danforth 345,289 301,110 Cabbagetown 589,454 390,954 Chinatown 840,080 543,985 Church-Wellesley Village 566,415 269,752 College Promenade 305,356 234,253 College West 37,608 22,384 Crossroads of the Danforth 360,798 142,399 Downtown Yonge 3,851,125 2,995,325 DuKe Heights 4,126,840 3,135,317 Dupont by the Castle 147,385 137,841 Fairbank Village 316,473 213,473 Financial District 1,855,506 1,305,554 Forest Hill Village 335,148 196,932 Gerrard India Bazaar 211,333 157,956 GreekTown on the Danforth 1,487,331 424,900 Hillcrest Village 239,168 207,778 Junction Gardens 517,363 344,080 Kensington Market 227,226 204,967 Lakeshore Village 108,448 99,822 Lawrence Ingram Keele 250,445 189,988 Leslieville 276,940 167,500 Liberty Village 508,739 394,762 Little Italy 631,392 383,518 Little Portugal on Dundas 679,684 245,196 Midtown Yonge 223,244 164,463 Mount Pleasant Village 309,033 220,447 Oakwood Village 72,721 37,929 Ossington Avenue 142,317 70,886 Pape Village 122,530 96,041 Parkdale Village 268,644 232,907 Riverside District 309,217 200,239 Roncesvalles Village 718,868 323,910 Rosedale Main Street 277,168 239,022 ShopTheQueensway.com 222,491 159,501 St. Clair Gardens 110,301 88,286 St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood 1,728,245 1,351,043 The Eglinton Way 415,526 290,037 The Kingsway 376,834 241,272 The Waterfront 2,490,027 1,890,913 Toronto Downtown West 3,411,157 3,085,760 Village of Islington 258,805 150,230 West Queen West 378,856 344,116 Weston Village 315,517 144,038 Wexford Heights 625,050 242,331 Yonge + St. Clair 739,047 578,824 Yonge Lawrence Village 259,780 209,968 Total 34,369,210 24,293,900
EC27.3adopted
Changes to Business Improvement Area Boards of Management
The purpose of this report is to make changes to the Eglinton Way and Mount Pleasant Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) Boards of Management, in accordance with the requirements of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas. The Eglinton Way and Mount Pleasant Village BIAs fall within two Community Council boundaries.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council remove the following directors from the Business Improvement Area Boards of Management set out below: The Eglinton Way: Maria Barchuk Mount Pleasant Village: Hasina Lookman
Staff recommendation as filed
The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council remove the following directors from the Business Improvement Area Boards of Management set out below: The Eglinton Way: Maria Barchuk Mount Pleasant Village: Hasina Lookman
EC27.4adopted
Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area - Name Change
The purpose of this report is to recommend that the name of the Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area (BIA) be changed to "Little Portugal Toronto Business Improvement Area". The BIA Board of Management voted to request the City of Toronto to formally change the name of the BIA. This name change request was also endorsed by the BIA's general membership at its November 17, 2021 Annual General Meeting.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve the renaming of the Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area, as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 1 to the report (January 6, 2022) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to the Little Portugal Toronto Business Improvement Area. 2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as required, to reflect the name change of the Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area to the Little Portugal Toronto Business Improvement Area.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council approve the renaming of the Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area, as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 1, to the Little Portugal Toronto Business Improvement Area. 2. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as required to reflect the name change of the Little Portugal on Dundas Business Improvement Area to the Little Portugal Toronto Business Improvement Area.
EC27.5adopted
Music Rehearsal Spaces in the City of Toronto
Toronto is the centre of the Canadian music industry and one of the world's premier cities for music. With a thriving music ecosystem that includes a robust complement of iconic live music venues and globally recognized festivals, as well as record companies, recording studios, music publishers, artist management and talent agencies, Toronto also attracts internationally renowned acts while consistently producing some of the world's top musicians across a range of genres. At the core of Toronto's music scene are its artists. A diverse and thriving grassroots music scene fosters talent development at all stages, enabling career growth for local emerging artists. Music rehearsal spaces are a vital part of this artist development trajectory. They provide safe, affordable, and accessible places for musicians to hone their craft. Historically, Toronto musicians were able to find commercially available rehearsal space across the city, especially in or near the downtown core. However, over the last two decades, and more markedly within the last five years, the inventory of music rehearsal spaces in Toronto has significantly decreased - and the closure of over 50 percent of remaining rentable rehearsal rooms is expected by early 2022. Local musicians, media, and the music community are gravely concerned, with several community action groups having formed to address the issue. Toronto's grassroots music scene has faced significant difficulties during the last decade. Rising land values, the effects of gentrification, and increasing commercial and residential rental costs have led to the closure of dozens of live music venues and mounting financial challenges for emerging musicians and the businesses that help sustain the music ecosystem. Rehearsal spaces occupy a unique place in this ecosystem. Unlike a live music venue, a rehearsal facility's operating model relies on business brought by musicians, rather than the public. Its industry reputation is built on providing musicians with dependable locations, services and equipment and helpful, knowledgeable staff, all at competitive rates. When rehearsal spaces are threatened or go out of business, there is no public and media outcry like that accompanying the loss of a beloved live music venue. Nonetheless, music rehearsal