Warning: Undefined variable $file in /home/gleaner/public_html/wp-content/themes/cutline-3-column-split-11/functions.php on line 198
FORUM: What a month at city hall (May 2026)

Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

← →

FORUM: What a month at city hall (May 2026)

August 9th, 2026 · No Comments

From tenant protections to climate action

By Dianne Saxe

As spring arrives in full force, it’s been a busy and productive month at city hall with important progress on tenant protections, climate action, and community-building projects across our neighbourhoods.

At the top of the list is a major update to RentSafeTO, the city’s program for ensuring safe conditions in apartment buildings. Toronto city council has strengthened the system to better protect tenants and focus enforcement efforts on the worst offenders. A new rating system—green, yellow, and red—will launch June 15, giving residents clearer, more transparent information about building conditions. Most buildings are expected to meet satisfactory standards, but the new framework ensures that serious issues are prioritized and addressed more effectively. It’s a meaningful step toward safer, more accountable housing.

April also brought a strong focus on climate action. At city hall, I worked to strengthen Toronto’s Electrification Advantage strategy and advanced the use of bidirectional electric vehicle charging. This technology allows EVs to supply power back to the grid during peak demand, thereby reducing costs, improving resilience, and helping ensure that our city’s clean energy strategy is both ambitious and practical.

I also represented Toronto’s Climate Caucus in Ottawa for Clean Electricity Lobby Days, working alongside labour, environmental, and Indigenous partners to advocate for national support for clean energy. Locally, progress is finally underway to modernize Toronto’s aging streetlight system—more than 80 per cent of our roads do not meet current lighting standards. Switching to LEDs will reduce emissions, lower costs, and improve safety—an overdue upgrade, given that much of our current infrastructure is past its useful life.

Climate action also means rethinking how people move through the city. Toronto’s updated congestion management plan now better recognizes the essential role of public transit, cycling, and walking in keeping the city moving efficiently and sustainably. Encouragingly, we’re already seeing results. Changes to parking regulations on Bathurst Street, for example, have improved northbound bus speeds by about one-third between Bloor and Dupont—proof that prioritizing transit can deliver real benefits.

Humble improvements can make a big difference, too. Following a council motion I brought forward, the TTC has installed 49 new benches across subway stations in Ward 11, making transit more comfortable and accessible for riders.

Looking ahead, there’s exciting news for Ramsden Park. At my request, the city launched a design competition—its first for a recreation centre since 1987—to reimagine the future Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre. Five teams, led by Canadian architects, have been selected to propose designs that emphasize sustainability, accessibility, and community connection. Residents will have a chance to view and provide feedback on these proposals at a public exhibition this fall.

There has also been important progress on infrastructure coordination. I have been working closely with city and TTC engineers to accelerate construction timelines and reduce disruption for residents and businesses. This work is already delivering results: the reopening of Bay and College ahead of schedule and the significant shortening of planned watermain work on Yonge Street, are clear examples of what better coordination can achieve. 

Community advocacy continues to play a vital role in shaping decisions. This month, I was proud to support the AIDS community in ensuring their voices are heard regarding the future of the AIDS memorial in Barbara Hall Park—an important reminder that city-building must always be rooted in respect, inclusion, and dignity.

At the same time, there are challenges. Recent provincial legislation threatens key city assets and priorities, including our waterfront, transit funding, and public spaces. These are issues that will require continued attention and strong advocacy.

Amid all this, there have been moments of celebration. Congratulations to Rosedale United Church and the Royal Conservatory of Music for receiving Heritage Grants to restore their historic buildings. And for those looking ahead to warmer days, there’s some great news too: expanded vending options—including ice cream—are coming to select parks, helping make our public spaces even more vibrant.

Finally, there’s encouraging news on the global stage. Clean, renewable energy continues to grow rapidly, with recent data showing renewables surpassing coal in global electricity generation for the first time in a century. It’s a powerful reminder that progress is possible—and that local action can be a part of a much larger shift.

From housing to climate to community spaces, we’re pushing forward on the goal of making Toronto a city that is more liveable, more sustainable, and more inclusive for everyone.

.Dianne Saxe is city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale.

READ MORE BY DIANNE SAXE:

Tags: Annex · Opinion

0 responses so far ↓

  • There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

Leave a Comment


Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/gleaner/public_html/wp-content/themes/cutline-3-column-split-11/comments.php on line 103

Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/gleaner/public_html/wp-content/themes/cutline-3-column-split-11/comments.php on line 108