Spring Update 2023

Hi all,

What a week for weather! If your thoughts had not turned to summer, I'm sure they have now. Before we look ahead to the exciting events that the WCRA has planned, we wanted to provide you with a summary of the work that has been done over the past months.

Shelter Support Survey 

Thanks to all WCRA members that took the time to complete our survey back in February. I've attached a summary of key findings for your reference. 

The WCRA has held a number of meetings with the city staff in Shelter Support Services to better understand the state of city affairs. Like many in the community, we were very concerned to see Mitchel Field Community Centre turned into a Warming Centre this past winter. Our conversations confirmed our fears, the City of Toronto is not properly funded at the Federal and Provincial levels. As a result, we have city services that have to make due with the limited resources they have. We can expect more of this thing in the Willowdale area if funding continues at current levels. The WCRA has started to explore ways to advocate for better funding and will be exploring ways to work with the Councillor's office to address the concerns coming from our discussions with SSHA. We have attached a portion of Councillor Cheng's newsletter that speaks to this topic for your reference... 

Motion Passed: City Council request the City Manager to establish a program where Members of Council form delegations to meet with Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament to advocate for our budget issues.

 “The lack of acknowledgement by the Provincial and Federal government of the many contributions the City is making towards social supports for those experiencing homelessness as well as how we support newcomers and refugees - both of which are costs that should be coming from these other levels of government. Councillor Pasternak also points out that unlike any other municipality, the province has downloaded the cost of maintenance of the DVP and Gardiner Expressway - whereas all other highways are paid for by the province. Click Here to read the bleak 10 year financial outlook that was presented by Ernst and Young. I look forward to the opportunity to approach MPs and MPPs across the country about our challenges.”

On a related note, the WCRA would like to thank Councillor Cheng and the staff who worked closely with Shelter Support Housing & Administration (SSHA) to return Mitchel Field to its intended purpose as a Community Centre.  

Networking & Community Building Update 

The WCRA board has been busy building relationships with the various association and organization leads in Willowdale. In February, we hosted a networking event with over 40 community members. We discussed the issues and concerns raised by local residents, and explored partnership opportunities with those in attendance. There was great energy at this event and we are happy to report that a number of community-led initiatives are now underway as a result of this meeting. We recognize that our community has been undergoing a transformation for many years, from a suburban neighbourhood to an unban centre. With this change come new challenges and concerns. All  those in attendance agreed, the need for a strong sense of community is important if we want to deal with these new challenges. There are many things outside our control but one thing we can manage is our connection with our neighbours. It takes effort and it takes time to build a strong community. We hope you will consider getting involved when the WCRA and other community associations/organizations call upon you for volunteer support. The more people that get involved, the more community building activities and events we can host. 

       

Upcoming WCRA Events

There's lots going on in Willowdale. Here are some upcoming WCRA events:

  • Gardening at JMH: May 6th from 9am-noon. The WCRA is partnering with the Ontario Historical Society for an event at John McKenzie Historic House. If you like gardening and the outdoors come by and help as we prepare the gardens around the house. Refreshments will be served and it's a great way to meet your neighbours! Email willowdalecra@gmail.com to register OR if you have questions.  

  • WCRA Annual Meeting (TBD). We will be hosting our AGM in the month of May. More details will be coming. 

  • Doors Open TO: May 27/28 all day. WCRA is collaborating with the Ontario Historical Society, along with TO Live, for Doors Open. Stop by and take in the free musical performance that will be happening through the day!  

  • WCRA Annual BBQ: June 17th from 11am- 2pm. Back by popular demand, the WCRA will be hosting it's annual community BBQ. Save the date and watch for more information on this fun event.

  • Willowdale Concerts in the Park Series: Weekly from June-September. The WCRA will be hosting a free weekly concert at Lee Lifeson Park. We are currently in the planning process and would like to have this series run every Thursday from 6pm-9pm (live performances running 7-9pm). WCRA has collaborated with North York Arts and secured some sponsorship money to pay for this program. We will need more community support if we want to have this run from June 1st to September 28th. If you, or someone you know would like to be part of the planning committee OR assist on the day of the events, please Email sboyleto@gmail.com.

