Toronto Alerts & Events Oct.29-Nov.21 + City Board Vacancies-Apply Before 4:30 P.M. Nov.18, 2013

Here are some upcoming events in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Most events are FREE.

Toronto Public Health

Presents

Race and Health: A Healthy Future for All

2013 Charles Hastings Lecture on Public Health Featuring Dr. David Williams

FREE Admission

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (EDT)

Isabel Bader Theatre, University of Toronto
93 Charles Street West,Toronto

Race and Health: A Healthy Future for All  is about how racism impacts health.

  • The 2013 Toronto Public Health’s annual Charles Hastings lecture will focus on Race and Health, a Healthy Future for All.
    • This year the keynote speaker is Dr. David R. Williams, an internationally recognized health equity expert and Harvard University professor.
    • The panel discussion will include two respondents who will focus these issues into a Toronto context:
      • Uzma Shakir, Director of Diversity and Human Rights for the City of Toronto and
      • Naki Osutei, Director of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.

Race is emerging as an important public health issue.

  • “There is a growing body of international research on the health impacts of racism and the unequal distribution of the social determinants of health by race.
  • Given Toronto’s great diversity, understanding and tackling this issue will enable all residents to have the best chance for good health.”

Please click here for more info and registration.

Station Design Update Meetings: November 6 & 7

  • The Crosstown transit will move Torontonians to work, school and play faster than ever before – reducing travel times and enhancing our economy and our environment.
    • The Crosstown will run along Eglinton, with more than 10 kilometres underground, making transit travel up to 60 per cent faster than today.
  • All stations and vehicles will be accessible to people with disabilities.
    • The vehicles are accessible and the main station entrances will all have elevators and escalators.
    • Each station will also have safety features such as a Designated Waiting Area and Close Circuit TV monitoring.
  • Metrolinx invites you to attend meetings for information on preliminary station and stop designs for the Eglinton Crosstown project.
  • The first meeting will cover preliminary station and stop designs from Laird Drive to Wynford Drive, as well as information on the future construction of a tunnel boring machine launch shaft that will be located east of Brentcliffe Road.
    Date: November 6, 2013
    Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    Location: Noor Cultural Centre
    123 Wynford Dr, North York, ON
  • The second meeting will cover the preliminary station designs from Avenue Road to Bayview Avenue.
    Date: November 7, 2013
    Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    Location: Northern Secondary School
    851 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto
  • Both meetings will be open house format, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an opportunity to view displays and speak one-on-one with staff.
  • Contact Info:
    The Crosstown Community Office:
    1848 Eglinton Avenue West (at Dufferin St)
    Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    Tuesday and Thursday – Please get in touch with them to make an appointment.
    Telephone: 416-782-8118

TTC’s Town Hall – Public Meeting

November 21, 2013

Marketplace: 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Town Hall: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

City Hall-Council Chambers
100 Queen Street West
(North-west corner of Queen Street West and Bay Street)
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

  • Join TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) staff on November 21 for their next Town Hall.
  • “Take this opportunity to share your experiences and priorities with us. We’re listening.”

Alerts & News

No TTC Subway Service on November 2-3 and November 9-10.

Due to rail installation on the Bloor-Danforth Line there will be no subway service between Kipling and Jane stations during these two time periods.

no subway line kipling-jane nov map

  • All trains on the Bloor-Danforth subway will turn back east at Jane Station.
  • A Bloor-Danforth subway shuttle bus will provide frequent, accessible service between Kipling Station and Jane Station, stopping at Islington, Royal York, and Old Mill stations.

TTC Board Meeting Highlights-Oct 23, 2013

PUTTING THE CUSTOMER FIRST

  • The Board approved the following request presented by TTC Chair Karen Stintz:
    • To enhance customer service and to maximize investment of taxpayer dollars and existing GO Transit infrastructure, TTC staff engages appropriate staff at Metrolinx about implementing a pilot project to integrate GO and TTC fares through Presto card technology at Bloor GO Station and the Exhibition GO Station.
  • TTC staff will report back with an update at the November Commission meeting.

