Trespass Orders Follow-up: policy and practice

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Forwarded message ---------

From: Jutta Mason <juttamason@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 1:07 PM Subject: Confusion about trespass orders on city property To: john.elvidge@toronto.ca <john.elvidge@toronto.ca>, Clerk <clerk@toronto.ca> Cc: Councillor Bravo <Councillor_Bravo@toronto.ca>

John Elvidge is the city clerk of Toronto's municipal government

Dear Mr.Elvidge,

Please let me see the current city form and policy for issuing a trespass order applying to parks and rec facilities in Toronto. I assume that this form and underlying policy are public and therefore not available through FOI.

Context:
There seems to be confusion about who can issue a trespass order for parks and rec centres (TPS? City?) and what the rules are. Some relevant documents:

1. Ombudsman's report on parks and rec trespass orders Ombud's recommendations (accepted by the city in 2005):

Properly document incidents that occur, ensure the documentation is factual and objective, and ensure all records are properly maintained.
Provide clear rationale for its decision to impose a ban, and only issue bans for finite amounts of time.
Develop a system whereby suspensions, bans, and trespass notices issued can be accurately monitored and evaluated.

2. City Councillor Bravo's recent letter referencing the current trespass rules in city parks (presumably provided by P&R staff):

Regarding the involvement of Toronto Police in this matter, City of Toronto staff, including Parks and Recreation staff, and City Councillors and their offices, do not have any authority to request or order Toronto Police to issue a trespass order, or take other actions. A firewall against political interference is in place. If there is an incident that is reported to Toronto Police by any party involved, the Police alone determine their investigation and response. Anyone can make a complaint about service of the Toronto Police, and information on how to do so is available here: https://www.tps.ca/services/complaints/

3. My blog entry about a Feb.12, 2025 TPS trespass order

4. Attached: the 2005 Parks and Rec form for a trespass order.Uploads:ResearchLibrary/tpf.pdf

If you are not the right person for this issue, I would appreciate a suggestion about where to direct my question.

Thank you, Jutta Mason

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From: Clerk <clerk@toronto.ca> Date: Mon, Mar 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM Subject: RE: Confusion about trespass orders on city property To: Jutta Mason <juttamason@gmail.com> Cc: Councillor Bravo <Councillor_Bravo@toronto.ca>, Parks <parks@toronto.ca>, John Elvidge <John.Elvidge@toronto.ca>

Hello Jutta,

Thanks for your email to the City Clerk’s Office. The City’s Parks & Recreation division (copied on this response) can advise regarding which City policies and forms are applicable for this purpose.

Thanks,

Kate

City Clerk’s Office

Content last modified on April 01, 2025, at 10:58 AM EST