Leaside Life Issue 131 April 2023

Jane Auster Editor Leaside Life

In just over a month from now, someone is going to celebrate a really big birthday. I’m looking at you, Leaside. On May 7, 1913, the Town of Leaside was incorporated by act of the Ontario Legislature. Howzit feel to reach the ripe old age of 110? Well, take it from me, you’ve never looked better.

The years have certainly been kind. Sure, there have been a few changes in Leaside over the past 110, with many more to come, but they’ve only made you better, stronger, and dare I say, more desirable.

Leaside Life was there when the Town of Leaside turned 100, and we are proud to be here a decade later to help celebrate.

Saving Old Leaside’s own Geoff Kettel, whose columns have

appeared in every issue of Leaside Life since our founding, has been spearheading community plans (as he did in 2013) to make Leaside 110 an unforgettable anniversary. He’s written, “Back in July 2022, we asked: ‘Leaside 110 – how do we celebrate?’ We invited Leaside organizations to hold a special event in May 2023 or later. They responded!” Read on in this issue to learn more about upcoming Leaside 110 events.

Leaside Life will be devoting much of our May issue to important milestones in the town’s history. In the meantime, we invite readers to send in your own Leaside “milestones” for possible publication in our next issue: leasidelife@gmail. com. n

A day at the races – the Thorncliffe Riot of 1937

by TED DEWELLES, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Leaside prides itself on its peaceful reputation. But it’s experienced its share of violence – including a major industrial strike in the late 1940s, several notorious crimes, and at least one bona fide riot that took place at the Thorncliffe racetrack on June 5, 1937.

The Cause

The problem began when some of the horses had not fully entered the

starting stall just before the launch of the second race. As the animals took off, track officials immediately declared a false start. Ignoring the callback, many of the jockeys rode the full length of the course –leading 15,000 Thorncliffe spectators to believe the race was valid. It wasn’t. The horses were ordered to reassemble, and the race was rerun with victory going to a mediocre but fresh horse – Lassie’s Mary – that had stayed behind during the

false start. Confused and angry, the crowd started booing. Many had placed winning bets on horses in the false start, only to be told by officials those bets would not be honoured.

Consequence

That’s when it got ugly. As many as 350 incensed fans jumped over the barriers and flooded onto the field,

Angry spectators hurl stones and dirt at jockeys during the riot’s peak.

Leaside’s Freddy-Jan is a stand-up guy

by SUZANNE PARK

Why would a young man with a great day job spend many of his free evenings doing something most people dread? Fredsen Otchere-Jan, better known by his stage name –Freddy-Jan – says, “I’m passionate about stand-up comedy. I’m committed to refining the skills necessary to stand on stage and entertain.”

He adds, “It takes preparation, courage, and resilience to repeatedly get on stage whether your last appearance was great or not.”

Asked how his path led him to stand-up, Fredsen commented, “I’ve always been a fan of stand-up with Seinfeld being among my favourite comedians. After graduating and securing a relevant job, I realized that unlike school where you work hard and get a good grade, I was missing the joy felt when a task’s done, which is rare in workplaces. In my free evenings, I saw eager comedians get on stage, perform, and complete their set.

This appealed to me.”

So Fredsen stepped up to stand up. “It was a slow start,” he admits. “I asked Yuk Yuks Toronto, now a national comedy club, if I could do a set at their amateur open mic night. I waited months until I finally got the ok. You’re on tomorrow night, they said. Luckily, I had chicken-scratched some material. I rehearsed and signed up. Naively, I was unaware that the sooner you sign up the sooner you go on. It was a long night.” He professes to being a tenacious optimist who enjoys a challenge yet, “after dozens of sessions, I was disappointed and exhausted from late nights, lack of sleep and not meeting my own expectations. I felt a gap between where I wanted to be and what I was delivering, so I quit! Five months later, I asked myself, like my mom used to, am I quitting because I don’t like it anymore or because it is too difficult? The next day, I signed up for an open mic and haven’t looked back.”

Stand-up is a highly competitive field with lots of talent vying for open mic spots and looking to move onto coveted booked spots in known venues that draw a crowd and usually pay. But “many bars with open mics are not set up for stand-up and things can get chaotic especially late on weekends. Luckily, I now get bookings at the Comedy Bar East, Comedy Bar West, and Yuk Yuks,” Fredsen says. When asked about his personal style he told me, “My comedic style is dark and playful. I’m always smiling on stage yet speak confidently with authority. Showing any weakness or hesitation and you’ll lose the crowd. I touch on a broad range of topics pertaining to dating, race, politics, and class. However, I portray them from the unique

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The Tao of delicious dining on Laird

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

Leonard’s Restaurant dominated the corner of Laird and Parklea for many years, but when that establishment vacated, the owners of Tao saw an opportunity to put their particular stamp on the east side of Leaside. That was six years ago, and Tao is still doing well on Laird. Jackie Lin, who has worked for the company for the past 18 years and has been the on-site manager for the past five years, makes a point of getting to know her customers. There are smiles and cheerful conversation all around as diners come and go. She is one dedicated employee. When her daughter was about to be born six years ago, Jackie made a point of finishing her

shift before heading to the hospital. Others are equally dedicated. The head chef in the kitchen works every day to make sure dishes are made fresh – and tasty. Their buyer deliv-

ers from Chinese supermarkets daily, often bringing extras not specifically pre-ordered but useful for that day’s menu. As Jackie says, “everything from the heart.” You might also recognize another staff member, Lamber, from his days running the restaurant Chai, on Bayview.

During the winter, there is a parking lot to the north of the restaurant. But once the weather warms up, most of it converts to an outdoor dining section. Some of the summer plantings get to over-winter inside the restaurant until spring beckons, though the hydrangeas along the outside front wall have to tough it out through the winter.

Jackie makes a point of touting Tao’s old-fashioned method of serving Peking Duck, which she calls the “Peking Duck Show with Jackie.” The duck is brought to your table, and you get to see all the courses this one duck can produce.

As a celiac (gluten-intolerant), I am particularly interested in how well a restaurant seems to understand my food restrictions. Tao serves gluten-free orders on specially labelled plates to help ensure that cross-contamination does not happen anywhere in the order chain. When Jackie was telling me about the Peking Duck, I mentioned that I remembered being able to enjoy the show years ago in Chinatown, before knowing I was celiac. Lo and behold – with advance notice, Jackie

Jackie and Lamber

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How will your garden grow this year?

