Oct 9, 2025

Friends,

This week at City Council, Council was united in its support for maintaining the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program in our city.

You may be aware that the Provincial Government recently announced its intention to introduce legislation at Queen’s Park to ban ASE cameras across all municipalities in Ontario. Premier Ford has attempted to characterize the program as a cash grab by municipalities. It’s important to remember that the ASE program was in fact first introduced by Provincial Government as part of the Safer School Zone Act.

I have heard from concerned parents in our community and across the City about the dangers of speeding motorists around schools. The ASE program is a proven tool to enforce the speed limits in Community Safety Zones recommended by Vision Zero to protect our vulnerable road users against speeding, aggressive and reckless drivers. Operating a motored vehicle is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. The success of the initial 75 ASE cameras since it’s implementation in 2020 resulted in March 2023 City Council directing Transportation Services to procure an additional 75 units, the units were installed earlier this year.

As part of the ASE program evaluation done by Sick Kids Hospital, in collaboration with TMU, data was collected at 204 locations. Data was collected pre installation of the ASE, during the ticketing phase of the ASE, and post ASE relocation. During the ticketing phase, the evaluation found that there was a decrease in average speed of 51.4km/h to 45.2km/h. After an ASE camera was removed and relocated, the average speed of motorists was still lower than pre-ASE installation, a time halo phenomenon where motorists are more conscious of their speed due to the previous presence of ASE cameras. The fatality rate and injuries for all users on our right of ways are exponential as the speed and size of the vehicle increases and since the ASE program started pedestrian fatalities have reduced from 39 pedestrians in 2019 to 24 pedestrians in 2024.

I supported motions from my Council Colleagues and Mayor Chow to make modifications to the program in an effort to invite the Provincial Government to work in partnership with municipalities to find a way to maintain ASE’s, in the interest of safety.

My comments are available here: https://youtu.be/HWsT18Lxf-k

I will continue to take every opportunity to advocate for the ASE program along with other City of Toronto initiatives to achieve the goals of Vision Zero. The consistent and continuous overstep into municipal affairs from our Premier is a concern, especially on programs like the ASE program that are recognized to be reliable on decreasing driver speed and increase compliance for the speed limits.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-wide news

Toronto Community Crisis Service expansion to TTC
Provincial Planning Statement - Open House
Budget Consultation - Oct 16
Committee of Adjustment Handbook
RentSafeTO resource for tenants
TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Ward 4 news

King Street West and Dufferin Street Track Renewal
Changes to 41 and 941 Keele Route
2760 Dundas St West (Dundas and Indian Rd Cres - previous Peacock Hotel)- Meeting Notice
High Park Walking Tour

City-wide News

Toronto Community Crisis Service expansion to TTC

Council today voted to expand Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) to the Toronto Transit Commission. TCCS is one of the City’s four emergency services, along with Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services to respond to various crisis situations in the City. Councillor Perks comments on the importance of this program that connects those with mental health needs with community-based, trauma informed response on the TTC and in our communities are available here.

Provincial Planning Statement - Open House - October 16

The City of Toronto City Planning Division is hosting a virtual Public Open House on the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024) Consistency Exercise. You are invited to join on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm (to register click the link). Join the Open House to hear details about proposed changes to the Official Plan that will bring the Official Plan into consistency with the PPS 2024 and to ask questions about the proposed policies and any related information and material.

A Special Public Meeting will be held as part of October 30, 2025 Planning and Housing Committee. The Planning and Housing Committee will receive input and review the proposed changes and any other material placed before it, in order to make recommendations on the Official Plan Amendments. These recommendations will then be forwarded to Toronto City Council for its consideration.

Background:

The Provincial Planning Statement 2024 Consistency Exercise is an initiative to review the City’s Official Plan and recommend Official Plan Amendments to bring the Official Plan into consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 (PPS 2024).

The PPS consistency exercise is being conducted in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on addressing policy conflicts between the Official Plan and the PPS 2024, while Phase 2 will focus on ensuring that the Official Plan aligns with and supports the objectives of the PPS 2024.

Through Phase 1 of this exercise, the City has identified seven areas of policy conflict that are proposed to be addressed through an Official Plan Amendment:

Population and Employment Growth Forecasting
Transit and Mobility Hubs
Urban Growth Centres
Former Provincial Plans
Heritage and Archaeology
Municipal Comprehensive Review
Land Use Compatibility

The draft Official Plan Amendment is available as of October 2, 2025. If you would like a copy please email [email protected].

As required by the Planning Act, the City must ensure that it’s Official Plan is consistent with the PPS 2024. For more information about this initiatives, please visit the project webpage at www.toronto.ca/PPSUpdate.

Come have your say on Toronto’s budget priorities!

In person Tuesday October 14^th from 7-9pm at St. Lawrence Market North

Hear from the Mayor, Budget Committee Chair, other Members of Council and senior City staff.

