Sustainable design was key to plan to build these and more

By Mary An 

The making of University of Toronto’s pilot laneway homes located south of Sussex Avenue on Huron Street, is near completion. According to Anne Macdonald, Assistant Vice-President of Ancillary Services for the University of Toronto, they plan on getting residents for the laneway homes by this fall. 

“It’s truly an experiment for us wanting to test out some ideas and see what was possible,” Macdonald said. These unique homes will be a first for the university, but not for Toronto. 

Award-winning  architect Brigitte Shim built her own laneway home more than 25 years ago. Shim is also a professor at the University of Toronto at John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

“We actually ran up against a lot of bureaucracy, because you couldn’t build a house behind a house, you couldn’t build a house without street frontage,” Shim said. Local planners at the time wondered about her quality of life because they thought it would negatively be affected by living in a laneway. After being approved to build in the laneway, and raising two kids in the home, Shim believes that laneway houses should be available all across Toronto. 

“Everyone wants to live in the village, in the middle of the city, and laneways provide that opportunity. Our laneways are not just parking lots, but they actually become places for people to live,” Shim said. 

According to thelanewayproject.ca, there are more than 2,400 laneways in Toronto. “You have all these downtown neighbourhoods, that need more people living in them. They’re not as dense as they could be, and laneway housing is one way to do that,” Shim said. 

Understanding the need for density, the U of T launched a pilot laneway housing project. Teaming up with the Huron-Sussex Residents’ Association, they created a neighbourhood plan in 2014, identifying where development might occur. Six years later, the three pilot houses are almost finished, but, these are no ordinary laneway homes. 

While planning these houses, the University of Toronto also considered their sustainability and energy performance. 

“The goal is to be as energy efficient as possible. We were hoping for net zero, I don’t think we’ll be quite there but, we will be close,” Macdonald said. The homes will include solar panels to support this idea. It will also include a  unique feature that was not originally predicted. 

According to Macdonald, the three pilot homes will will be partially heated using geothermal energy. An ‘earth-tube’  will go down into the soil, where it will, “act as a moderating influence on air temperatures.” Earth-tubes were recommended by the architect of the project, as a sustainable alternative  to fossil fuels because the earth is naturally warmer during winter, and cooler during summer. The integration of geothermal energy will allow for smaller, more efficient heating and cooling systems in the homes. 

Earth-tubes would not have been possible if U of T hadn’t demolished a nearby house, leaving a big hole in the ground. 

“It’s possible that future builds will not have that same opportunity,” Macdonald said, “but because we had it there we thought we would try it.” 

Panel construction, which minimizes construction noise, is another unique feature of this development. According to Macdonald, finding a contractor who was comfortable with panel construction was, “tricky.”

“It’s essentially constructed of panels that kind of click together. They’re all pre-purchased, pre-assembled, and brought to the site…It all kind of snaps together as if it was a big Lego project, and then from there, the interior gets built,” Macdonald said. 

The University of Toronto plans on building 30-40 more laneway homes after they receive feedback from the three pilot homes. According to Macdonald, it will take a year for feedback on the energy performance of the homes, and a few months for the design. 

“We want them to make sense for families, because that’s who we house in the neighbourhood,” Macdonald said.

READ MORE:

• ON THE COVER: Laneway lit up (October 2018)
• CHATTER: U of T proposes laneway housing pilot on Huron Street (Spring 2018)
• ON THE COVER (JANUARY 2017): Putting the city’s laneways to work
• NEWS (JANUARY 2017): Laneway living
• NEWS (OCTOBER 2016): Preventing a wall of towers

New plans fail to quell concerns

By Tanya Ielyseieva

A re-vamped proposal with a scaled-down building on the site of the former McLaughlin Planetarium continues to face opposition from community groups representing local residents. A July 14 meeting was held to review the latest plans, and there, the Queen’s Park Coalition, which represents roughly 40,000 households, stated their case against the nine-story, multi-use building which they say will create an unacceptable visual impact on Queen’s Park and Philosopher’s Walk.

Designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the proposed building will provide space for several academic departments including the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Faculty of Music, and the Faculty of Law. The development will include a recital hall, work areas, laboratories, meeting rooms, offices, and a café. 

The initial consultation in June 2019 led to numerous changes in the size of the building, such as reducing the mass of the recital hall, initially conceived as a floating component that would have loomed over the stories below.

“Through this process, we have actually been able to push the recital hall  further away. It still has a very sculptural presence and is elevated above Faulkner Hall with great views of the skyline, but it is enveloped by a  set of overlapping adjacent window systems,” said Charles Renfro, Diller Scofidio + Renfro partner and architect. “The colour palette that we’ve chosen, not exactly the specific materials, but our palette is warm and friendly and takes cues from brick and limestone, and in the facade, you can see powder-coated aluminum, which takes a sort of brick colour.”

The updated proposal will be 43 metres and includes a mechanical penthouse, which exceeds the 18-23 metre height permission in the area.

The July 14 consultation was held to assess these revisions. Members of the Queen’s Park Coalition stated that the proposal continues to show a lack of concern for the cohesive landscape and built form of the area and fails to resolve two fundamental issues:?bulk and height. 

“There’s just too much program on a too-small site hemmed in by lovely heritage buildings on three sides,” said Bronwyn Krog, a representative of the Queen’s Park Coalition. “With the front and back highly visible from two important heritage landscapes, Queen’s Park and Philosopher’s Walk. The proposal will create an unacceptable visual impact on these heritage cultural landscapes, which are a fundamental planning principle.”

Krog read a letter from Bill Greer, the architect for the Toronto Historical Board.

“The proposed structure is too high, too bulky, and an entirely inappropriate gold colour for this district. It does not fit within the heritage context of the significant historic area of the St. George campus of the university. It is also critically important to preserve all of the mature trees on the site as it will take many generations before new trees grow to an equivalent size,” reads the letter.

Sue Dexter,  of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association, stressed that these are not planning issues but “living issues” which intersect with the heritage context and will be overwhelmed by the present proposal policy.

“Before approving this application, we need to get the heritage right. We all have a responsibility  to generate policies for the site  that reflect community priorities, conserve character,  and allow for compatible  development to occur. The university has 16 available sites for buildings from the 1997 master plan. There is no excuse to overbuild here and lose a heritage landscape prized by the residents of this city,” said Dexter.

