Last week, Premier Doug Ford’s government announced that the Local Planning Appeal Support Centre, one of the most important reforms contained in the legislation, would be eliminated. The Centre was established to provide supports for community members to level the playing field against deep-pocketed developers. Supports included guidance on Tribunal process, as well as providing planning and/or legal representation.

This provincial cut is part of a troubling trend that has seen the new provincial government doing favors for developers, including the sale of the Hearn for only $16 million and the announcement that Ontario Place could be sold to the private sector.

I will continue to advocate for our neighborhoods against inappropriate development that doesn’t support community planning.

For more information, please see this article.

The Beltline is a natural sanctuary and fascinating historic corridor within the heart of our Midtown Neighborhoods. I initiated the Beltline ‘Lost Stations’ Project as a way to highlight the trail’s railway history and the communities it runs through, and to enhance and bring a sense of place to the trail for future generations. Using three ‘lost stations’ between Eglinton and Mount Pleasant as focal point, we are creating a design concept to celebrate the historical, cultural and botanical features of the Beltline.

I was excited to host a preliminary design consultation meeting alongside Parks and Recreation Staff and Victor Ford Consultants on February 25. Community members were invited to review three proposed design concepts for the ‘stations’ and provide their feedback. I invite you to take a look at the preliminary plans on my website, and provide feedback to Parks and Recreation staff before March 11.

A second round of designs will be available for review by late spring of this year, and construction will take place this fall or next spring.

On Wednesday March 6^th, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at 745 St. Clair Ave W.,I invite you to join my team, local residents and I for a celebration of our Toronto-St.Paul’s neighborhoods! Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

For more information, I welcome you to check-out my flyer here. We hope you can make it!

The City has received an application to amend the zoning by-law and Official Plan to permit a new 15-storey seniors care facility containing 147 rental units. The new facility would replace the existing Amica Balmoral Club. You can review the proposal in greater detail, including the architectural plans and technical studies, through the City’s development portal here

Please join me and the City’s Community Planning staff at a public consultation to share your feedback on the proposal

When: Wednesday, March 20^th 6:30pm-8:30pm
Where: First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto (175 St Clair Ave W)

If you have any questions or are unable to attend the public meeting, please contact the Community Planner to share your comments:

Kevin Friedrich
(416) 338-5740
Kevin.Friedrich@toronto.ca

Oakwood Village Community Organization (OVCO), a not-for-profit resident led-group, invites you to join them for a dinner, annual general meeting and public meeting on March 26^th, at 529 Vaughan Rd (Davisville Jr. P.S./Spectrum Alternative Sr. School). They welcome you to:
6:00 community dinner
6:20 OVCO AGM
7:00 a dynamic, interactive discussion.

They recognize that the community needs youth services, housing, employment, child care and much more. OVCO looks forward to taking action for real results. Dinner will be provided by Cornerstone Shelter and please note that donations are welcome. For more information please email: info.ovco@gmail.com . I look forward to seeing you then!

Come out and visit the Stop’s Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns (601 Christie St.) every Saturday, year round, from 8:00am to 12:30pm to enjoy local, sustainable and organic products and great music! The Stop’s Market Café is also open during the same hours as the Farmers’ Market and serves delicious breakfasts, soups, sandwiches, and desserts prepared by Stop chefs using ingredients sourced from the market. Check it out in The Stop’s Green Barn (Barn 4) every Saturday. I look forward to seeing you then!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Safety Forum I hosted on Thursday evening. It was a really informative, thoughtful and important conversation ranging from road safety, car break ins and shootings to proactive youth programs, enforcement and building community.

It was a pleasure hosting some inspiring kids from the Leacock Foundation today to discuss how to fight for social justice at city hall. As they’re all St. Jamestown residents, I also told them about about what a wonderful local Councillor they have!

Thanks to everyone in our Toronto-St. Paul’s & Don Valley West community who joined me, Carolyn_Bennett & Rob_Oliphant for our annual skating party! It was a fun event and great conversations. I hope to see you next year!

Registration for City of Toronto spring and summer recreation programs as well as summer camps starts this Saturday, March 2. The City is the largest provider of safe, fun and high-quality recreation programs for people of all ages, skill levels and interests in Toronto.To help residents prepare for registration, customer service hours have been extended. Residents can call 416-396-7378 from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on February 27 and 28, March 1 and 4.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. on:

Step 2: Choose programs
Residents are advised to have a few backup choices prepared in case their preferred program is full. A listing of programs can be found online at http://www.toronto.ca/funguide or in the printed Spring/Summer FUN Guide available at community centres, libraries, civic centres, and City Hall. A program wish list can be created with the online FUN Guide.

Step 3: Register
Residents are encouraged to have all information and payment options ready before registration starts. There are three ways to register:

If registrants are unable to attend
Parks, Forestry and Recreation programs are popular and many have waiting lists. If registrants are unable to attend their registered program, they are asked to contact their local community centre or call the customer service line so the spot can be offered to someone else.

Welcome Policy yearly credit
The Welcome Policy credit can be used to register for City recreation programs. Those receiving social assistance (Ontario Works) and living in Toronto are pre-approved to receive this credit and should speak to their caseworker. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/wp for more details.

Older adult discounts
Participants 60 years and older receive a 50 per cent discount on the regular price of adult recreation programs, excluding private, semi-private and small group lessons.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of more than 2.9 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorontoComms, on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cityofto.

From May through October, the Cultural Hotspot shines a spotlight on arts, culture and community in diverse neighbourhoods, inspiring new ideas about where culture thrives in Toronto. In 2019, the Cultural Hotspot celebrates York and north Etobicoke. This annual partner-produced initiative kicked off in Scarborough in 2014, and moves to a different location each year.
Share your community events, festivals or gatherings: Have an existing project or event? This city-wide marketing campaign drives people to the Hotspot’s event listings. Post your information to their online events calendar for free and far-reaching publicity. Events submitted by March 8 will be included in their printed program guide and promoted through social media channels.
Participation in Cultural Hotspot events is free or accessibly priced. Visit this link here for details.

Do you need help filing your income tax return? The CECC’s trained volunteers can prepare your income tax return from March 1^st, 2019- April 18^th, 2019. Appointments will be taken starting February 19^th, 2019. Please phone 416-392-0511 ext. 0 to book your appointment. For further details, please review this flyer.

Looking for something to do during March Break? Our local libraries offer more than 100 free activities for kids, teens, and the whole family. Browse the programs or use their search tool to find out what’s happening during the break. I wish you all a safe and fun March Break!