Pre-Determined Question #1

Condominium units, by their density, use proportionately less City services – lighting, sewers, etc. – than do a comparable number of single-family homes, and their ecological footprint is also smaller.  In addition, some condominiums pay to maintain their own sewers, streetlights, etc., and provide such services as garbage pick-up.  Yet, they are taxed at the same rate as single-family homes.  This is a significant inequity.  For instance, a 500-unit condominium high-rise has roughly the same footprint as 10 single-family residences, but may pay a total of 20 times as much in municipal taxation. Even recognizing that property tax classification and assessment is a provincial issue through MPAC, the City of Brantford decided to tax condos at a separate and lower tax rate.  In addition, Markham has recently passed a council resolution to urge the province to adopt a separate taxation rate for condominiums to reflect the proportionately smaller usage of services.  If elected Mayor, would you take similar action?  At what point in your mandate would you do so?  What is your reasoning for your position?

Recorded Audio Responses to Question #1

Pre-Determined Question # 2:

The cost of the waste levy billing change has resulted in a large expense to the budgets of most condominiums.  While condominiums support the idea of diversion or conversion of waste to recycling, they are having problems seeing how the charge is being equitably applied.  How would you address this as Mayor?

Recorded Audio Responses to Question #2

Pre-Determined Question # 3:

Promoting a “green” city has two components – encouraging (or even mandating) green spaces and fostering the development of green buildings, for example by achieving LEED certification, whether in new buildings or older ones through energy retrofits.  With respect to new construction, it has been suggested that developer application fees be changed to a two-tier structure to encourage green developments, to help them defray the extra costs of green space and LEED certification.  If you were elected Mayor, what would you do to encourage green development of condominiums – new and old?

Recorded Audio Responses to Question #3

Pre-Determined Question # 4:

The ongoing proliferation of condominiums across the city and in the suburbs, and the shifting of jobs to the suburbs have intensified Toronto’s traffic problems.  There has been an incredible intensification in the downtown core to the extent that it is estimated that within the next few years more than 50% of the population in the core will be living in condos as opposed to single-family homes.  This will cause its own traffic issues.  How does your proposal regarding transportation address this concern?

Recorded Audio Responses to Question #4

Pre-Determined Question # 5:

It is a common practice by developers to negotiate with City planners and the local ratepayers association to arrive at an acceptable condominium development plan.  At the end of the process, and after plan approval is granted, there is a growing perception that developers circumvent the process by going to the Committee of Adjustments for variances and if not acceptable then they go to the OMB.  On most occasions, the Committee of Adjustment approves the variance and if not, then certainly the OMB does.  There is a common perception that Councillors support it by putting in a price tag for more Section 37 funding (often modest).  How do you plan to deal with this issue both as it relates to the perception against Councillors and the future planning of Toronto?

Recorded Audio Responses to Question #5