Let City Council Know what Your Priorities Are for the 2020 City Budget - January 16 and 20
The 2020 City Budget, released on January 10, is a chance to set our priorities as a city to create healthy, sustainable communities. Each year, City staff recommend a budget, and then City Council - with input from Toronto residents - makes decisions about the City's services, programs and infrastructure, and approve the final budget. Before it is approved by Council at the end of February, residents are invited to give their input. Read the reports and follow the budget timelines here. Find out how to get involved here.

You can make a deputation directly to the Budget Committee, To register to speak, you can email buc@toronto.ca and indicate which session you wish to attend. If you can’t attend, you can also submit a written deputation at the same email address.
Monday, January 20, 9:30am - 5pm; 6pm onward
City Hall, 100 Queen St W, Committee Room 1  

You can also attend the Downtown Budget Town Hall being hosted by Councillors Mike Layton, Kristyn Wong-Tam and Joe Cressy. Audience Q&A to follow presentations. Light refreshments will be served.
Thursday, January 16, 2020,  6:00-8:00pm
City Hall, 100 Queen St W, Committee Room 2


Remembering Julie Berman with a Trans Teach-In - January 23
From the Toronto Star:
The death of a well-loved, tireless advocate for trans rights in Toronto has left a close community reeling with shock and an all-too-familiar sense of grief. Julie Berman, 51, was found with serious injuries to her head after Toronto Police were called to a residence in the Brunswick Avenue and Harbord Street area on December 22, 2019. Berman was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead. A 29-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder.

From Pride Toronto:
In the wake of transphobic actions at major institutions, where the very humanity of the trans community was considered a topic for debate, the trans community and its allies will gather in the spirit of education and dialogue. Join the community for TRANScend/TRANSform: A Teach-In with trans people and allies about trans people and allyship.  Join renowned authors Gwen Benaway and Kai Cheng Thom along with activists Monica Forrester and Chanelle Gallant as they stage a Teach-In to educate the general public about issues affecting the trans community and how allies can help create safer, braver spaces. More info on the event here.
Thursday, January 23, 7-9 pm
The 519, 519 Church St.


StreetART Toronto Information Sessions - January 24
StreetARToronto (StART) is a suite of innovative programs designed specifically for streets and public spaces. Initiated in 2012 as an integral part of the City’s Graffiti Management Plan, StART has been successful in reducing graffiti vandalism and replacing it with vibrant, colourful, community-engaged street art. StART programs encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), make our streets more beautiful and safe, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, reduce overall infrastructure maintenance costs and more.

In January, StreetARToronto will host 10 information sessions at Toronto Public Library locations around the city to share information and answer questions about the StART suite of programs. All are welcome to come and learn more about StART 2020. Book your one-on-one meeting with a City of Toronto StART team member by registering through the StART Events page or plan to visit during the last hour of each session which is open for drop-ins. For more information click here. Learn about the overall program here: 2020 Information Session presentation .  Register for the next west-end presentation here.
Friday January 24, 11 am - 3 pm
Annette Street Branch, 145 Annette St


University-Rosedale Tenant Rights Workshops - January 25 and February 1
Are you a tenant? Are you struggling to get basic repairs done? Ever felt nervous about your privacy, rent increases or evictions? Do you have questions about your rights under the law? Have you ever thought about working with your neighbours to improve conditions in your building?

To ensure renters across the riding have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to defend their rights and stay in their homes, University Rosedale MPP Jessica Bell is partnering with the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations to host a Tenant School.

This will be a free, in-depth and intensive two-day training on housing and tenancy law, covering issues of tenant rights, repairs, advocacy and civic engagement. These workshops are designed to empower and educate tenants so they can make real changes to their housing situation. Register online here.
Saturday, January 25 & February 1, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Near Bloor & Spadina (details provided to registrants)


Bloor West Bike Lane Extension Drop-In Events - January 27 & 30
Many people traveling to, from, and through Harbord Village have benefited from the existing Bloor Bike Lanes.  The City is hosting two public drop-ins at the end of this month to hear feedback on the Bloor West Bikeway Extension, which would extend the existing Bloor Street Bike Lanes westward from Shaw Street to Runnymede Road. The proposed protected bike lanes would create dedicated space for people cycling and improve safety for all road users.

Both events will feature detailed display boards with information about the City's proposed design. The City will be looking for feedback to make this the best bike lane possible, so please attend whichever date is most convenient for you.

Public Drop-in #1
Monday, January 27, 4-8 pm
St. Wenceslaus Church, 496 Gladstone Ave

Public Drop-in #2
Thursday, January 30, 4-8 pm
Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor St W


Update on Implementation of Short-term Rental Regulations
From Councillor Mike Layton’s office:
The City is moving forward with the implementation of the Licensing and Registration of Short-Term Rentals Bylaw, as adopted by City Council. New online registration, licensing and enforcement systems are being put in place. We are planning to implement the regulations for short-term rentals in the following phases.

Phase 1: Complaint-based investigation – ongoing
As the licensing and registration system is being put in place, the City continues to respond to issues on a complaint basis. Residents can contact 311 to report issues related to short-term rentals, such as noise, waste and zoning infractions and the City will investigate accordingly.

Phase 2: Licensing and registration – Spring 2020
Licensing of short-term rental companies and registration of operators will begin in spring 2020. Current and prospective short-term rental operators will have three months to register. During this time, the City will educate the public on short-term rental rules, encourage operators to register their short-term rentals, and work with companies to ensure compliance with the licensing rules.

Phase 3: Enforcement and MAT– Summer 2020
All current short-term rental operators will need to be registered by the end of phase 2. The City will take enforcement actions against short-term rental operators that are not registered or are not following the rules. As of the end of phase 2, registered short-term rental operators will also be required to start paying the four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on a quarterly basis. Enforcement action will also be taken against companies that allow unregistered operators to list on their platform or contravene the bylaw. New short-term rental operators can register on an ongoing basis.

More information will be made available on the City's short-term rentals website: toronto.ca/shorttermrentals