Agenda

This meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee will be conducted with members participating in person and remotely.  

Members of Council, City Officials, and members of the public who register to speak will be provided with the video conference details closer to the meeting date.

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The public may submit written comments or register to speak to the Committee on any item on the agenda. The public may speak to the Committee in person or by video conference.

Written comments may be submitted by writing to iec@toronto.ca.

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Closed Meeting Requirements: If the Infrastructure and Environment Committee wants to meet in closed session (privately), a member of the Committee must make a motion to do so and give the reason why the Committee has to meet privately (City of Toronto Act, 2006).

Notice to People Writing or Making Presentations to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee: The City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the City of Toronto Municipal Code authorize the City of Toronto to collect any personal information in your communication or presentation to City Council or its Committees and Boards. The City collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s). If you are submitting letters, faxes, e-mails, presentations or other communications to the City, you should be aware that your name and the fact that you communicated with the City will become part of the public record and will appear on the City’s website. The City will also make your communication and any personal information in it - such as your postal address, telephone number or e-mail address - available to the public, unless you expressly request the City to remove it.

Many Committee, Board, and Advisory Body meetings are broadcast live over the internet for the public to view. If you speak at the meeting you will appear in the video broadcast. Video broadcasts are archived and continue to be publicly available.

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toronto.ca/council

This agenda and any supplementary materials submitted to the City Clerk can be found online at www.toronto.ca/council. Visit the website for access to all agendas, reports, decisions and minutes of City Council and its Committees and Boards.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Speakers/Presentations: The speakers list will be posted online at 8:30 a.m. on June 5, 2023

Communications/Reports

Confirmation of Minutes - April 26, 2023 

The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:  

1.  City Council approve the Residual Waste Management Work Plan, presented in Attachment 1 (Residual Waste Management Work Plan) to the report (May 19, 2023) from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

2.  City Council direct that the information in Confidential Attachment 1 to this report remain confidential in its entirety until January 1, 2030, as it involves a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City. 

3.  City Council direct that the information in Confidential Attachment 2 to this report remain confidential in its entirety until January 1, 2030, as it involves a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the City. 

4.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, until December 31, 2029 for the purpose of redirecting waste from the Green Lane Landfill and the implementation of the short- and medium-term actions of the Residual Waste Management Work Plan, to negotiate and enter into one or more non-competitive residual waste (garbage) disposal agreements or to amend and extend existing waste disposal agreements with landfills located in Ontario, subject to the conditions set out in Confidential Attachment 1, and on terms and conditions acceptable to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and each in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

5.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, until December 31, 2029 for the purpose of redirecting waste from the Green Lane Landfill and the implementation of the short- and medium-term actions of the Residual Waste Management Work Plan, to negotiate and enter into one or more non-competitive residual waste (garbage) processing agreements with energy-from-waste facilities, subject to the conditions set out in Confidential Attachment 2, and on terms and conditions acceptable to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and each in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

6.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate terms and conditions:

a.  to purchase landfills through the non-competitive process, and

b.  to partner with public and/or private sector organizations to build and/or operate a landfill,

and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to City Council with details of the negotiated terms and conditions for approval.

7.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to negotiate terms and conditions:

a.  to purchase energy-from-waste facilities or capacity through the non-competitive process, and

b.  to partner with public and/or private sector organizations to build and/or operate energy-from-waste facilities,

and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to City Council with details of the negotiated terms and conditions for approval.

8.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to adjust Solid Waste Management Services staff complement by up to 10 positions, funded through Capital project CSW960 – Landfill Capacity Development / Energy from Waste, to expedite the work outlined in the Residual Waste Management Work Plan, and direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to report back to City Council on the related staff complement change through the appropriate Standing Committee.

Landfill space in the province of Ontario, and at the City of Toronto's Green Lane Landfill, is expected to reach capacity by approximately 2034/2035.

