NNNow News Blog

Thursday, August 27, 2009

An Open Letter on the Island Airport Tunnel Proposal from Adam Vaughan

Dear Residents of Ward 20,

Keeping in mind Mark Twain's advice never to start an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel, let me try to set the record straight by presenting the actual argument I gave Globe and Mail columnist Marcus Gee against the tunnel to the Toronto Island Airport.

My opposition to the latest scheme that is being promoted by some members of the Toronto Port Authority and apparently being supported by Minister John Baird and the Tories in Ottawa revolves around these issues:

- Where are the plans for this project and how was a cost estimated without detailed drawings?

- Where is the business case for this $38m project? The TPA board has not seen one and neither have the governments or taxpayers.

- Why shouldn't the Island Airport or the airlines self-finance this project as Pearson must do when it contemplates improvements?

- Why is a third access route to this tiny airport being considered within months of a second ferry being purchased, and only a couple of years after the last new ferry was purchased?

- How can the premier and the federal government give a favourable review to this vague project when an actual application for infrastructure funding has not been approved by the TPA Board?

- What local elected body has declared this project a priority for funding? How has this project jumped ahead of the city's streetcar needs, the goal of electrifying rail to Pearson, or simple road, bridge and highway repairs in Toronto?

As an elected official I am stunned at how easily this project has been embraced by senior levels of government with virtually every media outlet and commentator doing the cheerleading.
The city and municipalities across Canada have been engaged in long, complicated and highly politicized negotiations with the Federal Government to get established projects fast-tracked and most local governments, despite months of back and forth with John Baird’s office, have yet to receive a penny of funding, let alone a commitment to fund important and badly needed projects.

Why has this particular proposal jumped the queue? Why when the city wants to build a subway to York University and serve millions of people with better transit, do the Federal Tories insist that the city form a public-private partnership to qualify for funding, yet on this project they propose a 100% public subsidy all to the advantage of a single airline?

When $38m dollars is given over to one company with no public process and it is used to subsidize the movement of a small group of travellers, something is seriously wrong. This is the privilege that I question.

It has nothing to do with class, unless you are talking about a particular class of politician who circumvents public process to hand out public tax dollars to private interests.

I was elected on a platform that promised to fight airport expansion and taxpayer subsidies for the un-elected and unaccountable Port Authority. Even current Board members of the TPA (some appointed by Baird himself) have filed complaints to the Parliament's Integrity Commissioner and Federal Auditor General concerned about financial irregularities and governance concerns at the Port.

Even more alarming was the behaviour of the Minister in charge of the TPA last December. Faced with opposition to how airport improvements would be financed and a call for full disclosure to the Board itself over expenses filed by the previous CEO (current Federal Cabinet Minister Lisa Raitt), a half hour after Parliament was prorogued, Baird reconfigured the Board unilaterally and added two more federal appointments to the body to ensure the board would vote to prevent an investigation of the allegations.
Something is wrong at the TPA, and before the Conservatives, with help from Queen's Park, shovel more taxpayers’ dollars towards this tunnel project of questionable value Torontonians, taxpayers – in fact Canadians – deserve answers. Instead we get a silly debate about class war.

To be clear: I don't think the island airport is needed; it's not a boon to the waterfront or a transportation priority for Toronto. But if it is there and people use it, so be it. My quarrel is not with the choices people make to get to Ottawa. My concern is with a federal government in Ottawa that makes up the rules as it goes along and in doing so provides substantial public subsidies through its agencies to private interests. It is this set of privileges I attack and seek to end.

Best regards,

Adam Vaughan


Councillor Adam Vaughan
Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4044

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite C50
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
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visit us online at www.ward20.ca

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Reminder About Community Picnic and Charity Garage Sale - This Sunday!

A reminder that Friends of Stanley Park (http://www.stanleyParkToronto.ca) is holding the SPT (Stanley Park Toronto) Kids Community Picnic this Sunday (August 30th). Events are happening at the north side of the park, and include a park cleanup, charity garage sale, and loads of kids events. You can find all the details below: hope to see you all there!

The charity garage sale is being hosted by Eva’s Initiatives (http://www.evasinitiatives.com/) – if you have items you’d like to donate for them to sell, please bring them to the park on Sunday between 10 and 11am (back terrace of 15 Stafford Ave.). You can also call 416-977-4497 ext. 141 or email dana@evas.ca before the event for more info. They’re a great cause, so clean out your storage locker / closet / basement and give those useful but unwanted items to help a great cause!