You’ll have an opportunity to learn about this year’s budget process and financial challenges, ask questions, and share your thoughts.

We encourage you to register to receive reminders and notifications of any meeting changes.

Registration: City of Toronto: Budget Consultation (Downtown) Tickets, Tue, 14 Oct 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

For more information: toronto.ca/budget

Committee of Adjustment Handbook

Ever wondered how to have your say when a neighbour wants to build an addition, divide a property, or make other changes to a property? The City of Toronto’s new Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook is here to help! Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, or simply interested in local planning, this guide explains how to get involved, what to expect at hearings, and how decisions are made. Check it out Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook for more information.

RentSafeTO: Safe, well-maintained buildings for Toronto tenants

The City of Toronto works to ensure that tenants live in safe, well-maintained buildings through the RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards Program. Last year, RentSafeTO doubled their engagement opportunities with residents, audited 47 buildings (six times the previous year’s audits) and closed more than 12,000 service requests, demonstrating the impact the program is having on tenants’ well-being. More information for tenants is available on the City’s RentSafeTO webpage.

Q: If there are issues or concerns in my apartment, when do I call RentSafeTO?

A: If you are having maintenance problems in your building’s common areas or in your apartment, you should first speak to your property owner or operator. Some issues may take longer than others to resolve, but tenants can find out what is required of building owners on the City's RentSafeTO – Building Owner Requirements webpage. If no response is provided within a reasonable amount of time, tenants are encouraged to contact 311 and RentSafeTO staff will investigate.

Q: My landlord is trying to evict me to make repairs. Should I call RentSafeTO?

A: No. Evictions are managed by the Province of Ontario’s Landlord & Tenant Board, however, the City has implemented new bylaws to protect renters for eviction due to renovations. Residents can learn more about evictions and where to find help at toronto.ca/EvictionHelp.

Upcoming TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The 36^th edition of the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon is coming this weekend, Saturday, October 18^th (5K Race) and Sunday, October 19^th (Marathon & Half Marathon Race).

With over 30 cheer sites across the City and a goal of 3 million raised for 160 Charity partners this year, there is something fun for everyone to get involved with!

For information on road closures in your area, please see the Event Notice attached, or you can use our interactive map linked below and click “show closures” and use the glider to see streets close and re-open based on time throughout the route.

5K Interactive Map for Saturday, October 18^th : https://www.racepoint.ca/maps/twm.html?r=5

Marathon & Half Marathon Interactive Map for Sunday, October 19^th : https://www.racepoint.ca/maps/twm.html

Ward 4 news

King Street West and Dufferin Street Track Renewal

City of Toronto and TTC crews are currently conducting streetcar track renewal work at the King Street West and Dufferin Street intersection. Work started on September 29, 2025 and is expected to be finished by mid-November 2025, lasting approximately six weeks. Once the streetcar track work is completed, the City of Toronto will undertake sidewalk replacement and tactile plate installation at the intersection. Learn more about this work on the City of Toronto's project webpage.

Please see attached map for TTC Route Diversions

Service changes coming to 41 & 941 Keele that connects to the future Line 5 Eglinton

Effective as of October 12, 2025. In preparation for the opening of Line 5 Eglinton (official opening still to be confirmed), service changes will be implemented on the 41 Keele & 941 Keele Express as part of the approved Line 5 Surface Network Plan.

Service will be adjusted for the 41 Keele to connect customers to the future Keelesdale Station. Northbound buses will operate through the Keelesdale Station bus loop for customer pick up and drop off. The station building will remain closed to customers until Line 5 service begins. Southbound service will not change. Customers can board and exit southbound buses at stops on Trethewey Drive and Keele Street at Eglinton Avenue West. View the detailed route map and description.

Service will be adjusted for the 941 Keele Express to connect customers to the future Keelesdale Station. Northbound buses will operate through the Keelesdale Station bus loop for customer pick up and drop off. The station building will remain closed to customers until Line 5 service begins. Southbound service will not change. Southbound customers can board and exit buses at stops on Keele Street at Eglinton Avenue West. View the detailed route map and description.

2760 Dundas St West- Meeting Notice

Councillor Perks is hosting an on-line community meeting to review the Construction Management Plan (CMP) for 2760 Dundas Street West (formerly The Peacock Hotel).

2760 Dundas Street LP is constructing a 6-storey purpose-built rental building on the north side of Dundas Street West at Indian Road Crescent. The proposal will include 33 residential units with commercial at grade.

The on-line meeting will be held on Thursday, October 16^th, 6:30- 7:30PM.

You can participate in the online meeting through the following link:

Join the meeting now

(If you are joining by Smartphone or tablet, you may need to download the Teams App.)

