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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 pressures while keeping Toronto on a stable, sustainable path. This year’s residential property tax increase is a combined 2.2% (0.7% Property Tax increase, 1.5% City Building Fund levy increase). That rate is more in line with inflation than we have seen in recent years and reflects the progress we’ve made to stabilize the City’s finances after the enormous pressures left by the pandemic. As our Chief Financial Officer and I committed to doing, we are returning to a more predictable and affordable path forward.   Finding efficiencies and protecting taxpayers City staff left no stone unturned to make this budget as affordable as possible. This year’s budget includes $788 million in reductions and offsets — $108 million more than last year. Here’s the breakdown: $57 million in efficiencies – permanent savings built into operations $78 million from line-by-line reviews – aligning spending to actuals $264 million from program reviews – including the ongoing non-essential hiring freeze $286 million from revenue adjustments – such as increases in the luxury homes tax $30 million from bringing the Toronto Parking Authority in-house At the same time, projected opening budget pressures continue to decline, a strong sign that Toronto’s financial position is stabilizing. Thanks to these measures, Toronto is now on stronger financial footing, earning a AA+ credit rating for the first time in 23 years. Supporting Toronto's small businesses and local economy Small businesses are Toronto’s number one employer, and I was proud to move the motion to increase the Small Business Tax Discount from 15% to 20%. This meaningful investment supports main street businesses at a time when many are navigating uncertainty from U.S. tariffs and broader global economic pressures. The truth about reserves Some commentary during this year’s budget debate focused on reserve funds. City Hall runs on reserve fund accounting. Every division has its reserve and reserve fund. Moneys are contributed to all of them each year and when those monies’ intended purpose arrives, monies flow out. This year a large amount is flowing out thanks to things like FIFA, the cost of the City Clerk administering upcoming municipal election, money from the Province as part of the New Deal, and a busy capital works season, but it is the result of prudent management. Years ago, on a trip to Disney World, I told my daughters, “Don’t ask me every single day for a toy. We have $250 a day and every time we don’t spend it all, the money will go to our last day. On our last day we will use up all the rest at the Disney Store.” At City Hall we are not buying toys, but the principle around one-time costs is the same. At the TTC, for instance, there is significant pressure this year as we begin operating Lines 5 and 6. Thankfully, a large portion of previously allocated New Deal funding remains available in reserve to help balance the TTC operating budget, exactly as planned when the agreement was signed. The Provincial government is already in discussions with City Hall about a potential New Deal Part Two for 2027. So overall, while reserve draws are higher this year at $1.7 billion, most of those funds will support an extremely busy capital program focused on significant repairs and investments across the city. Of that total, $464 million will support operating pressures — for the exact purposes the funds were originally reserved. By the end of 2026, Toronto will still hold approximately $10 billion in reserve accounts, earning interest until those dollars are needed. Looking ahead These remain uncertain economic times. Families are feeling pressure, and cities must balance affordability with the real costs of delivering life-saving programs and maintaining critical infrastructure. This budget meets that challenge — investing in people today while planning responsibly for tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who shared feedback throughout the budget process. Your voices shape the decisions we make at City Hall, and I remain committed to listening and advocating for Don Valley North and all Toronto residents.

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 safe. That’s exactly why strong civilian oversight exists, and why the Board has moved quickly to request an independent inspection and full review of the issues raised. I am sharing the Board’s full statement below so you can better understand both the seriousness of the situation and the actions being taken to ensure transparency, accountability, and public safety.   I know many residents in our Don Valley North community will have questions following this news. Transparency and accountability remain central to my work and I am committed to keeping our community informed as this process moves forward. At the same time, this is an active criminal investigation, and charges have now been laid before the courts. To protect the integrity of that process, I am not able to share additional details beyond what has been made public. As always, I encourage residents to reach out to my office to share concerns or perspectives. Hearing directly from you helps inform my work and ensures our community’s voice is reflected in ongoing oversight and decision-making.

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 Don Valley North. But I also want to take a step back and explain how snow problems get solved, because winter operations are a good example of what happens when service standards, management, and accountability are aligned. For every service the City delivers, Council sets service standards. Budgets are built to meet those standards, and staff are expected to deliver. When that system works, 3-1-1 and councillors’ offices deal mainly with isolated issues. When it doesn’t—when snowplowing standards aren’t being met across major routes—those “exceptions” become impossible to fix, and conditions deteriorate as the winter wears on. That’s exactly what we experienced over the past two winters. Residents quite reasonably don’t want to hear that change begins with a deep forensic review. But when major fixes are needed, there’s no substitute for carefully identifying what went wrong so we don’t keep repeating the same mistakes. When the Mayor called for a full review of winter operations last year, councillors loaded it up with ward-by-ward evidence. It was a very long list. Near the top: the baffling decision to shut down 3-1-1 during snowstorms—without Council’s approval. Restoring 3-1-1 during major weather events became recommendation number one. We also spent a lot of time talking about contracted winter services. Snow plowing has been contracted out since amalgamation in 1998, so the review made something very clear: many of the problems traced back not to contractors themselves, but to how the City managed those contracts. That’s where change has mattered most this year.   I want to acknowledge the great work of our new Acting Director of Winter and Seasonal Services for the improvements. New leadership, clearer expectations, and better dispatch decisions are at the heart of the improvements we’re seeing—even as Toronto experiences one of the most significant snowfall years on record. Instead of dramatic gestures, like calling in the army, the City is relying on better management and smarter decision-making. One of the biggest improvements is how quickly staff now decide when to shift from clearing  snow to removing  it. Clearing only works as long as there’s somewhere for the snow to go. When there isn’t, removal—trucking snow away—has to start. I was surprised to see snow removal underway by Tuesday—just over 48 hours after the storm ended. I saw removal trucks on the Don Valley Parkway and later on Sheppard Avenue East, where snowbanks had already begun narrowing lanes. That early move reflects lessons learned through the review: with today’s short, intense storms, it’s often impossible to meet service standards on major roads without removing accumulated snow. Decisions to remove are now being made proactively, not reactively. Crews are now fully mobilized on residential street snow removal, working around the clock and moving neighbourhood by neighbourhood. The goal is to improve safety and maintain access, especially for emergency vehicles. Snow removal is expensive, and Council must plan and reserve for it. It also requires patience from all of us. Removal is a coordinated operation that moves slowly and deliberately. Large equipment—including loaders, graders, and dump trucks—will be visible on residential streets, working in formation. Snow is scraped down to the pavement, pushed into piles, and loaded into trucks for hauling. This is a systematic, block-by-block operation, not the same as plowing during a storm. Removal usually begins on one side of the street to keep at least one lane passable. Additional passes may be scheduled once all local roads have a clear lane. Eliminating high snowbanks improves sightlines and access for pedestrians, people using mobility devices, strollers, and essential services like garbage and organics collection—and it prepares us for the next storm. Even though it can feel inconvenient in the moment, those crews ensure your drive—and your walk—the next day is safer. I was encouraged to see the work happening Tuesday night, and equally concerned to see some drivers making dangerous lane changes around the trucks. Please slow down and give crews the space they need to do their jobs safely. Don Valley North-specific challenges Every year, I raise the same local snow issues with Transportation Services: wide rounded corners and crescents, windrows, cut-through pathways, and turning lanes on our main avenues. Many of our crescents aren’t formal cul-de-sacs but have wide, rounded corners. When plows miss those areas, residents face excessive shovelling, and windrow clearing trucks can’t reach driveway entrances. We’re addressing these locations case by case, but driver changes can cause problems to re-emerge. Please keep calling us—our office tracks winter service issues year over year so we can clearly explain recurring anomalies to 3-1-1. Before and after servicing. Windrow clearing will never operate exactly as it did in pre-amalgamation North York. Today’s citywide standard is a three-metre opening per household driveway, delivered after plowing. Even historically, some cleanup by the property owner was always required after both plowing and windrow clearing. Sometimes we remember earlier days through rose-coloured glasses. For semi-detached and double-wide driveways, the three-metre standard still applies per household. If your driveway clearly doesn’t meet that standard, please contact 3-1-1 and send our office a photo—images help speed up corrections. Don Valley North also has more pedestrian cut-through pathways than any other ward in the city. I fought hard years ago to get them included in sidewalk clearing routes. If one is being missed—especially if it affects children walking to school—please let my office know directly. In these conditions, walking can be safer than driving, and those routes must stay accessible. Sidewalks and Transit After major storms, the City coordinates sidewalk clearing after  road plows pass to avoid re-burying sidewalks with windrows. Because Sunday’s storm required multiple rounds of road plowing, some sidewalks that were cleared earlier were covered again. Over the past two days, crews have been sent back out citywide to address impassable sidewalks, especially for people using mobility devices or strollers. Please continue reporting issues to 3-1-1. While I’m proud of the progress in snow clearing and removal this year, the TTC has struggled more than it should have. I hope the TTC Board takes the same forensic approach that has helped improve winter operations elsewhere—identify what failed, then fix it. When it’s time to return to work, our transit system has to be ready. Too much depends on it. As always, thank you for your patience, your feedback, and your help flagging issues as crews continue their work across Don Valley North.

