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2024 Highlights and Holiday Wishes

Friends,

2024 has been a transformative year for our city.

As Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, I have had the pleasure of supporting the tireless work of community activists and City staff in advancing real solutions to the housing crisis we have been witnessing.

In 2024, to name a few successes, we established the Renovictions Bylaw to deter bad-faith evictions, launched an industry-supported incentive program that facilitates the development of 20,000 new rental homes, expanded permissions for townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings along major streets city-wide, and initiated steps to address excessive indoor temperatures due to the effects of climate change.

I am most proud of our work at rebuilding the City’s capacity as a Public Builder that leads the delivery of affordable housing options. Through establishing a Housing Development Office at the City, we have transformed the City from an entity that is frustrated and unable to move on affordable housing to quite possibly the biggest developer of affordable housing in the country.

In the last 15 months we have gone from zero to 13 affordable construction projects currently under construction, including the 11 Brock site in our ward, and dozens more projects with shovels in the ground next year. We are proving that when we choose to face our most pressing issues head-on, we can respond with quick and effective actions.

This week, as part of Council Mid-term Member Appointments, I was honoured to be asked to continue in my role as Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee for the remainder of this Council term.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I look forward to continuing to work together in 2025 to advance the realization of housing as a human right in Toronto.

Sincerely,

2024 Highlights

Dunn House

Dunn House (90 Dunn Ave), Canada’s first ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, opened in October. The four-storey modular housing building includes 51 new, rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people who were experiencing homelessness and who were also frequent users of UHN’s emergency department. The new homes will be furnished studio apartments with a bathroom and kitchen. The building will include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen, a dining area, a communal area and programming space. They will also benefit from wrap-around social and health services provided by Fred Victor and UHN aimed at improving their well-being and housing stability.  Dunn House has been supported by all orders of government and non-profit housing partners, with continued engagement with the local community.

11 Brock Ave

Earlier this week, the City broke ground on the construction of 11 Brock Ave, the first of five ‘housing ready’ sites to be developed under the Public Developer Model. The planned four-storey building will provide 42 homes with supports to maintain people’s health, wellbeing, and housing stability. The new homes will be private apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen. The building will also include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen and programming spaces for residents. The City has partnered with Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) as the community housing provider. PARC operates supportive homes in Toronto for adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, many with a history of homelessness. PARC and our office will continue to engage with the local Parkdale community on the development of this site. This work is possible due to intergovernmental partnership. In 2023, the project received $21.6 million through the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative. Beginning in 2025, annual operating funding of at least $1.2 million is required from the Province of Ontario for the support services planned for this building.

Traffic Calming Policy & Vision Zero Road Safety

There has been an update on the Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives and Traffic Calming Policy. The updated Traffic Calming Policy was adopted by City Council in November 2023, and began applying to Community Council Reports starting January 2024. The warrants for Traffic Calming on a residential street are now based on the posted speed limit instead of the standard 40 km/h. This should help local streets in need of additional calming measures. As part of Vision Zero safety initiatives, the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera is designed to deter speeding motorists and increase safety for vulnerable road users. In Q1 of 2025, Ward 4 will receive two additional cameras as part of the ASE program expansion; the locations are Jameson Avenue South of Laxton Avenue and Jane Street near Page Avenue.

West Parkdale Cycling Connections

In Fall 2024 the City completed installation of the West Parkdale Cycling Connection. This project addresses a previous gap in our cycling network by providing a connection between The Queensway and Brock Avenue. In addition to the installation of the bike lanes the project included one way street conversions, changes to one way street directions, changes to on street parking, new stop signs, intersection improvements and traffic calming speed humps. A new traffic light signal will be installed in 2025 at Roncesvalles Avenue and Galley Avenue. Over the next 6 to 12 months, City staff will continue to monitor traffic counts and collect feedback from the community.

