Spring/Summer Update 2017

modern, family friendly and vital in our daily lives. We As ’s Housing Advocate, I am proud to have Dear Neighbours, are also taking important steps to create a more reli- spearheaded our City’s call for renewed investment able, better serviced and safer transportation network. and innovative approaches to affordable housing from Over the winter, our community came together to New transit will be coming to Bloor-Lansdowne and our federal and provincial partners. The City officially celebrate the holiday season and all that we have ac- West Queen West in the future and expanded Wheel launched the Open Door program to create new afford- complished at our Ward 18 holiday party. It was great to Trans service and road safety initiatives are improving able housing earlier this year, and I will continue to sup- see so many of you at our festivals and events, sharing accessibility and safety for all travellers. port approaches to a fairer and more affordable housing your ideas for a better neighbourhood where we all live, In shaping the growth and change we are ex- market. This important work adds to what is being done work and play. As your City Councillor, I am grateful to periencing, I am proud to continue to work with our at City Hall to advance innovative ideas for a stronger work in a community of involved, driven and creative community to address our needs and priorities. As Toronto. You can find out more about these initiatives residents to find solutions to the challenges and oppor- we undertake this important work with the redevelop- in this edition of my newsletter and online through my tunities we face and I look forward to continuing to build ment proposals at Galleria Mall, Bloor and Dufferin, website and my regular e-newsletter updates. on our achievements. 158 Sterling and other developments we will be wel- As always, should you require anything now or in Across Ward 18, our parks and community spac- coming new neighbours and securing services, jobs, the future, please do not hesitate to contact me, and es are being upgraded to meet changing and growing childcare and cultural spaces. Ensuring a legacy of my team and we will be more than happy to serve you. needs and later this year we will break ground on Pes- positive benefits and inclusive outcomes is central to soa Park, the newest park for our community. Togeth- my approach in creating a more livable, prosperous, In community, er we are creating a network of parks that are vibrant, and stronger community.

Discussing new partnerships and initiatives with Build Toronto to create a better city for all.

Signup for my E-Newsletter Dufferin Mall | Parking Lot Every month I send out an e-newsletter with important com- 900 Dufferin St. | south of Bloor St. munity and city information to help keep Ward 18 residents in- Please drop off your used batteries and electronics for safe disposal by the City. formed. This includes items such as community events, updates on key issues, public consultations, and more! If you would like to receive these e-mails, please visit www.anabailao.ca/join to sign up! WARD 18 EVENTS

COMPOST DAYS Bloor-Dufferin Redevelopment Ward 18 Community Cleanup Days Corridor Collective Art Gardens Ward18 Talks: Artist and Pre-Application Open House Opening Reception Cultural Spaces April 22-23 2017 May 16, 2017 5:30pm April 13, 2017 4pm - 8pm May 18, 2017 6:30pm - 8pm Perth Square Park (350 Perth Ave) Lend your hands for a spring com- June 22, 2017 6pm - 9pm Bloor Collegiate Institute munity cleanup! You can find all the Re-Imagine Galleria Space Henderson Brewery (1141 Bloor St W) details and cleanup locations at www. (1245 Dupont St) (128A Sterling Rd) anabailao.ca/communitycleanup2017 May 17, 2017 5:30pm The purchasers of the Bloor Duf- Kicking off a creative new arts and Let’s explore what we can do to MacGregor Playground ferin Revitalization site are holding community gardening initiative for create and retain artist and cultural (346 Lansdowne Ave) a pre-application open house to Major/Minor: Bloordale Wallace-Emerson. spaces spaces in Toronto. share their initial thinking and to Music & Arts Festival hear your ideas for the lands. Railpath Tour & West Toronto Dundas West Fest May 18, 2017 5:30pm May 5 to 7, 2017 Diamond Plaque Unveiling Ward 18 Easter Egg Hunt McCormick Park (66 Sheridan Ave) Bloor St W between June 3, 2017 11am - 11pm July 8, 2017 11am - 1pm April 15, 2017 1pm - 3pm Lansdowne Ave and Dufferin St Dundas St W from Park Come out for an inclusive fam- Lansdowne Ave to Shaw St Begins at Railpath Entrance (875 Dufferin park Ave) at Cariboo Ave June 2, 2017 3:30pm ily-friendly festival with all-ages workshops, concerts, activities and Chocolates, Dancing, Arts & Cratfs Pessoa Park Groundbreaking Join me for a West Toronto Dovercourt Junior Public School, with local artists and international and Face Painting! Please register at Railpath Tour and historical plaque (228 Bartlett Ave) artists! Details: www.anabailao.com/easteregghunt June 8, 2017 6:30pm unveiling, ending with an www.anabailao.ca/majorminorfestival Dufferin St and Peel Ave afternoon social at Henderson MOVIE NIGHTS Brewery (128A Stelring Rd) Let’s get digging on Ward 18’s Bloor-Dufferin Community Hub newest park! Join us for a BIG on Bloor Festival July 13, 2017 8:30pm Art Walk Community Meeting groundbreaking and community event with neighbours. July 22 to 23 1pm - 9pm McCormick Park (66 Sheridan Ave) April 22, 2017 1pm - 3pm May 15, 2017 6:30pm Bloor St W from Dufferin St Meet at Henderson Brewing Co. to Lansdowne Ave (128A Sterling Rd) New Horizons Tower Portugal Day Parade (1140 Bloor St W) Bloorcourt Festival August 25, 2017 8pm Explore the past, present, and June 10, 2017 11am - 1pm The Community Hub Visioning August 26, 2017 12pm - 10pm Dovercourt Park future of art initiatives, galleries group will be sharing their work to Dundas St W, from Lansdowne (180 Westmoreland Ave) and studios along the West develop a Bloor-Dufferin Ave to Bloor St W from Dufferin St Toronto Railpath! Community Hub. to Montrose St

