HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
Spring 2014
Clean Living Healthier lifestyles on the rise in HBS.
CLEANING YOUR BACKYARD Annual clean-up enters 18th year.
FOREVER YOUNG Stay fit at any age.
R COVE Y! STOR
SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD It’s more than “just sushi”.
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in this issue
HUMBER HAPPENINGS
Features 12 Pitching IN!
Join your neighbours for the 18th annual community clean up!
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
14 Condo Act in Focus
Here’s what condo owners can expect as the Act review nears its end.
17
17 Trailblazing Sushi
Just Sushi leads the sustainable, ocean-friendly sushi movement.
our community 6
president’s message
8
news & Events
Community events take focus in 2014.
Rabba opens in HBS, Farmers’ Market returns and TTC 66 increase service.
20 HBSCA Position Statement HBSCA highlights residents’ comments from the recent community Town Hall.
columns 4
14
Welcome
By Andrew Ardizzi
22 Ask Dr. Ghazi By Dr. Farzad Ghazi
©Stan Wojick
12
24 Eco Logic By Jim Lord and Jessica Harrison
25 Vitality to the Core By Guy Dufour
HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
Cover photo: ©iStockphoto.com/ Debra Wiseberg
26 Hill Happenings By MP Bernard Trottier
Spring 2014
Clean Living Healthier lifestyles on the rise in HBS.
CLEANING YOUR BACKYARD Annual clean-up enters 18th year.
FOREVER YOUNG Stay fit at any age.
R COVE Y! STOR
SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD It’s more than “just sushi”.
Other cover photos, from left: The 18th annual community clean-up set for May 24; Guy Dufour tells you how to stay fit at any age; Just Sushi leads the 100 percent sustainable seafood movement.
28 Holyday Highlights By MPP Doug Holyday
30 Councillor’s Corner By Councillor Mark Grimes
Humber Happenings I Spring 2014
3
HUMBER HAPPENINGS
Welcome
Springing Forward Annual clean-up, Just Sushi put the environment first. by andrew ardizzI
I
t’s that time of year again, when the sun starts to shine minus the wintertime frigidity and you start to see those birthing moments of the community’s summertime wonders. As predictable as the thaw, it’s also that time of year in Humber Bay Shores for the annual HBSCA community clean-up. Building upon the successes of the 2013 event which saw nearly 160 participants collect 100 bags of garbage, this year the organizers are aiming to surpass last year’s effort. It was remarkable to attend the 2013 event and not only pitch in a little bit myself, but to more importantly have the pleasure of seeing so many people walking along the Humber Bay Park shoreline with their bags and garbage pickers in hand, removing all of the unnecessary waste that had accumulated throughout the surrounding park area. I had the chance to speak to a number of people that day, and each expressed a single goal and vision: a clean community. The notion seems so simplistic, but the effort each of those odd 160 people
amounts to roughly 480 hours spent cleaning up the community, amassed in a single morning alone. Watching everyone, I felt that sense of community everyone is always talking about, but reading about it and seeing it in action are two separate experiences. I’m looking forward to the 2014 clean-up, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if 200 people pitched in? Just imagine that for a moment, and also have a peek at the clean-up day preview in this issue. Speaking of this issue, I recently had the chance to sit down in Just Sushi, Humber Bay Shores’ first and only sushi restaurant, and talk to co-founder Evan Clifford about his philosophies on clean, healthy and sustainable, responsible living. Talking to him was a real eye-opener, as I was again reminded of the passion HBS residents have for their community, and that together everything is possible. HH
I felt that sense of community everyone is always talking about.
4 HumberBayShores.org
Andrew Ardizzi is the editor of Humber Happenings and can be reached by email at humberhappenings@mediamatters.ca or by phone at 905-370-0101.
Spring Issue 2014 Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association Board of Directors President Jim Reekie, Palace Place Vice President Don Henderson, Bal Harbour Treasurer Jay Perry, Nevis Secretary Tom Arkay, Palace Pier Past President Judi Richter-Jacobs, Players Club Director Laura Nash, Marina del Rey Phase III Director Bill Scott, Hearthstone Director Alex Smyth, Players Club Director Horst Richter, Marina del Rey Phase II Director Wayne Lakey, Grenadier Landing Director Jim Faichnie, Waterford Director Jonathan Isaacs, Marina del Rey Phase I Director Brian Stevens, Voyager I & II Director Tim Owen, Grand Harbour Director Kathryn Winter, Grand Harbour Director Simone Purboo, Explorer Director Lida Preyma, Newport Beach Director Gary Mogyorodi, Nautilus Strategic Planning Initiative Coordinators Planning & Infrastructure Jim Reekie Building Community Sharon Jazzar Communications & Outreach Jay Perry Email Board Members at hbscaboard@rogers.com Humber Happenings produced by Editor Andrew Ardizzi Art Director Daniela Luberto Writers Guy Dafour, Dr. Farzad Ghazi, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Jim Lord, Jim Reekie, Bernard Trottier Advertising Jay Perry 416-587-1748 / jayperry@a-b-c-inc.com Media Matters Inc. President Darryl Simmons General Manager Ryan Potts VP Industry Relations Gloria Mann Editorial Director Mike Davey Marketing Assistant Will Jacques
Media Matters Inc. 645 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6G 3T6 t. (905) 370-0101 f. (866) 868-7072 e. humberhappenings@mediamatters.ca Humber Happenings is published four times a year. Volume 7 Issue 1
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Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 5
PRESIDENT’S message
Renewed Hopes HBSCA hopes to build upon the success of its 2013 events with bigger and better community building efforts in 2014.
by Jim Reekie
H
appy New Year! Your Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association keeps working hard to make Humber Bay Shores a great place to live and to work. There will be a lot going on this year.
OFFICE
SPACE
AVAILABLE
Our Farmers’ Market in Humber Bay Park West is also coming back bigger and better with 25 vendors. Please check our website over the next few weeks for more details. Thank you all for your support last season and we will see you all at the Market beginning Saturday, May 31.
Our annual community clean-up is set for Saturday, May 24. We had 160 people out last year. Let’s keep our community clean so please come out and help. Humber Bay Park is not an off-leash area for pets. Please keep your pets on leashes and make sure you clean up after them.
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presidents message We have beautiful parks and we would like to keep them that way. Our third annual Waterfront Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9. The Festival will be moving to the street with new and exciting attractions. Marine Parade Drive and Waterfront Drive will be closed for this event. Thanks to all of you that are making this event happen. Our eighth annual golf tournament will be held on Friday, Sept. 12. Mark that date and we’ll see you there! Traffic We will continue to have ongoing issues with the traffic in the community with all the construction that is scheduled for this year. Park Lawn will have new sewer pipes installed down the middle of the street from the railway tracks to Lake Shore Boulevard; there will be only one lane of traffic north and south for three months. As this is going on, they will start work on the third lane
southbound from the railway track to Lake Shore on Park Lawn. This work will last until August 2014.
