Grand opening December 1, 2013 from 12pm - 7pm and runs until January 12, 2014!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Friday, November 29, 2013
Cavalcade of Lights to illuminate Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday at 7 p.m.
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
Media Advisory: November 29, 2013
Cavalcade of Lights to illuminate Nathan Phillips Square
on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The 47th annual Cavalcade of Lights presented by Great
Gulf is set to illuminate Nathan Phillips Square for the holiday season with
more than 525,000 LED lights, the countdown to the first lighting of the city's
Christmas tree led by Mayor Rob Ford, musical performances by top Canadian
talent and a fireworks display.
Date: Saturday, November 30
Time: 7 p.m., Mayor's welcome remarks at 7:10 p.m.
Location: Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.
Note: Limited media passes available. Media should
confirm their attendance, artist interview requests and production requirements
in advance by emailing jpalins@toronto.ca
or by mobile phone at 647-462-0969. Media are asked to arrive early to set up.
Mayor Ford's staff have indicated that Mayor Ford will not be available for
media questions.
Parking: Paid public parking will be available in the
underground parking garage of Nathan Phillips Square, entering from Queen
Street West. Road closures will be in effect from 6 to 9 p.m. on Bay Street,
Hagerman Street, Elizabeth Street, James Street and Albert Street.
Building access: City Hall's main doors will be closed
from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. as part of the fireworks fallout zone.
The event schedule is available at http://www.toronto.ca/cavalcade.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people.
Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost
of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Your waterfront. Your ideas.
Urban Park and Waterfront Trail at Ontario Place |
|||||
 |
Your waterfront.
Your ideas. We're planning a new urban park and waterfront trail for Ontario Place's east island and we want your input! You're invited to attend our kick-off meeting to share your creative ideas, comments or questions with the project team and designers and to learn more about the project. |
||||
 |
|
||||
| If you require any special accessibility requirements, please email or call us at
416-212-2161. We'll be having a livestream of the event and holding a live chat on Twitter.
|
|||||
 |
|||||
   |
|||||
How to help Toronto's homeless this holiday season
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
News Release
How to help Toronto's homeless this holiday season
If you are looking for a way to help the homeless this holiday season, consider taking advice from the community agencies that serve them. The City surveyed agencies that run shelters, drop-ins and other services for homeless people to ask them what would bring cheer to their clients during the holidays.
"These organizations serve our city's most vulnerable people so the need is for everything from TTC tokens to vouchers for food and entertainment, clothing and toiletries," says Phillip Abrahams, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the division that co-ordinates funding and services for homeless people in Toronto. "Many agencies are also looking for volunteers to help out over the holidays."
More information about the 2013 Holiday Wish List is available at www.toronto.ca/housing.
The website lists the agencies that responded to the survey, the items their clients need, volunteer opportunities, holiday events and contact information.
The most common items on the wish lists are winter clothing, toiletries and gift certificates for groceries – things that may seem like everyday items but can really make a difference to someone in need.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-30-
Media contact: Patricia Anderson, Manager, Partnership Development and Support, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, 416-397-4328, panders@toronto.ca
==========================================
News Release
How to help Toronto's homeless this holiday season
If you are looking for a way to help the homeless this holiday season, consider taking advice from the community agencies that serve them. The City surveyed agencies that run shelters, drop-ins and other services for homeless people to ask them what would bring cheer to their clients during the holidays.
"These organizations serve our city's most vulnerable people so the need is for everything from TTC tokens to vouchers for food and entertainment, clothing and toiletries," says Phillip Abrahams, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, the division that co-ordinates funding and services for homeless people in Toronto. "Many agencies are also looking for volunteers to help out over the holidays."
More information about the 2013 Holiday Wish List is available at www.toronto.ca/housing.
The website lists the agencies that responded to the survey, the items their clients need, volunteer opportunities, holiday events and contact information.
The most common items on the wish lists are winter clothing, toiletries and gift certificates for groceries – things that may seem like everyday items but can really make a difference to someone in need.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-30-
Media contact: Patricia Anderson, Manager, Partnership Development and Support, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, 416-397-4328, panders@toronto.ca
Weekend road closure for Cavalcade of Lights
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
News Release
Weekend road closure for Cavalcade of Lights
There is one event this weekend that will involve a road
closure. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come out and enjoy this
event. Businesses in the areas affected are open to pedestrian traffic but
there will be a road closure to accommodate the event.
