The South Etobicoke News

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

City to vote tomorrow on opening new shelter in New Toronto

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Members of City Council are expected to vote on July 28 in favour of opening a controversial shelter for the homeless at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Eight St., in New Toronto.

The former vacant office building and BiWay store at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., are already listed as a new shelter location that is ‘coming soon’ to Toronto.

The New Toronto shelter is among six listed on a city website as coming soon. The others are at 2299 Dundas St. W., 705 Progress Ave., 354 George St., 4117 Lawrence Ave. E., and 101 Placer Crt.

“The City will be adding 1,000 new permanent shelter beds along with replacement shelter beds for the George Street Revitalization project,” according to the website. “New locations will pilot a new shelter service model to help with the integration of services within their local communities.”

The City is in the process of purchasing the property at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., for re-purposing into a municipal shelter, the website explains.

“A community engagement plan will be developed for this site and will include a number of activities, including opportunities to speak to staff and to get involved with integrating the new service into the community,” it promises.

The website says City Council has delegated authority to staff to find and select new locations for shelters.

“The City is not required to seek community input or permission on the location of new shelter sites,” City officials say.

The City has set aside funds to maintain and bring the shelter up to standards and it is expected to be opened in 2022 with about 95 beds.

The acquisition was adopted on July 7 by the General Government and Licensing Committee and will be considered by City Council on Tuesday July 28.

The City said the two properties ‘create a large-sized property that allows flexibility in responding to changes in shelter standards and demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

The opening of a shelter has split members of the community with business and property owners who do not want the facility on their main street. There are many others who say the homeless require a place to live.

The shelter will serve equity-seeking groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, individuals with mental health issues, the working poor, Indigenous people, people who identify as LGBTQ2S and other vulnerable groups.

 

Some residents give thumbs up on social media for planned shelter

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Many area residents are applauding on social media a plan by the City of Toronto to open a massive Municipal Shelter at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

The acquisition of the former Bi Way and vacant office building site by the City has been met with outrage and skepticism by some groups, including some residents and the Lake Shore Village BIA, who are calling for a public hearing into the issue.

The acquisition was adopted on July 7 by the General Government and Licensing Committee and will be considered by City Council on Tuesday July 28.

Natasha Jansen is pleased more spaces are available to help those in need.

“Hopefully more long term solutions towards getting people housed are also on the way,” she wrote on the South Etobicoke Community Group.

“We as a community should support this and not make marginalized populations feel that they are dirty, invisible or not tolerated,” says Nicole Byng.

“More shelters are needed as all are full,” Nikki Mackie explains. “It sucks when you need help and have no help no one wants to sleep on the streets.”

Marcus R Tnt is asking why the City doesn’t turn older schools that cannot handle the ‘populations in the area in centres for people trying to get back on their feet.’

“I’m all for shelters but push it into Port Credit a bit and mix everyone into one big melting pot,” notes Candace Parisi. “There are already tons of housing on Tenth St.”

Well-known area realtor Graham Rowlands says the City chose the best location for a shelter since the Toronto Food Bank, LAMP, Women’s Habitat, Salvation Army (Long Branch) and Haven on the Queensway are nearby and public transit is available.

If the shelter is approved by City Council, upgrade work will begin next year with the facility opening in 2022.

The City said the two properties ‘create a large-sized property that allows flexibility in responding to changes in shelter standards and demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

The shelter will serve equity-seeking groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, individuals with mental health issues, the working poor, Indigenous people, people who identify as LGBTQ2S and other vulnerable groups.

The motion before City Council can be viewed here http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.GL14.11

New Toronto residents seek public hearings into City Shelter

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Residents of New Toronto have mixed feelings about a large Municipal Shelter being opened at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W. and are urgently seeking public consultations.

Toronto City Council will vote on Tuesday, July 28, if it will go ahead and purchase or lease the site that is now a vacant office building and former Bi Way store for use as a shelter for the homeless and people with challenges.

Members of the Lakeshore Village BIA held a news conference on Saturday to update the media and community members. They plan to ask for a motion by the City to be deferred, pending the results of a public hearing.

“There has to be a public hearing into this process,” says Chris Korwin Kuczynski, Chair of the Board of the Lake Shore Village BIA. “We have been working extremely hard to improve our community and this will set us back.”

City documents show negotiations have been underway since last November for the City to obtain the site for a shelter, which will start off with about 95 beds.

The buildings will be brought up to standard next year and will be in operation by 2022.

BIA Treasurer Rattan Gandhi told supporters outside the Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge at First St., that the shelter will be bad news for developers, realtors, homebuyers, local businesses and property owners who have made investments in the area.

One woman says there are three schools in the area whose students will have to walk by the shelter.

The acquisition was adopted on July 7 by the General Government and Licensing Committee and will be considered by City Council on Tuesday.

“The use of the property as a municipal shelter will support City Council’s direction to expand the number of permanent new shelter beds by 1,000,” according to documents filed.

