April 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off on EDITORIAL: Thou shalt not park in a bike lane (Apr. 2025)
Is the death of a cyclist in Toronto enough to spur the city to take action to improve road safety? When it comes to the perennial problem of illegal parking in bike lanes, the answer, sadly, is “no.”
Illegal parking in bike lanes is as old as bike lanes themselves. Soon after the installation in 1991 of a short bike lane on Bloor Street East (from Sherbourne Street to Broadview Avenue, across the Viaduct), some motorists quickly put the new space to work, for themselves. Parishioners at a church on Bloor East were among the first to break the bylaw commandment: Thou shalt not park in a bike lane.
A person walking along Bloor in the Annex 35 years later couldn’t be blamed for thinking that nothing has changed to reduce illegal bike lane parking. Indeed, there are new transgressors, including the many drivers engaged by faceless companies that run ride-hailing and food-delivery services. New measures to deter scofflaws—who still excuse themselves with “I’ll just be a minute” (even though a crash can happen in mere seconds)—haven’t kept pace, especially along some of the city’s main street bike lanes.
“Protected” bike lanes that feature physical separation between cars and bikes (the south side of Bloor in the Annex, for example), largely prevent illegal parking—by design. But other bike lanes delineated only by paint allow easy access for motorists. These bike lanes either date from an earlier era or the city considered a painted line as the only feasible option, given a narrow roadway or other restrictions.
Toronto Police now have a bicycle-mounted unit of three Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) who patrol bike lanes, but the chances of getting caught are slim given the size of the city. To make matters worse, these PEOs go home at 6 p.m. and don’t work on weekends, precisely the worst times for illegal parking.
After a young woman was killed in July, 2024 on Bloor at Avenue Road (in that case attempting to steer around a construction bin in the bike lane), Mayor Olivia Chow committed to tackling the problem of illegal parking. She proposed licence plate readers that serve a purpose similar to that of speed cameras. Technology is indeed a key part of the solution, but nine months after this latest tragedy, we’ve yet to see any action. The mayor owes us an update.
Another part of the solution is to rein in the app companies, whether they’re acting as ride-hailing or food-delivery services. More regulation is vital to stop the companies from washing their hands of responsibility for their drivers. Last year, city council passed a motion by Councillor Dianne Saxe calling on Queen’s Park to grant new powers to cities to license the food apps, which would allow for new obligations and responsibilities to be imposed on the companies. More pressure on the province will be needed. In the meantime, local merchants who serve take-out could provide a simple community service by posting signs such as “Parked in the Bike Lane. No Food”—in the same way as they currently post: “No [insulated] Bag. No Food.”
The city should also explore its existing business licensing powers to determine how it might restrict the use of cars for food delivery. Surely, using one tonne cars to deliver burgers and tacos is absurdly inefficient, and largely unnecessary given the availability of e-bikes with significant range.
There are two other victims of illegal parking in bike lanes. First, the community, which has invested its time and resources in advocating for safe cycling infrastructure. Second, the growth of cycling, especially among prospective riders who may forego cycling altogether to avoid the danger.
We certainly shouldn’t have to wait for a cyclist to die before we get serious action to reduce illegal parking in bike lanes.
The Gleaner invited this guest editorial from Albert Koehl, an environmental lawyer, coordinator of Community Bikeways, and author of Wheeling through Toronto, A History of the Bicycle and Its Riders (University of Toronto Press).
April 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off on FORUM: Exciting spring initiatives (Apr. 2025)
Many promising plans for parks and the 501 Streetcar returns
By Dianne Saxe
Isn’t spring wonderful? Thank you to everyone who came out and waved during the rainy St. Patrick’s Day parade.
March was a tumultuous month, including Trump madness, snow removal, March Break, tariff chaos, city staff strike threat, a federal election call, a contentious council meeting and a Yorkville fire that destroyed heritage homes and melted fire trucks.
On the plus side, it is very exciting that some of my initiatives have come to fruition. March 17 was the grand opening of the Nancy and Ed Jackman Performance Centre at 877 Yonge Street. This collaborative community theatre space beneath supportive housing features a state-of-the-art performance hall, a rehearsal and recording space, a greenroom, and offices to support Tapestry Opera, Nightwood Theatre, and dozens of other artists. It could not have happened without the innovative leadership and partnership of St. Clare’s, Nightwood Theatre, Tapestry Opera, local residents, donors, and city staff. It will dramatically increase cultural opportunities in midtown.
