October General Members Meeting Highlights

Guest Speaker

Toronto Centre MP Kristyn Wong-Tam had just returned from the first day of the fall seating of the provincial Legislature, after a 140 day break.  The session will last 7 weeks before the winter break.

As Shadow Attorney General critic dealing with issues like tribunals and delays in the court system.  Because of the Jordan principle, 10 to 15% of criminal cases are dropped from trial because they are not heard in a timely manner.  338,000 Highway Traffic Act charges were dropped last year because of delays.

The government introduced Building a More Competitive Economy Act, which is an omnibus bill dealing with removal of speed cameras in Toronto, permit approvals, water safety and limiting of public consultations.  The Legislature must sit for 13 weeks each year, and the current government is truncating the process and reducing access, resulting in no vetting or consultation.  As a result, the Opposition party has to be more nimble and front load consultations.

The economy is not feeling the full effects of tariffs yet.  We will be facing a higher deficit, and the priorities will be to defend jobs for the 80,000 unemployed Ontarians and support social programs.  Unemployment is particularly hard on young people with an 22% unemployment rate.  With people struggling to pay rent, there is a potential recession.  Everyone has the right to access housing and decent jobs.  The Auditor General  reported lack of transparency by the Labour Minister with the $2.5B Skills Fund.

Michael L. asked about the removal of speed cameras.  MP Wong-Tam spoke about speed bumps and roundabouts replacing speed cameras.  Part of the issue is that only half of Conservative MP's understand urban issues.  The management of sidewalks and roads is a municipal issue that the province should not be involved in.  They instead should be concentrating on providing health care and stopping the closing of emergency rooms.

Previous Meeting Items

​A letter of concern was submitted to September 25th Planning and Housing Committee meeting regarding the proposed LED sign at Oddfellows Hall, 2 College Street.  The property owner requested a second deferral to 2026.  It was not recommended by City staff, and rejected by Planning and Housing Committee on September 25th and by City Council on October 8th and 9th.
 
The majority of street furniture requests started in 2021 have been completed.  The only outstanding items are a litter bin at 11 St. Joseph and 880 Bay, a bench behind 24 Wellesley and bike rings at 5 St. Joseph.  The Gallery at 25 Grenville has had issues getting 2 bike rings replaced.
 
The Transportation Department of the City has reviewed access to St. Nicholas with respect to the Bar Volo CaféTO street patio, since access has been restored to the south part of the street as 8 Wellesley construction was completed.  It resulted in ‘walk your bike’ and reflective signage added.  The blocks on Phipps were required for large trucks to turn, although in reality, trucks often get stuck.  The patio was removed October 9th.
 
Everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts on the 30 year legacy of the Bay Cloverhill Community Association.  The survey will be open until early November.

Queen's Park North

​Feedback on whether only legal uses should be encouraged was solicited.  There was an article published in Novae Res Urbis last month.  The City’s  survey closed August 31st and updating website mid-October.  Current lighting meets City park standards, but should be improved to enhance security at night.
 
The U of T Foresters Club collected White Oaks acorns on October 1st.  Most of the acorns will be donated to City of Toronto’s seed diversity program.  The Friends of Queen’s Park are concerned about 2 recent car collisions that damaged trees and signage.

Neighbourhood

​Marilyn Tait-McClellan and Christine Dingemans have both been nominated for the two director positions that are expiring this year.  The three year term starts January 1st.  There are two vacant director positions with nominations deadline of the October meeting with election at the AGM in November.
 
Half of the neighbourhood street letter drop boxes have been removed, leaving only 10 operational.  There is no post office in the Bay Cloverhill area, with the closest at Yonge and Carlton or Yonge and Charles East.  Some buildings have outgoing Canada Post mail pickup as part of parcel storage lockers.  Feedback on whether a letter to area MP should be written, given the massive service changes for Canada Post.
 
The mulch for the new pollinator garden at Dr. Emily Stowe Way and Grenville Street was installed on August 24th with planting completed on October 5th.  The City’s work is mostly complete, with bike rings yet to be installed.  Construction is underway on the pollinator gardens on St. Joseph at Yonge and Bay, with completion expected in November.
 
Councillor Dianne Saxe has suggested custom designed benches for Clover Hill Park.  They would be made from a giant elm from Christie Pits and funded by Section 37 development funds.  A motion will be made at an upcoming Toronto East York Community Council.
 
A letter of concern was written about Refugee Federal Funding. Historically Interim Housing Assistance Program has reimbursed 95% of the shelter costs for refugee claimants.  The federal government has offered 26% for 2025 and 62% for 2026 to reimburse City for shelter costs.  There has been a huge increase in demand for refugee housing limits beds for other homeless clients, resulting in encampments.  Residents are encouraged to contact MP Freeland at [email protected].
 
The Sidewalk Safety Committee will be transitioning to general neighbourhood safety issues, including Neighbourhood Watch and bike lanes.  A survey about resident concerns with safety going out soon.
 
