Agenda

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Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Confirmation of Minutes - June 11, 2025

Speakers/Presentations - The speakers list will be posted online at 8:30 a.m. on July 10, 2025.

Communications/Reports

The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, with the support of the General Manager, Fleet Services, to bring the City's mechanical litter removal (litter vacuum) operations in-house, to be performed and managed by City staff, when the City's existing agreement for Mechanical Litter Removal (Request For Quotation number 6033-19-0187) for downtown Toronto (East Contract) and agreement for Mechanical Litter Collection (Request For Quotation number Doc3060658546) for the west-end of Toronto (West Contract) have ended respectively.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and General Manager, Fleet Services starting in 2025 to make any necessary adjustments as defined in the Financial Impact section to their Divisional capital, operating and reserve budgets, as well as amend their Divisional staffing complement to implement Recommendation 1 of this report. 

The purpose of this report is to report back to City Council with Solid Waste Management Services' review and analysis of potential service delivery options for the City's mechanical litter removal (litter vacuum) operation which is part of the City's integrated litter program. This report also recommends a service delivery model change to the currently contracted portion of the litter vacuum operations. It presents timelines, operational requirements, financial comparison estimates, and other considerations (resulting from extended producer responsibility transition for Blue Bin recyclables) for the Solid Waste Management Services Division to bring litter vacuum operations in-house once the existing contracts end. The East Contract[1] expires December 31, 2026, and the West Contract[2] expires March 31, 2027.

[1] In this report, Request For Quotation number number 6033-19-0187 for downtown Toronto is referred to as the East Contract.

 
[2] In this report, Request For Quotation number Doc3060658546 for the west-end of Toronto is referred to as the West Contract.

The report details the cost estimates of bringing both the East and West contracts for litter vacuum operations in-house. As shown in Attachment 4: Cost Comparison for Diesel and Electric Combination, in-house service delivery has been estimated to cost approximately $28.508 million for the 5-year period 2027 to 2031. This represents a cost savings of $1.203 million in comparison to the estimated current contract.

The initial purchase of thirty-six (36) litter vacuums (28 diesel and 8 electric), one (1) pick up truck and associated infrastructure costs will occur in 2025 requiring an in-year capital budget adjustment for $6.235 million in 2026. In addition, there will be operating budget implications in 2026 if City Council approves the recommendation outlined in this report.

The estimates include additional staff related operating costs to fund 28 permanent and 17 seasonal Light Equipment Operator positions, one (1) new Supervisor position, an inter-divisional charge from Fleet Services to fund two (2) permanent Automotive Mechanic 2 positions and the operating costs of 36 new litter vacuum vehicles and 1 pick up truck to deliver the service. 

Also included, are one-time 2026 capital costs of $0.667 million to install Level 2 charging stations for eight (8) electric litter vacuums and operations yard upgrades for staffing and various equipment shelters. Both operating and capital expenses will be offset through the removal of litter vacuum contract costs.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information as presented in the Financial Impact section.

The General Manager of Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to negotiate and execute any agreements and related documents necessary with Circular Materials (the Blue Box Program Administrator) and / or their designate to receive payment for incorporating curbside recycling collection day information provided by Circular Materials and / or their designate into the City of Toronto's waste collection schedule for up to 5 years starting with calendar distribution year 2026 on terms acceptable to the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this staff report is to provide City Council with an update on their direction for staff to engage Circular Materials in discussions on the feasibility of collaborating on a cost-shared joint waste collection schedule to include recycling collection information for residential curbside collection customers in 2026 and/or future years. This report seeks delegated authority for the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to enter into an agreement with Circular Materials for a joint collection schedule, should negotiations be successful.

There are no immediate financial impacts resulting from adoption of this report. Joint collection schedule discussions with Circular Materials are ongoing and financial details have yet to be addressed. Should negotiations with Circular Materials result in an agreement to proceed with a joint collection schedule, the City of Toronto will receive revenue from Circular Materials to partially offset the production and delivery costs associated with its waste collection schedule.