According to Dan DiBartolo, Senior Planner at Heritage Preservation Services, all aspects from the demolition of the planetarium to the implementation of the landscape plan and the conservation of Faulkner Hall were looked at thoroughly.

The application is under review and the final report is set to be ready in the fall.

An anonymous spokesperson from the U of T stated, in an email to The Gleaner, that the hope is for  approval to be forthcoming and  for construction to begin in the spring of 2021.

“We are looking forward to creating a landmark building that will add to the city’s cultural district and offer new opportunities for public programs,” wrote  the spokesperson. “We want this to be a building where the university connects with the city, and the city connects with us.”

READ MORE:

• NEWS: Cities trump space (May 2019)
• NEWS: U of T seeks to expand planning exemption (APRIL 2017)
• NEWS: New chapter for student residence? (February 2017)
• NEWS: Preventing a wall of towers (October 2016)
• CHATTER: Two new rezoning applications submitted to city (September 2016)
• NEWS: Tall tower before OMB, as city battles back with block study (August 2016)
• NEWS: Planning for the future (May 2016)
• DEVELOPINGS: Annual review reflects tension between community activism and OMB (March 2016)

After a long delay, the volunteer-run Bloor and Borden farmers’ market is open and ready for another season. The market takes place Wednesdays from 3-7 p.m. It’s located in the Green P parking lot off Borden Street just south of Bloor Street. 

This season, there are only seven vendors at the market, with offerings ranging from baked goods to fresh organic produce. According to Rory ‘Gus’ Sinclair, former chair of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA), the market plans on staying open until the end of October. 

There are a few changes to keep in mind when visiting the farmers’ market this summer: 

• Only some vendors will be accepting cash, credit cards are strongly encouraged. 
• All shoppers must maintain a six-foot distance from one another. 
• Hand sanitizer will be available for visitors.
• Masks are mandatory for all shoppers.

There is also a one-way lane for shoppers to line up and enter the market. Additionally, a new online ordering system is available on the Bloor and Borden’s farmers’ market website: bloorborden.com Shoppers may now pre-order on the website and pick up their orders at the market in line.  

Pre-ordering may be a blessing for shoppers, but  making it happen proved challenging for some vendors. 

“My biggest challenge was predicting my crop,” said Christine D’Hulster, Co-Owner of Son-in-Law Produce,  in a phone interview with The Annex Gleaner. “With online ordering I have to have my product online a week before, so that’s been really challenging, to determine if the crop is going to last another week or how much I can offer.” 

Baker Olivia Yetter, owner of OY’s Joys likes the new online ordering system because it helps decrease waste and determines the amount of products she has to bring.  

“Without obviously any pre-sales, I would bring my goods and try to sell them. If it didn’t sell, I would take it home as a loss,” Yetter said in a phone-interview with The Gleaner. 

Another change in the market this year is the community-filled atmosphere. According to Helen Goldlist, Chair of the Market Advisory Committee (MAC), the market is more than an area for local groceries, it’s also a place to build and strengthen the community. In previous years, the market’s centre square was filled with musicians, activity tables, and resting areas for community members to get together. However, this season, the farmers’ market will lack the centre square due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“I would say the community feel is different, but, the customers this year are still very supportive,” said Christopher Dunbar, owner of Dunbar Organic Farm.

D’Hulster also made many online connections with community members who showed support and appreciation for her produce.  

“It’s obviously a very hard time for people and the fact that receiving our produce makes their day and brings a little bit of normalcy in their life has honestly brought tears to my eyes,” said D’Hulster. 

“I think every neighbourhood should have a market because it does bring a community together. When you have a stronger community, you’ll have stronger people,” Dunbar said.

—Mary An, Gleaner News

According to the City of Toronto, each year it replaces approximately 3000 substandard water service pipes during planned construction projects. This summer they are tackling the water main beneath Spadina Road between Bloor and Dupont Streets, which is more than 130 years old. 

Construction is set to proceed now that restrictions put in place due to the new coronavirus have been lifted by the Province of Ontario.

The project is a part of the Council-approved 2020 Capital Works Program to improve water distribution and reduce the risk of water main breaks.

Work starts every Monday to Friday morning at 7am and wraps up at 7pm, with after hours and weekend work taking place as required. During those hours, traffic will be reduced to one lane on Spadina Road in each direction. Sidewalk and road restrictions within the construction zone are also in effect and parking is unavailable.

The contractor is excavating the road and digging a trench to access and install the new water main, replace city-owned water service pipes that do not meet current standards, restore all areas affected by construction, and resurface the road.

The work also includes removing and replacing driveways, municipal sidewalks, and grass boulevards where necessary.

The project’s scheduled completion date is the end of December, 2020. When that happens, the city says there will be improved water service in the area as well as repairs to damaged sidewalks between Bloor Street West and Dupont Street.

—Tanya Ielyseieva, Gleaner News

Harbord Collegiate student makes a difference, TPS takes notice

By Mary An

How does one balance all of life’s demands, including school work, extracurricular activities and a  personal life? Recent Harbord Collegiate Institute grad Emily Nguyen has a simple answer: prioritize. When prioritizing, remember that it’s okay to prioritize your own mental health by relaxing, too.

“I feel like I get overwhelmed, like I’m not actually being productive,” said Nguyen during a recent interview with The Annex Gleaner. “But then I have to remind myself that you don’t always have to be productive, and that’s fine too,” 

Nguyen maintained an average of more than 90% in high school. She led Harbord Collegiate’s Safe Schools Committee, and is known in her school and the community beyond as being driven, helpful, hard-working and showing a great aptitude for leadership. 

All of this has been recognized by the Toronto Police 14 Division Community Police Liaison Committee’s (CPLC) Community Safety Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes young adults who strive to build a healthier and safer community. The scholarship awards qualified applicants up to $4,000 towards their tuition.            

Nguyen has participated in activities at her local YMCA alongside her family since she was a small child.

Martin Leung, former Aquatic Supervisor at the YMCA, says Nguyen was always tremendously helpful when it came to working with the community. She and her family were known as people who would encourage participation in activities.

“One of the communities that she and the family created is the big badminton group,” says Leung. “Every week, there’s badminton time at the centre, and she would get people involved.” 

In 2018, the participation rate was lowering in one of the aquafit classes. But with Nguyen’s leadership and involvement, they managed to raise the participation rate to the maximum of 25.

“She led by example. It was almost like a party, she made a really great experience for this class,” Leung said. 

