Toronto Council meets today!
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Saying this is basically a done deal, Holyday asks Chow what the city's plan will be to handle increased traffic around the island airport after it's expanded. Chow says there can't be a plan yet because nobody even knows what Ford's plan is for the airport exactly.
I'm not sure where the number comes from, but Fletcher and Chow are now talking about Ford wanting to increase the number of island airport passengers from ~2 million annually today to 10 million.
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"We firmly say, and we demand, a seat at the table. We deserve it, and there is no table without us," says Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik.
"Everything has been put at risk, and we simply cannot take the premier's word that he somehow has the city of Toronto's interest at heart."
@GraphicMatt 🥺 no kidding!
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I'm not sure where the number comes from, but Fletcher and Chow are now talking about Ford wanting to increase the number of island airport passengers from ~2 million annually today to 10 million.
At ten million annual passengers, Billy Bishop would be the fifth busiest airport in the country, surpassing Halifax (4.1 million), Winnipeg (4.4 million), Ottawa (4.9 million), and Edmonton (8.1 million)
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At ten million annual passengers, Billy Bishop would be the fifth busiest airport in the country, surpassing Halifax (4.1 million), Winnipeg (4.4 million), Ottawa (4.9 million), and Edmonton (8.1 million)
Councillor Mike Colle moves to request the federal government conduct a safety study before agreeing on any island airport expansion. Nunziata says his motion is out of order because it's beyond what council is debating today.
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Councillor Mike Colle moves to request the federal government conduct a safety study before agreeing on any island airport expansion. Nunziata says his motion is out of order because it's beyond what council is debating today.
Time to vote. Matlow’s motion calling for a report to the next council meeting on legal options for the city to defend its waterfront land, including the island airport land, CARRIES 21-3.
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Time to vote. Matlow’s motion calling for a report to the next council meeting on legal options for the city to defend its waterfront land, including the island airport land, CARRIES 21-3.
The island airport item, declaring that Toronto is opposed to any unilateral expropriation of city land by the provincial and federal government, CARRIES 22-3.
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The island airport item, declaring that Toronto is opposed to any unilateral expropriation of city land by the provincial and federal government, CARRIES 22-3.
(I believe Councillor Mike Colle was recorded in the negative on those airport items because he was boycotting the vote, but need to confirm.)
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(I believe Councillor Mike Colle was recorded in the negative on those airport items because he was boycotting the vote, but need to confirm.)
Up now: looking a gift park in the mouth? The Weston Foundation wants to give Toronto $50 million to transform Queen's Park North. But nearby resident groups are not big fans of the design concept, especially a proposed raised "tree walk" and washroom/cafe structure https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3
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Up now: looking a gift park in the mouth? The Weston Foundation wants to give Toronto $50 million to transform Queen's Park North. But nearby resident groups are not big fans of the design concept, especially a proposed raised "tree walk" and washroom/cafe structure https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.3
On the Queen's Park North item, Councillor Dianne Saxe moves a long motion to give staff more time to review the design proposal, include public art, and look at the business plan for the cafe.
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On the Queen's Park North item, Councillor Dianne Saxe moves a long motion to give staff more time to review the design proposal, include public art, and look at the business plan for the cafe.
"One of the suggestions at the Design Review Committee, which I have to say is at least intriguing, is to put a slide down the back of the horse," notes Councillor Saxe of the Queen's Park North statue of King Edward on a horse. She says it'd be fun for kids, but doubts it'll happen.
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"One of the suggestions at the Design Review Committee, which I have to say is at least intriguing, is to put a slide down the back of the horse," notes Councillor Saxe of the Queen's Park North statue of King Edward on a horse. She says it'd be fun for kids, but doubts it'll happen.
After supportive words from Matlow and Fletcher, Saxe's motion on the Queen's Park North item CARRIES via show of hands. New report on the Weston-funded design is due in June.
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After supportive words from Matlow and Fletcher, Saxe's motion on the Queen's Park North item CARRIES via show of hands. New report on the Weston-funded design is due in June.
Mayor Olivia Chow moves to accept $1.2 million USD prize from Bloomberg to fund the school food program. Can anyone possibly oppose this? Place your bets.
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Mayor Olivia Chow moves to accept $1.2 million USD prize from Bloomberg to fund the school food program. Can anyone possibly oppose this? Place your bets.
Motion to accept a $1.2 million USD Bloomberg philanthropy prize to support the school food program CARRIES 23-0. He found the "yes" button again.
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Mayor Olivia Chow moves to accept $1.2 million USD prize from Bloomberg to fund the school food program. Can anyone possibly oppose this? Place your bets.
@GraphicMatt oh oh! Pick me! I know the answer!!
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Motion to accept a $1.2 million USD Bloomberg philanthropy prize to support the school food program CARRIES 23-0. He found the "yes" button again.
Up now: an item about the next phase of Port Lands revitalization. Asked about development plans, staff say the Toronto Port Authority has agreed to an OLT settlement in relation to the approved 2024 zoning for Ookwemin Minising, but new jet proposal could affect things going forward.
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Up now: an item about the next phase of Port Lands revitalization. Asked about development plans, staff say the Toronto Port Authority has agreed to an OLT settlement in relation to the approved 2024 zoning for Ookwemin Minising, but new jet proposal could affect things going forward.
Staff clarify the OLT settlement with the Port Authority re: the port lands is in relation to existing airport operations. "Should there be new proposed operations which involve a different type of aircraft, then we would need to be revisiting the zoning for parts of the port lands."
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Staff clarify the OLT settlement with the Port Authority re: the port lands is in relation to existing airport operations. "Should there be new proposed operations which involve a different type of aircraft, then we would need to be revisiting the zoning for parts of the port lands."
(The waterfront secretariat does note that Ookwemin Minising is generally north of airport flight paths so the bigger impact of an expanded airport on port lands development would probably be with the lands further south.)
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(The waterfront secretariat does note that Ookwemin Minising is generally north of airport flight paths so the bigger impact of an expanded airport on port lands development would probably be with the lands further south.)
Report on the next steps on the Port Lands Flood Protection project CARRIES via show of hands. Let's take a moment to appreciate the pretty pictures. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.2
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Report on the next steps on the Port Lands Flood Protection project CARRIES via show of hands. Let's take a moment to appreciate the pretty pictures. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.2
Up now: Mayor Olivia Chow wants a pothole blitz. Staff say there have been a lot of potholes this winter, as our potholes are generally caused by the freeze/thaw cycle. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.4
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Up now: Mayor Olivia Chow wants a pothole blitz. Staff say there have been a lot of potholes this winter, as our potholes are generally caused by the freeze/thaw cycle. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX29.4
Some councillors are asking about the city's plan to test out using AI to identify potholes which has me thinking of responses like, "You're absolutely right. That wasn't a pothole. It was a sewer access hole. I was wrong to fill it with hot ash."
