September 5th, 2025 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Bloor-Borden farmers’ market returns (May/June 2025)
On Wednesday, June 4, the Bloor-Borden farmers’ market returned for its 19th year. It is a beloved institution that has been nestled in the Green P parking lot on the south side of Bloor behind Crafty Coyote for nearly two decades. Helen, the driving force behind the market, can be found at the information booth every week without fail. It takes an army of volunteers to bring this market to our neighbourhood but it’s worth it. Though it is an important source of farm fresh produce, it also acts as a gathering spot for so many people in our community. It is our town square where we can catch up on the latest happenings in the neighbourhood, meet politicians willingly to get an earful, and meet people face-to-face in a world dominated by fast food delivery.
The babies who came in strollers in the first year can now vote and drink. Some have even graced the volunteer table as young volunteers. The Bloor-Borden market allows city dwellers to directly support farmers who do the important work of growing food. It ensures they can earn enough to keep their farms alive, and it gives us city folks access to the freshest food that hasn’t been sitting in a shipping container for weeks.
Rain or shine, this market will run from the first week of June until the end of October. We will be there every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. This year’s market will feature a lot of returning vendors as well as some new ones. Come grab your groceries, get a snack, and enjoy some live music. Remember to bring your reusable bags and containers. The amount of plastic our market produces has visibly reduced over the past 19 years. As a community, let’s also strive to make a no waste market.
—Terri Chu/Gleaner News
Comments Off on CHATTER: Bloor-Borden farmers’ market returns (May/June 2025)Tags:Annex · News
September 5th, 2025 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Esso closes on Harbord (May/June 2025)
A dearth of downtown gas stations as Esso gas station shutters on Harbord. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
Toronto has lost another small gas station in the downtown core. Originally a repair shop with two gas pumps, 132 Harbord St. was transformed into an Esso Station after it was sold in 2020. Passersby may have noticed that a fence has recently been erected. Rory Gus Sinclair, past chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association, shared factors that may have contributed to the closure.
According to Sinclair, an agreement was reached after a City of Toronto committee of adjustment process. Due to its location in a residential community, the station was limited to four pumps total and the height of the canopy was restricted so that it did not obstruct the view from nearby houses. In addition, the gas station could only be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Perhaps surprisingly, gas stations rely heavily on sales made in their attached convenience stores.
In the case of 132 Harbord St., the site did not have sufficient space for customers to park their cars; consequently, the station depended mostly on foot traffic, further limiting revenue.
Under these constraints, the station was only able to remain open for a few years and has now gone into receivership. Sinclair said, “They went bankrupt. The company is now in what is called receivership…something else is going to go in there, and we don’t know what. It could be another gas station, but I think the lesson from this gas station is that it is not very profitable.”
While it is not yet known what the plans are for the location, it might be transformed into housing. The growing population means that when spaces like these become available, they are often used for additional housing. Paradoxically, with more people in the neighbourhood, more services should be available to meet their needs, but those still operating are gradually being lost to new residential developments.
—Elliot Barker/Gleaner News
Comments Off on CHATTER: Esso closes on Harbord (May/June 2025)Tags:Annex · News
September 5th, 2025 · Comments Off on NEWS: Estonian Music Week Celebrates 5th Anniversary (May/June 2025)
Madison street party took place on May 25
Canadian-Estonian turntablist and producer Erik Laar was part of Estonian Music Week’s Doors Open Toronto showcase. COURTESY TANEL TERO
By Kati Kiilaspea
Toronto, as an incredibly multicultural city, hosts so many cool, inspiring festivals throughout the year; it’s what makes the city really come alive. What better way is there to express cultural identity and pride, or learn about cultural diversity, than through live music? Estonian Music Week (EMW), based in the Annex, ran from May 22 to 25 and celebrated its fifth anniversary this year. The festival was bigger and better than ever and brought the best Estonian musicians to the Annex and nearby venues.
Performances venues included Division 88, Revival Event Venue, DROM Taberna, Innis Town Hall, St. Anne’s Parish Hall, and Trinity St. Paul’s United Church. The village party took place on Madison Avenue.
The festival kicked off with an exclusive launch party at the beautiful Gardiner Museum, right across from the ROM, on May 22. Patrons seized the chance to celebrate the festival in style and met some of this year’s artists while enjoying food and drinks.
On Sunday, May 25, we really brought the music to the heart of the Annex with a miniature street festival on Madison Avenue at Bloor Street. Our Külasimman/Village Party included a free, all-ages block party that celebrated Estonian culture with live music, singing, dancing, crafts, food, and drink. The Külasimman transported guests to the countryside, but it also celebrated the Estonian village forming in the heart of Toronto, with so many community organizations moving to this area. The event was also part of Doors Open, which celebrated the theme of “play” this year.
