Councillor Matlow's City Hall & Community Update: May 2024

My Letter to Residents Regarding Necessary Action to Combat Antisemitism Throughout Our City

Dear residents,

The rise of antisemitism over the past few years has our city’s Jewish community feeling scared and vulnerable. Since October 7th, they’ve far too often been a target for anti-Jewish hate because of a war half a world away. Swastikas spray-painted on synagogues, some demonstration signs displaying hateful antisemitic tropes, and vandalism of Jewish businesses echo a history of religious persecution for many in Toronto’s Jewish community that are only a couple generations removed from the Holocaust. 

The early morning shooting at Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in North York over the weekend has further heightened the fear the community is feeling. Real and concrete action is needed to protect the Jewish community from hate and ensure that everyone feels safe in our city. 

That’s why it’s critically important that my motion to develop a new action plan to protect targeted religious minorities and places of worship was supported at Council. The motion requests the City Manager, the City Solicitor, the Toronto Police Service and other relevant divisions to work together to ensure individuals and groups committing hate crimes are stopped.

There was another motion at Council that proposed creating “safety zones” around places of worship and other faith-based sites. As initially written, the motion was far too broad, as it would have restricted protest at museums and other institutions of a “cultural nature”. That could have impeded, for example, the rights of AGO workers to picket during their recent strike. 

While I could not support the motion as written, I also recognized that it was not enough to simply vote against it without providing a path forward. I did strongly consider moving a pared-down version myself that would specifically create “safety zones” around places of worship. If there was a way that this initiative could protect faith-based institutions, it was worth exploring. Unfortunately, the details revealed that the promise didn’t stand up to scrutiny.

First, the motion regarding the suggested “safety zones” was just a request to the province. This motion did not demand any action on behalf of the City or our police. The Premier has shown no indication that he has any intention of moving forward with such a strategy despite the idea having been proposed months ago. It is important that the City and the police address these pressing issues quickly instead of shirking responsibility by simply writing letters to other levels of government.

Second, and most importantly, even if this measure was implemented by the province, it wouldn’t address the very real fears of the Jewish community and other targeted religious minorities. Some are absurdly suggesting that these “safety zones” would lead to something like a ring of cops around all places of worship and faith-based schools in our city. This is an obvious impossibility given the thousands of synagogues, mosques, churches, and temples in Toronto. 

According to the Councillors proposing this idea, the “safety zones” would be modelled on an existing law protecting abortion clinics with “bubble zones”. A closer look at this legislation reveals that protests aren’t banned outside clinics - only speech that specifically discourages patients from entering the building and accessing healthcare. That is not a parallel to our concerns.  

Extending this legislation to religious facilities would obviously have done nothing to stop the 5am shooting at Bais Chaya Mushka, and the hate speech and actions that we are all concerned about are already restricted and illegal. 

Further, incidents of hate crimes have more often occurred away from specifically religious settings. Threatening and unsettling graffiti on buildings, targeted vandalism and slurs in our parks and streets are much more common. Jewish parents are also concerned about the increase in antisemitic slurs and bullying occurring in our public schools. While “safety zones” would not address these issues, I will be meeting with parents, Principals and school board officials to discuss how best to support and protect children.

Lastly, while the City Solicitor said that the motion itself did not pose any legal concerns as it was just a request to another level of government, she expressed serious doubt over whether implementing “safety zones” that restrict protest at religious institutions would stand up in court. For example, would restricting the rights of Indigenous Peoples to protest at a Catholic church over the abuses suffered at a residential school be allowable? What if a church similar to Westboro Baptist, that routinely preaches hate against LGBTQ+ communities, came to Canada? Would the courts allow an infringement on the right to protest in these cases?

In short, the advice I received from the City Solicitor, the Chief of Police and others, in addition to the evidence in front of me, led to the conclusion that the “safety zone” idea sounds good but would be ineffective, probably unconstitutional, and unlikely to ever be implemented.

