The upcoming council meeting in Toronto, starting Wednesday, will center around Premier Doug Ford’s contentious initiative to eliminate several bike lanes across the city and to discuss the potential legal responses available to the municipality regarding the province’s directive to remove them.
City councillors are anticipating a detailed report from city staff which will present various options concerning the provincial legislation aimed at dismantling bike lanes that have become integral to Toronto’s transportation network.
Mayor Olivia Chow remains optimistic about negotiating with the provincial government to preserve these crucial bike lanes that she argues play a vital role in enhancing public safety by reducing traffic-related fatalities.
She emphasized the need for broader solutions to traffic congestion, urging the province to expedite the opening of key transit projects like the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch Light Rail Transit systems, which are designed to alleviate road traffic.
Last month, the Progressive Conservative government introduced a bill mandating municipalities to seek provincial approval before installing bike lanes corresponding with the removal of vehicle traffic lanes. The government claims these bike lanes exacerbate gridlock, a viewpoint that has faced significant pushback from various advocacy groups and critics.
Additionally, the province’s proposed regulatory changes could lead to the removal of bike lanes along major thoroughfares such as Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, effectively converting them back to vehicle lanes.
The forthcoming staff report is set to offer councillors crucial data on bike lane usage trends and will estimate the financial implications of removing these lanes. Chow referenced the city’s past experiences, recalling the costly decision made years ago under then-mayor Rob Ford to eliminate bike lanes on Jarvis Street— a move that resulted in higher expenses associated with restoration compared to the initial installation costs.
“Removing a bike lane on Jarvis Street proved to be more expensive than implementing it in the first place,” she noted, highlighting the fiscal repercussions of such decisions.
WATCH | Cyclists rally to save Toronto bike lanes:
Toronto cyclists rally against Ford government’s plan to remove bike lanes
A weekend rally held by cyclists in Toronto drew attention to the Ford government’s plans to dismantle bike lanes on crucial city streets. Their campaign has garnered support from various political figures within the city, amplifying their voice in opposition to the proposed bike lane removals.
In a referenced council battle dating back to 2012, former mayor Rob Ford and then-councillor Doug Ford pushed successfully to eliminate the protected bike lanes on Jarvis Street, an action that ignited fierce debate within the council.
At that time, the installation of those lanes cost the city approximately $86,000, but the removal necessitated an expenditure of around $270,000, indicating the heavy financial burden associated with reversing such infrastructure changes.
Despite her concerns, Mayor Chow acknowledged the challenging legal landscape that might limit the city’s ability to thwart the impending bike lane removals, stating, “Council will be having a conversation as to what is our path forward.” She strongly asserted the importance of preserving local democratic processes in the face of provincial decisions.
Toronto city councillors will review a staff report on the province’s plan to remove bike lanes from some streets. (John Rieti/CBC)
City considers hotel tax hike to pay for FIFA games
Toronto city councillors will deliberate on a proposal to temporarily increase the city’s hotel tax to close a significant $95 million funding shortfall related to the city’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup.
The proposed increase to the Municipal Accommodation Tax, currently set at six percent, could rise to 8.5 percent, to be enacted over a 14-month period leading up to the games, from June 2025 through July 2026, after which it would be revoked.
“We don’t want the property taxpayers to pay more; we’re merely asking the hotel sector to contribute a bit more,” Chow stated, underscoring the urgency of the financial situation.
If approved, the tax hike is projected to generate $56.6 million, which would significantly mitigate the city’s costs associated with hosting FIFA. However, the administration continues to explore additional revenue streams, including potential sponsorships, to bridge the remaining fiscal gap.
Stephen Conforti, the city’s chief financial officer, emphasized the critical goal of ensuring that property taxpayers are not burdened with inflated costs associated with the World Cup games.
“It was imperative that we don’t explore options for closing that gap which would adversely affect our property tax base,” he remarked, highlighting the city’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.
Toronto is slated to host six of the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, with the total estimated cost reaching an astonishing $380 million.
This financial projection has surged dramatically since the city first expressed interest in hosting the games in 2018, when initial estimates ranged between $30 million and $45 million.
WATCH | Is the price of hosting FIFA actually worth it?:
Is hosting the FIFA World Cup worth the ballooning costs?
As Toronto and Vancouver prepare to host a combined 13 FIFA World Cup games in 2026, concerns about the soaring security budgets and overall expenses are being scrutinized, prompting discussions about the value of hosting such prestigious events.
