March 23, 2023
After 3 Years Seedy Saturday is Back
Come to the 2023 SCARBOROUGH SEEDY SATURDAY AND GREEN FAIR , Saturday MARCH 25, 11 am – 4 pm at St. John Henry Newman High School, 100 Brimley Rd South (south of Kingston Road).
A Gardening and Eco Fair with over 50 exhibitors : heirloom seed vendors, seed exchange , gardening booths, environmental organizations, green living ideas and answers to your growing questions.! There will be kids activities and Food available for purchase.
Entry is $2.00 or PWYC. Half of the entry will be donated to the Scarborough Food Security Initiative – helping to support food banks across Scarborough.!
For more info contact:
scarboroseedysaturday@gmail.com or Follow us
https://www.facebook.com/SSSGFair/
February 17, 2023
Background Information re: Resignation of Mayor Tory
The Mayor of Toronto may resign from City Council by submitting a resignation to the City Clerk. In this situation, the City of Toronto, guided by the City of Toronto Act, the Municipal Elections Act and Council Procedures (Chapter 27 of the Toronto Municipal Code), works with the office of the Deputy Mayor to continue the uninterrupted delivery of City programs and services while working to fill the role of Mayor of Toronto.
Vacancy in the Office of Mayor
The City of Toronto Act outlines the process for filling Council vacancies. In 2022, the Province of Ontario updated the Act to require Council fill a mayoral vacancy by by-election.
Following a mayoral resignation, the City Clerk will report to the next scheduled meeting of Council with recommendations that allow Council to:
- Formally declare the Office of Mayor vacant
- Pass a bylaw that authorizes the filling of the vacancy by by-election
By-election overview
Nominations for a by-election will open shortly after Council passes a bylaw authorizing the by-election.
Throughout the nomination period, eligible individuals can file a nomination at Toronto City Hall. Those pursuing nomination must be eligible electors and show identification demonstrating that they reside in Toronto.
Under the Municipal Elections Act, the City Clerk establishes the date for the close of nominations between 30 and 60 days after the passing of the by-election bylaw. Candidates may withdraw up to the close of nominations.
The by-election is held 45 days after the close of nominations.
Incoming Mayor
Following the by-election, the City Clerk will certify the official results and then arrange to administer the Declaration of Office to the successful candidate. The new Mayor will assume all rights, powers and authorities of the Mayor, including those under Part VI.1 of the City of Toronto Act, upon making the declaration.
Role of the Deputy Mayor
Under the Council Procedures (Chapter 27 of the Toronto Municipal Code), the Deputy Mayor automatically assumes certain rights, powers and authority given to the Mayor by Council following a Mayor’s resignation until the Declaration of Office for the successful by-election candidate is complete. The Deputy Mayor remains Deputy Mayor while the Office of Mayor is vacant. The Deputy Mayor does not become the “Acting Mayor” or “Interim Mayor.”
Deputy Mayor powers and duties under Council Procedures include:
- Acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the City
- When the Speaker or Deputy Speaker are not doing so, presiding over Council meetings so that City business can be carried out efficiently and effectively
- Providing leadership to Council
- Representing the City and Council at official functions
- Speaking first or last on an item at City Council meetings
- Adding new business to Council meeting agendas
- Duty to answer questions at Council meetings when provided
- Presiding over Committee of the Whole
- Calling and cancelling Council meetings
- Designating key matters during Council meetings
- Being a member of all Council committees when present, except Community Councils, and being a member of other committees and local boards to which the Mayor was appointed by Council (i.e., Debenture Committee)
- Exercising all other powers granted by Council to the Mayor
The Deputy Mayor also assumes administrative management of a vacant Mayor’s office, including, but not limited to, purchasing and staffing matters.
The Deputy Mayor does not assume the special powers and duties of the Mayor under Part VI.1 of the City of Toronto Act (“Strong Mayor powers” added by the Province of Ontario’s Bill 3 and Bill 39). The Deputy Mayor also does not automatically assume the Mayor’s seats on boards on which the Mayor was a member; those seats remain vacant until a new Mayor takes office.
February 16, 2023
Clean Up Begins at 10 Annis Site of Wednesday Morning Fire
Clean up began on Thursday Feb. 16 with a demolition team arriving to begin taking down the house. Also on scene was TPS Forensics team as well as the Toronto Fire Services Investigation Team.
February 15, 2023
Early Morning fire Markham & Kingston
Toronto Fire Services responded to reports of a house fire 10 Annis Rd. at 5:58 am, Wednesday Feb. 15. Upon arrival crews observed flame coming out of the house. TFS personnel instituted a fast attack getting their attack lines in pretty quick, but the fire had already gone from the basement up into the roof area. A second alarm was called in.
Crews then switched to an exterior attack because crews were not sure about the structural integrity of the floor on the main floor. TFS did have reports that the home was vacant, and they have no injuries to report.
The fire is knocked down (as of 11:00am). and crews continue monitoring for any hotspots. making sure there’s no exposures and TFS hasn’t missed anything.
A two Alarm fire means crews from a neighbouring hall are called in to assist with personnel and equipment. At the height of the blaze there were 12 firefighting apparatus and crews on scene. There has been no cause determined but fire investigators have been notified and are enroute to Annis Rd. Crews will be on scene for the next 12 hours at least doing what’s called a fire watch – making sure that the fire is indeed out and there’s no hot spots and no risk to to the public.
February 6, 2023
Variety Village Summer Camp Registration Opens Feb. 6
What you need to know:
- Registration will take place online via our online portal
- You don’t have to be a member to register for camp. Member and non-members’ pricing is noted in the Summer Camp Guide.
How to register:
- Visit our portal link here: https://portal.varietyvillage.ca/
- Log in to your account. New guests will have to create an account.
- Browse our Summer Camp Guide to make your camp selections
For registration support please call membership at (416) 699-7167.
For camp inquiries please email our Camp Coordinator Brian at bhay@varietyontario.ca.
February 3, 2023
ShowHeart Twitch Charity Concert February 11-15 2023
The team at Variety – the Children’s Charity welcomes you to join us in a Twitch Global Concert – ShowHeart! By collaborating together, we’ll be helping raise awareness and funds for Variety’s kids all across the globe!
Variety’s ‘ShowHeart’ concert is a virtual four day Twitch charity concert/streamathon featuring up to 40+ bands & artists from across the world.
The concert series will broadcast live on Twitch over a series of four days celebrating Heart month, February.
