Paula FletcherToronto City Councillor - Ward 30

May 10, 2014 See inside for details

TransitTalk in Ward 30

方卓怡 多倫多市議員, 第三十區

Spring 2014 Newsletter

paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

After restoring Transit City, which the Mayor cancelled unilaterally, City Council turned its mind to eliminating subway overcrowding at the Bloor/ Yonge crush point. Metrolinx has now agreed to make the Relief Line a priority, but as of yet there is no funding for the multi-billion dollar project. Council authorized the Environmental Assessment which is now underway.

City Council also mandated the TTC work together with Metrolinx on immediate actions to better connect TTC and GO services to get downtown more quickly.

Read more at regionalrelief.ca

Toronto’s new streetcars, which will reduce overcrowding, are in their test phase – maybe you’ve seen them out on Queen Street.

Their new home at the Leslie Barns is under construction, and so is the connecting track to Queen. As your local Councillor, I have consistently opposed Leslie Street for the connecting tracks.

I look forward to seeing the new LRVs hit the streets, but not the construction and traffic chaos in Leslieville. The intersection of Queen and Leslie will be closed for 6 weeks starting mid-May and Queen and Broadview will be closed for 4 weeks this summer. Bus service will replace diverted streetcars. Complete closure details will be updated on my website at paulafletcher.ca/leslie-barns.

The City needs this investment in transit expansion, but the impact of these city-wide improvements on the local neighbourhood deserves more consideration. On Leslie

Street, we are seeing what happens when the local community and Councillor’s concerns are ignored, and this cannot be the TTC standard for transit expansion. I will be emphasizing community considerations throughout the Relief Line consultations.

The TTC has set up a community office at Queen & Hastings and can be reached at lesliebarns@ttc.ca or 416-981-7360.

The City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro are both conducting reviews of the response strategy during the ice storm in December 2013. The storm left over 800,000 people without power and Hydro crews worked around the clock to restore service for the holidays. Ward 30 wasn’t hit as badly as other parts of the city, but there were still plenty of people without power. I’d like to extend my thanks to the Toronto Hydro crews who worked around the clock during the holidays to restore service. I also thank everyone who helped their neighbours and supported our warming centres throughout the recovery.

We learned an important lesson about maintaining our tree canopy. Budget cuts to

the Forestry department mean trees don’t get pruned as often, and while this might save some money in the short-term the consequences are very costly. I was pleased to vote in support of additional funding for tree pruning in the 2014 budget and to defend against an attempt to cut our tree planting budget by $7m which will pay for 97,000 new trees. After the damage to the canopy from the storm we need to start recovering our urban forest.

Save theRed DoorShelter

The Red Door Shelter on Queen Street East has been a safe space for women and families in emergency situations for three decades, and now its future is at risk. The property was put into receivership to be sold for redevelopment into condos, with not one word mentioning the shelter in any real estate or court documents. On April 7th hundreds of local residents came together to show their support for the shelter’s continued presence on Queen East. Over 22,000 people have now signed the petition in support of the Red Door.

I have been working with the Red Door and City staff to keep the shelter in its long-time home in the community it has served for so many years. At the Community Development & Recreation Committee I put forward a motion asking staff to help the Red Door in every way possible to secure a future on Queen Street. The women and children who rely on this shelter are now relying on us to come together and save the Red Door.

To share your experience during the ice storm or find out how you can help with

tree canopy recovery contact me atcouncillor_fletcher@toronto.ca

Ice Storm Recovery

中文版本在背页

Meet your new Streetcar!

You’ll be able to see the new streetcars during Doors Open Toronto on May 24th at the Russell Carhouse.

take action now

Visit reddoorshelter.ca/save-the-red-door to find out how you can help.

paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44

Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Rivertowne and Joel Weeks Park

The revitalization of the Rivertowne community has created a great mixed-income neighbourhood, with the new Joel Weeks Park as the centrepiece. The park is home to the Don Mount Courts basketball courts, the Riverside Community Garden and play pieces for all ages. Around the corner is the new Thompson Dog Off-Leash area. There is a place for everyone in Rivertowne.

Crow's Theatre

Construction is underway on the permanent home for Crow’s Theatre in The Carlaw at Dundas & Carlaw. Crow’s will be the first dedicated performance space east of the Don, and will open in 2016. This spring Crow’s will be putting on a festival with performances across Ward 30 to showcase theatre talent and spaces in our community.

