Toronto Municipal Licensing & Standards Division

Last updated

Municipal Licensing & Standards Division (MLS) is a municipal body in Toronto which grants licenses and permits for certain activities under the city's jurisdiction including by-law administration and enforcement services. Other areas under the MLS's purview including targeted strategies to address graffiti, noise, business inspections, parks regulations and animal services issues. Services also include business licensing and permitting, property standards, and animal care including control, shelter and adoption services. [1] Toronto by-law 545 is what gives the MLS the power to license and inspect a variety of businesses in the city, in order to ensure public health, safety, consumer protection, and nuisance control.

Contents

In 2017, an audit report from the Auditor General of Toronto found that the division had issued or renewed 87,813 licenses, generated $28.9 million (CAD) in license and permit fees, and average 64 summons and 35 tickets per officer per year. [1]

The Commission replaced the old Metro Toronto Licensing Commission and various other bodies of the former municipalities of Metro Toronto.

The current executive direct of the MLS is Carleton Grant. [2]

Criticisms

The MLS has been criticized for body-rub parlors and 'holistic centers' that are officially licensed by the MLS but often advertise erotic massages that violate city bylaws and are part of sex trafficking. [3] In 2018, the Toronto Police created a working group in partnership with the MLS to identify long-term support and services for sex trafficking survivors and to develop prevention strategies.

The MLS is also in charge of regulating the use of fireworks in Toronto, where the sale and use of fireworks is only allowed without a permit on two civic holidays: Canada Day and Victoria Day. However a growing push from the various multicultural communities of Toronto have urged a change to the bylaws that allow fireworks at holidays such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. [4] Conversely, other residents of Toronto have pushed for more stringent enforcement of illegal fireworks prior to Canada Day.

Due to surging inflation, the MLS proposed a $1 surcharge on taxicab fares on a temporary basis as fuel costs have become prohibitive to cab drivers. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massage parlor</span> Business offering the services of trained masseuses/masseurs

A massage parlor, or massage parlour, is a place where massage services are provided. Some massage parlors are front organizations for prostitution and the term "massage parlor" has also become a euphemism for a brothel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thai massage</span> Traditional therapy in Thailand

Thai massage or Thai yoga massage is a traditional therapy combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. The idea of Sen-lines alias energy-lines was first used as "Thai yoga massage". These are similar to nadis as per the philosophy of yoga by Gorakhnath.

Property management is the operation, control, maintenance, and oversight of real estate and physical property. This can include residential, commercial, and land real estate. Management indicates the need for real estate to be cared for and monitored, with accountability for and attention to its useful life and condition. This is much akin to the role of management in any business.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxis of Hong Kong</span> Taxi system of Hong Kong

Hong Kong taxicabs are the principal taxi service in Hong Kong. Although a few taxis are independently owned and operated, the vast majority are owned by 17 independent taxi companies that rent out taxis on a shift basis to 40,000 self-employed drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission</span> State agency of Texas

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, or TABC, is a Texas public agency responsible for regulating, inspecting, and taxing the production, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages within the state. The agency was established in 1935 and is headquartered in Austin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxis of Singapore</span>

Taxis of Singapore come in two main varieties. Traditional taxi companies offer flag down and call bookings and their drivers are hired employees of the company. Ridesharing companies allow bookings through a smartphone, allowing ease for passengers, these are mostly known as private hire vehicles (PHV). Their apps also allow the flexibility to work and pick up passengers with their own vehicle, be it owned or rented, provided the various requirements are met depending on the company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Municipal government of Toronto</span> Local government of the City of Toronto

The municipal government of Toronto is the local government responsible for administering the city of Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario. Its structure and powers are set out in the City of Toronto Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home inspection</span>

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

Taxicabs within a country often share common properties, but there is a wide variation from country to country in the vehicles used, the circumstances under which they may be hired and the regulatory regime to which these are subject.