Festivals and other special events are important to the
city, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars annually into Toronto’s
economy, and they are enjoyed each year by local residents.
In addition to road closures related to special events, there
is a significant amount of road work taking place in the city. People are
encouraged to take public transit as a greener, faster and more affordable way
of getting to their destinations.
Those who need to drive in the general vicinity of
special events should allow extra time to get to and from their destination. A
more complete list of events and road work is available at http://www.toronto.ca/torontostreets/.
Cavalcade of Lights presented by Great Gulf – Saturday
closure Bay Street, from Dundas Street West to Queen Street West, will be
closed in both directions on Saturday, November 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people.
Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost
of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-30-
Media contact: Steve Johnston, Senior Communications
Co-ordinator, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, sjohnsto@toronto.ca
Saturday, November 30, 2013, 6 p.m., 47th Annual Cavalcade of Lights, Road closures
| Toronto Police Service News Release |  |
Media advisory, Saturday, November 30, 2013, 6 p.m., 47th Annual Cavalcade of Lights, Road closures
Thursday, November 28, 2013 - 10:00 AM
Special Events Planning Office: 416-808-5053
On Saturday November 30, 2013, the City of Toronto will present the 47th annual "Cavalcade of Lights."
As part of the Cavalcade of Lights show, there will be a pyrotechnic program from the towers of City Hall.
Road closures will be in place to prevent both pedestrian and vehicular traffic from entering the fall-out zone around City Hall.
Event itinerary and road closures are as follows:
Event times: 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
6 p.m. - Pre-Show
7 p.m.-8 p.m. - Main Stage- Live music: Divine Brown, Tyler Shaw, Carvin Williams & Cold Specks
7:15 p.m. - Tree/Square lighting.
8 p.m.-8:08 p.m. - Pyro/Fireworks
8:08 p.m. - Main Stage- Live music (TBD)
9 p.m. - DJ Skating Rink Party
10:30 p.m. - Event ends
Confirmed road closures from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.:
- Bay Street - closed from Queen Street to Dundas Street
- Hagerman Street - closed from Elizabeth Street to Bay Street
- Elizabeth Street - closed from Dundas Street to Hagerman Street
- Albert Street - closed from Bay Street to James Street
- James Street - closed from Queen Street to Albert Street
Uncomfirmed Closures from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
- Queen Street West westbound curb lane from Bay Street to the west side of Nathan Philips Square Property
The TTC Bay Street bus route will be affected by these road closures as follows:
- Northbound Bay Street buses will divert at Richmond Street to University Avenue to Dundas Street to Bay Street
- the Southbound Bay Street buses will divert at Dundas Street to University Avenue to Adelaide Street to Bay Street
Constable Sarah Diamond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Tee Chase, Special Events Planning Office
East Bayfront Community Update Meeting - December 3, 2013
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Please donate sporting equipment for kids by November 30th!
Dear Members, Guests and Community Partners:
Please consider making a donation of sporting equipment for kids in need, at the Yonge & Shuter ING DIRECT Cafe or uptown at 111 Gordon Baker Rd. (see attached poster). Apologies for the short notice but for for any last minute donations, please note that both programs end this Saturday, November 30th!
This notice, along with future ING DIRECT events and programs will be posted on our site as well.
We are grateful to our lead sponsor, ING DIRECT, for their support of our youth scholarships through the Building Bridges fundraiser.
Best,
Deb
Deb Devgan
51 Division CPLC
Co-Chair
Monday, November 25, 2013
New “Choose your Ride” vehicle unveiled
| Toronto Police Service News Release | |
Media advisory, Wednesday, November 27, 2013, 11 a.m., Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge Street, New “Choose your Ride” vehicle unveiled
Monday, November 25, 2013 - 4:30 PM
32 Division: 416-808-3200
On Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at 11 a.m., officers from 32 Division and Traffic Services will be launching a new anti-Drinking & Driving promotional car at Mel Lastman Square at 5100 Yonge Street.
The new “Choose your Ride” vehicle will be unveiled at this time.
Also present will be the TSV mobile Breathalyzer unit, a police command post RV and a staged crashed car scene to help illustrate some of the dangers of Drinking and Driving.
The social media hashtag for this event is #ChooseYourRide.
Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Tom Rataj, 32 Division
Toronto Police Auxiliary Annual Toy Drive
| Toronto Police Service News Release | |
Toronto Police Auxiliary Annual Toy Drive
Monday, November 25, 2013 - 4:25 PM
42 Division: 416-808-4251
The 19th annual Toronto Police Auxiliary Toy Drive has begun.
