Item - 2024.EC15.10

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Referred the item to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture for consideration and appropriate action in support of Councillors Colle and Nunziata, local restaurants and BIA’s to organize a city-wide event.

City Council on June 26 and 27, 2024, referred Motion MM19.32 to the Economic and Community Development Committee for consideration.

Toronto is well-known for our incredible food scene, and for our residents' long held and strong opinions for where to get their favourite dishes.

In an effort to support our small businesses, Business Improvement Areas, and to encourage Torontonians in celebrating their favourite restaurants — the City should host the first ever Toronto International Pizza Festival.

Our City has incredible street festivals and food-related events that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to locations across Toronto in order to experience the culinary excellence of Toronto. With thousands of pizzerias and related restaurants this festival provides a unique opportunity to encourage Torontonians to support small and local businesses, while also giving residents the opportunity to promote the many traditional and unique styles of pizza that can be found across Toronto.

The reason for urgency is to ensure that City staff has sufficient time to process this request by the September meeting of City Council.