Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East Calendar Contest
Are you a talented local artist or photographer?
Every year, our calendar is mailed to every household and business in Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East. And we’d like to showcase the talent and the beauty of the community we all call home.
We’re inviting local residents to submit your photos and art, and especially your snapshots of local sights and scenes for our 2027 Calendar.
Please send your high-resolution submission attached to an email to [email protected] and indicate name to be credited (if desired).
Orientation: All photos must be horizontal (landscape format). Vertical photos cannot be accepted.
Dimensions: Photos should ideally be 11 x 8.5 inches (or a minimum resolution of 3300 x 2550 pixels)
Submission deadline: October 15, 2024
Also, if you feel we have missed a major holiday in past calendars that is celebrated by a significant number of local residents please let us know by this date.
Thank you and good luck!
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Thank you for joining our ice cream socials!
Thank you to everyone who joined MPP Adil Shamji and I for our ice cream socials at Fenside Park and Sweeney Park.
We lucked out with great weather as we enjoyed a last taste of summer. I appreciate all the conversations!
(Click for more photos)
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Supporting the Nepalese-Canadian community
I joined the Toronto Nepalese Sports Club (TNSC) Kids Soccer Training Graduation Ceremony 2026, alongside families, coaches, volunteers, and community members.
At a time when the people of Nepal are facing the devastating impact of recent flash floods, it was especially meaningful to be with members of the Nepalese community here in Canada. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, with the families who have lost loved ones, and with those continuing to search for loved ones and recover from this tragedy.
This is a time for solidarity and compassion. The strength and resilience of the Nepalese community, both here in Canada and back home, is a reminder of the importance of standing together in difficult times.
I was also pleased to see the positive impact of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program in supporting TNSC and creating meaningful opportunities for young people in our community.
Thank you to TNSC, the coaches, volunteers, and families for their continued commitment to supporting our community and empowering young people through sport.
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Exciting news for trail lovers and transit users
It was a pleasure to join the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and local community members to celebrate the official opening of Section 3 of The Meadoway!
Our federal government is proud to invest over $1.7 million through the Natural Infrastructure Fund to support this project, alongside substantial funding from the Active Transportation Fund and Parks Canada. These investments ensure our community stays active, healthy, and connected while building a more sustainable environment.
This newly opened 1.1-kilometre extension bridges a critical gap in Scarborough, stretching from south of Arsandco Park to Marcos Boulevard. The upgrades deliver major safety and accessibility improvements, featuring:
* A new multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists.
* A custom pedestrian-cyclist bridge crossing a tributary of Highland Creek.
* A new signalized mid-block crossing at Midland Avenue to keep trail users safe.
* 11 hectares of newly established native meadow habitat supporting local biodiversity, pollinators, and climate resilience.
Once fully complete, The Meadoway will transform 200 hectares of hydro corridor into a continuous, 16-kilometre green space linking the East Don Trail all the way to Rouge National Urban Park!
A huge thank you to TRCA, the Weston Family Foundation, the City of Toronto, and all our dedicated project partners for their collaboration in creating a greener, safer, and more connected community.
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Celebrating Afro-Caribbean art and culture in Scarborough
Had an incredible time celebrating the vibrant cultures, music, and traditions of our African and Caribbean communities at the 15th Annual Afro-Carib Fest!
It was wonderful to see so many families gathered at Thomson Memorial Park to enjoy the live performances, beautiful cultural parade, and local marketplace. A huge shoutout to the Heritage Skills Development Centre (HSDC) for organizing another highly successful event that highlights the diversity that makes Scarborough and the GTA so strong.
And of course, the inaugural "Taste of Afro-Carib Fest" food competition did not disappoint!
Thank you to all the artists, vendors, and volunteers who brought such amazing energy to our community.
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Walking for a stronger community
I was pleased to join the community prayer walk at Wexford Presbyterian Church. Wonderful to see neighbours coming together in faith, unity, and reflection to lift up our community. Thank you to everyone who organized, walked, and shared their prayers for a safer, stronger, and more connected community.
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Another great Taste of Manilla
Taste of Manila is one festival that I never tire of going to: the energy and community are unbelievable year in year out. What a great weekend celebrating Filipino art, culture and food. Mabuhay!
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Standing up for Canadian workers
Canada stands up for our workers, our businesses, and our national interest.