The taxicabs of the United States make up a mature system; most U.S. cities have a licensing scheme which restricts the number of taxicabs allowed. As of 2012 the total number of taxi cab drivers in the United States is 233,900; the average annual salary of a taxi cab driver is $22,820 and the expected percent job increase over the next 10 years is 16%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxis of the United Kingdom</span>

Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade. The Public Carriage Office (PCO), which regulates and licenses taxis and private hire was transferred from the Metropolitan Police to become part of Transport for London in 2000." In 2015, there were around 298,000 licensed drivers in England, of which 164,000 were private hire licences, 62,000 were taxi licences and 72,000 were dual licences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taxis of Australia</span> Transport vehicles for hire

Taxis in Australia are highly regulated by each Australian state and territory, with each state and territory having its own history and structure. In December 2014, there were 21,344 taxis in Australia. Taxis in Australia are required to be licensed and are typically required to operate and charge on a fitted taximeter. Taxi fare rates are set by State or Territory governments. A vehicle without a meter is generally not considered to be a taxi, and may be described, for example, as a hire car, limousine, carpool, etc. Most taxis today are fueled by liquid petroleum gas. A2B Australia owns and operates the Cabcharge payment system, which covers 98% of taxis in Australia, and operates one of Australia's largest taxi networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bylaw enforcement officer</span> Law enforcement officer responsible for enforcing local ordinance

A bylaw enforcement officer is an employee of a municipality, county or regional district, charged with the enforcement of local ordinance—bylaws, laws, codes, or regulations enacted by local governments. Bylaw enforcement officers often work closely with police and other law enforcement agencies, but are generally not considered emergency services.

Illegal taxicabs, sometimes known as pirate taxis, gypsy cabs, or jitney cabs, are taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles that are not duly licensed or permitted by the jurisdiction in which they operate. Most major cities worldwide require taxicabs to be licensed, safety-inspected, insured as for-hire vehicles and use taximeters and there may also be requirements that the taxi driver be registered or accredited. However, many unlicensed cabs are in operation. Illegal cabs may be marked taxi vehicles, and others are personal vehicles used by an individual to offer unauthorized taxi-like services. Illegal cabs are prevalent in cities with medallion systems, which restrict the number of legal cabs in operation. Since their introduction in 2009, vehicles affiliated with the transportation network company Uber have been classified as illegal taxicabs in some jurisdictions.

Prostitution in Lebanon is nominally legal and regulated. However, no licences have been issued since 1975. In modern Lebanon, prostitution takes place semi-officially via 'super night clubs', and illegally on the streets, in bars, hotels and brothels. UNAIDS estimate there to be 4,220 prostitutes in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rickshaws in the United States</span>

Rickshaws are used in numerous cities in the United States, primarily for their novelty value as an entertaining form of transportation for tourists and locals. However, they also have environmental benefits and may be quicker than other forms of transport if traffic congestion is high. Various laws regulate their use in different cities.

Taxicabs and other vehicles-for-hire in Canada are regulated by local municipalities and provinces, and are owned & operated by private companies and individuals. Unlicensed cabs in some cities are referred to as bandit taxis/cabs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 City of Toronto inside and outside workers strike</span> 2009 strike action in Toronto, Canada

The 2009 City of Toronto inside and outside workers strike was a legal strike action that was undertaken by the Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 and CUPE Local 79, two locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees in the city of Toronto.

The history of prostitution in Canada is based on the fact that Canada inherited its criminal laws from England. The first recorded laws dealing with prostitution were in Nova Scotia in 1759, although as early as August 19, 1675 the Sovereign Council of New France convicted Catherine Guichelin, one of the King's Daughters, with leading a "life scandalous and dishonest to the public", declared her a prostitute and banished her from the walls of Quebec City under threat of the whip. Following Canadian Confederation, the laws were consolidated in the Criminal Code. These dealt principally with pimping, procuring, operating brothels and soliciting. Most amendments to date have dealt with the latter, originally classified as a vagrancy offence, this was amended to soliciting in 1972, and communicating in 1985. Since the Charter of Rights and Freedoms became law, the constitutionality of Canada's prostitution laws have been challenged on a number of occasions.

The legality of ridesharing companies by jurisdiction varies; in some areas they are considered to be illegal taxi operations, while in other areas, they are subject to regulations that can include requirements for driver background checks, fares, caps on the number of drivers in an area, insurance, licensing, and minimum wage.

References

  1. 1 2 "A Review of Municipal Licensing and Standards Division's Management of Business Licences – Part One: Licence Issuance, Inspection and Complaint Investigation Functions". Toronto Auditor General. 2017-10-24. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  2. "CityNews". toronto.citynews.ca. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  3. Pelley, Lauren (10 April 2018). "Sex trafficking is rampant in Toronto's city-licensed spas, massage parlours, activists say". CBC . Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  4. "Toronto is considering limiting fireworks use instead of education and inclusivity". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  5. "City proposes fuel surcharge of $1 per cab ride to help taxi industry". torontosun. Retrieved 2022-05-02.