Featured News
Digging up the past for future benefit: the lost waterways of Toronto
ABCRA’s own “lost brook” had an important role in shaping our neighbourhood.
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Eye-popping 11-storey tower proposed for site of historic Toronto homes
A row of homes dating back almost 125 years could be transformed by an impressive 11-storey tower, if a new development application is approved by the city. Not surprisingly, local residents have questions about the growing intensity in a quiet section of one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods where a number of proposals to increase density are piling up.
Winners Announced for the 2023 Heritage Toronto Awards
Canadian architects and urbanists were at the helm of five projects that were among the winners of the the 2023 Heritage Toronto Awards. The Heritage Toronto Awards bring together leaders, innovators and emerging professionals from across cultural, development, and policy-making sectors to celebrate achievements in Toronto’s heritage. The event is also Heritage Toronto’s major fundraiser of the year and raises monies in support of its public programming.
What third-party audits could tell us about municipal finances — and housing — in Ontario
OPINION: Shedding light on government finances is never a bad idea. Here’s hoping audits will spur a necessary discussion about how Ontario cities raise revenue and from whom.
Advocacy groups call on Toronto for full moratorium on unhoused evictions
An advocacy group is calling on the mayor and city council to vote in favour of a full moratorium on evictions and address “service restrictions” practices across the entire shelter system. Voices for Unhoused Liberation wrote an open letter outlining demands, including investment in more indoor space and starting an accountability process, including people in Toronto’s homeless population and advocates.
‘What happened to Yonge Street?’ Quashing Toronto’s character is the city’s mistake
At a recent family party, some of my in-laws and I were discussing one of our favourite topics: “What happened to Yonge Street?” Which is a conversation that always evolves, surely as the sun rises, into the problem of “What is happening to Toronto?”
City of shadows
The new buildings were just what Toronto needed. More than 800 new rental apartments, about a third of them permanently affordable. These new homes would rise on the site of an old provincial building. The problem: They were too tall. One tower would rise 50 storeys into the air, and so it would cast shadow on a park half a block away – covering about a quarter of its surface – for up to three hours a day.
Three new bridges set to open as massive Port Lands development takes shape
number of major projects in the Port Lands area that are reshaping the city’s waterfront, with a focus on enhancing flood protection, restoring natural habitats, and creating vibrant public spaces, are set to open this month.
Ward 11 December 2023 Newsletter
November was a big month at City Hall. One outstanding achievement was Council’s adoption of Mayor Chow’s generational housing plan, a transformation in Toronto’s housing policy. I was proud to be the one to ensure that new housing under this plan will support Toronto’s climate and air quality commitments by being “natural” gas-free. I was also glad to see 35 Bellevue, in the heart of Kensington Market, among the first five sites where the City will build new affordable housing.
Investors now own more than 50% of Toronto’s new condos
Experts say real estate has become a game, where investors rather than end users are the main players, buying and selling property to cash in on Toronto’s hottest commodity. In the process, they’re driving up prices and pushing out prospective homebuyers like Jaqueline Belardi, who just want somewhere to live.
Events & Public Meetings
It’s Jane’s Walk time!
This year, there is a walk especially relevant to ABC residents – and it starts right at Ramsden Park.
Why Sidewalks Matter, May 4, 2-4 p.m.
Walk led by Lee Scott (Walk Toronto) & Holly Reid (Yonge4All) Beyond connecting us to work, shops, and leisure, sidewalks are urban lifelines that foster community, improve life quality, and add uniqueness to our journeys.