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Expansion of Ontario’s Deposit Return Program

Friends,

On June 10, 2026, the Infrastructure and Environment Committee voted in favour of urging the Ontario government to immediately implement a deposit-return program for non-alcoholic beverage containers.

Currently, Ontario operates a successful deposit return system for alcohol, seeing an average of 75 percent of all empties returned to Beer Stores each year. The deposit return provides a consumer incentive to consciously recycle. This system must be expanded to include all beverage containers.

Ontario is one of Canada’s only provinces without a deposit-return program for non-alcoholic beverages. As a result, Ontario has the lowest beverage container recovery rate in Canada—at roughly 50% of containers being recycled. Other provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia have an expanded deposit return program and see recovery rates 50% higher than Ontario. The Ontario government proposed expanding the deposit return program to include non-alcoholic containers in 2023 but has yet to do so.

The City of Toronto will join the Peel Region, the City of Waterloo, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative in urging the Ontario government to immediately implement a deposit-return program for non-alcoholic beverage containers.

The IEC Committee received a letter of support from the Canadian Beverage Association to expand the Deposit Return Program as the current mixed recycling system is inefficient, resulting in higher cost for producers with worse outcomes.

You can hear my comments on the matter at the IEC meeting here: https://youtu.be/73ZTlD1yDIU

As we push for ways to be more sustainable, I encourage you to participate in the Plastic Free July challenge, a global campaign encouraging individuals and communities to cut down on single use plastics throughout the month of July.  We can use this movement to make incremental changes in individual habits but also to mobilize as a community to influence our governments and businesses to adopt sustainable practices.

 

Sincerely,

Gord

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • FIFA Related Nighttime Waste Collection Changes

Ward 4 news

  • Sorauren Construction Progress Update – June 18,2026  
  • Swansea Town Hall: Clean Indoor Air Toronto
  • Summer Fest - Baby Point Gates BIACommunity Environment Day - June 27
  • Community Environment Day - June 27
  • Parkside Live: A Summer Music Series
  • Taste of the Junction 2026
  • Parkdale Parking Restrictions during FIFA  

City-Wide News

FIFA Related Nighttime Waste Collection Changes - Thursday July 2, 2026

To support safety, city operations and enhance visitor experience during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ match in Toronto, the City is making a one‑time schedule change for nighttime waste collection for some properties near Toronto Stadium and the FIFA Fan Festival™ area.

This one-time change is only for locations that normally have waste collection scheduled for Thursday, July 2 (nighttime).  Thursday night collection will move to Wednesday, July 1 (nighttime). Set out garbage, recycling, organics and yard waste (as applicable) on Wednesday, July 1 after 6 p.m. and before 9 p.m.

Only homes and businesses that regularly receive nighttime collection on Thursday in the specified area are impacted. These streets are highlighted in yellow in the map below.

If you are unsure if this change impacts you, please contact 311.

Ward 4 news

Sorauren Construction Progress Update – June 18,2026  

Our project team wanted to share an update regarding the ongoing construction work on Sorauren Avenue. At the moment,  construction crews are focused on completing concrete restorations and inspectors are meeting with residents to address and resolve any property-related concerns. Looking ahead, the project team expects to begin milling and paving operations by the end of June, weather permitting.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the project, please feel free to reach out to the project team at [email protected].

Celebrate Around the World on Roncy in Roncesvalles Village!

From June 11 to July 19, join the celebration as the world comes to Toronto and enter for a chance to win one of 20 personalized Around the World on Roncy cups, plus a grand prize of $500.

To participate, collect stickers on your Scorecard. Local residents will receive a Scorecard in their mailbox, and additional Scorecards are available at participating businesses along Roncesvalles Avenue. Stickers can be collected at those same locations—just look for the Around the World on Roncy posters in shop windows. 

While you’re collecting, stay and watch the games on Roncy! To find Roncesvalles pubs and bars showing the games just look for the ‘Around the World on Roncy’ sidewalk decals.  

Around the World on Roncy is no purchase necessary. Visit our website for full contest details and rules.