March 24 saw the kickoff for the long-awaited Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre (Visit the website to join the community advisory committee). Plus, the Weston family has offered to fund exciting upgrades for Queens Park North.
My successful motions at the March council meeting included the following:
A redesign of Pricefield Park to go with the pink grapefruit fountain under construction at Scrivener Square.
Funding arrangements for a new park at 819 Yonge Street, the previously uncelebrated intersection of Yonge Street which marks the historic Indigenous Portage Trail. A tentative design is being reviewed with First Nations, in hopes of construction in 2026.
A new partnership agreement for Paul Martel Park.
Requiring parks and recreation to install gates at Paul Martel Park to allow the Indigenous park guardians to lock the gate at night to protect the native plants.
A Ward 11 pilot project to allow food to be sold from trailers, not just trucks.
Directing staff to report on how to take effective action on long-derelict buildings, instead of leaving them boarded up indefinitely.
Directing staff to report on how to improve protections for rooming house tenants threatened by demovictions. Toronto’s affordable housing is being lost at an accelerating rate and rooming house tenants are particularly vulnerable.
A plan for enforcing our anti-idling bylaw.
Directing transportation services to require the owners of 135 Glen Road to remove their giant wall from public property because it breaches the Ontario Heritage Act.
Providing additional funding to the Kensington Market Community Land Trust (KMCLT) to acquire and renovate affordable rental housing in the Market. With my help, the Trust has reached three significant milestones: raising $1 million in community bonds, buying more affordable rental housing, and publishing the report KMCLT as Place Keeper.
One issue raised by KMCLT applies across Ward 11: the need for better succession planning by small businesses.
The Toronto Public Library (TPL) has agreed to host a workshop on small business succession planning if appropriate volunteers will lead it. If you are interested in giving such a workshop, please apply on the TPL website.
In TTC news, I am proud to deliver results for Ward 11. Upgrades at Spadina station are well underway:
The Spadina streetcar line is back in operation with enough power to support accelerated service.
Work is underway to improve how TTC performance is measured in ways that matter to riders.
My fare enforcement initiative is bringing cheating rates down. Fare cheats deprive the TTC of essential revenue and undercut the willingness of others to pay. They also cause many subway delays and drive paying customers away. The SafeTTC app now makes it easy to report harassment, panhandlers, and other safety concerns on the TTC. Enforcement will get another boost this month with 31 additional special constables.
A bubble zone law to protect religious minority institutions in Toronto has been delayed again. Please don’t forget to answer the survey on the City of Toronto website.
Dianne Saxe is city councillor for Ward 11, University-Rosedale.
April 22nd, 2025 · Comments Off on FORUM: Coming up this legislative session (Apr. 2025)
Fines for homeless, drug-addicted on the horizon
By Jessica Bell
The Ontario legislature will return on April 14 and run until June 5, 2025. We expect it to be a history-making time. This is what could be in store for us.
We will respond to the Trump tariff crisis. President Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian energy, steel, and aluminium, along with products and services not covered under the Canadian-United States-Mexico Tade Agreement. Countries are responding with counter-tariffs, including our own.
The global economy has been upended, stock markets are in shock, the trade war has begun.
With over 80 per cent of Canada’s exports going to the U.S, the tariffs are creating fear, anxiety, and instability for all of us: families, workers, and businesses. We feel overwhelmed by this threat and worry how it’s going to impact our jobs and our costs.
How do we respond? Who do we help? What do we invest in? What kind of province are we going to build that can not only withstand these economic challenges and the recession that is to come, but build back better?
The premier has just announced $11 billion in tax deferrals and rebates for all businesses to help them weather the coming downturn..
With crisis comes opportunity. Out of the 1930s depression came Roosevelt’s New Deal which led to better regulation of the financial system, massive public works programs that employed workers and built infrastructure like bridges and dams, a 40-hour work week, and a minimum wage.
Tomorrow’s future will be built out of today’s daunting challenges.
What we can all do, each and every day, is buy local and buy Canadian.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will set its budget for 2025-2026
Our public schools are beloved and essential, yet they also face huge problems.
Since the Conservatives came to power, the TDSB has lost $1500 per student when inflation is factored in.
Every parent has seen the impact of these cuts: the large class sizes; kids who are not being challenged, along with kids who are falling behind; the difficulty hiring permanent teachers and French teachers; broken washrooms and aging buildings.
