CivicTechTO · jordyarms · Feb 25, 2026 · Feb 25, 2026
diff --git a/_projects/Book Club.md b/_projects/Book Club.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Book Club
 excerpt: Civic Tech Toronto reading and discussing books together.
-description: Civic Tech Toronto reading and discussing books together.
 dateActiveFirst: 2019-12-03
 date: 2025-12-16
 tags:
@@ -29,4 +28,4 @@ Book Club has read:
 - 2020 February: The Sustainable City by Steven Cohen
 - 2019 December: Smart Enough City by Ben Green
 
-Join in on slack!
+Join in on slack!
diff --git a/_projects/COVID Connect.md b/_projects/COVID Connect.md
@@ -12,4 +12,5 @@ categories:
 dateActiveFirst: 2020-01-01
 date: 2020-01-01
 ---
-Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
+
+A lightweight process to match design and technology volunteers to existing COVID-19 initiatives and mutual aid projects that need digital support
diff --git a/_projects/Canadian SaaS.md b/_projects/Canadian SaaS.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Canadian SaaS
 excerpt: Discover software built right here in Canada
-description: Canadian SaaS is an open-source project that enables Canadians to discover Canadian software while also increasing transparency around how data is stored, processed, and tracked.
 dateActiveFirst:
 tags:
   - type/project
@@ -16,9 +15,10 @@ meetups:
 team:
 date: 2026-02-12
 ---
-Canadian SaaS is an open-source project that enables Canadians to discover Canadian software while also increasing transparency around how data is stored, processed, and tracked. 
 
-Our mission: 
+Canadian SaaS is an open-source project that enables Canadians to discover Canadian software while also increasing transparency around how data is stored, processed, and tracked.
 
-- Support the Canadian software industry by listing homegrown companies Canadians can use and build careers with. 
-- Map the dependencies behind Canadian digital services so Canadians can better understand sovereignty risks and data privacy implications.
+Our mission:
+
+- Support the Canadian software industry by listing homegrown companies Canadians can use and build careers with.
+- Map the dependencies behind Canadian digital services so Canadians can better understand sovereignty risks and data privacy implications.
diff --git a/_projects/Civic Dashboard.md b/_projects/Civic Dashboard.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Civic Dashboard
 excerpt: Figuring out how to make city council's activity accessible!
-description: It shouldn't take 3 hours and a political science degree to understand City Council and how to meaningfully engage with it. We make it take a few minutes.
 social:
   website: https://www.civicdashboard.ca
   slack: https://civictechto.slack.com/archives/C06KU3DHEKV
@@ -27,3 +26,5 @@ categories:
   - meta/feature
 image: https://civicdashboard.ca/toronto.jpg
 ---
+
+It shouldn't take 3 hours and a political science degree to understand City Council and how to meaningfully engage with it. We make it take a few minutes.
diff --git a/_projects/Civic Hall Toronto.md b/_projects/Civic Hall Toronto.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Civic Hall Toronto
 excerpt: Civic Hall Toronto aims to create a hub for civic innovation in the city.
-description: Civic Hall Toronto aims to create a hub for civic innovation in the city. Operated by Code for Canada and in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Centre for Social Innovation, Civic Hall Toronto will enable government innovators, entrepreneurs and civic technologists to share, learn and build solutions together.
 tags:
   - type/initiative
   - type/project
@@ -23,6 +22,8 @@ categories:
 
 Civic Hall Toronto connects government innovators with entrepreneurs, technologists and residents so they can collaboratively address civic challenges.
 
+Operated by Code for Canada and in partnership with the City of Toronto and the Centre for Social Innovation, Civic Hall Toronto will enable government innovators, entrepreneurs and civic technologists to share, learn and build solutions together.
+
 Our programming and events **foster a culture of collaboration** across sectors and fields,  provide a supportive and collaborative space for **learning, creating, and testing new ideas**, and **encourage greater resident involvement** in the design of public services and policy.
 
 Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
diff --git a/_projects/Civic Spark.md b/_projects/Civic Spark.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Civic Spark
 excerpt: A two-day gathering for organizers, innovators, and community builders working toward a better future of public life.
-description: A two-day gathering for organizers, innovators, and community builders working toward a better future of public life.
 dateActiveFirst: 2025-02-23
 tags:
   - type/project

diff --git a/_projects/Civic Tech Toolkit.md b/_projects/Civic Tech Toolkit.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Civic Tech Toolkit
 excerpt: Equiping contributors with patterns and mindsets to drive impact collaboratively.
-description: Equiping contributors with patterns and mindsets to drive impact collaboratively.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/civic-tech-enablement

diff --git a/_projects/Climate Voting Records Toronto.md b/_projects/Climate Voting Records Toronto.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Climate Voting Records Toronto
 excerpt: To track and show how climate-related items are being voted on within Toronto City Council.
-description: The Climate Voting Records Toronto website is your go-to interactive tool for tracking how Toronto City Council votes on crucial climate and environmental policies. The website helps create more transparency on City Council decisions, enabling Torontonians to hold Council members accountable for their votes.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/climate
@@ -24,6 +23,8 @@ organization:
   - "[[ClimateFast]]"
 ---
 
