News and Updates

May 2009 Newsletter: Leading Edge Plans for Lower Don Lands Unveiled

Detailed plans were unveiled for naturalizing the mouth of the Don River and transforming the Lower Don Lands, a 125-hectare (308-acre) industrial area located south of the rail corridor in the east end of Toronto’s harbour, into a new model for sustainable city building.

Plans include re-naturalizing the mouth of the Don River, by re-routing it through the middle of the area, and building in features such as wetlands boarders and a spillway and varying river depths to provide necessary flood protection to the flood prone area. The re-born river mouth will also be the centerpiece of a new mixed-use sustainable community featuring abundant parks and public green space.

City planting season starts: more than one million annuals set to go

Today, Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, joined Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff at the High Park Greenhouse to survey some of the 1.3 million flowers that will beautify and enhance Toronto’s parks, gardens and public spaces.

[caption id="attachment_646" align="alignnone" width="139" caption="The city's largest greenhouse in High Park, which will help supply 1.3 million annuals for gardening crews to plant this spring. "][/caption]

Toronto and Hamilton drive environmental change at GFX 2009

Today, Toronto City Councillor Paula Fletcher (Ward 30-Toronto-Danforth, Chair of Parks and Environment Committee) and Hamilton Councillor Bob Bratina were joined by Burlington Deputy Mayor Rick Craven to showcase the importance of municipalities using green fleet initiatives at the Green Fleet Expo 2009 (GFX). Representatives from over 30 municipalities across Canada converged at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington to exchange knowledge on the latest technologies used to reduce carbon footprints.

Food fight hits street

Hot dog sellers steamed at new A La Cart project starting today

By JENNY YUEN, SUN MEDIA

There's potential for fireworks today -- but not only in the sky as vendors behind new ethnic food carts compete for business with those selling traditional street meats.

Toronto Public Health, the driving force behind the A La Cart pilot project, said four of eight vendors slated to sell street food other than traditional hot dogs and sausages will make their culinary debut today in three areas of the city.

Toronto releases most recent lead test results

The results of the most recent round of lead tests conducted by the City of Toronto show that seven of the 100 residential locations tested exceeded the recommended limit for lead in drinking water. The tests, regulated by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), were carried out from December 2008 to April 2009. These results were anticipated for samples taken during the winter and are consistent with tests taken at the same time last year.

New charter highlights 10-year affordable housing plan

The opportunity for every resident to obtain safe, secure affordable housing throughout Toronto would be recognized under a proposed new Toronto Housing Charter, a key component of the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020 introduced today by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, Chair, Affordable Housing Committee.

The Toronto Housing Charter - Opportunity for All would be the first of its kind in Canada. The charter is designed to guide City Council and staff in their efforts to assist those who often face challenges finding affordable housing, from newcomers and single parents to seniors and those with disabilities. It states that all residents have the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination as provided by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

East-enders urged to soak up the sun

Offered incentives to install solar hot water heaters

By BRYN WEESE, SUN MEDIA

A new City of Toronto program will make it easier for Toronto houses to heat their water systems with solar energy. Play VideoIn an ongoing battle against climate change, City Hall is encouraging some east-enders to harness the power of the sun.

The city yesterday launched Solar Neighbourhoods, a pilot project that will offer a $1,000 discount to 150 homeowners -- located in the area bounded by the lake and Danforth, Coxwell and Bayview Aves. -- to install solar hot water heaters.

Council Highlights - City Council meeting of April 29 and 30, 2009

City of Toronto’s accountability officers Council adopted a consolidated policy framework for Toronto's four accountability officers (auditor general, integrity commissioner, lobbyist registrar and ombudsman) that sets out their features of independence, accountability mechanisms to City Council, and the administrative and operational supports for their offices. Council approved the establishment of a new chapter in the Toronto Municipal Code for the accountability officers, which reflects their independent status in the City's government and reinforces their separation from the City's administration.

Mayor, Fletcher unveil new solar energy option for Torontonians

City helps residents tap the sun for hot water

Residents of Toronto’s Ward 30 (Toronto-Danforth) will be leading the way in using the sun for home water heating thanks to a new program announced today by Toronto Mayor David Miller and Councillor Paula Fletcher.

The Solar Neighbourhoods program is providing additional financial incentives, technical assistance and support for residents who install Solar Domestic Hot Water systems (SDHW) for their homes. Combined with recently enriched federal-provincial "ecoENERGY" incentives, the program makes solar water systems a very attractive choice for homeowners looking to reduce utility bills and their environmental impact.

Councillors suggest way to save Riverdale pool

Former trustees want profits from surplus property sale By JOANNA LAVOIE (RIVERDALE-BEACHES MIRROR)

Two east-end councillors have come up with a proposal they believe would put an end to ongoing concerns that Riverdale Collegiate Institute's (RCI) pool could be drained. Councillors Paula Fletcher (Ward 30, Toronto-Danforth) and Sandra Bussin (Ward 32, Beaches-East York), both former school trustees, drafted a letter to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) on April 20 offering "a helpful suggestion to the ongoing dilemma surrounding the continued operation of the swimming pool at RCI."