Infrastructure and Environment Committee Meeting - May 2026

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee met in May 2026 under Chair Paula Fletcher and dealt with road safety, waterfront access, park planning, accessibility, and waste diversion items. Members held several reports for discussion, approved an amendment aimed at improving how road closure and park information reaches navigation apps, adopted motions on winter maintenance, deposit return expansion, Queens Park North, and tactile wayfinding on Line 5 stations, and deferred utility construction photo documentation to July. Councillor Mike Colle was absent due to illness.

Topics Discussed

1. Vision Zero road safety and traffic changes

The committee held IE30.2 for discussion, covering school zone safety, roadside memorials, parking regulation changes, pedestrian signals, and other road safety measures. Speakers raised accessibility concerns about pedestrian push buttons and debated cycling and traffic design changes on several streets. Adam Rogers told the committee, "So, I guess the question for council is why the downgrade from bike lanes to an urban shoulder if this is not an alternative to dedicated cycling facility and there is not a large parking demand for this." On broader safety trends, Councillor Dianne Saxe said "the death and destruction rate [is] going back up now. Speeding is way back up. Deaths are up. Serious injuries are up."

2. Navigation platform coordination for road closures and park access

By amendment from Councillor Jamaal Myers, the committee directed staff to improve geospatial information sharing so closures and park access information reaches navigation platforms more quickly. Chair Paula Fletcher described the change as a way to have staff "get in touch with Waze and Google Maps and everybody else" because "all the geospatial information isn't quite getting to the locations as fast as it needs to."

3. Western Beaches public realm and Martin Goodman Trail safety

The committee held the Western Beaches Public Realm item for discussion, with a focus on vehicle access near the Martin Goodman Trail and the Sunnyside area. David White told members that on busy weekends "drivers on busy weekends drive along the Martin Goodman trail. They drive in large numbers, not just a few, there will be a parade of cars along the Martin Goodman Trail." Another speaker, identified as David, asked the committee to "request the general manager to take immediate steps to place some kind of barrier at least around the playground." Staff said they would examine options to prevent vehicle access to the trail and nearby grassed areas.

4. Queens Park North donation concept plan

The committee heard lengthy deputations and member questions on the Queens Park North Donation Concept Plan Update, including tree protection, governance, public consultation, heritage features, and the role of the $50 million donation. Councillor Dianne Saxe asked staff directly whether the report met a prior commitment to "do no harm to the significant trees of this park." Resident speakers criticized the level of detail released publicly. Paula Fletcher said, "We've got no details about any of the concept elements except the squiggles that are on the diagram. There are no dimensions." Melda Burr supported the project, calling it "a truly special once-in a generation opportunity to breathe new life into this beautiful and well-loved green space." The committee approved the item with amendments on governance and engagement.

5. Deposit return program expansion

Councillor Gord Perks added a new item calling for expansion of Ontario's deposit return program. Speakers and members argued that a broader system would reduce litter and improve recovery rates as Beer Store locations close. One speaker told the committee, "The best way to solve the problem is for producers of these beverages to take responsibility for their packaging through a deposit return program." Perks said the city had historically pushed the province on bottle returns, noting Toronto "has always been a leader on this." An amendment to include the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in city communications carried unanimously.

Motions

Passed

• Navigation platform coordination amendment on road closure and park geospatial information
• Paddle the Dawn for 2027 (MM40.20) — amended to include Waterfront Toronto as a partner
• Expansion of Ontario's deposit return program — added to the agenda and approved as amended
• Winter maintenance item for narrow streets with permit parking — approved as amended
• Right-turn-on-red prohibition motion
• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims motion
• Motion requesting review of camera data on fatal collisions and speeds after removal of the ASCE/ASC program
• Queens Park North Donation Concept Plan Update Report — approved as amended
• Line 5 tactile wayfinding motion requesting improved tactile wayfinding at stations

Deferred / Held

• Utility construction photo documentation (Item 11) — deferred to July
• Vision Zero, road safety initiatives, school zone safety, roadside memorials, parking regulation changes, pedestrian signals, and road safety improvements (IE30.2) — held for discussion
• Western Beaches Public Realm (IE30.4) — held
• Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown LRT at-grade segment and tunnel section traffic and parking bylaw amendments and road dedication (IE30.5) — held
• Right turn on red prohibition at Victoria Park Avenue and Kingston Road (Item 6) — held
• Development concerns near the Hearn switching station (Item 7) — held and later sent to council without recommendation
• Queens Park North Donation Concept Plan Update Report (Item 8) — held initially for speakers before approval
• Sewers and water supply bylaws 2025 compliance and enforcement annual report (Item 9) — held

Attendees

• Paula Fletcher (Chair)
• Rachel Chernos Lin
• Amber Morley
• Josh Matlow
• Mike Colle — absent due to illness

Additional councillors who spoke to items or were referenced in motions: - Gord Perks - Dianne Saxe - James Pasternak - Jamaal Myers - Neethan Shan - Jon Burnside - Alejandra Bravo