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This week, the issue of sheltering refugees has returned to the headlines . It is an important discussion, not only because it affects newcomers seeking safety, but also because the way governments handle it can have a direct impact on your household finances. You may recall that in 2022, then Mayor, John Tory first raised the alarm that refugees were being admitted at a rate the City could not keep up with. In the summer of 2023, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and I held a press conference to notify the Federal Government and the public that Toronto’s shelters, refugee housing partners, and emergency intake facilities were completely over capacity. Without the Federal Government paying its share, we warned that the system would collapse. Following a prolonged dispute with the Government of Canada during the 2024 Budget process, Mayor Chow secured federal funding through the Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP). At that time, IHAP covered 95 percent of costs, leaving municipalities to absorb only a small administrative share. The new Federal Government has just changed IHAP. Instead of reimbursing cities for their actual refugee housing costs, the program has become a grant, based solely on what the government chooses to provide each year. Toronto has now learned that we will receive only enough to cover 26 percent of our costs to house, feed, and support refugee claimants into employment and independent housing. Every night, Toronto shelters more than 3,500 refugee claimants and asylum seekers. Our city is a beacon of hope, which is why so many arrive here each day determined to build a better life. If this change to IHAP stands, the majority of the cost of helping them get started in Canada will fall on your property taxes. This is not a debate about whether these families and individuals should be admitted. The issue is how we fund the costs. Social costs were never intended to be paid from property taxes. When Canada faces a need this urgent, costs should be shared by Canadians based on income, not property assessments. Property taxes are designed to fund local services that maintain the value of property being taxed. They are never calculated on income. National social costs, like refugee settlement, must be funded through federal income taxes so the responsibility is distributed fairly. Prime Minister Carney is known as one of the world’s most brilliant economic minds. He understands that these costs should not be shifted onto property taxpayers, and we need him to apply that knowledge now. At the Ontario Big City Mayors meeting this week, Mayors unanimously adopted a motion calling on the Federal Government to fulfill their commitments under IHAP and fund at least 95 percent of municipal shelter costs for refugee claimants and asylum seekers. I encourage you to echo this request when you meet our new local MP, Maggie Chi. Canadians take pride in being a welcoming community, and supporting refugees is part of who we are as Torontonians. Being welcoming comes with the responsibility to provide the resources needed. Predictable, sustainable federal funding is essential to ensure that newcomers can transition successfully into their new lives, while protecting local taxpayers from shouldering costs that belong to all Canadians.

With U.S. tariffs now a reality, the City of Toronto is rolling out targeted support for local businesses and manufacturers.

City Council kicked off our July meeting yesterday, and as I write this, we’re still deep into day two. We’re the order of government that rarely stops. In a thriving city like Toronto, Council has to keep meeting and moving the work forward, even through the summer months. We’ll take a closer look at the full July Council agenda next week. But for now, let’s unpack a couple of the lengthy debates we’ve wrapped up so far. RapidTO: Transit Priority of Dufferin Street and Bathurst Street This week, Council considered a staff report proposing the installation of priority transit lanes, commonly known as RapidTO , on Dufferin and Bathurst Streets. This report was brought forward in response to our preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which Toronto will co-host in June and July of 2026. With six matches scheduled at Exhibition Place and thousands more expected at official Fan Festival sites at Fort York and The Bentway, we’re anticipating over 300,000 visitors during the tournament. Recognizing the scale of this increased demand, Council directed Transportation Services to study how best to keep people moving. After careful analysis, staff recommended transit priority lanes on Dufferin and Bathurst streets, not just for the tournament, but as a long-term improvement to two routes already struggling with overcrowded, delayed service. This is a significant change. While Dufferin and Bathurst might feel like major arteries when we’re heading downtown, they are also residential streets for many. It’s no surprise that the proposal brought a range of views. When the item came before the Executive Committee last week, we heard from 73 deputants, residents who shared thoughtful feedback about how these lanes could impact their neighbourhoods and daily routines. Many of you may be familiar with the RapidTO  lanes already in place in Scarborough. Those red, transit-only lanes have helped thousands of people make it through the disruption caused by the Scarborough RT shutdown while we wait for the new subway line. The lanes improve service for transit riders while also easing driver frustration, as buses are no longer weaving through mixed traffic or causing lane changes that slow everyone down. Council has heard about slow and unreliable bus service on Dufferin and Bathurst for years. For the past two years, headlines have focused on worsening traffic congestion in the downtown core, an issue that hurts our city’s reputation and its ability to attract new investment. That’s why it was especially noteworthy that the Toronto Region Board of Trade publicly supported  these RapidTO installations. They see it as a necessary step to reduce congestion and improve transit efficiency, benefiting both commuters and businesses alike I voted in favour of installing the RapidTO lanes on both Dufferin and Bathurst. I also supported additional intersection improvements proposed by local councillors to help these changes work better for the neighbourhoods they serve. 2025 Winter Maintenance Program Review  & 2025 Winter Maintenance Program Follow-Up: Status of Auditor General’s Previous Recommendations You have heard me be pretty critical of our winter maintenance system, especially under extreme conditions in past E-Blasts . I made a commitment to you that council would be doing a thorough review of our winter maintenance services and continue improving how we oversee and manage the current winter maintenance contracts going forward. We’ve launched a full, independent review of the City’s Winter Maintenance Program and a forensic audit of how the current contracts were awarded. Early findings show that while our system handles routine snow fairly well, it struggles under extreme conditions. Gaps in planning, equipment shortages, and issues with snow removal were all identified. Even more concerning, the City’s Internal Audit found potential risks in the 2022–2029 procurement process, including signs of unfair bidding. A second, deeper audit will begin this August. I will be following this very closely. I know it can be frustrating to see us order audits and the wait for the results. However, rather than viewing it as unnecessary bureaucracy, I see it as one of the most fair, transparent, and effective ways to understand what went wrong and how we can fix it. When I review an audit, I see it as a real opportunity to face the facts, take ownership, and move forward with concrete actions that make the service better. It doesn’t take me off the hook. In fact, it sharpens my responsibility to deliver the improvements our residents deserve.In the meantime, staff are already making key changes ahead of the 2025–2026 winter season: No More Reporting Delays : You can now report snow clearing issues to 311 in real time, no more waiting or “service request holds.” Year-Round Winter Operations Unit : A dedicated team will oversee winter readiness, including planning, training, and coordination using existing staff. Major Snow Event & Communications Plans:  Clear escalation protocols and better public communication will ensure residents know what to expect. Dedicated Snow Removal Contracts : New contracts will ensure standby equipment and rapid deployment for large snowfalls. Better Oversight Tools: Patrollers will use photo-enabled apps to verify and report on road conditions in real time. Improved Towing Strategy:  Standby towing services and off-street parking options will help keep curb lanes clear. A follow-up report is expected in November 2025 to assess our readiness and progress on these key changes before the snow flies again. While no one wants to think about snow in the middle of a beautiful Toronto summer, preparation is key. These are real, structural improvements and I’ll keep pushing for a winter response that’s reliable, transparent, and ready to meet the realities of our changing climate. That’s it for now, but there’s still more to come from this Council session. As always, I’ll keep working to make sure Toronto delivers the reliable, responsive services you expect. Stay tuned for more updates next week!

