SVRA Committees
Everything committees accomplish is thanks to volunteers, and there are always opportunities for SVRA members to help. For information, e-mail Committees c/o info@seatonvillage.ca .
Collaborative groups within the SVRA focus on specific community initiatives, such as local events, neighbourhood safety, and environmental sustainability. Joining a committee enables residents to actively contribute ideas, share expertise and apply effort to collectively enhance the quality of life within Seaton Village. Descriptions of each of the SVRA committees are below the Committee News section.
Committee News
@ May 25, 2026
Committee Updates
U of T Vision Initiative for Vermont Square Park
The University of Toronto’s School of Cities has accepted the Seaton Village Residents’ Association
request to help create a vision for Vermont Square Park. More news will be shared on June 10 at the Annual
General Meeting.
While there is currently no budget assigned to this project by the City, the initiative will help the SVRA under-
stand what the community loves about the park and what they’d like to see improved, whenever budget is
available. In preparation for the U of T students who will be carrying forward this project in the fall, the
Greening Committee is circulating a survey on how we currently use and envisage our central park.
You will see Vermont Square Park listed when you visit the U of T site.
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Seaton Village Seniors' Network
The SV NORC ( Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) group reminds readers to complete and submit
their responses to the recent Survey of Needs of Older Adults today. Answering the short, clickable will help
them better understand the needs of older adults in our community. Right now, SV-NORC-PC is supporting
our colleagues in Bickford Park who are negotiating an increase in seniors’ activities and classes at the Bob
Abate Community Centre. Scroll down to the Seniors' Network listing on this page for more details.
Volunteers Strengthen OurWorking Committees
Executive Committee
The elected Executive Committee of the Seaton Village Residents' Association (SVRA) oversees the organization's operations, ensuring the effective implementation of its mission and goals. This committee provides leadership, manages resources, and collaborates with residents to address key issues and advocate for the community’s interests.
Election Committee
The Election Committee is responsible for overseeing the Executive elections during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and at special meetings in the event of a vacancy. Our primary role is to ensure that the election process is fair, transparent, and conducted in accordance with established guidelines. We facilitate the nomination process, communicate election procedures to members, and ensure that all voting is carried out smoothly and efficiently.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that the SVRA organization operates effectively and transparently by focusing on the development and refinement of bylaws, procedures and practices. We work to create governance frameworks that empower members while providing the executive with the necessary tools and guidelines to lead responsibly. Through our efforts, we strive to foster an environment of accountability, inclusivity, and collaboration within the organization.
Events Committee
This committee provides support and guidance for members who wish to organize an event in Seaton Village. A community event that is supported by the SVRA is the annual Pumpkin Walk in Vermont Park. The community events committee liaises with the SVRA to request assistance with finding volunteers, donating some funds for an event (if applicable), and/or help with promoting your event in the community. Anyone can participate!
Planning & Development
The SVRA’s Planning and Development Committee strives to preserve the community’s urban fabric and charm, while promoting smart design that contributes to our neighbourhood’s character, vitality and safety. We seek to promote the construction of affordable housing, purpose-built rental units, and housing which can accommodate residents throughout the different stages of life. We support reasonable and proportional densification which employs energy efficient technologies, includes trees and parkettes, and provides retail spaces for local businesses.
Greening
The focus of the SVRA Greening Committee is the creation and implementation of a plan to increase green spaces and reduce fossil fuel emissions in Seaton Village. This includes establishing a vision and plan for Vermont Square Park to reach its true potential as a community gathering space and a green space. Their latest news to be announced at the 2026 SVRA Annual General Meeting on June 10.
Safety
The Safety Committee's mandate focuses on "Feeling Safe in Our Community," intersecting with other SVRA Committees. Key areas include personal safety, visibility during nighttime and winter months, improved street and park lighting, and conducting safety audits to address community concerns.
The Safety Committee also emphasizes crime reduction by supporting measures against break-ins and personal injuries, collaborating with local authorities for safety audits, and addressing issues like gang-related graffiti. The Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), from the Toronto Police 14 Division, addresses community safety, traffic, and youth advocacy, meets monthly from September to June with committee reps .
Traffic Calming & Parking
The Traffic Calming Committee of the SVRA works to improve road safety and reduce traffic-related risks in the neighborhood. By advocating for measures such as speed reduction, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and thoughtful urban design, the committee aims to create safer streets for all residents.
The Parking division of the Traffic Calming committee keeps an eye on the parking situation, especially around Bolton Arena. As a contribution toward SVRA greening and environmental protection, nearby neighbours have been tending a Green Wall on the east side of the arena for some 20 years.
SVRA Seniors' Network
Seaton Village seniors are the focus of two committee sub-groups at the moment. Both sets of volunteers are working with the University Health Network (UHN) and neighbourhood seniors' organizations to create a community hub and a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in this part of Toronto. Volunteers are welcome to join either subgroup.
To get involved with the NORC Committee, please e-mail info@seatonvillage.ca or the e-address on the
survey. Your help is appreciated.
Based on a model developed by the University Health Network, the goal of NORCs and a second group of SVRA members is to enable seniors to remain in their homes as long as possible with community support and a neighbours-helping-neighbours approach.
One subgroup is now looking for volunteers to participate in creating a centralized project to offer time or skills to Seaton Village seniors. This may include working on a committee, spreading the word, researching activity options, or offering time and skills to Seaton Village seniors. For further information, please e-mail David McCaughna at davidmcc2@gmail.com.
The other subgroup, launched a bit earlier in 2026, has been gathering data with a vision of creating a new kind of NORC for Seaton Village. While most current NORCs are vertical, this vision is to create a horizontal NORC for those living in private homes, shared houses, small co-ops and small rental buildings in Seaton Village as well as Harbord Village, Bickford Park, and around Christie Pits. A needs survey of older adults in all those neighbourhoods is now under way.
Whether for a single event or an executive position, the Seaton Village Residents' Association is operated entirely by volunteers. As many of you know, volunteering is a great way to meet people, apply your skills and support your favourite neighbourhood.
Watch this space for your chance to join the SVRA adventure. Check the Events page for ideas. There is always room for more help, whether an extra pair of hands to help arrange furniture for a meeting, or on a project with one of the SVRA committees or SVRA executives.
Let's talk: Please e-mail info@seatonvillage.ca to find out more ways to get involved. In fact, the 55+ group is currently (June 2026) looking for volunteers to help plan ways to centralize and deliver services to Seaton Village seniors.