Mayor Olivia Chow's Toronto

[afransen]

Well looks like the chickens are coming home to roost:

(Or in this case, more are staying away)

Concerning poll shows 91% avoid downtown Toronto | insauga

A new INsauga poll reveals just how deep the frustration with Toronto’s traffic has become. And it’s no longer just about longer commutes. Out of 2,963 respondents, an overwhelming 91.3 percent said they actively avoid going to downtown Toronto because of traffic. Only 8.7 percent said they...

www.insauga.com

To be clear this isnt on Olivia Chow, it's on the past idiotic politicians who have wasted our time turning Toronto into the gridlocked mess that it is today.

Nobody goes there anymore--it's too crowded! -Yogi Berra

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Nobody goes there anymore--it's too crowded! -Yogi Berra

Why is it "crowded"? Because of the people (AKA crowds) causing the crowds.

What would move those crowds better? Single-occupant (or 2-people occupied) motor vehicles or 200+ onboard streetcars or a thousand+ onboard subways and GO trains?

 

[zang]

Why is it "crowded"? Because of the people (AKA crowds) causing the crowds.

What would move those crowds better? Single-occupant (or 2-people occupied) motor vehicles or 200+ onboard streetcars or a thousand+ onboard subways and GO trains?

Sadly, in Toronto the Streetcars might just lose out on that movement thing.

Jason Slaughter (Not Just Bikes) put out a video about "Streetcars" vs. Trams this past weekend, and despite the generic name it's specifically about the TTC and lambastes their handling of the mode.

Every member of city council (but more specifically the TTC Board) should be forced to watch Clockwork Orange style.

 

[guavadelic]

Federal Housing Minister Robertson appeared on CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Wednesday where he said Toronto Council's sixplex vote was "disappointing" but didn't specify if the city risked losing the federal funding that was promised.

Toronto has 6 months to meet terms of housing agreement with Ottawa, minister says​

Minister Gregor Robertson said it was "disappointing" that Toronto city council voted against allowing sixplexes citywide last month, which was a key condition of its deal with the federal government.

"We need Toronto, as the biggest city in Canada, to be really leading the charge in solving the housing crisis we have," Robertson said in an interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Wednesday.

Robertson told Metro Morning there is "a lot of misinformation" about sixplexes, which he called relatively gentle density.

"I think there are great tools and options like sixplexes, and Toronto's got to do the hard work to make sure that the overall agreement is respected," he said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toro...t-terms-six-months-housing-minister-1.7591791

 

[picard102]

Can't Chow use her strong mayor powers to force it?

 

[narduch]

Chow sucks.

No way she would do that

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Can't Chow use her strong mayor powers to force it?

She can, but given her position on not using it, don't hold your breath.

And of course, the councillors who voted against the proposal (predominantly outside the old city) would love the mayor to nail herself on that cross.

AoD

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

‘Rebounding momentum’: Detached homes drive sales, price growth in Toronto’s housing market in first half of 2025, REMAX says​

From https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/local/article/rebounding-momentum-detached-homes-drive-sales-price-growth-in-torontos-housing-market-in-first-half-of-2025-remax-says/

Toronto and other large real estate markets in the country are seeing a rebound in demand and price growth for detached homes as signs of the “much-anticipated spring market materialized” last month, according to a new report from REMAX Canada.

The 416 area code in Toronto “led in rebounding momentum,” with just over 34 per cent of neighbourhoods seeing “stable or growing activity” in the detached home segment, the report found.

One pocket in west end Toronto, which encompasses Rockcliffe-Smythe, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Caledonia-Fairbank, Corso Italia-Davenport and Weston-Pelham Park, saw a 6.2 per cent increase in the median price compared to last year ($1,102,706 versus $1,038,548). Another pocket which encompasses luxury properties in the Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills and St. Andrew-Windfields neighbourhoods saw a 11.5 per cent increase in median prices to more than $4.6 million.

There were more modest price gains in a handful of east Toronto neighbourhoods, including the South Riverdale, Greenwood-Coxwell, Blake-Jones, and North Riverdale corridors where REMAX said that the median price is up 1.7 per cent compared to this time in 2024.

