Hi Neighbour,
2023 is here! Despite the lack of sunshine we have gotten over the past few weeks, I hope the new year has started off on a positive note for you and your loved ones. Like many of you, I have been thinking on my goals for the next twelve months, brainstorming my resolutions for the year. First on the list is having the Leaf’s winning the Stanley Cup (one can dream)!
While some of my goals for the year might be loftier than others, I have tasked myself with some exciting targets here at City Hall. As the Chair of Planning and Housing Committee, I am committed to making 2023 the year of bold and innovative change for housing here in Toronto. December ended off on a high note with the announcement of the 2023 Housing Action Plan, which outlines several programs and avenues for increasing affordable housing options both here in Beaches – East York and across Toronto. With the 2023 Budget proposal to put dollars behind the Plan now announced, we are well situated for turning our 2023 Housing Action Plan into tangible, real change in Toronto.
On a more local note, I’m excited for another fantastic year with you all in Beaches – East York. We have another big year ahead, and my team and I are proud to be serving such an incredible community for another turn around the sun. I look forward to collaborating with our small businesses, local organizations and community members throughout the year. There is a lot to look forward to in the months ahead: Community Family Skate Day, Environment Days, baseball at Stan Wadlow, summer at the Beach, CafeTO, Jazz Fest… the list goes on! Don’t miss out on all the fun; follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to get the latest updates from City Hall and on events and programs in Beaches – East York.
Despite the overcast weather we’ve been having, I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy our beautiful slice of Toronto over the next couple weeks. Cheers to 2023!
Sincerely,
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
- 2023 Budget Launch 🆕
- 2023 Budget: Housing 🆕
- City’s Skate Lending Library 🆕
- Winterlicious is back! 🆕
- December Council Recap
- Vacant Home Tax – Begins 2023
- Winter Service Program Updates
- Vaccine & Health Updates
- SCHC Volunteer Open House – Jan 14
- The Naval Club of Toronto: 88th birthday – Feb 4 🆕
- Family Day Skate with your Councillor – Feb 19 🆕
Community Programs & Employment
- East End Writers Group 🆕
- TD Park People Grant 🆕
- Community Centre 55 Schedule 🆕
- Lunge and Learn 🆕
- Snow Shovellers Wanted
- Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance Program Running Again
- SCHC Hospice Palliative Care Volunteers Needed
- SAHM Program is Hiring
- Winter Stations Art Installations Revealed 🆕
- Stan Wadlow Playground Survey
- Sewer Upgrades – Various Locations 🆕
- Watermain Replacement on O’Connor Drive from Northline Road to Sunrise Avenue
- Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Yardley – O’Connor
- O’Connor Drive Improvements
- Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East
- 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
2023 Budget Launch 🆕
The City of Toronto’s rate and tax-supported 2023 operating and capital budgets were tabled at Budget Committee January 10 for consideration, review and recommendation. The proposed budgets protect frontline services in the face of a challenging financial year and make much-needed investments in housing, transit, emergency services and public safety while managing affordability by keeping property tax and user fee increases below the rate of inflation. Toronto residents and business are encouraged to provide comments and feedback to Budget Committee in person, online or in writing, and to Members of Council in writing.
More information is provided on the City’s 2023 Budget webpage: www.toronto.ca/budget.
2023 Budget: Housing 🆕
2023 will be for big and bold steps towards more affordable housing in Toronto. The 2023 budget proposal sets us up for making $2 billion in key investments for critical programs across Toronto and marks another step in building a City for us all. Investments include:
$7.08M for EPIC, a program that works to prevent unlawful evictions & protect vulnerable tenants
$18.85M for MURA, which protects existing affordable housing units
$146M for City’s Housing Secretariat which works on dozens of programs across the city including housing development, revitalization, and improvement
City’s Skate Lending Library 🆕
The Skate Lending Library is a City of Toronto winter sport program, in partnership with Desjardins Financial Group, to support and engage children, youth, families and adults in skating across Toronto. The mobile lending library will visit various locations across the city, providing access to skates, helmets and skating aids so all Toronto residents can try this Canadian winter past time. Learn more at www.toronto.ca/SkateLending
Winterlicious is back! 🆕
Travel the world with your taste buds right at home this winter. Gather with friends and family and savour delicious three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at more than 220 local restaurants.