The festival will be moving to the street with new and exciting attractions.
On Lake Shore west from Brookers Lane to Park Lawn there will be one lane westbound for work on new curbs and a sidewalk on the north side of Lake Shore.
This work will start in late February and last until August. There will also be work on the Gardiner eastbound at the Humber River Bridge at the same time. So be patient out there if you are driving. This would be a good time for people to take public transit. Changes have been made to the signals at the street car tunnel and it seems to be working better now. Planning and Infrastructure There will be three construction sites that will start this summer on Marine Parade Drive. We will work with the developers and our city councillor to make sure the area stays clean. Please continue to visit our website for community events at humberbayshores.org. HH Jim is presently the HBSCA president and has served on the board since 2004. He is retired from a career working in the Toronto District School Board.
Humber Happenings I Spring 2014
7
news & events
Rabba opens new Humber Bay Shores location Rabba Fine Foods has opened up a new 24/7 location at street level inside the Nautilus building just south of
Rabba’s new location features everythng you would expect from a community grocer, in addition to several mealson-the-go food options to take with you on the road.
Jean Augustine Park, near Lake Shore Boulevard and Park Lawn Avenue. The new Rabba location brings the chain’s 40 years of customer service and grocery experience to the lakefront community, directly serving Humber Bay Shores with a quick and easy grocery experience right in the heart of the community. Rabba stores are designed to offer the product selection of other major grocery store chains, combined with the individual, personal touch you’d expect from a community grocer. Customers and quality come first, both of which are drivers for the total grocery experience they hope to offer their customers each and every time they step through the front doors, no matter what you’re looking for. The Onni location sports additional food options for residents, including a Subway sandwich restaurant, as well as Hot Meals to Go, and Ah-So Sushi and Teriyaki House. Rabba is located at 2125 Lake Shore Blvd. West. For more information, call the store at 416-251-0181.
City passes 2014 budget Toronto City Council has approved the city’s 2014 Operating and Capital Budgets. The $9.6-billion budget was passed overwhelmingly after 12 hours of debate by a vote of 35-9 on Jan. 30, 2014, which was applauded by Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly and will add additional services for the city’s families and children. Central to the lengthy debate were discussions regarding a property tax increase. Despite objections by Mayor Rob Ford, who lobbied for council to vote in favour of a property tax increase of 1.75 percent, council passed the budget with a residential property tax increase of 2.73 percent. Under the 2014 budget the average property tax increase for non-residential properties, including multi-resident buildings and commerical properties is 0.3 percent. When combined, the tax increase is 1.14 percent which is well below the expected rate of inflation. Ward 6 Councillor Mark Grimes voted in favour of the 2014 budget and feels that although there is still room for improvement that its key focuses will greatly serve Toronto’s communities. “While no budget is perfect, I strongly feel that this budget addresses the infrastructure and programming needs of Torontonians while keeping tax rates low,” Grimes wrote in an email. “Toronto still enjoys the lowest residential tax rates in the GTA.”
8 HumberBayShores.org
news & Events
HBSCA’s 2014 Farmers’ Market promises more fresh, healthy foods The second annual Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market commences this spring, with Ontario farmers bringing their array of fresh produce and baked goods to the community. “We’re very proud of our first year successes and we’re looking forward to the next season,” says HBSCA President Jim Reekie. “We plan to expand this year’s Market to 25 vendors, with many returning from last year.” HBSCA’s 2013 Farmers’ Market was a resounding success for the community, bringing in fresh foods from local Ontario farmers from as far away as the Niagara region. Last year’s HBS Farmers’ Market featured vendors who brought an eclectic collection of fruits, vegetables, goat-based products, honey, bread, dairy, seafood, meats and cheeses. In addition to the numerous locally sourced food options farmers brought, many claimed to use as little pesticide as possible on their crops, with many offering fully organic Ontario-grown produce. 2013 vendors included Sun Ray Farms, Thames River Melons, Crosswind Farm, Daniels Farm, Future Bakery, Bees Universe, Waterfront Seafood and Big John’s Country Market, among many others who supported the community Farmers’ Market efforts. In addition to the Farmers’ Market, in August there are also
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plans to merge the community’s annual Waterfront Fest with the Market to create a street festival, featuring a vendors’ market, children’s village, live entertainment and the Toronto Food Truck, in addition to the Farmers’ Market itself. The event is scheduled for Aug. 9, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The 2014 Market starts earlier this year, running each Saturday from May 31 until Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Humber Bay Park West.
The 2014 Farmers’ Market will boast even more food options.
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news & events
Service increase for TTC 66 routes The new year has brought increased service levels for the TTC 66 routes servicing Humber Bay Shores. Beginning Jan. 6, 2014, the 66D expanded its service during both the morning and afternoon peak periods to offer greater capacity for residents while reducing crowding. Morning service has been increased from stops every 17 minutes to every 14 minutes, resulting in additional services north of Park Lawn and Berry Road.
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During afternoon service periods, both the 66A and 66D routes have increased its service from stops every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes. Service along the 66 routes will continue to be monitored by the city, with service increasing to address any overcrowding conditionally upon budgetary constraints.
news & Events
Events, Fun and More! Feb. 22, 2014: Humber College is hosting the Jean Augustine Legacy Award dinner at its Lakeshore campus. $100 per person. Feb. 28 to Mar. 2, 2014: Metro Toronto Convention Centre hosts the Toronto International Golf Show. $16 general admission. Feb. 28, 2014: Exhibition Place will host the Toronto International Bike Show. General admission is $13, seniors/kids 6-12 $9. Mar. 9, 2014: March Into Spring craft show will be held at Legion Branch 101 at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W.. Free for all ages. Mar. 15, 2014: St. John Ambulance Pet First Aid takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 245 Queens Quay W. Call 416-967-4244. April 6, 2014: Toronto All-Star Big Band will be playing at the Assembly Hall at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Dr.. Tickets $30. May 4, 2014: Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon features the half, full and relay marathons. Visit www.torontomarathon.com. May 24, 2014: The 18th annual HBS Waterfront Clean-Up. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Humber Bay Park West and Palace Place East. May 31, 2014: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 11, the 2014 HBSCA Farmers’ Market will feature 25 vendors.
