The City is considering a plan to create 1,000 new murals and street art to try and prevent an increasing amount graffiti vandalism.
A growing amount of graffiti in Toronto has doubled with the outbreak of the Israeli-Gaza war, officials said.
The proposed works of art, which decorates many walls and bridges in South Etobicoke, is being considered as a way to curb City-wide graffiti blitzes, according to Councillor Mike Colle.
His motion has been adopted by an Infrastructure and Environment Committee and will be voted upon by City Council on May 22.
Colle said instances of graffiti has spiked on the walls, public and private areas in Toronto due to the situation in Gaza and war in the Middle East.

“Over the last year, there has been a marked increase in graffiti tagging throughout the City including hateful messages, on both City property and private property,” according to his motion. “In part it results from the global conflicts such as in the Middle East.”
The 1,000 murals can be created through the City partnership with local Business Improvement Areas, the arts community, private property owners and corporate partners.
“Combating graffiti is an ongoing challenge that requires a combination of public awareness and graffiti removal by the City and private property owners,” Colle told City staff.
He said well-done murals are often spared from being sprayed with graffiti.
“One cost-effective and attractive City building method of addressing graffiti is encouraging murals on private buildings and on City property as murals are seldom tagged with graffiti,” according to the motion.

Whether it is litter, garbage, or property in disrepair, there is a need to remind residents that if care is taken through daily upkeep and regular cleanup, it encourages pride of place and a greater appreciation of keeping the City safe and clean, staff was told.
It “espouses the ‘broken windows theory’ which proposes that a safer and more beautiful City results when we collectively take care of the daily surroundings in our communities,” according to Colle.
Toronto Police said they are not surprised by an increase in Israeli-Gaza type graffiti attacks since hate crime and anti-semitic incidents have almost doubled since the war began.
Graffiti vandalism has hit all of Toronto and community leaders have repeatedly complained to police and City officials to crack down on the mischief.

Concerned Long Branch businesses in 2022 took to social media to locate a serial graffiti vandal who they claimed damaged more than $20,000 in property within hours.
Members of the Long Branch Business Improvement Association allege the unwanted graffiti artist defaced a number of businesses along Lake Shore Blvd. W.
“He tagged a bunch of buildings along Lake Shore Blvd. W., plus two billboards on the Brown’s Line overpass and Lakeshore and Thirty Sixth Street rooftops,” according to the Long Branch Business Improvement Area (BIA).. “Over $20,000 in vandalism in a few hours.”
The vandal was never caught.

Toronto and York Police are warning elderly residents of an ongoing and vicious bank card scam that is targeting South Etobicoke and area seniors.

Two people have been arrested for allegedly impersonating bank staff or utility companies that are accused of preying on the elderly, including a 90-year-old couple.

“They will either get the victim to agree to upgrade their current services or simply tell them their cards are expired and they will need to get new ones,” according to a police release.

The suspects manage to “obtain the victim’s banking information and tell them they will issue them new cards.”

Police said the suspects will instruct the victims to place their cards in an envelope, place them into their mailbox and will send someone to pick up their old cards, leaving the new ones.

The suspects “will then empty all of the victim’s accounts associated to the cards or make purchases utilizing the cards.”

Officers are warning seniors to be wary of any cold calls or unsolicited persons claiming to upgrade their services.

They said banks will never ask anyone to place their bank or cards unattended in their mailbox.

Police said never provide banking information over the phone or rush into making a decision. If possible consult with a financial planner or your bank.

You are also urged to contact your bank or utility provider to ensure they are the ones calling by using the number you have for them, not with a number provided by the caller.

Also conduct a Google search for any scams or complaints associated with the company.

York Regional Police on April 4 arrested two people who are charged in relation to scamming seniors in credit card crimes.

The victims include a 90-year-old couple who received phone calls from the suspects pretending to be their banking and credit card companies.

The victims were led to believe their accounts were compromised. A courier was sent to the victim’s homes to retrieve their bank cards and passwords, which were then used for fraudulent purchases.

Charged are Lakshanth Selvarajah, 27, and Akshayah Tharmakuylenthiran, 25, both of Ajax, with 40 fraud related offences.

If in doubt contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

 

Plans are underway to redevelop two landmark office buildings near Sherway Gardens into highrise condos.

