These Pearson Airport passengers are lucky to be alive and to see their loved ones this Family Day.

One child and two adults were critically injured after a plane with 80 passengers crashed and rolled over on its roof at Pearson International Airport on February 17 around 2:45 p.m. on Runway 23.

There was a crew of four on board the two-hour flight. It is not known if any was injured.

Some 15 passengers on the 16-year-old Canadian made CRJ 900 aircraft suffered injuries and were rushed to local hospitals for treatment, including the Hospital for Sick Kids. Fortunately, no one was killed.

Air Ornge officials said one man in his 60s and a woman in her 60s sustained critical injuries and were taken to two separate hospitals.

The incident involved Delta Airlines Flight 4819 which was arriving from Minneapolis – Saint Paul International Airport. The sky was clear and it was windy, but not snowing at the time of the incident.

Pearson emergency fire and ambulance crews rushed to the jet, which was on its roof on the runway. Flights were rerouted to other airports, including those in Hamilton and Montreal.

Images showed passengers and crews hurrying out of the outside down aircraft heading for the warmth and safety of a Pearson terminal.

“Emergency teams are responding. All passengers and crew are accounted for,” according to a post from Pearson Airport.

The suspended flights left many incoming and outgoing travellers in uncertainty of their travel plans. There were a number of flights delayed. Many passengers at Pearson were already facing weekend delays due to the snowy weather.

Peel police were on the scene investigating with paramedics and formed a staging area off the runway.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says provincial officials are in contact with Toronto Person to offer assistance following today’s plane crash.

“I’m relieved there are no casualties after the incident at Toronto Pearson,” Ford said in a post on X. “Provincial officials are in contact with the airport and local authorities and will provide any help that’s needed.”

The Bombardier CRJ-900 is a narrow-body, fixed-wing jet aircraft that seats 76 to 90 passengers. It’s a regional jet airliner that’s used by many airlines, including Air Canada, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada and other officials are investigating the incident.

Royal York Road is a two-lane roadway that is slated to undergo world-class traffic congestion if four proposed mega condo projects are built along a two kilometre stretch.

A proposal has been filed to build a 12 storey rental apartment on Royal York Road just feet away from the Gardiner Expressway.

The apartment at 464 Royal York Road is just north of Evans Avenue and south of the Expressway. It will contain 112 units, according to documents filed.

The proposal will be considered by Etobicoke York Community Council on February 19 and by City Council on March 26.

City staff are opposing the plan before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) since an application for by-law amendments have outstanding issues to be resolved.

The application was submitted in February last year to permit a rental residential building which will include 48 one-bedroom apartments, 53 two-bedrooms and 11 three-bedroom units.

There are 61 parking spaces proposed for vehicles and 85 spots for bicycles.

The site is now occupied by a one-storey brick industrial building, which will be demolished.

Also in the works, is a proposal to build three mixed-use towers ranging from 17 to 35 stories at the intersection of Royal York Road and Queen Elizabeth Drive, which is also before the OLT.

The plan will mean the demolition of some homes and buildings at 506, 514, 516, 520 and 522 Royal York Road and 3, 5 and 15 Sinclair Street and 2, 7 and 10 Queen Elizabeth Boulevard.

A zoning by-law amendment application has also been filed to redevelop 351 through 365 Royal York Road into a 10-storey mixed use condo across from San Remo Bakery that will lead to the removal of eight homes.

Developers are seeking to build a mixed-use 37 storey and 23 storey towers at 266 and 268 Royal York Road, along with an eight-storey storage warehouse on the site.

The site is located on the west side of Royal York Road at its intersection with Stanley Avenue, near Cavell Avenue.

The buildings will contain 824 residential units, consisting of 613 studio and one-bedroom units, 167 two-bedroom units and 44 three-bedroom units. There will also be an eight-storey attachment.

Residents claim Royal York Road is already congested with traffic and will get worst as hundreds of new condo-buyers move in.

The City says tougher security measures are required as more online confidential Council, committee and board meetings are being conducted since the pandemic.

Auditor General Tara Anderson in a January 28 report called for online security guidelines to be beefed up with cybersecurity controls for conducting confidential meetings for City Council, its committees, boards, agencies and corporations.

It is possible for some bad actors to access some of the meetings to obtain confidential City information from staff online. There has already been major cybersecurity breaches at the Toronto Zoo, Toronto Public Library, some hospitals and the Cities of Hamilton and Huntsville.

Anderson wrote that over the last five years the City like other organizations accelerated the use of online collaboration and meetings through technology due to the COVID pandemic.

“Hybrid meetings, a combination of in-person and online video conferencing, have become common, including for conducting legislative meetings,” Anderson noted. “While these meetings have benefits in terms of ease and efficiency, they also introduce cybersecurity and confidentiality risks.”

