A handful of vandalized high-profile traffic speed enforcement cameras have not slowed down a record amount of tickets issued by City staff last year.

The City issued a record 2.2 million parking violations last year generating almost $150 million for its coffers, according to a report.

City staff issued some 2.15 million parking violations in 2024,which exceeded an estimated number of two million, according to a report before the General Government Committee on June 16.

It will be considered by City Council at its June 25, 26 and 27 meeting.

This report does not include activities related to automated speed enforcement or red light camera tickets, which are now part of the administrative penalty system.

The Toronto Police Parking Enforcement Unit  issued most of the City’s Parking Violation Notices (PVNs) in 2024. The balance, or about 13.14%  were issued by trained Municipal Law Enforcement Officers (MLEOs).

There are about 2,500 MLEOs working for 115 different agencies that can issue violations.

The report said the most tickets were issued for parking in “No Parking” zones, followed  parking in private property.

It stated almost 60 per cent of the parking violations issued were paid last year, with many motorists, having to pay up before their license plates are renewed. The final collection rate is about 83 per cent.

About 100,000 of the violations are cancelled on appeal last year due to a range of reasons.

The report said there are less ticket cancellations by motorists who speed off before a ticket can be served.

It said the City now mails tickets to parking offenders who drive away before they can be ticketed. The ticket is mailed to the vehicle providing there is enough information to mail and process the violation.

The cash to the City continues to flow despite a number of speed traffic cameras that were vandalized, including one that was cut down several times on Parkside Drive.

 

Calls are underway for provincial and City politicians to reduce the mountains of salt in the winter dumped on our roads in a bid to protect our waterways and marine life.

Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe is calling for tougher Ontario laws to reduce the tonnes of salt used by contractors in the winter to avoid slip-and-fall litigation.

Her motion was considered by an Infrastructure and Environment Committee and goes before City Council at its meeting on June 25, 26 and 27.

South Etobicoke waterways including Lake Ontario, Humber River, Etobicoke Creek test poor for water and marine due to road salt flowing into the waters.

Tests have shown that salt runoff is a significant contributor to poor water quality in the Humber River and Lake Ontario especially concerning chloride levels. Excessive chloride disrupts aquatic ecosystems and negatively impacts the health of freshwater organisms.

“Excess salt poisons most freshwater ecosystems, and is having a serious adverse effect on Toronto’s rivers and streams,” Saxe wrote.

She said road salt is designated as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

It causes ‘serious irreversible, environmental and public health damage, as well as accelerated deterioration of public and private infrastructure.’

Saxe, a former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, said the excessive use of salt occurs from government contractors who over-salt to clear ice to protect themselves from slip-and-fall  lawsuits.

“Toronto is doing the best we can to minimize over salting and salt pollution in our city, but we lack the policy and regulatory tools to reduce excess salt used by private contractors,” she said.

Saxe is calling on the provincial government to set best management practices, including the salt-smart training of private contractors who work with salt.

Her motion also seeks legislation that limits the liability of those who adhere to the provincially endorsed standards.

A group called The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition is seeking a resolution from the City calling for provincial action on salt pollution.

They said similar resolutions have been passed in Muskoka, Georgina, Waterloo, Malahide, Sudbury, North Perth and Whitchurch Stouffville.

The City uses up to 150,000 tonnes of salt yearly depending on weather conditions. The salt is used to prevent ice formation on roads, parking lots, sidewalks, bridges and hills.

The province of Ontario uses about 2.2 million tonnes of road salt yearly, which is almost half of the salt used in Canada, which is five million tonnes.

Public consultations are taking place as the City is considering a plan to allow small businesses to operate freely in residential neighbourhoods.

Those looking to start up their own home businesses will be able to do so and see clients from their homes and hire up to two employees, if a zoning by-law is approved.

There will be public hearings on the issue  on June 18 and 19.

The by-law is part of a City Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative, looking into ways to support the preservation and growth of home businesses for existing and future residents.

Residents will be permitted to operate small grocery or convenience stores, dry cleaners, cafes, salons, medical services such as physiotherapy, and personal services such as a barber or tailor, as well as home offices, private home daycares and community gathering spaces, including art galleries and social services.

