Over the past several months, my office has received a significant volume of calls and emails from residents who were understandably shocked and confused by unexpectedly high water bills. This issue also came up directly at our recent Seniors Roundtable, where many participants shared their frustration and worry. I covered what was going on in an E-Blast in October 2024 , but it’s clear that it’s time for an update! As a reminder, the City of Toronto is dealing with a city-wi

Whether I am hearing from families stretching their budgets at the grocery store, seniors weighing the cost of staying in their homes, or small business owners on our local main streets trying to keep the lights on, the message is consistent: the cost of living is pressing hard on our community. Don Valley North is a wonderfully diverse ward, home to longtime residents and newcomers, renters and homeowners, young families and seniors, and the decisions we make at Toronto City

Spring is finally here, and with it comes a season full of meaning and celebration. Whether you're marking Passover with family or celebrating Easter this weekend, I hope the holiday brings you warmth, joy, and time with loved ones. Along with these special occasions comes the usual flurry of activity in our neighbourhoods: residents out walking, kids back on bikes, gardens waking up, and a whole new list of things to keep an eye on. I always look forward to this time of year

This week marked the first full City Council meeting of 2026, and it was a long one! We covered an enormous range of topics, from local development files like the redevelopment of the YMCA right through to city-wide debates about democracy and Toronto's right to have a say in the future of Billy Bishop Airport. IE27.7 - Ravine Strategy 2026 Implementation Update I was very happy to support the 2026 Ravine Strategy Update this week and celebrate years of dedicated work by city

Every homeowner runs into this at some point: something goes wrong, and you’re not quite sure who to call. For condo and condo townhouse residents, that question can be even more complicated, and fair enough, it’s not always clear where one responsibility ends and another begins. That’s exactly why we do this. It is time once again for our third annual Don Valley North Condo Clinic. Haven’t been to the condo clinic before? Think of it as a one-stop information fair designed s

While recently we have seen a noticeable uptick in development application activity in Don Valley North, it’s still far less than we have seen in years past. However, a clear pattern is emerging in Don Valley North. Rather than brand-new proposals, much of what we're seeing are developers with existing approvals returning to request additional height. This isn't happening in a vacuum; new Provincial policies are actively encouraging taller buildings and greater density across

After a winter like the one we’ve just had, anyone driving around the city has noticed the same thing: our roads took a beating. Across Don Valley North — but especially along Sheppard from Bayview to Victoria Park — potholes have been appearing quickly as the snow melts and the freeze-thaw cycle does its work. It is something residents have already begun flagging to my office. City crews fill hundreds of thousands of potholes each year, and Executive Committee will be consid

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete last week’s community survey. I read your comments carefully — every response, every concern, and every suggestion. You are my eyes and ears across our neighbourhoods, and the real experts on what is happening on your streets every day. What stood out most was how thoughtful and detailed your feedback was. Many of you didn’t just identify big-picture challenges — you shared very specific examples of what is and isn’t working

Earlier this year , I wrote about how public engagement is changing, and how important it is that we meet people where they are. Throughout the summer and fall, my team and I were out in neighbourhoods across Don Valley North, knocking on doors and speaking directly with residents about what matters most to you. Those conversations are always the most valuable part of this job. With winter and snow now upon us, door-to-door conversations are a little harder, so we want to try

It’s a wrap on another City budget year. On Tuesday, Council approved Toronto’s 2026 Budget, a plan focused on making life more affordable for working families while continuing to invest in the services and infrastructure our growing city depends on. This budget is about doing the basics well, protecting the services people rely on, being disciplined with spending and making smart investments in safety and state-of-good-repair. It helps residents manage affordability pressure

This morning, many of you will have seen media coverage about Project South and the serious allegations now before the courts. As your City Councillor, and in my role as Chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, I want residents to hear directly from the Board about the steps underway to protect public trust and ensure accountability. These allegations are deeply concerning. I know news like this can shake confidence in the institutions we rely on to keep our communities saf

On Sunday afternoon, I had to venture out by car in the worst of the storm, right around noon. A year ago, those whiteout conditions and the sheer volume of snow piling up so quickly would have filled me with dread. What a difference a year—and a change in management—can make. While no response is ever perfect, Toronto’s major snow event plan is working far better this winter. In this E-Blast, I want to flag some of the snow-related challenges we are still addressing here in

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