While the City has a number of successful waste reduction and diversion programs in place to support the Long Term Waste Management Strategy's¹ aspirational goals of zero-waste and moving towards a circular economy, long-term solutions for the disposal of residual waste (e.g. garbage) beyond the lifespan of Green Lane Landfill are still required.

It's critical that the City continue planning for the future long-term disposal of Toronto's garbage as building new waste disposal infrastructure can take more than 10 years to complete given the estimated planning, regulatory, and construction timeframes, and recent Government of Ontario amendments to the Environmental Assessment Act make the process for establishing new landfills more challenging by requiring applicants to obtain the local, and in some cases, adjacent municipal support.

As part of this work, Solid Waste Management Services recently completed two technical studies that explored options to manage the City's residual waste including a Mixed Waste Processing Study and a Residual Waste Disposal Study. This report summarizes the key findings from those studies and proposes a Residual Waste Management Work Plan outlining short- and medium-term actions that the City can initiate to extend the lifespan of Green Lane Landfill as well as strategic long-term planning activities to manage the City's residual waste.

¹ Long-Term Waste Management Strategy, link: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/long-term-waste-strategy/overview/

There are no financial impacts on Solid Waste Management Services' 2023 Operating Budget resulting from this report.

Funding for financial impacts on Solid Waste Management Services' 2024 Operating Budget, and/or future budget periods, will be included in the division’s 2024 Operating Budget and/or future Operating Budget submissions. Depending on City Council direction, the estimates for 2024 and future years commitments will be developed.

Funding for the subsequent studies noted in Attachment 1 is available within the approved Solid Waste Management Services 2023-2032 Capital Budget & Plan. Capital project CSW960 – Landfill Capacity Development / Energy from Waste is categorized as a Legislated project with $1.2 million in planned cash flow committed in 2023. Funding consists of $0.012 million from reserve funds and $1.188 million through Recoverable Debt.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information

The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and/or designate, to negotiate and enter into any agreements, amendments of existing agreements, or acknowledgements - including on the basis of a non-competitive procurement under Municipal Code Chapter 195, Purchasing - necessary to investigate, evaluate, produce, manage, distribute, use and sell hydrogen and other renewable energies and associated environmental attributes on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and/or designate, to investigate and accept external funding from all levels of government and organizations, for Solid Waste Management activities including but not limited to renewable energies and landfill management and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.  City Council endorse Solid Waste Management Services to explore the feasibility and market value of hydrogen and other renewable energies that may be derived from the City's waste processing facilities.

Since 2015, Solid Waste Management Services has been working to explore opportunities to create renewable energy from the landfill gas and biogas produced at its organics processing facilities and existing and closed landfills. The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the renewable natural gas project being implemented by Solid Waste Management Services at the City's Green Lane Landfill.

In 2016, City Council granted the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, delegated authority to enter into renewable natural gas Projects and agreements. Further to this authority, in 2019, City Council also granted the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services delegated authority to negotiate and enter into any new agreements necessary in connection with the efforts to produce, manage, market, distribute, use and sell renewable natural gas and other environmental attributes associated with renewable natural gas production.

This report is seeking authorities to also explore and develop potential hydrogen and other renewable energies that can be derived from landfill gas/biogas, and to apply for and accept funding for Solid Waste Management activities including but not limited to renewable energy projects and advancement of landfill gas management.

In 2020, Solid Waste Management Services initiated a study to investigate the most beneficial use of the landfill gas collected at Green Lane Landfill. Various technology solutions were evaluated against criteria that was co-developed with the three First Nations Communities in close proximity to the landfill and other key stakeholders.

The study recommended a phased approach with renewable natural gas as the cornerstone of the project, which will enable future add-ons such as hydrogen, and other renewable energies. Since concluding the study, Solid Waste Management Services has been negotiating the necessary agreements to implement an renewable natural gas Facility at Green Lane Landfill. This project has the potential to generate enough renewable natural gas to meet 50 per cent of the City's (Agencies and Boards excluded) annual natural gas needs and realize significant greenhouse gas emission reductions towards TransformTO Net Zero Goals.

