April 25, 2024

Community Town Hall Meeting
I will be hosting a Community Town Hall Meeting at 7:00 on Monday April 29th,  at the Weston Park Baptist Church (1871 Weston Road).  Along with Police Services, I encourage all residents to attend and share their thoughts and concerns.


City Council Highlights

Vacant Home Tax
Council voted to scrap late fees charged to people who received the VHT bills and to declare that occupied homes in 2022 will automatically get the same status in 2023. Councillor Nunziata amended Recommendation 1 in the report (April 10, 2024) from the Mayor by adding the words, “and refund residents who have already paid”.  In this way, owners of homes not subject to the tax, will have their latest bill cancelled (even if they have not appealed) and those who paid the VHT bill can opt for an immediate refund or a credit on their future bills.  A report on a completely revised VHT program is expected for the 2024 Taxation Year, prior to the 2025 Budget Process. To ensure that this report includes an appropriate payment process, Councillor Nunziata amended Recommendation 2 in the supplementary report (April 12, 2024) from the Mayor by adding the words, “such report to include the VHT declaration process for 2025, and a standard practice of providing a confirmation number or receipt when declaring online”.   Please contact my office if you are uncertain of your VHT status or require further assistance (416) 338-0220.
  
Short-Term Rentals
The City of Toronto is strengthening its Short-Term Rental bylaw and increasing the registration fees to make it harder to evade the rules. The updated by-law increases registration fees and bolsters the vetting of short-term rental hosts in an effort to make it harder to evade the rules. In support of these updates, I moved a Motion that recommends City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards to consider amending the screening criteria for Short-Term Rentals Operators and strengthen the threshold for convictions related to Chapter 591, Noise, to address impacts arising from nuisance parties at Short-Term Rentals.
 
RentSafe TO
The RentSafeTO Program’s fee structure and evaluation tool design were updated by City Council.  The fee structure was updated to align with inspection fees in other MLS enforcement areas, reflect the updated evaluation tool, and support full cost recovery of conducting remedial action (in alignment with the City’s User Fee Policy).  The evaluation tool design expanded its evaluation categories, introduces a reactive scoring scheme to reflect active violations and outstanding property standards orders, establishes a new threshold for building audits and update the program’s interactive web map.
 
Increase in Penalty Amounts for Parking Offences
City Council approved an increase in the penalty amounts for 123 'parking', 'stopping' and 'standing’ offences. The recommended increase in penalty amounts will ensure better alignment with penalty amounts in other jurisdictions, encourage compliance, ensure certain offences are set at levels commensurate with the seriousness of the offence, and ensure that offences within the same categories are set at the same penalty amount for consistency. The fine for parking in bike lanes, for example, will increase from $150 to $200, while not paying the required fee at parking machines would jump from $30 to $50. The approved increases will come into effect on August 01, 2024.
 
Mount Dennis for All Community Action Plan
City Council passed with unanimous support.  Mount Dennis is set to become one of the most transit-connected neighbourhoods in Toronto – with corresponding development.  Ultimately, the population of Mount Dennis is project to more than double over the next 20-years.  The Mount Dennis for All Community Plan seeks to ensure that existing and future low- and moderate-income families and individuals have improved access to affordable housing, affordable childcare, city spaces and public transit. 
 
The Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation
It has been many years that the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation has been looking for a home. In July 2022 I forwarded a Motion (MM47.29) to ‘Explore Opportunities to Create a New Community Cultural and Recreation Centre’. Nearly two years later (February 14, 2024) I wrote a letter to the Board of Directors for Create TO in support of a Long-Term Lease to Develop a Future Somali Community Centre. Now, I am so pleased to see the next steps will include a continued effort to work together and to understand the operating model and long-term financial feasibility of the Somali Centre. Last week Council requested that both the Provincial and Federal Governments to provide financial support for this project in the form of capital funding.


In Other News

Mobile Dental Services for the City's long-term care homes
A free mobile dental care program has been announced by the City of Toronto for residents of its long-term care homes, which includes more than 2,600 people. The program will involve Toronto Public Health’s oral health providers utilizing mobile dental vans to provide essential dental services such as preventive care, restorative dentistry and dentures. This method of providing oral health services will help promote better overall health for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable population and hopefully prevent as many hospital visits. This program is set to launch later this month and is funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.

April 18, 2024

Weston UP Express. WE DID IT!

Firstly, I want to offer my sincere gratitude to the 3,000+ people who took the time to sign the "Save UP Express Service to Underserved Neighbourhoods" petition. Tuesday evening, I engaged in a series of discussions with Premier Ford and Transportation Minister Sarkaria, armed with your petition, to convey our deepest disappointment with the Metrolinx decision to reduce service at the Weston and Bloor Up Stations.  I emphasized the importance of reconsidering this decision and reinstating the UP Express service to its full capacity.  Wednesday at City Council, I announced that Minister Sarkaria announced that Metrolinx will not be proceeding with changes and full service remains at all UP Express Stations - celebrated by all.

