The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

Have your say on April 22 in the many developments taking place at the Christie Lands

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ARTIST concept of some of the development planned in the area. Courtesy photos.

 

A public meeting by video conference is being held on April 22 to address the Christie’s Secondary Plan Area, at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Park Lawn Ave.

The meeting, which is being held by the City Clerk’s Office, will request to amend the Official plan and zoning by-law 569 2013.

It will take place at 9:30 a.m. by video conference. Details to access the conference was not provided.

According to a notice of public meeting, the purpose of the Official Plan and zoning by-law amendments are to introduce a new Secondary Plan for the lands, bounded by Lake Shore Blvd. W., Park Lawn Rd., and the Gardiner Expressway and to amend the zoning by-law.

The Secondary Plan provides area specific policies and set out the long term vision for a complete community centered on transit investment, job creation, community services and facilities, parks, open spaces and mixed land use.

The Secondary Plan also directs a phased in development of a new GO Station and a transit hub integrating the new GO Station, with TTC service, affordable housing, public and private streets, two public parks, recreation centre, library, daycare, community space and space for schools.

The Official Plan amendment will re-designate the lands as general employment areas, mixed used areas and parks.

The zoning by-law will permit 15 tall buildings, ranging in height from 28 to 69 stories and a variety of mid-rise buildings resulting in about 7,500 residential units.

Parking will be below grade with consolidated access and parking rates will be set in the by-law.

For more information contact the City Clerk’s Office at 416-397-457 or visit the city’s website at www.toronto.ca

 

Much-needed sandwiches being made by church volunteers to help feed the needy

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VOLUNTEER Jeannie with some of the sandwiches she made to help the less fortunate in the community.                                       

MORE FRESH sandwiches enroute to Haven on The Queensway to help the poor and needy.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women from a New Toronto church group have banded together to make hundreds of delicious sandwiches for Haven on The Queensway to help feed the poor and needy in our community.

“We had heard about the Toronto volunteers of Sandwich Sisters, who prepare sandwiches in their own homes and deliver to those in need,” says Michelle Tkach, of the Ukrainian Catholic Womens’ League of Canada (UCWLC), at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, on Sixth Street.

The UCWLC has been helping others, funding orphanages, schools and families in need for more than 20 years.

“With the COVID-19 challenge we decided that we would focus on our own community and support those in need locally,” Tkach explains. “We loved this idea and began communication with this Toronto organization now with over 600 sandwich makers.”

She said Etobicoke Centre MPP Kinga Surma suggested the food be donated to Haven on The Queensway, at 1533 The Queensway, which has volunteers serving 150 families with basic necessities.

The staff at Haven on The Queenway had last year suspended its lunch service due to the pandemic and the much-needed sandwiches will help resume the lunch program.

“This is our fourth delivery of sandwiches prepared by our 13 volunteer sandwich makers,” she says. “Many have encouraging messages, cheese with treats included with their sandwich.”

She said the volunteers follow strict COVID-19 guidelines, including the wearing of masks and gloves, with the food delivered in coolers.

They have also attracted a high schooler who is earning community service hours as a volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer or contribute to this food drive you can check out Sandwich Sister Pod or Christ the Good Shepherd Parish St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Facebook. You can also contact Michelle by email at mtkach@rogers.com

 

Sir Adam Beck ice rink and Norseman Community Pool getting badly needed updates

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SIR ADAM BECK and Rosedale ice rinks are being updated by the three levels of government.

 

Alderwood’s Sir Adam Beck ice rink is finally receiving some badly-needed and tender loving care.

A new roof and upgrades for Norseman Community Pool and improvements to Sir Adam Beck and Rosedale artificial ice rinks are in the books thanks to funding by all three levels of government.

The Government of Canada is investing $3.6 million in the renovations, the Ontario government has pledged some $3 million and the City of Toronto spending $2.4 towards upgrading the pool and rinks.

“Recreation facilities across our city provide kids, youth and families a great way to stay healthy, learn new skills and socialize with others,” said Mayor John Tory. “Ensuring that they are maintained to meet the needs of our residents means that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

MPP Christine Hogarth said the Norseman Community Pool will have its roof replaced, mechanical and electrical updates to the HVAC system and improvements to the change rooms.

