quote:

A proposed sign tax that would add millions to city coffers could also mean hundreds of billboards across Toronto would be pulled down. "Alarming" was the word used by Rosanne Caron, president of the Out of Home Marketing Association of Canada, which represents nine sign firms, five of them affected by the new measures. A new bylaw being considered would establish uniform rules across the city for legal, permanent signs and a new billboard tax that would raise $10.4 million. "The new tax has the potential to put some companies out of business ... and reduce opportunities for public service advertising," Caron said. But Rami Tabello of Illegalsigns.ca, a watchdog group, says it will also clean up the city's skyline by eliminating illegally placed signs.

http://media.thestar.topscms.com/im...e8809776a8.jpeg

Last edited by Jayx1 on Oct-31-2009 at 17:27

1) yet another city tax grab

2) id rather see billboards than plain brick walls or walls full of graffitti

3) i cant believe there is actually a group formed against this. Do people in this city really have nothing better to do?

4) can this city become any more anti business?

1) probably or someone's goodie goodie idea to 'clean up'.
2) I'd actually rather see brick walls and graffiti.
3) no, they probably don't

4) I'm sure it could, but it's fucking over homeowners pretty good already with municipal land transfer tax, higher water bills, and the province's HST is going to hurt us even more.

Hmmmm...I'd like to see the full article and more information, that link doesn't work...Could you provide another, Jay?

___________________
They're all crazy. Even you. You're all...crazy."
"Even me?" she said.
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"Especially you" I said.
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Then, I blew out the candle.

that was the full article.


If youd rather see brick walls and graffiti i cannot fathom why. A lot of ads are colourful and add to an otherwise bleak city. Its not like we are rome or paris or anywhere with significant character. Billboards, murals and signs should be encouraged along with better archetecture and design.

The city is F ing everyone over but especially business which is why its fleeing to city in droves.

More bylaws = more cost = less competativeness = lost business = fewer jobs. Rinse... repeat

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 that was the full article. If youd rather see brick walls and graffiti i cannot fathom why. A lot of ads are colourful and add to an otherwise bleak city. Its not like we are rome or paris or anywhere with significant character. Billboards, murals and signs should be encouraged along with better archetecture and design. The city is F ing everyone over but especially business which is why its fleeing to city in droves. More bylaws = more cost = less competativeness = lost business = fewer jobs. Rinse... repeat

Oh. I agree though. Could you imagine driving into the city without all those boards along the Gardiner? It would be SO bleak and boring, it would probably cause me to fall asleep at the wheel. I guess I'm biased though, I also like admiring them for their creativity.

I really like Astral Media's new "Superboards" - digital OOH displays. They're humongous and flashy, full of bright color, they are really impressive, there should be more of those in the city (where appropriate).

I remember walking home from Footwork once and admiring a huge Audi execution on University Ave. in what would've otherwise been an ordinary crappy parking lot.

___________________
They're all crazy. Even you. You're all...crazy."
"Even me?" she said.
I thought, "Oh right, if I categorically eliminate all other people, it's just me and her. She'd like that.
"Especially you" I said.
"You are virtually the ring leader, the way I see it."
Then, I blew out the candle.

This new bylaw will ban most billboards and all video billboards except at yonge and dundas. The ones already in place will be taxed $24000 per year which basically means they will be taxed out of existence.

Just when you think toronto cant get any more pathetic.....

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 This new bylaw will ban most billboards and all video billboards except at yonge and dundas. The ones already in place will be taxed $24000 per year which basically means they will be taxed out of existence. Just when you think toronto cant get any more pathetic.....

24K ??? Are you kidding me? That's fucking ridiculous!

___________________
They're all crazy. Even you. You're all...crazy."
"Even me?" she said.
I thought, "Oh right, if I categorically eliminate all other people, it's just me and her. She'd like that.
"Especially you" I said.
"You are virtually the ring leader, the way I see it."
Then, I blew out the candle.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeyN 24K ??? Are you kidding me? That's fucking ridiculous!

apparently its the first and only tax of this kind in the world.... i guess u cant say toronto isnt innovative!

Whats next? taxing seniors to use parks or taxing sidewalks? Oh wait... never mind!

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 apparently its the first and only tax of this kind in the world.... i guess u cant say toronto isnt innovative! Whats next? taxing seniors to use parks or taxing sidewalks? Oh wait... never mind!

nope just tax cyclists and force insurance for all cyclists!

As someone who works in the media industry I think this is a good idea; it has been a long time coming for outdoor media.

Outdoor ads have gone crazy in this city, many of them are unlicensed, too large based on the licence they have and generally not that good of quality (nor maintained to keep them looking good).

The billboard conglomerates (Pattison, Viacom/CBS, Lamar) are typically pretty good with their sites, but the problem is the rogue installations that actually clutter up the city and devalue the whole industry.

Check out this site for some good analysis on the issues: http://www.IllegalSigns.ca

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quote:

Originally posted by rabbitjoker As someone who works in the media industry I think this is a good idea; it has been a long time coming for outdoor media. Outdoor ads have gone crazy in this city, many of them are unlicensed, too large based on the licence they have and generally not that good of quality (nor maintained to keep them looking good). The billboard conglomerates (Pattison, Viacom/CBS, Lamar) are typically pretty good with their sites, but the problem is the rogue installations that actually clutter up the city and devalue the whole industry. Check out this site for some good analysis on the issues: http://www.IllegalSigns.ca

indeed, many of the existing billboards flaunt existing bylaws as it is, and to be honest, i really don't want to see yet another car ad or yet another big mac ad. i'll take my skyline, architecture, and local artistry over corporate slogans any day.