Leaside Life Issue 113 October 2021 by Leaside Life

O C TO B E R 2021

Leaside Life leasidelife.com

No. 113

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

A bright new face on Bayview SU

ORTING LOCAL

BU S

Page 16 E IN

INSIDE:

ELECTION RESULTS FOR DON VALLEY WEST • ARTIST LIBBY HOLLAND • LEASIDE LITERATI • W.C. MEEK DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION • LEASIDE BASEBALL CHAMPS • TERRY FALLIS REMEMBERS BESSBOROUGH SCHOOL DANCES • GARDENING, CYCLING, UPDATES FROM THE LRA AND MORE!

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Leaside Life • October 2021

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Editor’s Welcome

We’ve got mail! After we put each issue of Leaside Life to bed, I never know for sure which stories will resonate with you, our readers, and prompt letters to us. Occasionally, we hear from you correcting inaccuracies (thank you, eagle eyes!), and sometimes we get emails with anecdotes that round out stories we’ve published, such as when we write about an historic Leaside figure with descendants still living in the neighbourhood. And still other times, we get comments that have nothing to do with our stories per se, but are issues of interest to Leasiders (and sometimes result in stories). From time to time, these fall into the category of “rants,” while at other times they’re more of the heads-up variety (did you know this is going on in Leaside?). But after our September issue hit Leasiders’ mailboxes, we found that one story stood out in encouraging energetic comments: our piece (“Pat’s Barbershop: goodbye to a Leaside tradition” by long-time Leaside resident and Pat’s patron

Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

Greig Henderson) on the closing of Pat’s Barbershop (formerly Joe’s) after gracing the neighbourhood for more than 30 years. A few readers waxed nostalgic about the end of an era. Wrote one: “It’s a shame not to have the opportunity to say goodbye and good luck in person. They and their predecessors were part of the Leaside scene for so many years.” Another reader was a tad less laudatory about the quality of service he received once at the barbershop. But for the most part readers mourned the loss of a Leaside fixture against the changing face of the neighbourhood. I was surprised – and pleased – to hear from so many readers with whom Greig’s column obviously hit a nerve. What will hit a nerve this issue? Let us know which stories make you sit up at leasidelife@gmail.com. n

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LEASIDE LITERATI do to maintain health, so many of us clearly don’t do it! We suffer obesity and poor health, we eat badly, and are stressed and sleep deprived. Your Better Instincts seeks to reveal the secret to uncovering one’s natural inner strengths and motivation in the pursuit of better mental and physical health. Dr. Irvine believes our instincts are “our natural superpower for improving our health, happiness, and performance.” Recognizing and listening to those instincts is the key to breaking through barriers and moving forward. The book follows her depth of knowledge gained through years of experience as well as studies and testimonials from experts. There are training tools, personal anecdotes and interviews with Chris Hadfield, Geddy Lee and Lynda Reeves

Patrick Rocca bro ke r

Leaside Life • October 2021

Back in September 2017, we profiled the Irvine family of Leaside. Stacy and her husband Tim run Totum Life Science, a successful fitness and wellness studio with multiple locations. In addition, Stacy, a practising chiropractor, regularly guest stars on Cityline, is the fitness editor for Chatelaine, and runs online fitness programs on Instagram. She has degrees in kinesiology and exercise physiology and is the go-to expert for all things fit and well. And she is a busy mum of three children. If all that isn’t enough, Dr. Irvine has managed to write and publish a book while keeping things afloat during the pandemic. After a lifetime of coaching and training athletes and dancers of all levels, Dr. Irvine wondered what the secret to motivation was: While we have all been told what we need to

among others. Her own personal story drives the investigation and is a charming read. —Robin Dickie n

Leaside Life • October 2021

by SUZANNE PARK Libby Holland credits her Leaside High art teacher Gail Fularski (Leaside Life, Nov. 2020) with inspiring her art journey. How does an art teacher get her students’ attention? Leasiders who studied art with Ms. Fularski likely experienced the same attention-grabbing experience as Libby Holland. “Day one Ms. Fularski showed us the art created by her previous Grade 9 class. As our jaws dropped and we exchanged pained expressions, my friends and I wondered if we were up to the task. Yet here I am years later a full-time artist living in Santa Barbara, CA, thanks to Ms. Fularski.” When asked if she’s had formal fine art training, Libby enthused, “Ms. Fularski provided what I consider to be a first-class art education. Beyond the advanced techniques and creative elements of art that I learned in her class, she created a community – a rarity in high school classrooms rife with competition. We

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learned leadership skills that built character and were encouraged to reach beyond our perceived limits. She influenced so many of us to expand outside the little art box we entered her class with. She’s my only formal art teacher and source of my original artistic inspiration.” For Libby Holland, Gail Fularski has transcended just being her high school art teacher. “I now consider her a mentor and friend,“she said. “Mentors and coaches are so important in surfacing talents even when we doubt ourselves. Gail continues to show her support by following me on my Santa Barbara Botanical Garden’s Instagram channel. Teachers like her have so much impact and yet are often undervalued and rarely thanked, yet contribute so much. My appreciation and gratitude for how she nurtured my artistic talent are intense. When I get back to Leaside, a tightknit entrepreneurial community like Santa Barbara, I enjoy reaching out to her.” Holland was selected as the first Artist-in-Residence at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens from April through June 2021. “Being immersed in the garden’s native plants and actively painting as members and visitors wander by or linger and ask about my inspiration and technique for my ‘Grow Wild’ paintings is so calming and freeing,” she said. And it’s a huge change from the isolation she experienced in her studio as Covid curtailed interaction with others. Libby added, “I’ve even had a bee land on one of my painted flowers. I took that as a nod of approval.” You can enjoy Libby Holland’s The Nature of Beauty: Celebrating the Synergy between California Native Plants and Pollinators, on display Sept. 25-Oct. 24, 2021 virtually. For more info: www.libbyhollandart.com/sbbg • www.sbbg.org/classes-events/events/artist-residence. n

