An Update on the City's Vacant Home Tax

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

• An online survey was launched today and is open for public input now until May 1. The survey can be accessed at: https://cotsurvey.chkmkt.com/2024_CC24_2

Written Comments

• Written comments to [email protected]may now be submitted to the City until May 1.

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.

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

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