You’re Invited: Toronto Alerts & Events Nov.9-Dec.15, 2013 + News + Ontario’s Music Funds

Here are some celebratory events as well as green events in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Most events are FREE.

Green Neighbours 21 provides us info on the following green event in Toronto.

“Gasland II”: Free Screenings and Discussion

FREE Admission

November 9, 2013: 12pm-4pm at Committee Room 2, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street W.

and

November 12, 2013: 6pm at Runnymede Public Library, 2178 Bloor St. W.

  • Please take action.
    • Lui reminds us that it is crucial to write Premier Kathleen Wynne:
    • Please pass this to your friends, family and colleagues.
      • This action alert is directed at Ontarians but we encourage you to fill this out regardless of where you are because this decision could have a serious impact on the Great Lakes as a whole!

Toronto Indie Arts Market

Cost: $5; partial proceeds go to Not Far From the Tree.

November 9, 2013

10:30am-4:30pm

The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. W.

Photo Credit: Alliance Française de Toronto
Photo Credit: Alliance Française de Toronto

Haitian Storytelling with Djennie Laguerre / Contes haïtiens à North York

Language: Français

Admission: FREE / GRATUIT

Campus de North York: November 9, 2013 at 03:45 PM / 9 Novembre 2013 à 15:45

Campus de Mississauga: November 16, 2013 at 04:15 PM / 16 Novembre 2013 à 16:15

Alliance Française de Toronto – Campus de North York
95 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario

Alliance française de Toronto – Campus de Mississauga
4261 Sherwoodtowne Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario

http://alliance-francaise.ca

Contact: 416.221.4684; northyork@alliance-francaise.ca
Limited space: RSVP at 416-221-4684 / Place limitée : RSVP au 416-221-4684

Contact: 905-272-4444; Mississauga@alliance-francaise.ca
Limited space : RSVP at 905-272-4444 / Place limitée : RSVP au 905-272-4444

Photo Credit: City of Toronto
Photo Credit: City of Toronto

City of Toronto, Fort York National Historic Site and the Toronto Municipal Chapter IODE (Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire)

Present

Remembrance Day at Fort York

FREE Admission

Monday, November 11, 10:45 A.M.

250 Fort York Boulevard (formerly 100 Garrison Road)
Toronto

Contact: fortyork@toronto.ca
416-392-6907

  • There will be Remembrance Day Services at the Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery on Garrison Common.
  • Commencing at 10:45 am from the west gate of the old fort, a processional led by period uniformed military staff and standard bearers of the IODE will make their way to the adjacent Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery.
    • There, at the eleventh hour, all soldiers of the Toronto Garrison who fell in the War of 1812; The Rebellion Crises; The Crimean War; Northwest Rebellion; South African (Boer) War; the two World Wars and recent conflicts around the globe will be remembered and honoured.
  • Please note that Canadian war vets and peacekeepers ride the TTC for FREE on Remembrance Day.
    • War and peacekeeping veterans are required to show their service medals/ribbons to receive free access to TTC buses, streetcars, subway and the SRT.
    • One companion will be allowed to ride for free as well.

Ontario Commemorates Remembrance Day

FREE

November 11, 2013

10:45 A.M. – Rain or Shine

Front Lawn of the Legislative Building
Queen’s Park, Toronto

  • Ontario’s official Queen’s Park Remembrance Day ceremony will honour the men and women who have served and continue to serve Canada, in war, conflict and peace.
  • Please note that Canadian war vets and peacekeepers ride the TTC for free on Remembrance Day.
    • War and peacekeeping veterans are required to show their service medals/ribbons to receive free access to TTC buses, streetcars, subway and the SRT.
    • One companion will be allowed to ride for free as well.

City of Toronto to Proclaim Year of Truth and Reconciliation

November 12

10 to 11 a.m.

Members Lounge, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street W.

