Hi Neighbour,
With so much going on at City Hall and in Beaches-East York, it’s hard to imagine that the October 24th Municipal Election was just four weeks ago.
With the election now in the rear-view, I’m honoured to be back working for the community we all care so much about. I want to give thanks to all those who offered their time, talent, and ideas to make a better Beaches-East York and a more inclusive Toronto. While my name was on the ballot, the campaign was never about me – it was about our community’s shared values, hopes and aspirations. From Sunrise to Queen, from Coxwell to Victoria Park, from Crescent Town to Banglatown, we reaffirmed our commitment to more housing in our community and across the city, road safety projects that will save lives, and ensuring our main streets and small businesses thrive.
I won’t shy away from the big problems, just because they are difficult – rather, I’m here to roll up my sleeves, bring people around the table, and help us move forward on some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities and our city. To that end, I’m here for you – and I’m looking forward to continuing our work together for another term. My sincere thanks for your trust, faith, and encouragement. Believe in the East!
With that, I’m excited to have our regular bi-weekly newsletter back up and running. Please read below to see what we have been working on at City Hall, take a peak into the many community-led events that have taken place in the past couple weeks, and mark your calendars down with dates of some fun events coming up in the Ward.
This time of year always seems to fly by, so don’t miss out on all the fun: Make sure you stay in the #BEY loop by following my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook page.
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
- 2022 Municipal Election 🆕
- Council is Back! 🆕
- Committee Chairs Named 🆕
- Bill 23: Building More Homes Faster Act 🆕
- 540 Cedarvale Modular Housing Grand Opening 🆕
- Annual Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square 🆕
- Registration For Winter Recreation Program Opening Soon 🆕
- Vaccine & Health Updates 🆕
- The Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration – Nov 26 🆕
- Taylor-Massey Community Wellness Event – Nov 29 🆕
- Centre 55 December Seniors Dinner – Dec 2 🆕
- East York Rotary Club Christmas Dinner – Dec 3 🆕
- Seniors Christmas Potluck – Dec 6 🆕
- West Scarborough Trip to St. Jacob’s – Dec 8 🆕
- Soupfest 2022 – Dec 10 🆕
- Caroling in the Park – Dec 13 🆕
Community Programs & Employment
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program Running Again 🆕
- CC55 Share a Christmas Program Volunteers Needed 🆕
- SCHC Hospice Palliative Care Volunteers Needed 🆕
- SAHM Program is Hiring 🆕
- CP Planning Job Posting 🆕
- Beaches Lions Club Christmas Trees for Sale! 🆕
- Join the CC55 Book Club 🆕
- Reminder: No Dogs Allowed on TDSB property 🆕
- BEY Food Banks
- O’Connor Drive Improvements 🆕
- Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East 🆕
- Notice of Road Closure – Stephenson Avenue
- Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Queen St. E.
- Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Kingston – Waverley
- Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
- Toronto Hydro – Overhead Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office. Send me an email at [email protected], and we can get you included in our next issue.
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
2022 Municipal Election🆕
We’ve been right back to work since the October 24, 2022 Municipal Election! It’s hard to imagine that it was just four weeks ago.
With the election now in the rear-view, I’m honoured to be back working for the community we all care so much about. I want to give thanks to all those who offered their time, talent, and ideas to make a better Beaches-East York and a more inclusive Toronto. While my name was on the ballot, the campaign was never about me – it was about our community’s shared values, hopes and aspirations. From Sunrise to Queen, from Coxwell to Victoria Park, from Crescent Town to Banglatown, we reaffirmed our commitment to more housing in our community and across the city, road safety projects that will save lives, and ensuring our main streets and small businesses thrive.
I won’t shy away from the big problems, just because they are difficult – rather, I’m here to roll up my sleeves, bring people around the table, and help us move forward on some of the most pressing challenges ahead. To that end, I’m here for you. My sincere thanks for your trust, faith, and encouragement. Believe in the East!
Council is Back! 🆕
This week, Toronto City Councillors of this term (“Class of 2022-2026”) took their place in the Council Chambers for the first time this Tuesday. It’s an honour to be back in the seat for BEY and Toronto, alongside both new and familiar colleagues. Here’s to the next four years of continued progress and collaboration for Torontonians. Let’s get to work!
Committee Chairs Named 🆕
On Thursday at Council, colleagues and I voted to appoint Members of Council to committees, agencies, boards, corporations and Community Councils. I was honoured to be appointed Chair of Planning & Housing Committee. Together, we’ll keep taking action on housing to build an affordable, sustainable Toronto for all.
Committees and other governing bodies play a key role in the Council process and oversee, shape, and implement the delivery of key City of Toronto services, programs, and policies.
The full list of appointments is available on the City’s website: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2023.ST1.1.
