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Mayor Olivia Chow

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City Council introduces youth climate workforce ambassadors programThe mayor welcomed a cohort of young people hired for the summer to build skills in Toronto's green sector, including climate communications, outreach, and community-based climate work. The ambassadors are gaining hands-on experience across the city and will help promote programs like furnace replacement. This is a ceremonial recognition of an existing summer employment program.2026-07-30 · spoke on the floorMayor permitted to move urgent motion on Jay's Care Academy partnershipCouncil authorized Mayor Chow to introduce without notice a motion to explore a partnership with the Jay's Foundation to establish a Jay's Care Academy in Toronto. The motion itself was not debated; only the procedural motion to add it to the agenda was voted on.2026-07-30 · movedCouncillor Perks delivers farewell remarks to council at final meetingCouncillor Gord Perks of Ward 4 delivered closing remarks thanking Mayor Chow, his staff, council colleagues, and Toronto Public Service employees before leaving office. He reflected on forty years of friendship with the Mayor, praised his office culture, and advocated for collective bargaining rights for municipal staff. His remarks included personal stories and ended with the statement that "capitalism is trash."2026-07-30 · spoke on the floorCity 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.2026-07-30 · moved · spoke on the floorCouncillor Gord Perks delivers farewell remarks at final City Council meetingAs his final act before leaving office, Councillor Gord Perks, who represented Ward 4 for five terms, offered personal thanks to his family, constituents, colleagues, city staff, and Mayor Chow before concluding with a three-word statement of his political philosophy. The remarks were interspersed with the council's recognition of youth climate workforce ambassadors.2026-07-30 · spoke on the floorCity 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.2026-07-30 · spoke on the floorMoment of silence for Renata Ford; Mayor Chow's remarks on final council meeting of the termMayor Chow marked the final regular meeting of the 2022–2026 council term with remarks thanking city staff, the Speaker, and departing councillors, and observed a moment of silence for Renata Ford. The meeting is procedural recognition of the term's end and transitions in municipal leadership.2026-07-30 · spoke on the floorFIFA 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.2026-07-29 · spoke on the floorCity to explore partnership with Jays Care Foundation for academy facility with indoor space and baseball fieldsMayor Chow moved an urgent motion directing city staff to begin exploring a potential partnership with the Jays Care Foundation to develop a purpose-built community recreation hub in Toronto. The facility would include an indoor space and up to four baseball fields for foundation programming and public use, modeled on MLB youth academies in other North American cities. The motion passed without debate or recorded objection.2026-07-29 · movedCity 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.2026-07-29 · secondedDeputy Mayor Malik urges free ferry rides for kids and seniors in August to celebrate airport decisionDeputy Mayor Malik moved to make child, youth, and older adult ferry tickets to the Toronto Islands free for August in recognition of community opposition to the Island airport expansion. The motion, seconded by Mayor Chow, frames the offer as a way to highlight the Islands' value and requires council approval before the month begins. No transcript records whether council voted on it.2026-07-29 · secondedCity council authorized release of Section 37 funds for Association of Community Centres space in Regent ParkToronto City Council voted to release community benefits funds secured through the Regent Park redevelopment to design and build a new Association of Community Centres facility. The facility will co-locate with a future library branch and serve as a civic hub in the neighbourhood's planned civic square.2026-07-29 · secondedSupporting the realization of the Tamil Community Centre; lease terms and fee waivers approvedCity Council approved changes to lease terms for the Tamil Community Centre in northeast Scarborough and waived its site plan application fees. The centre, which has received over $26 million in federal and provincial funding and unanimous endorsement from Scarborough Community Council, will house a gymnasium, auditorium, library, museum, and programming spaces serving Toronto's Tamil community.2026-07-29 · movedCouncillor Chernos Lin seeks coordinated plan for Thorncliffe Park around Ontario Line stationCouncillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow, is directing city staff to develop a coordinated neighbourhood plan for Thorncliffe Park that leverages the new Ontario Line station to guide housing, jobs, community facilities, parks, and active transportation. Thorncliffe Park is a dense arrival neighbourhood for newcomers, and the motion builds on earlier consultation with the Urban Land Institute and local stakeholders on mobility and public realm