The Bloor West Villager, February 23, 2017

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2017

CONNIE MACEACHERN Sales Representative

416.816.0596

connieshomework.com connie’s^

HOMEwork

ONLINE at insidetoronto.com

THE

News, events and information on your desktop, laptop or mobile device

WAITING GAME

In Pictures

Navigating health care’s lists, lineups

See the best snaps from our photographers in our online galleries. www.insidetoronto.com/photos

Events Calendar

Justin Greaves/Metroland

LISA QUEEN lqueen@yrmg.com TAMARA SHEPHARD tshephard@insidetoronto.com Anne Robinson, 55, is eagerly anticipating her double hip-replacement surgery later this

month after living in “excruciating pain” since 2013.

“I’m so thrilled. I can’t wait. It truly is a miracle,” she said.

Robinson’s road to surgery has been long, frustrating and emotionally and financially taxing.

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis

three years ago, Robinson had first noticed pain in her knees in her 40s.

In 2012 while teaching in China, Robinson felt pain in her hip during exercise “almost like it had dislodged,” she said. Then, a brain bleed forced her to fly home to East York in September

2013.

An orthopedic surgeon had her hips X-rayed. The doctor’s interns said they saw nothing unusual.

Robinson was told she was “too young” for surgery, and prescribed pain medication. l See WAIT, pagexx 3 O See WAIT, page

See what’s happening by visiting our online community calendar. www.insidetoronto.com/events

uReport the news newsroom@insidetoronto.com www.facebook.com/InsideToronto @InsideTOnews insidetoronto.com/ureport

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

2

DEMO

2016 HONDA A ACCORD COUPE

STK#A16085

$5500

CASH REBATE

DEMO

2016 HONDA HR-V CVT AWD

$3000

CASH REBATE

STK#H16745

DEMO DEM

2017 20 HONDA IDGELINE BLACK EDITION

STK#R17050

380 Front St. E 416-867-1577 acuradowntown.ca

insidetoronto.com

†Limited time lease offer based on a new 2017 Acura ILX (DE2F3HJX) // a new 2017 TLX (UB1F3HJ) // model shown, a 2017 TLX (UB1F3HJ) with accessories available through Acura Financial Services on approved credit. Representative lease example: 0.3% // 0.3% // 0.3% lease rate for 30 months (65 payments). Bi-weekly payment is $168 // $188 // $233 with $2,000 // $3,200 // $3,200 down payment. 20,000 km allowance/year; charge of $0.15/km for excess kilometres. Total lease obligation is $12,920 // $15,420 // $18,345.

Offer includes EHF tires ($29), EHF filters ($1), air conditioning fee ($100), OMVIC fee ($10), and PPSA ($29). License, insurance, registration, options, duties and taxes are extra. PPSA lien registration fee and lien registering agent’s fee are due at time of delivery. ‡$3,500 // $3,850 // $4,500 Cash Rebate (CCR) is available on new 2017 Acura ILX Premium (DE2F7HJNX), Tech (DE2F7HKNX), and A-SPEC (DE2F8HKX) // new 2017 TLX Tech (UB1F5HKN) // on new 2017 SH-AWD® Tech (UB3F5HKN) and 2017 TLX SH-AWD® Elite (UB3F7HKN) models when registered and delivered before February 28, 2017. Total incentives consist of: (i) $1,000 // $1,000 // $1,000 that cannot be combined with lease/finance offers; (ii) $2,500 // $2,850 // $3,500 that can be combined with lease/finance offers. All incentives will be deducted from the negotiated selling price after taxes. ^To qualify, purchase, lease or finance a new, unregistered 2016 or 2017 Acura ILX // TLX model from a participating authorized Acura retailer in Canada between February 1, 2017 and March 31, 2017. Acura will cover the cost of parts and labour only for regularly scheduled maintenance services in accordance with the vehicle’s Maintenance Minder program for a period of thirty (30) months from the date of the original purchase/lease of the vehicle by the original owner/lessee or 50,000 km (whichever occurs first). Restrictions, exclusions and conditions apply. For complete details, visit: www.acura.ca/owners/maintenance-calculator. Some terms/conditions apply. Models shown for illustration purposes only. Offers end February 28, 2017 and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Dealer may sell/lease for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. While quantities last. Certain features only available on certain trims. Visit acura.ca or your Acura dealer for details. © 2017 Acura, a division of Honda Canada Inc.

ve NDA n A HO OWN ter DOWNT s Ea tE Front S

St

ACURA N DOWNTOW

HONDA DOWNTOWN

y err

t

tE Front S

CASH REBATE

Ch

e Av

yS

rn

ste

Ea

err Ch

ACURA DOWNTOWN

$4500

47 Eastern Ave. 416-368-8181 hondadowntown.ca Offers are applicable after taxes. Offer subject to change without notice.

Visit www.hondadowntown.ca for more details.

3

Wait times ‘defining feature’ of health care system l Continued from page 1

O Continued from front

“I became so angered, so frustrated,� she recalled. “My pain is excruciating, and they’re telling me nothing is wrong. My life is hijacked. I can’t work. I can’t walk without help. I’ve gone through a lot of my savings.�

A new family doctor referred Robinson to a new orthopedic surgeon. “’You have the hips of a 90 year old,’� he told her and quickly booked her surgery. “I want to live a rich, healthy life like everybody else,� she said. “People need to advocate for themselves or have someone represent them. You are the one in pain. You know you’re not imagining it. If one doctor says no, get that second or third opinion.�

Robinson is one of thousands of Canadians on waiting lists for medical procedures.

There’s “no question� wait times are a concern, said Michael Decter, chair of patient advocacy group Patients Canada and

coauthor of Navigating Canada’s Health Care published in 2006. “The most important thing for me to say is patients don’t have an easy way of measuring a lot of things in health care but they do know how long they wait,â€? he said. “It’s not just that waiting is ďŹ lled with fear for patients and sometimes accompanied by a great deal of pain but there is also, in a signiďŹ cant number of medical conditions, a worsening outcome if you wait.â€?

While there is a patchwork of impressive initiatives aimed at improving wait times, overall there has been “slippageâ€? following initial progress following the 2004 federal-provincial health care accord, Decter said. “We think the Canadian system can be ďŹ xed. We’re optimistic about that,â€? he said. “But there’s a lot of rhetoric about patient-centred (care) and a lot of the things that are being done in the name of making the

system more patient-centred are really reorganizing the provider side without much patient involvement.�

Ontario’s Ministry of Health is committed to improving access to surgical services and Diagnostic Imaging, spokesperson David Jensen said. “Ontario has invested over $1.9 billion for more than 3 million additional procedures to help reduce wait times since 2003/04,� he said in an email, adding the government is investing $77.89 million a year to add 6,468 surgical procedures and 237,250 hours of operation for MRI and CT tests.

Ontario has also been recognized as a “strong performer� on wait times for hip replacement surgery, knee replacement surgery, cataract procedures, cancer radiation and coronary artery bypass graft, he said.

Bacchus Barua, senior economist with the Fraser Institute and coauthor of last November’s

Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, isn’t impressed with wait times trends. “Unfortunately, when we look at Canada as a whole, this is the longest wait time that we’ve ever recorded in Canada in the history of the survey (which began in 1993),â€? he said. “I think medical wait times in Canada have become the deďŹ ning feature of Canada’s health care system.â€?

The average wait time from referral from a family doctor to treatment is now 20 weeks, 115 per cent more than in 1993 when it was 9.3 weeks.

While Ontario has the shortest average wait time at 15.6 weeks, that’s not a laudable standard when measured against other jurisdictions with universal health care such as Switzerland, Sweden and Germany, Barua said.

Other countries offering universal health care at less expense and shorter wait times have wel-

You’re sick. Now what?

