City of Toronto Updates

Last Update: March 14, 2023

TORONTO URBAN DESIGN AWARDS

The Toronto Urban Design Awards, held by the City of Toronto every second year, recognize achievements in urban design, architecture and landscape architecture. Designers, developers, project owners, community groups, design students and others are invited to enter eligible projects. The call for 2023 submissions is now open.

The submission deadline is Monday, April 24, at noon. The City will hold an awards ceremony in September to celebrate all entries and announce the winners. More information, including detailed program requirements and submission information, is available on the City’s Toronto Urban Design Awards webpage: www.toronto.ca/tuda.

YOUNG URBAN FOREST LEADERS APPLICATIONS

Don't miss out on the chance to gain professional skills while making a difference in our community! Apply now to the Young Urban Forest Leaders Program, a free hybrid training and mentorship program for Toronto youth (18-29 years old) interested in arboriculture, urban forestry, and community engagement.

This program is partially funded by the City of Toronto Urban Forestry Grant and the Canadian TREE Fund, which aims to support those from underrepresented groups in these fields. Apply before March 21, 2023, at 11:59pm.

To learn more and apply, please visit www.yourleaf.org/young-urban-forest-leaders.

2023 SUMMERLICIOUS APPLICATIONS

The City of Toronto’s Summerlicious program is returning from July 7 to 23. This year’s program continues to support the recovery and revival of Toronto’s restaurant scene with modified features, including reduced fees; an expanded range of price-point categories for 3-course prix fixe Summerlicious menus; and a simplified online application process. Restaurant owners — learn more and apply by March 22 at https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/licious-participation/.

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR RESTAURANT OWNERS TO UPGRADE THEIR PATIOS

The City of Toronto’s CaféTO Property Improvement Program provides restaurant, bar, and café owners with a matching grant covering 50%, up to $7,500 towards the cost of improvements to patios in the curb lane, on sidewalks and on private property. Funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for South Ontario, this program is part of the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative. Applications are now open and will be accepted until Friday, June 30, or when funds are expended. Priority will be given to applicants with temporary curb lane platforms. Learn more and apply.

DOORS OPEN TORONTO VOLUNTEERS

City Cultural Events is recruiting volunteers for Doors Open Toronto which will run from May 27th to the 28th. Volunteers will assist with guided tours and engage with the public at various cultural institutions.

You can apply here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/volunteer-with-the-city/doors-open-volunteer/

2023 CURB LANE CAFÉ APPLICATIONS

Applications for the 2023 Curb Lane Café season are now open. Local restaurant and bar owners and operators interested in expanding outdoor dining space into curb lanes and sidewalks through the City of Toronto’s CaféTO program can apply for permits online at www.toronto.ca/CafeTO. Operators interested in the program can review the comprehensive CaféTO Guidebook and apply for permits until March 28 at 11:59pm.

PAM MCCONNELL AWARDS APPLICATIONS

The Pam McConnell Award for Young Women in Leadership is now accepting applications! The award is open to young Toronto women, between the ages of 16 and 29, who demonstrate exceptional leadership, a commitment to social justice and inspire other young women.

Applications are due by 11:45pm on April 3, 2023. To learn more, please visit https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/awards/pam-mcconnell-award-for-young-women-in-leadership/

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Youth Violence Prevention Grant was established in 2020 to provide agencies with funding to support the de-escalation of youth violence. Agencies can apply for up to $200,000 in funding for projects aimed at programming that is responsive to violence prevention, intervention and interruption in thirty (30) Toronto Communities.

The deadline to submit the Youth Violence Prevention Grant Letter of Intent is Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 12 p.m. To learn more, please visit https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/investment-funding-programs/youth-violence-prevention-grant/.

2SLGBTQ+ ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Are you a passionate member of, or an ally to, 2SLGBTQ+ communities in Toronto, who wants to champion 2SLGBTQ+ priorities and equity in Toronto? Help shape your city by applying for the City of Toronto’s Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) Advisory Committee for its 2023 – 2026 term. Learn more and apply by April 2 at https://secure.toronto.ca/pa/decisionBody/782.do.

SMALL BUSINESS PROPERTY OWNERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAX

The City of Toronto implemented a small business property tax subclass that provides a reduction in the tax rate for eligible small business properties. For 2023, the applicable tax rate reduction is 15 per cent of the commercial rate for both the municipal and education portion of taxes. If your property is eligible for the small business tax subclass there is no need to apply – the reduced tax rate will be reflected in your final property tax bill. You can search by address to find out if your property is located within the small business subclass designated areas. Property owners who believe they have an eligible property that has not been included can file a Request for Reconsideration by the April 3 deadline.

FUNDING AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE APPEARANCE OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

The City of Toronto’s Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program provides funding to eligible commercial property owners and tenants to improve the appearance of a commercial building’s façade by providing a new look, enhancing neighborhoods streetscapes, and providing a more pleasant environment to work, shop and eat. Learn more and apply at www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/commercial-facade-improvement by May 4.

VACANT HOME TAX DECLARATION

The February 28 deadline has passed to make a declaration of your residential property’s occupancy status for the 2022 taxation year. At the end of March 2023, the City will issue a Vacant Home Tax Notice of Assessment to property owners who declared that their property was vacant, or who did not submit a declaration of occupancy status and whose property has now been deemed vacant. If you receive a Vacant Home Tax Notice of Assessment and disagree with it, you may submit a Notice of Complaint through an online portal that will open in early April.