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Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 11
clean-up day
Building on Past Success Sharon Jazzar hopes to surpass the HBSCA’s 2013 clean-up day with a fruitful 2014 effort. by Andrew Ardizzi
T
he annual HBSCA park clean-up has become a community calendar staple for Humber Bay Shores residents, and it’s one that gains greater traction and more support from the community with each passing year. The 2013 effort was actually the most successful clean-up day to date, and that success can be attributed to the event’s organizers, volunteers and sponsors. Returning to the helm as head organizer of the 2014 park clean-up, Sharon Jazzar hopes to build from last year’s successes and clean up the community’s lakeside park area. “For about a month after the clean-up the area is so pristine, it’s so beautiful, and I just love having the opportunity to take part in cleaning up our community,” says Jazzar. “It’s very satisfying to do this and everyone is always so happy and they feel so good about having done this.” The 2014 event will be held on Saturday, May 24, and will run from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.. Much like the 2013 clean-up day, there will be two starting locations— Humber Bay Park West and Palace Place East. To help soften the early morning start time, Steve’s Esso gas station will again be sponsoring the event, donating coffee and donuts to the community effort. Everyone who takes part will be provided the necessary equipment by the city, including garbage bags, pickers and latex gloves. Following the three-hour cleanup, volunteers will then be treated to a 12 HumberBayShores.org
Right: Jazzar returns as lead organizer of the 2014 cleanup and hopes to surpass the success of the 2013 effort.
barbeque luncheon at noon at the Humber Sailing and Powerboating Centre. The actual clean-up had humble beginnings, starting with a small group of people and increasing with each passing year, culminating in the 2013 record-breaking effort that saw nearly 160 people pitch in, amounting to roughly 480 hours worked. In all, volunteers collected over 100 bags of garbage, however it was a new cigarette butt initiative Jazzar introduced that really made a difference and helped make the 2013 effort stand out. The new initiative resulted in the collection of 14 sandwich bags full of butts, which were then shipped to TerraCycle, a Toronto-based recycling company, who recycled and separated the raw materials that composed the butts and repurposed them to manufacture things like plastic shipping palettes. While the annual clean-up has changed and become even
more environmentally conscious, the core message remains the same. “It’s our backyard and like everybody else you take responsibility for your backyard. You want it to look nice not just for you, but for everybody,” she says. “We want it to be an inviting place for everyone.” Jazzar holds a deep love for her community and feels it’s one that needs to be taken care of so all can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Ultimately though, the clean-up day event has been about one thing: a community banding together and working as one towards a commonality, built upon a vibrant, tender caring affection for the natural environment of Humber Bay Shores. “It’s such a good feeling to know that the community can come together, work together and pitch in and help make our backyard an even more beautiful place,” says Jazzar. “It’s inspiring.” HH
humber focus
Condo Act Review Nears Conclusion Review aims to ensure greater protections for condo owners.
©Stan Wojick
C
by Andrew Ardizzi
ondominiums have become a city’s peanut butter to real estate’s jelly as residential lands for single family homes become much more scarce; limiting potential zonings to much smaller areas than throughout the 20th century. Their sale and purchase have almost become a housing market staple throughout the province in urban areas and is where many Ontarians have chosen to live, raise families and ultimately retire. About 1.3 million people—a number ever rising—presently live in condos. Although condo real estate is booming, the laws and rules governing their operations has remained stagnant since Ontario’s Condominium Act was introduced. Understanding this, the Ontario government began moving forward with a three-stage review process that commenced in September 2012. Stage one of the report declared that greater training and support was needed for board members, that owners needed to be better informed, engaged and communicative, with minimum standards and qualifica14 HumberBayShores.org
tions for managers. After the first stage of the review, the collective concerns of condo stakeholders were narrowed to six broad categories: governance, dispute resolution, financial management, consumer protection, condominium manager qualifications and issues outside the act, which includes questions of insurance, and more notably, issues concerning perceived unfairness associated with property taxes. “This taxation issue is a huge nut to crack and I’m really not confident it’s going to be handled well despite the fact that our local politicians are very supportive,” says HBSCA Vice President Don Henderson. “What is common among everyone I talk to is the taxation issue is crucial and I’m hopeful the review resolves that.” And really, as far as some Humber Bay Shores residents are concerned, the property tax issue is truly a matter of fairness. “The Ontario Assessment Act does not provide specific categories for condominiums so they continue to be assessed and taxed as a single family residential unit even though condominiums, specifically high-rises, use up less land area and accommodate more people on a smaller
land footprint,” wrote HBSCA Past President Judi Richter-Jacobs in the fall 2011 issue of Humber Happenings. While the property tax issue is central to HBS’ concerns, the extent of city services for tax dollars paid is a priority issue, in addition to the basic flaws in condominium governance as noted within the stage two report released last September. Condo office establishment theoretically serves four primary functions: education, dispute settlement, licensing condo managers and maintaining a condo registry. Such an office, established by the provincial government, would operate separately from it and secure its funding from user fees and monthly levies per condo unit. The report further stresses the importance of information disclosure to protect consumers in the form of a condominium guide ripe with condo living facts that can be easily understood. The review also suggests the prohibition of selling and leasing back assets to condo corporations and the prohibition of operating expense deferrals. The stage two report also notes condo owners should feel secure and have greater certainty about repair and maintenance responsibilities.
humber focus Management-centric revisions to the Act would establish that boards should compose two separate budgets: an operating budget and a reserve fund budget, combined with disclosure of condo corporations’ financial data. Online training courses would be established to help owners familiarize themselves with the ins and outs of financial documents. The reserve budget itself would be rigourously defined to account for budget deviations while installing flexibilities to allow for boards to meet mandated accessibility and green energy standards. Extending from the condo offices would also be dispute-resolution mechanisms that would help condominium stakeholders obtain quick and detailed impartial information relating to the Act and all relevant bylaws. The dispute resolution office would also have two separate bodies to address grievances of small or large consequence. Most importantly, a revised Act would mandate greater qualifications and standards for first time
board members, including criminal record checks and training courses, with
This taxation issue is a huge nut to crack. - Don Henderson
each member operating under a board code of ethics and charter of rights and responsibilities. A two stage vetting process for condo manager licensing would also be implemented to test the aptitude
of potential managers for management at basic and advanced levels. For Henderson, these changes are welcomed. “I think it’s going to be more efficient and should uniformly apply regulations on all condos,” says Henderson. “Before, each property manager or a board could operate differently than another condo. I see it as a good thing to regulate boards and condo services.” Henderson says he isn’t sure how this will manifest itself in practical terms, but with that said it’s still too early to tell. However, what Henderson is sure about is the necessity for fairer taxation for condo owners, something that at least for now doesn’t seem to be on the table for Ontario condo owners. “I feel that as a unique form of urban intensification, an equitable property tax classification for condos should be included in any review,” he says. “And as of now, I’m not convinced the taxation issue will be properly addressed.” HH
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Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 15
©Tracy Lamb, Mopani Communications.
HBSCA is bringing a Farmers’ Market to the community!
Saturdays from 9 am – 2 pm
MAY 31
ST
–
OCTOBER 11
TH
Farmers from around Ontario will bring their fresh products such as vegetables, fruit, flowers and much more!
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HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
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Come out and support the market and we’ll make it one of the best in Toronto!
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For more information on the HBSCA Farmers’ Market, please contact Jim Reekie at 416.357.3899.
cover story
Evan Clifford, Ian Clifford and Gabrielle Charlebois are spearheading the sustainable sushi movement with their 100 percent Ocean Wise approved sushi restaurant in Humber Bay Shores.
