Voting Record
On October 1 and 4, 2021, City Council received a report recommending that "City Council not proceed with a no-fault grant program," citing "practical and equity challenges" and noting that the City is "not legally obligated to provide" such a program. Despite this, Council requested a supplementary report on "criteria, funding, funding sources and an implementation plan" for a no-fault grant for Rockcliffe area residents experiencing basement flooding.
This Item takes steps “to establish a credit facility with the Canada Infrastructure Bank [to finance] the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) procurement of Zero Emission Buses. As part of the overall process, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) requires the City and the TTC to enter into a non- binding Memorandum of Understanding before a final agreement for a multi-year credit facility is completed.”
Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), “the City offers low-interest loans to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in support of the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and net-zero emissions target.
The challenges of housing affordability and supply in the City of Toronto continue to be apriority for the City and every effort is being undertaken through partnerships, collaborationand activation of sites across the City for the purpose of affordable and supportive housing. Itis critical that housing on all potential sites across the City be foremost in terms of developmentof any kind. In this context, it is both prudent and required that any potential developmentbeing considered on any site across the City include consideration for potential affordablehousing opportunities and this requirement should be included in the planning process in so faras explanations should be a constituent part of applications for development when housing isnot included.
Life Lease Housing is not ownership housing, but rather it is the right to occupy a residentialunit for a pre-determined amount of time, often a lifetime as the name suggests.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of life lease communities. Many aremarketed towards seniors as an alternative form of housing, often at a lower price, compared tobuying a comparable condominium unit.
This Motion asks City staff to explore the existing regulatory framework for Life LeaseHousing with an aim to ensure purchaser protection. Life lease pre construction projects do nothave to follow all of the same rules as pre construction condominium units, and are not coveredunder the Tarion Home Warranty program. The Motion also asks staff to address whether thereare opportunities to support this type of housing as part of a full range of housing options
“The Rockcliffe-Smythe area is located in Ward 5 (York South—Weston) and is the most flood vulnerable area in the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. There are hundreds of buildings within the regulatory floodplain of Black Creek and Lavender Creek; many of these properties experience frequent surface and basement flooding during severe storms.”
“Since colonization, Indigenous People have experienced many traumas, including displacement from their land, erasure of language and culture, residential schools, and systemic racism at every level of government and institution. The impacts of these traumas are present today, and are evidenced in the higher rates of houselessness, violence, suicide and poverty. Despite this, Indigenous People have shown incredible resilience and strength… The Reconciliation Action Plan is a living document and will continue to grow and evolve as needed in order to respond to changing needs of Indigenous communities in Toronto.”
“Since colonization, Indigenous People have experienced many traumas, including displacement from their land, erasure of language and culture, residential schools, and systemic racism at every level of government and institution. The impacts of these traumas are present today, and are evidenced in the higher rates of houselessness, violence, suicide and poverty. Despite this, Indigenous People have shown incredible resilience and strength… The Reconciliation Action Plan is a living document and will continue to grow and evolve as needed in order to respond to changing needs of Indigenous communities in Toronto.”
This report recommends establishing a planning framework to permit garden suites on lands within the City of Toronto that are designated as Neighbourhoods by amending both the Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-law.
A “garden suite” is an additional self-contained living accommodation, usually located in the rear yard, but not on a public lane, and is separate or detached from the main house. Garden suites are generally smaller than the main house on the lot and are intended to function as rental housing as well as accommodation for a variety of types of households. The Garden Suites Study is part of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) work program.
The proposed garden suite regulations detailed in this report respond to amendments to the Planning Act made in 2011 and 2019, which require that a City's Official Plan contain policies that authorize the use of additional residential units in detached, semi-detached and rowhouses, and in a building or structure ancillary to those residential building types on the same lot.
