In our coverage
amendedTTC must reinstate eight workers and revise drug-testing policy after arbitrator rules random testing unlawfulAn arbitrator has ordered the TTC to reinstate eight employees and struck down the transit agency's random drug and alcohol testing policy as implemented. The board voted 5-3 to accept this decision, which removes a safety tool the TTC had relied on and requires the agency to negotiate a compliant testing regime with the union.City Council approves five urgent motions on live music venues, section 37 agreements, plaza waste receptacles, loading zones, and public artCity Council passed five motions introduced as urgent business without advance notice. The motions covered protecting live music venues, advancing a section 37 agreement contribution at Blue Endufferment, requesting the city solicitor attend T Lab, requiring waste receptacles at quick-service restaurant plazas, establishing a commercial loading zone on the Danforth, and commissioning a mural on the New Ontario Line Bridge on Queen East. All five carried without recorded dissent.Council introduces motions on Saint Baptist Marcus Square, Kingston Road monitoring, and public art fundingCouncil introduced three motions during the meeting: one marking the urgency of the Grange Precinct real estate strategy and Saint Baptist Marcus Square, one to monitor development and infrastructure on Kingston Road, and one to allocate Section 45 public art funds for a mural in the Cliffside neighbourhood. All three passed without opposition. Council also announced a midday recognition of Emancipation Day at the podium.Council releases six held items on live music, Section 37, solicitor duties, waste receptacles, loading zones and Ontario Line artCity Council on July 30 released six items held by individual councillors, adopting amendments to two and staff recommendations on one. The items span commercial regulations, development agreements, and city services. Most passed without recorded debate.City council directs staff to find ways to ban surveillance pricing in grocery storesMayor Chow moved that city staff identify all possible mechanisms to ban or restrict surveillance pricing, a practice where retailers use personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same item. The motion cites rising grocery costs and references similar practices already being used by major US retailers. Council passed it without opposition.City Council recognizes retiring City Solicitor Wendy Walberg after 34 yearsMayor Chow and council members gave formal recognition to City Solicitor Wendy Walberg, who is retiring after 34 years of service to Toronto, including 9 years as city solicitor. Walberg reflected on her career navigating complex legal challenges including COVID-19, governance changes, and Charter litigation, and thanked council, staff, and her family.Petitions received on Bathurst and Shepherd protests and data center applicationsCouncil received two petitions: one from 4,870 residents opposing data centre applications across the city with particular concern in Birchcliff, and one describing weekly pro-Palestinian protests near Bathurst and Shepherd in a Jewish neighbourhood as a public safety and police resource crisis. Neither petition resulted in a decision; both were formally received.City directed to explore bans on surveillance pricing in retailDeputy Mayor Malik moved a motion directing city staff to identify legal mechanisms to ban or restrict surveillance pricing, the practice of charging different customers different prices based on personal data and shopping habits. The motion passed with support from multiple councillors who cited the real harm to residents, particularly low-income shoppers and families buying essentials like baby formula and milk.Councillor Myers marks retiring city lawyer Wendy Walberg's serviceCouncillor Myers, speaking during council, praised Wendy Walberg, a senior city lawyer, on her retirement after more than three decades of service. Myers highlighted Walberg's legal skill, work ethic, and integrity. No decision was made; this was a personal tribute.FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto: council received a report and advanced audits of spending and intimate partner violence dataCity Council adopted measures on July 29 and 30, 2026, to make permanent several traffic and transit improvements that were implemented during the FIFA World Cup 2026, including maintaining new traffic cameras, expanding transit signal priority, and continuing parking restrictions that benefited congestion management. The council directed city staff to review mobility results and identify operational learnings from the tournament that can improve ongoing services and efficiencies. The council also directed staff to include in the final post-tournament report an analysis of whether incidents of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence changed during the tournament period compared to the same period in 2025, with findings to be reported in the first quarter of 2027. Additionally, the council requested the Auditor General to conduct a value for money audit of Toronto's hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Council asks staff to study alternative management models for Biidaasige ParkThe item asks the city to explore alternative governance models for Biidaasige Park. Toronto City Council adopted the item on July 29, 2026.City council explores long-term lease options for Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's EmpowermentCouncillor Amber Morley moved to explore securing a long-term lease for the Jean Augustine Centre, which provides mentorship and support to young women in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. The centre's current lease is ending and the motion seeks to find a stable, affordable home to preserve this community asset. Council agreed to waive the standard referral process given the time-sensitive nature of the lease expiry.Protecting Toronto's live music venues; staff directed to report backDeputy Mayor Malik moved that city staff continue work to support live music venues threatened by rising rents, insurance costs, and