The South Etobicoke News

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

Party and hang your flags up high on Canada Day

by

Fly your flags high and be proud!

Merchants in the Lakeshore Village BIA are urging residents and others get out and display their Canadian flags tomorrow to honour our front-line emergency workers who show their true colours every day in battling COVID-19.

The BIA’s campaign calls on residents to shop locally and express thanks to the many area front-line workers by putting up Canadian flags or a drawing of a flag on their home or store windows.

“Say thank you to our front-line workers by putting up a Canadian flag or drawing of our flag,” says Kris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA. “Let’s show our heroes some love and respect.”

The BIA is also lobbying to have a public holiday declared in honour of the Canadian flag. February 15 was declared the National Flag of Canada Day in 1965.

This year most in-person events were cancelled due to the virus.

The CN Tower will be celebrating Canada Day with a 15-minute light show beginning at 10 p.m.

The fireworks will be streamed at www.cntower.ca and accompanied with a playlist featuring music by a diverse group of Canadian artists simulcast on CHUM FM, 104.5.

There is also a virtual all-star program in which residents will see over 50 artists perform, including Haviah Mighty, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Ali Hassan, Cris Derksen, The Next Generation Leahy and more.

An emphasis on Toronto culture is part of the event, with some performances happening both live and pre-recorded from venues around the city like the newly renovated El Mocombo.

Canada Day 2020 livestreams will be available on July 1 beginning at 9 a.m.​ on YouTube.

Don’t forget your downloadable Celebration Kits are also available for free and include Canada-themed crafts, games, recipes, outdoor activities and more.

 

Council votes against defunding police budget, approves reforms

by

 

 

Etobicoke councillor Mark Grimes was among the 16 politicians who voted against the 10% defunding of the Toronto Police Service $1.2 billion budget that was to go to community services.

Council on Monday voted 16 to eight against touching the police budget and opted for a series of reforms including the creation of a non-police response team for dealing with mental health calls and for all officers to have body-worn cameras by the start of next year.

The response team can be a life-saver and what has been sought by countless victims: including the family and friends of Ejaz Choudry, who have been protesting his death for almost a week.

Choudry, 62, who suffered from schizophrenia, was shot and killed by Peel Regional Police. The family say they had called police for a health check and did not expect Choudry to be killed  by police.

Mayor John Tory said his proposed changes, introduced last week, will reduce systemic racism within the force. He said cutting the service by an “arbitrary” number was misguided.

“It is not the right way to go about getting real change, effective change, fair change, good change,” the mayor said. “I don’t want us to be focused on a number; I want us to be focused on making change that needs to be made.”

Councillors Josh Matlow and Krystin Wong-Tam had called for a 10 per cent cut of the police budget, arguing the $150 million could be put to better use by investing in community programs.

Council heard that such a cut would mean the loss of about 1,000 officers and could take years to implement because of collective bargaining agreements with the police union.

Police say there are currently eight mobile crisis intervention teams, which include a police officer and a nurse trained in dealing with those have mental health emergencies.

Police Chief Mark Saunders say the teams do not operate 24-hours per day and are not the primary responders. They are dispatched once patrol officers have arrived and evaluated the situation.

Mental health calls make up about 30,000 of the nearly one million calls police respond to every year, or about 82 calls a day.

A motion to defund Toronto Police by 10% is being debated

by

The residents of South Etobicoke love their cops.

And in the next two days, the future of policing in Toronto is being debated to try and make things more equitable for all.

Toronto City Council are debating virtually on some hard issues today and tomorrow, starting at 9:30 a.m.  The meeting will be streamed online.

At issues are Councillors Josh Matlow and Kristyn Wong-Tam who have put forward a motion earlier this month calling for a 10 per cent cut of the police budget.

They argue the money could be put to better use by investing in community programs.

City staff said a 10 per cent cut would amount to about $150 million. The police budget is more than $1.2 billion yearly.

Mayor John Tory has also revealed his own plan to reform the force, but it does not include a budget cut.

Tory’s proposal includes several initiatives intended to eliminate systemic racism in policing and would stop police from responding to mental health calls that do not involve weapons or violence.

Demands for changes stem from the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who fell from her balcony after police responded to a call at her home. Police in Peel Region are also facing scrutiny after the death of Ejaz Choudry, who was fatally shot by officers while experiencing a mental health crisis.

Mental health calls make up about 30,000 of the nearly one million calls police respond to every year.

Mike McCormack, president of the Toronto Police Association, said a cut of 10 per cent would result in hundreds of jobs being lost. He estimates the positions of at least 500 police officers would be cut if the motion passed.

To be continued.

Residents welcome farmers’ market back next week

by

Humber Bay Park residents are delighted that their farmers’ market is finally being reopened on July 4.

Organizers have drawn a list of rules and say that face covering will be required to attend the market.

They say no pets will be allowed in the market, neither will there be eating, drinking or sampling allowed.

“Capacity is limited, so please shop quickly so others can enjoy,” the organizers posted on Facebook.

They said physical distancing protocols will be followed and there will be a single entrance, exit and one-way traffic

The market will run every Saturday until mid-October, at Humber Bay Park West, and is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Customers are asked to use debit or credit cards when possible.