We negotiated in good faith for a fair trade agreement. However, when the United States asked for too much and offered too little, we refused to accept a bad deal. Canada did not choose this conflict, but we will always defend our economy.
Effective September 8, Canada will match the new U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar and rate for rate. We are introducing focused counter-tariffs of 15%, 25%, and 50% on $27.6 billion of U.S. imports. These measures directly protect Canadian workers, producers, and manufacturers in vital sectors like steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
To support our people through this uncertainty, we are also delivering a $7.5 billion support package. This funding will directly assist workers and small-to-medium businesses through:
Worker support: Retention programs, retraining, and income support.
Business tools: Liquidity supports and resources for diversification.
Economic strength: Regional development to keep our communities thriving.
This is about building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy—one where Canada remains the master of its own destiny.
Learn more: Canada announces targeted countermeasures and substantive support for workers and businesses in response to U.S. tariffs
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Kids can’t learn on empty stomachs
The National School Food Program is officially law, making school meals permanent across Canada!
Our government has doubled federal funding to $140 million annually for 2026–27 to ensure up to 400,000 more children can access nutritious food at school.
This permanent investment delivers real, measurable relief where it matters most:
Lowering grocery bills: Participating families with two children can save an estimated $800 a year.
Extra everyday support: This builds on the Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which helped over 4.6 million Ontarians with an average June top-up of $260.
We will keep delivering direct support to cut costs for families and give our kids the healthy start they deserve.
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Canada’s economy is growing
Canadians are looking for a clear economic plan, and that is exactly what we are delivering.
The latest GDP numbers prove that our strategy to build the strongest economy in the G7 is working. Growth in the second quarter rebounded by 3.3%, driven by higher exports, household spending, and business capital investment.
Here is how the numbers break down for Q2 2026:
Economic Growth: Rebounded by 3.3%, with Q1 growth also revised upwards.
Export Surge: Rose by 3.6%—the largest single-quarter increase since early 2023.
Business Investment: Capital investment increased by 2.3%.
Through Budget 2025 and the Spring Economic Update, we are making generational investments to build a stronger, more resilient, and more sovereign economy—even in the face of historic global tariffs and geopolitical volatility.
By diversifying our trading relationships, advancing major projects, and investing directly in workers, we are driving down costs. Our targeted affordability measures are already saving families thousands of dollars per year.
We will continue building on this progress to deliver a stronger, more competitive, and more affordable Canada for everyone.
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Investing in climate resilience
Climate change isn’t a distant threat—it is a present reality for Canadian communities.
To help protect our towns and cities, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are investing $34.2 million through the Green Municipal Fund. This vital funding supports 141 local adaptation projects across 128 communities.
Why this matters:
Action on the ground: Supports risk assessments, climate-focused asset management, and long-term adaptation planning.
Empowering leaders: Equips local governments with the funding and skills needed to manage future climate risks.
Smart savings: Every $1 spent on climate resilience today saves Canadians up to $15 in the long term. By building resilience now, we keep Canadians safe, protect our local economies, and keep life affordable for the future.
Learn more: Minister Dabrusin announces 141 new projects to help protect 128 communities from climate risks
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More homes people can afford
We’re building more homes and making them affordable!
By eliminating the 13% HST on new Ontario homes under $1M, we are saving buyers up to $130,000.The results speak for themselves:
* Sales up 130% year-over-year
* 8,410 families bought new homes last quarter
* 17,300 construction jobs protected
Our plan is working, keeping costs down, and getting more shovels in the ground across Ontario.
Learn more: New home sales across Ontario see positive uptick in Q2 thanks to HST rebate program
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More Canadians are working
Three straight months of job gains and strong GDP growth show our plan is working.
Canadians need a government focused on growth, good jobs and affordability. We’re diversifying our trade relationships, getting major projects moving, investing in workers, and driving down costs—including through the middle-class tax cut and Groceries and Essentials Benefit.
We’ll keep attracting investment, strengthening Canadian competitiveness, and building a strong, sovereign economy that works for everyone.
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August 1st was Emancipation Day
On Emancipation Day, we remember the day the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect across the British Empire, including Canada.
We honour the strength, resilience, and lasting contributions of Black Canadians while reflecting on the enduring legacy of slavery and the work still ahead to advance equality, justice, and inclusion.
Together, we must continue building a Canada free from racism and discrimination.
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© 2026 Salma Zahid
