Summer Ward 4 Updates

In this week's e-newsletter

  • Public Survey – Toronto Renovictions By-law
  • Upcoming Events at Lambton House
  • Taste of Junction
  • City of Toronto offers exciting activities for residents and visitors this long weekend
    • City Beaches
    • Outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads
    • Dog-only swim
  • Toronto Island Park
  • Community Centres and Indoor Pools
  • Tennis and pickleball courts
  • Conservatories
  • Cultural Centres
  • Golf at municipal courses
  • High Park Animal Display
  • Riverdale Farm
  • St. Lawrence Market
  • Toronto History Museums
  • Road restrictions and closures
  • TTC
  • Toronto Zoo
  • Important Reminder about Fireworks
  • Waste Drop-Off Depots

Connect with me 

Public Survey – Toronto Renovictions By-law

The City of Toronto is inviting residents to provide input on the implementation of a new renovictions bylaw modelled after successful initiatives in other cities across Canada.  

In June, Toronto City Council directed City staff to create a bylaw in response to the growing trend of renovictions in Toronto, where a landlord illegitimately evicts a tenant by alleging that vacant possession of the rental unit is required to make renovations or repairs, leading to situations where landlords increase rents significantly or refuse to allow tenants to return to their homes. This results in the displacement of tenants, the permanent loss of affordable rental housing, and contributes to rising homelessness in Toronto.  

To inform the development of the bylaw, the City is engaging with tenants, landlords, and residents impacted by renovictions. Staff will report back to the Planning and Housing Committee with a proposed renovictions bylaw in October. 

Online survey 

Residents are encouraged to share their insights and experiences by completing the online survey by Monday, September 30 on the City’s website: toronto.ca/renoviction 

Drop-in sessions 

The City is also hosting in-person and virtual consultation meetings:

Toronto West 

Date: Thursday, September 5 

Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 

Location: Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC), 1499 Queen St. W. – Auditorium 

The City of Toronto is developing a new by-law to protect renters from being unfairly evicted for renovations (“renovictions”). As part of developing this by-law, the City has launched a public survey to gather input from tenants, landlords, and other Toronto residents. To complete the survey, visit www.toronto.ca/renovictions, before September 30. City staff will report to the City’s Planning and Housing Committee on October 30, 2024, with a proposed renovictions by-law.


Upcoming Events at Lambton House

Lambton House/Tavern (circa 1860), owned by the City of Toronto, is operated and curated on its behalf by its stewards, Heritage York, a registered charity.  It is a community gathering place, a proposed Lower Humber Interpretive Centre and a magical step into the past.

We look forward to seeing you at Lambton House/Tavern, to enjoy a great opportunity to gather with friends, old and new, in this unique, historic, former stage coach stop and tavern. 

  • Friday, 6 Sep 6 pm - Community Pub with Terry Jones
  • Thursday, 12 Sep 7:30p - Heritage Talk, Speaker to be Confirmed
  • Thursday, 19 Sep 1-3pm - Tea Time 55+
  • Friday, 20 Sep 7pm - Euchre
  • Friday, 27 Sep 7pm - Movie Trivia Night

Taste of Junction

The vibrant neighbourhood of the Junction is thrilled to announce the return of Taste of the Junction, an extraordinary event uniting 21 exceptional local businesses. Guests are invited to explore and indulge in delicious culinary delights, refreshing beverages and browse unique products from various retail vendors. Presented by The Junction BIA, in partnership with Stu Sells Realty, the second annual event will take place on Saturday, September 7th, from 12 PM to 9 PM at a new location off Jackson Place (51 Vine Ave). This year, Taste of the Junction will soar to new heights by integrating the beloved event with the official launch of The AR Laneway Project. In addition to enjoying mouthwatering delights offered by local restaurants and shopping an array of retail vendors, attendees are invited to the unveiling of the vibrant new animated mural, “Rhapsody in Gold,” located in the rear laneway of 2896 Dundas St W. This captivating 765-square-foot animated mural can be experienced through the FREE Artivive app, which uses augmented reality (AR) to bring the artwork to life. Guests can simply point their smartphone at this NEW mural, and five existing murals in the laneway and witness the art in a new and magical way!

More information here!

Don't miss out—subscribe to our mailing list 
HERE to stay in the loop on all the Junction's upcoming events, promotions, and contests!


City of Toronto offers exciting activities for residents and visitors this long weekend

The City of Toronto invites residents and visitors to enjoy the upcoming long weekend with fun activities and attractions. Whether you're looking to soak up the sun, explore the city's cultural gems or enjoy a relaxing day outdoors, there is something for everyone to enjoy this long weekend.

City Beaches
Soak up some sun and enjoy one of the city’s beaches this long weekend. The City encourages residents and visitors to enjoy the water safely by:

  • Swimming only when lifeguards are on duty and within supervised swimming areas.
  • Staying within arm’s reach of children who are in or near water.
  • Never swimming alone or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Staying hydrated, wearing sunscreen and limiting exposure to heat and sun.
  • Calling 911 in case of emergency.

The following beaches will continue to have supervised swim zones from Tuesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 8. Lifeguards will be on duty between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.:

  • Woodbine Beach
  • Kew-Balmy Beach
  • Cherry Beach
  • Sunnyside Beach

Find more information and a map with all the beaches on the City’s Beaches webpage: www.toronto.ca/beaches.

Outdoor pools, wading pools and splash pads
Outdoor pools, splash pads and wading pools are all great options for staying cool this summer. They will be open throughout the weekend with select sites open on Monday.

