Note from Councillor Bradford
February 21, 2019

It was great to see so many people from the community at Ted Reeve Arena last weekend! I'm hosting another FREE Skate Day this Sunday at East York Memorial Arena at 11:30 a.m. and all are welcome!
 
  
 
I am also hosting my second regular Community Meeting on March 5th at 6:30 p.m. at Beach United Church (see details below).  Hope to see you there!

As always, if you would like to get in touch with me or my team please call the office at 416-338-2755 or email councillor_bradford@toronto.ca

-Brad Bradford

News and Information

Committee Updates

Over these past two weeks a lot of work was done and I'm proud of the results.
 
Term Limits:
Today I spoke to the Special Committee on Governance about exploring the idea of term limits so we can increase the diversity of City Council and address voter apathy. Unfortunately the Special Committee didn't even want to see a report or public discussion on this important issue, but we made important progress getting it on the agenda and having a vote on the record at City Council. 
 
Planning and Housing Committee:
We also made meaningful progress last week with my motion to include benchmarks and evaluation criteria for the key housing indicators we'll use to make important decisions on where to direct housing investment in this city. As we prepare our 10 year housing plan, it’s important to make data driven decisions on where to prioritize crucial investments.
 
Toronto East-York Community Council:
I know that public participation is an important pillar of our democracy. That’s why at the last Toronto East-York Community Council I introduced a motion to explore moving one of these meetings to the East York Civic Centre. Unfortunately this motion was defeated, but I will continue to work so we can keep our local community engaged in what's going on at City Hall.
 
Budget Committee:
The Budget Committee had its final meeting on Tuesday. The Committee recommended budget will now go to the Executive Committee and City Council before it's approved, so watch this space for more updates.
 
We've recommended the following major investments for 2019:
  • $17 million additional poverty reduction strategy funding above the existing $160 million in the City's base budget
  • $410 million to childcare with 29,800 childcare subsidies
  • Full funding for Transform TO – the city strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • $313 million going to state of good repair for Toronto Community Housing
  • $1.26 billion into the TTC's capital budget for maintaining and improving service
Thanks to the many of you who came out to my budget town hall on Feb. 6th at East York Civic Centre. As Vice-Chair of Budget Committee, my focus was on engaging with as many people as possible and making sure that we continued to maintain service levels despite a significant $100m land transfer tax shortfall.
Snow Clearing Update

In response to recent snow falls and ice storms, the City's Transportation Services crews are working non-stop to clean-up our main streets and make sure our city keeps moving. Regardless of their best efforts, the level of service being seen across the City needs to be improved. That is why I am supporting the Mayor’s review of Winter Operations, so we can ensure our streets and sidewalks are safe. The review will focus on: 
  • A study of our service levels around snow removal.
  • The threshold for declaring a major snow event to trigger parking restrictions along key routes so those roads can be cleared quicker.
  • How we can establish a zero tolerance system for vehicles blocking streetcar routes to ensure they are removed immediately and that drivers face stiff penalties for this infraction.
  • A look at best practices and technology used in other Canadian cities when dealing with snow and ice.
  • The cost of clearing the sidewalks in the Toronto and East York community council area and a detailed look at the benefits of harmonizing the city's sidewalk clearing.
If you have concerns about snow removal at a particular location you can report it to 311 by phone or online
Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program

Applications for the 2019 Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, March 28, 2019.
 
Who is eligible?
Business Improvement Areas, business associations and community groups that include strong business participation are eligible. Successful projects have good exposure, are visible from a public road, have the support of local businesses, build community partnerships (financial and in-kind donations), undertake public consultation and select artists through an open process.
 
What is the Outdoor Mural and Street Art Program?
The program offers one-time funding of up to $5,000 for murals in commercial or employment districts.  Eligible expenses for murals include artist fees, materials, installation and equipment rental.
Maintenance of the murals is the responsibility of the applicant.
 
