The City of Toronto is now extending its generous health benefits to staff requiring gender-affirming care.

The care improvement benefit was adopted by a General Government Committee on September 19 and will affect a range of staffers.

“The City is improving care, services and quality of life for Two-Spirit, Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and gender- and sexuality-diverse (2SLGBTQI+) residents living in long-term care homes, and for Toronto seniors, with ground-breaking programs and initiatives,” according to a City motion.

“This process enables the City to maintain a strong, comprehensive coverage that reflects the changing needs of our workforce,” staff said.

The motion was on the agenda under the heading of “Trans-Inclusive Benefits: Expanding Health Benefits for Toronto Employees to Include Gender-Affirming Care.”

The changes to the benefits plan apply to unionized employees as a result of collective bargaining and required City Council approval.  The Toronto Civic Employees Union Local 416 and Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 79 now provide benefits not covered by OHIP.

“This process helps the City maintain strong, comprehensive coverage that reflects the changing needs of our workforce and community leaders,” according to the report.

Some of the services covered includes: laser hair removal, chest or breast contouring, facial feminization, vaginal dilators, face-eyelid lift, lip-cheek fillers, hair transplant or implants, nose surgery liposuction or gluteal lift among other treatments.

Also offered are products as hormone therapy, electrolysis, breast or penile prosthesis, wigs, gaffer underwear, chest binders, voice classes, medical-related travel expenses and “leaves of absence.”

The gender-affirming benefit is estimated to cost taxpayers about $420,000, according to a City document.

Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday said the new entitlements originated in the union bargaining process.

“Gender-affirming benefits have been negotiated into the two new collective agreements for city employees” Holyday said. “…these benefits will probably be extended to non-union (and management) staff.”

The City has the largest amount of employees in Canadian municipal governments with more than 44,000 workers.

City officials are working to create a park with paved trails on a seven hectare grassy strip of Hydro One corridor that runs between Islington Avenue east to Royal York Road.

The 60-metre-wide corridor splits into two parcels at the eastern end, near Royal York, and is used for recreational purposes by the community.

Staff is examining if an East West Hydro Corridor Linear Park can be built with a paved three-metre all-purpose trail from Islington to Royal York, according to a report by the Parks and Recreation Dept.

Also being considered for possible use is dogs off-leash spaces, allotment garden opportunities, or picnic areas.  The plan has to be approved by City Council and there has to be a public consultation process.

“This small corridor currently provides informal pedestrian connections visible through a network of well-worn foot paths,” according to the report. “Many of the private residential rear-yard fences backing onto the corridor have gates for easy access to enjoy this quiet greenspace.”

The grounds are filled with green grass, trees and other shrubbery. The corridor houses two sets of Hydro One transmission lines in the centre of the greenspace and two Toronto Hydro transmission lines on wooden poles along the northern and southern edges.

The funds to build the park is expected to come from an Etobicoke Community Benefit $2.9 million fund.

The City of Toronto leases about 485 hectares, or 1,200 acres, of Hydro One corridors from Infrastructure Ontario for recreation purposes across the city. The lands support a network of multi-use trails and a variety of recreational uses as well as meadow re-naturalization projects.

There are 13 of the corridors in Toronto, mostly dominated by high-voltage hydro transmission towers, but occasionally sharing space for oil or gas pipelines. They stretch a total length of 160 kilometres and covers an area of almost 1,400 hectares.

The project will require environmental and archaeological investigations, community consultation and full detailed plans, according to the City. Once formally approved by Hydro One, these lands will be added to the Master License Agreement and construction can occur.

The City is considering the purchase of 53 Zamboni Electric Rink Resurfacers to clean its network of ice rinks and arenas.

An amendment to a contract between the City and the Zamboni Company has been added to include 53 of the state-of-the-art resurfacers at a cost of just under $10 million.

The purchase will be considered by a General Government Committee on September 19 and then by City Council at a meeting on October 8, 9 and 10.

City staff said in a report the new ice machines are required to replace aging assets, reduce the state of good repair backlog, and support a Zero Emission vehicle fleet to meet Council carbon targets.

The initial contract value was estimated to replace approximately 37 electric ice rink resurfacers between 2023 to 2028.  Due to insufficient funding the original contract did not include State of Good Repair replacement backlog, the report stated.

The City operates more than 50 outdoor rinks and indoor arenas. It is not known what will occur to the well-used Zambonis now at the end of their operation.

