Dear Residents,
As always, I hope that you find this e-newsletter helpful and informative.
Due to the upcoming municipal election on October 26th, integrity rules state that Councillors are not permitted to send out community updates between August 1st and the conclusion of the election. Therefore, you will receive my next update later in the fall if I continue to have the privilege to serve you.
Over the past four years, we have achieved so much together, in every one of our Toronto-St. Paul's neighbourhoods and the many important initiatives we have brought to City Hall to improve our city.
Between now and the election, please continue to feel welcome to email my office if you require our assistance at [email protected]. If your matter is urgent, please contact the City of Toronto directly by calling 311 or using the 311 App.
My family and I hope to see you out in our community throughout the remainder of the summer and I extend to you, and those you love, our very best wishes.
With appreciation,
Josh
Pedestrian Safety Improvements at Yonge and Eglinton
With an average of 4,500 pedestrians per hour, Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the City.
This week, I successfully moved a motion to install a pedestrian priority phase at Yonge and Eglinton, commonly referred to as a pedestrian scramble.
The motion also introduces a pedestrian scramble at Roehampton, Orchard View Blvd and Yonge. This is an offset intersection which residents have pointed to time and time again as a clear hazard.
The introduction of these scrambles will be coordinated with retiming of the traffic lights along that entire section of Yonge, ensuring that this change doesn’t delay drivers along Yonge or Eglinton.
I am also addressing pedestrian safety concerns along Roehampton Avenue and Broadway Avenue with additional signage to support the current functioning of the roadways, as well as a plan to comprehensively review the one-way designations once construction diminishes.
With the long-awaited opening of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the Yonge and Eglinton corridor needs to be re-imagined to better serve the tens of thousands of pedestrians who navigate these crossings on a daily basis.
This initiative reflects the reality that anyone in this neighbourhood already knows: Yonge and Eglinton is just as busy as downtown Toronto. It’s time we see similar investments from the City in our pedestrian safety and convenience.
Watch and share our video!
Supporting our Community Following the Tragic Event at Salsa on St. Clair
Our community is still recovering from the tragic shooting which occurred at the Salsa on St. Clair festival this month.
I was there that day at the festival and later that evening to support the police and the community. Since the incident, I have spoken with residents, local leaders and faith leaders to offer our support. I have also been visiting with local businesses, along with Superintendent Shane Branton from Toronto police 13 Division, and encourage us all to shop St. Clair West- as they need us now more than ever.
The Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded bravely and admirably that evening, and they have my gratitude. They’ve been there for our community, and the police have my full support as they continue their investigation.
This shooting was a deplorable act, which put the lives of hundreds of people at risk. We are advocating for law reform which would ensure overwhelming deterrence for such reckless violence, including first degree murder charges when a bystander is killed in a public space and stronger measures to get illegal firearms off the street. Every level of government must also proactively invest in initiatives to provide options, opportunities and support for youth at risk so that they can take the right path in life and never pick up a gun in the first place.
As we look to future festivals and large events across Toronto, I believe the City and police must work together to provide every available tool to enhance safety. As a first step, I moved a successful motion that will identify best practices to ensure there is enhanced coordination with police, and that a complete threat assessment is conducted as these events are being planned.
With regard to Salsa in particular, the Hillcrest Village BIA has decided to discontinue their relationship with TLN, the festival's organizer. Therefore, I believe that it is unlikely that it will return to St. Clair West next year.
I’m very proud of how our community has come together in the face of this tragedy. There have been so many acts of kindness, and neighbours checking in on one another.
Ultimately, I believe our goal should be to improve safety at large gatherings across our city, while still ensuring our ability to freely come together to celebrate culture, sports and community.
You can find my video message here.
Responding to the Shooting at Kiva's
The attacks at Kiva’s were sadly not an isolated incident. The repeated targeting of Jewish businesses, synagogues and schools in our city is part of deeply concerning pattern that urgently needs to be addressed.
I have always stood firmly against antisemitism and actively support the Jewish community; working closely with leading organizations and local congregations. Jewish residents deserve to feel safe everywhere in Toronto, and they must be able to rely on their elected officials and police. All levels of government need to take this extremely seriously and take urgent action.
I have been in contact with Toronto Police and they have my full support as they pursue their investigation. The police are treating these incidents as suspected hate-motivated offences, with the investigation led by the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force and supported by the Hate Crime Unit.
This week, I visited Kiva's at Yonge and St. Clair alongside the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto to stand in solidarity with the community and I encourage Torontonians to do the same.
