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  3. Winter and Spring Program Listings Now Available

Winter and Spring Program Listings Now Available

Friends,

If you are planning to register for 2024 winter recreation and March Break programs, program listings are now available online.

More than 13,000 registered courses with approximately 133,500 spaces, as well as more than 2,900 drop-in programs, will be offered including arts, fitness and wellness, general interest, skating, skiing, snowboarding, sports and swimming.

Registration begins for winter recreation programs and March Break camps:

  • Tuesday, December 5: For facilities in Etobicoke York (including York South-Weston) and Toronto East York districts
  • Wednesday, December 6: For facilities in North York and Scarborough districts

Programs start in January 2024, and March Break CampTO runs from March 11 to 15, 2024.

Residents can visit the Winter Recreation webpage to learn about registration dates and to find program and registration information: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/winter-recreation-programs/.

Registration by phone will also be available by calling the Client Services Call Centre at 416-396-7378 from 7 a.m. on registration dates.

In advance of the registration dates, residents who require help preparing for registration can call Client Services at 416-396-7378, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to normal operating hours, the City will offer extended hours on Monday, December 4, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The call centre will be open for extended hours on registration days, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Discounts and free recreation programs
Many community centres offer free recreation programs including leisure swimming and drop-in programs for children, youth and older adults. Participants 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. Information about free programs and other subsidies is available on the City’s Free & Lower-Cost Recreation Options webpage: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/free-lower-cost-recreation-options/.  

Sincerely,

Gord

In this week's newsletter

- Reminder: Vacant Home Tax Declaration

- New Traffic Signal on Parkside Drive

- Cycling Network Plan Consultation

- Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension Update

Submit your Vacant Home Tax Declaration of Occupancy Status for 2023

Owners of residential properties in Toronto are required to declare the occupancy status of their property every year, even if they live there. Residential properties that are unoccupied for more than six months, or properties for which no exemption applies or no declaration is submitted, will be subject to the Vacant Home Tax.

If you have not yet submitted a declaration of your property’s occupancy status for the 2023 calendar year, you must do so by the deadline of February 29, 2024.

If you already submitted your 2023 declaration, you do not need to take further action at this time. Thank you for your declaration.

The City of Toronto’s secure portal is the best way to submit a declaration. Declaring online is quick and easy to do. You may authorize someone to submit the declaration on your behalf.

Declare at toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax

If unable to declare online, you can complete and submit a paper declaration form. Paper copies of the declaration forms are available at Property Tax and Utility customer service counters at City Hall and all Civic Centre locations, or by calling 311.

The New Mid-Block Traffic Signal at Parkside Drive & High Park Trail has been activated

Transportation Services reviewed the need for a pedestrian crossing protection on Parkside Drive in the vicinity of the High Park Trail. Based on the assessment undertaken, Transportation Services approved the installation of traffic control signals on Parkside Drive where it intersects with High Park Trail, located immediately north of The Queensway overpass. Traffic control signals will provide enhanced safety for vulnerable road users using the trail as well as the existing transit stops.

Please see the following link for information on the Parkside Drive Study and how to subscribe for updates: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/parkside-drive-study/

There will be further public engagement opportunities on the short-term and long-term plans on Parkside Drive.

Have your say at the Cycling Network Plan Consultation

The City is planning where to build the next cycle tracks, bike lanes, neighbourhood routes & multi-use trails. . Together, all these bikeways make Toronto’s Cycling Network.  The City wants your input to ensure travel by bike is safer and more inviting, which helps ease congestion, creates a cleaner environment, and promotes physical activity. 

There are several opportunities for you to engage in person and online: 

  • In-person drop-in events on November 23, 27, 28 and December 1. 
  • An online meeting on December 6.
  • An online survey and interactive map online now until December 10. 

Learn more about how you can get involved in person or online by visiting toronto.ca/cyclingnetwork/input

Update 12: Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension - Nov 23/23

This email is to provide an update on phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension from Runnymede Road to Aberfoyle Crescent. Installation of phase 1 began the week of September 11, 2023. Initial installation is planned for completion in December 2023, with upgrades planned for 2024 and beyond. 

*Please note that the traffic study, monitoring strategy and final roll plans have been posted on the webpage, toronto.ca/BloorWest   

Work scheduled for November 22nd to 24th: 

  • Installation of painted curb extensions at some unsignalized intersections.
  • Installation of remaining signage to support the complete street design.
  • Installation of platforms at bus stops, accessible loading and commercial loading zones between Runnymede Road and Jane Street.

Work scheduled for the rest of November 2023: 

  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the complete street design.
  • Installation of platforms at bus stops, accessible loading and commercial loading zones.

 *Work will take place both during the day and at night and is scheduled to avoid conflicts with other construction in the roadway. The work scheduled is dependent on weather conditions. 

For more project details, please visit: Toronto.ca/BloorWest 

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

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
More — Read Our Weekly Newsletter

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