November 8th, 2024 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Flood impacts brought to you by low taxes (Sept. 2024)
Toronto lacks the leadership to address effects of climate change
Toronto had two “once in a century” storms this summer. If you are bothering to read my column, I can only assume you understand the cause—climate change. I know there are still corporate lap dogs licking oil men’s boots and denying its existence, but for the most part, the era of denial is over, except for the those whose money solidly depends on infinite oil and those suckers who believe them. Sadly, for us, the former group is highly influential, and the latter group is stubbornly numerous. Read more
October 15th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Road safety for some, sometimes (Summer 2024)
When Ontario Premier Bill Davis stopped the Spadina Expressway, the decision could have been a defining moment for Toronto. But over a half century later, it’s still not clear that we are “building a transportation system to serve people” instead of automobiles. Construction projects and heavy trucks that endanger vulnerable road users, along with politicians devoted to protecting the status quo, continue to block a more people-friendly way forward. The death of a young female cyclist on Bloor Street on July 25 offers additional, tragic evidence that we still live in a car-first reality. Read more
October 15th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: The heat is on (Summer 2024)
The Ontario government is AWOL on the existential threat that is climate change
By Jessica Bell
This year has been a defining moment in our global climate crisis because the devastating and life-threatening impacts of climate change have arrived in Canada. It’s no longer an inconvenience that affects someone else; it affects us. Read more
July 19th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: A primer on changes to the capital tax (June 2024)
Finance Minister interprets tax changes made in recent budget
By Chrystia Freeland
If we were creating our tax system from scratch, what choices would we make as Canadians? Would we give the greatest tax advantages to those who make the most money? Or would we insist on each of us paying our fair share to keep Canada strong? Read more
My mother survived the two World Wars and the Great Depression (I’m pretty old, myself!).
Amongst her stories there’s one I’ve never forgotten; the acute pain she suffered as a child with diphtheria. That’s one reason I’ve been so glad my own children and grandchildren have been protected from such misery. Read more
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