How and why we garden is changing rapidly as we focus more and more on the health of the environment as well as the beauty of the nature we create.

With the rising costs of almost everything, gardeners are thinking twice about the kinds of plants they buy. It’s no longer enough for a plant to just look pretty. Gardeners are looking for plants that do double duty, creating a positive impact on the environment.

I asked a few of my favourite garden industry gurus for their take on this growing season. What plants do they think are important?

Pollinator plants

Leaside’s Gardenzilla Lawn & Garden is all set and ready for the busy gardening year ahead. Michael Chudy (owner and general manager) told me they will be doubling down on the lawn-to-garden conversions in general, and pollinator gardens in particular.

“We’re loving plants and gardens that invite nature back into people’s yards,” Chudy said. So, this year,

The Leaside Gardener

Debora Kuchme Columnist

Drought-tolerant plants

When Michael Renaud closed his Horticultural Design store on Bayview, many of his loyal Leaside clients followed him to Summerhill Nursery and Floral. I did too!

“This year, we’re expanding our

their nursery will be stocking a lot more pollinator plants, including milkweed (essential for monarchs), anise hyssop (a Chudy favourite), catmint and serviceberry (one of my favourite trees), to name just a few.

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choices of succulents and drought resistant plant material for the garden,” says Michael R. “Many varieties of Sempervivum (hens and chicks), sedums and some Ragusa rose varieties that need very little care. These beauties flower all summer long and are both drought and pest-resistant.”

He will also bring in more edibles like berries, fruit trees, and citrus, figs and an expanded selection of organic seeds and starter plants. Even a ‘grow your own’ mushroom kit from a company on the east coast. Interesting!

Vegetables and herbs

(The late, lamented) Davenport Garden Centre left their Bayview location last fall, yet they continue to be one of my best resources for native and neonic-free plants. I know many Leaside gardeners feel the same way.

Carla Rose of Davenport says, “With so much food inflation, I believe there will be a sustained interest in growing your own food.

Vegetables and herbs will be in heavy demand. I also think more people will be looking for lawn alternatives with low maintenance ground covers, or at least, reducing the size of their lawns.” Carla also told me about her new native plant grower and was able to track down a native rose for me. I can hardly wait for my new Rosa blanda to arrive!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARDENZILLA

Me, Margaret Atwood and the Leaside connection

If you’ve been reading this column for a while now, you’ll know that I attended Leaside High School for the requisite five years from 1973-1978. But not all of you may know that a much more celebrated writer than I will ever be also attended Leaside, though some years earlier. Yes, Margaret Atwood, one of the world’s more renowned writers, walked the halls of Leaside High before me.

The first time I encountered Atwood’s writing was, I believe, in Grade 9 English class when we were assigned an early novel of hers called Surfacing. I think I’d quite enjoy the novel today, but I confess, back then my appreciation for literature was somewhat stunted, if I had any at all. I read Surfacing, but it left me confused and confounded. You might say I felt like

Terry Fallis Columnist

Atwood often, whether at the Writers Trust Gala, various literary festivals, or events she’s had a hand in organizing. The first time I met her, we were at a formal dinner, and I turned around after checking my coat and there she was standing in front of me. Caught completely by surprise, when I intro-

In Northern Labrador with Margaret Atwood.

PHOTO BY TERRY FALLIS

FALLIS continued

duced myself, my voice sounded like someone else’s. I was petrified. Had I seen her approaching from a distance, I would have had time to hyperventilate before encountering her. If seeing her weren’t shock enough, she kindly reported to me that at an event the previous week, a group of readers had recommended my first, and back then, only novel, The Best Laid Plans. She said she’d picked up the novel and would read it. I think I was able to muster a monosyllabic response as my knees turned weak and wobbly. Some weeks later, I was scrolling through Twitter when I came upon a very supportive tweet from Margaret Atwood recommending my debut novel to her gigantic community of followers. I nearly passed out.

Thus began at least an acquaintanceship, if not a friendship, that continues to this day. I don’t see her often as she travels in a somewhat more rarefied literary stratum than I. But it’s always lovely when we do connect. In 2015, I was one of a few floating writers in residence of sorts on a twoweek Adventure Canada cruise up the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Margaret Atwood was also on the

cruise. She approached me shortly after she boarded – which was a thrill in itself – and I’ll never forget our exchange.

“You know I’m going to come to one of your sessions and heckle you mercilessly,” the two-time Booker Prize winner said.

“Oh, um, well that would be great,” I fumbled.

“No, it won’t,” she replied. “It’ll be great for me, but not for you.”

She has a wicked sense of humour and was just winding me up. She did attend my session and was unfailingly kind and encouraging.

Then, in the spring of 2016, an email arrived from none other than Margaret Atwood. She and her late partner, Graeme Gibson, were instrumental in founding and supporting the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO). The annual PIBO fundraising dinner in Windsor was coming up and the speaker Margaret had secured had just cancelled. I suspect there were others on her backup list before I got the call, but before she’d even completed her invitation, I simply said, “I’ll be there.” It was a memorable night. We had dinner together, she introduced me, and after my talk, we signed books together. Just two Leaside High School graduates hanging out and signing books. I’ll never forget it. n

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Leaside’s Eleanor Voykin is crushing records

Susan Scandiffio Columnist

As Eleanor Voykin sits across the screen on a Tuesday evening, she snuggles with her dog while effortlessly braiding her hair and exuding an air of calm and laidbackness.

But put her on a field, a track or a cross-country course and she is determined, prepared and committed to her performance. And she is crushing records across the board.

Voykin is a 14-year-old Birchmount Park Grade 9 student, a Northlea graduate and the youngest in her active family. Both her siblings are runners, while her mother, Christine, has run multiple marathons, including Boston.

As a rep level soccer player with the North Toronto Nitros, Voykin practises year-round and in 2022 qualified to play with the Ontario team.

The agility, speed and endurance she needs to be a provincial level soccer player are all skills which she uses in both her track and

cross-country running.

Voykin began running with the kilometre club at Northlea School in kindergarten, joined the school’s

cross-country team in Grade 1 and in Grade 5 joined the Blue Devils Athletic Club where she continues to train to this day.