Garden suites are a new form of rental housing, multi-generational housing, and an option for aging in-place, for current and future residents of Toronto. The proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments represent part of an appropriate, sensitive, and gradual evolution of Neighbourhoods. The proposed amendments are rooted in the fundamental principles to create complete communities and provide a full range of housing in terms of form, tenure, and affordability for residents across the city, in a form that makes efficient use of land. The proposed amendments acknowledge the Official Plan's objective that physical change to Neighbourhoods will be gradual, and that new development be consistent with the scale of buildings that already exist across the city's Neighbourhoods.
“The City offers low-interest loans to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in support of the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and net-zero emissions target.”
“The planned 22,000 sq. ft. Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship facility will be situated in a commercial space located at 200 Dundas Street East. The first of its kind in Ontario, when it opens in 2023 the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will become one of only a handful of incubators in Canada dedicated to Indigenous economic empowerment and business development. As such, the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship presents a significant opportunity to support and connect First Nations, Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs across Toronto, Ontario and Canada to critical resources and each other.”
“The climate crisis grows more urgent every year. The window to make significant and lasting change is disappearing. Action must happen immediately and it must be at the necessary scale required to respond to this crisis.” In response, the Net Zero Strategy triggers new and accelerated implementation actions to drive down community-wide emissions, particularly in the short term, and establishes the trajectory needed to reach net zero by 2040.
The Housing Now Initiative was approved by City Council in January 2019 to activate City-owned lands to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing within transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use, complete communities. This signature program is a key component of the City's HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan and is central to enabling the City to meet its target of approving 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive homes, by 2030. Of the overall 40,000 new affordable rental homes, the City has committed to delivering 10,000 using its own land and financial incentives.
In 2019, as part of phase one of the Housing Now Initiative, 11 properties were approved by City Council to create an estimated 10,000 new homes, including 3,700 affordable rental homes ("Phase One"). In May, 2020, City Council approved six additional sites to be added to the initiative as part of phase two, with the potential to create up to 1,700 additional homes, including up to 620 affordable rental homes ("Phase Two").
The total 17 sites across Phases One and Two are currently in various stages of development. Seven sites have progressed through the re-zoning process, three of which have development partners selected with construction estimated to begin by early-to-mid-2022. Additionally, through the planning approval process, the original residential unit targets were exceeded and the program is now on track to create an estimated 13,479 new homes, including 3,037 ownership homes and 10,142 purpose-built rental homes, of which 5,005 will be affordable. The new affordable rental homes to be created under this program will provide much-needed affordable housing options to address a wide range of housing needs and incomes.
This report provides an update on the results of the 2021 Street Needs Assessment (SNA), and seeks Council approval of the attached Homelessness Solutions Service Plan for Shelter, Support and Housing Administration (SSHA).
The SNA, conducted in April 2021 for the fifth time in Toronto, is a needs assessment survey and point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto led by SSHA, in collaboration with community partners in the homelessness sector. The 2021 results provide critical data needed to understand the impact of the pandemic on homelessness, and to understand broader service needs of people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. The SNA also gives people experiencing homelessness a voice in what services would help them get housing and the supports they need to end their homelessness.
Based on the results of the SNA, as well as extensive engagement and feedback with frontline staff, service providers, sector partners and people with lived experience of homelessness, the Homelessness Solutions Service Plan identifies the implementation priorities to guide SSHA and our partners in the homelessness service system in Toronto over the next three years. The plan supports our ongoing efforts to build and strengthen a responsive homelessness service delivery system which uses an integrated and person-centred approach to address homelessness.
A sidewalk installation on Dwight Avenue between Birmingham Street and Maple Street in Ward 3 will result in the removal of twelve trees in the work zone, adjacent to Second Street Junior Middle School. Project staff have explored alternative options, and confirmed that there is no way to accommodate the sidewalk, and maintain the existing trees. There is significant concern among the local community that too many neighbourhood trees are being removed through various building and construction projects.
Ten of the twelve trees are tree species that are no longer being planted due to various impacts such as susceptibility to forest pests, like the Emerald Ash Borer or invasive qualities. As we know, because of these types of pests, it is likely that Ash trees in the City will require removal in the future. While the loss of these trees is significant, there is an opportunity to offset the removal, and bolster our tree canopy by increasing the replanting ratio, and planting healthier trees now.
