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Making 311 Work Better for Residents
If you've called my office about a pothole, an overflowing garbage bin, overgrown grass, a missed collection, or any number of neighbourhood concerns, you've probably had my team offer to file a 311-service request on your behalf. Or you’ve contacted 311 yourself, either by phone, using the app or filing out the online form. Reporting issues through 311 helps City staff identify problems quickly and prioritize repairs and maintenance where they are needed most. But if you've
1 day ago4 min read


Supporting People During the Day While Strengthening Our Communities
This week at Economic and Community Development Committee, we received an important update on Toronto's daytime drop-in network and the work underway to strengthen these services across the city. Last summer, I wrote about Toronto's plan to build new shelter spaces. The City's Street Needs Assessment showed that more than 15,000 people rely on shelters and emergency supports, and it confirmed the need for additional shelter infrastructure in every part of Toronto, especially
Jun 115 min read


A Safe Summer Starts with Opportunity
Every summer, I spend time visiting parks, community centres, neighbourhood events, and youth programs across Don Valley North. Some of my favourite conversations are with young people who are trying something new, whether it's their first summer job, a leadership program, a basketball league, or a community arts project. I remember speaking with a young resident last summer who told me that a recreation program had completely changed the course of his summer. Instead of spen
Jun 47 min read


Preparing for the FIFA World Cup
Back in 1982, when Italy won the World Cup, my husband and I were young newlyweds. When the tournament began weeks earlier, I quickly discovered just how passionate my husband and father-in-law were about “The Beautiful Game.” By the time the final match arrived, I was completely swept up in the excitement right alongside them. As soon as the game ended, we jumped on the subway and headed to St. Clair Avenue West and Dufferin Street to celebrate with thousands of Torontonians
May 287 min read


Council Highlights: Youth Employment, Regulating E-Bikes and NYCC Preview
This week at City Council, we considered a wide range of items focused on community safety, housing, affordability, infrastructure, and neighbourhood quality of life. Many of these discussions reflected conversations I have been having directly with residents across Don Valley North about the issues affecting daily life in our communities. Below is a summary of several items from this week’s Council meeting, along with a preview of next week’s North York Community Council ag
May 218 min read


Spring Cleaning, Repairing and Preparing
At a recent neighbourhood Town Hall in one of Don Valley North’s oldest high rise condominium complexes, many residents raised concerns about the cleanliness and upkeep of our parks, roads, and public spaces. It is, after all, that time of year when finally it is still light out when you walk the dog after dinner. You are my eyes on the streets and in our parks when you get outside with the Springtime. I want you to know that these concerns are being heard, loud and clear.
May 145 min read


What We're Hearing From You — Seniors Roundtable Update
There is something truly special that happens when my team and I sit down with senior residents. My team and I have held a couple of neighbourhood seniors roundtables recently, and these conversations give us an irreplaceable perspective on life in Don Valley North. Senior residents bring insight into the economic pressures being felt day to day, the accessibility challenges that exist on the ground, and the very real difficulties that come with the pace of change in a maturi
May 76 min read


Council Highlights: Streetlight Investments, FIFA Fan Fest & Access to Affordable Housing
City Council met again last week and has made several important decisions that will affect daily life across Toronto and here in Don Valley North. From major investments in safer street lighting and smarter traffic signals, to improvements in tenant protections, housing access, and community programming, these updates reflect the practical steps the City is taking to improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life. I want to share what these changes mean for you and how th
Apr 306 min read


Peanut Street Plan & NYCC Preview
At next week’s North York Community Council meeting, one of the most important items for Don Valley North residents will be the Peanut Streets Plan report. I want to take some time to explain how we got here, remind everyone what a Neighbourhood Streets Plan is, and what I will be recommending as we move forward. You might remember from an E-Blast I wrote in 2024 that The Peanut neighbourhood was selected for the 2023–2024 Neighbourhood Streets Plans (NSP) program cycle.
Apr 236 min read


Water Meter Update: What You Need to Know
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-wid
Apr 163 min read


Making Toronto More Affordable
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
Apr 97 min read


Spring Into Don Valley North
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
Apr 26 min read


Council Highlights: Ravine Strategy Update, Supporting Democratic Decision Making, Safety Updates & More
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
Mar 268 min read


Don Valley North's Condo Clinic is Back
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
Mar 193 min read


DVN Development Updates
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
Mar 1213 min read


Fixing the Dang Roads
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
Mar 54 min read
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