Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a) Tourism Toronto Budget for Year 2000 (All Wards)

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having:

(1) concurred in the report (November 24, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; and having forwarded same to the Budget Advisory Committee for consideration during the 2000 Operating Budget deliberations, subject to the following:

(a) the completion of the Purchase of Service Agreement prior to the Budget Advisory Committee's consideration of Tourism Toronto's 2000 budget;

(b) amending Recommendation No. (1) to provide that the Tourism Toronto Budget be increased by approximately 5 percent for a total budget of $4.5 million;

(c) amending Recommendation No. (2) to provide that the business plan include:

(i) the correlation between funding from all sources and incremental revenues from visitors;

(ii) a review of major initiatives undertaken by competitive destinations;

(iii) other factors within the tourism industry and government jurisdiction which directly impact incremental revenues and visitors; and

(iv) comparisons with other successful cities and other information with regard to visitors tax proposals; and

(d) the Provincial Government be requested to consider a Visitor's Tax so that the marketing of Toronto will keep pace with other jurisdictions;

(2) referred the following motion by Councillor Joan King, Seneca Heights, to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for consideration and report thereon to the Economic Development and Parks Committee:

"That the Provincial Government be requested to match the City's grant to Tourism Toronto."; and

(3) received the report (January 11, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic, Development, Culture and Tourism; and having forwarded same to the Budget Advisory Committee for information:

(i) (November 24, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, in response to a request from the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee that staff report to the Economic Development and Parks Committee regarding the Tourism Toronto budget prior to the year 2000 budget process; and recommending that:

(1) City of Toronto funding for Tourism Toronto for the year 2000 be approved at the same budget level as 1999, subject to a more detailed review of Tourism Toronto's budget submission;

(2) the Economic Development and Parks Committee request Tourism Toronto to present its year 2000 business plan and budget as soon as possible; such business plan to clearly address the means by which Tourism Toronto intends to improve its longer-term competitive position; and

(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

(ii) (January 11, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, presenting the draft terms and conditions of a Purchase of Service Agreement under which the City will provide funding to Tourism Toronto that is currently being negotiated with Tourism Toronto.

_________

The following persons appeared before the Economic Development and Parks Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Ms. Linda Friendly, Chair, Tourism Toronto;

- Mr. Lyle Hall, KPMG;

- Mr. Ron Taylor, Tourism Toronto Board Member;

- Mr. Paul Clifford, Tourism Toronto Board Member; and

- Mr. Cal White, Tourism Toronto Board Member.

(b) The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA):

Midterm Review

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having deferred consideration of the subject matter until its meeting of March 20, 2000; and having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, in consultation with the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance and the Toronto Board of Trade, to provide a further report with regard to the GTMA's operations and its ability to meet the City's objectives:

(December 22, 1999) from the City Clerk, forwarding Clause No. 2 contained in Report No. 6 of The Economic Development and Parks Committee, headed "The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA): Midterm Review (All Wards)", which Council, at its meeting held on December 14, 15 and 16, 1999, struck out and referred back to the Economic Development and Parks Committee for further consideration with the direction that the Board of Trade be invited to address the Committee in this regard

_________

The following persons appeared before the Economic Development and Parks Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Mr. George Fierheller, Chair, The Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance, and filed a copy of his presentation; and

- Ms. Elyse Allan, President and Executive Officer, Toronto Board of Trade.

(c) Canada - U.S. BorderNet Alliance

The Elements of a Strong Business Climate

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having referred the presentation by Mr. Willie Moskowitz, Executive Director of Canada-U.S. BorderNet Alliance, to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for report thereon to the Economic Development and Parks Committee, the said report to include ways the City could capitalize on this type of relationship/partnership:

(November 11, 1999) from Mr. Willie Moskowitz, Executive Director, Canada-U.S. BorderNet Alliance, requesting permission to make a presentation on the establishment of the Canada-U.S. BorderNet Alliance, regarding Trade, Tourism and Investment for the bi-national region stretching from Toronto through Hamilton, across the Peace Bridge into Buffalo and over to Rochester, New York.

_________

Mr. Willie Moskowitz, Executive Director, Canada-US. BorderNet Alliance, gave a presentation on the establishment of the Canada-U.S. BorderNet Alliance and its plans, and filed a copy of his presentation.

(d) University Avenue Millenium Proposal

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for a report thereon to the Economic Development and Parks Committee:

(August 25, 1999) from Mr. Neil Mendes, respecting a proposal to install flags from all over the world along the centre median of University Avenue and the outer rim of Queen's Park (if necessary).

(e) Smartrisk Foundation

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having deferred consideration of the following communication to the meeting scheduled to be held on February 14, 2000:

(November 15, 1999) from Dr. Robert Conn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Smartrisk Foundation, requesting permission to make a deputation to explain the results of the national and provincial studies with regard to helping people see the risk in their everyday lives and show them how to take those risks in the smartest way possible so that they can live their lives to the fullest.