Future financial impacts resulting from direction(s) received through this report will be reported back to City Council as part of future budget processes.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information as presented in the Financial Impact Section.

The General Manager of Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:

1. City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services remain confidential in its entirety, in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, as it involves labour relations or employee negotiations.

The purpose of this staff report is to provide City Council with their directed review of the financial, regulatory, operational needs and other requirements necessary for the Solid Waste Management Services Division to be able to bring District 2 collection services in-house following the end of the next contracted service agreement on August 2, 2031.

Additionally, City Council requested a report back with an update on the comparison of service standards and metrics between districts for daytime, curbside waste collection, including:

          a. diversion rates

          b. customer counts

          c. customer service reliability (311 Toronto)

          d. liquidated damages

          e. residents' satisfaction

          f. contingency fees of previous contracts; and

          g. waste contamination rates.

There will be no immediate financial impact resulting from adoption of this report.

This report details a comparison of the annualized cost estimates of District 2 (D2) operations between contracted services and potential in-house delivery options. In 2031, annualized costs of contracted services are estimated at $45.705 million, compared to the in-house delivery option ranging between $42.157 million and $44.433 million, and managed competition option ranging between $43.116 million and $45.392 million.

The in-house delivery option includes costs for 155 Solid Waste Management Services positions or 149 full-time equivalents, and 6 additional Fleet Services full-time equivalents funded through interdepartmental charges, and 97 new vehicles to deliver the service funded by recoverable debt. 

Also included in the in-house delivery option are infrastructure capital cost estimates that could possibly range from $67.572 million to $97.181 million to build a new operating yard. The Capital Infrastructure Costs for the new operating yard constructed at 50 Ingram Drive will be funded by recoverable debt. These estimates include an additional 7 positions (2 permanent and 5 temporary) to manage and construct the new operating yard and recruit, onboard and train staff.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information as presented in the Financial Impact section.

The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services recommends that:

1. City Council receive this report for information.

The purpose of this report is to advise that the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services will be submitting a report that provides the findings of a review of the collection options for District 2 and a district comparative analysis to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for its meeting on July 10, 2025.

Further information on financial impacts will be outlined in the forthcoming report.

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

The Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services recommends that:  

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

Toronto continues to be the busiest city in North America in terms of construction due to increased private development activity, major infrastructure renewal, and the implementation of higher-order transit. This continues to be the most challenging factor towards congestion in the City. At its meeting on April 23 and 24, 2025, City Council considered item IE20.3 – Congestion Management Plan – 2025 Update and directed the City Manager to establish a congestion lead position to focus on creative, cross-divisional solutions to tackling congestion and pre-emptively identifying challenges and recommending solutions to get Toronto moving.

The purpose of this report is to outline the key responsibilities of the Chief Congestion Officer and Executive Director of the Strategic Capital Coordination role. The Chief Congestion Officer and Executive Director, Strategic Capital Coordination will oversee the Strategic Capital Coordination Office. The largest contributor to congestion is construction and as such, it is critical that this position have the authority and accountability for capital coordination across the city to help manage congestion. The position will report directly to the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and will play a pivotal role in managing and mitigating congestion across the City.

While the creation of this role will not eliminate congestion, the leadership it will provide will help to enhance how the City actively manages congestion against the ongoing pressures of growth and development.

Initial funding for the new leadership position of Chief Congestion Officer and Executive Director, Strategic Capital Coordination in Infrastructure Services will be funded from the existing approved 2025 budget. The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact statement.

The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:  

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 937, Temporary Closing of Highways, to delegate to the General Manager, Transportation Services, until December 31, 2032, inclusive, the authority to temporarily close to vehicular and pedestrian traffic any highway or portion of highway for a period up to 365 consecutive days but ending no later than December 31, 2032, inclusive, with the exception of those highways listed in Section 937-4 of Code Chapter 937, as required for the purpose of construction of the Traction Power Upgrade Projects, and City Council exempt the General Manager of Transportation Services, in carrying out this delegated authority from Section 937-5 of Chapter 937, that being the requirement to notify the local Ward Councillor of the pending closure and the requirement to report on the proposed closure if so requested by the local Ward Councillor.  

2. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 27, Council Procedures, to provide that the current delegation to Community Council to temporarily close public lanes or public alleys, local roads, collector roads, and minor arterial roads does not include closures delegated to the General Manager, Transportation Services, in carrying out the authority in Part 1. 

City Council at its meeting on April 23 and 24, 2025, item - 2025.IE20.4, requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee with information on: 

a. any necessary authorities for lane closures greater than 30 days for the first Toronto Transit Commission Traction Power Upgrade project in Table 2, contract S75-7 in the report (March 31, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, including details of the anticipated traffic impacts, the traffic impact mitigation measures to be implemented and steps and measures taken to ensure the amount and duration of lane closures are minimized; and 

b. the delegated authority being sought in Recommendation 2 in the report (March 31, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services for the remaining five Traction Power Upgrade projects in described in Table 2 in the report (March 31, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services. 

Transportation Services is seeking delegated authority for the six (6) projects part of the Traction Power Upgrade program in order to be capable of expediting the issuance of road closure permits for these critical transit upgrade projects.  Contract S75-7 (Granby Traction Power Substation and Duct Bank Replacement Project), is the first contract in the Traction Power Upgrade program scheduled for construction, and per Council direction, project-specific details of the planned road closure for this project are provided in this report.  The traffic mitigation measures implemented for contract S75-7 will be considered for the remaining projects, with context specific measures approved by Transportation Services as part of the required road closure permits.  

The estimated revenues to Transportation Services are variable each year as it is subject to approved temporary road closures for Toronto Transit Commission projects and requests. The expenditures to pay for the temporary road closures as well as all other applicable costs, such as installation of signage and traffic control set-up will be included in Toronto Transit Commission’s Operating and Capital Budget. 

As of April 1, 2025, applicants are subject to the new Road Disruption Activity Reporting System - Traffic Management Recovery Fee for the temporary closure of a traffic lane. Based on the proposed duration, length, and extent of the proposed lane closures on Yonge Street, McGill Street and Granby Street, these fees will be approximately $11,000.00. Road Disruption Activity Reporting System fees for the remaining Traction Power Upgrade projects will be calculated at time of permit issuance. 

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

The General Manager, Transportation Services recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the change in bikeway designation on:

a. Blue Jays Way from King Street West to Front Street West, to uni-directional cycle track from bike lanes;

b. Peter Street from Queen Street West to King Street West, to uni-directional cycle track from bike lanes;

c. Davenport Road from Westmoreland Avenue North to Wychwood Park, to uni-directional cycle track from bike lanes; and

d. Jones Avenue from Dundas Street East to Queen Street East, to bike lanes from 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 June 30, 2028, for the purposes of implementing and then addressing operational and safety issues that may arise in relation to the projects identified in Recommendation 1, 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 3 to the report (June 25, 2025) from the General Manager, Transportation Services, and that such by-laws submitted be made permanent on June 30, 2028.

3. City Council authorize the installation of traffic control signal on Finch Avenue East and a point approximately 180 metres west of Sandhust Circle (at East Highland Creek Greenway Trail).

4. City Council amend cycling, traffic and parking regulations required in Chapter 886, Chapter 903, Chapter 910, and Chapter 950, as generally described in Attachment 4 - 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 2025 to 2026 and by-law accuracy.

5. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services to continue with the planned delivery of sidewalks on:

a. Ancroft Place (north side from Sherbourne Street North to 80 metres east of Sherbourne Street North);

b. Bankfield Drive (east side from Edgebrook Drive to 15 metres north of Edgebrook Drive);

c. Beechgrove Drive (east side from Copperfield Road to 330 metres east of Minuk Acres);

d. Bellefontaine Street (west side from 40 metres south of Kenfin Avenue to 285 metres south of Bellbrook Road);

e. Earl Road (north and south side from 45 metres east of Dorset Road to Dorset Road);

f. Glenridge Road (east and west side from 10 metres west of Chine Drive to Chine Drive);

g. Hanover Road (south side from trail entrance of Robert Leek Park to 20 metres west of trail entrance of Robert Leek Park);

h. Josaly Drive (west side from 15 Josaly Drive to 17 Josaly Drive);

i. Leslie Street (west side from Glassworks Drive to Wicksteed Avenue);

j. Macdonell Avenue (north side from Wabash Avenue to 261 Macdonell Avenue);

k. Manitou Boulevard (east side from Briar Hill Avenue to Ridelle Avenue);

l. Parkland Road (south side from Blantyre Avenue to Clonmore Drive);

m. Parlette Avenue (west side from Ravine Park Crescent to Ravine Park Crescent [south leg]);

n. Ravine Park Crescent (north side from Port Union Road to Parlette Avenue);

o. Silverview Drive (south side from Crushendale Drive to Bowerbank Drive);

p. Sumach Street (east side from Amelia Street to Winchester Street);

q. Wilby Crescent (west side from Weston Road to 75 metres southwest of Weston Road); and

r. Wyndcliff Crescent (north side from Wyndcliff Crescent to Knighton Drive).

6. City Council designate the northerly westbound lane on Davenport Road, between Bathurst Street and a point 35 metres east, for westbound right-turns only.

This report seeks City Council authority to upgrade bikeway projects identified in the Cycling Network Plan Near-Term Implementation Program (2025-2027). The Cycling Network Plan and the associated Near-Term Implementation Plan adopted by City Council in June 2024 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 bikeway projects that are proposed to be installed or under construction in the near-term (2025-2027), for which design and consultation have been completed. No motor vehicle travel lanes removals are required for the projects within this report.

This report seeks Council authority to make by-law amendments associated with improvements to 1.9 centreline kilomeres of existing bikeways on the following streets:

-  Blue Jays Way and Peter Street: Queen Street West to Front Street West (bike lane and cycle track to parking-protected cycle track, Ward 10)

-  Davenport Road: Westmoreland Avenue North to Wychwood Park, and at Bathurst Street (traffic and parking; Ward 9 and 12)

This report also seeks Council authority to rescind the previously approved changes to by-laws on Jones Avenue from Queen Street East to Dundas Street East. On April 17, 2024, City Council approved by-laws to convert the existing bike lanes on this block of Jones Avenue to cycle tracks. After further design analysis, the existing bike lane configuration is recommended to be maintained, along with improvements to safety and accessibility at intersections and transit stops as part of an upcoming road resurfacing project.

Transportation Services is continuing to utilize the streamlined reporting process for by-law amendment submissions associated with cycling infrastructure projects approved by Council for implementation. Once projects are approved by Council, the streamlined process involves delegation of authority to submit bills directly to Council for a defined period of time after project implementation, which enables Transportation Services to make minor adjustments to constructed conditions without delay and based on local Councillor and public feedback, such as parking adjustments to improve sightlines, adjustments or addition of accessible loading areas, and similar modifications.

The changes proposed as part of the projects identified above would improve both 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, pedestrian head start signals, and motor vehicle lane adjustments.

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

-  Brunswick Avenue: Brunswick Avenue at Bloor Street West (traffic; Ward 10)

-  Esther Shiner Boulevard: Provost Drive to Old Leslie Street (bike lane and parking; Ward 24)

-  Huntingwood Drive: between Kennedy Road and Pharmacy Avenue (parking; Ward 22)

-  The Esplanade: Yonge Street to Scott Street (parking; Ward 11)

-  Winona Drive: Vaughan Road to Eglinton Avenue West (parking; Ward 12)

Further, as part of this report, Transportation Services is seeking Council authority to install a new traffic control signal 180 metres west of the Sandhurst Circle and Finch Avenue East intersection to prepare for a new trail connection on Finch Avenue East for the East Highland Creek Greenway Trail.

