Item - 2022.EX31.17

The Executive Committee:

1. Directed the City Manager, in consultation with relevant City Divisions to report to the May 4, 2022 meeting of the Executive Committee and the May 5, 2022 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on the tools and strategies the City currently use to ensure accessibility in the public realm surrounding private development as well as capital City projects including:

a. access to sidewalks, or where not possible, adequate pathways;

b. existing guidelines for access/egress standards;

c. ramps, signage, and wayfinding for pedestrians; and

d. enforcement protocol and associated fines, if any, for non-compliance.

As one of the largest cities in North America, the City of Toronto is consistently under construction through state of good repair infrastructure work or private development with over 124 cranes in the sky at any moment. Each construction site is unique whether it is cramped conditions through the downtown or more spacious construction in other parts of the city. In all cases, the City of Toronto needs to ensure that the public realm remains accessible, or that adequate accommodation is maintained.

There are many instances reported of failure to maintain an accessible pathway or adequate accommodation on a variety of sites across the City. While each site brings unique challenges, we need to ensure that Toronto remains accessible for all who navigate the city. It is important to have consistent standards and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users across the city.