Healthy Planet, Healthy Customers
Just Sushi is at the forefront of the sustainable sushi movement. by Andrew Ardizzi
O
ur environment is not infinite; in fact it’s the complete opposite. We all know this, but perhaps we often don’t consider the consequences of our actions day-by-day. Our natural resources—organic or otherwise—can deplete faster than we realize, and before we know it we’re left to wonder where the things we took for granted disappeared to or how we even got to this point. More importantly, far off in the future, we may even find ourselves looking back with the benefit of hindsight and wondering where we went wrong, or where the point is that we forfeited our opportunity to make a difference in our natural world. Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 17
cover story
Just Sushi head chef Eko Prasetyo prepares a takeout order. Inset: Just Sushi’s sustainable menu offers healthy, ecofriendly food options anchored by their organic antioxidant-rich purple rice as an alternative to white rice.
In late 2013 founders Evan Clifford, Ian Clifford and Gabrielle Charlebois humbly watched their year-long endeavour materialize in the form of Humber Bay Shores’ first sushi restaurant: Just Sushi. “Being a resident of Humber Bay we needed more food options, and sushi is my favourite thing to eat, and I have lived here for six years and no one opened a sushi place,” says Evan Clifford, a self-professed serial entrepreneur with a string of successful ventures. “I really wanted to add some diversity to the neighbourhood.” Evan says he wanted a simple name that spoke to what he and his partners envisioned. The restaurant’s name is deceptive, however, as their venture is more than “just sushi,” being credited as the world’s first 100 percent Ocean Wise certified sushi restaurant to carry only sustainable, ocean-friendly seafood. With overfishing of seafood becoming an ever-present concern, the partners feel moving towards greater sustainability is an imperative, evident in their menu, Bullfrog-powered loca18 HumberBayShores.org
tion and delivery service that utilizes an environmentally friendly e-bike. “What we’re doing is all about the bigger picture. My partners and I spent quite some time just building our initial idea and it simply evolved into something we hope can make a difference in the world,” he says. “We feel this movement towards sustainable seafood is one of the most important that’s ever existed, and we feel this restaurant is the starting point of significant change.” Environmental conservation is a key driver for the co-founders of Just Sushi, says Evan, who moved into Humber Bay Shores in 2008 and feels he’s never felt better. He says when he comes home he just feels healthier being in such close proximity to the water, and that he finds himself able to breathe easier since moving into the community’s beautiful, natural environment. “Environmental sustainability is crucial to our survival and we need to embrace sustainable practices in everything we do. Because once we use up a resource, it’s gone,” he says. “And seafood is no different.”
The three partners have worked closely with Ocean Wise, a conservation program run by the Vancouver Aquarium, and Seacore Seafood, a Vaughan, Ont.based seafood supplier that deals in sustainable seafood products, to evolve Just Sushi into its present form. Those partnerships, as it happens, have been as crucial as the idea itself. “It’s important for us to work with partners who are committed to sustainability and quality,” Charlebois says. “Ocean Wise and Seacore share the same values as us and we’ve been able to quickly form a partnership that will shape and reform the sushi restaurant industry. “It’s been fantastic, they’ve both had a tremendous belief in what we do. As have so many of our amazing suppliers!” While the Just Sushi team has worked closely with its partners to source sustainable menu options, the internal team has worked hard to bring the healthiest non-GMO food options possible to Humber Bay Shores. “Gabrielle works closely with our chefs in developing a sustainable menu that
cover story adopts as much local and organic products as possible,” Ian says. “My partners and I spent months interviewing chefs, which brought us our head chef Eko who has been able to think outside the box and embrace the sustainability model.” That they’ve been able to define their mission and find individuals to embrace their model is a success story on its own, and Evan feels it’s a fundamental philosophical principle to live by that will benefit future generations. “Sustainability is being able to provide for the needs of today without sacrificing the needs of tomorrow, and the entire world needs to adopt that mentality,” Evan says. “We need to do this, because the scary thing is that there may still be a tomorrow, but we might not be a part of it.” The partners recognize that there are challenges associated with being at the forefront of a movement, but they are ones they openly welcome amid their push to expand the sustainable model to a bigger scale, starting from the local level and building upwards to an international scope. “The neighbourhood has warmly embraced Just Sushi and we’re constantly thanked for opening the restaurant,” he says of their success, which until recently was built entirely on word-of-mouth. “A lot of people come in and really like what we’re doing, there’s a lot of pride in the neighbourhood.” It’s clear that what began as a wish to provide Humber Bay Shores with the best sushi possible has morphed into a desire to vocalize the gospel of seafood sustainability to the entire industry. “What we’re doing, being the first in the world to do this, is making a difference globally and taking the lead on sustainable sushi,” he says. “There are challenges with being the first in anything, but more suppliers are beginning to embrace this evolution and our menu will evolve as society evolves.” While Just Sushi was the first sushi restaurant to earn the 100 percent distinction, another sushi restaurant in B.C. has recently opened offering a 100 percent Ocean Wise recommended menu as well. Although they can no longer claim to be the only 100 percent
Sustainability is being able to provide for the needs of today without sacrificing the needs of tomorrow.
Just Sushi sports a 250 sq. ft. “living wall” near the restaurant’s entrance, which is a self-sustaining vertical garden designed to clean the air customers breathe in.
sustainable sushi place in the world, the co-founders of Just Sushi see tomorrow’s sunrise peeking over the horizon. “We’re thrilled to be the first, but we don’t want to be the only one,” says Evan, who hopes to expand the Just Sushi chain worldwide. “Our goal is to lead by example, and I think the combined effort of our team has created an example that we would be proud of if others followed.” Just Sushi and its early success is truly
only the prologue for things to come for this sushi place in the heart of Humber Bay Shores. “It’s one of life’s amazing things to watch an idea come to life and to see so many people enjoying it is an amazing feeling for us,” he says. “It started as a dream that’s evolved into something that’s expanding globally, and I can’t think of anything cooler than this idea and watching it grow.” HH Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 19
HBS community responds with Town Hall survey The responses came in fast and furious from the survey that was conducted following the Oct. 24, 2013, Town Hall meeting. It was the first time the HBSCA organized such an event, and we were very pleased with the turnout and the fact we were able to have so many city officials participate. Most of the commentary regarding the meeting was positive. Of course, you cannot please all the people all the time. Overall the format was efficient even though technical issues with the sound system hampered us somewhat. The largest lament concerned the lack of accommodation for questions from the floor. We plan to remedy this shortcoming for future Town Halls by paring down the subjects and making questions more succinct. HBSCA learned a great deal from this exercise and moving forward we will be taking some of the constructive criticism and using it to build even better events for the HBS community. One of the things we felt was made abundantly clear was the lack of solutions and the defeatist attitude that was displayed by most of the officials. Apparently we are not the only ones noticing that. Several comments to that effect were made but we liked this one for its brevity: “Knowledgable of problems, short on solutions.” This has
20 HumberBayShores.org
been a common refrain when the HBSCA engages elected and bureaucratic officials. There is a lack of leadership displayed especially when you consider that everyone here knows the challenges facing our area. Traffic and transit are the most visible problems in HBS and Mitch Stambler of the TTC as well as Al
Traffic and transit are the most visible problems in HBS.
