Decisions

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the Official Plan Amendment 857 in accordance with Attachment 1 to the report (November 18, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

2. City Council adopt the Zoning By-law Amendment in accordance with Attachment 3 to the report (November 18, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment 857 and Zoning By-law Amendment referred to in Recommendations 1 and 2 as may be required.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services to consider, as part of the forthcoming report to Council on the Residential Parking Program Review, options to improve the ease and reduce the costs at which the residential on-street permit parking program can be administered, obtained, and implemented on streets or areas of Ward 23 and/or other wards where there may be an abundance of multi-generational homes and multiplexes.

5. City Council  request the Executive Director, Development Review and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, to report on opportunities to better streamline and coordinate the application processes for tree removal permits and minor variances.

The Planning and Housing Committee commenced a Statutory Public Meeting on December 3, 2025 that continued on January 22, 2026, and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

Toronto's trees are essential in addressing biodiversity loss, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and contributing to the development of attractive, livable and healthy neighbourhoods. New infill housing is needed to help address Toronto's housing crisis. This report presents proactive solutions to ensure the city's existing tree canopy is supported and that there is growing space for trees as new housing is built.

This report recommends Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-law amendments to protect and enhance the city's tree canopy while supporting infill housing development and to address the impacts on the tree canopy and water management associated with iceberg homes (houses which exhibit a larger below ground footprint than their above ground footprint or with multi-storey basements). Staff undertook extensive consultation on the amendments and have made revisions following feedback from the public and stakeholders.

Recommended amendments to the Official Plan address objectives to protect and enhance the tree canopy and growing space for trees as part of both new and infill development in Neighbourhoods and Apartment Neighbourhoods.

Recommended amendments to the City-wide Zoning By-law address landscaping and setback regulations, including requirements that apply minimum building setbacks below ground (consistent with existing setbacks above ground) for all low-rise residential buildings (e.g. detached houses, semi-detached houses, townhouses, and multiplexes), except for apartment buildings, in the Residential Zone category.

This report also describes updates to conditions for Committee of Adjustment applications to require new trees and protect growing space, as well as five specific tree by-law amendment proposals that were consulted on in the fall that will be discussed in detail in a future report on the City's tree by-laws.

This report responds to a request at the December 3, 2025 Planning and Housing Committee for a supplementary report as part of its consideration of "Growing Space for Trees: Protecting and Enhancing the Tree Canopy While Supporting Infill Housing and Addressing Concerns with Iceberg Homes - Recommendation Report" regarding information on variances to the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 for landscaping, and specifically soft landscaping variances that permit permeable pavement as a condition of approval by the Committee of Adjustment, associated with multiplexes.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend the Official Plan for the lands at 1631 and 1641 Queen Street East and 1090 Eastern Avenue, substantially in accordance with the recommended Official Plan Amendment included as Attachment 5 to the report (January 6, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review.

2. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, as amended, for the lands at 1631 and 1641 Queen Street East and at 1080 (portion) and 1090 Eastern Avenue substantially in accordance with the recommended Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 6 to the report (January 6, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review.

3. City Council authorizes the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the recommended Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments as may be required.

4. City Council direct the Executive Director, Housing Development Office, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review, to engage City partners and any future development partners to advance the detailed design of the development requirements identified in Attachment 11 to the report (January 6, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Development Review, and to secure the delivery of the development requirements on terms, including details and timing, in a Lease Agreement with the development partner.

5. City Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to review and report back on the feasibility of amending Schedule B of the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 925, Permit Parking, to exclude the development located at 1631 and 1641 Queen Street East, and 1080 (portion) and 1090 Eastern Avenue from Permit Parking.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on January 22, 2026 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

The City-owned sites addressed in this report are part of the City Council directed Toronto Builds (formerly Housing Now) initiative to develop housing, including affordable housing, on City owned land. In addition to a range of affordable and market housing, the proposal includes a childcare facility and street-fronting retail.

The site, “1631 Queen Street East”, includes four addresses: 1631 and 1641 Queen Street East, 1090 Eastern Avenue, and a portion of land along the eastern edge of 1080 Eastern Avenue (See Attachment 1). The existing Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) building on 1080 Eastern Avenue will remain.

Staff recommend approval of amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law 569-2013. The proposed amendments would permit the development of a mixed-use mid-rise building on Queen Street East of up to 6 storeys (with a partial 7th storey containing only indoor amenity space), and a residential building along Eastern Avenue of up to 18 storeys. A development concept, as outlined in this report and which guides the amendments, demonstrates the opportunity to accommodate approximately 328 dwelling units, of which 20-30% will be affordable. Investment in this site also provides the opportunity to expand the City-owned Coxwell Early Learning and Child Care Centre, and for Indigenous Placekeeping along the abutting Kishigo Lane.

The site will remain in City ownership and will be leased to a development partner for a term of 40-99 years. At a future date, a development partner will be responsible for detailed design and submission of a Site Plan Control application based on technical work by CreateTO, their consultants, and City divisions.

