Etobicoke Apartments January 26, 2017

THURSDAY JANUARY 26, 2017

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LONGING FOR LACROSSE Kaitlyn Cooke’s passion could bring the sport to Monsignor Percy Johnson high school.

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Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

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COMMUNITY

3 | Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017

It takes a village: teen’s love of lacrosse attracts strong community support TAMARA SHEPHARD tshephard@insidetoronto.com

Staff/Metroland

Lacrosse goalie Kaitlyn Cooke, 14, (right) and her brother Joshua, 11, take a break from working on some practice shots at Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School field. her," Teresa said of her daughter. "I’ve always encouraged my kids, if they believe in something, strive for it. I’ve always encouraged them to better themselves and to go for their goals."

Kaitlyn is in Grade 9 in the school’s enriched program. She tutors fellow students in math, and is a member of the school’s Jsquad, a leadership group for Grade 9 and 10 students.

She is the only female on her high school’s rugby team.

"I’m super excited," Kaitlyn said of the prospect of founding her high school’s lacrosse team.

"This is an unforgettable moment for me. It’s something I’ll tell my chil-

dren and my grandchildren about."

Her face lights up when she talks about lacrosse.

She is in her fourth season with Mimico Mountaineers lacrosse, her second as a goalie. Her brother, Joshua, 11, also plays, but prefers box lacrosse.

"I’ve done so many sports, like most kids. This one stuck with me," Kaitlyn said of lacrosse. "I love going to practices. I just fell in love with the sport."

Sarah Jamieson, one of Kaitlyn’s Mimico Mountaineers lacrosse coaches, recalled when Kaitlyn first stepped up to fill in as goalie.

"Kaitlyn quickly turned into an unstoppable force for our team," Jamieson

said. "She shows serious dedication to the team and learning the craft of being a goalie. Always at practices, putting in extra work, asking questions and shining in games. Her passion for the game is immense."

That passion compelled Kaitlyn to champion lacrosse to Tullio Taccone, the school’s athletic director, who said she could start a team - if she got the equipment.

"It’s amazing. I don’t know if anyone expected it to come to this. It has blown up so much," Kaitlyn said.

Kaitlyn wants to become a math teacher. She hopes for a lacrosse scholarship to an NCAA college in the U.S. Joanne Melo, Monsi-

gnor Percy Johnson’s principal, said Kaitlyn’s lacrosse-team initiative is a visible expression of the leadership the school encourages. Monsignor Percy Johnson offers students a total of eight leadership groups, including Me to We, school chaplaincy, social justice, and Stop the Stigma (of Mental Illness).

"Kaitlyn took this on totally solo, and took it to heart," Melo said. "We want kids to have a voice, to have an ability to make an impact as good Catholics, and as good people. It really brings to light that pursuit of the possible."

Monsignor Percy Johnson’s school motto is "heart speaks to heart."

"It’s great when the stu-

dents are the advocates: for the learning, the experience, and the life lesson," Melo said. "Our school motto is about that basic human contact, and what it means for us to make a difference at a personal level.

Kaitlyn is going to be benefiting all the kids on the team by bringing a world of joy to them through lacrosse."

Melo committed to launch the lacrosse team.

"We’ll make it happen," Melo said. "We’ll highlight it as a First Nations’ sport."

Kaitlyn turns 15 on Jan. 30, three days after the Kaitlyn Cup. "If this tournament goes well, it will be an amazing birthday present," Kaitlyn said, smiling.

insidetoronto.com

The determination of a 14-year-old passionate about lacrosse, spurred on by the power of social media, could net Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School its firstever coed lacrosse team.

Kaitlyn Cooke’s lifelong lacrosse-playing dad, Chris, recently wrote a Facebook post seeking used lacrosse equipment to outfit a school team. Chris plays goalie on four lacrosse teams, including Six Nations in Caledonia, Ont. Within days, cash donations poured in, then floor time donated by The Barn Elite Performance Centre in Oshawa, Ont. The Kaitlyn Cup lacrosse tournament fundraiser was born.

"The response from the lacrosse community has been overwhelming," said Kaitlyn’s mom, Teresa.

"My husband and I can’t believe the support. It’s the power of Facebook - post, like, share. Ba da boom, ba da bing."

The Kaitlyn Cup tournament and auction takes place today from 4 to 10 p.m. at The Barn. Signed jerseys, and Toronto Rock and Toronto Maple Leafs tickets are among the auction items. A raffle, a 50/50 draw and roll the dice to win a new car from Plaza Kia round out the offerings.