Following the street party, there were two great performances by celebrated Estonian musical groups. At Innis Town Hall there was a groundbreaking concert by Ensemble U: featuring an augmented reality cosmic journey set to the music of Canadian-Estonian composer Udo Kasemets. The group has been working with the music faculty at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Music Centre to develop historically informed performances of Kasemets’ works.
Some might say we saved the best for last. Grammy-winning vocal ensemble, Vox Clamantis, performed at Trinity-St. Paul’s. The audience witnessed their mastery of Gregorian chant and contemporary compositions. This special program featured works by famed Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in celebration of his 90th birthday, as well as works by Lembit Avesson and Veljo Tormis. It was perfect for those interested in Estonian classical-contemporary innovation.
The May 23 and 24 concerts were not far from the Annex. On May 23, EMW hosted a countryside dance party in the heart of the city at Revival Event Venue (783 College St.) The Estonian folk group, Curly Strings, headlined this event. They returned to Toronto for this festival because the Estonian-Canadian community voted to bring them back. What (or who) the audience wants, they get! Nordic bluegrass met Franco-Ontarian folklore, met Irish-inspired folk rock for one unforgettable night, with The Crosslegs, while Ontario’s Les Rats d’Swompe performed traditional music.
On May 24, Estonia’s leading a cappella jazz innovators, Estonian Voices, blended folk, pop, and jazz into ethereal vocal harmonies at Innis Town Hall. What better pairing for this vocal sextet from Estonia than the powerful voices and beautiful harmonies of Canada’s own Countermeasure. This event was presented in partnership with SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival.
The performance by Tuulikki Bartosik X Sander Mölder and Caracol, sculptors of folktronica soundscapes, was both minimalist and rich, emotionally resonant and sophisticated. It invited listeners to a space where folk meets electronica and new ideas emerge.
For those who felt the night was still young and wanted to keep the energy and vibes flowing, there was the twilight samurai of alternative pop, Estonia’s Mart Avi paired with Canada’s own award-winning singer, composer, producer, and builder of worlds, Katie McBride; it was a night to remember. Both concerts took place at St. Anne’s Parish Hall and were presented by Wavelength Music.
Estonian Music Week is presented by the Annex-based organizations Estonian Museum Canada and Tartu College.
July 15th, 2025 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Bill 5 recklessly endangers Ontario (May/June 2025)
The Ontario legislature has now passed Bill 5—the Protect Ontario by Unleashing the Economy Act. The bill allows cabinet, not the legislature, to establish Special Economic Zones (SEZ) where provincial or municipal regulations governing the environment, public health, labour, human rights, planning, and building would simply not apply. The flying monkeys who comprise Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet are sure to grant him these lawless spaces, wherever he asks for them. This is dangerous and unprecedented legislative overreach.
In his last term as premier, Ford tried unsuccessfully to get his family friend, Ron Taverner, appointed as OPP Commissioner, even though Taverner did not meet the qualifications for the job. When called out for this clear conflict of interest Ford said, “I have final sign-off on everything in this province.” It’s that attitude that underpins Bill 5, a sort of authoritarian populism. Even though he was elected by less than 20 per cent of eligible voters (43 per cent of the popular vote with a 45.4 per cent voter turnout), Ford appears to see his win as a mandate for an electoral dictatorship. In this line of thinking, he is entitled to exercise absolute power for the duration of his mandate.
Bill 5 is indeed just a power grab. For all his bluster in the last provincial election about seeking a mandate to do battle with President Trump’s tariffs, it appears it has all come down to a bid to be more like him. The premier has no vision for the Province of Ontario but he is hell bent on tearing down statutes and regulations that help define our society. It’s as if he is in a perpetual state of hating government whilst ostensibly leading it.
Bill 5 is a clear threat to Indigenous rights. The first SEZ will likely be located in the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario where Indigenous peoples have treaty-protected land rights. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 does not recognize the unilateral power of the Ontario cabinet, and Ontario is required to meaningfully consult.
The legislation repeals the Endangered Species Act and elements of the Environmental Assessment Act. Scientists, municipalities, and Indigenous leaders throughout the province protested when the omnibus bill was introduced, but their voices were ignored. The bill was amended to include “consultations” with impacted Indigenous groups, but this is seen as a vague afterthought. Arguably, Bill 5 itself ought to have been the subject of such consultations. As a result, the province is probably already in breach of the Constitution.
The bill expressly exempts the Ontario Place redevelopment from the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 and would extend legal and regulatory exemptions to the controversial Highway 413 project and the Bradford Bypass. The premier has said he will use it to ram through his bizarre scheme to build a tunnel under the 401.
