Friends of Silver Creek have been advocating for four years for the $1 million+ in Developer Funds that are for use directly in the Martingrove-Willowridge-Richview communities. 

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The advocacy work began in 2018 when FofSC held a community meeting with then Councillor John Campbell and City of Toronto, Parks & Planning Staff.

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For the past two years FofSC have been trying to work with Councillor Stephen Holyday to no avail. Councillor Holyday has not communicated with the community regarding this project and he has not given the community a clear commitment or clear outline of the process and status of the usage of funds. He has also declined to respond directly to constituents calls and emails asking for clarification. 

 

Councillor Holyday has failed to act on earlier assurances that the funds would be used to improve and enhance Silver Creek Park and other parks in the MWR neighbourhoods in a reasonable time frame.  

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Below is the email history of communications with Councillor Stephen Holyday for 2020.

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - January 30, 2020

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Dear Stephen, 

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It has been eight weeks since our brief discussion at the Trinity Richview community meeting (St. Marcellus, December 3) at which time you assured us that some Silver Creek and Richview park projects that we have been advocating for will proceed. 

 

It was helpful to have that 15 minute conversation during which we were able to state that we have received no confirmation from your office that our project list had been received, nor was being considered. 

 

You expressed frustration with our persistence and with our communication to city staff. We expressed frustration with the lack of accurate and respectful communication from your office. 

 

During that December 3rd conversation, you stated that you would review the communications that were sent to us. However we have not heard from you, nor your staff, in these past 8 weeks. 

 

As per our conversation, I am writing again to request both a confirmation and an update regarding the usage of $1,037,000 derived from local development fees

• Section 37 ($464,000) and Section 42 ($460,000) funds derived from the Shannex development (4550 Eglinton Ave. W)

• Section  42 ($113,000) derived from Fernbrook townhouses (4780 Eglinton Ave. W) 

 

Please tell us what projects will proceed and when will this occur? 

Will all funds be committed to use within our community? 

 

The November 2019 Parkland Strategy (EX10.3) provided significant information that we feel justifies our request for park amenities: our sector N of Eglinton, W of Islington, E of Kipling has experienced a change of -25 to -50% change in parkland. 

 

Please consider : https://t.co/1VYZMtUNbM?amp=1

 

An approval for the proposed Trinity Richview development will increase recent development density to 3000+ units, thus further altering this undesirable parkland ratio.

 

In addition, as your constituents, we would like to know if you are actively communicating and negotiating with Trinity Create TO regarding the Section 37 and 42 funds for the benefit of the local Etobicoke community?  

 

Your negotiations with Trinity have the potential to bring enhancements to our community and we are dependent on your advocacy to improve amenities in Etobicoke. The day care centre coming to the Shannex development is such an example and was negotiated in 2016 by former Councillor John Campbell through Section 37 funds. 

 

Stephen, we look forward to your personal response to these three questions. 

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - February 3, 2020

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Good afternoon Janet, and thank you for your inquiry. Councillor Holyday has confirmed that Parks staff have received the list of recommendations from Friends of Silver Creek and they are working on it. We are still waiting for staff to get back to us on key items regarding specifics and we will be back in touch with you in a few days. In the meantime we have Section funding confirmed:

 

Section 42 (as of January 14, 2020)

4780 Eglinton W $113, 323

4650 Eglinton W Ave $463, 964 (Shannex)

 

Section 37 (as of February 3, 2020)

4650 Eglinton Ave W $450,000

 

Kind regards,

 

Dion Angelini

Office of Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday

Councillor, Ward 2, Etobicoke-Centre

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - February 3, 2020

 

Hello Dion,

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Thank you for your response and for the confirmation of Section funds.

 

We look forward to the update. However, “in a few days” has been stated before. Please provide us with a firm timeline for that update so that we are not emailing the councillor’s office repeatedly as we have been required to do.

 

We are approaching the 1 year anniversary of our March meeting in which time there have been no tangible outcomes nor meaningful communication regarding community benefit.

 

In reference to our third question -- Is Councillor Holyday actively communicating and negotiating with Trinity Create TO regarding the Section 37 and 42 funds for the benefit of the local Etobicoke community -- please tell us when Councilor Holyday will be engaging with Trinity and CreateTO and negotiating community benefits.

This is important to the community. We hope that Councilor Holyday will consult with his constituents. .  

 

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - February 4, 2020

 

Good morning Janet, we are relying on staff to provide us with this information. Unfortunately I can't offer a firm timeline, however I will be following up regularly. Councillor Holyday cannot be negotiating with Trinity Create TO as he is prohibited to do so, as it poses a conflict of interest for an elected official to do so.

 

We too want to these projects moved along and I can assure you that we are working diligently on this. Once more information is available I will be back in touch with you, which is expected soon.

 

Kind regards,

 

 

Dion Angelini

Office of Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday

Councillor, Ward 2, Etobicoke-Centre

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - February 7, 2020

 

Good Morning Dion,

 

Councillor Holyday’s one year delay in giving us a firm timeline regarding the commitment of Section funds (that are for the community’s benefit) is regrettable and signals a lack of commitment to our community.

 

You state that Councillor Holyday relies on city staff to provide the information.  However, we are aware that city staff relies on direction from the councillor and it is apparent that direction is not forthcoming. There is little evidence that Councillor Holyday has been an effective advocate for north of Eglinton.