  • The City of Toronto will host an event on Tuesday to proclaim November 12, 2013 to November 12, 2014 the Year of Truth and Reconciliation in Toronto to acknowledge Aboriginal peoples affected by the Residential School System.
    • Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina), Chair of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee, will read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Ford and Toronto City Council.
    • Other speakers include:
      • Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada;
      • Elder Andrew Wesley; and
      • Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and Honorary Witness for the event.
  • The proclamation adds to the City’s ongoing work to enhance relationships with the Aboriginal community in Toronto, many of whom are residential school survivors or family members who have been affected by the legacy of the residential school system.
    • The event will also include a presentation of artwork to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and to the City of Toronto by students from Hagersville High School.
  • More information about residential schools is available on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission website at http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/index.php?p=4.
Heritage Toronto
Heritage Toronto

NATURAL HERITAGE SYMPOSIUM – A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

NATURAL HERITAGE SYMPOSIUM – A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

PANEL:
Franz Hartman, Toronto Environmental Alliance
Barbara Heidenreich, Ontario Heritage Trust
Jane Weninger, City of Toronto
Carolyn Woodland, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

MODERATED BY:
Geoff Cape, Executive Director, Evergreen

12 November 2013 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EST)

HISTORIC ST. LAWRENCE HALL
157 King St E, Toronto

Please pre-register at Natural Heritage or call Rachel Ostep at (416) 338-0682.

  • There will be a discussion about Natural Heritage in Toronto.
  • The topics include
    • trees as natural heritage resources,
    • what the average citizens can do to conserve natural heritage in the context of our natural ecosystems,
    • the City of Toronto’s Natural Heritage Study and
    • the management of natural heritage resources related to water.
  • The panel will examine our City’s rich natural heritage, the challenges it faces, and what we can do to preserve it.
  • Please pre-register at Natural Heritage or call Rachel Ostep at (416) 338-0682.
  • Please click here to learn more (pdf).

Toronto 350.org Weekly Meetings

Every Tuesday Night

Starting 12 November 2013

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

University of Toronto

Email: operations@toronto350.org or toronto350@gmail.com for information on that week’s location.

  • Toronto 350.org meets every Tuesday night from 7:00pm until 9:00pm.
  • The meetings are nearly always on campus at U of T, though the exact room changes from week to week.
  • Anyone who wishes to attend should email operations@toronto350.org or toronto350@gmail.com for information on that week’s location.
  • 350.org is a grassroots movement committed to lowering the level of CO2 in the planet’s atmosphere to below 350ppm.

Toronto Repair Cafe

FREE

November 16, 2013

10am-2pm

Skills for Change, 791 St. Clair W., 2nd Floor

  • Do you have a broken appliance, piece of furniture or item of clothing that you’d like to save from the landfill?
  • That’s where the volunteer “fixers” at the Repair Café come in!
  • “Help combat waste and built-in obsolescence at this event!“
  • For more information about Toronto Repair Café, please visit http://repaircafetoronto.ca.

Toronto Green Community and Toronto Field Naturalists

Present

Nordheimer Ravine Lost Rivers Walk

FREE

November 17, 2013

2 pm

Rain or Shine

Meet Helen Mills and Friends at St. Clair Ave. West and Wells Hill Ave., Two Blocks East of Bathurst

How will French survive in the 21st century? / Les débats de l’Alliance : Le français est-il soluble dans le 21e siècle ?

Language: Français

Admission: FREE / GRATUIT

November 22, 2013 at 06:30 PM / 22 Novembre 2013 à 18:30

Alliance Française de Toronto – Campus de Spadina
24 Spadina Road, Toronto

http://alliance-francaise.ca

Contact: 416 922 2014 ext. 37; culturel@alliance-francaise.ca

  • The discussion on the future of the French language will be based on answering the following two questions:
  1. How can French adapt to a social, cultural and technological reality that is created and expressed in English?
  2. Is English in the process of “destroying our way of thinking”, as the French linguist Claude Hagège recenly stated?

Events at Gibson House Museum

FREE Admission

Gibson House Museum
5172 Yonge St., Toronto

Contact:  Call 416-395-7432; Email at gibsonhouse@toronto.ca

Pay-What-You-Wish Thursday Nights

5 to 8 P.M.