Missing Links Sidewalk Projects

The Missing Sidewalk Installation Program seeks to provide safe, comfortable, and accessible sidewalks on all public streets. Transportation Services reviews opportunities to install sidewalks on all roadway classifications through bundling with other state-of-good-repair roadway or utility work, as well as stand-alone delivery, as a fundamental objective of the Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan.

In July 2019, Council requested that sidewalk proposals not otherwise delegated to the

General Manager, Transportation Services, or those requested by a Member of Council, be reported on an annual basis to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for recommendation to City Council. This report recommends the installation of sidewalks on the following local roads:

-  Ancroft Place from Sherbourne Street North to 80 metres east of Sherbourne Street North (north side, Ward 11);

-  Bankfield Drive from Edgebrook Drive to 15 metres north of Edgebrook Drive (east side, Ward 1);

-  Beechgrove Drive from Copperfield Road to 330 metres east of Minuk Acres (east side, Ward 25);

-  Bellefontaine Street from 40 metres south of Kenfin Avenue to 285 metres south of Bellbrook Road (west side, Ward 22);

-  Earl Road from 45 metres east of Dorset Road to Dorset Road (north and south side, Ward 20);

-  Glenridge Road from 10 metres west of Chine Drive to Chine Drive (east and west side, Ward 20);

-  Hanover Road from trail entrance of Robert Leek Park to 20 metres west of trail entrance of Robert Leek Park (south side, Ward 6);

-  Josaly Drive from 15 Josaly Drive to 17 Josaly Drive (west side, Ward 25);

-  Leslie Street from Glassworks Drive to Wicksteed Avenue (west side, Ward 15);

-  Macdonell Avenue from Wabash Avenue to 261 Macdonell Avenue (north side, Ward 4);

-  Manitou Boulevard from Briar Hill Avenue to Ridelle Avenue (east side, Ward 8);

-  Parkland Road from Blantyre Avenue to Clonmore Drive (south side, Ward 20);

-  Parlette Avenue from Ravine Park Crescent to Ravine Park Crescent [south leg] (west side, Ward 25);

-  Ravine Park Crescent from Port Union Road to Parlette Avenue (north side, Ward 25);

-  Silverview Drive from Crushendale Drive to Bowerbank Drive (south side, Ward 18);

-  Sumach Street from Amelia Street to Winchester Street (east side, Ward 13);

-  Wilby Crescent from Weston Road to 75 metres southwest of Weston Road (west side, Ward 5); and,

-  Wyndcliff Crescent from Wyndcliff Crescent to Knighton Drive (north side, Ward 16).

In addition to the above, there are five locations for (5) missing sidewalk projects identified in this report for 2025 that are within the delegated authority of the General Manager, Transportation Services.

A map of the Cycling Network and Missing Sidewalk projects proposed in this report is included as Attachments 1 and 2, respectively.

This report seeks approval to install and upgrade a number of existing bikeways projects that were identified in the Council-adopted 2021 Cycling Network Plan Update that are proposed to be installed in the near-term (2025-2027), as a fundamental objective of the Council-adopted Vision Zero 2.0 Road Safety Plan.

The estimated cost to install and upgrade the bikeways recommended in this report is $500,000. The estimated cost of modifying the previously approved design to add 13 additional parking spaces to Huntingwood Drive is approximately $218,000. Funding is available for these capital projects, categorized as a service improvement and enhancement, in the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services.

The estimated cost to construct the sidewalks recommended in this report is $2.0 million. Funding is available for these capital projects, categorized as health and safety, within the approved 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services in account CTP419-01 RSP Missing Link Sidewalks.

The funding required to maintain the new sidewalks for the remainder of 2025 can be accommodated on a one-time basis within the approved 2025 Operating Budget for Transportation Services. Funding required for ongoing maintenance costs will be included as part of future Operating Budget submissions for Transportation Services.