Parkside Drive

Parkside Drive’s current road configuration encourages motorists to travel at high speeds. In November City Council endorsed, in principle, to advance detailed design of the road safety changes identified in the Parkside Drive Study, which includes bike lanes and intersection safety improvements. The road reconfigurations aim to improve safety for all road users and upgrade Parkside Drive to accommodate multi-modal travel options. Council also approved as part of the Parkside Drive Study City staff recommendations for the installation of speed humps on five adjacent streets to Parkside Drive which satisfy the updated Traffic Calming Policy warrants.

High Park Movement Strategy

Improvements as part of the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) continue to be advanced in High Park. New pick-up/drop-off spaces at key destinations on Colborne Lodge Drive between the Grenadier Cafe and Bloor Street West were added, and TTC 203 High Park Route operated seasonal service this summer with an expanded route that was run via Keele Station, providing a transfer-free accessible connection between High Park and Line 2. The High Park Movement Strategy includes the implementation of a shuttle service to help visitors get around High Park all year long. The City of Toronto has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the provision of this shuttle service, which will help visitors get around key locations within High Park. The City has also partnered with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to undertake a road ecology study within High Park to better understand existing conditions, potential risk factors to wildlife, and possible mitigation measures.

Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project

The Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project is one of 36 locations where work is being undertaken to rehabilitate and increase resiliency along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Periods of high lake water levels, coupled with increased frequency and severity of storms have put pressure on the existing erosion control measures in place along Lake Ontario’s shoreline and the City must deliver proactive solutions to address this. This project is carried out through the Federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The mandate of this work, under this funding structure, is to address the impacts of flooding and erosion by repairing, remediating, and enhancing the resilience of Toronto's waterfront shoreline. As part of these mitigation efforts, three seat walls in different locations have been installed as a protective barrier against high lake water effects. The City installed new sand to restore the sand quality at Sunnyside Beach following completion of the Shoreline Resiliency Project.

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 Declaration
  • New Year's Skating Parties
  • City of Toronto Consultation: Growing Space for Trees & Infill Housing
  • Planning for the Holiday Season in Toronto
  • Toronto Parking Authority Rate Change Communication

Ward 4 Updates

  • Developments
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W
    • Update on 2453-2469 Bloor Street West: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
    • An Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion

Friends,

2024 has been a transformative year for our city.

As Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, I have had the pleasure of supporting the tireless work of community activists and City staff in advancing real solutions to the housing crisis we have been witnessing.

In 2024, to name a few successes, we established the Renovictions Bylaw to deter bad-faith evictions, launched an industry-supported incentive program that facilitates the development of 20,000 new rental homes, expanded permissions for townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings along major streets city-wide, and initiated steps to address excessive indoor temperatures due to the effects of climate change.

I am most proud of our work at rebuilding the City’s capacity as a Public Builder that leads the delivery of affordable housing options. Through establishing a Housing Development Office at the City, we have transformed the City from an entity that is frustrated and unable to move on affordable housing to quite possibly the biggest developer of affordable housing in the country.

In the last 15 months we have gone from zero to 13 affordable construction projects currently under construction, including the 11 Brock site in our ward, and dozens more projects with shovels in the ground next year. We are proving that when we choose to face our most pressing issues head-on, we can respond with quick and effective actions.

This week, as part of Council Mid-term Member Appointments, I was honoured to be asked to continue in my role as Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee for the remainder of this Council term.

As we celebrate the holiday season, I look forward to continuing to work together in 2025 to advance the realization of housing as a human right in Toronto.

Sincerely,

2024 Highlights

Dunn House

Dunn House (90 Dunn Ave), Canada’s first ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, opened in October. The four-storey modular housing building includes 51 new, rent-geared-to-income and supportive homes for people who were experiencing homelessness and who were also frequent users of UHN’s emergency department. The new homes will be furnished studio apartments with a bathroom and kitchen. The building will include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen, a dining area, a communal area and programming space. They will also benefit from wrap-around social and health services provided by Fred Victor and UHN aimed at improving their well-being and housing stability.  Dunn House has been supported by all orders of government and non-profit housing partners, with continued engagement with the local community.

