The York Guardian, February 11, 2016

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Crowd dines to help feed homeless 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, was its best yet in eight years in terms of dollars collected, raising approximately $20,000 to $25,000 to help run its services. The final tally from last Saturday’s event is still being counted.

“I’m so gratified. Our board members and staff and volunteers worked so hard, it’s been great to see it come together in such a way where the community came to support Wychwood Open Door,” said Wychwood Open Door chair B.H. Yael.

The fundraiser inside a packed barn at neighbouring Artscape Wychwood Barns included food from local restaurants, bar, auction including donated prizes from area businesses and politicians, and, of course, the trivia night. There were 33 tables of 10 people. >>>funding, page 3

Staff photo/BENJAMIN PRIEBE

Work was underway Friday to remove buildings in the Keele Street and Eglinton Avenue West neighbourhood, in preparation for the construction of the new Keelesdale Crosstown station.

Metrolinx makes way for future Keelesdale station Prep work continues ahead of planned construction for a light rail station at Keele Street and Eglinton Avenue West.

Construction of Keelesdale Station is scheduled to start in spring, one of several underground stops on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Before that, construction crews need to knock down five residential and commercial buildings in

the area – including a former Toronto EMS office and a coinoperated car wash located midblock – where the station will be located.

The work started Feb. 3 and is expected to last approximately four weeks. Over that time, temporary fencing will be in place around the various demolition sites, and Metrolinx is advising of noise caused by

construction vehicles such as excavators, backhoes and large trucks. Parking and sidewalk restrictions could also be in place.

Road restrictions as a result of the construction are slight, but expect lane closures at Eglinton and Yarrow Road.

Along with the demolitions, progress is being made on “daylighting” utility work on Eglinton

from Yarrow to Keele.

The work entails exposing the underground utilities in an effort to improve safety on site. The work is expected to take another two weeks to complete.

Also planned is drilling work for Eglinton between Keele and Yarrow as well as Trethewey Drive on February mornings until the beginning of station construction.

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offers youth help ❄ ❄Province to curb unemployment

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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Apply for Summer Company grants until May 6 JUSTIN SKINNER jskinner@insidetoronto.com The provincial government is offering support to high school and post-secondary students looking to start up their own businesses.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Michael Coteau and Trinity-Spadina MPP Han Dong dropped by Central Toronto Academy to announce the program is now accepting submissions from students aged 15 to 29.

Selected entrants will receive grants of up to $3,000, plus training and mentorship.

“This year, we’re hoping to add 900 new success stories... and we know future prosperity here in the province of Ontario really depends on the success of our young people,” Coteau said. “That’s why we’re continuing to build this program.”

Last year, the province invested $250 million in a Youth Jobs Strategy, which aims to tackle the issue of youth unemployment and underemployment in Ontario.

That investment will aid programs like Summer Company, which has helped young people launch businesses in the technology, health care, recreation and other fields.

“With renewed funding,

the Summer Company program can help twice as many young people meet mentors and create their own summer business employment programs while continuing their studies,” Coteau said.

Dong said he has heard from plenty of young people and parents who are concerned over the lack of opportunities for summer and part-time employment for students.

“As I have meetings and knock on doors, talk to residents here, youth employment continues to be a major issue, a concern of parents not just in Trinity-Spadina, but in the greater GTA as well,” he said.

The program will benefit youth like Hamdi Ali of Central Toronto Academy, who designed sweaters with his own Toronto logo. While the design have proven popular among classmates, Summer Company would provide him with the means to expand their business.

“I’m trying to get into the program to launch my own company,” Ali said. “It’s not only the money – I would get training I need. I would get mentorship and make connections.”

Youth Employment Services (YES), which helps connect young people with work, will

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facilitate Summer Company training and mentorship for some 50 youth in Toronto.

YES vice president of development, programs and human resources Sinead McCarthy said the program will do more than simply provide work, it will help young people build valuable skills.

“They’ll be able to meet with highly qualified businesspeople over the course of the summer who can help them not just with their business itself but with things like marketing and finance,” she said. “Sometimes the training will be skill-based, sometimes it will be business-based and sometimes it will be something like media relations.”

She added participating youth will meet with mentors by phone at least every two weeks, but will also be able to connect in other ways between meetings.

“The access to a mentor is probably one of the most important aspects of the program,” she noted.