For more information, please contact Michael Saunders in the Economic Development and Culture office, at 416-392-1005 or michael.saunders@toronto.ca.
Last Call on Waste Reduction Grants

Grants of up to $25,000 are available to support innovative community-based efforts to reduce residential waste and increase participation in the City of Toronto’s waste diversion programs. A priority will be placed on investing in actions that address multi-residential buildings, multi-lingual communities, equity-seeking groups and Neighbourhood Improvement Areas.

The application deadline is March 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.  See the website for all details of the program.

Input on the Toronto Overdose Action Plan

The opioid poisoning crisis continues to have devastating impacts on our community. Toronto Public Health wants your input on additional actions needed to address the crisis. You can take the survey here. It is open until Friday, March 1st. 

Bridge Rehabilitation Coxwell Avenue
 
Starting in April 2019 and continuing until September 2019 the City of Toronto is planning to rehabilitate the Coxwell Avenue bridge under the railway, south of Hanson Street, and repave and repair the pedestrian pathway south of the railway between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road. To complete this work, there will be no NORTHBOUND traffic on Coxwell Avenue from Fairford Avenue/Gerrard Street to Hanson Street. Access to driveways, businesses, and streets will remain open at all times, but will only be accessible from Coxwell Avenue southbound.

The pedestrian pathway south of the railway will be CLOSED between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road for a period of approximately three weeks during construction. A more specific timeline will be provided in a future notice. Signage will be posted near the pathway to help guide pedestrians.   

This work will ensure that the bridge meets today’s standards and remains safe for vehicles and pedestrians into the future. The project is part of the Council-approved 2019 Capital Works Program.
 
Torontonians and Climate Change: Results of 2018 Survey
 
In July 2017, City Council unanimously adopted TransformTO: Climate Action for a Healthy, Equitable and Prosperous Toronto. To inform and guide the development and implementation of policies, programs and other actions, the Environment and Energy Division commissioned Environics Research to complete a representative survey of residents to identify current perceptions on climate change and to gauge willingness to take action. 
 
The results will assist the Environment & Energy Division in establishing climate action priorities, goals, and metrics that will measure success. Sign up for Transform TO updates here
 
Key findings include: 
  • 78% of Torontonians express concern about climate change affecting our city;
  • 82% of Torontonians report there is a link between extreme weather events in Toronto and climate change;
  • 92% of Torontonians believe climate change threatens personal health and well-being;
  • 91% of Torontonians believe that collective action from all individuals and nations is required to address climate change;
  • 48% of Torontonians report that they do not know what to do to help address climate change;
  • 64% of Torontonians believe the City of Toronto should do more to address climate change;
  • The most desired motivators for climate action are incentives for home energy efficiency, and for infrastructure and support for sustainable transportation methods (cycling, public transit, electric vehicles); and
  • The most common barriers to climate action are inconvenience, expense, and lack of interest.
New Fare Gate Coming to Main Station
 
The fare gates at Main Street Station will be replaced with a newer model. This work started on February 1 and is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. Main Street is one of four stations where new gates are being installed. The reason the gates are being replaced with a newer model is so they are consistent with the other gates across the system.

Local Events

Kids Program Open House

The 12th Annual Beaches Kids Program Open House is an event for parents and kids (ages 0-16) to learn about and explore available programs and services in the Greater Beaches Area. Meet face to face with program organizers, teachers, coaches, and much more.  Programs include: Music, Dance, Sports, Arts, Science, Camps, Tutors, Playgroups, Daycares, Preschool Programs, Specialty Skills and Interests, Kids Health, Safety and much more… 

Free admission and free parking!

Saturday, February 23
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Beaches Recreation Centre, 6 Williamson Road
East York Family Skate
 
Winter Stations Activity Hub Pop Up

We're very excited about so many activities happening in conjunction with Winter Stations this year!  All are welcome to attend the unique Pop Up activities happening on Sunday afternoons during the Winter Stations exhibit. All activities begin at 1:00 p.m. and either start or end at the Pop Up at 1961 Queen Street East, as noted below:

February 24 - Join local youth to mingle at the Pop Up location and then tour the Winter Stations as a tribute to Reese Fallon to commemorate her love of butterflies. Meet artist Luis Enrique Hernandez from Xalapa, Mexico, designer for The Forest of Butterflies installation.

