December 5th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Parkettes win Urban Design Award (Fall 2023)
Urban design firm DTAH and Bloor-Annex BIA lauded by city
Horn On The Cob playing for Wiener’s Home Hardware’s 100th Anniversary celebration in the Howland Ave. parkette. NEILAND BRISSENDEN/GLEANER NEWS
By Megan Bocchinfuso
The Toronto Urban Design Awards (TUDA) are held every other year and recognize Toronto’s exceptional designs in nine categories. This year on Sept. 13, the Bloor-Annex BIA parkettes won the Small Open Spaces Award for their attention to detail, unique granite rock landscaping, and environmental considerations.
The parkettes were designed and brought to life by artist, Robert Cram and landscape architect, James Roche, from the architecture firm DTAH. Cram, Roche and DTAH partnered with the Bloor-Annex BIA in 2019 to design these spaces: 320 Robert St. (adjacent to Metro); 290 Major St. (adjacent to Sleep Country); 306 Brunswick Ave. (adjacent to Value Village Boutique, formerly Brunswick House); and 2 Howland Ave. (adjacent to Slanted Door).
“It was an opportunity to transform the spaces from something that was paved urban space into something that could be more of a positive space,” said Roche.
In order to be considered for a TUDA, each design had to make a positive contribution to the public, successfully integrate with the surrounding urban fabric and heritage elements, follow the city’s urban design guideline, provide barrier-free access, and make a positive contribution to sustainability and environmentalism.
“This project was appreciated simply for what it is and what it is doing for the public realm, but these little details, and some of those thoughtful moments that went into this project, altogether is what made this project award-worthy,” said TUDA jury member Michael Ormston-Holloway.
The Bloor-Annex parkettes are unique in the sense that they were designed for the benefit of the surrounding environment. The spaces were originally asphalt and unused; they are now small spaces with an outsized green impact.
Massive wooden beams from the former Honest Ed’s were used for some of the benches, and the gardens contain mature trees with pollinator plants below. The stone sculptures, which double as seating, were rescued from waste piles in Quebec quarries where they were discarded because of small cracks and fissures.
“The targeting of quarry offcuts, to purpose an element otherwise destined for discarding was a thoughtful detail. Giving home and purpose to an otherwise unvalued material is an appreciated detail,” said Ormston-Holloway.
Cram said the selection of the stones was based on accessibility. Granite is incredibly heavy, and the stones had to be transported from Quebec to Toronto. Cram had to find a “middle ground” and choose the stones that could be transported despite weighing as much as 15 tonnes each.
From there, Cram started the lengthy process of sculpting the stones with a company in Quebec.
Subterranean elements such as water and electricity had to be considered to ensure the stones wouldn’t sink and to honour both the art, design, and structural elements.
“Working with James [Roche] and making sure that we could integrate the art in a way that complimented the design and make it stronger was a huge part of the process,” said Cram.
Using wood decking in the parks was also an environmental feature of the intricate design plan. The sustainable wood allows water to go straight into the ground, nourishing the trees and flowers. The lighting is also environmentally-friendly. The designs feature small soft-glowing lights in the backs of the wooden benches to avoid overhead lighting.
Brian Burchell, manager of the Bloor-Annex BIA (and publisher of this newspaper), said the project was part of a green initiative funded in part by the City of Toronto. It also involved collaborating with the David Suzuki Foundation for the planning of the garden beds “to ensure they were pollinator friendly” and attractive not just to people, but to birds, butterflies, and bees.
“We’re quite proud of that. It’s obviously for visitors, but it’s also about a huge environmental consideration,” said Burchell.
The parkettes are often occupied and in full use. When the pandemic hit in 2020, parks and outdoor spaces became “even more important,” especially for those who did not have balconies or backyards, said Roche. “Our attitudes towards parks and streets and such changed as a result and continue to change.”
Burchell and Roche also acknowledged the importance of the parks during COVID-19 and remarked on how children use the space. They said the parks were not intended to be playgrounds but have caught the attention of children more than they expected.
“I think it was a great validation for a vision that I and many others had for spaces that were normally commercialized,” said Burchell, who advocates for an inclusive and welcoming streetscape. “It was our idea that a rising tide will float all boats, and it has.”
December 5th, 2023 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Grading our greenspace (Fall 2023)
A report card on our cherished parks
The Village of Yorkville Park pictured here has stood the test of time and remains a “must see” in the Annex. MEGAN BOCCHINFUSO/GLEANER NEWS
Compiled and photos by Megan Bocchinfuso
Each year the Annex Gleaner reviews the abundance of parks in our coverage area using a variety of criteria. While there is no decisive “winner” of the grading, letter grades are assigned to convey the quality of the parks considering aspects such as upkeep, design, and amenities. The reviews accompanying the grades also let the reader know what makes each space unique.
