Highlights from the 2026 Budget
This winter has been especially cold, yet our Centennial community has continued to show warmth, resilience, and strong neighbourhood spirit. Throughout the season, we worked closely with residents, community groups, and local partners to ensure people stayed connected and informed.
On February 10, City Council adopted the 2026 budget, and we worked hard to make sure it reflects the priorities we continue to hear from Scarborough residents. This year’s budget includes several measures aimed at improving affordability, supporting local families, strengthening services, and investing in small businesses across our community. I’m pleased to share some of the key highlights with you.
Winterfest
I want to extend a sincere thank you to Centennial for inviting us to our first Winterfest. We had the opportunity to meet many residents, listen to local concerns, and learn about the incredible work being done by community organizations and small businesses.
We appreciated every conversation especially the ones shared over hot apple cider. Events like Winterfest reaffirm how dedicated and engaged Centennial residents are, and we look forward to continuing to support and participate in community‑driven initiatives throughout the year. A special thank you to Kathy Rowe for organizing this event!
Lawrence & Starspray Off‑Leash Dog Park
We advocated to accelerate the new off‑leash dog park at Lawrence Avenue East and Starspray Boulevard, successfully moving the project forward by an entire year. The City is adding this off‑leash area to the open space on the north side of Lawrence and Starspray, with the final design shaped through ongoing community engagement. The off‑leash area will include accessible pathways, seating, and features developed through public input.
We want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the most recent community survey. Your feedback directly informs the design and ensures this new space reflects what local residents and dog owners want to see in their neighbourhood.
Local Advocacies: Expanding Bill Hancox Park
We also took action on a key local priority by contacting the Mayor’s Office about the future of the vacant property owned jointly by TDSB and TCDSB. This parcel of land is underused and the provincial government has recognized it as surplus land. This land sits next to Bill Hancox Park, and we advocated for the City to explore acquiring it so we can expand and improve the park for the community.
This effort reflects our commitment to protecting and growing green space in Scarborough, especially as the surrounding neighbourhood continues to evolve. By putting this issue directly on the Mayor’s radar, we’re working to ensure the City actively pursues opportunities to strengthen our local parks and recreation network.
Budget Highlights
We advocated the Mayor’s Office to keep property taxes low this year, with Council adopting a combined residential property tax and City Building Fund increase of just 2.2% for 2026.
We kept transit affordable by freezing TTC fares for a third consecutive year. Starting in September 2026, we will introduce monthly fare capping so that after 47 paid trips, residents can ride for free for the rest of the month. This change makes transit more affordable for frequent riders, including students, workers, and families.
We expanded supports for children and youth by growing the Student Nutrition Program so it can reach more students across the city. We also ensured that all 100 Toronto Public Library branches will receive more weekday hours and transition to seven‑day‑a‑week service year‑round starting this summer.
We advanced community priorities by supporting a set of targeted enhancements, including investments in a youth‑focused innovation hub. To further strengthen community safety and frontline response, we added 258 new emergency positions including police officers and paramedics alongside other safety initiatives.
Staying Connected
Getting in touch is the best way to bring your concerns and priorities to City Hall. If you need help navigating City services or want to raise a local issue, my constituency office is here to help.
Constituency Office
382 Old Kingston Rd., Scarborough
Phone: 416 338 3771
Email: Councillor_Shan@toronto.ca
Website: councillorshan.ca