Item - 2018.ED28.5

The Economic Development Committee:

1.  Directed the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, or a designate, to be the City of Toronto's point of contact for the development of the night-time economy in Toronto.

2.  Directed the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with internal and external stakeholders, to develop a vision and action plan to advance the night-time economy in Toronto, and report back to City Council on the results in 2019.

3.  Directed the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to undertake a study to measure the economic contribution of the night-time economy, and to include the initial results in the report back to City Council in 2019.

4.  Directed the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with Toronto Police Service and involved City Divisions such as Solid Waste Management and Municipal Licensing and Standards, to clarify the current municipal approval protocol to temporarily extend the service of alcohol from 2:00 am to 4:00 am, and to include the results in the report to City Council in 2019.

Time of day is the new competitive edge for global cities. Amsterdam, Berlin, London, New York City and Paris are all introducing measures to develop the night-time economy.

In the past few years the City of Toronto has also begun several initiatives related to the night-time economy such as: supporting the music sector, protecting live music venues, advancing safety at entertainment events that attract large crowds, addressing the health impacts of environmental noise, enforcing noise regulations, and reviewing current rules for nightclub licences. However, with no underlying strategy to direct this work it is difficult for the City to respond quickly to issues that continue to arise about the "other 9 to 5".

This report summarizes the results of an exploration of a Night Mayor Ambassador Program for Toronto and developing the night-time economy. The process included input from about ninety (90) stakeholders, a jurisdictional review, partnerships with an academic institution and an international hospitality organization, a Ride-Along with Toronto Police Service, and coordination with other City Services and Divisions.

Based on the information gathered, this report recommends as a first step that the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture (EDC) be the point of contact for the night-time economy, and engage with relevant stakeholders to develop a vision and action plan for the social, cultural and economic activities that take place in Toronto between 6 pm and 6 am. The report does not recommend adopting a Night Mayor Ambassador Program for Toronto at this time.