Auxiliary Officers from 41, 42, 43 and 33 Divisions are seeking the charitable and generous support from the community, local businesses and students from area schools to support approximately 3000 children and youth in need from the Scarborough area.
Your efforts and those of our Auxiliary Officers will help bring in the spirit of the season and help give a child in need a Christmas.
Media support to assist with public awareness of this worthwhile event is crucial to the success of the Toy Drive.
All toy donations are welcome but we are always desperate for toys for boys and girls ages 10-14.
Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the following Scarborough police locations:
41 Division: 2222 Eglinton Avenue East
42 Division: 242 Milner Avenue
43 Division: 4331 Lawrence Avenue East
33 Division: 50 Upjohn Road
Also accepting unwrapped toys at the following locations:
TD Canada Trust Bank: 2561 Victoria Park Avenue
If you have further questions, please contact Constable Mark Gray at 416-808-4251 or mark.gray@torontopolice.on.ca
Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Mark Gray, 42 Division
25-year-old Blue Bin Program sets sights on new heights
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
25-year-old Blue Bin Program sets sights on new heights
Twenty-five years ago, Toronto residents were introduced
to something that would change their relationship with garbage forever: the
City's first curbside recycling container, the Blue Bin.
Between the fall of 1988 and the spring of 1989, the six
former municipalities introduced curbside collection to increase recycling and
reduce the amount of garbage being sent to landfill. Today, 96 per cent of
Toronto's 455,000 single-family homes participate in the Blue Bin Program. With
the addition of the Green Bin organics collection program and new materials
being regularly added to the list of recyclables, many houses now put out less
garbage than ever before.
"In 25 years, recycling has made huge strides,"
said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the
City's Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "Residents who live in
houses have completely changed how they deal with waste. But now that the city
is growing up, rather than out, we must focus on improved participation and
diversion in apartments and condominiums."
The future success of the City's waste management
programs now lies with the 55 per cent of residents who live in high-rise
buildings. The Solid Waste Management Services Division has projected that the
diversion rate for 2013 will be 67 per cent in single-family homes but only 27
per cent in apartments and condos, for an average combined rate of 53 per cent.
Toronto's ultimate goal is 70 per cent waste diversion.
The City provides recycling service to approximately
4,500 multi-residential buildings. With more than 43,000 individual units under
construction as of the end of 2012, more and more Toronto residents will be
living in multi-residential dwellings.
To help improve participation in apartments and condos,
Solid Waste Management has recently launched a new education campaign to
communicate to residents about the importance of proper sorting, disposal and
diversion. The campaign – displayed on the exterior of streetcars, buses, on
subway posters, in newspapers and online – features the tag line "Get with
the (recycling symbol) program." The campaign reminds residents that more
than half of what should be recycled in apartments and condos is ending up in
landfill.
"Condo and apartment residents must stop treating
their recycling like garbage, and understand their responsibility and role in
reducing, reusing and recycling," said Councillor Minnan-Wong.
"As we are committed to reaching an overall
diversion rate of 57 per cent by the end of next year, it is critical to
continue to educate residents, superintendents and management in
multi-residential buildings about the importance of waste reduction, recycling
and organics," added Jim Harnum, General Manager, Solid Waste Management
Services.
More information about the City's waste reduction
programs, and the campaign advertisements, are available at http://www.toronto.ca/recycle.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest
government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people.
Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence,
creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost
of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and
visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-30-
Media contact: Siobhan Ramsay, Senior Communications
Co-ordinator, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5001, sramsay@toronto.ca
Council Highlights - Toronto City Council meeting of November 13, 14, 15 and 18, and special meetings of November 15 and 18, 2013
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
Council Highlights - Toronto City Council meeting of November 13, 14, 15 and
18, and special meetings of November 15 and 18, 2013
Council Highlights is an informal summary of decisions
made by Toronto City Council. The City Clerk provides the formal documentation
at http://www.toronto.ca/council.
Investing in Toronto Community Housing
Council adopted reports on steps to transform Toronto
Community Housing (TCH) into a landlord of excellence. The City will provide
$864 million in capital funding for TCH repairs over the next 10 years, and is
asking the federal and provincial governments to contribute $864 million each
toward TCH repair costs over that period. Council also endorsed a Federation of
Canadian Municipalities resolution urging the federal government to take
measures to address Canada's affordable housing crunch.