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 available, so everyone can join in. We’ll be celebrating at the lovely outdoor rink at Ethennonnhawahstihnen Park, one of our favourite winter gems in the ward. It’s one of the few times each year when tall buildings have a real upside—the surrounding towers help shelter the rink from the worst of the wind. Outdoor skating always takes me back to my North York childhood, when neighbourhood dads flooded local rinks and we spent countless winter hours skating together.   In addition to skating, we’re excited to offer arts programming from North York Arts, a visit from the Toronto Public Library Bookmobile, and other family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon.   My team will be at the Winter Bash to welcome you and take care of all the details, and you’ll also have a chance to meet a couple of new members of the Don Valley North staff team. I’ll be there as well, and I always look forward to connecting. With so much happening in Toronto and around the world, a good catch-up conversation feels especially timely.

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 damaged, and who struggled — or were unable — to reach Circular Materials for help. Especially around the holidays I know how disruptive missed pick ups can be. That level of service is not acceptable. I share your frustration, and I want to be clear that City Council shares it as well.   What makes this situation particularly challenging is that, under provincial law, and because this is a private collection company, the City, and your local councillor, no longer has the authority we once did to step in and fix these problems directly. That does not mean we stop pushing, escalating, or advocating on your behalf, but it does mean the system has fundamentally changed.   Why the Blue Box Program changed   This shift did not originate at City Hall. It is the result of provincial legislation — the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act   and the Blue Box Regulation  — which fundamentally restructured how recycling works across Ontario.   As of January 1, 2026, recycling moved to a system called Extended Producer Responsibility , meaning it is no longer municipally operated.   What Extended Producer Responsibility means   Extended Producer Responsibility means that the companies that produce packaging and paper products are now fully responsible for collecting, managing, and paying for recycling. The goal is to move costs away from municipalities and taxpayers, encourage less wasteful packaging, and standardize recycling across Ontario.   As of January 1, producers are fully responsible for residential recycling collection and customer service — including missed pickups, damaged or missing bins, and questions about what can be recycled.   These are laudable goals, but the early rollout has clearly had a negative impact on service for residents.   The City of Toronto did negotiate with the Province to maintain municipal collection of recycling, to preserve the service standards residents are used to and rely on.   Ultimately, however, the Province awarded responsibility for residential recycling to a private organization — Circular Materials — as part of its move to a fully producer-run system.   Who Circular Materials is   Circular Materials is a non-profit Producer Responsibility Organization created and governed by producers of packaging and other forms of recyclable waste. It is legally responsible for operating the Blue Box Program in Toronto and across Ontario, including contracting private collection companies and providing customer service. Circular Materials does not work for the City, and the City does not direct its day-to-day operations.   What role the City has now   The City of Toronto continues to collect garbage, Green Bin organics, yard waste, and recycling in parks and public spaces. However, the City no longer manages residential recycling operations and no longer has the authority to dispatch trucks, enforce service standards, or resolve missed recycling collection.   While the City does not have a legislated role in communicating Blue Box operational details, we are continuing to work with Circular Materials to ensure residents have access to clear information and to raise concerns when service is falling short. My office is actively escalating patterns and systemic issues, even though the tools available to us are far more limited than before.   What residents are seeing at the curb   For most households, the collection day has not changed. Recycling and garbage continue to alternate bi-weekly, and Green Bin collection remains weekly. In some areas — including parts of Don Valley North — the week that recycling and garbage alternate has changed, and impacted households were notified directly.   Residents may also notice some practical, on-the-ground differences with how collection is happening. One of the most common concerns I’ve heard, and experienced myself, is that recycling pickup is occurring at very different times of day. During the first week of pickup on my street, recycling was not collected until after 7:00 p.m. That kind of unpredictability is frustrating for several reasons. Like many of you, when I came home from work and saw my bin still at the end of the driveway, my first thought was that it had been missed entirely. And especially in winter, having bins sitting out all day can make getting in and out of your parking space more difficult and less safe.   I am hopeful that as the new service provider becomes more familiar with routes and schedules, pickup times will become more predictable and consistent. What residents need to do differently   For day-to-day set-out, nothing has changed. Please continue to follow your collection schedule. The biggest adjustment is who you contac t  when something goes wrong.   Who to contact for recycling issues   As of January 1, all residential recycling issues must be directed to Circular Materials — not 311.   Circular Materials📞 1-888-921-2686🌐  circularmaterials.ca/toronto   Contact them for: Missed recycling collection Broken or missing blue bins Questions about acceptable materials   If you have contacted Circular Materials and your issue has not been resolved, please let my office know. While we cannot fix individual collections ourselves, we are documenting ongoing service failures and escalating broader concerns directly.   This is one of the biggest changes to municipal services we’ve seen in decades. While Extended Producer Responsibility may offer long-term benefits, the service disruptions many of you are experiencing right now are not acceptable. I will continue pressing for improvements, transparency, and accountability.   Thank you for your patience, and for continuing to flag issues when the system isn’t working as it should.

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 about how we got here, and why that matters. This is my third budget as Budget Chief for this term of office. Since the beginning, I have made a clear commitment: we would take a disciplined, multi-year approach to repairing the City’s finances after more than a decade of underinvestment. Once we did the hard work of getting our house in order, we would move toward a more stable, long-term approach to property tax increases.  This budget demonstrates that our long-term strategy is working. Over the past two years, we have identified millions of dollars in savings and efficiencies while continuing to improve services. Our financial management has been recognized internationally, with Toronto receiving a credit rating upgrade—the first in more than two decades – saving Torontonians millions more each year. Over this term of Council, we have been closing the significant financial gap left by the extraordinary costs of serving our city through the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant asking residents to absorb higher-than-usual property tax increases, with combined rates of 7% in 2023 under Mayor John Tory, 9.5% in 2024, and 6.9% in 2025. Those increases were not taken lightly, they were part of a deliberate plan to stabilize City finances while protecting and rebuilding the services people rely on every day. As Budget Chief I promised that these increases would follow an intentional arc, and that once we reached more stable footing, we would bring that arc back down. The proposed property tax increase for 2026 (the lowest in the GTHA) reflects that promise and acknowledges what I’m hearing across Don Valley North: families are managing many costs, and affordability remains a real concern, especially in an uncertain global economic climate. Getting here was not easy. Early last summer, I worked closely with our Chief Financial Officer to set the most stringent budget targets City divisions have seen in years. We asked for deeper cost controls and efficiencies across the organization. In some cases, divisions submitted as many as nine draft budgets before meeting their targets. This budget is about being responsible with public dollars while protecting the services people rely on every day. At a time when families and businesses are feeling real cost pressures, the City is focused on managing expenses carefully and investing in the basics that support good jobs and a strong local economy. Affordability, however, is only one side of the equation. Safety remains a top priority for me, for Council, and for residents across Toronto. Safety in our neighbourhoods. Safety on our roads, sidewalks, and transit. Safety in our homes. We are already making real progress. Auto thefts, break and enters, and homicide rates are down. 911 response times have improved, and our non-emergency phone lines are performing better so residents can reach help when they need it. This budget builds on that progress. It continues our multi-year hiring plans for police, fire, and paramedic services—not only to replace retiring staff, but to add new first responders where the data shows they are needed most. We are also investing further in faster, smarter emergency response, with additional 911 operators and improved call prioritization so help gets to you sooner. We have adopted a bubble zone to better protect vulnerable institutions and tripled the size of the hate crimes unit. While these steps are making a difference, I know more must be done—especially in the face of alarming rates of antisemitism. This budget strengthens our commitment to safety and ensures we keep building on these priorities for every community across Toronto. We are also expanding the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCSS), our fourth emergency response, which provides specialized support for people experiencing mental health crises. TCSS will continue to increase its presence in neighbourhoods and on transit, ensuring the right response reaches the right call. Over the past two years, your investments have helped make Toronto work better for people in very real, everyday ways. We expanded school food programs to serve more than a quarter-million students, froze TTC fares while improving service across the city, extended Sunday hours at all 100 Toronto Public Library branches, kept outdoor pools open longer during extreme heat, and increased access to local arts, festivals, and cultural events and we expanded supports and programs for seniors. The 2026 budget is about making sure those services, and many others you rely on, run reliably and efficiently. They need to work, and they need to work well, every day, in every neighbourhood. These investments improve quality of life across Toronto, and they happen because residents speak up, stay engaged, and expect their City to deliver. Affordability also means helping residents find and create meaningful work. At a time of global instability and economic uncertainty, we cannot afford to leave job creation to chance—especially for young people struggling to enter the workforce. That is why today I announced my intention to expand eligibility for the Small Business Subclass Tax, effectively cutting taxes for small businesses so they can grow, hire, and create more local jobs for Torontonians. Over the coming weeks, the Budget Committee will review the details of the budget, ask for clarifications where needed, and begin formal public engagement. Here is how you can participate: January 9, 2026, from 4:00 -6:00 p.m. I will participate in a live call-in show on Newstalk 1010 with Deb Hutton alongside our Chief Financial Officer. January 14 and 15 I will be co-hosting two telephone town halls with the Mayor, the City Manager and the CFO where residents can hear directly from staff and ask questions directly. You can join those town halls here. Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. I will be hosting a virtual Don Valley North Budget Town Hall. I encourage residents to RSVP at shelleycarroll.ca/Budget2026 . January 20 and 21, 2026, the budget committee will be hearing live deputations, in person or by video conference. You can register to speak to the committee here. These conversations are an important way to ensure residents understand what is in the budget, why certain choices were made, and how to share their feedback. Under provincial legislation, the Budget Committee will forward the budget to the Mayor at the end of the month. She will review the feedback received and may propose amendments before the final budget comes to Council for a vote. My hope is that changes will be minimal. The budget we introduced today includes the resources needed to advance our key priorities: safety, affordability, housing, and repairing critical infrastructure. In a time of economic uncertainty—particularly given global pressures beyond our borders—I believe our focus should remain on delivering these core services well and reliably, rather than adding last-minute ideas that drive up costs. This budget is about being intentional. It is about prioritizing efficiencies, protecting affordability, and making sure the services you rely on are there when you need them. I look forward to hearing from you in the weeks ahead and continuing this important conversation. As always, thank you for taking the time to stay engaged.

