Open Streets TO is the city’s largest free recreation program, unlike any other in Toronto or Canada. We've created a world-class program that connects our diverse neighbourhoods and people across the city. Open Streets, Inhale Toronto, Community Bus, George Street, Methadone, History Lectures & more!
The GDRA Board
The GDRA Board met in June (minutes available at gardendistrict.ca). At that meeting the Board agreed to the following appointments:
- Bill Colvin – President
- Julie Harland-Bettany – Vice President; Secretary
- Nick Pezzo – Treasurer
- Henry Hong – Communications
- Joe Green
Glen Simourd has also agreed to remain as our Financial Administrator.
Wayne Peterson has agreed to represent the GDRA at the CPLC |
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Open Streets - August 21 and September 18
Open Streets TO is the city’s largest free recreation program, unlike any other in Toronto or Canada. We've created a world-class program that connects our diverse neighbourhoods and people across the city.
Open Streets are programs where the streets are temporarily opened to people and closed to cars. People traffic replaces car traffic, and the streets become “paved parks” where people of all ages, abilities, and social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds can come out and improve their health.
Open Streets TO is focused on promoting physical activity and exploring our city in healthy and fun ways.
There will be no outside vendors (i.e. there won't be any food trucks and/or stalls). All purchases made by Open Streets TO participants will be made at established businesses along the route.
Open Streets TO "soft closes" major signalized intersections. In other words, participants obey traffic lights at major street crossings, allowing north-south traffic (crossing Bloor), and east-west traffic (crossing Yonge), to cross as normal.
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INHALE Project is looking for volunteers!
INHALE is the Initiative for Healthy Air & Local Economies. Jointly led by Environment Hamilton and Toronto Environmental Alliance, this two year project puts local air quality monitoring into the hands of community members.
The program engages community volunteers in monitoring urban air quality at the ‘street level’ in Hamilton and Toronto. Using easy-to-operate mobile air particulate monitoring equipment designed to be attached to backpacks, bikes, baby strollers, walkers or scooters, volunteers will walk, run, roll or ride through their neighbourhood collecting air quality data as they go.
Air monitoring results will be shared with the broader community, along with the economic, environmental and human health impacts of bad air quality. The aim is to use air monitoring data to spark neighbourhood conversations about improving local air quality by developing solutions that can be initiated by the community.
More information can be found at http://www.inhaleproject.ca/
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Toronto History Lecture - August 3
The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that the sixth annual Toronto History Lecture will take place on Wednesday 3 August 2016 at the City of Toronto Archives.
Our 2016 Lecturer Arlene Chan grew up in Toronto's first Chinatown, where she witnessed first-hand the transformation of the Chinese community into a thriving and integral part of our diverse urban mosaic. Arlene will weave historical accounts and photographs together with her family stories as she presents The Chinese in Toronto: The way we were,
This event is free to attend but advance reservation is required and space is limited. For details, visit http://torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/toronto-history-lecture/.
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More Moss Park Update
 
The mid-summer roundtable consultation took place at the John Innes Community Centre on July 20th, 2016. At this event the architects presented the preliminary design directions.
The design concept outlined foresees a new community centre positioned on the western edge of the site adjacent to the Armory property. This would allow for the existing centre to remain open for the duration of the build. The building would be approximately 2 or 3 stories tall.
The detailed presentation from the mid-summer roundtable can be seen at themoremosspark.ca website. A questionnaire is also available for those who wish to provide comments.
For those who have contacted us with their concerns regarding the siting of the new building, your comments will be provided to The 519 organizers.
Take the questionnaire here: www.moremosspark.ca/survey
The More Moss Park public consultation is a five-month process that will conclude with a feasibility study being sent to City Council for approval.
Learn more about the public consultation process here:http://www.moremosspark.ca/information/consultation-overview/
Stay tuned for more updates, and if you have any questions about the consultation or upcoming events, visit moremosspark.ca for more details or contact them at (416) 355-6777 and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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George Street Revitalization Update
Using the site of Seaton House shelter for men, George Street Revitalization means the creation of a dynamic mix of housing and programs for homeless and vulnerable seniors alongside the delivery of services to meet the needs of a vibrant and mixed downtown neighbourhood. This is city-building to make a more welcoming and safe street--all in the context of the broader Downtown East Revitalization.
July 2016 update: In November 2015, City Council directed staff to retain consultants to assist with an analysis of procurement options for George Street Revitalization, and to report back in June 2016 on the recommended delivery model, the funding needed, and refined capital cost estimates. That report was adopted by City Council on July 12, 2016.