Protecting Our Waterfront and the Future of Billy Bishop Airport
I want to thank everyone who answered our call to participated in the Federal Government's consultation process. The government received more than 87,000 responses, and I know many of them were from you. You also turned out to protests and community meetings, put up signs, and talked to your friends and families.
The Federal Government has now announced that they will not be supporting Doug Ford's plan to introduce jets at Billy Bishop Airport. They made important commitments: they will not pursue any plans that infringe on public spaces such as Little Norway Park or Hanlan’s Point Beach, result in elevated noise, have significant environmental impacts, or hinder Toronto’s ability to build much-needed new housing such as in planned neighbourhoods like Ookwemin Minising.
This is an important win that belongs to you.
However, while we celebrate this win, we must also read Ottawa’s letter with sober eyes. It wasn’t an announcement that an expansion will never happen - it was meant to set the grounds for a conversation. We must prepare for what’s next.
We will need a real plan for the future of Billy Bishop Airport and our waterfront. We are asking Doug Ford to stop throwing around bombastic promises and hyperbolic insults - and to stop trying to divide people. We need him to come to the table with the City, the Federal Government, and the Toronto Port Authority to have an adult conversation about our priorities and our options.
Toronto is ready to do the work, and I will continue to work with you to realize a vision that supports economic development while ensuring the protection of a successful, healthy and vibrant waterfront.
You can see my comments at Committee here.
A Community Vision for the Future of the Ontario Science Centre
Two years ago, the Ford government abruptly shuttered the Ontario Science Centre, claiming the roof was at risk of imminently collapsing. This past winter, it withstood the biggest single-day snowfall in Toronto's history.
The Province is now moving forward with a plan to build a smaller $1.4 billion Science Centre at Ontario Place. Nothing about that plan requires the former OSC site at 770 Don Mills Road to sit empty. The building should be reopened and reimagined to serve a growing community in Flemingdon Park and Thorncliffe Park, along with our entire city and region.
That's why I, working with Save Ontario's Science Centre, Moriyama Teshima Architects, and local Councillor Jon Burnside, held consultations directly in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, and with people across Toronto, to hear their vision for the future of the site. Participants identified clear priorities: continued public use, learning and discovery, access to the ravine and green space, the architectural significance of the building, and community and cultural programming.
I am happy to share that this week, Council received our report presenting that community vision and recommended next steps toward reopening. Council also adopted my motion requesting the City Manager to convene a meeting with representatives of the Province, Infrastructure Ontario, the Government of Canada, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, CreateTO, and community stakeholders to collaboratively determine a sustainable future use for the site that ensures public benefit and access.
The message from residents is clear. The use of the site may change, but its public purpose should endure.
Please read our report here.
Making Streetcar Stops Safer
Your commute should be safe from start to finish. But more than 140 people have been hit while boarding or exiting a streetcar in the last 10 years. That’s why I’ve been working to use every tool available to make sure that cars stop when the streetcar stops.
Last year, I brought forward a motion at the TTC Board to launch a pilot that uses cameras to detect illegal passing – leveraging technology to enhance enforcement and public safety. We’re moving forward with it. Toronto deserves a transit system that is affordable, reliable – and, most importantly, which gets you home safely at the end of the day.
Please watch and share our video!
Toronto Hosts the FIFA World Cup
I enjoyed joining our community to celebrate Canada's historic run in the recent FIFA World Cup. So many nations are represented in Toronto, and it was beautiful to see everyone come together to enjoy the beautiful game.
I was also so grateful to City staff who managed this event so well. Traffic and transit operated smoothly, and tens of thousands of people were able to enjoy the games and events around the city safely.
Hosting these kinds of world class events is one of the privileges that comes with living in a global city. But we must also ensure that the City is acting responsibly in choosing the events that we host and the agreements we enter into.
I believe that the City Manager should never have signed the hosting agreement before Council had been provided details about how much the provincial and federal governments were willing to contribute. In fact, that was Council's direction. The costs of hosting these games then grew from an estimated $30 - 45 million when Toronto first submitted its bid to over $380 million, and the terms of the FIFA contract made it very difficult to bring in any revenue. This meant that the City had to rely on reserve funds, an increase to the municipal accommodation tax on hotels, and reselling tickets and hospitality packages. It's not yet clear whether the City met its revenue targets.
That's why I moved a motion at Council to request that the Auditor General conduct a value-for-money audit - taking this important opportunity to learn from the experience about how to host these events responsibly and sustainably.
Bringing Old City Hall Back to Life with a Museum of Toronto
Old City Hall is an iconic architectural masterpiece that we’re working on preserving and bringing back to life to serve the public again- and, to include a Toronto Museum to share our city’s many stories.