11 Brock Ave

Earlier this week, the City broke ground on the construction of 11 Brock Ave, the first of five ‘housing ready’ sites to be developed under the Public Developer Model. The planned four-storey building will provide 42 homes with supports to maintain people’s health, wellbeing, and housing stability. The new homes will be private apartments with a bathroom and a kitchen. The building will also include amenities such as shared laundry, a commercial kitchen and programming spaces for residents. The City has partnered with Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) as the community housing provider. PARC operates supportive homes in Toronto for adults experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, many with a history of homelessness. PARC and our office will continue to engage with the local Parkdale community on the development of this site. This work is possible due to intergovernmental partnership. In 2023, the project received $21.6 million through the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative. Beginning in 2025, annual operating funding of at least $1.2 million is required from the Province of Ontario for the support services planned for this building.

Traffic Calming Policy & Vision Zero Road Safety

There has been an update on the Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives and Traffic Calming Policy. The updated Traffic Calming Policy was adopted by City Council in November 2023, and began applying to Community Council Reports starting January 2024. The warrants for Traffic Calming on a residential street are now based on the posted speed limit instead of the standard 40 km/h. This should help local streets in need of additional calming measures. As part of Vision Zero safety initiatives, the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera is designed to deter speeding motorists and increase safety for vulnerable road users. In Q1 of 2025, Ward 4 will receive two additional cameras as part of the ASE program expansion; the locations are Jameson Avenue South of Laxton Avenue and Jane Street near Page Avenue.

West Parkdale Cycling Connections

In Fall 2024 the City completed installation of the West Parkdale Cycling Connection. This project addresses a previous gap in our cycling network by providing a connection between The Queensway and Brock Avenue. In addition to the installation of the bike lanes the project included one way street conversions, changes to one way street directions, changes to on street parking, new stop signs, intersection improvements and traffic calming speed humps. A new traffic light signal will be installed in 2025 at Roncesvalles Avenue and Galley Avenue. Over the next 6 to 12 months, City staff will continue to monitor traffic counts and collect feedback from the community.

Parkside Drive

Parkside Drive’s current road configuration encourages motorists to travel at high speeds. In November City Council endorsed, in principle, to advance detailed design of the road safety changes identified in the Parkside Drive Study, which includes bike lanes and intersection safety improvements. The road reconfigurations aim to improve safety for all road users and upgrade Parkside Drive to accommodate multi-modal travel options. Council also approved as part of the Parkside Drive Study City staff recommendations for the installation of speed humps on five adjacent streets to Parkside Drive which satisfy the updated Traffic Calming Policy warrants.

High Park Movement Strategy

Improvements as part of the High Park Movement Strategy (HPMS) continue to be advanced in High Park. New pick-up/drop-off spaces at key destinations on Colborne Lodge Drive between the Grenadier Cafe and Bloor Street West were added, and TTC 203 High Park Route operated seasonal service this summer with an expanded route that was run via Keele Station, providing a transfer-free accessible connection between High Park and Line 2. The High Park Movement Strategy includes the implementation of a shuttle service to help visitors get around High Park all year long. The City of Toronto has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the provision of this shuttle service, which will help visitors get around key locations within High Park. The City has also partnered with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to undertake a road ecology study within High Park to better understand existing conditions, potential risk factors to wildlife, and possible mitigation measures.

Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project

The Sunnyside Beach Shoreline Resiliency Project is one of 36 locations where work is being undertaken to rehabilitate and increase resiliency along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Periods of high lake water levels, coupled with increased frequency and severity of storms have put pressure on the existing erosion control measures in place along Lake Ontario’s shoreline and the City must deliver proactive solutions to address this. This project is carried out through the Federal government’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The mandate of this work, under this funding structure, is to address the impacts of flooding and erosion by repairing, remediating, and enhancing the resilience of Toronto's waterfront shoreline. As part of these mitigation efforts, three seat walls in different locations have been installed as a protective barrier against high lake water effects. The City installed new sand to restore the sand quality at Sunnyside Beach following completion of the Shoreline Resiliency Project.

