The Decision Document is for preliminary reference purposes only.  Please refer to the Committee’s Report to Council or to the Minutes for the official record.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to enter into agreements with:

a.         any appropriate non-profit educational institution for the customization of the curriculum materials of the City’s taxicab and limousine driver training courses, training of instructors and a licence to use the materials on the same basis (other than sublicensing) that apply to such agreements with municipalities; or

b.         any municipality or transportation-related company in Canada or elsewhere to provide customized training for taxicab drivers/owners, limousine drivers/owners and others for the purpose of developing a revenue stream through the use of Division resources, including staff, equipment and facilities, either by direct contractual negotiation or by responding to calls for such training, in each case at a fee reflecting the value to the recipient of what is being provided, and the value of City staff time.

The Licensing and Standards Committee requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to submit to the Committee an annual report on training offered to other entities, including detailed financial information.

The purpose of this report is to authorize the City to enter into agreements with appropriate educational institutions under which the City will customize the curriculum materials of the City’s taxicab and limousine driver training courses, train instructors and permit the licensed use of such materials on the same basis that the City enters into such agreements with municipalities in Canada and elsewhere, and authorize the City to agree with municipalities and other entities to provide training directly to their drivers. This expanded authority will allow the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division to generate additional revenues and further enhance the City’s profile as an innovator and international leader in the field of taxicab and limousine driver/owner training.

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 545, Licensing, by adopting the amendments in Appendix “A”, attached to this report.

2.         City Council request the Working Group to conduct public consultations with respect to collection of information in relation to the second-hand goods and salvage yard industry and report back to the Licensing and Standards Committee in one-year’s time with respect to whether further action is required.

3.         City Council forward this report to the next meeting of the Police Services Board for their information; and

4.         City Council authorize the City Solicitor to prepare the necessary Bills for introduction in Council to implement the above recommendations, subject to such stylistic and technical changes to the draft bills as may be required.

The Licensing and Standards Committee requested:

a.         the City Solicitor to update the language of this by-law to allow for the recording and transmission of this data by computer; and

b.         the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to visit all businesses that advertise that they purchase "old gold" or jewellery to ensure that they are in full compliance with the City's by-law and submit a report to the Committee on their findings.

Public notice has been given in a manner prescribed in the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 162, Notice, Public.

As directed by this Committee, the purpose of this report was to further consider the impact of amending the Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 545, Licensing, regarding the requirement for the collection of personal information by City licensed second-hand goods and salvage yard dealers.

The Legal Services Division and the Corporate Access and Privacy (CAP) Office were both consulted in the preparation of this report.

The purpose of this report is to investigate the feasibility of requiring service providers in spas and massage therapy clinics be accredited by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).  Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) does not recommend mandating that service providers in spas and message therapy clinics be certified from the CMTO.  Such a requirement would not be an appropriate use of MLS’ licensing authority to deal with concerns with activities in spas and massage therapy clinics.  In addition, MLS stopped licensing Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) in 1999.  The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) currently regulates RMTs.

There are various services offered in spas and massage therapy clinics.  However, it is important to note that not all spa treatments are health related.  Some treatments are for holistic, aesthetic and/or relaxation purposes and do not require the extensive training and certification process of a RMT.  MLS does not have authority to prohibit non-medical or non-therapeutic treatments in spas and massage therapy clinics in favour of medical and therapeutic treatments.  Furthermore, MLS cannot require that RMTs be the only service providers in spas and massage therapy clinics to be authorized to deliver a wide variety of services that do not relate to their health professional training.

This report was prepared in consultation with the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report to address Council’s direction on a mechanism to regulate, control and/or eliminate third party signs or billboards on moving vehicles.

The growing public interest in the administration and enforcement of sign regulations in the City has suggested the need for up-to-date and consistent regulations for signage.  Recent amendments to the City's sign regulations have focused on permanent signs.  In 2005, the City harmonized the regulations in relation to mobile or temporary signage in the City.  However, over the last several years, the mobile sign industry has evolved from signs that are part of, or attached to, a readily re-locatable wheeled trailer or frame without wheels, to include vehicles that have been adapted to have an advertising sign, billboard or other display attached or painted on, that moves from one location to another.

The City of Toronto currently regulates the mobile sign industry through Chapter 693, Signs, and Chapter 545, Licensing.  Amendments to these bylaws are required to reflect the evolving nature of the industry and enable the City of Toronto the ability to effectively regulate the mobile sign industry in a manner that serves to protect our neighbourhoods and the environment.

Both the Legal Services Division, and the Finance Division’s Insurance and Risk Management Unit have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

In trying to address issues related to problem establishments in Ward 11, both through the Weston Community Police Partnership (WCPP) and the West District Crime Task Force (WDCTF), it has become apparent that licensing enforcement in the City of Toronto would prove to be more effective if Licensing Enforcement Officers were given the authority to take direct action when they witness a repeat violation.

There are problem establishments in Ward 11, and all across the City, where the operators repeatedly violate the terms of their business licence, and yet, they are allowed to keep operating.  An example of this would be a licensed bar which operates as a nightclub despite having been cited for this violation in the past; in this case, a Licensing Enforcement Officer should have the authority, upon witnessing the same violation again, to suspend the business licence.

Providing our Licensing Enforcement Officers with added authority as that described above would be a useful tool to deal with operators who, despite previous notice, continue to violate the terms of their business licence.

(Submitted to City Council on March 31 and April 1, 2010 as MM47.9)

The Licensing and Standards Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council request Deputy City Manager Richard Butts to ensure that the direction of the Licensing and Standards Committee (Item LS24.3) adopted in October 26, 2009, that requires Tribunal decisions to be posted on the website as a public record, be complied with "forthwith".

2.         City Council amend Municipal Code Chapter 545, Licensing, to allow the Tribunal to dismiss as abandoned new applications where:

a.         the applicant does not appear despite being duly served at the address provided in the application, such evidence to be received under oath from Tribunal staff; or

b.         the Tribunal receives evidence that the Applicant no longer wishes to pursue the business licence which is the subject of the application.

3.         City Council receive for information the rest of the Toronto Licensing Tribunal Annual Report for 2009.

The Licensing and Standards Committee requested the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to consult with the Chair of the Toronto Licensing Tribunal to ensure that the Chair is satisfied with the security provisions at meetings of the Toronto Licensing Tribunal.

Forwarding, for information, the Toronto Licensing Tribunal Annual Report for 2009 to the Licensing and Standards Committee and City Council.

Requesting that the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report back on the status of this issue to the next meeting of the Licensing and Standards Committee.

Requesting the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards report to the June 25, 2010 meeting of the Licensing and Standards Committee on the regulation of commercial parking lots.

The Licensing and Standards Committee referred this item to the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards with requests:

a.         to report, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to the Committee with recommendations on the by-law that is currently in place for season and event ticket holders; and

b.         to include in this report the issue of price manipulation for event tickets and the experience in large world-class cities.

Forwarding a request from John Weingust, Q.C., Barrister and Solicitor, to repeal and remove Section 743-2, Toronto Municipal Code 743 - a By-law respecting the sale of event tickets.

Requesting an exemption to Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 349 Animals, to allow Earth Rangers to feature live animals in their public outreach shows at schools and community events across Ontario.

The Licensing and Standards Committee deferred consideration of this item until the next meeting of the Committee on May 27, 2010 to allow for public deputations.

A suggested process to bring interested parties together to come up with a fair protocol for the removal of street vendors.