Toronto Music Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 3 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.
MA6.1amended
Members of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee and staff from Economic Development and Culture will make a presentation on the current conditions affecting musicians in Toronto, including COVID-related impacts, available financial assistance, and career development programs. The Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee will lead a discussion with Committee members to shape their recommendations on these issues.
The Toronto Music Advisory Committee recommends to the Economic and Community Development Committee that: 1. City Council request the Government of Canada to: a. ensure that adequate financial support continues to be accessible for self-employed and gig workers; and b. extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy at current funding levels for music-industry employers and workers. 2. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to explore developing further online resources for artists through the Music Office, Film and Entertainment Industries, and report to the next meeting of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee. 3. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the City Manager to include recommendations to support affordable housing and a universal basic income for musicians in the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild final report. 4. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the Toronto Music Office to consult with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat, and the Toronto Public Health to explore how the City of Toronto's COVID-19 shelter, housing, and Toronto Public Health response could align with the Toronto Music Advisory Committee's efforts to support live music venues and musicians.
MA6.2amended
Current Impacts on Live Music Venues
Staff from Economic Development and Culture and Toronto Public Health will provide an update on the current impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on live music venues in Toronto, including related public health guidelines and insurance concerns. The Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee will lead a discussion with Committee members to shape their recommendations on these issues.
The Toronto Music Advisory Committee recommends to the Economic and Community Development Committee that: 1. City Council request the Government of Ontario to: a. provide long-term financial support for live music venues and music companies working in live music; b. apply a fair and more flexible reopening guidelines established for other businesses and venues to live music venues, while ensuring all necessary and rigorous health protocols are accounted for and in place; c. convene a meeting to discuss insurance concerns from live music venues; d. institute an immediate ban on evictions for music businesses; and e. enforce mandatory participation in Ontario-Canada Emergency Commercial Assistance (OCECRA) program for property owners. 2. City Council request the Government of Canada to: a. extend the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program and make it more effective for live music venue tenants by: i. making participation mandatory for property owners; and ii. allowing more flexibility in eligibility threshold for ceasing operations/70 percent decline in revenues and allowing businesses that have not already applied to do so in future for retroactive benefits; and b. develop a permanent Canadian Live Music Fund to stimulate event activity and ensure the future viability and success of Canada's live music sector and drive economic impact. 3. City Council make permanent the inclusion of live music venues as a category of the Creative Co-Location Facilities Tax Subclass. 4. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back to the next meeting of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee on the feasibility of spearheading a group insurance program for live music venues, such report to include a proposal for: a. working with industry organizations such as the Canadian Live Music Association that could implement and administer the program; and b. underwriting the policy by assuming risk and guaranteeing coverage of unpaid fees.
MA6.3amended
Staff from Economic Development and Culture will provide a presentation on cross-divisional work to advance the nighttime economy as it relates to the music community, including exploration of zoning, licensing changes, and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) event permitting. The Chair of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee will lead a discussion with Committee members to shape their recommendations on these issues.
The Toronto Music Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. The Economic and Community Development Committee request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report to the next meeting of the Toronto Music Advisory Committee with an overview of the process and timelines for updating the Toronto Music Strategy.