Summer Company will start in late June/early July and run through Labour Day. Applications will be accepted until May 6. For more information on the program, visit www.ontario.ca/page/startsummer-company-students

File photo/PETER C. MCCUSKER

Taijah Scott tries to dribble past Anne Simpson-Porco during the Fam Jam Showcas last September. The showcase returns this weekend.

MDMavs presents the Fam Jam Showcase All-Star Weekend, Saturday, Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory School, 70 Guestville Ave. Fam Jam Showcase is a mixed aged basketball tournament series.

The basketball tournament is typically for ages nine to 16; it’s coed, fiveon-five full court.

There will be a skills competition.

Admission is $2.

To find out more, preregister, volunteer, coach, or donate prizes, contact 416524-4578 or Anne.simpson. porco@gmail.com

3

Union supports plan to reopen stores

Province seeks post-secondary Goodwill Industries International plans to cut ties with Goodwill TECNO, report summer interns 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 Industries of Toronto, 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 annual 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.”

The trustee will contact the

Staff file photo/DAN PEARCE

Goodwill Industries announced in January it is temporarily shuttering 16 stores, 10 donation centres and two offices, leaving hundreds of workers suddenly without a job.

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 employ-

ees 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.

The shutdown came without warning to employees, whose collective agreement required at least 30 days notice of closures.

Nakamura blamed the organization’s “cash-flow crisis” on high rent and labour costs, increased retail competition and decreased donations. The company’s collapse affected about 450 unionized employees and an unknown number of part-time, non-unionized employees. Goodwill TECNO stated it was unable to provide the full number of employees affected when asked by Metroland Media Toronto.

As well as abruptly losing their jobs and health benefits without warning or severance pay, the employees were originally told they wouldn’t receive their final paycheques. Two days after publicly announcing employees would not receive paycheques on Jan. 22, their final scheduled pay day, Nakamura announced early on Jan. 22 that Goodwill had found a way to pay workers for their final hours.

Hey students, you looking for work?

The provincial government wants to help you out.

The 2016 Summer Internship Program is seeking 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.

Interns will be placed in the Premier’s Office, Ministers’ Offices and the Liberal Caucus Service Bureau. Summer students may end up working in such areas as communications, policy, research, special projects and database. Interns will also participate in a variety of activities that will strengthen their leadership and team-building skills.

Those who are interested should submit a resume and cover letter to summer.internship@liberal.ola. org Applicants are encouraged to note their preferred office assignments, if any, in their cover letter.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 26.

Funding will help drop-in centre continue feeding hungry >>>from page 1 Each table worked as a team against the other tables, answering questions called out by host Liza Fromer, of Global TV, for prizes.

Wychwood Open Door provides 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. Half its funding comes from the City of Toronto, the rest 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.

For more information, visit http:// www.wychwoodopendoor.org/

Photo/PETER C MCCUSKER

It’s a full house for the Trivia Night benefit held Saturday night at the Artscape Wychwood Barns in support of the Wychwood Open Door drop-in centre on St. Clair Avenue.

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

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YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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opinion

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

Dana Robbins John Willems Georgia Balogiannis Cheryl Phillips Braden Simmonds Mike Banville

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Enjoy Family Day weekend with those you love

Write us The York Guardian 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 York Guardian, 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

N

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/torontowhatson/ 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 a

david nickle the city 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 chewinggum 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.

i

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

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5

Consider police as last resort in a mental health crisis: reader opinion To the editor: Finch, Church and WHO WE SERVE R e : ‘ I m p r ov e d Northwestern. How crisis training needed is that progress? for Toronto police’, Toronto police Improved crisis Editorial, Jan. 28 respond to literally training needed WRitE uS In discussing the thousands of calls for for Toronto police Forcillo/Yatim incihelp for the mentally S dent, this past week’s ill and have Mobile editorial in the York Crisis Intervention Gu a rd i a n b e g a n teams that respond column City’s public housing portfolio starts with funding to calls for assistance with the statement OuR ViEW Time to “Something needs to with persons in the change training is now change.” And indeed throws of a mental Something does have health episode. All to change. But that too often, when something is the the team or other shirking of the governofficers brings the ment’s responsibility person in crisis to a to effectively address hospital, police must i the mental health of wait up to several our citizens. hours before the Where is the help for the help for people suffering hospital takes charge desperate parents who need untold pain because of mental of the patient. This means that assistance with their out-ofillness? the team is not available to control teens?

