Hosted by the Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF) and the City of Toronto, in collaboration with Untitled Planning, the event kicked off with a warm welcome from Amina Yassin Omar, LEF’s VP of Community and Placemaking, who thanked the 165 people present for showing up and being part of the conversation. John Smith, Manager of Community Development at the City of Toronto, followed with a land acknowledgment and an African ancestral acknowledgment.
With residents at the heart of the day, Peter Frampton, Executive Director of LEF, spoke about the roots of Mount Dennis, recalling its early days in the former City of York.
“The people here have always had a mindset of just ‘getting it done’, no matter what it takes,” he said, reflecting on the neighbourhood’s deep sense of resilience and inclusion. Every wave of immigration, he noted, was welcomed with open arms. Many newcomers became LEF clients, and some of those became staff. He reminded everyone that the voices of Mount Dennis residents are more important now than ever.
Change is here. Not slowly over 30 years, but all at once in 10.
Newly elected MPP Mohamed Firin addressed the audience, affirming that he’s always available to listen, regardless of political stance or issue. Councillor Frances Nunziata, a long-time champion of the Mount Dennis For All Community Action Plan, applauded the strong community participation over the past few years.
Mount Dennis is a welcoming community. A refuge to many first-generation newcomers to Canada. In Mount Dennis, we welcome the world to live, learn, and work. But we also work to provide opportunities for residents to flourish and succeed.
She acknowledged some of the challenges the area has faced over the past couple of decades, while highlighting recent achievements such as the York Recreation Centre, the child care centre on Weston Road, and securing protections for tenants against renovictions.
Jag Sharma, Deputy City Manager of Development and Growth, also greeted attendees and acknowledged the commitment of the many City staff from various divisions who have worked with LEF and Councillor Nunziata to develop and implement the Mount Dennis For All Community Action Plan.
Keynote speaker Dr. Leslie Kern followed the opening remarks with a powerful talk on the future of Mount Dennis. She spoke about gentrification, how displacement happens, and what it can look like in real time.
After the opening remarks, attendees broke into small groups to dig into the issues that matter most. The breakout rooms included:
· Housing & Affordability
· Community Safety & Wellbeing
· Public Spaces, Culture, and Environment
· Transportation and Mobility
· Inclusive Local Economies
During the report-back session, one facilitator shared what their group had discussed:
This is power. Community. It often feels like your voice falls on deaf ears, but this is a place where that isn’t happening. You get to come together and talk to your neighbours. There was a lot of optimism in the room because of that.
Over lunch, attendees enjoyed a lively performance by the York Lions Steel Band, a group that’s been a staple in the community for over 40 years. Community collector Darren Bedford showcased a special collection of Kodak memorabilia, including vintage cameras, milk bottles, and items from the former Kodak building on Black Creek Drive. His display helped bring local history to life.
After lunch, a panel of experienced planners and community organizers took the stage to talk about: “Strengthening Communities: Community-Led Anti-Displacement Strategies for Equitable Development.” The panelists answered questions from both the moderator and attendees, sharing insights on how Mount Dennis can take the lead on equitable development.
Guests were encouraged to connect with the Mount Dennis Community Association and sign up for their biweekly newsletter. We also encourage you to sign up for LEF’s Mount Dennis People’s Summit newsletter for any updates following the event.
As the event wound down, panelists reflected on the momentum Mount Dennis has built and what’s possible next.
The Mount Dennis For All Community Action Plan sets a precedent for Toronto. Integrating community development isn't typically part of City planning, but the City really listened to Mount Dennis. Now, other communities are learning from you and creating their own action plans.
- Abigail Moriah:
- Executive Director, Black Planning Project
- Keisha St. Louis McBurnie:
- Lead Strategist, Social Impact, Monumental
- Shannon Holness:
- Project Planner, WSP Canada
- Robert Walter-Joseph:
- Principal, Gladki Planning Associates
- Dr. Prentiss Dantzler:
- Associate Professor UofT & Director, Housing Justice Lab
We would like to thank Jason Thorne, City of Toronto's Chief Planner for joining us in the afternoon and listening to resident concerns.
To wrap up the day, attendees returned to their breakout groups for final reflections and next steps. The summit concluded with an Indigenous closing ceremony from Dr. Hopi Martin and time for residents, businesses, builders, and officials to connect and continue the conversation.
Got feedback from the event or want to learn more? Email: team@untitledplanning.com
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