June 14th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford needs to step up and lead for once (May 2024)
The competing notions of treating illicit drug use as a health issue versus a criminal one is at the heart of a divide between the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario. The city wants to decriminalize and help people who are addicted and the province thinks it can arrest its way out of the problem. Read more
June 14th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: Undoing vacant home tax debacle (May 2024)
Booze in parks gets green light, revamp of recycling on the horizon
By Dianne Saxe
Spring arrived early this year with turbulent weather in April and sunshine in May. It’s also been an eventful season: I hope you had a chance to enjoy the total solar eclipse, the Easter parades, Earth Day’s 45th anniversary, Toronto’s luscious bounty of cherry blossoms, and holiday meals with friends and family. Read more
June 14th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: Queen’s Park roundup (May 2024)
Underfunding schools, justice system, and interference at colleges & universities
By Jessica Bell
It’s been a very busy period at Queen’s Park. Here are the highlights.
Parents stand up to pending school budget cuts
On May 8, I joined parents, students, teachers, and residents outside Kensington School for a rally to demand better funding for our public schools. Read more
June 14th, 2024 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Greater density along transit hubs is good for all of us (May 2024)
Mandating no cars under new builds is the way forward
It is very exciting to see the development of the old Honest Ed’s site almost come online. It means there will be more people in this city living close to transit. It means there will be more people in this neighbourhood to sustain the small businesses that make this neighbourhood liveable. We need to support high-density housing projects in this neighbourhood, but we have to make sure that these new projects come with zero new parking spots. We want walkers, cyclists, and transit users. We don’t want to be home to more polluting drivers who make the city dirty and dangerous. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Wychwood Pond (Apr. 2024)
Kids frolic in what was a tributary of Taddle Creek on June 17, 1916. The tributary was later dammed to create Wychwood Pond. Read more. COURTESY CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: Annex heritage properties at risk (Apr. 2024)
Deadline for designation is end of the year
By James Bullanoff
A large number of heritage properties are at risk of losing their status in the Bloor-Annex area and across Toronto. The pictures in this story are examples of the many “listed” but not “designated” heritage properties. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: Magic mushroom dispensary opens on Bloor (Apr. 2024)
Shroomyz chain store faces police raid and vandalism
By Ammara Khan
A Shroomyz mushroom dispensary recently opened at 497 Bloor St. W., replacing a nail salon. Since its opening, Shroomyz has experienced a police raid, a staff arrest, as well as significant vandalism. Despite these challenges, it continues to conduct business. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: Rediscovering Wychwood Pond (Apr. 2024)
One of the last visible remnants of Taddle Creek
MIA KESKINEN/GLEANER NEWS
By Mia Keskinen
Wychwood Pond is a hidden gem within the Annex waiting to be discovered. The pond is in Wychwood Park, located near Bathurst Street and Davenport Road. The park is a picturesque enclave with English-style homes tucked away in a pocket of forest. Although the park is hidden in a residential area, it is open to the public to enjoy. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: Karma’s free bike repair cafe (Apr. 2024)
Wildly popular repair cafes from last year now include bicycles
Karma Co-op member Nathalie Remond thrilled with her ready to roll wheels. COURTESY KARMA CO-OP
By Brian Burchell
This year, Karma Co-op is hosting its first spring Bicycle Repair Cafe on Saturday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Karma’s parking lot. The co-op is located at the rear of 739 Palmerston Ave. (off Karma Lane). Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: The Vacant Home Tax: A multi-mayor failure (Apr. 2024)
The Vacant Home Tax (VHT) is an unabashed debacle. The City of Toronto just sent 167,000 homeowners tax bills that include a one per cent VHT levy based on the values of their properties. If, for example, their Municipal Property Assessment Corporation valuation is $800,000, then the city just added a surcharge to their tax bill of $8000. Payable when? Now. Read more