Dog-only swim

Dogs who have been waiting all summer for their chance to swim are invited to enjoy a free swim at select pools. Dog-only swim sessions will take place at ten locations on Sunday, September 1, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Dogs must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older, who must remain on the pool deck. One adult can bring a maximum of two dogs.

Pet donations to Toronto Animal Services including peanut butter, freeze-dried treats and dog toys will be accepted at the pools. Residents can also support shelter pets by donating items from the City’s Our Wish List webpage: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/partnerships-sponsorships-donations/donate/donate-to-animal-services/our-wish-list.

More information about outdoor pools, wading pools, splash pads and the dog-only swims is available on the City’s Swimming & Water Play webpage: www.toronto.ca/swim.

Toronto Island Park
Toronto Island Park is a popular destination and – like other major attractions – will be busy this weekend. The City strongly encourages residents and visitors to:

  • Be patient and plan ahead.
  • Plan travel during non-peak hours—the ferry is busiest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when heading to Toronto Island Park and from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for return trips to the mainland, especially from Centre Island.
  • Buy tickets online before heading to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Online ticket holders enter the terminal through a separate line during peak travel times.

More information about ferry services including online ticket purchases can be found on the Ferries to Toronto Island Park webpage: www.toronto.ca/ferries.

Community Centres and Indoor Pools
Indoor pools and community centres will be open on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1 but will be closed on Monday, September 2. More information can be found on the City’s Parks & Community Recreation Centres Map webpage: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/parks-and-recreation-facilities/parks-and-community-recreation-centres-map.

Tennis and pickleball courts
Public tennis and pickleball courts will be available across the city throughout the long weekend. Players are asked to share the courts by limiting their play time to half-hour intervals if others are waiting to use them.

More information about public courts is available on the City’s Tennis Court Listing webpage: www.toronto.ca/tenniscourt.

More information can also be found on the City’s Pickleball Court webpage: www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/pickleball-court/index.html.

Conservatories

Allan Gardens Conservatory and Centennial Park Conservatory are free and open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this long weekend. More information is available on the City’s Conservatories webpage: www.toronto.ca/conservatories.

Cultural Centres
Cultural Centres will operate limited weekend hours and close on Monday, August 5. More information about the Cultural Centres including hours of operation are available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/culturalcentres.

Golf at municipal courses
Toronto’s five municipal golf courses are open daily throughout the long weekend. Golfers are encouraged to book in advance. Tee times can be booked:

  • online by visiting the individual course page
  • by phone by calling the golf course.

More information is available on the City’s Golf webpage: www.toronto.ca/golf.

High Park Animal Display
The High Park Animal Display will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. all weekend. Residents and visitors are reminded that roads within High Park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and holidays. More information is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/beaches-gardens-attractions/zoos-farms/high-park-animal-display

Riverdale Farm
Admission is free to Riverdale Farm, which will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the long weekend. More information is available on the City’s Riverdale Farm webpage: www.toronto.ca/riverdalefarm.

St. Lawrence Market
Join Balfolk Toronto at St. Lawrence Market on Saturday, August 31, for a community dance class at 1:30 p.m., followed by a live music social from 2 to 3:30 p.m. featuring traditional and modern folk dances from French and Western European regions. More information can be found on the St. Lawrence Market webpage: www.stlawrencemarket.com/events/event_detail/698/Music%20&%20Dance%20Class%20with%20Balfolk%20Toronto.

Taste of the Caribbean returns to Market Street on Sunday, September 1. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy authentic flavours, live music and unique artisan crafts. More information can be found on the Taste of the Caribbean website: www.tastethecaribbean.ca.

The St. Lawrence Market will also be open during regular hours over the long weekend. The main building will be open on Saturday, August 31, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, September 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The weekly Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturday from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit the St. Lawrence Market website: www.stlawrencemarket.com

Toronto History Museums
Toronto History Museums are open on Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free activities and programs available throughout the weekend. Fort York is open on Monday, September 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All other museum sites are closed on September 2.

More information is available on the City’s Festival and Events calendar: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/exhibits-events.

Road restrictions and closures
Several road restrictions and closures related to events and critical City-led infrastructure work are in effect which may impact travel throughout the long weekend. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and visit the City’s Road Restrictions and Closures webpage for more information:  www.toronto.ca/roadrestrictions.

More information about festivals and events is available on the City’s Festivals & Events Calendar webpage: www.toronto.ca/eventscalendar.

TTC
The TTC will operate on its Holiday service schedule on Labour Day. More information is available on the TTC webpage: www.ttc.ca.

Toronto Zoo
As part of the Zoo's 50th birthday celebrations, guests can visit the Wildlife Marquee starting through the Labour Day long weekend to join two LEGO Master Model Builders as they construct a 22-foot LEGO mosaic wall and a 3D animal ‘big build’!

Presented in partnership with LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and LEGODREAMZzz: www.torontozoo.com/events/legodreamzzz#evt.

Important Reminder about Fireworks
The Labour Day long weekend is not a designated day for fireworks. Residents are only permitted to set off fireworks on their property if they have obtained a permit from Toronto Fire Services. Fireworks are not allowed in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or other private property.

The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request on the City’s 311 webpage: www.toronto.ca/311. More information about fireworks rules is available on the City’s Fireworks webpage: www.toronto.ca/fireworks.

Waste Drop-Off Depots
The City’s Drop-off Depots will be closed for residential drop-offs of garbage, yard waste, recyclables, household hazardous waste and electronics on Monday, September 2. For more information, visit the City’s Holiday Collection & Drop-off Depot Impacts webpage: www.toronto.ca/holiday-impacts.


Connect with me 

Latest posts

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

Take action

Read Our Weekly Newsletter
Sign Up for Updates
Contact our Office