The deadly war in the Middle East has led to a spike of hate crimes in Toronto with more than 300 incidents so far this year, police say.

“The impacts of the events in the Middle East on Toronto are ongoing, including a concerning rise in reported hate crimes,” Chief Myron Demkiw said at a Police Services Board meeting on November 23.

He said between January 1 and November 23, there were 323 reported hate crimes in Toronto, compared to 224 during the same time last year.

Included in those numbers were 129 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes and 34 reported anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab hate crimes.

Demkiw said in the last month, from October 7 to November 20, there were 78 hate crimes reported, as compared to 22 last year. This included 38 reported anti-Semitic hate crimes, versus 13 during the same period last year, and 17 reported anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab hate crimes compared to one during the same period last year.

“There has also been a marked increase in reported hate crimes targeting LGBTQ2S+ communities during this period,” he said, adding there were nine incidents compared to five the same time last year.

Among all of the hate crimes reported between October 7 and November 20, some 49 per cent have been anti-Semitic.

The expanded Hate Crime Unit since October 7 has been responsible for 25 arrests and 64 charges laid in relation to reported hate incidents.

In early November, police increased the size of its Hate Crime Unit from six officers to 21 investigators and eight Special Constables, along with an analyst and researcher.

“This is being done by temporarily re-assigning members from other areas of the Service in order to prioritize the response to these crimes and expand investigative capacity,” the Chief said.

The Service also launched a new web form on TPS.ca to provide an avenue for the public to alert police to hate-motivated graffiti.

The website allows officers to attend, gather evidence and arrange for the hate-motivated graffiti to be removed as quickly as possible.

The site is monitored 24 hours and police have received 90 web submissions so far.

He said in the last month there has been ‘a significant spike in reported hate-related graffiti,’ with 63 occurrences that were anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab, compared to two the same period last year.

There have been 217 hate graffiti occurrences that were anti-Semitic since October 7.  Last year, there were 19 reported at the same time period.

The Service has stepped up their presence in communities across the city to ensure safety and provide residents with a sense of security.

“The impact of crime motivated by hate is far-reaching, and extends beyond the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the victim,” Demkiw told the Board. It affects “all members of the targeted community.”

He warned that police will not allow the people of our city to be intimated.

“Violence and hateful acts will not be tolerated,” he said. “The Service and our Hate Crime Unit will aggressively pursue any suspected incidents of hate motivated behaviour.”

By TANYA VIVIDLY

Exploring the sights and sounds of socialist Moldova with a stroke of a paint brush on canvas,

I observed the artist shaping of rural traditions and influences with mysticism.

Moldovan artist Vladimir Topal has quite a body of wide-ranging work called ‘Susak,’ now on display at the Lakeshore Village Artists Co-op, at 115 Birmingham Street, in New Toronto.

Topal 56, was born in Kazayak, a small town in the autonomous region of Gagauz Eri, Republic of Moldova, and his works display much of inanimate or natural objects.

His art explores the subtle beauty of brush techniques that are rich in textures, warm shapes and in-depth imagery. The artist’s admiration for his culture and wanting to share it with other communities is enlightening.

“I believe that the major challenge of any artist, in the wake of the twenty first century, is to insert themselves in the brutal market economy, without losing cultural identity and artistic spirit,” Topal said on his website.

His work includes beautiful portraits, still life, landscape, drawings and mystical folklore from Gagauz, where he grew up studying from other artists in the region.  His art captures the spirit and the feeling of what many think rural Moldova should have looked like.

An art lover outside the gallery described his show as “within its consequence it succeeds in its independence.”

Topal had his first one man show in 1995 at the Taksim Art Gallery of Istanbul. He then lived in London, England, for two years before moving to Canada in 1998.

“…nothing prepared me for the experience in Canada,” he wrote. “Toronto was not as interesting as most European cities but it was young and vibrant, and full of ambitious people, always busy and extremely expensive”

He started life here by selling his art at a booth on the street.

“I find it particularly hard to survive as an artist in this time of economic contraction,” the artist said. “I firmly believe that art is as ointment for the pains of the crisis.”

He made ends meet by working as an interior decorator and selling his art work.

Topal said he is inspired by his homeland and the people there.

