Toronto Fire Services (TFS) are reaching out into the community to hire young recruits.

The TFS has five entry level positions that are recruited with external applicants, including Operations Firefighter, each of which require specialized qualifications.  The Services hire about 208 Operations Firefighters annually.

“In the last few years, TFS has made several changes to remove barriers for applicants,” according to a fire services report to the City. “Changes have also been made to the screening process, and interview process with a special program that ensures all qualified Toronto residents and/or members of equity deserving groups are invited to an interview.”

The Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) is working with the TFS to build tenant awareness about pathways to a career in the fire service.

“This includes dedicated outreach activities, attending TCHC job fairs, and the implementation of a new “Day in the Life” event for TCHC youth in their Youthworx program,” TFS officials said.

Some 90 TCHC tenants will be able to take part in a new career readiness program to enter the workforce. Of those, 20 tenants will also receive partial funding to obtain pre-qualifications to support their pursuit of meaningful work as a TFS Operations firefighter

This program, intended to commence in 2025, is contingent on a request in the TCHC operating budget through the 2025 budget process.

One of South Etobicoke’s oldest service station has undergone a major renovation and is back selling more food with pizza, coffee and a range of goods in a new store.

Evans Express Esso Service Station, at 540 Evans Avenue, which reopened after a 10-month renovation on June 10, has been a service station at the same busy site, near Beta Street, for about 100 years, according to the station’s manager.

The price of gas is affordable and customers can also pick up, or order, a variety of Popular Pizzas pies, slices, muffins or fresh coffee.

The pizzas are made with fresh ingredients in-house and deliveries are available in the local area. The service station is open 24 hours for gasoline or diesel through a side window.

The car wash is also new and is slated to be opened soon.

“There has always been a gas station at this site for 100 years,” the manager said. “There has been different owners of the station over the years.”

The renovated store is twice the size as before for those of us who have gassed up there in the past. It is brand new, with well-stocked shelves lined with snacks and a range of drinks.

To order a pizza you can call 437-878-3636 or reach the station at 416-252-1112.

 

 

BY Mark Simons

In early June, the Mimico Mountaineers Minor Lacrosse Club hosted the 8^th annual U7 John “JR” Robinson Friendship Tournament at Mimico Arena which included 8 lacrosse teams consisting of 5 and 6-year-olds from as far away as Sudbury and Peterborough.

The Mimico home team, coached by Jonny Grimes, Reilly Grimes, Mike MacRory, Harry Zolnierczyk, and Kevin Taracena (three of them being Mimico lacrosse alumni), finished with a respectable two wins and two losses, including a dramatic come from behind win over Milton.

“It’s great to see new families falling in love with the game and Mimico traditions,” said Head Coach Jonny Grimes.

Attending the tournament were some high profile lacrosse players including the legendary, Shawn Evans Head Coach of Peterborough.

Evans is one of two lacrosse players in history to win the Minto Cup (the Canadian Junior lacrosse title), the Mann Cup (the Canadian Senior lacrosse title), and the NLL Championship Cup, all within 12 months of each other in 2006-2007.

Also in attendance, Randy Staats, a current professional lacrosse player who plays for the Halifax Thunderbirds of the NLL from Six Nations was cheering on the up-and-coming super-stars.

Not to be forgotten, was fan favourite “Blue” the Mimico mascot giving the kids high fives before and after games as well as making sure that all the players got their complimentary ice-cream after their final games.

Proceeds from the weekend’s 50/50 draw went to support the Ian Anderson House in memory of John “JR” Robinson, who played and coached for Mimico Lacrosse. Ian Anderson House is a residential hospice dedicated to providing compassionate end-of-life care in Mississauga and Halton.

Mimico Minor rep teams play in Zone 10 of the Ontario Lacrosse Association and play their home games on Wednesday and Thursday nights at Mimico Arena throughout the month of July.  Don’t be a stranger, come by Mimico Arena to support minor lacrosse and your community.

One less expense and hassle to worry about.

Beginning this month the automated licence plate renewal is set to take effect across the province.

Licence plates for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and mopeds will renew automatically 90 days before expiry if the vehicle owner has valid insurance and no outstanding fines or tolls, according to the Ontario government.

If there are outstanding tickets or fines, that person must pay them before the licence plate renewal process can begin. If a vehicle owner’s licence plate cannot be automatically renewed, that person will be notified and required to manually renew online or in person at ServiceOntario.

Ontario transportation officials said the move will save vehicle owners more than 900,000 hours annually.