Toronto is known around the world for its abundance of parks, expansive greenspaces, and sprawling ravine network. With an estimated 11.5 million trees, Toronto's canopy coverage is an impressive 28-31 percent and provides annual benefits worth over $55 million, including carbon sequestration, pollution removal, energy savings, and runoff reductions. When healthy, mature trees are removed, it takes decades or even centuries for saplings to restore their benefits.
The City has invested significant resources in protecting and enhancing Toronto's tree canopy. In 2017, City Council adopted the Toronto Ravine Strategy, providing an interdivisional framework for the management of our precious ravine system. City Council has also taken numerous steps to emphasize the importance of trees in the development review process, including introducing annual training for Committee of Adjustment members on Tree By-law related considerations in development applications.
“The HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan established a target of approving 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive homes by 2030. In October 2020, City Council approved an allocation of 5,200 of these new homes for Indigenous Peoples to be directly delivered by Indigenous housing providers and supported by the City and other orders of government.”
The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the community engagement undertaken, changes made to the proposal since originally submitted, and present the recommended plan and zoning relief sought for the modular housing proposal at 74, 82, 130, 150, 160, and 162 Dunn Avenue, 1-17 Close Avenue, and 74 and 78 Springhurst Avenue ("150 Dunn Avenue") in Parkdale-High Park (Ward 4). This proposal is advancing under the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) and will create approximately 51 supportive homes for people experiencing homelessness in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN) Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine and the United Way of Greater Toronto (UWGT).
The creation of modular affordable rental housing with support services is a key element of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which has an approval target of 18,000 supportive homes, including 1,000 modular homes, by 2030. To date, 100 modular homes were completed through Phase One at 11 Macey Avenue (Ward 20 - Scarborough Southwest) and 321 Dovercourt Road (formerly 150 Harrison Street) (Ward 9 - Davenport). Additional modular supportive housing proposals are underway that are targeted for completion by the end of 2021 and Spring of 2022.
The 150 Dunn Avenue site has been identified as suitable for construction of modular housing to create new affordable rental housing. The homes are targeted for occupancy by the spring of 2022.
The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a federal capital funding program which aims to create new affordable rental housing within a 12-month timeframe for vulnerable and marginalized people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The second phase of RHI was announced by the Government of Canada on June 30, 2021 and will deliver $1.5 billion in grant funding nationally to support the construction of more than 4,700 units across Canada. This funding will be delivered through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and will support the creation of new permanent affordable housing units through funding the construction of new rental housing, as well as the acquisition of land, and the conversion/rehabilitation of existing buildings to affordable housing. This builds on the $1 billion invested nationally in late 2020 for the first phase of the RHI which allocated $203 million under the Major Cities stream to Toronto and will create an estimated 540 new affordable rental homes.
On July 29, 2021, the Government of Canada announced Toronto's allocation for Phase Two of approximately $132 million under the 'Cities' stream with a requirement to create a minimum of 233 new units of affordable rental housing. In addition to this guaranteed allocation, working with Indigenous and non-profit housing providers, the City has updated and resubmitted Phase One unfunded projects for consideration under the Phase Two 'Projects' steam, representing a total of almost 1,000 potential new units of affordable housing. Submissions under the 'Projects' stream compete nationally and final decisions on successful bids are expected in late October, 2021.
“Through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), the City offers low-interest loans to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in support of the City’s TransformTO climate action strategy and net-zero emissions target.” New funding “will be used to enhance the City's current HELP program and help Toronto homeowners undertake home energy efficiency retrofits and support the local economy.”
At its meeting of June 8 and 9, 2021 City Council adopted report PH23.5 – Modular Housing Initiative – Phase Two – 7 Glamorgan. The report presented a modular housing proposal for this site, summarized the proposed community engagement process and recommended that City Council endorse, in principle, a request to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make a Minister's Zoning Order to provide necessary zoning relief to permit the developments.