Preparedness for emergency response
As a followup to the July 8 storm and flooding in
Toronto, Council approved several actions involving the City's preparedness for
emergency response. The actions include improved co-ordination among 311
Toronto, Toronto Hydro, Hydro One and Toronto Water that would assist 311
Toronto in responding to residents' questions during major emergencies. Council
also asked for a review of the City's rescue capabilities.
Protection from second-hand smoke
Council approved restrictions on smoking at sports
fields, beaches, public squares and within nine metres of the entrances of
public buildings in Toronto. About 60 Ontario municipalities have enacted
bylaws that make outdoor areas such as workplace entrances, restaurant patios
and public squares smoke-free.
Casa Loma
Council voted to enter into a 20-year agreement with a
company controlled by Liberty Entertainment Group for the improvement and
operation of the main house and grounds of Casa Loma. Council directed that the
net proceeds from the lease go into a fund for the restoration and state of
good repair of the Casa Loma complex.
Continuing Toronto's bike-share program
Council authorized the termination of the current
agreement between BIXI Toronto Inc. and the City, and authorized the transfer
of BIXI Toronto assets to the Toronto Parking Authority for the purpose of
continuing the bike-share program. The parking authority will take responsibility
for operating the bike-share program on behalf of the City. In addition,
Council approved motions that address bike-sharing stations as part of the
City's planning approval process and support the expansion of bicycle sharing
across the city.
Study of a Bloor-Dupont bikeway
Council directed Transportation Services to undertake a
Bloor Street-Dupont Street bikeway environmental assessment study in 2014.
Combining the two corridors for the environmental assessment was recommended
because changes to one of the two parallel streets will affect the other. A
Dupont Street assessment was already scheduled to begin in 2014.
Pilot project for affordable housing in Bayside
Council gave its approval in principle for capital
funding for the construction of an affordable rental pilot project consisting
of about 70 affordable rental homes in a Bayside condominium development.
Bayside is one of the first new neighbourhoods to be developed in the East
Bayfront area. The secondary and precinct plans call for 20 per cent of the
residential units to be affordable rental housing.
City services benefit card
Council authorized the issuance of a Request for
Proposals for the introduction of a drug benefit card as the next phase of the
City Services Benefit Card that the Toronto Employment and Social Services
division provides to its Ontario Works clients. A permanent, plastic drug
benefit eligibility card will replace the paper card that is now issued
monthly. Pharmacists will be able to check clients' eligibility online. Council
also wants staff to look into other possible uses of the benefit card for City
services, including services provided by Shelter, Support and Housing
Administration and Toronto Public Health.
After-school recreation care
Council approved a 16-site expansion of the After-School
Recreation and Care (ARC) program. The ARC model was established in 2005 to
address the child care and recreational needs of children six to 12 years of
age who live in vulnerable communities. Council's decision was informed by a
report from Parks, Forestry and Recreation and Children's Services addressing
options for a phased-in expansion of ARC beyond Toronto's designated priority
neighbourhoods.
Funding of water/wastewater infrastructure
Council directed staff to study, consult and report on
ways to generate additional revenue to pay for the City's infrastructure
requirements for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. Among the options
are water rate increases, a separate stormwater charge on the water bill, and
debenture financing for major projects.
Managing biosolids – Highland Creek plant Council
approved the preparation of a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment
examining alternatives for managing biosolids generated at the Highland Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant, and provided direction on public consultation.
Biosolids are a nutrient-rich organic product formed from stabilized municipal
sludge in the wastewater treatment process.
Consolidation of parking meter bylaws
Council approved the consolidation of parking meter
bylaws and codes of the seven former (pre-amalgamation) municipalities as part
of the continuing process of consolidating Toronto's bylaws and municipal codes
dealing with traffic and parking. Consolidation will streamline administration
and enforcement, and help to clarify the regulations for the public.
Firefighter training and recruitment
Council directed Toronto Fire Services management to
update and finalize a Fire Master Plan that addresses firefighter training and
recruitment issues. The issues are identified in a recent audit of the
division's administration of recruitment and training. Among Council's specific
directives, for example, is a review of the program for training recruits – with
the goal of identifying operational efficiencies that can yield cost savings
while supporting Fire Services' diversity goals.
