Council debates cheaper ferries, pedestrian streets this week

Toronto city council is holding its first summer session Wednesday through Friday, with several major items on the agenda.

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik and Councillor Paula Fletcher have introduced a motion to explore reducing financial barriers to Toronto Islands by reviewing discounted ferry fares and potentially removing passenger fees. "With increasing numbers of visitors expected to Toronto Island as we develop it as a year-round destination, this is the time to examine how an efficient and equitable fare structure should be implemented," the motion states.

Councillor Shelley Carroll and Mayor Olivia Chow have introduced a motion to honour Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on June 11. The motion directs city staff, in collaboration with Toronto Police Service, to identify an appropriate way to commemorate him through the naming of a city asset and calls for engagement with his family and the Toronto Police Association.

Following the Church Street pedestrianization pilot, Councillor Josh Matlow has brought forward a motion for a citywide Pedestrian Streets Program. The proposal would establish criteria for selecting streets and outline how future pedestrian street projects would be planned and implemented, with staff directed to identify both seasonal and year-round pedestrianized streets by next year.

Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin is urging the city to work with Metrolinx to create a Public Art Program for transit stations owned by the agency, including new Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West stations.