Toronto Public Health Provides Free Dental Care for Eligible Clients

Friends,

Toronto Public Health provides free dental care for eligible clients at convenient locations across the city. Oral health is a key component of overall health and wellness, yet for some in our community, regular dental care may not be affordable.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) clinics address this gap by offering dental services to eligible children and youth (0-17 years), adults enrolled in selected Toronto Public Health programs, and seniors (65 years and older). In 2023, TPH provided more than 61,600 dental appointments in community-based clinics.

Locations in Ward 4 include 2340 Dundas St. W. (at Bloor Street West) and the Parkdale Community Health Centre (1229 Queen St. W).

In addition to these clinics, this week the City announced a free mobile dental care program for the more than 2,600 residents of the 10 long-term care homes operated by the City. Set to kick off later this month, this innovative program prioritizes the well-being and oral health of some of Toronto’s most vulnerable residents. The mobile dental vans will provide essential oral health services including preventive care, minimally invasive dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral surgery and dentures. This comprehensive approach addresses a wide range of dental needs while promoting better health outcomes and preventing potential hospital visits for pain management associated with oral health issues.

At next Monday’s Board of Health Meeting, the Board will be receiving reports on the Toronto Public Health 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets. You can review these items and follow the meeting here: Board of Health - Meeting 12 - TMMIS (toronto.ca)

I am proud of and will continue to support our City’s investments in TPH to expand care and provide low-barrier access to services to our most vulnerable community members.

Sincerely,


  • Ward 4 Environment and Compost Days - Saturday April 27th 
  • Update on 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue
  • Committee of Adjustment Application 6 Noble Street
  • Update on King West Construction
  • Jane/Dundas Library Renaming Survey
  • Wabash Community Centre - Public Art Consultation
  • Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants open for applications
  • Mayor’s Community Safety Awards now accepting nominations

 

Ward 4 Environment  and Compost Days - Saturday April 27th !


Update on 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue

On Tuesday May 7, 2024, Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) will be reviewing Staff Report: TE13.10 - 1304-1318 King Street West and 143-145 Cowan Avenue - Official Plan, Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition Applications - Decision Report - Refusal

The application proposes a 21-storey mixed use building. The proposal will have 213 square metres of ground floor retail and 263 dwelling units, including 8 rental replacement units. Application Information Centre - 1304 KING ST W (toronto.ca)

The Report to TEYCC recommends that the City Council refuse the application for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications, and in the event the applications are appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, City Council, attempt to resolve the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications, to the satisfaction of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the City Solicitor.

The full report is available on-line at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE13.10

I will be supporting the staff recommendation. I ask that you review the details of the report and share your questions and comments with my office: [email protected] , 416-392-7919.

You can register to speak or provide written comment through [email protected]. TEYCC will also be streamed live online at www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive


Committee of Adjustment Application 6 Noble Street

In 2018, a settlement agreement was reached between the City of Toronto and applicant of 6 Noble Street for an 8-storey (33 m) mixed-use building on site.

The applicant has now filed an application increasing the building height to 11-storey (43 m, including a mechanical penthouse), as well as the total gross floor area (from 9,500 m² to 12,341 m²), and to reduce the mechanical penthouse building setback (east and south lot lines).

This proposal for an additional 3-storeys requires a Committee of Adjustment Minor variance. The site also requires Site Plan application approval.

The Committee of Adjustment Minor Variance request will be heard on May 15, 2024.

As Councillor Perks appoints citizens to the Committee of Adjustment to make decisions on minor variances and, on the advice of the Integrity Commissioner, Councillor Perks cannot attempt to influence a member's decision on an application. He does not communicate with the panel members at committee or through written comment about the application.

The Committee of Adjustment process does offer an opportunity for the public to participate in the process. Community members have an opportunity to comment on the application at the virtual Committee of Adjustment hearing. The Public Notice, with details on how to view and/or participate, is below.