City Council also requested the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to report to the July 14 and 15, 2021 meeting on the final recommended proposal and the relief to the Zoning By-law required to permit the proposed development. This report responds to that request
The creation of modular affordable rental housing with support services is a key element of the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan, which has an approval target of 18,000 supportive homes, including the creation of at least 1,000 modular homes, over the next ten years. To date, 100 modular homes are completed through Phase One at 11 Macey Avenue (Ward 20 - Scarborough Southwest) and 321 Dovercourt Road (formerly 150 Harrison Street) (Ward 9 - Davenport). Additional modular supportive housing proposals are underway that are targeted for completion by Spring of 2022.
The 150 Dunn Avenue site is owned by the University Health Network and is currently developed with a 4 storey rehabilitation establishment known as the Bickle Centre, a 4 storey long term care facility, and a series of detached houses. The site is also subject to an application for a 6 storey extension to the existing Lakeside Long-term Care Centre (application number 19 112609 STE 04 OZ).
A portion of the site fronting onto Dunn Avenue has been identified as suitable for construction of modular housing to create new affordable rental housing (see Attachment 1). The target completion and occupancy date for the site is spring 2022. Based on the conceptual site plans prepared for the site, relief to the existing zoning provisions would be required. The required relief will be finalized following community feedback and completion of detailed building and site design.
“We can't wait any longer for action. Our youth and future generations have the most to lose from a lack of immediate action to stop fossil fuel expansion as they face major and lifelong health, ecological, social and economic impacts from prolonged and cumulative effects of climate change, including food and water shortages, infectious diseases and natural disasters and entire communities are impacted by the health and safety risks of fossil fuel expansion, especially those who also face socioeconomic and health inequities.”
Building on the city-wide work embodied in TransformTO, the City has developed a comprehensive Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy that will chart a path to a decarbonized and net zero emissions building sector. The Strategy presents the background information and set of recommended building-scale actions and city-wide policies necessary for the City of Toronto to transform its existing building sector.
This report presents a proposed modular housing development for 7 Glamorgan Avenue, outlines the community engagement process and recommends that Council endorse, in principle, the use of a Minister's Zoning Order to provide any necessary relief from the in-force zoning by-law regulations to permit the proposal. This proposal is one of the sites under Phase Two of the City's Modular Housing Initiative. The other sites currently advancing in Phase Two are 175 Cummer Avenue (Ward 18 Willowdale) and a property at the corner of Trenton and Cedarvale Avenues (Ward 19 Beaches East York). In addition, a modular housing site is proposed through the Rapid Housing Initiative at 75 Tandridge Crescent (Ward 1 - Etobicoke North).
The City is committed to working with local communities to provide accurate and timely information about the project, answer questions and collect their feedback and input, including ideas for how to support and welcome the new residents into the neighbourhood. There will be a number of opportunities for residents to learn more about the new homes with supports planned at 7 Glamorgan Ave. The first virtual community meeting is scheduled for May 25, 2021. Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division is currently preparing a Site Plan Approval application submission in conjunction with the retained modular housing supplier.
The 75 Tandridge Crescent property is owned by Toronto Community Housing and is currently developed with a ten-storey apartment building. There is an existing surface parking lot, driveway, basketball court and outdoor play area on the west side of the site. The north end of the west side of the site is proposed to be redeveloped with a five-storey, approximately 113 unit modular rental apartment building. The driveway, basketball court and outdoor play area would be relocated and replaced on site as part of the development and the location determined in consultation with the neighbours and Toronto Community Housing Corporation.
The City is committed to working with the local community to provide accurate and timely information about the project and to respond to questions and collect community feedback and input, including ideas on how to support and integrate the new residents into the neighbourhood. There will be a number of opportunities for residents to learn more about the new homes with the supports to be planned to support the new residents. Community meetings are proposed in May and June to provide information on the proposal and present site and building design concepts for community input and feedback. The first virtual community engagement meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2021. Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division is currently preparing a Site Plan Approval application submission for the site in conjunction with the retained building and architectural firm.
