On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that physicians could assist people in ending their lives.The government was given one year to change the law so that it would conform to the ruling. The prior Conservative government avoided the issue, and the new government asked for an extension. The Court has given it until June 6, 2016.
Presumably the new law will clarify who, in addition to doctors, is allowed to assist patients’ wishes for a hastened death. However, Health Care is the responsibility of the Provincial Government, and Queen’s Park has to regulate the delivery of this service to Ontarians.
Even without the distraction of an election campaign, our province has provided limited leadership. It has relied on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) to draft a policy for its members, which although detailed, does not follow some important expert recommendations and may lead to delays in access for some patients.The Ontario College of Pharmacists has prepared a preliminary document for its members but it is not sufficient to guide practice. The College of Nurses website simply reminds its members that assisted death is illegal and asks them to watch for changes in legislation.
Similarly, the province has been silent on how institutions will respond to a request for assisted death, leaving each hospital, nursing home and other facilities to expend considerable resources to formulate such policies in parallel. And it does not appear that they have made much progress.
In Downsview, a search of “Assisted Death” on the Humber River Hospital website leads to a page entitled “What You Need to Know About Palliative Care”, which was “ Last Revised: October 2011”. There is no mention of assisted death nor that of the process patients must follow.
This makes sense, because assisted death has very little to do with Palliative Care. The latter is a compassionate approach to providing comfort and support to patients diagnosed with an incurable illness, helping them to maximize quality of life.
To underscore this point, the largest group of doctors that provide home palliative care in Toronto has no physicians who work in Downsview and who are prepared to offer assisted death for their patients. Fortunately, the organization has been preparing for a change in the law since before the Supreme Court even heard the case.
“Assisted death is not a part of what I can do as a physician, and it certainly is not a part of Palliative Care”, said one of these doctors on condition of anonymity. However, he added that “we respect the court decision and we respect the rights of our patients.”
His organization will ensure that all of his patients will have access to a referral in the event that they choose assisted death, using a reporting system.
The right to assisted death is no longer up for debate. The Province could ensure facilitated access for all Ontarians by instituting mandatory reporting, a central referral process, and providing direction to its professionals and institutions.
Does the government have the will to show leadership on this issue?Let us know what you think!
Growing up in the Downsview in the late 50s early 60s
I lived on Regent Road in Downsview from 1954 when I was born until I moved away from home in 1973. Regent Road was south of the de Havilland Aircraft company facility and north of Wilson Avenue -- between Dufferin Street and the railway tracks. I wanted to write about some of the experiences and landmarks that were memorable to a kid growing up in that time and place.Our house on Regent was just up the road from Murray Street. Between Murray Street and the tracks were lumber yards and I would jump their fence late at night and gather up a big bag of sawdust to use in my hamster cage. This was before Teskey's set up their operation. We could bicycle up to de Havilland and ride around the parking lots. There was lots to look at, the big hangars sometimes with Beaver or Caribou planes on the tarmac, the memorial monument and a few plaques. There was one road into the plant area with a sign saying “Do not enter” that I always enjoyed entering. They had an airplane part junkyard at the end where they stored old containers for aircraft engines and such things.Behind Regent was Wilson Avenue and its shops and apartments. At Murray Street and Wilson was Avon Printing where they printed business cards using hand-placed lead type. A friend of mine lived in the apartment upstairs. Going east from there was an empty lot, the house of Mr. Lewis the lawyer, another lot, and then a small plaza. In the plaza was a fish and chips shop where they wrapped the food in old newspapers and then sold you a grape crush to go along with it. Beside it was a shop selling cigarettes, candies, pop, Archie comics, and some dry goods. I used to collect discarded cigar bands just outside. The plaza also had a small grocery store, a hairdresser, and a barber shop with the red and white barber pole. Behind the plaza was a long rickety wooden shed where they