April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on NEWS: Rexall replaces Brunswick House
Pharmacy drugstore chain says it will respect building’s heritage
“This will be a relief to the neighbourhood”—Sue Dexter, HVRA
By Annemarie Brissenden
After one last weekend-long blowout, the doors of the Brunswick House closed for good, leaving the neighbourhood eagerly anticipating the site’s next, presumably quieter and more agreeable, incarnation. Read more
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Tags: Annex · News
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on NEWS: Huron Street Playground renewal
City to break ground later this year
The City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department is considering two layouts for the renewed Huron Street Playground. The first option (above) includes welcoming park entrances, a southest corner activated by destination play equipment, and the removal of the existing fence. In the second option (below), a perimeter path surrounding the play equipment will provide a circuit for racing or running. The existing fence will remain, complemented by the addition of new welcoming entrance options. Images courtesy of Forest and Field Landscape Architect and the City of Toronto. Read more
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Tags: Annex · News
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL (April 2016): An injection of leadership
Supervised drug injection sites are on their way to Toronto if local councillor Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) gets his way. The rookie member of city council finds himself on many civic bodies, but at the Toronto Board of Health, he is the elected chair. Cressy announced the initiative in late March after the board directed the Medical Officer of Health to conduct community consultations for several supervised injection sites. This could lead to the federal government’s endorsement of the proposal; that is, making it legal for injection drug users to come into a controlled site with their own privately procured drug, get some guidance and a clean needle, and under the watchful supervision of a nurse, inject themselves. Read more
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Tags: Annex · Editorial · Opinion
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on LETTERS (April 2016): Annex cyclists already well served
Re “Bike lane plan up for debate” (January 2016): As someone who has actively chased better Bloor Street biking for over a decade, I should be very happy that bike safety changes may finally occur, but I’m not fully pleased. Read more
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Tags: Annex · Letters · Opinion
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on FORUM (April 2016): Home inspectors act receives unanimous consent
Bill 165 offers consumer protection, unifies industry
“If passed, Bill 165 will regulate the home inspection industry by licensing home inspectors.”
By Han Dong
On March 3, 2016, Bill 165, Licensed Home Inspectors Act, 2016, my private member’s bill, received unanimous consent in the Ontario Legislature, and was referred to the committee on regulations and private bills. Read more
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Tags: Annex · Opinion
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on ARTS: Bringing art to the people
Transforming neighbourhoods into open air galleries
Artist Jorge Molina poses on Walmer Road with some of his work. He is installing 416 canvases on utility poles throughout the city as part of his 416 Project.
NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
By Annemarie Brissenden Read more
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Tags: Annex · Arts
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on GREENINGS (April 2016): Provide help or stand aside
Relentless OMB stifles creative green projects
“I’ve come to the conclusion that the overriding factor in municipalities getting nice things is sheer willpower.”
By Terri Chu
Every time someone mentions a great municipal infrastructure project on the other side of the pond (usually in a really progressive nation like Germany or Sweden), I mutter some lame excuse as to the reason why Canadians can’t have equally nice things. Read more
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Tags: Annex · Life
April 7th, 2016 · Comments Off on LIFE: A portrait of our neighbourhood
Meet the Bathurst bird babicka
Ewa feeds the birds in front of Bathurst Station. The retiree, who wishes she could still work, occupies her time by caring for the pigeons and squirrels.
MICHAEL CHACHURA/GLEANER NEWS
By Michael Chachura
In the parkette in front of Bathurst Station an elderly lady sits feeding the pigeons and the squirrels. Read more
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Tags: Annex · Life
February 2nd, 2016 · 1 Comment
Student athletes launch online petition
By Marielle Torrefranca
In the latest of a saga of hurdles, construction of Central Technical School’s $7-million sports facility has been stopped until further notice, said Razor Management Inc. (RMI). Read more
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Tags: Annex · News · General
February 2nd, 2016 · Comments Off on Sprott House opens new home for LGBTQ2S youth
Specialized facility meets urgent need
YMCA Sprott House provides transitional housing for 25 LGBTQ2S youth.
CORRINA KING/GLEANER?NEWS
By Summer Reid
Homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two-spirited (LGBTQ2S) youth finally have a place to sleep without intimidation and harassment. Read more
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Tags: Annex · News · General
February 2nd, 2016 · Comments Off on FORUM: Province tables sexual assault act
Legislation aimed at being more responsive to survivors
By Han Dong
Recently, the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment submitted its final report to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I am privileged to have been a member of this all-party, non-partisan committee of the Legislature. The recommendations that came out of this committee were developed through the testimonies of those who came forward with personal stories and firsthand experiences. These will help establish a foundation for future action. Read more
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Tags: General
February 2nd, 2016 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ship to wreck
Razor Management Inc., which operates the existing athletic facility at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute and is installing a similar field at Central Technical School, announced this month that it had received an unexpected retroactive municipal tax bill of $505,000 relating to the Monarch Park facility. It has also been informed that it will face similar levies at Central Tech once that field is up and running. Read more
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Tags: General
February 2nd, 2016 · Comments Off on Operating budget $67 million short
Cancelled car tax could have made up difference for Toronto
By Annemarie Brissenden
The City of Toronto’s proposed tax-supported operating budget for 2016 rings in at just over $10 billion, but what’s remarkable is what it doesn’t include. Read more
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Tags: General