The South Etobicoke News

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

Trucks and noise concerns in former Campbell’s Soup lands redevelopment

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The new owners of the former Campbell’s Soup plant has filed an application to replace the existing buildings and use the site as a distribution centre, says Councillor Stephen Holyday.

Holyday, in a letter to address concerns in the community, says demolition of the historic 60 Birmingham St. factory and construction of three interconnected buildings are also proposed.

He says many New Toronto residents have reached out to his office about the routing of trucks and possible noise and dust concerns.

“Concerns expressed over the quantity and routing of trucks, and possible noise impacts, have been prevalent,” Holyday writes. “I anticipate that these will be central to the presentation by the applicant in their information session.”

The site is designated in the City’s Official Plan and zoned as Employment and permits a range of uses including; warehousing, cold storage, manufacturing, dry cleaning and laboratories.

“No changes to the existing zoning permissions have been proposed, because a distribution centre is already allowed to operate on the site,” according the Holyday’s letter.

City Planning is reviewing the application to examine the design, technical aspects and to ensure it is attractive and compatible with the surrounding area and contributes to the economic, social and environmental vitality.

Features such as building designs, site access and servicing, waste storage, parking, loading and landscaping are being reviewed.

He notes that the South building will maintain the historical factory façade.

Internally-facing loading areas will be served through the west side and will use the driveway at the northwest corner off of New Toronto St., plans show. The two other driveways and a new driveway off Dwight Ave. is proposed to provide access to employee and visitor parking.

City Planning will consult other departments and work with the owner to make any needed adjustments. Holyday says City Planning has the authority to approve the final site plan. Following this, the owners may apply for permits to construct the buildings and landscaping.

Because of the local interest, the owner, QuadReal Development Group, of B.C., which also also own Cloverdale Mall, intends to host a virtual meeting to keep the community informed.

The former Campbell’s Soup factory existed at 60 Birmingham Street for almost 90 years, and closed in 2018.

Revised plans will be posted to the City’s website as they become available.

Financial help for Black-owned small and medium sized businesses

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Some local Black business owners are breathing a little easier today after a new program was kicked off to help them survive COVID-19 and other challenges.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on September 9 announced a Black Entrepreneurship Program that will help Black Canadians get business loans with national banks.

The $221-million program will receive $93 million from the federal government over the next four years and $128 million from eight financial institutions, which includes the Royal Bank of Canada, BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, CIBC, National Bank, TD, Vancity and Alterna Savings.

The funds will be used to create a Black entrepreneurship loan program that will provide loans to small and medium-sized Black-owned businesses between $25,000 and $250,000, according to Ottawa.

Another $53 million from the feds will go toward helping entrepreneurs access funding, capital, mentorship, financial planning services and business training, while $6.5 million will go support collecting data on the state of Black entrepreneurship in Canada.

“We’ve heard very clearly from the Black community that economic empowerment is an essential step toward breaking down those barriers and creating true success,” Trudeau said. “This is not just for the Black community but for our country.”

Local South Etobicoke Black merchants say they welcome the program and will explore it for possible funding needs.

“I always say that the biggest challenge Black business owners face is that the owners are Black,” stressed Nadine Spencer, president of the Black Business and Professional Association. “Systemic racism is the biggest factor when we walk into a bank. There is something different for Black businesses than for mainstream businesses.”

Meryl Afrika, president of the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals, said it’s reassuring to see a promise come with a price tag.

“It’s better than what we’ve had in the past,” Afrika said.

 

Police hot on the trail of predator targeting South Asian men

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This predator stalking South Asian men in our community is getting more brazen.

A suspect on the run from police for targeting, assaulting and in one case pulling the turban off the head of a South Asian man has now been linked to four hate incidents in the last two weeks.

The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit have stepped up their manhunt after a fourth attack by the same suspect occurred September 4, in the area of Lakeshore Blvd. W., and Legion Rd.

Police allege in the latest incident the suspect screamed racially-charged comments toward a 32-year-old man while holding an object in his hand. Police said the victim tried to call police, but the suspect grabbed his phone and threw it to the ground.