Smithies of Transportation were very quick with the excuses of “no money” and very short on explaining why the city would allow for this area to be built out to its proposed size without adequate infrastructure being planned. A comment received was, “they have the attitude that nothing can be done... and are not proactive.” Another good question in our respon-
dent comments spoke to this problem with parkland at its focus: “How can a park be built and yet not have budget for its maintenance?” Speaking of planning, Michael Hynes of the Department of City Planning chose to be condescending with his responses purporting to know more than the people that live in the area day-to-day. He displayed absolutely no concern or ability to listen to our questions, even though we have empirical proof of problems with the area’s infrastructure. He felt that he and his people knew better. One comment from the survey summed it up: “Every time I have attended a meeting, my impression is that the city planners don’t give a damn about what the taxpayers are asking for and have already made a decision which is carved in stone.” We are glad to see him leave our area and hope that his replacement brings more creativity and empathy to HBS. Metrolinx chose to send Daniel Haufschild who seemed to know little of what the area challenges present the residents. We completely understand the Mimico GO station renovations preclude any station being built in HBS because of the proximity. Again a lack of vision and sensibility shows its head when the reality is that HBS is a more populated area than Mimico and
HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
the other lakeside communities have in unison begun discussing how to get our people onto their services. We know that a 2 km walking path is not going to fill the GO train at the Mimico station. The HBSCA has put forward several potential solutions including using empty westbound buses as shuttles go back to the station, dedicated shuttles that would serve our area and eliminate vehicle traffic and the possibility of a part time stop adjacent the Christie’s bakery. We will pursue those ideas and encourage dialogue with the officials that can bring positive solutions for our community. The majority of comments about our councillor Mark Grimes were critical of his using the platform to campaign. In fairness to Councillor Grimes it is an opportunity for him to reach people that he doesn’t get too many chances to meet. We can understand his wanting to capitalize on that opportunity. However, when we have the chance to discuss and debate ideas about how to fix the problems in HBS, our sentiments are consistent with those expressed by one of the respondents to the survey: “As I recall, Councillor Grimes spent most of his time telling us what he has done, whether it had anything to do with the question or not. Although most politicians will spend at least some time pre-
senting their accomplishments, I would have liked him to spend more time on addressing the current issues of concern.” This is definitely the attitude HBSCA is working toward establishing with Councillor Grimes. We need him to stand up for the area and get us our due. HBS is one of the heaviest contributors to the tax base of Toronto and we are continuing to get the short end of the stick when it comes to services from the city. We are encouraging Councillor Grimes to take a proactive stance and place more demands upon the various city departments so that we can have what we deserve and pay for. We know he cares and are trying to impress upon him and his staff that HBS residents are fed up with poor planning and inadequate service. The HBS is a compact area consisting of approximately six total kilometres of city streets. This includes Lake Shore Boulevard from the Humber River westward to Fleeceline, north to the train tracks from the lake. We currently contribute about $36 million annually in MPAC taxation, and the HBSCA doesn’t believe we are receiving $36M worth of services. In addition to this tax contribution we take on many services that lighten the load for the city such as private road maintenance, superior fire prevention, self-policed properties, snow
removal and so many more things we pay for through our condo fees. In other words, we are burdening the system in the most minimalistic way while receiving substandard service levels for which we pay a disproportionate amount when compared to the burden brought by urban sprawl. Most of you know about the annual HBSCA events that are organized to bring our community together and give us the opportunity to meet, talk and recreate with each other. These include the Waterfront Festival, the annual golf tournament, the Farmers’ Market and the annual shoreline clean-up day. These events are important to create a sense of true community in HBS, but we also work hard and lobby tirelessly to obtain what we feel this community, what each of you, deserves. This is what HBSCA is purposed to do. We hope for your continued support to help us represent you through your condo corporate membership to bring focus to our area and fight for what is rightfully ours, … a better community through better planning, creative solutions and a willingness to work together.
Look for more updates at HumberBayShores.org and in upcoming issues of Humber Happenings.
Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 21
ask dr. ghazi
Tick-ing Bombs Early tick detection is imperative to prevent your pet from contracting various diseases and from developing chronic health problems. by Dr. Farzad Ghazi
A
s winter gives way to spring you may find yourself spending more time outdoors, especially if you have a dog. Although exploring the lakeside can be fun for dogs, a hidden enemy may lurk in the grass. With the global weather changes we’re
experiencing more incidences of tick bites and infestation. There are several varieties—deer tick, brown dog tick, lone star tick—but not all of them are prevalent in our area. American dog ticks are among the most common in Canada, but I’ve seen a few cases of deer ticks in Humber Bay Park. Ticks thrive in spaces
with vegetation and inhabit forests, fields, lawns and gardens in rural and urban areas. They thrive near bodies of water and are especially fond of tall grasses where they can attach to passing hosts. Once they land they insert their mandibles and feeding tube into the skin and feed on the host’s blood. Ticks are as small as the head
Celebrating 2 Years in Humber Bay Shores!
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ask dr. ghazi Feature of a pin, but once engorged with blood they can reach the size of a bean. Biting is painless which allows them to stay and feed for up to one week, making detection difficult. After feeding is done female ticks can lay thousands of eggs. Ticks can carry diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis depending on the species. Secondary problems—allergic reactions, skin irritation or paralysis—can arise from bites. Lyme disease is transmitted from parasites found in the blood of infected mice, deer, birds and other wildlife found in some Canadian regions. Lyme symptoms are very general and may include lethargy, sudden pain, fever, loss of appetite and lameness due to swollen joints. It can eventually cause chronic organ damage, and as it progresses can negatively affect the liver, heart, kidneys and nervous system. Lyme can be challenging to diagnose due to having non-specific symptoms and a long incubation period. Unfortunately, by
the time a tick is large enough to be seen, a Lyme-infected tick has probably already transmitted the disease.
If you enter a high-risk area, early detection is crucial.
Consult your veterinarian and take the necessary precautions to help protect your pet from ticks. Minimize the risk by avoiding places where ticks may live. If you enter a high-risk area, check your pet
MIMICO
I
regularly as early detection is crucial. Should a tick bite occur, it is of the utmost importance to address it as quickly as possible. Contact a professional to remove the tick ASAP. If you are unable to do so, you can attempt to remove the tick using gloves, tweezers and rubbing alcohol: apply the alcohol around the tick, use the tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin and gently twist clockwise. Never pull, as this can tear the tick and leave parts embedded in the skin. Have your pet examined afterwards to minimize the risk of contracting diseases. Do not discard the tick, as it can be identified and tested for tick-borne diseases. HH
Dr. Farzad Ghazi is the owner and operator of Marina Animal Hospital located in the Park Lawn area. Marina Animal Hospital provides medical and dental care, surgery services and laboratory testing to all fourlegged pets as well as aid for some legitimate rescue groups. He can be contacted at 416-255-2777. www.marinaanimalhospital.ca
CRUISING
CLUB
magine enjoying lunch or dinner overlooking our fabulous harbour with family and friends, or a relaxing dockside picnic.