On May 27, 2021, the Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation announced the discovery of 215 Indigenous children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops. This discovery has retraumatized many First Nations, Métis and Inuit across Turtle Island, who have long been dealing with the intergenerational trauma and lasting impacts of being forcibly removed from their families and communities, put into residential and day schools and forced to abandon their traditions, cultural practices and languages in order to assimilate them.
Residential schools operated in Canada for more than 160 years, up until the late 1990s, were Federally funded, and church-run. The last school closed in 1996. This discovery must move our Country and our Governments beyond words of condolences and toward actions that advance truth and reconciliation. We must recommit to advancing the Calls for Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the Calls for Justice from the MMIWG2S Final Report - Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
These actions must be far reaching and must work to advance access to housing, clean water, prosperity and justice for all Indigenous people, in partnership with Indigenous communities.
The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the community engagement process undertaken and present the recommended plan and zoning relief sought for the modular housing proposal at 20 Bracebridge Avenue (Ward 19 - Beaches East York). The site is bounded by Trenton, Cedarvale and Bracebridge Avenues, and has previously been referred to as "Trenton & Cedarvale". This report also recommends that City Council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing make a Minister's Zoning Order to provide the necessary zoning relief to permit the modular housing development. This proposal is advancing as part of Phase Two of the City's Modular Housing Initiative.
“Plastic pollution is recognized by the Government of Canada, as well as governments and scientists around the world, as damaging to the environment. Residents of the City of Toronto are seeing the impact, now more than ever, of the amount of waste and recycling we create every week when we put out our bins having stayed at home during the pandemic…Municipalities bear a significant burden of managing plastics - as collectors of plastics in the recycling and garbage streams, and as the collector of plastics that end up in the environment in our greenspaces and Waterways. This requires substantial investment in waste management and clean-up costs both from the City and its residents.”
The purpose of this report is to recommend that City Council request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to make two Minister's Zoning Orders in order to permit the creation of supportive affordable housing in existing buildings at 222 Spadina Avenue and 877 Yonge Street.
“The Surface Transit Network Plan is a roadmap to guide the planning, implementation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of Toronto's transit priority measures…Once Council approves the Surface Transit Network Plan, City staff will undertake corridor-specific studies to determine the feasibility, benefits and impacts of various transit priority measures, informed by community consultation.”
“Urgent action is needed to establish a robust network of electric vehicle charging stations; and to achieve carbon-neutral targets by 2050, Canada Post must greatly accelerate the electrification of its fleet. This will help continue to push Toronto toward its goal to eliminate GHG emissions.”
“The Province of Ontario has revived a proposal to build the Greater Toronto Area West Highway (413), a fully separated 400-series highway in the northwest Greater Toronto Area. Its construction threatens critical agricultural lands, sensitive waterways, protected Greenbelt lands and conservation areas, as well as tens of thousands of jobs and billions in agriculture-related economic activity.”
“The carbon footprint of this highway will drive up greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, which have been steadily increasing in recent years. The highway is also in direct opposition to the City of Toronto's climate emergency declaration and commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Toronto Transit Commission has informed the residents of Toronto that the Scarborough Rapid Transit – Scarborough Line 3 – will no longer run past 2023. This is 3 years sooner than what City Council was previously told and would leave Scarborough residents on long bus rides for 7 years if the province builds the still unfunded Scarborough Subway on time…The Toronto Transit Commission has estimated that the discontinuation of Scarborough Rapid Transit service will result in a loss of ridership due to an eighteen minute average increase in commute time. It is estimated that this inferior service will cost over $300 million in additional capital and operating costs. Further, the Toronto Transit Commission states that the increase in buses will cause traffic delays and impacts on local residential neighbourhoods
“The Government of Ontario is planning to increase its reliance on gas-fired electricity to replace the output of the Pickering Nuclear Station (its operating licence expires on December 31, 2024) and to meet a rising demand for electricity.” Toronto “must join 13 municipal governments across Ontario, to ask that the Provincial government develop and implement a plan to phase-out all gas-fired electricity generation as soon as possible, to help municipalities in Ontario meet their climate targets.”
