The Downsview Advocate: April 2016

Issue 3 Number 3 Environment Edition

One Community, One Voice PAGE 2 Hydro One: it’s not too late PAGE 3 In the Community PAGE 4 Innovative Fish-run Organic Farming Project on Hold at Downsview Park PAGE 5 Excess Packaging: What a waste!

PAGE 5 Reality Bites when it comes to Food Waste PAGE 9

Tom Rakocevic, Executive Assistant to City Councilor Anthony Perruzza, helping students plant trees in the community.

Photo credit: Camilo Pena

Recipe of the Month PAGE 11

Taking responsibility for our Environment

Hand Sewing 101: Basic Stitches Part 2 PAGE 11

Dumb big moves undo many little smart moves

Constantine Kritsonis

Craig Hubley

Dumb big moves undo many little smart moves.

The first Earth Day in 1970 awoke us to the many dangers of climate change such as extinction, smog, deforesta-

tion, water and soil pollution -which today no one denies.


This year is the 46th Earth Day and we should consider the risks of climate change again.

The negative effects occurring on planet earth are not a risk worth taking and as ambassadors of the World we need to address how to inform, educate and reform our-

selves.

Consider bitumen. It is a heavy tar-like substance that no one knows how to clean up.

Continue on page 8

Improving Community Centres for Greater Youth Engagement in North York

Annette Walker @AnitoWalkes Part of the growth strategy to harness youth leadership skills is establishing community centres that aligned with their interests.

Despite the amount of time, financial resources and human capital invested in constructing and developing programs to meet the needs of youth, many publicly funded community centers are noticeably underutilized and underpopulated. Voicing their con-

Making pizza on family day at Black Creek Community Farms Photo credit: Leah Sullivan

cerns are a number of high school students who participated in a youth engagement program organized

by the Jamaican Canadian Youth Council (JCYC) and the Skills for Change organization.

The aim of this program was to first enable youth to communicate with different business organiza-

tions about their products and use the collected information to structure a business plan. And secondly, the JCYC used the space to liaise with youth to better understand their plights as a way to strategically plan how the organization can assist them with leadership skills.

During the breakout session various youth were asked to highlight an issue in their community and to articulate strategies to remediate the problem.

Through their collaborative efforts several issues were highlighted such as the need to improve the current conditions of their existing Continue on page 12

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The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

One Community One Voice?

A local leaders journey in uniting her community

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A special thank you to those who read our newspaper and write in:

Regarding: Line 9 Line 9 and Energy East are actually two different pipelines. Line 9 is operated by Enbridge and is currently transporting diluted bitumen (dilbit) and possibly Bakken fracked oil (they’re vague on what it actually carries) from the Alberta tar sands from Sarnia to Montreal. Energy East has not been built yet but TransCanada intends to have it carry tar sands oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan east to New Brunswick. Originally it was supposed to end in Quebec but protesters there managed to successfully block its approval.

Ezra L.

Fostering Community Dialogue Promoting Participation VOLUME 3- NUMBER 3 APRIL 2016 Publisher: Downsview Advocate Amanda Coombs standing outside 4400 Jane St. Photo courtesy of: Amanda Coombs

Crystal Reid @CrystalReid22

A leader is a person who recognizes the needs of their community, and motivates, inspires and empowers a group of people to unite in order to make changes in a community. A leader does this, by advocating on behalf of those who are without a voice, and also by giving the people of their community the opportunity to actively participate and influence decisions that affect them.

Amanda Coombs, is our community spotlight leader of the month.

She is a Tenant Rep, who advocates on behalf of the people who live at 4400 Jane St. Amanda was elected tenant rep after only 6 months of residency.

Since she was elected, Amanda has gone above and beyond to be the voice of her community. Shortly after being elected, Amanda acquired funding and opened the once closed gym in her building, and began teaching fitness and healthy living classes. She also began assisting residents with obtaining employment by posting jobs on the buildings community bulletin board.

Amanda made it her responsibility to advocate and protect the basic rights of the people living in her building

by assisting the residents in her building who are facing eviction in writing letters of appeal on their behalf. Amanda has also started an organization called Peoples Pantry, which focuses on providing fresh produce and educating people about healthier lifestyle choices.