+The Climate Voting Records Toronto website is your go-to interactive tool for tracking how Toronto City Council votes on crucial climate and environmental policies. The website helps create more transparency on City Council decisions, enabling Torontonians to hold Council members accountable for their votes.
+
 ### Get Involved
 
 If you’re interested in learning more about the project or want to get involved, please reach out to us at any time!

diff --git a/_projects/Councilmatic Toronto.md b/_projects/Councilmatic Toronto.md
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 ---
 title: Councilmatic Toronto
-description: 
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/democracy
@@ -10,7 +9,8 @@ social:
   github: https://github.com/tor-councilmatic
 categories:
   - status/inactive
-dateActiveFirst: 
+dateActiveFirst:
 date: 2018-07-17
 ---
-Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
+
+Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
diff --git a/_projects/Danforth Dad.md b/_projects/Danforth Dad.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Danforth Dad
-description: Toronto playground map and reviews
+excerpt: Toronto playground map and reviews
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/public-parks
@@ -13,4 +13,4 @@ meetups:
   - "[[436]]"
 ---
 
-Awaiting further content from the community's archivist.
+Toronto playground map and reviews
diff --git a/_projects/Democracy Distributed.md b/_projects/Democracy Distributed.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Democracy Distributed
 excerpt: We’re building an open platform where anyone can document and understand how organizations work — from a small community group to a city government.
-description: We’re building an open platform where anyone can document and understand how organizations work — from a small community group to a city government.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/democracy
@@ -13,10 +12,11 @@ categories:
   - status/active
   - contributors/open
 ---
+
 We’re building an open platform where anyone can document and understand how organizations work — from a small community group to a city government.
 
 Our goal is to bring clarity and transparency to structure, finances, laws, and decision-making, so members can participate more effectively and the public can easily see how things are working.
 
 Think of it as a SimCity-style tool for governance, with core modules for elections, finance, and community decision-making.
 
-We’re early in the journey and open to feedback. If you’re interested in civic tech, government operations, or community-driven systems, let’s connect.
+We’re early in the journey and open to feedback. If you’re interested in civic tech, government operations, or community-driven systems, let’s connect.
diff --git a/_projects/Democracy Kit.md b/_projects/Democracy Kit.md
@@ -24,4 +24,4 @@ organization:
   - "[[Open Democracy]]"
 ---
 
-Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
+A not-for-profit startup working to open the democratic process by publishing a shared campaign resource package for councillor and trustee races.
diff --git a/_projects/Free the Electorate.md b/_projects/Free the Electorate.md
@@ -15,4 +15,7 @@ categories:
 dateActiveFirst: 2016-01-01
 date: 2016-01-01
 ---
-Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
+
+Make elections results more accessible outside of media cycles.
+
+Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
diff --git a/_projects/Guerilla Archiving - Environmental Data Gathering Initiative (EDGI).md b/_projects/Guerilla Archiving - Environmental Data Gathering Initiative (EDGI).md
@@ -21,4 +21,6 @@ team:
   - "[[Matt Price]]"
 ---
 
+Coordinating tech talk about the Guerilla Archiving Event to support Internet Archive's End of Term harvesting project.
+
 Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
diff --git a/_projects/Health Atlas.md b/_projects/Health Atlas.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Health Atlas
 excerpt: Mapping project for Mississauga Halton Health Integration Network
-description: In partnership with Civic Tech Toronto and the Mississauga Halton Health Integration Network (LHIN), we have produced a map to investigate supply and demand of health care resources.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/public-health
@@ -16,4 +15,7 @@ categories:
 dateActiveFirst: 2016-07-26
 date: 2018-08-16
 ---
-Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
+
+In partnership with Civic Tech Toronto and the Mississauga Halton Health Integration Network (LHIN), we have produced a map to investigate supply and demand of health care resources.
+
+Awaiting further content from the community's oral historians.
diff --git a/_projects/HousingNowTO.md b/_projects/HousingNowTO.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: HousingNowTO
 excerpt: "Monitoring Progress & Activity on Twenty-One (21) sites proposed under the Mayor's #HousingNow plan for creating new Affordable-Rental units"
-description: Toronto is moving toward the creation of more affordable housing through the identification of 21 city-owned surplus property sites that could be used to build a range of lower-cost homes.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/housing
@@ -16,4 +15,6 @@ categories:
   - status/unknown
 ---
 
