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Top Thinkers: 10 fresh ideas for Toronto in 2010
Updated: Fri Dec. 25 2009 7:49:00 AM
Sandie Benitah, ctvtoronto.ca
The New Year is almost upon us and 2010 promises to bring many changes to Toronto.
With a municipal election set for November and an economy that is struggling to recover after a deep recession, there are many challenges ahead. But perhaps more importantly, there is also an immense opportunity for renewal.
Here are 10 ideas to renew Toronto from some of the city's top stakeholders:
1. Expanded Transportation
David Miller, mayor of Toronto
Toronto is an amazingly vibrant, culturally rich and liveable city but the one thing it needs to prosper now and into the future is an expanded public transit system. Fortunately, we are about to break ground on the first of four lines of our Transit City light rail plan with billions of dollars of support from the provincial and federal governments. This is the single largest investment in public transit in Toronto and will, when completed, not only bring much needed quick and reliable transit to all parts of the city, it will mean reduced gridlock and cleaner air as drivers will have real alternatives to the car. It's what Torontonians need and deserve, it's what the business community wants and it's going to be a reality within a few years.
2. Cut city spending
Kevin Gaudet, Canadian Taxpayer Federation
The largest issue facing the city of Toronto is that it has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Here are a few things the city may do to reduce spending:
- Bring staff salaries in-line with the private sector
- Contract out services wherever possible, i.e. garbage collection.
- Use public/private partnerships for capital projects like the new Union Station deal.
- Sell surplus land and assets like golf courses.
- Convert services to user fees, like water billing.
- Use volunteers for the delivery of city services. (Handing out cigarettes and liquor to homeless should end or be done by volunteers)
- Re-focus on core services -- greening the planet and owning theatres is not Toronto's job.
- Raise revenues for services through sponsorship activities
If these measures were put in place the city would save billions of dollars and save taxpayers from the large tax hikes that have been forced upon them.
3. Community-school partnerships
Annie Kidder, People for Education
One way to renew Toronto is by building stronger links between our city and our schools. We have to think of schools as assets that affect families and children, and not just through education. Every neighbourhood has a local school that can become a true hub of the community, with a rich variety of programs. Community agencies and public health offices could be located in our schools, sharing costs and helping to fill empty space created through declining enrollment. There could be a local coordination office with representatives from different groups, including schools, public health, and housing; and staff positions at schools to foster school-community links. Everyone should feel that the school down the street is a place to find the support that they need. The school board and the city, by working together, can make better use of the rich resources within Toronto's schools, and provide accessible support for the families who live here.
4. Create communities with new real estate
Tom Lebour, president Toronto Real Estate Board
Toronto is a made up of many diverse communities and neighbourhoods and this is definitely a strength for the GTA. Toronto should build on this by supporting real estate developments that help establish a sense of community and neighbourhood pride.
Many areas within the GTA have developed a brand of their own, areas such as the Harbourfront, CorkTown, and Liberty Village etc. These developments speak to a homeowner's lifestyle as well as their personality. Where you live can say a lot about you. Having a diverse real estate selection in the GTA will open doors for consumers looking to achieve the Canadian dream of homeownership. When there is something for everyone you increase the appeal of homeownership to those that otherwise may not have even considered making a move into long-term investing.
5. Civic engagement and business pride
Carol Wilding, Toronto Board of Trade
Vote: Next October, Torontonians will elect a new mayor. And yet, typically, only 4 of every 10 Torontonians bothers to cast a ballot. We all have ideas to make this great city even better. The best way to turn those ideas into action is to exercise our democratic rights at the polls and vote for the candidates who stand for a better, more prosperous Toronto.
Become a world-renowned business hub: Toronto is a world leader in financial services, information technology and cultural industries - yet the city is still not world-renowned. In short, Toronto is one of the global economy's best-kept secrets. On June 26 and 27 the leaders of the world's 20 most powerful economies will meet in Toronto for the G20 Summit. Those two days in the global spotlight are Toronto's chance to show the world's economic leaders what this city can do - and to burnish our global reputation as one of the world's leading cities for business. Let's make the most of the opportunity.