For 2025-2026, the TDSB is facing a big funding shortfall. We already know the TDSB is short $38.5 million to support students with special education needs, $10.9 million to support student and staff mental health, safety, and well-being, and $4.4 billion to fix our schools and maintain them in good repair.
We are hearing that some schools in University-Rosedale are already being told they will lose teachers and programs. Beverley School, which provides education to the most vulnerable and high-needs kids, has been told they are losing a teacher, which will mean they will have to close a classroom.
We have been effective in pressuring the province to do the right thing for our kids and our schools. We will be keeping the pressure on this legislative session by organizing with parents, teachers, and students, supporting rallies, and raising issues in Question Period and in the media.
The legislation to fine and criminalize homeless people will be re-introduced.
The premier will re-introduce legislation that will give municipalities and police services the power to clear encampments and issue up to $10,000 fines and jail time for people using drugs publicly.
Penalizing people is an incredibly ineffective, costly, and cruel response to the homelessness crisis the Conservatives helped create. It will lead to more people dying from overdoses in alleyways and more people in jail, and it won’t solve the homelessness crisis, because people will still be homeless. Moving a tent to another park doesn’t make someone any less homeless.
We are calling for the construction of 300,000 affordable homes and supportive housing units, along with greater investment in mental health and addiction services.
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. You can reach her office at jbell-co@ndp.on.ca or 416-535-7206.
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on SPORTS: Leafs make history (Apr. 2025)
Star Japanese pitcher will be first female in the league and Canada
Ayami Sato is the first woman to be signed to the International Baseball League. COURTESY TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS BASEBALL
By R.S. Konjek
One of the popular streaming services hosts a sports drama called Pitch. First aired in 2016, the show explored the scenario of a woman playing for a men’s major league baseball team.
This summer at Christie Pits, fantasy will become reality.
The Toronto Maple Leafs of the Intercounty Baseball League made international headlines when they announced the signing of Ayami Sato, one of the world’s greatest female baseball players.
Sato, 35, has pitched in the Japan Women’s Baseball League since 2013 and helped Japan win six straight Women’s Baseball World Cups—the highest level of international competition in the women’s game. In three of those tournaments, she was named Most Valuable Player.
When she takes the field this summer, Sato will become the first female to play in the IBL and the first in Canadian pro baseball history.
“We’re really in new waters here,” said Keith Stein, CEO of the ownership group that bought the Leafs in 2023. “Think about that moment: [Sato] facing her first hitter in the IBL. There’s a lot riding on that moment. A very powerful moment, maybe a bit nerve-wracking.”
How that anticipated moment came about is surprisingly straightforward.
Stein and fellow ownership group member Andreas Kloppenborg like to bounce ideas off each other. One day last year, they were discussing how to enhance the fan experience at Christie Pits. Stein wondered why the Leafs didn’t have any women involved in managing or coaching the team. Kloppenborg went a step further and wondered why they didn’t have any female players. He identified Sato and contacted her. She expressed interest, conversations took place, and the signing came together quickly.
According to Stein, Sato is very excited about the opportunity. He is confident that her pedigree on the mound will translate to success in Toronto.
“People will be really impressed by her ability to mow down men in the IBL.”
Interest in Sato’s arrival has the Leafs discussing the production of a documentary, with cameras and sound people following her journey.
“This is an incredible moment for women’s sport,” Stein said.
As for her new teammates on the Leafs, Stein says they are supportive and intrigued.
Last season, the Leafs finished in seventh place and were swept in the first round of the postseason. Improvement on the field will be welcome, with Sato playing an important role beyond the hype of history. The team roster continues to take shape, and the club has begun announcing signings on social media.
One key announcement was that veteran pitcher Dustin Richardson will take on additional responsibilities as general manager, heading the club’s baseball operations.
A former major leaguer who pitched for the Boston Red Sox, Richardson will play a role in providing mentorship to Sato as she adjusts to her new surroundings.
Also joining the club as a senior advisor is Cito Gaston, who managed the Toronto Blue Jays to their two World Series victories in 1992 and 1993. Gaston will assist the club on the baseball side of things and make some public appearances during the season.
Longtime fans will notice a shake-up in the team schedule. In 2025, the Leafs will play fewer Sunday afternoon home games. Two-thirds of the schedule will be night games, spread over Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
The change is part of a strategy to attract more people to the Pits. Names like Sato and Gaston are sure to draw serious baseball followers, but Stein and company also want to attract casual fans looking for a fun evening.
