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.
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. In addition, the City updated the process for addressing serious dog attacks and requests were made of Toronto Community Housing Corporation and the Housing Secretariat to conduct a review of underhoused households in Regent Park.
What’s New in Toronto Centre
Incident and Operational Review of Serious Dog Attacks
The following directives come as a result of a review requested at the Economic and Community Development Committee in September of last year:
Expanding Trans-Inclusive Benefits
To address gaps in health care coverage, the Executive Director, Pension, Payroll and Employee Benefits, is to review options for incorporating gender-affirming health care benefits not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan into City employee benefits plans. Staff are to report back by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Mandated Human Rights, Equity, and Diversity Training for City of Toronto Arena Boards
To ensure Toronto Arena Boards effectively serve diverse communities and foster inclusivity and equity, the policy on Board Governance Structures and Relationship Framework for Arena Boards will be amended to require that all members of the City’s eight arena boards complete training on human rights, equity and diversity each term of City Council. Topics for the trainings will include human rights, Indigenous awareness, combating anti-Black racism, code of conduct for members of local board and public appointments policy.
Advancing Hanlan's Point Rainbow Road
Hanlan's Point Beach and its surrounding area are historically significant as a queer community hub. As a part of the City's ongoing work to recognize and celebrate these histories, City staff have collaborated with Friends of Hanlan's–whose $200,000 in fundraising included a generous donation from The Waterfront Business Improvement Area–in conjunction with Pride Toronto to create a community funded, permanent art installation. A 600-metre painted rainbow installation on Beach Road, near Hanlan's Point Beach, by queer artist Travis Myers is proposed.
Support for the Canadian Independent Music
City Council expressed its support to the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) and the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) in their efforts in requesting the Government of Canada to increase its annual contribution to the Canada Music Fund to $50 million by 2024-2025, as was pledged during the 2021 federal election. Organizations like CIMA and CLMA support artists and stakeholders from across the independent music industry, including independent live music venues like The Phoenix Concert Theatre here in Toronto Centre.
I was delighted residents from across Ward 13 come together for a festive evening this past December 11 at the St. Lawrence Hall.
The reconstituted Historic Queen East Business Improvement Area (BIA) held its first annual general meeting (AGM) with business owners and commercial property owners between Victoria Street to River Street on December 4, 2024. While the BIA was unable to pass a budget, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our volunteer-based board of management. Their tireless efforts in organizing this event and articulating their visions at the AGM were instrumental in recruiting new board members for its 2025 strategic plans.
The final City Council meeting of 2024 was momentous as we bid farewell to Dr. de Villa as our Medical Officer of Health and attended to items that addressed housing, rental standards and road safety.