This collection of park reviews contains the first eight parks reviewed this year, with more gradings to come in future editions of the Annex Gleaner.
Bloor-Bedford Parkette
245 Bloor St. W.
Grade: B+ (Last grade B in 2021)
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Reasons To Go: When you sit in this park, in front of the Royal Conservatory of Music and down the street from the Royal Ontario Museum, you feel involved in Toronto’s art scene, and that is a lovely thing to feel a part of. You are enveloped by the old red bricks of the conservatory, allowing you to sink into the calming presence the park offers.
What this park lacks in size and structure it makes up for in tree cover and serenity, with 10 mature trees and a wrap-around bench that faces both the street and the conservatory.
Nearby, people were lying down on the bench looking up at the trees and some were listening to music and sipping iced coffee; all were in a state of meditation.
It is important to note no one was on their cell phones, which is something of a success for a park. The space is clean and well kept, but it’s missing greenery and flower beds in the space below the trees, which is currently dirt.
Overheard: Passersby whistling in the streets.
Did you know: The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest music schools in the world, and the Toronto location is their headquarters.
Christie Pits Park
747 Bloor St. W.
Grade: A+ (Last year A+)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Reasons To Go: Beloved Christie Pits Park is a staple in the west end community.
This massive park has flower beds, tons of seating areas (whether it’s benches or, a popular choice, towels on the grassy hill!) and playground equipment, making it suitable for all ages.
Christie Pits has multiple sports amenities such as a baseball diamond and basketball courts, making it a very useful spot for friendly and competitive games.
Or perhaps you’d like to enjoy a meal on the picnic tables or a long walk on the tree-covered foot path.
This park is one of the biggest in Toronto, and it is very well kept due to its central location and popularity.
When you are in Christie Pits, you feel like a true Torontonian, and the park allows you to be part of something that is loved by everyone.
Overheard: Buzzing cicadas and mature trees swaying in the wind.
Did you know: There are bike racks along the edge of the park.
Matt Cohen Park
393 Bloor St. W.
Grade: B+ (Last year D)
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Reasons To Go: Matt Cohen Park is an opportunity to sit and soak in the energy that is the busy heart of Spadina and Bloor. This park very much has a downtown feel; it’s not as much of a getaway as it is a green addition to downtown life, matching the energy of its urban surroundings.
After receiving a D grade last year for its heavy pollution, this park has improved significantly, and is now a clean and pleasant greenspace.
It’s a great outdoor option for coffee or lunch for commuters in the area. The space is adequately big and well-kept, with black stone sculptures for visual appeal. There is both full sun and shade-covered seating and a sectioned off area for privacy. The only thing missing from this park is an it factor, which would have separated it from other basic parks in the area.
Overheard: Noisy downtown construction and the gentle hum of busy commuters.
Did you know: This is just steps from Spadina Station for a quick and easy getaway.
Paul Martel Park
10 Madison Ave.
Grade: B- (Last year A)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Reasons To Go: Paul Martel Park is a quaint little area on Madison Avenue, north of Bloor. The best part about this park is how colourful it is. The picnic-style chairs and benches are all painted in rainbow hues which gives the space a burst of life.
Although there are many flower beds and native plants, the vegetation was in decay and the overall grade of the park would be higher if it were better maintained.
Also, privacy is an issue with this park because it is so close to the sidewalk and street. It is not advised to come here for some alone time; however, the park was still very busy.
Chattering people could be heard from all directions and someone nearby was slung back in a yellow, red, and purple chair, listening to music and soaking up the sun. There is a section where the chairs are arranged in a circle which would be great for a picnic or a group gathering.
Overheard: Music playing in the distance and the chatter of people.
Did you know: This park used to be called Ecology Park but was renamed in honour of Toronto architect Paul Martel who volunteered much of his time to creating this park and others in the city.
One of the best maintained parks in the Annex, Jesse Ketchum Park oozes whimsy. MEGAN BOCCHINFUSO/GLEANER NEWS
Jesse Ketchum Park
1310 Bay St.
Grade: A+ (Last year A-)
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Reasons To Go: Jess Ketchum is a beautiful, upscale park at the corner of Bay and Davenport. The maintenance and of this park is among the best we have seen. The sweet smell of the well-groomed flowers and plants really elevates the space and the experience.
There is a lovely metal gazebo structure which connects one section of the park with benches to the other section with a garden and sitting stones. This park oozes whimsy and delight for a fairy-tale escape.
