Gord Perks City Councillor, Ward 4, Parkdale-High Park

The Toronto Environment Office is now accepting applications for the spring 2012 round of Live GreenToronto Grants.

Resident/community groups, charitable and not-for-profit organizations, and Business Improvement Areas are invited to apply for funds for projects that green our neighbourhoods, reduce emissions, clean our airand help us adapt to climate change.Please note that for-profit businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Community Investment Program:

Grants of up to $25,000 are available for community-led projects that address local needs such as food production, sustainable transportation and renewable energy.

Capital Projects Fund:

Grants of up to $250,000 are available for community improvement projects suchas innovative building retrofits, greenspace restoration and green infrastructure.

Letters of Interest are due Monday February 6, 2012.

For more information about the Live Green Toronto grants, please visit: Live Green Toronto Grants

Please contact Jeff McCormick, Toronto Environment Office at 416-392-1135 or jmccorm@toronto.ca ifyou have any questions.

Good News! For the Brock St., Lansdowne Ave., and Dupont St. bridges, an order has been issued to purchase additional lighting.

Part of that strategy, was and is a partnership with the Toronto Police Services Board, the Toronto Police Service, and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to hire 150 youth for the summer.

The Youth in Policing Initiative is a partnership between three agencies, the Toronto Police Services Board, the Toronto Police Service, and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services to hire youth for the summer and to create a meaningful work experience for youth. This summer employment initiative focuses on youth between the ages of 14 -17 years old, residing in priority neighbourhoods within the City of Toronto.

The aim of the Youth in Policing Initiative is to promote youth participation in and exposure to the work environment through diverse, educational, and productive work assignments.

If you would like to learn more,  find out if you are eligible, go to an information session or fill out an application please see:  Youth Policing Initiative

January 19, 2012

Dear Friend,

This week, Toronto City Council approved the 2012 City of Toronto Budget. While the press is focussed on reporting the manoeuvring that took place at City Hall, the real story is different. Torontonians themselves re-wrote the City budget. I received over 5000 emails commenting on the City budget. Various hearings and deputation days saw over 1000 people come and speak up for the City we love and want to build. Let’s take a look at what we achieved together:

Quickly stated, the budget includes a 2.5 per cent property tax increase for homeowners, a 0.83 per cent tax increase for businesses, and a 10-cent fare increase for the TTC.

Because of the work of you and your neighbours, the budget was substantially changed from the proposals launched in November. Together we:

– Restored the school-based childcare rent subsidy;

– Protected 3 child care centres including St. Marks Child Care Centre in Parkdale;

– Protected free recreation programs for children, youth and seniors at Priority Community

Centres including our own Masaryk-Cowan CC;

– Restore hours at 10 ice-rinks;

– Kept 7 pools open

– Protected funding to the Community Partnership Investment Program (CPIP) which funds

community organizations who provide Toronto’s arts events, school nutrition programs,

community activities, seniors programs, youth engagement, and newcomer supports;

– Restored funding for the “Well Woman” health  program which is provided by the Women’s

Immigrant Health Centre

– Increased the TTC budget by $5-million to prevent cuts in bus and streetcar service.

– Kept 3 homeless shelters open

– Preserve Library service levels including hours, programs, and purchases of books: including

hours at Parkdale and High-Park branches!

– Eliminated a proposed $2 charge for drop-in swimming

– Restored the “community animator” program which supported neighbourhood lead

environmental initiatives.

– Protected the Toronto Environment Office allowing the City to continue implementing the

City’s Climate Action Plan

More information on the Budget is available on the City’s Budget 2012 website at http://www.toronto.ca/budget2012/index.htm .

I am very proud of our City. Faced with a very destructive administration, we stood up, fought back, and won important concessions. Our next task is to get back to City building. In the coming months, please continue to meet, talk, organize and envision the City we should have.

Thank you all for your work to date, and the work to come.



Gord

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) now has a new book for purchase which is filled with creative works from PARC members.  The book, ‘Let’s Face It’, documents and presents publicly the talent of the homeless, social-isolated and marginalized people in Toronto.

For more information see:  PARC Lets Face It

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) is a social agency operating a drop-in centre in Parkdale for survivors of mental health ailments, the homeless, the disabled and those with few resources. The centre is located on Queen Street West, between Dufferin Street and Roncesvalles avenue, just west of downtown Toronto.  http://parc.on.ca/

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) now has a new book for purchase which is filled with creative works from PARC members.  The book, ‘Let’s Face It’, documents and presents publicly the talent of the homeless, social-isolated and marginalized people in Toronto.

For more information see:  PARC Lets Face It

The Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) is a social agency operating a drop-in centre in Parkdale for survivors of mental health ailments, the homeless, the disabled and those with few resources. The centre is located on Queen Street West, between Dufferin Street and Roncesvalles avenue, just west of downtown Toronto.  http://parc.on.ca/

As you may know Doors Open Toronto is entering its 13^th year.  The City of Toronto is proud to present the annual Doors Open Toronto – one weekend, once a year – when over 100 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance open their doors to the public for a city-wide celebration. The program allows visitors free access to properties that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee.

The process of completing the roster of buildings for 2012 is underway and the City welcomes any suggestions about prominent buildings in Ward 14. Attached  is the theme and criteria for your review. Themes and Criteria

Every building has a story to tell and this year’s theme is: “200 years of Building the Urban City”. We will ask all building participants to focus on “city builders”, the people and personalities that are associated with our city’s history in celebration of the bicentennial of the war of 1812. We wanted to make a strong connection to this celebration and connect it to the present day architecture of the city.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to email or call the Project Lead, Kerri MacDonald at 416-395-7381 or by email kmacdon2@toronto.ca. Please refer any building suggestions to Programming Assistant Rachel Fender at 416-395-7301 or by email rfender@toronto.ca

Nominations are now open for the 2012 Green Toronto Awards, the City’s Environmental Awards of Excellence!

Award categories open for nomination are: Local Food, Community Projects, Energy Conservation, Green Business, Environmental Awareness, Green Design, Leadership, Youth Leadership and Water Efficiency.

Winners will receive a Green Toronto Award and $5,000 to further their work on the environment or donate to an environmental charity of their choice, courtesy of award sponsors. Winners will be announced at the 2012 Green Toronto Awards ceremony at the Green Living Show in April

Nominations close February 6, 2012.

For More Information See: Green Toronto Awards

SAC Application Form (DEADLINE Jan 13, 2012)