Star Japanese pitcher will be first female in the league and Canada
Ayami Sato is the first woman to be signed to the International Baseball League. COURTESY TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS BASEBALL
By R.S. Konjek
One of the popular streaming services hosts a sports drama called Pitch. First aired in 2016, the show explored the scenario of a woman playing for a men’s major league baseball team.
This summer at Christie Pits, fantasy will become reality.
The Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League made international headlines when they announced the signing of Ayami Sato, one of the world’s greatest female baseball players.
Sato, 35, has pitched in the Japan Women’s Baseball League since 2013 and helped Japan win six straight Women’s Baseball World Cups—the highest level of international competition in the women’s game. In three of those tournaments, she was named Most Valuable Player.
When she takes the field this summer, Sato will become the first female to play in the IBL and the first in Canadian pro baseball history.
“We’re really in new waters here,” said Keith Stein, CEO of the ownership group that bought the Leafs in 2023. “Think about that moment: [Sato] facing her first hitter in the IBL. There’s a lot riding on that moment. A very powerful moment, maybe a bit nerve-wracking.”
How that anticipated moment came about is surprisingly straightforward.
Stein and fellow ownership group member Andreas Kloppenborg like to bounce ideas off each other. One day last year, they were discussing how to enhance the fan experience at Christie Pits. Stein wondered why the Leafs didn’t have any women involved in managing or coaching the team. Kloppenborg went a step further and wondered why they didn’t have any female players. He identified Sato and contacted her. She expressed interest, conversations took place, and the signing came together quickly.
According to Stein, Sato is very excited about the opportunity. He is confident that her pedigree on the mound will translate to success in Toronto.
“People will be really impressed by her ability to mow down men in the IBL.”
Interest in Sato’s arrival has the Leafs discussing the production of a documentary, with cameras and sound people following her journey.
“This is an incredible moment for women’s sport,” Stein said.
As for her new teammates on the Leafs, Stein says they are supportive and intrigued.
Last season, the Leafs finished in seventh place and were swept in the first round of the postseason. Improvement on the field will be welcome, with Sato playing an important role beyond the hype of history. The team roster continues to take shape, and the club has begun announcing signings on social media.
One key announcement was that veteran pitcher Dustin Richardson will take on additional responsibilities as general manager, heading the club’s baseball operations.
A former major leaguer who pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Richardson will play a role in providing mentorship to Sato as she adjusts to her new surroundings.
Also joining the club as a senior advisor is Cito Gaston, who managed the Toronto Blue Jays to their two World Series victories in 1992 and 1993. Gaston will assist the club on the baseball side of things and make some public appearances during the season.
Longtime fans will notice a shake-up in the team schedule. In 2025, the Leafs will play fewer Sunday afternoon home games. Two-thirds of the schedule will be night games, spread over Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
The change is part of a strategy to attract more people to the Pits. Names like Sato and Gaston are sure to draw serious baseball followers, but Stein and company also want to attract casual fans looking for a fun evening.
“We are very committed to what happens around the field,” Stein said.
The upgraded fan experience initiated last year will continue. There will be giveaways and promotions, enhanced food and drink options, and merchandise sales.
Games will continue to be free. A new ticketed seating area will be installed along the fence on the third base side of the park.
It will offer enclosed, lounge-style seating for 50-75 people, a DJ, a mixologist and entertainment between innings. Come for the baseball, stay for the party, or vice versa.
“We’re just getting started,” Stein said. “This is like the first inning of the reinvention of the team.”
The Leafs’ season runs from May to August. Their home opener is scheduled for Sunday, May 11, 2:00 p.m. at Christie Pits.
More information about the team can be found at www.mapleleafs baseball.com.
The Runners Shop with its ever-pleasing window displays. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Amna Ahmad
In 1975, The Runners Shop (374 Bloor St. W.), opened its doors with a simple mission: to support runners and help them achieve their goals. Half a century later, that mission is just as strong, and the store has become a cornerstone of the local running community.
Originally opened in Port Credit by David Ellis, The Runners Shop is Canada’s oldest running speciality store, and it just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Lynn Bourque, current owner and longtime runner, is a testament to the strong community fostered by the shop.
Over 25 years ago, Bourque discovered the shop as a member of the run club. From there, her running journey took off, and along with it, her new career.
