May 14, 2026
...
Across the City and in Humber River-Black Creek it takes far too long for the City to fix basic maintenance issues. Whether it is litter left behind, potholes damaging vehicles, overgrown grass, or neglected public spaces, residents are tired of waiting while requests are passed between divisions and problems remain unresolved.
That is exactly why I brought forward a motion at the April 22 and 23 City Council meeting to improve the delivery and coordination of local maintenance services across Toronto, and Council approved it. This was a necessary step toward fixing a system that has become too fragmented and inefficient.
Toronto delivers essential services such as litter collection, pothole repair, tree maintenance, and grass cutting through multiple City divisions. While these services are vital, the current approach often leads to slow response times, repeat service requests for the same location, and confusion over responsibility.
To address these challenges, I pushed for a pilot program to establish Ward-Based Maintenance Teams. These teams would consist of City staff trained and equipped to handle a wide range of common maintenance issues, including litter collection, grass cutting, minor tree trimming, pothole repair, and general public realm upkeep.
The pilot would be implemented in four wards across the city. Each team will operate under a locally informed work plan developed in consultation with the ward Councillor, resident associations, community groups, and Business Improvement Areas. This ensures that neighbourhood priorities shape service delivery and that local concerns are addressed.
City staff have been directed to report back at the June Council meeting with further details on implementation. I will continue pushing to ensure this pilot moves forward and delivers the improvements residents expect and deserve.
Yours Truly,
City Councillor
Anthony Perruzza
Ward 7 – Humber River-Black Creek