Many people in the area welcome the market after months housebound due to COVID-19. Some other residents were complaining on social media that they could not take their pets with them to the market.

 

 

 

What’s taking place in South Etobicoke this Canada Day!

by

It seems very little live entertainment will be taking place this Canada Day on Wednesday, July 1 to mark our 153 birthday.

The CN Tower will be celebrating Canada Day with an amazing  15-minute light show beginning at 10 p.m.

The fireworks can also be streamed at www.cntower.ca where you will see the beautiful lights burst across the sky. The fireworks will be accompanied with a playlist featuring music by a diverse group of Canadian artists simulcast on CHUM FM, 104.5.

Most residents can tune in and look up, and all Canadians can watch the live stream from home and sing along to a celebration in light and sound.

The Six will be going virtual with a star-studded program on Canada Day in which residents will  see over 50 artists perform, including Haviah Mighty, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Choir! Choir! Choir!, Ali Hassan, Cris Derksen, The Next Generation Leahy and more.

An emphasis on Toronto culture is part of the event, with some performances happening both live and pre-recorded from venues around the city like the newly renovated El Mocombo.

Spread out over three segments throughout the day, the Culture Jam portion in the afternoon will include jam sessions from different Toronto artists and highlight neighbourhoods across the city.

Tune into a morning livestream from 9 to 10 a.m. with hosts Devo Brown and Jessica Holmes, featuring socially distanced breakfast by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Executive Chef

Enjoy a special 40th anniversary rendition of O’Canada, family-friendly performances by Jully Black, The Next Generation Leahy, Classic Roots and Kim Mitchell, and learn dance moves from Keep Rockin’ You.

Canada Day 2020 livestreams will be available on July 1 beginning at 9 a.m.​ on YouTube.

Downloadable Celebration Kits are also available for free and include Canada-themed crafts, games, recipes, outdoor activities and more.

Due to the pandemic, city-hosted events have been cancelled and large-scale gatherings are prohibited.

Mayor John Tory is encouraging residents to decorate their porches, front doors, balconies or windows for this year’s Canada Day.

If outdoor is more your style, you are urged to take a lakefront cycle or walks along Humber Bay Parks, Col. Samuel Smith or enjoy the water at Marie Curtis Park.

 

Locations of area speeding ticket cams to start on July 6

by

Be wary of your driving fellow South Etobicoke motorists.

Starting July 6 the City of Toronto will begin issuing speeding tickets using automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras that will mail the tickets to vehicle owners.

Mayor John Tory announced the 50 enforcement cameras will begin issuing tickets to lead-footed drivers who speed starting on July 6.

“If you ignore the clearly posted warning signs [and] speed limits, you will get a ticket for speeding in these zones,” Tory warned.

The program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic which began in mid-March. However, over the last few months although car traffic has decreased, there has been a spike in speeding and stunt driving.

He said between March 23 and April 27, the Toronto police saw a 600 per cent increase in stunt driving. Ironically one of the worst strip in our area for racing is Horner Ave., near Sir Adam Beck Jr. School, where there has been more than 6,000 incidents, according to police statistics.

The new ASE systems were installed in community safety zones, near school zones and can rotate as the city deems necessary.

There are about 16 or more such traffic cams that will be activated in our community. Their locations include:

-Bloor St. W. and The East Mall

-Bloor St. W. and The West Mall

-Burmanthorpe Rd. and The East Mall

-Bloor St.W. and Islington Ave.

– Islington Ave. and Evans Ave.

-Kipling Ave. and Horner Ave.

-Horner Ave. east of Foch Ave

-The Queensway and Royal York Rd.

-The Queensway and The West Mall

-The Queensway and The East Mall

-The Queensway and North Queen St.

-The Queensway and Kipling Ave.

-The Queensway and Islington Ave.

-Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Thirty Seventh St.

-Lake Shore Blvd W and Park Lawn Rd

-Lake Shore Blvd W and Windermere Ave

Farmers hurting as they can’t sell their goods in market

by

Many farmers are suffering as they cannot sell their goods and produce to local farmers’ markets who are unsure as to when they will reopen for business.

Humber Bay Park residents are among those disappointed and unsure as to when they will receive permission to reopen their brisk stalls to sell a range of foods, produce or hand-made goods.

City officials say they are working with 22-city farmers markets to safely reopen the marketplace when it is safe to do so. Lakeshore Village Park farmers market is also affected.

Many markets are targeting opening dates in July, allowing them time to receive their permits and implement new protocols required by Toronto Public Health.

“Farmers’ markets are valued members of the food supply chain and provide Torontonians with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, encourage residents to get outside and be physically active, and support the local agriculture sector,” says a press release.

The seasonal outdoor areas of the St. Lawrence Market has been reopened and will run until Nov. 14. The outdoor market has been relocated to Market St., between The Esplanade and Wilson St., to allow for physical distancing.

The indoor portion of the St. Lawrence Market has been operating throughout the pandemic.

New guidelines have been set that farmers’ markets will have to follow to reopen safely and includes: all staff and vendors filling out a health-screening questionnaire before each shift, keep a contact list of all staff, vendors and employees, encouraging physical distancing, managing customer lines, visual markers, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizers for customers and masks for staff and customers.