Overheard: The sweet sound of children playing in the school behind the park.
Did you know: There are two water bottle refill stations in this park.
Village of Yorkville Park
115 Cumberland St.
Grade: A+ (Last year A-)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Reasons To Go: Dreamed up in the ’70s by the “Grandfather of Yorkville,” art historian Budd Sugarman, this park receives a high grade because of its genius location and accessibility.
Delicately placed between busy Cumberland Street and Bay subway station, this park has visitors coming and going. The many tables and chairs under the massive tree canopy allow for easy lunch dates and enable professionals to work outdoors.
The park is long and thin, following Cumberland horizontally which allows more pedestrians to access it with ease.
The park is meant to evoke the Canadian landscape. There are multiple water features and a massive Muskoka granite rock feature weighing 700 tonnes. The vegetation is stunning with a variety of planted and potted flowers and plants.
The layout is well thought out in its intricacy and design, making for a very comfortable environment. This park is truly the best combination of art and cityscape.
Overheard: The soft sound of cars and someone singing in the apartment building above.
Did you know: This park won an American Society of Landscape Architects Landmark Award in 2012. This award recognizes projects made over 15 years ago that have stayed true to their original design and continue to serve the public.
Sally Bird Park
194 Brunswick Ave.
Grade: C+ (Last year B)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Reasons To Go: This park is a charming little hideout connecting Brunswick Avenue and Alan Powell Lane; however, you would never find this park if you weren’t from the area. It is very difficult to find as it is tucked between two houses.
In the park there are wild and cultivated flowers on the path and a lovely mural of a child astronaut gazing into space which sets a nostalgic tone.
There are two sets of miniscule exercise equipment. Given the location and small size of the park, they are unusual amenities for the area.
However, we applaud Sally Bird Park for trying to promote an active lifestyle and exercise.
In terms of seating, there isn’t much aside from one bench, leaving us to think this park is mainly meant for strolling and admiration.
Overheard: Teenage boys laughing and sitting on the bench.
Did you know: This park is very quaint—only 37.5 feet wide!
Gwendolyn MacEwen Parkette is an oasis. MEGAN BOCCHINFUSO/GLEANER NEWS
Gwendolyn MacEwen Parkette
33 Walmer Road
Grade: A- (Last year B-)
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Reasons To Go: The amount of traffic through this park is remarkable. All three pathways lead to connecting sidewalks on Walmer Road and Lowther Avenue, making it almost impossible to not pass through the park. In the centre, where all the crosswalks meet, there is a flowerbed with a bust of Gwendolyn MacEwen.
Mature trees above the benches provide protection from the sun and humidity. This park provides a lovely little break in scenery for commuters and pedestrians in the Annex. The only thing the park lacks is amenities to keep park-goers in the park, rather than just passing through.
Overheard: A woman laughing on the phone with a loved one about a bug landing on her arm from an overhead tree, then saying, “Okay, bye, I love you.”
Did you know: Gwedolyn MacEwen was one of Canada’s most influential writers. The poet, storyteller, translator and dramatist, who died in 1987, won the Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry in 1969 for The Shadow Maker and won the same award posthumously in 1987 for Afterworlds.
December 4th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Carved pumpkins to enjoy an encore on Harbord Street (Fall 2023)
Come celebrate the warmth of community
Children seen here at last year’s display of creative carving. HAILEY ALEXANDER/GLEANER NEWS
By Brian Burchell
Harbord Village’s cherished pumpkin festival is back this year on Nov. 1. Dozens of pumpkins will light up the neighbourhood along Harbord Street from Spadina Avenue to Borden Street.
Between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., people will parade along the street to view all of the lit pumpkins, drinking hot apple cider, eating baked goods from Harbord Bakery, and displaying the last of their Halloween spirit. Creations carved at homes in the neighbour¬hood are brought to Harbord Street for a “reshowing.”
A lot of effort goes into this green community event every year. Sponsored by the Harbord Street BIA and the Harbord Village Residents’ Association, event staff hire athletes from the University of Toronto to prepare and clean up after the festival. “We call them the pumpkin heads,” said Neil Wright, chair of the Harbord Street BIA, and they do the heavy lifting, taking carved pumpkins from neighbourhood porches. Local businesses pro¬vide free food and drink for the public along with their own admirable creations. At the end of the night, the city collects and recycles the artwork.
Harbord Village has opened the event up again this year to anyone and everyone willing to share their jack-o-lanterns at the parade. The more, the merrier at this family-oriented event.
