The Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations Incorporated (FoNTRA) is a not for profit organization now comprised of over 30 residents’ associations, located between Bloor Street, Sheppard Avenue, the Don Valley Parkway and Bathurst Street in the City of Toronto. We monitor, investigate and help solve urban planning issues, share best practices and represent common interests of our members with all levels of government.
Current Issues
Provincial overreach
Toronto, along with municipalities across Ontario, has suffered an avalanche of provincial laws, regulations, and policies affecting planning and development, all without prior consultation or engagement with the City of Toronto and its residents. As a result, residents are largely unaware both of the changes, and their impacts, and of how the City has responded to them.
Growing space for trees: : Protecting and enhancing the tree canopy while supporting infill housing and addressing concerns with iceberg homes – Recommendation Report
We strongly support the Growing Space for Trees concept and the proposed policy direction intended to (a) protect and enhance the tree canopy while supporting Infill Housing and (b) address concerns with Iceberg Homes.
Housing Action Plan: Avenues Policy Review Phase 2, Wards 9 & 11
The report, dealing with Wards 9 and 11, represents the first stage in the implementation of the Avenues Policy Review to “modernize” policies and zoning to enable mid-rise buildings along Avenues. The report studies new and previously re- examined Avenues to determine where redesignation to Mixed Use Areas or Apartment Neighbourhoods with corresponding zoning is appropriate to enable mid- rise development.
Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs) & Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs) in-effect
On August 15, 2025, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved six OPAs bringing new policies for 25 MTSAs and 95 PMTSAs into force and effect. The Minister’s Decisions made modifications to the height and density of the Council-adopted OPAs, increasing permitted building heights and densities near transit. The approval of these OPAs brings Inclusionary Zoning policies into effect in certain PMTSAs.
Retail on major streets
The initiative would permit a range of businesses with patios, including cafés, restaurants, bars, retail stores, and professional offices. This would apply residential properties currently located on Major Streets, and selected corner lots on Community Streets. The by-laws allowing these uses were adopted and partially adopted on November 12, 2025.
Annual General Meeting 2025 and Monthly General Meeting
We invite all members of FoNTRA to the Annual General Meeting. We encourage all member organizations to register for the AGM with Eventbrite to assist us in managing the attendee list.
The AGM will start at 6:00 pm and will precede the General Members Meeting (GMM) that will begin at the regularly scheduled time of 7:00 pm.
