Minutes Confirmed on April 7, 2026

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Referred item IE27.1 to the General Manager, Transportation Services and requested that they update and incorporate the status of Sidewalk Clearing Requirements and of Modernizing PlowTO into their upcoming annual report to the Infrastructure and Environment on Winter Maintenance.

This report responds to a request from City Council to report on a plan to require select private property owners to clear the municipal sidewalk abutting their property, and to provide a status on modernizing PlowTO. This report also responds to a request from the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for information regarding moving snow from private property onto public property.

Under City of Toronto bylaws, private property owners are required to clear snow and ice from municipal sidewalks where the City has not assumed the responsibility. Under the City’s current levels of service for sidewalk snow clearing, the City begins clearing snow from sidewalks once snow accumulation reaches 2 centimetres. Shifting the responsibility for the clearing of snow and ice from municipal sidewalks to corporate owners would be challenging, as outlined in this report, and may have the unintended consequence of reducing, rather than improving, sidewalk accessibility during winter events.

City of Toronto bylaws also prohibit pushing, plowing, or otherwise moving snow from private property onto City roadways (including cycling infrastructure), sidewalks, and laneways. The City’s winter communications strategy will encourage residents and businesses to voluntarily help keep sidewalks clear, while also reinforcing that snow must not be moved onto City property.

For PlowTO, Transportation Services, together with the Technology Services division, have taken steps to address reporting issues identified during the February 2025 major snow event. This resulted in inaccuracies in sidewalk plow locations being displayed on PlowTO. This has now been rectified, and testing has shown that sidewalk plows are now properly linked to PlowTO to provide accurate location updates. In addition, operational procedures are now in place to clarify plowing or salting for combination equipment to distinguish activities on the map.

Alongside improved winter maintenance public communication initiatives, staff are also exploring operational and technology opportunities to enhance PlowTO so that the public has clearer, more complete information on winter maintenance activity and when service can generally be expected.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, and the City Solicitor, to report to the June 10, 2026 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee regarding what authority the City of Toronto can exercise, if any, to address traffic and privacy issues that may arise in connection with automated vehicles on City of Toronto streets or sidewalks.

The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Magna City Delivery Automated Vehicle Pilot and includes correspondence with the province, the Ministry of Transportation, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Deferred the consideration of this item until the April 7, 2026 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

City Council on November 12 and 13, 2025, referred Item AU10.9 to the December 4, 2025 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for consideration.

At its meeting on July 23 and 24, 2025, City Council adopted Item 2025.AU9.7, titled “Audit of Transportation Services: Improving the Utility Cut Permit Process and Inspection Processes”.

This supplementary report provides an update on the continued implementation of enhancements to the City’s Road Disruption Activity Reporting System (RoDARS), including the requirement for utility companies to submit post-completion forms with before‑and‑after photos once work has been completed.

This report also provides an update on permits, scheduling and coordination of utility work in Ward 14, specifically on Woodfield Road, Riverdale Avenue, Grant Street, and Danforth Avenue. In addition, it outlines updates regarding the removal of traffic control devices following the completion of construction.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Received item IE27.4 for information.

City Council on July 23 and 24, 2025, referred Item CC32.27 to the October 29, 2025, meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for consideration.

At its meeting of July 23-25, 2025, City Council considered IE25.10, regarding the feasibility of limiting the number of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) infractions an individual vehicle owner may receive from a single camera prior to receiving their first infraction notice in the mail. Council referred the item for further consideration to the February 25, 2026 Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting.

Following Council's referral of the item, the Province of Ontario enacted legislative amendments prohibiting municipalities from operating Automated Speed Enforcement systems and issuing new Automated Speed Enforcement penalty orders, effective November 14, 2025.

As a result of this provincial action, the City no longer has legislative authority to operate the Automated Speed Enforcement program. Accordingly, the matters referred by Council in item IE25.10 are no longer applicable, and the original report is now moot.

This supplementary report advises committee of the changes in legislation.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to coordinate with Circular Materials to ensure that uncollected recycling bins do not interfere with prompt sidewalk snow clearing during adverse weather.

2. Requested the General Manager, Service Excellence, and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to publish monthly ward dashboards of recycling-related complaints received by the city, including 311 volumes, complaint types, missed-collection maps, and of impacts on city solid waste costs, such as tonnage shifts, contamination trends, for the rest of 2026.

3. Requested the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to continue to monitor the waste stream and to report back, in the forthcoming report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee, in the in the second quarter of 2026 on any increase in the volume of collection in the garbage stream and if there has been an increase of recyclable materials in that stream.

The General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, gave a presentation on Transition of the Blue Box Program to Extended Producer Responsibility - Preliminary Post-Transition Implementation Update.

