The South Etobicoke News

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

Police probing racist messages that angers community

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Residents are breathing a sigh of relief after some racist posters and stickers, which appear to be promoting white supremacy, were quickly removed by concerned citizens.

Officers of 11 Division are investigating a number of posters and stickers promoting white nationalism which were found in the Dundas St. W. and Royal York Rd. area on the weekend.

The posters, which angered many, was aimed at white people, and contained messages such as: “Never apologise for being white,” and “There is a war on whites” and “It’s okay to be white.”

The stickers said: “Think Green Buy Local,” and included a website address for a Canadian white nationalist movement.

The materials were deemed racist by many irate residents of the area.

One area resident said he saw about 25 stickers on a Bloor St. W. pole and began removing them.

Councillor Mark Grimes said his office reported the posters and stickers to city staff for removal as soon as possible. His officials have been in touch with police.

Anyone with information on the hate posters are asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or at CrimeStoppers to remain anonymous.

Anniversary for families on ill-fated Air India flight

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Canadian flags were flown at half-mast near an Air India Flight 182 memorial cenotaph at Humber Bay Park East and elsewhere as families mourned the 35th anniversary loss of their loved ones on the ill-fated flight that was destroyed in mid-air.

Many family members returned to place rocks on the spot on the Air India memorial to mark the names of their loved ones who died when a bomb exploded on Flight 182, off the coast of Ireland, on June 23, 1985.

Among the 329 victims, were 280 Canadians and 86 children.

This year due to COVID-19, victims mourned in small, private gatherings and online condolences as they remembered the worst mass murder in Canadian history.

Physical distancing rules and restrictions on gatherings of more than 50 people have resulted in a shift from the in-person memorial services that are attended by hundreds of families yearly in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

Only one man, Inderjit Singh Reyat, has been convicted in relation to the bombing and is now free, having served 30 years for lying at trial and for his role in the crime.

Crown lawyers alleged the bombing was a terrorist attack against state-owned Air India, an act of revenge by B.C.-based Sikh extremists against the Indian government for ordering the army to raid Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, in June 1984.

Reyat, a mechanic, pleaded guilty to reduced charges of helping to make the bombs at his home in Duncan, B.C.

He was also convicted of committing perjury at the trials of two other B.C. men, Ajaib Singh Bagri and Ripudaman Singh Malik, who were acquitted of murder and conspiracy charges in the two bombings.

The man who Canadian authorities suspected of being the mastermind of the bomb plot, Talwinder Singh Parmar, was killed in India by police.

In 2005, the federal government proclaimed June 23 National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

“The attack was an act of unspeakable malice and remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement. “It was a shock to our country, and a threat to our collective sense of security.”

 

 

Some new businesses opening up in the community

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With the nice weather comes a string of new small businesses who are setting up stores in our area to help improve the community.

In these trying times we have to shop locally and support our businesses before they shut down.

A big welcome goes to Le Gourmand Lakeshore, at 2897 Lake Shore Blvd. W., which opened its doors about two months ago wowing residents with its world-famous cookies, pastries, sandwiches and signature cakes.

Already an area favourite, the store has another location, The Le Gourmand Café, at Spadina and Richmond St., which offers more services and food.

Just west near Eight Street work is being done to renovate Lucky’s Chicken N’ Waffles, which according to their sign is advertising for kitchen staff, cook and cashier experience.

Those with experience are asked to send their resume by email to info@luckychickennwaffles.com

Further west, near 30th Street is the Waffle House, which sells wings, burgers, waffle burgers and other fast food.

Not much us know about this facility, which appears to be nearly ready and may be opening up soon.

Finally, Kettleman’s Bagel Co. is bringing its beloved Montreal-style rings this fall next to Farm Boy at Alderwoods Plaza.

The brand, which has been baking its bagels in wood-fired ovens since 1993, is known for operating 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning soon Torontonians will be able to order their decked-out bagels whenever they want.

They sell traditional bagels like pumpernickel and chocolate, spreads like lox and cream cheeses, festive seasonal bagels, like green ones for St. Patty’s or Cinco de Mayo fajita bagels.

They recently introduced the bagel dog to their menu, too: a mash-up between a bagel and a hot dog. Toronto’s bagel game is about to be taken to the next level.

If you know of other new businesses opening up please let us know at thesouthetobicokenews@gmail.com

 

More bike share stations to discover the lakefront

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Bike Share Toronto offers 24/7 convenient access to 6,850 bikes and 625 stations across 200 square miles of the city. Whether you’re commuting or exploring the city with friends and family, bike share is a fun, flexible and cost-effective way to discover South Etobicoke.

Whether commuting for work or using for leisure, you’ll enjoy Bike Share Toronto for any purpose. They cycles provide great exercise and is good for you and the environment. Here are some of the many bike share stations to meet friends and discover the community.