December 4th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Women’s Art Association’s Secret Postcard Society (Fall 2023)
One of many unique exhibitions put on by the association
A crafty response to the isolation of Covid. Postcards made and sent during lock down. COURTESY INGRID HAMILTON
By Hailey Alexander
From June 28 to July 8, the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC) displayed their Secret Postcard Society exhibit at 23 Prince Arthur Ave., northwest of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. The group was delighted to share their brilliant collection of postcards in response to the community’s interest. In the Dignam Gallery, the association also showcased and sold a variety of art pieces inspired by the postcards.
The Secret Postcard Society all began with a group of three artists working in separate studios during quarantine. As artist Janet F. Potter describes, the trio “got five other artists together and mailed everyone a postcard on the fifteenth of every month.” With 64 new postcards to talk about in waves, the group’s collection grew quickly. They discussed their work online as a way of keeping spirits high and “staying socially connected to one another” throughout the pandemic. Once restrictions were lifted, they agreed to host an exhibit with strong encouragement from the association’s board and community. Their work has been further shared on their website and social media platforms.
WAAC has long been known in the City of Toronto. “Our doors are just jammed with people because there’s a lot of history,” Potter said. They began as an informal art club for young female artists in September 1887, founded by the first president, Mary Ella Dignam, for whom one of the gallery spaces is named. The original objective was to provide women with room and support for self-development in their artistic endeavours, independent of an instructor. By 1893, the newly formed club became affiliated with the National Council of Women. In 1907, the association was recognized by a bill passed in the House of Commons which officially incorporated it as the Women’s Art Association of Canada.
Currently, WAAC describes itself as a “volunteer-led, not-for-profit, charitable organization” with 230 members. The association’s objective has grown to provide public education in the arts and to support students in the arts through their scholarship program. “Generation after generation, daughters of members took over to keep the association running, but those days are gone.” Potter said. “Recently, there have been some men and very well-known artists taking interest. During COVID it was especially quiet, but now we’re getting active again.”
In 135 years, they have grown substantially. Their 19th-century building includes a library of over 2,000 art books, and they have a printing room on site. The women offer a variety of arts-related educational programs to the public and to their members.
The following artists were part of the Secret Postcard Society and participated in the July showing: Ulla Djelweh, Susan Farquhar, Heather Gentleman, Gretchen Jeens, Patricia Paolini, Karen Perlmutter, Janet F. Potter, and Deniz Ergun Seker. They look forward to displaying their postcards again as there is the possibility of another display in the future.
December 4th, 2023 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: An insincere mea culpa (Fall 2023)
When announcing his latest reversal of plans to develop parts of the Greenbelt, Premier Doug Ford said he was “very, very, sorry.” It’s not clear what exactly he is sorry for, or if he is indeed sorry at all. After months of ignoring his critics, including damning reports from the Auditor General and the Integrity Commission, Ford forced his flying monkey cabinet to line up behind him to try and rationalize his latest u-turn on the Greenbelt file.
The late September change was a reversal of his reversal of his previous reversal of his original 2018 plan. Confused? You should be, that’s the way he likes it.
“To earn back your trust, I’ll be reversing the changes we made, and won’t be making any changes to the Greenbelt in the future,” he said, and without stopping to take a breath he added, “I’ve been very clear: I believe opening the Greenbelt can make a big difference.” I should clarify, he didn’t say these words, he read them, from a teleprompter. Some communications expert thought it would be clever to continue to argue for subdivisions in the Greenbelt whilst running madly from the same idea.
Then the Economic Development Minister took the stage to praise Ford’s “best of intentions,” but that “doing the right thing isn’t always the right thing to do.” The take away they want is that the public believes Ford will be caught doing the right thing.
“When faced with making tough decisions,” Ford said “we’ll always choose to do what is right”. Except when right is wrong, apparently.
What we do know is that the government removed selected parcels of land from the protected zone; some 7400 acres in 15 parcels. No one knows why these specific parcels were chosen, as that process was for insiders only. We do know from the Auditor General’s report that the developers themselves got to pick which properties would be liberated by Greenbelt restrictions in ninety-two per cent of the parcels. The Auditor General says the move enriched these land owners by a cool $8.7 billion.
The government’s own housing panel, alongside municipalities argue that the there is enough land already available for development to meet the province’s housing goals. These lands, they say, are close to infrastructure and transit. In other words, though Ford still argues his ends justify his means, he cannot reconcile this with the fact that the ends themselves, which make no sense, unless the real goal is to enrich your friends. The province has 630 requests for rezoning in hand from landowners within the Greenbelt; it chose to consider just these 15.
How much will this flip flop cost Ontario tax payers? Ford declined to “predict the future,” and chose instead to refer reporters to the housing minister for these “details.” He is eager to not be associated with an answer to that question. Will the developers sue the government, or perhaps be offered something else on the sly?
