May 2026 Update This this e-mail is an update for CaféTO curb lane café program participants and BIAs..  This update provides useful information about the CaféTO program, including necessary information for your permit. Please take the time and read carefully. Curb Lanes Cafe are Live! Great news — the majority of curb lane cafés have been installed! If you have not received your permit, you need to submit your insurance information, legal agreement and pay your invoice. Get these in as soon as possible to maximize your time on the patio this season. Before you can begin operating your curb lane café, two things need to be in place: Traffic safety equipment for your curb lane café has been installed by the City of Toronto You have your valid 2026 CaféTO Curb Lane Café permit in hand Once both are confirmed, you're good to go! We want to say a special thanks to the Road Ops crew for their support and hard work in successfully delivering the café installations ahead of schedule. We appreciate all the work that went into making this possible. Temporary Accessible Platform Temporary Accessible Platforms create a level surface and transition from the sidewalk to a curb lane café. New operators and renewing operators who have made changes to their curb lane café sizes are required to submit detailed design drawings for review and approval by City staff. Once operators receive their official traffic plan, they maybe begin the design process. Temporary Accessible Platforms must be installed by June 1, 2026. Staff will work with operators and are prepared to answer technical questions to facilitate approvals in advance of the June 1st deadline. Requirements are outlined on pages 14-17 of the Curb Lane Café Guidebook. The Toronto Association of BIAs (TABIA) also have resources available on their website, including a list of 3rd party vendors and sample architectural drawings. If you choose to operate your café before your temporary platform is installed, a ramp into your café MUST BE PROVIDED. Information on ramps is available in Curb Lane Café Guidebook on page 22. Waste Collection Please leave your waste bins on the sidewalk in the gaps between curb lane cafés so they can be picked up from the road. Coordinate with neighbouring businesses and residents on placement, and label all bins with the corresponding address. All waste — garbage, recyclables, organics, and yard waste — must be set out between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on the first evening of the night-time collection period. AGCO Notification Your CaféTO curb lane café permit serves as the City of Toronto's endorsement of your temporary curb lane patio for the sale and service of alcohol. As a permit holder, you're required to log into your AGCO online account and notify the AGCO of your permit. Detailed instructions are available here. Bicycle locking ring parking and your café CaféTO operators may temporarily limit access to a bicycle locking ring if the ring — or a parked bike — restricts accessibility to your café. If you need to take a ring out of service temporarily, you must notify the City. Temporary decommissioning can include coverings like bags or signage but must not damage or compromise the ring in any way. Bike rings cannot be temporarily or permanently removed. CaféTO Made Easier: New Short Videos As we kick off the new CaféTO season, we’re excited to launch a new series of short CaféTO support videos for operators — check out our CaféTO Best Practices video for helpful tips and guidance to help set your cafe up for a successful summer season. CaféTO Best Practices for Success These videos are for educational purposes only. All CaféTO applicants must review the 2026 CaféTO Curb Lane Café Guidebook and Chapter 742, Sidewalk Cafés, Parklets and Marketing Displays before applying for a CaféTO permit. Key Dates April 22nd – May 19th Traffic safety equipment is installed by the City for approved CaféTO curb lane cafés May 1st CafeTO Curb Lane Café season begins June 1st Curb lane café temporary platform must be installed October 1st – 15th Curb lane café removals Contact We’re here to support you throughout the season. If you have questions, reach out anytime at CafeTO@toronto.ca When communicating with the City, please use your business email address. If you no longer wish to receive these communications, please let us know at CafeTO@Toronto.ca Thank you, CaféTO

The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) is proud to announce the launch of a nationwide campaign: Shop Main Street Canada. Support Local. This movement urges Canadians to embrace a local-first mindset, recognizing the essential role Main Street businesses play in driving economic prosperity, job creation, and vibrant communities. At OBIAA, we believe that thriving Main Streets are the backbone of strong, resilient towns and cities. Every dollar spent at a local business fuels job creation, sustains entrepreneurs, and enhances the unique character of our communities. As businesses navigate ongoing economic challenges, investing in locally owned and Canadian-made products is an investment in the future of our neighbourhoods.

