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On March 24, The Toronto Police Service announced Task Force Guardian and a Counter-Terrorism Security Unit, describing the initiatives as a response to a more complex and evolving public safety environment. At a media conference, Chief Myron Demkiw, alongside Deputy Chief Frank Barredo, said the goal is to improve how police detect, prevent, and respond to threats, including extremism, hate-related incidents, and other public safety concerns. As part of this rollout, Task Force Guardian will increase police visibility in everyday public spaces—transit areas, community hubs, and places of worship. Officers may also be seen carrying tactical gear, including patrol rifles. Police say this is meant to deter incidents and allow for faster response, not to signal an immediate threat. Officials say the move is about preparedness and adapting to both global tensions and local safety demands. Task Force Guardian will also work alongside existing specialized and emergency response units already...

At Toronto City Hall, city officials, community leaders, and residents gathered to assess five years of Toronto’s Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism—an initiative with direct impact on neighborhoods like Regent Park and Moss Park. The update, presented at the Economic and Community Development Committee, outlined progress made since the plan’s launch, including expanded investments in Black-led initiatives and the completion of many targeted actions. But for residents in the Downtown East, the conversation quickly turned to what remains unresolved. “We’re seeing progress on paper,” said community advocate Walied Khogali during the meeting. “But on the ground, families are still struggling with food insecurity, housing instability, and unemployment. The reality hasn’t changed enough.” Across Regent Park and Moss Park, where many Black families live, systemic barriers continue to shape daily life. As redevelopment transforms the area, residents say the pressures are not just about...

Residents of 200 Wellesley Street East are raising ongoing safety concerns, calling for faster and more visible action inside one of St. James Town’s largest high-rise buildings. At a tenant meeting held April 1 at Wellesley Community Centre, residents, housing officials, and police gathered to discuss conditions in the building. The meeting brought together the Toronto Housing Community Safety Unit, Toronto Police 51 Division, the St. James Town Safety Network, the St. James Town Residents Council, and the 200 Wellesley Tenants Association, along with Councillor Chris Moise and Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) staff. While police presented data showing a decline in major crimes, residents questioned how those figures reflect their lived experiences. “Our concerns aren’t perception… we are experiencing the violence,” one resident said. Constable Victor Espinoza-Parent noted that assaults, thefts, and shootings are lower compared to last year. “If I’m basing on last year, we’re under...

At Toronto City Hall on April 9, 2026, the Economic and Community Development Committee heard a wide-ranging discussion on community development and equity planning, with strong input from Regent Park residents, members of the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, and the newly-formed Coalition for Responsible Community Planning calling for more consistent, community-led investment. The item focused on how the city’s community development plans, inclusive economic development frameworks, and equity-based tools can better guide public investment across neighbourhoods. At the centre of the discussion was community benefits planning—how growth and redevelopment can be more directly tied to local priorities and long-term neighbourhood well-being. For Regent Park residents, the conversation reflected ongoing questions about how equity is defined and how resources actually reach communities most affected by redevelopment and displacement pressures. Mohammed, vice-chair of the City’s Confront...

Safety, housing issues, and community well-being remain urgent concerns for residents across Moss Park—especially for tenants navigating daily challenges inside their buildings while thinking about the future of their neighborhood. On March 26, 2026, residents, community members, and local partners gathered at 295 Shuter Street for a Moss Park Safety Network meeting focused on tenant safety and neighborhood concerns. The session, moderated by Abel Tesfaldet from the City of Toronto’s Violence Intervention & Support Unit, brought together Toronto Police 51 Division, Toronto Community Housing staff, and tenant leaders. But it was residents’ voices that defined the tone of the meeting. Police updates showed a mixed picture. According to Toronto Police 51 Division, overall crime statistics in the area have decreased compared to the same period last year, including fewer assaults and break-ins. “We’re under every type of offense compared to last year,” said Sergeant Robert Chevalier, po...

A new chapter in the redevelopment of Regent Park began on March 2, 2026, as government officials and Toronto Community Housing broke ground on a new affordable housing tower at the southeast corner of Gerrard Street East and Dreamers Way. The 26-storey building will bring 271 affordable rental homes to the neighbourhood as part of Phase 4 of the Regent Park Revitalization. According to project details, the development will include 136 replacement rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units for residents displaced during earlier phases of redevelopment, along with 135 new affordable rental homes intended to expand the supply of lower-cost housing in the community. The building will also include indoor and outdoor community spaces and a mix of unit sizes, with an emphasis on family housing. If construction proceeds as planned, tenant occupancy is expected in 2029. The project represents more than $219 million in public investment, including $50.7 million from the City of Toronto, $86 million from...

