Community Newsletter: November 26, 2023

Neighbour --

On Wednesday, over 120 people joined our community meeting to discuss the upcoming City budget and our ward's local priorities for building the city we want. We had thoughtful discussions about the services which matter to us, Toronto’s fiscal reality, and the need for a New Deal with the provincial and federal governments.

When the proposed budget is presented in early January, we’ll reconvene as a community to discuss further and I hope you’ll join us. 

On Thursday, I was glad to join Uma Nota Culture on Geary Avenue to announce a new investment in Toronto’s Main Street Rebuild and Recovery Initiative, with $3.3M in new grants available for Business Improvement Areas, not-for-profits, and local businesses to support building strong local economies across our city.

As part of this new round of MRRI funding, $1.9M will be dedicated to the Mainstreet Innovation Fund, which has supported projects like Uma Nota Culture’s Art Vessel, and the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Grant, which has supported projects to lessen the impact of new major transit projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. $1.4M will support renovations and improvements to reanimate storefronts in neighbourhoods through the Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program. 

Following the motion passed by City Council at our most recent meeting, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillors have sent a letter to Minister Bill Blair and Minister Harjit Sajjan to open the federal armouries as emergency indoor shelter. We continue to have an immense amount of people seeking indoor shelter with a shelter system that is over capacity. Many looking for shelter are refugee claimants and the federal government needs to step up to their responsibilities. 

Below, I have included local updates and more.

Sincerely,

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

In this edition

• Davenport Budget Survey
• Opening Celebration: New Playground at Perth Square Park
• Make Your Vacant Home Tax Declaration
• Get Involved: New Park at 70 Croatia Street
• Winter recreation & March Break program listings now online
• Outdoor ice rinks are open!
• Madison Community Services Town Hall: 118 Havelock Street
• Older Adults Christmas Lunch at Joseph J Piccininni CRC
• 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan
• New EV Charging at 91 Via Italia
• In the community
• Other updates

Davenport Budget Survey

The City Budget sets the service levels and priorities for City services, programs and infrastructure. This is a key time to make your voice heard and fight for our collective vision of the City we want. Your feedback is a crucial part of the budget, whether that's by making a written submission, completing our Davenport Budget Survey, or appearing in front of the Budget Committee to make a presentation. 

I've opened my 2024 Davenport Budget Survey to hear from you. Take a few minutes to let me know what you think!

Opening Celebration: New Playground at Perth Square Park

We're celebrating the opening of the newly upgraded playground at Perth Square Park! Join us Saturday December 2nd at 11am to check out the new play structure and enjoy some refreshments. 

Celebrate the New Playground at Perth Square Park!

Perth Square Park - 350 Perth Ave
December 2, 2023
11:00AM

Make Your Vacant Home Tax Declaration

Property owners can now declare the 2023 occupancy status of your residential property. The deadline to declare is February 29, 2024.

Owners of properties in Toronto that are classified within the residential property tax class are required to declare the occupancy status of their property every year, even if they live there.

If you do not complete the declaration, your property will be assessed as vacant and the Vacant Home Tax will apply.

You can learn more about exemptions to the tax, how it is calculated, and more information here. 

Get Involved: New Park at 70 Croatia Street

A new 3,580m² park, about the size of a baseball field, is coming to 70 Croatia St. as a result of a broader residential development project at Bloor Street West and Dufferin Street. The park design will be determined through a community engagement process.

Participate in the Online Thought Exchange 

You can complete the online engagement activity from Friday, November 17, 2023 to Sunday, December 10, 2023 here. 

A pesquisa está disponível em português. 

Apply to Join the Community Advisory Committee 

The Community Advisory Committee will meet at each project phase to review the project progress and provide input. The Committee will reflect the diverse community surrounding the park. If you are interested in being involved, apply on the project website! 

Apply to Join the Indigenous Advisory Circle 

We invite community members who identify as Indigenous to Canada to apply to jointhe Indigenous Advisory Circle for the new park. The Indigenous Advisory Circle will work with the project team to provide helpful insight and feedback for the park design. 

Attend the Online Visioning Workshop 

Join the online visioning workshop on Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm - 8:00 pm to help shape the vision for the park.  

Winter recreation & March Break program listings now online

The City of Toronto reminds residents planning to register for 2024 winter recreation and March Break programs that program listings are now available online.

More than 13,000 registered courses with approximately 133,500 spaces, as well as more than 2,900 drop-in programs, will be offered including arts, fitness and wellness, general interest, skating, skiing, snowboarding, sports and swimming. The City is the largest provider of recreation programs for people of all ages, skill levels and interests.

Registration begins for winter recreation programs and March Break camps:

• Tuesday, December 5: For facilities in Etobicoke York (including York South-Weston) and Toronto East York districts
• Wednesday, December 6: For facilities in North York and Scarborough districts

Programs start in January 2024, and March Break CampTO runs from March 11 to 15, 2024.

Outdoor ice rinks are opening!

Madison Community Services Town Hall: 118 Havelock St

Madison Community Services is hosting a community meeting about their important affordable housing project at 118 Havelock St for interested neighbours to learn more and share feedback. The project will add 12 new affordable units to the existing building.

The meeting is on Monday, November 27 at 6:00 PM at Mary McCormick Recreation Centre (66 Sheridan Ave). I will be in attendance.

2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan

As part of the City’s ongoing work to build upon the Cycling Network Plan, it’s time to prioritize the next three years of bikeway projects to study, build and upgrade. Public engagement for the Cycling Network 2025-2027 is happening this fall in advance of the report to Council in 2024.  

Share your priorities for the 2025-2027 Cycling Network Plan by completing the online survey or attending a meeting. 

New EV Charging at 91 Via Italia

Toronto Parking Authority  is pleased to announce the installation of twelve L2 Electric Vehicle chargers in Car Park 42 located at 91 Via Italia. This above-grade garage car park facility contains 169 parking spaces and can be accessed off Via Italia. The operation of the 12 EV chargers in Car Park 42 will commence at 12:00 PM on December 5, 2023.

Older Adults Christmas Lunch at Joseph J Piccininni CRC

In the community

It was great to have folks join us at New Horizons Tower for our Pre-Budget Meeting. Thanks to all those who came and participated. 

I was joined by Kristyn Gelfand from Uma Nota Culture and Councillor Shelley Carroll at this week's announcement of new funding for the Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative. 

I was glad to visit MOCA Toronto to speak with Executive Director & CEO Kathleen Bartels and Board Chair Brad Keast about how we can continue to strengthen the arts sector.

I also had the chance to visit the Ontario Food Terminal discuss our food system and sustaining a strong local economy. The Ontario Food Terminal creates good local jobs for many people who live in Davenport and ensures stability for fruit and vegetable supply. It’s a key part of our jobs-belt, which we must continue to protect.

Other updates

• City of Toronto announces lineup for Cavalcade of Lights and heralds in the holiday season with arrival of the Nathan Phillips Square Christmas tree
• City of Toronto issues fourth social bond
• City of Toronto invites residents to participate in one of 16 consultations on the 2024 Budget and Toronto’s future
• City of Toronto releases new strategy focused on mental health and substance use
• City of Toronto to implement lane restrictions southbound on University Avenue between College Street and Queen Street West for infrastructure upgrades
• Toronto Fire Services celebrate graduation of 51 new Operations Firefighters