 


King West Construction Update

 

Phase 1, watermain replacement work is progressing well along King Street West between Dufferin Street and Shaw Street.

Until approximately Sunday, April 28, westbound lanes on King Street West between Dufferin Street and Joe Shuster Way will be closed. One eastbound lane will remain open.

Due to supply chain challenges, the City was unable to obtain the specialized material required to replace the TTC streetcar track at the intersection of King Street and Dufferin Street. As a result, this intersection work will be deferred from the 2024 schedule and be incorporated into the 2025 King Street West project, stretching from Close Avenue to Dufferin Street --and the planned full closure of the King Street and Dufferin Street intersection will no longer take place this year.

The current construction work is now anticipated to be complete in November 2024, instead of December 2024.

Please visit the project webpage for more details toronto.ca/kingwestconstruction


Jane/Dundas Library Renaming Survey

As part of the larger Dundas Street Renaming Project City Council has requested that Toronto Public Library (TPL) rename the Jane/Dundas branch to remove the Dundas name by late 2024.

The proposed new name for the Jane/Dundas branch is the Daniel G. Hill III branch. This is to recognize and celebrate the legacy of a prominent Black Torontonian and pioneer in human rights in Ontario. This would be the first TPL branch named after a Black Torontonian.

Share your feedback by taking this short survey. The survey takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes to complete and will close on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Please visit the TPL website for more information: Jane/Dundas Branch Renaming : Toronto Public Library


Wabash Community Centre - Public Art Consultation

Public art is coming to Sorauren Park! The City of Toronto is developing the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre for the southeast corner of Sorauren Park, with opportunities for public artwork to be prominently located inside the CRC.

We welcome community input on five public art proposals via online survey until May 13th:  https://cotsurvey.chkmkt.com/wabash

 


Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants open for applications

Now open for applications! The Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants fund resident-led projects, activities and events that reduce emissions that contribute to climate change and educate the public on climate action. Grants of up to $7,500 per group are available.  

 

Applications are being accepted until noon on June 12, 2024. Find more information and apply online on the City’s Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants webpage. 

 


Mayor’s Community Safety Awards now accepting nominations

Since 2002, the Mayor’s Community Safety Awards have been celebrating innovative Toronto-based projects that help build safe communities and reduce violence. Projects that contribute to community safety and reduce violence in Toronto will be awarded a $1,500 contribution to support their innovative approaches to addressing safety within their local communities. 

The project categories are: 

  • Community-led groups/projects 
  • Youth-led groups/projects 
  • Senior(s)-led groups/projects (new this year) 

Find more information and submit a nomination on the City’s The Mayor’s Community Safety Awards webpage.  

 


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Winter in Toronto Activities

Friends,

I wanted to share a reminder that despite temperatures beginning to dip, there are several outdoor activities offered by the City that residents can enjoy throughout the winter.

The City will begin to open its more than 50 outdoor ice rinks and skating trails citywide in the coming weeks. Family-friendly activities offered at these facilities include free public leisure and figure skating, shinny, ringette, and instructional programs. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the City’s service alerts webpage for updates regarding artificial ice rinks and to check the status of local rinks by visiting the City’s webpage

The Skate Lending Library is also back, which makes it easy and fun for residents and families to learn how to skate by providing access to skates, helmets, and skate aids. The program is free and no reservations are required. More information about skate lending locations is available here

Residents are also invited to make use of outdoor sport courts including 50 tennis courts with nets in place for winter tennis, designated fire pits that can be booked in advance through the new recreation booking system, birdwatching at Toronto parks, ravines and natural areas, and many other Winter in Toronto activities.

