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.
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:
I am happy to share that after years of advocacy and a year and a half since my motion was adopted by Council, we now have a comprehensive City-Wide Dog Off-Leash Strategy in place. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Toronto Dog Park Community, Paws for Parks, and the residents of Toronto Centre for their persistent advocacy and input throughout this process.
The City of Toronto’s CaféTO Grant provides restaurant, bar and café owners with a matching grant of up to a maximum of $7,500 covering 50 per cent of the cost of eligible improvements to patios in the curb lane, on sidewalks and on private property. The deadline for applications to the 2025 CaféTO Grant is Wednesday, June 4 or when all grant funding has been exhausted.
I would like to congratulate MP-Elect Evan Solomon on their election as the Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre.
I look forward to working with you to support our community and the City of Toronto, supporting our housing and shelter infrastructure needs and advocating for our shared interests abroad.
Birds play a crucial role in our ecosystem. But did you know that window collisions kill 16 to 42 million birds annually in Canada? Let’s make our city a safer place for them!
Cherry blossoms (Sakura trees) will be appearing at locations across the city over the coming weeks. Cherry blossoms typically last four to 10 days and blooms are expected to peak this year in late April to early May, depending on weather and neighbourhood conditions. There are more than a dozen locations to enjoy this annual rite of spring, many of which are easily accessible by public transit. Learn more on the City’s Cherry Blossoms webpage.
Coming into effect on Thursday, July 31, landlords in Toronto must obtain a Rental Renovation Licence before asking tenants to move out of a rental unit for renovations that require vacant occupancy. The new bylaw, which aims to curb bad faith evictions and protect tenants from the practice of “renovictions,” outlines clear requirements for licensing, tenant notification and temporary accommodation or compensation. Landlords are encouraged to review the full requirements and prepare in advance. Find more information on the City’s Rental Renovation Licence Bylaw webpage.
In March 2023, City Council introduced a new set of regulations for multi-tenant houses (also known as rooming houses) to create safer and more affordable housing options while ensuring uniform standards city-wide. With the new rules now in effect, it’s important to remind residents what they mean in practice. These changes impact tenants, landlords, and communities alike, so staying informed is key.
Last December, City Council amended to Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 497 to require landlords to ensure a minimum temperature of 21C between October 1 and May 15, and a maximum indoor temperature of 26C between June 1 to September 30 for dwelling units equipped with air conditioning. These amendments were made to try and protect tenants from excessive heat. Implementation of this policy and consideration for next steps will be outlined in a staff report coming to council in the Winter of 2025.
Amidst the trade war with the United States, developing an Economic Action Plan was a top priority for City Council on March 28 and 29.
This year, residents from the Bay-Cloverhill, Church Wellesley and Upper Jarvis Neighbourhoods of Cluster 1, St. Lawrence of Cluster 5 and Corktown and Canary District Neighbourhoods of Clusters 6 are invited to join us for this in-person Participatory Budgeting Ideation Workshop!
If you, a friend, or a relative is on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Centralized Waiting List or need help applying for RGI housing, we have great news for you! We're collaborating with Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres to host MyAccesstoHousingTO Sign-Up Clinics for Ward 13 residents from April 22 to May 5 to provide information and assistance for online navigation.
I have good news in the Cabbagetown South community! Toronto Hydro has completed lighting improvements on Dr. O Lane between Silkweed Lane and Ontario Streets were completed in March. Three luminaire street lamps were replaced with new LEDs to help with visibility.
As we enter a period of economic uncertainty, I wanted to make sure that Toronto Centre residents know that you can get help with the cost of childcare, rent, recreation or transit in person or online through the City of Toronto. Find more information on the City’s Financial & Social Support For Me webpage.