The City said the two properties ‘create a large-sized property that allows flexibility in responding to changes in shelter standards and demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

“All new shelters, including the property, are being designed so that they may be converted into housing in the future,” according to the City. “As demand for municipal shelters changes, the property can be partly or wholly transitioned into supportive or transitional housing.”

The shelter will serve equity-seeking groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers, individuals with mental health issues, the working poor, Indigenous people, people who identify as LGBTQ2S and other vulnerable groups.

The motion before City Council can be viewed here http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.GL14.11

 

Banners welcome NHL Stars to the City & South Etobicoke

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Let our national sport begin!

Two large banners and dozens of smaller posters welcoming NHL Eastern Conference players, including our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, were placed on businesses in New Toronto.

Area residents are hoping the NHL stars will see the banners and posters from their ‘Toronto bubble’ as they travel by team bus along Lake Shore Blvd. W. for a skate at the Ford Centre for Performance, on Kipling Ave.

“We want the players to know that they are welcome as they drive by,” says Chris Korwin Kuczynski, Chair of the Board of the Lakeshore Village BIA. “We want them to have a good time and some good games in Toronto.”

One of the banner was placed outside the Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge, at First St., where there was a well-attended media conference.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have announced return-to-play protocols, which features Toronto and Edmonton acting as hub cities for players to better fight COVID-19.

Most of the Eastern Conference players are expected to arrive in Toronto on Sunday, July 26.

Some are expected to practice at the Ford Centre, which is used by the Leafs.

Many spots where fans can usually see their favourite players have been shut or are non-accessible due to the pandemic.

“We want to welcome all the players on behalf of the Lake Shore Village BIA,” Korwin Kuczynski says. “We want them to have an excellent season.”

The teams will be isolated and confined to ‘a bubble’ to avert the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The NHL playoffs this year is slated to begin on July 30 after a week of training camp.

The league consists of 31 teams, 24 of which are based in the U.S. and seven in Canada.

 

 

22 Division Station Duty Operator Samler retires after 37-years

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One of the longest-serving Station Duty Operator for Toronto Police has answered her last call after 37-years of service on the force.

Dianne Samler was given a great send off last week by friends and colleagues of 22 Division, where she has worked for many years.

“It is a well-deserved retirement,” one senior officer said. “On behalf of the Command, all sworn and civilian officers at the 22 Division, Toronto Police Service, thank you for your service. “

Many officers and civilian employees were sad but happy at the same time to see her go.

“Wishing you the best retirement ever!” another officer said. “Enjoy the new chapter of your life and enjoy being your own boss.”

“Thank you for your work and dedication to keep our families safe! God Bless you,” co-worker Sandy Savo wrote on social media.

Lynn Gardner Perani thanked Dianner for a job well done.

“Time for you to relax a bit and enjoy your retirement,” Perani wished. “Best wishes for a happy future coming your way.”

“Happy retirement Dianne,” echoed Christine Page. “Thank you so much for being so devoted to serve the community with integrity.”

“Congratulations partner,” wrote Stephanie Lariviere. “I will miss “everything” about the times we shared. See you soon.”

Sylive Guay said Dianne was a very hard and dedicated worker.

“Indeed one of the hardest working SDOs I have ever known,” Guay wrote. “You’ll love it and you will be missed.”

Elaine Jacqueline Tweedie touted that Dianne now belongs to the best club ever.

“It has been the greatest pleasure knowing you,” Nicole and Michael wrote. “So much love for you.”

Happy Retirement Dianne!

 

 

Press Release to Welcome NHL Players to Toronto

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WELCOME NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
July 25, 2020 
 
Join members of the Lakeshore Village BIA as they erect two large hockey banners, and place many more smaller posters in store windows, to welcome to Toronto members of the NHL Eastern Conference and our beloved Maple Leafs for a short and exciting season.
We will be installing the banners (attached) to welcome the many NHL players and teams at the Maple Leaf House Grill & Lounge, at 2749 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near First St., at 11 a.m.
 
Several hundred NHL players will descend on the City of Toronto on July 26 in preparation for the playoffs, which begin in August. The Maple Leafs regularly practice at the Ford Performance Centre, on Kipling Ave.
 
Chris Korwin Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, will also be available to speak on residents’ outrage to a large Municipal Shelter being opened on prime 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (the old BiWay store at Eight St.) without public consultation.
 
For further information call Korwin Kuczynski at 416-845-5777.
 

New Toronto groups outraged over new City shelter being opened

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Residents and members of the Lakeshore Village BIA are up in arms after learning the City of Toronto plans to open a massive multi-bed municipal shelter in a prime location at 2950 and 2970 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Eight St.

Talks have been underway since last November for the City to obtain the high-traffic location that was occupied for decades by a now vacant four-storey office building and former Bi Way store.

The acquisition was adopted on July 7 by the General Government and Licensing Committee and will be considered by City Council on July 28.

The financial information was not provided in Council documents since they claim the info can affect their bidding position.

BIA Chair Chris Korwin-Kuczynski says his members are furious since no one, including the City Councillor, notified the community about the pending acquisition.

