Item - 2025.GG24.4

The General Government Committee:  

1. In accordance with section 71-11.1C of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 71 (Financial Control Bylaw), authorized the Chief Communications Officer to amend Blanket Contract 47023252 issued to Toronto Star for the placement of legal and statutory notices, by increasing the contract value by $190,000 net of all taxes and charges ($193,344 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries) from $2,254,247 net of all taxes and charges ($2,293,922 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries) to $2,444,247 net of all taxes and charges ($2,487,266 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries).

2. Requested the Chief Procurement Officer and the Chief Communications Officer to explore opportunities in future service arrangements for the placement of legal and statutory notices for strategic public and employee communications which would allow for digital notices that are publicly accessible through the internet without a subscription, and report to the General Government Committee as necessary.

The purpose of this report is to seek authority to amend Blanket Contract Number 47023252 with the Toronto Star for the provision of a print advertising supplier to publish all of the City's statutory advertising.

The total value of the requested Blanket Contract amendment is $190,000 net of all taxes and charges ($193,344 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries), revising the current Blanket Contract value from $2,254,247 net of all taxes and charges ($2,293,922 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries) to $2,444,247 net of all taxes and charges ($2,487,266 net of Harmonized Sales Tax Recoveries).

This contractual arrangement is imperative for the City, as Provincial statutes mandate the placement of legal or statutory notices in daily English-language newspapers with home delivery. It is essential to note that no alternative bids from other publications were received during the procurement process.

Strategic Public and Employee Communications is responsible for overseeing advertising placements on behalf of various divisions and manages the payments for these advertisements.