Merry Christmas, Centennial!
It’s hard to believe December is already here. There’s no denying that 2020 has been a difficult year, but we’ve also seen tremendous goodwill from both residents and businesses in the Centennial community. As we look ahead to 2021, I know that whatever challenges we may face, our community is resilient and residents will continue to look out for one another. I wish you and your family all the best for a safe and happy holiday season.
Light Up the Christmas Spirit!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our community. After seeing all the fantastic decorations at Halloween, I can’t wait to see what great displays you have for the Christmas season. Whether you prefer a traditional wreath and subtle lighting, love 10-foot inflatables or take inspiration from the Griswold Family Christmas, all ideas help build the holiday spirit in our neighbourhood.
Thanks to the fantastic feedback on our Halloween home tour and contest, we’re doing it all again for Christmas. To celebrate the efforts of our neighbours, send the address of your favourite Christmas displays to councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca. To count down the 12 days to Christmas, we will post a list of homes in our e-newsletter and on social media so you can enjoy a neighbourhood tour. Closer to Christmas, you’ll be able to select your favourite home.
Reimagining Employment Areas
At November’s Scarborough Community Council meeting, I tabled a motion, “Imagining 21st Century Employment Areas – Request for a Planning and Transportation Study for the Coronation Drive Employment Area.”
I believe it is necessary for the City to fully examine the Employment Area encompassing Coronation Drive, to determine what a designated industrial area directly adjacent to a residential community looks like in the 21st century. This area was heavily supported by rail in the past and is now almost entirely supported by trucking. This increase in heavy vehicle traffic has the potential to clash with the residential makeup of the surrounding neighbourhood, creating conflicts related to noise and pollution concerns. It is important that we assess how the Coronation Drive Employment Area can support ideas, innovation and economic development, while balancing traffic and environmental concerns.
I want to thank everyone who has relayed their concerns about the impacts of the Coronation Drive Employment Area on the surrounding neighbourhood. I look forward to sharing the feedback from City staff regarding this motion via my e-newsletter in the new year.
BetterHomesTO
November 5th marked the one-year anniversary of BetterHomesTO, an initiative launched by our City to make single-family detached homes more energy efficient. Scarborough–Rouge Park has over 18,000 single family homes and is included as one of the areas targeted to benefit from the program.
BetterHomesTO offers an online resource where Toronto homeowners can find information and tools to assist in undertaking home energy retrofits. There are 31 retrofits detailed and a holistic list of all the programs, rebates and incentives offered by the City and its partners.
A net zero home is more comfortable, healthier and better for the environment because all the efficient features work together to lower energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shrink the home’s carbon footprint. Learn more about this new platform at www.betterhomesto.ca
We’re Here to Work for You
If you have local issues you would like addressed, any ideas for how we can build a better City, or just want to chat about the neighbourhood, please contact us at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca. To stay up to date with local news, please sign up for our e-newsletter at www.jennifermckelvie.ca, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter via my handle, @McKelvieWard25.