What a spectacular journey the World Cup 2026 has been! Toronto truly shone on the world stage, from six thrilling matches, and the energy at Fan Festival, to our incredible community celebrations in every part of the downtown. And while the games may be done, there is still so much fun to be had in our downtown communities this summer.
Summer brings more people and activity to our downtown communities. With more people out and about, I’ve had many conversations about road safety and making sure we can all enjoy our neighbourhoods and get to where we need to go.
This morning, I announced the first-ever library branch on Toronto’s waterfront at Quayside! This was only made possible through incredible partnership between my office, City of Toronto staff, the Toronto Public Library, Waterfront Toronto, and the development partners, including $9 million in funds that I am proud to have allocated from our legacy community benefits tool, section 37, to make this opportunity a reality.
Summer is always a busy time in our downtown communities and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto beginning today, my priority is that you have the information you need to get around, catch the excitement, and benefit before, during and after the games. I’m sharing information at my dedicated webpage and with some handy how-to guides on my Instagram.
In just two weeks, the FIFA World Cup in Toronto kicks off, right here in Spadina-Fort York. While I didn’t make the decision to bring these games to our city, I’ve been committed to making sure that our downtown communities can enjoy and benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime moment, before, during, and after the games.
To start off May, I came to Stanley Park with Mayor Chow and City staff to start the second annual Keep Toronto Beautiful campaign, a series of targeted cleaning blitzes to clean, refresh and restore some of our high-need public spaces. We removed graffiti, painted park furniture, picked up garbage, fixed sidewalks, and cleaned catch basins, along with all the maintenance staff do on a regular basis.
Last Thursday, before they went on yet another break, the provincial government dropped legislation to forcibly take City land at Toronto Island and Bathurst Quay including Little Norway Park to expand the Island Airport.
It’s our park, our waterfront, and our city. I’ve always said that Torontonians deserve to have a say over the future of the waterfront and public spaces that we’ve worked hard to make vibrant, livable, and sustainable.
Earth Day is just a few days away and just in time is my first Community Environment Day of the season! This Sunday, April 19 come to David Crombie Park (131 The Esplanade at Frederick St) between 10am and 2pm.
New transit is coming to our waterfront! This week, the City, Provincial and Federal governments have committed to fund Waterfront East Transit.
The ice in the harbour has thawed and spring is coming to our waterfront! I’ve been working hard, with City staff and the team at Waterfront Toronto.