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, Transportation Services, recommends that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Street and Sidewalks, Use Of, to permit temporary ramps as permitted encroachments, generally as set out in Attachment 1 to the report dated June 25, 2025, from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, in order to give effect to City Council's decision.

Many businesses in Toronto are located in buildings where the entrances are not level with the adjacent sidewalks, creating accessibility barriers for individuals using mobility devices, strollers, and carts. The legal requirement to construct permanent ramps is contingent upon new construction or major renovations; in the interim, the buildings remain inaccessible. To address this, some businesses have placed temporary ramps on sidewalks, but these sometimes obstruct pedestrian clearways and pose safety challenges.

The City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, regulates safe maintenance and operations of our sidewalks and maintenance of the pedestrian clearway. It is Transportation Services' position that a permanent barrier-free entrance into a building should be accommodated on the private side of a property line and should be the responsibility of the property owner or occupier. In many cases, this can entail substantial construction work to retrofit the entrance which may be many years before it is undertaken by the building owner. Transportation Services recognizes the need for interim solutions to provide accessibility.

This report recommends amendments to Chapter 743 to allow the placement of temporary ramps as a permitted encroachment within the public right-of-way. The proposed amendments aim to balance the need for improved accessibility with the necessity of maintaining clear pedestrian pathways. The approach avoids the introduction of new permitting processes that could impose additional financial and administrative burdens and reduce the appeal of building owners or leaseholders providing this accessibility feature.

Many property owners have already informally placed their own ramps, most of which are appropriately sized. This report and its adoption will provide guidance on best practice and hopefully encourage wider uptake, thereby providing an interim solution to the accessibility challenges posed by stepped entrances, while also ensuring that public sidewalks remain safe and accessible for all users.

There are no financial implications arising from the recommendations in this report. The guidelines will be implemented using existing resources.

The Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services, with the support of applicable City Divisions, to work with the President, Toronto Parking Authority, to transition to a City-led negotiation of an agreement based on the Collaborative Model outlined in the report (July 10, 2025), with the Short-Listed Proponents, identified through the Toronto Parking Authority's Request for Expression of Interest entitled "Electric Vehicle Charging Network" issued on March 23, 2023 (number BD-2023111), and based on the Key Negotiating Principles, both as set out in Confidential Attachment 1, for a multi-year Toronto-wide public Electric Vehicle Charging Delivery Model, and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the end of the first quarter of 2026 on the results of the negotiation.

2.  City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 to this report from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry remain confidential in its entirety in accordance with the provisions of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, 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 or local board.

On October 10, 2024, City Council adopted the IE-16.5 - Approach to Public Electric Vehicle Charging to 2030 staff report. The report outlined a strategy and plans that will ensure sufficient public charging infrastructure will be in place to realize TransformTO's goal of 30 per cent Electric Vehicle ownership of registered personal vehicles by 2030. To support the recommended Collaborative Delivery Model, the initial three-year City-wide Electric Vehicle charging installation and funding strategy will be presented to City Council in the fourth quarter of 2025. A key prerequisite to inform this plan is a decision around a preferred public Electric Vehicle charging delivery model. 

This report evaluates public Electric Vehicle charging delivery models to inform and support delivery model decision as a strategic decision that will enable the most efficient and effective way to achieve associated near- and long-term goals and objectives within the City of Toronto’s (“the City”) Strategic Planning Framework. 

Based on the evaluation completed on a City-led Model against a Collaborative Model, and considering the magnitude of the City’s unfunded capital program and the cost of generational programs such as the housing plan, transit, and climate action initiatives, City staff are recommending that Environment, Climate and Forestry, in coordination with the Toronto Parking Authority, begin negotiations with three Short-Listed Proponents, guided by Key Negotiating Principles, both outlined in Confidential Attachment 1, with the objective of identifying a Successful Proponent by fourth quarter of 2025 to inform the three-year funding plan and strategy around public Electric Vehicle charging, and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee by the end of first quarter of 2026, on the results of those negotiations.

