June 30, 2023 – Newsletter
Hi Neighbour,
School is out and summer is here. As we enter the warmer months, I look forward to seeing many of you at this weekend’s Canada Day celebrations and at other great events happening around our community.
I want to congratulate Mayor-elect Olivia Chow on her victory in the recent by-election, and I look forward to working with her and my other colleagues on Council to move Toronto forward.
The past three months have allowed all Torontonians to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing our city, and I am grateful for the chance I had to hear directly from thousands of families, new Canadians and seniors about their priorities – both right here in Beaches—East York and across Toronto.
As you may have seen, earlier this month my wife Kathryn and I welcomed our second daughter, Bronwyn, to the world. Everyone is doing well and Briar is taking well to her new role as big sister. Thank you to everyone who has sent your warm wishes and congratulations.
It is my privilege to continue to serve and represent Beaches—East York as your Councillor, and I know we will achieve great things over the coming months and years by working together.
See you out there,
– Brad
In This Issue
Updates & Announcements from City Hall
- Planning and Housing Committee Updates
Local Events
- East York Canada Day – July 1 🆕
- Beaches Canada Day Weekend – June 30-July 1 🆕
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 Canada Event- July 1🆕
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 Canada Day Celebration!🆕
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 Canada Day Fun!🆕
- Harmony Good Food Market 🆕
- The 35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival –July 6-30 🆕
Community Programs & Employment
- BCCS Girls Sports Initiative 🆕
Neighbourhood News
- Bob Acton Park Improvements
Work in the Ward
- O’Connor Construction 🆕
- East-end Transit Changes Starting May 2023 🆕
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
Planning and Housing Committee Updates 🆕
During my time at City Hall I’ve been a big advocate for providing more missing middle housing opportunities for Torontonians. We simply need more options in-between the multi-million dollar house and the high-rise condos that dominate our landscape. As Chair of the City’s Planning and Housing Committee, I’m proud to share that the Toronto has now officially legalized multiplexes city-wide. It’s a historic moment for this city – and a big win for housing affordability!
Achieving our housing goals means a home for everyone in the neighbourhoods where they want to live, a home that they can afford, and one that meets their needs.
As part of the Housing Action Plan approved by Council in December, we’ve also brought forward a plan to fix the City’s landmark affordable housing program – Housing Now – and get shovels in the ground this year on three of the affordable housing projects that will deliver ~5,500 affordable homes to those who need them most.
Local Events
East York Canada Day! 🆕
Get ready for a full day of live music, craft beer, wine and cider, food, vendors, midway rides, fireworks and fun, as one of Toronto’s oldest and most beloved Canada Day celebrations takes place on Saturday, July 1st at Stan Wadlow Park.
The East York Canada Day Festival is celebrating its 66th edition with a big lineup of family-friendly fun in the afternoon and block-shaking rock & roll and non-stop dancing in the evening!
Canada Day in East Toronto will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. with our annual Community Parade through the streets of East York. More than 25 groups from across the community and the city will march, walk, cycle and ride in this annual local tradition. The parade will travel from Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Ave) east along Cosburn, north on Woodbine Ave ending at Trenton Avenue.
Following the Parade, the East York Canada Day Festival’s official Opening Ceremonies will take place at the Main Stage of Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.) at 12 noon.
The Canada Day celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park will cap off at dusk (approximately 9:45 pm) with a spectacular Fireworks Display courtesy of the City of Toronto.
We can’t wait to see you all there! Happy Canada Day!
Beaches Canada Day Weekend 🆕
Woodbine Beach is hosting the Q107 Canada Day Weekend! Starting June 30th at 6:30pm and July 1st at 12:00pm. Come listen to some great Rock & Roll Tributes, grab some great food and visit the Beer Garden! Have fun with the whole family with a Kids Zone and top off the night with the Fireworks Display at Ashbridges Bay at 10:00pm sharp! Check out their schedule here!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 Canada Day
Come on down to Branch 11 this Canada Day, July 1st, between 12:00pm and 7:00pm for live music by Ronnie & the Corvairs, Face Painting, a Bouncy Castle and last but not least the Dunk Tank! Get your hands on 1 Free Hamburger OR Hotdog while supplies last!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 Canada Day Celebration!
Check out Legion Branch 1/42 for live music by Rockever starting at 1:00pm. Take a wander around the Craft Vendors, grab a snow cone, candy floss and try your luck at the Dutch Raffle!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 Canada Day Fun!
