We are taking action
New Toronto Initiative Takes Legal Action Against the City of Toronto, Councillor Amber Morley, and Bruce Davis of Public Progress Over Flawed Shelter Decision
Toronto, ON – October 1 – South Etobicoke Community Association (o/a The New Toronto Initiative) has filed a Statement of Claim in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the City of Toronto, Councillor Amber Morley, and consultant Bruce Davis, of Public Progress, challenging the decision to locate a municipal shelter at 66 Third Street in New Toronto.
The claim alleges that the City’s site-selection process was negligent, procedurally unfair, and tainted by the bias of Morley and Davis. The lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages, which the plaintiff has pledged to reinvest in the community, and an injunction prohibiting any further development of the municipal shelter at the site.
Key Allegations in the Claim
The City and staff exceeded their legal authority by selecting the 66 Third Street site despite contravening the applicable bylaw requirements
The public consultation process was biased, performative, and designed to limit residents’ input and was designed by Public Progress’ Davis
Councillor Morley and consultant Bruce Davis engaged in conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, and improper influence that undermined public trust
Residents Demand Fairness and Transparency.
“This lawsuit is about demanding fairness, accountability, and transparency. The City and Councillor Morley ignored and misled residents, undermined due process, and forced through a flawed process that will have long-lasting consequences for our community. We are standing up to ensure that decisions impacting New Toronto are made lawfully and with genuine public input,” said Dan Perdue, spokesperson for the New Toronto Initiative
Community Concerns
The New Toronto Initiative emphasizes that residents support compassionate solutions to homelessness. However, the group argues that 66 Third Street is not suitable given:
Existing zoning restrictions that limit the site to parking use
Site constraints
The lack of meaningful and independent consultation with residents
The proximity to local elementary schools, seniors’ residence and child care facilities
About the New Toronto Initiative
The New Toronto Initiative is a grassroots community group formed to advocate for responsible, transparent, and balanced development in the New Toronto neighbourhood.
Instagram: @newtorontoinitiative
For Interview requests please contact
What This Case Is Really About
This claim is not about seeking money, it is about protecting New Toronto from an unlawful planning decision and ensuring the future of our neighbourhood is shaped through fair process and genuine consultation.
The City and Councillor Morley ignored residents, misled the public, and bent the rules to push through an inappropriate site at 66 Third Street.
Our community already carries its fair share of social services. We support helping vulnerable people, but this must be done fairly and equitably across Toronto.
Why We’re Taking Action
The site is not zoned for a shelter and the built form is not permitted.
The project is not fully funded in the City’s approved budget.
Residents were excluded from meaningful consultation, with processes engineered to silence opposition.
New Toronto is saturated with social services; balanced growth requires fair distribution across all neighbourhoods.
What We’re Asking For
An injunction to stop this project, so the City must follow its own rules and respect zoning and funding laws.
A new, transparent consultation process that meaningfully includes residents and considers alternative, more appropriate sites.
A long-term vision that invests in childcare, youth recreation, safe streets, and local businesses—the amenities our community urgently needs.
On the Damages Claim
The million-dollar damages figure reflects the seriousness of the harm that could be caused by forcing an unlawful project onto a small residential street.
Our goal is accountability and an injunction to discontinue all plans for a municipal shelter at this site.
If damages were ever awarded, they would be reinvested directly into the community, including:
Childcare access (1,000+ children on local waitlists).
A youth community centre: New Toronto has none today.
Main street revitalization to support small businesses.
Safety and well-being programs to reduce violence and drug use.
Balanced growth initiatives to attract investment and amenities.
Accountability of Individuals
We named Councillor Morley and Bruce Davis because they had a duty to act in the public interest and failed to do so.
Councillor Morley ignored more than 2,700 residents who petitioned against this site and advanced a process that lacked meaningful consultation.
Bruce Davis, who has profited from City contracts, turned consultation into a performance while restricting public voices.
This claim is about holding them accountable and ensuring community voices are respected.
What’s Really Going On With Toronto’s Shelter Budget?
Despite public claims, these shelter sites were never legally or financially secured in the first place. There was no secured budget when this site was pushed through.
Mayor Olivia Chow says Toronto faces a $107M shortfall due to unfunded refugee shelter costs and is threatening another 2% tax hike if Ottawa doesn’t step in. Property taxes are already up over 17% since she took office!
“We’re doing it anyway, but it is a problem,” said Chow.
“We simply don’t have the funding… without additional support from the federal government.”