Links and Resources
This page lists useful links to community organizations, services and resources.
Frequently Used Numbers
http://www.toronto.ca/services/alpha_dir.htm
Access Toronto – City Directory & Info |
416-338-0338 |
Animal Services |
416-338-PAWS (7297) |
Building Permits |
416-396-7526 |
City Tree Maintenance |
416- 338-TREE (8733) |
Community Service Information |
211 |
Fire Services (non-emergency number) |
416-338-9050 |
Garbage/Green Bin/Recycling/Yard Waste |
416-338-2010 |
Municipal Licensing Enforcement |
416-396-7071 |
Parking Enforcement |
416-808-2222 |
Parks and Recreation |
416-392-1111 |
Police (41 Division non-emergency number) |
416-808-4100 |
Road Closure |
416-599-9090 |
Sewers and Drains |
416-338-8888 |
Snow Removal |
416-338-SNOW (7669) |
Street Light Repairs ( Toronto Hydro) |
416-542-3195 |
Toronto Health Connection |
416-338-7600 |
Toronto Public Library |
416-393-7131 |
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) |
416-393-INFO (4636) |
Transportation Inquiries (missing signs, malfunctioned traffic light, pothole etc) |
416-338-9999 |
Other Levels of Government
Member of Parliament, Scarborough Southwest, Tom Wappel
http://www.tomwappelmp.ca
(416) 261-8613
Member of Provincial Government, Scarborough Southwest, Lorenzo Berardinetti
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_detail.do?locale=en&ID=2143
(416) 261-9525
School Board Trustee, Ward 18, Gary Crawford
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/viewitem.asp?siteid=224&pageid=224&menuid=224
(416) 393-8815
New Resource for the Public
Public Information, working with the City Clerk's Office and Strategic Communications, has produced an online publication entitled "Participate in Your Local Government". It is available on the Access ... (more) Toronto website at:
http://www.toronto.ca/accesstoronto/publications.htm
http://www.toronto.ca/accesstoronto/pdfs/local_government_guide.pdf
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Community Radar Speed Watch
*Do you live on a two lane street with a speed limit of 50km/h or less?
*Are you concerned about the number of vehicles speeding on your neighbourhood streets?
*Are you interested in doing ... (more) your part to find a solution to local speeding and traffic conerns?
If you answered yes to the above questions, consider volunteering your time to the Radar Speed Watch program.
How does it work?
Concerned neighbours or community groups can borrow the Radar Message Board and use it on residential two lane roads.
The Radar Message Board is a portable radar device which displays a driver's speed on a large display board.
What are My Responsibilities if I Participate?
The Radar Message Board is available free of charge for up to 3 consecutive days. The Board is not to be used for periods of more than 2 consecutive hours.
Community members who participate in the project are responsible for:
*Keeping track of the number of vehicles that pass by message board.
*Recording the number of cars that exceed the speed limit.
*Reporting the license plate number of cars that exceed the speed limit by more than 15km/h to Toronto Police Services, 41 Division. A warning letter will then be issued to the owners of these vehicles.
To reserve the Radar Message Board for your neighbourhood or to get more information about the program call:
Toronto Police 41 Division Traffic
416-808-4124
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General garbage and recycling information
Please ensure that your items are set out at the curb by 7am. Check your garbage and recycling collection calendar for detailed ... (more) information on correct set-out of garbage and recyclables.
Home composting
Backyard composting can reduce your garbage by as much as 30 per cent and in return produce an excellent additive for your garden. To purchase a composter call 416-392-9573.
Grasscycling
The City of Toronto does not collect grass clippings and you can no longer take them to a City transfer station and pay a disposal fee. Please grasscycle -- leave your grass clippings on the lawnor compost them at home. By doing so, you will reduce the need for fertilizers by 30 per cent and also reduce weeds. As grass clippings are 90 per cent water, leaving them on the lawn will help to retain moisture and reduce the need for water. Mulching blades are an inexpensive attachment for your lawnmower that will shred grass cuttings into a natural fertilizer and eliminate the need to rake and bag. For lawn care tips call 416-397-LAWN.
Recycling depots and boxes
Community recycling depots are located throughout the city. The recycling depots accept all recycling items, no charge, from residents and businesses that generate small volumes. Replacement recycling boxes are available. Call your community office listed below for locations and further details.
Illegal dumping
Dumping of garbage on city streets, boulevards and private property is illegal. Anyone found dumping garbage on City or private property will be prosecuted. Please report any illegal dumping to your local community office.
Regardless of where you live in the city, you can contact your community collection office by calling 416-338-2010.
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Protect Your PIN – Protect Your Money
November marks the start of the busy holiday shopping season. As millions of transactions are successfully processed during this time of year, Interac Association and its members remind you to ... (more) protect your money by protecting your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Interac Association and its members are working to protect you from debit card fraud and enhance the security of Interac transactions.
Technology now in place can track suspicious purchase patterns and trigger a ‘hold’ on further activity until you identity can be confirmed through your financial institution.
