The Quack is Back! In honour of #NationalRubberDuckyDay and the 10th anniversary of our festival, we are happy to announce the return of the World's Largest Rubber Duck! Visit the #TOwaterfront June 19-21 to see the 61ft tall, 30,000lb Duck! Visit https://t.co/9JoUXrZr4H 🐥 pic.twitter.com/KuGdfguzdZ

— Toronto Waterfront Festival (@TOwaterfest) January 13, 2020

The Redpath Waterfront Festival, presented by Billy Bishop Airport, today announced the return of the World’s Largest Rubber Duck to Toronto’s Waterfront. The festival is bringing back Mama Duck, who is six stories tall and weighs 30,000 pounds, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the festival, which this year is taking place June 19-21, 2020.

In 2017, the World’s Largest Rubber Duck made a splash in Toronto when it floated in to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary at the waterfront festival. Drawn to the Duck, more than 750,000 people attended the three-day celebration and the festival generated an estimated $7.6 million in economic impact for the city of Toronto. Press Release. towaterfrontfest.com. 2017 appearance in Toronto.

Your input is welcome. Drop into one of @Metrolinx winter open houses to hear more about Ontario Line. Scroll down on the page to see dates & locations https://t.co/9BHPWW4Hvy

— Anne Marie Aikins (@AMAprmaven) January 9, 2020

Drop in to one of the winter open houses from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn more about the Ontario Line. It’s an opportunity to talk to staff on the project & provide your input. Teams will be able to hear all your feedback & concerns

Thursday, January 23rd
Ontario Science Centre Telus Room
770 Don Mills Road
North York, ON

Monday, January 27th
Ryerson University Tecumseh Auditorium
55 Gould Street
Toronto, ON

Tuesday, January 28th
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto Social Hall
115 Simpson Avenue
Toronto, ON

Wednesday, January 29th
Exhibition Place Beanfield Centre
Room 201 ABC
105 Princes’ Boulevard
Toronto, ON

You can also share thoughts, questions or comments on the project by emailing ontarioline@metrolinx.com

The influential musician, author and lyricist died Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., after having been diagnosed with brain cancer, according to a statement by a family spokesperson. To read more: http://cbc.ca/1.5422806

Special Weather Statement issued at 10:27, Friday 10 January 2020 — A soaker on tap Saturday. Freezing rain possible Saturday night. Very strong southwest winds Sunday. Occasional light rain or drizzle is expected today and tonight. However, rain will be more continuous and heavy at times Saturday into Sunday morning. Total rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 mm are possible with most of the rain falling Saturday into Saturday night. For areas further away from Lake Ontario, rain is likely to change to freezing rain by Saturday evening and may last for several hours. Strong southwest winds are also expected Sunday morning, especially along the Lake Ontario shoreline where winds may gust up to 90 km/h. There remains considerable uncertainty with exact rainfall amounts along with the location of freezing rain. Rainfall warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer. Freezing rain and wind warnings may be issued as necessary. Travel will be impacted throughout Southern Ontario Saturday into Sunday.

Rainfall Warning for Southern Ontario

Rainfall, combined with melting snow, is expected. The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Rainfall warnings are issued when significant rainfall is expected. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

3:34 PM EST Friday 10 January 2020 — Rainfall warning in effect for: City of Toronto. Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions. Watch for updated statements.

Weekend forecast from www.theweathernetwork.com

Issued at 11:13 Thursday 09 January 2020 — Heavy rain, freezing rain and strong winds Saturday into Sunday. Light rain or drizzle is expected to develop early Friday morning and continue through the day before becoming heavier Friday night. Rain, at times heavy, will continue Saturday before mixing with or changing to freezing rain Saturday evening. Total rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 mm are possible. Freezing rain or rain will continue Saturday night before coming to an end Sunday morning. Strong southwest winds are also expected Sunday morning. There remains considerable uncertainty in exact rainfall amounts along with the location of freezing rain. Warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer. Travel will be impacted throughout Southern Ontario Saturday into Sunday.

theweathernetwork.com weekend forecast for Toronto

Sobeys supermarkets, which includes FreshCo, Safeway, Foodland and IGA stores, will be phasing out plastic bags in favour of paper bags by the end of this month. They estimate that they will be taking 225 million plastic grocery bags out of circulation. A line of reusable, mesh produce bags made from recycled water bottles will be available to provide another reusable bag solution, and cut down single-use plastic waste. More

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As of July 1, 2020, red and white health cards will no longer be accepted for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) services. Approximately 300,000 red and white health cards remain in circulation. This represents two per cent of all Ontario health cards.

