Council Defers Consideration of New Taxes

In a dramatic 23-22 vote on the Mayor's proposed new Land Transfer Tax (LTT) and Vehicle Ownership Tax (VOT), City Council deferred on both items until October.  I opposed both taxes and voted for deferral.  The deferral will permit this matter to become an issue for citizens to question the parties and the candidates in the Ontario Provincial election on October 10. 

The new LTT and VOT, after amendments by the Mayor, would have generated $325 million (less administration costs) for the City annually.  Under the LTT, the sale of an average Ward 25 home (valued at $950,000) would be hit with an additional $15,475 tax.  Under the VOT, vehicle owners would pay an additional $60 per year per vehicle.

Interestingly, we already have a legitimate, largely untapped source of funds, called development charges (DC), to achieve about the same amount of revenues as the proposed new taxes.  DCs are specifically intended to pay for the new infrastructure that is required to support new growth.  We currently collect $50 million in development charges annually when, at the same time, our requirement for new infrastructure is in the range of $250 million and $350 million.  In my view, it is very unfair to hit taxpayers with $325 million in new taxes instead of achieving a similar amount in development charges from new residential development.  And it is further compounded by the City's continuing failure to seriously address administrative and operational efficiencies in City operations.

Over the next few months, residents will have the opportunity to ask reasonable questions to candidates running in the provincial election, such as:  1. Shouldn't the province begin to reduce the $700 million underfunding of the $2.6 billion provincially-mandated services operated by the City? 2. Shouldn't the provincial government require the City to set development charges at a level to match its need for new infrastructure? 

Subsequent to Council's decision, I wrote a joint letter to the mayor with Councillor Michael Walker requesting a special meeting of Council to develop a financial recovery plan for the City.  The letter suggested that:

"…such a special meeting should bring forward all ideas including new and increased development charges, alternate service delivery (contracting out), a congestion fee (London & New York), all City programs subject to full review, reduced salary demands and possible salary freezes including City Councillors to name a few."

To date, we have not received a reply from the Mayor.  Please be advised that I will continue to update residents on this important issue through my website and future e-newsletters.

Climate Change plan passes unanimously

The climate change and sustainability plan was passed by a unanimous vote of Council.  Under the plan the City commits to meeting Kyoto emissions target reductions of 6% by 2012, stepping that up to 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.  Council endorsed the creation of the $42 million Toronto Energy Conservation Fund, which will promote energy savings initiatives in city buildings, as well as schools and hospitals.  The City will obtain 25% of its electricity from green energy sources starting in 2008, and establish the Live Green Toronto program that will help community and residents’ groups green their neighbourhoods through a series of initiatives, including green roof projects, community gardens, and water conservation programs.

City to expand dog off-leash areas, and increase enforcement of dog bylaws

Implementation of the People, Dogs and Parks – Off-leash Policy will begin this fall, and will expand the number of off-leash areas in City parks.  To request new off-leash areas, dog owner groups will submit a proposal to the City’s General Manager of Parks and Recreation to establish an off-leash area in a particular park.  Issues such as fencing and proximity to playgrounds, splash pads, wading pools, sports fields, and horticulture displays would be discussed at a subsequent public meeting.  Increased enforcement of the leash laws will also be enacted under the plan, with an additional 10 parks bylaw enforcement officers hired as part of the 2008 budget submission.  Officers will obtain the elevated special constable status to improve their ability to enforce the bylaws and levy fines for non-compliance.  Starting in the fall, commercial dog walkers will be required to pay a fee as part of the Commercial Dog Walker Permit Policy, which was also adopted by Council.  Commercial dog walkers will be required to display their Dog Walker Permit when walking dogs in City parks, green spaces and waterfront areas, and will be allowed to walk a maximum of six dogs at a time, all with a valid pet licence. 

Casa Loma lease renewal for Kiwanis

The City will proceed with negotiations with the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma so they may continue to operate the historic facility through a lease to a maximum of 20 years.  Improved heritage programming and new visitor amenities are expected in the new deal.  The final lease agreement will come back to Council for approval.  As part of that agreement, Council is looking for a business model that will allow for Casa Loma revenues to make the facility self-sustaining and help pay for structural repairs to the building, which was erected in 1914.  Currently, the City has undertaken the cost of necessary repairs to the building’s exterior, which will cost $4.1 million in 2007 capital funds.  

York University Busway - roadway through hydro corridor lands

The City will continue to pursue use of hydro corridor lands to create an express lane for TTC buses to travel to York University, but Council instructed staff not to accept the current, negotiated offer for use of the land, and to continue negotiations.  The land is owned by the provincial utility Hydro One, which proposed to charge the City $3.9 million over 10 years for its use.  Council has asked the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to intervene and provide this publicly owned land at a more favourable cost to support public transit.

2007 Best Start Update to Toronto Child Care Services Plan approved

In approving the 2007 Best Start Update to the Toronto Child Care Services Plan, Council will continue to advocate that the province provide increased, flexible multi-year funding for child care in the city.  The City needs both increased funding and subsidy spaces to meet its child care needs.  For 2008 this would include pursuing $15 million for income testing (required by the province by changes in the funding formula), $20 million to the base budget for child care in the City, and an additional $28 million to address the waiting list for families awaiting subsidies for 2008 and 2009.  The province changed the funding formula for child care spaces this year to an income testing model, and the City will cover the subsequent increased costs through the Childcare Expansion Reserve Fund, which is expected to be exhausted in 2008. 

City to develop Green sector economic opportunities

Council directed City divisions, led by Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to develop a co-ordinated strategy to attract green, environmental businesses to the City.  A Green Manufacturing Action Team will be assembled, and include representation from green manufacturing, environment, labour and academia.  The team will match emerging needs from the booming green products market to manufacturing opportunities here in Toronto.  The team will also identify tools to help existing manufacturers in the city reduce pollution.

Non-Council Items:

Centralized Planning – On September 5, the Planning & Growth Management Committee will be considering an item deferred from its July meeting.  If passed in its current form, it would reduce Community Planning and would result in more planning decisions, such as the creation of new Avenues in the Official Plan, being made centrally.  For example in Ward 25, Bayview, Lawrence, Leslie, York Mills are NOT Avenues and hence are theoretically not subject to increased heights and densities contemplated for Avenues.  Councillor Filion and I are seeking to have this item referred back to staff to report on whether such matters should be decided at Community Council by local Councillors with input from citizens locally.