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Ontario’s newly passed Bill 60 is sparking deep concern among tenant advocates and local leaders, especially in neighbourhoods like Regent Park where many residents already face housing insecurity. The legislation expands landlords’ ability to fast-track evictions and restricts what tenants can argue at Landlord and Tenant Board hearings—changes critics say will disproportionately impact low-income families, newcomers, and vulnerable households. Tensions reached a peak at Queen’s Park during the final vote, when protesters shouted “people over profit” before being escorted from the public gallery. Ontario’s NDP has since introduced a motion calling for Bill 60 to be repealed, warning that it will further erode fairness at the already backlogged Landlord and Tenant Board. In Regent Park, where a large share of residents live in rental units—including Toronto Community Housing buildings—advocates fear the legislation will accelerate displacement. With fewer protections and shorter timeli...

On November 25th, the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee gathered at City Hall to review the proposed 2026 budget allocation for Social Development Plan implementation across Toronto’s priority neighborhoods. The discussion highlighted the plan’s success in Regent Park and its potential to guide equitable development citywide. Chaired by Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, the committee heard from residents, advocates, and city staff about the tangible impact of Regent Park’s plan. Outcomes cited included zero gun-related deaths in 2023, expanded youth employment and leadership programs, and strengthened community cohesion. These results showcase how coordinated, resident-led strategies can make neighborhoods safer and more equitable. Speakers emphasized the ongoing challenges facing priority neighborhoods with significant Black and racialized populations, including housing instability, economic pressures, and systemic inequities. Expanding Social Development Plans citywide would ...

As part of our ongoing Indigenous reporting, we share an interview with Ramon Kataquapit, a young leader from Attawapiskat First Nation and founder of the Okiniwak Indigenous Youth Movement. RPTV met Ramon at the Indigenous Youth Gathering and Pow Wow in Regent Park, where he spoke about the urgent need for youth leadership as Ontario moves forward with Bill 5 — a provincial law that opens the door to large-scale development on Indigenous lands without proper consultation. For many Indigenous youth, the response to Bill 5 is about more than policy. It is about defending land, language, identity, and the right to self-determination. Throughout the year, organizers have held gatherings, cultural teachings, and rallies across Toronto, including a summer encampment behind Queen’s Park that called attention to the lack of consent and the ongoing impacts of colonial land decisions. Regent Park TV has followed these actions closely, documenting how culture, ceremony, and community care guide ...

Skilled trade workers rallied outside Queen’s Park after the Ontario government abruptly cancelled 2,600 applications submitted through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The province suspended the skilled trades stream, citing what it called “systemic misrepresentation or fraud,” and returned all applications without offering individual explanations. Workers Kulginder and Gurjeed told RPTV they followed every requirement. They submitted documents on time, paid the $1,500 application fee, and waited more than a year with almost no communication from the program. Now, they say the province has labelled thousands of honest applicants as fraudulent with no clear evidence. Many workers are facing severe consequences. Some have lost their status, can no longer work, and now struggle to support their families—at a time when housing costs, food prices, and basic expenses are already out of reach for many in Toronto. Kulginder Singh explained that they were trained in Ontario, work ...

Representatives from more than 68 food banks and community groups gathered at Queen’s Park to deliver a clear warning: Ontario’s Bill 60 could worsen housing insecurity and push more residents toward emergency food services already struggling to meet record demand. Speakers at the media conference said the bill would speed up evictions, reduce the time tenants have to catch up on rent, and limit their ability to defend themselves at hearings. Chiara Padovani and Sarah Watson from North York Harvest stressed that food banks are seeing unprecedented demand, driven largely by households spending nearly all their income on rent. Diana Chan McNally, a Community Outreach Worker, highlighted how shelters, municipalities, and frontline agencies are stretched thin, while Megan Kee of No Demovictions emphasized that vulnerable communities would bear the brunt—facing worsening housing and food insecurity as landlords and developers gain more power. For Toronto’s Downtown East, the message hits cl...

