Happy New Year Neighbours!

Hi Neighbour !

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Willowdale Skate Party at Mel Lastman Square this past weekend! It was a fun day of skating, hot chocolate and connecting with neighbours. What a great reminder on the power of community coming together and sharing in something fun together. I look forward to more opportunities for us all to connect over the coming year. If you have any ideas for community gatherings, or would like to partner with us please reach out!

Here at City Hall it’s Budget time! We are currently reviewing the 2023 City of Toronto Budget. The City of Toronto Budget is larger than most provinces in Canada! I strongly believe in the participation and inclusion of our city’s residents in the planning of our city’s budget as where we spend our money defines the future we see for our city. I encourage you to join some of the opportunities listed below to get involved in the process.

Upcoming Events:

• Sunday, January 15, 7:30pm via Zoom - Toronto City Budget 101 with ED of Financial Planning Stephen Conforti (hosted by City Councillors Shelley Carroll, James Pasternak and me)

   

• Tuesday, January 17, 6:30pm via Webex - Community Consultation For 6979-6991 Yonge St. & 18-28 Athabaska Ave. From 6:30-7:30pm we will be discussing 6979-6991 Yonge St., and from 7:30-8:30pm we will be discussing 18-28 Athabaska Ave.

   

• Sunday, Jan 29, 3pm - Willowdale Celebrates Lunar New Year -

  Hosted by Councillor Lily Cheng & TDSB Trustee Dr. Weidong Pei

  North York Centre Atrium

CLICK HERE to sign up for any of the above events.

Stay Tuned:

• A Community Liaison Committee for the shelter at 5800 Yonge Street will be launched in the coming months.

• We will be hosting a Community Safety Townhall next month to discuss the many safety concerns heard across our community.

• Roadwork on Hendon Ave. just west of Yonge St. relating to preparations for the future extension of the subway will begin in the coming weeks. We will share updates as we receive them.

As we head into the heart of winter, wishing you and your family continued winter fun and encouragement!

Warmest Regards,

Lily Cheng

Toronto City Councillor 

Ward 18 Willowdale

Councillor_Cheng@toronto.ca

416-392-0210

There are two events happening in Willowdale to Celebrate Lunar New Year:

LUNAR NEW YEAR CRAFT DAY

Hosted by the North York Public Library

Saturday, January 21, 2023 - 2pm

North York Public Library is planning a Lunar New Year Craft Day for kids 12 and under. To register your child, call 416-395-5630.

WILLOWDALE CELEBRATES LUNAR NEW YEAR

Hosted by Councillor Lily Cheng & TDSB Trustee Dr. Weidong Pei

North York Centre Atrium

Sunday, January 29, 2023 - 3pm

Ring in the Lunar New Year with neighbours! Join Councillor Lily Cheng and TDSB Trustee Dr. Weidong Pei for a Willowdale Lunar New Year Celebration complete with a Lion Dance that is sure to be lucky. We will also have treats, performances and crafts along with stories in partnership with the Toronto Public Library.

RSVP Here: https://willowdalelunarnewyear.eventbrite.ca

LEARN ABOUT THE CITY OF TORONTO BUDGET

The City of Toronto Budget is larger than most provinces in Canada! It is a large sum of money to organize - however it is still important that we participate because where we spend our money creates the future we see for our city.

Stephen Conforti, Executive Director of the Financial Planning Division will guide us through the basics of understanding the City of Toronto Budget. Councillors Shelley Carroll, James Pasternak and I will share how constituents can participate in the process. The webinar link will be shared prior to the event.

Click Here to Register: TorontoBudget2023.eventbrite.ca

ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL - APPEAL TO YONGE STREET NORTH SECONDARY PLAN

We know there is a future with significant growth planned for the northern part of Willowdale. Our City Planners have put together the Yonge Street North Secondary Plan which is now being appealed at the Ontario Land Tribunal. It's important that we understand what the plan is about, what is happening, why it's being appealed and what residents can do to ensure our community's best interest is considered in the process.

Last night, Guy Matthew and Victoria Fusz, both of whom are Senior Planners at the City of Toronto shared more details on the plan and why it is being appealed. Thanks to all who joined us and asked some great questions.

Click Here to watch the webinar.

Click Here for more information about Yonge Street North Secondary Plan.

Click Here for more information about the appeal and participation process.

CITY COUNCIL MOTION

Yesterday in the Economic and Community Development Committee Council, I introduced a Motion through Committee Chair and Councillor Shelley Carroll. My Motion included two parts:
 

1. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration in consultation with the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration to explore creating a granting pathway to fund local service organizations that provide emergency housing support for refugee claimants in order to create additional capacity outside of the City’s shelter system.
 

2. City Council request that the Federal and Provincial Governments provide funding to local service organizations that provide emergency housing support for refugee claimants, in order to create additional capacity outside of the City’s shelter system.
 

My Motion passed. I hope we can support the creation of sustainable capacity for housing refugee claimants while relieving pressure from our shelter system.