There are no immediate financial impacts resulting from the recommendations within this report.

Current Renewable Natural Gas project at Green Lane: The capital project for Landfill Gas Utilization is categorized as a Service Improvement & Enhancement project with planned cash flows totaling $52.601 million over the period 2024 to 2027. Instead of proceeding with this capital project, Solid Waste Management Services has opted to contract out the renewable natural gas equipment installation and operations to Enbridge Gas Incorporated. Enbridge Gas Incorporated and Solid Waste Management Services will be billed a monthly service fee. Currently, it is estimated that monthly service fees payable to Enbridge Gas Incorporated will begin in 2026. The Operating Budget will be updated for 2026 to reflect the beginning of payments which will be commencing post-commissioning of the facility.

The current capital plan for Landfill Gas Utilization for 2024 to 2027 will likely be removed as all expenditures will be changing to Operating beginning in 2026. The agreement with Enbridge Gas Incorporated is currently under negotiation.

Other Renewable Energy Opportunities: Future financial impact considerations resulting from the implementation of other renewable energies, such as hydrogen, will depend on the outcome of investigations for the opportunity and feasibility of available add-on projects that are anticipated to take place throughout 2023, and will likely be estimated and presented for approval in the 2024 budget. Other sources of funding, if available, will be considered.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:  

1.  City Council authorize the installation of the following bikeway projects on:

a.  Bloor Street from Runnymede Road to Resurrection Road, uni-directional cycle tracks;

b.  Gladstone Avenue from Dundas Street to Peel Avenue, contra-flow bike lane;

c.  Gerrard Street from Parliament Street to Sumach Street, bi-directional cycle track;

d.  Sumach Street from Wellesley Avenue to Gerrard Street, contra-flow bike lane;

e.  Sackville Street from Wellesley Avenue to Gerrard Street, contra-flow bike lane;

f.  Ontario Street from Carlton Street to Aberdeen Avenue, contra-flow bike lane;

g.  Sheppard Avenue from Clairtrell Road to Leslie Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks;

h.  Superior Avenue from  Lake Shore Boulevard and Stanley Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks;

i.  Dundas Street from Hiltz Avenue to Alton Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks; and

j.  Dundas Street from Rhodes Avenue to Coxwell Avenue, uni-directional cycle tracks.

2.  City Council delegate, despite any City of Toronto By-law to the contrary, to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2025, for the purposes of implementing and then addressing operational and safety issues that may arise in relation to the projects identified in Recommendation 1 above, the authority to implement changes and process and submit directly to Council any necessary bills for by-law amendments to the schedules to City of Toronto Code Chapters on the streets and within the parameters as identified in Attachment 2 to the report (May 19, 2023) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, such the by-laws submitted be made permanent on December 31, 2025.

3.  City Council authorize and direct the appropriate City officials to take the necessary action to give effect to Council's decision, including the introduction in Council of any and all bills that may be required.

4.  City Council authorize the General Manager of Transportation Services to install a new traffic signal at Dufferin Street and Peel Avenue.

5.  City Council amend cycling, traffic and parking regulations required in Chapter 886, Chapter 910 and Chapter 950, as generally described in Attachment 3 - Technical Amendments, for previously approved projects by City Council that have been enacted in phases aligned with the timing of implementation of the appropriate segments of the respective projects over 2022 to 2023 and by-law accuracy.

6.  City Council authorize the Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards or General Manager of Transportation Services to exempt curb lane café permit areas on Bloor Street West between Runnymede Road and Resurrection Road from the requirements of § 742-10.4. B(6) and B(7) and  § 742-10.4 C(1) and C(3) of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays, during construction along Bloor Street West for the Complete Street Extension Project from August 7, 2023 to October 15, 2023, inclusive, but require any affected permit holder to do the following during that period:

a.  install a temporary ramp in their permit area which provides for safe access to the permit area from the sidewalk in accordance with the requirements of § 742-10.4 C(2).