We’re not seeing a wave of brand-new development proposals in Don Valley North, but there’s a clear trend: developers with existing approvals are coming back to ask for more height. This isn’t random: new provincial policies are pushing taller buildings and greater density across Toronto. I explained what these changes mean for how Toronto is absorbing new growth in an E-Blast  earlier this year. In short: City Planning’s job is to make sure every proposal still reflects good planning and is supported by the services and infrastructure our neighbourhoods need. My role is to bring your concerns into that process and push to have them reflected in the final decision. It’s important to remember that under current rules, developers can appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) at any time, taking the decision out of our hands entirely. That’s why it’s so important to build a strong record of community input and sound planning from the outset. In this week’s update, I’ll walk you through the development files currently on our radar. As always, I’m committed to defending good planning and keeping a close watch on these applications to ensure they reflect the needs and character of our community. I know this can look overwhelming when you look at them all together like this, but it’s important to note that many of these wont’ be built for decades, if they get built at all. ReNew Sheppard: The ReNew Sheppard Secondary Plan , approved by City Council, remains under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal by several property owners. The appeal process is still ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for this fall. City Planning and Legal staff continue to review the matter closely, and we remain committed to keeping residents informed as the process moves forward. ReNew Sheppard covers all of Sheppard Avenue between Bayview and Leslie. Bayview Village Concord Park Place Concord Park Place is a multi-tower condo complex that was approved by Provincial Tribunal in 2013. The complex is located south of Sheppard Avenue East between Bessarion Road and Leslie Street and includes a number of buildings already constructed and occupied. Block 15 (3 towers of 31, 27, and 19 storeys with 990 units) is nearing the end of construction, with occupancy expected in 2026, while future building phases continue to be reviewed. Block 7  - 1001 Sheppard Avenue East - Concord Park Place (Ontario Planning Act, Zoning By-law Amendment & Site Plan Approval) Application:  Two towers of 44 and 39 storeys atop a 6-storey podium with a TCDSB elementary school incorporated within the first 2-storeys of the base building and a school yard, as well as retail space. The updated proposal consists of an increase from 867 units to 929 units, although the height and total number of storeys remains the same. Community Consultation:  Held in June 2024. Status:  Under review by City Staff. City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca . Block 1  - 1181 Sheppard Avenue East - Concord Park Place (OPA, ZBA & SPA) Application:  Two towers of 32 and 38 storeys, connected by a 5-storey mixed-use podium for a total of 795 units. 58,642 square metres would be residential gross floor area, 1,410 square metres would be retail gross floor area, and 6,899 would be office gross floor area Community Consultation:  Held in November 2020. Status:  Approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2023, awaiting a resubmission. City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca Block 2 - 1125 Sheppard Avenue East - Concord Park Place (OPA, ZBA & SPA) Application:  Two towers of 40 and 36 storeys inclusive of a shared 6-storey podium, with a stratified park at the southeast corner of the site and a landscaped mid-block connecting Sheppard Avenue East to Singer Court. The proposal consists of 950 residential units, and 2,881 square metres of non-residential gross floor area (retail space). Community Consultation:  Held in June 2024. Status:  Under review by City staff. Awaiting resubmission from applicant.  City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca . 1 Greenbriar Road Application: A 4-storey residential building with 30 units. Community Consultation: Held in March 2022.  Status: Under review by City staff, awaiting resubmission. City Planner: Michael Romero - Michael.Romero@toronto.ca   22-36 Greenbriar  Application:  A  22-storey residential building having a gross floor area of 24,246 square metres and containing 320 residential dwelling units. Community Consultation:  Held in May 2022. Status:  Approved May 2023. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan.   City Planner:  Michael Romero - Michael.Romero@toronto.ca 23-29 Greenbriar  Application:  A 25-storey residential building with 326 units, 24 of which will be purpose-built rentals. Community Consultation:  Held in June 2022. Status:  Approved May 2025. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan.   City Planner:  Michael Romero - Michael.Romero@toronto.ca 2901 Bayview Ave - Bayview Village Mall Application:  Comprised of two distinct development phases, the North site is located at Bayview Mews and Hawksbury Drive and is proposed to include one 20-storey mixed use building; two 6-storey mixed use buildings; and a retail addition to the existing Bayview Village Shopping Centre. The south site includes a mixed-use building fronting onto Sheppard Avenue East with two towers (30 and 29 storeys); and a five-storey parking structure located to the south of the Loblaws building. Community Consultation:  Last held in November 2017. Status:  Approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal. Technical excavation work for the North site underway. City Planner : Marian Prejel – Marian.Prejel@toronto.ca . 589 Sheppard Ave E Application:  One building of 14 storeys. The proposal consists of 160 residential units, and 410 square metres of non-residential gross floor area (retail space). Community Consultation:  Held in May 2021. Status:  Under review by City staff. Awaiting resubmission from applicant.  City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca 567 Sheppard Ave E – YMCA Original Application : Three buildings of 55, 45, and 2 storeys for 1,179 units and the reconstruction of the existing 2 storey YMCA community facility. Revised Application:  Increases the building heights to 56 and 46 storeys for a total of 1,219 units, with a new YMCA facility that is up to three storeys in height.  Community Consultation:  Last held in July 2024. Status:  Under review by City Staff. Revised proposal failed to address many of the major issues identified in the original submission. I continue to push for a major reworking of the site.  City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca . 635 Sheppard Avenue East Application:   :  One building of 12 storeys inclusive of a 5-storey podium. The proposal consists of 145 residential units, and 404 square metres of non-residential gross floor area (retail space). Community Consultation:  Last held in January 2022. Status:  Approved in October 2023. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan.  City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca . 680-688 Sheppard Avenue East Application:  A tower of 22 storeys and an 8- to 13-storey mid-rise component inclusive of a shared 6-8 storey podium, and a 747 square metre park. The proposal consists of 487 residential units and 616 square metres of non-residential gross floor area. Community Consultation:  Last held in November 2020. Status:  Approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan. City Planner:  Heather Au – Heather.Au@toronto.ca . 690 -720 Sheppard Original Application:   A mixed-use tower with an 11-storey podium, for a total of 29 storeys. The development would include 554 residential units, 1,185 square metres of commercial space, 298 parking spaces, and 438 bicycle parking spaces. Revised Application:  A 32-storey and 28-storey mixed use buildings (705 units) inclusive of a shared 8-storey podium and 4-storey streetwall submitted in Nov 2024. Status:  Appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal in June 2025. Planner:  Jenny Choi ( Jenny.Choi@toronto.ca ) 71 Talara Original Approval:  A 23 storey residential building atop a 5-storey podium. The proposal consists of 281 residential units. Resubmitted Application:   A 36-storey residential building containing a 4- to 5-storey podium fronting onto Talara Drive. The proposal includes a total of 385 residential dwelling units, 29 of which will be rental replacement units, with a total gross floor area of 27,730.1 square metres Community Consultation:  Held in July 2025 for the resubmission. Status:  Original Application approved in 2021. Resubmission under review by City Staff. City Planner:  Michael Romero – Michael.Romero@toronto.ca . 4000 Leslie Street – North York General Hospital (MZO) Application:  One 16-storey building housing the North York General Long term care facility (528 beds) owned and operated by North York General Hospital with senior focused services (hemodialysis, medial imaging and pharmacy) as well as an integrated care services offered through North York General Hospital (4001 Leslie Street). The first two levels will be devoted to retail, medical office, clinic uses, and lobby and building service uses. Community Consultation:  N/A. No community consultation was required because this project was approved by a Provincial Ministerial Zoning Order. Status:  Approved by Provincial Ministerial Zoning Order. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan.  City Planner:  Jenny Choi – Jenny.Choi@toronto.ca . Don Valley Village 2500 Don Mills Original Application:  Two towers of 49 and 44 storeys, inclusive of  a 6-storey podium. The proposal consists of 1,196 residential units, and 1,003 square metres of non-residential gross floor area (retail space). Community Consultation:  N/A Status:  Approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal in Nov 2024. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan. City Planner:  Jenny Choi – Jenny.Choi@toronto.ca . 