April 24, 1998

   To:The Chair & Members of the Urban Environment & Development Committee

 From:The Task Force on Community Safety

 Subject:The New Official Plan

 Purpose:

 The issue of public safety is one of the highest ranking priorities of the citizens of Toronto and is clearly a matter of "City-wide importance" as outlined in the Official Plan work plan. The Task Force on Community Safety is pleased that the development of a new Official Plan for the City of Toronto will "include social and environmental goals and criteria to create a comprehensive framework for planning". Several of the existing Official Plans contain policies on public safety and these have acted as a springboard for many important initiatives to deal with the issue. The Task Force understand that, in order to include social and environmental issues, the time frame for production of the new Official Plan has been expanded to two years, from the originally planned one. A key component of the early work of the Task Force will be public consultation. The Official Plan process will also include extensive public input. The Task Force would like to suggest that its consultation process be conducted in parallel with that of the Official Plan team.

 For details of the Task Force's work programme, please contact Carolyn Whitzman at 392-1183.

 Recommendation:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the Official Plan team, when considering Community Safety, be requested to co-ordinate its public consultation process with that of the Task Force, to achieve maximum efficiency in providing input on Community Safety, to the City's Official Plan.

 Councillor Rob DavisCouncillor Brad Duguid

Co-chair Task Force on Community SafetyCo-chair Task Force on Community Safety

 RS:cr