Nguyen is going to study engineering at the University of Toronto. 

She says she doesn’t have a set career in mind yet, because she wants to explore all engineering specialities. 

“I want a lot of work experience, and to get to know the different fields and branches within engineering,” she said. “I feel as though finding something that I would really want to do is really important to me, because I don’t want to go into work dreading it every day.”

Park it here

In this year’s installment of evaluating park spaces within the Gleaner’s catchment area, our observers noted the impressive revival of Queen’s Park North showing what a great city can do when it focuses its imagination and resources. The neglected Euclid Avenue Park, near Koreatown, shows what happens when these resources are withheld. Compiled by Mary An, Tanya Ielyseieva, and Nicole Stoffman.

Queen’s Park North

11 Wellesley St. W.

Time: 12:00pm

Grade: A- (Last year B)

Reason to go: To enjoy the new and improved park, completed in August of 2019. The clean, new paving, and graceful black and wood benches and picnic tables make Queen’s Park North an attractive, central spot for an outdoor lunch or dinner date. The upgraded King Edward VII and Highlanders of Canada plazas, now tied together by a grand walkway, are now elegant settings in which to contemplate these monuments. Even the sculpture of Canadian poet Al Purdy was improved by the addition of a new paved area at its base. Learning to identify trees, thanks to the ROM’s “Trees for Toronto” project is another great reason to while away the hours at this signature park. It was nice to see park users sharing the space with the homeless, temporarily camped out in six tents, which were given to them by charities to address dangerous overcrowding in the shelter system during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Overheard: A cyclist, barreling through the park, to pedestrians, “Go ahead, I’m not going to take you out, I promise.”

Did you know: As part of the “Queen’s Park North Improvements,” over 160 new trees were planted and all are native species.

Huron Washington Parkette

420 Huron St.

Time: 2:00 p.m.

Grade: No grade (last year no grade)

Reason to go: The park is located directly behind the University of Toronto Schools (UTS). However, it was relocated to 406 Huron St. to accommodate the UTS expansion. The original park has trees and a couple of benches left. It is well shaded with a few sunny spots. There is also a kids’ playground with slides and swings, which is now closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Due to UTS?renovations, the area is now empty and silent—perfect for anyone looking for quiet. 

Overheard: The quiet sounds of birds singing.

Did you know: The University of Toronto students from the urban archeology course once  excavated one-metre-square holes looking for ancient relics.

Huron Street Playground

495 Huron St.  

Time: 2 pm. 

Grade: C (last year B)

Reason to go: This park is not too far from St George station, located at Huron Street and Lowther Avenue. It does not have many playground structures, leaving only a swing set, a rope climber, a sandbox, and a small rock climber. However, it does have plenty of space, seating for picnics, and provides a quiet atmosphere for residents to relax. Due to the lack of playground equipment it would be hard to have many kids play in this space. Unlike other playgrounds, this one welcomes dogs and provides lots of shade for visitors. This playground is not as busy as others, and would be great for families who prefer to sit and relax. 

Overheard: “I challenge you to a race to the top!” A child challenged one of his friends. 

Did you know:  FFLA, the landscape architecture firm who completed the park’s renewal in 2016, designed the park in such a way as to preserve the 40 healthy trees on site. 

Taddle Creek Park 

40 Bedford St.

Time: 9:00pm

Grade: A- (Last year A+)

Reason to go: You live in an adjacent apartment tower, you enjoy gazing up at oversized public art, or you want to commune with an ancient copper beech tree. “The Vessel,” by Ilan Sandler,   is the legacy of the $1 million dollar revitalization of this park that took place in 2011, but its scale pushes people apart instead of bringing them together around water. This was especially true since the sculpture’s water feature was turned off, due to the pandemic. The silver coating of the surrounding seating was peeling badly. A beech tree that looks like a giant elephant’s leg has its own special place at the North side of the park, and is something to behold. However, the grass and gardens needed tending and watering. A faint whiff of urine could be detected. 

Overheard: “We’re trying to think of what patios are open that have full coverage. Hemingway’s is the only one I can think of.”

Did you know: Alfred Holden, a journalist with Spacing Magazine met his partner of 32 years at the fountain that used to be where “The Vessel” is now. It was a simple fountain surrounded by a flat place to sit. People would bask in the sunshine, or soak their feet to cool off. The two got to talking and have been together ever since. 

Philosopher’s Walk

78 Queen’s Park Cres. W.

Time: 4:45 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A)

Reason to go: Philosopher’s Walk is located in a busy part of Toronto and connects Queen’s Park Crescent and Bloor Street. It is a hidden gem in the middle of the University of Toronto, where people can enjoy a deep breath of calm. It is surrounded by Trinity College, the Faculty of Music and Law, The Royal Ontario Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music. The place is popular among students and faculty during the school year, which can make it crowded and loud. There are many benches for people to sit and relax and twice as many squirrels. The park is full of green spaces which makes it a great place to stroll, have a picnic, or just meditate.

Overheard: “Come back here, kid!” A mom shouting to her child who was chasing squirrels.

Did you know: The Bennett Gates at the Hoskin Street entrance to Philosopher’s Walk were installed in honour of Avie Bennett, the owner of Canadian publishing house McClelland & Stewart, who donated 75 per cent of his shares to U of T.

Village of Yorkville Park 

115 Cumberland St. 

Time: 1:30 pm. 

Grade: B (last year A)

Reason to go: Being so convenient to Bay station and busy streets, this park is usually packed with adults. It’s not an ideal place for children, but is ideal for adults who are taking a break, setting up a meeting, or just want to relax after a shopping spree. The park is divided into sections, with different trees, flowers, and structures in all of them. It also has many seating areas covered with shade, but the area is usually packed throughout the day, making it hard to find seating. Though it’s in a commercial area, and you may be surrounded by other adults having different conversations, this park provides serenity in the midst of a chaotic street. 

Overheard phone conversation: “Let’s talk about it. Meet me here at Yorkville Park.” 

Did you know: This is no regular park: this park was made to be art, combining nature with steel to compose the juxtaposition of city life and the Canadian wildlife. The park splits into different sections, each with different trees, flowers, gardens, and metal features.  

