Plans to build a major subdivision with a nine-storey seniors residence, townhouses and four condo towers at Evans Avenue and The East Mall is steaming ahead.

An application to amend the zoning by-law from commercial to residential development will be considered by Etobicoke York Community Council on February 26.

A report by the Director, Community Planning, Etobicoke York District recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

The developers want to construct a nine-storey seniors’ residence, two blocks of three-story townhouses and four towers 21, 29, 32 and 38 stories on a shared three-storey base building at the 564 – 580 Evans Avenue site.

Also included is a new 4,129 square metre park and three 20-metre-wide streets that runs north-south and east-west, according to the proposal. There will be more than 1,000 parking spaces and the same amount of bicycle spots in total.

The development will have a total gross floor area of 100,841 square metres and will house 1,196 residential units, which includes 678 one-bedroom units, 397 two-bedroom units and 475 three-bedroom units.

“Vehicular access to the proposed development would be from Evans Avenue via the proposed new public north-south street and from The East Mall via the proposed new east-west public street,” according to the proposal.

The plan has been in the works for about nine years and the first public consultation meeting was held in June 2015.

A number of minor tweaks and requirements were sought in previous hearings. Nearly all the variances have been met.

The site is located at the corner of the Highway 427 north on-ramp and Evans Avenue, on the north side of Evans Avenue.

The existing Active Green and Ross Tire store will be demolished to make room for the development. The franchise auto repair store has been there for decades. There are about 65 of the stores in Southern Ontario.

“The existing low-rise commercial/industrial buildings on the site would be demolished to allow for the proposed development,” according to the proposal.

The surrounding land includes a low-rise industrial building at 24 The East Mall, a two-storey motel at 560 Evans Avenue, a film studio called Studio 550, storage units and a gas station with a car wash.

The proposed seniors’ residence would be placed parallel to a proposed new park, which will face Evans Avenue. The building would also enhance a cul-de-sac in front that terminates the public east-west street, and the intersection of Evans.

The towers would be placed mostly parallel to the Highway 427 north on-ramp on the west. There would also be a Ministry of Transportation building setback of 14 metres consisting of landscaping.

The three-storey townhouses will be parallel to the new park, Evans Avenue on the south, and the new public north-south and east-west streets on the east and north.

A public sidewalk in front of Evans Avenue would be reconstructed with a minimum width of 2.1 metres to improve pedestrian comfort and safety and comply with City standards.

Trees are proposed at the edges of all streets.

“The tree plantings would improve the attractiveness of the public realm and contribute towards its comfort and sustainability,” according to the proposal.

 

For you or someone you know who are interested in the world of aircraft and airports.

Toronto Pearson Airport is holding a job fair on February 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and organizers are looking to fill a number of good-paying positions in a variety of areas at Canada’s biggest and busiest airport.

“Your career can take flight at Pearson,” according to a press release. “From baggage handlers to security and from customer service to food and beverage, Pearson has opportunities for meaningful career growth.”

The airport-wide job fair will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, at 650 Dixon Road.

Airport officials said there’s something for every job seeker at Pearson, whether you’re looking to get up close to some of the largest aircraft in the world or wanting to help customers/travellers have the best possible experience as they set out or return from their journey.

Pearson Airport held two major job fairs last year as air travel ramped up following the elimination of COVID-19 restrictions and shutdowns that had been in place on and off from 2020 to 2022.

In January 2023, the airport held a career and job fair featuring 32 employers and last October hosted an event featuring 25 employers.

“With Canada’s aviation industry still gearing up from its pandemic shutdown,” Pearson is leading a new recruitment drive airport officials said at the time.

 

  

Cloverdale Mall’s newest feature is a pickleball club; a sport that is gaining popularity will be opening on February 16.

Pickle ball is popular and gaining momentum with clubs popping up across the city.

A company called Fairgrounds Public Racket Club is behind the Cloverdale club, with another soon to appear in Vaughan.

The club is a part of the redevelopment of Cloverdale Mall, which is planned to be reduced in size as condos and townhomes are planned for its massive parking lot.

