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.
On February 1, Mayor Olivia Chow released her version of the budget. This iteration comes after the Staff budget was released on January 10th and underwent extensive public consultation at pre-budget consultations last November, budget town halls, and budget committee meetings.
Over the last week, I have heard from many constituents about the City’s proposed 2024 budget. I wanted to address the concerns I have heard regarding the property tax rate increase as I can understand the anxiety this has caused.
9-8-8 is the new, nationwide suicide crisis helpline. It is the line to call if you, or someone who know, are dealing with thoughts of suicide.
On December 14, I tabled a motion, with the Mayor's support, to officially adopt the new name “Sankofa Square” for Yonge-Dundas Square by the end of Q2 2024. The motion also covered the removal of the Dundas name from three additional city assets and the launch of a public education campaign that will extend into 2025, focusing on acknowledging the impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery.