“I started running, and I just never stopped,” said Bourque.
Having owned the shop for seven years, Bourque has witnessed it all, from a surge in running during COVID to significant changes in footwear technology in the last five years. From all of this, she says her favourite thing about the job is connecting with people and being a support in their journeys.
“Theres a lot that goes on here beyond selling shoes,” said Bourque.
Greg Lindsay, store manager, has been at The Running Shop for almost five years and has been a runner for even longer.
“My favourite part of this job, undoubtedly, is every Monday morning, when Lynn comes in, and after she’s been here for five minutes, she always says, ‘you know on the weekend I was thinking’ and then who knows where we’re gonna go,” said Lindsay.
Lindsay first met Bourque over 20 years ago during their fine dining days working at Canoe. From there they started a lasting friendship that extended to working together at the shop.
From long-time friends to new team members, the staff at The Running Shop form a close-knit group who enjoy working together. Their shared passion for running and helping customers creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.
Michael Denomme, a newer hire, has worked at the shop for three years. Referred to as the shop’s ‘shoe dog’ by Bourque, Denomme is your go-to guy for gear-related interests.
“I’m a bit of a gear head when it comes to running shoes, so I really love just getting to talk to lots of different people about nerdy things about running shoes,” said Denomme.
Denomme, like Bourque, started his career at the shop by joining the running club. From there he started working part-time, and before he knew it, he was there every day.
Whether you are a seasoned runner, or just starting out, The Running Shop has something for all.
From Science Centre to bike lanes, expert advice is ignored or twisted
By Terri Chu
The premier who abruptly shut down the Ontario Science Centre based on an intentionally misinterpreted engineering report, is now threatening to take away the Bloor Street bike lanes; this time, there’s not even a report to base his decision on, just his gut feelings and his promises to planet-hating constituents, and of course, big oil.
The engineering report regarding the Science Centre roof said that a mere 6 per cent of the roof panels were at risk of failure. The estimated cost to replace the entire roof for the three buildings was between $22 and $40 million, or about $1 million for an immediate fix. However, instead of fixing it, the big, business-friendly government immediately closed the facility and announced plans to move the Science Centre to Ontario Place at a cost of approximately ten times the cost of fixing the entire existing roof. That way, the taxpayers can foot the bill for the parking lot at Ontario Place which will benefit the new luxury spa Ford’s friends are building there.
Obviously, having these reports in public view does not help the premier. For bike lanes, Ford is not even pretending to solicit more expert views. Existing reports don’t support his cause, and he dare not get more.
Businesses along Bloor want the bike lanes to stay because cyclists support local stores.
Big box stores like Loblaw obviously benefit less from bike lanes because they need their customers to get into big SUVs so they can haul their excess goods home. Toronto is caught between urbanists who want the future to have some semblance of liveability and sustainability and those who represent the petrostate past who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the pesky youth who reject traditional values.
The province doesn’t pretend to care about the annoying sustainability types who lower oil profit margins. They don’t even pretend to care about our lives as we get bulldozed by increasingly large SUVs that feed the oil profit machine, the same machine that openly spreads anti-science propaganda and funds conservative candidates. We are collateral damage as millions are spent to dismantle bike lanes, not out of efficiency, but purely out of spite. Unlike healthcare and infrastructure, no price is too high for political spite.
Through all this, I have a glimmer of good news for cyclists. At Albany and Dupont, there is a fancy new bike corral, the first of its kind on a residential street. The bike corral is between the stop sign and the road, approved by transportation, doesn’t block pedestrians or wheelchair users, and only reduces on- street parking by about a foot. People who live in densely packed homes can now seriously think about buying cargo bikes, e-bikes, or other alternatives to cars.
Without on-street parking options, residents were limited to what they could physically haul up the porch steps or fit in the often-narrow passageways between their homes. Bike corrals on residential streets makes it possible for people who live in smaller spaces to have a place to park their alternative vehicles.
This is a huge victory for the biking community. Having these bike corrals on more residentials streets will lower the barrier for many people to get cycling by giving them an on-street storage solution. This is also an issue of fairness. If a resident wants to buy a car, for a song, they could get an on-street parking pass, but no such option existed for cargo bikes—until now.
