Courtesy of airport.ca

It seems that anything to do with the Toronto Island Airport is contentious, and the proposed pedestrian tunnel is sadly no different. Like it or not the wheels have been set in motion and it looks as though this is one battle that Mayor Miller will lose. Last week the CEO of the port authority requested $19 million from the federal government’s stimulus fund to finance the project. The total amount to build the tunnel is $38 million. The feds have been asked for half. The other half will come from the provincial government - $12 million, and the port authority - $7 million.

The pedestrian tunnel could encourage more traffic, resulting in more daily flights and increased revenues. It would be eight metres wide, four metres high, and have moving sidewalks for passengers. Engineers have estimated that the tunnel would take one year to build. An environmental assessment will probably take about 4 months and it should prove that a tunnel would reduce carbon emissions. Potential contractors will be submitted bids within 3 weeks.

Of course Mayor opposes the tunnel. He opposes anything that makes sense. The good news is that the port authority would not need signoff from the city to build the tunnel because it’s permitted under the existing three-government agreement that governs the airport. In July Pollara Strategic Insights conducted a poll for the port authority. It showed that 62% of respondents supported the construction of an airport island tunnel which I’m sure is much higher than the Mayor’s approval rating – particularly after his bungling of the city workers’ strike.

Courtesy of cleanbreak.ca

Surprising and violent, four suspected tornadoes unleashed their wrath upon the unsuspecting communities of southern Ontario on Thursday. I say “suspected tornadoes” because according to Environment Canada data from the storms must first be collected and analyzed before they are officially categorized as tornadoes. There is a remote possibility that they could have been funnel clouds. The cause of the storm activity is most likely the recent hot and humid air in the region.

The tornadoes touched down in Durham and Vaughn. Both of these communities were very hard hit and have declared a state of emergency. In Woodbridge and Maple 120 homes had to be evacuated after sustaining serious damage and there is a possibility that several of these homes will have to be completely demolished. Evacuation centres have been established at two community centres and the Red Cross is on site to provide assistance. From there the storm cells moved eastward placing Toronto, Hamilton, Peterborough, and dozens of other towns and cities under tornado warnings. As the storm approached Kingston, it was downgraded to severe thunderstorm warnings, but the risk of tornadoes no longer existed.

Immediately following the storm there were 69,000 Hydro One customers without power. As work to restore power continues there still remain 20,000 customers without power.

With all of the modern technology available why can’t we forecast tornadoes or funnel clouds? Thursday’s forecast called for thunderstorms in the morning, which never happened and clearing in the afternoon, with a chance of more thunderstorms in the evening. There was no mention of the possibility of severe weather and no warnings or alerts were posted. How does a tornado just appear out of the blue?

Courtesy of schools.tdsb.on.ca

According to the Toronto District School Board last year 92 of 533 public schools in Toronto had an enrollment of less than 60%, and the attrition is continuing. The TDSB loses about 4,000 each year. Add this to the fact that the TDSB is hard up for cash and there seems to be no alternative to closing schools. It is estimated that closing 25 – 30 schools would save between $10 million and $15 million per year.

In order to deal with this issue trustees have voted to close Scarborough’s Timothy Eaton Business and Technical Institute in September. It is also reported that Grade 9 has been cancelled at West Toronto Collegiate because of too few students. Instead of massive school closures Josh Matlow, trustee for St. Paul’s, will be presenting a motion at the August 26^th school board meeting, requesting that the board consider closing 10 of its undersubscribed schools this year and 10 more the year after.

The quality of education should be of paramount importance. Today’s Parent magazine has compiled a list of the best elementary and middle schools across Canada. The criteria was based on factors including community commitment, serving special needs, quality of teachers, clubs, programs, and the cool factor. Here is the list of the top schools in Ontario. Only one is in Toronto. Let’s hope that it’s not slated for closure.

• Cedarvale Community School (Toronto, 220 students, JK-6)
• St. John Bosco Catholic School (Brockville, 380 students, JK-6)
• Briargreen Public School (Nepean, 330 students, JK-6)
• Pioneer Park Public School (Kitchener, 316 students, JK-6)
• Castlefrank Elementary School (Kanata, 315 students, JK-8)
• Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School (Waterdown, 500 students, JK-8)

Courtesy of repairpal.com

There are vast differences in the outcome of public sector and private sector strikes. The union is omnipotent within the public sector but becoming impotent in the private sector. The tragedy is that unions have not come to grips with this new reality and as a result they irreparably damaging the lives of the rank and file in the private sector. Such is the sad case of the employees at the Lever Brothers soap factory.