We recommend you refer to our website and consider signing up for Councillor Cheng's newsletter as it has a summary of many local events, along with other important information about our ward. Here's the registration link for easy reference: https://www.lilycheng.ca

Warm Regards,

Stephen, on behalf of the WCRA

Spring Update 2022

Hi all,


We hope this note finds you and yours well.


The cost of living has ballooned over the past year and the topic of affordable housing has gotten much attention from all three levels of government. Anyone who has been looking to buy or rent a home/condo (or support adult children with this endeavor) knows just how serious this issue has become. Most of the articles point to a lack of supply as the main issue, and it appears our elected officials are focusing most of their policy changes on things that will speed up development. Over the past year we have seen a dizzying number of policy changes at the municipal and provincial levels. Why is the WCRA opening their update with this you may ask?... Because we know the topic of community development impacts our collective way of life. With the increase in population density comes an increased demand on the things we use on the daily basis; be that roads, schools, daycare centres and park space, to things like hydro, sewage and community safety resources. The WCRA recognizes that you care about these things but most lack the time to review all the things that are being introduced. Below is an attempt to provide the highest level of details about some very important topics that will fundamentally impact our community in the future.

Development Updates

Provincial Policy Changes: Housing Affordability Task Force Recommendations

The 50 plus recommendations put forward by the task force are nuanced, bold, clear and radical. The key idea: more housing within cities, as quickly as possible. If the Ford government follows even half the suggestions, the results will fundamentally reshape land-use planning in Ontario and dramatically alter the housing market and cities throughout the province. The report recommends doubling the number of homes Ontario builds, starting immediately. The main thrust of the recommendations is to make it easier to build housing in more places. There is simply too much to review in an email. More details will be shared over the coming months with resource links added to our website for those interested in more details. Also watch for the "Affordable Housing Speaking Series" with Provincial Member of Parliament, Stan Cho (coming late April).

Here are the main elements of the “The More Homes for Everyone” Act introduced on March 30th

  • Increasing the non-resident speculation tax rate to 20 per cent, expanding the tax beyond the Greater Golden Horseshoe to apply provincewide and closing loopholes to fight tax avoidance, effective March 30, 2022. The tax applies to homes purchased anywhere in Ontario by foreign nationals, foreign corporations or taxable trustees.

  • Working with municipalities to identify and enhance measures that will crack down on land speculation and protect home buyers. This is in response to feedback the province solicited from municipalities regarding projects that are approved by the municipality, but unbuilt by the developer.

  • Strengthening consumer protections for purchasers of new homes by doubling fines and extending building license suspensions to address unethical conduct by developers, while ensuring penalties for cancelled projects are aligned with the impact on homebuyers.

  • Supporting municipalities with resources, tools and standards to provide timely review and adjudication processes by both extending legislated timelines for decisions while focusing the decision-making process.

  • Creating a new tool specifically designed to accelerate planning processes for municipalities. The Community Infrastructure and Housing Accelerator would help municipalities expedite approvals for housing and community infrastructure, like hospitals and community centres, with clear requirements for both consultation and public notice.

  • Investing more than $19 million to help the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and the Landlord and Tenant Board to reduce their backlogs.

Municipal Policy Changes

The City of Toronto is reviewing its Official Plan to develop a revised vision for city planning over the next 30 years, through to 2051. Our Plan Toronto presents an opportunity to address, through planning policy, a number of the growth-related challenges facing Toronto today and in the future. These challenges include housing affordability, climate change, mobility, public health and more that will help inform the City’s ongoing response to, and recovery from, the COVID-19 pandemic.