Despite the province wanting to kill us by taking away bike lanes, us cyclists are thankful for the city and Councillor Dianne Saxe for working as hard as she did to get that first bike corral in place. May every residential street see one of their own soon. Having more bikes isn’t just good for cyclists, motorists also benefit by having less competition for the huge amount of road space that each car takes up. Every cyclist in a bike lane means one fewer car on the road. This is good for delivery drivers, commuters, and even pedestrians. Parking spaces will be easier to come by too.
Ask your city councillor how to get one on your street. Create these spaces for cyclists. It is time we took some of the public space that has been the privilege of oil-burning mobile murder machines.
Our next challenge will be to protect those bike lanes from the man who sold out our green belt and the Science Centre. It won’t be an easy task, but we need to unite. We need to let this government know that there are more of us who want bike lanes rather than a spa.
The Gleaner went on a mission to find the best hot chocolate on Bloor
Wildhearts Cafe, 509 Bloor St. W.Nadège Patisserie, 494 Bloor St. W.Công Càphê, 424 Bloor St. W.
By Rose Harbener
The Gleaner set out on a seasonal mission to taste every hot chocolate offered by the cafes on Bloor Street with the aim of ranking the top three. Each cup was evaluated for flavour, texture, and the right balance of sweetness. After braving the snow and after much deliberation, we have crowned three cups of cocoa perfection the winners.
Wildhearts Cafe, 509 Bloor St. W.
If you’re craving a hot chocolate that perfectly captures the cozy feeling of having just built a snowman, look no further than Wildhearts. They’ve truly perfected this delightful winter treat. The drink’s perfectly balanced sweetness makes it the ultimate comfort in a cup. Besides the creamy sweet deliciousness of their hot chocolate, Wildhearts also offers a wide selection of drinks and pastries. The interior boasts a cozy, laptop-friendly atmosphere for patrons, and the disco ball spinning on the ceiling lights up the space with a unique charm. The walls are a vibrant canvas, always adorned with artwork from local artists that changes periodically, ensuring there’s always something new to see. The owner, Sean Lacey, opened Wildhearts in early 2022 and has made it their mission to create a welcoming space that blends community, creativity, and delectable drinks.
Nadège Patisserie, 494 Bloor St. W.
Nadège Patisserie is a renowned French pastry shop in Toronto founded in 2009 by Chef Nadège Nourian and partner Morgan McHugh. Nadège offers authentic French pastries and drinks and their gourmet hot chocolate embodies the Parisian elegance of their store. At five dollars a cup, the luscious consistency is rich, but not overly thick. It is crafted with chocolate from the high-end French brand Valrhona, which has made it their mission to become masters of taste and chocolatey goodness. Nourian, a fourth-generation pastry chef, honed her skills in France and decided to put them to use when she opened the first Nadège location on Queen Street. She went on to open the Annex location in May, 2022. Nadège is celebrated for its innovative and artistic approach to traditional French pastries and drinks.
Công Càphê, 424 Bloor St. W.
Công Càphê, a delightful Vietnamese-based cafe, opened its first North American location in the Annex in November 2023. Công offers an enchanting experience with their silky, dark hot chocolate sprinkled with a dusting of cinnamon to elevate its rich velvety flavour. In 2007, Công was born in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. Founded by the visionary Ling Dung, this vibrant cafe captures the essence of traditional Vietnamese flavours. Công reflects Dung’s treasured childhood recollections of Hanoi between 1976–1986 and represents a new vintage café design trend that encapsulates Vietnam’s rich cultural legacy.
Howard Pressburger, professional pinball player, in his zone and determined to reach a new high score at the Antisocial Pinball Lounge now located at 570 Bloor Street West. BEN HOHENER/GLEANER NEWS
The Antisocial Pinball Lounge at 570 Bloor St. W. has recently opened its doors to raving reviews. Boasting the largest collection of publicly accessible pinballs and pairs of flippers in Canada, with 72 playable machines and more on the way, the new arcade is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the city.
“The amount of machines and the quality of the machines are second to none in the city. There are good pinball places in the city, but none of them carry this high level of machine. Certainly the largest (pinball arcade) I’ve ever been to,” said Howard Pressburger, a patron, manager at the Wiener’s Home Hardware, and professional pinball player and aficionado. “Unlike other places in the city that have more of a party atmosphere, Antisocial is more of a place where you can go to play some excellent pinball,” he added.
