This Sunday, June 19, 2022, we celebrate Father's Day, and I would like to wish all fathers a Happy Father's Day and may it be filled with happiness, joy, and endless love. This day recognizes the dedication, time, and life-changing decisions made to become a father and the sacrifices one makes to have a family. As a parent, I know just how important and rewarding it is to be a part of raising a child and sharing in those moments while watching them grow. May this day give you the opportunity to relish and reflect on your accomplishments as a father, and may you be reminded not just on this day but every day that your love and commitment are never forgotten. Thank you.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, there will be a community meeting for 1865-1885 Weston Road from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. The City Planning Division has received an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit the development of two mixed-use buildings, 28 and 38 storeys in height, that would be connected by a shared three-storey podium building at the lands municipally known as 1865, 1871, 1879 and 1885 Weston Road. The proposed buildings would contain 538 dwelling units, 1,250 m² of retail space, 3,230 m² of community space, and four levels of below-grade parking. The existing former bank building at 1871 Weston Road would be retained and integrated with the podium building. The existing church building at 1885 Weston Road is proposed to be relocated to the southeast corner of the site and would be repurposed to contain retail uses. Those interested in participating may do so by visiting the following website for phone and virtual details: http://www.toronto.ca/CPconsultations. For more information on the application, please refer to the contact information below or view the website at: https://www.toronto.ca/1871WestonRd.

Castlepoint Numa is pleased to announce two new redevelopment projects located at 1798- 1812 Weston Road and 1830-1844 Weston Road. In partnership with the Weston Park Baptist Church, Castlepoint Numa reached out for your feedback, and subsequently, they submitted a development application for the Weston Park project at 1865-1885 Weston Road on October 29, 2021. Once again, Castlepoint Numa would love to hear from you on their preliminary project objectives for both of their new projects and has prepared this survey to collect your feedback early on in their process. They would appreciate public feedback by Wednesday, June 15, 2022. You can learn more about the preliminary objectives at the following websites: 1830weston.ca and 1798weston.ca.

On Monday, May 30, 2022, there will be a virtual community consultation for 1575 Lawrence Avenue West from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm to discuss a Zoning By-law Amendment application that has been made to permit an 11-storey mixed-use building comprised of 119 residential units and 191 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor. The total gross floor area proposed is 10,128 square metres. Parking is proposed below grade in a two-level underground garage consisting of 91 parking spaces, as well as two surface parking spaces. The proposal would have a density of approximately 4.71 times the area of the lot. The Preliminary Report can be viewed at the following link: Toronto.ca/legdocs. Those interested in participating will be able to join via a link that will be posted on the City's website Toronto.ca/cpconsultations. Those wishing to participate by phone may do so by dialing (416) 915-6530 and entering the Meeting ID 2453 672 4992.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, I will be hosting a pop-up event with Park, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm to update the community on the Pelmo Park splash pad improvements. This event will allow residents to discuss and view plans, options, and potential locations which have been identified by staff. The redesigned splash pad will include accessible spray features, a new splash pad, several new water features for ages 2 to 15, accessible pathway connections, and additional seating. In conjunction with this project, PFR is conducting a survey which went live on Monday, May 16, 2022; for those interested in participating, please click here – the deadline for submissions is Sunday, May 29, 2022.

In response to the community feedback regarding the ECWE overhead rail, I submitted a Member's Motion titled "Running the Elevated Segment of Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Underground" to City Council today which was approved. The current elevated segment will significantly impact the local environment, including parklands and trees along Eglinton Avenue West. The loss of parklands, including the treasured Eglinton Flats and forests, outlined by Metrolinx at recent community consultation sessions, is a significant concern to residents and visitors from across the City. Therefore I strongly believe that the Province's and City's investment in transit projects in improving and expanding Toronto's transit network to respond to growth across the City should not come at the cost of losing valuable, irreplaceable parkland and trees. I have heard very clearly from many residents on this matter. I fully support the approach to building this much-needed expansion underground to save and protect our parks and trees while working with the respected partners, residents, and stakeholders to make this happen.

The motion recommends City Council, through the Executive Director of Transit Expansion, requests that Metrolinx undertake an assessment to run the elevated segment of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension underground and identify any options that may exist to accommodate change.

This Sunday, May 8, 2022, is Mother's Day, and I would like to wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day and may it be filled with happiness, joy, and endless love. This day recognizes and celebrates the dedication, time, and life-changing decisions a mother makes for her family. As a mother, I know that being a parent can have its thankless moments, but it goes without saying there is nothing more special than being a mother. Thank you to all the mothers for all you do; your love and commitment are never forgotten.

WE DID IT!

I want to give special thanks to the Mount Dennis Community ecoCampus Development Planning Group for their relentless hard work and determination. I would like to also thank Mayor John Tory, CreateTO, George Brown College, and the Economic and Community Development Committee for their support in this endeavour. I’ve been working with the Mount Dennis Community Association’s (MDCA) Mount Dennis ecoCampus Development Planning Group. This group has been very active and engaged in investigating and promoting a local campus opportunity. I love to see residents so passionate about, and engaged in their community. They have been actively exploring a campus opportunity in parallel with work being conducted by the City. I’m delighted that the City and George Brown College are committed to bringing a campus to this neighbourhood. Mount Dennis presents a number of opportunities and strengths regarding the potential location for a campus here, including the availability of high order transit; a significant population of post-secondary aged residents and the current lack of access in this part of the City; key economic development activities underway to focus and drive economic growth; alignment with and support from key City initiatives; and, business and local community support. This initiative has been and continues to be one of my main priorities for our Ward. I will continue to work with key stakeholders to champion this endeavour as your City Councillor. To view the News Release, please click here.

