Community Environment Day is returning to South Stanley Park! This is a great opportunity to properly dispose of electronic, hazardous, and other kinds of waste which you can't put at the curb, including paint, batteries and light bulbs. Donations will also be accepted on a variety of items that could be reused by others in our community, such as clothing, small appliances, and electronics. Let us know you can attend!
Marching Forward
Next Friday, March 8th marks International Women’s Day. Together, we can work to create a gender equal world, and celebrate the political, social, and activist achievements that have brought us here. This month also brings March Break! Many of our City’s community centres, museums, and public buildings have special programming for students, families and community members to enjoy.
Skating Party tomorrow at the Bentway!
Yesterday, the 2024 Toronto Budget went through City Council to get us back on track. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me and our office, had conversations, attended our town hall, and participated in the many opportunities to engage in the process -- the most in the City's history! I am grateful for all of it.
Getting our city back on track
We’ve been working hard to start this new year off right, with a 2024 budget that gets our city back on track. Over the past weeks, tens-of-thousands of Torontonians like you have shared ideas and feedback through emails, calls, deputations, and town halls of all kinds, including the one we held a few weeks ago with Spadina-Fort York residents. I’m also looking forward to celebrating Black History Month and Lunar New Year in our communities this month, bringing us to gather, reflect, and celebrate.
Setting our path forward
Tuesday night we held our annual Ward 10 & Ward 13 Budget Town Hall. Despite the cold weather, it was great to see so many residents turn out in person and online to share their thoughts and views on how together we can build a strong, more inclusive Toronto.
Clarence Square Park
Thank you to all who have reached out to my office and shared their concerns with me about the ongoing situation in Clarence Square Park. The City of Toronto is experiencing a homelessness emergency. Every night, hundreds of people cannot access safe indoor space. In a city like ours, no one should have to be living outside in the cold.
2024 Budget
On February 14, the City's 2024 Budget was approved. We heard from thousands of Torontonians in this extraordinary budget process that had the most opportunities to engage in the City's history. We heard your most urgent priorities: housing for everyone; reliable, safe, affordable transit; strengthening our public services and infrastructure; and real safety in our communities.
Register Now: 2024 Budget Town Hall on January 16
Happy new year! I hope you had a chance to see family and friends, rest and recharge. I am excited to keep working with you to make the city we love a place where we all thrive. And that starts with the 2024 City Budget! The Budget Committee’s draft budget will be released Wednesday, January 10. As we know, budgets convey priorities. With new leadership at City Hall, this year’s budget will outline the City’s path forward.
Holiday Fun in the Heart of Toronto
The holiday feeling is in the air. Whether you marked winter solstice celebrations, are finalizing preparations for Christmas, or making your plans for New Year’s Eve, Toronto is abuzz with excitement and anticipation, alongside important concern for all our neighbours to be well through the winter.
A New Deal for Toronto
The New Deal for Toronto means billions in new money that will make people's lives better, delivering housing, transit and critical services. Announced late last month, Mayor Chow has achieved what previous Mayors couldn't over the past decade.
Statement on Provincial Decision on Ontario Place
Since the beginning of the Ontario Place redevelopment process, the Province has had the power to impose their development plan. But the City has been determined to collaborate and find the best outcome for the future of these well-loved, well-used public lands.
City Hall for Everyone
As City Councillor for Spadina-Fort York, one of my top priorities is to bring more of us into the decision making process, as we build a Toronto for all together. An important time for that is now, as we start discussions on Toronto’s budget process.
What a year it’s been!
This month marks a year since I took office as your City Councillor for Spadina-Fort York. Enormous gratitude for your confidence and for being a part of this journey. From my first day at City Hall, I came with a clear responsibility - to work together to build a green, just, and caring city. The last twelve months have seen unimaginable changes at the City as we make our vision for a Toronto for all, a reality. While there's no shortage of challenges along the way, I'm proud of the work we are doing alongside each other to make our city, and our local communities, places where everyone belongs and can thrive.
Happy Halloween!
With the leaves falling, I am excited to see Spadina-Fort York glowing for Halloween next week. The creativity, enthusiasm and community involvement make this a time to come together.
Relocating Shelter Services in Ward 10
In early 2024, St. Felix Centre, with support from the City of Toronto, will open a shelter at 629 Adelaide St. W. for people experiencing homelessness. This is a relocation of the original low-barrier respite program operated by St. Felix Centre at 25 Augusta Ave., which closed in July 2023 and is being converted to 31 units of long-term affordable housing. The Adelaide site will open with approximately 50 spaces.
Staying connected by being connected
The internet has become a necessity, and as a city we have to meet our commitments to equity. This week, City Council took an important step forward, as we work to ensure accessible internet access for all. To access government services (or updates like this newsletter) internet access is needed to fulfill your needs in a timely manner. We must create a city where we can all belong by not deepening the digital divide, but by closing it.