The purpose of this report is to respond to the direction received from City Council in November 2025 and from the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in December 2025 to provide a preliminary update on the post-transition implementation of the Blue Box Program's transition to Extended Producer Responsibility in January 2026.

I am writing to request your support to have Solid Waste Management Services provide public updates related to the delivery of recycling services in Toronto to ensure transparency and accountability.

As you know, on January 1st the final stage of Premier Ford’s province-wide recycling privatization plan came into effect. The Province removed the City of Toronto from delivering the service and the responsibility for all residential recycling collection in Ontario was given to Circular Materials.

When the first collection under this new model was scheduled to take place on January 2nd, entire streets, buildings, and even neighbourhoods were missed and recycling bins were left out for days without any clear communications about when residents could expect pick-up. Issues have persisted with reports from across the City of more missed collections and a lack of accountability in addressing these systemic failures.

Waste and recycling collection is a basic service that must be reliable, well-run, and accountable. City Council requires clear, timely information about service levels, compliance, and diversion outcomes in Toronto in order to determine appropriate next steps, including potential advocacy to the Province and regulator.

This motion requests that the General Manager of Solid Waste Management provide certain regular updates to Committee and Council that will enable us to advocate for Toronto’s residents and get them the quality recycling services that they deserve.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Received item IE27.6 for information.

Allen Langdon, Chief Executive Officer, Circular Materials, Nicole Gourley, Chief Operating Officer, Circular Materials, and Bal Lalli, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Circular Materials, gave a presentation on Ontario’s Transition to Extended Producer Responsibility: City of Toronto.

At its meeting on November 12 and 13, 2025, City Council considered Item IE25.2 and requested the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, to invite Circular Materials to deliver a presentation at the February 25, 2026, meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on:

a. an update on the transition to Circular Materials' collection of Blue Bin materials since January 1, 2026;

b. plans and strategies to manage waste from large online marketplaces, including those that sell clothing; 

c. the volume and nature of complaints about Blue Bin collection that have have been received by the telephone complaint line; and

d. the process for addressing and resolving how residents' complaints about Blue Bin collection.

Circular Materials representatives will share an overview of the province’s Extended Producer Responsibility transition, including key highlights, some transition challenges, key actions and next steps.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommend that:

1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry to negotiate and execute an agreement with Park People on behalf of the City to implement the InTO the Ravines Program for a term expiring on December 31, 2026, renewable at the Executive Director's sole option (and subject to annual budget approval) for up to two additional terms of one year each, expiring on December 31, 2028, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to accept third-party funds and donations raised through the Loop Trail fundraising campaign, and to contribute the accepted funds and donations to the Loop Trail Budget and Plan for the purpose of capital improvements to advance the Loop Trail project.

3. City Council authorize the permanent implementation of the Community-led Restoration Program by Environment, Climate and Forestry Division substantially as outlined in section two to the report (February 10, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation.

4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, or their designate, during the life of the Community-led Restoration Program authorized in Part 3 above, to execute and enter into agreements with organizations who have applied and been accepted to participate in the Community-led Restoration Program outlined in the report (February 10, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry and General Manager, Parks and Recreation, each with terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry and each in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council authorize the City's participation in Cities With Nature, an initiative that recognizes and enhances the value of nature in and around cities across the world, including the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry submission of an application for the City to participate.

6. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to include an analysis of cycle access along the Loop trail in the second quarter of 2027 cycling network plan report to Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

7. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the City Solicitor and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee in the second quarter of 2026 on options to enhance protection of ravines from ravine-edge real estate development, including an analysis of increasing the buffer between development sites and sensitive ravines.

The Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Director, Urban Forestry, Environment, Climate and Forestry, gave a presentation on Ravine Strategy 2026 Implementation Update.

Toronto's ravines are one of the city’s most important natural assets. They provide $822 million annually in ecological and recreational services, support biodiversity, house critical grey and green infrastructure, and offer essential spaces for recreation and well-being. Nearly 90 per cent of respondents to the 2015 Ravine Strategy survey agreed that ravines are vital to their quality of life.

City Council adopted the Ravine Strategy (the "Strategy") in 2017 (2017.EX27.8) as a coordinated, long-term approach to protect, manage, and celebrate Toronto’s ravine system. Since the 2020 Ravine Strategy Implementation report (2020.EX12.1), the City, working with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and numerous partners, has significantly advanced restoration, community engagement, and capital investment.