“Recreational infrastructure plays a vital role in providing access to healthy and active lifestyles,” Hogarth said. “I am pleased that our government is investing more than $3 million to rehabilitate the Norseman Community Pool and the Sir Adam Beck and Rosedale rinks.”

She said the project will increase the pool’s ‘longevity and improve accessibility for seniors, families, children and persons with disabilities.’

MP James Maloney said upgrades to Sir Adam Beck and Rosedale ice rinks will include the replacement of refrigeration plants, upgrades to mechanical rooms, construction of new concrete pads and installation of dasher boards.

“We understand that recreational centres are vital to community development and well-being,” Maloney said. “Canada’s infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds cleaner, more inclusive communities.”

He said the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green and social infrastructures and trade and transportation routes.

The province is investing more than $400 million over the next 10 years in the construction and upgrading of new facilities and existing infrastructure as community centres, libraries and recreational venues.

Farm workers arriving in Canada to work receive COVID vaccine before they can leave airport

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FOREIGN FARM Workers get COVID-19 vaccines on the spot before they can leave airport.

The WORKERS, many who are regulars, work here all summer and return home after about six months.

Foreign migrant workers entering the country to toil on our farms and grow our food are now receiving COVID-19 vaccinations on-the-spot before they can leave the airport.

The measure is set to begin April 10 and will affect 200 migrant workers arriving at Pearson Airport from Mexico to work in dozens of farms across Southern Ontario.

The federal government said shots will be offered to the 200 workers as they arrive.

Officials from the ministries of health and agriculture, health-care practitioners and representatives from the Mexican Consulate will be at Pearson to meet the group, offering doses after the workers pass through customs.

The workers will be offered doses of the Moderna vaccine, which will be administered in a screened-off area after they take a mandatory COVID-19 test on arriving.

The government says it will follow up with farms to administer the second dose through the local public health unit where the individuals work.

The program will become permanent after implementing lessons learned from a pilot program.

There are plans to offer shots to more arriving workers next week.

As many as 20,000 migrant workers are starting arrive in Canada to work on our dairy and agricultural farms in Southern Ontario.

Many return here to work yearly from South and Central American and Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Brazil and a host of other countries.

Some of the workers were accused by local residents last year of spreading the virus since they live on farms in congested living areas.

Man arrested for committing an indecent act on a Toronto bound GO Train

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MAN CHARGED for allegedly committing an indecent act on Oakville train.

A Toronto man has been arrested and charged by police for allegedly committing an indecent act on a GO train.

Police allege the incident occurred as the Oakville train was travelling through the Region of Peel on its way to Union Station

Officers were called on April 5 at about 7:20 p.m. by a woman on board the GO Train when “she allegedly observed a man exposing himself and engaging in an indecent act, police said.

“The 35-year-old victim was able to exit the train without sustaining any physical injuries,” Peel Regional Police said in a release.

An investigation was launched and police three days later arrested Stephen Keays, 56, of Toronto. He was arrested at his residence on April 8.

The suspect was charged with indecent act and harassment. He was slated to appear in Brampton court for a bail hearing on April 9.

Police are seeking any other victims and witnesses to come forward.

A woman told police the man boarded the train at either the Port Credit or Clarkson stations, sat in a seat close to her and “began committing an indecent act.”

Investigators are requesting that anyone with information or may have had contact with the suspect to call the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905)453-2121, ext. 1133.  Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Fast work by Toronto firefighters to wrap up a two-alarm townhouse blaze in New Toronto

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TORONTO FIRE had this two-alarm fire in New Toronto knocked down in minutes. No injuries. CP24 Photo.

No one was hurt on Friday as Toronto firefighters made it look so easy in putting out a two-alarm blaze in New Toronto.

The fire erupted on April 9 shortly after 11:30 a.m. in a townhome on Sixth Street, near Islington Avenue and Birmingham Street, close to the Toronto Police College.

Police had shut the north end of Sixth Street at Birmingham as crews fought the smoky blaze.

Dozens of area residents were out on the streets on a nice day to witness the fire and quick response by firemen.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames at the front door and on the property, according to Toronto Fire.

Firefighters had to tear down a large part of the ceiling to make sure the fire was extinguished.

Luckily, the fire did not extend to the homes on either side of the burning house.

The occupants were out of the home when crews arrived and no injuries have been reported.

