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"Are you comfortable with tenants paying MASSIVE rent increases to make this work?" Councillor Gord Perks asks Matlow of his max temperature bylaw push. Matlow says he doesn't believe above-guideline rent increases should exist, and that this is a health and safety issue.

Councillor Holyday says he remains skeptical of the program to provide AC units to low-income people. "What this literally is is the provision of a gratuitity or benefit to a very lucky select few," he says. "What's happening in their life, we don't really know."

Councillor Shelley Carroll urges council to vote against Matlow's max temp motion, saying there are still too many questions that need to be worked out re: impacts on rents, citing a stat in the report showing 90% of landlords said they'd pass the cost of installing AC onto tenants via higher rents

Councillor Paula Fletcher warns about the risks of pushing bylaws through too quickly. She recounts the old tale of council's botched attempt to ban plastic bags. A part of our heritage. "The heart is always good. It's whether or not the head is matching the heart in this circumstance."

Councillor Bravo moves a compromise motion, asking for a report in June on a "framework" for a maximum temperature bylaw, rather than a complete bylaw. She says it's important to make sure there aren’t "unintended consequences."

"To suggest that Toronto is doing less than it can is just disingenuous. It's misleading the public about the history of the City of Toronto, working to do everything within its power to avoid the tragedy that has been seen in BC and Chicago and central Europe," says Perks of city's cooling programs

Councillor Matlow's motion calling for staff to prepare a max temperature bylaw for rental units in time for the June Executive Committee meeting FAILS 8-16.

Councillor Bravo's compromise motion, calling for staff to report in June on a FRAMEWORK for a max temperature bylaw for rental units, CARRIES 23-1.

The AC item as amended CARRIES 23-1. Another 2,400 free air conditioners will be provided to low-income households this year.

Up now: the provincial government has proposed some new rules for e-bikes, changing the definition to separate "motorcycle-style" e-bikes. Under new legislation, operating those kinds of vehicles would require licensing and insurance secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Mayor Olivia Chow asks the fire department about fires caused by e-bike batteries. Fire department rep says there have been 47 such fires this year, and a 600% increase since they started tracking. "It is the greatest public fire safety risk growing, not only in Toronto but across the country."

The Fire Chief says most e-bike battery fires have been caused by unregulated & uncertified batteries or modified batteries, where users have tried to "supercharge" them.

On the e-bike item, Councillor Saxe says she broadly supports the provincial changes, but wants some tweaks to the brake standards to ensure these bikes can brake on hills and in wet conditions. She also wants the fire department to make some recommendations to the province re: battery safety.

"This is not just e-bikes. It's also personal transportation companies like Uber. The algorithm demands that you go faster, that you give the customer what it wants, and we are also contributing to that when we use the apps," says Councillor Alejandra Bravo.

And that brings council to lunch. Bravo, presumably, will not be ordering from Uber Eats. They'll be back at 2 p.m. to deal with 63 items that remain stubbornly on the agenda. See you back here then.

Council has returned. Before they get back to business, they are scheduled to celebrate Toronto being named “Film Commission of the Year” and “Best City of Film", apparently. Hoping for a Matt Johnson shoutout.

Mayor Olivia Chow takes the lectern to present the film awards. These awards come from Cannes, apparently! Pretty big movie town, I hear. "These awards recognize that Toronto is a truly film-friendly city."

Chow shouts out local productions THE BOYS, HEATED RIVALRY ("Oh yes, Heated Rivalry. Yeah," the mayor comments), and Guillermo Del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN. Del Toro told Chow Toronto is "the best place to make movies." "We intend to keep it that way," Chow says.

Dealing with some quick items now, Council votes 20-3 to APPROVE zoning for a 26-storey project on Broadview Avenue. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

On to member motions now. A motion from Councillor Paul AInslie to ask the province to allow homeless people to collect the shelter portion of the ODSP benefit CARRIES 22-1. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Councillor Chris Moise's motion directing some Section 37 funds to the Church Street pedestrianization project CARRIES via show of hands. Could be a good sign for the debate they'll have later about approving the project itself. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik's motion asking staff to look at ways to improve access to Toronto Island with ferry fare discounts is ADDED to the agenda on an 18-7 vote. Holyday holds it for debate. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Councillor Lily Cheng's motion to ask the province to let hte city use noise cameras gets added to the agenda via a show-of-hands vote. Holyday holds it for debate. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...