Leaside Life Issue 40 July 2015

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:41 PM Page 1

No. 40 • July 2015

Leaside Life leasidelifenews.com

LIKE FATHER UNLIKE FATHER Page 19

Continuing Pashby's good work

NATHALIE GYSEL

By ALLAN WILLIAMS

This giant weed was removed from the juniper beds at Leaside Gardens, behind the arena near the pool, by some of the volunteer grounds clean-up crew organized by Cate Woodward.

From left, Dede Sinclair, Cate Woodward, Babs Ritchie and Dina MacPhail.

Now there’s a weed!

By ALLAN WILLIAMS

It was in 1958 when Leasider Dr. Tom Pashby’s 13-year-old son Bill was knocked out cold on the ice at Leaside Gardens. No helmet.

Result #1: Concussion. A serious one.

Result #2: For 57 years Leaside has been a prominent part of the effort to prevent concussions and to understand how best to treat them.

Pashby became Canada’s bestknown and most passionate sports safety pioneer throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Mandatory helmets for all minor hockey players, penalties for hits from behind, and better safety standards for children’s sports equipment are among the changes that can be traced to his advocacy.

Plus the Dr. Tom Pashby Sports Safety Foundation, which has funded concussion research projects across Canada as well as an awareness program at the Concussion Centre at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital in North Leaside.

There Dr. Nick Reed heads an ongoing study funded through the University of Toronto on acquired brain injury. The Pashby grant supports a weekly Concussion & You education program with free sessions for the public.

BLOORVIEW, PAGE 15

“It was an afterthought,” admits Leaside Gardens arena board chair Paul Burns. That’s why the plantings installed around the building had become overrun with weeds. And that’s why a group of volunteers who tried to clean up earlier this year were initially turned away.

But the problem has been solved and the volunteers are back, hard at work.

Burns explains: “We were focused on getting the new arena built and opened in time for WEED, PAGE 2

Summer's back.

We'll be taking our usual break and will be back before Labour Day.

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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the start of hockey season two years ago and we never nailed down who would look after the plantings, but our expectation was that Parks and Recreation would be responsible.

And we simply don’t have the resources to do it.”

Some 8,000 plants were installed in late 2013 on the arena and pool grounds, around the parking lot and along Millwood Rd. But by last summer the deteriorating condition of the beds was becoming a concern to arena and pool patrons. And to neighbours like All Canadian SelfStorage owner Hal Spradling, whose business is right across the street.

Last August he organised a clean-up of the sections along Millwood.

“The position of the arena board was that grounds maintenance was the city’s job,” said Ward 26 Councillor Jon Burnside. “And there are lots of other examples across Toronto where community groups have taken responsibility for maintaining city gardens. So I reached out to Parks and Recreation and was given the green light for that to happen here as well.”

That’s where Cate Woodward, who attends an aqua-fit class at the pool, came in. “The beds behind the arena and near the pool are full of beautiful juniper bushes,” she said.

“It’s a low-growing evergreen. But the weeds were getting so high you couldn’t see the junipers!”

So Woodward and some of the others in her class decided to do something about it themselves. “Initially we were told to stop,” she says, “I think because they thought we were stealing the shrubs.

“But now that’s sorted out.

Councillor Burnside has been very helpful.”

Woodward says there are about 35 people who each spent time there on three recent mornings and who are planning to return. “Hopefully we can sustain responsibility for this area going forward,” she says, adding that “we are treating ‘weeds’ as ‘flowers’ as appropriate.”

And they’re going to do some planting as well. “The city has said they’ll provide the compost and will supply left-over plants. But we’ll have to see what’s available,” she says. “They need to be drought-resistant perennials.” Woodward adds that in one area her group intends to plant herbs “and people can help themselves if they want to.”

Arena board chair Burns says, “This kind of community involvement is exactly what should be happening at a community facility like this.” ■

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:41 PM Page 3

Can Leaside handle 40% more residents?

Saving old Leaside We know that Leaside is facing major growth, but do we know how much? We need to know what the implications of growth are likely to be and whether the community is going to be able to address those implications.

If we compare the number of existing residential units in the Leaside residential area and the industrial park to the number recently approved and proposed, we can get a sense of the magnitude of the changes we face.

As set out in the chart at right, the number of residential units would increase by 40 percent from 6,727 to 9,437 units (and presumably the population would increase as well), but the nature of the growth is important also.

2,692 units (99+ percent) out of a total of 2,710 units are within build-

Type of Structure Single-detached/semidetached/duplex Row houses/stacked townhouses/apartment buildings under 5 storeys Apartment buildings of 5 or more storeys Total

Existing Residential Units

Proposed * Residential Units

Total Residential Units

4,003 (59.5%)

0 (0.0%)

4,003 (42.4%)

1,884 (28.0%)

18 (0.7%)

1,902 (20.2%)

840 (12.5%)** 6,727

2,692 (99.3%)*** 2,710

3,532 (37.4%) 9,437

*Residential development applications submitted and/or approved in Leaside residential and business areas. **Includes west and centre towers of Scenic apartments on Vanderhoof east of Brentcliffe. ***Includes 25 Malcolm Rd. (former 2 Laird), 146-150 Laird, 660 Eglinton East (Sunnybrook Plaza), 3 & 5 Southvale (until recently the site of Homeculture and a catering business), 939 Eglinton Ave. East (at Brentcliffe), and the east tower of Scenic apartments. This list does not include the proposed Bayview development between Hillsdale and Soudan as technically it is not in Leaside.

Source: Data from Doug Obright, chart compiled by Geoff Kettel

ings five storeys or higher. As a result, the composition of the housing stock in Leaside would change dramatically.

The proportion of single detached, semi-detached and duplex housing types would decline from 60 percent of the housing stock to 42 per cent, other low rise would de-

Leaside/Davisville's Leaside/Davisville's T Top o op Re Realtor* altor**

cline from 28 percent to 20 percent, and units in apartment buildings of five or more storeys would increase from 12 to 37 percent of the total.

The chart includes the projects for which applications have been submitted to the city – it does not include other projects that might emerge such as the Canadian Tire

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Leaside Life, July 2015

Geoff Kettel

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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site at Laird and Eglinton and those that may result from the city’s Eglinton Connects zoning changes to allow mid-rise on Eglinton from Sutherland to Laird. It also does not include Committee of Adjustment applications which generally involve renovations or demolition and reconstruction of existing homes.