Lake Shore Blvd. W. @ Thirty Ninth Street    –    7 bikes, 12 docks

Lake Shore Blvd. W. @ Twenty Fourth Street       –    6 bikes, 13 docks

Humber College   –   Lake Shore Blvd. W. @ Kipling Ave.    –    9 bikes, 18 docks

Royal York Rd. @ Mimico Ave.    –    13 bikes, 6 docks

Amos Waites Park        –      19 bikes, 8 docks

Windsor St. @ Newcastle St.          –   11 bikes, 20 docks

Lake Shore Blvd. W.  @ Louisa St.   Smart       –    13 bikes, 2 docks

Humber Bay Shores Park West                –         19 bikes, 12 docks

Humber Bay Shores Park  @  Marine Parade Dr.            –       24 bikes, 2 docks

The Queensway  @  High St.        –    11 bikes, 12 docks

Berry Rd.  @  Dell Manor Rd.          –     8 bikes, 11 docks

Humber Bay Shores Park East        –      20 bikes, 3 docks

Lake Shore Blvd. W.   @    Windermere Ave.          –   7 bikes, 11 docks

 

Suspect sought for damaging police memorial

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It is shocking and appalling since these officers died for us.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a person of interest who they believe is responsible for vandalizing the Ontario Police Memorial.

Police believe the attack to the memorial, located near Queen’s Park, occurred on June 20 around 7:42 p.m.

The memorial was created to honour Ontario police officers who have died in the line of duty.

The OPP released an image of a person of interest on Sunday.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told CBC the culprit used red spray paint to mark the memorial with graffiti.

“We are appealing for assistance from the public in identifying a person of interest,” the OPP said in a tweet.

Anyone with information is urged to call investigators at 1-888-310-1122.

Marking the struggles of Indigenous Peoples and police

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Today is National Indigenous Peoples Day as we support our First Nations in their struggles for freedom and equality.

There are a number of investigations underway against the RCMP into the killings of at least 25 Indigenous men, and women, in the last three years, records show.

Ceremonies are to be held for Rodney Levi, 48, who was fatally shot by the New Brunswick RCMP and Chantel Moore, 25, who was killed by an officer from the Edmundston Police Dept. They are the most recent victims of police shootings since June 4.

The New Brunswick shootings have prompted calls for a separate, independent inquiry and an overhaul of policing in the province, where the minister of Aboriginal affairs has already said there is a problem with systemic racism.

The gunfire have become part of a broader international discussion about police brutality and racism, which has gained prominence since police in Minnesota were filmed in the death of George Floyd, who was kneeled on for more than eight minutes by an officer on May 25, which sparked marches and anti-police demonstrations worldwide.

National Indigenous Peoples Day was announced in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through a Proclamation declaring June 21 of Each Year as National Aboriginal Day.

“This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples,” according to the federal government.

The groups share many similarities, but they each have their own distinct heritage, language, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

Many people recall in horror that 150,000 Indigenous children were removed and separated from their families and communities to attend residential schools. While most of the 139 Indian Residential Schools ceased to operate by the mid-1970s, the last federally-run school closed in the late 1990s.

In May 2006, the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement was approved by all parties to the Agreement. The implementation of the Settlement Agreement began in September 2007 with the aim of bringing a fair and lasting resolution to the legacy of the Indian Residential Schools

King of the CNE’s tasty Tiny Tom Donuts passes on

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“One dozen per bag, one flavour per dozen”

The man behind Tiny Tom Donuts that is a fixture at the CNE has passed away.

Tom Brazier, the owner of Tiny Tom Donuts which have been enjoyed by fair lovers attending the CNE for six generations, has died at the age of 73, his son says.

Brazier died peacefully June 16 in a Markham hospital next to his wife Bonnie, said Adam Brazier, adding his father died of kidney failure after dealing with several illnesses.

The tiny donuts are a long-time staple at the 141-year-old fair. We have all gorged handfuls of the puffy treats.

This summer the fair was cancelled due to COVID-19. It will be the first time Canada’s largest fair won’t go ahead since the Second World War.

Brazier says there is no top-secret to making his popular donuts.

“They’re hot and they’re fresh, and they’re flavourful. They melt in your mouth,” Brazier has said. “And everybody likes a hot, fresh donut.”

Adam says his dad was grateful that his donuts “meant things to people,” and was “a tradition for the city.”

“His favourite times at the CNE were when people would come up and say, ‘When I was a kid, my father picked me up to watch these donuts being made, and now I’m here picking my kid up,” Brazier told CBC Toronto.

“He would get that story three or four times a day. And nothing made him beam more than that.”

Adam says his dad had a “generous spirit” and was an advocate for marginalized people.

“His favourite thing to do was to laugh and make other people laugh,” he recalls.

Brazier was beloved by all who knew him and was looking forward to celebrating his 60th anniversary at the CNE and 27th at Canada Wonderland.

He had stopped making his prized donuts himself about three years ago due to illness and the company is now run by his son and daughter-in-law.

We love Oscar Peterson now Montreal wants him back

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We love Oscar Peterson and New Toronto has already claimed him.

Peterson lived in the community in the 1960s and 70s’ and his portrait is among six Lakeshore Legends heroes whose mural grace a wall at Sixth Street.

Peterson, who was born in 1925 and has composed more than 400 pieces, lived at one time at Amadeo Garden Court Complex in two apartments overlooking Lake Ontario, according to local historians and residents.

