News and Updates

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."

New walking map encourages Toronto residents to explore city parks and trails

Today, Mayor David Miller and Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth) unveiled the new Exploring Toronto’s Parks and Trails map - a free resource from Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation that encourages residents to discover the city’s parks, trails and ravines.

"The City of Toronto is committed to increasing opportunities for Toronto residents to become more active," said Mayor David Miller. "We know the value in living a healthy lifestyle, and the Exploring Parks and Trails map is a terrific tool to help enhance the physical, psychological and social health of the people of Toronto."

Mayor David Miller plants trees at sixth annual Trees Across Toronto event

Mayor David Miller joined Councillor Paula Fletcher, Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee (Ward 30 Toronto-Danforth), City of Toronto representatives and hundreds of tireless volunteers at McCowan District Park today for the sixth annual Trees Across Toronto event.

"By volunteering their time and efforts to plant trees today, Torontonians have stepped up to increase our urban forest," said Mayor Miller. "Trees Across Toronto is a great example of corporate sponsors, City staff and the community working together to fulfil our commitment to environmental stewardship and make Toronto a beautiful, greener, more liveable city."

Community Cleanup Days and Free Compost!

I want to remind you of some really great events for the community and the environment.

 

Roll up your sleeves on Friday April 24 at 2 pm for  Toronto's 20-Minute Makeover.  

[caption id="attachment_569" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Join me for the Annual 20-minute makeover"][/caption]

Many schools and organizations have registered and if you want to pitch in,  go to the City's website at  www.toronto.ca .

$1 M donation to city for Earl Bales Park

by Allison Hanes (National Post) A $1-million donation to the city of Toronto is on its way to helping create an accessible water play area and sensory garden at Earl Bales Park in North York.

The parks and environment committee unanimously approved the donation for the project at today's meeting – as is city policy for gifts above $50,000 – calling it "wonderful" and "tremendous.

A lovely day for a (city-sponsored) game of golf

by Rob Roberts (National Post)

Councillor Paula Fletcher marked the opening of golfing season today by teeing off at one of Toronto’s five city-run golf courses (including the Don Valley Golf Course, above). The Post’s Melissa Leong went to Dentonia Park Golf Course to see if the councillor could hit a hole-in-one:

9:49 Ms. Fletcher, chair of the parks and environment committee, arrives with a red golf bag slung over her shoulders. She looks like she means business.

Budget 2009 Q & A

I have received some questions about Toronto’s budget process and how tax and public dollars are spent. Many enquiries addressed the same issues so, for your convenience, I have provided the following Q&A to help you understand how our decisions were reached.

Beaches-East York Mirror- OMB turns down SmartCentres plan

OMB turns down SmartCentres plan By DAVID NICKLE - Beaches-East York Mirror In a long-awaited decision, the Ontario Municipal Board has turned down a plan to build a giant retail complex on Eastern Avenue in Leslieville.

The proposal would have seen a 700,000 square foot retail complex, likely anchored by a Wal-Mart, put on lands currently occupied by Toronto Film Studios between Eastern and Lakeshore Boulevard to the west of Leslie Street.

National Post Editorial - Leslieville big box refusal right call

The National Post published my editorial on the City and the community's victory at the OMB.Read below or go here

The word on everyone's lips these days is "economy.''

Within the first few pages of every newspaper we are reading about deficit spending, bank bailouts and of course job losses. The federal and provincial governments are scrambling to present a stimulus package to create activity that will lead to jobs.

Road construction means improvements to roads, protection of infrastructure assets

The City of Toronto today announced plans to spend more than $240 million to improve the quality of the City’s roads and bridges as well as other transportation programs that support transit initiatives, cycling infrastructure and pedestrian environments.

“The City of Toronto is committed to maintaining and upgrading the quality of our transportation infrastructure,” said Mayor David Miller. “Toronto’s transportation network is a critical component of our community and we are investing in our infrastructure assets to ensure the safety of all road users. Performing this work is another example of the City’s efforts to create jobs in difficult times - doing what is necessary to improve the economic well-being of our community.”