September 28, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Corporate Services
Subject:Toronto City Hall - Accommodation of Press Gallery
(Ward 24-Downtown)
Purpose:
To provide the Corporate Services Committee with further information with respect to present
and best practices of other municipalities and other levels of government to aid in determining
the appropriate financial terms for occupancy of office space in City Hall by members of the
press.
Financial Implications:
The costs associated with providing Media space have been detailed in the report dated
September 8, 1998 and this report advises that funds can be utilized from Capital Account
216965 (see Funds section).
Recommendation:
It is recommended that this report be received for information purposes.
Background:
The Corporate Services Committee on September 14, 1998, had before it a report (September
8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services, respecting the financial terms of the
occupancy of office space in City Hall by members of the press which recommended that:
(1)City Council adopt Option 3 as set out in that report; and
(2)The Commissioner of Corporate Services be directed, in consultation with the City
Solicitor, to enter into an occupancy agreement with the Toronto Municipal Press Gallery and
with the Globe and Mail on the basis of Option 3.
The Corporate Services Committee deferred consideration of the aforementioned report,
pending the hearing of deputations; and requested a further report be submitted that detailed
present practices and best practices.
Comments:
As indicated in my September 8, 1998 report, the former City of Toronto and Metro Toronto
provided office space and a press viewing area to the Media. With the exception of the City of
North York, all of the other five former municipalities provided only a press viewing area to
report on Council proceedings. North York had previously rented one small office to a daily
newspaper. For ease of reference this information has been compiled in a table as set out in
Appendix 1.
Further research has been conducted with other municipalities, as well as the Provincial and
Federal legislatures, to determine present practices and best practices in the provision of space
to the Media. This research has been compiled as set out in Appendix 2, and is summarized
below.
Best Practices
Most cities and other levels of government provide Media access to government proceedings
by allowing the Media general access or some other form of assigned seating arrangements
from which they may view and report on the legislative process. Many of the larger
government entities have some form of Media Centre Space for general shared use by
members of the press from which they may file their reports. In many instances, private
offices for Media outlets are not generally available. In circumstances where the space needs
of a particular Media outlet exceeds what is provided by way of a general use Media Centre
Space, then independent office space may be obtained off site, on a commercial basis. Media
space, provided in this format is in use by the press at the Federal level, as well as in other
Canadian cities. Provincially, Media space is administered through a Press Gallery which has
a common electronic distribution centre, a press lounge area and private offices for the Media
which are all provided free of charge by the Government of Ontario.
A further meeting between members of the Press Gallery and City Staff was held on
September 22, 1998, to discuss the various financial options as set out in the September 8,
1998 report, and to determine if the Press Gallery had formulated a preferred response to the
alternatives presented in the aforementioned report. A memo dated September 25, 1998 has
been received from John Spears representing the Press Gallery and expressing their concerns
and is attached as Appendix 3 to this report.
Space requirements for the proposed new Media Centre Space were developed through
consultation with the Press Gallery. Formerly, Media space within City Hall was
approximately 3,558 sq. ft., and as outlined in the aforementioned report of September 8,
1998 , it has now been determined that an increase to 4,850 sq. ft. is preferred by the Media to
accommodate their office requirements.
Funds
Should Council adopt the recommendations contained in this report regarding construction of
the Media Centre Space a construction budget of $285,000.00 is required. Funding for this
project is presently available in the Equity Account (Capital Account 216965). This account
was established to create new women's washrooms specifically in Public Works facilities in
the former City of Toronto, which were historically populated predominantly by males. The
yards rationalization process is underway. It is likely the need for these funds will be reduced
as a result of the rationalization and, in any case, the funds will not be required for a
significant period of time.
In the event Council adopts either of Options 1 or 3 contained in this report, the capital
amount of $285,000.00 required for construction could be reimbursed to the Capital Account
over the ten year cost recovery period. If Council adopts Option 2 then the reimbursement of
this Capital Account needs to be addressed.
Conclusion:
It is generally concluded that in most instances the Media Centre Space provided at other
locations is more modest than that being proposed for Toronto City Hall and the Media Centre
Space is provided free of charge.
Contact Name:
Greg Wallans, telephone 392-7135, fax 392-1880, gwallans@city.toronto.on.ca
(cs98189.wpd)
Margaret Rodrigues
Commissioner of Corporate Services
Appendix 1
Provision of Space to the Press - Practices of Former Cities
Provision of Space to the Press - Practices of Other Cities and other Levels of Government
