E-Blast: Council Highlights - Mayor's Savings Challenge, Red Tape Hotline, Protecting Social Infrastructure, and more.
- councillorcarroll
- 5 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This month’s City Council meeting was another step forward in our ongoing work to build a better, more responsive Toronto.
We made important progress on a number of fronts this month, from reducing noise and pollution by limiting the use of gas-powered lawn equipment, to navigating the complex challenge of how we protect access to vital social infrastructure like places of worship, schools, and cultural institutions, while also upholding the essential right to gather and protest.
In that spirit of thoughtful, practical policymaking, I brought forward two motions aimed at tapping into the real-world expertise of two key groups: our frontline City staff and our small business community. These are the people who experience the City’s operations up close, and they often have the clearest view of what’s working, and what needs to change.
As you’ve heard me say before, our multi-year budget strategy isn’t just about balancing the books—it’s about delivering real value for the big investments Torontonians have already made. Through the 2023 and 2024 Budgets, we asked residents to share their expertise and help us chart a course that protects services while planning responsibly for the future. Now, we’re taking the next step: tapping into the deep knowledge of the people who keep this city running day in and day out.
While senior management has already begun the work of reviewing programs for efficiency, we know the people with the clearest line of sight to efficiency are our frontline staff. That’s why I brought forward the Mayor’s Savings Challenge, an initiative that invites frontline staff to bring forward practical, cost-saving ideas that can be implemented in time for the next budget. These are the folks who know the ins and outs of our systems, and they often have the smartest, simplest ideas for delivering better services at lower costs.
Those of you who’ve lived here long enough might remember when then–North York Mayor Mel Lastman introduced this kind of challenge right here in our legacy city. It generated real savings and fostered pride in workmanship. It also helped strengthen the relationship between City Hall and its own front-line workers. We’re now working to revive that same spirit of collaboration. This effort isn’t about cutting jobs; it’s about improving how we work and making every dollar count.
As we continue to carry out Sidewalks to Skylines, the 10-Year Action Plan for Toronto’s Economy adopted late last year, we’re focused on making life easier for our city’s business owners. In a time when local entrepreneurs are already grappling with rising costs, labour shortages, and new threats from U.S. tariffs under the Trump administration, it’s more important than ever to cut through the delays, duplication, and red tape that too often stand in the way of success.
My second motion launches a pilot “Red Tape Hotline” for business owners. Operated by our Economic Development team, this direct line will give local entrepreneurs a way to report inefficient permitting processes, outdated by-laws, or overly burdensome regulations. It’s a chance to collect real-world feedback, fix the small problems that slow down business, and provide immediate help where possible.
The four-month pilot will conclude with a report later this year. Ahead of the 2026 Budget Process, staff will bring forward a full summary of the issues raised through the hotline, along with recommendations for administrative and by-law changes to reduce red tape. They’ll also evaluate the pilot’s overall effectiveness, including whether it should be continued or expanded.
These two motions are grounded in a simple idea: whether you’re a staff member working on the front lines or a business owner navigating our systems, your experience matters. By listening more closely, we can build a more affordable, efficient, and forward-thinking City.
On this item, I really must thank all of my E-Blast readers. I asked for your input, and you responded from every corner of the ward. The overwhelming message was clear: you wanted me to vote in favour of banning two-stroke engine lawn equipment.
That strong response likely reflects the thoughtful work City staff have done to bring forward a reasonable proposal. Since 2022, staff have been phasing out two-stroke equipment within City operations as part of our TransformTO climate action strategy. They used the lessons learned from that process to recommend a gradual phase-out for homeowners as well.
Despite this, Council chose to move quickly on the item by approving a more limited approach. The approved plan only phases out two-stroke engine equipment used by City services. I called for a recorded vote to highlight the issue, but only five councillors supported extending the ban to residential use.
The City will now begin a public education campaign to help residents understand why reducing the use of two-stroke engines is important for our air quality. The goal is to encourage residents to plan ahead and switch to cleaner equipment. Meanwhile, the City’s own phase-out will continue, which still represents thousands of pieces of equipment being upgraded to cleaner alternatives.
This was not an easy decision for Council. A great deal of research and legal analysis informed the resulting bylaw to ensure it could be enforced without violating any Canadian’s Charter rights. For the past two years, Toronto Police have worked hard to maintain public order through Project Resolute, but clarity and safety had to come first.
Since October 7, 2023, protests have taken place across the city, often targeting vital social infrastructure. I think we can all agree that every Canadian should be able to access these institutions freely—without discouragement, intimidation, or fear. Whether it’s a childcare centre, a school, or a place of worship, people should feel safe and free from judgment accessing those spaces.
City staff took this issue seriously and undertook thorough in-person consultations, knowing that online surveys or virtual meetings wouldn’t be enough. Their proposed bylaw aimed to strike a careful balance between community feedback and legal requirements. While Council did make some amendments, I believe staff’s thoughtful approach laid a strong foundation.
I’ve listened carefully to the feedback I’ve received from our community and have taken extra steps to gather more information and supplement my understanding. In the end, I support the use of bubble zones around these facilities when operators have applied for them, because we must protect both the right to express oneself and the right to access essential services safely. I continue to hope the Prime Minister follows through on his campaign promise to establish a national approach, but Toronto needs a solution now for sites that face ongoing disruption.
I recognize that many people involved in these protests are peaceful. However, we’ve seen time and again that some individuals show up specifically to block access or to provoke until police must step in to restore order or investigate potential hate crimes or mischief under the Criminal Code.
Many residents of Don Valley North have never encountered one of these protests directly. What concerns you more are the random, everyday acts of hate and bias that occur throughout the city. I want you to know that the Toronto Police Service and City staff continue to work together across all communities to implement the goals of SafeTO, our city’s community safety and well-being plan.
SafeTO, like we discussed last week, is a broad and evolving plan that delivers the supports, education, and resources our communities need to stay safe. That must always include a firm commitment to addressing and eliminating bias, racism, and hate in all its forms.