ww The East York RAISING ISAIAH n Boy has rare disorder OBSERVER Page 7 Serving our community since 1972 Vol. 44, No. 8 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, October 9, 2015 n TWO-ALARM BLAZE Electoral reform on the agenda at debate Some candidates favour proportional representation

By PAULA LAST The Observer

How Canadians actually choose their federal government got a full airing at Tuesday night’s all-candidates meeting in the Toronto-Danforth riding. Candidates contesting the riding offered their views about replacing the traditional “first-past- the-post” formula with proportional representa- tion. The latter would see percentage divisions in the electorate represented in the House of Commons. Green party candidate Chris Tolley minced no words on the topic. “It’s a given,” he said, and was quick to add that under proportional representation, his par- ty would currently have 30 seats in Parliament. His party favours a mixed-member system, which is used in New Zealand and Germany. Tolley said he believes that the 2015 federal election will be the death knell for the first-past- the-post system in Canada. Liberal candidate Julie Dabrusin echoed Tolley’s view. Jason Sutcliffe /// The Observer The Liberal party’s plan is to table legisla- After the fire tion on proportional representation within 18 Exhausted firefighters leave a highrise at Pape and Cosburn avenues after extinguishing a two-alarm blaze months of being elected, but the party hasn’t there just before 8 a.m. on Monday morning. The affected apartment suffered extensive damage, officials say, endorsed a specific system yet. and building management is working to move the family that lives there into another unit. See story, page 2. n See DEBATE, page 2 Sex-ed protest all about consent, group says ‘“Empty School Campaign’” after Parents pull students being inspired by the protest at Thorncliffe Park Public School from school as a sign when classes began in September. Protesters, such as Raul Jangda, a of their frustration parent of three children attending By MELVIN GOMEZ Thorncliffe Park, argue that the The Observer new content – including homosex- uality, transgender issues and mas- An organizer of the Oct. 1 pro- turbation – is not suitable for their test, pulling students out of classes children to learn. at Thorncliffe Park Public School, “It’s about consent. When the says his group wants to send a school wants to give my kids pizza strong message to the Ontario gov- or excursions, they send forms for ernment regarding its new health my consent. Why am I not in the curriculum. Melvin Gomez /// The Observer picture when they talk to my kids About 200 parents and children Thorncliffe Park Public School parents and students participated in a one-day pro- about sex?” Jangda asked. gathered outside the school in East test on Oct. 1 to express their displeasure with the health curriculum. In fact, there are only a handful York on Oct. 1. Protesters formed of lessons per year dealing with human chains and marched with public schools. The parents pulled Thorncliffe Parents Association, content is so explicit. What is the sexual health and parents are given their picket signs on Thorncliffe more than half of the students, spearheading the protest. purpose of teaching our kids (about the outline of the curriculum and Park Drive. They were protesting about 740 children, from the school “We want to show our frustration oral sex)?” are made aware ahead of time when the new sex component of the for the day. with the premier’s new sex-ed The Canadian Families Alliance health curriculum in Ontario’s Khalid Mahood represents the curriculum,” Mahood said. “The organized the province-wide strike n See TRUSTEE, page 3 2 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015