Indeed, the emergency others in need. And the worst Those situations are not part is that often the person department at the new always the fault of bad parHumber River Hospital has is released mere hours later enting. Where is the help for the same number of beds (4) with little attempt to treat the for persons in crisis as did the underlying mental illness. families of people struggling with mental health issues? old Church Street site despite Police are the agency of last Agencies that can offer such the fact that the new hospital resort. help are few and far between now covers the patient load People should not have to and are overloaded. Where is of the three former sites: struggle without help until YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, January 28, 2016 |

4

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

ian Proudfoot John Willems Georgia Balogiannis Cheryl Phillips Braden Simmonds Mike Banville Warren Elder

Publisher General Manager Managing Editor Regional Dir. of Advertising Retail Sales Manager Director of Circulation Regional Dir. of Distribution Sales

York Guardian

The Guardian is a member of the Ontario Press Council.

Visit ontpress.com

omething needs to change. In the last four years, four people in mental distress have been shot and killed by Toronto police officers.

All four shootings happened within minutes of the initial contact with police. In none of these deaths was a mental health crisis worker on scene.

On Monday, Const. James Forcillo was convicted of attempted murder in the shooting death of 18-yearold Sammy Yatim. Yatim was behaving erratically on a streetcar July 27, 2013, brandishing a knife. But it seems clear from a YouTube video that members of the public were not in harm’s way and neither were Toronto police officers in imminent danger. Yet, police took a confrontational approach. A situation like Yatim’s required calm behaviour and verbal deescalation. Yatim required a gentle approach to encourage him to drop his weapon and walk off that streetcar alive.

He did not need to have a gun pointed at him while being yelled at to drop the knife. But what ultimately cost Yatim his life was less about Forcillo’s approach than the fact that no officer on the scene knew how to handle the situation differently. That’s a major failure of our police’s training when it comes to dealing with people in mental distress.

Mayor John Tory said something needs to change when it comes to that training, and we agree. Just hours after the verdict, Tory said, “We must learn and make sure that Sammy Yatim’s death, a dark moment for our city, results in real change.” As a member of the Toronto Police Services Board, Tory will be able to not only demand better police training, but ensure it happens.

Police Chief Mark Saunders said his officers’ oneday training in crisis management is adequate and stressed Yatim’s death was an isolated incident. We feel one day is not adequate training for officers.

A coroner’s jury looking into the police shootings of Michael Eligon, 29, Reyal Jardine-Douglas, 25, and Sylvia Klibingaitis, 52 – all shot after approaching police with knives or scissors and all considered mentally ill – released its findings in February 2014 and called for better and longer training for police in dealing with such situations. Here we are almost two years later waiting for that training to get better. It can’t happen fast enough.

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they reach a crisis point.

Police training is critically important as they will always have to respond to these situations regardless of how much investment is made in Mental

The York Guardian 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 York Guardian, 175 Gordon Baker Rd., Toronto, ON, M2H 0A2.

It’s hard to be hopeful in the best of circumstances, and when you look at the state of public housing in Toronto, it can be difficult not to despair.

On Tuesday, Mayor John Tory and Senator Art Eggleton did their best to put a hopeful face on the prospects for Toronto’s public housing portfolio, as managed by the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. The occasion was the release of the final report from the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing.

The task force was one of the first things Tory kicked off after his election in 2014. Headed by Eggleton and made up of blue-chip executives and community leaders, the task force has been doing yeoman’s work trying to find a way out of the housing weeds.

Task force members, to their credit, did what they could. Last year, they found a way to permit the corporation to renegotiate some of its mortgages to

david nickle the city

find more operating dollars.

They identified problems with services to tenants on matters such as repairs and safety, and offered up some solutions.

And finally, at the end of their tenure, they’ve recommended a bicameral structure intended to divide up the management of existing buildings and the construction of new ones between two new non-profit companies, at a somewhat greater arms-length from city council than the current Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) as it’s currently constituted.

Essentially, that plan would put Toronto’s public housing stock into a co-op model. As Tory noted at the news conference, there are 240 co-op-run housing corporations in Toronto, and little is heard of them, presumably because they’re

well run.

Going co-op would let the corporation play with its mortgages more aggressively, borrowing against assets to cover the cost of maintenance and also expand the housing stock.

And that would allow the corporation to create more mixed-income communities, where more units are rented out at market rates.