From your ďŹ rst visit with your family doctor to treatment, here’s how long you can expect to wait for procedures in Ontario, based on median wait times from 2016: Neurosurgery: 44.8 weeks Orthopedic surgery (such as hip and knee replacements): 29.7 weeks Ophthalmology (eye surgery): 29.4 weeks Gynecology: 14.7 weeks General surgery (such as hernia repair or appendix or gall bladder removal): 7.6 weeks Cardiovascular surgery: 5.5 weeks Radiation oncology (cancer treatment): 3 weeks Medical oncology: 2.9 weeks Source: Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, The Fraser Institute, 2016

~ 3^]{c V^ X]c^ cWT WTP[cW RPaT system by yourself. Have a friend or relative present who can help you navigate the system and advocate for the best possible care. ~ 3^]{c QT a passive patient. Ask questions and follow up. For example, ask if you can travel to another community with shorter wait times.

Visit the Ministry of Health’s ontariowaittimes.com to ďŹ nd wait times for different procedures at various Ontario hospitals

~ =Tcf^aZ Ask friends and family if they know of any health care providers with short wait times. ~ 8U h^d WPeT WTP[cW QT]T cb make sure you know what you are covered for. You may be en-

THESE TIPS CAN HELP YOU BETTER MANAGE YOUR HEALTH CARE JOURNEY:

titled for accelerated services. ~ BTT XU _PhX]V U^a _aXePcT WTP[cW insurance is right for you. ~ ATbTPaRW _aXePcT R[X]XRb Qdc QT prepared to pay out of pocket. ~ 2^]bXSTa bTTZX]V \TSXRP[ attention outside Canada, also

known as medical tourism.

Be aware it is your responsibility to investigate foreign standards of care. Visit the Canadian government’s travel. gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/ care-abroad for information you should consider.

A United Kingdom website, treatmentabroad.com, which provides information about travelling overseas for health care, shows a range of prices for medical procedures performed in countries around the world.

Fees listed in British pounds were converted to Canadian dollars.

For example, a knee replacement in the United States could cost you $41,000, while in Spain it could cost $14,668 and in Latvia it could cost $1,968.

The price for heart bypass surgery in Lithuania is $16,567, while in Turkey it’s $6,486.

If you need surgery for breast removal due to cancer, you could expect to pay $4,945 in Poland and $3,109 in Thailand.

In vitro fertilization fertility treatments comes with a price tag of $10,385 in the United Arab Emirates, $6,181 in the United Kingdom and $3,679 in Russia.

WHAT ARE YOU

CROWDFUNDING FOR? fuellocal.com is an online platform to raise money through crowdfunding: an opportunity for a collection of individuals to make donations in support of a cause.

Create your fundraising campaign or help fund local initiatives at fuellocal.com

Start your campaign now!

.com

insidetoronto.com

K I X DX CROWDFUNDING IS: C BD P XSUPPORTING P A B THE GARTSE

~ 5^[[^f d_ 3^]{c Pbbd\T XU h^d haven’t heard back about a test that you are in the clear. There may be a number of reasons why you weren’t contacted. If you haven’t heard from a specialist about an appointment, call and make sure they received the referral.

comed the private sector working as a partner in the system, charge patients a co-payment to help temper demand and pay hospitals based on the procedures they perform rather than a global budget, Barua said. “There are a lot of countries with universal health care. But we are one of the more expensive systems, we’re among the top spenders on health care but we have some of the longest wait times in the world,� he said. “Personally, I do think it is quite remarkable that we expect patients to endure these long wait times without having any form of recourse within the country and in many situations it can mean patients being in pain for years, it can lead to loss of income and in some cases, it actually leads to a deterioration in the condition.

When you consider all that together, it is worrying, especially since it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s not the price we have to pay for universal health care.�

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

THE WAITING GAME

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

4

EDITORIAL | OPINION

• OUR VIEW •

ABOUT US

Time to make case for city’s fiscal needs When Toronto Council debated its budget last week, Mayor John Tory felt like the loneliest mayor ever.

At least that’s what he said, in his speech capping the daylong debate on the 2017 operating and capital budgets.

"I can tell you, it’s been pretty lonely so far," Tory told his colleagues - many of whom were critical of his decision to keep the property tax increase relatively low at 2 per cent. Tory pointed out that marginally higher tax increases on Torontonians’ homes won’t make much difference to Toronto’s larger fiscal difficulties.

What would make a difference, he said, was a few more voices turned toward Ottawa and Queen’s Park, to press the case that he has been pressing: Toronto needs more money, and perhaps more powers, to finance its many needs and aspirations as the largest city in Canada.

It is a compelling case, and Tory has not been alone in making it. Mel Lastman, amalgamated Toronto’s first mayor, made it most bluntly, when he called Premier Mike Harris a "liar" for promising that the amalgamation of Toronto and provincial downloading of bigticket services would be "revenue neutral" for the city and the province.

His method brought in a number of one-time fixes, but was largely a rearguard action.

Lastman’s successor, David Miller, made the case with slightly more gentility, and did indeed manage some successes: a gas tax federally, transit infrastructure funding provincially, and, locally, new powers to tax under a new City of Toronto Act. The late former Mayor Rob Ford had little time for intergovernmental relations, but even he did his bit attracting some federal investment from the Ford-friendly Harper Conservative government to build a subway in Scarborough.

So it falls on John Tory, and Toronto Council, to continue to make the case for further support and revenue powers. And if the fight is not lonely, it is uphill.

Toronto Council’s initial foray - to impose tolls on the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway - went nowhere with Premier Kathleen Wynne.

The mayor has shifted his demands - that the province put money into transit infrastructure, housing, maintenance of those two highways and port lands flood protection.

Tory is relying on the federal government to help secure this money - specifically, that federal funding for local projects be tied to provincial cost-sharing.

Will it work? In politics, that’s always up in the air.

But like his successors, Tory is in the right. It should work.

For Toronto’s sake, it must.

The Bloor West Villager, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 100 community publications across Ontario.

The Bloor West Villager is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca

newsroom@insidetoronto.com facebook.com/InsideToronto @InsideTOnews

Scarborough’s subway, still so insecure They held a byelection in Scarborough this month.

The subway won.

You might hear a man called Neethan Shan won, but the subway got more votes.

In Toronto, some people believe governments do nothing but fill bags with money, which they throw into holes in the ground.

The point most candidates in Ward 42’s byelection made is Scarborough never gets its fair share from those bags.

And for a fair share, think subway to Scarborough Town Centre.

Sure, many wanted more than that, but Scarborough’s one-stop subway extension has grown to be what matters most.Scarborough’s councillors, MPPs, and Mayor John Tory have

MIKE ADLER Edges of Toronto staked so much on the subway, so many times, it just must happen.

It’s become the area’s main goal.

So, on the night of the byelection, Tory made it clear Shan’s victory was also the subway’s.

"The voters in Ward 42 have sent a strong message that they want a councillor who supports the Scarborough subway extension," he

insidetoronto.com

CONTACT US Bloor West Villager 175 Gordon Baker Road Toronto, ON M2H 0A2 Phone: 416-493-4400 Fax: 416-774-2070 Web: www.insidetoronto.com

Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters.

said, pledging "to push ahead on the project that the people of Scarborough have voted for time and time again."

These are anxious months for the subway. No matter how many votes it wins, whenever Josh Matlow, a Scarborough subwayhater, goes on television, or the Toronto Star trash-talks it, the subway is insecure.

A third-party cost review, long delayed, comes out this year. There’s fear in Scarborough about that.

A new group, ConnectScarborough, has given out flyers at Scarborough Town Centre since January, signing people to a pro-subway petition it will give councillors when cost estimates are public.

In a Valentine’s Day release, Scarborough Com-

munity Renewal Organization, born from a grassroots campaign to revitalize Scarborough on many fronts, announced its "strategic partnership" with ConnectScarborough.Pressure for the subway must continue until construction actually starts, says SCRO’s interim chairperson Jennifer McKelvie.

The cost review also covers the Eglinton East lightrail line. That line can bring development and jobs back to East Scarborough, maybe break the back of poverty in five neighbourhoods.

