Public Resources

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.

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!

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.

• Limit the size of commercial space to 2500 ft2 max to encourage small, local-serving businesses, coops, and enterprises. See The Bar and Restaurant study for Kensington Market for current regulations and floor plate limitations.

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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

A visual map of the BIA’s boundaries.

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

The Kensington Market AGM date WAS held on

Thursday, November 18th @ 6pm, 2021 on ZOOM

Watch the 2021 AGM Recording Here

Click here for our PDF of our presentation

To check out all our newsletters, please visit our mailchimp archive

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 

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.

However during COVID, our meetings are now online, hosted on zoom and login information is provided below if you would like to participate.

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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Next Meeting is March 9th, 2021 10:00 AM

Topic: KMBIA – March 9th Board Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 841 8139 8744
Passcode: 791453
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Meeting ID: 841 8139 8744
Passcode: 791453
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/krwjzjHbb

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.