Toronto’s streets are once again set to come alive with vibrant outdoor dining opportunities as CaféTO 2025 kicks off this Victoria Day weekend. Like most Torontonians, I'm looking forward to enjoying a bite and a drink outdoors. From May through October, residents and visitors are encouraged to explore CaféTO patios and support local businesses. Below, please find a list of establishments with CafeTO curb lane cafes, sidewalk cafes or private patios for you to visit!
The SLNA Waste Reduction Group is holding its 13th REmarket, a two-day event for the collection of unwanted items. A totally free market (FreeMarket) will also be held on May 28 only. On May 29, Repair Café Toronto will be fixing clothing, jewellery, computers, home electronics, small appliances, housewares, and toys, while CultureLink Bike Hub will be doing small bike repairs and safety checks.
City crews have been actively working since early-April and most seasonal park washrooms and attached water fountains are now open. Over the next month, standalone drinking water fountains, bottle-filling stations and dog bowls in parks will be activated, followed by the opening of splash pads and pools.
The City is updating its official plan to determine where subways and light rail transit (LRT) could be built in the future. Residents are encouraged to provide their input by joining in-person transit planning information sessions from Monday, May 12 to Thursday, May 15 to help shape the future of public transit in Toronto.
This year, Doors Open Toronto celebrates the many sides of our playful city! Explore more than 150 of Toronto’s beloved sites and buildings for free on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25. Enjoy free talks that explore the innovative influences that shape our playful city and free tours of Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods with local guides. Registration is mandatory and capacity is limited.
Starting January 1, 2026, the City of Toronto will no longer manage recycling collection. Under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act of 2016, this responsibility will shift to producers, with Circular Materials taking over Blue Bin collections for all residential properties, schools, long-term care facilities and retirement homes.
Spring is here and after the seesawing of temperatures in April, I hope we will all be able to enjoy some beautiful weather. Mother's Day is May 11, a time for some to celebrate their relationship with their mother(s), family and friends, for others to hold space to grieve. There are also many who have complicated relationships to their mother or children, and they too need love and support. I hope regardless of your situation, that the day can be one where you can focus on supporting yourself and the people important in your life.
At our April City Council meeting, we adopted a comprehensive Congestion Management Plan which includes a series of measures designed to keep everyone's commute safe and efficient. Here are a few key highlights of the plan which have the most impact on Ward 13:
City Council was abuzz with discussions about congestion management and opportunities for more purpose-built rental housing on April 23 and 24. During their meeting, they also voted to name a park in honour of their late colleague, Councillor Jaye Robinson.
Over the past few months, the Church and Wellesley intersection has experienced a few incidents related to sinkholes. I understand how unsettling this can be for everyone who navigates through this busy intersection, and wanted to provide an update on what the City is doing to address this issue.
Join myself and a panel of experts on May 6 for a discussion about urban planning and how we can building the kinds of communities we ourselves and our children to live in. Joining us will be the City's new Chief Planner, Jason Throne, ERA Architect Principle Michael McClelland, More Neighbours Toronto founder Eric Lombardi and 8 80 Cities Executive Director Amanda Rourke. Please register to attend!
With warm weather on the horizon, ensuring our parks are accessible for everyone is a top priority for my office. I have some positive updates to share about encampments in our ward as well as strategies for how we can keep our parks busy and thriving.