This month, we hosted a special screening of Michael Kainer’s “A Thing of Beauty: the Early Years of Toronto’s Old City Hall” in the “new” city hall council chambers. The film portrays the vibrant history of Old City Hall and looks to the future of this precious landmark.
Thank you to Michael, and the local Councillor Chris Moise, for your contributions to this special event. And to everyone who attended: thank you for your love of our city!
Heritage Toronto Plaque to Commemorate Monica Lewis in Little Jamaica
I am pleased to share that Council has approved my motion for a Heritage Toronto plaque to commemorate the late Monica Lewis and celebrate her legacy.
Monica and her husband George opened Monica's at 1553 Eglinton West in the late 1960s, first as a record store and later as a beauty and cosmetics salon. For decades it was a community hub that drew people from across Southern Ontario, and a visit with Miss Monica is a fond memory for many. Monica passed away in May of this year. This plaque will honour her legacy and the cultural significance of her business to Little Jamaica and beyond.
Streetscape Improvements Coming to Oakwood Village
I am happy to announce that City Council has approved my motion to invest in beautiful streetscape and public realm improvements in the Oakwood Village BIA. A portion of the funding will go towards custom branding and pole wraps in the BIA catchment area. The majority will support enhancing additional streetscape and public realm projects at the Oakwood and Vaughan intersection, including improvements to the island with the palm tree. This initiative will help beautify the Oakwood-Vaughan neighbourhood and help strengthen the Oakwood Village BIA as a vibrant and welcoming destination to dine and shop.
Celebrating Little Brazil on Yonge Street
We’ve added something very special to Little Brazil on Yonge St, here in Midtown Toronto. Murals make cities more fun, beautiful and vibrant- and can celebrate what we love and value. Gratitude to our talented street artist, Sandro Liberato!
Supporting the Armenian Community at Summerfest
It was a pleasure to join our city’s Armenian community again this year at the Armenian Community Centre in North York for Summerfest! They always make me feel like I’m at home. I’ve always appreciated the support and close friendship of Toronto’s Armenian community.
Planning for a Safer Merton Street
I am pleased to announce that Council has approved my motion to move forward with a plan for streetscape improvements along Merton Street, between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road. Residents have raised concerns about narrow sidewalks, limited sightlines, unsafe mid-block crossings, and a need for better wayfinding, all made worse by concentrated construction activity in the area. Transportation Services will consult with the Merton Street community and report back in 2027 with improvements that can be delivered through quick-build installations, capital projects, and future development applications.
Securing a Permanent Home for the Central Eglinton Community Centre
I am happy to share that Council has approved my motion directing staff to secure a long-term facility for the Central Eglinton Community Centre.
The Centre, located at 160 Eglinton Avenue East, serves seniors, families, and newcomers in the Yonge-Eglinton community. It is one of only two community centres in the Association of Community Centres that operates out of privately owned space, and its current building is set to be demolished for a new development in the coming years.
My office has been working with City staff to identify relocation options, including community space in new developments and potential City acquisitions. This motion directs staff to intensify that work, and to recommend a permanent solution so the Centre has a home in the community before its lease expires.
Youth Without Shelter 40th Anniversary
I was in Rexdale today visiting Youth Without Shelter (YWS) as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. I found the caring environment, and the dedicated people who work there, deeply inspiring.
For four decades, YWS has been supporting young people experiencing homelessness with a holistic approach that’s individualized, and provides continuous support- from their initial intake through to housing.
YWS should set the standard for how we help kids get back on their feet and walk a better path. I’m grateful that I went to learn from them.
Visiting 1400 Bathurst
There’s a special community of TCHC residents at 1400 Bathurst Street that’s close to my heart.
Canadian Jewish Literary Awards
Every year the best Canadian books with Jewish themes are honored at a gala public ceremony at the Miles Nadel JCC, Toronto. For the past 12 years the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards have supported the wealth of talent in this country who are exploring Jewish thought, history, imagination, and culture. Particularly after incidents in our neighborhood like the shooting at Kiva’s Bagel Bar, it is vitally important to nurture and encourage thoughtful discourse. The Canadian Jewish Literary Awards do just that by honouring and awarding the best Jewish-themed books of the year in a number of categories.
I invite you to join the even on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 2 pm at the Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadel JCC for the presentation of this year’s Canadian Jewish Literary Awards. Admission is free and everybody is welcome.
You can join in this celebration of Jewish literature by making a tax-deductible donation. Together, we can preserve the rich tapestry of Jewish storytelling and maintain the vitality of the Jewish community.
How to Donate
To learn more about the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards and the impact your donation will have, visit Canadian Jewish Literary Awards website at cjlawards.ca