A limited number of social memberships are currently available in our Club. The beautiful clubhouse and grounds are Humber Bay’s best kept secret. For enquiries we invite you to contact our Membership Director at 416-252-7737 or gm@mimicocruisingclub.com.
AN OASIS IN THE CITY. MCC H H half page.indd 1
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Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 23
eco logic
Eco-Spring Cleaning Making small adjustments in your home will save you energy, water and money. by Jim Lord and Jessica Harrison
S
pring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and the colours are getting brighter. If you’re like me, it’s also the time of year where I want to renew my home with a little (or a lot) of spring cleaning. But to me spring cleaning means more than just scrubbing those hard-to-reach places. It involves new projects, home improvements and updates you just didn’t feel like getting around to during winter. This year when considering what to do and where to start in your home, why not go green? These days it’s easy to find eco-friendly products and projects for your home. From cleaning products to energy saving appliances, there are many ways to green-up your home. Switching to eco-friendly cleaning products is an easy initiative to undertake. Eco-friendly cleaning products like dish soap, multi-purpose cleaners and detergent can be found readily in most stores with minimal price differences. Traditional cleaning products contain peroxide, phosphates, and chlorine, which can lead to waterway and environmental pollution; they’re also very harmful to humans. Eco-cleaning products are made of natural products and provide the same results as many standard cleaners. These days it’s fairly common to have compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or even LEDs. Both are more efficient than a stan24 HumberBayShores.org
dard incandescent, in fact LEDs are the most efficient bulb readily available. Although they’re often more expensive you
This spring why not make a goal to try at least one of these switches and green-up. will use far less electricity for lighting and their lifespan is much longer than a CFL bulb, lasting approximately 40,000 hours longer. This means you’re changing your bulbs a lot less! It’s such an easy improvement and will end up saving you money. Phantom loads are electrical loads that you may not be aware of. For instance, even though your television, microwave or coffeemaker may appear off to you the appliance is still drawing small portions of energy. Nowadays more off buttons actually only set the appliance to stand-by mode, which still draws energy. Try adding energy saver power bars to your appli-
ances or entertainment centers that can be manually shut off or set on a timer to disconnect the power at specific times. Your house or condo may not have come with low-flow water saving fixtures but there are many ways to improve your water efficiency. Aerators, a device that attaches to your faucet or showerhead, draws air into the water stream and reduces the amount of water actually coming out without compromising pressure. Home improvement stores offer a variety of aerators that can be purchased from $5 and up. Water efficient aerators can be easily installed at home, while saving you water and money. Energy Star is an excellent program that rates products and appliances based on their energy consumption and efficiency. All participating products come with a rating and information sheet explaining annual usage and costs. Most appliances or electronics are now Energy Star products, so you may have already made the switch! This spring why not make a goal to try at least one of these switches and greenup your home with a few easy steps. HH
Jim is one of the founding principals of Ecovert Sustainability Consultants. He helps organizations achieve their green goals. Jessica is a member of the team and also helps businesses achieve their green certifications. www.ecovert.ca
vitality to the core
Fountain of Universal Youth A strong mental state is key to staying young. by guy dufour
I
n the industrialized world, 20 to 25 percent of all adults will be over the age of 65 by 2020. More than ever we’re bombarded with advertisements promising us a youthful appearance or drinks that boost our energy. Promises that provide only the appearance of youth are only very short term approaches. We want to stay and feel young, have vigour, be active and enjoy our retirement days. After all, why work hard, invest and make sacrifices if we’re too sick and tired to enjoy those dreams that keep us going daily? “Successful” is a very broad term, hence the question, “what constitutes successful aging?” Regarding our three keys, it’s a person with a low risk for physical or cognitive diseases, and disabilities until the age of 80, with a life satisfaction with their physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual well-being. Key #1 Try deadlifting. A 2005 study conducted on 2,292 people aged 70 to 79 found that leg and grip strength were strongly related to mortality. The lesson: don’t focus solely on cardio when going to the gym. Getting stronger helps you live longer. The deadlift is a great exercise that will strengthen your legs and your grip simultaneously. There is also abundant research indicating that people who regularly exercise have lower morbidity and mortality rates than their more
sedentary counterparts. Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure can be kept away with regular exercise and healthy eating.
Only you can make the choice to be vibrant, strong and healthy.
Key #2 Continuity Theory: Robert Atchley theorized that people who stay engaged in mental and physical activities of daily living throughout life tend to age in a healthier and happier way. KFC founder Colonel Sanders started his franchise at the age of 65! Ask yourself, what are the ideas, projects or hobbies you’ve been putting off? Go ahead, start them. It will keep you young! Key #3 Consciously Decide To Be Young: Be aware of the changes your body and mind
experience. You can’t change what you can’t notice. Pay attention to your body but also to your internal talk. When you’re thinking, “I’m too old for this” or “I forgot where I put my keys, I must be getting old,” you’re reinforcing a negative belief. Positive thoughts and speech will have a powerful impact. Instead of telling yourself you can’t do a certain activity because you’re “too old,” find ways you can still do them. Take Olga Kotelko for example. If you haven’t heard of her, I strongly suggest you look her up on YouTube. She’s a 94-year-old Canadian track and field athlete who holds 17 world records in her age category (90-95). Talk about inspiration! Who can dare tell her she is too old to do track? Chronological aging cannot be stopped, however biological aging can be reversed. Take the time to invest in your most valuable asset (you!) on a weekly basis and allow yourself to live your life the way you’ve envisioned it. Only you can make the decision to be vibrant, strong and healthy. Or, you could search for the fountain of youth like Juan Ponce de León. HH
Guy Dufour is the founder of Corefit Training. He is a certified personal trainer, strength coach and has a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Guy’s philosophy is that overall health and fitness is for life and can be achieved by everyone. He can be contacted via email at guy@corefittraining.ca.
Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 25
Hill Happenings
Small Businesses Gems of Success Tax credits cultivate healthy small businesses, paving the way for community success stories. By Bernard Trottier
E
tobicoke-Lakeshore is home to diverse small businesses, from local restaurants to unique retail locations that help create a distinct community. The Government of Canada has introduced measures since 2006 that have greatly improved the conditions need-
ed for small businesses to succeed. We have reduced the small business tax rate to 11 percent, eliminated the corporate surtax and increased the maximum loan amount under the Canada Small Business Financing Program. This finances the purchase or improvement of equipment to help businesses grow. Through
Be seen.
the Business Credit Availability Program, access to funds has been enhanced and over $5 billion in financing has been provided. Also, tariffs on imported machinery, equipment and manufacturing input have all been lifted which generates savings for small businesses and reduces customs-related red tape.