Similar residential developments are also planned for Sherway Mall, Dixie Outlet Mall and Yorkdale Mall among others.

Nine pickle ball courts will be opened at Cloverdale providing free membership to those of all ages, according to Fairgrounds website.

A restaurant and bar is also included in the club for guests.

“The whole idea is to make pickleball […] more accessible to more people and keep up with the growing demand across the country,” Fairgrounds co-founder Drummond Munro told blog TO.

The club is also introducing the sport of Padel, which is a combination of tennis and squash, using the tennis scoring system in a smaller, enclosed court where the ball can bounce off the walls.

Fairgrounds said pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.

It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes and is perfect for players of all ages and skill sets, according to the company.

“With easy-to-follow rules, pickleball is a great introductory sport for those looking to have fun on the court,” Fairgrounds said.

It said they are creating a space that fosters new relationships and builds community while learning new skills.

The company plans to grow the sport into the next big thing by opening 60 courts across Canada in the coming months.

 

The public is being warned to be wary of persons falsely claiming to be from the City of Toronto Basement Flooding Protection Program who are trying to enter your homes.

Police said residents should exercise caution when solicited for any service and when sharing personal information with people who they do not know.

They said the City of Toronto does not conduct door-to-door sales of any kind and does not sell, partner with, nor endorse any products or services.

Police said if you suspect fraud, do not let the person into your home and report the incident to their non-emergency line at 416-808-2222.

You can also report the matter to the City by calling 311 or to Consumer Protection Ontario at 416-326-8800, or online at Consumer Protection Ontario at ontario.ca.

Police said when conducting construction-maintenance work in neighbourhoods, the City will deliver notices to affected households that state the purpose of the work and if access to homes or buildings is required, and when there is work where no access is required.

If access is required, residents are provided with the contact information of the onsite lead contractor or field ambassador. Staff working for or on behalf of the City have identification.

Residents can contact 311 with any questions or concerns, including to verify the identity of City employees or contractors.

Anyone who has information, or who thinks they may have been a victim of this scam, should contact police at 416-808-2222, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

 

The Toronto Speed Skating Club would like to welcome the community to their upcoming regional meet at the Ford Performance Centre in Rink 1 on February 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This meet will feature skaters from across Ontario who are on their competitive journey in the provincial circuit before the championship next month in Kingston, Ontario.

Who knows where this will take them in the years to come, but this is where future Olympic athletes start their journey.

The group has been skating for the last 15 years at the now Ford Performance Centre and are a volunteer-run organization that provides professional speed skating instruction to all levels of skaters from ages 6 to 65!

Short track speed skating is known for its high speed energy events at the Olympics and is Canada’s most successful Olympic sport – winter or summer. Please join them on Sunday February 18th and bear witness to the future!

Brazen car thieves may be tracking you as you finish shopping and you don’t know.

Patrons going shopping at Sherway Gardens and other area malls are being asked to be vigilant for people acting suspiciously around their vehicle due to increasing car thefts.

The warning stems from the arrest of a man at Yorkdale Mall who was charged for placing tracking devices on high-end vehicles.

Toronto Police said on February 10 at around 3:20 p.m. officers responded to a call of a suspicious incident at the busy mall.

A customer observed a suspect kneeling beside a parked Range Rover Sport vehicle before walking away, according to detectives.

The sharp-eyed citizen alerted mall security who called police.

Police investigated and allegedly found a tracking device hidden on the Range Rover.

“Further investigation revealed the accused had attached a subsequent tracking device on another vehicle of the same make and model in the mall parking lot,” police said in a release.

Officers said a man was arrested and a firearm was found.

Yannis Demmouche, 26, of Montreal, was charged with 12 counts of firearms-related offences, criminal harassment, possession of proceeds of crime, fail to comply with probation and a slew of other offences.

He was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre, 2201 Finch Avenue West, on  February 11.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at  www.222tips.com.

Police suspect the accused would track the expensive vehicles to the home of the owners and steal it from the driveway.

The arrest was made by members of the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force (PCJTF) to target the rising incidents of violence related to auto theft crimes in the GTA.

