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On February 27, 2025, the Planning Committee for the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) convened to finalize details for the upcoming Stakeholders Table Meeting. Key attendees included Michael Rosenberg, Sarah-Jane Growe, Walied Khogali Ali, Kedar, Adonis Huggins, Deany Peters, and Farid from the Daniels Spectrum. Brandy Skinner facilitated the meeting, focusing on finalizing the event logistics and securing a location.

On Monday, March 3, Romero House hosted the annual Howcroft Lecture at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Church. This year’s talk, Dignity in Crisis: The Complexity of the Refugee Experience, was delivered by Dr. James Orbinski, a renowned physician, humanitarian, and former president of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Orbinski has spent decades on the front lines of global crises, providing medical care in war zones and refugee camps. His work has shaped humanitarian aid policies and championed refugee rights, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières in 1999. His lecture addressed issues that resonate with Regent Park, a community shaped by immigrant stories. During his talk, Dr. Orbinski highlighted that the refugee experience doesn’t end upon arrival. Many face the daunting challenge of navigating complex systems, healing from trauma, and finding a sense of belonging. He reminded the audience that 123 million people worldwide are currently ...

The Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) Planning Committee recently held a meeting to discuss several key issues, including preparations for the upcoming Stakeholder Table meeting and the honorarium process for 2025. The honorarium process, which compensates Co-Chairs and other key members for their time and contributions, has been a topic of ongoing discussion between the SDP and the City of Toronto. The most pressing issue discussed at the meeting was the honorarium process for 2025. This is particularly important as it impacts the Co-Chairs of the SDP and others who receive honorariums for their involvement in the plan's activities. The committee agreed on the need to set up a meeting with City staff to gain clarity on the revised honorarium process for the Co-Chairs in 2025. There are also concerns regarding outstanding payments for 2024, which remain unresolved. The City of Toronto had communicated to the SDP that all honorarium payments for 2023 would be honoured. How...

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, residents, community leaders, and local organizations came together in the Community Living Room at Daniels Spectrum for the latest Regent Park Social Development Plan(SDP) Stakeholders Table meeting.  Dawar Naeem  – Local Journalism Initiative The event served as a vital platform for cross-sector collaboration and community-driven dialogue, with a shared goal of fostering a safer, more inclusive, and opportunity-rich Regent Park. The Stakeholders Table, held quarterly, is a cornerstone of the SDP process. It provides an open space where progress is assessed, concerns are addressed, and new ideas are generated—all in support of the SDP’s central aim: to build social cohesion and inclusion in Regent Park. Attendees heard updates from the plan’s four working groups—Community Building, Communications, Employment &Economic Development, and the Safety Network. Each group shared ongoing initiatives and highlighted the collab...

At a time of rising concern for public education in Toronto, Regent Park TV sat down with TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams for an important conversation about what’s happening behind the scenes. Fred Alvarado – Local Journalism Initiative The interview, recorded at the Focus Media Arts Centre in Regent Park, comes days after the Ontario government placed the Toronto District School Board—and three other major boards—under provincial supervision. Trustee Williams, who represents Ward 10 (University–Rosedale and Toronto Centre), explains what this decision means for students, families, and communities like Regent Park in Toronto’s Downtown East. Since June 27, elected trustees have been stripped of their ability to make decisions, hold meetings, or connect with constituents using board resources. Williams challenges the province’s justification of “financial mismanagement,” pointing instead to chronic underfunding and a growing political agenda that includes Bill 33—a prop...

Recently, Toronto residents joined a virtual Education in Crisis Town Hall, organized by Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, to address the Ontario government’s recent decision to place four more school boards—including the Toronto District School Board (TDSB)—under provincial supervision. The panel featured MPP Jessica Bell, TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams, Sandra Huh from the Ontario Autism Coalition, and student senator Amontaye Mullings, who shared powerful insights on how these changes affect students, families, and democratic accountability. Panelists raised concerns about the sudden removal of elected trustees’ communication tools, including email and phone access. Oversight of Ontario’s largest school board has now been assigned to Rohit Gupta, a former Metrolinx advisor with no background in education. Gupta has not made himself available to answer public questions. Trustee Deborah Williams, who represents Toronto Centre, had previously shared her concerns with Regent Park TV. ...

Neighbours from across Toronto’s Downtown East gathered at 51 Division on June 14 for an open house that turned the police station into a hub of community engagement and connection. Fred Alvarado  – Local Journalism Initiative Held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at 51 Parliament Street, the 51 Division Open House welcomed residents from Regent Park, Moss Park, St. James Town, and surrounding communities. The afternoon featured cruiser tours, mounted police, drone demos, and food, all aimed at connecting residents with officers and the services available in their neighbourhoods. RPTV’s Fred Alvarado was on location and spoke with several participants. The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit highlighted their work supporting local outreach. Sergeant Jeremy Boyko shared updates on the Neighbourhood Officer Program and its continuing work in Regent Park and Moss Park. Councillor Chris Moise, who attended the event, emphasized the success of the Neighbourhood Officer Program, which o...

Early Saturday morning, July 5th, a vehicle crashed into the front of Café ZUZU, a well-known café in Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood, near the corner of Dundas Street East and Sackville Street. Toronto Police say they responded to the single-vehicle collision just before 4:30 a.m. A 36-year-old woman was arrested at the scene for suspected impaired driving. Photos from the crash show shattered glass, twisted metal, and significant damage to the café’s front entrance. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as Café ZUZU was closed when the crash occurred. Despite the destruction, Café ZUZU has already reopened. Staff, with the help of emergency responders and support from the local community, acted quickly to clean up and restore the space. For many in the area, the café is more than a restaurant — it's a key part of the neighbourhood and a place where people come together. RPTV reporters Jabin and Miguel visited the crash site and spoke with Tyler Rutherford, Direct...

On July 15, Regent Park families gathered at Daniels Spectrum for a timely and practical conversation on safety. Organized by the local group Happy Moms, Happy Children, the event marked the first in a twelve-part series called Safer Toronto, Stronger Future. Leading the session was Constable Mustafa Popalzai, a trusted former community officer who now works with the Toronto Police investigative unit. His return to the neighbourhood sparked meaningful dialogue and an atmosphere of mutual respect. Throughout the evening, Popalzai offered strategies for staying safe at home, online, and in public. He also answered questions from residents and shared his work with youth and newcomers, including Project Hope—a safety and mentorship program for recently arrived families. These conversations are especially important in neighbourhoods like Regent Park and the wider Downtown East, where communities face complex challenges—from economic hardship to systemic discrimination. In this c...