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Planning and Housing Committee Highlights!

Friends,

The City continues to move forward on increasing Toronto’s housing supply.  At Planning and Housing Committee yesterday, we considered several items to accommodate further growth. You can review the full agenda here.

In particular, I want to highlight two staff reports fulfilling key deliverables under the City’s agreement for federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) funding:

  • Low-Rise Sixplexes

A staff report on Expanding Permissions in Neighbourhoods for Low-Rise Sixplexes recommends zoning amendments to permit multiplexes with five and six dwelling units in detached residential buildings (also referred to as “fiveplexes” and “sixplexes”) in low-rise residential neighbourhoods city-wide.

  • Apartment Infill

A staff report on Apartment Infill recommends zoning amendments to enable additional housing on existing apartment sites city-wide by permitting townhouses on sites zoned Residential Apartment Commercial, and by conversion of underutilized common spaces into residential dwelling units. 

It also recommends new permissions to enable deep energy retrofits of existing apartment buildings, which will contribute to Toronto’s housing supply through the preservation of existing and aging housing stock.

Expanding multiplex permissions and enabling additional housing on existing apartment sites is an important step towards increasing housing options for Torontonians. It facilitates the development of housing forms available to a wider spectrum of household compositions at various life stages and incomes, supporting aging in place and multi-generational families living together in the same neighbourhood.

These expanded permissions also support the City in fully accessing $471.1 million in HAF funding to accelerate the delivery of new homes.

Committee adopted both these items, and they now move forward for City Council consideration on June 25-27.

I look forward to the discussion at City Council, and will continue to advocate for broadening the range of housing options available to Torontonians.

Sincerely,

 

In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • City Planning Public Meeting on June 24
  • Become a member of the TTC's Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit
  • Community Consultation for  Growing Space for Trees, Infill Housing and "Iceberg Homes"
  • Bike Share Toronto brings back Bike For Free Day
  • Join Gerstein Crisis Centre for their SafeTALK workshop
  • Toronto Public Markets Week is June 15 to 21

Ward 4

  • Subway Closure - Jane to Keele stations – Saturday, June 14, 2025
  • Sunnyside Outdoor Pool is Open This Weekend!
  • Parkdale Developments Walking Tour
  • TRCA Celebrate the Humber Tour - June 14

City Wide

Public Meeting to bring City's Official Plan to consistency with Provincial Planning Statement

The Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024) Consistency Exercise is an initiative to review the City’s Official Plan and recommend Official Plan Amendments to bring the Official Plan into consistency with the PPS 2024. The Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (opens in new window) came into effect on October 20, 2024.

Register (opens in new window) for our virtual Public Meeting on June 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. to hear about proposed changes to the Official Plan to ensure consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024), including:

  1. Archaeological Resources Protection – Protecting areas with archaeological significance and making sure they are properly safeguarded.
  2. Heritage Protection and Conservation – Protecting important built and cultural heritage sites, which may include buildings or areas such as parks or neighbourhoods that hold cultural or historical significance.
  3. Employment Areas and Land Use Compatibility – Reviewing employment areas policies to ensure they remain compatible with nearby residential or sensitive areas, while allowing businesses to continue operating effectively and supporting the local economy over time.
  4. Growth Forecasts – Reviewing population and employment growth forecasts to guide future planning and development.

For more information about this initiatives, please visit the project webpage.

Help Shape the Future of Accessible Transit in Toronto

The TTC is looking for new members to join its Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT). This group plays a central role in advising the TTC Board and staff, ensuring our transit services are inclusive and responsive to the needs of all.

ACAT members contribute their expertise in various ways, including:

  • Evaluating accessibility features of new buses, streetcars, subway trains, and stations
  • Shaping eligibility criteria and policies for Wheel-Trans and Family of Services
  • Providing insights on TTC operations and construction projects
  • Supporting the training of TTC Operators and Customer Service Agents (CSAs) in accessible services

Applicants must:

  • Use conventional TTC services and/or Wheel-Trans
  • Have a disability, be a senior, and/or demonstrate knowledge/interest in accessible transit issues
  • Be available for meetings during business hours and able to volunteer approximately seven hours per week during regular business hours
  • Be passionate about or advocate for issues and services impacting those with visible and non-visible disabilities as well as those from diverse backgrounds
  • Possess familiarity with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and related accessibility standards
  • Embrace a commitment to being a lifelong learner, staying informed about the latest developments in accessible transit

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

Complete the online form or visit www.ttc.ca/acat to learn more and for other ways to apply.

