Item - 2019.EX3.1

March 27, 2019 at 12:26 p.m. - Speaker Nunziata advised that City Council had completed its closed session consideration of Item EX3.1 headed "Engagement with the Province on Toronto's Transit System".  No motions were placed in the closed session.  City Council would now proceed with the public debate on the Item.

That City Council delete Executive Committee Recommendation 3.

Recommendation to be deleted:

3.  City Council authorize the City Manager to, at the City Manager's discretion, release to the Province confidential information deemed within the scope of this Review and contained in confidential reports and attachments previously before Council and its Committees, subject to the Province entering into a confidentiality agreement for the release of the information and/or data.

and, adopt instead the following:

1. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to guide a discussion and information exchange process between the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto to further the Province of Ontario's stated transit objectives, specifically:

a. more efficient and cost-effective construction of rapid transit projects; and

b. improved regional transit service across the Greater Toronto Area.

2. City Council direct the City Manager to cease further engagement with the Province of Ontario on matters regarding the upload of Toronto’s existing subway network, including the exchange of confidential information toward that aim.

3. Should the Province of Ontario introduce legislation affecting the City of Toronto's transit responsibilities, City Council request the City Manager to report to the next meeting of City Council with a comprehensive assessment of the potential risks, liabilities, implications, and to seek authority to engage with the Province of Ontario, as may be required. 

Part 2 of motion 1 lost.

That:

1. City Council request the City Manager to report back to the Executive Committee on the four transit priorities identified by the Province of Ontario in its letters dated March 22, 2019 and March 26, 2019, and on the potential impacts of these priorities as part of the transit network plan update.

2. City Council request the City Solicitor and the City Manager to explore opportunities to secure binding financial contribution agreements for funding commitments being made as part of the engagement with the Province of Ontario, including consideration of the City's transit priorities, and, to report back to the Executive Committee as part of the transit network plan update.

3. City Council request the City Manager to reiterate to the Province of Ontario, City Council's firm commitment to delivering the Relief Line as an urgent priority investment and, in the event that the timeline for delivering the Yonge Subway Extension and Relief Line are paired, that the Yonge Subway Extension not lead to delaying the Relief Line beyond the accelerated 2029 anticipated completion date. 

That City Council direct the City Manager and City staff to include at the beginning of all written communications with the Province regarding the subway upload the following text:

Toronto City Council objects to any Toronto Transit Commission subway upload and is in negotiations with the Province of Ontario under protest.

That City Council direct the City Manager to request full and open disclosure from the Province of Ontario on the contemplated new transit technology to ensure it is compatible and cost effective.

That as part of the public consultations, City Council hear from the public in a Committee of the Whole at the next meeting of Toronto City Council, scheduled for April 16 and 17, 2019.

That City Council request the Province of Ontario, as part of the ongoing discussions on transit in Toronto, to publicly disclose a value-for-money assessment for the projects outlined in the March 22, 2019, letter from the Special Advisor to Cabinet-Transit Upload and the Deputy Minister of Transportation to the City Manager and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission.

Councillor Perks, rising on a Point of Order, stated that Councillor Pasternak's question is asking for legal advice and that is privileged information which should only be given in closed session.

That City Council request the Province of Ontario to release the report to Ontario Cabinet from the Province of Ontario's Special Advisor on Upload for public consideration.

That Executive Committee request the City Manager to report directly to City Council at its meeting on March 27 and 28, 2019 on the following:

a. the date of the first consultation meeting and timetable for future consultations;

b. a plan to advertise the consultations to the public to ensure maximum attendance and awareness; and

c. the feasibility of providing updates through social media or emails to keep residents up to date on the issue.

Amended by Motion 3 by Mayor Tory

That Motion 2 by Councillor Ana Bailão be amended by adding a new part d, so that it now reads as follows:

That Executive Committee request the City Manager to report directly to City Council at its meeting on March 27 and 28, 2019 on the following:

a. the date of the first consultation meeting and timetable for future consultations;

b. a plan to advertise the consultations to the public to ensure maximum attendance and awareness;

c. the feasibility of providing updates through social media or emails to keep residents up to date on the issue; and

d. the feasibility of including a meeting with stakeholders in the consultation plan.