Eva’s is also looking for donations of clean towels, bedding, and toiletries for their initiatives.

If you’re interested in volunteering for this event or any other Friends of Stanley Park events, be sure to visit the site and let us know you’d like to help out.

Full details here:
http://events.stanleyparktoronto.ca/


Schedule For The Day:

SPT GREEN Litter Clean-up [10-11am]
it's our park. let's keep it clean. bags. gloves. removal. provided.

SPT KIDS Community Picnic [12-3pm]
fun. games. prizes. barbeque. sing-along. story time. tattoos. wiener walk. small dog agility. safety. mounted unit. bike unit. special appearances.

SPT KIDS Ask a Vet [12-2pm]
ask a vet how to greet a dog and about suitable breeds.

URBAN DACHSHUND TORONTO Wiener Walk [1230-1pm]
wieners at the picnic.

SPT PAWS Small Dogs Agility [12-2pm]
join Pawsway & Purina. kid friendly small dogs [under 20lb].
please note dogs are not permitted in playground area.

EVA'S INITIATIVES Garage Sale [12-3pm]
come and support Eva’s Initiatives at the garage sale. we create
opportunities for homeless youth.

Thanks to sponsors: Foggy Dew, Metro, Shoppers, Eva's Phoenix.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Community Planning Meeting for Wellington Area

Councillor Vaughan has invited community members to a Community Planning Meeting regarding developments in the Wellington area:

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, Room 302
55 John Street (King & John)

Councillor Vaughan would like to hear your feedback about proposed planning and development in the Wellington Place area.

There will be presentations about the following projects:
- 504 Wellington St W (west of Portland)
- 560 Front St W (Front and Bathurst)
- Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street (at Adelaide)

Let us know if you plan to attend, either by phone at 416-392-4044 or councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca.

Monday, August 24, 2009

UPDATE on Breadcrumbs in Stanley Park

Update on the breadcrumbs in Stanley Park / around 15 Stafford: the matter has been investigated an there was no toxic substance found. Thank you to everyone who acted to keep park users informed and safe.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Update from Councillor Pantalone re: Last Council Meeting

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Union Station revitalization

Council endorsed an agreement with a private sector company that, as head lessee, will lease and operate all retail space in Union Station, including in a new lower retail concourse. With federal, provincial and municipal funding, the City will proceed with its plan to revitalize Union Station as a state-of-the-art transportation facility. The name of the successful proponent for head lessee will remain confidential until a lease agreement is signed, likely in the next four to six weeks. Construction work for the revitalization is scheduled to begin next year and be completed in 2015 at a total cost of $640 million. For more information and regular updates, visit http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/.

Appointment of Integrity Commissioner

Council appointed Janet Leiper the City's Integrity Commissioner, effective September 8. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice, complaint resolution and education to Council members (and appointees of most of the City's agencies, boards and commissions) on ethics issues. The role entails advising on the application of the Code of Conduct and various City of Toronto policies and legislation governing ethical behaviour. Please visit www.toronto.ca/integrity.

Social housing action plan

Council endorsed the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020 (www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing/hot). HOT proposes new investment over the next 10 years to help people struggling with high housing costs or inadequate accommodation. The Toronto Housing Charter, a component of HOT, states that all residents have the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination, consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Future of east Gardiner Expressway

City Council authorized City officials to submit terms of reference to the Ontario government for an anticipated environmental assessment of options for the future of the eastern Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard in that area (east from Jarvis Street). Council directed that a cost-benefit study should be conducted as part of the environmental study. Council also specified that the environmental assessment should address the issue of the railway lands as a barrier to waterfront access. For details, see www.waterfrontoronto.ca/index.

Vision for Toronto's western waterfront

Council approved a 2009 Western Waterfront Master Plan (www.toronto.ca/waterfront/wwmp) which will guide decisions related to improvements to the public realm in the area over the next 20 years. The master plan provides a vision to improve parkland, beaches, trails, roads, bridges and recreational facilities in the western waterfront area between the Humber River and Exhibition Place, including Sunnyside Beach and Marilyn Bell Park. The area's beaches are to be expanded and enhanced, consistent with a vision that sees the lake and beach as the major recreational attractions of the western waterfront.

