This year’s annual holiday cover comes to us courtesy of the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery of the University of Toronto’s Art Museum. Winter Woods by Walter J. Phillips (1884-1963) is a 9.5 by 11 centimetre colour woodcut that is part of the Winter Woodcuts Portfolio. Born in Engand, Phillips was a Canadian painter and printmaker who […]

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Residents still concerned about BSUC proposal By Geremy Bordonaro Many community members remain unhappy with the proposed redevelopment of the Bloor Street United Church, even after the third — and final — community consultation in late November. The plan calls for a 38-storey mixed-use building that will occupy the west end of the church’s grounds […]

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Cheri DiNovo leaves politics for ministry at Trinity-St. Paul’s By Geremy Bordonaro After serving 11 years in the provincial legislature, the Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) is returning home to the Annex, where she will become the new minister for Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, effective January 1. “It was time. I don’t think I’ve […]

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Kensington Market’s 28th annual winter solstice parade returns on December 21. Organized by Kensington-based Red Pepper Spectacle Arts and sponsored in part by the Kensington Market BIA and the Kensington Market Action Committee, the parade marks the returning of the light after the shortest day of the year, and features hand-made lanterns, theatrical scenarios, and […]

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City Manager Peter Wallace tried again, in vain, to alert members of city council to the threat posed by hedging the city’s budget against the apparent unrelenting strength of Toronto’s real estate market. The city has enjoyed explosive growth in revenue from the land transfer tax over the last ten years, and projections for next […]

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The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) of city council has been asked to help reduce the number of “doorings” — when a car door is opened into the path of an oncoming cyclist — in Toronto. Although this falls under the provincial jurisdiction of the Highway Traffic Act, one advocate believes the city needs […]

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A case for road tolls By Tim Grant Why is the idea of charging drivers for the use of roads something that provincial politicians steadfastly avoid? Twenty years ago, the then Premier Mike Harris downloaded the costs of maintaining the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway to the City of Toronto. Since that time, […]

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BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS Deals fell to the floor as the Honest Ed’s demolition continued with the dismantling of masonry, lumber, and steel. Originally divided by a city-owned alley called Honest Ed’s Way, the store’s sections were constructed very differently. Pictured here is the west annex, which was built on the houses that once stood there […]

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In 1995, Quebec sought independence from Canada through a referendum, the second time since confederation. It failed by the narrowest of margins — 54,288 votes. The leader of the independence movement, the late Parti Québécois leader and premier Jacques Parizeau, upon learning the news of defeat gave a revealing and memorable speech in which he […]

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Ensuring our communities are livable, sustainable, and equitable By Joe Cressy It wouldn’t surprise you that we’ve had a busy year together in Ward 20. We’ve made critical strides as we work to build our communities and a city that is more equitable and sustainable for all. We’ve worked hard on the dozens and dozens […]

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A celebratory year in review By Annemarie Brissenden Is it possible that we just like cake? Because it seems that we just couldn’t stop celebrating this year. Maybe all the calamity outside our borders made our small local victories all that sweeter. But from bike lanes to major anniversaries to plaque unveilings to greener parks, […]

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Arts, culture, film, and music By Heather Kelly Beautiful things and special experiences are wonderful gifts. For those of you still doing your holiday shopping, a small suggestion: start local. In addition to the great retail stores along Bloor Street West, there are hundreds of gift ideas right here at our local culture organizations. Did […]

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Governments must move sooner to address issues big and small By Terri Chu If it’s nobody’s problem, does it really need to be solved? Scientists are once again sounding the alarm about the untenable amount of plastic in the world’s oceans. It is estimated that there will soon be more plastic in the ocean than […]

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