Every month, my team and I visit a different neighborhood in Ward 13 to listen and see the concerns residents have shared with me firsthand, as part of my mission to build vibrant and inclusive communities in Toronto Centre.
We are concerned that the provincial closure of existing harm reduction services will have significant consequences — such as more overdose deaths, more strain on police, fire and paramedics, more crowded emergency rooms, and more public drug consumption.
What we need in Toronto is a comprehensive approach that includes all the services people need — supportive housing, treatment services, mental health services, primary care, harm reduction and more.
During a 3-hour drop-in session, attendees were able to visit various booths hosted by each division. These booths provided insights to residents into current activities and plans related to housing and shelter systems and were used to gather valuable community feedback.
City Council met for the final time until September on July 23 and 24. While much time was spent discussing the possibility of accelerating the state of good repair work on the Gardiner Expressway, attention was also given to the City’s housing delivery and flood mitigation.
I'm excited to share with you the launch of the 2024 refresh of the Social Development Plan (SDP) for Regent Park.
I am pleased to announce that our ward has a new affordable housing property dedicated to marginalized Indigenous men at 218 Carlton Street, now known by the Anishnawbe name “Migize Pazaagwii Gamik” (Uplifting Place of the Bald Eagle).
Each month, my team and I visit a different neighbourhood in Toronto Centre to see areas of concern firsthand and to imagine new ways to enhance the public realm.
I join our community in mourning the loss of Bilkis Khanam and extend my deepest condolences to her friends and family.
Toronto City Council held another lively meeting on June 26 and 27. The agenda included governance and operations reviews of both Sankofa Square and Moss Park Arena, as well as several items that addressed housing affordability and homelessness.
Thanks to everyone who attended our final Toronto Centre Talks (TC Talks) of 2024 last month. I launched this forum series to create a space where community members can come together for focused and solution-oriented discussions on important topics.
Last month, I spent an afternoon in the Winchester Park neighborhood, a small area between Cabbagetown and St. James Town. This community, like its neighbours, is a mix of heritage homes, Toronto Community Housing units, and social service providers. My dedicated staff and two members of the Winchester Park Residents’ Association (WPRA) joined me.
The Sherbourne and Dundas area remains a top priority for my office to see properly revitalized, and one property that comes up frequently is 214-230 Sherbourne Street. There has been some recent movement on the site, and I wanted to provide a broad update about what is happening and what some potential next steps may be.