kept old pieces of pipe and other useless stuff that as an exploring kid you found so fascinating. Then there was undeveloped field with a large billboard with a heavy wooden structure we used to climb on. That led to the plaza this side of Garrett Street with its delicious Maestro Pizza and another cigarette store. Past Garret along Wilson was the Dominion store, the dentist (what was his name – he had a cord-driven drill and this big black x-ray machine), the doctor (Dr. Fine?), the Toronto Dominion Bank at Lady York, the rifle store, the vacuum cleaner store, …At the southwest corner of Wilson and Dufferin was the Diplomat Tavern. A friend of my father used to frequent there. Across the road, on the northwest corner, was an early McDonalds with its golden arches and its millions and millions served. We loved their fries and milkshakes and wouldn’t think much about healthy food until much later. Further up Wilson was the Mr. Donut with its W-shaped roof and the donut-making machine out front where the customers could watch the donuts popping out of the dough-bin and then float down a curved channel of heated oil. Past that was of Bathurst street.with its curious store-fronts of Jewish bookstores, prayer halls, bakeries, and grocery storesFor some photos from this period, see my early Downsview web site at http://www.michaeld.ca/downsview/
The beauty within Downsview’s history
Winding side streets are lined with sturdy brick bungalows, built during the suburban expansion after WWII. Major intersections anchor the plazas; the parking lots, strip malls and cavernous super markets that emerged as the fated corollary of suburbia. But there are also the concrete towers that rose from the ground to accommodate Canadian newcomers from around the world. And then there are cranes and sleek glass condominiums; the monuments of our present moment.But on Keele St., across from the imposing real-estate sales centre in Downsview Park, there is a red brick home with arched windows and sweeping gables. The “George Jackson House” represents another chapter in the history of Downsview.In 1827, newlywed Irish immigrants William and Jane Jackson purchased 200 acres of land for a £1 an acre. Immediately after their honeymoon, William and Jane packed their wooden carriage with tools, food and lumber. An oxen pulled them along a network of dirt trails that were woefully unsuited for their mode of travel. They got stuck in a ravine, just north of modern day Keele and Lawrence, and the newlyweds spent a restless night under the stars. The next morning a team of local farmers helped William and Jane complete their journey, launching them into their new lives.The land we now call Dowsnview was once a patchwork of enormous farms. The landscape was delineated not by concrete, glass and asphalt, but instead by potato, wheat and corn. The Jacksons’ diligently farmed their land. Despite setbacks – on one trek along the treacherous dirt trails, William toppled a wagon full of hay three times – the family prospered. For many years, William served as a Justice of the Peace and public school trustee.Near the end of the 19th century, William’s son George Jackson and his wife Sarah inherited the land, and they built the redbrick home with the sweeping gables. They parlayed the family fortunes and, like his father, George took up public service as both a school trustee and township Councillor.These are the biographical footnotes that invariably echo through time, but artifacts left behind by the Jackson family afford us a much more intimate glimpse into their lives. What is more, they leave us with impressions of family members who otherwise would have been lost in the fog of time.The daughters of the family, Alice and Bessie, kept a great deal of their school work. One essay, written during WW1, perhaps while they attended Weston High School, argues in favor of women’s’ right to vote. A passage reads “Woman’s property and person are protected by a man’s hand – but why is it necessary when she is able and willing to take her own share in the burden?” The essay continues, “[woman’s entitlement to vote] needs no further comment than the bravery, perseverance, enthusiasm and spirit shown in the present war”.The Jacksons’ lost control of the home in the 1960’s. It became a nursing home and then later an office building. In the 2000’s the flames of re-development threatened to engulf the red brick home, but in 2012 the structure was saved by a historic property designation. Today it still serves as office space, but the history of the Jackson family adorns the walls on the ground floor.Reading into this chapter of our community history raises more questions than answers. What was life like as a 19th century farmer in Downsview? What other chapters of our community history are missing, and how can we recover them? What will remain of our way of life in 120 years? There are no definitive answers to these questions, but one thing is certain. History is a lot like Downsview; the only certainty is change.