The latest data from the Toronto Region Real Estate Board released earlier this month suggested that the average selling price across the GTA fell 5.4 per cent in June compared with a year earlier to $1,101,691.

Key neighbourhoods in Toronto that led the way for percentage increases in sales included Yonge-St. Clair, Casa Loma, Wychwood, and the Annex, which were up 31.1 per cent.

In the eastern part of the city, five markets saw sales rise or hold steady, including the Beaches, Woodbine Corridor, East-End Danforth, which were up 27 per cent.

In the west end, three markets saw sales on par or ahead of year-ago levels, including South Parkdale, Roncesvalles, and High Park-Swansea.

In the GTA, the report notes, homes priced between $850,000 and $1.2 million in “key microcosms” are moving quickly, the report noted.

Overall housing sales in the GTA have declined year-over-year, the report added, but demand for detached houses continues to “bolster the market.” Approximately half of total sales are in this segment, according to REMAX.

---

From https://www.thestar.com/business/as-torontos-real-estate-market-tumbles-these-are-the-neighbourhoods-bucking-the-trend/article_569c12a6-93e5-4687-ae8b-5bf5cfe31bf2.html

Released Thursday, the report looks at 83 communities across the Greater Toronto Area, the Greater Vancouver Area and the Fraser Valley between January and the end of June 2025.

In Toronto, sales are still rising for detached homes, in “hot pocket” neighbourhoods, such as the Beaches, the Annex and the Junction, finds the report

The neighbourhoods are all in the 416 and close to transit and amenities, such as parks and the lake.

Toronto-area average home prices dropped more than five per cent from last June, the fifth consecutive year-over-year decline, according to the latest numbers from the TRREB.

TRREB also found in June that average Toronto area prices were down more than 20 per cent from the market peak in February 2022, with the average selling price sitting at $1.101 million.

Forbes said in general the detached home market is performing better than the condo market.

Condos have been particularly hard hit by the slowdown with some developers cancelling projects outright.

He says he believes there are some opportunities for buyers there, with prices dropping.

But “it’s more difficult if you’re in a condo to trade up,” he said. “It’s a buyer’s market.”

 

[DSCToronto]

Anyone know what's going on here? This MM at Council today:

MM32.52 - Requesting Legal Review of Bid Process Complaint Relating to Toronto Parking Authority RFP-PARCS-202407 - by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher​

Motion without Notice
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: All
Attention
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.

Recommendations​

Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to the Toronto Parking Authority’s RFP-PARCS-202407 procurement for compliance with applicable laws and policies, and provide the results of that review to City Council by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Summary​

I wish to ask the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review for compliance with applicable laws and policies the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to its Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement (RFP-PARCS-202407), in light of a bid process complaint recently submitted by a bidder in respect of this procurement.

The Request for Proposal concerns the replacement of the Toronto Parking Authority’s aging parking access and revenue control system, which is over 25 years old and technologically obsolete. The new system aims to streamline workflows, reduce manual ticket processing, and improve service reliability through automation and remote monitoring.

This motion is urgent due to there being no Council meeting scheduled until late September after the current meeting, and the Toronto Parking Authority Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement currently being underway.

Background Information​

Member Motion MM32.XX

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Anyone know what's going on here? This MM at Council today:

MM32.52 - Requesting Legal Review of Bid Process Complaint Relating to Toronto Parking Authority RFP-PARCS-202407 - by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher​

Motion without Notice
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: All
Attention
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.

Recommendations​

Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to the Toronto Parking Authority’s RFP-PARCS-202407 procurement for compliance with applicable laws and policies, and provide the results of that review to City Council by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Summary​

I wish to ask the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review for compliance with applicable laws and policies the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to its Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement (RFP-PARCS-202407), in light of a bid process complaint recently submitted by a bidder in respect of this procurement.

The Request for Proposal concerns the replacement of the Toronto Parking Authority’s aging parking access and revenue control system, which is over 25 years old and technologically obsolete. The new system aims to streamline workflows, reduce manual ticket processing, and improve service reliability through automation and remote monitoring.

This motion is urgent due to there being no Council meeting scheduled until late September after the current meeting, and the Toronto Parking Authority Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement currently being underway.

