Local organization is changing the conversation around gun violence in Toronto – events coming up for victims and survivors of Crime Week

May 15, 2022 Ayesha Khan

“Is Gun Violence A Public Health Issue?" is taking place on May 20th at 6:30 PM

Reverend Sky Starr is no stranger to the realities of gun violence. As a grief counsellor and Executive Director of Out Of Bounds, she has been soothing and tending to bereaved families of victims of gun violence and other traumatic incidents for decades.

Based in Downsview’s Jane and Finch neighbourhood, Reverend Sky has helped families all across the GTA and even across the border. As a familiar, established and published voice on the topic, she has been outspoken on the traumatic effects of gun violence, and the drastic measures needed to put a stop to it.

ACORN organizes with Chalkfarm residents: The campaign for healthy homes

May 12, 2022 Miwako Chang

ACORN members and Chalkfarm residents gather to advocate for safe and healthy living conditions.

When the RentSafe program was first implemented, residents of 160 - 200 Chalkfarm Dr did not anticipate the struggle they were to face in the coming years.

Toronto’s RentSafeTO program was created to hold building owners accountable for building conditions through regulation, evaluation, and inspection. This includes a rating system, financial penalties, operating standards for bylaw officers, and a tenant engagement program. The city-wide program began implementation in 2017, a victory by ACORN and their allies. Despite this, pest infestations, dangerous elevators, and poor maintenance are just a few of the issues that Chalkfarm tenants are battling.

Universal health care in Canada is finally within reach

April 21, 2022 Matias de Doviitis

Andrea Horwath, leader of the Ontario NDP, makes an announcement about universal mental health care at the campaign launch. Photo credit: Andrea Horwath

Canada made a momentous leap in 1966 to move towards universal health care, but since then, and for over 50 years, we have stalled progress. Most of the medications seniors take now did not even exist then, so it would have been hard to imagine at the time the medical needs of today's system. What remains an evergreen concept is that it is cheaper to keep people healthy with preventative health than to treat them in emergency rooms. It is also, and this goes without saying, much better for all of us as a society to have access to affordable universal health care that covers all of our needs.

She pitched her idea to Brian McLean of Lost Rivers TO and together, they began forming the Black Creek Walks, Talks and Dances project; a set of educational teachings and art walks along the Black Creek in Downsview.

Grassroots artists, activists and scholars are bringing the Black Creek to life with dance, artistry, and education

April 15, 2022 Amanpreet Chonkrian

A troupe of Kathakas rehearse their choreography and figure out placement nestled among the trees, in the heart of the Black Creek.

When Ayesha Khan visited a Lost Rivers walk along the Mimico Creek watershed in Etobicoke, she immediately thought of her home in the Black Creek.

"This is such a lovely concept; the hidden stories of bodies of water." she mused. "I just thought; why can't we do this in Jane and Finch?"

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: working towards ending racial discrimination

March 15, 2022 Zaara Mazzuca

The Oxford Dictionary definition of discrimination is “Treating one or more members of a specific group unfairly as compared with other people. Discrimination may be illegal on the ground of sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, or nationality.”

National Puppy Day: one more tail wag

March 15, 2022 Miwako Chang

Knapper, one of many dogs adopted through ARF Ontario. Photo credit: Josh and Amy

This Wednesday, March 23rd, celebrate National Puppy Day by treating all your four-legged friend(s) with an extra bone or belly rub. Animal behaviorist, dog trainer, pet-friendly interior designer, and author of “The Good Behavior Book for Dogs” Colleen Paige established the cute holiday in 2006 to celebrate our favorite furry friends and the impact that they have on our lives and communities, as well as to raise awareness about puppy mills and promote adoption.

Ford giving all the breaks to developers

March 15, 2022 Matias de Doviitis

With easier processes for developers brought in by Ford's government and prices sky rocketing, the Downsview community is seeing more development applications now than in the last 20 years combined. What will this mean for the community? Photo credit: Matias de Dovitiis

The Province is saying that it plans to get rid of more red tape in the development industry. That is bad news for the public, homeowners and those with a hope of being homeowners in the future. We have already capitulated much of the economy and home building process to the developers: private industry builds the highest percentage of all units in Canada amongst the developed world. In Ontario, where Ford has very close ties to developers, the industry has some of the highest profit margins in the world.

Preparing for the upcoming election through a labour lens

March 15, 2022 Jessica Pointon

With many losing their jobs or being stuck in the cycle of layoffs during the pandemic, labour issues have come to a head. Workers' rights, job stability, and employment quality are critical topics for the upcoming election.

International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims

March 15, 2022 Rida Shah

On the 24th of March, the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and the Dignity of Victims is an annual observance that raises meaningful tributes and honour to victims who face these violations. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the 24th of March as the official day for the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and the Dignity of Victims in December 2010.

17 Years of Community Service: Winters Community Art Club

March 15, 2022 Shreya Hariharan Nair

Two WCAC participants looking at their peers’ artwork. Their art is showcased in the Eleanor Winters Art Gallery.

If you’re looking for a safe space where your child can foster friendships and thrive creatively, then look no further than Winters Community Art Club (WCAC). Specializing in empowering youth through their after-school visual-art and drama programs, WCAC aims to amplify youthful imagination and expression, while still being educational.