This legislation changes the Ontario Heritage Act by exempting archaeological requirements at significant Indigenous and settler sites. Found a longhouse or native burial site while constructing Highway 413? Just keep that bulldozer rolling along on Ontario’s supposed path to prosperity.
Is this the best that “Captain Canada” has to offer the people of Ontario?
Labour standards would evaporate within a SEZ. Workplace health and safety standards and minimum wages would simply not exist. Want to set up a sweatshop with child labour? Come to Ontario; it’s your place to grow. It’s a potential two-tiered labour system, where life inside a SEZ, where human rights are optional, could resemble the dystopian reality of a Mad Max film.
The Unleashing the Economy Act is supposed to deliver Ontario into some vaguely defined promised land, but it’s not a vision; it’s a threat. And what Doug Ford has demonstrated is that it’s not just Donald Trump we should fear.
July 10th, 2025 · Comments Off on FORUM: Easing congestion into summer (May/June 2025)
Improving transit, hiring more traffic agents
By Dianne Saxe
Hello neighbours! Everyone seems happier in May: the days are longer, the weather is lovely, and flowers are springing up everywhere!
Thank you to everyone who joined our Community Cleanup at Fred Hamilton Park. Thank you as well to everyone who came out to our Spring Spectacular at Christie Pits!
It was most definitely a seasonal highlight, featuring free food, carnival games, face-painting and more!
To learn more about upcoming events, stay connected with us on Instagram (@dianne.saxe) and X (@Diannesaxe) and visit diannesaxe.ca to sign up for our newsletter.
One of the key items approved at April’s Council meeting was to upgrade how we manage congestion and coordinate construction that blocks streets and sidewalks. Higher lane occupancy fees, more traffic agents, and stronger coordination, etc., are already noticeably easing congestion and reducing travel times.
I am very glad to hear that, despite continuing challenges with congestion in our city, travel times have improved and should continue along a trajectory towards even further improvement.
Happily, the Superior Court issued an injunction preventing the Province from ripping out the Yonge, University and Bloor bike lanes during the court process.
The judge noted “compelling” evidence that bike lanes improve safety, and do not worsen congestion, despite the province’s ‘anecdotal’ claims to the contrary.
Thank you to Cycle Toronto & Ecojustice for bringing the lawsuit, and to each of the volunteer experts.
Parks staff tell me that their most divisive, emotional issues usually revolve around off-leash dogs.
Toronto has about 600,000 dogs, with many of them living downtown with no private outdoor space and playing in parks, ravines, and schoolyards.
Several reports addressing the issue passed Council in April – one improving the management of ~350 dangerous dogs, the other a strategy for dedicated off-leash spaces where other dogs can exercise and socialize.
The new dog strategy standardizes criteria for new off-leash dog areas, their hours, and when they can be used by commercial dog walkers. It will also improve maintenance and enforcement.
Last month, I persuaded Toronto City Council to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in neighbourhood polls.
These are not formal elections, but a form of local consultation. It is important however, that youth feel that they have a voice in their communities, and this new legislation encourages greater civic participation, making it more likely to create life-long voters.
Furthermore, young people will inherit the consequences of our decisions, so I’m glad to help give them a larger voice in that future.
Much of my work over these past months was focused on making TTC more reliable.
Buses and streetcars are often caught in traffic. The two main solutions are to give transit vehicles their own priority lanes (RapidTO) and priority getting through intersections.
Consultation will take place this month for the proposed Bathurst and Dufferin RapidTO lanes, which are essential for rapid, reliable transit on these key routes during FIFA and beyond. However, the cheapest and fastest thing the City can do is to give transit vehicles priority green lights at intersections.
I was shocked to learn that only half the intersections on our 20 busiest bus and streetcar lines have signal priority equipment.
Worse, 1 out of 4 of those are broken, and most of the remainder are out of date. I am pushing hard at the TTC and at Council to get this fixed. Transit vehicles need true prioritization to improve reliability.
I would encourage everyone to look online and review the RapidTO Bathurst plans at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/transportation-projects/rapidto/rapidto-bathurst-street/.
If you did not have a chance to complete the survey by the May 26th deadline, please connect with my office, as the City of Toronto and the TTC want your input.
Every month for the rest of the term, I will be donating my salary increase to a worthy charity in Ward 11. Let me know your favourite and why!
Dianne Saxe is city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale.
July 10th, 2025 · Comments Off on FORUM: Primary health, environment, education each suffer under Ford (May/June 2025)
Bill 5, Bill 11, and new provincial budget paint a worrying path forward
By Jessica Bell
From the environment to education, there’s currently a lot we’re debating in the legislature. Here is a roundup of what’s happening at Queen’s Park.
