LAMP and the Lakeshore Planning Council invite you to hear Guest Speaker - Ted Tyndorf, the City of Toronto Executive Director of Planning
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
7:00pm - 9:00pm 20th Street School - Auditorium
3190 Lakeshore Boulevard West

EVERYONE WELCOME

Topic: Improving the Planning Process How successful were the proposed changes?
In what way can community members contribute to the planning process?
What is the Future of Planning? This is a great opportunity to understand the impacts of the planning process on your community.

Please join us! For further information please call LAMP 416-252-6471 x 240
View the Flyer (PDF)

City of Toronto Planning Division invites you to the Mimico 20-20 Community Workshop Revitalizing the Mimico by the Lake Community
Saturday, June 16, 2007 8:30am - 3:00pm
John English Junior Middle School Cafeteria

In April 2006, Councillor Mark Grimes held a by-invitation-only half day session on his vision for Mimico by the Lake. The City of Toronto Planning Division is asking for community input that will help determine the Next Steps Strategy for Mimico by the Lake.

Key Themes: Opportunities for improving the area as a place to live looking at existing housing and potential for redevelopment
Improving access to the waterfront and parkland
Main Street revitalization

Please RSVP by Wednesday June 13 by calling Nancy at 416-394-8214, by fax 416-394-6063 or ntruhla@toronto.ca We hope you can join us!

Comments from the public will be accepted at City Hall until June 1st, 2007

E-mail your comments: revenuetools@toronto.ca

Or send your comments to:

Revenue Tools
Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., 5th floor, East Tower
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

The City of Toronto Act came into effect on January 1, 2007, providing the City of Toronto with new powers of taxation. If City Council implements these new taxes they will only apply in the City of Toronto. Outside of Toronto these taxes will not exist.

Eight tax options are being reviewed by the City and the public is invited to send their comments.

Potential New Taxes

Alcohol – stores and licensees, restaurants and bars
Tobacco – cigarettes
Entertainment – movies, sporting events and live entertainment
Motor Vehicle Ownership - $40 per vehicle
Parking Tax
Land Transfer tax
Road Pricing
Billboard Tax

Presentations, full report and background information may be viewed at:
http://www.toronto.ca/finance/revenue_tools.htm#bckgrd
Comments will be accepted until June 1st, 2007

Make Community Right to Know the Law in Ontario

Let your provincial member of parliament know you support Bill 164

Community Right to Know legislation has been identified as a best practice in cancer prevention and environmental protection.

The public has a right to know about chemical risks in their home and Community. Toxic chemicals are everywhere - in cleaners, cosmetics, smokestacks, even children’s toys.

Bill 164 ensures that members of the public know what they are in contact with in their daily lives via information labels stating when a commercial good or service contains a known or suspected cancer causing agent. This bill will also give the public access to a comprehensive provincial pollution inventory. The bill just passed legislative hearings, and now with one last vote, it can become the law.

Organizations that support the bill:
Canadian Cancer Society
Registered Nurses of Ontario
Toronto Public Health
Ontario College of Family Physicians
Canadian Environmental Law Association
Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control
Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition
Canadian Cancer Society
Environmental Defense
Toronto Environmental Alliance

Community Right to Know legislation has been a fixture in jurisdictions like California for the past twenty years. California’s Community Right to Know law has led to industry reformulating products to remove toxins, and changing industrial practices to emit less pollutants. Ontario in contrast has lagged far behind until the introduction of Bill 164.

Let’s make Community Right to Know the law in Ontario

Contact your MPP ask them to support Community Right to Know in Ontario by Calling Bill 164 for a third and final reading in this session of the legislature

Please e-mail or call:

Premier Dalton McGuinty
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Tel: 416-325-1941

Laura Broten, MPP for Etobicoke Lakeshore
lbroten.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Tel: 416-259-2249

Jim Bradley, House Leader
jbradley.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Tel: 416-325-7754

Thursday 2 November, 7pm, John English Middle School, Mimico (hosted by LAMP and Mimico Residents' Association)

Tuesday 7 November, Long Branch Legion, 3850 Lakeshore Boulevard, 7pm (hosted by New Toronto Good Neighbours and Long Branch Residents' Association)

Thanks to all your emails, phone calls, presence at meetings, and all other help, Councillor Grimes has decided not to locate the proposed Ward 6 skatepark in the south of Colonel Sam Smith Park.

Councillor Grimes acted on the advice of a report written by Councillor De Baeremaeker [link to report].

This report highlights the need to establish an independent, community-based committee to monitor and safeguard Sam Smith Park from further detrimental development. Please contact Good Neighbours if you are interested in helping on this committee.

Now that the present skatepark plans have been pushed aside, we need to work to build a skatepark in another location. If you are interested in being part of a committee to help determine the right location for this facility, and to ensure it is built to the specifications that the skaters want, please contact Good Neighbours.

