This report is the third in a series of Final Reports that provide staff recommendations on Employment Area conversion requests as part of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of the Official Plan. In 2022, Toronto’s Employment Areas are home to over 21,600 establishments employing over 390,000 people (27% of all jobs in the city). Businesses within our Employment Areas create about 27% of the City’s estimated 2021 GDP of $195.7 billion and contribute about 12% of all property taxes paid in the City (municipal and education taxes). This report also highlights the social and economic role that Employment Areas play in the health and growth of the city, given the role that they play in supporting Toronto’s diverse economic base and providing jobs with living wages for Toronto’s diverse labour pool. Council authorized the commencement of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) and Growth Plan Conformity Exercise known as “Our Plan Toronto”, on August 4, 2020. As part of the MCR, the City Planning received approximately 150 requests to convert lands designated Core Employment Areas or General Employment Areas in the Official Plan for non-employment uses, including some of which were City-initiated. This third report provides a fulsome overview of the planning context for Employment Area policies, recent decisions impacting Employment Areas and provides final recommendations on 70 conversion requests. The MCR and recommended Official Plan amendments are considered under Section 26 of the Planning Act, where the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the approval authority. The Minister’s decisions are not subject to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal unless the Minister refers all or part of the amendments to the Tribunal. The Minister has been reviewing OPA 591 since August 9, 2022 and suspended the 120-day time period to make a decision on the Council adopted 30+ conversion requests. To date, the City has yet to receive a decision on OPA 591. On June 16, 2023, Council considered final recommendations on 45 conversion requests, including six which were recommended for conversion. To implement the recommended conversions, Council adopted OPA 644 which staff will forward to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. This Final Report recommends Council retain most of the lands subject to these 70 conversion requests listed in Attachment 2 of this report as either Core Employment Areas or General Employment Areas. Staff recommended Employment Area conversions in this report are implemented through draft Official Plan Amendment 653 listed as Attachment 1 to this report. This report is to be considered at a Special Public Meeting under Section 26 of the Planning Act regarding the City's phased Official Plan and Municipal Comprehensive Reviews.
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