Thread by @GraphicMatt

Toronto Council meets today. The first item up for debate will be a report from the City Manager about the shelter system during COVID-19. After that: it’s winter in June, with a debate about expanding sidewalk snow clearing.

Watch live here:

I’ve got a full preview of this week’s Council agenda in the new issue of @CityHallWatcher, which also includes a new Lobbyist Watch starring garbage incineration lobbyists, Uber & Lyft lobbyists, Amazon lobbyists, and also many, many other lobbyists. graphicmatt.substack.com/p/chw126

The Toronto Council meeting starts with a modified version of the national anthem video. Usually it is a series of glamour scenes of Toronto — skyline shots, people gathering, the giant flag at the Rogers Centre, etc. Today, just video of this flag at half mast.

Following the anthem, Mayor John Tory is in the chamber to speak about the 215 unmarked graves at the residential school. There’s a really terrible moment where someone has their microphone on and is making a phone call while Tory is speaking about treatment of Indigenous people.

Chief Laforme of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation is here (virtually) to speak about the unmarked child graves in Kamloops. “This is a call to action. Let’s recognize that these children are all our children. The children of this land. The children of this country.”

After Chief Laforme’s words, Council pauses for 215 seconds for a moment of silence.

Time for some housekeeping. Councillor Paula Fletcher’s administrative inquiry has revealed that the City is still waiting on the federal and prov govs to provide a list of surplus land that could be used for housing. The matter gets referred to committee. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Stephen Holyday wants a vote on an item that asks Council to endorse a federal ban on six single-use plastic items like six-pack rings, checkout bags and straws. It CARRIES 23-2. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council votes 20-1 to request the province issue an MZO for the modular housing project at 175 Cummer Avenue. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council votes 20-1 to request the province issue an MZO for the modular project at 20 Bracebridge Avenue in East York. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council has started their first item, which is a report on safety in the shelter system. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The item has been combined with another item, which is a $2.9 million contract award to buy some portable washrooms and sinks for Toronto parks. This got a rough ride at committee, at some councillors wondered if it would somehow encourage encampments. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The most notable part of this item for me are the results of a survey of current and former encampment residents, that found safety is by far the biggest reason people are opting against using the city’s shelter system.

On the debate about shelters and homelessness, Councillor Josh Matlow moves a long motion that calls for an advisory committee of current and past shelter clients, and a review of shelter standards to provide a more welcoming environment.

The full text of Matlow’s motion on the shelter system:

https://twitter.com/TorontoCouncil/status/1402297918263115778

Councillor Mike Layton moves to reiterate Council’s commitment to taking a housing-first and human rights approach, and to develop a strategy for providing “safe indoor shelter and housing opportunities” for encampment residents.

Councillor Ana Bailao moves to have staff work with encampment residents on plans to get them into housing. She also wants to look at whether any current residents of supportive housing no longer need supports, which would free up space.

Council goes on break for lunch. Back at 2 p.m. to finish this debate on shelters. There are 55 items left on the agenda, including 31 member motions.

A notable addition to the agenda: light the signal fires. Toronto has selected a new ombudsman. Name will remain confidential until confirmed by Council. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council is back from lunch, with councillors adding some additional items to the agenda, including this one in which Councillor Stephen Holyday is concerned about fireworks.

Council has returned to the shelter debate. Councillor John Filion has a motion requiring staff to report back to Committee for approval before renewing the contract for extra park washrooms.

Councillor Paul Ainslie, speaking in support of buying the portable park washrooms, notes 12 names were added to the city’s homeless memorial in a ceremony today. He reads all 12 names.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam moves to direct staff to to distribute water to encampment residents, and to ensure the portable washrooms/sinks for parks are accessible to people with disabilities.

Councillor Jaye Robinson asks if Wong-Tam’s motion would include giving bottled water to people in encampments. Wong-Tam says, no, because the city has a ban on using bottled water. They’ll be looking at other means of water distribution.

Councillor Stephen Holyday has a very short motion: “That City Council adopt a goal of zero encampments.”

Councillor Stephen Holyday says he’ll be voting against the motions to provide portable washrooms and drinking water to people in encampments. He says he is doing so to “protect public access” to parks.

Councillor Gord Perks asks Holyday if he’d consider amending his motion so that Council agrees to “adopt a goal of zero homelessness.” Holyday says no, because this is specifically about encampments.

Holyday’s motion is so vague it’s got some councillors concerned. It’s kind of like a hypothetical motion that calls for Toronto to be a crime-free city. Could be a pretext for funding a bunch of youth services. Could also be a pretext for starting a Robocop program.