HUMBER HAPPENINGS A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
Winter 2013
HUMBER HAPPENINGS
Call us today to have your business
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
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HBS transit drives towards full bloom.
WATERFRONT DINING Breakfast, lunch or dinner!
SAME GAME, DIFFERENT ARENA Exclusive Q&A with Doug Holyday.
BROTEN STEPS AWAY Putting family first.
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WINTERTIME GETAWAYS Personalized travel planning.
COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT Fun, food and camaraderie!
EVOLVING TRANSIT
Improvements on the horizon.
HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
HUMBER HAPPENINGS www.hbsca.homestead.com
26 HumberBayShores.org
For advertising, please contact: Jay Perry (C) 416.587.1748 (E) jayperry@a-b-c-inc.com
Hill Happenings Marginal Effective Tax Rate on New Business Investment 2014
40 Percent
All of these measures have helped small businesses grow and provide better services to their community by giving them more funds to improve their operations. In last year’s budget, the Hiring Credit for Small Businesses was extended and expanded for the year and saved small businesses $225 million in 2013. I am proud to have supported all of these measures that have helped small businesses in Etobicoke-Lakeshore prosper and grow, and look forward to continuing the effort. As elected representatives for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, MPP Doug Holyday and I wish to recognize the small businesses and service organizations that make our community unique and enjoyable. The Gems of Etobicoke-Lakeshore Awards will be presented for best Restaurant, Food Service, Retail, Culture and Recreation, Service Business, Community Service, and Best New Business organization in our area. In addition, there will be individual awards for outstanding
40.7 34.8
30
33.0
Impact of Federal and Provincial actions since Budget 20016
29.8 29.5
20
26.5 26.1 20.2
17.0
10 0
Japan
USA
United France Kingdom
community service, volunteerism, and promotion of local business. Visit BernardTrottierMP.ca for more information on the awards and for nomination forms. Nominations will be taken until mid-April. We believe this is a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions of local businesses and community organizations. We ask that you
Germany
for all of her work that lead to the honour of having an award named after her.
The Jean Augustine Award is created by LAMP Community Health Centre and supported by Humber College to honour an outstanding Canadian, Jean Augustine.
OECD Avg.
Canada
support this effort by nominating organizations that you feel deserve recognition for their outstanding service, and through your participation in celebrating the successful nominees. HH Bernard Trottier has served EtobicokeLakeshore since 2011 as its MP and serves on a number of federal committees.
HBSCA would like to Congratulate
Jean Augustine
Italy
HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
Jean Augustine made Canadian political history in 1993 as the first black woman elected to the Canadian Parliament. She served as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women and was a deputy Speaker. She also played a major role as parliamentary secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien. She is the former MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore where she served for four terms before retiring from federal politics. She is also a Black Heritage Champion and in 1995 introduced a motion which was passed unanimously by the House of Commons to recognize February as Black History month. She is currently the Ontario Fairness Commissioner.
LAMP Community Health Centre will recognize an HBSCA resident who lives by the values and principles of social justice, who champions positive social change in the community, and makes a positive difference in the lives of others through various acts of kindness and contributions to the community. ©David Samuel
Humber Happenings I Spring 2014 27
Holyday Highlights
The First Six Months Traffic congestion relief and transit expansion intertwined. by Doug Holyday
A
s the new Member of Provincial Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, I have just participated in my first session of the legislative proceedings that ended on Dec. 12, 2013. My transition from municipal politics was seamless as I have been active in public life for over 30 years. During this period I have witnessed the effects of a hurried amalgamation of Toronto on the lives of Etobians as steady population growth has increased service demands and infrastructure expansion. A fundamental problem we must address is traffic congestion and inadequate public transit in Toronto and the GTA. As the former deputy mayor of Toronto, I know how important this is to our economy and to the daily lives of the commuters in the region. Government has waited too long to implement a rational transit expansion plan. The Ontario government has adequate revenue to provide the services that people in cities like Windsor, London, Ottawa and other major cities expect, but every year the province’s ability to do so is weakened by growing debt and interest payments that increase by millions of dollars annually. Transit expansion must be funded not through sin taxes on driving, but by reexamining priorities within the government’s existing budget. We believe that Ontario needs new ideas and fixing gridlock is a major one for the public. 28 HumberBayShores.org
The province should fund urban transit and transportation expansions by creating an Ontario Transportation Trust (OTT). The Trust could be used to address the worst gridlock, though the GTA
What is needed is a new partnership between cities and the government. will need the most immediate investment. Money from the trust should come from selling surplus lands and excess provincial buildings. There are tremendous savings to be had by moving government operations out of downtown Toronto to surrounding suburbs and nearby cities. To get the best deal for taxpayers, we should use competitive, open tenders for performance-based contracts to deliver better customer service and efficiency— specifically public-private partnerships, or “P3s.” Also, with provincial assets like GO
stations, we can encourage private investment in other public services. All of this will encourage people to take transit. Increased commercial activity increases revenue that should be dedicated to an OTT. This leads me back to the expressed concerns that Humber Bay condo residents have about a new GO station versus the current Mimico site. GO transit falls under the purview of Metrolinx, under the Liberal Party’s direction. Improvements to Mimico GO were considerably expensive and are underway, but won’t be completed until 2016. You can’t terminate that which has been started, creating a negative impact on others to provide an improvement for under-serviced new developments. The new proposed Trust would address the service problems in this regard. What is needed is a new partnership between cities and the government. Ontario’s opportunity is enormous. Toronto alone represents one tenth of the Canadian economy. Taken together, the GTA is double that. If we make the right decisions, the cities will lead Ontario’s economic turnaround, but there is more work to do. HH
Doug Holyday has served in public office for 30 years as Etobicoke’s mayor and deputy mayor of Toronto. He currently serves Etobicoke-Lakeshore as MPP, working as government accountability critic on GTA issues and transit.