The residents of 4400 Jane St. know that when it really counts Amanda will come through for them.

Noticing the barriers between getting a good quality education and having access to employment opportunities, Amanda, started her own non-profit called “Back 2 Basickz.” Back 2 Basickz is a not for profit organization that helps youth get their GED, while also assisting them in securing employment in their field of interest. Amanda has done all of this by actively applying for grants and canvasing for donations and she does it all on a voluntary basis.

She also volunteers at the local soup kitchen, facilitating community workshops and assisting in children’s programs.

Amanda cites her son as an inspiration for the work she does in her community and her work reflects her commitment to ensuring that every child is given an equal opportunity to be successful. When Amanda’s term as tenant rep concludes, she plans to run for MP.

We acknowledge Amanda for all of her contributions to our community and we wish her luck in all her future pursuits.

Advertising Manager: Janelle BaptisteBrady Editor: Maria Solis Marketing Director: Leah Sullivan Graphic Designer: Joan Lillian Wilson

Distribution Coordinator: Randy Difonzo Contributors: Joe Pantalone Constantine Kritsonis Craig Hubley Leah Sullivan Joan Lillian Wilson Vincent Polsinelli Howard Moscoe Desmond Miller Yasmin Parodi Anna M. Porretta Crystal Reid Annette Walker

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

info@downsviewadvocate.ca (647) 478-8752 @DownsviewA Downsview Advocate www.downsviewadvocate.ca

Join Our Team!

We are looking for volunteer writers to help us cover different events and local stories in and around Downsview.

Email info@downsviewadvocate.ca to apply

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

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Hydro One: : It’s not too late Downsview opposition to hydro privatization growing Joan Lillian Wilson @JoanLillian Public meetings about Kathleen Wynne’s plan to sell-off Hydro One have been happening for almost a year now, yet they continue to fill up to capacity.

These packed rooms are evidence of the overwhelming opposition to the Liberals’ plan to privatize this public asset.

The room overflowed at a Jane Street Hub meeting in early March.

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath and MPP Jagmeet Singh listened and took note of the community’s concerns.

One resident voiced her frustration with the already high cost of hydro, and her worry that it would go up even more if the Liberal plan moves forward.

She explained that she only cooks on Sunday to take advantage of off-peak pricing, but her hydro bill is still too high.

The truth about the many downfalls of selling Hydro One has been talked about for months now.

Privatizing Hydro One will increase rates.

Research on public vs. privately owned utilities has

A local resident expresses his concerns about the sale of Hydro One at a public meeting on March 2nd Photo credit: Joan Lillian Wilson

shown that customers of public firms pay lower prices for services (source: keephydropublic.ca). The less public ownership we have,

ship also means the loss of revenue. Averaging $913 million in revenue per year since 2000, Hydro One is a reliable revenue source that

tario’s municipalities took an official stance against the sale. It’s clear that the movement to stop the sale continues to grow.

The provincial Liberal government surprised the public with their plan to sell Hydro One then later voted down Andrea Horwath’s call for a public referendum on whether or not to sell. Polls have indicated that three quarter of Ontarians oppose this privatization yet the premier and her MPPs continue to ignore the will of the public.

- Tom Rakocevic, Executive Assistant to City Councillor Anthony Perruzza the less control we’ll have and the less we’ll be able to turn to the Ontario Energy Board to stop rate increases.

The loss of owner-

we can’t afford to lose.

Over 80 per cent of Ontario voters oppose the sale of Hydro One and as of December 2015, 194 of On-

Many people believe that it’s too late; that the deal has already been made. But this isn’t true. When asked what to say to those who think it’s

too late, Horwath replied “It’s never too late, never give up.”

“People want to do something about it. We’re giving people a voice,” Horwath said.

The Liberals haven’t provided a timeline for their plan to sell. There’s still time to contact your MPP and have your voice heard.

