The South Bayview Bulldog

Millions of Ontarians are being told by mail to turn in their red and white health cards “within 30 days”. It is left to the card holder to guess at what happens if he or she doesn’t follow this advice. The government has been talking about getting between two and three million such cards converted to photo the ID type held by most citizens for years. But many people are not only sentimentally attached to the cards, they just don’t want the hassle of having to renew yet another card, license or passport. The red and white  cards were phased out in the early 90s so many young adults have had them since childhood. Doctors offices are somewhat bewildered by the new push. No doctor wants to tell patients — especially older ones — they aren’t eligible. The letters arriving at homes this month say:

It is time for you to obtain a photo health card. The Ontario Government is eliminating red and white health cards. Your health insurance coverage could be affected if you do not obtain a photo health card

It is the first time a note of coercion has been seen in the Health Ministry campaign of conversion to the green ID.

This much admired 19th century former TD bank building is having a last stand as a nicely dressed up showroom for a new condominium which will see the old bank razed to the ground in about a year. The project takes on the best spin possible in an article in Urban Toronto. “The parking lot and empty storefronts that stand out against the otherwise lively stretch of Davisville at Yonge south of Belsize are finally set to make way for new development, as Mattamy Homes and Biddington Homes recently confirmed plans for a 9-storey condominium on the site. Called J. Davis House, the project will bring 191 suites to the area, bringing new density to this highly desirable part of Midtown Toronto.” Reads like an ad. Anyway, the old bank gets the boot. J. Davis by the way was the postmaster at Yonge and Davisville when there wasn’t much more to Davisville than a post office.

Her Majesty said it was “extraordinary” to meet a second Prime Minister Trudeau during her reign as she welcomed Justin Trudeau to Buckingham palace today. Trudeau is passing through London on his way to the UN environment summit and  stopped in the U-K briefly. He is with his wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, and two of their three youngsters, Ella-Grace and Hadrien. The Queen also met Sophie and the children. Trudeau is set to deliver a speech at Canada House in Trafalgar Square, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street where it’s expected climate change, anti-terrorism measures and the Canada-European Union free trade agreement will be on the agenda. Below, there is recollection also of the first prime minister Trudeau’s whimsical pirouette as he left a meeting with the Queen.

David Reevely writing in the Ottawa Citizen says saving the environment (or whatever the useful outcome looks like) was oversimplified and its cost underestimated by the Ontario government yesterday. But, as Environment Minister Glen Murray said, we will be transformed over the next 20 to 30 years. Can’t wait.

CBC story which suggests this would be would easy although some readers say it could mess up robocall emergency calls.

Dogs and their loving owners will on the agenda Thursday, November 26, 2015 as the Licensing and Standards Committee considers a consultative report calling for more public education about dogs and bylaws which are easier to understand. Josh Matlow of Ward 22 sits locally on the board along with Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Jim Karygiannis, Giorgio Mammoliti and Cesar Palacio (Chair). Despite the well-mannered parade of dogs seen on Bayview Ave. the City as a whole had 688 recorded cases of dogs biting people in 2014 plus another 248 cases of dogs biting animals. It is perhaps not too surprising with an overall population of 230,000 dogs.

SANDY BRUCE PARK

The well-used off leash portion of Sandy Bruce Park at Moore and Bayview Ave. seems like a peaceful place.  But there is room for improvement says the report which was composed by staff based on a survey of dogs owners. Many respondents want Toronto to provide more information about dog safety and owner responsibilities. Some said the city should promote campaigns such as the Yellow Dog Project, a movement which seems to have started in the U.S. to identify “dogs who need space” with special tags or bandanas. Other people suggest that children under 12 should be prohibited from off-leash areas unless accompanied by an adult. Yet others think because dogs differ so greatly in size, the City should make separate off-leash spaces for each.

DANGEROUS, MENACING, VICIOUS

The definitions seem quite challenging but some cities apparently take the trouble to identify dogs that are  “dangerous”, “menacing,” or “vicious” in their bylaws and there are concerns about the effectiveness of Toronto Animal Services in checking through complaints. Common sense seems to argue against a policing agency for dogs.

The monthly meeting of the South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association (@SERRAToronto) has been moved from Wednesday, November 25 to Wednesday, December 2, 2015. It will still be held at Manor Rd. United Church beginning at 7.30 p.m.

The Tosto Quickfire Pizza Pasta restaurant has opened at its official address of 609 Roehampton. Ave. But for most people that’s really the place next door to the Beer Store in the Metro Inc plaza at Bayview Ave and Eglinton Ave. E.  Back on September 9, 2015, The Bulldog tipped you to the imminent arrival of Tosto. Looks like a fun place.

Bob McIntyre has signed off as weatherman at CTV Barrie, long known as CKVR. He says he did so to save the job of a younger colleague. Barrie Examiner 

Jennifer Keesmaat

City of Toronto Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat spoke to a large gathering in the William Lea Room Monday night on matters affecting Leaside. In a quite wide-ranging overview of municipal planning, she noted the decision to permit and encourage “intensification” (or high-development) in what is known as the Laird Focus Area.  LFA was a creation of the Eglinton Connex of 2013 which envisions Eglinton Ave and its attached thoroughfares in light of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The community has seen the evidence of development — conforming and otherwise — in the proposal to build four towers (two of them 33 and 34 floors) at the corner of Eglinton and Brentcliffe. There is much undeveloped land  both west and east of this site. The focus area extends down Laird to the low-rise commercial and industrial structures of previous  decades. Ms Keesmaat said LFA will require completion of the  Leaside Traffic Area Study, promised but not delivered in 2013.  She said 2016 will be a busy year in which the traffic study and the Laird Focus Area will proceed together.

TRAFFIC STUDY

The Chief Planner spoke of her view of how the traffic study ought to apply what she called operational solutions. She referenced the use of signage and, in some cases, one way streets to prevent “the penetration of traffic through the neighbourhood.” Leaside, said Ms. Keesmaat, was particularly susceptible to such penetration. She referenced neighborhoods west of Yonge Street as examples of where signage prevents rush hour traffic from crowding streets.  Such operational solutions might result in “a few minor inconveniences on your own roads” but the benefit of keeping traffic off the roads is typically quite substantial. (A simple “operational solution” may be seen next door to Leaside in Moore Park where for many decades signage has prevented rush hour traffic and sometimes local residents from entering).

MANY IDEAS PRESENTED

Overall, Ms Keesmaat offered a wide number of planning considerations ranging from neighborhood inspired “templates” to be employed by planners through to Heritage Districts. Leaside is on a track of undetermined speed toward this status thanks to former Councillor John Parker. Heritage District status places the most formal restrictions on change and is viewed variously in Leaside. Some wish to have it to save the character of Leaside while others view it as an unwelcome burden on property values. The Planning Town Hall was organized by Councillor Jon Burnside (Ward 22). The notion of testing in some democratic form the extent of support for heritage controls remains undiscussed — Ed.  

Jennifer Keesmaat addresses Planning Town Hall

Target Corp has paid Yonge and Eglinton based RioCan $132 million for walking away from more than two dozen leases with RioCan when it abruptly closed up shop in Canada.  The real estate trust says Target has paid that figure including $92 million which belongs to RioCan, under the agreement. In return, RioCan and its partners have released Target from its obligations.