By Patricia DeGuire

Chief Commissioner

Ontario Human Rights Commission

Every day is International Women’s Day, but today, at the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), we pause to honour the achievements women have made towards gender equality in the workplace and towards a more equitable society.

Today we celebrate how far we have come, but we know that more and greater change is possible – and needed. For example, gender equity has not yet been achieved in the boardroom, in C-suites and in compensation. According to the Osler report on  2021 Diversity and Leadership at Canadian public companies, while women are being recruited onto company boards at a steady pace, women are making very little progress at the executive officer level. For Indigenous women, Black women, women from other racialized groups and women with disabilities, the situation is even more disappointing.

Women have contributed significantly to all aspects of our social and economic society, including in science, technology, engineering and math. While some of us may never have our names etched into our history books, all of us are worthy of recognition. We are mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. We are neighbours and colleagues. We are leaders making an impact internationally and in our local communities – such is the case for the remarkable Black women the OHRC featured on our social media channels during Black History Month.

Women deserve a gender-equal world, free from bias, stereotypes and discrimination. And we should lift as we climb up this precipitous and arduous mountain – or as we aim to shatter the glass ceiling. In doing so, we are creating a critical mass. And that, too, is our duty.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities for women, and especially women in the work force. It has negatively affected their health, social and economic well-being, resulting in resilience fatigue and a “she-cession” that is still prevalent, especially among women in the 55+ age-bracket. Among the women bearing the fiercest brunt of the pandemic are women with intersecting Code-protected identities, such as our Black, other racialized, Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ sisters. The disproportionate impact these women experience is well-documented, including in the OHRC’s Policy statement on human rights in COVID-19 recovery planning.

On International Women’s Day, let us keep women, and other vulnerable groups, at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Anything short of equipping them with the tools they need to not just survive, but thrive, would be an abdication of our collective responsibility.

MAN ACCUSED of spraying TTC users with unknown substance believed to be bear spray. Police photo.

A man has been arrested with bear spray and an airsoft pistol after eight TTC users were allegedly sprayed with an unknown substance in brazen assaults.

The suspect is accused of assault after police alleged he sprayed at least eight people at different times on TTC property with an unknown substance.

Police said the suspect was arrested at the Finch subway station on March 5 at 6:48 p.m. by Special Constables from the Toronto Transit Commission.

Police allege between October 16, 2021, and March 5, 2022, a man assaulted people on eight occasions on TTC property by spraying them with a substance.

“The man had a baton, bear spray and an airsoft pistol in his possession when arrested,” police said in a release.

Delan Lewis, 24, of Toronto, is charged with three counts of carry concealed weapon.

He appeared at an Old City Hall Court on March 6.
Investigators believe there may be more victims.

POLICE search for motorist who hit a cyclist and took off.

Police are searching for a hit and run driver who hit a 64-year-old cyclist injuring her near Burnhamthorpe Road and Highway 427.

Detectives said the woman was cycling eastbound on Burnhamthorpe Road, approaching the on-ramp for Highway 427 north when she was hit.

“The driver of the vehicle did not stop and fled the scene,” police said. “The woman was transported to hospital with serious injuries.”

The vehicle is described as a dark-coloured Honda Accord or similar model. An image has been released.

Investigators are asking local residents, business, and drivers, who may have security or dash camera footage of the area or incident, to contact police.

This investigation is being conducted by members of Traffic Services.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1900, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

POLICE hunt suspects who target Russian flags flying on vehicles.

Seems like some of the war has erupted over here in South Etobicoke.

Police say damages were inflicted to vehicles that were flying Russian flags at the Cineplex Theatre plaza and it may be a hate crime.

A sledgehammer was used to damage multiple vehicles in what is now being investigated as a hate crime, which took place in the Islington Avenue and The Queensway parking lot on March 5 at 10:27 p.m.

“The damaged vehicles had Russian flags displayed in their windshields,” officers of 22 Division said in a news release. “They damaged multiple parked vehicles, each using a sledgehammer.”

