Agenda

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council endorse, in principle the establishment of a new regional foreign direct investment attraction agency which would include functions currently carried out by Invest Toronto, subject to a further report to Council on the specifics of the proposed organization, including its governance, funding formula and core operating elements such as strategy and positioning and subject to the City’s financial contribution being approved in the 2016 budget process.

2.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to work with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to review funding options for the City's contribution to a new regional agency and recommend to Council how best to realign funding support for the impacted economic development functions.

3.  City Council direct the City Manager in consultation with the General Manager for Economic Development and Culture, to report to Executive Committee and City Council on the implementation impacts for Invest Toronto and recommendations on how best to transition to a new regional agency.

Employment and Social Services staff will give a presentation on the planned activities and events associated with the upcoming October Workforce Development month.

Dedicating October as Workforce Development month provides an opportunity to showcase activities that advance the objectives of Toronto’s Workforce Development Strategy. During the month, a range of activities - from events to partnerships - profile the work the City is engaged in year round. These activities also serve to demonstrate the City’s commitment to providing programs and services that are responsive to the needs of residents across diverse communities in Toronto.

The City continues to build Workforce Development month activities that: strengthen private-sector employer partnerships and engagement; leverage connections with employers engaged in redevelopment projects in the city; build strong community connections and engage diverse communities; provide education and training programs to promote career advancement; and create opportunities for job seekers to enter/progress into diverse employment sectors.

City Council on July 7, 8 and 9, 2015, adopted as amended, Item EX7.2, headed "TO Prosperity - Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy".

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2015.EX7.2

Among other things, City Council has forwarded TO Prosperity: Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy, as outlined in Attachment A to the report (June 16, 2015) from the Acting City Manager, the Deputy City Manager, Cluster A, the Acting Deputy City Manager, Cluster B and the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to the Standing Committees and the Budget Committee for additional consideration of service level implications for the 2016 Capital and Operating Budget and for subsequent years' budgets.

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  Council approve the terms of reference for a Photo Laureate as described in Appendix A; and

2.  Council request the appointment of the City of Toronto's first Photo Laureate in 2016 pending its consideration of support for the honorarium as part of the Economic Development and Culture 2016 Operating Budget.

The purpose of this report is to outline the terms of reference for the honorary position of City of Toronto Photo Laureate established by City Council in May 2014.

The position of the City of Toronto Photo Laureate will honour a photographer who is recognized for artistic excellence and who has made a major contribution to photography through their work. Toronto’s Photo Laureate will be an advocate for visual culture, art photography, photojournalism, and use his/her unique perspective to create a dialogue on contemporary issues.

Funding for the Photo Laureate honorarium of $10,000 per year is included in the 2016 Economic Development and Culture Operating Budget submission for Arts and Culture Services.  This honorarium is part of the phased-in increases to cultural investment, 2013 – 2017.

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

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that City Council receive this report for information.

Cultural grants have been disbursed by the municipal order of government in Toronto since 1957. In 2014, the total amount of funding disbursed through cultural grants was $27,819,150. This report reviews the investments made, the challenges and long-term goals in measuring impact and outcomes; and the importance of continued data collection and analysis to ensure strong, evidence-based policy for the City's cultural funding programs. All City cultural grant programs comply with the City of Toronto Community Grants Policy ensuring that funded organizations are Toronto-based, consistent with City goals, comply with the City's commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Human Rights, and meet program standards and performance measures. Results of all funding decisions are transparent and available to the public online.

The objectives of these investments are to increase access and participation, to support the development of new artists and arts forms, to promote the visibility of culture to the community and private sector supporters, and to help build culture into the fabric of everyday life in Toronto.  The priorities of the new funding to cultural grant programs were to fund arts activity outside the downtown core, increase opportunities for young and emerging artists, develop partnerships to increase the impact of the funding, increase opportunities for youth and community arts activities, increase the capacity for small and medium-sized professional arts organizations, improve cultural facilities, and foster greater collaboration between the cultural sector and other organizations with social and economic development mandates.

A review of funding decisions and resulting activities indicate that the new grant funding has had direct impact on the ability of Toronto's cultural sector to pursue the objectives above. While it is too early to report on long-term outcomes, program outputs indicate greater attendance and participation has been achieved, more cultural activity is being funded outside the downtown core, new and emerging artists have been funded in greater numbers than before, small and medium sized organizations have increased their fundraising capacity, and new collaborations have been supported with the new funding.

There are no financial impacts arising from the receipt of this report beyond what has already been approved in the current year’s budget.

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

This report provides a quantitative and qualitative review of Toronto Arts Council’s activities and allocations for the period January 1 to December 31, 2014, to illustrate the City’s investment in its arts community for this period.

There are no financial implications resulting from this report.

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council remove the following appointees from the Business Improvement Area Boards of Management:

Eglinton Way BIA:

Dimitrijevic, Dragan

Fairbank Village:

Makris, Manolis

Uptown Yonge:

Hughes, Scott

2.  City Council, in accordance with the City’s Public Appointments Policy, appoint the following nominee to the Business Improvement Area Board of Management at the pleasure of Council, and for a term expiring at the end of the term of Council or as soon thereafter as successors are appointed.

