Events
2025 Events: SLNA Fall Meet & Greet
November 17 at the Jason George
A Heartwarming Evening!
More than 60 neighbours, delegates, volunteers and guests came together for SLNA's Fall Meet & Greet on Monday November 17th at the Jason George on Front St. E. The night was filled with great conversations, laughter, and community spirit.
We celebrated the incredible people who make our neighbourhood thrive, shared ideas for the year ahead, and even gave away some fantastic prizes!
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us and to our amazing volunteers for making it all happen. Working together, we keep the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood strong, connected, and full of heart.
More than 60 neighbours, delegates, volunteers and guests came together for SLNA's Fall Meet & Greet on Monday November 17th at the Jason George on Front St. E. The night was filled with great conversations, laughter, and community spirit.
We celebrated the incredible people who make our neighbourhood thrive, shared ideas for the year ahead, and even gave away some fantastic prizes!
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us and to our amazing volunteers for making it all happen. Working together, we keep the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood strong, connected, and full of heart.
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2025 Events: Participatory Budgeting (2023)
Heritage Commemoration - Original Ten Blocks Banner Project
A successful Participatory Budgeting Project in the 2023 cycle for the St. Lawrence neighbourhood was the Original Ten Blocks Commemorative Banner Project. Twelve historic buildings which stand or stood along King St. E. between George and Berkeley are featured on pole banners, such as the one for Nealon House at 197 King St. E., pictured at the right. The featured King St. E. buildings/addresses are:
1. 197 King St. E.; the Nealon House, 1888
2. 200 King St. E.; Christie, Brown & Company, 1874
3. King St. E. at Frederick; Alexander Wood House, c. 1801
4. 204 King St. E.; Adam Brothers Harness Manufacturing Co., 1903
5. 214 King St. E.; W.A. Drummond Dairy Supply Co., 1911
6. 215 King St. E.; Bank of Upper Canada, c. 1818
7. 230 King St. E.; Imperial Bank of Canada, 1908
8. 240 King St. E.; Frank Rosar, Undertaker, c. 1884
9. 254 King St. E.; Noble's Tavern, 1847
10. 260 King St. E.; Drug Trading Company, 1915
11. 278 King St. E.; Maryville Lodge, c. 1794
12. 299 King St. E.; Berkeley House, c. 1795
The project was completed in October 2025 with the installation of banners along King St. E.
For complete details of the banners, locations and building histories, click the link below:
Heritage Banner Project - Original Ten Blocks
1. 197 King St. E.; the Nealon House, 1888
2. 200 King St. E.; Christie, Brown & Company, 1874
3. King St. E. at Frederick; Alexander Wood House, c. 1801
4. 204 King St. E.; Adam Brothers Harness Manufacturing Co., 1903
5. 214 King St. E.; W.A. Drummond Dairy Supply Co., 1911
6. 215 King St. E.; Bank of Upper Canada, c. 1818
7. 230 King St. E.; Imperial Bank of Canada, 1908
8. 240 King St. E.; Frank Rosar, Undertaker, c. 1884
9. 254 King St. E.; Noble's Tavern, 1847
10. 260 King St. E.; Drug Trading Company, 1915
11. 278 King St. E.; Maryville Lodge, c. 1794
12. 299 King St. E.; Berkeley House, c. 1795
The project was completed in October 2025 with the installation of banners along King St. E.
For complete details of the banners, locations and building histories, click the link below:
Heritage Banner Project - Original Ten Blocks
2025 Events: Participatory Budgeting (2023)
Streetscape Improvement - Garbage Receptacle Wraps
A second successful Participatory Budgeting project, approved in the 2023 cycle, was a pilot project to design and install decorative wraps on six garbage receptacles in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood. SLNA worked closely with the Toronto Centre Councillor's office and STEPS Public Art to select an artist and develop two different designs which evoke the spirit and feel of the neighbourhood.
The wraps were installed in October 2025 at four locations around Berczy Park and two locations further east, on the south side of Front St. E., near the St. Lawrence Market.