For more information and to sign a petition against the sale of Hydro One, visit: www.youpaytheprice.ca www.keephydropublic.ca @DownsviewA

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The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Jonas Valanciunas signing autographs at Yorkgate Mall on March 13th for Raptor’s Day Photo credit: Tahoy James

2016 Diversity at Work Conference Photo courtesy of Skills for Change

UPCOMING EVENTS Community Environment Day Black Creek Pioneer Village April 2nd, 10am-12pm

Easter Eggcitement Jane Finch Mall April 4th, 12pm-2pm

Seedy Saturday

Black Creek Community Farm Raptor’s Day at Yorkgate Mall Photo credit: Tahoy James

April 9th, 10am-3pm

Downsview Book Club Downsview Library

April 13th & 27th, 10am-12pm

Volunteer Opportunity: Food Forest Planting Days Black Creek Community Farm April 23rd & 30th

Wondering how to share your events with The Downsview Advocate?

Email us at marketing@ downsviewadvocate.ca or submit your event on-line at www.downsviewadvocate. ca/event-submission/ And remember to checkout our website for more community events this month!

Everyone having a great time on March Break Camp at Black Creek Community Farms Photo courtesy of Black Creek Community Farms

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

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Innovative Fish--run Organic Farming Project on Hold at Downsview Park

Yasmin Parodi @DownsviewA An organic and zero waste farming project, driven by 500 lbs of Tilapia fish, is currently on hold at the corner of Keele St. and Sheppard Ave.

Waiting on a long-term lease from Downsview Park, Fresh City Farms seeks to resume the largest scale cultivation of local food in the GTA - using fish excrement.

In a partnership with WaterFarmers Aquaponics, the Aquaponics system, at Fresh City is a closed water system that recirculates water between a fish tank and a floating vegetable bed. Nutrients from fish waste are feed to the plants and the plants in turn filter the water for the fish.

Issues with current agricultural practises like scarcity of freshwater, decline in soil fertility, and extreme weather aren’t an issue with

Fresh produce being shown by CEO & Founder of Fresh City Farms, Ran Goel Photo credit: Yasmin Parodi

this innovation and it is also beneficial for community building, job creation and food education.

Who wouldn’t be interested to learn about a clean, no waste way to grow food near or at home. Not to mention using fish that you can eat if you wish. Quite the conversation starter.

Saving up to 90% of water compared to traditional agriculture, aquaponics only needs a 10% volume top up to the total water volume each week according to Arvind Venkat, the Chief Scientist, Found-

er and CEO of WaterFarmers. Not only that, but it is close to one of the “purest food production technologies in the world”, as stated on their website.

“Vegetables grow up to 50% faster than soil farming” says Arvind.

Using the digestive system of cold blooded animal to its advantage, the excrement produces a broad spectrum of nutrients compared to cow or horse manure.

Unlike commercial farming which causes erosion and soil depletion,

no additives, pesticides or fertilizers are needed within this closed loop system which uses 100% of what goes into it.

The WaterFarmers have projects in over 10 different countries including Hong Kong, Turkey, Costa Rica and Indonesia. Aquaponics is said to be particularly useful for islands surrounded by salt water or areas with harsh climates experiencing extreme weather or drought.

Changes in soil temperature that would normally affect growing conditions are controlled in greenhouses.

That also means basil and cherry tomatoes are available in December - a surprise to those used to just having the choice of local Ontario root vegetables in the winter months.

The WaterFarmers seek to empower sustainable communities ranging from commercial and academic partnerships, down to helping you in your own home.

Visit www.waterfarmers.ca to learn more!

Excess packaging:: What a waste!!

Howard Moscoe @DownsviewA The City of Toronto has to deal with mountains of garbage that is generated each day. On a whole they handle this task primarily through our recycling system but recycling is very costly. The real answer, of course, is not to generate the waste in the first place.

I bought a cordless telephone set and when I opened the package I discovered that the set itself occupied about half of the box.

The rest of the package was bolstered by folded cardboard. The big glossy package was a marketing tool designed to give the illusion that you were getting something more for your money.

The Province of Ontario tried to deal with the disposal of electronic waste, and they failed miserably. Electronic waste is piling up more rapidly as technology evolves. The question is, who should pay to dispose of obsolete electronics? The obvious answer is the manufacturers who generate the waste in the first place. But that’s

Manufacturers design packaging with extra waste as marketing strategy Photo source: Wikipedia

not the reality.

