Improving our School Play Spaces for Students and Community
Fairbank
At July’s City Council meeting, I was thrilled to move a motion to contribute $300,000 to assist the Fairbank Public School with the construction of a new playground and schoolyard.
Save the Ontario Science Centre
Last spring, the Provincial Government announced their intention to move the Ontario Science Centre to a much smaller location at Ontario Place. This announcement was done without consultation with residents of Thorncliffe and Flemingdon Park who rely on the Centre for employment and education opportunities. Then, in late June, the government opportunistically used the pretense of roof repairs to unilaterally close the Science Centre for good - even though a closer inspection of the report shows that the roof could be fixed for a relatively modest cost.
You are Invited to our Davisville Village Community Festival!
Join me and your neighbors at June Rowlands Park (220 Davisville Avenue) from 12:00pm-4:00pm on Saturday June 15th. We will have free ice cream and samosas (while supplies last) and will be raffling off over $2,000 in prizes from local businesses! Community groups, city divisions and local organizations will be setting-up booths to inform and educate residents.
We look forward to seeing you on June 15th!
Chag Pesach Sameach! Delivering Passover Meals
Chag Semeach! Wishing all those who are celebrating in our community a joyous and meaningful Passover. May this special time celebrating be filled with family, warmth and love.
The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada are delivering Passover meals out of Beth Emeth to over 2355 families in the GTA, including newcomers, Holocaust survivors & people with disabilities. I was grateful to volunteer with them & support our Jewish community.
Budget 2024 Reinvests in Vital City Services
On February 14th Council considered Mayor Chow’s budget. The last 10 years has seen deteriorating City services as a result of lower than inflation property tax increases. We’ve all experienced overflowing garbage cans, longer wait times for transit, locked park bathrooms and roads in disrepair. That's not good enough for Toronto.
Council had a choice this year: allow Toronto’s decline or get our city back on track. The budget was initially proposed by city staff to have a tax rate increase between 10.5% - 16.5%. I was pleased to see that the rate that was ultimately decided on was only 2.5% higher than the previous years budget. This amounts to an increase of $285 annually for the average Toronto home or the equivalent to a monthly increase of $23.75. This rate both recognized what we need to do for our city but also acknowledged the impact the economy is having on so many residents.
Dear residents,
My family and I wish you, and those you love, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a joyous holiday season.
I hope this finds you safe, healthy and warm, and I look forward to seeing you in our community in the new year.
Warm regards,
Josh
Commemorating Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to commemorate the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Here in Toronto-St. Paul’s, we’ve come together as a community to honor Black history, Black future, and our commitment to Little Jamaica. Thank you to my friends Lori Beazer, Star Jacobs, and the Oakwood Village BIA and Unitarian Church for hosting us at our local Oakwood-Vaughan Black History Month celebration.
Dear residents,
My family and I wish you, and those you love, a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a joyous holiday season.
As always, I hope you find my updates helpful and informative- along with some timely information about the winter storm we are experiencing this weekend.
Dear Residents,
I hope this finds you healthy and well. As always, I hope that you find this e-newsletter helpful and informative.
Due to the upcoming municipal election on October 24th, integrity rules state that I am unable to send out community updates after August 1st. Therefore, you will receive my next update later in the fall if I continue to have the honour 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.
Happy Pride Month & Celebrating Launch of 2SLGBTQI+ Tool Kit for Seniors!
I was proud to join our city's 2SLGBTQI+ community to raise the Pride Flag at City Hall to mark the start of Pride Month. Together, we stand against homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and all other forms of hatred, and celebrate love and acceptance.
Fighting for an Affordable Toronto
I have heard personally from many younger people in our community that they have given up on their dream of owning a home in Midtown and will likely have to move from Toronto altogether to start a life with their family. That’s unacceptable.
Free Ukraine Square and Actions to Support Ukraine
Earlier this month, it was my honour to unveil "Free Ukraine Square" with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, accompanied by Mayor John Tory and MP Carolyn Bennett in front of the Russian consulate at 60 St. Clair Ave E. Yesterday, City Council was honoured by the virtual presence of the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko. As the bloody and murderous Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, The City of Toronto will keep its website updated with services we can provide, working with the federal and provincial governments, including refugee support. Please click here for more information.
Standing in Solidarity With Ukraine
Canada’s Ukrainian community is such an important thread in our country’s multicultural mosaic. I am proud to stand with them in solidarity against Russian aggression and in support of Ukraine’s right to sovereignty, freedom, peace and security.