The General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommends that:

1.         Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Division staff, in consultation with the Interdivision Economic Growth Team continue to implement the Agenda for Prosperity with increased focus in 2010 on expanding and deepening a Can-Do approach within the City’s administration, supporting small and mid-sized enterprises, engaging Toronto’s diverse business communities, strengthening and expanding strategic industry sectors, especially related to adopting and supplying ‘green’ technologies, facilitating labour force development, increasing productivity by adding value.

2.         A copy of this report be forwarded to:

a.         the citizen members of the Mayor’s Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee reconfirming the City’s commitment to implement the Agenda for Prosperity and work collaboratively with business, labour, educators and the community, and requesting their continued participation and support to sustain and advance Toronto’s  economy in these difficult economic times; and

b.         the members of the Board of Directors of Invest Toronto and Build Toronto.

The Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Agenda for Prosperity was unanimously endorsed by City Council in January 2008. At that time, Council also requested annual updates, beginning in 2009, on progress in implementing the recommendations of the Mayor’s Economic Competitiveness Advisory Committee.

In developing this competitiveness strategy, the Advisory Committee purposely used the term 'agenda' to make it clear that while the four pillars provided a long term foundation for success, specific priorities would need to be updated on a regular basis as economic conditions changed.  Consequently, the first update, submitted to Economic Development Committee and Council in January 2009, summarized the activities undertaken in 2008 and identified focus areas for 2009.  Similarly, this report comments on the work undertaken in 2009 to advance the Agenda for Prosperity and outlines the focus areas for 2010.

The good news for 2010 is that the recession during the first half of 2009, technically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth, is over in Canada. 2010 will be about recovery.  The bad news is that the unemployment rate in Toronto is higher than in the rest of the region and country and recovery is expected to be slow.  The focus areas for 2010 therefore reflect the need to accelerate economic recovery and concentrate on activities to stimulate job creation.  It is also clear that we are experiencing structural, as well as cyclical changes to the economy.  The focus areas must also help achieve longer term growth potential.

The current economic realities require that priorities be cognizant of the City’s budget reality.  In this regard, the need to advance the Agenda for Prosperity in collaboration with external partners is more important than ever.  To date, a variety of committees, networks and partnerships have helped to advance the Agenda for Prosperity.  City staff will continue to develop and strengthen these relationships in 2010.

The General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommends that:

1.         City Council and staff continue to work collaboratively with the partners of 'Strength in Services: A Summit on Transforming Service Jobs' (Martin Prosperity Institute, Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, Intergoverment Committee for Economic and Labour Force Development) to emphasize the importance of the service sector in stimulating the economy in Toronto and the region.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

As requested by the Economic Development Committee, a Service Sector Summit, 'Strength in Services: A Summit on Transforming Service Jobs' was organized in partnership with the Martin Prosperity Institute, Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, and Intergovernment Committee for Economic and Labour Force Development.  The Summit was held on November 16, 2009, with the participation of unions, universities and corporations, to emphasize the importance of the service sector in stimulating the economy.  The summit attracted over 200 participants.

Although the Service sector is a large and growing segment of the Toronto region workforce, it is frequently overshadowed and sometimes overlooked in economic analysis and recovery plans, particularly the low wage end of the sector.

Staff should continue to work with business, labour, academic partners and other orders of government to develop and implement appropriate policies and programs to help shape the economic recovery and transformation of the service sector.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer recommends that:

1.         The Economic Development Committee adopt and certify to City Council the 2010 expenditure requests and levy requirements of the following Business Improvement Areas:

This report brings forward Business Improvement Area (BIA) annual operating budgets for approval by Council as required by the City of Toronto Act, 2006.  Council approval is required to permit the City to collect funds through the tax levy on behalf of the BIAs.

Complete budgets and supporting documentation received by December 4, 2009 have been reviewed and are reported herein; BIA Operating Budgets received after this date will be brought forward in later reports.  Of the 70 established BIAs, 15 BIA budgets were approved by City Council on November 30 and December 1, 2009; and 41 BIA budgets are submitted for approval in this report.

The recommendations reflect 2010 Operating Budgets approved by the respective BIA Boards of Management and have been reviewed by City staff to ensure BIA budgets reflect Council’s approved policies and practices.

The General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), in relation to Council appointments to BIA Boards, proxy voting and minor boundary expansion consents, as described in the report (December 3, 2009) from General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

2.         City Council direct the City Solicitor to amend Municipal Code Chapter 19 in accordance with Attachment 1 to this report, subject to any necessary minor substantive or stylistic refinements as may be identified by the General Manager and the City Solicitor.

The General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommends that:

1.         City Council approve additions and deletions to the Junction Gardens, Oakwood Village and Uptown Yonge Business Improvement Area (BIA) Boards of Management as set out in Attachment 1 of the report (December 4, 2009) from General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

2.         City Council amend Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), to reflect changes to the BIA Board of Management. 

The General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism recommends that:

1.         City Council designate the area described by Attachment 1 (Maps 1 to 3) of the report (December 4, 2009) from General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, as the Baby Point Gates Business Improvement Area (BIA), under Chapter 19 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

2.         City Council authorize and direct the City Clerk to send out a notice of Council’s intention to pass a by‑law designating the area described by Attachment 1 (Maps 1 to 3) of the report (December 4, 2009) from General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism as a Business Improvement Area (BIA), in accordance with Chapter 19 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code.

3.         City Council request the Executive Director of Technical Services to prepare designation by‑law maps of the area as described by Attachment 1 (Maps 1 to 3) of the report (December 4, 2009) from General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and submit them to the City Solicitor. 

The purpose of this report is to recommend that the City Clerk conduct a poll to determine if there is sufficient support to designate the area consisting of properties fronting on Jane Street, between Montye Avenue and Lessard Avenue and properties fronting on Annette Street, between Jane Street and Windermere Avenue as the Baby Point Gates Business Improvement Area (BIA).

Upon the completion of the poll, the General Manager of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism will report the results to the Economic Development Committee.  Subject to a positive poll result, staff shall prepare the necessary by‑law and bills to give effect thereto.

In response to a request by the Economic Development Committee on April 22, 2009, to the Board of Directors for Toronto Artscape, that in future proposal development consideration be given to focussing on the 13 priority neighbourhoods and that Artscape consult and work with the local Ward Councillor of the area for which projects are being proposed.