Back-to-School Road Safety and Upcoming Community Engagement

Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful Labour Day weekend. As students return to class this week, I’m wishing all students and their families a great start to the school year.

The back-to-school season comes with a significant increase in road users across the city. With increased traffic volumes particularly during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, the City’s Vision Zero back to school road safety campaign is reminding all road users to stay alert, exercise caution and follow the rules of the road. I encourage you review safety reminders and more information on Vision Zero Road Safety initiatives on the City’s Back to School Road Safety webpage.

I want to remind residents that the City opens registration for fall recreation programs on Tuesday, September 10 for Etobicoke York and Toronto East York and on Wednesday, September 11 for North York and Scarborough. Residents of all ages and abilities can join a wide range of activities, from swimming and fitness classes to art workshops and cooking! Learn more about fall programs and registration information on the City’s Fall Recreation webpage. 

I also want to highlight that there are several community engagement opportunities taking place this month, including for the City’s new Renovictions Bylaw and for the High Park Movement Strategy. More information on these and other community engagement opportunities are included below. I encourage you to review these opportunities and get involved. Guided by your voice, experiences, and vision, we can build a Toronto that prioritizes the well-being and dignity of all its residents.

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

  • Have Your Say on Toronto's Renovictions Bylaw
  • Online Public Info Session on TRCA High Park Road Ecology Study
  • Every body is welcome with FitnessTO
  • Toronto residents can make a splash into September at outdoor pools
  • Free EV Charging Friday Sept 13
  • West Queen West Heritage Conservation District Community Consultation
  • Zoning By-law Parking Requirements Review
  • TTC Service Adjustments for TIFF
  • 2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications
  • 2112 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

Have your say on Toronto’s Renovictions Bylaw

There is a growing trend of renovictions in Toronto, where a landlord illegitimately evicts a tenant by alleging that tenants need to leave the unit for the landlord to undertake renovations or repairs. The City of Toronto is developing a new bylaw to prevent bad faith evictions and help maintain affordable homes for Toronto’s residents.

The City wants to hear from tenants, landlords, the organizations that support them and the public before finalizing the renovictions bylaw. This will help us protect tenants and make sure landlords understand how to follow the new rules. The City will report back with a proposed bylaw by October 30.

In addition to hosting six in-person open houses, there will be a virtual session on Monday, September 9 from 7 to 8:30pm. You can also share your insights and experiences by completing an online survey by September 30th.

Access the survey and find details about the drop-in sessions on the City’s Renovictions Bylaw Development webpage


Online Public Information Session on TRCA High Park Road Ecology Study

City of Toronto and TRCA staff will be in attendance to share an update on the road ecology study including scope, objectives, methodology and initial findings.

Implementation of a recreational cycling pilot recommended through the HPMS has been paused to allow further due diligence on potential impacts to wildlife. The City is partnering with TRCA to undertake a road ecology study within High Park to better understand existing conditions, potential risk factors to wildlife, and possible mitigation measures. The scope of this study has been informed by conversations with Turtle Protectors, the Indigenous community, and other stakeholder groups.


Every body is welcome with FitnessTO

Sign up for a FitnessTO membership this fall at a local City community centre! A FitnessTO all-access pass unlocks weight and cardio rooms, indoor pools and drop-in fitness classes at more than 40 locations across Toronto. Youth ages 13 to 18 and seniors 60 and up get 50 per cent off. Find more information on the City’s Fitness webpage. 


Toronto residents can make a splash into September at outdoor pools

Due to warmer than usual temperatures, the City will be keeping 10 pools and more than 140 splash and spray pads open into September to provide more options for residents and families to cool down. Pools with extended operations will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 7 p.m. on weekends until Sunday, September 22. The selected pools located across the city are: 

  • Alex Duff Outdoor Pool, 779 Crawford St.  
  • Donald D Summerville Outdoor Pool, 1867 Lake Shore Blvd. E.  
  • Alexandra Park, 275 Bathurst St. 
  • Riverdale Outdoor Pool, 550 Broadview Ave.  
  • Heron Park Community Centre, 292 Manse Rd.  
  • McGregor Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.  
  • Goulding Park Community Centre, 45 Goulding Ave.  
  • Broadlands Community Centre, 19 Castlegrove Blvd.  
  • Pine Point Arena, 15 Grierson Rd.  
  • West Mall Outdoor Pool, 370 The West Mall. 

All other City-owned and operated pools, including wading pools, closed Sunday, September 1. The City’s more than 140 splash and spray pads will continue to operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday, September 15. Woodbine Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, Cherry Beach and Sunnyside Beach will have extended supervised swim zones from Tuesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 8, with lifeguards on duty between 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Find more information on the City’s Swimming & Water Play webpage. 


Free EV Charging Friday, Sept 13

The Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) is proud to play a leadership role in delivering public EV charging services to our customers and helping to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. The TPA will be hosting their first ever #FreeEVCharging Day on Friday, September 13 across the City of Toronto.

As part of this initiative, all Level 2 and Level 3 EV charging stations across the city (407 in total) will offer free EV charging for the entire day, starting at 12:00 AM on September 13, and until 11:59 PM. Parking rates will remain applicable.

