Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a)The Toronto Lion Dance Festival (Ward 25 - Downtown).

The Economic Development Committee reports having:

(1)recommended to the Municipal Grants Committee, the adoption of the report (January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; and

(2)requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to:

(a)report further to the Economic Development Committee on a policy governing financial support for community/city festivals; and

(b)forward the Business Plan for the Toronto Lion Dance Festival to City Council for consideration at the same meeting that the foregoing matter will be considered.

(January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, recommending that:

(1)the Lion Dance Festival programme be approved in principle and be deemed to be in the interest of the City;

(2)the Economic Development Committee request the Grant Review Committee to allocate funds of $10,000.00 to the Scadding Court Community Centre for the staging of this event in June 1999; and

(3)Toronto Parks and Recreation Division provide appropriate staff resources to assist with the Lion Dance Festival.

Mr. Kevin Lee, Executive Director, Scadding Court Community Centre, appeared before the Economic Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

(b)Harmonization of User Fees.

The Economic Development Committee reports having deferred consideration of this matter to its next meeting on February 12, 1999, and requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to forward his previously requested report to that meeting.

(i)(November 25, 1998) from the City Clerk, forwarding to the Economic Development Committee the action of the User Fee Committee on November 24, 1998, and recommending:

(1)(a)Policy Principles

-Recreation programs are important municipal services which contribute significant personal, social, economic and environmental benefits which enhance the well-being of Toronto citizens, their neighbourhoods and the local economy;

-the City of Toronto shall ensure all residents year-round accessibility to high quality community recreation and leisure programs regardless of their ability to pay;

-the City of Toronto shall ensure equity and fairness to taxpayers and contribute to the long term vitality of public recreation services provided by the City and the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors; and

-the City of Toronto shall encourage maximum opportunity for the enjoyable, healthful, satisfying and creative use of leisure time;

(b)Policy Elements

-Client and taxpayers at the forefront of pricing decisions ;

-consistency City-wide;

-quality service standards not influenced by user fees;

-accessibility strategies;

-price based on benefits to user, benefits to community and operating costs; and

-accountability;

(c)Implementation Guidelines

-Establish list of services which do not charge a user fee and are available universally;

-where a user fee is to be charged, fees to be based on different levels of cost recovery (10 percent to over 100 percent)

-harmonize January 1999, followed by stable price strategy to ensure future adjustments are gradual;

-establish effective measures to provide access to low income individuals and high need communities;

-monitor and adjust fees on an annual basis prior to the submission of the annual budget; and

-utilize a variety of effective user fee methods, including current technologies to enhance customer service (e.g. access "smart" card and improved registration system);

(2)"WHEREAS recreational services in the City of Toronto are a key component in providing a healthy City and contributing to the quality of life in communities across Toronto;

AND WHEREAS Toronto should be committed to equal access to these services, regardless of income, age or geographic location;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee, after having now completed the public consultation process, recommend the harmonization of all user fees for recreational services by the City of Toronto effective January 1, 1999;

AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the User Fee Committee recommends the elimination of all user fees for drop in programs, subscriber programs and basic instructional programs.";

(3)that the surcharge for programs and activities for participants outside the City of Toronto area be retained;

(4)that 'high needs' communities be exempt from paying user fees for specialized programs;

(5)that an access policy be considered that would ensure low income families and individuals are not penalized;

(6)that the Budget Committee be requested to consider Parks and Recreation revenues being placed in general revenues and the Parks and Recreation budget being considered outside the framework of revenues generated;

(7)that Toronto Community Council's position (November 12, 1998) that there be no User Fees in the City of Toronto be reiterated; and

(8)that the mandate of the User Fee Committee be expanded to address the issue of recreational permits with a similar comprehensive consultation process as that undertaken for user fees for recreation programs.

(ii)(December 10, 1998) from Anne Dubas, President, CUPE Local 79, opposing the introduction of user fees as it is felt that the principle of universal access will be destroyed forever with the introduction of even minimal user fees

(iii)(December 10, 1998) from the City Clerk, North York Community Council, reporting that North York Community Council, on December 10, 1998, referred the matter of Parks and Recreation User Fees and the following motions to the Chief Administrative Officer to establish a broad priority setting exercise including user fees and all other fees so that Council can collectively arrive at a decision on its priorities:

(1)Councillor Filion moved that Community Councils be allocated a per capita budget to set priorities on such areas as Parks and Recreation user fees, snow removal and garbage pick-up;

(2)Councillor King moved that:

(a)the North York Community Council supports in principle that the harmonization of user fees for Parks and Recreation programs should be revenue neutral; and

(b)the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be requested to develop a clear policy for the subsidization of programs;

(3)Councillor Shiner moved that the North York Community Council supports in principle the charging of user fees for Parks and Recreation programs, except for public skating and outdoor swimming pools, and that the user fee policy also facilitate the needs of those who cannot afford such programs.

