How Decisions are made at the City
When City Council makes decisions through the legislative process, they consider many things including:
- the needs of the public
- Council's priorities
- recommendations from Committees
- advice from staff
- legislation and
- research about other cities around the world
The public has a role throughout Council's decision-making process. As issues move from idea to decision, public input is critical. Residents can contact their City Councillor or the Mayor, speak with City staff, speak at Committee, participate in local and neighbourhood groups working with the City and of course, vote in municipal elections.
How issues are identified
Council makes decisions on issues that are identified by:
- Toronto residents and businesses who use City services and programs
- the Mayor or Council members
- City staff as part of their evaluation of programs, policies or services
- research about cities and governments or
- changes in demand for programs and service or changes in legislation
Considering issues
Once an issue or an idea has been identified, City staff will talk to community members, Councillors, and anyone else who is interested or affected by the issue. Based on this research, staff will prepare a report for Council that gives background information on the issue, identifies costs and suggests options for Council to consider.
Making decisions
City Council generally makes decisions through its Committee system. Going through one of these Standing Committees, and not directly to Council, means that there are opportunities for a complete review of the issue and for public input. In some cases Council allows other committees or bodies to make decisions for them. For example, City Council allows Community Councils to make final decisions on local issues such as front-yard parking or speed bumps.
Standing Committee
Once the staff report is ready, it goes to a Committee of Council. Each Committee has a different list of issues that it deals with. The Committee meetings are public, and residents of Toronto are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts on reports the Committee is considering. After their discussion and public input, Committee members will send the report and recommendations to Council for approval (with or without changes to the recommendations), send it back to staff if they feel it needs more work, or vote against the report.
City Council
Most reports go to City Council for a final decision. Council will review the report and decide to approve it, send the report back to a committee if they feel it needs more work, or vote against the report. If it is approved, staff will begin work on implementing the recommendations of the report.
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