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Showing posts with label Rob Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rob Ford. Show all posts
11.13.2013
10.31.2013
6.07.2013
Housing at Risk. Toronto's Ombudsman, Fiona Crean's damning report on TCHC.
An Investigation into the Toronto Community Housing Corporation's Eviction of Seniors on the Basis of Rent Arrears
This report by City of Toronto Ombudsman, Fiona Crean is filled with instances of mismanagement by TCHC. Her report lists some 30 recommendations, coming after some of the city's most vulnerable and at risk seniors have been evicted because of administrative errors and other TCHC cock-up's.
Which, as you will see below comes after Judge Patrick LeSage already tabled more than 80 recommendations after the death of Al Gosling.
As Joe Fiorito stated in his Star column;
"You and I are the landlord – we live here, we pay taxes, our taxes provide housing for the vulnerable, and we expect TCHC to do its job.
 |
| Al Gosling was 82 years old when he was evicted from Toronto Community Public Housing in 2009. Source: The Star.com |
Which, as you will see below comes after Judge Patrick LeSage already tabled more than 80 recommendations after the death of Al Gosling.
As Joe Fiorito stated in his Star column;
"You and I are the landlord – we live here, we pay taxes, our taxes provide housing for the vulnerable, and we expect TCHC to do its job.
On our behalf.
TCHC has an evection prevention policy, so that people who are vulnerable are not kicked idly to the curb. It is a good policy when applied; it is apparently lethal when it is not.
After Gosling’s death, a series of public hearings was conducted by Judge Patrick LeSage. He tabled more than 80 recommendations designed to prevent such deaths from happening again. His report is measured, and tempered, and damning.
The upshot? The housing corporation should implement its own damn policies, and housing staff should do their damn jobs.
Wasted effort?
You be the judge"
5.21.2013
CITIZENS FED UP WITH FORD'S REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WANT TO CHANGE THE STORY.
Toronto, ON – A group of concerned citizens is staging a peaceful sit-in outside Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s house this Sunday May 26th starting at noon, with the goal of pressuring Ford to answer direct questions about the video that apparently shows the Mayor smoking crack cocaine and using racist and homophobic language.
Fed up with the pattern of avoidance and denial that seems to follow in the wake of every scandal with Ford at the center, the organizers are looking to break the script and hold Ford accountable.
“Every time there’s a scandal, Rob Ford uses the same strategy,” says organizer Trevor Coleman, “Quicky deny everything and then refuse to answer questions. There’s only so many ‘Rob Ford said nothing’ stories that the media can write, so eventually the press has to cover something else and the public moves on.”
This protest aims to change that by taking the issue to Rob Ford’s house and staying there.
“If he won’t answer the media’s questions, then maybe he’ll answer ours,” says Coleman, “He’s always inviting people to call him at home and we decided it was time to take him up on the offer.’
Rob Ford has a history of inadvertently bolstering community relations among his supporters. An all-night council session in 2012 quickly turned into something of a slumber party where community-minded people from all parts of Toronto came together to express their vision for the city. Instead of being exhausted by the all-night session as Mayor Ford had hoped, the city came away invigorated. The organizers of the sit-in are betting that something similar will happen Sunday afternoon.
“We’re hoping to have fun with it,” says Coleman, “We’re hoping people will come down and make a day of it. We all know how Mayor Ford likes to host barbeques, so we might bring a hibachi or two, maybe some board games. We’re hoping to get some music going and have a good time. We’re encouraging people to bring lawn chairs, as we’ll probably be there a while.”
With the attention of the world’s media trained on the mayor, it seems likely that this protest will gather significant media attention, that’s something that the organizers are counting on.
“I think Torontonians are pretty dismayed to see the name of their city dragged through the mud in the international media. Right now every story is about how we elected a crack-smoking Mayor. I don’t feel that accurately represents the city I live in, and I think there’s a chance here to present a different side of Toronto to the world, one we can all be proud of.”
More details can be found on the event’s website: http://rob-ford-sit-in.squarespace.com
RELATED:
Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal
For Sale: A Video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Smoking Crack Cocaine
Rob Ford refuses to answer questions on crack video allegations
CNN: VIDEO
3.20.2013
Transit Revenue Deniers (TRDs) damage economy and environment.
Transit Revenue Deniers (or TRDs as I prefer to call them) are hurting our economy and our environment.
The NDP, likes to promote itself as a party of the people, but one must ask, which people? Commuters? I don't think so. The financially vulnerable? That's a laugh! It seems that the NDP is only interested in helping out the wealthiest citizens in the province.
We have seen how Andrea Horwath and the NDP like to help the wealthiest citizens with the NDP idea to reduce auto insurance rates 15% across the board, a move that will help wealthy car owners with multiple and/or large vehicles.