Gaming site at Woodbine Racetrack
Council authorized City officials to enter into a
municipal contribution agreement with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming
Corporation (OLG) for the City's receipt of a share of the gaming revenue
generated at the OLG gaming site at Woodbine Racetrack. Council's approval of
the new agreement was needed in order to preserve revenue sharing for the
existing slots. It does not alter Council's position against the expansion of
the Woodbine gaming site, nor does it affect the ban on live table games at
Woodbine.
Support for agriculture in Toronto
Council approved a Toronto Agricultural Program
consisting of a steering committee, a working group and a work plan in support
of urban agriculture. In recent years, communities across Toronto have
expressed interest in the production, sale and consumption of locally-grown
food. A 2012 study showed that agricultural activity within Toronto could
supply 10 per cent of the city's commercial demand for fresh vegetables.
Response to devastation in the Philippines
Council endorsed a motion to support the efforts of the
federal and provincial governments in providing financial and other emergency
and rebuilding support to the Philippines as it struggles to recover from
Typhoon Haiyan on November 8. The motion adopted also calls on the City of
Toronto to consider any formal request to provide technical assistance to the
devastated city of Tacloban.
Arena board governance
Council adopted the recommendations of the City
Ombudsman's report entitled Skating on Thin Ice: An Investigation into
Governance at an Arena Board. Among the recommendations is a request that the
City Manager examine governance models and service delivery mechanisms for
arena boards and present the findings for Council’s consideration.
Protecting the Great Lakes
Council supported a motion expressing opposition to an
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) proposal to dispose of radioactive waste in a
deep geologic repository in Lake Huron. OPG wants to dispose of lower and
intermediate level nuclear waste from its Bruce, Pickering and Darlington
facilities in limestone rock below Lake Huron. The location is about a
kilometre offshore from Kincardine. Many communities in Ontario, Michigan and
Ohio have passed resolutions opposing the plan because of concerns about
possible future contamination of the Great Lakes water supply.
Recent events at the City
Council adopted a motion requesting that Mayor Ford
respond and apologize with respect to matters specified in the motion, that he
co-operate with Toronto police in their related investigation, and that he take
a temporary leave of absence to address his personal issues. Council also voted
to ask the City's Integrity Commissioner to report back to Council on these
matters with regard to the Code of Conduct for Members of Council.
Special meetings of Council on November 15 and 18, 2013
Delegation of powers/responsibilities
Over the course of three special meetings held on
November 15 and 18, Council made a number of decisions that affect the
non-statutory powers of the Mayor and delegate some responsibilities to the
Deputy Mayor. Council also re-assumed other non-statutory powers. Details are
provided in a City of Toronto news release dated November 18, available at http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/it/newsrel.nsf.
___________________________________________________________________
Council Highlights, a summary of selected decisions made
by Toronto City Council, is produced by Strategic Communications.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Ward 27 News - November 22, 2013 Edition
November 22, 2013
- Welcome Letter from Councillor Wong-Tam
- Allan Gardens Clean-Up
- Budget Townhall
- Our
Lady of Perpetual Help Seasonal Community Food Drive
- Wellesley Centre Pool Consultation
- Toronto Parent Summit
1. Letter from Councillor Wong-Tam
Dear Constituents,
Monday, November 25 is Election Day for Toronto Centre. This federal by-election is being held to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of MP Bob Rae. If you are a resident, I strongly encourage you to cast your ballot and make a difference in this race.
Toronto Centre, and Toronto as a whole, has real and pressing needs. Many of our transit lines are overcapacity and new infrastructure is years behind demand. For new and working families, graduates, and those facing homelessness, affordable housing is hard to come by and is cutting many Torontonians off from the resources they need to stabilize their lives or get their first footing. At the same time, meaningful job growth is greatly needed in industries capable of supporting stable employment and living wages. Finally, we all share our air and global environment – there is a persistent need for advocates who will protect everything from our clean groundwater resources to the communities that neighbour industrial infrastructure.
Toronto Centre needs a strong voice for these issues. I need a committed local MP who will stand up for our neighbourhoods and share the values that make Toronto Centre an equitable and prosperous place for all. The City of Toronto has struggled to keep up with years of downloading and is dealing directly with systemic deficits in affordable housing, transit capacity, and childcare. Toronto's budget cannot adequately address all of the demands that have been placed on it, as a result of Federal and Provincial downloading. Toronto needs representatives who will recognize the need to share this load, so that our City can focus on the economic growth and service delivery standards at which it excels.
To find out where you can vote, please see visit the Elections Canada website here.
