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On Sunday morning, I stood on the steps of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church to greet the annual parade of Toronto Police Service members who are veterans of the Armed Forces. Each year, they march to the church led by the Chief of Police, with the sound of bagpipes driving their rhythm.   This year, the first snowflakes began to fall as they marched, making the moment especially poignant. It reminded me of spending Remembrance Days in Ottawa with my grandfather, who flew in World War I — it almost always snowed then too. Winter can be a challenging season for many of our more senior residents. While most of us bundle up and keep moving, icy sidewalks and shorter days can make mobility and social connection harder. If you find yourself waiting at a crosswalk, consider offering an elbow to someone who might need a steady arm on a slippery day.   That’s why I’m inviting you to my annual Don Valley North Seniors Information Day — a one-stop opportunity to connect with local organizations, learn about new programs, and get practical help navigating services available across all levels of government and community organizations.   Why We Hold This Event   There are so many excellent programs available for seniors, but they can be difficult to find and access. Family members and caregivers often help by navigating websites or filling out forms — but they can’t always be there.   Each year, my team and I host this daytime event to make it easier for seniors to access what they need independently. When my parents were in their eighties and nineties, I used to call them maddeningly independent. Now, as I head into my own senior years, I understand the sense of pride that comes from doing things for yourself. Aging in place takes planning — from home maintenance to healthcare, social connections, and financial supports. That’s why we’ve created our annual Seniors Guide, a one-stop booklet filled with local resources to help you stay connected and supported right here in Don Valley North. You’ll be able to take a copy home from our event.   And if you’re a younger Don Valley Northerner, don’t skip past this — you might find the guide helpful too, especially if you’re caring for parents or older relatives.   Who You’ll Meet   We’ll be joined by a range of community partners, including:   North York Seniors Centre and Toronto Public Library, offering guidance on how to access services in an increasingly digital world.   North York Health Partners and North York General Hospital, helping you check off your list of winter health supports.   Toronto Revenue Services, who will help you complete your Vacant Home Tax Declaration right on site — so you can proudly tell your kids, “Already taken care of!”   North York Arts, showcasing affordable arts and culture opportunities right in our community.   Light refreshments will be provided, and you’ll have time to chat one-on-one with representatives or sit in on presentations throughout the day.   If you can’t make it to Seniors Info Day but still want to learn more about the programs and services available for seniors in Don Valley North, you can download a digital copy of my 2025–2026 Seniors Guide. If you’d prefer a printed copy, just send my office an email — we’ll be happy to mail one to you!   We’re hosting this year’s event at Pleasantview Community Centre, a bright and accessible space with free parking. I hope you’ll join us — whether you’re looking for answers, connections, or simply good company.   Event Details   📅 Date: Friday, November 21, 2025 🕚 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Pleasantview Community Centre 545 Van Horne Avenue, North York, ON M2J 4S8 RSVP :  Shelleycarrol.ca/Seniors2025     I hope to see you at Seniors Info Day — and I can’t wait to celebrate the exciting changes coming to our local library.

Living in Don Valley North, you know how lucky we are to be surrounded by some of Toronto’s most beautiful natural spaces. If you live near the Upper Don or Newtonbrook Creek, you already know how special these ravines are. They’re where we walk the dog, spot wildlife, and get a breath of fresh air away from the city bustle. Our ravine system is one of Toronto’s greatest natural assets, but it’s also delicate. Stormwater, erosion, and aging infrastructure all take their toll.   Keeping these green corridors healthy takes ongoing investment and coordination. That’s why I’m inviting you to an upcoming Ravine Information Session on November 18th, where City and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) staff will provide a comprehensive update on all the projects underway, and those still to come.   You’ll hear updates on: Trail re-opening schedules following erosion repair work along Newtonbrook and German Mills Creek Bridge rehabilitation  at Forest Grove Drive Future erosion protection projects  that will protect infrastructure while keeping our ravines healthy and accessible Upcoming sewer rehabilitation  work to improve system performance with minimal trail disruption     RSVP Here.   These projects address critical erosion issues, stabilize slopes, protect infrastructure, and restore natural habitats. Most importantly, they ensure our ravines remain safe, accessible, and resilient for years to come.   If you’re a regular ravine user or simply care about protecting this vital part of our community, I encourage you to join us, hear directly from the experts, and ask questions about what’s next for these treasured green spaces.   A Quick Word on the Federal Budget   This week’s Federal Budget arrived with plenty of headlines, and now, the real work begins.   As Budget Chief, I pay close attention to how federal budgets impact Toronto’s finances. About 25% of City’s revenue comes from federal and provincial partners who help fund the services we deliver on their behalf.   Our City teams and I will be reviewing the details closely to understand how new funding commitments will support Toronto’s priorities, including housing affordability, community safety, and economic growth.   A few key areas we’ll be watching: The Build Canada Homes initiative , with billions in funding for new and affordable housing construction Continued investments in public transit , including new subway cars for Line 2 and regional transit improvements Ongoing support for youth safety programs , which have been proven to reduce violence and create better opportunities for young people   While the announcements are encouraging, the next step is to determine how much of this investment will flow to Toronto, and how we can make the most of every federal dollar to strengthen our city.   I also want to thank our local Members of Parliament for their continued partnership and advocacy for Toronto. Working together across all levels of government is how we make real progress on housing, affordability, and community safety.

