Homelessness crisis in Toronto Spiraling rents, historically low vacancy rates, long wait lists for social housing, inadequate mental health supports, and other factors, have created a housing and homelessness crisis in Toronto. The City's Public Health Division recorded 145 deaths of individuals experiencing homelessness, from January 1, 2017 to June 30th 2018. Four homeless residents [...]
I applaud Mayor Tory for starting this term with a strong statement that providing affordable homes is a top priority through his Housing Now initiative. The strategy leverages public land in addition to waiving city taxes and fees to incent developers to build new housing. I completely agree with the mayor that this approach is [...]
Midtown in Focus Update To support the quality of life in our Yonge-Eglinton community, I helped initiate the Midtown in Focus review in 2015. After three years of intensive study by our dedicated City Planning Staff, we received a report that told us what we already know: social services and hard infrastructure have not kept [...]
Doug Ford Backs Down from Opening up Greenbelt to Industry Lobbyists As I wrote in my newsletter to you late last year, I worked with Councillors Mike Colle, Mike Layton, and Gord Perks to advocate against the Province's exemptions in Bill 66 allowing companies to override important environmental protections, without consultation or public notice, including the: Clean Water [...]
St. Clair & Bathurst Planning Study – Getting Ahead of Development As many local residents know, there is increasing development pressure in the St. Clair and Bathurst area. That is why I am pleased that City Council unanimously supported my motion (link here) to initiate a holistic planning study for this neighbourhood. For the first time, [...]
Metrolinx Affirms that Relief Subway Line Needed Before Yonge St North Extension Metrolinx has acknowledged that the Relief Subway Line must be built before expanding north into York Region. In a report released on Thursday, the regional transit agency stated: "Transit network forecasts show that Relief Line South needs to be in operation before the [...]
Toronto-St. Paul’s Community Safety Forum: There is nothing more important than the safety of our community. On Thursday February 28th at 6:30pm at St. Michael and All Angel's Anglican Church (611 St.Clair Ave. W.), I'm hosting a community safety forum to provide an opportunity for residents to ask important questions to the Toronto Police Service [...]
HAVE YOUR SAY: Community consultation for 2010-2016 Bathurst Street A rezoning application has been submitted to the City to permit an 8-storey mixed use building with 26 residential units and 40 below-grade parking spaces. Please join me at 7:00pm on Monday, February 11th at Holy Blossom Temple (1950 Bathurst Street), for a meeting to discuss the [...]
Protecting & Preserving the Columbus Centre: The Columbus Centre is the GTA’s preeminent destination for the arts and culture serving the Italian Canadian community and beyond. That is why it was my great pleasure to second a motion by my friend and colleague Councillor Mike Colle to protect and preserve the Centre as a heritage [...]
It’s very important to me that I accurately reflect our community’s priorities, and represent you, when I vote on our behalf of the City of Toronto’s budget. On Thursday, February 21st at 6:30pm, I’ll host my 2019 Budget Town Hall for the residents of Toronto – St. Paul's. The meeting will take place at St. Michael [...]