Tory promised it. ConnectScarborough and SCRO say they support it. It’s "shovel ready."

But it’s not a subway. It has no chance.

Reach Mike Adler at madler@insidetoronto.com

WHO WE ARE Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail customersupport@metroland. com or call 1-855-853-5613.

Publisher Dana Robbins General Manager John Willems Director of Advertising Cheryl Phillips

Editor-in-Chief Metroland Central Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief Toronto Grace Peacock Managing Editor Georgia Balogiannis

Director Distribution Mike Banville Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Advertising Manager Alison Fauquier

CANADA 150

Write your six-word story about ’The Six’

HEADLINES The latest news delivered daily to your inbox

Toronto residents are invited to take part in a massive art project describing the Six using their own six words.

The My City, My Six (MCM6) initiative asks participants to come up with a sixword story that highlights what Toronto has to offer.

MCM6 will be part of the city’s "TO Canada with Love" contri-

SIGN UP AT www.insidetoronto.com /newsletter

on Twitter using the #MyCityMySix hashtag.Six local arts service organizations - Arts Etobicoke, East End Arts, Lakeshore Arts, North York Arts, Scarborough Arts and UrbanArts - will offer workshops and word-a-thons around the concept from March through May.Select submissions will be displayed at an exhibition which

butions to the nationwide Canada 150 celebration, and will also be part of this year’s Cultural Hotspot, which takes place in east Toronto.

Toronto poet laureate Anne Michaels has already contributed her own six-word story - "We belong where love finds us" - to the collection of stories. Others have already begun chiming in

will be shown at various sites across Toronto, including City Hall, TTC stations, the six local arts service organizations, and other public spaces.

Those looking to get involved can send their six-word story to culturalhotspot@toronto.ca through May. For more information on the project, visit www.toronto.ca/culturalhotspot.

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

TODAY’S

5

CONQUER ALL C NDITIONS SALES EVENT FEB. 17TH - FEB. 28TH GET UP TO AN ADDITIONAL

1,000

$

AUTOSHOW BONUS ON SELECT MODELS

~

∞

NO CHARGE INTELLIGENT

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

**

ON SELECT MODELS

WHEN LEASING OR FINANCING WITH NCF

THE NEW 2017

NO CHARGE

NISSAN ROGUE

®

ALL-WHEEL

LEASE* FROM $258 MONTHLY WITH $1,495 DOWN

59 0.99

$

THAT'S LIKE PAYING ONLY AT

WEEKLY ON 2017 ROGUE S FWD

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

%

DRIVE

AVAILABLE ON 2017 MODELS • INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL • FORWARD EMERGENCY BRAKING • HEATED STEERING WHEEL PLUS GET

500

$

ON OTHER SELECT MODELS

AUTOSHOW BONUS

∞

SL model shown▲

2017

® NISSAN SENTRA LEASE* FROM $214 MONTHLY WITH $0 DOWN

49 1.99% THAT'S LIKE PAYING ONLY

$

AT

WEEKLY ON 2017 SENTRA SV CVT SR model showns▲

OR GET

1,000

$

AND GET THE WELL EQUIPPED SENTRA SV WITH D

HEATED SEATS

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

AUTOSHOW BONUS

∞

XTRONIC® CVT

A /C

AIR CONDITIONING

ON 2017 SENTRA TURBO MODELS

VISIT CHOOSENISSAN.CA OR YOUR LOCAL RETAILER • OFFER

ENDS FEBRUARY 28TH

Offers available from February 17 – 28, 2017. ∞The additional rebate of $500/$1,000 (including a dealer participation of $50/$250) is valid when leasing or financing through Nissan Canada Finance (NCF) (at inception) one of the following select new models: 2017 Rogue/2017 Sentra Turbo. This offer is valid from February 17 – 28, 2017. The offer is available to eligible customers for a limited time on approved credit only. The discount will be deducted from the negotiated selling price before taxes.

Applicable to NCF contracts only. Not combinable with fleet discounts and not applicable to cash purchase buyers. This offer is for units in participating Ontario Nissan retailers’ stock only. Offer not eligible for program protection. Certain conditions apply.

See your Ontario Nissan Retailer today. **$2,200 No Charge All-Wheel Drive upgrade is available on new 2017 Rogue (excluding S FWD and SV special edition FWD) models purchased or financed with NCF at standard rates and delivered between February 1 – 28, 2017. Offer consists of a discount that can only be used at the time of initial purchase/finance and applied towards: (i) the purchase of an All-Wheel Drive system from an authorized Nissan dealer; and/or (ii) the purchase price of the vehicle. Payments cannot be made on a weekly basis, for advertising purposes only. *Representative monthly lease offer based on a new 2017 Rogue S FWD/2017 Sentra SV CVT at 0.99%/1.99% lease APR for 60/60 months equals monthly payments of $258/$214 with $1,495/$0 down payment, and $0 security deposit. Lease based on a maximum of 20,000 km/year with excess charged at $0.10/km. Total lease obligation is $16,952/$12,859. Lease Cash of $500/$2,275 is included in the advertised offer. ▲Models shown $38,024/$28,029 Selling price for a new 2017 Rogue SL Platinum (PL00)/2017 Sentra SR Turbo CVT Premium (RL00). All Pricing includes Freight and PDE charges ($1,795/$1,600) air-conditioning levy ($100), applicable fees, manufacturer’s rebate and dealer participation where applicable. License, registration, insurance and applicable taxes are extra. Offers are available on approved credit through Nissan Canada Finance for a limited time, may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers except stackable trading dollars. Vehicles and accessories are for illustration purposes only. See your participating Nissan retailer for complete details. Certain conditions apply. ©2017 Nissan Canada Inc.

insidetoronto.com

HIGH PARK NISSAN 3275 DUNDAS STREET WEST, TORONTO TEL: (416) 762-7537

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

6

WANTED

30 PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS

COMMUNITY

Qualified Participants Needed for Technology Field Test

We’re looking for people like you, who may be experiencing difficulty hearing in noisy environments to evaluate a remarkable new digital hearing aid and a rehabilitative process that could be the solution to your difficulties. There’s no cost or obligation to participate!

Call us toll-free today to see if you qualify for this Field Test. Potential candidates will be given a FREE hearing test to determine their candidacy.

Selected participants will be given a FREE in-office demonstration and the opportunity to evaluate the latest, most advanced hearing aid technology for 30 days. This latest digital technology solves the biggest challenge for hearing aid wearers – hearing well in noisy environments.

Nobody will notice it because of its minute size, fitting snugly and comfortably just behind the ear. Everything works automatically, so you can get back to enjoying your relationships, rather than thinking about your hearing. Following your 30 day Field Test, these hearing aids will be available for purchase, including everything you need for 3 full years.

Dan Pearce/Metroland

Superintendent Heinz Kuck will be doing 150 km by dog sled in Algonquin Park for Canada 150.

11 Division cop embarking on Canada 150 trek Kuck will spend four days dog sledding in Algonquin Park AARON D’ANDREA adandrea@metroland.com

CALL NOW - Candidates are being selected.

The selection process for this test period will end March 31st, 2017.

Book your FREE appointment today!

See the list of clinics below or visit ListenUPcanada.com • Bay Street | 322-790 Bay Street | Call Ramya at 1-888-285-8883 • Bloor Metro | 205-2150 Bloor Street West | Call Wendy at 1-888-285-9761 • Bloor West Village | 2390 Bloor Street West | Call Chan at 1-888-286-0650 • Dufferin | 2700 Dufferin Street | Call Paulette at 1-888-286-0674 • Dundas West | 304-2333 Dundas Street West | Call Monica at 1-888-286-3358 • Etobicoke (Sherway) | 405-190 Sherway Drive | Call Michele at 1-888-286-3694 • Yonge & Lawrence | 3217 Yonge Street | Call Michelle at 1-888-286-3345

insidetoronto.com

• Yonge & St. Clair | 1493 Yonge Street | Call Dayna at 1-888-286-4013

Referred by Physicians more than 50,000 times!