Fire officials the dwelling will not be habitable for at least a day or two due to smoke.  No cause of the fire has been given at this time.

An estimate of the fire damage was not made available.

 

Cloverdale Mall to open Monday for residents to obtain COVID-19 vaccines

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COVID vaccines from April 12 will be available at Cloverdale Mall. Appointment required.

City officials say a mass vaccination clinic will open at Cloverdale Mall starting on Monday April 12.

Cloverdale is one of nine mass vaccination sites run by the City of Toronto. Six are already open.

Health officials said walk-in appointments are not being accepted at this time.

People age 60 or older can book vaccination appointments online or by phone for City-run COVID-19 immunization clinics and some health partner clinics.

Starting Friday, April 9, residents age 50 and older in high-risk areas as identified by postal code will be able to book vaccine appointments at City-run clinics.

The City is currently vaccinating residents born in 1961 and earlier at these City-operated mass immunization clinics: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto Congress Centre, Scarborough Town Centre, Malvern Community Recreation Centre, Mitchell Field Arena and The Hangar.

On April 12, the City will open the final three City-operated vaccination clinics at Cloverdale Mall, North Toronto Memorial Community Centre and Carmine Stefano Community Centre.

You can book an appointment by calling 1-888-999-6488 (TTY 1-866-797-0007).

If you need a ride? Visit torontoride.ca or call 416-481-5250.

To date, 684,809 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto.

From Monday April 12 to Friday April 16, emergency child care services will be available at no cost to eligible families who qualify as essential workers, and who are not able to accommodate their school-aged child’s care at home.

Go Fund Me campaign raise more than $12,000 to help bury man killed in drive by shooting

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TWO gunmen sought for the murder of Habil Hassan and wounding another man.

HABIL HASSAN had everything to live for, but someone wanted him dead. CBC photos.

More than $12,000 has been raised in days in a Go Fund Me campaign to help with the burial of an Etobicoke man who was shot to death earlier this month.

Habil Hassan, 21, was shot and killed on April 3, while his friend survived after they were shot while driving in a car in the Scarlett Road area around 5:40 p.m.

Police said another vehicle pulled up alongside them and at least two suspects opened fire on their vehicle, striking Hassan and the other occupant.

The victims pulled off the road and dialed 911.

Hassan was rushed to hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead, while his accomplice suffered non-life threatening gunshot injuries.

“Habil and a friend were both shot inside their car in a drive-by shooting,” wrote campaign organizer Ramsay B, of Etobicoke. “We are all devastated by Habil’s loss and this incident has shaken his family and the community.”

“Habil was always known for his radiant smile and the genuine care he had for those around him,” according to his eulogy. “He will be missed deeply, and remembered as the beautiful, loving, enthusiastic and caring young man that he was.”

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn a life that was taken so young, but one that has not left in vain,” his friends wrote on social media.
The organizers said the funds raised will help “his family lay his body to rest,” and help with the cost of funeral arrangements.

A donation will be made in honour of Hassan towards the construction of a school, orphanage and feeding of those less fortunate in Africa.

Homicide officers said the two suspects believed to be involved in the shooting then crashed their car into another vehicle at the corner of Scarlett and Dixon Roads and fled the scene on foot.

Suspect number 1 is described as male, black, 20-25 years, wearing a dark coat and dark pants.
Suspect number 2 is described as male, black, 20-25 years, wearing light coloured jeans and a light blue surgical mask.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, 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). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or  Google Play.

Small businesses hit by COVID-19 brace up for another financial hit

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THE COVID-19 situation is getting more grim for area hospitals. CityNews photo.

PREMIER Ford and staff announce stay-at-home measures.

 

Businesses that are already suffering in South Etobicoke are bracing for another financial hit in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

The Ontario government has decreed another emergency stay-at-home order that begins on April 8 and will last four weeks.

This is Ontario’s third state of emergency declaration and will mean the closure of all non-essential retail outlets for in-person shopping until the end of April.

The new restrictions announced by Premier Doug Ford, and his staff, will allow grocery stores and pharmacies to remain open with capacity limits, as well as big-box stores that sell grocery items and all other stores that sell beer, wine or liquor.

“The COVID-19 situation is at a critical stage and we must act quickly and decisively to stay ahead of these deadly new variants,” said Ford. “By imposing these strict new measures we will keep people safe while allowing our vaccination program to reach more people, starting with our high risk population and identified hot spots.”