The concert will open at 6:00am EST on February 11, headlined by our host and fellow Twitch entertainer, Josh Taerk. The streamathon will continue with non- stop entertainment until 2:00am February 15th.
Throughout the four days each artist will raid the next performer’s channel, passing on their audience to the next person on the schedule.
You love music – or you love streaming…
Get Involved!
Here’s your chance to be a part of something BIG! As a charity started by entertainers, we are harnessing audiences all over the world to help make an impact for kids globally. Your participation will help raise awareness and funds for life-changing equipment and programs for kids in need.
Take part in the Stream
Get streaming, have fun and help us, help kids. We’ve got plenty of resources including fact sheets, social shareables and overlays to help you participate.
FUNdraise!
Create your fundraising page on Tiltify, connect your Twitch, YouTube Live, or Facebook, and get ready to fundriase.
Help Promote
Encourage your friends, families, fans, and viewers to join in on the broadcast. To help you share the event we have created promotional assets you can download and share from any of your devices.
The Live Stream
Community, Connection, Fun.
The concert series presents itself as the modern-day telethon opportunity. In 1981, Variety had over $1.2 million pledged throughout a telethon series. The goal is by using the Twitch platform and this unique idea, we can resurrect this extraordinary form of fundraising. We encourage music fans of any age to gather with their family and join the Twitch community for some entertainment and help raise the necessary funds needed for kids around the world.
Variety’s ShowHeart Concert harnasses artists from around the world, creating international reach and brand awareness while strengthening international ties. The event educates communities, connects like-minded individuals while providing a unique fundraising opportunity. As guests stream the event, they have the opportunity to give by simply clicking the donation link provided or by signing up for a free Twitch account and clicking the links that pop-up on the screen.
What is Twitch?
Twitch is a video-streaming platform that offers a fun, social way to watch people game, play music, and create art. Through the Twitch app (and online at Twitch.tv), content creators (known as streamers) play their favorite games, paint, play and write music while providing running commentary for their viewers.
Twitch is a hub for people who are seeking alternative sources of media and a more inclusive, interactive, and community-based media experience. It’s about being
able to not just choose what you watch but being able to interact with the content creators directly by participating and contributing to the streams.
Twitch encourages its users to support streamers with financial donations, paid monthly subscriptions to their channels, and encourages users to then interact with the streamers on other social media/web based platforms.
Helping children around the world across a global network of 40 chapters in 11 countries.
Variety – the Children’s Charity has a network of 40 offices in 11 countries and can be found across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Unlike most charitable organizations that focus on a single disease or area of need, Variety focuses on many of the unmet needs of children who are sick, disadvantaged or live with disabilities at local, national and international levels.
Established in 1928 by a group of entertainers, Variety has its roots in the entertainment industry, but its heart is the community. People from all walks of life can contribute and experience the joy of helping a child, confident that their generosity has real impact and results in markedly improving a child’s future and making the world a better place.
Become a Partner or Sponsor
Through prizing, matched giving, in-stream exclusives or surprise in-stream donations, our partners change the lives of kids living
January 31, 2023
Lenmore Court Slated for Demolition; Tenants Future Still Unclear
Response from Councillor Crawford's Office
Here is some more information regarding the Tenant Replacement Plan.
- A Final Report for the Rental Housing Demolition Application at 1625, 1633 and 1641 Kingston Road was considered by Scarborough Community Council on January 27, 2023 and will be considered by City Council on February 7, 2023. The report is available at https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2023.SC2.1
- Page 5 of that report outlines that the tenant relocation and assistance plan will include the right to return to a new unit at similar rent, along with financial compensation. In more detail, the financial compensation includes:
- a rent gap payment which is meant to help bridge the difference between a tenant’s current rent and rents for vacant apartments of the same type in the Central Scarborough Zone, as measured by CMHC, for the duration of period that tenants will be displaced.
- A moving allowance of $1,500 or $2,500 depending on the size of apartment.
- Three months’ of rent as compensation pursuant to the Residential Tenancies Act.
- Additional financial compensation for special needs tenants.
- A meeting with tenants was held on December 14, 2022 where the tenant relocation and assistance plan was shared with tenants. At community council staff noted that they would send an update letter to tenants confirming that the agreement to be registered on title to the lands will include all elements of the tenant relocation and assistance plan shared with tenants.
- The staff report includes a recommendation that would require a legal agreement to be entered into and registered on title to the lands to secure the replacement rental units and tenant relocation and assistance plan, including rent gap payments, before the City will issue the Rental Housing Demolition Permit. Further, the City requires that this legal agreement be entered into and registered prior to tenants receiving a notice of eviction for demolition.
- City Council approval of the rental housing demolition application doesn’t mean that the developer will have their demolition permit issued. The final report outlines a number of conditions that still need to be met before the City will issue the demolition permit.
City staff will also be reaching out individually to tenants.
Monique Lisi
Chief of Staff
Office of Councillor Gary Crawford
Ward 20, Scarborough Southwest
Scarborough Community Council approved a rental housing demolition application for 1625-1641 Kingston Rd. and 52 Birchcliff Ave. on Friday, Jan. 27.
The application proposes to demolish Lenmore Court which is made up of 32 rental dwelling units at 1625, 1633 and 1641 Kingston Rd. and one rental unit at 52 Birchcliff Ave. — replacing them with two new buildings. The new buildings will range in heights up to nine store storeys
According to City of Toronto Senior Planner Graham Haines, the new building fronting Kingston Road will comprise of 237 units while there will be 33 rental units in a separate four-storey building facing Birchcliff Ave. to replace the demolished rentals that are currently at the site.
At the meeting were community members and tenants including Birch Cliff Village Community Association founder, Anna Dewar Gully, who spoke out against the demolition.
“As a citizen I want to draw your attention as councillors to the ludicrously high volume of demolitions of affordable housing that are happening in my community and, I’m sure, all over the city,” said Gully.
She urged councillors to defer their decision until the application’s developer, Altree, shows more transparency in regards to compensation.
Gully, who was representing tenants of the 33 rental units, told councillors that the process had been “appallingly inequitable” for tenants and tilted towards the interests of the developers.
Tenants asked for specific details about the safeguarding of affordable rents as well as mental health care compensation for therapeutic support after being put through what they describe as a “ridiculous ordeal”.
Providing mental health support for tenants of a building to be demolished is not mandated and developers have no obligation to do so.
However, Louis Tinker, Altree’s Planning Consultant, told the Scarborough councillors that during their last consultation with tenants, his clients pledged to compensate the equivalent of three months rent, provide them with $1,500 moving expenses, assured them of their rights to move back into the new building at “similar” rental rates of the demolished units, as well as a rental gap payment.