With this case, it’s a question of how Toronto is supposed to achieve the the zero encampments goal. Housing? Bulldozers? Pretty important to be specific.

Deputy Mayor Minnan-Wong says he’ll be voting against the washrooms and the provision of drinking water. “I don’t think we should be making it easier for the people in these encampments to sustain and live longer in these encampments — we should be encouraging them to leave.”

Important context to Holyday’s push to get rid of encampments: he also opposes housing.

https://twitter.com/mjrichardson_to/status/1402336441938677761

Councillor Joe Cressy moves a counter to Holyday’s motion: “That City Council adopt a goal of ending chronic homelessness.”

Since we’re on the subject of park washrooms, Councillor Jaye Robinson points out it’s ridiculous that so many permanent park washroom facilities have had their doors locked over the last few weeks. She’s been trying to get ‘em open.

Councillor Gord Perks draws an analogy for the Holyday motion: he supports getting COVID patients out of the province’s ICU units. He does NOT support achieving that by shutting down all the ICU units. Methods are important.

Councillor Paula Fletcher says there are 35,000 people in rent arrears. With eviction moratorium lifting, she expects a “tsunami of people who can’t pay their rent.” Some will end up on the street.

Councillor Michael Thompson moves for a review of the emergency COVID shelter hotel program to make it as hospitable as possible for people.

Mayor John Tory says he favours a “compassionate but firm” approach to encampments. He rattles off some numbers suggesting a lot of the structures in parks aren’t being actively lived in. “Protestors shouldn’t get to decide which tents get to remain there.”

Tory says he won’t support Matlow’s motion to put together an advisory committee of current/former shelter users and review shelter standards to be welcoming. Matlow asks why, given SSHA ED Mary-Anne Bedard said she was cool with it. Tory says he prefers Thompson’s motion.

Time to vote.

Matlow’s motion to establish an advisory group of current/former shelter users and to review shelter standards FAILS 10-16.

Layton’s motion to reiterate Council’s commitment to taking a housing first and human rights approach CARRIES 25-0.

Layton’s motion to develop a strategy, in consultation with people who have bene homeless and homeless-serving orgs, to provide safe indoor shelter and housing opportunities for encampment residents FAILS 9-17.

Councillor Ana Bailao’s motion to work with encampment residents on housing plans, and to look at whether some current supportive housing residents could be moved to other affordable housing to open up more supportive spaces, CARRIES 24-2.

Councillor Wong-Tam’s motion to distribute drinking water at encampment sites CARRIES 22-3.

Holyday’s motion to “adopt a goal of zero encampments” CARRIES 18-7.

Cressy’s motion to “adopt a goal of ending chronic homelessness” CARRIES 26-0.

Thompson’s motion for a review of the emergency shelter hotel program to make it more hospitable CARRIES 26-0.

And the City’s Manager report on shelter safety during COVID is ADOPTED by Council, 26-0. Motions and votes are listed here: app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Ainslie’s motion to approve the $2.9 million contract for portable washrooms and sinks in parks CARRIES 19-7.

Some procedural confusion now. Councillor John Filion’s moved to withdraw his motion that would have required staff to seek committee approval before executing the second-year option on the portable washroom contract. Motion to withdraw carried 14-12, but Holyday wants a re-vote.

Nunziata explains Holyday is actually looking for a re-vote on *this* motion from Ainslie. He says that Filion withdrawing his motion changed the overall situation. This is all very silly.

https://twitter.com/GraphicMatt/status/1402354026763763713

Motion to re-open the vote on Ainslie’s motion fails 12-14. And so we move on.

Councillor Wong-Tam’s motion to ensure the portable washrooms and sinks are accessible CARRIES 26-0.

Councillor Josh Matlow has some tough words for those, including the mayor, who voted against his motion.

https://twitter.com/JoshMatlow/status/1402356059537350666

Quickly changing gears: it’s time for sidewalk snow clearing. Staff have come up with a solution — tiny plows, with some manual clearing in narrow/obstructed areas — for clearing snow from the ~1,300 km of sidewalks that have not traditionally been cleared. Long time coming.

It is kind of amazing that the line for years was that clearing downtown sidewalks of snow was basically impossible. Turns out the answer was… tiny plows. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Stephen Holyday of Etobicoke says he’ll vote against the increased sidewalk snow clearing service in Old Toronto & East York. He says the current system, where residents are responsible for clearing snow from in front of their properties, works fine.

And it’s official: Council votes 25-1 to APPROVE the expansion of sidewalk snow clearing city-wide, effective this winter. Money will need to be included in the 2022 operating budget to continue the service, so I’ll keep an eye on that.

