June 22, 2024 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter
Community Update: June 22, 2024
Neighbour --
Yesterday was National Indigenous Peoples Day. I hope many of you were able to take part in community events and celebrations and deepen appreciation for the rich traditions, culture and rights of Indigenous people.
These past weeks have been difficult for many in our community. On Sunday June 9th, St Anne’s Anglican Church suffered a terrible fire that destroyed much of this beloved and historic place of worship. The outpouring of support from across the Ward, the city and the country were a beautiful reflection of solidarity and collective strength. I was in awe of the community and leadership at a vigil they hosted, buoyed by their resolve and determination to rebuild. An investigation is underway and my office will continue to work across city divisions to support St. Anne's.
As our community rallied in the wake of the fire, we also got some good news: 512 St Clair Streetcar service will return on Sunday, June 23! This is ahead of schedule and long awaited by our community. As a 512 rider, I know what a relief this is for so many. While work continues on the St. Clair West station loop, riders will be able to transfer from Line 1 through street-level boarding at Bathurst and Tweedsmuir. Excitingly, we will also see the introduction of the new 312 St. Clair—a night streetcar service from Gunns Loop to St. Clair Station every 30 minutes which replaces the night bus.
Neighborhood businesses contribute to making communities like Davenport walkable and connected. I’m committed to helping them thrive. Many residents reached out about the zoning situation facing the Finch Store. We worked with city staff to find a solution that allows The Finch to continue to operate with its business license until City Council makes a decision on the Neighborhood Retail and Servicesstudy. Passionate about this issue? You can make your voice heard through consultations on that study here.
Finally, as we get through this heat wave, I know many of you are taking care and looking out for neighbours, family and friends. Our office worked hard to ensure that city water trailers were made available to unhoused residents over the past days. But there is much more to do. You can find information about city resources during the heatwave including access to cool spaces here.
Sincerely,
Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor • Ward 9 • Davenport
Chair, Economic & Community Development Committee
In this edition
- Stay Safe During the Heat Wave
- Road Safety Improvements on Dufferin
- Fighting Evictions
- Community Meetings
- Toronto Hydro Construction: 1185 Dupont St
- Toronto Community Crisis Service
- Building Global Links for Toronto
- In the Community
- Community Events
- Other updates
Stay Safe During the Heat Wave
Extreme heat is a health risk. As we begin to experience dangerously hot and humid conditions, it is important to stay safe. To help ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents during the summer season, the City of Toronto activates its Heat Relief Strategy from May 15 to September 30 each year. This includes:
- Outreach to those living outdoors to encourage them to seek heat relief available at emergency shelters, drop-ins and 24-hour respite sites.
- Educating landlords about their obligations to residents, including communicating the locations of cool spaces on the property that are accessible to all tenants and can offer relief from the heat.
- Operating some public cooling sites on extended hours temporarily based on weather risks and resource availability. Check out Cool Spaces Near You
More information is available on the City’s Heat Relief Strategy webpage.
Road Safety Improvements on Dufferin
More good news for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. The City is improving road safety at the intersection of Sylvan Ave and Dufferin St.
Curb extensions, curb radius reductions and other upgrades will also be installed in 2024 along Dufferin to improve safety at the following intersections:
- Shanley St.
- Millicent St.
- Hallam St.
- Wallace Ave.
- Armstrong Ave.
- Lappin Ave.
- Geary Ave.
Fighting Evictions
In response to the rising number of evictions due to renovations (or renovictions) in Toronto, the City has created new tools and resources to assist residents.
These include a new online tool that helps renters identify their situation and find relevant resources and an updated version of Preventing Evictions in Toronto: A handbook for renters, which provides information about the eviction process and aims to help renters find support. More information is available on the City’s Understand & Fight Evictions webpage.
Community Meetings
Consultations on 150 and 190 Sterling Road
An applicant is consulting at the pre- application stage for an amendment to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to allow for the development of two new mixed use buildings at 150 and 190 Sterling Road (Block 3B, 5B and 5C) with heights of 28 and 31 storeys
Respectively. Join the Consultation Meeting to learn more about this proposal, which will include a presentation from City Staff and the Applicant, and a facilitated discussion providing local residents and stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Location: The meeting will be hosted in person on the ground floor at 152 Sterling Road (Block 5A).
Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Community Meeting on Safety and Engagement at Bloor & St Clarens
Hosted by Councillor Alejandra Bravo and the Bloordale BIA, this drop-in meeting is an opportunity for residents, community members, and business owners to connect and discuss our vision for the future of this area and how we can activate local approaches to increase community animation and safety for all.
Location: 457 St Clarens Ave. (near corner of St Clarens and Bloor St. West)
Date & Time: Friday, July 5, 4 pm – 7 pm, with formal remarks at 5:30 pm
Please reach out to: [email protected] with any questions.
Virtual Public Meeting: Basement Flooding Study Area 42, 44, 62 - Downtown
If you are the owner of a single-family residence, a street level storefront business, free-hold townhome or a condominium property manager, Toronto Water wants to hear from you. View the recommended solutions in your neighbourhood and register for the virtual public consultation at toronto.ca/DowntownBF.
Toronto Hydro Construction: 1185 Dupont St
Toronto Hydro will be upgrading the existing electrical cables on a section of Dupont Street between Emerson Avenue (West) and Dufferin Street (East) between July and December 2024.
Toronto Community Crisis Service: Update
Great news! One hundred new Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) workers have completed their formal training. This marks the next milestone in the delivery of Toronto’s fourth emergency service and is critical to making our city safe and caring for everyone. The TCCS program provides free, confidential, in-person mental health support from mobile crisis teams to Toronto residents 16 years of age or older 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The response service can be accessed by phoning 211. It will be launched in full in September and be available throughout our Ward.
Building Global Links for Toronto
This past week, I was in São Paulo on behalf of Mayor Chow to represent Toronto at meetings for the São Paulo Urban Summit, Metropolis Board of Directors, Urban20 Summit, and ICLEI World Congress. Check out some of the highlights here
In the community
We had a blast at the Portugal Day parade, celebrating Portuguese culture, food, and community. I was also honoured to welcome members of the community and to host the A.C.A.P.O at City Hall to raise the Portugal Flag.
The vibrant Do West Festival was alive as ever. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth to catch up.
I was honoured to join our ward neighbours at Romero House for the Wanda Street Party–a beautiful example of the refugee-serving sector walking together with community to welcome newcomers and build strong, inclusive neighbourhoods.
My team was glad to be at the FCJ Refugee Centre street party with popcorn and lots of great conversations among neighbours.
Today, I was happy to join Dufferin Grove neighbours at the park to discuss upcoming playground improvements! Thanks to all who came and shared their ideas.
Community Events
Other updates
- Help improve the City’s community recreation registration process
- Final property tax bill payment dates are coming up. Find more information on the City’s Property Tax webpage.
- Reservations now open for Summerlicious