The wraps were installed in October 2025 at four locations around Berczy Park and two locations further east, on the south side of Front St. E., near the St. Lawrence Market.
Artist Caitlin Taguibao is an illustrator and mural artist based in Toronto. She is interested in how public art nurtures public space, and aims to create works that can both reflect and uplift the communities they are in. This is Caitlin's statement about these two pieces:
"Whenever I am down in the St. Lawrence / Old Town Toronto neighbourhood, I always feel a sense of liveliness and activity.
Whether it’s through the various food vendors at the St. Lawrence Market, the vibrant public spaces, the vast array of
restaurants or the theatres and cultural events, there is always something for everyone."
2025 Events: SLNA Canada Day Celebration
We hope you were able to join SLNA for a fun-filled entertaining day in St. James Park on July 1, 2025, featuring entertainment, activities for children and adults and remarks from our federal, provincial and municipal representatives.
If you'd like to share pictures from that event, please send them to [email protected] for posting on this page.
2025 Events: SLNA WRG Leadership Award
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On Friday, May 30 at Queen's Park, Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam presented a Toronto Centre Leadership Award to the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association's Waste Reduction Group in recognition of their "profound and lasting contributions to the Toronto Centre Community". "Far and away the best program of its kind in the City, possibly the Province", Wong-Tam stated at the SLNA Community Meeting earlier that week. Accepting the award on behalf of the Waste Reduction Group and all its volunteers were Bruno Leps and Nancy Fung.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Waste Reduction Group for your efforts. The Community very much appreciates it and the recognition is well deserved!
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2025 Events: 13th REmarket, May 28, 29
Thank you to Everyone -- volunteers, community, participants, and partners --
for making WRG's REmarket # 13 another great success!
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On May 28 and 29, 2025, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood community and 54 volunteers help saved more unwanted goods from landfill!
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2024 Events: Community Builder Awards Night, Toronto Centre
St. Lawrence Hall; December 11, 2024
Toronto Centre is a vibrant community filled with remarkable individuals who go above and beyond to make our neighbourhoods a better place to live, work, and play. It's inspiring to witness the boundless dedication, energy, and passion that our residents pour into improving our community.
Community Builder Award winners are people who have truly made a difference. From tending to public gardens and adorning our streets with beautiful murals, to championing safer neighbourhoods and even naming our beloved laneways, their contributions have made our neighbourhoods more lively, connected, and vibrant.
Each year, Toronto Centre shines a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond to create positive change in their neighbourhoods.
Community Builder Award winners are people who have truly made a difference. From tending to public gardens and adorning our streets with beautiful murals, to championing safer neighbourhoods and even naming our beloved laneways, their contributions have made our neighbourhoods more lively, connected, and vibrant.
Each year, Toronto Centre shines a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond to create positive change in their neighbourhoods.
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2024 Award, St Lawrence Neighbourhood: Nancy Fung
Nancy Fung is a passionate community builder dedicated to creating a healthier and more vibrant St. Lawrence neighbourhood. Her commitment to waste reduction initiatives has profoundly impacted the community, educating countless residents about sustainable living and inspiring meaningful everyday actions. Through her leadership, Nancy has embodied the spirit of change and collaboration, demonstrating the power of working together for a common cause. Nancy's tireless dedication and care for the St. Lawrence neighbourhood set an exemplary standard for all, reminding us of the lasting impact that committed leaders can have on building better communities for future generations. To learn about other award winners in Toronto Centre, click here. |
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2024 Events: SLNA Canada Day Celebration
St. James Park; July 1, 2024
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2024 Events: 10th REmarket
St. Lawrence Market tent; June 12-13, 2024
SLNA's Waste Reduction Group (WRG) held its 10th REmarket event on June 12 and 13 in the St. Lawrence Market tent on The Esplanade.