Leaside Life • October 2021

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by JANIS FERTUCK The last time we checked in with Gemma Postill (Leaside Life, July, 2017), she had won one of the five President’s Entrance Scholarships at Western, worth $65,000. Now the Leaside High School alumna has entered a rigorous joint MD/PhD program comprising four years of medical school and four years of research at University of Toronto’s medical school. While at Western completing her undergraduate degree in medical science, Gemma participated in a research project culminating in her being the lead author of a report on cremation data published by the Ontario Science Advisory Table this past May. Gemma described her interest in research as rooted in her positive learning experiences at LHS, especially in her physics class. Her teacher, Mr. Keeves, created worksheets that forced students “to figure out the material and not just memorize it, but DISCOVER it.” When Gemma started at Western,

GRAEME LARSEN

Leaside Life • October 2021

Gemma Postill: clinician scientist in the making

she sought out similar experiences in her chosen field of population health. She spoke to several professors, including Dr. Mark Daley,

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who suggested she join a project he’d been discussing with Ontario’s Chief Coroner Dr. Dirk Huyer. Dr. Huyer and his team had just created an online system for cremation records which replaced the previous paper record system. This change meant that cause of death information on those cremated in Ontario would be available more quickly – in fact, within three weeks. But more work was needed, Gemma said, “to determine if the cremation data could predict provincial deathdata in real time.” At first, Gemma’s job consisted of “data cleaning,” a role she describes as being like “a dishwasher or a prep cook” in a restaurant. Her role evolved over time and by 2021, she was leading some of the analysis and collaborating with researchers from other universities, much like being promoted to a junior chef position. Gemma played a major role in this project even while she was carrying a full course load in medical science. She encountered a number of challenges such as learning Python, a computer programming language that can manage large and complex data sets. But she enjoyed the work, describing it as more of a hobby than a job. She especially loved the creativity involved in designing graphs to represent the data, which, she said, was a welcome break from writing countless multiple-choice exams. She summarized the resulting report for the Ontario Science Advisory Table: “Cremation data was able to identify that there was ‘excess mortality,’ or an unexpectedly high number of weekly deaths, during the pandemic. And these deaths were not caused just by the COVID-19 virus itself.” She added, “This was an important finding not only for this pandemic, but for possible future health emergencies.” A more personal result of the project for Gemma was that “it sparked a love of research into population health and more specifically, understanding why some people die and others don’t.” That has led her to her current graduate program, moving toward a career as a clinician scientist, spending half of her time in a hospital and the other half continuing with this research. It is comforting to know that this remarkable young woman from Leaside will play a role in the future of our healthcare. n

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Bill Meek answered the call of Leaside Leaside Life • October 2021

by KEN MALLETT We have all heard horror stories of a home renovation gone wrong, often because of a shoddy contractor. Mike Holmes has been providing the grim details on television for years. Fortunately, Leasiders can escape that nightmare since they have their own, home-grown master builder. His name is Bill Meek of W.C. Meek Design & Construction whose motto is “Build in Theory Before You Build in Reality.” In other words, figure out what you’re going to do before you start – or as a carpenter might say, measure twice, cut once. Following that motto, Meek Design has won top awards from the building industry every year for the past decade. Meek grew up in Leaside, played hockey at Leaside Gardens and attended Rolph Road, Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School, and Leaside High. He began his career in 1994 as a student painter. The transition from house painter to designer and builder came

Bill Meek

through on-site, hands-on work with the trades and post-secondary education at the International Academy of Design and Ryerson’s Architectural Technology program. “My territory was Leaside. I must have knocked on every door in Leaside three times that spring and summer to feed my business,” he said.

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“As a small business owner, you have to follow the work and you live where you can afford. My work and home shifted around and I lived and worked a lot in the Beaches. “Still, I had clients all through Leaside, North Toronto, and Lawrence Park. As years passed, I worked in Leaside a great deal but my home and office were at Warden and Eglinton.” Like everyone else, the Covid epidemic forced the business to adapt. Meek says: “A good part of 2020 was spent on exterior projects so we were not in people’s houses as much. As we fast forward to 2021 and the last six months, the biggest effect has been on the labour supply. “We are very busy and typically when I have been looking for skilled or general type workers, I would place an ad and have anywhere from 20 to 60 résumés within a week. Once Covid hit, I began receiving five résumés at most over two or three weeks. This raises questions: are the workers collecting EI or CERB doing cash jobs? Are they qualified to do renovations?” This leads to critically important considerations for the homeowner. One is getting the work done reliably and protecting themselves at a time when demand is high and the supply of capable renovators is low. There’s another consideration: the need to make your project fit in with a changing Leaside. “I believe the biggest impact for Leaside will occur in the current industrial area as it is transformed into condos and retail. This will

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increase population density. The original Leaside area will continue to be in a constant state of renovation and rebuilding with older homes torn down to make way for much larger homes, or the older homes renovated to create better functioning spaces with additions, or a redefinition of existing space. People do not live the same way as when the houses were built.” Although times have changed, the

lure of Leaside still burns strongly for Meek. “Over the last 10 years or so I was always looking for the right opportunity to locate my business in Leaside. Finally, last March, I was able to move back to Leaside, on Wicksteed near Home Depot. I’ve never felt more comfortable now that we are back in Leaside. Great area, great people and lots of positive energy every day.” n

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Leaside Life • October 2021

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Offering hope and improving lives, one job at a time Twenty months ago, I wrote there was “something special” going on at 2 Thorncliffe Park Drive in the Leaside Business Park. Today, I’m happy to report that Aamir Sukhera, Shukria Dualeh and the entire team operating The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) Trades Connect program have proven my original assessment correct. In fact, so correct that the team was excited to share the welcome news that their program just received TNO board approval to dramatically expand its offer starting this month. Acknowledging the pilot’s initial success, Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the successful delivery model will be rolled out across Canada, effectively leading the drive to improve not only the lives of individual participants, but also the lives of the people around them. How’s that for impactful homegrown innovation, Leaside! The Trades Connect Program assists newcomers to Canada with their employment goals. The aim of the program is to bridge the gap between the workforce demand in these trades by providing: (1) knowledge and insight into careers; (2) hands-on training and certifications required to improve job readiness; (3) the soft skills needed to successfully engage in the workplace; (4) networking opportunities that build the social capital which leads to potential job opportunities;

Glenn Asano The Business of Leaside

GLENN ASANO

Leaside Life • October 2021

and (5) linking of graduates with industry employers and unions. In a nutshell, the program provides newcomers with a pathway to a career by supporting the transition from settlement to tax-paying employment. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”— Winston Churchill Since its inception in September 2018, progress has been remark-