The Electric resurfacers can cost up to $250,000 each and features: lithium-ion battery, mission control at your fingertips, quick charge between resurfacing, redesigned drivetrain, onboard battery charger, central vehicle controller and customer-driven design.

The machine was invented by Frank Zamboni in 1949 in California with the “Model A Zamboni Ice Resurfacer,” of which a patent  was granted in the U.S. in 1953.

The report stressed the Zamboni Company Ltd., is a Canadian based business headquartered in Brantford, Ont., with a second location in Quebec. The made-in Canada purchase meets the Mayor’s Economic Action Plan in Response to U.S. tariffs, adopted by Council last March.

A second City shelter is planned for Etobicoke and residents vow to fight it.

Concerned Etobicoke Centre residents say a new homeless shelter is proposed by City officials for their community and are calling for a public meeting and that the project be paused.

Tempers are flaring as irate residents say they haven’t been able to obtain from City staff the location of the proposed shelter, when it will be opened or what type of housing it will provide.

Residents have been told the shelter will be located in a ‘commercially sensitive’ area and the exact information is confidential.

City officials faced a similar community backlash in New Toronto with a plan for a 50-bed seniors’ home on Third Street, which was forced to house seniors rather than homeless men. These two are among 20 shelters being built by the City by 2033.

Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday has brought forward a motion to City Council seeking more information and a pause in the building of the planned shelter.

The matter will be considered by an Economic and Community Development Committee on September 16 and then City Council at its meeting on October 8, 9 and 10.

Holyday said City staff last May confirmed that a shelter was planned for his riding and provided some basic information in writing, including a real estate transaction closing date in the future.

“They advised me that the details, including the location, were confidential and commercially sensitive,” he wrote, adding that he is seeking public consultation before the project can go ahead.

He said City staff stepped up their efforts to speed up the real estate procurement process after receiving his letter.

“This information came as a surprise, and was in complete defiance of my response letter,” the motion stated. “ One of the effects of accelerating the date results in a limit to the ability and utility of any public input on the new shelter because of the status of the real estate transaction.”

“As details of the new shelter are revealed to the public I have every expectation that trust in the municipal government by the public will be eroded further,” according to the Holyday’s motion.

“New shelters which omit public consultation in the early stages and commence under heavy opposition in the community start out with a disadvantage,” he said.

“ They will face a long road of acceptance within the community, and will likely face more challenges as they operate. The City would be wise to find a better way from the beginning.”

Holyday said the proposed facility is not in the ‘best interests of the constituents of Ward 2.”

A large building demolition project may soon be underway in Long Branch.

An application has been filed to demolish a number of properties across from the Long Branch GO Station to build a 39-storey high-rise condo on the site, with a small park.

The proposal will be considered by the Etobicoke York Community Council on September 17 and if approved will lead to the demolition of 3807-3815 and 3819-3829 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Brown’s Line. A final decision on the project will be made by City Council at a meeting in October.

The site is comprised of four two-storey buildings containing a mix of commercial uses at grade and residential uses on the second floor, inclusive of 14 existing rental units. It also includes a small two-storey commercial plaza.

Community Council will also consider another application by the developers to amend zoning by-laws to build the condo tower.

The proposal calls for the construction of a 39-storey mixed use building with 490 dwelling units, including 14 rental units. The base building is proposed at six storeys, including a mezzanine floor.

It includes a Tenant Assistance Plan that will place impacted tenants in other units at similar rents and provide financial compensation to mitigate their hardship.

The proposal includes parking for just 72 vehicles, compared to the over 558 bicycle parking spots, including two pick up and drop off areas and two loading docks.

“This site is within approximately 250 metres from the Long Branch GO station entrance, and roughly 150 metres from the future east station entrance,” according to a City report.

City staff said they are satisfied that the proposed height fits within the emerging context of the Lake Shore Boulevard West Avenue area.

“The proposed development incorporates numerous public realm improvements, which provide a high-quality conceptual streetscape design and pedestrian experience,” according to the report.

Area improvements would include wide nine-metre sidewalks, more space for street trees, planters, patios, street furniture and bicycle parking along Lake Shore Blvd. W.

City staff said some roads may have to be widened and traffic lights in the area optimized to better control a busy intersection. They do not expect any major congestion issues.

“The report concludes that the projected traffic generated by the development will have minimal impacts on area intersections and can therefore be accommodated on the adjacent road network,” the developers warn.

