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Volume 48 No. 3
BEACHMETRO.COM
416-690-1032 • beyrima.ca RBerns-McGown-CO@ndp.on.ca
April 2, 2019
Students protest education system changes By Alan Shackleton
PHOTO: ALAN SHACKLETON
Students at Glen Ames Senior Public School in the Beach held a morning walkout recently to protest upcoming changes to the education system. More walkouts are expected this Friday as high school students across the province are organizing a protest for that day.
Work on Coxwell rail bridge planned By Remi Stephanie Rozario
THE COXWELL Avenue railway bridge, north of Gerrard Street East and south of Hanson Street, is being rehabilitated to create a better path for pedestrians. The construction process will entail repairing the pedestrian pathway located south of the railway between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road. Construction work is expected to take place between this April and September. Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford said it’s vital to maintain the city’s infrastructure to make sure that bridges are safe
for vehicles and pedestrians, which is a key factor in this project. This upgraded design will have improved pedestrian connections along the stretch underneath the bridge and it will also consist of new landscaping. “We’re going to make sure that this bridge meets today’s standards and remains safe for vehicles and pedestrians going forward,” Bradford said. Susan Pape, senior communications coordinator at the City of Toronto, said that the public is prioritized during construction periods. “Wherever possible, the city takes a coordinated approach to construction in order to minimize
the disruption to the public,” she said in an email. Bradford said the city has strategically coordinated with Metrolinx, who operate the rail lines on the bridge, to make sure that the work takes place all at once, rather than inconveniencing residents at different times The bridge rehabilitation is part of Toronto Council’s approved 2019 capital works program. “The city needs to make these investments in state of good repair in our infrastructure. That’s a core service that we provide and deliver for Torontonians,” Bradford said. Here’s what commuters need to know when travelling in the area
during this time period: Pedestrian access – During the course of the construction, the pedestrian pathway south of the railway will be closed between Coxwell Avenue and Woodfield Road for approximately three weeks. TTC service – Bus service of the 22 Coxwell (north/southbound) and 322 Coxwell (east/westbound) routes will be affected. Traffic control – There will be no northbound traffic on Coxwell Avenue from Fairford Avenue/Gerrard Street to Hanson Street. Commuters will have access to driveways, businesses, and streets at all times, but will they only be accessible from Coxwell Avenue southbound.
STUDENTS AT Glen Ames Senior Public School walked out of class recently to protest provincial government changes to education which will result in larger class sizes and fewer teachers. The March 22 protest saw the school’s Grade 7 and 8 students gather on the sidewalk for a morning protest on Williamson Road in front of Glen Ames. The students chanted and held signs expressing their displeasure about the changes being made to public education by Premier Doug Ford’s provincial government. “We’re protesting against Doug Ford and the cuts that will affect all of us,” said Grade 8 student Rachel McColl. The students are concerned that larger class sizes will lessen the quality of their education as teachers will not be able to spend as much time helping individual students. The Glen Ames protesters were also worried about the impact of larger classes and fewer teachers on extra-curricular activities available for students. They are worried about this both for future elementary school students, but also for themselves as they head into high school next year, said Grade 8 student Chloe Barrass. “A lot of high school is about the sports teams and arts clubs, and we’re worried that we aren’t going to be able to have the high school experience we want to have,” she said.
Karen Fraser receives Agnes Macphail Award By Rhythm Sachdeva
ENTREPRENEUR AND social justice volunteer Karen Fraser was presented the Agnes Macphail Award at the 26th annual awards ceremony held at the East York Civic Centre on Sunday, March 24. The award recognizes excellence in social justice leadership in the East York community and is
named after Agnes Macphail, the first woman to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons and the Ontario Legislature. Fraser’s past projects represent a consistent commitment to her community, and she has also revolutionized the concept of volunteer work for several causes across the country. These include but aren’t limited
to transporting restaurant-catered food to shelters in Quebec, providing sleeping bags for the homeless and supporting the Toronto Wildlife Centre. Her book, Women Like Me – The Women’s Business & Networking Directory, has been published in nine editions as a networking support system for Canadian women. Fraser was nominated for the
award by a group of her colleagues and associates. Natalie Chinsam, a professor of business at Centennial College delivered an emotional speech about Fraser’s impact on her life. “Karen Fraser has been my mentor for over 15 years… She provided me with sound advice and has stood by me..,” Chinsam said. “I will always remember your positive energy,
your strength and your capacity to remind me always to be grateful.” Mayor John Tory and Don Valley West MPP Kathleen Wynne also attended the award presentation ceremony. “Any young woman looking to make a change to society would do well to look to the example of Agnes Macphail, and the strength of Karen Fraser,” said Wynne.