Executive Committee removes controversial sale of Toronto Community Housing homes from the January 24th agenda.

MEDIA ADVISORY
January 23, 2012

Confusion, uncertainty continue to plague hasty social housing selloff
Tenants dismayed at chaotic process driving potential sale of their homes
...
TORONTO - After the close of business today and less than 24 hours before the meeting commences, the Executive Committee has removed the controversial sale of Toronto Community Housing homes from the January 24th agenda.

Tenants expressed concern at the chaotic process that seems to be directing the proposed sale of over 700 homes. Confusion over how many homes would be sold, which homes are actually available for sale and how affected tenants would be treated have caused anxiety among social housing residents and concern among many Councillors.

This evening’s abrupt decision to cancel the roughly 75 deputations scheduled for tomorrow afternoon have created further concern that there is no real plan and little clarity about the proposed sale, despite its significant impact on tenants.

When: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 10:00a.m.

Who: Tenants For Social Housing Tenants will be available for

Where: City Hall Press Gallery

For more information please contact:

Effie Vlachoyannacos Susan Gapka

416-706-4405 (cell) 647-882-2776 (cell)



TENANTS FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

WE ARE NOT FOR $ALE!

socialhousingtenants@gmail.com

www.tenantsforsocialhousing.com

* Tenants for Social Housing a tenant-led, volunteer organization that came together when City Council removed the Toronto Community Housing Board and replaced it with the one man Board of Case Ootes. We are concerned about the massive sell-off of social housing in Toronto.

ALL CAN! Community conversations with Pride Toronto board applicants

I received an invitation to this event and I thought it was an interesting follow up to the earlier post about the new appointment of Chad Simon to the Pride Toronto board.


An all-candidates-style discussion with those who want to join Pride Toronto's board of directors, hosted by Janne Farrow.


Join the Pride Coalition for Free Speech and Xtra as we get to know future Pride Toronto board members and quiz them in an all-candidates meeting format.

Public. Transparent. Accountable.

We all want a strong, vibrant Pride. Be part of the solution.

Another Pride Toronto Judgement Error.

In a story by Scott Dagostino Xtra.ca reports another misstep by Pride Toronto;

"After enduring months of harsh criticism that it is unresponsive to the queer communities it serves — particularly from black and trans groups — Pride Toronto has baffled supporters and critics alike by abruptly appointing a new board member, who quickly came under fire for transphobic comments he made in 2008."

"It is standard practice in board governance to try to fill a vacancy as soon as possible or at the next scheduled AGM. This is why the timing of the appointment is now of concern... Open and transparent governance is what the community is expecting and what I have been suggesting since the sign-vetting debate."  Writer- David Demchuk

On the surface of it it would appear Pride Toronto has made yet another error in judgment and had appointed Chad Simon to the board without much due diligence. If the position has been vacant all year, I don't see why the big rush to fill the seat with someone as reportedly uninvolved and ill informed as Mr. Simon before the AGM unless you are attempting to stack the board for some reason.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.