The Hillcrest Village BIA is pleased to announce that the Capital Cost Share Accessibility Project at 803–815 St. Clair Avenue West is now underway. The project has commenced on schedule, beginning with the removal of existing railings, which are set to be reinstalled later this spring, weather permitting. Crews are carefully demolishing the existing cement planters one at a time, using protective measures to minimize dust and disruption. We’re happy to report that the work site has been maintained exceptionally well, with a strong focus on cleanliness and organization throughout the process. To ensure smooth coordination, the BIA Board of Management will be meeting bi-weekly with the Construction Manager, Architect, and City of Toronto Streetscape team from early April through the first week of June. These meetings will take place virtually and, at times, on-site to monitor progress and address any updates. Informational posters will be installed along the construction fencing and within participating businesses, showcasing before-and-after visuals and keeping the community informed. All businesses within the project area remain open and fully operational during this initial phase, continuing to provide the same high level of service to customers. We look forward to the transformation ahead and are excited to bring a more accessible, welcoming streetscape to the community. For any questions or concerns regarding the project, please don’t hesitate to contact the Hillcrest Village BIA team, we’re happy to assist.

St. Paul's Safety Town Hall April 7th 6 PM St. Paul’s Safety Townhall will take place on April 7 th , 6 PM – 7:30 PM at Yonge & Eglinton. At the event, constituents will have the opportunity to interact with MP Leslie Church and Police representatives from both 13 and 53 Divisions. We want to share some information about recent federal actions that can help shape the conversation. This year our federal government has introduced several bills that will make major changes to the criminal code and has made significant investments in stepping up law enforcement. Here is some more information on actions that we are taking to address certain crimes: Auto-theft: Budget 2025 funds hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers and 1,000 new CBSA officers to step up enforcement at ports Bill C-12 provides new tools for CBSA to find stolen cars before they leave Canada Home invasion: Bill C-14 adds reverse onus bail & consecutive sentencing for home invasions and auto-theft. The onus will now be on people alleged to have committed violent crimes like home invasion to prove why they should be released on bail, rather than the onus being on prosecutors to show why they shouldn’t Hate crimes and antisemitism: Bill C-9 codifies the Supreme Court definition of hate, and adds new hate offences including intimidating people attempting to access places of worship and cultural centres, and willful promotion of hate through use of Nazi or terrorist symbols Drug trafficking: Bill C-12 provides new tools for CBSA Officers to find drugs and supports the RCMP in disrupting illegal drug production Sexual Assault: Bill C-14 adds a reverse-onus bail for sexual assault Bill C-16 increases the maximum penalty for sexual assault Intimate Partner Violence and Deepfakes: Bill C-16 creates a new offence to prohibit engaging in a pattern of coercive or controlling conduct against an intimate partner Bill C-16 also expands the offence prohibiting the non-consensual distribution of intimate images to ensure that it applies to non-consensual deepfakes, and makes it illegal to threaten to distribute intimate images including deepfakes Youth Crime: Bill C-16 creates a new offence of recruiting youth into crime Bill C-14 allows the police to publish identifying information about a youth without a court order in urgent situations when the youth is at large and there is an immediate grave danger to members of the public. Also expands the legal definition of a “violent offence” for youth offenders And here is some information on the progress of these bills through Parliament: Budget 2025 | Passed by the House of Commons; in the Senate Bill C-9: The Combatting Hate Act | Facing third (and final) vote in the House of Commons this week, after which it will go to the Senate Bill C-12: Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act | Passed by Parliament, soon to receive Royal Assent and become law Bill C-14: The Bail and Sentencing Reform Act | Passed by the House of Commons; in the Senate Bill C-16: Protecting Victims Act | Currently being studied by the Justice Committee Residents of Toronto-St. Paul’s can register at https://lesliechurch.libparl.ca/events/ . We hope to see you there!

