Economic and Community Development Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 17 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.
EC3.1adopted
Appointment of City of Toronto Poet Laureate
The purpose of this report is to appoint Lillian Allen as the seventh City of Toronto Poet Laureate. An advocate for poetry, language and the arts, Toronto's Poet Laureate attends events across the city to promote and attract people to the literary world. The position, which was inaugurated in 2001, honours a Toronto poet whose work displays excellence and who has written on themes relevant to Torontonians. The Poet Laureate's mandate also includes the creation of a legacy project that will be unique to the individual. Lillian Allen is a professor of creative writing at Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU). Two-time JUNO Award winner and trailblazer in the field of spoken word and dub poetry, Allen artistically explores the aesthetics of old and new sounds with her powerful reggae dub poetry/spoken word recordings.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council appoint Lillian Allen to the position of City of Toronto Poet Laureate for a term beginning May 10, 2023, until December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, recommends that: 1. City Council appoint Lillian Allen to the position of City of Toronto Poet Laureate for a term beginning May 10, 2023, until December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed.
EC3.2adopted
This report seeks to notify City Council of the donation of end-of-life, decommissioned heavy urban search and rescue (HUSAR) equipment to the Province of Ontario. This decommissioned equipment was included as part of an emergency humanitarian effort, coordinated by the Province of Ontario on February 13, 2023 in response to the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. Each of the items donated as part of this humanitarian effort were previously decommissioned and were no longer suitable for use by Toronto Fire Services (TFS). This donation consisted of various decommissioned heavy urban search and rescue equipment, including heavy urban search and rescue tents and heaters, which had not yet been disposed of due to delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Province of Ontario engaged Toronto Fire Services on the evening of February 10, 2023 to seek any donations for a delivery scheduled to leave Canada 72 hours later. As a result of the challenges and restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TFS had yet to dispose of a stockpile of decommissioned heavy urban search and rescue equipment via the normal disposition / disposal processes for these types of equipment. Accordingly, this stockpile of decommissioned heavy urban search and rescue equipment was made available for emergency donation as part of Ontario's humanitarian donation effort. Approval from the City Manager was obtained prior to proceeding with the donation of this decommissioned equipment. Toronto Fire Services routinely receives requests for the donation of other expired equipment, including expired firefighting protective equipment, from various non-profit and humanitarian agencies and organizations, who operate within jurisdictions that are not subject to the equipment expiry guidelines which exist in Ontario.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council receive the report (March 31, 2023) from the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services recommend that: 1. City Council receive this report for information.
EC3.3adopted
Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal 2022 Annual Report
The Chair of the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal must submit an annual report on the Tribunal's activities to the appropriate standing committee in accordance with its governance structure. Attached to this report is the Tribunal Chair's 2022 Annual Report. The Tribunal is an adjudicative board and city and local board of the City of Toronto under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. Tribunal hearings are conducted in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, 1990 and the Tribunal's rules of procedure. The Tribunal provides an independent consideration of appeals to Dangerous Dog Orders issued by Municipal Licensing and Standards under the authority of Section 349-15 of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals. The Tribunal has the authority to either confirm the dangerous dog designation or rescind the dangerous dog designation and exempt the owner from requirements of a Dangerous Dog Order. In 2022, MLS responded to 2,653 service requests related to a dog's potentially dangerous act and issued 139 Dangerous Dog Orders. Thirty-two Dangerous Dog Orders were appealed to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal in 2022 with fourteen being heard by the Tribunal, twelve were upheld and two were rescheduled for rehearing in 2023. The Tribunal also received two Requests for Reconsideration of its earlier decisions with one being refused and one approved for a rehearing in 2023. This report also responds to the recommendation in the Chair's Annual Report to update City documents. Staff have included much of the requested information in MLS' updated Dangerous Dog Order forms, including how a dog owner can make an appeal if they wish. As MLS staff cannot advise appellants on what arguments to make before the Tribunal, staff recommended the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal consider emulating other City tribunals by making additional guidance available on its own website.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Received the report (April 11, 2023) from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee receive this report, for information.
