The City Centre Mirror North, February 11 2016 by The City Centre Mirror

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thurs feb 11, 2016

Enter for chance to win Canada Bloom Prize Pack / 6 online See photos of the Kuumba celebration at the Harbourfront Centre downtown

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Paid summer internships available at Queen’s Park

dragon danc

Hey students, you looking for work? The provincial government wants to help you out. The 2016 Summer Internship Program is seeking highly motivated, energetic and dedicated post-secondary students, who wish to be involved in the political process and work in government, said York-South Weston MPP Laura Albanese in a newsletter. The salary is $14 to $15 per hour based on a 35-hour work week. The internship program runs from May 2 to Aug. 19. Participants should be available for the entire length of the program. Interns will be placed in the Premier’s Office, Ministers’ Offices and the Liberal Caucus Service Bureau. Those interested should submit a resume and cover letter to summer.internship@ liberal.ola.org

The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 26. Candidates selected for a telephone interview will be contacted by Friday, March 18.

Staff photo/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

happy new year: Cassandra Ly reveals herself as the Lion dancer during a Chinese New Year celebration at the Lillian H. Smith Library on Saturday. See more photos from this event on page 13.

Sock drive brings warmth to homeless JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com

insidetoronto.com

416-774-2363

inside At-risk communities downtown can bank on kids’ books / 3

www.citycentremirror.com

More than halfway through its winter Emergency Sock Drive,

the Just Socks Foundation has surpassed its own wildest expectations. The not-for-profit organization donates new socks to chari-

table agencies across Toronto, with those agencies then passing the socks on to the city’s homeless and underhoused. “Socks are a basic necessity,

but it’s not something people tend to think about when they’re donating clothing – they’re the least-donated item,” said Just Socks president Terry Smith.

“Plus, organizations can hand out used coats or a used pair of pants (to those in need) but they need to hand out new socks for >>>JUST, page 10

CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

community

Wychwood Open Door trivia night will help skating party feed Toronto’s homeless, socially isolated DOMINIK KUREK dkurek@insidetoronto.com More than 300 people dined out and competed in a trivia night fundraiser that will help ensure a St. Clair West organization is able to serve more than 15,000 meals this year to those who often go without. This year’s Trivia Night, a fundraiser for Wychwood Open Door, will raise at least $20,000 with the final tally from the Feb. 6 event still being counted. “Our board members and staff and volunteers worked so hard,” said Wychwood Open Door board chair B.H. Yael. “It’s been great to see it come together in such a way where the community came to support Wychwood Open Door.” The fundraiser inside Artscape Wychwood Barns included food, drinks, an auction and trivia. There were 33 tables of 10 people. Each table worked as a team against the other tables, answering questions called out by host Liza Fromer, of Global TV, in the hopes of winning prizes and bragging rights. Wychwood Open Door provides

Photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

Amanda Palmer, left, Peter Fa and Julia Lindsay work together to answer questions during the Trivia Night benefit Saturday.

breakfast and lunch three times per week, as well as life skills development, discussion groups and helps reduce social isolation to its members. There’s a clothing drop-off and exchange. The drop-in centre at 729 St. Clair Ave. W. also hosts programs run by partner agencies. The organization opened its doors in September 1986. It gets half its funding from the City of Toronto, while the remainder is made up through fundraising. Yael said the

funds raised at the trivia night fundraiser will serve an immense need. “Some of the people who come here have housing issues, so they have a place where they can come and get some advice around that. Some are homeless. Some are not. All of them don’t have enough food. Some of them are socially isolated. It addresses those issues,” she said.

Visit www.wychwoodopendoor.org/ for more information.

FOR THE LAUGHS: Above, Councillor Josh Matlow pulls a fake fall to entertain his daughter, Molly Matlow, during the councillor's skating party Sunday. Right, MP Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West), left, MP Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul’s) and Matlow enjoy a warm day on the outdoor rink.

Staff photos/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

Join us for a free skate Monday, February 15, 2016 1 – 4 p.m. Nathan Phillips Square 100 Queen Street West

A little wobble. A lot of fun.

1 – 4 p.m. Mattamy Centre 50 Carlton Street 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Harbourfront Centre 231 Queens Quay West

Sometimes good old family fun can help encourag age a healthy, active lifestyle. So strap on your skates and join us as we wobble across the ice.

For more locations, visit rbc.com/familyskate

® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada.

