Community Newsletter: April 28, 2023

Neighbour --

Here’s a couple key items from committees who met to discuss reports and items in advance of the next City Council meeting:

At General Government Committee, we discussed a report from staff regarding a land swap with the province for city-owned lands at Ontario Place. These lands are key for the provincial government’s plans to redevelop Ontario Place. I believe making this decision would be premature. The committee, of which I am part, decided to stop an immediate land swap and to continue the planning process for Torontonians to make their voice heard. 

At Economic & Community Development Committee, the review of policies and procedures related to warming centres was discussed. The report recommends a new threshold for the activation of warming centres: -5ºc or an extreme weather alert from Environment Canada, instead of -15ºc and other discretionary activations we saw this past winter. I asked questions to staff about the importance of low barrier, 24/7 access to safe indoor space, the health impacts of homelessness, and the functions of the warming centre model when compared to respite spaces. 

Below, I have included updates on our upcoming Community Environment Day, local projects, and more!

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor, Ward 9
Davenport

In this edition

• Community Environment Days
• Reminder: Davenport Compost Days
• We're hiring: Part-time Constituency Assistant
• PollinateTO Grants
• Review of Zoning Regulations for Outdoor Patios on Private Property
• Tomorrow: Toronto Cares Clothing & More Drive
• In the community
• Other updates

Community Environment Days

Our first Community Environment Day is coming up soon! This is an opportunity to properly dispose of electronic, hazardous, and other kinds of waste which you can't put at the curb. Donation will also be accepted for re-use. 

Community Environment Days is one of many ReduceWasteTO programs and initiatives supporting the City’s Long Term Waste Management Strategy. This program helps reduce the amount of reusable or recyclable waste going to landfill and allow for safe disposal of household hazardous waste.

May 7 // 10am - 2pm
Dufferin Mall, 900 Dufferin St.

Items for Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Pick up:

• Free bagged compost

Drop off for recycling or proper disposal:

• Electronic Waste
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Free secure document shredding will be available

Donate items for reuse:

• Sporting goods
• Books (excluding textbooks)
• Cameras, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays
• Dress-up clothing and costume jewelry
• Clothing, footwear, accessories, linens, etc.
• Small household items
• Musical instruments, board games
• Eyeglasses, walking aids, hearing aids, etc.
• Non-perishable food for donation

Please do not bring:

• construction waste
• air conditioners
• garbage and Blue Bin recycling
• wood
• cassette and videotapes
• commercial/industrial hazardous waste
• tires and scrap metal

Reminder: Davenport Compost Days

From the below start times until supplies run out, you will be able to come and pick up free loose leaf compost for your garden. Be sure to bring your own containers and shovels!

Members of the Ward 9 team will be on hand with information about municipal services, 'Slow Down' signs for your lawn, and more.

We're hiring: Part-time Constituency Assistant

We’re hiring for a part-time Constituency Assistant to join the Ward 9, Davenport team. 

We're looking for someone with excellent organizational and time management skills to support Davenport residents with a range of casework issues related to City services. To succeed in this job, you will need to be detail oriented, have excellent people skills, and work collaboratively with our team.

PollinateTO Grants

I'm happy to share 9 community groups and 27 pollinator gardens have been funded through PollinateTO grants. These grants will create 1,915m2 of habitat for pollinators. 

Dufferin Grove Park Garden Co-operative, Nairn Pollinators, Appleton Ave. Community Organization, The Theatre Centre, and Naadmaagit Ki are just a few of the approved organizations who will be bringing pollinator gardens to life in 2023. 

Not only will beautiful gardens be created—opportunities for workshops, tours, seed exchanges, Indigenous knowledge sharing, citizen science, interpretive art, newcomer education, and more will engage the community as part of these projects. 

Applications for the next round of PollinateTO grants will open in September 2023. You can learn more here. 

Review of Zoning Regulations for Outdoor Patios on Private Property

City Planning is gathering public input about potential changes to zoning regulations for outdoor patios on private property (these do not include CaféTO patios located on public property) and are encouraging residents to take part in the feedback survey by Friday, May 5.

More information about this review is available at Toronto.ca/PatioZoning.

Tomorrow: Toronto Cares Clothing & More Drive

In the community

Had the opportunity to check in with librarians at Perth/Dupont Library and discuss the valuable community space and programming they provide to our ward.

Interior construction starts later this year on the new 10,000 sq. ft. space at Dupont St. & Campbell Ave.

It was very meaningful to visit the Islamic Information and Dawah Centre in Bloordale last week and bring greetings to those gathered for Eid prayer.

Thanks to everyone who joined us to open our Community Office! It was great to see new and familiar faces from across our community.

Other updates

• City of Toronto takes action to reduce traffic congestion ahead of Metrolinx’s Ontario Line construction on Queen Street coming May 1
• Toronto Public Health investigating confirmed case of measles
• City of Toronto recommends Lillian Allen as Toronto’s new Poet Laureate
• Toronto Public Health marks World Immunization Week with “The Big Catch-Up”
• City of Toronto multiplex study report recommends policy and zoning changes to permit more housing options city-wide
• City of Toronto releases two reports detailing progress on ambitious TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy
• City of Toronto early opening of first seasonal washrooms and fountains in Toronto parks underway