Advancing the Public Builder Model

Friends,

Toronto residents deserve to feel secure when they move into a home in our city – secure that their home won’t become unaffordable in future years due to unfair rent increases.

A new staff report published today proposes a new Rental Housing Supply Program to address this challenge head-on. The Rental Housing Supply Program proposes an ambitious suite of measures designed to advance the City’s goal of supporting 65,000 rent-controlled homes by 2030. In addition to launching the new Rental Housing Supply Program, the report recommends immediately allocating approximately $351 million in capital funding to 18 affordable rental housing projects, to enable construction to start in 2024 and 2025.

We have seen that the private market alone will not deliver housing for everyone in Toronto. Over the last decade, left solely to the private market, too much of the housing supply has been focused on investment units, rather than providing the affordable housing options low- and moderate-income earners need to live in our city. I am heartened that for the first time in 40 years, the City is once again taking a public builder role to provide a much wider range of housing options than the private market will, and with the level of security of tenure that tenants deserve.

We have a duty as a city to ensure that our young people who are just starting their careers and families, our seniors who would like to age with dignity in the communities they’ve served, and our workers that do the low- and moderate-income jobs that we rely on, all have housing options they can afford in Toronto.

I look forward to supporting the Rental Housing Supply Program staff report when it is considered by the Planning and Housing Committee next Thursday, June 13: Agenda Item History - 2024.PH13.8 (toronto.ca)

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Gord


  • TTC bargaining with ATU Local 113 - Wheel-Trans Service to Continue
  • Community Consultation Meeting: Official Plan Amendment 680

  • Community Consultations on the Avenues Policy Review initiative
  • White Eagle Long-Term Care Residence Update

  • Lifeguards return to City Beaches!

  • City of Toronto celebrates Pride Month with month-long programming!

  • Traffic Calming (Speed Humps) on Various Streets in Ward 4
  • Ride to Conquer Cancer Road Closures - Saturday June 8th
  • Parkdale Village BIA: Calling All Vendors

TTC bargaining with ATU Local 113 - Wheel-Trans Service to Continue

In the event of a TTC strike, all Wheel-Trans contracted accessible taxis, and sedan taxis will operate without disruption for our customers who are able to use these vehicles. Please visit www.ttc.ca/bargaining for bargaining updates between the TTC and ATU.

 


Community Consultation Meeting: Official Plan Amendment 680

You are invited by the City Planning Division to join a virtual Public Community Consultation Meeting on June 19th, 2024, 6:00pm – 7:00pm.

The purpose of this meeting is to consult with the public on Official Plan Amendment 680 (OPA 680) which responds to Planning Act changes made through Bill 97 (Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023) that amends the definition of “area of employment”.

For the City’s Employment Areas to continue to benefit from special protections, timely changes are necessary to ensure that the Official Plan is aligned with the amended definition of “area of employment”.

To do this, OPA 680 proposes to change the land use permissions for the City’s General Employment Areas and Core Employment Areas as the definition of “area of employment” has narrowed the uses that are permitted within these areas by excluding institutional uses (e.g., schools, daycares, place of worship, etc.) and most commercial uses (e.g., standalone retail, standalone office, restaurants, hotels, etc.).

OPA 680, in combination with other official plan changes, will help to ensure the City’s Employment Areas are protected over the long term and maintain their economic viability.

For more information, please visit the project webpage here and register for the virtual Public Community Consultation Meeting here.


Community Consultations on the Avenues Policy Review initiative

You are invited by the City Planning Division to join virtual Community Consultation Meetings on Tuesday, June 25 at 10:30am or Thursday, July 4 at 6:00pm (to register click either link). The purpose of this meeting is to consult with residents and businesses in Toronto and East York on the Avenues Policy Review initiative, which is one part of the Housing Action Plan (HAP).

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

Please also consider completing this short survey to share your thoughts on this initiative directly with staff and help inform the discussion during the upcoming meetings.

 


White Eagle Long-Term Care Residence, Update

Councillor Perks' Office has been advised by Chartwell, the owner of White Eagle Long-Term Care Residence, 138 Dowling Avenue, that they will not be renewing their operating license with the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Ontario Health. They are working towards a closure of the LTC residence by September 30, 2024.

They have shared that AgeCare, which has managed the residence for Chartwell since September 2023, will work together with Home and Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) to assist current residents in finding alternative accommodations and that the AgeCare team will continue to maintain operations of the home on Chartwell’s behalf until such time as all residents have been placed in alternative accommodations.