“The victim tried to get his phone, at which point the suspect assaulted the victim in an attempt to prevent him from doing so,” police said in a news release yesterday.

Officers say the victim was able to retrieve his phone and escaped while calling police.

Detectives are working long-hours to track the suspect, whose bold attacks are causing residents of the South Asian community to live in fear.

The suspect struck again on September 3, when he approached a 27-year man who was walking with a 26-year-old woman in the area of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Twenty Ninth St.

Police said that the suspect began striking the male victim several times without warning. After calling out for help, 911 was called, police said, adding that the suspect then fled running south on Twenty Eighth St.

On Aug. 31, a man walked up to a 23-year-old man and began to hit him on the head before fleeing the scene on foot in the area of Dwight Avenue and Birmingham St., close to an area mosque and temple.

Then on Aug. 25, a man approached a 21-year-old man and without warning began to hit him before taking off the victim’s turban in the area of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and First St. The suspect then fled running eastbound on Lake Shore Blvd.

“Police are actively investigating these incidents as hate-motivated assaults,” the force said. “Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or incidents, and has information, is urged to contact police.”

The suspect is described as white, standing five-foot-eight to five-foot-nine inches tall with a medium build.

Anyone with information relating to these incidents is asked to contact Toronto police 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

 

Police warn of phoney sales or service people as the temps fall

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Police are warning area residents at this time of the year to be wary of salesmen or service people who appear at their door offering deals too good to be true.

Police are advising seniors and other homeowners to ask to see the person’s identification and then phone the company listed to confirm if the person works there or if the company exists.

The alleged service people may claim to be from companies that perform roofing, snow removal, heating or cooling services, in which work may be required as the temperatures fall.

The warning stems from the September 8 arrest of a Toronto man in an eavestrough cleaning scheme in south Etobicoke, police said in a press release.

Officers at 22 Division were last month made aware of a man reportedly attending multiple addresses of senior citizens in the area.

Police claim a man would offer eavestrough cleaning or claimed to have completed eavestrough cleaning. He would then demand money for a service not provided, police allege.

In most cases the work is never completed as the suspect takes off with your money.

Brian Bingley, 60, has been arrested and charged for robbery.

 

Shoot-out by rivals in New Toronto afterhours club party clash

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More than 80 bullets were flying in New Toronto as you slept.

It was a wild-west shootout as one man was injured and more than a dozen vehicles laced with gunfire in a feud by rival parties attending an afterhours club.

At least 80 bullet casings were found when the smoke had settled down in the early morning of September 8 on Eighth St., near Morrison St.

Police and politicians believe the gunfire erupted around 4:30 a.m. at the scene of a new after-hours club that recently opened up near Lakeshore Blvd., and Ninth St.

Officers say a ‘gender reveal’ party, which was well advertised on social media, was taking place at the club.

Councillor Mark Grimes says he is working with police and City officials to have the club shut down and for more officers to begin patrolling the area.

Residents say the club became rowdy after midnight when dozens of cars, and club patrons, usually lined the laneway.

One man was shot in the leg, and will recover, and another was provided life-saving emergency medical aid while passed out on a couple’s front lawn.

Police said the brazen occupants of two cars in the area were shooting at each other, and then were seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed before police arrived.

Lakeshore Blvd. W.  between Seventh and Ninth Sts. was shut for traffic and the TTC for hours as police searched for forensic clues, which included cars laced with bullet holes which smashed the windows, sides and even one with a flat tire.

Witnesses say one suspect was shooting what appeared to be a ‘machine pistol’ which peppered rounds everywhere as bar patrons, partygoers and witnesses scrambled for cover. Others with weapons at the party were shooting back at the gunman.

A gas meter was struck by one of the bullets and Enbridge had to attend to shut the gas off, police said.

Police say this is among the most shells collected recently from a Toronto crime scene.

Area residents say the gunplay demonstrates that a City plan to open a shelter nearby will only make things worst, with more people coming into the community.

This has been the third shooting, and a stabbing, in the area in the past month.