EC3.4adopted
Follow Up Report on the UrbanHensTO Backyard Hens Pilot Program
This report outlines the results of further consultation on proposed changes for the UrbanHensTO backyard hens pilot program and responds to Council's request to consider next steps for the program, including whether to expand the program City-wide and make it permanent. The pilot program expires on May 31, 2023. While the limited uptake in the pilot program has not resulted in any significant issues since its introduction in 2018, given the considerable costs and resource impacts required to safely administer a City-wide program and the emerging concern of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), this report recommends that the UrbanHensTO backyard hens pilot program concludes, and that consideration for further extension, expansion or making the program permanent be paused indefinitely. Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals, prohibits animals in the order Galliformes (which includes hens), with the exception of hens registered under the UrbanHensTO pilot program and on lands zoned agricultural. The UrbanHensTO backyard hens pilot program began on March 2, 2018 and allows registered households to have up to four hens for the purposes of enjoyment and personal egg production; roosters are prohibited, and hens cannot be raised as livestock to eat. The duration and permitted areas of pilot program have been extended several times since 2018. The pilot program is currently permitted in Wards 4, 9, 10, 11, and 19, and parts of Wards 2, 3, 8, 12 and 14. The current structure of the pilot program is not sustainable. No user fees were introduced for the pilot program, and the program has been operating within existing staff resources since its inception. In 2022, as part of EC28.10 - Final Recommendations on the UrbanHensTO Backyard Hens Pilot Program, staff recommended that a permanent and City-wide program be formalized based on the results of the pilot. Participants identified positive benefits, and there continues to be public support for hen keeping amongst Toronto residents. Overall, there were no significant issues with the pilot program and complaints related to the pilot and hen keeping city-wide were low. However, with growing concerns related to the potential rise of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), the costs of an expanded program, as well as the potential for nuisance and rodent issues, Council extended the pilot program for one year and directed staff to conduct further consultations and report back in 2023. HPAI continues to spread among wild and farmed birds globally. HPAI is a risk to commercial poultry operations and increasing the number of backyard coops may increase the risk of disease transmission. Staff recommend working to reduce exposure to potentially infected hens and/or other wildlife to respond to HPAI as well as other enteric diseases, which can be carried by backyard poultry and cause a variety of illnesses in people. In addition to emerging concerns related to HPAI, there are additional current operational and animal welfare challenges. There are a limited number of veterinarians in the city able to provide appropriate care for hens and access to a veterinarian is critical to ensure a prompt response to HPAI and other emergency care. As well, the resources and costs required to mitigate community safety and sanitary concerns are significant. Should the program be extended, expanded, or made permanent, significant resources would be required to support proactive responses to animal health and welfare, including strict biosecurity measures by all participants and more frequent and thorough inspections by City staff. This would be above what staff recommended in 2022 to support an expanded and permanent program, which included annual flock registration, an initial site inspection by Toronto Animal Services (TAS) staff, submission of a hen enclosure site plan, payment of registration and annual renewal fees, and a mandatory education course. For example, an expanded City-wide program would require a cost increase of 42% compared to the estimates provided in the previous staff report (2022.EC28.10). To support these extensive licensing and compliance activities, user fees would also need to be introduced at a significantly higher level than initially anticipated. If the pilot program concludes, and consideration for further extension, expansion or making the program permanent is paused indefinitely, hen keeping would continue to be permitted in lands zoned as agricultural and any households currently participating in the program would be permitted to keep their hens, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the pilot program, until the end of the animals' lives. This report was developed in consultation with Toronto Public Health (TPH).
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals, as follows: a. Remove section 349-4.1 Hens pilot program. b. Remove Schedule B - Zones for Hens Pilot Project c. Amend section 349-4L by adding: "(3) Where a person was lawfully keeping a hen or hens as part of the Hens pilot program within permitted areas of the City, that person may continue to keep that hen or those hens until they have died despite the end of the pilot provided: (a) the person continues to keep the hens at the location approved by the City and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the pilot and their agreement with the City; (b) the Executive Director, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, has not determined that the keeping of the hen or hens jeopardizes public health, the health of the hen or is causing community disruption; and (c) The person provides the Executive Director with information on their hens upon request so as to clearly identify them as well as any other information as requested by and to the satisfaction of the Executive Director. 2. City Council direct the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary bill(s) required to give effect to Council's decision and to make any necessary minor substantive or stylistic refinements as may be identified by the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards recommends that: 1. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349, Animals, as follows: a. Remove section 349-4.1 Hens pilot program. b. Remove Schedule B - Zones for Hens Pilot Project c. Amend section 349-4L by adding: "(3) Where a person was lawfully keeping a hen or hens as part of the Hens pilot program within permitted areas of the City, that person may continue to keep that hen or those hens until they have died despite the end of the pilot provided: (a) the person continues to keep the hens at the location approved by the City and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the pilot and their agreement with the City; (b) the Executive Director, in consultation with the Medical Officer of Health, has not determined that the keeping of the hen or hens jeopardizes public health, the health of the hen or is causing community disruption; and (c) The person provides the Executive Director with information on their hens upon request so as to clearly identify them as well as any other information as requested by and to the satisfaction of the Executive Director. 2. City Council direct the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary bill(s) required to give effect to Council's decision and to make any necessary minor substantive or stylistic refinements as may be identified by the City Solicitor.
