News and Updates

Letter to City Council on Toronto's Shelter Crisis

January 16, 2018

Open Letter to Members of City Council,

In late December 2017, Toronto faced historic freezing temperatures, as a polar vortex pummeled through the eastern part of North America. Reports of shelters bursting at the seams from front line staff, volunteers and activists revealed critical issues within the shelter system. Dedicated city staff worked feverishly around the clock in response to the demand on the shelter system, to keep street-involved and homeless people fed, safe and sheltered. This period has stretched both clients and staff emotionally and psychologically.

Budget 2018

The 2018 Budget website includes the budget presentations, budget schedule, media releases, fact sheets and Budget Notes for each City Program and Agency as well as infographics and animation educational videos. Visit www.toronto.ca/budget2018.

You can find various materials and publications to learn more about the City budget and the budget process. They include the Preliminary Budget Overview and three Budget Basics publications which can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/budget-finances/city-budget/basic-basics/.

Toronto Island flood repairs to cost $7.4M

BY NEWS STAFF

POSTED JAN 10, 2018 6:44 PM EST

Repairing the damage from the flooding in Toronto last year will cost $7.4 million — most of which the city will defer until at least 2019. That means when you set foot back on the Toronto Islands in a few months, it won’t be fully back to normal. Melting snow and intense rain last spring caused the worst flooding

Toronto's budget $5M short on repair money for spring flood damage

""That's not good enough," said Coun. Paula Fletcher...She'll be asking questions about why the full $7 million isn't in this year's budget...[and] push for the entire amount — money documents say would be spent on everything from repairing paths to adding permanent water pumps on Toronto's islands — to be included in this year's financial plans."

 

Shelter Crisis Reveals Toronto's Health Crisis

Critical need for health care-- including mental health, harm reduction and other primary care supports in all shelters, drop-ins, respite centres, Out of the Colds, and warming centres.

There is no doubt of the compromised physical and mental health of many people whose only option to stay out of the freezing temperatures is to use the current drop-ins, warming centres, Out of the Colds, respite centres and shelters.

East End Arts January Update

Happy New Year from East End Arts! We have a big list of artist opportunities and local events to warm up your January and kick off your creative year ahead.

Call for Submissions: What's Your Story?: Submissions are now open for Ontario Book Publishers Organization's What's Your Story? Short Prose and Poetry Comptetition for Emerging Writers. There is a $1,000 prize for each winner, and East End Arts will be a parter in presenting an event featuring the local winning writers' works in spring 2018. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2018.

Budget Subcommittees - Public Presentations on the 2018 Capital and Operating Budgets

The Budget Subcommittees will hear Public Presentations on the 2018 Capital and Operating Budgets at the locations and times listed below.

Members of the public may register to speak at one of these meetings by emailing [email protected] or by calling 416-392-4666, indicating the specific location and time.

Visit toronto.ca/budget2018 for further information on the Budget.

City of Toronto's holiday activities and services

The City of Toronto encourages residents and visitors to take advantage of City programs and attractions offered during the year-end holiday period. Most City of Toronto operations and all municipal offices will be closed on December 25 and 26, as well as January 1. City services that regularly operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week such as 311 Toronto and emergency services will be available. Information about curbside waste collection is provided later in this news release.

Riverdale Park Rink & Skating Trail Now Open!

On Saturday, December 16, 2017 we celebrated the Grand Opening of the new rink and skating trail at Riverdale Park. Many of you came out to cut the ribbon and skate on the fresh ice. A big thank you to our Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff.

I hope everyone enjoys the new rink and trail over the 2017/18 winter season!

Click here for information on skating programs, public skate and shinny times.

Terror fears spark secret report recommending metal detectors, glass walls at city hall

By: Torstar News Service Published on Thu Nov 23 2017 08:56:00

Visitors to Toronto city hall should have to walk through metal detectors, surrender bags for inspection, and watch their councillors from behind glass walls, according to a secret city staff report to councillors.

The proposed transformation of what is now a bustling, mostly open building — home to a wedding chapel and daycare as well as official meeting space and wickets for parking passes and more — is in a confidential report compiled with threat assessments from Toronto police and Public Safety Canada.