The City Council approved a proposal to change the ban on sledding on 45 hills

Despite the lack of snow this winter, Torontonians can now go sledding on any of the 45 hills previously designated as “dangerous” by the city.

Toronto City Council voted 21-3 in favor of lifting the ban on sledding, overturning a Jan. 14 directive banning the activity on select hills because of the risk of injury from trees, ditches, trails and roads. enclosures.

Councilors Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence), Stephen Holliday (Etobicoke Centre) and Gord Perks (Parkdale-High Park) all voted against the proposal.

In Wednesday's move, the city will remove signs prohibiting sledding and install new signs warning of potential hazards, along with information about the city's designated sledding hills.

In addition to replacing the signage, city crews are reintroducing hay bales that were previously installed on hills where sledding was previously prohibited.

Councilors were also informed that any changes to the sledding program would increase the city's liability for any injuries.

The proposal would also require consultation with local councilors and approval from the Community Council before banning sledding on any hill.

10 PERCENT FOREIGN BUYERS' MUNICIPAL TAX

The City Council also voted 24-1 to approve a 10 percent tax on foreign buyers to discourage real estate speculation in the city.

An Executive Committee report last month said the tax would “preserve and improve the affordability of housing” while maintaining affordability levels by discouraging international buyers from purchasing property.

The 10 per cent levy will be placed on top of the current 25 per cent the province charges for its non-resident speculation tax. The province has raised more than $1 billion since the tax was introduced in 2017, half of which came from purchases in Toronto.

If the federal government lifts the ban on foreign buyers at the end of 2024, its taxes are expected to generate between $9.6 million and $15 million, according to the city report.

Holiday was the lone dissenting voice, arguing that there was no need to add more fuel to the “dump fire” that is the city's finances at the moment. He also expressed concern that professional athletes such as Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs players who buy real estate in the city could be taxed because they are not permanent residents.

TORONTO ISLAND PROPERTY TAX RATE

City council has rejected a motion calling for a review of the Toronto Islands' residential tax rate.

Number. John Burnside suggested that Toronto Islanders “don't pay their fair share” when it comes to property taxes compared to other Torontonians.

Burnside noted that the islanders own the house they live in, but it's not a lease from the city. That's why their property taxes are “so low” because they're based only on the value of the home, not location.

“For example, the average Toronto Island homeowner pays about $1,530 a year in property taxes, while the average Flemingdon Park tenant pays $4,320 in property taxes on rent each year,” Burnside's proposal said.

However, councilors voted 15-11 against moving his proposal forward, instead sending it to the Executive Committee for further discussion.