September 9, 2023 – Newsletter

Hi Neighbour,

First of all, congratulations to all the students, parents, teachers, administrators and support staff on surviving the first week of school! I hope the adjustment back into routine went smoothly, and everyone is excited about the year ahead. I had a great visit to Secord Elementary School this morning to evaluate the safety measures that have already been put in place, and to discuss what more we can do to make it even safer for students walking to class.

Council was also back in session this week, discussing a long-term financial plan for our city. I made sure that issues of affordability were not forgotten in the discussion – see below for more details.

Lots of events in our community are coming up, from the DECA Arts Fair to the Royal Canadian Legion Week. Read on for some fun activities to keep us busy as we try to keep this summer weather around a few weeks longer.

See you out there,

– Brad

In This Issue

Updates & Announcements from City Hall

City Hall Updates 🆕

Local Events

DECA Story Trail 🆕
The Danforth East Arts Fair 🆕
50th Anniversary – True Davidson Acres 🆕
Royal Canadian Legion Week 🆕
Nuit Blanche East Danforth 🆕
Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST)
Annual Show & Shine Classic Car Show
Harmony Good Food Market

Community Programs & Employment

The Neighbourhood Group – Job Assistance 🆕
TPS Youth in Policing After School Program 🆕
Woodgreen’s Meals On Wheels: Volunteers Needed 🆕
Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program
Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub

Neighbourhood News

Public Consultation: Public Electric Vehicle Charging 🆕
Housing Rights Advisory Committee 🆕
Extended Pool Openings at Ten Outdoor Pools
Coyote Sightings

Work in the Ward

Construction work on Don Mills Road Bridge to restrict Don Valley Parkway lanes overnight 🆕
TTC service changes effective September 3, 2023 🆕
Back to school: Transit riders are able to pay debit and credit cards to pay fares!
Staircase Repair at Coxwell Subway Station
Outside the ward: Traffic restrictions at Broadview and Danforth Ave Intersection for Streetcar Track Replacement
O’Connor Construction
Hydro Work

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

City Hall Updates 🆕

This past week, Council met to discuss the City’s Long-Term Financial Plan. It was a meeting that stretched late into the evening and concluded with plans to explore a variety of new revenue tools in support of the City’s priorities – like housing and climate change – and the many essential services that municipal governments deliver.

At a time when so many are struggling, my priority is to find ways to make life more affordable. That’s why I proposed increasing the rebate that first-time homebuyers get from the City, putting $11,000 back in their pockets. Since the program was created in 2008, the average cost of a home in Toronto has nearly tripled, but the rebate threshold has not gone up one cent.

I believe City Hall must also get its own house in order. The operating budget has rocketed from $11 billion in 2018 to $16 billion in 2023. Therefore – in addition to looking for new sources of revenue – Toronto needs to look for ways to control costs. That’s why I also put forward a motion asking for a Core Services Review to help us find any places where we could save money or deliver services differently.

Given our city’s unique challenges and the breadth of services we offer, Toronto absolutely needs a new fiscal deal from the provincial and federal government. As one of Toronto’s representatives to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, I will also continue to advocate for a new deal for the City.

I will never stop fighting for families, for the middle-class, and anyone trying to build a life here in Toronto.

Local Events

DECA Story Trail 🆕

Small businesses are the backbone of our community and are facing a more competitive landscape as a result of competition from online retailers, effects of the pandemic, and rising costs. The Story Trail offers an innovative way to bring people back to our local small businesses, including the DECA Farmers’ Market, and to encourage them to get outside and explore our local neighbourhood.

How to play:

Register as a participant in the DECA Story Trail by visiting this link.
Visit the participating retailers in any order you’d like and find the QR Code that is hidden in each shop.
Open the camera on your smart phone and scan each QR Code to reveal the special animal character hidden in that location.
Record the name of the kind of animal you find in each location.
When you’ve found 11 characters visit DECA Tent at the East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market any Thursday 3-7pm until October 12, 2023, to receive your Story Trail completion button and a promotion pack from local businesses.
If you choose, continue to collect all 22 characters! Then, when you’re done, return to DECA Tent at the East Lynn Park Farmers’ Market to be entered into a reoccurring draw to win prizes from businesses along the Danforth beginning July 21st through October 6th!