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able. The program has served 635 individuals in the community – successfully securing 155 career paths in information technology, 191 in construction, 120 in industrial transportation, and 169 in other pathways including healthcare. In addition, it has helped earn 226 construction safety certificates, 47 trucking licences and 38 apprenticeships, while putting 73 in advanced training programs and supporting 19 others to pursue further education. So, what can we expect from the expansion? In the near term, we’ll see all Trades Connect programs move into a much larger 11,500 sq. ft. facility located at street level in the East York Town Centre. Aamir explained, “The facility will house all available services under one roof and we are moving to create a ‘hub’ called the Toronto Workforce Development Centre. The hub is exciting because more space will allow the program to invite businesses that have workforce development needs to co-create training programs together with us. Where we or a member of your team can deliver training workshops in our new space which will include a workroom, classroom and a growing tool library.” Wondering how you can get involved? Here are three suggestions: (1) consider reaching out to the Trades Connect team to review your firm’s related training requirements to discuss opportunities to co-create mutually beneficial programs; (2) consider committing to employ program candidates; and (3) consider donating a few hours of time per month to participate in a newly forming mentorship group whose purpose is to match external “experts” with Workforce Development Centre candidates to support early professional and career development, especially for the IT and healthcare career paths as these new areas of focus are where Aamir indicated there would be a shortage of mentors. “When one person mentors, two lives are changed” — Kevin Sessums Today, more than ever, having access to a mentor can make a world of difference for individuals plotting a new career path, let alone in a new

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I remember the Bessborough Halloween dance Leaside Life • October 2021

With Grade 7 at Bessborough now 50 years in my rear-view mirror (ouch!), some of my experiences back then are obscured in the mists of history. But one aspect of my time Terry Fallis in Grade 7 remains crystal clear in Columnist my memory as if it were yesterday. No, I’m not referring to the time in shop class when I set my beautifully brown paper and the lights were lathed toothpick holder on fire while turned off to at least simulate an attempting to apply a “burnt” finish evening dance. On the mezwith a blow torch, though I certainly zanine level of the gym at recall that event all too well. No, I’m least two overhead protalking about school dances, and in jectors were set up, the particular, the Halloween dance in acetate sheets replaced 1971, my very first school dance. with bowls of coloured We’d all been told about the water. During the dance, famous school dances, but actually volunteers would project the experiencing one for the first time bowls of coloured water onto the was a high point in my Bessborough far wall while using a straw to blow years. Just to set the scene, the bubbles. It was our Grade 7 version dances were held in the gym amidst of psychedelic, though “weird” the basketball hoops and the climbmight also describe it. ing ladders that, when not in use, Of Toronto course, we swung in tightly against the100south Scotiabank Lighthouse, Yonge St., 5 Floor, ON, M5C 2W1 never had live music. Rather, Workfront#: a disc jockey wall. Even with considerable File: 1781954 - HFA Ad for decoBita Garshasbi_4.5x4.875 1781954 would spin July records rating efforts, there was never any Trim: 4.5” x 4.875” Colours: CMYK be engaged toInsertion: 26, 2021 and offer up hip commentary between doubt that we were in the gymnaBleed: .25 Deadline: July 29 2021 and even during songs. sium. But that didn’t Safety: n/a bother us. The Designer: Fabio1971 Prod: was n/a a big year in music. Maggie May, dance ran from 4 to 6 p.m. The Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves, Me windows were covered over with th

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& Bobby McGee, Joy to World, the Theme from Shaft, and many other great songs reverberated throughout the gym. I remember arriving for my very first dance in October 1971 as the well-known ritual played out. The boys plastered themselves against one wall and the girls against the other. It was quite dim, even dark, but when my eyes adjusted, I could just make out a few brave figures dancing. The DJ always started with up-tempo songs to get us all warmed up. Now, I should explain that I had no idea how to dance. How would I know? I was 11-years-old at my first dance. So, I just watched what the wily Grade 8 veterans were doing and tried my best to copy them. I have to say that really didn’t work out so well. My twin brother Tim recently remembered that I moved like I was being tasered. Now that I’m older, of course I’m a much better dancer. Yeah right. But the highlight of the dance was when the DJ “slowed things down” and played quiet love songs (think How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, etc.). We’d all heard about “slow dancing” but to witness it, and then actually partake in it, well, it was a lot for an 11-yearold to process. Needless to say, the dance floor was packed during slow dances. It was always a big letdown when the slow song ended and the next fast song blasted out of the speakers. Couples reluctantly separated and it was back to my “beingtasered” impression. But you could always count on the dance ending with a slow song. Most often in my memory, it was Stairway to Heaven, one of the longest slow songs of that year. By that stage in the dance, even when the song picked up to a frenzied pace near the end, everyone on the dance floor simply stayed in their slow-dance clutch. Then the cruel lights would turn on and it would all be over. Yes, I remember those Bessborough dances like it was yesterday. A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis grew up in Leaside and is the award-winning writer of seven national bestsellers, all published by McClelland & Stewart. His most recent, Operation Angus, is now in bookstores. n

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Leaside Life • October 2021

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The 2021 Leaside harvest report Every gardener I know approached this growing season with the same questions: Will we have access to supplies? Will we experience another heatwave and drought? Did we learn enough from last year to do better this year? As I write this report, I can’t help thinking back to early spring when I first saw the inspirational forsythia planter at St. Cuthbert’s Church. It contained a large message of HOPE with a little yellow watering can.

had tomato blight and did some research. This year, we staked them well (with stakes donated by local Leasiders) and pruned them significantly so no leaves touched the ground. This allowed for more air flow and in spite of the heat, we have had a bumper crop of tomatoes. But the relentless heat and drought have been significant issues. Many days were just too hot to work so all we could do was harvest for the Flemingdon Food Bank and WATER, WATER, WATER! Even our cisterns had to be refilled from the hose due to the lack of rain. “Our success was due to both what we learned last year and to the many helping hands. Community and parish participants of all ages and abilities contributed to establish and maintain our vital gardens. This was a true community effort!”