Dial in by phone:

647-749-7152

Phone conference ID: 405 832 283#

The on-line community meeting will walk through what to expect during the construction phase including the construction staging area, details of construction truck access to the site, off-loading of materials, material storage, and pedestrian access.

It will include a review of the Construction Staging Area Staff Report that requests authorization to close the north sidewalk and two westbound traffic lanes on Dundas Street West at this site for a period of 17 months, from November 30, 2025 to April 30, 2027. The report is scheduled to be heard at the Oct 22 Toronto East York Community Council (TEYCC) Meeting agenda. See Agenda Item History - 2025.TE26.19.

The applicant will provide a short presentation and will be available, along with City Transportation staff and Councillor Gord Perks, for a Q&A about the Construction Management Plan and the Construction Staging Area Staff Report coming to TEYCC.

High Park Walking Tours

The Trees of High Park

Sunday October 19 at 10:30 am

On this walk Don Scallen will share stories about the diverse trees that thrive in High Park’s remarkable urban forest. Rare Black Oak savanna thrives on its sandy soils. Regionally rare Sassafras trees are common. Among the planted trees are Ginkgos and Dawn Redwoods. Their claim to fame? Both are recognized as “living fossils”.

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

Latest posts

November 13, 2025

Friends,

I am pleased to share that at City Council this week, Council approved increasing permissions for retail and services in neighbourhoods city-wide, so that the goods and services that residents need can be reached closer to home. The increased permission for retail and services are being advanced primarily on two types of street designations – ‘Major Streets’ and ‘Community Streets’.

The staff report on this item proposed increased permissions on Major Streets (where Council adopted permissions for apartment buildings up to six storeys and townhouses in June 2024), to allow a range of options mostly on the ground floor, including small stores, cafes, medical offices, after-school programs, cleaners, barbers and professional offices. More impactful uses are not permitted, for example: vehicle repair, animal shelter, payday loan, warehouse, and club.

City Council voted to adopt these staff recommendations with amendments that account for ward-specific considerations, resulting in the increased permissions being implemented on Major Streets in all 25 wards across Toronto.

To be permitted on Major Streets (ground floor only):

Retail: All retail uses. This could include grocery/convenience stores, clothing, furniture, second-hand shops, among others.
Dining: Cafés, restaurants (sit-down or take-out), licensed bars with patios.
Personal & Pet Services: Examples include hair/nail salons, barbers, tattoo parlours, dry cleaners, pet grooming.
Arts & Cultural: Music, dance, theatre, artist studios, art galleries.
Recreation Uses: Examples include fitness clubs, bowling alleys, billiard halls, indoor rinks.
Workshops: Custom, repair, or refurbishing shops, etc.

To be permitted on Major Streets (ground and second floors):

Professional/Office: Medical, real estate, accounting, legal.
Health/Other: Massage and wellness therapy, education, religious education.

The staff report also proposed permitting small-scale retail stores in neighbourhood interiors at properties adjacent to parks, schools, and existing commercial sites, as well as on corner lots on Community Streets. This includes option for stores to include ancillary eating or takeout eating service, allowing for the establishment of small, low impact neighbourhood cafés which serve beverages and food items prepared off-site.

Community Streets are generally those that are identified within the city’s Road Classification Map as Collectors or Minor Arterials and are not major streets. These streets are more likely to have sidewalks on both sides of the street, are more likely to have bicycle infrastructure and public transit service, and are typically through-streets that connect to nearby major streets making them the primary pedestrian corridors with easy access to/from other neighbourhood streets. A ward-specific collection of maps demonstrating the location of Community Streets can be reviewed here: Attachment 2: Neighbourhood Interiors Zoning By-law Amendment.

Thanks to a successful amendment championed by Mayor Chow, City Council voted to move forward on adopting these permissions for neighbourhood interior small-scale retail in Toronto and East York District (which includes our Ward 4), while allowing for other wards to opt-in by request in the future. I encourage you to review the full item here.

The progress on this item is a significant advancement of our City’s goal to develop more complete and walkable communities city-wide, and demonstrates that when we engage respectfully and collaboratively in dialogue with one another, we can forge paths that all of Toronto can move forward on together.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

Winter Recreation Activities Registration Opening Soon
City of Toronto Winter Services Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness

Ward 4 news

Swansea Mews Community Meeting - November 20
Bloor West Village Avenue Study
TTC Closures: Kipling to Jane stations
Dundas Street West Closure between Gilmour and Runnymede
1266 Queen Street West (Queen & Dufferin) at the Toronto Preservation Board
Baby Point Gates BIA Winter Event - Nov 22
Live in the Library - Adam Solomon at the Parkdale Library - November 28 - 7 pm
Window Wonderland Transforms the Junction into a Free Outdoor Art Gallery

November 6, 2025

Friends,

I am grateful to the groundswell of Toronto residents who are organizing to protect renters’ rights in our province. As you may have heard, changes to the Residential Tenancies Act are being proposed through the provincial government’s Bill 60 that would make it easier to unfairly evict renters.

