February 2026 News

2026 is off to a great start! Here are some reasons why:

  • 2025 Annual Report: We flex our 2025 accomplishments and welcome a new Board member
  • Lost Craft Brewery: Finally the beer is flowing in Canary District again!
  • The Urban Prairie Trail Project: An ambitious attempt to whack the invasive weeds right out of our prairie
  • PollinateTO Grant: Widening the Butterfly Corridor, one in-ground planter at a time
  • Development Committee: Keeping tabs on major development projects in and around Canary District

Before we start, though, behold our 2025 Annual Report, in which we flex some (not even all!) of our accomplishments for that year.

We prepared the report for our first Annual General Meeting last month. We also elected a 2026 Board of Directors, which includes five of the 2025 Board plus a new member, Annie Yang, who has been leading the Traffic Committee and been active on the Streetscape Committee since last year.

Much gratitude to departing Board member Kateryna Sergienko, our Treasurer for 2024 and 2025, who has moved out of the neighbourhood. Thank you so much, Katya, for getting us off on the right foot!


Beer! Need we say more?

Come on by and welcome Lost Craft to the neighbourhood!

Lost Craft Brewery stepped up to purchase our beloved Aviary's assets and, after a year-long dry spell, we Canaries can once again enjoy a beer at the Front Street location.


The Urban Prairie Trail Project

Transforming 12 acres of invasive weeds into a education and pollinator powerhouse

Corktown Common Prairie is 12 acres of land that lies between Corktown Common and the Don River. It was originally planted with native plants to protect its function as a flood protection landform. This space is now overcome with invasive species, which seed throughout surrounding neighbourhoods and beyond.

We believe this is a great opportunity to transform the area into a powerhouse for environmental education. We are working to persuade the City to help create an outdoor living museum destination, and habitat for species at risk.

We are engaged in talks with various City officials, including our own Councillor Chris Moise, to try to find the political will and funding to bring this about.

Click here to learn more, and watch this space for developments.



PollinateTO Grant

Making in-ground beds on Palace Street more bee and butterfly friendly

We successfully applied for a $5,000 grant from PollinateTO to cover the replanting/nativisation of in-ground planters on the south side of Palace Street, which should greatly improve things for folks who walk in the area (not to mention the bees and other pollinating insects).

The work will be done by volunteers: if you'd like to be one of them, just reply to this newsletter.


Development Committee

Canary District is a new neighbourhood, not yet complete: a number of major development projects are still under way or coming in the near future. Moreover, significant developments in the areas adjoining Canary District will have a profound effect on the quality of our lives.

The CDNA Development Committee will keep abreast of these issues and opportunities (which could relate to any significan structure, including buildings, infrastructure, transportation assets, and parks). Further, they will represent us at community consultations with the City, developers, and other relevant entities.


Join Our Contact List

Want to get this in your email inbox? That's great! Scroll down to the bottom of this page and add your name in "Sign up for updates" :-)


 

Latest posts

Slipping into your inbox just as the snow starts, here's your last newsletter of 2025:

  • Santa's in town: Once again Santa's visiting Canary District; here's where to find him
  • Fitness Classes for Seniors: Here's another chance to join these free, fun classes
  • Lawren Harris Square Update: Preliminary results of community feedback on Lawren Harris Square
  • Shelter from the Storm: A promise of transit shelters at Front and Bayview
  • Pop-up Engagement Results: You told us what you care about, and here it is

It’s Spooky Time!

There's suddenly a lot going on now that summer is (nearly) over. Here's what's coming up:

  • Halloween 2025: We're upping the game this year with a dog costume parade as well as trick or treating on the Promenade
  • Participatory Budgeting: Vote now to improve our public spaces!
  • Lawren Harris Square: Help us advise the City on improvements to this small, beautiful park.
  • PollinateTO Grants: October 21 deadline to apply for a grant to convert beds to native pollinator-friendly plants.
  • 1 Sumach Community Consultation: Have your say about the 50+ storey towers proposed for Sumach and Eastern!
  • Metrolinx Open House: Getting the developer to clean up the Foundry (a bit).
  • Cherry House move-ins: The first folks are moving in across the road at Cherry House.

There's suddenly a lot going on now that summer is (nearly) over. Here's what's coming up:

  • Yard Sale Volunteers Needed: It's here! Our neighbourhood yard sale happens next Sunday. Can you help?
  • Science in the Park: Take the kids to Corktown Common this Saturday between 11-3pm for some science-y fun.
  • Clean Canary Together: Time for our twice-yearly neighbourhood cleanup.
  • Making the Case for Modern Urbanism — That's Us! The Bridge featured our neighbourhood in an article this month.
  • Biidaasige Park, Corktown Common’s (new) big sister: If you haven't visited this gorgeous new park yet, get going!
  • Do The Right Thing: Getting the developer to clean up the Foundry (a bit).

Sign up for updates