Toronto Council meets today!

(The end is NIGH, I meant. But "the end is night" seems kind of poetic? Eh, I'll leave it.)

Councillor Brad Bradford's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 25% (instead of 20%) FAILS 5-20.

Councillor Carroll's motion to increase the small biz property tax break to 20% CARRIES 23-2.

Councillor Matlow's motion requesting the City Manager start negotiations on getting Toronto a slice of HST revenue CARRIES 24-1.

Councillor Morley's motions to report on ways to improve conditions at drop-in sites and offer better snow clearing services for seniors CARRY 24-1.

Councillor Pasternak's motion to tell the federal government that the city "vigorously opposes" the $10 million cut to the Housing Accelerator Fund that came following council's refusal to legalize sixplexes citywide CARRIES 22-3.

Councillor Bravo's motion requesting the police explain the budget impacts of various moves in recent years to transfer services from the cops to city hall CARRIES 23-2.

Councillor Perruzza's motion requesting the province let the city keep the education portion of property tax revenue CARRIES 22-3.

Councillor Holyday's motion calling for the mayor to consider bringing back mechanical vacuum leaf collection FAILS 9-16. Getting closer.

Councillor Myers' motion to report on formalizing and strengthening the relationship between City Hall and the TTC CARRIES 24-0.

Councillor Burnside's motion requesting the TTC board consider a ten-cent fare increase, with the extra revenue going toward providing more service and expanding eligibility for the low-income fare pass, FAILS 3-20.

Councillor Crisanti's motion for a report on providing seniors with discounted Wheel-Trans rides during off-peak periods CARRIES 19-5.

The property tax rates for 2026, including a 2.2% overall residential increase, are APPROVED by council 21-4.

There was some confusion over what that vote was all about, so council opts for a re-do. On a re-vote, the 2026 property tax rates are APPROVED 19-5.

Budget recommendation to suspend the Toronto Parking Authority's income share agreement, so that all net parking income will now flow direct to City Hall, CARRIES 20-4.

Budget recommendation to request the TPA look at increasing parking rates for 2026 CARRIES 20-4.

Budget recommendation to expand a program offering air conditioners to low-income seniors CARRIES 23-1.

Various budget recommendations related to the FIFA World Cup CARRY 22-2.

And all other budget matters CARRY 24-0.

Noting there's been "impressive numbers in terms of reduction of crime" recently, Councillor Michael Thompson asks the police chief what his "crystal ball" tells him about crime rates in 2026.

Demkiw says it's "very hard to speculate," but he's committed to driving the numbers down.