Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

NEWS: Parking versus housing (Oct. 2020)

November 2nd, 2020 · Comments Off on NEWS: Parking versus housing (Oct. 2020)

Kensington Market considers a change

By Mary An

Priorities are shifting in Kensington Market, according to a recent motion adopted by Toronto City Council that declares the parking lot at 25 Bellevue Ave. a surplus location that could be used to build affordable housing. 

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: Making it green (Aug. 2020)

September 9th, 2020 · 1 Comment

Parks must grow with the city

By Mike Layton 

As summer slowly comes to a close, it is important to reflect on the ways that our city has developed during these challenging times. Our response to the pandemic has uniquely highlighted that investing in public green spaces and active transportation infrastructure means a better quality of life for Torontonians. 

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

FORUM: Finding positive outcomes (July 2020)

August 7th, 2020 · Comments Off on FORUM: Finding positive outcomes (July 2020)

Rapidly expanding bike lanes a healthy solution

By Mike Layton

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Opinion

NEWS: Keep Your Rent campaign emerges (Apr. 2020)

May 1st, 2020 · 3 Comments

CIBC report says 30 per cent did not pay rent on April 1

NICOLE STOFFMAN/GLEANER NEWS

By Nicole Stoffman

Who should take the biggest hit during the economic shutdown of the coronavirus pandemic: renters, landlords, or the big banks? How one answers that question depends on whether one believes in the power of the individual or the collective.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: We will get through this together (Apr. 2020)

May 1st, 2020 · 5 Comments

Community resources are here for you

By Mike Layton

This is a difficult moment in time for everyone. People across the continent are having to make substantial changes and sacrifices to their lives and routines in order to help keep them, their families, and others in their community safe. It is understandable to be confused, or feel anxious on a daily basis. People know they are facing a real threat, and that the choices they make have serious and immediate consequences.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Opinion

FORUM: Affordable housing is a growing crisis (Dec. 2019)

December 9th, 2019 · Comments Off on FORUM: Affordable housing is a growing crisis (Dec. 2019)

Inclusionary Zoning is the answer for responsible development in Toronto

By Mike Layton

Development in Toronto is continuing to boom. However, we are not building affordable housing at the same pace as we are luxury condominiums. Our waiting lists for affordable housing continue to grow and we are now above 100,000 names on the active waiting list. Last year we only managed to house people in 522 units, while 6,181 names were added to the list.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

FORUM: Winter woes in Ward 11 (Nov. 2019)

December 9th, 2019 · 1 Comment

Layton seeks a more “robust” approach to snow clearing

By Mike Layton

Before the weather goes below zero, and the fall rain turns into ice and snow, I thought I could take a moment to talk about a topic that will be top of mind for many Ward 11 residents in the coming months – snow removal.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

NEWS: Creating a friendlier Dupont (May 2019)

May 28th, 2019 · Comments Off on NEWS: Creating a friendlier Dupont (May 2019)

Creation of city square and Dupont greening to begin this summer

Designers’ rendering of the future square on Huron and Dupont streets. COURTESY OF PLANT ARCHITECT INC.

By Nabahat Hussain

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: Meddling in municipal affairs (May 2019

May 28th, 2019 · 1 Comment

Province’s intrusion will impact quality of life

By Michael Layton

Since the province decided to cut Council in half, there has been a clear trend of decision making that aims to marginalize the City of Toronto and its residents’ voices on many critical issues. The trend continued this month as the province revealed details of their plan to try and steal our subway, and made life-and-death decisions about addiction treatment.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

FORUM: Layton laments city’s snow job (Spring 2019)

April 23rd, 2019 · Comments Off on FORUM: Layton laments city’s snow job (Spring 2019)

City budget a place to lock in priorities

By Mike Layton

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

NEWS: New approach to local democracy (Dec. 2018)

December 30th, 2018 · Comments Off on NEWS: New approach to local democracy (Dec. 2018)

Newly-elected representatives say community is key

By Hannah Alberga

University-Rosedale’s newly-elected representatives plan to tackle their sprawling ward using a bottom-up approach. Some of the issues they’ll have to tackle include how to approach the recent handgun violence in Toronto, the affordable housing crises, and how the legalization of marijuana will affect public schools.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: Moving forward in the new reality (Dec. 2018)

December 30th, 2018 · Comments Off on FORUM: Moving forward in the new reality (Dec. 2018)

Our opportunity to reshape local democracy

By Mike Layton

Let me first take a moment to thank the residents of University-Rosedale who have put their trust and faith in me with their vote. I also want to thank the other candidates for bringing their ideas and issues forward during the campaign. Congratulations also go to Toronto District School Board Trustee Chris Moise for taking on the enormous challenge of managing the expectations of parents, students, teachers, and the administration for schools across two enormous wards.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · Opinion

FOCUS: Putting candidates to the Gleaner test (City Election 2018)

October 17th, 2018 · 3 Comments

See where hopefuls stand

It’s a bit ironic that municipal elections attract the lowest voter turnouts. Ironic because decisions made at City Hall have a greater impact on your day-to-day life than those made in the legislature or in parliament. On any given day, Toronto City Council will consider garbage, snow removal, transit, zoning, parks…the list is endless. Yet it can be difficult for councillor candidates to attract attention, much less your vote.

[Read more →]

Tags: Annex · News