Approximately, 70 players have signed up. Individual and team player entries over age 16 welcome. Cost per player is $25.

Email kaitlyncup@hotmail.com for tickets.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board will issue tax receipts for any donations over $20.

All proceeds will go toward the purchase of equipment for 15 Monsignor Percy Johnson players, including sticks, helmets, cleats, shoulder and elbow pads and kidney protectors, as well as goalie equipment.

"I’m very, very proud of

Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

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Parents get 10-minute parking grace period outside school TAMARA SHEPHARD tshephard@insidetoronto.com Parents dropping off or picking up their children at Twentieth Street Junior School will soon experience a 10-minute parking grace, and a speed limit reduction to 30 kilometres per hour.

Etobicoke York Community Council voted unanimously last week, without debate, to endorse city transportation

services staff recommendations of a 30 km/h speed limit on Twentieth and Twenty First streets between Birmingham Street and Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Currently, the speed limit on both streets is 40 km/h.

Further, councillors endorsed city planners’ recommendations to amend the parking regulations on Twentieth Street to allow a "Maxi-

Justin Greaves/ Metroland

insidetoronto.com

Vehicles park on the west side of Twentieth Street on Monday. Etobicoke York Community Council on Tuesday endorsed city staff recommendations to allow "Maximum 10-Minute Limit" parking outside Twentieth Street Junior School.

mum 10-Minute Limit" parking regulation on the west side of the street outside the school Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Earlier, area councillor Mark Grimes, and Twentieth Street Junior School’s parent advisory council, had requested city transportation services staff review traffic operations and parking regulations around the Long Branch school.

Their request was "to provide a short-term 10minute parking area to enable parents to park and accompany their children into the school," a November city staff report indicated.

"Safety concerns were also raised regarding vehicular speeds on Twentieth Street and Twenty First Street around the school with a request to reduce the legal speed limit on these roads to 30 km/h."

Transportation services staff recommendations resulted from consultations with Grimes, parent advisory council repre-

sentatives, and the school principal, the report stated.

To investigate speeding concerns, city staff conducted speed studies on both streets last Oct. 18.

Study data indicated the majority of traffic on both streets operated above the posted 40 km/h speed lim-

it. ˚The study found 85 per cent of all traffic on Twentieth Street that day operated at 46 km/h, while the same percentage of traffic on Twenty First Street operated at 43 km/h.

City staff also observed numerous stopping infractions on the west side

of Twentieth Street outside the school near the crosswalk, which is creating a "hazardous environment" for crossing pedestrians, the report indicated.

City staff estimates it will cost $600 to install the new speed limit and parking regulations signs.

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Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

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TECHNOLOGY

Seniors closing the gap on digital divide HILARY CATON hcaton@insidetoronto.com At 101 years old, Bessie Stallworthy has a cell phone, can send emails, use Facebook, blog and search the web from her laptop or iPad. "I have to admit, it’s pretty awesome and I started tinkering with the computer with no purpose at all. I just wanted to learn something different," said the centenarian who has lived in the Upper Beach neighbourhood for 65 years.

She first dabbled in technology at the age of 79 as a New Year’s resolution. One of her friends gave her an old laptop and printer and she began her foray into technology.

She’s never taken a computer course, but instead has either learned on her own or had a little help from her friends.

She uses her computer to send emails and her iPad to go on Facebook and look at pictures from her recliner.

She still continues to explore the world through the Internet, when many seniors, 20 years her junior, feel overwhelmed by the concept of technology.

"I have an interesting life thanks to computers and technology because I have so much at my fingertips now," she said.

Stallworthy is one of the many seniors across Canada who are choosing to not be left behind on the "shoulder" of the information highway. According to Statistics Canada, seniors have the fastest growing rate of Internet usage in the country. The number of Canadians 75 and older who choose to go online spiked from five per cent to 27 per cent from 2000 to 2012.

It’s a trend the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP), a non-profit organization that advocates for financial security and improved health care for Canadians over 50, is noticing more and more, said chair of the Toronto chapter Adina Lebo.

"Seniors are using technology rather socially for

Justin Greaves/Metroland

Bessie Stallworthy, a 101-year-old Toronto woman who isn’t afraid to embrace technology, checks her blogs inside her home in the Upper Beach. Stallworthy got her first computer at 79 and hasn’t stopped surfing the web since.