This document discusses the recommendation of recruiting individuals "for the Board of Directors for the seniors housing corporation." This “corporation will operate affordable rental and social housing for approximately 14,000 low and moderate-income senior households in 83 senior-designated buildings. These housing units are currently operated by the Seniors Housing Unit of Toronto Community Housing Corporation.”
The Light Rapid Transit was approved, funded, and shovel-ready when it was cancelled in 2013 for a subway that was designed on the back of a napkin. Since that time there have been many different plans and promises to deliver a subway, but Scarborough residents are no closer to being delivered transit than they were seven years ago.” “The 7-stop Scarborough Light Rapid Transit would provide more service, for fewer dollars, and can be up and running sooner. It’s finally time for City Council to make the right decision to serve Scarborough residents
On November 5, 2020, the Government of Ontario introduced Bill 229, Protect, Support and Recover from COVID-19 Act (Budget Measures), 2020, an Omnibus Bill that proposes limitations to Conservation Authorities’ permitting, planning and enforcement powers if passed, will work to diminish Conservation Authorities’ ability to fulfill the Act’s purpose and objects.
Conservation Authorities are tasked with protecting life and property and the preservation of significant natural features within our watersheds and fastgrowing communities in the Greater Toronto Area. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority plays a crucial role in the permitting process, often on behalf of our partner municipalities.
As a part of an initiative by the Government of Canada to “create new affordable rental housing in response to the urgent housing needs of vulnerable and marginalized individuals” including modular housing, the contribution made by the city of Toronto to the “The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI)” must “create a minimum of 417 units of new
permanent affordable housing” which will be accomplished through $203,265,729 in funding from the “Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).”
“The ActiveTO initiative has played a vital role in Toronto’s recovery and rebuild process, providing city residents of all ages and abilities with new, temporary and permanent, bikeways, which allow them to enjoy fresh air, obtain healthy exercise, and safely get around the city. The benefit of these cycling facilities must now be expanded to reach other parts of the city. Building a resilient city not only means providing clean and safe transportation alternatives during the current pandemic but achieving existing city policies, including the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, the Cycling Network Plan, TransformTO’s climate mitigation plan through the reduction of short trips travelled by car, as well as the City’s equity and public health initiatives.” The City highlights that it is “crucial [to] prioritize a temporary bikeway along Yonge Street in Midtown, aligned with TTC’s Line 1.”
“Gasoline-powered leaf blowers and other types of small engine equipment are powered by inefficient two-stroke engines. The process of incomplete fuel combustion generates dangerous hydrocarbon 500 times that of an average automobile and produces toxic aerosol (including carcinogenic particulates) for us to breathe in.”
Historically, Toronto has lost much of its native biodiversity due to urbanization, including the destruction of forests, filling of ravines, and damming of waterways. While Toronto has made progress in protecting and managing natural habitats, challenges remain. Approximately "75% of the City's ravines and natural areas surveyed contain invasive species," with one-third severely impacted. With this is mind, Toronto’s first Biodiversity Strategy aims to foster healthier, more robust biodiversity and increase awareness of nature through a comprehensive vision, ten principles, and 23 actions under the themes of Protect, Restore, Design, and Engage. The strategy seeks to position Toronto as a leader in protecting and restoring urban biodiversity by developing an ecological integrity framework, advancing invasive species management, and joining the Biophilic Cities Network.
To support reducing difficulties regarding homelessness and housing, “the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan” was adopted with a plan to “to help over 340,000 households through the approval of over 40,000 new affordable rental homes, including 18,000 supportive housing units over the next 10 years” and “increase housing stability for Toronto residents.” This policy also involves generating a “a six-month action plan to address the urgent issue of homelessness in the City” completed through the formation of two working groups of staff: Intergovernmental (in collaboration with provincial and federal governments) and Inter-divisional (collaborating with additional stakeholders). The Action Plan also involves assisting to “support a 24-month plan for the delivery of 3,000 affordable and supportive homes as part of recovery planning.”