TRUSTED PARTNER OF:

LUC15

Hearing tests are provided free of charge for adults ages 18 and older. Some conditions may apply. Please see clinic for details.

Promo Code: NSP-WNTD-BLWV

Eleven Division Supt.

Heinz Kuck will be celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday by doing another physically demanding adventure.

The division’s top cop will be embarking on a 150 kilometre dog sled trek in the wilderness of Algonquin Park on Feb. 27 for an awareness campaign for Canada 150.

"I want to do something that not only brought that awareness of confederation to youth . but, I want to do it in a way that will capture the public’s imagination," he told The Bloor West Villager. "It’s a way to symbolically reconnect with my roots. but I also want to bring it forward as an experiential aspect for some of the kids that will follow me."

Kuck will be spending three nights and four days in the park. He will be joined by a guide and two

dog teams with roughly 600 pounds of gear between the two of them, he said.

The group is aiming to travel 35 to 40 kilometres per day, depending on the weather, trail conditions and physical conditions of the dogs.

"We’re going to focus on harder trails, and trails that haven’t been as well manicured and even create some of our own trails," he said. "We’re going to be using older equipment and older sleds in an effort to symbolically have this dog sled event as close to the historic journeys the pioneers may have done."

Once he returns, Kuck will be doing blog posts on 11 Division’s social media pages and will be sharing stories of his journey with local schools.

"There has been, overtime, a true loss of patriotism and nationalism about Canada and our beginnings," he said. "To be able to go to a number of schools and talk to students and share the story with them, what I want to be able to do is instill in these young people a rejuvenated sense of pride in Canada."

This isn’t Kuck’s first rodeo. He has done several

fundraisers for charity throughout his tenure as a Toronto police officer. In 2015, Kuck spent 10 days dog sledding for charity in James Bay. In June 2016, Kuck pushed a weighted down 90-pound steel sled three kilometres to the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club from 11 Division.

"I found out that when a police officer is able to put together a cause with a physical endurance event where there are some trials, tribulations and some hardship, it really captures the public’s imagination," he said.

But, with this event being hooked around Canada 150, Kuck said it stands out from the rest.

"In my eye, there’s this historical checklist on how we’ve moved forward as a country going through from 1867, going through the turn of the century, the First World War where through the battlefields of France, we became this wonderful nationalistic society, the Second World War and moving through the years into what we have right now," he said.

"Every kilometre is a benchmark as that moving clock going through to our 150th year."

7 | Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

ACTING TODAY CAN PREVENT AN ACCIDENT TOMORROW. At CP, we want to make the safest railway in North America even safer.

Changing legislation and regulations to allow the use of video and voice recorders in the cabs of our locomotives could prevent accidents, protect communities and save lives.

Find out more at CPRailSafe.ca.

insidetoronto.com

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

8

COMMUNITY

Become a vendor at the Junction Farmers Market Vendor applications for the Junction Farmers Market are now open.

The market is looking for local farmers, wineries or artisan food producers for its 2017 season.

The market will be held at the Junction Train Platform, located at 2960 Dundas St. W, near Dundas Street and Pacific Avenue.

The farmers market begins Saturday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and runs until Nov. 4.

"The Junction Farmers Market pro-

vides local, sustainably produced fresh foods in ways that build community, support local food growers and producers, and promote access to healthy food for all," the market said on its website.

For more information about the market and how to sign up to become a vendor, visit docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSdprGKbq-EKgfnEEJV2FXM8KfIEYiiKCQP97ThPcpholbKOgg/viewform?c=0&w=1 The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

The boundary of the Bloor West Village Avenue Study. A public meeting will occur at St. Pius X Catholic School.

Learn about the Bloor West Village Avenue Study

416.532.1137 www.FamousPeoplePlayers.com

MECHANICAL

Gift rt Ce ificate Available

Community members are invited to attend a public meeting regarding the Bloor West Village Avenue Study.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, in the gymnasium at St. Pius X Catholic School, which is located at 71 Jane St. The City of Toronto has initiated a study to assess land uses, transportation, servicing infrastructure, community services, facilities, built form character and

redevelopment potential for Bloor Street West between Keele Street and the Humber River.

The study began in Dec. 2016 and is expected to be completed in fall 2017.

The city has created a website where the study’s progress can be monitored.

For more information, visit: www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnexttoid=a9120643888a9510 VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

BALCONY DW SLEEP 2 10’10” X 8’0” FR LIVE / EAT 21’4” X 11’4”

L

BATH

W/D

SLEEP 10’3” X 10’9”

SCOOPCONDOS.COM

ENSUITE

TERRACE

MAKE MORE ROOM FOR THE FUTURE.

insidetoronto.com

One of the biggest and best suites is now available to own at Scoop. With 884 sq. ft. of interior space plus a balcony and 200 sq. ft. terrace, there are a million ways to make it yours.

As part of an intimate and authentic community at St. Clair W., the future is yours to own.

1 BEDROOM STARTING AT HIGH $200’S / 2 BEDROOM + 2 BATH STARTING AT LOW $400’S VISIT TODAY. 1791 ST. CLAIR WEST 416.656.1717 MON TO WED 12 TO 6PM. THURS / FRI BY APPOINTMENT. WEEKENDS 12 TO 5PM.

Scoop Condos

@scoopTO #GetTheScoop

Exclusive Broker MarketVision Real Estate Corp. Brokers protected.

Royal Lepage West Realty Group

MPP Cheri DiNovo looking for public input regarding OMB Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo’s community consultation to discuss the Ontario Municipal Board has been cancelled, but she still wants to hear from constituents.

DiNovo announced on her website the talk, which was scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bishop Marrocco/ Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School at the corner of Bloor and Dundas streets in West Bend, was cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances."

In 2016, the provincial government announced it will be reviewing how the OMB operates and "its role in the province’s land-use planning system to help make it more efficient and more accessible to all Ontarians," the province said in a news release.

Anyone who wants to provide input can send their submissions by March 31 to dinovoc-qp@ndp.on.ca.

Royal Lepage West Realty Group, Brokerage 416-233-6276 5110 DUNDAS ST. W.

2016 Award Winner

On behalf of Royal LePage West Realty Group, we congratulate our Award Winner NUTAN BROWN for her outstanding accomplishments and wish Nutan continued success throughout 2017

9 | Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

COMMUNITY

Hilary Caton/file photo

MPP for Parkdale-High Park Cheri DiNovo took her federal NDP leadership campaign to the Parkdale Recreation Centre (PARC).

Real Estate

Bloor West Villager t 1SFTT 3VO t t homefinder.ca

OPEN HOUSE SAT/SUN 2-4 PM 1592 CLEARWATER DRIVE. Opportunity knocks! Spacious and beautifully updated bungalow on a fabulous lot in JERRY PODGORSKI Sales Representative this exceptional neighborhood 416 236-1871 of Orchard Heights in 905 330-6957 Mississauga. Only 10 min For FREE No obligation Home Evaluation drive to the airport and Royal LePage Real Estate call me now 905 330-6957 downtown Toronto.

Services Ltd., Brokerage 9 $ 89

,9 0

0

FIND YOUR

Nutan Brown Sales Representative

416 606 1581 (Direct) www.nutanbrown.com

PERFECT MATCH! Why use HomeFinder.ca?

a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.