2600 Don Mills Original Application:  A 33-storey infill tower that maintains the existing rental building along with three blocks of stacked townhomes on other parts of the site. The 384 new units would be supported by additional parkland and road network additions through a block context plan with 1650 Sheppard Ave and 25 Leith Hill Rd. Revised Application: Four buildings with heights of 47, 42, 42 and 42-storeys, together with an onsite public park occupying 1,096.8 square metres. This revised proposal would demolish the existing residential building. Community Consultation: To be scheduled. Status: Under review by City Staff. City Planner:  Jenny Choi - Jenny.Choi@toronto.ca \ 5 Fairview Mall Original Application:  Two towers of 36 and 31 storeys inclusive a 5-storey podium and retention of an existing 4-storey medical office building on site, with approximately 8,000 square metres of gross floor area. The proposal consists of 598 residential units, and 11,432 square metres of non-residential gross floor area (retail space). Revised Application: Three towers of 35, 39, 47 storeys inclusive of an 8-storey podium for a total of 1,295 units. Existing medical office building would be replaced, with current offices relocated into one of the newer towers. Community Consultation:  Held in January 2023. Series of workshops between Applicant and City Staff to address comments completed. Status:  Under review by City Staff. City Planner:  Michelle Charkow – Michelle.Charkow@toronto.ca . 1800 Sheppard (Fairview Mall) Original Application : Masterplan concept of 12 buildings between 18 and 52 storeys with approximately 4500 units and three new public parks over four phases. No existing buildings would be demolished. The first phase proposes three buildings of 38, 48, and 58 storeys containing 1,416 residential units. Approved   Application : Masterplan concept of 14 new buildings, with height ranges between 24 and 52-storeys, 9,500 square metres of parkland, a multi-use path along the east side of Fairview Mall Drive, new public streets, existing private driveways, and a total of approximately 6,200 residential dwelling units. Zoning by-law application for phase 1 of the development will be submitted in the future. Community Consultation:  Held in July 2022. We also facilitated working group meetings with Cadillac Fairview and local stakeholders throughout 2024. This resulted in more parkland, more affordable housing and more community space in the development. Status:  Master Plan approved at City Council in November 2024. Application for Phase 1 under review by City Staff, awaiting resubmission from applicant.  City Planner:  Michelle Charkow – Michelle.Charkow@toronto.ca . Parkway Forest 123 Parkway Forest Drive (OPA & ZBA) Application:  One tower of 35 storeys atop a 1-storey podium, the retention of an existing 19-storey apartment building and five 3-storey townhouses on site, and the demolition of an existing five 3-storey townhouses on site. The proposal consists of 339 residential units. Community Consultation:  Last held in February 2022. Status:  Approved at City Council in May 2025. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals and site plan. City Planner:  Leila Mirriahi – Leila.Mirriahi@toronto.ca 10 Ruddington Drive Application:  One building of 13 storeys and three stacked townhouse blocks, and the retention of an existing 13-storey residential building. The proposal consists of 244 residential units. Community Consultation:  Held in June 2021. Status: Approved by the Ontario Land Tribunal in December 2021. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals. City Planner: Philip Liu – Philip.Liu@toronto.ca   3377 Bayview Avenue (Tyndale University) Application: 14 residential buildings, the majority of which range in height from 6 storeys to 8 storeys. Three buildings will have heights of 11, 15, and 20 storeys. There will be a total of 1530 residential units across the site, as well as a daycare, café, and flexible use spaces to be used by Tyndale University Community Consultation:  Held in October 2021. My office also convened a working group which met regularly to discuss this application. Status: Approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal. City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals City Planner:  Marian Prejel - Marian.Prejel@toronto.ca . 6 Foxdale Court Original Application:  Five (5) two-storey detached dwellings fronting onto a public road with a cul-de-sac design.  Revised Application:  Six (6) two-storey residential detached dwellings fronting a new private road with a hammerhead design.  Community Consultation:  Held in March 2024. Status:  Under review by City staff.  City Planner:  Diana Steinberg - Diana.Steinberg@toronto.ca 636-686 Finch St East Original Application:  12 storey mixed use building that would contain 206 dwelling units, 897 sqm of non residential gross floor area and 311 proposed parking spaces within a proposed three level underground garage Community Consultation: Status:  Approved at OLT in February 2025, City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals City Planner:  Derrick Wong – Derrick.Wong@toronto.ca   Consumers Business Park 1 Herons Hill Way Application: 34-storey mixed-use building while retaining the existing 2-storey office building on the west portion of the subject site. The proposed mixed-use building would contain 292 square metres of office space on the ground level, and 25,951 square metres of residential gross floor area above. A total of 350 rental residential units are proposed. Community Consultation: December 2020 Status:  Approved in 2023, City staff are currently working with the applicant to finalize the technical drawings and details needed for the building permit approvals City Planner:  Derrick Wong – Derrick.Wong@toronto.ca . 15 Smooth Rose Court Application: Building A, originally approved at 35 storeys as part of the Parkside Square development at Sheppard Avenue and Consumers Road, has been resubmitted for approval at 43 storeys with 417 units. Community Consultation: June 2025 Status:  Under review by City Staff. City Planner:  Richard Martin – Richard.Martin@toronto.ca . 245 Yorkland Boulevard Application:  Four towers, divided across two 6-storey podiums, for a total of 45 storeys each,  a public park in the northeast corner of the site, and the retention of an existing 12-storey office building located in the centre of the site. The proposal consists of 2,140 residential units. Community Consultation:  July 2025  Status: Under review by City Staff City Planner: Derrick Wong – Derrick.Wong@toronto.ca . Hillcrest Village 3125 Steeles Avenue East (SA, SB, CD & MV) Application:  One 10-storey hotel building and one 3-storey data centre building. The proposals consist of 243 hotel suites and 21,510 square metres (data centre – office and industrial). Community Consultation:  N/A Status:  Proposal for hotel under review by City Staff. Data Center approved and  construction began January 2025. City Planner:  Leila Mirriahi – Leila.Mirriahi@toronto.ca  & Derrick Wong – Derrick.Wong@toronto.ca . 2900 Steeles Ave East – Shops on Steeles While not in the Ward (or the City of Toronto), we know there is significant interest in Don Valley North about the application to redevelop the Shops on Steeles on the northeast corner of Steeles Avenue East and Don Mills Road, known municipally as 2880 to 2930 Steeles Avenue East in Markham. The application proposes a mixed-use community of 13 buildings ranging in height from eight to 59 storeys, consisting of 5,049 dwelling units, two levels of underground parking for 4,367 cars, and 7,884 m2 (85,000 sq. ft.) of commercial space. Planning staff in Markham have offered the following update: Applications were submitted in June 2024 A Public Meeting was held by the City of Markham on November 5, 2024, the Public Meeting Information Report is linked here Comments from Markham City Staff and external agencies were issued to the applicant in October 2024. No further update at this time. If you have questions or concerns about any of these developments, or about how the process works, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. Whether you’re looking for more details on a specific application or want to share your thoughts, we’re here to listen and make sure your voice is part of the conversation.

Last week , I wrote to you about two big priorities, expanding RapidTO and getting winter maintenance right, but those aren’t the only files we’ve been advancing. The July Council meeting tackled a wide range of initiatives that shape life in Toronto, from major economic updates to housing, safety, and environmental action. I wanted to take a moment to share a few highlights and show how Council is working to deliver real outcomes across the board. EX25.6 - Mayor’s Economic Action Plan in Response to United States Tariffs - Update to Council As the White House pushes for a new trade deal with Canada—and President Trump spends more time on golf courses than at the negotiation table—Toronto is focused on protecting local jobs and supporting businesses feeling the pinch. Barring some big update, starting tomorrow, August 1, the U.S. will impose a sweeping 35% tariff on all Canadian goods entering the country. This comes on top of existing tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, energy, and any product deemed non-compliant with the CUSMA trade agreement. City Council has unanimously supported the latest recommendations from the Mayor’s Economic Action Team to help local businesses navigate this growing economic pressure. We’re introducing enhanced incentives through existing programs, along with a plan to temporarily boost EDGE grant levels to accelerate private investment in job-creating projects through 2027. To ensure these projects can move quickly, the City will offer faster approvals and concierge-style service for industrial and manufacturing development applications. At the same time, Toronto is working with partners like Toronto Hydro and The Atmospheric Fund on a new initiative called The Electrification Advantage —a plan to accelerate local renewable energy, improve energy security, and support clean-tech job growth. Council has also expanded the City’s tax deferral program to include mixed-use industrial sites, making it easier for more businesses to benefit. All of this is backed by a commitment to closely monitor the evolving trade relationship with the U.S. and report back on progress in early 2026. This work will help keep Toronto’s economy resilient during a time of global uncertainty. EX25.8 - Operating Variance Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 Over the past few years, we’ve asked a lot of residents through increased property tax contributions. It’s only natural to wonder where that money went—and whether