City of Toronto: City Initiatives

Discovering Toronto's natural spaces

This fall, the public can better experience Toronto's diverse natural spaces through Discovery Walks. These 12 self-guided walks link city ravines, parks, gardens, beaches and neighbourhoods. Informative signage also helps the public to appreciate each area's heritage and environment. For example, the "Shared Path" walk proceeds through a series of park areas along the banks of the Humber River. Situated throughout are 13 picturesque seating areas with interpretative bilingual story panels, closest to where stories have actually happened. Discovery Walk brochures are also available on the City's website.

Online mapping tool shows planned construction across Toronto

The Major Capital Infrastructure Coordination office has created a website where planned capital construction is visible at the click of a mouse. It's called T.O. INview (short for INfrastructure viewer). The site displays locations and details of planned capital projects that are scheduled for construction in 2012. Projects from Transportation Services, City Planning, Toronto Water, transit authorities and utility companies can be accessed through the tool. In addition to providing details about the projects, T.O. INview will be used to improve coordination of projects, with the goal of more efficient capital expenditures and reduced inconvenience to the public. A related City website provides details on emergency and short-term closures as well as special events.

Toronto launches online Special Events Planning Guide

The City's Event Support Unit, in collaboration with city divisions and agencies, has launched a new online Special Events Planning Guide. This one-stop guide simplifies the planning of special events in Toronto, with more than 35 individual topic areas such as booking venues, emergency planning, and closing roads and sidewalks, in addition to sample event and site plans, and quick reference materials.

Streetcars - the next generation

The next generation of streetcars for Toronto is currently being built by Bombardier in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The first streetcar will soon be in Toronto for testing. The accessible, low-floor streetcar service is scheduled to begin in 2014, when the first of 204 vehicles begin replacing the existing streetcars. The new streetcars will be more comfortable, more spacious, equipped with air conditioning, and able to accommodate 130 passengers. The new streetcars will be maintained at a new streetcar carhouse at Ashbridges Bay, near Leslie Street and Lake Shore Boulevard East.

Have your say on cultural spaces

This fall, 10 public consultations will help identify affordable and sustainable cultural spaces for not-for-profit and community groups. The goal of the consultations is to give councillors a ward-specific priority list for cultural infrastructure as defined by their constituents and community cultural stakeholders. This year, consultations will be held in 20 wards. An online survey is also available and all city residents are encouraged to respond. These consultations address one of the recommendations of the Creative Capital Gains Report, which City Council endorsed in 2011.

Playground re-opens after fire damage

Since a fire destroyed a large portion of High Park's popular Jamie Bell Adventure Playground in March, a huge amount of support from residents and corporations resulted in it being quickly rebuilt and reopened on July 7. The rebuild, led by Mike Holmes of HGTV Canada and landscape architect Janet Rosenberg, involved hundreds of community supporters, who participated in a community build day in June. The entire rebuild project was filmed for a fall 2012 episode of "Holmes Makes it Right" on HGTV Canada. Originally opened in 1998, the playground was inspired and built by the imagination and creativity of the community and its children.

Paramedic Leigh Anne Dunlop tests Jacob and Eliana Sampson's first aid skills

EMS Station 54 re-opens

On June 28, about 100 local residents came out to celebrate the official re-opening of Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station 54 at the corner of Bathurst Street and York Downs Avenue. The community open house was co-hosted by Toronto EMS and local Councillor James Pasternak. The public was able to meet Toronto EMS paramedics, tour an ambulance, try an automatic external defibrillator and practice first aid. Station 54 serves the local community's emergency medical needs and is also home to the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) paramedic special team that serves the entire city.

Alcohol drinking guidelines

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is developing a campaign to promote Canada's first Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines for adults ages 25 to 65 who drink alcohol. The guidelines are based on current research to reduce the risks of alcohol-related harm and long-term diseases. The guidelines specify that men drink no more than three standard drinks a day and no more than 15 a week. Women should drink no more than two standard drinks a day and no more than 10 drinks a week. TPH will launch the campaign at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo (November 15-18).