development pressure. The motion passed unanimously and directs staff to report back as part of the Culture Connects plan. The mover flagged it as urgent to meet reporting timelines.City accepts cash contribution instead of Dufferin Station tunnel connection, redirecting funds to affordable housing and station improvementsCouncil approved accepting a cash payment from a development at Bloor and Dufferin in place of building a below-grade pedestrian tunnel to Dufferin Station. The redirected funds will support affordable housing, community amenities, and public realm work at the station. The decision closes a long-standing community debate over the tunnel's necessity.City Solicitor authorized to appeal Committee of Adjustment decision on Kirknewton Road garden suite variancesCouncil voted to authorize the City Solicitor to appeal a Committee of Adjustment decision approving variances for a new three-storey house and garden suite at 74 Kirknewton Road. The appeal must be filed by August 11, 2026. The Solicitor may retain external consultants and settle the matter at their discretion.City council approves mural funding under new Ontario Line bridge on Queen EastCity Council authorized the release of Section 37 funds to support a new mural under the Queen Street bridge, completed as part of the Ontario Line. The Riverside Business Improvement Area has sought this site for years and Metrolinx has now approved the project. The mural can be painted this fall.Council authorized release of $350,000 in section 37 funds for Indigenous placekeeping at Allan GardensCity Council voted to release $350,000 in community benefits funds to support Indigenous-led planning, engagement, and capital improvements at Allan Gardens, a site significant to Indigenous communities. The funding will be directed by community input with Friends of Allan Gardens assisting coordination, reflecting the city's reconciliation commitments.City Council authorized releasing Section 42 community benefits funds for Barbara Hall Park dog area upgradesCity Council approved releasing developer-secured funds to upgrade the off-leash dog area in Barbara Hall Park, including new gates, fences, and seating. The work is planned for 2027 following community consultation with dog owners. This is a bounded use of section 42 funds that were already committed to community benefits.Council approves delay on Perth Avenue parkland conveyance, pushing delivery from permit issuance to 30 months afterCity Council authorized the developer of 72 Perth Avenue to postpone transferring 131 square metres of on-site parkland to the city. Under the 2025 zoning approval, the land was required to be conveyed before the first above-grade building permit; this decision extends the deadline to 30 months after that permit issues. The delay accommodates the developer's construction schedule.City to review permit parking limits as housing density increases in TorontoCouncillor Bravo is proposing a review of Toronto's on-street permit parking program, focusing on eligibility and household permit caps as the city densifies through gentle density and multi-unit housing. The motion argues that unlimited permits at a single address reduce parking availability for other residents and that policy should be reassessed. The review would examine whether permit limits could encourage reduced reliance on private vehicles.Council approves $100,000 in community benefits funding for Oakwood Village streetscape improvementsCity Council authorized the release of $100,000 in Section 37 community benefits to the Oakwood Village Business Improvement Area for custom branding, vinyl wraps, and streetscape enhancements along Oakwood Avenue. The funds are intended to create a visual identity for the area, add colour to the public realm, and help deter graffiti. This is one of several competing uses for section 37 funds collected from new development.City Council authorized release of Section 37 funds for Karma Co-op garbage storage upgradesCity Council waived standard committee referrals and approved the release of community benefits funds to support capital improvements at Karma Co-op, Toronto's only non-profit community food cooperative in Ward 11. The co-op sought urgent assistance for garbage storage infrastructure work.Council urges province to add noise barriers and commit to electrification at Bloor-Lansdowne GO stationCouncillor Bravo moved to request the province and Metrolinx install noise and vibration barriers and commit to full line electrification at the planned Bloor-Lansdowne GO station, citing concerns about noise, vibration, diesel exhaust, and frequent train movements in a densely populated residential area. The motion passed without debate or dissent recorded in the transcript excerpt. Council is asking for community protections from a provincial transit agency, though council itself has no direct authority over GO operations.Council approves $48,733 from developer fees for Oakwood Avenue and Vaughan Road parkette redesignCity Council authorized $48,733 in Section 37 funds (developer-funded public benefits) to reconstruct and beautify a small traffic island at Oakwood Avenue and Vaughan Road. The work will include green space and placemaking signage, coordinated with road reconstruction planned for 2028, and responds to community requests from the Oakwood Village Streets Plan consultation.City Solicitor asked to oppose driveway widening appeal at Windermere Avenue propertyA resident's appeal of a refused driveway-widening variance request is before the Toronto Local Appeal Body. Council authorizes the City Solicitor to attend and argue for maintaining the refusal, citing preservation of streetscape and tree canopy. This is a routine procedural authorization with narrow scope, one address, one feature.City demands province reverse land takeover and restore Toronto Islands controlMayor Chow moved an urgent motion demanding the province repeal Bill 110, return Little Norway Park and the Toronto Islands to the city, and restore Toronto's seat at a tripartite agreement governing Billy Bishop Airport. The motion responds to the federal government's announcement that it will not support