Neighbourhood Profile - The Junction

Up Coming Neighbourhoods

Last night I had the pleasure to attend the Junction Residents Association bi monthly meeting. This is relatively new group that has formed in the Junction Triangle of West Toronto in addition to the Local BIA (Business Improvement Association).

This meeting was organized, orderly, enthusiastic and informative. Held at the grass roots level of homeowners, the group is focused on their own neighbourhood issues that deal with parking, continued expansion (future development) Parks and playgrounds, shrinking school funding and boundary issues. They had considered their target audience well, in that they had provided a staff of five for child care during the meeting and served a lovely refreshment station for those needing a bite after work.

The group quickly identified those with specific skills, experience and connections to; develop Historic Building Status for certain properties with the neighbourhood, support and a voice at Queens Park was provided by Cheri DiNovo MPP Parkdale High Park.

In the never ending world of Rules and Regulations, a surprising voice appeared from the audience, with the attendance of the President of the Bloor West Village Residents Association, Greg Hamara, that offered experiences drawn from the (BWVRA) in drafting bylaws, and an invitation to work jointly with other groups that share a common goal.

The West End of Toronto resident associations encompass a number of smaller groups that are unifying under programs that apply to all of them, and are joining their efforts where applicable. I was delighted to learn that the Swansea Residents Group and Roncesvalles-MacDonnell were also included.

The conclusion and observation to this, is the unification and focus of groups, at the local level attracting guest speakers of profile, Local Politicians for their all candidate debates and a well needed concern to have their neighbourhood voice heard in a large evolving multi-cultural mosaic that is Toronto.

Kudos to the Junction Residents Association for their efforts.