Latest news with #TorontoCity
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
'I don't hate bike lanes': Ford clarifies stance on cycling infrastructure in Toronto
Video Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he hopes alternatives can be found regarding three major bike lanes in the city of Toronto.
CBC
28-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Scarborough-Rouge Park byelection set for Sept. 29: city hall
The byelection to find a new councillor to represent Scarborough-Rouge Park is set to take place on Sept. 29, the City of Toronto announced Wednesday. City council voted 19-1 to hold a byelection in Ward 25 to replace Jennifer McKelvie, who was elected as a Liberal MP in Ajax in the recent federal election. McKelvie was a close ally of former mayor John Tory and held key roles for Mayor Olivia Chow as well. Chow appointed Coun. Paul Ainslie to take over McKelvie's role as deputy mayor for Scarborough and Coun. Paula Fletcher to take over chairing duties for the infrastructure and environment committee. The city has confirmed a series of key dates and details for those in the community who are interested in running or who are eager to vote. The candidate nomination window opens on June 23 at 8:30 a.m. The final day to apply is Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. There will be two days of advance voting on Sept. 20-21, with polling stations open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting stations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on byelection day.
CTV News
20-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Toronto's FIFA costs could rise amid higher provincial cost estimates
The Toronto sign outside city hall is shown in this file photo. (Chris Fox/ Toronto could be on the hook for more money than expected to host six FIFA World Cup games next year, according to a new report set to go before Toronto City Council this week. Earlier this month, Mayor Olivia Chow's Executive Committee asked Sharon Bollenbach, the executive director of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Secretariat, to report directly to City Council on the status of intergovernmental funding related to hosting six of the games. The estimated cost of holding six FIFA matches in the city is $380 million. Of that, the federal government has agreed to kick in $104.3 million, while the province is providing $97 million. The city is picking up $178.7 million of the cost. While the city was hoping that much of the provincial contribution would be in the form of cash to offset tournament expenses, the $97 million also includes services being provided by the province, such as policing, transportation and health care. The cost of some of those provincially-provided services, however, are 'substantially higher than budgeted,' a report from Bollenbach says. In some cases, the provincial services are 'completely unbudgeted' so far, the report states. The latest estimate for provincial services which are still being negotiated pegs those costs at around $39 million, leaving less cash than expected to offset city expenses. Those estimated costs include $15 million from the Ministry of Health for paramedics and surge capacity; $2.5 million from the Ministry of Sport for project management and staffing; $6.6 million from the Ministry of Transportation for additional transit, free transit for volunteers, and additional security for highways; and $14 million for Ontario Provincial Police costs. The estimate does not include the full cost of provincial services that would be needed in the case of any emergency incidents arising out of the games. 'While negotiations continue to be productive, provincial service costs are still substantially higher than budgeted, and in some cases completely unbudgeted,' Bollenbach wrote. Her report did not say exactly how much cash the city could be short due to the higher cost estimates for provincial services. A separate report on procurement for the games found an $18 million funding gap, as of April 25, that the city is hoping to make up through donations, merchandise sales, music royalties, hospitality sales at the stadium, and opportunities around the FIFA Fan Festival. Bollenbach noted that an economic impact assessment conducted by Deloitte Canada estimated the games would contribute billions of dollars to Canada's economy, as well as 'substantial tax revenues' for the federal and provincial governments. 'FWC26 Toronto Secretariat will stay diligent in continuing negotiations with the province to reduce uncertainties around scope and lowering ministry service costs back to the City,' Bollenbach wrote. 'It is staff's intention to maintain as much of the $97 million contribution in cash to offset the City's hosting responsibilities while maintaining the approved budget envelop of $380 million approved by City Council.' The report is set to go before council later this week.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
City staff propose 20-metre protest 'bubble zone' for schools, daycares and places of worship