Bill 5 puts Indigenous rights and environmental protections at risk
Earlier this month, the government introduced Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. This is a sweeping omnibus bill that makes major changes to Ontario’s environmental laws, heritage protections, Indigenous consultation, and more.
The government is talking up parts of the bill that aim to speed up the construction of mines, highways, and other major infrastructure, but there’s a lot more in this 229-page bill than that.
The bill undermines the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate First Nations and allows the government to designate “trusted proponents” and delegate responsibilities to them, including regulatory approvals.
While the duty to consult is not explicitly handed off in law, the structure of the bill sets up a process where developers may be given lead responsibility for coordinating key project elements without meaningful Indigenous engagement.
This raises serious concerns about the Crown’s responsibility to consult and accommodate, and it takes us one step further away from securing free, prior, and informed consent from Indigenous communities before a project can proceed on their traditional territory.
The bill fundamentally weakens Ontario’s endangered species protections by repealing the Endangered Species Act and replacing it with a new “Species Conservation Act.”
Under the new rules, the definition of “habitat” would be narrowed to just a nest or den and the area right around it, instead of the full environment a species needs to survive. The government would no longer be required to create recovery plans for species in danger.
And instead of leaving protection decisions to scientists, the new law gives more power to politicians to decide which species are protected and which are not. Environmental experts say this is the biggest rollback of species protections in nearly 20 years.
The bill also creates Special Economic Zones that give the government sweeping powers to override municipal bylaws, environmental rules, and even provincial legislation to fast-track projects.
The government can create these zones anywhere they want and any projects inside them can skip the usual approval process including environmental reviews and public consultations.
The legislation could be used to accelerate development at places like Ontario Place, bypassing environmental safeguards and community input. I want to hear your thoughts on this bill. Please contact my office. Our contact information is at the end of this piece.
Primary care expansion is coming, but who is missing out?
On May 5, the government introduced Bill 11, the More Convenient Care Act, 2025 to define what Ontarians should expect from primary care. The bill outlines goals like the right to a primary care provider, timely access to care, and teams-based care that meets local needs. We are supporting this bill. To address the acute shortage of primary care in select postal codes (and some of these postal codes are in University-Rosedale), the government has asked health-care providers to apply to expand their primary care operations to help attach people to a primary care provider.
While these are very good steps, the funding commitment falls well short of ensuring the 2.3 million people without a family doctor actually get one. Health-care providers are also concerned that this funding can’t be applied to top up wages to keep and recruit nurses, social workers, and other support staff. We are also concerned about the challenges faced by existing patients, because the new funding available to health-care providers can only be used for new patients.
Why won’t the government invest in our public education?
The Toronto District School Board is looking at making major cuts to schools because of chronic underfunding by the province. The board is currently looking at closing nearly half its swimming pools and axing music programs, and there are huge funding gaps in special education and mental health.
On May 8, I asked the Minister of Education a simple question. Can this government commit to reinvesting that $1,500 per student back into our schools so our kids can see improvements in the classroom? He didn’t answer the question.
Since the Conservatives came to power in 2018, schools in Ontario have lost about $1,500 per student when adjusted for inflation. We need to turn this around.
Over the last few months, I’ve spoken with many parents, teachers, and students who are deeply worried about what’s happening in our schools.
From overcrowded classrooms to the loss of special education support, it’s clear that chronic underfunding is taking a toll on our kids’ learning and well-being.
Parents do not want this government to play political blame games with the school board. They want their kids to get a good public-school education, and that requires investment.
Please reach out to our offices if you’d like to request a meeting, invite us to an event, or want to work or volunteer with us.
Jessica Bell is the MPP for University-Rosedale and the Shadow Minister for Finance and the Treasury Board. You can reach her office at jbell-co@ndp.on.ca or 416-535-7206.
July 10th, 2025 · Comments Off on LIFE: Trinity-St. Paul’s pickleball league (May/June 2025)
Come play at Trinity St. Paul’s, no praying required
A sacred place to play pickleball on Bloor Street. COURTESY TRINITY-ST.PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH
By Eleanor Vieira-Silva
Pickleball is all the rage at the moment, and it may be closer to home than you think.
Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church (located in the heart of the Annex at 427 Bloor St. W.) has been welcoming worshippers for over a century. The church, known for its social justice activism and as a concert venue for the world famous Tafelmusik Orchestra, hosts a range of activities from dance, music, the arts, martial arts, and now, pickleball.
The pickleball league at Trinity-St. Paul’s has been running for about a year and a half on Fridays (excluding holidays) from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. Participants in the league tend to be female seniors, but anyone can join. The women have a variety of experience; some are new to the sport and some are professionals. Regardless of your experience, pickleball is a great sport to play.