While the community may engage and indeed oppose individual applications, it is clear that growth is coming. And it is of a new order of magnitude for Leaside.

What can we expect if these projects that are currently in the pipeline are approved and/or built? Are we prepared for this? Indeed, is the city prepared for this?

In a recent meeting with the directors of Community Planning, North York, and Toronto and East York districts, we were assured that in examining each individual application the cumulative effects were considered.

Certainly the city did recognize the need to understand and plan for the growth pressures arising from the Eglinton LRT in establishing the Eglinton Connects planning study. It acknowledged that much of the pressure would be at the major intersections like Bayview and Eglinton, and Laird and Eglinton, and commissioned Focus Area studies for these areas.

However it appears that the Bayview/Eglinton Focus Area plan, while technically completed, was done hastily and issues are now arising from its loose language (“predominantly mid-rise�), while the Laird/Eglinton Focus Area study that was supposed to study and plan for the mega-block from Laird to Aerodrome Cres., and Eglinton to Vanderhoof, never got started by the time the Eglinton Connects study finished and apparently has not been funded.

Meanwhile, the 939 Eglinton East development application that includes 1,500 residential units (55.7 percent) of the 2,692 residential units in buildings five or more storeys in height, is by far the largest development application that has been submitted in Leaside.

There are specific concerns about the nature of the developments being proposed.

They are massive in scale and far beyond what is intended by the Official Plan. They are often in areas des-

To advertise in Leaside Life and leasidelifenews.com: 416-486-7387 www.leasidelifenews.com We deliver to all homes, apartments and businesses in the M4G postal area.

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:41 PM Page 5

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ignated Mixed Use Areas in the Official Plan, but are largely residential in nature with little thought being given to the provision of employment opportunities.

There is nary a word about office development. So where will the new residents work?

It used to be that Leaside was balanced between employment and residential – people left to go to work, and a similar number came in to work. But with the changes in the Leaside Business Park that is less and less the case.

Leaside is not downtown, and is not Yonge and Eglinton, yet this amount of growth represents the start of a transformation that will have major implications. It is therefore timely, and indeed essential for the future well-being of Leaside that residents and the city take stock of the implication of the anticipated growth. A host of important questions need answers: • Are existing Official Plan policies adequate to guide the type of major redevelopment pressures we are experiencing? • Will the community’s existing physical and social infrastructure (water and sewer, roads, sidewalks, schools, parks, etc) be able to accommodate the proposed growth? • What community services and facilities are needed to ensure that Leaside remains inclusive, healthy and livable? • Where are the opportunities to acquire new parkland and to improve the quality of existing parks and public spaces? • How might we reduce congestion by improving conditions for walking and cycling? • How can we maintain the Business Park’s role within the regional economy and as a generator of jobs? • What can we do to ensure that growth being permitted is sustainable and does not significantly reduce the quality of life in the community?

It is essential, critical and urgent that the Focus Area planning study and review of infrastructure and public realm that was promised by Eglinton Connects be conducted for the Eglinton- Laird-Brentcliffe-Aerodrome-Vanderhoof block.

The city simply has to have a proper planning framework to consider the development applications that are here and those anticipated.

We don’t have that right now and it is a real concern to the Leaside community.

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:41 PM Page 6

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

Will Ashworth The business of Leaside

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Longtime readers of Leaside Life might feel familiar with my philosophy when it comes to the business of Leaside. To say I’ve been ruthlessly critical of the business leadership in the neighbourhood, especially those on Bayview, would be an understatement.

However, changes are coming throughout the M4G postal code and I for one am very excited about a future that includes mixed-use developments, new restaurants, entertainment and shopping facilities and an LRT capable of bringing people to and from Leaside in a much more expedient manner.

Business in Leaside is only getting started. To celebrate the coming renaissance I've created a top 10 list of businesses I see carrying the flag well into the future. They're listed in no particular order of preference.

Humphrey Funeral Home Since I moved into Leaside six years ago I've been to at least four funerals at the Bayview institution. On Bayview for the last 60 years and in North Toronto since 1929, businesses rarely have this kind of staying power.

The Four Bakers Rather than single out one shop over another — my wife and I buy frequently from two which will remain nameless — I’m giving Epi Breads, Cobs Bread, Rahier and Patisserie la Cigogne equal billing because the truth is they all have loyal followings. We’re spoiled when it comes to this segment of food retail.

Local Public Eatery While there’s no doubt it’s got a lot of work to do on the food side of the ledger, in my opinion there’s no better place in Leaside to watch a sporting event with friends. It will raise the level of competition in the area, which is a good thing. Hopefully, it encourages others to open here.

Olde Yorke Fish and Chips Despite the new entries on Laird in recent years the lines remain legendary. Unlike many businesses in Leaside whose hours seem to change from day to day, the Olde Yorke keeps it simple. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:42 PM Page 7

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The Sky Zone and Amsterdam Brewery A stone’s throw from Longo’s at the edge of the Leaside industrial park, these two purveyors of fun have brought some traffic to a street that used to get nothing but trucks and other industrial-related vehicles.

The area could use more entertainment-type properties where blood, sweat and tears are replaced by smiles and laughter.

GrillTime When Longo’s first opened owner Andy Elder was featured in the Globe and Mail’s weekly segment, The Challenge, fretting about a price war with the big boys putting him out of business. Well, more than two years after asking the prophetic question, the store’s gearing up for another busy BBQ season. In this case quality trumps price.

Hollywood Gelato No list of Leaside businesses would be complete without including the area’s staple food come summer. While businesses of a similar description have come and gone in recent years, Hollywood Gelato continues to do one thing well and in doing so has become an institution at the southwest corner of Bayview and Manor. It’s hard to imagine anything else in its place. ■

Leaside Life, July 2015

Monday to Saturday; closed Sundays.

Consistent hours, consistent food, what’s not to like?

Longo’s While the excitement of the family-operated grocery store’s opening is almost three years in the rearview mirror, it certainly can’t be considered the new kid on the block anymore. To me it embodies what an anchor store is meant to be — a drawing card for the other tenants.

And it’s nice to look at.

Ron White and West Coast Kids Bayview is a street in transition and while the BIA is a sign things are changing it still is a leap of faith for these two multi-store brands to sign leases. Successful retail is all about picking well when it comes to location; we’ll know in two-three years whether they were right or not. I can’t help but respect them for filling two spaces on a street that still has many vacant storefronts.