Blue Devils Athletic Director and Head Coach Ben DeVito describes Voykin as “chatty and positive,” while dedicating herself to hard work, determination and a committed sleep schedule. “Eleanor’s ability to recover between races and do just the right amount of “hard work,” he notes, “helps her to be consistent at practice, which leads to her success.”

And her success has been beyond impressive.

In November of last year, Voykin placed first in Cross Country at OFSAA (the provincial finals) in a time of 14:53.24, an astounding over-a-minute faster than the second-place runner.

She followed up this astonishing feat with her performance at the National Cross Country Championships the same month, finishing third in the U18 category. Maintaining her composure and determination, Voykin ran as a 14-year-old against girls up to the age of 18.

She not only finished third in the nation in the U18 category, but first in her age group.

On the track, Voykin has been equally successful.

At the 2023 Ontario Indoor U16 & U20 Athletics Championships this March, Voykin smashed the Ontario records in her age group in both the 1200- and 2000-metre distances.

Her winning times in this and other meets qualified her to race in the 1 mile, 2 mile and 3000-metre championships against competitors from across the United States at the Nike Indoor Nationals in New York on the weekend of March 11th.

Racing against top level athletes from North America, Voykin finished third overall in the 3000, fourth in the two-mile and 14th in the one-mile.

Her success also merited a feature in the February 2023 edition of Canadian Running Magazine. Voykin is remarkably humble and realistic, noting “I have goals but I know I’m not going to get a personal best every time.” She is also cognizant of the fact that, as she points out, “everyone improves at different rates.”

Eleanor Voykin continues to be one to watch! n

My love affair with Leaside

by JEN PARKER

My family arrived in Leaside in 1977, the year I turned 8. My mother had just married my beloved stepfather, and we began our life as a new family that year. My father lived close by, in what we then just referred to as Davisville, and we saw him often, as it was an easy walk after school.

My sister and I attended Rolph Road School and went to Brownies and Guides at St. Cuthbert’s Church. We took swimming lessons at the Leaside Pool and skated at the (old) rink during the winter. Our evening walks became a ritual during the first summer we lived here, and one of the things that kept my sister and me motivated to join our parents was counting the number of houses whose front doors had leaded glass in the shape of a spider’s web! We lived at the top of the hill, at Sutherland Drive and Hanna Road, which was very handy for catching the Leaside 88 bus, but not so great for not catching a ball, when it starts to roll down the hill, gaining speed.

Whenever we drove anywhere towards the east end of the city, we would always drive down Sutherland to Millwood. My stepfather hated waiting for that interminable light to turn green for us to cross, so we We

always turned right onto Millwood, and then left at Becker’s, onto Randolph Rd. We would drive by my good friend’s house, at number 77, and then pass the unusual row of semi-detached houses with big boulevards and large front porches close to Lea Ave. I loved those houses for some reason, as they were so different from the usual semis in Leaside.

We bought bikes (and some books) from Sandy’s Cycle Shop down on Laird Dr. We ate at the Red Caboose Restaurant (an old red caboose turned into a diner), which is where the Esso is now, by the train tracks over Millwood. We saw movies like King Kong at Trace Manes on Saturday afternoons. We shopped at Thorncliffe’s K-Mart, then Kresge’s, then Woolworth, for clothes and toys, and had birthday parties at Bowlerama. If we were lucky, we would get a new dress from Heather Anderson, on Millwood, near where the Little Dollhouse Company lives now.

During our lunch break at school, a group of friends and I would walk down to Millwood, buy shoestring licorice at the corner store across from Trace Manes, and then visit the strange “Endangered Animal Sanctuary,” where a rather odd man kept abused and abandoned tigers, leopards, albino skunks, and many kinds of snakes… in quiet little Leaside!

We loved it when our parents took us to Kuzin’s Restaurant, located, briefly, on top of the Coffee Time

are here to help and proud to serve our community!

BRIAN MOK

COURTESY OF PARKER FAMILY

at the northeast corner of Bayview and Moore. It was like a Swiss Chalet ripoff, but our favourite babysitter was a waitress there, so we often begged our parents to go and say hello to her. We shopped at the Loblaws across the street from Kuzin’s, where we would see Dave Nichols (founder of President’s Choice brand) every Saturday morning, when he was the manager of that store. We had bank accounts at the TD Bank in the plaza, and shopped at, first Tamblyn’s Drug Store, then Boots, and then Pharma Plus. Now, I believe it’s a Rexall Pharmacy. We walked to Bayview on Saturday mornings, shopped at Badali’s Fruit Market, and if we were lucky, we would go to Claire’s Smoke Shop and buy bubblegum for the Star Wars collector cards inside. Our favourite summer tradition was to walk up to Baskin Robbins after dinner to get ice cream for dessert. We loved going to Consumers Distributing in the Sunnybrook Plaza and tobogganing down the hills in Talbot Park.

When we drove along Eglinton East, towards Brentcliffe, we would pass the offices of Schlumberger Ltd., just east of where the Mercedes dealership is now. My dad would always call out to us in the back seat, “Anyone want a Schlumberger?” We’d giggle, of course, and then go into hysterics as we watched our car drive past the next building, which was covered in mirrored glass. It was like a funhouse mirror for cars. My parents continued to live in Leaside for a total of 25 years, until they sold the house to the favourite babysitter I mentioned earlier.

Fast forward to the year 2004, and my husband and I, with our two-year-old son, had just sold our condo at Summerhill, and wanted to buy a house. After losing out on six houses in bidding wars, we were exhausted and distressed. The next house we went to see was in none other than that row of unusual houses on Randolph Rd. that I’d always loved. There was something about the idea of raising kids in the neighbourhood where I had grown up that felt very right.

Mark your calendar for Leaside’s 110th anniversary in May

by GEOFF KETTEL

Leaside will be 110 years old in May! Yes, on May 7, 1913, the Town of Leaside was incorporated by act of the Ontario Legislature.

To mark the occasion, we have created a special logo (designed by Leasider Kim Auchinachie), which picks up on Leaside’s distinctive street grid, displaying its origins as the Model Garden City.