Pickleball does not have a dress code or uniform, however you are required to wear running shoes, and it is recommended that you buy a non-wooden paddle.
Women from the pickleball league at Trinity-St. Paul’s claim that the sport greatly helps with their hand-eye coordination and enhances their mood. It’s also very easy to see improvement, and if you’re not a fan of super-competitive sports then pickleball is perfect for you.
However, Trinity-St. Paul’s is not the only place where you can play pickleball. Central Technical School, the Bickford Centre, Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre and the Miles Nadal JCC are just a few of the many places where you can play.
Some places require you to pay a fee to play. Trinity-St. Paul’s prices range from $30 to $50 an hour. You can look online at trinitystpauls.ca/rentals.
July 10th, 2025 · Comments Off on LIFE: Insomnia hosts art exhibition (May/June 2025)
Restaurant features Toronto-based artist Colin Stark
Canyon Road, November 11, 1999. From a recent exhibition at Insomnia Restaurant. COURTESY COLIN STARK
By Abigail Harris
Insomnia Restaurant (563 Bloor St. W.) hosted an opening party for Toronto-based artist Colin Stark, on Monday May 5, the fourth artist to be featured in their Artist Series.
The Artist Series’ exhibits rotate every seven weeks, with artwork displayed throughout the front, side, and back walls of the restaurant. Guests can meet the artists during opening and closing parties and learn more about their creative processes.
“It’s really exciting to get to offer the space for emerging artists,” said Insomnia’s creative coordinator, Sophia Alexandra. “It’s pretty relaxed, not like a gallery setting. It’s more like, come and relax and enjoy a drink. Have something to eat and admire what’s on display and take it home if you feel called enough to do so.”
The series began this past winter and has displayed local artists John Courtney, Jasmine Virginia, and Michael Bedford.
“To see that they want to platform artists and give them a space to share is really exciting and pretty cool,” Alexandra said. “Especially in a time when I feel like as artists we’re losing spaces in a lot of ways.”
Stark uses a variety of media including acrylic and latex paints, charcoal, and resin. His work is influenced by his travels abroad as well as his upbringing in the Rouge Valley. Many of his pieces feature abstract landscapes, while others are more realistic.
Stark’s work also reflects his relationship with his late mentor Gordan Rayner, a renowned Canadian painter who passed in 2010.
The two met in 2005 and quickly struck up a friendship. Stark helped Rayner out in his studio and house, and they went out for lunches together.
“We had a parallel approach to art and a lot of similarities, so that’s why we hit it off as contemporaries,” Stark said. “We exchanged stories about our worldly travels and ideas, and [we] do critiques.”
Stark’s experience hitchhiking in the Grand Cayon at age 19 is depicted in one of his favourite artworks on display titled Canyon Road.
Stark told the Gleaner that the inspiration for the piece came when he was looking through a book of drawings he had kept from his travels 25 years ago.
“It’s not a hugely abstracted piece because it’s being drawn from a drawing,” Stark said. “But it definitely sort of simplifies and idealizes some of the shapes and forms. It harkens back to that personal time in my travelling experience.”
Stark’s closing party was on Sunday, June 8.
To learn more about Colin Stark’s work, to apply to exhibit, or to make a reservation for one of the artist events, please visit www.insomniarestaurant.com.
April 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Pitching history at the Pits (Apr. 2025)
Ayami Sato, maybe the best female baseball player of all time, joins the Toronto Maple Leafs at Dominico Field this season. Click here to read more. COURTESY WBSC
April 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Candidates queried (Apr. 2025)
Where the parties stand on key questions
Compiled by Brian Burchell
The Gleaner asked five key questions of four parties competing in University-Rosedale and is publishing each candidate’s answers to help voters make a more informed choice come voting day. Questions are compiled by the Gleaner’s editorial staff and answers are edited for length and clarity. Election date is April 28, 2025. For more information on voting, please visit elections.ca. Note: despite repeated attempts by the Gleaner the candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada did not reply to the questions.
Question 1: Donald Trump is threatening economic warfare on Canada ostensibly to force our annexation as a nation. How will your party respond to his threats?
Ignacio Mongrell, Green Party candidate: Donald Trump’s threats pose serious challenges to Canada’s sovereignty, democratic institutions, and economic stability. The Green Party will immediately strengthen our diplomatic relationships with democratic allies worldwide and build a collective defense against any economic or political aggression. We propose creating an “Economic NATO,” a coalition of nations committed to supporting each other economically and diplomatically when faced with external threats.
We will divest from U.S.-controlled defense and critical IT systems, prioritizing Canadian-made security and technology solutions to protect our infrastructure and economy. Additionally, the Greens will significantly enhance measures against foreign interference and disinformation, safeguarding our electoral integrity and public discourse.