“So, for example, if [the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation] reported vacant rents of $1,700 for a one-bedroom unit and you [previously] rented a one-bedroom unit for $1000, your rent gap is $700.”
Tinker explained that the $700 is then multiplied by the length of time the tenant is expected to be displaced and then issued to them up front. In this case, construction of the new rental units is expected to take 30 months according to Altree.
In an event where development takes longer than anticipated, tenants are expected to be further compensated, although, at that point many of them believe they would have moved on to find other permanent residences.
At the meeting, tenants depicted distrust of the developer as they requested confirmation of the rental gap plan in writing as public record so as to ensure that their needs aren’t neglected in the future.
“With regard to the rental relocation assistance plan, I think as a city we went well beyond what provincial rules and regulation talks about,” said Scarborough Southwest Councillor Gary Crawford, who represents the Birch Cliff area. “The package that was negotiated I think was fair.”
Although Crawford approved of the compensation plan which ensures that tenants are relocated and do not have to pay for anything out of pocket, he voted against the demolition application. Crawford was the only councillor to vote against. Beach Metro Community News reached out to understand this decision but has not yet received a response.
Voting in favour of the demolition application were Scarborough-Rouge Park Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, Scarborough Centre Councillor Michael Thompson, Scarborough North Councillor Jamaal Myers, Scarborough-Agincourt Councillor Nick Mantas, and Scarborough-Guildwood Councillor Paul Ainslie.
The application to develop at Lenmore Courts was presented to the city in October 2020.
Following public outcry about the building’s size – which led to the formation of the Birch Cliff Village Community Association, challenges mounted as the developer planned on relocating displaced tenants to another building outside the community.
“We fought that with the residents,” said Crawford. “Ideally you’re supposed to move people within their local community and two kilometres away wouldn’t be considered that.”
Altree obliged and will now be tasked with finding all the tenants replacement units within the community.
Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act requires developers to give tenants four months to move out, however, Lenmore Court tenants will have six months to prepare for their relocation due to Toronto’s low vacancy rates.
Amarachi Amadike is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for Beach Metro Community News. His reporting is funded by the Government of Canada through its Local Journalism Initiative.
January20, 2023
Kung Hei Fat Choi ... Lunar New Year Begins
The 2023 Lunar New Year is occurring a bit earlier than in recent years, and with it will come the next Zodiac animal in the cycle: the Rabbit. However, the Rabbit isn’t the only animal that will preside over this year. Depending on one’s heritage and location, Lunar New Year festivities and traditions can vary quite a lot.
In China, the order of animals in the Zodiac calendar mirrors a folktale often called The Great Race. The story goes, generally speaking, that the Jade Emperor invited all the animals to his palace to become his royal guards. However, the order in which they passed through his Heavenly Gate would dictate their rank. The order in which the animals passed through the gate in the tale also corresponds to the order of the Zodiac calendar: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Since the Lunar New Year traditions vary from place to place, however, so too do the animals. In Vietnam, the Cat is fourth in the Zodiac instead of the Rabbit. The Vietnamese community will therefore be ringing in the year of the Cat instead of the Rabbit, in 2023 . In Thailand, the place of the Dragon is occupied by the Naga, a multi-headed great serpent. In Japan, the Boar takes the place of the Pig. Horoscopes for those born under each Zodiac animal sign are common across the board, but also somewhat differ regionally.
Unlike the western Zodiac, which changes from month-to-month, the Lunar Zodiac changes yearly. The Lunar Zodiac also includes five elements that are supposed to affect the personality, luck, and fate of the people born under them: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. People born this year, for example, will fall under the sign of the Water Rabbit. However, people born in 1999 are Earth Rabbits, and in 1987, Fire Rabbits. The last year of the Water Rabbit was in 1963. To determine the element of any given year, look at the last number of that year:
Metal: Years ending in 0 or 1.
Water: Years ending in 2 or 3.
Wood: Years ending in 4 or 5.
Fire: Years ending in 6 or 7.
Earth: Years ending in 8 or 9.
Some people still refer to the whole of the Lunar New Year as “Chinese New Year”. Since the Lunar New Year is celebrated worldwide and traditions vary from place to place, the former may be a more accurate reflection of the holiday in a general sense. If specifically referring to a Lunar New Year event where Chinese traditions and culture are celebrated, Chinese New Year is still widely acceptable. The same goes for Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean New Years Celebrations.
However you celebrate this Lunar New Year, may it bring luck, health, wealth, and happiness to your family and loved ones.
January20, 2023
The Toronto Repair Café - Throw it Away - No Way
The Toronto Repair Café popped up at the Port Union Recreation Centre on December 17 to help community members fix-up and learn how to repair their favourite items. The very first Repair Café opened in Amsterdam in 2009, and has since become a worldwide phenomenon called the Repair Café Foundation.
Co-founders of the Toronto Repair Café, Fern Mosoff, Paul Magder, and Wai Chu Cheng, launched their first café in May 2013. Today, Toronto Repair Café hosts a variety of pop-up and re-occurring cafés across the GTA in community centres, Toronto Public Library locations, and small community organizations.
According to their website, Toronto Repair Café has three core values that drive them forward:
(1) create a free, safe and welcoming atmosphere accessible to the community where visitors may engage with fellow community members and learn about repair;
(2) come together with volunteers and visitors in an open, generous and kind manner, where everyone is valued; and
(3) work collaboratively and partner with a diverse range of community groups to promote sustainability in a fun and inclusive manner.
The Repair Café at Port Union Recreation Centre is open (approximately) every six weeks and is always on a Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Toronto Repair Cafés have experts on repairing all kinds of household items including appliances, clothes, jewelry, watches, electronics, phones, computers, bone china, eyeglasses, and more!
While the services at the Repair Café are free-of-charge, donations to the foundation are always appreciated. All of the fixers are volunteers, donating their time to help others learn practical life skills and sustainable practices. By repairing or re-using parts of one’s household items, one saves the emissions produced by the manufacturing, shipping, and processing of a new item and the emissions produced by the disposal of the old one. It also allows people with rare or discontinued items to extend their life and love them a while longer.
The next Toronto Repair Café pop-up will be held at the St. Lawrence Market on January 26. To volunteer as a fixer, visit https://repaircafetoronto.ca/volunteer/. Cash donations are accepted at Repair Cafés year-round.