March 3 - Join former Beaches Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon, Jury Chair of Winter Stations, at the Pop Up location, to learn about the process of picking the installations! See a collection of Humber student prototypes and maquettes.

March 10 - Come to the Pop Up location to participate in a collaboration between Live Green TO, Friends of the Beach Parks and David Suzuki Foundation. A fun workshop to educate and spread the word on making Toronto greener and creating healthy environments. When we honour the Monarch Butterfly, we create habitats for all pollinators! There will be seed bomb making activity, stickers and information booklets.

March 17 - Meet at the foot of Woodbine Avenue on the Beach where Neighbourhood Arts Network, in collaboration with Mural Routes and Paralia, will host a walking tour of the Winter Stations followed by a networking session and presentation on public art (programmed by Mural Routes). Attendees will be recipients of the 2018 Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship program from Toronto Arts Council as well as newcomer artists in Paralia’s network.

March 24 - Meet at the foot of Woodbine Avenue on the Beach, where East End Arts and Small Print Toronto will tour the Winter Stations with city builders aged 4-12 years. After a guided tour of the installations on the beach, return to the Pop Up location where kids can envision and build their own miniature Winter Station using recycled materials and craft supplies. Kids will also be invited to act as media observers. Aspiring reporters can write and draw mini-articles for the newspaper of record, The Mouse City Times.
 
Maple Sugar Music

Toronto Beach Chorale presents Maple Sugar Music, a toe-tapping salute to Canadian folk music featuring La Messe Québécoise, a work for choir, folk fiddle and spoons by Québec composer Pierick Houdy
along with English- and French-Canadian folk songs.

See here for details and ticket information.

Sunday, February 24
3:00 p.m. 
Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue
Student Led Winter Stations Walks

Hosted by RAW Design, join a group of informed, savvy student art “interpreters” who will tour you around the Winter Stations on a communal walk! These High School students will encourage you to engage, touch, interact and respond to the six Winter Stations. Find out how the installations make the students feel and then share your reactions. For those interested in art and who want to know MORE!

Saturday, March 2 and Saturday, March 16
12:00 p.m.
Meet at the foot of Woodbine Avenue on the Beach
Main Street Planning Study - Meeting #2

A goal of the City's Official Plan is to integrate land use and transportation planning to create a better urban environment, a competitive local economy and a more equitable City. By attracting more people and jobs to targeted growth areas in the City that are supported by good and affordable transit services and other infrastructure, the City can build vibrant communities to live, work, play and invest in.

On November 7, 2017, City Council requested the City Planning Division to undertake further study of development potential within proximity of the Main Street subway station and the Danforth GO station. This study is looking at the potential built form relationships of tall buildings to the mid-rise planned context of Danforth Avenue and supporting provincial and municipal policy objectives of intensification, both jobs and people, in areas well served by transit.

The first community consultation for the study was held on June 13, 2018. The purpose of this meeting will be to build upon what was discussed at the first meeting and to obtain your feedback and comments on the draft framework plan for the study area.
 

To speak to the planners directly, contact either George Pantazis, Planner, at 416-392-3566 or George.Pantazis@toronto.ca or Daniel Woolfson, Senior Planner, at 416-392-7574 or Daniel.Woolfson@toronto.ca.

Monday, March 4
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hope United Church, 2550 Danforth Avenue
Community Meeting
 
New Canadian Citizenship Ceremony

Witness an art themed Citizenship Ceremony like none other! After the ceremony there will be a walk to the Beach for a tour of the Winter Stations with some of the newest Canadians! Speakers will include MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Councillor Brad Bradford and a representative from Winter Stations.