John & Chris Interiors My mom moved into a retirement home two years ago and needed a couch and two chairs reupholstered.

John & Chris did a great job bringing the furniture back to life. They’re total professionals. Should future development plans not include them you can bet they will get business wherever they decide to hang their shingle.

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There’s now hope airplane routes will be changed

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Volunteer opportunities Are you looking to gain experience volunteering in a client-based program, helping kids with special needs participate in activities to the best of their ability?

Then we are looking for you!

To learn more about Holland Bloorview’s volunteer opportunities, please visit www.Hollandbloorview.ca/volunteer

There may be relief for Leaside from aircraft noise: Changes to flight paths for planes landing at Pearson Airport can no longer be made without consulting the affected communities, federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt announced on June 17.

Don Valley West MP John Carmichael pushed hard for the change and was with Raitt for the announcement. “This is a great start,” he said. “Flight path changes and the resulting aircraft noise have been a big source of frustration to many people, particularly in Leaside. From now on there will be a place at the table to resolve these issues.”

Leaside resident Renee Jacoby of TANG (Toronto Aviation Noise Group) said, “For the very first time I feel that there is significant hope that relief from our aircraft noise problem will be found.” ■

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:42 PM Page 9

YOU, our dining critics

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The Amaya Indian Room has been at 1701 Bayview since 2007, but our three reviewers had never been there, even though two say they’re fans of Indian food.

“I must have passed Amaya dozens of times and didn't give a thought to having a meal there,” said Kathy Oriotis, of Randolph Rd. “I'm glad we got the opportunity to try this restaurant.”

“Although I have visited many of the restaurants on the Bayview strip (including Amaya Express, down the street) I had yet to try Amaya,” said Kathryn Champion, Rutherglen Rd. “I only eat Indian food occasionally,” said Anthony Regan, Parklea Dr. “I must say that I wasn't exactly keen on the idea, but am glad I went through with it. Luckily for me my two other reviewers were well versed with Indian food, and led the way.

“We ordered two appetizers and three mains. But even before the appetizers arrived the waiter returned with an amuse bouche for us – three bite-sized pakoras with sauces.”

“It came with two nicely contrast-

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Kathryn Champion, Kathy Oriotis and Anthony Regan.

We give $100 to help pay for a meal for three at any restaurant in our area, the M4G postal code, which includes Leaside, Bennington Heights and the Leaside Business Park (known also as the industrial area). ing sauces - cool cilantro and hot chili. Although the pakora was dry the sauces were tasty and livened it up:” Champion.

Their two appetizers were cauliflower and eggplant.

“The cauliflower was an immediate hit for all three of us. Although the spices did not strike us as traditionally Indian, more Thai, it was crispy, spicy

SHEREE SHE EREE CERQUA EREE CERQUA CER CERQ

(not too hot) and required self-restraint on all of our parts to not gobble it up too quickly:” Champion.

“All three of us commented about how flavourful and different it tasted:” Regan.

“The eggplant was served as breaded and fried rounds. Nothing too exciting although the eggplant was nicely cooked and proper prepa-

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‘Lentils were a standout’

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:42 PM Page 10

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ration had removed the bitterness:” Champion.

“We were off to a terrific and flavourful start:” Regan.

The three main dishes were laal maas, a spicy tomato-based lamb curry, butter chicken (selected by Regan – “I decided to stay within my known parameters,”) and daal makhani, a dish with slow simmered black lentils, tomatoes, garlic and butter. “We also ordered some basmati rice as a side which helped with all the sauces:” Oriotis.

“The lamb was very tender and delicious, although I found it a bit spicy for my taste. The butter chicken was enveloped in a rich, tasty sauce that paired perfectly with the rice:” Regan.

“The lentils were a standout. In a lovely creamy tomato sauce with a nice hint of spice. The lentils were al dente – cooked perfectly and not mushy:” Champion.

Her companions agreed.

“Superb and full of flavour. Not too spicy but so delicious and a nice texture to them:” Regan.

“Perfectly cooked in a rich sauce:” Oriotis Three kinds of naan accompanied the main course: plain, onion and sage, and a mint paratha. “I knew that Amaya has been admired for its Naan

OPEN LETTER TO LEASIDE MEMORIAL COMMUNITY GARDENS Please weed your landscape and grounds! Last year there was 0 weed control during the entire year!

The facility should be a showplace for Leaside not a weed garden. Last fall, All Canadian Self-Storage staff, paid temporary labour, Lisa Shay and I, de-weeded the grounds. It took three weekends and a total of 120+ man hours to complete the project. We were pleased with our work and presumed the job was satisfactory, as we never heard from staff or management. As to this yearʼs weed crop, I will be happy to organize, supervise and provide lunch for arena users and other volunteers for a day of work.

This letter was written by and the ad paid for by Hal Spradling. It is in no way related to the ownership/management of All Canadian Self-Storage, 1 Laird.

Hal S. Spradling Phone 24/7 416-277-1446 Email: Hal@canada-storage.com

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:42 PM Page 11

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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since it opened. The plain version was wonderful and light and fresh, the onion and sage was an interesting twist. We all agreed that we would try different variations on this at home:” Champion.

All three agreed they would recommend Amaya.

“I have relatives who are vegetarian and I made a mental note to suggest they dine at Amaya. Highly recommended for the quality of food and the service:” Regan.

“The food was very good and I look forward to visiting again with my family:” Oriotis.

“All in all a fine meal and great conversation:” Champion.

The Amaya Indian Room is one of only two Leaside restaurants participating in Toronto’s annual Summerlicious festival, which runs from July 3 to 26 (the other is Against the Grain). The prix fixe format offers a three-course meal for $18 (lunch) or $25 (dinner).

Amaya founder and owner Hemant Bagwani says that some changes are coming to the Indian Room as of July 15: “We’ll have a new chef taking over the kitchen and a new tasting menu using the best seasonal ingredients available. And we’re adding dosas and south Indian crepes.” ■

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Briefs Leaside Life, July 2015

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Tues.-Sat. 11-6

The TTC “dead zone” on Bayview between Moore and Millwood will be killed the middle of next year. The service that now runs on weekends will become seven days a week with the 28 Bayview bus, the first fulltime service there since the Yonge subway was built in the 1950s.