™

101706 (04/2015)

Tax dispute threatens Central Tech field JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com Despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the field at Central Technical School, parents, students and school board trustees remain hopeful that the partnership between the Toronto District School Board ( TDSB) and Razor Management is intact and the field will be ready for the start of the 2016/17 school year. Work on the field was progressing apace until Razor received a provincial tax bill for a similar project at Monarch Park Collegiate, retroactive to 2013. As part of the agreement for both Monarch Park and Central Tech, Razor was to rehabilitate and upgrade the fields, creating a “Championship Field,” in exchange for rights to rent the space out when not being used for school purposes. At a TDSB planning and priorities committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, the school board reaffirmed its hopes that the field would be completed on schedule. “We did hear the voices of the school and the community that the need for this field to be completed in a quality way and a timely way is para-

“

mount,” said TDSB director John Malloy. Razor has said it will not continue to work on the field so long as the tax bill – MPAC assessed the taxes owing at more than $500,000 for the three years from 2013 to 2015 – is outstanding. The school board has vowed to support Razor in appealing the tax assessment, which Razor must do by Feb. 17. Despite those concerns, Malloy is confident the issue will be resolved. “In discussions with (Razor) we don’t have any indication that the partner would walk away,” he said.

We’re at the final stages and an issue such as this, that should have been finalized long ago, is holding us back.

– Valentyn Lyevyentsov, student

Shoddy shape Central Tech students are eager to once again have the use of their field. The surface was in shoddy shape until the idea of a partnership between the TDSB and Razor arose, but it was still usable. That changed when an environmental assessment of the ground showed that it was contaminated, forcing its closure in 2013. Central Tech student council president Valentyn Lyevyentsov urged the school board to do what it could to urge the field construction process along.

Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER

Central Technical School students are concerned that work on the school field will not be completed in time for the 2016-17 academic year.

“We as students don’t understand much about issues around taxation, but we do understand this is a barrier to us getting what we deserve (a usable field,)” he said. “We’re at the final stages and an issue such as this, that should have been finalized long ago, is holding us back.” Me m b e r s o f Fr i e n d s

and Neighbours of Central Technical School (FANCTS) said part of the issue comes through Razor being identified as a vendor on school property instead of a joint venture partner. FANCTS cochair Pete Karageorgos said the two terms cause issues when it comes to taxation. “There was an agreement entered into by the TDSB of

their own accord to revitalize school property and now we see a public facility being taxed,” he said. The ongoing drama surrounding the Central Tech field could wind up having ramifications for other organizations renting space to for-profit ventures being run out of TDSB schools. If the tax decision surrounding

the Championship Fields initiative is upheld, it could spell the end of tax-free use of school space for for-profit daycares, to cite but one example, the TDSB said. “This is a macro issue – this has wide-ranging implications, but unfortunately we don’t have any idea what those implications are for the TDSB,” Malloy said. TDSB associate director of finance and operations said there is no indication the field will not be ready in time for the 2016/17 school year. Should the agreement between the TDSB and Razor dissolve over the tax issue, the TDSB will look into securing funding to fix the field up for student use through other means. The TDSB will discuss the issue further at its March planning and priorities committee meeting, once more is known on whether Razor has filed an appeal.

At-risk downtown communities can bank on children’s books

“

Book drive seeks to expand the collection JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com From the tales of Mother Goose to the rhymes of Dr. Seuss, the Children’s Book Bank has been handing out literature to children from atrisk communities downtown for nearly a decade. Set up like a small book store, the book bank offers the books free of charge, helping to instill a love of reading in children 12 and under who might not otherwise have books of their own. Throughout the month of February, the Children’s Book Bank will benefit from A Good Book Drive, which encourages people to donate new or gently used children’s books to

a number of locations across Toronto. Toronto resident Lana Gay decided to host the book drive after friends of hers launched a similar initiative in Vancouver a couple of years ago. “When I found out about it, I donated and I fell completely in love with the idea,” Gay said. “And just like food banks can run out of food, the Children’s Book Bank can run out of books.” Considering that the book bank, located at 350 Berkeley St. near Gerrard and Parliament streets, hands out between 200 and 300 books most days, it’s amazing that hasn’t happened yet. The not-for-profit benefits from

It’s truly like walking into the cutest little children’s book shop in Toronto.

Photo/COURTESY

Lana Gay, who is leading A Good Book Drive in Toronto, holds up her favourite book.

book drives at schools and from parents who donate books their own children have outgrown, but the demand is

– Lana Gay

always great. “We’re very lucky that a lot of families know about us and that schools have book drives for us, but at the same time, eventually those resources get tapped out,” said Children’s Book Bank librarian and director of operations Lindsay Timmins. While A Good Book Drive will bolster the shop’s stock, just as importantly, it will get the word out about the services the book bank provides, from handing out books to providing literacy support programs for youngsters.

