Toronto City Council had another full and engaging agenda this past April 16 and 17. There was timely discussion about fixing the Vacant Home Tax, big strides in improving tenant assistance for those impacted by rental demolitions, and plans to expand both its Student Nutrition Program and the Alcohol in Parks program.
On April 3, I attended a heartwarming Iftar event in Regent Park that was a collaboration effort by Mothers of Peace, Regent Park Islamic Resource Centre, Toronto Community Housing, Humaniti Foundation, Tridel Corporation, Daniels Corporation, the Centre for Community Learning and Development and Sam’s Food Store.
In early April, I walked through Regent Park alongside my dedicated team to visit key locations within the community that my office is involved with.
I unfortunately must share some bad news about the work on the Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge and Tunnel.
The 519 and partners invite the community, allies, partner organizations and refugees to partake in the Refugee Rights March. Together, we will raise our voices to support for LGBTQ+ refugees.
I am excited to share new dates, locations, and expanded services for our Ward 13 MyAccesstoHousingTO Sign-Up Clinics!
Over the past year, we have seen a rise in Rental Demolition & Replacement applications at the City of Toronto, and in particular in Toronto Centre. Hearing that an application has been submitted for your home to be demolished and replaced is extremely stressful.
The City of Toronto recognizes that protecting the existing rental housing stock is incredibly important to ensure renting is an attainable housing option for residents, especially seniors, students and families.
Unfortunately, the City cannot refuse a development application on the basis of hardship to existing tenants under Provincial law. While there are tenant protections under the Residential Tenancies Act, the City felt they were inadequate to deal with the magnitude of rental housing stock under threat in Toronto. As such, the City created protections in the City’s Official Plan under our Housing policies and as permitted within the confines of the City of Toronto Act (Section 111).
Join me on Monday, April 15 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Wellesley Community Centre to learn more about our Rental Demolition & Replacement process from City Staff, how our policy has evolved over time, steps I've taken to address the gaps in the Tenant Assistance and Relocation Package secured by the City, what advocacy is being done at the provincial level by our MPP Wong-Tam, and what your rights are as a tenant.
I want to extend a warm thank you to all residents who joined my first annual Participatory Budgeting (PB) exercise in 2023; we could not have done it without you!
The City of Toronto’s annual spring cleanup of parks and public spaces returns Friday, April 19 to Monday, April 22 (Earth Day).
Since 2004, the City of Toronto has held city-wide spring cleanup weekends. This year marks the 19th year of Clean Toronto Together, the largest municipal cleanup event in Canada.
On Saturday, April 20 you can join me and my team and The Friends of Regent Park at the bake oven in Regent Park to clean the park, as we will be providing garbage bags and gloves for a community wide park clean up!
(St. James Town Clean Green 2023)
If you are a concerned resident, member of the community or a community organization who is interested in helping clean your local park, ravine, sports field or trail, register your team at the Clean Toronto Together website. You can also contact our office to request and pick up clear garbage bags and nitrile gloves. Help your community sparkle this Earth Day!
I had the privilege of joining Regent Park residents, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), Daniels Corporation, and Tridel teams for a community meeting on Phases 1 to 5 of our revitalization update on February 29.
Over the weekend, a demonstration in support of Palestine made its way through Regent Park. At Parliament Street and Gerrard Street East the demonstration was interrupted when Toronto Police attempted to seize a truck that was in motion with people on its bed, in violation of the Highway Traffic Act.
Work on the Glen Road Pedestrian Bridge and Tunnel Replacement continues as the City works towards finishing this project this summer.
