The Front Page
Wednesday February 25, 2026
Bubbles, Brews and Tales
By Doris Miculan Bradley


March Poured with Intention
It’s the month when winter loosens its grip and we begin reaching for drinks that feel fresh and quietly celebratory. Welcome to March! With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, this month’s lineup leans toward the British Isles.
Balfour 1503 Classic Cuvée Sparkling $55.95 | 11.5% Alc | LCBO# 47578
British sparkling wine still surprises many people, yet the chalky soils of southern England have quietly become one of the world’s most exciting sparkling wine regions. Having spent time in Galway, Ireland, I often think of the local ritual of enjoying fresh oysters with sparkling wine. The Balfour 1504 Classic Cuvée works beautifully as an aperitif but is equally at home at the table, offering excellent value for a wine made in the traditional method. Its secondary fermentation in bottle brings gentle yeasty, toasty notes and fine bubbles, making it just as delightful alongside crusty bread and Irish yellow butter. Interesting fact, that rich golden hue comes from beta-carotene in the grass cows graze on, carried through the milk and into the butterfat.
Magners Original Irish Cider$3.70 | 4.5% Alc | LCBO# 69938
Irish cider carries a sense of easy hospitality. It is uncomplicated, welcoming, and meant to be shared. I remember enjoying a pint of Magners on a stopover in New York en route to Australia. My husband, our friend Andre, and I declared ourselves “scholarly” for the afternoon, studying cider with great seriousness at the Playwright Tavern on 49th Avenue. Of course, like many of the best academic pursuits, the lesson quickly gave way to long conversations and laughter, and the comfortable hum of a busy pub. The cider is light amber in colour with fresh apple aroma, gentle sweetness balanced by soft acidity, and a refreshing finish. Perfect with Irish cheddar or simply a bowl of salted nuts shared among friends.
Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale $11.80 – 4 Pack | 4.3% Alc | LCBO# 442731
Kilkenny’s brewing roots trace back to the 14th century, with its heritage tied to the historic St. Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny. A classic Irish cream ale, it carries both history and approachability in equal measure. I first experienced Kilkenny while traveling through County Cork, and even as a devoted wine drinker, I was struck by its texture and aromatics. There’s a softness to the mouthfeel, smooth, almost velvety. Expect gentle notes of stewed fruit, toasted malt, and a touch of coffee, finishing clean and dry. Best paired with shepherd’s pie or simply good conversation at a well-worn wooden table.
Apple and Honey Irish Spritz
A proper Irish toast should include everyone, and this month’s mocktail brings orchard fruit, honey, and sparkle together in a glass that feels festive without the alcohol. Start by lining a glass with fresh thyme. Thyme looks like a stick of mini clover leaves. Add 3 oz. unfiltered apple juice, juice of ½ a Lemon, 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 oz. soda water. Optional is a slice of lime and a tuft of mint.
Doris Miculan Bradley is a professor at the Chef School at George Brown Polytechnic, an International Master Sommelier, and Author.
Tuesday February 10, 2026
Finding Words for a Hard Childhood
Scarborough senior Alice Dunne pens an autobiography about memory, poverty, what she called the Green Among the Grey in her native Ireland.

By Avis Favaro


At 73, Toronto resident Alice Dunne has done something many people consider but never complete: she has written down the story of her life.

Her self-published book, Green Among the Grey: Stories from an Irish Farm, is a collection of poignant and sometimes difficult memories from a childhood in rural Ireland in the 1960s. Her family was living in poverty on a farm near Clonaslee. She details a life of chores and hardships tangled with moments of beautiful simplicity. 

Initially, Alice says she did not set out to write a book, rather, she says she was sorting through a lifetime of moments that for some reason she could not put to rest.

“I had a lot of memories that I went over and over,” she said. “And to get them into some kind of context, I put them into stories.”

She began writing notes years ago, gradually shaping them into short pieces. “Maybe it was a way of clearing my mind,” she said. When asked if the process was healing, she agreed simply: “Yes.”

Writing as survival

The roots to her writings began early, when Alice was a student. She recalls the only subjects she felt confident in were language. “ I was good at the Irish language and the English language.” Writing, she says, became a constant through her years, even when life did not follow an easy path.

She says it took her seven or eight years to assemble, deeply personal, and stories she initially kept the stories private, even from her children.

Her daughter, Kathleen Goldman, says the project had been a long time coming.

“She had been writing stories about her life for a long time, maybe since I was a kid,” said Kathleen. “So when she completed all her stories and wanted help with info on publishing, I was excited for her to really make it happen.”

A childhood defined by poverty

Alice does not romanticize her upbringing. While her sisters describe their childhood as “poor but happy,” Alice puts it differently.“I just say poor.”

The book documents a life with very little—materially and emotionally. Her family used outhouses, her father caught hares for food, and the damp cold made it perennially hard to stay warm. One heart breaking story involves the making of a coat for Alice, which surprisingly was too small and tight for her, until Alice discovered why. 

Another memorable tale involves a donkey that worked her family’s farm after their horse could no longer work.

“A neighbour gave us an old, old worn-out donkey,” she recalled. “And it did so much work for us.”

The donkey hauled manure, carried sticks for school fires, transported turf, and was ridden by the children. But it was never given a name and Alice said was treated poorly. .

“We used to beat it with a stick to make him go. And that was so cruel.”

Looking back, the lesson stayed with her. “I learned that it’s not good to be cruel to anything, person or thing. There’s different ways of encouraging them instead of with a stick.”

The lowest point of her childhood, she says clearly, was the decision to leave Ireland.

“It was a big step,” she said. “Something I felt I had to do.”Asked why, her answer was short and direct: “Feelings that I wasn’t loved.”