Skyping with grandchildren and keeping in touch with family. It keeps them connected, it keeps them actively engaged rather than looking at four walls," said Lebo.

CARP encourages their membership to keep up with technology as a part of active living after retirement, which is where seniors begin their decline and disinterest in technology; when they leave the workforce.

"We are in an increasingly digital world and if you’re not digitally connected you’re not part of the world.

You’re left behind," Lebo added.

But it’s all about the right motivation for the majority of seniors to adopt the technology in the first place, ac-

cording to University of Toronto professor and co-director of the Aging Gracefully Lab Dr. Cosmin Munteanu. Society is pushing more towards intergenerational technology use with generations coming together in digital spaces like Facebook and Skype.

"It gives them the option to be more a part of the family life as family life becomes more digital, it forces them to adopt technology," said Munteanu, who also works on creating apps to bridge the digital divide between seniors and youth.

Youth make up a large portion of tech users today having grown up with technology right at their fingertips from infancy. From using touch screen technology

on phones and tablets to using SnapChat, kids are consuming technology faster and earlier than previous generations and have access to the Internet like never before.

According to MediaSmarts, a non-profit organization focusing on digital and media literacy, 99 per cent of the 5,436 Canadian students they surveyed in 2012 from grades 4 to 11 have access to the Internet outside of school.

"It’s always shocked me at how fast this generation has picked up technology.

It’s just second nature to them," said Penny Staznik, a mother of two boys, who already has one of them asking to create a YouTube channel with friends.

"I think it’s the mentality that they’re not afraid of it.

It’s always been there so they just go for it."

Staznik’s oldest son, Goran, is nine years old and loves computer programming. He’s working on creating his own video game with the help of MakerKids, an after school program in Bloor West Village. It focuses on teaching kids ages eight to 12 about robotics, coding and Minecraft. The company’s lead instructor Graham Steele sees firsthand the amount of technological knowledge kids already have when they walk through the doors of the program.

"They know about the concepts we teach, but they’re missing the applica-

tion portion, like what can you actually do with that knowledge. Now if they have ideas, they know the first step in where to go to pursue that idea," Steele said.

Kids are building video games, hot water heater switches and more. That thirst for technology is a gateway to creating a more technologically literate society that will hopefully also include more tech-savvy seniors.

"There’s no dearth of opportunity for you as a new person to tech, young or old," Lebo said.

"The connectedness we have is less of a burden and becomes more like a need for many of us no matter what your age."

PARENTING

7

KNOW

O Tulip tune-up The Dutch created a unique tulip for Canada’s milestone anniversary. Called Canada 150, the tulip is white with red flames and looks like our Canadian flag.

O That’s a lot of bulbs!

| Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017

Did You The commemorative tulips were available to the public exclusively through Home Hardware. Four million bulbs were sold and will bloom April to June. If all the bulbs sold were lined up in a row, they could stretch from Brampton to Sudbury.

O Friendship blooms Metroland file photo

Children take to the ice as Queen Victoria Public School students received skates and a skating lesson at High Park rink back in January. The High Park rink is open for another season of skating.

How to get your kids to play outside in the winter DOMINIK KUREK dkurek@thetopic.ca

can go out and play in the snow, doing such things as tobogganing, making snowmen and forts, throwing snowballs and more.

There’s also free outdoor skating around Toronto.

If you live in an urban area such as downtown Toronto where there are few open park spaces, go out and explore your city, Janson said.

"Kids don’t always need a structured activity or plan in order to have a good time. If you were to go walk down by the waterfront with your kids on a beautiful day, I guarantee they would find something to play with," Janson said.

"If you are weaving physical activities and opportunities for play and exploration into your family activities, that will become part of what your children come to expect when they’re with their family," she said.

The City of Toronto has 50 outdoor skating rinks, which are open seven days a week. Skate rentals are also available at many of the locations.

For a full list of locations and hours visit bit.ly/outdoorrinksto

photo National Capital Commission

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It’s winter, no doubt about it, which means some parents may be struggling even harder to get their children to go outside and play.

But children need outdoor play, stresses Toronto-based, national nonprofit ParticipACTION, which says only 9 per cent of Canadian kids get the one hour of required physical activity per day, which the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guideline suggests children aged 5 to 17 should get. And winter should not be a reason for not being active, ParticipACTION says.