Council is now on item about election-related matters. In a weird moment, Councillor Pasternak asks City Solicitor Wendy Walberg if it’s possible the Supreme Court will split the diff between 25 wards and 47 wards and order Toronto to use 36 wards. Walberg says this is unlikely.

Councillor Shelley Carroll speaks about the need for Toronto to reexamine the election contribution system. She’s been a longtime backer of a New York City-style system, where small donations are matched 8-to-1 by public funds. Toronto, in contrast, gives rebates to big donors.

Council skips forward to the item about the province’s Ontario Place redevelopment. Short version: Province got some proposals for OP way back in Sept 2019. Hasn’t revealed any details yet. City staff are recommending a formal process for negotiating the plan, whenever we see it.

Councillor Joe Cressy moves for staff to talk to the province about guiding principles and to get some public meetings on the Ontario Place redevelopment going ASAP.

On the Ontario Place item, Mayor John Tory moves to make sure the Exhibition Place Board and the CNE Board get regular updates on the redevelopment process, and to include CreateTO in the process.

Mayor John Tory, despite being in his City Hall office, has had brutal connection problems all day. I don’t understand it. Presumably it should be all LAN from his office to the Council chamber. Either a routing problem or awful WiFi, I guess.

The Tory and Cressy motions both CARRY via a show of hands, as does the Ontario Place item as amended. Now, please, Queen’s Park, tell us what the plan is.

And bring back the Mega Maze and the Nintendo Power Pod.

That’ll do it for Council today. Back tomorrow with 50 items left on the agenda, including 31 member motions, plus a few recent additions. Thread will resume at 9:30 a.m.

Council is back for day two, with 61 items left on the agenda (including 42 member motions) after a bunch were added overnight.

Streaming live here:

New additions to the agenda include a motion by Councillor Stephen Holyday who would like to immediately ban the possession of fireworks in city parks, install permanent “No Fireworks” signage in some parks, and launch an anti-illegal firework ad campaign. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Meanwhile, Councillor Jennifer McKelvie would like to bring ActiveTO to parts of the Meadoway trail system in Scarborough, looking at adding bike share, temp parking, etc. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Paula Fletcher and Councillor Shelley Carroll have added a motion requesting the police crack down on street racing. The motion is called Too Fast Too Furious 2. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

And Layton has added an item about advancing Truth & Reconciliation, calling on the prov/feds to fund the Residential School Survivors monument at Nathan Phillips Square, and fund efforts to find missing children. Also calls on feds to drop appeals. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The meeting begins with the mayor and City Manager Chris Murray touting the record and experience of retiring Deputy City Manager for Community & Social Services Giuliana Carbone.

On this item about various election-related matters, Councillor Anthony Perrruzza moves for an analysis of spending limits. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Perruzza’s election motion carries, as does the election item. Up now: an update on the anti-poverty strategy. Perruzza takes a moment to laud the success of the Fair Pass program that offers TTC discounts to people with low incomes. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Another new addition to this meeting agenda: Councillor Bradford wants to tamp down the beach partying at Woodbine, calling for the police to tow illegally-parked vehicles and crack down on enforcement after 10 p.m. on weekends. Also: more litter pick-up. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Mayor John Tory, seconded by Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong, has added an item to the agenda in wake of the Islamophobic attack in London. It “condemns in the strongest terms possible this act of Islamophobia and all such acts.” app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Report updating Council on the anti-poverty strategy carries unanimously, 24-0. We’re zipping right along here.

Up now: an item about the province’s Bill 251 and the implications for sex workers. Some background on this here: thestar.com/local-toronto-…

Bill 251 has already received royal assent so Council’s options are pretty limited here. Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam moves to forward the report to the Solicitor General, and express “grave concerns.”

Wong-Tam’s motion to express grave concerns to the Solicitor General about Bill 251 and its impact on sex workers CARRIES 21-1.

Council has jumped to item about single-use waste. The City was previously looking at mandatory measures like making biz charge a fee for cups, but that’s on hold because COVID. Instead, City will encourage biz to make voluntary efforts to reduce waste. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Mike Layton has a motion to have the city lead by example by implementing some voluntary measures to reduce waste from single-use items.

https://twitter.com/TorontoCouncil/status/1402655724757528582

Layton’s amendment carries via a show of hands, as does the single-use waste item. Zipping right along! I have decided to throw caution to the wind and declare it: they’re totally going to finish early.

On an item about a modular housing project proposed for Councillor Michael Thompson’s ward, Thompson moves to change the address that’ll apply to the site to avoid confusion with another property. Sensible. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Thompson is enthusiastic and emphatic in his support for the modular affordable housing project coming to his ward. It’s been really great to see councillors support these projects even against inevitable NIMBY pushback.

