City-wide news
Ward 4 news
Street Vending Bylaw Review
The City of Toronto is reviewing its street vending and busking bylaws to create more opportunities vendors, performers and residents, support a vibrant food and entertainment culture, and make the rules easier to follow. Share your suggestions by attending public consultations on September 10 and 22 and/or completing a short survey by September 30. Register for consultations at toronto.ca/StreetVending.
Indoor Temperatures in Rentals
Climate change is affecting us globally and locally. Toronto has been experiencing more frequent and intense heat waves beyond historic norms. The City is currently looking for input from tenants and landlords for establishing a maximum temperature standard for rental units and cooling rooms during the summer. An online survey is now open for feedback until September 8. Learn more at toronto.ca/IndoorTemp.
Grants from the Environment, Climate and Forestry Division
|
Program |
Purpose |
Funding Available |
Applications Open and Close dates |
Webpage |
|
Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants (NCAG) |
Funds resident-led projects that raise awareness about climate action and reduce local emissions. |
Up to $7,500 per project |
August 26 to September 23, 2025 |
|
|
Indigenous Climate Action Grants (ICAG) |
Supports Indigenous-led climate solutions guided by traditional knowledge and community priorities. |
Up to $10,000 or $20,000 per project |
September 2 to October 8, 2025 |
|
|
PollinateTO Grants (PTO) |
Funds pollinator habitat creation and expansion projects using native plants and community stewardship. |
Up to $5,000 per project |
September 9 to October 21, 2025 |
|
|
Youth Climate Action Grants (YCAG) |
Supports student-led climate projects in elementary and secondary TDSB and TCDSB schools. |
Up to $1,000 per project |
Late September to December 2025 (date TBD) |
Consultation on Commercial Vehicles in Residential Areas Zoning Review
City Planning is reviewing the city-wide zoning rules
that regulate and limit where commercial vehicles
are permitted to park in Residential and Residential Apartment zones.
Learn what’s proposed and help steer the
conversation!
|
District
|
Date |
Time |
Meeting Information |
|
Scarborough
|
September 16, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Agincourt |
|
North York
|
September 17, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Downsview |
|
Etobicoke York
|
September 25, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Humber Summit |
|
Toronto and East York
|
September 29, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Yorkville |
|
City-wide (virtual)
|
October 8, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm
|
Microsoft Teams (visit our meeting registration page for the registration link). |
Can't make any of the above. Take the survey at https://ca.mar.medallia.com/?e=457511&d=e&h=D95D4B8E6351527&l=en.
Roncesvalles BIA's Roncesvalles Polish Festival - Sep 13 & 14
Come on down to Roncesvalles Avenue September 13th and 14th to celebrate the unique heritage of one of Toronto’s most vibrant communities.
65+ Roncesvalles Village businesses and a variety of visiting vendors will be participating. There will be 4 entertainment stages showcasing traditional fan favourites, as well as a broader range of local artists. The Creator’s Game: Lacrosse will be hosted by the Roncesvalles United Church. Also, be sure to check out the Family Zones to find fun for all ages!
Polish staples like pierogi, and an amazing variety of global cuisines from local and visiting eateries, along with 3 beverage gardens, will be around all weekend long!
Celebrate Roncy’s exceptional shopping, delicious food, and quality services while enjoying everything the festival has to offer! Whether it’s your 1st time or your 19th, we can’t wait to say Hello, Cześć, Boozhoo, Tansi, and Bonjour and welcome you to Roncesvalles Village! More information can be found on the Polis Festival official website Roncesvalles Polish Festival – North America's Largest Celebration of Polish Culture in Toronto's Best Neighbourhood or their Instagram Roncesvalles Polish Festival | 📍 Toronto (@roncespolishfestival) • Instagram photos and videos
High Park Walking Tours - Scavenger Hunt - September 7
The weather was threatening when we originally scheduled it a couple of weeks back. So the hearty group who came for a walk decided to delay the Scavenger Hunt. Instead, we had a terrific walk along the main southbound path, and then back beside the beautiful Grenadier Pond.
The Scavenger Hunt is re-scheduled for Sunday, September 7.
We'll pair you up with a partner for this special walk. You'll follow a set of clues, explore new trails, and learn all about the park along the way.
It's simple to do - no challenging puzzles or tricky directions.
There are two halves that will take about 40 minutes each.
Meet at the usual spot near the entrance on Bloor. From there, we will all walk to the starting point.
(Note: In the spring we ran a cooperative scavenger hunt, where participants made their own clues. For this one, all the routes and clues have been set up in advance. You'll be delighted to explore your way through some fascinating parts of the park!)
StART Cycle Track Murals Launch and First Ride
The City of Toronto, StreetARToronto (StART) initiative together with Cycling Toronto and Pedestrian Projects will be holding a cycling track mural unveiling. The event takes place this Sunday, September 7th from 1-3pm at West Lodge Park located at 165 Lansdowne Avenue, south of Rideau Street, north of Seaforth Avenue on the east side of Lansdowne Avenue.
The ‘unveiling’ is also combined with a ‘First Ride’ for any interested cyclists. The first ride meeting spot is at 12:30pm just south of the north entrance to High Park on Bloor Street, and the route can be found within the QR code.