The government let manufacturers seize control of the process by setting up Waste Diversion Ontario -an industry funded and controlled body. The result was that in July of 2010 we were hit with the ECO fee (disposal fee) that was to be used to cover the cost of recycling obsolete electronics. The ECO fee was a hidden charge that ranged from seven cents for a cell phone to $40 for a large TV. It didn’t appear on the price tag but you got walloped with it at the cash register after you paid the HST. The manufactures had successfully transferred the costs from themselves to you, the consumer.

Public anger was so intense that the Ontario government pulled

try. I proposed that the city enact a bylaw that required every retail outlet over 3,000 square feet to establish a well signed, well equipped packaging removal area where customers can remove and leave the packaging. If most customers were encouraged to remove and leave the excess packaging at the store, the retailers would turn to the manufacturers and say: Unless you reduce your packaging we are not going to carry your product.

Would it work? When the city had a 5 cent charge on plastic shopping bags their use was reduced by a whopping 88%.

You can do your bit too.

Don’t take your groceries home in the store’s cardboard boxes and when you make a purchase remove the packaging and leave it at the store. They might begin to understand that society doesn’t have to generate a mountain of waste.

back the ECO fee. They immediately solved their problem by downloading the costs of disposing of electronic waste onto the backs of municipalities. You still pay the fee but now it’s hidden. Now you pay through your property taxes.

Setting packaging standards is the responsibility of the federal government. Given the influence that manufacturers wield, efforts to regulate packaging at the federal level www.next-steps.ca are doomed to 3701 Chesswood Dr, Suite 100 fail.

Toronto, ON M3J 2P6 (416) 395-9559 To r o n to is the largest Unemployed? Looking to Hire? We can Help! consumer marNext-Steps Employment Centre- Downsview ket in the coun-

Next-Steps Employment Centres

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The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

small business help councillor's corner featured business what's happening

w w w. d u k e h e i g h t s . c a

perks

Duke heights Bia News

March, 2016

DUKE PERKS discounts are now here for local businesses!

DUKE Heights is an association of businesses, and one of the biggest in Toronto. As part of our mandate, we are looking to make things better for businesses locally. We have over 2,500 businesses and over 30,000 employees.

DUKE Heights is like a small city of businesses and entrepreneurs and we are working to make the BIA more prosperous.

One of our programs called DUKE Perks, is exclusively available to DUKE Heights businesses. This program is designed to help encourage local members do business with each other.

With DUKE Perks, businesses can take advantage of services provided by other DUKE Heights businesses at a discount. You can tap into this powerful local market by providing your product or service at a special price to the BIA members and their employees. Take advantage of the various Perks provided here, or provide your product or service as a Perk. Get discounted custom shirts, discounted printing, discounted furniture and much more.

As a DUKE Heights business you can also offer your services to other businesses. It is easy. Fill out the form online and we will promote your discount to other businesses and their employees. Want to know if you qualify, see what discounts are available or find out more? Go to our webpage for more details: dukeheights.ca/perks

This my neighbourhood.

I work here and I live here. Every month I will be giving you news and information to help you and your neighbours Matias de Dovitiis Executive Director keep in touch with what is new and important. We hope you follow us as we continue to build on the work that will make this area better.

Here is what is new:

IBI Group completes study for DUKE Heights and the City of Toronto We partnered with the City of Toronto’s Economic Development Department to issue a study that analyzed the history and future of employment in our district. The study took 8 months and is now completed. There are a series of recommendations that the study includes that we think will have a deep impact on the development of the area.

We are working to create employment in the BIA and we are now headed in a clear, strong direction.

We also welcome your feedback.

Please go to our website to take a look at the study: www.dukeheights.ca/opportunities/ area-development

perks

small business help councillor's corner featured business what's happening HEROES Unite in Support of Second Harvest's Food Rescue Program.

mall business h ouncillor's corn atured busines For over 30 years, Second Harvest has been connecting fresh, surplus food otherwise destined for landfill, with people experiencing hunger in Toronto.

awareness and donations so Second Harvest can deliver surplus food to those experiencing hunger in our city.

