Item - 2023.EC3.10

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to continue the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) until March 31, 2027 with changes outlined in Attachments 1 to 3 to the report (April 11, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Strategic Partnerships, and report back to Economic Development and Community Development Committee in the first quarter of 2027.

2. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to participate in the Green Market Acceleration Program in order to assist businesses with applied research, proof of concept projects, and technology demonstrations, thereby supporting the development of innovative "made in Toronto" solutions to real-world issues.

3. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to negotiate, enter into, and execute agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, in the form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.  

4. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to provide assets and/or infrastructure for Green Market Acceleration Program approved projects, including, but not limited to, City agency, corporation, and division staff time.

5. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to co-sign local and intergovernmental funding agreements for the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved projects with GMAP applicants, if and as required.

6. City Council authorize all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to recover any costs incurred as a result of a Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) approved project from a GMAP proponent.

7. City Council direct all City agencies, corporations, and divisions to designate by December 31, 2023, a Green Market Acceleration Program liaison to act as an internal proponent and interdivisional liaison, performing the role detailed in Attachment 3 to the report (April 11, 2023) from the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and the Director, Strategic Partnerships.

The Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) supports economic growth in Toronto's thriving green sector by enabling access to municipal infrastructure for companies to conduct applied research, proof of concept trials, and demonstrations on pre-market technologies. In addition to longer-term global environmental benefits, GMAP provides support for attracting and retaining businesses in the City This report summarizes the activities of the GMAP between 2018-2022 and seeks authority for its renewal and improvement. Proposed changes are based on the findings of an external consultation and aim to ensure that the program continues to support jobs and innovation, offering local companies a competitive advantage in a strategically important sector.