Back in July 2022, we asked: “Leaside 110 – how do we celebrate?” We invited Leaside organizations to hold a special event in May 2023 or later. They responded! Here are some of the highlights:

May 4-6 – the Archival Exhibit at Leaside Library, with maps, photos and artifacts displaying the history of the Town, including its railway origins, working in Leaside, living in Leaside, etc. We thank John Naulls for recreating this exhibit, which was a centrepiece of Leaside One Hundred in 2013.

May 10 – the anniversary celebration will be hosted at Amsterdam Brewery on Esandar. Theme: Leaside Model Garden City. More details to come (sponsorship opportunities are available). Other events include:

May 5-7 – Jane’s Walks in Leaside (from Leaside Library)

May 19 – Bridges to Thorncliffe Park: Community Bazaar (Thorncliffe Park Women’s Committee) at R.V. Burgess Park, 46-48 Thorncliffe Park Dr. Enjoy tasty treats from North America’s first park-based Tandoor oven.

May 30 – East York Historical Society: Stories of Leaside: 1913 to Today with speakers John Lea, John Naulls, moderated by Leaside Life publisher Lorna Krawchuk (at J. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave.)

October 12 – Leaside Garden Society

– Leaside: A Garden City? with speaker Joanna Blanchard, master gardener and co-president, Leaside Garden Society. n

perspective of being the son of immigrants, as my mom’s from Jamaica and my dad’s from Ghana.”

What does it take to become a good standup? “Being an English grad I’m confident I am a good writer, which is essential,” Fredsen says. “Embrace failure as the best teacher. My early shows are the most memorable. I learned so much from my mistakes and failures. Measure yourself against how you did yesterday versus how others are doing. Plan and prepare. Comedians prepare and rehearse. They’re rarely spontaneous. Get public speaking experience so you can hold a crowd. On student council at school, I had many opportunities to speak to a crowd and I enjoyed it. Finally, family and friends always say I’m funny. Here’s hoping they’re not just being polite as I’m throwing a lot of eggs in this basket.”

Want to check out Freddy-Jan live? Catch him at: https://www. instagram.com/freddyjan17, https:// www.yukyuks.com/toronto and https://comedybar.ca. n

FREDDY From Page 4

LEASIDE Est. 1913

can arrange a gluten-free Peking Duck.

Unlike at a food-court Chinese restaurant, menu items like fried rice are individually prepared once they’re ordered. It does take a little more time to do this, but the taste is worth the wait. Similarly, the dim sum are freshly steamed to their individual timing needs.

Some advice from Jackie: if you’re going to enjoy your meal at home, as many are still doing, order directly from Tao if you’re not able to pick up. They have a dedicated driver. Tao also sells some of their menu items freshly prepared and then frozen for you to enjoy later – with precise instructions on how to heat and serve. And if you’re invited to a pot luck meal? Tao can do that too. n

Plants that can actually make some dough

Bessborough School has partnered with Plantables.ca , hoping to promote growing organic herbs and veggies, while raising a bit of money to support the school. What a great idea! And it’s as easy as 1-2-3.

1) Visit Plantables.ca

2) Pick your plants and use the code: BESSBOROUGH

3) Choose your delivery week for May or June and the plants will be delivered to your door

Leaside mother Rachel Gordon is the point person for this exciting new fundraiser. She explained how 10 per cent of all plants purchased through Plantables.ca (using the BESSBOROUGH code) will go directly to the school and help fund some of their green initiatives as well as other projects.

Last year, the kindergarten teachers ran a fairly extensive garden with the students and the kids loved it. The team plans to do it again this year and I must say, I love it too!

How will my garden grow this year?

Along with that native rose, I will add some of the new succulents to the hot and dry areas of my garden. I’m going to add a few more pollinator plants and experiment with a serviceberry tree in a large container. And since I plant organic veggies and herbs every year anyway, I may as well buy them through Plantables and help Bessborough School at the same time. Another win/win. Visit leasidelife.com for the extended version of this article along with more photos! n

Holy Week & Easter

with LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH

822 Millwood Road

Palm Sunday

April 2 at 10:30 am – In Person & Online

Palms, a donkey – maybe we will even see Jesus! Join us for our Palm Parade as we remember Jesus entering Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday

April 6 at 10:30 am – In Person

We will share in prayer, music, and hand washing with leadership by Rev. Emily, Matt Boutda, and Jean Marie, Pastoral Care Minister.

Good Friday – In Person & Online

Sign up for church emails to get our Easter worship and event information.

416-425-1253

www.leasideunited.org

April 7 at 10:30 am

A service of scripture, music, and reflection, as our Chancel Choir presents The Reproaches by Tomas Luis de Victoria.

Easter Sunday

April 9 at 10:30 am – In Person & Online

https://www.youtube.com/LeasideUnitedChurchToronto

A joyful celebration with Easter flowers, trumpets, and Easter music! We will hear anthems by our Junior Choir and Chancel Choir, and end with the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once?

First, it was the province, with its multiple legislative changes to planning and heritage legislation, and now it is City Planning that seems to be using the theme of this top Oscarwinning movie as the new Official Plan for Toronto.

At the risk of being accused of playing another Oscar (the Grouch), the fact is that residents of neighbourhoods, and of Leaside in particular, are being inundated with an avalanche of planning changes that many of us don’t know anything about, and those who do are mostly powerless to stop.

I am speaking first about the applications for tall towers in the Bayview/Eglinton area, where City Council approved a plan, following consultation, which permitted midrise development on the arterials. That plan was changed by the province, without further consultation, to allow high-rise development.

And then there is the City’s Housing Action Plan, which includes enabling as-of-right zoning for multiplexes (up to four housing units) in all areas designated Neighbourhood citywide. Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on:

Tall Towers on Bayview (Everything!)

The first application came in for 1837-45 Bayview at 25 storeys. The 1840 Bayview (ESSO station) and 2-20 Glazebrook (five of the seven semi-detached houses), each at 34 storeys, followed in quick succession. Now 1837-45 Bayview and 1840 Bayview are both under appeal by their developer to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

City Planning held virtual community consultation meetings for these developments:

March 1 - 1779-1787 Bayview (and 589-595 Eglinton)

March 7 - 1840 Bayview

March 9 - 2-20 Glazebrook

The slide presentations and the recordings for each of the above meetings can be viewed at the Leaside Residents Association website (under Recent News): https://leasideresidents.ca

It’s worth listening to the recordings – from 80 to 200 people attended each meeting, and the consensus is clear.