The Leaside Gardener Debora Kuchme Columnist

St. Cuthbert’s Community Garden

The St. Cuthbert’s Community Garden gets bigger and better every year. This year they created an expansive pollinator garden on the southwest corner. With help from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Scotts Canada, and Donna Lang of Faith & the Common Good, they were able to purchase seeds, plants and manure to create a fresh fertile base for their new pollinator friendly plants. “Slow spring equalled slow growth, but once the weather turned, everything took off,” said Kathi Davies, one of the volunteer gardeners there. “In 2020, we

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71 Thorncliffe Park Drive Community Garden KATHI DAVIES

Leaside Life • October 2021

As the lead gardener of the Thorncliffe Park Urban Farmers, Michelle Delaney had her hands full last spring when she set out to create a new community garden at 71 Thorncliffe Park Drive. Starting at the very beginning of the pandemic, during a lockdown and with supply shortages, the Urban Farmers somehow managed to produce over 1,000 pounds of quality vegetables for the Thorncliffe Park community. “It’s truly a collective effort maintaining the gardens,” said Michelle. “We water regularly, try to win the war on weeds and fertilize often. But I think our success was mostly due to our gardeners becoming more knowledgeable this year. We learned some important lessons and grew with that understanding in mind. For example, last year our corn didn’t grow well and was full of bugs, so this year we made mounds at the base of the plant and fertilized more often. As a result, our corn harvest has been much better. “Our biggest challenge was keeping up with weeds and watering, which used up a lot of our time. My best advice is to take care of the soil because healthy soil equals healthy plants!” Tim Davies’ backyard harvest

Last year, Tim made the cover of Leaside Life with his amazing backyard harvest, and for good reason

– it was spectacular! Could he do that again this year? “The weather was similar to last year with crazy heat and drought, but this year, it seemed like my plants just didn’t want to grow,” he said. “Many of my peppers and tomatoes were like dwarf plants. Zucchini and summer squash were doing great until the heat arrived, which quickly killed them. Other crops were hit and miss producing early and then just shutting down. It was very disappointing in terms of how little I could harvest. “Last year, when I was furloughed, I spent every day in the garden. But this year (now back at work) there was only time to water and pick with very little time left for treatment like pruning and natural fertilizing. There’s so much work that goes into a garden and so little time with so much love and WATER needed. But I’m grateful to Mother Nature for providing what she does!” These challenges and disappointments were echoed by so many of

our local backyard and balcony gardeners this year, including me. Like Tim, I had less time to devote to my gardens this year, so I focused on growing only the most essential herbs for my culinary needs, some strawberries and my cherished French filet bush beans. That should have been easy and doable. Yet most of my herbs were stunted with yellowing leaves, my strawberries were unproductive and my bush beans got rust fungus! But it wasn’t all bad news. My herbs filled out and greened up in August and I ended up with a few good strawberries. This was another difficult growing season mostly because of the extreme heat and drought. But it’s clear that learning from the past (and each other’s) success is more possible when we give HOPE a helping hand. Visit leasidelife.com to read the extended version of this article along with more photos from our local food gardeners! n

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Leaside Life • October 2021

HARVEST continued

What in heaven’s name is going on at the corner of St. Cuthbert’s Rd. and Bayview Ave. at St. Cuthbert’s church? No, not another condo project on Bayview! But there is something exciting happening on the grounds. First some history. The original Lea family donated property for an Anglican Church on this site. As time went by, a proper church rose up with room for a lawn-bowling green just to the south. The problem, though, was that the bowls might wander onto Bayview Avenue, so a drystone wall was constructed all along the Bayview frontage for the protection of bowlers and balls. In 1999, with grant money from the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, and in honour of the International Year of Older Persons, a small garden and seating area were created just to the north of the church near the front doors. Flagstones were laid up the slope from the St. Cuthbert’s Road sidewalk to show that the space was

welcoming to all. And it worked. Sort of. A few people do know about this special area, and do sit there. Trouble is, it’s never been very welcoming...until now. That forbidding northern portion

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

FROM THE COVER

Leaside Life leasidelife.com Editor: Jane W. Auster Publisher: Lorna Krawchuk Webmaster: Erin Sorhaug Graphic Design: Robin Dickie Advertising: Karli Vezina

FH Publishing Inc. 1 Wiltshire Ave, unit 114 Toronto, Ontario M6N 2V7 Comments, Letters to the Editor, Advertising Enquiries: Contact: 416-504-8047 leasidelifepublishing@gmail.com leasidelife@gmail.com Published monthly in Leaside, Toronto, ON. Circulation 10,000 to every home and business in Leaside & Bennington.

No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication.

LORNA KRAWCHUK

Leaside Life • October 2021

St. Cuthbert’s Church to show a bright new face to Bayview

Tim Sellers: his grandfather Alf was the stone mason for the original wall.

of the drystone wall is going to be partially reconstructed to add more welcoming steps to the church. An electronic sign on a plinth will be visible to pedestrians and drivers on Bayview. An extended plaza with seating will replace the area where the garden is now. And in place of a random collection of trees and bushes along the north side of the church property, there

will be a planted, forested contemplative prayer garden and another seating area with a water feature. There will even be a street number on the property! Yes, the official church address is 1399 Bayview Ave., but you wouldn’t know to walk by. That info will also be on the new sign. The incentive to make these changes was frustration that the

Check out the old stone wall and plaque next time you are on Bayview.

LEMONADE FOR TERRY FOX!

The Real Estate Tradition

www.bonniebyford.com

Check out our web site at

leasidelife.com for up to date events and stories! Follow us on twitter, Instagram and Facebook

leasidelife.com

Thank You Leaside! ...from Isaac, Nyle (little brother was pulling his weight) and family for the generosity of the Leaside community in support of Isaac’s 6th annual lemonade stand for the Terry Fox Foundation. $1,711.25 WAS RAISED ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH! With heartfelt appreciation, from Isaac, Nyle and family.

