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Council Highlights
Archive
April 2008 |
 The
Council Highlights are provided as a service to
constituents in Ward 25. The following is a brief
summary of Council’s meeting held on April 28 & 29,
2008.
TTC as an Essential Service
The strike by the TTC unions on the weekend prior to the
Council meeting stranded nurses and others late at night
and prevented many from getting to work the next day. It
also focused public attention on a motion by Councillor
Cesar Palacio and myself to request that the Province
declare the TTC to be an essential service – and thus
outlaw strikes and permit settlement by mandatory
arbitration. Our motion, however, was ruled out of order
on a dubious technicality. Rather than engage in an
extended and acrimonious debate on rules, Mayor Miller
bowed to public opinion and agreed to let Council
eventually decide the issue. So, instead of once again
burying the essential service motion at his Executive
Committee, he consented to a report by the City Manager
on options and consequences of declaring the TTC an
Essential Service. Her report is scheduled to be
submitted first to the Executive Committee on September
2. Mayor Miller further committed that the issue would
be subsequently decided by a vote of City Council later
in the year. In my view, this will permit the strongly
expressed will of the people of Toronto to be reflected
in Council.
Parkland Dedication to the City
Council adopted two motions, by Councillor John Filion
and myself, which will prevent the City from being
shortchanged many acres of parkland and/or many millions
of dollars in “cash-in-lieu” of parkland in certain
development applications. As the City intensifies, the
Planning Act permits the City to provide increased
parkland for a population growing as a result of new
development. Council passed the appropriate resolution
in December but the subsequent by-law prepared by staff
was problematic, as follows:
1. Our first motion plugged a significant loophole in
the Alternate Parkland Dedication Rate by-law. As
originally drafted, the by-law contained an unintended
exception to permit a lower rate of parkland dedication
from future applications. That had not been Council’s
intent – which was to grandfather only previously
existing exceptions.
2. The second plugged another large loophole that would
have enabled 28 sites in North York where the new
Official Plan remains under appeal to avoid the new
parkland dedication by developing those sites under the
old (but still in-force) North York Official Plan.
214 York Mills Road
Council adopted the North York Community Council’s
recommendation to REFUSE rezoning of this residential
property to permit a commercial use. The property, a
single-family home, had not been used for residential
purposes. Instead, a business valuation company had been
utilizing the building with several employees arriving
and departing daily. A great many nearby residents and
both affected community association had vigorously
objected to the proposed rezoning. Council’s decision is
a strong defence of our residential communities.
Banning handguns in Canada
City Council approved a motion asking the federal
government to ban handguns in Canada, including the
sale, purchase and possession of any handgun. Police
officers and military personnel would be excluded from
the ban. Council also voted to ask the Government of
Canada to institute a mandatory five-year minimum
sentence for any person found guilty of handgun
possession and those persons involved in the sale or
purchase of such firearms. A national handgun ban is
just one of a number of initiatives aimed at ensuring
the safety of Toronto neighbourhoods and communities.
Other initiatives include advocating for stronger border
security to stop illegal guns from being smuggled into
Canada from the U.S., pushing for tougher laws to
address the illegal use of guns, and building on the
success of the Toronto Police Service's Anti-Violence
Intervention Strategy (TAVIS). This approach is
consistent with the goals and objectives of the Toronto
Gun Violence Strategy, which is part of the Mayor's
Community Safety Plan. Passed unanimously by City
Council in March 2004, the Community Safety Plan
balances law enforcement with crime prevention, builds
on strengths in neighbourhoods, and builds partnerships
to increase employment, training and recreational
opportunities for youth in Toronto's priority
neighbourhoods. Staff will report back in June 2008 on
further options and measures the City can implement to
address gun violence.
Increased penalties for running a red light
Council recommended a package of stiffer penalties for
red-light running offences. The proposed new fines and
penalties will be sent to the Government of Ontario for
consideration and implementation. As part of the
package, the City is requesting the Province to consider
raising the fine from $180 to $500, and increasing the
demerit points from three to five for red-light running
offences. Council is also calling for the immediate
suspension of the driver’s licence of any driver
convicted of multiple red-light running offences or who
causes an injury as a result of running a red light.
Red-light cameras have resulted in significant
reductions in the number of collisions at red-light
camera locations. In May 2006, City Council approved an
expansion of the program from the initial 10 cameras in
37 locations to a total of 98 cameras in 169 locations
by the end of 2009. The City has operated red-light
cameras since November 2000.
Support for International Car Free Day
City Council expressed its support for International Car
Free Day, an annual event celebrated by 100 million
people in 1,500 cities around the world that is
supported by the European Union, the United Nations and
the federal government. Car Free Day began in Canada on
September 22, 2001 when Toronto became the first North
American city to officially host a Car Free Day event.
Car Free Day street events and forums highlight the many
problems caused by the dependence on automobiles,
including air pollution, global warming, stress and
safety issues. This international event emphasizes the
rights of pedestrians and cyclists, the need for more
and better public transit, and helps people rediscover
their local community outside the confines of their
vehicles. In November 2007, Toronto’s Medical Officer of
Health released a study estimating that vehicle-borne
pollution contributes to about 440 premature deaths in
Toronto and costs the city's economy $2.2 billion each
year.
New underground PATH pedestrian tunnel
Council endorsed the expansion of the existing
underground PATH system to include a new underground
York St. pedestrian connection between Union Station and
Wellington St. W. The $65-million project is based on
the need to plan and prepare for the significant
increase in pedestrian demands within Union Station over
the next 15 to 20 years. The additional pedestrian
facilities are required to relieve congestion and
support future downtown growth and pedestrian activities
generated in part by GO Transit’s ongoing service
expansion. Council also directed staff to pursue a
tri-partite partnership with the other levels of
government and private sector stakeholders to fund the
construction and maintenance of the new PATH pedestrian
connection. GO Transit has indicated they would support
a recommendation to fund one-third of the cost, as a
provincial contribution. The new underground pedestrian
tunnel promotes public transit and other more
sustainable modes of transportation, as well as the
revitalization of Union Station.
Motorcycles and scooters permitted in HOV Lanes
Council agreed to allow motorcycles and scooters to use
the City’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes. This
change will take effect once the existing HOV signs are
altered to include a motorcycle/scooter pictogram, which
is expected to be completed over the next couple of
months. Since HOV Lanes are situated next to the curb,
safety for these motorists is expected to be improved.
Non-Council Items:
1. Annual Ward 25 Environment Day, 10am to 2pm Saturday,
May 24 at the Toronto Parking Authority lot at 3885
Yonge Street. (just south of York Mills). In addition to
the usual features (free compost, drop-off of reusable
and hazardous items), this year’s event will include an
information booth by VISE. VISE is the Valley Initiative
on Solar Energy, a group of Hogg’s Hollow residents who
are seeking to address climate change through the use of
renewable solar energy in their homes. Led by Valley
resident Mindy Ganz, VISE is willing to expand its joint
buying power to other interested residents of Ward 25.
2. Councillor Cesar Palacio and I have established a
Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Declaring the TTC an
Essential Service. During the summer, it will undertake
research, advocacy and outreach activities with respect
to the issue of Declaring the TTC an Essential Service.
Its membership is limited to ensure effectiveness – but
may be expanded to include new citizens with specific
ideas, energies and/or skills. Please advise if you have
a specific interest in this Committee.
For more information on City matters, please see my
website
www.cliffjenkins.com, or call my office at
416-395-6408. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE to my Council
Highlights, please let me know by return e-mail.
Please have a safe & happy summer.
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