Gay said once she walked into the Children’s Book Bank, she was smitten. “It’s truly like walking into the cutest little children’s book shop in Toronto,” she said. “It’s truly amazing to go in there and see all these happy children smiling and reading.” She hopes A Good Book Drive, which runs through February, will bring in at least 1,000 new books. “That’s just a drop in the bucket to them, but hopefully it spreads the word,” she said. “There are a lot of people who don’t know what to do with their children’s books when their children grow out of them. This is a great place for those books to go.” As part of the book drive, donors can include a note in the books they donate letting the recipient know what those

books meant to them when they were younger. Timmins said the Children’s Book Bank will accept any book, provided it’s suitable for children 12 and under and is in good condition. She hopes the book drive increases her organization’s reach across the city. “We hold a lot of book drives, but this is the first citywide initiative that we’re part of,” she said. “I don’t know how many books it will bring in by the end of the month, but we’ve seen a lot of messages and a lot of shares on social media.” For more information on the Children’s Book Bank, visit www.childrensbookbank. com. For information on A Good Book Drive, including locations where books can be dropped off, visit http://agoodbookdrive.com

| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016

community

CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

opinion

The City Centre Mirror is published every Thursday at 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2, by Metroland Media Toronto, a Division of Metroland Media Group Ltd.

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Enjoy Family Day weekend with those you love

Write us The City Centre Mirror welcomes letters of 400 words or less. All submissions must include name, address and a daytime telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Copyright in letters remains with the author but the publisher and affiliates may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Letters can be sent to press@ insidetoronto.com, or mailed to The City Centre Mirror, 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

ow celebrating its ninth year in Ontario, Family Day on Monday, Feb. 15, this year has become a welcomed long holiday weekend for many. But whether or not people spend that time with their families is another question entirely. It’s certainly not because there’s a shortage of funfilled events across the city. From the annual Family Day skates hosted by several community groups to winter fundraisers by nonprofit organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, people of all ages can participate. Do something educational by having kids attend winter nature programs at Rouge Park or take a family friendly tour of the Ontario Legislative Building while participating in a scavenger hunt at Queen’s Park. Just visit www.insidetoronto.com/toronto-whatson/ to see all the events and our view activities in your community the whole family can enjoy. Perhaps this weekend will be Get out enjoy a time for couples instead to enjoy dinner out this Sunday with the long Valentine’s Day coinciding with weekend Family Day weekend. Some restaurants are sure to be completely booked already, while others may have a long waiting list. Make those reservations now. For those willing to trek downtown, keep in mind there will be plenty of visitors in town with Toronto hosting the NBA All-Star Game along with all the basketball festivities taking place at various venues leading up to the tip-off Sunday evening. Look for car lovers, too, as the 2016 Canadian International AutoShow kicks off Friday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. And the Hockey Hall of Fame is getting in on the Family Day action by offering free admission for kids Monday. Just one note however, with the threat of a potential taxi protest, the TTC might prove to be the better way this weekend if you are commuting down to the core. Whether Family Day is a time to spend with family or just an extra day off, the city has a lot to offer this weekend. Go out and take advantage of it.

column

There’s hope for Toronto’s fiscal future, but not this year Nothing has changed. Going into next week’s budget debate, Toronto council will be considering a 1.3 per cent inflationary property tax increase, with some, but not all, of the services the mayor and council promised last year. It’s all buoyed by a banner year in land transfer tax revenue, surpluses from last year and reserves for rainy days. It’s all fine, right? Well not really. On Tuesday, Toronto city manager Peter Wallace reiterated and amplified points he made at the beginning of Toronto’s budget process in late 2015. To whit: the whole thing – the city’s operating budget, tax rate, service levels, capital plans – is all unsustainable. At the Tuesday executive committee, he put it as bluntly as he could. “We as staff will constrain expense growth and we are very successful in this, but in balance, council has shown

david nickle the city a propensity to increase service levels. That leads us to a conversation around what service levels will you cut. If you’re not willing to cut service levels, that leaves us with a conversation on revenue.” Or more bluntly still: “Council needs to step back and decide not only what it says it funds, but what it actually funds.” Now, this is the point in the budget column when I would shift into excoriating the budget committee for being hopeless morons who can’t put fiduciary duty ahead of craven politics. And there will be a bit of that: the 2016 budget is a duct-tape and chewing-gum affair that sets up unrealistic expectations among property taxpayers, and barring another miraculous year of growth in Toronto’s real