An initial update on the implementation of the Ravine Strategy was provided in 2022. As per Council direction, this report provides a second update on implementation of the Ravine Strategy and outlines:

-  Progress on key actions and guiding principles, including expanded community-led engagement and stewardship

-  Advancement of the Loop Trail and the Ravine Campaign

-  Capital investments supported by intergovernmental funding and coordinated planning, and,

-  International recognition of Toronto’s leadership in nature-based solutions

Key achievements since 2020 include:

-  3,760 hectare of land restored, including management of invasive species

-  521 tonnes of garbage and metal removed from 681 ha of ravine land

-  181 students engaged through employment and training programs

-  265 Ravine Days outdoor and virtual events delivered

-  Over 20,000 participants engaged in City and partner events

-  16 capital projects delivered (such as wetland restoration, multi-use trail upgrades, wayfinding), totalling $12.3 million ($10 million in federal and provincial grants and $2.3 million from the City)

-  Capital constraints in Priority Investment Areas reduced from $104.9 million to $50.2 million (2026), through increased intergovernmental and City investment

These accomplishments reflect the Strategy’s approach: coordinated action, strong partnerships, and shared stewardship across divisions, communities, and organizations.

Looking ahead, the City will continue to protect, maintain, and enhance Toronto’s ravine system so residents and visitors can connect with these vital natural spaces. Achieving this vision requires the ongoing leadership and support of multiple City Divisions and sustained collaboration with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Indigenous partners, external organizations, and engaged residents.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council endorse in principle the recommendation to reduce the minimum diameter at breast height of trees protected on private property from 30 centimetres to 20 centimetres diameter in 2027.

2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, in consultation with the relevant divisions, to report back to the first regular meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2027 with an analysis on reducing the minimum diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees protected on private property from 30 centimetres to 20 centimetres diameter at breast height, and an implementation strategy including any potential amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees, and an assessment of any potential impact on housing delivery, and to include budgetary impacts of these potential amendments in preparing the division’s 2027 budget submission.

3. City Council authorize the implementation of a Distinctive Tree Maintenance Incentive Program - Pilot by Environment, Climate and Forestry Division, substantially in accordance with Table 2: Framework for the Distinctive Tree Maintenance Incentive Program - Pilot outlined in the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the results of the Distinctive Tree Maintenance Incentive Program – Pilot in 2027, including findings and any recommendations.

4. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, or their designate, until December 31, 2026, to execute and enter into agreements with successful recipients to receive funds distributed under the Distinctive Tree Maintenance Incentive Program - Pilot outlined in the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, each with terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry and each in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

5. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees, substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

6. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection, substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

7. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 to the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

8. City Council amend the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapters 632, Property, Vacant or Hazardous, 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, and 918, Parking on Residential Front Yards and Boulevards to grant only the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry the authority to implement and enforce the relevant bylaw provisions, instead of equal authority between the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry and the General Manager, Parks and Recreation. 

9. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks, as follows:

a. Add the following definition to §608-1.:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – The Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry or their successor or designate.

b. Delete all references to "General Manager" under Article VII – Trees and replace them with "Executive Director". 

10. City Council direct that the amendments to the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 441, Fees and Charges, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapters 632, Property, Vacant or Hazardous, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 743, Streets and Sidewalks, Use of, City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 918, Parking on Residential Front Yards and Boulevards, and City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608, Parks described in Parts 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 respectively, come into force on September 1, 2026.

11. City Council authorize the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to prepare the necessary bill required to give effect to City Council’s decision and to make such clarification, minor modifications, technical or stylistic refinements as may be identified by the City Solicitor.

12. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report back to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee in 2027 on:

a. the status of all initiatives identified in Table 5: Key Implementation Actions, Descriptions, and Target Timelines outlined in the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry;

b. improve tracking of replacement tree survival rates through permitting and contravention scenarios; and

c. expand the enhanced public access to tree bylaw contravention data to include tree permit outcomes.

13. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry to refuse, at the Executive Director’s discretion, a permit to injure or destroy a tree protected under City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapters 658, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection or 813, Trees that is a Distinctive Tree, as defined in the report (February 11, 2026) from the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and advise the applicant to meet with Urban Forestry staff, as appropriate, to consider how the application can be amended to protect the tree in question.

14. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to work with the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, and other divisions as appropriate, to provide stronger protection for Distinctive Trees in parks and on other public property, in addition to ravines.

15. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to develop a pilot program in neighbourhoods with community partners, University of Toronto, and the local Councillors, to build tree inventories, to develop local-based protection and planting plans on public and private property, and to enhance monitoring of replacement trees, and use this information to inform the 2028 Tree Canopy Study.

16. City Council direct the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, in consultation with the Chief Communications Officer, to promote enhancements to the Tree By-law achieved through this report, as well as the ecological value and condition of Toronto's old growth canopy, through the City's various communications channels.

The Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Director, Urban Forestry, Environment, Climate and Forestry, gave a presentation on Tree By-law Review Report.

Trees and urban forests are recognized globally as essential natural infrastructure, providing nature-based solutions for climate resilience and enhancing quality of life.