Pinball is long past its heyday, but that doesn’t mean it’s a dead game by any means. Within the city, the Annex, and specifically in the basement of Antisocial, pinball is experiencing a cult resurgence with demand for the vibrant-neon, lively plinks of steel against glowing bumpers. Despite the activity having its peak player base in the 80s, there has been a cultural shift in recent years, what Steve, owner and curator of Antisocial, calls a “retro movement.”
“People are looking for something different. This is kind of a whole new form of entertainment. Pinball machines have been perfected now with new technology. The ones that are made now are far more advanced than the ones from 40 years ago. They’ve never been better than they are now. [We are] bringing back that fun experience and reintroducing it to a new generation.”
Antisocial prides itself on quality and quantity. Unlike other arcades, where it may be daunting to spend money on a game you could very well lose, and your cash too, Antisocial has a one-time entrance fee of $20 for a night’s worth of pinball. Play, learn, and win to your heart’s content down at the Antisocial Pinball Lounge on Bloor.
—Ben Hohener/Gleaner News
A look inside the newly-opened Antisocial Pinball Lounge at 570 Bloor St. W. COURTESY THE ANTISOCIAL PINBALL LOUNGE
Ford appears fully committed to removing bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge
By Ben Hohener
On Oct. 21, 2024, the Ontario government introduced Bill 212, also known as the Reducing Gridlock, Saving Your Time Act to remove bike lanes from Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, some of the busiest streets in the city. Section 195.6 of the Bill states that the city plans to restore the lanes for use by motor vehicles which would restrict cyclists to sharing the street with cars.
The backlash to Bill 212 has been extreme, and as of Dec. 7, 2024, a petition conducted by Cycle Toronto has reached over 25,000 signatures. Besides the danger to cyclists, there is another community that is facing a massive threat from Bill 212: small businesses.
“Ford is ignoring the actual facts, the number of people who use bike lanes and how it has positively affected all of the small independent businesses that make up the Annex,” said Howard Pressburger, retail manager of Weiner’s Home Hardware.
He continued: “He doesn’t care about us. It rubs me the wrong way. You’re living in the largest city in Canada. You live cheek-to-jaw with other people. Everybody needs to be able to work. Everybody needs to be able to safely get from point A to B using the transportation method of their choice. I don’t understand how people can believe it’s bikes that are causing gridlock.”
The Bloor Annex BIA supported an extensive study of the economic impact of bike lanes on its member businesses when the city installed pilot bike lanes. The study found that despite concerns expressed by many member businesses, the bike lanes actually brought in more business, and the dividend was a safer street for all road users.
Now, the fight is being taken to court. Cycle Toronto, an organization dedicated to protecting cyclists, has recently announced their decision to challenge the bill using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 7. Section 7 affords the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
With the backing of law firm Paliare Roland and environmental law charity Ecojustice, Cycle Toronto seeks to disrupt the fulfillment of Bill 212.
“By removing safe bike lanes that the city installed to give people more mobility options, without any due cause, it is a violation of the Charter of Rights,” said Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto. “Yes we have a traffic congestion issue, yes we need to be focusing on moving people throughout our city, but people can see plainly what is in front of their faces and they know bike lanes aren’t the problem. [They are] distracting people with false promises of removing bike lanes to help traffic. They frankly aren’t buying it.”
Central to Cycle Toronto’s argument is a government-commissioned study by construction firm CIMA+ which estimated that removing bike lanes on major roads like Bloor Steet, Yonge Street, and University Avenue could lead to a 56 per cent increase in accidents. The study also noted that bike lane removals would push more cyclists to ride on sidewalks, and that redirecting them to roads isn’t a feasible solution.
In response to this study, the Ontario government has proposed changes to Bill 212 to protect itself from potential lawsuits from injured cyclists on roads where bike lanes have been removed. Progressive Conservative MPPs have offered the provincial government, municipalities, and contractor’s immunity from liability. This only further proves Cycle Toronto’s argument; even government officials recognize the danger, yet they only choose to protect themselves.
