Ride for Jarvis

This week was a huge disappointment for cycling in Toronto. While we move forward with protected bike lanes, the Ford administration sent a strong signal that cars matter more than people on bikes.

Let's send a message back. 

Let's ride for Jarvis. 

Let's ride for Toronto.

This is a family friendly event where we plan to ride together on Jarvis Street and take lanes of traffic. Come one, come all!

Meet at 6:30 at Allan Gardens off of Jarvis Street

Not a member of the Toronto Cyclists Union? Become one at www.bikeunion.to/join

As the Green Party candidate for Toronto Centre, I strongly oppose the removal of the Jarvis St. bike lanes and believe we need to look at all street planning with a complete streets approach so all types of traffic; pedestrian, cyclists and vehicles can move about in a safe and timely manner. Please join us on Wednesday and show your support for complete streets in Toronto.

Stop the Closure of Riverdale Farm

 Riverdale Farm: Possible Closure

The city consultant's review of core services provided through the city’s Parks and Environment committee was released July 14.

KPMG suggests eliminating the small zoos at High Park and Centre Island plus Riverdale Farm, as well as the Toronto Environment Office and horticultural services. Other cost-saving suggestions flowing from the report include cutting the grass in parks less frequently and contracting out such park maintenance, and planting fewer trees.

The City of Toronto Manager has recommended that the Parks and Environment Committee consider the List of Opportunities identified in Appendix A, Part 2 of the report (PLEASE REVIEW) as part of meeting the 2012 budget reduction targets and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for its September 19, 2011 meeting.

On Thursday July 21 at 09h30, the Parks and Environment Committee will hear feedback from anyone who wishes to make an in-person deputation. In order to do so, however, you must first register your intent to participate. You can do that by connecting to:

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.PE6.1

Petition To Stop the closure of Riverdale Farm. Please Sign!

http://www.friendsofriverdalefarm.com/

Council gives green thumbs up to local food

TORONTO, ON – Good news comes out of City Council’s third day this week as Councillors voted nearly unanimously to keep the City’s local food procurement policy, providing fresh food at City child care centres and long-term care homes.

“This is a win for the City’s food movement, the environment and Toronto food sector jobs,” said Darcy Higgins, Executive Director of Food Forward.  “In deciding to support local food, Council sends a clear message that it cares about local farms and healthier food for its residents.”

The policy, which began in 2008, had been at risk after a tie vote at Government Management Committee brought the matter to Council.  Over the last two weeks, letters and petitions from residents and cooperation by councillors on different sides of the political spectrum helped to return support for the policy.

“Over 58,000 people in Toronto are employed in the food sector, providing 1 in every 8 jobs, and this policy will continue to generate support for good work in this sector.” said Higgins. “Toronto residents and our members hope for continued support from this Council in recognizing the benefits of expanding food programs like urban agriculture and allowing community food projects and businesses to flourish.”

Food Forward especially thanks new Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon and the Toronto Environmental Alliance for their work to support local food.

Keep Democracy Alive; Let Mike Speak!

	The suggestion of excluding the Green Party from the leaders' debates during general elections is an affront to democracy in Ontario.

	In the 2007 general election, 354,897 Ontarians voted Green. Green Party candidates placed second or third in 18 ridings, with a percentage high of 33.14%. In two recent by-elections, the Green Party placed 3rd, and was within 30 votes of 3rd place in another.   Please visit this site; http://letmikespeak.ca and please share with your friends and encourage democracy in Ontario.

Cyclists Protest Ford's Jarvis St. Bike Lane Cuts

Riding home tonight I encountered this intelligent group of voters cycling southbound on Jarvis street to protest the removal of the recently installed bike lanes.

Toronto city council voted today to remove the Jarvis street cycling lanes that were recently installed. The lanes which cost about $80,000 install will be removed at a cost of about $250,000.
Studies have shown that the lanes did not increase southbound vehicular travel times, and only modestly increased the northbound drive time by about 2 minutes.

http://www.thestar.com/breakingnews/article/1024109

Online reaction to the Jarvis St. bike lane cuts.

Skydiving for AboutFace

On July 9, 2010 I traveled to Wainfleet, Ontario in the Niagara Region to take part in AboutFace's Leap-of-Faith fundraiser. Our team raised over $1600.00 to send kids with facial differences to Camp Trailblazers.

 

Skydiving has been something I've thought about doing for quite some time and has to be one of the most thrilling things I've ever done. The views were amazing and the experience is something I will never forget.  We had a short flight in the smallest aircraft I've ever been in to an altitude of 10,500ft. There was a solo jumper with us who jumped first and then it was my turn. After jumping from the plane we experienced a freefall of about 35 seconds to around 5,000ft, at which point the parachute is deployed. Then its a very calm and wonderful decent with spectacular views. The staff at Skydive Burnaby were friendly and professional and I highly recommend checking them out if you are interested in trying this adventure.  A special thank you to A.J. for his professionalism and skill.

