Tomorrow is provincial election day and there's a lot at stake for Toronto and our Spadina-Fort York communities in this election. Find your local polling station here and then make a plan to get out and vote! There is a lot to celebrate over the next few weeks. Black History Month is coming to a close and there are still many events in Spadina-Fort York to check out as part of the celebrations - read on to see what is on. International Women’s Day is March 8, with its annual march weaving through the streets.
Protecting Arts, Culture, and Community Space at Youngplace
We’ve protected vital arts, culture and community space at Youngplace! Working together, we helped 5 organizations purchase their units that were put at risk by the Artscape receivership process and completed the first acquisition by a cultural land trust in Canada for 2 units, through partnership between Inspirit Foundation and the Community & Cultural Spaces Trust. I was proud to move over $1.2 million dollars of local Section 37 money to contribute to these purchases.
Thomas Rennie Ferry Incident
Confidence in safe and accessible ferry operations is of critical importance to me. The reporting on an April 30, 2024 incident involving the Thomas Rennie ferry has raised serious concerns, and I have written to the City Manager to ensure proper actions are being taken.
Snowy days and getting things done
As we dig out our roads and sidewalks from the snowstorm, and prepare for more this weekend, I hope you’re staying safe and well-prepared. The TDSB and TCDSB called it a snow day, and closed their buildings for recreational programming. Our city’s libraries and community centres have largely remained open, though programs have been changed or cancelled accordingly. If you do have to get out and about, the TTC is running, with accommodation for weather related delays or route changes. The City is encouraging residents to avoid the roads if possible as they work to clear the roads. You can visit toronto.ca/PlowTO to see our cleaning vehicles in real-time and get the latest. Our City’s warming centres are open and available – you can find them here.
Ice Ice, Budget!
We are in the last stretch of the 2025 City Budget process. Big thanks to everyone that came out to our Budget Town Hall sharing your thoughts on the proposed budget, and what should be prioritized as we move forward. Find more about next steps on the budget process, and local priorities that are being addressed at ausmamalik.ca/budget2025. There you can also continue to share your feedback as we prepare for the Budget Council meeting on February 11.
Skate with Ausma!
Join Community Skate at Coca-Cola Coliseum with Deputy Mayor Malik for our final skating event of the season!
Budget Town Hall: Thursday, January 16
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed time with loved ones and some of the great holiday events in our neighbourhoods. I’m excited to keep working with you as we continue to build a Toronto for all of us.
You may have participated in the pre-budget consultations during the fall, and the process for the City of Toronto’s 2025 Budget kicks off Monday, January 13, with the release of the staff proposed budget.
Happy Holidays!
Toronto is buzzing with holiday energy! And there are so many ways to join in the fun this season. Whether you are looking to spend the weekend skating at the Bentway or Harbourfront, or getting ready for the big New Year’s even fireworks show on the waterfront, we’ve got you covered with all the info for us in Spadina-Fort York.
Our Waterfront's Future
Over the last twenty years there has been so much progress on our waterfront with new parks, thousands of new residential units, and Don River flood protection. The City is endorsing the next phase of waterfront revitalization to bring more investment in our infrastructure, public spaces, and transit.
Making Housing Happen
It’s National Housing Week. It is the highest priority - for me and City Council - so that we can all imagine a future in Toronto.
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour (Spadina Fort-York Version)
Taylor Swift is coming to Toronto next week, and the City has been busy getting ready. We know events like this add vibrancy to our city and it is important that we manage them well. To do that, we have been learning from other cities who have hosted the Eras Tour, to see the impacts these concerts have had on traffic, transportation, tourism, and local economies.
Ready for It! a Taylor Swift-themed event, in partnership with the Bentway
Taylor Swift is coming to Toronto and we're getting ready! Come to Ready For It, in partnership with the Bentway, to craft with your neighbours and get all the information you need to stay safe, have fun, and get around during the concert dates.
Halloween in Spook-dina Fort York
Spadina-Fort York is gearing up for a spooktacular Halloween next week! From trick-or-treating to eerie events to the annual pumpkin parades on November 1st, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The creativity, enthusiasm and community involvement make this a time to come together.
Giving thanks in our city
The start of fall is a wonderful time in Spadina-Fort York. Our communities are prioritizing how to support each other through the transition of seasons in the months ahead. As we go into the Thanksgiving weekend, I’ve been heartened by the generosity of everyone in neighbourhoods across our ward, from the food drive at Scadding Court, the seniors dinner in Alexandra Park, to the United Way campaign ramping up here at City Hall.
Steps to reconciliation
This Monday, September 30, marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the children who never returned home from residential and day schools, survivors and their families, and recommitting to advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Toronto, and across the country.
Getting where we need to go
Kids are back in school, our committee and council cycle has begun again at City Hall, and I know many of us are settling into September. And with this, it’s even more important to get where we need to go - work, school, appointments, daycare pick ups - on-time and safely.
That’s why I was glad to join Mayor Olivia Chow and TTC Chair Jamaal Myers this week to share some successful transportation improvements we’ve been doing that are having a real impact on our roads right here in Ward 10.