Toronto has earned consistent global recognition by the United Nations as a Tree City of the World and is a Generation Restoration Role Model City for its leadership in urban forest management, biodiversity promotion and framework for tree protection. Notably, 98 per cent of respondents to the Tree By-law Review survey said trees are important to their quality of life, underscoring strong public support for urban forests, natural green space and tree protection.

Trees are referenced in the following Toronto Municipal Code chapters, which are collectively referred to as the "Tree By-laws" throughout this report:

-  Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees, provides for the protection of City-owned street trees of all diameters and trees on private property with a diameter of 30 centimetres or greater at breast height (1.4 metres). In this report Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees, Article II - Street Trees and Article III - Private Tree Protection are referred to as the "Street Tree By-law" and "Private Tree By-law" respectively.

-  Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection, provides for the protection of all trees and natural features in designated ravine protected areas. Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 658, Ravine and Natural Feature Protection is referred to as the "Ravine By-law".

This report recommends a comprehensive set of by-law amendments, operational updates, future studies and an incentive to strengthen protections for trees, improve compliance and enforcement, support climate resilience and housing objectives, promote equity, and enhance cost recovery and service delivery. This includes:

-  Introducing a Distinctive Tree Category to strengthen protections for Toronto’s largest healthy trees through amendments to the Private Tree and Ravine By-laws, and establishing a complementary Distinctive Tree Maintenance Incentive Program – Pilot to support the care and long‑term retention of mature healthy private trees;

-  Improving the effectiveness of the City’s Tree By-law compliance and enforcement through by-law amendments and operational updates, including enhanced public access to tree permit and contravention outcomes; introducing stump diameter as a secondary measurement tool for enforcement purposes under the Private Tree By-law; extending permit requirements to trees planted through enforcement actions and development approvals regardless of size under the Private Tree By-law; updating evidentiary guidelines used to support fine recommendations; revising tree replacement planting ratios for contraventions under the Street Tree By-law and the Private Tree By-law; and reviewing Contravention Inspection Fees to ensure alignment with cost recovery principles;

-  Introducing permit application fees under the Ravine By-law for regulated activities, including tree injury and destruction, to align with the City’s User Fee Policy and existing tree protection permit practices, support sustainable service delivery and cost recovery, and maintain exemptions for voluntary stewardship projects, low‑income homeowners, and not‑for‑profit portions of eligible housing projects;

-  Implementing administrative amendments to the Tree By-laws and related Municipal Code chapters to modernize technical language, reflect current organizational roles, harmonize definitions, remove outdated references, clarify exemptions, and improve clarity, consistency, and enforceability across the City’s tree protection framework;

-  Advancing work to refine operational practices informed by community and Indigenous engagement, including biodiversity and native species considerations, ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities, improvements to user experience and permit navigation, and education and outreach related to the Tree By-laws; and,

-  Undertaking further analysis to inform potential refinements to the Tree By-laws and their administration, including assessing whether the minimum diameter size threshold for Private Tree By-law protection should be reduced from 30 centimetres diameter at breast height (DBH) to 20 centimetres diameter at breast height; examining options to address non‑compliance following a contravention where required replacement planting does not occur, including a Tree Replacement Fee; evaluating the feasibility of additional enforcement tools such as set fines under the Provincial Offences Act and an Administrative Penalty System; and exploring opportunities to improve coordination between Municipal Code Chapter 813,Trees and Municipal Code Chapter 629, Property Standards as they relate to private tree maintenance.

The proposed recommendations respond to direction received from Committee and City Council and reflect operational experience, public feedback, and best practices, and are intended to provide a balanced approach to strengthening the City’s tree protection framework while advancing long-term city-building and urban forest goals. The recommendations recognize the need to ensure that any changes to the City's Tree By-laws are considered in the context of any potential impacts on housing delivery, that tree protection and development are not competing objectives, and that development can proceed in accordance with planning and building permissions alongside appropriate tree protection and / or replacement measures.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the following policies as detailed in Attachment 1 to the report (February 10, 2026) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Crosswalk Pavement Marking Policy; and

b. All-Way Stop Sign Control Justification Policy.

2. City Council prohibit pedestrian crossings at the following locations:

a. On Warden Avenue between a point approximately 85 metres north of Bell Estate Road and a point approximately 35.5 metres further north (Ward 20); and

b. On York Mills Road between the west curb line of Birchwood Avenue and a point 30.5 metres east of the east curb line of Birchwood Avenue (Ward 15).

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to continue reviewing previously requested Community Safety Zones outside of school zones and consider new requests for additional Community Safety Zones as requested by Members of Council and local communities, by amending the “Framework and Expanded Criteria for Establishing Community Safety Zones", adopted in 2023, by deleting the Automated Speed Enforcement feasibility requirement, in light of the program’s discontinuation.