Participants please be sure to wear your helmet and safety gear. If there’s rain, the ride will be cancelled and we’ll be meeting directly at West Lodge Park (165 Lansdowne Avenue) at 1pm.
Community Environment Day on Sep 13
Friends,
The City is hosting a series of Open Houses and a Virtual Town Hall to inform residents about zoning changes for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA). All residents are welcome to attend.
MTSAs are defined areas within a short walking distance from subway stations and GO stations. Inside these areas, the Province requires that the City plan for growth and development through updated zoning that permits increased building heights and densities. To implement these requirements, the City must determine which lots are within 200m and 500m of each station.
The City has published draft maps showing the 200 metre and 500 metre distances from each station. I’ve included an overview map of the MTSAs in Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park for your reference:
Specific draft maps for each of the MTSAs in Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park can be reviewed here: 8e12-city-planning-zoning-for-major-transit-station-areas-toronto-east-york-Ward-4.pdf
The next step in this process is for the City to update its zoning by-laws to allow the new heights and densities. Staff are working on these zoning updates and will bring them to City Council in the second quarter of 2026.
Zoning implementation of MTSAs is one of 54 initiatives in Toronto's 2023 Housing Action Plan (HAP), which seeks to increase housing supply within complete, inclusive, and sustainable communities. The new homes enabled by the HAP also contributes to the Province’s housing target of 285,000 new homes in Toronto by 2031.
I encourage you to join the upcoming in-person Open Houses and Virtual Town Hall to learn about upcoming zoning changes, ask questions, and share your feedback. Information about the requirements in MTSAs and upcoming events can be reviewed on the project website here: www.toronto.ca/StationAreaZoning
Sincerely,
Friends,
I have heard from hundreds of residents over the last week who have participated in the City’s 2026 Budget Public Consultations. From the residents that attended our Ward 4 Budget Town Hall, to all of you that took the time to make deputations at Budget Committee Public Presentations, I am grateful for your thoughtful contributions to shaping our City’s priorities.
An overarching theme we have heard is Torontonians’ desire to address homelessness in our city. I am pleased that the staff-prepared 2026 Budget is squarely tackling this issue by investing in the only solutions that work – preventing families from becoming homeless in the first place and growing the supply of welcoming shelter space and affordable rental housing.
The proposed 2026 Budget allocates $10.8 million in funds for the Toronto Rent Bank to ensure we can provide relief to anyone who requires it. Toronto’s Rent Bank helps families stay housed when times are tough by providing grants to help people make rent, cover arrears or secure a new home. This investment will help 2800 households avoid homelessness and remain housed.
The capital budget makes significant investments in safe, well-designed shelters with the services people need to build a good life. Meanwhile, this budget supports the City’s Public Developer projects to break ground on over 9,800 new rent-controlled and affordable homes, while construction continues or wraps up on an additional 7,000 homes, which will help to lower rents across our city.
Together, we have made tremendous progress in reducing homelessness in Toronto through implementing these approaches. Last year alone, the City helped over 4,300 people move from shelters into permanent homes, protected nearly 4,000 more households from eviction, preventing families from becoming homeless, and reduced the number of encampments across Toronto by 64 per cent. This past year 65 per cent of all housing starts in Toronto were in City-led or City-supported projects.
Toronto residents have been clear during the budget consultations that our City must continue to build upon these proven interventions for addressing the housing crisis. I look forward to supporting the City’s investments in these programs at City Council’s 2026 Budget meeting on February 10.
Sincerely,
Friends,
The City officially launched the 2026 Budget today with a staff-prepared budget presented to the Budget Committee. The City’s budget process is an important time for us to come together as Toronto residents to envision the equitable and compassionate city we want to live in and shape the budget that will enable us to create it.
The Budget Committee was presented with an operating budget of $18.9 billion and a 2026-2035 capital budget and plan of $63.1 billion, the largest 10-year capital plan in the City’s history, to address aging infrastructure and invest in housing, transit and water. Key highlights from the 2026 staff-prepared budget include expanding the school nutrition program to all public schools, freezing TTC fares for a third year in a row, opening all library branches seven days a week, and additional support for renters and homeowners. The staff presentation from today’s 2026 Budget launch can be reviewed here: BU10.1 - 2026 Capital and Operating Budget Launch.
The next step in this process is for Toronto residents to share feedback to the Budget Committee in person or online at public meetings, by phone at Telephone Town Halls, or in writing, over the next two weeks. I encourage you learn about the various opportunities to get involved in the budget here: Get Involved in the Budget – City of Toronto.
I will also be hosting a 2026 Budget Virtual Town Hall on Monday, January 19 at 6pm for our Ward 4 community to discuss our vision for the city together. I would love to see your there. Please RSVP at gordperks.ca/2026budget
Following the public consultation period, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget will be released on February 1 and the Council-approved 2026 Budget will be determined at a Special City Council meeting on February 10.
I look forward to hearing and learning from you through this process, so that together we can build a more capable and caring Toronto.
Sincerely,
Reminder: Scarlett Road Bridge Replacement Update and Community Meeting