Food insecurity in Toronto’s Downtown East continues to reach new and alarming levels, with the Allan Gardens Food Bank now facing one of the highest surges in demand in its history. Each week, hundreds of residents — including many from Regent Park, Moss Park, and Cabbagetown — rely on the service as rising costs and stagnant incomes push more families into hardship. Volunteers say the pressure has never been greater. Paul Uytenbogart, longtime volunteer and former director, describes a growing gap between what the food bank can provide and what the community urgently needs. With limited supplies and no sustained public funding, the strain is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Uytenbogart emphasized that while volunteers remain committed, elected representatives must pay closer attention to the realities unfolding on the ground. Recent data underscores the severity of the situation. The Who’s Hungry 2025 report shows 4.1 million food bank visits across Toronto. At Allan Garden...

A virtual town hall hosted by MPP Jessica Bell on Monday, November 17 brought residents together to examine how Bill 60 could reshape life in Toronto — from renters’ rights to local planning, sustainable transit, and climate action. Held over Zoom, the event focused on what the province’s proposed changes could mean for neighbourhoods already facing high rents, rapid development, and mounting transit needs. For Regent Park and surrounding Downtown East communities — where most people rent and rely on stable public transit — the concerns raised struck close to home. Participants shared stories about affordability pressures and fears that Bill 60 could accelerate displacement, weaken tenant protections, and give developers more control over neighbourhood planning. Advocates warned that loosening planning rules and limiting community input would make it harder to build fair, climate-resilient neighbourhoods. Speakers also stressed that housing and transit can’t be separated. With rising c...

Toronto City Council has delivered a strong rebuke of Bill 60, the Ford government’s proposal to amend the Residential Tenancies Act. Councillors voted overwhelmingly to oppose the legislation, warning it would weaken tenant rights and accelerate evictions across the city. The province argues Bill 60 will speed up development and reduce Landlord and Tenant Board backlogs. But City of Toronto staff and housing advocates say the opposite — the changes could put thousands of renters at greater risk of losing their homes. At a media conference this week, Mayor Olivia Chow said the bill fast-tracks renovictions and owner move-ins, giving tenants far less time to challenge evictions or seek legal support. Council’s response is not just symbolic. The city is formally requesting that Ontario reinstate full rent control on units built after 2018 and bring back vacancy control — measures aimed at curbing rent hikes and preventing displacement. Chow also pointed to existing supports for strugglin...

A new report from the Chiefs of Ontario reveals that First Nations people are dying from opioid overdoses at nearly nine times the rate of non-Indigenous residents. In 2022 alone, the crisis claimed Indigenous lives across the province at devastating levels, highlighting a widening health and social emergency. Hospitalizations linked to opioid toxicity are also disproportionately high, especially among those living away from their home communities. In downtown east Toronto, including Regent Park, Indigenous residents face an even steeper challenge as several supervised consumption sites have closed in recent months. These sites once offered safe spaces for drug use under trained supervision, access to sterile supplies, and immediate medical support in case of overdose. Research consistently shows that supervised consumption reduces harm, prevents public injection, and connects people to social and health services. Since the closures, staff at local drop-in centres have reported a rise ...

At City Hall, Toronto has taken a step forward in tackling inequities in social housing. On October 28, the Economic and Community Development Committee approved a motion that strengthens accountability in how the city collects and uses eviction data. The decision follows growing advocacy from community groups and residents — including voices from Regent Park — who have urged the city to confront systemic barriers that put low-income and racialized tenants at higher risk of eviction. The motion directs the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Unit to work with Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and the Housing Secretariat to present updated equity-based eviction data by early 2026. This data will help identify where and why tenants are most vulnerable and guide future housing policy across Toronto. During the meeting, community members emphasized the importance of transparency and evidence-based decision-making, noting that eviction prevention must start with understanding who is most affected....