Police are going through video of the area and say mugshots of the suspects will be released soon.

 

 

Celebration of life for well-known trade unionist Megan Whitfield

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Friends and family members of well-known trade unionist Megan Tanya Whitfield will be gathering on Sunday September 6 at Meadowvale Conservation Park to celebrate her life.

The celebration takes place at 1 p.m. at the park, which is located at 1081 Old Derry Rd. W., Mississauga.

Whitfield is well-known as the first Black President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW,) Toronto Local, which represented thousands or posties at Gateway Postal Facility, in Mississauga.

She was a forward-thinking leader who stood up for the rights of female workers and was instrumental in getting Canada’s first Black postie Albert Jackson commemorated on Canada Post stamp.

The Jamaica-born mom, grandmother, sister and aunt also played a key role at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where she was a core member of the Executive Board, Executive Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee. At the OFL Convention, she co-chaired the Convention Resolutions Committee.

She was also a long-time member and board member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists’ Canadian Chapter, who is helping to organize the event with The Ontario Federation of Labour.

“Megan’s strong leadership on the Workers of Colour Committee and in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists was instrumental in the work to end racial discrimination in Ontario and beyond,” Ontario Federation of Labour Secretary-Treasurer Ahmad Gaied said on her passing.

“The workers’ struggle was her struggle, and Whitfield’s leadership was instrumental in strengthening our movement,” added OFL Executive Vice-President Janice Folk-Dawson.

Megan died suddenly at her home last May 24.

Those attending the celebration are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, snacks, water or other items they may require during the socially distanced event. The celebrations will take place in rain or shine.

 

 

This detached Long Branch fixer upper is listed for $1 million

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Will you dish out $1 million for this fine Long Branch fixer upper!

The partially-burnt bungalow at 199 Thirtieth Street was recently listed for sale even though it is described as ‘unsafe to enter.’

The property is listed for $999,000 as ‘land value only,’  by listing agent REMAX Realtron Realty.

The detached home comes on a 45.50 by 134 feet lot, and offers ‘many permitted uses due to employment zoning,’ and can be used as an animal shelter, artist studio, park or even a police station.

“The property has an extensive list of uses,” the listing agent states. “It is among an up and coming residential neighbourhood.”

You can book an appointment to ‘walk the land.’

The house statistics show both the bedroom and bathroom counts as 0, and offer “no data” in the square-footage department.

This beauty is located between Brown’s Line and Kipling Ave., just south of Horner Ave., Long Branch GO Station, as well as both the QEW and Highway 427 are nearby.

It is in a neighbourhood which is described as an up-and-coming residential area.

Real estate records show that in 2007 the house was listed for $265,000. And in 2017 it was sold for $698,000. In 2019 listed for $769,000 and sold for $600,000.

Realtors say the initial $1 million cost for this home will only be the beginning, as the buyer has to build a new home or business.

Recently a tiny two-bedroom, one bathroom coach house on Euclid St., in Little Italy, which is much smaller and better condition than this one, sold for $1 million. It was advertised as a “rare detached bungalow located in the heart of Toronto.’

Real estate agents say the average cost of a Toronto home has gone up by $100,000 since last year despite everything, and prices are continuing to rise across the GTA.

 

 

Police seeking suspect in two hate crime attacks in New Toronto

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Toronto Police have released a blurred photo of a crazed suspect sought for two racially-motivated attacks in New Toronto in which a victim’s turban was torn off his head.

Police say the suspect targeted two South Asian men on August 25 and 31 who were going about their business.

In the first attack, police said the suspect approached a 21-year-old man in the Lake Shore Blvd. W. and First Street area.

“Without warning the man began striking the victim repeatedly and then tore off his turban,” police said in a press release.  “The suspect fled on foot eastbound on Lake Shore Boulevard W.”

In the second incident, officers say the suspect approached a 23-year-old man in the Dwight Ave. and Birmingham St. area and “began striking him on his head.”

The assailant then took off north on Dwight Ave.

Members of the force’s Hate Crime Unit are probing the attacks and believe the same suspect is responsible for the assaults.