United Way goal set at $1,100,000

The Toronto Public Service announced its annual fundraising goal of $1,100,000 at an event on Nathan Phillips Square on Tuesday, September 11. For the last ten years, City employees have exceeded their goal and have raised over one million dollars for the United Way. The event also featured a singing competition that showcased talent from the broader municipal public sector. Pictured in photo (left to right): Brenda Patterson, Deputy City Manager and Campaign Patron; Chief Bill Blair, Toronto Police Service; Tim McGuire, President, CUPE Local 79; Mike Ogle, Toronto Professional Fire Fighter's Association; Julia Gorman, Vice President, Resource Development, United Way Toronto; Damien Welsh, Toronto Professional Fire Fighter's Association; Andy Byford, President and CEO, Toronto Transit Commission; Gene Jones, President and CEO, Toronto Community Housing; Derek Angove, Vice President, COTAPSA; Richard Majkot, COTAPSA; Jim Hart, Leadership Chair; Anthony Haines, President and CEO, Toronto Hydro; Francis D'Souza, host; Joseph Pennachetti, City Manager; and Kevin Carrington, host.

Washrooms with a 'wow' factor

The City of Toronto has completed a major renovation of a set of heritage-significant washrooms in the departures concourse at Union Station. At the same time, the washrooms on the ground floor have closed for construction. The new washrooms are in the busy VIA departures area where passengers access the train platforms. The original marble walls and much of the herringbone floor tiles — both heritage features — have been restored. New sinks, toilets and lighting have been selected to pay homage to the washrooms' original heritage character. The upgrades are part of an ongoing revitalization of the historic train station that will continue through 2015.

Dani Reiss

Small Business Forum in October

Enterprise Toronto will welcome Dani Reiss, President and CEO of Canada Goose, as its keynote speaker at the 12th annual Small Business Forum on October 16 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This event helps existing firms and new businesses network and learn from investors, lending institutions, government program providers and successful entrepreneurs. The Small Business Forum includes a trade show with more than 100 exhibitors, free seminars and opportunities to try out new media tools for business. Registration is free but required for attendance. For information and to register, visit toronto.ca/enterprisetoronto or call 416-392-6646.

Small business matters at Toronto Public Library

Starting a business or building an existing one? Toronto Public Library has programs, meeting spaces, computer and Internet access, books and databases with the latest business information, and expert staff to help you find what you're looking for - all for little or no cost. And in October, the library is celebrating Small Business Month with programs, seminars, networking opportunities and more. Participants can speak with the library's Entrepreneur in Residence, attend a workshop, or register for Business Inc. - a nine-week business program offered in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Toronto Business Development Centre.

Finalists announced for 2012 Toronto Book Awards

The City of Toronto, together with the Toronto Public Library, recently announced the five finalists for the 38th annual Toronto Book Awards. The finalists are Dave Bidini for his biography, Writing Gordon Lightfoot: The Man, the Music, and the World in 1972; Andrew J. Borkowski for his collection of short stories, Copernicus Avenue; Farzana Doctor for her novel, Six Metres of Pavement; Michele Landsberg for her collection of columns, Writing the Revolution; and Suzanne Robertson, for her collection of poetry, Paramita, Little Black. Established by Toronto City Council in 1974, the Toronto Book Awards honour authors of books of literary or artistic merit that are evocative of Toronto. The winning author will receive $11,000 in prize money, and each finalist will receive $1,000. The winner will be announced on October 11 at an awards ceremony held at the Toronto Reference Library.

IPAC recognizes City's Toronto Urban Fellows program

The City of Toronto was recently recognized as a world class innovator that is changing the face of public service in Canada through its Toronto Urban Fellows program. Rosanna Scotti, former director of the Strategic & Corporate Policy division (City Manager's Office), was presented with a plaque at the Institute of Public Administration of Canada's (IPAC) national conference in St. John's, Newfoundland this past August. The IPAC Award for Innovative Management (sponsored by IBM), distinguishes government organizations that have shown exceptional innovations that address the wide variety of issues facing society today. The Toronto Urban Fellows program was launched in 2009 to attract talented professionals in the early stages of their careers to the Toronto Public Service.

Green Roof wins design award

Nathan Phillips Square Podium Green Roof has won a 2012 Green GOOD DESIGN Award from the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. Green GOOD DESIGN identifies and emphasizes the world's most important examples of sustainable design. Hundreds of submissions were received from around the world, and the jury - made up of worldwide leaders in the design industry - selected over 120 outstanding examples of green design from 27 nations. The Nathan Phillips Square Podium Green Roof located at Toronto City Hall is open year round.

Toronto one of the world's most liveable cities

For the fourth consecutive year, the respected Economist Intelligence Unit's Liveability Report of 140 world cities has ranked Toronto the fourth most liveable city. Toronto is again ranked fourth in the August 2012 report, after Melbourne, Vienna and Vancouver. Cities are ranked on political and social stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. Visit the City's website to find out how the City measures up in other rankings.