“This was very sneaky,” he fumed. “This is a very important decision for the BIA and residents and no one told us it was in the works.”

The BIA will try to defer the July 28 meeting until public consultations are held by the community.

The City has deemed the property “as the only available viable option, with a willing seller, that is strategically located in the southwest area of Etobicoke.”

“The use of the property as a municipal shelter will support City Council’s direction to expand the number of permanent new shelter beds by 1,000,” according to documents filed.

The City said the two properties ‘create a large-sized property that allows flexibility in responding to changes in shelter standards and demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

Officials with the City’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration say in response to the virus more space will be required with a two-metre separation between beds and other distance requirements.

“All new shelters, including the property, are being designed so that they may be converted into housing in the future,” according to the City. “As demand for municipal shelters changes, the property can be partly or wholly transitioned into supportive or transitional housing.”

Preliminary site investigations have been completed and sufficient funds for renovation and remediation have been made available.

If City Council approves the acquisition of the properties, renovation to shelter standards will commence in 2021 for the shelter to begin operations in 2022. It is estimated that it will contain about 100 beds.

The shelter will serve equity-seeking groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, individuals with mental health issues, the working poor, Indigenous people, people who identify as LGBTQ2S and other vulnerable groups.

The motion before City Council can be viewed here http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2020.GL14.11

 

 

Area women urged to apply for climate change mentorship program

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Women in the community can win a cash prize of $20,000 for their work with climate change.

They have until July 31 to apply for a Women4Climate Toronto Programme, which will contribute to the next generation of climate leaders, through a mentorship dedicated to women who are working to address the climate crisis.

Twelve women will be selected to join Toronto’s first cohort. Through a combination of mentoring, training and networking opportunities, participants will be supported and empowered to bring their climate-related project, idea, or business start-up to life.

Following the mentorship programme, the City of Toronto and partners will host a pitch competition, to reward the best women-led climate idea to create a healthier, more sustainable and resilient urban future.

The winner will receive additional support to advance her project, along with a $20,000 cash prize.

Women4Climate mentorship programme aims to support 500 women across the world to accelerate their climate projects.

Women leaders played a critical role in negotiating the Paris Agreement and continue to drive ambitious climate action in cities, businesses and NGOs around the world. Women also make up more than half the world’s population and are often disproportionately impacted by climate change.

Candidates must be a woman, live, study or work in Toronto and have a current climate action project, start-up business or idea for a future project.

Toronto is one of three cities in Canada and 16 cities globally participating in C40 Cities

For more information visit w4c.org.

 

Police back in force to curb rowdies in our parks this weekend

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Toronto Police say they’ll be back in force at our lakeside parks again this weekend targeting bonfires, rowdy partiers and the spread of COVID-19.

There have been dozens of complaints by residents near the lake about the loud partying, fireworks and raging bonfires being lit which are usually circled by large groups of alcohol-drinking partiers who are not wearing masks.

City officials are concerned that the fires can spread due to the hot and dry conditions expected in the next few days.

Sgt. Lhawang Jongdong, of 22 Division’s Community Response Unit, says another “parks enforcement and crowd management initiative” will take place over the weekend.

“We are definitely seeing results of our effort,” he says. “We need to work on the education component of this initiative.”

He says officers are intercepting people going to the park with portable barbeques, fire logs, take out food and all sorts of beverage.

“We have intercepted a lot of them,” Jongdong says. “Most of the people we see are not aware of park rules or regulations.”

Officers will be paying special attention to Marie Curtis Park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Prince of Wales and Humber Bay Park east and west, where most complaints stem from.

Police say on many nights they have to extinguish fires started by partiers, who are not deterred by a fine of more than $300 for starting a fire in a City park.

Area residents have posted photos of bags of garbage they’ve had to clean up the following day after the partiers have left.

Police say the entrances and parking lots of the parks will be shut early and will be monitored by parking and other bylaw enforcement officers.

Live music Saturday at a Twenty Seventh Street Jam

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Enjoy live music by the lake.

Members of the community are invited to a Twenty Seventh Street Jam taking place July 25 and featuring some top area musicians.

The physically distanced jam will take place on Saturday between 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the foot of Twenty Seventh Street, near the lake, according to a posting on social media.

Hosted by musicians Ed Ho and Christopher Plock, the band will feature Eric St-Laurent on guitar, Mark Dunn on bass and vocals, Joe Cullen on drums, Peter BonGiovanni on percussion and Plock on sax and vocals.

The band will be accepting donations for MasksForMeals.org, in support of community food banks.

MasksforMeals is a local initiative inspired by friends in the Mississauga and Oakville area who were moved to help during COVID 19.  Three women began sewing masks for friends and families after Dr. Theresa Tam suggested they may help limit the spread of infection.  At the same time, they were struck by the growing need for food banks as people lost their jobs and food supply diminished.

Rather than charging for the masks, they asked for a donation to local food banks.  Word soon spread through social media and the goal is to expand the effort across Mississauga and Oakville.

Music lovers are urged to bring a chair, face mask and respect physical distancing rules.