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This Week at City Council

Friends,

It’s been a busy week for many as we return from March Break.

This week at Toronto City Council there have been a number of items up for discussion including Toronto as host of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Mayor Chow introduced a plan to assemble a team to make the FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) and its legacy open, transparent and accountable. This includes strengthening and clarifying the structure and mandate of some of the internal and advisory bodies that will play a key role in delivering FWC26. Further, Council passed motions that direct staff to develop a comprehensive community benefits plan and advance climate and transportation solutions as part of delivering FWC26.

When the question of whether Toronto should be a host city was debated by Council in April 2022, I voted against. I believe the tens of millions of dollars we will be spending on this tournament would be better spent building affordable housing and investing in urgently needed public transit and climate solutions. My position has not changed.

However, with agreements now firmly in place for Toronto to host six matches, we must turn our attention to ensuring that the legacy of these games will be one that delivers lasting benefits to the people of Toronto.

In the spirt of ensuring that we don’t get into this situation again – one where we are trying to align an event we’re hosting with our City’s priorities after the fact, I successfully introduced a motion to develop City principles for bidding on large international events. This will set a clear bar for the standards that international events would need to meet and the benefits it would need to provide in order for our City to bid. You can learn more about the Council decisions on FWC26 here.    

Other important items that Council approved include directing staff to review City-owned real estate opportunities and an update to the City’s Congestion Management Plan. These measures are aimed at leveraging City-owned real estate to enable affordable housing, complete communities, and financial sustainability, as well as reducing congestion and deterring illegal blocking of traffic lanes.

The full Council Meeting is available to view at City Council - Meeting 16 - TMMIS (toronto.ca)  As always, please feel free to contact my office for information or to share comment on any Ward 4 or City-related matter.

Sincerely,

Gord

 

I successfully introduced a motion to develop City principles for bidding on large international events. 

Other News

-  2453-2469 Bloor Street West - Zoning Amendment - Decision Report Approval

-  Reminder: Community Consultation Meeting: 1304-1318 King St. W., 143-145 Cowan Ave. 

-  Gardiner Expressway lane reductions beginning March 25

-  Public consultation on a stormwater charge and water service charge

-  Have your say in the library's future!  

-  Request a Slow Down Sign!

 

2453-2469 Bloor Street West - Zoning Amendment - Decision Report - Approval

 

April 3, 2024 - Toronto and East York Community Council will be reviewing TE12.2 - 2453-2469 Bloor Street West - Zoning Amendment - Decision Report - Approval

This application proposes a 13-storey mixed-use building containing 91 dwelling units and 260 square metres of ground floor retail at 2453-2469 Bloor Street West.

Following a review of the application and two community meetings, City Planning Staff are recommending a modified approval of a 10-storey mixed-use building to better support the existing and planned context of this area, and to maintain adequate sunlight on the public realm on Bloor Street West.

At this time, I will be supporting staff's recommendation to approve this modified application.

The full report is available on-line at https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-243974.pdf. More information on the application can be found here.

This item will be heard on April 3rd at Toronto East York Community Council. The meeting will be conducted with members participating remotely and /or in person at Toronto City Hall Council Chambers.

To speak to the Community Council, please register by e-mail to [email protected] or by phone at 416-392-7033. Members of the public who register to speak will be provided with instructions on how to participate in the meeting.

For further information on this or any other Ward 4 or city-related matter, go to www.gordperks.ca or contact my office at [email protected].

 

Reminder: Community Consultation Meeting: 1304-1318 King St. W., 143-145 Cowan Ave. 

Friends,

An Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Application has been submitted for

1304-1318 King Street West, 143-145 Cowan Avenue.

The application proposes a 21-storey mixed use building. The proposal will have 213 square metres of ground floor retail and 263 dwelling units, including 8 rental replacement units. Application Information Centre - 1304 KING ST W (toronto.ca)

To allow you to learn more about the application, ask questions, and gather feedback, City Planning will be holding a Virtual Community Meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 6 – 8 PM.

Register to attend the virtual community meeting at: http://www.toronto.ca/cpconsultations

The meeting will include presentations from both City Planning staff and the applicant, followed by a Q&A period to allow for discussion.

To register for the meeting, visit the City Planning Engagement Website at https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/city-planning-consultations/ .    More information is also available below.

Looking forward to seeing you on- line.

Gord

Gardiner Expressway lane reductions beginning March 25

Pre-Construction Prep Work:

Beginning March 25, lane closures on the Gardiner Expressway will be implemented between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue for pre-construction work. 

The work will occur in stages, impacting one lane in each direction at a time, starting with the eastbound lanes.  

During the eastbound lane closure, the eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard, east of Jameson Avenue, will also be closed to facilitate this work. Intermittent additional nightly lane reductions will also occur.   

There are no lane restrictions planned over the March long weekend (Friday, March 29 to Sunday, March 31) or Saturday, April 6 to Monday April 8. 

Following the pre-construction work, long–term lane restrictions will begin. Starting in mid-April, the Gardiner Expressway will be reduced to two lanes in each direction between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, with intermittent additional nightly lane reductions as necessary.

Additionally, the eastbound on-ramp from Lake Shore Boulevard, east of Jameson Avenue, will be closed to facilitate traffic merging and congestion management approaching the work zone. 

 

These lane closures will be in place until the project concludes in mid-2027, with a brief re-opening for FIFA World Cup 26™ from May to the end of July 2026. 
 

For additional details, please visit the project's dedicated website, which will continue to be updated throughout the duration of the project: Section 2: Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue – City of Toronto [toronto.ca] 

Public Consultation on a Stormwater Charge and Water Service Charge

The City is making critical investments to improve its stormwater infrastructure to help reduce the risk of basement flooding in homes and businesses, improve surface water quality in local waterways and protect vulnerable sewer infrastructure from the impacts of watercourse erosion. The City is consulting on a stormwater charge and a water service charge, which could change the way you pay for water services. Join in at one of the virtual public consultation meetings being held on on April 8, 11 or 16.


To learn more about a potential stormwater charge and the water service charge, the consultation and to tell us what you think, visit toronto.ca/stormwatercharge

Have your say in the library's future!  

The Toronto Public Library is developing a new Strategic Plan to guide its work over the next five years – and they'd like to hear from you! With your input, TPL will continue to innovate and modernize to meet the changing needs of Torontonians and help address the challenges and opportunities that our city faces. To participate, please visit tpl.ca/strategicplan before March 27.  

Contact my office to request a 'Slow Down Sign'!

You can help remind the public to slow down and to be aware by displaying "Slow Down" lawn signs in your neigbourhood. 

Contact my office at [email protected] to request your sign. 

    

Connect with me.

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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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Ward 4

City Hall

Email:
Phone: 416-392-7919
Address:
100 Queen St W, Suite A14
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
City of Toronto
311 Toronto