HUMBER BAY SHORES CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION
HBSCA Annual Community Events 2014 Waterfront Clean-Up (Saturday, May 24, 2014) Free t-shirt to the first 100 participants Free lunch for all participants Great fun and fellowship with neighbours Improved environment of the Western Humber Bay Meet vendors that support our community Meet politicians that represent the HBS HBSCA Farmers’ Market (May 31 -October 11, 2014) Fresh farm foods Community friends meet & greet Special attractions Sponsorship opportunities Shakespeare in the Park (TBA - usually in July/August) Free event (suggested donation of $10 to the Canadian Stage Company) Very relaxing evening with neighbours Great way to entertain the kids Great fun and fellowship with neighbours
Jay Perry
416.587.1748
Waterfront Festival (Saturday, August 9, 2014) Lots of family entertainment Live music Childrens activities Meet vendors that sponsor event Meet politicians that are our representatives to government Food Talent demonstrations Great fun and fellowship with neighbours Golf Tournament (Friday, September 12, 2014) High quality course at a discounted rate Great fun and prizes Community vendors sponsor & support with participation Neighbourhood Putting Contest (Last weekend of September) Resident only, friendly competition for great prizes Dinner included Vendor sponsorship opportunity Co-ed approach Spectators welcome Great fun
88 Palace Pier Crt. Suite PH404, Toronto, ON M8V 4C2
Councillor’s Corner
Cleaner Air For Communities Ward 5 and 6 air quality study highlights the need for proactive city-wide policies. by Mark Grimes
I
n general, the residents of south Etobicoke have for a long time held strong concerns over the local air quality and pollution. Much of this can be notably attributed to the area’s strong industrial history and the Lakeview power plant. Even though the community has transformed, many of these concerns remain at the heart of daily conversations. As a result, in conjunction with Ward 5 Councillor Peter Milczyn, I directed city staff to undertake a thorough examination of the local air quality. After several years of hard work the results of this study were released at a public meeting on Jan. 15, 2014. Studying Our Air Quality The local air quality study used computer models to calculate and map the concentration of 30 different air pollutants in the study area. The study included emissions from all sources such as industrial, commercial, residential, transportation-related, agricultural and natural sources, that when combined may have an impact at the neighbourhood level. Toronto is a leader in this type of research and is the only major municipality in North America conducting such extensive air quality studies. Overall the results were in line with other areas of the city with the greatest areas of concern being along the 427, 30 HumberBayShores.org
the Gardiner Expressway and other major highways. In the case of south Etobicoke, the 427 corridor is slightly worse as it carries a higher volume of traffic, including much greater volumes of truck traffic. The
The data confirms the value of the city’s smart commute and car share programs. data confirms the value of the city’s smart commute and car share programs available through the Toronto Environment and Energy office. Helping Businesses The study also noted some encouraging results from local business. In the last several years two local businesses reduced their 2013 emission levels by 75 percent and 80 percent respectively from the 2006 data used in the study. The city’s
ChemTRAC program, which requires private businesses to report the chemicals they create and emit, allows city staff to help these industries improve on their emissions to create healthier communities and work environments. City-Wide Implementation In the coming years, city staff will roll out the Air Quality study to the remaining Wards across the City of Toronto until the entire city has had its emissions tested and analyzed. Once this baseline model has been achieved, staff can then track areas of concern and better gauge the effectiveness of the city’s various policies and initiatives. Additionally, as part of the air quality study the city has hired community facilitators to help residents and community stakeholders initiate and implement pollution prevention projects throughout Ward 5 and Ward 6 to help foster a better understanding of the issues at hand. If you have any questions at all, please call my office and together we can move forward towards a cleaner community. HH
Mark Grimes is the Councillor for Ward 6 Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He is a life-long resident, activist and businessperson in south Etobicoke. He can be reached by email at councillor_grimes@toronto.ca, or by phone at 416-397-9273.
H
elp
Up Your Com e c u r mu Sp with the
18th Annual
nit y
HBSCA
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WATERFRONT
CLEAN-UP HUMBER BAY SHORES
Arrive early to get your limited edition organic cotton t-shirt!
Saturday, May 24 , 2014 th
Start locations: Humber Bay Park West (near the Walking Bridge by the ESSO) & Palace Place. •
Come prepared for rain or shine!
9:00 am Coffee & donuts, compliments of Steve’s ESSO.
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Clean-up supplies will be provided.
9:30 am Clean up the waterfront & park between
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Wearing boots is always a good idea.
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Children are welcome.
12:00 pm Lunch served at Humber Sailing & Powerboating Centre.
Palace Place & Grand Harbour.
Mark the date on your calendar and join your neighbours and friends for our annual Waterfront Clean-Up.
tha n k you to all
of our 2 0 1 4 spo n sors !
O O Legal One Bedroom. Basement Apartment Approved By City Of Brampton. Main Floor Hardwood, With Combined Living And Dining. Interlocked Bbq Area. Extras: Buyer Or Buyers Agent To Verify All Measurements. New Windows Done In 2011. All New Concrete Porch 2012.
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1 Palace Pier Crt. Toronto
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S Detached Home. Covered Porch With Double Door Entry. Solid Oak Staircase. Upper Level Carpet. Open Concept Living And Dinging Room. Eat In Kitchen. Gas Fireplace In Main Living Room. Master Size Walk-In Closet. Main Floor Laundry With Garage Access.
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141 Havelock Dr. Brampton
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Beautiful Garden. Hrdwd Throughout The House. Granite Kitchen Countr. Crown Moulding & Wainscotting In Liv/Din Rm. B/I Entertainment Centre In Bsmt. Close To Lake. Wet Bar In Rec Room & Cold Cellar. Stove Area Has Natural Gas Connection.
6405 Valiant Hts. Mississauga
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Gorgeous, Well Maintained 3 Bedroom + Den. Freehold Ravine Lot Located In Desirable Residential Area. Close To Woodbine Mall, Humber College And Hospital. Backing Onto Ravine With No Neighbours Behind. View Of The Ravine And Greenery With Lots Of Privacy.
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996 Cutler Crt. Mississauga
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Easterly City and Lake View From 22 ft. Balcony! Upgrades Include High-End Laminate Flrs In Liv/Din/Den + New Granite Cntrs & Breakfast Bar & Slate Bcksplsh In Kit + New CaesarStone Bthrm Countr! Undermount Sinks In Bathrm & Kit! Spacious Master Bedrm With Large Closet! Immaculate Decor!
80 Triple Crown Ave. Toronto
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Brand New Condo Rental. One Bedroom + Den With Blacony At The Palms. Close To Finch Subway Stop. Parking Included. $15,000 In Upgrades Including Stainless Steel Appliances, Under Mount Lighting, Soft Drawer Closure, Upgraded Floors.
5 Marine Parade Dr. Toronto
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5740 Yonge St. Toronto
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2 Bedroom + Den Rental At Grendadier Landing. Maple Hardwood Floors, Three Walkouts To Huge Balcony Approx. 20“ W. With No Ceiling Above For Clear View. Den Can Be Used As 3rd Bedroom. Amenities: Gym, Games Room, Media Room, Court Yard Bbq.
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5 Marine Parade Dr. Toronto
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Recent Success Stories
Luxurious Palace Place. Beautiful, Well Kept 1 Bedroom Waterfront Suite With Floor To Ceiling Windows. Building Offers 5-Star Amenities Which Include All Utilities And Rogers Vip Cable, Shuttle Bus To Downtown, Valet Parking, Outdoor Patio. Comes With One Parking Space And Large Locker.
You know me. I know the neighbourhood.
RAVI GURDITA Sales Representative
PROFESSIONALS INC., BROKERAGE
Cell (416) 873-5894 Office (416) 232-9000 1 East Mall Crescent, Toronto, ON M9B 6G8