On February 20, residents gathered at 150 River Street in Regent Park for a community Iftar marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. The event was organized by Kristyn Wong-Tam, Member of Provincial Parliament for the area, and brought together community members for an evening centred on reflection, cultural exchange, and the shared breaking of the fast. Before sunset, the event also featured a small cultural market where local vendors showcased food, crafts, and small businesses. The market added a festive and community-oriented atmosphere, allowing residents to connect while supporting local entrepreneurs from within the neighbourhood. Regent Park is widely recognized as one of downtown Toronto’s most diverse communities, home to residents from many cultural and faith backgrounds. The Iftar created a welcoming space for Muslim residents observing Ramadan while also inviting neighbours and allies to take part and learn about the significance of the holy month. Ramadan is a ...

A new chapter in the redevelopment of Regent Park began on March 2, 2026, as government officials and Toronto Community Housing broke ground on a new affordable housing tower at the southeast corner of Gerrard Street East and Dreamers Way. The 26-storey building will bring 271 affordable rental homes to the neighbourhood as part of Phase 4 of the Regent Park Revitalization. According to project details, the development will include 136 replacement rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units for residents displaced during earlier phases of redevelopment, along with 135 new affordable rental homes intended to expand the supply of lower-cost housing in the community. The building will also include indoor and outdoor community spaces and a mix of unit sizes, with an emphasis on family housing. If construction proceeds as planned, tenant occupancy is expected in 2029. The project represents more than $219 million in public investment, including $50.7 million from the City of Toronto, $86 million from...

On February 19, 2026, the Planning Committee of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) Network met to discuss key governance matters related to how the network manages internal conflicts and communication among its members. Facilitated by Adonis Huggins, the meeting focused on two major agenda items: the formalization of a new Conflict Resolution Administrator role and a review of the SDP Network’s Email Use and Letters Violation Policy. The first discussion centred on the creation of the Conflict Resolution Administrator position, a role developed as part of the network’s broader Shaping Culture policy. The initiative is intended to strengthen internal accountability and ensure disputes within the network are addressed through a clear and transparent process. Huggins opened the conversation by outlining the background of the policy and the need for a structured approach to resolving conflicts within the network. Long-time SDP member Michael Rosenberg then provided a detailed ov...

On February 21, residents, youth, families, agencies, and community partners gathered at Ada Slaight Hall inside Daniel Spectrum for the BGC Toronto Kiwanis Black History Month Community Celebration — a youth-led event grounded in recognition, connection, and visibility. Participants moved through engagement tables, youth-run businesses, mentorship spaces, and cultural programming, strengthening ties across Regent Park, Cabbagetown, St. James Town, and the broader Downtown East. #blackhistorymonth #toronto #2026 #regentpark #youth #culture #excellence

A new chapter in the redevelopment of Regent Park began on March 2, 2026, as government officials and Toronto Community Housing broke ground on a new affordable housing tower at the southeast corner of Gerrard Street East and Dreamers Way. The 26-storey building will bring 271 affordable rental homes to the neighbourhood as part of Phase 4 of the Regent Park Revitalization. According to project details, the development will include 136 replacement rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units for residents displaced during earlier phases of redevelopment, along with 135 new affordable rental homes intended to expand the supply of lower-cost housing in the community. The building will also include indoor and outdoor community spaces and a mix of unit sizes, with an emphasis on family housing. If construction proceeds as planned, tenant occupancy is expected in 2029. The project represents more than $219 million in public investment, including $50.7 million from the City of Toronto, $86 million from...

The Planning Committee is advancing efforts to strengthen coordination, transparency, and shared decision-making across the SDP Stakeholders Table, as members reviewed a series of updates aimed at aligning priorities and improving how the initiative operates across its working groups and community partners.

Residents, youth, and community leaders gathered at the Regent Park Centre for Excellence on February 7 for the Black Excellence Panel, hosted by Chris Moise as part of Black History Month programming in Ward 13, Toronto Centre. The event brought together senior leaders from across Toronto’s public and non-profit sectors to reflect on leadership, representation, and opportunity — themes that remain central to Black History Month and to communities navigating systemic inequities. Moderated by Deputy City Manager Denise Campbell, the panel featured Nadia Gouveia, Chief Operating Officer at Toronto Community Housing Corporation; Dr. Na-Koshi Lamptey, Medical Officer of Health at Toronto Public Health; and Nigel Barriffe, President of Urban Alliance on Race Relations and Vice President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto. Panelists shared personal journeys of advancement into senior leadership roles, speaking candidly about challenges, mentorship, and the responsibility of creating pathw...

