Interim zoning adjustments could place Toronto musicians in a stronger position to return to their conventional workplaces once pandemic-related restrictions on public gatherings have been lifted. The city’s Economic and Community Development Committee will consider two music industry recommendations at its upcoming meeting later this week.

The proposals have been conveyed from the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, which has tagged them as priorities for 2021-22. They call on the City to allow other uses in currently shuttered clubs and live performance venues, and to enforce the noise bylaw more leniently for musicians who are forced to work from home.

In particular, the Toronto Music Advisory Committee notes that strict interpretation of the current noise bylaw “limits the ability for artists to thrive in working from home similar to other professionals who work from home”. The recommendation calls on City staff to review the bylaw and advise Council on possible adjustments.

Looking to the economic sustainability of live music venues, the Music Advisory Committee also asks for flexibility for them “to operate as dance studios, gyms, or other businesses that have been allowed to open under different measures or restrictions than live music venues, pursuant to Ontario’s COVID-19 response framework.”