Protect Smythe Park! Demand a Better Flood Plan.
Rockcliffe-Smythe residents and supporters are calling for a pause on the current Flood Mitigation Project. While we support flood protection, the current plan prioritizes excessive concrete paving over our natural environment.
What’s at stake?
- Destruction of up to 2,000 trees and irreparable damage to Smythe Park.
- Technical miscalculations that will leave most homes unprotected.
- Threats to property values and local ecosystems.
We are demanding:
- An Independent Review: Pause the project for a 3rd party review which includes development and sewer “upgrades” throughout the Black Creek watershed. Do not move forward until a plan is in place that will protect all homes.
- Transparency: A public meeting with Mayor Chow, Councillor Nunziata, and Federal reps to answer our concerns.
- Smarter Sequencing: Replace the Scarlett Rd. bridge before the Jane St. bridge.
- Clean Water: An immediate end to raw sewage discharge into Black Creek.
- Naturalization: Vastly reduce the huge 55 metre channel lined with cement and incorporate naturalization. Restore Lavender Creek, do not cement it in.
- Protection: Meet with Friends of Smythe Park and property owners west of Jane to discuss further flooding mitigation plans for that area.
Take Action Now! Click here to auto send the email below or copy and paste it, customize it as you wish. Our community deserves flood protection that works with nature, not against it.
TAKING ACTION FOR ROCKCLIFFE-SMYTHE
Urgent: Request for an Independent Review of the Rockcliffe-Smythe Flood Mitigation Project
To: councillor_nunziata@toronto.ca; mayor_chow@toronto.ca; ahmed.hussen@parl.gc.ca Cc: mark.carney@parl.gc.ca julie.dabrusin@parl.gc.ca; gary.anand@parl.gc.ca; Gregor.Robertson@parl.gc.ca; paula_fletcher@toronto.ca; councillor_saxe@toronto.ca; mohamed.firin@pc.ola.org; premier@ontario.ca
Dear Mayor Chow, Councillor Nunziata, and The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, MP
As a resident of the Rockcliffe-Smythe area, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the current Rockcliffe-Smythe Flood Mitigation Project.
While I support flood mitigation, the current plan prioritizes excessive concrete paving over naturalization in our community and places our most valuable asset: Smythe Park at risk of irreparable damage. The removal of what could be 2000 trees and the interference of our right and our children’s right to enjoy nature is unacceptable and threatens our property values. I am specifically concerned about reports of technical miscalculations. It has been reported that the majority of homes upstream will not be protected from flooding.
I am joining my neighbours in calling for:
- An Independent Review: Pause the project until an independent impartial review of the engineering and environmental impact of the entire Black Creek watershed is completed.
- Transparency: A public meeting with Mayor Olivia Chow, Councillor Frances Nunziata and a Federal representative to address communities concerns. Our requests to date have been unanswered.
- Smarter Sequencing: Replace the Scarlett Rd. bridge before the Jane St. bridge to manage water flow more effectively.
- Clean Water: An immediate end to raw sewage discharge into Black Creek.
Our community deserves flood protection that works with nature, not against it. I look forward to your prompt response and a commitment to a more sustainable solution.
Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Postal Code/Street Name]