The City of Toronto is pleased to invite you to a free Trade Diversification Webinar Series , running from  September to November 2025 .   This nine-part series offers practical advice and valuable insights from industry experts to help small businesses expand and diversify their trade strategies. Whether you are new to exporting or looking to refine your approach, these webinars provide actionable tools to support growth in your business.   Topics include: Diversifying to Export Markets 101   – Sept 11 @ 2 p.m. or Sept 18 @ 10 a.m. Leveraging Government Support & Other Sources of Assistance for Exporters   – Sept 24 @ 10 a.m. or Sept 30 @ 2 p.m. Understanding Rules of Origin & Duty Drawback Programs   – Oct 2 @ 2 p.m. Financial Assistance for Importers and Exporters   – Oct 8 @ 2 p.m. Strategic Pricing & Competitive Advantage in a Tariff Environment   – Oct 16 @ 2 p.m. Digital Trade & E-commerce: Selling Online to International Customers   – Oct 22 @ 2 p.m. Legal Considerations & Trade Compliance for Exporters   – Oct 30 @ 2 p.m. Marketing Strategies in Diverse Export Markets   – Nov 6 @ 2 p.m. Case Studies & Success Stories   – Nov 13 @ 2 p.m.   Note:  Attendance at all nine webinars is not required — participants can register for the sessions most relevant to their business.   Learn more and register here: https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-support/responding-to-united-states-economic-policy/?accordion=trade-diversification-webinars

The City of Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto Community Activation Toolkit is now available The City of Toronto has released the first edition of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto Community Activation Toolkit previewed in last month’s virtual industry briefing. This new resource is designed to help local businesses and community partners prepare for 2026 by providing guidance and tools to support planning and activation. The toolkit highlights how to align with Toronto’s role as a Host City, engage visitors, and be part of the activations for this global event. For additional questions, please contact FWC2026Toronto@toronto.ca. For Destination Toronto inquiries, reach out to community@destinationtoronto.com.

Standing up for Toronto's Waterfront The federal government has opened a consultation process on the proposal to introduce jets on the waterfront at Billy Bishop Airport. I've heard people's concerns that the consultation's survey doesn't offer an adequate opportunity for feedback, so our office has developed a tool that makes it easy to make a written submission to the consultation with just a few clicks at joshmatlow.ca/waterfront. We encourage you to sign on and share with friends and family who want to have their voice heard but need a fast and easy way to participate. The letter asks that the government consider the impacts that jets will have on the existing homes and attractions on our waterfront, as well as Toronto’s ability to follow through on the vision for our waterfront that our city has spent two decades developing and putting into action. The question isn't whether we like Billy Bishop Airport or whether we want more opportunities for economic growth. The question is whether this decision is being made based on the facts. Toronto's existing plans for our waterfront have been designed in consultation with residents and experts to meet our growing city’s needs, including housing, recreation, and tourist attractions - carefully balanced with practical considerations like traffic, environment, parks, infrastructure and livability. These plans, and Toronto's priorities, cannot be tossed aside and subordinated to the private interests of the airport's owners. No evidence has been provided to support the Premier's claims that introducing jets downtown will have any economic benefit to the public, nor that there will be sufficient demand to reach the 10 million passenger target which is being used to justify the project. The Port Authority claims that the $5 billion cost of the expansion will be paid for by user fees, not the public, but their current income cannot support that conclusion. And regardless, taxpayers would also be on the hook for additional public infrastructure and transit - money which could be better spent on other priorities across the City. The public deserves a thorough value-for-money assessment of this project, and we deserve to know exactly who stands to profit from it. The negative consequences of this proposal are very real. The Port Authority's own Environmental Assessment in 2017 raises serious concerns about the public impacts of this proposal. The study concludes that introducing jets will have adverse impacts on “marine navigation, water quality, the socio-economic environment, and the natural environment”. The study warns that jets will change the "look and feel" of the waterfront and could negatively impact public perceptions. A recent report by the City agrees that there will be negative impacts on market perception and livability. Contrary to what the Premier suggests, there is a significant risk that increased noise pollution, water pollution, air pollution and traffic congestion would have an adverse impact on tourism and economic development on the waterfront. The waterfront belongs to all of us, and it holds so much potential to support our economy, while also serving residents and improving attractions for tourists - it shouldn’t be overwhelmed by a massive runway and blast wall. Moving Forward with Pedestrianized Streets in Toronto Toronto is getting more pedestrian streets! Thank you to my colleagues and everyone across the city who signed our petition. I'm happy to share that my motion was approved at City Council. We’re moving forward on creating fun and vibrant pedestrian streets in Toronto by next summer. Pedestrian streets have been proven to deliver significant benefits for local businesses and residents' quality of life. They have been done successfully in cities around the world including Paris and Copenhagen, and as close to home as Montreal and Vancouver. Transportation Services has been working on a Pedestrian Streets Policy since at least early 2025, but the initiative was quietly shelved. That's why my motion asked City staff to move forward with creating a proper program, which identifies the right streets, gets the model right, and reports back on the resources needed to make it a success. I'm requesting that we have pedestrian streets where they will work best, considering congestion, public safety, and responsible management. My hope for Toronto is that we do things well and thoughtfully, but that we join other world-class cities in getting this done. Please see this article for more information. Toronto's Colour-Coded RentSafe Signs Are Finally Here As of June 15, apartment buildings in Toronto are required to display colour-coded RentSafe signs at their entrances, backed by stronger financial penalties and remedial action if landlords don't maintain safe and healthy homes. Modelled after the city's DineSafe program, the signs display green, yellow, or red based on a building's RentSafeTO evaluation score. Green means satisfactory (85-100%), yellow means the building needs improvement (70-84%), and red means it needs significant improvement (0-69%). This gives prospective renters vital information and holds the worst landlords to account. The policy is the result of motions that I've moved at City Council and years of advocacy alongside tenant organizations including ACORN, the Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations, and the Toronto Tenant Union. I'm proud we finally got it done. Signs have been mailed to all landlords in the RentSafeTO program. City staff will take an escalating enforcement approach for any landlord that doesn't comply. Tenants who notice a missing or incorrect sign at their building should call 311. Protecting Tenants from Extreme Heat It has taken a long time – too long – but Toronto’s tenants will finally see a maximum indoor temperature by-law by summer 2027. This moves up the timeline by at least two summers from what was originally recommended by city staff. I initiated this by-law by bringing a motion to City Council in 2012, and have repeatedly and consistently fought for this priority over the last decade, working closely with advocates, to get this done. We will not accept any more excuses for delays. The impact of this by-law will deliver a huge improvement in quality of life for thousands of Toronto renters. And as we mark five years since the “heat dome” heat wave in British Columbia, which took the lives of 619 people, we’re reminded why this by-law is so important. Renters deserve homes that are healthy and safe. I still believe that this by-law should’ve been implemented during this term of Council. However, I’m also grateful that due to our pressure and advocacy, meaningful progress has been achieved. The job won’t be done until the by-law is actually passed and implemented. I will keep fighting for accountability- and most importantly, results. Please see this article for more information. Let's Play Pickleball! Requesting Urgent Provincial Action to Animate Vacant Development Sites Across Toronto, approved development sites are sitting vacant for years - hurting the vibrancy and safety of our main streets and the businesses around them. Community-oriented interim uses, like pop-up recreation facilities, offer a practical solution. But a policy gap is getting in the way. When a vacant site is activated through a new use, the province’s Municipal Property Assessment Corporation will reclassify the property from vacant to commercial, triggering a much higher tax rate that often makes the interim use unsustainable. We saw this happen in our own community. The popular pickleball and racquet courts at Yonge and Rosehill, operated through a partnership between the developer and Fairgrounds, were recently reclassified by MPAC. The resulting tax increase forced the facility to close. There are many other vacant sites across the city that could be animated with pop-up art exhibits, farmers' markets, and other creative uses. However, because of this risk, developers don’t want to risk reclassification. Toronto City Council has approved my motion directing staff to examine policy options to support interim uses. But the most effective fix requires the province. The authority to create new property tax subclasses rests with Queen's Park under the Assessment Act, and that's why I wrote a letter to the Minister and held a community protest calling on the province to create a targeted subclass for vacant development sites hosting community-oriented interim uses. Municipalities should not be penalizing property owners for doing the right thing. Stay Connected: Join Our WhatsApp Group Stay connected and never miss an update! Sign up for our WhatsApp channel to be the first to know about volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and important news from our office. This is an easy way to stay informed and engaged about our work in your neighbourhood. Sign up here: Join WhatsApp Group