The court’s decision on Cycle Toronto’s challenge is about more than just commuting; it is about the government’s responsibility to its citizens when it comes to urban planning and public safety.
Renovictions, lack of heritage protections at heart of concerns
Artist’s rendering of the proposed development at 262 St. George St. COURTESY CITY OF TORONTO PLANNING
By Amna Ahmad
A 12-storey development proposal at 262-266 St. George Street has ignited a heated debate among area residents, with concerns surrounding heritage preservation, tenant displacement, and a lack of community engagement.
JCD Property Ltd, the developer of this project, submitted an application on January 9, 2025 to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to allow for the construction of the 12-storey residential building, that will have 86 dwelling units. The news of this has left some confused and concerned.
Shane McMaster, a resident of 264 St George Street, has lived in the area for about a year and a half. He, like the other residents received a notice a little while back detailing the proposed development, and it gave them a timeline of approximately two years.
“I don’t like that I have to move, period,” said McMaster.
He expressed his feelings on the situation, saying the prospect of moving, and being uncertain about the future annoyed him. McMaster claimed that the notice provided, wasn’t very clear and that made him all the more annoyed as he was not sure if he even had the two years given.
To the developer, McMaster had only a few words. “Please don’t knock down my apartment.”
Gynger Rego and Andre Pavia are residents of 262 St George Street and have lived there for three years now. Compared to McMaster, neither are too concerned with relocating, as both saw the residence as a temporary home, and had plans to leave soon.
But for Rego, there is some confliction about the construction as, “while it is more housing, it’s also a historic building.” And in terms of the area being partially preserved, Rego has doubts.
“I think regardless, it’s going to be bastardized in some way.”
Pavia is more of the optimist and “hopes they go through with it (historic preservation),” and are able to preserve the historic integrity of the area that many have come to love.
The Gleaner also reached out to Henry Wiercinski, Co-chair of the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA). Wiercinski provided a link to the ARA’s Early Exposure Project Position Statement, which highlights the associations concerns.
One of the key issues highlighted in the statement was the lack of meaningful community engagement in the project. The ARA argues that many stakeholders were neither invited nor informed about discussions, and regarding the community consultation meeting, residents received inadequate notification, limiting their opportunity to participate.
The ARA also questions the project as it harms the current residents. Like McMaster, many residents will be required to find new homes, as the proposed development fails to fully replace the 43 existing rental living spaces. Instead, it offers only 13 larger units, which will likely be more expensive. In a city already grappling with a housing crisis, the ARA argues that this project worsens the problem by further reducing affordable rental options.
Like Rego, the ARA argues against the developers claims of heritage preservation, saying it’s a ‘façade’, and that rather than true adaptive reuse, they say it is like ‘architectural taxidermy’ where only the front of the buildings is retained. And they claim that it undermines the historic integrity of St. George Street.
According to them there are also environmental issues to consider, like the fact that the site relies on a combined storm and sanitary sewer system, which could become overloaded, potentially worsening stormwater management issues and increasing the risk of sewage overflows into Lake Ontario. As well as issues of proper planning in regard to parking, as there is not any dedicated resident parking spaces.
The ARA’s stance is that there is more that could be done regarding this development, and more things need to be taken into account.
James and Jordan Doucette, of JCD Property Ltd, named developers of the property, did not receive a response to requests for comment.
An Annex Singers’ concert in the Hart House Music Room in May 1984, led by Artistic Director Lesia Deacon. COURTESY LESIA DEACON/ANNEX SINGERS
By Victoria Fisher
In the winter of 1979, a small group of friends and Annex residents gathered around a piano to sing carols. They couldn’t have imagined that 45 years later the choir would have blossomed into an accomplished 60-voice ensemble, or that it would still be firmly rooted in the Annex.
When it began, The Annex Singers was a neighbourhood group of enthusiastic amateurs. Among them were Rochdale College “graduates” and young idealists keen to sing Broadway and popular tunes together. Initially assembled by member Anita Steiner, the little choir was led by voice teacher and choral conductor Lesia Deacon. As the singers gained confidence, Deacon stretched the choir’s repertoire with madrigals and Mozart. The choir was also an active social group—at one point, poker threatened to overthrow singing as the activity of choice.
