Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 ::: TTC

The Toronto Star has written this article concerning the billboard that is the subject of this post.

The TTC is advertising its Transit City initiative on CBS Outdoor billboards around Toronto, as well as in the 905. (There are currently two pretty impressive-looking 14′x48′ Transit City billboards along Eglinton East in Mississauga.)

The signs usually appear on CBS Outdoor billboards, possibly at little or no cost to the TTC, as CBS is required to provide them with billboard space as part of its contract to put ads on TTC property. The TTC relies on CBS Outdoor to ensure that the signs are being operated in a manner consistent with applicable laws.

We think this is a positive use of billboard space and the Transit City signs — featuring Matt Blackett-designed buttons — look great.

Somebody complained about the Transit City sign at 130-150 Bridgeland Avenue, which is located along the 401, where billboards are completely prohibited. TTC Chairman Giambrone’s office has informed us that they have asked CBS Outdoor to remove the sign.

Billboards visible from Highway 401 and within 400 metres of the highway are completely prohibited by municipal and provincial law. Many of the signs along the 401 are 1st-party signs that are using 3rd-party copy. Others have no permits whatsoever. Still others have 3rd-party permits that were issued by the Buildings Department, which ignored applicable law when issuing the permit.

In the case of the Transit City sign at 130-150 Bridgeland Avenue, on Aug. 23, 2006, the Buildings Department erroneously issued this permit for a third-party billboard on the roof of this building. In order to do so, it ignored the North York signs by-law and the Ministry of Transportation signage regulations. Apparently it was issued to CBS Outdoor.

In order to obtain third-party permits along the 401, in may cases, the billboard company submits a plan to the MTO for a sign not facing the 401 and then obtains an exemption from the MTO regulations.

It then submits that exemption along with a plan to the Buildings Department for a sign facing the 401 and obtains the permit for a third-party sign facing the 401.

This happens not just with billboards but propane facilities, etc. As Buildings Department employees receive no training as to the relevant provincial regulations they do no diligence on what the province in fact approved. When we complain about these signs, we’re told they have permits and were approved by the Province, but they weren’t approved by the Province, and the permit was issued improperly.  Multiply 130-150 Bridgeland by the 45-50 signs on the 401 and thousands of provincially-regulated matters every year that Buildings deals with, and you have a Buildings Department that seeks to cover this up.

We are thankful that the Chairman of the TTC has a public space-friendly office.