Lifeguards return to City Beaches!

Summer’s here! Lifeguards returned to duty this past weekend with the start of the City’s seasonal supervised beach program.

Toronto has 10 beaches with lifeguard supervision including Sunnyside Beach here in Ward 4.

Lifeguards are on duty daily from June to early August, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and from mid-August to September, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lifeguards can easily be spotted by their distinctive red and yellow uniforms and are stationed in rowboats on the lake or along the shoreline of each beach.

Swimming is only recommended when lifeguards are on duty and within the supervised swimming areas indicated by red-over-yellow flags.

Information about beach safety and beach locations near you is available on the City’s Beaches webpage


City of Toronto celebrates Pride Month with month-long programming!

Pride Month brings Torontonians together to celebrate the history, courage and diversity of Toronto’s Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer and Questioning (2SLGBTQ+) communities.

Torontonians are encouraged to explore Pride Month programming available at Toronto History Museums across the city this month, including:

Family Pride Celebration at Colborne Lodge

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2SLGBTQ+ families and allies are invited to an afternoon of outdoor games, activities and crafts, including a Drag Queen Storytime hosted by Lucy Flawless, at Colborne Lodge Museum (11 Colborne Lodge Dr).

Visit Pride Month – City of Toronto for more information on Pride Month programming.


Traffic Calming (Speed Humps) on Various Streets in Ward 4

We are pleased to provide an update on some of the traffic calming requests in Ward 4.

As you may know, there was an update to the Traffic Calming Policy that was approved at the November 2023 City Council session:

 https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.IE7.4

(Background reports could be found towards the bottom of that page)

One of the attachments is a comparison between the 2002 Traffic Calming Policy and 2023 Traffic Calming Policy:

 https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2023/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-239910.pdf

Transportation Staff have been asked to review previous studies against the new traffic calming policy.

A number of Ward 4 streets have been included in the omnibus report that will be presented at the June 11th Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC): https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.TE14.36

Transportation Staff advised that they are aiming to prepare multiple traffic calming studies and reports to TEYCC.

Next Steps

The installations are based on the prioritization score and scheduling. Once the locations have been adopted by TEYCC, an approximate installation date will be determined by the VisionZero unit.

 


Ride to Conquer Cancer Road Closures - Saturday June 8th

The following roads will be closed for the Princess Margaret Ride to The Ride to Conquer Cancer from 6:30am-10:30am on Saturday June 8th. 

Road Closure Locations:

  • Lake Shore Blvd W (All westbound lanes), from Strachan Ave to Windermere Ave
  • Windermere Ave (Both northbound lanes including one through lane and left-turn lane in the southbound lane), from Lakeshore Blvd W to The Queensway
  • The Queensway (2 westbound curb lane), from Ellis Ave to The West Mall
  • The West Mall (northbound curb lane), from The Queensway to Burnhamthorpe Rd
  • Burnhamthorpe Rd (westbound curb lane), from The West Mall to Mill Rd

Parkdale Village BIA: Calling All Vendors

Food & Non-Food Vendor Applications Now Open. Join the Caribbean Food Fest!

We're looking for vendors to share the flavours and culture of the Caribbean! Sell your delicious food, unique crafts, or exciting merchandise.

Date: Sunday, August 4th

Time: Noon - 8 PM

Location: The Green P Parking Lot, Queen West/Callendar

To Apply:

Don't miss out on this chance to be part of a fun-filled community event! Hosted by Kolors Inc & Parkdale Village BIA.


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Demonstrations Bylaw

Friends,

The City of Toronto is moving ahead with public consultation for a proposed demonstrations bylaw to protect vulnerable institutions, as directed by City Council (2024.CC24.2).

In February 2024, City Council directed the City Manager to develop a policy framework for the management and monitoring of rallies and protests, ensuring alignment with the City’s Human Rights and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The Report presented to City Council in December, 2024, presented a Policy framework that clarifies the City’s role, jurisdiction and municipal tools available to respond to demonstrations, including the role of applicable City divisions, and provided an overarching foundation of how the City coordinates its activities to determine an appropriate response based on the circumstances of the situation.

I supported the adoption of the Policy Framework.