The recommended amendments are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (2024) and conform with the Official Plan.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt Official Plan Amendment 871 substantially in accordance with Attachment 2 and Attachment 3 to the report (January 8, 2026) from the Executive Director, Development Review and Chief Planner and the Executive Director, City Planning, amended as follows:

a. amend Attachment 3: Appendix 1 to Draft Official Plan Amendment 871 so that Section 8.7., 8.7.1, and 8.7.2. now reads as follows:

8.7. SCARBOROUGH RAPID TRANSIT LINE 3 (SRT)

The Centre was historically a focal point of transit at the eastern end of the Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line and at the hub of local and inter-regional surface transit lines. The SRT and surface transit services played an important role in connecting the community and in the overall development of the Centre, with higher density residential uses encouraged adjacent to SRT stations within and beyond the Centre.

8.7.1. Scarborough Rapid Transit Line 3 (SRT) helped move people and shape Scarborough Centre over decades. Future city building opportunities along the former SRT corridor may include:

1. mobility connections, including opportunities such as a pedestrian and active transportation pathway
2. public realm improvements, such as landscaping enhancements and accessible public spaces;
3. commemoration, such as public art, murals or plaques, including but not limited to opportunities for recognizing the SRT's role in shaping development patterns and transit-oriented growth, and;
4. activations and local events, such as open-air markets.

8.7.2. In addition to 8.7.1., retention of a continuous and connected corridor is encouraged, where feasible. The future continuous and connected corridor may vary in alignment from the former SRT.

2. City Council direct staff to use the Secondary Plan and Scarborough Centre Urban Design Guidelines found at Attachment 4  to the report (January 8, 2026) from the Executive Director, Development Review and Chief Planner and the Executive Director, City Planning in the evaluation of all current and new development applications in the Plan Area.

3. City Council direct the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services to instruct staff to begin the process for renaming Progress Avenue, including the required community consultation, and to report back to the Scarborough Community Council in the third quarter of 2026.

4. City Council identify the property at 200 Town Centre Court as having cultural heritage value or interest, as recommended through the Scarborough Centre Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment (CHRA).

5. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the Official Plan Amendment 871 as may required.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on January 22, 2026 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report recommends that City Council adopt the Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan (Secondary Plan) and other associated amendments found in draft Official Plan Amendment 871 (OPA 871) to guide the future growth and transformation of approximately 175 hectares of lands within Wards 21 and 24. The recommended Secondary Plan replaces the 2005 Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan and provides an updated planning framework that will guide new growth anticipated with the construction of a new subway station as part of the Line 2 East Extension. It establishes policies to create connected and sustainable communities, transforming the Scarborough Centre (Plan Area) from an auto-dependent environment into a pedestrian-oriented, transit-supportive place with an enhanced public realm.

OPA 871 is the outcome of the Our Scarborough Centre Planning Study (OurSC Study), a multi-phased process launched in 2018 to comprehensively update the 2005 Secondary Plan and area planning framework. The scope of the study was intended to address updated provincial legislation, recognize the location of the new subway station, update the Vision and Planning Framework, consolidate area specific planning initiatives not previously incorporated into policy, and respond to development pressures. The study process included background analysis, research and testing of growth options and inter-divisional team collaboration. It benefitted from a thorough consultation process with 20 events in various formats and three reports to City Council providing opportunities for the public and stakeholders to engage with the process and inform the updated policy framework for the Plan Area.

The recommended Secondary Plan contained in OPA 871 breaks down the large Plan Area into distinct development districts, directing higher-density growth to strategic locations, setting out land use and built form strategies for each area. It also ensures that a complete community emerges with appropriate connections and public realm enhancements along with identifying community services policies necessary to support both existing and future needs. In addition to the recommended Secondary Plan, other key policy actions of OPA 871 include:

- Refinements to the western boundary of the Centre to clarify and strengthen the Plan Area's relationship with adjacent Employment Areas;

- Redesignation of select lands as Parks and Natural Areas;

- Introduction of new and reconfigured public streets; and

- Deletion of outdated site and area specific policies from the 2005 Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan, while retaining relevant site and area specific policies where appropriate.

OPA 871 supports the transformation of Scarborough Centre into a vibrant place to live, work, and play, while maintaining its role as a major economic hub in Toronto’s east end. The recommended Secondary Plan anticipates accommodating approximately 72,000 residents and 21,000 workers over the next 30+ years. The Plan is supported by Urban Design Guidelines, providing detailed direction for development review, public realm improvements, and overall implementation.

OPA 871, including the Secondary Plan, is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2024) (PPS 2024). OPA 871, including the Secondary Plan, is consistent with the general intent of the City's Official Plan.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend Zoning By-law 569-2013, substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment attached as Attachment 2 to the report (January 6, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment(s) as may be required.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on January 22, 2026 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report outlines the analysis, consultation process, and recommended zoning amendments to advance the third phase of work to incorporate low-rise residential lands in Etobicoke York District into Zoning By-law 569-2013 (the "City-wide Zoning By-law). Staff recommend bringing low-rise residential lands into the City-wide Zoning By-law with zoning standards that are consistent with the applicable former municipal zoning by-law, consistent with recent city-wide zoning amendments, and in conformity with the Official Plan. These properties had active zoning by-law amendment or site plan control applications in 2012 and were excluded from the City-wide Zoning By-law through the transition protocol.

