Issues

As the City of Toronto and Ward 18 continue to grow and evolve, we need to continuously evaluate the type of transit service that we are being offered.  In Ward 18, we are lucky enough to be serviced by subways, buses and streetcars.  Unfortunately, unreliable schedules, travel delays, fare raises and a limited SRT system have caused many City residents to become frustrated with the TTC and to question whether the way things have been done in the past will be enough to provide us with efficient and effective service and modern and updated technology in the future. 

Due to the current focus on and concerns with public transit, on April 19^th, 2011 I held a Public Townhall for Ward 18 residents to discuss Toronto’s transit issues.  I was joined by Graham Haines of the Pembina Institute and TTC Chair Councillor Karen Stintz to provide information about Toronto’s transit options for the future.  Residents had an opportunity to list their transit priorities, hear from central figures in the transit field, and inform the debate with their opinions and comments.  Residents were also engaged in an exercise to provide feedback on how they would conduct their own plan for transit development for Toronto’s future based on limited resources and existing infrastructure.

Among the key priorities most groups agreed with were the need for affordable, sustainable and reliable transit options.  Residents felt especially that the TTC fare system was inadequate and outdated.  Swipe cards and cellphones were seen as a much more effective way to decrease lines and increase ridership.  The recent announcement by the TTC that it will implement the PRESTO card system is an indication that they are taking into consideration the needs and comments made by transit users such as those expressed at the Transit Townhall.  Furthermore, new revenue sources were agreed to be necessary, with suggestions such as increased advertising, road tolls, and a tiered geographic fare system.  Common concerns were about inadequate investment in transit infrastructure for the future, focusing transit resources too heavily in certain areas, the harm caused by urban sprawl and the need for transit options in Toronto’s poorer neighbourhoods.

The Eglinton LRT and the potential for a Queen Street Relief Line were also seen as critical priorities for a sustainable transit future.   The Queen St. streetcar is one of the most used routes and unfortunately is underserviced in both Ward 18 and the City.  It is a route that thousands of people utilize on a daily basis but which constantly experiences overcrowding and delays.  The townhall allowed myself and Ward 18 residents to express our concerns and desire for a solution to the congestion on the Queen St. streetcar route to central figures in the transit field and it is my hope that we can bring back the discussion of the Downtown Relief Line on Queen St. W in the near future.

At the request of the provincial government, Metrolinx was asked to take responsibility for designing, building, and operating the Union-Pearson Rail Link. The extension of the Georgetown South section of the Air Rail Link (ARL) has posed serious concerns for the residents who neighbour the railway in Ward 18’s Junction Triangle neighbourhood.  The initial and main drive for the extension was to have a working rail link that would allow users to travel quickly and efficiently from Union Station to Pearson Airport ready for the 2015 Pan Am Games.

The original plan to use diesel-fuelled trains did not fare well with residents who would be affected by the increased pollution and who would have to deal with the long-term costs on health and air-quality.  Thus, the electrification of the rail lines was recommended to the Province.  Unfortunately, the electrification process would take an estimated 7 years to complete and would significantly overshoot the 2015 deadline.  As a result of this, it was suggested that diesel trains be used that could be converted to electric when electrification of the rail corridor proceeds in the future, after the Pan Am Games.

On March 8 and 9, 2011, I supported a motion at City Council that:

1. Would determine whether the ARL can be completed by 2015 and,

2.  If it is decide that the ARL cannot be built to operate as electric by 2015, alternative transportation plans should be made to transfer people along the route during the Games.  

Council adopted this motion and I continue to believe that the electrification of the Georgetown GO and ARL is essential for the health and sustainability of our community. By directing that the Air Rail Link be built directly as electric, Council is prioritizing the health of Toronto residents as well as avoiding the future costs of converting from diesel to electric operation.

Our Ward is currently experiencing a tremendous amount of change which requires us to prioritize planning practices that are of the highest standard and which consider good architecture, environmental sustainability, increased density along the subway line, provide workspace to artists and provide affordable housing units.  Prioritizing these practices will allow us to create the most vibrant, diverse and attractive neighbourhoods possible.  Public participation and community involvement are instrumental for the realization of this vision.

As Councillor, it has been imperative to get the input of community members at the beginning of the planning process to ensure that community priorities and concerns are incorporated into property design.

For each new development that has been proposed, I have made it a priority to open the lines of communication between the developer and the area residents.  Often times at my request, the developers have agreed to hold public consultations with the community in order to get feedback even before any applications have been submitted to the City’s Planning department.  This has allowed for the community to have a voice in what kind of developments we want to see, what is of historical value, and ultimately what will ‘fit’ into the context of the existing neighbourhood. By working together with the community and the developers I believe that we can create something that we are truly proud of.

Current development pressures facing the employment lands surrounding the rail corridor in Ward 18 were the reason for my motion to conduct a Local Area Study of these lands that was approved by Council on March 22, 2011 at the Toronto and East York Community Council. 

The lands abutting the Georgtown rail corridor are diverse, with employment uses (small and large scale), residential neighbourhoods, vacant lots, parks, commercial uses and community services.  The area is experiencing increased development interest and new development is beginning to fill in some of the vacant and underused lots.  Rather than deal with each site separately, it is critical to establish an overarching vision for how this neighbourhood will emerge, and to involve residents, business owners, in determining where neighbourhood priorities should shape these developments.

