Toronto East Panorama

Facing east from Homewood Ave. in downtown Toronto. Click the image to veiw full size.

The First Gay Mayor

Surprise! Mayor Rob Ford appears at gay event.

Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.  The GPO re-affirms our commitment to ending homophobia and transphobia in Ontario.

Twenty-one years ago on this day, homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). This victory was a historic step towards recognizing freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The GPO is committed to working with Ontarians to ensure our province provides a welcoming, safe and equal place for all people.  May 17 is a day for all of us to reach out to those who are particularly vulnerable to homophobic and transphobic bullying.

The GPO would especially like to recognize the dedicated teachers and students who fight against bullying through Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs). Our schools must be safe for all students and staff.  Far too many LGBT students still face extreme cases of bullying.  This abuse can lead to dropping out of school, social isolation and, tragically, death and suicide.

The GPO calls on the three parties at Queen’s Park to work together to pass anti-bullying legislation.  The GPO believes it is essential that all students have the right to form anti-bullying organizations and to call them GSAs if they desire.

Bells on Bloor 2012

Bells on Bloor is coming on June 2, 2012. Meet at 1:30. Ride departs High Park at 2 pm, sharp.

New this year: we are coordinating with two other rides: Bells on Danforth, as well as Bells on Yonge.

All three rides will converge on Queen’s Park for the Cycle and Sole rally for pedestrian and cyclist safety on Ontario roads at 3 pm.

Greens: Don’t cut education, end duplication with a single French and English public education system

(Queen’s Park): GPO leader Mike Schreiner is calling on the Liberal government to establish a public commission to explore merging the public and Catholic school boards.

“The Liberals have a clear choice,” says Schreiner. “Prioritize high-quality education for all kids or protect the entrenched interests that want special funding for one religion at the exclusion of all others.” 

With schools facing financial and social pressures, the GPO believes now is the time to engage public discussion on modernizing Ontario’s education system. 

The GPO believes inaction is failing our kids.  At a time when parents across the province are rallying to prevent school closures, the Toronto District School Board is considering cuts to cafeterias, educators, mental health professionals, and support staff.  Further, Catholic Trustees are opposing student efforts to stop bullying with Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs.  Ontario can no longer turn a blind eye to wasteful duplication that compromises quality education and fails to protect at-risk youth.

“The Green Party has the courage to confront social and financial realities,” says education critic and Parry Sound-Muskoka candidate Matt Richter.  “Greens want to end expensive duplication and promote an equitable education system where every religion is respected, and no religion is privileged.”

Both Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador modernized their outdated denominational school systems in the 1990’s.  The days of needing to publicly fund Catholic schools to protect a minority religion from discrimination or assimilation are long past. 

The GPO believes there is no longer justification for maintaining a separate school system when we face cuts to essential services.  The government has never studied the costs of a separate system. However, the Federation of Urban Neighbourhoods of Ontario estimates savings of $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion.

The GPO encourages Premier McGuinty to follow his own advice: 

"If we're going to bring about more improvement in publicly-funded schools, it is regressive to contemplate segregating our children according to their faith," McGuinty said. "I want our kids to continue coming together."

The GPO supports a single public education system with French and English school boards that prioritize helping all our diverse students meet their full potential.

Ontario GSA Coalition Rally

Increasing efficiency controls energy prices

GPO leader Mike Schreiner is calling for a comprehensive energy efficiency plan to help families and businesses deal with rising energy prices.

“Recycling old ideas like privatizing hydro and regulating gasoline prices won’t work,” says Schreiner.  “Policies designed to score political points do not solve our long-term energy challenges.”

A recent report by the Ontario Energy Board shows that since 2006 nuclear power generation is responsible for 46% of rising electricity rates. More than $2 billion in cost overrun for the Bruce nuclear refurbishment shows that the Conservative’s privatization plans are no guarantee that Ontarians will not be on the hook for nuclear financial meltdowns.

Studies show that the NDP’s plan to regulate retail gasoline prices is not a solution to rising energy costs. A multi-year comparison of Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia retail prices shows gasoline price regulation has no effect on long term costs.

“You don’t need a PhD in economics to know that reducing demand is the best way to reduce prices,” says GPO deputy leader and finance critic Kevin O'Donnell. “The old parties at Queen’s Park are doing us a disservice by failing to focus on energy efficiency and conservation.”

"Investment in conservation creates skilled jobs and prepares us for the future," says Schreiner. “Hudak's out-of-date solution of privatizing OPG and Hydro One does neither."

"The truth is gasoline prices are going up and the province cannot control that. The Ontario government should focus on incentives for fuel-efficient vehicles, public transit, and walking and biking," says GPO deputy leader and infrastructure critic Judith Van Veldhuysen. "The NDP’s plan to regulate pump prices puts politics before good policy and will only encourage more pollution and gridlock."