estate bubble.. er, market... makes things only harder to cobble together next year. The budget committee and the mayor ought to have known better. Now that that’s out of the way, there is some hope things will get better. During debate and afterward, Mayor John Tory and nearly everyone on the executive committee fell in with their city manager’s tune. Right after the budget is complete, council will get to work on a multi-stage debate on new revenue tools and possibly also higher taxes, held against the prospect of dramatic service cuts. Tory took a first step in that direction at the committee, albeit one he’d already taken publicly, putting forward an amendment to go ahead with a long-term 0.5 per cent property tax levy to pay for new infrastructure, in what he called the City Building Fund. It is a first step, and it would politically be the easiest thing for it to be the

last step. But Tory is making it pretty clear he values the advice, even the contrary advice, from senior civil servants. He swallowed his pride when chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat released a report telling him the city shouldn’t attempt the full SmartTrack plan that he promised. And he made it clear in a short interview after the meeting that he values this advice, too. “Why would you pay anybody good money if you didn’t want to listen to what they have to say or have them say it in some way that’s muffled?” said Tory. “That’s not how you get results. Quality people speak the truth to whoever they’re speaking to.” In that respect, at least, it looks as though something has changed. We’ll see if it holds after council votes on the budget next week.

David Nickle is Metroland Media Toronto’s city hall reporter. His column runs every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @DavidNickle

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city centre happening in

it's happening w Friday, Feb. 12

NBA Centre Court WHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. WHERE: Enercare Centre, 100 Princes’ Blvd. CONTACT: NBATickets.com COST: Starting at $15 With more than 40 courts and baskets, fans will be able to play and compete against their friends in skills challenges, purchase NBA All-Star merchandise, collect autographs from NBA and WNBA players and legends, and more. TIFF Next Wave Film Festival WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W. CONTACT: customerrelations@tiff.net COST: various prices TIFF Next Wave Film Festival, programmed for youth 14 to 18, brings the best in film from around the globe, along with an exciting slate of special guests, interactive workshops and a 24-Hour Film Challenge for young filmmakers. Select screenings are accompanied by Q&A sessions with directors and special guests. Must show valid high school ID.

w Saturday, Feb. 13

Family Day Program WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., various hours throughout the weekend

ties, face painting, dog shows and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

highlighted w Monday, Feb. 15

Free Family Day Activities WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave. CONTACT: Jackie Koffman, http://mnjcc.org/38-mnjcc/browse-by-age/family/515-family-day COST: Free Activities include food demo, jungle gym, bouncy castle, quiet activities, storytelling, fitness classes, Fam Jam Yoga Glow Party and volleyball. WHERE: Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 111 Wellesley St. W. CONTACT: tourbookings@ola.org to reserve COST: Free During this 90-minute program, families will explore the historic Legislative Building and participate in activities. Panel Discussion: Material Speculation, Between ISIS and Islamaphobia WHEN: 2 to 5 p.m. WHERE: Trinity Square Video, 401 Richmond St. W. No. 376 CONTACT: www. trinitysquarevideo.com/morehshinallahyari COST: Free In discussion with art historian and critic Pamela Karimi, and researcher and writer Dina Georgis. The panel will discuss their research in relationship to Allahyari’s work, Material Speculation: ISIS, a digital fabrication and 3D printing project focused on the reconstruction of se-

lected artifacts that were destroyed by ISIS in 2015.   Princess & Knight Valentine Lollipops WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. WHERE: Lillian H. Smith Library, 239 College St. CONTACT: 416-393-7746 to register COST: Free Catch the attention of your sweetheart with a special Valentine lollipop. For ages six to 12. All materials provided.

w Sunday, Feb. 14

Purina PawsWay’s Valentine Event WHEN: noon to 5 p.m. WHERE: Purina Pawsway Event Space, 245 Queens Quay W. CONTACT: pawsway.ca COST: Free Take part in themed pet programming, as well as a variety of kid friendly activities. Then on Family Day, the free event includes activi-

THIS VAlentIne’s DAY

Diamonds 25 ItH sAY It w

Independent jewellers

HarbourKIDS: Snowglobe WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. CONTACT: www.harbourfrontcentre.com COST: Free Enjoy skating, arts and crafts, a snow globe-inspired space and more. In partnership with RBC Learn to Play Project

citycentremirror.com

travel At the controls Blogger Brandon Sousa crosses one thing off his bucket list

w Wednesday, Feb. 17

“Moments Matter” Book Signing with Dave Sanderson WHEN: noon to 4 p.m. WHERE: Indigo Books & Music (Manulife Centre), 55 Bloor St. W. CONTACT: Rania Walker, 416-258-8953 COST: Free Dave Sanderson was the last man off the ill-fated flight that crashed into the Hudson River in 2009, changing the course of his life, and he is now sharing that story in his new book, Moments Matter.