A new program in Regent Park is helping young people build confidence and practical skills in money management and entrepreneurship. The Youth Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship Program, hosted at the Regent Park Community Centre of Excellence, is an initiative of the Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurial Society Hub (F.L.E.S.H.), a nonprofit dedicated to financial empowerment and equity. F.L.E.S.H. provides culturally relevant and socially responsive financial education through online and in-person workshops, mentorship, and community-based support. The organization’s programs are designed for participants who identify as Black, Indigenous, Women, Persons of Colour, or 2SLGBTQIA+, with a mission to make financial literacy more inclusive and accessible. In Regent Park, the youth-focused workshops guide participants through real-world financial skills — from understanding paycheques and budgeting to saving, building credit, and exploring the basics of starting a small business. ...

A downtown Toronto condo board is taking legal action against a long-standing church and drop-in centre, raising questions about safety, compassion, and the city’s deepening housing crisis. The board of CASA Condos, at 33 Charles Street East, is suing Sanctuary Ministries for more than $2.3 million, alleging that the organization has allowed drug use, violence, and disruptive behaviour to spill into the neighbourhood, creating fear and extra costs for residents. None of these claims have been tested in court. Sanctuary, which has served people experiencing poverty and homelessness for more than 30 years, says the lawsuit misses the larger issue — Toronto’s housing and mental health emergency. The church provides meals, health care, and outreach programs, and members describe it as a lifeline for those living on the margins. The dispute has sparked a broader conversation about coexistence in the city’s downtown east. For Regent Park and nearby communities, the story hits close to home, ...

A powerful march for justice filled downtown Toronto on Friday, October 24, as youth, families, and community members gathered for the Save Our Children Rally at Queen’s Park. Organized by the ENAGB Indigenous Youth Agency, the demonstration called for unity and accountability to protect children impacted by violence. The march began at Nathan Phillips Square and moved to Queen’s Park, where participants delivered a petition demanding stronger youth protections, justice reforms, and deeper community investment. The rally was held in memory of eight-year-old Jahvai Roy, an Anishnaabe and Bajan boy tragically killed by a stray bullet while lying in bed beside his mother in North York on August 16. His death has sparked citywide grief and urgent calls for action against gun violence, particularly affecting Indigenous and racialized children. Speakers at Queen’s Park connected the crisis to poverty, trauma, and systemic neglect, urging long-term investments in prevention and healing. The e...

St. James Town, one of Toronto’s most diverse and densely populated neighbourhoods, continues to show how creativity and care can build belonging even in challenging times. Known for its tall apartment towers and aging infrastructure, this community thrives on the resilience and imagination of its residents. Earlier this month, Regent Park TV visited St. James Town for the unveiling of Many Peoples Under One Sky – Winchester Park Mosaic, a public art project celebrating unity and cultural pride. Among the performers was opera singer Pepper Espin (they/them), who performed alongside the Epic Choir, their powerful voices filling the park with a sense of hope and connection. Born in Mexico, Espin is an opera singer, drag performer, and peer support worker who rebuilt their life in Toronto after surviving a transphobic attack in 2021. When they arrived, they found refuge and friendship at The Corner on Wellesley Street East — a vital hub where neighbours help one another find stability and...

New permit parking rules prioritize TCHC residents, easing pressures from ongoing revitalization in Regent Park. A long-standing concern in Regent Park is finally being addressed as the City of Toronto introduces overnight permit parking to support local residents. For years, Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) tenants saw their above-ground parking lots disappear during revitalization. With limited underground spots available, many families were left competing for scarce parking options. Now, thanks to a new policy passed by City Council, overnight permit parking will provide relief and stability for residents who rely on their vehicles. The new Permit Parking Area 7L covers several streets within Regent Park, bounded by Gerrard Street, Shuter Street, Parliament Street, and River Street. Importantly, eligibility is focused on TCHC residents, ensuring that affordable parking spaces benefit those most affected by revitalization. Market-rate buildings with their own ...