Application Requirements: Valid photo identification Provincial Business Name Registration or Franchise Agreement Declaration Site Plan or Survey of location Letter of Authorization from Property Owner (must be dated within 30 days of application submission) If your business is located within a BIA, a Letter of Authorization (must be dated within 30 days of application submission) from the BIA is required, contact information can be found on the BIA List . Photo of sign (photo should show entire frontage of proposed area) Completed application form Photo or replica of sign design with measurements Approval letter from BIA (if within a BIA) Business license (where required) Where a business license is not required: Corporate documentation and business name registration Contact information of person responsible for sign One piece of photo identification for all officers/directors Two pieces of identification (one must be photo ID) if you are applying as a sole proprietor Note: Applicants must provide proof of two million dollars in Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. The completed  Certificate of Insurance   must be signed and stamped by the insurer. The Certificate must be sent by email to  MLSroadallowance@toronto.ca  directly from the Insurance Representative. Identification Requirements: One piece of valid government issued identification is required for an officer or signing authority (for corporations), who appears on the Primary Business Licence. Acceptable government-issued identification: Canadian passport Driver’s licence Canadian birth certificate Citizenship card Permanent resident card SIN card (social insurance number) Valid work permit Note: First and last names must match on all identification We do not accept Health Cards. For sole proprietorship or individual applicants, one piece of ID must provide proof of work status Identification is required for all officers/directors listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Profile or Federal Form 6 Permit Requirements: All applicants must also provide the following: a business location/address a copy of provincial business name registration or signed franchise agreement Corporations must also provide: a copy of Articles of Incorporation (Note: If there has been a change to the list of officers and directors, please also provide a current Corporate Profile Report or a Federal Form 6) If a director of the corporation is unable to apply in person at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, a designate may apply on their behalf. The designate must: have an original letter advising of their  signing authority on corporation letterhead  , signed by a director of the corporation dated within 30 days provide two pieces of identification for themselves provide two pieces of identification for each officer and director of the corporation, or, if original identification is not available, notarized photocopies of the identification will also be accepted

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Toronto Community Activation Toolkit 2.0 The City of Toronto has updated the Community Activation Toolkit with new resources. Planning an event, promotion, or community activity during FIFA World Cup 2026™? The toolkit offers simple guidance on what you can and can’t do, plus ideas to help you activate responsibly and confidently. Summer 2026 Co-op Marketing Program Information Session The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will bring increased attention to Toronto. Our Summer Regional Co-op Marketing Program focuses on converting that interest into visitation during the peak summer months.

TTC Celebrates Black History Month This year, the TTC is celebrating seven Black community leaders and changemakers, historic places and movements that have shaped Toronto’s history and identity across justice, the arts, and immigration: Weyni Mengesha, Little Jamaica, Wendy Jones of Pan Fantasy, First Baptist Church, Dudley Laws, Contrast newspaper, and the 1955-1967 West Indian Domestic Scheme. For more information on how TTC is marking the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada, pl ease visit our website . Now Open: Line 5 Eglinton On February 8, TTC began a phased opening of Line 5 Eglinton. Line 5 Eglinton  is  19 kilometres of light rail transit (LRT) connecting customers along Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis Station in the west to Kennedy Station in the east.  Line 5 Eglinton offers convenient interchange connections to Line 1 (Yonge-University) at Cedarvale and Eglinton stations, Line 2 (Bloor-Danforth) at Kennedy Station, along with GO Transit and UP Express connections at Mount Dennis Station and GO Transit at Kennedy Station. Toronto’s newest transit line will provide customers with convenient rapid transit service across Eglinton Avenue. As part of the phased opening of Line 5, LRT service will operate nightly until 11 p.m. For more information on Line 5,  please visit our website .  For information on new bus routes and service changes to existing routes related to the opening of Line 5,  please  visit this page .

Hillcrest Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the City of Toronto will be constructing the public realm in front of 803 to 815 St Clair Avenue West. Proposed work to include enlarged planting area, accessible access, convenience stairs and a bench. Once constructed, the streetscape improvement will be maintained by Hillcrest Village BIA Download the notice below:

The Hillcrest Village Communications Team would like to feature Hillcrest Village businesses on our website and social media pages to over 1000 followers and 200 monthly website users between January 2026 and December 2026! Please complete this brief form to participate. Hillcrest Village Spotlight on St.Clair form