“Police are actively investigation these incidents as hate-motivate assaults,” according to the release.  “Officers from the Hate Crime Unit will continue to work with divisional officers to establish the full circumstances.”

Mayor John Tory said hate-motivated assaults are completely unacceptable in our city.

“I want to assure members of our South Asian community that we stand with them against this violence,” he assured.

The suspect is described as white, 20 to 25-years-old, 5-foot-8 and about 180-pounds. In the first attack he was wearing a dark hoodie, bright orange hat and dark pants with white shoes. In the second incident, he was wearing a grey hoodie, with grey sweat pants and a black baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS or online at www.222tips.com

 

 

Metrolinx moves on 15-minute service and Long Branch Go station

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Finally work on the long-awaited Long Branch GO Station is moving ahead.

Metrolinx’s GO Expansion is working on its goal of 15-minute rail service on the Lakeshore West line and is upgrading its rail network to enable electrified and fully accessible service, in addition to making much-needed upgrades to the Long Branch GO Station.

Metrolinx, in an update, says the work on the Long Branch Go Station will be completed by 2023 and when completed it will be replaced with a new station building.

The company said there will be two new east and west tunnels with elevator and stair access to platform level.

There will be revisions to the existing parking lot, including a passenger pick-up and drop-off area, bike lanes, pedestrian walkways and bike shelters.

The station will have barrier-free washrooms and upgrades to communication, mechanical and electrical systems. There will also be improved access from Edgeware Dr.

It will feature an accessible west entrance building with a passenger pick-up and drop-off area.

In addition, there will be a rehabilitation of existing platforms, including snow melt systems, heated shelters, elevators, stairs and integrated platform canopies.

And provisions for electrification, including grounding and bonding and Overhead Contact System.

Metrolinx is promising to deliver “better service for you and your family for everything you need from your transit system.”

“The Lakeshore West Go expansion will expand your possibilities,” the company says.

They promise 15-minute service during the day between Toronto and Burlington, and new hourly service to and from Hamilton seven days a week.

Weekly trips on the GO network are increasing from about 1,500 weekly to nearly 6,000, Metrolinx promises.

“Even more residents can enjoy the convenience and seamless journey of our transit system,” it states. “We’re making it easier for you to choose transit first.”

The Lakeshore West line delivers two-way, all-day service seven days a week, from Toronto to Aldershot. It delivers rush-hour service from Hamilton to Toronto in the morning and back again in the afternoon. They have been operating a weekend service between Toronto and Niagara all year round.

 

Keeping your children safe and healthy as they return to school

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In less than two weeks Toronto elementary public schools are slated to begin a staggered start of the school year.

Some boards, like the Catholic school board, will begin on September 8, but children with the Toronto District School Board are slated to begin on September 15.

It is a very stressful time for South Etobicoke parents, like others elsewhere, who are concerned and worried about what to do or steps to take to keep their young ones safe.

MPP Christine Hogarth has sent out a list of activities parents can perform to help keep their children safe in school.

Hogarth says all staff and students must self-screen every day before attending school.

“Unwell students and staff must stay at home,” she says, urging parents to use a self-assessment tool available at ontario.ca

Schools are required to immediately report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to their local public health authorities.

Students from Grades 4 to 12 are required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school. Face coverings are encouraged for students up to Grade 3.

“The province is providing each school board funding to hire supply teachers and other school-based staff,” the release states.

Schools will teach students appropriate hand hygiene and provide break in schedules to allow students to wash their hands. Teachers and staff will also receive additional health and safety training.

Each student will be kept with the safe group of children and teachers as much as possible through the school day and extra teachers are being hired to support supervision.

Hogarth said up to 625 new public health nurses are being hired to provide rapid-response support to schools and boards, and facilitate public health and preventative measures.

Another 1,300 custodians are being hired and cleans supplies provided to ensure each school, and school buses, are thoroughly cleaned daily.

The schools will also ‘significantly’ limit visitors, including parents. They will also keep class attendance records, seating charts, lists of bused students and approved daily visitors for contact tracing.