A bid is taking place by owners Amexon Reality Inc., to re-designate the nine-storey buildings at 701 and 703 Evans Avenue from commercial to mixed use to build condos and office units.

The move will allow “currently permitted office uses as part of a comprehensive mixed use development featuring a combination of new and existing tall buildings.”

The office buildings are comprised of multiple levels of above grade parking. Surface parking areas surround both buildings including along the The West Mall and Evans Avenue street frontages.

“The re-designation of the property to mixed use would facilitate the opportunity to introduce residential uses as part of a development featuring new and existing tall buildings,” according to a planning document filed to the City.

The process to have the sited deemed mixed use is in the hearing stage. An open house was held in 2019.

A hearing was told the property should be deemed mixed use given its gateway location, frontage to existing major streets, proximity to an upcoming transit station and increasing residential development in the Sherway area.

The plan includes greenery like trees and landscaping planted along Evans Avenue, along with public art and a new park at the southwest corner of The West Mall and Evans Avenue.

It said the site is appropriate for tall buildings and further intensification of the area.

The site plan said that highrises up to 30 storeys can be built on the site.

No drawings or further details of the development has been released.

The site, which is a hectare large, now contains the two buildings, with a commercial gross floor area of 19,611 square metres. In addition to the offices, this portion of the land includes five levels of above-grade parking and one-storey of underground parking that is integrated with the office building.

Further details are pending.

Discussions are underway in Mimico that may block one lane of traffic on Lake Shore Blvd. W. as part of a CaféTO program.

Mimico community activist Don Henderson said the City’s Transportation Department has approached merchants on Mimico’s Lake Shore Blvd. W. to expand a cafe-type operation.

It’s “not just a parking lane but a traffic lane,” Henderson posted on social media. “This would essentially leave only one lane of traffic, a TTC track lane.”

He and others said the move would lead to more traffic congestion especially with road construction on the Gardiner Expressway for the next three years.

“Consider the traffic as well as public traffic congestion if a proposed modification is implemented along Lake Shore Blvd. W.,” Henderson wrote.

“There are a number of such curb-side cafes throughout Toronto that do not affect pedestrian flow, let alone vehicular traffic,” the post said.

“While designated outdoor areas are great for restaurants and cafes, it would be best fit if the sidewalk were wide enough.”

CaféTO is a program that provides restaurants and bars in Toronto with the opportunity to expand their outdoor dining space through sidewalk cafés, curb lane cafés, or patios on private property.

The ‘program provide expanded temporary outdoor dining space for use by licensed food and drink establishments on wide sidewalks,’ according to the CaféTO website.

CaféTO has grown into a sustainable City program that makes Toronto’s streets more attractive, safe and accessible while supporting restaurants and bars operating with expanded outdoor dining spaces, according to the website.

The program was launched in 2020 to help struggling restaurants and bars amid COVID-19 restrictions. It became so popular among members of the public that city council ultimately voted in favour of making it a permanent program.

Some businesses had complained about the cost of CafeTO applications and the design process being cumbersome, leading to major delays. The City promised to review the program.

CafeTO patios delivered approximately $203 million in economic benefits to the city and 1,300 businesses taking part, according to a Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas-led economic impact study.

City officials say the cost of two high-tech electric ferries will be higher than first expected.

The electric ferries will replace an older fleet to transport people, goods and vehicles from Jack Leighton Terminal across Lake Ontario to Toronto Island Park, Wards Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point.

A report to the City’s General Government Committee on April 17 said it will cost almost $6 million, or $1.5 million more, for construction support services for the two electric ferries and shore-side infrastructure.

It will cost more than $30 million for each electric ferry.

The City said it is improving access to Toronto Island Park by replacing its ferry fleet with electric vessels, building supporting electrical infrastructure at Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, and reviewing all practices to improve efficiency and visitor experience for years to come.

The ferries are expected to begin service transporting passengers, vehicles and cargo by mid 2026.

The City’s ferry fleet carries more than 1.4 million passengers and 5,000 vehicles annually on its four vessels.

These vessels have a combined capacity of about 2,400 passengers and provide an essential service to Toronto Island residents and visitors. The ferries are between 50 to 100 years old and beyond the average industry lifespan.