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 governments at every level to respond and adapt quickly. Despite this uncertainty, Toronto made real progress. In Don Valley North and across the city, we stayed focused on the fundamentals: keeping communities safe, protecting affordability, restoring long-term financial stability, and staying connected to residents. I’m proud of what we accomplished together this year.   Community Safety: A Clear Priority   My year began by being elected as Chair of the Toronto Police Service Board , a role I accepted at a critical moment for our city.   Police funding and staffing are consistently among the most complex and consequential parts of the City’s budget. After years of strain, it was clear we needed a more strategic, multi-year approach—one that addressed staffing shortages, improved service delivery, and stabilized governance at the Board as we entered collective bargaining.   Working closely with the Chief and senior command, the Board approved a multi-year hiring plan that the Chief and I developed at the end of 2024. In April, I successfully led the ratification of a new five-year collective agreement with the Toronto Police Association. This agreement was not just about wages or working conditions; it was about stability, respect for the work officers do every day, and ensuring the Service has the capacity to keep Torontonians safe. The results are encouraging: Auto thefts, break and enters, and homicides are down 911 response times have improved Non-emergency phone lines are performing better Staffing levels are up across divisions We’ve expanded the Neighbourhood Community Officer (NCO) Program I’ve spent time visiting divisions and joining officers on ride-alongs, and I hear directly from them that addressing staffing shortages is making a real difference. Community safety was the top concern residents raised at the start of this term—and it remains my focus. A Local Example: Community Safety Hubs   Here in Don Valley North, a major milestone was the launch of the 33 Division Community Safety Hub  at Fairview Mall this spring.   This Hub was shaped by years of feedback from residents and business owners who wanted a stronger police presence—but also something more connected and preventative. The Hub is not a traditional substation. It’s a place for education, outreach, and relationship-building, where officers can engage with youth, listen to residents, and better understand local concerns. This model of community-rooted policing is already expanding, with another hub now open at the Shops at Don Mills, and it shows how safety and trust can go hand in hand.   Affordability and Financial Stability: Staying the Course When I became Budget Chief , we committed to staying true to the Long-Term Financial Plan—a multi-year strategy to repair the City’s finances after more than a decade of underinvestment.   The 2025 budget  was the second budget delivered under that plan. By finding millions of dollars in savings and efficiencies while protecting core services, Toronto’s financial management was recognized internationally with a credit rating upgrade for the first time in more than 20 years. That stronger rating lowers borrowing costs and ensures better value for every tax dollar.   This disciplined approach also put the City on firmer footing as we navigated global instability, rising interest rates, and cost-of-living pressures affecting both households and municipal budgets.   How We Invested Expanded school food programs, supporting more than 250,000 students Froze TTC fares while improving service across the city Added hundreds of firefighters, police officers, and paramedics Extended Sunday hours at all Toronto Public Library branches Kept outdoor pools open longer and increased access to arts and culture Expanded supports and programs for seniors   These investments improve everyday life for residents. At the same time, we have been clear-eyed about the challenges ahead: a projected billion-dollar operating pressure next year and $18 billion in state-of-good-repair and growth-related infrastructure needs over the coming decade.   That is why I remain focused on finding and implementing efficiencies across City operations. Senior management has already begun reviewing programs and services to identify opportunities to do things better and more cost-effectively. Building on that work, I brought forward the Mayor’s Savings Challenge, which invites frontline staff to propose practical, implementable cost-saving ideas for the next budget.   Frontline workers know our systems best. They see where processes can be streamlined, waste reduced, and services delivered more efficiently—often with simple, common-sense changes.   As promised, after making the investments needed to get our financial house in order, the 2026 budget will be leaner v and more disciplined—focused on efficiencies, affordability, and long-term stability in an uncertain global economy.     City Council Highlights  Council had a busy year, and I want to highlight some items that speak directly to some of our city wide initiatives and local priorities.   2025 Update on SafeTO   Reducing crime takes more than policing alone, and SafeTO is designed to work alongside—and strengthen—our police response. SafeTO enhances the work of the Toronto Police Service by bringing police together with the City’s social development and youth programs, community agencies, and outreach teams to prevent violence, respond to crises more effectively, and improve safety across Toronto, including on the TTC.   A central focus of this work is youth safety and early intervention. By investing in youth outreach, violence prevention, and community-based supports, SafeTO is helping to address the root causes of youth-involved crime while keeping young people safe, supported, and connected to positive opportunities.   The 2025 SafeTO implementation update shows that this coordinated approach is delivering real results. SafeTO has supported police by launching the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS) to respond to mental health crises, strengthening community-based violence prevention, improving rapid support for victims and impacted communities, and using better data to guide safety decisions. As a result, the City is seeing meaningful progress in reducing youth-involved crime and repeat victimization in several priority communities.   This collaboration allows police to focus on serious and violent crime, while ensuring young people and others in crisis receive the right response at the right time—making our neighbourhoods safer and more resilient.   Introduced a Red Tape Hotline for Businesses Local entrepreneurs are already facing rising costs, labour shortages, and renewed tariff uncertainty. That is why I introduced the Red Tape Hotline pilot—an initiative supported by local businesses and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).   Run by the City’s Economic Development staff, the hotline gives business owners a direct way to flag inefficient permitting processes, outdated by-laws, and unnecessary delays that make it harder to do business in Toronto.   The pilot has been successful, and a report is now coming forward that will recommend tangible actions to make doing business easier and outline how the hotline can be made a permanent part of the City’s economic development toolkit. Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods – Updates to Multiplexes, Retail & Avenues Studies     Much of this year at Council was spent debating the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) initiative—particularly proposals related to neighbourhood retail, multiplexes, the redesignation of Avenues, and increased density. These were the issues I heard most about from residents, and I was grateful for your candid feedback. I strongly support the need for more varied housing options in our neighbourhoods, but I also believe we must build public trust alongside housing supply. On each of these items, I pushed for solutions that gave residents a stronger voice, avoided one-size-fits-all approaches, moved at a responsible pace, and allowed planning staff the time to gather the data and evidence needed before making sweeping changes. As a result, I believe we achieved better outcomes for everyone.     Coordinating Construction Management to Ease Congestion Traffic and congestion were among the most common concerns I heard from residents this year, and it’s why City Council focused heavily this year on how we manage congestion and how construction is delivered across the city. For many people, congestion isn’t just about traffic, it’s about streets tied up by overlapping construction projects that make getting around harder than it needs to be.   City data shows that construction is the single biggest contributor to congestion in Toronto. With major transit builds, private development, and long-overdue infrastructure repairs happening at the same time, better coordination is essential. That’s why Council is building on the Congestion Management Plan approved in 2023, including appointing a dedicated staff lead to focus on congestion and improving how we plan and manage capital projects.   These changes mean faster, better-coordinated construction, stronger on-site oversight, tougher rules for contractors, and higher fees for private developments that take up road space—creating real incentives to finish work quickly and efficiently. The goal is simple: reduce unnecessary disruption, keep the city moving, and respond directly to what residents told us matters most.   Speed Limit Reductions to 30 Kilometres Per Hour in DVN You will have started to notice new 30 km/h speed limit signs appearing across Don Valley North. The City has been rolling out 30 km/h neighbourhood speed limits since 2021, and our ward is among the last to receive them. Through the Area Local Speed Limit Reduction Program, all local roads in Don Valley North are being reduced to 30 km/h, with signs posted at neighbourhood entry and exit points.   Slower speeds on local streets help protect children and seniors, while allowing traffic to move more safely and efficiently on our main roads. The rollout will take about six months to complete, and residents can track progress using the City’s Vision Zero Mapping Tool.   