Item - 2026.TE29.48

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to complete a review of options to improve street cleaning and street sweeping, including through increased cleaning frequency, on Dufferin Street, between Norton Avenue and Rosemount Avenue, and on St. Clair Avenue West, between St. Clair Gardens and Westmount Avenue.

2. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to complete a street furniture assessment at Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West to identify opportunities to improve or add street furniture, including new garbage cans, benches, bicycle racks, and signage.

3. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to complete a review of traffic signal timing at Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West to improve timing coordination and traffic flow. 

4. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to review options to implement Vision Zero geometric intersection safety improvements at Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West.

5. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to report back to the May 28, 2026 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council on options to improve street cleaning and street furniture at Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West.

6. Directed the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services to complete a review of options to improve garbage collection and sidewalk clearing operations on Dufferin Street, between Norton Avenue and Rosemount Avenue, and on St. Clair Avenue West, between St. Clair Gardens and Westmount Avenue, and report back with a plan to the May 28, 2026 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council.

7. Requested the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in collaboration with the Corso Italia Business Improvement Area, to investigate options to improve streetscaping at and near Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West and report back to the Toronto and East York Community Council.

The intersection of Dufferin Street and St. Clair Avenue West is a transit hub located at the heart of a vibrant community connecting residents to transit, students and their families to nearby schools, and to popular local shops. Every day, this intersection and the surrounding area welcome thousands who contribute to Davenport’s local economy and the rich, diverse fabric of our community.

However, over the years, service and maintenance at Dufferin and St. Clair have not kept pace with growing use and needs at the intersection. This has affected the overall condition of the area and diminished its appearance. With several major community events planned for 2026 that will bring even more people to the neighbourhood, there is a clear need for a coordinated plan to enhance the intersection and better support residents, businesses, and visitors.

At the end of October, I joined local residents in the Dufferin and St. Clair community for a neighbourhood walk to hear directly about the issues at Dufferin and St. Clair and opportunities for improvement. A major concern shared by residents is the impact of inadequate street and sidewalk cleaning, with garbage often accumulating and spreading throughout the area due to limited servicing. City of Toronto staff joining us at this meeting also heard about the need to improve streetlighting, signal timing, and street furniture.

In follow-up discussions, my office consulted with City staff, local residents, and resident organizations to develop a targeted action plan to address these concerns and improve service delivery. This Dufferin and St. Clair action plan focuses on important next steps:

- Improving street and sidewalk sweeping measures to address cleanliness
- Assessing potential streetlight improvements for low-lit areas
- Implementing signal timing improvements to enhance traffic flow
- Identifying opportunities for additional garbage bin installations 
- Expanding litter and garbage bin collection within the intersection and nearby areas
- Reviewing options to repair and install new street furniture, including benches and transit shelters
 

This action plan and the proposed measures will help to improve services and ensure that everyone living in the area or visiting can enjoy the best of our Dufferin and St. Clair community.