it’s making a difference. The year-end Operating Variance Report gives us a chance to not only account for the dollars and cents, but to report back on the value Torontonians received in return. I’m proud to say that in 2024, the City delivered, across every division, for every neighbourhood. Our 2024 Budget was about getting back on track, and we’ve made real progress. On affordability, we made targeted investments to ease pressure and support people through difficult times. Over 600 renters received legal and housing support. Nearly 25,000 outreach and encampment engagements led to more than 1,000 shelter placements and 300 transitions to permanent housing. Almost 250,000 students accessed healthy food through the Student Nutrition Program. Affordable child care expanded, with 930 centres—87% of all providers—joining the national plan. We also improved access to local recreation, upgrading 123 facilities, refreshing seven more, and enhancing parks city-wide. Public safety was another priority. In 2024, the Toronto Police Service cut average response times to Priority One calls by five minutes—despite a higher call volume. To maintain momentum, we’ve invested in more frontline staff: police, paramedics, firefighters, and crisis workers. We also strengthened RentSafeTO enforcement, increasing building audits by 575% and speeding up property standards responses. We continue to tackle congestion by updating signal timing at over 1,700 intersections and deploying Traffic Agents. At King and Spadina, streetcar delays dropped from 65 minutes to just 21. These results prove what smart, strategic investments can do. As we head into 2026 Budget planning, we’ll need to stay focused. The priorities haven’t changed, but the financial context has. Our job is to keep delivering results while keeping life affordable for everyone in Toronto. EX25.31 - A Better Way to Replace your Furnace: Helping Homeowners Switch to Heat Pumps I’m a convert. My husband and I recently replaced our leased furnace and air conditioner with a heat pump, and we couldn’t be happier, better home comfort and monthly costs that stayed about the same. This motion is about making that kind of transition easier for more Torontonians. Over the next 15 to 20 years, hundreds of thousands of homes in Toronto will need a new furnace. For many, that will be a once-in-a-decade decision. Heat pumps offer a clean, energy-efficient alternative that can both heat and cool your home using electricity, not gas. This makes them a key tool in reducing household emissions and achieving the City’s net-zero climate goals. But right now, homeowners face a confusing path. Between multiple incentive programs, inconsistent contractor advice, and technical jargon online, many people default to installing another gas furnace—even if they’re open to cleaner options. Heat pumps often have higher upfront costs too, which can deter families who want to make the switch but aren’t sure how. That’s why Council have asked City staff in partnership with Toronto Hydro, to develop a program that would help people make their homes more energy-efficient, reduce their bills and provide local installation jobs. It would provide personalized energy coaching services and information and tools to help homeowners make decisions and complete an installation quickly and easily. For those of you whoa re interested, there are still home energy- efficiency rebates  available up to $12,000 if you want to upgrade now. PH23.3 - Advancing Six Sites for the Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy (HSCIS) - City-Initiated Official Plan Amendment and Six Zoning By-law Amendments - Decision Report - Approval I wrote extensively  about this plan to build more, and better, shelters for the homeless. Toronto’s emergency shelter system wasn’t built to rely on hotels. These spaces aren’t designed for long-term support, and they’re often too large to be effective. That’s why I strongly supported this next step in our Homelessness Services Capital Strategy. Council approved the development of six new shelter sites—tailored, community-based facilities that provide better care. We also accepted local councillor-led amendments that incorporated community feedback. This is a smart, compassionate shift in how we support our most vulnerable residents. PH23.5 - From Concept to Construction: Creating More Homes Across the Housing Continuum In addition to supporting people experiencing homelessness, the City continues to make progress on addressing the housing crisis across all income levels. This report updates Council on the City’s work to transform Toronto’s housing system and deliver more homes across the full housing continuum. Since 2023, the City has expanded the HousingTO Plan, introduced new funding tools like the Community Housing Pre-Development Fund and Rental Housing Supply Program, and adopted policies to accelerate and diversify housing development. To date, 39 projects are moving ahead, representing over 10,800 new homes—including nearly 4,000 affordable, rent-controlled, and rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units. The report also highlights 46 additional projects—nearly 16,000 rental homes—that are ready to break ground within two years, pending provincial funding. MM32.23 - Taking Action to Protect Tenants - by Councillor Josh Matlow, seconded by Mayor Olivia Chow Too many Torontonians are living with serious repair issues in their homes, whether that’s mold, pests, broken appliances, or a lack of heat. That’s why I was glad to support Councillor Matlow’s motion to finally move ahead with a stronger, more transparent accountability tool: colour-coded RentSafeTO signs.  The signs will be posted at the entrance of apartment buildings and on the City’s website, showing the results of building inspections using a simple red-yellow-green system. A green sign indicates a building is in good repair. Yellow shows that there are some issues that need addressing. Red points to serious health and safety violations. This approach is modeled after our successful DineSafe program for restaurants. It gives tenants and visitors a clear sense of the conditions inside, and it gives landlords a public incentive to act quickly on maintenance and repairs. Some landlords have argued that these signs would stigmatize tenants—but tenants have made it clear: it’s the mold and cockroaches that are stigmatizing, not the signage. The motion also takes aim at improving how we score buildings in the first place. Too much weight has been given to cosmetic features like working laundry machines or clean lobbies, while major health and safety issues haven’t been given enough priority. These changes will fix that, aligning building scores with what tenants actually experience day-to-day. Finally, Council asked staff to accelerate the implementation of Administrative Monetary Penalties, which will give the City more power to fine landlords who ignore property standards violations. It’s a smart, long-overdue update to a program that has the potential to drive real change, and I’m proud to support it. MM32.36 - CityServeTO - A Youth-based Community Service Initiative - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Councillor Jon Burnside This motion directs $700,000 each to Scarborough and Rexdale for mentorship and employment programs designed to reduce youth violence. We know that community-led, youth-focused programming works—but many of these initiatives have seen their funding from other levels of government dry up. Council acted decisively, using funds we set aside during the 2025 Budget process to meet this urgent need. Results will be tracked and reported ahead of the 2026 Budget. EC22.4 - Updated Coyote Coexistence and Response Strategy Earlier this year, two coyotes were euthanized in our city, and many residents rightly asked whether that outcome could have been prevented. In response, Council committed to reviewing how we manage coyote interactions in our neighbourhoods—and this week, we took action. Council has approved a strengthened Coyote Coexistence and Response Strategy, including the creation of a dedicated Wildlife Response Team within Toronto Animal Services. This team will take a proactive, data-driven approach—monitoring hotspots, addressing conflict through signage, enforcement, and education, and working directly with communities to promote coexistence. We’ve also called on the Province to step up. That includes funding support for the costs cities are already shouldering, and changes to provincial laws that haven’t kept pace with urban growth. If we’re going to protect public safety and support humane, science-based wildlife management, we need modern rules that reflect the realities of living in a city where people and wildlife share space. EC22.1 - Toronto’s Early Years and Child Care Service Plan, 2025-2030 Council has adopted Toronto’s Early Years and Child Care Service Plan, 2025–2030 , which lays out a clear, coordinated roadmap for building a stronger child care system over the next five years. The plan is a major step forward, it aligns funding, access, and quality standards across the sector, and thanks to federal and provincial investments, fees for children aged 0–5 have dropped to around $22/day, a remarkable 75% reduction. But there’s still work to do. As children age out of the 0–5 system, fees jump to around $30/day, and no additional funding has been committed for school-aged care. That gap puts pressure on families and risks undoing some of the progress we’ve made. We need to continue to push the Province to allocate dedicated funding for school-aged children, and in the meantime, the City is working to identify families who may qualify for a subsidy to ease that transition. A robust child care system is essential, not just for children’s development, but for parents’ ability to work, study, and contribute to our economy. We’re in a much better place thanks to this plan, but we must keep advocating, especially for the growing number of families who rely on affordable, high-quality care for children aged 6–12. As you can see, Council is advancing important work on many fronts, from economic resilience to housing, safety, and sustainability. While the headlines often focus on the biggest debates, the day-to-day work of good government continues in every corner of our city. I’ll keep sharing these updates to ensure you know where we’re headed, and how these decisions are shaping the future of Toronto.