EC3.5adopted
Employment Services Transformation: Recommendations on the City’s Role
In May 2021, Toronto Employment and Social Services reported to Council with details of Ontario's plan for Social Assistance Renewal which will impact recipients of the Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program and the municipal entities, including Toronto, that deliver Ontario Works. (May 6, 2021 Report to Council) This report focuses on a key area of change, Employment Services Transformation, and provides recommendations on what role the City should play in the transformed Employment Service System. Being implemented by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Employment Services Transformation is intended to integrate social assistance employment programs with Provincial employment programs, led by the introduction of new Employment Service System Managers in local labour market areas, with a goal of reducing duplication across systems, promoting greater integration between Employment Ontario and Ontario Works providers and improving employment outcomes for recipients of Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program. In developing recommendations on what role the City should play in the transformed employment service system, a comprehensive review, assessment (including financial impact assessment) and engagement plan was completed. Leveraging the City's extensive partnerships and vast experience serving Ontario Works clients over many years, staff conducted the following activities to inform this report: extensive engagement with key external stakeholders and the Province an assessment of financial risks related to the Employment Service System Manager role under the Integrated Employment Service delivery model; and a review of the City's administrative capacity and financial resources necessary to sustain focus on multiple initiatives and priorities under the City's Poverty Reduction Strategy which collectively aim to address the social, financial and employment barriers faced by low-income residents. As this report highlights, these activities enabled a comprehensive risk assessment of the expected client impacts of the implementation of Employment Services Transformation in Toronto as well as implications for the future Employment Service System Manager. Based on this risk assessment, it is not recommended that the City pursue the role of Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area. The recommendations below best position the City to influence and advocate for changes to address the assessed challenges by leveraging its expertise, partnerships and existing priorities designed to enhance the social, financial and employment barriers of low-income residents, while mitigating, to the extent possible, risk to the City. Attachments to the Report There are two attachments to this report. Attachment 1 comprises sections that provide more detailed context on certain elements; references are provided within the body of the report to assist the reader. Attachment 2 is the Employment Services Transformation & Workforce Development Engagement Final Report.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services to not pursue the role of Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area, on behalf of the City, and to undertake the following actions to ensure the employment needs of social assistance clients and the best interests of the City are met: a. continue to advocate with the Ministries of Children, Community and Social Services and Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for an Employment Services Transformation implementation plan for the Toronto Service Area that maintains an appropriate level of employment services funding for Toronto Employment and Social Services. b. establish a collaborative partnership with the vendor selected by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to serve as the Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area. c. report back to Council following the selection of the Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area with an update on the system transition timeline and partnership activities underway between the City and the System Manager. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, in collaboration with the General Manager, Social Development, Finance and Administration the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the Chief Librarian, Toronto Public Library to report back to Council on opportunities for the City to best leverage its workforce development priorities and investments across several programs and Divisions to enhance employment outcomes for all residents, with a focus on low-income residents and social assistance clients.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services to not pursue the role of Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area, on behalf of the City, and to undertake the following actions to ensure the employment needs of social assistance clients and the best interests of the City are met: a. Continue to advocate with the Ministries of Children, Community and Social Services and Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development for an Employment Services Transformation implementation plan for the Toronto Service Area that maintains an appropriate level of employment services funding for Toronto Employment and Social Services. b. Establish a collaborative partnership with the vendor selected by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to serve as the Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area. c. report back to Council following the selection of the Employment Service System Manager for the Toronto Service Area with an update on the system transition timeline and partnership activities underway between the City and the System Manager. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services, in collaboration with the General Manager, Social Development, Finance and Administration the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the Chief Librarian, Toronto Public Library to report back to Council on opportunities for the City to best leverage its workforce development priorities and investments across several programs and Divisions to enhance employment outcomes for all residents, with a focus on low-income residents and social assistance clients.
EC3.6adopted
Business Improvement Areas - 2023 Operating Budgets - Report 3
This report brings forward the final group of 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 Business Improvement Area boundaries. The Business Improvement Area is an association, independently managed from the City and operated by local businesses and property owners, joining together to organize, finance, and deliver capital streetscape improvements, and to promote economic development in a district with its own governance structure as set out in Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code and the City of Toronto Act, 2006. There are currently 84 established Business Improvement Areas in the City of Toronto. City Council previously approved the 2023 Operating Budgets for 77 Business Improvement Areas through Report 1 and Report 2 at its meeting on February 7, 2023 (Item EC1.2 ) and March 29, 2023 (Item EC2.2 ). One Business Improvement Area, Historic Queen East, is inactive. Included in this Report 3 is the 2023 Operating Budgets for the remaining 6 Business Improvement Areas for City Council approval. 