Wednesday, March 6
Ceremony at 10:00 a.m., followed by walk on Beach
Kew Beach Lawn Bowling Club, 12 Lee Avenue
Seniors Active Living & Lifestyles Fair

Community Centre 55 is hosting an information and FREE day of workshops, active demonstrations, health clinic, healthy snacks and over 25 health related exhibitors featuring unique service and products to keep seniors independent and active!  Transportation to and from the event is available.  Please contact Jade at 416-691-1113 or jade@centre55.com for more information.

Wednesday, March 13
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
Beach United Church, 140 Wineva Avenue

Community Updates

TD Park People Grants

The second round of TD Park People Grants program just launched! This means that 75 park groups are eligible to receive a $2,000 grant to host 225 awesome park events in 2019.

Here's what you need to know to apply:
  • Applications are open now and close on March 4th.
  • Grants in 2019 are for park groups in Metro Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax Regional Municipality
  • Successful groups will host three park events between Earth Day (April 20) and New Year's Eve 2019.
Be sure to Visit the website to get all of the details, helpful event ideas and application form for the TD Park People Grants program.
Parking Etiquette Reminder

During the winter months it is especially important to be mindful of street parking rules.  Please make sure to only take up one spot, especially with so much snow around, and to never block the TTC routes.  Let's work together to make our transit and parking as efficient as possible!
New Mural in The Beaches Seeks Artist

Mural Routes and Sobeys Inc. are partnering on plans to produce a new mural in The Beaches, to be completed and celebrated at The Beaches Jazz Festival on July 27th, 2019. They are currently calling on mural artists or teams of artists to submit a proposal to design and produce the mural. Additionally, local community members are invited to give feedback by participating in a variety of mural consultation activities.

The new mural will replace the deteriorating mural on the east-facing wall of the Foodland store located at 2040 Queen Street East, which was removed in 2018. The initial mural depicted a scene of jazz musicians and scenes of The Beaches neighbourhood landmarks.

Members of The Beaches community can get involved in mural consultation through activities beginning in February through to May: an online survey open to the public from February 19th to April 16th; an Introduction to Mural Art program at the Beaches Library running weekly from April 1st to May 13th; and a drop-in consultation event on May 13th. Community consultation will be managed by Mural Routes with support from The Beach Village BIA.

Interested artists or teams of artists must apply by March 8th, 2019. Preference will be given to artist(s) who live, work and/or have a history or connection to The Beaches neighbourhood.

Additional information and updates on the project, including the Call for Artists, registration for the Introduction to Mural Art program, the Community Input Survey and consultation event details can be found on Mural Routes website at: www.muralroutes.ca/Beaches-Mural-2019

East End Arts

East End Arts is a non-profit community arts organization that serves the east end of Toronto. They provide inclusive arts programming and events to our local communities, including youth, newcomers, seniors and priority groups. They also provide professional development opportunities to both emerging and established artists and arts organizations.

They currently have the following Call for Artists in Ward 19:
 


Danforth Mosaic BIA Funding Program

The Danforth Mosaic BIA has just launched their 2019 Events, Arts & Activations funding program. This program aims to support public events, art projects, and public space activations happening within 500m of the Danforth Mosaic BIA area, with the goal of bringing vibrancy to the neighbourhood!
 
Groups can apply for up to $5,000 per project. Details and the application are available here
Winter Stations Opening

What a fantastic day for the opening of Winter Stations on Family Day! The exhibit is on at Woodbine Beach until April 1st and I encourage you to check it out!
 
  

City Updates

Rolling overnight lane closures on Lake Shore Boulevard East as first step of Gardiner Expressway strategic rehabilitation

Province, City agree on terms of reference for realignment of transit responsibilities

Public consultation on Clothing Drop Boxes Bylaw

Have your say on the City's draft Biodiversity Strategy at one of three public consultation meetings
Contact 311 For City Services
Brad Bradford, Toronto City Councillor for Ward 19, Beaches-East York
416-338-2755

councillor_bradford@toronto.ca

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