Now, his hometown of Montreal, want to name a subway station after him.

An online petition is circulating to change the name of the Lionel-Groulx Metro Station to the Oscar Peterson station, to honor that city’s celebrated jazz legend.

More than 2,500 signatures have been obtained in a petition to try and place the musician’s name on a Little Burgundy station.

“I believe our city should honour his incredible accomplishments by renaming Lionel Groulx Metro Station as Oscar Peterson Metro Station,” the petition states. “He is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of our time with a career that lasted more than 60-years.”

Peterson is an eight-time Grammy Award winner who is a virtuoso in the international jazz community. He was born and raised in the City of Montréal, where he grew up and learned his craft in Little Burgundy, where he loved.

Peterson died in December 2007 as an international star and one of the great jazz pianists and composers of the genre.

Duke Ellington called the Montreal-born virtuoso the “Maharaja of the keyboard.”

Lionel Groulx died in 1967 and was a Catholic priest, historian and Quebec nationalist.

The word-renowned pianist worked with top musicians as Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. His song “Hymn To Freedom” rose to become one of the top crusade songs of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
He loved York University and served as the university’s fifth chancellor and was involved in the York music program.
Peterson was recognized by the City of Mississauga in 2003 when a street was named for him and he was presented with a Civic Award of Merit. He had postage stamp unveiled in his honour, along with his name on plaques and numerous schools. He was also inducted to the Order of Canada in 1972.

The mural, by Toronto artist Chris Irvine, pays tribute to fellow Lakeshore Legends: NHL star Dave Bolland, marathoner Jerome Drayton, skater Petra Burka, swimmer Lou Gamble and others who contributed to the rich cultural fabric of our community.

The petition is available at change.org

Hate Crimes by race in annual Toronto Police report

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Hate crimes for the most part are committed by bullies who prey on the weak in a diverse city as ours.

The number of hate crimes last year in Toronto rose by less than 2%, according to a Toronto Police Service Annual Hate Crime Statistical Report.

Police says the number of hate crimes occurrences increased from 137 in 2018 to 139 last year.

The report with keeps track of hate crimes states that from 2010 to 2019 there has been about 145 hate crimes reported yearly. There were 18 people arrested in 2018 and 23 last year for hate offences.

“A significant percentage of reported hate crime occurrences in 2019 involve allegations of mischief to property (i.e. graffiti) in circumstances where there was limited or no suspect description available,” Hate Crime Unit (HCU) officers say, adding in most cases there were no witnesses.

“These factors present considerable challenges to these types of investigations and arresting suspects,” police notes.

The most targeted communities for hate crimes last year were; members of the Jewish community, followed by the LGBTQ community, then members of the Black and Muslim communities.

“The Jewish community was the most frequently victimized group for mischief to property and utter threat occurrences,” the report states. “The LGBTQ community, followed by the Black community were the most frequently victimized group for assault occurrences.”

Police say a number of factors can affect the fluctuation in the number of reported hate crimes and the community groups who are victimized.

“These factors include international events, community educational programs, hate crime training, and increased reporting,” according to detectives.

Some 15 of the 139 hate occurrences investigated last year were categorized as multi-bias, in that they targeted more than one group.  In 2018, about 21 of the 137 hate occurrences were categorized as multi-bias.

In 2017 and 2016, the number of mischief relating to religious property occurrences were five and zero. Today the Jewish community, followed by the Muslim and Catholic communities are the predominant victim group for mischief to religious property and educational institutions.

The HCU is a sub-unit of Intelligence Services – Security Section. The unit was established in 1993 and is responsible for collecting, analyzing and publishing data on reported hate crimes.

 

Mega Queensway Health Centre expansion gets a go ahead

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A plan to build a major redevelopment and expansion at Queensway Health Centre has been given the green light.

Hearings will take place at some point now that Etobicoke York Community Council approved the huge project at a meeting on June 17.

Councillor Stephen Holyday says no date has been set for public consultations.

“We still have a long way to go,” Holyday says. “It is very much at an early stage at this time.”

Trillium Health Partners is planning to build a nine-storey inpatient hospital wing at the Queensway site at 150 Sherway Dr., which will contain 416 beds to the north of the existing hospital. An eight-storey parking structure with 910 spaces is also planned.

The hospital has been raising funds and lobbying government officials to get approval to “provide more patients with the right care in the right place at the right time.”

They have raised $38.8 million so far that will go to the project.

This new wing would be connected by a covered walkway to the existing hospital building and pedestrian entrances would be from The West Mall side.

In addition to the 910 parking spots, 527 existing surface parking spaces will remain bringing the total number of parking spaces to 1,437. There will also be 124 new bicycle parking spaces.

The site will be located at the southwest corner of The Queensway and The West Mall, where some small hospital buildings stand.

Trillium Health Partners say they are gearing up for the next 20-years and to meet this demand, and are planning major expansion projects at the Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre.

The hospital last year received over 1.7 million patient visits and 276,003 visits to the hospital’s Emergency Departments and Urgent Care Centre. This is a significant increase from previous years. They have also performed 65,520 surgeries and delivered 8,364 babies.