Before its removal, the North Plug can be seen on the left, creating a barrier between the Keating Channel and the new river valley. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

An excavator using a grinder attachment removing the north plug. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Removal of the north plug, in progress. Looking west towards the new island. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

An excavator removing the North Plug south of Lake Shore Boulevard, west of Don Roadway. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Looking towards the new island from the south side of the new river. /Waterfront Toronto, Vid Ingelevics/Ryan Walker

Toronto’s Port Lands Transformation Moves Forward with Completion of Don River’s New Mouth

Toronto’s waterfront is undergoing a major transformation with the completion of the new mouth for the Don River and creation of the island, Ookwemin Minising, as part of the Port Lands Flood Protection Project. This collaborative $1.4 billion effort by all three levels of government aims to protect 240 hectares of Toronto’s Port Lands from flooding, setting the stage for new housing, parks, and recreational spaces.

The 39.6-hectare island includes 20.2 hectares of greenspace and 19.4 hectares for development, along with kilometers of trails, roads, and a naturalized shoreline. In 2025, Toronto’s largest new park system in a generation will open on and around the island. With over 15,000 future residents, extensive parkland, and sustainable development, this waterfront project will introduce a “city within a city” for Torontonians to live, work, and play. More info on waterfrontoronto.ca.

UPDATE: Published Dec 5th, 2024, by Waterfront Toronto

Former TDSB trustee Rachel Chernos Lin has won the Ward 15 (Don Valley West) by-election, securing her seat as Toronto City Councillor. Chernos Lin’s campaign focused on affordable housing and community advocacy. She will succeed the late Councillor Jaye Robinson.

St. Cuthbert’s Church in Leaside is welcoming back its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, November 9th, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 1399 Bayview Avenue.

Enjoy browsing holiday favourites like baking, preserves, jewelry, and books, plus a Christmas Boutique, gift baskets, and a hand-made quilt raffle. Visitors can also enjoy boxed lunches, a coffee cart, and unique finds, including royalty memorabilia and “Red Tag” treasures. Proceeds will support St. Cuthbert’s Church and its community outreach. All are welcome!

Advance voting this weekend: Ward 15, Don Valley West By-election

Advance voting in the by-election for the office of Councillor, Ward 15, Don Valley West will be available on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the following voting locations:
• Bob Rumball Centre, 2395 Bayview Ave.
• Jenner Jean-Marie Community Centre, 48 Thorncliffe Park Dr.

Eligible voters who wish to cast their ballot during advance voting can do so at either of these two voting locations.

Election day

Election day is Monday, November 4. On election day, 49 voting places will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eligible voters choosing to vote on election day must do so at their assigned voting place. Voting place details are available at www.toronto.ca/MyVote.

To be eligible to vote in the Ward 15, Don Valley West By-election, a person must be:
• a Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years old; and
• a resident in Ward 15, Don Valley West; or
• a non-resident of the city of Toronto, but they or their spouse own or rent property in Ward 15, Don Valley West; and
• not prohibited from voting under any law.

Eligible voters may only vote once in this by-election, regardless of how many properties they own or rent within Ward 15, Don Valley West.

More voting info: www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/2024-by-election-councillor-ward-15-don-valley-west

Ward 15 By-Election Survey Responses

As the Ward 15 By-Election approaches on November 4, 2024, the Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) has shared survey responses from 11 of the registered candidates. This survey, conducted by the Ward 15 By-Election Planning Committee, includes background questions on the candidates’ qualifications, their community involvement, and their priorities for the ward. The full survey responses are available for residents to review on the FONTRA website, providing valuable insights into where each candidate stands on key issues.

The survey focuses on questions about the candidates’ perspectives on topics such as affordable housing, city building, and their specific goals for Ward 15. It serves as a useful resource for voters to make informed decisions in this important by-election, which will decide the successor to the late Councillor Jaye Robinson. With 11 candidates responding, the document is an important tool for the residents of Don Valley West to compare their potential representatives.

Rachel Chernos Lin Gains Support from Fellow Candidates

In recent developments, Rachel Chernos Lin has received endorsements from two fellow candidates, Dhruv Jain and Evan Sambasivam, both of whom suspended their campaigns to support her. They joined local figures such as Ward 12 Councillor Josh Matlow and former Premier Kathleen Wynne in backing Chernos Lin for the Ward 15 seat. The endorsement event emphasized her focus on affordable housing and community advocacy.

More voting info: www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/2024-by-election-councillor-ward-15-don-valley-west

Greg Dobson (centre), consignment operator, Spirit Halloween, surrounded by Spirit Halloween staff, poses for a photo with a cake celebrating the $1 million fundraised in support of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. /Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Inpatient client and their parent pose for a photo at the Halloween party co-hosted by Spirit Halloween at Holland Bloorview. /Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

Spirit Halloween’s ‘spook-tacular’ gift makes a big impact on Holland Bloorview

Thanks to the generosity of retailer Spirit Halloween, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Child Life program can better support kids during their hospital stay. Since 2012, the company has been raising money to support this vital program that helps children and families understand and process their medical experiences and helps make hospital stays a little less scary for kids and youth through play and arts-based interventions.

The $1-million donation through the retailer’s fundraising division, Spirit of Children, has enabled the hospital to purchase new medical toys for their in-patient children such as dolls with IV bags as well as art supplies. The donation has also enabled the hospital to upgrade its Snoezelen sensory room for children and youth staying on the in-patient unit so they can relax or interact with gentle music, vibrations and lighting in the space. “The support we’ve received form Spirit Halloween has had a tremendous impact on the Child Life program. We can now purchase exactly what we need to support children and families,” says Katherine Schnurr, a child life specialist at the hospital.

To celebrate Spirit Halloween’s milestone gift, the hospital’s child life and therapeutic recreation teams teamed up with some 20 staff from the retail company and threw a ‘spook-tacular’ Halloween costume party for some 70 inpatient children and youth along with their families on October 17. Kids and youth got to pick out a free costume, donated by Spirit of Children and Spirit Hallowen, get dressed up and enjoyed music, games, cupcake decorating, pumpkin painting and more!

Greg Dobson, consignment operator of the Halloween costume retailer, has a personal connection to the hospital. One of his close friend’s daughter needed support from the hospital some 20 years ago, so he drove her and her mom a few times to Holland Bloorview and was impressed by the care they provided.
“The facility and staff are amazing! They are all incredibly dedicated and positive. We’ve supported Holland Bloorview for all these years and will continue to support this wonderful place for years to come.”

Story provided by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital is located at 150 Kilgour Road.