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. Under current Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code, the Business Improvement Areas By-law does not have specific provision requiring a Business Improvement Area maintain a certain amount in their accumulated surplus. Should a Business Improvement Area find itself in a deficit, be dissolved or becomes inactive, City Council has the authority to collect funds required and liabilities including interests, through the Business Improvement Area levy as stipulated under the By-law. If a board is dissolved and the liabilities exceed the assets assumed by the City, Council shall recover the difference. As directed by City Council at its meeting on July 19, 2022, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture will conduct additional review and consultation on other issues impacting Business Improvement Areas. To ensure prudent stewardship of public resources and further strengthen financial management and oversight, the issue of maintaining a minimum balance requirement in the Business Improvement Area accumulated surplus reserves will be part of the By-law review. Based on the outcome of the review, City staff will present recommendations including the potential for amendment to the current Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code, and report back to Council by the fourth quarter of 2023 or first quarter of 2024. 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 ($) 2023 Levy Funds Required ($) Bloor Annex 341,193 276,825 Danforth Mosaic 900,076 365,883 Danforth Village 362,412 264,912 Eglinton Hill 91,325 24,114 Willowdale 1,305,914 1,003,664 York-Eglinton 578,319 115,756 Total 3,579,239 2,051,154
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 ($) 2023 Levy Funds Required ($) Bloor Annex 341,193 276,825 Danforth Mosaic 900,076 365,883 Danforth Village 362,412 264,912 Eglinton Hill 91,325 24,114 Willowdale 1,305,914 1,003,664 York-Eglinton 578,319 115,756 Total 3,579,239 2,051,154
EC3.7adopted
Appointments to Business Improvement Area Boards of Management
The purpose of this report is to appoint directors to the Boards of Management of four (4) Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) 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: The Eglinton Way: Beben, Ronald Cappella, Victor Cinelli, Mario Dimitrijevic, Anita Goodman, Laurie Izeti, Kozeta Lash, Dalia LeLiever, Jason Leung, Jocelyn Longo, Tara Marinuzzi, Vito Rukaj, Nick Sirois, Maureen Tabakian, Susan Rogers Road: Casullo, Renzo Mior, Paul Reis, Christopher Upper Village: Charles, Nigel Jaffery, Mazher Silano, Trina York-Eglinton: Alampi, Nick Beggs, Roland Borrelli, Joe Gordon, Gennetho Jackto, Jada Jeffery, Martin Kayani, Haris Lalor, Diana Lindsay, Sophia McDonald, Jason Montague, Masani Munawwer, Syed Fahad Ramirez, Michael Renwick, Marjorie Spencer, Yvette Thompson, Claude 2. City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended by changing the number of directors of the following Boards of Management from nine (9) to eighteen (18): York-Eglinton 18
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: The Eglinton Way: Beben, Ronald Cappella, Victor Cinelli, Mario Dimitrijevic, Anita Goodman, Laurie Izeti, Kozeta Lash, Dalia LeLiever, Jason Leung, Jocelyn Longo, Tara Marinuzzi, Vito Rukaj, Nick Sirois, Maureen Tabakian, Susan Rogers Road: Casullo, Renzo Mior, Paul Reis, Christopher Upper Village: Charles, Nigel Jaffery, Mazher Silano, Trina York-Eglinton: Alampi, Nick Beggs, Roland Borrelli, Joe Gordon, Gennetho Jackto, Jada Jeffery, Martin Kayani, Haris Lalor, Diana Lindsay, Sophia McDonald, Jason Montague, Masani Munawwer, Syed Fahad Ramirez, Michael Renwick, Marjorie Spencer, Yvette Thompson, Claude 2. City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended by changing the number of directors of the following Boards of Management from nine (9) to eighteen (18): York-Eglinton 18
EC3.8adopted
Junction Gardens and shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Areas - Name Changes
The purpose of this report is to recommend that the name of the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area (BIA) be changed to the "The Junction Business Improvement Area," and that the name of shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Area be changed to the "Shop The Queensway Business Improvement Area." The general membership of the Junction Gardens BIA voted at their November 20, 2019 Annual General Meeting and the shoptheQueensway.com BIA voted at their October 28, 2019 Annual General Meeting to formally rename the BIAs.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council approve the renaming of the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area, as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 1 to the report (April 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to The Junction Business Improvement Area. 2. City Council approve the renaming of shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Area as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 2 to the report (April 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to the Shop The Queensway Business Improvement Area. 3. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as required to reflect the name change of the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area to The Junction Business Improvement Area and of the shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Area to Shop The Queensway Business Improvement Area.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, recommends that: 1. City Council approve the renaming of the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area, as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 1, to The Junction Business Improvement Area. 2. City Council approve the renaming of shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Area as defined by the boundaries described in Attachment 2, to the Shop The Queensway Business Improvement Area. 3. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as required to reflect the name change of the Junction Gardens Business Improvement Area to The Junction Business Improvement Area and of the shoptheQueensway.com Business Improvement Area to Shop The Queensway Business Improvement Area.
EC3.9adopted
Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area Minor Boundary Expansion
The purpose of this report is to recommend a minor expansion of the Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) boundary to include the public right of way in front of the Bathurst Subway Station east entrance, located at 655 Markham Street.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council designate the area outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (April 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, as the expanded Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area under the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas. 2. City Council direct the Chief Technology Officer to prepare designation By-law maps of the area outlined in Attachment 1 to the report (April 6, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and submit them to the City Solicitor. 3. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as necessary to reflect the expanded boundaries of the Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, recommends that: 1. City Council designate the area outlined in Attachment 1 as the expanded Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area under the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas. 2. City Council direct the Chief Technology Officer to prepare designation By-law maps of the area outlined in Attachment 1, and submit them to the City Solicitor. 3. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as necessary to reflect the expanded boundaries of the Mirvish Village Business Improvement Area.