In 2002 Unilever sold the Lever Brothers soap factory to Korex Don Valley. With the purchase Korex inherited the best paid workers in the soap manufacturing business at $25/hour with benefits. This is indeed an incredible wage for unskilled labour. The reality was that the company was no longer financially viable. When the contracts were renegotiated the workers agreed to a five-year wage freeze, cuts to disability benefits and the loss of their defined-benefit pensions in exchange for job security. When that contract expired in June 2007 Korex wanted more concessions. In June 2008, 160 workers went on strike to protest a new contract that they said wiped out seniority rights. The factory continued to run at a reduced rate until May 2009. Korex Don Valley has now filed for bankruptcy. The remaining 110 workers who are members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada local 132-0 now have no jobs and very poor prospects.

According to Korex the strike went on far too long and as a result they lost their consumers. The union has only one job – to represent the rank and file. Why would they have encouraged prolonged strike action with a company who was not on solid footing financially? If these unfortunate and ill-advised workers had it all to do over again I’d be willing to bet that they would be happy to accept Korex’s concessions and continue working. Who is going to hold the union responsible for the livelihoods of these 110 people, many of who have worked 30 years or more at this same factory?

Courtesy of chrisdavies.ca

Are you a tenant in Toronto who has just had it with taxes? According to the Federation of Metro Tenants, Toronto’s high property tax rates are pushing apartment renters past the poverty line. Toronto home owners are always complaining about their property taxes but the truth is that Toronto tenants are taxed at almost three times as much as residential homeowners. The reason for this is that apartment landlords are taxed as businesses and they in turn recoup the money from their tenants. This becomes a double whammy for tenants because they can’t deduct their rent from their income in spite of the fact that the rent that they pay in turn pays for the services – transit, fire, police - that their landlords are deducting. The Federation of Metro Tenants reports that tenants occupy approximately 9% of Toronto and pay 19% of the taxes. Where is the justice in that?

To add insult to injury as of July 1, 2010 people across Ontario will have to pay the 8% provincial sales tax (PST) when the province applies a harmonized sales tax on utilities among other things. This means that landlords will be paying 8% tax on electrical, plumbing, painting, landscaping, snow removal, etc. in addition to electricity and heating oil. Currently 20% of tenants pay their own utilities however in the buildings where landlords are paying the utilities you can be sure that they will be going after the tenants seeking increases in compensation.

What can you do? Contact your Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament.

Courtesy of pawlingcycle.com

Are you tired of bicycles not stopping at stop signs and red lights, going the wrong way on one-way streets, not signaling when turning, and riding on the sidewalk? If so you are not alone. Many cyclists seem to be under the mistaken impression that they can ride how ever and where ever the mood or the traffic takes them and pedestrians are paying the price. Just last Thursday a pedestrian passed away after a collision with a cyclist on a sidewalk. According to Ontario Highway Traffic Act (HTA) a bicycle is a vehicle and a cyclist has the same rights and responsibilities as a motorist.

The Toronto Highway Traffic Act has a very detailed list of bicycle violations and fines. Here are the ones that stand out for me.

• HTA 144/136 -Traffic signals and signs - stop for red lights and stop signs and comply with all other signs.
• HTA 153 - One ways streets - ride in the designated direction on one-way streets.
• HTA 142 - Signalling a turn - before turning, look behind you and signal your turn. Cyclists can use their right arm to signal a right turn.
• HTA 140/144(29) - Crosswalks - stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and walk your bike when crossing at a crosswalk.
• HTA 130 Careless driving.
• HTA 140 (1) (a) Fail to yield to pedestrian.
• HTA Improper right turn 141 (2)
• HTA Improper left turn 141 (6)

Should we blame cyclists or law enforcement? These violations and fines are on the books, so why aren’t they enforced? When as a society are we going to start treating bicycles like the vehicles that they are and hold the cyclists responsible for their safe operation? Perhaps we should have licensing criteria along the same lines as we do for cars and motorcycles.

Courtesy of tysonwilliams.com

The Canadian National Exhibition is known by several nicknames – the CNE and the EX – but by what ever name you call it, Torontonians come out in record numbers each and every year to attend the Grand Dame of attractions. The Ex has been around for over 130 years. In that time it has become the largest annual fair in Canada and the fourth largest in North America. Last year over 1.3 million attended. Once again the CNE returns to Exhibition Place, located at 100 Princes’ Boulevard, from August 21^st – September 7^th, marking the end of summer and Labour Day.