Councillor Gary Crawford speaks of the privilege of having one of the first two modular projects in his ward at 11 Macey. He says his only frustration with the project is that he can’t have a celebration with the new residents yet due to pandemic restrictions.

Crawford blasts this Sue Ann Levy’s column from this past weekend that incorrectly claimed the 11 Macey project had increased crime in the neighbourhood. He tears into it, calling it biased and inaccurate. torontosun.com/news/local-new…

East York Cares, the group fighting the East York modular site, created this dashboard in an attempt to show the Macey project increased crime. But the data shows crime is down. Whoops. They still cherry-picked some misleading stats for Levy’s column. datastudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/…

Council votes 21-1 to endorse the modular housing project in Scarborough at 7 Glamorgan Avenue, though it’ll get a new address.

Not really clear to me how Councillor Holyday intends to achieve his goal of zero encampments if he keeps voting against housing projects.

Up now: Councillor Michael Ford also has a modular project proposed for his ward, at 75 Tandridge Crescent. Apparently there have been some technical issues with this one, so consultations will be postponed a bit. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Michael Ford has a motion to report back in the early fall after staff figure out the technical issues with this modular project in his ward. He speaks in support of the project — again, it’s really nice to see suburban councillors stepping up.

The proposed modular project at 75 Tandridge Crescent in Councillor Michael Ford’s ward is endorsed by Council, 21-1.

Council breaks for lunch. There are 53 items left on the agenda, but 47 of them are member motions. Back at 2 p.m.

Council is back, and they’re burning through the member motions. Motion to request a federal EA of the Metrolinx Don Valley Layover Facility CARRIES 22-2. (@TorontoCouncil isn’t showing the vote results at the moment.)

Ah, here’s the vote on requesting a federal EA of Metrolinx’s Don Valley Layover Facility EA. Ford and Minnan-Wong opposed. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council votes via show of hands to give $500K to the Juno Awards. They’re returning to Toronto next year for a (presumably) in-person show. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Toronto Council votes 25-0 to appoint a new ombudsman. We should find out who it is soon.

Councillor McKelvie’s motion to have staff look at opportunities to bring ActiveTO to the Meadoway in Scarborough carries via a show of hands. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Holyday’s anti-fireworks item and Fletcher’s anti-street racing item both get held for debate. We’ll come back to ‘em.

Via a show of hands, Council adopts the mayor’s motion to waive permit fees for outdoor fitness classes in parks. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Brad Bradford’s motion designed to crack down on the Woodbine Beach party scene also gets adopted by a show of hands. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Motion from Councillor Jaye Robinson to look at strengthening heritage bylaws following the long weekend demolition of a Hogg’s Hollow heritage home CARRIES 25-0. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

A Councillor Brad Bradford motion to develop a pilot project for live music on patios in Bradford’s Beaches - East York and Councillor Ana Bailao’s Davenport is held down for debate, because Councillor Paula Fletcher would like the music in more places. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

There are now just 14 items left on Council’s agenda. Up now: an item authorizing receipt of $2 million to fund about 300 electric vehicle chargers. Councillor Paula Fletcher asking about ways to get even more charging stations. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The electric vehicle charging station item carries via a show of hands, with this amendment from Fletcher all about getting more EV charging stations.

https://twitter.com/TorontoCouncil/status/1402703971375058957

Up now: COVID-19. Still a going concern. A report from the Medical Officer of Health recommends Council extend the bylaws for masks and distancing to October, though Dr. De Villa says she’ll review the rules on a monthly basis and recommend adjustments. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Dr. de Villa says “business is brisk” when it comes to people seeking second doses of COVID-19. No real signs yet of people skipping out on second shots.

Councillor Joe Cressy moves to urge Queen’s Park to prioritize second doses in hotspot neighbourhoods, and to adopt Dr. de Villa’s recommendation to extend the mask and distancing bylaws to October (with a monthly review). He also moves to thank the Accessibility Committee.

Cressy’s motion requesting the province prioritize second doses to hot spot neighbourhoods CARRIES via a show of hands. As does the De Villa extension of mask / distancing bylaws, and the thanking of the Accessibility Committee. The monthly COVID update carries. Council moves on.

Up now: bike lanes! The recommended Q2 installations of bike lanes includes cycle tracks across the Esplanade and new lanes on Woodfield Road. Item also adds some sidewalks. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Josh Matlow explains that he’ll be calling the new bike lanes on Winona Drive the “Winona Rider.” Pretty good.

