Item - 2021.EC24.6

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1.  Received the report (September 3, 2021) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture for information.

As one of the world's most diverse cities, Toronto enjoys an incredible range of cultural activity, attracting and driving business, drawing tourism, and generating a vibrant night economy. Much of this activity has historically been centred in the downtown core; but increasingly, cultural entrepreneurs and artistic communities have been evolving in Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke and other areas within the former City of Toronto but outside the downtown core. This report outlines strategic actions to stimulate cultural activity outside downtown, in emerging entertainment areas where opportunity exists to enhance economic activity and livability through encouraging music and other forms of culture.

For many years, Toronto's performing arts, cultural, and live entertainment communities have been facing increasing structural challenges. Rising commercial land values, rents, and property taxes along with the pressures of development have shuttered many bricks-and-mortar music venues, especially in the downtown core. Local artists have found it increasingly difficult to afford to remain in one of North America's most expensive cities. At the same time, as in many cities, there are relatively few venues or culturally vibrant areas outside the downtown core that consistently draw locals and visitors for live performances. The hiatus enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic presents the City with an opportunity to reimagine what Toronto's performing arts and music scene might be and to proactively support the growth of cultural activity in Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke and other communities in the former City of Toronto but outside the downtown core.

This report identifies actions underway, led by the Economic Development and Culture Division, to encourage cultural activity in emerging entertainment areas outside Toronto's downtown. For example, as a next step Toronto Building in consultation with Toronto Fire Services will be engaging the services of a third-party Building Code consultant with expertise in fire protection to review requirements pertaining to temporary and flexible entertainment venues. This work will help identify specific challenges in the Code and acceptable generic alternatives that event organizers can use to more easily meet Code requirements. The objective of this work is to balance the City's objectives of public safety with supporting and expanding opportunities for cultural event spaces in Toronto.

The actions described in this report align with specific recommendations in the "Building Back Stronger: Report of the City of Toronto Economic and Culture Recovery Advisory Group." The Building Back Stronger report's Recommendation 16 addresses the need for government to advance opportunities for cultural engagement in all parts of the city, year round, while Recommendation 18 calls for the City to preserve existing and create new, affordable spaces for culture across the city.