The Long Branch Go Station is being expanded and features being added to handle the hundreds of new residents who will soon be moving into the community.

 

Many of us have had enjoyable meals at the Mandarin Restaurant in Etobicoke.

There is now a petition circulating on social media to try and save the beloved Asian restaurant, at 1255 The Queensway, which is facing closure.

“This is a beloved community landmark where families and friends gather, celebrate and create memories,” wrote Treena Kachuba, who started the petition about earlier this month.  It now has just over 20 signatures.

“For years, it has served not only delicious meals but also fostered a sense of community and belonging,” Kachuba said. “The Mandarin Restaurant faces an uncertain future, risking permanent closure if immediate action isn’t taken.”

He believes the ongong impacts of the pandemic and rising operational costs are big factors of the potential demise.
The petition stresses that many local residents work at the restaurant, which attracts many food lovers to the area.

“Closing the Mandarin would mean losing a piece of Etobicoke’s identity and negatively impacting many lives connected to this establishment,” he said.
A ‘Save the Mandarin’ committee is being planned to organize events and campaigns to raise awareness and gather support from the community.
That entire Kipling Queensway Mall, where the Mandarin is located, face demolition as a number of high-rise condos are planned for the site. The Sobeys nearby and Royal Bank at the mall are also slated for the wrecking ball.

Many area residents will also miss the buffet-style restaurant and remember their meals there.

“My family has celebrated many special occasions and important milestones at Mandarin Queensway,” one diner wrote online. “The Mandarin restaurant is a vital part of the south Etobicoke community.”

“Very neat and accessible place. They provide big meals and for affordable rates,” another person said. “I loved the menu a lot and the staff members were super amiable and chatty. “

There are about 30 Mandarin restaurants in Ontario. There are 87 of the popular restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.

A long-awaited City survey looking at ways to enforce Toronto’s tree canopy laws through stiffer fines or bylaws will wrap up on September 24.

There will be a public meeting to obtain information on the Toronto Tree Survey on September 17, at 5p.m., at the Long Branch Library, at 35 00 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

City staff in a report to be considered by Council have been asked to strengthen protections for Toronto’s tree canopy by improving enforcement tools, clarifying how tree bylaws relate to building permits and exploring public transparency around violations.

To incentivize compliance, the City is considering higher fines for tree bylaw contraventions, as the illegal removal of healthy trees.

 A dedicated fund is being considered to support the care of mature trees on private property, specifically those identified as Distinctive Trees, which are more than 61 centimetres in diameter. Qualifying private owners would be eligi9ble for an incentive that would help offset the cost of maintenance.

The report noted that 55 per cent of the city’s trees are located on private property and there are no initiatives that help with the maintenance of mature trees on private land.
The City is also exploring changes to better protect trees during new development to encourage builders in residential areas to keep more trees that are protected under bylaws, by giving them more flexibility in how they design buildings to preserve protected trees.

“If a new home needs to be moved closer to the street to save a tree in the backyard, and that change doesn’t meet current zoning rules, the City could approve it’,” council was told. “The City would support this kind of exception because it helps protect a bylaw protected tree.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The City is considering introducing fees for the removal or damage of trees in ravines to help cover the cost of reviewing and processing permits. Voluntary stewardship projects  involving planting native trees, removing invasive species or restoring habitats, would be exempt.

For more information, email TreeBylaw@toronto.ca

Toronto Public Health (TPH) officials are beginning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to conduct routine tasks to help patients in light of a shortage of front-line medical workers.

The City last July took its first steps to adopt AI by releasing an informational ‘Guidance for the Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence’ to staff.

Some TPH staff are being trained on AI policies, regulations and industry best practices including privacy and personal health information policies and legislation, according to a report to be considered by City Council.

A Microsoft AI Chat program is being used by public health staff to perform ‘low risk day-to-day’ tasks as:  text generation, meeting transcription, e-mail drafting, text or content generation. It can also be used for information processing, brainstorming ideas, or even summarizing reports and documents and more.

“The goal of this pilot is to reduce documentation burden on staff workloads, maintain accuracy in telephone-based client encounters, and increase outbreak response capacity,” according to the report.

Toronto Health is working with a group at the University of Toronto to use language processing and web scraping on social media platforms and traditional data sources for early detection of public health events surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The AI tool can work to detect infectious disease threats, injuries, heat-related illness, and drug and alcohol related harms, said health officials.

