Toronto Heritage Fund Grants Program
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the
Recommendation of the Municipal Grants Review Committee embodied in the following
communication (May 10, 1999) from the City Clerk:
Recommendation:
The Municipal Grants Review Committee on May 10, 1999, recommended to the Strategic
Policies and Priorities Committee the adoption of the attached report (April 30, 1999) from
the Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board, respecting the Toronto Heritage Fund
Grants Program.
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(Report dated April 30, 1999, addressed to the
Municipal Grants Review Committee from the
Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board)
Purpose:
This report recommends that the Municipal Grants Review Committee designate $100,000.00
from the 1998 Consolidated Grants Budget underexpenditures to provide a one-time top up to
the Toronto Heritage Fund Grants Program.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
During 1998, Heritage Toronto identified to the Municipal Grants Review Committee the
need for a one time $100,000.00 top up to the reserve fund. This would provide for increased
interest earnings which in turn would be made available to the anticipated 15 percent increase
of designated properties eligible for grants.
Through the 1998 account closings underexpenditures of approximately $3.186 million were
identified within the Consolidated Grants Program. A liability of $100,000.00 was created
within the 1998 underexpenditures to provide for the Toronto Heritage Fund adjustment,
subject to Heritage Toronto putting forward a report to the Municipal Grants Review
Committee formerly requesting and justifying the increase.
Funds have been allocated from the Consolidated Grants Budget as approved by Council
(subject to Council approval).
Recommendation:
It is recommended that to successfully provide grant funding from the Toronto Heritage Fund,
Council top up the base fund by $100,000.00.
Council Reference/Background/History:
At its meeting of May 4, 1998, the Municipal Grants Review Committee requested that
Heritage Toronto consult with stakeholders about expanding the Toronto Heritage Fund grant
program to cover the entire City of Toronto. Heritage Toronto reported to the November 20,
1998, Municipal Grants Review Committee. The Committee adopted the following
Recommendations Nos. (1) to (5) of the report:
(1)that the Heritage Toronto Fund grants program be expanded to cover the entire City of
Toronto;
(2)that Heritage Toronto or its successor continue to administer and manage the Toronto
Heritage Fund grant program on behalf of the City of Toronto;
(3)that Heritage Toronto or its successor should report back to Council in one year with a
review of the program and an appropriate long-term strategy for managing the Fund;
(4)that applications be reviewed on a competition basis; and
(5)that a representative of each former municipality be invited to participate in a
cross-jurisdictional review committee.
The Municipal Review Grants Committee deferred consideration of Recommendation No. (6):
"(6)That to successfully operate the expanded program, the Board requests Council to
include an immediate contribution of $100,000.00 to the fund.,"
pending receipt of a detailed report from the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services which establishes the priority services areas for the 1999 Municipal
Grants Program and Heritage Toronto formally requesting the funds. City Council adopted
these recommendations at its December 16 and 17, 1998, meeting (Clause No. 9, contained in
Report No. 26 of The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed " The Toronto
heritage Fund Grants Program").
Comments and /or Discussion and /or Justification:
Heritage Toronto has reviewed and recommended grants under the Toronto Heritage Fund
grants program on behalf of the former City of Toronto for over 12 years. The Toronto
Heritage Fund grant program allows the municipality to aid owners of properties designated
under the Ontario Heritage Act with approved restoration and conservation projects.
At its meeting of December 16, 1998, City Council adopted the recommendation to expand
the Toronto Heritage Fund Grant Program to cover the entire City of Toronto. To successfully
operate the expanded program, Heritage Toronto requires additional monies to augment the
base fund to increase the amount of interest available to assist in the expanded services for
grants. Based on the number of additional designated properties as a result of amalgamation
that are now eligible for restoration grants, a 15 percent increase, Heritage Toronto requests
that an additional $100,000.00 be allocated to the support the program.
Conclusion:
While the administration and management of the Toronto Heritage Fund grant program,
remains substantially the same, and that the recently approved Heritage Services governance
structure has yet to be implemented, the request for the $100,000.00 to the base fund assists in
the amount of interest available for the expanded program and ensures its continued future.
Contact Name:
Marisa Williams, Preservation Officer, Architecture, Heritage Toronto,
Tel: 392-6827 Extension 240.