TO MAYOR JOHN TORY, CITY OF TORONTO, COUNCILLOR JOE CRESSY, COUNCILLOR KRISTYN WONG-TAM and MARY-ANNE BEDARD

The undersigned, request that the Novotel hotel located at 45 The Esplanade, which is currently operating as a temporary homeless shelter until December 31, 2021, close on that date without any extension.

The historic St. Lawrence neighborhood which forms part of Old Town Toronto has been transformed during the years into a SAFE and quiet tree lined architecturally significant stretch of residential street with condos, adjacent public and co-op housing and an enclave of landscaped terrace restaurants; this is a tourist attracting treasure – for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.  It is located within close proximity to the financial district and sporting and theatre venues; the City of Toronto parking lot behind the Novotel is used by people working in the financial district and those accessing the sporting and theatre venues.

The introduction of the homeless shelter into this idyllic neighborhood has transformed it into an open-air, paraphernalia littered, drug market of dealers and users and a hotbed of the property and personal and quality of life crimes that are associated with it.  Its’ neighbors feel, and are, unsafe with this shelter in its midst. 

The Esplanade neighborhood must be returned to what it was!