What’s New in Toronto Centre
Administrative Inquiry on Micro-shelters
As warmer weather approaches, I am greatly concerned about the proliferation of encampments in our parks, namely St. James Park and Trinity Square. Last summer, when the City’s Interdivisional Protocol for encampments came to City Council, I moved a motion directing staff to prioritize the development of immediate rapid shelter program models to house people living in encampments including exploring the use of micro-shelters and vacant or under-utilized City-owned lands. Over six months later, I had yet to receive an update, prompting me to submit an administrative inquiry on the matter.
In response to my request for a status update, Gordon Tanner, General Manager, Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS), has shared that staff have conducted a preliminary analysis of micro-shelter feasibility, concluding that the City should develop a micro-shelter program. However a suitable site has not yet been identified. Details on site design, size, and functionality will be provided in the TSSS Annual Infrastructure Report to Council in July 2025. While this update does not immediately address the impact of encampments, I look forward to a more fulsome report this summer.
Improving Toronto’s Public Washrooms
One of my priorities to support vibrant and complete communities in Toronto Centre is ensuring access to year-round public washrooms. I’m pleased that City Council has requested an analysis of where public washrooms are most needed so new temporary facilities can be installed this spring with a long-term plan to follow.
Review of Toronto’s Winter Maintenance Program
This winter’s exceptionally heavy snowfall revealed deficiencies in the City’s winter maintenance program. Like many of you, I was disappointed by the long delays in snow clearing, especially along transit routes and on sidewalks. As a result of the overwhelming disapproval with how snow maintenance was managed this year, City Council has directed the City Manager to undertake a thorough review of the program.
This will include evaluating all possible avenues for improving processes. This will include: renegotiating or breaking existing contracts; improving maintenance of the City-owned fleet of winter equipment; purchasing improved winter equipment that can handle heavier snow falls (particularly for sidewalks); developing contingency plans to redeploy more City staff to winter maintenance work when a Snow Condition is declared; and creating a policy to determine when snow removal should be undertaken.
Expanding the HTO To Go Water Trailer Program
City Council has directed staff to procure two new water trailers for the HTO To Go program. This expansion will improve access to drinking water for vulnerable populations during heat warnings and ensure an equitable distribution of Program resources at events across the city, in alignment with the City’s Heat Relief Strategy.
Addressing Vacant Storefronts
To support small businesses, local economy and thriving main streets, City Council has requested a report back on policy options to compel landowners to tenant vacant storefronts. Council has also requested that the Chief Building Officer, in collaboration with Municipal Licensing and Standards review property standards for vacant properties, the enforcement process for applicable bylaws and opportunities to implement tougher standards.