4. City Council rescind the Community Safety Zone designations and / or designate the Community Safety Zones and authorize the amendments to Schedule XXXIII to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 950, Traffic and Parking, generally as set out in Attachment 4 to the report (February 10, 2026) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

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

a. Barberry Place (west side from Sheppard Avenue East to Thomas Clark Way);

b. Bellvare Crescent (north and east side from Deanvar Avenue to Townley Avenue);

c. Hill Garden Road (south side from Scarlett Road to Freemont Avenue);

d. Hillside Drive (east side from 215 metres north of Broadview Avenue to cul-de-sac);

e. Koos Road (east side from Bloor Street West to 60 metres south of Bloor Street West);

f. Le Page Court (north side from Keele Street to TTC stop);

g. Radway Avenue (north side from Neilson Drive to 50 metres east of Koos Road);

h. Ross Avenue (north side from Agincourt Drive to Donalda Crescent);

i. Rosemarie Drive (south side from Tower Drive to Manhattan Drive);

j. Select Avenue (north side from 150 metres west of State Crown Boulevard to 300 metres east of State Crown Boulevard);

k. Sun Avenue (south side from Tower Drive to Manhattan Drive);

l. Tinder Crescent (north and east side from Sloane Avenue [north leg] to the walkway at 22 Tinder Crescent);

m. Trophy Drive (south side from Eccleston Drive to Sloane Avenue);

n. Walder Avenue (east side from 64 metres north of Roehampton Avenue to Broadway Avenue);

o. Warwick Avenue (north side from Chiltern Hill Road to Glen Cedar Road); and,

p. Winston Churchill Drive (north side from Clonmore Drive to Elmview Drive).

6. Subject to the approval of 5d, 5h, and 5n, City Council amend Chapter 925 and Chapter 950, as described in Attachment 7 to the report (February 10, 2026) from the General Manager, Transportation Services.

7. City Council authorize the installation of the road safety improvement projects on the following streets as outlined in this report, including the amendments to necessary bylaws in Chapter 886 and 950 as described in Attachment 10 to the report (February 10, 2026) from the General Manager, Transportation Services:

a. Sloane Avenue from Eglinton Avenue East to Victoria Park Avenue; and

b. Brimorton Drive from Brimley Road to Scarborough Golf Club Road.

8. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the necessary bills to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, minor modifications, technical amendments, or by-law amendments, as may be identified by the City Solicitor or the General Manager, Transportation Services, in order to give effect to Parts 1 through 7, above.

9. City Council request the Toronto Police Services Board to provide an update to City Council through the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on what plans the Toronto Police Service has to deploy additional police resources near schools to enforce Speed limits in school zones now that the Province has prohibited the use of Automated Speed Enforcement cameras.
 

10. City Council request the Minister of Transportation to advise the City of Toronto on any plans to replace Automated Speed Enforcement cameras with Speed Humps and Roundabouts on arterial roads given the operational and safety concerns expressed by Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedics,  Toronto Police Service and the TTC.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee considered this item together with item IE27.10.

This report responds to two (2) directives from City Council at its June 2025 meeting (2025.IE22.4) and provides updates on other items previously outlined in the May 29, 2025 report from the General Manager, Transportation Services titled “Updates on Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives: Improving Crossings for Pedestrians, Updated Road Classification Criteria and Other Matters”. It also responds to a directive (2025.IE24.13) and a motion (2025.MM33.2) from City Council at its October 2025 meeting and provides an update on Community Safety Zones following removal of Automated Speed Enforcement as a traffic safety tool available to municipalities by the Province of Ontario.

In addition, this report seeks approval to install sidewalks where they are missing at 16 locations on local roads and approval for road safety improvement projects at two (2) locations - Sloane Avenue and Brimorton Drive, for which design and consultation have been completed - and two (2) locations requiring technical bylaw amendments.

The report is broken down into seven (7) sections:

-  Crosswalk Pavement Marking Policy and All-Way Stop Sign Control Justification Policy:

-  Provides a summary of the Community Council consultation on the Crosswalk Pavement Marking Policy and the All-Way Stop Sign Control Justification Policy, as directed by City Council; and

-  Recommends adoption of the two (2) policies with no changes as a result of consultation with the four (4) Community Councils.

-  Review of Existing Pedestrian Crossovers City-wide:

-  Provides an update on the ongoing review of all existing Pedestrian Crossovers in the City of Toronto; and

-  Recommends six (6) pedestrian crossing prohibition by-laws, identified by Transportation Services during the detailed traffic signal design, for locations where a new traffic control signal was approved by City Council in June 2025 to replace the existing Pedestrian Crossovers.

-  Service Level Timeframes for Vision Zero Road Safety Improvements: provides an overview of the service level timeframes for investigation and implementation of various Vision Zero Road Safety improvements, as directed by City Council, and highlights key process improvements that have been implemented by Transportation Services in recent years.

