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Mayor Mel Lastman 1998-2003 highlights |
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First term accomplishments
Second term accomplishments
First Term Accomplishments
- Six cities and seven governments were amalgamated into one, new City of Toronto - the largest merger in Canadian history
- All three levels of government came together on Toronto's Waterfront Redevelopment Project
Economic Development
- Union Station was purchased from the Toronto Terminals Railway Company and a comprehensive redevelopment plan for the station was launched
- Film studio expenditures in Toronto grew from $700M to $1.3B
- Torontonians enjoyed a three-year tax freeze and saw the institution of an equitable tax assessment based on current value
Public Safety
- The Red Light Camera Project was established to reduce traffic fatalities in intersections
- Additional police officers, firefighters and paramedics were hired to improve emergency response times and reduce fire deaths
- The Community Action Policing Program was launched, leading to a 47 per cent crime rate reduction in certain neighborhoods
- 263 graffiti-marred buildings were repainted with murals through a $310,000 City program
City Services
- More than 15,000 food premises were inspected for cleanliness and the dirty ones were closed
- 4,000 restaurants were made smoke-free
- The taxi industry was revamped
- Dozens of new splash pads, waterparks, recreation centres, playgrounds and swimming pools were built
Finances
- $1.5 billion has been committed to Toronto's waterfront redevelopment by all three levels of government
- $138.4 million in surplus property was sold
Events
- Winterfest has grown into the second largest winter festival in Ontario
- The Celebrate Toronto Street Festival was launched, attracting crowds approaching 1 million people
- Tourism was increased and $1.4 million was raised for charity through the Moose in the City campaign
Second Term Accomplishments
Economic Development
- Construction of a bridge to the Island Airport was approved and Council took important steps to secure the future of the Island Airport
- Council approved an out-of-court settlement with the Toronto Port Authority, giving the City undisputed ownership of 248 hectares of central waterfront land
- An Official Plan was passed to guide development over the next 30 years
- Opened the Sheppard Subway Line, the first new subway in a quarter-century
- Council approved a $5 million SARS recovery plan to help revive Toronto's international image as a great place to visit and do business
Public Safety
- The Amber Alert program was created with the help of the public, the police and the media to find abducted children in those first few crucial hours
- The Cardiac Safe City Program was established to support Public Access Defibrillation
- Federal and Provincial funding was secured for both a Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team and a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response team
- Council approved a bylaw restricting the use of pesticides on Toronto lawns, gardens and other landscapes
City Services
- An office of the Auditor General was created
- The City took over $6.3 million of the Toronto District School Board's pool operating costs
- A municipal shelter bylaw was passed, making it easier to build homeless shelters outside the downtown core
- The Toronto Community Housing Corporation was created to oversee 95,000 units
- The 2010 Waste Diversion Task Force was created, putting Toronto on the road to diverting 30 per cent of its waste by 2003, 60 per cent by 2006 and 100 per cent by 2010
- Council approved plans for pilot studies of source-separated organic collection from all City departments, agencies, boards, commissions and schools
Finances
- $1.1 billion in provincial funding and $76 million in federal funding has been promised to the TTC
- $235 million in cultural grants have been awarded to help build new landmarks like the Opera House and renovate old ones like the ROM and the AGO
- Moody's Investor Services raised the City's credit rating from Aa2 to Aa1
Events
- Through a partnership with Molson and the federal and provincial governments, the City brought the Rolling Stones to Toronto for a SARS recovery concert that attracted half a million people
- Council approved a motion to declare August 30, 31 and September 1 "Toronto You Belong Here" Event Weekend to allow retail businesses to stay open
- World Youth Day came to Toronto, showcasing our City to the world
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