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Tory says "there’s an awful lot of questions that are outstanding about" the province's Ontario Line plan, and asserts the best way to get those answers is to stay at the table with the provincial government and continue to discuss the subway upload.
Tory also says council will be making decisions about transit plans "over the next day or so." Not sure if it's what he meant, but might make sense to delay a vote until 2nd day of council so members can have some time to consider city manager advice, which we're still awaiting.
Cllr McKelvie introduces petitions from residents urging the city to build the Eglinton East LRT. This is the project that has been priced out of the city's plans by the rising cost of the Scarborough subway extension, which McKelvie also supports.
Speaker Nunziata says debate on transit plans will be put on hold until council gets the update from the city manager, which is now expected at noon. Cllr Matlow asks her if it might make sense to hold off until tomorrow so councillors have time to digest the report.
Matlow stands again and says it would be "unreasonable" to debate transit update right after they receive it. Council meeting already scheduled for tomorrow, he asks it be debated then. Nunziata reiterates it's up to the mayor, says she will speak to him.
Now on to the King pilot debate. It's unlikely to be contentious, and while that's anti-climactic it's worth noting that various proposals to prioritize streetcars on King were stymied for years. That it looks set to sail through council is indication of a significant shift.
Under questioning from Cllr Perks, city staff say they have a list of streets that could benefit from a similar transit-first treatment as King.
In a reference to the rose-coloured glasses, Cllr Layton suggests that Cllr Holyday "get his prescription checked," because he's obviously not able to read the city report that says the King pilot has been a success.
Councillors frequently move motions on transit plans based on the specific interests of their ward. Rarer for them to move motions based on the specifics of their commute.
Mayor Tory says he won't support motions presented today to tinker with the rules on King St. Says staff should continue to review operations, but "the bottom line for me... is it's working."
Cllr Holyday's motions to loosen traffic restrictions in King pilot area are voted down.
Cllr Karygiannis motion to exempt taxis contracted to Wheel-Trans from the pilot rules is also voted down.
Cllr Perruzza's motion on motorcycles also fails.
Mayor Tory's motion to widen the scope of ongoing staff review of the pilot to include more than just night operations carries unanimously.
Breaking: Council votes to make the King streetcar pilot permanent, in a vote of 22 to 3.
Tory says he'd like to time the larger transit debate for 4 p.m. today, with the expectation it could continue to tomorrow. Cllr Matlow objects, says it should wait until tomorrow, but looks like he's out of luck. (We're still waiting for the transit report).