“My memories, my imagination, and my dreams, all converge in their primeval source in Gagauz Eri,” he explained. “I am a member of this globalized society, but my heart remains forever in my town, Kazayak.”

I recommend checking out Topal’s art as it depicts a perspective of still life that is surrounded by hope, culture and beauty.

Every year there are hundreds of complaints from residents about the use and abuse of fireworks at all hours, with some aimed at and injuring people, causing fires and scaring pets.

There are many stories about fireworks in the Humber Bay Shores area being fired from balconies, which send pets scurrying and narrowly missing people and vehicles on the ground.

Last month videos surfaced of crowds of people setting off fireworks for Diwali in the parking lot of Westwood Square Mall, in Mississauga, both in the air and on the ground.

By the time Peel Police arrived, most of the culprits had disappeared leaving bags of used fireworks and other debris for others to clean up.

In another case, fireworks were even fired from moving vehicles and tossed on the road.

At a Mississauga city council meeting, officials voted to support a motion that would impose a maximum fine of $100,000 to individuals convicted of improperly setting off fireworks on public property or property that is not their own.

Fireworks are allowed without a Special Occasions Permit (SOP) only on Canada Day, Victoria Day, Lunar New Year, and Diwali – at least until midnight.

The City of Toronto has been looking at getting tougher on the use of fireworks and a November 14 report called Outstanding Directives on the Public Use and Retail Sale of Consumer Fireworks from top brass of Toronto Fire Services (TFS), and Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), asked for the sales of fireworks to only be allowed for the specific dates, training on the use of fireworks and an increase of fines for misuse.

The executives also recommended the proposals to the Ontario government for changes to the Ontario Fire Code but there has been no response.

The TFS said requests were made in August 2022 and September 2023 for changes to be made to regulate fireworks by enhancing public safety and more enforcement of its use. They are seeking a centralized user education program to increase the safe and compliant use of fireworks.

MLS officials have also consulted with vendors about restricting the sale of fireworks year-round and recommend they work to educate them on the safe use.

The report noted fireworks are used by many nationalities for celebrations, including cultural, religious and special events during the year.

The groups called on the province to ban the possession of fireworks in Toronto parks, fund more Enforcement Officers to enforce fireworks laws after midnight, to double the fines for fireworks offences, install signage in parks and launch an information campaign, which they will next year.

Fireworks may only be discharged on privately owned property where a SOP is obtained, and the property owner consents to the discharge. Similarly, fireworks cannot be discharged after 11 p.m. in a park, street or other public property unless a permit is obtained.

TFS responded from 2019 to 2022 to 499 incidents involving fireworks. Firefighters were called to an increased number of fires as a result of fireworks, with 10 in 2022, and seven so far in 2023, compared to eight between 2019 and 2020.

Fire officials from 2017 to 2021 responded to 527 incidents involving fireworks, and MLS enforcement officers responded to 570 complaints over the same period.

They said fines now range from $400 to $1,000 and they want it increased to $5,000.

Fire Services said in the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, some 51% of the incidents, including 70% of fires related to fireworks.

Toronto Police are cracking down on scammers who fleece Etobicoke and other homeowners in expensive renovation rackets.

Two more men have been arrested in a police fraud investigation targeting the shady home repairmen.

Detectives from 12 Division allege that the suspects went door to door from March to September this year soliciting homeowners for renovation services.

Police allege the suspects used deceptive and high pressure tactics to obtain roofing and masonry jobs.

The renovations were never completed and the suspects often caused damage to the victim’s property, according to a release.

In most cases the scammers ask for money up front and disappear after doing little work, which was left to the owners to repair afterwards.

William Quilligan, 53, and Dermot Quilligan, 43, both of Mississauga was have been charged with about 28 counts of fraud, possess proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime exceeding $5,000, mischief and damage to property offences.

They were slated to appear in court at Ontario Court of Justice on November 15.

Two Milton brothers were also arrested in the last month for similar offences, in which their targeted elderly Etobicoke residents.

Police are reminding the public to be wary of unsolicited contractors going door to door, especially those using pressure tactics and demanding advance payment in cash.

The said to avoid impulse decisions to hire a contractor, do your research and select a reputable company and obtain a detailed written contract.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact police at 416-808-1200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

A well-liked Mississauga man who was killed after being hit by a car in Etobicoke is being remembered by his friends for his positive outlook on life.

