Board-specific processes and requirements
Waterfront Toronto Board of Directors - Partnered corporation
(Formerly Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation)
The board-specific requirements set out below reflect the requirements approved by Council in September 2006.
Note: Additional information is included in the qualifications section to clarify that under the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, 2002, a person is ineligible to hold office as a board member if he or she is an employee of: (a) the federal government or one of its agencies; (b) the Ontario government or one of its agencies; or (c) the City of Toronto or a local board of the City.
Agency profile
The Toronto waterfront revitalization initiative is the $17-billion, long-term plan for environmental improvement, rejuvenation of economic activity and overall improvement of quality of life through development of Toronto's waterfront.
In 2001, the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada created the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (now the Waterfront Toronto Corporation).
Waterfront Toronto's overall corporate objectives include:
- implementing a plan that enhances the economic, social and cultural value of the land in the designated waterfront area and creates an accessible and active waterfront for living, working and recreation, and to do so in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner
- ensuring that ongoing development in the designated waterfront area can continue in a financially self-sustaining manner
- promoting and encouraging the involvement of the private sector in the development of the designated waterfront area
Board responsibilities
The board of directors is responsible for supervising the business and affairs of the Corporation, including pursuing the following objectives:
- developing accessible new waterfront communities that offer a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike
- attracting innovative, knowledge-based industries to the Portlands
- engaging the community as an active partner in revitalization
- developing strategic partnerships to attract private sector investment
Term of office
The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, 2002, allows for the term of office of a board member to be determined by the body that appoints the member, but such term may not exceed three years.
The term for the City of Toronto's citizen appointees is two years with a renewal term of two years (without recruitment, with full recruitment every four years).
Note: The term of the 3 citizens (City of Toronto appointees) currently serving on the board is October 1, 2009, until October 1, 2012, or until their successors are appointed.
Composition
Under the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, as amended, the board is comprised of a maximum of 13 members:
- 1 citizen Chair, jointly appointed by the three orders of government
- a maximum of 4 citizen members appointed by the federal government
- a maximum of 4 members, including up to one elected official, appointed by each of the City and the provincial government
The City of Toronto currently appoints 3 citizens and the Mayor to serve on the board.
Qualifications
An applicant is ineligible for appointment under the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation Act, 2002, if he or she is an employee of: (a) the federal government or one of its agencies; (b) the Ontario government or one of its agencies; or (c) the City of Toronto or a local board of the City.
In addition to the general eligibility requirements set out in the Public Appointments Policy, board members should have served as a director in the public or private sectors, demonstrating leadership in areas including, but not limited to:
- urban planning and development
- brown field remediation
- environmental sustainability
- economic development
- development financing
- human resources
- successful implementation of complex business strategies and/or comprehensive city building initiatives that include affordable housing, parks and public spaces, and cultural and recreational facilities.
Board members should also have experience and understanding of public processes and demonstrate understanding of the principles of public accountability, integrity and inclusiveness.
Meetings
Approximately monthly or at the call of the Chair.
Remuneration
| Chair: | $30,000 annual retainer, plus $500 per board and committee meeting |
| Board Committee Chairs: | $7,500 annual retainer, plus $500 per board and committee meeting |
| Members: | $5,000 annual retainer, plus $500 per board and committee meeting |
No remuneration is paid to the elected official appointed by the City to serve on the board.
Nomination process - multiple sourcing
For the 3 citizen appointees selected by the City of Toronto, 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.