Community Update: October 10, 2025

October 10, 2025 edition of Councillor Alejandra Bravo's Community Newsletter

At City Hall, we want to hear from you. The City’s 2026 budget consultations start this month, offering an opportunity for the residents of Davenport to share their ideas and priorities on what our City should invest in in 2026.

Six public consultations will be held across Toronto and online throughout the month of October, starting on October 14. Members of the public can register to attend an in-person or virtual consultation at www.toronto.ca/budget. Torontonians can also fill out an online survey until the end of the month, which is available in 12 languages here. My team and I will be sharing more information about the City budget and ways to get involved as we head into the winter season.

Recently I’ve been connecting with Davenport residents and gathering feedback on a variety of local issues and ideas.

This week, I enjoyed chatting with commuters on the St. Clair streetcar about ways to make 512 service better. My team and I also hosted a public drop-in session to share some of the potential service improvements being considered by the TTC. As a daily rider of the 512 streetcar myself, I’ll make sure the voices of 512 riders remain front and centre as these decisions move forward.

In Oakwood Village, I joined residents for a Neighbourhood Streets Plan meeting to hear their ideas on how to make local streets safer and more connected. We discussed pedestrian safety on Oakwood and Vaughan, traffic infiltration on residential streets, and the needs of local schools and businesses.

After hearing from people across our community about the growing fire risks posed by unregulated lithium-ion batteries, I brought these concerns to Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop. Chief Jessop has called unregulated lithium-ion batteries, which can be found in e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility devices, the quickest growing fire safety risk in our city. This week, I hosted a press conference with the Chief to promote the member’s motion I developed with his team, calling for stronger regulations from our Federal and Provincial partners to ensure battery safety and storage. I’m proud to say that my motion was approved this week by Council.

My team and I also heard from local arts organizations in Davenport about their work to animate our park spaces, and their needs to sustain this essential programming going forward. This week, City Council adopted my member’s motion directing City staff to enter into nominal lease agreements with Clay and Paper Theatre, and Sick MUSE Art Projects for City-owned spaces in our parks. These tenancy agreements will help ensure that non-profit artists can continue to provide arts and cultural programming in Dufferin Grove Park and Earlscourt Park.

As always, I’m grateful for the ongoing feedback from Davenport residents. Your ideas and advocacy help shape the work I do every day at City Hall.

Sincerely,

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

In this edition

Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook
Ravine Days
Upcoming changes to TTC bus routes
Development Application for 2343-2363 Eglinton Avenue West
Join us on October 31st for Councillor Bravo’s Halloween Party
Avenues Policy Review Phase 2 Community Open House
Help shape the future of Toronto’s strip plazas
ConnectTO celebrates 250 public Wi-Fi locations
RentSafeTO: Safe, well-maintained buildings for Toronto tenants
Don Valley Parkway-Richmond off-ramp construction alert
What not to flush or pour down the drain
It’s true: Ticks can be active in colder months
Toronto Public Health reminds parents/guardians to report student vaccines
Toronto celebrates the 2025 Mayor’s Community Safety Awards winners
Apply to host a natural ice rink in your local park

Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook

Ever wondered how to have your say when a neighbour wants to build an addition, divide a property, or make other changes to a property? The City of Toronto’s new Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook is here to help! Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, or simply interested in local planning, this guide explains how to get involved, what to expect at hearings, and how decisions are made. Check out the Committee of Adjustment Participation Handbook for more information.

Ravine Days

This fall, celebrate Ravine Days, October 4 to 13, 2025, with The City of Toronto and community park and ravine groups. Through Park People’s InTO the Ravines program, a partnership with City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry and Parks teams, Torontonians are engaging with the ravine system through events, community-led activities, training and capacity-building opportunities. These efforts ensure our ravines remain cherished and healthy spaces for generations to come.

Upcoming changes to TTC bus routes

Upcoming changes to several TTC bus routes will take effect on October 12, 2025, in preparation for the future opening of Line 5 Eglinton (the official date to be confirmed by Metrolinx).

These service changes are being implemented to help riders familiarize themselves with adjusted routes while still being able to transfer to/from existing service on 32 Eglinton West and 34 Eglinton East until full LRT service on Line 5 begins.

Development Application for 2343-2363 Eglinton Avenue West

The City of Toronto’s Development Review Division has received an application to permit a mixed-use building at 2343-2363 Eglinton Avenue West. Join the virtual community consultation meeting where you can learn more, provide comments, ask questions, and speak with the project team.

Join us on October 31st for Councillor Bravo’s Halloween Party

Join us on October 31st from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at our community office (1240 Bloor Street West) and Susan Tibaldi Parkette for a family-friendly Halloween event!

Visit our recently-reopened Community Office
Play Halloween-themed games at Susan Tibaldi Parkette
Enjoy pumpkin carving, button making, and apple cider
Learn more about our Rat Response Plan

RSVP NOW

Avenues Policy Review Phase 2 Community Open House

The City of Toronto is exploring how and where to allow mid-rise buildings along Toronto’s Avenues to foster more opportunities for housing, services and local businesses near transit. We would like to invite you to attend our in person Community Open House on October 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at West End Alternative School (in the cafeteria) to learn about how the analysis for the Initial Study Area (Wards 11 and 9) has progressed and discuss the new material with City staff. To coordinate accessibility accommodations, please email the project team at [email protected] or call 416-338-0775. Learn more on the project website: www.toronto.ca/avenues.

