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@buildtoronto.com
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Let's build the Toronto we know is possible. A @buildcanada.com project 🏗️🇨🇦 buildtoronto.com

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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 11/12/2025
Read the full memo here: buildtoronto.com/memos/reward...
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Great Cities Reward Results. Toronto Should Too.
Toronto can deliver far more with the talent it already has by having performance-based compensation.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 11/12/2025
This memo proposes: 1️⃣ Created a define Senior City Service with performance-linked contracts and real authority 2️⃣ Give each division one objective scorecard with 1-3 measurable targets 3️⃣ Delegate routine decisions to staff and set stable citywide targets in law so leaders can actually deliver
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 11/12/2025
Contrast this with a place like Singapore, where senior public leaders are paid at levels competitive with the private sector. High compensation is paired with clear, objective performance expectations, and the authority to make changes to meet them.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 11/12/2025
Toronto caps senior-staff bonuses at 20-25 percent and allows them only in agencies. This is too small to motivate performance and unavailable to most municipal public leaders.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 11/12/2025
Toronto asks its leaders to deliver more housing, modernize infrastructure, and run major services, yet it doesn't reward the civic leaders who actually do. buildtoronto.com/memos/reward...
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 28/11/2025
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Reposted by Build Toronto
More Neighbours Toronto @moreneighboursto.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Small 4-6 unit multiplexes shouldn't require the same governance and reserve requirements as 200-unit condos. Other jurisdictions (including BC) have simpler, more lightweight ownership structure for small multi-residential buildings. ON and Toronto should take a look!
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
Toronto should take a similarly pragmatic approach to exempt small unit buildings from condominium application process meant for large towers: buildtoronto.com/memos/multip...
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Free Multiplexes from Big Condo Ownership Rules
Toronto should make it easier to build, sell, and own multiplex housing by exempting small buildings from the city’s cumbersome condominium process and allowing ownership conversions as-of-right.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
This isn't the case elsewhere. British Columbia introduced new Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing reforms that have enabled ownership for sixplexes. That means that it's easy for multiple families to own units in the same building.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
These steps adds friction, cost and uncertainty to what should be a straightforward process. This means that while multiplexes are now permitted to build, they are difficult to sell to end users.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
And if you own an older multiplex with rental units that you want to convert to ownership, you have to get additional special permissions.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
If you build a multiplex and want to sell individual units in the building, you have to complete a full condominium application. The same process used for a 200-unit tower – with multiple reviews and thousands of dollars in fees – is used for a 4-unit building.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 27/11/2025
Multiplexes are finally legal to build in Toronto, but the rules for how they can be owned and sold haven't caught up.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
buildtoronto.com/memos/adapti...
buildtoronto.com
Adaptive Traffic Intersections to Cut Toronto’s Congestion
Toronto should modernize all 2,500 traffic signals with intelligent systems at an estimated cost of about $125 million.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
4. Measure and report results – publish results to ensure accountability to the public
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
3. Create a joint funding model – a City-Province partnership fund can ensure every intersection is upgraded without overburdening city budgets.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
2. Adopt clear technology standards – leverage the global standard of camera-based detection
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
This memo proposes: 1. Modernize Toronto's traffic signals – move from outdated fixed-time plans to intelligent and adaptive signals
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
Similar systems in China saw trip time reductions of ~20% after using adaptive traffic systems.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
The system adapts to the reality on-the-ground rather than a fixed schedule. This means it'd be able to respond to construction detours, traffic surges when a Leafs game ends, or to unexpected incidents on the Gardiner.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
It doesn't have to be this way. In the Netherlands, signals are designed to be responsive. Pedestrian walk phases are only triggered when a person is actually waiting. Vehicle and bicycle detection systems shorten or lengthen greens based on the traffic that has actually arrived.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
This is because most intersections run on fixed plans written years ago, unable to adjust to modern or real-time needs.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/11/2025
Toronto's intersections could be so much better. If you've driven, walked, cycled or taken transit in Toronto, you've probably been frustrated by them. Whether that's a green light that's too short for all the demand to clear, or advancing on a green only to be hit by a red at the next block.
