Community Newsletter: August 11, 2023

August 11th, 2023 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

Neighbour --

I want to acknowledge the serious events in Earlscourt Park last weekend. I know that this has been a difficult time for many in our community. My sympathies and best wishes for a swift recovery are with those who were injured.

After learning about the violence on Saturday morning, my team and I were on-site at the park and in regular communication with community leaders, City staff and police. We shared regular updates with the community via social media. Mayor Olivia Chow also shared a statement. I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped with the response.

On Saturday evening, the City of Toronto revoked the festival’s permit in Earlscourt Park for the remaining two scheduled days. While the decision regarding park permits is up to City staff, my understanding is that the permit was revoked due to serious public safety concerns.

After Saturday’s incident, it was very upsetting to learn that on Sunday, a man was struck by a police cruiser in Earlscourt Park and was taken to the hospital to receive treatment. I hope for the individual’s speedy recovery, and understand that the incident is now under investigation by the Special Investigations Unit.

Our local parks should be a place where everyone feels safe and welcome. After these incidents, my team and I are working with City staff, members of our community, and community safety partners to ensure that our parks are protected and that the rights of all park users are upheld.

On Wednesday, I was heartened to see so many neighbours and community members at our community movie night in Earlscourt Park. While the screening of the Super Mario Bros Movie was very fun, the event was also a reminder that when we come together in difficult times, we are stronger. Thanks to everyone who came to join us, to TCEU Local 416 for helping us make it possible, and to the Community Crisis Response Team for coming to share well-being resources.

At City Hall, the Striking Committee and City Council met this week to discuss new appointments for Councillors. I was happy to serve as Vice-Chair of the Striking Committee to help Mayor Olivia Chow and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik build a strong new team that will be getting to work on our city’s priorities. You can learn more about my new roles and responsibilities below.

You can find local updates, construction notices, and more below.

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor • Ward 9 • Davenport
Chair, Economic & Community Development Committee

In this edition

My New Committee and Board Appointments
TTC Summer Student Cleaning Initiative
Expanding Eligibility for Fair Pass Transit Discount Program
Debit & Credit Payments coming to TTC!
Cultural Hotspot in Little Jamaica
Alcohol in Parks Pilot Survey
Back to School: Get up-to-date on routine immunizations!
Personal Care Bank in Oakwood Village
Construction Notices
- Watermain Replacement, Sanitary Sewer Replacement and Road Reconstruction on Shirley Street from St Clarens Ave to Brock Ave
- Fairbank-Silverthorn Storm Trunk Sewer System Construction at Dufferin St/Rowan Ave
- Road Reconstruction on Peel Ave & Gladstone Ave from Dufferin St to Queen St W
- GO Expansion: Bloor Street West Rail Bridge Shift
- GO Expansion: Dupont Bridge Rehabilitation
- GO Expansion: Davenport Storm Connection
- Toronto Hydro: Overhead/Underground Civil/Electrical Work on Randolph Ave
In the community
Other updates

My New Committee and Board Appointments

This week, Council met for a special meeting to approve new appointments for City Councillors. I'm honoured to share that I'll be taking on a new role as Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee. This Committee handles key issues that impact all Torontonians, and I'm looking forward to working to improve public services, support tenants and people who are unhoused in our city, push for good local jobs, and foster opportunities for community growth and development.

As a Committee Chair, I'll also be sitting on the Executive Committee. I'm looking forward to bringing my passion for languages and the arts to my new roles as Chair of the Toronto Francophone Affairs Advisory Committee, and a member of the Toronto Arts Council. I will also continue to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board of Health, where I will continue to push for real action on the social determinants of health and inequities in our city.

While these Committees handle matters that impact people and neighbourhoods all across our city, I'll also be participating on the Toronto and East York Community Council, as well as the McCormick Arena Board and all Business Improvement Areas in our community. I'm excited about these new opportunities to serve our city, while my team and I continue to advocate for Davenport and for all of the residents of our community.

TTC Summer Student Cleaning Initiative

For the second year in a row, transit riders may notice students working at their local subway stations as part of TTC’s Summer Student Cleaning Initiative; a program aimed at enhancing the cleanliness of stations across the network.

Over 100 students are working through the summer to help ensure transit customers experience clean and safe stations. Since the start of the program in May, over 50 stations have been completed, with the balance planned over the summer.

Overall, the Summer Student Cleaning Initiative is making a difference in creating cleaner and safer subway stations, providing employment opportunities for youth, and positively impacting the overall transit experience for customers.