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pets Cat behaviour

Blogger helps you understand cats bit.ly/LHLOZC

contest Enter for your chance to win: Tickets to Canada Blooms show at Enercare Centre

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Valentine FLEA Bargains win

jewellerY eVerY HAlf Hour saturday & sunday february 13 & 14

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1921 Eglinton Ave. East (at W Warden den Ave.) Management: (416) 757-5698

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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016

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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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Student redistribution proposed for Annex, midtown TDSB schools

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Meet Jane, Treated by SickKids Fetal Cardiac Program

Thank You, Cardiac Kids. Thank you from the bottom of some of the tiniest hearts there are. Hearts like Jane’s – pictured above – whose congenital heart block was successfully treated in utero at the Labatt Family Heart Centre. Thank you, Cardiac Kids, for being our volunteer partner for 15 years, and having such big hearts for little hearts. Thank you for raising more than $2.5 million to date. It’s made so many special initiatives for kids and families dealing with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) possible – like Camp Oki, the summer camp that’s especially for kids with heart defects. Cardiac Kids, we’re so proud you’re our partner and friend. You’ve got the same kind of heart for kids with CHD as we do. And it’s not just us saying “Thanks”. It’s Jane, and every family like hers. Find out more about the big hearts at Cardiac Kids by visiting cardiackids.ca.

With growing enrolment – both current and predicted – outpacing the capacity of many schools, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is looking to implement new measures to better distribute students. Two Program Area Review Teams (PARTs) are looking at redistributions for schools in the Annex and midtown areas. At a TDSB planning and priorities committee meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3, trustees reviewed PART findings for the two neighbourhoods, which will see some students remaining in their current schools longer than they would have before, and others transferred to new schools once they reach a certain grade. The Ward 10 PART calls for Orde Street Junior Public School to be converted from a JK to Grade 6 school to a JK to Grade 8 school, retaining Grade 7 students as of the start of the 2016/17 school year and Grade 8 students for the 2017 to ’18 school year. It will be renamed Orde Street Public School. Grade 7 and 8 English

stream students at Lord Lansdowne Junior and Senior Public School, meanwhile, will go instead to King Edward Junior and Senior Public School as of the next school year, though that change will be grandfathered in so as not to affect students currently in those grades.

“

Hodgson’s current capacity is 367 students...by 2017, enrolment is expected to be 585 – that’s 220 students over capacity. – Julie Rosenthal

In midtown, English stream students at Davisville Junior Public School, English and extended French stream students at Eglinton Junior Public School, and students at Maurice Cody Junior Public School and Oriole Park Junior Public School will only remain at those schools until they finish Grade 5 as of September 2017. Hodgson Senior Public School will become a Grade 6 to 8 middle school and will

take on those students. It will be renamed Hodgson Middle School to reflect the change. At least a portion of that decision was opposed by a couple of parents in attendance at the TDSB meeting. Julie Rosenthal, speaking on behalf of the Oriole Park Junior Public School Council, noted Oriole Park is slated to see decreased attendance in coming years. “Contrast that to Hodgson,” she said. “Hodgson’s current capacity is 367 students...by 2017, enrolment is expected to be 585 – that’s 220 students over capacity. “By 2019, it’s expected to be 613 students and by 2021 it’s expected to be 647,” she said. Fellow Oriole Park parent Carrie Horak expressed concerns over safety should students from that school be forced to move to Hodgson. “Children would be moving across two major, heavy streets – Yonge and Mount Pleasant,” she said. Despite those concerns, trustees voted to adopt the PARTs’ recommendations. Attendance boundaries for the two PARTs could also affect where students in both areas attend school.

Canada Bloom Prize Pack up for grabs Canada Bloom celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and Metroland Media Toronto and Canada Blooms is offering readers a chance to go. Ca n a d a Bl o o m s w a s founded in 1996 by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario, hosting its first show in 1997. More than 70,000 people attended the five-day event, a record for a first-time show, and today, it is considered the largest flower and garden festival in the country, celebrating the best in Canadian gardening and floral design. This year’s show, which runs March 11 to 20 at the Enercare Centre, offers acres of gardens created by Canada’s best landscape designers, architects and builders, more than 100 hours of seminars and demonstrations, The Plant and Product Showcase, pickOntario Flower Market, Ask The Experts and more.

Photo/COURTESY

Enter for your chance to win a Canada Blooms Prize Pack.

Tickets are $20. For ticket information, visit http:// canadablooms.com Metroland Media Toronto is giving away a Canada Bloom Prize Pack, which includes two early morning tickets and two general admission tickets to Canada Blooms (approximate value of $114). No purchase is neces-

sary. The contest is open to Toronto residents 18 years of age or older. The odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. One (1) prize will be awarded. The contest closes Sunday, Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m.

Visit insidetoronto.com/ contests to enter and for complete contest rules.