Geoff Kettel Saving old Leaside

Multiplexes (Everywhere!)

And then there is the City’s Housing Action Plan, which includes enabling as-of-right zoning for multiplexes (up to four housing units) in all areas designated Neighbourhood citywide.

The province already made a change to allow up to three units per lot, so why is the City proposing four? It means that a triplex or fourplex would be permitted without a hearing at Committee of Adjustment. Behind the policy change is the intent to remove “exclusionary” single family zoning and encourage “inclusive” communities as well as address the need to

two-storey physical form. Raising the height limit will permit three storeys everywhere (and, of course, you can still go to Committee of Adjustment for more).

Were you consulted? There have been only two virtual city-wide consultations so far on these changes (on February 21 and 23) and a very long survey that requires someone to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of bylaws to be able to respond. To her credit, Councillor Jaye Robinson held two additional meetings for Ward 15 residents on February 28 (for residents’ associations) and March 6 (open to all).

All at Once?

So, what can we do?

For the towers on Bayview Avenue the key is the precedent set by what happens at 1837-45 Bayview Ave. Please consider supporting Bayview Broadway Good Planning in their opposition to the application at the

provide additional units for families and inter-generational households. And all within the existing zoning framework for building.

Fair enough – but that is not what they are, in fact, proposing. One of a number of other “enabling” changes are proposed, like raising the permitted building height in Leaside from 8.5m to 10m. And they propose to remove the policy in the Official Plan to “protect and reinforce the existing physical character” of these areas.

An important element of Leaside’s character has been its predominantly

Ontario Land Tribunal.

Go to https://www.bbgpi.com or email bayviewbroadwaygoodplanning@gmail.com.

For multiplexes, please let Councillor Jaye Robinson know your views.

And consider writing to and/or deputing at Planning and Housing Committee on April 27. For more information, check the Federation of North Toronto Residents Associations (FoNTRA) website at https://fontra.com.

Are these changes worthy of an Oscar? You be the judge. n

Rendering of 1840 Bayview proposal (dark) with 1837-45 Bayview (left) and 2-20 Glazebrook to the south.

How are Leasiders bridging the gaps in our local cycling network?

by HOLLY REID

On several occasions I’ve written in this column that Leaside has “great cycling routes right on our doorstep.” When you consider the nearby valley trails, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery and the Beltline, and on-road protected routes on Yonge, Bloor, Danforth and, coming soon – Eglinton – this is generally true. What is often missing, however, are safe and direct connections to get you there.

Take the proposed Millwood Road Safety Improvements. This is a welcome project that will upgrade painted bike lanes on the Leaside bridge to separated cycle tracks and bring safety improvements for people walking, driving, cycling and taking transit to the intersections of Overlea and Millwood, and Pape, Donlands and the Leaside bridge. (Learn more about the proposal at Toronto.ca/millwood. ) What the proposal lacks is a safe

in 2023. The bike lanes will stop at Mt. Pleasant and start up again at Brentcliffe, with the gap planned to be filled in 2024.

How you choose to navigate these missing connections says a lot about what type of cyclist you are. Riding on the road close to the curb unfazed by how close motorists pass? You would be categorized as “strong and fearless.” Taking the lane to ensure no driver can pass too close? Count yourself as “enthused and confident.” On the side -

The Cycling Network Plan was approved by Toronto City Council in 2021. The plan is focused on connecting, growing and renewing Toronto’s cycling network. The Millwood Road project was included in the plan along with: FUTURE CYCLING CONNECTIONS

Toronto City Council Approved

Planned by City of Toronto

Planned by Metrolinx

connection to the new upgraded bike lanes. As the accompanying map illustrates, there are several routes nearby in future plans. But the most dangerous connection –the one between Laird and Overlea under the railway bridge – isn’t on any plans at all.

Other notable gaps for Leasiders include:

• No safe crossing on Bayview at Sutherland to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, a comfortable and safe cycling route to the protected bikeway on Yonge and to the Beltline Trail.

• No bike lanes on the west side of Bayview between Moore and just south of Nesbitt, a connector through Rosedale to Bloor and Sherbourne or down Bayview to the Brickworks and Distillery District.

• No continuation of the Moore bike lanes past Bayview on Southvale.

And there will be no bike lanes on Eglinton through Leaside when the complete street is implemented

CYCLING IN LEASIDE

walk (or riding with kids) makes you “interested but concerned.” And the last category says it all –“no way, no how.” The 2019 City of Toronto Cycling Study showed that the majority of people fall into the “enthused and confident” and “interested but concerned” categories. Making it safer to cycle would encourage them to bike more. Every improvement to the cycling network brings new opportunities to get around by bike and leave the car at home, but to motivate more people to bike and bike more often, we need to provide safe connections too.

How are you bridging the gaps, or are they discouraging you from cycling more? Are there other missing links in the cycling network that you’d like to see filled? Cycle Don Valley Midtown is the local chapter of Cycle Toronto. We’d like to hear from you about how to make the “great cycling routes on our doorstep” safe and accessible for all. Email cycledonvalleymidtown@cycleto.ca. n

What will Don Valley SOUTH mean to you?

In my March column I reported on Leaside’s recent important victory: our community remains undivided, within the single newly redrawn and renamed electoral riding of Don Valley SOUTH. Much like our current Don Valley West riding, Don Valley South includes Bennington Heights and the Don Valley ravine. But there are major changes to the eastern boundary, which used to be Leslie Street. Once officially ratified, Don Valley South will extend as far east as the Don Valley Parkway.

Thank you to all the Leasiders whose submissions made the difference, and thank you to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario for listening to us.

Parts of our new riding look more suburban, as we absorb most of the Don Mills community. Interestingly, Don Valley South will include Canada’s two oldest-established planned communities – Leaside and Don Mills. But our riding will also include the definitely-not-suburban megaproject at the Celestica site on Don Mills Road and the Don Mills LRT station. And there’s more: the area that used to be the Don Valley East electoral riding has been broken up and divided

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LRA

into several new districts. Parts of North York have been added to Don Valley South. These areas, like ours, have individual communities and identities, and many residents there are upset at the changes. But we will all be together in the same riding, at least until a new federal electoral boundaries commission for Ontario updates the map based on the 2031 census.