She was looking for something more and that search took her abroad. She landed in Australia, where she worked as a waitress, on sheep farms, and on a wealthy cattle ranch in Queensland. Though the experience was eye-opening, it was not home.

“Australia isn’t for everybody,” she said.

After returning briefly to Ireland and working as a practical nurse, Alice saved enough money to immigrate to Canada in the early 1970s. She arrived in the dead of winter, wholly unprepared. 

“Cold, cold, cold,” she remembered. “I had lovely dress boots and a nice fancy dress and a coat—and not much more.”

In Toronto, the then 20 year old worked as a waitress before retraining and eventually finding steady work as a secretary with the provincial government. She married, had two children, and made her life in Canada.
 Asked if she is glad she left Ireland, she did not hesitate. “So glad.”

While her marriage eventually ended, Alice says her children are what sustained her. Both are grown, but they keep me going she says “they’re wonderful kids.”

Canada, she believes, offered something she could never access growing up. “It’s equal opportunity for everybody,” she said. “You have the opportunity to make it or break it.”

Over the years, Alice dabbled in writing, rich descriptive about life in ireland, but a few years ago, she realized she wanted to tell the bigger story. She turned to her daughter Kathleen, who made her wish come true, researching publishing options and guiding the process.

“When she was finished all the stories,it seemed that self-publishing was a simple way to bring things into reality,” said Kathleen, who also designed the book cover, that features a young Alice on the hills of Ireland. 

The book is published through Amazon.

Kathleen says the emotional honesty of the book stood out to her as a reader, and as her daughter. “She is able to be more vulnerable in her writing than in real life,” she said. 

“Gratitude in the end”

If there is a central lesson in Alice’s life and work, it is gratitude.
 She now lives with a group of seniors in a home in Scarborough, run by Abbeyfield Homes Society of Canada where she helps with the gardens in the summer and helps set the dining room table year round. Alice is also an artist, painting colourful works that often hang in the home. 

“To be full of gratitude for everything I’ve got,” she said. “Because I had so little.”.