(iv)(January 12, 1999) from Ms. Maureen Boulter, Chairperson, Lakeshore Area Multi-Services Project Inc. (LAMP), requesting the Economic Development Committee to vote for Option #5 from the City's Consultation Guide.

(v)(January 12, 1999) from Ms. Jasmin Earle, Chair, The Etobicoke Brighter Futures Coalition, requesting that the Economic Development Committee support the removal of most user fees for recreation services.

(c)Employment Area Revitalization - Local Partnership Program.

The Economic Development Committee reports having deferred consideration of the report (January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the proposed presentation from staff, to its next meeting on February 12, 1999.

(January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism introducing members of the Economic Development Committee to the Local Partnership Program which encompasses approaches to revitalizing retail and employment areas, and recommending this report be received for information.

(d)Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in City Parks.

The Economic Development Committee reports having forwarded the report (December 16, 1998) from the Secretary, Board of Health and related material, to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for incorporation into the report he has been previously requested to prepare on the review of off-leash areas in City parks.

(i)(December 16, 1998) from the Secretary, Board of Health for the City of Toronto Health Unit, forwarding the action of the Board of Health on December 1, 1998, in which it referred the following recommendations of Community Councils with respect to the Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in City Parks, the establishment of leash-free zones in the City and the regulation of dog walkers, to the Economic Development Committee for consideration:

From Toronto Community Council:

"(6)the following off leash hours be instituted in Jean Sibelius Park for a period of six months:

Weekdays : 7:00 a.m - 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Weekends:8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

(7)the Park Users' Committee of the Annex Residents' Association be recognized as the "dog watch community group" for the Jean Sibelius Park, as requested by City policy on leash-free areas in City parks."

From Etobicoke Community Council:

"(2)strongly supported the introduction of leash-free areas in City Parks and endorsed the Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks;

(4)endorsed the Stoop and Scoop Provision of the proposed by-law and its appropriate enforcement."

From North York Community Council:

"(1)WHEREAS our recreational parks are being overrun by irresponsible dog owners who are allowing their dogs to run loose; and

WHEREAS the responsible dog owner has become increasingly fed up with the conduct of the irresponsible dog owner; and

WHEREAS the irresponsible dog owner has put the City in a very difficult situation; and

WHEREAS it has contributed in the public having less faith is trusting loose dogs; and

WHEREAS the City's enforcement of the dog loose leash by-law should become heightened;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City's Health Department carry out aggressive enforcement of the following by-laws as they relate to dogs and dog owners:

Dog loose leash, stoop and scoop, noise and biting.;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

(1)should an offence be acknowledged by the City's Health Department, the dog owner be given written warning on a first and second offence of the by-law; and

(2)should a third offence be acknowledged by the City's Health Department, that a fine be set for the dog owner at a minimum fine of $1,000.00;

AND:

"5.Recommendation (4) embodied in the joint report (June 30, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the Medical Officer of Health, as amended by Clause 1 of Report No. 7 of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee, be amended to provide for the following:

'That the off-leash area in Sherwood Park be discontinued pending the fast track evaluation that is currently under way.';

and that this amendment also be forwarded to the Economic Development Committee;"

(ii)(November 18, 1998) from the Interim Contact, Scarborough Community Council, advising that Scarborough Community Council on November 12, 1998, made no recommendation with respect to The Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks.

(iii)(October 22, 1998) from the Interim Contact, Etobicoke Community Council, forwarding the action of the Etobicoke Community Council on October 15, 1998, and advising that the Etobicoke Community Council:

(1)endorsed the following proposals of the Toronto Humane Society with respect to the draft animal care and control legislation that Toronto City Council:

(i)adopt a policy whereby all animals that are adopted from municipal pounds are micro-chipped;

(ii)adopt a policy whereby guard dogs and personal assistance dogs are micro-chipped; and

(iii)consult with a micro-chip company on the means to administer such a system;

(2)strongly supported the introduction of leash-free areas in City Parks and endorsed the Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks;

(3)endorsed the recommendations of the Animal Alliance of Canada, the Animal Protection Institute, the Canadian Alliance for Furbearing Animals and Zoocheck Canada Inc. For amendments to the draft animal care and control legislation; and

(4)endorsed the Stoop and Scoop Provision of the proposed by-law and its appropriate enforcement.