The assailants fled in a dark grey Acura, police said.

The two suspects are described as being in their late teens. One was wearing a grey sweater and the other a black sweater, according to police.

“After consultation with the Service’s specialized Hate Crime Unit, the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate motivated offence,” officers said.

Police allege a criminal offence was committed, such as assault or mischief, and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate.

The officer-in-charge will consult with a Crown Attorney. If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence, police said.

There has been a number of flag-defacing cases that has taken place in South Etobicoke since Russia invaded Ukraine. The most high profile case occurred at Future Bakery, where a pro-Ukrainian sign was defaced by those pro-Russian.

No charges has been laid in either incident..

EMAD with welcoming staff of Sav-On pharmacy at 880 Brown’s Line.

Good-natured pharmacist Emad Mankaruos is adding a range of health
services to help community residents with the expansion of his Alderwood
Medical Clinic.
His Sav-On Drug Mart, at 880 Brown’s Line, just south of Evans Avenue, has been serving the area, under three dif- ferent owners, for 65 years. He took over in 2003.
“We are the longest-serving pharmacy in the community,” Mankaruos says. “We are now expanding to better serve our clientele who love that we are in the area.”

THERE are four pharmacists in Emad’s family. Photos by Tom Godfrey.

He recently opened a ‘four-room mini-clinic’ and is making space available for a nutritionist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, op-
tometrist, hearing aid specialist, massage, medical spa and other specialists. Call him at a

phone number listed if you have working experience in any of the fields.
More than 500 patients weekly, mostly seniors, depend on the pharmacy for a range of services to maintain their health.
Mankaruos, who lives in Mississauga, loves his customers and they love him. “I love the people and area,” he insists. “The people are nice and I know many of the families.”

THE Pharmacist, or staff, is always there for customers.

The father of three has one daughter who is a pharmacist, and another interning to be- come one. His wife is also a pharmacist with her own store.

A pharmacist for 35 years, Mankaruos was trained back home in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia before moving to Canada on June 6, 1995.

“That was the happiest day in my life,” he says. “I chose Canada because
it is a land of opportunity. I am very grateful to God and Canada for my success.”

He studied pharmacy because ‘I love to help people relieve their pains and complaints.”

The store finances an internship program with students from a local high school and helps many local hockey teams and other charities.

Gifts to him from his many clients are proudly displayed on shelves along with his medicine. The store is busy and many patients and their families have been shopping there for decades. Many are from the Alderwood area.

The pharmacy was located at the Farm Boy mall across the street and relocated many years ago. It has many loyal customers whose families love the laid back service.

It takes about a dozen employees (photo-graphed above) to keep the clinic running smoothly and that their customers are well-
looked after.

Many long-time customers say they like the service and good-natured banter that takes place as they get served. The druggist says one of their doctors hasà been at the clinic for two decades. Sav-On Drug Mart can be reached at 647-FLU-4444 or visit www.savon.supplies

POLICE are searching for youths who took off after damaging vehicles.

You may want to check your car if parked in the Islington Ave. and The Queensway area.

Police were called to the parking lot of a bank and mall for reports of young people damaging vehicles.

Toronto Police said a ‘damage in progress’ call came in around 10:27 p.m. on March 2.

Police said there were “reports of kids striking cars with hammers.”

“Also damaging them with spray paint,” tweeted Toronto Police Operations Centre. “Have fled in a black or grey car.”

The vandals had fled the scene by the time police arrived.

It is not known how many cars were vandalized.

George, of Lakeshore Super Submarine, in Top 10 list of top city subs by Toronto Life magazine.

An almost 50-year New Toronto sub shop has been selected as one of the Top 10 sandwich shops in Toronto, according to a survey by Toronto Life magazine.

The popular magazine named in its Top 10 Lakeshore Super Submarine, at 2939 Lake Shore Blvd. W., in its February 10 sub-hopping issue.

“For the platonic ideal of the submarine sandwich, head to Lakeshore Super Submarine, a South Etobicoke time warp (you’ll see when you get there) where owner George Kozaris has been manning the counter for more than four decades,” Toronto Life touted.