There will be a public information and input session about the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Skateboard Park this Thursday, September 7th of 2006. The session will take place at Lakeshore Collegiate Institute, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

A public consultation will also be held, by the City, from 7:30 PM on Thursday, September 14th 2006 at the Assembly Hall. Councillor De Baeremaeker will allow for public input into the location of Etobicoke-Lakeshore's Skateboard Park.

Download the powerpoint presentation delivered by New Toronto Good Neighbours on the August 24th Skateboard Park meeting with De Baeremaeker.

Download a brochure about the jewel of the Lakeshore community, Colonel Samuel Smith Park

In SEPTEMBER 2006: The City of Toronto plans to build a $2.5 million dollar Skateboard Facility and Skating Track in Colonel Sam Smith Park, in the field south of the Power House.

• Does a skateboard park belong in one of our city's few naturalized green spaces, among wetlands, open meadows, wildlife habitats, and secluded trails?
• We were promised a competition class skate board facility. That's not what has been designed.
• Our community deserves an OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PUBLIC CONSULTATION to achieve the best design and location of a $2.5M skate park. Let's find a solution that works for our community!

Editorials and Articles of Interest

What You Can Do To Help:

We need more media coverage. Write or e-mail letters to the editors of all the local papers. If you have media contacts please call them and give them the story!

Please send letters of support for the Environmental Assessment. Letters should be addressed to:

Ask the Minister of the Environment to "designate the planned skateboard/ice skating facility in Colonel Samuel Smith Park a project to which the Environmental Assessment Act applies."

Let them know why they should protect our park.

Be sure to visit CCFEW for more information

Download our flyer (DOC)

Download the Skate Board Park Context Plan, Stakeholders Presentation (PDFs)

Recently, articles on the issue have surfaced in both Now Magazine and The Etobicoke Guardian on the matter.
Link to the Now Magazine article:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2006-06-29/news_story2.php
Link to the Guardian article:
http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/story/3567862p-4122448c.html?loc=etobicoke

Download the flyer about an upcoming meeting on Wednesday July 5th, 2006, 11:30 am at the Power House concerning the Skateboard Park design. Councillor Grimes' office has indicated that this meeting is not intended for the general public; however, as there has been no word of any upcoming public meetings on the project, anyone who is concerned about the issue may wish to attend to show their desire for a public consultation.

Please visit the Citizens Concerned about the Future of Etobicoke Waterfront website at www.ccfew.org for further information on the issue.

LAMP CHC 7th Annual Awards of Merit

Deadline for nominations Monday May 15, 2006

The purpose of this AWARD is to celebrate the unsung heroes
who deserve our recognition and to celebrate their contributions to the Lakeshore

LAMP Community Health Centre is looking for people in the Lakeshore who are helping people, keeping our community clean, or making outstanding contributions to the vitality of South Etobicoke. Nominees can be neighbours, volunteers, youth, students, teachers, schools, local community leaders, health and social service agencies, community groups, service clubs, businesses, artists, coaches, multi-cultural leaders, historical groups

To be eligible for an Award of Merit, nominees must live, work, volunteer or own a business in the Lakeshore.

To nominate someone simply fill out a nomination form (available at LAMP Community Health Centre 185 Fifth Street) and drop it off by Monday May 15, 2006.

Nomination forms at available at LAMP Community Health Centre 185 Fifth Street and at area libraries.

Every year we celebrate the vibrant diversity of our community. This year we will feature Spanish guitars, Mexican dancers, Youth Hip Hop dancers, Tibetan dancers and much more. The event is also an opportunity to celebrate community spirit with jello eating contests, musical chairs, face painting a barbecue and much more.

The Annual Awards of Merit festivities take place
Wednesday June 28 on the lawn at LAMP CHC 185 Fifth Street

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Update: May 8th, 2006

Councillor Grimes' Neighbourhood Traffic Meetings

LONG BRANCH NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC MEETING

Thursday, MAY 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
The Assembly Hall, Performance Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
(S.E. corner of Kipling Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd. West).

NEW TORONTO NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC MEETING

Tuesday, MAY 16, 2006 , at 7:00 p.m
The Assembly Hall, Performance Hall, 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive
(S.E. corner of Kipling Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd. West).

MIMICO NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC MEETING

Thursday, MAY 18, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
John English JMS, in the auditorium, 95 Mimico Avenue
(Royal York Road and Mimico Avenue).

For more information contact Councillor Mark Grimes' office at 416-397-9273 or councillor_grimes@toronto.ca

Update: December 30, 2005

Etobicoke Guardian Article: Deal with Concrete Plant Still In the Mix
View the article online: http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/story/3239863p-3751523c.html

Update: December 6, 2005

Toronto Redi-Mix has applied for another Certificate of Approval

for 207 NEW TORONTO STREET

Toronto Redi-Mix has applied to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for a Certificate of Approval for air to operate at 207 New Toronto Street. The application was made October 27, 2005. When we discovered the comment period deadline was approaching we requested an extension to allow the community to comment.

