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Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM on Monday November 21, 2022. We welcomed our newest member buildings, Karma Condos at 15 Grenville and The Gallery at 25 Grenville. The Treasurer announced that we are in a solid financial position. A motion was passed to waive the preparation of audited financial statements. Christine Dingemans was elected as President and Norm Waite was re-elected as Treasurer, starting January 1, 2023. The vacant Director position will be up for appointment at the January General Member's Meeting and anyone interested is encouraged to volunteer. Our keynote speaker, Karen Chapple of the School of Cities had an interesting presentation on Planning for Toronto's Future: Old Challenges, New Solutions. The main challenges for our area are the affordable housing crisis, the Strong Mayor Act and U of T campus. Population growth is uneven in the GTA, with downtown and 'exburbs' seeing strong growth. 4.3 million new Ontario residents are estimated by 2043, with 1/3 settling in the GTA. Auto-oriented suburban growth is drive by immigration, where residents have no local job opportunities. Bills 23 and 39 do not resolve this issue, or housing affordability. Expanding neighbourhood housing options has been minimally successful in the short term, likely taking at least 10 years to gain any momentum if Portland's reforms are used as a model. Gentle density is the missing little, see www.gentledensity.ca for details. The University of Toronto is rethinking campus design by building new housing and repurposing office space for residential use for staff and students. The Fall 2022 update on the Bay Cloverhill was presented, see below for the details. Newly elected Toronto Centre Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise is looking forward to working with the neighbourhood and has fully transition from his previous position as Toronto District School Board Trustee. Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong Tam has taken on the judicial and LGBTQ2S+ portfolios. She is in the process of arranging media and community consultation on Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act before the bill is passed at the end of the week. MPP Wong Tam noted that provincial mandates have not be released and is concerned with the super strong mayor powers. University Rosedale MPP Jessica Bell spoke about the land reform Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act and its many challenges for the City, including waiving of developer fees for overpriced 'affordable' housing and the resulting financial shortfall of $230m to the city for infrastructure and amenities for the numerous new residents moving into the area. Some amendments have resulted in allowing third party appeals for the Ontario Land Tribunal, but the potential of legal costs being assessed could result in huge financial awards against third parties. The elimination of site plan control eliminates many beneficial green building standards. Constable Anthony Lamanna discussed the new sidewalk safety initiative launched in our area. The provincial courts at College Park will be closing and should result in a safer neighbourhood. There were over 1,100 protests at Queen's Park over the year that Toronto Police Services managed. He appreciated the community alerting the authorities to the noisy after hours activities at the nightclub on St. Joseph, resulting in charges and operations closing in the near future. The history and community activism that resulted in the creation of Dr. Lillian McGregor were relayed and a timeline of the events were presented.
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