Clean Indoor Air Toronto Talk at Swansea Town Hall

In order for the community to better understand air quality concerns, and better protect themselves, Green 13 have invited Louise Hidinger from Clean Indoor Air Toronto to present their free public talk:

'A Breath of Clean Air: Building Climate Resilience by Improving Indoor Air Quality'

Saturday, July 11, 2:30-4 pm, at
Swansea Town Hall, Rousseau Room
95 Lavinia Avenue

Summer Fest - Baby Point Gates BIA

The Baby Point Gates BIA is getting ready to kick off summer in the best way possible as the Baby Point Gates BIA presents its annual Summer Fest on Saturday, June 20th from 9am to 2pm. Taking place at 680 Annette Street and throughout the community, this lively annual event promises a fun-filled day that captures the true spirit of the neighbourhood while encouraging residents to get out, explore, and support local businesses.

This year's celebration features plenty of entertainment for all ages, including a performance by Zayler Zwift, an epic foam party that's sure to be a hit with kids, and free freezies to help everyone stay cool.

Families are especially encouraged to take part in the neighbourhood scavenger hunt, a great way to discover the community while visiting and supporting local shops throughout the Baby Point Gates BIA. The more stickers collected

on your passport, the more chances you have to win. Completed passports must be returned to 680 Annette Street before 2pm to be entered for prizes.

Community Environment Day - June 27

Recycle, donate and safely dispose of unwanted items. 

You can also pick up free loose compost while supplies last.

Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm at Sorauren Park (50 Wabash Ave).

Parkside Live: Summer Music Series

This is a free/by donation concert series happening in the Gardens of Redeemer Lutheran starting on June 24 with Mâmawin’towin: A Métis Kitchen Party

The series supports the community pantry project, combatting food insecurity in our ward. 

Taste of the Junction 2026

Taste of the Junction 2026 Brings Food, Art, and Local Culture to Toronto’s West End on June 27

One-day cultural celebration invites visitors to explore 50+ vendors, local food and drink, immersive installations and 11 permanent augmented reality wall murals

Toronto’s west end is coming alive this summer! The Junction BIA invites residents and visitors to experience Taste of the Junction 2026, a one-day outdoor market and cultural celebration on Saturday, June 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Green P parking lot at 385 Pacific Avenue, just south of Dundas Street West. The event is expected to draw thousands for a day of local food, culture, creativity, and neighbourhood discovery—capturing Toronto’s spirit as The World in a City.

Visitors can explore 50+ vendor booths, shop unique creations from local makers, enjoy bites and drinks from neighbourhood favourites, and dive into pop-up experiences for all ages. The day will be energized by DJ programming, a vibrant market atmosphere, and a family-friendly Play Zone hosted in the Darren’s No Frills parking lot.

“Taste of the Junction is about celebrating the creativity and character that make Toronto’s neighbourhoods unique,” says Carol Jolly, Executive Director of The Junction BIA. “During Toronto’s Host City Summer, when more people are expected to be exploring the city, this festival gives residents, visitors, and fans a chance to discover the Junction as a vibrant west-end destination bursting with flavour, art, and surprises. It’s also an opportunity to support local businesses, enjoy public art, and experience one of Toronto’s most creative neighbourhoods.”

A signature feature of this year’s event is Passageways, five immersive, walk-in cultural installations created by local artists. Housed in 10 x 10-ft tents, each installation transforms a small footprint into a richly layered, photo-worthy cultural environment filled with colour, texture, storytelling, and interactive elements. The Passageways celebrate five of the Junction’s largest cultural communities: British, Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Portuguese, incorporating tactile features and audio guides via QR code for a layered, multi-sensory experience.

Visitors are also encouraged to explore the neighbourhood beyond the event site by discovering the Junction’s 11 permanent animated augmented-reality murals using the free Artivive app. As Toronto’s only year-round AR Destination, the Junction offers self-guided AR Mural Tour maps online and at the Taste of the Junction booth, making it easy to explore, discover, and interact with public art throughout the neighbourhood.

One of 11 augmented reality (AR) wall murals in the Junction. Photo Credit: Jae Yang

The Junction BIA gratefully acknowledges the community-minded sponsors supporting Taste of the Junction 2026, including Darren’s No Frills, Govan Brown, Sidorova Inwood, TD Bank Group, and The Diamond. Their support helps transform the neighbourhood into a welcoming west-end destination where culture, creativity, and local business come together for one memorable day.