National Chairman’s Club Top 1% in Canada

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 The Top 1% of the Royal LePage residential sales force on a national level based on earnings

insidetoronto.com

t MJTUJOHT UP CSPXTF GSPN t BHFOUT UP DPOOFDU XJUI t 0GGFST UIF CFTU EFNPHSBQIJD BOE MPDBM JOGP t /PUJGJDBUJPOT XIFO OFX IPNFT BSF BWBJMBCMF UIBU NFFU ZPVS DSJUFSJB t 'PMMPX B MJTUJOH BOE HFU VQEBUFT QSJDF DIBOHFT PQFO IPVTF TPME

t 'MFYJCMF TFBSDI QBSBNFUFST t "EWBODFE NBQQJOH UFDIOPMPHJFT

10 Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

FRANK LEO OPULENT kINGSWAY RESIDENCE Backing Onto Humber River, Premium 350 Ft Lot, Landscaped Resort Like Oasis, Inground Pool, Cabana, Patio, Amazing Views, Stately Renovated 5 Bedroom 2 Storey, 6 Bathrooms, Exudes Charm, Character & Luxury. Crown Mouldings, Heated Floors, Formal Dining Room, Gourmet Kitchen, Finished Bsmt, Nanny Suite, Master Bedroom Retreat, Walkout to Spectacular Balcony, Elegance Personified, Steps to Amenities & Subway! $3,127,000!

BROKER Sponsor of

ER ANOTH D L SO

Children’s Miracle Network & Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation SPECTACULAR MIDTOWN TORONTO RESIDENCE 6 Lots Combined to Build this Dream Home + Resort-Like Property. 7,500 Sq Ft of Living Space, Bright Open Concept Living Room, Custom Designed Chef’s Kitchen, Custom Loft with 9 Skylights. Walls of glass throughout, Master Bedroom Retreat, Rec Room with Floating Stage, Sound-Proof Theatre Room, 650 LED Pot Lights, Blue Quartz Pool, Plus much more!

SOLD FOR TOP $$!!

• #1 in Toronto (Central, East and West combined) By Units of Listings Sold for All Companies of All Brokers and Sales Representatives for 2015 and 2016.* • #1 Individual Re/Max Agent in Canada** • #2 Individual Re/Max Agent World Wide***

STEPS TO THE LAkE! Situated on a Magnificent 65 x 152 Ft Lot, Exquisite Custom Built Home, Luxury Appointments, Superb Craftsmanship, Elegant Open Concept Layout, Gourmet Kitchen, Built-In S/S Appliances, Centre Island, Massive Great Room, Stone Fireplace, Master Bedroom Retreat. Spa Like Bathroom, Walk-in Closet of your Dreams! Fully Finished Basement Walkout, Ideal for Entertaining, Large Back Yard! Simply Gorgeous! $2,295,000!

insidetoronto.com

ER ANOTH D SOL

ER ANOTH SOLD

BREATHTAkING CUSTOM ESTATE!!

kING CITY LUxURY!!

Situated on a premium 2.24 acre lot, 4 car garage, long private drive, double door entry, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, heated floor in huge kitchen, skylight, family room, great room with cathedral ceilings, office, indoor heated salt water pool, wrap around deck & interlock, year round oasis.

SOLD FOR TOP $$!!

Absolutely Stunning Luxury 4 Bedroom Home Located In Desirable King City!! Approximately 3,800 S/F And Loaded W/ Custom Features. Large Open Concept Kitchen W/ Island, Professional Grade Appliances, Spacious Family Room, Separate Living & Formal Dining Room, Main Floor Library, Custom Mouldings & Feature Ceilings Throughout, W/O Basement W/ 9’ Ceilings! Amazing Property & Location – Must Be Seen, Only $1,998,000!!!

3000 Sq ft 3 Level Store with Two 2 Bdrm Apts in South Etobicoke + Unspoiled Basement. Current Laundry Business included Earns $100k Net! 11.4% Cap! Successful Owners Retiring. Keep or Rent. Huge Opportunity!

RENOvATED 6 BEDROOM 2 STOREY

AN ENTERTAINER’S DREAM!!

Quiet High Demand Neighbourhood, Situated on 390 ft Deep Lot, Stunning Open Concept Layout, Gleaming Hardwood Floors, Gourmet Family Size Kitchen, S/S Appliances, Formal Dining Room, Spacious Bright Large Living Rm, Massive Family Room, Walkout to Deck Overlooking Large Backyard, Finished Basement, Enclosed Sunroom, Double Garage Plus Much More! $1,450,000!

Stunning Custom-Built 4 Bedroom Home!! Amazing Open Concept Main Floor W/ Modern Kitchen, Separate Living & Dining Rooms, Large Master W/Ensuite, Finished Basement W/Sep Entrance, Incredible Backyard & Rooftop Patios Make This Home Perfect For Hosting Summer Parties! Absolutely Must Be Seen, Only $1,379,900!!!

DEvELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY! Huge 67 x 168 Lot on busy Queen St. W in downtown Brampton. Potential Condo Development Site. Large Bungalow with Circular Drive. 20 Car Parking. 2 Car Detached Garage. Run your business or develop. $999,000.

HUGE MONEY MAkING MACHINE!

SOLD FAST FOR 100% OF ASKING

FREE PROFESSIONAL BUYER SERVICE:

WEST REALTY INC., Brokerage Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

• Find out about the newest homes on the market that meet your needs • Get more informed about the specific areas and how to get the best price • Find out how to get the best mortgage rates and saving programs, plus much more - Call today!! *According to a study of MLS data prepared by an independent auditor of Real Estate Statistics. **for # of Transactions 2015. ***for Dollar Volume 2015.

SELL Your Home FASTER and for MORE MONEY! • Your Home Ad ertised 24 Hours a Day Until Sold • Your Home Ad ertised to Millions on www.GetLeo.com • Learn the Secrets of Selling your Home, without ineffecti e Open Houses • Your Home Listed in Full Colour Print Ads Until It’s Sold • Our team of Professionals for the same price as hiring a single bro er • Get up to $10,000 no interest for 60 days****

• Total ser ice guarantee in writing • Your Home Sold Guaranteed, or I’ll Buy it**** • Competiti e Rates, E ceptional ser ice • Award Winning Results!

• In Depth Neighbourhood Report for each Property We Sell

FREE Confidential Home Evaluations.

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

GUARANTEED HOME SELLING SYSTEM

11

ER ANOTH D L O S

RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY!!

ISLINGTON vILLAGE!!

MONEYMAkING INvESTMENT PROPERTY!

Situated on 50x200 ft lot, Detached Bungalow with finished basement, double garage, long private drive.

Immaculately maintained by original owner. Currently residential, easily converted to commercial. Great location minutes to downtown & airport. Amazing value one of a kind for only $899,900!!

HUGE 1/4 ACRE LOT!!

Prime neighbourhood and premium 50ft lot, surrounded by million dollar plus homes. Detached, stucco exterior finish, circular drive, open concept living room, formal dining room, finished basement, huge backyard, fantastic investment only $899,900!!

Rare Double Storefront with 2 Apartments above (3 bdrm and 2 Bdrm) plus Tenanted Basement Rooms. $75K in recent upgrades. Large 30x107 Lot. 6 Car Parking, Separate Meters. Approx. 7% Cap Rate! Only $899,000!

Very Large & Superbly Maintained Custom 3+1 Bedroom Bungalow In Prime Location!!

Eat-In Kitchen, Combined Living & Dining Room, Separate Family Room. Separate Side Entrance To Massive Family-Size In-Law Suite.

Many Recent Updates. Loads Of Potential!!!

SOLD FAST FOR TOP $$!

Gorgeous fully renovated 2 storey home. Beautiful custom kitchen with granite counters and s/s appliances. Walk-out to huge backyard from dining room. Crown mouldings, handcrafted woodwork and pot lights throughout. Separate entrance to stunning basement with kitchen, bedroom and huge living room. Double Car Garage, New furnace, new a/c, new stucco, New Windows and Doors, Only $799,900!!

ER ANOTH D SOL

ER ANOTH D SOL

ER ANOTH D L SO

ER ANOTH S O LD

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!

ALDERWOOD OPPORTUNITY!

QUIET CUL DE SAC IN PRIME LOCATION!!

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME

HUGE BACkYARD ON PRIvATE COURT!

LARGE TORONTO SEMI!!

Detached brick & stone, 3 bedroom bungalow with addition. Situated on a 156ft lot, large porch, open concept living & dining room, huge kitchen with walkout to sunroom, large finished basement rec room, gas fireplace, walkout to large backyard, private drive, high demand neighbourhood. Simply Must Be Seen Only $799,900!!