The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near Term Implementation Plan, adopted by City Council in December 2021 seeks to build on the existing network of cycling routes to Connect gaps in the current network, Grow the network into new parts of the city, and Renew existing parts of the network to improve safety. Through this report, Transportation Services is seeking authority for a number of bikeway projects that are proposed to be installed in the near term (2022-2024) for which design and consultation have been completed. New bikeways are proposed through the Bloor Street West Complete Street Extension, Bartlett-Havelock-Gladstone Cycling Connections, Cabbagetown Cycling Connections, Sheppard Avenue East Complete Street and Superior Avenue projects.

This report seeks Council authority to install 8.6 centreline kilometres (km) of new bikeways on the following streets:

- Bloor Street West: Runnymede Road to Resurrection Road (cycle tracks, Ward 3 and 4)

- Bartlett-Havelock-Gladstone Cycling Connections project (Ward 9) including:

- Gladstone Avenue: Dundas Street to Peel Avenue  (contra-flow bike lane)

- a new traffic signal at Dufferin Street and Peel Avenue

- Cabbagetown Cycling Connections project (Ward 13) including:

- Gerrard Street: Parliament Street to Sumach Street (bi-directional cycle track)

- Sumach Street: Wellesley Avenue to Gerrard Street (contra-flow bike lane)

- Sackville Street: Wellesley Avenue to Gerrard Street (contra-flow bike lane)

- Winchester Street: Parliament Street to Ontario Street (contra-flow bike lane)

- Ontario Street: Carlton Street to Aberdeen Avenue (contra-flow bike lane)

- Sheppard Avenue: Clairtrell Road to Leslie Avenue (cycle tracks, Ward 17)

- Superior Avenue: Lake Shore Boulevard and Stanley Avenue (cycle tracks, Ward 3)

Further, this report seeks Council authority to make by-law amendments associated with improvements to 0.10 centreline km of existing cycling infrastructure on the following sections of Dundas Street East as part of other capital works:

- Hiltz Avenue to Alton Avenue (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

- Rhodes Avenue to Coxwell Avenue (bike lanes to cycle tracks, Ward 14)

As part of this report, Transportation Services is proposing to improve and streamline the current reporting process for by-law amendment submissions associated with cycling infrastructure projects that have been approved by Council for implementation. Once projects are approved by Council, a streamlined process would involve delegation of authority to submit bills directly to Council for a discreet period of time after project implementation which would enable Transportation Services to be more nimble, and unlock the ability for staff to make minor adjustments to constructed conditions without delay and based on local Councillor and public feedback such as parking adjustments to improve sight-lines, adjustments or addition of accessible loading areas, and similar modifications.

The changes proposed as part of the projects identified above would improve safety and mobility options by providing improved cycling connections to transit, parks, local schools, businesses, and residences. Pedestrian improvements have also been included in the projects, wherever feasible, including curb extensions and new sidewalk installations, and motor vehicle lane adjustments.

Finally, this report seeks to make minor housekeeping amendments to existing bikeways and their associated traffic and parking by-laws on the following streets:

- Peel Avenue and Gladstone Avenue (traffic and parking by-laws, Ward 9)

- Dundas Street and The Kingsway (traffic and parking by-laws, Ward 2)

- Havelock Street, Bartlett Avenue, Gladstone Avenue and Lindsey Avenue (bicycle and traffic and parking by-laws, Ward 9)

- Huntingwood Drive (traffic and parking by-laws, Ward 22)

A map of the bikeway projects proposed in this report is included as Attachment 1. 

This report seeks approval to implement a number of bikeway projects that were identified in the Council-adopted 2021 Cycling Network Plan Update that are proposed to be installed in the near term (2022-2024), as a fundamental objective of the Council-adopted Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan.