Take a picture, video or screenshot and share on social media if you’d like! @danforth.east.community #DECAstorytrail

The Danforth East Arts Fair 🆕

The Danforth East Arts Fair is back again on the weekend of September 16-17, 2023. Held in beautiful East Lynn Park located at 1949 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 1J4, the fair showcases the work of an eclectic mix of local artists in a beautiful outdoor setting.

The event runs from 10:00am-6:00pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023 and 10:00am-5:00pm on Sunday, September 17, 2023 rain or shine!

Lunch and snack options are available from local restaurants in the park to satisfy your appetite. Want to bring the kids? No problem. Free children’s activities and crafts will be happening on-site all day. For the adults, you’ll have a soundtrack of live acoustic music serenading you as you go from booth to booth.

There’s something for everyone at the Danforth East Arts Fair. Arts and crafts range in price anywhere from $5 to more than $1,500 from more than 50 artisans. And be sure to enter our contests to win big at the fair!

50th Anniversary – True Davidson Acres 🆕

True Davidson Acres is celebrating 50 years of exemplary care and service and they’d like for you to attend and celebrate this important community milestone with them.

SAVE THE DATE – Monday September 18, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Royal Canadian Legion Week 🆕

In celebration of the Royal Canadian Legion and our veterans, Branch 11 is holding an Open House for Legion Week September 18 – 22, 2023 with articles of memorabilia on display as well as essays, poems and posters donated by young students from our local schools honouring our veterans.

Please RSVP before Wednesday, September 13th, 2023 to Helen D. Pearce by phone 416-690-6388 or email at [email protected].

Nuit Blanche East Danforth 🆕

Nuit Blanche East Danforth is coming back to the east end for its third time! Please mark your calendars for Saturday September 23rd, 2023 7pm-7am along Danforth Avenue between Donlands and Woodbine TTC Stations!

People of all ages are invited to come out to experience 30+ contemporary art installations that explore the theme, “The Future of the Danforth”, imagining the strip 200 years in the future. To learn more about the artists, installations and events running all night long, visit here: East End Arts 2023

Hope to see you all there for #nbED23! And thanks to East End Arts, the Danny BIA, & Native Women in the Arts for making it happen!

Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) Heroes Walk, Run, Roll OR Bike

The Brain Injury Society of Toronto (BIST) is a non-for-profit organization whose mandate is to enhance the quality of life for individuals in the City of Toronto living with the effects of Acquired Brain Injury through education, awareness, support and advocacy. BIST will be organizing a family (and dog) friendly walk, run, roll or bike event taking place on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at Wilket Creek Park located at 1120 Leslie St, Toronto, ON M3C.

This event will be wheelchair accessible and will have tons of prizes for best superhero costumes, a free BBQ and plenty of activities including a bouncy castle and scavenger hunt.

Annual Show & Shine Classic Car Show

Community Centre 55 is excited to be hosting their Annual Show & Shine Classic Car Show once again this year. Come and check out classic cars, socialize and learn something new. Free admission and great prizes for Car Owners.

This event will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Bob Acton Park located at 45 William Hancox Ave, Toronto, ON M4E 3W9.

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.

Visit the Harmony Good Food Market on Tuesday afternoons from 3pm-5pm! You definitely do not want to miss it.

Community Programs & Employment

The Neighbourhood Group – Job Assistance 🆕

The Neighbourhood Group is offering FREE Employment Services to help you prepare for and find work. Whether you’re out of school and looking for a job, new to Canada and want your first Canadian work experience, looking to change your career, or trying to get back into the workforce, they have various training programs, work placements, workshops, online job board, and resource centres.

For more information, visit The Neighbourhood Group.

