Summer Recreation Programming Published

Friends,

I hope you’re able to enjoy time outdoors with friends and family this holiday weekend. The City of Toronto is once again offering a wide range of fun activities and attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy during the Victoria Day long weekend.

Learn more about the City’s fireworks display and other family friendly activities you can visit this weekend here.

I also wanted to highlight that the City of Toronto has published a full list of its summer recreation programming to help residents plan and prepare to register next month.

The City’s summer programming begins on Tuesday, July 2 and runs until Friday, August 30. Program and registration information can be found on the City’s Summer Recreation Program webpage.

Registration for summer recreation programs starts at 7 a.m. on the following dates: 

  • June 4 – Etobicoke, York (including York South-Weston) Toronto and East York
  • June 5 – North York and Scarborough 

More information on the City’s summer recreation programs, including Summer CampTO spaces, recreation job opportunities, and discounts for older adults is detailed in this week’s newsletter below.

I am proud of the range of recreation opportunities that our City offers to ensure that recreation activities are available for people of all ages, skill levels and interests. I encourage you to explore the programming available and see what interests you. 

Sincerely,

Gord


  • Share your feedback on improving dogs off-leash areas

  • More information on the City's Summer Recreation programs

  • Junction BIA - New Events Calendar

  • Junction Journey: Architecture, History, and Photography Walking Tour 

Share your Feedback on Improving Dogs off-leash Areas

 

The City is exploring ways to improve its dogs off-leash areas to accommodate a growing population and the many different ways Torontonians want to use our parks. This includes reviewing the approach to dogs off-leash areas, examining the design and delivery of new off-leash areas, identifying ways to improve and maintain existing off-leash areas and ways to enhance the experience for park users.  

 

Residents are asked to share their feedback through a public survey by May 24 on the City’s Improving Dogs Off-Leash Areas webpage. The feedback will help inform a staff report to Council later this year.  

 

 

 


More information on the City's Summer Recreation programs

Summer day camp spaces still available:

Spaces are still available at many locations for in-person Summer CampTO programs, which includes programs at the Toronto District School Board’s Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre, home to Environmental Adventure for more than 65 years.   

In addition to in-person programming, the City also offers Virtual Adapted CampTO programming that Torontonians can take part in from home with family and friends. Creative and active fun activities are led by qualified staff with a wide range of options including science, storytelling, crafts, games, dance, cooking and music activities.    

For information on these programs as well as others with spaces available this summer, visit the City’s CampTO webpage

Recreation jobs and jobs in After-School Recreation Care:

It is not too late to get a summer job as the City continues to hire for all recreation positions including sports instructors, specialty sports instructors, visual arts instructors, music instructors and rink guards.  

The City is also hiring for roles in its After-School Recreation Care Program which runs during the school year from Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. in community recreation centres and public schools across Toronto.  

The program is designed to enhance life skills for children and youth ages six to 15 by promoting physical activity, health and wellness and nutrition in a welcoming and inclusive environment.  

The deadline to apply for these jobs is May 20. More information about positions and upcoming information sessions is available on the City’s Recreations Jobs webpage.   

Welcome Policy annual credit:

The Welcome Policy credit can be used to register for City recreation programs including CampTO. Those receiving social assistance (Ontario Works) and living in Toronto are pre-approved to receive this credit and should speak to their caseworker or apply online.  

Toronto residents with family income that meets the criteria may also apply. More information on the criteria and how to apply, free programs and other subsidies for recreation programs can be found on the City’s Welcome Policy – Recreation Fee Subsidy webpage

Discounts for older adults

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

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website 

 


Junction BIA - New Online Events Calendar

The Junction BIA has launched an exciting new Events Calendar on their website. This interactive platform will allow members to showcase their events in one convenient spot, facilitating more community connection and engagementDon't miss out—subscribe to their mailing list HERE to stay in the loop on all the Junction's upcoming events, promotions, and contests!


Junction Journey: Architecture, History, and Photography Walking Tour 

Step into a time machine and journey through history with the Junction Journey Walking Tour! Prepare to delve into the rich history of the Junction's vibrant neighbourhood and be captivated by its stunning architecture, guided by Tdot Shots! This Father's Day, treat Dad to an adventure like no other, filled with local legends, hidden gems, and insider photography tips! Join us on Sunday, June 16th, from 4 pm to 6 pm, and make memories that'll last a lifetime!

This is a FREE service provided by your local businesses! Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to explore, learn, and capture the essence of the beloved community! Meet at the BMO corner (Keele/Dundas). For more information and to sign up, see here

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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

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

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

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