Over the past decade, we’ve made great strides in bringing the voices of Don Valley North residents into City Hall. Whether it was voting on local improvements through Participatory Budgeting, joining our Park Pop-Up conversations during the pandemic, or offering your insights at town halls and resident reference groups, your input has shaped our community for the better. But the tools we’ve used to empower local voices are changing. The Province has eliminated the Section 37 community benefit funds that made Participatory Budgeting possible. These were the dollars—negotiated directly with developers and kept right here in Don Valley North—that allowed residents to vote on small-scale local improvements like park upgrades, lighting, and seating areas. We were the first ward in Toronto to pilot this process in 2014, and over the years, it gave residents a real say in how our neighbourhood evolved.   Now, those funds have been replaced by a city-wide Community Benefits Charge that doesn’t allow the same local discretion. In short: the money that allowed Don Valley North to lead on Participatory Budgeting is gone. Reaching Residents in New Ways Even before this change, we were already finding new ways to engage. During the pandemic, when in-person meetings weren’t possible, we brought engagement outdoors. Our Park Pop-Ups invited residents to drop by our tent for a safe, informal chat with me and my team about everything from vaccine access to traffic concerns. These low-barrier conversations kept us connected when it mattered most. As public health restrictions eased, we returned to town halls on major issues like transit and tenant protections, and we grew our signature community events, like the annual Summer Celebration that now draws thousands of residents and dozens of local organizations. These moments of connection strengthen community and create space for meaningful dialogue. Diving Deeper on the Big Topics We’ve also been exploring new ways to engage more deeply—especially on complex issues. Most recently, during consultations on “Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods” (EHON), we created a resident reference group: a small, diverse group of local residents who met with us regularly to discuss the policy proposals in detail. Those reference group sessions are still guiding me through multiple EHON council considerations. This is the kind of focused, ongoing engagement that helps us go beyond quick surveys and open houses— it allows real reflection, real learning for everyone participating, and real feedback. Not every topic needs a broad vote or a crowded auditorium. But when the issue is complex—such as housing, climate action, or city growth—we need more than a single meeting. We need honest conversations, with the right people at the table, and enough time to explore the trade-offs. Focusing on What Matters Most The City holds community consultations on a wide range of topics, from local matters like park designs and colour schemes to specific decisions about new developments and technical amendments to citywide policies. These conversations are important, and I encourage you to keep taking part. Through our work together, I want to focus on the big-picture issues, the ones where your insight can have the greatest impact. Let’s talk about how we prepare for climate change. What kinds of housing we need and where it should be built. How we keep our neighbourhoods safe, inclusive, and welcoming. What we are prepared to prioritize or compromise when it comes to heritage, green space, and growth. These are the conversations that will shape our future, and they are the ones I look forward to continuing with you. Let’s Shape What Comes Next As we enter this next chapter, I want to be clear: my commitment to community engagement remains as strong as ever. I still believe Don Valley North should strive to be the best model of engagement for the whole city. It won’t look exactly like it did before. With fewer local dollars to directly allocate, the kinds of questions we engage on will need to evolve. But our goal stays the same: to hear from you meaningfully, respectfully, and often. This summer, my team and I will be reviewing our engagement strategies—and you’ll see us out in your parks, at your door, and at your local transit stop. We’ll be listening. If you have thoughts on what kind of engagement works best for you, or what topics you’d like us to prioritize, I want to hear them. Just reply to this email, or stop by one of our upcoming events. Let’s keep Don Valley North a place where residents feel heard—and where local voices continue to shape the future.

Let me ask you something. If you lost your housing today, no warning, just evicted, could you come up with $5,000 on the spot? That’s roughly what you’d need for first and last month’s rent, plus a key fob deposit, just to get into a basic market rental in Toronto. Most Torontonians don’t have that kind of money sitting in their account. That’s how close many of us really are to falling into homelessness. One lost job, one unexpected crisis, and you're out of options.   We like to think it’s something that only happens to other people, but the truth is, many of us are closer to that possibility than we care to admit.   Why is homelessness rising while cranes fill the skyline?   At this week’s Economic and Community Development Committee meeting, staff presented sobering updates from Toronto’s latest Street Needs Assessment:  around 15,000 people rely on shelters or emergency supports, including 6,300 refugee claimants. Before the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, Toronto operated just 3,600 shelter beds. I remember the debates in Council chambers, the cautious optimism that we could manage. Those days are long gone. Now, homelessness is growing in every part of Ontario and across the country, and despite our best efforts, we’re falling behind.   Yet, cranes and constructions sites are clear evidence of growing development in Don Valley North, and across the city. Every few weeks, I find myself reviewing another proposal for a high-rise or mid-rise building. We keep hearing about the urgent need to de-regulate our planning process and provide incentives to get more units built faster.   So why aren’t all these new condos solving the crisis?   It’s a question I get asked all the time, often in frustration: If we’re building so much, why are people still sleeping in parks and shelters?   The answer is simple, even if the solution isn’t: we’re trying to solve two different problems with the same conversation.   New condo and market rental developments are absolutely essential. They help meet the needs of young professionals, students, newcomers, and families trying to stay in Toronto. These buildings are part of a healthy, functioning housing market, and they’re crucial if we want to maintain a strong economy and attract jobs and investment. Frankly, they’re where your adult kids will live one day if they can afford to leave home.   These market homes are not intended, or equipped, to serve people who are already homeless. Those experiencing chronic homelessness need deeply affordable and supportive housing options, not just market units. Without coordinated investment and wraparound supports, people in shelters today won’t be able to make the leap to private rentals tomorrow.   We need to keep building, but if we want to end homelessness, we need a different toolkit, and all orders of government need to help build it.   Homelessness is not a housing supply issue. It’s a support and affordability issue. At this week’s Economic and Community Development Committee meeting, staff presented these updated homelessness numbers from Toronto’s Street Needs Assessment  and the infrastructure plan required to meet this urgent need for shelter beds. At the core of that plan: Toronto needs 20 new shelter facilities, each housing no more than 80 residents, to replace pandemic-era emergency hotel shelters and meet growing demand in every part of the city. Hotels are too large and too costly. Park encampments are not a solution. What works are small-scale, well-designed shelters embedded in communities, with onsite case management and a focus on helping people transition to permanent housing and employment.   This isn’t just a City responsibility. We need the Province and the Federal government at the table.   When I was growing up, I heard stories from my parents, both children of the Great Depression, about neighbours feeding hungry men who arrived by train, just looking for a warm meal. Those stories stuck with me. They taught me that in a crisis, Canadians help each other . That’s how the social safety net began.   Today, that social net needs mending and it can’t be done at the municipal level alone. We need:   Provincial investment in Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing, addictions and mental health care, and social assistance programs that actually reflect today’s cost of living. Federal follow-through on their commitment to fund shelter space and transition support for refugees and asylum seekers (which they are currently well behind on delivering). From both levels of government , we need investment in the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit (COHB) that has quickly and effectively moved thousands of individuals and families out of shelters and into stable market housing, and urgent capital investment to build new shelters and subsidized housing units that will help us responsibly close the over-capacity emergency hotels, including the two still operating in Don Valley North.   The City is ready. We’ve granted staff delegated authority to proceed with six new shelters on city-owned land. We’re working across departments to bring neighbours and businesses into the conversation early so that these facilities are welcomed and supported. The City cannot address this crisis alone. Without meaningful investment from senior government partners, we risk remaining in a perpetual state of emergency. The longer we wait, the more expensive the problem becomes. Every month, we spend millions on hotel leases that were never meant to last. That money could instead be going into purpose-built, supportive shelter facilities, small enough to be effective, and designed to move people toward permanent housing. Based on 2025 operating costs, every month a new 80-bed site is delayed, it will cost the city $280,000 in foregone operating cost efficiencies. Over a 10-year period, the cost savings for each new site is $33.6M compared to shelter hotels.  I know change can be hard. No one dreams of building a shelter in their neighbourhood. I also know no one wants to live in one longer than they have to. These new facilities are being designed not as places to stay, but as places to start over.   Homelessness is a shared challenge. So is the solution.   We cannot expect three downtown wards to carry 70% of Toronto’s shelter capacity forever. I’m proud of the way our community embraced the new, smaller and appropriately scaled shelter in our Ward. That kind of compassion and pragmatism is exactly what we need across the city. This is a city-wide issue, and it needs a city-wide response. Together, we can help every person experiencing homelessness take a step toward safety, stability, and a place to call home.

