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The City of Toronto celebrated its tenth annual Toronto Newcomer Day, a significant event that highlights the city's dedication to welcoming newcomers and celebrating their contributions. This year, the event was marked by Mayor Olivia Chow proclaiming May 23rd as Newcomer Day, with Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik joining her in honouring the city's newcomers. The event featured a rich program of cultural performances, including music by indigenous voices Rosary and Myranda Spence, African drumming by The Ngoma Ensemble, and the harmonious Nawa Choir. A highlight of the day was the citizenship ceremony, where 50 new Canadians were officially welcomed. Toronto Newcomer Day offered newcomers a chance to learn about settlement services and community programs. Over 140 exhibitors provided information on accessibility supports, arts and cultural awareness, education, children and youth services, employment counseling, and housing support. This wide array of services underscores the city

Recently, Regent Park TV covered the March for LGBTQIA2S+ Refugee Rights 2024, a significant event that brought together Downtown East communities, including Regent Park. The event drew a massive crowd of newcomers and residents, predominantly of African descent, highlighting the vibrant diversity and unity within the area. Organized by The 519 as part of the National Rainbow Week of Action, the rally sought to amplify support for LGBTQ+ refugees. The event at Barbara Hall Park served as a powerful platform to address the pressing issues faced by LGBTQIA2S+ newcomers and refugees in the city. A distinguished lineup of speakers added weight to the event's message. MPP Wong-Tam, MPP Marit Stiles, and Councillor Moise, addressed the need for government action to defend the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ refugees. Additional speakers, such as Representatives from various organizations, including Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Toronto, Lisa Duplessis, Director of Programs and Community Servi

On June 7, 2024, a protest was held combating the gun violence that is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in the neighbourhood of Regent Park. This protest was organized by Mothers of Peace Regent Park (MOPRP), whose purpose is to “enhance and support the safety and well-being of the Regent Park community and its surrounding community residents”. This march was held in conjunction with the National Day Against Gun Violence, a day designated to raise awareness and advocate for solutions to gun violence. Starting at the TD Centre of Learning building at 540 Dundas Street East, dozens of people, from the young to the old walked around the neighbourhood of Regent Park, equipped with poster boards and signs. The individuals came together to become one to rally against the gun violence plaguing our neighbourhoods. Participants were encouraged to wear white during the walk and free white shirts displaying the text “STOP GUN VIOLENCE” were given out to participants. The white shirts repr

The June Quarterly Police meeting in Regent Park, led by Constable Farzad Ghotbi, Constable Mircea Biga, and Sergeant Jeremy Boyko, primarily focused on community safety concerns related to fireworks and e-scooters. The police detailed the alarming trend of teenagers and young adults using fireworks as weapons, leading to numerous injuries and disturbing the neighbourhood’s peace. Constable Ghotbi emphasized that using fireworks in such a manner is legally equivalent to using a firearm and will be prosecuted accordingly. The misuse of e-scooters by teenagers and children was also a significant topic. The police highlighted the dangers of e-scooters speeding through public spaces and running red lights. They proposed introducing fines similar to driving penalties to curb this behaviour, a suggestion that drew concerns from Regent Park residents worried about the potential strain on the youth-law enforcement relationship. However, the police reiterated the necessity of fines until a bett

On May 22nd, Gordon Tanner, General Manager of Toronto Shelter and Support Services, and Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), Chair of the Economic & Community Development Committee hosted a media conference, unveiling a transformative shift in the city's strategy toward homeless encampments based on feedback from the public, interested parties and recommendations from the City’s Ombudsman.    Encampments are a symptom of the housing affordability crisis, shelter demand that exceeds availability and other social crises such as mental health and drug toxicity. This encampments staff report prioritizes transparency and coordination, centering on people's needs and dignity. The report will provide City staff a clear framework to connect individuals with indoor spaces while also addressing the concerns of surrounding communities. Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) staff will present the report to the Economic and Community Development Committee on May 29; If passed