My motion to conduct an Area Study along the Rail Corridor will bring City staff together with residents and community groups to examine how to develop a balance between business needs and residential needs. Factors such as where best could new park space be created, what employment and public service needs are most needed in the community, and, what program demands exist for a new community centre are all elements within the study’s scope.

Another important element being incorporated into the study is an examination of where new bicycle paths, and entrances can be created to link up with the cycling Railpath. This information will work concurrently with my successful motion to have City Staff report on the designs necessary to extend the Railpath South of Dundas Street.

Cooperatively, City Planning staff has started the 5-year review of the Official Plan including a Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) of all Employment Lands.  A number of these Employment Lands are adjacent to the rail corridor that forms the western boundary of Ward 18.  These lands continue to support employment, including the Nestlé plant with over 475 employees.  To complement the MCR, it is important that the City consider the physical and community infrastructure of the area along with the potential to better connect these lands to the surrounding areas.  This will allow City staff to respond proactively to any proposals in the area and plan for long term investment in, and revitalization of, these lands.

Furthermore, the recent applications and construction along Gladstone Ave., north of Queen St. W, have put several large, underutilized sites surrounding the application site to the attention of local residents. Since many of these sites are underused (such as the large Price Chopper parking lot) there is great concern that high-rise developments that do not fit into the character of the neighbourhood will be developed on these lands.  I, therefore, moved a motion that was approved on April 21^st, 2011 at Community Council for the Chief Planner and Executive Director of City Planning, to carry out an Area Specific Official Plan Review for the Mixed Use Areas in the area bordered by Dufferin St., Peel St., Northcote Ave. and Queen St. W. 

Through this Area Study we will ensure that the land use designations identified in the Official Plan are appropriate for the surrounding neighbourhood.  It will also provide additional detail on appropriate built form, transitions and street/laneway connections.  This review will allow City staff to respond proactively to any proposals in the area and plan for appropriate and context-sensitive development.  A significant part of the study will call for City Planning staff, together with my office, to consult with the community, including landowners, residents and other stakeholder groups. City Planning staff will report back on this review to Community Council by the end of 2011.

In Toronto’s urban environment, public park space acts as an oasis of grass, trees and plant-life that provide play, walk and enjoy. These public spaces are more than simple greenery, offering a wide assortment of services and programming to the neighbourhood community.  Recognizing the enormous contribution park space has on our community, we must not only make efforts to maintain these spaces, but also to improve them. Below are some recent projects designed to expand and improve the services of the parks in our area.

Carlton Park Upgrades 

On the morning of Friday June 17, I had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Carlton Park People’s Auxiliary along with City of Toronto Parks and Urban Forestry staff to discuss upgrades for Carlton Park located just North of Edith Avenue, between Franklin and Edwin Avenues. I am looking forward to working closely with City staff on a series of improvements for Carlton Park, which include the addition of more trees, picnic tables and garbage receptacles.  I also plan to work closely with staff to upgrade the park design and incorporate separate entrances, pathways, a fire pit and a shelter structure. While we work together to get these upgrades up and running I invite area residents to enjoy the two new picnic tables that have recently been installed in Carlton Park.

Campbell Park Upgrades 

For those residents familiar with Campbell park, during the winter this park’s ice rink is well used by skaters and hockey players. Among the most popular and appreciated services are offered by a small kitchen in the rinkhouse, where Hot Chocolate and hotdogs are a welcomed treat after a game of shinny.  Unfortunately, the poor facilities of the small kitchenette severely limited the variety and amount of service that could be provided.  Working hard with City staff through the winter, we were able to include in the 2011 capital parks projects work to install new sinks and electrical units to support park staff in providing even better food service at Campbell.  Residents visiting inside the rinkhouse will also notice the new door which will improve access for Park staff to the kitchen.

These upgrades were recently showcased during a Campbell Park community dinner which had a great turnout. With over 100 residents attending throughout the evening, the event was a huge success. Special thanks to Michael Monastyrskyj, Yo Utano, Ava, Espe, Marina and the many staff who made this event so great. I look forward to many more.

Perth Park Upgrades

With the washrooms repaired, extra garbage and recycling bins, and repairs done to the playground equipment, Perth Park is ready for another summer of fun and enjoyment by residents and families.

McCormack Park Upgrades

As part of an initiative to improve the greenery and tree canopy of McCormack Park, 24 new trees have recently been planted. I will also be working with residents to create a stewardship Council for the park to guide and inform the future improvement of the park.

New Park: Lisgar Park

As part of an agreement with new planning initiatives on Queen Street West, a new public park is coming to the area. Currently called Lisgar Park, this new green space will be a hub for arts, culture and community events for the area.

To ensure that community interests are incorporated into the park design, a Working Group has been created with residents, local business owners, community organizations and City Staff to develop plans for the park.

At the second public meeting on the park design process, residents, business owners, City staff and park designers met to discuss three potential park designs, each offering  different opportunities for public use and artistic programming.

Members present then had the opportunity to break into groups and discuss what design characteristics were favoured, and which raised concerns. This information has been taken by by park designers to create new models which preserve these favoured items and modify the less favourable characteristics.

While each park design offered different benefits, all residents believed in the need for ample seating areas, thorough tree and green space planting, and designs which broadly favour social gathering a community connection.

Due to the artistic and cultural nature of the Queen street area surrounding the new park location, a central interest in the creation of this park is to provide opportunities of exhibiting artistic presentations within the park.

The next public meeting will present a park design or designs which merge together the many suggestions of residents from the previous meetings. Residents will then have the opportunity to influence these new designs as the process comes nearer to achieving a final design for the park.