Eglinton Way:

Jacki Allen

3.  City Council direct that Schedule A of the Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, be amended to reflect the number of Board members for the Fairbank Village BIA as nine (9) and for the Uptown Yonge BIA as nineteen (19).

The purpose of this report is to recommend that City Council appoint members to the Eglinton Way Business Improvement Area (BIA) and remove members from the Fairbank Village, Eglinton Way and Uptown Yonge BIAs.

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council designate the area described by Attachment 1 as the expanded Fairbank Village Business Improvement Area under Chapter 19 of the Toronto Municipal Code;

2.  City Council direct the City solicitor to submit a by-law to designate the area described in Attachment 1 as the expanded Fairbank Village Business Improvement Area; and

3.  City Council grant the City Solicitor authority to amend Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as necessary to reflect the expanded boundaries of Fairbank Village Business Improvement Area.

The purpose of this report is to recommend a minor expansion of the Fairbank Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) boundary located at 2460 Dufferin Street on the west side of Dufferin Street just north of Schell Avenue.

Capital budgets may be impacted in future years should streetscape or other capital improvements be undertaken by the expanded Fairbank Village BIA.

Capital improvements are typically cost-shared equally between the BIA and the City.

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

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the renaming of Wilson-Keele and Dufferin-Finch Business Improvement Areas, as defined by the boundaries described in Attachments 1 and 2, to the Wilson Village and Duke Heights Business Improvement Areas respectively; and

2.  City Council amend The Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, as required to reflect the name changes.

The purpose of this report is to recommend that the names of Wilson-Keele and Dufferin-Finch Business Improvement Areas be changed to the Wilson Village and Duke Heights Business Improvement Areas respectively.

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to submit to the Toronto Archives complete documentation, including digital photographs, of all the Maple Leaf Forever Tree projects.

2.  City Council publicly expresses its appreciation for the effort made by the project developers and the artisans, wood-workers and other makers across Canada who contributed to the preservation of this important part of Canadian history and culture.

The silver maple tree at 62 Laing Street, believed to be the inspiration for Alexander Muir's Maple Leaf Forever song written in 1867, was felled by a storm on July 19, 2013.  The tree's demise generated significant media and public attention across Canada.

Economic Development and Culture (EDC) was the lead City division in the distribution of wood from the Maple Leaf Forever tree and to facilitate various projects across Canada related to this wood. 

This report follows up on the direction by City Council at the October 8, 2013 meeting to report back to City Council on the final allocation and uses of the salvaged wood from this tree.

There are no financial impacts of this report.

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

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture and the Director of the Toronto Office of Partnerships recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture (EDC) and the Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships (TOP) to launch the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) for a period of two years as described in this report with the implementation requirements as set out in the Protocol for the GMAP (attached as Appendix A).

2.  City Council authorize the heads of applicable City divisions to execute agreements on behalf of the City providing for the implementation of applied research partnerships, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations using City assets or infrastructure under the GMAP in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

3.  City Council direct all City divisions to work with local businesses, through the GMAP, to assist with their applied research, proof of concept projects and technology demonstrations, supporting the development of "made in Toronto" market-based innovative solutions to real world issues and growing Toronto's economy.

4.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, and the Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships, to report back on the outcomes of the GMAP pilot program after two years and, if warranted, provide recommendations on the establishment of a permanent program.

5.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in consultation with the Director of the Toronto Office of Partnerships and working in partnership with other City divisions, to report back in early 2016 on a proposed innovation procurement policy that would enable the City to be a first-purchaser of innovative products, services and technologies from Toronto's businesses.

Companies in Toronto's green economy are rapidly growing, generating jobs and creating solutions to urban and environmental challenges.  To further support economic growth by our local innovators, Toronto companies are in need of sites for testing, proving concepts and demonstrating their new technologies.

This report seeks Council approval of the Green Market Acceleration Program (GMAP) to run in a two-year pilot phase to allow local businesses in the green economy to apply to the City to use City infrastructure and assets for certain applied research, proof of concept and demonstration pilots.  This will accelerate the development of innovative green products for introduction into the market and improve the global competiveness of Toronto businesses.

As part of the GMAP, this report seeks standing authority from Council for division heads to enter into non-procurement agreements with local businesses as currently no such authority exists.

Providing controlled access to municipally owned infrastructure and assets will assist local businesses as a stepping stone to the commercialization of new products and technologies.  It is anticipated that this will lead to increasing the number of green jobs in Toronto while streamlining the request process for non-commercial partnerships that support the development of innovative green technologies or solutions for local businesses resulting in more timely responses to such requests.  In addition the GMAP will reduce the workload of divisional staff that currently deal with these types of requests on an ad-hoc basis and will ensure that procurement policies are adhered to.