Green Among the Grey: Stories from an Irish Farm is available on Amazon.
Tuesday February 10, 2026
Baroque Orchestra Brings Music to Life at Chester Village
Community Baroque Ensemble of Toronto Providing "Music Therapy" To Long-Term Care Residents
At any one of the roughly 2,000 long term care, LTC, facilities across Canada and the United States, meeting residents’ needs for activity, engagement, and a general reduction of stress and anxiety is a complex and ever evolving process of trial and error. In the span of a typical week, LTC program directors and staff might coordinate a games night, a yoga class, or an improvised fitness session such as chair aerobics or low impact Zumba. One activity might resonate deeply, while another falls flat.
LTC centres such as Chester Village, at Warden and Danforth, are carrying admission wait lists that extend well into the future. The senior demographic is growing rapidly, and with it comes a demand for programming that helps preserve quality of life well into residents’ 80s and 90s, and in many cases, past the centennial mark of 100.
An Experience That All Residents Can Enjoy
The goal in helping to meet this demand is to offer programming that is universally designed, effectively providing residents with an activity that everyone can participate in and look forward to.
This is precisely where a special approach to health and wellness has begun to take shape in Scarborough through the Community Baroque Ensemble of Toronto, CBET. This group of amateur musicians gathers and performs for a variety of audiences. On Saturdays, they alternate rehearsal spaces between Chester Village and Castleview Wychwood in the city’s west end.
Residents are encouraged to attend, and through the concept of music therapy, they are transported back in time to one of history’s most distinguished musical periods, the Baroque era, approximately 1600 to 1750.
Beginning in Rome and extending across all social structures in Europe, the Baroque era was characterized by ornate, emotional expression that culminated in the rise of legendary composers such as Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach. The printing press, having developed from a primitive concept during the Reformation, evolved in the 17th century into a thriving community staple, producing sheets of musical notation that villagers and court performers alike could emulate and modify.
World-Renowned Classical Conductor Kevin Mallon
On this mid February day, with freezing winds suggesting a frozen desert outside, the Baroque musicians, unified in tuning and pitch, fill the air inside Chester Village with an ambience that reflects a landmark era in musical history.
Renowned conductor Kevin Mallon, originally from Northern Ireland and now living in Toronto, leads the ensemble. Mallon frequently stops and restarts the ensemble as he tells anecdotes, plays recordings, and teaches the players how to interpret and transform the music.
It is not just the residents and onlookers who appear to relish the musical journey back in time. The ensemble itself is clearly enjoying the experience. Members take pleasure in expanding their musical bandwidth and repertoire by challenging themselves to play in the Baroque style.
Some players in the group play traditional baroque instruments. Donald, who is originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, is a trained flautist. He performs on the olive wood traverso. Several others play traditional recorders, the design of which is quite similar to the training recorders that comprise early school music programs.
Playing the theorbo, an impressive 14 string, long necked instrument is Bob. The theorbo might remind onlookers of George Harrison experimenting with the sitar at the height of the Beatles’ success. Like Harrison, Bob is a classical guitarist who was looking to try something new, and the combination of string and wind instruments is essential to the Baroque sound.
The Theorbo – string instrument
There are also modern instruments played by the ensemble. Most are more commonly recognized by the residents, who often smile and shift expressions in time with the ebb and flow of the music. Playing one of the more modern instruments is Jane, the CBET’s cellist and managing facilitator. Jane sits alongside Anne, a former high school bassoonist who returned to the instrument after decades of her case sitting idle at home.
Jane notes that the “intimate chamber sound” is what draws everyone in. There is truly no other sound quite like it.
“We are in love with the artistic repertoire.”
While the presentation and flow of the music therapy in real time are impressive, there is no reason for newcomers to feel intimidated. Jane reassures anyone interested in joining the Community Baroque Ensemble of Toronto that musicians with a basic level of experience are encouraged to reach out. Like any pursuit, it begins with a conversation, and through shared learning, the experience can grow into something magical.
For the LTC residents at Chester Village, that experience comes through listening and receiving the benefits of music therapy, including improved cognitive, emotional, and social well being. The CBET is, in effect, offering a gift to a growing demographic of our population. By receiving that gift, everyone benefits.
Monday February 9, 2026
Hundreds Gather at Scarborough Town Centre for Vibrant Lunar New Year Festivities
 Bright colours, traditional music, and cultural performances filled the Scarborough Town Centre this weekend as families, friends, and community members gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, welcoming the Year of the Horse with energy and joy.
The annual festivities, held over Saturday and Sunday, February 7–8, drew a diverse crowd to the mall’s Centre Court and surrounding spaces, where vibrant red and gold decorations, symbolic of good fortune and prosperity, greeted visitors upon arrival. The event offered a free and family-friendly way for people of all ages to experience Lunar New Year traditions and cultural heritage in the heart of Scarborough.Â
Organizers reported that attendance exceeded expectations on both days, with guests arriving early in the afternoon to take part in a packed schedule of activities. Centre Court transformed into a stage for a variety of performances, including dynamic lion and dragon dances — traditional spectacles believed to bring good luck and chase away negative energy for the upcoming year. Many spectators paused to capture photos and videos as performers moved on stage, their colourful costumes and commanding movements drawing applause from onlookers.Â
Live music and Chinese folk dance performances added to the festive atmosphere, with local artists showcasing their talents and sharing cultural heritage. Martial arts demonstrations also featured prominently, displaying impressive skill and discipline that captivated audiences and provided a glimpse into centuries-old traditions.Â
A highlight of the celebrations was the presence of the God of Fortune, a beloved figure in Lunar New Year festivities. The God of Fortune interacted with guests, posing for photos and handing out symbolic red envelopes, known as hongbao, which traditionally contain money or well-wishes for luck and success in the new year. Local children particularly enjoyed these moments, their faces lighting up as they received the envelopes and wished their own luck and prosperity.Â
Beyond the performances, the event featured a bustling Lunar New Year market where local artisans and small business owners showcased handmade crafts, cultural goods, and festive treats. Shoppers browsed stalls featuring jewellery, decorative items, and cultural keepsakes, creating a lively marketplace that reflected both tradition and community entrepreneurship. A towering 13-foot “Year of the Horse” sculpture served as an eye-catching centrepiece, offering a popular backdrop for photos and symbolizing strength and vitality for the year ahead.Â
In addition to performances and market stalls, visitors could participate in traditional activities like calligraphy and wish writing. Local calligraphers helped attendees write fai chun (red paper blessings), which were then displayed on symbolic peach blossom trees throughout the venue. Many participants wrote personal wishes for health, happiness, and success — sentiments echoed across the community and shared publicly in the display.Â
Event organizers and local leaders emphasized the importance of celebrating Lunar New Year as a way to honor cultural diversity and strengthen community bonds. “This celebration brings people together in a meaningful way,” one organizer noted, highlighting the inclusive nature of the weekend’s activities.
As the festivities wrapped up on Sunday evening, many attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate together, marking the start of 2026 with tradition, unity, and joy.
Monday February 9, 2026
City of Toronto releases spring recreation activity listings
Beginning today, February 9, spring recreation program listings are available to help Toronto residents prepare for upcoming registration dates.
The City of Toronto is the largest provider of recreation programs for people of all ages, skill levels and interests, and will offer fitness and wellness, sports and swimming. To see what’s available, visit the City’s Spring Recreation webpage: www.toronto.ca/springrec.
How to register
Registration is available online, by phone and in person. In 2024, the City launched a new registration and booking system for recreation and cultural activities, fitness or sports memberships and passes, and select facility bookings. To register, residents need to set up an account in the new system, if they have not done so yet. Residents are encouraged to have their account and Wishlist ready, ahead of registration. More information is available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/onlinereg.
When to register
General registration for all spring recreation programs will start at 7 a.m. on the following dates • Tuesday, March 3 – Etobicoke York and Toronto East York • Wednesday, March 4 – North York and Scarborough
