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. Aamoo means “bee” in Ojibwe; it can symbolize community, hard work, honesty, happiness, and cooperation. In that spirit 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.


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Latest posts

Where did the summer go? We're squeezing everything we can out of the last few weeks of the season. 

  • Discover Canary: Stroll the Promenade this Saturday for some sweet treats and unique experiences
  • The Murals at Underpass Park: Our wabi-sabi artworks will be getting a facelift in the fall
  • A Secret Garden in the Sky: More about the magical spot that was featured in a recent reel
  • Developments on our Borders: A new on-line source of analysis and updates for developments near us
  • Canary District Yard Sale: It's baaaack! Save the date for September 26, and apply for a table now
  • Clean Canary Together: What else do we do twice a year? Pick up garbage, that's what. And it's fun!
  • All Candidates Debate: On September 28 we're bringing candidates to the YMCA to talk about our issues

It’s midsummer, and Canary District gardens are alive with pollinators! Here are some things to enjoy — and one deadline you won't want to miss. Let's start with the deadline...

  • Billy Bishop March & Rally: Public consultation closes July 24, and there is a rally July 26 — there is still time to make your voice heard.
  • A Path for Pollinators: Creating a connected web of pollinator-friendly plantings right across our neighbourhood.
  • Two Programs. One Ask. Two new programs supporting healthy aging are looking for volunteers.
  • Lassonde Art Trail West Opens: Saturday, July 25 a new chunk of the artwork trail opens in Biidaasige Park.
  • Save the Date • August 22: Woo hoo! We've set a date for this year's Discover Canary event!
  • Outdoor Movies: Toronto Outdoor Picture Show runs until August 6.
  • Volunteer Shout-Out: Three fine people making a difference in Canary District.

Summer's really heating up, and there are tons of ways to enjoy our neighbourhood over the next few weeks.

  • Canary Scooper Heroes are here to save the day! Or save your dignity...
  • Billy Bishop Airport Expansion - The federal government is asking our opinion on increasing downtown airport traffic by a factor of five — have your say in the matter
  • Indigenous Arts Festival: Right next door in Biidaasige Park on June 20
  • Metrolinx Don Yard Open House: Representatives of Metrolinx will be meeting the public at an Open House on June 25
  • Toronto Fringe Festival is happening next door in the Distillery District June 30–July 12
  • Two Outdoor Film Festivals: In addition to TOPS in Corktown Common we have DiverCity right next door in Distillery
  • Downtown East: An initiative designed to streamline certain 311 requests

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