Josh Matlow (Ward 22) deserves credit for bringing the fatal shooting of young men in Toronto back to city council. A motion set to go before Toronto council this week calls on the city to act on recommendations of the 2008 report on youth violence produced by former chief justice Roy McMurty. It recommends a specific youth violence strategy with measurable objectives and timelines. The job is urgent but it is also a thankless task which usually leaves even the most committed believers disappointed. The problem of black on black violence as seen in the shooting of four young men since the beginning of the year, is like a terrible disease without a cure.  Nonetheless, sensible action to create a league of black role models, community activities for youth, jobs,  gun control and perhaps further adjustment to the criminal code — all these are needed. Premier Wynne is no doubt fully committed but  she has said the obvious: If society knew the solution it would have been applied a long time ago. And there will be a cost. The cost is always worrisome because unless there is a sound way of measuring results, people rightly worry that good money is being sent after bad. Politicians and activists must contain the recriminations.  It is easier to build a subway than it is to ensure that young men stop killing each other. 

“After all, as the Divisional Court decision of Jan. 25 indicated — with no room for doubt — Miss Manners had overstepped her authority under the City of Toronto Act when she imposed a financial sanction of $3,150 against Ford for improperly obtaining donations on his councillor letterhead to his football foundation”.  Sue Ann levy

Toronto Police Service report:  A resident of South Drive reports that between 1630 hours on February 16, 2013 and 0900 hours on February 17, 2013, entry was gained into the premises by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of gold.

Toronto Police Service report: A 12 year old male reports that on February 18, 2013 at approximately 1055 hours, he was in the area of Glenvale Boulevard and Laird Drive when he was approached from behind by a male suspect. The suspect demanded the victim’s cellular phone. The victim complied and the suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, white, 20 years, 5’8” to 5’9”, 134 to 141 pounds, medium build, brown hair.

Here are some rankings produced by the Fraser Institute in its so-called Report Card of Ontario schools for 2012. The main and perhaps only criteria is the provincial  Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) exam administered in Grades 3 and 6. The two columns show, left, the schools alphabetically followed by their ranking. Right, the same schools sorted by rankings with the lowest ranking at the top. Each ranking shows two numbers separated by a slash. On the left, the 2012 ranking. Next to it, the average ranking over the past five years. Thus, in the case of Bessborough Public School, the current ranking is 9.1 while the five year average is 8.3.  As noted in the previous post, two local school are recorded to have finished with perfect scores (10) for 2012. They are Deer Park Public and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Some local schools like Hodgson Public School and Grenoble Public School are not shown in the survey for reasons so far unexplained.  Previous post