2012 Ombudsman Public Service Award Presentation

Ombudsman Fiona Crean has presented the City of Toronto's first-ever Ombudsman Public Service Award to five city staff who provided residents with outstanding assistance in resolving their complaints about city services. This award showcases public servants who have provided exceptional service in resolving complaints. Selected by a jury of seven community leaders, the winners of the City of Toronto 2012 Public Service Award are Lou Di Gironimo, General Manager, Toronto Water; Ismail Ibrahim, Legal Council, Toronto Community Housing Corporation; Heather MacVicar, General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services; Atul Medhekar, IT Coordinator, Shelter, Support and Housing Adminstration; and Wendy Quaintance-Collier, Manager, Revenue Services. The winners' citations, together with accounts of their accomplishments, and information about the Ombudsman's Award are available at www.ombudstoronto.ca.

Olympian Diana Matheson leads group of athletes into the stadium

2012 Ontario Summer Games drew thousands

Almost 2,500 of Ontario's best young athletes led by Olympic soccer player Diana Matheson marched into Varsity Stadium on August 16, to the cheers of thousands of spectators, for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Ontario Summer Games. The ceremony kicked off the 28-sport amateur athletic competition - Ontario's largest multi-sport event - which took place from August 16 to 19 at multiple venues across Toronto and in the surrounding areas of Brampton, Caledon, Oshawa, St. Catharines and Welland. The City of Toronto partnered with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Sport Alliance Ontario, the Toronto Sports Council and Tourism Toronto in staging the Games.

Cute zoo additions now have names

Three white lion cubs, two fluffy penguin chicks and one wrinkly babirusa piglet have helped to make 2012 one of the cutest years in Toronto Zoo history. These new zoo additions were without names until the zoo held a "Cutest Naming Contest" in July for staff, volunteers and people across the GTA. There were more than 7,000 votes and name submissions. The new names are Lemon and Makali (two female white lion cubs); Fintan (male white lion cub); Chupa and Matata (two male penguin chicks); and Muna (female babirusa piglet). The zoo is inviting the public to visit and see all the "cute animals" and try out their names.

Live Green Toronto Membership Card grows to 20,000 members

This summer, the Live Green Toronto Membership Card program reached a major milestone with the signup of its 20,000th cardholder. The program helps Toronto businesses connect with consumers of green products and services, and promotes green business practices and the growth of Toronto's green economy. Members simply show their card at any of the more than 385 participating businesses to get special deals on green products and services. The card is free for residents age 14 and over, and businesses can also join for free. The membership card is a component of Live Green Toronto, which helps Toronto residents integrate environmentally friendly behaviours into their daily lives.

Exterior of R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

Toronto public works legend profiled at the Market Gallery

Until March 2, 2013, the Market Gallery is presenting an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Roland Caldwell Harris' appointment as the Commissioner of Works for the City of Toronto. "The Water Czar: R.C. Harris Works for Toronto, 1912-45" exhibition chronicles Harris' 33-year career as head of the City's works department through archival photos, maps and plans and by artifacts rarely or never seen before. Toronto's Prince Edward Viaduct and the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant are two of his legacies.

Civilization (Megaplex)
2010, Marco Brambilla

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2012

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is Toronto's free city-wide, sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art. The public can experience Toronto transformed by hundreds of artists on Saturday, September 29. There will be more than 150 contemporary art projects on display across the city everywhere from galleries to loading docks and atriums to underground parking lots for one night only. For the first time there is a concentration of City-produced projects, located along King Street from Simcoe Park and the Entertainment District in the west to St. James Park to the east, including projects at David Pecaut Square and Metro Hall.

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City Update

City Update

Discovering Toronto's natural spaces

Toronto at your service

Online mapping tool shows planned construction across Toronto

Toronto launches online Special Events Planning Guide

Streetcars - the next generation

Have your say on cultural spaces

Playground re-opens after fire damage

EMS Station 54 re-opens

Alcohol drinking guidelines

United Way goal set at $1,100,000

Washrooms with a 'wow' factor

Toronto and the economy

Small Business Forum in October

Small business matters at Toronto Public Library

Awards and recognition

Finalists announced for 2012 Toronto Book Awards

IPAC recognizes City's Toronto Urban Fellows program

Green Roof wins design award

Toronto one of the world's most liveable cities

2012 Ombudsman Public Service Award Presentation

Out and about

2012 Ontario Summer Games drew thousands

Cute zoo additions now have names

Live Green Toronto Membership Card grows to 20,000 members

Toronto public works legend profiled at the Market Gallery

Scotiabank Nuit Blanche 2012

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