Over the next 30 years Toronto will continue to grow and change. It is expected that by 2051 another 700,000 people will move to the city and call Toronto home. Over that same time period, an additional 450,000 jobs will be created for people to work in Toronto. In total, by 2051 it is predicted that Toronto will grow to a population of 3.6 million and have a job market with more than two million jobs

Our Plan Toronto will identify how the city will direct and manage this growth in a healthy and sustainable way. Part of the review includes an intensification strategy intended to direct and prioritize growth where transit and other infrastructure currently exists or is planned, including in Major Transit Station Areas, Urban Growth Centres, and other Strategic Growth Areas. These areas will be informed by local area studies that are currently being undertaken or have recently been completed and adopted by City Council.

Similar to the Provincial policy changes, there is simply too much to review in an email. More details will be shared over the coming months, but here are two things which the WCRA will be monitoring closely.

  • Garden Suites and other intensification policies.

  • Growth Funding Tools and how Development Charges (DC) are allocated within the City of Toronto.

Road Reconstruction - Willowdale Ave and Sheppard Ave E

The City of Toronto is proposing cycling and road safety improvements for Sheppard Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue. The improvements are planned to be implemented as part of the scheduled road resurfacing and reconstruction work for Sheppard Avenue East programmed in 2022-2024.

The primary focus of road resurfacing and reconstruction is to repair or replace damaged sections of the road, curb, and sidewalk which have deteriorated over time. This project includes options to improve safety and operations at intersections, install new cycle tracks, widen sidewalks, and where possible include new trees and green infrastructure. The extension of the Willowdale Avenue cycle track will be combined with this work. The City is focused on improving the transportation experience for people walking, cycling, taking transit and driving, and meeting the City’s road safety and climate targets. More details are available here; Willowdale Construction Project link

Parks Update

1 - Willowdale Park

The councillor's office held a public consultation meeting in coordination with parks staff in 2021. The City has reviewed the public consultation feedback and survey results and have put together recommended drawings and plans. They have contracted a landscape architect and contractor for the project through the RFP procurement process. The expected timeline for construction to begin is summer 2022 with park improvements to be complete by Spring, 2023. 

Project Description: Willowdale Park Playground Improvements

2 - Lee Lifeson Art Park

The city has negotiated the purchase of the last remaining house adjacent to this park. There is currently a commercial tenant on the main floor of this building and the lease ends June 30, 2022. City staff will start into design and consultation this summer. Current projections for park improvements are 2023.

3 - Parkview Neighbourhood Garden
The city has undertaken the expropriation of 37 Norton Ave (site of the rooming house fire). The Parks department has scheduled work for 2023 with community consultations sometime this year.

WCRA Board Meetings:

We are encouraged to see the networking and collaboration activity that has started to take hold within the Willowdale area. A number of neighbourhood associations and involved community members have been working on events and activities to enhance our shared experience. You can check-out the WCRA website and/or monitor your email for some upcoming events. Here's the link for easy reference; WCRA website

The WCRA Board of Directors will be hosting a community Bar-B-Q and membership drive on June 18th. We are excited to resume in-person events and continue to work through the details of this one. We will provide you with more information in the coming weeks.

As many of you know, the WCRA held its AGM on November 18, 2021. We decided on another virtual meeting due to the evolving Covid situation at that time. We kept the agenda light and invited staff from the councillors office to attend this event with the hopes for a more robust, in-person event this year.

You can expect more WCRA updates on these and other topics impacting our neighbourhood over the coming months.  

Warm Regards,

Stephen, on behalf of the WCRA

Fall Update 2021

Hi All,

I hope this note finds you and yours well.

A number of you have reached out to me over the past year, looking for local shopping opportunities. I'm happy to report we have some coming up this weekend, just in time for the holidays! Please see attached flyers for the Willowdale Fine Art & Holiday Market (Dec 4 & 5). As well as the Willowdale Walking Parade & Market (Dec 4th) OR you can check out the "Events" calendar on our website.

Please see below for community related information and updates...

A message from the We Love Willowdale Group...

Give or receive some joy this Christmas

As the holidays approach, many families find it hard to celebrate due to challenging circumstances. NeighbourLink North York has already registered over 100 families, several of whom are single moms who have fled abuse, along with families impacted by Covid and isolated seniors in need of encouragement. Please consider signing up to sponsor a Christmas Hamper that will bring some joy and support to a family in our community. A large majority of our recipients live in Willowdale, while the rest live across North York. For further details, please visit:

https://www.neighbourlink.org/christmashampers2021. There is also a form to sign up to receive a hamper if this is a season where you need some encouragement.