"It’s about embracing winter rather than enduring winter. If kids learn how to skate and how to toboggan and have exposure to those at a young age, they realize how much fun it is and they have a certain level of competence to be able to enjoy it," said Katherine Janson, director of communication at ParticipACTION. "I think it’s our responsibility as parents that our kids get access to the basic

skills on the snow, on the ice, to be able to learn the basics so that they can go to the skating party and have fun."

Janson admits it’s tough to get your kids outside.

Putting on winter wear is sometimes a workout in itself, but it’s worth it.

"The magic of the outdoors is that once you get the kids outdoors, they naturally move more," she said.

Technology such as TV, families not making active choices together such as choosing to drive rather than walk to school, or parental behaviour such as texting at the dinner table, are some of the barriers to kids wanting to go outside.

Janson suggests parents start early in their kids’ lives in creating active choices for their families as healthy habits start forming at a younger age than most parents realize.

Parents should limit TV time, walk to places when possible, and do active things together. This will make it easier for parents to get their kids to go out and play.

Play doesn’t need to be structured, either. Kids

After the Second World War, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs as a token of friendship for Canada’s help in the Second World War.

insidetoronto.com

Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

8

NEWS

Etobicoke Centre MPP honours 33 ’outstanding’ individuals and groups CYNTHIA REASON creason@insidetoronto.com Yvan Baker recognized 33 ’outstanding’ individuals and groups during his annual Community Recognition Awards at Plast Huculak Centre over the weekend.

The Etobicoke Centre MPP recognized the 2016 recipients in a ceremony at his Holiday Levee earlier this month, highlighting local residents’ selfless contributions in five categories: outstanding volunteer service to the community, outstanding volunteer service to the community by youth, outstanding volunteer service to seniors, outstanding group award and outstanding service by professional staff.

"Every day in Etobicoke Centre, people work hard to help others and to make our community even stronger," Baker said in a statement issued Jan. 15.

"Today, I was proud to celebrate some of those people and their contribu-

tions to ensure that members of our community are aware of the excellent work that is being done and to encourage others to get involved with some of the wonderful organizations that serve Etobicoke Centre."

This year’s Community Recognition Awards recipients were chosen by a community-based selection committee. They are: Outstanding volunteer service to the community - Jack Blasutti, business manager for Etobicoke Youth Soccer Club - Fred DeHaan and Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw, founding members of Friends of Silver Creek - Robert Field, director/coach for Etobicoke Dolphins Girls Hockey - Bo Fleischman and Barnaby Ross, longtime members of Kiwanis Club - Annette Frigault and Joanne Patterson, longtime volunteers at St. James Food Basket - Levinia Gerelus and Joyce Lesyk, prominent members and volunteers at St. Demetrius Church

Dan Pearce/Metroland

Etobicoke Centre MPP Yvan Baker presents Fred Dehaan and Janet Griffiths-Maxymiw with the outstanding volunteer service to the community during his annual Holiday Levee and Community Recognition Awards Sunday, Jan. 15 at Plat Huculak Centre.

- Shawna-Marie Harper, convenor of the Blastball division at Royal York Baseball League - Maria MikelenasMcLoughlin, Neighbourhood Watch, CARP, Dental

Elder Abuse Response Project, Islington Ratepayers Association, Lithuanian Long Term Care Home - Joanne O’Toole and Mark Stoiko, longtime vol-

unteers at Dorothy Ley Hospice - Hank Spencer, past president, coach and volunteer at Etobicoke Lawn Bowling Club Olha ZaweruchaSwyntuch, active member of Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Outstanding volunteer service to the community by youth - Nicole Alea and Salome Naskidashvili, youth volunteers at Village of Humber Heights.

Outstanding volunteer service to seniors - David Gelley, volunteer ambassador at Village of Humber Heights - Eleanore Parsons and Marie Penner, general store volunteers at Village of Humber Heights Gary Hepworth, founder of the Etobicoke Chapter of CARP - Daniel Zadorozny, longtime president and senior member of the board at St. Demetrius Supportive Care Services Outstanding group award - The Gift Wrap Volun-

teers at ESS Support Services for collectively dedicating 1,000 hours of volunteer work to help raise upwards of $9,000 - The Volunteer Development Committee at St. Demetrius Corporation: Vivian Rico, Irene Kucherenko, Helen Hodowany, Elsie Yarmol, Helen Kerekes and Natalie Lisowiec.

