Toronto Council meets today!
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Perks says this report makes it clear the PayIt deal was unfair.
"It was a massive failure in governance ... In a moment like this, when it's very clear there was a failure, we have to reassure the people of Toronto that we take this seriously."
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Fletcher's motion for the AG to do a deeper investigation into the behind-the-scenes of the PayIt deal, looking at email and phone records, CARRIES 21-0.
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Perks' confidential motion re: the PayIt deal FAILS on a tie, 11-11. Wow. There's a story here.
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The remainder of the Audit Committee recommendations re: PayIT carry via show of hands. PayIT Toronto will be shut down when current contract period ends on June 2, 2025.
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Wrapping up now. A report on the CafeTO program CARRIES 20-1. Councillor Cheng also passed an amendment calling for a look at ways to support strip mall patios. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EX18.7
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Day two of Council is about to kick off. Today will start with a salute to Toronto's flag on its 50th birthday. And then: the renovictions bylaw.
Meeting livestream is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbbxJthg8gY
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Here we go: Mayor Olivia Chow takes the lectern to pay tribute to Toronto's flag. Fifty years old but still looking spry. Designer Rene DeSantis is in the chamber for the occasion.
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Chow has some fun historical flag-related photos related to the original design competition and unveiling.
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Former councillor Doug Holyday, who was part of the initiative to determine whether there should be a new flag for amalgamated Toronto, is also in the chamber today with flag designer DeSantis. Holyday decided to stick with the original flag. (He's also Stephen Holyday's dad.)
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Toronto flag designer Rene DeSantis, who was just 21 when he won the flag competition, gets a framed flag from the mayor. And that wraps up our flag-related content for today.
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A switch to the schedule. After the renovictions bylaw debate, Council will debate Parkside Drive safety improvements, then Doug Ford's Bike Lane Bill.
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Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik rises to extend a big welcome to Taylor Swift and all the Swifties arriving in Toronto today. She shouts out city staff for their work preparing for this. She's got a copy of the TTC's special edition Taylor Swift ride guide. Get it while it's hot.