Toronto City Hall: 100 Queen St. W., anabailaoTO STAY IN TOUCH Suite C42 Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2 @anabailaoTO Visit our community office located at 1240 West T 416-392-7012 • F 416-392-7957 (Corner of Bloor and Margueretta) from 10am to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday. E: [email protected] anabailao.ca COMMUNITY UPDATES Bloor-Lansdowne and West Queen West SmartTrack/ GO RER Station Concepts Released Welcoming Provincial funding and support for a new community hub at Metrolinx has released preliminary Bloor and Dufferin! concept designs for the proposed West Queen West/ and Bloor Lansdowne SmartTrack/GO RER stations. City staff and Group was established to ensure that community Metrolinx are working closely to develop a groups are meaningfully engaged in the planning Bloor- plan which meets the unique needs of for the potential Bloor-Dufferin community hub and our community. The team is also investigating to develop a governance and service framework for the possible integration of the proposed King School Lands the hub. High Line multi-use path over the rail corridor The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has The Visioning Group is being run by an independent facilitator and is being supported by into the West Queen West/Liberty Village station now sold the Bloor-Dufferin School Lands. Ever design. You can view the station concepts at City and Provincial staff. Meetings are well underway since the sale was first announced, I have worked www.anabailao.com/transitstations. tirelessly to have a community hub established on the and the Visioning Group process will wrap up in The concepts are highly preliminary with May. I look forward to sharing with you the results of site. On December 8th, 2016 the Province of their important work in the future. further refinements and consultation likely announced $20 million in funding to support a new resulting in changes. Community consultation On the development side, the purchasers of the high school and community hub on this property. meetings will be taking place later this year and site are organizing a pre-application open house I will be sharing those details once available in To support the community to identify priorities meeting on Thursday April 13 from 4pm to 8pm my online e-newsletter. and goals for the 30,000 sq ft hub, the City and at Bloor CI (1141 Bloor St W) to share their initial Province invited community based organizations ideas for the site and to gather community input. City to form an independent, voluntary and time-limited planning staff and I will be there and I encourage you “Community Hub Visioning Group”. The Visioning to attend and to share your feedback with them. Lansdowne Station Public Art Installation Community Vision College Promenade As part of the Lansdowne Subway Station ac- cessibility upgrades scheduled to begin in 2018, new public artwork will be added in the station’s design. for 640 Lansdowne Streetscaping work As a strong advocate for the inclusion of public art Over winter, I hosted a community meeting The College Promenade Business Improve- in major projects across our community, Lansdowne ment Area (BIA) approved a streetscape proj- Station will be an opportunity to showcase our neigh- to discuss our community’s vision and priorities for the vacant TTC lands at 640 Lansdowne ect that broke ground in early July 2016. The bourhood to the city. The TTC will issue an open call Ave. As you may know, the 1/3rd of the site project included replacing the existing curb and for artist proposals later this year and I will be provid- sidewalks with decorative pavers on College St. ing updates through my e-newsletter. Please contact closest to Lansdowne Ave is zoned for mixed use development while the remaining 2/3rds are between Shaw St. and Havelock St; TTC ac - Denise Jayawardene at [email protected] - for more information. zoned for employment uses. cessibility improvements; new side-street par At the community meeting and in other kettes; light fixtures; additional trees; plantings; communications from residents, I have heard bike rings; and public art. from many of you that our neighbourhood would like In October 2016, the City terminated its to see: contract with the contractor following sever- al issues associated with the project. The City 1 Low to Mid-Rise Seniors Housing has since been working to have the construc- on the Mixed-Use Lands tion resume in July 2017, with work starting on 2 Green Space for a Park on a Portion of the south side, going from Havelock St to Shaw the Employment Lands St and then resuming on the north side. Unlike 2016, this work will be staged into blocks to al- 3 Support Services for Seniors and/or Artist Spaces on the Employment Lands low for on-street parking in areas where work is not taking place and to minimize disruptions. I have listened to the community and these Pedestrian access to businesses and residenc- es will remain open at all times, with some ad- suggestions will form the basis of the City’s ap- proach to any future development. I will be en- justments around work areas. College St will be suring that there will be plenty of public consulta- limited to one lane only in work areas only and Great to hear your ideas for our tion in the future and will work hard to ensure that the TTC streetcar service will be replaced with community at our Davenport New buses through the work area. Work is expected Year’s Levee! any development fits within the character and ad - dresses the needs of our community. to be completed by October 2017.