EC3.10adopted
Review and Renewal of the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP)
The Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) supports economic growth in Toronto's thriving green sector by enabling access to municipal infrastructure for companies to conduct applied research, proof of concept trials, and demonstrations on pre-market technologies. In addition to longer-term global environmental benefits, GMAP provides support for attracting and retaining businesses in the City This report summarizes the activities of the GMAP between 2018-2022 and seeks authority for its renewal and improvement. Proposed changes are based on the findings of an external consultation and aim to ensure that the program continues to support jobs and innovation, offering local companies a competitive advantage in a strategically important sector.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) until March 31, 2027 with changes outlined in Attachments 1 to 3 to the report (April 11, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Strategic Partnerships, and report back to Economic Development and Community Development Committee in the first quarter of 2027. 2. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to participate in the Green Market Acceleration Program in order to assist businesses with applied research, proof of concept projects, and technology demonstrations, thereby supporting the development of innovative "made in Toronto" solutions to real-world issues. 3. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to negotiate, enter into, and execute agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, in the form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to provide assets and/or infrastructure for Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, including, but not limited to, City agency, corporation, and division staff time. 5. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to co-sign local and intergovernmental funding agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved projects with GMAP applicants, if and as required. 6. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to recover any costs incurred as a result of a Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved project from a GMAP proponent. 7. City Council direct all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to designate by December 31, 2023, a Green Market Acceleration Program liaison to act as an internal proponent and interdivisional liaison, performing the role detailed in Attachment 3 to the report (April 11, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Strategic Partnerships.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Strategic Partnerships recommend that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) until March 31, 2027 with changes outlined in Attachments 1 to 3 and report back to Economic Development and Community Development Committee in the first quarter of 2027. 2. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to participate in the Green Market Acceleration Program in order to assist businesses with applied research, proof of concept projects, and technology demonstrations, thereby supporting the development of innovative "made in Toronto" solutions to real-world issues. 3. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to negotiate, enter into, and execute agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, in the form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 4. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to provide assets and/or infrastructure for Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, including, but not limited to, City agency, corporation, and division staff time. 5. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to co-sign local and intergovernmental funding agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved projects with GMAP applicants, if and as required. 6. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to recover any costs incurred as a result of a Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved project from a GMAP proponent. 7. City Council direct all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to designate by December 31, 2023, a Green Market Acceleration Program liaison to act as an internal proponent and interdivisional liaison, performing the role detailed in Attachment 3 of this report.
EC3.11adopted
Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) are independent, not-for-profit, community arts organizations that promote arts and culture at the local level, bringing cultural vibrancy and arts participation opportunities to neighbourhoods across Toronto. The programming and services that they offer are affordable, and customized to local needs with a focus on reconciliation, inclusion and equity. They help advance the City's Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy and the Youth Equity Strategy, operating in underserved communities and in Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). The City of Toronto, through the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) division, provides financial support to six LASOs subject to annual contribution agreements. A total of $1,817,400 is included in the Economic Development and Culture 2023 Approved Operating Budget to fund the six LASOs. The recommended funding allocation presented in this report is aligned with the City's strategic priority to invest in people and neighbourhoods, and is based on the LASOs' 2022 reports, reviewed by EDC staff with the support of an external peer advisory panel. The recommended terms and conditions for annual agreements in this staff report will simplify the reporting process, and are also in recognition that grants are critical to the sustainability of organizations in the cultural sector and that efforts are needed to improve their accessibility, transparency and accountability. The recommendations made in this report reflect EDC's efforts at grant reform, as approved by City Council in February 2023 which aims to ensure that grants are equitable, transparent and in compliance with the City's Community Grants Policy, while advancing and supporting Toronto's cultural vibrancy.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to enter into annual agreements with the six Local Arts Service Organizations Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts Community Arts Council) subject to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Manager - Community and Social Services, and the Chief Financial Officer; and in accordance with the following terms and conditions: a. compliance with the City's grants policies as established by City Council, including the Community Grants Policy; b. that each organization submit its annual funding request to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for recommendation to the Economic and Community Development Committee and City Council for approval; c. that each organization submit its annual report and financial audit to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for review; and d. that the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. 2. City Council approve the Economic Development and Culture Division's 2023 funding allocations, totalling $1,817,400 to the six Local Arts Service Organizations as follows: Organization: Funding Allocation: Arts Etobicoke $407,936 Lakeshore Arts $293,057 Scarborough Arts $297,279 UrbanArts Community Arts Council $315,435 East End Arts $216,453 North York Arts $287,240 Total $1,817,400
