The encampment at Allan Gardens has remained one of the most difficult files to navigate since I took office here in Toronto Centre. It has been a long and arduous journey but I am glad to say as of today, that every occupant has been offered housing or indoor accommodations and that the encampment is being cleared.
Every month, I send out an e-newsletter to constituents that includes a topical letter to residents. This letter has been exclusive to e-newsletter subscribers, meaning a lot of people do not receive it. Moving forward, I will be uploading these "welcome letters" onto my website, and have uploaded September 2024 (on Supervised Consumption Serivces) and October 2024 (on cycling infrastructure)'s letters here as they are both still topical.
The Laneway Projects organization is asking you to identify some laneways in Ward 13 that needs love!
Every month, I send out an e-newsletter to constituents that includes a topical letter to residents. This letter has been exclusive to e-newsletter subscribers, meaning a lot of people do not receive it. Moving forward, I will be uploading these "welcome letters" onto my website, and have uploaded September 2024 (on Supervised Consumption Serivces) and October 2024 (on cycling infrastructure)'s letters here as they are both still topical.
We have come a long way since the summer of 2023 when Allan Gardens was the largest encampment in the city.
I'm proud to once again be coming back to our community for this year's Neighbourhood Town Hall series!
Over the course of the summer we have seen encampments pop up in parks across Toronto Centre. I wanted to provide an update in response to the concerns I have heard and the questions about what can be done to make our parks accessible to everyone.
Every month, my team and I visit a different neighborhood in Ward 13 to listen and see the concerns residents have shared with me firsthand, as part of my mission to build vibrant and inclusive communities in Toronto Centre.
We are concerned that the provincial closure of existing harm reduction services will have significant consequences — such as more overdose deaths, more strain on police, fire and paramedics, more crowded emergency rooms, and more public drug consumption.
What we need in Toronto is a comprehensive approach that includes all the services people need — supportive housing, treatment services, mental health services, primary care, harm reduction and more.
During a 3-hour drop-in session, attendees were able to visit various booths hosted by each division. These booths provided insights to residents into current activities and plans related to housing and shelter systems and were used to gather valuable community feedback.
City Council met for the final time until September on July 23 and 24. While much time was spent discussing the possibility of accelerating the state of good repair work on the Gardiner Expressway, attention was also given to the City’s housing delivery and flood mitigation.