It is no longer a problem with high-rises in downtown Toronto, bird deaths occur in Etobicoke and in many places nightly.

Toronto City Council has voted in favour of turning off all lights at City buildings at night to save money and birds from being killed.

The City said many birds are killed by the unnecessary lights on City property during the bird migration season.

The Fatal Light Awareness Program Canada group has documented, artificial light from buildings and cityscapes endangers birds, especially during migration season, City council was told.

“Many species of birds migrate at night, using light from the moon, the stars, and the setting sun to navigate,” according to a report. “The bright lights of urban areas confuse these birds and pull them out of their way.”

The group said on foggy or rainy nights when the cloud cover is low, birds fly at lower altitudes and are more likely to be disoriented by city lights.

“They may be pulled down into downtown mazes, where they often collide with buildings,” they said. “Also dangerous are floodlights, lighthouses, and airport ceilometers (light beams for measuring cloud altitude).”

“Once birds are attracted to a light source, they tend not to leave it, and may become trapped until they die.”

The said the City used to have a program to turn off lights in its buildings at night during migration seasons, in order to reduce energy costs and reduce bird deaths.

“This program has fallen into disuse,” Council said. “Corporate Real Estate Management agrees that it should be resumed.”

Bird deaths are a serious problem in Toronto and surrounding areas with tall towers.

The group estimates that one million to nine million birds die every year from impact with buildings in the Toronto area. The group’s founder once single-handedly recovered about 500 dead birds in one morning.

 

Toronto Police say they have begun work to become more inclusive to all residents following a damning Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) report that found the force subjected Black people to systemic racial discrimination.

The report called From Impact to Action made 100 recommendations to improve the situation and said Blacks are more subjected to racial profiling and anti-Black racism by officers of the Toronto Police Service (TPS) and the Toronto Police Services Board.

“The finding is supported by evidence gathered throughout the inquiry, including analysis and consultations with Black communities,” the OHRC said in a report released December 14. “This finding confirms the need for change to challenge long-standing practices, which perpetuate anti-Black racism in Toronto policing.”

The recommendations called for the ‘purging of TPS database of photographs, fingerprints or other biometric information from charges that do not result in convictions.’

It called for expanding the collection, analysis and reporting of race-based data on stop, searches, charges, arrests and use of force.

The report seeks greater transparency on officer discipline and proactive investigative steps following a tribunal or court decision that contain findings of racial profiling, racial discrimination or violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

It also recommends increased anti-Black racism training in other training programs with effective evaluation

The report also calls for developing a distinct policy or procedure on racial profiling and supports calls to expand civilian-led mental health crisis response services.

The Board and TPS said they welcome the report and view it as an important contribution to the work underway in their efforts to ‘proactively and decisively address anti-Black racism.”

It said they cooperated with the Commission, by providing information, access to their databases and made personnel available for interviews.

“This finding confirms the need for change to challenge long-standing practices, which perpetuate anti-Black racism in Toronto policing,” the TPS said in a statement.

The force said ‘we have consistently made clear that the goal of the OHRC to address anti-Black racism in all its forms is also our goal.’

“Our leadership has been steadfast, consistent, and determined in working towards this objective, and to do so in meaningful and practical ways that improve relationships with Black communities in Toronto,” according to police.

“Change is required at all levels, and in all parts, of our police service,” Chief Myron Demkiw said. “It must include our leadership, our culture, mechanisms of accountability, training and education and beyond.”

He said change must also be ‘co-developed, co-designed, co-delivered, and evaluated in meaningful and continued partnership with Toronto’s Black communities.’

Demkiw said all officers now have to undergo a five-day Fair and Unbiased Policing Course that promotes equity, inclusion, and ethical law enforcement.

Topics addressed includes ethical policing, peer intervention, race-based data, anti-black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, mental health and addictions.

The popular and late Etobicoke Councillor and Mayor Rob Ford is finally getting a stadium named in his honour.

Toronto City Council voted In a 17 to 6 vote on December 15 to approve renaming Centennial Stadium after Ford, who died of cancer in 2016 at the age of 46.

Ford was the Councillor of Etobicoke North for 10 years and Mayor of Toronto for four, which was sparked with controversy.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Paul Ainslie, who pointed out a number of former mayors have had commemorative namings as Mel Lastman Square, Barbara Hall Park and June Rowlands Park.

The motion also ties the Centennial Park, near Renforth Drive and Rathburn Road, re-imagining to the stadium named after Ford and his love of football.

He coached the Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School’s football team and spent many hours at the stadium, that he loved.

The park was in the news recently after a petition was created and signed by almost 12,000 people to remove a go kart track and batting cages from the park after decades. They will be replaced by new attractions.