There is no financial impact resulting from the adoption of the recommendations in this report. 

Capital costs, operational complexities, and maintenance requirements associated with public Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure requirements identified in the Approach to Public Electric Vehicle Charging to 2030 report, present significant challenges for the City. To address this, an alternative delivery model, referred to as the Collaborative Model, has been examined and evaluated against a City-Led Model.  

In the City-Led Model, the City is solely responsible for the full funding, planning, installation, operation, and maintenance of public Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, carried out by its assigned Divisions, Agencies, and Corporations, and multiple third-party contractors. In the Collaborative Model, the City is responsible for identifying key priorities aligned with the overall approach to public Electric Vehicle charging, a third-party proponent is selected to finance and deliver a turnkey solution, and the Toronto Parking Authority provides program oversight to ensure key performance measures tied to the rollout and sustainment of public Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure are achieved.  

The 2025 10-year Capital Budget for Toronto Parking Authority includes $40.1 million in cash flow commitments for Electric Vehicle projects, and represents the City’s capital funding to support the initial off-street Electric Vehicle charging expansion. While these planned investments are a positive step, it is insufficient for a City-wide buildout of Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, which will require a significant additional capital and operating investments over-time. 

The evaluation detailed in this report indicates that a Collaborative Model is best positioned to provide value and affordability for taxpayers and contribute to improving the City’s financial health and helping support strategic, multi-year decision-making and priorities management. 

New emerging technologies in the Electric Vehicle market, as well as uncertainties in the economy resulting from increasing geopolitical tensions and trade and economic policy instability have a potential to significantly impact supply chains and change the pace of Electric Vehicle adoption. Therefore, the full magnitude of potential financial impact is difficult to forecast at this point.  

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer will be consulted by Environment, Climate and Forestry, and Toronto Parking Authority during the negotiation process with the Successful Proponent under the recommended Collaborative Model, to identify potential financial future impacts to the City.  

Any financial impacts that may result from a negotiated agreement will be identified when staff report back on the results of those negotiations in first quarter of 2026.  

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

The Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, recommends that:  

1.  City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to work with the Chief Communications Officer to incorporate information on climate action into the City's existing and planned public advertising campaigns, where relevant, and by the end of first quarter 2026, to develop a greenwashing statement for publication on the City's website, and to develop a third-party advertiser greenwashing declaration that advertisers would be required to sign as a condition of advertising on City assets.

This report responds to direction from City Council to report back by the second quarter of 2025 on a policy to decline fossil fuel advocacy advertising on City assets unless:

-  such advertising is consistent with TransformTO; and

-  any claims in the proposed advertisement have been independently verified as substantiated, per section 74.01 of the Competition Act, and paragraph 8 of the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. 

Concerns were raised in 2024 following reports of Toronto Transit Commission vehicles wrapped in fossil fuel advocacy advertising, as such advertising was "greenwashing" and was counter to the climate goals of TransformTO. Greenwashing is defined as environmental claims that are false, misleading or deceptive, or not adequately and properly tested or substantiated as required.

Staff recommend the following approach, made up of three components, to address potential greenwashing on non-Toronto Transit Commission assets which aligns with a forthcoming report to the Toronto Transit Commission Board of Directors in July 2025. Note that the following approach would not apply to advertising for products or technologies that use fossil fuels, such as vehicles and appliances, among others.

1.  Proactive public information on climate mitigation and resilience that would be incorporated into the City’s existing and planned public campaigns and direct Torontonians to up-to-date, accurate information and helpful actions.

2.  A statement on the City's website, similar to the approach the City took on federal cannabis legislation, reinforcing the Competition Act's new greenwashing provisions (which are already law and must be complied with by all City divisions, agencies, and corporations) that require claims about the environmental benefits of a product, business, or business activity be supported by adequate and proper testing, and in accordance with an internationally recognized methodology. The statement would also reiterate the Competition Bureau's positive "principles for compliance", specifically that environmental claims: be truthful; be adequately and properly tested; be clear and specific; avoid exaggeration; and, where claims are about the future, be supported by a specific and adequate plan.