There’s nothing quite like summer in Toronto. The parks are buzzing, patios fill up, and neighbourhoods come alive in a way that only happens this time of year. For many, the end of the school year is the official start of summer, but for me, summer truly begins with our annual Summer Celebration. I’ve been hosting this event for years now, and long-time residents might still remember when we called it “Peanut Town,” a nod to its location in The Peanut. I started Summer Celebration with one simple goal: to bring our amazing community together and celebrate everything that makes Don Valley North so special. For those who’ve never been, Summer Celebration is a free, joyful afternoon my team and I host for residents of Don Valley North. It’s our way to kick off the season with good food, great entertainment, and most importantly, each other. Last year’s event was a huge success, and this year we’re building on everything that worked, with a few improvements to make your experience even smoother. Our signature barbecue and ice cream truck will be back, and we’re keeping the popular ticket system to help everything run efficiently. When you arrive, please head straight to the bright pink tent to check in. There, you’ll receive your tickets for both the BBQ and the ice cream truck. To make things even easier this year, we’ll have two lines at the check-in tent, one for those who registered in advance, and another for guests signing up on the day of the event. If you didn’t register ahead of time, you can scan a QR code on-site to sign-in online and move through the line to pick up your tickets more quickly. And of course, if you prefer, you can still sign up in person with help from our friendly team. Once you're inside, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’ll have a bouncy castle, basketball in the gym, face painting for the kids, and music to keep the energy high throughout the afternoon. Our local Toronto Fire Services team will stop by with a shiny red fire engine, and Toronto Police Service Division 33 will be on-site with cruisers and Neighbourhood Community Officers to meet with residents. You’ll also have the chance to connect directly with City services and community partners. 311, Fairview Library, and the Toronto Newcomer Office will be set up and ready to chat, offering everything from service information to settlement supports. And we’re excited to welcome an amazing group of community partners this year. If you’re looking to learn more about local programs and services, don’t miss your chance to chat with organizations like North York Harvest Food Bank, Willowdale Community Legal Services, North York Arts, North York Toronto Health Partners, Working Women Community Centre, Fairview Interagency Network, Wordswell, Flemingdon Health Centre, and Bodhi Meditation. These are the folks doing vital work right here in our neighbourhood, and they’ll be on hand to share what they do and how you can get involved or access support. We’ll also be joined by some of our local representatives, including our new MP Maggie Chi, MP Jean Yip, MPP Jonathan Tsao, and TDSB Trustee James Li, all here to celebrate the community alongside us. Whether you’re new to Don Valley North or you’ve called this neighbourhood home for decades, Summer Celebration is for you. It’s a celebration of who we are, what we’ve built together, and everything we continue to work toward as neighbours. So come out, bring your family, and enjoy an afternoon of free food, activities, and meaningful connection. So mark your calendar for Saturday, July 5, and join us at Oriole Community Centre, 2975 Don Mills Rd, in the middle of The Peanut, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. I hope to see you there!

We've had another full Council meeting this month and I’ve been focused on advancing the City-wide priorities that matter most, while keeping the needs of Don Valley North front and centre.  From cracking down on overnight speed racing to pushing for a universal school food program, I’ve worked to make sure our local concerns are reflected in the decisions shaping Toronto’s future. I also took action to right-size the City’s new multiplex housing framework, setting clear parameters to ensure new housing forms are livable, balanced, and fit well into our neighbourhoods. In this update, I’m sharing just a few of the major items we tackled and what they’ll mean for our community in the months and years ahead. 🏘️ Housing in Our Neighbourhoods – Fourplexes, Sixplexes, and What’s Next PH22.3 – Multiplex Monitoring Program – Final Report PH22.4 – Expanding Permissions for Low-Rise Sixplexes – Final Report PH22.8 – Housing Action Plan: Avenues Policy Review – Phase Two Work Plan I wrote earlier this month about the improvements being made to the approvals process for new duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. These forms of gentle density are an important part of our long-term housing strategy, and I’m pleased to share that the initial issues we faced in Don Valley North have now been mitigated. Not us. The most important change? A cap on the total number of bedrooms per property. This ensures that while multi-generational families can build flexible, livable units in a fourplex, we no longer risk seeing unregulated rooming houses disguised as multiplexes. On the topic of sixplexes, I know many of you have questions, and you aren’t alone. PH22.4 was the most controversial item on the Council floor this month, and I was very clear in my remarks: I fully support the need for more varied housing options in our neighbourhoods, but we have to build public trust alongside housing supply. That’s why I supported the compromise that was reached. To meet federal conditions for the Housing Accelerator Fund, Toronto must adopt permissions for low-rise sixplexes. But instead of applying this citywide all at once, these permissions will begin as pilot projects in a handful of districts — giving other parts of the city, including Don Valley North, time to evaluate how these policies function on the ground. Similarly, Don Valley North will be part of the final phase of the Avenues Policy Review, which will expand as-of-right zoning for mid-rise buildings along major corridors. This measured rollout recognizes that while we continue to face intense development pressures along Sheppard Avenue East, new zoning tools must be introduced thoughtfully. Taken together, these housing initiatives help us move beyond a model of just tall towers and sprawl, by gradually adding more diverse, human-scale housing forms that better reflect the needs of our growing city. 🧱 Responding to the Province’s Big Changes — Bill 17 EX24.2 - Assessment of City Impacts from Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 and Provincial Budget Bill 17, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act , was rushed through the Legislature and passed before the public comment period had even ended—raising serious concerns for Toronto. While we all want to see more housing built quickly, the financial consequences of Bill 17 for the City are significant: over the next decade, we could see a $1.9 billion deferral in development charge cash flow, limiting our ability to build the infrastructure new communities need. At the same time, Bill 17 weakens Toronto’s ability to require design and safety studies that protect our built form, environment, and quality of life—especially in high-density neighbourhoods. 🍎 Building a Universal School Food Program EX24.3 - A Vision and Strategy for a Universal School Food Program in Toronto At our June meeting, City Council approved a bold and practical roadmap to achieve a universal school food program in Toronto. The plan will ensure every student has access to a healthy morning meal by the 2026/2027 school year, with a strategic path to delivering a universal lunch program by 2030. This is a major step toward addressing food insecurity, improving academic outcomes, and supporting working families with real, everyday savings. It’s also a powerful way to back our local food system—aligning with our Economic Action Plan and the City’s Cool Food Pledge to promote climate-friendly meals. Here in Don Valley North, only about half of our public schools currently have a school food program. That’s why I’m thrilled that our community stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of this expansion. Many of our schools are expected to be included in the upcoming Phase 3 and 4 rollouts. We’ll be pushing to get answers soon on which schools will be included and how we can help support local delivery.  🚑 Multi-Year Staffing Plan for Toronto Paramedic Services EX24.6 - Toronto Paramedic Services: Multi-Year Staffing Plan Emergency response times are too long, and our paramedics are burning out. That’s why Council adopted a multi-year staffing plan to recruit and retain more frontline workers in Toronto Paramedic Services while being fiscally responsible. This plan begins to reverse a decade of underinvestment, putting our response system on more stable footing — especially with a growing and aging population. It’s about ensuring that when you call 911, help arrives swiftly. 🚸 Safer Streets for Everyone – Vision Zero Updates IE22.4 - Updates on Vision Zero Road Safety Initiatives: Improving Crossings for Pedestrians, Updated Road Classification Criteria and Other Matters This report is an itemized update of Vision Zero traffic safety measures that will be installed this summer, including some speed reductions in Don Valley North. I know people are sometimes caught by surprise when these safety changes are installed, but their value is proven by the statistics. Vision Zero is about killing fewer pedestrians with our cars. It is as simple as that. I want to show a graph of road injuries and fatalities in Toronto. As you look at it, I want you to consider that in the year 2000, where the chart begins, the population of Toronto was approximately 2 million. In 2024, the final year on the chart below, our population reached 3 million, with the most rapid growth happening in the last five years.  🌱 Climate Progress Report – TransformTO IE22.9 - TransformTO Net Zero Strategy - 2024 Annual Report on Implementation Progress TransformTO is our city’s blueprint to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. The latest annual report shows that Toronto’s emissions have dropped 37%below 1990 levels — a promising sign. But we have more to do, particularly when it comes to retrofitting buildings and greening our transportation network. I continue to support practical, equitable solutions that make climate action work in every part of the city, from downtown to Don Valley North. 🚨 Cracking Down on Overnight Speed Racing MM31.28 - Action to Address Speed Racing on Expressways - by Councillor Jon Burnside, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll Alongside Councillor Burnside, I brought forward a motion to address the growing complaints about loud and dangerous, high-speed racing on the DVP and Highway 404. Working with our City Noise Team and the Toronto Police, we’re pushing for renewed enforcement and education to restore peace and safety to our east-end communities. 🌿 Fixing Seasonal Grass Cutting and Coordination MM31.7 - Review of Seasonal Grass Cutting and Inter-Divisional Coordination - by Councillor Shelley Carroll, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher Now here’s one that I brought forward myself — because I heard you loud and clear. This spring, I received a flood of concerns about long grass in parks, unkempt boulevards, and slow maintenance across the city. Residents were right to be frustrated. It was clear that our current seasonal maintenance system isn’t working the way it should. That’s why I brought a motion to Council directing City staff to conduct a full review of how we schedule, coordinate, and fund grass cutting and maintenance — especially across divisions like Parks andTransportation. We need one cohesive plan, not a patchwork response. This work will include a look at equipment, staffing, timing, and even how our weather patterns are changing. I’ll keep pushing until the green spaces you love are looked after properly and predictably. As always, I’ll continue to keep you updated as these initiatives move forward , and to speak up for Don Valley North as we shape the future of our city together . If there’s an issue you’d like to raise or a question I can help with, don’t hesitate to reach out. My team and I are always here to help.

