May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: The Vacant Home Tax: A multi-mayor failure (Apr. 2024)
The Vacant Home Tax (VHT) is an unabashed debacle. The City of Toronto just sent 167,000 homeowners tax bills that include a one per cent VHT levy based on the values of their properties. If, for example, their Municipal Property Assessment Corporation valuation is $800,000, then the city just added a surcharge to their tax bill of $8000. Payable when? Now. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: A busy agenda at city council (Apr. 2024)
Many environmental initiatives getting the green light
By Dianne Saxe
Spring has arrived. Flowers are pushing up and there are so many ways to enjoy beautiful University-Rosedale. This spring we want to highlight great local music venues, festivals, parks, and environmental events. Hot Docs, Fringe, Jazz Fest—these and other Toronto arts organizations need your support if they are to survive. Read more
May 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: Ford’s gross mismanagement of the land use files (Apr. 2024)
New housing bills encourage sprawl and thwart democracy
By Jessica Bell
The Conservatives have introduced another housing bill and revamped the Provincial Policy Statement which sets planning rules for the province. Here’s what you should know about the Conservatives’ latest moves. Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (Mar. 2024)
Newly constructed laneway suite near Borden and Bloor underscores the many possibilities for infill housing that are feasible and permissible in older downtown neighbourhoods. READ MORE HERE. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: U of T builds tower out of structural timber (Mar. 2024)
Resurgence of sustainable wood beams and columns
View looking northwest across Varsity Field at a rendering of the new timber tower under construction. RENDERING BY PA+MJMA ARCHITECTS
By Ammara Khan
The University of Toronto is currently in the process of constructing the tallest academic timber building in the world, predicted to be complete by mid-2026. Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: Hot Docs cinema seeks support (Mar. 2024)
Post-pandemic economic woes mean the Bloor needs your help
A cinema has occupied 506 Bloor St. W. continuously since 1913. COURTESY JOSEPH MICHAEL HOWARTH/HOT DOCS
By Brian Burchell
After having some record attendance of 225,000 visitors in 2019, the Hot Docs/Ted Rogers Bloor Cinema is now enduring a post-pandemic hangover, and is urgently seeking financial support to keep going. Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on NEWS: From field to wall (Mar. 2024)
Soil Soul Wholeness and the impacts on agriculture
New mural at 380 Bloor St. W. pays homage to farmers. JAMES BULLANOFF/GLEANER NEWS
By James Bullanoff
Soil Soul Wholeness, a recent mural installed in the Annex, invites those to consider the work of farmers and the impacts of large grocery chains on agriculture. Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford‘s actions “reflect a juvenile understanding of the role of the judiciary” (Mar. 2024)
In the wake of Premier Doug Ford’s move to politicize the Ontario judiciary by only “appointing like-minded judges” whom he says will put more people in jail, three former chief justices have criticized the move, saying that “judges do not take orders from government.” Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: University-Rosedale update from the councillor’s chair (Mar. 2024)
Budget, development planning, and safety, fill agenda
By Dianne Saxe
The 2024 budget is finally done. Thank you to the thousands of people in Ward 11 and across Toronto who participated in this year’s intensive consultations. Read more
April 7th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: Privatization, sprawl, and highways, oh my (Mar. 2024)
Ford adds increased natural gas costs, and heath-care failures to the mix of misdeeds
By Jessica Bell
Premier Ford loves to say he’s getting stuff done. But who is Ford getting stuff done for, and how does it affect the rest of us? Here’s the latest roundup from Queen’s Park. Read more