The scandal of the Greenbelt isn’t about the Greenbelt at all of course, it’s about the stench of corruption that still lingers. Did anyone in the Ford government benefit? The OPP decided the file was too hot for them and passed it to the RCMP The RCMP decided there was enough evidence to warrant a criminal investigation. Now that dark cloud hovers over the government and this premier. No amount of remorse, sincere or otherwise, or spin will derail that process.
Ford has a history in making formulaic requests for forgiveness. Back in 2012, when he was Toronto city councillor, he delivered a personal attack on the radio against the City’s Medical Officer of Health, David McKeown. He was ordered by the city’s integrity commissioner to apologize. He told a reporter “if it makes him feel any better to say sorry, and I don’t mean it, so be it.” He added that we he was considering sending the commissioner ten letters that say “ I, Doug Ford, apologize to ________ and to _______ t, for anything I’ve said in the past and anything I’ll say in the future.”
December 4th, 2023 · Comments Off on FORUM: Keeping it green and safe in University-Rosedale (Fall 2023)
Over 100 development files pending in this ward alone
By Dianne Saxe
I hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall weather as much as I am. Thank you to everyone who helps to look after Toronto school children returning to school, including teachers, cleaners, cooks, bus drivers, and crossing guards.
My office has undertaken a number of important initiatives impacting the Annex over the last couple of months. Here are some highlights:
I have approved the use of section 37 funds to transform the Bloor and St. George intersection into Toronto’s first “Dutch junction” by the summer of 2024. This innovative intersection design prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist safety, making them highly visible and protecting them from turning cars. The project is part of the Bloor Street reconstruction from Spadina to Avenue Road. I am actively working to minimize construction impacts while ensuring improved safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists.
Extensive negotiations between my office and the TTC have led to plans to repair damage at Dupont Station. The initial phase involves replacing mismatched glass entrance panes and purchasing replacement stair and penny tiles. Additionally, a collaborative effort involving myself, the TTC, the Dupont Castle BIA, and the Annex Residents’ Association is underway to enhance the station’s exterior entrances with improved lighting and seating, in partnership with Plaza Partners.
As a result of my motion to improve pedestrian safety on Avenue Road between Bloor and St. Clair, important consultations have been taking place in September and October. If you care about this issue, please make your voice heard. Details can be found here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/infrastructure-projects/avenue-road-study/.
Two staffers from my office recently met with Head Gardener Paul Richard at Paul Martel Park for a Circle Garden Teaching session, enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. The park, originally designed as Ecology Park by Paul Martel, serves as a native memorial to the lost Taddle Creek, with a natural landscape and canoe-shaped beds paying tribute to the Ojibwa people who once lived along the creek.
Important work awaits us this fall. At the top of the list is ensuring adequate revenue tools to fund city services. I had a lively town hall at the end of September where the subject was addressed with residents. There is widespread agreement: the city has a revenue problem, not a spending problem, and should act accordingly. Increased parking levies, a modest share of provincial sales tax, and property taxes in keeping with the provincial average are all on the table. Mayor Chow has taken office with a clear focus on this issue, and I look forward to supporting her work.
There are other recent victories that should become apparent as you traverse the Annex. I coaxed Fleet Services and Municipal Licensing & Standards into letting some field staff perform their duties on bikes. This will save time, money, pollution, and congestion while actually making city work flow more promptly. It was great to see the first 21 service staff at work in their new city uniforms. I am also working to require the vehicle-for-hire industry to operate zero emission vehicles by 2030, and I am working with Toronto Hydro and the Toronto Parking Authority to make charging facilities available for EVs and e-bikes.
Finally, there is another major issue that never escapes the attention of my office: the frenetic pace of development. Total development files on my desk are consistently in excess of 100.
Every condo tower that seeks my approval is having to up their game on liveability, affordability, and climate action. For instance, they now have to try to deliver actual parks, not just give the city a meager cheque.
Approving new large residential developments while measurably increasing housing stock is a critical priority. Watch this space for strong new measures to require an increase in rental units as part of developments going forward.
Dianne Saxe is city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale.
December 4th, 2023 · Comments Off on FORUM: Engage in the political process and change can happen (Fall 2023)
A Greenbelt victory
By Jessica Bell
Ontarians were outraged when the Conservatives reversed their election promise and approved development on 15 parcels of Greenbelt land owned by developers with ties to the government.
Now Ontarians are celebrating because the Ford government has reversed course and agreed to return the land to the Greenbelt and enshrine the land’s protection in legislation. You don’t need to be a political strategist to predict that no government is ever going to touch the Greenbelt again. This is a victory. Thank you, Ontario.