December 27, 2022
Community - the greatest gift this holiday season
By Domenic Primucci, President Pizza Nova
The holiday period is a time of joy—a cherished season that beckons spending time with loved ones, surrounded by food and, more often than not, gifts. But ask anyone who has lost a loved one, the season can also be a time that highlights the scarcity or personal losses and setbacks that we face in our present day. A look at the news, today, it’s clear we’re also facing challenging economic times. Many of us are choosing to tone things down this year when it comes to our festivities. This year, more than ever, will be a hard year for most Canadians, but for different reasons than we saw during the pandemic. As food prices soar, and inflation continues to increase, many people must make the hard decision to cut back. It is no surprise that food banks cannot keep up with demand, and that families are turning to charitable organizations to ensure there are gifts under the tree.
In the weeks leading up to the holiday period, I’m asking my team, and own family, to consider the real meaning of community: the coming together of people and the importance of this. I believe a strong community is the answer to getting through this season. We simply do not know the impact the current environment may be having on our families, loved ones, friends, acquaintances—and strangers. We know cutting back is a must for everyone—but cutting out community support is not the answer.
As a young boy, I saw firsthand how community helped build businesses, feed families and, ultimately, improve or even save lives. Christmas time was about being together—because that’s what we had. Being part of a supportive community made all the difference, especially when everyone pitched in. Maybe this is where we can showcase the charities that the Primucci Family and Pizza Nova have partnered with throughout the years or can we just generic?
Time and time again we see how in uncertain times, it’s because of community that people in need have pulled through. Indeed, the community has helped people survive tough periods like the one we are living through right now.
Being grounded in my community gave me purpose growing up, and that’s why doing the same with those around me and our brand’s franchisees has become an essential element of our business and Pizza Nova culture. This year we continue our partnership with SickKids on a new initiative from which funds will help build a new state-of-the-art hospital and patient support buildings, continue breakthrough research, and build partnerships across the country.
We all watch the news and understand the need to be budget conscious, but there are many gestures beyond an outlay of cash that can build up members within a community. The first step is to check in with your local hospital, school, shelter, community, or faith-based organization to see if they can direct your energy or interests —to participate in food drives, volunteer, donate clothes or toys you are no longer using. But even beyond that, let’s all take a few moments in silence, away from the noise and clutter of our everyday lives, to see whom in our close circles and networks, is suffering and in need of a sign that someone cares for them. You never know, perhaps even the smallest act will make the greatest difference.
January 19, 2023
City announces more than $5.4 million in grants for Toronto small businesses
Mayor John Tory announced that the City of Toronto and funding partners FedDev Ontario and Metrolinx are making more than $5.4 million in funding available this winter to help eligible local small businesses.
Mayor Tory was onsite at Berkeley Castle, 264 The Esplanade, alongside Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Agincourt, Councillor Shelley Carroll (Don Valley North), Chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee, and local Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre).
The City continues to support small businesses and main street vitality and is inviting eligible businesses and organizations to immediately apply for the new Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Grant Program, the Main Street Innovation Fund and the Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant program.
The City continues to support small businesses in Toronto including in the 2023 tabled Budget which continues to include a 15 per cent property tax rate reduction which has supported more than 29,000 small businesses.
Main Street Innovation Fund Funding from $25,000 to $100,000 Applications open today: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/main-street-innovation-fund The
Main Street Innovation Fund has opened a new stream of applications to support streetscape animation and local businesses through innovative activations, creative place-making and community capacity-building initiatives. The program offers funding for BIAs and not-for-profit organizations to test innovative and creative solutions to local challenges and share their findings and results with others. Approved standard-scale projects may receive up to $25,000. Approved larger-scale projects may receive up to $50,000. Approved legacy-scale projects may receive up to $100,000. Applications are being accepted beginning today until March 16.
Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program Grants of up to $24,000 Applications now open: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/commercial-space-rehabilitation-grant-program
The Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program offers matching funding of 50 per cent to commercial business operators and owners of vacant storefronts (or, in certain limited circumstances, at risk of becoming vacant) to undertake interior improvements, assisting businesses to re-lease space impacted by COVID-19. Improvements to meet health regulations and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) (www.aoda.ca) compliance are also included.
The maximum grant available is $20,000. Further funding of up to $4,000, for a maximum grant of $24,000, is available for upgrades to meet accessibility standards. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, February 28, or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.
Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Grant Program Grants of up to $50,000 Applications now open: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/construction-mitigation-grant-program
In partnership with FedDev Ontario and Metrolinx, the City has launched a new Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Grant Program for Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) (www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-improvement-areas), non-profit organizations and charities demonstrating a strong local business involvement. This grant will provide funding for community-driven projects that address the unintended effects that transit construction can have on local businesses.
Organizations are eligible for grants of up to $50,000 for various initiatives, such as business engagement, area marketing and branding, creative event activations, research and needs assessment and beautification. Applications are being accepted until Thursday, March 2 or until funds are fully expended, whichever comes first.
Metrolinx’s contribution is dedicated specifically to supporting BIAs and businesses impacted by the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) construction. To assist small businesses in Toronto in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/home), is providing up to $18 million for seven inclusive and sustainable economic recovery projects. To date, the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative (MRRI) has committed funding to support 270 entrepreneurs, more than 360 businesses and 64 community organizations. More information about MRRI is available on the program webpage: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-incentives/toronto-main-street-recovery-and-rebuild-initiative.
The City and its partners offer free year-round learning opportunities for entrepreneurs, small business operators and staff. The City’s business webinars will improve your business knowledge and skills. More information is available on the City’s Business Webinar webpage: www.toronto.ca/business-economy/new-businesses-startups/training-support-for-business-start-ups/business-webinars/.
More information about the City’s wider small business supports is available at www.toronto.ca/BusinessSupport.
January 13, 2023
City of Toronto reminds homeowners to submit declaration of property occupancy status by February 2
The City of Toronto is reminding all homeowners to submit a declaration of their property’s 2022 occupancy status by Thursday, February 2 to determine if the property is subject to the new Vacant Home Tax.
Declarations of occupancy status should be made through the City’s secure online declaration portal at www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax.
Those who do not have access to a computer can authorize someone to act on their behalf to make the online submission. If required, homeowners can request a paper declaration form to complete and submit by mail by calling 311 (Tax & Utilities Inquiry Line).
The vast majority of Toronto property owners will not pay this tax. Homeowners who live in their own home, live in their own home but go to a vacation home during parts of the year snowbirds or work abroad, and those who rent out their property are not subject to the Vacant Home Tax. The City mailed notices of the declaration requirement to homeowners in December. The notices included the property owner’s assessment roll number and customer number – two pieces of information needed to make a declaration of occupancy status – as well as instructions on how to quickly and easily submit the declaration online. Homeowners can also find their assessment roll number and customer service number on their most recent property tax bill.
