City's ambitious Housing Report at Executive next week

Friends,

This week, the City released an extensive and ambitious housing report to tackle our growing housing crisis.

The report “Generational Transformation of Toronto’s Housing System to Urgently Build More Affordable Homes" responds to Toronto City Council’s direction to develop a plan to approve 25,000 new rent-controlled homes in addition to what was already planned, thereby increasing the City’s total housing target to 65,000 new rent-controlled homes including a minimum of 41,000 affordable rental, 6,500 RGI homes and 17,500 rent-controlled market homes by 2030.

The estimated cost to deliver the remaining 60,545 homes is between $28.6 billion and $31.5 billion across the next seven years and requires contributions from all orders of government. The report includes estimates of funding needed from each order of government to be between $500 million and $800 million per year, in addition to repayable financing.

The report details recommendations including dedicating more City-owned land to create new affordable homes; accelerating the delivery of “housing ready” projects on City and not-for-profit owned land; streamlining and optimizing people, processes and technology to expedite approvals and housing delivery; and supporting the not-for-profit and co-op housing sectors.

Since the launch of the HousingTO Plan, the City has committed approximately $8 billion in land, capital and operating funding and waived fees and charges. However, the growing housing and homelessness crises require a more robust range of actions across the housing continuum to adequately address the needs of current and future residents.

While the City is committed to taking every possible action within its jurisdictional and financial capacity to address the housing crisis, financial support from the federal and provincial governments is necessary.

I call on you to connect with your provincial and federal representatives to urge them to stand with us so that we may make a concerted effort to build more affordable housing.

Sincerely,

Gord


- Seasonal Public washrooms closing soon

- Jane Street Road Resurfacing

- Junction Residents Association's Halloween Howl

- Bloor West Complete Street Extension Update

Closing of seasonal public washrooms and water fountains

Water fountains
Starting this week, crews will begin closing approximately 750 stand-alone public water fountains. This process is expected to take expected to take up to 6 weeks to complete. 

Seasonal washrooms in parks
Beginning on Wednesday, November 1, weather permitting, crews will begin to close seasonal park washrooms. This process is expected to take about three weeks to complete.

The City's 57 winterized (year-round) park washrooms will continue to open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and maintained Monday to Sunday. Portable toilets, where located, are available 24/7.

There will be over 420 public washrooms available in parks and recreation facilities:
• 57 year-round parks washroom buildings
• Approximately 65 portable toilets placed in various parks
• 45 AIR washroom facilities available
• 259 community recreation washroom facilities for public use

An online washroom map is available on the City's website. 


Road Resurfacing on Jane Street from Dundas to Annette

The construction of this project is currently underway with a planned completion date of November 30th, 2023 for all works, with the exception of the intersection work at Jane Street / Dundas Street West, which is scheduled for completion in Spring 2024.

Please see the notice below for details regarding work status, remaining work and other information.


Junction Residents Association Presents: Halloween Howl

This free event is happening on Saturday, October 28, 1-4pm in Malta Park (3179 Dundas Street West)

Activities will include:

  • Children's Costume Parade and a chance to win prizes
  • Participate in the 'Doggy Costume Parade' and a chance to win prizes  
  • Featuring DJ THROWIN SHAPES dance party for all ages
  • Silly Squish Slime Making Station, brought to you by Sidorova Inwood Real Estate Team
  • Treat bags for all the children
  • Treats for pets
  • Photo booth
  • Halloween Themed Button Making
  • Hot cider and refreshments
  • A chance to win door prizes


Update 8: Bloor West 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/BloorWest under the tab ‘October 2023 Update: Final Plans for Phase 1.’  

Work scheduled for Oct 25th to 27th: 

  • Installation of concrete curbs and planter boxes between Aberfoyle Crescent and Prince Edward Drive, starting from the Aberfoyle Crescent, followed by the installation of flex post bollards.
  • Installation of pavement markings between Old Mill Drive and Jane Street to reconfigure the roadway.
  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

Work scheduled for the week of October 30th, 2023: 

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

Work scheduled in early November 2023: 

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

 

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

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