This study is part of the on-going work to simplify and modernize the City-wide Zoning By-law, and to support consistent application of the City-wide Zoning By-law. Bringing these lands into the City-wide Zoning By-law will remove barriers, ease administration, and enable the creation of more housing as part of the Housing Action Plan. In addition, the recommended zoning by-law amendment will enable properties to take advantage of the removal of parking minimums and permissions for a broad range of "missing middle" housing permissions in support of the Housing Action Plan and its target of 285,000 homes over the next ten years.

City staff have completed the third phase of the study's work plan by reviewing approximately 505 properties in the Etobicoke York district subject to former municipal zoning by-laws, assessing the appropriateness of each property for inclusion in the City-wide Zoning By-law. This report recommends approval of the attached zoning amendments to incorporate approximately 469 low-rise residential properties into the City-wide Zoning By-law.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend the City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands municipally known as 9 Shortt Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment included as Attachment 5 to the report (January 8, 2026) from the Executive Director, Development Review.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on January 22, 2026 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law, with a holding provision, to permit development of a City-owned surface parking lot at 9 Shortt Street for a mixed-use residential development consisting of two buildings, with heights of 41 and 6 storeys. The site is one of the Toronto Builds projects on City-owned lands designated for the delivery of affordable housing.

The proposal would have a residential gross floor area (GFA) of 35,071 square metres, and a total of 458 market and affordable rental residential units, 497 square metres of non-residential commercial and community spaces, and a 653 square metres Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Open space (POPS). A total of 42 vehicular and 421 bicycle parking spaces are also proposed.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council amend City of Toronto Zoning By-law 569-2013 for the lands municipally known as 405 Sherbourne Street substantially in accordance with the draft Zoning By-law Amendment, which includes a Holding Provision, included as Attachment 5 to the report (January 8, 2026) from the Executive Director, Development Review.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make such stylistic and technical changes to the draft Zoning By-law Amendment as may be required.

3. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Development Review to enter into an Agreement pursuant to subsection 35.2(2) of the Planning Act and the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw on terms satisfactory to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and in a form acceptable to the City Solicitor.

The Planning and Housing Committee held a Statutory Public Meeting on January 22, 2026 and notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act.

This report recommends approval of a City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to permit a 35-storey (120 metres, excluding mechanical penthouse) mixed-use building at 405 Sherbourne Street. This City-owned property has a Site-Specific Zoning By-law (By-law 450-2022) which permits a 26-storey (77-metre) mixed-use building with 267 rental dwelling units and 168 square metres of community space.

This new proposal includes 301 residential units (including up to 90 affordable housing units) and 229 square metres of community space on the ground floor. It provides a higher percentage of two and three-bedroom units over the previously approved zoning and an enhanced public realm that includes a landscaped mid-block pedestrian connection between Sherbourne Street and Bleecker Street. This Toronto Builds site will remain in City ownership and will be leased to a non-profit housing provider for a term of 40-99 years.

A separate report from Heritage Planning regarding the alterations to a Heritage Property Designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act will be considered by City Council in conjunction with this report.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve the alterations to the heritage property at 405 Sherbourne Street, in accordance with Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, to allow for the construction of a 35-storey mixed use building, with such alterations substantially in accordance with plans and drawings dated December 15, 2025, prepared by architects-Alliance and Allison Brooks Architects, and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, and the Heritage Impact Assessment, prepared by ERA Architects Inc., dated March 9, 2021, and revised November 20, 2025, and December 19, 2025, subject to the following additional conditions:

a. That prior to Site Plan Approval for the proposal, for the property located at 405 Sherbourne Street, the owner shall:

1. Provide final site plan drawings, including a detailed landscape plan, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.

2. Provide an Interpretation Plan for the subject property, to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.

b. That prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the property at 405 Sherbourne Street, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the existing parking lot as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, the owner shall:

1. Provide building permit drawings, including a description of materials and finishes, and the approved Landscape Plan, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.

This report recommends that City Council approve the alterations proposed for the designated heritage property municipally known as 405 Sherbourne Street under Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in connection with a proposed development of the subject property. The Zoning By-law Amendment application is subject to a Heritage Permit application under the Ontario Heritage Act, as the subject site is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Cabbagetown Northwest Heritage Conservation District.

The proposed development application for the subject site contemplates the construction of a 35-storey mixed-use building, replacing an existing surface parking lot. This is a City-owned property that is part of the City Council directed Toronto Builds (formerly Housing Now) initiative to develop housing, including affordable housing, on City-owned land.

In July 2021, City Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment Application to permit a 25-storey mixed-use building on the subject site. The new Zoning By-law Amendment application has been submitted to allow for additional density on the site and to permit a built form that allows for additional two and three-bedroom units to be provided.

The impacts of the proposed development on the Cabbagetown Northwest Heritage Conservation District are appropriately mitigated through the compatible design of the new construction. The proposal will serve the public interest by providing 301 new rental housing units (including up to 90 affordable housing units) and 229 square metres of community space on the ground floor.

At its meeting on January 19, 2026 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB39.4 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (December 29, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council approve the alterations proposed for the designated heritage property municipally known as 405 Sherbourne Street under Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, in connection with a proposed development of the subject property. The Zoning By-law Amendment application is subject to a Heritage Permit application under the Ontario Heritage Act, as the subject site is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Cabbagetown Northwest Heritage Conservation District.