I remain yours in service,
Kristyn Wong-Tam
2. Allan Gardens Clean-Up
Join the Garden District Residents Association and the Friends of Allan Gardens tomorrow morning for the first Allan Gardens Clean-Up.
Date: Saturday November 23, 2013
Registration Time: 9:30am - 10am
Registration Location: St Peter's Anglican Church on Carlton Street. 190 Carlton St, Toronto, ON M5A 2K8 (Just east of the park on the north side of Carlton. Thank you Reverend Jeanette!!) Coffee and doughnuts will be available courtesy of Krispy Kremes and Starbucks
Actual Clean up: Approximately between 10am - 11am
Lunch: Approximately 12pm - 2pm
Lunch Location: We'll meet again at Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor Street West. Harbord Village Neighbourhood Association has graciously invited all of us to their thank you lunch. On your way to the venue, please give them a hand and pick up any litter on the way!
You may RSVP to GDRAInfo@gardendistrict.ca
3. Budget Town Hall
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam will host Ward 27 Budget Town Hall on Monday, December 9th at Belmont House. Councillor Wong-Tam invites you to join her at the town hall and learn about Toronto's 2014 Capital and Operating Budget, what it means for your community, and how you can get involved. This is an opportunity to ask questions, voice your concerns, and hear from community stakeholders. Hope to see you there!
Date: Monday, December 9
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Belmont House, 55 Belmont Street (between Yonge & Davenport - two blocks south of the Rosedale subway station)
For more information on the City's 2014 budget, please click here.
4. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seasonal Community Food Drive
This upcoming community event takes place on November 30. Donations are collected, sorted, packed in boxes and immediately delivered to recipient food banks and agencies. The households canvassed are in Rosedale, Moore Park, Bennington Heights and Leaside. There are two locations - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, St. Clair Avenue East, one block west of Mount Pleasant Road and Leaside Presbyterian Church, Eglinton Avenue, just east of Bayview Avenue.
For those who want to help out earlier, a flyer drop is being conducted on November 23.
Times on both days are from 9:30 am until about noon. Upwards of 300 volunteers are required and generous community hours are available for high school students. It is also a fun and rewarding family experience. Councillor Wong-Tam and her staff have been supporting this important food drive since her 2010 election. Please get involved.
In addition, two area Sobeys stores (St. Clair Avenue just east of Yonge Street and Wicksteed Avenue near Laird Drive) are again supporting this effort by holding in-store drives throughout the Christmas season. These sources typically add another 10,000 to the overall total
Please contact Brian Kearney, at 416-972-0585 or by e-mail at brian.kearney@sympatico.ca if further details are required.
5. Wellesley Centre Pool Consultation
The City of Toronto is about to start the design of the indoor pool addition to the Wellesley Community Centre.
Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) and Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Ward 27 Toronto Centre-Rosedale), along with David Miller from MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. and City of Toronto staff will introduce this project to the community. Members of the community are invited to attend this meeting to provide your input.
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Wellesley Community Centre (Meeting Room) 495 Sherbourne St. (north east corner of Wellesley and Sherbourne Streets)
A child minding service and interpretation services will be provided in the following languages: French, Tamil, Spanish, Nepali, Chinese, and Arabic.
For more information please contact:
Douglas Giles, Sr. Project Co-ordinator
Parks Development and Capital Projects
Parks, Forestry & Recreation
City of Toronto
416-392-0989
6. Toronto Parent Summit
Do you have an
opinion about your child care experiences? The City wants to hear from you!
Come and join other parents and
experts from the City to discuss current issues regarding child care in
Toronto. Your feedback will help to determine City priorities as it plans
future child care and family-related programs. There will also be opportunities
to find out more about City programs that you may not know about.
Saturday, November 23 - 9:30 to
11:30 a.m.
- East:
Chinese Cultural Centre, 5183 Sheppard Ave. E. (east of Markham Road) - West:
Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 the West Mall (Burnhamthorpe & the West Mall)
Distraction, impairment leave deadly wake
With this in mind, the Service has produced a video,Reality Check: The Real Consequences of Distracted and Impaired Driving, to remind drivers of their responsibilities when behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Experts, including trauma surgeons, a forensic pathologist, the Deputy Chief Coroner and police officers discuss the effects and consequences of impaired and distracted driving and the irreversible damage to lives.
“Everyone sees collisions on a daily basis, but very few see or experience the aftermath of these collisions,” said Sgt. Shane Stevenson of Traffic Services.