Our strategy includes securing Canada’s borders and essential resources from economic coercion, ensuring key industries remain resilient against potential tariffs and trade disruptions. Unlike other parties, we won’t rely solely on the U.S. market—our plan diversifies trade relationships to help Canadian businesses and communities maintain stability and independence. By reinforcing our sovereignty and democratic values, we will stand firmly against Trump’s authoritarian threats and uphold Canadian independence and democracy.
Chrystia Freeland, Liberal Party candidate: Canada must remain strong, smart, and united against Donald Trump’s illegal and unjustified tariffs. Our Liberal government will respond forcefully and effectively to protect Canadian workers and our economy. Our reciprocal tariffs are targeted, and all proceeds will be used to uplift Canadian workers. Canada will never be the 51st state. We are collaborating with like-minded allies to develop new agreements aimed at diversifying our trade. Additionally, we are committed to rebuilding, reinvesting in, and rearming the Canadian Armed Forces to safeguard our sovereignty in an increasingly perilous and divided world.
Serena Purdy New Democratic Party candidate: Any response to economic warfare that doesn’t prioritize working-class Canadians will destabilize our country. As MP, I would fight to bolster domestic production capacity and minimize the impact of tariffs on consumers and the working class.
In response to threats of annexation, I believe Canada needs a stronger response to foreign interference in elections and the spread of disinformation.
The NDP will:
Implement a Build Canadian Buy Canadian strategy to build more of what we need here in Canada and prioritize products made by Canadian workers in public procurement.
Cut off the U.S. supply of minerals.
Require federal projects to use 100 per cent Canadian steel.
Apply dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs. Also, 100 per cent tariffs on Teslas and a $10,000 rebate for Canadians who choose a Canadian EV instead.
Put money collected through retaliatory tariffs into affected sectors like steel and auto manufacturing.
Fix Canada’s EI system so every worker—including contractors—have security.
Place an ad campaign in the U.S. that informs Americans that a trade war will hurt us both and that we are better off by working together.
Protect communities and stop disinformation campaigns.
Introduce new security measures, including a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry to stop illegal activity by foreign governments
Question 2: What measures will your party take to tackle climate change and combat its catastrophic impacts?
Chrystia Freeland, Liberal Party candidate: Our government has invested over $100 billion to combat climate change and build a clean economy. We are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. We created a $15 billion Canada Growth Fund that operates independently to attract private capital and investments in clean energy and clean technology businesses and projects across Canada. These investments are already creating more well-paying jobs and building Canada’s clean economy. We are also holding large polluters accountable and providing middle-class Canadians with resources to combat climate-related disasters.
Serena Purdy New Democratic Party candidate: Canadians are known for their intelligent innovation. We also need to hold extractive industries accountable for the full impact of their operations.
The NDP would:
eliminate handouts to big oil.
Provide free and easy-to-access home energy retrofits and clean power.
Make big polluters pay for their pollution.
Tax over-the-top profits of oil and gas companies.
Invest in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
Create hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs by investing in clean energy, energy-efficient affordable homes, electric transit and zero-emission vehicles.
Ignacio Mongrell, Green Party candidate: The Green Party is the only party committed to real climate action. Unlike the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP—all of whom still support pipelines and extending our fossil fuel dependence—we will immediately end the over $8 billion in annual fossil fuel subsidies. Many oil companies operating in Canada generate massive profits which flow largely outside our borders—Imperial Oil, for example, is nearly 70 per cent owned by the American company ExxonMobil, and over 70 per cent of oil sands production is foreign-owned. Canadians deserve better than to subsidize profitable corporations whose earnings leave our economy.
We will implement a legally binding timeline to phase out oil and gas extraction, aligning Canada’s climate targets with the Paris Agreement. We’ll invest urgently in renewables like solar, wind, and geothermal through a Green Innovation Fund and create a National Green Grid.
Our plan provides a just transition—offering comprehensive retraining for fossil fuel workers and funding renewable energy projects, some led by municipalities and Indigenous communities.
While other parties delay meaningful action, only the Greens have a clear, credible path to urgently reduce emissions and build a sustainable, equitable economy benefiting Canadians directly.
Question 3: The lack of affordable housing is a national problem that it is acutely felt in University-Rosedale. What federal measures would your party take to address the crisis?
Serena Purdy New Democratic Party candidate: Housing affordability is a key focus for me, as a candidate. I have seen the impact of eviction, displacement, and precarious housing in University-Rosedale. Our riding has already lost too many friends and neighbours. I want to see an end to the housing crisis. To accomplish that we need to support community building (land trusts and co-ops) and address the root cause: financialization.
