{"id":1195,"date":"2026-02-20T16:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T21:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/?p=1195"},"modified":"2026-02-20T16:11:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T21:11:23","slug":"my-monthly-town-hall-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/20\/my-monthly-town-hall-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"My Monthly Town Hall Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here are the comments from my monthly Town Hall Meeting. The one last night was in the Cedar Brook Community Centre:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us tonight.
It\u2019s always a pleasure to meet with residents, hear your questions, and share what\u2019s happening both at City Hall and right here in our community.

I also want to welcome our guests this evening:
\u2022 Louise O\u2019Neill from the Friends of Cedarbrook & Thomson Memorial Parks
\u2022 Our Neighbourhood Community Officers from 43 Division
Thank you for your partnership and the work you do every day.

Community Updates <\/strong>
We have a number of local updates to share:

New BIA<\/strong>
Our newest Business Improvement Area \u2014 the Cedarbrae Markham Lawrence BIA \u2014 is now officially underway, and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing this great team strengthen the local business community.

Speed Hump Feedback: Eastpark Boulevard<\/strong>
We\u2019ve heard concerns about possible traffic diversion once speed humps are installed on Crusader Street.
If you live on Eastpark Boulevard, I\u2019m asking for your feedback on whether speed humps should also be considered for your street.
Please email my office \u2014 your input will guide next steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n



Road Work Coming Up<\/strong>
Starting Spring 2026 through Spring 2027, Banmoor Boulevard, Hillock Place, and Landfair Crescent will see road resurfacing.
Sewer rehabilitation is also planned for Alpaca Drive, Eastpark Boulevard, and Landfair Crescent.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n


New FIFA Standard Soccer Pitch \u2013 Scarborough Village Park<\/strong>
Standard Soccer Pitch \u2013 Scarborough Village Park standard mini pitch at Scarborough Village Park.
\u2022\tScarborough\u2013Guildwood is getting a new FIFA minipitch at Scarborough Village Park.
\u2022\tIt will include artificial turf, enclosed fencing, seating, and accessible entrances, with construction finishing this spring and an opening event planned for early June.
\u2022\tThis is a major win for our community and part of Toronto\u2019s preparations as a World Cup host city.

Community Safety & Winter Response<\/strong>
\u2022\tCommunity safety remains a priority.
\u2022\tOver the past weeks, we\u2019ve expanded 311 support, accelerated snow removal on residential streets, and continued to advocate strongly for additional shelter and warming spaces.
\u2022\tThe City recently opened 50 new shelter spaces to support residents during the coldest period of the year.
\u2022\tYou\u2019ll also hear from our 43 Division officers tonight, who continue to support safety initiatives across the area.

Budget 2026 \u2013 Thank You<\/strong>
\u2022\tThank you to everyone who took part in the Budget 2026 consultations.
\u2022\tYour feedback directly shapes decisions on transit, recreation, emergency services, libraries, and local programs.
\u2022\tCouncil will finalize the budget in the coming days, and your input has been invaluable.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Transit, Transportation & Local Roads<\/strong>
\u2022\tStrengthening transit continues to be a major focus.
\u2022\tCouncil recently adopted my motion urging Metrolinx to reinstate the Lakeshore\u2013Midtown rapid transit line, and I’m continuing to advocate for Toronto\u2019s inclusion in planning for High-Speed Rail.
\u2022\tLocally, speed hump installations are progressing, road resurfacing and hydro upgrades continue, and the new traffic lights at Guildwood Parkway and Rowatson are on track to be activated this spring.
\u2022\tSlow Down signs are also available from my office\u2014just give us a call.

Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities<\/strong>
\u2022\tEarly Local Registration is expanding in our ward.
o\tThis program is very important to me. Several residents approached me, asking that they have early access to programming close to their residents. I drove this initiative with a request to City Council to implement this program.
o\tCentennial and Scarborough Village Recreation Centres were the first to be added, and now Cedarbrook Community Centre will join the list for CampTO 2026.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


\u2022\tGrant Faulkner Park<\/strong>
o\tI worked with the City and family of Grant Faulker, who is very supportive of this initiative, to have the park named in honour of him, a Toronto resident who tragically died in 2015 while experiencing homelessness.
o\tThe name not only commemorates his life but also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and addressing homelessness in the community.
o\tConstruction begins this summer on a new park named in honour of Grant Faulkner. The park will include a playground, soccer fields, a cricket cage, accessible seating, and shaded areas.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Planning, Development & Housing<\/strong>
\u2022\tLast fall, Council approved new zoning changes for major streets like Lawrence, Eglinton, Markham Road, and Bellamy Road North\u2014allowing more small local services that bring vibrancy to our main roads.
\u2022\tAt the same time, I strongly opposed extending these changes to quiet residential streets, and I\u2019m pleased to share that those \u201cNeighbourhood Interiors\u201d amendments did not move forward.
Over 90% of residents opposed them, and I heard you clearly.
\u2022\tI\u2019ve also called for a proper review of Toronto\u2019s outdated \u201cmajor streets\u201d map and continue to press the Province for more local control over pot shops and alcohol serving establishments to better protect neighbourhoods. serving establishments to better protect neighbourhoods.
________________________________________
CityWide Information Wide Information<\/strong>
A few quick reminders:
\u2022 Interim property tax instalments are due March 2, April 1, and May 1
\u2022 Relief programs are available for eligible seniors and residents with disabilities
\u2022 Vacant Home Tax declarations are due April 30
\u2022 Tree Maintenance Review survey is open until February 28
\u2022 Toronto hosts its first FIFA World Cup match on June 12
________________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Regional Work<\/strong>
\u2022\tIn recent months, I\u2019ve represented Scarborough\u2013Guildwood as Deputy Mayor and TRCA Chair, hosting the Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Forum, and at the ROMA Conference as Chair of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries.
\u2022\tThese discussions directly support our work on climate resilience, water systems, and community programs.
I look forward to your questions and hearing what matters most to you and your families.

Thank you again for being here.

Welcome Louise O\u2019Neill to share her presentation on Friends of Cedarbrook and Thomson Memorial Parks Group
Welcome NCO\u2019s to speak on community safety and answer any questions residents may have.


Closing (after guests and Q & A)<\/strong>
Scarborough\u2013Guildwood continues to grow, evolve, and strengthen \u2014 and it\u2019s your involvement that drives this progress.
Thank you for your continued participation, your advocacy, and your support.
Tonight is about continuing the conversation.
Please visit the table for information that you can take home.
Thank you again for being here.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here are the comments from my monthly Town Hall Meeting. The one last night was in the Cedar Brook Community Centre: Good evening, everyone, and thank you for joining us tonight.It\u2019s always a pleasure to meet with residents, hear your questions, and share what\u2019s happening both at City Hall and right here in our community. … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “My Monthly Town Hall Meeting”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1195"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1206,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1195\/revisions\/1206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}