By Dawar Naeem

Dawar is Community Journalist Focus Media Arts Centre

The Moss Park Coalition works specifically within the Toronto Downtown East community of Moss Park. The aim of this community-led program is to provide residents and stakeholders in the Moss Park Community with important information on social issues which may impact their daily lives.

Currently, the Coalition is working to bring light to the many developments being planned in both the public and private sectors which will bring to change to Toronto’s historic Downtown East. Some of these developments include the Moss Park Subway Station, condo development and changes to green space. The goal of our coalition is to ensure the voices of the community are heard and these voices can help guide developments of their own community to better address the needs of their neighbours.

In August The Moss Park Coalition organized a meeting to share information regarding the new subway station development in Moss park and to speak about the construction of John Innes Community Centre and new condo developments in the community. Metrolinx is planning to build a new subway station in Moss park. The construction will impact the residents and business in Moss park and surrounding areas. The residents had various questions regarding the New Subway station at the meeting but no one from Metrolinx was there.

The Coalition also spoke about the condo development in the area. The Coalition emphasized that new affordable housing should come through these new development plans and some city officials were there, informing the Moss park residents about the new John Innes Community Centre and answering whatever questions the residents had. Food and refreshments were served at the end of the meeting for the attendees.

Toronto Police were at the meeting as well. The candidates for the the city council for Ward 13 Toronto Centre Nicki Ward, Chris Moise and Caroline Murphy were also present.