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 Declaration
  • New Year's Skating Parties
  • City of Toronto Consultation: Growing Space for Trees & Infill Housing
  • Planning for the Holiday Season in Toronto
  • Toronto Parking Authority Rate Change Communication

Ward 4 Updates

  • Developments
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W
    • Update on 2453-2469 Bloor Street West: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
    • An Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion

City Wide

Reminder: Vacant Home Tax 2024

Do you own a house or condo in Toronto? If yes, then you need to let the City know if it was occupied or vacant by declaring its occupancy status every year. Even if you reside at your property. The Vacant Home Tax (VHT) program works to increase the availability and affordability of housing in our city. It does this by encouraging people who own homes that are kept empty to make these vacant properties available for rent or for sale, helping to make sure all homes are lived in.

You can make your 2024 declaration quickly and easily online at toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax. Or you can call 311 if you need assistance. You can also visit a Tax and Utility counter at City Hall or one of the civic centres to make your declaration. The City will be mailing more information about the VHT program to all residential property owners in November. The deadline to make a declaration for the 2024 calendar year is April 30, 2025. But don’t wait for the deadline, declare soon.

City Skating Parties 2025

City of Toronto Consultation: Growing Space for Trees & Infill Housing

The City of Toronto is looking to better protect and enhance Toronto’s tree canopy while supporting infill housing development. Following community consultations held in September 2024, we are providing further opportunity to provide detailed input about tree protection in Toronto during infill housing development. We would like to hear from you!

What is being proposed?

We are proposing updates to Official Plan Chapter 4 policies in Section 4.1, Neighbourhoods, and Section 4.2, Apartment Neighbourhoods. Both of these sections of the Official Plan address potential infill housing, but neither currently mentions tree protection or planting. The proposed updates are detailed in Attachment 1 of this email.

We are also considering updates to City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 that address the definition of soft landscaping and landscaping requirements in low-rise residential zones. The proposed updates are detailed in Attachment 2 of this email.

Background information related to these updates is included in Attachment 3 of this email.

Next Steps

Recommendations regarding protecting growing space for trees during infill housing development are currently scheduled to be presented to Planning & Housing Committee on March 18, 2025.

To comment on the proposed updates to the Official Plan and City-wide Zoning By-Law, or on other aspects of Toronto’s tree canopy protection during infill development, please reply to [email protected] with your input by January 24, 2025.  Input received by that date – both from earlier consultations and from this additional opportunity – will be incorporated into the report to Council.

Planning for the Holiday Season in Toronto

Cavalcade of Lights 

The Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square continues until Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The event features light installations, dazzling cultural performances and family-friendly festivities under this year’s theme, Shine. More information is available on the City’s Cavalcade of Lights webpage.

New Year’s Eve 

One of Canada’s largest fireworks displays will light up Toronto’s central waterfront with a spectacular 10-minute, high-altitude show beginning at midnight. The event will also be livestreamed via the City’s Culture YouTube channel (opens in new window).

More information is available on the City’s New Year’s Eve webpage.

High Park Animal Display 

The High Park Animal Display will be open daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Visitors should note that roads in the park will be closed to vehicular traffic on weekends, as well as on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Learn more on the City’s Zoos & Farms webpage.

More events and information here.

Ward 4 

Councillor Perks Updated Civic Appointments

Planning and Housing Committee (opens in new window), Chair

Budget Committee (opens in new window), Vice-Chair

Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Mayor's Designate

Housing Rights Advisory Committee 

Executive Committee (opens in new window)

Civic Appointments Committee (opens in new window)

Striking Committee

Toronto and East York Community Council (opens in new window)

Developments

Update on 2453-2469 Bloor Street West: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions

On Tuesday, December 17th, Toronto City Council reviewed CC24.8 - 2453-2469 Bloor Street West - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.8.

 

The application for rezoning of 2453-2469 Bloor Street West was originally submitted to the City in February, 2023 proposing an 12-storey mixed use building with 91 residential units and 260 square metres of commercial retail space at grade, including 111 bike parking spaces and 40 vehicle parking spaces.