It’s an honour to take on this new Chair role. I’m looking forward to working with you and residents across the City to bringing continued improvements to housing affordability and availability in this City. Check out my below statement for more info:
Bill 23: Building More Homes Faster Act 🆕
With Council in full swing, I’ve been hearing from many of you about your concerns around the provincial Bill 23: More Homes Built Faster Act. At Council this week, I stood to speak on this important issue. It’s clear that that this bill as it’s drafted today, precisely undermines its own objectives. This Council, this City and this province, have a mission to build more housing, and I’m happy to roll up my sleeves and work with anybody who wants to do that. But I share your concerns that the Provincial legislation in front of us, as it currently exists, actually impedes our ability to build the affordable housing that is greatly needed for our future success as a City. You can hear my full comments on this important and evolving topic here.
540 Cedarvale Modular Housing Site Grand Opening 🆕
On the first day of the new Council term I was grateful to kick things off with the grand opening of the 540 Cedarvale modular housing, marking the opening of BEYs latest affordable housing site. 59 seniors will be getting the keys to their new homes in the coming weeks and we can’t wait to welcome our new neighbours alongside Woodgreen, a well-known and highly regarded housing operator in our city.
Annual Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square 🆕
The annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Desjardins Financial Group, will illuminate Nathan Phillips Square this Saturday, November 26, with an opening night celebration from 3 to 11 p.m., which will include a tree-lighting ceremony, live music, circus performers and more. Learn more by clicking here.
Registration For Winter Recreation Program Opening Soon 🆕
Mark your calendars, #BEY! From skating to swimming lessons and everything in between, registration for City of Toronto winter recreation programs opens on December 6 at 7am. For more information, visit: https://toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/winter-recreation-programs/
Vaccine & Health Updates 🆕
Flu season is upon us and there is no better time to get vaccinated! Getting you Bivalent COVID-19 Booster and Flu Vaccine is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones with holiday season.
How to Help Keep Your Family Safe This Cold and Flu Season
In response to the very high demand for urgent, acute health services hospitals and healthcare organizations across Ontario are facing, Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) is sharing tips that will help protect your loved ones this cold and flu season and, in the event that you need care, ensure you get it in the right place at the right time. Learn more about how to keep your family safe and healthy this season.
In addition, MGH is supporting community pharmacies in East Toronto by ensuring they have reliable emergency access to infant and children formulations of this medication where possible. If your family needs infant or children’s liquid Tylenol for pain and fever relief, you may be able to find supply at one of our pharmacy partners. You and your child do not need a prescription for these medications. See the full list of our pharmacy partners at tehn.ca/PharmacyPartners.
Health Access Taylor-Massey (HATM) Now Open in Crescent Town!
Health Access Taylor-Massey (HATM), a new healthcare, community and social services centre, is now open in Crescent Town! It offers connections to services and resources, including COVID-19 supports, to people who live in the Taylor-Massey neighbourhood and surrounding areas.
The goal is to improve the health and well-being of local residents by making it easier for people to find the care they need in one place that is close to home. The diverse team of healthcare providers includes family doctors, nurses, mental health counsellors, a resource navigator and others.
Vaccine Appointments
Local appointments can be booked in advance at www.tehn.ca/covid19/covid-19-vaccinecineAppointment. You can also use the provincial booking system online or at 1-833-943-3900.
Local Events
The Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration 🆕
Happening this Saturday November 26, at Kew Gardens Park, join the Beaches BIA for the Annual Beach Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! Bring the family along for an afternoon of photos with Santa, caroling in the park and of course, the Christmas tree lighting.
Taylor-Massey Community Wellness Event 🆕
East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, invites you to the Taylor-Massey Community Wellness Event in Crescent Town on Tuesday, November 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.! Enjoy halal food and drinks, win gift cards and learn about where and how to find health and wellness services. Learn more about the Taylor-Massey Community Wellness Event.
Centre 55 December Seniors Dinner 🆕
Join the Centre 55 Smoke Meat Seniors Dinner, in collaboration with Fearless Meats. Friday December 2nd at 5pm, tickets are just $8. Call (416) 691-1113 or email [email protected] to RSVP.
East York Rotary Club Christmas Dinner 🆕
Join East York Rotary for a delicious Italian style meal, a silent auction & an evening of merriment with friends & family.
Proceeds will go to establishing a cardiac recovery room at Michael Garron Hospital in memory of our friend Scott Lyall, a great Rotarian and long-time board member of the hospital.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Seniors Christmas Potluck 🆕
Join Centre 55 for a special Christmas Potluck!
West Scarborough Trip to St. Jacob’s 🆕
Soupfest 2022 🆕
Caroling in the Park 🆕
Community Programs & Employment
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program Running Again 🆕
Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships in Community is offering their Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program again this winter. Do you or a senior in your area need assistance with outdoor tasks around the home like snow removal? Contact Kevin at 416-531-8477 ext. 1 or email [email protected] for more details.
