Winter has certainly made itself at home in Toronto over the past couple of weeks—so let’s make the most of it together this weekend. It’s time for our annual Don Valley North Winter Bash this Saturday, January 24 at 12:00 Noon!   Grab your skates and join us for outdoor skating, free hot chocolate, and winter sunshine. We’ll have a fire to gather around, a chance to warm your hands, and plenty of time to chat about whatever is on your mind. Free skate rentals will be availab

We are now about two weeks into a major change in how recycling is collected in Toronto, and I want to speak plainly with you about what has happened, what has not worked, and what this new system actually means for residents.   Since January 1, recycling in Toronto has officially stopped being a City-run service. I know that for many of you, this change has not been smooth. My office has heard from residents whose recycling was missed more than once, whose blue bins were dam

This morning, I launched the City of Toronto’s 2026 Budget. And to save you from skimming straight to the bottom of this E-Blast just to find the number, here it is—the one I know everyone’s curious about: The proposed combined property tax increase for 2026 is 2.2% , a 0.7% property tax increase and the 1.5% increase to the City Building levy, which supports critical investments in transit and affordable housing. Now that we’ve checked that box, let’s take a moment to talk a

As we begin 2026, I want to wish you and your family a happy New Year!   January 1 is always a moment to take stock, and looking back on 2025, it’s clear how quickly the world around us shifted. The year began with a new U.S. administration, renewed global economic uncertainty, the return of tariff threats, and both provincial and federal elections here at home. Together, these forces reshaped economic forecasts, put new pressure on household affordability, and required gover

As the year draws to a close, City Council wrapped up an important set of decisions that touch on everything from transit reliability and youth employment to food security, climate action, and growth planning in our neighbourhoods. Here’s a summary of key items debated and decided at Council, and where work will continue into the new year. Thank you for staying engaged and for following City Hall’s work, it truly makes a difference. EX28.3 - Towards Implementing a Maximum Ind

As City Council begins early discussions on the 2026 Budget, I want to share my perspective on two proposals that will shape Toronto’s financial footing and the daily experience of residents across Don Valley North: a proposed increase to the Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT) on homes over $3 million, and a proposal to move the newly announced TTC fare-capping threshold from 47 rides to 40 rides per month.   My focus is ensuring that suburban communities — where demographics

With a bit of early snow already behind us and more on the way, I want to share a few reminders about the updated winter maintenance plan, from snow clearing to water pipe protection and more. I’ve also included some tips to help you stay safe and enjoy the season with your loved ones here in Don Valley North.   In my last Council Highlights , I walked through some of the major updates to this year’s winter maintenance plan, but one change is worth repeating: the new approach

This year, I’ve spent more time thinking about community safety than at any other point in my public service career. As Chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, I’ve been working closely with the Service to support long-overdue improvements. City-wide, we’re seeing real progress: major crimes are down 10.3% year-to-date, homicides have dropped by 53.9%, auto thefts are down 30.5%, robberies are down 16.2%, and break-and-enters have decreased by 12.5%. These improvements are

City Council met last week for another busy couple of days. We thoroughly debated the Neighbourhood Retail Report, strengthened our Winter Maintenance Plan after our early snowfall showed where service needs to improve, and expanded the City’s work on basement-flooding protection. Council also approved important updates to the Encampment Response Strategy to improve safety and support for residents in need. And right here at home, the Hillcrest Tennis Club stepped forward wi

On Sunday morning, I stood on the steps of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church to greet the annual parade of Toronto Police Service members who are veterans of the Armed Forces. Each year, they march to the church led by the Chief of Police, with the sound of bagpipes driving their rhythm.   This year, the first snowflakes began to fall as they marched, making the moment especially poignant. It reminded me of spending Remembrance Days in Ottawa with my grandfather, who flew in Wo

Living in Don Valley North, you know how lucky we are to be surrounded by some of Toronto’s most beautiful natural spaces. If you live near the Upper Don or Newtonbrook Creek, you already know how special these ravines are. They’re where we walk the dog, spot wildlife, and get a breath of fresh air away from the city bustle. Our ravine system is one of Toronto’s greatest natural assets, but it’s also delicate. Stormwater, erosion, and aging infrastructure all take their toll.

There are a couple of topics to touch on this week. The first one is a bit of a brag about another great library asset for Don Valley North. A New Chapter for Fairview Library   Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining Toronto Public Library staff, community members, and a lot of very excited students for the grand re-opening of Fairview Library’s brand-new third floor — a space dedicated entirely to youth. The energy in the room was contagious. I chatted with a group of

One of my favourite sports writers is Cathal Kelly from The Globe and Mail . On Monday morning before game seven, he wrote the following about the upcoming Jays game: “Game 7s have not been good to Toronto recently. A six-game series? No problem. That’s doable. But once it gets to the point of finality, this city has a knack for disappointment. The Jays have a chance to rewire that tendency. If they win this one, who knows what else can be won?” And then they won! Boy, did th

There has been a lot of talk about speed cameras lately, and I’ve been clear that they’re an important part of our Vision Zero strategy to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Toronto’s roads.   Of course, cameras are just one of many tools we’re using to make Don Valley North’s streets safer for everyone. You may have already noticed new 30 km/h speed limit signs appearing across the ward. Through the City’s Area Local Speed Limit Reduction Program , all local roads in

This week, City Council meets for the first time since July, and there’s a lot on the table. As we head into our busy fall season,...

When I became Budget Chief in 2023, I promised that City Hall would start doing things differently. For too long, Toronto was spending...