Join us at Nathan Phillips Square for a

Skating Party!

Monday, February 15, 1 – 4 p.m. And many more activities across the city! Details at toronto.ca/familyday

Shred your documents, Research into sexual violence police warn following survivors’ experiences, police practices gets funding boost string of mail thefts ‘Fraud lab’ found near Bloor and Parliament streets Toronto police are advising the public to be vigilant with their mail and to shred items with their name and personal details prior to disposal after a recent rise in identity thefts, notably in the Beach neighbourhood. I n a Fe b. 8 r e l e a s e , Toronto Police provided details about a so-called ‘fraud lab’ recently discovered near Bloor and Parliament streets following a lengthy investigation, which involved mail theft and numerous identity thefts at several Toronto Mini Mart locations. Investigators located stolen mail and fake identification along with technology and computers at the downtown address. Police are underlining that the theft of mail has become problematic in the Greater Toronto Area as of late and are also advising residents to install a lock on their mailbox.

Photo/COURTESY

Toronto police display some of the property seized in the so-called ‘fraud lab’ recently discovered near Bloor and Parliament streets.

The type of items discovered in fraud labs can include financial statements, bank documents, and cheques stolen from the mail, fake driver’s licenses generated and created in the victims’ names, fake bank statements, fake SIN cards, fake government identification, bills and tenancy documentation stolen from the mail, pay cheques, blank cheques and direct deposit statements, student loan documents and bank loan documents, and T4 slips, tax returns and medical docu-

ments. Anyone with information should contact police at 416-808-5507, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be left on facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/ TorontoPolice. There’s also a free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World. -Joanna Lavoie

Six academic research projects examining sexual violence and harassment survivors’ experiences, and police practices is getting a nearly $375,000 injection of provincial aid. The project investment will “support a more compassionate and sensitive response from law enforcement authorities when dealing with incidents of sexual violence and harassment,” the government said in a statement. It is also intended to encourage more survivors to report sexual violence. The government said research project results will be used to inform future policies and programs to better support survivors. It is estimated one in three Canadian women experience sexual violence, the government reported. “Sexual violence is one of the most under-reported

crimes — fewer than four per cent of sexual assaults are ever reported to police,” Tracy MacCharles, minister of children and youth services and minister responsible for women’s issues, said in a statement. MacCharles said survivors have shared a reluctance to report in response to the government’s implementation of its sexual violence and harassment action plan. “We’ve heard from countless survivors...that many don’t report to authorities for fear of not being believed and fear of public scrutiny,” she said. “Survivors have also reported that going through the justice system can make a survivor of sexual assault feel re-victimized.” Research will explore police response to digital and Internet sex crimes against children. It will investigate the treat-

ment of cases in which survivors experience sexual violence from other members of the university community, how colleges and universities and police respond to complaints, and the collaboration between post-secondary institutions and police. The research will also examine the Ontario Provincial Police’s response to cases involving victims with disabilities, and the experiences of survivors who choose to report sexual harassment and violence. The research is part of a broader $41-million Ontario government project, called “It’s Never Okay,” unveiled in 2014. The government action plan includes an advertising campaign and boosted counselling and community outreach funding to spread the message “it’s never okay” to sexually harass or assault anyone.

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Situated on 50 Ft Lot in High Demand Location, Detached 3+1 Bdrm Bungalow, Live in & Enjoy or Amazing Investment Potential for Renovator, Contractor or Developer. New 2 Storey Recently Sold for $1,490,000 in Area. Finished Basement, Interlock Driveway, Simply Must be Seen! Super Value! $829,900

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Amazing 3+2 Bdrm Semi Detached 2 Storey, Open Concept Living and Dining Room, Spacious Eat-In Kitchen, Granite Countertops, Ceramic Flr, Master Bdrm With Full Ensuite and Walk-in Closet, Spacious Finished Basement, Walkout To Landscaped Yard, Private Drive, Fabulous Neighbourhood, Steps To Vaughan Mills Mall, Canada’s Wonderland, Schools, Transit & Future subway! Close to all Amenities!

Detached Bungalow on Large 40x133ft fully fenced lot. Needs some TLC, Huge Potential for Renovators, Contractors or Investors. Updated Windows& Doors, Furnace & A/C, Electrical Panel. Huge Basement, 6 Car Parking, Super Value.

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Immaculately Maintained, 3+1 Bedrooms, Open Concept Living Rm, Formal Dining, Updated Family Size Kitchen, Separate Side Entrance to Finished Bsmt Ideal for In-Law Suite, Huge Rec Room, 2nd Kitchen. Situated on Spacious Lot, Garage, Private Drive. SOLD FAST FOR 104% OF ASKING!

