City-Wide News
RentSafeTO: Information Kiosks for Colour-Coded Signage
Throughout the month of May, RentSafeTO staff will be visiting libraries and community centres across the city to connect with residents and share information about upcoming program changes.
These pop up information kiosks will give tenants and community members an opportunity to learn about the new colour coded signage that will be introduced in June 2026 to all RentSafeTO apartment buildings in the City. S
Community members are encouraged to stop by, ask questions, view the sample signs, and learn more about the RentSafeTO program and the City’s ongoing efforts to improve building maintenance conditions across Toronto. 
Increase in basement flooding subsidies starting May 1
The City of Toronto is launching its most comprehensive Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, effective Friday, May 1. The expanded program now almost doubles the financial support available to help homeowners prevent basement flooding.
The expanded program is part of the City’s broader efforts to make life more affordable for Torontonians by helping residents avoid costly damage from increasingly severe weather, while supporting practical home upgrades that provide short and long-term savings.
Eligible residential property owners can now access an increase to the maximum subsidy per property from up to $3,400 to a maximum of $6,650 which includes:
- a 28 per cent increase to backwater valve and sump pump subsidy amounts to reflect inflation and market costs
- a new Home Plumbing Assessment subsidy to help identify internal plumbing issues that contribute to basement flooding
- eligibility for a second backwater valve subsidy for homes with multiple sewer connections
- a $300 subsidy for sump pump battery backup systems including retrofits
- an extension of the application period from one to two years after eligible work is completed
- eligible homeowners who completed work on or after November 12, 2025, can apply for the enhanced program subsidies
The revised program follows severe rainfall events in 2024 that led to basement flooding in more than 1,000 homes. The City reviewed the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program and asked residents what additional measures they would like to see to help reduce stormwater runoff and flooding risks.
Established in 2007, the program provides eligible residential property owners with subsidies to install flood protection measures that help prevent sewer backups and reduce basement flooding during severe storms. To date, the program has received approximately 59,000 applications and the City has issued approximately $86 million in subsidies, with about 14 per cent of Toronto’s eligible property owners participating.
Information about eligibility and how to apply is available at: toronto.ca/BFPsubsidy
For practical basement flooding prevention tips, visit: toronto.ca/how-to-prevent-basement-flooding.
Healthy Air at Home Webinar by Toronto Home Energy Network & Clean Indoor Air Toronto
Wildfire smoke has made a lot of Torontonians think differently about air quality. What's actually floating around — and what can you do about it? This webinar covers how to monitor and improve your home’s air quality, so you can make a healthier home for you and your family.
Registration Link:
See more and register here
Free Youth Training by FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Program
Through the support of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Legacy Program, the City is offering free training to young people aged 13 to 24 to get trained and certified as soccer coaches or officials.
This training helps youth build practical, job-ready skills and earn certifications that support pathways to paid employment in sport and recreation. They also develop leadership skills, confidence and work readiness. Spaces are limited.
Visit toronto.ca/YouthTraining to learn more and sign up.
Cherry Blossoms
Parks across the city have cherry blossom (Sakura) trees that will soon be in bloom. Typically lasting four to 10 days, the blossoms are expected to peak in early May, depending on weather. There are many locations to see blooms across the city, including at High Park. Learn more on the City’s Cherry Blossoms web page.
To manage the high volume of visitors to High Park during cherry blossom season, there will be no vehicle access (except for TTC) or parking inside High Park beginning Friday, May 1 for the duration of peak bloom.
Ward 4 news
Dunn House Phase 2 (78 Springhurst Ave & 1-3 Close Ave) Community Consultation Meeting
The City is building 54 supportive homes at 1-3 Close Ave & 78 Springhurst Ave. Modelled after Dunn House, Canada’s first-ever social medicine supportive housing initiative, Dunn House 2 will be delivered in partnership with the University Health Network (UHN) and the Government of Ontario. It is moving forward as a Toronto Builds public developer project and will be delivered by CreateTO on behalf of the City.
City Planning have scheduled an in-person Community Consultation Meeting for the evening of Wednesday, May 6th. Councillor Perks, City Planning staff, and CreateTO will be present to hear comments and questions about planning aspects and built form.
Information related to this development is available for your review under 'supporting Documents' on the City's Application Information Centre.
Date: Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre (Gymnasium), 220 Cowan Ave
1497-1501 Queen St W & 89-91 Beaty Ave
The City has received a Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application to develop a 10- and 7-storey mixed use building consisting of 141 affordable rental units, including 50 rental replacement units. The development consists of 8,341 square metres of GFA and retains the historic façade of the existing buildings of 1497 and 1501 Queen Street West. The development will contain community and office spaces, 5 vehicular parking spaces and 157 bike parking spaces.
City Planning staff are in the process of beginning a review of this application and have scheduled an in-person Community Consultation Meeting for the evening of Wednesday, May 13th. Councillor Perks, City Planning staff, and the applicant will be present to hear comments and answer questions.
