City Council meeting of October 26 to 28, 2005

Soccer stadium for Toronto
Plans for a 20,000-seat soccer stadium at Exhibition Place won Council's support after hours of debate. Council's decision includes the commitment of about $10 million in City funding to the project. The federal and Ontario governments have committed a total of $35 million and private-sector partner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has agreed to contribute $18 million to the stadium's construction. The waterfront facility is expected to cost about $63 million to build. The Canadian Soccer Association is also a key supporter of the project.

Tax relief for businesses
Council approved a strategy designed to reduce the tax burden that has contributed to a trend of businesses choosing to locate in nearby municipalities that have lower business taxes than Toronto. The plan will gradually shift a fraction of the property tax load currently paid by businesses to the residential property class rate over a period of 15 years, starting in 2006. The goal is a tax ratio in which business taxes (commercial, industrial and multi-residential) will come down to 2.5 times the residential tax. The change will add about $10 to the average household's annual tax bill. Council also took steps to attract commercial investment and promote the upkeep of heritage properties.

Child care spaces in Toronto
Council endorsed the allocation of federal funding that will create about 6,000 additional child care spaces in Toronto over the next three years. The province is overseeing implementation of the national child care program through its Best Start initiative. The City will use its $125 million in Best Start funding to build on Toronto's existing Child Care Service Plan.

Independent study of northern sewer plan
Council took action to oppose plans for a major sewer line expansion supporting development in York Region north of Toronto - a sewer project that many observers contend will damage the watershed on which Toronto depends. City Council approved funding for an independent study of the "big pipe" project north of the city and will ask Ontario's environment minister to defer provincial approval of the 19th Avenue sewer (which would traverse the Oak Ridges Moraine and sensitive aquifers) in order to permit the consideration of alternatives. In addition, the City is asking for an assessment of potential impacts under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Affordable housing projects
Council approved funding for two affordable housing projects, mostly involving money available to the City under the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. One project will involve Toronto Artscape's development of 26 live-work units in the Wychwood Green/Arts Barn initiative. The other project will involve the City's purchase of a downtown property at 110 Edward St. for the creation of what is expected to amount to about 300 units of affordable and mixed-use housing.

Election campaign finances
Council decided to end the practice of giving Toronto municipal election candidates the option of offering tax rebates to corporations and unions that contribute money to the candidate's election campaign. As a condition of candidates' participation in the 2006 Election Contribution Rebate Program, any campaign financial surpluses must be given to the City of Toronto.

Survey of homeless population
Council approved a plan to assess the needs of homeless people in Toronto. Staff, volunteers and community agencies will conduct this survey one night next spring.

Neighbourhood support strategy
Council adopted a Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy that builds on the City's current efforts at community building (such as the Community Safety Plan established last year). The Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy, which involves co-ordinating resources and creating new partnerships, identifies 13 priority neighbourhoods for investment in their social and physical infrastructures. Specific financial resources for those investments will be determined during the City's 2006 budget process.

Motorcycle parking
Operators of motorcycles will benefit from a decision to give them free parking on Toronto streets. Council agreed to amend City bylaws in order to exempt motorcycles from parking fees at on-street parking meters/machines. The rationale is that parking receipts tend to disappear from parked motorcycles, resulting in unwarranted parking fines. Council also wants the Toronto Parking Authority to consider designating areas for motorcycle parking at its parking lots.

Renewable energy in Toronto
Energy consumption and air pollution were the focus as Council directed staff to create an action plan aimed at increasing the City's use of energy from renewable sources. Further, the City's "green-power" strategy will encourage all Torontonians to choose green power over fossil fuels whenever possible.

Response to Bellamy Report
(This item deals with an action that Council took at its September 2005 meeting. The item was inadvertently left off the print version of Council Highlights for September, but was included in the online edition.)
Council decided to take a series of actions in response to receipt of Madam Justice Denise Bellamy's report on the Toronto Computer Leasing Inquiry and the Toronto External Contracts Inquiry. Among its actions, Council directed the City Manager, in consultation with the City's Integrity Commissioner and Auditor General, to consult with all members of Council in a review of, and response to, the report's recommendations. Council also referred the report to the police for investigation and to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency for review of certain issues. Council also directed the Integrity Commissioner, the City Clerk and the City Solicitor to take specific actions with respect to Justice Bellamy's findings.

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.