West End Naming Skateboarding “Ropewalk Lane” In November, the City of Toronto removed a Did you know the long block east of Lans- Great to see so many of you at this Do-It-Yourself (DIY) skatepark constructed by res- downe Avenue between Bloor and College may year’s Ward 18 Holiday Celebration! idents on Paton Rd due to serious safety and lia- be the result of an historic “ropewalk”? Identified bility concerns. Following this, I reached out to the by resident’s research on municipal maps from group who constructed the skatepark to see how the 1860s, the ropewalk was where long strands we can better fulfill skateboarding needs in the of material were laid out before being twisted to- west-end of Toronto. Over the winter, I met togeth- gether into rope. er with the Toronto Skateboard Advisory Commit- To commemorate this history, residents tee, City staff and the group and I am happy to are petitioning to name the laneway between share that the group will be working with City staff Lansdowne Ave and St. Clarens Ave “Ropewalk and the advisory committee to advance opportuni- Lane.” You can find the petition and learn more George Chuvalo came to check in ties in the west end for DIY skateboarding spaces. at www.anabailao.com/ropewalklane. on our newest community centre, currently under construction!

2 anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca PARKS UPDATES AND PUBLIC SPACES Park Improvements in Ward 18 Dundas-St. Clarens Dovercourt Park Community Garden Improving Symington Park Parkette We will be welcoming Ward 18’s newest Last year, I hosted a community meeting community garden this summer at the Dover- with City staff to hear from residents how Sym- I am happy to share that court Boys and Girls Club in Dovercourt Park. ington Park can better serve our community. I the construction contract The gardens will add to the rich learning and am happy to announce that a concept design to revitalize the Dundas-St. community programming already offered at the for the park has been created. It showcases an Clarens Parkette has been club with new afterschool and summer pro- accessibility path to the community gardens, awarded and work is expect- grams. The Dovercourt B&GC is leading the de- additional seating, shaded gathering areas, an ed to begin in Fall 2017. sign, funding, building and maintenance of this improved baseball diamond, new plantings and The new park design in- project and work is under way to transform the a dog friendly water fountain. I encourage you to cludes community gardens, underutilized grassy patch into a dynamic and share your feedback with me as we prepare for a swing set, seating and an engaging community gardening space with op- detailed design and preliminary upgrade con- open gathering space. Thank portunities to integrate other community activi- struction this summer. You can view the design you to everyone who shared ties. I look forward to celebrating the upcoming at www.anabailao.ca/symingtonpark. their ideas to make improve- harvests with you! ments to this small but much needed green space in our community! Pessoa Park Ground-breaking Perth Parkette, Holly Jones Memorial I look forward to celebrat- and Perth Square Park The results are in! Residents have voted to ing its re-opening with you! Final Design Concept for the revitalized Dundas- name the new park at Dufferin St and Peel Ave With warmer weather approaching, I am St. Clarens Parkette. “Pessoa Park”. happy to share that a new child friendly sur- Pessoa means “person” in Portuguese, high- face will be installed for the splash pad at Perth lighting the park’s role as a gathering space for Square Park. At Perth Parkette, the basketball people and the neighbourhood’s rich Portuguese court will also be getting a much needed update heritage. Pessoa Park will include a square with after years of wear and tear and parks staff are water jets, seating, grass areas and a connec- expecting to complete these works this spring. tion to the future extension of the West Toronto These upgrades are expected to take place in Railpath. I hope you can join me on Thursday May and will ensure our community is able to June 8, 2017 at 6:30pm during our Portugal enjoy these friendly spaces for years to come. Week festivities for a ground-breaking ceremony After close discussions with City staff and the to celebrate the start of construction! original artist, I am also pleased to share that the mural in memory of Holly Jones at Perth Parkette will be completely restored in the coming weeks. Telling our Story on the West Toronto Railpath Celebrating Family Day and welcoming a $20,000 new skating equipment donation for three Ward 18 parks with I am excited to announce a new community arts the WTR through unique art installations along the Toronto Maple Leafs Legend Daryl Sittler! Thank you to initiative to capture and share the unique identity railpath. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Foundation for your support of active programming across Toronto! and histories of our well-loved West Toronto Rail- Some of the artworks will be installed later this path (WTR), the underpass and the neighbourhoods fall and I’m excited to hear your ideas to create in- that surround it. clusive and attractive spaces along this unique path. The “Create Your Path” initiative will bring to- You can find out more about this project and how you Macgregor Fieldhouse gether our community’s ideas, stories and vision for can participate at www.anabailao.ca/createyourpath Study Complete! Dufferin Park and Clubhouse Improvements The City of Toronto recently completed a feasi- pants were invited to join a Community Resource bility study to make improvements to the northwest Group (GRG) to provide input and guidance to the corner of Dufferin Grove Park where the clubhouse, project team. All applicants were accepted and rep- ice rink, Zamboni garage community garden and resent local residents, the farmer’s market and local bake oven are located. In order to address health organizations. The CRG is working with the City to and safety concerns, accessibility issues and de- define the scope of work and an independent con - sign challenges, a rebuild is the preferred route. sultant and design team will be hired to carry out the A community meeting was held over the winter to next steps. You can learn more about this project at hear what residents enjoy about the park and how www.dufferingrove-northwestrevitalization.ca/. the northwest corner could be improved. Partici- Announcing completion of the Macgregor Playground and Fieldhouse programming feasibility study with Kristen Fahrig, artistic director of Botanicus Arts Ensemble and MPP Martins. Lisgar Park Update I am happy to share that in 2016 with funding Following our community meeting last year, I from Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Botanicus Arts brought together local residents, businesses, and Ensemble (BAE) and architecture firm DTAH complet- arts organizations to establish the Lisgar Park ed a comprehensive feasibility study to support year- Stewardship Committee to animate this central round programming at MacGregor Playground and community space. The committee is now develop- Fieldhouse. BAE conducted visioning sessions and ing a framework to support the community in fa- surveys, asking our community how the park could be cilitating and promoting programing and events at New children’s play area for Lisgar Park improved. Lisgar Park and I look forward to sharing their work with you! works are scheduled to wrap up in June and this DTAH investigated the past, present and potential I am also happy to share, that construction on future of the park as a whole and how the Fieldhouse, phase includes, a new children’s playground, wood the next phases of Lisgar Park has begun. Major decking, additional seating and new trees! which is currently unheated and closed for six months of the year, might be transformed. The option of ex- panding the Fieldhouse was positively received in our community and endorsed by the Directors of the BAE. Moving Forward With Toronto’s Green Line City staff are developing a plan for upgrades to the I am happy to share that the Green Line has been of Dupont) for a new linear network of parks. I ful- Fieldhouse (anticipated to commence in 2018) and are included in the City of Toronto’s 10 year capital plan. ly support this vision and the new funding will allow incorporating this study and our community’s feedback. This work builds on the exciting community-led the City to better evaluate the proposal and construct Thank you to everyone who participated and shared vision and ongoing efforts to reclaim the vacant lands some of the elements included in the plan. your passion for great parks in our community! along the north side of the CP Rail tracks (just north

anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca 3 TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Unveiling custom new bike rings in Bloordale! Thank you to everyone for being part of this initiative! Bloordale Bike Rings In January, I was pleased to join the Bloordale oration effort between the BIA and school to share BIA and students from Bloor Collegiate Institute to the culture and history of Bloordale. Each unique unveil 20 new custom designed bike rings along ring was designed by the students and will leave a Bloor St W. The new rings are the result of a collab- long lasting positive benefit in our community. TRANSPORTATION:

1. All-way “stop” sign on Ward St., 21. Parking regulation changes on Coolmine Rd. at Lappin Ave. - Installed to add additional street parking - Completed 2. Speed humps approved for Ward St. 22. Parking regulation changes on Beaconsfield - Installation in 2017 Ave. (Dundas St. West to Afton Ave.) to add 3. Extension of Advanced left-turn signal south additional street parking - Completed bound phase on Lansdowne Ave., at Bloor St. 23. Speed bumps approved for public lane West during weekday AM and weekends bounded by Bloor St. West, Westmoreland Ave. - Completed and Dovercourt Rd. - Installation in 2017 4. Advanced left-turn signal northbound on 24. Speed humps approved for St. Helen’s Ave. Lansdowne Ave., at Bloor St. West - Installation in 2017 - Being investigated 25. Traffic island on St. Helen’s Ave., at Dublin St. 5. 8 Additional Permit Parking spaces on – Being investigated Lansdowne Ave., South of Dundas St. West 26. Removal of alternate parking regulation on - Completed Dublin St. – Completed 6. Speed humps approved for Sudbury St. 27. 5-6 additional street parking spaces on Franklin (Queen St. West to Dovercourt Rd.) Ave., between Dupont St. and Ruskin Ave. - Installation in 2017 – Completed 7. Speed humps approved for Dovercourt Rd. 28. Removal of alternate parking on Margueretta (Queen St. West to Sudbury St.) St. (College St. to Bloor St. West) and addition - Installation in 2017 of street parking – Being investigated 8. All-way “stop” sign on Sudbury St., at Abell St. 29. Removal of alternate parking on Margueretta - Installed St. (Bloor St. West to Wallace Ave.)- Completed 9. Traffic light on Lansdowne Ave., at Lappin Ave. 30. Speed humps for Norfolk St. - Installed – Being investigated 42. Advanced left-turn signal northbound and 10. Traffic light approved on Dupont St., southbound on Lansdowne Ave., at Dupont St. 31. Loading zone on Gladstone Ave., - Being investigated West of Lansdowne Ave. – installation 2017 north of Queen St. West - Completed 43. Advanced left-turn signal westbound on Dupont 11. Speed humps approved for Shanly St. Car Share parking spaces on Sterling Rd. 32. St., at Lansdowne Ave. during afternoon peak - Installation in 2017 – Completed times - Completed 12. Pedestrian Crossover (PXO) on Croatia St. Parking regulation changes on Sterling Rd. and 33. 44. Child Pick-up/Drop-off Zone at Dovercourt Boys - Being investigated Perth Ave. (Bloor St. West to Sterling Rd.) to and Girls Club (on Westmoreland Ave.) Speed bumps on Bill Cameron Ln. add additional street parking – Completed 13. - Being investigated. (Dewson St. and Hepbourne St.) 34. Overhead flashing red light for stop controlled 45. Speed humps on Shirley St. – Installation in 2017 intersection on Brock Ave., at Frankish Ave. - Being investigated 14. Speed bumps on Bill Cameron Ln. – Being investigated 46. Speed humps on Rankin Cres. (College St. and Dewson St.) Speed humps approved for Brock Ave. 35. - Being investigated – Being investigated (Croatia St. to Cobourg Ave.) 15. Traffic light approved on Queen St. West, - Installation in 2017 47. Speed humps on St. Clarens Ave. (Wallace Ave. to Dupont St.) - Being investigated. at Abell St. – installation 2017 36. Advanced left-turn signal eastbound on Bloor 16. Traffic light on College St, at Gladstone Ave. St. West, at Symington Ave. approved 48. Public lane bounded by Dundas St. West, – Being investigated – Completion in fall 2017 Rusholme Rd. and Rusholme Park Cres. - Resurfacing in 2017 17. Phase 1 of West Queen West Traffic 37. Speed humps on Brock Ave. Management Plan: Abell St. 1-way north (Bloor St. West to Wallace Ave.) - Completed 49. Completion on College Promenade BIA streets operation, Lisgar St. 1-way south operation, 38. Speed humps on Pauline Ave- Completed cape improvement work (Havelock St. to loading zone on Abell St., additional Shaw St.) July 2017 to October 2017 street parking - Completed 39. Parking and traffic signage changes to improve 50. All-way “stop” sign on Campbell Ave., 18. Addition of Permit Parking on Abell St. safety at Pauline Public School - Completed at Sarnia Ave. – Being investigated - Being investigated 40. Parking and traffic signage changes to improve 51. All-way “stop” sign on Brock Ave., 19. Parking regulation changes on Ward St. to add safety at Brock Junior Public School at Delaney Cres. – Being investigated additional street parking - Completed - Completed 52. Watermain Rehabilitation on Dufferin St from 20. Parking regulation changes on Havelock St. 41. Pavement markings at Lansdowne/Wallace Fisher St to Geary Ave in 2017 followed by (Bloor St. West to Dufferin Park Ave.) to add intersection to minimize illegal parking/stopping road resurfacing from Dundas St W to additional street parking - Completed of vehicles that obstruct thoroughfare - Completed Bloor St W in 2018