This is called weeding with a wrench
Poetry:
This is called weeding with a wrench.
Bored between conflict here and diamond there,
I dug myself out of the trench;
This is my uprising, like the poor man’s revolt;
Against the hunger and these crooks, squeezing me in my right turns like bolts;
But I should slow down; Take a seat and relax my crown;
It seems-stress can sew fear and loathing;
Clothing for those who oppose;
I’ve been holding back, anger and tears that made my eyes glow;
In the dark I sat, with things on my mind like a hat;
I write it down to cure my frown;
One line at a time like a needle pulling thread;
Scribble scrabble;
Then the ink settles and they marvel;
Our trendy society, do you follow her singular thoughts that she breeds;
Swear to abide by them before I could proceed;
From truths to absolutes she had me crammed;
Sweet Plasma Jam!
I over flowed, grim to the brim;
So I write to take off some, like a trim;
On all five corners of my head;
Quietly hairs fall, and I don’t wait to drop my weight;
Not at all;
Spit it all out I say, it is bad what we ate;
Was it not my body’s need of bread, I would never bother with her dread;
Otherwise I would just be; and my words free;
Out on the sea, there; where no one censors or gets taxed;
But I am in on civilized land, where the majority is walked on like sand;
Careless steps repeated by only a few;
By morning dew and things look new;
This is my chance;
I’m open for a change to be;
Strange at first, the look of things in range;
Rover rolls over clover;
The envious greens;
All eyes on me, and mine on your money;
Rhymes in my sight are bright, all the time, not only when it is sunny;
Weeding through life’s humors, which are not always funny.
Syrian refugees settling in Downsview at The Toronto Plaza Hotel
The lobby of the Toronto Plaza Hotel, located on Wilson Avenue near Downsview Arena, hums with laughter, conversation and the scampering of Syrian children running and exploring their temporary home. Women chat in groups, many of them holding their pregnant bellies, and the men converse separately; some smoke outside in clusters while five boys play soccer.The Toronto Plaza Hotel will be home to around 400 Syrian refugees until COSTI Immigrant Services can relocate them to permanent housing.As an active and passionate participant of NGO projects overseas, General Manager Rehan Chaudary welcomes the newly landed refugees and is happy to take part in his own NGO project right at home.The refugees arrived earlier this month over a four-day period, in accordance with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promise to approve 25,000 refugees to live in Canada. The hotel has rented 100 rooms for its uncommon guests and expects 80 more by the end of this week.“It has really been affecting the business,” says Chaudary. “The tourists aren’t used to so many guests and local travelers are not always happy to see the Syrians. We still have walk-in traffic and our banquet halls are open, but right now we are fully catering to our Syrian guests.”The hotel is doing everything they can to accommodate the needs of the refugees.The hotel restaurant, Greenery Restaurant, has Muslim cooks who prepare halal meals for the Syrians three times a day, free of charge. The hotel also has a medical team on standby to assist the pregnant women –one who just gave birth –and tend to the children, which Chaudary describes some as “in pretty bad shape.”Chaudary has hired a few Arabic-speaking employees who communicate with the refugees and who have placed signs written in Arabic around the hotel. The language barrier has been extremely difficult for the staff as almost none of the Syrians currently residing in the hotel speak English.Recently, on January 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Clothing Drive [an initiative to collect winter clothes for Syrian refugees] and Let Them be Kids [an initiative to collect toys for Syrian refugee children] held a pop-up shop at the hotel. Volunteers gave the refugees donated winter clothes, toys and other necessities, while COSTI Immigrant Services works to fulfill the refugees’ necessities of permanent housing.COSTI has hired extra staff to speed up the housing process as they have never handled so many refugees in such a short period of time. The agency, however, strives to find the refugees homes, assist them in the employment process and offer them free English lessons.The Syrian refugees at Toronto Plaza Hotel have endured significant hardships these past few years, from losing their homes to watching bombs go off in front of them. It has been a difficult journey for them as they have fled their violence-stricken country to an unfamiliar place where they do not know the language or the culture. The Downsview community, however, has been displaying its generosity through donations, sponsorships and simply by welcoming the refugees into the community.