RPTV recently conducted an enlightening interview with Gaetan Heroux from the 230 FightBack Group, spotlighting a critical issue at the heart of Toronto's housing crisis. The vacant lot at 214-230 Sherbourne Street, located at the intersection of Dundas and Sherbourne, has remained undeveloped for over 15 years while the number of people living on the streets continues to rise. Heroux, a passionate advocate for housing justice, shared insights into the importance of this site and the urgent need for social housing. The 230 FightBack Group has been tirelessly campaigning against the corporate greed of KingSett Capital and the city's lack of action. Despite repeated appeals, the city has not secured the property for social housing. Heroux emphasized that the abandonment of acquisition plans for 214-230 Sherbourne has had a detrimental impact on the local community, leaving many without a safe place to live. In our interview, Heroux outlined the group's actions and highlighted

St. James Town came alive on Saturday, May 11th, as residents gathered at the St James Town Neighbourhood Community Centre for the highly anticipated 2024 Summit, organized by the St James Town Residents Council. With a remarkable turnout, the event showcased a diverse array of voices, ideas, and talents, reaffirming the vibrant spirit of this dynamic community. The summit, themed "Emerging Innovations & Ideas," featured a lineup of engaging activities and insightful discussions.  The agenda was packed with enriching sessions, including a networking continental breakfast to kick off the morning, followed by opening remarks and acknowledgements. Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to participate in forums highlighting emerging grassroots groups, indulge in a multicultural lunch prepared by local chefs, and engage in workshops focusing on indigenous knowledge and intergenerational storytelling. Notable grassroots organizations such as TILT (Toronto Indigenous

City Councillor Chris Moise is offering a lifeline to Ward 13 residents with My Access to Housing TO Clinics in Regent Park and St James Town. Running from May 9 to May 31, these clinics aim to assist those on the Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) Housing Centralized Waiting List or those needing help applying for RGI housing. Working alongside Access to Housing and Housing Help Centres, Councillor Moise's clinics are set to address the pressing issue of housing accessibility in the community. The clinics provide essential services to help residents navigate the complexities of RGI housing. Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing is a subsidy offered by the City of Toronto to make rent affordable for low-income households. Access to Housing, which manages the Centralized Waiting List for RGI Housing, works continuously to review and confirm the eligibility of applicants. Applicants to RGI housing must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees; the primary applicant must be at le

TORONTO — In a dramatic display of dissent, students at the University of Toronto have erected an encampment in King's College Circle, calling for an end to the university's and Canadian government's financial ties with Israeli institutions implicated in what protesters describe as the genocide of the Palestinian people. This protest, which has drawn support from diverse groups, underscores the urgency felt by participants to halt the violence in Gaza and the West Bank.   Suzie, a Toronto resident, and U of T alumna, stood amidst the crowd, expressing her unwavering support for Palestinian liberation. "I've been supporting the students who have tirelessly tried to get U of T to address its investments in Israeli institutions and arms," she said. "They've exhausted all means, and this encampment is a necessary step. We're witnessing a genocide in real-time, and we must ask ourselves, what are we doing to stop it?"   An anonymous protestor high

On Saturday, May 4th, the Toronto Centre NDP held its Federal Nomination Meeting at Winchester Junior & Senior Public School. The gymnasium buzzed with excitement as local party members gathered to choose their candidate for the upcoming federal election. In the end, Dr. Samantha Green came out on top, securing the nomination to represent the NDP in the Toronto Centre riding. Dr. Green’s win is a big deal for our community. With a solid background in advocacy and community engagement, she’s ready to bring her experience and fresh ideas to Ottawa, aiming to champion the needs of our neighborhood. RPTV had the chance to sit down with Dr. Green, and she shared what motivated her to run and her plans for tackling some of our community's biggest challenges. She’s passionate about addressing the housing crisis, drawing from her extensive work with marginalized communities to push for affordable social housing solutions. Mental health and addiction issues are also high on her list. Dr