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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

Toronto has the opportunity to make its services, simple, fast and reliable by treating digital delivery as essential infrastructure. With these changes, we can modernize City Hall.

Full memo: buildtoronto.com/memos/digita...

Make Toronto Digitally Native

Toronto’s digital services are fragmented. Residents face a maze of portals and paper forms for basic tasks like taxes or permits, wasting time and undermining trust in City Hall.

buildtoronto.com

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

4️⃣ Build AI-native experiences – Many of Torontonian's daily frustrations – confusing portals, unclear forms, long routing delays – are exactly the kinds of problems AI can help solve

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

3️⃣ Open APIs and expand open data – The city should focus on secure backend infrastructure that enable the public to spark innovation with dashboards, tracker, and real-time service metrics

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

2️⃣ Redesign workflows for automation and accountability – Many of Toronto's services could be delivered in hours with routine cases automated

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

1️⃣ Create a unified digital platform – Rather than juggling multiple system and logins, create a unified platform that will service as the single front door for all payments, permits, licenses and service requests.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

It doesn't have to be like this. Tarun's memo lays out a plan to make Toronto observable, so city data is open by default, programmable, so core functions can be securely accessed by others, and digitally native, so services are designed for the online world first.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

Take the City's recent rollout of the Vacant Home Tax. Homeowners were required to declare their property status online, but the portal was poorly designed, confusing, and error-prone. Of the 167k properties that received a bill, about 108k charges had to be reversed, due to a poor rollout.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 16h

Toronto's digital services are stuck in the past – a patchwork of portals, paper forms, and outdated processes.

From paying taxes to renewing permits, residents face a maze of separate logins, different formats, or long wait times.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Cars, streetcars/buses, on-street parking, cyclists, pedestrians, business patios, signs and loading – these are a lot of needs and not every street will be able to accommodate every one.

Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Trying to fit everyone's needs on every street is not working. This memo proposes taking a holistic look, and making hard but reasonable choices about priorities.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Enforcement of rules is good, but it is also separate to the planning discussion

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Unreasonable-ness on both sides have led to the current situation

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

But between Bloor and St. Clair, Avenue Road's bike lane doesn't need to be extended. Alternative north-south routes exist just to the west of it.

Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Yes, bike lanes do need to be on certain roads. But no, bike lanes don't need to be everywhere.

For example, between High Park and Kingsway, Bloor is a required east-west cycling route. There are no nearby alternatives.

But..

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

With a complete network, Toronto will have a connected grid that makes sense, and balances the needs of all modes of transportation.

Full memo here: buildtoronto.com/memos/comple...

Complete Toronto’s Active Transportation Network in 2 Years

Toronto should approve a complete active transportation network map and then focus on delivery. Block-by-block political fights have held the city back.

buildtoronto.com

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

4️⃣ Launch a Delivery Office with direct authority to keep projects on schedule, cut red tape, and be held accountable for results.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

3️⃣ Guarantee loading zones, signage, digital mapping, and year-round maintenance to support both users and businesses.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

2️⃣ This network should balance both bikes and cars. Bike lanes should only be placed on arterials when alternatives do not exist. On-street parking should be the first to go.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

1️⃣ Complete the network in two years with temporary infrastructure like paints and bollards, with permanent curbs to follow. The goal is a continuous grid, not half-finished routes.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

In @fnthawar.bsky.social's memo, he proposes planning a holistic network, one that balances both bikes and cars, and delivering it in 2 years:

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

The city has taken a piecemeal approach to its network. Not only does this result in incomplete routes, it also leads to block-by-block political fights, where every change is judged without context of the greater system.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 7d

Toronto's active transportation network is a patchwork. Bike lanes exist in some areas, but they often end abruptly or never connect to one another. This leaves riders stranded and fuels conflicts with drivers.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 14d

📌 Goal: Reduce downtown commute times by 15–20% within two years while unlocking billions for transit.

With this, Toronto can follow global leaders and finally get moving.

Read the full memo here: buildtoronto.com/memos/conges...

Keep Toronto Moving With Congestion Pricing

Toronto is paying the price of gridlock. Commuters waste hours every week in traffic and businesses lose billions in productivity. Congestion pricing will get Toronto moving again.

buildtoronto.com

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 14d

4️⃣ Invest in alternatives before launch – congestion pricing only works if people have other ways to move. Revenues should be used to expand GO and TTC service, and upgrade infrastructure.

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 14d

3️⃣ Guarantee fairness – Ensure exemptions for emergency and wheelchair-accessible vehicles and target discounts for low-income residents in zones.

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