City Council meeting of June 23 and 24, 2008
Making a safe city safer - addressing gun violence in Toronto
City Council approved the use of municipal authority to reduce the availability of handguns in Toronto. Amendments to a Toronto land use zoning bylaw will restrict the use of guns and gun-associated activities to establishments operated by the police. The amendments will also restrict or prohibit establishments that manufacture, assemble, warehouse or distribute guns. The new restrictions will apply only to new firearm-related uses. Existing businesses can continue to operate until the property or establishment changes to a different use or the use is discontinued. Activities such as target practice by gun clubs in City-owned facilities will no longer be permitted.
These measures reinforce Toronto’s strategy of balanced prevention and enforcement to deter gun-related offences. The roots of gun violence are complex and therefore need to be addressed through a comprehensive approach (as outlined in Toronto’s Community Safety Plan). The City is pursuing a strategy in which all governments, police services, community agencies and businesses work together to effect beneficial change. Banning handguns is one action that will help break the cycle of violence in Toronto.
Enhancing accountability at the City of Toronto
City Council appointed Geri Sanson the City’s new Integrity Commissioner, effective September 1. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice, complaint resolution and education to Council members (as well as to appointees of most of the City’s agencies, boards and commissions) on the application of the City’s Code of Conduct and other bylaws, policies and legislation that deal with ethics in the local government. Ms. Sanson takes over the position from David Mullan, Toronto’s first integrity commissioner and the first municipal integrity commissioner in Canada.
In another appointment, Council named Linda L. Gehrke the City’s new Lobbyist Registrar, effective August 1. The registrar leads and manages the City’s lobbyist control framework, including the lobbyist registry. Ms. Gehrke will help to ensure that Council’s decision-making process is transparent, open and accountable to the public, and that lobbying activities are carried out with the highest ethical standards. Ms. Gehrke takes over the position from Marilyn Abraham, the City’s first Lobbyist Registrar.
The Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar, independent officers reporting to City Council, are two components of the City’s accountability framework required under the City of Toronto Act. The others are the Auditor General and the Ombudsperson.
Toronto museum project on the waterfront
City Council approved the continued development of the Toronto Museum Project, an initiative dedicated to chronicling Toronto’s history through the lens of social, cultural and economic diversity with a strong emphasis on the city’s post-Second World War development. The plan recommends that a new, iconic building be built on the City-owned former Canada Malting property at the foot of Bathurst Street to house the museum as part of the mixed-use redevelopment. In addition to the museum, the new building will also be home to the Global Cities Gallery, a hub for learning, dialogue and research on the development of liveable, sustainable cities. This project is aligned with Toronto’s Agenda for Prosperity and promotion of a strong tourism sector. Preliminary work on the project has included extensive consultation with the public.
Taxi fares
Council adopted motions to increase the initial taxicab pick-up fee by $1, from $3 to $4, and raise the meter per kilometre rate from 25 cents per 0.170 kilometres (170 metres) to 25 cents for every 0.155 kilometres (155 metres) travelled. Under the new fare schedule, a 5-km trip will now cost $11.50 instead of $10. The recommended rate increases are intended to help offset the cost for taxicab drivers of rising fuel prices.
New police station
Council voted in favour of allowing the Toronto Police Service to build a new police station on the site of a vacant 94-year-old school in the city’s west end. Council also directed that, where possible, Carleton Public School’s significant historical features be preserved and incorporated into the design for the new police station.
Beautifying Bloor Street
Council approved a plan to transform Bloor Street between Avenue Road and St. Paul’s Square into a pedestrian-friendly environment. The project will be financed by the Bloor Street Business Improvement Area, with the City contributing some of the funds for the road construction costs. The end result will be a vibrant commercial area that is pedestrian and environmentally friendly.
New name for former Automotive Building
City Council approved a 10-year sponsorship agreement between Exhibition Place and MTS Allstream Inc. The new conference centre being built within the heritage facade of the former Automotive Building will be named Allstream Centre - A Conference and Convention Centre at Exhibition Place. The naming rights fees will be used to convert the heritage building to a state-of-the-art conference centre that is intended to achieve the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating design standard.
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.