There’s a delay because the TTC is waiting for additional buses that are needed. ___ LRT construction has slowed business for the stores on Eglinton at Laird, but not charity collection. Mt. Everest Restaurant raised $6,500 earlier this year at a fundraiser for Nepal’s earthquake victims. ___ The bells at both St. Cuthbert’s and St. Augustine’s Anglican Churches were rung 1,181 times, from June 15 to 21, to draw attention to the murdered and missing indigenous women and girls in Canada.

The two churches joined the rest of the Anglican churches in Canada in the commemoration. ■

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Bloorview From Page 1

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Still a long way to go on concussion treatment

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Two local families have learned first-hand that when a concussion happens, there are still at least as many questions as there are answers.

Mary Rychlik was 16 and playing for the Leaside Wildcats when she suffered her third concussion, in February 2012. “I didn’t realise how serious it was until after the game when the big headaches started,” she recalls.

The symptoms lasted for months. But by the fall Rychlik was mostly symptom-free and hoping to return to hockey in January. She had a doctor’s written permission to play again but her parents were concerned.

“They sat me down and asked, ‘What if I got another one? Would it be more serious? Would there be permanent brain damage?’ ” She decided that hockey was no longer in her future. “It was the toughest decision of my life so far,” she says. Three years later she occasionally gets a headache “when doing math or something like that,” but is otherwise symptom-free and doing well. She just completed her first year of an arts program at Queen’s University.

Bloorview From Page 15

cussion, we can re-assess post-injury and compare. It helps to individualize treatment,” he says.

“We’ve tested nearly 1,000 youth so far. This information will provide a better understanding of how kids respond to concussion, and what are the best tests to use specifically with youth before and after a concussion to best inform recovery and readiness to return to daily activities (including sports).

“Pediatric concussion research is a very young field of science,” he says. “There’s still so much we don’t know about how kids’ brains recover after a concussion. Which tests are the best ones for assessment? Are there differences between boys and girls? There’s some indication that females have higher concussion rates but we’re not sure why.

“One thing we know for sure is that kids are getting concussions in all kinds of activities and they can happen anywhere. That’s why it’s so important that this research continue.”

Pashby’s efforts, which won him

So far Lucas Flemming hasn’t been so lucky.

“His world has changed,” says his dad, Stan Flemming, following the November 2014 concussion when his son was 12. “Seven months later his balance is off, he can’t ride a bike. He can hardly read. He’s disoriented, and everything is crooked – he sees things on a slant.

“Some things are better,” he says. “He’s come back in personality and, by May, he was back in school for half days. But he’s got a long way to go.”

The Flemmings have been to a chiropractor, psychologist, psychiatrist and three neurologists, a vision therapist in Guelph and the Carrick Brain Institute in Atlanta.

“In our opinion the different professions seem to be working in silos. They need to better appreciate other points of view and work together.

“Once you get a clean MRI, you’re on your own,” Flemming says.

the Order of Canada in 1982 and induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 (and the Leaside Sports Hall of Fame two years ago) led to many changes at Leaside Gardens arena for young players.

Both the Leaside Hockey Association (THA) and the Toronto Leaside Girls Hockey Assocition (TLGHA) have enacted risk-reduction policies and strict protocols that must be followed when a head injury incident does occur.

“We now have paramedics at every game,” says LHA president Tim McCutcheon. “That started several years ago. It’s an expensive thing but we’d rather err on the side of safety.

We’ve always had it at the select tourneys.”

“All our select and GTHL [Greater Toronto Hockey League] team trainers have to go through a mandatory training course that includes concussion protocols. Our Return to Play policy is mandated by the GTHL and a player needs a doctor’s note to return. Head injuries are documented on the game sheet, the refs are required to record each incident and so the GTHL is alerted and tracks these stats.”

Leaside’s TLGHA (“The largest girls’ hockey association in Ontario,

and likely in Canada too, as well as one of the oldest,” says President Jennifer Smith), makes the safety of its players the top priority.

“We invest considerable time and effort in informing and educating our hockey community about concussion safety,” says VP Roanne Argyle.

“We have a head trainer role on our board of directors whose role is to mentor trainers in all aspects of player safety. And we work hard to communicate safety policies to all team personnel and volunteers.”

The league hosted a concussion education session at Holland Bloorview this past season.

The TLGHA also requires that all teams have a certified trainer present at games, practices and dryland training. Trainers have the final say as to whether or not a player participates in a game or practice.

There is no body-checking in the TLGHA at any level. On the boys’ side, says LHA President McCutcheon, “the more competitive leagues – AAA and GTHL – will continue to have checking above a certain age; it’s being phased out in the less competitive leagues and there’s no checking at all in house league play.” ■

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 17

Geoff Kettel

Saving old Leaside

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Leaside Life, July 2015

MONSTER HOMES

Neighbours must sound the alarm

By GEOFF KETTEL Do you ever walk or drive by a demolition/new build in Leaside and wonder, “How did that get built?

I wonder if it’s legal?” And you continue on with your business.

But what if you are the neighbour and fear that you will have to live with the consequences of a builder’s non-compliance, like extra high side walls and building length, high overhanging decks, for as long as you live there?

In at least three cases the neighbours did something about it. They contacted the city and asked the building department to come out and check.

And in each of these cases subsequent investigations by Toronto Building confirmed that the homes were built in contravention of the zoning by-laws and the minor variances that were approved by the Committee of Adjustment. And also in these cases, the owners went to the Committee of Adjustment to at-

Petition for the public was outside 27 Fleming for several days before the Committee of Adjustment meeeting. tempt to legalize the “as built” structure, but the owners’ reapplications for variances were rejected by the

Committee. This is where we are at in the case of 73 Donegall and 151 Airdrie, and we await next steps

‘Giving back’ to help the fight Robert Ellis is a corporate lawyer who didn’t really know the ins and outs of city by-laws and development rules. But he lives next door to 27 Fleming and when he decided to fight the monster home being built there in 2012 he got “solid support” from his neighbours.

He learned quickly and helped win the fight on his street.

Now he thinks he should be paying back to other neighbours the help he got from his own neighbours.

He’s helped with three other houses close to him, at 47 Parkhurst, 73 Donegall and 35 Fleming.

“The system is unfairly biased to developers,” he says. And he became frustrated with the city’s lack of enforcement.

