Item - 2022.PA28.10

The Board of Directors, Toronto Parking Authority:  

1. Directed that Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (February 4, 2022) from the President, Toronto Parking Authority, remain confidential in its entirety, as it pertains to litigation or potential litigation involving Toronto Parking Authority and contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege.

Toronto Parking Authority’s history goes back nearly 70 years to June 24, 1952 when the Council of the City of Toronto passed a bylaw establishing the Parking Authority of Toronto. Toronto Parking Authority’s use of the Green P logo dates back to at least 1956 and is now a central component of Toronto Parking Authority’s branding of all Toronto Parking Authority parking facilities, parking equipment, the Green P Mobile App, Toronto Parking Authority’s online and social media presence and third-party parking lots operated by Toronto Parking Authority as Green P parking.

The use of the Green P Logo has come to be known as an indicator of affordable, safe, and secure public parking in the City of Toronto. The longstanding use of this logo has led to the Toronto Parking Authority’s parking facilities becoming known simply as Green P spaces, lots or garages. Use of the name Green P is so popular with consumers that Toronto Parking Authority actively uses it in its branding.

While other parking lots may use logos including a P element, the Green P Logo and use of the colour green in association with parking facilities is recognized by consumers as an indication that a parking lot, garage, or space, is operated and maintained by the Toronto Parking Authority, the City of Toronto’s public parking authority.

Toronto Parking Authority considers its registered trademarks and official marks to be valuable assets and it has applied for, registered and taken other steps to protect these marks in Canada. Today, Toronto Parking Authority operates over 300 off-street parking facilities across the City of Toronto and the City of Vaughan and a further 20,000 on-street paid parking spaces. Through the operation of Green P parking, Toronto Parking Authority has generated revenues exceeding $2.1 Billion since 2001.

Since 2013, Toronto Parking Authority has operated Bike Share Toronto, which has grown to include 625 Bike Share Stations and approximately 6,850 bikes, generating revenues of $7 million in 2021. Toronto Parking Authority has also taken steps to register the trademarks and official marks of Bike Share Toronto.

This report provides an overview of Toronto Parking Authority registered trademarks and official marks, how they are used and the ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual properties. This report should be received for information purposes only.