City-Wide News
TRCA message on flood and safety
As winter transitions into spring, warmer air temperatures and melting snow and ice can create hazardous conditions near rivers, lakes, and streams.
Follow these safety tips around water:
Call 911 in an emergency. Rescuing someone from cold or fast-moving water is extremely dangerous.
-
Exercise caution around all water bodies. Riverbanks, shorelines, and trails near water will be slippery due to melting snow and ice.
-
Avoid recreational activities in or around water. Always stay off ice-covered rivers, ice jams and all bodies of water.
-
Keep family and pets away from rivers and streams. Cold, fast-moving water poses a serious risk if you fall in.
-
Never drive through flooded roads. Even shallow water may be deeper than it appears.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) reminds residents to stay cautious and aware of changing water conditions during the spring season.
TRCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program monitors watershed and weather conditions and issues flood messages to municipalities and emergency services and members of the public who subscribe.
Power Outage Map
Residents have 24/7 access to a number of resources:
-
Outage map: Bookmark our Outage Map for real-time, easy-to-read updates
-
Dispatch team: Contact our Dispatch directly at 416-542-8000 (press 1) to report a power outage or safety emergency like downed wires
-
Email or text notifications: Sign up for automated email or text updates by address
-
Online outage reporting and live outage chat: Report an outage and access the chat
Other things to know:
*How we measure customer count: Because outage size is measured by electricity meters, the number of people or businesses affected may be higher than the “customer count” listed in our automated posts. Some condominium, apartment and commercial buildings are actually served by a single bulk meter, which means in those instances, actual customer impacts may extend beyond the number shown.
**For outages impacting one or two wards only: For larger outages impacting three wards or more, please refer to our Outage Map to determine if your Ward is affected.
Online voting is now open to name Toronto’s new electric ferries
The City of Toronto is inviting Toronto residents to help choose names for two new fully electric ferries as part of the modernization of the Toronto Island Ferry fleet. These will be the first new ferries in more than 60 years and will carry more than three times as many passengers as the vessels they are replacing. They will provide better boarding flow, upgraded accessibility features, and modern amenities, helping meet growing demand. The ferries will also reduce emissions and support a more sustainable waterfront.
To mark this historic milestone, the City is launching a public vote to name the two new electric ferries. A committee, comprised of both City staff and community partners, developed a shortlist of eligible names and residents now have the opportunity to select the final names through a four-week online public vote.
Ferry name shortlist:
-
Bluebell II: Inspired by bluebell wildflowers found on the Toronto Islands;
-
Blue Current: Represents water currents and the clean electric energy powering the ferry;
-
Great Lake Dancer: Captures the motion and energy of Lake Ontario;
-
Harbourlight III: Highlights the glow of the harbour and skyline lights guiding waterfront travel;
-
Harbour Swan: Inspired by swans in Toronto Harbour; symbolizing graceful, quiet movement;
-
Island Willow: Named for the willow trees lining Island pathways;
-
Lady of the Quays: Reflects Toronto’s waterfront quays and welcoming harbour presence;
-
The Harbour Passage: Highlights the ferry connection between the waterfront and Islands;
-
Toronto Islander: Celebrates the connection between Toronto residents, visitors and the Island;
-
Water Strider: Inspired by insects gliding smoothly across water, mirroring the ferry’s movement;
-
Discovery VI: Celebrates exploration and travel across Toronto Harbour;
-
Island Chickadee: Named for Islands’ chickadees, symbolizing curiosity and nature;
-
Cloudbreaker: Evokes ferry cutting through harbour skies and cloud reflections.
How to vote
All Toronto residents are invited to vote online on the City’s webpage: www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/help-name-torontos-new-electric-ferries/ closes on Monday, April 6, at 11:59 p.m. and the two winning names will be announced this spring. Voting is limited to one vote per household.
CaféTO applications are open
The City of Toronto’s CaféTO Grant provides restaurant, bar and café owners with a matching grant of up to a maximum of $7,500 covering 50 per cent of the cost of eligible improvements to patios in the curb lane, on sidewalks and on private property. Eligible businesses must apply before May 7, to be considered. Learn more and apply today at toronto.ca/CafeTOGrant.
Q: Who can apply for the 2026 CaféTO Grant?
A: The grant is available to owners and tenants of street-level commercial and industrial properties in Toronto to improve the appearance and/or function of exterior spaces. Places of worship, institutional buildings and residential buildings are not eligible.
Q: What is the deadline to apply for the 2026 CaféTO Grant?
A: The deadline for applications is May 7, or when funds run out.
Ward 4 news
Free March Break Activities at Colborne Lodge
Gather for a family-friendly March Break extravaganza at Colborne Lodge. Enjoy a drop-in craft, join a daily Indigenous-led tour of High Park at 1 pm, or take part in a guided tour of the historic home of Jemima and John Howard. All week long during regular open hours, on a drop-in basis.
March 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
11 Colborne Lodge Drive (South End of High Park)
416-392-6916 or [email protected] for more information
Colborne Lodge
Malta Park Improvements - Public Survey
Malta Park playground is being improved! Take the family-friendly online survey by Friday, March 27, to share your feedback and preferences. If you have kids at home, we encourage you to take the survey together.
https://ca.mar.medallia.com/MaltaParkPEP
Prescribed Burn at Lambton Park and High Park
City of Toronto in collaboration with Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle (ILSC) are preparing for the annual traditional and prescribed burn this spring in High Park and Lambton Park.
Please be aware that High Park will be closed to vehicles on the day of the burn and certain sections of multi-use trails may be temporarily closed to pedestrians and cyclists. Similarly, in Lambton Park, access to areas in the park may be temporarily restricted to pedestrians during ignition.
The exact timing of the burn is highly dependent on weather conditions and difficult to predict in advance. The weather will be closely monitored and when a date has been selected another notice will be posted on the City's website and social media 24-48 hrs prior to ignition.
TTC 508 Lakeshore Streetcar Bus Replacement
The TTC will divert the 508 Lake Shore streetcar service from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2026, as the TTC will be conducting infrastructure upgrades within the Roncesvalles Yard. These essential upgrades are part of TTC’s preventative maintenance program to ensure safe and reliable streetcar operations.
508 Lake Shore replacement buses will operate between Long Branch Loop and Distillery Loop. Wheel-Trans service will remain accessible in areas where local traffic is permitted.
Street Art Toronto Underpass Mural – Meet the Artists
On Wednesday, March 18th, 40 artists will present their design concepts for art on the south side of the Bloor St W underpass, west of Perth Ave. All are welcome!
Northern Contemporary Gallery: 420 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON
Meet the Artists Event: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Exhibition Dates: Thursday, March19th to Wednesday, March 25th
Time: 12:00 - 6:00 PM | Closed Monday, March 23rd
Toronto Hydro Overhead & Underground Civil & Electrical Work
Starting in April 2026 Toronto Hydro will be performing electric work near the Scarlett Bridge. Impacted areas will be Gooch Avenue, Dundas Street West, St Clair Avenue West, Scarlett Road, and Bernice Crescent. The work is expected to finish around September 2026.