(iv)(January 20, 1999) from Daniela Quaglia, Public Affairs Advisor, Toronto Humane Society, commenting that:

(1)In an urban environment, animals need exercise. Exercise has also been shown to alleviate behavioural problems. The Society believes that off-leash areas are necessary in Toronto for the health and well-being of urban animals; and

(2)The Society supports a compromise between non-pet owners and pet owners, such as designated leash free areas in City Parks and off leash hours in City Parks.

(e)Fashion Industry Liaison Committee (FILC) Membership.

The Economic Development Committee reports having adopted the report (January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

(i)(January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism addressing motions moved by Councillors Brown and Moscoe, that representatives of the Etobicoke and North York garment industries be added to the membership of FILC, and recommending that this report be received for information.

(ii)(November 6, 1998) from the City Clerk, forwarding to the Economic Development Committee the action taken by City Council on October 28, 29 and 30, 1998 (Clause No. 3 of Report No. 3 of the Economic Development Committee, headed "Fashion Industry Liaison Committee Membership and 1997/1998 Activities"), and advising that Council amended the Clause by adding the following:

"It is further recommended that:

(1)Councillor Kelly be appointed to the Fashion Industry Liaison Committee as the representative of the Economic Development Committee; and

(2)the following motions be referred to the Economic Development Committee for consideration:

Moved by Councillor Brown:

'It is further recommended that a representative of the Etobicoke garment industry be added to the membership of the Fashion Industry Liaison Committee.'

Moved by Councillor Moscoe:

'It is further recommended that a representative of the North York garment district be added to the membership of the Fashion Industry Liaison Committee.'"

(f)L.B. Pearson International Airport - Development Plan.

The Economic Development Committee reports having requested that:

(1)the City's nominees to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Board of Directors and appropriate GTAA staff be requested to provide an update of the Authority's activities, including progress on the Airport Development Program, at the Committee's meeting on March 26, 1999; and

(2)a copy of the report (January 5, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism be forwarded to the GTAA and Air Canada for their information.

(i)(January 5, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development and Culture, providing a summary of the key issues related to the dispute between the Greater Toronto Airports Authority and Air Canada in regard to the Airport Development Plan, and recommending that the Economic Development Committee:

(1)request the City's nominees to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) Board, and appropriate GTAA staff, to provide an update of the Authority's activities, including progress on the Airport Development Program, at the Committee's meeting on February 12, 1999; and

(2)forward a copy of this report to the GTAA and Air Canada for their information.

(ii)(November 16, 1998) from the Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations, Air Canada addressed to Councillor Rob Davis, advising that Air Canada does not support the redevelopment plan in its present form and recommending that the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) develop a cost-effective development plan for Pearson that promotes growth, creates jobs in the Greater Toronto Area, keeps air travel affordable for everyone, and establishes Pearson International Airport as a major North American hub.

(iii)(November 20, 1998) from Mr. Louis A. Turpen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, addressed to Mr. R. Lamar Durrett, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada Centre 271, forwarding comments regarding the "scope and cost" of the Airport Development Program (ADP).

(g)Company Expansion - I D M D Manufacturing Inc., 45 Progress Avenue, Ward 15, Scarborough City Centre.

The Economic Development Committee reports having adopted the report (January 6, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

(January 6, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism providing an overview of the proposed I D M D Manufacturing Inc. 106,000 sq. ft. facility space expansion in the City of Toronto, and recommending that this report be received for information.

(h)Yards Rationalization Update.

The Economic Development Committee reports having requested that the report on this matter be submitted to the Committee's next meeting on February 12, 1999.

Report from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism was not available at the meeting.

(i)Company Relocation - Clean Wear Products Ltd., 54 Crockford Blvd., Ward 14, Scarborough Wexford.

The Economic Development Committee reports having:

(1)adopted the report (January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; and

(2)requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to make available to the Committee in the future similar information by way of composite reports.

(January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

reviewing and highlighting the activities of Clean Wear Products Ltd. and the Division's working relationship with the real estate industry and the manufacturing community in Toronto, and recommending that this report be received for information.

(j)"Thank You Toronto/Ontario" Campaign.

The Economic Development Committee reports having adopted the report (January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

(January 4, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommending that this report be received.

(k)Proposed Bank Mergers Update.

The Economic Development Committee reports having adopted the report (January 5, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

(January 5, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism reporting on the decision of the Minister of Finance on the proposed bank mergers and recommending that:

(1)staff continue to monitor this issue and report to the Economic Development Committee as required; and

(2)Economic Development Committee establish an ongoing forum with the financial services sector including all of the major banks in Toronto, to address the issues surrounding the structural and technological changes occurring domestically and nationally in the financial services industry. These forums will provide input to the City's Economic Development Strategy Plan.

Respectfully submitted,

Councillor Brian Ashton,

Chair

Toronto, January 25, 1999

Christine Archibald

Tel. (416) 392-7039