At a recent Toronto Executive Committee meeting chaired by Mayor Olivia Chow, community leaders, housing advocates, and residents spoke out against devastating federal and provincial funding cuts to the city’s shelter and housing programs. In neighbourhoods like Regent Park—where many newcomers and refugees continue to rebuild their lives—these cuts are deeply personal. They threaten the city’s ability to provide basic shelter, leaving thousands at risk of homelessness. Currently, 3,420 refugees, nearly 40 percent of all clients in Toronto’s shelter system, rely on city shelters each night. But reductions to the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit and federal refugee shelter funding have left a growing gap—one that could lead to higher property taxes or force people back onto the streets. At City Hall, speakers urged the federal government to restore the $107 million in funding, remove restrictive shelter stay limits, and create a coordinated national response to refugee housing...

In Winchester Park, residents of St. James Town gathered to unveil “Many Peoples Under One Sky,” a vibrant mosaic created through collaboration between local artists, residents, and community partners. Led by the St. James Town Residents Council, ReDefine Arts, and the City of Toronto, the project was supported through Councillor Chris Moise’s participatory budgeting program. The mosaic stands as a tribute to the neighborhood’s diversity, resilience, and shared identity — values that have long defined this downtown community. The celebration featured performances by RAW Taiko, the Epic Choir, and opera singer Pepper Espin, filling the park with rhythm and song that reflected the spirit of unity behind the artwork. Randy Alexander, co-chair of the St. James Town Residents Council, said residents were deeply involved in every step — from designing to placing each tile — transforming the project into a true expression of collective effort. Councillor Chris Moise highlighted that the mosai...

Regent Park residents came together for an important community dialogue focused on safety, awareness, and empowerment. The “Know Your Legal Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement” workshop, held at 180 Sackville Street, marked the launch of the Safety Awareness and Wellness Workshop Series organized by the Regent Park Safety Network. Co-chaired by community leaders Leonard Swartz and Haidja Abubakar, the Safety Network continues to bring residents, service providers, and advocates together to strengthen collaboration and promote safer neighbourhoods. The workshop was led by Nat Paul, Director of Education at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), who emphasized that understanding legal rights is essential to building community confidence. “Legal education shouldn’t be limited to classrooms — it’s crucial in community spaces and newcomer organizations where people experience these realities firsthand,” Paul said. Participants explored sections of the Canadian Charter of ...

As part of ongoing Truth and Reconciliation efforts in Toronto, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre are collaborating to create meaningful employment and training opportunities for Indigenous youth. The initiative reflects a growing commitment to reconciliation through action—bridging access to jobs, mentorship, and cultural connection within the city’s workforce. At the Indigenous Legacy Gathering, Jessica Dewitt, TTC’s Indigenous liaison, shared how the organization’s first-ever Reconciliation Action Strategy is helping to build pathways for Indigenous participation in the transit system. Dewitt emphasized that these initiatives go beyond employment—they affirm representation, belonging, and inclusion within public institutions. During the Indigenous Youth Gathering in Regent Park, Brant, Bear Clan from Serpent River, described how summer placements and apprenticeships offered through Council Fire provide youth with hands-on experi...

The long-vacant property at 214–230 Sherbourne Street has become a symbol of Toronto’s deepening housing crisis — and the site of a determined community campaign to reclaim it for social housing. For more than two years, 230 Fightback, a grassroots coalition of residents and anti-poverty advocates, has challenged corporate developer KingSett Capital, demanding that the property be converted into affordable housing rather than luxury condominiums. The group argues that this fight is about more than one address — it’s about the right of low-income residents to remain in their communities. At a recent community block party outside the property, residents gathered with signs reading “We won’t be locked out of our community.” The event featured food, music, and speakers from across the city who are part of similar housing struggles. Activist John Clarke of 230 Fightback said the group is pushing back against “corporate speculation and political inaction.” Longtime advocate Gaetan Heroux rec...