“We are very committed to what happens around the field,” Stein said.
The upgraded fan experience initiated last year will continue. There will be giveaways and promotions, enhanced food and drink options, and merchandise sales.
Games will continue to be free. A new ticketed seating area will be installed along the fence on the third base side of the park.
It will offer enclosed, lounge-style seating for 50-75 people, a DJ, a mixologist and entertainment between innings. Come for the baseball, stay for the party, or vice versa.
“We’re just getting started,” Stein said. “This is like the first inning of the reinvention of the team.”
The Leafs’ season runs from May to August. Their home opener is scheduled for Sunday, May 11, 2:00 p.m. at Christie Pits.
More information about the team can be found at www.mapleleafs baseball.com.
The Runners Shop with its ever-pleasing window displays. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Amna Ahmad
In 1975, The Runners Shop (374 Bloor St. W.), opened its doors with a simple mission: to support runners and help them achieve their goals. Half a century later, that mission is just as strong, and the store has become a cornerstone of the local running community.
Originally opened in Port Credit by David Ellis, The Runners Shop is Canada’s oldest running speciality store, and it just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Lynn Bourque, current owner and longtime runner, is a testament to the strong community fostered by the shop.
Over 25 years ago, Bourque discovered the shop as a member of the run club. From there, her running journey took off, and along with it, her new career.
“I started running, and I just never stopped,” said Bourque.
Having owned the shop for seven years, Bourque has witnessed it all, from a surge in running during COVID to significant changes in footwear technology in the last five years. From all of this, she says her favourite thing about the job is connecting with people and being a support in their journeys.
“Theres a lot that goes on here beyond selling shoes,” said Bourque.
Greg Lindsay, store manager, has been at The Running Shop for almost five years and has been a runner for even longer.
“My favourite part of this job, undoubtedly, is every Monday morning, when Lynn comes in, and after she’s been here for five minutes, she always says, ‘you know on the weekend I was thinking’ and then who knows where we’re gonna go,” said Lindsay.
Lindsay first met Bourque over 20 years ago during their fine dining days working at Canoe. From there they started a lasting friendship that extended to working together at the shop.
From long-time friends to new team members, the staff at The Running Shop form a close-knit group who enjoy working together. Their shared passion for running and helping customers creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.
Michael Denomme, a newer hire, has worked at the shop for three years. Referred to as the shop’s ‘shoe dog’ by Bourque, Denomme is your go-to guy for gear-related interests.
“I’m a bit of a gear head when it comes to running shoes, so I really love just getting to talk to lots of different people about nerdy things about running shoes,” said Denomme.
Denomme, like Bourque, started his career at the shop by joining the running club. From there he started working part-time, and before he knew it, he was there every day.
Whether you are a seasoned runner, or just starting out, The Running Shop has something for all.
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on GREENINGS: Ford listens selectively (Apr. 2025)
From Science Centre to bike lanes, expert advice is ignored or twisted
By Terri Chu
The premier who abruptly shut down the Ontario Science Centre based on an intentionally misinterpreted engineering report, is now threatening to take away the Bloor Street bike lanes; this time, there’s not even a report to base his decision on, just his gut feelings and his promises to planet-hating constituents, and of course, big oil.
The engineering report regarding the Science Centre roof said that a mere 6 per cent of the roof panels were at risk of failure. The estimated cost to replace the entire roof for the three buildings was between $22 and $40 million, or about $1 million for an immediate fix. However, instead of fixing it, the big, business-friendly government immediately closed the facility and announced plans to move the Science Centre to Ontario Place at a cost of approximately ten times the cost of fixing the entire existing roof. That way, the taxpayers can foot the bill for the parking lot at Ontario Place which will benefit the new luxury spa Ford’s friends are building there.
Obviously, having these reports in public view does not help the premier. For bike lanes, Ford is not even pretending to solicit more expert views. Existing reports don’t support his cause, and he dare not get more.
Businesses along Bloor want the bike lanes to stay because cyclists support local stores.
Big box stores like Loblaw obviously benefit less from bike lanes because they need their customers to get into big SUVs so they can haul their excess goods home. Toronto is caught between urbanists who want the future to have some semblance of liveability and sustainability and those who represent the petrostate past who are becoming increasingly frustrated with the pesky youth who reject traditional values.