4 anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca TRANSPORTATION UPDATES

Thank you to all our community partners who made our 2017 Youth Job Fair a success!

Pick Up Your “Please Slow Down” Sign

The City has produced lawn signs that encourage all motorists to drive safely as they travel in our neighbourhoods. To pick up a lawn sign, please visit my community office at 1240 Bloor Street West between the hours of 10am to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday.

Low-Income Transit Pass Approved

This winter, I voted to approve the Fair Pass Program which will provide discounted transit fares for seniors and low-income residents in Toronto. Eligible residents would receive a 33% discount on single-use fares and a 21% discount towards a monthly pass. Under the newly approved policy, residents making less than 15% above the Low Income Measure threshold would be eligible to receive the discount. The program is proposed to be delivered to eligible residents in 3 phases, beginning in March 2018 and has the potential to make a lasting impact to help meet Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy goals.

Toronto’s Vision Zero Road Safety Plan takes a comprehensive approach to improving the safe- ty of everyone on our streets. I believe one acci- dent is too many and included this year as part of our $80 million dollar investment in safer streets, a new accessible crossing signal and senior’s safety zone will be implemented in our community among other city-wide safety improvements. You can follow all the road safety initiatives planned for 2017 at www.toronto.ca/VisionZeroTO anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca 5 HOUSING AND CITY UPDATES

