Vacancy Home Tax Update at Executive Committee

Friends,

Last week at  Executive Committee, City staff provided a status update report on the City's Vacancy Home Tax.

The intent of this Vacant Homes tax is to dissuade property owners from leaving much needed housing vacant and unused while this year generating $54 million.

Along with the update, staff proposed administrative changes to improve the process of declaration as well as to increase to the tax rate from 1% to 3% of the property's current value assessment (CVA) for the year in which the home is vacant.

In my capacity as chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, I met with Reema Patel, the new Deputy Ombudsman (Housing). The Deputy Ombudsman's role is to oversee the fairness of the City of Toronto's housing policies and programs. I look forward to working with her and welcome her to this new role.

The Ombudsman’s office will also be presenting a report to City Council next week on their recommendations to Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to ensure that tenant’s human rights are respected and protected. TCHC has agreed to take steps to implement all recommendations. 

Next week’s City Council meeting agenda is now online and the meeting can also be watched live on the City’s youtube channel.

Sincerely,

Gord


- Wabash Community Centre Update

- REMINDER: Community Consultation Meeting on October 10

     - Development application at 1437 -1455 Queen St W

     - Development application at 1266 Queen St W

- 7 Laxton Community Consultation Meeting on October 17

- Parkdale Hub at Toronto Preservation Board

- Mechanical Leaf Collection Changes

- Bloor West Complete Street Extension Update #5

- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program

- Runnymede Library reopens tomorrow

 

Work on the Wabash Community Centre continues

A Staff Report to advance the design of the new Wabash Community Recreation Centre (CRC), and Wabash Park improvements was approved at the General Government Committee this week:

Agenda Item History - 2023.GG6.10 (toronto.ca)

The City is working to finalize the detailed design. Tendering is expected to be in Q1 or Q2 of 2024, with construction expected 2024-2027.

The new facility will include an indoor pool, a gymnasium, and flexible multi-purpose program spaces.

More information on the Wabash Community Centre can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/new-parks-facilities/wabash-community-centre/


Community Consultation for two planning applications

A re-zoning application has been submitted for 1437 – 1455 Queen St West

The application proposes a 12-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1437QueenStW.

A second re-zoning application has been submitted for 1266 Queen St West

This application proposes a 25-storey mixed-use building. The submitted drawings and materials can be accessed at www.toronto.ca/1266QueenStW.

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, October 10th, 2023, from 6 - 8 PM.

We will discuss the applications as follows:

  • Introduction & Policy Overview: 6:00pm – 6:15pm
  • 1437-1455 Queen Street West: 6:15pm – 7:05pm
  • 1266 Queen Street West:7:05pm – 8:00pm

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

I will chair the meeting, which includes presentations from both City Planning staff and the applicants, followed by a Q&A period to allow for discussion.

More information is also available in the documents below.


Community Consultation Meeting for 7 Laxton Ave

A re-zoning application has been submitted for 7 Laxton

This application proposes a six-storey residential building. The application contains 19 new residential dwelling units. For the submitted plans and reports, City Planning presentation, applicant's presentation, visit the Application information Centre at  https://www.toronto.ca/7LaxtonAve 

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, October 17th, 2023, from 6 - 8 PM.

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

I will chair the meeting, which includes presentations from City Planning staff and the applicants, followed by a Q&A period to allow for discussion.

More information is also available in the documents below.


Parkdale Hub at the Toronto Preservation Board 

On October 10, staff will recommend that City Council approve the alterations to the heritage properties at 220 Cowan Avenue and 1313 Queen Street West, in accordance with Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act to allow for the construction of the Parkdale Hub at The Toronto Preservation Board.

More details on the recommendation is available here: Agenda Item History - 2023.PB10.3 (toronto.ca)

Anyone who wishes to watch the meeting can connect using the Watch Live link on the agenda page that will be available on the day of the meeting.                 

Link to Agenda:  

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2511/23320       

The public may submit written comments or register to speak at the Toronto Preservation Board on any item on the agenda. Written comments may be submitted by writing to [email protected]

To make a presentation to the Toronto Preservation Board, please register by email to [email protected]  or by phone at 416-392-4666.


Reminder: Changes to the Mechanical Leaf Collection Program

In an effort to provide equitable service levels across the city, the Mechanical Vacuum Leaf Collection program is no longer being provided. The program was available to a limited number of households in our ward as part of a grandfathered service level that is no longer in effect. The City will continue to clear roads, ditches, culverts and boulevards of fallen leaves. However, property owners must now collect leaves that fall onto their property, place them in kraft paper yard waste bags and set them out at the curb on their regularly scheduled garbage collection days. More information about proper set out of yard waste is available at toronto.ca/YardWaste.


Update 5: 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 of Phase 1 is planned for completion in December 2023, with upgrades planned for 2024 and beyond.

Work completed up to October 4th: 

  • Removal of existing pavement markings such as stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent. 
  • Signage installation along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

Work scheduled for October 4th to 6th: 

  • Installation of pavement markings such as hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent.
  • Installation of pavement markings between Old Mill Drive and Jane Street to reconfigure the roadway. 

Work scheduled for the week of October 10, 2023: 

  • Continued installation of pavement markings such as hatching, symbols, stop bars, arrows, etc. between Runnymede Road and Aberfoyle Crescent. 
  • Ongoing signage installation and adjustments along the corridor to support the Complete Street design.

Work scheduled for the rest of October 2023: 

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

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

This installation information email is being sent to local Councilors, BIAs, event coordinators, utility companies, City agencies and other stakeholders in the area. Should you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, please email: [email protected] 

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


Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program

Contact Program Coordinator Kevin Pook at 416-531-8447 or [email protected] for services including garden and yard work, snow removal, light housekeeping and odd light jobs.


Runnymede Library reopens tomorrow

Roofing renovations are complete and the Runnymede library will open a few days ahead of schedule.   Normal service will resume tomorrow, Friday October 6th at 9:00 am instead of the anticipated date of Tuesday October 10.   All our Library buildings will be closed Sunday and Monday of the Thanksgiving long weekend.

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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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