There are a couple of topics to touch on this week. The first one is a bit of a brag about another great library asset for Don Valley North. A New Chapter for Fairview Library   Last weekend, I had the pleasure of joining Toronto Public Library staff, community members, and a lot of very excited students for the grand re-opening of Fairview Library’s brand-new third floor — a space dedicated entirely to youth. The energy in the room was contagious. I chatted with a group of high-schoolers who told me this was already their new favourite study spot, partly because of the bright open space — but mostly, they said, because “it finally feels like a place made for us.” As development has continued along the Sheppard subway line, our community has seen important investments flowing back through Section 37 community benefit funds to our local library system, expanding access to services that residents rely on everyday. The new Ethennonnhawahstihnen Branch is already proving to be a community favourite. Open seven days a week and offering enhanced spaces for studying, tutoring, and children’s programming, this branch is a shining example of how growth can deliver real community benefits.  Meanwhile, Fairview Library has long been one of the most-used branches in the city. At one time, it offered the largest multilingual collection outside of the Toronto Reference Library — and while materials are now more digitally accessible across the system, Fairview remains a hardworking hub for residents. The most recent renovation has transformed the third floor into a modern youth space, complete with a glassed-in programming room, group study areas, tutoring booths (including accessible ones for wheelchair users), a soundproof studio for music remixing and podcasting, and a large 3D printing studio. Oh, and plenty of books, of course!  Looking ahead, construction on the Pleasant View Library Branch is set to begin in 2026, supported by contributions from nearby development projects. These are exactly the kinds of community upgrades that our area deserves — and our high branch usage shows how valued these spaces are.  It’s always surprising when I hear questions during pre-budget consultations about whether all library branches need to be open seven days a week. Here in Don Valley North, every time we’ve expanded library hours, usage has increased significantly — especially in study areas and at Hillcrest Library. It’s a clear reflection of how dedicated and engaged our local learners of all ages are.   EHON Retail and Services: Balancing Growth with Neighbourhood Character Earlier today, City Planning staff presented their updated recommendations to the Planning and Housing Committee as part of the EHON (Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods) Retail and Services report , which explores how Toronto can make it easier for residents to access small-scale retail and services closer to home. The first version of this plan, released at the end of last year, proposed allowing small shops and cafés on nearly any neighbourhood corner. That approach raised understandable concerns from residents — including many of you who reached out, as well as from myself and several Council colleagues. I also convened an EHON Reference Group of local residents and community leaders earlier this year to discuss these ideas in depth, and their feedback continues to inform my approach. City staff were directed to go back to the drawing board, and come back with updated recommendations that address Council and residents concerns. At a high level, the new proposal aims to: Modernize rules for home-based businesses , reflecting how people work today and allowing small, low-impact businesses to operate more easily from home; Permit local retail and services along major streets  like Bayview, Leslie and Don Mills, where some stretches are still zoned residential, helping residents shop locally while supporting small business growth; and Explore limited permissions for small retail and service uses within neighbourhoods , such as corner-lot cafés or local shops. These first two changes make a lot of sense. Allowing home-based businesses (think of the local piano teacher or psychologist) and small retail on major streets supports entrepreneurship and walkable communities without disrupting neighbourhood character. But when it comes to expanding retail inside residential streets, I believe more work is needed. Over the years, residents have been clear with me about the challenges that come with certain types of businesses — like bars, cannabis shops, or massage parlours — especially when they open too close to homes or schools. Those kinds of uses are best located on main streets, where there’s stronger oversight and enforcement.    When I picture how this could succeed, I think of small, neighbourhood-serving spaces: a local doctor’s office, a small convenience shop, or maybe even a cozy café with a walk-up window. These kinds of uses can add life to our neighbourhoods without disrupting them — but only if we have the right safeguards in place.   I’ll be working with my colleagues to find the right balance between convenience and community safety — one that fits the character of our suburbs here in Don Valley North, protects residents, and supports the local businesses that help our community thrive.   Update on Bill 60: Protecting Tenants in Ontario   Last week, the Province introduced Bill 60 , a far-reaching bill that included a proposal to explore changes to Ontario’s lease expiry rules. Right now, once a lease expires, it continues on a month-to-month basis, with limits on annual increases. The proposed bill would look to remove this – allowing for landlords to significantly increase rents and more easily turn over tenants - threatening thousands of affordable housing units. This would be devastating for those already struggling with cost of rent or saving to buy a home.   After swift pushback from municipal leaders, housing advocates, and renters across Ontario, the government has suggested that it will not proceed with those consultations.   I’m relieved to see the Province back away from that idea — it’s a reminder of why tenant protections must remain strong as we look for new housing and retail options in our neighbourhoods. Just this week, we held a community consultation for a proposed redevelopment at 2600 Don Mills. This proposal would tear down and replace the existing building, an affordable place where hundreds of our friends and neighbours live. The City has long had strong rental replacement policies, which ensure that all rental units must be replaced in a redevelopment, at a similar rental rate, and provisions be made for current tenants as the building is developed. The development industry and Province have long had their eye on weakening this policy, so it is critical that whenever rental is threatened, that we push back.   If we want to solve our housing and homelessness crisis, more affordable rental housing is the only solution.   As we head into Halloween, I want to wish everyone a safe and fun night of trick-or-treating! Please keep an eye out for little ghosts and goblins on our neighbourhood streets, drive carefully, and enjoy all the creativity and community spirit this season brings. Happy Halloween!

One of my favourite sports writers is Cathal Kelly from The Globe and Mail . On Monday morning before game seven, he wrote the following about the upcoming Jays game: “Game 7s have not been good to Toronto recently. A six-game series? No problem. That’s doable. But once it gets to the point of finality, this city has a knack for disappointment. The Jays have a chance to rewire that tendency. If they win this one, who knows what else can be won?” And then they won! Boy, did they ever win! Our Toronto Blue Jays put on two of the most entertaining games in their history when they returned home from Seattle, on the verge of possibly ending their season. Could they possibly rewire our Torontonian penchant for disappointment and defeatism? It has happened before. When the Jays won back-to-back World Series championships in the early nineties, times were hard in Toronto, and the nation was digging itself out of a fully declared recession. Yet the town was abuzz. We could all talk about sports across party lines, socio-economic lines, and even across historic neighbourhood rivalries. We were all winners. Other examples of these uplifting and almost unifying moments in our city’s culture include the Raptors’ first NBA Championship in 2019 and the outpouring of jubilation during World Cup wins for Italy. In those moments, we were all winners—part of the larger cultural community claiming the victory together. Moments like these leave a lasting mark, especially on young people. They have the