In December, many of you wrote to City Council about the Avenues policy — and it worked. Council voted to exclude all school lands from mid-rise development, protecting schools, playgrounds, and community space across the city as the Avenues framework is rolled out.
But now, Toronto’s school boards have filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal to overturn this decision. The Catholic Church is also appealing to have church lands included, which City staff had originally excluded. There is a CMC virtual meeting at the OLT for Parties, Participants and the public on April 8, 2026. (See details here).
What we need you to do now
Please sign the petition saying NO to development on school lands and share it widely. We are also asking you to write to the Province requesting that the appeal be withdrawn. Details on who to contact and what to say are included at the end of this email.
Why this matters
If the appeal succeeds, hundreds of active school properties along major streets — including buildings, playgrounds, and parking lots — could be redesignated to allow mid-rise development (6–14 storeys).
I strongly oppose the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal against City Council’s decision to exclude school lands from the Avenues rezoning. Please ensure the City Solicitor is directed to fully and vigorously defend Council’s decision. School properties must remain protected public assets for students and neighbourhood communities.
At the same time, school boards are now under provincial control rather than locally elected trustees, reducing local accountability. Short-term decisions risk permanent consequences — schools could close based on current projections, only for demographics to shift again, leaving communities without the schools they need.
School lands are essential community infrastructure — not just for students, but for the surrounding neighbourhoods that rely on them for open space, recreation, and gathering. Once these lands are lost, they are almost impossible to replace.
Who to write to & key message
Premier Doug Ford – premier@ontario.ca
Education Minister Paul Calandra – minister.edu@ontario.ca
Copy Councillor Amber Morley councillor_morley@toronto.ca
MPP Lee Fairclough: lfairclough.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
ask your MPP to urge the Province to have the boards withdraw the appeal. Both boards are currently under provincial supervision.
Sample message (Mayor & Councillor)::
I strongly oppose the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board to appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal against City Council’s decision to exclude school lands from the Avenues rezoning. Please ensure the City Solicitor is directed to fully and vigorously defend Council’s decision. School properties must remain protected public assets for students and neighbourhood communities.
Sample message (MPP):
I am writing to express concern about the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board appeal of City Council’s decision to exclude school lands from the Avenues rezoning.Given that both boards are currently under provincial supervision, I urge the Province to direct the boards to withdraw this appeal. School properties are long-term public infrastructure and should not be positioned for intensified redevelopment without local consultation.
Thank you again — your voices made a real difference in December, and they matter again now.
You own these land assets as a taxpayer. Don't let them be sold off to private interests for their personal profit.