Item - 2019.EC6.8

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council request the Mayor to designate a Member of Council as Toronto's Night Ambassador, to be the voice for Toronto's entertainment-related activities for the 2018 to 2022 term of Council.

2.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to:

a.  Report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on the key priorities of a nighttime operations working group that consists of invited participation from senior staff in Municipal Licensing and Standards, City Planning, Transportation Services and other relevant City divisions in 2020;

b.  Report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on advice from nightlife and creative sector for-profit and not-for-profit enterprises, do-it-yourself event organizers, and equity-seeking groups such as youth, women and LGBTQ2S on best practices to enhance inclusive social culture across Toronto at night in 2020;

c.  Pilot an arts event permit to host pop up performances in unconventional spaces working with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and other appropriate City divisions; and

d.  Organize a free annual Toronto Nightlife Industry Town Hall with the private sector and community partners within a year, and annually thereafter, to help set priorities.

3.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and other relevant City divisions to work with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to align the review of zoning and business licensing regulations to clarify the requirements for venues regularly presenting live music, and report to the Economic and Community Development Committee and the Planning and Housing Committee, as appropriate, in 2020.

4.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to work with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, other relevant City divisions, Toronto nightlife leaders and residents to:

a.  Develop a safer venue industry guide that incorporates safer spaces best practices, information on responsible consumption and safe working environments; and

b.  Develop a list of good neighbour principles for late-night businesses based on best practices around the world and adapted for Toronto.

5.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to work with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to identify emerging entertainment areas outside the downtown core that can support entertainment uses at night and the future growth of nightlife in Toronto and report to the Planning and Housing Committee on potential opportunities and approaches in 2020.

6.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to work with the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to explore the opportunities for additional transportation options specific to the nighttime economy and report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2020.

The phrase “nighttime economy” describes the social, cultural and economic activities that take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the city. A key component of the nighttime economy is nightlife – which refers to entertainment-related activities. Toronto has a safe and lively nightlife that has the potential to grow, and the purpose of this report is to seek the necessary authority to implement the proposed actions of the Toronto Nightlife Action Plan, presented in Attachment 1. If approved, the actions will strengthen Toronto's nightlife over the next three years, using, and in some cases re-aligning, existing City resources.

The nighttime economy is the new competitive edge for post-industrial cities. Yet the nighttime economy is often overlooked in municipal economic and infrastructure planning. As a result of market forces and municipal policies, Toronto's nighttime culture is under threat from increasing business costs and regulatory challenges. This is not a unique problem. World-class cities like Amsterdam, New York, Berlin, Paris and Sydney are facing similar challenges and are actively taking steps to plan, protect and create nighttime activities. Their approach is based on the view that a vibrant nightlife attracts young, creative and talented people. Music, fashion, film, literature, visual arts and performing arts all thrive during the nighttime.

This report also addresses issues around the do-it-yourself (DIY) pop up music venues challenges (Attachment 2) and findings from an assessment of two hospitality zones in the city conducted by the Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) (Attachment 3).