However, this report included a recommendation (#3) that the City Manager report back with a proposed bylaw that limits demonstrations in our city. https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.CC24.2

This was a very difficult decision however, I could not support this direction as I believe that restricting people’s ability to protest is a step backward. It takes away people’s rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I believe the preservation of these rights in their entirety is essential to protecting the most vulnerable segments of our society, and our democracy. I spoke to my reasoning for not supporting this direction; you can listen to it here.

The City is now moving ahead with the public consultation .

This multi-pronged public consultation approach will include the following:

Online Survey

Written Comments

Public Discussions

  • Additional opportunities to participate in public discussions will follow in April. More information on the dates of the public discussions will be communicated and posted on the City’s webpage once confirmed.

Information and additional details on the City’s public consultation can be found on the City’s webpage at: http://toronto.ca/PublicConsult.

The consultation is an opportunity to take part in this conversation. I encourage you to participate.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Zoning for Housing – Upcoming City Planning Consultations
    • Garden Suites Monitoring Program
    • Expanding Permissions in Neighbourhoods for Sixplexes Citywide
  • Help shape the next Toronto Seniors’ Strategy 

Ward 4

  • Swansea Town Hall Community Centre - Seeking New Board Members & Assistant Executive Director 
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025 - Volunteer Call
  • Toronto Hydro Construction Notice - Glenlake Ave.
  • Road Rehabilitation Construction Notice - Evans Ave
  • Developments
    • 3459-3461 Dundas St W
    • 138 Dowling Ave

Anyone can experience homelessness. Everyone deserves shelter.

Friends,

Anyone can experience homelessness.

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, providing an alternative to sleeping in parks, sidewalks, or transit stations.

The positive impact of shelter service is evident in the stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned from shelter into permanent housing. Some have bravely shared their stories: Successful Pathways to Housing – City of Toronto .

Shelters provide critical services to help individuals experiencing homelessness gain stability as they work toward permanent housing.

The City has a 10-year plan to improve and expand our shelter system: Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS).

One pillar of the 10-year strategy is building up to 20 permanent and purpose-built shelters, with a focus on expanding outside of the downtown core to address gaps in available services for people.     

Community engagement is a crucial component to supporting the successful integration of new shelters into the neighbourhood. The City is committed to engaging the community to support the program’s success – both for the individuals who will be staying at shelters and the surrounding community. The process includes communicating details about the shelter development process, responding to community inquiries and concerns, improving public understanding of shelter development and providing ongoing shelter updates. Details will be shared with each community as development of each site progresses and can be found online at toronto.ca/NewShelters

I am encouraged by the City’s Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) and will continue to use my voice and vote on Council to support improving and increasing our shelter infrastructure and expediting the City’s delivery of housing.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Community Networks Launching
  • Spring Flooding: Flood Preparedness Resources
  • Committee of Adjustment Annual Stakeholder Update and Engagement
  • Celebrate Community Story Telling at City Hall

Ward 4

  • BenTastic Magic Show at Parkdale Library
  • High Park Prescribed Burn
  • Construction Notice: Road Resurfacing on Weatherell Street from Rivercrest Rd to Jane St
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

Potential Labour Strike & Disruptions

Friends,

Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 79, the union representing the City’s 27,000 city workers will be in a legal strike at 12:01 a.m., or one minute past midnight, on Saturday, March 8 if an agreement is not reached before then.

City Manager Paul Johnson has provided updates on city services that may be impacted in the event of a labour disruption.

A labour disruption would result in the closure of all 39 City-operated early learning and child care centres, as well as the closure and cancellation of programming at all City recreation centres including March Break camps. Refunds will be issued for any paid recreation programs that are affected and clients will not be charged for days that City-operated child care centres are closed.

The City will remain prepared to respond to emergencies if a labour disruption occurs. Emergency response by the Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services will not be impacted. The Toronto Community Crisis Service will operate normally. Winter maintenance operations for roads and sidewalks will continue.

Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, TTC, Toronto Community Housing and Toronto Water operations will continue during a labour disruption. All City-operated and funded shelters, 24-hour respite and drop-in programs will remain open. The City will continue to activate additional services during colder temperatures, including Warming Centres.

Information on City services and bargaining updates can be found on the City’s website at www.toronto.ca/labour.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Prepare for potential flooding
  • Bylaw update for Accessible Parking Permit holders
  • Reminder: Vacant Home Tax Declaration

Ward 4

  • Family Skate at Coca Cola Coliseum
  • Artists in Flux 2: Empowerment
  • CommunitiCare Health Taking New Patients
  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

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