“The City’s Guidance stresses that generative AI tools are to be used to support work done by humans at the City, not replace them,” according to policy. “City staff are instructed to ensure any questions or files do not contain personal information.”

The TPH’s Food Safety team use 20 years of DineSafe’s open data, business and a range of other information, including  wastewater surveillance to forecast food safety infractions at special events, restaurants and street vendors.

The TPH will form an internal AI working group this fall to work closely with Technology Services Division and others to address risks while advancing innovative opportunities for service delivery.

“The goal of this pilot is to reduce documentation burden on staff workloads, maintain accuracy in telephone-based client encounters, and increase outbreak response capacity,” the report stated.

The breakthrough comes as Ontario now has a shortage of about 25,000 registered nurses, according to the Ontario Nurses Association, which represents more than 68,000 nurses and health care workers.

 

Happy Birthday Jean Augustine and may you live to see many more!

Friends and family members gathered on September 6 to celebrate the 88^th birthday of former Etobicoke MP and Dr. Jean Augustine in a party at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre.

The evening was part of the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival’s 20th anniversary and featured three inspiring short films and a performance by Pan Fantasy Steelband.

A Jean Augustine Excellence Award was presented to Steelpan Ambassador Wendy Jones, followed by a toast to Augustine.

The former politician and community activist said she was happy to be alive and to have helped hundreds of girls as founder of the Jean Augustine Centre for the Empowerment of Young Women, based on Portland Street.

She is also active in the community and still appears at many public events.

Augustine in 1993 became the first Black woman elected to the House of Commons, as the MP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, a riding she was re-elected to three times.

She held a number of portfolios in Ottawa, including as Parliamentary Secretary to then Prime Minister Jean Chretien; Minister of Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committee; Chair of the Human Rights Committee, three-time Chair of the National Women’s Caucus.

The long-time South Etobicke resident was instrumental for her work in Parliament in having February designated as Black History Month in Canada.

Augustine in 2007 was appointed by the province as the first Fairness Commissioner, to advocate for Canadians with foreign professional credentials.

For her distinguished service, she has a Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community & Diaspora named after her at York University, in addition to a secondary school in Peel Region and a park in Humber Bay Shores bearing her name.

About 300 Central Etobicoke residents staged a noisy demonstration to try and stop a 5G cell tower from being constructed in the parking lot of Renforth Plaza.

Residents are opposed to a 25-metre (about eight storeys high) cell tower being built at 460 Renforth Drive, that faces many busy stores, including a No Frills grocery store.

Many of the demonstrators of a group called Etobicoke Community for Safe Technology, wore signs and the group after speeches circled the plaza’s parking lot chanting slogans.

Group spokesman Nunzio DelGiudice said residents have health concerns from the transmission towers in their midst.

He said residents fear increased health risks – including cancer – from constant radio wave emissions from the tower.

“We believe that increased health risks will directly impact the community due to the radio frequency being emitted from this tower,” DelGuidice said. “Several public schools and seniors homes exist close to the tower,”

He said about 1,800 people have signed a petition in opposition to the tower being built.

The tower, according to documents, will partially be used to boost FIFA World Cup live game coverage next June.

A yellow construction fence surrounds a square concrete anchor in the parking lot that has cables extending out that will be installed to the top of the almost 33-feet tall tower to transmit digital signals.

Residents said the 5G site affects nearby residential areas, a retirement facility, Centennial Park and the Etobicoke Olympium where families gather.

“We trust that public health and safety will continue to be a priority and that our concerns will be taken seriously and heard,” the petition asked. “We firmly believe that the negative impacts of the health risks outweigh the internet-availability benefits.”

Resident Dwight Anderson complained that the voice of residents are not being heard in the halls of power.
“All our letters to City Hall have been ignored,” Anderson. “This project was rubber-stamped by the City with little or no public consultations.”

Ward 2 Councillor Stephen Holyday said he is against the 5G tower and has expressed his opposition.

“The issues raised include concerns over the height and built form of the tower, aesthetics, the placement on the site, [and] the appropriateness and proximity of the location of the radio communications equipment to sensitive uses such as residences and schools,” he wrote in a letter to the City opposing the project.

Resident Carlo Di Iorio is concerned about his family’s healthy.

“It is shocking news of a 5G tower that will become a serious health risk to so many individuals, including me and my family,” he said.

Another irate resident said the tower will place “high-frequency transmitters in the heart of a family neighborhood which is irresponsible and unacceptable.”