Last year, through its network of 220 social service agencies, Second Harvest delivered food for 8.2 million meals to Toronto’s most vulnerable populations, including children in after-school programs, women escaping domestic abuse, and newcomers to Canada. Here in the Duke Heights neighbourhood, two programs receive regular food donations, saving the agencies money and nourishing their participants.

Working with Duke Heights BIA to raise awareness about food rescue, Second Harvest aims to involve local organizations to help feed hungry people.

For every dollar donated, Second Harvest provides food for two healthy meals to our neighbours in need.

Second Harvest’s food rescue program is only possible with the support of our community. The Second Harvest Hero workplace fundraising campaign is one way businesses can get involved. This year, almost 150 organizations across the GTA are running fundraisers in their workplaces and schools to raise

To learn more about how your company can run a Hero campaign or donate to Second Harvest, visit: secondharvesthero.ca.

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

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The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

Taking responsibility for our Environment Continued from page 1 It is pretty much worthless on world markets during an oil glut. And it is what Line 9 is pumping right through Downsview backyards. As a whole, Energy East would increase emissions by 32 million tons a year in CO2, undoing the vast good millions of us do every day.

We need another awakening. Efficiency saves money by replacing reliance on dangerous exports (asbestos, uranium, bitumen) that ultimately harm everyone.

Green infrastructure which saves fuel and time is a better investment than pipelines.

This isn’t just economics, its morality. Our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be a part of the Vulnerable 20 (V-20) nations who demand justice for climate harms done to them. Earth Day should focus on goals bigger than our own country and longer than

our own lives.

Yes, it’s depressing. So was nuclear standoff. We survived. We became better people. Now let’s become better again!

Whatever efficiency you pursue now, keep it up: LED lighting, sealing drafts, new appliances with better efficiency, gardening around foundations to hold in heat, ditching old fridges, electric cars etc.

Consider one new surprising transformative thought every week. A piece of advice from Stanford University’s Professor Marc Jacobson’s: renewable energy (with smart grid & conservation) already does compete on cost with fossil fuels even without charging for fossil’s ecological damage. What keeps us back? Ignorance. Influence. Inertia.

Don’t be shamed by what you don’t do, what we all do, or what failed Yes, we’ve all idled our cars to stay warm. Yes, we use much more than ‘our share’ of what the Earth

can sustain. Not even great spiritual leaders live up to all their own ideals every day in every act or comment. But doing nothing tomorrow because you didn’t do enough yesterday, is surrender.

Ever watch Mad Men? That’s how we behaved in the 1960s: casual sexism, drinking at work, drinking and driving, littering, smoking at work or in cars with children, and worse. Things didn’t get better all at once. We dropped one bad habit, then another, then another. We have a few more to drop. So consider Earth Day 2016 a funeral for those bad habits, a rebirth for yourself, and the day you finally ‘got it’.

L E G A L

S E R V I C E

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Working Hard for Working Families

To all of our members and their families, we extend our warmest greetings for a Happy Easter!

EXECUTIVE BOARD CARMEN PRINCIPATO

TONY DO VALE

BUSINESS MANAGER

LUIS PIMENTEL VICE-PRESIDENT

ROLY BERNARDINI

SECRETARY-TREASURER

NICK REPOLE

RECORDING-SECRETARY

SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL MICHAEL HANCOCK

PETER GLAZE

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

REGIONAL ORGANIZING CO-ORDINATOR ELIO TOPPAN

LEGAL COUNSEL ALEXIS MANTELLO-CLEMENT

BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES MIKE BETTENCOURT MAMADOU BAH JOE INACIO SAVERIO REPOLE FABRIZZIO MASSARI CARLO DI BLASIO JOE FURTADO JOHN WALKER

PRESIDENT

JACK EUSTAQUIO

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

OFFICE MANAGER ISABELLA COSTANZO

COMPLIANCE CONTROL OFFICER RENATO TAGLIONE

DISPATCHER HARDY JALLOH ORGANIZERS CARLO RICCI TONY CASBARRO PIERRE PRIMERANO BRANDEN LEWIS MATIAS MARROCCHI ROMAN ROZMUS