(f) Follow-Up on the Action Plan for the Children's Report Card

1999 Arising from the Children's Report Card 1999

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having submitted the following report to the Budget Advisory Committee for consideration during the 2000 Operating Budget process:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, seeking the Economic Development and Parks Committee's adoption of the Toronto Report Card on Children 1999 and the Children and Youth Action Committee's Action Plan as related to the Parks and Recreation Division's 2000 Operating Budget; and recommending that this report be submitted to the Budget Advisory Committee for consideration during the 2000 Operating Budget process.

(g) Follow-up on Initiatives Addressing Youth Violence

Arising out of the Mayor's Action Plan on Youth

Violence and Gang Activity

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having:

(1) concurred in the following report; and having forwarded same to the Budget Advisory Committee for consideration during the 2000 Operating Budget deliberations; and

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

(a) report to the Budget Advisory Committee providing a detailed breakdown of the funding request in the amount of $800,000.00 for the Toronto Youth Violence Prevention Initiatives;

(b) consult with the Ward Councillors whose Wards would be included in the Toronto Youth Violence Prevention Initiatives, prior to the operating budget process;

(c) ensure some public input in the process; and

(d) provide a status report to the Economic Development and Parks Committee every four months, after the implementation of the initiatives, the said report to include the number of youth using each centre and the programs offered:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, seeking the Economic Development and Parks Committee's adoption of the Toronto Youth Violence Prevention Initiatives and funding for the Parks and Recreation Division's 2000 budget; and recommending that this report be submitted to the Budget Advisory Committee and the Policy and Finance Committee for consideration during the 2000 Operating Budget process.

_________

The following persons appeared before the Economic Development and Parks Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

- Mr. Ryan Teschner, Toronto Youth Cabinet; and

- Councillor Olivia Chow, Children and Youth Advocate.

(h) C.S.A. Playground Compliance Program (All Wards)

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having received the following report in view of the Budget Advisory Committee having dealt with this matter at its meeting on January 14, 2000:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, reporting, as requested, on the allocation of playground funds; recommending a program that will bring into compliance all substandard City playgrounds by the end of 2003, as well as address various questions arising as part of the Budget Review process, and further recommending that:

(1) Council approve, in principle, the C.S.A. Playground Compliance Program outlined in this report bringing all substandard City playgrounds to C.S.A. standards by the end of 2003; and

(2) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

(i) S.H. Armstrong Community Centre (East Toronto)

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having referred the following communication to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for consideration with the report on "User Fees" being brought forward to the Economic Development and Parks Committee for consideration:

(November 18, 1999) from Councillor Sandra Bussin, East Toronto, forwarding a petition signed by users of the S.H. Armstrong Community Centre expressing disappointment with the implementation of the new parks and recreation user fees.

_________

Councillor Sandra Bussin, East Toronto, appeared before the Economic Development and Parks Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.

(j) 1999 Third Quarter Business

Development and Retention Client

Activity (All Wards)

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having received the following report for information:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, providing a summary of the completed investment projects and related business activities of the Business Development and Retention Section, for the third quarter of 1999 in accordance with the Economic Development Division's 1999 Work Plan; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(k) Festivals Regarding the International Year

of the Older Persons (All Wards)

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having received the following report for information:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, reporting on events and activities that took place to celebrate the International Year of Older Persons; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(l) Declaring Toronto's Remaining Witt and

PCC Streetcars to be Important Historic Objects

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having referred the following motion to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for report thereon to the Economic Development and Parks Committee:

(undated) from Councillor Joe Mihevc, York-Eglinton, forwarding a motion to declare Witt car 2766 and PCC cars 4500 and 4549 of the Toronto Transit Commission to be symbols of the City and important objects to be preserved in their historic livery and included in the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.

(m) Multiple Closures by Banks

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having received the following communication for information:

(November 29, 1999) from Councillor Howard Moscoe (North York-Spadina), expressing concern regarding multiple closures of bank branches in his ward.

(n) Lease Agreement - Order of St. Basil-The-Great

The Economic Development and Parks Committee reports having recommended to the Policy and Finance Committee, and Council, the adoption of the following confidential joint report, as amended:

(January 4, 2000) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, providing direction to the Department to complete negotiations of a lease for the St. Basil's School at 3100 Weston Road for the purpose of a community Centre.

(o) Presentation to Staff

The Chair, on behalf of the Economic Development and Parks Committee, presented Ms. Jaye Robinson, Director, Special Events, with a plaque thanking the Special Events Division for their hard work and the outstanding job they did on the "Millennium Lights" New Year's Eve Celebration.

_________

Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair, Millennium Task Force, appeared before the Committee in connection with this matter.

Respectfully submitted,

COUNCILLOR BRIAN ASHTON,

Chair

Toronto, January 17, 2000

Betty Henderson

Tel. (416) 392-8088