Community Consultation for  Growing Space for Trees, Infill Housing and "Iceberg Homes"

The City of Toronto’s City Planning Division is continuing consulting on proposals to better protect and enhance Toronto’s tree canopy while supporting infill housing development in neighbourhoods and also addressing concerns about the impacts of “iceberg homes”.

What is being proposed?

We are proposing amendments to Toronto’s Official Plan Chapter 4 policies in Section 4.1, Neighbourhoods, and Section 4.2, Apartment Neighbourhoods. We are also proposing changes to City-wide Zoning By-law 569-2013 that address the definition of soft landscaping and landscaping and updating below ground requirements in low-rise residential zones.

How to learn more and provide input:

We are holding two in-person public open houses and two virtual meetings to review the proposed changes and to provide an opportunity for stakeholder input:

In-person open houses:

  • Monday June 23, 4pm – 7pm (staff presentation at 6:15pm). Annette Street Public Library - Auditorium, 145 Annette Street, Toronto, ON, M6P 1P3
  • Wednesday June 25, 4pm – 7pm (staff presentation at 6:15pm). North District Public Library – Main Floor Meeting Room, 40 Orchard View Blvd, Toronto, ON, M4R 1B9

Virtual Meetings:

  • Thursday June 26, noon -1pm.

Register at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a12e9fd5-df5a-4204-a4ff-66d09aed3aa9@f0bc8ec6-9ed8-4d0c-9189-411ad949cc65

  • Friday, June 27, noon – 1pm

Register at: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/592f9915-d4be-4f1d-9aab-92be5ebe3b7e@f0bc8ec6-9ed8-4d0c-9189-411ad949cc65

Bike For Free Day

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Tangerine Bank and the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) are offering an easy and affordable way to explore the city with the return of Bike For Free Day.

Riders can enjoy unlimited 90-minute rides on June 14. Free rides can be accessed through the Bike Share Toronto App by selecting the Free Day Pass option and following the prompts. The 24 hours will begin when the Free Day Pass is activated and applies to both classic and e-bikes.

To participate in Bike for Free Day, download the BST app, select the Free Day Pass option by following the prompts, then visit your closest Bike Share Toronto station to start riding!

Join Gerstein Crisis Centre for their SafeTALK workshop

Toronto Public Markets Week is June 15 to 21

Public Markets Week is Sunday, June 15 to Saturday, June 21 – a city-wide spotlight on Toronto’s more than 160 public markets, which support more than 3,000 urban and rural entrepreneurs. From farmers’ markets to flea markets, Indigenous-led specialty markets and community fresh food markets, these spaces are vital hubs of entrepreneurship, innovation and local resilience. The city's new public markets webpage makes it easy to find a public market near you. Learn more City of Toronto Public Markets and full event details at marketcityTO event page

Ward 4 

Subway Closure - Jane to Keele stations – Saturday, June 14, 2025

Subway service on Line 2 between Jane and Keele stations will be replaced by shuttle buses on Saturday, June 14 for planned track work. TTC staff will be available to assist customers.

Runnymede and High Park stations will be closed during these times. All other subway stations will remain open for customers to purchase or load a PRESTO card, PRESTO Ticket and connect to surface routes.   

Extra Wheel-Trans buses will operate between Jane and Keele stations for any customer requiring assistance.

To confirm the status of elevators and escalators throughout the system, contact the TTC lift line at: 416-539-5438 (LIFT) for real-time information on any outages.  