  • Enjoy a relaxing, social evening 1850s style at Gibson House.
  • Have some tea and sit by the fire in the kitchen, play board games and chat with neighbours and friends.
  • Drop by the community quilt group and see what they are creating – add a stitch or two, if you wish.
  • Children may explore hands-on activities and crafts.
  • Activities will vary each week and they welcome your ideas and suggestions for future Thursdays.

Social Knit, Crochet and Corking Gatherings

FREE

Every other Saturday from 2 to 4 P.M.

  • Join Gibson House gatherings in the historic family kitchen for a relaxing afternoon of knitting and crocheting.
  • All ages and skill levels are welcome.
  • Bring your own projects from home or try out one of our fun patterns and add something to our yarnbomb.
  • Some extra needles, hooks, corkers and yarn for practice and experimentation will be available.

Community Quilt Group Get-togethers

FREE

Thursdays, 6 to 8 P.M.

  • Relax and meet new friends while you improve your crafting skills.
  • Gibson House invites members of all ages from North York’s diverse communities to join their informal evenings of learning and sharing.
  • You’ll explore both historic and contemporary quilting techniques in a comfortable, social setting.
  • Work on a group project or pay a small fee for materials and make your own piece.
  • Even if you have never picked up a needle and thread before you are welcome to join in.

Are You Interested in Weaving?

FREE Admission

Tuesday Afternoons from 12:30 to 3:30 P.M.

  • Gibson House’s small but dedicated group of weavers has been making textiles for their museum programs and gift shops for years.
  • Their products are so popular they need more hands to help.
    • If you have basic weaving experience and are interested in helping them grow this group and their weaving activities at the museum – please join them.
  • Please call to confirm your interest.
    • After your initial orientation, you can drop in to weave any time (pre-arranged).
Photo Credit: City of Toronto
Photo Credit: City of Toronto

Great Gulf

Presents

47th Annual Cavalcade of Lights

FREE Admission

November 30, 2013

7 PM: Celebration Starts

8 PM: Fireworks

8:15 PM: Live Concert Followed by an Open-Air Skating Party

Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto

  • Cavalcade of Lights celebration will mark the official start to the holiday season in Toronto.
  • It will feature the illumination of Toronto’s official Christmas tree, performances by some of Canada’s top musical talent, a brilliant fireworks show and a skating party at Nathan Phillips Square.
  • Here is the Cavalcade of Lights’ itinerary.
    • The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with performances by pop favourite Tyler Shaw, rising star Cold Specks, award-winning R&B/soul singer Divine Brown and Grammy Award-winner Carvin Winans.
    • The first lighting of the official Christmas tree will be followed by a breathtaking fireworks display at 8 p.m.
    • The celebration will continue at 8:15 p.m. with a live concert sponsored by Keurig, featuring electro-pop artist Diamond Rings followed by an open-air skating party with DJ Dopey under the glow of thousands of lights in Nathan Phillips Square.
  • The Nathan Phillips Square ice rink will be open for skating (weather permitting) during Cavalcade of Lights and skate rentals are available on site.
  • Please click here for a complete event schedule.

downsview land info session 2013

Downsview Lands Information Session

FREE

Light Refreshments Will Be Served

December 5, 2013

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Please Register By December 04, 2013

The Warehouse Event Venue
2 – 35 Carl Hall Road, Toronto

  • Canada Lands Company invites you to an information session regarding the Downsview lands.
  • Join them to learn about Canada Lands, what it does and how it operates, as well as receive information regarding business activities taking place on the lands.
  • There will also be an interactive discussion about the consultation process that Canada Lands will convene in the new year.
  • Please click here to register by December 4, 2013.

