City-Wide News
One month remaining to submit 2025 Vacant Home Tax declaration
The City of Toronto is reminding all residential property owners that there is one month left to submit their 2025 Vacant Home Tax (VHT) declaration by the April 30 deadline.
To date, nearly 95 per cent of property owners have submitted their 2025 Vacant Home Tax declaration. The City of Toronto encourages remaining owners to complete their declarations to ensure their property is accurately classified and avoid penalties.
Since the Vacant Home Tax came into effect in 2022, the number of declared or deemed vacant properties decreased from 6,944 in 2022 to 5,989 in 2024, supporting the City’s efforts to increase housing availability for Toronto residents.
All residential property owners must submit a declaration every year, even if the home is their main residence. If no declaration is received by April 30, the property may be considered vacant and taxed. Even properties that were occupied for part of the year must still be declared. Owners who do not submit a declaration may have their property deemed vacant and the tax applied.
How to declare
Property owners may submit their VHT declaration through one of the following channels:
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By phone: Contact 311 (within Toronto) or 416-392-2489 (outside Toronto). Multilingual support is available in more than 180 languages.
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In person: File in person at a Tax and Utility Counter located at Toronto City Hall or at any civic centre.
Property owners who file their VHT declaration online will receive a confirmation number and may request an electronic copy by email. Declarations submitted by phone or in person will also be confirmed with a receipt. Declarations may be audited and supporting documentation may be requested. Information on how to update or correct a declaration is available at www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax.
For further information about the VHT, including details on how to declare and available exemptions, visit www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax or contact 311.
AC or Heat Pump: Home Energy Network Webinar
In Toronto, having summer cooling has gone from luxury to necessity. This webinar will cover the trade-offs between installing a heat pump and an A/C, as well as differences in operating costs, so you can make an informed decision for your home and your wallet.
Registration Link:
See more and register here
Toronto Parking Authority Update: Free EV Charging for Earth Week
To celebrate the continued growth of electric vehicle adoption and our growing charger network, Green P will offer free EV charging across its entire network during Earth Week, giving residents an opportunity to experience Green P’s reliable charging in their neighbourhoods.
Offer details:
- Available from April 20 to April 24 (Earth Week)
- Applies to 500+ Green P EV charging stations across Toronto
- Includes on-street and off-street Level 2 chargers, as well as Level 3 fast chargers
- Standard parking fees will continue to apply where applicable
Today, nearly 80% of Torontonians live within 5 km of a Green P charger, reflecting the rapid expansion of Canada’s largest municipally owned EV charging network. This initiative aligns with the City of Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero goals by making EV charging more accessible and visible for residents.
More information about Green P EV charging locations can be found at: EV Charging - Green P Parking
Home Solar Accelerator - free concierge service for residential solar/battery
The Atmospheric Fund (TAF) has launched a Home Solar Accelerator offering GTHA homeowners free personalized support to install rooftop solar systems, with optional battery storage. Expert advisors will provide guidance through every step: assessing solar potential, gathering quotes from pre-qualified installers, navigating permit and interconnection approvals, coordinating installation, and following up to make sure everything's working. You can check it out at: https://solaraccelerator.ca/
Clean Toronto Together – April 24 to 26
Join the annual spring cleanup of parks and other public spaces, April 24 to 26. Thousands of residents, businesses and community groups will pitch in to help keep our city clean and free of litter. Register at toronto.ca/CleanToronto
Register by April 22 to choose your cleanup location from a pre-approved parks list, pick up supplies and receive a participant toolkit. Registering for your community clean up in advance will help the City coordinate clean up locations, arrange waste collection and recognize the impact of volunteer efforts across Toronto’s parks and public spaces. Learn more at toronto.ca/CleanToronto.
Q: What supplies are provided?
A: Participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves, bags, grabbers, hand sanitizer and any other items they may need. A limited supply of basic materials (e.g. garbage bags and gloves) will be available for registered groups to pick up at select locations across Toronto.
Ward 4 news
108-162 Vine Ave OLT Appeal
The owners of this site previously submitted an application to the City for an Official Plan Amendment to redesignate the lands comprising 108-162 Vine Avenue from Core Employment Areas to Mixed Use Areas and Parks. There is no zoning by-law amendment application proposed at this time.
A community consultation meeting was held on February 3rd, 2026. While the City’s Planning staff had been continuing their review and analysis of the proposal, outstanding issues could not be resolved within the Provincially-legislated timeline for decision of 90 days. Details of the application can be found here.
The applicant has thus decided to appeal the City’s refusal decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Details on this case will be found here, once available: Case Status.
If you wish to participate in the hearing, instructions on how to do so are listed on the notice, under the heading Party and Participant Status Request. I note this pertinent section from the notice:
Persons who are granted party status may participate fully in the proceeding (see Rule 8). Persons who are granted participant status may only participate in writing by way of a participant statement. This statement is expected to be provided 10 days advance of the Case Management Conference as part of the status request and sets out their position in the matter (see Rule 7.7). Only persons who are granted party or participant status by the Tribunal at the CMC are permitted to participate in any further hearing event that is convened by the Tribunal for this appeal.
If you wish to be a party it requires the hiring of a Planning Lawyer who will be able to make planning law-based arguments on why this request should not be granted. If you wish to request participant status, this will allow you to write in to the Tribunal and voice your opinion.
The City will have a lawyer at the Tribunal to defend its refusal decision.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to our office at [email protected].
Construction Notices
Virtue Street Construction April 13 to July
Work on Virtue Street will commence on April 13 until July. There will be four stages of work on Virtue Street, during each stage there will be a week of no parking for constructions crew to do to their work. Residents are permitted to park anywhere in permit parking zone 2.
See complete notice here: Watermain Replacement Construction Notice
Sorauren Avenue Watermain Construction April 13 to July
Construction crews will restart work on Sorauren Avenue on Monday April 13. Crews will start work at the south end of Sorauren Avenue and will be working north towards Dundas Street W. During construction, daily traffic and local access for residents will be maintained in one active lane.
See complete notice here: Watermain Replacement Construction Notice
High Park Walking Tour: Special Places In The Park
Sunday April 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Meet at the grassy centre triangle, just inside the main entrance to High Park on Bloor Street at 10:30 a.m.
Join for the first walk of the season. Visit some of the unique structures in the park. You will learn about their history and how they are used today. Visit parts of the park you may never have seen before. Bring good walking shoes, and a keen interest in what makes the park a special place.
Your leader is Mark Ellwood. Mark has coordinated the walking tour program since 2005 and has lead many of the walks himself. He is an award winning speaker and regularly imparts his knowledge through his corporate training programs.
See you then!
And here's something else. Would you be interested in joining bicycle tours in the city? Bring your own bike for weekend excursions and join Mark for bike trips ranging from 2-6 hours. 90% of them will be on safe bike paths. Respond to this email to let me know if you are interested. Contact [email protected]
Compost Days in Ward 4 - April 25 and April 30
