Motherhood: A selfless act of love

BY: ELLE DJ

This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 14th, 2023, and it's the perfect opportunity to appreciate and honor the hard work and dedication of mothers everywhere. Motherhood is both an incredibly rewarding and challenging experience for women. It involves creating a loving and nurturing environment for their children while also managing their careers and personal lives.

Mothers demonstrate understanding, compassion, patience, and selflessness in everything they do for their families. They cook, clean, help with homework, run errands, and still find time to spend with their children. Even though they may face criticism or feel like they are not doing things the "right" way, what matters most is that they love their children unconditionally and provide them with the support they need.

Despite the challenges, motherhood is also a source of pride and joy. Watching their children grow and develop into their own unique individuals is a reward like no other. Mothers get to see the world through their children's eyes and share in their successes and triumphs.

It's important to show appreciation and gratitude towards your mom all year round, not just on Mother's Day. A simple act of kindness, like helping around the house or running errands, can make a big difference and show your appreciation.

In the community, Jane Finch Mall is hosting a "Mom" celebration on May 13th, from 12-3 PM, to honor mothers everywhere. Additionally, Jane Finch Tennis is hosting a "Mommy and Me" tennis event on the same day, from 3:30-5:30 PM at the San Romano Way Tennis Courts. These events are a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your mom and show her just how much she means to you.

In conclusion, Mother's Day is a time to celebrate and appreciate all the hard work and dedication that mothers put in every day. It's a chance to recognize their selflessness and unwavering love for their families. Remember to show your appreciation and gratitude not just on Mother's Day, but every day of the year.

Earth Day event taking place at Downsview Park

BY: Kareem Azamtah

Downsview Park's Playzone is set to host an exciting event on April 23rd from 11 AM - 4 PM to celebrate Earth Day and promote environmental awareness. The public is invited to attend this free event, where they can enjoy hands-on activities, interact with educational staff and vendors, and participate in other engaging activities. This event is perfect for families and friends who want to join forces and learn more about protecting our planet. So mark your calendars and get ready to have fun while celebrating Earth Day at Downsview Park's Playzone.

Downsview Park encourages you to sign up on Eventbrite to let them know you’re coming! Registration will be required to attend certain activities: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/earth-day-jour-de-la-terre-tickets-568679384347 

Some activities include: 

Tree Planting:

There will be two sessions:

Session 1: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Session 2: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

*Registration will be required to attend. You only need 1 ticket per family. Please arrive 10 minutes before the session. Information about planting locations will be provided closer to the day. All equipment will be provided. No experience necessary. Please double-check what time you have signed up for.

Trishaw rides offered by Cycling Without Age: 

Go on a trishaw ride around the Circuit Path! Our Greenway Conservancy is back with its program “Cycling Without Age.” The objective of the program is to provide seniors and less able-bodied people with free rides on a specialized bike called a trishaw. Experience it yourself on Earth Day 2023!

*Registration will be required to attend. Only 18 sessions are available. You only need 1 ticket per couple.

Guided Nature Walks by Toronto Field Naturalists

Toronto Field Naturalists will be guiding two nature walk sessions to talk about invasive species, ethical birding and more.

Toronto Field Naturalists is a volunteer-run non-profit and a member of the province-wide Ontario Nature Network of naturalist organizations. They connect people with nature in the Toronto area. To help people understand, enjoy, and protect Toronto’s green spaces and the species that inhabit them.

*Registration will be required to attend. Two sessions are available.

As we continue to face the pressing issue of climate change, it's important to take action and reduce our environmental footprint. Fortunately, an opportunity is available for those who share the same love for the earth. Celebrating Earth Day at Downsview Park is a great way to connect with like-minded individuals, improve the environment, and honor our planet for all that it has done for us.

Earth Day has been observed for over fifty years and originated in 1969 when US Senator Gaylord Nelson witnessed the devastating effects of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. He called for action in 1970, and thousands of colleges and universities across the United States set up protests to promote environmental awareness, sustainability, and protection of the planet. These rallies led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the establishment of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts into law.

However, despite the progress made since then, we still face environmental concerns. The way our planet has been treated is worse than it was in 1969, but thanks to the upcoming Earth Day event at Downsview Park, individuals can become more educated on how to take care of the Earth and ensure its preservation for future generations. It's important to remember that even small actions can make a difference in preserving our planet, and this event is an excellent opportunity to take the first step in making a positive impact.

Next steps for Toronto transit

On October 16, Toronto City Council voted to launch a $28.5 billion transit plan that will be partially funded by the provincial government. Council’s decision happened after the Premier backpedalled from his original agenda to control the city’s transit system. City Councillors were widely opposed to the upload of the TTC. On November 4, Premier Doug Ford, Ontario Minister of Transportation, Caroline Mulroney and Mayor John Tory made an announcement about the plan.

Mayor Tory said, "Today's announcement is a joint commitment to getting transit built together. I will continue to work tirelessly, as I have done over the last five years, to make sure all three governments are at the table moving transit forward as quickly as possible."

The plan includes the Ontario Line, a downtown relief line to be completed by 2027, and an improved three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension to be finished by 2029-30. It also incorporates the Yonge North Subway Extension to York Region, to be completed by 2029-30, and lastly a light rail addition to the Eglinton West Crosstown to be finalized by 2030-31.

The Premier initially declared his plan to build the Ontario Line back in April, however his pitch did not confirm that he would incorporate the Mayor’s Smart Track approach at that time. 

The Premier has called on the newly re-elected Prime Minister Trudeau to further his investment in the future of Toronto’s public transit.

"Working with all three levels of government, we are clearing the roadblocks and getting shovels in the ground - now we are asking the federal government to commit to increasing their contribution and funding their fair share," said Premier Ford.

The federal government has an opportunity to verify its commitment to the plan by providing an updated breakdown of its contributions. Toronto will re-allocate nearly $3.8 billion in the federal funding that they have already received to build transit. Minister Mulroney reinforced that the existing subway system would remain the City's responsibility to maintain, while the province would undertake partial responsibility of the four extensions, which includes capital costs.

Shelagh Pizey-Allen, from the public transit advocacy group, TTCriders, highlighted the importance of having guaranteed timelines from the province and implementing integrated fares to ensure equitable access to transit. She also reinforced the value of public consultations to provide inclusiveness in an on-going conversation about Toronto’s transit system.

"Before City Council rubber-stamps a deal with Premier Ford, they must guarantee that any new transit lines are built without delay, integrated with the TTC for a single fare, respect community concerns with meaningful public consultation, and be publicly delivered and owned by the TTC," said Shelagh Pizey-Allen.

While breaking ground is seen as progress in a City that needs transportation infrastructure sooner than it can be built, Torontonians are left speculating whether these extensions will be built in time to welcome pending population booms. Given that the Premier has cutback on public services, residents are left hoping that the province will honour their promise to improving public transit in a timely, cost-effective approach.