Toronto Green Community and Toronto Field Naturalists

Present

Russell Creek-Kensington Market Lost Rivers Walk

FREE

December 15, 2013

2 PM

Rain or Shine

Starts at Harbord & Bathurst SE Corner; Led by Helen Mills and Friends

Ontario News

Photo Credit: Government of Ontario
Photo Credit: Government of Ontario

Province Hits High Note with Ontario Music Fund

  • Ontario is launching the Ontario Music Fund to help support and create jobs, and position the province as a leading destination to record and perform.
  • The new fund will support Ontario-based music companies and boost music production and distribution through four streams:
    1. Music Company Development – Helps Ontario-based music companies increase recording, production and marketing, which boosts sales of music and supports job creation.
    2. Music Industry Development – Provides support for initiatives such as digital innovation, music training and new approaches to increase home-grown music exports.
    3. Music Futures– Helps leverage Ontario’s diverse and emerging music industry by supporting small music companies and artist entrepreneurs, for example those who create music and also handle the business and promotion of their music.
    4. Live Music– Helps increase the number of live music events in the province and generates more opportunities for new and emerging local artists — boosting tourism and growing local economies.
  • Applications are now available for the Music Company Development and Music Industry Development streams.
  • Applications for Music Futures and Live Music streams are available on Nov. 7, 2013.
  • Announced in the 2013 Budget, the Ontario Music Fund is a $45 million grant program over three years.
  • The Ontario Music Fund will be administered by the new Ontario Music Office located within the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
  • Ontario’s music production sector accounts for over 80 per cent of total national revenues — in 2011, it generated more than $429 million in revenues (Statistics Canada).
  • The Ontario Music Fund supports the province’s Live Music Strategy to position the province as a leading destination for live music and music tourism.

Upgrades on the Way at Mimico GO Station

  • Improvements are scheduled to begin soon at Mimico GO Station to make it easier for commuters to take public transit.
  • Upgrades will include:
    • repairing, extending and widening the GO Train platforms to accommodate 12-car trains;
    • building a new pedestrian tunnel connecting Manchester Street to the platform and parking lot making it easier for commuters to get to their trains;
    • constructing a new station building and rehabilitating the existing pedestrian tunnel to make it more accessible;
    • expanding the parking area; and
    • adding a new station access from Newcastle Street.
  • Improvements to Mimico Station will create jobs over the next six years as work takes place.
  • Did you know?
    • With the 15-minute GO Train Service Guarantee, riders may get a credit if their train arrival is delayed 15 minutes or more.
    • Improving GO’s infrastructure supports future two-way, all-day GO Train service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area.

The Draft Evaluation Criteria for the Gardiner East EA and Urban Design Study are Ready for Public Review.

Draft Criteria Will Be Available for Comment Until Tuesday November 19, 2013

  • This is an update to the previous blog: Future of Gardiner East (Expressway & Lake Shore Blvd.): Give Your Input Online Until Oct.31, 2013.
  • Evaluation criteria are typically used to help guide decision-making in Environmental Assessments for infrastructure projects.
    • The criteria provide the framework for the evaluation.
    • The draft evaluation criteria reflect the study goals, as included in the approved EA Terms of Reference, and the Central Waterfront Secondary Plan goals.
  • The draft Evaluation Criteria have been developed based on public input from the recent Public Forum on October 16th and feedback from the project’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee.
  • Please visit http://www.gardinereast.ca/document/draft-evaluation-criteria to review the draft criteria, and then provide us with your comments by email to info@gardinereast.ca.
    • Please note the draft criteria will be available for comment until Tuesday November 19, 2013.

TTC’s Pape Station Elevators Now in Operation

  • With the opening of the indoor passenger waiting area, bicycle parking and new elevators, the Toronto Transit Commission’s Pape Station is now fully accessible.
  • In August, Pape Station closed for 12 days to accelerate ongoing construction. During the closure, floors, stairs, finishes, ceilings and the new outdoor bus waiting area were completed.
  • The second exit will be completed by the end of the year.