Outstanding service by professional staff, employers or employees - Doris De Bono (manager of long-term care), Tanya Rohowsky (social worker) and Marivic Salvator (registered nurse), Village of Humber Heights - Bruce Boyd, teacher and coach at Richview Collegiate Institute - Mary Jane Cinco, personal support worker at Thornbrook Home Care - Dr. Mary Anne Huggins, medical director at Dorothy Ley Hospice - Doreen Keating, executive director at Storefront Humber - John Liddle, music director at Etobicoke Community Concert Band

EVENTS

9

A Charity Show for Syrians WHEN: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Biermarkt on the Queensway, 199 North Queen Street, CONTACT: Dulaa Osman, 416-497-0818, ext.211, dosman@idrf.ca COST: $20 The band Morning Fame and Young Professionals Council, a division of the International Development and Relief Foundation present ‘Spread the Warmth: A Charity Show for Syrians’.

Sunday dance WHEN: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE: Lakeshore Moose Lodge, 3753 Lakeshore Blvd West CONTACT: Nelson MacArthur, 416 2558375, nelsonmac41@hotmail. com COST: Cover $2 Non-members Featuring Dave Whalen and the Starlites. Kitchen open.

Visit insidetoronto.com/events to submit your own community events for online publishing.

O Tuesday, January 31 Pub Trivia!

WHEN: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. WHERE: The Firkin on The Bay, 68 Marine Parade Drive CONTACT: Susan, 647-607-6893, susan@where2now.ca COST: Free Trivia Night with Where2Now.RSVP susan@where2now.ca.

O Wednesday, February 1

O Monday, January 30 Spa Day WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Islington Seniors’ Centre, 4968 Dundas St. W. CONTACT: 416-231-3431, islingtonseniors@bellnet.ca COST: Free AMA AESTHETICS invites you to a rejuvenating Spa Day at the Centre. Register early – space is limited. Membership required.

5 things to do this weekend

O GET CONNECTED

Book Club WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Islington Seniors’ Centre, 4968 Dundas St. West CONTACT: 416-231-3431, islingtonseniors@ bellnet.ca COST: $2.00 per day (Includes refreshments) Join a group of avid readers on the first Wednesday of every month to discuss the latest read.

Discussions will be moderated by the Toronto Public Library. Books are available at the front office.

Etobicoke: Past & Present in Pictures WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Richview Library, 1806 Islington Ave CONTACT: 416-3945120 COST: Free This illustrated talk focuses on the

O Friday, January 27

rich history of the former Township of Etobicoke as it progressed from forests to farms to the suburbs and industry of today.

O Thursday, February 2 Time Together WHEN: 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Parkwood Dining Room Humbervale Place, 1447 Royal York Road, Toronto CONTACT: Rev. Cindy Randall, 416-249-2821, mmlj365@hotmail.com COST: Free Time Together presents “Speaking of Bones: Living Well with Osteoporosis” by Gary Hepworth.

Refreshments following the presentation.

Are you ready? Get emergency ready WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Humber Bay Public Library, 200 Park Lawn Road CONTACT: Betty Cameron, 416394-5300, bcameron@torontopubliclibrary.ca COST: Free Learn about personal emergency preparedness during this presentation conducted by the Office of Emergency Management.

Boat Show WHEN: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Enercare Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd CONTACT: 905-951-0009, www.TorontoBoatShow.com COST: $20: General Admission; $17: Seniors The Toronto International Boat Show is the largest one-stop destination in Canada to comparison shop. Jan. 20 to 29.

Winterlicious WHEN: 12 p.m. WHERE: Various venues, Various venues CONTACT: toronto.ca/winterlicious, spevspon@toronto.ca COST: Prix fixe lunch and dinner menus 15th annual Winterlicious kicks off this weekend at more than 220 Toronto restaurants. Jan. 27 to Feb. 9.

O Saturday, January 28 Walk for Memories WHEN: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St. W. CONTACT: alz.to, SPietrkiewicz@ alz.to COST: Free Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s

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The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir are giving a free concert in which they’ll be testing out five conductors.

Walk For Memories new indoor 2K walk route will take you from the MTCC, North Building - Hall C, through the Skywalk and returning back to the MTCC. Monster Jam WHEN: 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Rogers Centre, One Blue Jays Way CONTACT: mscustomerrelations@ feldinc.com COST: Various packages Monster Jam at the Rogers Centre, Jan. 28, 29 with 14 massive Monster Jam trucks.

Free Concert WHEN: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. CONTACT: 416-598-0422 ext.2, www.tmchoir.org/201617season/symposium-concert/ COST: Free Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Elora Singers chamber choir conducted by the five conductors attending the TMC’s Choral Conductors’ Symposium. Live webcast. First come, first seated.