The proposed development application for the subject site contemplates the construction of a 35-storey mixed-use building, replacing an existing surface parking lot. This is a City-owned property that is part of the City Council directed Toronto Builds (formerly Housing Now) initiative to develop housing, including affordable housing, on City-owned land.

In July 2021, City Council approved a Zoning By-law Amendment Application to permit a 25-storey mixed-use building on the subject site. The new Zoning By-law Amendment application has been submitted to allow for additional density on the site and to permit a built form that allows for additional two and three-bedroom units to be provided.

The impacts of the proposed development on the Cabbagetown Northwest Heritage Conservation District are appropriately mitigated through the compatible design of the new construction. The proposal will serve the public interest by providing 301 new rental housing units (including up to 90 affordable housing units) and 229 square metres of community space on the ground floor.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Executive Director, Development Review, to review potential amendments to the definition of and requirements for loading spaces in Zoning By-law 569-2013.

The recommendations in this report build on work started in 2021 to review the parking standards in the City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013. These standards were originally adopted by City Council in 2013, based on a series of studies conducted between 2005 and 2007. The first phase of this review resulted in amendments to the standards for automobile and bicycle parking in 2022. The second phase resulted in amendments to accessible parking, bicycle parking, and minor amendments to visitor parking in 2025. City Council directed staff to continue the work to review visitor parking standards.

This report does not recommend any changes to the visitor parking standards in Zoning By-law 569-2013. As a result of changes to the Planning Act in April 2024 through the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024 (Bill 185), municipalities are no longer able to require the provision or maintenance of parking (other than bicycle parking) in Major Transit Station Areas, which includes much of Parking Zone A. Additional analysis of visitor parking utilization through the parking monitoring program suggests the current visitor parking standards in Zoning By-law 569-2013 for Parking Zone B and All Other Areas of the City are adequate.

To address concerns related to pick-up and drop-off, this report recommends a further review of the loading space definition and requirements in Zoning By-law 569-2013 to reflect changes in demand and use for loading spaces.

Work being done as part of the City's Strategic Parking Framework will develop and implement a framework for managing parking on an area-basis to further address challenges associated with varying demand for parking. Staff will also continue the parking monitoring program to monitor parking in new developments and report back to council on the impact of Bill 185.

This reports also provides an update on Council requests to explore the feasibility of requirements for information about area parking supply in agreements of purchase and sale and including visitor parking information in the Application Information Centre.

The Planning and Housing Committee:

1. Referred item PH27.9 to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Executive Director, Housing Secretariat and requested a report to the earliest possible Planning and Housing Committee on: 

a. An analysis of the estimated financial value of proposed in-kind supports for tenants with additional housing barriers;

b. Assess the feasibility of providing a combination of financial assistance or in-kind supports or a choice on a case-by-case basis.

c. The outcome of additional engagement with key stakeholders on implementation of individualized in-kind contributions

d. Identification of groups who may have housing barriers who are not currently eligible to receive additional financial compensation under the current framework,

e. Options to accelerate the establishment of a tenant support coordinator service to support tenants with additional housing barriers who are facing displacement, including options for this coordinator to oversee implementation of the individualized in-kind supports contemplated in the report and as set out in Attachment 1 to the report (January 8, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

f. Assess the feasibility of requesting owners extend the proposed changes and in-kind supports to applications which have had a tenant meeting or Rental Housing Demolition application approval without registered section 111 agreements, including the number of potentially impacted applications.

This report recommends an updated approach to support vulnerable tenants who are going through the rental demolition and replacement process. Staff undertook extensive engagement with a broad range of stakeholders to identify barriers vulnerable tenants face during the rental demolition and replacement process and the appropriate supports they would require to move out of their existing rental units and into interim housing, then into their replacement rental units once these are ready.

The recommended approach for Tenants with Additional Housing Barriers proposes a shift from a one-size-fits-all approach of providing additional financial compensation for tenants with special needs or vulnerable tenants to providing more appropriate and individualized in-kind supports. Supporting guidelines will also help to standardize how these in-kind supports are delivered, including supports that are already being provided as part of the City's Tenant Assistance Plan. A phased implementation approach is proposed to allow for immediate implementation of supports that already exist or require only minor modifications while allowing more time for supports that require additional work and collaboration. This recommended approach for Tenants with Additional Housing Barriers will be implemented within the current policy context, and no Official Plan policy or Rental Housing Demolition By-law changes are required.

Supports for Tenants with Additional Housing Barriers is proposed to be refined to tenants whose rental dwelling unit or rental dwelling room is proposed for demolition as a result of new development and who would need additional supports to move out of their current rental units and into replacement rental units or rental dwelling rooms once these are ready. These would include tenants with low or moderate incomes who are also seniors or single parents, tenants with accessibility needs and/or disabilities, and tenants receiving income-based government benefits.

Several process changes are also recommended, including providing information to tenants and developers earlier and more often, improving the handling of private and sensitive information, and the ability for tenants to identify their need for additional supports earlier in the process as well as before they move out. These recommended changes aim to provide tenants with more appropriate supports while also lessening the risk of project delays. These recommended process changes build on the changes that were implemented in early 2025 as part of the review of the overall rental replacement process and that are outlined in the Rental Demolition and Replacement Handbook. Housing Secretariat and City Planning, in consultation with relevant divisions, will also explore in 2026 the feasibility of enhanced coordination services to support Tenants with Additional Housing Barriers who are facing displacement.

