Layton argues we can do better as a city
By Mike Layton
Toronto residents love to spend time outdoors, and as a city, we want to encourage people to do so by ensuring our parks provide the services they need.
FORUM: Improving our service standards takes resources (July 2022)
July 18th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Improving our service standards takes resources (July 2022)
FORUM: Addressing homelessness and housing challenges in Toronto (Provincial Election 2022)
May 24th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Addressing homelessness and housing challenges in Toronto (Provincial Election 2022)
Province finally steps in with $27 million
By Mike Layton
On any given night in Toronto, close to 10,000 people are experiencing homelessness, and the provincial budget announced on April 28 did nothing to help the problem.
CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)
May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association AGM covers pressing issues (May 2022)
The Annex Residents’ Association (ARA) held their annual general meeting on April 21 via Zoom. Those in attendance included members of the ARA, residents and representatives from development teams, city council and Toronto Police Service. The most notable discussions were about improving safety on Avenue Road, the West Annex Heritage Project, vandalism at St. Alban’s Square and the restoration of Paul Martel Park.
FORUM: Build it and they will come (May 2022)
May 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Build it and they will come (May 2022)
Shaw Street, Toronto’s first street with more bikes than cars
By Mike Layton
When we think of ways to improve Toronto’s cycling network, grand projects such as the bike lanes across the city’s core on Bloor Street or Danforth Avenue, typically come to mind.
Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion
NEWS: City green-lights garden suites (Spring 2022)
April 11th, 2022 · 1 Comment
Amendments to bylaw increase density in established neighbourhoods
By Joshua Snow
The City of Toronto has been talking about garden suites for years, and on Feb. 2, council agreed to a policy that allows homeowners to build a detached suite in their backyards.
FORUM: A budget brief from the trenches (Spring 2022)
April 11th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: A budget brief from the trenches (Spring 2022)
Many progressive gains come out of city council
By Mike Layton
The 2022 budget process concluded in late February, followed by a few quick council meetings to address regular business. With the help of my colleagues, and the advocacy of many of you, we achieved notable improvements to a budget that began with glaring gaps in services, while continuing to work to improve safety in our communities.
EDITORIAL: Ford should be first (Winter 2022)
March 14th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford should be first (Winter 2022)
Policing is largely a provincial matter, but faced with massive trucks and bouncy castles clogging up central Ottawa, plus blockades at key border crossings, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had to invoke the Emergencies Act. As usual, Ontario Premier Doug Ford was too focused on the next election to do his job, and he should have to answer for it.
Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion
FORUM: Building a progressive city budget (Winter 2022)
March 14th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Building a progressive city budget (Winter 2022)
Affordable housing, climate initiatives, road safety all on the agenda
By Mike Layton
The 2022 budget process will have wrapped up by the time this publication goes to print, but I still thought I could provide an update on some of the policy pieces I have been working on advancing through my role on the budget committee.
FORUM: Many achievements despite the pandemic (Jan. 2022)
February 4th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Many achievements despite the pandemic (Jan. 2022)
Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion
FORUM: Tackling the climate crisis at a city level (Dec. 2021)
December 17th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: Tackling the climate crisis at a city level (Dec. 2021)
NEWS: City fails to move forward as Avenue Road plans evolve (Fall 2021)
November 11th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: City fails to move forward as Avenue Road plans evolve (Fall 2021)
Bike lanes added to Avenue Road re-design
By Margarita Maltceva
CHATTER: Access to winterized washrooms set to improve (Fall 2021)
November 11th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Access to winterized washrooms set to improve (Fall 2021)
In 2021, the City of Toronto opened up 79 new public washrooms for use throughout the winter, nearly doubling the previous number. This project was a direct response to pandemic restrictions which made access to public washrooms extra challenging, making life especially hard for vulnerable segments of the population.