The estimated cost to implement the bikeways recommended in this report is $12 million. Funding is available for these capital projects categorized as a service improvement and enhancement in the approved 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services.

The annual funding required to maintain the new cycling infrastructure once constructed is expected to be approximately $120,000 for sweeping and $215,000 for winter maintenance. Funding for this maintenance can be accommodated within the approved 2023 Operating Budget for Transportation Services. Funding required for ongoing maintenance costs would be considered as part of future operating budget submissions for Transportation Services.

The removal of approximately 92 Pay and Display on-street parking spaces proposed in the report would reduce Toronto Parking Authority's annual gross revenue by an estimated $410,000.  Transportation Services continues to work with Toronto Parking Authority to identify additional paid parking spaces that could be added in the areas impacted.

Costs to implement on-street paid parking changes, including the relocation of Pay and Display machines as well as programming of any rate / hour of operation changes are estimated at $65,000.  All implementation costs will be borne by Transportation Services and will be required prior to the start of construction.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial implications as contained in the Financial Impact Section.

The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that:  

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to amend the Construction and License Agreement between the City of Toronto and the Friends of High Park Zoo, a registered charity, to allow for the transfer of up to an additional $31,530 from the City of Toronto to the Friends of High Park Zoo, for completed electrical work in the llama and capybara building in High Park.

2.  City Council authorize the transfer of up to an additional $31,530 to the Friends of High Park Zoo, from the Parks, Forestry and Recreation 2023 Council Approved  Capital Budget and 2024-2032 Capital Plan from the Capital Asset Management Program Special Facilities sub-project (account CPR126-49-03), in the Special Facilities project, for completed electrical rehabilitation of the llama and capybara building in High Park, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

The Friends of High Park Zoo (the Friends), a registered charity working in collaboration with the City of Toronto, undertook emergency electrical work in the new llama and capybara building in High Park to address deficiencies in time for the 2022-2023 winter season.

This report seeks City Council authority to amend the existing Construction Agreement with the Friends to allow for the transfer of funds as reimbursement for the emergency electrical work completed, as part of the Parks, Forestry and Recreation's  Capital Asset Management Program.

Since 2017, the City of Toronto made a total contribution of $553,000 to the Friends for capital improvements to the llama and capybara building in High Park. This additional contribution of $31,530 will be directed to address the increased costs of the emergency electrical rehabilitation of the llama and capybara building in High Park Zoo.

Funding of $31,530 is available in the 2023 Council Approved Capital Budget and 20242032 Capital Plan for Parks, Forestry and Recreation in the Capital Asset Management Program Special Facilities sub-project (account CPR126-49-03), which is categorized as a State of Good Repair, with funding from debt. There are no additional operating impacts associated with this work.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial implications as identified in the Financial Impact section.

The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation recommends that:

1.  City Council amend the scope of work for three new planned tennis court complexes with lights in the South, East and North Districts, in the 2023 Council Approved Capital Budget and 2024 - 2032 Capital Plan for Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to include the development of new purpose built, stand-alone pickleball courts with lights:

a.  Facilities Master Plan - Tennis Court Pickleball Complex with Lights (1) South

b.  Facilities Master Plan - Tennis Court Pickleball Complex with Lights (1) East

c.  Facilities Master Plan - Tennis Court Pickleball Complex with Lights (1) North

Interest in pickleball, an indoor/outdoor paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, continues to grow. This report outlines the City's approach to accommodating this fast-growing sport, including a review of the demand, distribution and scheduling of pickleball courts in the City of Toronto parks and community recreation centres. The report also identifies future opportunities to support pickleball, including mechanisms to permit pickleball on underutilized flat surfaces in 2023.

