In this issue:
- Introduction to 2026 TOCA Board
- First TOCA “Meet and Greet” of 2026 – Thursday March 26 7pm
- Other upcoming events
- Development Update
- Proposed 29-story Development at 2915-2943 Bloor
- Major Transit Station Areas
- Consider Volunteering
- TOCA Young Entrepreneurs Business Directory
Introduction to 2026 TOCA Board
Here’s an intro to the new board members for 2026.
Lauralea Mast (Board Chair / Communications) “I’ve been so lucky to live in Thompson Orchards for the past 20 years, with my partner Gary, and to have raised my son Gavin here. I run a small media agency out of my home, and love watching the wildlife that visits our backyard while I work.”
Grant Lawson (Treasurer / Development Review) “I have been a member of the community since 2011. I own a large dog, Charly, who occasionally during daily walks, encounters our neighbourhood coyotes. Somehow Charly seems to be more surprised to see the coyotes than the coyotes are to see Charly!”
Mary Ann Gingras (Secretary / Community Authority) “I’ve lived in Thompson Orchard since 2006. We bought the house from the estate of the original owners (1949), Brian and Jean Leslie. Our house is famous for its giant hedge. I also work in the neighbourhood and watch the neighbours walking up and down the street!”
Peter Duda (Social Events) “I’m a proud denizen of Cliveden Avenue since the year 2000, a quarter century! The original owner of my house designed a part he patented for the rocket/space industry, and he had the builders of his home incorporate the shape and design of the part into the 2nd story. The design and lay out of the whole 2nd floor is an entirely unique one off.”
Walter Daschko (Development Review) “I’m a semi-retired architect, most recently employed by Metrolinx and now doing small consulting work on my own. I have served on TOCA’s Development Committee previously, and my family and I have lived on Thompson Ave. for 30 years.”
John Walsh (Social Events) “My wife Mary Jane and I have happily lived in the Thompson Orchard community since 2004. After retiring from a 30+ year career in formal education I now work as an academic consultant for a number of independent schools. A lifelong Toronto resident, I understand the value and importance of community and am looking forward to supporting the initiatives of Thompson Orchard.”
David Atkinson (Past Chair) “I’ve loved living in Thompson Orchard with my family since 2019. I am a theatre musician, often commuting to theatres downtown and across Ontario. My wife Sarah Joy is an avid gardener, creating and tending the pollinator garden at Sunnylea school. Sadly our tenancy is being ended this spring, but we hope to find a new home nearby so we can continue to say hi to all the wonderful friends and neighbours we have made.”
First TOCA “Meet and Greet” of 2026 – Thursday March 26 7pm
Come out to our first event of the year and meet the new board members and connect with your fellow TOCA residents. Tell us why you love Thompson Orchard neighbourhood and what your expectations are for the new board members.
Free drink for the first 10 attendees!
When: Thursday March 26, 7pm-9pm Add this to your calendar now!
Where: The Bull Pub and Grill, 3313 Bloor St W. (416) 239-9484
See you there!tors.
Other upcoming events
Spring Creek Clean Up, back by popular demand.
From Meadowcrest to Bloor Street.
Date TDB: Sometime in the Spring after the big winter thaw!
Watch for more info on events like:
- Community Garage Sale – funds raised to go to a local charity TBD
- Hallowe’en Costume Parade – we are determined to bring this back. Volunteer now if you want to see this popular event happen again. Reach out to thompsonorchards@gmail.com
- Holiday House Decorating – you’re going to decorate anyway, just up your game this year. Prizes to be awarded. And you can become the envy of the neighbourhood.
Ideas for another event? Bring them to the Meet and Greet on the 26th at the Bull, or drop us an email note.
Development Update
A few TOCA board members, including our Development Review member, Walter Daschko, have been attending community information meetings on large development proposals that could affect our neighbourhood dramatically. Here are some things we learned from those meetings.
Proposed 29-story Development at 2915-2943 Bloor
A 2025 proposal for 2915–2943 Bloor Street West in Toronto’s Kingsway neighbourhood outlines a 29-storey, mixed-use condominium tower designed by Arcadis. The project by Sevoy Developments includes 423 to 432 residential units, over 1,000 square metres of retail space, and represents a significant shift from previous 7-9 storey proposals.
Key Aspects of the Proposal
- Location: 2915, 2917, 2939, 2941, and 2943 Bloor Street West.
- Building Height: 29 storeys.
- Units: Approximately 423–432 residential units.
- Retail/Office: Approximately 1,024 square metres of non-residential gross floor area.
- Development Type: Mixed-use, transit-oriented development.
- Context: This represents a major escalation from previous proposals, which included a 7-storey proposal (225 units) for the same site in 2022.
December 9th, 2025 Community Meeting Overview
“The public meeting at the church at Bloor and Kipling had in excess of 200 people attending to hear the rationale of 29 storeys on Bloor where 7 storeys was approved as recently as 2022. The mood in the room was mutinous and gritty; guests had trouble sitting through the introduction and the 2 presentations without outbursts of frustration.”
Read more at this FB link, courtesy of Kingsway Park Ratepayers Inc.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CNedojxok/
Most recent update from the city
The following communication was included in the most recent Development Digest from the Ward 3 office, from Deputy Mayor Amber Morley:
“We have recently learned that this development application has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). All negotiation with the City is paused until and if mediation occurs through the appeal process. The application will no longer come before Etobicoke York Community Council for additional public deputations and Committee review/approval.
As this application was appealed prior to City Council passing a decision, City Staff will prepare an Appeal Report with their recommended approach for the City to take at this appeal. When that happens, I will ask Council to direct the City Solicitor to attend the appeal in opposition to the application.
While an appeal is not the outcome we were hoping for, it was a possibility that the developer alluded to at the Community Consultation Meeting in December. We will provide updates as the application moves through the OLT process.”
You can sign up for Ward 3 updates here: https://www.ambermorley.com
TOCA will keep you updated on new information about this proposed development that could affect our neighbourhood negatively and set a precedent for more high rise proposals.
Major Transit Station Areas
On Jan 29th, members of the TOCA board attended an Open House meeting on Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) and Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs).
Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) and Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) are defined areas within about 500 to 800 metres, or roughly a 10 minute walk, of subway stations, GO stations and streetcar stops. There are now 120 of these areas across the city, collectively known as P/MTSAs. Inside these areas, the Province requires that the City plan for growth and development through updated zoning
TOCA’s Development Review Committee identified several issues regarding these initiatives that were shared with the MTSA Zoning Project Team and Councillor Amber Morley, amongst others. Key among the issues raised by TOCA is whether Royal York Station is included as an MTSA, a PMTSA or not at all.
We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Consider Volunteering
Love where you live? Consider volunteering! Let’s keep TOCA alive and our goal of developing community in our special neighbourhood.
Is your teenager interested in marketing and communications? We definitely could use help in that area and it would count towards their community volunteer hours.
Do your kids have a local service they offer – snow shoveling, grass cutting, babysitting, tutoring? Send us an email at thompsonorchards@gmail.com with the details and will add it to our next newsletter. Let us know:
- Kid’s business name
- Service(s) offered
- Contact information
- Address (for TOCA neighbourhood confirmation: address will not be published)
- Parameters Gr 12 and under living in Thompson Orchard
Thanks, take care, and see you in the hood!
Thompson Orchard Community Association 