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

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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!

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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.


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Friends,

From the return of CaféTO and splash pads to a fireworks display, there’s lots to enjoy across Toronto this long weekend. Those travelling over the long weekend should plan their journey in advance, allow extra time, consider taking public transit or other travel methods such as walking or cycling, and follow signage to keep everyone safe.  

A map of all road closures is available on the City of Toronto’s Road Restrictions webpage.

The Green P parking website  has information about parking and EV charging.

The Bike Share Toronto app offers a convenient and sustainable mode of transportation. More information is available at this webpage.

Dine al fresco as part of CaféTO

CaféTO returns this long weekend, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor dining across Toronto. More than 290 local restaurants and bars have registered for CaféTO’s curb-lane café program. In addition, the City boasts 752 patios and 604 sidewalk cafés. Together, these diverse dining spaces showcase Toronto’s vibrant and multicultural food scene. 

More information is available on the City’s CaféTO webpage.

Cool off at splash and spray pads  

Beginning Saturday, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, and will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, September 13. 

Caregivers are reminded to supervise children as these are unsupervised water-play areas. Splash and spray pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.

Visit a farm in the City

Residents and visitors to Toronto can escape urban life and visit a working farm in the heart of the City. Riverdale Farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.

The High Park animal display is open daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Roads in the park are closed to vehicular traffic on weekends and public holidays; however, several TTC routes connect to High Park. More information about the High Park animal display is available on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.

Watch fireworks at Ashbridges Bay   

The City’s fireworks display takes place at Ashbridges Bay Park on Monday, May 18 at 10 p.m.  Attendees are encouraged to use public transit and leave personal vehicles at home. Information about TTC schedules, routes and long weekend service is available on the TTC’s website .

Important reminder about fireworks   

Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is required to set off fireworks on all other days. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks. 

My office continues to be available for any Ward 4 or City-related matters. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable long weekend. 

Sincerely,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Summer recreation program listings available
  • FMTA's Toronto Tenant School Workshops 
  • TDSB Learn4Life Summer 2026 Registration Now Open
  • CultureLink Student Summer Jobs Networking Event

Ward 4 news

  • Letter of Support for Diane Rajaram Parkette
  • The Junction Window Wonderland: Call for Artists
  • Junction Farmers Market Returns
  • BWV BIA Presents Blooming in Bloor West Village
  • Metrolinx Construction Update - West Toronto Railpath

Friends,

The City is building 54 supportive, rent-geared-to-income homes (8-storeys) at 1-3 Close Avenue and 78 Springhurst Avenue. Modelled after Dunn House, Canada’s first-ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, this project titled Dunn House 2 will deliver stable housing paired with integrated health and community supports in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN).

The approach is based on the principle that people are more likely to stay well and continue living in their homes when housing and care are brought together in one place. Early results from Dunn House show significant reductions in emergency department visits and hospital bed days. These outcomes reflect improved health stability for residents and reduced pressure on the broader health care system, benefiting the community as a whole.

Dunn House 2 is moving forward as a Toronto Builds public developer project, and will be developed by CreateTO on behalf of the City. The new homes will be studio apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen, with shared laundry, communal areas, and activities space. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.

I was pleased to co-host the Community Consultation Meeting for Dunn House 2 last night, alongside City Planning and Housing staff, UHN, CreateTO, and architects on this project.

Staff heard from Dunn House tenants, members of the South Parkdale University Health Network Tenants Association (SPUHNTA), and residents from the broader community. We were grateful for the valuable feedback about unit size, layout, and other aspects of the project’s built form that was shared.

Projects like Dunn House 2 are urgently needed to provide the most vulnerable in our communities – those who are unhoused and rely on frequent visits to emergency rooms for care – with the housing stability, wrap around supports, and community connection needed to recover and live with dignity.

As we approve and initiate more of these projects as a city, I’d like to encourage us to follow the lead of SPUHNTA by implementing the Parkdale Model that they developed widely in how we welcome and build community with new neighbours.