The NDP will:
Build more homes that people can afford, faster.
Support first-time homebuyers.
Stop renovictions.
Lower rent.
Ban corporations from buying up homes that are still somewhat affordable.
Ban renovictions and fixed-term leases.
Crack down on corporate landlords like Brookfield using AI to fix rent.
Ignacio Mongrell, Green Party candidate: Affordable housing is a human right. The Green Party will immediately declare housing as such and implement a robust National Housing Strategy focused on deeply affordable, non-profit, and co-operative housing. Unlike other parties, whose policies often enrich large real estate developers and speculators, our investments prioritize permanent affordability and community-driven solutions that serve residents rather than corporations.
We will allocate substantial federal funds directly to community land trusts, co-operative housing projects, and non-profit developments—this will address profit-driven speculation in the housing market. Our goal is clear: ensuring housing remains permanently affordable and accessible for generations and benefiting residents rather than large real estate companies.
Additionally, we will fund energy-efficient retrofits of existing affordable housing, lower energy costs for residents, and create local green jobs. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of the housing crisis on vulnerable groups, our policies prioritize marginalized populations, including Indigenous Peoples, seniors, disabled Canadians, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and women-led households.
By investing directly in communities rather than developers, the Green Party will guarantee that all Canadians will have equitable access to stable, affordable, sustainable housing—addressing the housing crisis at its root.
Chrystia Freeland, Liberal Party candidate: If re-elected, we will eliminate the GST on homes up to $1 million for first-time homebuyers. This tax cut will save Canadians up to $50,000, helping more young people and families enter the housing market and achieve the dream of homeownership. Since 2015, the Liberal government has introduced several measures to improve housing affordability, including the tax-free First Home Savings Account, the First-Time Home Buyers’ Incentive, and the Apartment Construction Loan Program, which encourages builders to increase housing supply. We’ve also supported cities like Toronto in cutting red tape and overcoming barriers to construction through the Housing Accelerator Fund, which is helping build more homes across the city.
Question 4: Though inflation has been curtailed, prices remain high, making the cost of living overwhelming for many. How will your party deal with the high cost of goods and services?
Ignacio Mongrell, Green Party candidate: Canadians are facing unprecedented affordability challenges due to persistent high prices. The Green Party’s solution is clear: implementing a Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) so every Canadian can meet their basic needs. A GLI will reduce the financial stress and insecurity exacerbated by inflation and provide individuals with the economic stability to pursue education, job retraining, caregiving, or entrepreneurship without fear of financial ruin.
To tackle the corporate greed driving high prices, we will strengthen oversight and accountability for large corporations—particularly in the telecom, airline, and grocery industries—to eliminate deceptive marketing, hidden fees, and unfair pricing. Transparent, fair pricing standards will be enforced nationwide, complemented by anti-scalping laws and increased competition to reduce consumer costs.
Furthermore, investments in affordable housing, universal pharmacare, and public transit infrastructure will directly reduce household costs. By focusing on policies that bolster economic security, protect consumer rights, and maintain transparent, competitive markets, the Green Party will effectively tackle affordability and significantly reduce the overwhelming cost of living for Canadians.
Chrystia Freeland, Liberal Party candidate: The Liberal party will cut taxes for the middle class, create higher-paying jobs, and build the fastest growing economy in the G7. We will introduce a middle-class tax cut that will save two-income families up to $825 a year, by reducing the marginal tax rate on the lowest tax bracket by 1 percentage point. More than 22 million Canadians will benefit directly from this tax cut, and middle- and low-income Canadians will benefit the most. We are building upon the Liberal government’s achievements, including $10-a-day childcare, a National School Food Program, free birth control and diabetes medication, as well as the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Serena Purdy New Democratic Party candidate: In 2019 I chaired a meeting of the downtown Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) to discuss their fears about the pandemic and prepare for the worst. I have stood beside and fought for the many small businesses that have become part of the fabric of our communities. As MP I would prioritize small business, fight policies that threaten to increase inflation, and fight for a stronger safety net for families struggling the most.
The NDP will
Scrap the GST on grocery meals, diapers, kids’ clothes and more.
Implement a price cap on essential items so working families can put food on the table for less.
Bring in more price transparency, stop shrinkflation and increase fines for price fixing.
Question 5: Given the uncertainty of the outcome of tariffs and reciprocal tariffs on Canadian businesses, what measures will your party put in place to help businesses survive?