The 2nd Annual We Love Willowdale Christmas Walking Parade & Market

Join Karaoke Santa and spread some joy in the heart of Willowdale as we walk through the heart of Willowdale together. You can also shop our special Willowdale Christmas Market with some unique vendors - including Wayne, our homeless neighbour who makes beautiful keychains and lanyards, as well as The 98 - a line of clothing designed by youth from our community.

DATE: Saturday, December 4

TIME: Market - 4-6pm, Parade - 6-7pm, Live music throughout the evening.Join us with reindeer antlers, an ugly Christmas sweater, or simply your Christmas spirit!

Click Here to be a vendor.

Click Here to join our Parade.


Volunteers Needed

This holiday season, NeighbourLink North York is running two Food Bank dates, a Christmas Hamper program along with a Christmas Parade and Market. We need volunteers to help us spread joy and hope in our community. Please sign up here: www.neighbourlink.org/volunteer. Students are welcome and can receive volunteer hours.

A message from the Willowdale BIA...

Your Willowdale BIA is hosting a Scavenger Hunt during the holidays from December 4 to the 31. We have planned an exciting program to get to know businesses in Willowdale while having fun. Join us to support your local businesses and have a great time in this adventure that is sure to keep you on your toes.
We hope that you could help us spread the word about this community event through your networks and, together, help make Willowdale an even more wonderful place. I have attached the flyer, poster, and rule book that you can share with your networks, plus for more information please visit: willowdalebia.com/events

Sheppard Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue Cycling + Road Safety Improvements

The City of Toronto is proposing road safety and cycling improvements on Sheppard Avenue East and Willowdale Avenue. The project is focused on improving the transportation experience for people walking, cycling, taking transit and driving, and meeting the City’s road safety and climate targets.

Opportunities to Learn More & Provide Feedback

There is also opportunity to learn more and provide comments through:

  • Virtual Public Meeting on Tuesday December 7, 2021 6:00 – 8:00 PM (When you follow the link, click on the word Register, next to Event Status)

·         Online comment form (open November 30, 2021 – December 30, 2021)

The deadline to provide feedback is December 30 2021. 

A copy of the public notice being distributed via Canada Post is attached. 

More information can be found on our web page, toronto.ca/SheppardAvenueEast.

Important City Planning business that is going to impact our neighbourhood -Summaries compliments of FoNTRA...

Garden Suites: Final Consultation-Submissions due November 30 

Get your running shoes on and start reading up on what City Planning is setting up for Garden Suites with submissions due by November 30.   

Check out the City Planning Garden Suites Website  for the Draft Permissions, the Draft Official Plan Amendments, the Draft Zoning By-Law Amendments, Review again CORRA's original Position Paper on Garden Suites. Compare and Contrast to see if the City Planners have considered any of our suggestions or addressed our concerns.

Stay tuned for more updates as things develop and we return to more community activities.

Warm Regards,

Stephen, on behalf of the WCRA

Winter Update 2021

Hi all,

We are happy to report that the WCRA is starting to get noticed. Membership numbers have remained flat over the past year given the networking challenges associated with public health measures – namely not gathering in groups. Despite the challenges we have experienced, WCRA members have found ways to connect with others as you will see in the updates below.

We are starting to see the benefit of our past efforts specifically when it comes to our interactions with elected officials. Councilor Filion’s office has been engaging with us for the past two years but we are now getting calls and invitations from the office of Stan Cho (provincial MP) and Ali Ehsassi (federal MP) in addition to other associations. Our core mandate is not political activism; however, we do want to ensure our voice is heard when it comes to matters that impact our community. We are currently seen as an involved, open-minded organization that is willing to engage in respectful debate. This has resulted in some recent “wins” for our community (see note on REimagin Yonge).

