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You're Invited: Join Me at Summer Celebration!

  • Jul 2
  • 7 min read

Happy Canada Day!


It was wonderful seeing so many of you out celebrating at community events across Don Valley North yesterday. I always enjoy catching up with neighbours, hearing what's on your mind, and celebrating everything that makes our community so special.


Now, I'm looking forward to my favourite event of the year—our annual Summer Celebration, and I hope you'll join me! We can even cheer on Team Canada together!


 

You're Invited!

 

Join me on Saturday, July 4 at Oriole Community Centre from 1:00pm-4:00pm for an afternoon filled with great food, family fun, and community spirit.

 

Whether you've been coming for years or this is your first time, there's something for everyone. We'll have:

  • FREE BBQ (including vegetarian options)

  • An ice cream truck

  • Fresh cotton candy!

  • A bouncy castle

  • Face painting

  • Henna

  • Games and activities

  • Live stream of Team Canada World Cup Match

  • Music throughout the afternoon

  • Plenty of opportunities to meet your neighbours


When you arrive, stop by the big pink registration tent to check in and pick up your tickets for lunch and ice cream. Please remember that all food is available on a first-come, first-served basis.


 

We're also excited to welcome some very special guests. Toronto Fire Services will be bringing one of their fire engines, while officers from Toronto Police Service 33 Division and our Neighbourhood Community Officers will be on hand to meet residents and answer questions, and they are bringing children’s fingerprint station.


One of my favourite parts of this event is bringing together the incredible organizations that support our community every day.


This year, you’ll have a chance to meet and connect with a wide range of local partners offering services, programs, and volunteer opportunities—including:

  • City of Toronto services such as 311 and Solid Waste Management Services

  • Community health and social supports from North York Toronto Health Partners, Flemingdon Health Centre, and the North York Seniors Centre

  • Legal, settlement, and employment supports from Willowdale Community Legal Services, the Working Women Community Centre, and the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services

  • Environmental and stewardship groups including Bayview Village Turtle Stewards and Toronto Nature Stewards

  • Arts, culture, and community organizations like Filmberries Studio and Bodhi Meditation Toronto

  • Neighbourhood and civic groups including Bond and Build Communities and the Iranian Women’s Organization of Ontario



I am also pleased to be joined by our elected representatives:

  • The Office of MP Maggie Chi, Member of Parliament for Don Valley North

  • The Office of MPP Jonathan Tsao, Member of Provincial Parliament


They’ll be on hand alongside other community partners to speak with residents, share updates, and hear directly from you about what matters most in our neighbourhood. 


Also, if you’re looking forward to cheering on Team Canada in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, we've got you covered! Join us as we live stream the match, so you won't miss a moment of the action while enjoying the event. 


Whether you come for lunch, the activities, or simply to spend a summer afternoon with friends and neighbours, I hope you'll join us. 


I can't wait to see you there!


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Looking Ahead: North York Community Council - July 7


Just a few days later, North York Community Council will meet for the final time this term. The agenda includes several important local planning and community issues that could affect neighbourhoods across our ward.


I always value hearing from residents before these meetings. Your feedback helps me better represent our community when decisions come before Council.


If an item on the agenda affects you, your street, or your neighbourhood, I encourage you to get involved.



To participate you can:

  • Email me directly with your comments or concerns

  • Watch the meeting live: www.youtube.com/TorontoCityCouncilLive

  • Submit written comments: Email nycc@toronto.ca or mail the City Clerk, North York Community Council, 100 Queen Street West, 2nd Floor, West Tower, Toronto ON M5H 2N2.

  • Speak at the meeting: Register by emailing nycc@toronto.ca or calling 416-392-4666. You may attend in person, by video conference, or by telephone


Below is a preview of the key local items that will be considered at the July 7 meeting. I encourage you to review them and let me know your thoughts before the committee meets.