So, he says, he may as well use what he learned to help get the system changed. ■

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 18

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Deadline for September, August 10

leasidelifenews.com

FREE LISTING SERVICE HAVE A LOCAL EVENT TO PROMOTE? SEND US THE DATE, TIME, LOCATION AND EVENT NAME

LEASIDE LIBRARY, 165 McRae, 416-396-3835 ADULT and TEEN PROGRAMMING: Leaside Writer’s Club, everyone welcome. Recurring Saturdays, 10-11:45 a.m., July 11, 25, August 8, 22, September 5.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: – Ready for Reading Baby Time (Birth-18 months). Bouncing and tickling rhymes, songs and stories for babies with their parents or caregivers. Drop in. No registration required, 9:30-10 a.m. Wednesdays July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12.

– Ready for Reading Family Time (19 months5 years). Stories, songs and rhymes for children with their parents or caregivers. Drop in.

10:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays July 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12.

– Family Movie Matinee, Drop in. Daycares and day camps welcome. 2-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18; and Thursdays July 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20.

– Craft Corner, for children 6-12. Drop in. No daycares or day camps. 2-3 p.m. Wednesdays July 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19.

– Pan Am Bingo. Learn about the different sports happening in the Pan Am Games. Ages 6 and up. Drop in, no registration required. 23 p.m. Wednesday July 15.

– TD Summer Reading Club 2015. Free reading kit. Read books throughout the summer and collect 12 stickers. Report on your books any time up until Sat., September 5. Thursday June 25 - Saturday September 5. ____ DAY CAMP 2015, St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church, Children 5-12 years. July 20-24, 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. $150 includes snacks, bring a bag lunch; Extended care 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. $50. Call 416-485-0329. www.stcuthbertsleaside.com.

Memorial ball game Georgia Walsh, the sevenyear-old girl killed in the car accident at McRae and Millwood last year, will have a memorial all-star baseball game held in her honour annually, organized by the Leaside baseball community. The first will be August 29 with all-star GTA teams, of eight- and nineyear-olds, at Trace Manes Park and will last all day. ■

from the owners, either to make the building conform or to make an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. In the case of 27 Fleming the illegally built structure is to be demolished.

Here are the three illegals and their stories.

27 Fleming is no stranger to Leaside Life. http://leasidelifenews.com/build er-wont-stop-city-does-nothing This demolition and reconstruction project involved the flouting of numerous planning and building regulations including: proceeding with construction without approval for minor variances to the zoning by-laws and removal of walls so it no longer could be considered a “renovation”, unauthorized change of grade, and failure to display a building permit.

The house was sold in 2014. The new owner initially planned to make only cosmetic changes, but has now reluctantly agreed to demolish the existing structure. This “tower house”, which now has been ordered for demolition by North York Community Council, still does not have approval for a replacement. But the owner has now hosted a couple of “community consultation sessions“ on May 21 and 26 to display a new set of plans, and this will return to committee on July 9.

73 Donegall has some similarities to 27 Fleming. Construction on a replacement house was stopped after a neighbour questioned its compliance to the zoning by-laws.

But its pre-history involved a big victory for neighbours at the OMB. http://leasidelifenews.com/73donegall-a-big-success-at-the-omb The owner, having failed to win approval for a three-storey tower house, decided to live with the zoning – to build “as of right”.

So the house was demolished in late December of last year and foundations and walls for a new house quickly arose in January.

However, neighbours soon became disturbed at the height and massing and called Toronto Building. They came out to inspect and issued a stop work order. The owner decided to apply for variances to legalize the structure, which were rejected by the Committee of Adjustment.

151 Airdrie was still under construction, but much further along than the other two when neighbours questioned the height and massing of the house that they had opposed, but which nevertheless had been approved by the Committee of Adjustment the year

before.

Among the variances approved at that time were a building height of 8.8 metres and the height of the exterior side walls to be 7 metres.

The structure was again before the Committee of Adjustment on June 11 this year to seek approval for a structure that is 9.1 metres in height and with a side wall height of 7.21 metres.

In such cases the committee’s policy is to treat the application as if it were part of the original application. Clearly a proposed height of 9.1 metres vs. the by-law height of 8.5 metres is excessive and does not meet the intent of the by-law or the Neighbourhood Policy of the Official Plan. The committee agreed and unanimously rejected the application.

So we have had three “re-applications” this year in Leaside that seek forgiveness rather than compliance. What a mockery of the process!

The committee, by refusing these re-applications, goes a long way to send a message to owners, their builders, and their agents that the process needs to be respected, not abused.

A question worth asking in all these cases, not just 151 Airdrie, is: How did this project get built without earlier intervention from Toronto Building?

You probably think; surely the building inspector comes out at key points in construction? Well, remember there’s only one inspector for the whole of Leaside, so he’s pretty stretched. Maybe they need more staff to handle the workload.

Another question is why the city continues to allow the owner to “declare” the variances. This is called the waiver approach, meaning that instead of getting the city’s zoning inspector to identify the variances that apply, the owners declare their own list of variances to the committee.

If they miss something on their list, they have to go back to committee later IF the omission is caught.

In the end it is vigilant neighbours that police the system.

Robert Ellis, neighbour to 27 Fleming and a lawyer, has been exemplary in documenting concerns, challenging staff, and generally bird-dogging not only 27 Fleming but other developments in the area.

We need more Robert Ellises, not only to make sure that owners build to the plans, as approved, but also to meet the ultimate objective – to protect the character of the area. ■

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 19

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Eric Stickney with some of the AA Minor Peewee 2014 OBA champs. Front row from left: Max Merovitz, Sam Brown, Jack McMillan, Will Nenadovic and Aidan Shepard; second row Ben Khan.

Stickney builds on family baseball tradition

By ROBERT ZUCCARO Anyone who knew David Stickney, who died in May (Mr. Leaside 1943-2015, Leaside Life, June 2015), could tell you that two things he was passionate about were teaching math and coaching baseball.

Eric Stickney, 29, like many sons, contrasts sharply with his father.

“David was always a relatively conservative and disciplined school teacher,” says Howard Birnie, president of the Leaside Baseball Association and lifelong friend of the elder Stickney, “while Eric was the complete opposite. But both share a passion and enthusiasm for teaching and baseball.”

And both of these interests come together in the Leaside Leafs Baseball Camp, which Stickney Jr. helped to create and of which he is today the driving force.

“It’s largely thanks to Eric’s dedication and hard work teaching and coaching these young players in the camp,” says Birnie, “that the league has experienced a remarkable growth period, and baseball is thriving in Leaside once again.”

“I’ve always had teacher’s blood in me because my Dad taught,” says Stickney. “He taught me and he coached me too. And it was his teaching and coaching ability that helped transform me into the person I am today.”