The WCRA continues its networking and community outreach efforts. Please see below information and updates on matters that impact our community.

WCRA Activity:

1.       We held our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 3, 2020. It was our first virtual meeting and was generally well attended. We had the opportunity to hear from all our elected officials on matters that directly impact our community.  A motion was put forward to amend our bi-laws in order to include a non-voting class membership. This aligns with our core mission of community outreach and engagement. The non-voting membership allows those individuals with no formal neighborhood association to join our group. Our hope is that we will attract engaged community members who can learn from our association and support our efforts. The ultimate goal is to ensure our entire ward is covered by associations and that we coordinate with these associations on matters that impact us.

2.       As you are aware, we have limited our social gatherings and community events over the past year as we deal with the challenges of this pandemic. We have been exploring ways to connect virtually and have partnered with a few community organizations over the last months. In November the WCRA piloted a virtual art gallery featuring one of our members. It was well received and as a result we have engaged with a few regional artists in an effort to showcase local talent. This month we are featuring a Willowdale artist, Ann Katz. Please take a moment to view her collection on our website (https://www.willowdalecentral.org/new-cover-page).

 

Reimagine Yonge:

1.       Our association was contacted by mayor Tory’s office in advance of the Reimagine Yonge vote in December. The mayor wanted to hear directly from community representatives on this important project. You may recall, we had an audience with the mayor’s office back in the fall of 2019. The message we carried was very straight-forward and based on the survey results collected back in 2019; While it is important to listen to special interest groups and residents, we expect political leadership on matters such as these. Listen to the public but act based on expert recommendations. Ultimately a good plan well executed is better then a great plan that never sees the light of day – community members are tired of the delays and work is long overdue.

Parks & Recreation Projects:

1.       The councilor’s office has informed us that they have a multi-year parks development plan underway. As a result of feedback from the community, that includes several people from the WCRA, councilor Filion and city staff are looking to better engage with the residence to plan for park improvements.  I will be co-chair on a newly formed Parks and Recreation Advisory board. Please reach out if you have any interest joining me on this initiative (email sboyleto@gmail.com).

2.       The weather has been very cooperative this year for the volunteers that are supporting local outdoor skating rinks. We are fortunate to have a few of them around our neighbourhood. Glendora is the closet (just south of Sheppard, off Willowdale Ave). Another great rink is located at Parkview Park (Kingsdale and Estelle Ave). Masks are now required if you wish to skate. There are no city staff at these locations to monitor skaters, so it is our collective responsibility to follow public safety protocols. Use at your own risk and please be courteous with others.

 

We look forward to the time when we can gather again in person. Until then, keep well and reach out if you have any ideas on how we can support our community!

 Warm Regards,

Stephen,

On behalf of the WCRA

REimagining Yonge Council Vote - Dec 1, 2020

This Tuesday (Dec. 1st) is your opportunity to comment on REimagining Yonge. This will be a very important motion for our community so please take a moment to review details below.

REimagining Yonge is a project proposed by City of Toronto staff to improve the streetscape and safety of Yonge St. between Sheppard and Finch. The project is to be done in conjunction with major infrastructure repairs that must be completed within the next 5-7 years.

Currently, staff are recommending changes to Yonge St. and it will impact the following:

1) A cross-section reduction from six to four lanes (between Sheppard and Finch)

2) Protected bicycle lanes (cycle tracks) being installed on Yonge St

3) Wider sidewalks and boulevards

4) New and enhanced pedestrian crossings – traffic signals and turn restrictions at some intersections

5) A centre landscaped median

6) The removal of both northbound and southbound left-turn lanes at the intersection of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue


On December 1, 2020, city staff will present recommendations based on their report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC). A copy of the staff report is available on the Committee site. Please visit toronto.ca/REimaginingYonge to learn more about the project.

Based on staff recommendations and public comment the IEC will decide on their recommendation to Toronto City Council for REimagining Yonge.

To ensure the REimagining Yonge project accommodates the needs of our community, we ask that you:

1) Review the current details of REimagining Yonge

2) Provide feedback to the City of Toronto by:

• Speaking at the virtual meeting on Dec. 1st starting at 9:30am (Must register by 4pm on Nov. 30th) You can click the “request to speak” link.