Interested in advertising in

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Leaside Life • October 2021

current church sign wasn’t terribly functional. In fact, the electrical connection had disappeared years ago. Thanks to a dedicated team, led by parishioner Ian Beverley, and with the landscaping skills and services of Amy Turner Landscape, there was an extensive consultative process involving church parishioners and neighbours. Luckily, the process pre-dated the pandemic, and Covid actually gave some breathing room to get the project up and running. As Ian says, “this project provides an opportunity for St. Cuthbert’s to reintroduce itself to our community with a new plaza and front entrance and to provide badly needed amenity space for the community with a tranquil garden for quiet

reflection and relaxation.” Funds have come from parishioners, both current and past, our neighbours, as well as The Anglican Foundation. The Anglican Diocese of Toronto supported our application as it made its way through Diocesan and City of Toronto approval processes – including making sure that our heritage oak and its companion, an elderly Norway maple, are protected as work is done. And I’m sure if you hadn’t guessed, I am a parishioner of St. Cuthbert’s, and looking forward to seeing this imaginative work completed – if not this fall, then by next spring. Pictured on the cover: Ian Beverley, Tim Sellers, Linda Prue, Michael Wissell, the Rev. Canon Janet ReadHockin, Jane Milligan, Chris Vyse. Absent: Pierina Mevius, Mary Lynne Stewart and Guy Stevenson. n

LEASIDE BASEBALL CHAMPS!

Leaside Life • October 2021

Leaside baseball was back in action this past summer and the boys did not disappoint. Six of our Leaside teams won the City Championships. Pictured here below are the 11U AA, the 12U A and the 12U AAA teams. Also winning (not pictured here) were the 8U AA, the 10U AA and the 12U AA teams. Congratulations to all; now let’s hope our Toronto Blue Jays do as well! Learn more at leasidebaseball.com. n

ASID

L E BAS

DAVID HERSHENHORN

The Leaside 12U A baseball team, led by coaches Aaron Niman, Trevor Currie, Blair Ridsdale and Kenneth Pittman had an outstanding season. After going an impressive 27-2-1 in the regular season, the boys brought home both the City and Provincial Championships.

ASSO

LAUREN MORGAN

ANTHONY HAMILL

The Leaside 12U AAA baseball team, led by coaches Shady Ashamalla, Trevor Lawson, Lee Mosbaugh, Anthony Hammill and team manager Mike Applebaum brought home the TBA City Championship.

The 2021 Leaside 11U AA baseball team, led by coaches Dan Cohen, Jeff Freeborough, Sean Ross, Benji Litz and team manager, Anne Guilfoyle took home their third straight TBA City Championship.

leasidelife@gmail.com

ITED

Goodbye to Pat & Joe’s Hello, I was sad to read Greig Henderson’s article about Tony and Rocky closing down. I started going to Joe’s barber shop about 1975. I actually went to that shop when I was very little, had my first haircut by Bill Hogg in about 1954. He didn’t handle longer hairstyles well when the Beatles arrived, so I moved elsewhere. When I moved back to the area, I went back, and there was Joe. He had cut my dad’s hair even earlier, when he had a different shop on Bayview near Parkhurst. I’ve been going there ever since.... to Joe, Pat, Tony and Rocky. Joe always asked after my dad, gave candies to the little kids (my daughter came with me so she could get some...I was pretty sure Joe gave her more than he did to the other kids...), and gave my two sons their first haircuts. That was more than 30 years ago. Then Pat kept on going after that, and I recall him saying he thought he should retire so the younger people could have a job. A good and wise man. Tony was his nephew and understudy, and Rocky joined him after a while. Yes, they did a great job, and fast! I am sorry to see them gone, and hope they are both well. It’s a shame not to have the opportunity to say goodbye and good luck in person. They, and their predecessors, were part of the Leaside scene for so many years. I’m going to give “Lilac” a try, and hope it works out well. It’s nice to see the sign saying welcome to Tony and Rocky’s customers. Still, I’ll miss the old, worn copies of National Geographic, and hearing about Tony’s kids, mostly grown now themselves. Time really does go quickly. Steve Van Houten n

In our September issue we wrote that Conservative candidate Yvonne Robertson is a resident of North Leaside. In fact, she lives in Don Valley West, but not in Leaside. We regret the error.

MP Rob Oliphant re-elected for fourth term in Don Valley West Liberal incumbent Rob Oliphant has once again won the riding of Don Valley West. Oliphant won decisively, garnering 22,623 votes or 52.3% of the votes cast, down slightly from the 2019 election when he garnered 29,148 votes or 55.8% of the votes cast. Conservative candidate and runner-up Yvonne Robertson received 15,494 votes or 35.8% of the votes cast. NDP Candidate Syeda Riaz came in third with 8.2% of votes cast. As was the case across the country, voter turnout in the riding of Don Valley West was down over 10%, with only 60% of eligible voters participating in this election that returned the Liberals to a minority government. n All Stay new li info sting s rme d – have V Get i on t rtual T he w ours . aiti ng l ist!

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Leaside Life • October 2021

LETTERS

ERS M TT A LE

The kids are alright

Leaside Life • October 2021

THE

Curious Idler Leaside Rotary host drive-in movie for good causes The Leaside Rotary Club has teamed up with local businesses Access Storage and Morguard Properties among others, to host another Drive-In Movie fundraising event. On Sat., Oct. 2nd, they will be screening Toy Story 2 at the East York Town Centre. Tickets are $60 per vehicle and this includes the movie admission and a premium snack box. The proceeds from the event will support the TNO (The Neighbourhood Organization), the Kennedy House Youth Shelter, and CCSO (Canadian Community Services Organization). Tickets can be purchased at: thebigscreen.ca/tickets.

Leaside resident Ryan Spitzer has continued the local shoe drive which Mackenzie Bier began and then passed along to her friend, Ryan’s sister, Caroline Spitzer. “When the opportunity arose to take over the shoe drive, I was immediately interested. I’ve grown up playing sports and loving gym class, so the idea of helping other kids enjoy those things was very intriguing.

Hockey Moms Ryan Spitzer

Following a review over the spring and summer, the Leaside Hockey Association (LHA) recently announced that Nathaniel Brooks (Direction Hockey) and Derrell Levy (In Tech High Performance) will be the new directors of hockey operations. Also announced was the decision to cancel the 2021/22 LHA Select Invitational Tournament. It’s always a greatly anticipated tournament for the city’s Select level hockey teams, but the LHA board felt the uncertainly surrounding the ongoing Covid pandemic made hosting the tournament too risky to ensure a safe and functioning event. With a newly updated vaccination policy in place, Leaside Hockey is looking forward to having the players return to the ice this fall. Players at all levels from Hockey School to GTHL are busy preparing for what will be a season like no other. Visit leasidehockey.com for updates. The Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Association (TLGHA) and the Leaside Wildcats, likewise, are looking forward to getting their 1,600-plus participants back on the ice. For updates: torontoleasidewildcats.ca

Well run, Terry Fox moms!