Information related to this development is available for your review under 'supporting Documents' on the City's Application Information Centre.
Date: Wednesday, May 13th, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre (Gymnasium), 220 Cowan Ave
26 - 36 Mountview Ave & 21 - 29 Oakmount Rd OLT Appeal
The owners of this site previously submitted an application to the City for a combined Official Plan and Zoning amendment for two residential buildings (41-storey and 39-storey). The proposed development contemplates a total of 873 residential units.
A community consultation meeting was held on December 1st, 2025. While the City’s Planning staff had been continuing their review and analysis of the proposal, outstanding issues could not be resolved within the Provincially-legislated timeline for decision of 90 days. Details of the application can be found here.
The applicant has thus decided to appeal the City’s refusal decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Details on this case will be found here, once available: Case Status.
A notice was sent to interested parties outlining how to remain involved, a portion of which I will include below. If you would like further information on the appeal, please use the Case Status link above. Once the appeal is listed on the OLT website there will be a Case Coordinator assigned who will be able to answer further questions.
If you wish to participate in the hearing, instructions on how to do so available here: Video to help navigate the Tribunal Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Requesting Party or Participant Status | Ontario Land Tribunal.
I note this pertinent section:
Persons who are granted party status may participate fully in the proceeding (see Rule 8). Persons who are granted participant status may only participate in writing by way of a participant statement. This statement is expected to be provided 10 days advance of the Case Management Conference as part of the status request and sets out their position in the matter (see Rule 7.7). Only persons who are granted party or participant status by the Tribunal at the CMC are permitted to participate in any further hearing event that is convened by the Tribunal for this appeal.
If you wish to be a party it requires the hiring of a Planning Lawyer who will be able to make planning law-based arguments on why this request should not be granted. If you wish to request participant status, this will allow you to write in to the Tribunal and voice your opinion.
The City will have a lawyer at the Tribunal to defend its refusal decision.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to our office at [email protected].
Update on 2461-2475 Dundas St W: Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions
On Wednesday, April 22nd, Toronto City Council reviewed CC40.6 - 2461 to 2475 Dundas Street West - Ontario Land Tribunal Hearing - Request for Directions: Agenda Item History - 2026.CC40.6.
The application for rezoning of 2461-2475 Dundas St W was originally submitted to the City in July 2024 proposing an 29-storey mixed use building with 288 residential units (including 9 rental replacement units) and 360 square metres of commercial retail space at grade, including 328 bike parking spaces and 38 vehicle parking spaces. Further details on the proposal can be found on the City’s Application Information website here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/application-details/?id=5482390&pid=148578&title=2461---2475-DUNDAS-ST-W.
The applicant appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) on December 4th, 2024. Information on the OLT case, including dates of Case Management Conferences can be found here: Case Information.
The City Solicitor brought a Request for Further Direction Report to the April 22nd City Council Meeting for the purpose of requesting instructions for the upcoming OLT hearing. City Council adopted the recommendations contained in a Confidential Attachment and authorized the public release of specific confidential recommendations. Details of the settlement offer can be found here: Agenda Item History - 2026.CC40.6.
My office will share the outcome of this item and all updates as available.
City Council can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive.
TTC Transit Notice: 161, 168, and 989 Route Adjustments
The TTC is providing an update regarding transit service changes following the reopening of Photography Drive to vehicle traffic.
Effective Sunday, May 3, 2026, routes 161 Rogers Rd, 168 Symington, and 989 Weston Express will be adjusted to operate on Photography Drive.
These routes previously traveled via Black Creek Drive and Eglinton Avenue; they will now operate directly between Black Creek Drive and Photography Drive, reflecting the newly opened connection. As a result, service will be removed from Eglinton Avenue West between Photography Drive and Black Creek Drive, and from Black Creek Drive between Eglinton Avenue West and Photography Drive. This change provides more direct routing and aligns transit operations with the current roadway configuration.
Road Closure May 2nd Around Exhibition Place
Please see the below Road Closure Plan for Saturday May 02nd for Exhibition Place
Bloom by the Park by Bloor by the Park BIA
Step into sakura season with Bloor by the Park's 4th Annual 'BLOOM by the Park' Cherry Blossom Celebration! 🌸
Look for the Blossom Stops along Bloor St W between Dundas West & Keele to discover limited-time sakura specials, snap photos with your besties, and enjoy a leisurely stroll beneath whimsical lamp posts that glow as the sun sets.
Plus, mark your calendars! Bloor by the Park's FREE Mother's Day Giveaway returns on Saturday, May 9 from 11AM to 2PM at the corner of Bloor St W and Indian Rd. Join us for live music by Maywater, Spin to Win, free flowers and face painting!
Visit bloorbythepark.com for a full list of specials, planning your hanami, and more details.
Green Day at Swansea Town Hall
Join Green Day, a community environment day at Swansea Town Hall! The day will bring together families and community partners for a free, family-friendly event focused on environmental awareness.
🗓 Saturday, May 23
⏰ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
📍Swansea Town Hall
