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Updates on High Park Movement Strategy & Parkdale Hub

Friends,

I am happy to share that the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) final report has been approved by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC). As I have shared in previous emails, I have advocated as part of this process to set the path for a car-free High Park and to keep the vehicle restrictions in place on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday weekdays. Based on a motion I prepared for IEC, we were successful in achieving these changes.

Here is a link to the full report that was considered by the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. You can also see my comments at the committee meeting here: https://youtu.be/-t9ROOeZO6w

The report will be considered at the May 10-12 City Council meeting. Once the agenda for the City Council meeting goes live on May 5, you can share your feedback on the strategy with members of City Council by emailing [email protected].

Following approval by City Council, staff will begin to implement changes proposed in the High Park Movement Strategy. The first phase of implementation will involve restricting vehicle access on West Rd and a portion of Colborne Lodge Drive to allow for designated spaces that are for pedestrians or cyclists only. Vehicles will be able to drive into the park using the Parkside Dr entrance and exit onto Bloor St. The park will also continue to restrict vehicle access on weekends and holiday Mondays.

Thank you to the thousands of residents who took the time to share feedback and inform the development of this strategy. As a result, we are taking important steps to make High Park safer for all visitors.

 

Sincerely,

Gord

In this week's newsletter:

  • Update on the Parkdale Hub Project
  • Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program
  • Notice: 2453-2569 Bloor Street West Pre-Application Community Meeting
  • Reminder: Virtual Community Meeting for 1660 Bloor St West - May 2
  • Free Leaf Compost on April 29, May 4 and May 6
  • Junction Farmers Market Board are now accepting applications

 

Update on the Parkdale Hub Project

Today, at the Planning and Housing Committee, two motions relating to Parkdale Hub were approved.

First, as part of the Heritage Impact Assessment, staff report recommended that Council state its intent to designate the property at 1313 Queen Street West under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance. If there are no objections to the designation, staff further recommends that City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. This item was adopted by the Committee.

Second, as part of the Housing Now Program Update 2023, the staff report includes recommendations to bring the Parkdale Hub into the Housing Now Initiative. It also includes a financial impact section reflecting the impact on forgone municipal taxes and value of incentives related to the affordable housing component.  This item was also adopted by the Committee.

These items will be at City Council next.

Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program

Contact Program Coordinator Kevin Pook at 416-531-8447 or [email protected] for services including garden and yard work, snow removal, light housekeeping and odd light jobs.

2453-2569 Bloor Street West Pre-Application Community Meeting

A plan has been proposed to redevelop 2453–2469 Bloor Street West into a 12-storey mass timber mixed-use building with retail on the ground floor.

A meeting will be held on May 8th from 6:30pm-8:00pm to allow you to view the proposal and share your thoughts, consisting of a short presentation of the development followed by a Q&A session.

Councillor Perks and City Planning staff will also be in attendance to help answer any questions that may arise.

You can register for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pmCf34nNQeiYr4XIQ0kQGw#/registration.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Virtual Community Meeting to review Site Plan and Construction Management Plan for 1660 Bloor St West (N/W corner of Bloor and Indian Road)

A Virtual Community Meeting to review the Site and Construction Management Plan of 1660 Bloor St West (N/W corner of Bloor and Indian Road) is scheduled for May 2nd.

A 13-storey mixed-use building with 174 units, and retail space fronting onto Bloor St was approved by the Toronto Local Appeal Body (TLAB), decision dated October 4, 2022.  The application was originally denied by the Committee of Adjustment in March, 2022and appealed to TLAB.

The Site Plan and Construction Management Plan are near completion.

Councillor Perks is hosting a Virtual Community Meeting to review the Site Plan and Construction Management Plan. It will be an opportunity to review the Site Plan and Construction Management Plan, ask questions and share comments and concerns.

Virtual Community Meeting

Tuesday, May 2nd, 6-7:30PM

Link to register for Virtual Meeting is available here: https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r967f3223215dffaa157b7833f2462159 . 

City Planning staff and the applicant will be in attendance.

More information on the 1660 Bloor St Development is available at: http://app.toronto.ca/AIC/index.do?folderRsn=3xoTFemCimfZjdyPZpkWqA%3D%3D

Search 1660 Bloor St W 1 of 1, 2 of 2 and 3 of 3.

First Community Compost Day on April 29

Come by and pick up free leaf compost at one of our Community Compost Days:

Saturday, April 29th at 10:00am (while supplies last) at the corner of Doran Ave. and Althea Rd.

Thursday, May 4th at 2:00pm (while supplies last) at Masaryk Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Ave.

Saturday, May 6th at 10:00am (while supplies last) at the corner of Wabash Ave. and Macdonell Ave.

Please bring your own shovels and containers

Volunteer with Junction Farmers Market

 The Junction Farmers Market (opening May 20) currently has several vacancies on its volunteer board of directors. 

If you have a passion for local food, farming and food security and want to contribute to the Junction community, please find more information and complete the application form - JFM Board Member Application (google.com)

Thank you! Let's grow together! 

A backgrounder is available here. 

Latest posts

Demonstrations Bylaw

Friends,

The City of Toronto is moving ahead with public consultation for a proposed demonstrations bylaw to protect vulnerable institutions, as directed by City Council (2024.CC24.2).

