Council Highlights

Delegation of Certain Matters to Community Councils

Toronto City Council has seven standing committees and four community councils that assist Council in debating issues, receiving input from the public and reaching decisions.

Governance restructuring gives community councils final decision-making powers on a variety of local matters such as parking, property and traffic control in their area. Stronger community councils allow residents and businesses to provide input on issues that directly affect their neighbourhoods.

The four community councils (Toronto-East York, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke-York) are comprised of City Councillors.

The matters delegated to community councils are based on the following principles:

local routine matters should be delegated to community council for final decision
only matters that can be legally delegated will be delegated
matters that are City-wide will not be delegated and
community councils should not have final decision-making powers on matters that fetter Council’s subsequent decision on a City-wide matter or a matter that cannot be delegated.

Routine local matters will be delegated to community councils for final decision. These include:

enforcement and exemptions of City by-laws and policies for such matters as on-street parking/standing/stopping, certain on-street traffic regulations, road alterations, traffic calming, natural garden exemptions, and exemptions to the Noise, Fence and Graffiti by-laws
permit appeals on such matters as residential front-yard parking, appeals regarding boulevard cafes and street vending
citizen appointments to management and advisory boards for arenas, community centres, Business Improvement Areas and museums.

The City of Toronto Act outlines rules for City Council to delegate its powers and duties. The Act provides that Council can limit or rescind the delegation of authority at any time without notice.

Window on City Council

http://www.toronto.ca/city_council/window.htm

This website has convenient links to upcoming meeting schedules, agendas, and staff reports along with information on how you can get involved.