The goal of the Vacant Home Tax is not to drive revenue but to help address the housing shortage in Toronto by encouraging property owners to make their residential properties available for occupation or rent. Any revenues collected from the Vacant Home Tax will be allocated towards affordable housing initiatives.
A property is considered vacant if it was not used as the principal residence by the owner(s) or any permitted occupant(s) or was unoccupied for a total of six months or more during the previous calendar year. Properties may also be deemed vacant if an owner fails to make a declaration of occupancy status. There are a number of exemptions from the Vacant Home Tax, including properties undergoing renovations, homes where the principal resident is in long-term care and death of the registered owner.
Toronto City Council approved the Vacant Home Tax at its December 2021 meeting to address the housing crisis: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2022/law0097.pdf.
In addition to the notice issued in December, the City sent information about the Vacant Home Tax to homeowners in multiple property tax bill and utility bill mailings. Another reminder notice will also be included in the interim property tax bill that will be mailed out this month.
Full details about the Vacant Home Tax, the available exemptions and how to make a submission is available on the City’s Vacant Home Tax webpage:
www.toronto.ca/VacantHomeTax.
December 21, 2022
Early Morning Robbery at Stok'd Cannabis Retail Store
Early Morning Robbery at Stok’d Cannabis Retail Store Scarborough, ON – This morning at 5 AM, Stok’d Cannabis Retail Store, a legal cannabis dispensary located at 2408 Kingston Road in Scarborough, was the victim of a smash-and-grab robbery.
Police arrived on the scene shortly after the robbery occurred and are currently investigating the incident. No one was injured during the robbery and the police are actively looking for the suspects. The store’s Director of Retail, Francesco, said the two suspects were wearing face coverings and stole a number of cannabis products while causing significant damage to the store. The incident was captured on video by the many cameras mounted in and outside the store. The front window was smashed, and the area in front of the store was covered with shattered glass.
The police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or has any information to contact them at Toronto Crime Stoppers (416) 222-8477.Stok’d Cannabis Retail Store is committed to providing a safe and secure shopping experience for our customers and staff. Stok’d is cooperating fully with the police investigation and hope the suspects are apprehended soon
November 13, 2022
WWII Commemorative Coin Youth Writing Contest
November 12, 2022
Remembrance Day at scarborough Cenetaph
November 10, 2022
Remembrance Day Activities at St. John Henry Newman
Students in the Leadership & Empowerment team at St. John Henry Newman contributed to community acknowledgement of “the fallen” this week by creating and displaying at Brimley Ave. and Kingston Rd. over 600 poppies that students made. The CSPC Leadership and Empowerment team was newly formed this year at Newman and is currently headed up by Gina Katounas. The L&E team provides opportunities to get students more involved in the school and in our community. To give students an opportunity to engage, influence, and inspire within the school, community, and parish. To empower students with their creativity and innovation. Events will be planned and executed by students but overseen by CSPC and staff. At the first meeting over 50 students showed interest in being involved with the L&E Team. The first team project called the Poppy Project was headed up by Keegan Baksh (Grade 11), Jenessa Katounas, and Maya Baksh (Grade 9). During a few lunch hours leading up to Remembrance Day the students volunteered to paint the Poppy plates. Over 20 students participated in placing the poppies on the school property in honour of Remembrance Day. This is a continuation of a tribute that was started at St. Agatha a few years ago. So proud of our students for their efforts and looking forward to their upcoming events!
November 9, 2022
City of Toronto releases 2023 winter program listings
Starting today, the City of Toronto’s 2023 winter recreation programs listings are available to view online to help Toronto residents prepare for registration on Tuesday, December 6.
Winter recreation programs begin on Monday, January 9 and run for nine weeks. This will be the first time the City has offered a full suite of winter recreation programs since 2020. This past winter, under provincial guidelines, in-person recreation programs were suspended to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
Registration for winter recreation programs starts at 7 a.m. on: Wednesday, December 7 – North York and Scarborough
The City will offer approximately 11,200 winter recreation programs with 112,000 spaces for programming in arts and sports such as skating, swimming, basketball, ballet, piano and yoga. The City is the largest provider of recreation programs for people of all ages, skill levels and interests.
Spaces are still available for Holiday CampTO, with camps set to run during the winter school break. More information is available on the City’s CampTO webpage: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/campto/?accordion=holiday-campto.
Residents can visit the City’s Winter Recreation Programs webpage for the winter programming and registration information: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/winter-recreation-programs.
The quickest and easiest way to register is online when registration opens on December 6. For in-person registration support, five community centre locations will be open on the following dates,
Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Ave.
Wednesday, December 7 Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd.
Residents who need help preparing for registration can call 416-396-7378, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call centre will be open for extended hours on Monday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Residents need a family and client number to sign up for recreation programs and are encouraged to have them ready before registration day. To get a client and family number, residents can set up a new account or retrieve their existing numbers by phone or online.
The City’s recreation programs are popular, and many have waiting lists. If registrants cannot attend their program, they are asked to contact their local community centre or call the customer service line at 416-396-7378 to cancel their registration so that a spot can be offered to someone else.
Discounts and free recreation programs Many community centres offer free recreation programs, including leisure swimming and drop-in programs for children, youth and older adults. Participants 60 years and older receive a 50 per cent discount on the regular price of adult recreation programs, excluding private, semi-private and small group lessons. More information about free programs and other subsidies for recreation programs is available on the City’s Free and Lower-Cost Recreation Options webpage: www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/recreation/free-lower-cost-recreation-options.
October 31, 2022
Halloween Events in the Community This Weekend
Variety Village Food Truck Festival
Guild Park & Gardens Halloween Haunt
West Rouge Community Centre Halloween Party
October 27, 2022
Young woman’s TikTok goes viral, warning others of Toronto-area taxi scam
When Saja Kilani posted her first TikTok video, she didn’t expect it to reach so many people.
But more than a million views later, the 24-year-old Toronto woman has managed to raise awareness of taxi scams after sharing her experience.
Last week, Kilani was approached in the city’s Yorkville neighbourhood by a young boy looking desperate and flushed. He asked her, “Could you help me? I just took this taxi but he only takes cards and I only have cash on me,” Kilani told Canada’s National Observer.
When Saja Kilani posted her first TikTok video, she didn’t expect it to reach so many people.