Thanks to the rapid mobilization of residents who are voicing their disapproval, the provincial government has walked back their proposals to change security of tenure and rent control. However, there remain numerous proposed cuts to renters’ rights that are alarming. If passed, Bill 60 would:

Block renters from introducing any new evidence and issues to support their cases at Landlord Tenant Board hearings.
Deny renters the ability to challenge “voluntary evictions” when they have been pressured or misled into signing an N11.
Cut in half the time available for renters to appeal unfair decisions at the Landlord Tenant Board to just 15 days.
Eliminate the requirement for landlords to provide 1 month’s rent as compensation to renters when being evicted for “personal use” through an N12. Often, renters rely on this compensation to help them move or find a new home.
Make it easier for landlords to evict renters by cutting notice periods in half, cutting the options for requesting an eviction be postponed, and hiring more enforcement officers to forcibly remove renters from their homes.

We heard from numerous residents deputing at Executive Committee this week, who shared their experiences of being evicted, and made clear how the rights that are still under attack are vital to safeguarding renters from bad faith evictions and ensuring that evicted renters can stay housed.

Fifty percent of Torontonians rent their homes. They have the right to feel secure, without fear of baseless evictions or needlessly paying more of their hard-earned income towards rent.

I was pleased to join Mayor Chow and colleagues at Executive Committee in unanimously adopting recommendations that respond to the concerns we heard from Torontonians, advocating for all orders of government to protect instead of dismantling renters’ rights and to adequately invest in building the housing supply that Toronto deserves.

I look forward to continuing our City’s advocacy on this issue when the impacts of Bill 60 and the Annual Progress Report – HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan is considered at City Council next week. I encourage you to review and follow the Council discussion here: City Council - Meeting 34 - TMMIS

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

Committee of Adjustment Drop-in Information Session - Nov 26

Ward 4 news

Dufferin Street - RapidTO Installation Begins
Subway Closure Update Kipling to Islington Subway Station
Sunnyside Historical Society Strory-telling event - Nov 19

October 30, 2025

Friends,

We are seeing the City’s new role as a public builder pay off. Today at Planning and Housing Committee, City staff presented the City’s annual report on the City’s Housing Action Plan for 2020 - 2030, reporting significant progress on all five pillars of the City’s housing priorities. Key highlights from the report include:

Creating New Homes - Approved a record of 6,366 new rent-controlled homes in 2024, achieving 46% of the City’s overall target of 65,000 approved rent-controlled homes by 2030
Protecting and preserving existing homes - Secured more than 700 permanent affordable homes through the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition (MURA) Program
Supporting renters and improving housing stability - Adopted the Rental Renovation Licence By-law, which came into effect in 2025, to protect renters from bad faith renovation-related evictions, or “renovictions”
Prioritizing diverse housing needs - Supported more than 4,600 people experiencing homelessness to move into permanent homes through initiatives like Rapid Rehousing Initiative and Priority Access to Housing and Supports (PATHS)
Transforming housing policies - Adopted Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments to permit townhouses and small-scale apartment buildings on lots designated as Neighbourhoods and abutting a major street, which is projected to create 41,083 new homes by 2051.

These interventions along with targeted incentives by the City are helping to steer developers towards building the affordable rental units residents need to live in Toronto.

Whereas projects that rely on the private market alone have stalled, the City’s Public Developer housing projects are moving forward to deliver rent-controlled homes. This is demonstrated by the fact that in the first eight months of 2025, City-led and City-supported projects account for 65% of all housing starts achieved this year.

The staff report makes clear that while the City has successfully modelled how government action can bolster the supply of new homes, these solutions need to be supported through adequate investment from other orders of government to meet the scale of our present housing crisis. I will continue to use my voice and vote on Council to support the growth of affordable rental housing options in our city.

Sincerely,

In This Week's Newsletter

City-Wide News

Vacant Home Tax Declaration Period Opens Nov 3
Inclusionary Zoning Updates Virtual Information Session
Gardiner Closure Saturday Night

Ward 4 news

King St W & Dufferin St TTC Track Renewal Completed
Baird Park Playground Improvements – Online Survey
High Park Station - Easier Access Project Construction Notice
Reminder: 3286-3316 Dundas St West (Runnymede and Dundas) Community Consultation Meeting on Nov 6

Oct 9, 2025

In This Week's Newsletter

City-wide News

Ward 4 news

Latest posts

November 13, 2025

In This Week's Newsletter

November 6, 2025

In This Week's Newsletter

October 30, 2025

In This Week's Newsletter

Take action

Connect with Gord

About

Information

Ward 4

City Hall