The City is looking at opening up more warming centres following repeated calls from social workers for more places for the homeless to remain warm in South Etobicoke.

The move comes as City officials plan to build an 80-bed shelter for the homeless on Third Street which has been met with mixed feelings in the community.

A drop-in meeting to discuss the Third Street shelter will take place on February 10, at Humber College Building G, at 17 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive. It runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

City staff have launched a study into warming centres and winter respite sites in a bid to open up more beds or warming spaces for the homeless.

An audit was conducted by Toronto Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) into our winter warming centres and respite sites and the findings will be considered by City Council on February 12.

The audit calls for data to determine how many winter program spaces are needed, and how many people are turned away every night, directed elsewhere, or leave without accessing a bed or warm space.

City officials also want to know how many people are able to stay inside a site to keep warm but are not able to access a bed.

The study calls for a review of the procedure involved in deactivation of warming centres and respites.

Workers have complained that homeless people in South Etobicoke have to travel downtown to find a bed or place to warm up due to a lack of facilities.

The TSSS is looking at ways to maximize the beds made available by the winter respite sites, warming centres, and surge sites during the cold weather.

City agencies have been asked to be on the lookout for possible sites for warming centres or respites.

“People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to illness and injury as a result of exposure to cold temperatures,” the audit warns.

The audit calls for TSSS to and secure temporary sites and come up with a contingency plan as to where to send people when shelters are filled.

Nine City of Toronto employees were disciplined and action taken against 23 affiliated vendors last year for ripping off taxpayers.

Almost 700 complaints were received from the public last year citing 1,050 allegations of wrongdoing by City staff or its vendors in a Fraud and Waste Hotline.

The complaints were investigated by a forensic team of the Toronto Auditor General’s Office to determine if credible. More than 120 complaints led to further investigation by the City’s agencies and divisions.

Some 17 of 32 investigations were substantiated in whole or in part. Most of the allegations were left as tips on the hotline anonymously.

The probes led to nine City employees being disciplined, 23 cases in which action were taken against vendors, employees or members of the public who were part of a scheme.

The study said there are about 1,250 allegations filed yearly to City officials and the program has saved the City $2 million in losses and $1.1 million in potential losses from 2020 to 2024, during which more than 14,500 complaints were filed by City staff and residents.

It said the report helps reduce waste and deters wrongdoing and abuse by City staff, detects emerging trends, strengthens guidelines and keeps workers honest.

Since the program launch in 2020 some 19 City employees have been disciplined and actions have been taken against 52 City employees, vendors or members of the public.

The disciplinary action against employees can include suspension to dismissal if the allegation against them is substantiated.

The complaints include fraud by employees or vendors, theft or waste of City assets or subsidies, breaching public trust of conflict of interest provisions.

All City employees who are aware that wrongdoing has occurred are required to notify their manager, their Division Head, or the Auditor General’s Office;

If you suspect a fraud or other wrongdoing by City employees or vendors you can e-mail your complaint to AuditorGeneral@toronto.ca or visit torontoauditor.ca.

Here is a chance to hear your candidates in a much-anticipated debate just weeks before the September 27 provincial elections.

The Ontario Election 2025 Etobicoke-Lakeshore Candidate Debate will take place on February 12 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Daily Bread Food Bank, at 191 New Toronto Street.

The upcoming debate is a valuable opportunity for residents to hear directly from candidates about how they plan to address core challenges affecting local residents and Ontarians, the Food Bank said.

The candidates for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore provincial riding are incumbent PC candidate Christine Hogarth, Liberal health care worker Lee Fairclough and New Democrat community advocate Rozhen Asrani, president of the Mimico Residents Association.

You are asked to register for the free event to confirm your attendance as space is limited. The website for the food bank is dailybread.ca

At 16-years he should be in school studying, instead his parents are making plans to bury him.
Police are hunting for the gunmen who killed a local 16-year old boy and wounded another teen in the City’s second murder of the year.
The teen has been identified as Isiah Fogah, 16, who was shot and killed on February 4 at about 5:28 p.m. at a 7 Capri Road highrise in the East Mall and Rathburn Road area.
A 19-year-old is in hospital in serious condition suffering from gunshot wounds. Both teens lived in the building.
“Life-saving measures were commenced,” according to police. “The victims were both transported to hospital where one male succumbed to his injuries.”

