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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Winter in Toronto Activities

Friends,

I wanted to share a reminder that despite temperatures beginning to dip, there are several outdoor activities offered by the City that residents can enjoy throughout the winter.

The City will begin to open its more than 50 outdoor ice rinks and skating trails citywide in the coming weeks. Family-friendly activities offered at these facilities include free public leisure and figure skating, shinny, ringette, and instructional programs. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit the City’s service alerts webpage for updates regarding artificial ice rinks and to check the status of local rinks by visiting the City’s webpage

The Skate Lending Library is also back, which makes it easy and fun for residents and families to learn how to skate by providing access to skates, helmets, and skate aids. The program is free and no reservations are required. More information about skate lending locations is available here

Residents are also invited to make use of outdoor sport courts including 50 tennis courts with nets in place for winter tennis, designated fire pits that can be booked in advance through the new recreation booking system, birdwatching at Toronto parks, ravines and natural areas, and many other Winter in Toronto activities.

I encourage you to embrace the cold and stay active during this winter season by learning more about TO Winter activities.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Help shape the future of ice facilities in Toronto
  • Canada Post labour disruption
  • Early registration for Older Adult winter programs now open
  • Holiday giving through DonateTO
  • Help shape the future of Toronto's recreation spaces and parks
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 

Ward 4 Updates

  • Shop Local in Parkdale
  • Developments
    • 2461-2475 Dundas St W Refusal Report
    • *New Date* Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

Our Health, Our City - Annual Progress Report

Friends,

This week at Board of Health, staff presented the first annual progress report on Our Health, Our City, Toronto’s comprehensive five-year and city-wide strategy to address both mental health and substance use related issues in Toronto.

I was pleased to hear that significant progress has been made towards the first-year priorities identified in the strategy. Most notably, Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) has been expanded city-wide, which improves access to appropriate services and support for people in crisis.

Toronto Public Health staff emphasized, however, that Toronto continues to be in a drug toxicity epidemic, with over 500 deaths per year for the last four years due to opioid toxicity.

Staff expressed grave concerns for how in this context the provincial government’s plans to close Supervised Consumption Services (SCS) sites in Toronto will not only lead to an increase in overdoses but also negatively impact everyone’s health and access to emergency services.

SCSs are clinical spaces for people to bring their own drugs to use in the presence of trained health professionals available immediately should a person overdose. In 2023, staff at the 10 SCS locations currently in Toronto responded to 2296 overdoses – that’s over 2000 calls that didn’t get made to 911, preserving Emergency Services resources for other urgent needs in our city.

The staff report recommendations include reiterating the request to the provincial government to protect community health, well-being, and safety by continuing to fund, and permit the operation of all currently operating SCS sites.

The Board of Health adopted this item with amendments. You can listen to my comments on this item below.  

The Canadian and international evidence is clear that SCSs save lives, connect people to social services and are pathways to treatment. I will continue to work in partnership with Board of Health colleagues and community to advocate for policies that are evidence-based and promote public health and public safety for all Toronto residents.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Long-Term Waste Management Strategy, Phase 1 Consultation
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 

Ward 4 Updates

  • Shop Local in Parkdale
  • Designation of the Teiaiagon-Baby Point Heritage Conservation District Plan under the Ontario Heritage Act
  • Baby Point Gates Annual Open House 
  • Developments
    • 2461-2475 Dundas St W Refusal Report
    • Committee of Adjustment Application, 1375 Queen St W

Winter Recreation Programming

Friends,

I am pleased to share that this week at City Council we adopted two landmark policies aimed at reducing housing insecurity in our city: Establishing a New Purpose-built Rental Homes Incentives Stream and Implementing a Rental Reonvation License By-law to Address Renovictions.  Together, these two policies will steer our city’s housing system towards building the affordable rental housing options that residents need – starting with an immediate call for 7,000 new rental homes supported through the City’s own resources,  while at the same time increasing protections for tenants living in our existing rental housing stock.

City Council also adopted the Parkside Drive Study Final Report, advancing staff recommend safety improvements for achieving a safer Parkside neighbourhood. You can review the full City Council agenda here: City Council - Meeting 23 - TMMIS (toronto.ca)

I also wanted to remind residents that last week the City officially launched a new registration and booking system for its recreation programming. This new system includes a ‘wish list’ feature that will reduce the time it takes to register and eliminate the need to search for available programs on the spot. Residents are encouraged to explore the new system and create their new account before registration for winter recreation programming begins in the coming weeks. More information on how to set up an account and where to get support is included below.

I hope you and your family are able to make use of the terrific range of recreation programs offered by our City. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if we can be of support.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates

  • Winter Recreation Programming – Create a new account and a wish list
  • 311 Toronto awareness and usage survey 🏙️ 
  • Help shape public parking in Toronto 🅿️
  • Supporting homeowners with home energy improvements 🍃 
  • 2025 Waste Collection Schedules and Waste Management Guide
  • It’s Fall Yard Waste Season!
  • Reminder: Shape the future of Toronto facilities and parks
  • Vacant Home Tax 2024 declaration 
  • Exhibition Place Community Liaison Consultation

Ward 4 Updates

  • Baby Point Gates Annual Open House 
  • Committee of Adjustment Application 1229 Queen Street West 
  • Developments
    • 138 Dowling Pre-Application Meeting

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