“In some cases, the injuries are life-threatening or life-ending events that will affect families, friends and loved ones for a lifetime. The goal of this video is to help drivers understand that making poor choices may result in serious consequences to themselves or others.”
The Service has laid over 1,700 impaired-driving charges this year.
“We will continue to work in partnership with our communities to help bring an end to these preventable collisions by ensuring everyone understands what the right decision is,” added Stevenson.
For more information, or DVD copies of the video, please contact Sgt. Shane Stevenson, Toronto Police Traffic Services, 416-808-1985. |
2013 Festive R.I.D.E. patrols begin
| Toronto Police Service News Release | |
2013 Festive R.I.D.E. patrols begin
Friday, November 22, 2013 - 12:24 PM
Traffic Services: 416-808-1900
On Thursday, November 21, 2013, Greater Toronto Area police services marked the beginning of the annual Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) season.
On Friday, November 22, 2013, the Toronto Police Service will begin the increased Festive R.I.D.E. patrols. Officers from throughout the Toronto Police Service will be in our communities, on our streets and highways, working towards the goal of preventing impaired drivers from operating vehicles on our streets. These patrols will begin on Friday, November 22, 2013 and continue until Tuesday, December 31, 2013.
The holiday season is a time for families, friends and our communities to enjoy all that life has to offer. Unfortunately, there are some people who just don't get the message and make the poor choice to drink and drive. By not choosing to drive sober, these drivers are continually putting themselves and everyone else in jeopardy.
The festive season is not having to tell someone that their wife, husband, family member or friend is not coming home because of an alcohol- or drug-impaired driver.
The Toronto Police Service will be conducting its first official Festive R.I.D.E. spot-check for the 2013 holiday season on Friday, November 22, 2013.
To learn more about the Toronto Police Service Traffic Services Safety Program, that aims to reduce pedestrian injury and death through education and awareness, click here.
Traffic Services is dedicated to ensuring the safe and orderly movement of traffic within the City of Toronto. Stay informed with what’s happening at:
Twitter, Facebook Fan Page, Facebook Group and on Blog.
Constable Wendy Drummond, Corporate Communications, for Constable Clint Stibbe, Traffic Services
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Toronto's first covered outdoor rink opening at Greenwood Park
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
==========================================
Media Advisory
Toronto's first covered outdoor rink opening at Greenwood Park
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth), City staff and community members will celebrate the opening of two new rinks at Greenwood Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hockey skills competition for kids and the season's first skate.
The outdoor hockey rink is covered – the first of its kind in Toronto. The roof increases skating opportunities during the season. The second rink is a 215-metre-long, landscaped leisure skating path beside the hockey rink.
Date: Saturday, November 23
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Ave. (near Dundas Street West)
The celebrations will be rescheduled if the ice is affected by inclement weather.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 30 -
Media contact: Karen Fulcher, Senior Coordinator, City of Toronto Strategic Communications, 416-894-5891, kfulche@toronto.ca
==========================================
Media Advisory
Toronto's first covered outdoor rink opening at Greenwood Park
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth), City staff and community members will celebrate the opening of two new rinks at Greenwood Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hockey skills competition for kids and the season's first skate.
The outdoor hockey rink is covered – the first of its kind in Toronto. The roof increases skating opportunities during the season. The second rink is a 215-metre-long, landscaped leisure skating path beside the hockey rink.
Date: Saturday, November 23
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Greenwood Park, 150 Greenwood Ave. (near Dundas Street West)
The celebrations will be rescheduled if the ice is affected by inclement weather.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 30 -
Media contact: Karen Fulcher, Senior Coordinator, City of Toronto Strategic Communications, 416-894-5891, kfulche@toronto.ca
City of Toronto wins National Heritage Award
City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
======================================
News Release: November 20, 2013
City of Toronto wins National Heritage Award
The City of Toronto has received the Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in heritage planning and policy for the City Planning Division's Official Plan Amendment 199: "Official Plan Heritage Policies." The award was given by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) which honours the work of CAHP members.
The CAHP recently announced its 2013 awards for the Conservation of Heritage Value through Preservation, Rehabilitation or Restoration, Planning and Communication. The City of Toronto is proud to be one of five recipients of the award of excellence. The award was presented at the Heritage Canada Foundation's annual Conference which was held this year in Ottawa.
