Appointments to the Toronto
Islands Residential Community Trust
The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the report (June 11, 1998) from the Commissioner
of Corporate Services; and, further, that Councillor Olivia Chow, Downtown, be appointed to the Board of the
Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust.
The Corporate Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of
Corporate Services to submit a report directly to Council for its meeting scheduled to be held on July 8, 1998, on the
responsibility for management of in-file housing on vacant Island lands.
The Corporate Services Committee submits the following report (June 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of
Corporate Services:
Purpose:
To report on the Board structure of the Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust as recommended to the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing by the Trust. The structure includes three representatives from the City of Toronto.
Financial Implications:
There are no financial implications to this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(a)Council endorse the structure recommended by the Board of the Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust,
comprising ten Toronto Island community representatives, three City of Toronto representatives and one provincial
representative for a one-year term of appointment;
(b)Council recommend to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that the Commissioner of Corporate Services,
the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism and one member of Toronto City Council from the
Downtown Ward be appointed to the Board of the Toronto Islands Residential Community Trust;
(c)Council consider the future structure of the Board before the terms of the recommended appointees expire; and
(d)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
On December 15, 1993, the Toronto Islands Residential Community Stewardship Act, 1993 (the "Act") came into force.
The goal of the Act was to recognize the unique nature of the Island community and normalize the situation in terms of
ownership, by-law enforcement, and other community issues. In 1996, the new Provincial government introduced the
Toronto Islands Amendment Act, 1996, certain provisions of which came into force July 22, 1996 and August 12, 1996. As
result of this legislation, the Toronto Island residential community lands (being the Ward's Island and Algonquin Island
residential communities) were placed under the stewardship of a body known as the Toronto Islands Residential
Community Trust Corporation (the "Trust") and leased to the Trust for 99 years for the purpose of subleasing the
residential lands to their present occupants and developing housing on vacant land.
The objects of the Trust are to manage the lands described in the Act, including the houses and other buildings and
structures on the land, for the benefit of the residential community on the Island and the public and for such other objects as
prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The particular duties of the Land Trust include:
(a)the sales of 99-year land leases to those persons determined to be the owners of the existing houses;
(b)the management of all transactions relating to the Island and the distribution of lease proceeds to the Trust and the City;
(c)the management of in-fill housing on vacant Island lands;
(d)the re-sale of leases on behalf of owners; and
(e)the management of certain public buildings for the benefit of the community and the public
The existing avenues, walkways and vacant parklands were vested in the City of Toronto, which is required under the Act
to maintain municipal services to the Island lands.
In the original 1993 Act, the affairs of the Trust were to be managed by a Board of Directors which was to consist of
fifteen members, of which at least two thirds were to be residents of the Toronto Island's residential community as
nominated by the community. The other five members on the board were two provincial representatives, a City
representative, a Metro representative and one other person from the greater Toronto community to be determined. All
persons nominated as candidates for the Board are appointed by an order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council for
Ontario.
The Commissioner of City Property or designate was originally nominated by Toronto City Council to be the City's
representative on the Trust's Boards of Directors.
As a result of amendments to the original Act in 1996, the requirement for a majority of Island residents on the Trust's
Board of Directors was removed. The Board was subsequently reduced on the recommendation of the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing to include four Provincial representatives and two Islanders. The purpose of the Province
taking control of the Trust at that time was to eliminate any Provincial liability and this was achieved when the debt was
retired through the sale of 12 in-fill housing lots by the Trust.
The terms of the existing Board members expire on July 22, 1998 and the Trust is seeking the endorsement of the City for
a list of nominees to be recommended to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. In view of the tight time-table, it
is understood that the Province may extend the terms of the existing six Board members for a short period to ensure that the
Trust can continue to function while new appointments are made.
The last time the City Council of the former City of Toronto considered this issue, it supported the Trust's proposal that a
majority of the Board continue to be Islanders. This position was based upon the concern that a Board which did not have a
majority of Islanders would lose the confidence of the community. The importance of control over the Trust Board lies in
its role, as landlord, to potentially assist the City with respect to the enforcement of by-law standards for Island properties
and other municipal initiatives and its responsibility for the collection and remittance of lease proceeds and charges under
the Act which are payable to the City.
Discussion:
The Toronto Island community representatives have recommended to the Minister and to the City that the board be
composed of 14 members, broken down as follows:
ten Toronto Island community representatives
three City of Toronto representatives; and
one provincial representative.
The community has elected ten new representatives for consideration as appointees to the Trust board. They have
suggested that the City representatives should be one member of City Council and two senior staff of the City. It is
proposed that the latter be the Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Commissioner of Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism. This would ensure that City Council is represented directly on the Trust and that, from an operational
standpoint, the property and parks functions would also be represented at a senior level. Formerly, the only City
representation was senior staff appointees. A Councillor from the Downtown Ward would be most appropriate as the City
Council representative.
Conclusions:
These recommendations provide a sound basis for governance of the Trust, which will be strengthened in terms of
accountability by the inclusion of a City Councillor. In view of the short time frame to have the Order in Council
appointments confirmed, it is recommended that Council approve the proposed structure and also approve the Councillor
and staff appointments for a one-year term of appointment. Council should consider the future structure of the Board of the
Trust before the terms of the recommended appointees expire.
Contact Name:
Michael Brown, Commissioner's Office, Tel: 392-8654