In its tenth year, the choir overcame its first hurdle when it found itself without a director. For a year, a small group of singers kept the music alive, meeting in neighbourhood homes. Salvation came when Brad Ratzlaff, who was for many years the music director at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, offered to take the reins. Ratzlaff added cabaret concerts featuring popular selections and these became staples of the choir’s programming. In 1999, under director Ron Cheung, The Annex Singers gave a 20th anniversary concert and welcomed back Deacon and Ratzlaff as guest conductors.
In 2006, the choir was once again searching for an artistic director and found Maria Case, an Annex resident, pianist, vocalist, and now an award-winning composer. In 2025, Case is celebrating her 19th year with the choir and is now the longest-serving director of The Annex Singers. Over the years, the choir has performed her compositions regularly, including one program in 2023 which exclusively featured Case’s music. She inventively set captivating texts to challenging harmonies.
Under Case, the choir has developed and matured. Now with an auditioned membership, the choir offers three concerts a year which also feature the choir’s chamber ensembles. Concerts include a diverse range of music from medieval pieces, to new compositions by Canadian composers, to popular pieces. The May 2025 concert will include pieces ranging from the 12th-century composer Hildegard von Bingen to the Spice Girls.
The Annex Singers collaborate with many local musicians, including pianist Anne Lee, who has been with the choir since 2011, and four inspiring professional section leads—Melanie Conly, Meghan Symon, Joshua Clemenger, and Lutzen Riedstra. Recent guest musicians have included organist Stephen Boda, percussionist Alejandro Céspedes, and fiddler/violinist Anne Lindsay.
Case’s direction has given the choir a signature style—programs that combine music with powerful words to speak to important themes and community issues, bringing vibrancy and relevance to the choir’s concerts. In 2023 the Voices of Earth concert featured music celebrating nature and the environment, including some of Case’s own compositions. In the Margins explored the theme of marginalization, drawing attention to those struggling with poverty or exclusion during the coldest months of the year. Sometimes, these textual flights expand into drama. In 2017, December Diaries married wintry texts and acted scenes with music to tell stories of challenge and camaraderie at Christmastime.
This year, the choir collaborated with local scientists for Stargazers featuring University of Toronto cosmologist Renée Hlozek and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for an inspiring scientific and musical experience.
Whether bringing in musicians from the community or performing work by Canadian artists and writers, The Annex Singers seek to celebrate the neighbourhood, Toronto, Canada, and the things that bring us together. Itself an unshakeable community, the choir weathered another storm in the form of the pandemic; for almost two years, singers gathered, learned and performed online. Creative concerts were filmed and streamed online, including What Will Remain, a reflective Remembrance Day program with acted portions, and Yes, Virginia, starring the thespian talents of Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath.
This March 29, The Annex Singers celebrate 45 years since a group of Annex-based friends gathered around a piano—by gathering around two pianos. The drama and bombast of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is paired with music celebrating the joy and hope of love and features extraordinary guest pianists and some of Toronto’s top percussionists.
Tickets are available through the choir’s website: annexsingers.com.
Cycle Toronto sought a court injunction to block the immediate removal of key Toronto bike lanes. Premier Doug Ford won his day in court but was forced to reveal some deeply damning documents containing advice from his own experts about fatal flaws in his plans.
The Reducing Gridlock Saving You Time Act (Bill 212) is now provincial law. Doug has Bloor Street, University Avenue, and Yonge Street bike lanes in his sights. The advocacy group Cycle Toronto is planning to return to court with a Charter challenge against Bill 212 in April.
Unlike a media scrum, where a politician can say what they want, evade questions, answer different ones, or outright lie, courts expect the lawyers standing before them to share all the relevant facts relating to the case at hand, fully and completely, or be at risk of contempt. This was Ford’s Achilles’ heel, as the reports the government lawyers were forced to share (prepared by the government and external experts) showed his plan was wrongheaded on every conceivable metric.
The experts advised that the pending legislation was fraught with risk, contained innumerable downsides, and would not likely reduce congestion or get anyone “home faster,” the bill’s ostensible goal.