Bloor-Bedford Parkette

245 Bloor St. W.

Time: 7:30pm

Grade: B (Last year B+)

Reason to go: The parks’ elegant benches are generously spaced apart: perfect for smoking or having a private conversation. Unfortunately, an abandoned single sleeping mat with a puddle of water on it sat in the small plaza at the north end of the park. The plaza faces an attractive fence, with a less attractive parking lot beyond. Tall trees grace the parkette on either side. A simple stone bench sculpture adds some visual interest. It is dedicated to a “Beloved Administrative Colleague,” from the Faculty of Social Work to the east. One of the black benches to the west is dedicated to an “advocate of public education,” a reminder that OISE is on that side. The black benches are graceful, well maintained, and create a stylistic unity with the fence at the North end.

Overheard: The mellifluous sounds of R&B coming from the cell phone of one of three young men with masks hanging from their ears. Their conversation was continually drowned out by passing traffic and the St. George subway. 

Did you know: According to a 2009 “Visioning Study” by the Toronto Planning Department, the Bloor-Bedford Parkette could “integrate a new, landmark-quality TTC entrance.” This idea should be actualized, as it would encourage more people to enjoy this open, green space.

Matt Cohen Park

393 Bloor St. W.

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Grade: C- (last year C-)

Reason to go: Matt Cohen Park is located on one of the busiest intersections of Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue. It makes a great space to enjoy lunch at your school or work break, or just to have a quick rest. Otherwise, there isn’t much to do. Since the park is located right at the intersection, there is not much fresh air, and the green space is minimal. The park has a lot of sitting areas for people to relax and enjoy some time off. However, the sounds of the streets might be intimidating as you can hear every car, bus, or truck. This park is not a family destination, it is more a five-minute stop on the way to it.

Overheard: “I’m looking for a police station. Can you help?”

Did you know: The park features six commemorative plaques with Matt Cohen’s biography and excerpts from his works.

Margaret Fairley Park

100 Brunswick Ave.  

Time: 2:30 pm. 

Grade: B (last year A+)

Reason to go: At the intersection of Brunswick Avenue and Ulster Street, located away from the busy streets of downtown, this park provides many fun structures and seating for everyone. There is a sandbox, a tree house, and a few climbing structures, along with a small wading pool for children. Though the swing set is still tied up due to the COVID-19 precautions, other areas of the park are open for children to use. The area is very popular with residents, therefore making it a bit crowded at times. Since the park is located in a residential area it is fairly clean, has lots of shade, and projects a calm environment. The park also has a nice rustic design, with seating from park benches to picnic tables cut directly from a slab of wood. There is also a specific area for parents and other adults to sit by the wading pool.

Overheard: “Good job buddy!” A dad said to his son who was building a sand castle. 

Did you know: Margaret Adele Keeling Fairley, born in 1885, was a Canadian educator, political activist, and writer. She was the editor of the Communist Party of Canada’s booklet Canada’s Women, which helped form the National Women’s Committee. She was an editor for New Frontier Magazine, also known as Marxist Quarterly. Fairley authored The Spirit of Canadian Democracy in 1945. Fairley passed away in Toronto in 1968. The park was renamed in her honour in 1972.

Sally Bird Park

194 Brunswick Ave.

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Grade: B (last year B)

Reason to go: The park is located between two houses on Brunswick Avenue and looks more like someone’s back yard garden than a park. It is very small, and you can miss it if you don’t know where to look. The place is great for people who like to be alone with their thoughts. Sally Bird Park has a couple of benches and two sets of workout equipment, for a great outdoor activity. The park is isolated from the city’s noise and problems, and because it is so hidden, from people too. There are also not many trees or shadows.

Overheard: Someone calling for their cat, which was relaxing under a tree.

Did you know: The park is named in honour of a much-loved member of the community who was active on the Sussex Ulster Residents’ Association, the predecessor to the Harbord Village Residents’ Association. 

Doctors’ Parkette 

15 Brunswick Ave.  

Time: 2:30 pm.

Grade: C (last year B)

Reason to go: Located at the intersection of College Street and Brunswick Avenue, this parkette is easily missed. It is very clean, has plenty of trees, and a few plants. Though it has many seating areas available to the public and beautiful luminous lighting at night, this parkette lacks shade and space for people to play. It is a busy area, so the sound of cars and honks are deafening. This parkette would be the perfect place to relax if you’re able to drown out the noise around you and don’t mind the sun beaming down on your face. 

Overheard phone conversation: “I’m having lunch, I’ll just call you later.”

Did you know: The Harbord Village Residence Association held a design competition for the area where PMA Landscape Architects was asked to develop three concepts, one of which was chosen as the current design of Doctors’ Parkette. 

Robert St. Park

60 Sussex Ave.

Time: 3:45 p.m.

Grade: No grade (last year D-)

Reason to go: Through the years this park has been the lowest-rated park in the Gleaner. This year it is not even a park. Currently, the site is full of dust, dirt, and construction equipment. Robert Street Park is set to receive a geothermal system that will provide energy to university residence buildings, and later on a playing field and community green space on the corner of Robert Street and Sussex Avenue.

Overheard: People chattering about the dust from the construction.

Did you know: The Robert Street Park will be replaced with a butterfly garden, playground, climbing boulders, and seasonal plantings. There is a Gleaner article about the Robert Street park’s demolition at gleanernews. ca.

Bickford Park

400 Grace St.

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Grade: A- (last year A)

Reason to go: You want to swing in a hammock, relax with a beer on a gentle slope, have a picnic, watch your child in socially-distanced soccer camp, do some circuit training, or let your dog run freely on a bed of pebbles. Bickford Park adapts to many uses, and the lush surroundings of old trees is truly magical. The park is part of the City of Toronto’s Garrison Creek Discovery Walk. The creek once flowed through this large deep ravine, but was buried in an underground sewer in the 1880s. A broken down bench on the north end needs repair, and some crude graffiti in the men’s washroom needs to be removed. See if you can spot the Weeping Willow, a sign that the creek still flows below ground.

Overheard: “We played a round of golf in the morning, then hung out at Stakt all day.”

Did you know: Peperonata lane that borders Bickford Park to the West was so named in 2013 in honour of a red pepper roasting party, started 25 years ago by Francesco Gallé. The community event features an open fire where the peppers are roasted, and then peeled by hand by the guests, while sipping wine out of plastic cups. 

Healey Willan Park

504 Euclid Ave. 

Time: 2pm. 