GEORGE has been operating the business for 48 years and has outlasted some of the best including Goodyear,  Anaconda Steel, Campbell’s Soup and many others.

Writers Alex Baldinger and Rebecca Fleming described Kozaris’ sub as “a cloud-light bun comes stacked with cold cuts, cheese, tomato, white onion and shredded iceberg lettuce. Skip the mayo to let the tangy house vinaigrette shine.”

All that for less than $10 and the hockey one-liners are free.

Kozaris said he found out his shop had made it to the Top 10 list a couple days later from a customer.

“I was surprised,” he smiled as he sliced meat. “I am just being discovered after being here for 48 years in this same corner.”

He believes the secret to his success is the use of fresh meats, vegetables and keeping it affordable.

GEORGE’s top secret is fresh ingredients and lots of love for his almost 50-years of Sub Duty in New Toronto.

One are resident, Mike, said he has been living in the area for 15 and walked by the shop hundreds of times and never entered until he read the Toronto Life expose.

“I decided to give this place a try after reading the article,” Mike confessed. “I like it and have been back twice.”

YOU WOULD expect to run into Ritchie or Potsie from the Happy Days TV show in here.

Long-time customer Chris said he loves the hearty, meaty no-holds barred old-time sub.

“I want a sandwich that fills me up,” he said. “I have been coming here for maybe 20 years.”

The shop is straight out of the 1950s and you can get a huge sub for only $7, cash only please.

Lambo’s in Trinity Bellwoods was selected as the Number 1 sub shop in the city, followed by Mimico’s FBI Pizza, at 2336 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and in third position Good Behaviour sandwich shop, at 342 Westmoreland Ave. N.

Grandma Loves You, at 1084 Yonge St., was named number four, in fifth was Parkdale’s Chantecler Boucherie, at 1318 Queen St. W.,  and in sixth Elm Street Deli’s at  15 Elm St.

CHRIS Korwin Kuczynski places pro-Ukrainian signs and collects funds to help those in the war-torn nation. Photo by Tom Godfrey.

Some signs are being placed in the community asking residents to support war-torn Ukraine and for the banning of Russian products.

Chris Korwin Kuczynski, chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, is calling upon community residents to boycott Russian goods being sold in stores.

“We have to take a stand,” Korwin Kuczynski said as he placed pro-Ukraine signs in the New Toronto area. “We all have to stand up or this war will never stop.”

He and a network of others are working to obtain donations and urgent medical supplies to send to help people in Ukraine.

PEOPLE from across the world have united in support of Ukraine.

You can take your donations of funds or goods to La Crema Café, at 821 Brown’s Line, at Alderwood Plaza. They are accepting financial, medical and other goods, which will go to the Canadian Ukrainian groups to help others in their homeland.

Residents are urged to Support Ukraine and can support financially, with food, medications, medical supplies or bullet proof vests at the Ivan Franko Home at 767 Royal York Road.

The Humber Bay Shores Condominium has also set up donation bins in number of condos where items much-needed in Ukraine can be dropped off.

Please note that donations of funds are preferred since it can be transferred immediately to Ukraine, where workers can purchase the required goods.

If you want to send goods, some of the items badly-needed by Ukrainians include: medical supplies, bandages, gloves, cotton wool, tourniquets; medicines including Benadryl, Tylenol and Baby Tylenol, Ibuprofen, aspirin, Pepto-Bismol; First Aid supplies and kits; food like canned food, dried fruits, nuts, instant noodles, energy bars, pasta, biscuits, coffee,

Also much sought after are female sanitary goods, baby formula, diapers, wet wipes, towels, hygenic products as soap bars, toothpaste, mouth wash, shampoo, hair combs or roll-on deodorants.

Also in demand are inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags, yoga mats, pillows, socks, underwear, warm almost new clothing, construction gloves, candles or flashlights, batteries.

All the goods will be picked up and distributed by organizations in Ukraine.