New Capital Investments made in the 2017 Budget Toronto City Council has adopted the City’s 2016 tax supported operating budget of $10.5 billion and it’s 10-year capital budget and plan of $26.5 billion. The budget continues to provide the services Torontonians rely on and makes strategic investments to meet Toronto’s prior- ities for improved transit, affordable housing, child care and infrastructure to name a few. This year’s budget contains a 2% residential property Hosting a Joint Affordable Housing and Tenant Issues Committee to collaborate on tax increase which is at inflation and will continue tackling our housing challenges. to maintain affordability for low income residents and seniors while allowing the City to address some of our pressing needs. Working Hard to Address Housing in Toronto Key investments include $40 million in various Tackling the housing crisis that Toronto is fac- recent $11.2 billion investment towards a Nation- service enhancements, an additional $80 million ing will mean creating new policies, strengthen- al Housing Strategy and a renewed commitment for the TTC and $37 million for TCHC to help some ing data collection, establishing better tools and to affordable and social housing. To be success- of our most vulnerable residents. I also advocated building collaborative relationships with public, ful, this funding must be accelerated, distributed for improved childcare directly to the Mayor and my based on the need Toronto is facing and that the votes helped to continue funding the childcare oc- private and non-profit housing partners. As you may have noticed in the media here has been a lot Province be required to match this funding. We cupancy grant and the expansion of 300 new sub- of activity taking place the last couple of months are also awaiting Provincial regulations on In- sidized childcare spaces. clusionary Zoning that if done right, can make a This year, we were also able to fund an addi- and as Toronto’s Housing Advocate, I have been working hard to ensure the City is stepping up huge difference to deliver more affordable hous- tional $5.8 billion dollars in critical infrastructure and doing our part. ing in Toronto. and capital projects, including SmartTrack, TTC The most important thing for me is that as and transportation infrastructure, Toronto Pub- On all of the issues I have identified below, the City of Toronto cannot do it alone and we require we create housing policy, it is imperative that we lic Library repairs, Flood Protection strong provincial and federal partners to tackle work and more. look at housing as someone’s home and not as a commodity. City Council took action to address the need to this crisis. I welcome the Federal Government’s diversify our revenue sources including harmonizing the municipal and provincial LandWorking Hard to Bring Housing Market Affordability Transfer Tax rates, establishing a City Building Fund, seeking regulatory approval for the im- Laneway Suites to Toronto The City brought together a panel of experts plementation of a hotel tax and to eliminate the As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I have and housing stakeholders for a roundtable dis- long-term vacancy rebate which will boost reve- been working with my colleague, Councillor cussion in March on how to effectively challenge nues and enhance the vitality of our neighbour- Mary-Margaret McMahon, Evergreen, and La- the housing affordability crisis that Toronto is hood streets. nescape to advance the idea of building laneway facing. The policy levers available to address While the provincial government decided not suites in Toronto. Laneway suites would be small rising home prices in the short term rest with the provincial and federal governments and I have to support the bold plan the City put forward to in size (2 stories including the garage), serviced been urging them to take action as we work on implement road tolls and take control of our - fi through the main house and not severable. nances, I will continue to advocate for sustain- Over the fall ways to help increase housing supply. The City will also be taking steps to look into the feasibil- able solutions to tackle Toronto’s challenges to and winter, we held help ensure our long-term prosperity. three public consul- ity and effectiveness of implementing a vacant tations where hun- homes tax to bring more supply into the market. dreds of people in Ward 18 and across the city participated and re- ceived thousands of online survey responses from people sharing their ideas and the kind of lane- Rental Affordability way suites they want to see. More information and Earlier this month, I co-chaired a historic joint the consultation summary report can be found at: meeting of the Tenant Issues and Affordable Hous- www.anabailao.ca/lanewaysuites. ing Committees with Councillor Matlow to discuss rental affordability in Toronto. The message heard from the public, experts and stakeholders was Toronto Community Housing clear: spiraling rent increases, precarious living conditions and a lack of appropriate rental housing I am pleased to share that after working inten- supply is making renting increasingly unaffordable sively with our City staff and Toronto Community and hurting our City’s long term prosperity. In re- Discussing how we can improve our city this year at our Ward Housing (TCH), the City will increase its operating sponse we have directed our City staff to take ac- 18 Budget Town Hall. subsidy to TCH by 18.2 per cent ($37.2 million) tion in areas of our responsibility and to work with and TCH will be spending $250 million to under- our housing partners, the province and federal gov- take capital repairs in 2017. These are the largest ernment on ways to address this pressing issues. ever investments made into TCH and by the end You can read my Op-Ed with Councillor Matlow on of 2017, the City/TCH will have allocated over $1 this issue at www.anabailao.ca/rentalaffordability. billion on capital repairs since 2013.

Combatting Homelessness Open Door Program A home is the best economic and social pol- The first call for applications of the City’s in- icy there is and provides a stable foundation to novative Open Door Program was released in build our lives upon. The newly announced First February 2017 and there has been exceptional Step Housing initiative that I have been working interest in the Program. The Program is expect- on with Councillor Fletcher will help to transform ed to provide over $250 million in incentives over our shelter system into a comprehensive com- the next 5 years, cut red tape and accelerate the munity focused network of housing supports and construction of new affordable rental and own- Great to be on CBC Power and Politics to discuss how to services for people experiencing homelessness. ership units in partnership with the private and make Toronto stronger. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks. non-profit housing sector.

6 anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

MOCA Construction Underway! This February, the Federal government allo- cated $5.1 million in grant funding to support the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto ’s (MOCA) revitalization of the heritage-designated Tower Automotive Building (Auto BLDG) into a new forum for contemporary art. The new landmark 55,000 sq ft museum, with artists work spaces and community spaces will an- chor the mixed-use revitalization that our communi- ty worked hard to achieve on the former industrial lands at 158 Sterling Rd in Triangle. Construction is well underway inside and outside the building and I look forward to celebrating the Great to join Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage Melanie Joly and Davenport MP Julie Dzerowicz in February to welcome a $5.1 million grant allocation to the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA). museum’s opening later this Fall with you!

299 Campbell Ave Galleria Mall Update

As you may have noticed, the developer of As you may know, in September 2016, the own- 299 Campbell Ave has broken ground on the ers of Galleria Mall submitted a formal development new 12 storey mixed-use building, which was application to the City of Toronto. The application pro- approved by City Council in 2015. The developer poses a total of 11 buildings, the tallest being 42 sto- has chosen to construct a rental building instead reys containing 3,416 units plus 150 affordable units, of ownership condominiums, adding some much 29,912m2 of retail to replace the current Galleria Mall, needed new rental supply to the area. The de- 6,391 m2 of office space, a new Wallace-Emerson veloper is currently working with City Planning Community Centre and 25% larger park. on Site Plan Approval. A community meeting was held in March by City City Council in 2015 approved a new Planning, starting the ongoing community consulta- Perth-Dupont Library to be included in the base tion and feedback process as part of the formal appli- of the new development, applauding our com- cation review. Many of you commented that the new - community centre, pedestrian friendly plan and larger munity’s innovative approach to library expan Welcoming residents to the first of many sion and renewal. park were positive features. I share with you concerns community meetings. At 10,000 sq ft in size, the new library will be about height, density, traffic, transit impacts and the far larger than the current location and design need for a range of housing to better achieve a family cerns addressed throughout the development review work will be taking place in collaboration with friendly and inclusive development that fits within the process. I encourage you to sign up for my community local residents and library users later this year. character and context of our neighbourhood. e-newsletter updates at www.anabailao.ca/join to stay I look forward to continue sharing their exciting I will be advocating for the priorities our communi- updated with this proposal and future opportunities to work with you! ty has identified and will be working to have these con - provide feedback.

