May City Council Recap

This week was the May meeting of City Council, where we considered several major items over two days.

City Council considered my motion to improve the city's approach to reporting, tracking and communicating about odour issues at the Ashbridges Bay Main Treatment Plant.

We also adopted Mayor Chow's proposals to expand programs that provide youth employment support and free air conditioning units to low-income households to protect them from extreme heat.

Council also approved the final zoning report and an updated precinct plan for our beautiful new Ookwemin Minising, unlocking an important milestone in the transformation of the Port Lands and our waterfront.

Better Reporting of Ashbridges Sewage Plant Odours

I've heard from multiple Leslieville residents about odours emanating from the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant over the past few weeks.

My motion to address these concerns came before the City Council this week for final approval, following my letter to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee earlier this month.

I'm very pleased to report that Council adopted the motion.

It calls on senior staff from the City Manager's Office, Toronto Water, Communications and Customer Experience (311 Toronto) to create an action plan to improve the city's approach to reporting, tracking and communicating about odour issues at the Ashbridges Bay Main Treatment Plant.

Specific measures in my motion include:

• Implementing a new 311 service request code so that residents can specifically report odour concerns for the Ashbridges Plant (distinct from general sewer odour) by June 4th through all 311 channels
• Developing a community notification protocol to ensure my office and nearby residents are notified quickly and effectively of odour issues from the Ashbridges Plant
• Creating a process for also notifying my office of odour issues from the Ashbridges Plant so we can better update and inform residents
• Directing Toronto Water to confirm at next month's City Council meeting that the plant tanks will undergo any necessary refurbishment beginning in 2028
• Directing city staff to provide a timeline for the installation of the odour control station on Coxwell Avenue at City Council next month

My motion also directs the multi-division team of senior staff I discussed above to report to Council next month to confirm these measures are in place.

Read the motion to learn more.

Thank you to everyone who wrote or called my office for your advocacy on this issue.

Expanding Youth Programs to Create Safer and Stronger Neighbourhoods

One of Mayor Chow's key items at City Council this week was to expand the CityServeTO program to support youth safety and create stronger neighbourhoods.

Mayor Chow initiated the program last summer, which provides paid work experience for at-risk youth.

The Mayor's motion called for the program to be expanded this summer.

This would give more teenagers aged 14-18 access to paid work experience, mentorship and an opportunity to give back to their communities.

I was pleased to support the motion and glad it was adopted by my Council colleagues. Read more.

Protecting Low-Income Residents from Extreme Heat

One of Mayor Chow's other key items called for expanding the city program offering free air conditioning units to low-income residents.

I was pleased to vote in favour of the Mayor's proposal, which will provide air-conditioning units to 2,400 more low-income households this summer.

I was also pleased to support Councillor Bravo's amendment to develop a framework for a maximum heat bylaw.

It's critical we develop rules and policies that are thoughtful, effective and don't result in unintended consequences, such as landlords placing the financial burden of complying with any new rules on tenants.

Council Approves Spectacular Plan for Ookwemin Minising

City Council approved the final zoning report for our beautiful new Ookwemin Minising this week.

As I discussed earlier this month, it is nothing short of spectacular.

It came after I asked our Chief Planner in 2024 to review the proposed zoning for our new waterfront island to increase the amount of affordable housing on city-owned lands from the required 20 to 30 percent.

I am so proud of the work led by City Planning and Waterfront Toronto, and of all their talented teams.

Council's approval marks the end of one part in this great waterfront journey and the start of another we have all been on together for many years.

For more, read my 2024 motion or the updated concept plan here.

Miigwech to everyone who has played their part, big and small, to bring our dreams into reality.

Read more about these and other City Council items we considered this week.

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