The province doesn’t pretend to care about the annoying sustainability types who lower oil profit margins. They don’t even pretend to care about our lives as we get bulldozed by increasingly large SUVs that feed the oil profit machine, the same machine that openly spreads anti-science propaganda and funds conservative candidates. We are collateral damage as millions are spent to dismantle bike lanes, not out of efficiency, but purely out of spite. Unlike healthcare and infrastructure, no price is too high for political spite.
Through all this, I have a glimmer of good news for cyclists. At Albany and Dupont, there is a fancy new bike corral, the first of its kind on a residential street. The bike corral is between the stop sign and the road, approved by transportation, doesn’t block pedestrians or wheelchair users, and only reduces on- street parking by about a foot. People who live in densely packed homes can now seriously think about buying cargo bikes, e-bikes, or other alternatives to cars.
Without on-street parking options, residents were limited to what they could physically haul up the porch steps or fit in the often-narrow passageways between their homes. Bike corrals on residential streets makes it possible for people who live in smaller spaces to have a place to park their alternative vehicles.
This is a huge victory for the biking community. Having these bike corrals on more residentials streets will lower the barrier for many people to get cycling by giving them an on-street storage solution. This is also an issue of fairness. If a resident wants to buy a car, for a song, they could get an on-street parking pass, but no such option existed for cargo bikes—until now.
Despite the province wanting to kill us by taking away bike lanes, us cyclists are thankful for the city and Councillor Dianne Saxe for working as hard as she did to get that first bike corral in place. May every residential street see one of their own soon. Having more bikes isn’t just good for cyclists, motorists also benefit by having less competition for the huge amount of road space that each car takes up. Every cyclist in a bike lane means one fewer car on the road. This is good for delivery drivers, commuters, and even pedestrians. Parking spaces will be easier to come by too.
Ask your city councillor how to get one on your street. Create these spaces for cyclists. It is time we took some of the public space that has been the privilege of oil-burning mobile murder machines.
Our next challenge will be to protect those bike lanes from the man who sold out our green belt and the Science Centre. It won’t be an easy task, but we need to unite. We need to let this government know that there are more of us who want bike lanes rather than a spa.
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on LIFE: The crème de la crème (Apr. 2025)
The Gleaner went on a mission to find the best hot chocolate on Bloor
Wildhearts Cafe, 509 Bloor St. W.Nadège Patisserie, 494 Bloor St. W.Công Càphê, 424 Bloor St. W.
By Rose Harbener
The Gleaner set out on a seasonal mission to taste every hot chocolate offered by the cafes on Bloor Street with the aim of ranking the top three. Each cup was evaluated for flavour, texture, and the right balance of sweetness. After braving the snow and after much deliberation, we have crowned three cups of cocoa perfection the winners.
Wildhearts Cafe, 509 Bloor St. W.
If you’re craving a hot chocolate that perfectly captures the cozy feeling of having just built a snowman, look no further than Wildhearts. They’ve truly perfected this delightful winter treat. The drink’s perfectly balanced sweetness makes it the ultimate comfort in a cup. Besides the creamy sweet deliciousness of their hot chocolate, Wildhearts also offers a wide selection of drinks and pastries. The interior boasts a cozy, laptop-friendly atmosphere for patrons, and the disco ball spinning on the ceiling lights up the space with a unique charm. The walls are a vibrant canvas, always adorned with artwork from local artists that changes periodically, ensuring there’s always something new to see. The owner, Sean Lacey, opened Wildhearts in early 2022 and has made it their mission to create a welcoming space that blends community, creativity, and delectable drinks.
Nadège Patisserie, 494 Bloor St. W.
Nadège Patisserie is a renowned French pastry shop in Toronto founded in 2009 by Chef Nadège Nourian and partner Morgan McHugh. Nadège offers authentic French pastries and drinks and their gourmet hot chocolate embodies the Parisian elegance of their store. At five dollars a cup, the luscious consistency is rich, but not overly thick. It is crafted with chocolate from the high-end French brand Valrhona, which has made it their mission to become masters of taste and chocolatey goodness. Nourian, a fourth-generation pastry chef, honed her skills in France and decided to put them to use when she opened the first Nadège location on Queen Street. She went on to open the Annex location in May, 2022. Nadège is celebrated for its innovative and artistic approach to traditional French pastries and drinks.
Công Càphê, 424 Bloor St. W.
