Investing in Scarborough-Rouge Park
Toronto City Council reviewed Mayor Olivia Chow’s final budget last month. Thank you to those residents who shared their views through emails, phone calls and deputations to the budget committee.
The 2025 Budget includes investments in community safety, infrastructure, transportation, and climate resilience. Some of what Budget 2025 will do for you includes:
- 95 new paramedics, 52 new firefighters, and 109 new uniformed police officers
- Ongoing funding for 24/7 city-wide Toronto Community Crisis Service
- City bridge and road rehabilitation
- State of good repairs for our aging infrastructure
- Investing in water filtration plants, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management
- An increase in funding for the Vision Zero Road Safety Plan, representing the largest investment ever made by the City for road safety improvements
- Enhancing the Home Energy Loan Program
- Expanding the TTC Green Bus and Bike Share programs
The 2025 Budget also includes several important investments that will support Scarborough–Rouge Park. They include:
Youth and Community
- Funding to complete construction and hire staff for our new community recreation centre
- Ongoing operational funding for the Danzig and Empringham youth hubs
- Funding for the renovation to the Malvern Library Youth Hub space
Transportation
- Installing six new School Safety Zones in our ward
- Completing Port Union Road improvements
Recreation and Parks
- Investing in improvements to Morrish Parkette
- A new dogs’ off-leash area at Lawrence Ave. East and Starspray Blvd.
- Funding for continued construction of The Meadoway
The Toronto Zoo
- New welcome centre that will serve as a community and education hub
As a member of the budget committee, I requested the Mayor and City Staff to continue with rolling program reviews to find efficiencies, implement the recommendations of the Auditor General regarding parks operations, create a staffing model for libraries that is sustainable, and develop a multi-year operating budget for the TTC that decreases the reliance on property tax increases.
The City’s Property Tax, Water and Solid Waste Relief programs provide financial support to eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities. This support includes property tax deferrals and cancellations and utility rate rebates.
The 2025 Budget increases the income threshold to $60,000 to assist an anticipated 2,300 additional households this year. More information is available on the Property Tax and Utility Relief Program webpage.
New Visitor Centre for Rouge Park Under Construction
In January, I joined Minister Gary Anandasangaree, Minister Steven Guilbeault and other representatives to break ground on a new visitor centre for the Rouge National Urban Park.
Thank you to the federal government for bringing this investment to our community that will welcome local residents and visitors from all over to experience nature. Construction is now underway and the new visitor centre will be open in 2027.
Stay in Touch
If you’d like to get in touch or sign up for my e-newsletter, please email me at councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca or call 416-338-3771.