There may also be important traffic implications, as several of the ‘new’ areas of Don Valley South are the source of much of Leaside’s flowthrough traffic. How will these divergent areas and interests be reflected politically, in the riding, and on the same Community Council?

We may expect that, as we move forward, the Leaside Residents Association will work to build relationships with our new neighbours in Don Valley South. It will be important

for us all to work together. Have you heard?

We’re getting a new mayor Speaking of political matters, are you tempted to join what looks (at this date) suspiciously like a cast of thousands running to be Mayor of Toronto? If so, you’ve got until May 12th to toss your hat into the ring. It’s not too early to give serious thought as to what kind of mayor, and what kinds of policies, you think Toronto in general – and Leaside in particular – needs. As the election gets closer, we will find out more details regarding all candidates’ debates and opportunities to get involved.

The next LRA board meeting will take place on Wed., May 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. BIG NEWS! Now that the building has WiFi, we plan to hold a hybrid meeting in Trace Manes’ large Senior Citizens’ Room. You will be able to attend EITHER IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM. Please let us know and we will send you the access details, if that’s your preference. We hope you’ll want to join us. Meanwhile, you can find us at www.leasideresidents.ca n

Toddler,

#RECYCLELEASIDE

by SUSAN SCANDIFFIO

Ahhhhh spring! Thoughts of flowers growing, baby animals, warmth and sunshine, and, obviously, cleaning, of the heavy-duty vernal variety.

Spring is the time to open the windows, let in the fresh warm air, and for those with cupboards or garages like mine, start to clear out.

Leaside has both Rotary and City of Toronto Recycling Days (see page 29), but if you’re like me, once you’ve decided you want things gone, you want them gone now.

There are definitely items which you can bring to thrift stores, but there are also many places around Leaside where you can drop items for recycling or safe disposal (some I never would have thought of recycling).

Got stuff and want to keep it out of landfill? We’ve got you covered –

MEDICATIONS

If you’ve got unused or expired medicines (both prescription and over the counter), avoid flushing or throwing them away. Keeping medications out of landfill or water ensures the leaching of chemicals is avoided.

Take medications out of their packaging, place them in a paper bag and bring them to a Rexall or Shoppers Drug Mart in the neighbourhood for safe disposal.

BOOKS

Got books you’ve finished with? Deposit them in one of the Little Free libraries around Leaside or bring them to Leaside Library.

AUTO-RELATED ITEMS

be recycled at Staples at 945 Eglinton Ave. East. (I may or may not have gone through three kids’ worth of markers and brought a LARGE number to be recycled.)

ELECTRONICS

Cellphones, batteries, ink cartridges, cables, monitors, laptops, etc. can be dropped for recycling at Best Buy at 147 Laird Drive.

Bring your old tires, motor oil or car batteries to Canadian Tire at 825 Eglinton Ave. East for safe disposal.

EYEWEAR

From 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, eyewear can be dropped at the Toronto Finnish Seniors Centre at 795 Eglinton Ave. East.

PLASTIC PLANT POTS

Bring back dirty or clean plastic pots to Home Depot at 101 Wicksteed or at the garden centre at Valumart at 1500 Bayview.

SHOES

Have you outgrown or just plain dislike shoes in your closet? Bring your gently-worn shoes of all sizes and styles to Sportchek at 147 Laird, Bioped at the Whole Foods Plaza at 1864 Bayview Ave. or Enduro Sport at 812 Eglinton Ave. East.

The shoes are distributed through the Soles4Souls program to people in need in Canada and abroad.

SMALL METAL BIKE PARTS

Do you have parts such as bike chains, derailleurs, spokes, etc. for disposal? Bring them to Enduro Sport at 812 Eglinton Ave. East.

HEARING AIDS

Bring hearing aids to Global Hearing Aid Clinic at 1386 Bayview Ave. Hearing aids are passed along to people in need in developing countries.

Know of any other spots in Leaside which recycle products to keep them out of the landfill? Let us know at: leasidelife@gmail.com.

You can also join the Recycling in Toronto - Midtown and Leaside page on Facebook for discussion and advice. n

preventing jockeys from lining up for the next race. They hurled mud and stones at the horses. One jockey was struck in the head with a rock. A horse was also hit.

Meanwhile, another crowd stormed the ticket booths demanding their money back. In the ensuing melee, someone threw a brick through a window.

Over loudspeakers, officials pleaded with the protesters to disperse, but to no avail. A small contingent of East York police were on hand, but their numbers were too small to quell the disturbance.

Eventually, 25 special constables had to be deputized on the spot – including Maple Leafs hockey star Charlie Conacher – to forcibly restore order. The riot lasted twoand-a-half hours.

Aftermath

All three Toronto dailies reported the story – as well as at least a dozen other Canadian papers, the major wire services, and seven U.S. newspapers – including the New York Times. Coverage was often sensational. The Globe & Mail called the riot “a disturbance unparalleled in the history of Canadian racing,” while the Ottawa Citizen termed it “one of the most turbulent scenes ever witnessed on a Canadian track.”

One rioter was arrested and charged with assault; another was fined $10. Some blamed the East York police for not acting quickly enough to stop the riot.

Others, like the Toronto Telegram newspaper, blamed union activists and communist agitators for the disruption.

Most people, however, agreed that Thorncliffe track officials were at fault for failing to explain fully to the crowd why the second race was being rerun. Track officials were also blamed for not giving the horses sufficient time to rest between the falsestart and the make-up race.

Track officials presumably learned their lesson. No further riots seem to have occurred at Thorncliffe – right up to the day the racetrack closed, in June 1952. n

HELLO LEASIDE! IS YOUR BIKE READY FOR SPRING?

Proper maintenance is essential for carefree riding. Give us a call to discuss how we can get your bike ready for the outdoor season.

LOOKING TO GET STRONGER?

We work one-on-one with you to help you reach your fitness goals! Regardless of your level we will help you keep moving forward.

YEAR-ROUND CYCLING PROGRAMS ON-LINE

Using your own bike and Smart Trainer our program will help you achieve next level fitness.

WE ARE LOCAL

Just down the street in the Leaside industrial area. Although new to the neighborhood, mindset CYCLING has been in operation since 2015.

