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.

Dawar Naeem - Local Journalism Initiative

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, which increased daily park and sidewalk cleaning, expanded laneway maintenance, and added 24-hour biohazard waste response.

To address concerns about dangerous intersections, Moise announced recent and upcoming pedestrian safety upgrades. Crosswalks and signals are now in place at Yonge & Maitland, Queen & Sackville, and Homewood & Carlton, with new measures planned for Parliament and Dundas, Richmond and Power, and other high-traffic areas.

The Councillor also reported progress on local access to recreation. At the Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre, participation by local residents grew from 39% in 2024 to 75% in 2025. Use of the Regent Park Community Centre and athletic grounds rose from 18% to 61%, thanks to early registration policies prioritizing neighbourhood residents.

Moise’s staff closed the meeting with the latest data from Toronto Police’s 51 Division. Major crime is down nearly 11% compared to last year, with significant decreases in robberies, auto theft, and shootings. Regent Park recorded a 3.8% decline overall.

During the open mic, residents raised questions about affordable housing, transparency at City Hall, and the need for closer collaboration with grassroots organizations.

The town hall underscored both the challenges and progress in Regent Park, while reaffirming that community voices remain central to shaping the neighbourhood’s future.