-  Report Back on Council Motions Related to Automated Speed Enforcement:

-  Replacing Automated Speed Enforcement with Traffic Calming: provides an estimate of the anticipated cost of constructing traffic calming measures (speed humps and speed cushions) on roads adjacent to all 819 schools in Toronto as a result of the Province of Ontario removing Automated Speed Enforcement from the traffic safety toolbox available to municipalities. Also included is an overview of the challenges and general cost of installing roundabouts at minor and major intersections in Toronto. 

-  Protecting the City's Use of Automated Enforcement Technology: responds to City Council's request to report back on the options to protect the City's Vision Zero Road Safety tools, including the use of Automated Enforcement Technology.

-  Community Safety Zone Updates: provides a brief update on the current status of new Community Safety Zone designations with the removal of Automated Speed Enforcement by the Province of Ontario and recommends that City Council suspend use of the 2023 Council-adopted framework and expanded criteria for establishing Community Safety Zones outside of School Zones until Transportation Services can better understand Community Safety Zone effectiveness in the absence of Automated Speed Enforcement and update the framework accordingly. This section also recommends two (2) new and nine (9) modified Community Safety Zones to improve safety through doubling of fines for key infractions.

-  Missing Sidewalks: provides an update on the Missing Sidewalk Installation Program for City Council approval to install sidewalks where they are missing at 16 locations on local roads. In addition, Transportation Services has programmed the installation of sidewalks at 21 locations on collector and arterial roadways, or on local roads undergoing full reconstruction, that are delegated to the General Manager, Transportation Services.

-  Road Safety Improvement Projects: provides an overview of road safety improvement projects at two (2) locations - Sloane Avenue (Ward 16) and Brimorton Drive (Wards 21 and 24), for which design and consultation have been completed for City Council approval. This section also outlines technical bylaw amendments for City Council approval at two (2) locations where construction was previously completed (Port Union Road, Ward 15 and Wilmington Avenue, Ward 6), to align bylaws with field conditions and existing signage.

Since 2016, the Vision Zero annual budget and spend rate has increased incrementally, reflecting the demand for improved road safety and the capacity to deliver these improvements. The 2025 Council-adopted budget of $99.1 million - $31.7 million in capital and $67.4 million in operating - is the largest annual budget for the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan since inception and further demonstrates the commitment of City Council to Vision Zero and Transportation Services’ ability to deliver the varied aspects of the work. After deductions for the cost of operation of the automated speed enforcement program, the 2026 proposed Road Safety Plan budget for other areas remains steady.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Received item IE27.10 for information.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee considered this item together with item IE27.9.

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

Tinder Crescent is a local road within the Victoria Village neighbourhood of Ward 16. This road serves both the pedestrians who live on the road, along with the cars driving onto their property. Both types of traffic on the road is highly local.

Tinder Crescent had been brought to the committee before on July 10th, 2025, for the initial removal of the sidewalk’s construction. At that time, I requested the committee not to proceed so that I could consult further with the community. As a result of this consultation, I request that the project be amended to provide a sidewalk on one portion of Tinder Crescent while continuing with the scheduled road resurfacing.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services to prepare the Environmental Study Report for the Finch West Goods Movement Study Transportation Master Plan based on the preferred network solution, issue the Notice of Completion and put the Transportation Master Plan in the public record, in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to advance the following studies and report to City Council on the progress of the following studies by the fourth quarter of 2027:

a. West Side Service Road Intersection Improvements at three locations along Clayson Road, Bartor Road and Arrow Road;

b. West-to-South and West-to-North intersection improvements at Walsh Avenue / Albion Road / Weston Road; and

c. Millwick Drive and Islington Avenue Safety Improvements and investigating a lift on existing truck restrictions on Millwick Drive.

3. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to initiate a study to consider the feasibility of allowing heavy vehicles to share the York University Busway including determining impacts on existing bus service and identifying measures to preserve TTC service levels.

The Finch West Goods Movement Study (the Study) focused on a comprehensive review of existing and future truck operations related to goods movement in the vicinity of the Finch West Light Rail Transit. 

The study area is primarily located in the City of Toronto with a small section in the City of Vaughan. Today the area is comprised of a mix of industrial, commercial, residential and retail uses, including two Provincially Significant Employment Zones supported by two Business Improvement Areas that support over 5,000 businesses and 57,000 employees.

In 2016, a staff report titled, Allocation of the Public Realm Amount - Finch West Light Rail Transit (2016.EX13.9) identified the need for a goods movement study in the northwest corner of Toronto centered on Highway 400 and the future Finch West Light Rail Transit, jointly funded by the City, Metrolinx and the Emery Village and DUKE Heights Business Improvement Areas.   