-Aanalyzing and advocating for affordable housing using civic tech and open data.
+Toronto is moving toward the creation of more affordable housing through the identification of 21 city-owned surplus property sites that could be used to build a range of lower-cost homes.
+
+Analyzing and advocating for affordable housing using civic tech and open data.
diff --git a/_projects/Know Your Vote T.O..md b/_projects/Know Your Vote T.O..md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Know Your Vote T.O.
-description: Know Your Vote T.O. is a municipal election candidate civic learning website developed by the Toronto Public Library.
+excerpt: Know Your Vote T.O. is a municipal election candidate civic learning website developed by the Toronto Public Library.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/elections
@@ -13,3 +13,5 @@ organization:
 categories:
   - status/unknown
 ---
+
+Know Your Vote T.O. is a municipal election candidate civic learning website developed by the Toronto Public Library.
diff --git a/_projects/Missing Persons Project.md b/_projects/Missing Persons Project.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Missing Persons Project
 excerpt: facilitates the identification of missing persons by comparing physical characteristics and personal information with unidentified remains.
-description: This application facilitates the identification of missing persons by comparing physical characteristics and personal information with unidentified remains. This application streamlines the identification process, reducing manual cross-referencing and time-consuming searches.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/public-safety
@@ -21,3 +20,5 @@ team:
   - "[[Isaac McAuley]]"
   - "[[Dyl Lavoie]]"
 ---
+
+This application facilitates the identification of missing persons by comparing physical characteristics and personal information with unidentified remains. This application streamlines the identification process, reducing manual cross-referencing and time-consuming searches.
diff --git a/_projects/Open Cabinet.md b/_projects/Open Cabinet.md
@@ -18,3 +18,5 @@ meetups:
 team:
   - "[[Alex Lougheed]]"
 ---
+
+Info on what cabinet is doing in Ottawa can be hard to find and use. We’re trying to make it easy.
diff --git a/_projects/Parks and Rec Bot.md b/_projects/Parks and Rec Bot.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Parks and Rec Bot
 excerpt: a bot for Toronto Parks and Rec
-description: I used ChatGPT to train a custom bot using open Parks and Rec data -- facilities, locations, programming, hours of operation -- to train a custom Toronto Parks and Rec Bot. Ask it a question, like "I have two kids, 5 and 12, and I want them to both take swimming on Saturdays" and get help finding the right classes.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/public-parks
@@ -14,3 +13,5 @@ categories:
 meetups:
   - "[[425]]"
 ---
+
+I used ChatGPT to train a custom bot using open Parks and Rec data -- facilities, locations, programming, hours of operation -- to train a custom Toronto Parks and Rec Bot. Ask it a question, like "I have two kids, 5 and 12, and I want them to both take swimming on Saturdays" and get help finding the right classes.
diff --git a/_projects/Planning Applications.md b/_projects/Planning Applications.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Planning Applications
-description: Project to collect City of Toronto planning development applications
+excerpt: Project to collect City of Toronto planning development applications
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/open-government
@@ -15,3 +15,5 @@ date: 2016-01-01
 meetups:
   - "[[20]]"
 ---
+
+Project to collect City of Toronto planning development applications
diff --git a/_projects/Police Tech Audit.md b/_projects/Police Tech Audit.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Police Tech Audit
 excerpt: Technology Audits of Law Enforcement Agencies such as the Toronto Police Services.
-description: Technology Audits of Law Enforcement Agencies such as the Toronto Police Services. Parsing through long PDF Agendas and Minutes of Meetings.  Also using AI and ML to match strings of text. Intent to match Systems to other databases e.g. AIAAIC.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/public-transparency
@@ -16,3 +15,5 @@ dateActiveFirst: 2024-07-02
 team:
   - "[[Ushnish Sengupta]]"
 ---
+
+Technology Audits of Law Enforcement Agencies such as the Toronto Police Services. Parsing through long PDF Agendas and Minutes of Meetings. Also using AI and ML to match strings of text. Intent to match Systems to other databases e.g. AIAAIC.
diff --git a/_projects/Potential locations for public wi-fi.md b/_projects/Potential locations for public wi-fi.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Connect TO
 excerpt: Potential locations for public wi-fi
-description: The City of Toronto has been expanding its public Wi-Fi program in spaces such as community centres and community housing. As the City looks to further implement its free Wi-Fi program, interviews with community stakeholders have emphasized the need for Wi-Fi connectivity in third spaces, such as public parks.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/internet-access
@@ -13,3 +12,5 @@ categories:
 meetups:
   - "[[447]]"
 ---
+
+The City of Toronto has been expanding its public Wi-Fi program in spaces such as community centres and community housing. As the City looks to further implement its free Wi-Fi program, interviews with community stakeholders have emphasized the need for Wi-Fi connectivity in third spaces, such as public parks.
diff --git a/_projects/Rate the Landlord.md b/_projects/Rate the Landlord.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Rate the Landlord
 excerpt: We are a community platform that elevates tenant voices to promote landlord accountability.
-description: We are a community platform that elevates tenant voices to promote landlord accountability.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/housing
@@ -12,3 +11,5 @@ categories:
 meetups:
   - "[[402]]"
 ---
+
+We are a community platform that elevates tenant voices to promote landlord accountability.
diff --git a/_projects/Tabs Toronto.md b/_projects/Tabs Toronto.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: Tabs Toronto
 excerpt: Tabs sends email alerts for new Toronto city council/committee agenda items.
-description: Tabs sends email alerts for new Toronto city council/committee agenda items.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/open-government
@@ -19,3 +18,5 @@ team:
   - "[[Gabe Sawhney]]"
 image: /assets/thumbs/events/hacknight_341-690-96ae99ad0.webp
 ---
+
+Tabs sends email alerts for new Toronto city council/committee agenda items.
diff --git a/_projects/TaxGPT.md b/_projects/TaxGPT.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: TaxGPT
 excerpt: TaxGPT generates answers based on publicly information from the Canada Revenue Agency website.
-description: TaxGPT generates answers based on publicly information from the Canada Revenue Agency website. It uses the ChatGPT’s AI model to return information about Canada’s tax system, and is intended for a beginner audience. The intent is to provide a friendly and approachable way to start learning about taxes, not to solve for complex scenarios.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/tax
@@ -13,3 +12,5 @@ categories:
 meetups:
   - "[[386]]"
 ---
+
+TaxGPT generates answers based on publicly information from the Canada Revenue Agency website. It uses the ChatGPT’s AI model to return information about Canada’s tax system, and is intended for a beginner audience. The intent is to provide a friendly and approachable way to start learning about taxes, not to solve for complex scenarios.
diff --git a/_projects/Technologists for Democracy.md b/_projects/Technologists for Democracy.md
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ tags:
   - topic/volunteerism
 title: Technologists for Democracy
 excerpt: We are a diverse group of Canadians who aim to make sure that government agencies and tech companies are held accountable to the public.
-description: We are a diverse group of Canadians who aim to make sure that government agencies and tech companies are held accountable to the public.
 social:
   website: https://techfordemocracy.ca
   slack: https://civictechto.slack.com/archives/C0913G0SHS6