There are no financial impacts beyond what has already been approved in the 2015 budget.  This pilot program will be carried out within the base budget and staff resources of Economic Development and Culture and the Toronto Office of Partnerships.  The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.

The General Manager of Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  City Council request the General Manager of  Economic Development and Culture to work with the existing Information and Technology Advisory Panel to evaluate the value, and/or need for the establishment of a Connectivity Advisory Group (CAG), and report back on  the role and expectations of such a group if it is  required.

This report provides information on the concept, process and potential next steps related to the establishment of a Connectivity Advisory Group (CAG).

The concept of a CAG was referenced at the May 20th meeting in a presentation by Mark Kleinman.   According to Mr. Kleinman, the Mayor of London has established a Connectivity Advisory Group (CAG) to "take practical steps to ensure everyone in London has access to affordable high speed connectivity."

There are no financial implications arising from this report.  Staff support for this initiative can be provided within the 2015 Council Approved Operating Budget for Economic Development and Culture.

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

Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, recommends that:

1.  City Council request the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back to the Economic Development Committee by November 2015 on actions City Council can take to provide free public wireless internet in Toronto’s parks, civic squares, Toronto Community Housing Corporation locations, privately-owned public accessible spaces (POPS), and interested Business Improvement Areas at no cost to the City of Toronto.

A decade ago, the City of Toronto partnered with Toronto Hydro to provide free wireless internet to the public in the downtown core. Unfortunately, this experiment faltered when it became a pay-for-use service hardly distinguishable from those services offered by for-profit corporations like Rogers and Bell.

Since then, we have fallen behind other Canadian cities like Quebec City and Fredericton, which offer free city-wide Wi-Fi coverage, and Vancouver, where coverage in community centres and other civic spaces was recently approved by council. An even greater concern for the City of Toronto should be the progress made by our closest competitors, including Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco, along with many cities around the world. These municipal governments have leveraged public-private partnerships to roll out extensive free Wi-Fi coverage- It is possible to achieve these goals without any cost to taxpayers.

I am writing to request that we re-visit this initiative and move quickly to provide free, reliable public Wi-Fi in our city’s parks, the squares and plazas at our civic centres, including Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) buildings and privately-owned public spaces (POPS). We should also work with our Business Improvement Area partners to facilitate Wi-Fi business districts. The City already offers free WiFi at all public libraries, and the Toronto Transit Commission is set to roll out similar Wi-Fi coverage, but we can and must do better.

Providing free public Wi-Fi in our parks and public spaces will signal to technology developers that Toronto is a tech-savvy jurisdiction and an excellent place to settle and do business. We already have a flourishing high-tech sector that has attracted tech giants like Google, LinkedIn, and Apple; we have an opportunity to become a tech-friendly global centre.

Also, free public Wi-Fi is an indispensable amenity for an increasing number of global tourists. International cellular data is expensive and inaccessible for most travellers who instead have to rely on infrequent and unreliable hotspots in some cafés or hotel lobbies. A city that provides free public Wi-Fi enables tourists to find their way off the beaten path to spend money in our neighbourhoods, and get a more personal, authentic experience that will make them want to come back and visit again.

Finally, the internet has become the essence of global communications, an invaluable informational and educational tool that should be accessible to all Torontonians, irrespective of income. It is vital that we overcome the “digital divide” and break down the barriers to affordable internet service by providing free public Wi-Fi at all Toronto Community Housing Corporation locations.

It’s time for Toronto not just to catch up with the opportunities of the twenty-first century, but to become a more connected, inclusive City. It is time for Toronto to revisit its decade-old vision of being a leader in public wireless internet access and finally make that vision a reality.

The General Manager, Economic Development and Culture recommends that:

1.  The Economic Development Committee forward this report to City Council for information.

There are no financial implications resulting from this report.

That the Economic Development Committee:

1.  Request the General Manager of Economic Development and Culture to evaluate the sesquicentennial of Canada in 2017 and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Prince Edward Viaduct as opportunities, to complete lighting of the Prince Edward Viaduct and report to the Economic Development Committee from a budgetary, logistical and timing perspective in Q4 in 2015.

The Prince Edward Viaduct was completed in 1918 as a critical gateway across the Don Valley connecting the east end to the city centre. It is considered one of the most successful infrastructure projects within the City and is an important heritage landmark.

In late 1990’s the City worked with the community to introduce a suicide barrier on the bridge. The Luminous Veil was chosen. The initial phase completed in 2002 while opportunities were sought to complete the project with the lighting of the veil. This year Phase One of the veil lighting was accomplished as a Pan Am Games legacy project. All of the technical studies and requirements were completed as part of the Pan Am legacy project however financial considerations allowed for only the top half of the bridge to be lit.

Tens of thousands of residents gathered on the bridge in celebration, and Toronto is now host to the largest public art installation in Canada.

Phase Two – lighting of the remainder of this heritage structure- is still to be completed.

Two opportunities present themselves to complete the lighting of the Prince Edward Viaduct:  the sesquicentennial of Canada in 2017 and the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Viaduct itself.