“At this time, we do understand this is a very concerning incident for the residents of the building, those affected, and the rest of the community in the area,” said Duty Insp. Phillip Sinclair.
“We do want to ensure the public at this time that we’re putting all the necessary resources in place to help to identify those responsible to solve this homicide.”
Witnesses said the shooting took place in the common areas of the building.
“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” one stunned resident. “It was terrible.”
Police said men wearing masks were seen running away.
There are no motive at this time for the gunplay but Toronto Police Homicide Squad is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

City officials on the verge of Black History Month say their workforce and services are more inclusive and diversified that ever even though women in senior positions have decreased.

The first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Annual Performance Report was presented to City Council on January 28 for consideration. It is a progress report of City departments and services provided to the public.

The report stated the amount of senior racialized decision makers in the Toronto Public Service (TPS) at a Division Head or above rose to 27 per cent from 18 per cent.

At the same time the number of women in senior management decreased to 35 per cent, compared to 44 per cent the prior year. There was no reason for the dip.

The report said the number of under-represented persons in the TPS increased in 2023, so did the amount of racialized people from 47.3 per cent to 49.2 per cent. The amount of employees with disabilities rose along with those identifying as LGBTQ2S.

City staff said 375 new “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” homes have been approved since 2020.

The report said about 3,000 people are on a waiting list for homes, and 1,622 grants were provided through Toronto Rent Bank to low income residents in need of help.

Almost 650 tenants were spared from eviction through a City Eviction Prevention program that helps low-income marginalized renters facing the boot.

Staff said the City’s Shelter and Support Services (TSSS) provided emergency shelter to more than 22,000 people experiencing homelessness and helped about 6,000 move from a shelter to permanent housing.

They also provided emergency shelter and wrap-around supports to 8,500 refugee claimants.

In addition, more than 1,000 people were referred into the shelter system from the streets, of which 350 were successfully housed.

The report said $1.16 billion is embedded in the budget for social outcome. It includes for $659.7 million for Shelter and Support Services; $394.8 million for Social and Affordable housing initiatives and $105.7 million for Children’s Services.

The Toronto Public Service has around 42,000 employees, who provide services and programs to residents, as well as to visitors and businesses.

Some South Etobicoke parents and students are saddened by the closing of a private elementary school that has served the community for 43 years.

Staff at Kingsley School, at 3962 Bloor Street W., said it will shut down in June after the landlord St. Matthew’s Anglican Church raised the rent by more than 100 per cent.

The school, which has been renting the church for 10 years, said it has taught thousands of students since opening in 1981.

“This increase is not only detrimental, but also impossible for our small, not-for-profit school to meet,” school officials said on its website. “Despite our sincere efforts to negotiate and present alternative proposals, the church refused and decided to terminate our lease.”

The school said it was founded on the principles of providing an inclusive and affordable independent education accessible to all families without the elite price tag.

St. Matthew’s officials said they had run a deficit for many years and the church had a long history of using its building to run other charitable programs at below market rates.

“We need to make hard decisions so that the church will still be standing in the years to come,” it said.

Parent Jennifer Stachowski wrote on social media that Kingsley is an outstanding school and an alternative to consider.

“It is very sad to hear Kingsley is forced to close doors and I encourage those who will begin exploring options,” she added.

“This school was so special for my child,” said Georgina L-Pez. “She went from hating school to thriving and loving school. Thank you for everything “

“Kingsley may be small, but it has always had a great big heart,” the school said, adding there will be community events to bid the school farewell.

If you were always looking for a job to become an election poll worker, here is your chance to uphold democracy and make some bucks.
Ontario is hiring thousands of election workers and its worth your while since some pays up to $29.50 an hour and teens as young as 16 can apply to work for the February 27 election.

Young people aged 16 or 17 can apply for “youth at the booth” positions.

There is a need for tabulator returning officers, information assistants and other election officials who are required to work for a day when voters hit the polls. Some jobs will be paper-based while others will require the use of technology.

All jobs are paid positions and training is included.

To work as an information assistant, applicants must be at least 16 years old with a social insurance number.

“Election officials working at the technology-based polls will be using electronic poll books and vote tabulators,” Elections Ontario said. “Election officials working at the non-technology-based polls will be using paper-based products.”

Area managers, who oversee several paper-based voting locations and supervise poll officials on election day, can expect to earn $29.50 hourly working up to 13 hours on election day only.

A deputy returning officer can earn $22.42 per hour. Job duties include processing electors, revising voter information and issuing ballots.

Poll clerks can expect to earn $21.25 hourly on election day for up to 13 hours. A poll clerk assists the deputy returning officer with processing electors.

A polling day revision assistant also earns $21.25 per hour. In this role, workers verify whether an elector appears accurately on the list of electors.