Grade: B (last year B-)

Reason to go: Healey Willan Park is located away from the busy streets at the intersection of Ulster Street and Euclid Avenue. It has a sandbox, swing set, monkey bars, a slide, and many more playground structures. This park also has a small wading pool for the children to cool off in during the summer time. However, this park does not allow for dogs in the area. There is also plenty of shade and seating areas for everyone. Healey Willan Park has a calm and clean environment for families and other residents to relax in. 

Overheard: “Hey, who wants to play tag!?” A kid said, running around in the small wading pool. 

Did you know: Each year, in June, The Palmerston Area Residents’ Association (PARA) has an annual neighbourhood event: “Party in the Park.” However, due to the pandemic, this year’s event is cancelled. 

Euclid Avenue Parkette

711 Euclid Ave.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Grade: F (last year F)

Reason to go: There are no good reasons to go to this park, so we’ll suggest that you don’t even look for one. The “parkette” is so hidden between a house and a building, that if you don’t know where to look you will not find it. The only reason you can call this place a park is because it has a sign. There are a couple of benches and lots of garbage. The park is very unkept with dead flowers and overgrown grass on either side of the small path that goes through the park. The only good thing is that this park has decent shade if you need to take a small break.

Overheard: Shirtless people talking about the heat while sharing pre-rolled cannabis.

Did you know: The location is steps to Koreatown and Bloor, where you can enjoy some of the best food in the area.

Paul Martel Park

10 Madison Ave.

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Grade: F (last year F)

Reason to go: This park is a volunteer project by the Annex Resident’s Association (ARA) and was intended to be a beautiful small community green space. However, Paul Martel Park is lacking garden maintenance and the trail through the garden is covered in litter and cigarettes. The sign at the front of the park that explains the history of the garden was vandalized, taken down, and replaced numerous times. Even though the park is located right behind the Spadina station, the garden is relatively calm. It has a few benches to sit on and the location isn’t too loud.

Overheard: A man talking on the phone while sitting under the tree.

Did you know: Previously known as Ecology Park, it was renamed Paul Martel Park in 2014, after architect Paul Martel, who spent hundreds of hours with teams of volunteer gardeners to plant the many native species of trees and flowers that one can discover in the park to this day.

Jean Sibelius Square

50 Kendal Ave.

Time: 2:45 p.m.

Grade: A+ (last year A+)

Reason to go: Jean Sibelius Square is a great place for a gathering of family or friends. It has plenty of space for a picnic or any kind of sports activity. There is a big playground which includes a climbing wall, web, and a sandpit, which makes it a perfect place for kids of any age. You can also find clean washrooms and lots of shady seating areas. This park has a lot of trees, flowers and bushes, which are all well kept. It is a beautiful, quiet park, perfect for reading a book in the shade or playing catch.

Overheard: “I hit it! I hit it! I get a point!” 

Did you know: There is a statue of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius as part of a memorial presented to the city by the Finnish people of Canada on Sept. 20, 1959.

Hillcrest Park

950 Davenport Rd.

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Grade: A+ (last year A+)

Reason to go: If you love sports and long quiet walks, then this is the park for you. This place has everything for everybody. Hillcrest park features a basketball court, a baseball field, tennis courts, a stone tennis table, and lots of open green space. There is also lots of space for kids, with a wading pool and a big playground, featuring swing sets, slides, and climbing spaces. The park is located on a hill which may be a bit of a hike and difficult to get for some people. Despite that, this is an excellent park filled with laughter and happiness.

Overheard: “Don’t splash water on me!”

Did you know: The park features the Mashkikiiaki’ing (Medicine Earth) garden, a partnership between The Stop Community Food Centre and the Na-Me-Res Native Men’s Residence to exchange knowledge about healthy living, plant medicine, and gardening. 

Wychwood Barns Park

76 Wychwood Ave.

Time: 4:45 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A)

Reason to go: Wychwood Park is spacious, bright, and soothing. This is a great place to go by yourself, with friends, or to spend time with family and kids. The area is clean and has a lot of green space. There are a lot of sitting spaces in the park, where you can relax and enjoy views full of beautiful flowers and trees. It also features a kid’s playground, a beach volleyball court, and, in winter, an ice rink. The park is also home to Wychwood Barns, a community cultural hub, that includes artist work studios, non-profit arts, and environmental organizations.

Overheard: “Let’s go up that hill and have some rest.”

Did you know: The original barns were built from 1913 to 1921, and later were converted into a community centre and multi-use park.

Boswell Parkette

4 Boswell Ave.

Time: 6:15 p.m.

Grade: B (last year B)

Reason to go: This parkette connects Boswell Avenue with Avenue Road, making it a shortcut and nice pathway. The Boswell Parkette is located right behind a TTC stop, which makes it a great place to have some rest while waiting for the bus to arrive. There are a lot of shady places to sit. However, the location is right next to the street, which makes it noisy due to traffic from Avenue Road. The place is best for a quick recharge.

Overheard: The sounds of traffic.

Did you know: It was created in 1973 with just three planters in an attempt to insulate residential neighbourhoods from traffic.

Jesse Ketchum Park

1310 Bay St.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A)

Reason to go: The park features a lot of green space, with various trees and flowers. There are many benches located throughout. The park’s main feature is a very well-maintained soccer field, which is hardly ever empty. It is a great space for working out or a quiet walk. The park is located next to a school, so it can get a bit loud during the school semesters. Nonetheless, it is a quiet and nice place to rest.

Overheard:  A mother reading a book to her son.

Did you know: The park and nearby school are both named in honour of Jesse Ketchum, a tanner who was known for his philanthropy and gave many of his properties to schools, churches, and the city.

Christie Pits Park

750 Bloor St. W.

Time: 5 p.m.

Grade: A+ (last year A+)

Reason to go: With over 20 acres of land, Christie Pits Park welcomes people of all ages for any season. Its vast area allows visitors to enjoy a picnic in the park, play on the playgrounds, or play any type of sport. Located near the middle of the park are a few playground structures for kids to play on, as well as a wading pool during the summer. Near the sides of the park there are areas for sports ranging from soccer, basketball, baseball, and even table tennis. These areas are all spaced out from each other with benches and picnic tables surrounding them. This park slopes into the middle, which means it would also be an ideal spot to visit during the winter for sledding. 

Overheard: “Did you have a good time in the water? Next time we’ll play on the play-ground.” A mother said to her child as she wrapped her in a towel. 