SUPPORT STAFF PAULA CARDOSO MARY MAURO PATRICIA LUM MONIQUE SERINO VICKY HILL NATALIY KRASKOVSKY CHRISTINA COLELLA DE PAOLA SARAH AH LIM MISHEL BIRFIR

3750 2W6 3750 Chesswood ChesswoodDrive, Drive,Toronto, Toronto,ONONM3J M3J 2W6 Tel: 416.638.0506 • Fax: 416.638.1334 • Website: www.local506.ca Tel: 416.638.0506 Fax: 416.638.1334 Website: www.local506.ca

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

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Food rescue in action Photo courtesy of Second Harvest

Reality bites when it comes to the amount of food that is wasted Food waste is a big topic and the price check on its severity goes against the moral grain

Anna M Porretta @DownsviewA Annual losses of food produced for human consumption are valued at $1 trillion worldwide, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In Canada, the bill is worth an estimated $31 billion of edible food each year that finds its way to landfill or composting.

Food is wasted along various points of the food supply chain.

The largest contributor to food waste is the consumer. More than 50 percent or $28 worth of food waste each week can be traced back at the household level. The main hot spots for food waste occurs with vegetables and fruit (fresh and processed), followed by meat and seafood. Reducing food waste at all stages of the food supply chain makes for more efficient, cost-effective companies and consumers paying less for food.

Food loss and waste has many negative environmental consequences. These include greenhouse gas emissions and the unnecessary use of scarce natural resources that go into producing

that food — water, land, seeds, fer- account for 89 percent of food that tilizer, energy. is rescued, of which 37 percent is

Both the public and private produce. Innovations are underway, sectors have been working to de- however, Second Harvest in unable crease food waste. The City of To- to scale up their food rescue and ronto is developing a Long Term redistribution efforts due to infraWaste Management Strategy for food waste reduction and diversion. On March 1, 2016, a draft of the Strategy was adopted by the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

Local charities, such as Second Harvest, are also feeding a need with its Food Rescue and Delivery Program.

Lori Nikkel, Director of Programs and Partnerships, states that in this fiscal Delivering fresh surplus food to those in need year, “ten million Photo courtesy of Second Harvest pounds of fresh, surplus food will be rescued from structure and logistical constraints.

200 regular food donors.” That food You can support Second is then delivered to 220 community Harvest today. Every $1 donated agencies that serve the city’s most provides food for 2 meals. vulnerable populations. Lori shared There are a number of ways conwhat sets the organization apart, sumers can cut their food waste: “we deal primarily with perishable 1. Inventory control. Plan food – vegetables, fruit, dairy prod- meals and make grocery lists to reucts, bread and meat and divert it duce impulse buying. from needless waste.” Perishables 2. Store better. Keep vegeta-

bles and fruit in separate bins. They spoil one another.

3. The mother of invention.

Use random produce and re-purpose leftovers to make stir-fries, soups, stews, fried rice and pasta.

4. The dating game. ‘Best before’ labels can be confusing. Milk and yogurt can last a week to 10 days longer than their expiry date.

Although if it smells sour, toss it.

Food waste affects everyone and we can all help to reduce waste before it happens by being conscious of our actions.

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The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

Next Steps Employment:: a leading path to your future employment Leah Sullivan and Ann Mossop @DownsviewA Have you, or someone you know, been on the job hunt for months?

Or maybe it just feels like months.

Would you like support and feedback to help improve your search?

That help can be found by stopping by the Next-Steps Employment Centre, Downsview. The Downsview location is at 3701 Chesswood Drive, near the intersection of Chesswood and Sheppard and is a full service assessment centre offering direction and guidance to job seekers of all ages. You can sit down with an Employment Advisor, tell your own unique story, and then develop an Action Plan to decide your Next Steps to move forward in achieving employment.

If you still are not sure if Next-Steps is worth the trip, then just ask Pulasthi Marawanagoda, who came to Canada from Sri Lanka in the summer of 2015. Marawanagoda struggled for months looking for employment and found it difficult to even get an interview, let alone a job offer. Marawanagoda’s struggle ended when someone referred him to the Next Steps Employment Centre in Downsview.