NEW SIGNAGE PILOT UNDERWAY IN THE SUBWAY

  • The Board received a presentation from Acting Chief Service Officer Chis Upfold on a pilot being conducted at Bloor-Yonge and St George interchange stations to improve wayfinding signage and standards.
  • The new wayfinding standards being proposed (pdf) are designed to bring a simple, non-fussy and accessible-to-all approach to information customers see and use in TTC stations, printed materials, maps and online.
    • Current schedules and updates to be delivered digitally via station video monitors, apps and social media.
  • Key elements of the pilot include the introduction of subway route numbering, simplified signage and redesigned maps that allow riders to make self-navigation decisions quicker and with more clarity.
Above, TTC subway route numbering.
Above, TTC subway route numbering.
Simplified Signage (Photo: TTC)
Simplified Signage (Photo: TTC)
Simplified Signage (Photo: TTC)
Simplified Signage (Photo: TTC)
Redesigned Maps (Photo: TTC)
Redesigned Maps (Photo: TTC)
  • The classic TTC subway font type will be expanded to station entrances, fare booths and track-level signs.
Above, An example of the classic TTC subway font type.
Above, An example of the classic TTC subway font type.

TTC Board Meeting Highlights-Oct 23, 2013 ( Last updated Oct 25, 2013 14:55:01) is a summary of selected decisions made by TTC Board Members at the most recent TTC Board Meeting.

  • TTC Board Meeting Highlights is not intended to serve as an official record of the meeting.
  • The official documentation (Board Meetings, Agendas, Minutes, etc.) of TTC Board decisions and related reports are available on the TTC website, www.ttc.ca (look under “Public Meetings”).
  • If you have any questions about TTC Board Meeting Highlights, please contact mike.detoma@ttc.ca or call 416-393-3793.

The City of Toronto is Seeking 12 Toronto Citizens to Serve on the Board of Directors of Invest Toronto

  • This is an update to the previous blog,  “How Does the City Grow?”: Toronto’s Development Projects.
  • The 12 citizen members will be appointed by City Council to the 17-member Invest Toronto board.
    • They will apply their knowledge, skills and experience to supervising the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, including the promotion and advertising for business investment in targeted industries, organizing trade missions, and working with other orders of government to promote a positive business environment in Toronto.
    • Invest Toronto works with public and private sectors groups around the world to communicate Toronto’s business advantages to potential investors and to assist those investors in choosing Toronto as their next investment opportunity.
      • Invest Toronto is incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act with the City of Toronto as its sole shareholder.
  • Appointments to the Invest Toronto board are subject to the general eligibility requirements of the Public Appointments Policy.
    • Applications will be screened by a search consultant and candidates will be short-listed and interviewed by a nominating panel that will recommend appointments for approval by City Council.
  • The citizen appointees will serve on the board for two years plus a renewal term of two years or until their successor is appointed.
    • Citizens appointed to these boards should have experience in one or more of the following: international business, academics, marketing, government relation, labour, tourism or other marketing linkages such as knowledge or experience working with organized labour or tourism development organizations and financial management expertise.
    • The City encourages applications from candidates reflecting Toronto’s diverse population.
  • Information about the appointments process, specific requirements and a copy of the application form are available on the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/public-appointments .
  • Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18, by one of the following methods:
    • Email (preferred) to investtoronto@nafor.com ;
    • Fax to 416-531-3130; or

Some Highlights from Toronto City Council Meeting of October 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2013.

Here are some informal summary of decisions made by Toronto City Council. The City Clerk provides thecomplete formal documentation at http://www.toronto.ca/council.

