Toronto’s auditor general seeks missing development fees

Toronto’s auditor general is calling for a review to determine what happened to $28 million negotiated with developers prior to 2008 to pay for community benefits.

TORONTO

Toronto’s auditor general is calling for a review to determine what happened to $28 million negotiated with developers prior to 2008 to pay for community benefits.

Under the Planning Act, developers can make cash contributions for neighbourhood parks, daycares or streetscapes in return for permission to build larger projects than contemplated in the official plan.

Auditor general Jeff Griffiths’ report says Toronto’s management information system database indicates $28 million remains outstanding and blames inadequate tracking of the money.

Doug Holyday, chairman of the audit committee, says he doesn’t know if the money classified as outstanding came in or not. Coun. Adam Vaughan says tracking is complicated by the fact benefit cheques aren’t paid until the building permit is issued and when a project is stalled, the amount stays on the books but no payment arrives.

Canadian Press