Paris Climate Conference a big deal for Downsview
The terrorist attacks in Paris a couple months back were tragic and a stark in contrast to the Climate Change Conference that occurred in the same City, not long after. Paris is a long way of, but the Conference will have big effects on us all. I am writing this before the start of the Conference and the internet and the media are abuzz with expectations. Where other efforts have failed to get agreements, here success seems possible.Climate change is real and its consequences are felt worldwide, even in Downsview. We are luckier than other places, but not all of us. If you ever wondered why we get more basement flooding cases now than 20 years ago, then part of the reason is because we get more rain and more “big rain days” now than ever before. The aging infrastructure does not help, but the reason why the issue reoccurs is the higher big rainfall numbers. In other places higher rainfalls and raising sea levels are drowning out people from their homes. In other places instead of higher rainfall there is draught.What conference means to us in Downsview is hard to know just yet. The goal of the conference is to have a binding agreement on climate for all the countries in the world that will prevent temperatures from raising above 2 C of pre-industrial levels. Basically, they mean to set up rules on green gas pollution that will prevent global warming from getting to the point of no return.Canada is doing some of that already. Alberta (oil producing Alberta!) has just announced major environmental changes to reduce carbon emissions and is leading the pack. Even Conservative led Saskatchewan announced that they are moving towards 50% renewable energy production by 2030.To the average person it may mean that over the next year some things will not be the same. Electric cars may be more affordable. Fixing your house to make it energy efficient will be cheaper. More neighbours will have solar panels. More of our food will be produced closer to home. Similar to the introduction of recycling, people may not like it at first, but we will wonder how we did things before once it happens.I will leave the readers with a little local inspiration. We can all make a difference or at least try. Some Blacksmith Public School students noted two years ago that Tim Horton’s cups are not recyclable (none of them are, they have a waxy covering that makes them garbage, the thing that prevents you from being burned). They then put on a video that our local Councillor played at City Hall in order to push a motion to move towards recycling the cups. The motion won, but the City is still trying to figure this out. Check out the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlO5sd4_BG0
With a smile the Toronto Latino community says NO! to gender violence
On November 25, people around the world commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women is a complex cultural issue that can be examined from different angles. To be changed it needs the compromise of all social sectors to end it. This year the Latino community proposed to remember this day in a different way; with the proposal to examine violence against women in the form of songs, music and art from a variety of languages, cultures and artists.The event’s purpose was to examine art and culture and interpret what the lyrics in songs were really saying or what art was really expressing. The exercise unveiled what those apparently sweet songs or art pieces really mean to say, and how these words or art were the expression of violent men with aggressive intentions toward women. And in the process, discovering a hidden violent message in artistic expression, included looking for empathy for the aggressor and blaming the victims. Gender violence is not only physical, and it can take many other forms to devalue women, to instil fear, to limit their autonomy, to isolate them in the family and in the social wider context –as per example inequity at work. These different forms of violence have negative consequences on women’s physical and mental health, and have a negative impact on their children, who are witness of the violence against their mothers These are not issues usually examined in a fun and interactive manner, but this was the proposal of Latin@s en Toronto, (with the support of the Counsil of Spanish Heritage, Colectivo 65 and Ashtor). Using the tools given by music, sense of humour and poetry, the audience and organizers lost the fear of looking for new meanings in words and songs. The meeting was at 1265 St. Clair Ave. West (Evoke Gallery). The participants only needed to bring a good sense of humour and be willing to smile.
