Item - 2025.EC21.2

The Economic and Community Development Committee:

1. Received the report (May 27, 2025) from the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, for information.

In accordance with the Relationship Framework approved by City Council for the Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Chair's 2024 Annual Report is being communicated to the Economic and Community Development Committee for information.

The Toronto Licensing Tribunal (the Tribunal) is an independent quasi-judicial body that makes decisions about business licensing matters brought forward by Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), or at the request of a licence holder or applicant, in accordance with Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 545,  Licensing, Chapter 546, Licensing of Vehicles-for-Hire, and for short-term rental companies, Chapter 547, Licensing and Registration of Short-term Rentals. The Tribunal is comprised of seven citizens chosen by City Council for a four-year term, and it receives administrative support from the City of Toronto's Court Services Division. The Tribunal operated with six active members in 2024, with one vacancy carrying over from 2023. That number was further reduced to five members due to one resignation in June. The remainder of the year was managed by five members. Training and development for members continued throughout the year, and all member training and onboarding requirements were met.

In 2024, the Toronto Licensing Tribunal scheduled 83 appearances before a hearing panel. There was a total of 33 virtual hearing dates reserved, and no requests for hearing dates in-person. In 2024, the top licence types that appeared before the Tribunal were (excluding licences withdrawn for Tow Trucks):

- Vehicle-For-Hire Driver’s Licence

- Taxicab Owner's Licence

- Eating Establishment Licence

As indicated in the Toronto Municipal Code and the Relationship Framework for the Toronto Licensing Tribunal, the Annual Report contains recommendations of the Chair for improvements or changes to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal policies and procedures. In the 2024 Annual Report, the Chair made a recommendation for Municipal Licensing and Standards staff to provide operational updates as a regular agenda item at the Tribunal's Business meetings.