What’s New in Toronto Centre
Introducing a Colour Coded Rating System for RentSafeTO
I, along with Councillor Josh Matlow and partners from ACORN Toronto and the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations have been advocating for the City to implement a colour-coded apartment rating system, similar to the DineSafe program. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and ultimately, the quality of rental housing in our city.
Back in 2020, City Staff conducted a city-wide survey, which had over 2,000 respondents, which revealed that 81% of respondents support the introduction of a colour-coded rating system for apartments. Further, 85% of respondents agreed that clear signage should be displayed at building entrances. I am proud that this program has been adopted at City Council and that we will finally deliver what tenants have been asking for. The changes will begin to phase in by the end of July, 2026.
RapidTO Moves Forward
City Council approved rapid bus lanes on both Bathurst Street and Dufferin Street, south of Bloor Street West, to improve transit reliability ahead of FIFA 2026. As part of RapidTO: Service Transit Network Plan, this measure will provide a streetcar-only lane on Bathurst Street between Bloor Street West and Lake Shore Boulevard, while Dufferin Street will get a bus-only ane between Bloor Street West and King Street West.
Advancing Six Sites for the Homelessness Services and Future Affordable Housing
Planning approvals for six sites for new municipal shelters were approved, which will help expand services for vulnerable residents outside of the Downtown core. Zoning bylaw approvals for 68 Sheppard Avenue West, 1615 Dufferin Street, 2204-2212 Eglinton Avenue West and 601 Caledonia Road, 2535 Gerrard Street East, 66-66Y Third Street and 1220-1222 Wilson Avenue will allow these sites, planned for shelters, to be repurposed to become supportive or affordable housing as community needs evolve in the future.
Winter Maintenance Program Review
The 2024-2025 winter season, with its extreme snow events, proved to overwhelm the City’s current winter maintenance program. The clearing of pedestrian walkways and residential streets were especially problematic, remaining impassable for days after snowfall ended. As a result, City Council directed the City Manager to conduct a thorough review of the program and evaluate options to improve winter maintenance work.
The review found that the primary issue was deficiencies in snow removal rather than snow clearing because large-scale snow removal is not covered under the City’s base contracts. Another factor contributing to delays in snow removal was a lack of urban snow storage. The City Manager will report back to the November 5, 2025 meeting of the Executive Committee on developing a stand-alone snow removal contract as well as:
- quality monitoring tools and procurement;
- identifying appropriate Fleet for snow clearing; and
- developing a City Towing Strategy.
To ensure that services requests are properly tracked and addressed, 311 will be removing the service request hold period that is historically implemented at the start of winter events.
Appointment of Toronto’s Next Medical Officer of Health
I am excited to welcome Dr. Michelle Murti as Toronto’s new Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Murti currently serves as Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, where she has played a pivotal role in pandemic preparedness, emergency response and health system transformation.
In May of last year, Dr. Eileen de Villa announced her retirement as Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. Over the past year, I have worked to secure her replacement in my capacity as Chair of the Board of Health. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Medical Officer of Health Hiring Panel, Jayson Phelps of Phelps Group and Tobie Mathew for their dedication to the hiring process.
Downtown Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) Program
In 2024, Toronto Public Health and the Toronto Police Service launched the Downtown Community Outreach Response and Engagement (CORE) program as a one-year pilot to address complex health and social service needs among individuals experiencing homelessness, and challenges with mental health and substance use in the Sankofa Square area. The program pairs public health nurses with police constables to deliver integrated, low-barrier, mobile outreach and case management services. City Council has authorized the continued implementation of the CORE program. The Medical Officer of Health will report back to the Board of Health with evaluation results and recommendations for the next steps of the program in the first quarter of 2026.
You can learn more about the Downtown CORE program here.
Business Licensing Updates
Currently, pet stores are the only animal-related businesses that are licensed by the City. To enhance animal welfare and facility standards, the City is introducing a new pet establishment business license category for places in which animals are kept for business activities, including pet daycares, kennels and pet grooming salons. Separate endorsements will be required for the sale or adoption of animals, breeding, overnight animal keeping and daycare, boarding or training services, respectively.
While licensing for pet-related businesses required updates to be more exhaustive, the City has decided to remove municipal licensing requirements for the following businesses/trades:
- Boats for hire;
- School bus driver;
- Transient trader;
- Chimney repairman;
- Builder of radiation fall-out shelters; and
- Collector for second hand goods
To reduce the administrative burden on business owners, the City is also removing the following business licence application requirements:
- all provisions that require or might require an applicant or licensee to file a list of services and fees they will offer at their business with Municipal Licensing and Standards and any other provisions that depend on such information;
- all provisions that require or might require an applicant or licensee to file a list of employees with Municipal Licensing and Standards and any other provisions that depend on such information;
- all provisions that limit or might limit an applicant, licensee, or employee to only one employer and any other provisions that depend on such information; and
- all provisions that require or might require an applicant, licensee, or employee to undergo a medical examination and any other provisions that depend on such information.
Additional Updates
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The City will be bringing mechanical litter removal operations in-house. For Downtown Toronto, the change will go into effect after December 31, 2026.
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Temporary accessibility ramps for stepped entrances are now permitted encroachments. This will make it easier for businesses to provide temporary ramps, which will enhance accessibility while ensuring the sidewalk remains safe for all users.