In light of the recent tragic shooting death in the Weston area, I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of our community.  I want to assure you that I am taking this issue very seriously.  To address this urgent matter, we will be convening a community meeting; your participation and input are crucial as we work together to ensure the safety of our neighbourhood. A Community Town Hall Meeting will be held on Monday April 29th, at 7:00 PM at Weston Park Baptist Church.  We encourage all residents to attend and share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas for improving safety in our community.  Together, we can make a difference and create a safer environment for all.

At City Council this week, we will be discussing the Short-Term Rental regulations updates, the Somali Centre for Culture and Recreation, and Vacant Home Tax among other issues. I will update you on the outcome of the City Council debates.

It’s that time again when we celebrate Earth Day! Come on down and join in on one of many community clean up’s organized in and around Ward 5. Don't forget to dress warmly, it will be chilly this weekend.  Please see our Community News section of our eNews for more details, below is a quick summary:

• Toronto Nature Stewarts, Help Restore Topham Pond Park, Sessions begin April 20;

• Humber River Pals, Hike & Clean-Up on April 20 – Exclusive Coupons to be had!

• Mount Dennis Spring Clean-Up continues on April 20

• Smythe Park Clean-Up on April 20 – Snacks will be served!

• Mount Dennis Community Clean-Up on April 21st – Free Community BBQ!

• Leon's Earth Day Community Clean-Up Event (April 22)

April 10, 2024

As you many of you know, thousands of residents have been wrongfully charged a Vacant Home Tax. I am deeply disappointed with the City's efforts in notifying homeowners about the mandatory annual occupancy declaration. It is imperative that the City of Toronto review its Vacant Home Tax program and procedures, including the imposition of late fees this year. 

To this end, I have put forward a Motion (seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher) calling for the City's Revenue Services to rescind the $21.24 charge for the failure of homeowners to declare occupancy and to refund residents who have already paid. I have recommended that City Council direct the City Manager to ensure the system is upgraded and receipts are provided; and, that a report brought forward to the July 16th Executive Committee. To be clear, please do not pay the $21.24 penalty fee.

One of the most troubling aspects of this situation is the failure of the City’s outreach efforts to effectively reach vulnerable populations such as senior and those with limited English proficiency.  These individuals may not have been adequately informed about their obligations under the Vacant Home Tax declaration, leading to undue stress and financial strain.  

If you are still having problems, please contact my constituency office (2221 Keele Street; 416-338-0220) staff are available to help fill out declarations for those who need assistance. 

On April 04, the Stockyards Residents Association convened to discuss recent development proposals in the neighbourhood and to explore potential community benefits.  The Association agreed to conduct a survey of local residents to further explore possible community benefits (i.e. expanding George Bell Park to include an additional pad; a library or general community meeting space large enough to accommodate Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.).  If you want to be a part of the Stockyards Residents Association, please email thestockyardsra@gmail.com.

At Planning and Housing Committee on April 05, 2024 Short-Term Rental regulations were updated to include: i) strengthening the principal residence requirement through improvements to registration standards, ii) amending definitions to clarify the bylaw, iii) enhancing advertising, data sharing and data verification requirements with short-term rental companies, iv) streamlining the process to revoke a short-term rental operator's registration and v) introducing additional measures to curtail rental activity by unregistered operators.
 
In further support of these updates, I moved a Motion that recommends City Council request the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to consider amending the screening criteria for short Term Rentals Operators and strengthen the threshold for convictions related to Chapter 591, Noise, to address impacts arising from nuisance parties at Short Term Rentals.

On sunny Sunday April 07, 2024, I hosted the first of the City’s Environmental Days at the Amesbury Arena. In the neighbourhood of 350 vehicles passed through the parking lot dropping off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal & picking up 2-bags of leaf compost on their way out.  I would like to offer my sincere apologies for a misunderstanding that occurred on Environmental Days. It has come to my attention that there was confusion regarding the allocation of leaf compost, specifically in interpreting “2 bags per household” as “2 bags per vehicle”.  Rest assured that this misunderstanding will be rectified by the next Ward 5 Community Environment Day, which will be held on May 14, 2024, from 4:00 - 8:00pm, at the Amesbury Arena (155 Culford Road).

I am pleased to announce that the replacement of the baseball diamond lights and upgrades to distribution have been successfully completed at the Keelesdale Park North. These enhancements are vital steps in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all park users, especially during evening sports activities. 
 
Additionally, I am excited to inform you that further sport field improvements are scheduled for the Spring of 2024.  These enhancements will strengthen the overall quality and usability of the park facilities, providing an even better experience.  Due to current weather conditions, the City is awaiting drier weather to commence these scheduled improvements.  We understand the importance of timing these projects appropriately to ensure their success and minimize any disruptions to park activities.  I appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance Keelesdale Park North for the benefit of our community. 
 
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project or Ward 5 in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at 416-338-0220; 2221 Keele Street.