From our community here in Regent Park, we’re highlighting The Word on the Street Toronto 2025, a free annual literary festival celebrating storytelling, imagination, and ideas. While the event took place outside our neighbourhood, its commitment to amplifying Black, Indigenous, and underrepresented voices connects deeply with the values we hold in Regent Park—community, justice, and inclusion. The festival underscored how stories can defend rights, affirm identity, and create spaces where diverse perspectives are heard. For communities like ours—where residents often face systemic barriers—literature becomes a bridge to advocacy, representation, and social change. This year, Regent Park TV interviewed authors, writers, and publishers from across Canada, including long-time participant Sam Burke of Burke’s Bookstore, who has championed Black authors and storytellers since the festival’s early years. We also spoke with Sienna Tristen, Director of Programming at Word on the Street, along...

Toronto Centre MP and Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, is preparing to open his new constituency office at 409 Parliament Street, near the busy intersection of Gerard and Parliament in Regent Park. Designed as a welcoming and accessible hub, the office will allow residents to meet in person, raise local concerns, and access federal services. RPTV visited the site and documented the exterior, where a truck was parked as final preparations were underway. While the interior remains under wraps, a team member confirmed off-camera that a grand opening will soon be held to welcome the community. The move follows an incident at Solomon’s former office over the Labour Day weekend, when pro-Palestine posters, a political cartoon, and the name of a journalist killed in an Israeli airstrike were plastered on the entrance. Solomon condemned the vandalism, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right but intimidation has no plac...

Recently, Indigenous youth took centre stage to share their priorities on health, housing, and culture with federal leaders. Hosted by Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre at the Spirit Garden in Nathan Phillips Square, the dialogue offered a rare opportunity for youth to speak directly with Crown–Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty and Toronto Centre MP Evan Solomon. Guided by Andrea Chrisjohn of Council Fire, Indigenous youth spoke candidly about the challenges they face every day, including access to safe and affordable housing, mental health supports, food security, and the preservation of their language and culture. They emphasized the importance of being included in decisions that affect their lives and communities, showing a strong commitment to shaping a future where youth voices are not just heard but actively drive meaningful change. Terra Roy, an Anishinaabe Nation representative on the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council, stressed the impor...

 In a major step toward addressing systemic anti-Black racism, the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee has adopted a motion introduced by Walied Khogali Ali, a Regent Park resident and committee member. The motion urges the City to implement key recommendations from the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) From Impact to Action report, which examines the prevalence of anti-Black racism within both the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). Dawar Naeem – Local Journalism Initiative This motion called on the City to invite the OHRC to present its findings, providing valuable insights into how Black Torontonians, particularly those in diverse and mixed-income neighbourhoods like Regent Park, are disproportionately affected by systemic racism. Regent Park, one of Toronto’s most diverse and historically under-resourced communities, is home to a significant number of Black residents who have long faced systemic challenges in pu...

Residents filled the Regent Park Community Centre on 10th September for a town hall hosted by Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise and his staff. The meeting gave the community an opportunity to hear updates on city priorities while raising concerns on issues ranging from housing and safety to recreation access. Councillor Moise highlighted the City’s updated approach to homelessness and encampments. The protocol, he explained, emphasizes engaging individuals, connecting them with supports, and offering pathways into housing before removing unoccupied structures. Moise pointed to recent successes in moving people into shelter and housing, while stressing the need for compassion and consistency. Community safety was another top concern. Moise detailed quarterly meetings with Neighbourhood Community Officers and monthly Community Safety Network sessions, designed to keep communication open between residents and police. He also introduced improvements under the Downtown East Action Plan Reset, ...

On September 30th, communities across Toronto came together to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. The day honors the children who never returned home from residential schools and the survivors who live with their legacy. In a neighbourhood like ours, where many Indigenous residents live, the day carries deep meaning. It reminds us that reconciliation is not symbolic—it must be rooted in action and justice. We began at a Na-Me-Res gathering, an organization supporting Indigenous men experiencing homelessness and poverty. Executive Director Steve Teekens reflected on the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Ten years later, only 14 have been implemented, a shortfall that underscores the urgency of real progress. At Nathan Phillips Square, during the Indigenous Legacy Gathering, EJ Kwandibens, cultural educator and artist, spoke on the power of storytelling, consent, and even difficult conversations as essenti...