energy and openness to pour into the streets and celebrate together—and in doing so, they build the memories that shape their sense of belonging to this city. These shared celebrations create powerful human touchpoints. They remind us that, at our best, Toronto is a community capable of coming together in joy and pride. I still can’t drive through the intersection of St. Clair and Dufferin without being transported back to July 11, 1982, when we all headed there after Italy took the World Cup. Basketball, in many ways, is the young person’s game, and if you ask anyone who was young in the summer of 2019, they’ll tell you that the Raptors’ championship run was one of the defining experiences of their lives. On parade day, the entire city seemed to drop its divisions and unite in celebration. For a moment, we were all winners—and all part of something bigger than ourselves. So what are the other benefits? From my office at the back of City Hall, I see an endless parade of visitors rushing by. There’s a little construction detour for pedestrians under my window, and I can always spot the tourists by the way they pause to figure out their route. They don’t seem frustrated; they navigate around the barrier, chatting happily as they head to the Eaton Centre or grab a bite on Dundas Street. Many have paid a lot to stay in the hotels surrounding City Hall, yet they still seem full of joy—often decked out in Jays jerseys. Events like the Taylor Swift concerts, the World Cup, or an extended  Blue Jays playoff run bring an incredible wave of visitors to Toronto, filling hotels and restaurants across the city. While that activity clearly boosts the economy, the City itself doesn’t directly share in the revenue. The sales taxes collected on meals, hotel stays, and shopping all flow to the provincial and federal governments through the HST. You’ve heard me speak before  about why cities should have access to a small portion of that tax—after all, it’s our streets, transit, and policing that make these large-scale events possible. Still, even without that direct revenue, we can celebrate the win. All this sports-driven tourism fills restaurants, supports local businesses, and creates jobs. With young people facing particularly high unemployment, those extra shifts and extended hours matter. During the recent Blue Jays–Yankees series, Game 1 pushed hotel demand up six per cent year-over-year, adding more than 1,200 booked rooms. Game 2 on October 5 saw demand jump 22 per cent, with over 3,500 extra rooms booked. That’s a clear win for our local economy—and a reminder that when Toronto is energized, everyone feels it. Just like back in 1993, the economic predictors aren’t great, but the city can still be full of hope. We’ve seen it recently in the budget consultation events. At the most recent one, at North York Civic Centre, Deputy Mayor Colle said, “I’ve never seen such a positive and hopeful budget consultation.” I’ve been holding these meetings throughout the recent ALCS series, and though the dates were set months ago, not a single one landed on a game night—lucky for us! The enthusiasm in the city was unmistakable, and it showed up in the rooms where residents gathered to share their ideas and priorities. Don’t get me wrong—participants came with criticisms and advice—but both were shared in congenial and constructive ways. One person put it best: “You’re doing great with some things, keep going. Just fix the unsexy things. We don’t need more brand-new things—just fix the unsexy.” We all had a good laugh, and then there was nothing left to do but agree one hundred percent. If you weren’t able to attend an in-person consultation, there’s still time to share your feedback. You can join one of two virtual meetings: Monday, October 27, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, or Wednesday, October 29, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. You can also complete a short survey about the City’s Budget. The survey will remain open until October 31. We were asking people tough questions—Where should we target investment? Where should we target savings?—knowing we can’t always do it all. Residents have been quick to engage in the discussion and very appreciative as they headed out. I know it’s a mixture of things that creates that energy: they’re seeing improvements in what we’ve invested in over the past few years, they’re grateful to be consulted, and they’re feeling the excitement of a major sports win. How do we bottle this winning feeling and keep it for our rainy days? We need to have confidence that we’re good at working toward a win—always improving, and sometimes capable of stepping up to seize it. The Jays may or may not win the World Series, but we can decide that we like this feeling—and hold on to it for a while. If you’re not a sports fan, you can still agree with this other fine quote from Cathal Kelly: “Like everything to do with sports, it doesn’t matter. But it matters.”

There has been a lot of talk about speed cameras lately, and I’ve been clear that they’re an important part of our Vision Zero strategy to reduce serious injuries and fatalities on Toronto’s roads.   Of course, cameras are just one of many tools we’re using to make Don Valley North’s streets safer for everyone. You may have already noticed new 30 km/h speed limit signs appearing across the ward. Through the City’s Area Local Speed Limit Reduction Program , all local roads in Don Valley North are being reduced to 30 km/h. Signs are posted at the entry and exit points of each neighbourhood. By reducing speeds on neighbourhood roads, we can help protect children and seniors while allowing traffic to move safely and efficiently on our arterial roads. It will take about six months for the entire ward to be completed, but you can follow the rollout on the Vision Zero Mapping Tool . The City is also launching a public education campaign about these changes, and the Safe Speeds Toolkit  offers resources for residents who want to take action on speeding concerns in their own neighbourhoods.   Another one of the Vision Zero tools we often hear about, even from Premier Ford recently, is speed humps.   You may have seen new ones going in around Don Valley North. Recent installations include:   Brian Drive from Sheppard Ave E to Old Sheppard Ave Kingslake Road from Godstone Rd to Gleneagle Crescent Adra Grado Way from the west end to Leslie Street   So how do speed humps get approved?   Our approach to traffic calming is community-initiated, starting with a request from a resident like you. We do ask for some support from your neighbours before beginning the process, and my office is here to help guide you every step of the way. Once a request has shown clear community support, my office can submit a formal request to the City’s Transportation Services Division for a traffic calming study.   That study reviews traffic data and safety conditions to determine whether the street meets the City’s criteria for traffic calming. If it does, staff will recommend the most effective solution — often speed humps — and prepare a detailed report that must ultimately be approved by North York Community Council.   Before anything goes to Community Council, we make sure local residents are consulted. My office and I hand-deliver letters and share notices through this e-blast to inform them of the proposed changes, and residents are encouraged to send us feedback directly or speak at Community Council when the item appears on the agenda. Once approved, the installation is added to the City’s capital works schedule.   We’re also addressing neighbourhood-wide issues through Neighbourhood Streets Plans  (NSPs), a newer program that looks at broader traffic and travel patterns.   Right now, the City is developing The Peanut Streets  Plan, focusing on:   Safety for vulnerable road users — especially pedestrians, children, older adults, and cyclists Reducing speeding Managing traffic volume on local streets   Phase 1  of public consultation took place earlier this year and drew over 400 comments on our online map, along with strong participation at our public drop-in event.   The Phase 2 public consultation and online survey will launch on Wednesday, October 22 on the project webpage . Residents will be able to review the proposed actions and share their feedback through the survey. I’d also like to invite you to a Public Drop-in Event for the Peanut Streets Plan: When: Wednesday, November 5 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Location: Georges Vanier Secondary School (Cafeteria) 3000 Don Mills Road East, North York, M2J 3C8    If you’d like your street or neighbourhood studied for traffic calming measures, please reach out to my office. Together, we can keep making Don Valley North safer for everyone.