Our Growing Film District

The east end is home to a vibrant film industry that brings jobs to Toronto and is part of our larger arts and culture scene. The South of Eastern Employment Area study is focusing on maintaining employment lands in our Film District so the industry can continue to thrive and call Ward 30 its home.

Greenwood Rink and Community Garden

A leisure skating track and the City’s first covered outdoor rink opened in Greenwood Park and were greatly enjoyed all season. The rink needed an upgrade and is now setting the standard for rinks in our parks. As spring approaches, gardeners are getting ready for the second season of planting in the community garden.

Withrow Park Playground

Over several community consultation meetings, a new playground design was developed for Withrow Park. Construction will begin this spring and the playground will open in mid-summer for everyone to enjoy.

Bridgepoint Park

With the Don Jail gone, the work on the new forecourt park at Bridgepoint Health can get started. This new green space will be a great resource for the community and for patients of the hospital. I’m holding a naming competition, so please submit your ideas and vote for your favourite name at paulafletcher.ca/bridgepoint_park

Felstead Park

Through engaging community consultations a wonderful new playground was built in Felstead Park. The playground includes water elements, natural features, and a Supernova donut spinner, a Genesis net climber, Spider net jumper and a stone labyrinth.

Planning for the FutureI support taking a community approach to planning and development in our neighbourhoods. That’s why I asked City Planning to initiate 5 planning studies across Ward 30 to develop community-based urban design guidelines to help shape our neighbourhoods for decades to come. Read about the studies on my website at paulafletcher.ca/discover-ward-30/community-planning/.

More Vibrant and LiveableWard 30 is home to a rich arts & culture scene, a thriving small business community, environmental stewardship, and a diversity of residents that come together to create a tight-knit, urban community. Our BIAs, Parks groups, and residents’ associations are reinvigorating our social and cultural landscape for everyone.

Improving safety and trafficWith many young families and a passion for walkable neighbourhoods, residents have been working together to improve safety on their streets. With more traffic calming and lower speed limits, realignments of problem intersections and improved safety in school zones, we are working together for a safer community.

Monarch Park & The New Rail Garden Park

The new waterslide at Monarch Park pool has been a big hit, along with the new paved pathways that improve access for people with strollers or mobility devices. Last summer the pedestrian pathway from Woodfield Rd. got a much-needed facelift and the biggest news is the new Rail Garden Park!

Matty Eckler Revitalization

Matty Eckler Community Centre underwent a major renovation and now has a new entrance and elevator, better lighting in the pool and is completely accessible. I’m working with residents to start a new community garden at Matty, with raised beds and seating areas.

Port Lands Planning Process

Unlocking the Port Lands is at the forefront of Toronto’s long-term planning goals, and our neighbours have been involved in the planning framework every step of the way. The waterfront belongs to everyone and the Port Lands will include mixed uses for employment, housing, and recreation.

Queen St. East Planning Study

Last June, Council approved a Planning Study for Queen Street East in Leslieville. Over the four public meetings, neighbours helped to establish the design guidelines that will shape Leslieville in the years to come. These guidelines will set standards for future development proposals so any new development respects and contributes to the character and culture of Leslieville.

Greenbins at 10 Hogarth and 655 Broadview

The City is expanding the green bin compost program into multi-residential apartment buildings, improving the City’s waste diversion rates. The program was rolled out at 10 Hogarth & 655 Broadview and will continue to expand across Toronto.

Pan-Am Bridge Lighting

With the help of the Danforth BIA, the City has approved funding to install dynamic lighting on the Danforth viaduct bridge in time for the Pan Am Games. This will be a signature legacy piece of the Pan Am Games.

Withrow Park Farmers Market

Opens on May 17Saturday from 9-1

We're all working together to improve our community

Photo: Jen Hendricks

Community Leadership in Ward 30

paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Valuing Community Services

kempton Howard wading Pool: In 2012 wading pools across Toronto were under threat of closure because of service cuts in the budget. Wading pools are an important resource in the summertime when kids need to keep cool while playing outdoors, and I was glad to work with my colleagues and save wading pools all over Toronto, including Kempton Howard in Ward 30.

