Investigative Reports

Showing 11 to 20 of 51 items

Enquiry into How the City of Toronto Handles Homeowner Third-Party Liability Claims for Basement Flooding and Sewer Backups

November 19, 2020

Every year, Toronto homeowners experience distressing and costly basement flooding and sewer backups. In some areas of the City, homeowners are dealing with repeated flooding of their basements, resulting in significant property damage each time. City Council asked Ombudsman Toronto to review the City’s process for investigating claims against the City by people whose properties have suffered damage due to basement floods and sewer backups.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) Complaint Trend Data and Related Recommendations

March 17, 2020

In each of the past five years, more people have complained to Ombudsman Toronto about the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (“TCHC”) more than any other City organization within our scope. This report responds to requests from both TCHC management and its Board of Directors to learn more about complaints the Ombudsman receives about TCHC.

Enquiry into How Toronto Animal Services Handled a Dangerous Dog Investigation and Appeal

December 16, 2019

In June 2017, a young boy was attacked by his neighbour’s dog. The City’s Animal Services department issued a dangerous dog order against the dog. The owner appealed the order, but the family was not told about the neighbour’s request or their right to participate in the appeal process.

Review of the TTC’s Investigation of a February 18, 2018 Incident Involving Transit Fare Inspectors

July 11, 2019

The Ombudsman called on the TTC to investigate an incident when Transit Fare Inspectors forcibly detained a young Black man and pledged that her office would ensure that the TTC’s investigation was appropriately thorough, fair and transparent and that its conclusions were reasonable.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s Medical and Safety At Risk Priority Transfer Process For Tenants: Update On Implementation of Investigation Recommendations

March 15, 2019

Toronto City Council passed motions to accept Ombudsman Toronto’s Investigation into Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s Medical and Safety at Risk Priority Transfer Process For Tenants report and to direct TCHC and the City to implement our recommendations. This serves as an update on TCHC’s progress implementing the recommendations in that report.

Enquiry into the Water Connection at a Scarborough Heritage Property

March 6, 2019

After a water leak developed, a member of the public contacted us about a pipe that ran through the basement of her property to the neighbouring house. She no longer wanted the pipe to run through her house and across her property, but the City had refused to pay to connect the neighbouring house directly to the City’s water supply.

Enquiry into Toronto Hydro’s “Project Carlaw” Pole Replacement in the Former Ward 30

February 13, 2019

We received six complaints from Toronto residents about “Project Carlaw,” Toronto Hydro’s capital project to replace old hydro poles in Toronto Danforth (the former Ward 30). All six people complained that Toronto Hydro was installing new hydro poles in front of their homes without notice.

Enquiry into the Section 37 Agreement for the Historic Mimico Train Station

July 9, 2018

In 2004, a community group began a project to restore a historic train station in Mimico. Four years later, a condominium developer submitted a rezoning application to allow it to build across from the station, and City staff recommended Council approve the application as well as a Section 37 agreement. After another development sale, the station remains empty and unsafe.

Enquiry into the City of Toronto’s Handling of a Building Permit for Construction of a House

May 15, 2018

The City revoked Mr. L’s permit to demolish an existing house and build a new one on his corner lot after discovering that it had issued the permit in error after misinterpreting a section of the new zoning bylaw relating to the location of the driveway, causing Mr. L money and delaying the sale of his house.

Enquiry into How the City Handled the Sale of a Tenant’s Business at St. Lawrence Market

April 6, 2018

A St. Lawrence Market tenant complained that the City’s Real Estate Services division had delayed the sale of his business, and unfairly charged him interest on rental arrears and administration fees. He also said that staff had behaved unprofessionally throughout the sale process.