Hooligans or just kids being kids? Reports on the Leaside Community Facebook account say that over the summer large numbers of Leaside youths took to gathering at the local Randolph/ Millwood plaza. On occasion the youths moved from a friendly teen gathering to a more aggressive, rowdy stance. In response, police from 53 Division were notified and patrols increased in the area. Toronto Police Services encourages residents to call the Community Response Unit at 416-808-5361 whenever there’s trouble. As well, perhaps a good old-fashioned parent chat might help. Thankfully, recent updates are that the teens are being more respectful to these vital local businesses. The Idler does wonder if there is a broader conversation to be had – does Leaside offer enough opportunity to keep our teenagers active, engaged and out of trouble? Do any of our community organizations offer youth drop-in opportunities? Or is what is happening at the plaza another indirect result of the Covid pandemic?

Leaside hockey is back (fingers crossed)

I would go on to learn about some of these students’ challenges, and how having a pair of new running shoes each year can make all the difference.” This year’s drive collected an impressive 171 pairs of gently used running shoes. The shoes will be shared with students who would otherwise not be able to participate in gym class. Ryan said: “I know how much I’ve learned and benefited from playing sports and participating in gym class over the years. Knowing that some students couldn’t participate is why I’ve worked hard at trying to make this possible.” He also thanks the community who have been so supportive over the past two years: “...with schools being online and restrictions surrounding donations, we weren’t able to collect from schools, so all donations have come from the community.”

For the ninth consecutive year, the moms of the Leaside 99A Flames participated as a team in the Terry Fox Run. While their sons haven’t played together for years, their moms continue to meet monthly for brunch, participate in the annual run, and catch up with random visits and frequent chats.

We could use your help As the Covid-19 pandemic continues into the fourth wave, the profound need for our neighbouring families in Thorncliffe Park also continues to grow. Currently serving over 700 families and seniors, the Thorncliffe Park Food Bank is always in need of items. If you’re heading to the grocery store and would like to donate an item or two, you can drop them off locally in the bins on the porch at 131 Hanna Road any day of the week. Items most required: pasta, cereal, peanut butter, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, crackers, and toiletries. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email to Leaside Life’s own Susan Scandiffio – susanscandiffio@gmail.com. n

JOBS From page 10

Leaside Life • October 2021

GLENN ASANO

country. Aamir shared with me his own personal journey, growing up in Thorncliffe Park and opting for a career dedicated to serving others in situations similar to those he faced. He is quick to mention the number of Leasiders who have made a difference in his life, simply because they made themselves available as advisors or mentors. One such individual is Bill Pashby, who served the TNO board for 10 years until he stepped down as chair in 2018. Bill is credited with helping to bring the communities of Leaside and Thorncliffe closer together. Aamir was quick to note, “When Bill Pashby joined the TNO board things began to change, and for the first time I actually thought real progress could be made, that there was hope. His presence really made a difference for me then and we’ve all been strengthening the links ever since.” I believe both Leaside residents and our business community benefit from strengthening ties to our surrounding neighbours. The benefits of mentorship for recipients are obvious, but oftentimes the benefits for the actual mentors go under-reported. While communicating with Bill he wrote this: “I lived in Leaside for 50 years before I ever spent any time with anyone from Thorncliffe Park…Getting to know the issues, problems, challenges and good people of Thorncliffe Park through my 10 years on the TNO board was very rewarding for me.” Hey Leasiders, I know your time is precious, but if you can spare a bit of time and see a possible fit (especially if you come from IT or healthcare), then please reach out to Leaside Life or Aamir at the Trades Connect program to offer your support as a mentor or an advisor. You won’t regret it. Have you benefited from having mentors provide support in your career path? Would you like to become a mentor to support local programs created by TNO Trades Connect or the Leaside Business Park Association to help people get jobs and local business grow? Let us know at leasidelife@gmail.com. Leasider Glenn Asano is a partner and principal consultant for the strategy and business development practice at Centred Performance. He is also an Instructor with the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. n

Aamir Sukhera of The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) Trades Connect program at their new facility in the East York Town Centre.

SINCE 1952

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www.leasideskatingclub.com Leaside Skating Club Skates out of Leaside Memorial Gardens Arena, 1073 Millwood Rd, (at Laird)

Leasiders always liked a good party by T ED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society Communal events were always popular in Leaside, but never more so than 60 to 80 years ago. Here’s how Leasiders back in the day liked to party on: Parades: From approximately 1940-1960, Leaside held a parade every June. Sponsored by the Leaside Lions Club, it attracted thousands of residents who turned out to watch and participate. There were floats, marching bands, pipers, baton twirlers, majorettes, clowns, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies, animals, and more. The 1947 parade had 10 bands and 30 floats. The parades normally started north on Laird near Vanderhoof, proceeded west on Eglinton to Bayview, then went south on Bayview to McRae, ending at Trace Manes Park. Not to be outdone, the Leaside Fire Department held an annual fall parade in the 1950s to mark Fire Prevention Week. It too involved floats, majorettes and Scouts and attracted numerous spectators.

Leaside Fire Prevention Week parade, 1955.