Speed limit changes are just one part of Toronto’s broader Speed Management Strategy, which also includes traffic calming measures, speed enforcement, watch-your-speed signage, and road design changes to deliver safer, more effective speed management in our neighbourhoods. Local Wins and Community Engagement Locally, my team and I have been busier than ever. We sent out 48 E-Blasts, opened thousands of new constituency cases and we hosted events across the ward—bringing back favourites like Summer Celebration, Environment Days, Condo Clinics, and Seniors Information Day, while also responding to new concerns with events on coyotes, emergency preparedness, and ravine safety. We also found new ways to engage residents. During consultations on Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods, we created a resident reference group—a small, diverse group that met regularly to dive deeply into the policy proposals. That ongoing feedback continues to guide me through multiple Council decisions.   Door-to-door outreach was another priority. Knocking on thousands of doors gave my team and I a clearer, real-time understanding of how our neighbourhoods are changing. While I value the dialogue we have through this e-blast, meeting residents where they live provides insights we simply can’t get any other way. Thank you to everyone who opened their door to me  and my team and I!   Community Projects: Delivering on Local Priorities We also made meaningful progress this year on a wide range of community projects across Don Valley North—many of them shaped directly by resident feedback through Participatory Budgeting, community consultations, and ongoing conversations in the neighbourhood. Parkway Forest Park – New Off-Leash Dog Area In July, I was thrilled to join so many residents—and their four-legged companions—for the official opening of the new off-leash dog area at Parkway Forest Park. This project, selected through Participatory Budgeting in 2022, created a safe, accessible space designed with both dogs and their humans in mind. It provides room to play, exercise, and socialize, while helping reduce conflicts in other park areas. It’s been wonderful to see the space so well used and enjoyed by the community. Muirhead Park – New Shade Structure Another participatory budgeting project that reached completion this year was the new shade structure at Muirhead Park. Years in the making, this improvement adds much-needed shelter from the sun, making the park more comfortable and usable for families, seniors, and caregivers during warmer months. I look forward to seeing many of you enjoying it in the spring. Blue Ridge Park – Pathway Improvements Safety and accessibility were the focus of the Blue Ridge Park Pathway Improvements project. Completed this year, this participatory budget project included improved lighting, new seating, a P-gate, and other pathway enhancements to make the route safer and more welcoming for everyday use. These changes help support active transportation while improving visibility and comfort for residents using the path. Clarinda Park Playground Renewal and New Adult Fitness Area Work is continuing on the Clarinda Park Playground Improvements and New Adult Fitness Area, another participatory budgeting project selected by residents. A contractor has now been retained, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and wrap up by the end of summer 2026. The project includes the removal and replacement of the existing playground, installation of new adult fitness equipment, and associated walkways and site furnishings—helping ensure the park serves residents of all ages. Clarinda Park Staircase Reconstruction Separate but related improvements are underway to replace the aging timber staircase at Clarinda Park. The project will include a new galvanized steel staircase with a bike ramp, slope stabilization planting, and pathway restoration at the top and bottom of the stairs. Subject to capital budget approval, construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026 and be completed by spring 2027. Ethennonnhawahstihnen Community Recreation Centre – Indoor Play Space Construction has begun on a new indoor play space at the Ethennonnhawahstihnen Community Recreation Centre. Designed for children aged five to twelve, this space will provide year-round opportunities for active play and recreation, with completion anticipated in early 2026. This project will add valuable indoor programming capacity for families in the area. Updates will continue to be shared through the City’s project webpage. Fairview Library – Youth Hub Expansion In October, I was proud to join Toronto Public Library staff, students, and community members for the grand reopening of Fairview Library’s newly renovated third floor youth hub. The space includes a glass-enclosed programming room, group study areas, accessible tutoring booths, a soundproof studio for music remixing and podcasting, and a large 3D printing studio—alongside, of course, plenty of books. This investment reflects our commitment to providing young people with safe, inspiring spaces to learn and create. Pleasant View Library – Moving Toward Construction We also confirmed that construction on the Pleasant View Library Branch is expected to begin in 2026, supported by contributions from nearby development. This project has required sustained work behind the scenes to move through planning and funding stages, and I’m pleased that we’re now seeing real momentum toward delivering this important community asset. Cresthaven Park – Hillcrest Tennis Club Improvements At Cresthaven Park, I was pleased to move the motion allowing the City to accept funds raised by the Hillcrest Tennis Club to refurbish the park’s four tennis courts. Hillcrest Tennis Club is a community-based organization operating within a public park, and all funds for the improvements are being raised by members and players—not taxpayers. The refurbishment is scheduled for spring 2026 and will be delivered through a construction and donation agreement with Parks and Recreation, ensuring the courts remain publicly accessible while benefiting from community investment. Seneca Hill Park – Tennis Courts State-of-Good-Repair The State-of-Good-Repair project at Seneca Hill Park continues to move forward. This work includes replacing tennis court surfaces, fencing, and lighting, along with new shade structures, landscape furniture, pathway and drainage improvements, and an upgraded water fountain with a bottle-filling station. Court base asphalt and fencing installation are already underway, with construction expected to wrap up by the end of 2025, weather permitting. Final court surfacing is planned for spring 2026.   Looking Ahead to 2026 As we head into the new year, my focus remains clear: affordability, safety, and stability. The work ahead won’t be easy. Global uncertainty continues, and the City faces real financial pressures. But by staying disciplined, listening closely to residents, and investing where it matters most, we can continue to protect what makes Toronto—and Don Valley North—a great place to live.   I hope to see you early next year at our upcoming events, the 2026 Budget Town Hall  and the Winter Bash !  Thank you for being engaged, for sharing your views, and for working with me throughout the year. I look forward to continuing this work together in 2026.

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 Indoor Temperature Requirement for Rental Units and Cooling Rooms   It might seem unusual to be talking about extreme heat in December, but with summers getting hotter, prolonged heat is a serious health and safety issue, especially for tenants in older rental buildings.   This work began in 2023  when I first asked City staff to explore how Toronto could better protect renters from dangerous indoor temperatures during extreme heat events. This week, Council received a report outlining the next steps toward potentially implementing a maximum indoor temperature standard for rental housing and requiring that specific indoor spaces are made available as cooling rooms.   The approach is careful and evidence-based. In 2026, staff will conduct a detailed compliance study across different types of rental buildings to understand the costs, challenges, and opportunities. The study will also look at prioritizing relief for residents most vulnerable to heat-related illness, with findings and recommendations to be reported back in 2027.   Meanwhile, the report advances immediate, practical measures to protect tenants, including continuing the City’s A/C Assistance Program for eligible low-income households, requiring RentSafeTO buildings to cool an existing amenity space during summer where feasible, and consolidating all indoor temperature rules into a single, clearer by-law. EC25.1 4050 Chesswood Drive - Designation of a Portion of the Property Used by North York Harvest Food Bank Toronto as a Municipal Capital Facility   This report designates a portion of North York Harvest Food Bank’s new space at 4050 Chesswood Drive as a Municipal Capital Facility, exempting it from municipal and education property taxes and reducing rent costs so more resources can be directed toward food access, workforce training, and community programming. To strengthen this support, I moved an amendment at Committee to approve an exceptional City loan guarantee for North York Harvest Food Bank. This guarantee helps unlock financing for the construction of an expanded food distribution facility by reducing borrowing costs and risk, making it possible for the project to move ahead while community fundraising continues.   North York Harvest Food Bank does extraordinary work and this support comes as North York Harvest launches a $6 million fundraising campaign to build a new Community Food Hub, more than three times the size of their current space, to respond to crisis-level food insecurity affecting more than 30,000 people each month. Until December 31, donations are being matched by the Schulich Foundation, doubling the impact of community support.  Learn more and support: https://northyorkharvest.com/community/     EC25.7 Reducing Barriers to Youth Employment   I strongly support this report because youth employment is foundational to Toronto’s long-term economic strength, community safety, and shared prosperity. With youth unemployment in our city nearing 20%, we must be intentional about creating clear, equitable pathways into meaningful work.   The City of Toronto is the leading employer of youth in Canada, with more than 16,000 young people working for us every year. This report builds on that leadership by strengthening coordination through the Youth Employment Table, setting clearer employment targets, modernizing hiring practices, and expanding pathways into stable careers, including in construction and major city-building projects.   