Growing with each successive event, REmarket is making a difference. It has a direct and tangible impact on both the environment and the social welfare of our local community. Community members continue to express enthusiastically their appreciation for REmarket’s services and eagerly await the next event. This kind of neighbourhood support makes it possible to continue to expand REmarket's impact.
Thanks to the WRG for its leadership, enthusiasm and dedication to this event and to the many hundreds of neighbours who are committed to reducing waste.
Highlights:
Ever-expanding REuse, REcycling, and Disposal programs, included the following items collected:
Information Tables:
The next REmarket is scheduled for October 9-10, 2024
Growing with each successive event, REmarket is making a difference. It has a direct and tangible impact on both the environment and the social welfare of our local community. Community members continue to express enthusiastically their appreciation for REmarket’s services and eagerly await the next event. This kind of neighbourhood support makes it possible to continue to expand REmarket's impact.
Thanks to the WRG for its leadership, enthusiasm and dedication to this event and to the many hundreds of neighbours who are committed to reducing waste.
Highlights:
- 40 individual volunteers; many who worked multiple shifts over the 2 days
- 37 skids of donations (over10,000 lbs) to The Salvation Army
- 3 skids (approx. 2,000 lbs) of electronic e-waste, plus 20 laptops/tablets/electronic items for reuse (thanks to Renewed Computer Technology)
- Repair Café Toronto had 34 volunteers (fixers, apprentices, and support) who repaired 126 items
- 25 bikes were brought in for small repairs by CultureLink Bike Hub’s 3 volunteers
Ever-expanding REuse, REcycling, and Disposal programs, included the following items collected:
- 240 pairs of prescription glasses for redistribution by Optic Zone
- 16.3 kg of oral care waste, 680 razors, 191 Brita filters, 119 empty coffee bean bags, 215 coffee pods to various Terracycle Recycling programs
- 5 – 50 litre bins of Household Hazard Waste for pick up
- 7 reusable shopping bags of cosmetic items went to the Pact program via HBC
- Over 660 cleaned prescription bottles to be redistributed for reuse by Earthub
- 1 large box of unusable writing instruments, 8 medium bags of batteries and 3 large boxes of toner cartridges for recycling at Staples
- 2283 single use masks for recycling by Canada Strong Masks
- 19 smartphones for CNIB’s Phone It Forward program
- over 11,000 cigarette butts were dropped off by residents for recycling by Terracycle
- 6 large boxes of black take-away containers to be recycled for reuse by Plastic Flux
- 3 bags of art supplies will be dropped off at local shelters
- all reusable shopping bags left over from donations went to the New Toronto Food Bank
Information Tables:
- TransformTO/Live Green Toronto
- City of Toronto 3Rs Ambassador Program/Solid Waste Management
- Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)/Reusable Toronto
The next REmarket is scheduled for October 9-10, 2024
2024 Events: Celebrating the achievements of the West Don Lands Committee: 1997-2024
Corktown Common; June 8, 2024
On June 8, 2024 SLNA co-hosted (along with neighbouring associations GWNA, EWCA, CDNA and CRBA) a celebration of the significant accomplishments of the West Don Lands Committee over a period of almost 30 years as the work of representing the new neighbourhoods the Committee helped to create is turned over to the residents and successor associations.
The program featured an Indigenous welcome from singer and drummer, Danielle Migwans with remarks from Michael Millward, both from Anishnawbe Health Toronto, followed by remarks and remembrances from Meg Davis of Waterfront Toronto, Tom Davidson and Macy Parakh from the offices of Deputy Mayor Malik and Councillor Moise, MPP's Chris Glover and Kristyn Wong-Tam and long time co-chairs of the committee Cynthia Wilkey and John Wilson.
Equally important was the opportunity for current and former colleagues to catch up and reminisce.