Applicants are invited to visit Elections Ontario online to get started. A six-step online application process begins by providing information about you. For more visit elections.on.ca

Sign of the times.

Many have seen these signs on TTC vehicles that in a few months the transit company will no longer be accepting bus youth and senior tickets, tokens and day passes.

The changes take effect on June 1, just five months away.

“Refunds, exchanges and credits will not be provided,” the TTC said in a sign in the subway train.

Transit riders are expected to get a Presto card to access the system.

Customers can still pay their fare with cash in station fare boxes, and on buses and streetcars.

Cash can also be used to purchase a PRESTO card or PRESTO Ticket, or load funds or a monthly pass onto a PRESTO card at Fare Vending Machines in any TTC station.

Customers can tap their debit or credit card, including those in their mobile wallet on their smart devices on a PRESTO reader on a vehicle or a fare gate to pay a fare.

The TTC said if transferring from a TTC bus to a station, and you are paying by cash, TTC ticket or token, you must get a paper transfer from the operator on a bus, from the fares and transfers machine on a streetcar, or from the transfer machine at a station.

You are asked to keep it with you as your Proof-of-Payment and be prepared to show it to a TTC employee if asked at any point in your journey.

The transit company said the changes are being made as part of the TTC’s ongoing fare modernization.

The changes comes as Toronto residents complain about the constant break-downs and delays on the coldest days while waiting for TTC vehicles.

The province is investing almost $30,000 in two seniors centre to help them stay fit and healthy.

The funds are being distributed to the Franklin Horner Community Centre and Islington Seniors’ Centre as part of a $3.7 million Ontario investment to help centres deliver in-person and virtual programs.

The programs are for those aged 55 and older to keep fit, active and socially connected to their communities.

MPP Christine Hogarth said the government’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement increased funding for all Seniors Active Living Centres from up to $42,700 to up to $55,000 to ensure they have the support they need to continue providing seniors services and activities.

Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho said the centres will receive $1 million more for this year over last year.

Due to the success of Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) the government is investing up to $17 million to expand the number of SALCs by 100 across Ontario from 316 to 416.

The move will increase services for seniors and those with disabilities in underserved communities.

The Ontario government is also enhancing access to compassionate, community-based end-of-life care by adding new hospice beds under the Dorothy Ley Hospice banner.

This initiative is part of a broader provincial effort to expand palliative care services, with 84 new adult hospice beds being added across Ontario. Once operational, these additions will increase the total number of publicly funded hospice beds in the province to 768.

The Ontario government will allocate an additional $16 million annually to fund the operation of these new beds once they are open.

Dorothy Ley Hospice will receive five more beds at its Kipling Acres site, three more at Humber River and two beds at Hospice Mississauga.

Hundreds of NHL fans descended on the Prince of Wales Park Rink on Third Street to see and cheer their favourite Toronto Maple Leafs hockey icons.

The cold did not stop fans from having a great time meeting and cheering their favourite Leafs alumni player as they signed autographs and chatted with fans outside the outdoor rink after a mock game..

The Maple Leafs annual outdoor practice attracts hundreds of Leafs’ lovers from across the region, some who travel hours to see their favourite players and obtain photographs.

Crowd favourite and former twice Toronto Maple Leafs captain Darryl Sittler showed what a professional he is by sticking around and talking, signing autographs and taking selfies with fans of all ages, who are loyal Maple Leaf boosters.

Sittler was circled by fans as he tried to enter an Uber after an Leafs alumni mock game. The driver had to wait at least 20 minutes as the hockey great did not disappoint anyone.

The lakefront skate gave fans an opportunity to be upfront and close to the hockey legends they admired from a generation ago.

On January 27 and 28 the Maple Leafs team, hot and on a roll, will take to the Prince of Wales ice for a morning skate.

There are thousands of fans expected to see their faves as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner or William Nylander.

Handing out swag as pucks was MP Christiine Hogarth, who was out campaigning for a February 27 snap election in Ontario.

Hogarth said she was attending a church service with Premier Doug Ford that night as she tried to recapture the Etobicoke Lakeshore provincial riding which she has held for … years.

Perhaps the busiest place was the Tim Hortons trailer which had a long lineup for the free coffee being offered on this freezing day.

The streets to be closed includes: Third Street from Lake Shore Drive to the dead end, Lake Shore Drive from Third Street to the dead end of the street and Second Street from Morrison Street to the end.

The Leafs’ annual outdoor practice is a free, public event that usually takes place at Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall. The event features a number of activities that last year included a Toronto Professional Women Hockey League (PWHL) skills competition and a Leafs alumni signing session.