diff --git a/_projects/The Carded.md b/_projects/The Carded.md
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 ---
 title: TheCarded.ca
 excerpt: provide user-friendly resources for youth and people affected by racial profiling.
-description: Our vision for The Carded is to provide user-friendly resources for youth and people affected by racial profiling. We welcome collaboration with people from all walks of life, whether you're a parent, teacher, frontline worker, activist, psychologist, artist, designer, journalist or civic professional. We hope to connect you with other concerned citizens and organizations that have crucial information on “carding”.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/police
@@ -17,3 +16,5 @@ meetups:
 team:
   - "[[Sharmarke Noor]]"
 ---
+
+Our vision for The Carded is to provide user-friendly resources for youth and people affected by racial profiling. We welcome collaboration with people from all walks of life, whether you're a parent, teacher, frontline worker, activist, psychologist, artist, designer, journalist or civic professional. We hope to connect you with other concerned citizens and organizations that have crucial information on “carding”.
diff --git a/_projects/The Grocery Tracker.md b/_projects/The Grocery Tracker.md
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 ---
 title: The Grocery Tracker
-description: As we are all painfully aware, the cost of living in this country has increased. As a result, stories focused on the necessities of life (food, shelter, health) have become even more important. That's why we're so proud to present the live beta of The Hoser's Grocery Tracking Project. With this dashboard, you'll be able to find the cheapest grocery stores in the city. As we work towards that goal, we thought we'd provide you with the data we are tracking from grocery stores across the city.
 tags:
   - type/project
   - topic/mutual-aid
@@ -14,3 +13,5 @@ social:
 organization:
   - "[[The Hoser]]"
 ---
+
+As we are all painfully aware, the cost of living in this country has increased. As a result, stories focused on the necessities of life (food, shelter, health) have become even more important. That's why we're so proud to present the live beta of The Hoser's Grocery Tracking Project. With this dashboard, you'll be able to find the cheapest grocery stores in the city. As we work towards that goal, we thought we'd provide you with the data we are tracking from grocery stores across the city.
-Original file line number
+Diff line change
@@ Expand Up / @@ -18,3 +18,5 @@ meetups: @@
     team:
       - "[[Alex Lougheed]]"
     ---
+    Info on what cabinet is doing in Ottawa can be hard to find and use. We’re trying to make it easy.