Spring 2021 Dear Neighbours, When I sent you my spring newsletter last year, I am comforted with the knowledge that with increased vaccina- in which all of us will be able to realize our fullest potential. sure few of us could have imagined that one year later we tion levels we will begin to see our lives, our businesses and As I noted above, vaccinations have increased signifi- would still be seeing our lives so significantly impacted by our communities move back towards normalcy. cantly and by the time you read this we will have made great the pandemic. I know how enormously challenging this past The pandemic also highlighted more than ever before strides in getting vaccines to most of our residents. We have year has been for so many of you. Our frontline workers in many inequities in our City, and country, that while always focused on communities where infections were highest and health care and other essential services have worked tire- existing took on a new and more pressing urgency. We also for vulnerable communities and in the coming weeks lessly to support all of us and we are eternally grateful to were told for example to stay home, but for those experienc- and months we will reach the levels of vaccination that will them. I know for all of you it has been difficult with misseding homelessness or financial pressures this was not possi - allow us to move back to living our lives in the way we did family birthdays, holidays celebrated alone or with only ble as they did not have a home or their home became unaf- before the pandemic started. those in our household and many people facing financialfordable for them. It was clear to all of us that we needed to In the meantime, I have continued to work on your be- and other pressures. There have been so many others, in- deal with these issues immediately where possible and then half on the issues that are important for our community. I have cluding our kids, who have faced mental health challenges to prepare to build back our City and our country better than continued to consult with you and work with virtually but I am over these past months as well. These have been among it was before. Our City commissioned a pandemic response pleased that our work on behalf of our community continues. the most difficult times many of us will face in our lifetimes and recovery task force that resulted in a thorough report I hope you will find the newsletter informative and I look and for many this has also meant dealing with ill health or demonstrating what we needed to do to build back better, to forward to meeting with you again in person in the near fu- sadly, the loss of loved ones. work towards a more equitable, a more fair and a more in- ture as our collective work to face this pandemic continues While challenging times continue, we are assured and clusive society. We can all be part of this equitable recovery to allow us to return to normal. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do as a community. Ensuring Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines The City has developed programs under our Group, Culture Link, The Abrigo Centre, York Fair- COVID-19 Community Mobilization and Engage- banks Seniors, FCJ Refugee Centre and more. ment Plan as part of the TO Supports: Targeted Spread across the organizational zones which cov- Equity Action Plan, in collaboration with Ontario er our ward, the City has provided over $1 million I’VE RECEIVED MY Health Teams and community agencies that serve in funding to support their outreach. Part of this populations most vulnerable in areas hardest hit funding supports these agencies in hiring 280 com- FIRST VACCINE DOSE, by COVID-19. We know that initiatives by commu- munity ambassadors who will reach out directly to nity and health partnerships have led to increased thousands of residents to support them in address- HAVE YOU? COVID-19 vaccine uptake in vulnerable communi- ing barriers to vaccination, as well as expand their ties across the city. Many organizations in our com- ride service to provide seniors and other residents munity have been active in these efforts, including access with transportation to their preferred vaccine West Neighbourhood House, The Neighbourhood clinic. City Financial Update Despite the challenges the City has been facing, and new commitments secured on transit and housing City Council approved an ambitious but still responsible throughout this year, the City is confident that we can not budget for 2021. Through City-led mitigation strategies, only continue providing the services needed and expect- we found $573 million in savings and offsets. Still, like ed by our communities, but also enhance them further to municipalities across the country, Toronto requires ad- address the new challenges presented by COVID. ditional support from the Province and Federal govern- Even with these challenges, this budget includes ment to mitigate COVID-19 impacts. In 2020, the City new investments. For Davenport, we have secured faced $1.7 billion in COVID impacts and $1.6 billion in over $353 million in local investments over the next five 2021. With $740 million already secured from the oth- years, which will go to our parks, community centres er levels of government at the time of the 2021 Budget, and public transportation initiatives. Learn more about the vaccine and how to get vaccinated at Community Crisis Response Pilot toronto.ca/COVID19 In February, I joined my Council colleagues to unan- ensure that this service will serve as the primary first- re imously approve four community safety crisis support sponders to mental health crisis calls. To ensure that this service pilots to test a new, non-police-led approach to change is timely, we are expecting substantial updates non-emergency, non-violent calls, including those involv- from City staff this year on transitioning 911 operations, SIGN UP FOR MY ing persons in crisis and for wellness checks. As part of opportunities to accelerate the timelines for City-wide im- this pilot, we also directed staff to investigate if we would plementation, and on the feasibility of establishing an ad- E-NEWSLETTER be able to move 911 operations from the Toronto Police ditional options for non-police interventions. You can follow Service to a non-police City service. When brought be- the City’s progress on these transformational changes at fore Executive Committee, I successfully set direction to Toronto.ca/policing-reform. I send out a regular e-newsletter with im- 211 oferece apoio ao COVID-19, alimentar, de habitação, ao rendimento, portant community and e muito mais em Português. Precisa de ajuda? Ligue para o 211. city information to help keep Davenport resi- 211 offre supporto in italiano su questioni come il COVID-19, gli alloggi, dents informed. Call for supports on seniors l’accesso a prodotti alimentari, il sostegno al reddito e molto altro. assistance, employment, This includes items such as community events, up- Se avete bisogno di aiuto chiamate il 211. food, housing, mental dates on key issues, public consultations, and more! health and more. If you would like to receive these e-mails, please 211 te ofrece asistencia en Español en temas de COVID19, alimentos, visit www.anabailao.com to sign up! vivienda, apoyo de ingresos y mucho mas. Necesita ayuda? Llame 211 STAY IN TOUCH T: 416-392-7012 • E: [email protected] • anabailao.ca PLANNING AND HOUSING Protecting the Heritage Bloor Study and Vibrancy of Little I am working with City Planning and the com- munity to develop a local vision and manage the Jamaica development interest that have recently arisen along Bloor Street West, in the area between St. For eight years, main street businesses in Little Helens Avenue and Perth Avenue. Jamaica have been experiencing pressure as a re- This area is slated for major transit in- sult of the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. frastructure investments and public realm Councillor Mike Colle and I moved a motion calling for improvements in the coming years, and with better supports for businesses on this section of Eg- this new infrastructure comes the opportunity linton Avenue West to protect this significant Jamaican to reimagine the area to include more neigh- cultural and business hub, including compensation for bours, amenities, connections and vibrancy. business losses due to the LRT construction, tax sup- Working with the community, we are develop- ports, and eliminating surface construction equipment ing a planning framework to evaluate the appropri- from sidewalks and the roadway. This was one of sev- ate building forms for the area, transportation and eral approved motions introduced to City Council by Black businesses, develop a local planning framework pedestrian networks, and public realm strategies the Councillor’s representing Eglinton. Councillors to guide future growth and development, and create and to ensure adequate parks and public spaces. Visit have been working with local Black business own- officially designate a Caribbean and West Indies-focused toronto.ca/bloor-street-study-perth-to-st-helens-ave- ers and community leaders, along with City staff to cultural district in this corridor. Learn more and get nue to learn more and share your thoughts. forge a path forward to create a plan to best support involved: toronto.ca/littlejamaica. Keele-St. Clair Local Geary Works The Geary Avenue corridor is a core employment protecting the manufacturers, artisans and other maker Area Study area in our community facing increased pressures due businesses in the area. We have developed a compre- to its popularity as a destination for arts and cultural hensive plan covering land use, cultural protections, A new SmartTrack station is coming to Union events, restaurants, and galleries.