July City Council Highlights

City Council met for the final time until September on July 23 and 24. While much time was spent discussing the possibility of accelerating the state of good repair work on the Gardiner Expressway, attention was also given to the City’s housing delivery and flood mitigation.

What’s New in Toronto Centre

Bolstered pedestrian safety by upgrading pedestrian crossovers with traffic signals;
Approved 599 new rental units, including 16 affordable rental units at 20-22 Front Street West;
Approved 310 new housing units at 412-418 Church Street and 79-81 Granby Street;
Approved 831 new housing units at 191-201 Sherbourne Street, while retaining the existing 596 rental units;
Released Section 37 funding for public realm improvements at Inglenook Community School;
The catchment area to be eligible for the 519 Board of Directors has been expanded to encompass all of Ward 13;
The Downtown East Action Plan has been renewed for 2025-2030

Targeted Expansion of the Association of Community Centres

The Toronto Association of Community Centres (AOCCs) is made up of 10 City-owned, community-operated service spaces. These centres are distinct from the City’s Community Recreation Centres, which are operated by Parks, Forestry and Recreation. The community-centred AOCCs model aims to foster social connectedness, community resilience and health and wellbeing. In Toronto Centre, the 519 operates as part of the AOCCs program.

City Council has adopted the Association of Community Centres Expansion Framework to drive community development outcomes. As the AOCCs portfolio expands for the first time in 30 years, procedural, financial and legal considerations will be made, as well as considerations regarding equity and location. Currently, most of the 10 AOCCs are located within the boundaries of pre-amalgamation City of Toronto. This expansion will allow more communities to benefit from the AOCCs program.

Toronto Island Park Master Plan

The Toronto Island Park Master Plan has been in development over the past several years and was co-created by the City, Indigenous rights holders, the local community and the public through extensive consultation. City Council has officially adopted the Master Plan, which aims to:

Elevate Equity and Belonging
Reveal an Indigenous Place
Improve Access and Connection
Support the Natural Environment
Enhance Visitor Experience
Honour Queer Significance

Heads and Beds Levy

The Heads and Beds Levy on institutions applies to colleges and universities, public hospitals and correctional facilities. Since 1987, the levy has been fixed at $75 per provincially rated hospital bed, full-time student or resident place. City Council has requested that the Province increase the levy annually by the rate of inflation. Such an increase would bolster tax revenue by $27.2 million for 2024.

Latest posts

Church Street Pedestrianization Public Survey

The City is doing a survey of the Church Street Pedestrianization Project that my office and the Church-Wellesley Village BIA is operating on Church Street between Wellesley Street East and Alexander Street until August 21. Your feedback will help inform the City's response to future street closures here and across the City. If your a resident who has been to Church Street, take the survey! And if you haven't yet been, come see what you're missing then take the survey! The survey closes September 7, 2026.

Identify ‘N Impact Youth Grants - Apply by September 15!

The City of Toronto’s Identify ‘N Impact community grant helps promote youth engagement and community safety by providing up to $17K for youth-led (15-29) initiatives that help with violence prevention, mental health and well-being, skills development, arts and youth-friendly spaces. Applications are now open until September 15 at 12:00pm.

Biidaasige Park is Bigger, Better and more Beautiful!

Opened last year, Biidaasige Park is expanding with 10 more acres of public waterfront space at 238 Cherry Street on Ookwemin Minising. With new places to walk, cycle, paddle, gather, enjoy public art and take in skyline views, residents and visitors are invited to come celebrate during opening weekend on July 25 and 26. See what’s happening this weekend and beyond, including free guided kayak tours, walking tours and art-making workshops.