08/05/2025

RPTV - Healing Our Inner Child: Indigenous Health Gathering Centers Culture, Community Care, and Renewal

Toronto’s Downtown East was home to an inspiring moment of Indigenous-led healing on July 23. Hosted by the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, the 2025 Indigenous Health Gathering took place at the Spaces Building in Moss Park. Under the theme Healing Our Inner Child, the event welcomed community members into a day of ceremony, care, and connection. The Red Bear Singers—residential school survivors—opened the gathering with traditional songs and drums, grounding the space in cultural presence. Around the hall, Indigenous health organizations shared tools and knowledge, including Toronto Public Health, CAMH’s Shkaabe Makwa, and 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. RPTV’s Thunder Cloud interviewed First Nations participants and health advocates, spotlighting services rooted in Indigenous knowledge and addressing the needs of urban Indigenous communities. A powerful teaching came from Anishinaabe Grandmother Vivian Recollet, spirit name Bigasohn Kwe, who spoke on the…

08/05/2025

RPTV - Louis March Park Renaming Celebrated

The City of Toronto officially renamed the Sumach-Shuter Parkette to Louis March Park, in honour of the late community leader and anti-gun violence advocate. A ceremony on July 20 brought together elected officials, community organizers, and residents to recognize March’s decades-long commitment to youth, justice, and healing. The event, held in Regent Park, featured a land acknowledgment, a libation ceremony, spoken word performances, and tributes from those who worked closely with March. Mayor Olivia Chow, Ward 13 Councillor Chris Moise, and MPP Chris Glover all delivered remarks highlighting March’s influence across Toronto, particularly in communities most impacted by violence. Louis March founded the Zero Gun Violence Movement and worked tirelessly to address the root causes of youth violence. His outreach extended to neighbourhoods like Regent Park, where he often collaborated with local organizations, supported grieving families, and organized events promoting peace and…

Shape the future of your community’s parks and recreation facilities
 07/29/2025

Shape the future of your community’s parks and recreation facilities

The City is seeking input from community members to help shape the future of Toronto’s recreation facilities and parks through updates to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan and Parkland Strategy, which guide growth and investment in recreation facilities and parks across the city.

07/23/2025

RPTV - Car Slams Into Café ZUZU in Regent Park — Driver Arrested for Impaired Driving

Early Saturday morning, a vehicle crashed into the front of Café ZUZU, a well-known café in Toronto’s Regent Park neighbourhood, near the corner of Dundas Street East and Sackville Street. Toronto Police say they responded to the single-vehicle collision just before 4:30 a.m. A 36-year-old woman was arrested at the scene for suspected impaired driving. Photos from the crash show shattered glass, twisted metal, and significant damage to the café’s front entrance. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, as Café ZUZU was closed when the crash occurred. Despite the destruction, Café ZUZU has already reopened. Staff, with the help of emergency responders and support from the local community, acted quickly to clean up and restore the space. For many in the area, the café is more than a restaurant — it's a key part of the neighbourhood and a place where people come together. RPTV reporters Jabin and Miguel visited the crash site and spoke with Tyler Rutherford, Director of…

07/23/2025

RPTV - Park Renaming Sparks Community Tensions

The recent renaming of the Sumach-Shuter Parkette to Louis March Park has ignited tensions in a neighbourhood. The change, passed at Toronto City Council in May and led by Councillor Chris Moise, is meant to honour the late community leader and founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement. March, who passed away in 2024, was widely admired for his advocacy in youth empowerment, violence prevention, and justice reform. But for some residents of Trefann Court and the surrounding Corktown area — who live closest to the parkette — the renaming has raised questions not about the man being honoured, but about the process behind the decision. “This is our park — our choice — and that was taken away from us,” said Shane Omar, a resident of Regent Park for over 20 years. “The city says it wants to be transparent, but this wasn’t transparency.” The parkette, affectionately known by locals as “Stinky’s Park,” sits just east of Parliament Street, near Sumach and Shuter. It was…

07/23/2025

RPTV - TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams Speaks Out on Provincial Takeover and Bill 33

At a time of rising concern for public education in Toronto, Regent Park TV sat down with TDSB Trustee Deborah Williams for an important conversation about what’s happening behind the scenes. The interview, recorded at the Focus Media Arts Centre in Regent Park, comes days after the Ontario government placed the Toronto District School Board—and three other major boards—under provincial supervision. Trustee Williams, who represents Ward 10 (University–Rosedale and Toronto Centre), explains what this decision means for students, families, and communities like Regent Park in Toronto’s Downtown East. Since June 27, elected trustees have been stripped of their ability to make decisions, hold meetings, or connect with constituents using board resources. Williams challenges the province’s justification of “financial mismanagement,” pointing instead to chronic underfunding and a growing political agenda that includes Bill 33—a proposed law that would bring police back into…

06/09/2025

Early Local Recreation Registration

When early registration starts on June 3, 2025, at 7 a.m., an Enroll Now button will appear on the map for everyone regardless of eligibility. Only those eligible will be able to proceed with registration. Check the map to find out if you’re eligible.