The Green Party of Ontario would:

Invest in building retrofits instead of new nuclear.  Studies show that for half the cost of building one nuclear reactor, we can retrofit 1.6 million homes to save the same amount of energy and create 90 times more job. 

Provide incentives and tax credits for transit users, fuel efficient vehicles, ride sharing, and pay as you go insurance to reduce commuting costs.

Dedicate 1% of the transportation budget for cycling and 1% for pedestrian infrastructure

Lincoln Nebraska proposed LGBT protection ordinance: Best In Show!

2011 Year in Review

A compilation of things I did in 2011.
Shot with my iPhone, this is one of my first attempts at editing. Enjoy!

Black Out Speak Out groups will darken websites nationwide in protest against efforts to silence Canadians

Environmental groups launch major campaign to defend nature and democracy

TORONTO – The federal government’s attack on nature and democracy means “silence is not an option” for Canadians according to a national campaign, being launched Monday, May 7, by the country’s leading environmental organizations.   

“These changes—hidden in a budget bill in the hopes that Canadians wouldn’t notice—are threatening the core values all Canadians hold dear: nature and democracy,” said Sidney Ribaux, executive director of Equiterre. “We are compelled to speak out and we’re inviting Canadians from all walks of life to join us.” 

Known as Black Out Speak Out (or Silence, on parle, in French) the campaign will invite organizations, businesses and citizens from across Canada to darken their websites on June 4, and speak out against changes introduced in the federal government’s budget act (C-38). 

The government is putting the future of our land, water and climate at risk with the recent federal budget implementation bill.  Over a third of the budget is dedicated to weakening Canada's most important environmental laws, including measures to make it more difficult for environmental charities to participate in the public policy process.  The groups are asking Canadians to join them in speaking out and letting the government know that silence is not an option for those who care about what could be lost. 

“The attacks on environmental charities and gutting of environmental review processes aim to silence Canadians of all sectors and many backgrounds who participate in decision-making about large-scale industrial developments,” said Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation. “This is not only undemocratic—it will undermine the government’s ability to make sound policy decisions and to protect the environment.” 

"Powerful oil interests aren't just changing the rules—they're disqualifying any player not on their team," said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence. "We're going black for a day, but we'll be speaking out for as long as it takes." 

The budget bill, C-38, replaces the Canadian Environmental AssessmentAct, empowers the federal government to crack down on charities, including environmental groups,  that advocate for better laws and policies, overrides National Energy Board decisions, rushes projects through a weakened environmental review process to speed up approvals, and shut citizen groups out of environmental reviews for pipelines. 

Black Out Speak Out begins Monday with full-page ads in the Globe and Mail, La Presse and Ottawa’s Hill Times. It also includes a website, blackoutspeakout.ca/silenceonparle.ca. Over the next four weeks, environmental groups will build support for the campaign, inviting other organizations, community and social justice groups, and individuals from across Canada to join them in expressing their concern about the erosion of core Canadian values. 

Participating environmental organizations include CPAWS, David Suzuki Foundation, Ecojustice, Environmental Defence, Equiterre, Greenpeace, Nature Canada, Pembina Institute, Sierra Club Canada, West Coast Environmental Law, and WWF Canada. 

Canadians wishing to support the campaign can sign up at blackoutspeakout.ca (silenceonparle.ca en français).

Gay-Straight Alliances Must Be Supported in New Legislation: National Atheist Organization

The Centre for Inquiry - a vocal champion of the constitutional right of students to form Gay-Straight Alliance clubs - has joined the Ontario GSA Coalition in calling for the immediate passage of Bills 13 and 14.

CFI will participate in a rally May 12 at 1pm at Queen's Park and will present in front of the Standing Committee on Social Policy on May 15 at 7:15pm.

"The emotionally-charged rhetoric of many testimonies thus far are distractions from some simple facts," said CFI National Communications Director Justin Trottier.

Research shows three-quarters of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school and that GSA clubs are one part of the solution. Supporting GSAs is not treating one group differently. Those who oppose GSAs are guilty of doing just that.

"Rants about government attacks on religion and social engineering are completely backwards," said Trottier. "Continued government funding to an institution that violates equality rights, namely the Catholic school system, which is more publicly funded than the Public School System, is tantamount to government endorsement - not attack - of one particular religion."

"Children have rights too," said Trottier. "At the end of the day this comes down to students voluntarily exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association in a public institution. No one is forced to join anything."

Ontario Greens elect new Deputy Leaders

Niagara-on-the-Lake –

This past weekend at the party's convention in Niagara, the Green Party of Ontario membership elected Judith Van Veldhuysen and Kevin O’Donnell as Deputy Leaders.

“I’m thrilled to have Judith and Kevin fill these important positions. They are dynamic, community focused individuals who will work hard to move the GPO toward electoral success” said GPO leader Mike Schreiner. “They bring leadership, passion and dedication that will serve Green Party members and Ontarian's well.”