Without doubt, this all is a step forward. But again, it’s hard to be too hopeful that implementation of the recommendations will be a success, when TCHC is so woefully underfunded.

Eggleton made this point right off the top. The giant portfolio of public housing is crumbling, and the repair backlog totals $2.6 billion.

Soon, many of the units will be uninhabitable.

The TCHC is also operating under a growing operating deficit that could become as high as $200 million in a decade.

The federal government has given good indica-

Health Services. However, their training should not be the focus of the current discussions. Let’s get to the root cause and get some proper help for our friends, family

members and neighbours who are struggling needlessly.

That’s our responsibility as a society.

Barbara Spyropoulos

ON NOW AT THE BRICK!

tion there might be some money from Ottawa going to housing renewal and construction. The provincial government, according to Tory, is in a trickier situation and is unlikely to be able to provide much funding in the foreseeable future.

In that scenario, what is foreseeable is something a little more sinister: an arms-length, non-profit company determining that the best way to deal with its unbalanceable books is not to take out mortgages, but to begin to sell.

Ultimately, Eggleton was right to frame the problem as he did. There are changes that can make Toronto’s public housing portfolio more manageable and the lives of tenants better. But the first of those changes must involve funding.

Anything else is just shuffling deck chairs.

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

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SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

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)

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

opinion

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

6

transit

Taxi drivers shocked by vote not to file Uber injunction DAVID NICKLE dnickle@insidetoronto.com City lawyers have the authority to seek another injunction against Uber Canada to stop it from operating in Canada, but Toronto council has asked they only seek that injunction if the timing and circumstances point to a likely success.

Council voted 39-3 to amend recommendations from the city’s Licensing and Standards Committee to move ahead immediately with an injunction stopping the currently illegal Uber-X ride sharing program. After a private staff briefing and debate, Mayor John Tory

moved the amendment that would ask staff to seek the injunction under “appropriate circumstances.”

Tory said after the meeting that the advice he and councillors received indicated staff needed to be strategic. “ When you make an injunction application, you want some degree of assurance you’re going to be successful,” Tory said.

In public, city staff noted that even if the city were to ask for an injunction, it would not likely be heard by a judge before the summer. And at that point, council would have considered a bylaw currently being drafted by staff that would regulate the

ride share program.

The meeting was attended by an at-times raucous crowd of taxi drivers and plate owners, who have been pushing the city to shut down the ride-sharing app in Toronto.

The vote disappointed the Toronto Taxi Alliance (TTA), which issued a news release accusing council of leaving the question of a court injunction to a city staff they believe have been reluctant to take on Uber.

“The TTA is shocked by Mayor Tory’s lack of respect for the rule of law and his failure to support Toronto’s legal taxi industry,” the news release states.

Ride UP Express free this Family Day weekend All aboard the UP Express – free of charge.

From Saturday, Feb.13 to

Monday, Feb. 15, Metrolinx UP Express is opening its doors to give families and

individuals the chance to ride the train and experience the service for free.

UP trains less than 10 per cent full 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 numbers show an average of around 2,400 UP users during November and December, down sharply from previous months. Over the same period, UP trains, which can hold more than 170, were less than 10 per cent full.

This weekend, UP is completely free to use from Feb. 13 to 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.

Details were scarce early in the week, but it appears disgruntled cabbies will stage a public disruption intended to

rahul gupta TO in TRANSIT spotlight their frustrations toward the UberX private cab service.

The United Taxi Workers Association promises the protest will be more forceful than December’s day-long action that saw drivers block streetcars and get into violent confrontations with suspected Uber operators.

The drivers are upset with Toronto council for voting against proceeding with a court injunction banning UberX. Municipal regulations for legalizing the service are to be unveiled in April.

TO HELP FUND CAR CHARGING STATIONS wPROVINCE

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.

Through the program, the province subsidizes the cost of purchasing and installing charging stations.

YOUR BIKE TO WORK FRIDAY wRIDE

There’s still time to sign up for International Winter Bike to Work Day. This year’s ride is set for Friday, and for the first time will include students.

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 runs every Thursday. Reach him on Twitter: @TOinTRANSIT

i

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

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

7

Valentine’s Day is music to my ears Mayor John Tory gets Bob Marley Will You Be My Valentine?

I first met Jen in Hadlock School, Miss Carroll’s class, Room 102.