TPS Youth in Policing After School Program 🆕

The Toronto Police Service’s Youth in Policing Initiative program is currently hiring for the 2024 Winter/Spring After-School program!

This program enhances the link between the police and the neighbourhoods they serve. This initiative gives young people an opportunity to develop job skills while fostering positive partnerships with the Toronto Police Service.

Youth ages 15 to 18 who reside in the City of Toronto are employed through the summer and throughout the year, working alongside police officers and civilian staff in a wide range of roles. The program is not unique to Toronto, as it was created and funded by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, and is now used throughout the province.

The application deadline is on September 30^th, 2023. Visit Toronto Police Careers for more information.

Woodgreen’s Meals On Wheels: Volunteers Needed 🆕

WoodGreen is one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto with a Meals On Wheels program that has operated for over 25 years in Toronto’s east end to residents who reside anywhere from the Don Valley Parkway in the west to Victoria Park Avenue to the east, and south of Danforth Avenue to Lake Ontario.

WoodGreen Community Services is seeking help from local residents for the Meals On Wheels program, a service dedicated to increasing food security and independent living for seniors and adults with disabilities.

They are looking for volunteer drivers, usually with their own vehicles, who transport the Meals from Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital in Riverdale which provides the meals. They are also looking for volunteer runners, who package the Meals on route and deliver them to seniors who may otherwise be left without an accessible source of nutritious food.

For more information on the Meals On Wheels program and to volunteer as a DRIVER or RUNNER, please send an email to [email protected], or call 416-405-5059.

Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) Program

The Seniors Assistance Home Maintenance (SAHM) program has been organized to support the seniors community with services ranging from garden and yard work to light housekeeping.

If you or anyone you know is looking for more assistance around their home, contact Kevin at 416-531-8447 or email [email protected] for more information.

Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub

We’re thrilled to share that in-person services are available at the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub, a new welcoming space at East York Town Centre that provides health, wellness, employment and other services for youth and young adults! To access services, come by the Thorncliffe Park Youth Wellness Hub during its drop-in hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It is located at East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd. (Please use mall Entrance 6; the Youth Wellness Hub is located beside Dollarama). All services are free and open to everyone aged 12 to 25. Youth and young adults do not need a health card, family doctor or medical referral. Services include wellness counselling, peer support, employment services, settlement services, food support, primary care and more. No matter what you might be dealing with, their team can help.

For more information, please visit Thorncliffe Youth Club or follow them on Instagram @ThorncliffeYouthHub.

Neighbourhood News

Public Consultation: Public Electric Vehicle Charging 🆕

Tell us about your public EV charging needs! We want to ensure public charging is available across Toronto when and where current and future EV drivers need it.

The City of Toronto is developing a Public EV Charging Network Study to help ensure public charging is available across Toronto when and where it’s needed. We need input from all Toronto residents — current and potential EV owners and drivers and non-drivers — to help identify where and when public charging will be needed in Toronto for current and potential EV drivers, and better understand how public EV charging fits into an equitable low carbon transportation system.

You can provide your input by responding to an online survey and/or by joining an in-person open house or virtual webinar to meet with City staff, ask questions and provide feedback. For more information, Electric Vehicles – City of Toronto.

To participate in the survey, visit Public EV Charging Network Study.

Housing Rights Advisory Committee 🆕

Starting September 8, 2023, the City of Toronto will begin accepting applications for the recruitment of public members for the City’s new Housing Rights Advisory Committee (HRAC).

Interested residents can apply at www.toronto.ca/ShapeYourCity. The application period will remain open until October 13, 2023 and the nominated candidates are expected to be considered by City Council in December following a recommendation from the Civic Appointments Committee.

Extended Pool Openings at Ten Outdoor Pools

Summer’s not over yet! The City of Toronto has announced that 10 pools will stay open until Sunday, September 24, 2023 including Kiwanis Outdoor Pool at Stan Wadlow Park.

Monarch Park Outdoor Pool will also see extended hours.

