Mayor Olivia Chow's Toronto

[DSC]

Is there any chance of seeing the complete article ( I do not subscribe to the Star). I am a big supporter of the World Cup, 'footie ' in general, and the chance to host Cup game here. But, and it is a large BUT., I am also tired of municipalities being held to ransom by organizations such as FIFA. Reading the City report it would seem that much of the support for these costs from other levels of government and the private sector are not yet funded If these charges for the WC Games are growing out of proportion to the benefits (speedier transit growth?), and no further cost remediation, other government support, other corporate supports are to be found, I could see myself supporting the city in saying "Thanks, but no thanks" Having the games would be nice, but not overwhelmingly so, supporting the Canadian team at home would be great, but I think there is only one sure Team Canada game in the FIFA calendar, the first game. I could say no without regret.

And what is and how is $7.5 million in "legacy + indigenous capacity funding" connected to the world cup?

You can get full access via Toronto Public Library now their IT problems are being resolved.

 

[Richard White]

And what is and how is $7.5 million in "legacy + indigenous capacity funding" connected to the world cup?

I suspect they want any venues created to be usable after the World Cup like was the case with the Pan AM games in 2015.

The indigenous capacity funding was likely for the same reasons we have land acknowledgements.

 

[DSC]

I knew it would not be long before one of our all-time favourite politicians reared his ugly head again!

EA8.1 - Compliance Audit Application by Kevin Wiener for the Election Campaign Finances of Giorgio Mammoliti​

Consideration Type: ACTIONWards: All

Statutory - Municipal Elections Act, SO 1996​

Summary​

Application for a Compliance Audit received February 26, 2024, from applicant Kevin Wiener for candidate Giorgio Mammoliti for Mayor.

Background Information​

(February 26, 2024) Compliance Audit Application - Applicant Kevin Wiener, Candidate Giorgio Mammoliti

https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ea/bgrd/backgroundfile-243830.pdf

 

[Northern Light]

Ok, first public look at the probable, upcoming stormwater charge from Toronto Water.

This is a tax many here have pined for, both as a source of revenue, but also a way to disincentive surface parking (and if applied to flat roofs, to incentive green roofs).

I broadly support the idea, though on the former, much of the same would be achieved via a commercial parking tax.

In looking through the City's proposal, I'm not happy.

Stormwater Charge & Water Service Charge Consultation

Thank you for your interest in this consultation. Consultation has been paused to allow City staff to do further work to align the possible implementation of a stormwater charge and water service charge with the City’s broader climate resilience strategy, as well as the commercial parking levy...

www.toronto.ca

Have a muddle through. There are gratuitous tiers, other water rate changes bundled in which will muddy the impact, and lots of complicated mess.

This looks way to expensive to administer, as structured, and the incentives for change don't look great. KISS rules; (Keep It Simple Stupid).

- You want a clear penalty for large amounts of hard surface area.
- You want to exempt smaller properties generally and tackle them differently because staff time to assess all those properties is costly and cumbersome. This is about mall parking lots and factory and big box roofs)
- You want a straight line incentive for reducing stormwater tax (reduce the flow by creating a more absorbing, soft landscape, and/or stormwater holding tanks, using same for irrigation, etc etc.)

*****

Small properties (for example houses) are better dealt with by:

1) Raising the amount the City charges for parking pads across its property significantly. Why? The database already exists, and the charge is already billed.

2) Creating a financial incentive for removing parking pads in front yards; (ie. the City will allow you to rebate a portion of the cost against your property tax, and the fee for the pad will be removed in perpetuity )

3) Outlawing new parking pads entirely.

4) Outlawing the use of impermeable paving for parking pads, driveways and parking lots City-wide.

5) Requiring that new surface parking permitted show management of 100% of stormwater on-site. .

 

[Northern Light]

The Alcohol in Parks pilot is back for discussion with a report to the next meeting of Economic and Community Development Ctte.

https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-244246.pdf

In so many words, it turns out this trial did not cause the City to burn to the ground, so its not such a bad idea after all.

However, in typical Toronto fashion, the bureaucrats have muddled the policy response.

Instead of essentially legalizing alcohol in all parks, with restrictions in place, as appropriate; they've gone the opposite way.

They will make the 27 pilot parks permanent; they seek delegated authority to add additional parks, to the legal side of the ledger, to ensure at least one park per ward has legal drinking.......