priorities. This is a directed study aimed at unlocking neighbourhood-scale benefits from a major transit investment.2026-07-29 · seconded · spoke on the floorCity staff asked to explore partnerships for a new Filipino community centre in ScarboroughCouncillor Shan moved that city staff investigate the feasibility of creating a dedicated Filipino cultural and community centre in Scarborough, drawing on models like the Chinese Cultural Centre and Tamil Community Centre. Toronto has over 270,000 residents of Filipino origin. Council carried the motion to ask staff to report back on partnership options and implementation feasibility.2026-07-29 · secondedCouncil renames Main Sewage Treatment Playground to Ashbridge's Bay Sports HubCity Council voted to rename the 11.2-hectare park on Eastern Avenue from Main Sewage Treatment Playground to Ashbridge's Bay Sports Hub. The park hosts pickleball, basketball, rugby, baseball and skateboarding. The renaming addresses confusion over the facility's purpose now that new pickleball courts have opened and tournaments are planned.2026-07-29 · secondedCity Council approves transferring Bridletowne property to YMCA for community hubCity Council advanced a plan to transfer a 5.2-acre city-owned property at 1355 Bridletowne Circle in Scarborough to the YMCA of Greater Toronto for a neighbourhood community hub featuring fitness, aquatics, youth programming, and space for United Way agencies. The property has been reserved for this purpose for over a decade after the original partner, Scarborough Health Network, withdrew from the project.2026-07-29 · secondedCity 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.2026-07-29 · moved · spoke on the floorCity seeks to accelerate housing and school project at Don Mills parking lotCouncillor Burnside is asking City Council to waive the normal referral process and vote immediately on directing CreateTO to advance a mixed-use redevelopment at 770 Don Mills Road, a city-owned site near Don Valley Station. The proposal includes market and affordable housing, an elementary school, park space, retail, and childcare. Council did not substantively debate or vote on this at the previous meeting; this motion seeks to move it forward under urgency.2026-07-29 · secondedMayor Chow proposes study of Pakistani community centre model in east TorontoMayor Chow moved that city staff study how to replicate successful community centre models used by Chinese and Tamil communities to support development of a dedicated Pakistani community centre in east Toronto, where over 160,000 residents of Pakistani origin live. The motion cites urgency due to council recess, though the transcript does not record whether Council voted or the outcome.2026-07-29 · moved · spoke on the floorCity authorized to accept donations for restoration of the Sir Casimir Gzowski MonumentCity Council voted to accept fundraising donations from the Association of Polish Engineers in Canada for restoring the Sir Casimir Gzowski Monument in Gzowski Park. The 1968 monument honors the engineer and statesman who contributed to Ontario's infrastructure development. The fundraising committee will lead the comprehensive revitalization project.2026-07-29 · movedCity to refund development charges on condos converting to rental housingThe city will automatically refund development charge differences when condominium projects switch to purpose-built rental tenure before occupancy. The lower rental rate applies retroactively, removing a financial barrier to conversion. This affects a small but potentially significant class of projects and represents a permanent shift in how the city treats such conversions.2026-07-29 · movedCity council receives audit reports from integrity and accountability officers for 2025City council received the annual audit reports from external auditors on the Integrity Commissioner, Lobbyist Registrar, and Ombudsman covering the year ended December 31, 2025. The reports are required by Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 3 and must be received before the end of the legislative session to meet statutory deadlines. Council took no action; the item was received for information only.2026-07-29 · movedadoptedConfirmation of minutes from June 2026 meetingCity Council formally adopted the official minutes from its previous regular meeting. The session included routine procedural motions, declarations of interest by several councillors, and the submission of a petition from residents near 989 AB Kennedy Road regarding proposed rental housing construction.2026-07-29 · spoke on the flooramendedReview of the Order Paper and Member HoldsCity Council reviewed its official agenda and procedural matters at this meeting. The mayor moved to reorder item 43.6 (a FIFA World Cup supplementary report) to be heard immediately after priority items, which was carried. Council then voted 25-0 to adopt the order paper for all non-held items.2026-07-29 · spoke on the flooradoptedToronto Tempo training facility at 701 Fleet Street; long-term lease and community access agreement approvedCity Council approved a long-term lease and community access agreement with the Toronto Tempo basketball team to build a $100 million training facility on city-owned land at 701 Fleet Street. The