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| CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016

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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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Just Socks nearly at $100K goal halfway into four-week sock drive >>>from page 1 hygiene reasons.” Smith started Just Socks with family and friends a few years back after hearing about the need for socks for the homeless on the radio. Hearing the difference the simple footwear made to those in need, she felt the need to do what she could to help the cause. “One person said a new pair of socks was like a warm cup of soup on a winter’s day,” she said. “Another person said they had been sleeping outside under a bridge and their feet were soaked. They said getting new socks saved their life.” Smith noted some 5,200 people wind up sleeping on the streets or in shelters every night in Toronto, and many of those have one pair of socks to last them the winter. After raising an impressive $50,000 in four weeks last year, Just Socks doubled its target this year. Two weeks into its four-week Emergency Sock Drive, the organization was less than $3,000 shy of its $100,000 goal. The funds go toward new, high-quality socks from McGregor Socks, who sell their wares for less than cost to ensure they help

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intro to breaking

Photo/COURTESY

McGregor Socks delivered 19,360 pairs of new socks to 26 Toronto-based charities last week. The Emergency Sock Drive runs until Feb. 15.

as many people as possible. “A $20 donation can help 25 people have warm feet for a few days,” Smith said. “Even a very small donation can make a big difference.” Just Socks’ partnership with McGregor Socks has been a boon for the not-for-profit, with agencies that receive socks to hand out to the homeless knowing that they are receiving topnotch wear. McGregor has taken the mission to heart, pouring more than just below-cost goods into the initiative. “McGregor is actually

working on creating a special sock for us – one that’s thicker, warmer and longer-lasting,” Smith said. To mark the midway point of Just Socks’ four-week Emergency Sock Drive, the organization delivered 19,360 pairs of new socks to 26 Toronto-based charities on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Hundreds of boxes of socks were parceled out to benefit the homeless and needy. The Emergency Sock Drive will run until Monday, Feb. 15. To make a donation, visit www. justsocks.ca

new moves: Clockwise from top photo, Ronya Loeffelmann performs a hand stand to the delight of her fellow dancers, during the first in a series of free 'Introduction to Breaking' classes offered by the Sony Centre for Performing Arts on Tuesday; Judi Lopez leads her dance class; Johnathan Neville tries a new dance move; and Sabrina Cru uses her arms to perform a dance during the class. Staff photos/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

UP Express ridership numbers down The most recent numbers posted for the Union Pearson (UP) Express indicate sagging ridership for the air rail link. Critics of the four-stop train line between Union Station and Toronto Pearson airport say high fares price out all but the wealthiest of travelers. The new numbers show an average of around 2,400 UP users during the months of November and December 2015, down sharply from previous months. Over the same period, UP trains, which can hold more than 170, were less than 10 per cent full. In a report to the Metrolinx board, UP President Kathy Haley says dips are expected while UP builds its ridership. This weekend, UP is completely free to use from Feb. 13-15. TAXI STRIKE IN THE WORKS wWEEKEND

Speaking of the long weekend, it’s promising to be a busy one with the NBA All-Star Game, Valentine’s Day, the Canadian International AutoShow – and in all likelihood another taxi strike.

rahul gupta TO in TRANSIT Details were scarce early in the week, but it appears disgruntled drivers will stage a public disruption over the weekend intended to spotlight their frustrations toward the UberX private cab service. The United Taxi Workers Association promises the protest will be more forceful than last December’s day-long action which saw drivers block streetcars and get into violent confrontations with suspected Uber operators. stations to get funding wcharging

It appears there’s a lot of interest in a provincial funding program for electric vehicle charging stations. The $20-million Electric Vehicle Chargers Ontario (EVCO) granting program was introduced by the Liberal government late last year as a way to address the lack of charging stations.

“Building up a more robust network of chargers at workplaces, residential buildings and public places, as well as along major highways, will go a long way toward conquering drivers’ range anxiety,” says the group Partners in Project Green, a partnership between the Greater Toronto Airport Authority and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. YOUR BIKE TO WORK ON FRIDAY wRIDE

There’s still time to sign up for the 2016 edition of International Winter Bike to Work Day. This year’s ride is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, and for the first time will include students. Over 10,000 people took part in last year’s ride, with Toronto ranking sixth among world cities. You can track the number of rides taken during Friday’s event at www. winterbiketoworkday.org Rahul Gupta is Metroland Media Toronto’s transit reporter. His column appears every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @TOinTRANSIT

Deadline looming for city’s unionized outside workers DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com The pressure is mounting as the February 19 strike/lockout deadline for Toronto’s unionized outside workers grows nearer – and on the weekend, Toronto’s management posted a precis of what they termed a full proposal. Deputy Mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong, who also chairs the city’s labour relations committee, hinted Monday that the proposal might be a do-or-die moment, and refusing could mean a work stoppage. “We want a negotiated settlement, we’ve put our full offer on the table, we think it’s a fair offer,” said Minnan-Wong. “We are looking for some changes and we are offering a wage increase. We think it’s a fair deal and if they’re not open to a fair proposal then

we could be operating in a labour disruption.” The city is looking for changes in four areas of the contract. It’s offering a wage increase “that is in keeping with many other public sector unions and reflects the City’s financial circumstance.