Amit Behal, 30, was on his way to work at TWI Foods when he was hit by a vehicle while crossing Kipling Avenue at Ronson Drive at 6:18 a.m., on November 7.

More than $30,000 has been raised for Behal’s family in a Go Fund Me page created by his co-workers, to help pay funeral costs and his family. He regularly sent money to his native India to help his parents and siblings.

“This fundraiser will raise some funds for his family so they know that the son they have lost is not alone here,” stated the Go Fund Me page. “He has a big loving family and we share all their grief and pain and stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult time.”

The driver of the southbound grey Kia fled, but later returned to the scene, according to Toronto Police Traffic officers.

Behal was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital where he died on November 9.

TWI Foods vice-president Danish Kizilbash said Behal always had a “positive outlook,” and would send money to his parents and sister in India.

“He was a very friendly, loving and overall positive person, and anybody that talked to him would always get a good feeling,” said Kizilbash. “He would always say hello to everybody, shake their hand and he was somebody that everybody respected.”

Behal worked for TWI Foods for about five years on one of the company’s production lines.

Kizilbash said Behal was trying to build a new life in Canada. The company had planned to donate $20,000 to the fund.

Funeral arrangements haven’t yet been finalized.

Police are asking anyone with additional information to call the traffic services unit at 416-808-1900.

 

 

By Devin Meireles

As the holidays are approaching, the spirit of the season is spreading on Lakeshore.

Like a scene from a Christmas movie, three women did a good deed on their way to the bar when they helped reunite a missing puppy with its owner.

It was a Saturday evening on November 18th when their Uber dropped them off at the newly opened Long Branch Social House on 3595 Lakeshore Boulevard West. As they proceeded to the entrance, they encountered a distressed, straggly man searching for their landlord’s dog.

They offered to help and one of the ladies promptly posted a message on the South Etobicoke Community Group on Facebook. Anyone with information was directed to contact the man to which they received a call later that evening.

As luck would have it, the 4-month old beagle was found safe merely 300 metres down the street at T. J. O’Shea’s Irish Snug.

A staff member responded online to the message: “We found him and brought him home safe!!! Honestly best night of my life finding a puppy and getting to bring him home. He was right outside our restaurant.”

The pup’s name is Achilles and was brought back to their owner in a short time.

Meanwhile at the bar, the woman called the man to check in.

By that time he already found the dog safe and was thankful for their help. She shared an update with the good news: “The puppy has been found. Thanks, everyone!!!” presumably while toasting with their friends to a job well done.

The ladies surely had a good time noting there were tasty drinks with exceptional service to complement their good deed.

The holiday spirit will carry on at the Long Branch Social House as they are hosting a Christmas Market every weekend until December 24th. The Market will run 12-8pm with booths of local vendors.

Social media was busy with chatter about the lost now found Achilles.

“We found him and brought him home safe,” wrote Meagan Larman. “Honestly best night of my life finding a puppy and getting to bring him to his owners.”

“Sorry I got excited and thought you were the owner,” said Jolanta Mycvhajl. “Honestly I was so excited to find the little guy.”

“Not gonna lie and was a little bummed when the owner picked up the call right away was hoping for a sleep over,” she wrote.

“That’s amazing! Thank you so much,” wrote Lauren Bonnevie Macari. “The owner was walking down the street looking for him and didn’t have this group so I posted it. I’m so glad it all worked out.”

Achilles and his owner were both happy and had a joyful reunion.

Community residents are concerned about the environmental damages caused by a massive six-alarm fire at Brenntag Canada Inc., more than three months ago.

The company claimed that about 700,000 litres of soybean and petroleum-based oil, transmission fluids and solvents were stored at the Vulcan Street facility at the time of the fire.

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks has completed a technical report on the August 11 incident called Brenntag Canada Inc. Fire Off-Site Environmental Monitoring Summary Report.

The report by Dr. Rachael Fletcher, a Director of Central Region, Drinking Water and Environmental Compliance Division, states the blaze caused heavy emulsions/slurry of oils and fire suppression materials along with fire douse water to enter the municipal storm sewer system and discharge into Mimico Creek, Humber Creek and the Humber Bay Park area of Lake Ontario.

