The Garden District is a dense neighbourhood made up of highrise condominiums, apartment buildings as well as single-family homes. It is the home to Allan Gardens and its beautiful indoor botanical garden. The Garden District includes a group of volunteer residents who make up the Garden District Resident Association.
Toronto City Council had another full and engaging agenda this past April 16 and 17. There was timely discussion about fixing the Vacant Home Tax, big strides in improving tenant assistance for those impacted by rental demolitions, and plans to expand both its Student Nutrition Program and the Alcohol in Parks program.
As spring arrives, it's impossible not to reflect back a year to the escalating situation at Allan Gardens. Remembering the challenges, but also the resilience of our community, allows us to move forward with hope and determination.
Toronto City Council had a jam-packed and exciting session this past March 20 and 21. Aside from lively discussion about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, section 37 funds were released for projects coming from my office’s Participatory Budgeting 2023 exercise.
Last year was the first time PB was done in Ward 13; we learned a lot about what improvements residents want to see in their neighbourhoods. Now, it’s time to generate some new ideas for 2024!
In this special update, I explain what this year’s adopted budget means for us in Toronto Centre and the work to be done in the year ahead.
It has been just under a year since I brought together the department heads of various city divisions responsible for managing encampments for the first-ever Allan Gardens Task Force meeting.
