2024 Budget Launch and Community Crisis Service Expansion

Friends,

2024 Budget launch and consultations

As the City faces significant financial challenges with a projected $1.5 billion operating shortfall in 2024 and a $46.5 billion shortfall over the next 10 years, it is critical for Torontonians to voice what services are most important to them and how we pay for it.

The Mayor and City Council want to hear from Torontonians on the City's 2024 Budget. This year the budget process will include an additional month-long public consultation process.

There will be three virtual and five in-person meetings in various neighbourhoods across Toronto. Residents can also share their thoughts through a survey which will be available until November 30. The link to the survey and the registration links for all the consultation meetings are available on the City's webpage.

What we hear from residents will help to define Toronto's priorities, guide budget decision making, and support the City's discussions with the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada to secure a new deal for Toronto.

Your voice is important in this process. Be a part of this conversation so that we bring our shared vision to life and build back better.

Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) expansion

This week, following a successful first year of the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) pilot, the City's Executive Committee adopted a report to expand this program city-wide by the end of 2024.

The TCCS is an alternate approach to responding to someone in crisis that focuses on health, prevention and well-being.

This non-police-led, 24/7, community-based, client-centered and trauma informed service to support non-emergency crisis calls will become the fourth municipal emergency service alongside Toronto Fire, Paramedic and Police services.

TCCS staff can be dispatched by calling 911 or 211.

Sincerely,

Gord

In this week's newsletter

- Community meeting: Development Proposal for 1730 Bloor Street West

- Community meeting: Transportation and Pedestrian Study at Exhibition Place

- Closure Notice: Bloor St. West from Dundas St. West to Perth Ave

- Update Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension

- Community Event: High Park Walking Tour - Art in the Park

Community Meeting to discuss development proposal at 1730 Bloor Street West

The property owners of 1730 Bloor St West, current site of strip mall and 7-11, is holding an Online Community Meeting to share preliminary plans for a 25-storey mixed-use development on this site.

Online Community Meeting Details:

Tuesday, November 14th, 6:30pm - 8:00 pm

Link to Join: bit.ly/1730bloor

Meeting ID: 835 2892 2909

Telephone Dial-in: (647) 558-0588

The meeting will be an opportunity to review a presentation as well as to ask questions and provide comments.

Councillor Perks and City Planning staff will be in attendance.

Further details are available on the attached flyer. As always, please feel free to contact Councillor Perks' Office if you have ward 4 or city-related questions or concerns.

Exhibition Place gathering Community Feedback - Transportation and Pedestrian Study

Exhibition Place and the City of Toronto have retained the engineering and professional services firm WSP to conduct a Transportation and Pedestrian study. The intent of this meeting is to have WSP gather community feedback in the development of the plan.

Please note this meeting will be held virtually.

Date: Tuesday, November 7th , 2023
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84640948121?pwd=6LlugrSmO6SF5LLDLT5NBp1WGAPaq8.1

Meeting ID: 846 4094 8121
Passcode: 0

Dial by your location
• +1 647 374 4685 Canada
• +1 647 558 0588 Canada

Please keep your microphone muted during the meeting, until the floor is opened for questions.

More information can be found at the following link: Community Events - Exhibition Place (explace.on.ca)

Closure on Bloor St. West from Dundas St. West to Perth Ave due to Metrolinx Rail Bridge construction

Starting on November 3rd until November 6th, Bloor St. West from Dundas St. West to Perth Ave will be closed.

This closure is to facilitate the lift and shift the Metrolinx rail bridge at Bloor GO Station, 1.5m East to accommodate construction of a 4^th track on Kitchener GO line.

Advance warning signs will be placed on Bloor St W & Lansdowne Ave, Bloor St W & Keele St, Dundas St W & Roncesvalles Ave, Dupont St & Symington and Dupont St & Dundas St West
Local access to all driveways/entrances and loading areas will be maintained with assistance and direction from the Police Officers.
Notification has be sent in writing to all abutting property owners and businesses.
All driveways will be maintained
TTC has been informed and diversion will be in place
Toronto Fire and EMS have been notified
To view the construction notice for the Bloor St. W. Rail Bridge Shift click HERE and to view the information deck click HERE, they are also attached to this email.

Please see below for the pedestrian and cyclists detour map:

Update 9: Bloor West Bike Lanes and Complete Street Extension

This is an update on phase 1 of the installation of the Bloor Street West 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 final roll plans have been posted on the webpage, Toronto.ca/BloorWes t under the tab ‘October 2023 Update: Final Plans for Phase 1.’

Work scheduled for November 1^st to 3^rd:

Continued installation of concrete curbs, flex post bollards and planter boxes between Aberfoyle Crescent and Armadale Avenue.
Installation of remaining pavement markings and signage to support the complete street design.

Work scheduled for the week of November 6^th, 2023:

Installation of pavement markings for bus stops along the corridor and westbound bus lane between Armadale Avenue and Jane Street.
Installation of painted curb extensions at some unsignalized intersections.
Continued installation of curbs, flex post bollards planter boxes between Aberfoyle Crescent and Runnymede Road.
Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the complete street design.

Work scheduled in the rest of November 2023:

Installation of painted curb extensions and all remaining pavement markings between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
Continued installation of curbs, flex post bollards planter boxes between Aberfoyle Crescent and Runnymede Road.

*Work will take place both during the day and at night, weather permitting, and is scheduled to avoid conflicts with other construction in the roadway.

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

High Park Walking Tour - Art in the Park

Please join us for our regular 90 minute Sunday walk.

There are a number of beautiful sculptures and statues in the park - some tucked away and some in plain site. Art enthusiast and former teacher Grace Petrucci will introduce you to these. She'll provide background on their origins and give you a chance to decide what you like. You're bound to discover something new that you hadn't seen before.

Meet at the grassy centre triangle, just inside the main entrance to High Park on Bloor Street at 10:30 a.m.

Join us!

Our next walk will be in April, 2024.

Latest posts

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

New People-Moving Service Approved for High Park

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,

2024 Budget Launch and Community Crisis Service Expansion

Latest posts

Pride Celebrations Kick Off at City Hall

In This Week's Newsletter

New People-Moving Service Approved for High Park

Victoria Day Long Weekend

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