Community Update: July 22, 2025

July 22, 2025 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

Neighbour --

RapidTO is the City of Toronto and TTC’s plan to get public transit moving for buses and streetcars. Toronto’s RapidTO: Surface Transit Network Plan has gone through several updates in the past five years to get us to where we are today: installing priority bus lanes on Dufferin Street and Bathurst Street in downtown Toronto. I’ve included the history of how RapidTO has come to be below, for your reference.

Over the last few months, people across Davenport have shared their thoughts on introducing dedicated bus lanes on Dufferin Street. It’s the spinal column of our community—connecting neighbourhoods from Eglinton to Queen. Overwhelmingly, there is recognition that Dufferin Street hasn’t been working for almost anyone as it stands now—from speeding to congestion to slow buses.

RapidTO is an important part of modernizing our transportation system, following the example provided by cities across the world by enabling public transit to move quickly and more reliably. I support the goals set out in the Surface Transit Network Plan to create a city-wide network of dedicated transit lanes. I also recognize that getting the implementation of this plan right is crucially important—both to realize the intended benefits of the plan, and for our local neighbourhoods. To inform my work, I’ve been knocking on doors all along Dufferin Street to hear from those who will be most locally impacted by the changes.

After City-led public consultation was completed, City staff have recommended that dedicated bus lanes be installed on Dufferin Street, south of Bloor Street West, in order to meet timelines in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Further expansion of dedicated bus lanes on Dufferin Street will be considered when the evaluation of the section south of Bloor Street West comes back to City Council.

To make sure that the concerns raised by some in our community are heard, I moved a motion at the Executive Committee last week to ensure that RapidTO works for our community. The motion makes sure that the following will happen, in collaboration with local residents, alongside the implementation of dedicated bus lanes:

Replacing parking for permit holders that is removed on Dufferin Street on nearby streets, in nearby off-street parking lots, and wherever else possible
Proactive changes to address local traffic infiltration and ensure that new turn restrictions on Dufferin Street don’t result in vehicles using local neighbourhoods as cut-throughs
Comprehensive monitoring of local roads to inform long-term transportation planning in adjacent neighbourhoods
Conducting a street furniture audit on Dufferin Street to make sure that the needed garbage cans, benches, bicycle racks, bus shelters and more are in place
Prioritizing the neighbourhoods surrounding Dufferin Street for area-level parking supply management plans
Asking Metrolinx to manage heavy truck traffic from Ontario Line construction at Exhibition Station so that they don’t contribute to congestion and road safety challenges

In addition, I voted in favour of a motion from Mayor Olivia Chow to:

Develop implementation plans, with due consideration of local needs, for the remaining section of the RapidTO corridor on Dufferin Street, north of Bloor Street West to Wilson Station, for consideration alongside the evaluation of the current section
Identify interim transit priority measures on Dufferin Street, north of Bloor Street West, that can be implemented in time for FIFA World Cup 2026, including rush hour parking prohibitions, time-of-day use, loading zones, HOV lanes, and other best practices

These motions, adopted by Executive Committee, will go for final approval by City Council this week. Together, we are delivering on prioritizing transit on major routes while also ensuring that it works for local communities—I look forward to finalizing the implementation details alongside our community in the coming months.

Below, you can find other city-wide and local updates, information on community events, and more.

Sincerely,

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

In this edition

History of RapidTO: Timeline of Decision-Making
Now accepting applications: tax and utility bill relief program
New No-Fee Booking for Community Activities in Parks
Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan Engagement: Phase 2
Survey: Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods - Neighbourhood Retail & Services
Review of visitor parking requirements for new developments
Accessibility upgrades coming to local bus stops
New summer events at Old City Hall
Reducing conflicts with coyotes
Advice from Toronto Public Health on ticks
Discover Toronto's music scene with Music Compass
Accelerating building permit approvals in Toronto
Join the LEAF Young Ravine Leaders!
School's In, Rec's In Program at Local Davenport Schools
Concerts on Connolly
Building Legacy Initiative Climate Change Workshop
Participate in Research: Exploring the lived experiences of accessible and affordable housing among children and youth with disabilities
In the community
Other news

History of RapidTO: Timeline of Decision-Making

Here’s a history of the RapidTO Dufferin Street project, and how this work has progressed over the last 5 years:

In July 2020, the TTC Board and City Council adopted the Bus Lane Implementation Plan and prioritized Dufferin Street
In November 2020, City Council adopted the Surface Transit Network Plan Update, which included Dufferin Street as a priority
In April 2021, City Council adopted the consultation plan for the Surface Transit Network Plan
In Fall 2021 & Spring 2022, city-wide public consultations were conducted with thousands of responses & participants
In February 2024, City Council adopted an update to Surface Transit Network Plan, including Dufferin Street as a priority for bus lane implementation
In July 2024, as part of the City’s preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, City Council directed that a roadway-specific study for accelerated implementation of dedicated bus lanes on Dufferin Street be initiated for installation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
In April & May 2025, City staff conducted public consultation on the proposed design for dedicated bus lanes on Dufferin Street, from Dufferin Gate to Eglinton Avenue West.
In July 2025, City staff recommended proceeding with dedicated bus lanes on Dufferin Street, south of Bloor St W to Dufferin Gate, in order to meet FIFA World Cup 2026 timelines while addressing implementation details raised through the public consultation process.

Now accepting applications: tax and utility bill relief program

Are you a low-income senior or low-income person with a disability who owns a home in Toronto? You may qualify for financial relief on your property tax and utility bills. The City’s relief programs are available to help ease financial strain and make sure eligible property owners can comfortably maintain their residences. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 31. Find details and apply on the City’s Property Tax, Water & Solid Waste Relief webpage.

New No-Fee Booking for Community Activities in Parks

It's now easier and more affordable for communities to activate their local parks. Individuals, community groups, and not-for-profit organizations can book space in parks for free to host smaller-scale, single-day activities that benefit their local communities. Activities must be free, open to the public, and non-commercial in nature such as guided nature walks, family fun days with games and story time, park socials connecting youth and seniors, and wellness days featuring meditation and tai-chi. Booking guidelines and the application form are available on the City’s website.

Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan Engagement: Phase 2

Parks & Recreation is launching Phase Two of engagement on the Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan!

The City’s Parkland Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan guide growth and investment in parkland and recreation over the next 20 years. Beginning in Fall 2024, thousands of community members have citywide provided feedback to help inform the updates to these plans. This summer you can review and share your feedback on the proposed updates to these plans and let the City know if you think this work is on the right track.

Visit the project webpage to learn more and make your voice heard.

Survey: Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods - Neighbourhood Retail & Services

As part of the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative, the City of Toronto is considering changes to its zoning by-law to allow small-scale retail, service and office uses in residential areas across the city – supporting more vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods.

The proposed changes would allow a wide range of small businesses and service providers on residential properties along major streets. In the interior of neighbourhoods, only limited uses like small cafes and convenience stores would be permitted, and only on corner lots or next to other amenities like schools, parks or commercial sites.

Project Details can be found at: www.toronto.ca/LocalRetail

The 2025 EHON Retail and Services Project survey is intended for community members new to the project and those who shared feedback in 2024. It provides a refresher on the key ideas, outlines how your earlier feedback shaped revisions, and gives you a chance to share your feedback on the updated proposal.

Complete the survey

Review of visitor parking requirements for new developments

City Planning is currently undertaking a review of visitor parking requirements for new developments.

Staff are hosting an online public engagement to collect feedback on visitor parking challenges across Toronto. They are asking residents to share their experiences with visitor parking—where it is lacking, how it impacts them, and what improvements they believe are necessary. This input will help inform future policy decisions and potential updates to the zoning by-law.

Please click on the “Get Involved” section to share your thoughts: https://www.toronto.ca/parkingreview.

Accessibility upgrades coming to local bus stops

As part of the ongoing commitment to making transit accessible to all, the TTC will be upgrading existing bus stops and building new, improved bus stops across the city, including in Davenport.

Upgrades to make bus stops fully wheelchair accessible will be coming to the following bus stops in Davenport in the coming months:

Ossington Avenue & Salvador Allende Court (Northbound)
Caledonia Road and Keith Avenue (Southbound)

The majority of work will take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Noise, dust and vibration associated with construction will be minimized as much as possible, but is to be expected through the course of this work. Full construction notices will be issued to neighbouring properties.

New summer events at Old City Hall

Old City Hall opens its doors this summer with a series of free events that will bring new life to one of Toronto’s most cherished heritage spaces and iconic landmarks. The 126-year-old building will host special programming each Friday now through August, civil wedding ceremonies on select Thursdays, as well as two Saturday events! Find more information and events on the City’s Summer at Old City Hall webpage.