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to enter into annual agreements with the six Local Arts Service Organizations Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts Community Arts Council) subject to the satisfaction of the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, the City Solicitor, the Deputy City Manager - Community and Social Services, and the Chief Financial Officer; and in accordance with the following terms and conditions: a. compliance with the City's grants policies as established by City Council, including the Community Grants Policy; b. that each organization submit its annual funding request to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for recommendation to the Economic and Community Development Committee and City Council for approval; c. that each organization submit its annual report and financial audit to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, for review; and d. that the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. 2. City Council approve the Economic Development and Culture Division's 2023 funding allocations, totalling $1,817,400 to the six Local Arts Service Organizations as follows: Organization: Funding Allocation: Arts Etobicoke $407,936 Lakeshore Arts $293,057 Scarborough Arts $297,279 UrbanArts Community Arts Council $315,435 East End Arts $216,453 North York Arts $287,240 Total $1,817,400
EC3.12adopted
New Partnership and Funding Agreements for Cultural Organizations
This report seeks authority to create a new operating funding model - to be known as the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership (COOP) program - to provide operating support to not-for-profit cultural organizations, replacing the former Major Cultural Organizations (MCO) and Specialized Collections Museums (SCM) grant programs, which have been discontinued based on direction from City Council. The City of Toronto, through the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) Division, currently provides annual operating grants to eight organizations who had received ongoing funding through the Major Cultural Organizations and Specialized Collections Museums programs. These organizations vary considerably in terms of mandate, size, and budget, making it challenging to create a single program with common criteria that can apply to each recipient. Under the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program, Economic Development and Culture staff will develop individual, customized partnership and funding agreements for each recipient with criteria and objectives that reflect the organization's unique role in the cultural ecosystem. In 2023, Economic Development and Culture proposes to fund each of the eight organizations previously supported through the Major Cultural Organizations and Specialized Collections Museums programs with a one-year agreement under the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program, with funding levels equal to the organization's 2022 grant. Beginning in 2024, and informed by the development of a new Culture Plan for Toronto, Economic Development and Culture will develop three-year agreements for the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program, with funding levels to be determined based on advice from a community assessment panel. Economic Development and Culture has consulted with grant recipients about the changes proposed through this report. The introduction of the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program is in alignment with Economic Development and Culture's ongoing grant reform efforts, as approved by City Council in February 2023, which aim to ensure that grants are equitable, transparent and in compliance with the City's Community Grants Policy while advancing and supporting Toronto's cultural vibrancy. Cultural Organization Operating Partnership will contribute to greater impact and accountability for City funding, and increase collaboration between the City and individual funding recipients. At the same time, there continues to be a significant need to increase municipal support to new and emerging cultural organizations, particularly those serving equity-deserving communities and communities outside the downtown core. This report recommends that Economic Development and Culture develop strategies to improve the City's cultural funding models to increase support to such organizations, and improve partnership opportunities and support for major institutions beyond grants, while recognizing the City's current budget limitations. Economic Development and Culture will include such strategies as part of a new Culture Plan for Toronto, which will be submitted to City Council for consideration in early 2024.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to create the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program to provide operating funding to not-for-profit cultural organizations in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy. 2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to negotiate, enter into and execute single- and multi-year contribution agreements for not-for-profit cultural organizations funded through the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program, with funding recipients and grant amounts to be determined annually by the General Manager within the budget allocation for the program, and on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop strategies to support the long-term sustainability of Toronto's not-for-profit cultural sector, including strategies to support major cultural institutions beyond grants and to increase municipal support to new and emerging cultural organizations, and to include any such strategies as part of a forthcoming Culture Plan for Toronto.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to create the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program to provide operating funding to not-for-profit cultural organizations in accordance with the City's Community Grants Policy. 2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to negotiate, enter into and execute single- and multi-year contribution agreements for not-for-profit cultural organizations funded through the Cultural Organization Operating Partnership program, with funding recipients and grant amounts to be determined annually by the General Manager within the budget allocation for the program, and on such content, terms and conditions deemed necessary by the General Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop strategies to support the long-term sustainability of Toronto's not-for-profit cultural sector, including strategies to support major cultural institutions beyond grants and to increase municipal support to new and emerging cultural organizations, and to include any such strategies as part of a forthcoming Culture Plan for Toronto.
EC3.13amended
Review of policies and procedures related to Warming Centres
Each year, the City develops a Winter Services Plan to outline how it will serve people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. These efforts are critical to enhance safety and protect people during cold and severe weather. However, the City of Toronto is currently facing immediate and urgent financial challenges, which includes a $317 million gap for COVID-19 response funding for shelters, and a $97 million current funding requirement for shelter for refugee claimants. In the absence of federal and provincial financial support, or new revenue tools for Toronto, the City will not be able to maintain current service levels in the shelter system. On January 11, 2023, Economic and Community Development Committee directed the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to review policies and procedures related to the opening and operations of emergency Warming Centres and report back with recommendations on improvements that can be made. On February 7 and 8, 2023, City Council adopted Item HL1.6 and requested the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to report back on the feasibility of providing 24/7 drop in spaces either at City of Toronto facilities or at locations provided by community/faith-based institutions, and to include a roundtable and survey of homeless serving organizations when conducting the review of policies and procedures of emergency Warming Centres operations. This report responds to these requests and identifies a number of actions to support people experiencing homelessness who are vulnerable to illness and injury as a result