From: Maureen Doolub <maureen.doolub@toronto.ca>
To: 'Christopher ########' <#######@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 02:31:45 PM EDT
Subject: RE: 985 Woodbine Avenue 2078-2106 Danforth Avenue
Dear Christopher ########,
It was a pleasure to speak with you this morning about your next steps.
As discussed, at this time, the office of Ombudsman Toronto will not be looking into your matter any further.
You came to our office about concerns that the City did not follow process regarding a non- statutory public consultation meeting for a newly proposed building construction. You allege that the City held this meeting in private and without public knowledge. After reviewing information provided to you by the City from Carly Bowman, Director Community Planning with the City, she explains in her email response that:
“The information on the signs is updated to reflect the Statutory Public Meeting, held at Community Council. Thanks for clarifying that your interest was related to the additional, non-statutory community consultation meeting held in May 2024. Notice for that meeting was sent by mail, and made available beforehand on the City Planning Consultations website (https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/city-planning-consultations/ You may also be interested in this summer report and decision from the Planning and Housing Committee, respecting improving community consultation in the development review process:https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.PH14.5 Next steps on that process will be reported on in Q2 of next year.”
The above clearly explains why there was no update on the non-mandatory May 2024 meeting on the sign you claim to have been misleading to the public. As such, we feel that the City has provided you with an appropriate response to your questions and in a reasonable time. This is why there will be no further actions on this matter from our office.
Further, during our call today, you also expressed having concerns with the decisions made by the Planning Committee members, including Councillor Brad Bradford. I reminded you that unfortunately, Ombudsman Toronto does not have jurisdiction on Council, Council members, it’s committees and decisions. I referred you to consult with the office of the Integrity Commissioner and bring your concerns about Councillor Bradford to them for assessment. The Mayor and members of Council are governed by the Code of Conduct for Members of Council. The Integrity Commissioner is a neutral, independent officer who oversees the conduct of elected officials at the City of Toronto. If you have questions about the application of the Code of Conduct, you may wish to contact the Office of the Integrity Commissioner atintegrity@toronto.ca.
I am sorry this is not the response you had intended to receive regarding this matter. Our mandate, role and process are clear. As an administrative review office, we cannot advocate for individuals, we are not an appeal body and do not have the authority to overturn City decisions.
Thank you for contacting Ombudsman Toronto.
Warm regards,
Maureen Doolub
Ombudsman Toronto
375 University Ave, Suite 203
Toronto, ON M5G 2J5
Tel. 416-392-7121
Fax: 416-392-7067
TTY: 416-392-7100
Email: Maureen.Doolub@toronto.ca
Website: ombudsmantoronto.ca
Ombudsman Toronto acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and that this land—covered by Treaty 13 and the Williams Treaties—is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
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