This report also responds to Council's request to review whether amendments are needed to the Official Plan's dwelling room replacement policy to require that every affordable and mid-range occupied dwelling room be replaced with a dwelling room and whether replacement housing should be required where the combined number of rental units and rooms proposed for demolition is 10 or more.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the current application regarding the Official Plan Amendment for the lands at 20 Leslie Street and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other appropriate City Staff to take any necessary steps to implement City Council's decision, including requesting any conditions of approval that would be in the City's interest, in the event the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part.

On June 27, 2025, an application to amend the Official Plan was submitted to redesignate 20 Leslie Street (the “Site”) from General Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas.

On October 29, 2025, the applicant appealed the Official Plan Amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal (“OLT”) due to Council not making a decision within the timeframe prescribed by the Planning Act. A Case Management Conference has not yet been scheduled.

This Report recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff attend the OLT hearing to oppose the Official Plan Amendment application in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues. 

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the current application regarding the Official Plan Amendment for the lands at 125 The Queensway and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other appropriate City staff to take any necessary steps to implement City Council's decision, including requesting any conditions of approval that would be in the City's interest, in the event the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part.

On March 28, 2025, an application to amend the Official Plan was submitted to redesignate 125 The Queensway (the “Site”) from General Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas.

On October 30, 2025, the applicant appealed the Official Plan Amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal (“OLT”) due to Council not making a decision within the timeframe prescribe in the Planning Act. A Case Management Conference has not yet been scheduled.

This Report recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff attend the OLT hearing to oppose the Official Plan Amendment application in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor, and appropriate City Staff, to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the current application regarding the Official Plan Amendment for the lands at 1543 -1551 The Queensway and 66 and 76 Fordhouse Boulevard and to continue discussions with the Applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other appropriate City Staff to take any necessary steps to implement City Council's decision, including requesting any conditions of approval that would be in the City's interest, in the event the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part. 

On January 8, 2025, an application was submitted to amend the Official Plan to redesignate 1543 – 1551 The Queensway and 66 and 76 Fordhouse Boulevard (the “Site”) from General Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas.

On June 3, 2025, the applicant appealed the Official Plan Amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal ("OLT") due to Council not making a decision within the timeframe as prescribed by the Planning Act. The OLT held a Case Management Conference (CMC) on September 11, 2025. A second CMC is scheduled for February 25, 2026.

This report recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate City staff attend the OLT hearing to oppose the Official Plan Amendment application in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff to attend the Ontario Land Tribunal in opposition to the current application regarding the Official Plan Amendment for the lands at 350, 360 and 364 Evans Avenue and 14-16 Arnold Street and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor and other appropriate City Staff to take any necessary steps to implement City Council's decision, including requesting any conditions of approval that would be in the City's interest, in the event the Ontario Land Tribunal allows the appeal, in whole or in part.

On January 7, 2025, an application to amend the Official Plan was submitted to redesignate 350, 360 and 364 Evans Avenue and 14-16 Arnold Street (the “Site”) from Core Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas. 

On June 4, 2025, the applicant appealed the Official Plan Amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal (“OLT”) due to Council not making a decision within the timeframe prescribed by the Planning Act. The OLT held a Case Management Conference (CMC) on September 3, 2025. A second CMC is scheduled for February 25, 2026.

This Report recommends that the City Solicitor and appropriate City Staff attend the OLT hearing to oppose the Official Plan Amendment application in its current form and to continue discussions with the applicant in an attempt to resolve outstanding issues.

The Planning and Housing Committee received the report (January 15, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning for information.

This report provides a summary of the non-designated (Listed) properties that were removed from the City’s Heritage Register in accordance with Section 27(15) of the Ontario Heritage Act (the Act) in 2025. Provincial amendments to the Act made through Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 (Bill 23), deem properties as removed from the Register after a period of two years unless they are designated under Section 29 of the Act.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 140-150 Borough Drive under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 140-150 Borough Drive (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (January 2, 2026) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 140-150 Borough Drive under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance, which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1.

The Scarborough Civic Centre at 140-150 Borough Drive is located on the north side of Borough Drive, northeast of Brimley Road and Ellesmere Road, in the Bendale-Glen Andrew neighbourhood in the Scarborough district of Toronto. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

Completed in 1973, the Scarborough Civic Centre was designed by the acclaimed Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama (1929-2023) as a purpose-built shared facility for the former Borough (later City) of Scarborough and the Scarborough Board of Education. Moriyama designed the Scarborough Civic Centre as an opportunity to explore the meaning of democracy at the municipal level through architectural form and its open spaces. Characteristic of Modern Expressionism, the Scarborough Civic Centre exhibits a bold expression of individualism and design concept and is distinct by its geometric shapes and massive forms. Based on a multi-faceted plan, it contains a circular central core and four extending quadrants comprising two half-pyramid-shaped office wings and two open civic spaces, including Albert Campbell Square and the Ceremonial Plaza.

The Scarborough Civic Centre is a landmark. For over 50 years, its monumental scale and distinctive form has defined and contributed to the area's civic character as proposed in the 1968 Scarborough Town Centre Master Plan, establishing a new urban centre and prominent civic space for Scarborough and the City.