facility will include two basketball courts with 2,000+ hours of guaranteed public access annually, plus outdoor amenities and public space. The city receives no direct cash payment during the initial lease period but secures the facility is built, operated, and maintained at private expense while retaining control of the property.2026-07-08 · spoke on the floorPoint of Privilege: Passing of Penny Lamy and Sheldon FeynorCouncil members rose on points of privilege to recognize the deaths of Penny Lamy, a decades-long advocate for social justice and LGBTQ+ community services, and Sheldon Feynor, a Holocaust survivor who built Designer Fabric in Parkdale and served on multiple city boards. The mayor also condemned recent antisemitic attacks on local bagel shops and expressed solidarity with Toronto's Jewish community.2026-07-29 · spoke on the flooradoptedTempo Basketball Club long-term lease and community access agreement for 701 Fleet Street performance centreThe city authorized a long-term lease and community access agreement with Tempo Basketball Club Inc. for a portion of the property at 701 Fleet Street. The Executive Committee amended and recommended the authorization on July 21, 2026, with nine directives including requirements to negotiate a lease and community access agreement, secure city programming access, establish a construction management agreement, and protect confidential negotiation details. Toronto City Council adopted the amended item on July 29, 2026.2026-07-21 · spoke on the flooramendedToronto'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.2026-07-21 · spoke on the flooramendedNon-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.2026-07-21 · moved · spoke on the flooradoptedFirefighter collective bargaining handled behind closed doorsThe city council is seeking to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with Toronto Professional Firefighters' Association, Local 3888. On July 21, 2026, the Executive Committee approved confidential instructions for the bargaining mandate and authorized the Executive Director of Employee Relations to work within the total compensation mandate to reach a negotiated agreement. The committee directed that if an agreement is reached, the City Manager will report to City Council for ratification. The Executive Committee ordered that the confidential presentation remain confidential because it concerns labour relations and employee negotiations.2026-07-21 · spoke on the flooradoptedAdvancing 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 21-1.2026-07-21 · spoke on the flooradoptedTCHC annual meeting quietly flags a $4.5B repair funding cliff after 2027The item seeks to treat a City Council meeting as the Annual General Meeting for Toronto Community Housing Corporation shareholders, receive the corporation's 2025 annual report and audited financial statements, and appoint KPMG LLP as auditor for fiscal year 2026. The Executive Committee amended and recommended the item on July 21, 2026. On July 29 and 30, 2026, Toronto City Council adopted all recommendations, including a request that the corporation's Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to work with the City Manager on a plan to expand deep building retrofits, prioritize investments that revitalize and expand housing stock, reduce operating costs, and protect tenants from extreme heat, with consideration of financing options from the City and other government sources, to be reported during the 2027 budget process.2026-07-21 · moved · spoke on the floorCity 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.2026-07-21 · moved · spoke on the flooradoptedBilly Bishop Toronto City Airport expansion response; federal decision and provincial land claimsCity council received reports analyzing a provincial plan to expand Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport from 1.7 million to 10 million passengers annually, which would require expropriation of Toronto Island and Little Norway Park. The federal government announced it will not support the expansion, backing only safety runway work. The reports detail impacts on housing, transportation, waterfront revitalization, and infrastructure. Council debated the city's role in the tripartite agreement governing the airport and the province's Bill 110 expropriation framework, which is not yet in force.2026-07-16 · spoke on the flooramendedBilly Bishop Airport Proposed Expansion: Response to Council Request for Information on Housing and Transportation ImpactsCity staff reported on environmental, transportation, housing, and corporate-ownership impacts of a proposed jet expansion at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport announced by the Toronto Port Authority and Ontario. The report found serious concerns about water quality, air pollution, housing constraints, and hidden corporate beneficiaries. The federal government announced on the day of this council meeting that it would not support the expansion, limiting it to necessary safety measures only.2026-07-16 · spoke on the flooramendedToronto 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 25-0.2026-07-14 · spoke on the floor

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.

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