Advancing the George Street Revitalization Project
The George Street Revitalization project, which was first approved in principle in 2013, is a key initiative of the Downtown East Action Plan. It envisions a replacement for the existing Seaton House men’s shelter that integrates a full continuum of care including shelter beds, supportive housing, long-term care and a community hub. I am pleased that this project is finally moving forward through the adoption of a City-delivered approach. The project will be split into two phases, with Phase 1 beginning next year. The first phase will be funded largely through the Toronto Shelter and Support Services capital budget, with funding for the supportive housing units to flow from the Housing Secretariat’s capital budget. Phase 2 will require further project design and planning studies, due diligence work and funding commitment before a timeline is proposed.
Toronto’s Dog Off-Leash Strategy
With an estimated 600,000 dogs across Toronto, the demand for appropriate outdoor space, particularly in high-density urban communities, continues to grow. In 2023, I prompted City Council to direct the creation of a new city-wide strategy for Dog Off-Leash areas to support a more comprehensive network of dog off-leash areas that work for dog owners and their neighbours. This new policy replaces the City’s 2010 and is guided by seven key goals:
- Plan Proactively. Implement a citywide and proactive approach to planning for new OLA development integrated with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan.
- Engage Community. Reinforce and strengthen the important role that residents including OLA users play in creating well-functioning and welcoming spaces across the OLA network.
- Design, Locate, and Build Quality OLAs. Locate and build OLAs to a high and consistent standard with consideration to adjacent land uses and the natural environment.
- Maintain - Keep Every OLA Clean and Well-Cared For. Maintain OLAs to a high and consistent standard.
- Improve - Sustain and Increase Value. Improve existing OLAs through ongoing state-of-good repair investments.
- Ensure Responsible Use of OLAs. Communicate and enforce simple and consistent rules of conduct at OLAs to support bylaw compliance through education and enforcement.
- Commercial Dog Walker Access. Support Commercial Dog Walker access to OLAs by implementing guidance at new OLAs.
I would like to thank the Parks and Recreation team for their work on this strategy as well as Toronto Dog Park Community, Paws for Parks, and residents for their engagement.
2025 Congestion Management Plan Update
To keep Toronto moving for all road users, City Council has adopted new strategies to address congestion. Most notably, new cost-recovery measures that aim to deter private developers from occupying roadways for long periods of time. On April 1st, the Road Disruption Activity Reporting System (RoDARS) fees went into effect for road closure applications. Now, Transportation Services will be looking into implementing an escalating fee system based on closure duration. Transportation Services has also actively been exploring a Construction Congestion Management Levy that would be charged in addition to the new RoDARS Fees.
In order to incentivize the use of transit over personal vehicles we must prioritize transit efficiency. As directed by City Council, Transportation Services and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will be creating a strategy to expand existing Transit Signal Priority systems to all high ridership corridors. The City will also work with the TTC and Toronto Police to develop a plan to significantly reduce the number of streetcar delays due to improperly parked vehicles, including exploring higher fines, and options for increased enforcement and improved timeframes for towing.
In the fall, we will receive an update on the effectiveness of the traffic mitigation measures implemented to support the construction at the intersection of King Street East and Church Street.