Stunning 4 bdrm With Finished Basement. Spacious And Bright Living Room, Separate Family Room With Fireplace And Walkout To Deck, Large Eat In Kitchen, Thousands Spent On Upgrades. Great Opportunity To Own In Very Family Oriented Neighbourhood.

SOLD IN 3 DAYS FOR 113% OF ASKING!!

Bright, Detached 2-Storey Home With 3 Bedrooms and 3 bath. Renovated Kitchen With Granite Countertops, Backsplash, and Pantry. Finished Basement, Freshly painted, New Roof, Patterned Concrete Patio. Perfect location with great neighbours and amenities.

SOLD IN 1WK FOR 121% OF ASKING!!

Large 3 Bedroom home on a family friendly court, offered for the first time in 30 Years. Meticulously maintained home with Spacious Eat-In Kitchen, Dedicated Dining Room, Sunken Family Room, Finished Basement. Super Value!

SOLD FOR 101% OF ASKING!!

Spacious & Exceptionally Maintained 3 Bdrm, Danforth-Area Home!! Separate Living & Dining Rms, Eat-In Kitchen, Separate Entrance To Finished Basement (In-Law Suite Potential). Vibrant Area Close To Schools, Subway, Restaurants & Cafes! Amazing Location & Opportunity.

ER ANOTH S O LD

ER ANOTH D L SO

ER ANOTH S O LD

YORkDALE-GLEN PARk GEM!!

AMAzING FAMILY HOME!!

Large & Well Maintained Detached 3 +1 Bedroom Home – Amazing Location Close To Yorkdale Mall!! Spacious SplitLevel Layout Features Eat-In Kitchen, L-Shaped Living/Dining Room, Master Bedroom W/ Ensuite. Separate Side Entrance (In Law Suite Potential). Many Recent Updates. Quiet Crescent Close To Subway, Highways & World-Class Shopping.

Spacious & Very Well Maintained 4 + 2 Bedroom, 2-Family Home!! Excellent Layout Features Large Kitchen W/ Breakfast Area, Living/Dining Rooms & Separate Family Room, Master Bedroom W/ Ensuite. Separate, Legal 2 Bedroom Basement Apartment Makes This Property An Ideal Investment To Live/ Rent! Amazing Neighbourhood Close To Parks & Schools.

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 118% OF ASKING

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 122% OF ASKING

DETACHED $499,900!

4 Bdrm Brick Bungalow with Huge Addition on a Large 40 x 119 Lot. Like 2 Houses in 1!

Can renovate, rebuild, or build new. Perfect for Contractors/Builders. Walk to Humber College and Lake. Rare Opportunity!

ER ANOTH D L SO

DOWNTOWN SEMI! Large 3 Bdrm Semi in Prime Location, Perfect for Starter Family, Investor, Or Renovators. Currently divided into Three 1 Bdrm Apts - Can Convert easily to Single Family. Great Walking Score. Incredible Value.

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 110% OF ASKING!

ER ANOTH S O LD

ER ANOTH S O LD

SUPER vALUE!!

Wonderful Spacious 3 Bedroom Family Home With Finished Basement On Amazing Large Lot Nestled in a quiet neighborhood Close to shopping centres, medical centre, schools, and an anchor transit hub.

Incredible Opportunity.

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 132% OF ASKING!!

ER ANOTH SOLD

SPECTACULAR 2-STOREY

AMAzING vALUE

Situated on a premium pie shaped lot, large bright foyer, custom kitchen with centre island, stainless steel luxury appliances, spacious open concept living and dining room, gas fireplace, walkout to back yard oasis, pattern concrete, hot tub with cabana cover, professionally landscaped, master bedroom, walk in closet, full ensuite. Gorgeous Décor. Plus much more. Simply Must See!

Quaint 3 bedroom, 2 storey home. Hardwood floors throughout. Spacious eat-in kitchen with breakfast area and walk-out to backyard.

Excellent location close to all amenities. Great opportunity!!

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 137% OF ASKING

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 153% OF ASKING!!

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 113% OF ASKING!!

CARRINGTON TOWER! Fabulous South view, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, with open concept living & dining rooms and walkout to balcony. Low maintenance fee is all inclusive utilities & parking. Great Yonge & Steeles location. Amazing opportunity & Value Only $460,000!!

PRIME LOCATION!

LUxURY GUILDWOOD TERRACE

Spacious 1BR Unit in Prestigious Tridel Hullmark Condo With 5-Star Amenities. Steps to Whole Foods, Indoor Access to Subway, Theatre, Gyms, Popular Restaurants, Hwy 401 & DVP, Walkscore 93! Like NEW, Modern Kitchen with High End Appliances & Quartz Counters, 1 Parking and Locker included for only $449,900.

Spacious 2 bedroom + solarium. Almost 1200 Sq. ft. Modern eat-in kitchen with granite. Open concept Living & Dining Room with crown moldings. Master with ensuite, walk-in closet & balcony. Excellent amenities and great location.

SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 128% OF ASKING!!

****Certain Conditions may apply. Not intended to solicit persons under contract. ReMax West Realty Inc. does not guarantee the sale of your home. Exclusively offered by Frank Leo. Copyright© 2009 Frank Leo

insidetoronto.com

SEE MORE PHOTOS: www.GetLeo.com Call Today 416-917-LION (5466) and Start Packing!

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

12

Winter Feeding Helps Our Local Birds Survive

LOCALLY OWNED PROUDLY CANADIAN

Toronto East – Leaside 939 Eglinton Ave. East (at Brentcliffe Rd.) 416-646-2439

Toronto West – Etobicoke 100 The East Mall (near 427 & Queensway) 416-491-1417

www.UrbanNatureStore.ca

HEARING MATTERS She’s wearing a hearing aid.

He is too.

Introduces a completely invisible option.

A FAMILY BUSINESS FOR OVER 18 YEARS! Smiles from Ear to Hear Clinic 416•590•9100 888 College Street We Accept: ODSP, SA,WSIB, VAT & Insurance

SEEKING NEW BOARD MEMBERS

home healthcare equipment Silver Cross Toronto is your go to source for sales, installation and service of home medical when available. We are ADP authorized.

The Swansea Town Hall is the former Village of Swansea Municipal Building owned and funded by the City of Toronto. It is managed by a Board of Management appointed by the City of Toronto from the community. The Town Hall is a community resource providing a broad range of community and recreation programs for the benefit of the Swansea catchment area and the greater Toronto community.

• stairlifts • porch lifts • ceiling lifts • hospital beds

We are currently seeking persons to fill vacant positions on the Board of Directors of the Swansea Town Hall Association and on the Board of Management of the Swansea Town Hall Community Centre.

• wheelchairs • walkers • bath safety • daily living aids

Call us today!

We are seeking applicants who: • Have an understanding of and commitment to the neighbourhood and community within the Swansea catchment area; • Reflect the cultural and social diversity of the community; • Have knowledge and understanding of community and public service; • Are team players who possess good communication and decision making skills and • Are willing to serve on Board committees dealing with matters such as governance, finance, community engagement, capital projects and human resources.

As of Thursday, February 23rd, 2017, an application package will be available on our website or may be picked up at:

insidetoronto.com

Swansea Town Hall 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto M6S 3H9 Phone (416) 392-1954 Email: app@swanseatownhall.ca Website: www.swanseatownhall.ca Please submit your applications to the attention of the Nominating Committee, Swansea Town Hall, at the above address. The deadline for submission of applications is 12:00 pm Monday, March 20th, 2017.

225 The East Mall, Unit 16 Toronto Ontario M9B 6J1 416.915.4479 | silvercross.com

You Love Working With Children.

We Would love You to Work With Us. Work at home and earn an income with Wee Watch, a licensed home child care agency.

