By Jessica Bell
Queen’s Park closed for the year on December 8. Here are the legislative highlights from the final few weeks:
The Ford government continued trampling on Ontario’s natural environment. Government Bill 229 stripped the power of local conservation authorities to protect water quality and floodplains from development.
In this year’s installment of evaluating park spaces within the Gleaner’s catchment area, our observers noted the impressive revival of Queen’s Park North showing what a great city can do when it focuses its imagination and resources. The neglected Euclid Avenue Park, near Koreatown, shows what happens when these resources are withheld. Compiled by Mary An, Tanya Ielyseieva, and Nicole Stoffman.
By Jessica Bell
After ordering the longest break in almost 25 years, Doug Ford finally let Queen’s Park get back to business last month. While the government signalled they would take a more tempered approach, the legislation the government has introduced shows the premier is continuing his destructive path.
Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion
This is our first set of park reviews for 2019. The Annex and its surroundings are blessed with a rich array of green space — much of it under the umbrella of city parks. We grade them here, every year using many parameters. Many a venue to run your dog, laze away a day, grab a seat in the sunshine, or shade, push a child on the swing set, the Annex has it all.
By Jessica Bell
Doug Ford has hurt Toronto. Ford slashed Toronto’s wards from 47 to 25 in the middle of an election, and threatened to suspend our Charter rights and freedoms by invoking the notwithstanding clause for the first time in Ontario’s history.
More how nice!
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2018)
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (July 2018)
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Election Special 2018)
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2018)
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Spring 2018)
EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Mar. 2018)
Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion
Brunswick-College Parkette has received an upgrade and a new name, Doctors’ Parkette. A well-maintained and tidy spot, it’s great place to catch a breather in the midst of the busy city. AHMED-ZAKI HAGAR/GLEANER NEWS
By Jessica Bell
I’ve been a community organizer and an executive director of non-profits for nearly 20 years, winning real change for human rights and the environment.
PHOTO BY GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS: There’s lots for kids to do at the recently renovated Margaret Fairley Park, where the installation of a new wading pool and seating area is almost complete. The revitalized park has a determined Muskoka feel to it that might strike some as a bit too sterile.
In this latest piece from our archives, we reprint a story from our May 2010 edition on Snowdon Pharmacy. We thought it would make an interesting companion piece as it illustrates just how much independent pharmacies do for our community, something that we, as an independent newspaper, know a little something about.
By Alfred Holden
In honour of Remembrance Day, this month we reprint former Citybuildings columnist Alfred Holden’s November 2003 piece on the sculptor who designed many of the nation’s most affecting and prominent war memorials.
By Lindsay Tsuji
Former mayoral candidate to run for provincial seat. Perry King/Gleaner News