At Committee, I supported motions calling on the provincial and federal governments to provide sustained funding for youth employment that reflects Toronto’s outsized role in employing young people. But governments cannot do this work alone. If we want a safe, resilient, and prosperous city, the private sector must also step up—by creating more entry-level opportunities, paid placements, and pathways into stable work for young people alongside continued public investment. GG26.3 Suspension of Capital Sewer Services Inc., and Affiliated Persons   I know there is a perception that the City doesn’t do enough to hold contractors accountable when things go wrong. This case shows the opposite.   Through our internal controls and the Auditor General’s Fraud and Waste Hotline, the City identified serious irregularities in billing by Capital Sewer Services Inc. That triggered a full audit and an independent forensic investigation by KPMG, which has confirmed intentional overbilling of at least $1.1 million on a major City sewer project. Based on those findings, I supported suspending Capital Sewer and its affiliated companies from doing business with the City for the maximum period allowed—five years.   This decision reflects how seriously we take our audit and oversight systems. When concerns are raised, we investigate, we act, and we protect public dollars. Contractors who violate the City’s Supplier Code of Conduct must clearly understand: Toronto will hold you accountable. IE26.3 - TransformTO Net Zero Strategy: Action Plan (2026-2030) (Ward All)   This report generated a significant amount of feedback from residents who were concerned that a Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) bylaw was not included. I want to thank everyone who took the time to share their views—those voices mattered in shaping the outcome.   This report is an important step in advancing Toronto’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy Action Plan for 2026–2030. It moves climate action forward in a way that recognizes today’s affordability pressures, legal constraints, and economic realities, while continuing to invest in resilience, public health, and long-term prosperity.   I was grateful to support the amendments brought forward to ensure that BEPS is not off the table, but done right. These amendments commit the City to reporting back in early 2027 with a full economic and legal analysis, meaningful stakeholder consultation, and clear measures to protect tenants from rent and utility cost increases. They also strengthen our advocacy to the provincial and federal governments for the funding and tools building owners need to make upgrades feasible, and direct continued work with Toronto Hydro to reduce emissions while managing costs. Tackling climate change is essential, but it must be done in a way that is fair, legally sound, and economically responsible. This report, and the amendments added to it, strike that balance and keep Toronto moving forward.   PH26.4 - Housing Action Plan: Avenues Policy Review Phase Two: Initial Study of Wards 9 and 11   When Council debated the Avenues Review earlier this year, I heard from many residents who were concerned about how new Avenues designations could affect growth in their neighbourhoods. Troublingly, several residents also told me they felt their concerns were not heard during the Phase One consultations. There is no question that this policy will play out very differently in our suburban neighbourhoods than downtown—and we are already seeing that with other zoning changes. That is why I supported an amended work plan  to change how this work is done. Phase Two of the Avenues Study now requires planning staff to consult with local communities before  they begin evaluating any potential rezoning along Avenues. This ensures residents and councillors can help shape recommendations from the outset, rather than being consulted only after options are already far down the track. Implementation is also being phased, starting with Wards 9 (Davenport) and 11 (University–Rosedale), which is the process contained in the report Council received this week. Don Valley North will be reviewed in Phase Three, with work targeted to begin in 2027. I have also heard concerns about how these changes could affect school sites located on Avenues. I strongly support protecting local schools and the green spaces that serve our communities, and I understand why any planning change involving school lands raises questions. To address these concerns and reaffirm that school sites should not be considered for redevelopment, Council approved an amendment to exclude all public school properties from future Avenue rezonings in all wards. These school sites remain zoned exactly as they are today, with no new development permissions and no impact on school operations or green space. Any future proposal to redevelop school lands would still require a separate rezoning process, full public consultation, and approval by City Council. These are exactly the kinds of concerns that led me to oppose a one-size-fits-all, city-wide approach to the Avenues Review. A ward-by-ward, context-sensitive process allows growth to be planned carefully, transparently, and with meaningful community input. This measured rollout recognizes that while we continue to face development pressure along Sheppard Avenue East, new zoning tools must be introduced thoughtfully. I will continue to advocate for this approach on your behalf.   MM35.15   Speeding Up Light Rail Transit and Streetcars - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers   I fully understand why many riders are disappointed with the early travel times on the Finch West LRT. After years of anticipation, people deserve a service that is fast, reliable, and truly competitive with driving. Transit signal priority may very well be part of the solution, and it’s encouraging to see strong community support for measures that improve speed and reliability. I am supportive of the approach proposed by Mayor Chow, directing the City Manager to work with Metrolinx and the TTC to implement more aggressive transit signal priority along the surface portions of the Finch West LRT and to report back in early 2026 on progress. Now that the TTC has assumed operational control of the line, I believe it’s important to pair urgency with good data. My focus is on making sure the Finch West LRT delivers the fast, reliable service our communities were promised.     Development Updates   NY28.5 - 71 Talara Drive - Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval This development application has now been approved by City Council. The next step is Site Plan Approval, where City staff will work through the finer details of the project, including building design, landscaping, servicing, access, and public realm improvements. Only once this process is complete and all conditions are satisfied can a building permit be issued and construction begin.   NY28.6 - 567 Sheppard Avenue East - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - Decision Report - Approval   This development application was deferred to the next Council meeting to allow more time to work with the applicant and City staff on key outstanding issues.   While I recognize the value of delivering a modern YMCA facility and new housing, I continue to have concerns about traffic impacts and the overall organization of the site—particularly given the very real congestion challenges at Bayview and Sheppard. The deferral provides additional time to work with City Planning and the developer to address these priorities before Council is asked to make a final decision.   2135 Sheppard Avenue East, 325, Yorkland Boulevard, 125 Consumers Road, 15 Smooth Rose Court, and 55 Smooth Rose Court - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - Decision Report - Approval   This development application has now been approved by City Council. The next step is Site Plan Approval, where City staff will work through the finer details of the project, including building design, landscaping, servicing, access, and public realm improvements. Only once this process is complete and all conditions are satisfied can a building permit be issued and construction begin.   NY28.8 - 1125 Sheppard Avenue East (Block 2) - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Refusal   Council supported the staff recommendation to refuse this development application. The developer now has an opportunity to resubmit with changes to the proposal or to appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal. I will keep you informed as I receive updates.   NY28.9 - 1 Herons Hill Way - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval   This development application has now been approved by City Council. The next step is Site Plan Approval, where City staff will work through the finer details of the project, including building design, landscaping, servicing, access, and public realm improvements. Only once this process is complete and all conditions are satisfied can a building permit be issued and construction begin.   CC35.14 - 3377 Bayview Avenue - Request to Review Ontario Land Tribunal Decision - Request for Directions   City Council approved this report directing City legal staff to negotiate the developer’s request to review certain aspects of the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) settlement for the Tyndale site. This report went straight to Council, which is why it wasn’t included in my NYCC roundup.   The request is largely technical and include the removal of underground parking beneath Blocks 1, 2, 4, and 5. To accommodate residents and Tyndale University during construction, a temporary surface parking lot will be provided on Block 6. Once complete, a permanent above-grade parking structure will be built on Block 2, with active retail or community uses at grade along portions of the public street frontages. These changes do not reduce the total amount of residential parking, which remains consistent with the original plan. Importantly, nothing is changing regarding the total number of affordable housing units, the amount or location of parkland and POPS, the public road location, or cultural heritage considerations.   As we head into the holiday season, I want to wish you and your loved ones a safe, restful, and happy holiday. Thank you for your continued engagement, thoughtful feedback, and advocacy throughout the year—it truly makes a difference. Please note that there will be no eblast next week, but we’ll be back with our regular updates in January. Happy Holidays, and I look forward to continuing this work with you in the new year.

