E-Blast: Council Highlights - Hot Topics

City Council kicked off our July meeting yesterday, and as I write this, we’re still deep into day two. We’re the order of government that rarely stops. In a thriving city like Toronto, Council has to keep meeting and moving the work forward, even through the summer months.

We’ll take a closer look at the full July Council agenda next week. But for now, let’s unpack a couple of the lengthy debates we’ve wrapped up so far.

RapidTO: Transit Priority of Dufferin Street and Bathurst Street

This week, Council considered a staff report proposing the installation of priority transit lanes, commonly known as RapidTO, on Dufferin and Bathurst Streets. This report was brought forward in response to our preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which Toronto will co-host in June and July of 2026.

With six matches scheduled at Exhibition Place and thousands more expected at official Fan Festival sites at Fort York and The Bentway, we’re anticipating over 300,000 visitors during the tournament.

Recognizing the scale of this increased demand, Council directed Transportation Services to study how best to keep people moving. After careful analysis, staff recommended transit priority lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst streets, not just for the tournament, but as a long-term improvement to two routes already struggling with overcrowded, delayed service.

This is a significant change. While Dufferin and Bathurst might feel like major arteries when we’re heading downtown, they are also residential streets for many. It’s no surprise that the proposal brought a range of views. When the item came before the Executive Committee last week, we heard from 73 deputants, residents who shared thoughtful feedback about how these lanes could impact their neighbourhoods and daily routines.

Many of you may be familiar with the RapidTO lanes already in place in Scarborough. Those red, transit-only lanes have helped thousands of people make it through the disruption caused by the Scarborough RT shutdown while we wait for the new subway line. The lanes improve service for transit riders while also easing driver frustration, as buses are no longer weaving through mixed traffic or causing lane changes that slow everyone down.

Council has heard about slow and unreliable bus service on Dufferin and Bathurst for years. For the past two years, headlines have focused on worsening traffic congestion in the downtown core, an issue that hurts our city’s reputation and its ability to attract new investment. That’s why it was especially noteworthy that the Toronto Region Board of Trade publicly supported these RapidTO installations. They see it as a necessary step to reduce congestion and improve transit efficiency, benefiting both commuters and businesses alike I voted in favour of installing the RapidTO lanes on both Dufferin and Bathurst. I also supported additional intersection improvements proposed by local councillors to help these changes work better for the neighbourhoods they serve.

2025 Winter Maintenance Program Review & 2025 Winter Maintenance Program Follow-Up: Status of Auditor General’s Previous Recommendations

You have heard me be pretty critical of our winter maintenance system, especially under extreme conditions in past E-Blasts. I made a commitment to you that council would be doing a thorough review of our winter maintenance services and continue improving how we oversee and manage the current winter

maintenance contracts going forward.

We’ve launched a full, independent review of the City’s Winter Maintenance Program and a forensic audit of how the current contracts were awarded. Early findings show that while our system handles routine snow fairly well, it struggles under extreme conditions. Gaps in planning, equipment shortages, and issues with snow removal were all identified.

Even more concerning, the City’s Internal Audit found potential risks in the 2022–2029 procurement process, including signs of unfair bidding. A second, deeper audit will begin this August. I will be following this very closely.

I know it can be frustrating to see us order audits and the wait for the results. However, rather than viewing it as unnecessary bureaucracy, I see it as one of the most fair, transparent, and effective ways to understand what went wrong and how we can fix it.

When I review an audit, I see it as a real opportunity to face the facts, take ownership, and move forward with concrete actions that make the service better. It doesn’t take me off the hook. In fact, it sharpens my responsibility to deliver the improvements our residents deserve.In the meantime, staff are already making key changes ahead of the 2025–2026 winter season:

• No More Reporting Delays: You can now report snow clearing issues to 311 in real time, no more waiting or “service request holds.”

• Year-Round Winter Operations Unit: A dedicated team will oversee winter readiness, including planning, training, and coordination using existing staff.

• Major Snow Event & Communications Plans: Clear escalation protocols and better public communication will ensure residents know what to expect.

• Dedicated Snow Removal Contracts: New contracts will ensure standby equipment and rapid deployment for large snowfalls.

• Better Oversight Tools: Patrollers will use photo-enabled apps to verify and report on road conditions in real time.

• Improved Towing Strategy: Standby towing services and off-street parking options will help keep curb lanes clear.

A follow-up report is expected in November 2025 to assess our readiness and progress on these key changes before the snow flies again.

While no one wants to think about snow in the middle of a beautiful Toronto summer, preparation is key. These are real, structural improvements and I’ll keep pushing for a winter response that’s reliable, transparent, and ready to meet the realities of our changing climate.

That’s it for now, but there’s still more to come from this Council session. As always, I’ll keep working to make sure Toronto delivers the reliable, responsive services you expect. Stay tuned for more updates next week!