The Ontario Line will be downtown Toronto’s most significant new infrastructure in decades, with three new subway stations to open in Toronto Centre in 2031.
Since the end of the pandemic, residents have had real concerns about the condition of our Downtown East, including public drug use, encampments, homelessness, unclean laneways and sidewalks, graffiti, broken windows, break-ins, public intoxication, used needles, and a noticeable lack of visible enforcement.
Spanning Downtown, the Financial District, Queens Quay, and the Jarvis corridor, gridlock can be at its most acute in our Ward, especially at intersections near the Gardiner on- and off-ramps at rush hour.
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.
Toronto City Council held another lively meeting on June 26 and 27. The agenda included governance and operations reviews of both Sankofa Square and Moss Park Arena, as well as several items that addressed housing affordability and homelessness.
The May 22 and 23 City Council meeting was a somber affair, as we honoured the life of our late colleague, Councillor Jaye Robinson. Following touching tributes, there was discussion about the City’s Corporate Asset Management Plan and Micromobility Strategy.
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.