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, housing patterns, and travel needs differ from the downtown core — are well served by the decisions we make at City Hall. That means taking a thoughtful, measured approach rather than committing to changes before we have the evidence to support them.   MLTT: Responsible revenue planning for stable services   Toronto’s MLTT plays a major role in funding our services, and I support a tax structure in which those with the strongest financial capacity contribute more. But responsible budgeting means understanding the limitations of this particular tool — particularly its volatility.   High-value home sales fluctuate dramatically depending on market conditions. Over the past few years, we’ve experienced both record highs and sudden slowdowns, and the City’s reliance on this revenue swing has made long-term planning increasingly difficult. Snow clearing, recreation programs, libraries, and policing don’t rise and fall with the real estate market — but our MLTT revenue does. In suburban communities like Don Valley North, homes that now fall into the $3 million range are often long-held family properties, not “luxury estates,” and further increases risk discouraging healthy housing turnover. When families feel pressured to stay put because selling becomes too costly, it slows the market for younger families trying to move into our neighbourhoods.   I worry that tinkering with the current MLTT structure distracts us from focusing on more stable, predictable revenue sources that really could address our fiscal gap.   Fare capping: A brand-new system that needs time before we go further   The Mayor’s recent announcement that Toronto will introduce monthly fare capping in 2026 represents a major modernizing step for our transit system. Until now, if you couldn’t afford to purchase a monthly pass upfront, you couldn’t access the savings it provided. Fare capping changes that by allowing riders to “earn” those savings over the course of the month.   This is a positive and long overdue update, and I fully support the implementation of the 47-ride cap that has just been announced.   However, there is already a suggestion that Toronto move even further, lowering the cap to 40 rides before the initial system has even launched. I believe that would be premature.   We have not yet seen how riders will interact with the new system, how revenues and ridership patterns will shift, how fare capping will affect TTC operating pressures, or how it will intersect with ongoing concerns around reliability, crowding, and safety. For suburban riders in particular, reliability and travel time are just as important as affordability. People in Don Valley North don’t have multiple route choices or short trips — when service is reduced or overwhelmed, they feel it immediately.   Given that fare capping is only just being introduced, it is too early to make commitments about expanding it before we even have baseline data. The responsible path is: • Introduce fare capping at 47 rides, • Monitor its effects over the first full year, and • Base any further changes on real evidence and a clear plan to maintain service quality.   This approach protects affordability while ensuring that riders — especially in the suburbs — still receive the level of service they rely on.   Don Valley North residents expect clear, responsible planning — revenue choices that are steady enough to fund services in both strong and slower economic periods, transit decisions that balance affordability with the reliability suburban riders depend on, and housing and tax policies that reflect how families in established neighbourhoods actually move through the market. These are the principles that will guide my decisions as Council begins its work on the 2026 Budget, and I welcome your thoughts on both the MLTT proposal and the newly announced fare capping system, as budget decisions shape the daily lives of our residents and your feedback is essential.     Statement on Antisemitism - Mezuzah Removal Follow-up   Last weekend’s reports of mezuzahs being removed from the doorways of Jewish seniors in a North York seniors housing building have shaken many in our community. These are deeply personal symbols of identity and faith, and their removal is not a harmless act — it is a targeted violation of people’s homes and sense of safety. I remain grateful that 32 Division and the Hate Crime Unit are investigating this incident with the seriousness it demands, and my thoughts continue to be with the residents affected.   Over the past several weeks, I have heard from many Don Valley North residents who are deeply troubled by the rise in antisemitism in our city and who have asked me to speak plainly about it. I want to acknowledge those conversations. They reflect not only fear and frustration, but also a sincere desire for our civic leaders to be unequivocal in defending the safety and dignity of Jewish Torontonians.   For many months now, the ongoing situation at Bathurst and Sheppard has been a source of real fear and exhaustion for nearby residents. What is happening there needs to come to an end. Targeting neighbourhoods — whether through intimidation, demonstrations that spill into residential life, or repeated acts of hate — is wrong, regardless of intent. These are people’s homes, and they deserve the same expectation of peace and safety as every other corner of Toronto.   Many residents have also asked me to address comments made by the Mayor a couple of weeks ago. I have heard clearly that those remarks caused real concern and contributed to a sense of division at a time when our city needed steadiness and unity. While the Mayor speaks for herself, I want to reaffirm that my focus remains firmly on supporting Jewish neighbours who are experiencing unprecedented levels of fear and on ensuring that our institutions respond with seriousness, respect, and accountability.   At the same time, it is important to recognize when meaningful steps are taken. This week’s announcement of the Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Grant is one such step. I want to acknowledge Mayor Chow and Councillor James Pasternak for advancing this program, which will help at-risk community organizations — including synagogues and cultural institutions — strengthen their physical protections in the face of rising hate-motivated threats. This is the type of practical, safety-focused initiative residents have been asking for, and it is welcome progress.   This week also marks the Strong Cities Network Global Summit , hosted right here in Toronto. I was proud to work with Councillor Pasternak earlier this year to help secure the funding that made this possible. Bringing together local leaders from around the world to share strategies for countering hate and strengthening community resilience is timely and important, especially as our own neighbourhoods grapple with these challenges. Toronto should be a city that both contributes to — and learns from — global efforts to keep people safe and supported.   Antisemitism is unacceptable in any form — whether it appears as hateful vandalism, the removal of mezuzahs from seniors’ homes, or the persistent targeting of predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods. I will continue working closely with the Toronto Police Service, community partners, and local leaders to ensure that our city responds with empathy, firmness, and action.

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 to 311. You can now submit service requests at any point during a winter event. This helps the City identify issues earlier and respond more quickly. While we expect 311’s responsiveness to improve, please remember that my office is always your back-up. Hearing directly from Don Valley North residents during heavy snowfall helps us troubleshoot problems in real time and advocate for the fixes our neighbourhoods need. So what can you expect when it snows?   When Roads are Salted & Plowed The City follows clear service standards for when major roads, local streets, and laneways get salted and plowed. If those timelines aren’t being met, contact 311, and if the issue persists, let my office know. This handy chart shows the levels of service for salting and plowing on our city streets.   As part of the revamped winter maintenance plan, the City is using enhanced contractor monitoring, including GPS dashboards and real-time tracking tools. This means more reliable service, and more accurate information on tools like the PlowTO map . I encourage you to bookmark it so you can check, in real time, which roads and sidewalks near you have been plowed or salted and where winter maintenance vehicles are on their routes. Sidewalks: When the City Clears Them, and When You Do When snowfall is 2 cm or less, it’s up to residents and businesses to clear their sidewalks within 12 hours after the snow stops. Property owners are also responsible for clearing snow and ice from private driveways, parking spaces, steps, and landings to keep walkways safe for everyone. A few important tips: Always shovel snow onto your own property, away from the road and sidewalk. Never push snow onto City streets, it’s unsafe and illegal. If you can do so safely, please clear nearby storm drains to help prevent flooding. When piling snow, make sure you’re not blocking sightlines for drivers entering the road. And please remember to clear around fire hydrants so firefighters have quick access in an emergency. These small steps make a big difference in keeping our neighbourhood safe through the winter. City crews begin clearing public sidewalks once snowfall reaches more than 2 cm and the snow has stopped, or earlier if icy conditions require it. It typically takes about 12 hours to complete a full round of sidewalk clearing, but during heavier storms, crews may need to make multiple passes. In some cases, clearing can continue for up to 72 hours after the snow ends to make sure all routes are safe and accessible. If you're able, please be a good neighbour and help out seniors or people with disabilities who may need assistance clearing their sidewalks. If you’re a senior that needs assistance with snow clearing, you can reach out to Better Living Health and Community Services'  Four Seasons Connection Program, which provides fee-based snow shovelling services to seniors, at 416-447-5074 or fourseasons@betterlivinghealth.org . Lastly, I could use your help keeping an eye on the neighbourhood “cut-throughs”—those small pathways between streets or leading to school yards. Clearing these has been much better over the last year or two, but they’ve been a trouble spot in the past, and I continue to flag them with City staff. If you notice any of these pathways being missed this season, please reach out to my office so we can get them addressed quickly.     Prevent frozen pipes: Tips to keep your plumbing safe Winter brings more than snow, those deep cold snaps can freeze the pipes in your home, cutting off your water or, worse, causing pipes to burst and leading to costly damage. There are a few simple steps that can make all the difference. Start by knowing where your main water shut-off valve is so you can act quickly if a pipe does burst. It also helps to insulate any pipes that are most exposed to cold air, such as those along exterior walls, in crawl spaces, attics, or garages. Foam pipe covers from any home improvement store work well.   Keeping cold air out of your home is just as important. Sealing gaps around windows, doors, wiring, vents, and pipes will help prevent freezing. Don’t forget outdoor faucets! These are usually the first to freeze. Disconnect your hoses, shut off the outdoor water supply, and let the tap drain fully.   To learn more about how to protect your pipes, or what to do if they’ve already frozen, the City has a helpful guide available here . If you can’t locate the frozen section or aren’t able to thaw it safely, a licensed plumber can provide support. You can also contact 311 or my office, and City staff will come to take a look. Please keep in mind that if crews determine the freeze is on private property (from the property line into the home), you’ll be advised to contact a plumber directly.    Winter Safety Tips   Winter weather brings cold temperatures, slick roads, and limited visibility, creating real safety challenges for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike. If you’re out walking, please take a moment to be aware of your surroundings. Hoods, hats, and umbrellas help keep us warm and dry, but they can also limit your field of vision—so make eye contact with drivers and cyclists before crossing, wear bright or reflective clothing when visibility is low, and avoid texting while walking. Drivers also need to take extra care. Plan ahead, give yourself more travel time, and always check road and weather conditions before heading out. Slowing down, leaving more space between vehicles, and ensuring your car is fully cleared of snow and ice all make a big difference. This is also the time of year to check your battery, lights, tires, washer fluid, and coolant, and to consider switching to snow tires for added traction. Keeping your gas tank at least half full and warming the car briefly before you get moving can also help prevent cold-weather issues. A few small precautions can go a long way in keeping everyone safe through the winter months. Stay warm, stay alert, and look out for one another. Check out the Winter Tenant Guide For renters in our community, my office has put together a Winter Tenant Guide to help you stay safe, warm, and informed throughout the colder months. It outlines your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, offers practical tips for navigating winter conditions, and highlights simple ways we can all look out for our neighbours during this season. You can read the guide here. Enjoying Winter in Don Valley North   While winter always brings its fair share of shovelling and chilly mornings, if you’re prepared and take a few simple precautions,  there are so many great activities  to take advantage of right here in our neighbourhoods and across our city. Winter is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy everything our community has to offer. Ever wanted to learn to curl? Go birdwatching or play disc golf?   Here in Don Valley North, we’re lucky to have excellent places to skate and play all winter long. Our outdoor rinks  at Van Horne Park  and Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Park  are now open, and our indoor rinks at Cummer Park , Oriole , and Pleasant View  Community Centres are ready for families to enjoy. You can also apply to create a community rink  to enjoy with your neighbours. While Applications for 2025/2026 closed on October 17, 2025, applications are reviewed every year. Whether you’re lacing up your skates, tobogganing , showshoeing or cross-country skiing , or discovering a new park close to home, I hope you’ll take advantage of all the ways to make the most of this season in our neighbourhood. Winter in Toronto can be wonderful, especially when we get outside together.   Winter Bash – Save the Date!   One of my favourite ways to celebrate winter in Don Valley North is at my annual Winter Bash! Consider this your official save the date for Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 12:00PM – 3:00PM at Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Park Skating rink.   We’ll have free skate rentals, hot chocolate, and plenty of fun activities for the whole family. More details will be coming in the new year, but for now, mark your calendars, I can’t wait to see you there!   This Holiday Season, Let’s Give Back Lastly, the holidays are a time for community, gratitude, and giving back. Here in Don Valley North, we know this season can be challenging for many, which is why supporting those in need is more important than ever. If you can, please consider supporting North York General Hospital , which is raising funds for its much-needed expansion, or the North York Harvest Food Bank , which is facing increased demand as it supplies dozens of local organizations and schools with food. Every contribution, big or small, helps strengthen our community and bring hope to those who need it most.   Let’s come together to make this holiday season brighter for everyone.