Let’s not waste any more time pursuing metaphorical caution tape when there are real issues to be addressed. I have already moved forward on the Council direction stemming from my motion by arranging a roundtable meeting for next week to bring together senior City Officials, the Chief of Police and Jewish community leaders to ensure that our concerns are addressed. I will be sure to provide updates as this initiative progresses. 

Supporting Traffic Safety in the Davisville Community

Earlier this month, a mother and child were hit by a car and seriously injured at the intersection of Davisville Avenue and Acacia Road. I am very hopeful that they will make a full recovery and, as a community, we will be there to support them.

While a long-term plan is already being developed for a new, safer design for Davisville Avenue, every substantive and immediate action possible is needed. I’m happy to say that with my colleagues’ support, my motion was approved to have a new crossing guard present at the Acacia Road crosswalk. I have also requested that the City install physical interventions at the crosswalks along Davisville, including lane restrictions approaching the crosswalks where necessary to support safe crossings. A full police investigation will help us better understand the root causes and inform us of other possible interventions.

As your city councillor, and as a Davisville parent myself, I want to express my heartfelt thank you to Trustee Shelley Laskin and Principal David Finkelstein for their support of the entire school community affected by this horrible incident. We will work together as a team to ensure the safety of our neighborhood. My office and I will continue to provide updates as they become available. In the meantime, please always feel welcome to contact my office at [email protected] or at 416-392-7906 if there is anything my team and I can do to support you and your family. 

Holding the TTC to Account - Ongoing Delays and Safety Issues

On May 13th, a hydraulic fuel leak on Line 2 closed one of the city's busiest transportation lines for over twelve hours, stranding tens of thousands of Torontonians. In a presentation to the board later that week, senior TTC staff revealed that this was the seventh incident this year, and that the most recent leak resulted in serious safety issues including trains being unable to stop at station platforms.

The frequent delays and shutdowns on our subway are unacceptable. Torontonians should be able to rely on their transit system to get to their destination on time. And it certainly shouldn’t take the chaos we experienced this week to get the TTC to finally take action. At the TTC Board, I requested that the CEO provide regular updates regarding an investigation into the hydraulic fuel leaks, as well as efforts to ensure these incidents do not continue to occur. I also made clear to senior levels of management that there is an expectation of accountability and open communication with transit riders. I will continue working with my colleagues on the TTC board and City Council to ensure that the TTC is safe, affordable, and reliable for everybody in our city. 

Providing Fare-Free Transit for Student Field Trips

Earlier this year, the TTC Board moved to explore providing free transit to public school students on school-sanctioned field trips. I'm happy to announce that a pilot project for this program was approved at the board this month. The pilot program will provide nearly 150,000 students access to school trips without having to pay an additional fare. Furthermore, the program will include educational opportunities to teach students about transit etiquette and encourage lifelong transit ridership. The pilot will apply to trips from Viamond, MonAvenir, TDSB and TCDSB schools. 

Community Environment Day - June 4th 

Join Councillor Mike Colle and me for another Community Environment Day!
 
Date: Tuesday, June 4th
Time: 4pm - 8pm
Location: North Toronto Arena, 174 Orchard View Blvd.

Residents are welcome to drop off items for reuse, recycling and safe disposal. Donate items in good condition for reuse and safely dispose of electronic and household hazardous waste.
 
For a list of items you can and cannot bring to Community Environment Days, please visit: toronto.ca/environment_days.

Local Farmers Markets

Come visit one of our community's local farmers markets! See below for a list of some upcoming farmers markets in our neighborhood: 

Davisville Farmers Market
In June Rowlands Park every Tuesday until October 8th, from 3pm to 7pm.

The Eglinton Way Farmers Market
Every Sunday from June to October (from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM) at 125 Burnaby Blvd.

Wychwood Barns Farmers Market
Open every Saturday from 8am to 1pm at the Wychwood Barns.

Commemorating Yom HaShoah

It was an honor to stand with our city’s Jewish community to commemorate Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) at Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue in North York. This photo is of 102 year-old Survivor, Eddie Fisch lighting a candle with his family. We must never forget.