In response to increasing demand, the City has expanded outdoor courts from one to 165 over the last five years. With the addition of more than 30 new outdoor courts (either shared with other sports or dedicated to pickleball), this total will reach nearly 200 by the end of 2023. Pickleball programming is now offered in more than 50 community recreation centres across Toronto.

This report also recommends amending the scope of work for three new tennis court complex projects in Parks, Forestry and Recreation's 2023-2032 Council Approved Capital Budget and Plan to include dedicated pickleball courts, located in North York, Scarborough and Toronto-East York. A purpose built dedicated pickleball court complex in Centennial Park has also been identified through the Centennial Park Master Plan, and will be delivered as part of the plan's implementation.

Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff continue to assess demand of this growing sport by measuring indoor attendance, tracking requests for new courts and evaluate under-used public tennis courts in areas with access to alternative tennis court locations for conversion to pickleball courts. Pickleball court lines will also continue to be painted onto outdoor hard surfaces based on demonstrated demand.

Starting in 2023, as part of the Facilities Master Plan Five Year Review, staff will review the need for further pickleball provision across Toronto.

The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan 2019-2038, adopted in November 2017, included Recommendation 31 to identify and evaluate under-utilized public (tennis) courts in well-served areas for conversion to pickleball, club tennis or multi-sport courts, as a short term measure to meet demonstrated demand for pickleball.

To respond to community interest for dedicated purpose-built pickleball facilities, this report recommends amending the scope of work for three new planned tennis court complexes with lights, categorized as growth-related projects, in the 2023 Council Approved Capital Budget and 2024-2032 Capital Plan for Parks, Forestry and Recreation, to include new dedicated pickleball courts. These projects are currently planned over 2024-2026, at a cost of $3.245 million as summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1 - Capital Projects in the 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan (In millions)

There is no incremental impact to the capital costs by incorporating pickleball courts into the three planned tennis court complexes with lights projects in the current 10-Year Capital Plan for Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as the existing planned budgets will be utilized, fully funded by Development Charges (XR2114). As identified in Table 2 below, at this time it is estimated that there will be an operating estimate of $0.023 million gross and net for each new planned tennis court pickleball complex with lights completion, starting in 2025 for two courts, with the third added in 2026. Parks, Forestry and Recreation will accommodate within existing resources, where possible, to maintain and operate the new court complexes. Any incremental operating impacts will be included in future budget submissions for consideration.

Table 2 - Estimated Financial Impacts (In millions)

*reflects annual estimate for 2027 and subsequent years

Parks, Forestry and Recreation will continue to paint additional pickleball court lines onto City tennis or other sports courts in response to demonstrated demand and in relation to other community and park use priorities, and where resources permit.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The General Manager, Toronto Water recommends that:

1.  The Infrastructure and Environment Committee receive this report for information.

Adopted in 2003, the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan provides planning for many initiatives that reduces the adverse impacts of stormwater (rain and melted snow) on the City's environment within a multi-year implementation horizon.  This purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update of the progress of key Wet Weather Flow Master Plan initiatives since the last Wet Weather Flow Master Plan update in 2017. 

Key objectives of the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan include improving water quality along the waterfront, beaches and watercourses, protection of vulnerable City sewer and water infrastructure from erosion and reducing the risk of flooding to private and City properties during extreme wet weather. The Wet Weather Flow Master Plan also provides guidance on municipal operations, environmental monitoring and public education initiatives related to stormwater management.

Significant progress has been made on critical Wet Weather Flow Master Plan initiatives, most notably, construction of the Don River and Central Waterfront Project which is the largest and most significant stormwater management program in the city’s history, the Basement Flooding Protection Program, the rehabilitation of City stormwater management facilities, and in implementation of works within the watercourse and shoreline management programs.  Policy updates to guide stormwater management for development and redevelopment have also been initiated.

Challenges due to construction cost escalation, constrained engineering and technical resources and competing commitments have impacted the implementation of the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan, however key initiatives such as the construction of the Don River and Central Waterfront Project (and related projects - the Integrated Pumping Station and the High Rate Treatment Facility at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant), critical end-of pipe projects and Basement Flooding Protection Program projects remain top priorities.