After registering with Next-Steps, Marawanagoda was able to take advantage of all the workshops on offer, including: High Impact Resumes, Targeted Cover Letters, Shock &

Job seekers sitting down with an Employment Specialist at Next-Steps Employment Centre, Downsview Photo courtesy of Next Steps Employment Centre

Awe Interview skills and Networking. He was then able to meet with an Employment Specialist who revised and adjusted his resume and cover letter to meet employer and market standards. Marawanagoda also took advantage of doing a Mock Interview for specific feedback on his interview skills. It was with this information, and one on one coaching, that he was able to become a

more competitive applicant on the Canadian market and indeed found solid employment within weeks of his experience with Next-Steps Employment Centre. Flash forward 9 months later and Marawanagoda has a developing career in his chosen field of hospitality, working for The Hilton Hotel Chain.

When asked about his initial job search, Marawanagoda states, “I

Checking out some of the various services available at Next Steps Employment in Downsview Photo courtesy of Next Steps Employment Centre

was a bit down. Without getting interviews, you get really frustrated”.

These are feelings that are shared by many job seekers. Fortunately, there are great employment services provided at Next-Steps to help people with their job search. Especially if you are new to Canada though, Marawanagoda thinks that the Next-Steps workshops should be mandatory. He states “I think this Next-Steps program should be compulsory for newcomers to Canada. We don’t know about the (job) culture. If you’re new (to Canada) you have to go there.”

The Next-Steps Employment Centres are funded by Employment Ontario and all services are FREE. If you are experiencing difficulties with your job search or if you know someone else having a challenging time with their job search, contact Downsview Next Steps Employment Centre at 416395-9559.

As Marawanagoda says, “I’m really glad that I went there”.

You could be too!

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

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Recipe of the month:: Seafood Pasta

By Vincent Polsinelli Ingredients: Tomato Sauce 1 can of chopped plum tomatoes 3 cloves of garlic 1 white onion 2 tbsp of oregano 1 tbsp of olive oil 1 bunch of basil Salt and pepper to taste 2 garlic cloves 2 tbsp of shallots 1 tbsp of chilli flakes 100 mL of vegatable oil 100 mL of white wine Pasta Any dry pasta of your choice (preferably spaghetinni or linguine) Seafood 5 pieces of cleaned shrimp 8 cleaned mussels Directions: Tomato Sauce 1. Finely chop your garlic and sauté it in a medium size pot 2. Once it is cooked add in your diced white onion.

3. Continue to sauté and then add the can of tomatoes with olive oil, oregano and basil.

4. Stir regularly and bring sauce to a boil.

5. Season it with salt and pepper and continue to cook it until most of the liquid is reduced.

Seafood 6. In a medium pan sauté more garlic in vegetable oil, just as above.

7. Then add finely chopped shallots and continue to sauté

8. If you would like your pasta to have some heat (spicy) I recommend adding in chilli flakes at this point.

9. While the pan is still hot add your shrimp.

10. Achieve a nice sear on both sides of the shrimp without burning it 11. Then add your mussels and toss them in the pan so all of the flavours are incorporated.

12. After about 2 minutes deglaze your pan with white wine, cooking off the alcohol.

13. At this point add in your previously made tomato sauce and bring to a boil.

14. Season with salt and pepper 15. Your pasta sauce will be ready when the mussels begin to open up Pasta 16. In a medium pot boil water (salt the water to the point where you can taste it).

17. Follow the instructions on the box of dry pasta and cook it off until it is soft.

18. Be sure to stir your pasta while it boils or else it will stick 19. Strain your pasta and add it to your sauce.

20. Toss all of your ingredients together and serve

Hand Sewing 101: – Basic Stitches Part 2

By Desmond Miller Picking up where we left off a few months ago, we’ll learn an additional basic hand sewing stitch- the blanket stitch. This stitch can be applied to previous projects, for example, how to hem and how to sew a patch, and it is especially useful for finishing seams. Unless otherwise indicated, always tie a knot when beginning and ending a row of stitches. For right-handed sewers, most stitches move from right to left. It will be the opposite for left-handed sewers.

