It is an election year at City Hall in Toronto and two recent regressive city council decisions have convinced me that in 2018 we are long overdue for a wholesale purge of a large number of members on Toronto city council. Specifically, it is time to replace any incumbents who are running again in the […]
Category: In My Opinion
Worried about Queen Street? So am I …
I am also worried about Queen Street! A main street in a beautiful and popular area of the city should not have so many empty shops. High rents notwithstanding, what are some of the other reasons businesses do not last? Possibly, the proprietors have not completed business plans that include financial forecasting for the low […]
In My Opinion: Finding gratitude in the gifts of community
Thanks to everyone who shared their stories for this year’s Winter Writing Contest. It is always a treat to see the variety of entries and be reminded that there are many talented wordsmiths right here in our neighbourhood. This year’s entries were particularly special to read because they focused on gifts – personal stories that […]
In My Opinion: Global leadership starts here at home
I recently met with Muhammad Yunus, economist, social entrepreneur, and Nobel Peace Prize winner for his pioneering work in microfinance. We talked about his ideas for a world of zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions. He also spoke about Canada’s fortunate position in comparison to other countries, and concluded: “So the burden […]
In My Opinion: Changes create a fairer province for everyone
On January 1st, people across Ontario started 2018 with a higher minimum wage and free prescription medications for everyone age 24 and under. I’m proud to have helped bring forward these changes to improve the lives of the residents of Beaches-East York, and millions of Ontarians across the province. Our economy is booming. In 2017, […]
Pilot program helps Out of the Cold extend its mission
On Christmas morning, before the smell of St. Aidan’s 16-turkey community lunch could fill the hall, even before morning Mass had concluded, 25 homeless men and women had staked their claim to a mat on the floor of the church’s basement for Christmas night. St. Aidan’s Out of the Cold was full on Christmas night […]
In My Opinion: ‘Tis the season for neighbours to help neighbours
Ready or not, Christmas is coming! For many it is a festive time, but for some, this is not the case. As Community Centre 55 makes plans to once again feed those in our neighbourhood who might otherwise go hungry over the holidays, I am reaching out to the community to help make this possible. […]
In My Opinion: The art of getting lost, one way or another
Do you remember the first time you caught yourself “lost” in a book? For me, it was Super Bowl Sunday and I must’ve been about seven years old. The book: a pink-covered paperback, part of Scholastic’s Sleepover Friends series, which was sort of a prequel to The Babysitter’s Club, pre-teen novels full of grade-school drama […]
New program celebrates Bengali literature in Toronto
As a Bengali parent in Toronto, more and more we read English, speak in English, think in English, scream in English, even dream in English! While this is, in some ways, a necessity and how things evolve, Toronto’s Bengali Community also wants our progeny to know something about our own culture and language. To that […]
In My Opinion: World community has a responsibility to protect Rohingya
The international community, including Canada, has a responsibility to protect ethnic minorities in the face of genocide. Today, that means protecting the Rohingya in Myanmar. In 2005, all UN member states endorsed the idea that sovereignty entails a responsibility to protect all populations from mass atrocity crimes and human rights violations. Where a state fails […]
