Invest in transit and public works, not roads and parking If all goes according to plan — and with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) it never does — Torontonians should enjoy time-based transfers starting in August. It’s great news for transit users but critics — who claim it’s an unfair subsidy — are livid. “How […]

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Can a park’s past set the tone for its future? By Nicholas Provart Fifty years ago, around the same time that the City of Toronto was planning the Spadina Expressway, urban planners had a bold vision for the area surrounded by Robert Street, Sussex Avenue, Bloor Street, and Spadina Avenue. The thought was to build […]

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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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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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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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A dedication to reconciliation and Aboriginal issues By Joe Cressy and Mike Layton We gratefully acknowledge that the City of Toronto is located on the traditional lands of the Ojibwa, Hodenosaunee, and the Huron Wendat and is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. These words we hear at […]

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Researchers shouldn’t have to spend their time asking for money The federal government recently announced that it provided $1.6 million to the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) to great fanfare. It is enough to keep it running through 2019. It seems like such a paltry amount considering we spent half a billion dollars to […]

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Large fenced off-leash area for dogs By Mike Layton Bickford Park has something for everyone. It is highly programmed with many residents competing for space for youth baseball, adult softball, pick-up soccer, off-leash dogs, tobogganing, and simply enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Despite its natural beauty and heavy use, Bickford Park has been […]

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Merchants need to look to themselves By Albert Koehl What if Bloor Street merchants — especially those who believe the bike lane is bad for business — could magically create a new supply of parking spots for their motoring customers? A recent report commissioned by the local BIAs (Bloor Annex and Koreatown) and the City […]

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Home to nearly 25,000 working artists By Joe Cressy Cities are more than bricks and mortar and places where people live. Great cities are vibrant and dynamic. And, great cities contribute to this by investing in arts and culture, not because they are a nice to have but because they make our cities livable. Toronto, […]

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Prepare for excitement and drama during trade talks By Chrystia Freeland As we undertake our discussions with the United States and Mexico on the renegotiation of NAFTA, we are seeking your views. Are there areas of the agreement that could be clarified? Are there parts that should be updated? Are there any new sections that […]

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