the province's proposed expansion of the island airport, following months of public opposition and city staff analysis.Dundas Street corridor transit priority measures, community council referral amended to infrastructure committeeCity Council adopted a report on transit priority improvements made to the Dundas Street corridor and directed staff to develop further measures, including an engagement plan. Councillor Carroll amended the recommendation to route the follow-up work to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee rather than back to Toronto East Shore Community Council, citing the need to track financial implications and align with citywide priorities. The motion passed 20-2.adoptedCity Council receives written reports from nine committees and four community councils on housing, transit, and planning decisionsCity Council formally received written reports from nine committees and four community councils covering decisions made in July 2026 on housing, transit, budget, health, and planning. This is a routine procedural item for the receipt of committee work. Individual decisions within those reports may carry substantial weight, but this item itself is the mechanism for formally registering that the decisions have been made.Initial findings report on transit priority measures for the 505 Dundas 6-minute network; council directed staff to explore further measures and report to Infrastructure CommitteeCity Council received a report assessing whether parking and traffic changes on Dundas Street have supported the 505 streetcar's new 6-minute service frequency launched in November 2026. The report found ridership increased, based on a two-week comparison. Council voted to direct staff to explore additional transit priority measures beyond the existing no-stopping zones and left-turn restrictions, with an amendment requiring the report-back to go to Infrastructure Committee rather than remaining at the community council level. One councillor voted against, citing thin data and insufficient community consultation.Transit priority measures on Queen Street West during King construction; report back to community council in 2027City Council adopted temporary curbside restrictions and left-turn prohibitions on Queen Street West from November 2026 through April 2027 to maintain streetcar service on the 504 King route during construction diversion. The measures affect approximately 60,000 daily King riders and 30,000 daily Queen riders. Council added a sunset clause and directed staff to communicate construction phasing clearly to riders and businesses.receivedTTC CEO report: FIFA success, permanent Bathurst/Dufferin transit lanes, and a $13.5M revenue gapThe board received the July CEO report, which was dominated by a FIFA World Cup wrap-up (3.6M+ trips, 42% match-day ridership bumps, 90%+ satisfaction). Buried in the discussion, staff confirmed the Bathurst and Dufferin RapidTO transit-priority lanes will stay installed permanently, and disclosed the TTC is running about $13.5M under its revenue budget with an $80M efficiency target for year-end. A nine-month camera pilot recording vehicles passing open streetcar doors began July 20.amendedTTC lost its random drug-testing case; the board's response was decided behind closed doorsAn arbitrator issued a ~380-page ruling striking down the TTC's random drug and alcohol testing policy as unconstitutional and ordered fired workers reinstated. ATU Local 113 president Marvin Alfred deputed publicly, urging the board to accept the ruling rather than seek a judicial review. The board debated the deputation in open session but made its actual decision behind closed doors and adopted those recommendations without disclosing their content.adoptedTTC Board orders a study to speed up the College (506) streetcar, and it turns into an election-flavoured fightCommissioner Saxe, seconded by Chair Myers, moved to direct TTC staff to report back in Q1 2027 with recommendations to speed up and make more reliable the 506 College/Carlton streetcar. Seven residents deputed in support, with several urging dedicated lanes and faster action; Saxe cross-examined advocate Gabriel Leblanc at length over his roughly $1M cost claim, and staff put much larger figures on the record. The motion was adopted, but Commissioner Bravo voted against it despite College serving her ward, arguing the board should stick to its existing system-wide plan rather than single out one line.adoptedTTC Board directs staff to urgently study, and possibly implement, weekly fare cappingCommissioner Bravo's motion directs TTC staff to urgently study weekly fare capping (capping what riders pay per week, as Brampton, MiWay and Hamilton already do) and to potentially implement it. The motion carried, but a commissioner pressed hard on why staff would be delegated authority to implement before the cost is known. Staff said financial implications will be spelled out and the CEO can decline if the cost is too large.receivedTTC accessibility committee reports zero FIFA complaints, new elevator backup plan, and a Wheel-Trans photo-ID proposalThe chair of the TTC's Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) presented its April and May 2026 minutes for information. Highlights: no accessibility complaints during the World Cup, new contingency procedures after an April 20 system-wide elevator outage, and a proposed photo-ID system for Wheel-Trans riders. The board received the minutes without debate.amendedTransit capacity flagged against new towers as College Station trains overflowAn update on provincial transit projects in delivery that carries a buried procedural win: TTC development-application comments must now flag whether the subway can actually absorb new residents. The prompting example is stark, roughly a third of peak trains at College Station already cannot pick everyone up while council weighs adding 3,200 more residents nearby.adoptedCity and TTC to draft their first master agreement governing the $1.5B subsidyNo single memorandum of understanding currently governs the roughly $1.5 billion annual subsidy the City provides the TTC. Staff updated the board on work toward a consolidated