The applicant appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on May 30, 2024. A Case Management Conference was held by the OLT on September 17, 2024.

The City Solicitor brought a Request for Further Direction Report to the December 17th City Council Meeting for the purpose of requesting instructions for the upcoming OLT hearing. The report recommends that City Council adopt recommendations contained in a Confidential Attachment and authorize the public release of specific confidential recommendations.

My office will share the outcome of this item and all updates as available.

City Council can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive .

An Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion

In response to Toronto East York Community Council and City Councils decision to refuse the Zoning By-law Amendment and Rental Housing Demolition & Conversion application for 2461-2475 Dundas St W, City staff have received notice that the applicant has filed an appeal of this decision with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on December 4th, 2024.

In November 2024, City Council refused the application that proposes a 29-storey mixed use building. The proposal showed 360 square metres of ground floor retail and 288 dwelling units, including 9 rental replacement units. More information on the application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5482273&pid=148578&title=2461---2475-DUNDAS-ST-W

City Council also directed that in the event the applications are appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, that 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 staff report on this item is available on-line at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE17.11.

As information on the OLT appeal becomes available, our office will share. The OLT website will also post information on their website at https://jus-olt-prod.powerappsportals.com/en/e-status/.

*NEW DATE* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

The applicant received site plan approval for a 7-storey mixed-use building having a residential gross floor area of 3312 square metres, and a non-residential gross floor area of 268 square metres. 47 rental dwelling units were proposed.

The applicant has now filed an application to increase the height to 8-storeys, reduce the rear building step-back above the fifth storey, reduce the outdoor amenity space, and eliminating on-site parking. 

This proposal for an additional storey 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 January 8 2025.

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.

More information here.

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Major Transit Station Areas in Ward 4

Friends,

The City is hosting a series of Open Houses and a Virtual Town Hall to inform residents about zoning changes for Major Transit Station Areas (MTSA). All residents are welcome to attend.

MTSAs are defined areas within a short walking distance from subway stations and GO stations. Inside these areas, the Province requires that the City plan for growth and development through updated zoning that permits increased building heights and densities. To implement these requirements, the City must determine which lots are within 200m and 500m of each station.

The City has published draft maps showing the 200 metre and 500 metre distances from each station. I’ve included an overview map of the MTSAs in Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park for your reference:

 

Specific draft maps for each of the MTSAs in Ward 4 Parkdale-High Park can be reviewed here: 8e12-city-planning-zoning-for-major-transit-station-areas-toronto-east-york-Ward-4.pdf

The next step in this process is for the City to update its zoning by-laws to allow the new heights and densities. Staff are working on these zoning updates and will bring them to City Council in the second quarter of 2026.

Zoning implementation of MTSAs is one of 54 initiatives in Toronto's 2023 Housing Action Plan (HAP), which seeks to increase housing supply within complete, inclusive, and sustainable communities. The new homes enabled by the HAP also contributes to the Province’s housing target of 285,000 new homes in Toronto by 2031.

I encourage you to join the upcoming in-person Open Houses and Virtual Town Hall to learn about upcoming zoning changes, ask questions, and share your feedback. Information about the requirements in MTSAs and upcoming events can be reviewed on the project website here: www.toronto.ca/StationAreaZoning

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Warming Centre and shelter spaces open today
  • Free Home Energy‑Saving Programs
  • Public Consultation: Waste Management Strategy
  • Community Champion Award: Call for Nominations

Ward 4 news

  • Community Consultation Meeting: Development Application for 1730 Bloor Street West
  • High Park Nature Centre: Great Backyard Bird Count
  • 108 - 162 Vine Avenue Official Plan Amendment Application

Investing in the Toronto Rent Bank and Housing Solutions

Friends,

I have heard from hundreds of residents over the last week who have participated in the City’s 2026 Budget Public Consultations. From the residents that attended our Ward 4 Budget Town Hall, to all of you that took the time to make deputations at Budget Committee Public Presentations, I am grateful for your thoughtful contributions to shaping our City’s priorities.