Chrystia Freeland, Liberal Party candidate: Amid current economic challenges, the Liberal Party of Canada has a bold plan to help Canadian workers and industries thrive during uncertain times. We will introduce a $2 billion Strategic Response Fund to increase our auto sector’s competitiveness and protect manufacturing jobs. We will also build an All-in-Canada network for auto manufacturing component parts to build more car parts in Canada, limit those parts crossing the border during production, and attract investment into our own industry. We are also working with premiers across all provinces and territories to build one Canadian economy and remove all federally regulated internal trade barriers by Canada Day. By cutting taxes for the middle class, making EI supports easier to access, and using all Canadian tariff proceeds to support Canadian workers we will ensure businesses thrive.
Serena Purdy New Democratic Party candidate: University-Rosedale is home to many independent, family-run grocers. Their hard work ensures that our communities can access the freshest, best-priced food. In Kensington Market, we have been doing the work of standing up to big supermarkets. As MP, I would stand up for independent grocers.
The NDP will:
Support more competition in the grocery sector by helping small and medium grocers,including community-driven food co-operatives, get into the market and set up shop.
Ignacio Mongrell, Green Party candidate: The Green Party recognizes the severe impacts that tariffs and trade uncertainties create for Canadian businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises. We propose immediate, targeted financial support and strategic reserves of key tariff-affected goods, enabling businesses to continue production and retain employees while alternative markets are developed.
We will proactively diversify Canada’s international trade relationships, reducing our dependence on the U.S. market. Through our proposed “Economic NATO,” Canada will build strong, mutually beneficial trade partnerships with other democratic nations, stabilizing our economy against external economic threats and disruptions.
Additionally, the Green Party will support Canadian businesses through investment in innovation, helping them adapt and transition to sustainable business practices and diversified supply chains. Our strategy includes providing businesses with technical support and logistical resources, enabling resilience and competitiveness in new and emerging markets.
By directly addressing tariff impacts, diversifying our trade relationships, and fostering innovation, we will protect Canadian businesses, jobs, and communities from external economic pressures and build a strong, resilient Canadian economy.
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Mirvish Village inches toward completion. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
In the final days of 2016, Torontonians said goodbye to what was considered a city landmark, the iconic Honest Ed’s department store whose neon presence occupied the southwest corner of Bloor and Bathurst for decades. The replacement for the store was to come soon, an ambitious project melding residential accommodation for up to 2500 residents with commercial space. Over eight years later, the site is still unfinished.
After years of unfinished infrastructure lining Bloor and Bathurst Streets, there has been recent progress on the site.
The project will be a 100 per cent purpose-built rental community. But the question remains: when is it going to be finished?
“Like many businesses and most development projects, the project was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ian Duke, head of the development group at Westbank.
The project faced issues from supply chain disruptions , resulting in construction delays. Westbank Corp., the developer behind Mirvish Village, has faced multiple lawsuits related to this project and others. Notably, four construction companies have sued Westbank for over $25 million for unpaid work on the project. EllisDon, the general contractor, vacated the site and is seeking $8.7 million in unpaid bills.
“The construction has been challenging locally, for businesses and our residents,” said Melanie Ramsey, co-ordinator of the Mirvish Village BIA. “The BIA’s role is to support people and businesses, new and existing. When the time comes, it’ll be a great reopening.”
However, construction is now on track according to the developer, and the first two occupancy phases are complete. Commercial tenants like Niagara College, LCBO, Stretch Lab, and BMO have moved in, along with residents in the first building at 748 Bathurst St. Completion dates for the whole project have not been stated; however, the remaining residential components of the project should be complete by spring or early summer, with the other non-residential areas to follow.
“Mirvish Village isn’t a typical redevelopment project—it’s a natural extension of the neighbourhood and designed to include a mix of uses that will bring the community together…We see Mirvish Village as a place for everyone, including our neighbours,” said Duke.
With the lack of affordable housing in Toronto right now, affordable rental spaces are more welcome than ever. The Mirvish Village project comprises six rental buildings with 916 units, of which 366 are designated as affordable housing. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is providing $200 million in federal financing to support these affordable units. In Canada, housing is considered “affordable” if it costs less than 30 per cent of a household’s before-tax income. By providing this financing, the federal government, through CMHC, is ensuring that a significant portion of the Mirvish Village development is dedicated to affordable housing.
The project has begun offering leases and currently 85 units are available. A distinct aspect of the Mirvish Village development is the inclusion of multiple-bedroom units which can accommodate families. The project is offering over 200,000 square feet of retail which will include a new park and The Kitchen, a vast marketplace selling everything from groceries in the food hall to vinyl in the music venue. Described as an extensive public realm, the space includes 24 restored heritage buildings. There will be numerous indoor and outdoor performances, lights, and public art installations, including a mural by artist Frank Stella. It sounds like an extensive, ambitious endeavour, and many in the community are excited for its long-awaited opening.
“At the end of the tunnel, the promises of what we will have added to the community will be huge,” said Ramsey.