They will still require a permit and follow guidelines in Neighbourhood zones.

This project is focused on the parts of the City designated as Neighbourhood in the City of Toronto Official Plan Use Maps.  The Official Plan has eleven different land use designations. Neighbourhoods occupy approximately 35.4% of the City’s land area, the most of any land use designation.

City officials said the by-law if approved will permit services and amenities in walking distance for residents of diverse ages, abilities and backgrounds.

They said the home businesses will contribute to the local economy and cultural vitality of the City with new jobs and business opportunities and complement mixed-use main streets and retail shopping centres.

The matter will have to be approved by City Council to become law.

Local world-class marathoner Jerome Drayton may soon have his exploits immortalized on a Canadian flag.

Drayton, who was one of South Etobicoke’s sporting heroes, was honoured by having a laneway named after him at the June 7 Eight Annual Grilled Cheese Challenge.

Dozens of residents and dignitaries gathered on Sixth Street as a cover bearing Jerome Drayton Lane was unveiled to a round of applause and cheers.

The long-time New Toronto and Mimico resident was a world-class marathoner who competed in the Montreal Olympics and won the Boston Marathon and others in Japan.

Drayton passed away last February at the age of 80.

“He made our community proud,” said Councillor Amber Morley. “He was proud of his community.”

MP James Maloney said he will conduct paperwork in Ottawa to try and have the world-renowned runner grace a Canadian stamp.

“It is something that we will look at,” Maloney said at the unveiling ceremony. “We will look into it and see what is required.”

Lakeshore Village BIA member Chris Korwin-Kuczynski called Drayton ‘the Wayne Gretky marathon running.”

A laneway just north of Sixth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. W. will be named after the famous runner, whose portrait is on the New Toronto Wall of Fame, on Sixth Street.

His long-time friends Bob Ferguson and Dave Smyth, who attended high school with the athlete, maintain he was ‘the best athlete ever to come out of South Etobicoke.’

Drayton was a Canadian long-distance runner who competed internationally and was at one time ranked the top marathoner in the world.

He became well-known internationally after winning the famous Boston Marathon in 1977. He also won the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in 1969, 1975 and 1976.

Drayton was the first Canadian in 29 years to win the Marathon.

He also competed and placed sixth in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and second in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

It is being called the largest demoviction in Toronto if approved.

About 300 Long Branch residents staged a noisy protest in opposition to a massive condo development at 220, 230 and 240 Lake Promenade and 21 and 31 Park Boulevard.

Protestors warn about  550 mostly-elderly tenants will be forced to reocate away from their family and friends if a proposal is approved to demolish five seven-storey apartment buildings to build five buildings that includes two towers up to 40 storeys tall steps from the lake.

The complex would have 2,021 residential units, comprising 577 rental and 1,444 condominium units. A new public street, two new public parks, and a privately-owned publicly accessible space
are also proposed.

Patti Pokochak, of the Lake Promenade Tenants’ Association, said the demovicition will be one of the largest to be carried out in Toronto if it goes through.

“This proposed development will go on for 15 years and will affect everybody,” she told a receptive crowd. “There will be thousands of trucks rolling through our streets for years to come.”

Protestors claim the project if approved will bring environmental concerns, including destruction of some of the area’s cherished tree canopy. There is also a lack of TTC access and infrastructure to handle the growth.

Mediation between the parties will take place on June 12 and 13 and a hearing before the Ontario Land Tribunal will continue in September.

Christine Mercado, of the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, said the protest was held to help bring awareness of the ongoing project to area residents and the wider community.

She said the action is part of a Fight the Height campaign underway to keep developers from building mega-towers in Long Branch.

“Both sides are very far apart,” Mercado said. “They (developers) have not compromised on their position.”

A speaker named Rebecca said she and at least 3,000 others in Toronto are currently fighting the demoviction process.

“You are not alone,” Rebecca told the crowd. “This is a City-wide problem and it shows there are no long term security for renters.”