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 encouraging — but neighbourhood-level concerns matter just as much.   That’s why I’d love for you to join me on Wednesday, December 3 rd  at Divine Mercy Catholic School for a Community Safety Town Hall, co-hosted with Superintendent Donovan Locke of 33 Division. This is an opportunity to hear directly about the work underway to keep our community safe, the progress we’re making together, and the next steps ahead. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and share your concerns.   Even with crime trending downward, we know many residents still feel uneasy. In a city of 3.2 million people, a single high-profile incident can dominate the news cycle and shake our sense of safety. That’s why these conversations matter. Hearing directly from the officers and City staff who deal with these issues every day — and who can provide specific, local answers — can help us all feel better informed and more confident in the path forward.   Here are some of the key topics we’ll cover:   1. Policing programs and approaches that are making a difference Police Chief Myron Demkiw often references the multi-year hiring plan, but the strategy goes far beyond adding new recruits. We’ll discuss how new officers are being deployed — in neighbourhoods, and in specialized units focused on guns, gangs, and hate — and the updated training that supports Toronto’s long-term safety.   2. SafeTO: Toronto’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Reducing crime takes more than policing. Our Police Senior Command will speak to the strengthened collaboration between the City’s social development and youth programs, community agencies, and outreach teams. SafeTO has deepened trust across these partners and improved crisis response both across the city and on the TTC. We’ll walk through how these coordinated efforts are producing real results.   3. Safety at Home Officers from 33 Division will share practical steps you can take to protect your home, vehicle, and neighbourhood. Crime around the home continues to decline, but simple everyday habits can eliminate many crimes of opportunity. We’ll review the checklist together.   4. Expanding the Neighbourhood Community Officer (NCO) Program The Toronto Police Service has expanded the NCO program into four new neighbourhoods — and onto the TTC. We already benefit from dedicated NCO teams and the latest expansion adds a much needed team here in 33 Division.For the first time, the program also includes Toronto’s underground transit system. Two full teams of officers will patrol between Union and Eglinton, providing seven-day-a-week dedicated coverage on the Yonge Line, where data tells us we have the biggest challenge. They’ll work closely with TTC Special Constables and community partners to support vulnerable riders and assist people in crisis. Additionally, officers from across the city will be including regular patrols across the system as part of their on-duty work, to provide even greater visibility. I hope you’ll join me on Wednesday, December 3rd  for this important conversation. Together, we can continue strengthening safety, supporting our neighbours, and building a community where everyone feels secure. I look forward to seeing you there.   North York Community Council Preview   Next Friday is the final North York Community Council meeting of the year, and the agenda includes several major development application reports I want to highlight for you. This is your opportunity to depute — in person, online, or in writing — to provide feedback to the committee before our final recommendations go to City Council later this month. To participate you can: 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 12:00 p.m. on December 4, 2025, by emailing nycc@toronto.ca  or calling 416-392-4666. You may attend in person, by video conference, or by telephone   NY28.5 - 71 Talara Drive - Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval   This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to amend part of the previously approved  development at 71 Talara Dr. The plan includes: An increase in tower height from 23-storeys to 36-storeys with a four- to five-storey podium along Talara Drive, containing 385 units of housing, including 29 rental replacement units. A five-level underground parking garage with 197 parking spaces and three short-term pick-up/drop-off spaces at grade. The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the goals of the City’s Official Plan, including the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan (OPA 777).     NY28.6 - 567 Sheppard Avenue East - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - Decision Report - Approval The site is currently home to the existing YMCA. The proposal would allow the new facility to be built closer to Sheppard Avenue East while keeping the current building fully operational throughout construction, ensuring uninterrupted access to programs and services. This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to allow a new development at 567 Sheppard Avenue East. The plan includes three buildings: Two residential towers, each 48 storeys tall, located on the south side of the site with a total of 1,115 units of housing. A new three-storey YMCA on the north side facing Sheppard Avenue East, with 6,671 m² of community space.   I still have concerns about traffic and the organization of this site. I will be pressing City Planning at this meeting on how they suggest to address the very real congestion impacts we’re seeing at Bayview and Sheppard.   The proposal is consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the City’s Official Plan, including the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan (OPA 777).     2135 Sheppard Avenue East, 325, Yorkland Boulevard, 125 Consumers Road, 15 Smooth Rose Court, and 55 Smooth Rose Court - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications - Decision Report - Approval This report recommends approving changes to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to amend part of the previously approved Parkside Square development at 15 Smooth Rose Court. The plan includes: Building A, which would increase in height from 35 storeys (105.5 m) to 43 storeys (129.5 m), with a corresponding increase in overall density. The building would contain 463 homes with a mix of unit types and sizes while maintaining the approved tower floorplate. 296 parking spaces (250 residential, 46 visitor), 12 accessible spaces. The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and aligns with the goals of the City’s Official Plan.    NY28.8 - 1125 Sheppard Avenue East (Block 2) - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Refusal   This report reviews an application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law for Block 2 of the Concord Redevelopment at 1125 Sheppard Avenue East. The proposed development includes: Two residential towers, 52 and 48 storeys, on a shared 6-storey podium. A privately owned publicly accessible space at the southeast corner of the site. A landscaped mid-block connection linking Sheppard Avenue East to Singer Court. The development proposed 1,238 homes, with a total gross floor area of 78,265.24 m², including 2,881.8 m² of non-residential space. City staff has recommended refusing the application because, in its current form, it does not conform to the City’s Official Plan, the Sheppard Subway Corridor Secondary Plan, or the Renew Sheppard East Secondary Plan. A reminder that a refusal report does not prevent a developer from continuing with a project. If Council were to refuse the application, the developer has a few options: they could resubmit the proposal with changes in hopes of receiving an approval report in the future, or they could appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). This example shows that while the Province has made planning approvals more permissive in recent years, City planning staff continue to review applications carefully and will recommend refusal if a proposal does not meet the policies and guidelines designed to guide development in our communities.     NY28.9 - 1 Herons Hill Way - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment Application - Decision Report - Approval   This report recommends approving changes to the previously approved development at 1 Herons Hill. The plan includes: A reduction in required employment space from 3,342 m² to 2,227 m², to accommodate 7 additional residential units, with no changes to the built form previously approved.   Of concern to me is the lack of any affordable housing provisions should this be a purpose-built rental building, the type all orders of government are working to incentivize. I will be working with Planning staff and the applicant to ensure that we can achieve some affordable units, as envisioned in our ConsumersNext Secondary Plan. The proposal meets the requirements of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 and conforms to the City’s Official Plan. As always, keeping our community safe and informed is at the heart of my work. I hope you’ll join us at the upcoming Community Safety Town Hall to hear directly from the teams working on these issues every day, and I look forward to sharing more updates as we prepare for the last North York Community Council meeting of the year. Thank you for staying engaged and for continuing to bring your questions, concerns, and ideas forward, it’s how we build a safer, stronger Don Valley North together.

