Happy Canada Day!
Dear Neighbours,
Dear Neighbours, I hope you and your families are enjoying the start of the summer season. With the increase in available vaccine doses, I look forward to once again enjoying community celebrations in person.
TTC Wi-Fi Pilot
Last summer, the TTC Board supported my and Commissioner Alan Heisey’s motion to bring a free Wi-Fi pilot to bus routes throughout our City. This spring, the TTC initiated the pilot and added free onboard Wi-Fi to the 35 Jane Street and 102 Markham Road bus routes.
The initiative is part of a larger pilot program aimed at prioritizing and providing Wi-Fi access to the City’s Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (NIAs). Wi-Fi on buses means more customers, especially youth, can stay connected on the TTC while commuting.
The pilot will operate until later this fall, and the learnings will help to inform the Request for Proposal for a Wi-Fi Network on Buses and Streetcars City-wide, to be issued later this year.
Ravines
As Mayor Tory’s Ravine Champion, I have been advocating for increased funding for enhanced litter and invasive species removal, erosional control in key areas and the creation of new trails. In Scarborough, this includes the completion of The Meadoway, a collaboration with the Weston Family Foundation and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). The Meadoway will create a vibrant 16-kilometre stretch of urban greenspace through the hydro corridor, connecting the Rouge National Urban Park to the Don River ravine system.
Our Ravine Strategy was listed as a prime example of the type of work that could be funded by the new Natural Infrastructure Fund, announced in the Federal Budget by Minister Catherine McKenna. I would like to thank our MP, Gary Anandasangaree, for supporting the call for funding and I look forward to next steps for the City.
In April, alongside Mayor Tory, I announced the City’s investment of $82M across Toronto for the Ravine Strategy. This commitment includes $70M in capital investments by City Divisions and the TRCA, as well as $12M in operating funding, a 10% increase from last year, which will promote litter and invasive species removal and facilitate a youth internship program.
Last year, City staff completed 171 work orders and removed almost 74 metric tonnes of litter from 97 hectares of land. This year, litter collection continues to focus on known hotspots across the City. If you know of any litter hotspots, please submit them to www.toronto.ca/311 with the approximate location.
Gypsy Moths
This year, my office has heard concerns about the European Gypsy Moth in our community. The City’s Urban Forestry Department has advised that City treatments are applied in early spring due to the lifecycle of the Gypsy Moth. Early treatments also avoid any impact on other species, like Monarch Butterflies.
The City develops a treatment plan based on the data collected during the previous year. As such, please report Gypsy Moth sightings through the online reporting tool at www.toronto.ca/gypsymoth or by contacting 311. Gypsy Moth-related calls to 311 will not be returned at this time, as treatments have been completed for 2021.
Homeowners can hire private companies to spray their trees during the caterpillar stage and Urban Forestry encourages residents to wrap their trees with burlap and sticky traps to catch caterpillars.
We’re Here to Work for You
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Please email any questions or concerns to
councillor_mckelvie@toronto.ca