This week, City Council meets for the first time since July, and there’s a lot on the table. As we head into our busy fall season, council will be making decisions that affect housing, transit safety, climate resilience, and public investment across our city. We’re entering an important period of budget consultations, and the discussions this week set the stage for how we prioritize resources and support our communities. Some of the key items include: advancing affordable rental housing in Quayside, updates on micromobility and automated speed enforcement, pilot programs to manage stormwater on private property, expanding community crisis response on the TTC, and protecting public investment along Sheppard Avenue East.   I’ll be watching these conversations closely and sharing updates so our community knows what’s happening at City Hall.   IE24.4 - Review of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Ticket Appeals Process  & IE24.13 - Optimizing the Automated Speed Enforcement Program to Stop Speeding     Council has spent a lot of time discussing automated speed cameras, and while I don’t want to take up too much of your time rehashing my full position—you can read my previous E-Blast on this here - I do want to share some important facts that help set the record straight.   Many people worry that the fines collected are a “cash grab” for the City, but the numbers tell a very different story. In 2024, Toronto collected $37.3 million from automated speed enforcement and $25.3 million from red light cameras, for a total of $62.6 million in fine revenue. A significant portion—24% of everything collected—goes directly to the Province, including charges for victim services.   About a third of the revenue covers the City’s costs to run the program, and the remaining funds—just over 40%—are reinvested in Vision Zero initiatives, from funding dedicated police officers for road safety, to supporting school crossing guards and public education campaigns, to capital projects that make our streets safer.   This also shows how we’re taking a multi-pronged approach to road safety. Some of the alternatives to speed reduction that Premier Ford has suggested are partially funded by these fines, meaning we are using every available tool to protect people on our streets. While we continue to advocate for provincial support and clarity, I remain optimistic that together we can build a system that works for everyone—keeping Toronto’s roads safe without compromising public accountability. City Council also voted to install larger warning signs, launch a pilot project to apply decorative high-visibility vinyl wraps on select cameras to better alert drivers, and introduce a “blackout” period so that a driver fined for speeding once cannot receive another ticket for seven days. These changes aim to ease the burden on residents who may have unintentionally been speeding, while still ensuring the program protects vulnerable road users.     CC33.1Expanding Toronto Community Crisis Response to the Toronto Transit Commission   Back in 2020, I moved the original motion to pilot the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS), and its citywide expansion has been a tremendous success. Since then, TCCS has received more than 29,000 calls and dispatched mobile crisis teams over 23,000 times, resolving most situations without police involvement and proving that a community-based, health-focused response works.   Building on that success, the City is now piloting embedded TCCS teams on the TTC, starting this November in the U-Zone of Line 1 (Yonge–University). These mobile teams, made up of trained crisis workers, will respond directly on platforms to support individuals in distress, coordinating with TTC social service partners for ongoing care. The pilot will run through April 2026, ensuring timely, trauma-informed interventions where they’re most needed.   These TCCS crisis workers will operate in addition to the TTC’s existing Special Constables and security staff, augmenting the network of safety enhancements already in place across the system.   At Council, I shared remarks from Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw, who spoke powerfully about how this approach strengthens safety for everyone. He noted that treating mental health as a healthcare issue allows each partner to focus on what they do best—community crisis workers bring mental health expertise, while police officers continue to enforce the law and respond when situations become dangerous or have the potential to escalate. Chief Demkiw emphasized that the TCCS model doesn’t replace police presence—it complements it, ensuring that the right response meets the right need.   We’ve made significant investments in transit safety, and conditions on the TTC continue to improve, but there are still moments when riders encounter situations that make them uncomfortable or unsure how to respond. This new service ensures that anyone experiencing a crisis, or witnessing one, has immediate access to help. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.   By embedding TCCS into the transit system, we’re taking another important step to keep Toronto riders safe, supported, and connected to the care they need.     EX26.2 - Advancing Affordable Rental Housing in Quayside -Phase 1   City Council has just taken an exciting step forward for Quayside – Phase 1, a major new community on our waterfront that will bring over 1,700 new rental homes, including 550 affordable units, with more than half designed for families.   This report gives the City the tools we need to finalize funding and partnership agreements so construction can begin. With a $975 million joint investment from all three levels of government, Quayside is a shining example of what’s possible when we work together, creating not just housing, but a complete community with parks, public spaces, and modern infrastructure.   By moving this work forward, we’re helping our affordable housing partners secure federal funding through CMHC and get shovels in the ground sooner. Quayside shows what collaboration can achieve, delivering the kind of affordable, purpose-built rental homes Toronto families need today and for generations to come.   IE24.1 - Micromobility Update  Over the past year, I’ve heard from many residents concerned about the safety of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other “rideables” — for both riders and pedestrians. As Toronto adapts to these new ways of getting around, safety and shared responsibility remain top priorities.   This week, Council received an update on the City’s Micromobility Strategy, outlining progress on education and enforcement efforts to make our streets safer. Since Council adopted the strategy in 2024, Toronto Police Service (TPS) and Transportation Services have been working together on public education and targeted enforcement campaigns.   Through the “Safe Rides, Safe Streets” campaign in Fall 2024, officers engaged more than 250 micromobility users, issuing over 190 tickets and 60 warnings for unsafe behaviours such as riding on sidewalks, running red lights, and using e-mopeds in bike lanes.   This fall, the “Rules for Rideables” campaign built on that work with a citywide enforcement and education effort. Between August 25 and September 13, Toronto Police laid more than 3,500 tickets during an increased enforcement campaign focused on micromobility and back-to-school safety. Of those, 179 tickets were issued for micromobility offences under the Highway Traffic Act and City by-laws, including improper use of e-scooters, e-mopeds, and bicycles on sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. The remaining 3,355 tickets addressed speeding, distracted driving, and other offences within 150 metres of schools.   This campaign was part of a joint effort between Toronto Police and City staff to increase public awareness of micromobility-related safety issues. The City’s educational efforts — including the “Rules for Rideables” campaign, online resources, and sidewalk decals — will continue through the season to reinforce safe and lawful riding.   It’s important to note that much of the regulation of these devices is not determined by the City of Toronto. Without a unified provincial or federal framework, municipalities across Ontario face challenges enforcing consistent safety rules and ensuring compatibility with existing transit and road infrastructure.   We continue to urge our provincial and federal partners to establish stronger, clearer regulations to keep riders and pedestrians safe.   IE24.11 - Proposed Incentive Pilot Programs to Collect and Manage Stormwater on Private Property in Support of Climate Resilience   If you’ve lived in Don Valley North for a while, you know the impact flooding can have on our homes, our streets, and our peace of mind. I’ve seen it firsthand, both when my own home flooded, and through the countless stories residents have shared with me over the years. Flooding is one of the most devastating and costly consequences of the changing climate, and our community has felt that reality all too often.   As I wrote a few weeks ago, I had to fight Council after the 2005 flood to ensure residents received no-fault basement flooding grants and to launch what has become the Citywide Basement Flooding Mitigation Program. Over the past 20 years, more than $100 million has been invested in flood mitigation in Pleasant View alone. It’s been a long and challenging process, but one that has protected countless homes from future storms.   At this Council meeting, we’ve taken another important step forward. By adopting this latest report, Council is giving City staff the green light to launch two new flood prevention initiatives on a pilot basis.   