This month, as communities mark Truth and Reconciliation, attention turns to the daily realities Indigenous children and families face in Toronto. The legacy of residential schools and child welfare policies continues to leave trauma, displacement, and barriers to culturally safe supports. In Regent Park and across downtown east Toronto, many families live with these challenges every day. Native Child and Family Services of Toronto is one agency responding to these challenges. Founded in the 1980s by First Nations and Métis leaders, it is child-centered, family-focused, and community-driven. Its programs are rooted in culture, respect, and grounded in self-determination. At their recent open house, families gathered at 30 College Street and 185 Carlton Street to explore services, enjoy Indian tacos, and visit the Mooka’am art show, themed Strength in Our Ancestors. Senior clinician Adrian Cocking explained how art has become a pathway to reclaim identity and healing, while Charlene Ava...

Community members gathered at Queen’s Park on Saturday, September 14, for a rally against gun violence, honoring victims and families while continuing the legacy of community leader Louis March, founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement, who passed away in July 2024. The event marked the conclusion of the Peace March 2025, bringing together mothers, survivors, advocates, and community organizations to share stories, call for action, and highlight the importance of healing. The rally was not only a response to recent tragedies but a collective remembrance of all victims, including 8-year-old JahVai Roy, killed by a stray bullet in North York last month. His mother, Holly Roy, delivered a moving speech about her grief and the urgent need for community support. Gun violence disproportionately affects Black communities and other marginalized groups, including Indigenous residents, with deep social and emotional consequences for families. Youth in particular face heightened risks, as povert...

This month marks five years since Samuel Kisitu arrived from Uganda in September 2019, fleeing political persecution under President Museveni’s 40-year dictatorship. In exile, he named himself “Freeman” and put on the red beret of the People Power Movement, inspired by Bobi Wine’s call for democratic change. He is now a proud member of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change and the National Unity Platform – People Power Movement, Canada Chapter. His journey in Toronto has carried him from nights at Dominion Church’s temporary shelter to reuniting with his family and welcoming a new child. Before finally securing affordable housing in December 2023, he was among more than 15,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city. Along the way, he became a contributing voice in Toronto’s Downtown East, helping organize during last year’s refugee housing emergency, when African-led groups and churches stepped in to shelter asylum seekers as the city’s system buckled under pressure. Samuel’s c...

As the new school year approaches, families, students, and educators in Toronto face uncertainty over proposed changes under Bill 33, which would mandate police in schools, including the School Resource Officer program. Advocates warn the bill distracts from the real need: a chronically underfunded education system and community-based supports. On August 27, Policing-Free Schools and supporters held a back-to-school teach-in and protest at Queen’s Park. The event featured speeches from youth organizers, local advocates, and community leaders, alongside campaign activities like petition signing. Attendees emphasized the bill could disproportionately impact racialized, Indigenous, and newcomer students in neighborhoods like Regent Park, Moss Park, and St. James Town. TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams, representing Ward 10, explained that elected trustees have been stripped of decision-making powers, limiting families’ ability to advocate for their schools. Bill 33 would centralize control pr...

Every August, Toronto gathers to mark International Overdose Awareness Day — a time to remember lives lost and reflect on the urgent need for compassion and change. At the corner of Queen Street East and Sherbourne, Moss Park has long been a gathering place for Toronto’s First Nations community and harm reduction advocates. In 2022, ceremonies, healing circles, and community celebrations were held here to honour those lost to overdose — guided by Indigenous leaders who cared deeply for their people, as First Nations remain among the most impacted by the ongoing drug poisoning crisis. Today, as construction for the new Ontario Line reshapes the area, the memories and teachings rooted in Moss Park continue to endure. International Overdose Awareness Day comes amid a worsening crisis. Since the Ontario government began closing supervised consumption sites in March 2025, overdoses have surged. According to the Toronto Drop-In Network, June 2025 alone saw a 288% increase in overdoses, leavi...

