Community Update: November 21, 2025

November 21, 2025 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

At last week’s City Council meeting, I was able to bring Davenport residents’ feedback to a variety of decisions.

I supported expanding permissions for small-scale retail in neighbourhood interiors across Davenport and downtown Toronto areas. Everyone should be able to walk to a corner store for essentials or meet neighbours for coffee down the block, while supporting local independent businesses.

When I was growing up in Toronto, that was part of everyday life, and it made neighbours feel connected to the community. Zoning changes then came in to restrict where new shops could go, and even made existing commercial spaces illegal. But a vast majority of residents across Davenport told me that corner stores and local businesses are vital to vibrant, walkable, and connected communities. By supporting these small businesses, we can strengthen our local economy, reduce car dependency, and cultivate thriving neighbourhoods.

Another element of complete neighbourhoods is good access to public transit. City Council considered an update on plans for the new St. Clair-Old Weston transit station. The provincial agency Metrolinx has updated the service plan for the station to be an UP Express station rather than a station on the GO line, which will connect it to both Pearson Airport and Union Station. The new station will provide easy access to the St. Clair 512 streetcar, and I moved a motion to demand that the Province commits to fare integration to make travelling on the UP Express line more affordable.

While a new transit station is welcome, there’s still a missing piece in the deal between the City and Province for the St. Clair–Old Weston station: the widening of St. Clair Avenue under the bridge at Old Weston Road. When the dedicated right-of-way for the St. Clair streetcar was installed, a lane of traffic was removed. That was a necessary trade-off for transit, but eventual road widening was always promised — and then it never happened. The result is more congestion, and accountability for a commitment to improve the situation has faded.

The City of Toronto designed the St. Clair Transportation Master Plan around the new transit station and gave Metrolinx the money to make road improvements, while the Province was supposed to move forward on the widening of St. Clair. Years later, the street remains the same. Widening St. Clair and turning it into a complete street would benefit drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians throughout the St. Clair West corridor and communities to the west, and it will improve access for first responders. I will continue pushing for this work to be delivered as I continue to fight to make Davenport easier and safer to get around for everyone.

Sincerely,

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

In this Edition

Weathering Winter Together
Construction notice for Davenport Diamond Greenway
Development Application for 1423 Dufferin Street
Laneway coLabs applications are now open
Older Adult Holiday Lunch at J.J.P.
Learn4Life Adult General Interest and Seniors Day programs open November 12
Stay healthy during colder weather
Big Paws, Big Cause: Donate to Toronto Animal Services
Respect the speed limit this fall
Support Jamaica hurricane relief efforts
Winter recreation activities now live to browse online
Blue Bins: No longer City-run starting January 1
Keep leaves off roadways to help prevent flooding
Toronto Community Crisis Service expands to TTC
Prevent frozen pipes: Tips to keep your plumbing safe
Household food waste is avoidable

Weathering Winter Together

The season’s first snowfall came a little earlier than expected, but the City of Toronto is here to help residents and visitors travel safely and stay informed all winter long. As a reminder, the City’s fleet of snow plowing and salting equipment goes out in priority sequence. All roads are salted first, followed by plowing as snow begins to accumulate:

2.5 cm on expressways
5 cm on major roads and transit routes
8 cm on residential streets
2 cm on sidewalks and cycling infrastructure

Residents and businesses can support winter safety by clearing snow and ice from the sidewalk in front of or adjacent to their property when snow accumulation is less than 2 cm. Learn more about the City’s winter plan, stay updated on winter operations and find everything you need to make the most of the season at toronto.ca/winter

Construction notice for Davenport Diamond Greenway

To support construction of the new Davenport Diamond Greenway, crews will begin site preparation activities in several areas, including clearing, grubbing, sediment control, excavation, tree protection, and vegetation trimming or removal. These activities will occur within the Metrolinx-owned right-of-way. Some trees near the construction area may need to be trimmed; however, no trees will be removed. Find out more here.

Development Application for 1423 Dufferin Street

The City of Toronto’s Development Review Division has received an application to permit a 9-storey mixed-use building at 1423 Dufferin Street.

Attend the virtual community consultation meeting and view information panels, provide comments, ask questions, and speak with the project team. Visit the City of Toronto website for the registration link and instructions on how to join. It is encouraged to join ten minutes before 6:00pm on December 4, 2025 to allow time to log on.

Laneway coLabs applications are now open

Do you live on or near a laneway and want to help transform it into a greener, safer, more welcoming space? The Laneway Project’s coLabs programme supports resident groups in co-designing and delivering improvements—think community-created art, greening, lighting, and playful activation—while building stronger connections between neighbours. The process runs for about five months, with hands-on workshops and support from The Laneway Project. Applications are open now through December 30, 2025. Apply here: https://www.thelanewayproject.ca/laneway-colabs

Older Adult Holiday Lunch at J.J.P.