Implementation of the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan is funded by investments set out in Toronto Water’s annual capital budget and is primarily funded by the water rate with supplementary contributions from Development Charges, and federal funding through the Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund.

This report provides an implementation status update on the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan. The 2023-2032 Capital Budget and Plan for the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan, as approved by Council, is $4.3 billion, including, state of good repair and service improvements that address future growth needs.  

The implementation of Wet Weather Flow Master Plan projects have been significantly impacted by cost escalation caused by high rates of inflation, global supply chain issues, market volatility, and staffing constraints for specialized labour. Year-over-year increases in tender costs across Toronto Water projects have impacted capital affordability and required reprioritization of the planned capital work necessary to address infrastructure needs.  The implementation of some projects outlined in this staff report may extend beyond the ten-year capital plan, and/or are not fully funded. 

Funding for Basement Flooding Protection Program projects include federal funding through the Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund.

Some sewer infrastructure identified in this staff report both manage wet weather flow and accommodate future growth. Funding for these projects is impacted by Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. Specifically, Bill 23 has removed the City's ability to collect development charges for housing services, including sewers, resulting in an approximate $2.3 billion in lost revenues over 10 years.

Should the City not be fully reimbursed by the Province for the lost revenues resulting from Bill 23, and without new financial and policy tools, the City will not be able to construct the sewer infrastructure required to support growth. In addition, substantial escalation to cost estimates of capital works projects influence the number of projects that can be constructed with the available budget, and may require additional cost-benefit analysis, reprioritization of projects, or deferred project timelines.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The General Manager, Toronto Water, recommends that:

1.  The Infrastructure and Environment Committee receive this report for information.

This report provides a summary of the activities performed in 2022 by Toronto Water's Environmental Monitoring and Protection Unit, which is responsible for administrative compliance and enforcement of the City of Toronto's Municipal Code Chapter 681 ("Sewers By-Law") and Municipal Code Chapter 851 ("Water Supply By-Law).

In 2022, the Environmental Monitoring and Protection Unit performed 976 tasks such as company inspections, dye tests, meetings with businesses, storm sewer outfall inspections under the Sewers By-law and 176 inspections under the Water Supply By-law. The staff performed 5,040 sampling events, which resulted in 22,371 laboratory analyses. A total of 401 Notices of Violation were issued for non-compliance under the Sewers By-law and 7 issued for non-compliance under the Water Supply By-law.

In 2022, cases involving 10 companies moved forward to prosecution for both the Sewers and Water Supply By-laws. Under the Sewers By-law, there were 6 convictions resulting in $55,000 in fines and under the Water Supply By-law, there were 3 convictions resulting in $9,000 in fines (convictions may include prosecution files started in previous years). This total does not include the Victim Fine Surcharge (which is collected and retained by the Ontario Provincial Government for victims of crime – for fines over $1,000; the surcharge is 25 percent of the fine). The remaining prosecution files are still before the courts.

The number of Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreements entered into with businesses increased in 2022, and Toronto Water recovered $9.5 million in total cost for this program. The total number of Sanitary Discharge Agreements decreased, but overall cost recovery increased to $ 7.7 million in 2022, from $7.6 million in 2021.

In 2022, the Outfall Monitoring Program identified 5 new cross connections (as a result of sanitary wastewater being misdirected to a storm sewer) and verified the correction of 6 cross connections (some were carried over from previous years), thereby seeing an improvement in water quality at those outfalls and the receiving waters.

All of the above noted activities and functions have been carried out under the impacts and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the Environmental Monitoring and Protection Unit maintained and carried out all of its mandated functions and responsibilities including field related operations, inspections and investigations. Details are provided in this report.