Background Information​

Member Motion MM32.XX

In Japan, owning a car requires proof of a designated parking space, either owned or rented, within a 2km radius of your residence. This is due to the "Garage Act of 1962" which mandates a parking certificate ("shako shomeisho") before a vehicle can be registered. This system aims to prevent street parking and maintain clear roads. That's country wide.​

​

Not likely to happen in automobile loving Ontario.​

Maybe the Parking Authority should seek out unused parking spaces in condos and office buildings that be leased out. At a good return to the city.

 

[DSCToronto]

In Japan, owning a car requires proof of a designated parking space, either owned or rented, within a 2km radius of your residence. This is due to the "Garage Act of 1962" which mandates a parking certificate ("shako shomeisho") before a vehicle can be registered. This system aims to prevent street parking and maintain clear roads. That's country wide.​

​

Not likely to happen in automobile loving Ontario.​

Maybe the Parking Authority should seek out unused parking spaces in condos and office buildings that be leased out. At a good return to the city.

Walter! What has this got to do with the post you are answering (or Mayor Chow)?

 

[DSCToronto]

Anyone know what's going on here? This MM at Council today:

MM32.52 - Requesting Legal Review of Bid Process Complaint Relating to Toronto Parking Authority RFP-PARCS-202407 - by Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher​

Motion without Notice
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: All
Attention
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.

Recommendations​

Councillor Frances Nunziata, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that:

1. City Council request the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to the Toronto Parking Authority’s RFP-PARCS-202407 procurement for compliance with applicable laws and policies, and provide the results of that review to City Council by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Summary​

I wish to ask the City Manager, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review for compliance with applicable laws and policies the Toronto Parking Authority’s bid process related to its Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement (RFP-PARCS-202407), in light of a bid process complaint recently submitted by a bidder in respect of this procurement.

The Request for Proposal concerns the replacement of the Toronto Parking Authority’s aging parking access and revenue control system, which is over 25 years old and technologically obsolete. The new system aims to streamline workflows, reduce manual ticket processing, and improve service reliability through automation and remote monitoring.

This motion is urgent due to there being no Council meeting scheduled until late September after the current meeting, and the Toronto Parking Authority Parking Access and Revenue Control System procurement currently being underway.

Background Information​

Member Motion MM32.XX

I looked further and see that Councillors Fletcher & Nunziata were outvoted at the most recent TPA meeting!

Agenda Item History 2025.PA15.11

Agenda Item History 2025.PA15.11

secure.toronto.ca

​

 

[DSCToronto]

Here are the minutes

PA15.11 - Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) Contract Award Negotiation Selection​

Decision Type: ACTIONStatus: AdoptedWards: All

Confidential Attachment - Contains a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial, or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the City or Toronto Parking Authority, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.​

Board Decision​

The Board of Directors, Toronto Parking Authority:

1. Provided authority to the President, Toronto Parking Authority, to select for contract award negotiations, and if negotiations are successful, execute and enter into a contract with the selected proponent in accordance with the protocols established in the procurement documentation and per the evaluation as set out in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 27, 2025) from the President, Toronto Parking Authority, to supply PARCS hardware and software solutions under RFP-PARCS-202407 for all applicable off-street locations, in an amount as set out in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 27, 2025) from the President, Toronto Parking Authority.

2. Directed that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 27, 2025) from President, Toronto Parking Authority remains confidential in its entirety, as it relates to a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial, or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the Toronto Parking Authority, which if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.

Decision Advice and Other Information​

The Board of Directors of the Toronto Parking Authority recessed its public meeting to meet in closed session to consider the item as it pertains to a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial, or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the Toronto Parking Authority, which if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization.

Origin​

(June 27, 2025) Report from the President, Toronto Parking Authority

Summary​

This report seeks Board authorization to select for contract award negotiation the highest-ranked proponent from the Toronto Parking Authority’s (TPA) competitive Request for Proposal (RFP-PARCS-202407), for the supply and implementation of a modern, integrated Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS).

The current PARCS platform is more than 25 years old, end-of-life, and technologically obsolete. It operates in isolation from Toronto Parking Authority’s other parking systems, including the Green P mobile app, Pay-by-Plate machines, and ungated surface lots, resulting in significant operational inefficiencies limiting our ability to deliver a consistent, seamless customer experience across the network.