Happening between January 27 to February 9, 2023, explore what Toronto has to offer with our rich and diverse culinary culture at different price points.
Lunch: $20 / $27 / $34 / $41 /$48 / $55
Dinner: $25 / $35 / $ 45 / $55 / $65 / $75
Plan your lunch and dinner dates now. Reservations accepted beginning January 12, 2023. Visit the City of Toronto website to learn more.
December Council Recap
In December, my colleagues and I participated in the final council meeting of 2022. With the holidays around the corner and the new year on the horizon, we made some incredible progress, particularly on the housing front. Read below to learn more some key files that were discussed at Council.
Toronto’s 2023 Housing Action Plan – Approved!
Mayor John Tory and I introduced Toronto’s 2023 Housing Action Plan, which represents the first step to building more homes for more people across our city. The Plan contains several key items that I’ve been working hard to address over the past four years and even before I ran for office, during my time in the Chief Planner’s Office.
From approving as-of-right zoning to allow more affordable housing forms, bringing an end to exclusionary zoning, incentivizing forms of co-operative and purpose-built rental housing, or making it easier to build sustainable, mid-rise apartments on our main streets, we now have a plan sets us up for making real change to how we as a city, approve, build and plan housing. It will even include a post-secondary housing strategy developed in partnership with universities to address the unique challenges students face.
The Plan is already making headway. Council’s approval of this landmark proposal at our final meeting of the year means we’ve now approved one of its most crucial components, and one that’s been 14 years in the making: permitting multi-tenant housing across the city.
I’m looking forward to using this momentum to go beyond simply removing barriers to housing and ramping the City’s active role in saying yes to housing opportunities.
Bill 109: More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022
This past week at Council we made some changes that better align our municipal processes with provincial legislation set out by Bill 109. Changes include the addition of 150 new planning staff that will support application and project review, and meet the new 90 day turn around for development review decisions recently mandated by the Province. While these changes were thrust upon us, the City has utilized this situation to look for business improvements that will help us unlock more much-needed homes, faster.
Bill 39: Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
In one of the most hotly-debated decisions in council this year, I joined a majority of Council members asking the Province to rescind Bill 39. You can find that vote here.
Whether it’s Bill 109, Bill 23, or Bill 39, when the Government at Queen’s Park develops legislation that impacts municipalities absent consultation, the outcomes can be damaging. The Bill 39 powers are intended and scoped to help the Mayor move housing initiatives forward. In the same meeting where I saw the majority of Council get behind our historic Housing Action Plan, I saw other votes that would suggest there are still some who aim to obstruct, delay and limit new housing opportunities – not dissimilar from what I witnessed over the past four years. The first batch of work on housing will be undertaken at the Planning and Housing Committee and will come back to Council in the spring, where my colleagues and I will have another opportunity to show we are united in a ‘pro-housing for all’ agenda once again – but until then – there has only been one vote on housing this term. The point remains that it’s equally important to make decisions as a majority of Council and that it’s important to advance housing solutions to address the housing crisis. Both things can be true. What’s clear is that we have more work to do together to ensure that local voices and representation, and our city-wide objectives on key issues, both have room to be heard and advanced.
Vacant Home Tax Begins 2023
An annual tax will be levied on vacant Toronto residences, payable beginning in 2023. Click here to submit your declaration.
A property is considered vacant if it has been unoccupied for a total of six months during the previous calendar year or is otherwise deemed to be vacant under the bylaw.
The goal of the City of Toronto’s Vacant Home Tax (VHT) is to increase the supply of housing by discouraging owners from leaving their residential properties unoccupied. Homeowners who choose to keep their properties vacant will be subject to this tax.
Revenues collected from the Vacant Home Tax will be allocated towards affordable housing initiatives.
Winter Service Program Updates
What’s New This Winter Season? The 2022-2023 Winter Services Program has many new elements that will be rolled out for the first time in Toronto:
New Winter Contracts for first time in 7 years Modernizing Processes for Work Orders, Services Requests and
Investigations Leveraging Technology to Increase Accountability Heightened Coordination with Councillors and City Partners New Communications Strategy
Vaccine & Health Updates
How to Help Keep Your Family Safe This Cold and Flu Season
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.