It took teamwork to get the Conservatives to back down. Environmentalists and citizens sent emails, made phone calls, and attended and organized protests and lobbying campaigns in the 905 and beyond.
Farming associations publicly chastised the government, which is a rare move. Municipal leaders, including the heavy hitter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, spoke up and questioned why the Greenbelt was being opened up, when there is already 88,000 acres of land available for development.
The First Nations Chiefs of Ontario asked the minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing to resign. We held the government to account in the legislature, formally requesting the integrity commissioner and the auditor general to investigate—which they did, with shocking and stunning impact.
We’re back in the legislature now, and you can feel the Conservatives are still reeling from the crisis.
No one believes the Conservative’s tired message that opening up the Greenbelt will solve the housing crisis.
Building million-dollar homes on farmland with no infrastructure in sight won’t help anyone but land speculators.
Three ministers are missing. Minister Kaleed Rasheed resigned in response to the integrity commissioner’s probe, which revealed he took a trip to Las Vegas with developers who had land removed from the Greenbelt.
Rasheed and the developer even had massages at a luxury hotel at the same time. Rasheed called the meetup a coincidence, but no one’s believing that.
Aspiring Conservative leader Minister Monte McNaughton quit for the private sector— my guess is because he doesn’t want to be tarnished with this scandal.
And the minister for Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, left his post because someone had to take the fall. I predict they won’t be the last MPPs to be ousted or demoted.
Where do we go now? The Greenbelt scandal is just the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to corruption and this government. We’ve also been demanding answers from the government in question period.
What was Premier Ford’s involvement in the decision to open up Greenbelt lands? When exactly did developers know the Greenbelt was going to be opened up? Are policy decisions really being made on massage tables in Las Vegas where a Conservative minister and key developers met “coincidentally” to chat?
We have called on the auditor general to formally investigate other land-use planning decisions this government has made that benefit the wealthy few. We want to know if more secret deals were made before the Conservatives decided to redraw municipal boundaries in Hamilton, Waterloo, Halton, and Ottawa and greenlight sprawl on 35,000 hectares of farmland.
We want to know about the government’s enthusiastic use of minister’s zoning orders (MZOs), enabling developers to bypass municipal planning processes. Or what about the secret deal the Conservatives gave Therme to build an exclusive spa on Ontario Place? Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and it’s awfully smoky right now.
“If you don’t mess with politics, then politics will mess with you.” This was the wise slogan on a button I was given at a recent protest to stop the forced eviction of the residents of 145 St. George Ave. Governments need to be trustworthy, accountable, and work for us, and we must remain vigilant and engaged to ensure they do. Keep up the great work everybody.
Jessica Bell is the MPP for University-Rosedale and the Official Opposition’s Housing Critic. She can be reached at jbell@ndp.on.ca 416-535-7206.
September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER (Summer 2023)
On Aug. 16 Toronto Police Service Deputy Chief Rob Johnson, Councillor Dianne Saxe, Mayor Olivia Chow and MPP Jessica Bell were among the many dignitaries in attendance at a commemorative baseball game including the Italian and Jewish communities that marked the 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot. COURTESY THE CITY OF TORONTO
September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Remembering the race riot (Summer 2023)
90 years ago Jewish and Italian neighbours defended community against antisemitism
Taken by an unknown photograher, this is the only known photo of the riot on August 16, 1933. City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 30791.
By Fox Oliver
In the 1930s, Toronto was predominantly British and anti-Semitism was commonplace and permeated all neighbourhoods in the city. In an already difficult depression-era city, Jews had an even more difficult life. They were routinely excluded from high-paying jobs, from attending universities, and from buying homes in certain neighbourhoods. Many Canadians used Jews as scapegoats for the cause of the ongoing economic depression.
Newspapers in Toronto, such as the Toronto Daily Star, reported on Hitler’s rise to power and the atrocities committed in Nazi Germany in great detail. “Torontonians probably knew more about what was occurring to Jews in Germany during those fateful months than most Berliners. For the Jews of Toronto, the swastika immediately became a symbol of persecution, torture, and death,” wrote historian Cyril H. Levitt in The Riot at Christie Pits.
Swastika clubs, groups of Toronto youth flaunting the swastika began to form in Toronto. One swastika club told the Toronto Evening Telegram that “[w]e, the members of the Swastika Club do hereby declare that we are in no way connected with any political or racial organization.” Another told The Globe that the club was an “orderly and strictly legal campaign to clean up the beaches.”