An Older Adult Holiday Lunch will be held at Joseph J. Piccininni C.R.C. on Tuesday, December 17th at 12:00 p.m. See the poster below for more details.

Learn4Life Adult General Interest and Seniors Day programs open November 12

The TDSB Learn4Life Adult General Interest and Seniors Day programs, Winter 2025 term is open for registration starting November 12, 2025. Choose from hundreds of affordable, high-quality courses designed for adults — from arts, fitness, and cooking to business, technology, and languages. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your skills, explore a new hobby, or connect with your community, there’s something for everyone. Browse courses and register at https://www.tdsb.on.ca/adult-learners/learn4life

Stay healthy during colder weather

As temperatures drop, protect yourself from cold-related illnesses like frostbite and hypothermia. Your risk of cold-related injuries and illnesses depends on the weather, your clothing, exposure time and activity. Seek medical help for serious symptoms, call 3-1-1 for City services or 911 in emergencies. Find more information on Toronto Public Health’s Staying Healthy in Cold Weather webpage or call 416-338-7876.

Big Paws, Big Cause: Donate to Toronto Animal Services

Did you know big dogs often wait in shelters 1.5 times longer than other dogs? Show these gentle giants some love by donating to Toronto Animal Services and consider adopting a big dog. One hundred per cent of donations go directly to helping animals in need. Donations are essential to providing life-saving medical care, spay/neuter services, training and enrichment. Tax receipts are available for donations over $20. Find more information on the City’s Donate to Animal Services webpage.

Respect the speed limit this fall

The seasons are changing – there’s fewer hours of daylight and snow on the ground. It’s important to stay vigilant and adhere to road safety measures, including speed limits. When you speed, you increase your likelihood of causing serious harm to vulnerable road users. Respect the limit. Do your part to help keep Toronto’s streets safe for everyone. Find more information on the City’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.

Support Jamaica hurricane relief efforts

Hurricane Melissa has left widespread devastation across Jamaica, leaving many communities in urgent need of help. The City of Toronto is working with the Jamaican Canadian Association and local organizations to support relief efforts. Torontonians can help by making a financial donation to the Jamaican Canadian Association’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund or by dropping off essential items at select Toronto Fire Stations. Find more information on the City’s Jamaica Hurricane Relief webpage.

Winter recreation activities now live to browse online

The City’s winter recreation activity listings are now available to view online and add to your wish list ahead of registration opening in early December. Activities include swimming, fitness, sports, skating, arts and technology classes and more. Find more information on the City’s Winter Recreation Activities webpage.

Blue Bins: No longer City-run starting January 1

Blue Bins are no longer city run. As of January 1, a new private company will collect residential recycling in Toronto. After January 1 for recycling questions, contact the number on your blue bin. Learn more: Toronto.ca/recycling

Keep leaves off roadways to help prevent flooding

The City has launched its annual Leaf Maintenance program, which will run until mid-December, depending on weather conditions. Fallen leaves can block storm drains, leading to flooding on streets and private property. The City collects leaves from public spaces only. Residents should never rake or dump leaves onto roads or sidewalks, as this creates hazards and may result in a $200 fine. Find more information about proper yard waste disposal on the City’s Yard Waste webpage.

Toronto Community Crisis Service expands to TTC

Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) workers are now available on TTC subway line 1 (between Spadina and Bloor stations). TCCS provides free mental health supports citywide for Toronto residents 16 years of age or older and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Find more information on the City’s Toronto Community Crisis Service webpage.

Prevent frozen pipes: Tips to keep your plumbing safe

Winter is approaching — it's time to protect your pipes from freezing. Throughout the winter, the City receives “no water” calls due to frozen pipes on residents' private property. Prevent the headaches that come with burst pipes – from water shortages to expensive property damage. Find steps you can take now to reduce your risk of frozen pipes on the City’s Prevent or Thaw Frozen Pipes webpage.

Household food waste is avoidable

The average Canadian household wastes over $1,300 worth of edible food each year. Knowing the difference between best before dates and expiration dates can save you money, reduce food waste and protect the environment. The best before date is a guide, not a goodbye. Learn more on how to reduce food waste on the City’s Food Waste webpage.

In the Community

It was fun to join neighbours at S.A.D.R.A. Park to help collect canned goods and clothing donations for this holiday season. Thank you and congratulations to the mighty team of organizers!

It was great to visit Davenport neighbours this week. We chatted about planning for celebrations for the 100-year anniversary of Earlscourt Park, and about local concerns on McRoberts.

I was grateful to gather with so many Torontonians at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Prospect Cemetery with Toronto Fire Service.

More Updates

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