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
SCHC Volunteer Open House
Many of our programs are based on a peer support model and are led by our dedicated volunteers. We are currently seeking compassionate, reliable, and caring individuals who are willing to share the end-of-life journey with our clients and their families.
There is comfort in being able to speak in one’s mother tongue, especially at the end of life. We are specifically searching for people who can speak various languages, such as Greek, Tamil, Mandarin, English, and Cantonese, to name a few.
If you are interested in becoming part of our volunteer team, please contact Jacklyn Malik, Hospice & Friendly Visiting Volunteer Outreach and Training Coordinator at [email protected] or call
416-949-8132 or come join us on Saturday, January 14th to hear more about our volunteer opportunities and how you can make a difference in the life of someone else. You are welcome to check out our website https://www.schcontario.ca/ for more information on programs, services, and other volunteer opportunities.
The Naval Club of Toronto: 88th Birthday Celebration 🆕
The Naval Club of Toronto is celebrating its 88th birthday on Saturday February 4th from noon until 6 pm!
Located at 1910 Gerrard St. E (just west of Woodbine Ave), we are inviting the community to join us for an open house. Come by and join us for a slice of birthday cake and bowl of chili and see what the club is all about!
The club is currently regularly open Fridays and Saturdays – from noon until 6 pm.
For more information visit us at our website navalcluboftoronto.com or give us a shout at 416 924 2811
Family Day Skate with your Councillor 🆕
Join my office on February 20th, Family Day, for our annual Skate with your Councillor event! Bring your family and friends to Ted Reeves Arena from 10am – 1pm for a day of fun and meeting your neighbours. Hope to see you there!
Community Programs & Employment
East End Writers Group 🆕
Join the East End Writers Group: a writing critique group for new and published writers. Meeting in the S. Walter Stewart library, join on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Next meeting is Jan. 25. Check out the flyer below to learn more!
TD Park People Grant 🆕
TD Park People Grants program just launched! The program supports 72 community groups across Canada to animate their local park with activities focusing on environmental education, sustainability and stewardship. The funded community groups will get a $2000 grant to host 3 park-based events and activities in the following cities:Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau), Winnipeg, and Quebec City.
Applications close on February 20. Visit the website to get all of the details, the application form and helpful event ideas.
Community Centre 55 Schedule 🆕
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS: All classes will start the week of January 9, unless indicated otherwise.
CENTRE STAGE: If you would like to discover your “star-on-stage” quality, then join us for this fun, interactive program that will also benefit our interpersonal and presentation skills as well as giving a boost for our confidence. Experience improv exercises, how to use our voices for play reading as well as express our body language skills. There will be an opportunity to create characters, do role plays with them and also to write short scenes to read and act out. So, let’s raise the theatre curtain and enjoy the standing ovation!
CHAIR YOGA: This is a gentle workout where you start with a seated meditation and move to stretch and strengthening exercises for 30 mins. Another 30 mins will be standing, working on balancing and a yoga flow series moving mindfully while breathing.
COMPUTER WORKSHOPS: Join in to learn more about various computer programs and applications on your phone and device. Topics will include troubleshooting, specific technical assistance, setting up an email address, helpful websites, apps, computer and smartphone tips & tricks and much more. *Bring your own device or use one of ours. See flyer for topics and dates.
FITNESS: 1-hour fitness classes for seniors includes cardio, balance, strength and flexibility training for older adults. Get energized, get stronger and improve your quality of life.
FITNESS WITH EVONNE (ZOOM): Click the Zoom link and join Evonne for a 1-hour live Zoom fitness class. Dates offered> TBA
FITNESS RECORDING (ZOOM): Click the Zoom link and leave your email address in the chat. Staff will send you a link to view the video.
FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP: Bienvenue! We welcome all who wish to practice French conversation in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Intermediate level recommended.
GAMES CLUB: Looking for people to pay with? Scrabble, Dominoes, Cards, Euchre, join us for some fun and refreshments.
GROOVE FIT: 45 minutes of dance fitness to music from various music genres with choreography accessible to all. DANCE LIKE NO ONE’S WATCHING!!!
KNITTING GROUP: All levels welcome. Join us for some warm camaraderie, socializing and the clicking of knitting needles.