Critically, these limitations present a significant barrier to delivering Toronto Parking Authority’s broader strategic objectives and have been identified as one (1) of the organization’s top four (4) enterprise risks under the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework; specifically, the risk associated with aging parking equipment.

De-risking our operating platform is critical not only to Toronto Parking Authority’s core operations, but also to position the organization for long-term sustainable growth in the competitive marketplace. As a multi-modal mobility operator with established channels in Parking, EV charging, and Bike Share, Toronto Parking Authority is uniquely positioned to become a leading provider of integrated, mobility solutions in Toronto. Modernizing the PARCS is a foundational step toward this vision. Our proposed next-generation PARCS platform will significantly enhance the parking experience for both individual (B2C) and commercial (B2B) users by delivering seamless digital access, real-time functionality, and integrated permit and payment systems.

Strategically, the modernization of PARCS will allow Toronto Parking Authority to future-proof its business model by shifting growth weighting from traditional infrastructure to scalable, technology-enabled platforms. It enables Toronto Parking Authority to expand its role within the broader mobility-as-a-service ecosystem integrating parking with EV charging, Bike Share Toronto, and ultimately, higher-order transit services such as TTC and GO Transit. Failure to act will limit the Toronto Parking Authority's capacity to partner with public and private sector partners in our eco-system.

Operationally, the implementation of a modern PARCS platform will streamline internal workflows, reduce manual processing, and improve service reliability through automation and remote monitoring. These efficiencies will translate into reduced operational costs, fewer customer service issues, and an improved ability to manage increasingly complex parking environments. At the same time, the platform’s data-driven capabilities will support evidence-based decision-making in real time, enhance our asset management practices, and contribute to Toronto Parking Authority’s broader digital transformation and environmental sustainability objectives.

This investment will establish a long-term strategic collaboration with a globally recognized vendor, bringing proven technology, innovation capacity, and implementation expertise. This relationship will enable Toronto Parking Authority to implement innovative mobility solutions, adapt to changing market demands faster, and deliver better outcomes for our customers and city.

Background Information​

(June 27, 2025) Report from the President, Toronto Parking Authority on Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) Contract Award Negotiation Selection
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/pa/bgrd/backgroundfile-257161.pdf
Attachment 1 - Probity Report (Non-Confidential Component)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/pa/bgrd/backgroundfile-257162.pdf
Confidential Attachment 1 - Evaluation

Communications​

(July 17, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (PA.New)

Motions​

Motion to Defer Item moved by Councillor Frances Nunziata (Lost)
That consideration of the item be deferred until the next meeting of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Parking Authority.

Members that voted Yes are Maureen Farrow, Paula Fletcher, Frances Nunziata
Members that voted No are Zeshan Khan, Hartley Lefton (Chair), Ruth Uy, Namby Vithiananthan

Motion to ADOPT:

Members that voted No are Maureen Farrow, Paula Fletcher, Frances Nunziata
Members that voted Yes are Zeshan Khan, Hartley Lefton (Chair), Ruth Uy, Namby Vithiananthan

 

[T3G]

Spotted an interesting poster on the subway today. This is the first time I've seen a North American institution take a definitive stance on bad behaviour and risk upsetting some people, rather than hemming and hawing and generally treading on eggshells about it. Are we sure this poster was officially sanctioned? And if so, can we get whoever made it to work as a retail manager?

 

[Jonny5]

View attachment 670240

Spotted an interesting poster on the subway today. This is the first time I've seen a North American institution take a definitive stance on bad behaviour and risk upsetting some people, rather than hemming and hawing and generally treading on eggshells about it. Are we sure this poster was officially sanctioned? And if so, can we get whoever made it to work as a retail manager?

They have bought out a chunk of advertising time on Rogers Sportsnet streaming for this, and it's so annoying.
It's the exact same look of that poster shown on the screen, but each of those lines comes up one at a time, but there is also a really loud barking/growling dog in the background and it pops up in pretty much every single ad break (because Rogers has trouble selling ads on that platform so they recycle the same ads over and over every single commercial break.)