Open Drug Use, Drug Dealing, Violence & Crime

West Neighbourhood House, The Meeting Place, at 588 Queen Street West has for many years been an important place for people to access support. West Neighbourhood House also does important work for seniors and many other groups at other locations. However, in recent months, The Meeting Place at Queen and Bathurst Streets has become increasingly unsafe with daily calls for 911, fire, police, and ambulance services. 

Recent Violence

On May 7, 2026, there was another tragic stabbing involving a 30-year-old woman at Queen and Bathurst. On February 19, 2026 there was a police report of a man being stabbed inside The Meeting Place.

Neighbours have reported assaults to Toronto Police Service, including a recent incident involving a neighbourhood young person whose personal belongings were stolen. One resident recently reported seeing someone carrying a knife at this intersection during the daytime.

Address the Escalation of Crime

Residents and local businesses are calling for an urgent response from all three levels of government that provide funding, along with 14 Division Toronto Police Service and the United Way, a key donor, to work together and address the escalation of crime, violence, open drug use, drug dealing, refuse, and disorder in the area. The Province of Ontario is the largest funder, providing nearly $10 million in 2025.

2025 Financial Statements: https://www.westnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/West-Neighbourhood-House-FS-A25-FINAL-signed.pdf

Harm Reduction

There is increased drug paraphernalia, including crack pipes, being distributed by West Neighbourhood House in partnership with Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre at 168 Bathurst Street. The result is the The Meeting Place is now a magnet for open drug use, drug dealing, and the dangerous disorder that follows. 

Sidewalks & TTC Stop Dangerously Blocked

Pedestrians are being forced off the sidewalk into fast moving traffic on Bathurst Street because the sidewalk is blocked daily by shopping carts, suitcases, refuse, personal belongings, open drug use, drug dealing, and people tragically incapacitated by opioid use. Emergency vehicles  park in the curb lane forcing traffic into the streetcar priority lane, creating even further traffic congestion and safety risks.

This is a major Toronto intersection and a heavily used TTC streetcar stop and transit users are forced to wait and disembark the streetcar in an increasingly congested and unsafe environment.

No Coordination 

It appears Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (168 Bathurst Street) expanded harm reduction services to West Neighbourhood House without coordination or consideration of the broader impacts on TTC operations, pedestrian safety, traffic flow, nearby businesses, and the surrounding residential neighbourhoods. 

West Neighbourhood House serves an important role, but the current situation has become unmanageable and dangerous.

No Accountability

What is being done to end the open drug use, drug dealing, crime, and violence associated with West Neighbourhood House at 588 Queen Street West? Immediate action, accountability, and a clear resolution are needed to restore public safety. 

What can you do?

Please forward this petition urgently to the email list below: 

• maureenfa@westnh.org (Executive Director, West Neighbourhood House, The Meeting Place)
• info@westnh.org (West Neighbourhood House)
• premier@ontario.ca (Premier Doug Ford)
• sylvia.jones@ontario.ca (Minister of Health)
• mmadahar@uwgt.org (United Way)
• myron.demkiw@torontopolice.on.ca (Toronto Chief of Police)
• 14division@torontopolice.on.ca
• edward.DeNobrega@torontopolice.on.ca (TPS 14 Division)
• domenic.Sinopoli@torontopolice.on.ca (TPS 14 Division)
• joseph.matys@tps.ca (TPS 14 Division)
• 10600@tps.ca (TPS 14 Division)
• ausma.Malik@toronto.ca (Deputy Mayor and Ward 10 Councillor)
• marouan.Malaeb-Proulx3@toronto.ca (Ward 10 Councillor Malik's Office)
• gordon.tanner@toronto.ca (City Shelter Manager)
• mayor_chow@toronto.ca (City of Toronto Mayor)
• CGlover-CO@ndp.on.ca (MPP, Spadina-Fort York Constituency Office)
• chris.glover@ontariondp.ca (MPP, Spadina-Fort York Queens Park Office)
• chi.nguyen@parl.gc.ca (MP, Spadina-Harbourfront)

Thank you for your support. Queen & Bathurst Neighbourhood Residents & Businesses