CWNA's lane naming project continues, adding character and history to previously anonymous alleys.  

Dapper Lane at 66 Wellesley E. -  The intersection of Church and Wellesley is a hub for barbers whose skills are well known throughout the city. For decades barbers have practiced their trade here, ensuring decades of loyal customers.  What better way to recognize their talent and dedication than with a lane named in their honour.
 
Anvil Alley at 511 Church St. celebrates the long tradition of small businesses in the Village. Dudley's Hardware, founded in 1934, continues to provide an invaluable service to the community. Dudley's exemplifies the positive attitude and commitment of small business owners in our Village.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam officiated the naming ceremony on January 24. 
After the unveiling of the new signs, Dudley's Hardware hosted a community social.  ​

There are many reasons the CWNA has been proactive in getting alleys in our neighbourhood named. The Laneway Project, a  Toronto not-for-profit dedicated to improving and activating laneways, summarizes them as:

Safety and Security - A laneway with a name helps police, fire and paramedic services find it in the event of an emergency;

Commemorating History - Naming a laneway after a noteworthy person, place, event, etc. is encouraged under Toronto’s street naming policy, and it helps preserve history;

 Placemaking - Naming a laneway gives the lane an identity, and creates a sense of place, which also serves to invite more pedestrian traffic, making it safer;

Community Building - The collaborative process of naming a laneway helps build community connections, good will, and a feeling of neighbourhood pride;
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​Laneway Improvements - A laneway with a name opens the door to further laneway improvements, such as beautification and community events.

Since its founding in 2010, the CWNA has taken the lead in naming ten lanes in our neighbourhood.  The next one, located just east of Church, running south from Isabella. 
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The Independent Civilian Review into Missing Persons Investigations, led by former Court of Appeal Judge Gloria Epstein, was formed to address concerns about the way the Toronto Police Service conducts missing persons investigations, particularly when the missing people belong to vulnerable or marginalized communities or communities that have legacy issues with the Toronto Police Service.

The Review was established following the conviction of serial killer Bruce McArthur for the murder of eight men who had connections to Toronto’s LGBTQ2S+ community.

One of the Review’s most recent initiatives was to launch an anonymous online survey to allow for anyone with experience or perspectives on the issue of policing in Toronto to be heard. This means that you can participate and have your opinion considered in the final determination on what recommendations the Review should make for the Toronto Police Service going forward.  

The anonymous survey can be found at: https://missingpersonsurvey.ca/

In December 2019,  Manulife Investment Management submitted a development application for a 59 storey rental tower at Church and Charles, where the 7 storey Traders Building presently stands.

Manulife had held two community consultations in the preceeding months. At the second community consultation on October 2, Manulife polled community members as to whether they would choose to preserve the current building's facade or to have the building demolished in exchange for more green space.  

Subsequent to that meeting, Manulife submitted its proposal to the City. The development would be a 59-storey mixed-use building, inclusive of a 6-storey podium which preserves the facade of the Traders Building. The building will house commercial tenants on the lower levels, with 651 residential units in the tower. 

For more information, see the City's Development Application page for the project, or consult our Interactive Map.