The first, a Rain Barrel Subsidy Program, will offer up to 80% off the cost of rain barrels and downspout diverters to help homeowners collect and reuse rainwater. The second, a Green Infrastructure Incentive Program, will provide rebates for training and professional landscape design that promote features like rain gardens, permeable driveways, and soakaway pits, all of which help reduce flooding and protect our waterways.   These pilot programs will help us test practical, cost-effective ways to bring flood prevention right to your doorstep. As the City continues to strengthen public infrastructure, we must also build resilience into private property, homes just like yours. Every household that participates helps make Toronto a safer, more climate-resilient city, one property at a time.     MM33.5 - Protecting Public Investment and Advancing Interim Solutions Along Sheppard Avenue East   The Sheppard Avenue East reconstruction project was first announced in 2021, and since then I’ve been actively supporting multiple rounds of community consultations to shape its design with residents across Don Valley North. This major reconstruction will completely rebuild Sheppard Avenue East between Bayview Avenue and Leslie Street, delivering road safety improvements, new cycle tracks, and upgraded public spaces. Projects like this only happen once every 75 to 100 years, so it’s essential that we plan and build a street that works for both current and future communities.   Since City Council approved the project in June 2023, the Province passed Bill 212 (Transportation for the Future Act, 2024), requiring Toronto to obtain Ministerial approval before installing bike lanes that reduce vehicle lanes. The Province has not yet released regulations, creating uncertainty about whether the cycle tracks could proceed as planned—or if infrastructure may need to be removed later.   In response, I brought forward a member motion that directs City staff to pause the tender and construction until we receive formal written approval from the Ministry of Transportation. The motion also asks staff to explore interim measures to improve traffic flow and congestion along Sheppard Avenue East while we await provincial guidance.   This motion is not about stopping the project—it’s about ensuring that when construction begins, it’s done in a comprehensive, expedited, and cost-effective manner - without risk of being dismantled, while continuing to make smarter, targeted improvements for residents in the meantime. I remain committed to Vision Zero, safer streets, and a Complete Street project that serves all Torontonians now and for generations to come.   As always, I welcome your thoughts. If any of these topics affect you or your neighbourhood, please don’t hesitate to reach out—your feedback helps guide my work at Council.

When I became Budget Chief in 2023, I promised that City Hall would start doing things differently. For too long, Toronto was spending without a long-term plan, leaving residents to shoulder rising costs while services struggled to keep up. That’s why we created a  Long-Term Financial Plan —to restore discipline, protect affordability, and make sure every dollar is used wisely.   Three years later, we are beginning to see the results. Toronto’s credit rating has been upgraded for the first time in more than two decades . That recognition means lower borrowing costs for the City and better value for your tax dollars. We’ve also found millions in savings and efficiencies, and secured new support from the provincial and federal governments through the historic Ontario–Toronto New Deal.   It also means keeping my commitment to residents: after the urgent investments needed to fix transit, build housing, and strengthen community safety, the property tax rate increase would start to come down. In the 2026 budget, we will deliver a leaner plan that protects affordability while safeguarding the services you rely on.   We still face real challenges—rising costs of living, global financial uncertainty, and billions in infrastructure needs. But Toronto is now on stronger financial footing, and we will continue to make careful choices about where and how we invest.   That’s where you come in. Budgets aren’t just about balance sheets—they’re about the kind of city we build together. Over the past two years, because of your input, we’ve fed more hungry kids, frozen TTC fares, extended library hours and seniors services, and added front-line police officers - which have made a huge difference in our crime rate. These are the kinds of practical, affordable improvements that make life better for everyone.   Share your voice on the 2026 Budget: • Oct 14, 7–9 p.m.  – St. Lawrence Market North (92 Front St. E) • Oct 18, 12–2 p.m.  – Etobicoke Olympium (590 Rathburn Rd.) • Oct 22, 7–9 p.m.  – North York Memorial Hall (5110 Yonge St.) • Oct 23, 7–9 p.m.  – Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Dr.) • Oct 27, 12–2 p.m.  – Virtual ( www.toronto.ca/budget ) • Oct 29, 7–9 p.m.  – Virtual ( www.toronto.ca/budget ) And don’t forget—the online survey (available in 12 languages) is open until  October 31st :  toronto.ca/budget Looking forward to hearing your feedback!

Earlier this week, my Chief of Staff, Tom, and I were in Pleasant View, checking on infrastructure upgrades and reflecting on the devastating 2005 flood. Some will remember that I had to fight Council to get no-fault grants paid out and to launch what is now the Citywide Basement Flooding Mitigation Program . Our work in Pleasant View began in earnest in 2009 and took more than 12 years to fully complete. Over the past 20 years, more than $100 million has been invested in flood mitigation in that neighbourhood alone. It has been a long, challenging process, but one that has protected countless homes.   That kind of large-scale infrastructure work will always be necessary, but how  we deliver it is about to change dramatically, thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI).   Most of us have only been exposed to AI through the media, which focuses on ChatGPT or Google Intelligence, tools powered by massive Large Language Models (LLMs), which have come under scrutiny for their large environmental impacts and concerns about privacy and security. However, as I continue to learn through my work in Economic Development and talking to businesses, AI is much more than LLMs. In fact, the most promising advances for cities like Toronto are in smaller, specialized tools designed to protect your information while helping government work faster and more affordably.   These tools are called Small Language Models (SLMs). Instead of sweeping the entire internet for knowledge, they are trained on just the information needed to deliver a specific service. They power what’s known as Agentic AI, digital programs that can help city staff respond to residents, streamline approvals, or solve problems across departments. Importantly, these agents can be built and owned by the City itself, giving us what’s called digital autonomy. That means we’re not locked into expensive, decades-long service contracts with major tech firms. We can create AI solutions that belong to Torontonians.   This shift has the potential to save millions of dollars, improve response times, and even position Toronto as a leader, able to develop and share AI service tools with other municipalities.   Importantly, we’re not talking about a distant future, this work is already underway. This year marked the very first City of Toronto Data & AI Innovation Challenge , a new program to recognize and showcase safe, practical uses of AI across city divisions. Eleven finalists pitched their ideas to a judging panel of City leaders, academics, industry experts, and staff. Finalists represented divisions as diverse as Children’s Services, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, Toronto Water, and more.   The inaugural winners highlight the potential of AI to make day-to-day services more efficient and responsive: Toronto Open Data RAG Conversational AI Assistant (City Clerk’s Office)  :  Making open data easier for residents and staff to access and understand. SewerVision (Toronto Water) : Using AI to monitor and predict sewer conditions, helping to prevent costly flooding and infrastructure failures. Winter Road Operations (Fleet & Technology Services) : Optimizing winter maintenance so that roads are cleared more effectively and efficiently.   These projects are not about replacing staff, they’re about giving public servants better tools to serve you. Whether it’s clearing roads faster, preventing basement flooding, or making public data easier to use, AI is already helping Toronto deliver services more securely, more efficiently, and more affordably.   Of course, with every step we take, data sovereignty comes first. In plain terms, this means making sure that the data generated by Toronto residents and City services stays under Canadian control, stored securely within our borders and governed by our own laws. Protecting your information is non-negotiable. That’s why Canada has appointed a Minister of AI and is investing nearly $5 billion in a Sovereign AI Compute Strategy  to safeguard Canadian data and intellectual property while supporting homegrown innovation. Toronto is aligned with this approach. Whenever we work with startups or major firms, we will insist that any AI tools we use keep City data secure, in-house, and under our control.   AI is not about science fiction. It’s about smart, careful adoption of tools that make your City work better. Done responsibly, it will help us deliver services more quickly, more securely, and more affordably. That’s how we’ll make Toronto not just a smart city, but a city that works better for everyone.