There are no financial implications to the City as a result of this report.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

1.   City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services and the Executive Director, Environment and Climate to report back at the October 25, 2023, Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting on a framework for an E-Scooter Pilot Project, for consideration of inclusion in building a comprehensive “Active Transportation Network” for the City of Toronto.

2.  City Council request that the report in Recommendation 1 above include:

a.  Insurance;

b.  Indemnification;

c.  Utilization of City resources, including police and municipal licensing;

d.  Consulting with other North American cities on how they deal with accessibility issues;

e.  Designated parking areas for e-scooters;

f.  Banning e-scooters from public sidewalks;

g.  Banning e-scooters from public parks and pathways; and

h.  Capping the number of e-scooters which private companies can deploy during the pilot project.

In January 2020, the province began a five-year Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters, pilot project allowing municipalities to regulate the use of e-scooters. The City of Toronto has an opportunity to participate by prioritizing active transportation programs, to include e-scooters as part of the solution for moving individuals around our city.

Toronto chose not to partake in the pilot project, which I have heard from many members of the public, is placing Toronto at a disadvantage. They have told me this is a missed opportunity to not pilot e-scooters as an addition to our active transportation programs, adding to our commitment to the cycling network plan.

The Region of Durham, on April 27, 2022, passed By-law23-2022 "permitting the use of e-scooters on Regional roads. As a result, e-scooters are now permitted on regional roads in Pickering, but not on City roads. Staff have drafted the Electric Kick Scooter By-law to ensure there is a consistent approach to e-Scooter use across all of Pickering."

On April 6, 2023, the City of Brampton issued a press release, launching Brampton's first ever E-scooter program, introducing as stated in the release: "connecting residents with another sustainable active transportation option"

I ask for your support to review a framework to initiate a pilot project to allow the City of Toronto to participate in the pilot for the regulation of e-scooters.

Councillor Mike Colle recommends that:

1. The General Manager of Transportation Services conduct a review and report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the fourth quarter of 2023 on the feasibility for a plan to remove the southbound ramp from Lawrence Avenue West to the Allen Road as a means to:

a. Create a dedicated right-turn lane from northbound Marlee Avenue to eastbound Lawrence Avenue West;

b. Improve access for TTC buses at the Lawrence West subway station;

c. Improve access at the Lawrence West subway station for vehicles to pick up and drop off TTC riders; and

d. Improve access and the volume of vehicles turning from eastbound Lawrence Avenue West to the northbound ramp of the Allen Road.

Traffic at Lawrence Avenue West and the Allen Road has been a growing problem in recent years. Traffic at this intersection is often backed-up, spilling on to surrounding side streets causing traffic and safety concerns for cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians in the area.

This traffic gridlock will only be made worse as development applications continue to move through the planning process and receive approvals. This stretch of Lawrence at the Allen is directly adjacent to the Lawrence West subway station, making the surrounding lands ideal for development under the provincial Major Transit Stations Areas (MTSAs) and Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) policies, which allow for increased densities in proximity to major transit stations.

The southbound ramp from Lawrence Avenue West onto the Allen Road (photo below), is an extremely underutilised ramp. Furthermore, the positioning of this on-ramp limits the potential for better solutions in the road allowance that might help mitigate existing and increasing traffic issues. If this ramp were removed, it might facilitate a dedicated right-turn lane from northbound Marlee Avenue to eastbound Lawrence. It could improve access to the Lawrence West subway station for TTC buses as well as private vehicles dropping off and picking up riders, which would help lessen the traffic strain at this bottleneck. It might also facilitate a better solution for eastbound traffic turning on to the northbound ramp of the Allen Road.

The location of this underutilised ramp takes up valuable space in this traffic-heavy area causing congestion, safety concerns, and no room to accommodate growth. It is for these reasons that I am recommending Transportation Services conduct a review of this intersection with the objective of determining if it would be possible for the City to remove the southbound on-ramp at Lawrence Ave W and the Allen Rd.