Toronto & TTC Alerts

Photo Credit: TTC
Photo Credit: TTC

TTC to Close Portion of Bloor-Danforth Subway for Weekend Track Work: Nov. 9 and Nov. 10

  • The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will be conducting track work once again on a section of the Bloor-Danforth line.
  • In order to undertake this work, there will be no subway service between Jane and Kipling stations.
  • A shuttle bus service will operate every 3-4 minutes between Jane and Kipling stations.
  • Wheel-Trans buses will be stationed at Jane and Kipling stations to assist customers who require accessible service.
  • Normal subway service will resume on Mon., Nov. 11 at 6 a.m.
TTC Sign: Remembrance Day
TTC Sign: Remembrance Day

Canadian War Vets and Peacekeepers Ride the TTC for Free on Remembrance Day

  • On Monday, November 11, Remembrance Day, decorated Canadian war and peacekeeping veterans can ride the TTC for FREE.
    • War and peacekeeping veterans are required to show their service medals/ribbons to receive free access to TTC buses, streetcars, subway and the SRT.
    • One companion will be allowed to ride for free as well.
  • The TTC will join in honouring the nation’s veterans on Remembrance Day by bringing all of its vehicles to a standstill at 11 a.m.
    • Subway and RT cars will be held at station platforms.
    • Bus and streetcar drivers will stop their vehicles at a regular service stop prior to 11 a.m., and remain there during the pause.
    • Wheel-Trans Operators will bring their vehicles to a stop at a safe location.
    • The following announcement will be made immediately before the two-minute pause:

    “Attention TTC customers, the Toronto Transit Commission will now observe a two minute pause in service and reflect on the sacrifices for peace made by Canadians.”

    • Service will resume immediately following the observation of the two minutes of silence.
  • “Lest We Forget” signs will be placed at the front of all TTC bus and streetcars, and a Remembrance Day message will appear on all subway platform video screens.
  • The TTC Honour Guard will participate in the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph and Old City Hall.
  • The TTC will operate normal weekday service on Remembrance Day.

Ontario Remembrance Day Road Closures: November 11, 2013

  • The following road closures are in effect from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
    • Queen’s Park Crescent East from College Street to Wellesley Street West.
    • Queen’s Park Crescent West from College Street to Hoskin Avenue.
    • Grosvenor Street from Queen’s Park Crescent East to Surrey Place.
    • Wellesley Street West from Queen’s Park Crescent East to Queen’s Park Crescent West.

City of Toronto Services Open and Closed on Remembrance Day

  • Monday, November 11 is Remembrance Day and while many City of Toronto services and civic centres will be closed, several will be open.
    Below are the details on what is open and closed on November 11.

Open/Operational

  • Parks, Forestry and Recreation programs and permits will continue during regular operating hours.
  • All Toronto Public Library branches will be open.
  • Transportation Services supervisors and inspectors who support construction work in Toronto will be working.
    • Traffic Management Centre staff, including dispatch, RESCU camera operations and overhead signage operations, will also be working.
    • Roads crews that look after street signs, pavement markings and potholes will not be working.
    • If an emergency arises, however, crews will be dispatched to deal with situations as required.
  • Of the City’s 10 historic museums, Fort York will be the only one open to the public, with FREE admission from 10 to 4 p.m.
  • City services that regularly operate 24 hours a day/seven days a week (such as 311 and emergency services) will remain available.
  • It is business as usual in emergency shelters and other programs funded through Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, with the exception of the head office at Metro Hall, which will be closed.
    • Services provided directly to clients from the Metro Hall location, such as response to complaints, will not be available.
  • While Toronto Water’s customer service counter located at North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., 2nd floor, will be closed, Toronto Water will provide emergency services as necessary.

Closed

  • All Toronto Employment and Social Services locations will be closed on November 11.
  • Solid Waste Management Services’ drop-off depots and Container Pickup locations will be closed.
  • Water meter readings will not be available, however customers may still submit water meter readings via the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/utilitybill by clicking on “Enter your water meter reading online” or by using the automated telephone service at 416-397-READ (7323).
  • Children’s Services offices and centres will be closed on November 11.
  • All Property Tax and Utility payment counters at City Hall and the civic centres will be closed.
    • Customers may pay property taxes and/or utility bills through their bank or financial institution’s online or telephone banking services if they subscribe to those services.
  • All parking ticket payment counters (First Appearance facilities) at Metro Hall, North York Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and 1530 Markham Rd. will be closed.
  • Long-Term Care Homes and Services adult day programs will not be offered on November 11.
    • All other services and visitation will be available at all 10 locations.
    • More information is available at http://bit.ly/1drJ65O.