Công Càphê, a delightful Vietnamese-based cafe, opened its first North American location in the Annex in November 2023. Công offers an enchanting experience with their silky, dark hot chocolate sprinkled with a dusting of cinnamon to elevate its rich velvety flavour. In 2007, Công was born in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. Founded by the visionary Ling Dung, this vibrant cafe captures the essence of traditional Vietnamese flavours. Công reflects Dung’s treasured childhood recollections of Hanoi between 1976–1986 and represents a new vintage café design trend that encapsulates Vietnam’s rich cultural legacy.
Comments Off on LIFE: The crème de la crème (Apr. 2025)Tags:Annex · Life
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Reviving Retro: Pinball makes a comeback in the Annex (Mar. 2025)
Howard Pressburger, professional pinball player, in his zone and determined to reach a new high score at the Antisocial Pinball Lounge now located at 570 Bloor Street West. BEN HOHENER/GLEANER NEWS
The Antisocial Pinball Lounge at 570 Bloor St. W. has recently opened its doors to raving reviews. Boasting the largest collection of publicly accessible pinballs and pairs of flippers in Canada, with 72 playable machines and more on the way, the new arcade is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the city.
“The amount of machines and the quality of the machines are second to none in the city. There are good pinball places in the city, but none of them carry this high level of machine. Certainly the largest (pinball arcade) I’ve ever been to,” said Howard Pressburger, a patron, manager at the Wiener’s Home Hardware, and professional pinball player and aficionado. “Unlike other places in the city that have more of a party atmosphere, Antisocial is more of a place where you can go to play some excellent pinball,” he added.
Pinball is long past its heyday, but that doesn’t mean it’s a dead game by any means. Within the city, the Annex, and specifically in the basement of Antisocial, pinball is experiencing a cult resurgence with demand for the vibrant-neon, lively plinks of steel against glowing bumpers. Despite the activity having its peak player base in the 80s, there has been a cultural shift in recent years, what Steve, owner and curator of Antisocial, calls a “retro movement.”
“People are looking for something different. This is kind of a whole new form of entertainment. Pinball machines have been perfected now with new technology. The ones that are made now are far more advanced than the ones from 40 years ago. They’ve never been better than they are now. [We are] bringing back that fun experience and reintroducing it to a new generation.”
Antisocial prides itself on quality and quantity. Unlike other arcades, where it may be daunting to spend money on a game you could very well lose, and your cash too, Antisocial has a one-time entrance fee of $20 for a night’s worth of pinball. Play, learn, and win to your heart’s content down at the Antisocial Pinball Lounge on Bloor.
—Ben Hohener/Gleaner News
A look inside the newly-opened Antisocial Pinball Lounge at 570 Bloor St. W. COURTESY THE ANTISOCIAL PINBALL LOUNGE
Comments Off on ON THE COVER: Reviving Retro: Pinball makes a comeback in the Annex (Mar. 2025)Tags:Annex · News · On the cover
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on NEWS: Cycle Toronto challenges Bill 212 (Mar. 2025)
Ford appears fully committed to removing bike lanes on Bloor, University, and Yonge
By Ben Hohener
On Oct. 21, 2024, the Ontario government introduced Bill 212, also known as the Reducing Gridlock, Saving Your Time Act to remove bike lanes from Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, some of the busiest streets in the city. Section 195.6 of the Bill states that the city plans to restore the lanes for use by motor vehicles which would restrict cyclists to sharing the street with cars.
The backlash to Bill 212 has been extreme, and as of Dec. 7, 2024, a petition conducted by Cycle Toronto has reached over 25,000 signatures. Besides the danger to cyclists, there is another community that is facing a massive threat from Bill 212: small businesses.
“Ford is ignoring the actual facts, the number of people who use bike lanes and how it has positively affected all of the small independent businesses that make up the Annex,” said Howard Pressburger, retail manager of Weiner’s Home Hardware.
He continued: “He doesn’t care about us. It rubs me the wrong way. You’re living in the largest city in Canada. You live cheek-to-jaw with other people. Everybody needs to be able to work. Everybody needs to be able to safely get from point A to B using the transportation method of their choice. I don’t understand how people can believe it’s bikes that are causing gridlock.”
The Bloor Annex BIA supported an extensive study of the economic impact of bike lanes on its member businesses when the city installed pilot bike lanes. The study found that despite concerns expressed by many member businesses, the bike lanes actually brought in more business, and the dividend was a safer street for all road users.