Reducing conflicts with coyotes

From rabbits to raccoons and coyotes to cormorants, Toronto is home to people and wildlife alike. To reduce conflicts with coyotes and coexist peacefully, keep all dogs on leash, never feed wildlife and dispose of food waste properly. Let’s protect diverse wildlife and the thousands of unique species that call this city home. Learn more about typical coyote behaviour, when to be concerned and find tips and a learning module on the City’s Coyotes webpage.

Advice from Toronto Public Health on ticks

As we enjoy the warmer weather and explore the outdoors, remember to keep yourself safe from tick bites. Ticks are tiny but can transmit disease such as Lyme, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan virus. Toronto is considered an established risk area for blacklegged ticks with 53 per cent of ticks testing positive for at least one reportable tickborne disease. The good news is that you can prevent ticks from getting attached to you at home or in the wild. Find more information on Toronto Public Health’s Lyme Disease webpage.

How can I prevent tick bites?

When you are outside, avoid brushy and leaf littered areas and ensure you are wearing proper clothing such as closed toe shoes, light-coloured pants and long sleeves to easily spot ticks.

If you have spent time outdoors in wooded, brushy or grassy areas, shower to find attached ticks and potentially remove unattached ticks. If you find a tick on your body, remove it as soon as possible with tweezers or a tick key. Check your children and pets for ticks.

Tick prevention starts at home with simple steps such as mowing the lawn regularly, trimming tree branches and shrubs, discouraging rodents from coming onto your property, keeping bird feeders away from your house and moving any children’s swing sets and sandboxes away from the woodland's edge. Find more tips and information at toronto.ca/Lyme.

Discover Toronto's music scene with Music Compass

Explore Toronto’s vibrant music scene with Music Compass, a project by the City of Toronto and Destination Toronto. Music Compass celebrates the city’s rich musical landscape by spotlighting local music. In neighbourhoods across Toronto, residents and visitors can scan QR codes on sidewalk decals to browse a list of live music venues, record stores and listening lounges in the area. Explore participating neighbourhoods and discover local music on Destination Toronto’s Music compass webpage.

Accelerating building permit approvals in Toronto

The City of Toronto has announced a suite of new measures aimed at making it easier and more cost-effective to deliver housing options. Find more information about each initiative:

Join the LEAF Young Ravine Leaders!

Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Toronto’s ravine network while learning from and connecting with industry professionals through the LEAF Young Ravine Leaders (YRL) program! Toronto youth (18 – 29 years old) interested in ravine ecology, urban forestry and environmental stewardship are invited to apply to this free, online program. This program is open to all youth, but seeks to support those from Neighbourhood Improvement Areas and/or underrepresented groups within arboriculture and urban forestry. YRL is organized by LEAF and funded by the City of Toronto.

Learn more

School's Out, Rec's In Program at Local Davenport Schools

The School’s Out, Rec’s In program will be taking place again this summer, continuing its role in supporting Toronto’s youth during the out-of-school period. Building on previous years of successful implementation, the program has expanded in both reach and scope, including additional school sites and integrated supports. In Davenport, programming is taking place at École Secondaire Catholique Saint-Frère-André and St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School. This program is part of the Mayor’s Summer Safety Plan.

Concerts on Connolly

Building Legacy Initiative Climate Change Workshop

Participate in Research: Exploring the lived experiences of accessible and affordable housing among children and youth with disabilities

In the community

It was great to be out knocking on doors again on Dufferin Street talking with neighbours about the planned priority bus lanes. Getting the implementation of this plan right is crucially important, both for faster transit and addressing local impacts.

I had a great time celebrating the Grand Opening of the Youth Leaders of Tomorrow Hub at Pelham Park. Partnering with Toronto Community Housing, I secured $10,000 for an updated space for programs and a computer lab for youth. These are investments in the future of Davenport and our community.

It was a great weekend at BIG on Bloor Festival full of great food, art, music, and shopping local! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table to chat, and to all the Davenport neighbours who joined in to celebrate together.

Great to see so many neighbours to welcome Covenant House as the operator of the new youth shelter at 1615 Dufferin St! Thanks to everyone who joined us for games, music, face painting, food, and conversation about welcoming our new neighbours.

I joined Cycle Toronto to launch their Pathways to Mobility Report, focusing on increasing access to active transportation for older adults. My motion to take this report into account when implementing the Toronto Public Health Strategic Plan 2024-2028 was adopted by the Board of Health!