Residents are encouraged to call 311 if they are unsure about the availability of a specific City service or program on Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day Ceremonies

  • In addition, a ceremony will be held at Fort York. (Please see more info above.)
    • Commencing at 10:45 a.m., the City of Toronto, Fort York National Historic Site and the Toronto Municipal Chapter Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire (IODE) will present Remembrance Day services at the Strachan Avenue Military Cemetery at Fort York’s Garrison Common.
    • At 11 a.m., soldiers who have fought for Canada and Toronto in past and recent conflicts will be remembered and honoured.

TTC Yorkdale Commuter Parking Lot to Close Temporarily as of January 6, 2014

  • The TTC commuter parking deck located at Yorkdale Shopping Centre will be demolished early in the new year for development into a new parking deck with more retail space.
  • As a result, TTC commuter parking at Yorkdale will be closed as of January 6, 2014.
  • As an alternative, there are TTC commuter lots located at Wilson, Downsview and Finch stations.
  • The new TTC commuter parking lot at Yorkdale is expected to open in the fall of 2015.
  • Did you know?
    • The TTC operates 27 commuter parking lots with 12,551 parking spaces.
  • For more information on TTC commuter parking lots including pricing and hours of operation, visit ttc.ca.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service.

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily.

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays.

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays.

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

NEWS RELEASE

November 1, 2013

City of Toronto launches rate supported budgets for Solid Waste Management Services, Toronto Water and Toronto Parking Authority

The 2014 Staff Recommended Rate Supported Capital and Operating Budgets for the City of Toronto’s Solid Waste Management Services, Toronto Water, and Toronto Parking Authority were presented at the City’s Budget Committee today.

The Solid Waste Management Services budgets include a 3% rate increase that will help balance its fiscal constraints, while maintaining critical progress on waste diversion initiatives, operational improvements and capital investments in state of good repair and new infrastructure.

Toronto Water’s rates and budgets (including the 9% increase) ensure the City can continue to provide quality drinking water and wastewater services while dealing with the impact of extreme storms and aging infrastructure. The 2014 Recommended Capital Budget includes $61 million for the Basement Flooding Protection Program, $962 million in the 10 Year Capital Plan and $334 million for infrastructure renewal to reduce the $1.6 billion infrastructure renewal backlog to only $92 million by 2023.

The recommended 2014 Operating and Capital Budgets for the Toronto Parking Authority are aimed at satisfying the parking needs of many businesses and communities in Toronto.

“The rate supported operating budgets and 10 year capital plan presented today demonstrate the City’s commitment to maintaining our current service levels, improving our infrastructure and providing excellent customer service to residents,” said Mayor Rob Ford. “With the budgets presented today, Solid Waste Management Services will be able to maintain all current major services while supporting efforts to increase waste diversion, and Toronto Water will be able to repair, maintain and enhance the City’s aging infrastructure.”

Mayor Ford added, “The Toronto Parking Authority continues to capitalize on joint venture development opportunities with the public and private sector, with 13 new projects in this year’s capital plan.”

“Solid Waste Management Services’ recommended 3% rate increase provides additional revenue required to support operations, capital projects and waste diversion initiatives in 2014,” said Councillor Frank Di Giorgio (Ward 12 York South-Weston), Chair of the City’s Budget Committee. “This will help us raise the residential waste diversion rate to 55% in preparation for reaching the target of 70% diversion by 2016. Toronto Water remains an excellent value, and is among the very lowest in the GTA for residents and businesses. Lastly, as an important source of revenue, the Toronto Parking Authority this year will contribute more than $46 million to the City.”