Dedicated Older Adults (60+) registration will take place on: • Monday, March 2 at 10 a.m.
Early Local Registration was introduced to support residents living closest to centres offering free programs, giving them the opportunity to register one week ahead of general registration. Early Local Registration has been expanded from 10 to 24 centre locations across the city for spring and opens on the following date:
• Tuesday, February 24 at 7 a.m. for all ages.
Find out more information and check if you’re eligible at www.toronto.ca/earlyreg.
Help with registration
Residents can also seek staff assistance by calling 416-396-7378, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call centre will be open for extended hours on registration days Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For in-person registration support, select community centre locations will be open on the following dates from 7 a.m. to noon:
• Wednesday, March 4
o Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
o Dennis R. Timbrell Resource Centre, 29 St. Dennis Dr.
o Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Community Centre, 100 Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Ln.
o Malvern Community Recreation Centre, 30 Sewells Rd.
Monday February 9, 2026
Halfway to the Vacant Home Tax Deadline: Make your Declaration Now
The City of Toronto is reminding residential property owners that they are halfway to the 2025 Vacant Home Tax (VHT) deadline. Property owners are encouraged to act now to ensure declarations are made on time and well ahead of April 30, 2026.
To date, more than 80 per cent of residential property owners have submitted their 2025 occupancy declaration.
Since the Vacant Home Tax came into effect in 2022, the number of vacant homes in Toronto has declined. Vacant properties decreased from 6,944 in 2022 to 5,989 in 2024, and early indications suggest the Vacant Home Tax is helping to increase housing availability in Toronto.
All residential property owners must submit a declaration every year, even if the home is their main residence. If no declaration is received by April 30, the property may be considered vacant and taxed.
How to declare Property owners may submit their VHT declaration through one of the following channels: – Online: Submit via the City’s portal at www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax. – By telephone: Contact 311 (within Toronto) or 416-392-2489 (outside Toronto). Multilingual support is available in more than 180 languages. – In person: File at a Tax and Utility Counter at Toronto City Hall or any civic centre. For locations, visit the City’s Inquiry & Payment Counters webpage: www.toronto.ca/services-payments/property-taxes-utilities/inquiry-payment-counters.
Property owners who file their VHT declaration online will receive a confirmation number. If an email address is provided, a confirmation notice will also be sent. Declarations submitted by phone or in person will also receive a confirmation number. Declarations may be audited and supporting documentation may be requested. Information on how to update or correct a declaration is available at www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax.
The VHT supports key initiatives under the City’s HousingTO 2020–2030 Action Plan (www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/building-affordable-homes/housingto-2020-2030-action-plan) including the Multi-Unit Residential Acquisition program (www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/building-affordable-homes/housing-initiatives/multi-unit-residential-acquisition-program) and capital repairs to Toronto Community Housing Corporation units (www.torontohousing.ca).
About VHT
The VHT applies to residential properties in Toronto that were unoccupied for more than six months during the previous calendar year, unless the property is the owner’s principal residence, is occupied by an eligible resident or qualifies for an exemption. The VHT is designed to encourage the efficient use of existing housing stock and support a fairer, more accessible housing system. Exemptions may apply in cases such as the death of the owner, major renovations, long-term care or hospitalization, court orders restricting occupancy or occupancy by a tenant or eligible family member. For the 2025 taxation year, the VHT, as approved by Toronto City Council, remains at three per cent of a property’s Current Value Assessment, as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Property owners who disagree with their property’s vacancy status will have an opportunity to dispute the tax in accordance with the City’s VHT dispute process. For further information about the VHT including how to declare and available exemptions call 311 or visit the City’s VHT webpage: www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax.
Thursday February 5, 2026
Colts Edge George Brown in a Thriller to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
By Doug Whiteside for the Slam (Scarborough)
Images by John Smee for The Slam (Scarborough)
On a freezing Wednesday night in February, the gym and grandstands of the Athletic & Wellness Centre at Centennial College’s Progress Campus were buzzing with intense competition. Two rival colleges squared off in a matchup fueled by long-standing friendships and mutual respect.
Several players representing Centennial and George Brown have shared the court for years, setting, spiking, and serving together on elite travel teams such as the Titans — a program that now boasts clubs and coaching clinics across the GTA — or Synergy, Scarborough’s own club that has seen exponential growth in recent years.
The vibe on the court made it clear: these athletes were here to compete, but never at the expense of the relationships they’ve built on both sides of the net. Smiles and laughter followed the (very rare) mishit, extending even into the stands and serving as a reminder that, despite the stakes, it is still a game. That said, it might just be the best ticket in town.
Fans can check in with college officials at the door and watch highly skilled college volleyball, provided students, players’ families, and friends haven’t already filled the stands. There may be a small door fee, but for the most part, those who want to attend and support college athletics are more than welcome.
Centennial and George Brown are among the roughly 15 to 20 colleges that comprise the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA). Today’s college teams are far removed from the largely intramural programs that existed decades ago. Athletes are recruited and must go through extensive tryout processes to earn the right to wear their campus colours. They travel across the province with hopes of capping their two- or three-year programs by raising an OCAA championship banner in their gym rafters.
It’s an exciting time to be a student-athlete in Ontario — and across Canada. Even athletes heavily recruited by NCAA programs in the United States are increasingly viewing the OCAA as a valuable first step to develop their skills and build their competitive résumé. Many college programs also offer pathways directly linked to employment through apprenticeships, or serve as stepping stones toward university degrees, where athletes often go on to represent U Sports rosters across the country.
More than ever, Ontario colleges are positioning themselves as a premier option for student-athletes.
As for this matchup, the rivalry delivered. Centennial’s Colts edged George Brown in a thrilling five-set battle. The win carried significant implications, allowing Centennial to cling to the final playoff spot in the division. OCAA women’s volleyball playoffs are set to begin on February 14.
Â
Tuesday February 3
Doly Begum Resigns Seat in Provincial Legislature to run in Federal By-Election in SSW
By Josh McGinnis
Scarborough Southwest NDP MPP Doly Begum has resigned from provincial politics to run as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate in the upcoming federal byelection, following the resignation of longtime Scarborough Southwest MP Bill Blair.
Begum was first elected as the MPP for Scarborough Southwest in 2018 and also served as deputy leader of the Ontario NDP, the Official Opposition at Queen’s Park.
The Liberal Party of Canada announced Begum’s candidacy on Feb. 3.
The federal seat became vacant after Blair — a former Toronto police chief — announced his resignation to serve as Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
“I’ve had the privilege to earn the trust and fight for the people of Scarborough Southwest for more than seven years as our MPP,” Begum said in a statement released by the Liberal Party of Canada. “I understand the priorities of our community, and at this crucial moment for our country, I believe we must come together to build a stronger, more united and more prosperous Canada.”
A date for the federal byelection has not yet been announced.
In the same statement, Liberal Party of Canada president Sachit Mehra praised Begum’s record, saying she “has a strong track record of public service and getting results for her community.”
“This is a moment for our country to come together, to bring strong community voices and leaders to the table, and deliver the serious leadership Canadians expect and deserve,” Mehra said.
Meanwhile, Beaches–East York Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has announced he will seek the Ontario Liberal nomination to replace Begum as MPP for Scarborough Southwest.
The NDP has not yet announced a candidate for the provincial seat.
Monday February 5, 20262
Scottish Dancers Entertain at McCowan Retirement Residence
Monday January 26 2026
Bluffs Monitor Exclusive Interview with Suman Roy
Suman Roy, Executive Director of Feed Scarborough sat down with Bluffs Monitor in response to the story first reported by CBC News on January 12. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/daily-bread-food-bank-feed-scarborough-9.7039918) alleging financial irregularities with the charity.
 None of the allegations against Feed Scarborough have been tested in court and no criminal charges have been laid. 
 This interview has been edited for clarity and length.