Long-time resident Roberto DiCosta said his building is one of the five planned for demolition.

“I’m expected to live here while they demolish the others around me for up to 15 years of construction,”  DiCosta complained. “My new baby will spend his entire childhood surrounded by construction noise and breathing dangerous pollutants.”

Protest organizers said many of the senior tenants are stressed out about relocation, which can mean higher rents or being forced to live away from their friends and community.
“I moved into this building when I was seven years old,” said a senior named Elaine. “And now in my senior years, I’m suddenly expected to move. I don’t have the energy to do this.”

 

 

Families with children having fun were out in full force and enjoying the nice weather at the Eighth Annual Lakeshore Grilled Cheese Challenge that had several blocks of Lake Shore Blvd. W. closed to traffic.

Thousands of area residents enjoyed the June 7 food extravaganza as they strolled or wheeled carriages on the traffic -free busy street that featured live bands at intersections, and booths selling assorted types cheese sandwiches and other items.

The street was lined with vendors offering different types of grill cheese sandwiches, spicy Columbian foods and other goodies. Just the smell of the barbeque smoke made people hungry.

Most of the stores lining the street were open and offering goods to lure foot traffic into sales, which appeared to be brisk at some stores.

The showdown for best grill cheese sandwich attracts thousands of community members to savor the food and entertainment.

The popular festival attracts up to 40,000 from the area and City wide, according to organizer the Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area (BIA).

BIA organizers Meghan said “it’s the biggest day of the year on Lake Shore Blvd. and we can’t wait.”

She said the festival provides a fun-filled day and something for everyone whether it be trying the foods, shopping or listening to live music.

They said the Challenge is ‘Ontario’s only celebration of the grilled cheese sandwich in the heart of New Toronto.’

The bands included members of the Royal Navy Band, Wild Shot Honey, DADMÖTÖRFINGER, siblings Sarah Jordan and Matt Von, Karen & The Hayters, Really Big Shiny Tunes, The Serotones, Groovestone and The Smokin’ Darts  featuring  a drummer ‘who hits those skins like they owe him money.’

Also entertaining the friendly, good-natured crowd were DJ Domenic, local Irish singer Robert O’Neill, The Grady Brothers and the fire-eating limbo-dancing and bottle dancing performer Chris Precius, originally from St. Lucia.

 

A long time South Etobicoke resident who competed in the Olympics and won the Boston Marathon is being remembered with a street sign in New Toronto.

World-class runner Jerome Drayton lived in Mimico and New Toronto until he passed away last February at the age of 80.

A laneway just north of Sixth Street and Lake Shore Blvd. W. will be named after the famous runner, whose portrait is on the New Toronto Wall of Fame, on Sixth Street.

The unveiling of the sign will take place at 1 p.m. on June 7 and all is invited to remember the runner.

Drayton was a Canadian long distance runner who competed internationally and was at one time ranked the top marathoner in the world.

He became well-known internationally after winning the famous Boston Marathon in 1977. He also won the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in 1969, 1975 and 1976.

Drayton was the first Canadian in 29 years to win the Marathon.

He also competed and placed sixth in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games and second in the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton.

He was inducted in the Etobicoke Hall of Fame, was a former Lakeshore Athlete of the Year and a Hall of Famer.

By Patti Pokorchak                                                                                                                                                 The Lake Promenade Tenants’ Association

 

On June 8 at 3:00 p.m. there will be a demonstration in opposition to a massive development at 220, 230 and 240 Lake Promenade and 21 and 31 Park Boulevard.

Neighbourhood residents will meet in the park at the intersection of Long Branch Avenue and Park Boulevard.

Tenants and neighbouring homeowners have united to fight Canada’s largest-ever demoviction that threatens the environment and local infrastructure, stability for residents and loss of 548 affordable rental units.

Residents are pushing back on a proposed condominium development of 2,300 units that would demolish five apartment buildings on the property. This development would mean a loss of 548 rent-controlled units during a housing crisis.

The development proposes two towers up to 40 storeys tall on a quiet residential side street. This would increase the property’s houses roughly 1,000 people.