 

In light of a vicious dog attack of a woman at a Rexdale bus stop, the City is looking at putting more teeth into its dangerous dog bylaws.

The owner of two dangerous dogs is on the run after the animals on February 9 jumped on a woman throwing her to the ground and began mauling her that she received more than a dozen stitches.

The dogs attacked the woman and bit and ripped her cheek and arm and left her with a broken arm. The dogs were not on a leash and the owner took off with the animals and is sought by police.

An Economic and Community Development Committee will consider at a meeting on February 20 amendments to the Serious Dog Attacks bylaw.

The Committee is being asked to create a list of dangerous dogs that will be available on a City website. The list will have a description of the dangerous dog, part of an area code where the dog lives and offences committed by the animal.

The City wants to amend bylaws “to create and maintain a public record listing information, including the dog’s owner, first three digits of the postal code, ward number, the dog’s name, photograph, breed and colour, and dates of all served Dangerous Dog Orders,” according to a report.

The public list of dangerous dogs will allow residents be aware of vicious animals in their area so they can stay away.

“Dangerous Dog Orders are not currently posted on the City’s website, and the City does not have a public list of dangerous dogs,” according to a report by Municipal Licensing and Standards.

The report is also requesting $500,000 to create a communication strategy and public campaign to support compliance and enforcement with a goal of reducing dangerous dog acts.

“There is a need to change public behaviour and increase awareness of why dogs need to be leashed, how owners can prevent dangerous dog acts and how people and children can safely interact with dogs,” according to the report.

The City is being called on to make owners solely responsible for damages or injuries suffered by victims after their dog attacks someone.

The Ontario government is also being asked to make amendments to the Dog Owner’s Liability Act (DOLA), to provide hearings for dog biting cases, and a way for municipalities to recover costs when it holds an animal on a warrant or interim control order.

All dog bites or attacks are investigated by Toronto Public Health officials to ensure there is no transmission of rabies to people.

This report summarizes actions staff have completed and work that is currently underway to improve processes to support effective and timely dog investigations and enhance public safety.

When a Dangerous Dog Order is issued, the dog owner must ensure the animal is muzzled except when on the owner’s premises, that a warning sign is posted on their premises and the dog is banned from the City’s off-leash areas in parks.

The owner must also obtain a dangerous dog tag and the animal must wear the tag; plus be microchipped, the City must keep a photo of the animal on file and the owner must make sure the dog receives socialization, obedience training in 90 days.

The Order lasts the life of the dog unless rescinded on an appeal to the Dangerous Dog Review Tribunal.

In severe or repeated cases the owner of the animal can undergo a DOLA hearing and an order sought to euthanize the dog.

A Beer Store at Cloverdale Mall that is used by many will soon be gone.

The store which has been there for decades is slated to be levelled as a huge condo tower complex has been given the green light to be built on the site.

A Petro-Canada service station that stood beside it was bulldozed in 2021.

The site at 2-10 The East Mall Crescent, at the East Mall and Dundas Street W., near Cloverdale Mall, will be home of a 33-storey and nine storey towers, to be connected by a four-storey base building, which were approved by Etobicoke York Community Council last December.

The complex when completed will have 605 condo units, including 382 one-bedrooms, 133 two-bedrooms and 61 three-bedroom units. There will be commercial space on the first floor.

Planned are two public areas for residents that will be accessible year-round and not gated from the streets.

“The building would be set back along its three street frontages to provide for expanded sidewalks and an enhanced public realm,” according to the proposal.

It said a vehicular bridge connecting the site to the Cloverdale Mall is proposed to be converted into a landscaped pedestrian bridge with a bicycle connection to the Mall.

Vehicular access to the site is proposed via a driveway from East Mall Crescent, and would lead to underground parking, loading areas, and drop-off areas at the interior of the site.

The driveway would curve around an enhanced garden at the interior of the site and would lead back to East Mall Crescent.

“A Petro Canada gas station has been demolished, and the one-storey Beer Store on the subject property will also be demolished to allow for the proposed development,” according to the plan.