BM: When did your relationship with Daily Bread Food Bank (DBFB) first begin? 



SR: In 2020. 



BM: Did you and DBFB have discussions surrounding their concerns before officially cutting ties? 


SR: Yes. For the last two years. Literally the week after the (2023 Municipal By-) election. 
 They started putting accusations, which are both investigated, one after another, and everything was found not true. 
 And it just went on. There was different, every few months there was a different kind of accusation they were bringing out and it was just going on and on and on. 


BM: And who were those accusations being made to? 


SR: Feed Scarborough, and me. 
A lot of them were primarily me. 


BM: So they (DBFB) weren’t engaging third parties at that time?
 

SR: No, they, well, they have,
they were taking all the accusations from the election time, and then they were just going on one after another. They did involve, the financial piece wasn’t there in the beginning. It was about human resource and things like that. Primarily everything from the election, the article that came out in Trillium the night of the election. (https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/former-feed-scarborough-staff-volunteers-raise-concerns-about-council-candidates-use-of-charity-funds-7901496)
 Then they moved into questioning about financials. 


BM: So the Trillium stuff and the election stuff were more along the lines of, let’s call them concerns, raised by political opponents. 


SR: Exactly. And our board diligently investigated it all just because they needed to make sure that there is no issue. And if there is, we need to address it. And they investigated, they reported back to Daily Bread saying, we investigated this, this is what we found. There is nothing there. Let’s move on. 


BM: So DBFB has had concerns since, I believe you said …so the end of 23, Is when these first came to light. How will Feed Scarborough proceed once ties are cut? 

SR: So we have done it once. We’ll do it again. 


BM: Sorry, could you explain? 


SR: Absolutely, because when we started, there was no DBFB… We started off just with community and doing what we can do for the community. And we are gonna do it again. The reality is for the last two years, 2024, 2025, there was no money that came from Daily Bread. 
Both these years there was absolutely zero money that came from Daily Bread. 


BM: So the the loss of DBFB food is gonna impact you?


SR: A hundred percent.


BM: So Daily Bread provides you with 65% of the food you distribute. 


SR: Yeah. 


BM: If you had to guess, what’s the value of the food that Feed Scarborough received from DBFB in a year? 


SR: I don’t have the number right off the top of my head, but it’ll be close to a million dollars worth of food. 


BM: And you’ll have to pull back. 


SR: Yeah. A hundred percent. There is no question about it. But we are hoping with our food rescue efforts that we have been doing for the last two years, that we will continue to do that and be able to still support the community significantly.


BM: There are feed Scarborough programs that will continue and will not be affected by DBFB decision?


SR: Exactly. 


BM: You’re looking to the community to support you financially?


SR: A hundred percent. 
So, really financially DBRB removal doesn’t really affect our organization.


BM: But the story (CBC) certainly must. 


SR: Yeah, for sure. The story certainly will. And that’s why we are with open arms. We want the investigation to be done, completed and get back to normal. 


BM: Why didn’t you get your reports in on time? 


SR: It’s not that we didn’t get our reports in on time. We did. What they have is accusation that I’m looking forward for investigation. Now the reality is the time period/ They are quoting 2021, 2022. That is when all the accusations [are] coming from. The reality is if you know 2021, 2022, peak COVID, we are starting off [and] our numbers are going up like 300% month over month. 
 Almost everybody, including myself, were all volunteering. We had one staff—that was Andrea probably—who was just getting the food out and all our accounting money, like everything was done by volunteers. Now when it’s all done by volunteers in the middle of like scrambling, we don’t have space. We are trying to feed the community. Is everything completely by the books? There is less chances that everything was in order, of course. That’s why we are open for investigation because we know that there was no wrongdoing by anybody, me or any volunteer. [As a] matter of fact, everybody who volunteered and did this had the best intentions for the community. And that was the goal. So I’m very confident of there is no wrongdoing, but yes, in that time, it is not right for me or my board or anybody to expect that everything the volunteers did or everything anybody did was perfectly according to the books. 


BM: So there are no financial irregularity, accusations from… 


SR: …2024, 2025, 2 years. 

BM: Because they weren’t giving you money?

SR: But the reality is yes. Did we as an organization know very well that the first few years when we were scrambling and struggling, we don’t have policies in place because Feed Scarborough was not planned to be this way. It was just a temporary fix that we were trying to do. And we went on increasing, increasing, increasing based on demand from 2023, end of 2023, till now, our policy process has changed drastically. Like very strong guards in place, accountability in place for crying out loud, it’s just in November or December (2025) we hired a third-party human resource company to do all our human resource paperwork, for example. 
 Because we, I, was all doing from the side of my desk—and that was the reality of it—now, okay, we were stable enough [to need] a human resource company. We need this, we need that. But also the reality is you need to understand that from day one, from 2020 when we started, every dollar and all our finance is third-party audited and it’s all posted on CRA website. So that should be a clear indication to the community that there is no wrongdoing anything. 


BM: So the community can go and see every year’s tax returns statements, audited statement or tax return?


SR: Both. So it is by law in CRA website it’s out there. Even if you don’t want to go look through all CRA website, you go to our website and right on the bottom of the home page, there’s always been, there are financials where every year’s third party audited statements are there from day one. 


BM: Okay. You’ve grown into a business, and that’s not a bad thing…


SR: That’s not a bad idea at all. But the thing is, we are not there yet. We are not there yet. We are quite far from there yet. 