Tools required: Sewing needle, thread, fabric Blanket stitch – usually used to finish off the raw edge of a piece of fabric, especially on the seams of a garment or a blanket (hence the name ‘blanket stitch). A variation of this stitch is also used to make hand bound buttonholes.

1) With the edge of the fabric facing up, start

your stitch at the far right corner of the fabric.

Guide the needle in an out of the fabric from right side to wrong side about ¼ inch away from the fabric raw edge. Pull the needle out from the wrong side, back to the right side and repeat the process in the same spot.

2) In the same spot, place the needle into the right side, and before pulling it through, wrap

the excess thread around the head of the needle in a counterclockwise direction. Pull the needle through gently and ensure the thread lays directly on the edge of the fabric.

3) Move forward ¼ inch and insert the needle into the right side of the fabric and repeat step 2. Continue steps 2 and 3 until the entire edge of the fabric is covered.

The Downsview Advocate, Issue 3, Number 3

12

Tax Filing Help Awaits at Mathan Tax Services computer program as the rest of us.

But we suggest you go to the experts, the people who know what they’re doing, have a sound knowledge of the Canadian Tax system, and who understand your needs and lifestyle because they are your neighbours.

This year, save yourself the headache that so often accompanies tax season.

Check out Mathan Tax Services located at 1290 Finch Avenue West, Unit #23, get more information at www.mathantaxservices. com or contact them directly at 416-665-4756.

Leah Sullivan @DownsviewA The deadline to submit your 2015 taxes is approaching. Before you know it it will be April 30th and that means it’s time to track down all of those old bus passes, T4’s, T5’s and to scour through receipts to figure out what’s deductible and how much.

Are you planning on filing online? Have you bought the latest software? Or should you go old school and fill out the paper forms?

If you’re anything like me, it all sounds more than just a little overwhelming. This year we have the solution to alleviate some of your tax season stress, by sending you over to Mathan Tax Services.

Mathan Tax Services is a family run business that has been in the Downsview community for over a quarter of a century -26 years to be exact. This is the perfect place to go for any Canadian

Mathan Thava, the managing director of Mathan Tax Services, sits down to tell us about the business run by himself and his father.

tem. I decided to use my knowledge to serve the neighbourhood that I was raised in.”

Thava and his family are active members and business owners in the community. Mathan Tax Services is a professional business full of people who truly care about helping you meet your tax needs and are dedicated to ensuring you get the best return possible this year. This dedication and unique understanding of the area, great rates and reliable services, have helped Mathan Tax Services to continue to grow, year after year, as more and more happy clients keep returning and referring their friends.

So you could go through the time, effort, confusion and expense of trying to do your taxes yourself. Or you could go to one Family-run business serving the Downsview of the big chains neighbourhood for the past 26 years who seem like they 1290 Finch Avenue West Unit #23, Toronto ON just use the same

resident in the Downsview area who needs help, or a consultation, with filing their personal or business taxes.

We asked the owner, Mathan Thava, why he decided to open up a tax services business in Downsview.

He responded, “my experience in accounting and in-depth understanding of Canadian Tax Law led me to further educate myself in the intricacies of the Canadian Tax sys-

www.mathantaxservice.com

Happy filing!

Call in to schedule your appointment for tax season $5 off your return if you mention this advertisement!

mathantaxservices@gmail.com (416) 665-4756 or (416) 992-7989

Purchasing a new home is an exciting time. We can help you start your new beginning in your new home.

Ask us how on Mortgage Day on Friday, April 08, 2016

Improving Community Centres for Greater Youth Engagement in North York Continued from page 1

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community centre. They further expressed concerns about its inadequate usage, which they associate with the lack of maintenance and funding.

By pointing to the need for better community centers, it is hoped that leaders at the local government level will collaboratively work with youth and other constituents to understand the underlying

factors that led to the poor state of these facilities.

While these ideas may perhaps be conceived as lofty goals, it is hoped that such transformational measures will foster an environment of excellence, where youth leadership capacities will be harnessed so that they, too, can continue to work with their peers, and other constituents to improve our communities.