Overdoses are climbing sharply in Toronto, and frontline workers say the March closure of several supervised consumption sites is a key driver. In Regent Park, the Bevel Up harm reduction site once offered a critical safety net. Now, staff at local drop-ins are on the front lines of a crisis that is growing by the month. According to the Toronto Drop-In Network—representing more than 50 organizations—overdoses inside drop-in spaces have nearly tripled in just three months. The numbers tell a grim story: in April, overdoses rose 75%. By May, the increase reached 175%. In June, the spike hit 288%—all within centres meant to offer food, warmth, and community support. Drop-in staff are doing everything they can: administering naloxone, calling paramedics, and working to keep people alive. But advocates stress these spaces were never designed to replace the medical oversight and harm reduction services provided by supervised consumption sites. The province’s new HART hub model, intended as ...

At Queen’s Park, community leaders, students, and education advocates gathered to voice strong opposition to Bill 33—a proposed provincial law that would mandate School Resource Officer (SRO) programs in Ontario schools. Recently, Policing-Free Schools hosted a press conference on the South Lawn, warning that the legislation could override local school board decisions and reintroduce police into classrooms across the province. Before the press event, Regent Park TV’s Fred Alvarado interviewed Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, who has been outspoken against the bill. “Our schools need care, not criminalization,” Wong-Tam stressed. Toronto Police say they have no plans to revive the SRO program, which was ended in 2017 after students—particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth—reported feeling unsafe and targeted. But with Bill 33 advancing, those protections could be rolled back. As the school year approaches, advocates are calling for investments in guidance counsellors, me...

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) has released an update on the Regent Park Revitalization, marking a pivotal moment in one of Canada’s largest community redevelopment projects. The report, presented to the Board of Directors on July 18, 2025, covers progress across all five phases, outlines construction timelines, and highlights a community-wide vote on how to allocate $26.8 million in community benefits. Since the project began in 2006, the revitalization has transformed much of the neighbourhood into a mixed-use, mixed-income community. The first three phases, completed with the Daniels Corporation, delivered over 1,400 rent-geared-to-income units, 427 affordable rentals, and new parks, retail, and community spaces. Tridel Inc. is now the development partner for the final two phases. Phase 4 and 5 will deliver hundreds of new homes and civic amenities. Building 4A, a 271-unit TCHC rental at Gerrard and Dreamers Way, is set to start construction in September 2025 after del...

The grounds of Queen’s Park became the final stop in a youth-led movement that stretched 700 kilometres from Timmins to Toronto. The 7th Fire Youth: Call to Action rally, held on August 8, marked the culmination of a three-week ceremonial walk organized by Tristan Ashishkeesh and guided by Mahmo Inninuwuk Wiibuseego-Stamok. Walking beside him were Sage Iahtail and Todd Spence, who set out on July 15 to challenge Ontario’s Bill 5 and Canada’s Bill C-5—laws they say threaten First Nations rights, lands, and futures. Craig Koostachin also began the journey but was forced to withdraw after doctors warned of severe health risks. At each stop, the walkers carried their message to communities, building momentum for the Toronto rally, where more than 80 people gathered in ceremony, song, and solidarity. Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Leo Friday, Deputy Grand Chief Amos Wesley, and Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin joined the call, emphasizing the urgency of protecting Indigenous voices in d...

This unwavering resilience was on full display at the upcoming Moss Park Safety Meeting, led by the City of Toronto’s Identify IMPACT Program. Safety in Moss Park is not just a policy issue—it is a lived reality, shaped by those who experience it daily. Residents are gathering not just to voice concerns, but to demand meaningful action and create solutions on their own terms. This meeting is about more than just crime or city services—it is about reclaiming power in a neighbourhood that has long been shaped by decisions made elsewhere. Today, the people of Moss Park take another step toward defining their own future. The meeting closed with a moment of recognition—awards were given to outstanding community members for their contributions, underscoring the critical role these gatherings play in fostering unity. By celebrating the work of local leaders, the event reinforced a simple truth: lasting change begins with those who care enough to take action. 

