CDW Association Toronto

06/05/2025

One Last Push for Ramsden Access – This Is Where I Need Your Help Most!

Email Campaign Directed at City Councillors.

Please refer to the email I've sent from [email protected] or see my post on Commercial Dog Walkers - Toronto page, if you haven't received it, comment below and I will resend.

04/04/2025

I've just sent out an update email summarizing Item - 2025.IE20.9 Toronto Dog Off-Leash Strategy and I'm requesting feedback from you by end of day Monday April 7th. If you haven't received the email please comment here and I will forward it to you.

Agenda Item History 2025.IE20.9

04/02/2025

The agenda is out and the Toronto Dog Off-Leash Strategy report will go to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for review next Wednesday April 9th.

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/ #/committees/2566/25787

https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2025.IE20.9

I will have more time to read this myself over the next couple of days and plan to depute at the meeting whether I am there to support or criticize.

In summary, they are making recommendations that for future dog parks, CDW's will be allowed access to all over 1000 m2. They are not suggesting changes to many current parks, including Ramsden, where CDW's will stay banned. There is a list of approx 9 current parks that will retroactively allow CDW's where they didn't have access before and you can find this list in section 4.

Please send me any and all feedback that you have. I will send instructions for those who also want to depute and have their say next week.

Sit tight everyone and let me know if you have any questions.

Agenda Item History 2025.IE20.9

02/18/2025

A quick update to let everyone know that IE6.8 - Citywide Approach to Dog Off-Leash Areas will not be presented at committee this coming Thurs Feb 27th. It has been pushed back to the April 9th Infrastructure and Environment Committee meeting at the earliest.

There are union talks going on between the city and inside workers that could potentially cause further delays. I will keep you all posted.

11/20/2024

Hello CDW's,

Have your say as the city makes decisions about Parklands and Parks Facilities. There are two sets of virtual meetings being held over the next few weeks,

The Facilities Plan virtual meeting takes place of Thurs Nov 28th, 2-4pm or 6-8pm and,

The Parkland Strategies virtual meetings take place on Tues Dec 3rd and 4th, 2-4pm or 6-8pm.

I have signed up to both as the representative of Commercial Dog Walkers Association Toronto. I'll be at attending the Facilities Plan meeting on Nov 28th from 2-4pm and the Parkland Strategies meeting on Dec 3rd from 2-4pm.

Your input will help shape future parks and parks facilities planning. If you can be present to represent Commercial Dog Walkers that would be appreciated.

You can visit the project webpage linked in the forward below for more information. Open the "get involved" tab to register for both or either meetings. There is also a survey available that closes on Dec 18th that I encourage you all to take.

Share your experiences and insights on the needs and priorities for recreation spaces and parks. The survey closes on December 18, 2024. Take the Survey Toronto’s recreation facilities and parks offer communities spaces to play, connect, learn, exercise and celebrate. The Parkland Strategy and Par...

11/13/2024

Hello All, last night's workshop felt very productive. We talked about park size, fencing, proximity to residences, small dog areas and access hours. I thought I recorded the meeting but my audio didn't pick up so I'm waiting to see if I can get the recordings from John and his team. I'll aim to get a summary out to everyone as soon as I can. Thanks to all who attended last night, to those who could join us at last week's strategy meeting and to those who called or sent emails with their thoughts.

11/01/2024

I will be hosting a virtual meeting next Thursday November 7th for those who will be attending the upcoming CDW workshop on Tuesday November 12th. Please let me know if you will be attending the workshop and I haven't already listed your name in the email I sent this morning. Thanks.

10/31/2024

Just send a new email clarifying the areas of discussion at the upcoming Now 12th workshop. I was under the impression that we were discussing broader topics but the workshop will only be about CDW's and criteria as it pertains to our use of OLA's. Please read the email for more information. If you are not currently on the email list please comment below or email me at [email protected] and I'll forward. Thanks All!

10/22/2024

Edit: Survey close date extended to Nov 7th.

There is a new survey about Commercial Dog Walkers and their use of Off Leash Areas in Toronto. Please take the time to fill it out and share it with your clients and fellow dog walkers. The survey closes on Oct 31st. Thanks.

You can use the following template in any way you chose when you send the survey out to your clients,

Hello Clients,

The City of Toronto is currently looking to improve the Dog Off Leash Areas, and one of the items they are considering as they move through this process is how and when, or even IF, Commercial Dog Walkers (CDW) should be allowed to use the Off Leash Areas (OLA). To that end, they have put together a survey. You can access it [cut and paste survey below]. The survey closes on Thursday Oct. 31, 2024.

As some of you may know, CDW's have already been banned from using Ramsden OLA at any time of day. This survey is asking whether CDW's should be restricted from using OLA's.

As a dog owner who has a CDW who uses an OLA, any new guidelines could have a direct impact on you and your dog. The final question of the survey is: Is there anything else the City of Toronto should consider about the criteria for suitable use of dogs off-leash areas by Commercial Dog Walkers? It's a free form answer. This is a great space to share your thoughts about why it's important to you that CDW have continued access to these spaces, and any potential impact that could result from restricting our use of the OLA. I encourage you to share your opinion, because the city will use this feedback to inform their policy proposals.

As always, we appreciate you. And we know answering surveys is boring as heck, so thank you.

Share your thoughts on the criteria to decide which off-leash areas will be used for Commercial Dog Walkers. The survey closes on November 7, 2024. Take the Survey Toronto is exploring ways to improve its 70+ dogs off-leash areas to accommodate a growing population and the many different ways Toront...