  • Scarborough Rapid Transit
    • Council reconfirmed its support for a Scarborough subway.
    • The new subway line will extend the Bloor-Danforth line along the McCowan Road corridor to Sheppard Avenue East, subject to approval of the final alignment through an environmental assessment process.
    • Funding for the project’s construction will be shared by the federal and provincial governments and the City.
    • Toronto’s share will be funded through a dedicated property tax of 1.6 per cent phased in over three years and a special development charge.
  • Development Charges
    • Council approved changes to the development charges the City collects from new construction to pay for a portion of growth-related capital costs.
    • The new development charges bylaw will take effect on November 1.
      • Under the new bylaw, rates will be increased over two years by about 75 per cent for residential development and by 25 per cent for non-residential development beginning February 1, 2014.
    • Council also adopted several motions concerning requests for reports and/or potential actions on topics such as affordable housing, development within priority neighbourhoods, and provincial development charges legislation.
  • Impacts of July 8 Storm
    • Council adopted Executive Committee recommendations and several individual motions addressing the extensive local flooding that occurred as a result of the rain storm on July 8.
    • The City will reiterate its request for federal and provincial financial assistance to help pay for storm damage.
    • In addition, the City will ask the federal and provincial governments to establish new programs for future disaster mitigation, including to address urban flooding.
  • Community Development and Recreation Programs
    • Council approved service standards for the community development and recreation programs delivered by the City of Toronto’s Cluster A divisions, subject to the 2014 budget review process.
    • As a result, the service standards will be considered during the City’s budget process.
    • Should the proposed service levels be funded, increases will support programming changes and standards such as new sites for youth drop-in programs, guidelines on the availability of hostel beds, and a target for affordable rental housing starts in 2014.
  • School Zone Safety
    • Council adopted a motion calling for a report on pedestrian/vehicle collisions in school areas in Toronto and for the creation of a school zone safety working group with broad representation to review issues relevant to pedestrian safety in school zones.
    • In the past year, two Toronto students have died in road accidents while walking to or from school.
  • Support for Homeless and At-Risk Seniors
    • Council approved the City’s delivery of a time-limited housing allowance program to assist up to 260 homeless and at-risk seniors in Toronto.
    • Council also authorized the establishment of a new housing allowance reserve fund to provide a housing allowance to people (not limited to seniors) experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Toronto.
    • In addition, Council agreed to ask the province to undertake actions that will demonstrate its commitment to Ontario’s affordable housing strategy.
  • Use of Video on Wheel-Trans Vehicles
    • Council adopted a recommendation by Toronto’s Ombudsman for the Toronto Transit Commission to cease using video recordings on its Wheel-Trans vehicles for assessing passengers for eligibility-related purposes.
    • The TTC is to review its Questionable Rider Program and meet several requirements to fully inform passengers about the practice if it wants to continue using video recordings for reassessing eligibility for Wheel-Trans services.
  • Homecare for an Aging Population
    • Council agreed to ask the federal and provincial health ministers for their commitment to meet the need for adequate homecare services and to request that a defined action plan be put in place.
    • Council’s action came in support of a member motion that noted homecare costs less than institutional care and fosters independence, helping seniors remain active in their communities.
  • Coyote Response Strategy
    • Council adopted a strategy that aims to reduce negative interactions between humans/pets and coyotes.
    • The response strategy includes educational efforts to alleviate public fear and misperceptions.
    • At the same time, better co-ordination with emergency responders will help reduce negative interactions between Toronto residents and coyotes.
    • A report from Animal Services notes that over the past decade there have been no reported instances of coyotes biting people in Toronto, but coyotes have sometimes attacked pets.

This video presents “Al Foley, Ontario Tree Seed Plant Manager.”

Ontario Tree Seed Plant Celebrates 90 Years of Growth

    • The Ontario Tree Seed Plant is celebrating 90 years of preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and supporting the forest products and wood manufacturing sectors.
      • Located in Angus, the Ontario Tree Seed Plant’s uses innovative technology to extract, clean, test, and store billions of tree seeds – from the tiny seeds of the white pine to large butternut seeds, an endangered species.
    • The facility supplies seed from 50 native trees to nursery operations, forestry companies and the public.
    • By supporting tree planting, the facility helps Ontario adapt to the effects of climate change, restores endangered tree species and supports tens of thousands of jobs in the forest industry.
      • The forest products and wood manufacturing sectors support more than 150,000 jobs in over 260 communities across the province.
      • Open cones, once a waste product, are now sold to potpourri and decorative markets.

This video presents “Gary Nielsen, MNR Climate Change Specialist.”

  • Plant a tree to help fight climate change and send them a photo to hashtag #PlantNativeTrees.
  • Find out about the 50 Million Tree Program, Ontario’s commitment to the United Nation’s Billion Tree Campaign to help fight climate change.
  • Look for the leaf and learn more about building with Ontario Wood.