Etobicoke

416-748-0770

West • Toronto 416-233-9191

Quality Licensed Home Child Care

www.weewatch.com

COMMUNITY

13

AARON D’ANDREA adandrea@metroland.com The Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club (DBGC) is proposing to build a garden at its clubhouse in Dovercourt Park.

They are leading the development of the project including its design, building and funding.

The garden will be located at the southwest corner of the clubhouse, at 180 Westmoreland Ave., on a plot of grass that is currently used as a walkway space through the park.

However, its main purpose will be to teach the youth it serves in its after school and summer camp programs about gardening.

"It’s just something that not enough kids become involved in," said Sheldon Taylor, the club’s executive director. "We want kids to understand the importance (of gardens) and where food comes from."

Taylor added having the garden will teach discipline about how to grow and take care of plants, while having them learn how gardening helps benefit nature.

"We will teach them about pollination, blossoming and cross-pollination.

All of these things are factors that are very important in the life cycle and nature cycle," he said. "Kids will understand the relationships (between humans and nature)."

Carpet • Hardwood • Ceramic • Vinyl • Laminate Area Rugs • Cork • Leather • Installation

268 Royal York Rd. Toronto, ON., M8V 2V9 416.255.9631 | tonysflooring.ca

Staff/Metroland

Dovercourt Boys’ and Girls’ Club executive director Sheldon Taylor looks over the details of the group’s proposed teaching garden.

The club plans to have kids plant native and edible plants, with an opportunity to integrate the products in food markets and other community activities.

At its inaugural Harvest Festival in October, Taylor said children in the area put forward several suggestions for what should be grown, including potatoes, carrots and cauliflower.

Once it is complete, the youngsters will be responsible for carrying out ongoing maintenance, programming and caring for the gardens as part of DBGC’s regular programming.

"The other aspect of gardening, too, apart from everything else, is it’s pretty," Taylor said. "You’ve got all

these beautiful colours, and it’s nice for neighbourhood when you see the many different colours."

Davenport Councillor Ana Bailão said she has been receiving positive feedback from residents.

"The community is supportive and there isn’t an outcry against this project," she said. "It seems like the community is excited to see this happening in the park, as well as seeing the children (who) go to the Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club and to the park in general to take advantage of this new kind of programming."

DBGC is hoping to have the garden ready this spring.

Natural, earth-friendly clothing for women

"Every time I wear something from Natureal – which is almost daily – I get compliments."

Where did you get that?

- Mary, a Natureal customer

798

$

We carry Made in Canada

6PC QUEEN BEDROOM SET #908063 INCLUDES BED, MIRROR, DRESSER, & NIGHTSTAND. CHEST AVAILABLE.

I love that outfit!

You look

amazing!

New styles are here

3072 Dundas Street West, The Junction, Toronto P 416.767.3072 W naturealjunction.com

insidetoronto.com

SAVE

$200

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

Dovercourt Boys and Girls Club proposing new garden

Family Owned & Operated Since 1961

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

14

Royal York

Meat Market OPEN NOW

Beef, Veal and Pork Mennonite Barn Roaming Poultry Hand Made variety of Sausages 392 Royal York Road, Toronto, ON, M8Y 2R3

416-255-MEAT (6328)

EVENTS l Saturday, February 25 The World Inside & Around a Beehive WHEN: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. WHERE: Annette Street Library, 145 Annette Street, Toronto CONTACT: 416-393-7692 COST: Authors of "The World Inside & Around a Beehive" invite aspiring beekeepers to afree information session on starting a small scale home apiary. Call to register.

l GET

February Frost WHEN: 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. WHERE: Junction Craft Brewery, 90 Cawthra Ave., Toronto CONTACT: 416-766-1616 COST: $20 Rainhard Brewery and Junction Craft Brewing are offering the public a tasty selection of Craft Beer and three amazing performers at February Frost. Tickets are $20. Purchase tickets at artery.is/ showcases/february_frost.

l Tuesday, February 28 Pancake Dinner WHEN: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. WHERE: Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd., Toronto CONTACT: 416-767-6729 COST: Pay at the door Runnymede United Church will be hosting its first pancake dinner in its new kitchen. Tickets $6 U-11, $8 11 and older. Family deals.

l Sunday, February 26 Community Lunch for Seniors WHEN: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. WHERE: 95 Lavina Ave. CONTACT: 416653-3535 COST: $5 per lunch West Toronto Support Services and SASA present the Swansea Community Lunch for adults 55 years and older. Reserve by Feb. 23.

Community Yoga with Caitlin WHEN: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. WHERE: Annette Street Library, 145 Annette St., Toronto CONTACT: 416-393-7692 COST: One hour community yoga class with Caitlin on the last Tuesday evening of the month for free. This class is designed for all levels.

Witness Deception and Its Collateral Effect WHEN: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. WHERE:

l Monday, February 27 Bloor West Village Avenue Study

CONNECTED

Visit insidetoronto.com/events to submit your own community events for online publishing. public meeting WHEN: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. WHERE: St. Pius X Catholic School, 71 Jane St., Toronto CONTACT: N/A COST: Public meeting regarding the Bloor West Village Avenue Study.

Brentwood Library, 36 Brentwood Rd. N., Toronto CONTACT: 416394-5240 COST: Senior deception analyst Brian Leslie will discuss topics such as racial profiling, implanted memory in witnesses, the Mr. X theory, and wrongful convictions. l Wednesday, March 1 Fundance for Seniors WHEN: 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. WHERE: Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Ave., Toronto CONTACT: 416392-1953 COST: $48/13 weeks Instructor-led weekly Wednesday sessions let you learn the salsa, foxtrot, waltz and others. Beginners welcome, no partner needed.

Swansea Historical Society Mar 2017 Meeting WHEN: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. WHERE: Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavina Ave, Toronto CONTACT: 647-8593901, swancnews@gmail.com COST: SPEAKER: Rona Arato - "The Exodus 1947 - The Ship to Nowhere". Visitors Welcome! Light Refreshments!

5 things to do this weekend l Friday, February 17 Canadian International Auto Show WHEN: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 222 Bremner Blvd., Toronto CONTACT: autoshow.ca/ COST: Various prices The Canadian International Auto Show is the country’s largest consumer show - a leader in lifestyle, technology and all things automotive. Feb. 17-26.

insidetoronto.com

l Monday, February 20 Winter Stations 2017 WHEN: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. WHERE: The Beaches, - From Woodbine to Victoria Park along the Waterfront CONTACT: info@winterstations.com COST: Winter Stations is now in its third-year, bringing temporary public art installations to The Beaches, Feb. 20 to March 27. l Thursday, February 23 The Artist Project WHEN: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. WHERE: Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, 195 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto CONTACT: info@theartistproject.com COST: Various prices

Justin Greaves/Metroland

A dog walks past one of the exhibits called "North" during the 3rd annual Winter Stations event.

Visitors can explore and discover works of art from over 250 top contemporary artists from Canada and abroad. l Friday, February 24 38th Rhubarb Festival WHEN: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. WHERE: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St., Toronto CONTACT: (416) 975-8555, http://buddiesinbadtimes.com/rhubarb COST: Various prices Canada’s longest-running new works festival is a hotbed of

experimentation. Feb. 15-26. l Saturday, February 25 Bloor-Yorkville Icefest WHEN: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m. WHERE: Village of Yorkville Park, 115 Cumberland St., Toronto CONTACT: biamember@bloor-yorkville.com COST: Bloor-Yorkville neighourhood transforms into a showcase of incredible ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations for the entire family to enjoy, Feb. 25, 26.

15

March 1, 7 pm

ASH WEDNESDAY Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes

Sunday services at 8:30 & 10:30 (with nursery & kids’ program)

March 5, 4 pm

CHORAL EVENSONG FOR LENT I Featuring Schola Ecclesiam Choir, followed by Afternoon Tea and at 5 pm, MONTEVERDI 450 with Clem Carelse

March 8, 15, 22 & 29, 6 pm

ENTERING THE WILDERNESS Join us for Evening Prayer followed by a light supper and at 7, St. Olave’s Rector, the Rev’d Rob Mitchell, leads a four-part Lenten series of discussions.

