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Chow says her motion about making agreements with the construction unions will help keep workers safe while on the job. She notes the City already has agreements with unions on Industrial & Commercial construction, so this "fills the gaps" by applying the same thing to residential construction.

"If this goes through and this results in a higher cost to deliver residential, would you accept that less housing would be built?" Holyday asks Chow. "I don't believe it would be any more expensive," says Chow, pointing out Toronto already has a fair wage policy.

Here's the full text of Chow's labour union motion.

Burnside asks Chow if her contention is that unionized work is better quality. She says yes. "Was it non-unionized work that did the Crosstown or was it unionized?" Burnside asks. Chow says that was Metrolinx.

Burnside asks if Chow is willing to expand her motion to include all unions, not just the ones listed. Chow says no. She says she wants to apply the same rules that already exist for the ICI sector.

A bunch of construction workers from the listed unions have come to the chamber to watch Chow introduce this motion. Nunziata has to keep reminding them they are not allowed to applaud.

Holyday asks Nunizata to rule on whether Chow's motion is in order, as the item is about a housing program, not labour issues. Nunziata quickly rules it is in order. Holyday challenges her. Chair is UPHELD, 22-4. "Huh. Now I know who my friends are," Nunziata says.

Time to vote. Holyday's motion to try to make the DC reduction program a rebate, instead of as of right, FAILS 2-24.

Holyday's motion to identify "eligible developments" in the Financial Impact section of reports FAILS 7-19.

Holyday's motion to track and report on the "commensurate reduction in density" related to the DC reduction FAILS 5-21.

Holyday's motion to report annually on the DC reduction and rental incentive programs CARRIES 20-6. Hey, he won one.

Colle's motion to ask the province to apply a time limit to development applications CARRIES 19-6. Vote was not displayed. I'll get it later.

Chow's motion to apply closed-tender system to housing projects, limiting work to listed unions, CARRIES 22-4.

The development charge reduction program is APPROVED by Council, 26-0.

The next phase of the city's purpose-built rental incentive program, also known as the PBR program, is APPROVED 25-1.

With that item dealt with, Nunziata suggests a ten-minute break before they continue on until 8:30. There are 71 items left on this agenda.

The organized labour twist to that debate was unexpected and, at risk of sounding like a rules nerd, really should have gone through the normal report and committee process, at least. Notable that Bradford supported the mayor on it, given he had "open tendering" as part of his platform in '23.

"I just found some chips in the cupboard of my desk that may have been there for two or three years!" Councillor Shelley Caroll announces. Council is back. Up now: Deputy Mayor Malik's motion re: improving access to Toronto Island. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Oops, nevermind. Malik's motion on the island isn't ready yet. So up now: improving 311. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Wait, nevermind. That item's not ready yet either. So up now: free rain barrels. "It's good for the flowers! It's good for your water bill!" says the mayor. She wants to expand the program to offer more barrels. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Up now: the annual report of the Dangerous Dog Tribunal. Councillor Matlow asks staff about whether there's a report coming on better enforcement of off-leash dogs. Staff say report was due Q2 2026. So it's a bit late. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...

Staff say the Municipal Licensing & Standards department has "many priorities." "We continue to work on this issue, but we just didn't find an opportunity." The report on off-leash dog enforcement is still coming, they add. Now expected next year.

Fletcher and Bravo defend the city's work on dangerous dogs, pointing to a decline in appeals to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal as evidence of increased compliance. They say this ad campaign was effective, too.