A motion by Ward 3 Councillor Amber Morley to conduct a review of the renaming was shot down by council.

Morley had called for more consultations on the matter and a report issued in late 2024.

The vote was split between those who supported Ford during his years as a councillor and mayor and those who opposed him.

Councillor Stephen Holyday said Ford was a polarizing figure, as many politicians are, but beyond the politics no one could dispute his dedication to working for the city.

Ford was beloved by many Etobicoke residents who applauded his refreshing frugality and dedication to responding to his constituents’ issues, however minor.

He is known for always returning phone calls from constituents and the media.

The park is expected to be renamed sometime next year.

Long-time Long Branch resident Lara Andres is a real estate agent by day and a brilliant artistic director by night.

Andres and artist Simon Paul have been creating beautiful posters of landscapes and landmarks that represents Mimico, Long Branch and Alderwood that sells for $50 each on his website.

Their most recent work is a poster of Centennial Park which was created after being touched by the loss of the go kart track and batting cages that have been there for decades.

They also create a selection of apparel, including T-Shirts and baseball hats, with artwork that represents Mimico, Long Branch and Alderwood.

“I live in the community and I conduct a lot of research before a piece of artwork,” Lara said. “People love the pieces and they are all pretty well sold out.”

He only has a few pieces of the silk screen art left over considering 50 pieces of each region were created.

They create the artwork which are made into silk screen posters at a Kensington Market studio.

“It takes about a month and a half to create and produce a poster,” he explained. “Quality is paramount to us and we have never had a negative comment about any of the posters.”

Lara, who came to Canada as boy from Guatemala, has been living in the community for about 17 years.

He is married to wife, Ingrid, and they have a daughter, Liesl, who is six-years-old.

Lara worked as an audio engineer for about 17-years and packed it in to spend more time with his family.

He and Ingrid runs Lara Group Real Estate and began the community posters to express his creativity.

“We first did the Long Branch poster and that just took off,” Lara recalled. “There was a waiting list of people waiting to get them.”

The posters are colourful and depicts local landscapes, landmarks and things found in the respective communities.

He will be auctioning off the last signed poster of each batch with all the proceeds going to LAMP Community Health Center.

You can bid on the poster by visiting his website at laragroup.ca

He has a store on the site where you can purchase his creative community posters and apparel.

Two off-duty police officers are being hailed as heroes after helping to pull a man from an apartment fire in the City of St. Catharines.

On December 6 at 11:30 p.m. York Regional Police Constable Justin Baird, who has been with that force for less than a year, and Toronto Police Constable Aidan Loughlin were in the area of St. Paul Street and James Street when they noticed flames coming from a second-floor unit above a cafe.

The officers sprinted towards the building and asked bystanders to call 9-1-1 as they smashed the front door to gain access to the building.

When the officers reached the second floor, they found an elderly male unconscious in one of the units.

They managed to pull him outside to safety until Niagara Emergency Medical Services attended and transported the man to hospital.

The victim suffered serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.

Both officers suffered smoke inhalation and were treated by paramedics.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Ontario Fire Marshal.

 

The spirit of giving was in the air at Sherway Gardens as Toronto Police did their part to give back to their community.

Police from 22 Division said their annual Stuff the Bus drive to collect toys for the needy was a big success.

A TTC bus was parked outside of ToysRus, at 690 Evans Avenue, as residents stopped by to leave toys for needy area children.

“A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support a great cause for South Etobicoke,” officers said on social media. “Thank you to all that helped volunteer and to everyone who donated.”

The drive took place on December 10 at Sherway Gardens. The toys will be handed out to at risk children in the community.

TTC workers also held a successful Stuff the Bus campaign last month in front of Walmart at Sherway Gardens. All the toys in that drive went to the Hospital for Sick Children.

 

A motion is before City Council to have Centennial Stadium renamed the Rob Ford Stadium to honour the popular and well-liked Etobicoke politician.

Councillor Paul Ainslie brought forward the motion that was seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll. City Council will consider the motion on December 13.

The motion calls for the City’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation to undertake the necessary design and installation of replacement facility and signage.

It stated that Rob Ford served on Toronto City Council for nearly 15 years, serving as the Councillor for Etobicoke North for 10 years, and as Mayor for four years.

“Sadly, shortly after being re-elected as a City Councillor in 2014, Rob Ford passed away,” Councillors were reminded.

Historically, the City of Toronto has recognized former Mayors with commemorative re-namings which honour their service and spirit,” the motion said, citing Mel Lastman Square, Barbara Hall Park and June Rowlands Park.

“All of those who served with Rob Ford on Council knew that he had two passions – representing his constituents not only across the City but in particular in his home community of Etobicoke, and football,” Council was told.