of exposure to cold temperatures, including: A. Revising criteria for activating Warming Centres B. Formalizing a proactive and collaborative approach to securing properties C. Increasing housing opportunities and shelter system flow D. Enhancing partnerships and collaboration These actions are based on feedback from community partners and stakeholders, inputs from service users and staff, and advice from health experts including Toronto Public Health. Additionally, implementation of any of these actions are subject to available space, staffing and budget. The City of Toronto is committed to making homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring - but it can't do it alone. The current situation requires urgent and coordinated action across all orders of government. New and enhanced investments in housing and health and social services are critical to support those experiencing homelessness. Concurrently, targeted upstream interventions across systems and across governments are needed to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness, including increasing access to affordable housing, income supports that reflect the current cost of living, healthcare, employment opportunities and education.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to create an Inter Divisional and City Agency Working Group to develop a long-term strategy for Warming Centres and other winter services and annual Winter Capital Plans to identify locations for Warming Centres and/or 24 hour respite sites, and review available buildings, including City/agency-owned sites, private market spaces and/or community partner owned and/or operated spaces. 2. City Council request General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to prioritize the opening and operation of 24 hour respite sites. 3. City Council declare a homelessness emergency in the City of Toronto. 4. City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to provide $5 million to the City of Toronto in additional funding for the winter services response for the activation of additional Warming Centres in the 2023-2024 winter season. 5. City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to urgently allocate an additional $20 million in Canada-Ontario Housing Benefits (COHB) in 2023-2024 to help between 1,600 and 2,000 households to exit the shelter system and move into permanent housing. 6. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into a data sharing agreement with ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) to share shelter client data with ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) and receive de-identified administrative healthcare data from ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) as part of the Health of People Experiencing Homelessness project, for the purposes of planning and providing health services for people who access Toronto's shelter system, in alignment with Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Council approved Homelessness Solutions Service Plan, and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory with the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration recommends that: 1. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, to create an Inter Divisional and City Agency Working Group to develop a long-term strategy for Warming Centres and other winter services and annual Winter Capital Plans to identify locations for Warming Centres and/or 24 hour respite sites, and review available buildings, including City/agency-owned sites, private market spaces and/or community partner owned and/or operated spaces. 2. City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to provide $5 million to the City of Toronto in additional funding for the winter services response for the activation of additional Warming Centres in the 2023-2024 winter season. 3. City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to urgently allocate an additional $20 million in Canada-Ontario Housing Benefits (COHB) in 2023-2024 to help between 1,600 and 2,000 households to exit the shelter system and move into permanent housing. 4. City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to enter into a data sharing agreement with ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) to share shelter client data with ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) and receive de-identified administrative healthcare data from ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical and Evaluative Sciences) as part of the Health of People Experiencing Homelessness project, for the purposes of planning and providing health services for people who access Toronto's shelter system, in alignment with Shelter, Support and Housing Administration's Council approved Homelessness Solutions Service Plan, and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, and in a form satisfactory with the City Solicitor.
EC3.14amended
As the Night Economy Champion, I am working with Economic Development and Culture to ensure the City of Toronto fulfills its mandate to modernize and clarify the rules to provide flexibility and support for businesses, while ensuring an appropriate level of regulatory oversight to mitigate any potential community nuisance and public safety issues. As we move the directive forward, it is important that the City of Toronto join other cities worldwide in signing the Nighttime Manifesto, symbolizing a global commitment to raising the awareness around the importance of nightlife https://www.nighttime.org/manifesto/?s=01 . Some of the supporting cities include, Antwerp, Bangkok, Belfast, Berlin, Durban, Johannesburg, Mälmo, Montreal, New York, São Paulo, and Singapore. The Manifesto, was created "as a collaborative reaction from nighttime communities who have reflected on the unifying core values of nightlife and developed a shared vision for the future." "represents a united commitment to creating a safer, more sustainable and resilient nightlife." The Manifesto outlines objectives to "Involve different partners and stakeholders to bridge gaps, raise awareness, and build stronger representation for nighttime communities." I look forward to your support.
The Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on October 24, 2023 on the City of Toronto becoming a signatory to the Night Mayor Manifesto.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie recommends: 1. Economic and Community Development Committee request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on May 31, 2023 on the City of Toronto becoming a signatory to the Night Mayor Manifesto.
EC3.15withdrawn
Respecting Deceased Homeless in Toronto
On March 17, 2023, Toronto Public Health released data related to the deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness in 2022. The data reported 187 deaths, with the data collected from Participating agencies who serve the homeless and under-housed communities and the City of Toronto's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) division. Deaths of People Experiencing Homelessness - City of Toronto Data on homeless deaths was previously released monthly, this practice enabled our divisions to recognize any patterns, address urgent needs and respectfully grieve individuals at the time of their deaths. In an article published on April 7, 2023, Shelter death data in Toronto no longer monthly | CTV News, the Toronto Homeless Memorial has been quoted as stating the decision to not report monthly, "is absolutely unacceptable," … "It takes away a grieving process, and really crucially, [..] it's further dehumanizing and anonymizing those who are dying in [city] care."
The Economic and Community Development Committee withdrew item EC3.15 from the agenda.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Paul Ainslie recommends that: 1. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to resume releasing on a monthly basis, on the last day of each month, data concerning the number of people who die homeless within the City of Toronto, commencing from January 2023.