But more than a million views later, the 24-year-old Toronto woman has managed to raise awareness of taxi scams after sharing her experience.
Last week, Kilani was approached in the city’s Yorkville neighbourhood by a young boy looking desperate and flushed. He asked her, “Could you help me? I just took this taxi but he only takes cards and I only have cash on me,” Kilani told Canada’s National Observer.
What she did not expect was that her TikTok post would garner 1.2 million views, with thousands of people sharing similar stories and experiences in the comments. “I received a lot of comments from people thanking me for the awareness,” she said.
The majority of people who viewed her TikTok video are youth aged 16 to 25, Kilani said. “I think people my age are more inclined to react because we are not familiar with using cabs. Social media is a tool we can (use to) educate and look out for each other,” she said.
COVID-19 protocols and prepaid automated car services like Uber and Lyft make paying with a card easier, which is one of the reasons why Kilani said she didn’t think twice about helping. While the first thing an older crowd of people told Kilani was that cabs always take cash, she said: “Youth were more interested in commenting that they didn’t know that and were more thankful for sharing; that’s where the difference shows.”
Toronto police Const. Marco Ricciardi told CBC the service has seen a “pretty significant” increase in taxi scams. The force is reminding the public to be vigilant when using any type of public transport that results in debit or credit card transactions.
Since posting her video, Kilani is thankful the police have found the vehicle involved.
“I thought I was helping one young man, but I ended up helping a lot of people avoid this, which is the greatest takeaway from it,” she said.
“If you’re the driver and you’re seeing this, I bet you regret stopping me,” Kilani said in a second TikTok video.
Anyone who has information or believes they have been a victim of a taxi scam is urged to contact police at 416-808-4300 or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or at www.222tips.com.
Nairah Ahmed / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada’s National Observer
October 26, 2022
It's All Treats and No Tricks - Variety's Second Annual Food Truck Festival Is Back
Calling all witches and goblins! Variety Ontario, in partnership with Canadian Food Truck Festivals, is excited to announce the return of its 2nd annual Halloween Food Truck Festival. Join us from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 29 and from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, at Variety Village, 3701 Danforth Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, for some Halloween-themed fun!
Last year, the festival featured over 10 food trucks, 2,500 visitors and live musical entertainment throughout the two-day event.
The family-friendly, accessible 2-day Halloween event will once again be filled with food trucks, a craft vendor market, activities for children, and live entertainment. Attendees can enjoy the music while eating and enjoying a cold one thanks to the support of two local craft breweries: Saulter Street Brewing and Great Lakes Brewing.
Guests are encouraged to get creative for this community celebration and come in costume! The Variety costume contest will be returning once again. Offering various prizes for guests of every age. Don’t forget to include your fur family members; pet prizes will also be given away throughout the weekend.
Entrance to the festival is a minimum donation of $5 per person, and proceeds support Variety’s inclusive programming for individuals with disabilities across Ontario.
“Last year’s Food Truck Festival had a great turnout,” says President and CEO of Variety Ontario, Karen Stintz. “We loved seeing our local community dressed up in their costumes and enjoying themselves as a community again. This year we’ve got some new great additions, and we are hoping to see an even bigger turnout!”
In addition to the festival, Variety Village will host a FREE Open House inviting guests to use the 168,000 sq. ft. facility, take tours, and learn about our programming and services. Special membership discounts will be available over the two days of the festival.
When: Saturday, October 29: 11am – 8pm and Sunday, October 30: 11am – 5pm
October 26, 2022
Toronto Public Health's free flu vaccination campaign begins November 1
Today, Toronto Public Health (TPH) opened 4,000 new appointments for anyone age six months or older to get their free influenza (flu) vaccination. The thousands of appointments are the first batch open to all Toronto residents, with earlier influenza vaccination efforts focused on people living in high-risk congregate settings.
Free flu vaccines will be administered by appointment only starting on Tuesday, November 1 at all six TPH fixed-site immunization clinics. Additional appointments will be added weekly into November. Identification or a health card are not required. Appointments can be made using the TPH Appointment Booking System: www.tphbookings.ca.
Anyone five years of age or older will be offered both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at their appointment.
Flu activity has already started in Toronto. Cases are expected to increase as the weather gets colder and people spend more time indoors. TPH encourages everyone to get their free flu vaccine now to prevent infection and protect Toronto’s communities.
Toronto residents six months of age and older can also receive their flu vaccine through their primary care provider starting in November. Those older than two years of age are eligible to receive it at one of more than 700 participating pharmacies.
TPH launched this year’s annual influenza campaign by offering flu vaccinations to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, such as individuals in retirement settings and to people experiencing homelessness and under-housed individuals (www.toronto.ca/news/toronto-public-health-launches-annual-influenza-vaccination-campaign-beginning-with-people-living-in-highest-risk-settings/).
Between the weeks of September 1 and October 15, TPH received reports of 119 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and one influenza outbreak in a Toronto health care institution. This is higher than the pre-COVID-19 pandemic five-year average (2014/15 to 2018/19) of 14.4 influenza cases (range of five to 23 cases) and 0.4 institutional influenza outbreaks (range of zero to one outbreak) for the same time period. Updates on flu activity in Toronto are posted every Friday by 3 p.m. on the City of Toronto’s Information for Health Professionals webpage: www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/information-for-healthcare-professionals/communicable-disease-info-for-health-professionals/influenza-info-for-health-professionals/.
Tips for preventing the spread of influenza According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses spread very easily from person to person by droplets produced by coughing, sneezing or talking. A person may also get infected by touching a surface or object that has these viruses on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes. The flu vaccine and a fall booster COVID-19 vaccine can protect against severe infection. Other ways to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses include the following:
• Clean your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands
• Wear a mask especially in indoor public settings or crowded places
• Socialize outdoors when possible
• Keep physical distance
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Stay home if you are sick More actions to protect oneself, family and community can be found on the City’s Reduce Virus Spread Guide: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-reduce-virus-spread/.
Influenza can spread to others before symptoms even appear. Typical flu symptoms can be similar to COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Flu symptoms include the sudden onset of high fever, chills, sore throat, cough and muscle aches. Other common symptoms include headache, loss of appetite and feeling tired. Recovering from the flu usually takes seven to 10 days. For some people, the flu can worsen pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease, or develop into more serious health problems such as pneumonia. In rare circumstances, influenza can be fatal.