I encourage you to embrace the cold and stay active during this winter season by learning more about TO Winter activities.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Help shape the future of ice facilities in Toronto
  • Canada Post labour disruption
  • Early registration for Older Adult winter programs now open
  • Holiday giving through DonateTO
  • Help shape the future of Toronto's recreation spaces and parks
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 

Ward 4 Updates

  • Shop Local in Parkdale
  • Developments
    • 2461-2475 Dundas St W Refusal Report
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

Our Health, Our City - Annual Progress Report

Friends,

This week at Board of Health, staff presented the first annual progress report on Our Health, Our City, Toronto’s comprehensive five-year and city-wide strategy to address both mental health and substance use related issues in Toronto.

I was pleased to hear that significant progress has been made towards the first-year priorities identified in the strategy. Most notably, Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) has been expanded city-wide, which improves access to appropriate services and support for people in crisis.

Toronto Public Health staff emphasized, however, that Toronto continues to be in a drug toxicity epidemic, with over 500 deaths per year for the last four years due to opioid toxicity.

Staff expressed grave concerns for how in this context the provincial government’s plans to close Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) sites in Toronto will not only lead to an increase in overdoses but also negatively impact everyone’s health and access to emergency services.

SCSs are clinical spaces for people to bring their own drugs to use in the presence of trained health professionals available immediately should a person overdose. In 2023, staff at the 10 SCS locations currently in Toronto responded to 2296 overdoses – that’s over 2000 calls that didn’t get made to 911, preserving Emergency Services resources for other urgent needs in our city.

The staff report recommendations include reiterating the request to the provincial government to protect community health, well-being, and safety by continuing to fund, and permit the operation of all currently operating SCS sites.

The Board of Health adopted this item with amendments. You can listen to my comments on this item below.  

The Canadian and international evidence is clear that SCSs save lives, connect people to social services and are pathways to treatment. I will continue to work in partnership with Board of Health colleagues and community to advocate for policies that are evidence-based and promote public health and public safety for all Toronto residents.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Long-Term Waste Management Strategy, Phase 1 Consultation
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 

Ward 4 Updates

  • Shop Local in Parkdale
  • Designation of the Teiaiagon-Baby Point Heritage Conservation District Plan under the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Baby Point Gates Annual Open House 
  • Developments
    • 2461-2475 Dundas St W Refusal Report
    • Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

Winter Recreation Programming

Friends,

I am pleased to share that this week at City Council we adopted two landmark policies aimed at reducing housing insecurity in our city: Establishing a New Purpose-built Rental Homes Incentives Stream and Implementing a Rental Reonvation License By-law to Address Renovictions.  Together, these two policies will steer our city’s housing system towards building the affordable rental housing options that residents need – starting with an immediate call for 7,000 new rental homes supported through the City’s own resources,  while at the same time increasing protections for tenants living in our existing rental housing stock.

City Council also adopted the Parkside Drive Study Final Report, advancing staff recommend safety improvements for achieving a safer Parkside neighbourhood. You can review the full City Council agenda here: City Council - Meeting 23 - TMMIS (toronto.ca)

I also wanted to remind residents that last week the City officially launched a new registration and booking system for its recreation programming. This new system includes a ‘wish list’ feature that will reduce the time it takes to register and eliminate the need to search for available programs on the spot. Residents are encouraged to explore the new system and create their new account before registration for winter recreation programming begins in the coming weeks. More information on how to set up an account and where to get support is included below.

I hope you and your family are able to make use of the terrific range of recreation programs offered by our City. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if we can be of support.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Winter Recreation Programming – Create a new account and a wish list
  • 311 Toronto awareness and usage survey 🏙️ 
  • Help shape public parking in Toronto 🅿️
  • Supporting homeowners with home energy improvements 🍃 
  • 2025 Waste Collection Schedules and Waste Management Guide
  • It’s Fall Yard Waste Season!
  • Reminder: Shape the future of Toronto facilities and parks
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 
  • Exhibition Place Community Liaison Consultation

Ward 4 Updates

  • Baby Point Gates Annual Open House 
  • Committee of Adjustment Application 1229 Queen Street West 
  • Developments
    • 138 Dowling Pre-Application Meeting

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