Each week, my team and I sit down together to review trends from casework. They share which issues are coming up regularly from residents, and far and above any other issue, we hear from people asking for traffic calming on their streets. Whether it’s near schools, parks, or areas where seniors and families live, speeding is a concern that comes up again and again. That’s why last week’s headlines caught my attention. On September 9, sixteen automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras in Toronto were vandalized . On the same day, Premier Ford suggested he would consider forcing cities to end their use of ASE—while also signalling his support for strengthening Ontario’s dangerous driving laws, including immediate roadside suspensions for those charged with impaired or dangerous driving. Then, on September 15, Vaughan City Council voted to end their ASE program entirely . That story had talk radio stations all a twitter again the next morning. Don’t look for this to happen in the City of Toronto, and for good reason. The cameras are working.  A study by SickKids and Toronto Metropolitan University found that between 2020 and 2022, speed cameras with warning signs reduced speeding by 45% in the areas where they were used. That means fewer dangerous driving behaviours, fewer collisions, and safer neighbourhoods for everyone. Speed cameras are not about generating revenue. They are about changing driver behaviour. Even a small increase in speed greatly raises the chance of severe injury or death in a collision. By keeping speeds down, cameras save lives, whether you’re walking, cycling, or driving.   Cameras also make economic sense. They provide consistent enforcement at a lower cost than relying solely on police officers with radar guns. That allows our police to focus on serious threats, like impaired, distracted, or stunt driving while ASE ensures that speed limits are respected in high-risk areas. I know that fines can feel burdensome. But the simplest way to avoid a ticket is to drive within the speed limit, protecting both your wallet and the safety of your community. And remember: fines are set by the Province, not the City. Toronto’s ASE program is part of our Vision Zero Road Safety Plan , and every city implements Vision Zero in its own way. In Toronto, the first step was to reduce many 60 km/h roads down to 50 km/h. Next, downtown councillors moved all of their neighbourhood streets to 30 km/h. By the time speed cameras started to appear, primarily around schools and known problem spots, residents were already aware that change was happening, and that enforcement would be key. Many of us were shocked with a ticket on westbound Sheppard Ave on the hill west of Fairview Mall, including me. I often drive the entirety of Sheppard Ave in the morning to monitor traffic. I never paid attention to speed limits before that ticket. I just followed the pack, assuming traffic was keeping me in range of the speed limit. Now, I am aware of the speed limits all along Sheppard. That is behaviour change.   Another part of Toronto’s approach is transparency. The City maintains a publicly accessible map showing the locations of all ASE and red light cameras. If you’ve never checked it out, you should. The map makes it clear: cameras are evenly distributed across the city. Some people say they’ll only slow down where cameras are located, that’s their choice. However, the absence of a camera does not mean you can’t still be pulled over by an officer. The best way to avoid a ticket is simple: stop speeding and don’t run red lights. All of this is especially important at this time of year. A low autumn sun can blind drivers during rush hours, and dusk comes earlier and earlier, making it harder to see children and teens crossing the street. Don’t wait for a camera to remind you to be more careful. One more thought about the ongoing vandalism of the camera on Parkside Drive. This location has been in the headlines because of repeated damage, but it’s important to be clear: this vandalism is a crime. Police are actively investigating those responsible, and in the meantime, they are augmenting enforcement alongside the cameras to ensure drivers still face consequences for speeding. This is not some petty act of mischief. By disabling a safety tool, the vandalism puts real people at risk. Parkside is an arterial road that too often functions like a high-speed on-ramp to the Gardiner, despite being lined by homes in a deeply residential neighbourhood. Over the past decade, the street has seen nearly 1,500 collisions, five serious injuries, and two fatalities (both of which occurred before cameras were installed). Traffic calming measures and a new signalized intersection have been added, but these improvements cannot do the job alone. Speed still needs to be enforced, and both police officers and cameras are working to do so until further road redesigns can be delivered. The focus should not be on the damage done to equipment, but on the lives at stake and the very real tragedies that made enforcement on Parkside necessary in the first place. So while some municipalities may step away from speed cameras, Toronto will not. The calls I get from residents asking for more to be done to calm traffic tell me that this is the right choice. Slower speeds save lives. ASE is making that happen.