Take advantage of the extended hours and stay cool through the summer.

Coyote Sightings

Seeing more coyotes in your neighbourhood? It’s quite normal to see or encounter more coyotes in parks and green spaces across Toronto. They are typically shy and timid in nature and generally do not pose a danger to people, however they have been known to pose a danger for small pets. Here are a few ways to help keep you and your pets safe:

• Always keep your dog close to you and on a leash, especially in areas where coyotes are known to live.

• Never feed coyotes and do not leave food, including pet food, outside.

• Properly dispose of garbage and waste at home and at parks.

• When encountering a coyote, do not run; instead make a loud noise to scare the coyote away.

• Do not approach coyotes, their dens or their young.

• Do not touch coyotes, even if they appear tame, sick or injured.

Most interactions people have with coyotes are a result of a regular food source, caused by people either intentionally or unintentionally leaving food or garbage behind. Feeding wildlife may seem like the kind thing to do, but it can be very harmful. Letting wildlife forage for themselves is truly the only kindness they need.

The City of Toronto in partnership with Coyote Watch Canada has created an e-learning module that provides a lot of great information about coyote behavior and ways that we can co-exist peacefully with our wild neighbours safely. To learn more, visit toronto.ca/Coyotes.

Work in the Ward

Construction work on Don Mills Road Bridge to restrict Don Valley Parkway lanes overnight 🆕

Starting Tuesday, September 5, the City of Toronto will undertake overnight planned construction on the Don Mills Road Bridge over the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), to provide structural maintenance of the bridge thereby prolonging its lifespan.

To complete the work safely, there will be nightly traffic restrictions on the DVP near Don Mills Road. The City is committed to planning construction in a way that minimizes the disruption to the public as much as possible and is why work is being done overnight when traffic volumes are lower.

The restrictions will be in place from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday to Friday, and 11 p.m. to 9 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.

From Tuesday, September 5 until Friday, November 3, the following overnight restrictions will be in effect:

southbound and northbound DVP will be reduced to one or two lanes
southbound off-ramp to southbound Don Mills Road will be closed
southbound DVP on-ramp from northbound Don Mills Road will be closed
northbound DVP off-ramp to northbound Don Mills Road will be closed periodically

This work involves cleaning and coating the structural steel on the bridge, which will help protect the structure from corrosion, prevent costly repairs and extend its service life.

During construction, people travelling in the area should consider alternate routes and allow extra time to get to and from their destinations.

Full details of this work are available on the City’s website: Don Mills Road Bridge Rehabilitation over the Don Valley Parkway.

TTC service changes effective September 3, 2023 🆕

Effective September 3, there will be several changes to streetcar routes in the east-end. As mentioned previously, there will be a reduction of streetcars using Kingston-Queen Loop as 506 Carlton streetcars return back to Main Street Station. 505 Dundas streetcars will also be extended to Neville Park Loop for a few weeks, between September 3 and 22. See further details below:

501 Queen

The 501 Queen route will generally operate along the following sections until further notice, unless a temporary diversion is required such as upcoming work at Queen and De Grassi (see below).

West-end: 501 Queen streetcars will operate between Roncesvalles Avenue and McCaul Loop (Queen and McCaul). Once construction along The Queensway is completed, streetcars are anticipated to resume travel as far west as Long Branch Loop.
Downtown: 501B Queen replacement buses will continue to operate between Queen Street/Bathurst Street and Broadview Avenue/Gerrard Street, diverting around the Queen Street closure due to Ontario Line work.
East-end: Between September 3 and 22, 501 Queen streetcar service will be replaced by 505 Dundas streetcars on Queen Street East from Broadview Avenue to Neville Park Loop.

Starting September 22 at 10 p.m., 501D Queen buses will operate in the east end on Queen Street between Church Street and Neville Park Loop.

Starting October 8 until further notice, the 501D Queen route will convert into a streetcar service.