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 with a generous donation that will upgrade the courts at Cresthaven Park—great news for local players of all ages.   PH25.3 - Community Within Reach: Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) Neighbourhood Retail and Services Study Arguably the most debated item on this month’s agenda was the issue of neighbourhood retail. With many amendments passed at both Planning and Council, a fair amount of confusion has circulated since the meeting about what exactly is permitted.   Council’s final decision limits as-of-right retail permissions in suburban wards to designated major streets. To permit retail on neighbourhood streets, councillors had to opt in. I chose not to do so at this time.   In Don Valley North, the major streets are fairly straightforward. North–south routes include Bayview Avenue, Leslie Street, Don Mills Road, and Victoria Park Avenue. East–west routes include Sheppard Avenue, Finch Avenue East, and Steeles Avenue East. In several downtown wards, councillors opted to go further by adding selected local neighbourhood streets where legacy shops still exist. In those wards, new stores will be allowed at the ends of blocks.   Even on major streets, the permissions are limited. To qualify, a property must have its front or side lot line on a major street, and the main pedestrian entrance for any commercial space must also face that major street. Properties that back onto a major street but front onto a local street do not qualify. These conditions significantly narrow where new retail can open, even within the major street network.   We also heard strong concerns about infrastructure capacity, parking pressure, and neighbourhood character as these changes roll out. In response, Council has required staff to closely monitor the impact of these new permissions and report back within two years—or sooner, if 100 permits or business licences are issued. That review will help us understand how the policy is working on the ground and will recommend any necessary adjustments to zoning, policy, or enforcement.   There are several restrictions, including limits on the allowable square footage of new retail spaces. I am most encouraged, however, by the information we received from staff regarding cannabis stores. The over-licensing of cannabis retail proved to be the largest concern during this debate, and staff have already begun conversations with their provincial counterparts to address it.   I want to note that I have never received a complaint about a cannabis shop once it opens with the proper licence. What I hear most often is concern each time yet another licence is approved. We have far more of these stores than anyone anticipated. Perhaps this neighbourhood retail debate has finally created the momentum needed to secure the moratorium on cannabis licences that many of us have advocated for. Council welcomes that discussion with the Province. EX27.2 - 2025 Winter Maintenance Program Review Update   It was frustrating to watch the media frame this issue in the days leading up to Council. Many reports insisted that nothing had improved since last year’s disappointing snow-clearing performance, and that nothing would change this winter. That narrative could not be further from the truth.   Here’s what has actually happened: After the extreme snowstorms of early 2025, the Mayor and Council gave clear direction that we expected a new approach to winter operations. We called for stronger management of snow clearing and a more concrete, dependable plan for snow removal when accumulations become extreme. Until now, removal has been treated almost entirely as an emergency service, with an ad hoc response each time. That is no longer acceptable.   Several key staff changes have now been made to ensure that the new recommendations will be carried out with a fresh and focused approach. The changes are as follows:   Winter Operations Improvements – Key Highlights 1. Enhanced Service Access & Responsiveness 311 hold period discontinued: submit service requests anytime during winter events for faster issue identification and better customer service. Year-round Winter Services Unit: improves operational preparedness, contract management, inter-agency coordination, and continuous improvement. 2. Operational Efficiency & Staffing Surge staffing and “all-hands-on-deck” mobilization, including redeployment where appropriate. Streamlined operation sequencing: road and windrow plowing prioritized before sidewalk clearing to reduce rework and speed completion. 3. Vehicle & Parking Management Traffic Agents reassigned to support parking enforcement. Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) app notifications and stickers on parking meters for snow route advisories. Use of TPA lots for resident parking during snow removal. Expanded major snow routes and new signage. 4. Contractor & Fleet Performance Contractor monitoring via GPS dashboards and real-time tools for improved reliability and accuracy. Expanded fleet and maintenance: additional equipment, pilot sidewalk plows, mobile technicians, and extended garage hours. 5. Enhanced Field Verification & Proactive Measures Field audits with longer segments, traffic cameras, and real-time monitoring to ensure service standards. Earlier proactive snow removal at high-priority locations to preserve snow storage capacity for future events.   I’m optimistic about this shift, especially because the staff now leading this work are people I know well and respect from past projects. We will all see the results together during the first major snowfall, and I expect a stronger, more responsive system this time.   While 311 service should improve, remember that my office is always your back-up. Hearing directly from Don Valley North residents during heavy snow events helps us troubleshoot issues quickly and advocate for the fixes our neighbourhoods need. IE25.3 - Enhancing the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program to Reduce Basement Flooding Risks   Long-time readers know that I have worked for years to improve how the City supports residents experiencing basement flooding. Much of this work builds on the findings of the Ombudsman Toronto’s 2020 report,  “ Enquiry into How the City of Toronto Handles Homeowner Third-Party Liability Claims for Basement Flooding and Sewer Backups.”  That review highlighted serious gaps in service, accountability, and communication—gaps we continue to close through improved programs, clearer processes, and better customer service. I Council adopted a series of increases to the City’s home flood-protection subsidy programs. This is a straightforward and sensible investment. The amount of money the City saves when homeowners prevent basement flooding far exceeds the cost of providing these subsidies—so much so that the value is almost impossible to overstate.   Starting in 2026, the total amount available to each household will rise from $3,450 to $6,650. This increase reflects inflation since the program began, but it also adds important new features, such as support for backup power for your sump pump and the option to install a second backwater valve in larger homes.   The most important starting point for any homeowner is the $500 grant to complete a professional plumbing and stormwater assessment. These expanded benefits will come into effect after Council adopts the 2026 City Budget. I will share all the final details in a dedicated e-blast once the new subsidy amounts officially launch. If you plan to take advantage of the program, expect to apply next spring as you prepare to flood-proof your home. In the meantime, here’s a friendly but important reminder: please don’t rake, blow, or dump leaves onto sidewalks, ditches, or roadways. Not only does that create a safety hazard, but you could also face a $200 fine. Fallen leaves can clog storm drains, which increases the risk of flooding on streets and private property. The City has kicked off its annual Leaf Maintenance program, which will run through mid-December (weather permitting). Crews are manually clearing leaves and using street sweepers to collect them from public spaces like roads, boulevards, ditches, and culverts. However — and this is key — leaves on private property are not  part of this program. I strongly encourage residents to leave leaves on their lawns where they naturally enrich the soil, protect plants, and provide shelter for insects that support biodiversity. It’s a simple, eco-friendly way to make a real difference. For more on how to handle yard waste properly, check out the City’s Yard Waste webpage.   MM34.4 - Protecting Playgrounds and Parks: Ensuring Safety for Children and Families   This motion left me somewhat torn. On one hand, I support the casework-based approach that City staff have used with hundreds of individuals who have lived in park encampments. We know that when people engage with outreach staff and accept a shelter placement with proper supports—or housing, if they are ready—they are better off. They don’t simply move to another encampment. They begin the journey toward the help they need to get back on their feet. On the other hand, I’ve had recent experiences right here in our ward where encampments have formed in places that raise immediate safety concerns. One was directly beside a schoolyard with no fence separating the students from the campers. Another involved a lone camper who set up in a playground only about 20 feet from the patio doors of the nearest townhome. These situations aren’t just challenging; they pose risks that must be addressed quickly. With the amendments Council introduced, the final motion now allows for a greater range of approaches. Casework remains important and should continue wherever possible. But in situations like the ones I described, staff must now prioritize removal as the preferred strategy. The new policy sets a 50-metre buffer around schoolyards, daycares, and playgrounds as the trigger to initiate a more urgent response.   MM34.1 - Accepting an In-Kind Donation from Hillcrest Tennis Club to Refurbish the Tennis Courts at Cresthaven Park   It gave me great pleasure to move the necessary motion to accept the funds raised by Hillcrest Tennis Club to improve the tennis courts in Cresthaven Park.   People sometimes ask why a club gets to manage courts in a public facility. Here’s how it works:   Hillcrest Tennis Club is a community tennis club operating within Cresthaven Park, which currently has four hard courts. The Club plans to refurbish all four courts in spring 2026 using its capital reserve fund, raised entirely by members and players. The project will be delivered through a construction and donation agreement with Parks and Recreation.   The total in-kind donation for the project is valued at up to $150,000. Under City Council’s Donations to the City of Toronto for Community Benefits Policy, the proposed scope of work has been reviewed and approved by City staff. No costs will be incurred by Parks and Recreation, which means there is no cost to taxpayers. Ongoing maintenance will be covered according to the Policy for Outdoor Community Tennis Club Operations.   I want to congratulate the Hillcrest Tennis Club for this generous contribution. Their commitment helps improve our local facilities and ensures residents can enjoy high-quality tennis courts for years to come.   These club arrangements, in place since amalgamation, allow us to keep North York’s tennis facilities running efficiently, even though the level of tennis programming varies across the city. The legacy municipalities each had different practices, and this approach helps maintain consistent opportunities for residents.   As you can see, Council is making important decisions that directly affect our neighbourhoods—from supporting local businesses and keeping our streets safe in winter, to protecting homes from flooding, ensuring playgrounds are safe, and investing in community recreation. I will continue to keep you updated on these and other initiatives, and I encourage you to reach out to my office with your questions, experiences, or ideas. Together, we can make Don Valley North a safer, stronger, and more vibrant community for everyone.   If you ever need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office—we are here to help.