Ministry officials said they sampled the air, sediment and water between August 11 and 23 for impacts from the fire to the environment and human health. It also included stream bank soil sampling and vegetation survey results.

“All measured air contaminant levels were far below their respective emergency screening values, confirming there were no local air quality concerns resulting from the fire,” according to a Ministry mobile trace atmospheric gas analyzer.

The report said officials ‘conducted extensive sampling of water, sediment, stream bank soil and vegetation to identify potential impacts of the run-off to Mimico Creek, Humber Creek and Lake Ontario.’

It said water and sediment samples were collected along Mimico Creek, Humber Creek, and Lake Ontario, and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic hydrocarbons, polyfluorinated alkyl substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals.

“The main sources of contaminants were petroleum hydrocarbons and fire suppression materials,” according to the Ministry. “The results showed a decline in the concentration of contaminants over time and with increasing distance from the discharge points in the impacted waterways.”

They said the affected waterways are ‘returning to pre-spill/urban background conditions, with low levels of residual contamination remaining in the impacted waterways following the incident.’

“Sediment sampling results suggest that the current concentrations of contaminants would not have a significant impact on the resident organisms,” according to the report.

 

Stream bank soil and vegetation samples showed elevated concentrations of contaminant compared to samples collected in non-impacted areas, the findings stated.

“These results suggest that the elevated concentrations in the creek bank vegetation adjacent to and downstream from Brenntag likely originated from the fire incident,” investigators determined.

Officials are now in the process of verifying the status of the cleanup before restoration work can begin; which is expected to be completed by November.

They said the cleanup’s effectiveness will be based on visual observations of the cleaned-up waterways, by monitoring results to applicable guidelines and background conditions, and assessment of whether additional cleanup is necessary or would cause greater harm to the environment.

“Should additional cleanup work be required, the ministry will ensure Brenntag will initiate the work immediately,” official said.

They said Brenntag has submitted a restoration plan that outlines how the water, soil, sediment, and vegetation will be assessed, restored, and monitored to demonstrate the effectiveness of cleanup efforts.

The Toronto District Office Duty Line can be contacted at 416-326-3381 during regular business hours or email environment.toronto@ontario.ca.

The report can be accessed at Brenntag-Canada-Inc.-Fire-Off-Site-Environmental-Monitoring-Summary-Report.pdf

A new grocery store and shopping centre have been given the green light to be constructed on The Queensway.

A proposal to build a huge new Sobeys and Longo’s grocery stores and shopping centre with other stores is closer to becoming a reality at 1061 The Queensway, just east of Islington Ave.

Sobeys own a major stake in Longo’s and the stores will be massive and side by side.

“The entire centre will have a combined 5,126.77 square metres (in size), 180 vehicle parking spaces with seven accessibility spaces and 23 bicycle stalls are proposed to service the development,” according to the proposal.

The plan was approved after revisions by the Committee of Adjustment, Etobicoke York District, on November 9, and is expected to proceed.

Sobeys already has a store at the Kipling Queensway Mall, but that is expected to close as a large chunk of the property will be used for condo towers and a highway interchange to the Gardiner Expressway.

“The proposal is to redevelop the lands for a shopping centre, anchored by a Longo’s grocery store,” according to the proposal.

It said vehicle access is provided to the west of the site along Caven Street and on the east of the site along St. Lawrence Avenue. Both streets are located off The Queensway.

“Both entrances to the subject lands provide access to the parking spaces as well as providing for an adequate fire route,” the grocer said.

The company was seeking to have the property rezoned to mixed use lands.

“Mixed use areas will create a high-quality commercial space that meets the needs of the local community while creating and providing new jobs for a growing population on an underutilized site,” the committee heard.

Lawyers for Sobeys argued that there is much access to public transit and the development will increase walking and cycling and reduce the need for vehicles.

The proposal they wrote will make ‘more efficient use of this underutilized site and serve the needs of the surrounding community.’

Another major development by another company is proposed for the rear of the grocery stores site.

A 22 and 27-storey towers are also planned for the rear of 1061 The Queensway that will be parallel to the Gardiner and contain almost 1,000 units.

Parkland would be tucked between the two buildings and fronting a Caven Street extension.

That proposal is proceeding before city officials.