Not long ago, I met a Don Valley North resident who had just moved into a condo unit as a renter. When a leak started in their kitchen ceiling, they weren’t sure where to turn. Was it the condo board’s job? The property manager’s? The individual condo owner who was their landlord? It was stressful and confusing, especially because they were still settling into a new home. Stories like this are common. Too often, when the media talks about housing in Toronto, the focus is on homeowners, usually those living in single-family houses. But that doesn’t reflect the reality for almost half our city. According to the 2021 census, about 48% of Toronto households were renters, and that share has only been growing.   Here in Don Valley North, 43% of residents rent their homes. Some live in traditional rental apartments, or single family homes, while others, like the neighbour I spoke with rent their homes from condo owners. The rules, responsibilities, and supports can vary widely, which is why so many renters aren’t sure where to go when problems arise. That’s why I want to make sure renters’ needs are reflected in City policies, and that you have access to clear, practical support. Tenant Town Hall – September 17 To help cut through the confusion, my team and I are hosting a Tenant Town Hall  on Tuesday, September 17 th  from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Whether you rent in a high-rise, a mid-rise, or a condo, you have a commercial landlord or you rent from an individual, you’ll find practical advice and connections to the services that matter.   We’ll have experts on hand, including Willowdale Legal, the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations, North York Toronto Health Partners, RentSafeTO, Toronto Fire Services, and Division 33 Police.   You’ll also be able to pick up our Winter Tenant Guide, a resource created by my office to give tenants clear, simple information on everything from temperature rules to who you can call when you need help.   Attending this town hall is also a chance to learn more about some of the big changes City Council has made for renters this year: Stronger RentSafeTO inspections and public signs:  Soon, buildings will display colour-coded inspection results (green, yellow, red), modeled after the DineSafe program. This will give tenants a clear picture of building conditions and put public pressure on landlords to fix problems quickly. The City is also reworking its scoring system so health and safety issues carry more weight, and landlords who ignore by-law violations can now face stronger fines. Indoor Temperature accountability: After hearing from Don Valley North tenants struggling in extreme heat, I pushed Council to modernize Toronto’s outdated heating and cooling rules. Now, landlords can turn off heat earlier in the spring, must keep air conditioning running longer in the summer, and—most importantly—Council has endorsed a new maximum indoor temperature of 26°C. Later this year, staff will report back on how to make this new health-based standard a reality.   These are important wins for renters, but they only work if people know their rights and know where to turn when things go wrong. That’s exactly what the town hall is all about. Join us   If you’ve ever wondered who’s responsible for fixing that leak, what to do when your unit gets too hot or too cold, or how the City enforces property standards, this event is for you. We’ll cover the programs and bylaws designed to protect tenants and connect you with the organizations that can back you up when you need support.   Please mark your calendar and RSVP here  to join us on September 17th. Together, we can make sure every renter in Don Valley North feels safe, supported, and valued in their home.

The first week of school always brings a special energy. Families are settling back into routines, students are finding their classrooms, and teachers are setting the tone for the year ahead. It’s a reminder of how deeply our schools are woven into the life of this community. I like to kick off the first week by reminding everyone to be mindful of school zone traffic, speed limits, and local drop-off rules—and to let you know about some upcoming community events. Back-to-school week means more vehicles and people moving through our streets, especially around schools. If your children are heading back this week, I encourage you to check out the City’s Safety Guide for School Children and Parents  which has helpful advice on walking, cycling, wheeling, driving, or taking the bus safely. Toronto Police Services has also launched their Back-to-School Safety Campaign  from Tuesday, September 2 to Friday, September 12, 2025. Officers will focus on keeping school zones safe through enforcement and community engagement. Parking Enforcement Officers will be out ensuring motorists aren’t putting children and pedestrians at risk, especially around no-stopping and no-parking zones, crosswalks, and school bus areas. You may see police cars in school zones—they’ll be issuing tickets for speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, and impaired driving. For parents, you may have heard that on June 27, 2025, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) was placed under provincial supervision. This means an appointed Supervisor is temporarily taking over governance, while the authority of elected Trustees is on hold. During this time, if you have questions or concerns about your child’s school, please reach out directly to your school’s principal. As the school year gets underway, September is also a great time to get involved in our community. From learning about local wildlife to understanding renters’ rights and supporting environmental initiatives, there are lots of ways to stay informed and connected this month. Coyote Information Session - September 16 Many residents I’ve spoken with along the hydro corridor have raised concerns about the increase in coyote sightings and interactions in our neighbourhood. To help answer questions and share practical advice, I’m hosting a Coyote Information Session  on Tuesday, September 16, from 6:30–8:00pm at Hillcrest Library . Toronto Animal Services will lead the session, providing guidance on coexisting safely with coyotes and other urban wildlife. This is a great opportunity to learn how to respond to sightings, protect pets, and better understand wildlife behaviour in our community. Tenant Town Hall – September 17 While canvassing this summer, I heard from many renters who wanted to learn more about the resources available to them and better understand their rights and responsibilities. If you are a renter and also have questions or concerns I invite you to join me for a Tenant Town Hall on Tuesday, September 17, from 7:00–8:30pm at Oriole Community Centre. This is your chance to connect directly with organizations that support renters, including: Willowdale Legal Services  – guidance on tenant rights and legal supports Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA)  – advocacy and resources for renters across Toronto Toronto Police 33 Division  – community safety updates for tenants North York Tenants’ Health Project (NYTHP)  – health and housing supports RentSafeTO  – City of Toronto’s by-law enforcement program for apartment standards Toronto Fire Services  – fire safety information for multi-residential buildings Whether you’re dealing with building maintenance, concerned about safety, or just want to better understand your rights as a tenant, this event is a chance to learn, ask questions, and connect with resources all in one place. One of my favourite yearly fall events is Community Environment Day , and I’m excited to invite you to join us! Every year, I hear from residents looking for easy ways to recycle tricky items, donate gently used goods, and give their gardens a boost—and that’s exactly what this day is all about. Community Environment Day – September 21 On Sunday, September 21, from 10:00am–2:00pm at Enbridge HQ , you can: Pick up free compost  for your garden (limit of two bags per household, while supplies last) Drop off electronic waste and household hazardous waste  (up to 50 litres or 50 kilograms) for safe disposal Donate items for reuse , from clothing, books, and board games to eyeglasses, walking aids, and non-perishable food for the food bank  It’s a wonderful way to clear out what you no longer need, keep materials out of landfill, and come home with something useful for your garden. Please note:  Environment Day does not include shredding . But if you’re looking to safely dispose of confidential papers, our friends at the Bayview Village Association (BVA)  are hosting their annual Shredding Day on Saturday, September 20 . Cost:  $5 per box for BVA members, $10 per box for non-members Boxes:  Standard file box (approx. 10"D x 15"W x 12"H). Bring as many as you need. No need to remove binders, paperclips, or staples, but please remove plastic bags, CDs, and non-paper materials. If you’re not yet a member, you can join BVA at the event to receive the member rate. BVA hosts this annual event to promote recycling, safe data disposal, and prevent identity theft—so bring your confidential papers and help keep your information safe! I hope to see you at both events! Oriole Community Garden Harvest Festival – September 26 I’m thrilled to share this event from our friends at the Working Women Community Centre (WWCC) . Each year, WWCC’s Oriole Community Garden  brings together 145 local families, including newcomers, refugees, and immigrants, to grow fresh produce, connect with neighbours, and build community. The Harvest Festival celebrates the end of the gardening season and all the hard work and dedication of our gardeners. This is a wonderful chance to meet your neighbours, enjoy the fruits of the season, and connect in person with me as your City Councillor for Ward 17. It’s a festive, family-friendly way to celebrate community spirit and the joys of growing together. Event Details: Date:  Friday, September 26 Time:  4:00–7:00pm Location:  Oriole Community Garden, 2800 Don Mills Rd. I hope you’ll join us to celebrate the harvest and the people who make our community so vibrant! September is a busy month, but it’s also full of opportunities to stay connected and engaged in our community. Whether it’s keeping our kids safe in school zones, learning how to live safely alongside local wildlife, supporting tenants’ rights, or participating in environmental initiatives, there are many ways to make a positive impact. I hope to see you out at these events and look forward to connecting with you in our neighbourhood. A Growing Concern: Distraction Thefts in Our City Toronto Police have raised the alarm about a troubling trend: distraction thefts are on the rise. While many major crimes are actually down this year—shootings, homicides, and auto thefts have all dropped significantly, incidents of distraction theft have increased, with 374 reports so far in 2025 compared to just 28 at this time last year. These thefts often target seniors, especially those wearing visible jewellery and walking alone. The suspects use clever ruses, asking for directions, pretending to spill something, even asking for a prayer, before stealing purses, phones, or jewellery. It’s quick, confusing, and leaves victims shaken. Police are stepping up patrols and investigations, but they’re also urging us to look out for one another. Staying alert in public spaces, keeping bags zipped and close, and being cautious of unusual interactions are simple steps that can help protect you or someone you love. If you’ve witnessed or experienced this type of theft, even the smallest detail could make a difference. Please contact Toronto Police at 416-808-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).