“The advanced security features of the photo health card help protect our public health system and is another measure to improve value for taxpayers’ dollars,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “While there is no cost to convert or renew an Ontario photo health card, there could be significant costs by allowing red and white health cards, which could be used fraudulently, to remain in circulation. Each month, individuals using these outdated cards access up to $108 million in health services.” Starting this month, individuals with red and white health cards will begin to receive letters letting them know that they will need to get a photo health card at a ServiceOntario centre before the July 1, 2020, deadline.

Photo health cards can easily be obtained for free at ServiceOntario by:

• Bringing the right original documents (proof of Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status; proof of residency in Ontario and proof of identity);
• Completing a Health Card Re-Registration form ahead of time or by getting one at ServiceOntario; and
• Visiting a ServiceOntario centre.

Regardless of an individual’s health card status, Ontario’s public hospitals cannot refuse to provide services to a patient who is faced with a life-threatening medical emergency.

Red and white card holders who do not convert by July 1, 2020, may be asked to pay up-front for insured health services as their red and white health card will not be valid. Once a photo health card is obtained, eligibility for Ontario health insurance is restored and any payments made for OHIP-insured

In addition to sending multiple notification letters, the province will also advertise the final transition at all ServiceOntario locations and promote these changes on the ministry’s social media channels. — Ontario Ministry of Health News Release

Image source: www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/info/outdoor-practice

Leafs outdoor practice is today at Nathan Phillips Square, plus free events are scheduled to take place all weekend long.

Thursday, January 9th, 2020, the Leafs Outdoor Practice Event Starts @ 11AM — Player 3-on-3 Tournament @ 12PM — Public Skating @ 2:30PM. From Fri, Jan 10 – Sun, Jan 12 there will be free outdoor and on-ice activities taking place at Nathan Phillips Square. “Cheer on your Maple Leafs as they take to the ice at one of Toronto’s most iconic outdoor rinks and spend the weekend celebrating the game of hockey at all levels.” Schedule of events can be found here: https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/info/outdoor-practice

South Bayview’s Two Dogs Sports Bar is there!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ge2RsBW9T/

(Click to enlarge.) Letter from Adam Marshall, principal of Northern Secondary School, mourning the loss of Maya Zibaie, a Grade 10 student at NSS.

Adam Marshall, principal of Northern Secondary School has written a letter mourning the loss of a Grade 10 student who died on Tuesday when Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 crashed outside of Tehran shortly after takeoff.

“Dear Parents/Guardians,

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that our community has suffered the loss of one of our own. Maya Zibaie, one of our grade 10 students, passed away yesterday following the airplane crash in Iran. This has been a somber day for all of us at the school as we mourn the tragic loss of a young life. I know that you will join with all of us in expressing our deepest condolences to Maya’s grieving family and friends.

Maya was kind, happy and well-liked by her peers. She was new to Canada, enjoyed attending high school and often shared with staff how excited she was about her future and reaching her academic goals. Maya will be sorely missed. …”

Click here to download the full letter (pdf).

• CP24: GTA residents, including students in Toronto and York Region, killed in Iran plane crash
• National Post: Toronto students, relatives among those killed in Iran plane crash: board
• CBC: Here’s what we know about the numerous GTA residents killed in the Iran plane crash

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A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jan 8, 2020 at 10:33am PST

Prince Harry and Meghan today announced on their @sussexroyal Instagram account that they will be making a transition from their role as “senior” Royals, into a financially independent lifestyle, splitting their time between the United Kingdom and North America. Full text is below.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages. This geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity. We look forward to sharing the full details of this exciting next step in due course, as we continue to collaborate with Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and all relevant parties. Until then, please accept our deepest thanks for your continued support.” – The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Buckingham Palace responded with a statement saying:

“Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are at an early stage.

“We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”

www.theweathernetwork.com

Based on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s forecast, Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, has issued an Extreme Cold Weather Alert today for Toronto in anticipation of colder weather conditions within the next 24 hours or longer. The Extreme Cold Weather Alert will be in effect until further notice.

During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, members of the public are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Check the weather report before going outside.
• Dress in layers, making sure your outer layer is windproof, and cover exposed skin.
• Wear a hat, warm mittens or gloves, and warm boots.
• Stay dry. Your risk of hypothermia is much greater if you are wet.
• Choose wool or synthetic fabrics for your clothes instead of cotton, because cotton absorbs and holds moisture, no longer keeping the wearer warm.
• Seek shelter if you normally spend long periods outside. Depending on the wind chill, exposed skin can freeze in minutes.
• Drink warm fluids other than alcohol.
• Warm up by taking regular breaks in heated buildings when enjoying winter activities outside.
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities, or limiting time outdoors, during colder temperatures, especially if it’s windy.
• Heat your home to at least 21 degrees Celsius if infants or elderly people are present.
• Call or visit vulnerable friends, neighbours and family to ensure they are not experiencing any difficulties related to the weather.

More information and tips for staying warm during cold weather are available at https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/extreme-cold-weather/.