Month: November 2016

Dear Ward 43 Residents,

 

A number of announcements have been made recently aimed at government efficiencies, On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 Mayor John Tory, Budget Chair Gary Crawford and myself as Chair of the Government Management Committee made the announcement for Government Modernization for a savings of $15 million annually.

 

The idea lies in modernizing how services are delivered at the City as well as the creation of and move to hire a Chief Transformation Officer. A measure I have supported since 2012 when the Government Management Committee adopted measures to support the creation of an Infrastructure Office to co-ordinate standards across all divisions including information technology, purchasing and standard services.

 

I am focused on modern methods to save money and time to ensure effective and responsible delivery of services to address the needs of Torontonians. Tuesday’s announcement demonstrates that the work done at the City’s standing committees and citizen participation has motivated the modernization of our City.

 

The City projects to save $8 million annually from City of Toronto website, on-line services and service counter reduction. As well as a $7 million annual saving for office modernization and a real estate review.

 

I am also pleased to announce that on Thursday, November 24, 2016 the Vacant Building Rebate program is being considered for review for the purposes of repealing the practice.  Mayor John Tory during his address at the Toronto Board of Trade noted that it costs the City millions of dollars.

 

In 2012 I requested through the Licensing and Standard Committee that the tax be repealed for vacant and derelict buildings. http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-45999.pdf

 

Putting a stop to the practice has projected an annual savings of $22 million for the City. Vacant buildings across the City are resulting in the dilapidation of neighbourhoods have a negative effect on businesses and the economy.  

 

Having the vacancy tax rebate practice repealed would benefit everyone as the incentive to keep the buildings empty would be lifted with the push to rejuvenate them.

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2012.LS12.5

 

 

Sincerely,

 Paul Ainslie

Dear Residents of Ward 43,

Morningside Park is a very important piece to ward 43. If you went to school in Scarborough you know that it is where cross country events were held. If your family wanted to have a family picnic, Morningside Park would have been on your list of possible venues. Its 596.7 acres of land has so much to offer. With that area being said it is safe to say one can easily get lost.

In 2012 the matter was brought up to the city. I suggested the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) Emergency Service Response System for our parks. The credit was given to 1st Centenary Scout Group—which of I am a Cub Scout Leader. The idea of the Emergency Way-Finding Stations was the outcome of a discussion during an all sections hike.

On September 28, 2016, 16 Emergency Services Lifesaving station were installed in Morningside Park by the Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff, the Toronto Police Services, The Toronto Paramedic Services, and Toronto Fire Services, and myself and my staff.

Each of the 16 lifesaving stations have their own location id number to easily track the user’s location. These stations are very visible and have easy to read instruction on calling 911 or 311, for emergency and non-emergency situations respectively.

The Emergency Way-finding Stations are an important and special addition to Morningside Park. These stations have also been added to High Park as well as Centennial Park.
The importance of safety can be expressed through these stations – I hope for them to be utilized wisely.

City of Toronto Councillor

Paul Ainslie

Ward 43 – Scarborough East

Dear Residents of Ward 43,

A lot has happened within the Ward, I would like to give you a quick recap of what you might have missed this month.

On Saturday November 5th the Lawrence-Orton Community attended a community-led mural unveiling. Monday November 7th the Scarborough M.P’s 2017 federal pre-budget Town Hall was held at University of Toronto Scarborough. Lakeridge health, rouge valley health system, and the Scarborough hospital held telephone town halls on hospital – integration on November 9th for Scarborough residents.

A Metrolinx Lakeshore East Corridor Expansion notice of completion is now posted on the Metrolinx website www.metrolinx.com/guildwoodpickering . This notice marks the end of a 120-day Transit Project Assessment which also opens a 30-day public consultation period from November 4th to December 4th. The expansion involves an additional third track from the Guildwood Go Station to Pickering Go Station.

Our community has attended a number of Metrolinx Community Consultations regarding the expansion. The expansion proposal has a positive outcome for public transit, however there have been a number of concerns. Some of these concerns include local traffic infiltration, traffic volume and noise.

Of these concerns the increased noise expectation is the one that would affect our residents the most. I have spoken to residents who border the project area and the noise they are experiencing is already a great disturbance to their day to day lives. I have addressed this matter with Metrolinx and have requested sound barriers be installed to provide some protection from the expected noise increase, the latest news I have heard from Metrolinx claims that 90 Morningside Ave is the only location that met the criteria to explore the installation of a sound barrier.

I would like to hear more about what you, the residents, have to say and also encourage everyone to send comments to Metrolinx regarding your concerns for sound barriers for our community. Please send your comments to Manuel Pedrosa at Metrolinx, e-mail: manuel.pedrosa@metrolinx.ca , Tel: 416-202-4739 and copy my office at e-mail: councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca”

As for the events in Ward 43 – on Monday November 14th, there will be a community meeting regarding the traffic issues in the west Guildwood community. This meeting will take place at 7pm to 9 pm at the Elizabeth Simcoe Jr. P.S on 166 Sylvan Ave.

On Thursday November 17th check out my Community Mobile Constituency Office Lobby at 4100 Lawrence Ave. East from 10 am to 11:30am. Also, From November 5th to 30th check out one of fourteen popup consultation sites across the city by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, they want to hear about what you have to say about your parks. http://bit.ly/2f0VgH4