Submissions and Reports 2006

Toronto City Centre Airport Report This report provides the Toronto Board of Trade's policy position on the practicality of commerical aviation services based at the Toronto City Centre Airport and the role of governments and their agencies in ensuring public and commercial interests are best served.   The Board’s report, based on wide-ranging consultations and study of the issues, concludes that services at the Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) contribute to Toronto’s economic development, as well as medical and security operations. All governments should include a viable TCCA as part of Toronto’s economic development strategy and safeguard its use as a component of Toronto’s regional network of airports.   However, the Board also notes that the City government has legitimate concerns that should addressed with actions including:  • Immediately negotiating and settling the issue of monies owed to the City  • Ending to all government subsidies of TCCA commercial operations  • Requiring the Toronto Port Authority to always maintain a full slate of directors, with one-third of them being active members appointed by the City of Toronto  • Basing Airport operations on the existing agreement between the City, the Port Authority and the federal government  • Clearly identifying who owns and is responsible for mainland transportation and parking December 7, 2006. View Media Release  View Report Interim Report on TTC Governance The Toronto Board of Trade believes that public transit is critical to combating the GTA's growing traffic gridlock and congestion problem.  The TTC is one of the city's most important infrastructure elements and a fundamental component of the total GTA transportation system. Recent events involving the TTC have raised public concerns about transit agency governance and decision-making.  Consistent with the new City of Toronto Act and the exceptional scrutiny to which the governance of any corporate entity is now subject, the Board believes that now is the time to examine whether the structure and governance model of the TTC is adequate to meet the needs of the community it serves. December 1, 2006. View Media Release   View Report  View Letter 2007 Provincial Pre-Budget Submission The Toronto Board of Trade is pleased to submit our advice to the Government of Ontario concerning the next provincial budget.  Recognizing that the province will be facing slower growth over the year, cities can be the critical drivers and investment in city building is the smartest strategy.  Invest in City Building outlines recommendations that we believe are crucial to the future success of Toronto and the province. 1.  Make Toronto work as the economic engine of Ontario - by rebalancing the provincial-municipal responsibilities to provide Toronto and other municipalities with fiscal flexibility and resources to invest in local services that make cities a desirable place to live and work; and 2.  Make Ontario more competitive - by strengthening Ontario's infrastructure network and reforming the tax system to attract new investment and retain existing businesses. November 24, 2006. View Media Release  View Letter View Submission 2007 Federal Pre-Budget Submission The Toronto Board of Trade is pleased that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of cities like Toronto by sharing gas tax revenues, investing in public transit, funding immigrant settlement and improving tax policy.  These initiatives help Canadian cities remain globally preferred places to live and work.  The Board's 2007 pre-budget submission offers advice on how the federal government can build on its initiatives.  October, 2006. View Deputation  View Submission Letter to Hon. Donna Cansfield, M.P.P., Minister of Transporation regarding the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority (GTTA) View Letter - July 7, 2006 Toronto Board of Trade Deputation on Improving Toronto's Governance and Decision-Making Structure Before the city receives any new powers under the new City of Toronto Act, the implementation of an improved council governance and decision-making structure for the city of Toronto is critical.  Like any governance structure, Toronto's has both strengths and weaknesses.  The Board of Trade believes we can build upon what works and what doesn't by enhancing both council and the Mayor's decision-making ability to better deal with city-wide issues and implement a strategic vision for Toronto - June 20, 2006 View Deputation  View Submission  Toronto Board of Trade Response to Bill 104 The Toronto Board of Trade urged an Ontario legislative committee not to waste the opportunity to create a Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA) that could help fight and prevent gridlock, and that could serve as a legacy for Ontario's economic heartland.  In its deputation on Bill 104, the Board commended the government for fulfilling its commitment by introducing draft legislation, but called for the amendment of the Bill to provide the GTTA with the authority, financing and governance needed for success - June 1, 2006. View Deputation  View Submission  Toronto Board of Trade letters to City of Toronto regarding the 2015 Word Expo Bid May 12, 2006 - Patsy Morris, Committee Administrator  May 12, 2006 - Duncan Ross, Executive Director - Tourism  Toronto Board of Trade Response to Bill 53 On May 1, 2006, the Toronto Board of Trade released its response to Bill 53, the Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger Ontario Act, 2005.  