The South Bayview Bulldog

How many marijuana smokers does it take to cloud up a cafe?  If it is a small cafe or theatre or art gallery maybe not too many. But Ontario — and Toronto –is about to find out as the Government at Queen’s Park makes it okay for medical marijuana users to light up wherever they happen to be. Any way you say it, there is the potential for many people to be breathing marijuana smoke who don’t want to under this rather surprising bit of legislation. It was all revealed Wednesday afternoon by Dipika Damerla, Ontario’s associate health minister. She may have been ambushed but it is notable that the minister, Dr. Hoskins, (St. Paul’s) was absent for this one.

OWNERS CAN SAY NO

At the same scrum, the associate minister said employers, restaurant owners and presumably theatre owners, have the right to overrule any medical marijuana smoking.  The Toronto Star quotes Ms. Damerla  as saying: “As an employer or a restaurant owner you can say ‘there’s no vaping, no smoking of medical marijuana here,” she told reporters.  If a person were to continue smoking “they are breaking the law.” This interpretation of the regulations seems to open the doors to signs outside saying No Smoking — Of Any Kind. The Opposition leaders seemed wary if not alarmed about the impact on the general public. PC leader  Patrick Brown said medical authorization meant that there was not going to be “an overwhelming amount of people” smoking in public. Time will tell if this is true. The potential for medical users to congregate in a cafe where the owner is agreeable seems like a strong possibility.

CAFE OWNERS AS SMOKING COPS

The regulations announced Wednesday will have municipalities scurrying. Unlike the prohibition on tobacco smoking, any potential ban on marijuana smoking seems to now rest with the business owner not with the government. Yes, the police may be called but how willing are countless numbers of such people — chefs and wait staff — to take on the job of policing a ban, even if they wish to see it observed. Business owners,  especially restaurant operators, are frequently very busy and reluctant to tell customers what to do. The Government’s decision today seems to place this task on a group of people who may not wish to be so burdened.

He says things like “stir the pot, tickle the spot and inform”. Much good luck to Mr. Kelly however far this re-invention of his former Councillor self may take him. This is a CBC interview in advance of tonight’s Raptor’s game. All Google leads

A collision at Blythwood Rd. and Bayview Ave right outside Sunnybrook Hospital had travel in a bit of a mess late Wednesday afternoon. Injuries seem slight but car and bus travel was snarled with the 124 Sunnybrook bus turning back at Mildenhall, Dawlish and Lawrence. The 11 Bayview route was detoured along Lawrence, Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton.

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.