This project is funded in part by the City of Toronto through the Community Celebration Support Fund (CCSF), in support of FIFA World Cup 2026™ community programming

Website: torontojunction.ca | Instagram: @TorontoJunction | Facebook: @TorontoJunction

South Parkdale parking restrictions during FIFA

FIFA will be taking place between Thursday, June 11th to Friday, July 19th

The City of Toronto will be hosting 6 games between Friday, June 12th to Thursday, July 2nd

  1. Friday, June 12th at 3pm
  2. Wednesday, June 17th at 7pm
  3. Saturday, June 20th at 4pm
  4. Tuesday, June 23rd at 7pm
  5. Friday, June 26th at 3pm
  6. Thursday, July 2nd at 7pm

Toronto Match Days – Traffic Changes & Temporary Road Closures

  • Dufferin St between Springhurst Ave and Saskatchewan Rd will be closed 5 hours before the match and 3 hours after the match
  • Lake Shore Blvd between British Columbia Rd and Bathurst St will be closed 5 hours before the match and 3 hours after the match
  • TTC & Go service will be increased on specific routes including the 29/929 Dufferin, 504 King Streetcar, and a dedicated 829 Dufferin bus that will be a direct non-stop route from Dufferin Station to the Dufferin Gate Loop. More information about the TTC’s service for FIFA please visit the following link Take the TTC to FIFA World Cup 2026™
  • City of Toronto Traffic Agents will be stationed at Springhurst Ave and Jameson Ave
  • Paid Duty Toronto Police Officers will be stationed at Springhurst Ave and Dufferin St

From June 12th to July 2nd restrictions normally in place for the CNE will be in place in the South Parkdale community. Springhurst Ave between Jameson Ave and Dufferin St will be converted to a one-way street going Westbound. Parking on residential streets will only be available to local permit parking pass holders. More information on South Parkdale parking restrictions from June 12th to July 2nd is included below.

Additionally, between June 12th and July 19th  there will be turn restrictions at the following intersections (TTC Vehicles Excepted):

  • King St W and Close Ave Westbound Left Turn Prohibited 7am – 10pm
  • King St W and Jameson Ave Eastbound Left Turn Prohibited 7am – 10pm
  • King St W and Dufferin St Eastbound Left Turn Prohibited 7am – 10pm
  • Springhurst Ave and Jameson Ave Westbound Left Turn Prohibited 7am – 9am and 3:30pm – 6:30pm Monday to Friday

From June 10th to July 19th (the remainder of the FIFA Tournament):

  • There will be No Stopping on both the North and South of King St W between Jameson Ave and Dufferin St 7am – 10am and 12pm to 11:59pm
  • There will be No Parking on both sides of King St W between Jameson Ave and Dufferin St 10am – 12pm

For the most up to date information on the FIFA World Cup 2026, please visit https://torontofwc26.ca/ - the Moving Around Toronto During the FIFA World Cup 2026™ webpage includes all key mobility related information.

Parking Sign Definitions:

  • Springhurst Ave between Jameson Ave and Dufferin St will be converted to a one-way street going Westbound

Permit Parking Changes (24hr permit parking):

  • Cowan Ave Even side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Southern end of Cowan Ave and 95m South of Queen St W
  • Dunn Ave Even side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Springhurst Ave and 225m South of King St W
  • Elm Grove Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between King St W and 61m South of Queen St W
  • Fort Rouille both sides permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Southern end of Fort Rouille to 36.5m South of Springhurst Ave
  • Gwynne Ave Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between King St W and Milky Way
  • Melbourne Ave Even side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Cowan Ave and Dufferin St
  • Spencer Ave Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Southern end of Spencer Ave and 99.5m South of King St W
  • Springhurst Ave Even side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Jameson Ave and Dufferin St
  • Temple Ave Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Tyndall Ave and Dufferin St
  • Thorburn Ave Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Tyndall Ave and Dufferin St
  • Tyndall Ave Odd side permit parking to be permitted between 12am – 11:59pm between Southern end of Tyndall Ave and Thorburn Ave

No Parking anytime on the following streets:

    • West side of Dufferin St between Queen St W and King St W
    • East side of Dufferin St 15m North of Springhurst Ave and Queen St W
    • Both sides of King St W between Dufferin St and Jameson Ave

No Standing anytime on the following streets:

    • West side of Dufferin St between Springhurst Ave and Thorburn Ave
    • South side of Springhurst Ave between Dunn Ave and Dufferin St
    • North side of Temple Ave between Tyndall Ave and Dufferin St
    • North side of Thorburn Ave between Tyndall Ave and Dufferin St
    • West side of Tyndall Ave between Springhurst Ave and Thorburn Ave
    • Both sides of Tyndall Ave between Thorburn Ave and King St W

Latest posts

Update on the 2299 Dundas St West Men’s Shelter

Friends,

As part of the George Street Revitalization (GSR) project, the City continues to relocate existing shelter programs to new and enhanced facilities across Toronto. The 2299 Dundas St. W. Men’s Shelter will create a safe space for 80 men experiencing homelessness. This program will provide case management to assist clients in securing permanent housing and access to onsite healthcare and mental health supports, including a Managed Alcohol Program. The anticipated construction completion date for this shelter is Winter 2026.

The shelter will be staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week and offer specialized programs that will provide health and housing support to help residents improve their health and move toward permanent housing.

Services and features of the shelter will include:
• Onsite healthcare, including personal support workers, nursing, medication support, and access to an in-house physician.
• Access to health services, including a Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) and the Annex Infirmary program which provides short-term medical observation, care, and recovery support to clients experiencing health challenges.
• Case management to support clients secure permanent and supportive housing.
• Mental health services and referrals to a wide range of additional community supports

Shelters in our city provide essential support to individuals in immediate housing crisis, act as a stepping stone to permanent housing, reduce reliance on other high-cost services (e.g emergency rooms), and bring people indoors, by providing an alternative to sleeping in parks, sidewalks, or transit shelters.

If you are interested in supporting the shelter, through the offer of programs that benefit shelter residents, participating in community events or partnerships, or donating goods, please email [email protected].

There will be a community event to welcome the shelter to the neighbourhood once construction is completed. Updates will continue to be shared as the project progresses on the City’s webpage at toronto.ca/2299dundas.

If you would like to receive future updates, ask a question or share an idea, you can reach the project team at [email protected] .

 

Sincerely,

Gord

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • TRCA Flood Safety Information
  • CultureLink Career Workshop
  • Grassy Narrows River Run Rally Save the Date

Ward 4 news

  • Pat Capponi Parkette Opening Event
  • Toronto East York Community Council
    • 1464 King Street West and 10 to 12 Maynard Avenue
    • 1497 and 1501 Queen Street West and 89 and 91 Beaty Avenue
    • 1 & 3 Close Ave & 78 Springhurst Ave
    • 1730 Bloor Street West
    • 2273, 2277 and 2279 Bloor Street West
    • 34 to 50 Southport Street
    • Renaming Close-Springhurst Parkette in Honour of Diane Rajaram
    • Transportation Items
      • CNE Traffic and Parking Regulations
      • King Street Construction
      • Armadale and Mayfield - All-Way Stop
      • Traffic Calming Various Streets
      • St. John's Road - Additional Speed Humps
  • Parkdale Parking Restrictions during FIFA  

Landmark funding deal to build more rental homes

Friends,

This week at City Council we adopted a landmark funding deal in which $1.5 billion in funding will be provided to the City of Toronto to reduce development charges in partnership with the provincial and federal governments. The full City Council agenda can be reviewed here: City Council - Meeting 42 - TMMIS

The City can now reduce its residential development charges by 40 to 60 per cent for the next three years, and use this funding to pay for major infrastructure projects including our road network, water infrastructure, and enhanced transit capacity to support a growing population.  These reductions will apply across the board for residential development. Deeper development charge discounts (60 per cent) will be offered to units with two or more bedrooms, to help incentivize building more housing for families.

At a time when our housing market has slowed down, these development charge reductions will help make projects more financially viable, build more of the kind of housing we need, and make homes more affordable for residents. It will also help generate an estimated 143,000 jobs through construction and related industries.

This funding deal was inspired by the City’s successful Purpose-Built Rental Housing Incentives program.