BM: But you’ve hired a third-party human resources?


SR: …Company, because we have to. Because we need to be careful. Because we don’t need to do anything that is not completely by the books. And we haven’t. In the past it was sometimes maybe a staff contract was delayed by a couple of months to give them a contract because I just didn’t have time to type it out. So all of this now we are slowly, now we have strong financial policies, we have strong processes in place where there are checks and bounds. In the beginning for the first three, four years, nobody would give in, give our organization a credit card. ’cause we are new. So everything was on my personal credit card and then I had to do an expense to get myself paid for those. That’s the reality. 


BM: But, but the impression can be: “Suman Roy is writing checks to Suman Roy without third-party sign-off.”


SR: A hundred percent. That raised one of the accusations. I am the board chair, the buck stops with me. I’m not a staff. I’m putting everything on my credit card because starting from buying a rubber band, to buying egg cartons, to buying plastic bags, everything was on my credit card. 
Now all those receipts are certainly verified by the third party auditor who does our audit at the end of the year. It’s a perception thing. Did I write myself checks? Yes, because there was nobody else. I was the only bank-signing authority at that point. Now, we have more signing authorities. And now we have corporate credit card as well. 
 When we are struggling, when we are starting it… that’s the way it goes. And forget about non-profit part, even in a for-profit big company, for a startup, initially it is always the founder [who] is trying to make things work. I can tell you this, there were times, especially in the early days when literally I had to choose, do I go and buy food to give the food bank to, for them to keep continuing the thing or do I need to pay my mortgage? And there were these kind of decisions personally I had to make. So there are decisions, very difficult decisions that need to be made in the very early days. 


BM: It seems to have taken Daily Bread a long time to [respond], they went to the police in November of 2025. But you had no financial dealings with them from January of 2024?


SR: Which is surprising to me because it’s just the timing is so odd. 
And this is just my personal doubt that I keep on having. When we found out last week from CBC that DBRB is the one who went to police in November. We had no idea

BM: Have, have you guys heard from the police? 

SR: No, we haven’t heard back. But I have reached out myself to the police, the day after I found out from CBC and said, is this true? And they said “yes, we got a complaint and we are looking into it,” but nothing more. They haven’t reached out for anything. They said, “when we are ready we’ll (TPS) reach out.”


BM: The police receive many complaints. But the benchmark for the Toronto police is proof. So if they’re moving forward, there must be some proof of wrongdoing, fraud, whatever, for financial crimes to be investigating this. 


SR: Now this is something that is told by CBC. 


BM: But you mentioned you contacted the police, and they did inform you that there is an investigation ongoing?


SR: There is, the exact language was “there is a file.” So there is a file. That’s what I, we, understand. 


BM: But nobody used the word investigation?


SR: CBC did. 


BM: Who’s on the board? 


SR: There [are] three people right now. Okay. There is a gentleman named Clifford Gomes. There is Tina Presley, who’s our community member and Rinky Ahmed, who’s our community member as well. 
 So we have three board members. The board immediately, when we heard of the accusations, [said] that this is serious And at the end of June, the board said, okay, we are not capable at this point to investigate and there is, there could be conflict of interest because we are a board member. So they immediately informed Daily Bread and they said we gotta go to a third-party investigator.


BM: Daily Bread contacted you in June of 2025? Contacted the board?


SR: So they said, but we can’t really jump into this. We are not capable, qualified to do this. So we need a third-party investigator to actually look into and not only just what they are accusing, 
To look at every dollar from day one [that] we received, that takes time. And our board and I get it, why our board did that, our board chair was—we want to be clear—we don’t want this coming back and back. We want to be very clean up front. Yeah. So they hired a third-party investigator. Now the third-party investigator also, they then hired a forensic accountant. So there was an accounts investigation and then there was practice investigation. 
 The deadline for us to submit that investigation report was January 31. We, not we, but our chair of the board reached out to the Daily Bread chair and said, I spoke to the investigators and around January 15 they’re hoping to give the report out. And then on seventh or eighth of January, the media news broke.


BM: Do you have the report? 


SR: No, we don’t, because as soon as it, when there our investigator said, well now it’s a police complaint. They filed a police complaint. We need to follow the process. 
Deep down I know that there is no wrongdoing here. So I want that report. Our board wants that report. We want the police to investigate, get it out and move on. 
And so it, everything is a limbo right now.


BM: Can Feed Scarborough come back from this?


SR: A hundred percent. I have absolutely no doubt because the bottom line is simple: the community needs the support we have. And from day one, you have heard me saying many times that food banks are not the solution. It is a band-aid that unfortunately has to happen because of the longterm impact that is missing. 


BM: So I guess one of the most damaging accusations is that you wrote checks to companies you owned?


SR: That’s what the accusation is. So it’s under investigation. So I cannot really say, I’m not allowed to say that. But one thing that I can say, and I will say, and I’ve said it in every media very clearly, I can guarantee you that not a penny of Feed Scarborough was used for anything other than charitable causes. That I can a hundred percent guarantee. 


BM: What’s the Feed Scarborough budget? 


SR: 1.5 million. 
 

BM: So there is some, some real money involved.


SR: Yes, Absolutely. Yeah. 


BM: And those funds do not come from DBRB? No? They come from… 


SR: Corporate. Corporate sponsors, Other grants, private donors. 


BM: Fair to say you’ve had a few sleepless nights?


SR: Yes and no. Actually I did not have sleepless nights because deep down I know that there is nothing to see here. Everything is clean, there is no issues. The only thing that caused a little bit of headache for me is peoples’ opinions. And when they see news articles, they see all of this and they form opinions. 
I’m certainly very disappointed, but at the end of the day, these things happen.