But big box stores will only be permitted to sell groceries, household cleaning supplies and pharmacy items to in-person shoppers, something that was not the case during the last stay-at-home order this past winter.

Most businesses in the community have complained about massive crowds at Sherway Gardens mall as family-owned businesses are forced to close.

Most other non-essential retailers will be limited to curbside pickup and delivery only and will not be able to operate outside of the hours of 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Malls can also remain open for the purpose of curbside pickup but customers will not be able to get their orders from individual stores and will instead have to head to a single designated location inside the mall.

All non-essential retailers will close to in-person shopping, in-person dining will be prohibited and gyms and personal care services will be shuttered.

A select group of stores will be allowed to remain open by appointment only with a 25 per cent capacity limit. The stay-at-home order makes it illegal to leave a place of residence, except for essential reasons such as work, school, trips to a grocery store or pharmacy and for health-care reasons.

Ford said residents are required to stay at home except for “except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services, including getting vaccinated.”

He said teams of healthcare workers are now vaccinating residents and workers in identified congregate “hot spots,” and large industrial plants, where there are many people.

The province is allowing outdoor garden centres and plant nurseries, and indoor greenhouses that engage in sales to the public, to operate with a 25 per cent capacity limit and a restriction on hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Ontario’s daily COVID-19 case growth more than tripled through the month of March, leading to record-high hospital ICU occupancy of more than 500 by early April.

Ontario’s science table released new modelling last week, which suggested that Ontario could reduce its case counts from more than 3,000 a day to between 1,000 and 1,500 by the end of April with a four-week stay-at-home order.

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the province have increased by 28.2 per cent between the period of March 28 and April 5, 2021.

 

Mimico’s Dr. Forbes Godfrey sought inoculation for all citizens of Ontario

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DR. FORBES GODFREY in later life. He loved Mimico. Archive photos.

Dr. Forbes Godfrey was a Chief Medical Health Officer for the Town of Mimico and one of the first medical doctors to successfully run for, and win, a seat in the Ontario Legislature.
Godfrey, who passed away in 1932 at the age of 65, for years practiced from his 26 Albert St. home in Mimico, before he ran for politics.
Ironically, the son of a Methodist minister was a champion of inoculation for the prevention of infectious diseases, at a time when the practice was scorned or unheard of.
He and a few other Canadian doctors at the time demanded and obtained a program for the inoculation of Canadian soldiers during World War 1.
A Conservative, Dr. Godfrey was elected in a 1907 by-election to fill a York West seat left vacant by the death of an incumbent.
When G. Howard Ferguson was elected Conservative Premier in 1923, he invited the outspoken Mimico physician to become Ontario’s first Minister of Health, a position he held for 20 years.
The doctor made his presence known in the Legislature by demanding his government take the lead in combating tuberculosis, which then caused the deaths of many citizens; but not as many as COVID-19 today.
His investigations and presentation of the facts to the Legislature led to a commission to look into and combat tuberculosis. It led to government-supported tuberculosis hospitals being created. He became known as a champion of inoculation for prevention of infectious diseases.
Dr. Godfrey was by all accounts a kind and compassionate politician, who remained the Health Minister from 1911 to 1931. He was a Cabinet minister for seven years at a time where there was great growth in the community.
The MD is credited for organizing the Health Dept. from the ground up and obtained laws that forced mine owners to provide protection for employees against silicosis.
He also sponsored industrial health programs, agitated for control of the newly discovered insulin as a public trust, organized health clinics for remote areas of Ontario and free inoculation and vaccination programs for school children.
The doctor’s Mimico home was a busy place. His daughter, Constance, married Dr. Warren Snyder, another popular physician, and the two doctors had their own practice.
Dr. Godfrey remained an MPP until his death. He had been in poor health with pernicious anaemia, a disease for which no cure was known at that time.
It was a large procession. Mimico schools closed the day of his funeral and citizens crowded area streets to pay tribute to their hometown doctor who never hesitated to fight for his community.
He died two years before the May 28, 1934 births of the famous Dionne quintuplets, who were born outside Callander, Ontario. The identical girls, who were on display for a large part of their lives, were helped by the inoculations. It is believed that two of the sisters are alive today.