I didn’t even know I liked girls then I saw those big brown eyes and little brown curls.

I was too shy to talk to her but somehow I managed to drum up the nerve To make her this card, one February day and add on the words I couldn’t say to her face.

“Will you be my Valentine? I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine. And every day the sun will shine. If you’ll be my Valentine.”

I held my breath as she took the card out. I didn’t know what that was about.

I’d never felt this way before. Life sure is complicated when you’re in Grade 4.

Next thing you know, she started to cry. Ran out of the room with tears in her

jamie wayne BUT SERIOUSLY eyes.

I stood there heartbroken, in front of the other kids with my card on the floor and its words on my lips.

“Will you be my Valentine? I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine. And every day the sun will shine. If you’ll be my Valentine.”

Later that night, as I on my bed at home Mom knocked on my door, Miss Carroll just got off the phone.

She told Mom that Jen loved my card but she never learned how to read.

So she ran out of the room embarrassed because she didn’t want me to see.

Then Miss Carroll said she had an idea. If she could borrow the card for awhile she’d turn Jen’s tears into one great big smile.

So, Jen met with Miss Carroll each day after class.

Those next few months sure went by fast.

I’d never seen anyone study that much. She was so busy we fell out of touch.

Then, the last day of the year in Hadlock School, Miss Carroll’s class, Room 102.

Jen took out my card in front of all the other kids and sang me the words, exactly like this: “Will you be my Valentine? I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine. And every day the sun will shine. If you’ll be my Valentine.

Will you be my Valentine? I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine. And every day the sun will shine. If you’ll be my Valentine.”

Lifetime Achievement Award Mayor John Tory was honored with a Bob Marley Day Lifetime Achievement Award at city hall Feb. 4, as the city marked the 25th year that it celebrated the legacy of the legendary Reggae musician on his Feb. 6 birthday.

Tory accepted the award at the proclamation ceremonies, for his dedication to “the unity

of Toronto communities.” He made it clear he was moved by the recognition.

“You get a lot of recognition, more because of the office you hold rather than who you are as a person,” he said. “While there’s a lot of awards that are better known, it’s sometimes these kinds of recognitions that are

more important. The most important thing is the kind of recognition you get which is not what you seek but for the most important work you do, which is trying to find ways to bring people together.”

The award was granted at the celebration of what would have been Marley’s 71st birthday.

Meet Jane, Treated by SickKids Fetal Cardiac Program

Jamie Wayne is a lifelong columnist who takes writing very seriously. The topics?

Not so much. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at jamie.wayne@sympatico.ca

i

C A N A D A ’ S L A R G E S T R E G I O N A L M O N T H LY PA R E N T I N G P U B L I C AT I O N

Feeling blue?

Tips to get you up

IN THIS ISSUE

to face the day

Little larks: Solutions for entertaining your early-bird

What to do when you have a defiant child Ontario camps are the way to go + MORE

Planning a party? Check out City Parent’s new online party planner at cityparent.com

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.

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

community

Nathan Phillips Square Skating Party Par 1 - 4

Indoor and outdoor activities that are fun for the w Check out toronto.ca/familyday for more information.

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

8

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ER ANOTH D L O S

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Gorgeous Original Wood, Filled With Character + Charm, 4+1 Bdrms, Large Living Room, Hardwood Floor, Highwood Baseboards +Trim, Solid Doors, Formal Dining Room, Separate Side Entrance, Spacious Backyard, Rare Private Drive, Garage, Amazing Value + Location, High Demand Neighbourhood!

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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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Fabulous 4 Bdrm Family Home Located In Highly Sought After Neighbourhood!! Amazing Curb Appeal, Spacious Living, Dining & Family Rooms, Oversized Master Bedroom W/ Ensuite & W/I Closet, Eat-In Kitchen, Main Floor Laundry & Much More. Many Recent Renos. 2 Car Garage. Private Stone Driveway. Amazing Pool-sized Backyard! Fantastic Opportunity - Must Be Seen, Only $795,000!!

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ER ANOTH S O LD

CABBAGETOWN LANDMARK

Totally Renovated Detached Toronto Home. Bright & Sunlit Architectural Masterpiece will Amaze You! 2 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Tempered Glass, 3 Balconies, Granite Floor, Custom Kitchen with B/I Appliances, Spacious & Open Concept with Approx. 1,000 Sq. Ft. of Living Space!, Sauna, Finished Basement, Beautiful Deck + Garden, One of a Kind! Simply Must be Seen! Only $699,900!