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Parades were also the norm in the 1930s. Marching bands and pipers marked the opening of Leaside Park in 1932. And in 1938, the newly formed Bayview Businessmen’s Association celebrated the town’s 25th anniversary by sponsoring a huge parade and street festival that drew more than 4,000 people. Festivals: Parades often culminated in carnivals and festivals, held in public spaces like Millwood Park (now Trace Manes). This was the scene for the Lions Club’s annual carnivals, vividly described in Jane Pitfield’s Leaside. The multiday carnivals focused initially on children’s activities like bike races, sports events, amusement park rides and prizes for best costumes. Gradually these activities expanded

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Leaside Life • October 2021

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Leaside Life • October 2021

to include more “grown-up” interests such as industrial displays, concerts, midway attractions and dancing. In winter, Leasiders flocked to the annual ice carnival organized by the Leaside Skating Club. Held at first outdoors in Millwood Park, the event moved inside in the 1950s with the opening of Leaside Memorial Gardens. Famous ice-skaters and residents alike were among the performers. Contests: Equally popular were contests – from house raffles…to beauty contests…to costume competitions. Among the most popular were those held every summer in the 1950s and 1960s as part of the Big Splash event at Millwood Park. Prizes were awarded to youngsters in various categories. Girls competed for titles like Miss Blue Eyes, Miss Freckles and Miss Wading Pool. Meanwhile, boys vied for awards with names like Mr. Muscles Jr., Mr. Suntan and Mr. Crew Cut. How things have changed! But make no mistake – Leaside liked to party back in the day. n

by HOLLY REID Move365 Connect is a new initiative by Cycle Toronto, a registered charity advocating for a safe, healthy and vibrant cycling city for all. Until recently, those of us living north of Bloor could only look on with envy at the network of safe cycling routes in the city core. Through Move365 Connect, Cycle Toronto aims to bring more protected and connected cycling infrastructure to augment heavily used transit routes around the city. It’s a program that will benefit Leaside, putting us in the centre of three major routes. Connect Yonge The complete street on Yonge implemented from Davisville to Bloor provides an alternative to the Yonge subway and is the first north/south protected bikeway in midtown. Anyone travelling the route this summer was able to experience a transformed Yonge with calmer traffic, lively cafés and the silent and emissions-free passing of people on bikes. Given

EVAN BRAZEAU

Leaside Life • October 2021

Cycling campaigns put Leaside in a sweet spot

Uptown, downtown and all-around town: where you could soon go on a bike from Leaside.

varied street widths, multiple intersections and differing stakeholder needs, City staff are to be commended for a design that balances everyone’s interests. With

Council-approved makeovers on Yonge between College and Queen (YongeTOmorrow) and north of Sheppard (Reimagine Yonge), it makes sense to extend the complete street design and connect downtown, midtown and uptown, bringing climate-friendly foot and bike traffic to benefit businesses and residents nearby. Eglinton for everyone The Eglinton Connects Streetscape is the complete street complement to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, running from Mount Dennis to Kennedy. It follows the practice of building safe and connected pedestrian and cycling networks that take people where they want to go, supplement transit, and support local businesses and communities. LRT stations along the 19 km route have ample bike parking thereby facilitating last-mile connections by bike. Watch for a City staff report to Council this fall outlining a plan for implementing a complete street on Eglinton coincident with the opening of the LRT. Connect Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park With a remake of the Don Mills Road and Overlea/Gateway Blvd. intersection coming in 2022, the Overlea Bridge up for much-needed rehabilitation (2023-2025), and a refresh of the bike lanes on the Leaside bridge (2021-2023), there’s an opportunity to incorporate safe

CYCLING continued space for people to walk and cycle, connecting Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park to each other and also to Eglinton and the Danforth.

Get involved Last summer’s campaign for a complete street on Yonge in midtown proved good things can happen when residents speak up. If you want more alternatives for everyone to get around safely, be sure to let your councillor know. n

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Leaside Life • October 2021

What’s not on the map? Reconstructing the road is the perfect opportunity to build back better with climate-friendly and safer streets. Bayview, from Broadway to Post Road, is up for reconstruction in 2023, opening the door to connect the bikeway on Eglinton to major health-care facilities, schools and Glendon College. The Laird in Focus planning study calls for a complete street treatment of Laird, including protected bike lanes, which would make the future Ontario Line station in Thorncliffe Park a short bike ride from Leaside.

Construction staging creates challenges Leaside has had its share of intersection realignments, along with lane and sidewalk closures thanks to Eglinton Crosstown station construction at Bayview (Leaside) and Laird stations. But a new phase of lane, and even sidewalk closures, has started with the “mid-rise on main street” projects moving past planning approvals to the construction phase. Construction requires temporary staging space for storing material and equipment for the site, and that inevitably means lane and sidewalk closures that reduce traffic flow and create congestion. But is this really true – are the closures on Bayview and Laird inevitable? At its Sept. 13 meeting, North York Community Council dealt with two construction staging applications in Leaside: 1408 to 1420 Bayview, a nine-storey condo apartment project, was for a one-year lane closure between just south of Balliol St. and north of Merton St., and the other – 146 to 150 Laird – the seniors residence project on the (heritage) Durant Motors HQ site was for a more than two-year

lane closure and three-year sidewalk closure from just south of McRae to Stickney. The Bayview construction staging was referred to City Council; the other, on Laird, was referred back to staff. Why the differences in the length of closure period, the scope (the

Geoff Kettel

Saving old Leaside

The construction site at 146-150 Laird Dr.

ROBIN DICKIE

Leaside Life • October 2021

Kathleen Wynne, MPP Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West

Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Don Valley West! Constituency Office 795 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 101, Toronto, ON M4G 4E4 416-425-6777 www.kathleenwynne.onmpp.ca

sidewalk will NOT be closed on Bayview), and in Councillor Robinson’s motions in dealing with them? An important difference is that the Bayview project has had a Construction Liaison Committee (CLC) including the developer, City staff, and community, and chaired by Greg Russell from the South Eglinton Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Assn (SERRA). The CLC, working with the councillor’s office, was able to reduce the developer’s original two plus years’ lane closure request to one year. They also worked to minimize traffic interruption and allow continued pedestrian flow in this area on the west side of Bayview Compare this to the 146-150 Laird project where there is no CLC, and the Laird lane and sidewalk closure proposal came as a surprise to residents. The Leaside Residents Association asked the councillor to convene a meeting with City staff for residents, especially on Randolph Drive, to understand the scope and impacts of the proposed closure as recommended by the staff report. What are the concerns with the Laird proposal? Among them: STAGING Page 29

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Success! LRA finally meets with City’s Traffic Management Plan team In my Leaside Life column last month I was disappointed to report that the Leaside Residents Association’s scheduled meeting with the City’s Traffic Management Plan (LTMP) team had been delayed. It has been two years since our initial meeting. Covid put much of the effort on hold, but we are keen to move forward. Meanwhile, Leaside’s traffic problems neither disappeared nor diminished. This month I am happy to let you know that the Leaside Residents Association did meet in late August with the LTMP’s project managers. We are generally encouraged by what we learned. The meeting was followed by a walkabout tour to observe several of our major problem areas. The LTMP team is divided into two areas: planning and delivery. The project managers for planning, with whom we met, have been conducting data analysis and studying turning movements throughout Leaside. They are aware, from the back-

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA

A typical traffic day in Leaside.

ground materials the LRA has supplied, of our traffic calming studies and our past and current concerns. Their responsibilities include car, cycling, and pedestrian safety.