Next week, City Council will consider a report  from the Infrastructure and Environment Committee introducing Toronto’s new Strategic Parking Framework, a major update to how we manage parking across the city. While this report includes some long-overdue improvements, I’ll be working hard to ensure that the voices of Don Valley North, and all of Toronto’s suburbs, are heard loud and clear. Because despite the consultations that took place, I don’t see the inner suburban perspective reflected in this strategy. Let's Start with a Win Before diving into the challenges, I want to acknowledge a genuine Toronto success story: the Toronto Parking Authority . Many cities have sold off their municipal parking corporations and, in doing so, lost the ability to control curb space altogether. Not us. Because we’ve kept full ownership of the TPA, we have one of the world’s most respected municipal parking systems: Green P Parking. At no cost to the property tax base, and with a modest annual return to the City, Toronto Parking Authority manages Green P on-street and off-street parking, Bike Share Toronto, EV charging infrastructure, and even a car-share program. That strong foundation is what makes a strategy like this possible in the first place. A Citywide Strategy Must Work for the Whole City Too often, downtown pressures dominate the conversation about curb space. But in suburban communities like ours, parking plays a very different role. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about access.    Whether you’re a parent trying to get your child to a hockey game, a senior attending a medical appointment, or a shift worker without reliable off-peak transit, the ability to park near your destination is essential. I’ve been clear that a parking strategy that only works downtown doesn’t work for Don Valley North. This report takes steps in the right direction. It introduces changes that will help manage congestion and improve options across the city. That matters to all of us, since we travel beyond our neighbourhoods every day. But that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice suburban realities in the name of progress. What's in the Report? This report takes steps in the right direction. It introduces changes that will help manage congestion and improve options across the city. That matters to all of us, since we travel beyond our neighbourhoods every day. But that doesn’t mean we need to sacrifice suburban realities in the name of progress. The Strategic Parking Framework  lays out six “Big Moves” for the coming years: 1. Managing Parking by Neighbourhood Instead of planning parking one spot or block at a time, the strategy takes a broader view. It looks at neighbourhood needs and commercial districts as whole systems. This could be a win for suburban BIAs and growing commercial corridors. 2. Making Parking Data Publicly Accessible Finally, we’ll have real-time information on where parking is available, delivered through voice-activated and in-car technology. This is exactly the kind of smart, user-friendly innovation drivers need. 3. Adjusting Pricing to Support Sustainable Mobility The report asks why “pay and display: on-street parking costs less than Green P lots. By shifting the balance and making underground and off-street parking more attractive, we can improve traffic flow. But pricing changes must reflect local realities. I’ll be watching this one closely.  4. Expanding Carshare Options Staff propose allowing carshare vehicles to park in any legitimate spot across the city. While this might suit downtown, in suburban areas where parking enforcement is inconsistent and residential space is limited, we need to proceed with caution. 5. Upgrading Outdated Parking Technology Many of the City’s parking systems are still running on outdated platforms. This plan includes a comprehensive review of what each City division needs and lays the groundwork for a modern, centralized parking management system. That means real-time usage data, improved permitting tools, easier payment options (including non-smartphone alternatives), and better enforcement tools that are more cost-effective and less frustrating for users, making the system more responsive, more efficient, and more user-friendly. 6. Centralizing Leadership and Oversight The Parking Advisory Committee, which helped develop this strategy, would become a permanent oversight body. Its role would be to ensure that all future parking decisions reflect the city’s long-term goals and are aligned across departments. A Balanced Approach Some proposals in the report have real merit. For example, supporting local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) through better signage and performance-based pricing that helps ensure parking turnover is welcome news. In Don Valley North, we’re encouraging new and existing businesses to consider forming BIAs along corridors like Sheppard. These improvements might be just the push they need to get started. But other ideas in the staff report need closer examination.   One concerning proposal would increase prices for on-street parking in suburban areas without robust transit or nearby off-street options. That could disproportionately affect families and seniors. Another concern is the proposal to introduce paid parking at civic facilities like arenas and community centres. We’ve already seen how challenging this can be at the new Ethennonnhawahstihnen Community Centre. Until transit and street-level changes are complete, I’ll be advocating for the lowest possible rates and carefully managed on-street alternatives. What I'm Fighting For I’ll be pushing for updates to this framework that reflect the full geography of our city. The report acknowledges that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work, but it still leans heavily on downtown examples. A strategy that works on King Street doesn’t automatically make sense for Sheppard Avenue East or Steeles. My goal is to ensure this plan delivers real, practical improvements. That means: Opposing blanket pricing changes that punish suburban families. Ensuring that when new Green P lots open in suburban areas, they offer introductory pricing that reflects how big an adjustment this is for local residents. Demanding in-person consultations in every part of the city, not just online or downtown. Championing user-friendly tech upgrades that include options for seniors and people without smartphones. Ensuring carshare does not displace residential parking, especially in areas where enforcement is already limited. What You Can Do This is your city, and your curb space too. I encourage you to read the full framework at toronto.ca/parkingstrategy  and let me know what you think. If you’ve ever struggled to find a spot, paid a fine you didn’t understand, or had trouble with a parking app, I want to hear from you. Growing Together As your City Councillor, I will always fight for a Toronto that works for everyone, including communities like Don Valley North. That includes recognizing the role that cars still play in suburban life, even as we move toward more sustainable transportation options. It also means continuing to advocate for expanded transit infrastructure in our part of the city. I will keep pushing for the Sheppard Subway Extension, the Ontario Line, and improved service integration across the entire transit network. Growth in Toronto should not mean leaving the suburbs behind. It should mean building a city that grows together, guided by fairness, practicality, and common sense. As always, my office is here to help. If you have questions, feedback, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

A few summers ago, I wrote about my vacation in Vancouver and the incredible density being introduced in neighbourhoods there. Vancouver City Hall had recently approved laneway and garden suites in residential areas, along with high-rise developments along SkyTrain routes into the inner suburbs and East Vancouver. Knowing I’d be interested, my sister-in-law took me on a driving tour of the new housing forms appearing near their home. Fast forward to today. I was back in Vancouver last week for a business trip, and we retraced that drive after five more years of development. The visit offered a timely and valuable perspective, as Toronto’s Planning and Housing Committee is now preparing to consider two important reports focused on gentle density in our neighbourhoods. City Planning staff are proposing key amendments to how multiplexes are approved and built across the city. These reports include updates to existing permissions for smaller multiplexes, as well as a new proposal to permit sixplexes as-of-right city-wide, meaning they could be built without the need for a rezoning application, as long as they comply with local zoning standards like height, setbacks, and building size. In 2018, the City of Toronto began permitting laneway suites as-of-right, followed by garden suites in 2022, subject to certain conditions. Shortly thereafter, through the Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) program, the City also permitted duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes as-of-right. The goal was to provide more suitable multi-unit housing options for families than what standard condo units typically offer. Increasingly, families are also seeking to create multi-generational living arrangements on their properties, particularly in today’s housing and economic climate. As expected, most applications for these gentle-density housing forms have occurred downtown. In suburban areas like Don Valley North, laneways are rare, so garden suites are the primary option for backyard development. These are now beginning to appear on larger lots that meet the criteria. In Don Valley North, we have a few fourplexes either under construction or nearing that stage. There have been lessons along the way, and my team and I have had to stay alert. When buildings are approved as-of-right by city staff at the planning counter, we sometimes rely on your calls to track where and how these additions are appearing in our neighbourhoods. When issues arise, we work closely with City Planning staff to resolve them. This collaboration has already resulted in proposed updates in the new reports coming to city council. The most important proposed change is a limit on the total number of bedrooms per lot. In Henry Farm, a planning counter representative granted as-of-right approval for a fourplex and garden suite combination that would have created 30 bedrooms on a single property. I raised the issue during a Council meeting, and staff responded swiftly. That application is now under reconsideration, with permissions suspended until substantial changes are made. By capping the total number of bedrooms, we preserve flexibility while preventing unlicensed rooming houses from being disguised as fourplexes. Legitimate proposals typically include a mix of unit sizes—for example, two 3-bedroom units and two 2-bedroom units in a fourplex. We still want to allow for a family to have a four-bedroom main unit while creating smaller rental apartments for income. Another proposed change is designed to help both developers and neighbours. Currently, to avoid development charges, some developers apply to build a fourplex first and then come back later to apply for a garden suite. This piecemeal approach is frustrating. To properly evaluate landscaped area and ensure neighbourhood compatibility, we