Hiring: Community Health Ambassadors
 05/22/2025

Hiring: Community Health Ambassadors

Health Access at St. James Town are currently looking for Community Health Ambassadors in Downtown East Toronto. This program is for people who care about helping their community. No work experience is needed—we will provide full training, and participants will receive a stipend (money) for their time.

04/26/2025

Toronto Centre - Candidates Meeting in Regent Park

On Wednesday April 30, 2025, three candidates running for federal elections in the riding of Toronto Centre, met at the Daniels Spectrum Arts Centre in Regent Park, to share their platforms and to answer questions from the Toronto Downtown East Community.

04/14/2025

RPTV - Toronto Centre Candidates and Community Decisions Ahead

With the 2025 federal election fast approaching, Toronto Centre is emerging as one of the most closely watched races in the country. This densely populated riding, which includes Regent Park, St. James Town, Cabbagetown, and Church-Wellesley, represents a diverse and evolving urban landscape. Home to a mix of long-time residents, newcomers, and marginalized communities, the riding faces pressing issues such as housing affordability, social inequality, and economic recovery. As candidates present their platforms, voters will play a crucial role in shaping the future of a riding that reflects both the challenges and opportunities of urban Canada. The race features a strong lineup of candidates. NDP’s Samantha Green emphasizes affordable housing and climate action. Liberal Evan Solomon, a former broadcaster, promotes economic growth and social justice. Conservative Luis Ibarra, a community activist, highlights fiscal responsibility and immigrant engagement. Green Party’s Olivia Iheme…

03/13/2025

RPTV - Gushi's View on Community Change

Shinji Yamaguchi, owner of Gushi, reflects on community transformation and the impact of local redevelopment. Shinji Yamaguchi, the owner of Gushi Japanese Street Food, spoke about the evolving dynamics of his neighborhood since opening his business in 2019. He observed a significant change, particularly after the area's development and demolition of older buildings. One notable aspect was the constant presence of ambulances near Anniversary Park, a common sight as local residents faced health and social challenges. Yamaguchi described the park as a space attracting problematic behavior, with people frequently drinking and leaving trash behind, making it less welcoming. However, he remains hopeful about future improvements as redevelopment plans are expected to brighten the park and surrounding areas. Despite the ongoing issues, Yamaguchi appreciates the neighborhood's growing sense of community and mutual support, which he believes is gradually improving the environment.

03/13/2025

RPTV - Restaurateur Navigates Challenges and Community Support in Regent Park

Regent Park entrepreneur Rashmi Shrestha has turned her passion for the food industry into a thriving business despite economic challenges. Having worked in the food sector for over 15 years, including a managerial role at Whole Foods, she decided to establish her own Asian fusion restaurant, Bowl and Snacks. Her menu features a diverse range of dishes, from sushi to Nepalese, Indian, and Indonesian cuisine, reflecting both her culinary expertise and heritage. Rashmi, a Nepalese immigrant who moved to Canada in 2008, has called Regent Park home for over 16 years. She praises the community's support, crediting locals for helping her business stay afloat. However, she acknowledges the difficulties of running a small restaurant in a neighborhood facing economic struggles, homelessness, and transient customers. Despite these obstacles, Rashmi remains optimistic about the future. To stay competitive, she plans to expand her digital marketing efforts, recognizing that social media outreach…

03/13/2025

RPTV - Neighbourhood Community Officers Discuss Crime Trends and Safety Strategies in Our Local Communities

Regent Park TV recently welcomed Neighbourhood Community Officers from Toronto Police’s 51 Division—Constables Farzad Ghotbi, Mircea Biga, and Illankumaran Shanmuganathan—for an in-depth discussion on safety, crime trends, and community engagement in Regent Park and St. James Town. During the interview, the officers provided updates on crime trends, noting an increase in gun violence compared to 2023, a year that saw no shootings in Regent Park. They emphasized that while overall crime rates fluctuate, continued community collaboration remains crucial. The officers also highlighted their role in trust-building through consistent engagement, working alongside residents to address safety concerns. Another key issue discussed was the rise in hate crimes in our local community, particularly antisemitism and Islamophobia. Officers underscored their commitment to fostering inclusivity by supporting diverse communities and ensuring public safety through education and outreach. As the…