 

City Planning is recommending approval of the proposed redevelopment at 5 Fairview Mall Drive, which would transform the site over several phases with three mixed-use residential towers, new retail and community space, enhanced publicly accessible landscaping, and more than 1,300 new homes.


 

I know many residents rely on the medical offices currently located on this site, and throughout this process I made it clear to the developer that maintaining access to these services had to be a priority. Under the approved phasing plan, the existing medical office building will not be demolished until one of the new buildings has been completed and the medical offices have relocated into the new space. This approach is intended to ensure there is no interruption in service for patients who depend on these healthcare providers.

 

 


This item was deferred at the last community council meeting to get more feedback from local residents. Transportation Services is recommending the installation of 6 speed humps on Havenbrook Boulevard, between Elfindale Crescent (east intersection) and Manorpark Court and 14 speed humps on George Henry Boulevard, between Manorpark Court and Farmview Crescent. Initiated by a request from the Henry Farm Community Interest Association, I intend to refer the item back to staff and have them review it as part of a larger neighbourhood street study.

 

 


Transportation Services is recommending the installation of 4 speed humps on Bestview Drive, between Harrington Crescent and Kentland Crescent. Thank you to all the residents who have been in touch to share your concerns with speeding on Bestview Dr. If you live nearby and want to share your feedback, please email or call my office asap!

 

 

The City's Transportation Services Division is recommending the installation of traffic signals at the north intersection of Consumers Road and Yorkland Boulevard to make the intersection safer.

 


As part of the review of the proposed development at 2135 Sheppard Avenue East, the developer was required to complete a Transportation Impact Study to assess how the project would affect traffic in the area. That study found that new traffic signals are needed at this intersection to safely manage the expected increase in traffic and improve access for all road users. Based on that assessment, the City secured the funding for the installation of the new traffic signals as a condition of the development approval process.

 


At Dallington Public School, school staff have raised concerns for years about unsafe parking and congestion during bell times. After meeting with the school's principal this spring, my office worked with Transportation Services to develop this parking solution that will help improve traffic flow and create a safer environment for students walking to and from school.

 



On Lescon Road, residents and school representatives identified poor visibility at the school crossing where vehicles parked on the inside of the curve make it difficult for drivers and pedestrians to see one another. The proposed parking restriction will improve sightlines and enhance safety for everyone using the crossing, while removing only a small number of parking spaces in an area where ample on-street parking remains available.




Since the completion of the Steeles Avenue East Road reconstruction project in 2024, I ave heard concerning reports about the new curb radii reductions that were installed at several intersections. While they were added to improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle turning speeds, residents have raised concerns regarding the ability of larger vehicles, including school buses and waste collection trucks, to safely complete turns from Steeles Avenue East onto local streets. Reports indicate that some vehicles may be mounting the curb while turning, creating potential safety concerns for pedestrians and motorists.



This motion asks for a review by Transportation Services to help determine whether the curb radii reductions are functioning as intended, meeting applicable City standards, and providing the desired safety benefits while accommodating the operational needs of larger vehicles.



I've heard from many parents, school leaders, and residents who are concerned about speeding and unsafe driving on Seneca Hill Drive. As a busy route serving three schools, two parks, childcare centres, and hundreds of families every day, it's essential that we do more to keep everyone safe.


In response to these concerns, I'm asking City staff to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h along this corridor as an immediate step to slow traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. I'm also requesting a traffic calming study to determine what additional measures may be needed to address speeding and make this important community street safer for everyone.



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As we head into the heart of summer, I hope you'll take some time to enjoy everything our community has to offer, whether that's spending time with family and friends, exploring our parks and trails, or joining us at our Summer Celebration this Saturday.


Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and for sharing your ideas, concerns, and feedback. Hearing directly from residents helps me advocate for the issues that matter most and make informed decisions on your behalf at City Hall.


I hope to see you this weekend, and I look forward to hearing from you before North York Community Council meets on July 7.


Wishing you and your family a safe, happy, and enjoyable summer.



 
 
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