People who are most vulnerable to severe effects of the flu include adults 65 years of age and older, individuals with chronic health conditions, those with neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions, residents of nursing homes and chronic care facilities, children six months to five years of age, pregnant individuals and Indigenous Peoples. More information about the flu is available on the City’s Flu Prevention webpage: www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/immunization/flu-influenza/.
September 28, 2022
SHN and U of T receive $75 million to enhance health care in Eastern GTA
Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and University of Toronto will announce at 2 p.m. ET today a transformational gift from Orlando Corporation to usher in a new era for equitable healthcare in the Eastern GTA, strengthen health training and clinical care and have long term widespread positive impact for communities across the region.
The $75 million donation supports capital redevelopment, mental health needs, and urgent priorities at SHN, as well as the construction of a state-of-the-art building for the new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) at University of Toronto Scarborough.
WHAT THE GIFT SUPPORTS
The investment from Orlando Corporation will address the acute health care needs of Scarborough and the Eastern GTA by enhancing medical education, health infrastructure and clinical programs in the region, through:
$50 million to SHN
• The largest donation in SHN’s history will support the redevelopment of the Birchmount Hospital by supporting major renovations to the existing facility and building new infrastructure. Specifically:
o $25M will support the new Birchmount Hospital
o The Birchmount redevelopment will double its current patient bed capacity and build a new patient tower for critical care, which will put it at the forefront of equitable, leading-edge patient care for the growing community
o $10M will establish the Orlando Corporation Mental Health Centre of Excellence across SHN, removing barriers to mental health care and positioning SHN as a leader in compassionate and culturally-sensitive mental health care.
o $15M will support the areas of greatest needs across all 3 of SHN’s hospitals
•
$25 million to U of T
• The gift will support construction of a new academy of medicine and integrated health at U of T Scarborough.
• SAMIH will bring together U of T Scarborough, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and five hospital partners in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA to train health care professionals in the region.
o Scarborough Health Network is a leading hospital partner for SAMIH along with:
▪ Lakeridge Health
▪ Ontario Shores Centre of Mental Health Sciences
▪ Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
▪ Michael Garron Hospital
• SAMIH will:
Train 1,520 students per year, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and life sciences students
o Provide learners with local professional clinical experience through partnerships with hospitals and community-based health care organizations in Scarborough and the Eastern GTA
o Leverage expertise across multiple health professions, the humanities and social sciences.
o Work to understand the impacts of health and cultures and develop new ways to influence/evaluate health.
ABOUT THE LOVE, SCARBOROUGH CAMPAIGN
• The gift from Orlando Corporation contributes to the Love, Scarborough campaign, which highlights healthcare inequities in Scarborough
• More information: lovescarborough.ca
ABOUT THE DEFY GRAVITY CAMPAIGN
• This investment is a significant donation to Defy Gravity: The Campaign for the University of Toronto, which is harnessing the power of U of T’s global community to address some of the most urgent issues of our time.
• More information: defygravitycampaign.utoronto.ca
September 28, 2022
Nuit Blanche returns for 2022
Navigating the art by neighbourhood Nuit Blanche 2022 will be the most expansive version to date, with exhibition areas city-wide. Art projects will be clustered in easy-to-navigate exhibition areas making exploring the event more convenient for audiences. Art projects will also be presented in various neighbourhoods, including Don Mills, East Danforth, Bloor-Yorkville, Sterling Road and Fort York.
Downtown The heart of Nuit Blanche will take over Yonge Street for one night. From Dundas Street down to the lake and across to Harbourfront, art enthusiasts will experience over 35 new artworks.
Downtown sites include Yonge-Dundas Square, the ArtworxTO South Hub at Union Station and Harbourfront Centre. Featured projects include a massive installation on the side of the Deloitte building on 8 Adelaide St. W., a 60-foot-wide water screen at the foot of Yonge Street and a 200-foot high light tipi on Nathan Phillips Square.
Event goers can collect a map at Event Centres located at 160 Yonge St., 88 Queens Quay W., 11 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr., Mel Lastman Square and Albert Campbell Square or from other information centres where volunteers can help.
Outside of the downtown core Other exhibition areas include: • Scarborough: 15 new art projects are located in and around the Scarborough Civic Centre and Scarborough Town Centre • North York: 10 new art projects are located in and around the North York City Centre, Mel Lastman Square and the Meridian Centre for the Performing Arts • Etobicoke: 14 new projects are located in and around the Humber College Lakeshore Campus and Samuel Smith Park
Dawn art experience People who want to avoid the crowds or are more of an early bird than a night owl can choose a more intimate Nuit Blanche experience by attending from 4 to 7 a.m. on Sunday, October 2.
More information about participating artists, Nuit Podcasts and the complete event programming is available on the City’s Nuit Blanche webpage: www.toronto.ca/nuitblanche. The Nuit Blanche webpage offers an interactive location-based event map for enhanced event navigation and details on exhibition locations, project descriptions, road closures, TTC information, and more.
TTC
In addition to the regular all-night Blue Night Network service, the TTC will run subway service all night on Line 1 Yonge-University, Line 2 Bloor-Danforth, Line 3 Scarborough and Line 4 Sheppard. Day passes purchased on October 1 will be valid until 7 a.m. on October 2. Free entry is available at North York Centre Station and Scarborough Centre Station from 7 p.m. October 1 to 7 a.m. October 2. Customers will need to pick up a paper transfer from these stations as proof of payment.
GO Transit GO
Transit will operate regularly scheduled service during Nuit Blanche this year. While there will not be any additional late-night rail service available, those wishing to experience art all night may still take advantage of the $10 or $15 GO Transit Weekend Passes. For more information on weekend passes, visit the GO Transit website: www.gotransit.com/en/travelling-with-us/promotions-and-events/weekend-passes-with-go.
Parking
A list of Green P parking lots available during Nuit Blanche can be found at https://parking.greenp.com/.
