Park Improvement Consultations

Park Improvement Consultations
Post Date March 8, 2021
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Category Community News, Local Events, News from Ward 18, Park Improvements

Park Improvement Consultations in March 2021

Please join the consultations about park improvements for the following parks in Willowdale:

 

Lansing/West Lansing on MARCH 16th @ 7:30pm

Parks: Gwendolen Park, Albert Standing Park, and Harlandale Parkette

LINK: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e86e4f207aeffefe95b1e0b1c9acaa04e

Password: TragicallyHip

Event number: 133 978 3458

 

Silverview Park on MARCH 23rd @ 7:30pm

LINK: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e86e4f207aeffefe95b1e0b1c9acaa04e

Password: Arkells

Event number: 133 334 9494

 

Willowdale Park on MARCH 30th @ 7:30pm

LINK: https://toronto.webex.com/toronto/onstage/g.php?MTID=e4342ba072f57a23a1b0f9ae40dad2b82

Password: TheBand

Event number: 133 391 8563

 

If you have any questions then please contact Nicole Hausman: Nicole.Hausman@Toronto.ca

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Helping with Property Standards

Helping with Property Standards
Post Date June 29, 2020
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Category News from Ward 18

UPDATE:  Some bylaw officers who had been redeployed to enforce COVID-19 regulations are returning to their regular jobs this week – just in time to deal with a flood of complaints our office has received about long grass and weeds.

To report a case, please contact 3-1-1. If possible, include a photograph, which will help us respond faster. John met with city staff last week, who assured us that complaints would be followed up according to the following timelines: within two days of the complaint, a …

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Green Button, Red Button

Green Button, Red Button
Post Date June 19, 2020
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Category Community News, News from Ward 18, Notes from John

Dear Friends,

My desk in Council has two buttons: green for Yes, red for No. On major issues, you push these buttons many times, moving through multiple motions and amendments before reaching a single vote on the final package. If you see merit in parts of competing arguments, there is no button for that.

Which brings me to an upcoming vote at which members of Council will grapple with the convergence of multiple issues in a way that does not easily lend itself to a green button/red …

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COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update
Post Date March 19, 2020
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Category News from Ward 18

Like all of you, my team and I are working daily to keep up with the impacts that COVID-19 is having on our country, city and local community. As the situation continues to change daily, we have been adapting to the latest circumstances.

If you have questions about best practices relating to COVID-19, I encourage you to visit www.toronto.ca/covid19 for the latest news and best information.

Following the advice of the Medical Officer of Health, we are doing our part to protect the community by serving Willowdale …

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Profile: Canadian Helen Keller Centre

Profile: Canadian Helen Keller Centre
Post Date March 10, 2020
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Category News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

Story by Franco Cignelli, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Canadian Helen Keller Centre. This story first appeared on CHKC’s blog. To learn more about CHKC visit chkc.org.

Located in the Willowdale community is the Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC). In operation since 1992, CHKC provides 16 affordable housing units on Willowdale Avenue known as the Rotary Cheshire Apartments (RCA). It also operates a fully accessible Training Centre on Empress Avenue where Canadians who are deafblind can learn life skills.

CHKC’s vision is to see a society where all …

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Next Steps to Addressing Vacant Homes

Next Steps to Addressing Vacant Homes
Post Date February 26, 2020
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Category News from City Hall, News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

After generating much discussion, action on a Vacant Homes Tax was not ultimately part of this year’s budget cycle. This will, however, be something Council takes a close look at over the coming months.

Over a relatively short number of years, the issue of housing affordability in Toronto has grown from concerning to crisis level. Real estate prices have escalated so quickly, both for home ownership as well as for rentals, a whole generation is finding itself priced out of the market. Rental vacancy rates are …

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Councillors Unify On 2020 Budget (But Important Questions Remain)

Councillors Unify On 2020 Budget (But Important Questions Remain)
Post Date February 20, 2020
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Category News from City Hall, News from Ward 18

Toronto City Council unanimously adopted its 2020 tax-supported operating and capital budget on Wednesday. Council came together in an unusual way to balance the City’s priorities and keep costs down for residents while investing in critical infrastructure projects.

Council approved a 2% property tax increase for residential properties and a 1% percent increase for commercial properties. As per provincial legislation, there will be no increase for multi-residential or apartment buildings. Additionally, the current City Building Levy will increase to 1.5%, bringing 2020 property taxes, along with …

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Potential Building Code Service Changes Could Put Public At Risk

Potential Building Code Service Changes Could Put Public At Risk
Post Date February 6, 2020
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Category Development Issues, News from City Hall, News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

In the pursuit of reducing red tape and speeding up development, the Provincial Government has recently proposed changes to how the Building Code is enforced in Ontario.

Part of a discussion paper circulated by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, a central change would create a new ‘Certified Professionals Program’ allowing developers to hire private architects and engineers to perform inspections currently carried out by City of Toronto’s Building department.

John, along with the majority of Council, was immediately alarmed by this proposal. Having critical safety …

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Moving Forward On Transit Partnership

Moving Forward On Transit Partnership
Post Date February 6, 2020
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Category News from City Hall, News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23, Transportation & Transit

As the City of Toronto and Province of Ontario continue to move forward on a partnership ensuring high-speed transit expansion, John continues to watch negotiations carefully.

Last spring, a deal was reached between the City and Province on a $30 billion transit expansion plan that would see extensions of subway Line 1 to Richmond Hill, Line 2 to Scarborough Centre and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT to Pearson Airport; along with the creation of an ‘Ontario Line’ between the Ontario Science Centre and Ontario Place that would …

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Profile: Willowdale Group of Artists

Profile: Willowdale Group of Artists
Post Date January 27, 2020
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Category News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

Story by Margie Wagner

Willowdale Group of Artists was founded in 1947 by 10 enthusiastic artists who loved to paint.

The objective of WGA is to bring together people who have a desire to draw and paint and to provide them with inspiration, opportunities for learning, and support. The diverse group of artists draw, paint and have classes in the afternoons, evenings and on weekends. Classes are held at different locations to fulfill differing needs.

Willowdale Group of Artists had its first annual show in February 1948. Two …

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Vision Of A Main Street On Yonge Still Strong

Vision Of A Main Street On Yonge Still Strong
Post Date January 20, 2020
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Category City Hall Debates, News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

Image: Community Outreach staff member Jesse James speaks to a group of business leaders during the BIA Brunch Meeting this past October.

Yonge Street is in desperate need of a makeover. But more than a just new layer of asphalt and concrete, our main street needs a new way of thinking — one that makes it more functional for our growing community and the many uses demanded of our public space.

Residents in Willowdale want their stretch of Yonge to be a safe place to …

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Win For Families At Yonge Sheppard Centre

Win For Families At Yonge Sheppard Centre
Post Date January 20, 2020
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Category Development Issues, News from Ward 18, News from Ward 23

Image: Catherine LeBlanc-Miller (pictured) stands alongside one of three child care playgrounds at the redeveloped Yonge Sheppard Centre.

If you’re the parent, or caregiver of a young child, chances are good you’ve shared the struggle of finding high-quality, affordable child care. In Willowdale, our population growth has created long wait lists, challenging young families looking for a supportive and welcoming space for their little ones.

Throughout his career, John has taken a creative approach to establishing new child care spaces, leveraging surplus school space and development revenue …

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