An MTO briefing from August, 2024, states that there is a “risk of negative impacts on local businesses. Evidence shows that bike lanes have a positive impact on local businesses.” The report continues: “Cycling has been shown to have a positive impact on congestion in North America; requiring provincial approval may not have the desired goal of reducing congestion; cyclists [will] likely to continue to use key routes; cycling lanes can move 10 times more people than a traffic lane…protected bike lanes reduce collisions and injuries by 30-50 per cent.” The section Impact on Specific Populations: Equity deserving communities, Seniors, and Students (and other categories) has been heavily redacted by the government in the interests of “public interest immunity.” The advice has been almost completely covered with a Sharpie.
The government does not want you to know that it knows that the introduction of bike lanes on Bloor Street, according to a Centre for Active Transportation study, made women, children, and the elderly 50 per cent more likely to bike on Bloor because they felt comfortable and safe.
In a cabinet office briefing dated Sept 24, 2024, under Fiscal Impact/Value for money, ,the entire section has been redacted; we highly doubt they are covering up good news here.
A cabinet office briefing from Oct. 9, 2024, states that the “biking community and environmental advocates may also criticize the initiative due to a lack of evidence that bike lanes substantially increase car congestion or emergency response times, and due to cycling being a zero-emission mode of transportation.”
CIMA, a consultant hired by the province, estimated that “removal of bike lanes on the major routes will increase total collisions (i.e. for all road users not just those involving bikes) by 35-52 per cent.” The Bloor Street bike lane project has already reduced collisions by 44 per cent. The CIMA report advises that many cycling routes in Toronto lack viable secondary road cycle track alternatives which cyclists are unlikely to use anyway, instead opting for the most direct pathways. This puts them in mixed traffic on Bloor and/or biking on the sidewalks.
Of all the studies and briefings given to the government, not one supports the tenants of Bill 212. The reports dispute Ford’s argument that removing bike lanes will solve congestion, and they suggest that his plan will likely increase costs, diminish safety, and increase collisions exponentially. The takeaway is the courts revealed what the government knew, when it knew it, and that it proceeded anyway with reckless abandon. It’s no wonder Ford added the clause to the bill preventing families of anyone killed or injured from suing the province, because they would no doubt have won their cases. Ford’s actions are purely malicious.
February’s cold and snowy weather has left many of us yearning for spring. While my family is eager for warmer days, we’re still trying to squeeze in one last outing on skis or skates. Snowdrops will emerge soon through the snow drifts, and children are enjoying March break.
New Roles and Cultural Highlights
I’m honoured to have two new roles added to my dance card: trustee of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and vice chair of The Atmospheric Fund. These globally significant institutions enhance Toronto’s liveability while strengthening our international connections and reputation. Don’t miss the AGO’s exciting hip hop show The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century running until April 6. I even took a hip hop class!
2025 City Budget
The 2025 city budget was finalized on Feb. 11. For many Torontonians struggling with affordability, we know that any tax increase is challenging. (If you are a low-income homeowner, apply for tax or rate relief online or contact our office for assistance.) But costs are rising fast for the city too. This budget is a step in the right direction, but our finances remain fundamentally broken. We’re doing our best to meet the needs of our 21st-century city despite wildly unsuitable financing rules set by the Baldwin Act of 1849. The province has us in a stranglehold and refuses to give us any of the tools we need to address our repair backlog, handle the countless responsibilities they’ve downloaded onto our overburdened systems, or provide the services you deserve. Yet, as I told council, people who pay higher taxes expect better services. We continue to work to make the city more efficient, and I was glad to see the budget fund multiple initiatives that Ward 11 cares about including:
TTC fare freeze and service improvements
Affordable housing
Extended hours for parks, libraries, and youth hubs
Infrastructure repairs
Ford, Trump, and Tariffs
Doug Ford’s cynical midwinter election wasted nearly a quarter of a billion dollars ($182 million paid directly by taxpayers plus many millions paid by each campaign to garner votes) without changing much or creating a meaningful plan to defend us against Trump and Musk. The city is preparing for turmoil and uncertainty by maintaining our remaining reserves and focusing on local purchasing. We also stopped allowing new Teslas to qualify for taxi purchasing incentives. No more public money should go to Musk.