Head on down to Branch 345 July 1st from noon to 6:00pm for some BBQ, games and Dj Derek! Fun for the whole family!
Harmony Good Food Market 🆕
Harmony Good Food Market is organizing an affordable and fresh produce market from now until October 2023. This great initiative, led by Harmony CFC, is promoting an affordable farmers market to shop for fresh local produce and a space to socialize and meet others in the neighbourhood.
This summer, visit the Harmony Good Food Market on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-5pm! You definitely do not want to miss it.
35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival 🆕
The Beaches International Jazz Festival is back and better than ever as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. From humble beginnings in Kew Gardens to a now four-week run across the East End of Toronto, the Beaches Jazz Festival promises to impress audiences with its all-star line-up. From soul to big band to funk to rock to R&B, this year’s Beaches Jazz Festival has something for everyone.
Kicking off this year’s Festival is the much-anticipated Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside July 6th thru 9th at Jimmie Simpson Park. Opening night will feature Vancouver’s horn-powered, percussion-fueled sonic and visual assault, Five Alarm Funk. The funkin’ good music doesn’t end there – the weekend line-up promises to show you the very best of Toronto’s music scene with performances featuring big bands, swing lessons and more.
After a weekend of indie rock, the Festival will take a turn with its popular, crowd-favourite, TD Salsa on the Beach, July 14-16th at Woodbine Park (Coxwell Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. East). Showcasing energetic Latin melodies of salsa, merengue and cumbia, including Mauro Mosquera all the way from Colombia, this is the perfect event for anyone looking to dust off their dancing shoes. Along with amazing music, the Festival will feature delicious food trucks that pair perfectly with a delicious Muskoka Brewery beer or hard sparkling water.
New this year, the Beaches Jazz Festival presents the ultimate throwback with 90’s Night, July 20th as part of the TD Weekend Series at Woodbine Park, July 20 – 23rd.
The ultimate Festival favourite, StreetFest returns to Queen Street East, July 27-29th, spanning two kilometres along Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue, transforming the Street with over 40 live bands performing everything from classic blues to indie rock to Latin to R&B, and more.
The 2023 season will conclude at Woodbine Park from July 28 – July 30 with the return of Groovin’ in the Park on July 28 & 29th featuring a showcase of Toronto’s Funk, Soul & House music scene at the OLG Main Stage. Don’t miss performances from house legend, Mark Farina, as well as 14-piece brasshop funk beast, My Son the Hurricane.
The countdown is on and the Festival can’t wait to play its vital role uniting our local community while celebrating and showcasing the incredible talent Toronto has to offer. Here’s to another 35 years of making amazing memories through music and culture.
Community Programs & Employment
BCCS Girls Sports Initiative 🆕
Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services (BCS) presents Girls Sports Initiative this July on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4pm to 7pm at Dentonia Park and other local parks.
Working to reduce the gender-gap in sports activities in the South Asian community, girls are encouraged to attend. For more information about weekly details, please register here.
Neighbourhood News
Bob Acton Park Improvements🆕
The City is improving Bob Acton Park and adding a new playground! Community feedback collected during the community engagement process will help determine the park improvements and new playground design. The project is organized into two phases. In order to not delay construction of the playground, community engagement will happen separately for each phase. Take the survey here! Closes July 6th.
Work in the Ward
O’Connor Construction 🆕
Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. As part of the work, the contractor will replace sections of damaged sidewalks, excavate the road, and install a new concrete road base. Work will begin on the west side of O’Connor Drive and move over to the east side afterwards. This will see Pedestrian Improvements, Vehicular Traffic Improvements, Sustainability/Green Features, and Underground Infrastructure Improvements.
East-end Transit Changes🆕
As of May 2023, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) started work on infrastructure upgrades at the intersection of Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road. As of May 7, the bus/streetcar loop at Main Street Station will be closed for construction to repair structural pavement and the concrete bus platform on the south side of the station. Beginning June 18, several construction projects in the east end of the City will affect TTC bus and streetcar service including the 504 King and 505 Dundas. Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. The TTC is working hard to ensure that customers have as many options as possible to get to and from their destinations.
The impacted stations include Broadview Station, Coxwell Station, and Main Street Station. Please visit TTC’s website for a list of affected routes for more information.
Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road Construction
Main Street Station Service Changes
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!
Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
June 30, 2023 – Newsletter School is out and summer is here. As we enter the warmer months, I look forward to seeing many of you at this weekend’s Canada Day celebrations and at other great events happening around our community. I want to congratulate Mayor-elect Olivia Chow on her victory in the recent by-election, and I look forward to working with her and my other colleagues on Council to move Toronto forward. The past three months have allowed all Torontonians to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing our city, and I am grateful for the chance I had to hear directly from thousands of families, new Canadians and seniors about their priorities – both right here in Beaches—East York and across Toronto. As you may have seen, earlier this month my wife Kathryn and I welcomed our second daughter, Bronwyn, to the world. Everyone is doing well and Briar is taking well to her new role as big sister. Thank you to everyone who has sent your warm wishes and congratulations. It is my privilege to continue to serve and represent Beaches—East York as your Councillor, and I know we will achieve great things over the coming months and years by working together. See you out there, – BradIn This Issue Updates & Announcements from City HallPlanning and Housing Committee UpdatesLocal EventsEast York Canada Day – July 1 🆕Beaches Canada Day Weekend – June 30-July 1 🆕Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 Canada Event- July 1🆕Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 Canada Day Celebration!🆕Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 Canada Day Fun!🆕Harmony Good Food Market 🆕The 35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival –July 6-30 🆕Community Programs & EmploymentBCCS Girls Sports Initiative 🆕Neighbourhood NewsBob Acton Park ImprovementsWork in the WardO’Connor Construction 🆕East-end Transit Changes Starting May 2023 🆕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 HallPlanning and Housing Committee Updates 🆕During my time at City Hall I’ve been a big advocate for providing more missing middle housing opportunities for Torontonians. We simply need more options in-between the multi-million dollar house and the high-rise condos that dominate our landscape. As Chair of the City’s Planning and Housing Committee, I’m proud to share that the Toronto has now officially legalized multiplexes city-wide. It’s a historic moment for this city – and a big win for housing affordability! Achieving our housing goals means a home for everyone in the neighbourhoods where they want to live, a home that they can afford, and one that meets their needs.As part of the Housing Action Plan approved by Council in December, we’ve also brought forward a plan to fix the City’s landmark affordable housing program – Housing Now – and get shovels in the ground this year on three of the affordable housing projects that will deliver ~5,500 affordable homes to those who need them most. Local Events East York Canada Day! 🆕Get ready for a full day of live music, craft beer, wine and cider, food, vendors, midway rides, fireworks and fun, as one of Toronto’s oldest and most beloved Canada Day celebrations takes place on Saturday, July 1st at Stan Wadlow Park. The East York Canada Day Festival is celebrating its 66th edition with a big lineup of family-friendly fun in the afternoon and block-shaking rock & roll and non-stop dancing in the evening!Canada Day in East Toronto will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. with our annual Community Parade through the streets of East York. More than 25 groups from across the community and the city will march, walk, cycle and ride in this annual local tradition. The parade will travel from Dieppe Park (455 Cosburn Ave) east along Cosburn, north on Woodbine Ave ending at Trenton Avenue.Following the Parade, the East York Canada Day Festival’s official Opening Ceremonies will take place at the Main Stage of Stan Wadlow Park (373 Cedarvale Ave.) at 12 noon.The Canada Day celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park will cap off at dusk (approximately 9:45 pm) with a spectacular Fireworks Display courtesy of the City of Toronto.We can’t wait to see you all there! Happy Canada Day! Beaches Canada Day Weekend 🆕Woodbine Beach is hosting the Q107 Canada Day Weekend! Starting June 30th at 6:30pm and July 1st at 12:00pm. Come listen to some great Rock & Roll Tributes, grab some great food and visit the Beer Garden! Have fun with the whole family with a Kids Zone and top off the night with the Fireworks Display at Ashbridges Bay at 10:00pm sharp! Check out their schedule here!Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 Canada DayCome on down to Branch 11 this Canada Day, July 1st, between 12:00pm and 7:00pm for live music by Ronnie & the Corvairs, Face Painting, a Bouncy Castle and last but not least the Dunk Tank! Get your hands on 1 Free Hamburger OR Hotdog while supplies last! Royal Canadian Legion Branch 1/42 Canada Day Celebration!Check out Legion Branch 1/42 for live music by Rockever starting at 1:00pm. Take a wander around the Craft Vendors, grab a snow cone, candy floss and try your luck at the Dutch Raffle! Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345 Canada Day Fun!Head on down to Branch 345 July 1st from noon to 6:00pm for some BBQ, games and Dj Derek! Fun for the whole family!Harmony Good Food Market 🆕Harmony Good Food Market is organizing an affordable and fresh produce market from now until October 2023. This great initiative, led by Harmony CFC, is promoting an affordable farmers market to shop for fresh local produce and a space to socialize and meet others in the neighbourhood. This summer, visit the Harmony Good Food Market on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-5pm! You definitely do not want to miss it. 35th Annual Beaches Jazz Festival 🆕The Beaches International Jazz Festival is back and better than ever as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. From humble beginnings in Kew Gardens to a now four-week run across the East End of Toronto, the Beaches Jazz Festival promises to impress audiences with its all-star line-up. From soul to big band to funk to rock to R&B, this year’s Beaches Jazz Festival has something for everyone. Kicking off this year’s Festival is the much-anticipated Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside July 6th thru 9th at Jimmie Simpson Park. Opening night will feature Vancouver’s horn-powered, percussion-fueled sonic and visual assault, Five Alarm Funk. The funkin’ good music doesn’t end there – the weekend line-up promises to show you the very best of Toronto’s music scene with performances featuring big bands, swing lessons and more. After a weekend of indie rock, the Festival will take a turn with its popular, crowd-favourite, TD Salsa on the Beach, July 14-16th at Woodbine Park (Coxwell Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd. East). Showcasing energetic Latin melodies of salsa, merengue and cumbia, including Mauro Mosquera all the way from Colombia, this is the perfect event for anyone looking to dust off their dancing shoes. Along with amazing music, the Festival will feature delicious food trucks that pair perfectly with a delicious Muskoka Brewery beer or hard sparkling water.New this year, the Beaches Jazz Festival presents the ultimate throwback with 90’s Night, July 20th as part of the TD Weekend Series at Woodbine Park, July 20 – 23rd. The ultimate Festival favourite, StreetFest returns to Queen Street East, July 27-29th, spanning two kilometres along Queen Street East from Woodbine Avenue to Beech Avenue, transforming the Street with over 40 live bands performing everything from classic blues to indie rock to Latin to R&B, and more.The 2023 season will conclude at Woodbine Park from July 28 – July 30 with the return of Groovin’ in the Park on July 28 & 29th featuring a showcase of Toronto’s Funk, Soul & House music scene at the OLG Main Stage. Don’t miss performances from house legend, Mark Farina, as well as 14-piece brasshop funk beast, My Son the Hurricane.The countdown is on and the Festival can’t wait to play its vital role uniting our local community while celebrating and showcasing the incredible talent Toronto has to offer. Here’s to another 35 years of making amazing memories through music and culture. Community Programs & EmploymentBCCS Girls Sports Initiative 🆕Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services (BCS) presents Girls Sports Initiative this July on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4pm to 7pm at Dentonia Park and other local parks. Working to reduce the gender-gap in sports activities in the South Asian community, girls are encouraged to attend. For more information about weekly details, please register here. Neighbourhood NewsBob Acton Park Improvements🆕The City is improving Bob Acton Park and adding a new playground! Community feedback collected during the community engagement process will help determine the park improvements and new playground design. The project is organized into two phases. In order to not delay construction of the playground, community engagement will happen separately for each phase. Take the survey here! Closes July 6th.Work in the WardO’Connor Construction 🆕Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. As part of the work, the contractor will replace sections of damaged sidewalks, excavate the road, and install a new concrete road base. Work will begin on the west side of O’Connor Drive and move over to the east side afterwards. This will see Pedestrian Improvements, Vehicular Traffic Improvements, Sustainability/Green Features, and Underground Infrastructure Improvements.East-end Transit Changes🆕As of May 2023, the City of Toronto and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) started work on infrastructure upgrades at the intersection of Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road. As of May 7, the bus/streetcar loop at Main Street Station will be closed for construction to repair structural pavement and the concrete bus platform on the south side of the station. Beginning June 18, several construction projects in the east end of the City will affect TTC bus and streetcar service including the 504 King and 505 Dundas. Starting June 29, sidewalk replacement and road reconstruction will begin on O’Connor Drive from St Clair Avenue East to Bermondsey Road. The TTC is working hard to ensure that customers have as many options as possible to get to and from their destinations.The impacted stations include Broadview Station, Coxwell Station, and Main Street Station. Please visit TTC’s website for a list of affected routes for more information.Coxwell Avenue and Lower Gerrard Street East/Eastwood Road Construction Main Street Station Service Changes 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! Facebook – Twitter – Instagram |
| -=-=-Councillor Brad Bradford · City Hall 2nd Floor Suite B28 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2, Canada |
About Brad Bradford - - -
