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FOCUS: Layton reflects on three terms as city councillor (Sept. 2022)

September 27th, 2022 · Comments Off on FOCUS: Layton reflects on three terms as city councillor (Sept. 2022)

As Mike Layton prepares for a very different lifestyle from that as a city councillor in one of the busiest municipal precincts in the country, he took the time to talk to the Gleaner about what he is most proud of.

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Tags: General

FORUM: Many achievements despite the pandemic (Jan. 2022)

February 4th, 2022 · Comments Off on FORUM: Many achievements despite the pandemic (Jan. 2022)

Moving into 2022, and as hard as things are right now, I am incredibly grateful to represent a community that is full of people who work so hard to take care of their families, their neighbours, and everyone in our city. As I write this, I know that many of you are facing the stress of another hard winter season with rising COVID-19 cases and frequently changing plans when we were all really looking forward to time in the New Year with loved ones after another long year.

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Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion

NEWS: City fails to move forward as Avenue Road plans evolve (Fall 2021)

November 11th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: City fails to move forward as Avenue Road plans evolve (Fall 2021)

After the city added a temporary bike lane on Bloor Street this year, Brown & Storey added a bi-directional bike lane to its plans for the east side of Avenue Road. This new design would consist of two 1.5-metre bike lanes separated from pedestrians by trees and lighting.

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Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: Looking to the feds to save cities (Aug. 2021)

September 8th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: Looking to the feds to save cities (Aug. 2021)

This federal election, the focus for cities must be on social justice and the recovery. 

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association holds virtual AGM (June 2021)

July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on CHATTER: Annex Residents’ Association holds virtual AGM (June 2021)

Over 40 people were in virtual attendance at the Annex Residents’ Association’s (ARA) Annual General Meeting on April 22. Because of the pandemic, it was the first AGM in two years, but participation was up thanks to Zoom.

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Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: It’s time to walk the walk (June 2021)

July 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: It’s time to walk the walk (June 2021)

The discovery of several burial sites of Indigenous children killed in residential schools across Canada must move our country and our governments beyond words of condolences and toward actions that advance truth, reconciliation, and justice. As flags are lowered across the country, and vigils and moments of silence are observed, we need to recognize that these symbolic measures are important, but not nearly enough.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

FORUM: Exclusionary planning must stop (May 2021)

June 15th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: Exclusionary planning must stop (May 2021)

With the power that the current provincial government gives to developers, our ability to require that new developments include community benefits, such as affordable housing, is extremely limited. But now is the moment to change that.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

FOCUS: New park imbued with nostalgia (Apr. 2021)

May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on FOCUS: New park imbued with nostalgia (Apr. 2021)

The City of Toronto announced the latest addition to the Westbank development at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst this month – a park to accompany the mixed-use residential development.

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Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: A victory for affordable housing in Kensington (Apr. 2021)

May 12th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: A victory for affordable housing in Kensington (Apr. 2021)

Homelessness in Toronto and our neighbours living in encampments have been top of mind for many of you throughout the pandemic. It continues to be clear that all levels of government need to do more to fund and create housing, and it needs to be done faster. Our ultimate goal must be to ensure we have housing for everyone and to provide support for those who need it so they can stay healthy.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

NEWS: Permanent pad for the Pits (Mar. 2021)

March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on NEWS: Permanent pad for the Pits (Mar. 2021)

Layton says with the project approved, his goal is to set records with its implementation and to have it operational at the beginning of the next skateboard season.

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Tags: Annex · News

FORUM: CaféTO and ActiveTO city programs coming back (Mar. 2021)

March 26th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: CaféTO and ActiveTO city programs coming back (Mar. 2021)

The huge success of last year’s ActiveTO and CaféTO projects has shown that Torontonians are eager for safe opportunities to walk and bike around our city, and to patronize local establishments that have struggled over the last year. Locally, residents from across Ward 11 have seen the ways that inspiring actions taken in their neighbourhoods can significantly increase quality of life as we navigate through our recovery period.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion

FORUM: Defund police gains traction (Feb. 2021)

March 5th, 2021 · Comments Off on FORUM: Defund police gains traction (Feb. 2021)

Re-investing money from police budgets into alternate forms of community safety are of paramount importance for our communities because the number of fatal interactions continue unabated.

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Tags: Annex · Opinion