Staff have determined that the property at 140-150 Borough Drive has cultural heritage value and meets seven of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

City Council previously adopted a Notice of Intention to Designate the Scarborough Civic Centre on February 15, 2002; however, the designation bylaw was not enacted. The revised Statement of Significance, which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1, provides a further understanding of the cultural heritage value of the property informed by further research and publications that have shared a deeper appreciation and understanding of the legacy of Raymond Moriyama's body of work in Toronto and across Canada.

The Scarborough Civic Centre is jointly owned by the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board. The property line runs north-south along the eastern edge of the northwest quadrant and the Ceremonial Plaza in the southwest quadrant of the site. In preparing this staff report, Heritage Planning consulted with Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division and Toronto Lands Corporations, a subsidiary of the Toronto District School Board.

At its meeting on January 19, 2026 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB39.2 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (December 29, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 140-150 Borough Drive under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance, which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1.

The Scarborough Civic Centre at 140-150 Borough Drive is located on the north side of Borough Drive, northeast of Brimley Road and Ellesmere Road, in the Bendale-Glen Andrew neighbourhood in the Scarborough district of Toronto. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

Completed in 1973, the Scarborough Civic Centre was designed by the acclaimed Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama (1929-2023) as a purpose-built shared facility for the former Borough (later City) of Scarborough and the Scarborough Board of Education. Moriyama designed the Scarborough Civic Centre as an opportunity to explore the meaning of democracy at the municipal level through architectural form and its open spaces. Characteristic of Modern Expressionism, the Scarborough Civic Centre exhibits a bold expression of individualism and design concept and is distinct by its geometric shapes and massive forms. Based on a multi-faceted plan, it contains a circular central core and four extending quadrants comprising two half-pyramid-shaped office wings and two open civic spaces, including Albert Campbell Square and the Ceremonial Plaza.

The Scarborough Civic Centre is a landmark. For over 50 years, its monumental scale and distinctive form has defined and contributed to the area's civic character as proposed in the 1968 Scarborough Town Centre Master Plan, establishing a new urban centre and prominent civic space for Scarborough and the City.

Staff have determined that the property at 140-150 Borough Drive has cultural heritage value and meets seven of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

City Council previously adopted a Notice of Intention to Designate the Scarborough Civic Centre on February 15, 2002; however, the designation bylaw was not enacted. The revised Statement of Significance, which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1, provides a further understanding of the cultural heritage value of the property informed by further research and publications that have shared a deeper appreciation and understanding of the legacy of Raymond Moriyama's body of work in Toronto and across Canada.

The Scarborough Civic Centre is jointly owned by the City of Toronto and the Toronto District School Board. The property line runs north-south along the eastern edge of the northwest quadrant and the Ceremonial Plaza in the southwest quadrant of the site. In preparing this staff report, Heritage Planning consulted with Corporate Real Estate Management (CREM) division and Toronto Lands Corporations, a subsidiary of the Toronto District School Board.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 1497 Queen Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 1497 Queen Street West (Entrance Addresses 1499 Queen Street West and 1497A Queen Street West) (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (January 7, 2026) from the Director, Urban Design, City Planning.

2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 1497 Queen Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1.

The subject property at 1497 Queen Street West is located on the south side of Queen Street West, mid-block between Dowling Avenue and Beaty Avenue to the west of Jameson Avenue in the South Parkdale neighbourhood. It contains an early-20th century, 3-storey main street commercial block. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

The property at 1497 Queen Street was constructed between 1924 and 1925, with a third storey added between 1925 and 1926 for the Lakeside Recreation Club Ltd. With its main street commercial block form, and unified architectural expression that incorporates Edwardian Classical elements, the property contributes to the early 20th-century main street character of Queen Street West in South Parkdale between Fuller Avenue and Beaty Avenue. The rear of the first storey and the second and third storeys housed the Lakeside Recreation Club facilities, which included bowling lanes and a billiards room. The Lakeside Recreation Club, subsequently known as Lakeside Recreation Academy and Lakeside Bowling & Billiards, would operate at this location for fifty-five years between 1925 and 1980.

The property has value for its association with the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC), which has been continuously providing supportive programming to members of the Parkdale community at this location since its opening in 1980.

Staff have determined that the property at 1497 Queen Street West has cultural heritage value and meets 5 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The subject property was first identified as having cultural heritage value through the West Queen West Planning Study (2020) and was included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in December 2020. The properties at 1501 Queen Street and 194 Dowling Avenue are both adjacent to the subject property, and are both designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) is advancing the redevelopment of its properties at 1497 Queen Street West and 1501 Queen Street West to expand supportive and deeply affordable housing and to enhance community space.  This report is being advanced at this time in coordination with the City’s Priority Development Review Stream, a program that aims to expedite the approval of key development projects, including affordable housing, student housing, long-term care homes, and manufacturing facilities. 

At its meeting on January 19, 2026 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB39.1 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (January 5, 2026) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 1497 Queen Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance which includes a description of Heritage Attributes found in Attachment 1.