City-wide recreation service plan

Council approved a set of principles to guide the creation of a city-wide, multi-year Recreation Service Plan. The principles are equitable access, high quality programs and services, inclusion to recognize diversity and encourage participation by all, and capacity building to provide programs and services that benefit all participants and help create a sense of community, belonging and vitality. Development of the plan will help the City take stock of its current services/programs and use the four guiding principles in planning to meet existing and emerging recreational demands. For details, visit www.toronto.ca/parks/rsp.

Incentive for energy efficiency retrofits

Council agreed to establish a Home Energy Efficiency Incentive Program (www.toronto.ca/energy), giving the owners of low-rise residential properties in Toronto financial grants of as much as $1,000 for a selected set of energy efficiency retrofits. The City will take steps to integrate delivery of its program with the ecoENERGY program offered by Natural Resources Canada.

Theatre Performance at Fort York - "Great Voices" - Sept 1-6

Great Voices at Fort York catapults Canadian history into theatre spectacle
Nightly events begin September 1 to September 6

From September 1 through September 6, Festival at the Fort presents Great Voices; a 90 minute site-specific theatrical collage of historical figures, including Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, Laura Second and Susanna Moodie combined with campfires, songs, fireworks and food animating Toronto where the city began - Fort York.

Written by nationally known playwrights Rick Salutin and Dale Hamilton, Great Voices features performances by Billy Merasty as Tecumseh and Simon Richards as General Brock. Original music was composed by prolific songwriter James Gordon (Frobisher Bay, Mining for Gold) who will be singing some of the songs alongside Fort York’s Honour Guard, and Fife and Drum Corps. Members of the Red Pepper Spectacle Theatre act as larger-than-life puppet guides within this epic Brechtian-style theatre experience produced and directed by Sid Bruyn.

Great Voices begins with the infamous brothers speech by Tecumseh, which brilliantly describes the Native colonial experience. Part of the audience watches and hears a dialogue between Tecumseh and General Brock heralding their alliance, a monologue by Laura Second conveying American troop positions, and a monologue by Dolly Madison surveying the aftermath of the burning of the White House by the British. At the same time, the rest of the audience witnesses a play within a play that mixes stories with historical songs and original songs composed and performed by James Gordon, accompanied by actors and members of the Fort York Honour Guard, and Fife and Drum Corps. These songs and stories will be set around two large campfires while the audience is served portions of Native corn soup and corn bread.

The theatre event moves indoors to some of Fort York's historic brick buildings where citizens will recount their stories of common life in the 19th century. The audience then moves back outdoors to take part in a finale parade and fireworks with the Red Pepper Spectacle Theatre puppets.

Great Voices is the second installment of the Festival at the Fort, produced in association with the Friends of Fort York and Fort York National Historical Site with funding provided by Heritage Canada. In the lead up to the War of 1812 bicentennial in 2012, the Festival at the Fort will present audiences the history of Fort York and Canada in a innovative and theatrical way. Artists and companies confirmed in subsequent years include Videocabaret, Mixed Company and Clay & Paper Theatre.

Great Voices is an Equity Production taking place at the Fort York National Historical Site located at 100 Garrison Road, North East of Exhibition Place and west of Bathurst St. via Fort York Blvd. Great Voices tickets are $20 and are available in advance at TOtix.ca and at the venue the night of each performance. For more information call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 or visit www.festivalatthefort.ca

Media contact:
Shane Gerard, Senior Promotions & Communications Coordinator, SDF&A Communications Unit, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca
Sid Bruyn, Great Voices Artistic Director and Producer, 416-530 4152, sbruyn@pathcom.net

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Improvements to South Stanley Park - Public Meeting Sept 2

Improvements to South Stanley Park - Public Meeting

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and City of Toronto representatives will present a draft plan and implementation strategy for the improvement of South Stanley Park located at 845 King Street West between Walnut Avenue and Stanley Terrace.

Members of the comminity are invited to attend and provide comments on the proposed concept plan.

Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: 15 Stafford Street, Community Room.

For more information please contact:
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone 416-392-4108
Barbara Carou, Parks Planner 416-392-8157
bcarou@toronto.ca