Fire Services: The aerial truck at Riverdale Fire Station was on the chopping block two years in a row, but this truck is vital to serving the Riverdale community, the Carlaw condo corridor, and our changing waterfront. With your help this truck was saved again in this year’s budget process and I will stand up to

save the truck again next year if necessary.

Sports Fields: Sports players of all ages spoke out loudly against a proposal to increase permit fees for children and youth to a level that would keep many players off the field. Neighbours and leagues organized and came out in huge numbers to show Council that access to recreation should be a right, and I worked with my colleagues Sarah Doucette and Janet Davis to put forward a series of motions that reduced fees so that recreation remains affordable for everyone.

Library Services: Residents across Toronto have stood up to defend our public libraries in three consecutive budget years, and I have stood with them. Toronto has one of the largest public library collections in the world, and I am proud to keep supporting our libraries.

Frankland Pool: When the budget cuts of 2012 threatened Frankland Pool, parents and community members came together to fight to keep the pool open. We saved the pool and others like it with a budget compromise.

We’ve heard a lot over the past four years about cutting waste at City Hall, but there is a difference between wasteful spending and services that are vital to the community. I support eliminating expenses we don’t need and keeping the services that we do.

Ward 30 is a great place to live because of the dedicated residents who volunteer their time and energy to building community spirit, holding events in our parks, our laneways and on our streets, and acting as stewards for the neighbourhood. We have these leaders in every neighbourhood and I am grateful for everything they do for our community.

WoodGreen residents decided to rename their building in honour of

Jack Layton. How fitting!

The new Kempton Howard Community Group on their first safety and community improvement walk.

Withrow Park is animated by great events held by Friends of Withrow Park in all seasons.

There’s always something in the Pocket – with environmental

initiatives and tons of activities in Phin Park.

The community rallied in support of a new dog park in Riverside and are

working together on traffic initiatives to improve safety.

Residents came together to celebrate the volunteerism and community spirit

of long-standing residents with the naming of Vaso’s Lane.

Friends of Monarch Park have taken an active role in protecting our tree canopy.

paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Getting Toronto Moving

Voted for rapid transit expansion on Eglinton, Sheppard, Finch and in Scarborough with the fully-funded LRT plan.

Voted for the expansion of the bike lane network across the City and to improve safety for cyclists.

Voted against the costly Scarborough subway with only three stops which would not be ready until 2023.

Voted against cuts that led to a decrease in TTC service and an increase in fares.

A Livable City

Voted for smarter spending and a more transparent budget process

Voted for funding for school based childcare rent subsidies and childcare centre programming, and keeping ice rinks, pools, emergency shelters and libraries open.

Voted against nearly $4m in additional cuts to Toronto Public Library

A Vibrant and Prosperous City

Voted to support important festivals that bring tourism and economic activity to the City, like Nuit Blanche, Pride Toronto, TIFF, the Caribbean Carnival and more.

Voted for a community vision for the Port Lands and the Port Lands Acceleration Initiative to foster smart economic development in the Port Lands with mixed use for employment, housing and parks.

Voted against a downtown casino that would have hurt small business and increased congestion.

A City That Belongs to Everyone

Voted for sustainable funding to tackle Community Housing’s repair backlog.

Voted to use provincial contribution to create 264 new subsidized childcare spaces and protect the spaces we already have.

Voted against a sell-off of all of Toronto Community Housing’s single-family homes.

Our Parks, Our Recreation, Our Environment

Voted to restore funding to maintain and grow our urban canopy.

Voted to increase City support for community gardens and urban agriculture. Supporting local growers is good for the environment and for our health.

Voted for the City’s new Parks Plan, better connecting residents with their local parks.

Voted against increases to sports field user fees that would have kept many kids out of the game. Every kid deserves the chance to play sports.

Toronto has one of

the most used library

systems in the world!

This type of cut

cost us millions when

the ice storm hit!

This term at Council there have been many big decisions made about the future of the City and the type of City we want. I voted to cut costs where appropriate, but not to do so at the expense of children, families, and services that we need. Savings that translate into user fees are not savings.

Below are some of my votes on key items that matter to Ward 30 and to Toronto. It hasn’t always been easy to get things done at City Hall with the ongoing distractions, but I am proud of the work we have been able to do to make sure the City serves the needs of its residents as Toronto grows and transforms.