Queen and De Grassi anticipated work

There will be diversions required in the east-end during work at the Queen Street East and De Grassi Street bridge – approximate dates are September 24 to October 2. Detailed diversion information including dates are available and will continue to be updated online here. The attached flyer has been developed and will be handed out to customers.

503 Kingston Rd

503 Kingston Rd bus will continue to operate between Bingham Loop and King and York streets.

505 Dundas

From September 3 to 22, 505 Dundas streetcars will operate between Dundas West Station and Neville Park Loop (turning both ways via Dundas Street, Broadview Avenue and Queen Street).
After September 22, 505 Dundas streetcars will resume operating between Dundas West Station and Kingston-Queen Loop.

506 Carlton

506 Carlton streetcars have returned to Main Street Station, operating through the east-end regularly.
506C Carlton replacement buses will no longer be operating due to the resumption of 506 Carlton streetcars to Main Street Station.

Back to school: Transit riders are able to use debit and credit cards to pay fares!

Paying your fare on the TTC is now easier than ever! Simply tap your debit or credit card, or use the cards loaded in your mobile wallet on your phone or smartwatch to pay your fare. $3.30 will be deducted from your card. This is the same as the adult PRESTO fare. Visit TTC’s website for more information.

Students purchasing a Post-Secondary Monthly Pass must also obtain a valid TTC Post-Secondary Photo ID. Students may purchase their TTC Post-Secondary Photo ID at the TTC Photo ID Office at Bathurst Station. For more information, visit TTC’s website.

Staircase Repair at Coxwell Subway Station

As part of the TTC’s state of good repair program, they will be conducting repairs to one of the staircases at Coxwell Station between July 24, 2023 and October 2023. Coxwell Station has two sets of stairs and an escalator taking customers up to bus platform level/street level. During this work, only one staircase will be closed for repair – the escalator, second set of stairs and elevators will remain open for customers. All work will take place behind construction hoarding.

Outside of the ward: Traffic restrictions at Broadview and Danforth Ave Intersection for Streetcar Track Replacement

The City of Toronto’s work to replace TTC streetcar tracks and improve critical infrastructure continues this summer on Broadview Avenue. The City is advancing to the next phase of streetcar track replacement, which will require traffic restrictions at the intersection of Broadview and Danforth Avenues to complete the work safely.

Beginning Monday, August 14, 2023, City crews will work to replace tracks on the north side of the intersection, which is expected to be complete by late August. During construction, motorists and cyclists can expect the following impacts:

Only one shared eastbound lane will be available.
No westbound traffic on Danforth Avenue through the intersection and no southbound traffic on Broadview Avenue.
One northbound lane will be maintained on Broadview Avenue from Gerrard Street East to Danforth Avenue.
On-site signage will mark a detour route for cyclists travelling westbound.

Following the completion of track replacement on the north side of the intersection, work will begin on the south side from late August through the Labour Day weekend. During construction, motorists and cyclists can expect the following impacts:

One shared eastbound and one westbound lane for people driving and cycling on Danforth Avenue through the intersection.
No left or right turns will be permitted at the intersection.
One northbound lane will remain open on Broadview Avenue, from Gerrard Street East to Danforth Avenue, which will permit people to turn right onto Danforth Avenue for eastbound travel only.

Track replacement at the intersection is expected to be completed by Monday, September 4; however, the intersection will need to be fully closed for one day following this work for paving. More details on the timeline for the full-day closure will be available in the coming weeks. People traveling in the area should use alternate routes and allow extra time to get to and from their destinations. Alternate routes to consider include Pape, Donlands and Greenwood Avenues for north/south travel; and Dundas Street East, Gerrard Street East, Mortimer Avenue and Cosburn Avenue for east/west travel.

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.

Hydro Work: Danforth Overhead Rebuild Phase 2A

Toronto Hydro is currently doing some upgrades on Danforth. The boundaries for the project include Dentonia Park Avenue (North), Thyra Avenue (East), Danforth Avenue (South), and Avonlea Boulevard (West).

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 - - -

Toronto City Councillor for Ward 19 Beaches – East York.