Investigative Reports

Showing 21 to 30 of 41 items

An Investigation into the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division’s Handling of a Park Permit

May 17, 2017

In response to noise and safety complaints from neighbours, the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division quickly revoked a permit for a youth sports program and relocated the program to another park in the area, without consulting the company or investigating the complaints. This raised broader systemic questions about the permit process.

Enquiry Report: Cold Weather Drop-In Services City of Toronto 2016-17 Winter Season

May 12, 2017

A well-known social activist and street nurse raised concerns about Toronto’s cold weather response for people experiencing homelessness, including insufficient emergency shelter spaces.

Enquiry into a Complaint about Committee of Adjustment Notice Procedures

March 7, 2017

A member of the public contacted us, concerned that his next door neighbour had started building a two-storey rear addition to their home that would block his window and reduce privacy, and they were unaware that his neighbour would be building this addition.

Enquiry into a Noise Complaint to MLS

February 8, 2017

A member of the public contacted us with concerns about Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) handling of her noise complaint. She lives in a semi-detached house and shares an adjoining wall with her neighbour, and complained to MLS about “construction noise” coming from next door.

Unruel(y) Behaviour: An Investigation into Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s Human Resources Policies and Practices

April 30, 2014

Wheel-Trans is Watching: An Investigation into the Toronto Transit Commission’s Use of Video Surveillance on Wheel-Trans Vehicles

July 31, 2013

In 2006 and 2007, the TTC installed video surveillance cameras in all of its vehicles for the specific purposes of improving public safety and security and deterring crime. The use of video surveillance was later expanded to include the Wheel-Trans vehicles, which provide transportation services for riders unable to use conventional transit because of mobility challenges.

Housing at Risk: An Investigation into the Toronto Community Corporation’s Eviction of Seniors on the Basis of Rent Arrears

June 30, 2013

In October 2012, as a result of complaints, the Ombudsman initiated an investigation into the eviction of seniors for nonpayment of arrears. The investigation centred on whether eviction prevention policies were applied consistently.

Promises Made, Promises Broken: An Investigation into the City’s Below-Market Rent Program

March 31, 2013

In February 2012, six non-profit agencies leasing space in the same City building (the Complainants) complained to the Ombudsman. They said that the City was raising their rent by 550%, and that despite repeated requests, the City had failed to provide an adequate explanation for the increase.

Council Directed Review on City’s Response to Three-Prior Neighbourhood-Level Emergencies

February 1, 2013

As a result of tabling that investigation, Council directed the Ombudsman to review the City’s responses into three earlier neighbourhood-level emergencies – the Queen Street West fire (February 2008), the Secord Avenue fire (July 2008) and the Sunrise Propane explosion (August 2008).

An Investigation into the Parking Ticket Dispute System in Toronto

November 30, 2012

We received a sizeable number of complaints from parking ticket recipients about the information available to the public and the adequacy of the process for disputing parking tickets. Complainants stated that the parking infraction dispute process seemed designed to encourage payment and discourage those with disputes from pursuing them.