Toronto City Council had a jam-packed and exciting session this past March 20 and 21. Aside from lively discussion about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, section 37 funds were released for projects coming from my office’s Participatory Budgeting 2023 exercise. In addition, the City updated the process for addressing serious dog attacks and requests were made of Toronto Community Housing Corporation and the Housing Secretariat to conduct a review of underhoused households in Regent Park.
What’s New in Toronto Centre
Incident and Operational Review of Serious Dog Attacks
The following directives come as a result of a review requested at the Economic and Community Development Committee in September of last year:
- The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, is to create and maintain a public record listing information of all served Dangerous Dog Orders, which is to be posted in an easily searchable format, including using mapping software; and
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The Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, is to report back on:
- the feasibility of including photos of dogs on the public record of Dangerous Dog Orders;
- an update on whether all 450 dogs currently subject to a ‘severe’ Dangerous Dog Order are in compliance with the updated by-law;
- details on changes implemented in 2024 and proposed in the 2025 budget to support proactive enforcement of the most severe and dangerous cases; and
- a proposed increase to the fines or fee structures for unlicensed dogs that are subject to Dangerous Dog Orders.
Expanding Trans-Inclusive Benefits
To address gaps in health care coverage, the Executive Director, Pension, Payroll and Employee Benefits, is to review options for incorporating gender-affirming health care benefits not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan into City employee benefits plans. Staff are to report back by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Mandated Human Rights, Equity, and Diversity Training for City of Toronto Arena Boards
To ensure Toronto Arena Boards effectively serve diverse communities and foster inclusivity and equity, the policy on Board Governance Structures and Relationship Framework for Arena Boards will be amended to require that all members of the City’s eight arena boards complete training on human rights, equity and diversity each term of City Council. Topics for the trainings will include human rights, Indigenous awareness, combating anti-Black racism, code of conduct for members of local board and public appointments policy.
Advancing Hanlan's Point Rainbow Road
Hanlan's Point Beach and its surrounding area are historically significant as a queer community hub. As a part of the City's ongoing work to recognize and celebrate these histories, City staff have collaborated with Friends of Hanlan's–whose $200,000 in fundraising included a generous donation from The Waterfront Business Improvement Area–in conjunction with Pride Toronto to create a community funded, permanent art installation. A 600-metre painted rainbow installation on Beach Road, near Hanlan's Point Beach, by queer artist Travis Myers is proposed.
Support for the Canadian Independent Music
City Council expressed its support to the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) and the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) in their efforts in requesting the Government of Canada to increase its annual contribution to the Canada Music Fund to $50 million by 2024-2025, as was pledged during the 2021 federal election. Organizations like CIMA and CLMA support artists and stakeholders from across the independent music industry, including independent live music venues like The Phoenix Concert Theatre here in Toronto Centre.