We contacted Domenic Suppa, CFO of Toronto Redi-Mix and asked why they had reapplied for a Certificate of Approval for 207 New Toronto. They have moved their operations to 200 Horner Avenue and they are up and running. He stated the owners of Toronto Redi-Mix want to stay at Horner. Since the land trade is only temporary, they needed to ensure they had protected their business interests. Mr. Suppa said Toronto Redi-Mix wants the land trade to become permanent and they are working hard to that end. City staff told us that things at the City move very slowly.

The deadline to submit your comments is December 28, 2005. In order to operate at 207 New Toronto in the future Toronto Redi-Mix needs the MOE to approve the Certification. The Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) allows for comments and concerns from the public regarding the negative impacts of the application.

This is your chance to have your say and make a difference!
To view the application, please visit the website http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envregistry/026583ei.htm

Click here for more information of the certificate of approval and the commenting process

Update: December 1, 2005

HERE WE GO AGAIN…

ANOTHER Concrete Plant in Our Neighbourhood!

St. Marys CBM is one of the largest concrete manufacturers in the Great Lakes area.
In 2006 they plan to build a permanent Concrete Plant at 194 New Toronto Street.
The zoning permits it. The City has approved the site plan.

Our Concern

• More Dust! Concrete plants emit thousands of tonnes of dust a year
• More Noise! Concrete plants are loud and abrasive
• More Trucks! Concrete mixing trucks travelling past your homes

This is not just a concern for nearby homes, this affects our entire community-
Our health, quality of life and the value of our homes.

"South Etobicoke consistently has the worst air quality in the city"
-- Etobicoke Guardian, Nov 27, 2005

What can I do if a Concrete Plant is not part of my vision?
Let the City and the Province know that you want a public meeting on CBM.

Mayor David Miller:
phone: 416-397-2489 fax: 416-696-3687 e-mail: mayor_miller@toronto.ca
Councillor Mark Grimes
phone: 416-397-9273 fax: 416-397-9279 e-mail: councillor_grimes@toronto.ca
Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment
phone: 416-314-6790 e-mail: laurel.broten@ene.gov.on.ca

Contact New Toronto Good Neighbours: goodneighbours@gmail.com

Smog and Air Quality

The Toronto Environmental Alliance released a map showing reported releases of toxic chemicals in the city of Toronto. Over 8,500 tonnes of chemicals feared to cause cancer, birth defects, respiratory problems, and to interfere with children's growth and development, were knowingly dumped into Toronto's air, land and water in 2003. The map highlights areas of the city which contain greater releases of toxic pollutants.

To view the full map, click on the image below.

Download the Alliance's "Backgrounder" on the toxics map: Toxics Map Backgrounder
Read the Etobicoke Guardian's recent article: Etobicoke Tops Toxic Chart: Report


SMOG FACTS: Toronto Public Health estimates that 1,700 Toronto residents die prematurely each year due to air pollution (ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulphates). Another 6,000 Toronto residents are admitted to hospitals due to air pollution.
For more information visit the Toronto Environmental Alliance's: Smog Facts

CBM reports to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). This is federal government national, legislated, publicly accessible inventory. Its primary purpose is to provide Canadians with access to information about releases of pollutants by facilities located in their communities

CBM stated they intend to build a permanent facility on New Toronto Street that is similar in size and scale to their Scarborough Concrete plant. Link to CBM Scarborough NPRI Historical Substance Reports which list the on-site particle emissions from their Scarborough facility: CBM Scarborough NPRI Reported Emissions

Link to CBM plants that have reported to the NPRI: CBM Locations Reporting Emissions
Click on the plant name, and then click on Historical Substance Reports to view the tonnes of particles that have been emitted by that plant.

Update: November 20, 2005

St Marys CBM Property 194 New Toronto Street Etobicoke	St Marys CBM Concrete Plant 65 Maybrook Drive Scarborough

CBM St Marys owns 194 New Toronto Street and plans to construct a permanent concrete batching plant on the 6.2 acre site. The property is on the north side of New Toronto Street just east of Lantic Sugar, across the road from Campbell Soup. On November 5, 2002, the City of Toronto gave conditional site plan approval to CBM for this location. Concrete batching is a permitted use on the land.

Some of the community toured the CBM Scarborough facility on Friday, November 4, 2005. CBM is planning on building a facility in New Toronto that is approximately the same size as their Scarborough plant.

One of the major concerns with concrete production is the particulate emissions from the facility. For details on the health impacts of small particulate emissions link to:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/cons/3699e.htm

CBM will require a Certificate