Share a Christmas Program Volunteers Needed 🆕
Centre 55 is in full planning mode for our Share a Christmas once again (comes around too quickly!) and as you know, it takes an army of volunteer and community support to make it happen. They will distribute grocery gift cards again in lieu of food and continue to collect and distribute toys and gifts for teens. We will need volunteers to sort and pack toys and to deliver to those receiving toys. Please see details below
Volunteer Dates
Monday, December 19th from 6 PM – 8:30 PM
Sorting and packing toys at Centre 55. Please no children under 15 years old. No sign up required, simply show up!
Tuesday, December 20th from 10 AM – 2 PM
Delivering toys from Centre 55. No sign up required, simply show up!
Other Ways to Help
We will once again be doing our Adopt a Family and Adopt a Senior Programmes. Guidelines and all details can be found on our website at www.centre55.com.
SCHC Hospice Palliative Care Volunteers Needed 🆕
Did you know that volunteering is good for your health? Please consider volunteering for Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities and make a difference in someone’s life and improve your health through the next three steps.
- Improves physical and mental health
- Provides a sense of purpose and teaches valuable skills
- Nurture new and existing relationships
SCHC Palliative Care is having the Volunteer Recruitment Open House this coming Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 1:30-3:30 to recruit new volunteers for all of our programs at Scarborough Centre for Health Communities (SCHC). Our Open house event will be taking place at the Hub at 2660 Eglinton Avenue East. For details, please see attached flyer for the Open House and Palliative Care volunteer recruitment.
SAHM Program is Hiring 🆕
The Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships in Community, Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance program is seeking community-minded individuals to help seniors with snow removal and other outdoor maintenance tasks. Check out the poster below for more info!
CP Planning Job Posting 🆕
CP Planning is hiring! Would you or someone you know make a good candidate for the Community Planner role CP Planning is hiring for? If so, apply here. They are hiring for several positions, with both full-time and part-time available. Job application closes November 28th.
Neighbourhood News
Beaches Lions Club Christmas Trees for Sale! 🆕
A Beaches tradition, get your Christmas tree from the Beaches Lions Club / Tree Company sale! They deliver real Christmas trees, right to your door. To find pricing details and place your order today, click here.
Sale opens November 25 and continues while supplies last.
CC55 Book Club 🆕
Whether you’re an avid reader or simply falling back in love with books, the Centre 55 Book Club
is for you! Happening the first Monday of every month, 7pm at 97 Main Street.
Reminder: No Dogs Allowed on TDSB property 🆕
Dogs are not allowed on school property at any time. Many people are surprised to learn that TDSB Policy prohibit dogs (leashed or unleashed) being on school property. Section 6.10 of TDSB Procedure PR523 Access to School Premises prohibits canines on our properties “at any time” (except service animals).
Dog feces, damage to playgrounds and property, and alterations with students pose a risk to students and take critical resources from our students and schools.
Please respect children’s play spaces.
BEY Food Banks
Thanks to the incredible devotion of community volunteers and organizations, as well as generous donations, Beaches-East York is proud to offer several food banks for those in need of support.
Grace Pascoe Care Centre – Calvary Baptist Church & CC55
The Grace Pascoe Care Centre has been a ministry of Calvary for more than 60 years and serves the catchment area from Victoria Park Ave. to Woodbine Ave. and from Danforth Ave. to the lake.
In collaboration with Community Centre 55, food hampers are provided on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm.
For more information on the program and how to donate, email [email protected] or call 416-691-2899
Grant AME Church Food Bank & Soup Kitchen
The mission of this ministry is to meet the needs of those in the community experiencing food insecurities by providing groceries, a warm meal and as much as we are able to, provide the much needed essential personal items to anyone in need. Soup Kitchen & book bank hours are Fridays from 4pm – 6pm.
For more information on the program and how to donate, email [email protected] or call 416-690-5169.
FBC offers a meal service every second Wednesday of the Month. The next meal will be on July 13th from 9:30am to 11:00am. For more information on how to participate or donate, call 416.699.7156 or email [email protected].
Work in the Ward
O’Connor Drive Improvements 🆕
Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East
Notice of Road Closure – Stephenson Avenue
Toronto Hydro Overhead Electrical Upgrade; Queen St. E.
Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Kingston – Waverley
Watermain Replacement and Road Resurfacing on Denvale Road
Toronto Hydro – Overhead Civil & Electrical Upgrade; Project Danforth
Thanks for taking the time to read my bi-weekly newsletter! If you have any events, news, or ideas to share for our next one – please reach out to my office! Send me an email at [email protected] and we can get you included in our next issue.
Have questions, comments or concerns? Just hit reply to this email and get in touch with me.
For real-time updates on the local issues that matter to you most, please follow any of my social media accounts!
About Brad Bradford - - -
