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 |
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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 |
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|
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 |
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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!
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District
|
Date |
Time |
Meeting Information |
|
Scarborough
|
September 16, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Agincourt |
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North York
|
September 17, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Downsview |
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Etobicoke York
|
September 25, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Humber Summit |
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Toronto and East York
|
September 29, 2025 |
6:00-8:00 pm |
Toronto Public Library – Yorkville |
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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,
From the return of CaféTO and splash pads to a fireworks display, there’s lots to enjoy across Toronto this long weekend. Those travelling over the long weekend should plan their journey in advance, allow extra time, consider taking public transit or other travel methods such as walking or cycling, and follow signage to keep everyone safe.
A map of all road closures is available on the City of Toronto’s Road Restrictions webpage.
The Green P parking website has information about parking and EV charging.
The Bike Share Toronto app offers a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation. More information is available at this webpage.
Dine al fresco as part of CaféTO
CaféTO returns this long weekend, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor dining across Toronto. More than 290 local restaurants and bars have registered for CaféTO’s curb-lane café program. In addition, the City boasts 752 patios and 604 sidewalk cafés. Together, these diverse dining spaces showcase Toronto’s vibrant and multicultural food scene.
More information is available on the City’s CaféTO webpage.
Cool off at splash and spray pads
Beginning Saturday, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, and will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, September 13.
Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas. Splash and spray pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.
Visit a farm in the City
Residents and visitors to Toronto can escape urban life and visit a working farm in the heart of the City. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.
The High Park animal display is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Roads in the park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and public holidays; however, several TTC routes connect to High Park. More information about the High Park animal display is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.
Watch fireworks at Ashbridges Bay
The City’s fireworks display takes place at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles at home. Information about TTC schedules, routes and long weekend service is available on the TTC’s website .
Important reminder about fireworks
Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks.
My office continues to be available for any Ward 4 or City-related matters. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable long weekend.
Sincerely,
Gord
Friends,
The City is building 54 supportive, rent-geared-to-income homes (8-storeys) at 1-3 Close Avenue and 78 Springhurst Avenue. Modelled after Dunn House, Canada’s first-ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, this project titled Dunn House 2 will deliver stable housing paired with integrated health and community supports in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN).
The approach is based on the principle that people are more likely to stay well and continue living in their homes when housing and care are brought together in one place. Early results from Dunn House show significant reductions in emergency department visits and hospital bed days. These outcomes reflect improved health stability for residents and reduced pressure on the broader health care system, benefiting the community as a whole.
Dunn House 2 is moving forward as a Toronto Builds public developer project, and will be developed by CreateTO on behalf of the City. The new homes will be studio apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen, with shared laundry, communal areas, and activities space. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
I was pleased to co-host the Community Consultation Meeting for Dunn House 2 last night, alongside City Planning and Housing staff, UHN, CreateTO, and architects on this project.
Staff heard from Dunn House tenants, members of the South Parkdale University Health Network Tenants Association (SPUHNTA), and residents from the broader community. We were grateful for the valuable feedback about unit size, layout, and other aspects of the project’s built form that was shared.
Projects like Dunn House 2 are urgently needed to provide the most vulnerable in our communities – those who are unhoused and rely on frequent visits to emergency rooms for care – with the housing stability, wrap around supports, and community connection needed to recover and live with dignity.
As we approve and initiate more of these projects as a city, I’d like to encourage us to follow the lead of SPUHNTA by implementing the Parkdale Model that they developed widely in how we welcome and build community with new neighbours.
Sincerely,
Gord
Friends,
I’ve decided not to seek re-election as your City Councillor this fall. It’s simply time for me to try my hand at other things. Representing you has been the most important work of my life. Wherever I go from here, I will carry all you have taught me.
If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take a brief look back at what we’ve done together.
At present, the wider world feels hostile: wars rage, our climate is changing, hate and stigma against the most vulnerable is on the rise, in many places democracy is under attack – even here in Ontario.
Parkdale-High Park has been a laboratory of creative resistance in hard times.
For years, you and your neighbours have fought to create a democratic housing system based on meeting needs instead of returning profit to land speculators. We have been wildly successful.
We pushed through a small project to help the Neighbourhood Land Trust buy a rooming house before it was sold to a speculator. This has grown into a permanent City-wide program called the Multi-Unit Rental Acquisition program. Dozens of rental buildings have been bought by non-profit housing organizations providing secure and decent housing in perpetuity. The federal government has announced its intention to take the program nation-wide.
We’ve always been leaders in building social housing with projects like Edmond’s Place and Dunn House. Over the last three years, Toronto has embarked on creating a Public Builder model, initiated with projects in our community at 11 Brock, the Parkdale Hub, and an expanded and secure rebuild of Swansea Mews. Dozens of non-profit, co-op, and TCHC projects are in development city-wide. Two-thirds of all recent housing starts in Toronto include the City as a partner. Again, we have influenced federal housing policy. The recent creation of Build Canada Homes was in no small part influenced by Toronto’s Public Builder model.
The people of Parkdale-High Park have always put the needs of people in crisis first. Our experience building community-based supports helped launch city-wide the Toronto Community Crisis Service which is a non-police-led, 24/7, response to mental health emergency calls and wellness checks.
Our understanding of the importance of public space has led to improvements in our Toronto Public Library system, Parks, and Community Recreation Centres – such as removing overdue book fines and delivering free programming to ensure that residents of all ages, means, and ability can make use of these assets and resources. Within months, we will break ground for a new Wabash Community Centre.
We have also spearheaded creating safer streets by being the first ward in Toronto to uniformly lower local road speed limits from 40 to 30km, pioneering raised bike lanes at public transit stops as part of the Roncesvalles pedestrian-friendly streetscape redesign, and expanding the City’s cycling network through the Bloor West complete street and West Parkdale cycling connection projects.
Organizations like Roncesvalles Renewed and Green 13 have fought for a real response to our climate emergency. This gave me a platform to Chair a group of Councillors who worked with thousands of Torontonians to create our net-zero TransformTO Climate Plan. This revolutionary plan is changing everything the city does.
Finally, we have taken our obligations for truth and reconciliation to heart. The new Teiaiagon-Baby Point Heritage conservation plan moved heritage planning from being an architectural exercise to a true discussion and acknowledgement of our shared history. Our work in High Park, at the Wabash Community, and along the western waterfront has centred Indigenous voices and values.
From our morning shower until we turn off the lights, we all depend on the public services we build together. I have always been in awe of how so many people in our community choose to be active in designing and improving these services instead of being mere ‘customers’. I know that you will continue to do that work, enriching the lives of everyone with whom we share this wonderful City.
With love and thanks,
Gord