“I welcome this opportunity to work with a dedicated team working toward positive change“ said Van Veldhuysen.  Judith ran for the GPO in St. Paul’s in Toronto.

“With the unprecedented support of the membership behind Mike Schreiner we have the momentum to take this party to the next level,” said O'Donnell, who ran in the riding of Ottawa Centre. “I am honoured to have the opportunity to play a key role in that success.”

GPO members also elected new members to the party's Provincial Executive:

Secretary – Kathy Acheson
Horseshoe Region – Jason Hammond and Pauline Thornham
Central Region – Mike Braun and Sharron Norman
Eastern Region – Alex Hill
Northern Region – Melanie Johncox and Justin Tilson

For more information about organization visit http://www.gpo.ca/about/organization

Pride Toronto rejects comments by guest on Rob and Doug Ford radio show

7 May, 2011 (Toronto) – Yesterday, a guest on (Toronto Mayor) Rob and (Toronto City Councillor) Doug Ford’s radio show made comments that promote and rekindle old prejudices that the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities have fought for decades to combat.

After good-faith efforts to acquaint the Fords with our communities, Pride Toronto is disappointed that these homophobic comments were aired unchallenged. These comments demonstrate the continued need for Pride as a celebration of our communities and cultures, and a space for proud expression of who we are.

Planning is well underway for a successful 2012 Pride Toronto Festival, which celebrates the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto’s LGBTTIQQ2SA communities. This goal is clearly as important today as it has ever been.

Toronto residents deserve confirmation that their elected officials likewise support acceptance and celebration of our communities, and in particular do not cling to past negative stereotypes about LGBTTIQQ2SA people or people living with HIV/AIDS.

Moreover, Pride Toronto stands in solidarity with people living with HIV/AIDS against bigotry and intolerance directed at them, and calls upon our elected officials to do the same.

About Pride Toronto

Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, an annual event in downtown Toronto during the last week of June. Pride Week is one of the premier arts and cultural festivals in Canada. It is also one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world with an estimated attendance of over 1.2 million people. It celebrates the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities.

  * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer/Questioning, 2 Spirited, Allies

Schreiner achieves 92% approval rating from GPO membership

GPO Leader Mike Schreiner achieved a 92% approval rating this weekend at the party’s convention held in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

“I am honoured to have the overwhelming support of the membership,” said Schreiner. “We are a unified team with the same goal: to give Ontarians an alternative to the stale politics-as-usual at Queen’s Park that is failing to tackle the big challenges facing our province.”

Schreiner’s approval rating of 92% is impressive compared to that of other party Leaders. Tim Hudak achieved 78.7% approval rating from Progressive Conservatives in February and Andrea Horwath achieved 76.4% approval from the Ontario NDP in April.

In his address to delegates on Saturday, Schreiner rallied members in anticipation of the call for a by-election to replace Elizabeth Witmer (PC) in Kitchener--Waterloo.

“On May 2, 2011, voters elected the first Green MP in Canadian history. Elizabeth May has shown how powerful one voice can be in the House of Commons,” said Schreiner. “In Ontario, the balance of power hangs on one seat. By voting Green in Kitchener—Waterloo, voters have the opportunity to put the community’s needs ahead of party interests and send a strong message to Queen’s Park that we can get politics back on the rails in Ontario.”

Schreiner will be visiting the riding to speak to members in Kitchener--Waterloo on Thursday to begin preparations for the by-election that is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Bike Lanes on Eglinton

The City of Toronto has announced that it will undertake an Environmental Assessment over the underground section of the Eglinton Ave LRT, from Black Creek Drive to Brentcliffe Road. As you may already know, the proposed Eglinton Ave LRT route includes bike lanes on the surface section, but NOT the underground section. Now, the City will explore re-designing the street surface over the underground section. This is our chance to ensure bike lanes are included in the conversation and to advocate for their implementation as part of the final Environmental Assessment recommendations! 

This month, there will be three (3) public consultation meetings to introduce the objectives of the study, discuss guiding principles and provide an opportunity for the community to provide feedback. 

Below are the meeting dates and location. You can also find more information for each meeting here.

ACTION ALERT: Demand Complete Streets for Eglinton by attending one of the following public consultation meetings:

Thursday, May 17 - Fairbank Memorial Community Centre: 2213 Dufferin Street (south of Eglinton Ave. West)

Tuesday, May 22 - The Hub at Victoria Village: 1527 Victoria Park Avenue (north of Eglinton Ave. East)

Thursday, May 24 - Northern District Library: 40 Orchard View Blvd. (northwest of Yonge Street and Eglinton Ave. West)

All meetings begin at 7pm and end at 9pm.

Dan Savage discusses bible at High School Journalism convention