 

 

 

Six beaches including Marie Curtis open for swimming

by

Happy Friday. It promises to be a hot weekend and Marie Curtis Park East Beach is among the beaches open for swimming.

Lifeguards returned to duty on June 22 at six of Toronto’s swimming beaches. They will supervise the beaches daily from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“Toronto’s beaches have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” City of Toronto officials said on their website. “It’s important for Torontonians to have opportunities to cool down outdoors.”

City staff say our beach water is regularly monitored and tested for quality, with samples being sent to Toronto Public Health.

The beaches open in the City of Toronto includes: our local Marie Curtis Park East Beach, Sunnyside Beach, Woodbine Beach (Blue Flag), Kew-Balmy Beach (Blue Flag), Cherry-Clarke Beach (Blue Flag) and Bluffer’s Park (Blue Flag.)

The four Toronto Island Park beaches will open for swimming on July 1. Rouge Valley Beach is inaccessible, and a supervised swim program will not operate there this summer.

“We want everyone to be safe when swimming and enjoying other water activities,” says Mayor John Tory. “It’s why we regularly test beach water quality and ensure swimming beaches are supervised by lifeguards.”
While visiting a beach or park, residents must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding.

Toronto boasts some of the best swimming beaches around, City officials say, adding eight of its 11 beaches have been awarded Blue Flag certification, meeting high standards for water quality, environmental management and education, safety and services.

“These beaches are perfect for taking a swim during the hot summer months,” according to the City.

They say every day park staff groom beaches, empty waste bins and use a tractor-mounted magnet as required to pick up metal items, in addition to the manual collection of larger items.

More information about the City’s swimming beaches is available at toronto.ca/beaches.

Toronto is celebrating Virtual Canada Day 2020 with still lots to do

by

Toronto’s going virtual for Canada’s 153rd birthday next Wednesday, January 1, with music, comedy, dance and online fireworks.

Enjoy special morning, afternoon and evening livestream shows featuring Kardinal Offishall, Gordon Lightfoot, Jully Black, Haviah Mighty, Choir!Choir!Choir!, The Next Generation Leahy and more.

Participate in virtual Canada Day programs from home and download interactive and all-age Celebration Kits. Plus nominate a frontline worker for recognition.

There will be celebrations being held in cities across the nation as we party and celebrate our 153rd birthday, which is always one of the better public holidays of the year.
Canada Day 2020 livestreams will be available on July 1 beginning at 9 a.m.​

The virtual show is presented by City of Toronto – Your Local Government and made possible in part by Canadian Heritage. There will be lots of music, online activities and more importantly its kid friendly so the entire family can tune in.

Schedule · Wednesday, July 1, 2020

9:00 AM

Canadian Pancake Breakfast

1:00 PM

Culture Jam

7:00 PM

Ready for Prime Time

It is not known what this year’s Canada Day activities will look like due to COVID-19. Every year previously Toronto kicked off Canada Day in a big way at Mel Lastman Square in an event that attracted more than 30,000 spectators of all ages, primarily families featuring live Canadian music, interactive games and entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks display. 

 MORE EVENTS ARE UPCOMING AS WE GET IT.

 

Free funds from a Lakeshore charity goes to help poor Filipino families

by

Free money from a Lakeshore foundation is being given to some of the poorest families in the Philippines.

The free funds would make Long Branch accountant, the late Phillip Barker, a happy man.

Barker, who passed away in May, was founder of the Lakeshore Charitable Foundation (LCF) and four-decade owner of Lakeshore Accounting. He was well-respected as a long-time Treasurer, of the Long Branch BIA.

The foundation, which sponsored the Bay Bay Central School in the Philippines, has over the years sent hundreds of text books, schools supplies, laptop computers, printers and other supplies to help the poor students.

They also repaired the school buildings and added a new roof, shade protection and sent desks from Canada. In addition, they established a breakfast club feeding hundreds of pupils daily and presented awards for student performance yearly.

“A lot has changed in the world since the passing of the President of the Foundation,” says LCF director Rosemary Smart. “As a director I have undertaken a new project in the Philippines. “

Smart, with the invaluable help from rural community leaders in that country, were able to identify some of the poorest families with kids attending the LCF-sponsored school, and distributed cash pesos to dozens of needy families.

“The LCF gave the sum of 2,000 Philippine peso (or about $50 Cdn) to each recipient’s family who were suffering without jobs or government support,” she says in an email, adding they assisted 40 families with cash to purchase food and other supplies.

She says a list of needy families were provided to the foundation and she used advocates in the Philippines who travelled to a remote barangay to locate the recipients and hand over the money.

“They went to the remote places where the poorest of the poor families lived,” Smart says of the search party. “One by one they searched for their homes.”

It took the search party four hours to find the recipients, many who were elderly with little or no families.

“We cried watching these poorest of the poor families suffer with no food,” she recalls. “Some of them lived in a space smaller than a pig’s house.”

The work of the foundation and fundraising continue in Etobicoke to help others making Barker a very proud man.