facilities are a vital, if underappreciated, part of the city's music scene, and have played a central part in fostering generations of artists in Toronto, both local favourites and global stars. Because of the importance of these facilities, the City of Toronto, with a clearly stated mandate to nurture and support its musicians and music industry, must now explore creative solutions to address the current threats to rehearsal spaces. In responding to Motion MM35.42, which City Council adopted at its meeting of July 2021, this report presents an inventory of existing music rehearsal space in Toronto, created through research done by the City of Toronto's Music Office - a part of the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) division - and augmented with information contributed by members of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, commercial rehearsal space owners, and individual musicians. This information is presented in a table, as Attachment 1 to the report, and includes each facility's location and City of Toronto ward. The report also identifies measures for the City to consider implementing to help protect existing music rehearsal space and encourage the growth of new facilities across the City.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to collaborate with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to explore the application of the new Section 37 Community Benefits Charge and its potential capacity to provide limited funding for community facilities that may include for-profit and not-for-profit music rehearsal facilities. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO and other relevant City divisions, to develop the terms of a pilot program for for-profit and/or not-for-profit cultural rehearsal studio and production space operators, to identify an inventory of City-owned properties suitable for lease and to develop key terms and conditions of a lease agreement to lease such spaces at below-market rates. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to report back to the July 6, 2022 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee with a summary of work undertaken and tangible results stemming from the recommendations in the report (January 6, 2022) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to collaborate with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to explore the application of the new Section 37 Community Benefits Charge and its potential capacity to provide limited funding for community facilities that may include for-profit and not-for-profit music rehearsal facilities. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, and other relevant City Divisions, to develop the terms of a pilot program for not-for-profit and/or for-profit cultural rehearsal studio and production space operators, to identify an inventory of City-owned properties suitable for lease, and to develop key terms and conditions of a lease agreement to lease such spaces at below-market rates. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to report back to the July 6, 2022 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee with a summary of work undertaken and tangible results stemming from the recommendations in this report.
EC27.6adopted
2SLGBTQ+ Small Businesses and Cultural Spaces
The City of Toronto has long led efforts to address challenges facing small businesses and the need to make cultural spaces available to local communities. However, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) spaces continue to be in danger of disappearing. 2SLGBTQ+ communities have historically been marginalized and face significant systemic barriers. Small businesses and cultural spaces are important for their sense of identity, safety and belonging. They are also critical for Toronto's economic and cultural vitality, and for it to continue to be a city where all feel included and welcome. This report provides an update on work regarding City Council's direction to protect 2SLGBTQ+ small businesses and cultural spaces. It thus outlines the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) division's work focused on the Church-Wellesley Village and on 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Toronto. It also includes findings from engagement with stakeholders, and a review of relevant City of Toronto programs and services with a focus on whether and how they specifically support 2SLGBTQ+ communities. As an immediate next step, the Economic Development and Culture division will work on outreach, educational and awareness initiatives to support the retention and growth of 2SLGBTQ+ small businesses. Reports on individual initiatives will be brought to the Economic and Community Development Committee in 2022. These will include a staff report on final recommendations for a Cultural District Program to protect small businesses and cultural spaces in the Church-Wellesley Village.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Received the report (January 6, 2022) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee receive this report for information.
EC27.7adopted
A Preliminary Service Plan for Transgender and Non-Binary Youth
At its meeting on December 8, 2021, the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee considered Item QS4.3 and made recommendations to the Economic and Community Development Committee.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Requested the Director, Community Resources, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the Manager, Youth Development Unit, Social Development, Finance and Administration to convene a table of Transgender, Two-Spirit and Non-Binary individuals with lived experience to provide advice on what meaningful community engagement looks like to inform staff's work in developing a service plan for youth who identify as Transgender, Two-Spirit and Non-Binary as part of the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the Director, Community Resources Section and the Manager, Youth Development Unit, Social Development, Finance and Administration to convene a table of Transgender, Two-Spirit, and Non-Binary individuals with lived experience to provide advice on what meaningful community engagement looks like to inform staff's work in developing a service plan for youth who identify as Non-Binary, Trans and Two-Spirit as part of the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy.