This summer, my team and I got out for some door knocking, and I’d like to share a bit of what we heard. Sometimes we learn about things on your street that we can get right to work on. Other times, I hear concerns that are being felt all across Don Valley North. These visits give my team, who you usually reach by phone or email, a firsthand view of what’s happening on your street.  Meeting you at your door helps strengthen our understanding of the community and how it is changing in real time. If we haven’t made it to your street yet, don’t worry, we’ll be out through the fall, so keep your eyes peeled for my team at your door. So far, one of the most common concerns we heard this summer was about what city staff call “rideables” — bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles. None of these are legal on sidewalks, because pedestrians need to feel safe there. To address these concerns, I am glad to report that both the City and Toronto Police have stepped up their efforts. The City has launched an education campaign to improve compliance and awareness among riders of bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters. It includes a clear visual guide — Rules for Rideables  — to help everyone understand what is allowed where. At the same time, Toronto Police have begun an enforcement blitz focused specifically on micromobility vehicles, just in time for back to school. Officers are out across the city, both educating riders and enforcing the Highway Traffic Act and the City’s by-laws. This campaign isn’t just about awareness - ticketing and enforcement are a major focus, especially on sidewalks, in bike lanes, and in school zones. I’ve already raised Don Valley North as a priority location for enforcement. I have been very clear with Toronto Police that Don Valley North residents expect to see visible enforcement here in our community, not only downtown. Still, we know these conversations aren’t always simple. While canvassing on Cummer Avenue, I met three teenagers riding e-scooters on the sidewalk. I stopped to tell them it was illegal and introduced myself. They explained that they want to ride to A.Y. Jackson every day once school starts so they don’t need a drive from their parents, but when they try using the the Share Lane Markings, or “Sharrows” on the road, drivers honk or yell at them. They feel safer on the sidewalk. That experience really underscored for me the tension between encouraging active transportation and keeping everyone safe. I also heard from neighbours who were frustrated by the bike lanes near Leslie Street. It’s important to remember those lanes were installed after a number of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians under the GO train tracks. Since the lanes went in, reports of bikes on the sidewalk have gone down significantly and there have been no reported collisions. This is a example of how safe cycling infrastructure not only prevents accidents but also encourages riders to follow the rules of the road. Here’s the lesson for all of us: if we don’t want people riding on sidewalks, and we don’t want more bike lanes on local roads, we need to be willing to slow down and share the road with rideables. Car speeding is one of the most common complaints we hear at the door, and I have zero tolerance for it. Don Valley North has a well-designed street grid, and almost everywhere you’re only a short distance from a major artery where you’ll soon be moving at 50 km/h. Every canvass also reveals the odd street where utility wires have been left dangling after repair work has been done. One resident I spoke to said he had been trying to get this resolved for years. These situations require a lot of follow-up with private utilities. If you see this, please snap a photo and send it to our office with the exact location and we will get right on it. On Deerford Rd, I met a new mother who told me she had noticed someone living in a tent in a local park. While the City has made significant progress clearing encampments in downtown parks, we are starting to see more tents appear in parks in North York. The City has a professional team of experts who will reach out to those living in tents and connect them with appropriate shelter and services. The sooner we can intervene, the easier it is to get people the help they need, so please call my office as soon as you see a tent. She also shared that during the day, a group of men were drinking heavily and intimidating other park users. This is not acceptable. Parks are for everyone, and as our community grows, we all need to share and respect these spaces. Again, call my office and we will make sure the appropriate enforcement team is sent out. Some neighbours also raised concerns about more serious crime. This is where my role as Chair of the Toronto Police Service s  Board comes in. We all still feel the impact of the tragic crime in a grocery store parking lot this summer. But I want you to know that much of your recent property tax increase has gone toward making our city safer — and the statistics show progress. Car thefts are down. Break and enters are down. Homicides are down. 911 response times have improved, and the non-emergency line is performing better too. Staffing is up across all police divisions. I’ve visited divisions and joined officers on ride-alongs, and they tell me they feel better able to manage since we began addressing staffing shortages. Safety was your top concern at the start of this term, and it remains my focus. Finally, one of the issues that concerns me most is hearing residents say they’ve been bounced from 311 to a department, then to another department, and so on. 311 is an invaluable service because it’s available 24/7 and ensures your service request gets into the system. But when you’re dealing with a complex or stubborn issue, that’s when my team and I step in. Your Don Valley North Councillor’s office is here to take on the matters that need more time, persistence, or a councillor’s push to get resolved. Don’t wait until I show up at your door one summer day — reach out anytime. We’re here to help.