The subject property at 1497 Queen Street West is located on the south side of Queen Street West, mid-block between Dowling Avenue and Beaty Avenue to the west of Jameson Avenue in the South Parkdale neighbourhood. It contains an early-20th century, 3-storey main street commercial block. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

The property at 1497 Queen Street was constructed between 1924 and 1925, with a third storey added between 1925 and 1926 for the Lakeside Recreation Club Ltd. With its main street commercial block form, and unified architectural expression that incorporates Edwardian Classical elements, the property contributes to the early 20th-century main street character of Queen Street West in South Parkdale between Fuller Avenue and Beaty Avenue. The rear of the first storey and the second and third storeys housed the Lakeside Recreation Club facilities, which included bowling lanes and a billiards room. The Lakeside Recreation Club, subsequently known as Lakeside Recreation Academy and Lakeside Bowling & Billiards, would operate at this location for fifty-five years between 1925 and 1980.

The property has value for its association with the Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC), which has been continuously providing supportive programming to members of the Parkdale community at this location since its opening in 1980.

Staff have determined that the property at 1497 Queen Street West has cultural heritage value and meets 5 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The subject property was first identified as having cultural heritage value through the West Queen West Planning Study (2020) and was included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in December 2020. The properties at 1501 Queen Street and 194 Dowling Avenue are both adjacent to the subject property, and are both designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) is advancing the redevelopment of its properties at 1497 Queen Street West and 1501 Queen Street West to expand supportive and deeply affordable housing and to enhance community space. This report is being advanced at this time in coordination with the City’s Priority Development Review Stream, a program that aims to expedite the approval of key development projects, including affordable housing, student housing, long-term care homes, and manufacturing facilities.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item PH24.11 on October 8 and 9, 2025.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of October 8 and 9, 2025 (Item PH24.11) stating its intention to designate the property at 344 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The City has received an objection to the notice of intention to designate on behalf of the property owner(s) within the statutory timeline.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street is located on the west side of Jarvis Street, mid-block between Carlton Street to the south and Sirman Lane to the north, in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. The property is the northernmost property in a collection of five abutting Victorian era house-form buildings that starts at 336 Jarvis Street to the south. Within this collection the subject property forms part of a historic streetscape of 19th century house-form buildings on the west side of Jarvis Street, north of Carlton Street. This streetscape reflects the character of the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood, which evolved from a subdivision of private homes on a landscaped avenue to a high density residential and arterial corridor within downtown Toronto.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street contains one half of a pair of semi-detached house form dwellings, the other half being 342 Jarvis Street. 342 and 344 Jarvis Street were constructed together between 1873 and 1875 and cohesively designed in the Italianate architectural style.

The property at 344 Jarvis Street, along with its pair at 342 Jarvis Street, was first recognized for its cultural heritage value when it was listed on the City's inaugural Inventory of Heritage Properties on June 20, 1973.

City Council has until February 8, 2026, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to decide on this objection as per the timeline under the OHA.

Heritage Planning Staff received advice from the retained heritage consultant in response to the objection. Staff have reviewed the objections raised on behalf of the property owner(s) with the City's retained heritage consultant, and remain of the opinion that despite these objections, the property at 344 Jarvis Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act under 4 of 9 criteria for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values.

As the property has cultural heritage value or interest and meets the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff are of the opinion that this property should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council affirm its decision to state its intention to designate the property at 506 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item PH24.12 on October 8 and 9, 2025.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating the property at 506 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of October 8 and 9, 2025, (Item PH24.12) stating its intention to designate the property at 506 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The City has received an objection to the notice of intention to designate on behalf of the property owner within the statutory timeline.

The subject property at 506 Jarvis Street is located on the west side of Jarvis Street, in between Gloucester Street to the north and Cawthra Square to the south, in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. 506 Jarvis Street was constructed circa 1889, designed by the architectural partnership of Langley & Burke in the Annex architectural style. Langley & Burke was one of Toronto's most prolific and sought-after architectural practices for designing ecclesiastical, government, and private residential projects between 1883 and 1892. The Annex architectural style was popular in Toronto from the 1880s up to 1900 and combined design elements of the Romanesque and the Queen Anne styles.

The property at 506 Jarvis Street has a direct association with the United Church of Canada that used the property as a home for retired United Church missionaries. Together with the adjacent heritage properties on the block, 506 Jarvis Street contributes to maintaining and supporting the character of the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood and the Cawthra Square - Jarvis Street - Gloucester Street block frontage, which is comprised of a collection of 19th century house form buildings that reflect the evolution of Upper Jarvis from a subdivision of private homes located on a landscaped avenue to a high-density residential and institutional arterial corridor within downtown Toronto.

The property at 506 Jarvis Street was first recognized for its cultural heritage value when it was listed on the City's Heritage Register on June 20, 1973.

City Council has until February 8, 2026, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to decide on this objection as per the timeline under the Act.

Staff have reviewed the objections raised on behalf of the owner and remain of the opinion that, despite these objections, the property at 506 Jarvis Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act under 6 of 9 criteria for its design/physical, historical/associative, and contextual values.

As the property has cultural heritage value or interest and meets the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff are of the opinion that the property should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council affirms its decision to state its intention to designate the property at 510 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act as set out in City Council Decision Item PH24.12 on October 8 and 9, 2025.

2. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in City Council designating the property at 510 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council affirm its decision of October 8 and 9, 2025 (Item PH24.12), stating its intention to designate the property at 510 Jarvis Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The City has received an objection to the Notice of Intention to Designate on behalf of the property owner within the statutory timeline.