This added to your taxes, and replaced a plan that was already paid for!

Single family homes are vital for creating a mixed-income and inclusive community

Next we need to improve

the permit process

so it’s easier to hold

events in our parks

Planning that listens to the community, not special interests

the more people we can get cycling, the less congestion we’ll have on our roads

Key Issues At City Hall

方卓怡 多倫多市議員, 第三十區

paulafletcher.ca councillor_fletcher@toronto.ca 416 392 4060 100 Queen St. W, Suite C44Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Please do not bring: Construction waste, garbage, wood, cassette and videotapes, commercial/ industrial hazardous waste and scrap metal.

Visit toronto.ca/environment_days

Visit the Toronto Water info

tent to learn more about

programs that will help you

use water wisely in and around

your home!

Products Available – Fees may apply• Backyard Composter• Green Bin • Kitchen Container

Pick up for FREE• Green Bin and Kitchen Container

(with proof of new residency in the last 90 days or in exchange for a damaged bin)

• Leaf Compost (limit one cubic metre per household)

Items donated to local schools for reuse*• Art supplies (e.g. pencils, markers,

crayons, etc.)• Buttons and keys• Clipboards, corks and cork boards• LP records, CDs and cases• Children’s books• Costume jewelry including broken/

old watches and clocks with hands• Yarn and dress-up clothing

(e.g. costumes, prom dresses, uniforms, etc.)

• 35 mm cameras and equipment

Drop off for recycling or proper disposal• Computer Equipment & Peripherals

(e.g., desktops, laptops, hand-held portables, monitors, printing devices, etc.)

• Audio/Visual Equipment & Peripherals (e.g., telephones, cell phones, pda’s and pagers, cameras, small TVs, radios, receivers, speakers, tuners, equalizers, turntables, projectors, recorders, DVD players and VCRs, etc.)

• Household Hazardous Waste (e.g., cleaning supplies and solvents, motor oil, paint, batteries, old/unused medication, mercury thermometers/thermostats, pesticides, fluorescent and compact fluorescent bulbs, propane tanks, etc.)

Note: You can recycle plastic shopping bags, foam polystyrene, empty paint and empty aerosol cans in your blue bin.

Other Items donated for reuse*(Please keep separate from others)• Sporting goods (e.g. skates, hockey

equipment, bikes, rackets, etc.)• Books (excluding school/university

curriculum books)• Medical equipment in good

condition (e.g. eyeglasses, walking aids, hearing aids, etc.)

• Small household items (e.g. dishes, ornaments, kitchen utensils, artistic drawings, games, etc.)

• Textiles in good condition (e.g. clothing, linens, etc.)

• Non-perishable foods will be donated to a food bank

* All donated items must be in very good condition

Councillor Paula Fletcher and City of Toronto

Saturday, May 10, 2014 • 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. • Riverdale Park East, along Broadview Ave. (south of Danforth Ave.)

今年市政預算中原本計劃停用芝蘭街（Gerrard）夾卡羅道（Carlaw）消防站的消防車。在社區和商戶的支持下，我們得以使消防車繼續服務市民，保證社區安全。前一陣百老匯街（Broadview）夾芝蘭街（Gerrard）的火災再次印證了消防服務的重要性。

馬年大吉！一如往年，今年我很榮幸地參加了春節晚宴及芝蘭商場的慶祝活動，與多倫多市民共迎新春。祝各位馬年裡身體健康，龍馬精神！

懷雅遜大學城市規劃專業的學生做了一份東區唐人街振興計劃報告，由提高社區活躍性和經濟活力以及加強公眾領域和行人基礎建設幾方面對東區唐人街做出研究。東區華商會也對此研究貢獻了寶貴建議。

過去的两年多來，我一直積極與家庭資源中心及活賢（WoodGreen）社區中心努力，保持芝蘭街（Gerrard）夾萊斯理街（Leslie）親子活動室的開放。

加拿大國慶 -- 轉眼夏天即將到來，請於七月一日來Riverdale公園與我們共度加拿大國慶。您一定記得，去年數百人參加了慶祝活動，欣賞精彩演出，享用燒烤，參加娛樂活動。今年希望再次見到您。 活賢社(WoodGreen)長者大廈冠名林頓大廈，以紀念前

國會議員及新民主黨黨魁