Grading Our Greenspace (by Fox Oliver, Annex Gleaner, August 2022) is most interesting but rather cruel to The Doctors’ Parkette which rates it as Grade C and describes it as “easily missed” and “doesn’t particularly stand out or offer any unique amenities,” with no mention of the Major Street Parkette, or its kidnapped erratic. Read more
November 22nd, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Ford unleashes his sprawl agenda (Nov. 2022)
This sets province back to the 1940s
By Jessica Bell
Now that the provincial and city elections are over, the real Doug Ford has stepped out from behind the veneer of moderation. The Premier has unleashed his aggressive plan to spur suburban sprawl, parking lots, and highways across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area, at the expense of farmland, renters, municipal services, and all-important climate change goals. Read more
October 19th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: A small business tax break in name only (Oct. 2022)
In November of last year Mayor John Tory announced a new small business tax that was meant to reduce the property tax burden that small businesses must pay to the city. In theory, this meant an across the board decrease of 15 per cent for properties that met two criteria: lot size and value. It turns out however, that the methodology chosen by the city is so flawed that it appears that as many as 20 per cent of properties will not get the break even though they meet the requirements. Read more
October 19th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Living on welfare is not healthy (Oct. 2022)
MPP subsists on welfare-funded diet
By Jessica Bell
Last month, I went on a “welfare diet” and lived on a grocery budget of $47.60 a week for two weeks to pressure the Ford government to double social assistance rates. Read more
September 27th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Taking control of the narrative (Sept. 2022)
The province is dissolving Ontario’s independent COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and replacing it with, what one member described, as its exact antithesis. The science table didn’t hesitate to bring attention to facts the government didn’t want to hear, but which the public needed to know. Read more
August 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Farewell Mike (Aug. 2022)
After 12 years on city council, Mike Layton, representative for University-Rosedale’s Ward 11 will not seek another term. Given the systemic changes made to the city’s governance in recent years, it’s no surprise Layton’s made this call—but it’s a shame and a real loss to this community. Read more
August 17th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Revenue, revenue, revenue and the lack thereof (Aug. 2022)
Why is city council afraid of getting what the city needs to deliver services?
By Mike Layton
By the time this reaches your doorsteps, council will have completed our last legislative cycle before the election period begins, and the agenda is as busy as ever. Top of mind for me is continuing to work toward correcting the service deficiencies many residents have been noticing as the weather has warmed and people are engaging with our public spaces and services. Read more