The top of the building at the 33rd storey would include a mechanical penthouse and green roof that ‘would contribute to the surrounding skyline identity and character.’

Officials of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) confirmed the height of the proposed building is within their limits and will not present any problems with arriving or departing aircraft.

There will be 360 residential parking spots, including 58 visitor spaces, two loading spaces and 457 bicycle parking spaces, including 44 short-term and 413 long-term spots.

The plan calls for seven city-owned trees to be removed.

It said the project will provide a level of intensification to an underutilized parcel of land while delivering new housing and retail opportunities to the area and providing better connections to local and regional transit.

 

Toronto Police officers are remembering a fellow officer who was killed at point blank range 62 years ago.

The killer of Const. John Frederick Nash, who was shot to death on February 12, 1962, was the last person hanged in Canada.

Nash on that fatal day had pulled over a motorist sought for robbing a Red Rooster restaurant in Scarborough of $632, according to reports.

The heavily-armed robber Ronald Turpin got out and shot Nash as he approached the vehicle, causing him to fall to the ground. He then stood over the officer and fired three more shots at him.

Nash managed to remove his service revolver and fired twice, hitting Turpin in the arms and neck. Responding officers arrested Turpin as he tried to flee in his car. Nash was dead on arrival at hospital.

Turpin, 29, was described as a small-time hood who was known to police.

He was sentenced to death by hanging, in the last hanging death in Canada which took place in December 1962.

He was hanged at Toronto’s Don Jail with Arthur Lucas, 54, described as an American hoodlum from Detroit, who had travelled to Toronto in 1961, to execute and slash the throat of fellow gangster Therland Crater, who was to testify at the trial of a drug trafficker in the U.S.

Therland and his girlfriend were found in a rooming house shot and with their throats slashed.

More than 100 demonstrators marched outside the Don Jail with signs to protest the deaths of the two convicted killers on the night of the hangings.

But the protestors couldn’t stop the hangings of Turpin and Lucas, who it is reported dropped back to back through the gallows trap door in the execution chamber of the Don Jail.

The condemned men’s legs, it was reported, were tied at the ankles and the knees. Standing back-to-back, a noose was fitted around each of their necks and white hoods were placed over their heads. They were buried in unmarked graves in Prospect Cemetery

The double hangings, would be the last in Canada, although it would take another 14 years for the death penalty to be abolished for civil, as opposed to military, crimes.

It just so happened that the government of the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, father of today’s PM Justin Trudeau, proposed then in Bill C-84 the abolition of the death penalty in Canada which became law in 1976.

The files of millions of Toronto residents, including our names, addresses and pertinent information, are stored in City databases.

And already reeling from cyberattacks targeting the Toronto Public Library and Toronto Zoo, the City of Toronto is now taking action to improve its high-tech systems to protect confidential documents against cyber thieves.

The Toronto Public Library system is just returning to normal from a last October data breach, which was also conducted against the zoo, in which thieves stole files, and information relating to employees and customers.

A motion last month by Councillor Paul Ainslie, of Ward 24, called on a City General Government Committee, to tighten up its security.

The Committee called on the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, to report back by March 26, ‘regarding options and opportunities to enhance City technology and protect confidential documents.’

“As a part of our ongoing commitment to the advancement and security of the City’s technological infrastructure, a report outlining options and opportunities to enhance city technology and protect confidential documents would be beneficial,” the Committee stated.

City officials want to know about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to technology and document security.

They were seeking recommendations for technology upgrades or advancements that can improve overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Also sought were “strategies for enhancing document security measures, including encryption, access controls and data integrity.”

The Committee is also seeking the ‘identification and assessment of potential risks related to technology and document security and strategies and protocols for mitigating these risks and responding to potential security breaches.’

The law makers want “an overview of relevant laws and regulations governing technology and document security and to ensure proposed enhancements align with legal requirements and compliance standards.”

The City said they have ongoing efforts to stay at the forefront of technological advancements while prioritizing the security of confidential information is paramount, specifically the current environment.

Hackers have been busy and even attacked hospitals and our health care system to steal information.