In 2002, while still in high school, along with friends Lee Grant and Joel Thorney, Stickney had an idea to create a baseball camp to train and develop young players, aged 7 to 9. But

that first year only four kids signed up.

“We were discouraged,” recalls Stickney. “If not for the positive feedback of Tracy Goldfinch, the mother of one of the boys in the program, it probably would never had gotten off the ground. She encouraged us to keep at it.” The next year the camp doubled in size.

To gain as much experience as he could, Stickney volunteered with other house league and rep teams around Toronto. His first year after high school he spent 10 months as a volunteer while only receiving payment during July and August when the summer baseball camp was operating.

He admits he sometimes felt pressure to get a more financially rewarding job, but he kept at it.

Along with his father and Birnie, Stickney counts among his mentors Jim Grant (“the only baseball coach other than my Dad that I ever had”) and Toreigh Stuart, who told him never to give up and helped in any way he could.

At one point Stickney was about ready to put baseball behind him, but Stuart urged him to stick with it.

“He invested in me with both his money and his time. He has always been a mentor to me and has never been afraid to give me constructive criticism when needed. He told me that this was a good thing for Leaside Baseball.”

It was an act of kindness that gave Stickney the courage to see it through. Now with a backer, he would begin one-on-one training

with players, including Stuart’s son.

Soon the program’s growing success prompted him to keep it operating during both the summer and winter months.

In 2009 the Leaside Baseball Association introduced the Rookieball Beginner, Junior and Senior house league programs, for 7-9 year olds, and Stickney was named general manager of player development.

Since then the impact of the training and leadership that Stickney and the coaches have provided to these youngest players has begun to be felt in the older age groups too as these players progressed through the system.

“It has helped the LBA establish some dominance against other Toronto and GTA teams,” says Birnie.

“In fact our senior Rookieball team just won the AAA tournament in Mississauga on June 21,” said Birnie. “It’s the first AAA tournment Leaside has won in several years.”

Earlier this year, during March break, Stickney led a successful training camp in Clearwater, Florida for the first time with 12 boys from Leaside. “We had a really nice outdoor practice field and also practiced every day at an indoor facility with video analysis and extra instructors.

The kids learned a lot.”

Eric Stickney continues to build on his father’s legacy of teaching and coaching, and he doesn’t plan to give it up anytime soon.

For more details about the Leaside Baseball Association and the Rookieball Development program visit www.leasidebaseball.com. ■

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 20

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Kathleen Wynne, MPP DON VALL ALLEY A WEST

LETTERS leasidelife@gmail.com Letters may be edited.

All Don Valley Valley a West residents r are invited to…

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‘Oblivious to hypocrisy’ Save our Leaside? What Leaside?

Let’s have a look.

A traditional Leaside home comes up for sale. It is scooped up by a developer, torn down, and a large, $1 million+ house built in its place, which looks nothing like a traditional Leaside home.

The house is bought by a wealthy young couple, likely with two cars, one being a largish SUV. Already there is more traffic. The couple shops at the malls on Laird, and do not walk up to Bayview to patronize the traditional Leaside merchants.

This same couple go to local meetings and decry development and traffic, and shout to “Save our Leaside”, all the while oblivious to the hypocrisy of their situation.

Now, I am certainly not in favour of untrammelled development. But some is coming and we have to manage it. Just spare me the self-righteous proclamations about preserving the old Leaside. It is largely gone because of the actions of people like the couple in my illustration. So, rather than the constant NIMBYism, let’s find a reasonable way through the web of city development challenges.

Michael Beswick, Millwood Rd. I came across an old Star clipping where their columnist Christopher Hume and then-Toronto Mayor David Miller were foaming at the mouth that the OMB agreed to hear the SmartCentre application for big box on Eastern Ave. Big box was not approved there, but it was approved in Leaside. The difference: a planning report that said there would be no traffic problems because most of the big box shoppers would use the LRT. Blaming the OMB for big box on Laird makes as much sense as Bush blaming Saddam Hussein for 9/11.

The OMB was given a planning report that said there would be minimal impact on Leaside. That was the evidence that stood uncontradicted because planners are considered to be ‘experts’.

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 21

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Enjoy the BEST INDIAN FOOD in Leaside, Toronto with an extensive choice of Wine and Beers on tap.

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(Harry Truman said, “An expert is a fella who’s afraid to learn something new because then he wouldn’t be an expert any more.”)

The thrust of planning doctrine today is that we have to build up, not out. The planners believe they are the good guys trying to save the planet and Leasiders are just NIMBYs. It was an assistant deputy minister of municipal affairs who told me our problem is that our zoning bylaw hasn’t kept up to date with our Official Plan. Leasiders may be “up in arms” but we need to defeat the “experts” to save our neighbourhoods and environs.

We are up against ideologues obsessed with the Gardiner or the Island Airport and to hell with Leaside.

Bob Murphy, Eglinton East I totally agree with you (Will Ashworth, ‘I see it as positive change’, June issue). Well planned change for the Eglinton/Bayview area would be most welcome. Let's get something nice and elegant going on. This is the time for it and Leaside deserves it!

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 24

Now semis are the big deal 24

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By JETHRO SEYMOUR

Leaside Life, July 2015

Semi-detached homes are showing the most interesting figures for the past 12 months in Leaside and Bennington Heights, compared to the previous 12 months.

Their sales dropped 32.7 percent to 33 homes, from May 2014 to the end of May 2015, compared to the previous 12 months, but the average price rose 9 percent to $850,072.

The year to date figures show the same trend: a 25 percent decrease in sales and a 6.4 percent gain in average value.

However, the number of sales for all houses has risen for the past 12 months by 1.5 percent, to 207, with a big rise in detached home sales of 8.6 percent, to 165 sales, which seems to indicate an easing in the lack of sellers as the summer season begins.

The easing was apparent in the May 2015 figures too: There were 31 total sales, close to the May 2014 figure of 32 sales. Prices rose sharply by 13.2 percent to an average $1,662,203.

A $3 million sale in North Leaside this year also helped overall average prices keep going up.

The North Leaside home has a 50-foot frontage on Glenvale and sold for $3,080,000.

That helped the average price for the last 12 months rise 6.2 percent, compared to the previous 12 months, to $1,362,515. Detached homes rose 1.4 percent in value to $1,473,730.