The separation is in the preparation
When the weather starts to turn and nights grow colder, you know it’s time to button down your coat and also time to button down the homestead. There are some very inexpensive and simple tasks that one can do to prepare for winter, and be better prepared for spring. Most people are under the impression that they need to spend large sums of money or devote several hours to their yard to achieve desired results, however this is not true.The first thing you do is get a rake and collect all leaves, sticks, and debris from your lawn and place all items in a bio-degradable yard bag. After placing said bag at the curb, and maybe taking a small break, start over by raking your entire lawn, don’t be afraid to pull up some of the grass. This process is called dethatching and its purpose is to let your lawn breathe by removing dead grass or weeds from your perennial ground cover. Rake all dead grass and whatever was uprooted into a pile and place in same or new yard bag. A 750 sq. ft. yard should not take more than 25 minutes to dethatch. The time it takes to rake leaves before dethatching will obviously vary based on the amount leaves or debris that has fallen onto your property.The next thing you’ll want to do is walk around your house to check your downspouts. Do this by examining the opening of the downspout and make sure there are no objects blocking where the water will come out. At around waist level, start to knock on the downspout and reaching upwards until you can’t reach any further. You are checking to see if there are any obstructions in the downspout. The other step of this involves ladder work so if you can afford to have your eaves trough cleaned professionally I would suggest that. It ranges in price averaging from $100-$200 which will include the cleaning of your eaves, and the clearing of any clogs your downspout may have. This part of fall/winter maintenance is very important because of the potential for flooding as well as icy walkways where water might freeze in the winter. Although the eaves are important to clean at least once a year (twice a year would be best) if you ensure your downspouts are clear and flowing you will not have any flooding issues and water will still be carried away from your house where you want it.Last is something I call basic practical planning. And all it entails when it comes to fall/winter maintenance is thinking about the worst case weather scenarios and how they may affect your home and property. What could you maybe do in order to prevent some or all of these things from happening? For example, if you have kids and those kids have lots of yard toys, basketball or hockey nets etc., on the property then those objects may present a problem if it gets really windy. Ask yourself if things I have outside get wet, or dirty, or covered in snow, will they survive? Are there any tripping hazards that will be made more dangerous if covered in snow? Basically you have a walk around your property and just look at what you have out there and weigh the pros and cons of bringing things inside or leaving them to brave the elements.There you have it! I’ve shown and explained a few basic things that you can do to prepare the outside of your home for winter, and the New Year. You’re ready to do some maintenance now, please remember to wear a pair of supportive shoes and gloves for protection while doing any work on your home. Be careful and enjoy your beautiful property.
Holiday shopping weary? Try these ideas
Last time I went to Yorkdale Mall it took 35 minutes to find a parking spot and I then had to walk a kilometre to the store from where we parked, while pushing through crowds. Not fun. If you are looking for a different type of shopping experience, you can try this: buy local or buy Canadian.When you buy from a local store, you are helping a local business owner, but you are also avoiding the big crunch of holiday shoppers at the big stores. You also can find new things. And you can also get better deals.When you buy Canadian online, you are not only saving money because the Canadian loonie is not what it used to be, but you get your products faster too. Also, Canadians make cool things.Here is a handy list of places where you can find something unique for him or her, something you needed, something you did not need, but had to have. Do you know of a place to add to this list? Send us an email at info@downsviewadvocate.caBuy LocalTry this website. There are 2500 businesses in the DUKE Heights BIA and you can find anything you want here, shoes, fish, bespoke tailors, sucks, hats. It’s like a shopping Easter Egg hunt. DUKE Heights BIA – http://www.dukeheights.ca/exploreHere is a taste of what you can find:Gente Jewellers - http://www.gentejewellery.com/Pick up a new watch or have a ring custom made. Over 20 years in this location they have been around for a reasonRaj Tailoring - http://rajsinghbespoketailor.com/Get a suit or shirt made by a bespoke tailor. Great gift ideas.Picadelly Fashions - http://www.picadillyfashions.com/Outlet store for the factory on Chesswood Dr. You cannot get better prices on quality fashions. Made right here in Canada.