Customers can visit greenp.com/FREE to find the best location for them.


West Queen West Heritage Conservation District Community Consultation

The City will host the fourth Community Consultation Meeting on the proposed West Queen West HCD Plan on September 10, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm at The Theatre Centre (1115 Queen Street West).

For more information, visit Meetings & Events: West Queen West HCD Plan or contact Heritage Planning staff.

Note: This event takes place east of Ward 4. The Parkdale piece of this plan is already complete. Learn more here.


Zoning By-law Parking Requirements Review – Public Meetings

New developments in Toronto are required to provide automobile and bicycle parking based on standards in zoning by-laws. The City of Toronto is currently reviewing the accessible parking and bicycle parking standards in the city-wide Zoning By-law (569-2013), as a continuation of the work reported to Planning and Housing Committee on December 15, 2021 (https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2021.PH29.3).

This review responds to an increasing demand for bicycle parking, growing interest in the impact of parking supply on housing affordability and travel behaviour, and the importance of providing appropriate accessible parking spaces.

In November 2023, the City hosted a series of public meetings and launched a survey to collect feedback on initial directions. Based on the feedback collected from the meetings and surveys, a draft proposal was developed for amending the zoning by-law standards of accessible parking and bicycle parking.

Next month the City will be holding a series of online meetings to present the draft proposal of updated accessible parking and bicycle parking requirements as well as to report the preliminary findings on the impacts of new auto parking-related standards. The consultations with interested parties and the public will inform the final recommendations. Both scheduled meetings on each of the two topics will cover the same content. Please register for an upcoming public meeting:

Accessible Parking:

Tuesday, Sept 17 - 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:

https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r4b8cc1e5b5ebeea64a65a271afe589b6

Wednesday, Sept 18 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r04e2a8580edf29828076b6429d72aae8

Bicycle Parking:

Tuesday, Sept 17 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:

https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r4f0ed2daa183737a6fe154e4ceed8ca0

Wednesday, Sept 18- 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.:

https://toronto.webex.com/weblink/register/r26b75f1250e525375344474f41e62af5

Consultation materials will be added to the website prior to the meetings.

Visit www.toronto.ca/parkingreview to learn more or sign up for updates.


TTC Service Adjustments for TIFF Begin Thursday, Sept 5

The annual TIFF film festival is starting today. Please see the diversion map and details here.


2461-2475 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

On July 30th 2024, an application was submitted for 2461-2475 Dundas St W which proposes a 29-storey mixed use building. The application proposes 360 square metres of ground floor retail and 288 dwelling units (including 9 rental replacement units), with 260 bike parking spaces and 38 vehicle parking spaces.

This application is still being considered by City Planning staff.

A Community Consultation Meeting is currently being scheduled for September. Details for this meeting will be shared with the community when available.

More information on the application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5482273&pid=148578.


2112 Dundas St W - Zoning By-law Amendment Applications

On August 20th 2024, a complete application was submitted for 2112 Dundas St W which proposes a 10-storey mixed use building. The application proposes 3 ground floor commercial units and 52 residential units intended for rental tenure, with 47 bike parking spaces and 3 visitor vehicle parking spaces.

This application is still being considered by City Planning staff.

A Community Consultation Meeting is currently being scheduled for September. Details for this meeting will be shared with the community when available.

More information on the application can be found on the City’s Application Information Centre website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5481364&pid=161633.


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Friends,

I am happy to share that in partnership with Toronto Hydro, the City has launched a Furnace Upgrade Program to support homes in switching their aging furnaces to electric heat pumps.

As part of the City of Toronto’s BetterHomesTO initiative, this program helps homes become more energy efficient and comfortable. Electric heat pumps can provide a cleaner home heating solution, helping residents save on energy bills, lower greenhouse gas emissions at home, and have improved indoor comfort year-round. Electric heat pumps can also provide cooling benefits during warmer seasons. 

A key feature of the new program is that residents can now access free energy coaching services to help them navigate what programs, services and offers are available to them, including grants provided by other orders of government. This includes guidance on heating and cooling technology options and access to qualified contractors, service providers and professionals through Toronto Hydro’s Cleantech Services Directory: www.torontohydro.com/cleantech-services-directory.

The City also offers low-interest loans through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) to make new equipment more affordable. In 2026, the BetterHomesTO Furnace Upgrade Program will further expand to include heat pump installation services, and targeted incentives for low-to-moderate-income households. 

I know many residents are eager to contribute to Toronto’s goal of Net Zero by 2040, and I’m glad that our City is investing in making the switch to electric heat pumps easier. As greenhouse gas emissions from buildings account for more than 56 per cent of total citywide emissions, working together to support our neighbourhood homes in making the switch to electric heat pumps is a great place to focus.

I encourage you to connect with neighbours and community groups like Toronto Climate Action Network, on accessing BetterHomesTO resources and advancing energy retrofit projects in our communities.

 

Sincerely,


In This Week's Newsletter

City-wide news 

  • Home Energy Loan Program Information Webinar

Ward 4 news

  • TTC King/Dufferin Streetcar Track Replacement

  • #ExperienceTO historical tours

  • Live in the Library - Berkay Atalay

  • Overcomers United Spanish Lessons

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

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

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