However, it was clear these “clubs” were a way for Toronto youth to spread anti-Semitic hate throughout the city under the masquerade of do-gooding. “Secretiveness about the club’s organization masked its real purpose, which was to capitalize on the dissatisfaction of the Beaches’ residents … in order to organize a Nazi movement in Canada,” wrote historian David Rome in Clouds over the Thirties. Swastika clubs regularly harassed and initiated needless violence against Toronto Jews in the summer of 1933.
On Aug. 16, 1933, during a baseball game in Christie Pits (Willowvale Park until 1983) tensions were high, and thousands of people gathered on the hills to watch the game.
As the game ended, members of swastika clubs flew a large swastika flag across the baseball diamond and yelled cries of “Hail Hitler.” This sparked outrage and violence, and a large brawl in the park broke out.
Italians and other persecuted minorities fought alongside the Jews against the swastika clubs and other Anglo-Canadians for control of the swastika flag, which was eventually torn to shreds.
“An unusually large number of mounted men and constables were stationed nearby,” reported the Toronto Evening Telegram, suggesting police were prepared for the riot. However, it was only at 8:45 p.m., an hour after the first blows were struck, and nearly three hours after the game had started, that mounted police arrived at the park.
Even then, the brawl raged on through the night and only ended the following morning.
Police were harshly criticized by many, including the Toronto Daily Star, for their lack of preparation, slow response time, and apparent disregard of warnings of expected violence.
September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Baseball in full bloom at the Pits (Summer 2023)
Returning veterans, deep roster raise hopes for elusive championship
Toronto Maple Leafs outfielder Gregory Carrington connects on a pitch on July 30. The Leafs defeated the Hamilton Cardinals 9-5. (R.S. KONJEK/GLEANER NEWS)
By R.S. Konjek
Third time’s the charm.
Fans of Toronto Maple Leafs baseball are hoping that’s the case this summer.
In the past two seasons, the Leafs fell just short of winning the Intercounty Baseball League’s championship series. After an offseason that saw some major changes within the organization, the boys in blue are primed for another run at the title.
Jeff Lounsbury should know. As the club’s new general manager, he assembled the team that plays at Christie Pits every Sunday from May through August.
Lounsbury was hired by the Leafs after longtime player, manager, and team executive Damon Topolie announced his departure last December.
A former collegiate head coach and general manager of the Hamilton Cardinals, Lounsbury set out to preserve the heart of the existing Leafs roster while adding much-needed depth to the bench.
“Keeping the core together was paramount,” he said.
The Leafs boast one of the most experienced rosters in the league. Some players have been with the team close to a decade or more.
Lounsbury’s efforts were successful. The veteran infield of Justin Marra, Jordan Castaldo, Dan Marra, Jose Vinicio and Johnathan Solazzo returned. Young outfielders Gregory Carrington, Ryan Dos Santos and Aiden McAskie came back. Marek Deska, Zach Sloan, Adam Marra, Sam Greene, Chris Nagorski and Ryan Wells were among the returning pitchers.
Many a Leaf postseason run has been disrupted by lack of depth at key positions. Past managers have been left looking through their fingers when they reached for help from the bench or bullpen.
Lounsbury filled the holes in the Leafs roster with a mix of local youngsters and import players from the Caribbean, and they fit right in.
New manager Rob Butler has been overseeing the action on the field. The first-time skipper is a veteran of the game. Butler spent part of four seasons in the Major Leagues and is the only Canadian to win the World Series while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2001, Butler joined the Maple Leafs and played five seasons at Christie Pits. In that sense, his hire by the Leafs has been a kind of homecoming.
Lounsbury described the thinking that went into the Butler hire.
“We wanted someone with IBL experience and some veteran experience because of our older team,” he said. “It can be tough for a young guy to coach 35-year-olds. We reached out to Rob and it clicked really fast. He checked all the boxes. He has a great baseball mind; he’s calm and has a sense of humour.”
Entering August, the Leafs were in fourth place in the standings with a 15-14 record. Lounsbury is not concerned.
“We had a great start offensively, but some struggles with the bullpen,” Lounsbury said. “Rob is a new manager and trying to learn which kids fit into which role. Sometimes you lose a game trying new things out.”
As the season progressed, the Leafs bolstered their bullpen by signing four additional pitchers including returning fan favourite Dustin Richardson, a six-foot-six mountain of a man from Kansas.
“Richardson coming back is huge for us,” Lounsbury said. “He’s healthy, he’s lights out, he’s motivated.”
As are the rest of the Leafs. The 2023 IBL postseason will commence at the end of August. There is a “now or never” vibe in the team clubhouse. Some players, like former league MVP Jordan Castaldo, have indicated that this will be their final season of play.