Now, the fight is being taken to court. Cycle Toronto, an organization dedicated to protecting cyclists, has recently announced their decision to challenge the bill using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 7. Section 7 affords the right to life, liberty, and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
With the backing of law firm Paliare Roland and environmental law charity Ecojustice, Cycle Toronto seeks to disrupt the fulfillment of Bill 212.
“By removing safe bike lanes that the city installed to give people more mobility options, without any due cause, it is a violation of the Charter of Rights,” said Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto. “Yes we have a traffic congestion issue, yes we need to be focusing on moving people throughout our city, but people can see plainly what is in front of their faces and they know bike lanes aren’t the problem. [They are] distracting people with false promises of removing bike lanes to help traffic. They frankly aren’t buying it.”
Central to Cycle Toronto’s argument is a government-commissioned study by construction firm CIMA+ which estimated that removing bike lanes on major roads like Bloor Steet, Yonge Street, and University Avenue could lead to a 56 per cent increase in accidents. The study also noted that bike lane removals would push more cyclists to ride on sidewalks, and that redirecting them to roads isn’t a feasible solution.
In response to this study, the Ontario government has proposed changes to Bill 212 to protect itself from potential lawsuits from injured cyclists on roads where bike lanes have been removed. Progressive Conservative MPPs have offered the provincial government, municipalities, and contractor’s immunity from liability. This only further proves Cycle Toronto’s argument; even government officials recognize the danger, yet they only choose to protect themselves.
The court’s decision on Cycle Toronto’s challenge is about more than just commuting; it is about the government’s responsibility to its citizens when it comes to urban planning and public safety.
April 16th, 2025 · Comments Off on NEWS: St. George development sparks worry for residents (Mar. 2025)
Renovictions, lack of heritage protections at heart of concerns
Artist’s rendering of the proposed development at 262 St. George St. COURTESY CITY OF TORONTO PLANNING
By Amna Ahmad
A 12-storey development proposal at 262-266 St. George Street has ignited a heated debate among area residents, with concerns surrounding heritage preservation, tenant displacement, and a lack of community engagement.
JCD Property Ltd, the developer of this project, submitted an application on January 9, 2025 to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to allow for the construction of the 12-storey residential building, that will have 86 dwelling units. The news of this has left some confused and concerned.
Shane McMaster, a resident of 264 St George Street, has lived in the area for about a year and a half. He, like the other residents received a notice a little while back detailing the proposed development, and it gave them a timeline of approximately two years.
“I don’t like that I have to move, period,” said McMaster.
He expressed his feelings on the situation, saying the prospect of moving, and being uncertain about the future annoyed him. McMaster claimed that the notice provided, wasn’t very clear and that made him all the more annoyed as he was not sure if he even had the two years given.
To the developer, McMaster had only a few words. “Please don’t knock down my apartment.”
Gynger Rego and Andre Pavia are residents of 262 St George Street and have lived there for three years now. Compared to McMaster, neither are too concerned with relocating, as both saw the residence as a temporary home, and had plans to leave soon.
But for Rego, there is some confliction about the construction as, “while it is more housing, it’s also a historic building.” And in terms of the area being partially preserved, Rego has doubts.
“I think regardless, it’s going to be bastardized in some way.”
Pavia is more of the optimist and “hopes they go through with it (historic preservation),” and are able to preserve the historic integrity of the area that many have come to love.
The Gleaner also reached out to Henry Wiercinski, Co-chair of the Annex Residents’ Association (ARA). Wiercinski provided a link to the ARA’s Early Exposure Project Position Statement, which highlights the associations concerns.
One of the key issues highlighted in the statement was the lack of meaningful community engagement in the project. The ARA argues that many stakeholders were neither invited nor informed about discussions, and regarding the community consultation meeting, residents received inadequate notification, limiting their opportunity to participate.
The ARA also questions the project as it harms the current residents. Like McMaster, many residents will be required to find new homes, as the proposed development fails to fully replace the 43 existing rental living spaces. Instead, it offers only 13 larger units, which will likely be more expensive. In a city already grappling with a housing crisis, the ARA argues that this project worsens the problem by further reducing affordable rental options.
Like Rego, the ARA argues against the developers claims of heritage preservation, saying it’s a ‘façade’, and that rather than true adaptive reuse, they say it is like ‘architectural taxidermy’ where only the front of the buildings is retained. And they claim that it undermines the historic integrity of St. George Street.
According to them there are also environmental issues to consider, like the fact that the site relies on a combined storm and sanitary sewer system, which could become overloaded, potentially worsening stormwater management issues and increasing the risk of sewage overflows into Lake Ontario. As well as issues of proper planning in regard to parking, as there is not any dedicated resident parking spaces.
