@GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Councillor Gord Perks rises to note "two of the original members of the Scoobies -- the internet and Twitter people who held Mayor Rob Ford to account — are here in the chamber with us!" It's Jonathan Goldsbie and Neville Park! They seem thrilled by the announcement.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

My @torontostar@botsin.space column: Waterfront advocates have won. Yet another island airport expansion debate is over. Let’s not do it again. On the need for a real plan for the waterfront’s future, which could cement the status quo of a small island airport — or maybe not. https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/a-billy-bishop-expansion-has-been-grounded--yet-again-time-to-end-the-dogfight-over-the-island-airport-once-and-for-all/article_0a75a088-cfa7-46b9-8a32-84f3d042f375.html

Toronto Star

Matt Elliott: A Billy Bishop expansion has been grounded — yet again. Time to end the dogfight over the island airport once and for all

There’s time now for a real consultation about what the public wants Toronto’s waterfront to be.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Councillor Gord Perks says it's fair to discuss whether sites should include housing or other uses like parks or commercial. "Where people go wrong — horribly, horribly, immorally wrong — is when they start demanding consultation about what kinds of people live where," he says.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

We're going to need a montage. Oh, it takes a montage. We get an extended package of clips from the World Cup games and the Fan Festival. Fan marches. People smiling and cheering, talking about how cool Toronto is, this fan with a traffic cone hat, etc.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Up now: a Public Health report on the importance of indoor air quality. Councillor Cheng has some questions. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.HL34.4

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

After a few questions highlighting the importance of doing something about indoor air quality at city buildings, the report is APPROVED via show of hands. Follow-up report on indoor air quality is due Q3 2027.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

The report's recommendation to look at more opportunities to build supportive housing projects CARRIES 21-1.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Via questioning from Deputy Mayor Malik, staff confirm that the provincial legislation gives the province the right to take all of the Toronto Islands. There are no regulations yet to transfer ownership, but some items in the legislation limit the city's ability to make use of those lands via leases

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Council votes to approve 230 items on consent, with no debate. That leaves 170 items left to deal with. We'll get through this together. Up first: the island airport. The feds have blocked expansion. The mayor would like Doug Ford to give the city its land back.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Fire chief again raises alarm about lithium-ion battery fires. In 2022, there were 23 fires caused by the batteries. That rose to 71 in 2025. There have already been 50 this year. He says there have been two recent near-misses where firefighters could have been badly injured by exploding batteries.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Up now: an item about building more supportive housing to reduce homelessness. Councillor Holyday has concerns. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EX33.28

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Council votes 23-2 to APPROVE a new long-term care home on Guildwood Parkway in Councillor Ainslie's ward. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.SC33.12

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"Right from the beginning, I was worried about money," says Chow of the World Cup. But she appointed former councillor David Soknacki to keep the budget in check. "He combed through the books and made sure not one dime of your property tax dollar went to hosting the games."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Up now: the annual report from the fire department. Councillor Michael Thompson asks about the department's work to diversify their workforce. Fire Chief says representation among recruits has "dramatically improved." https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.EC30.1

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

The Toronto Tempo deal for a practice facility at Exhibition Place is APPROVED 22-0.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Holyday is worried that site selection for supportive housing has been delegated to staff, so councillors won't have a chance to weigh in. He says he'll vote against a recommendation to look at additional supportive housing opportunities.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"You come to my house, you will notice there are triple-pane windows," says Holyday. He says he likes that they save him money on heating/cooling, but the real reason he has them is his "proximity to the airport and the noise that happens at night."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"I think the thing that has troubled me on this is all the attention on this has gone to changes that may be proposed for downtown Toronto — and everyone stops looking at the effects to the west-end of the city with the growth that's going on at Pearson Airport," says Councillor Stephen Holyday.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Holyday says noise impacts from an expanded Billy Bishop will be "substantially over the water." "If you compare that to the same [noise] contours that are provided for Pearson Airport, you will notice that — my goodness — it's all over land."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Matlow: "This is my call to the premier: treat us like partners, be respectful, some calling people who live on the island 'squatters', stop calling people who disagree with you 'fringe', stop trying to remove the voices of Torontonians ... come back to the table, act like an adult."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"Oh shit, sorry," says Fletcher, on a live mic in the middle of a Matlow response to a Holyday question. She's chairing the meeting while Nunziata steps out. "I couldn't have said it better myself!" jokes Matlow.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Councillor Gord Perks tees off on JP Morgan Chase. "It is literally the biggest institution on the planet for turning wealth into more wealth. It is the very engine of consuming and commodifying and destroying anything in its path, in order to turn money into more money."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Holyday has two motions:

