City Council General Government Committee Meeting

Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie chaired a 21-item hybrid General Government Committee meeting that approved several contracts for recreation, water, fire, traffic-control and expropriation work, while holding or deferring a number of items for more debate. Members spent the most time on the expanded summer camp snack program, digital divide research and internet access, and the Smart Commute contract with RideShark.

Topics Discussed

1. SUMMER CAMP SNACK PROGRAM

Committee discussed GG 29.2, an amendment to the blanket contract for snack food supply for the expanded universal camp child nutrition program. Staff said the program served 56,000 children last year and is expanding to 115,000 children in 2026. Staff also said the city is contributing about $1 million for snacks and additional funding for staffing, training and distribution.

Members asked about staffing, food waste, communication with parents and whether snacks would replace food families already send. Councillor Lily Cheng said parent communication matters because families may adjust lunches based on what is provided: "Having one less snack to pack is definitely helpful." Councillor Michael Thompson supported the program, saying, "We're spending a million dollars on the snacks itself and we're spending additional funds on staffing," and argued that "it's a wise investment" in young people. The item was held for further discussion.

2. DIGITAL DIVIDE RESEARCH AND INTERNET ACCESS

Committee discussed GG 29.11, a non-competitive contract with Toronto Metropolitan University related to digital divide research and the Connect Toronto program. Staff said "approximately 2% of Torontonians did not have access to in-home internet," and Thompson added that means "58,000 people in our city of 3 million people are not fully connected."

The debate focused on whether internet access should be a municipal priority. Thompson asked, "Why is providing home internet to residents a municipal concern?" but also said many residents were not connected to information and services. Cheng argued, "Access to the internet is a part of our people's way to access democracy resources, supports and opportunity." Councillor Stephen Holyday opposed expanding the city's role, saying, "We're not an internet service provider in the municipality," and warning, "I really also worry about becoming an internet service provider for people because that's not our area of expertise." The item was held for further consideration.

3. SMART COMMUTE CONTRACT

Committee discussed GG 29.12, a non-competitive contract with RideShark Corporation for the Smart Commute online tool. Staff said the city contributes about $15,000 a year to the program. The tool supports trip logging, ride-matching, carpooling and transportation data collection.

Holyday requested a recorded vote and said, "I think that the users of the system should be paying for it. Not the individuals, but the companies." The item was held for further consideration.

4. INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER PROJECTS

Committee unanimously approved several infrastructure items, including GG 29.4 for professional services for the Davisville Aquatic Community Centre, GG 29.6 for construction at Scarborough Arena Gardens, GG 29.5 for pelletizer equipment at the Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant, and GG 29.7 for design and post-construction services for a high-rate treatment facility at Ashbridges Bay.

5. CONTRACTS FOR CITY SERVICES AND PROPERTY ACQUISITION

Committee approved GG 29.10, a non-competitive contract with Safeguard Perimeter Incorporated for traffic control services for major events in 2026; GG 29.14, non-competitive contracts for proprietary parts and maintenance services at water and wastewater treatment plants; GG 29.15, a non-competitive procurement with DAR Fire Incorporated for Toronto Fire Services parts and warranty; and GG 29.18, an application to expropriate parts of 2 and 90 Bloor Street East for the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvement project, stage one.

Committee also deferred GG 29.21, the Administrative Penalty Tribunal chair's 2025 annual report, to a later meeting so the chair could attend and answer questions.

Motions

• GG 29.2 - Amendment to blanket contract for snack foods supply to expanded universal camp child nutrition program — Held for further discussion
• GG 29.4 - Davisville Aquatic Community Centre construction professional services — Approved unanimously
• GG 29.5 - Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant pelletizer equipment purchase — Approved unanimously
• GG 29.6 - Scarborough Arena Gardens construction — Approved unanimously
• GG 29.7 - Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant high-rate treatment facility design and post-construction services — Approved unanimously
• GG 29.9 - Amendment to contract with Amazon Web Services Canada for cloud subscription services — Held for further discussion
• GG 29.10 - Non-competitive bridge contract with Safeguard Perimeter Incorporated for traffic control services supporting major events in 2026 — Approved
• GG 29.11 - Non-competitive contract with Toronto Metropolitan University addressing the digital divide — Held for further consideration
• GG 29.12 - Non-competitive contract with RideShark Corporation for the Smart Commute online tool — Held for further consideration
• GG 29.14 - Non-competitive contracts with various suppliers for proprietary parts and maintenance services at water and wastewater treatment plants — Approved
• GG 29.15 - Non-competitive procurement with DAR Fire Incorporated for original equipment manufacturer parts and warranty for Toronto Fire Services — Approved
• GG 29.18 - Application to expropriate parts of 2 and 90 Bloor Street East for the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvement Project, Stage 1 — Approved
• GG 29.21 - Administrative Penalty Tribunal chair's 2025 annual report — Deferred

Attendees

• Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie (chair)
• Councillor Jon Burnside
• Councillor Lily Cheng
• Councillor Ausma Malik
• Councillor Stephen Holyday
• Councillor Jamaal Myers
• Councillor Michael Thompson