See the most recent street sales at leasidelifenews.com. __ Jethro Seymour is a broker at Johnston & Daniel. All figures are from the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service. ■

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 25

LEASIDE STOCK INDEX

New buy is an initial flop May saw the Leaside Stock Index deliver less than stellar performances from both its Canadian and American stocks, leaving very little momentum entering the slower summer months.

The cause wasn’t helped by the newly purchased Whole Foods stock, which lost 4.54 percent in just half a month’s trading. It was purchased at $43.20 on May 15. Its move into smaller stores and lower prices will hopefully do the trick as we move through the second half of 2015.

Excluding currency the LSI gained just 0.20 percent in May with its 10 Canadian stocks losing 0.15 percent while its American stocks saw a 0.53 percent increase. Including currency the LSI gained 2.13 percent on the month with its American stocks up 3.94 percent due to the appreciating U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, its two benchmarks — SPDR S&P 500 ETF and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund — delivered similar re-

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sults to the LSI, up 0.12 percent without currency and 2.25 percent including the exchange. Forgetting about currencies, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF gained 1.29 percent in May, almost 2.5 percentage points higher than the iShares Core S&P /TSX Capped Composite Index Fund.

Year-to-date the LSI is up 0.90 percent excluding currency and up 4.70 percent taking currency into consideration. The benchmarks are up 6.95 percent including currency and 2.72 percent without the exchange, almost two full percentage points higher.

If the LSI is to beat the benchmarks in 2015, as it easily did in 2014, some of the 20 stocks are going to have to go on a tear.

So, which stocks did deliver the goods in May? Well, on the American side of the ledger both Starbucks and Home Depot had good performances delivering gains of 5.14 percent and 3.60 percent respectively. While Dunkin Brands’ didn’t do quite as well, up 1.88 percent in May, year-to-date it’s

Leaside Life, July 2015

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 26

LEASIDE STOCK INDEX 2015 YTD Performance through May 29, 2015 Total % Total % Return Return May YTD

Leaside Life, July 2015

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Leaside Stock Index Including Currency Excluding Currency American Stocks Including Currency Excluding Currency Canadian Stocks ETF Benchmarks Including Currency Excluding Currency SPDR S&P 500 ETF Including Currency Excluding Currency S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund

2.13% 0.20%

4.70% 0.90%

3.94% 0.53% -0.15%

6.48% -0.54% 2.46%

2.25% 0.12%

6.95% 2.72%

4.72% 1.29%

9.98% 2.72%

-1.24%

2.71%

up 24.48 percent, a close second to Starbucks for top performer.

Here in Canada the LSI saw monthly gains of 2 percent or more from three stocks: Loblaws, Empire Company (Sobey’s) and Alimentation Couche-Tard (Mac’s). Each of the stocks on the back of their performances in May are now back in positive territory or close to it as is the case for Alimentation Couche-Tard.

Particularly disappointing were the 6.0 percent and 7.23 percent declines in the stock prices of both RioCan and First Capital Realty. Long term these holdings should pay big dividends but for now they are really weighing down the LSI as is Vitamin Shoppe (Vitapath) on the U.S. side of the ledger, down 5.21 percent in May and 18.28 percent year-to-date. Vitamin Shoppe is easily the worst performer of all our 20 stocks in 2015.

The LSI’s May performance suggests there will be very little in terms of fireworks over the next few months. I wouldn’t expect much movement up or down in June, July and August. Like many in Leaside, the index will probably take an extended vacation over the summer.

Come September it will hopefully be ready to get into gear. ■

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 27

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Broken main slows work at SmartCentre Many residents have asked me the status of the SmartCentre North development and why it appears to have stalled.

Most of us have speculated that the anchor tenant will be Walmart. However, with the demise of Target the question was raised on whether Walmart would move into the East York Town Centre in Thorncliffe Park instead. This appears not to be the case.

The delay at the site is the result of water main issues. There are two mains supplying the area, one of which burst this past winter and has yet to be fixed.

The second cuts through the SmartCentre property and needs to be moved before construction can commence.

The issue here is that it’s now the only supply line to the neighbouring property. As a result, everything is on hold until the broken main is fixed.

Interestingly, the line wasn’t identified in the city plans so SmartCentre was unaware of its existence until they excavated. This problem goes back to the Town of Leaside days when record keeping seems to have been poor.

Another example of undocumented pipes occurred on Donlea Dr. This has caused a considerable delay in the completion of the water main project as well as additional expense. It has been very frustrating for residents, especially since the completion date keeps changing. I have now been assured that work will be done before Canada Day. ____ Bad driver behaviour is still rampant in Leaside. I am working on long term initiatives but short term we definitely need more police enforcement in the community. I have invited the unit commander of 53 Division Superintendent Gilbert to attend a Leaside Town Hall meeting in the fall and I am currently awaiting his response. I hope to have a positive update for the next issue. ■

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Leaside Life, July 2015

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Jon Burnside

LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:43 PM Page 28

Why we work with the Business Park Leaside Life, July 2015

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28 The LPOA has a long history of working with the businesses and industries in the Leaside Business Park. My LPOA co-president Geoff Kettel and I have attended some recent meetings of their association, and the LPOA board is interested in the thoughts of our industrial neighbours. Our interests are mutual. Our futures are connected.

Here’s why: When Leaside was created about a century ago, it was as a planned community.

The founders designed an industrial section east of Laird, which supplied a strong tax base for residential, recreational and commercial Leaside, and ample housing for the industries’ workers The Town of Leaside flourished, supported by the Leaside Industrial Area (LIA).

Carol Burtin Fripp Co-president, LPOA

In the 1960s, the Borough of East York, our neighbour to the south, was in financial trouble. Leaside’s substantial industrial tax base was seen as a potential lifeline to East York, and after much debate (and argument) a referendum merged the two into a single entity.

Recalling this history reminds us of the important role that the Leaside Industrial Area has played in the formation and sustainability of our community.

Leaside Life To advertise here: 416-486-7387 www.leasidelifenews.com Deadline August 10

The last 50 years have brought changes to both residential and industrial Leaside. Not all of these changes have been good.

As Metro Toronto expanded, we found ourselves located in the centre of the city. Land prices increased, putting pressures on businesses in the LIA, some of which sold their properties and moved to the suburbs, where land was cheaper. Other kinds of development, primarily retail in nature, began to fill the spots vacated by industry. Applications for housing developments created other uncertainties.