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...

The City of Toronto officially renamed the Sumach-Shuter Parkette to Louis March Park, in honour of the late community leader and anti-gun violence advocate. A ceremony on July 20 brought together elected officials, community organizers, and residents to recognize March’s decades-long commitment to youth, justice, and healing. The event, held in Regent Park, featured a land acknowledgment, a libation ceremony, spoken word performances, and tributes from those who worked closely with March. Mayor Olivia Chow, Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise, and MPP Chris Glover all delivered remarks highlighting March’s influence across Toronto, particularly in communities most impacted by violence. Louis March founded the Zero Gun Violence Movement and worked tirelessly to address the root causes of youth violence. His outreach extended to neighbourhoods like Regent Park, where he often collaborated with local organizations, supported grieving families, and organized events promoting peace and resilien...

Toronto’s Downtown East was home to an inspiring moment of Indigenous-led healing on July 23. Hosted by the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, the 2025 Indigenous Health Gathering took place at the Spaces Building in Moss Park. Under the theme Healing Our Inner Child, the event welcomed community members into a day of ceremony, care, and connection. The Red Bear Singers—residential school survivors—opened the gathering with traditional songs and drums, grounding the space in cultural presence. Around the hall, Indigenous health organizations shared tools and knowledge, including Toronto Public Health, CAMH’s Shkaabe Makwa, and 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. RPTV’s Thunder Cloud interviewed First Nations participants and health advocates, spotlighting services rooted in Indigenous knowledge and addressing the needs of urban Indigenous communities. A powerful teaching came from Anishinaabe Grandmother Vivian Recollet, spirit name Bigasohn Kwe, who spoke on the importance...

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) marked a major milestone on July 11 with the launch of its new multi-year Operational Plan at the Spirit Garden in Nathan Phillips Square. Hosted in partnership with Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre and the City of Toronto, the gathering brought together Indigenous leaders, residential school survivors, entrepreneurs, tourism experts, and city officials to celebrate ITAC’s 10th anniversary and unveil a plan backed by $35 million annually through Social Impact Funding. The plan aims to grow Indigenous tourism businesses, expand the workforce, and strengthen infrastructure and marketing support—laying the foundation for long-term cultural and economic resurgence. ITAC President and CEO Keith Henry moderated the event and shared the vision behind the strategy. He was joined by Jason Johnston, Ontario rep and tourism operator, who highlighted the sector’s growth and the need to support authentic Indigenous experiences. Council ...

In a city where over 70% of Toronto Centre residents are renters — many of them in Regent Park — housing issues continue to take centre stage. On June 10, 2025, the final Toronto Centre Talks (TC Talks) event of the year brought community members together at the Wellesley Community Centre for an evening focused on tenant rights and housing justice. TC Talks is a community engagement series launched by Councillor Chris Moise to bring residents into direct conversation with policy makers, frontline workers, and advocates on issues impacting everyday life — from public safety to housing, transit, and affordability. Each session focuses on a pressing topic, offering residents both information and a platform for their voices to be heard. This final session featured presentations from RentSafeTO, ACORN Canada, Neighbourhood Legal Services, and the Neighbourhood Information Post. Each speaker shared practical tools to help tenants protect their rights, fight against displacement, and stay ho...

An online teach-in hosted by Policing Free Schools is raising urgent questions about Bill 33—Ontario’s proposed Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025. If passed, the legislation would require public school boards to implement School Resource Officer (SRO) programs wherever local police services offer them. Bill 33 would also give the Ministry of Education expanded powers to take over school boards, rename schools, and direct the sale of school property—decisions typically made at the local level. While some officials argue the bill would improve school safety, many students, parents, and educators—especially in communities like Regent Park—are voicing concern. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) ended its SRO program in 2017 after students, particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized youth, reported feeling intimidated by police in schools. Two speakers at the teach-in offered powerful insights: Andrea Vásquez, a community educator, outlined how Bill 33 follows a troubling...