We are a cycling-focused fitness centre. Come ride with us!

“Your little newspaper stinks!”

That’s what a reader of Leaside Life recently called to tell us.

I replied that I was sorry to hear this and tried to reassure her that our writers and editorial team worked very hard to produce what we and many others believe is a quality publication, one that shares the important and interesting stories with our community.

She continued, “I put your paper in my office last night and when I went there in the morning to read it, my entire office smelled bad, you must be cutting corners and using cheap ink.” Aha, that kind of stink – the nose kind.

This prompted us to reach out to our printer and see if anything had changed in the printing process we use. The printer assured us “that we use the same standard printing process as always. Our inks are vegetable-based inks and are widely in use on many of the coldset web presses. The paper we use is from quick growth sustainable renewable plots of land.”

And we do want our readers to

THE Idler Curious

know, we welcome any feedback, even it means you think we stink.

Calling all Lancers! LHS alumni mini reunion

Leaside High School has been one of the cornerstones of our community for over 75 years. The bonds and friendship that one creates during the formative high school years are unlike any other. Often with a few more pounds and a few less hairs, the act of coming together to renew these friendships is a cherished tradition. The LHS Alumni Association is inviting all former Lancers to join them on Sat., April 29, 2-4 p.m. at the Leaside Pub. The gathering is open to all LHS alumni, so if you are Class of ’45 or the Class of 2022, all are welcome. $5 at the door covers the cost of the hor d’oeuvres. “Seas Gu Dileas!”

Leaside students push their limits to support youth mental health

If you happened to be in Kingston, Ont. during the weekend of March 3-5th, you might have seen four university students running around the clock as they participated in the Goggins Challenge. A challenging physical and mental feat, the Push Your Limits Goggins Challenge is an endurance test in support of youth mental health at the North York General Hospital. Lucas White, William Neale, Connor Ciotlos and Thomas Wijesinha, all north Leasiders and Northlea alumni, are now roommates at Queens University. As third-year students in challenging programs, the boys still felt it was important to make time to raise over $1700 to support their community back home. When asked why they felt compelled to help, without hesitation, the response was that the issues around youth mental health are real and they wanted to help. Lucas White also stated that many young people, especially men, do not believe they can talk about mental health or ask for help. He encourages youth not to fear asking for help, and to reach out to a parent, friend, or counsellor for support. Donations can still be made at https://fundraisefornygh.ca/ui/pushyourlimits. To support our Leaside boys, just enter any of their names in the Individual search bar. For more information: TheMaddieProject.ca.

Bennington Heights’

Tim Magwood to release fourth album at the famed El Mocambo

Tim Magwood & the Riffers (Jim Dale, Pat Fockler, Andy Fockler, Jamie Nicholas and Jesse Nestor) will be hosting the official launch of their 4th album at the El Mocambo on Friday, May 5th, 2023. The new nine-song album is entitled Lone Streetlight. Fans of the folk, rock and blues style music will have an opportunity to hear all the new songs along with Tim’s energized storytelling. Magwood’s previous albums include Zig Zag Bridge (2010), Endless Sky (2013) and Scorpio Soul (2017). The songs on his latest project, Lone Streetlight, explore a full range of human emotions, from angst and loneliness to hope. All were written during Covid. Tickets for the May 5th show can be purchased through ticketweb.ca. n

POP-UP BLOWOUT SALE

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PHARMACY

795 Eglinton Ave. East

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Tel: 416-422-0186

Fax: 416-422-0185

The pharmacist now prescribes for minor ailments. Call or come in for more details. No appointment needed!

M-T 9-6, FRI 9-5, SAT 9-12

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Yo, Bucko, Window Hog – vacate my space!

by DAVID CRICHTON

My mood was cantankerous. Cranky. Crotchety. Quarrelsome, even. I was walking down Bayview trying to find a café or restaurant to sit down, secure my coffee fix and get to work. I had urgent, important things to do, don’t you know.

I was on my second pass of the street and becoming increasingly frustrated. Had it been summer, there would be no issue. I’d plunk myself down in Rahier’s patio. Done. Not today, though. Today was an uncooperative winter’s day. I had to be inside. But one thing stood in the way of me un-crotchetyfying myself: The Window Hog. Yeah, we all know the type. The ones who grab the best seat in the joint – the front window. Then they order one coffee and nurse it for three hours while they “work” or “create.” Seeing them spread out, you’d think they were either a captain of industry or writing the sequel to The Great Gatsby. There are the special pens and special coloured pencils and special note-

books. Sometimes, if they’re really important, they have a laptop AND a tablet…with a keyboard.

And so it was on this day that the Window Hogs were out in full force.

Starbucks: Window Hog. Pâtisserie La Cigogne: Window Hog. Sophie’s: Two tables, twin Window Hogs. I’d finally had enough. I decided to take matters into my own hands. Yep, time to get passive aggressive. I made my way to Millwood and stood right outside my favourite –Lit Coffee. Just three feet and a sheet of glass between me and their Window Hog. This one was a young guy. A Hipster Dude, with big overthe-ear headphones perched on his head over a knit cap. He had the nice note pads. Japanese-made ones. And a fountain pen. With a leather case, no less. All the cool stuff. Probably writing a blog about all the wisdom he’s gained in 27 years of life. Or worse, a poem. Pfft.

I could write a poem. It starts with, “Get out of my window seat, before I bleep bleep bleep.…” Wait. On his screen…that’s no poem. A Late

THE LEASIDE OBSERVER

Night show video clip? Kimmel? You gotta be kidding me. Kimmel isn’t even that funny. By this point, I’m lost in the moment and practically pressed against the glass like a kid at a donut shop window begging for free Day-Olds.

Hipster Dude becomes aware of me and looks over his shoulder, slowly turning his laptop away. Easy, Buddy. It’s just Kimmel. Your secret’s safe with me. He gives his head a little shake as if to say “What are you doing?” I break out my usual go-to: the trusty squinty smile. Then tap my imaginary watch and give a little shrug. This is universally understood communication. It needs no translation and works in any language. If this action were to be verbalized, it would be heard as, “Oh hey there, pal, how much longer are you going to be?” But everyone also knows, there’s the subtitled version: “Yo, Bucko, tick-tock, time to beat it, skedaddle, get lost already.”