Commuter traffic increased, flowing through both the LIA and residential Leaside. By the 1970s and early 1980s, it became clear that the Leaside Industrial Area was

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:44 PM Page 29

and, not to forget, a potential Costco around the corner from Laird on Overlea Blvd,, with huge traffic implications for both residential Leaside and the Business 29 Park.

And if residential development is allowed on the west side of Laird, safety regulations will negatively impact existing companies’ operations, such as industrial fuel storage, on the east side of the street, and make it impossible for them to expand. __ The LPOA board of directors meets (September through June) on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Trace Manes building. During the months of July and August we meet at the call of the chair, as needed, remaining involved in Leaside’s issues . Please check our website for updates and details during the summer months.

And please contact us with your comments, questions and concerns. ■

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tween Laird and east of Brentcliffe.

Each new development puts new pressures on industry. More – and more aggressive - ‘civilian’ traffic, looking for shortcuts, gets in the way of efficient loading and unloading.

Nearby residents complain about noise from industrial sites, or the view from their high-rise condominiums. Rising land values make it all too tempting for industrial property owners to sell up and move away, taking their jobs with them.

Looking at current rezoning and development applications dramatically illustrates their threat to the well-being of the LBP, as well as to Leaside’s streets, homes and amenities.

To name just a few, there is the proposed giant 939 Eglinton East (at Brentcliffe) condominium and mixed use high-rise complex; the application for a massive and inappropriate 146-150 Laird condominium and care facility complex;

Leaside Life, July 2015

changing significantly. The impact has been described as ‘death by a hundred cuts’, except that it’s more like a thousand cuts, especially in the last few years.

Over the years, both the Leaside Property Owners’ Assocation and the LIA boards have joined forces on several task forces, organized and supported by the Borough of East York.

In the 1990s the LPOA produced a report, Revitalizing the Leaside Industrial Area, paid for by East York and donations from the LIA businesses. There are probably still copies of this report in the Leaside and East York libraries. In addition, then MP John Godfrey worked with LIA companies in a effort to create a New Media Village in the area.

But pressures on the LIA, now called the Leaside Business Park (LBP), have continued to increase.

We are all aware of the spread of shopping centres along the east side of Laird, and on Eglinton be-

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:44 PM Page 30

Got a dead body to ship? Come to Leaside Leaside Life, July 2015

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The sparkling white building with the black trim on Wicksteed, opposite Lincoln Electric, announces itself as MacKinnon & Bowes. That’s all. What is the business being run from this building?

It’s a funeral-related business, and Allan Cole, the president and owner of the company, stresses that they do not serve the general public.

It’s a behind-the-scenes business, he says, serving funeral professionals with extra staffing, vehicles and other resources as needed. The company also makes various items needed in the funeral business, and is proud that the materials are all Canadian. There is also pride in being a local company, supporting other local businesses wherever possible, and participating in events to support charities.

Over 90 percent of the funeral homes in the Greater Toronto Area use their services for overnight transfers, house calls and as an asneeded phone answering service.

They are also Canada’s first and only company with the qualifica-

In addition to running the company, Cole Sr. is the current chair of the board of Bereaved Families of Ontario – Toronto Chapter.

The actual building has a story to tell as well. It was originally a tractor parts supply depot, with a loading dock in the middle, on the fringe of the Leaside airport.

In time the building use changed to become Moco Radio, a company that sold, installed and repaired two-way radios and taxi meters.

That business morphed into being the original MiKE push-totalk network, which was later taken over by Telus. You can see as you walk through the building that bits and pieces have been added as needed, with stairs to various halflevels. It even has two board rooms, the one that was in place during the radio businesses and the newer, larger one with a 20-seat table.

There is also a bit of a language lesson here too. The company belongs to the International Federation of Thanatologists.

Thanatology turns out to be the scientific study of death. ■

Lorna Krawchuk Publisher Leaside Life

tions and skills to repatriate human remains to and from Canada, and they can call upon their worldwide network of affiliates when needed.

The business moved here in 1997 to get additional space, but prior to that it was on Broadview north of the Danforth since 1966.

The original owners, Mr. MacKinnon and Mr. Bowes sold the business to Cole in 1983.

When Cole first moved to Leaside he had difficulty persuading by-law officials that it was not a retail business, did not serve the general public and that the business fit into an industrial area.

With much perseverance, they now have an official letter confirming their legal status. They plan to stay in Leaside, and with no thought of changing the company name either, even though Allan Cole’s son, Alex, is now also working with the company.

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:44 PM Page 31

RBC Dominion Securities Securities Inc. Inc.

RBC Dominion Securities is pleased to announce that Investment Advisors David Goddard and Mark Coyle have now relocated to the firm’s new branch located at 45 Wicksteed Ave. (Laird & Wicksteed).

DAAVID VID GODDARD ODDARD, CIM CIM Investment Advisor RBC Dominion Securities 416-699-4105 david.goddard@rbc.com

MARK ARK CO OYLE YLE FCSI FCSI, CIM CIM, CFP CFP, FMA FMA, H HBA BA

David and Mark have the knowledge, expertise and devotion required to offer outstanding service to the Leaside community. They also provide clients with the resources of Canada’s leading provider of wealth management – RBC Dominion Securities.

Whether you’re looking to maximize your retirement savings, enhance your after-tax retirement income or protect your wealth for future generations, David and Mark can create a personalized strategy designed to achieve your individual goals.

They offer you the highest quality advice on a wide range of wealth management services, including portfolio management, financial planning, RRSPs/RRIFs, education savings plans, estate planning There’s Ther e’s W Wealth alt h in Our Approach. alth Ap pr o ac h. aend and charitab ble giv giving. ving gh

Investment Advisor RBC Dominion Securities 416-699-4997 mark.coyle@rbc.com

Call to arrange for a complimentary initial consultation – or to receive an objective, no-obligation second opinion on your current investments.

RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bankk of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company off RBC Wealth Management, a business segment off Royal Bankk of Canada. ®Registered trademarks off Royal Bankk of Canada. Used underr licence. © RBC Dominion Securities Inc. 2014. All rights reserved.

Leaside Life, July 2015

YO OUR UR PA ARTNERS RTNERS IN IN LE EASIDE ASIDE F FOR OR FIINANCIAL NANCIAL SU UCCESS CCESS

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LeasideLife issue 40 final_LeasideLifev1 15-06-23 1:44 PM Page 32

Leaside Life, July 2015

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