Protect Toronto's Black Creek from Flooding
Good news! We have received substantial private community support and in order to go forward we need only need to raise $5000 to take the next steps, and file the judicial review. We no longer need to worry about covering the cost of the legal fees, but we do need your support to pay filing and processing fees.
We need to act fast and reach our new $5000 goal or Toronto's Black Creek residents may face even worse flood risks than ever before, be further impacted by the meatpacking industry, and lose one of the largest flood plains and undeveloped green spaces along the creek. The protection of this land is urgent because endemic flooding continues to wreak havoc on residents that surround the lot at 200 Rockcliffe Court and the deadline to protect it is fast approaching.
On March 23, 2018 the Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) agreed to grant an easement that would allow the City of Toronto to sell part of our floodplain, at 200 Rockcliffe Court, to the St. Helen's Meatpacking.
At the time we were told that there was nothing the community could do and the decision was final.
However, we have since learned that the community could have requested a judicial review, but this request must be made within 2 years from the date the decision was made. In order to file for the March 23rd, 2020 deadline, we need to retain $5,000 for processing fees.
This judicial review is desperately needed. Homes in the area were flooded twice in 2018, with 2 men narrowly escaping drowning in an elevator just on the other side of the creek from the site. As a naturalized area of grass and trees, 200 Rockcliffe absorbs floodwater and limits flooding nearby. The TRCA's own Environmental Assessment in 2014 recommended that the land be used to mitigate flooding in the area. Instead, the land was sold, potentially putting more lives at risk.
WHY Should the Community Request A JUDICIAL REVIEW?
A judicial review (JR) is the process of challenging the lawfulness of decisions of public authorities, usually local or central government. If a JR claim is successful the usual result is that the decision is "quashed" or nullified. In turn this usually means that the decision has to be taken again.
Since the TRCA decision two men nearly drowned footsteps away from the creek and homes in the area flooded twice in one year. How can the TRCA claim to have a mandate to protect communities from flooding and at the same time allow easement on to city land so it can be sold to a meat packing plant? This is same land they TRCA recommended be used to mitigate flooding in one of their own Environmental Assessments (2014).
Even if we don’t win it puts the city and TRCA on alert, reminding them that residents have rights, the TRCA needs to follow their mandate, decisions should never be based on outdated policies, our flood plain should be safely protected and our that our neighbourhood matters and deserves respect.
Ultimately it’s up to YOU, neighbors and friends of the community to decide IF you want to make this happen.
It’s no easy feat, but certainly not impossible. In order to proceed we have been advised we need to retain $5,000 for processing and filing fees.
The time is now to decide if you want to support this action. It’s your future, your neighborhood, and you have the power.
No donation is too big or too small. If we don’t raise enough money you will get your donation back. If we raise enough funds we will move forward.
York South Weston Flooding Accountability Coalition (YSW-FAC), made up of various community groups in the neighbourhood, has secured a legal team that has experience on these matters. Mount Dennis Community Association, a YSW-FAC member group, has agreed to be the trustee of all funds received on this campaign.