Sunnyside Outdoor Pool is open this weekend

Get ready to dive in! Fifteen City pools are set to open early for the season starting on Saturday, June 14 including Sunnyside Outdoor Pool. All other outdoor swimming pools will open on a partial schedule starting on Saturday, June 21. The full schedule will begin on Friday, June 27. Find more information about pool locations and schedule on the City’s Swimming & Water Play webpage

Parkdale Developments Walking Tour

PARKDALE DEVELOPMENTS WALKING TOUR

 Sunday, June 22nd

 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm + social

Meet us at the Parkdale Amphitheatre (Queen and Dufferin, north west corner)!

With over 4,000 new units proposed across 20 sites in #Parkdale, this tour invites you to witness the scale of expansion, question the mix of condos, rentals, and affordable housing, celebrate Parkdale’s layered history, and take part in the living ecosystem of change.

View the map online

Join Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Celebrate the Humber 2025!  

Join for a day of exploration, education, and community along the Humber River! Celebrate the rich history, ecological significance, and cultural heritage of the river at Étienne Brulé Park on Saturday, June 14, 2025. 

Date/Time:     Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10 AM to 3 PM

Location:         Etienne Brulé Park,10 Catherine St, Toronto

Parking:           Limited parking is available onsite.             

Attire:               This is a rain or shine outdoor event, please dress for the weather, and wear flat, comfortable footwear as grounds may be uneven.  

Why Attend? 

🤝 Join a guided tour 

🥾Hike along self-guided trails 

💡Engage with Interactive educational booths 

🎣 Participate in a Learn-to-Fish session 

💧Discover why the Humber is a Canadian Heritage River 

Mark your calendars and learn more at https://trca.ca/conservation/watershed-management/humber-river/celebrate-the-humber/  

#TRCACelebrateTheHumber #CelebrateTheHumber #HumberRiver #CanadianHeritageRiver 

Latest posts

October 16, 2025

Friends,

I am happy to share that in partnership with Toronto Hydro, the City has launched a Furnace Upgrade Program to support homes in switching their aging furnaces to electric heat pumps.

As part of the City of Toronto’s BetterHomesTO initiative, this program helps homes become more energy efficient and comfortable. Electric heat pumps can provide a cleaner home heating solution, helping residents save on energy bills, lower greenhouse gas emissions at home, and have improved indoor comfort year-round. Electric heat pumps can also provide cooling benefits during warmer seasons. 

A key feature of the new program is that residents can now access free energy coaching services to help them navigate what programs, services and offers are available to them, including grants provided by other orders of government. This includes guidance on heating and cooling technology options and access to qualified contractors, service providers and professionals through Toronto Hydro’s Cleantech Services Directory: www.torontohydro.com/cleantech-services-directory.

The City also offers low-interest loans through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) to make new equipment more affordable. In 2026, the BetterHomesTO Furnace Upgrade Program will further expand to include heat pump installation services, and targeted incentives for low-to-moderate-income households. 

I know many residents are eager to contribute to Toronto’s goal of Net Zero by 2040, and I’m glad that our City is investing in making the switch to electric heat pumps easier. As greenhouse gas emissions from buildings account for more than 56 per cent of total citywide emissions, working together to support our neighbourhood homes in making the switch to electric heat pumps is a great place to focus.

I encourage you to connect with neighbours and community groups like Toronto Climate Action Network, on accessing BetterHomesTO resources and advancing energy retrofit projects in our communities.

 

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-wide news 

  • Home Energy Loan Program Information Webinar

Ward 4 news

  • TTC King/Dufferin Streetcar Track Replacement

  • #ExperienceTO historical tours

  • Live in the Library - Berkay Atalay

  • Overcomers United Spanish Lessons

November 6, 2025

Friends,

I am grateful to the groundswell of Toronto residents who are organizing to protect renters’ rights in our province. As you may have heard, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act are being proposed through the provincial government’s Bill 60 that would make it easier to unfairly evict renters.