The first phase of the program, launched in fall 2024 with more than $1.2 billion in financial contributions from the City of Toronto, supported more than 8,000 rental homes, including more than 2,000 affordable homes.

Building on that success, with the greater financial stability provided through the $1.5 billion in federal and provincial infrastructure funding, the City of Toronto is now in a position to launch a new phase of Purpose-Built Rental Incentives.

The second phase of the program will support up to 10,000 new rental homes, including a minimum of 2,000 affordable rental homes. We will prioritize shovel-ready projects and City staff will review and approve applications on a rolling basis over the coming weeks and months.

We are proving as a city that there is a crucial role for government to steer development towards building housing that Torontonians can afford to live in.  In doing so as a municipal government, we are influencing other orders of government to invest in Toronto with us.

 

Sincerely,

Gord

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Celebrate Canada Day
  • Pride Weekend
  • Outdoor Swimming Pools
  • FIFA Related Nighttime Waste Collection Changes

Ward 4 news

  • Toronto East York Community Council
    • 1464 King Street West and 10 to 12 Maynard Avenue
    • 1497 and 1501 Queen Street West and 89 and 91 Beaty Avenue
    • 1 & 3 Close Ave & 78 Springhurst Ave
    • 1730 Bloor Street West
    • 2273, 2277 and 2279 Bloor Street West
    • 34 to 50 Southport Street
    • Renaming Close-Springhurst Parkette in Honour of Diane Rajaram
    • Transportation Items
  • Sorauren Ave Construction Update
  • Celebration of Compassion at Roncesvalles United Church
  • Celebrate Around the World on Roncy in Roncesvalles Village!
  • Swansea Town Hall: Clean Indoor Air Toronto
  • Summer Fest - Baby Point Gates BIA Community Environment Day - June 27
  • Community Environment Day - June 27
  • Parkside Live: A Summer Music Series
  • Taste of the Junction 2026
  • Parkdale Parking Restrictions during FIFA  

Information on the impacts to Toronto from proposed Island Airport expansion

Friends,

Today at Planning and Housing Committee, staff presented a detailed assessment of the adverse impacts that our city would face if the proposal to accommodate jets at Billy Bishop Airport is allowed to proceed.

The impacts include constraining Toronto’s ability to build needed housing, increased traffic congestion, loss of parkland, reduced public use of our marina, air and water pollution and harms to public health. I encourage you to review the full staff report here: Billy Bishop Airport Proposed Expansion: Response to Council Request for Information on Housing and Transportation Impacts.

We also heard from community members who deputed passionately about how devastating this loss of housing, healthy environment, and public realm would be to Toronto residents.  

The good news is that your collective voice demanding that our beloved waterfront be protected is working. With each passing week, the federal government’s position is cracking.

Due to mounting pressure from Torontonians, multiple Toronto-area Liberal MPs have now come out to voice their opposition to the proposed Billy Bishop Airport expansion.

Unfortunately, our own local Member of Parliament for Taiaiako'n-Parkdale-High Park has yet to communicate a clear position, despite growing evidence and awareness about the threats to our community.

It is vitally important that we continue to raise our community’s level of engagement and understanding of this issue, so that we can demand the representation we deserve.

To support Torontonians in having more information on the facts of this matter, the Planning and Housing Committee directed staff to report-back to the July meeting with a supplementary report on the ownership structure and controlling interests of the terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, including involvement of JP Morgan, and implications of this foreign ownership, disclosure of details around the parties that direct the lobbyists on this file, and more details on water quality impacts of the proposed runway extension.

I look forward to reviewing and sharing with you this information when it becomes available.

In the interim, I encourage you to continue asking our Member of Parliament, Karim Bardeesy, to take a clear position, and say no to the proposed jets and expansion at Billy Bishop Airport by calling 416-769-5072 or emailing [email protected].

 

Sincerely,

Gord

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

  • Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program 
  • CultureLink Employment Support Events
  • FIFA Related Nighttime Waste Collection Changes

Ward 4 news

  • Community Environment Day - June 27
  • West Toronto Junction– Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study
  • Parkside Live: A Summer Music Series
  • Parkdale Parking Restrictions during FIFA  
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