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 At a recent meeting, Councillor Chris Moyles from Toronto Center, Ward 113, led a discussion focused on redevelopment efforts and urban maintenance in the downtown core. Councillor Moise and community advocates confronted the city’s escalating affordable housing crisis, specifically centred on a contested property at 214 to 230 Sherbourne Street. Long regarded as a potential site for social housing, this property has sparked debate between those who want it preserved for affordable housing and a private developer with plans to construct luxury condominiums. The meeting highlighted fundamental tensions between public responsibility and private development interests, as well as the urgent need for the city to prioritize affordable housing over high-end projects. Alongside the Sherbourne Street issue, the council addressed concerns about community safety, noting an increase in crime, including drug-related activities affecting local neighbourhoods. City officials highlighted the need for

The Planning Committee held its meeting on October 17th, 2024, focusing on key strategic directions for the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP). The agenda began with a land acknowledgment and African ancestral acknowledgment, followed by a review of the day's objectives. Elena led the meeting, guiding discussions on agenda proposals for the Planning Committee's 2024 priorities. Updates on business cases were provided, with Joel and Brandy reporting that results are still pending on some of the previously submitted cases. A major point of discussion was preparing for the upcoming November 27th Stakeholders Table Meeting. The committee deliberated on proposing a budget for the meeting, potential business case presentations, and clarifying the approval process to ensure smooth operations. The meeting also highlighted the importance of each working group submitting their recommendations for the panel review committee. Additionally, the committee began discussing steps needed

RPTV Weekly News Show Episode 97 (October 15th to October 21st) - in this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters Gabriel Meissner, Thunder Cloud, Kedar Ahmed, and Fred Alvarado we present news that impacts on Toronto's Regent Park and the surrounding areas. In this episode we present the following news: 0:00 Intro; 01:04 Regent Park Social Development Plan Introduces Listening Sessions; 04:12 Toronto city crews dismantle encampment in Allan Gardens; 05:10 St. James Town Hall: Councillor Chris Moise Engages Community on Key Issues; 06:10 Toronto Expands Winter Homelessness Plan Amid Growing Demand; 08:48 New Bylaw Aims to Curb Renovictions in Toronto; 11:00 200 Activists Stage Die-In to Protest Safe Injection Site Closures; 15:49 Indigenous Report: Families Demand Justice: National Inquiry into Police-Involved Indigenous Deaths; 23:34 Events and Jobs in Regent Park. 

The Regent Park Social Development Plan's (SDP) Planning Committee held a pivotal meeting on October 10, 2024, via Zoom, where important decisions were made to ensure strong community representation and guide the neighbourhood's ongoing revitalization. The meeting, facilitated by Elena Taghizadeh, the current Co-chair of the Employment and Economic Development working group of the Regent Park SDP, highlighted the committee's commitment to transparency and collective decision-making. A central focus of the meeting was the expiration of election terms for the committee’s co-chairs and community representatives, all of which ended on August 31, 2024. One seat, in particular, has remained vacant since June, with no communication or participation from the representative. The committee is now tasked with determining whether to approach Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) to either reinstate, replace, or leave the position unfilled. This discussion raised the need for clear protocols

RPTV Weekly News Show Episode 96 (October7th to October 14th) - in this weekly news show hosted by RPTV reporters Marcelo Ramirez, Gabriel Meissner,  Thunder Cloud, Jabin Haque, and Fred Alvarado we present news that impacts on Toronto's Regent Park and the surrounding areas. In this episode we present the following news: 0:00 Intro; 01:05 Upcoming Regent Park Community Consultation Meeting on Phases 4 & 5; 03:39 Community Leaders Gather to Address Homelessness at 2024 Toronto Shelter Network Conference; 08:51 Moss Park Town Hall: Community Concerns Take Center Stage; 15:30 City Council Approves 214-230 Sherbourne Development Amid Strong Community Opposition; 19:44 City Moves Forward with Universal Student Food Program to Address Hunger in Schools; 21:49 Fire Station 325 Open House Celebrates Fire Prevention Week; 23:06 Events and Jobs in Regent Park Community.

On October 16, Progress Toronto hosted a virtual presentation featuring frontline worker and housing advocate Diana Chan McNally, focusing on debunking myths surrounding homelessness and harm reduction. The event brought critical insights into how misinformation often fuels resistance against evidence-based solutions, a topic of particular importance to the Downtown East and Regent Park communities. With the area grappling with a severe housing crisis and the toxic drug epidemic, the discussion emphasized the need for informed dialogue to drive meaningful change. Drawing from her extensive experience supporting unhoused people in Toronto's Downtown East, McNally dismantled misconceptions that often distort public perceptions of homelessness. She highlighted how these myths not only shape public opinion but also lead to policy decisions that neglect or even harm vulnerable populations. By equipping participants with tools to counter these narratives, she aimed to foster greater unde

The seven vacant lots at 214-230 Sherbourne Street have become a focal point in the discussion surrounding affordable housing. With housing insecurity on the rise, Kingsett Capital, one of Canada's prominent private equity real estate investment firms, proposed constructing a 46-storey luxury condominium in a neighbourhood in dire need of affordable housing. This application sparked outrage among residents, highlighting concerns about further exacerbating gentrification in the area. Despite significant community opposition, Toronto City Councillor Chris Moise motioned to approve the application during a recent council meeting in October 92024, granting Kingsett Capital permission to proceed with the luxury condo development. Reports suggest that Kingsett may plan to "flip" the property—selling it quickly for profit. This decision has led to widespread disappointment in the community, particularly among groups like 230 Fightback, who advocate for establishing low-income ho

The Regent Park Neighbourhood Association (RPNA) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Daniels Spectrum, gathering members to reflect on a year of significant change and ongoing community advocacy. With food provided by a local Café Pop-Up vendor, the event highlighted RPNA’s key achievements and outlined its vision for the future. One of the major announcements at the AGM was the stepping down of Co-Chairs Ismail Afrah and Marlene De Genova, who represented Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and market residents. Both were acknowledged for their leadership and service. The RPNA also confirmed its transition to an independent organization, after previously being under the trusteeship of Yonge Street Mission (YSM). This shift marks a new chapter in the association’s development, with continued support from Daniels Corporation, the developer behind the first three phases of Regent Park’s revitalization. Daniels’ funding ensures that RPNA’s Community Coordinator position will

The Planning Committee convened on September 19, 2024, to address important topics ranging from AI note-taking tools to upcoming co-chair elections and funding for key initiatives. Facilitated by Walied, the meeting began with a Land and African Ancestral Acknowledgment, followed by a review of the agenda and updates on upcoming Social Development Plan (SDP) events and interactions with City of Toronto staff and local Councillors. One of the most debated topics was the use of OTTER AI note-taker bots during meetings. Adonis Huggins, the co-chair of the Communications working group of the SDP, facilitated a discussion about whether these bots comply with the current meeting recording policy. Some members raised concerns about privacy, noting that the AI bots send transcriptions to all invitees, regardless of whether they attended. Many argued that the bots could create issues by recording and sharing information without full consent from participants. As the meeting concluded, key decis