The Leafs are in their second year of caretaker operations following the passing of longtime owner Jack Dominico. In late July, the club announced that it was officially for sale and welcoming interest from prospective buyers.
While the future of the club is to be determined, Lounsbury is focused on the present. He is confident that he has assembled a Leafs team that could win its first championship since 2007.
“It’s really wide open,” he said of this year’s postseason race. “It’s as open as it’s ever been, but I think we’ve got the most depth. I don’t think other teams can go as deep as the Leafs.”
As for the Leafs’–and his own–future beyond this year, Lounsbury is not looking too far ahead.
“I knew why I was doing it,” he said about his decision to take on the job. “[It was] to continue Jack’s legacy. I really like working with Rob. He’s more than willing to stick it out for the future, so we’ll play out this year and see what happens.”
As always, the Maple Leafs play home games every Sunday at Christie Pits with the opening pitch at 2:00 pm. The regular season wraps up on Aug. 20 and the playoffs will begin soon after.
More information about Maple Leafs baseball, and their regular and postseason schedules can be found at: www.mapleleafsbaseball.com.
September 14th, 2023 · Comments Off on NEWS: Pits Riot: A teaching moment (Summer 2023)
A plaque in Christie Pits reminds passersby of a dark time in Toronto history worth remembering. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Fox Oliver
A local theatre group is telling the story of the Christie Pits Riot, which involved 10,000 people, on the same soil where it happened.
Sam Rosenthal and Drew Carnwath created the play, The Christie Pits Riot, to tell the story of Toronto’s largest race riot to students in Toronto middle schools and high schools. The play is from the perspective of Joey Rosenthal, a young Jewish boy living in Toronto during the week leading up to the Christie Pits Riot on Aug. 16, 1933. The immersive play is performed entirely outside and leads the audience throughout Christie Pits to tell the human story of the often overlooked Christie Pits Riot.
The riot, which was sparked by the unfurling of a swastika flag during a baseball game in Christie Pits, involved Jews and similarly oppressed minorities battling swastika clubs and anti-Semites. The riot was an explosion of the tension that had been building for weeks between Jews and the swastika clubs.
Though the brawl lasted until morning and was under-policed (there were only four police officers for 10, 000 people), no one was killed and only one person was convicted.
“The riot is a part of Toronto’s history that’s never discussed; it’s just a forgotten piece of history,” said Sam Rosenthal, creator of the play. “The idea came from my dad, Joe Rosenthal, when we were talking about our family history.” Sam Rosenthal’s grandfather, of the same name, owned a drugstore at Bloor Street and Manning Avenue at the time of the riot and experienced 1930s Toronto firsthand.
Rosenthal spent a year and a half researching the riot which included holding community consultations and gathering individual stories from Jewish families in Toronto. In 2021, Rosenthal and Carnwath created an audiobook about the riot with The Hogtown Collective, a Toronto-based theatre group.
After receiving funding from the United Jewish Appeal, The Hogtown Collective was ready to perform The Christie Pits Riot for student audiences in the park.
The play was performed eight times weekly between May 9 and June 16, mostly for Grade 8 and 9 students. The Hogtown Collective is working hard to obtain further funding so they can host performances of The Christie Pits Riot for the general public in the coming year.
“It was really important for us to humanize the story and show how it affected people day-to-day,” said Rosenthal. “This isn’t a wax museum; these are real people.” Sam Rosenthal chose a young Joey Rosenthal, inspired by his father, to be the play’s lead. Joey’s innocent questions throughout the play, such as “Why do they hate us?” and “What would you do?” connects the audience to the actors and provokes thought.
“I [had] never heard of the riot before; I didn’t know this could even happen in Toronto,” shared Jordan, a Grade 8 student, after watching the play. “It’s important because it was really dangerous and harmful to people…and it shouldn’t happen again,” said Kaila, another student who watched the play.
In the fall of 2022, the Ontario government announced they will be implementing increased mandatory education on the Holocaust, beginning in Grade 6. “We are taking action to counter anti-Semitism and hate because those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” said Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce.
These changes stem from the results of a study completed by Western University and Liberation75 which revealed that 33 per cent of a sample of Grade 6 to Grade 12 students believed the holocaust was fabricated, exaggerated, or didn’t happen at all. Education around the Christie Pits Riot will also be added to the curriculum for Toronto schools next year.
“Toronto is an incredibly diverse and wonderful city, but I think we all have to learn more about where we come from. Toronto has a dark side of it that has to be told, but it has to be told in a way that’s not harsh and has human and emotional appeal,” said Rosenthal.
The 90th anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot was on Aug. 19.
