City of Toronto Holds Music Industry Consultation re: Noise By-law Review
July 30th, 2015
Update: The survey deadline has been extended to September 14th, 2015
Yesterday, as part of the City of Toronto’s ongoing review of its noise by-laws, the Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) division and the Toronto Music Advisory Council held a public consultation in which the music industry was given an opportunity to provide feedback and help shape future policy on the subject.
Toronto’s Music Sector Development Officer, Mike Tanner, helped to facilitate the consultation, which was well attended by members of Toronto City Council – both Councillors Mike Layton and Michael Thompson were in attendance – as well as members of the music community. Venue owners, both big and small, as well as festival owners, promoters, and BIAs all had the opportunity to comment on the city’s noise policies and how they affect the music community.
A series of recommendations, prepared for MLS by members of the Toronto Music Advisory Council, were discussed at the public meeting. The discussion points touched on several key issues relating to noise and music in the city, specifically by identifying ways in which the city could:
- Achieve objective and consistent measurement;
- Accommodate different types and sizes of music venues;
- Fairly investigate and resolve disputes;
- Make noise exemption permits more accessible; and,
- Identify policies that would benefit both the city and the music community in the future.
Ultimately, the recommendations were well-received by the venue owners and the other members of the music community that were in attendance. The tone of the meeting was kept very positive and suggestion-oriented throughout. This was viewed largely as an opportunity to make positive suggestions and work collaboratively with MLS and the city.
The challenge of balancing live music and the benefits it brings to the city with concerns about noise is something that comes up in Music Canada’s recent Mastering of a Music City report. The report recommends that government work with the music community to identify music-friendly and mutually beneficial solutions. We are glad to see that this kind of dialogue is occurring here in our own Music City.
If you are interested in having your voice heard as part of the City’s noise bylaw review, we would urge you to complete the MLS survey and add your feedback. The city has extended the survey deadline to September 14th, 2015.
