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

 


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Pride Celebrations Kick Off at City Hall

Friends,

The City officially kicked off its Pride Month celebrations this week with a Pride Flag raising ceremony at City Hall. I was delighted to join City staff and residents at the festivities and am indeed proud that Toronto is a city where we celebrate Pride Month together.

Pride Month is about honouring the history, courage, and diversity of our 2SLGBTQ+ communities, while affirming our commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of 2SLGBTQ+ Torontonians every day of the year. More information about Pride Month programming and events across the city is available on the City’s website.

I also wanted to share a reminder that as the weather gets warmer and we spend more time outdoors, it is important that we look out for one another about staying safe during extreme heat.

Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. Vulnerable populations such as infants and young children, older adults, those with certain health conditions, people who work outdoors and people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

I encourage you to review the City’s Keep Cool website which has information on preventing heat-related illnesses, including the City’s Heat Relief Network and more than 500 Cool Spaces across Toronto where people can seek relief from the heat.

Wishing you a happy Pride Month and a joyful event and festive season ahead.

 

Sincerely,



In This Week's Newsletter

City Wide Updates 

  • Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study Community Consultation 
  • Bylaw Updates for Adequate Indoor Temperature in Rental Units

Ward 4

  • 3286-3316 Dundas St W Development Application Submitted
  • Roncy Remarket this Saturday
  • The Junction Farmers Market has returned
  • West Toronto Junction Heritage Conservation District (HCD) Study Community Consultation

Transportation Updates

  • Stop Sign at Springhurst Ave and Close Ave
  • West Parkdale Cycling Connection Update
  • Contact us for a 'Slow Down' sign

Victoria Day Long Weekend

Friends,

I am wishing you and your loved ones a happy long weekend, and invite you to take advantage of the wide range of family-friendly activities offered by the City.

Of note, on Saturday, May 17, more than 140 splash and spray pads in City parks will open for the season, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. until Sunday, September 14. Splash pad locations are available on the City’s Swimming and Water Play webpage.

The City’s CaféTO 2025 program is also set to kick off this weekend, bringing outdoor dining opportunities to our communities.  More than 280 local restaurants and bars are participating in this year’s curb lane cafe program, as well as more than 550 sidewalk cafes and more than 700 private patios, helping to energize neighbourhoods, support small businesses and create dynamic public spaces that bring people together. More information about CaféTO is available on the City’s CaféTO website

I want to highlight that on the following weekend, Doors Open Toronto will be returning to beloved sites across our city.  Doors Open Toronto enables residents to visit Toronto’s architectural, historical, cultural and socially significant buildings for free on May 24 & 25. Sites are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. unless otherwise indicated. The public can also register for free city-wide guided neighbourhood tours and a series of themed talks. Find more information and sign up for free talks and tours on the City’s Doors Open Toronto webpage.

As warmer weather sets in, this is an exciting time for Torontonians to once again be together outdoors. I hope you can explore and discover new facets of our wonderful neighbourhoods, parks, and public spaces in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,   

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