6. Extend entertainment hours
Charles Khabouth, Owner Ink Entertainment group of nightclubs
One thing that will help renew Toronto is for us to take a cue from many international markets like Europe by adjusting our nightlife and food and beverage offerings and extending dining and drinking hours. By standardizing late-night dining and extending the drinking hours even just one hour longer, there is an opportunity to vitalize Toronto. All cosmopolitan cities are alive well into the evening -- and it's because there are dining options and entertainment options available. Right now if you leave work at 9 p.m., it's difficult to find a place that's still serving dinner and if there is a place that is, chances are people don't know about it because it's such a rarity. If late night dining was a constant, we'd see a huge influx of business and also a greater turnover. Tourism, small businesses and consumption would thrive. (Regarding Toronto's 2 a.m. last-call policy) we might also see a decline in drinking issues when the bars let out because people wouldn't be rushing to get their drinking in before the deadline, but rather pace their consumption over a longer period.
7. Exercise sportsmanship
Michael "Pinball" Clemons, Toronto Argonauts Vice Chairman
We enjoy one of the most beautiful, multicultural, safe, desirable and opportunity-laden cities in the world. But without a doubt, the #1 reason Diane and I chose to make Toronto home is its citizens. I love Torontonians and truly believe that nothing speaks to beauty, hospitality, fun and vitality like a warm smile, an open door, a good deed or a pat on the back. We don't need to change Toronto, just refresh ourselves a bit. So Toronto, smile a little more, hold the door, make a new friend and give directions... and not just to tourists. When we make the opportunity to love and care for each other, every day feels more like a holiday. So help give Toronto a facelift by smiling at the next person you see.
8. Architectural activism
Anna Simone, designer, HGTV host and co-founder of the Pug awards for architecture
When it comes to architecture, first and foremost, we have to increase awareness in everyone -- it's not just about the design savvy because we all live in this city. We all have to be invested in keeping our city beautiful. The Pug awards are in their sixth year and the votership has increased tremendously. As part of the Pug-Ed program, we give bursaries to a student in Grade 7 and 8 who has demonstrated an awareness of the issues and obstacles of design and architecture and who have come up with a plan to enhance our city. It's not just about architecture but also landscaping and parks because the infrastructure is there for us to enjoy it. We should encourage developers to make parks part of developments and not just an afterthought. Architectural teams have to become accountable.
9. Keep a healthy perspective on crime
Bill Blair, Toronto's chief of police
Crime in Toronto has been declining steadily for four years, as a result of our TAVIS (Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy) program. Our approach of targeted, high-profile enforcement, combined with community outreach and mobilization, has resulted in engaged communities working closely and effectively with us. This continues to make Toronto one of the safest big cities in North America. Yet, whenever crime statistics are published, Torontonians seem surprised at how safe their city is, particularly compared with the rest of Canada. Mistaken perceptions of public safety can mean that residents restrict their activities unecessarily and may not use public spaces to their fullest. We must continue our efforts to ensure people in Toronto feel as safe as they are.
10. Embrace diversity as an asset to tourism
David Whitaker, Tourism Toronto president and CEO
Focus more on what lifts and unites us rather than what ails us or divides us.
In a city as diverse as Toronto, our diversity can be both our greatest asset and our greatest challenge. But inherent in diversity is a rich mosaic of talent and experiences in which we can tap in to both as a community to live, work and play - but also a community vibrant and stimulating to visit.
Far too often, we are all quick to draw our lines in the sand, stake out our comfortable positions or simply provide the fodder for the loyal opposition. Not that this is unimportant or unnecessary (and a wonderfully democratic exercise), but we have to ask ourselves do we find the same energy being invested in seeking and nurturing our rightful place as a truly thriving and vibrant city. May 2010 be a year where we acknowledge more of all that we have as we seek to harness the vast opportunities we are truly blessed with.
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