Did you know: In 1933, during the Great Depression, a riot broke out in the park. It lasted five hours, and luckily, no one was killed. When a predominantly Catholic baseball team won a game against a predominantly Jewish baseball team, a group of young men calling themselves the “Pit Gang” unfurled a blanket with a large Swastika symbol on it, causing members of the Jewish community and their allies to react to the situation and try to destroy it. After the riot, Mayor William James Stewart warned that anyone displaying swastika symbols could be prosecuted. 

Vermont Square Park

819 Palmerston Ave.

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Grade: A (last year A-)

Reason to go: Away from the busy streets, Vermont Square Park provides separate areas for children and adults. The playground is fenced in by a beautiful wood constructed bench fence that curves around the playscape. The playground has many play sculptures and a small wading pool for children, while the field is a great place to throw a Frisbee around or enjoy a nice picnic on the ground. Respecting the residents and children in the area, visitors are asked to keep their dogs on their leashes. Surrounding signs indicate off leash times.

Overheard: “Whoever gets to the top first wins!” A kid said to his friends as he raced towards the playground. 

Did you know: The armrests of the signature wood “Art Bench” that frames the playground will be filled with laser-cut artwork designed in consultation with the community.

St. Alban’s Square Park

90 Howland Ave.

Time: 6 p.m.

Grade: B (last year A)

Reason to go: This park has a beautiful pathway straight down the middle surrounded by trees. While there is plenty of grass and some benches beside the trees, the park is also surrounded by roads. It has a majestic calming feel, and seems geared towards adults who want to relax on a bench away from the busy streets. There are no playground structures or any sort of activity areas, just plenty of green space. 

Overheard: “Let’s lie down here.” A woman said to her friend as she put down a blanket on the grass.

Did you know: In 2008, the residents of the park underwent a small debate about allowing dogs to be off leash in the area.  City councilors at the time terminated the motion, citing their belief that this park was not suited for off-leash dogs. 

Gwendolyn MacEwan Park

33 Walmer Rd.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Grade: B- (last year n/a)

Reason to go: Located in the middle of a round-about, Gwendolyn MacEwan Park is a nice place to rest while travelling. Though small, this park has some green spaces and shade surrounding the benches. It’s not an ideal place for children, or for any sport activity as it doesn’t have the space and is quite dirty. But it does allow residents to stop and relax by reading a book or connecting with someone. 

Overheard: “It was great catching up with you! Let’s do it again sometime.” A woman said to her friend sitting on the bench. 

Did you know: Gwendolyn Margaret MacEwan was a Canadian poet and novelist, publishing over 20 books in her lifetime. She published her first novel at 18 and wrote several radio docudramas for the CBC.

Jay Macpherson Green

255 Avenue Rd. 

Time: 4 p.m. 

Grade: B+ (last year A-)

Reason to go: Though next to a busy street, this park provides some peace. The park has a long pathway in the middle with tall trees surrounding it, providing some shade. Grass surrounds the pathway, welcoming residents to bring their dogs or have a small picnic. It is a very clean park but the noise from Avenue Road is off-putting. 

Overheard: “Hey, let’s go through here!” A man said to his friend walking onto the pathway in the park. 

Did you know: Jay Macpherson was a Canadian poet and scholar. Macpherson won the Leviston prize from Poetry magazine, and the University of Western Ontario President’s Medal. She taught English at Victoria College from 1957-1996. 

Walmer Road Parkette

227 Walmer Rd.

Time: 4:15 p.m.

Grade: B+ (last year C+)

Reason to go: Nestled in the middle of a beautiful townhouse residence, this park is surrounded by beautiful flowers and greens. Though there is no grass available for young adults or children, there is a beautifully sculpted pathway that is aligned with benches and gardens. It’s in a quiet neighborhood, and is very clean, but is quite small. This park is best suited for adults who want to relax on a bench and is not suited for those who need space to conduct an activity or walk their dog. 

Overheard: A man was laughing to himself as he read his novel on the bench. Did you know: Landowner Robert Baldwin named the street Walmer after the town in County Kent in which his son was born. 

CORRECTION:

On page 11 of the August 2020 print issue of the Annex Gleaner, in the annual Grading our Greenspace section, Jay Macpherson was misidentified as “he”. This error was brought to our attention by Alexandra F. Johnston, professor emerita, Department of English, Victoria College, University of Toronto. The Gleaner regrets the error.

READ MORE:

• FORUM: Making it green (Aug. 2020)
• FOCUS: Robert Street Field site of geothermal energy (Mar. 2020)
• CHATTER: Park gets a haircut (Nov. 2019)
• CHATTER: Park still ignored by city (Oct. 2019)
• NEWS: City fails to maintain park (Sept. 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Park it here (August 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (Summer 2019)
• NEWS: Huron-Washingon Parkette relocates while UTS expands (Spring 2019)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: The best and worst of local parks(Summer 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: More attention to green spaces means parks are improving (July 2018)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Parks on the fringe (AUGUST 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Open spaces in the heart of the Annex (July 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Survey reveals significant upgrades (June 2017)
• GRADING OUR GREENSPACE: Meet our parks supervisor (August 2016)
• Part two of our 2016 parks review (July 2016)
• NEWS: Renewing Margaret Fairley Park (JULY 2016)
• PART ONE: Green sanctuaries in the heart of the city (June 2016)
• Grading our Greenspace (2015)

READ MORE BY BRETT LAMB:

• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (July 2020)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Apr. 2020)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Mar. 2020)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Feb. 2020)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Jan. 2020)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Dec. 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Nov. 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Oct. 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Sept. 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (August 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Spring 2019)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (December 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (City Election 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (October 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How nice (Aug./Sept. 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Summer 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (July 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Election Special 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (May 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Spring 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Mar. 2018)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: How Nice (Dec. 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON How nice! (August 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON How nice! (July 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: how nice! by blamb (June 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: TCHC (May 2017)
• EDITORIAL CARTOON: The Grand Tory (April 2017)
• FORUM: Celebrating 20 years of cartoonist Brett Lamb (April 2017)

It’s a plan created by experts, and teachers need to step-up. That’s what Premier Ford and his ministers are saying about their back-to-school plan for Ontario students. The plan, which deserves some praise for permitting some two dozen school boards across the province to have their high school students take half their courses online, effectively reduces class sizes. The elementary school strategy, however, has garnered a less than enthusiastic response from school boards, teachers, parents, and – experts. Five hundred new nurses, and thirteen hundred additional custodians are being hired, but this will do nothing to reduce direct transmission between students or between students and staff. Let’s take a closer look.