Doors open 2:15 p.m.

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| Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017

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Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

10 COMMUNITY

Parents urge Toronto to save daycare funding Proposed elimination of occupancy grants slated to save city $1.13 million

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CYNTHIA REASON creason@insidetoronto.com Anoush Bennett is just one of thousands of parents across the city bracing for yet another hit to their child-care chequing accounts this budget season.

In a city that already boasts some of the highest child-care costs in the country, a proposal to cancel occupancy grants to Toronto’s 350 school-based daycares threatens to push those fees even higher - a move that could drive Bennett and her five-year-old son, Kael, out of Lakeshore Community Child Care Centre in south Etobicoke.

"It may force me to go to an unlicensed daycare or home child care if the fees get too ridiculously high," said Bennett, who also works as an early childhood educator at the Seventh Street Public School-based centre.

"I’m fortunate because my son is in kindergarten and just attends the beforeand after-school programs, but it’s still $400 a month and that’s still one-third of my paycheque."

The 20-year-old occupancy grants currently on the city’s chopping block provide funding at a rate of $6.50 per square foot to school boards to help pay for the heating, maintenance and care-taking costs of the 350 child care centres that lease space within public schools across the city and that, in turn, helps keep fees in check for parents.

While the elimination of the grants, which have been in place since amalgamation, is estimated to result in $1.13 million in city savings in 2017 alone, many fear that if city officials move forward with their phase-out come July - as has been proposed in the Children’s Services 2017

Justin Greaves/Metroland

Anoush Bennett, an early childhood educator and her five-year-old son Kael Bujalski play inside the Lakeshore Community Child Care Centre. The city has proposed cuts to occupancy grants that currently provide funding for school-based child care centres.

Operating Budget - those costs will be passed down to cash-strapped families already struggling to pay for daycare programs.

"This is not an abstract issue. This is a change that will directly impact families, making licensed child care less accessible and more expensive for about 16,585 children and their families across the city," Etobicoke-Lakeshore Trustee Pamela Gough warned budget subcommittee members at a public hearing at Etobicoke Civic Centre.

"Parents in Toronto already face the highest child care costs of any place in Canada. They are struggling with fees in the range of $1,000 per month per

child in the toddler age group. This is like having an extra mortgage, and that’s just for one child," she said. "To ask them to pay more in order to reduce the city’s budget deficit is to place an even larger burden on these struggling families."

That sentiment was echoed by Bennett’s boss, Lakeshore Community Child Care Centre director Lisa Leja, in her own deputation.

A veteran child care provider, Leja told budget subcommittee members including Etobicoke councillors John Campbell, Justin DiCiano and Stephen Holyday, among others, that Toronto is in "deep trouble" when it comes to rising

child care costs.

"I’ve been at this 35 years and I’ve never been as concerned for child care than I am today," she said in her plea to retain the occupancy grants. "Parents simply can’t afford child care any more. It’s too expensive."

While city officials said phasing out the occupancy grant will mean only a "modest" increase for fullfee parents, Gough argued its elimination could actually translate into a fee increase of about $400 per year per child for the 60 per cent of parents who do not receive a child care subsidy.

"The city should not be making child care less affordable for families in Toronto. In fact, it should be doing the exact opposite in

our city," Gough said.

"With its sky-high rental and home-ownership crisis, Toronto is already a very, very difficult place to raise a family ... What we need, and what children and families need, is for the city to abandon these harmful budget cuts immediately."

As both a parent and daycare worker, Bennett’s concerns with the elimination of the occupancy grants are twofold: first, that the budget cut will make child care less affordable for her family, and second, that the cuts will erode the quality of programming she and her fellow child care workers are able to provide - and possibly even lead to their demise.

"It’s very concerning, because ultimately you want to put your child in a daycare that’s quality, that’s safe. But this might push a lot of parents, like me, to look at other forms of care that aren’t licensed but are more affordable," she said.

"Plus, if they get rid of the occupancy grants, we’ll have to cut back, and that’s going to affect our programming ... it’s not going to be as high quality child care anymore.

"There’s also a chance that it might not be cost-effective anymore, and they’ll shut down the school-age programs - and then I’ll not only be out of a daycare program for Kael, I’ll also potentially be out of a job."

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| Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017

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Etobicoke Guardian | Thursday, January 26, 2017 |

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