Hipster Dude could obviously understand subtitles, because he begins packing up his junk. Of course, he has to take his time and make the point that it was his idea to leave. Hey, we all have to win in our little ways. And he milked it good, too. It took at least 30 seconds just to put away the damned fountain pen. By this point, I’m inside and doing the “hover” – hanging by the table to mark my territory. I cheerily say, “Thanks!” He says nothing and leaves his empty coffee mug on the table. Yep, you won, pal. I put my coat on the chair so no one gets any ideas. Then I order my coffee and oatmeal cookie and sit down.

Finally. I crack my laptop and take a sip of my Flat White as the screen comes to life.

Ahhh. Much better. Time to get serious now. No poems or goofy clips or fluff for me. The keyboard clacks, as I get down to business.… I was feeling cantankerous. Cranky. Crotchety. Quarrelsome, even. n

Community Environment Days are back!

The 2023 Community Environment Days are just around the corner and I am pleased to announce the dates and locations for this year’s Ward 15 events, which are often among the best-attended in all of Toronto. This year, our local events will be held on Sun., April 30th from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at York Mills Collegiate Institute (490 York Mills Rd.) and right in Leaside on Thurs., June 8th from 4:00-8:00p.m. at the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens (1073 Millwood Rd.).

Environment Days are a great opportunity to clear out items found during spring cleaning such as used electronics, paints, solvents and glue, batteries, household hazardous waste, and fluorescent bulbs. Loose compost will also be available for pick-up, while supplies last. In addition to properly disposing of non-landfill items, the City will also be collecting donations of:

• Sporting goods

• Books (excluding textbooks)

• Cameras, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays

Bayview’s

Jaye Robinson Councillor, Ward 15, Don Valley West

• Dress-up clothing and costume jewelry

• Clothing, footwear, accessories, and linens

• Small household items

• Musical instruments and board games

• Eyeglasses, walking aids, and hearing aids, and

• Non-perishable food. You can find more information on the items that will be accepted for drop-off or donation at my Community Environment Days by visiting www.toronto.ca/environment_days. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office at councillor_robinson@toronto.ca. I look forward to seeing you there! n

APRIL EVENTS

LEASIDE BRANCH PUBLIC LIBRARY

165 McRae Drive, 416-396-3835.

LEASIDE REPAIR CAFE

Sat., April 1st – 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Bring in your broken household items and Repair Café will fix them for free and teach you how to do it yourself! Drop in to speak to a fixer from Repair Café.

ADULT BOARD GAMES

Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18 & 25 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Come and join us for a night of fun at the Leaside branch! Bring your friends or come make some new ones as you battle it out over board games. No registration required.

NEEDLEWORK (KNITTING & CROCHETING)

Thursdays, 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Bring your own knitting or crocheting project, or start something new while learning about different library programs, services and resources. All are welcome.

MONTHLY ART EXHIBITS

We are pleased to feature free monthly art exhibits in our community room. Each exhibit is by a different artist and reflects the cultural diversity of Leaside and Toronto as a whole. Please visit www.tpl.ca/leaside and view “All Branch Programs and Events” for more information on the current exhibit.

For more details on current and future Leaside branch programs and activities, including Baby Time, Toddler Time, Needleworx Knitting and Crocheting Group, visit www. tpl.ca/leaside.

CFUW LEASIDE-EAST YORK

AN INTRODUCTION TO HOME SHARING

IN PERSON Speaker: Dorothy Mazeau, Founder Golden Home Sharing Connections

April 20, 7:30 p.m. Northlea United Church

LEASIDE GARDEN SOCIETY

Speaker series via Zoom meetings – April 13. Our special guest is Ingrid Janssen. The topic is Peonies and Friends: The Stars of the June Garden. Meeting begins at 7 p.m. Leaside Garden Society always welcomes guests and new members to join the Society. Visit our website: www.leasidegardensociety.org or email: leaside@gardenontario.org.

ART & STYLE MARKET

Mother’s Day Edition Curated by Eliza Perry and Rueneau Showcasing a network of artisans in the midtown artisanal market experience.

Thursday May 4, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The Amsterdam Brewhall, 45 Esandar Dr. www.instagram.com/elizaperryjewellery www.rueneau.com.

ST. CUTHBERT’S, LEASIDE

1399 Bayview Ave. 416 485 0329 www.stcuthbertsleaside.com stcuthbertleaside@toronto.anglican.ca

TAI CHI

Tuesdays 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Donation: $4

LEASIDE UNITED CHURCH

IN-PERSON VARIETY SHOW

(Our first in three years!) Encouraging participants of all ages

Fri., April 28, 8 p.m. 822 Millwood Rd. varietyshow312023@gmail.com

TRINITY GRACE CHURCH

EASTER SERVICE

Sun., April 9th, 10:30 a.m. 826 Eglinton Ave. East

THE DON VALLEY ART CLUB

SPRING AWARDS SHOW & SALE

Celebration of 75th Anniversary!

See 100+ artworks in the gallery and 300+ online, in a variety of mediums, subject matter and style. Special Events on SUPER SUNDAYSSee art in the making!

April 13 – May 7

Papermill Gallery: Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Rd. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mon and Tues) Online: www.donvalleyartclub.com/artshowandsale.

FOR EASTER SERVICES

see ads on pages 16-19. n

SCOUTS GARDEN PRODUCTS SALE

MARCH 11 ~ APRIL 15, 2023

PRODUCT PICK-UP SATURDAY APRIL 22nd.

ALL SALES ONLINE THIS YEAR

LIMITED HOME DELIVERY AVAILABLE

132nd Toronto Scout Group

Thank You for supporting Leaside’s largest and most active Youth Group

Online Ordering at the 132nd. web site ... www.132nd.com/gardenproducts

Information available at... (416) 702-0969

Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 am–5 pm

For more info contact: 416-425-4134 x 225 Email: emas@suomikoti.ca

Editor: Jane W. Auster • Publisher: Lorna Krawchuk

Webmaster: Erin Sorhaug • Graphic Design: Robin Dickie

Advertising: Karli Vezina

Publishing Inc.

Wiltshire Ave, unit 114, Toronto, Ontario M6N 2V7

Comments, Letters to the Editor, Advertising Enquiries: Contact: 416-504-8047 leasidelifepublishing@gmail.com