At the September 19th Toronto and East York Community Council, a motion to consider converting Charles Street West from one way traffic from Balmuto Street to Yonge Street to two way traffic.  This was requested by Greater Yorkville Residents Association and the Bloor Yorkville Business Improvement Area over 4 years ago.  A study from the General Manager, Transportation Services is expected in Q4 this year, with details for possible implementation in Q1 2026.
 
The hydro pole inventory for pole wraps was completed for the Clock Tower Trail.  The wayfinding design process is underway with the City.
 
The City of Toronto is offering a Local Leadership Grant up to $5,000 for projects related to sports or Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy priorities (social development, physical surroundings, participation in civic decision making, healthy lives, economic opportunities).  The program requires a minimum of 3 residents to propose events scheduled between May to December 2026.  The deadline to apply is Monday November 24th.  Al R. has agreed to be project lead and interested volunteers should contact [email protected].
 
Watermain replacement and road resurfacing has started on Grosvenor from Yonge to Queen’s Park Crescent.  The next phase will be Queen’s Park Crescent East north of College.  Bikes lanes on Queen’s Park will be temporarily redirected to either St. George or Bay.  The project should be complete in Spring 2026.
 
A short term drop off zone on the south side of Breadalbane will be considered at the October 22nd Toronto and East York Community Council, involved changes in no stopping and meter time frames, as well as new meters between Yonge and St. Luke.  Two loading zones on the north side of Grosvenor, east of Surrey Place plus on the west side of Bay, south of Wellesley, that are part of the streetscaping related to the Macdonald Block reconstruction will also be considered at the meeting.
 
There is a movement to revive the Open Streets program next year to close Bloor and Danforth from High Park to Chester and Yonge from Bloor to Queen’s Quay for three Sundays in July, August and September 2026, from 10 am to 4 pm.  The proposal includes connecting the route along the Waterfront and through High Park. The last Open Streets was 2 Sundays in August and September 2022 from 10 am to 2 pm with a budget of $250,000.
 
The provincial government will be introducing legislation to ban speed cameras in Toronto.  There are no cameras in the Bay Cloverhill neighbourhood, as they are only put in Community Safety Zones (usually near schools).  A study by Sick Kids Hospital and TMU study found speed was reduced by 45% with speed cameras.  They are endorsed by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.  Residents are encouraged to sign the Parents Against Speeding TO petition at https://www.change.org/p/stop-premier-ford-from-cutting-speed-safety-cameras-in-ontario.  Feedback regarding sending a letter of concern was solicited.

Development Update

​The City is in the midst of a Provincial Planning Statement 2024 Consistency Exercise because the Official Plan must be amended to be consistent with new provincial land use planning guidelines.  It includes changes to population forecast, employment growth and areas, industrial/residential zoning and heritage preservation. 
 
The Ontario Land Tribunal ruled against Kingsett for construction of a 28 storey 258 unit building at 68 Wellesley Street East in the Church Wellesley Village.  The decision stated “proposed built form and massing is not consistent with the CSVCA policies of North Downtown Yonge Site and Area Specific Policy in the City Official Plan” and ”does not constitute good land use planning and approval of such a development proposal would not be in the public interest”.
 
The Macdonald Block renovations started in August 2019 with an initial budget of $1.5 B.  The original capacity of 4,000 provincial government employees has been increased to 6,000.  The restored heritage artwork has been reinstalled and the landscaping is almost complete.  Interior renovations are ongoing, and there is an issue with elevator shafts/entrances.  No completion date or revised budget has been released.
 
A minor variance for 25 St. Mary is being submitted to split the project into two phases due to market conditions.
 
The City has received amendment for 1075 Bay, proposing that existing office space will not be part of new development.

Community Meetings

At the 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee meeting on September 3rd, Toronto Police Service made presentations on Missing and Missed Person Implementation, roof tappers and point of sales fraud.  There is a police initiative for the decline in criminality.  Neighbourhood issues reported were the closure of illegal retail store for Shroomyz, cleared encampments and the installation of sidewalk decals.

The Activism and Advocacy Committee of the Federation of South Toronto Residents Association met on September 11th.  The Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON) about integrating retail uses in residential neighbourhoods was discussed.  The recent activity about the proposed Queen's Park North renovations was updated.  There was endorsement of Social Development Programs across Toronto, based on the success of Regent Park programs.  Advocating for federal funding for shelter housing costs for refugee claimants in Toronto involved writing letters of concern.  The organization's website will be revised.

The Sidewalk Safety Committee held a meeting on September 18th with Alison Stewart, the Bike Mayor of Toronto.  The Committee reviewed their initiatives which included Walk Your Wheels posters and sidewalk decals, partnerships with 52 Division Community Police Liaison Committee and Toronto Centre Ward Council meetings and various letters of support.  City of Toronto initiatives, such as sidewalk decals, Bike Share station posters and the recently launched educational campaign were highlighted.  The future direction was discussed on how to promote sidewalk safety for pedestrians as well as safe cycling.
 