The shift to electrification supports the City’s TransformTO Net Zero Strategy and commitment to accelerate climate action to achieve net zero city-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The change will lead to annual savings of more than $1.1 million yearly in fuel costs.

The current fleet includes four diesel-fueled vessels and one heritage vessel.

They include the Sam McBride, which was acquired in 1939 and can carry 915 passengers; the Thomas Rennie was acquired in 1951 and can carry 915 passengers; the William Inglis was acquired in 1935 and has capacity for 389 passengers and The Ongiara was acquired in 1963, has capacity for 220 passengers and vehicles.

 

Three men are sought for the Long Branch home invasion murder of a professional poker player.

Matthew Bergart, 30, of Toronto, was shot to death on April 25 around 2:25 a.m. by the masked suspects who forced their way into a townhouse in the Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Long Branch Avenue area.

Homicide officers said the suspects ‘forcibly entered a residential unit and made demands for personal valuables.’

Two other occupants were in the home at the time.

A struggle ensued and Bergart was shot multiple times, Det.-Sgt. Brandon Price said.

“The victim was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” police said.

The suspects were described as wearing dark clothing, and balaclavas, and fled in a white or light-coloured sedan southbound on Long Branch Avenue to Westbound Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Officers were canvassing area residents to obtain video from security cameras.

“We believe this is a targeted situation in that valuables were sought,” Price said.

The victim was rushed to hospital via emergency run but later died.

Police said the victim did not reside at the townhouse but was visiting the residence at the time of the shooting.

Bergart is listed in a poker database as an upcoming professional player whose earnings was $18,535.

He won the sum in 2019 at the 50^th Annual World Series of Poker in a World Championship $10,000 Buy in No-Limit Hold’em main event.

Bergart is ranked 825 in the top 1,000 earners in the World Series of Poker.

 

A public meeting into a major development that will change the landscape of Mimico will take place on May 8.

A proposal to build a 33 and 10 storey mixed use towers with an eight-storey base building including a mezzanine floor will be heard by the City Planning Division.

The planned development is located at 2405-2411 and 2417 Lake Shore Blvd. W., on the south side of Primrose Avenue, just west of Superior Avenue.

The meeting will take place virtually online or by phone from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“The proposal has a total gross floor of about 32,792 square metres, including about 345.5 square metres of retail space on the ground floor,” according to a Planning Division notification. There will be “a total of 471 residential units, including 22 rental replacement units, in various unit sizes.”

It said a Rental Housing Demolition Application has been submitted to demolish 22 rental units.

An east-west road is planned behind Mimico Square and will run to Superior Ave. Further plans propose more towers south of the roadway facing the lake front.

The group said a new public road would take away lands from the park, children’s playground, Amos Waite pool and Mimico Square.

The park abuts the popular Waterfront Trail, and features two playgrounds, a splash pad, an outdoor pool and a centre for seniors and the disabled.

Letters have been sent to the City by the Mimico Residents Association (MRA) and Mimico Lakeshore Community Network (MLCN) opposing the proposed megaproject.

Those concerned are asked to submit their comments in advance to the City Planning Division. The meeting can be accessed on this line Application Information Centre – 2405 LAKE SHORE BLVD W (toronto.ca)

A link will also be available at the Planning Division webpage at www.toronto.ca

Participants are told they can ask questions during the meeting by dialing 3.

 

By TANYA VIVIDLY

Exploring art from an environmental interpretation with the hopes of building public awareness.

An art exhibition by Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective is on display until May 9 at the Assembly Hall Gallery, at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive.

As you proceed through this show you are aware that this group finds it alarming that humanity has corrupted our natural environment to its current severity.

The collective’s focus of concern includes our eco system of industrial pollution, climate change and wildfires to name a few.  As this world wide dilemma increases the outcry for change gets louder. You are embraced figuratively by the bold imagery and colours used in each piece.

This exhibit features more than 40 works from various regions of the world including Brazil, Poland and Canada. The art styles used include mixed media, photography and oils.

This is humanity’s time to embrace the urgency and join the movement that our natural environment needs our help.

The Collective works with curators, artists, collectives and cultural organizations, like the Gateway Theatre Guild, to promote, animate, produce and document cultural events in the Nipissing region of northeastern Ontario.

The group connects regional and national audiences for art and culture to emerging and professional visual, media and performing artists in the Nipissing region.

