City Council meeting of October 1, 2002

Toronto computer leasing inquiry
Council decided to expand the scope of the public inquiry into City computer leases. The inquiry, which was adjourned on the day it was scheduled to begin (September 30), is now to include an examination of consulting contracts with three other companies in addition to MFP Financial Services Ltd.

Restrictions on drive-throughs
Council approved restrictions on drive-through fast food restaurants and other drive-through operations situated near residential neighbourhoods, also adopting requirements for drive-throughs that are permitted in other locations. Staff reported that traffic volume, noise and other issues associated with drive-throughs make them incompatible with residential neighbourhoods. The restrictions and guidelines will become part of Toronto's zoning bylaws.

Toronto Order of Merit
The City of Toronto will acknowledge outstanding citizen involvement in the city with a new Toronto Order of Merit. Council approved the proposed award program, which is expected to commence in 2003 under the guidance of an advisory committee.

Office expenses, third-party donations
Council adopted a set of recommendations concerning Council members' use of personal funds, the corporate logo, and third-party donations and sponsorships. It was decided that councillors must use their office budgets, not personal funds, to pay for their City office expenses such as printing services. Council also referred the matter to its Ethics Steering Committee for further review.

Anti-sweatshop purchasing policy
Council approved a purchasing policy that will require the City to buy its uniforms and other apparel items from "no sweat manufacturers" that respect the rights of their workers regarding working conditions and pay. The City spends millions of dollars a year on uniforms for emergency services staff and other public employees. Council's action is in line with similar procurement policies adopted by many cities in the United States.

City-wide ravine bylaw
The protection of ravines and their natural features is the subject of a Council decision creating a city-wide ravine bylaw that will replace related pre-amalgamation bylaws. Ravine protection will consist of a combination of enforcement and education about these important features of Toronto's natural heritage. Development applications that were already approved are exempt from the new bylaw.

Graffiti removal initiative
Council approved in principle a pilot program intended to encourage members of Business Improvement Areas to play a role in the City's efforts to clean up graffiti. Consultations with BIA members will determine whether the program proceeds.

Policy on welfare fraud
Council expressed its support for the position that people convicted of social assistance fraud should be given a second chance. Under Ontario's zero tolerance policy, those convicted of the offence are banned from ever again receiving social assistance payments. Toronto Social Services reported that social assistance fraud is not a pervasive problem in Toronto, and that the City bears the consequences of lifetime bans, such as the resulting need to assist families that face extreme hardship. Council will ask the province to reconsider the policy.

Nurse practitioners in homes for the aged
Council expressed its support for securing nurse practitioners (nurses with additional training in relevant areas) for roles in Toronto's long-term care facilities for the aged. A recent two-year pilot project in Toronto homes for the aged yielded positive results for resident care and family satisfaction.

Advisory group on new technologies
Council supported the creation of a citizen and expert advisory group to guide a City review of new technologies, policies and practices in the processing of municipal solid waste. One focus will be advanced thermal technologies. The City is pursuing various initiatives, including three-stream separation, in an effort to divert 60 per cent of waste away from landfill by 2006 and 100 per cent by 2010.

School funding formula
Council voted in support of making recommendations to the Ontario Education Equality Task Force encouraging the provincial government to change its educational funding formula in several respects. For example, the City takes the position that the formula should recognize the unique costs of large urban schools that educate a highly diverse and multilingual population with socio-economic challenges.

Previous Council Highlights

For inquiries about the official documentation of Council decisions, contact the City Clerk by e-mail, clerk@toronto.ca

Council Highlights, produced for your convenience, is a summary of Council's recent decisions. Council Highlights is not intended to serve as an official record of the meeting. If you have questions about this summary, please e-mail Strategic Communications at stratcom@toronto.ca.