South Etobicoke Residents Sue City Over Proposed Homeless Shelter

Residents of South Etobicoke have initiated legal action against the City of Toronto in a bid to prevent the establishment of a proposed homeless shelter. The South Etobicoke Community Association filed a statement of claim in the Ontario Superior Court, targeting the City of Toronto, local Councillor Amber Morley, and consultant Bruce Davis of Public Progress. The group seeks an injunction to halt the project and is demanding $1 million in damages, arguing that the site-selection process was flawed and biased.

The shelter, intended to accommodate 50 seniors, is planned for a city-owned parking lot located at 66 Third Street, near Lake Shore Boulevard. According to the City of Toronto, the facility is expected to open between 2028 and 2030 and will provide essential support services to help seniors gain stability and reduce social isolation.

Dan Perdue, a spokesperson for the New Toronto Initiative, emphasized the group’s desire for further consultation on the matter. “At the end of the day, what we want to do is see an injunction towards this. We want to see it stopped, and let’s bring this back to proper consultation,” he stated, highlighting concerns about the shelter’s impact on the community.

City Responds to Lawsuit

The City of Toronto has confirmed receipt of the legal claim and is currently reviewing its contents. A spokesperson for the City stated, “The City cannot comment further at this time as the matter involves ongoing legal proceedings.” Councillor Morley, who represents the Etobicoke-Lakeshore area, clarified her role, asserting that she did not participate in the site selection process. She expressed her support for the project, stating, “As part of the City’s response to the growing housing and homelessness crisis, 66 Third Street has been identified as one of several new shelter sites across Toronto.”

Morley further noted the importance of ensuring that the shelter is designed and operated thoughtfully, incorporating feedback from local residents. “I want to be clear that I was not involved in selecting this location; local Councillors are not part of the site selection process,” she added.

Consultant Bruce Davis acknowledged the lawsuit but refrained from commenting on its specifics. “I have not seen the statement of claim, but it is important that I not interfere in any potential judicial process,” he stated. Davis underscored his commitment to community engagement and the belief that vibrant neighborhoods are shaped by collaborative efforts.

Community Perspectives on the Shelter

The proposed shelter is part of a broader initiative by the City to address the escalating homelessness crisis. The City has earmarked multiple locations across Toronto for new shelters, with 66 Third Street specifically designated for seniors. Local resident Susannah Lavallee expressed strong support for the initiative. “This shelter will happen,” she affirmed. “To ensure that our unhoused seniors can age in place, can be surrounded by a beautiful neighbourhood, by parks and community, which we would all agree seniors deserve.”

Contrastingly, Perdue raised concerns regarding the shelter’s location, arguing it may lead to increased drug-related issues and crime in the area. “The shelter is going to have the added effect of an increase in addiction, drug dealers in the neighbourhood,” he stated. The lawsuit alleges that both Councillor Morley and Davis engaged in conflicts of interest, as well as asserting that the chosen site violates municipal bylaw requirements. It is important to note that these claims have yet to be proven in court.

Councillor Morley reiterated the need for well-designed shelters to address homelessness. “Like many neighbourhoods across Toronto, we have seen the impact of rising housing instability and lack of accessible supports,” she noted. “A well-run, modern shelter is more than a temporary solution. It is a safe place where people find stability, access to necessary wrap-around supports, and begin the transition to permanent housing.”

The New Toronto Initiative maintains that the lawsuit’s focus is not financial but rather about ensuring accountability within the community. Should there be any financial outcome from the legal proceedings, members have expressed intent to reinvest those funds into community initiatives.