For details visit us on

@stolavesevents or

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

360 Windermere Ave • 416-769-5686 • stolaves.ca • Parking lot off Ostend

@StOlavesTO

— ethically-made activewear for the conscious shopper —

2237 Bloor St W @ Runnymede Rd Shop Online: flow-active.com flow_active flowactivewear flow_active

Thanks to the support of donors like Wilfred and Carol Chung - whose gift in appreciation of their son Gregory’s own cardiac treatment established the Dr. William G. Williams Research Directorship in Cardiac Data Analytics – SickKids leads the fight against cardiac disease. Our cardiac surgical survival rate is 98.5%. Which means kids like Jadon, who received groundbreaking treatment at SickKids, can go home to their families. fundthefight.ca insidetoronto.com

Metroland Media Toronto is proud to be a media partner for SickKids.

insidetoronto.com

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

16

17 | Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

insidetoronto.com

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

18 COMMUNITY

Gay Fathers of Toronto help men come out FANNIE SUNSHINE fsunshine@insidetoronto.com Paul Carr was married with three children when he decided he couldn’t suppress his sexual orientation any longer.

"It was time to figure out what it was all about," he recalled of that lifechanging moment when he came out to his family as gay in 1996.

The man he started seeing suggested Carr join Gay Fathers of Toronto, a downtown peer support group.

Gay Fathers of Toronto was formed in 1978 as a way to help gay men who were fathers and married to women. The group doesn’t pass judgment or tell members what to do. It simply offers support and shares stories to assist others in similar situations.

Carr, who now sits on the group’s steering committee, said members are typically 40 years old, with

one to three kids in elementary or high school.

Their wives may or may not know their sexual orientation.

He recalled an email he received from a man in December who simply, yet poignantly, wrote "Why can’t I be normal?"

Carr suggested the man attend a meeting, which he did. The man was concerned how his teenage child would react to his homosexuality.

"Typically, children today don’t see it as a big deal to be gay," he said. "Talk to your kids, and be prepared for unexpected questions."

The man came out to his child, who was accepting, Carr said.

But Carr acknowledged things don’t always go smoothly.

"There are still lots of men who, for whatever reason, don’t come out," he said. "Or they deal with their sexual orientation issues later in life."

Dan Pearce/Metroland

Paul Carr, a long-time member of Gay Fathers of Toronto, at his downtown home.

The group is trying to reach gay fathers in the city’s suburbs, areas that typically don’t have the same support networks as downtown, he said.

Chris Gongos was married for 20 years with two

Buy and sell in your neighbourhood.

Hockey Skates <3km

Ski Boots

insidetoronto.com

<4km

Racing Goggles

flyers. coupons. shopping lists.

Five years later, Gongos is a group facilitator.

"I had suspicions of my sexuality but was not ready to acknowledge them," he said of his younger self, adding his marriage ended when he came

Shop Smart

Save More on your weekly grocery bill

Girls Winter Jacket

<1.5km

Knit Gloves

kids when he decided "it was time to move forward and live my life as it was meant to be."

He learned of Gay Fathers of Toronto after telling his therapist he was gay and in need of help.

clean about his true sexuality.

Gongos said he went to a Gay Fathers of Toronto meeting because "I wanted help from men who had gone before me."

"There is a sense of community, we are a special subset of the gay community," he said.

If he has any advice to share with men who are thinking of coming out of the closet, it’s this:"Your life will not completely fall apart if you come out," he said. "In Toronto we’re very fortunate, we live in a very accepting society."

Gay Fathers of Toronto drop-in support group meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Registration is not required.

For information visit www.gayfathers-toronto.com/ or email info@gayfathers-toronto.com

<1km

Snow Removal

<2km

<2.5km

Visit www.tradyo.com or download the free app.

Download the Free Save.ca Mobile App

Learn more at Save.ca/mobile

TRANSIT

19

Fess up on fare integration In a little less than a year, Metrolinx will unveil a new plan which promises to revolutionize transit in the Toronto region.

I’m not talking about a new subway plan, shiny new vehicles or even some much-needed sustainable funding. But if fare integration succeeds in dismantling existing barriers for taking transit - such as the need to pay an additional cost when crossing from the 905 into the 416 - the payoff for Toronto riders in particular could be quite sweet.

Of course, details on the various charging models under study by Metrolinx zones, by distance, some hybrid of both - need more than a little firming up.

After committing to have at least a framework for a policy unveiled by last fall, Metrolinx now says it needs until the end of 2017 to make a firm recommendation for how to proceed.

Well ahead of then, riders will hopefully get a clear sense how the agency in-

RAHUL GUPTA TO in Transit tends to proceed.

While a change in how fares are calculated would affect all transit operators throughout the region, it’s safe to say the impact would disproportionately affect Toronto, rather than, say, Orangeville.

TTC riders, after all, can travel from one end of North America’s fourth largest transit network to the other for the same flat fare. Will such a structure continue to exist in light of a new fare arrangement?

Will riders from Scarborough or Etobicoke, as an example, face higher fares calculated under a GO Tran-

sit-style distance scheme for the same trip downtown? Conversely, will taking short trips cost much less than they do today?

Then there’s the question of jurisdiction. Would Toronto readily accept a new fare structure which costs more for its riders, or cuts into existing revenue streams to provide discounted trips?

It’s hard to see how the TTC, which liquidates savings accounts just to trim budget deficits, could accept such an arrangement without some compensation.

There are many questions Metrolinx still needs to answer about fare integration. Such a plan could well prove a revolution for transit, but first we need more details.

Rahul Gupta is Metroland Media Toronto’s transportation and infrastructure reporter. Reach him on Twitter @TOinTRANSIT

| Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017

Presents:

4th ANNUAL

R OU HY T C A GE RE TAR KET! R A M

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY!

NEWE! DAT

CAREGIVERSHOW.CA Friday June 9, 2017 • Hours 10am - 5pm Ontario Science Centre - Toronto Sponsor or Exhibitor information, please contact

RONIT WHITE at rwhite@metroland.com or 416-774-2247 BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

LEARN. CONNECT. REJUVENATE.

&

14th Annual

A FREE event not to be missed!

Register at:

™

www.iep.ca

www.iep.ca

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

MARCH 3rd, 2017

WELCOMING ADDRESSS

Zaib Shaikh

Laura Albanese

Fi m C mmissi ne & Di ect f Ente t inment Ind st ies, City of Toronto

Ministe f Citizenshi nd Immig ti n

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

N th B i ding • 255 F nt St eet West • T nt PRESENTED BY: Progress Career Planning Institute

• Meet key employers in your sector Engineering Sales, Marketing & Communications Healthcare & Related Professions Information Technology Finance & Accounting

WORKING TOGETHER FOR PROGRESS

www.pcpi.ca

TITLE SPONSOR: STraTEGIC parTNErS

MEDIa SpoNSor

SIlvEr SpoNSor

plaTINuM SpoNSorS

EMPLOYMENT

ONTARIO Your job is out there. We’ll help you find it.

• Gain direct insight & forge links

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

MARCH 6th -12 th

2017 SMALL BUSINESS

MONEY FORUM Looking for ways to fund your business?

Attend the City of Toronto’s 2017 Small Business Money Forum.

Keynote Speaker:

Ilana Ben-Ari, Founder and CEO of Twenty One Toys

WEAR A CAPE AND FUNDRAISE FOR HOLLAND BLOORVIEW’S CAPES FOR KIDS. TOGETHER, WE CAN BE A POWERFUL TEAM OF HEROES FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.

CA PESFORKIDS.CA

www.moneyforum2017.eventbrite.com

insidetoronto.com

A social entrepreneur’s story of how she’s still bootstrapping her way to the top. From sleeping on her best friend’s couch, to selling her award-winning toy to 1,000s of schools, homes, and offices in over 45 countries.

insidetoronto.com

Bloor West Villager | Thursday, February 23, 2017 |

20