LINE DANCING: Dance to a variety of musical styles, country, pop and more. No advanced dances in this medium-paced class. A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.
MAT PILATES: Is a strengthening and lengthening form of exercise that focuses on your core (abs/spine) muscles while also training your arms and legs. This is a gentle Pilate’s class. Classes start lying on our backs and rolling onto our bellies or sides to right and left with small movements focused on targeted muscles moving slowly with control.
TAI CHI: Tai chi movements are steady and slow, shifting from one side to the other with coordinating upper body movements. These movements help the core regain balance, strength, endurance, flexibility and reduces the risk of falling for seniors.
TRIVIA (ZOOM): Six categories—arts, science, general, geography, history and entertainment—and then a virtually endless slew of questions in each. It’s super easy to play: we host, share the screen with the group and reveal answers. >JUST CLICK ON THE LINK
UKULELE: Intermediate and beginner ukulele classes continuing the program started at Centre 55 several years ago. For more information, contact Cheryl at [email protected]
UKULELE JAM SESSION: Do you have a ukulele and are looking for people to JAM with? This is for you!
WEBINARS & IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS: check your email for various webinars and in-person presentations. Topics will include everything from health to fashion.
WRITE YOUR LIFE STORIES: Have you ever thought about writing down the unique, personal stories of your life? In this supportive, fun and relaxed atmosphere, we will practice writing positive life stories. Conversations and prompts will stimulate our memories for writing. There will be time to read our stories and listen to each other’s work (optional) for our enjoyment, giving encouraging feedback about our work. This program is for beginner or experienced writers, the curious, those who would like to enjoy their life memories and even want to share these stories with family members/friends. It’s also relaxing, a stimulating memory exercise and a great hobby. Just bring a pen and a notebook!
FOR INFORMATION ON FEES AND REGISTRATION CONTACT
COMMUNITY CENTRE 55
PHONE 416-691-1113
Lunge and Learn 🆕
Communtiy Centre 55 is excited to announce their new program for adults over 50 that they’e hosting in partnership with our friends at East End Community Health Centre!
It is called the Lunge and Learn program, and will be hosted at Centre 55 every Friday for 6 weeks by professionals from East end Community Health Centre. The class includes one hour of gentle fitness, followed by a one-hour learning session which will cover a range of topics aimed at keeping you healthy and happy. The program is totally free, but we do ask that you email or call to reserve a spot in the class.
Dates: Every Friday from January 13th to February 17th
Time: 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (1 hour gentle fitness + 1 hour learning session)
Location: Community Centre 55 – 97 Main Street, Toronto ON
Cost: FREE!
Learning Sessions:
Session 1-Financial Planning and Advance Care Planning
Session 2 – Cooking on a budget
Session 3- Brain Booster
Session 4 – Mental Health
Session 5 and 6 – Heart Health
We think this class will be an excellent opportunity for those looking to learn techniques and ideas for staying fit and healthy, and we look forward to working with you and our friends from East End Community Health Centre. To register, email [email protected] or call 416-691-1113 ext. 222
Snow Shovellers Wanted!
Access Alliance is recruiting Snow Shovellers for their 2022-2023 snow removal program. This program serves seniors in the Toronto Danforth, Don Valley West, Beaches- East York and Scarborough South-West areas. See the flyer below for more information.
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.
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
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!
Neighbourhood News
Winter Station Installations Revealed 🆕
The annual beaches tradition of the Winter Stations art installations is back for the 2023 season! The display will be open beginning February 20, 2023 at Woodbine Beach. Visit the Winter Stations website to check out the incredible design winners of this year’s competition!
Stan Wadlow Survey
The City is improving the playground in Stan Wadlow Park! Share your thoughts on the features and equipment for the new playground in Beaches-East York via an online survey, open now until January 29, 2023.
Have your say by clicking here.
Work in the Ward
Sewer Upgrades – Various Locations 🆕
Watermain Replacement on O’Connor Drive from Northline Road to Sunrise Avenue
Toronto Hydro Underground Electrical Upgrade; Project Yardley – O’Connor
O’Connor Drive Improvements
Intersection Improvement Works at Coxwell Avenue and Dundas Street East
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
*Work is expected to begin January 2022.
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.
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About Brad Bradford - - -
