January 17, 2024
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Dear Neighbours,
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season and ushering in the New Year. We are most excited about some of the accomplishments from 2023 and look forward to getting even more done in 2024.
We are relieved and pleased that the Chesswood construction project is now complete. The road is freshly paved, sidewalks are installed, and two-way traffic is restored. Next, we look forward to working with DUKE Heights on the public realm project at the northeast corner of Dufferin and Finch.
The City of Toronto's fiscal stability is crucial for all of us. We are pleased with the province of Ontario stepping up. In mid-December, the mayor and city council members adopted the ‘New Deal’ agreement. This deal aims to improve the long-term sustainability of Toronto’s finances while advancing shared priorities. One of the locally beneficial components of this deal is an agreement to provide the TTC with 3 years worth of funds that will go towards launching and operating the Finch West LRT. In addition, a portion of $758 million in funds will be budgeted for improving public transit operations, including the purchase of new TTC vehicles.
The provincial government also announced $200 million for shelter and housing in Toronto. This is an investment towards housing, infrastructure, and economic development opportunities within the city and our community. It will also be budgeted towards helping our homeless population find safe indoor living accommodations. These funds are dependent on federal government matching funds. Read this news release to learn more about the terms of this deal.
As a follow up to last month's notice on the Update Downsview Secondary Plan, additional planning documents have been released. A Zoning By-law for Interim Uses, Urban Design Guidelines, and detailed site maps can be accessed by visiting this webpage. There is still an opportunity to provide your feedback on this project. The deadline to comment is January 7, 2024. Update Downsview will shape development for the next 50 years as we build a "City within a City" on the soon-to-be-vacant Bombardier Lands.
In other news, Bike Share Toronto recently launched a Reduced Fare Pass Program, bringing inclusivity and affordability further to the forefront of mobility in the city. I have been a strong advocate for a Bike Share Toronto fair reduction and am glad to see that this proposal has come to fruition. I brought a motion forward in favour of this initiative back in 2020, and it was successfully adopted. I am optimistic that the Bike Share Network within York Centre will continue to expand and further increase connectivity and convenience for the community and bring in more visitors. It is becoming an important transportation option that will help workers in the DUKE Heights district get to and from their place of work. Visit this link to learn more.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me and my team via phone at 416-392-1371 or by email at councillor_pasternak@toronto.ca.
Sincerely,
James Pasternak
City Councillor for Ward 6 – York Centre
Chair, North York Community Council
Chair, General Government Committee