Please find the Toronto Board of Trade's deputation and submission to the Ontario Legislature's Standing Committee on General Government below.  The purpose of the Board of Trade's recommendations is to foster the proper balance between Toronto's new powers, fiscal resources and governance structure, subject to adequate checks and balances, that will ensure a strong Toronto and a more competitive Ontario. View Media Release View Deputation View Submission    Letter to Mayor David Miller and City Council regarding loss of employment lands to non-industrial uses. View Letter - April 25, 2006 2006 Federal Pre-Budget Submission Toronto's physical and human capital needs are substantial and governments cannot and should not try to fund them alone.  We believe that the federal government should make a number of strategic public investments in priority areas while also making targeted tax improvements that will help unleash greater private investment.  These investments and tax changes together can help grow Toronto's and Canada's economic pie.  The Toronto Board of Trade believes the recommendations outlined in the 2006 Federal Pre-Budget Submission will help focus public resources on and unleash private sector investment in the areas that are key to a competitive and innovative Toronto and Canada. View Submission, April 2006 Letter to Hon. Jim Flaherty, M.P., Minister of Finance, regarding implications of introduction of Finance Canada's 'reasonable expectation of profit' and 'net income source test' to the Income Tax Act. View Letter - March 31, 2006 Letter tp Hon. Dwight Duncan, M.P.P., Minister of Finance, regarding realignment of Toronto's expenditure responsibilities. View Letter - March 10, 2006 Letter to Councillor Shelley Carroll, Chair of the Works Committee, City of Toronto, regarding regarding the proposed restriction of delivery vehicles in Toronto's downtown core during rush hours. View Letter - March 3, 2006 Letter to Hon. Jim Flaherty, M.P., Minister of Finance, regarding corporate tax reform. View Letter - March 2, 2006 The Toronto Board of Trade's Response to Bill 51, Planning and Conservation Land Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005 This legislation includes several reforms designed to strengthen the local planning process and has the potential to significantly improve the planning environment for developers, residents and investors.  It also clarifies the role of the Ontario Municipal Board in the planning process.  The Toronto Board of Trade strongly supports the direction and approach of Bill 51, however, transition provisions are necessary to the effective reorientation of the local planning process.  Therefore, the Toronto Board of Trade believes Bill 51 should be amended has made  ten recommendations towards Municipal planning reform.  March 2006 View Report View Letter - March 2, 2006  View Letter - January 24, 2006  View Letter - July 20, 2005 Letter Ministry of Government Services regarding financial assistance and directors' residency requirements under the Business Corporations Act. View Letter - February 17, 2006 Letter to Canadian Intellectual Property Office, regarding Canada's adoption of the Madrid Protocol for Trade Marks. View Letter - February 17, 2006 Letter to Mayor David Miller regarding the proposed  municipal food handler certification and training program. View Letter - February 17, 2006 2006 Municipal Budget Toronto continues to face a fundamental problem: every year the city’s expenditures continue to exceed its revenues by a significant amount. This year is no different, with the proposed budget in a preliminary deficit position of hundreds of millions of dollars. In the interests of citizens and businesses across our city, the Toronto Board of Trade has identified six actions council can implement to ensure a fiscally responsible, balanced operating budget. February 16, 2006 View Media Release View Deputation View Letter View Municipal Budget Letter to Hon. Dalton McGuinty, M.P.P., Premier of Ontario, regarding price control mechanism for electricity. View Letter - February 3, 2006 Letter to Hon. Dwight Duncan, M.P.P., Minister of Finance, regarding maintaining the municipal levy restriction. View Letter - January 27, 2006 Letter to Hon. Gerry Phillips, M.P.P., Minister of Government Services, regarding Unlimited Liability Companies. View Letter - January 20, 2006 Strong City, Strong Nation Update:  The Growing Gap The Toronto Board of Trade released a report in June 2002 titled, Strong City, Strong Nation.  It described the provincial and national importance of Toronto, warned the city was in jeapordy and recommended reinforcing the city's role as te country's economic engines.  Three years and several elections later, the Board decided to update some of the findings from the 2002 report and assess progress on priority recommendations. January 6, 2006 View Media Release View Report