The post-holiday power play: 5 shopper insights for boosting your ‘Q5’ sales   As the holiday lights come down, it’s tempting for marketers to power off their campaigns and shift focus to the new year. But the data shows this is a costly mistake. The period from December 26 to mid-January, often called “Q5,” isn’t a cool down. It’s a distinct shopping season, when shoppers are more decisive, engaged, and ready to spend than at almost any other time of the year. If you’re winding down, you may be leaving money on the table. Here are five holiday shopper insights that prove why you need to stay engaged during the post-holiday rush — and how you can respond to demand. 1. Purchase intent is at its peak During Q5, shoppers are in “buy mode” and browsing with a high intent to convert. In fact, shoppers are most likely to buy after the holidays: 87% of their shopping occasions end in a purchase. 1 And post-holiday shoppers are even more likely to make a purchase than those shopping in the peak holiday window. 2 How to respond Run always-on campaigns to capture intent across the extended season, so your brand is present with offers to meet shoppers wherever they are in their most decisive moments. Ensure discoverability on Search, Discover, and AI Overviews by keeping Merchant Center feeds and structured data accurate. Source: Google-commissioned Ipsos Holiday Shopping Study, AU, BR, CA, FR, DE, MX, U.K., U.S., online survey, consumers 18+ who conducted holiday shopping activities in the past two days, n=21,463 holiday purchases, Oct. 10, 2024–Jan. 8, 2025. 2. Q5 shoppers are spending more on bigger carts When shoppers buy during Q5, they aren’t just picking up one small item. They are actively spending more and filling their carts. Consider this: Shoppers report their holiday spending peaks after December 25. 3 And after December 25, shoppers buy more items across more categories than at any other time during the holidays. 4 How to respond Make your marketing direct with strong calls to action, specific product ads, clear pricing, and a frictionless checkout process to capture demand and increase the average order value. Use new loyalty features to reward and reconnect with your most valuable customers by offering members-only pricing and services. 3. The path to purchase is highly engaged and more complex During Q5, shoppers are using more resources and taking more actions than at any other point in the season. 5 This marks the seasonal peak for omnichannel behavior, and the complexity is staggering. Half of consumers are navigating between at least 10 different online and offline touchpoints in any given 48-hour window. 6 How to respond Multichannel presence is critical, so ensure your brand is visible and consistent across platforms. Connect your online and in-store experiences with features like local inventory ads and “buy online, pick up in store” to serve these sophisticated shoppers. 4. Q5 shoppers are self-gifting and gift-giving While the post-holiday Q5 period may be famous for “treat yourself” shopping, gifting to others doesn’t stop. Even after the holidays, buying for others is the top reason to shop; 74% of post-holiday shopping occasions are for someone else. 7 Meanwhile, self-gifting continues as 60% of shoppers say they’ll browse online for things they’re interested in buying during the post-holiday period. 8 How to respond Create campaigns for shoppers using new gift cards or holiday money to “treat themselves.” Your messaging can cater to multiple intents. Run ads in parallel that focus on “belated gifts” or “finding the perfect something” for those still buying for others. 5. Google and YouTube usage spikes When it’s time to make a final decision, shoppers turn to trusted sources to research, review, and validate their choices. This is where Search and YouTube play a crucial role. Search is the no. 1 way shoppers confirm facts like quality and durability, good reviews and ratings, and brand reputation. 9 And, according to a 2024 Traackr survey in the U.S., YouTube was ranked as the no. 1 choice for product reviews and product information by all consumers, including millennials and Gen Zs. 10 When it’s time to make a purchase, shopping on Google and YouTube is strong all season but surges to a peak after December 25, when 84% of holiday shoppers are using Google or YouTube to shop. 11 How to respond Sync your Merchant Center product feed to eligible YouTube campaigns, and feature your in-stock products to maximize promotional impact. Tap into the content that your customers are already watching by extending your creator partnerships into Q5 or leveraging the cultural moments of the season like sports . Source: Google-commissioned Ipsos Holiday Shopping Study, AU, BR, CA, FR, DE, MX, U.K., U.S., online survey, consumers 18+ who conducted holiday shopping activities in the past two days, n=37,15 holiday purchases, Oct. 10, 2024–Jan. 8, 2025. The post-holiday rush isn’t an afterthought; it’s a distinct, high-value season when shoppers are actively looking to buy. By understanding these behaviors, you can tailor your holiday strategy to meet them where they are, capture their high intent, and start 2026 with strong sales performance.

