Dear residents,
I believe that improving and expanding our public transit system and fighting traffic gridlock must be top priorities for City Council. Every day, drivers find themselves waiting in traffic, cyclists try to navigate our busy streets and subway riders find themselves packed like sardines if they are even able to fit onto an overcrowded train.
We can only achieve the change we want if we make our voices heard. I encourage you to participate in Metrolinx's conversation on funding The Big Move, which the planned Eglinton Crosstown LRT and a downtown relief subway line are a part of. Please see this meeting notice below, including other items of interest to those of you who are condo owners and tenants, environmental stewards, community advocates, and seniors.
And as always, please feel welcome to contact me at 416-392-7906 or by e-mail at [email protected] if I can ever be of assistance to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Josh
Reminder: Metrolinx Public Roundtable Meetings
This month, Metrolinx will be hosting public roundtable meetings regarding The Big Move, a plan to rebuild transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. For more information on the Toronto meeting dates, please visithttp://www.bigmove.ca/roundtable. Improving our city and region's transportation network is an issue I have actively worked on for a long time and I support the direction Metrolinx is taking with The Big Move. To read more about my advocacy for improved and expanded transportation, please click here. I plan to attend the roundtable at Metro Hall this Saturday, February 9th from 1 to 3 pm and I hope to see you there!
Public Consultation With Condominium Occupants
I am delighted to announce that the City of Toronto's Planning department is starting a consultation process with condo owners to find out about issues and problems with the way people are living in condos. Some of the issues that will be discussed during the consultation will include:
- Access to parks and dog parks
- Recreational and community amenities
- Parking , bike parking and visitor parking
- Childcare
The consultation will focus on identifying the issues that condo residents are currently experiencing and developing a set of ideas to help the City of Toronto address these issues. You are welcome to attend any of these meetings, which will be from 7 to 9 pm.
February 12th, 2013
Bram & Bluma Appel Salon
Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street (at Yonge and Bloor)
February 27th, 2013
Congregation Darchei Noam
864 Sheppard Avenue W
(At Allen and Sheppard Ave W)
2013 Live Green Toronto Awards
Nominations are open for the City's Live Green Toronto Awards. With video entries and public voting, the Live Green Toronto Awards offer everyone an opportunity to participate in the City's search for Toronto's greenest people, groups and businesses. Entrants must submit a short video, up to 90 seconds in length, and tell their green story in 500 words or less.
You can view the videos and vote for your favourites; votes cast in the first round (January 21st to March 3rd) will help the judges determine the finalists. Votes cast in the second round (March 15th to April 19th) will determine the winners.
Winners will receive a Live Green Toronto Award, $2,500 courtesy of award sponsors and a chance to share their story on CP24.
Enter, view and vote begins January 21st. The final entry deadline is March 3rd.
For more information, please visit www.livegreentoronto.ca.
2013 Community Investment Funding Programs - Call for Applications
Applications are now open for the following four Community Investment Funding Programs, which are delivered by the City. I would like to share the following information on the application procedure, funding deadlines and project goals. You can apply online through the Corporate Grants Information System, and instruction on how to apply can be found at www.toronto.ca/grants.
- Access, Equity & Human Rights Investment Program (application due February 27st).For more information please visit http://www.toronto.ca/grants/aehr/index.htm.
- Community Festivals & Special Events Investment program (application due March 7th). For more information please visit http://www.toronto.ca/grants/cfse/index.htm.
- Community Safety (application due February 21st). For more information please visit http://www.toronto.ca/grants/csi/index.htm.
- Community Safety (application due February 21st). For more information please visit http://www.toronto.ca/grants/csi/index.htm.
Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests' 2013 Programs
I would like to share this information about Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests' 2013 programs with you:
LEAF's subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program helps residents of Toronto and York Region plant native shade trees and shrubs in their yards. Orders can be placed now for spring delivery of Native Garden Kits (birds, butterflies, or shade options) as well as native edible and heritage fruit trees, including the rare pawpaw tree (quantities are limited).
LEAF's Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Program sessions. This spring this course will be offered in Richmond Hill (June 8,12, and 15) for the first time, as well as in Toronto (April/May). This multi-day course offers a combination of indoor and outdoor arboricultural training, giving citizens the tools to improve the urban forest in their neighbourhood. You can sign up now to get an early opportunity to register.
New Access Point for Seniors' Resources
A one-step access point for all seniors' resources in Ontario has been established. Residents may call 1-888-910-1999 or visit www.ontario.ca/seniors in order to access information on various programs throughout the province.