The bike lane item CARRIES via a show of hands, with a handful of technical amendments. New lanes coming to streets soon. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Speaker Frances Nunziata suggests Council take a brief recess. When they come back, they’ll vote on whether they wan to try to polish off this agenda today. There are 11 items left.

Back from recess, Mayor John Tory moves to complete the agenda. That carries via a show of hands. Pedal to the metal.

Councillor Fletcher’s motion calling for a crackdown on street racing on the DVP carries via a show of hands. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Brad Bradford’s motion requesting Metrolinx conduct a technical review of alternative designs for their rail plans through Small’s Creek to protect the environment CARRIES 26-0.

Up now: a debate about signs. Staff have recommended against a proposal to install two new digital signs at the entrance to Exhibition Place off Lake Shore. Councillor Mark Grimes supports the signs. The Planning & Housing Committee was deadlocked. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Grimes asks Exhibition Place CEO Don Boyle if these new digital signs represent “significant dollars” for Exhibition Place. Boyle agrees. He fully supports the new signs.

Here’s what the current signs look like versus the proposed new ones. New ones will be digital. City Planning staff have concerns that large electronic signs “would not contribute to the public enjoyment” of pathways around the Ex grounds.

Councillor Mark Grimes moves to approve the new Ex signs, with a requirement that they get shut off between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. every day.

Councillor Joe Cressy, on the other hand, moves to adopt the staff recommendations to nix the new Ex signs. Duelling motions.

Councillor John Filion says Council has adopted bylaws governing electronic signs, and this proposal doesn’t comply with them. “We can’t just change them because some money is dangling before us. We have to have some principles.”

Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong supports the signs, saying that Exhibition Place has been losing money during COVID. He says Exhibition Place CEO Don Boyle needs the cash. “This is not some evil plot where the world will come to an end,” says Minnan-Wong.

In case you’re wondering: yes, it is ridiculous that the elected government of Canada’s largest city is debating one specific signage application. Council should set the policies. Staff should deal with the applications.

Councillor Mark Grimes’ motion to permit the digital signage on the Exhibition Place grounds CARRIES 13-10.

What’s better than one sign debate? TWO sign debates. We’ve got another one. Staff rejected this proposal to replace an existing static sign off the Gardiner with a new digital one. Councillor Mark Grimes would like to overrule the staff report. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Councillor Mark Grimes moves to allow this billboard, with the requirement that it get shut off between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Councillor Mark Grimes’ motion to allow the new electronic billboard CARRIES 12-11.

Council is now debating something about the regulations for fences around backyard pools. Councillor Stephen Holyday has a hand-drawn visual aid. I will not lie to you: I don’t know what’s going on. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The pool fence item is approved via show of hands before I have to learn anything about it. Phew. Up now: fireworks! Councillor Stephen Holyday has a motion to get stricter about people who illegally set off fireworks in parks. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

MLS Executive Director Carleton Grant says 311 received 144 complaints about fireworks over the May long weekend.

Councillor Jennifer McKelvie has a motion to add additional parks to the list of parks that will get more “No Fireworks” signage.

Councillor Shelley Carroll and Councillor Frances Nunziata also add parks in their wards to the list of parks that will get new “No Fireworks” signage in an effort to stop people from setting off fireworks.

Council votes 23-0 to crack down on people setting off illegal fireworks, with new park signage, a request to step up enforcement, a public info campaign and an application that the province double fines. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

Council votes 24-0 to adopt Councillor Mike Layton’s Truth, Reconciliation & Justice motion. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

On the item calling for Council to condemn Islamophobia, Councillor Mike Layton presents a long motion with several specific actions to address Islamophobia.

https://twitter.com/TorontoCouncil/status/1402751708166492162

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam moves to have Council condemn white supremacy and denounce the Quebec Charter of Values because of the hijab ban.

Motions from Layton and Wong-Tam carry via shows of hands. Council votes 25-0 to condemn Islamophobia.

Up now: a motion from Mayor John Tory, seconded by Councillor Mike Colle, Councillor Josh Matlow and Councillor James Pasternak, to condemn recent acts of Anti-Semitism in the city. app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgen…

The motion to condemn recent acts of Anti-Semitism carries 25-0.

Last item is about a pilot project for live music on patios in Bradford’s and Bailao’s wards. Councillor Fletcher moves to also include her ward, so there can be live music on patios all across the Danforth. That CARRIES via a show of hands.

Mayor John Tory ends the meeting by wishing an early happy birthday to Councillor Mark Grimes, who will turn 60 on June 21. “We opened the patios just for you, Mark,” says the mayor.

And that’s all. Thanks for following along!

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