…Buy CanadianHere is a link that list many Canadian entrepeneurs and their products: http://futurpreneur.ca/en/2015/holiday-guide/Winter Outfits from Joined at the HipStarting at $28.99 CDNhttp://www.joinedatthehip.ca/Have a little one in your life? Joined at the Hip Babywear has the perfect gift this holiday season. Joined at the Hip designs one-piece baby outfits that look like separates—they’re onesies but you would never know it! Available in sizes up to 24 months.Custom Dress Shirts from Eph ApparelStarting at $49.99 CDNhttps://ephapparel.com/Every man deserves a shirt that fits, and thanks to Eph Apparel, now they can have one without breaking the bank! Eph Apparel in Winnipeg is offering custom-made premium dress shirts for only $49.99 (reg. $84.99). Choose the fabric, customize it with your favorite cuff, collar, and personal monogramming, and receive your perfect-fitting shirt in four weeks. Not in Winnipeg? Order some of Eph Apparel’s other great dress shirts online.Blanket Scarves from In Pursuit Mobile Boutique$36.90 CDNhttp://www.inpursuittruck.caBlanket scarves are the must-have cold weather accessory this season! In Pursuit has them available in many different varieties from plaid to a rainbow of colours. If you’re searching for the perfect gift for someone whose size and preferences you don’t know, or if you just want to bring a little something to the hostess with the mostest, a blanket scarf is the perfect fit!Stained Glass Feather Pendant from Camrose Stained Glass$30.00 CDNhttp://www.camrosestainedglass.com/These stained glass pendants from Camrose Stained Glass make beautiful and unique gifts and are guaranteed to be one of a kind and made with a lead free solder.Mariner Lamp from Fleet ObjectsStarting at $100.00 CDNhttp://www.fleetobjects.comThe Mariner lamp collection is cast by hand in Fleet’s Vancouver studio with shapes drawn from fishing floats. Pieces from the Mariner lamp collection contrast warm glowing porcelain with a sharp, bright pool of light beaming through their mouths.Zipper Beaded Cuff from Fair Day$25.00 CDNhttp://www.shopfairday.caAdd some colour and shine to your holiday with this colourful zipper beaded cuff from Fair Day. Everything at Fair Day is made by amazing fair trade artisans, organizations and co-ops from developing communities around the world.All Natural, Fair Trade Facial Care Travel Set from Fable Naturals$35.00 CDNhttp://www.fablenaturals.com/Fable Naturals bestselling minis are ready for the holidays in this facial care gift set. These natural products feature organic and fair trade certified ingredients that are concentrated to give your skin the nourishment it needs during the winter season. This set features minis of everyday favourites that are great for all skin types: chamomile + shea moisturizer, rosehip + olive facial oil, lemon + petitgrain cleansing balm and quinoa + almond exfoliate.Happy shopping!
William Baker Park: now open to the public
An area North of Downsview Park, the former site of military housing for the former Downsview Air Force Base is now open for the public to enjoy.The area, North of Sheppard Ave. W, and East of Keele St., and its beautiful woodlot had been off limits to the public since the military base closed in 1996, has been converted into William Baker Park.“I am proud to have worked in opening up the beautiful space to the community by taking down the fences and improving access,” said Councillor Anthony Perruzza.The former housing has now been taken down, leaving only the greenspace, the city has also created nature trails and has installed park benches for people to enjoy the space.Perruzza said the park will be available to the community for years to come as it has been designated as a natural habitat and the city’s secondary plan and thus will remain protected.“I would like to see Canada Lands recognize and preserve this beautiful park and to see the greater community regularly enjoy and explore it,” Perruzza said.Have you been to the new park? If so, tell us what you think, send in your pictures or post on our social media pages.