Toronto City Councillor
Ward 25 Don Valley West

 The Council Highlights are provided as a service to residents of Ward 25.  The following is a summary of the City Council meeting of April 29 and 30, 2009       

1. School Pools (MM35.6)

Council refused on a 17-20 vote to consider the matter of the closing of up to 39 pools of Toronto District School Board (TDSB) proposed as a cost-containment measure.  Councillor Karen Stintz had sought to have the City participate with the TDSB and the provincial government in seeking a solution to save as many pools as possible.

The TDSB decision to close the pools had previously been met with a public outcry which led to the appointment of former Toronto Mayor David Crombie to chair a Working Group to seek alternatives.  In March 2009, this group made a number of recommendations about how to reduce costs, increase revenues and improve the management of the pools.  He specifically recommended that the three parties – the City, the TDSB and provincial government - meet to seek a new governance model and appropriate funding.  The TDSB and the provincial government were willing.  I also voted in support.  However, Mayor Miller was opposed, and with his close associates on Council, carried the negative vote.

2. OMB Folly (NY25.1)

Council deferred consideration of a by-law to designate “OMB Folly” as the name of a new street near the North York Centre.  The name had previously been proposed by Councillor John Filion to observe a very widely criticized decision of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).  The OMB, in overturning a refusal by City Council of a development application outside of the North York City Centre, had entirely ignored the City’s Official Plan in a way that Councillor Filion described as the worst OMB decision he’d ever seen.  The deferral will permit time to determine whether prospective residents of the new development will accept the proposed name.

3. Compensation of non-union employees (EX31.19)

Instead of following the City’s usual practice of patterning non-union compensation after settling a contract with its unions, Council adopted Mayor Miller’s proposal to immediately amend the City’s non-union staff compensation policy to set the cost of living adjustments for 2009 and 2010 at zero and one per cent respectively and to cancel certain performance-based payments in 2009 and 2010.  While it may have the intended effect of influencing the current negotiations with city unions on a new contract effective January 1, 2009, its most certain effect is to cause immediate morale problems among non-union staff.  They and many others see it as hypocritical and inconsistent with the Executive Committee’s decision on Councillors’ own salaries (it recommended no such freeze, indeed it actually directed staff to start work on Councillors’ next raise).  For the above reasons I voted against this motion – and I remain very concerned that the Mayor continues to permit the negotiations with our unions to drag on.  In doing so, we are sleepwalking to a possible (garbage) strike during the hot summer months – clearly not having learned from such previous actual and threatened strikes.

4. City of Toronto’s accountability officers (EX31.1)

Council adopted a consolidated policy framework for Toronto's four accountability officers (auditor general, integrity commissioner, lobbyist registrar and ombudsman) that sets out their independence, their accountability mechanisms to City Council, and the administrative and operational supports for their offices.  Council approved the establishment of a new chapter in the Toronto Municipal Code for the accountability officers, which reflects their independent status in the City's government and reinforces their separation from the City's administration.

5. Pilot project for wider public access to Internet (GM22.3)

Council gave its approval, in principle, for a “Wired Canada” pilot project in Toronto.  The local project, an initiative of the Oxford Group that will be financed by corporate sponsorships, is intended to give Torontonians free access to Internet-ready computers in public facilities.  The City’s priority neighbourhoods, specifically Toronto Community Housing complexes, will be the immediate focus of Toronto’s pilot project.  Low-income households are most vulnerable to being left out of today’s digital-oriented economy. 

6. Support for recreational skating (EX31.16)

Council approved the offer of a substantial financial donation from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment – a total of $2 million over the next few years starting this year – that will be used to refurbish City arenas and outdoor ice rinks.  Many of Toronto's arenas and rinks are in need of repairs and upgrades. 

7. Unpaid parking tickets (GM22.10)

Council decided to discontinue the City’s pilot program on the collection of payment for Toronto parking tickets placed on vehicles licensed outside Ontario.  The cost of the program has exceeded its revenues.  Council will ask the Ontario government to negotiate data exchange agreements with other provincial and state governments regarding defaulted payment of parking tickets, giving top priority to certain states and provinces whose residents account for many of the out-of-province-vehicle parking offences in Toronto.

8. Homelessness and mental health (CD23.11)

Council authorized the City’s participation in a research project on the issue of mental health and homeless people.  This project, part of a national program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, will give 300 homeless people who have mental health issues access to housing with supports.  The City's Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division will co-lead the four-year demonstration project with the Centre for Research in Inner City Health (part of St. Michael's Hospital).  Council also gave the division's Streets to Homes unit the go-ahead to provide training for demonstration projects in other participating Canadian cities.   

9. Security at City facilities (GM22.4)

Council adopted a comprehensive security plan and policy for City facilities, with the Corporate Security Unit responsible for protecting City assets and setting security standards for City-owned or operated facilities.  Council directed the Corporate Security Unit to review security at any City agencies and facilities that do not have dedicated security management in place.  Council also asked for a plan to ensure suitable protection of civic centres’ chambers and the second floor of City Hall – which houses councillors’ offices.

Committee and Other Non-Council Items

1. New Harmonized Zoning By-law.  The Planning & Growth Committee authorized public consultation for a new draft Zoning By-law which is intended to harmonize (i.e. consolidate) the existing 43 zoning by-laws inherited by the City at amalgamation.  Two dates have been tentatively identified for Ward 25 residents – June 24 and June 30 – locations to be determined.  City Planning Staff have hinted at some of the provisions of the draft new by-law but have not actually released it yet.  We believe that there are measures which will be received positively by residents – including greater restrictions on the establishment of (private) schools in residential zones.  On the other hand, there are indications that several new provisions will be not be received positively by residents – including greater heights for residential dwellings, reduced sideyard setbacks, greater lot coverages and a new definition of height that could encourage flat roofs.  Once firmly scheduled, I will be providing notice of the meetings to my shorter list of Community Association contacts.  If you are not on that list, but wish to be informed of the public consultations, please contact my office