1025 Dupont St Bloor-Dovercourt Redevelopment

The City of Toronto has received a formal devel- Last September, the developers of the north- March and many ideas/concerns were exchanged opment application for the vacant lot at the corner of west corner of Bloor St. W. and Dovercourt Rd. regarding neighbourhood fit, retail spaces, local Dupont St and Westmoreland Ave to construct seven (980 – 990 Bloor St. W. & 786 Dovercourt Rd.) parks and the need to respect the rich architectural 3-storey freehold townhomes on the site. City staff hosted a pre-application community meeting at my history along Bloor. are reviewing documentation submitted by the devel- urging to share their initial ideas and gather input The developer has informed me and the work- oper earlier this year and a community consultation from the community. ing group that they will be submitting a formal appli- meeting was held on April 6, 2017. Thank you to ev- Given the amount of community interest with cation to City Planning later this spring. eryone who provided your feedback. City staff will be this proposal, a working group comprised of res- I look forward to working together with you and including your input in their review and I will keep you idents, organizations, the Bloorcourt BIA, the de- our community to hopefully have a proposal that updated as review process continues. veloper, myself and City Planning staff was estab- integrates well into our community. lished. The first working group meeting was held in

243 Perth Ave

The developer of 243 Perth Ave has re-mo- bilized the site and is expecting to complete con- struction on the Vestry Building in July 2017 and the Church in September 2017. At the present time City Planning is reviewing Site Plan Amendments, which seek to introduce private patios, 4th floor rear terraces, changes to indoor amenity space and the reconfiguration of units. In response to the concerns of local residents about construction im- pacts and safety, I worked with City Planning staff, and the developer to establish a construction man- Artist Rendering of the proposed agement plan that will better protect neighbours development at 1025 Dupont St Congratulations to Franco Boni and everyone involved on during construction. the successful fundraising campaign and revitalization of Theatre Centre!

anabailaoTO @anabailaoTO anabailao.ca 7 PORTUGUESE Programas Municipais para 2017 Os terrenos da escola A cidade de Toronto oferece ajuda a residentes com baixos rendimentos, idosos e/ou indivíduos com incapacidades através de programas municipais: Bloor-Dufferin