• Email your comments to Council members, and the Mayor make sure to copy iec@toronto.ca (Secretariat contact)


I have had the opportunity to review the city report in detail and spent time with both the councilor and mayor's office discussing the city report. I am happy to discuss and provide my perspective on this very important topic to anyone that is looking for additional information.

Warm Regards,

Stephen, on behalf of the WCRA

Fall Update 2020

Hi all,

We hope that this note finds you well. We recognize that life has not been easy for many people and now, more than ever, we need to connect and support one another.

It certainly has not been business as usual the past nine months but the WCRA membership has been working behind the scenes to move forward our mission and mandate. Networking activity and in-person events have been significantly impacted due to COVID-19, and like many people we have been looking for ways to adapt as a result.

Please see below information and updates on matters that impact our community.

WCRA Board Meetings:

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been scheduled for December 3, 2020 at 7:30pm. It will be a virtual meeting (link and details to be provided to all members). Please save the date and hope to see you then!

The Board recently voted on a motion to waive the annual due for 2020 given the lack of networking events this year.

The Board has been networking with the Federation of North Toronto Resident’s Associations (FoNTRA). They are a well-organized group comprised of over 40 associations which represent over 40,000 households. We see an opportunity for advocacy work on specific issues that will have widespread impact to our community.

We have been exploring different ways to connect and engage with the community. A number of WCRA members have been working with the “We Love Willowdale” group supporting the marginalized and less fortunate in our neighborhood. A lot of coordination is happening through the “Willowdale Neighbours Connect” Facebook group.

Reimagine Yonge:

I am sorry to report that this project continues to be delayed due to a number factors. The good news, at this point, is that the capital funding is still available. We will be exploring this topic in more detail during our AGM on December 3rd.

Construction Projects:

The Willowdale Avenue road project is now complete. The newly installed bike lanes have been getting good use with minimal impact to traffic flow at this point. Any questions or concerns about this can be directed to Councilor Filion’s office.

The watermain restoration project is nearing completion. This was a messy and disruptive project for many people in our neighborhood, but it was much needed. Any questions or concerns about this project can be directed to the City of Toronto (link below) or call 311.

https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/neighbourhoods-communities/ward-profiles/ward-18-willowdale/

 

Warm Regards,

Stephen,

On behalf of the WCRA

TTC & COVD-19 Measures: May 21, 2020 Update

May 21, 2020 The following is an overview of measures TTC continues to take to keep our customers safe and well informed.

Vehicle and station disinfection Since January, the TTC has been performing significant additional cleaning and disinfection of all public places with a focus on touch and grab points, such as buttons, railings, handles and straps. All stations, buses, streetcars, trains are receiving extra attention.

TTC website links and resources

The safety of our customers and employees is our first priority. Our website, TTC.ca, provides guidance for riding the TTC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reminders to keep everyone safe when travelling on public transit:

TTC and Toronto Public Health strongly recommend that all customers wear a face covering when taking transit . If you’re sick, stay home. •Wash your hands when you get to your destination. We’re all in this together. To further support the important message about wearing a face mask or face covering, TTC CEO Rick Leary wrote an Op-Ed in the Toronto Star.

Safety on the TTC

The TTC looks a lot different these days. A number of measures have been taken to enhance safety for our customers:

• hand sanitizers are installed at all subway stations;

• cash, token and TTC ticket fares are suspended – pay fares with your PRESTO card;

• COVID-19 screening posters are up at the entrances to all stations; • disinfecting our vehicles twice a day including hand holds and touch points;

• supporting our vulnerable communities with additional special constable patrols on vehicles and in stations;

• providing additional service on our busiest routes;

• providing masks, face shields, gloves and hand sanitizers to all our frontline employees;

• partnering with the City in promoting COVID-19 public health messaging on all of our communication channels.

Thank you for your support of our essential service to Toronto.