The subject property at 510 Jarvis Street is located on the west side of Jarvis Street, in between Gloucester Street to the north and Cawthra Square to the south, in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood. 510 Jarvis Street was constructed circa 1888 and designed in the Annex architectural style, which was popular in Toronto from the 1880s up to 1900 and combined design elements of the Romanesque and the Queen Anne styles. Together with the adjacent heritage properties on the block, 510 Jarvis Street contributes to maintaining and supporting the character of the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood and the Cawthra Square - Jarvis Street - Gloucester Street block frontage, which is comprised of a collection of 19th century house form buildings that reflect the evolution of Upper Jarvis from a subdivision of private homes located on a landscaped avenue to a high-density residential and institutional arterial corridor within downtown Toronto.

The property at 510 Jarvis Street was first recognized for its cultural heritage value when it was listed on the City's Heritage Register on June 20, 1973.

City Council has until February 8, 2026, 90 days from the date of the end of the objection period, to make a decision on this objection as per the timeline under the Act.

Staff have reviewed the objections raised on behalf of the owner and remain of the opinion that despite these objections, the property at 510 Jarvis Street meets Ontario Regulation 9/06, the criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Act under 4 of 9 criteria for its design/physical, and contextual values.

As the property has cultural heritage value or interest and meets the prescribed criteria pursuant to Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, staff are of the opinion that the property should be designated. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to reiterate the City’s request for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to approve Official Plan Amendment 804 under Section 26 of the Planning Act.

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in collaboration with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to engage industry, labour, business, institutional and government partners to develop a shared call to action to all levels of government to protect and preserve employment lands, increase productivity in employment areas, and grow manufacturing jobs in Toronto and Ontario.

Toronto is at a pivotal economic moment. Global trade uncertainty, protectionist policies, and supply chain disruptions are reshaping how and where goods are produced. At the same time, Mayor Chow’s Economic Action Plan calls for strengthening Toronto’s economic resilience, protecting good jobs, and supporting domestic production. Now more than ever, it is essential that employment lands are clearly understood and actively positioned as a foundation of the city’s long-term economic competitiveness.

The City’s Planning and Housing Committee will be considering four items at its January 22, 2026 meeting that reflect the growing pressure on Toronto’s employment lands. These are reports on applications that their respective applicants have appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, and they collectively raise fundamental questions about how and where employment uses can be sustained over the long term. While each item must be considered on its own merits, taken together they underscore the importance of acting within a narrowing window, and the broader challenge facing the city: balancing competing land-use demands while ensuring Toronto retains the space needed to support good jobs, domestic production, and economic resilience.

Employment lands must be more clearly understood for what they are: critical assets for jobs and the economy, not simply industrial real estate subject to redevelopment pressure. Toronto and the GTA cannot respond to protectionist trade policies, reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains, and accelerate domestic production capacity without a stable and sufficient supply of employment land. Without a more coordinated narrative and approach, the region risks undermining one of its pillars of economic competitiveness.

Toronto’s employment lands consistently punch above their weight. While occupying less than 12% of Toronto’s land area, they support 25% of all jobs and 30% of business establishments across the city.

Employment lands are investment. They are also a major source of reinvestment, with industrial building permits in Toronto’s employment lands averaging over $63 million annually between 2021 and 2024, demonstrating sustained interest, confidence, and long-term commitment from employers.

Employment lands are jobs. Perhaps most critically, employment lands are home to 92% of Toronto’s manufacturing jobs. Jobs in manufacturing, distribution, and other goods producing sectors are widely recognized as accessible, living-wage opportunities—particularly for newcomers, equity-deserving communities, and others who are often excluded from more precarious labour markets. Toronto’s labour force is one of the most diverse in the world, representing communities from across the globe, a strong competitive advantage as we look to broaden trading partners and diversify supply chains.

Employment lands are businesses. They are home to small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups, and contribute to the ecosystems that support so many of our key industries and growth sectors, including food & beverage and film, both at risk through the applications under appeal and before our Committee.

But employment lands are vulnerable. The sectors most impacted by protectionist trade policies—primary export sectors including manufacturing, wholesale trade, and transportation and warehousing—are almost exclusively housed in employment lands, accounting for 77% of establishments and 81% of jobs in tariff-exposed sectors. With Toronto accounting for over half of Ontario’s GDP, prolonged uncertainty around employment land protection has impacts well beyond the city’s boundaries.

While the City continues to advance housing priorities and support business operations, losing stable, serviced, appropriately zoned land for good jobs does not make housing more affordable. Instead, it reduces accessible job opportunities and leads to inefficient land use patterns, increasing commute times and the cost of goods for consumers and businesses alike. Efforts to “reshore” these industries, expand domestic production of goods, and attract investment from non-US global partners cannot succeed without an adequate and certain employment land supply in the largest consumer market in Canada.

Protecting and preserving the limited and finite supply of employment lands therefore remains an urgent priority. Official Plan Amendment 804 is an important step in establishing a clearer, more predictable framework for where employment uses are protected and how these areas can evolve over time, helping to reduce uncertainty for employers and investors. At the same time, policy protection alone is not sufficient. A broader and more cohesive narrative is needed to ensure employment lands are investment-ready, support intensification and innovation, and remain resilient in the face of ongoing economic change.