Another Activism and Advocacy Committee meeting was held on October 9th.  There was a presentation by Robert Zaichknowski about relaunching and expanding the Open Streets program to 3 days from 10 am to 4 pm in July, August and September.  The proposed route could go from Bloor Street/Danforth Avenue from High Park to Chester and along Yonge Street from Bloor to Queen's Quay.  The budget in past years for the 2 day community activation program that closed streets to vehicles from Bloor/Christie to Bloor/Parliament and Yonge from Bloor to Queen was $250,000.  A letter of support was requested.  There was a CLC meeting about Billy Bishop Airport expansion.  Consultation for the EHON was held with concern expressed for the types of commercial operation and enforcement.  A motion to fund EHON enforcement was passed.   Another motion to ask for upcoming legislation with respect to Major Transit Station Area zoning to extend the term of 5% affordable housing from 25 year to 99 years.  The Affordable Housing Team is meeting to redefine objections to be more focused.  The September 2025 Nova Res article about Queen's Park North renovations was mentioned, as well the conclusion of the City's survey which will be posted to their website.  An unauthorized rave during Nuit Blanche was blocked by Bylaw Enforcement and Toronto Police Service.  There were 2 recent car collisions which damaged trees and signs in Queen's Park.  Concerns about hovercraft noise were aired at a recent community consultation meeting.  The construction of new boats for the Toronto Island Ferry service has started, and a specialized manager will be hired.  The upcoming transition of recycling away from municipalities will be difficult, with 25% of recycling in current parks waste going to garbage.

Community Concerns

There was a request for additional Walk Your Bike sidewalk decals at Bay and St. Mary.  The stickers will be removed for the winter season.

There were 2 recent hydro outages in the area.  The first was on June 24th from 6:25 pm to 11 pm due to an underground vault fire at Yonge Street and College Street.  The second was on August 16th from 2 am to 3:40 am because of an underground equipment failure.  Toronto Hydro advised that the outages are caused by aging equipment in the power distribution grid that was built from the 50’s to 70’s.  There is a new underground transformer site called Copeland Station at Bremner/Rees that adds 144 MVA capacity.  The Bulwer Station battery energy reduces peak loads in Queen West area.  The electrical substation on Charles Street east of Church Street is being upgraded.  More details on projects to improve the power grid are at https://www.torontohydro.com/powering-our-communities.

The possibility of condo composting was investigated with Master Gardener Sean James and it would involve 3 large 3 foot by 3 foot containers weighing up to 3,000 kilograms, which material being transferred from one container to another.  Residents are encouraged to separate recycling and organic waste from garbage to minimize waste and share best practices.  Interested volunteers can advocate by joining the City's 3Rs Ambassador Program https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/volunteer-with-the-city/3rs-ambassador-volunteer/#:~:text=The%203Rs%20Ambassador%20Program%20engages,years%20of%20age%20or%20older.

​The legal owner of the laneway between 4 and 6 St. Joseph has been deceased for over 100 years.  It provides access to rear of buildings on Yonge Street, St. Joseph Street and St. Nicholas Street.  Due to the absent owner, there have been issues with maintenance and criminal activity.  We are discussing with Councillor Moise's office the possibility of the City taking over ownership.  The adjacent land owners are interested in cooperatively working together to own and maintain the laneway. 

Nuit Blanche was held Saturday October 4th to Sunday October 5th.  Bylaw Enforcement were at Queen’s Park North to stop the set up for the annual unauthorized rave.  Toronto Police Service were on site to ensure compliance.

44 St. Joseph and 1033 Bay have been finding used needles from illegal drug use in Polo Club courtyard.  Everyone is encouraged to contact local councillors and MPP's about safety issues due to closed safe injection sites.

The suggestion to increase lighting in Queen's Park North was deemed to be especially important about the Museum Station secondary exit.  Tasteful lighting like that on Philosopher's Walk was recommended, as it does not have negative environmental effects on plants and trees.

Michael L. wondered if condo buildings that have Canada Post mail pickup could allow non-residents access to mail letters because of the removal of street mail boxes.

Al R. spoke about the narrow sidewalk on Charles Street West and that one lane was closed during the pandemic for Cafe TO patios.  Simon is working on a potential design to optimize traffic flow and expand sidewalks.

More discussion was held about Open Streets.  MPP Wong Tam said that the program ran from 2017 to 2022, except for 1 year during the pandemic.  Major intersections remained open during the event.  Traditionally, the route was 8 to 10 km on Bloor Street from Christie Street to Parliament Street, and on Yonge Street from Bloor Street to Queen Street.   The relaunch of Open Streets is supported by 880 Cities and CycleTO.  It is the largest free recreational program that has been successful around the world.  Local business benefit from increased sales due.  They said asked for a letter of support for the principle of Open Streets.

General

Upcoming community events were reviewed.

Everyone was encouraged to attend the Bay Cloverhill Community Association Annual General Meeting that will be held at 7 pm on Monday November 17th in the auditorium of the Central YMCA at 20 Grosvenor Street.  The event will highlight 30 years of community advocacy.