What’s New In Toronto Centre
Addressing Extreme Indoor Temperatures in Rental Units
Current indoor temperature bylaws require landlords to maintain a minimum temperature of 21 degrees celsius in rental units from September 15 each year to June 1 of the following year. However, with climate change impacting typical seasonal temperatures, we often hear from residents that rental units are uncomfortably warm because heating systems are coming on too early in the fall and staying on too late into spring. Most heating/cooling systems in buildings take time to switch over, and the structure of the existing bylaw could penalize a landlord for trying to accommodate warmer temperatures before June 1 or after September 15, should there be a sudden cold snap.
To adapt to this new normal of an extended warm-weather season, the City’s bylaw has been amended to require landlords to ensure the minimum temperature of 21 degrees celsius is maintained in all areas of a unit from October 1 in each year to May 15 in the following year. Additionally, air conditioning systems will have to remain on through the end of September. These changes are intended to provide landlords flexibility to turn air conditioning on early or keep it on without the risk of a bylaw infraction. These changes will come into effect on April 30, 2025.
Staff will also report back by the fourth quarter of 2025 with recommendations on implementing a maximum indoor temperature standard of 26 degrees celsius for leased residential premises
Enhancing Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety by Upgrading City-Owned Vehicles
In 2019, through Vision Zero 2.0, City Council directed Solid Waste Management to implement vehicle side guards. Now, Council has approved the advancement of these upgrades for all City-owned heavy vehicles. These truck enhancements have been shown to reduce cyclist and pedestrian fatalities in the event of side swipe collisions.
Cyclist deaths in Toronto rose from one in 2023, to six in 2024. A total of 12 pedestrians were also killed on Toronto roadways last year. To improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, the City has worked to bolster cycling infrastructure (though now stifled by Provincial legislation), upgrade pedestrian crossings and create community safety zones where appropriate.
Strengthening the City of Toronto's Housing Development Capacity to Deliver Housing Faster
Last July, Toronto City Council approved the Public Developer Delivery model to support the creation of affordable rental homes on City-owned land. In December, we broke ground on the first Public Developer delivery model project at 11 Brock Avenue. To advance the City of Toronto’s role as a Public Developer, the City will be creating a new Housing Development Office under the Deputy City Manager of Development and Growth Services. The Office will focus on advancing and accelerating the delivery of housing on City-led and City-supported sites, through continued partnership with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation and CreateTO as needed. A leader for the Office will be recruited by the second quarter of 2025.
