Item - 2023.TE2.61

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council grant permission to "The Burn" to use open flame as part of the City-produced event on Nathan Phillips Square to be held on the weekend of March 11-12, 2023, contingent upon satisfying any conditions placed by the Fire Marshal.

The purpose of this report is to request an exemption from the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 636 "Public Squares" and former City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 237 “Nathan Phillips Square” for the use of open flame during "The Burn", a City-produced event that will be held on Nathan Philips Square on the weekend of March 11-12, 2023.

The issuing of an exemption for "The Burn" will be conditional on adherence to Toronto Fire policy and procedures. The City of Toronto will produce the event. Economic Development and Culture and the City Clerk's Office will be responsible for submitting operational plans to the permit-issuing body and monitoring on-site operations in a manner that maintains compliance with all Toronto Fire guidelines and best practices. Although it is being produced by the City of Toronto, it is being conceptualized and developed through a collaboration among creatives from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities. The Economic Development and Culture Division is working in consultation with Toronto Fire to monitor and assess risks associated with "The Burn."