There are environmental concerns, including destruction of some of the neighbourhood’s cherished tree canopy, as well as lack of City transit and infrastructure are some of the issues raised by the tenants and neighbours.

This former cottage community is a historic lakeside neighbourhood in the southwest part of Etobicoke, where thousands of residents are uncertain about their future as construction for this proposed development could take up to 15 years to complete.

“My building would be the last of the five buildings to be demolished, but I’m expected to live here while they demolish the others around me for up to 15 years of construction,” said resident Roberto DiCosta. “My new baby will spend his entire childhood surrounded by construction noise and breathing dangerous pollutants.”

Other senior tenants say they are stressed about relocation, “I moved into this building when I was seven years old.  And now in my senior years, I’m suddenly expected to move. I don’t have the energy to do this” says Elaine, a long-time resident and one of the first to be relocated.

The application for the planned development was submitted in April 2023, and has since faced much pushback from the locals. The application was ultimately not approved by the City of Toronto and has been appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) with a four-week hearing scheduled for September, 2025.

While the tenants and local homeowners have been voicing their disapproval, parties who are also opposing this development proposal include the City of Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Long Branch Neighbourhood Association, and Lake Promenade Tenants’ Association.

It may not be too long before a driver-less automated vehicle pulls up to your home delivering your pizza or Chinese food.

Fully-automated battery-operated three-wheeled delivery vehicles will soon begin testing on our busy, congested Toronto roads.

About 20 of the driverless vehicles, which are built by Magna International Inc., will ultimately be tested on Toronto roadway and byways.

The devices can travel up to 32 kilometres an hour and provides services of  last-mile delivery of food and other small consumer goods.

The Magna Last Mile Delivery Device (LMDD) is the size of a large cargo bike and is the height of a typical sedan.  It can operate autonomously using the company’s cutting-edge technology.

The device has space to carry small packages stored in separate locked compartments secured by a multi-digit code known only to the receiving customer. It has a flashing light and is not built to carry people.

“When making a delivery, the LMDD parks in an available curbside space and customers must walk to the vehicle to retrieve their deliveries,” according to a report presented to City Council, which will be presented with information on June 25.

The testing program was approved by the Ontario government and not by City staff.

 

Councillors were told the vehicle while being tested will be followed by a chase vehicle to supervise the automated delivery. The two people in the vehicle can stop, steer or regulate the LMDD at any time for the safety of others.

“This modest pilot with low-speed vehicles is an important opportunity to increase our knowledge on the state of the technology,” City officials said. They will be the riding along with Magna and provincial officials to monitor the system.

The report said automated vehicle deployments for ridesharing, taxi services, deliveries, and long-haul trucking have steadily increased, predominantly in the U.S.

“This Magna pilot represents an opportunity for the Province, the operator and the City to gain insights into automated vehicle technology and operations within Toronto’s unique urban environment,” it said.

The automated vehicle operates by using a combination of 360 degree cameras, aided by a  LiDar system, which works by emitting radio waves that bounce back allowing the shape of an object and its distance away.

The devices will take to the streets sometime this month in High Park and other areas of Toronto. The LMDD are to follow the same rules of the road as normal vehicles.

The LMDD is being tested in Toronto as part of a pilot project to explore the feasibility of autonomous deliveries in urban areas.

The work of Lemonade for Love kid fundraisers has been recognized by City officials.                         The kids to raise awareness of their 9th annual drive was recognized by members of the Etobicoke York Community council last month.

This child-driven, parent-supported fundraising event focuses on kids helping kids.
Lemonade for Love started in 2014 as a small lemonade stand in a front yard in Etobicoke. It has since grown into a well-attended community event held each June at Fairfield Park.

The group has raised and reinvested over $200,000 back into our local community through the #CaptainXavierFund at Silver Creek Preschool for children with special needs in Etobicoke.

This fund provides scholarships to help families send their children to Silver Creek Preschool as well as offers financial support to families at Silver Creek who may need assistance with the cost of medical devices, equipment or aids.
The fundraiser takes place on June 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fairfield Park, on Lothian Avenue.