Monday January 26, 2026
Weightlifting at Variety Village
Monday January 12 2026
The Toronto Chill Are Redefining Granny Basketball — and Warming the East End
By Doug Whiteside
Based in Riverdale and playing out of Eastminster United Church, this senior women’s team is building community, staying active, and giving back during the coldest months of the year.
Nestled just west of Greektown, steps from the bustle of the Danforth, stands Eastminster United Church — a neighbourhood landmark whose congregation celebrated its centennial in 2024.
Beneath the cathedral ceilings and double-decked oak pews is a stairwell that leads to a different kind of sanctuary. A door opens onto a row of benches overlooking a regulation-sized basketball court. The steady rhythm of a bouncing ball confirms that, on most nights, this basement gym is alive — serving players of all ages and backgrounds.
The brickwork and worn hardwood feel like something out of Hoosiers, evoking a time when fundamentals mattered and the game was taught with care. It’s a setting that takes basketball fans back to the sport’s roots — even to its invention by Canadian physical education teacher James Naismith, who famously hung a peach basket to give his students a new winter activity.
From those beginnings to packed community gyms, and now to a global passion, basketball has always been a game for everyone.
At Eastminster, the Toronto Chill are making sure that includes senior-aged women.
Granny Basketball
The Chill plays under the banner of Granny Basketball — a league officially registered in 2008 that now includes more than 45 teams across the United States, with a growing presence in Canada. The Toronto Chill, in just two years as an official team (they first registered in January, 2024), are based in the city’s east end, and offer women aged 50 and over the chance to learn the game, stay active, and compete, if they later choose to.
Some players arrive with high-level experience, including player-coach Vicky Merrick, who played at Toronto Metropolitan University. Others are brand new to organized basketball, drawn by the chance to move, learn, and connect in a supportive environment.
“The rules are adapted to be applied for any age group and background,” Merrick said. “We have players who come from competitive programs, and others who love the game but have never played at any level.”
Granny Basketball’s rules are designed to be both inclusive and safe. Players wear 1920s-style uniforms — bloomers, middy blouses, and knee-high stockings — with violations resulting in a technical “flesh” foul! Underhand shots are rewarded with three points, while other field goals count for two.
Gameplay is deliberately modified to reduce injury risk and emphasize fundamentals. Quarters are eight minutes long, dribbling is limited, no running or jumping is allowed, and physical contact results in fouls. The result is a version of basketball that remains competitive, strategic, and fun — without sacrificing accessibility. The game is truly run, with a universal design for learning (UDL), in mind.
Practices and Workshops
Beyond weekly practices and intra-squad scrimmages, the Chill participates in regular Learn to Play workshops, and exhibitions to display the game and promote the league. As the only Granny Basketball team in Canada right now, their efforts are devoted towards expanding the league in the Great Lakes division, with the goal of eventually entering tournaments, games and “friendlies”.
Fees from play, and workshops are mostly donated to charities that include Out of the Cold,- Nourish Food Bank, which is supported through the East End United Regional Ministry. In just two years as an official team, the Toronto Chill’s contributions have already made a meaningful local impact.
The team continues to grow and is actively recruiting players, referees, scorekeepers, and volunteers. No basketball experience is required — every practice is built around teaching fundamentals and learning the game together.
Judging by the energy in the gym and the smiles on the bench, the formula is working.
Those interested in joining the Toronto Chill or supporting their charitable efforts are encouraged to reach out to the team and attend a practice at Eastminster United Church. Community support — on and off the court — remains at the heart of everything they do.
The Chill ladies have a confirmed charity game on Saturday March 21st, at 1pm @ Eastminster, if you’d like to attend and get acquainted! It is expected to be a super fun afternoon of auctions, food, raffles, and more!
Written and images by Doug Whiteside for The Slam (Scarborough)
For donations to the Out of The Cold & Nourish Food Bank — Here
Monday January 5 2026
Borough FC Looks to Fortify Roster as World Cup Fever Builds Across the GTA
Open tryouts for The Borough FC begin Monday as local soccer continues to grow alongside Canada’s World Cup preparations.
With Toronto set to serve as one of the primary host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, anticipation is building across the Greater Toronto Area — and nowhere is that excitement more tangible than in Scarborough.
Canada’s men’s national team will open its World Cup campaign at BMO Field on June 12, facing the winner of UEFA Playoff Path A. Possible opponents include Wales, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or four-time champion Italy — a reminder that even host nations face no easy path on the world’s biggest stage.
For Canada, the tournament represents a chance at its strongest showing to date. Anchored by elite professionals such as Alphonso Davies, Jonathan David, and Alistair Johnston, the national side enters the competition with unprecedented confidence. Still, history looms large. Since the tournament’s inception in 1930, only eight countries have ever won the World Cup, with Brazil (five titles), Germany (four), and Italy (four) dominating the honours list. Reigning champion Argentina will attempt to defend its title, bolstered by the continued global draw of Lionel Messi, now playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
While the world’s attention focuses on global powerhouses, professional soccer closer to home continues to evolve — offering a legit pathway for local talent with international aspirations.
Scarborough’s own League1 Ontario men’s side, The Borough FC, is preparing for the upcoming season and will host open tryouts beginning Monday, January 5. The club, which plays its home matches at Birchmount Stadium, finished third in the league standings last season with 40 points, narrowly trailing eventual champions Unionville Milliken SC.
The 12-team League1 Ontario men’s division plays a 20-game regular season, with kickoff scheduled for April. For 2026, The Borough FC will return to Birchmount Stadium featuring newly installed turf, retaining a portion of last season’s roster while actively seeking new additions through its tryout process.
Though far removed from the scale of Europe’s top leagues, League1 Ontario serves a vital role in Canada’s soccer ecosystem. It offers competitive, professional opportunities forplayers transitioning from youth, academy, or collegiate systems into the professional ranks.
Scarborough’s soccer legacy underscores the importance of that pathway. Players such as Dwayne De Rosario and Cyle Larin emerged from local pitches long before comparable professional structures existed in the region. Today’s generation has access to opportunities that previous stars did not — with clubs like The Borough FC positioned as both a proving ground and a springboard.
As Canada pursues its first-ever World Cup victory, local supporters have a chance to contribute in meaningful ways. Attending matches, supporting community clubs, and investing attention in local talent helps strengthen the foundation beneath the national program.
This spring, that foundation will be on display at Birchmount Stadium — where the early chapters of future professional careers may already be unfolding.
Written by Doug Whiteside for The Slam (Scarborough) 