Report on impacts of passenger growth at Pearson.
Report on long-term aviation demand in Toronto

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Councillor Holyday uses his laptop to show off the operating area for Pearson compared to the island airport area. He argues that the island airport's area is mostly over the water. His point, I think, is that he believes expanding the island airport would affect fewer people than expanding Pearson.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Council votes via show of hands to APPROVE phase two of the Dunn House supportive housing project. A Strachan & Wellington project gets approved, too.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

At last, this monster meeting schedule takes shape: 1) Island Airport this afternoon 2) Surveillance Pricing tomorrow morning 3) FIFA report following surveillance pricing 4) Ombudsman report re: TTC refunds tomorrow afternoon, after member motions

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to on mastodon.social

Council votes via show of hands to APPROVE a new sole-source contract with DocuPet for pet licensing services. A supplementary report detailed some new extra costs, but the item got the green light regardless. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.GG31.38

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

A confidential recommendation on an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing re: 189 to 195 Old Weston Road in Councillor Bravo's ward is APPROVED 23-1. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.CC43.14

secure.toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Johnson, a big college basketball fan, asked staff if they could create a version of the "One Shining Moment" montage that plays after the March Madness Tournament, showcasing the city's FIFA work. And they... did it? They're going to play a video.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Councillors give a standing ovation to the staff assembled in the chamber. "Wow! What a video!" says Mayor Olivia Chow, as she takes a turn at the lectern. She says the World Cup was "the biggest party Toronto has ever celebrated."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

City Manager heaps praise on Sharon Bollenbach, who led the World Cup effort. "Everyone played their position incredibly well, which is what you need," he says. He emphasizes that most of the World Cup work was done in person, not remotely. "We've learned the value of sitting together."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 4mo ago

Council’s meeting was so inexplicably, bafflingly long that my app at live.cityhallwatcher.com called it quits and failed to capture the last couple of hours of coverage. I’ve fixed the issue. (I think!)

You can now view the complete compiled thread here: https://live.cityhallwatcher.com/may-20-2026-2

live.cityhallwatcher.com

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to on mastodon.social

"All these beautiful things happening downtown - beautiful, fantastic! But what about UPTOWN?" Colle wonders.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"The elephant in the room is still there," says Matlow. "We're still going to have to resolve the future of Billy Bishop Airport, and how do we ensure that it's viable, and we support a future that works, that also respects our waterfront."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Moving on, Councillor Josh Matlow moves for a report on the obstacles to the province's "stated objectives" with island airport expansion.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to on mastodon.social

"Let's not confuse the issue. You sound confused," Bradford says to Chow. He asks again: "When did you know about the province's plan to put this proposal on the table?" "You can't change history," Chow says, again pointing to Bradford's 2024 support for a longer runway in the 2024 debate.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Bradford seems to be trying to argue that Chow didn't oppose the island airport enough. Chow is responding by pointing out that Bradford seemed supportive of some kind of airport expansion in 2024.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"There is no business case for it!" Councillor Saxe says of island airport expansion. "We're constantly being lobbied that, 'Oh, this is good for the economy!' but there has not been a shred of evidence to support it. Not one."