“

We’ve put our full offer on the table, we think it’s a fair offer. – Denzil Minnan-Wong

It is looking to change the job security provisions “in order to permit the City to provide public services in the most effective manner.” The city wants to make changes to its benefits package and also sick pay coverage “in an effort to reduce absenteeism.” The city is also looking to change its layoff and recall procedures “to facilitate

easier movement and placement of employees.” CUPE Ontario Regional Director Linda ThurstonNeelly, speaking on behalf of CUPE Local 416, said that negotiators feel there is room to find efficiencies and work collaboratively without a labour disruption, and said Minnan-Wong’s statements were provocative. “He’s looking for a fight,” she said. “We’re prepared to have a collaborative discussion to find a fair settlement.” Thurston-Neelly wouldn’t discuss details of ongoing negotiations in a news conference to unveil a new CUPE Local 416 TV advertisement presenting the city workers’ point of view, that will be running for the next three weeks. “It’s to introduce our frontline workers, who they are and what they do for the city,” she said.

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CITY CENTRE MIRROR | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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Goodwill files for bankruptcy Hospital merges with medical school TARA HATHERLY thatherly@insidetoronto.com Goodwill has filed for bankruptcy in the hopes it can restructure and reopen some stores, its CEO announced Monday. In a statement, Goodwill In d u s t r i e s o f To ro n t o, Eastern, Central and Northern Ontario (TECNO) CEO Keiko Nakamura said the company filed for bankruptcy to preserve its assets for its principal creditors, its former employees. “The corporation is contemplating later making a proposal to its creditors, which, if approved, would annul the bankruptcy and allow the corporation to reopen some stores, continuing to serve the surrounding communities and offering a source of gainful employment,” Nakamura’s

statement read. “Strategic alternatives under consideration focus on overcoming significant barriers to relieve the organization’s financial burden to allow for a possible restructure. In accordance with the BIA (Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act) filing, a trustee has been appointed in Goodwill TECNO’s proceedings and will assist the organization in its efforts.” Contact employees The trustee will contact the employees within five business days, she added. The Canadian Airport Workers Union, which represents Goodwill TECNO’s unionized employees, released a statement Feb. 8 as well, saying it supports any plan that would allow Goodwill to

reopen stores and get employees back to work. The union’s statement also shared that it learned Friday, Feb. 5 that Goodwill Industries International (GII) wants to cut ties with Goodwill TECNO by withdrawing its membership and ability to use the Goodwill name. “The CAWU is extremely disappointed in the actions of GII in abandoning the Goodwill Industries of Toronto community,” the statement read. “Their actions have severely harmed the interests of the employees and public who rely so heavily on Goodwill stores.” Goodwill TECNO’s 16 stores 10 donation centres and two offices in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, and Brockville abruptly closed Jan. 16.

ON NOW AT THE BRICK!

JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com The face of medical education is set to change thanks to a groundbreaking integration of the University Health Network (UHN) and the Michener Institute for Applied Health and Sciences. The two organizations already worked together in some capacities, but the new merger will see students at the Michener Institute learning in real-world environments including operating rooms, labs and MRI suites. Beyond that, health care professionals will contribute to the development of the Michener Institute’s curriculum, ensuring that students’ education is up-to-date and in line with current treatment methods, technologies and best practices. Hospital employees will also be able to engage in continuing education as part of the merger. “Medicine is changing rapidly and we need to be

Staff photo/JUSTIN SKINNER

Michener Institute radiology students participate in an inclass simulation last week.

positioned to pivot and to move aggressively at the same pace as science is moving,” said Dr. Peter Pisters, CEO of UHN and the new Michener Institute of Education at UHN. He said other health care facilities and educational institutions around the world will likely watch how the merger – the first of its kind in Canada – works and he expects others to follow suit. UHN Board Education

Committee chair Cliff Nordal said the Michener Institute of Education at UHN will produce health care professionals that will continually be up-todate with the latest advances in medical science. “It’s going to produce students that will help us deal with the very dynamic changes that are affecting our health system,” he said. For more information on the Michener Institute of Education at UHN, visit www.michener.ca

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