Item - 2024.MA4.2

The Toronto Music Advisory Committee recommends that the Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Executive Director, Development Review, and any other divisions as needed, to continue efforts to address the current precarious state of live music venues, by taking proactive steps to protect existing venues and encourage establishment of new venues, such steps to include but not be limited to:
 

a. initiate an inter-divisional City team to explore the use of tax incentives, cultural heritage designations, flexibility in land use permissions, noise mitigation measures, modernizing regulations, and any other strategies to preserve and encourage robust live music venues;

b. ensure that any new recommended initiatives and strategies are aligned with the policies and priorities identified in the City’s ongoing New Action Plan for Toronto’s Culture Sector and the New Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy;

c. work with industry stakeholders, venue operators, and engage audiences, to inform potential strategies identified; and

d. report back to City Council in the third quarter of 2025 with a draft set of recommendations for consideration.

Willie Macrae, Manager, Colin Wolfe, Senior Planner, John Homsy, Assistant Planner, Community Planning - South Toronto and East York District, City Planning gave a presentation on Soundcheck: Retaining and Growing Performance Venues in Toronto.

Staff from City Planning will present ideas for a study exploring potential policies to support preserving existing music spaces and encouraging new models for performance and presentation.