Social Sharing City staff are recommending a 20-metre "bubble zone" bylaw aimed at restricting protests around places of worship, daycares and schools in Toronto — a policy that has already prompted hundreds of people, including city councillors, to protest against it, saying it could threaten democracy. The proposed bylaw, which would not adopt a blanket ban across the city, would operate on a request-based system and allow vulnerable institutions to apply for a 20-metre buffer zone that would be in place for roughly six months. In order for a buffer zone request to be approved, owners of the institutions would have to demonstrate how they've been affected by a protest within the last 90 days. After the six month period is up, the application could be renewed, the proposed bylaw says. If passed, Toronto would follow in the footsteps of other cities including Vaughan and Brampton, which implemented similar measures last year after waves of protests and clashes sparked calls for prohibiting such events from taking place near buildings considered to be social infrastructure in the eyes of the city. Police and bylaw officers are expected to warn individuals in these said zones before issuing fines, allowing them the chance to leave the area voluntarily. If the buffer zone bylaw is passed in Toronto, the maximum penalty for individuals fined would be $5,000. Staff say the 20-metre buffer is a "reasonable perimeter" that will protect access to the facilities, while being "minimally impairing" on Charter rights. Council to vote next week The latest recommendations from Toronto city staff come after months of protesters taking to Toronto streets and demonstrating in front of hospitals, places of worship and cultural centres following the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. Zeus Eden, spokesperson for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, said the mayor "believes that any bylaw must protect people's Charter rights to assembly, expression and religion, while addressing community concerns about safety and protecting access to places of worship," in a statement Thursday. Council will vote on the proposed bylaw next week, which if passed, would come into effect on July 2. Some councillors had sought the bylaw following the wave of protests, while others joined in demonstrating against such measures. York Centre Coun. James Pasternak, who is one of the leading voices advocating for the bylaw, said he favours protecting vulnerable institutions from protests through this measure. But Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Toronto—Danforth, attended a rally last month for calls against the bylaw, saying at the time "it's a very fine line that we have to walk" on the proposed bylaw, when it comes to charter rights. $1.6M earmarked for new bylaw Staff say the city is expected to spend roughly $1.6 million to hire 12 staff along with purchasing vehicles and laptops required to administer the bylaw. It says another $200,000 will be needed for public education as part of this proposal. "The City of Toronto is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly those accessing programs and services at places of worship, schools and childcare centres," said Russell Baker, the city's manager of media relations, in a statement to CBC News Thursday. Baker said the proposed bylaw amendment builds on an existing city bylaw to "protect these spaces and their visitors from blocked entrances while respecting the rights of individuals to peaceful assembly." "While the proposed bylaw prohibits certain behaviours, it does not ban peaceful gatherings, protests or demonstrations, including those that occur as part of labour union activities, as long as they do not impede access," Baker said. WATCH | Toronto considers ban on protests near places of worship 5 months ago Duration 7:42 He said that this takes into consideration freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that are protected under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. "The City undertook a multi-pronged approach for public consultation to maximize opportunities for public input and enable broad participation and inclusive representation," he said, adding that public consultations were held between March 17 and May 1. Toronto would follow Vaughan, Brampton Other cities have implemented such legislation, including Vaughan, Brampton and Calgary. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca oversaw the bylaw, which was was drafted and passed by council in seven weeks in early May 2024 following several demonstrations that took place in Thornhill outside a synagogue. Individuals can face penalties of up to $100,000 under the bylaw. Brampton city council also approved a bylaw in November 2024, prohibiting "nuisance demonstrations" outside places of worship in the municipality following a series of violent clashes. The bylaw bans protesting within 100 metres of the property line of any place of worship in Brampton. Anyone who violates the bylaw could face a fine anywhere between $500 and $100,000. Meanwhile, in Ottawa, city councillors are debating whether to proceed with the development of a similar bylaw that would place a buffer between protesters and institutions including places of worship, schools and hospitals — in the name of preventing harassment and hate speech.