Mayor’s plan promises to build more affordable housing
Addressing the pressing housing crisis, city councillors will examine a newly proposed strategy aimed at incentivizing the development of 7,000 rental homes via reductions in taxes and fees.
Presented by Mayor Chow in late September, the initiative aims to allocate initial funding to assist in alleviating the stalemate currently plaguing housing projects in Toronto’s development pipeline.
To facilitate the construction of these rental homes, city staff recommend deferring development charges on purpose-built rental projects, contingent upon meeting requisite rental commitments, potentially reducing costs for developers by nearly $38,000 per unit.
Additional incentives may include a 15 percent property tax reduction for eligible developments over a 35-year period, along with the possibility of waiving certain taxes and fees for affordable rental units. City officials estimate that implementing these incentives could lead to cost savings of approximately $100,000 per unit.
WATCH | What lower interest rates mean for housing:
Do lower interest rates mean Toronto can speed up building housing?
The Bank of Canada recently executed its fourth consecutive cut to the nation’s key interest rate, a move that may influence the viability of new condo and rental housing projects. Despite the downward trend in interest rates, developers argue that Toronto’s housing construction is trailing behind expectations.
Eligibility for the new program would require developers to allocate a minimum of 20 percent of units as affordable rentals, adhering to the city’s revised income-based criteria for affordable housing. Significantly, these units will need to remain affordable for a minimum of 40 years.
Moreover, selected projects are expected to commence construction no later than the end of 2026.
Councillor Gord Perks indicated that the initial phase of the strategy will provide a “proof of concept” to both federal and provincial governments. Should they provide additional funding for subsequent initiatives, the city forecasts it could potentially facilitate the construction of an additional 13,000 rental units.
**Interview with Mayor Olivia Chow on Toronto’s Bike Lane Controversy**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Mayor Chow. The upcoming council meeting looks set to be pivotal regarding the future of bike lanes in Toronto. Can you outline your stance on Premier Doug Ford’s proposal to dismantle these bike lanes?
**Mayor Chow**: Thank you for having me. My stance is clear: we need to preserve our bike lanes. They are crucial for public safety, as they contribute to reducing traffic-related fatalities. We have overwhelming evidence that shows how bike lanes can actually ease congestion rather than worsen it. The recent move from the province to eliminate these lanes contradicts our goals for a safer and more efficient transportation network.
**Interviewer**: There’s been considerable pushback from advocacy groups against the province’s directive. How are you planning to approach the negotiation with the provincial government?
**Mayor Chow**: I remain optimistic about our ability to negotiate. We need to discuss the broader solutions to congestion, which includes expediting major transit projects like the Eglinton Crosstown and Finch Light Rail Transit systems. These are designed specifically to alleviate road traffic and complement bike infrastructure, not replace it.
**Interviewer**: The provincial government argues that bike lanes contribute to gridlock. What’s your response to that claim?
**Mayor Chow**: That claim is misinformed and has been challenged by numerous studies and reports. Removing bike lanes would likely worsen traffic congestion and reduce safety for both cyclists and pedestrians. The fiscal implications of dismantling these lanes also need to be considered—historically, we’ve seen that removing bike lanes often results in higher costs to restore them later.
**Interviewer**: Can you explain the potential legal avenues the city might explore if the province pushes forward with this initiative?
**Mayor Chow**: We are currently reviewing our legal options, and that will be a significant part of the upcoming council discussions. Our goal is to protect local decision-making processes and to ensure that the voices of Toronto residents are heard in these decisions. We must determine our path forward carefully, considering both legal and financial implications.
**Interviewer**: There’s a history of expensive reversals on bike lane removals in Toronto. Can you elaborate on the financial consequences we might face?
**Mayor Chow**: Absolutely. For instance, when bike lanes were removed on Jarvis Street, we not only faced a hefty bill of around $270,000 for that removal but also had to contend with the subsequent costs associated with restoring these lanes. Our experiences show that these decisions can carry significant long-term costs that fall back on taxpayers.
**Interviewer**: As the council proceeds to review the detailed staff report regarding bike lane usage and potential removals, what do you hope will be the outcome?
**Mayor Chow**: I hope the outcome will reflect the best interests of our city and its residents. We have to prioritize safety, affordability, and sustainability in our transportation planning. I firmly believe that maintaining and enhancing our bike lanes is essential for achieving those objectives. The council meeting will be an important step in navigating this complex issue.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Mayor Chow, for sharing your insights. We’ll be watching closely as this situation develops.
**Mayor Chow**: Thank you for having me, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this crucial issue for our city.
