As 2026 approaches, I want to wish you and your family a Happy Holidays. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or anything else this December, I hope it brings joy. There is still time to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, and I strongly encourage you and your loved ones to do so.
I want to use my platform this month to encourage us all to give this holiday season. You can find many ways to donate food, clothing and toys on the City’s website.
Child poverty is a very significant issue in Toronto, with an estimated one in four children– and by extension, their families–living in poverty. This staggering statistic is why the City declared food insecurity an emergency last year, and why we have invested millions into feeding morning meals to kids in schools.
Meanwhile, rates of homelessness continue to worsen. To meet this sad reality, the City is investing to build 20 permanent and purpose-built shelters across Toronto by 2033 and is working to build thousands of new homes, including 612 new co-op units that will be built in Scarborough that broke ground in late November. Here in Toronto Centre at the City-owned lot at 405 Sherbourne Street, staff are proposing to build 300 new units on a site I’m hopeful can become a future co-op that can provide affordable housing to residents.
My heart goes out to the hundreds of residents of Thornecliff Park that have been displaced from their homes due to fire in late November. It was only seven years ago that a fire displaced 1,500 residents of 650 Parliament Street here in Toronto Centre. It’s truly traumatic to suddenly lose your work, school and leisure routines, especially for tenants who may be especially vulnerable. If you can help support our Thorncliffe Park neighbours, please consider donating to The Neighbourhood Organization who are supporting the community. You can find their link to donate for Thorncliffe Park Fire Relief here.
The 650 Parliament Street and Thorncliffe Park fires unfortunately expose how quickly our lives can change due to a major incident. As we head into 2026, I want to encourage you to ensure you have appropriate insurance, including tenant insurance. It is honestly the best thing that will support you during and after an incident like a fire or natural disaster. You and your family members can also start building a “grab and go” bag today so you have the critical supplies at hand when needed.
Finally, I want to recognize that there are a lot of rental units out there that may be hosting people long-term who are not on the lease. Perhaps you are subletting a room, you’re helping out a family member, or other circumstance. The 650 Parliament Street fire left many “tenants” without support as they could not prove they lived at the building, resulting in them receiving little to no assistance from their landlord. If you have the ability to ensure that everyone in your unit is properly on the lease, the easier it will be to support them in case of an emergency should the unthinkable ever happen.
Best wishes to you and yours this Holiday season! I hope to see you at my sold out Holiday Banquet tomorrow evening, and if not tomorrow, then in 2026.
Yours in service,
Chris Moise
City Councillor
Ward 13 - Toronto Centre
The City is doing a survey of the Church Street Pedestrianization Project that my office and the Church-Wellesley Village BIA is operating on Church Street between Wellesley Street East and Alexander Street until August 21. Your feedback will help inform the City's response to future street closures here and across the City. If your a resident who has been to Church Street, take the survey! And if you haven't yet been, come see what you're missing then take the survey! The survey closes September 7, 2026.
The City of Toronto’s Identify ‘N Impact community grant helps promote youth engagement and community safety by providing up to $17K for youth-led (15-29) initiatives that help with violence prevention, mental health and well-being, skills development, arts and youth-friendly spaces. Applications are now open until September 15 at 12:00pm.
Opened last year, Biidaasige Park is expanding with 10 more acres of public waterfront space at 238 Cherry Street on Ookwemin Minising. With new places to walk, cycle, paddle, gather, enjoy public art and take in skyline views, residents and visitors are invited to come celebrate during opening weekend on July 25 and 26. See what’s happening this weekend and beyond, including free guided kayak tours, walking tours and art-making workshops.