In February 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to develop a policy framework for the management and monitoring of rallies and protests, ensuring alignment with the City’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The Report presented to City Council in December, 2024, presented a Policy framework that clarifies the City’s role, jurisdiction and municipal tools available to respond to demonstrations, including the role of applicable City divisions, and provided an overarching foundation of how the City coordinates its activities to determine an appropriate response based on the circumstances of the situation.

I supported the adoption of the Policy Framework.

However, this report included a recommendation (#3) that the City Manager report back with a proposed bylaw that limits demonstrations in our city. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.2

This was a very difficult decision however, I could not support this direction as I believe that restricting people’s ability to protest is a step backward. It takes away people’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I believe the preservation of these rights in their entirety is essential to protecting the most vulnerable segments of our society, and our democracy. I spoke to my reasoning for not supporting this direction; you can listen to it here.

The City is now moving ahead with the public consultation .

This multi-pronged public consultation approach will include the following:

Online Survey

Written Comments

Public Discussions

  • Additional opportunities to participate in public discussions will follow in April. More information on the dates of the public discussions will be communicated and posted on the City’s webpage once confirmed.

Information and additional details on the City’s public consultation can be found on the City’s webpage at: http://toronto.ca/PublicConsult.

The consultation is an opportunity to take part in this conversation. I encourage you to participate.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Zoning for Housing – Upcoming City Planning Consultations
    • Garden Suites Monitoring Program
    • Expanding Permissions in Neighbourhoods for Sixplexes Citywide
  • Help shape the next Toronto Seniors’ Strategy 

Ward 4

  • Swansea Town Hall Community Centre - Seeking New Board Members & Assistant Executive Director 
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025 - Volunteer Call
  • Toronto Hydro Construction Notice - Glenlake Ave.
  • Road Rehabilitation Construction Notice - Evans Ave
  • Developments
    • 3459-3461 Dundas St W
    • 138 Dowling Ave

Anyone can experience homelessness. Everyone deserves shelter.

Friends,

Anyone can experience homelessness.

Shelters in our city provide essential support to individuals in immediate housing crisis, act as a stepping stone to permanent housing, reduce reliance on other high-cost services (e.g. emergency rooms), and bring people indoors, providing an alternative to sleeping in parks, sidewalks, or transit stations.

The positive impact of shelter service is evident in the stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned from shelter into permanent housing. Some have bravely shared their stories: Successful Pathways to Housing – City of Toronto .

Shelters provide critical services to help individuals experiencing homelessness gain stability as they work toward permanent housing.

The City has a 10-year plan to improve and expand our shelter system: Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS).

One pillar of the 10-year strategy is building up to 20 permanent and purpose-built shelters, with a focus on expanding outside of the downtown core to address gaps in available services for people.     

Community engagement is a crucial component to supporting the successful integration of new shelters into the neighbourhood. The City is committed to engaging the community to support the program’s success – both for the individuals who will be staying at shelters and the surrounding community. The process includes communicating details about the shelter development process, responding to community inquiries and concerns, improving public understanding of shelter development and providing ongoing shelter updates. Details will be shared with each community as development of each site progresses and can be found online at toronto.ca/NewShelters . 

I am encouraged by the City’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) and will continue to use my voice and vote on Council to support improving and increasing our shelter infrastructure and expediting the City’s delivery of housing.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Community Networks Launching
  • Spring Flooding: Flood Preparedness Resources
  • Committee of Adjustment Annual Stakeholder Update and Engagement
  • Celebrate Community Story Telling at City Hall

Ward 4

  • BenTastic Magic Show at Parkdale Library
  • High Park Prescribed Burn
  • Construction Notice: Road Resurfacing on Weatherell Street from Rivercrest Rd to Jane St
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

Potential Labour Strike & Disruptions

Friends,

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, the union representing the City’s 27,000 city workers will be in a legal strike at 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Saturday, March 8 if an agreement is not reached before then.

City Manager Paul Johnson has provided updates on city services that may be impacted in the event of a labour disruption.

A labour disruption would result in the closure of all 39 City-operated early learning and child care centres, as well as the closure and cancellation of programming at all City recreation centres including March Break camps. Refunds will be issued for any paid recreation programs that are affected and clients will not be charged for days that City-operated child care centres are closed.

The City will remain prepared to respond to emergencies if a labour disruption occurs. Emergency response by the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services will not be impacted. The Toronto Community Crisis Service will operate normally. Winter maintenance operations for roads and sidewalks will continue.

Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, TTC, Toronto Community Housing and Toronto Water operations will continue during a labour disruption. All City-operated and funded shelters, 24-hour respite and drop-in programs will remain open. The City will continue to activate additional services during colder temperatures, including Warming Centres.

Information on City services and bargaining updates can be found on the City’s website at www.toronto.ca/labour.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Prepare for potential flooding
  • Bylaw update for Accessible Parking Permit holders
  • Reminder: Vacant Home Tax Declaration

Ward 4

  • Family Skate at Coca Cola Coliseum
  • Artists in Flux 2: Empowerment
  • CommunitiCare Health Taking New Patients
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025
More — Read Our Weekly Newsletter

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