This means:
- Estimated cost of the project is $562 million of which $475 million is unfunded
- GSR will be considered for funding through the 2017 Capital Budget process
- City can begin negotiations with Infrastructure Ontario to lead the procurement process for the project through a public-private partnership and see it through to completion
- Staff will report back in December 2016 with recommendations arising from these negotiations
- Staff continue working with architects (MSA+Hilditch) and project managers (Prism) at least until the end of this year
- Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff can implement the Seaton House transition plan regardless of when the GSR project is fully funded. The objective is to have Seaton House vacant by late 2018
- Staff can proceed with securing the four new shelter sites that are needed because of this redevelopment
- Staff can negotiate with Habitat Services for the purchase of service for up to 150 units of housing with access to on-site supports, subject to approval of the 2017 Operating Budget
- Staff can seek capital funding from the Feds and Province and seek enhanced funding from the Province for Habitat.
Unanimous support
City Council unanimously approved George Street Revitalization in principle in summer 2013. Program plans are being developed with the input of many stakeholders. To date, these plans include five areas:
- a long-term care home with 378 beds
- a 100-bed emergency shelter for men
- an innovative 130-bed "transitional living" service for men and women who need more care than traditional supportive housing can provide, but less than what a long-term care home involves
- a service hub for program clients as well as members of the surrounding community
- affordable housing with supports
More information can be found on the City of Toronto website: http://goo.gl/m69CWE |
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Methadone Dispensaries in the Garden District
Addressing Purposed Methadone Dispensaries (Pharmacies) In the Garden District.
As Written by your Vice President Julie Harland-Bettany
(Opinion piece)
The drugstore I currently use (and used to work at) has long been dispensing methadone and I have never seen or heard of any issues in the immediate area due to the methadone recipients etc. That being said there are already quite a few places that were mentioned in close proximity that administer methadone to this proposed new location.
I also believe that the label of "meth clinic" is not appropriate because these are pharmacies that serve many people and also happen to have the additional licensing to dispense methadone to prescribed individuals. These locations are not "clinics" nor do they cater to just methadone users.
I also err on the side of caution when referring to the recipient of methadone as a meth addict because firstly the word meth in this instance is not being used correctly. Meth is the terminology used to talk about methamphetamines which is an illegal substance where methadone is a legally prescribed substance for people addicted to opiates so that they hopefully do not use any additional illegal opiates while on the methadone program as prescribed by their doctor.
As I have seen first hand while working as a pharmacy technician, methadone recipients come into the pharmacy, receive their prescribed dose mixed in a cup of juice (usually Tang) where they must consume it in front of the pharmacist immediately and sign the appropriate paperwork, and then they leave the premises and go on about their business. There are also other recipients that are permitted what are called "carry-outs" - where they come in once a week and pick up their dosages and consume them at home. The majority of methadone recipients are not privileged to get “carry-outs” for many obvious and known reasons. I don't believe the people seen hanging around a pharmacy that has a methadone administration program are necessarily dealers or drug users or correlated to the recipients of the methadone itself.
That all being said, just like George Street and most other streets in this area, Dalhousie is not immune to the drug activity. It is seen everywhere all over the Downtown East, not just immediately around the various shelters. Unfortunately co-ops and TCHC properties, rather any property that serves low income or subsidized housing seem much more vulnerable to having tenants who are drug addicts, drug dealers and their clientele (who end up using the product somewhere on the premises or within close proximity). I don't see a direct correlation between a pharmacy which administers methadone and the crime within the surrounding area.
This also brings me to make a note about the SIS. I personally don't see an issue with an SIS at the Works (on Victoria St.) as I don't see that it would change the activity just outside of it. Yes you will occasionally run into or pass by someone who seems sketchy when walking by the Works but you see that all over the Downtown Core and most certainly see it even in Dundas Square itself. I would not be opposed personally to the introduction of an SIS at that location or even in other locations mentioned such as the new addiction/mental health facility being built into St. Mike's or even the New Seaton House. I don't see a direct correlation between SIS and increased activities in the area. I personally believe that they are a good idea, (even though most addicts don't take advantage of them) because they can and do save lives. I believe if you are an adult and you choose to poison your body that is your choice, but if you have the opportunity to do it in a safer environment that is even better. |
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Glenholme Late Fence
It has been confirmed that the replacement of the large wooden fence closing off Glenholme Lane from George Street will be replaced by the end of October.
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Public Consultation
Intercommunity Bus Service
The Ministry of Transportation will be holding a public consulatation on intercommunity Bus service in Toronto Centre on August 11th, 2016 at 1:00pm, at Ryerson University, International Living & Learning Centre, International Room.
The Ministry of Transportation is seeking input from across the province on modernizing intercommunity bus services in Ontario, and encourages you to participate in this important initiative. We will be launching in-person engagement sessions across the province and invite you to attend.
The Ministry’s objective is to promote a modernized intercommunity bus sector in Ontario that has the flexibility to respond to current challenges. We want to hear directly from as many people as possible, as intercommunity bus services play a critical role in Ontario’s transportation system.
If you are interested in joining an engagement session near you, please RSVP by selecting this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intercommunity-bus-modernization-connecting-ontario-communities-registration-26279274016 .
Your feedback will assist the Ministry in moving forward with facilitating new, innovative and sustainable intercommunity passenger transportation services in Ontario. These services play a significant role in keeping Ontario communities connected. We encourage your participation. |
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