Report Number 220 Of The Planning & Budget Committee
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
To the Academic Board,
University of Toronto,
Your Committee reports that it held a meeting on March 25, 2026 at 3:10 p.m. with the following members present:
PRESENT: Sali Tagliamonte (Chair), Scott Mabury, (Vice President, Operations and Real Estate Partnerships and Vice-Provost, Academic Programs), Mike Snowdon (Acting Assistant Vice President, Planning and Budget), Janet Cloud, Ramy Elitzur, Robert Gazzale, Giovanni Grasselli, Walid Houry, Angelina Jiang, Brian Madden, Ryan McClelland, John Oesch, Jesse Pasternak, Suresh Sivanandam
*participated remotely via Zoom
REGRETS: Anuradha Prakki (Vice Chair), Trevor Young (Vice President and Provost), Jay-Daniel Baghbanan, Kevin Yuan Li, Javed Mostafa, Matt Ratto, Robyn Stremler, Colleen Zimmerman
NON-VOTING ASSESSORS: Jeff Lennon (Interim Chief Financial Officer),
SECRETARIAT: Tracey Gameiro, Secretary
IN ATTENDANCE: Nathan Corwin (Chief Information Security & Digital Trust Officer), Deyves Fonseca (Deputy Chief Information Security Officer & Associate Director, Operations), Jodie Glean (Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Donna Kiddwell (Chief Information Security Officer)
Pursuant to section 38 of By-Law Number 2,
consideration of item 8 took place in camera.
OPEN SESSION
- Chair’s Remarks
The Chair welcomed members and guests to the meeting, and conveyed regrets on behalf of the Vice Chair. - Assessors’ Reports
There were no reports from the assessors. -
Annual Report: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2025-2026
The Planning and Budget Committee received a presentation on the 2025-2026 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Annual Report from Jodie Glean, (Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion). It was noted that this was the first year the report had been produced exclusively in a digital format, reflecting a shift toward more accessible and widely available reporting.
The presentation highlighted key themes guiding accessibility efforts across the University tri-campus. These included:
- Supporting accessible teaching and learning with initiatives to promote inclusive pedagogy, including resources for neurodiverse learners and expanded supports for students with disabilities.
- Deepening accessibility practices including expanded consultations, education and engagement across the community to embed accessibility more consistently in programs and services.
- Advancing accessible physical spaces and structures with improvements to campus infrastructure, wayfinding, and classroom design standards.
- Centring lived experience of disability by engaging and incorporating community input and emphasizing inclusive design and decision-making processes.
The presentation also emphasized progress in building digital accessibility capacity, increasing consultations on accessibility-related issues, and advancing a more holistic, institution-wide approach. The 2025-2030 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan was identified as a key roadmap, including the planned launch of an Accessibility Advisory Committee and implementation mechanisms to support continued progress.
The Chair thanked Ms. Glean for the presentation and acknowledged the work of her team in advancing the University’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Discussion
In response to a member’s question regarding the scope of neurodiversity, it was clarified that the term was an umbrella concept captures an array of variations in brain functionalities and the different ways people may process information and learn; this can include individuals with or without formal diagnoses or specific functional levels. It was noted that the available demographic data is based on self-identification and does not isolate neurodiversity as a distinct category.
In response to a question regarding funding, it was noted that governance structures and resource requirements were still in development. It was further noted that, in relation to AODA initiatives, work was currently being undertaken within existing resources, with ongoing discussions at both the divisional and central levels. The Committee was advised that efforts were underway in collaboration with leadership to actualize these commitments.
In response to a question regarding accessibility of physical spaces, it was noted that the University continues to address barriers through collaboration with facilities and planning units, and that accessibility considerations were integrated into boarder campus planning efforts.
In response to a question regarding prioritization of accessibility projects, it was noted that decisions were made through a consultative process involving multiple portfolios. It was acknowledged that prioritization reflected a complex balance of needs, resource constraints, and ongoing planning considerations.
CONSENT AGENDA
YOUR COMMITTEE APPROVED
THAT the consent agenda be adopted and that Item 4, the Report of the Previous Meeting, be approved.
- Report of the Previous Meeting: Report Number 219 – February 11, 2026
The Report of the Previous Meeting was approved. -
Business Arising from the Report of the Previous Meeting
A member requested clarification on the implications of the Committee’s recommendation for approval in principle, in the event that the full Temerty Building capital project did not move forward as planned.
In response, Professor Mabury advised that contingency plans were in place to address unforeseen circumstances, and reiterated that approval of early works did not constitute approval of the full total project cost, which was expected to return to full governance consideration in Cycle 3 of the 2026-2027 governance year.
There was no other business arising from the report of the previous meeting.
END OF OPEN SESSION CONSENT AGENDA
- Date of the Next Meeting: May 6, 2026, 3:10 – 5:10 p.m.
The Chair reminded members that the Committee’s next meeting, the final meeting of the governance year, would take place on May 6, 2026, at the regular meeting time from 3:10 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. - Other Business
There were no items of other business.
THE BOARD MOVED IN CAMERA
IN CAMERA AGENDA
- Annual Report: Information Security and Protection of Digital Assets
Members received the Annual Report on Information Security and the Protection of Digital Assets for information. The Chair welcomed Donna Kidwell, Chief Information Officer, and Nathan Corwin, Chief Information Security & Digital Trust Officer, and invited Deyves Fonseca, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer & Associate Director, Operations, to present the report.
The Chair reminded the Committee that the report was provided in accordance with the Policy on Information Security and the Protection of Digital Assets, and emphasized that the Planning and Budget Committee’s role was to consider it from a strategic, operational, and resource perspective, including alignment with the University’s planning framework, budget, and institutional priorities. The Chair also noted that the report would be reviewed by the Audit Committee from a risk management perspective.
The presentation observed that the cybersecurity environment continued to intensify, particularly due to the growing scale and sophistication of AI-enabled threats, alongside increased risks associated with the unregulated use of AI tools. It was further noted that investments in information security were yielding measurable improvements in compliance, infrastructure, and operational efficiency, supported by increased engagement across divisions.
The Committee affirmed the importance of the Policy and adherence to guidance from Information Technology Services, and supported the University’s continued focus on secure AI adoption, strengthened identity and access management, standardized security practices, and enhanced network protections.
THE COMMITTEE RETURNED TO OPEN SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.
March 25, 2026