Drive your business forward with Save on Energy incentives of up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment and up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting equipment. The Save on Energy Small Business Program is designed to help small businesses across Ontario make equipment improvements to reduce their energy consumption, at no cost to their business. Leveraging the success of the former Small Business Lighting program, this new and improved program offers small businesses direct-install incentives on an expanded range of equipment – both lighting and non-lighting. An investment in energy-efficient equipment upgrades is an investment in enhancing your customers’ experience, employee satisfaction and your bottom line. Save time and money when you participate in the Small Business program. Eligibility Businesses with an operating capacity of 50 or fewer employees. Participants in the former Save on Energy Small Business Lighting program, Refrigeration Efficiency program, Business Refrigeration Incentive program, and RTUsaver program may be eligible for certain upgrades. Businesses that have previously participated and received funding may qualify to receive additional upgrades at no cost. Learn more in the eligibility section of the FAQs . Businesses that participated in a Save on Energy program before April 1, 2019 are still eligible to apply to the Small Business Program and may receive the full $3,000 in incentives for lighting and $2,500 for non-lighting equipment. Note: Certain upgrades that exceed $3,000 for lighting measures and $2,500 for non-lighting measures may qualify for additional incentives (refer to the Eligible Measures List for all upgrades available)

he Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs and the organizations that help them grow their businesses.   The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund is now open in southern Ontario. Originally launched in 2021, the BEP Ecosystem Fund aims to strengthen Black-led not-for-profit organizations across Canada that provide essential business advisory services to Black entrepreneurs.   The Government of Canada’s Ecosystem Fund is a core component of the BEP, a national initiative that will invest nearly $190 million over the next five years, which aims to break down barriers and create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. It also strengthens the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting Black-led not-for-profit organizations to deliver high-impact business services from mentorship, networking, financial planning, business training, outreach and capacity building.   With funding through 2030, we will support Black-led not-for-profit organizations in empowering Black entrepreneurs and business owners across southern Ontario and support their long-term success – helping to contribute to a stronger Canadian economy.   Since its launch in 2020, the BEP Ecosystem Fund has helped more than 16,000 Black entrepreneurs across Canada.   FedDev Ontario is  hosting 2 upcoming technical briefings via Microsoft Teams. The briefings will provide you, your stakeholders and network partners with information about the Fund and will review the program objectives and the application process. To attend a live technical briefing, please register via one of the following links:   November 4, 2025, 2:00-3:00pm:  Register November 12, 2025, 2:00-3:00pm:  Register   For more information on the program guidelines and how to apply, please visit the FedDev Ontario website: BEP Ecosystem Fund . We encourage you to share this information with your networks. You are also welcome to use our promotion kit to publish content of your own to help spread the word.   Kind regards, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario   ******   Good morning,   The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs and Black-led organizations that help them grow their businesses.   Applications to the Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) Ecosystem Fund are now being accepted in Southern Ontario. Originally launched in 2021, the BEP Ecosystem Fund aims to strengthen Black-led non-profit organizations across Canada that provide critical advisory services to Black entrepreneurs.   The Government of Canada’s Ecosystem Fund is a key component of the National Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Program (NEEP), a national initiative that will invest nearly $190 million over the next five years to remove barriers and create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. It also strengthens the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem and supports Black-led non-profit organizations in providing high-impact business services, including mentorship, networking, training, financial planning, business education, outreach, and capacity building.   With funding through 2030, we will support Black-led non-profit organizations to support entrepreneurs and business owners in these communities throughout Southern Ontario and foster their long-term success, thereby helping to strengthen the Canadian economy.   Since its launch in 2020, the PECN Ecosystem Fund has helped more than 16,000 Black entrepreneurs across Canada.   FedDev Ontario is hosting two technical briefing sessions on Microsoft Teams, which will provide you, your stakeholders, and your network partners with information about the Fund and will outline the program objectives and application process. To attend a live technical briefing, please register by clicking on one of the following links:   November 4, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Registration November 12, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Registration   For more information on program guidelines and how to apply, please visit the FedDev Ontario website: PECN Ecosystem Fund .   We encourage you to share this information with your networks. You can also use our promotional kit to publish your own content to help spread the word.