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Reposted by Build Toronto
Eric Lombardi (EricForOLP.ca) @ericlombardi.ca · 30/10/2025
Want even better parks and public spaces in Toronto? With better maintenance, programming, and events? Toronto already has a great example of a public space managed by a non-profit - The Bentway! Today’s memo is simple, how can we get more places like it? Take a read!
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
What's more, they can look to identify and invite opportunities for new partnerships, such as Riverdale Park, Hanlan's Point, or sections of the Waterfront. buildtoronto.com/memos/conser...
buildtoronto.com
Using Conservancies to Build Great Public Spaces
The Bentway shows how public-space conservancies can combine public ownership with independent care, unlocking better programming, maintenance, and design.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
With a clear Conservancy Partnership Framework, the City could move from one-off exceptions to a standardized framework. This framework should outline clear legal, operational and funding arrangements.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
However, there are still limitations in Toronto's approach to conservancies. As they look to grow, each phase requires unique approvals and exemptions. Many different departments need to be navigated, approvals from previous phases are not rolled over to the next, and there is no sustained funding.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
This combines the stability of public ownership with the agility and ambition of non-profits and philanthropies.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
This was possible because of The Bentway Conservancy. Conservancies are non-profit organizations that manage publicly owned land through long-term agreements with government. Ownership remains public, but operations, programming and fundraising are handled by independent entities.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 30/10/2025
The Bentway is a great public space. It transformed unused space beneath the Gardiner Expressway into a park, with art, recreation, and community recreation, that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors ever year. buildtoronto.com/memos/conser...
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
With changes to connectivity and wayfinding, we can make Toronto's first impression a great one. buildtoronto.com/memos/great-...
buildtoronto.com
Make Toronto’s First Impression a Great One
The first 90 minutes in Toronto shape how visitors judge the city, and today that experience is confusing and fragmented.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
4️⃣ Expand TO360 – TO360 is a strong wayfinding foundation, but should be expanded to be the true tourism network layer, directing visitors to central and tourist-heavy neighbourhoods
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
3️⃣ Make UP Express the clear and seamless choice – Create a single-threaded path from Pearson's arrivals to UP Express, and study the feasibility of adding nonstop trips during peak periods
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
2️⃣ Extend the 509 Waterfront LRT into Billy Bishop –Establish the 509 as the official Billy Bishop-Union connection
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
1️⃣ Turn Union Station into Toronto's arrival hall – Install "arrival maps" with route directions to major destinations, highlighting direct walking routes, including in and around the PATH, and nearby transit connections
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
In Mike Murchison's memo, he proposes changes to reimagine visitors' first 90 minutes experience in Toronto:
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
These impressions carry even greater weight – roughly half of all Canadian visitors start their journey in Toronto, funnelling an estimated $8-10 billion in tourism each year. Even small improvements in arrival flow or wayfinding could yield hundreds of millions in new local spending each year.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
And getting around Union Station itself is confusing, when it could be a real arrival hall, telling newcomers how to reach the Waterfront, the Distillery, or the museums.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
And that first time experience is fractured. Pearson transfers to public transit don't feel effortless, leading to only 10% of visitors using modes like the UP Express. Billy Bishop lacks a dedicated, high-reliability link to Union.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 21/10/2025
First impressions matter. The first 90 minutes in a city shape whether visitors see it as welcoming and pleasant.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 18/10/2025
Thanks again to everyone who made our launch event a success! A big thank you to Andrew for leading the drinks, to Bahram Salik and Jasmine for their help throughout the night, to Luke Farag for the live socials, and Vincent for the photos. See you at the next one!
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 08/10/2025
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...
buildtoronto.com
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.
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Build Toronto @buildtoronto.com · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 08/10/2025
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 · 01/10/2025
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.
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