Today, I had a chance to meet with students assigned to Dufferin Station. Also, check out this Twitter link that provides a snapshot of their efforts.

Expanding Eligibility for Fair Pass Transit Discount Program

Fair Pass provides a 12-month discount on Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) travel, including Wheel-Trans. Currently, the program provides a 36 percent discount on single adult fares (a single adult fare under Fair Pass is $2.10) and a 21 percent discount on monthly passes (an adult monthly pass under Fair Pass is $123.25) by adding a discount code to the rider’s PRESTO card.

The latest expansion marks the beginning of the third phase of the program, whereby any Toronto resident (aged 20 to 64) who meets the program’s low-income threshold can receive the discount. Based on the latest thresholds, a single individual with an after-tax income below $20,514 or a family of four with an income below $41,028 would be eligible for the discount.

Fair Pass applicants who receive assistance through Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or a Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy can continue to provide their program identification number when applying. All other applicants will provide income documents to assess their financial eligibility.

Residents can apply for the Fair Pass Program online at toronto.ca/transitdiscount or over the phone by calling 416-338-8888.

Debit & Credit Payments coming to TTC!

Starting Tuesday, August 15, transit riders can use credit or debit cards to pay fares, including cards on a smartphone or smartwatch.

The launch of credit and debit payment on the TTC follows the successful introduction of more payment options across many local transit systems in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Areas. In addition to the TTC, riders can also use credit or debit to pay fares on GO Transit, UP Express, Brampton Transit, Burlington Transit, Durham Region Transit, Hamilton Street Railway, MiWay (in Mississauga), Oakville Transit and York Region Transit.

“Giving people the option of paying with their debit or credit cards makes it easier for people to choose the TTC to get to work, school or anywhere else. As a transit rider, I’m pleased to have new options for paying my fare quickly and conveniently. As Mayor, I am committed to making the TTC more reliable and convenient for everyone, and today’s announcement is an exciting step in the right direction.”
- Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto

Cultural Hotspot in Little Jamaica

The City of Toronto’s Cultural Hotspot program returns to the vibrant Little Jamaica neighbourhood, shining a spotlight on the community with 15 new art projects and events from now until October.

This is the first year that Cultural Hotspot has focused programming and events exclusively on Little Jamaica and is helping to support and deliver 43 mentorship and 35 employment opportunities for youth in Little Jamaica.

The 2023 Cultural Hotspot program features eight Signature and sevenSPARK projects led by community-engaged artists and organizations with support from the City. All Signature projects feature youth employment or mentorship, focusing on youth from equity-deserving communities. SPARK project applicants receive funds to support youth job placements and mentorship initiatives.

All public programming is free to attend and takes place in the area bounded by Castlefield Avenue to the north, Rogers Road to the south, Marlee Avenue to the east and Keele Street to the west.

Alcohol in Parks Pilot Survey

The City of Toronto's Alcohol in Parks Pilot is now ongoing. In Davenport, the following four parks are participating:

Dufferin Grove Park
Dovercourt Park
Campbell Avenue Park
Earlscourt Park

The City of Toronto is accepting feedback on the pilot and your park experience. The survey closes on Monday, October 16, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Take the survey

Back to school: Get up-to-date on routine immunizations!

If your child is missing any required vaccinations, you can get them at your doctor's office or a City-run vaccination clinic: A list of City-run vaccination clinics is available on the City’s Immunization Clinic webpage.

You can book an appointment at www.TPHBookings.ca. Appointments are preferred, although walk-ins will be accommodated based on capacity.

Parents and caregivers of Toronto school-aged children who are not vaccinated by Toronto Public Health need to provide their child’s vaccination information to Toronto Public Health. If your child has already received these vaccines, please report it to Toronto Public Health on the City’s Immunization Connect webpage.

Personal Care Bank in Oakwood Village

Our Davenport community continues to look out for one another, with another example coming in the form of the Personal Care Bank located inside Sage & Thistle Handmade Goods at 2A Rogers Road.

Members of our community are invited to take what they need and donate unused personal care items like toothpaste, menstrual products, soap & more.

Construction Notices

Click on the preview images to read the full notice!

In the community

I was so glad to visit with the team from Theatre Direct and Balancing Act! We discussed their upcoming programming and how we can better support the arts in Toronto.

Solidarity with Unifor Local 414 and gratitude to these brave Metro workers who continue to strike for better wages and good, secure jobs. I was happy to join the Justice for Workers solitary rally last week to show my support.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our community movie night on Wednesday in Earlscourt Park!