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Matlow starts off, asking the Chief Planner if he called up Nieuport Aviation—owners of the terminal—to inquire about whether they are owned by JP Morgan. Thorne says Nieuport sent an email indicating an investment fund holds a majority interest, "and it's not registered in the Cayman Islands"

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

"We're in the absence of a lot of information," admits City Manager Paul Johnson. The city never received a plan to expand the island airport, and has not received any official communication about the federal stance on expansion. They're relying on media reports.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 6mo ago

My @torontostar@botsin.space column this week: With Metrolinx not involved, the Waterfront East LRT is a big opportunity to dunk on the provincial transit agency and prove there’s a better, more affordable, and more transparent way to build transit.

Please don’t screw it up.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/with-metrolinx-out-of-the-picture-waterfront-lrt-is-a-chance-to-show-transit-can-be-built-on-budget/article_44626209-b9fd-4398-9a99-704aa45edca8.html

Toronto Star

Matt Elliott: Why the Waterfront East LRT is a chance for Toronto to show Metrolinx the better way to build a transit project

City hall, the TTC and Waterfront Toronto need to make sure they mitigate some of the factors that have made Canada’s recent infrastructure projects some of the most expensive in the world.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

My @torontostar@botsin.space column: Drivers routinely speed past open streetcar doors. Riders have known this is a problem for years. Finally, the TTC has announced plans to do something about it. Eventually. It's good news, but I've got to ask: what took so long? https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/ttcs-crackdown-on-drivers-blowing-past-stopped-streetcars-is-long-overdue-but-we-need-action-not-studies/article_16186eba-75e4-4710-90da-0a6b94a04c75.html

Toronto Star

Matt Elliott: TTC’s crackdown on drivers blowing past stopped streetcars is long overdue. But we need action, not studies

The TTC’s pilot project will gather data on drivers who drive past stopped streetcars over the next nine months — but no tickets will be issued.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Check your inbox: it’s City Hall Watcher #394! It’s time, at last, for the final Council meeting of the term. And it’s a doozy We’ve got notes on City Hall’s airport win, a move to ban surveillance pricing, a pitch for more pedestrian scrambles, and more https://toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-sets-sail-for-final-odyssey

Council sets sail for final odyssey before election day

toronto.cityhallwatcher.com

Council sets sail for final odyssey before election day

City Hall Watcher #394: Your complete preview of the July 2026 meeting of Toronto Council, with notes on an island airport win, an attempt to ban surveillance pricing, pedestrian scrambles, and more.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Mayor Olivia Chow rises to note that she and Councillor Matlow picked up bagels for councillors from Kiva's Bagel Bakery, the shop that was attacked this weekend. "This council and I will always stand with Toronto's Jewish community against anti-semitism," she says.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

Mayor Olivia Chow has set the island airport, and her demand that Doug Ford give Toronto its dang land back, as the first item this morning. But first: there will be a tribute to the city staff who helped make the World Cup happen.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

For a full preview of the agenda, which also includes items about data centres, pedestrian scrambles, fare refunds, the WNBA and K-pop band BTS, check out this week's edition of City Hall Watcher. As always, the newsletter's got you covered. https://toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/council-sets-sail-for-final-odyssey

toronto.cityhallwatcher.com

Council sets sail for final odyssey before election day

City Hall Watcher #394: Your complete preview of the July 2026 meeting of Toronto Council, with notes on an island airport win, an attempt to ban surveillance pricing, pedestrian scrambles, and more.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

City Manager Paul Johnson takes the lectern to honour the staff who worked on the FIFA World Cup. He wanted to bring together every person who helped coordinate the event, but was told that would mean bringing 20,000 people, and they won't all fit in the Council Chamber.

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

While we were sleeping, the city posted a new after-action report on the World Cup. The final numbers are still being crunched, but "staff remain confident that the overall budget will be within the City Council approved budget of $380 million." https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2026/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-289933.pdf

toronto.ca

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Matt Elliott @GraphicMatt@mastodon.social

· 2mo ago

Replying to

For a quick and easy way to follow the meeting, I've hit the switch on the CITY HALL WATCHER LIVE machine. Updates will be posted here automatically. No need to hunt down updates to this thread. https://live.cityhallwatcher.com

CHW Live

CHW Live — Toronto City Council

Live coverage of Toronto City Council meetings by Matt Elliott.

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