I take great pride in the strides we have made here in Ward 13 to connect encampment residents to housing, particularly with the successful resolution of the Allan Gardens encampment last October. To date, Allan Gardens remains free of any new encampments. Our dedicated City staff have displayed remarkable persistence and resolve, and for that, I thank them.
While summer days are long behind us, the magic of the holiday season lies ahead to keep our hearts warm. Whether you are visiting friends and family or relaxing at home, I hope you find some time to relax and make some space for yourself.
November 18 was a day I had anticipated with a heavy heart since Dr. Eileen de Villa first announced her retirement earlier this year. That day, we sat at the table together for the final Board of Health meeting with her as our Medical Officer of Health.
On November 16, I gathered at the Toronto Public Library’s Parliament Street Branch to celebrate the Moss Park Community Cookbook launch. The event brought together residents, community leaders and food lovers to honour the incredible stories and recipes that make Moss Park such a vibrant place. Below, please find my recipe for banana bread with ginger and blueberries!
City Council made progress in addressing the housing crisis at its meeting on November 13 and 14 by implementing a Rental Renovation Licence By-law and expanding incentives for purpose-built rental housing. They also had important conversations about the City’s economy and cultural plan.
On Friday, October 18, City staff cleared the remaining encampments from Allan Gardens after nearly two years of outreach and relationship building. Over that time, 98 people were permanently housed and a further 433 people were connected to indoor shelter accommodation. This is a huge milestone and I am proud of the humanitarian approach we took to get here, but the work does not end with Allan Gardens. Encampments remain across the ward, most notably in Moss Park, St. James Park and Trinity Square Park.
While much of City Council’s first session back from recess was spent discussing Billy Bishop Airport, there were also updates on the Student Nutrition Program, Vacant Home Tax and Congestion Management.
The weather may have cooled, but the work of improving Toronto Centre continues to keep us active. Thank you so much to everyone who attended one of our six Neighbourhood Town Halls in September and October. They are an incredible amount of work to organize, but my team continues to rise to the occasion and create new opportunities for you to meet and connect with me and my office. I hope to see you at our 2025 town halls!
The encampment at Allan Gardens has remained one of the most difficult files to navigate since I took office here in Toronto Centre. It has been a long and arduous journey but I am glad to say as of today, that every occupant has been offered housing or indoor accommodations and that the encampment is being cleared.
Every month, I send out an e-newsletter to constituents that includes a topical letter to residents. This letter has been exclusive to e-newsletter subscribers, meaning a lot of people do not receive it. Moving forward, I will be uploading these "welcome letters" onto my website, and have uploaded September 2024 (on Supervised Consumption Serivces) and October 2024 (on cycling infrastructure)'s letters here as they are both still topical.
The Laneway Projects organization is asking you to identify some laneways in Ward 13 that needs love!
Every month, I send out an e-newsletter to constituents that includes a topical letter to residents. This letter has been exclusive to e-newsletter subscribers, meaning a lot of people do not receive it. Moving forward, I will be uploading these "welcome letters" onto my website, and have uploaded September 2024 (on Supervised Consumption Serivces) and October 2024 (on cycling infrastructure)'s letters here as they are both still topical.
