During March Break, March 14 to 18, the City of Toronto will offer free and low-cost activities at its community centres, parks and historic sites. Highlights of Parks, Forestry and Recreation division activities and attractions follow, in addition to information about Toronto’s historic sites/museums.
TTC signal and maintenance work on Line 1 this weekend
This weekend, March 5-6, subway signal and maintenance work being undertaken between St George and Lawrence West stations will require that portion of Line 1 to close. Over the course of the weekend, TTC crews will lay 37,000 feet of cable for the TTC’s new Automatic Train Control (ATC) signal system, replace 2,700 feet of track, grind 6,000 feet of rail to ensure a smooth journey, and conduct station cleaning and other maintenance work.
Shuttle buses will operate, stopping at subway stations only along the route. However, as Metrolinx is performing additional work at Eglinton West Station, the shuttle bus will stop at the intersection of Eglinton Ave. W. and Bathurst St. rather than at the station. This Metrolinx work will also require the 63/363 Ossington and 109 Ranee buses to divert. Please check ttc.ca for details.
Wheel-Trans buses will be available for customers who require accessible transit. Customers can speak to any staff member at any station to request the service. ttcweendmarch5
Toronto Public Health is encouraging the public to nominate individuals and organizations for the 2016 Public Health Champion Awards. Toronto’s Board of Health established these awards in 2008 to recognize leaders in public health.
“Many people are committed to making Toronto a healthier city,” said Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St. Paul’s), Chair of the Board of Health. “The Public Health Champion Awards recognize and celebrate the efforts and leadership of individuals and organizations for their hard work protecting and promoting good health to Toronto residents.”
A Board of Health committee will review all nominations and select one individual and one organizational winner based on demonstrated achievement in one or more of the following four areas: providing leadership; fostering collaboration; building community capacity through innovative health promotion strategies; and achieving impact by acting as a catalyst for positive change.
The 2015 Public Health Champion Awards winners were Floydeen Charles-Fridal and Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services.
Floydeen Charles-Fridal was chosen for her work with Rexdale Community Health Centre and as President of the Board of Directors at TAIBU Community Health Centre. She helped develop many of TAIBU’s innovative programs, including its dental and oral health, sickle cell, diabetes education and peer nutrition programs. Her efforts have improved access to health services for many of the city’s residents.
Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services was chosen for its efforts in establishing a medical clinic to provide health care services to new residents and racialized communities in Toronto. The organization has also been a key partner in collaborations with other service agencies, community organizations and research institutions to increase conversation and partner engagement on accessible health care.
Nominations for this year’s awards are open until April 30. Online submissions, nomination forms, eligibility guidelines and a list of previous winners are available at http://bit.ly/1GHJcTr
This year’s recipients will be honoured at an awards ceremony in July.
We have been made aware that incidents of break and enters are again happening in private homes in our area.
Last year 2015, my office held a very successful town hall meeting that addressed community safety issues – with over 300 residents of Ward 39 attending.
In the immediate future, we will holding another town hall meeting on crime prevention.
On Friday, February 19th, we celebrated National Flag Day in our community.
The 51st Anniversary of National Flag Day actually occurred on February 15th – however, as that was Ontario Family Day, it was decided to hold the celebration a few days later.
Held outside, at the L’Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre, more than 100 members of the community attended the first-of-its kind event in Ward 39. The event began a procession of students and community members, who then raised the Canadian Flag, which was followed by the singing of our National Anthem, a cheer for Canada and brief remarks.
The City of Toronto has reached a tentative agreement with the Toronto Civic Employees’ Union Local 416 (CUPE), which represents the City’s 4,200 outside workers.
Details of the agreement will be released once it is ratified by the membership of Local 416 and subsequently approved by City Council. City of Toronto services and programs continue as usual.