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CENTRAL ETOBICOKE OPPORTUNITY!!

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SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 117% OF ASKING!

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SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 113% OF ASKING!

E ANOTH D L O S

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ER ANOTH S O LD

DETACHED BUNGALOW

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SOLD FAST FOR 104% OF ASKING!

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SOLD FOR 99% OF ASKING!

R

E ANOTH D L O S

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SOLD FAST FOR 104% OF ASKING!

R

E ANOTH SOLD

HEART LAKE OPPORTUNITY!!

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DETACHED 2 STOREY $499,900!

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SOLD IN 1 WK FOR 107% OF ASKING!!

R

E ANOTH D L SO

GEORGETOWN OPPORTUNITY!!

Wonderful Family Neighborhood! Directly Across From Park. Detached 3 Bdrm Fernbrook Home On 54 x 120 Lot. Open Concept Living/Dining Room With Dark Laminate Flrs. Updated Kitchen with Walkout To Fully Fenced Backyard. Private Double Drive, Walking Distance To Schools/Shopping, Amazing Opportunity To Own! Must Be Seen! Only $468,900

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

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

Copyright© 2009 Frank Leo

| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

Home SellinG SyStem

9

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

community calendar

happening in

YORK

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

10

w Saturday, Feb. 13

Valentine Dinner, Show & Dance WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. WHERE: Mount Dennis Legion, 1050 Weston Rd. CONTACT: legionbr31@yahoo. com COST: $25 Valentine dinner and Terry Chisholm show featuring roast beef dinner and dessert. Purchase tickets in advance.

Features music of the 50’s, 60’s.

Everyone 19 and older is welcome.

w Monday, Feb. 15

Family Day Celebration 55+ WHEN: 10:30 a.m. WHERE: York West Active Living Centre, 1901 Weston Rd. CONTACT: Danna McBride, 416-245-4395, ext. 223, danna@ywalc.ca COST: Free Enjoy this Family Day with your grand kids, at YWALC with a movie you both will enjoy. Popcorn and juice will be provided.

Homework Help for Teens WHEN: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-394-1000 COST: Free Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring for students in grades 7 to 12.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Saving Strategies WHEN: 6:30 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton

w Tuesday, Feb. 23

LEGO Club WHEN: 4 to 5 p.m. WHERE: Evelyn Gregory Library, 120 Trowell Ave. CONTACT: Valeriya, 416-394-1006 COST: Free Build one of the Lego challenges or create something of your own invention. Call to register.

Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-394-1000 COST: Free This session is meant for those who want to learn how to save more and spend less. Start to invest in the future to realize your goals and dreams and prepare for a comfortable retirement. Call to register.

danna@ywalc.ca COST: Please contact us In association with Rexdale Community Health Center’s Diabetes Education Center, this clinic offers Pre-Diabetes or type 2 Diabetes clients to meet one-on-one with a Registered Nurse and dietitian.

Pints of View WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. WHERE: Army Navy Club, 40 Kingdom Rd. CONTACT: 416-247-5181 COST: Free An evening of friendly conversation and exchange of thoughts, including maybe a brew or two. Arranged by St. Philip’s Anglican Church. All are welcome.

w Friday, Feb. 19

w Thursday, Feb. 18

Diabetes Clinic 55+ WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: York West Active Living Centre, 1901 Weston Rd. CONTACT: Danna McBride, 416-245-4395, ext. 223,

SUPPORT

travel At the controls

International Mother Tongue Day WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Maria A. Shchuka Library, 1745 Eglinton Ave. W. CONTACT: 416-394-1000 COST: Free This exhibit explores the history of English in Canada, variations in Canadian English across the country and generations, as well as influences from French and Aboriginal languages. Join us for all-ages crafts, a languagethemed scavenger hunt, and to celebrate your own mother language.

Blogger Brandon Sousa crosses one thing off his bucket list

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pets Cat behaviour

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Blogger helps you understand cats bit.ly/LHLOZC

contest

w Tuesday, Feb. 23

Leading to Reading WHEN: 5 to 6 p.m. WHERE: Evelyn Gregory Library, 120 Trowell Ave. CONTACT: Richard, 416-394-1006 COST: Free Students from grades 1 to 6 requiring help with reading, homework, and study skills receive individualized help for one hour per week on Tuesdays. Registration required.