need to see the whole plan from the outset. Residents deserve that clarity, too. City staff are recommending that applicants be allowed to submit plans for both a multi-unit house and a garden suite at the same time, without triggering additional development charges. This change would support better site planning, increase transparency for neighbours, and help City staff assess the full scope of a project from the start. In Don Valley North, we recently saw a homeowner begin construction on a fourplex and then later start building a garden suite without proper permissions. Although staff stepped in to address the situation, the sequence strongly suggests an attempt to bypass the rules. The proposed amendment is intended to curb this kind of behaviour by creating a clearer, more accountable process. Now comes the hard part. As part of this broader review, City staff are recommending city-wide, as-of-right permissions for sixplexes in neighbourhoods. I understand why they want to take this step, but I also have concerns. Sixplexes have already appeared without formal permissions in parts of the old City of Toronto. For many renters, especially near universities, transit, and main streets, these units offer an affordable housing option. By permitting them through a formal process, we can ensure that they meet building code, fire safety, and construction standards. Five- and six-unit multiplexes would be required to fit within the same building envelope currently permitted for other multiplexes, with one exception: a proposed 0.5 metre height increase, to a total of 10.5 metres, would apply only if a basement unit is included, in order to improve livability and allow for better natural light through above-grade windows. My concern is that we are still learning from the fourplex experience, particularly in suburban areas. City Planning’s own review shows that as-of-right duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes are developing much more rapidly downtown. In the suburbs, they are just beginning to emerge, so we do not yet have a full understanding of their impact. Of the permits that were reviewed as part of this monitoring report, only 1.1% of the total permits were in Don Valley North. Every by-law leaves some room for interpretation, and my experience has been that counter staff conducting the initial reviews of these applications may not always be familiar with the unique context of Don Valley North, particularly when it comes to parking requirements and lot configurations. As a result, they may approve applications that don’t fully align with the intent of the zoning changes. Even with simpler applications like garden suites, we’ve seen inconsistent decisions around landscaped area requirements. With so few examples to draw from in our area, I believe we need more training and experience among front-line planning staff before moving forward with broader changes. While in Vancouver, I saw several recently constructed sixplexes. They are common in areas where nearly every street has a rear laneway. Builders often purchase two adjacent lots and construct sixplexes side by side. The results are often attractive, fitting in well with large, renovated single-family homes nearby. There is one key difference. In Vancouver, sixplexes are allowed to use the rear of the property for four parking spaces and garbage storage. Even though the area is well served by transit, the parking spaces still appeared to be necessary. If I had my way, Toronto would take a cautious approach and approve sixplexes only on lots with access to a rear laneway or permit street parking. No lots in Don Valley North meet those criteria yet, but our parking policies may evolve over time. For now, we continue to adjust to and closely monitor the recent changes already in place. My office is always appreciative when you call to let us know how things are going on the ground. As a City Council, we are trying to give more people more choices about where to live, and make those choices more affordable. We are licensing and regulating multi-tenant homes, while enabling new family-sized housing forms such as duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and backyard garden suites. These options fill important gaps in Toronto’s housing market but making them work requires input from the community. A number of these amendments were raised by residents of Don Valley North through the EHON Reference Group I hosted earlier this year. I am so grateful for your suggestions. If you are considering one of these housing options for your family, or if a proposal has appeared on your street and you have concerns, we’re here to help. City Council will vote on these reports starting June 25. The proposed improvements and sixplex recommendation are not yet final. I want to hear your thoughts.

Back when I first joined Council, we didn’t talk as much about the housing shortage, traffic, or endless construction as we do now. Toronto wasn’t growing nearly as quickly as it is now. You might ask, “What on earth did people talk about all day?” We talked about garbage. Endlessly. When the Provincial government of the mid-nineties forced the amalgamation of the six municipalities that made up Metro Toronto, the debate over what to do with our waste had already been raging for almost a decade. Metro had landfills in York Region and Scarborough/Durham, but they were reaching capacity. The very first amalgamated Council of the new megacity of Toronto was immediately divided over a controversial proposal. An abandoned open-pit mine called Adams Mine, located in Northern Ontario near Kirkland Lake, was offered as a solution to Toronto’s disposal needs. The idea raised serious environmental concerns. In 2000, Toronto City Council debated the issue for three straight days. The way councillors voted on Adams Mine became the defining ballot issue in that fall’s municipal election. In the end, Council listened to the voices of residents in Kirkland Lake and nearby First Nations communities, who feared contamination of their land and water. Council voted not to proceed with Adams Mine. Instead, we began shipping Toronto’s residual waste to an established landfill in upstate Michigan. Today, we own our own landfill, Green Lane, located southwest of London, Ontario. Green Lane is expected to reach capacity by 2030. So here we are again. It is time to talk about Toronto’s waste future. The City is now in the process of updating our Long-Term Waste Strategy, which will guide how we manage garbage for decades to come. The most urgent decision on the table is how to handle the portion of waste that cannot be recycled or composted. This is where the debate comes in. The two main disposal options under consideration are building a new landfill or developing an incinerator facility. The City has launched an online survey as part of the early consultation. It is worth participating, although I will say it’s a little one-sided and light on information. So, let’s get up to speed. Some Good News While waste disposal remains an ongoing challenge for every city, environmental regulations and technology have helped improve our options. Landfills must now be built on specific land types, typically those with clay-based soil that helps prevent contaminants from leaching into the groundwater. Each new section of a landfill must be lined to protect the water supply. Over time, landfills decompose waste and generate methane. Today, methane capture systems can convert that gas into energy. Green Lane now has such a system in place. There have also been innovations in incineration. While there is still no incinerator that produces zero emissions, newer systems can capture by-products and use them to create energy. Proponents of incineration like to call these “Energy-from-Waste Facilities” but the reality is that in almost every case, both landfills and incinerators are converting gases into energy at some volume because there is a market for it. Cost, Complexity, and What Comes Next As the debate over landfill versus incineration ramps up, both sides will claim to be more cost-effective. The truth is, neither option is cheap. Land suitable for landfill use is hard to find and very expensive, especially once sellers know a city like Toronto is interested. Environmental approvals and operational costs also add to the price tag. Incinerators are equally costly to build and operate, and they are often difficult to get approved anywhere. Solid Waste Management Services has been preparing for this for years. The reserve fund that will pay for the next solution was built through the waste bin rate structure. The more you’ve done to reduce your waste—by sorting, reusing, and choosing a smaller black bin—the more fairly you’ll contribute to that future cost. I encourage you to take the Solid Waste survey using the knowledge and perspective you have today. Your input is an important part of getting this conversation started. Complete the survey by June 29 and consider attending the upcoming public event, Bin There, Done That: What’s Next?, on June 10. It’s a chance to speak directly with City staff, ask questions, and share your ideas. This is just the beginning of a longer process, and there will be more opportunities to engage and learn. I’ll continue to share what I learn along the way so we can make an informed, responsible choice about how Toronto manages its waste in the years ahead. The next step will be a report to the Infrastructure Committee. This report will include survey results, and the research gathered so far by City staff. It will also lay out staff’s preferred option between landfill and energy-from-waste. Even if Council agrees on a direction, this decision will still go through many more stages, including the environmental approval process and extensive public consultation—especially if new infrastructure is proposed. What You Can Do Right Now Because every option is expensive, I am asking you once again to be as intentional and conscientious as possible when it comes to waste. When was the last time you used the Waste Wizard online tool? Have you downloaded the TOwaste app to make sure you “Know Before You Throw”? Whatever solution we land on, we need to do everything we can to reduce the volume of waste we produce. The City’s Solid Waste Division offers excellent guidance on how to work toward zero waste. There are also international resources you can turn to. Here is one group’s list of the bare minimum we should all be doing by now: You can go even further by embracing the circular economy. Choose products with return or reuse systems and minimal packaging. Donate items rather than discarding them. During gift-giving seasons, consider offering consumables or shared experiences instead of physical items. For example, give the gift of food or a promise to attend a concert or film together. This holiday season, make memories instead of garbage. Looking Ahead We have come a long way since the early days of waste debates at City Hall, but the core challenge remains: how to responsibly manage what we leave behind. This decision will shape how we treat our environment, how we spend public dollars, and how we meet our climate goals for generations to come. I hope you will stay engaged, ask questions, and keep doing your part to reduce waste at home. I’ll continue to keep you informed every step of the way, because everyone in Toronto deserves a voice in how we build a cleaner, more sustainable future.