Thanks to everyone who attended, to the rain for holding off just long enough, to Waterfront Toronto for the interactive display and photo booth, to Distillery Events for the food and to the financial sponsors: Architects Alliance,
The program featured an Indigenous welcome from singer and drummer, Danielle Migwans with remarks from Michael Millward, both from Anishnawbe Health Toronto, followed by remarks and remembrances from Meg Davis of Waterfront Toronto, Tom Davidson and Macy Parakh from the offices of Deputy Mayor Malik and Councillor Moise, MPP's Chris Glover and Kristyn Wong-Tam and long time co-chairs of the committee Cynthia Wilkey and John Wilson.
Equally important was the opportunity for current and former colleagues to catch up and reminisce.
Thanks to everyone who attended, to the rain for holding off just long enough, to Waterfront Toronto for the interactive display and photo booth, to Distillery Events for the food and to the financial sponsors: Architects Alliance,
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2024 Events: Celebrating SLNA's 41 years of service to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood.
Celebration of SLNA's 41st Anniversary at Novotel-Toronto Centre: February 12, 2024
February 12, 2024: Presentation of Certificate to SLNA by MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam.
Pictured: current and former Board members (left to right) Ronnie Yaron, Donna Patterson, Catherine Limberte (partially hidden) Toby Tenenbaum, Nancy Fung, Renate Tilson, Stewart Linton, MPP Chris Glover, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, Victoria Ilgacs, Sharon McMillan, Suzanne Kavanagh |
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On February 12, 2024, SLNA hosted neighbourhood residents for a most enjoyable evening of fellowship and conversation at Novotel Toronto Centre. It was a 'registration required' event and was booked to capacity. Thanks to everyone that attended and thanks to Novotel for their support. Look for announcements of future events in the SLNA newsletter.
2023 Events: Celebrating SLNA's 40 years of service to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood.
Parliament Square Park Cycle Track:
Official Ribbon Cutting, August 17, 2023
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SLNA / JAMII Celebratory Indigenous Mural:
Official Unveiling, June 21, 2023
Co-produced by SLNA and JAMII, this community mural on the exterior wall of the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre at 230 The Esplanade was unveiled on June 21, 2023. Designed and painted by artist Darwin Peters of Pikangikum First Nation, assisted by members of the Community, the mural will serve as a legacy feature and celebratory landmark honouring the SLNA's 40 years of service to the residents of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.
Following is the artist's statement:
Following is the artist's statement:
- The turtles represent life from the new to the old, and the journey from the beginning to the end. The turtles also represent the land we live on, where everything grows, flourishes and thrives, like the fish.
- Not only do the fish provide the food we eat, but they also represent friendship: they come along together, they make mischief together, and they become like family when they are forming a pack.
- The roots at the bottom of the tree are going in different directions, then they grow stronger, and at the end, the roots become floral. This symbolizes my life: all the struggles I have been through, how I grew stronger from them, and how I found a light through the arts and became the artist I was meant to be. I hope that people can be whoever they want to be and be where they want to be.
- The birds on the tree branches are watching the sun and then the moon. Every time I go to sleep, I see the moon. Every time I wake up, I see the sun and I am thankful to see yet another day. I wish that everyone can feel gratitude for each new day.
- Everywhere I look in this community (The Esplanade), I see different faces, races, cultures, languages and religions, and that makes me happy. It shows me how life can be when we are around each other. This is how I represented this community with the birds living in the tree.
- In the canoe, you can see the thunderbird beings, with their pet fox. The thunderbird in the middle points in the direction where to go next. As a family, they paddle on their journey through life and bring light into their community. I hope I contributed to this community by bringing colours here.
- When thunderbirds are finished with their work, they bring in other people to see what they’ve made. This is a metaphor for my life as well.
- The stars represent our ancestors shining bright light on us and they give us directions for the North, South, East and West, so that we can follow each star we see in the sky.
- The feathers are there for the loved ones we lost too soon and we carry in our hearts.
- The butterflies can fly wherever they want to be; they are free. Someone from the community also suggested they represent transformation through healing.
- The three leaves have a meaning of new beginning, new life, and a new chapter starting.
SLNA's Canada Day Celebration: July 1, 2023
Love Letters to the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood:
SLNA's 40th Anniversary; February 14, 2023