The objectives of the Study were to:

-  Review traffic and commercial truck movements in the area in the context of the Finch Avenue West Light Rail Transit corridor;

-  Apply a collaborative process to gather feedback from Business Improvement Areas and other key interest groups;

-  Identify opportunities to enhance access to 400 series highways;

-  Identify opportunities to improve safety and active transportation facilities; and,

-  Maintain or improve healthy neighbourhoods, natural and cultural environment, and social equity.

The Study identified and assessed future transportation network improvements, with recommendations for potential near-term improvements (0-5 years), medium-term improvements (>10 years), and long-term improvements (requiring further study at the appropriate time). The Study identified potential improvements that would provide opportunities to improve access to industrial zones while mitigating areas of conflict between sensitive land uses and truck traffic.

Improvements that can leverage existing infrastructure and deliver high-impact benefits for all road users are recommended to be advanced in the near-term, to begin addressing area transportation needs. The recommended near-term improvements include:

-  Intersection improvements at Weston Road and Albion Road, Millwick Drive and Islington Avenue, and three (3) intersections along Clayson Road and Arrow Road;

-  Refreshed pavement markings and state-of-good-repair improvements; and

-  Changes to signal timing plans.

The Study is a conceptual Master Plan with a long-term horizon, and not all of the potential improvements identified in the Study would be the sole responsibility or jurisdiction of the City of Toronto to fund or advance. Some examples include a potential new highway interchange with Highway 400 at Steeles Avenue West, a widening of Steeles Avenue West between Fenmar Drive and Jane Street, potential new roads crossing the GO Barrie rail line and CNR rail line, and a potential new road crossing of Highway 400.

Given the complexity of projects of this nature, long-term horizon, and other parties involved, not all of the potential improvements identified in the Study would be expected to be funded and advanced to implementation. The feasibility of the medium-term and long-term improvements identified in the Study would need to be assessed further by the City of Toronto and / or appropriate partnering jurisdictions, as the area continues to redevelop.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Deferred the consideration of this item until the April 7, 2026 meeting of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee.

City Council on December 16 and 17, 2025, referred Administrative Inquiry IA35.3 from Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 6, York Centre, regarding Seeking Clarity on the City of Toronto's Application to the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, and Answer IA35.3a from the City Manager to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for consideration.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council receive the report in Attachment 1 to the Letter (February 9, 2026) from Councillor Dianne Saxe for information.

In October and November 2025, I attended three events tied to the United Nations Environment Programme’s Generation Restoration in São Paulo, Brazil, the C40 World Mayors Summit and the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities Mayors Round Table and Urban Nature Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the Mayor’s designate. I also visited Rio de Janeiro’s Operations Centre to learn how they have dramatically improved their city’s response to a wide range of emergencies.

As part of my participation, I attended sessions, activities and site visits organized by United Nations Environment Programme, ICLEI, C40, Global Platform for Sustainable Cities and the World Bank International Finance Corporation, participated on a panel showcasing Toronto as a Generation Restoration Role Model City, and engaged with counterparts from across the globe on topics related to tackling the climate crisis, the implementation of nature-based solutions in an urban setting, and creating green and thriving neighbourhoods.

A report of these engagements, the programs for the Workshop, Summit and Forum, as well as the City of Toronto’s Certificate of Recognition as a Role Model City in the United Nations Environment Program’s Generation Restoration are attached to this letter. 

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, to negotiate and execute agreements with the Board of Management of the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area to facilitate planning, design, and delivery of improvements to Seaton Park by the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area, anticipated to start in 2027, all on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in consultation with the General Manager of Transportation Services and the Ward Councillor, and in a form and content satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and in accordance with applicable City policies.

City Council authorized a boundary expansion for the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area to include Seaton Park on December 16 and 17, 2025, as per item 2025.EC25.11. The inclusion of Seaton Park within the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area boundary enables the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area to play an active role in park maintenance, improvements, programming, event activations and creating a more welcoming and safe public space that benefits both local businesses and residents. On February 4, 2026, as per item 2026.CC37.4, and at my request, City Council increased the 2026 Operating Budget for Non-Program on a one-time basis by $343,737.02 gross, $0 net, fully funded by Section 37 and 45 community benefits to be transferred to the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area for upgrades to Seaton Park (the “Park”).

The Park, located at 14 Albany Avenue, Toronto, abuts the Bathurst Subway Station. It is partly on land under Toronto Transit Commission’s jurisdiction, and partly on a right of way under the jurisdiction of Transportation Services; maintenance responsibilities are with Parks and Recreation. The TTC has advised it has no issues with the proposed improvements. The Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area has long-standing agreements with Transportation Services to design and manage other small parks in the vicinity, which has been a considerable benefit to the community.