This year the Ex is featuring over 500 attractions, a large carnival midway, international entertainment, shopping, great food, and agricultural exhibits. The main attractions are just spectacular:

• Celebrate the Olympic Spirit: A Tribute to the Winter Games
• Movie Magic: Aerial Acrobatics & Ice Skating Show starring Elvis Stojko
• E - Evolution…Emergence…Energy: Nighttime Light Show
• Canadian International Air Show
• FLOWRIDER Mobile Wave
• Daily CNE Mardi Gras Parade
• President’s Choice SuperDogs Show
• The Original Wheel of Thrills

If you buy your tickets by August 21^st you can save up to 31%. You can purchase tickets online however you must have access to a printer to print out your barcoded ticket.

Leave the car at home and take the TTC or GO Transit. Take the subway to Union Station and then the #509 steetcar westbound to Exhibition Place. Or, take the subway to Dufferin Station and then the #29 bus south to Dufferin Gates. Or, take the subway to the Dundas West Station and then #193 Exhbition Rocket. Or take the Lakeshore GO Train to Exhibition Station.

Courtesy of www.twisia.com/mtp/pictures/Tall%20Busker.jpg

Come out and celebrate the 10^th birthday of Buskerfest from August 27^th – August 30^th. Not only is this a one of a kind event with over 100 of the best street performers in the world – aerialists, stilt walkers, comedians, contortionists, magicians, mimes, sword swallowers, human statues, silent comedy and slapstick, puppets, high wire acts, acrobats, clowns, and more – but Buskerfest raises awareness for Epilepsy. Instead of charging admission for this fabulous it is requested that you make a donation to Epilepsy Toronto in any amount that is comfortable for you. Last year Buskerfest raised $165,000 for Epilepsy Toronto.

Buskerfest is one of the highlights of the summer season in Toronto and last year over 1 million people attended. It is the largest festival of its kind in North America and the largest Epilepsy awareness raising event in the world. Buskerfest is a terrific family-friendly event with special treats for the small fry like face painting and balloon sculptures. For the second year in a row Buskerfest been named as one of the Top 100 Festivals in Ontario by Festival and Events Ontario. In addition it has been chosen as an event to support by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and awarded a Celebrate Ontario Grant.

Where can you find Buskerfest? Buskerfest is a street festival that takes place in the St. Lawrence Market area including Market Lane, Market Square, Berczy Park, Front Street East, and Jarvis/Church. Take the subway to Union Station and take a short walk east along Front Street and you’ll be in the heart of the action.

Courtesy of dcfud.smorgasblog.com

Check your refrigerators for Hygrade, Shopsy’s and Maple Leaf hot dogs. On August 3^rd the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued a warning not to eat hot dogs made in the Maple Leaf plant in Hamilton. They may be contaminated with listeria.

Below is a list of products that may be contaminated. As yet no illnesses have been reported as a result of consuming these products. If you do have any of these products in your fridge or freezer, throw them out immediately, even though they look perfectly good. It is best to err on the side of caution. Listeria can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, and it some cases it can be deadly. The people at the most risk are seniors, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems.

If you have questions or concerns call the CFIA from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM at 1-800-442-2342 or if you are hearing impaired call 1-800-465-7735.

Courtesy of www.shootsoft.ca/clearsoft/images/handguns.jpg

Shootings in the U.S. are as commonplace as fast food restaurants, but in Canada we liked to think that we are a much less violent society. Perhaps so, but it is getting harder to believe if you read the news. Perhaps Dick Wolf should start a “Law & Order” Canadian edition to add to his string of hit television shows.

The latest victims of violent handgun crimes were two men that were shot from behind at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel on Avenue Road in the very chic enclave of Yorkville. Many were shocked to read this news but we have got to wake up to the fact that gun crime is not restricted to Jane & Finch. The two men, a 22 year old from Montreal who has not yet been identified, and 25 year old Wesler Fabian from Ottawa, were in town for Caribana. All that is known at the moment is that they returned to the Howard Johnson’s Hotel at 4:30 AM after a night of partying. After they exited their car a man walked up, shot them from behind, and fled the scene. Mr. Fabian died from his injuries and the unidentified man remains in hospital. As of yet no motive for the crime has been established.

In a separate and unrelated incident this weekend a 17 year old boy, Nerio Valdez, was chased by two men in a car and shot and killed near Steeles and Martin Grove Road. The lifeless body of Nerio Valdez was found in brush. There are no descriptions of the killers nor are police even certain if there were two or four men involved. There were some witnesses, but it is uncertain as to what they saw or if there recollections can be considered reliable. Nerio Valdez’s shooting death is Toronto’s 33^rd homicide of the year. Is that a lot for a city the size of Toronto? One shooting death is too many, but what measures can we take to ensure that the homicide numbers go down and not up?