This section provides information on key resources and services for our Community, including archived meeting agendas and minutes, and various other 3rd party documents.The KMBIA and community partners work on various market initiatives. We all aim to strengthen Kensington Market and keep contributing to our community.

The Kensington Market BIA is seeking a qualified firm to facilitate all aspects of our digital marketing including advertising, content generation, outreach, engagement, social media, online reputation management, web and social copywriting, and event support to help boost online traffic, social influence, and potential online sales.

Download the pdf document for all details.

Please apply before 22nd March, Wednesday if you’re interested! Send proposal to info@kensingtonmarket.to.

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

The objective of our KMBIA incident reports are to advocate and to influence politicians and various levels of government the NEED to provide more support for our marginalized and vulnerable community members. 

 

We do not wish to remove these members from Kensington Market, rather collect enough data to push for better policies, programs and services to help those who need it most.

 

Please download our PDF to record incidents in the Market which concern our community and provide the BIA data to advocate for more support regarding the ongoing and complex social issues such as homelessness, mental health crisis, drug overdose/abuse and addiction which are affecting businesses and residents in the community.

 

Please send to kensingtonmarketinfo@gmail.com when completed.

 

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

We’ve put together a one stop shop of all the business resources needed for our BIA members.
This will also be downloadable on our website soon.

This information provides important contacts, health resources, supports, grants, what the BIA does, health and safety etc.

Please be sure to have it handy as a guidebook or resource for any questions as a new or old business in Kensington Market!

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

 

The retail landscape of Kensington Market is becoming increasingly unaffordable for small locally-serving and immigrant-owned businesses.

 

The KMBIA asks developments with a commercial space component to:

 

  • Provide at least 20% of new commercial spaces at affordable rates ranging from $20-$30 per square foot for a minimum of 20 years for community organizations, social enterprises and cooperatives, and local-serving businesses.

 

 

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For start-up businesses, smaller footprints are often favourable to reduce rents and lower upfront risks. Ensuring smaller footprints is also used as a way to discourage the move-in of corporate chain businesses. It is important to protect existing commercial spaces with smaller footprints from block consolidation and redevelopment.

 

For major investments in existing commercial space, The KMBIA ask investors to:

 

  • Sign long-term and affordable leases with locally-serving commercial tenants in Kensington with regulated rent increases.

 

  • Make a long-term financial contribution to support neighbourhood wellbeing in Kensington, including but not limited to food security and community health.

 

For more information, please read our Affordability Resource Document below which addresses various policies, new business sub-classes, Municipal Tax Benefit for Small Businesses, Tenancy Agreements in Ontario, Deregulation and Speculation.

 

Information cited from Parkdale Benefits framework

Affordability Resource Document
(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

A visual map of the BIA’s boundaries.

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

The Toronto Police Service, have put together this excellent info-graphic with information on business safety for those who have had to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses:

  • Ensure locks, alarms and CCTV are operational
  • Track inventory and update insurance coverage
  • Leave lights on inside and out
  • Post emergency contact keyholder information inside the store
  • Remove high-value items from window view
  • When checking your business, do so during the day.
  • Back up all business documentation
  • Tell your business neighbours your plan
  • Display empty cash drawer in window view
  • Report suspicious activity by calling non-emergency line (416) 808-2222

 

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

The 2022 Kensington Market AGM will be held on

Thursday, November 10th @ 7:30pm, 2022 on ZOOM

Pre-registration is mandatory. Please use this link to register for the meeting: LINK

 

Watch the 2021 AGM Recording Here

RECORDING OF AGM 2021
Passcode: sj62%&Zv 

 

Click here for our PDF of our 2021 presentation

 

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

This section provides information on key resources and services for BIAs, including critical tools for complying with the Accessibility Act. Something that impacts all businesses.

 

Link to all Toronto BIA resources CLICK HERE

 

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Updated January 10th 2022

 

For all COVID related supports provide by the Federal and Provincial government please visit MPP Marit Stiles’s Resources for Businesses here:

 

MPP’s Marit Stiles Business Resources – Provincial and Federal

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For city resources, please visit the city’s website here to access various financial incentives

 

BIA Financial Incentives

 

Toronto Main Street Recover and Rebuild 

 

Follow Link

The attached PDF provides the latest information on Banking Solutions + Financials

Follow Link

The attached PDF provides the latest information on how you can transition your business to online platforms

Follow Link

The attached PDF provides the latest information on how to ask for rent relief with templates and guidance from Toronto City Councillors.

Follow Link

Updated April 6th

The attached PDF provides the latest information on:

  • Petitions, Letters of Support, Media Support
  • Surveys
  • Grants
  • Resources for Artists, Entrepreneurs and retailers
  • Mental Health Support
(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.

All of our BIA Board Meetings are open to the public and are held every second Wednesday of the month at 10 am until 1 pm. Board Meetings typically held at Red Pepper Spectacle Arts @ 160 Baldwin Street.

 

Our meetings are now hybrid, hosted on zoom please contact info@kensingtonmarket.to for log in information

 

2022 Meeting Dates

March 9th, April 13th, May 11th, June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th, October 12th, November 9th, December 14th

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You can find out more about how BIA’s work in Ontario, and get various documents if you are interested in how we operate within the KMBIA.

(*) Unless otherwise stated, all Materials and Resources mentioned on kensington.to are stored within our KMBIA Public Folder *hosted on Google Drive. — This usually includes agendas, meeting minutes, project proposals, worksheets, 3rd Party Forms, and more.