From November 1 to December 1, our office initiated the Downtown East Safe and Inclusive Neighbourhoods Survey, garnering 867 responses and reaching a total of 1731 views. The survey aimed to address critical issues overlooked in the Downtown East Action Plan and identify topics missed in public consultations.
In September and early October, I hosted six Neighbourhood Town Halls across Toronto Centre to provide community updates and address challenging questions. Despite the difficulty of some queries, we welcomed them as they contribute to our office and the City of Toronto's efforts to formulate well-informed policies.
The report reveals that 95.1% of participants were Downtown East residents, with 66.8% identifying as homeowners and 30.8% as renters in the community.
Regarding general safety in the Downtown East over the past six months, 42% of residents noted little change. Homelessness, anti-social behaviour, and public intoxication emerged as the most pressing issues among the seven major problems discussed at the Neighbourhood Town Halls. Consequently, 99% of respondents identified 'more mental health & addiction treatment' as the most effective solution for fostering healthy communities in the Downtown East.
Notably, the survey uncovered that 86.5% of participants were unaware of the existence of the Here to Help crisis outreach team under the Downtown East Action Plan. This significant finding underscores the need for increased and regular community outreach to ensure residents are informed about available resources. We extend our gratitude to all who dedicated their time and energy to completing the survey. The results of this survey will be forwarded to City staff to guide the 2024 Downtown East Action Plan update–continuing to aim for safe and inclusive communities, cross-sectoral trust and collaboration, stability for marginalized people, and improved city response to complex issues.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is only weeks away. My team has collected important information for you to know before the games begin here on June 11, including match times, FIFA Fan Festival™, and more. Visit my new Resource page to learn more!
This summer, we’re transforming a stretch of Church Street into a vibrant, car-free destination: a place to gather, celebrate, and show the world what the Village is made of.
Learn more at: www.experiencethevillage.ca
More than 130 residents participated in community safety meetings hosted by my office and Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) this spring in St. James Town and Moss Park. The meetings brought together residents, TCHC staff, Toronto Police Service, the City's Violence Intervention and Support Unit, Fred Victor, and Unison Health and Community Services to discuss local safety concerns and identify solutions.