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

 


City Wide

Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy (TSNS) Community Networks Launching

Facilitated in partnership with The Neighbourhood Organization – TNO, consortium partners and the TSNS Community Network Ambassador team, TSNS Community Networks are virtual, quarterly community of practice spaces that invite community leaders and residents to focus on equitable community development practices through networking and collaboration, training and capacity building, connection to participation opportunities, and City resource and information sharing. These spaces are designed to be resident and community-led and aim to build more connected and resilient community connections across Toronto neighbourhoods.

The York Weston Pelham TSNS Community Network meeting will be held on Zoom on March 20th , 2025 from 6:00PM to 8:00AM.


Spring Flooding: Flood Preparedness

Spring thaw can increase the risk of flooding as melting snow and seasonal rainfall lead to rising water levels. TRCA’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program actively monitors these conditions and provides timely updates to help keep communities informed. Stay prepared by signing up for TRCA’s Flood Messaging Service for regular updates on spring flood risks.

Visit trca.ca/floodmessages to sign up.


Committee of Adjustment Annual Stakeholder Update and Engagement

City Planning staff from the Committee of Adjustment (CoA) office are pleased to invite you to our Annual In-Person Stakeholder Update and Engagement meeting. The year’s meeting will focus on the implementation of the KPMG CoA Review recommendations, the larger CoA work plan, and the review of the KPMG Service Delivery Model. The meeting will also solicit feedback on new CoA participation materials, including the Purpose Statement and Service Charter, Participation Handbook, and Revised Notice templates.

Location and Time: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at City Hall (100 Queen Street West), Council Chambers/Members Lounge. Please note there will be no virtual option for participation.

Please Register Using the Following Link: https://ca.mar.medallia.com/?e=440499&d=l&h=1A8007903B0865C&l=en

We are asking participants to register in advance. Due to room capacity, please limit registration to 1 - 2 individuals per organization.

Background: In 2022, the City retained KPMG to conduct a review on how to improve the effective participation of the public and applicants in the public hearing process and build on the recommendations included in the End-To-End Review. The review culminated in a final report with 15 recommendations and an implementation plan, which went before the Planning and Housing Committee in February 2023 as Item 2023.PH2.5.

City staff wrote an accompanying report supporting the recommendations and proposing a multi-year implementation plan. One of KPMG’s recommendations was to regularly engage with applicants and members of the public outside of the public hearing process, and specifically recommended annual meetings with industry and residents associations to gather feedback about the public hearing process, including the implementation of the recommendations included in their report. The April 14th session is the second of these annual meetings.


Celebrate Community Storytelling at City Hall

Join Harmony Movement on March 15th from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM at Toronto City Hall for the Building Bridges Storytelling Activation—a powerful gathering that celebrates the voices shaping our communities.


This free event will feature engaging performances, inspiring speakers, captivating art, and community storytellers sharing personal narratives that foster understanding and connection. Whether you’re a storyteller, an artist, or someone who believes in the power of stories to build bridges, this event is for you!


Come experience an afternoon of creativity, culture, and meaningful conversations as we explore the impact of storytelling in driving social change. All are welcome!
See full event details here: https://harmony.my.canva.site/mar-15


Ward 4

BenTastic Magic Show! at Parkdale Library

High Park Prescribed Burn


Construction Notice


Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

We're excited to announce our upcoming Parkdale Seedy Sunday event on March 30, 2025, at the Parkdale Library! We need enthusiastic volunteers to help make the day a success. Volunteers are needed for a variety of roles, including set-up, seed packing, leading kids' activities, managing the welcome table, and tear-down at the end of the day. Whether you're passionate about gardening, enjoy working with kids, or just want to be part of a fun community event, we’d love to have you on board. Sign up today and help us make this year’s Seedy Sunday unforgettable!

What is Seedy Sunday?

Our Parkdale Seedy Sunday 2025 will be a vibrant celebration of seeds, sustainability, and community. This annual event brings together gardeners, seed savers, and green organizations to exchange, trade, and share a wide variety of seeds. Whether you're looking for native plants, pollinator-friendly varieties, or edible seeds, you'll find treasures to take home and nurture in your garden.

At Parkdale Seedy Sunday, we celebrate the critical role seeds play in food production and biodiversity. We are passionate about preserving heirloom seeds and promoting the growth of plants that support our environment. It's an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experts, and contribute to a sustainable future.


Event Highlights:


• Exchange and trade native, edible, and pollinator seeds

• Discover heirloom and rare seed varieties

• Interactive educational tables on sustainable gardening and seed-saving

• Eco-friendly product vendors showcasing green solutions

• Fun kids' activities and family-friendly entertainment

• Connect with local green organizations and community gardeners

• Hands-on workshops and activities for all ages

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this event is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your knowledge of plants and make a positive impact on your local ecosystem.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in the joy of gardening, seed saving, and a greener future!

Contact:

email: [email protected]

cell: 437-522-2070

 


Connect with me 

Latest posts

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

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

Spring Program Registration

Friends,

One hopeful sign that spring is around the corner is the City of Toronto’s spring program registration which will open on:

• Tuesday, February 25 at 10 a.m. for the Older adult program registration, and
• Tuesday, March 4 at 7 a.m. for Toronto East York recreation programs.
The fastest and easiest way to register for recreation programs is online on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/springrec.

Registration by phone will also be available by calling 416-396-7378, beginning at 10 a.m. on February 25 for the Older adult program registration and 7 a.m. on March 4 for Toronto East York recreation programs.

For in-person registration support, Masaryk Cowan Community Centre at 220 Cowan Ave will be open on Tuesday, February 25 starting at 10 a.m.

The City of Toronto has a Welcome Policy Recreation Fee Subsidy that can be used to register for City recreation programs including spring recreation programs. Those who receive social assistance and are living in Toronto are pre-approved to receive this credit.

Toronto residents with a before-tax total family income below the low-income cut-off (LICO) threshold may also apply for the Welcome Policy by visiting the City’s Welcome Policy webpage.

Participants aged 60 years and older receive a 50 per cent discount on the regular price of adult recreation programs, excluding private, semi-private and small group lessons. More information about free programs and other subsidies for recreation programs is available on the City’s webpage.

Reminder that the city is using a new registration system. You can learn how to use the features of the new registration system, create and organize your wish list, register for programs, view and use the Welcome Policy online by attending a Virtual Registration Preparation Session. Virtual sessions are available on Wednesday, February 26 and Monday, March 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Spring is around the corner,


In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Spring Recreation Program
  • Shaping the Next Toronto Senior Strategy
  • Share your ideas to make your community greener 🍃 
  • Snow removal update ❄️

Ward 4

  • Greenest City: Parkdale Seedy Sunday & Ecofair 2025

Take action

Read Our Weekly Newsletter
Sign Up for Updates
Contact our Office