Community and Protective Services Committee

WHEREAS Ottawa City Council has significant concerns about the practices of tow truck companies, including the rates charged for conveyance and for other services they provide, and their impact on resident and on auto insurance rates in the longer term; AND WHEREAS, as a result of those concerns, Council requested that staff review the feasibility and impacts of licensing tow truck companies, including the regulation of rates, and staff has reported to Council on its preliminary work in this regard but, has also identified that the Government of Ontario had stuck a Provincial Task Force to identify ways in which to protect Ontario drivers against fraud while helping to stabilize automobile insurance rates across the province; AND WHEREAS, a review of the towing industry was included in the Task Force’s undertakings and, as a result, among the recommendations is one proposing the establishment of a province- wide licensing scheme of the industry; AND WHEREAS, in the Ontario Budget 2013, it is indicated that: “The government will also conduct further study and consultation on other initiatives to reduce costs, including provincial oversight of towing and amending the definition of catastrophic impairment in the Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule”; AND WHEREAS, on June 11, 2013, Bill 65, the Prosperous and Fair Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2013 was passed in the legislature; AND WHEREAS, as the provincial budget was only just recently approved, the particulars about the natu

That the Community and Protective Services Committee approve the addition of this item for consideration by the committee at today’s meeting, pursuant to Section 84(3) of the Procedure By-law to ensure that operational staff has the approvals necessary to meet their project schedule .

WHEREAS at its meeting of 11 April 2013 Council approved that the green space portion of the property behind Fire Station 22 at 1397 Richmond Road would be dedicated as a park; and WHEREAS, over the last ten years, the residents of the Winthrop Court community have been working together to build a better and safer place for their children to play; and WHEREAS the Winthrop Court Tenants Association submitted the name “Inspiration Park” through the City’s Commemorative Naming Process to celebrate the achievements of the Winthrop Court community; and WHEREAS the Clerk’s Office conducted a 30-day public consultation on the proposed name and received seven (7) responses, all of which were supportive; and WHEREAS there is an urgent need to finalize the name in time for the grand opening of the park, which is scheduled for early August; and WHEREAS the necessary park signage will be funded through the cash-in-lieu of parkland funds; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Community and Protective Service Committee recommend that Council formally name the new park, at 1397 Richmond Road, “Inspiration Park.”