Based on a 2019 motion “Expanding Housing Options in Toronto - Tackling the Missing Middle and the Yellowbelt,” City Planning was directed by City Council “to report on options and a timeline to increase housing options and planning permissions in areas of Toronto designated as Neighbourhoods.” “The term “missing middle” refers to housing types ranging from duplexes to low-rise walk-up apartments, all of which can be found in many parts of Toronto today, but which are also limited in where they can be newly built.”
This Bill was established by the provincial government in March 2020 which amends various Acts (e.g., Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, Building Code Act, 1992, etc.). This document discusses the connection between this policy and “the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan” and how housing is a human right. The proposed alterations made to this policy have been acknowledged by the city to “have the potential to impact peoples' access to adequate, safe, secure and affordable housing and as such the recommendations in the City's submission reflect the need to balance affordability and tenant access to the justice system.” In addition, “Bill 184 introduces amendments that would see tenants receive increased compensation for illegitimate activity or for no-fault evictions.”
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area's fare integration offers an "opportunity to increase transit ridership and improve affordability" for residents. The Provincial funding for the "$1.50 co-fare between GO Transit and the Toronto Transit Commission," was first introduced in 2018 and expired later on March 31, 2020. Despite this, demand was high, with "over 4.5 million more rides than were budgeted for in 2019-20." Toronto City Council supports the co-fare program and aims for "full and affordable fare integration," including a "single fare for all transit trips within the City of Toronto."
"The Cycling Network Plan Update names Bloor Street as a Major City-Wide Cycling Route. In summer 2019, Council directed Transportation Services to initiate planning, design and consultation for an extension of the Bloor Street West cycle tracks from where they currently end at Shaw Street, to continue west to High Park Avenue, with implementation targeted to take place as early as summer 2020."
As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to higher levels of homelessness and other housing issues that occurred even before the pandemic, city council urged the creation of a report to “increase the supply of affordable housing” which includes recommending “Council approve the purchase and installation of 110 modular units to be used as supportive housing for homeless individuals within the City's shelter system by September 2020 and another 140 units in 2021.” In order to fund building these homes, “$28.75 million in City funding and about $12.76 million in Open Door program incentives” has been requested for approval.
Every Tree Counts: A Portrait of Toronto's Urban Forest was first published in 2010 and subsequently revised in 2013. Toronto's first-ever tree canopy assessment provided necessary baseline data to help the City make management decisions to meet urban forestry objectives. The 2008 canopy study made use of two distinct approaches to quantitatively determine the extent and distribution of urban forest cover: (1) the manual photo-interpretation of land cover class for approximately 10,000 randomly distributed sample points using 2009 leaf-on aerial imagery, and (2) a forest cover estimate derived through a semi-automated land cover classification process using 2007 leaf-on satellite imagery.
Toronto's canopy cover was estimated to be between 26.6 and 28 percent. The random point sampling method estimated 26.6 percent canopy cover while the semi-automated land cover classification method estimated 28 percent canopy cover. The semi-automated method included post-classification manual corrections by USDA Forest Service staff.
Tree canopy studies of this kind are an important part of the adaptive management cycle for Urban Forestry. They allow City staff to work with reliable data to adjust program activities that reflect the changing nature of the urban forest and evolving management issues.
“Residents throughout the City have been waiting for years for upgrades to municipal infrastructure that will help reduce the risk of flooding to both public and private property. Basement Flooding Investigation Environmental Assessments have been carried out throughout the City to develop plans to reduce the risk of flooding. In some cases these Environmental Assessments, some of which are still underway, have taken years to complete. Communities throughout the City and across Ontario would benefit from a similar process so that measures to reduce the risk of flooding can proceed to design and eventually construction as soon as possible.”
The Update on Flood Mitigation and Damage Repair for Toronto's Waterfront and Toronto Island Park report addresses City Council's request for an update on the Toronto Islands Flood Characterization and Risk Assessment Project, which aims to assist the City and TRCA in planning for future flooding through "flood characterization, flood risk assessment, and flood mapping." It also updates on repairs and mitigation efforts from 2017 and 2018 weather events and provides a preliminary assessment of the 2019 high lake effect.