 

In addition, please tell us when it will be appropriate for Councillor Holyday to negotiate Section 37 with Trinity Richview  -- and if he intends to do so.

 

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - February 10, 2020

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Janet,

 

Parks staff have been given clear direction from me to proceed in developing both the Richview Park with a social gathering space, and Silver Creek Park with the list of items provided by you.

 

I have met numerous times with Staff, as late as January 2020, to continue to develop this work so that it may be presented to the community.

 

I am advised that the social gathering space in Richview Park is anticipated to be constructed in 2020. A sketch is attached and staff are completing their due diligence to ensure the proposal is within budget.

 

I am also advised that due to the greater complexity of the proposed work in Silver Creek Park, more time and effort is needed to complete the preliminary planning. As a larger project, it is being delivered by the Parks Capital construction group, separate in both structure and methodology than the operation group delivering Richview Park. I have inquired, and as soon as I have an update on the status, I will provide it to you.

 

We both agree that this work should be done as soon as possible. Regrettably I do not have direct control or authority over the staff or the pace at which they deliver this work. My interactions with them reveal progress, and I am optimistic that I will see more in a short time.

 

On the matter of 250 Wincott and community benefits, I am aware that City Planning staff are working to establish a quantum as they normally do. Once that is determined, we can talk about its suggested application or identified needs within the community.

 

Stephen Holyday

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - August 28, 2020

 

Hello Stephen,

 

On behalf of the community, Friends of Silver Creek are again requesting an update on the status of both the Richview and Silver Creek park projects. Our last communication from you was February 2020.

 

It has been a trying time as a result of COVID-19. However, the community has waited four years for the application of the local development funds which are outlined below and are designated for local community benefit. 

 

Now more than ever, Silver Creek and Richview park upgrades are required during the pandemic -- people are using parks to meet and exercise for their physical and mental health. 

 

As a reminder, the community 2018 project list included: picnic tables, park benches, stationary exercise equipment, ping pong table, sand box shade structure, water bottle refill station. 

 

The sum designated for community benefit was $1,027,287.00.

 

Please confirm that this amount remains designated for Richview and Silver Creek parks.

 

Section 42 (as of January 14, 2020)

4780 Eglinton W $113, 323

4650 Eglinton W Ave $463, 964 (Shannex)

 

Section 37 (as of February 3, 2020)

4650 Eglinton Ave W $450,000 (Shannex)

 

We are requesting that you inform and provide updates to Ward 2 constituents about your promised commitment to our community and to the local dedication of these funds.

 

In addition, we know that discussions have begun regarding Trinity/Create TO build but there have been no significant communications from the RGRRA or from your office .

 

When will we and the community receive an update regarding 250 Wincott Ave? Has a quantum been established by city staff and when will the social benefits of this development be discussed?

 

We look forward to your detailed response.

 

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - September 2, 2020

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Dear Ms. Griffiths-Maxymiw and Ms. Napoli,

 

I have passed your email onto Councillor Holyday for his response. 

 

Thank you,

 

Sheila Henderson

Office of Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday

Councillor, Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - September 9, 2020

 

Good Morning Stephen, 

 

Our committee is waiting for your response to our Aug. 28th email requesting updates regarding the application of community funds and an update regarding Trinity Build Toronto. 

 

We will be updating our community this month regarding the above.

 

Regards, 

Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw 

Tracie Napoli

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - September 14, 2020

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Good morning Ms. Maxymiw, Councillor Holyday has requested these details and they are expected shortly. Once we have them they will be provided to you. Thank you for your time.

 

Kind regards,

 

Dion Angelini

Office of Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday

Councillor, Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - September 14, 2020

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Good Morning Dion,

 

Councillor Holyday’s standard reply of “no information” is not a respectful response to a community that has been waiting for four years for community improvements.

 

We will take this non-response back to the community.

 

In addition, Councillor Holyday hasn’t provided an update regarding the Trinity Build TO application.

 

Unlike councillors such as Mark Grimes and Gord Perks, the councillor’s website is sadly lacking pertinent community information such as park upgrades and development status and updates.

 

When will the community be updated regarding the Wincott application?

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FofSC EMAIL TO COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  - October 2, 2020

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Good Morning Councillor Holyday,

 

We are still waiting for a reply to the Sept. 14th email which asked:

 

When will the community be updated regarding the Trinity Wincott application?

 

In addition, we are still waiting for confirmation of the Section 37 and 42 funds designated for our community and provided by the Shannex development.

 

The sum designated for community benefit was $1,027,287.00.

 

Section 42 (as of January 14, 2020)

·       4780 Eglinton W $113, 323

·       4650 Eglinton W Ave $463, 964 (Shannex)

 

Section 37 (as of February 3, 2020)

·       4650 Eglinton Ave W $450,000 (Shannex)

Please confirm that these monies remain and will be committed to Silvercreek and Richview Park upgrades.

Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw  & Tracie Napoli​

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REPLY FROM COUNCILLOR HOLYDAY  OFFICE - September 14, 2020

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Good afternoon Janet, this is confirmed and Councillor Holyday looks forward to the construction as much as you do.

 

Kind regards,

 

Dion Angelini

Office of Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday

Councillor, Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre

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