A huge thank you to all of you who donated, raised money and were supportive and encouraging in this exciting endeavor!

Sunday In The Park

SUNDAY IN THE PARK

Please join the Green Party of Ontario

 

on Sunday, July 10, 2011

From noon-4pm
At Lord Dufferin Public School Grounds

350 Parliament Street

BBQ ~ Games ~ Prizes ~ Raffles ~

Market Place ~ Entertainment

Reasons for not voting in the May 2, 2011 federal election

More than one-quarter of the 7.5 million eligible voters who reported they did not cast a ballot in the May 2, 2011 federal election indicated they did not do so because they were not interested in voting. Another 23% said they were too busy to vote.

The most common response for not having voted was that they were "not interested in voting" (28%), which also includes feeling their vote would not have made a difference in the election results.

An additional 23% indicated they were "too busy", which includes having family obligations or having a schedule conflict at work or school.

Hudak Health Care

Pedestrian hit by cyclist, critically injured

A 55-year-old woman is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after being struck by a cyclist Tuesday as she was walking through an intersection.
The incident occurred just before 11 a.m. at Dundas St. W. and Huron St.
Police say three pedestrians were crossing Huron in a crosswalk at the south side of the intersection when a southbound cyclist drove through the intersection and hit one of them.
The woman was knocked backward and landed on her head, according to Const. Hugh Smith.
The other two pedestrians and the cyclist weren’t injured.


Full Story

Suspicious package found in MPP Glen Murray's office

Suspicious package found in MPP Glen Murray's office


A corner in Cabbagetown was cordoned off with police tape the afternoon of July 5 as emergency crews investigated a suspicious package found in Toronto-Centre MPP Glen Murray’s office.

Xtra was first on the scene at about 2:30pm, just as emergency crews sealed off Parliament from Winchester to Carlton streets. Police told the growing crowd of spectators that a suspicious package containing “white powder” was found at 514 Parliament St, the office of Murray and MP Bob Rae. “I was reading your tweets and came right over,” Murray told Xtra when he arrived at about 3:30pm.

Full Story at Xtra.ca

Green Party of Ontario to Participate in Toronto Pride Parade

Green Party of Ontario Leader, Mike Schreiner, is looking forward to marching in the Pride Parade with his fellow candidates and Green Party supporters, on this last weekend of Pride celebrations. 

“Each year I look forward to this opportunity to express our unwavering support for the LGBTQ community. Embracing our diversity will help us build more liveable communities for all members of society,” said Schreiner. 

This year’s Green Party entry will feature eco-friendly transportation and live music. Over 50 marchers are expected to join Schreiner and Federal Green Party Leader and Canada’s first Green MP Elizabeth May. 

Toronto Centre GPO Candidate Mark Daye will also be participating in the parade.

“As a married gay man, Pride is an important time to celebrate the great gains we've made over the past 30 years, but it is also a time for us to reflect on the very real challenges that still face the members of the LGBTQ community, both here and abroad,” added Daye. “It is extremely important for our elected officials to show the world that Toronto embraces our city motto 'Diversity Our Strength'.”

The parade is scheduled to start at 2pm at Bloor and Church and travel down Yonge Street passing by over 1 million expected attendees.

Brazil legalizes same-sex marriage by accident? - Latest News Roundup

Brazil legalizes same-sex marriage by accident? - Latest News Roundup

Pride and Prejudice - The Worldclass Edition

Toronto G-20: Will Police be Held Accountable After Scathing Ombudsman's Report?

Pride Toronto Flag Raising at City Hall (sans Mayor)

Let's Make Pride History Together

Pride Toronto

&  

Toronto City Hall

Cordially invites Everyone to the Flag Raising

&  

Unveiling of the Painting

"Toronto City Hall"

By Artist George MacIntyre

Date:  Mon. June 27, 2011

Time: 12 noon

Location:  Toronto City Hall (Front Entrance)

Special Guests:

The Legendary Michelle Du Barry, Past Grand Marshall

&  

Mrs. Phyllis (MacIntyre) Goldsmith

Sister of the artist from Moncton, New Brunswick

Have A Wonderful Happy Pride 2011

Stop the Mega Quarry

Please take a few seconds to add your name to the I-petition to Stop the Mega Quarry that is proposed by a USA Hedge Fund for Central Ontario.

The mere size is boggling; a parcel of land covering 2,300 acres and dug 50 feet deeper than Niagara Falls will make this the second largest quarry in North America.

With 300 trucks hourly plus 20 tons of explosives daily, the potential for disaster on transportation corridors, water and the environment is enormous.

This destruction of our prime agricultural land and natural resources for foreign profit must be stopped.

We need your help - please sign the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/megaquarry/