An overarching theme we have heard is Torontonians’ desire to address homelessness in our city. I am pleased that the staff-prepared 2026 Budget is squarely tackling this issue by investing in the only solutions that work – preventing families from becoming homeless in the first place and growing the supply of welcoming shelter space and affordable rental housing.

The proposed 2026 Budget allocates $10.8 million in funds for the Toronto Rent Bank to ensure we can provide relief to anyone who requires it. Toronto’s Rent Bank helps families stay housed when times are tough by providing grants to help people make rent, cover arrears or secure a new home. This investment will help 2800 households avoid homelessness and remain housed.

The capital budget makes significant investments in safe, well-designed shelters with the services people need to build a good life. Meanwhile, this budget supports the City’s Public Developer projects to break ground on over 9,800 new rent-controlled and affordable homes, while construction continues or wraps up on an additional 7,000 homes, which will help to lower rents across our city.

Together, we have made tremendous progress in reducing homelessness in Toronto through implementing these approaches. Last year alone, the City helped over 4,300 people move from shelters into permanent homes, protected nearly 4,000 more households from eviction, preventing families from becoming homeless, and reduced the number of encampments across Toronto by 64 per cent. This past year 65 per cent of all housing starts in Toronto were in City-led or City-supported projects.

Toronto residents have been clear during the budget consultations that our City must continue to build upon these proven interventions for addressing the housing crisis. I look forward to supporting the City’s investments in these programs at City Council’s 2026 Budget meeting on February 10.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Become a Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion!
  • Electrification with Experts: Webinar
  • City begins process to update zoning near major transit stations
  • Help Shape the Future of Toronto's Skate, Hockey and Curling Facilities
  • RentSafeTO Program Updates and Public Consultations
  • LEAF's TCHC Planting and Stewardship Program Applications
  • Community Champion Award: Call for Nominations

Ward 4 news

  • High Park Nature Centre Event: January 25
  • Events at Parkdale Library
  • 108 - 162 Vine Avenue Official Plan Amendment Application
  • 508 Lake Shore Streetcar Service Suspension
  • Events at Lambton House

2026 Budget Launch and Town Hall

Friends,

The City officially launched the 2026 Budget today with a staff-prepared budget presented to the Budget Committee. The City’s budget process is an important time for us to come together as Toronto residents to envision the equitable and compassionate city we want to live in and shape the budget that will enable us to create it.

The Budget Committee was presented with an operating budget of $18.9 billion and a 2026-2035 capital budget and plan of $63.1 billion, the largest 10-year capital plan in the City’s history, to address aging infrastructure and invest in housing, transit and water. Key highlights from the 2026 staff-prepared budget include expanding the school nutrition program to all public schools, freezing TTC fares for a third year in a row, opening all library branches seven days a week, and additional support for renters and homeowners. The staff presentation from today’s 2026 Budget launch can be reviewed here: BU10.1 - 2026 Capital and Operating Budget Launch.

The next step in this process is for Toronto residents to share feedback to the Budget Committee in person or online at public meetings, by phone at Telephone Town Halls, or in writing, over the next two weeks. I encourage you learn about the various opportunities to get involved in the budget here: Get Involved in the Budget – City of Toronto.

I will also be hosting a 2026 Budget Virtual Town Hall on Monday, January 19 at 6pm for our Ward 4 community to discuss our vision for the city together. I would love to see your there. Please RSVP at gordperks.ca/2026budget

Following the public consultation period, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget will be released on February 1 and the Council-approved 2026 Budget will be determined at a Special City Council meeting on February 10.

I look forward to hearing and learning from you through this process, so that together we can build a more capable and caring Toronto. 

 

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • CaféTO Program applications are now open
  • Winter Flood Information
  • Parks and Recreation’s Ice Facility Strategy is now underway

Ward 4 news

  • PHP4Climate info session on Home Retrofits & Heat Pumps 

  • Reminder: Scarlett Road Bridge Replacement Update and Community Meeting

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Ward 4

City Hall

Email:
Phone: 416-392-7919
Address:
100 Queen St W, Suite A14
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2