We've been made aware of a fraudulent email being sent from BIAHillcrest@gmail.com — this is NOT a legitimate BIA email.  Do NOT click on any links or respond to the message. If you have received the email shown in the photo please delete it. If you’ve received a suspicious message, please report it immediately through the contact form on our website.

Click the link Below to download the Hillcrest Village BIA Board of Management Contact List.

Phase one of our graffiti clean-up launched in April and the difference is already clear! A huge THANK YOU to the amazing team at Goodbye Graffiti for their hard work and dedication! Business owners, let’s work together to keep Hillcrest Village beautiful. It’s your responsibility to stay alert and report any graffiti to Toronto Police Services. If you see something, say something, Bylaw officers will issue tickets to offenders.

Welcome to our online event 'Tips to overcome the impacts of tariffs for small business' ! Join us for a discussion on strategies and insights to help your small business navigate the challenges posed by tariffs. Our speaker will share practical advice and actionable tips to mitigate the effects of tariffs on your business. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to protect your bottom line and stay competitive in today's market. Register now to secure your spot!

The trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. is shifting, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are feeling the impact. To help businesses navigate these challenges, the Toronto Region Board of Trade & World Trade Centre Toronto have published the SME Tariff Survival Playbook—a practical guide with immediate, low-cost strategies to protect cash flow, pricing, and supply chains. Now more than ever, supporting local businesses is essential. Hillcrest Village BIA is the perfect place to shop local and keep our community strong! 📥 Click below to get your copy today!

The Hillcrest Village Board of Management invites all members (business owners) of the Hillcrest Village BIA to submit their promotions and specials to be featured on our website's promotions page! If you would like to participate please click this link to complete the brief form: https://forms.gle/dADX6obWiNj4mxFz8 Here are a few things that you can promote: Discounts Free items with a purchase Seasonal Sales Holiday Specials And more!

Artificial Intelligence: What it is and how it’s transforming business Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption is progressing rapidly – with generative AI like ChatGPT making headlines – but AI technology has had a foothold in business for some time. In 2017, McKinsey found that 20% of organizations had adopted AI in at least one business area. By 2022, the figure stood at 50%. As AI development continues, artificial intelligence will play a greater role in business systems and processes, with humans and machines increasingly working together. Included in this article from Square is what to know about artificial intelligence in business, the different types of AI we commonly see in business operations and what the future of AI means for companies and staff.

OBIAA is proud to release 'What is a BIA'

You can view the Hillcrest Village BIA Newsletter Archive here to catch up on any you might have missed.