$2.5 million in fines outstanding from poor snow clearing

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Companies which are contracted to clear the highways in Ontario sometimes fall short of whatever standard is expected. When they fail, they are fined. And while there are no examples cited in media reports of exactly how they fell short, contractors owe as much as $2.5 million in fines for poor performance last winter, according to Mike Crawley, the CBC’s Queen’s Park reporter. The process is saddled with an appeal process that apparently takes many months. Crawley writes: “The province levied $3.25 million in fines against its highway maintenance contractors during the winter of 2015-16, but has so far only collected $693,000.” . The ministry says five contractors owing $2.56 million in fines from last winter are involved in the appeal process, which can be followed by mediation, then arbitration or litigation.

Woman struck by her own car in Cabbagetown car-jack

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Woman seriously injured when car slams into pole

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A woman was seriously injured when her Toyota sedan slammed into a utility pole on Lake Shore Boulevard east of Parkside Drive Monday night. The victim was perhaps 30, police said. Witnesses tried to assist the woman. They said she was unconscious and bleeding from the head before slowing regaining consciousness. Roads were slick as they are all over the City.

O’Leary waits for attrition in CP leadership before jumping

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Claims he is not
But (oops) called Parliament Hill, Capitol Hill
Seldom quiet
Waiting game
Kevin O’Leary is waiting to enter the Conservative leadership race — or not enter. The dot-com millionaire says he has time to wait before deciding to run. He would like to see a smaller field than the present 14. And he says he may not run. The deadline for entry is February 24, 2017. Global News  CTV News

Lowes re-brands Rona stores to Lowes even in Quebec

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Ten months after paying a whopping $3.2 billion for the Canadian hardware chain Rona, Lowe’s Canada says it will begin rebranding most of the Rona stores, even tn those in Quebec, It has been a long journey from the 2012 rejection of Lowes as a suitor for Rona because of Quebec nationalist feeling to the decision to change the name of the stores.  The Quebec change will occur in 2019 once Lowes adopts a new French-language information technology system that will then be rolled out to existing Lowe’s stores. Lowes promises to keep the Rona name on many of its products.  Rona says the change is being made to eliminate shopper confusion about what is sold at its various store formats. Lowes also owns the Ace Hardware brand in the U.S.

Indoor cycling studio near opening at 1860 Bayview

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An indoor cycling studio called Cyclebar is opening soon at the “Whole Foods” complex at Bayview and Broadway Aves (1860 Bayview).

Leaside United Church photographed in evening snow

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Toronto Zoo video of snow-play day for Pandas

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Sunnybrook plaza deal calls for towers 11 and 16 storeys

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The City has struck a deal at the Ontario Municipal Board to set the height of towers on the Sunnybrook Plaza redevelopment at 11 and 16 floors. This is a reduction from the 13 and 19 floors originally proposed by plaza owner RioCan Inc. A letter sent to neighbours of the plaza by the Leaside Property Owners Association (LPOA) which was also a party to the negotiation, says that concessions were won from the original plan that improve the height, massing, density and design of the proposal. In the letter, LPOA co-president Geoff Kettel says: “Our objectives were to reduce height, and density, and improve the buildings’ design, setbacks angular planes, to create a simpler, more distinctive building profile and minimal shadowing. The final height reduces the originally proposed 19 and 13 storeys to 16 and 11 storeys, with a less massive appearance. Setbacks were introduced at the 5th storey instead of the 8th. The visual impact is considerably improved”

OUTDOOR AMENITIES

The agreement retains some surface parking for cars and bicycles with the main parking underground. It appears that RioCan has agreed to ongoing discussion about landscaping and the viability of trees. A study to detect potential flooding at this site, which sits above a former creek, has indicated the plan is not likely to cause local floods. The final configuration of traffic apparently remains a work in progress. The LPOA says: “We continue to have concerns regarding impact on local residents from diverting traffic and site-related traffic patterns. These are matters which fall under City (not RioCan) jurisdiction, and LPOA intends to work for traffic solutions to protect residential streets.” The settlement provides $2.7 million for community purposes. LPOA says Jon Burnside (Ward 26) has expressed an interest in these funds going towards the cost of a community centre to serve North Leaside.  According to the settlement, there will be a minimum of 4000 square metres of non-residential gross floor area assigned for commercial/office uses.

Toronto buried in snow but so far casualties are light

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No snow cleaning fairy
Sorry!
Banff and Roehampton

The good news is that no deaths are reported in this dump of snow and the following confusion it caused. A bus slipped into a pole at Dundas. West and West Humber Hill and another “out of service” jitney is seen  at Banff Rd. at Roehampton Ave. Then there’s PC Randell Arsenault on twitter lamenting the absence of snow cleaning fairies for his scout car. This morning, comes the dig out. In Toronto, schools are open and buses running. That’s impressive.

See this charming video of horseplay in overnight snow

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Here is a lovely bit of video to make you feel good about the snow.  It was shot in Aurora by @bomahony of Breakfast Television and tweeted this morning.

 

Dozens homeless in condominium fire in Langley B.C.

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Dozens of people are homeless after a fire ripped through a four-storey condominium complex Sunday morning. Rory Thompson, fire chief for the City of Langley, said crews received a call about a fire on a fourth floor balcony around 10 a.m. and about 55 firefighters were still attacking the flames several hours later. A release from the City of Langley said all residents of the building were safely evacuated. Thompson said two firefighters and a resident rescued from the top floor were all taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

https://twitter.com/HandShakeVanc/status/808030480117342208