Board-specific processes and requirements
Build Toronto Corporation Board of Directors
The board-specific requirements set out below reflect the requirements approved by Council:
- October 2008 (EX24.1)
- February 2009 (EX29.1 and MM31.5)
Agency profile
The mandate of Build Toronto is to unlock the value in under-utilized lands and use the available City and ABC (agencies, boards and commissions) land base to attract targeted industries, stimulate the creation of desirable employment, and regenerate neighbourhoods.
Build Toronto Corporation was established by City Council in October 2008 under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, Ontario Regulation 609/06. Build Toronto is incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, with the City of Toronto as its sole shareholder.
Board responsibilities
The Board of Directors is responsible for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the following specific activities:
- developing City and ABC (agencies, boards and commissions) surplus lands and excess real estate with development potential
- working with other sectors in urban regeneration
- remediating brownfields
- catalyst development
- recommending to the City optimal use of City real estate holdings
- using financial incentive tools as provided by the City
"Developing" is intended to imply a wide range of activities focused on unlocking value including acquisition and disposition of properties, project management, financing, environmental remediation, planning and rezoning and joint ventures with other private and public sector organizations.
Term of office
Two years with a renewal term of two years (without recruitment, with full recruitment every four years)
Note: The term of the 8 citizens currently serving on the board is April 21, 2009, to March 31, 2011, with a renewal term of two years, or until successors are appointed.
Composition
The board consists of 14 members:
- Chair - 1 resident of Toronto who is not an elected official or an employee of the City or any of its ABCCs (agencies, boards, commissions or corporations)
- Vice-chair - the Mayor's designate (currently a City Councillor)
- 7 residents of Toronto who are not elected officials or employees of the City or any of its ABCCs (agencies, boards, commissions or corporations)
- 3 City Councillors including the Chair of the City's Economic Development Committee, as appointed by City Council
- 1 General Manager of Economic Development, Culture (City of Toronto staff)
- 1 Chief Corporate Officer (City of Toronto staff)
Qualifications
In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, board members should collectively represent a range of expertise and be accomplished in:
- real estate law
- planning and development
- capital financing
- environmental remediation
- construction
- financial management expertise
Meetings
Meetings are approximately every month or at the call of the Chair
Remuneration
If the Chair is a citizen: $40,000 annual retainer (no meeting fees)
Citizen Vice Chair (if a citizen is Chair): Same as citizen board members
Citizen Vice Chair (if Mayor is Chair): $30,000 annual retainer (no meeting fees)
Citizen member: $5,000 annual retainer, plus $500 meeting fee up to an annual maximum of $15,000
No remuneration is paid to Members of Council who serve on the board
Nomination process - multiple sourcing
For the 8 citizen appointees, a search consultant may be engaged to provide the names of interested candidates that meet the qualifications defined by City Council. A number of recruitment methods may be used including media advertising, the consultant's database, recruitment at professional organizations, etc. The candidate list is reviewed and short-listed by a Corporations Nominating Panel appointed by the Mayor.
The search consultant or staff review team provides the Panel with the credentials of all candidates and demonstrates how each meets the City's qualifications. The Panel ensures that collectively all of the areas of expertise required are provided by the preferred candidates. The Panel conducts interviews and reports its recommendations to Council. The consultant may also provide references and check for conflicts of interest if required.