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Leaside Life • October 2021

We asked the planners if they would be devising an all-ornothing traffic plan, or a phased system. They replied: a phased-in and adjustable approach. They are considering recommending not only permanent but also trial and interim measures, and faster timelines for installing calming measures where possible, such as curb extensions. The LRA asked about their approach to both accessing and assessing residents’ suggestions and opinions. They and we agree that it’s crucial to involve and consult with Leasiders throughout the community. During the pandemic, community engagement has been difficult, and may only continue to be practical if it remains virtual. Leasiders are all too aware of the pressures we face from construction around us, especially from major residential developments already being built or still in the application process. Is the LTMP taking into consideration current traffic issues arising from the developments we already know about alone, or new future traffic volume challenges as well? The project managers assure us they are aiming for a flexible system which can be adjusted as changes occur on Leaside’s periphery. Finally, we asked them to give priority to interim measures, whether they turn out eventually to be temporary or even experimental, but installed sooner rather than later. We’ve all noticed the recent increase in commuter and retail traffic volume throughout Leaside, as well as increased speeding. Our streets are not becoming safer on their own. They need management. New traffic calming measures are important not only for Leaside’s traffic relief, but also as a sign that we are finally moving forward.

The next meeting of the Leaside Residents Association is on Wed., Oct. 6th, via Zoom. You are welcome to attend any of the LRA’s monthly board meetings, on the first Wednesday of each month. If you’d like to come and watch, or participate, please let us know by October 6th so we can send you the Zoom access details. Visit us at www.leasideresidents.ca. n

Lynda Gorges

ROBIN DICKIE

• Traffic likely to divert to Randolph, a residential street with families and children and direct feeder street to Rolph Road Elementary School. • Loss of sidewalk on west side leaving the only option for pedestrians being to cross to the east side. In addition, there has been a lack serious consideration of alternatives or ways of reducing the impacts: • Making use of the vacant property at 134 Laird (former Mazda dealership). Staff said the applicant claimed this was unfeasible due to the distance (separated from the construction site by Stickney Avenue). • Consideration of options like reversing two-lane traffic flows in morning and evening (like Jarvis Street) and removing the median to allow more space. There’s also been a lack of a parallel planning process to implement traffic calming measures in the adjacent residential area (basically Randolph) while planning for road closures. Councillor Robinson made a motion, which was adopted by North York Community Council, to refer the item back to staff and have Transportation Services: • report once the developer establishes a Construction Liaison Committee with neighbourhood representatives • explore options to shorten the timeline for the proposed sidewalk and lane closures, with a view to prioritizing pedestrian safety and eliminating the sidewalk closure if possible, and • work with the community and developer to establish an immediate strategy to mitigate potential traffic infiltration on nearby residential streets and improve traffic flow on Laird Drive for the duration of the lane and sidewalk closure. Of course, the fundamental question is why the City does not require the developer to carry out construction-related activities entirely on their site, and not take up City land at all? The problem is that frequently the developer is building right to the lot line – that’s the case at 146-150 Laird where the provincial tribunal refused the City’s and the LRA’s appeal, which would have required the building to be set back

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from the lot line. I speak for the Leaside Residents Association and Randolph residents in appreciating the Councillor Robinson’s support in the Bayview and Laird construction staging applications. I am confident that the Construction Liaison Committee to be established will facilitate the kind of communication needed in this situation, and hopefully result in a reduced time for any required closures. n

Passionate about helping my Clients 416-486-5588 Lynda.Gorges@gmail.com www.lyndagorges.com

Leaside Life • October 2021

STAGING From page 26

Leaside Life • October 2021

The last mile: an update on Toronto’s immunization campaign At the time of writing, more than 4.6 million vaccine doses have been administered in Toronto, and over 77% of the eligible population (born in 2009 or earlier) is fully vaccinated. In the Leaside-Bennington area, over 81% of residents aged 12+ have received both doses of the vaccine – one of the highest uptake rates in Toronto. Thank you to all who have rolled up your sleeves! In order to close in on the City’s goal of a 90% vaccination rate for the eligible population, we’re employing a ‘last mile’ strategy focused on bringing vaccines directly to communities. This targeted approach is a shift from the initial rollout, which relied primarily on mass vaccination clinics operated by the City and hospital-run clinics at fixed locations. While Toronto’s immunization campaign has always aimed to reduce barriers and provide convenient, accessible paths to vaccination, our focus is now to meet people where they are. For the home stretch, Toronto Public Health has partnered with

Jaye Robinson

Councillor, Ward 15, Don Valley West

organizations across Toronto to provide more localized opportunities for vaccination, including the TTC. As Chair of the TTC, I am proud of the role we are playing to bring vaccines directly to transit hubs and local communities. In August, the TTC partnered with healthcare providers to hold vaccine clinics at the Main Street and Victoria Park stations, and at Sheppard West station in September. The agency has also repurposed a number of buses to serve as mobile vaccine clinics in areas with high residential foot traffic and low vaccination rates. For more information or to find a TTC mobile clinic near you, visit www.ttc.ca/covid19.

In the ‘last mile’ of Toronto’s immunization campaign, we must continue to be creative, flexible, and dynamic to improve vaccination coverage across Toronto. If you haven’t already received your first or second dose of the COVID19 vaccine, I encourage you to take advantage of the many convenient options available. For information on vaccines, mobile and walk-in clinics, and Toronto’s ongoing COVID-19 response, visit www. toronto.ca/covid19. Final opportunity: drive-thru Community Environment Days! The City’s drive-thru Community Environment Days will wrap up on October 31, 2021. These events are an opportunity to safely dispose of household hazardous waste, donate items in good condition, and pick up two free 13kg bags of compost while you’re there! Visit www.toronto.ca or contact my office at councillor_robinson@ toronto.ca for more information. n

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