On February 24, 2026, residents gathered to celebrate Black History Month through one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful cultural traditions: storytelling. Hosted by Radio Regent's own Murphy Brown, the evening featured Anansi folktales. Brown, a journalist, radio host, storyteller, and activist, framed the stories not as simple entertainment but as living history. Drawing on her African-centred upbringing in South America, she describes storytelling as a lineage shaped by elders and ancestral knowledge. Her work carries forward the role of elders as knowledge-keepers and culture-bearers, ensuring that cultural memory remains active within community life. 

As Regent Park continues to be reshaped through large-scale redevelopment, conversations about strengthening the neighbourhood’s social infrastructure remain central to residents and stakeholders. On January 29, 2026, the Planning Committee of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) met to address funding advocacy, governance processes, and community culture policies shaping the network’s future. The meeting opened with a brief overview of the history and purpose of the Social Development Plan, presented by facilitator Walied Khogali Ali. Members were reminded that City Council approved $2.5 million in funding beginning in 2019 — allocated at $500,000 annually — to support social development initiatives aligned with community priorities. Participants were encouraged to review previous Regent Park TV coverage documenting SDP activities and milestones. During discussions, members received updates regarding the anticipated $26.8 million in community benefits connected to ongoing red...

The Planning Committee of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP) met on January 22, 2026, to address funding concerns and internal governance matters as the neighbourhood continues to undergo large-scale physical redevelopment. The meeting opened with a discussion of an email from City of Toronto staff member Zenia Wadhwani, sent in response to questions raised by Planning Committee member Walied Khogali Ali during a recent City Town Hall meeting on the 2026 municipal budget. The email indicated that the City’s proposed 2026 budget does not include funding for Regent Park SDP projects, marking a significant shift from previous years when $500,000 was allocated annually to SDP initiatives over a five-year period. Committee members reflected on what the absence of City funding could mean for Regent Park residents, particularly as many families continue to face affordability pressures and increased demand for social supports. Members emphasized that while physical redevelopment con...

Toronto’s 2026 budget process formally began on January 8, when the City’s Budget Committee met at City Hall to launch the 2026 Operating Budget and the 2026–2035 Capital Budget and Plan. Chaired by Councillor Shelley Carroll, the meeting marked the first step in determining how public funds will be allocated across municipal services, infrastructure projects, and community supports over the coming year and beyond. For neighbourhoods like Regent Park—where residents rely heavily on publicly funded housing, transit, recreation, and social services—the budget process plays a critical role in shaping everyday life. The committee’s first agenda item was a presentation from City staff, including the City Manager and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. The presentation outlined the City’s overall financial outlook for 2026, key budget pressures facing municipal services, and long-term capital planning extending through 2035. City officials also highlighted the balance the City must st...

St. James Town is one of Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, shaped by migration, resilience, and decades of grassroots organizing. It is also home to Murphy Browne, an educator, broadcaster, and community advocate whose voice has helped document stories often missing from mainstream narratives. RPTV sat down with Browne at the Wellesley Community Centre for a wide-ranging conversation about her work, her journey, and the role of community media in preserving Black history and lived experience. For years, Browne has used storytelling as a civic tool—connecting past and present through radio, music, and local journalism. As the host of Word of Mouth on Radio Regent, Browne curates conversations that blend history, culture, and social commentary. Her approach centres voices that are frequently overlooked, using music and storytelling to create space for reflection, education, and dialogue. She has also brought this perspective to television as a co-host of Regent Park TV’s w...

The future of a key stretch of Parliament Street remains unresolved after Toronto and East York Community Council deferred a decision on a proposed development at 509 Parliament Street. On January 13, council considered an application to amend the Zoning By-law to allow a 10-storey, 60-unit mixed-use building on the site of the former Carlton Theatre. The proposal includes ground-floor retail, partial retention of the heritage façade, stepbacks above the first storey, and improvements to the rear laneway. City planning staff noted the site’s mixed-use designation supports mid-rise development and said the design aligns with updated provincial and city planning policies. During the meeting, questions focused on how the project would function at street level. Councillors and speakers raised concerns about pedestrian safety, sidewalk width, and the staging of waste and recycling bins on a narrow section of Parliament Street. Transportation and planning staff acknowledged that details arou...

In December, residents of Regent Park and surrounding neighbourhoods gathered at 349 Ontario Street, the Central Neighbourhood House to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action to Stop Violence Against Women. The event, Her Memory: Human Trafficking and Digital Awareness, focused on education, prevention, and community healing while honouring women and girls impacted by gender-based violence. Organized by The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) and METRAC Action on Violence, with support from local and citywide partners, the gathering brought together community members, frontline workers, youth, elders, and service providers. The event created a space to examine how gender-based violence and human trafficking affect neighbourhoods like Regent Park, where residents continue to navigate redevelopment, migration, economic pressures, and systemic inequities. Discussions throughout the evening emphasized that vulnerability is often shaped by structural conditions rather than individual choices...