Richard Leary CEO Toronto Transit Commission

Covid Neighbourhood Response

A message from the We Love Willowdale group…

Hi Neighbours,

I hope you and your families are keeping well during this difficult time.  I am writing to you on behalf of We Love Willowdale and the Willowdale Covid Response Network that has emerged in our community.  The vision for this network is simply a picture of neighbours helping neighbours.  For some of us, this is easy to do as we are well connected to those who live in our midst - especially those who are leaders like yourselves.  However, the reality for many members of our community is that they do not know their neighbours.  

Our goal is not to replace any of the services that have arisen - but to be a connector.  While we hope this crisis will end quickly, the timelines is still up in the air, and the needs of community members will likely intensify as people encounter financial, mental health, and health challenges.  At the same time, we want to encourage all seniors and those who are vulnerable to reduce their risk, by allowing neighbours to help them get their groceries.  Although there are many online services, many are fully booked, and many seniors also do not have a credit care or web savvy to navigate these platforms.

Our team of volunteers has put together a process and protocol to help us serve the neighbourhood as safely as we can.  Volunteer guidelines can be found here:  https://www.welovewillowdale.ca/volunteer

We would like to invite you to join the network by inviting those in your midst to visit www.WeLoveWillowdale.ca.  Everyone who visits the site can sign up to volunteer or to receive help.  We want everyone know that our neighbourhood is here to support them - whatever they are going through.

Website Resources

A group of passionate community members has put together a great website that can serve as a resource including: 

-links to all the official government channels for updates on the pandemic

-links to virtual healthcare being provided in our neighbourhood

-shopping hours at our local grocery stores - including seniors hours, 

-resources for parents that are homeschooling

-information on joining teams of volunteers making homemade masks (see below for details)

-information about financial subsidies available

Blog Writing Invitation

Additionally, we would like to start a blog and are inviting community members to contribute their experiences and perspectives on all that is happening in our midst.

If you know someone in need of grocery pick up or a phone buddy, please have them fill out our intake form on our website, or they can call:  

(647) 847-6164.  If the needs are more complex, please reach out to us and we can work together to figure out which resources can help.

Bill 108: Development Funding Changes

Bill 108 became the More Homes, More Choice Act: Summary Impact to Willowdale

What is this regulation?

Bill 108 became the More Homes, More Choice Act on June 6, 2019.  Regulations are put forward to implement the Act, two of the regulations were completed in August 2019 and implemented.

The one remaining regulation to be put in place is the regulation surrounding the funding formula for the Community Benefits Charge (CBC) which replaces Section 37 and Section 42.  This funding formula is what allows municipalities to build new parkland and community benefit infrastructure.

Why did this government change the policy?

This provides a consistent approach for CBC items in the Province of Ontario.  Ultimately allowing land Developers to have cost certainty on the levies and charges they will pay back to municipalities. As the theory goes, this approach will help increase the supply of new affordable housing units. Those that have dug deeper into the analysis do not believe that this will be an effective approach and will limit the city’s ability to pay for local projects aimed to absorb increased density.


What does this mean for Willowdale?

Based on a recently published City of Toronto report, along with some independent expert analysis, new development in the North York Centre Secondary Plan would contribute significantly less to parkland and community benefit infrastructure in Willowdale. Example, if the proposed funding model were in effect for the site location at 4800 Yonge, the city would receive ~ $9 million dollars less for community benefit projects. Based on the number of future site location we expect to see a multi-million dollar loss in funding for our community.

What needs to change?

This regulation needs to contemplate areas in Ontario which have already reached high population densities (North York Centre, Yonge & Eglinton and Downtown Toronto) and which require a higher CBC funding formula.  Willowdale has reached its population targets of 2041 and more funding is required for appropriate parkland and community benefit infrastructure.

 

Comments in the consultation

EYCA, WLNA, WWNA and WCRA will be submitting comments in this consultation period.  It is also helpful for residents to submit their comments in the consultation.  Please contact your respective association to review their submission.

The deadline for submissions is April 20, 2020 at 11:59pm  this can be done at: https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1406