"I am consistently impressed by the work done by our City Planning Division staff, and am proud of their recent recognition by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals," said Councillor Peter Milczyn (Ward 5 Etobicoke-Lakeshore), Chair of the Planning and Growth Management Committee. "This award is proof once again that the City's Planning Division staff continue to punch above their weight class."
City Planning Division staff, along with multiple stakeholders, created a policy document that will provide clarity, leadership and stewardship for the City's heritage resources into the future.
"These new Official Plan heritage policies are the result of feedback from the public and the work of many stakeholders who came together to share thoughts and provide input," said Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto's Chief Planner. "We all want Toronto to be a city that is a great place to live, work, invest and play, and the Official Plan policies will help to set out the vision for where and how Toronto will grow through to the year 2031."
According to the awards jury, the new Official Plan heritage policies created through the Official Plan Review, were found to exemplify the principles described by the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
The jury comments also commended the new Official Plan heritage policies for the process (including the extensive and widely attended consultation process) as well as the result. The policies were praised for recognizing the importance of protecting cultural landscapes and re-instating detailed requirements for views protection and definitions of adjacency. The new policies were also applauded for bringing the Toronto Official Plan into better conformance of the cultural heritage policies of the province and the nation.
More information on the Official Plan Review and the new heritage policies is available at http://www.toronto.ca/opreview/docsandinfo.htm.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 30 -
Media contact: Bruce Hawkins, Senior Communications Co-ordinator, Strategic Communications, 416-392-3496, bhawkin@toronto.ca
======================================
News Release: November 20, 2013
City of Toronto wins National Heritage Award
The City of Toronto has received the Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in heritage planning and policy for the City Planning Division's Official Plan Amendment 199: "Official Plan Heritage Policies." The award was given by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) which honours the work of CAHP members.
The CAHP recently announced its 2013 awards for the Conservation of Heritage Value through Preservation, Rehabilitation or Restoration, Planning and Communication. The City of Toronto is proud to be one of five recipients of the award of excellence. The award was presented at the Heritage Canada Foundation's annual Conference which was held this year in Ottawa.
"I am consistently impressed by the work done by our City Planning Division staff, and am proud of their recent recognition by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals," said Councillor Peter Milczyn (Ward 5 Etobicoke-Lakeshore), Chair of the Planning and Growth Management Committee. "This award is proof once again that the City's Planning Division staff continue to punch above their weight class."
City Planning Division staff, along with multiple stakeholders, created a policy document that will provide clarity, leadership and stewardship for the City's heritage resources into the future.
"These new Official Plan heritage policies are the result of feedback from the public and the work of many stakeholders who came together to share thoughts and provide input," said Jennifer Keesmaat, Toronto's Chief Planner. "We all want Toronto to be a city that is a great place to live, work, invest and play, and the Official Plan policies will help to set out the vision for where and how Toronto will grow through to the year 2031."
According to the awards jury, the new Official Plan heritage policies created through the Official Plan Review, were found to exemplify the principles described by the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
The jury comments also commended the new Official Plan heritage policies for the process (including the extensive and widely attended consultation process) as well as the result. The policies were praised for recognizing the importance of protecting cultural landscapes and re-instating detailed requirements for views protection and definitions of adjacency. The new policies were also applauded for bringing the Toronto Official Plan into better conformance of the cultural heritage policies of the province and the nation.
More information on the Official Plan Review and the new heritage policies is available at http://www.toronto.ca/opreview/docsandinfo.htm.
Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- 30 -
Media contact: Bruce Hawkins, Senior Communications Co-ordinator, Strategic Communications, 416-392-3496, bhawkin@toronto.ca
Monday, November 18, 2013
Public Safety Alert, 285 Shuter Street, Third recent arson incident
| Toronto Police Service News Release | |
Public Safety Alert, 285 Shuter Street, Third recent arson incident
Monday, November 18, 2013 - 3:00 PM
51 Division: 416-808-5100
The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of three recent incidents of fires being intentionally set at 285 Shuter Street.
It was reported that:
- on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, at 3:55 a.m., a fire was deliberately set on the 12th floor of the building
- on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at 1:35 a.m., a fire was deliberately set on the 17th floor of the building
See previous release.
It was also reported that:
- on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 5:27 p.m., a fire was deliberately set on the 9th floor stairwell of the building
In addition to being a significant public safety concern, the fires have caused significant property damage.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Constable Sarah Diamond, Corporate Communications, for Detective Salim Hussein, 51 Division