1. COVID-19 Recovery and Rebuild Survey

The City recently established the Toronto Office of Recovery and Rebuild (TORR) in order to coordinate engagement and research, develop the City’s recovery strategies, and recommend actions to rebuild and reimagine the way the City delivers programs and services, as we emerge from COVID-19.

Individuals, groups, and businesses are invited to contribute by completing an online survey. All Leasiders are encouraged to particiapte: the survey takes about 10-15 minutes.

2. Cannabis on Bayview

Two cannabis retail stores are coming to Bayview Ave:

• Yerba Buena Cannabis (1669 Bayview)
• Canna Cabana East York (1723 Bayview)

Provincial laws (act; regulation) permits the establishment and operation of such retail stores. That said, Leasiders are encouraged to bring to our attention any activities relating to these stores that may run counter to the public interest (e.g. protecting public health and safety, protecting youth and restricting their access to cannabis, and preventing illicit activities in relation to cannabis).

3. Holland Bloorview expansion

As mentioned in our June 1 email, Holland Bloorview is holding a virtual town hall this evening about the planned two-storey expansion on its north side. Details are now confirmed:

• Tuesday, June 23 (today)
• 7pm-8pm
• Agenda
• Zoom dial-in details (click on "Zoom Details")

4. Community policing

Each police division in Toronto (including 53 Division, which covers Leaside) has a Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). 

Current and former LRA representatives serving on 53 Division's CPLC have joined in signing a letter to Mayor Tory to "commit to restoring community based policing as a foundational approach, being complementary to enforcement in Toronto policing".

The letter states that "it is timely and appropriate, both from the global perspective, with racial injustice concerns being uppermost, and locally with the recent announced resignation of Police Chief Mark Saunders, to bring forward this request to re-think the approach to policing in Toronto".

CPLC activities are currently suspended in light of COVID-19. Further updates will be provided when they resume.

5. Petition re: Eglinton tree restoration

The LRA supports the recently created petition initiated by local residents on Thursfield Crescent to appropriately restore the trees that were clear-cut on the north side of Eglinton Avenue between Brentcliffe Road and the West Don River. The petition notes that Metrolinx, after previously saying that it would replant trees following construction of the Crosstown retaining wall, recently said that it will plant shrubs instead.

Background about this issue is available here.

Leasiders are encouraged to read the petition and, if they support it, to sign.

6. Membership matters

Annual memberships

Thank you to everyone who renewed or purchased an annual membership for 2020! If you haven't, please support your residents' association: go to our website and click "Join the LRA" on the right-hand side. Or complete a paper form and mail it with a cheque. Annual membership is $30 (+$1 for online payment). If you're unsure about your membership status, please respond to this email and we'll let you know.

Email subscription

If you've been forwarded this email, click here to subscribe. It's free. We usually send one email per month or two.