Monday January 5 2026
Toronto Public Health inspection results now available online through ChildCareSafe program
Parents and caregivers in Toronto now have access to a tool to help them choose a child care centre with confidence and stay informed about their child’s health and safety. Toronto Public Health (TPH) has started publishing the results of infection prevention and control inspections for all licensed child care centres online at toronto.ca/ChildCareSafe, similar to the DineSafe, SwimSafe and BodySafe programs.
This new tool provides easy-to-access information about the infection control practices in licensed child care centres including annual inspection outcomes such as “satisfactory,” “re-inspection required” or “closure.” Complaint investigation results will also be posted on the ChildCareSafe webpage. Users can search by location using an interactive map. Results will remain on the City’s website for two years.
Local public health officials conduct infection control inspections at least once every 12 months at licenced child care centres in the city. Additional inspections are completed in response to complaints and outbreaks. The Ministry of Health requires these inspection disclosures through a protocol in the Ontario Public Health Standards. However, child care centres are not required to post results on-site at their facilities.
Choosing a child care provider is one of the most important decisions for parents and caregivers to make. Toronto’s child care centres have consistently demonstrated high compliance with infection control standards, with nearly 100 per cent satisfactory inspection rates in recent years. To better support child care operators during this transition, TPH is providing training, eLearning modules and town halls.
More information on how TPH protects and promotes health in child care settings is available on the City’s webpage: toronto.ca/ChildCareSafe.
Friday December 5, 2025
Blue Bins no longer City-run: What to expect January 1
The City of Toronto is reminding residents that, effective January 1, 2026, the municipality will no longer manage residential recycling services. This transition is required under provincial legislation and will see a private company take over recycling collection and related services for single-family homes, some multi-residential buildings, schools, long-term care facilities and retirement homes.
Changes to recycling collection services do not apply to commercial customers, City divisions or agencies, charities, institutions or religious organizations.
Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth), Chair, Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC), Deputy Mayor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence), Vice-Chair, IEC, and Matt Keliher, General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, confirmed the City is fully prepared for a smooth transition and has a comprehensive communications plan to keep residents informed.
“Our priority is making this transition as seamless as possible for residents. We’ve worked closely with the new provider to ensure that recycling routines stay the same and that residents know who to contact for services requests.” – Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth), Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
To help prepare residents with what they need to know, the City has a variety of educational tactics including advertisements, direct mail, social media initiatives, web content and an enhanced 311 customer service strategy.
“Recycling is one of the simplest and most effective ways we can fight climate change and protect our environment. Even though the management of the Blue Box program is changing, we still encourage Torontonians to keep doing their part for a sustainable future.” – Mayor Olivia ChowÂ
What stays the same
There are no impacts on how residents recycle. Blue bins will remain in use, the materials that are recycled will remain the same with a few new additions, and residents should continue following their regular collection schedule provided by the City in early December or check online at toronto.ca/collection-schedule.
The City encourages residents to continue participating in the recycling program regardless of who manages the program, and to participate in the City’s other waste diversion programs such as green bin organics and yard waste collection. The City will also continue to provide garbage collection.
What’s changing
The biggest change to the Blue Box program is the collection provider. Starting January 1, 2026, all requests for residential Blue Box recycling services, including missed collection, bin repair or replacement, must be directed to the new provider, Circular Materials at 1-888-921-2686 or circularmaterials.ca/toronto.
“Toronto remains committed to waste diversion through the programs we continue to be responsible for like Green Bin organics, yard collection and recycling in public areas. These services are essential to keeping our city clean and sustainable. I also want to thank the dedicated City staff who have worked tirelessly over the past few years to manage the transition to blue bin collection by industry, as smooth for residents as possible.” – Deputy Mayor Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence), Vice-Chair of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee
Thursday May 15, 2025
City of Toronto Fireworks By-Laws for Residential Properties
Important reminder about fireworks;
Residents are allowed to set off fireworks on their own private property without a permit before 11 p.m. on Victoria Day and Canada Day. A permit is needed to set off fireworks on all other days. Fireworks are not permitted in City parks or on beaches, balconies, streets, parking lots or property that is not owned by the person setting off the fireworks.
Fireworks should be handled and supervised by adults 18 years of age or older. People under 18 years old are not permitted to discharge fireworks. Those setting off fireworks must be mindful of their surroundings and not discharge fireworks where they may be a nuisance or pose a risk of fire, injury or damage to any person or property. The City’s bylaw enforcement officers and the Toronto Police Service will be patrolling parks, beaches and other areas to ensure compliance with the Fireworks Bylaw.
The misuse or illegal sale of fireworks can be reported to 311 by phone or by submitting a service request at www.toronto.ca/311.
In the event of a fire, call 9-1-1.
Safe fireworks disposal Those setting off fireworks on their own private property must also safely dispose the fireworks as improper disposal can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at facilities. To dispose of used or unused fireworks, completely submerge the fireworks in water and soak them overnight. Dispose of them in a Garbage Bin. Never put used or unused fireworks in the Blue Bin. More information about fireworks rules, safety tips and proper disposal is available on the City’s fireworks webpage: http://www.toronto.ca/fireworks.