Timeline
City invites community to 32 Lisgar Town Hall on May 7
"The purpose of the Town Hall is to update community members on the current temporary programming and use of the space, and future plans for the Hub."
Short-term licensed occupants move into 32 Lisgar
Workman Arts, InterAccess and others initiate their short-term license agreement.
Toronto Biennial programs Precarious Joys at 32 Lisgar
The exhibition and related programs examine the cultural communities and places that have been lost in Toronto. While not contacted for comment or participation, Liberal Member of Parliament Julie Dzerowicz thanked TMAC all the same.
City reveals prohibitive hidden costs
Only through our continued advocacy did potential applicants learn that the City expected tenants to budget an additional $12,000-$16,000/month above the initially presented operating costs. The City defended their rushed process despite acknowledging significant accessibility issues and unknown costs to complete even basic HVAC systems, putting community organizations at major financial risk.
City extends REOI deadline after TMAC's advocacy
Following our persistent questioning about the rushed timeline and significant unresolved issues with the space, the City extended the application deadline from July 22 to August 12, 2022. However, they continued to withhold critical information about building conditions and operating costs until the "shortlisting" phase – a totally unrealistic approach to identifying a viable community operator.
TMAC fights for transparency in City's REOI process
Our board and members attended the mandatory tour for the City's Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process, where we raised crucial questions about the space's accessibility issues, building deficiencies, and incomplete shared service arrangements that have remained unresolved since 2014. All we want is to ensure the space's future operator is fully informed.
City abandons plans to seek a long-term operator
The City abandons plans to find a long term operator as and approves the use of the space for short term licenses. The space is to be provided as-is.
TMAC forced to vacate 32 Lisgar
After years of fighting for the community benefit we created, we were unable to raise sufficient funds to continue our 5+ year legal battle against the City of Toronto. Despite creating a vibrant community hub with over 475 free public events, 50 free exhibitions, and collaborations with 220+ grassroots arts partners during our 2-year occupancy, we had to vacate when the bankruptcy trustee canceled our interim occupancy license at the City's direction.
Judicial mediation completed
TMAC was unable to raise the funds required by the Minutes of Settlement.
New judicial mediation date set
The mediation originally planned for spring has a new date. We look forward to a judge reviewing our materials so that we can put this fight behind us so we can devote all of our resources to this community.
Judicial mediation scheduled
TMAC and the City agree to enter judicial mediation over the City's interference with the adjudication of our settlement materials. However, due to court closures related to the global pandemic, this date was postponed. We expect a rescheduled mediation date before the end of 2020.
TMAC attends Ana Bailao's Queen West Town Hall
The community questioned Councillor Bailao about whether she now supports TMAC, considering its years of successful operations. She responded that the most important thing is that the space is operated as a media arts centre, and that she didn’t know anything about the legal machinations underway.
We also delivered her 400+ letters from community members asking the City to stop fighting TMAC.
Cross-examinations
City and TMAC lawyers cross-examine opposing parties – Sally Han (for the City of Toronto) and Henry Faber (for TMAC). The City maintains its position that TMAC has no right to the space and has demonstrated no ability to operate it.
TMAC files motion
TMAC files a motion to the court to hold the City to the reasonable conditions it agreed to in our January meeting – that funds raised could be conditional on closing.
City changes its position
Despite TMAC’s successful fundraising, and its compliance with the terms agreed to at the meeting on January 16, 2019, the City claims that TMAC should have no further rights to the space.
TMAC secures sponsorships
TMAC exceeds its obligations under the terms of the amended Minutes of Settlement by securing sponsorships totalling $2.285 million.
We also celebrated the 1-year anniversary of moving in to our space, and launched our second year of artistic and community programming.
Conditional funding agreement
The City agrees that it will count conditional funding commitments towards the Cash Obligation
Consent to sever granted
Consent to sever the "Additional Arts & Culture Space" from TMAC is granted by the committee of adjustment and no appeal is filed by the deadline.
City proposes extension
The City of Toronto proposes (and TMAC accepts) a 6-month extension to the deadline in the MoS, as the City does not control the timeline for the conveyance of title.
TMAC takes occupancy of building
TMAC accepts City's offer of settlement, which gives us the right to occupy the space on an interim basis while litigation is resolved
Settlement reached
TMAC and the City of Toronto sign a settlement agreement intended to resolve the legal dispute over the TMAC space at 36 Lisgar.
TMAC files motion for injunction
TMAC files motion for an injunction for temporary occupancy of the space while we continue negotiating the settlement, as leases at our member org spaces are expiring. Court date set for Jan. 17, 2018.
City rejects occupancy
The City opposes our proposal for temporary occupancy of the space to provide relief to our member organizations with expiring leases – despite granting Urbancorp permission to use it as an office.
The City brought its own motion to permanently extinguish TMAC’s right to own or occupy the Space. In an affidavit sworn in support of that motion, one of the City’s decision-makers swore that City staff “were, and still are, of the view that TMAC is still not a viable group to operate the Combined Arts and Culture Space successfully.”
Unesco consultation
TMAC is invited to support the City of Toronto's bid to designate Toronto as a UNESCO Creative City in Media Arts; four representatives attend consultation. The bid is won in October 2017
Urbancorp moves office in to TMAC
The City has given Urbancorp the thumbs-up to move in to an office on the 3rd floor of TMAC – originally intended to be the Images Festival office. This space is restricted to arts and culture use under the land-use agreement, yet a bankrupt developer is allowed to use it to carry out the restructuring of its business while TMAC and its members are blocked from occupying the space.
Urbancorp bankrupt
Urbancorp files for restructuring under bankruptcy act
Mediation begins
Mediation begins, and all parties engage in a negotiation process
City holds public consultation at Parkdale Library
City holds a public consultation , signalling its intent to move forward with an RFP process, despite a legal action by TMAC asserting its rights to the space.
A “raucous” community consultation attended by 255+ community members, plus local and national news media, sends a clear message to the City: The community wants TMAC in its space.
TMAC sues City, Urbancorp
TMAC files a statement of claim against Urbancorp and the City of Toronto for specific performance of the APS, requiring Urbancorp to complete the sale.
TMAC tenders closing documents
TMAC delivers all closing documents; Urbancorp refuses to close due to the City's interference.
Condo is registered
The Condominium is registered
City directs Urbancorp not to close the transaction with TMAC
City directs Urbancorp not to complete sale, despite facility being "substantially completed" for occupancy and subsequently registered.
Councillor says she will "terminate" APS
At a meeting between TMAC and Councillor Ana Bailao, the councillor stated that she would stop the transaction and that the "deal is over" – and asked that TMAC sign over its rights to the space to Artscape
APS executed
Urbancorp, TMAC and the City finalize Agreement of Purchase and Sale
TMAC designs and builds facility
TMAC designs the facility, investing close to $1m in public funds and thousands of volunteer hours into overseeing the build over 3 years.
S. 37 agreement executed
Urbancorp and the City enter into Section 37 agreement subject to a land-use agreement
Council passes
City Council unanimously approves TMAC as operator of the arts & culture space at 36 Lisgar.
Letter of intent executed
TMAC and Urbancorp sign a letter of intent
Needs assessment
TMAC commissions needs assessment for shared facility
TMAC formed
TMAC formed to secure permanent affordable space for media arts non-profits
Initial feasibility study commissioned
TMAC’s precursor, the Cultural Arts Centre Toronto (CACTI), commissions first feasibility study