It's an idea that seems very similar to their call to remove the HST on home heating. Again, who will this benefit the most? The wealthiest citizens with large homes! It does nothing to promote conservation and nothing to help the environment.
It's an idea that seems very similar to their call to remove the HST on home heating. Again, who will this benefit the most? The wealthiest citizens with large homes! It does nothing to promote conservation and nothing to help the environment.
| Is this the NDP decision making die? |
The NDP brought gambling to Ontario in the 1990's. The province now has 24 casinos and another five planned. So it would seem to me that the NDP have no problem taking money from the most financially vulnerable people in the province to pay for the infrastructure that all of Ontario needs. The only concern they seem to have with casinos seems to be the privatization of them. Never-mind the financially vulnerable pensioners and unemployed who are spending their last few dollars hoping to win big at one of these revenue generators.
Yet, when it comes to the ideas put forth by the Toronto Board of Trade, to pay for transit, Horwath says no dice!
In a release yesterday The Toronto Board of Trade says it is advancing for discussion, four revenue tools that are balanced, fair, and economically responsible.
They are:
Revenue Tool Approx. mid-range rate Annual Revenue Potential
Regional Sales Tax 1% $1.0 - 1.6B
Parking Space Levy $1 per space per day $1.2- 1.6B
Regional fuel tax 10-cent/litre $640- 840M
High-occupancy toll lanes 30-cent/km for single drivers $25 - 45M
 |
| Chart from: Metro News |
Granted, there are pros and cons to all of the ideas, but I have to agree with Green Party leader Mike Schreiner who is criticizing the NDP for hurting the economy and environment by refusing to support dedicated revenue tools to fund public transit. Schreiner said yesterday, "NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit. Ontario's economy will grind to a halt if we don't reduce gridlock with dedicated revenue for public transit."
And, he isn't the only one. Matt Elliot of Metro News also compares Rob Ford to Andrea Horwath, calling them "Transit Revenue Deniers" likening them to climate change deniers who won't admit there is a problem.
Toronto Transit Commission Chair, Karen Stinz said, "It seems to me a little bit of an odd statement for the NDP and Rob Ford to be on the same side,"
It has been well documented that gridlock costs the GTHA economy $6 billion per year in lost productivity. If the status quo doesn't change, gridlock will cost the economy $15 billion per year. Congestion hurts our health, environment and takes precious time away from family and community.
"NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit," says GPO leader Mike Schreiner.
"Ontario's economy will grind to a halt if we don't reduce gridlock
with dedicated revenue for public transit."
The Green Party is calling on MPPs in the minority legislature
to support dedicated funding for transit.
"We need to be realistic about funding public transit," adds Schreiner. "People are tired of being stuck in traffic. They understand that we can't afford transit improvements without new revenue. It's unfortunate the NDP is standing in the way of better public transit for those who need it most."
"The NDP are wasting the opportunity they have in the minority legislature to leave a great legacy...by funding world-class transit across the province,” adds Schreiner. “We need to change direction in transportation planning, and we need to be realistic about funding. Wishful thinking won’t fund transit."
Ontario can't afford to let gridlock continue. Better transit benefits everyone, not just the wealthy. It means less congestion, fewer accidents and less pollution. So lets stop listening to these TRDs like Horwath and Ford and move forward on transit for the benefit of all of us who live in the GTA.
~Mark Daye is the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Toronto Centre and the Community & Social Services Critic.
~Mark Daye is the Green Party of Ontario candidate for Toronto Centre and the Community & Social Services Critic.
3.19.2013
NDP opposition to transit funding hurts economy, environment
"NDP leader Andrea Horwath sounds like Rob Ford when it comes to funding public transit," says GPO leader Mike Schreiner. "Ontario's economy will grind to a halt if we don't reduce gridlock with dedicated revenue for public transit."
Gridlock costs the GTHA economy $6 billion per year in lost productivity. If the status quo doesn't change, gridlock will cost the economy $15 billion per year. Congestion hurts our health, environment and takes time away from family and community.
The GPO is calling on MPPs in the minority legislature to support dedicated funding for transit.
"We need to be realistic about funding public transit," adds Schreiner. "People are tired of being stuck in traffic. They understand that we can't afford transit improvements without new revenue. It's unfortunate the NDP is standing in the way of better public transit for those who need it most."
"The NDP are wasting the opportunity they have in the minority legislature to leave a great legacy for ours and our kids’ future by funding world-class transit across the province,” adds Schreiner. “We need to change direction in transportation planning, and we need to be realistic about funding. Wishful thinking won’t fund transit."
Ontario can't afford to let gridlock continue. Better transit benefits everyone. It means less congestion, fewer accidents and less pollution.
5.07.2012
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, Allies11.13.2011
8.03.2011
7.18.2011
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.
7.13.2011
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
7.03.2011
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.
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