The Planning and Housing Committee held a lengthy meeting on tenant protections, the Little Jamaica planning framework, and the potential impacts of a provincial push to allow jets at Billy Bishop Airport. Deputants pressed the committee to move from “education first” enforcement to stronger action against repeat landlord offenders, while Little Jamaica speakers asked for a community-led process to prevent displacement. On the airport file, speakers cited a past environmental assessment and warned that jet-related safety requirements could constrain planned housing in the Port Lands. The committee also reviewed changes proposed for Toronto’s affordable housing access system and heard concerns about transparency and eligibility rules.

Topics Discussed

RentSafe Program Enforcement and Tenant Protections

Tenant advocates urged the city to strengthen enforcement tools under RentSafe and property standards. ACORN representatives argued that landlords are “contractually obligated to provide safe and healthy homes,” but that the city too often relies on “education first enforcements.” Marcia Stone, chair of the Western ACORN Chapter, said, “It’s time that we listen to tenants. What the tenants want… Again, we need to stop doing education first enforcements.”

The committee discussed the city’s move to a colour-coded evaluation sign system for buildings. Ryan Endo, chair of the Daw ACORN Tenants Association, said the issue is not whether tools exist, but whether they are used: “The issue is not whether these tools exist, it’s whether they can be used… we need to actually know what we’re going to do about it.”

Councillor Josh Matlow framed the shift as a tougher stance toward non-compliant landlords: “We’re telling you that we’re going to come after you if you don’t do it… Similarly, with dine safe, we don’t want people… finding a rat in their soup. Why should people’s homes be treated any less?”

Little Jamaica Community Planning Framework

Speakers asked the committee to ensure the Little Jamaica planning framework is built with community governance and anti-displacement measures. Anika Mark, managing director of the Little Jamaica Community Land Trust, said, “For over 10 years, black residents, black business owners… have shared their concerns and vocalize the need for critical municipal and provincial intervention to immediately stop the displacement and create avenues for financial compensation and authentic cooperation with community governance models.”

Junior Lewis told councillors long-time businesses have struggled through construction impacts and changing street conditions: “We need your help. We would like to be at the table.”

The committee approved an amendment to create a stakeholder advisory committee. Matlow said the goal is a Little Jamaica “that not only benefits the local community, but something that all of Toronto can be proud of,” and argued the community should “literally be at the table.”

Billy Bishop Airport Expansion Impacts

Deputants opposed provincial plans to expand Billy Bishop Airport to accommodate jets, arguing it could worsen health impacts, emissions, and transportation congestion while complicating housing plans in the Port Lands.

A deputy from Waterfront for All cited a 2017 environmental assessment that “found numerous bad socioeconomic effects of jets on the waterfront” and identified health impacts including “environmental insomnia and sleep disturbance, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.” Another speaker warned the proposal would raise emissions “from 64,000 currently to 300,000 tons… like adding 70,000 gas cars to our roads.”

Norm D’Pasquale, chair of No Jets TTO, linked the issue to housing capacity in the Port Lands: “We view… as a future of our city… with the tens of thousands of units planned there and the thousands of affordable housing units that may no longer pencil if buildings need to become dramatically shorter due to Nav Canada mandated jet safety areas.”

Councillor Paula Fletcher criticized the province’s approach to city authority, saying, “We’re taking the city’s role and we’re taking it over. We’re usurping it.” The committee approved a motion requesting staff to study impacts on housing and transportation.

Affordable Housing Access System Modernization

Staff presented plans to centralize Toronto’s affordable housing application system, which they described as “in a inconsistent, uncentralized manner with random draws developed and executed by individual housing providers,” creating confusion for applicants.

Councillor Fletcher objected that staff recommendations appeared to depart from prior council direction: “I am very unhappy that a council direction that was quite clear… has been just simply set aside.”

Councillor Myers argued the system needs clearer safeguards, saying, “I have seen developers come in and try to make sure that only good affordable housing tenants come into their building and that’s just appalling. And that’s why we need clarity in this system.” The committee approved motions to continue stakeholder engagement and to report back to council on the framework changes.

McCleary District Development Timeline Concerns

Deputant Aaron Ginsburg pressed for faster planning work in the McCleary District, describing it as “acres and acres of public land that can be developed once the infrastructure is in place.” He urged the city to stay focused on the opportunity: “It’s very important that we keep our eye on the ball here.”

Motions

• Motion to create stakeholder advisory committee for Little Jamaica planning framework — APPROVED
• Motion requesting report on affordable housing access system framework changes — APPROVED
• Motion to continue stakeholder engagement on affordable housing access system — APPROVED
• Motion requesting study on Billy Bishop Airport expansion impacts on housing and transportation — APPROVED
• Official Plan Amendment appeal reports for 108-162 Vine Avenue (PH 29.7) — APPROVED
• Official Plan Amendment appeal reports for 110 West Toronto Street (PH 29.8) — APPROVED
• Official Plan Amendment appeal reports for 2700 Dufferin Street (PH 29.9) — APPROVED
• Heritage designation for 817 Mount Pleasant Road (PH 29.10) — APPROVED
• Staff recommendation to oppose residential development appeal at 105-109 Vanderhoof Avenue and 10 Brentcliff Road (PH 29.6) — APPROVED

Attendees

• Councillor Gord Perks (Chair)
• Councillor Josh Matlow
• Councillor Alejandra Bravo
• Councillor Michael Cole
• Councillor Frances Nunziata
• Councillor Paula Fletcher
• Councillor Amber Morley
• Councillor Dianne Saxe
• Councillor Brad Bradford (declared conflict of interest on Item PH 29.6)
• Councillor Shelley Carroll
• Councillor Jon Burnside
• Councillor Myers