Email this pageCity of Toronto Act Review 2009

Background:

In January of 2009, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing launched a webpage inviting members of the public and stakeholders to share their views on the City of Toronto Act as part of the review of the Act.

The Toronto legislation, enacted on January 1, 2007, set out a permissive legislative framework for the city and gave it more tools commensurate with its size, responsibilities and significance.

For example, Toronto now has more flexibility to raise revenue in addition to property tax, and broad permissive authority to raise new taxes - except in areas specifically prohibited, such as an income tax, wealth tax, or gas tax.

The Ministry received approximately 72 submissions over a three-month period via email, online, fax, and letters by the public, and in correspondence from stakeholder groups representing the service, business, alcohol, real estate sectors, and political advocacy groups.

What We Heard:

• A vast majority of submissions raised the issue of the city’s new taxation powers.
• Of the issues raised around the new taxation powers, most concerns were around Toronto residents having to pay a municipal land transfer tax, in addition to a provincial one.
• There were many submissions raising the issue of the new tax on alcoholic beverages.
• There were some requests to repeal the City of Toronto Act.
• There was one submission about the Act not going far enough, and that the City should have more taxation powers.
• There were some concerns around the amount of power provided to the Mayor, and the need for more accountability.
• There were a few concerns that the scope of the review of the Act was not broad enough, and that it should have included more public involvement.
• There were a few requests to amend the Act to grant the City of Toronto the authority to permit municipal political parties.
• There was one request to amend the Act to clarify that the City’s by-laws regarding the “environmental well-being” of the City, does not conflict with Provincial Legislation.
• There was one request to amend the Act to ensure the Provincial government has sole responsibility in setting waste diversion legislation.

The review has been concluded, and the government is proposing legislation that would provide the City of Toronto and Ontario municipalities with greater flexibility.

Another review of the City of Toronto Act is to take place within five years.

To learn more about the proposed reforms visit Schedule 21 of the proposed Good Government Act.

Learn more about the City of Toronto Act, 2006 , Municipal Act, 2001, and the Planning Act.