She called for a security review to further strengthen the practices and controls used in initiating and conducting online meetings, particularly for confidential (in-camera) meetings.

The report said new guidelines for online confidential meetings should be drawn up and disseminated to City divisions, boards, committees, agencies and corporations. The guidelines can also be used for staff cybersecurity training.

The guidelines will be used ‘to proactively prevent unauthorized access to confidential information discussed in these meetings.’

She said the City Clerk has developed processes and staff training to secure the electronic portion of closed meetings of City Council and its bodies.

The report cited online security breaches can occur if an unauthorized staff member remained in a confidential meeting, staff can log into a meeting with reused credentials or login credentials being communicated in a public session.

It called for access to confidential meeting to be controlled though codes or passwords, which should not be reused, enable ‘waiting room’ features to validate attendees and lock online meetings.

A South Etobicoke man is taking on the City in a bid to halt the expansion of the sport of pickleball in some neighbourhood parks.

The City of Toronto is conducting a survey until March 3 on the best use and popularity of pickleball, which they plan to install to about 20 Toronto tennis courts across the city.

Chris Morren says he will purchase residents a Tim Horton’s coffee if they vote no to the expansion of pickleball on the survey.

City staff is conducting community engagement to review the sport before construction of pickleball courts begin in the Spring. Construction is expected to be complete by December.

Morren in his invitation on social media said he will purchase a large coffee, with proof, to the first 500 people who vote against pickleball being installed in Laburnham Park, at 23 Evergreen Avenue, in Long Branch.

“ I am willing to engage with an independent auditor to verify this is all on the up and up,” Morren wrote. “Pickleball is a fad and requires less exercise.”

He is willing to go to court to stop the pickleball expansion to local parks. “I’ll go to court if have to.”

Morren said he will ‘take the Bloor Street W. bike lanes over pickleball in tennis courts.’

He claims to be with a group called Torontonians Against Pickleball (TAP).

City staff is working with communities to collect feedback about upgrades to tennis courts across the city, including improvements to lighting, fencing and court surfaces.

“The community engagement process will also explore opportunities to introduce new facilities to support the growing sport of pickleball,” Staff said.

They are seeking feedback on amenities needed to support successful improvements at each park, the preferred improvements and options for adding pickleball at each park.

Some of the parks included for pickleball are: Baycrest Park, Graydon Hall Park, Hendon Park, High Park, Howard Talbot Park, Kingsview Park, L’Amereaux Sports Complex, Laburnham Park, Lanyard Park, Malvern Park, Maple Leaf Park, Martingrove Gardens Park and McDairmid Woods Park among others.

You can respond to the survey by calling Rosemary McManus, City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, at 416-396-7826. You can also visit www.toronto.ca/CourtImprovements.

 

 

Hello Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women’s Empowerment Community, Our Black History Month Celebration & Fundraiser is just ONE WEEK away! Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon, filled with inspiring speeches by Trey Anthony and the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, performances by Jean Augustine Centre youth and spoken word artist, Coco LaRain Veira, a delicious brunch, and more. Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Time: 11 AM – 2 PM Location: Famous People Players (343 Evans Avenue, Etobicoke ON) Grab your tickets before sales end tomorrow (Sunday, February 16) and join us as we celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Canadians. Proceeds from ticket sales will help girls and young women in our community access free after-school programs and workshops designed to help them grow, learn, and thrive.

More than 100 flag-waving area residents braved the snow and cold to celebrate the 60^th birthday of the Canadian National Flag in New Toronto.

The celebration at the Eighth Street flagpole was one of hundreds held across the country on February 15 to mark the birthday of the Canadian National Flag and show love for our country.

Those attending the noon-time event were treated to pieces of two birthday cakes, which had the Maple Leaf beautifully featured.

There was much camaraderie, smiles and speeches about the love of our great country.

The Royal Canadian Navy Band performed the national anthem and Maple Leaf forever as 22 Division officers looked on. They both received loud applause by an appreciative crowd.

Local politicians MP James Maloney, MPP Christine Hogarth and NDP Etobicoke Lakeshore candidate Rozhen Asrani made the rounds shaking hands or handing out flags. Noticeably absent was Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley.

Those at the celebration signed a large banner in honour of our country and birthday of our flag. The banner will be taken to the archives in Ottawa by Maloney.

Organizer Chris Korwin-Kuczynski reminded those gathered that the Maple Leaf became synonymous with Canadian courage during the Second World War.

“It was more than an emblem; it was a promise to protect freedom, to stand with our Allies and never waver in the face of tyranny,” he reminded.

“Today, in cemeteries far from home, countless of our fallen lie under headstones marked with the Maple Leaf.”