EC27.8amended
Review of Guidelines for the Opening of City of Toronto Emergency Cooling Centres
On October 1 and 4, 2021, City Council directed the City Manager, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and Toronto Public Health (TPH), to review the guidelines currently in place to determine the opening of cooling centres across the City of Toronto. This report responds to this direction. Heat warnings are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 31 degrees Celsius or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 20 degrees Celsius or warmer, or when two or more consecutive days of humidex values are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius or higher. Since 2019, the approach to managing heat relief has been completed in accordance with the City's Heat Relief Strategy, which uses a network of 270 locations across Toronto to provide the City's residents with access to space to stay cool when a heat warning is issued. This network has replaced the previously used cooling centres in an effort to make access to these facilities increasingly accessible. During the summers of 2020 and 2021, the OEM, through the Emergency Operations Centre, opened cooling centres on an emergency basis for individuals in the City to access relief from the heat. These cooling centres were opened upon declaration of a heat warning by ECCC. This report provides an update on the City's guidelines for determining the opening of cooling centres.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Requested the City Manager, in consultation with the Office of Emergency Management and, as needed, Toronto Public Health, to consider operating emergency cooling centres in 2022 as part of the City of Toronto's Heat Relief Strategy, subject to current public health advice and guidance, and to review historical usage data to inform which locations are warranted. 2. Requested the Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management, Toronto Fire Services, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health and relevant City divisions, to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee in the second quarter of 2022 on an enhanced Emergency Cooling Centres System which includes the following: a. how cooling centres can address inclement weather, heavy rainfall and flooding; and b. clear guidelines for staff responsibility and implementation.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management, Toronto Fire Services recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee receive this report for information.
EC27.9amended
The purpose of this report is to advise of the results of Request for Proposal (RFP) Document Number 3002340572 for the provision of short-term accommodations for shelter clients through the use of hotel, motel and/or approved equivalent operator services for operating shelters and to request authority for the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into and execute separate contracts with New Lido Inc. and Silver Hotel Management Inc. for a period of one (1) year from the date of award with the option to renew contracts for four (4) separate additional one (1) year periods. Should the option(s) be exercised, then the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration will request the Chief Procurement Officer to process the renewals under the same terms and conditions. The total potential contract award, including all option years, is up to $60,000,000 excluding all taxes and $67,800,000 including all applicable taxes. The total potential cost to the City is $61,056,000 net of HST recoveries.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. In accordance with Section 195-8.4A(4) of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing, authorized the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into and execute an agreement with the successful proponent below who has satisfied all requirements set out in Request for Proposal Document Number 3002340572 for the provision of short-term accommodations for shelter clients through the use of hotel/motel services for operated shelters, on terms and conditions set out in the Request for Proposal and satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, as follows: a. Silver Hotel Management Inc. for an initial term of one year from the date of award in the amount of $11,000,000 excluding all taxes ($11,193,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), with the option to renew for four separate additional one-year periods in the amount of $11,000,000 each excluding all taxes ($11,193,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), for a total potential contract value of $55,000,000 excluding all taxes ($55,968,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries). 2. Requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and the Chief Procurement Officer to report back to the March 24, 2022 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee, prior to the award of the contract to New Lido Inc., on how to address cleanliness, security and safety of the property and proposed improvements before entering into an agreement with New Lido Inc. 3. Requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to review and report back on amendments to Section 11.3, Facilities Management of the Toronto Shelter Standards, as needed, to be applicable to shelter hotel and motel settings and to ensure that such standards be included in all future Requests for Proposals issued for short-term shelter accommodations by the City of Toronto.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Acting General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and the Chief Procurement Officer recommend that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee, in accordance with Section 195-8.4A(4) of City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing, authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into and execute separate agreements with each successful proponent who has satisfied all requirements set out in Request for Proposal Document Number 3002340572 for the provision of short-term accommodations for shelter clients through the use of hotel/motel services for operated shelters, on terms and conditions set out in the Request for Proposal and satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, as follows: a. New Lido Inc. for an initial term of one year from the date of award in the amount of $1,000,000 excluding all taxes ($1,017,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), with the option to renew for four separate additional one-year periods in the amount of $1,000,000 each excluding all taxes ($1,017,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), for a total potential contract value of $5,000,000 excluding all taxes ($5,088,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries); and b. Silver Hotel Management Inc. for an initial term of one year from the date of award in the amount of $11,000,000 excluding all taxes ($11,193,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), with the option to renew for four separate additional one-year periods in the amount of $11,000,000 each excluding all taxes ($11,193,600 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries), for a total potential contract value of $55,000,000 excluding all taxes ($55,968,000 net of Harmonized Sales Tax recoveries).
EC27.10adopted
The recent dramatic rise of the Omicron variant has renewed questions about the economic outlook for Toronto. To help understand the current economic context and inform opportunities for an inclusive, sustainable economic recovery, I have invited Douglas Porter, Chief Economist and Managing Director, BMO Financial Group to do a presentation on the City's 2022 economic outlook at the January 21, 2022 meeting of the Economic and Community Development Committee. This presentation will include a discussion of the following: - Inflationary impacts on the economic outlook; - Demand and supply side economic updates; - Impacts of government supports on business and cultural sector recovery; - Employment updates, including jobs growth and key sectors where opportunities exist; and - Comparison between the American and Chinese economic outlook to that of Canada.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Received the presentation from Douglas Porter, Chief Economist and Managing Director, BMO Financial Group, headed "Outlook 2022: Ominous, or Omnipotent?", for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Michael Thompson recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee receive the presentation from Douglas Porter, Chief Economist and Managing Director, BMO Financial Group, for information.