I would like to inform residents that I will be hosting Community Environment Days in our Ward this year. Our first event has been secured for Saturday, June 11th, 2022, at Amesbury Arena, located at 155 Culford Road, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. I will be sure to inform residents again closer to the date.

On another note, I would like to thank all the community groups, associations, and organizations who have arranged clean-up events across the Ward, some of which do so annually. Clean-up events are a thankless venture. Not many are aware of and appreciate the hard work, determination, and planning efforts of those who volunteer their time to effect change in our community. I encourage anyone interested in contributing to reach out to their local community groups and associations to arrange a clean-up event in your local neighbourhood. Also, please send me any photos resulting from your events, and I would be delighted to advertise them in my eNews.

I would like to wish all residents a happy and safe long weekend, and for all those practicing a blessed and holy Easter, may it be filled with happiness, love, and faith.

This eNews, I wanted to share some updates on what has transpired from Toronto City Council this week. Below, you will see two items that directly impact my Ward and constituents. I am pleased to say I moved the first motion listed (Seeking Provincial Funding for Rockcliffe-Smythe Riverine Flood Mitigation), which passed unanimously and supported the second motion (Achieving Community Benefits Agreements on Major Transit Projects). As always, I am committed to working for the residents of Ward 5 York South-Weston.

The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) and Councillor Frances Nunziata will be hosting the 4th Community Consultation on the Quilt on Weston, a new building that will better serve the Mount Dennis neighbourhood. The virtual consultation takes place today, Wednesday, March 30th, 2022, at 6:30 pm, and will focus on the concept plans for the project, as well as on generating ideas for the building's community space to ensure it reflects the joint aspirations for the Mount Dennis community. This consultation is taking place ahead of the application submission to the City. For more information and how to join, please visit LEF.

The Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) and Councillor Frances Nunziata will be hosting the 4th Community Consultation on the Quilt on Weston, a new building that will better serve the Mount Dennis neighbourhood. The virtual consultation takes place on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022, at 6:30 pm, and will focus on the concept plans for the project, as well as on generating ideas for the building's community space to ensure it reflects the joint aspirations for the Mount Dennis community. This consultation is taking place ahead of the application submission to the City. For more information and how to join, please visit LEF.

I have been informed that a borehole drilling program will be starting within the Rockcliffe-Smythe neighbourhood in support of the Rockcliffe Riverine Flood Mitigation Municipal Class Environmental Assessment project. Drilling will begin between approximately Monday, March 21 to Friday, April 1, 2022, and take approximately 1-2 days to complete. A drill rig will be used to drill boreholes within the road allowance on Symes Road between Hillborn Avenue and Terry Drive.

March 8th marks International Women's Day. We recognize women from all over the world and celebrate their achievements, tremendous hard work, and relentless resilience all while being faced with the challenge of everyday bias and inequality. This year's theme is #Breakthebias and with that, I would like to personally thank all the hardworking and determined women championing the everyday workforce as front line workers, first responders, health care workers, community organizers, community leaders, and all sectors in my Ward and across the world as we continue to build an inclusive and equal society.

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the Ontario Government announced the elimination of licence plate renewal fees and stickers and as a result would be issuing a refund to eligible vehicle owners. Unfortunately, this initiative has been exploited by scammers who have been sending text messages notifying individuals that they can receive their $120 by clicking on a link/url. Local police authorities have been made aware of the scam and have issued a warning. I would like to kindly remind all residents that government agencies do not contact the public or send refunds in the form of text messages and to steer clear of this fraudulent scam attempt. As mentioned in my previous eNews the Ontario Government will be issuing refunds in the form of cheques which will be mailed starting March and throughout the month of April.

This page includes up-to-date information on COVID-19, including vaccine eligibility guidelines, local vaccination clinics, and COVID-19 testing locations.

I would like to inform residents in the Maple Leaf and Rustic communities that our office has been advised by the local resident volunteers for the Natural Ice Rink (NIR) at Maple Leaf Park that it will not be taking place this year. The reasoning is that given the timing (end of February) is too late and nearing too close to spring, it would be best to save this initiative for a full winter season coming this year. This is unfortunate news and would like to inform residents that there are other NIR's which are open to the public such as Merrill Park located at 5 Merrill Ave and Denison Park at 108 Denison Road West. I would also like to take this opportunity and thank all the local resident volunteers from all NIR communities for taking up these initiatives that help bring closer neighbours together.

Starting February 15, 2022, Toronto Public Health (TPH) will be welcoming walk-ins for third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for residents ages 12 to 17 at all five City of Toronto-run immunization clinics. Residents ages 12 to 17 years are eligible for a third dose if approximately six months (168 days) have passed since their second dose.

Starting this Friday, February 18 at 8 a.m., residents ages 12-17 can book an appointment for their third-dose at any City-run vaccination clinics through the provincial online booking system (https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/) or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). While walk-ins are dependent on clinic capacity, appointments for first, second, and third doses can still be booked through the provincial booking system.

This past weekend, our office along with Weston Park Baptist Church, and GOVAXX successfully vaccinated approximately 300 participants in just 2 days. I would like to sincerely thank the Weston Park Baptist Church and especially the GOVAXX team for their hard work and determination. My office has received a great positive response from the community and would be looking at doing more of these initiatives across the Ward.