For your part, there are a number of things you can do to help protect yourself from debit card fraud.
- Always shield your PIN when you enter it.
- Never share your PIN – even with your family or friends.
- Avoid an obvious number, such as a birth date or phone number.
If you become a victim of debit card fraud, you are protected by the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services. Under this code, proven victims of debit card fraud will not suffer any financial losses.
For more information about debit card safety, please visit href="http://www.protectyourpin.com">http://www.protectyourpin.com
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Buying Auto Insurance
A common auto insurance scam involves tricking consumers into paying for “cheap” auto insurance coverage that is invalid.
What Can You Do?
- Do not pay a referral fee – licensed agents ... (more) and brokers do not charge you fees.
- Do not pay your auto insurance premium through a transfer or money wiring service – this is not a practice in the insurance industry.
- If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact the police.
- Check that the insurance company you are dealing with is licensed. Go to http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca (click Licensing & Registration, Licensed Insurance Companies in Ontario).
- Make sure the individual you are dealing with is licensed as a broker or agent and is legally allowed to sell auto insurance – check http://www.ribo.com (click Consumer Information) or http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca (click Licensing Link: Agents Licensed in Ontario in the Insurance area of the website).
For more information, contact the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) at http://www.fsco.gov.on.ca, toll-free at 1-800-668-0128 or TTY toll-free at 1-800-387-0584.
FSCO regulates insurance, pension plans, credit unions, caisses populaires, mortgage brokers, loan and trust companies and co-operatives.
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Home Renovations
Tips for home renovation projects.
- 10-per-cent rule. Pay no more than 10 per cent above the original agreed estimate for your home renovations and never pay the full amount until all ... (more) the work is completed.
- 10-day cooling off. You can cancel any contract signed in your home within 10 days for any reason, as long as you give notice to the contractor.
- Hire qualified heating contractors. Only heating contractors registered with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) are qualified to install and service your fuel-burning appliances.
- Call before digging or excavating. Always call your local gas utility for a free locate of gas lines before beginning any construction project.
- Need help? Looking for advice or information on your consumer rights? Contact the Consumer Services Bureau at 416-326-8800, toll-free at 1-800-889-9768 or email at InfoMGS@mgs.gov.on.ca.
- Safety tips. Whether it is to verify a heating contractor’s qualifications or learn more about how to avoid carbon monoxide in your home, visit
http://www.safetyinfo.ca
or contact TSSA at 1-877-682-8772.
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Telemarketing Fraud
Hang up on telemarketing fraud
Telemarketing fraud costs Ontario families millions of dollars every year – anyone who answers a telephone is a potential target. While you may not be able to ... (more) avoid all unsolicited calls, you can learn how to spot fraudulent ones.
Quick tips:
- Hang up if you are pressured into purchasing something.
- Never send money to anyone who insists on immediate payment.
- Hang up if you are ever asked to pay a fee to collect a prize.
- Never be fooled by promises of big money, special offers, prizes or deals.
- Avoid future harassment from telemarketers by telling callers you do not want to hear from them again.
- Never share personal financial information. Information about your bank accounts and credit cards is no one’s business but your own.
- Beware of telemarketers guaranteeing loans regardless of credit history. If they request a fee – it’s a scam!
http://www.phonebusters.com
1-888-495-8501
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Identity Theft
Identity theft can happen to anyone – you , your family or your business.
Identity theft occurs when your personal information is used without your knowledge or consent to commit a crime. ... (more) By protecting your personal information, you can take an active role in reducing the risk of identity theft.
Quick tips:
- Never carry your birth certificate or SIN (Social Insurance Number) card in your wallet.
- Always confirm that the credit card you get back is your own.
- Never let your bank or credit card out of your sight when conducting a transaction at the checkout. Only allow your card to be swiped once and always take your transaction record with you.
- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before your discard them.
- Never share personal information with anyone over the telephone or online unless you are familiar with the company and its practices.
- Request your credit report from a credit-reporting agency once a year to ensure its accuracy and report discrepancies immediately and ask about placing an alert on your file if you suspect identity theft.
http://www.ontario.ca/idtheft
1-800-889-9768
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Your Consumer Protection Act
You have the right to:
- Refuse to pay for goods or services that you did not request.
- Full disclosure of all terms and conditions on contracts for goods and services such as payday loans, ... (more) wireless service agreements or home furnishings, among many others.
- Full contract disclosures of all costs of goods, services or leases, including interest charges.
- Receive goods within 30 days of the date promised in contracts or you may cancel the contract and get a refund.
- Pay no more than 10 per cent above the original agreed estimate for home renovations, moving services, auto repair and other goods or services.
- Cancel fitness club, timeshare and door-to-door sales contracts for any reason, up to 10 days after signing.
Contact the Consumer Services Bureau, part of the Ministry of Government Services, for consumer information and advice.
By phone: 416-326-8800 or toll-free at 1-800-889-9768
By internet: http://www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection
By email: InfoMGS@mgs.gov.on.ca
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