The ARA’s stance is that there is more that could be done regarding this development, and more things need to be taken into account.
James and Jordan Doucette, of JCD Property Ltd, named developers of the property, did not receive a response to requests for comment.
April 14th, 2025 · Comments Off on NEWS: The Annex Singers celebrate 45 years (Mar. 2025)
March 29 event commemorates neighbourhood group
An Annex Singers’ concert in the Hart House Music Room in May 1984, led by Artistic Director Lesia Deacon. COURTESY LESIA DEACON/ANNEX SINGERS
By Victoria Fisher
In the winter of 1979, a small group of friends and Annex residents gathered around a piano to sing carols. They couldn’t have imagined that 45 years later the choir would have blossomed into an accomplished 60-voice ensemble, or that it would still be firmly rooted in the Annex.
When it began, The Annex Singers was a neighbourhood group of enthusiastic amateurs. Among them were Rochdale College “graduates” and young idealists keen to sing Broadway and popular tunes together. Initially assembled by member Anita Steiner, the little choir was led by voice teacher and choral conductor Lesia Deacon. As the singers gained confidence, Deacon stretched the choir’s repertoire with madrigals and Mozart. The choir was also an active social group—at one point, poker threatened to overthrow singing as the activity of choice.
In its tenth year, the choir overcame its first hurdle when it found itself without a director. For a year, a small group of singers kept the music alive, meeting in neighbourhood homes. Salvation came when Brad Ratzlaff, who was for many years the music director at Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church, offered to take the reins. Ratzlaff added cabaret concerts featuring popular selections and these became staples of the choir’s programming. In 1999, under director Ron Cheung, The Annex Singers gave a 20th anniversary concert and welcomed back Deacon and Ratzlaff as guest conductors.
In 2006, the choir was once again searching for an artistic director and found Maria Case, an Annex resident, pianist, vocalist, and now an award-winning composer. In 2025, Case is celebrating her 19th year with the choir and is now the longest-serving director of The Annex Singers. Over the years, the choir has performed her compositions regularly, including one program in 2023 which exclusively featured Case’s music. She inventively set captivating texts to challenging harmonies.
Under Case, the choir has developed and matured. Now with an auditioned membership, the choir offers three concerts a year which also feature the choir’s chamber ensembles. Concerts include a diverse range of music from medieval pieces, to new compositions by Canadian composers, to popular pieces. The May 2025 concert will include pieces ranging from the 12th-century composer Hildegard von Bingen to the Spice Girls.
The Annex Singers collaborate with many local musicians, including pianist Anne Lee, who has been with the choir since 2011, and four inspiring professional section leads—Melanie Conly, Meghan Symon, Joshua Clemenger, and Lutzen Riedstra. Recent guest musicians have included organist Stephen Boda, percussionist Alejandro Céspedes, and fiddler/violinist Anne Lindsay.
Case’s direction has given the choir a signature style—programs that combine music with powerful words to speak to important themes and community issues, bringing vibrancy and relevance to the choir’s concerts. In 2023 the Voices of Earth concert featured music celebrating nature and the environment, including some of Case’s own compositions. In the Margins explored the theme of marginalization, drawing attention to those struggling with poverty or exclusion during the coldest months of the year. Sometimes, these textual flights expand into drama. In 2017, December Diaries married wintry texts and acted scenes with music to tell stories of challenge and camaraderie at Christmastime.
This year, the choir collaborated with local scientists for Stargazers featuring University of Toronto cosmologist Renée Hlozek and members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada for an inspiring scientific and musical experience.
Whether bringing in musicians from the community or performing work by Canadian artists and writers, The Annex Singers seek to celebrate the neighbourhood, Toronto, Canada, and the things that bring us together. Itself an unshakeable community, the choir weathered another storm in the form of the pandemic; for almost two years, singers gathered, learned and performed online. Creative concerts were filmed and streamed online, including What Will Remain, a reflective Remembrance Day program with acted portions, and Yes, Virginia, starring the thespian talents of Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath.
This March 29, The Annex Singers celebrate 45 years since a group of Annex-based friends gathered around a piano—by gathering around two pianos. The drama and bombast of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is paired with music celebrating the joy and hope of love and features extraordinary guest pianists and some of Toronto’s top percussionists.
Tickets are available through the choir’s website: annexsingers.com.
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