Federal public officials and a panel of experts from Ontario’s pediatric hospitals have said that physical distancing must be a critical component of any back to school plan. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, is one. Here’s her recommendation: arrange your school environment, physically and otherwise, so that physical distancing can happen. Ensure that the number of contacts children have is minimized.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease expert at the University of Toronto argues that class size matters.

“Even with 15 kids in a class, are you going to able to enforce physical distancing? Not a chance,” he says. “I think there is a lot of attention, rightly so, on trying to get these class sizes to be smaller… from a strictly epidemiological standpoint, the smaller the ratio, the better”.

The current Ontario plan sees class sizes hovering around 30, no different than pre-pandemic sizes. 

Ford likes to say that Ontario’s pre-pandemic teacher student ratios were the lowest in the country. This conclusion includes early childhood educators in the equation but doesn’t make the slightest difference when we are talking about the number of people in a classroom. It’s not an educator ratio we are debating it’s a health-yardstick and that’s why one can drive a truck between Sick Kids’, “lower class sizes,” and the premier’s position.

Transportation to and from schools has seemingly not entered onto the government’s radar screen either. For students who arrive by bus, all the separating of cohorts within the school goes out the window. This is a straight-up weak link in the plan.

And what about risks for school bus drivers, many of whom are retirees? Are they among the workers, that the premier wishes would just step-up? TTC drivers get a plexiglass bubble, we’ve heard of no such plan to protect school bus drivers, or their young passengers.

It is said that children are at a lower risk of contracting the coronavirus and and have a lower likelihood of exhibiting life threatening symptoms. What about their high-risk relatives? Do the bubbles need to contract now? What’s the plan when there is a confirmed positive case in a school cohort? Does the entire cohort need to self-isolate? Their parents and grandparents too? If all this is about getting the economy going again, we need to understand the economic consequences of that scenario. 

Ford needs to stop pretending this is the all the “experts’” doing. It’s a clear hedge against it failing miserably. It’s your doing Doug and it is an ill-conceived strategy. All this concerted effort to safe distance on the TTC, and in banks, grocery stores and other public areas may all be for naught if we don’t have a smart plan to keep the elementary schools from becoming a breeding ground for COVID’s explosion.

READ MORE EDITORIALS: 

• EDITORIAL: Ford turns on tenants (July 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Ontario gets a failing grade (May 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Local heroes (Apr. 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Modelling healthy behaviour (Mar. 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Fictions, falsehoods and a crisis in leadership (Feb. 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Bat crazy (Jan. 2020)
• EDITORIAL: Ford “proud” of cancelling green energy contracts (Dec. 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Don Cherry’s deeply revealing words (Nov. 2019)
• EDITORIAL: The hidden cost of Conservative climate plans (Oct. 2019)
• EDITORIAL: How not to manage the retail sale of pot (Sept. 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Let cabinet do its job (August 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Time for Ford to press “eject” (Summer 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Ford’s angry budget (May 2019)
• EDITORIAL: It’s not your private police force, Mr. Ford (Spring 2019)
• EDITORIAL: It’s hardly ‘for the students’ (Winter 2019)
• EDITORIAL: Blowing smoke on the climate file (Dec. 2018)
• EDITORIAL: This premier is not for the people (City Election 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Eight weeks lost to Ford’s madness (October 2018)
• EDITORIAL: A lost cause worth fighting for (Aug./Sept. 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Reclaiming our city (Summer 2018)
• EDITORIAL: City staff ignore bike lanes (July 2018)
• EDITORIAL: The market has no moral compass (Election Special 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Lessons to be learned from Excessive Force (Spring 2018)
• EDITORIAL: A social contract is a precious thing (March 2018)
• EDITORIAL: Intolerance leading to Quebec’s decline (Dec. 2017)
• EDITORIAL (Nov. 2017): Student safety suffers as trustees cave
• EDITORIAL: Pandering to religious intolerance (October 2017)
• EDITORIAL: Bike lanes, good for business (Fall 2017)
• EDITORIAL: Don’t sacrifice safety for political gain (August 2017)

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. 

Cities build parks so that residents can build community, and Toronto is globally known for our parks and natural environment. As our city continues to grow, our green spaces must grow, too. Our parks are much more than their name; they include open spaces, conservation lands, ravines, hydro corridors, schools, and other privately-owned, publicly accessible spaces. 

Since I have been Councillor for Ward 11, I have worked hard to maintain the necessary balance between urban intensification and the creation of green spaces that are fundamental for a high quality of life. Locally, this has translated into the opening and improving of several parks across the ward. I am proud to have worked with many of you, and to have seen firsthand the willingness of residents to work together to ensure a liveable Toronto for today, and for future generations. 

Located at 10 Dalton Rd., Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park is in the midst of a redesign. A consultant has been hired to develop a site analysis report and, based on this report as well as the feedback from a January 2020 online survey, they produced three high-level preliminary layout options for the park. These contain different ideas for play and passive recreation areas, pathways, and buffer zones. The redesigned park and playground will include: a new park layout, a new playground and play elements, improved accessible pathways, improved seating, updated plantings, and updated amenities such as water fountains and other aesthetic features. I hope to see construction begin in Spring 2021. 

The parkettes at Howland Avenue, Brunswick Avenue, Major Street, and Robert Street were completed in partnership with the BIA earlier this year, and are a shining example of ingenuity and community spirit. Situated among various streets in the Annex, they are envisioned to be environmentally conscious spaces boasting features such as pollinator plantings, increased bike parking, and amenities built from reclaimed, recycled, and sustainably sourced material. Alongside the newly constructed permanent cycle track, the streetscape on Bloor through the Annex has never been more inviting. 

The new Monsignor Fraser Park (which will undergo a renaming) is a partnership between the city and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). This new park opened for public use in late spring, in the early part of Stage 2, so that more people were able to get outside and use this space. The project utilized development charges from nearby developments to transform the existing asphalt schoolyard into a greener school yard/park that is accessible to the wider community. To ensure community access to the space, the City entered into an agreement with the TCDSB. 

The Robert Street Field remains in a state of construction, but we will soon have a new playground and passive park space at the corner of Robert and Sussex. The park will feature a new playground, shade structure, and other passive amenities to allow residents and students to gather and physically distance. This park will take the place of derelict tennis courts and an old ice hockey rink, and provide views into the renovated Robert Street Field on the University of Toronto property. 