Free Admission with Your Toronto Public Library Card

This is so cool. We can now access some of our city’s greatest attractions FREE with a library card, including the Aga Khan Museum, ROM, AGO, Black Creek Village, CN Tower, Science Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium, Toronto Symphony, Zoo, Hot Docs and more!

Go to this link to learn more: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/map/

Accepting Primary Doctor and Nurse Practitioner Patients

Are you looking for a Family Doctor or Nurse Practitioner? Toronto Family Health Team Garrison Creek is accepting patients. 

Become a patient of our Family Health Team. See full instructions on our website on how to join: www.twfht.ca.

Why enroll with the Family Health Team?

• We accept OHIP and Interim Federal Health coverage
• We have a team of health care professionals working together with you for your health care needs
• Our team includes:
  • Doctors/Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurses
  • Chiropodist
  • Dietitian
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pharmacist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Respiratory Therapist
  • Social Worker
• We offer a broad range of programs and services
• Interpretation is available
• We offer extended hours and urgent same day appointment

I visited with Walied Kogali and local residents in Regent Park. We had a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about community health and the critical need for more affordable housing. We then joined Walied for his informative and inspiring Jane’s Walk.
 

It was a pleasure to join Save the Ontario Science Centre and so many dedicated people from across Toronto and beyond for a Jane’s Walk. Together, we’re sending Doug Ford a message- Keep the Science Centre where it belongs, here in Flemingdon Park.

Congratulations to Rosie Mosco for her Ontario Arts Council Grant!

Happy Orthodox Easter!

I hope everyone in our city's Ukrainian community, along with the many other orthodox communities, had a very happy Easter weekend in May. It was my pleasure to attend the blessing of the baskets at Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church near Trinity Bellwoods Park.

City of Toronto Community Canopy Free Tree Program

The City of Toronto has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to provide residents with free trees and an innovative online mapping tool to help choose the best location to plant trees on their property.

Community Canopy runs twice a year in the spring and fall to provide residents with a rotating selection of native trees and shrubs. The trees and shrubs come in 1-2 gallon pots and range from 1-4 feet in height. The pickup locations for Community Canopy change every season to ensure equitable access to the event.

If you are having trouble with the registration please contact the Arbor Day Foundation by emailing [email protected] or calling their toll free help line at 844-887-8719.

For other inquiries about Community Canopy or private land planting please contact City of Toronto Urban Forestry Staff by emailing [email protected].

For more information visit the Toronto Urban Forestry Grants and Incentive website.

Congratulations to the Oakwood Pizzeria for 50 Years!

Congratulations to Oakwood Pizzeria for bringing the taste of Calabria to Oakwood Village for the past 50 years! We love you!

Yard Sale for the Manor Road Nursery School!

Community Clean Ups

I enjoyed a beautiful morning cleaning up Cawthra Playground and Tarragon Village with MPP Jill Andrew and some amazing local residents who care deeply about our community.

2024 Walrus Gala

This month's Walrus Gala was amazing! I got dressed up to support a magazine that educates, provokes, engages and represents the best of Canadian independent journalism. I also had fun spending time with my friends Jenn & Olivia. We’ll be kayaking Lake Ontario together soon!

Join the 2024 Gutsy Walk!

Step forward with the Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis community at the Toronto Gutsy Walk on June 2nd, 2024, in an effort to help support research to find a cure and raise awareness for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Join the movement and help shape a brighter future for everyone affected by these life-long diseases. Register at the Gutsy Walk 2024 Event Page: crohnsandcolitiscanada.akaraisin.com/ui/GutsyWalk2024/g/40555

A Message from Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!)

Seniors for Climate Action Now! (SCAN!) is a volunteer organization of seniors who are alarmed about the climate crisis. SCAN! Toronto is one of its regional groups. Several members live in the ward.
 
With the increase in the planet’s temperature and the resulting wildfires, floods, droughts and heat waves, SCAN! is calling for emergency climate action at all levels of government, including Toronto City Council. We write submissions to governments, demonstrate against misguided climate policies and primarily organize seniors to join us in this struggle to save our planet. Does this sound melodramatic? It is simply dramatic. In Toronto, seniors die when they suffer through a heat wave; people who are unhoused do as well. Breathing problems increase due to drifting smoke from distant wildfires and homes are flooded increasingly often.
 