Give me a break! You know, I don't think I've consumed alcohol in a park in more than 30 years (maybe as a teen, watching fireworks on Victoria Day). I'm in no rush to go out and do it again....... but why must we default to cumbersome
rules instead of defaulting to, "its fine if you behave responsibly."

 

[generalcanada]

The general public sentiment about alcohol in parks was assessed through a public opinion survey, representative of the Toronto population. The results indicate that 46per cent of respondents were supportive of allowing drinking in parks, 23 per cent were neutral and 30 per cent were opposed.

Thats honestly a suprising number of people opposed. I thought it was basically unanimous

 

[Towered]

Thats honestly a suprising number of people opposed. I thought it was basically unanimous

Puritan Toronto won't die easily.

 

[TossYourJacket]

Thats honestly a suprising number of people opposed. I thought it was basically unanimous

I was looking at the Star article about this and there was a comment that I think sums up the opposition: "why don't they just go to their friends' backyards instead?" And I don't think it was poorly intentioned, but it shows how a subset of people in Toronto don't realise how many people don't have backyards, or maybe even know people with backyards. Like how many 20-(or at this point 30-)somethings in this city are going to have friends who have backyards? People who are in a situation where they have their own outdoor space don't get that for people without their own outdoor space, parks are that space. They just assume this is people wanting to behave irresponsibly, not that this is the only option to be outside with friends for many people in the city (without paying insane prices on a patio).

 

[adma]

I was looking at the Star article about this and there was a comment that I think sums up the opposition: "why don't they just go to their friends' backyards instead?" And I don't think it was poorly intentioned, but it shows how a subset of people in Toronto don't realise how many people don't have backyards, or maybe even know people with backyards. Like how many 20-(or at this point 30-)somethings in this city are going to have friends who have backyards? People who are in a situation where they have their own outdoor space don't get that for people without their own outdoor space, parks are that space. They just assume this is people wanting to behave irresponsibly, not that this is the only option to be outside with friends for many people in the city (without paying insane prices on a patio).

Another thing to remember: not everyone drinks, or at least internalizes "liquid pleasure" as a must-have. And they might still view the issue through the prism of having witnessed bums with liquor bottles on the subway, etc.

 

[evandyk]

I'm your pretty typical professional with a young kid, and I've had beer/cider in a park with friends on quite a few occasions over the last few years, probably more often since having a kid. For those of us with balconies and kids, it's the best place to have a low-key social occasion with friends. Bars/patios are fine, and we can all afford them, but it's a lot easier and cheaper to go to a park. The kids can run around to their hearts' content (and you can bring dogs!), and if you have to bail for whatever reason, not much lost.

I'm not sure the 30% of people who are opposed are thinking of youngish professionals with toddlers having a beer with their friends (and kids/dogs) when they think of drinking being allowed in parks.

 

[zang]

I'm not sure the 30% of people who are opposed are thinking of youngish professionals with toddlers having a beer with their friends (and kids/dogs) when they think of drinking being allowed in parks.

My money is on that 30% thinking this will lead to more homeless encampments or some ridiculous BS like that.

 

[christiesplits]

My money is on that 30% thinking this will lead to more homeless encampments or some ridiculous BS like that.

Yes, also a lot of seniors and possibly different cultural communities.

 

[karledice]

She's too much

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The Alcohol in Parks pilot is back for discussion with a report to the next meeting of Economic and Community Development Ctte.

https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ec/bgrd/backgroundfile-244246.pdf

In so many words, it turns out this trial did not cause the City to burn to the ground, so its not such a bad idea after all.

However, in typical Toronto fashion, the bureaucrats have muddled the policy response.

Instead of essentially legalizing alcohol in all parks, with restrictions in place, as appropriate; they've gone the opposite way.

They will make the 27 pilot parks permanent; they seek delegated authority to add additional parks, to the legal side of the ledger, to ensure at least one park per ward has legal drinking.......

Give me a break! You know, I don't think I've consumed alcohol in a park in more than 30 years (maybe as a teen, watching fireworks on Victoria Day). I'm in no rush to go out and do it again....... but why must we default to cumbersome
rules instead of defaulting to, "its fine if you behave responsibly."

I am sure it will go as well as their food carts experiment.

AoD

 

[DSC]

Some of us may want to look at this and complete the survey.

Stormwater Charge & Water Service Charge Consultation​

Stormwater Charge & Water Service Charge Consultation

Thank you for your interest in this consultation. Consultation has been paused to allow City staff to do further work to align the possible implementation of a stormwater charge and water service charge with the City’s broader climate resilience strategy, as well as the commercial parking levy...

www.toronto.ca