We’ve got the highest vaccination rate in Toronto!
Way to go Centennial! Our community has the highest vaccination rate in the City of Toronto. At the time of writing, 81 percent of residents 18+ are fully vaccinated. Vaccination appointments are available at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine and www.scarbvaccine.ca.
In June, Toronto City Council approved my motion to make 2022 the Year of the Garden! To kick off the celebrations early, my office recognized beautiful gardens in our community. Thank you to our local gardeners and everyone who nominated a garden. A special thank you to the Port Union Bakery, Scarlet Ibis Restaurant and Greenwood Garden Centre, who contributed prizes for our draw.
Making School Zones Safer
Over the summer, City of Toronto staff have been working to ensure that the new traffic lights at Meadowvale and Lawrence are turned on in time for the new school year. These lights will allow staff and students from St-Michel French Catholic Elementary School, as well as local residents, to safely access the TTC stop.
In the community, an automated speed enforcement (ASE) camera is currently installed on Centennial Rd. until October. If caught speeding, the penalty is a fine. No demerit points are issued. The intention of the cameras is to slow drivers and create safer school zones.
Net Zero Buildings
In July, Council approved the Net Zero Buildings Strategy, an important step towards our plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner.
Houses and buildings account for 55 percent of the GHG emissions in Toronto. The adopted strategy aims to accelerate building retrofits in public and private buildings, thereby reducing emissions by 149 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent, while creating 18,100 jobs and improving the health and resilience of communities.
Taking Action on Illegal Rooming Houses
Toronto Council will consider the report, “Creating the Regulatory and Compliance Framework for Multi-tenant Houses across Toronto,” at its meeting on September 30. Current zoning and licensing bylaws are fragmented and inconsistent between jurisdictions. Multi-tenant houses are legal and regulated in downtown Toronto and some parts of York and Etobicoke.
Here in Scarborough – Rouge Park, we have many illegal multi-tenant homes and the status quo is not working. Many residents, including me, are frustrated by the lack of enforcement resources for property standards and parking associated with these illegal homes. Illegal rooming houses also do not pay appropriate taxes and do not report accurate numbers of inhabitants in the census.In addition, the homes pose a fire and safety hazard.
I have always maintained that the best way to end the proliferation of illegal multi-tenant homes is to create a regulatory framework that establishes safety and parking and property standards, coupled with increased enforcement. If approved by Council, the changes will be implemented gradually with a multi-year implementation plan.
At the September meeting, Councillors will be able to bring forward motions to strengthen the recommendations. While I am supportive of a regulatory framework in principle, my vote will be dependent on the adoption of motions that: 1) increase resources for enforcement of property and safety standards; 2) strengthen parking requirements; 3) make operators more accountable; and 4) improve community engagement and communication.
We’re Here to Work for You
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