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
July 19th, 2024 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Ford’s boozy billion-dollar blunder (June 2024)
Who is clamouring so much for beer and wine in corner stores and at every grocer that the province feels compelled to exit its deal with The Beer Store early? The financial penalty to leave the contract now is between $225 million and $1 billion depending on whose numbers you buy. The current arrangement with The Beer Store (TBS) is set to expire in 16 months, with no penalty from Ontario taxpayers. Could it be that Premier Doug Ford is planning an early election, wants to get this campaign promise fulfilled ahead of time, and doesn’t mind a bit wasting taxpayers’ dollars to check that box? Read more
July 19th, 2024 · Comments Off on FORUM: Tackling road congestion, noise, and safety (June 2024)
City council working through the summer
By Dianne Saxe
Thank you to everyone who turned out for our two Environment Days in May and June at Central Technical School and Fred Hamilton Park! I hope you have also enjoyed our first long weekends as we kick off the summer weather. I have managed to plant some cherry tomatoes and herbs in pots this year; so far they are withstanding the hungry rabbits. Read more
July 19th, 2024 · Comments Off on ARTS: Wheeling Through Toronto book launch (June 2024)
Albert Koehl launches first book
By Meredith Poirier
The groovy L’Espresso Bar Mecurio, a bright Italian cafe at the intersection of Bloor and St. George streets hosted Albert Koehl’s book launch on May 27. 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