Thanks to the rapid mobilization of residents who are voicing their disapproval, the provincial government has walked back their proposals to change security of tenure and rent control. However, there remain numerous proposed cuts to renters’ rights that are alarming. If passed, Bill 60 would:

  • Block renters from introducing any new evidence and issues to support their cases at Landlord Tenant Board hearings.
  • Deny renters the ability to challenge “voluntary evictions” when they have been pressured or misled into signing an N11.
  • Cut in half the time available for renters to appeal unfair decisions at the Landlord Tenant Board to just 15 days.
  • Eliminate the requirement for landlords to provide 1 month’s rent as compensation to renters when being evicted for “personal use” through an N12. Often, renters rely on this compensation to help them move or find a new home.
  • Make it easier for landlords to evict renters by cutting notice periods in half, cutting the options for requesting an eviction be postponed, and hiring more enforcement officers to forcibly remove renters from their homes.

We heard from numerous residents deputing at Executive Committee this week, who shared their experiences of being evicted, and made clear how the rights that are still under attack are vital to safeguarding renters from bad faith evictions and ensuring that evicted renters can stay housed.

Fifty percent of Torontonians rent their homes. They have the right to feel secure, without fear of baseless evictions or needlessly paying more of their hard-earned income towards rent.

I was pleased to join Mayor Chow and colleagues at Executive Committee in unanimously adopting recommendations that respond to the concerns we heard from Torontonians, advocating for all orders of government to protect instead of dismantling renters’ rights and to adequately invest in building the housing supply that Toronto deserves.

I look forward to continuing our City’s advocacy on this issue when the impacts of Bill 60 and the Annual Progress Report – HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan is considered at City Council next week. I encourage you to review and follow the Council discussion here: City Council - Meeting 34 - TMMIS

 

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Committee of Adjustment Drop-in Information Session - Nov 26

Ward 4 news

  • Dufferin Street - RapidTO Installation Begins
  • Subway Closure Update Kipling to Islington Subway Station
  • Sunnyside Historical Society Strory-telling event - Nov 19

October 30, 2025

Friends,

We are seeing the City’s new role as a public builder pay off. Today at Planning and Housing Committee, City staff presented the City’s annual report on the City’s Housing Action Plan for 2020 - 2030, reporting significant progress on all five pillars of the City’s housing priorities. Key highlights from the report include:

  • Creating New Homes - Approved a record of 6,366 new rent-controlled homes in 2024, achieving 46% of the City’s overall target of 65,000 approved rent-controlled homes by 2030
  • Protecting and preserving existing homes - Secured more than 700 permanent affordable homes through the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) Program
  • Supporting renters and improving housing stability - Adopted the Rental Renovation Licence By-law, which came into effect in 2025, to protect renters from bad faith renovation-related evictions, or “renovictions”
  • Prioritizing diverse housing needs - Supported more than 4,600 people experiencing homelessness to move into permanent homes through initiatives like Rapid Rehousing Initiative and Priority Access to Housing and Supports (PATHS)
  • Transforming housing policies - Adopted Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments to permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings on lots designated as Neighbourhoods and abutting a major street, which is projected to create 41,083 new homes by 2051.

These interventions along with targeted incentives by the City are helping to steer developers towards building the affordable rental units residents need to live in Toronto.  

Whereas projects that rely on the private market alone have stalled, the City’s Public Developer housing projects are moving forward to deliver rent-controlled homes. This is demonstrated by the fact that in the first eight months of 2025, City-led and City-supported projects account for 65% of all housing starts achieved this year.

The staff report makes clear that while the City has successfully modelled how government action can bolster the supply of new homes, these solutions need to be supported through adequate investment from other orders of government to meet the scale of our present housing crisis. I will continue to use my voice and vote on Council to support the growth of affordable rental housing options in our city.  

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Vacant Home Tax Declaration Period Opens Nov 3
  • Inclusionary Zoning Updates Virtual Information Session
  • Gardiner Closure Saturday Night

Ward 4 news

  • King St W & Dufferin St TTC Track Renewal Completed
  • Baird Park Playground Improvements – Online Survey
  • High Park Station - Easier Access Project Construction Notice
  • Reminder: 3286-3316 Dundas St West (Runnymede and Dundas) Community Consultation Meeting on Nov 6
More — Read Our Weekly Newsletter

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