Maloney said he still gets emotional when he sees the Canadian flag.

“It makes me proud when I see our flag waving,” he told the supportive crowd. “We are lucky to live in a great country and in this great community.”

Hogarth has family members in the military and said the flag reflects our proud heritage and history.

“I am proud to be here and represent this community,” she said. “We have a great history that we should be proud off.”

Asrani said she has been attending community events and trying to meet as many residents before the February 27 Ontario election.

“We live in a great community,” Asrani said.

The Canadian National Flag with the red Maple Leaf was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965.

The president of a company hired by the City to work with the community to alleviate concerns of a proposed Third Street homeless shelter has resigned his day job due to threats against him and co-workers.

Bruce Davis, a realtor and head of Public Progress, in a post on social media said his office received a ‘hostile’ phone call from a resident who threatened to cause damage to those who work at his real estate company for work being done in regards to the planned shelter.

Davis said a caller threatened him, his company and co-workers by targeting his clients. He wrote he can take the heat but it is not fair for his co-workers.

“Basically, every agent’s livelihood was being threatened because of my connection to the broker and my unrelated consulting work for the City,” he wrote.

City spokesperson Elise Van Scheel said Davis is still a member of their shelter community consultative group.

“Mr. Davis and staff at Public Progress are continuing to answer questions and meet with key stakeholders and groups in the community,” she said by e-mail.

She said City staff are working with the local Councillor to confirm the date and format for the next community meeting.  More information will be released shortly and posted on the City’s website.

The former Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustee and chair wrote that his real estate practice works with non-profit organizations across Ontario to lease or buy properties for affordable housing.

Davis is well-known by many for his community involvement, hockey, as a TDSB trustee, or through church activities.

“But anyone who knows me will tell you that the guy who threatened me and the brokerage has just redoubled my efforts,” he warned. “I never give up.”

The former school board official has chaired three committees and a working group that formed the Toronto Lands Corporation.

Public Progress was hired by the City to help with a smooth integration of the controversial shelter. They company’s website said they design, build, finance and operate affordable housing through development consulting, project management, community engagement and ongoing advisory services.

The City said the Third Street shelter is one of 20 planned citywide. It is expected to be completed by 2030.

Davis’ post led to dozens comments from readers online in support or against the location of the controversial shelter.

By Tanya Vividly

About 100 residents braved the snow and elements to attend a two candidates debate at the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Liberal contender Lee Fairclough and NDP hopeful Rozhen Asrani were the only candidates who showed up to face questions from members of the community weeks before the February 27 Ontario election.

Etobicoke Lakeshore MPP Christine Hogarth and listed Green Party candidate Sean McClockin were not available.

This February 12 event was sponsored by LAMP CHC and Second Harvest. It was hosted by Daily Bread CEO Neil Hetherington.

Also there was MP James Maloney and interested community members.

There was a discussion of concerns in the community ranging from a proposed shelter on Third Street, food insecurity, affordable housing and improving healthcare.

Both candidates were in support of a shelter to help the homeless.

Members of the audience were encouraged to submit written questions for the candidates to answer.

The candidates were well-informed and articulate. Fairclough has over 25 years of leadership in healthcare. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people in that she started as a radiation therapist at Princess Margaret Hospital.

She was at one time the President of St. Mary’s General Hospital, where she guided her team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, working with public health, local businesses, and community leaders to protect vulnerable populations.

Fairclough, who was also a former competitive athlete and member of Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team at the 1998 World Cup, has a Master’s Degree in Health Policy and is an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto.

Asrani was a former president of the Mimico Residents Association and community advocate.

She holds a degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, and has worked for nine years in healthcare technology and innovation. She is now a Senior Product Manager in Digital Health.

Rozhen is running to represent Etobicoke-Lakeshore, believing the area deserves strong leadership and real change.

 

Area residents wishing to vote early to beat the rush for the February 27 Ontario election can do so at an Evans Avenue banquet hall.

The early votes can be cast at the Trident Banquet Hall, enter through doors under YHO sign, at 145 Evans Avenue.

The candidates vying for the Etobicoke Lakeshore provincial riding are PC Christine Hogarth, health care worker Lee Fairclough running for the Liberal Party, Rozhen Asrani of the Ontario NDP and Sean NcClocklin, of the Green Party.

The polling station will remain open until February 26 and the hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. They are open until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

To be eligible to vote you must be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen and resident of Ontario. ID is required to vote in a provincial election.

Photo ID is not required when you go to vote and you do not need to provide any information about your sex or gender expression.

ID can be shown on a mobile device. International ID or permanent resident cards are not accepted.

A list of polling stations will be released on February 14. Voters can also vote by mail by visiting elections.on.ca