The proposed agreement will allow the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area to provide design, community engagement, and construction services for the Park improvements and post-construction warranty in collaboration with Parks and Recreation. The design and construction project will be delivered through an agreement with the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area and any ancillary agreements the Bloor Annex Business Improvement Area may need to enter into to complete the Park improvements and maintenance.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to include, in the next winter services report, options and associated costs to provide improved winter access for pedestrians, cyclists, and / or motor vehicles to laneway homes and / or garages.

As part of the city’s strategy to expand missing middle housing, the city has been actively encouraging laneway homes. However, the city does not currently provide any snow clearing from laneways. Increasingly, this means that residents of laneway homes have great difficulty accessing their homes following heavy snowfalls, such as those we have experienced in the last two winters.

In many downtown neighbourhoods, laneways also provide residents with their only access to parking.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested that the General Manager, Transportation Services, and the City Solicitor, to report to the May 4, 2026 meeting of the the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee with equitable solutions for conflicts and other issues associated with the current on-street parking exemptions offered to holders of provincial Accessible Parking Permits, and to report back to Infrastructure and Environment Committee at the June 10, 2026 meeting.

In parts of Toronto, including my ward, there are chronic conflicts over the use and alleged misuse of the more than 840,000 accessible parking permits issued by the provincial government. As the population ages, the number of such permits is growing steadily, while downtown parking pressure and parking conflicts are growing even more rapidly.

At present, anyone displaying such a permit on their vehicle is exempt from a large number of parking rules. These exemptions are highly valued by many permit holders. At the same time, the growing use of accessible parking permits to leave vehicles in parking prohibited or permit-parking-only areas is triggering many community complaints, and sometimes reduces visibility and pedestrian safety at intersections. Recognizing that not all disabilities are visible, my office has received many complaints about alleged abuse of such permits by apparently able-bodied individuals, particularly construction workers and delivery drivers.

Because there are now substantially fewer downtown parking spots and many more drivers and accessible permit holders, the conflict is more acute now than the last time it was considered by Council in May 2017, EX25.20 - Abuse and Misuse of Accessible Parking Permits.

Transportation Services staff are aware of these conflicts, and have been working for some time on advice to council. This includes a plan to develop an on street accessible parking guideline, and substantial work evaluating the current exemptions and potential alternatives to them. Council was promised that a parking permit exemption report would be delivered in 2025, and then in February 2026. Neither has occurred. I understand that the report is ready for Council’s consideration.

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council rescind the existing northerly westbound cycle track designation on Lennox Street, between Palmerston Boulevard and Markham Street.

2. City Council rescind the existing northerly westbound (bicycles only) one way lane designation on Lennox Street, between Palmerston Boulevard and Markham Street.

3. City Council rescind the two existing southerly eastbound one-way lanes designations on Lennox Street, between Palmerston Boulevard and Markham Street.

4. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to conduct appropriate traffic counts on Lennox Street between Palmerston Boulevard and Markham Street, after Markham Street has reopened north of Lennox Street, and after recommendations, one to three have been implemented.

5. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to report to Toronto East York Community Council in the second quarter of 2026 with recommendations on improving cyclist safety by installing one or more speed humps on Lennox Street.

Lennox Street is a short east-west residential street in the Bloor / Bathurst neighborhood. Between Palmerston and Euclid and between Markham and Bathurst, this is a two-way street. However, the single block between Palmerston and Markham is currently designated one way east only, with a westbound contra-flow lane for bicycles. There is no dedicated bicycle lane elsewhere on Lennox Street.

Vehicle traffic movement in this area is difficult, due to intensification, construction projects, the prolonged closure of Markham Street north of Lennox, RapidTO priority streetcar lanes, and the Palmerston greenway. The one-block, one-way restriction on Lennox Street has led to a significant number of drivers making illegal turns to drive southbound on Markham Street, which is one way north. When Markham Street does reopen, one way northbound from Lennox to Bloor Street, it is intended to be a pedestrian priority area.

Many local residents have signed a community petition requesting reopening the single block of Lennox to two-way traffic between Markham Street and Palmerston Avenue. This would provide a legal alternative for drivers at the Lennox / Markham Street intersection, without forcing them to drive north on Markham Street through the pedestrian priority area.

It may also increase vehicle traffic on Lennox Street. To ensure continuing cyclist safety, a speed hump review and traffic count are appropriate.

Announcements

The Chair acknowledged that the Infrastructure and Environment Committee was meeting on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The Chair also acknowledged that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

At approximately 3:00 p.m. Councillor Chernos Lin assumed the Chair for the balance of the meeting at the request of Chair Paula Fletcher.

Where the Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee listed in the attendance for this meeting participated remotely, they were counted for quorum as permitted by Section 189(4.2) of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and City Council's Procedures.