3.  A proactive third-party advertiser greenwashing declaration that advertisers would be required to sign on a go-forward basis before advertising could be accepted on City property. The declaration component of the approach is designed to mitigate legal risks to the City in the absence of a third-party advertising policy by facilitating a self-screening undertaken by the advertisers.

Taken together, the components of the approach would support and reinforce the Competition Bureau's new greenwashing provisions, underscore the City's concern about the issue of fossil fuel greenwashing and its negative effects, require that third-party advertisers take a proactive approach to prevent greenwashing, and have little to no impact on City advertising revenue given the low percentage of expected fossil fuel advocacy advertising following the implementation of the Competition Bureau's greenwashing provisions in 2024.

The statement on the City's website and the proactive third-party advertiser greenwashing declaration would be implemented by the end of first quarter of 2026, with proactive public information on climate mitigation and resilience incorporated into the City's existing and planned communications on an ongoing basis, where relevant.

This approach would be communicated to all City divisions, agencies, and corporations, to underscore that all advertising or sponsorship proposals must comply with the Competition Act’s new greenwashing provisions for any City-owned property, space or asset (including parks, squares, community centres, events, etc.).

The recommended approach is also consistent with approaches currently being developed by other municipal jurisdictions across Canada, including the City of Ottawa and the City of Montreal.

The financial implications resulting from this report are expected to be minimal given that fossil fuel advocacy advertising represents a very low percentage of the City's overall advertising revenue and is expected to decrease even further as the Competition Bureau implements its greenwashing provisions. Further, no new resources are being requested for the recommended proactive public information campaign on climate.

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

Councillor Paula Fletcher recommends that:

1. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to formally assume the green space on the south side of Danforth Avenue between Coxwell Avenue and Rhodes Avenue as a public park and continue to provide regular maintenance and upkeep of the green space.

2. Despite the provisions of the City of Toronto Property Naming Policy, City Council approve the naming of the green space on the south side of Danforth Avenue between Coxwell Avenue and Rhodes Avenue as Coxwell Commons.

In 1998 as part of the redevelopment at Coxwell and Danforth, a Toronto Parking Authority lot was created, as well as green space, after the soil was remediated.at Rhodes and Danforth.

While this green space has been treated like a park, and is maintained by city parks, it has never been formally turned over to the parks department. Nor does it have a proper name.

This lovely green space is a true respite on the Danforth, for shoppers, for residents and as a gathering space for picnics, playing and simply as a place to enjoy as one of only

two greenspaces along Danforth Ave. Therefore, I request your support for the following recommendations.

Councillor Jon Burnside recommends that:

1.  The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that City Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and the General Manager, Transportation Services, to remove the proposed new sidewalk construction projects on Hesketh Court and Tinder Crescent from the 26ECS-RD-02RR contract for local road resurfacing.

This motion aims to amend the plans for project 26ECS-RD-02RR which outlines a local road resurfacing along with the construction of sidewalks on Hesketh Court and Tinder Crescent.

Tinder Crescent and Hesketh Court are local roads within the Victoria Village neighborhood of Ward 16. These roads serve residents who live there as they do not provide through access; therefore traffic is highly local. Transportation plans to reconstruct Hesketh and Tinder with a sidewalk in 2026-2027. Residents were not formally notified of the project but were informed by a staff member taking measurements of the road.

Numerous residents objected to the sidewalk construction project which prompted my office to conduct a survey to receive feedback from the community on both roads. For Hesketh Court, 85 percent of residents were against the sidewalk project (29/34). On Tinder Crescent, 76 percent of residents were against (10/13). The request from the community is clear, on behalf of these residents I request the project be amended to not include the proposed sidewalk component but continue with road resurfacing on both roads.