If you are a senior who cares about these issues, please go to our website and consider joining us. You can become a member and/or receive our monthly newsletter. https://seniorsforclimateactionnow.org/

Hillcrest Village BIA Contest

Working with the Museum of Toronto

Toronto is a city of stories- about people & where we live. Stories of diversity, celebration, hardship & innovation. Indigenous stories. Stories of our past, and who we are today. I’m proud to be working with the Museum of Toronto to share our stories with the world, and each other.

Jewish Music Week - May 26th to June 2nd

Jewish Music Week is an exciting week of concerts, recitals and musical events throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Founded in 2011, the festival celebrates all styles of Jewish music, as well as the Jewish contribution to mainstream genres of music. Our programs include Sephardic and Klezmer, Holocaust music and Israeli pop, Broadway and Hollywood, Chassidic Nigunim and Yiddish Theatre, Jazz and Big Band, Cantorial, folk, gospel, bluegrass and more!

Jewish Music Week partners with many Toronto organizations for the benefit of the entire community. All daytime events are free, and many of the Gala Evening Concerts benefit Toronto synagogues or local charities. With performances all over town, you won't have to travel far to enjoy a spectacular musical event. Join us – as a volunteer, a performer, a donor or a member of our audience. Jewish Music Week has something for everyone! To learn more about programing, go to: Jewish Music Week in Toronto!

Visiting Davisville Public School's Grade 5 Class

I always enjoy visiting schools to teach 5th grade students about government and discuss their priorities. But it’s especially fun when it’s your daughter’s class and you’re an embarrassing dad :)

Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) Townhall 

Thank you to the residents of 50 Prince Arthur for inviting me for a Town Hall conversation on Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (and real ways our city can make it possible to age in place). We also covered a wide array of issues important to this downtown community.

For Youth Initiative (FYI) - Spray it With Your Chest 

Celebrating Asian Heritage Month

CampTO at the Fairbank Community Centre

A Message from St. Michael's and All Angels Daycare 

St. Michael and All Angels Day Care, a registered non-profit has been providing high-quality child care in Ward 21 since 1976, serving 69 children from diverse backgrounds.

Unfortunately, our 2024 application for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) Program was not granted due to high demand. We depend on this funding to hire students for our Summer Program, which includes organized activities and excursions.

We need to raise $15,888 to hire four summer students for 8 weeks, working 6 hours a day at $16.55 per hour. Their support is essential for the safety and enrichment of our program and provides valuable experience for the students.
Can you help us with this request or recommend potential donors? As a non-profit, we provide charitable receipts.

Your prompt support would be greatly appreciated. 
www.stmichaelsdaycare.com

Sincerely,
Novea Lawson
Supervisor

Children's Breakfast Club Charities Smile Cookie Campaign

Thank you so much to the amazing staff at Tim Hortons for inviting me to serve Smile Cookies with you in support of Children's Breakfast Club Charities!

Volunteer for Meals on Wheels with SPRINT! 

SPRINT Senior Care’s Meals on Wheels (MOW) program is a volunteer-based service that delivers meals directly to seniors’ homes seven days a week, 365 days a year. 

We are currently experiencing a volunteer shortage and are urgently seeking volunteers who have a car and a G license to help with meal delivery. The meal pick-up location is at Sunnybrook Hospital, and volunteers deliver meals to clients within our catchment area (Bloor to the 401, Bathurst to Bayview/Don River) from 10:30am to 1:00pm.  We welcome your volunteer support any day of the week you have availability. 

By becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer, you'll play a vital role in supporting our community's seniors, ensuring they receive essential meals while fostering social connection and combating isolation. We encourage passionate individuals to join our team and make a difference!  Interested in applying – please fill out the volunteer application form or contact us at 416-481-0669 ext. 8723 or [email protected].