Volunteers are also needed.

get listed!

The York Guardian wants your community listings. Sign up online at yorkguardian.com to submit your events (click the Sign Up link in the top right corner of the page). Check out our complete online community calendar by visiting www.yorkguardian.com

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

u

www.insidetoronto. com/contests

Social Media

www.facebook.com/ YorkGuardian

@YorkGuardian

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w Saturday, Feb. 20

Karaoke WHEN: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. WHERE: Mount Dennis Legion, 1050 Weston Rd. CONTACT: 416-767-0231, www.

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facebook.com/mountdennislegion, legionbr31@yahoo.com COST: BBQ food available at reasonable prices Barbecue from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Karaoke with Peter DeBruin begins at 8:30 p.m. Cash Bar.

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flyers. coupons. deals. cash back.

Get this coupon and more at www.save.ca/coupons *Coupons subject to availability.

LocalWork.ca Classifieds Gottarent.com

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284 AZ DELIVERY DRIVER for Summit Food Service in Mississauga. Hand bomb product off truck. 4-5 days/week.

Valid AZ license, customer service skills and able to lift 50lbs. Competitive wages.

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Experienced Cleaning Porter (Full Time) Etobicoke $14 / hr + Benefits M-F: 9 am - 5 pm Must have over a year of related experience, operating walk-behind floor scrubber & ride-on floor scrub machine. porter.cleaner@gmail.com

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284

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Shared Accommodations

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Tenders

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Apply online www.capitaldirect.ca Legal Services

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

Metroland Media Toronto is accepting tenders to deliver our weekly newspapers and flyers to carrier drop locations within the Toronto area 3 times per week. This entails picking up the product at our North York location on Tuesday’s, completing all flyer deliveries

by Wednesday’s at 3:00PM and all newspaper deliveries by Thursday’s at 2:00PM to all carrier drops.

All applicants must be a registered business, have a cargo van or cube truck and a valid HST number.

Bid packages available at the Reception desk of: Metroland Media Toronto 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON M2H 0A2 Bids will be received until 12:00 noon Monday, February 22nd, 2016 ATT: Circulation Manager Contract commencing: March 7th, 2016/ March 21st, 2016

Metroland Media Toronto is accepting tenders to deliver our weekly apartment Newsbags to carrier and lobby drop locations within the Toronto areas 1-2 times per week. This entails picking up the product at our North York location on Wednesday’s, completing all carrier drops by Thursday’s at 2:00PM and all lobby drop deliveries by Thursday’s at 7:00PM. All applicants must be a registered business, have a cargo van or cube truck and a valid HST number.

Bid packages available at the Reception desk of: Metroland Media Toronto 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON M2H 0A2 Bids will be received until 12:00 noon Monday, February 22nd, 2016 ATT: Circulation Manager Contract commencing: March 7th, 2016.

Lowest or any bids will not necessarily be accepted.

Only the successful Company will be contacted.

Lowest or any bids will not necessarily be accepted.

Only the successful Company will be contacted.

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Tenders

Business Services

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Tenders Tenders

Shared Accommodations

Metroland Media Toronto is accepting tenders to deliver our weekly apartment Newsbags to carrier and lobby drop locations within the Etobicoke and Toronto areas 1-2 times per week.

This entails picking up the product at our North York and Etobicoke locations on Wednesday’s, completing all carrier drops by Thursday’s at 2:00PM and all lobby drop deliveries by Thursday’s at 7:00PM. All applicants must be a registered business, have a cargo van or cube truck and a valid HST number.

Bid packages available at the Reception desk of: Metroland Media Toronto 175 Gordon Baker Rd. Toronto, ON M2H 0A2 Bids will be received until 12:00 noon Monday, February 22nd, 2016 ATT: Circulation Manager Contract commencing: March 7th, 2016.

Lowest or any bids will not necessarily be accepted.

Only the successful Company will be contacted.

Vehicles Wanted/Wrecking

Cash 4 Cars

Dead or alive Same day Fast FREE Towing 416-831-7399

Articles Wanted

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COLLECTIQUES 416-431-7180 416-566-7373

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| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

Classifieds

13

YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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Home Improvement Directory Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 416-493-2284

chimneys

plumbing

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| YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016

attention exhibitors!

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YORK GUARDIAN | Thursday, February 11, 2016 |

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