Ontario’s New Youth Jobs Strategy’s Funds

  • This is an update to the previous blog, Ontario’s New Youth Employment Fund 2013 in Canada: Apply Now!
  • The Ontario government’s new Youth Jobs Strategy creates the following four new funds to help young people across the province find work, build job skills and start their own business:
    • The Youth Skills Connections Fund – Available for partnerships that match up young people with industry, not-for-profits and academic leaders to help them build career skills and secure industry jobs.
    • The Ontario Youth Innovation Fund – Provides internship opportunities for graduate and post-graduate students, and helps postsecondary students launch startups by funding campus-linked business accelerators.
    • The Ontario Youth Entrepreneurship Fund – Increased funding for existing programs such as Summer Company and new programs to support the growth of youth-led companies with training, mentorship and seed financing.
    • The Ontario Youth Employment Fund – Launched in September, this fund helps employers offer four- to six-month job training placements for youth. This fund has already helped more than 1,200 young people.

Nominate Now for New Culture Days Awards.

  • Did you know Culture Days launched a new annual Awards program?
  • Check out the program details and submit your nomination before November 15.
  • All who contributed to making Culture Days a resounding success this year are eligible to be nominated for the following 2013 Awards:
    • The Antoni Cimolino Leadership Award
    • The Business Visionary Award
    • The Marketing Award
    • The Innovative Event Award
  • Nominations will be accepted until midnight EST Friday, November 15, 2013.

    • Award winners will receive a complementary trip (hotel and airfare) and registration to the Culture Days 2014 National Congress on Culture to be held in Winnipeg on May 22 and 23, 2014, where they will be presented an inscribed award at the Annual Awards Dinner.
  • This is your chance to recognize and showcase outstanding initiatives taken to engage communities in arts and culture during Culture Days 2013.
  • Please click here to nominate today!

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Contact Info

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service.

    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)

    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily.

    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays.

    • TTY Hearing Impaired Service, 416-481-2523, Daily, 8:00am-6:00pm; except statutory holidays.

  • Main Switchboard

    • 416-393-4000

    • Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

City of Toronto Contact Info

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311.

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311).

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

October 28, 2013

City of Toronto to make citizen appointments to Invest Toronto’s Board of Directors

The City of Toronto is seeking 12 Toronto citizens to serve on the board of directors of Invest Toronto.

“Toronto relies on the ideas, insight and experience of the committed people who serve on our agencies and boards,” said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the City’s Economic Development and Culture Committee. “We’re inviting residents to contribute their skills, experience and knowledge to help grow Toronto’s economy by serving on the board of Invest Toronto.”

The 12 citizen members will be appointed by City Council to the 17-member Invest Toronto board. They will apply their knowledge, skills and experience to supervising the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, including the promotion and advertising for business investment in targeted industries, organizing trade missions, and working with other orders of government to promote a positive business environment in Toronto.

Appointments to the Invest Toronto board are subject to the general eligibility requirements of the Public Appointments Policy. Applications will be screened by a search consultant and candidates will be short-listed and interviewed by a nominating panel that will recommend appointments for approval by City Council.

The citizen appointees will serve on the board for two years plus a renewal term of two years or until their successor is appointed. Citizens appointed to these boards should have experience in one or more of the following: international business, academics, marketing, government relation, labour, tourism or other marketing linkages such as knowledge or experience working with organized labour or tourism development organizations and financial management expertise.

Information about the appointments process, specific requirements and a copy of the application form are available on the City’s website at http://www.toronto.ca/public-appointments

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, November 18, by one of the following methods:

• Email (preferred) to investtoronto@nafor.com
• Fax to 416-531-3130
• Mail or in person to NAFOR Inc., 5700-100 King St. W., Toronto, ON M5X 1C7

The City encourages applications from candidates reflecting Toronto’s diverse population.

Invest Toronto works with public and private sectors groups around the world to communicate Toronto’s business advantages to potential investors and to assist those investors in choosing Toronto as their next investment opportunity.

Invest Toronto is incorporated under the Ontario Business Corporations Act with the City of Toronto as its sole shareholder.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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