The Ford government scrapped the annual renewal fee for licence plate stickers in 2022. Renewing driver’s licence stickers was previously $60 in northern Ontario and $120 in southern Ontario.

The province said they eliminated licence plate sticker fees for passenger vehicles, saving drivers $120 a year for every car they own and are now saving drivers valuable time and making their lives easier by automatically renewing licence plates.

Some hearty news.

The popular Mandarin Restaurants is once again inviting you to a free buffet at any of its Ontario locations on July 1 to mark its 45th anniversary in Canada.

One area location is by the  Kipling and Queensway Mall, where patrons will be served on a first-come basis from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

The company said there will be no dine-in reservations taken July 1.

Customers will also receive complimentary soft drinks, tea, and coffee in addition to their meal, Mandarin Restaurants said in a release.

The company arrived in Canada 45 years ago and was started by four members of a family who moved here from Montreal and opened a small restaurant in Brampton.

“We built our business on providing delicious meals for everyone in a welcoming space, for guests to create special moments in our restaurants,” said Mandarin co-founder James Chiu.

“We want to thank everyone for contributing to its success with our free buffet event this Canada Day.”

There will be more than 100 dishes available at the buffet on Canada Day, including their popular noodle and rice dishes, grill tables, desserts and prime rib counters.

The restaurant is having a contest until October 31, where you can pick up a Contest Booklet at any Mandarin location, collect 3 stamps, and enter for your chance to win exciting prizes including a Tesla Model 3, trip to Bahamas, $10,000 cash, and free meals!

For more visit www.mandarinrestaurant.com

 

Many area residents have been complaining about the lengthy time it takes to receive help after calling 9-1-1.

One Toronto City Councillor is questioning the lengthy wait time it takes for a response after calling 9-1-1 in an emergency situation.

A motion by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie is slated to be heard on June 26 calling on Council for an Administrative Inquiry concerning emergency wait times.

“In recent months, some residents have contacted my office to express concern over the wait times they have experienced when calling 9-1-1,” McKelvie said in a motion.

She said the Communications Services Unit of the Toronto Police Service operates the Call Centre where operators answer all emergency 9-1-1 calls, including those for fire and paramedic services, and dispatch police services when needed.

McKelvie said residents are worried over the wait times they have experienced when calling 9-1-1.
“When someone calls 9-1-1 it’s an emergency,” according to a motion. “The timeliness of the call being answered is critical so that the appropriate emergency response can be dispatched quickly.”

Response times to emergency calls in Toronto are about 20 minutes. At the end of 2023, response times had crept up to over 22 minutes on average. Right now they are about 18.1 minutes, police said.

A campaign was launched earlier this year by the Toronto Police Association to lobby City officials for more funds to hire staff.

The Toronto Police Chief has said the force has 37 more officers today than in 1999, yet we have 600,000 more residents to serve. He said more staff is required to speed up response times.

An administrative inquiry is an investigation that is not for the purpose of law enforcement or criminal prosecution. An inquiry has the legal right to perform administrative inquiries based on the right to manage the workforce and the right to take discipline.

Above is Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, (left) chair of the Lakeshore Village BIA, with fellow board members Laura Baughman (second from left) of Alterna Savings, Danuta Gumienik, a business owner, Vinyl Village Owner Keith Pope with his award, board member Dave Dwyer, (second from right) owner of The Black Collar Barber Shop, and board treasurer Rattan Gandhi (right), owner of Quick Refund Tax. Photo by Susie Basheir.

“I am simply overwhelmed by this award,” Pope said. “It has been a lot of work over the years.”

He has been getting bands and entertainment for the Grill Cheese Challenge for years.

The board members said this year was one of the most successful Challenges in years, with an record turnout of families and kids.

 

 

Some Mimico residents say they can be stuck with holes in the ground for many years from a failed development in the area.

Photos are being circulated of large pieces of wood being installed around a hole near Mimico Go Station in a bid to hold it back from falling in on the ground.

The large construction hole has been sitting idle for a couple years since Vandyke Development went into receivership leaving Metrolinx searching for another builder to take over the major project.

About 10 high-rise towers in the Mimico area were left abandoned after the company went under.

Residents said there has been no work at the sites for many months.

It is not known how many potential condo buyers lost their money after placing down payments on units that are not being built.

Some area residents are calling for the flattened Vandyk lands on Newcastle Street to be used for parking at the Mimico Go Station, which lacks parking.