If you have ideas or suggestions on how we can improve park spaces in your neighbourhood, I encourage you to reach out to my office Councillor_Layton@toronto.ca. I am always looking for opportunities to work with residents on improvements that ensure our green spaces are serving the needs of the local community, and would love to hear from you. 

Mike Layton is councillor for Ward 11 University—Rosedale.

READ MORE BY MIKE LAYTON:

• FORUM: Finding positive outcomes (July 2020)
• FORUM: We are here to support you (May 2020)
• FORUM: We will get through this together (Apr. 2020)
• FORUM: Budget challenges at City Hall (Feb. 2020)
• FORUM: Build a more livable city, together (Jan. 2020)
• FORUM: Layton laments city’s snow job (Spring 2019)
• FORUM: Moving forward in the new reality (Dec. 2018)
• FORUM: Celebrate citizen activists (July 2018)
• FORUM: Provincial government is developer-friendly (Spring 2018)
• FORUM: Establishing a new Indigenous Affairs Office (Nov. 2017)
• FORUM: Building a better Bickford Park (Oct. 2017)
• FORUM: Recognize and reconcile Canada at 150 (July 2017)
• FORUM: San Francisco a model to follow (April 2017)
• FORUM: Tolls, taxes, and Toronto (February 2017)
• FORUM: Seeing our neighbourhood through new eyes (December 2016)
• FORUM: We can do better: Dangerous summer for Toronto pedestrians and cyclists (October 2016)
• FORUM: Curious story of Christie Pits pool liner ends in extended hours at Alex Duff (August 2016)
• FORUM: A tribute to a friend (June 2016)
• FORUM: Large problem, small solution (March 2016)
• FORUM: Happy New Year from a new Dad with a new perspective (January 2016)

Premier’s plan creates chaos, sows division

By Jessica Bell

Since school closed in March, our family has been struggling with the impossible job of full-time work and full-time parenting our two school-aged children. I, along with the parents of Ontario’s other two million school-age children, have been waiting for the Ontario government to release its back-to-school plan. However, its release — just weeks before school is scheduled to begin and without any serious consultation with the community — brought feelings of relief, anxiety, hopelessness, and rage.

What exactly is in store for our kids come September is still being feverishly worked out by public health units, schools and the government, but the gist at the time of writing is this: 

• High school students will go back to in-school learning at least 50% of the time in cohorts of 15, with online learning for the remainder of the time.
• Elementary students are back full time with full class sizes.
• Lack of government funding means only some of the safety measures Sick Kids Hospital experts are recommending will be implemented;  daily screening, mandatory masks for teachers and students grade four and up, and the hiring of 500 public health nurses. However there is not enough funding for improved ventilation in schools, a maximum of 15 kids a class, access to working washrooms and sinks, and safe bussing.

Safely reopening schools to full time learning is essential to our kids’ learning, our mental health, and the economic survival of families who simply cannot work unless their children are in school. Still, the Ontario government’s plan is too little, too risky, too cheap and too late for school to be as safe as it needs to be.

Premier Ford’s plan is also creating chaos and division in the school community. Uncertainty and fear is driving some parents to delay the return to public school for homeschooling pods or to permanently leave for private school, leaving behind many parents who cannot afford to make that choice. 

The urgent cry for full time school is creating divisions between parents who are desperate to have their kids return and teachers who are reluctant to risk their health and teach in crowded, poorly-ventilated classrooms.

The government’s decision to underfund its plan is building rifts between some parents and teachers who want school boards to take a stand and pass an unbalanced budget that costs-out what’s truly needed. School board trustees want to protect students from the kind of drastic cuts that a ministry will certainly make if they take over a rebellious school board. 

This is exactly what Premier Ford wants. When a school community is divided, and parents with means and political influence leave the deliberately underfunded public school system, we are weak. And when we are weak we are less able to fight the conservative’s agenda to cut public education funding, break teachers unions, and introduce privatization through online learning delivery and charter schools. Our kids’ future is at stake.

If we stick together we can make the Ford government provide the necessary funding and direction to ensure our kids can access affordable, high-quality, safe public education and childcare during the pandemic and beyond. 

Teachers, parents and students forced this government to back down on school budget cuts, massive class-size increases and the threat of privatized online learning last year. We can do it again. 

Here are three useful ways to take action now:

SEND A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO PREMIER FORD 

You can send a message to the Ontario government via jessicabellmpp.ca/ safeschools. 

I encourage you to share your story and your activism on social media because powerful stories of personal experience help isolated parents see they are not alone and that action is possible and necessary.

JOIN YOUR SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL

Now is the time to work with your parent council, principal and teachers to take useful political action as a school community, from safely organizing and attending rallies to having your school community write a sign-on letter to the Ontario government. Friendships and working relationships with your school community are the ingredients to social change and the antidote to division. 

DONATE AND VOLUNTEER WITH GROUPS ADVOCATING FOR CHANGE

There are many groups worthy of your support or involvement, including Parents of Black Children, the Ontario Parents Action Network, and Fix Our Schools. There are four million parents, two million students, and 160,000 teachers in Ontario. There’s just 72 Conservative MPPs. 

When we work together we will win real and permanent change for our kids, for our public schools and childcare system, and for our province’s safe future. Let’s get to it.

Jessica Bell is the MPP for University—Rosedale.

READ MORE BY JESSICA BELL:

• FORUM: Ford failing to address homelessness, racism, schooling (July 2020)
• FORUM: COVID-19 has exposed issues in long-term care homes (May 2020)
• FORUM: Pandemic brings out the best in humanity (Apr. 2020)
• FORUM: We need to do our part (Mar. 2020)
• FORUM: Catastrophic climate change is here. How do we respond? (Feb. 2020)
• FORUM: University-Rosedale has a housing affordability crisis (Jan. 2020)
• FORUM: Ford plows ahead with cuts (Dec. 2019)
• FORUM: Ford’s backtracks show our resistance is working (Nov. 2019)
• FORUM: Our streets should be safer (Oct. 2019)
• FORUM: Top takeaways for our community from Ontario’s 2019 budget (Summer 2019)
• FORUM: Taking a stand against Ford’s cuts to education (May 2019)
• FORUM: With people-power there is hope (Winter 2019)
• FORUM: Take back Toronto on the 22nd (City Election 2018)