Programas de ALÍVIO e/ou Programa O Toronto Disctict School Board na Bloor-Dufferin CANCELAMENTO DO IMPOSTO HOME WINTER-PROOFING (TDSB), vendeu os terrenos da es- O processo está a ser acom- IMOVÉL e da ÁGUA da Enbridge colas da Bloor-Dufferin (Kent e Bloor panhado por um mediador indepen- A Cidade oferece assistência a idosos Este programa irá ajudá-lo a manter CI). Desde que a venda foi anuncia- dente e por funcionários da Cidade e/ou indivíduos com incapacidades de a sua casa aquecida e comfortável du- da, tenho trabalhado árduamente e da Provincia. baixos rendimentos com o custo do rante todo o Inverno, poupando energia. para tornar possivel a existência de Os encontros estão a decor- imposto imóvel e da água: um centro comunitário neste local. rer bem e o processo do Grupo de a) Programa de Cancelamento do Programa Municipal A 8 de Dezembro de 2016, a Pro- Visionários terminará em Maio. Irei Aumento do Imposto Imóvel TORONTO RENOVATES vincia de Toronto anunciou 20 milhões num futuro proximo compartilhar com b) Programa de Adiamento do HOMEOWNER de dólares em financiamentos para vocês a importância dos resultados Aumento do Imposto Imóvel ajudar na construção de uma nova deste grupo de trabalho. c) Programa de Desconto da Água Este programa oferece financiamento para idosos de baixo rendimento e/ou escola secundária e num centro co- Do ponto de vista do processo de indivíduos com incapacidades que quei- munitário nesta propriedade. planeamento urbano, os compradores Para ajudar a comunidade a da propriedade, estão a organizar Programa HOME ASSISTANCE da ram efetuar reparações ou modificações tendo em vista a acessibilidade na pró- Toronto Hydro para proprietários e identificar as prioridades e traçaruma pré-aplicação Open House na pria habitação. objectivos para este espaço de Quinta feira dia 13 de Abril das 4 as 8 rendeiros Para mais informações, ou para aplicar 30.000 sq ft, a Cidade e a Provincia horas da tarde na Bloor CI (1141 Bloor Este programa ajuda proprietários para estes programas, por favor contacte convidaram certas orgaanizações st west) para vos dar a conhecer as e rendeiros a tornarem a sua casa o meu escritório através do comunitarias para formar um grupo suas ideias iniciais para este local e energeticamente eficiente, dispenden- 416 392 7012, ou de trabalho voluntário , indepen- acolher o vosso contributo e o da co- do menos energia, tornando-se mais [email protected]. dente e temporário. O “Community munidade . fácil gerir os custos da mesma. Hub Visioning Group” Este grupo de Eu juntamente com os funcionári- Visionários afirmou a certeza do seuos do Planeamento urbano vamos lá emprenho neste planeamento bem estar, e espero também vos encon- Novos Investimentos de Capital como para desenvolver e potenciar trar lá para que juntamente possamos uma administração e um conjunto de partilhar as nossas ideias. apresentados no Orçamento de 2017 serviços para este centro comunitário O Conselho da cidade de Toronto cuidados infantis subsidiados. adotou o orçamento suportado City’s Neste ano, também teremos 2016 de $10.5 biliões e o seu orçamento condições para financiar com $5.8 para 10 anos de $26.5 biliões. O orça- biliões infraestruturas criticas e projetos GALLERIA MALL - Actualizações mento continua a fornecer os serviços de capital, incluindo o SmartTrack, TTC de que os Tortonianos precisam e apre- e outras infraestruturas de transportes, Como devem ter conhecimento, maior serião características muito senta um investimento estratégico nas reparos nas Biblioteca Pública de Toron- em Setembro de 2016, os proprietári- positivas. Eu compartilho convosco prioridades de melhoramento do trân- to,trabalhos de Port Lands Flood Protec- os da Galeria Mall submeteram uma preocupações acerca da altura dos sito em Toronto, alojamento acessível, tion e não só. proposta formal de empreendimento edificios, bem como da sua - den cuidados infantis e infraestruturas, só O City Council entrou em ação para à Cidade de Toronto. sidade volumétrica, tráfico e os- im Esta aplicação propõe um total pactos que o trânsito cria, bem como para nomear alguns. O orçamento deste a necessidade de diversificar as fontes de 11 edifícios, tendo o mais alto 42 a necessidade habitacional variada ano reserva 2% de aumento das taxas de receita, incluindo a harmonização de propriedade residencial de acordo das taxas de Land Transfer Tax a nível andares, contendo 3.416 unidades que sirva os propósitos das familias , residênciais, acrescentadas de 150 que seja um desenvolvimento suste- com a inflação e continuará a mantermunicipal e provincial, estabelecendo a acessibilidade para residentes com um City Building Fund, aguardamos habitações de caríz acessível, 29.912ntável e inclusivo, que se enquadre baixos rendimentos e idosos enquanto a aprovação da regulamentação das m2 de espaço para comercial que irá nas características e no contexto da que permite à cidade resolver algumas taxas para os hotéis para a colocar em substituir o actual Galleria Mall, 6.391 nossa zona. necessidades mais urgentes. prática e eliminar o desconto de desocu- m2 de espaço para escritórios, um Eu irei defender os interesses e novo Wallace-Emerson Community Os investimentos chave incluem pação de longo-termo, o que irá trazer as prioridades já identificadas, e irei $40 milhões para vários serviços de um aumento das receitas e proporcio- Centre, e um parque maior 25% em trabalhar com afinco na abordagem melhoramentos, mais $80 milhões adi- nar um melhoramento na vitalidade das dimensão do já existente. de todas estas preocupações no Uma reunião comunitária foi real- decorrer de todo o desenvolvimento cionais para o TTC e $37 milhões para o ruas da nossa vizinhança. deste processo de revisão. Eu quero TCHC para ajudar alguns dos residentes Enquanto o governo provincial de- izada em março pelo Departamento em situações mais vulneráveis. Tam- cidiu não apoiar o plano vital para a ci- de Planeamento Urbanístico, dan- encorajar-vos a assinarem e a fazer- bém defendi a melhoria dos serviços dade colocar portagens e controlar as do início ao processo de consulta em actualizações no meu jornal co- comunitária como parte integrante munitário on-line no www.anabailão. de cuidados infantis diretamente com nossas finanças, eu continuo a defender o Mayor e os meus votos ajudaram a soluções sustentáveis para que Toronto da revisão desta proposta formal. ca/ juntem-se e estejam actualizados Muitos de vós consideraram que um acerca desta proposta e também para que se mantenha o subsidio para as ultrapasse as suas dificuldades e que infraestruturas de cuidados infantis e a ajudem a que se mantenha a prosperi- novo centro comunitário, um plano no futuro poderem contribuir com a expansão para 300 novos espaços de dade por muitos anos. amigável para pedestres e um parque sua opinão.

Celebrating Angola Independence Day and Celebrating this year’s Federation of Portuguese-Canadian Businesses & Flag Raising at City Hall. Professionals Scholarship award winners! Parabéns a todos!

Toronto City Hall: 100 Queen St. W., anabailaoTO STAY IN TOUCH Suite C42 Toronto, ON, M5H 2N2 @anabailaoTO Visit our community office located at 1240 Bloor Street West T 416-392-7012 • F 416-392-7957 (Corner of Bloor and Margueretta) from 10am to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday. E: [email protected] anabailao.ca