EC3.16amended
Data on the Health of People Experiencing Homelessness
Dear Members of the Economic and Community Development Committee, The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the opioid overdose crisis, has further magnified the issue of homelessness and the urgent need to work together to protect the health and well being of people experiencing homelessness. We need to continue to build on the collaboration that has taken place during the pandemic and strengthen how we use data to inform the planning and delivery of shelter and health services in Toronto. Connecting Home Initiative The Connecting Home Initiative is a proposal to create a real-time, e-integrated platform using client data from University Health Toronto (UHT), Inner City Health Associates (ICHA), and the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS). Through this work, clients experiencing homelessness could enable their health service providers to access their information to improve health and housing outcomes; and enable data-driven improvements in shelter and housing service, health care, and system planning. The first step in this project would be to undertake a feasibility assessment to understand if the Connecting Home Initiative is viable from a legal, privacy, and technical perspective, and what related challenges and opportunities are present. I am recommending that City staff work with Unity Health Toronto and Inner City Health Associates to assess feasibility. Death of Shelter Resident Data Since 2007, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA) has collected and reported on deaths of individuals staying in municipally administered shelters. The death of shelter residents data is a subset of data shared by Toronto Public Health (TPH) on its Deaths of People Experiencing Homelessness dashboard. The Toronto Public Health dashboard includes figures on deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness staying in shelters, as well as people living outdoors or at other locations. Because of the relationship between the two data sets, starting in 2023, the deaths of shelter residents data was changed to align with the release of Toronto Public Health's data on deaths of people experiencing homelessness, typically in March and September. Data on the deaths of people experiencing homelessness allows the City and community partners to address urgent needs and respectfully grieve individuals at the time of their deaths. I am requesting that the General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration work with the Medical Officer of Health to explore options for more frequent and aligned reporting on the deaths of people experiencing homelessness.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Unity Health Toronto and Inner City Health Associates for the Connecting Home Initiative feasibility assessment, to assess the legal, privacy, and technical viability of developing a shared platform to improve health and housing outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and Director, Strategic Partnerships, City Manager's Office, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration work with the Medical Officer of Health to implement Recommendation 1 above with more frequent and aligned reporting on the deaths of people experiencing homelessness. 3. City Council request the appropriate staff to report back to the Economic and Community Development Committee on September 21, 2023 on the implementation of the above noted Memorandum of Understanding as well as the recommended process to be implemented for frequent and aligned reporting on the deaths of people experiencing homelessness.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Shelley Carroll recommends: 1. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Unity Health Toronto and Inner City Health Associates for the Connecting Home Initiative feasibility assessment, to assess the legal, privacy, and technical viability of developing a shared platform to improve health and housing outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration and Director, Strategic Partnerships, City Manager's Office, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 2. City Council request the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration work with the Medical Officer of Health to explore options for more frequent and aligned reporting on the deaths of people experiencing homelessness.
EC3.17amended
I write to the Economic and Community Development Committee to correct a long overdue anomaly in the retail landscape in the City of Toronto. Yorkdale Shopping Centre has long sought approval to open for business on six of nine statutory holidays, not only to put themselves on equal footing alongside nine other shopping malls across the Greater Toronto Area, but also in recognition of the significant role they play in Toronto's tourism sector. The City was granted this authority in the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and then subsequently passed legislation to allow such exemptions in Municipal Code Chapter 510-5. Simply put, this action is long overdue. With 4.5 Million of its 18 Million total annual shoppers, Yorkdale welcomes more tourists each year than other top attractions such as Canada's Wonderland, Ripley's Aquarium, and all three of the CN Tower, ROM and AGO combined. Yorkdale has invested $3 Million in its tourism strategy including hiring a full-time manager and a dedicated marketing and advertising campaign to attract domestic and international visitors including the provision of amenities such as luggage check, currency exchange and hotel and car service. Yorkdale is a member of Destination Toronto, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, all who have submitted letters of support for this action by Toronto City Council. The retail landscape his shifted dramatically since this issue was last visited. Brick and mortar retail is under siege as never before from off-shore, online shopping and even more acutely since the impact of COVID 19. This slow erosion of in-person shopping also puts a strain on maintaining Toronto's critical commercial tax base as well as the vital but shrinking retail workforce. Finally, Yorkdale needs equitable treatment with this exemption, otherwise regional shoppers and tourists will continue to flock to malls in the 905 region such as Vaughan Mills and Square One which has results in $64.7 Million in lost sales and $4.73 Million in lost wages to Yorkdale's 6,000 employees.
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. City Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5 "Tourist Area Exemptions" for Holiday Shopping to permit Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Scarborough Town Centre and retail business establishments within the boundaries of the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood as described in City of Toronto By-law 328-2011, to open on holidays under authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 (the "COTA"); 2. City Council request the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture and the Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards to: a. develop criteria and a process for the designation of a "Tourist Area Exemption" under Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5; and b. assess whether to retain as is or change any of the holidays specified in Municipal Code Chapter 510-1, and report to City Council with recommendations in 2024.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that: 1. Council amend Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 510-5 "Tourist Area Exemptions" for Holiday Shopping to permit Yorkdale Shopping Centre to open on holidays under authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 (the "COTA")