Most people would love to enjoy a drink in one of our beautiful lakeside parks.

And South Etobicoke residents and businesses say they support a proposal calling on the city to allow people to drink beer and wine in the parks this summer.

Ward 12 councillor Josh Matlow plans to table a motion at an infrastructure and environment committee meeting on April 28 that proposes a pilot project to allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages lower than 15 per cent alcohol in parks and on beaches with bathroom facilities.

Matlow, in a letter to the committee, said the pilot would run from May 21 to October 31. During that time, drinking beer, cider and wine in parks and on beaches would be permitted between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.

He said the move would give people who can’t afford drinks at a restaurant or do not have outdoor spaces at home a safe option to drink outside during the pandemic.

“As we approach the second summer of the pandemic, public health officials recognize the reality that, especially after a year in isolation, people need to socialize,” Matlow wrote. “It is up to us to create environments where those connections with friends and family can be made in the safest way possible.”

He said by allowing public drinking doesn’t mean people will drink to excess, and loosening rules would allow enforcement officials to focus attention on offences such as littering, excessive noise and public urination.

He said last summer Council recognized the importance of being able to enjoy a drink outside by loosening restrictions on patios with the successful CafeTO program, which will be brought back this year. The program was successful for South Etobicoke bars and restaurants.

“Some residents will choose to enjoy a drink with loved ones in their backyards or on their balconies,” Matlow said. “These residents should not be left with unsafe options such as gathering indoors or, like many over the past year, choosing to drink illegally in parks.”

He said his motion seeks to increase and focus enforcement on problem behaviours that are already occurring by freeing up resources while loosening restrictions for responsible adults who wish to responsibly and safely enjoy a beer or glass of wine.

Cities like Montreal, London, Paris, and Sydney permit residents to drink in parks. Vancouver approved drinking in nine parks last year with many more scheduled to be opened up for alcohol this year.

He is requesting that as many parks and beaches have a bathroom facility, including portable toilets and to prohibit drinking alcohol near playgrounds and sports fields.

“This has to change,” Matlow said. “We don’t want people congregating indoors for a drink during a pandemic. Many live in apartments without a balcony.”

Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, Chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, said he supports the proposal to get people outdoors with a drink if it is done properly.

“We have so many great parks in the community,” he said. “This can work if it is done in a responsible manner.”

This arrest is of great interest due to a huge maximum security facility, the Toronto South Detention Centre, right here in the community which employs hundreds of workers.

A Correctional Services Officer is facing serious criminal charges in relation to the sexual assaults of two women in his care.

Members of the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit have charged a 42-year-old Brampton man with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breach of trust.

Halton police said they were made aware of a March 5 alleged sexual assault, which happened at the Vanier Centre for Women, in Milton.

“During the course of the investigation, a second victim was also identified stemming from a separate incident that also occurred on March 5,” the HRPS said in a release.

Dwayne Jason Thomas has been charged. He was released on an undertaking.

There is a ban on publication on details of the case.

The suspect will appear in court on April 13.

Victims of violence and/or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 8970.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca

The Toronto South Detention Centre can house up to 1,650 remanded offenders awaiting trial, or serving two years or less. The Toronto Intermittent Centre (TIC) can house up to 320 inmates serving primarily weekend or other intermittent sentences.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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.