Parks and Recreation Updates
I’m excited to announce progress on some important park projects:
Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre: Join the kickoff meeting on March 24 at 6 p.m. at 55 Belmont St. Our ward is one of the city’s most park-deficient and one of the few without a full recreation centre, but this long-awaited centre went nowhere until I blasted through a standoff with Solid Waste. The six-year delay has doubled costs, but at least consultation and design can now begin. What do you want in our recreation centre?
Pricefield Park: My precedent-setting motion at March council will allow a developer to donate a park design by CCxA, a renowned landscape architecture and design firm which designed beloved parks like Sugar Beach and the Berczy dog fountain. Thank you to the nearby community that kickstarted this redesign in 2023, working with a landscape design class at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Budd Sugerman Park: Work should begin in April on a new habitat for graceful, endangered chimney swifts.
Affordable Housing:
Affordable housing remains a top priority, despite Ford overruling the city and wiping out 5,000 affordable homes. I am working with residents to block the displacement of tenants from affordable rooming houses on St. George Street. Official Plan Amendment 453 gives some protection to rooming house tenants but not enough to keep dozens of our neighbours from losing their homes. I’ll be advocating for better protections for rooming house tenants at council.
For the latest updates and to get involved with Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre, sign up for my newsletter at: https://diannesaxe.ca/newsletters/
Dianne Saxe is city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale.
University-Rosedale is clearly not on side with Premier Ford
By Jessica Bell
Thank you, University-Rosedale residents, for putting your trust in me to represent you at Queen’s Park as the MPP for University-Rosedale for a third term.
Representing our riding is a privilege, a responsibility, and an honour. I will do my very best to serve all of us well; it doesn’t matter who you voted for.
This election is memorable for me for many reasons.
It’s the first time we’ve had a candidate for premier who is under an active criminal RCMP investigation. What is taking the RCMP so long to release its findings?
It was the first winter election in over one hundred years. We canvassed though knee-deep snow drifts to reach a porch. We drilled into frozen lawns to install signs. We used pencils to take notes as we canvassed because pens don’t work in this cold weather. We missed some signs because they were frozen into the ground or buried in snowbanks.
We have a policy of staying at the door and declining invitations to go into people’s homes for a chat, but given the extreme cold, we accepted many invitations to come inside to have real and honest conversations about what mattered to you.
This is what I learned from residents this election.
We’re feeling a lot of fear and uncertainty about our future. We’re worried about the terrifying spectre of a chaotic and vindictive President Trump threatening Canada’s economy with tariffs and our sovereignty with calls for Canada to become the 51st state.
Many of us understand what the province is responsible for, and we know the government is falling short.
We are educated voters. Health-care workers told me their working conditions were the toughest they’ve experienced in their careers, and they were deciding who to vote for based on each party’s health care platform.
There was real anger toward Ford and his disrespect for Toronto—meddling with our official plan and taking away our bike lanes, yet failing to put forward real solutions to crime and homelessness.
A few tech workers urged us to develop a response to the AI tsunami and its impact on the economy. Many of you called for us to co-ordinate with the Liberals and the Greens and spoke of your deep aspirations for stability and homeownership. The crisis in the Middle East, and the prevalence of anti-Semitism and anti-Palestinian racism in our city was also front and centre for many.
The results are in, and the Conservatives have another majority. At a time when life for many is already difficult, I understand why people tune politics out or vote from a profound sense of fear.
The Ontario NDP returns as the official opposition, and I’m proud of that. We will hold the Conservative government to account and put forward progressive solutions, from ensuring everyone has a family doctor, to improving the quality of our schools, to making housing affordable to rent or own.
Elections involve hundreds of people undertaking a huge amount of work. They are about building power, the power of people working together for a common cause to protect humanity and work to have government be a force for good.
We will need to exercise this power again and again in the months and years ahead, from having tough conversations with people who don’t see eye to eye with us, to writing petitions and letters, to introducing legislation, to holding press conferences, to organizing and attending rallies, events, and townhalls.
My experience as an organizer and politician has taught me that social change comes in waves and troughs. As progressives, we’re in a trough provincially. We’re working hard to move inches and defend what we have, while positioning ourselves to catch that next wave.
That wave is coming. We are organizing now to be ready for it. I am up for the challenge, and I have faith that you are too.
Jessica Bell is the MPP-Elect for University-Rosedale. You can reach her office at jbell-co@ndp.on.ca or 416 535 7206.