Sincerely,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • RentSafeTO: Information Kiosks for Colour-Coded Signage - Parkdale pop-up location added
  • Seasonal Park Washrooms are now opening

Ward 4 news

  • 1497-1501 Queen St W & 89-91 Beaty Ave Community Consultation Meeting
  • Metrolinx Construction Update - West Toronto Railpath
  • TTC: Kipling to Jane Subway Station Single Day Closure
  • Bloom by the park hosted by Bloor by the Park BIA

Friends,

I’ve decided not to seek re-election as your City Councillor this fall. It’s simply time for me to try my hand at other things. Representing you has been the most important work of my life. Wherever I go from here, I will carry all you have taught me.

If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to take a brief look back at what we’ve done together.

At present, the wider world feels hostile: wars rage, our climate is changing, hate and stigma against the most vulnerable is on the rise, in many places democracy is under attack – even here in Ontario.

Parkdale-High Park has been a laboratory of creative resistance in hard times.

For years, you and your neighbours have fought to create a democratic housing system based on meeting needs instead of returning profit to land speculators. We have been wildly successful.

We pushed through a small project to help the Neighbourhood Land Trust buy a rooming house before it was sold to a speculator. This has grown into a permanent City-wide program called the Multi-Unit Rental Acquisition program. Dozens of rental buildings have been bought by non-profit housing organizations providing secure and decent housing in perpetuity. The federal government has announced its intention to take the program nation-wide.

We’ve always been leaders in building social housing with projects like Edmond’s Place and Dunn House. Over the last three years, Toronto has embarked on creating a Public Builder model, initiated with projects in our community at 11 Brock, the Parkdale Hub, and an expanded and secure rebuild of Swansea Mews. Dozens of non-profit, co-op, and TCHC projects are in development city-wide. Two-thirds of all recent housing starts in Toronto include the City as a partner. Again, we have influenced federal housing policy. The recent creation of Build Canada Homes was in no small part influenced by Toronto’s Public Builder model.

The people of Parkdale-High Park have always put the needs of people in crisis first. Our experience building community-based supports helped launch city-wide the Toronto Community Crisis Service which is a non-police-led, 24/7, response to mental health emergency calls and wellness checks.

Our understanding of the importance of public space has led to improvements in our Toronto Public Library system, Parks, and Community Recreation Centres – such as removing overdue book fines and delivering free programming to ensure that residents of all ages, means, and ability can make use of these assets and resources.  Within months, we will break ground for a new Wabash Community Centre.

We have also spearheaded creating safer streets by being the first ward in Toronto to uniformly lower local road speed limits from 40 to 30km, pioneering raised bike lanes at public transit stops as part of the Roncesvalles pedestrian-friendly streetscape redesign, and expanding the City’s cycling network through the Bloor West complete street and West Parkdale cycling connection projects.

Organizations like Roncesvalles Renewed and Green 13 have fought for a real response to our climate emergency. This gave me a platform to Chair a group of Councillors who worked with thousands of Torontonians to create our net-zero TransformTO Climate Plan. This revolutionary plan is changing everything the city does.

Finally, we have taken our obligations for truth and reconciliation to heart. The new Teiaiagon-Baby Point Heritage conservation plan moved heritage planning from being an architectural exercise to a true discussion and acknowledgement of our shared history. Our work in High Park, at the Wabash Community, and along the western waterfront has centred Indigenous voices and values.

From our morning shower until we turn off the lights, we all depend on the public services we build together. I have always been in awe of how so many people in our community choose to be active in designing and improving these services instead of being mere ‘customers’. I know that you will continue to do that work, enriching the lives of everyone with whom we share this wonderful City.

With love and thanks,

Gord


In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • RentSafeTO: Information Kiosks for Colour-Coded Signage
  • Increase in basement flooding subsidies 
  • Healthy Air at Home Webinar
  • Youth Training by FIFA World Cup 2026 Toronto Legacy Program
  • Cherry Blossoms

Ward 4 news

  • Dunn House Phase 2 (78 Springhurst Ave & 1-3 Close Ave) Community Consultation Meeting
  • 1497-1501 Queen St W & 89-91 Beaty Ave Community Consultation Meeting
  • 26 - 36 Mountview Ave & 21 - 29 Oakmount Rd OLT Appeal
  • Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing 
  • TTC Transit Notice: 161, 168, and 989 Route Adjustments
  • Road Closure May 2nd  Around Exhibition Place
  • Bloom by the park hosted by Bloor by the Park BIA
  • Green Day at Swansea Town Hall - May 23

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