The Ontario minimum wage will go up 25 cents to $11 an hour on October 1, 2015 the government has announced Ontario Liberals tied the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) so it increases with the rising cost of living. The minister, Kevin Flynn, said the Liberals had “taken politics out of minimum wage increases”. But he congratulated himself anyway saying it was good for workers and the economy. It makes Ontario and Nunavut the highest minimum wage jurisdictions in Canada. The NDP however said  it isn’t enough..The NDP has promised $12 an hour and others who lobby about poverty want $14 an hour.

Police at 53 Division have issued a neighborhood alert about break-ins in the Glenvale Blvd area of Leaside (north of Eglinton and South of Sunnybrook Hospital) and in the area between Yonge and Bathurst Sts. near Roselawn Ave. This appears to be a case of thieves assessing homes by knocking on doors to see if anyone is home.Police recommend that if unknown people come to your door to turn on a light and speak to them only through the door (without opening it) to send them away. This, as the police say, makes it clear there is someone home. They also advise homeowners to lock and secure doors and to employ a security alarm.

Josh Matlow (Ward 22) was surveying the state of things at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. this Thursday morning (March 19, 2015). As is known, Mr. Matlow is an energetic proponent of parkland and green space in the ward and the City. He recounted how he had, in his first few days in office in 2010, begun to lobby for a public square or similar open space on the southwest corner of the two thoroughfares.  Since then City Council has approved this concept but of course any such work is undefined and probably at least five years away. The southwest block is a dingy mix of abandoned TTC bus bays, storage, the tired-looking Canada Square building and certain facilities along Berwick Ave on the south. Matlow noted the work that has been done to retain public space on both the northwest and northeast corners where heavy construction is underway. A similar challenge is ahead he said for the southeast corner where a 60 storey building has been proposed to replace the structure now known as One Eglinton East, where the CIBC branch is located. Listen to the councillor’s ideas above.

Mayor John Tory is having fun at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin, Texas. We’re sure he is learning things that will be of use back in Toronto. He told Canadian Press that he has a renewed desire in making Toronto “even more hip” than it already is. Meanwhile that great friend of Rob Ford, Jimmy Kimmel, has also moved into Austin where his nightly program has once again featured Lie Witness News  That’s where Mr. Kimmel’s sneaky helpers get excited people to tell silly lies. In the video below they swear they know the music of non-existent bands. We may be sure that Mr. Tory, straight-shooter that he is, will not be telling fibs about his visit to SXSW.  He also figured out a while ago he was doing the City no favours by delivering himself into the hands of Kimmel. Tory has so far seen performances by Toronto-based hip hop artists Blake Carrington, Grand Analog and Socrates. He has met with representatives of technology company AMD to discuss the role of Austin’s music scene in helping it attract the best employees and grow its business.  Then he attended the Canadian Blast BBQ (hey, you gotta eat)  which included performances by a number of Canadian artists including Toronto’s July Talk. Hmm. July Talk. We’re pretty sure they really exist. Among those commenting on Mr. Tory’s trip to Austin is Joe Warmington of the Sun, a friend of Rob Ford, who wonders if the money is being well spent.