Solid Waste Management Services
The 2014 Recommended Solid Waste Management Services budgets consist of:
• The 2014 Recommended Operating Budget of $354.236 million
• The 10 Year Recommended Capital Plan of $686 million, including the 2014 Recommended Capital Budget of $96.573 million.

Key initiatives funded by the 2014 recommended Solid Waste Management Services Budget include:

• The development of a Long Term Waste Management Strategy to guide the division’s decision-making for the next 30 to 50 years
• Development of a comprehensive Asset Management Program for transfer stations/yards, closed landfills, the active Green Lane Landfill, vehicles and bins
• Continued program rollout of Green Bin organics collection to multi-residential buildings, school boards and agencies, corporations and divisions
• Enhanced litter collection service
• Plans to expand and maintain reliable processing capacity for organics and single-stream recycling
• Development of an Integrated Management System (IMS) that supports environmental sustainability, quality, and health and safety.

Toronto Water
The 2014 recommended Toronto Water budgets are based on a 9% water rate increase. This is a planned increase and part of a multi-year budget and infrastructure plan that calls for an annual 9% increase each year from 2006 up to and including 2014.

Toronto Water’s 2014 recommended budgets include:
• Operating Budget of $403.2 million
• Capital Budget of $613.3 million
• 10 year (2014-2023) Capital Plan of $9.1 billion
• Projected revenue of $1.02 billion.

Toronto Water is addressing both its aging infrastructure as well as basement flooding. The recommended rate increase allows the City to protect public health, safety and property in a fiscally and environmentally responsible manner.

2014 Toronto Water Capital Programs
• In 2014, an investment of $334 million will address critical state of good repair projects and reduce the backlog by $41.5 million. The 10 Year Capital Plan provides funding to address all but $92 million in accumulated infrastructure renewal backlog by 2023. Capital work planned for 2014 includes:
– wastewater treatment plant upgrades ($119 million)
– sewer and watermain replacement and rehabilitation ($177 million)
– wet weather flow master plan ($33 million)
– basement flooding protection program ($61 million)
– complete environmental assessments for 33 basement flooding study areas by the end of 2014 (study area 34 to be completed in 2015)
– water meter program ($47 million)

Key Toronto Water capital projects in 2014
• Projects starting in 2014:
– Ashbridges bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, building upgrades
– Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, odour control upgrades
– Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant, odour control upgrades
– Emery Creek stormwater management ponds

• Future major capital projects
– twinning of the Coxwell sanitary trunk sewer
– Bonar Creek stormwater management pond
– Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, UV disinfection and outfall
– Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, integrated pumping station rebuild
– Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, biosolids master plan implementation
– transmission watermain – F. J. Horgan Plant to Ellesmere Road

Over the past several years, both Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water have achieved significant milestones while maintaining progress toward critical waste diversion and infrastructure renewal goals. These milestones and key priorities for the 2014 Budget are outlined in accompanying backgrounders at the link below.

Toronto Parking Authority
The proposed budget for the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is a rate-supported budget, as it is not funded by the City’s property tax base.

In 2014, the TPA expects to generate approximately $62 million of net revenues for the City, of which 75% will support general City services and the remaining 25% will help fund TPA capital requirements.

The TPA’s proposed 2014-2023 Capital Budget and Plan, with anticipated capital expenditures of $396 million, focuses on balancing infrastructure renewal needs for state of good repair, service improvement and growth to meet a forecasted demand for off-street parking. Funding for approximately 39 new carparks, the expansion of eight existing carparks and the redevelopment of another 15 carparks across the city is included in the capital plan.

As a City agency, the Toronto Parking Authority is responsible for providing safe, attractive, conveniently located, well maintained and competitively priced on-street and off-street parking as an integral component of Toronto’s transportation system.

Budget Committee continues on November 6 and 12. Executive Committee will then consider these budgets on December 5 and Toronto City Council will consider the budgets for approval on December 16 and 17. Backgrounders, analyst notes and other materials are available at http://www.toronto.ca/budget2014.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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