Two local arts groups are among six who stand to receive almost $2 million in funding by the City.

Arts Etobicoke is slated to receive $425,000 and Lakeshore Arts almost $306,000 if recommendations by the Economic Development and Culture (EDC) is approved by City Council on May 22.

Also on the list are East End Arts, which will collect $226,000; North York Arts $300,000; Scarborough Arts with $310,000 and the UrbanArts Community Arts Council to receive $329,000.

It will cost the City some $1,897,494 if the grants are approved by Council.

“Local Arts Service Organizations (LASOs) are independent, not-for-profit, community arts organizations that deliver customized and responsive arts and culture programs, events and services at a local level in outside-the-core neighbourhoods across the city,” City Council was told.

The EDC said there are six LASOs and they promote cultural vibrancy, offering low-barrier, free and low-cost arts participation opportunities to communities across the city.

“The LASOs also provide critical support and capacity-building opportunities to local artists and arts organizations,” according to EDC.

The report said the funding recommendation is based on the 2023 financial and performance reports of the LASOs.

It said the LASOs provide essential arts services, working to meet identified community needs and deliver programs to serve artists, children and youth, seniors, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour and equity-deserving community members.

Arts Etobicoke focuses on improving people’s lives through the arts,” according to its website. “We have developed an inclusive and creative community hub that is open to all people in West Toronto.”

It said Arts Etobicoke is a place where everyone can freely express their art and culture through programs, exhibitions, workshops, events, classes, and professional development.

Lakeshore Arts said they are dedicated to engaging all peoples using multidisciplinary art forms as a way of enriching lives and strengthening Toronto’s communities.

“Lakeshore Arts is rooted in this community, and community support has played a vital role in sustaining us as an organization,” the agency said on its website. “Community arts programs strengthen and enrich Toronto’s communities.”

There are calls for City Council to impose a lifetime ban on the issuing of driver’s licenses to anyone convicted of vehicle thefts to curb the increasing crime.

There is also a motion for the City to request that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Federal Minister of Transportation John G. Abbott ban the export of all used automobiles out of Canadian ports, such as the Ports of Montreal and Vancouver.

The motions by Councillor Mike Colle will be considered by City Council on May 22.

“Car jackings and automobile thefts have more than doubled year to date in 2024,” according the motion being considered on April 30 by the Economic and Community Development Committee.

Toronto Police Services have reported that there have been 68 car jackings so far this year, which is an alarming 106 per cent increase over the same time period in 2023.

Auto thefts in 2023 topped 12,200 vehicles, an increase from 9,821 cars stolen in 2022.

At least 20 vehicles a week are stolen in the Etobicoke area, according to police.

In many cases the doors of homes are kicked in late at night and residents terrified by thieves with weapons demanding the keys for their cars parked in the driveway.

Thieves even place tracking devices to follow vehicles from shopping malls so they can be stolen. Some are even stolen on major streets by gun wielding crooks wearing masks.

“As the increase in car jackings demonstrates, auto thefts have become increasingly brazen and violent including break-and-enters related to auto theft,” the Committee was told.

Councillors said car jackings “are on the rise and have already climbed to 34 incidents so far this year, eclipsing the 22 reported for all of 2023.”

“There is more that needs to be done to combat this urgent and escalating crisis,” according to the motion. “After unacceptable delays in action, the provincial and federal governments have finally begun the process to end this epidemic but we must act swiftly and decisively.”

Council was told the thefts are part of a network of organized crime, with vehicles being stolen and shipped internationally or to commit crimes here.

They were told that the vulnerabilities of shipping ports have to be addressed along with the ‘antiquated anti-theft technologies offered by auto manufacturers.’

“More effective legislative action is required to act as a deterrent at the source – the criminals stealing the cars in the first place,” according to the motion.

It said the issues should ‘be deemed urgent due to the need for immediate action at all levels of government, and the need for stiffer penalties to crack down on these crimes.’

Police said a new trend shows that stolen vehicles are now being sold online by thieves with (Vehicle Identification Numbers) VIN numbers from U.S. jurisdictions, which do not show up on the Canadian police computer system.

Online buyers are being warned to check the VIN stickers of the  vehicles being sold to see it has been tampered with or if it appears suspicious. If so call police.