relationship framework with performance KPIs, which is scheduled to return in 2027. The board received the update with no discussion.amendedToronto's push for constitutional protection from Queen's Park stalls at the last Executive Committee of the termThe item asks the City Manager to report back to the Executive Committee in the third quarter of 2027 with an analysis of findings and recommendations from the Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance Program Advisory Body. On July 21, 2026, the Executive Committee amended the item and directed the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to provide this analysis. The Executive Committee also requested that the City Manager consider establishing a new program advisory body to assist in analyzing the report from the Municipal Autonomy and Effective Local Governance Program Advisory Body.amendedNon-police crisis teams to expand across the entire TTC networkThe item asks for an expansion of the Toronto Community Crisis Service to respond to calls for service at all TTC subway stations. On July 21, 2026, the Executive Committee amended the item and requested the Executive Director, Social Development to report back by the first quarter of 2027 with an update on expanding the service area.adoptedAdvancing more supportive housing to address homelessness and create pathways to long-term housing stabilityThe item asks the City to advance supportive housing to address homelessness and create pathways to long-term housing stability. The Executive Committee amended and recommended the item on July 21, 2026, proposing that City Council advise provincial and federal governments of the need for sustained investments in supportive housing, request city staff to explore supports and incentives for supportive housing development including prioritizing city-owned land and converting shelter sites, request staff to ensure people with lived experience of homelessness are engaged in housing design and delivery, and direct the general manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services to include a youth sector focus in strategic planning. Toronto City Council adopted the item on July 29, 2026, by a vote of 21-1.City Council backs investigation into banning algorithmic price targeting at grocery storesCity Council asked city staff to identify ways Toronto can ban or regulate surveillance pricing that raises grocery prices, including online and delivered groceries. The Executive Committee recommended on July 21, 2026, that the City Manager consult with the City Solicitor and other officials to report back by the first quarter of 2027 with options, and that staff analyze existing regulatory authorities to develop measures ranging from requiring clear consumer disclosure to full prohibition of algorithmic pricing that raises prices for individuals. City Council adopted the recommendation on July 29, 2026, by a vote of 26-0, and also requested that the Province of Ontario ban surveillance pricing and strengthen consumer protection laws, and that city staff seek advice from federal agencies on current privacy and competition law and whether updates are needed.The consent block: variance reports, AGMs, arena boards, utility corridorsThis item, a consent calendar combining multiple city council matters, was presented to the Executive Committee on July 21, 2026. No recorded vote has been filed for this item.amendedToronto Fire Services 2025 Annual Report; strong operations but severe staffing emergency from WSIB and provincial mandatesCity Council amended the Toronto Fire Services 2025 Annual Report on July 29, 2026. The Economic and Community Development Committee had recommended on July 14, 2026 that the Fire Chief and General Manager analyze the financial impacts of provincial legislative and regulatory changes affecting Toronto Fire Services workforce costs and report findings to the City Manager. The committee also recommended that the City Manager negotiate with Ontario to recover those financial impacts and mitigate budget effects on Toronto. City Council carried the amendment by a vote of 25-0.adoptedRefining the definition of nightclub in Toronto's licensing code to apply only to venues with over 150 occupancyCity Council amended the definition of an Entertainment Establishment/Nightclub in the Toronto Municipal Code to exclude premises with an occupant load under 151 people, which will instead be licensed based on their operations as other establishment types. The Economic and Community Development Committee adopted the recommendation on July 14, 2026. City Council adopted the amendment on July 29 and 30, 2026, with an effective date of September 30, 2026. Council also requested that city planning staff work with municipal licensing to strengthen alignment between business licensing and zoning regulations for entertainment establishments.Executive Committee backed improvements to Old City Hall as a filming location; sent to council for approvalThe item asks to improve the usability of Old City Hall as a filming location. The Economic and Community Development Committee forwarded it to City Council without recommendation on July 14, 2026. Toronto City Council amended the item on July 29, 2026.
Every story we have published that names this member, whether they moved the item, amended it, pressed on it, dissented, or were quoted in the room. Stories exist for the meetings the pipeline has covered, so this list reflects our archive rather than the member’s full activity. Their whole voting record is on the vote log.
In the news
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- The radical agenda of Progress Toronto, the group backing Mayor Chow
- Toronto says it’ll fight surveillance pricing – but can it?
- Committee grants variance to developer despite ongoing investigation at Toronto property
- Olivia Chow wants ban on 'surveillance pricing' by retailers
- 'Rip off': Mayor Chow wants to ban 'surveillance pricing' at Toronto grocery stores
- 8-year indigenous parks naming saga headed for city council
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Back to Councillor Alejandra Bravo · Every recorded vote · Lobbying contacts