Community Update: February 22, 2026

Last week we finalized the 2026 budget for Toronto. This year’s budget focused on ensuring affordability for people struggling with the high costs of living in our city, while continuing to invest in critical services like public transit, affordable housing, and supporting small businesses and community programs. Capital work, like maintaining roads and bridges and building new city infrastructure, is continuing to grow. 

At my community budget meeting earlier this month, one of the top priorities I heard from Davenport residents was affordable and reliable transit. For the third year in a row, this budget included a fare freeze for the TTC, and introduced fare capping which will help riders save after they reach a number of trips per month. The budget also includes funding to keep the increased service levels introduced by Mayor Chow after John Tory’s service cuts, and investments for the Toronto Community Crisis Service to assist people in need on the TTC. 

In the survey that my office launched in January, many people wrote about how important local services are to our community. Through this budget, all 100 Toronto Public Library branches will have increased hours, and the Student Nutrition Program will be expanded to reach over 60,000 students. There’s a boost in funding for the City’s Rent Bank to help prevent eviction and homelessness, as well as money for City-led affordable rental housing projects and new child care centres. Emergency response improvements and continuing to build on the 75% reduction in 911 wait times that we achieved last year are also a focus of the budget.

In my conversations with Davenport residents, the high cost of the Toronto Police Service budget has been a frequent topic. At Council last week, I moved a motion that requires the Toronto Police Service and Toronto Police Services Board to provide data on cost-savings that the police have experienced due to the re-assignment of services such as noise enforcement, mental health and crisis response, and the crossing guard program to City divisions, and for that data to directly inform any budget requests going forward. You can find the motion, which was approved by Council, here. 

People have also told me that local businesses, which are the heart of our neighbourhoods, need our support right now. At Council’s budget debate I was glad to support increasing the Small Business Tax Discount to 20%, to give small businesses a break at a time when tariffs and global economic pressures are creating uncertainty. And I’m glad to share that I secured funding for Year One of Toronto’s first Rat Response Plan. This investment will go towards enforcement, education and prevention to tackle our rodent problems head-on. 

This year’s budget was about making steps towards social and economic improvements in our city, but our work isn’t done. I will keep advocating for Davenport’s priorities while ensuring we get good value for money when it comes to city services and capital projects.

Sincerely,

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

In this Edition

• Skate with me next Saturday, February 28
• Community Meeting: New family shelter at 108 Harrison St.
• Registration for the TDSB Learn4Life Spring 2026 session has begun
• Proper waste sorting matters – Ask the Waste Wizard!
• 2026 Interim Property Taxes issued
• Spring recreation activities now online: browse the listing and get ready for registration in early March
• City welcomes 58 new Traffic Agents to improve traffic management
• CampTO summer listings are live this week

Skate with me next Saturday, February 28

I’m hosting a skating party next Saturday, February 28 at Wallace Emerson Park, and I’d love for you to join us! With only about a month left to enjoy our outdoor rinks in Davenport, it’s the perfect time to bundle up, lace up your skates, and hit the ice together.

The Wallace Emerson Park skating rink is reserved from 1:00 - 3:00 for a fun family skate that's open to everyone. We'll also be serving hot chocolate!

See you there ❄️

Community Meeting: New family shelter at 108 Harrison St.

108 Harrison Street will soon welcome a new family shelter operated by Red Door Family Shelter, supporting up to 32 families.

Community members are invited to a drop-in night to meet Red Door staff, City partners, and Councillor Alejandra Bravo, and learn about this new community resource.

Join us on Thursday, February 26 at St. Helen Catholic School, 1196 College Street. Drop in any time from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Registration for the TDSB Learn4Life Spring 2026 session has begun

Learn4Life offers a wide range of engaging and affordable courses for adults 18+, including language classes, arts, fitness, technology, professional development, and general interest programs. Classes are designed to support lifelong learning, skill building, and community connection in a welcoming environment.

Learn more at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/adult-learners/learn4life

Proper waste sorting matters – Ask the Waste Wizard!

With a growing population, limited landfill space and new and more complex packaging entering the market every day, it is increasingly important that items that don’t belong in the garbage are properly sorted. If you’re not sure how to properly dispose of something, ask the City of Toronto’s Waste Wizard to find out what waste items go where. Visit toronto.ca/WasteWizard

2026 Interim Property Taxes issued

The City of Toronto has issued 2026 interim property tax bills. Property owners who pay their interim property tax bill by the regular installment schedule should note that payments are due March 2, April 1 and May 1. Final tax bills will be mailed in May. For more information, including due dates for the Pre-Authorized Tax Payment program, visit toronto.ca/PropertyTax

Spring recreation activities now online: browse the listing and get ready for registration in early March

Spring recreation activities are now available to view and add to your wish list ahead of registration opening in early March. The City of Toronto is one of the largest providers of recreation programs for all ages and interests in Canada, with approximately 16,700 registered courses and more than 151,000 spaces offered. Activities include learn to swim, arts and crafts, sports, fitness and more. Adapted and accessible programs are also available. Explore the list of spring recreation activities at toronto.ca/SpringRec. Most registered programs begin on Saturday, March 28.

City welcomes 58 new Traffic Agents to improve traffic management

On February 13, the City of Toronto welcomed 58 new Traffic Agents to help ease congestion and keep Toronto moving safely. The City now has more than 100 active Traffic Agents who are deployed to some of Toronto’s most congested intersections during peak periods to effectively manage the safe movement of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.  

Learn more about the City’s Traffic Agent Program: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/traffic-management/traffic-agent-program/

CampTO summer listings are live this week

The City of Toronto offers a number of summer daytime camp programs at more than 170 locations to keep children and youth active, help them learn new skills and make fun memories close to home. CampTO summer listings are live online as of February 19, so now is the time for families to build their wish lists before registration opens on March 24 for Free Centres participating in Early Local Registration and March 31 for all other locations. All registered camp participants will enjoy a daily nutritious snack as part of the program.

In the Community

It was great to chat with neighbours at the Regal Heights Residents Association pub night and to share updates on our Dufferin-St. Clair Action Plan!

It was fun to welcome new neighbours to Davenport in Wallace Emerson and invite them to our skating party.

More Updates

• City of Toronto’s 2026 Budget now final — focuses on affordability, service stability and financial sustainability
• Snowstorm declarations ending, drivers still reminded not to park where temporary orange “Snow Removal” signs are posted
• City of Toronto releases spring recreation activity listings
• TTC marks Black History Month by honouring community voices, heritage, and culture

I hope you enjoyed this Community Update. Visit our website for more Davenport news, updates, and events.