The cost of Toronto Transit Commission fares on a student’s monthly budget can be prohibitively expensive. Given the recent cuts to OSAP this can consume a significant portion of a student’s budget, with university tuition alone hovering around $7000-8000 for domestic students and $38,000 for international students…Unlike seniors and youth ages 13 to 19, students over the age of 19 are not eligible for discounted single Toronto Transit Commission fares. While university and college students who are enrolled full-time could receive a discount through the existing Post-Secondary Metropass, it is too expensive for many students
“Hundreds of governments around the world and major cities across Canada have recognized the urgency of the climate threat by declaring a climate emergency. It is time for Toronto to do the same and to take bolder action to meet our goals of reducing emissions and building a City that is greener, healthier and resilient.”
“Toronto Community Housing Corporation undertakes revitalization projects in communities across Toronto. Revitalization projects aim to address issues relating to long-term maintenance costs associated with aging housing stock, generate funding to renovate and replace social housing stock, and provide opportunities for community development and investment through improved design, additional facilities and services, and community economic development initiatives.” The Service Manager (i.e., sole shareholder of the corporation involved) sees an opportunity for the creation of a “transparent framework for approvals and consents to better align revitalization projects with the objectives of the upcoming Toronto Housing Strategy 2020 – 2030.”
“Toronto is the most diverse City in the world and home to approximately 70,000 Indigenous persons, making it one of the largest Indigenous urban populations in Canada. Indigenous people’s history can be traced back thousands of years, yet, unlike neighbourhoods such as Chinatown or Little Italy established by newer immigrants and recent Business Improvement Area organizing, there is no formally recognized Indigenous business and cultural area in the City, despite Toronto being a City historically created on treaty and Indigenous land…[I]n 2013, the ward Councillor worked with City Planning to identify a new development at 200 Dundas Street East as a potential location for the Indigenous business centre and incubator.”
“The purpose of this [item] is to have the City of Toronto take a leadership role in eliminating single-use plastic waste in all City of Toronto facilities.”
King Street is a significant east-west corridor in the Downtown, serving the largest concentration of jobs in the entire country. The neighbourhoods along King Street have experienced tremendous growth in the past ten years, and will continue to grow in the future. King Street is also a key destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, and retail. The 504 King streetcar is the busiest surface transit corridor in the entire city and now moves more than 84,000 riders on an average weekday
King Street is a significant east-west corridor in the Downtown, serving the largest concentration of jobs in the entire country. The neighbourhoods along King Street have experienced tremendous growth in the past ten years, and will continue to grow in the future. King Street is also a key destination for culture, heritage, entertainment, and retail. The 504 King streetcar is the busiest surface transit corridor in the entire city and now moves more than 84,000 riders on an average weekday
“Toronto's Ravine System is one of the world's largest urban ecosystems and covers nearly 17 percent of our City at an area of over 11,000 hectares. It is a primary source of habitat for Toronto's terrestrial biodiversity, provides tremendous economic benefit to the City and is internationally renowned as one of Toronto's most unique and defining features. A recent scientific study from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry has demonstrated the immense ecological decline Toronto's Ravine System has endured over previous decades, concluding that widespread, science-based action must be taken immediately.”
“Community Environment Days are an important part of the City's waste reduction strategy. From 2014 to 2017, by going to their local Community Environment Day, Torontonians recycled and/or diverted from landfills” over 2 million kilograms of electronics, household hazardous waste, reusable household goods and arts and crafts supplies.
In July 2017, City Council authorized the implementation of the proposed King Street Transit Pilot between Bathurst Street and Jarvis Street with a goal of improving transit reliability, speed, and capacity on the busiest surface transit route in the city…[Furthermore], the King Street Transit Pilot was launched on November 12, 2017 and includes a robust monitoring and evaluation program. A wide range of data was collected both before and during the pilot to assess the impacts and benefits and inform the final evaluation for Council's consideration.