Event road closures
Partial and full road closures will be in effect all weekend. Major downtown roads impacted will include parts of Bay Street, Queen Street, Yonge Street and the eastbound Yonge Street off-ramp from the Gardiner Expressway. This is due to expected event attendance and to improve free-flowing access to the art projects, giving pedestrians safe and easy access. Those planning to attend Nuit Blanche are encouraged to ride public Transit or use alternative options such as cycling and Bike Share. If you need to drive, check the road restrictions map and plan to avoid areas with road closures or high traffic volumes. The following road restrictions will be in place: Thursday, September 29 at 9 p.m. to Sunday, October 2 at 2 p.m.: • Temperance Street between Yonge Street and Bay Street and Colborne Street between Yonge Street and Scott Street will have local traffic only along a portion of the roadways. Friday, September 30 at 9 p.m. to Sunday, October 2 at 11 a.m.: • Yonge Street will be closed between Dundas Street and Queens Quay. East-west traffic will be maintained at major intersections along the stretch • Queen Street will be closed between York Street and Bay Street and between Bay Street and Victoria Street Friday, September 30 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, October 2 at 11 a.m.: • Westbound Gardiner Expressway exit 154 to Yonge Street will be closed • Esplanade Street will be closed between Yonge Street and Scott Street, with local traffic only along a portion of the road Saturday, October 1 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, October 2 at 10 a.m.: • Road closures and restrictions will be in place on Bay Street between Dundas Street West and Richmond Street West, including Albert Street and James Street. Hagerman Street will also be closed • Queens Quay West will be closed between York Street and Bay Street, with local traffic only along a portion of the road A complete list of road closures and restrictions is available on the City’s road restrictions webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/road-restrictions-closures/restrictions-map.
Tree Ribbon Campaign Part 2
September 19, 2022
Memorial for HRH Queen Elizabeth II
September 18, 2022
Terry Fox Run Cedarbrooke Park
September 18, 2022
Mayor Tory in Scarborough South West
September 17, 2022
Scarborough Village Community Garden Harvest
September 16, 2022
Sunnypoint Nature Stewards
September 15, 2022
Scarborough Walk of Fame
September 3, 2022
BuskerFest
August 31, 2022
Extend the Bloor/Danforth Bike Lanes
By: Steven Glassman
It was odd being on a subway car that was going in reverse, but there was an emergency on the tracks ahead of us. Since I had my bike with me, upon return to Victoria Park station, I figured that I could avoid the chaos associated with shuttle buses, and cycle to the next station that was functioning down the # 2 line.
After negotiating my way down to the Danforth, I was delighted to see the bike lane extended another half a kilometer from Dawes, to Vic Park. Heading west on a nice day at the end of June, I passed sections that were still being worked on. Still, I cycled with a sense of safety to the subway station open at Greenwood. Really it was more than a sense of safety, it felt like paradise to be able to cycle without the nagging fear of death on the street.
This short extension of the Bloor/Danforth bike lane has been anticipated for a couple of years now. It happens to terminate at the end of one of our city wards. It makes no sense to end abruptly just past the busy intersection of Danforth and Victoria Park. The benefits to the community, including residents and businesses in the area that starts at Victoria Park, the “Crossroads”, are well known. Extending the bike path through to Kingston Road is the next logical step we must take. There are students, residents, and commuters who are at risk in cycling this stretch of Kingston Road- it’s a known speedway with dangerous intersections. Bike lanes and other road reengineering steps will bring down speeds in ways that reducing posted limits have failed to accomplish. Let’s continue to build complete streets and complete neighbourhoods.
Happily, I am not alone in my sentiments. Road safety is one of the top concerns in our area and will be an important factor in the October election. And an ad hoc group has assembled to gain support for extending the bike lanes, improving safety for all road users, and beautifying Kingston Road. The group “Bells on Kingston” has organized several rides to build awareness in the community- with more continuing into September and the fall. Follow Bells on Kingston’s Twitter for events, and https://bellsonkingston.ca/ Let them know your thoughts.
(On September 18th there will be a group ride along with a talk about the history of cycling in Toronto. U of T Scarborough campus was a leader in the renaissance of cycling in the early 70s.)
August 21, 2022
Man wanted in kidnapping investigation, Guildwood Parkway and Kingston Road Update, Photograph of the victim released
The Toronto Police Service requests the public’s assistance locating a man wanted in a kidnapping investigation.
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to calls for a suspicious incident in the Guildwood Parkway and Kingston Road area.
It is reported that:
– a woman was walking along the sidewalk
– she was approached by a man in a car
– he blocked the sidewalk off with his car
– he grabbed the woman and forced her into the car
– he fled the area with the woman in the car
He is described as 20-30, with a light complexion, black hair, and a beard or goatee. He was wearing a light coloured shirt, and an off white cap. He was believed to be driving a white two or four door car with a blue emblem on the rear.
The woman is described as 20-30, with long dark hair. She was carrying a bag.
Police are concerned for the woman’s safety. Anyone with information, or dashcam or security camera video of the incident, is asked to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
The Toronto Police Service requests the public’s assistance locating a woman believed to have been kidnapped.
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 12:02 p.m., officers responded to calls about a suspicious incident in the Guildwood Parkway and Kingston Road area.
Investigators have released a photograph of the woman who may have been kidnapped. Anyone who can identify her or has information about this incident is asked to contact investigators.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.
Aug 16, 2022
GOing Places Camp Members
Camp Evolve Members
By: Saadia Khan
The West Rouge Soccer Club is a non-profit organization in Scarborough dedicated to providing any person regardless of ability, the opportunity to participate in organized soccer activities at recreational and competitive levels.
The WRSC promotes technical and tactical soccer skills, physical and mental development, self-confidence, teamwork and respect of self and others, all within the spirit of the game of soccer in order to facilitate all individuals to reach their potential.
This summer, the WRSC conducted two unique summer programs; GOing Places and Camp Evolve. GOing Places is a girls-only soccer camp developed by and delivered by girls, for girls. It aims to bridge the gaps between gender stereotypes in sports and provide an equitable, safe, and fun opportunity to increase the participation of girls in physical activity settings. GOing Places is grounded in a gender-equity approach and is a tailored opportunity for girls to gain confidence and competence in social and sports settings. The philosophy at GOing Places is to create space for girls to engage with and share positive sport experiences, and to inspire them to pursue existing and emerging sport opportunities with confidence and passion. GOing Places offers both half-day and full-day camps for its participants and is led by Camp Director Anika.
Camp Evolve is an activity-based development camp presented by the WRSC that fosters an environment for participants growth using a health and physical activity framework. This helps participants develop essential fundamental movement, social, and creative thinking skills, with a focus on cooperative games and community building. The philosophy at Camp Evolve is to focus on the individuality of each participant and provide an engaging, fun, and inclusive environment for their development. Camp Evolve offers both half-day and full-day camps for its participants and is led by Camp Director Dylan.
The WRSC values child safety above everything else, and hopes to create an engaging, positive, and fun-filled environment for all of its participants. We look forward to having more children participate in these camps, and we hope to create a memorable experience for them.
Visit https://www.westrougesoccer.ca/ for more information.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok: @westrougesoccer
Add Your Heading Text Here
Add Your Heading Text Here
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.