Help shape the future of Toronto’s strip plazas

The City of Toronto’s PlazaPOV Study is exploring the role of strip plazas in Toronto’s communities and economy. A new survey is now open to hear directly from business owners and employees about their experiences, challenges, and opportunities in these spaces. Feedback will help inform future policies, programs and supports for strip plaza businesses. Business owners and employees located in strip plazas across Toronto are encouraged to participate and share their insights. Survey is available in English, Filipino, Español, தமிழ், 繁體中文, and 简体中文. Take the survey.

ConnectTO celebrates 250 public Wi-Fi locations

Toronto now has 250+ public Wi-Fi locations across the city! From libraries to community centres, more residents can get online and stay connected. Celebrate this milestone during Digital Inclusion Week and explore the map and details here: toronto.ca/wifi

RentSafeTO: Safe, well-maintained buildings for Toronto tenants

The City of Toronto works to ensure that tenants live in safe, well-maintained buildings through the RentSafeTO: Apartment Building Standards Program. Last year, RentSafeTO doubled their engagement opportunities with residents, audited 47 buildings (six times the previous year’s audits) and closed more than 12,000 service requests, demonstrating the impact the program is having on tenants’ well-being. More information for tenants is available on the City’s RentSafeTO webpage.

Don Valley Parkway-Richmond off-ramp construction alert

Heads up, Toronto! The City is making critical infrastructure repairs to the southbound off-ramp from the Don Valley Parkway to Richmond Street. Delays are expected to begin with a full off-ramp closure mid-October through to spring 2026. This necessary work will ensure that the bridge meets today’s standards and remains safe for vehicles and pedestrians into the future. More information related to this essential construction work is available on the City’s Rehabilitation of Eastern/Adelaide Bridges webpage.

What not to flush or pour down the drain

Many household items, including tampons, condoms, diapers, dental floss, cotton swabs and rags should not be flushed down the toilet. Even wipes labelled ‘flushable’ or ‘biodegradable’ should not be flushed down the toilet because they don’t dissolve and can clog pipes. Fat, oil and grease can also block home plumbing and pollute our waterways when they are poured down the sink or toilet. Help prevent blockages to your plumbing and City sewers and harm to our environment. Find more information on the City’s What Not to Flush or Pour Down the Drain webpage.

It’s true: Ticks can be active in colder months

While ticks are most active in spring and summer, they can be found during any time of the year when the temperature is above freezing. It’s important to stay alert and prevent tick bites all year round to avoid contracting Lyme disease. Find more information on how to stay safe from ticks on Toronto Public Health’s Lyme Disease webpage.

Toronto Public Health reminds parents/guardians to report student vaccines

Vaccines protect the health of our students and school communities. Under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), routine childhood vaccines (or a valid exemption) are required to attend school. Parents/guardians need to report vaccines to Toronto Public Health to avoid suspension on Toronto Public Health’s Report Student Vaccination (ISPA) webpage.

Toronto celebrates the 2025 Mayor’s Community Safety Awards winners

The City of Toronto and Toronto Police Service came together to celebrate nine organizations that received the Mayor’s Community Safety Awards for community safety and well-being projects. Winners included innovative Toronto-based senior(s)-led, youth-led and community-led projects that helped build safe communities, support wellbeing and reduce violence. Find more information about the winners on the Mayor’s Community Safety Awards webpage.

Apply to host a natural ice rink in your local park

The City’s Natural Ice Rink Program brings together neighbours, families and friends of all ages to build and maintain a natural ice rink at their local park for everyone to enjoy. Applications for the 2025/2026 season are now open and close on Friday, October 17. Apply and find more information on the City’s Natural Ice Rinks webpage.

In the Community

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a very meaningful day for me and my family. I was happy to spend some time with my mother reflecting on the legacy of residential schools, and to honour the Indigenous children who never made it home, as well as Survivors, their families, and communities.

I joined Parents Against Speeding TO to show support for child safety and the City's Automated Speed Enforcement program. Over the last few years, Davenport residents have seen the benefits of speed cameras. They reduce speeding, make our streets safer, and help save lives.

I had a great time showing my support for the Abrigo Centre by taking part in the Grand Parade event. It was inspiring to see so many walk and fundraise for such a great charity.

It was great to attend the celebration for the laneway naming after Chic Johnston (1923–2005) and Carrie Minnie “Min” Johnston. Chic and Min were esteemed residents of Davenport whose contributions exemplified a lifelong dedication to equity, education, and the betterment of their community.

It was a pleasure to take part in the official opening of the Junction Triangle Toronto Public Library branch. Visit this beautiful new library at 305 Campbell Avenue.

I enjoyed chatting with TTC commuters about the St. Clair streetcar and discussing ways that are being considered to improve its service.