‘The time is appropriate to consider renaming the Centennial Park Stadium the ‘Rob Ford Stadium’ in recognition of his decade and a half of public service,’ the motion noted, adding the time is right as Centennial Park undergoes a significant re-imagining through the Centennial Park Master Plan, which was approved by City Council in 2021.

A Request of Proposal also sought City Council approval to enter into a sublease or sub-licence agreement with the Centennial Park Golf Centre for someone to operate the Centennial Park Golf Course.

The agreements have an initial term of seven years, with an option, in favour of the City, to extend by four years, and a further option to extend for up to an additional six years, according to the proposal.

The City is hoping to ensure an operator is in place ahead of the 2024 golf season.

The City provides access to high-quality and affordable golf at seven golf courses, five of which are City-operated, and two of which are leased-out to private third-party operators. Centennial Park Golf Course is one of these two golf courses.

There was much furor earlier this year as almost 12,000 people signed a petition to stop the removal of the go-karts and batting cages from Centennial Park at the end of the 2023 season.

A plan to build a 13-story hotel at Humber Bay Shores is getting closer to becoming a reality.

The hotel has been approved by the Etobicoke York Community Council and the City Solicitor was seeking instructions from City Council at a December 13 meeting.

The matter goes before an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for January 15, 2024.

Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications were submitted in February 2020 to permit the development of the boutique hotel which will have 165 suites and a ground floor restaurant.

The Stay Inn Hospitality will be a midsize hotel at 2157 Lake Shore Blvd. W. and have a total floor area of about 7,810.5 square metres.

The proposed hotel would have 36 parking spaces, which community members say is not enough.

Jim Reekie, of Humber Bay Shores Community Association, said his members are not opposed to the hotel.

“We did have a community meeting with city staff and the developer and we are not opposed to having this hotel in the community,” Reekie said in a letter to City Council. “We do have concern about the on-site parking which we feel is not enough.”

The hotel’s ground floor restaurant would bring visitors to Humber Bay Shores, the company said on its website.

“Our hotel would meet a need for comfortable places to stay for both travelers and guests of nearby condominium residents,” the hotelier wrote. “We want to give business travelers and tourists seeking a wellness focused experience a home base.”

Company officials said theirs is a unique hotel with a green focus that will bring jobs to the community and capitalize on transit connections.

The proposed hotel uses would provide about 40 to 50 full-time jobs to the community. It will also create jobs in the construction process.

“The City of Toronto has given direction for new business development in the tourism sector,” the company said. “A hotel would represent a boost to the local economy.”

They said the hotel will be close to transit, including a proposed TTC hub, Park Lawn GO Train Station and Waterfront LRT.

“Our vision is a for a hotel where it’s just as easy to hop on transit, use car-share, or walk, as it is to drive,” hotel officials said.

The site was previously occupied by the Silver Moon Motel, which was demolished in 2008. It was one of more than a dozen mostly family-run motels that once thrived in the area.

A local group has their eyes set on a large warehouse being built on Evans Avenue that they want to see stopped.

‘No Shipping Terminals’ is a non-profit community-based group that is trying to prevent a further influx of shipping terminals and trucks coming and going in our community.

Group members said the 450 Evans Avenue site will be a massive 60-loading door Amazon distribution warehouse that will have truck traffic at all hours.

The site was occupied by one of the largest packaging company in Canada, Cascades Inc., for almost 80-years and is being demolished to construct a new Amazon warehouse, residents say.

Cascades has been a leader in the recovery and manufacturing of green packaging and tissue products since 1955. The company operated in 90 locations and had 12,000 employees when the branch was closed for strategic repositioning of its business in Ontario and globally.

No Shipping Terminals spokesman Alex Ladacouer said the truck traffic makes it dangerous for area children, increase noise, dust and air pollution in the community.

“Our mission is to prevent the influx of shipping terminals and trucks coming to our community,” he said. “There are already many shipping terminals operating in South Etobicoke.”

He said at least five more warehouses are being developed.

The group in a release said warehouses are being developed at the former Campbells Soup site at 60 Birmingham Street that will have 86 doors.

Another is slated for 121 Thirtieth Street, with 60 loading doors or stalls, another at 260 Eighth Street with 116 doors and 541 Kipling Avenue with 78 doors.

They said the large amount of trucks cause traffic congestion on local streets, are in close proximity to residential areas, diminish property values, cause a lot of noise, worsens already-poor air quality and there is a lack of enforcement of trucking violations.

No Shipping Terminals is advocating for by-law freeze on additional terminals or distribution centres in South Etobicoke and to raise awareness about development and building permit applications they said threaten the community fabric.

They also want City staff to reject any minor variance, site plan or building permit application that would place the large distribution centres close to residential areas.

They have created a petition with upwards of 1500 signatures calling for a truck ban.