WHAT’S POLICE & UP IN E.Y. FIRE Dining for a Roads closed as good cause police search for St. Cuthbert’s armed suspect Anglican Church Police closed at 1399 Bayview an area around Ave. will hold Danforth and its 13th annual Coxwell avenues women’s dinner on Monday night on Friday, Oct. to conduct a 23. All proceeds search for a from the dinner suspect allegedly will go to the involved in a Primate’s World homicide in May Relief and 2014. A firearm Development was discovered Fund’s maternal in the area, and newborn prompting the programs. search for Conrad Tickets, which are Grizzle, 20, who $20 each, include Jason Sutcliffe /// The Observer is wanted for dinner and Firefighters wait for the all-clear on Monday after battling a blaze on the seventh floor of an East second-degree wine. For more York apartment building. One family was displaced as a result of the two-alarm fire. murder and information, call two counts of 416-485-0329. attempted murder. Police say he is Is euchre win Fire leaves family homeless considered armed and dangerous. in the cards? By JASON SUTCLIFFE could smell the smoke,” she said. “We If you enjoy The Observer could hear the fire alarm going on and off euchre, mark ... so we ran down stairs to get out.” Pedestrian hit Friday, Oct. 23 A two-alarm fire has left an East York The apartment was burnt out, leav- by GO train on your calendar. apartment burned out and a family dis- ing the family’s mother, father and two That’s when placed. children displaced. A pedestrian was Northlea United Firefighters responded to the fire at Pape “Currently we checked with the Red struck and killed Church, 125 and Cosburn avenues just after 7:30 a.m Cross and the superintendent for the by a train just east Brentcliffe Rd., on Monday. The seventh-floor apartment building because this family has been of the Danforth will hold its Lone was engulfed in flames. burnt out of their apartment now,” said GO station on Hand Euchre Firefighters evacuated the apartment Platoon Chief Dan Cell. Sept. 30 at Tournament and extinguished the fire before 8 a.m. “We have checked to ensure that around 4 p.m. Fundraiser. From Sarah Rogers was one of the many res- they’re going to have a place to stay GO train services idents forced from their apartments, after tonight, because they have a couple of were delayed for 7 to 9 p.m., Jason Sutcliffe /// The Observer participants can suddenly waking up to the blaring fire kids.” approximately enjoy snacks and alarm. One firefighter suffered an injury to The highrise tenants’ living three hours along try their hand at “There was a fire on the seventh floor his finger. All tenants were examined for room windows were blown out the Lakeshore East winning prizes. and we are just on the sixth floor, so we smoke inhalation at the scene. by the blaze. and Stouffville Tickets are lines. available at the Northlea United Man charged Church office Debate focuses on electoral reform and after church in hit-and-run services. The Cont.d from page 1 ing to make proportional rep- “It’s not a commitment to That’s when John Richardson price is $20. For resentation a reality by 2019. proportional representation,” of the Liberal party issued a An 80-year-old more information, “Our plan is to have an “We’re going to have a spe- he said, adding that the public challenge to all candidates to was charged last call 416-425- all-party consultation,” Dab- cial all-party task force that can look for the NDP’s plan in “make it visible.” week with criminal 5252. rusin said. will be consulting broadly and an upcoming platform release. Candidate Tolley responded negligence She said later that getting extensively with Canadians,” “I don’t know when exact- to another member of the audi- causing death, the electorate behind a new he said. ly our platform is coming out, ence asking about the question dangerous 3 simple steps system just requires a commit- Scott said his party will but central to it will be propor- of the obstacles to electoral operation of a ment to educate the public. work with experts to create tional representation,” he said. reform. motor vehicle to savvy blogs “People are smart,” she a designed proposal for what At one point in the discus- “The obstacle is Harper,” causing death Want to improve added. “They just have to have an “adapted-to-Canada ver- sion, a member of the audi- Tolley said. and leaving the your blogging the information to make these sion” of mixed member pro- ence commented that it was Toronto-Danforth Conser- scene, after a skills? The decisions.” portional should look like. the Ontario Liberal govern- vative candidate Benjamin fatal accident Leaside library According to candidate During the debate, Scott crit- ment that had failed to bring Dichter was not there to re- on Sept. 25 on will host a lecture Craig Scott, the NDP is pledg- icized the Liberal party’s plan. in electoral reform in 2007. spond. Danforth Avenue called ‘Zero to near Donlands. Blog in Three Police say the Simple Steps’ elderly driver left on Wednesday, Police seek suspect after pair of robberies the scene after Oct. 21 from he reversed into 7-8 p.m. This is Victims’ cellphones 12 at 53 Thorncliffe Park Dr. knife and robbed of their cell- a fence, pinning a free event for The other happened on Friday, phones. a 49-year-old entrepreneurs/ taken at knifepoint Aug. 28 at 27 Thorncliffe Park No one was injured in the man. The victim business owners Dr. Both locations are apart- robberies. was taken to the By KELSEY CHENG looking to ment buildings. The suspect is described as hospital where The Observer sharpen their Police say the victims of in his 20s with short black hair he later died. blogging skills. Toronto police have re- the robberies, a 33-year-old and a beard. He is around five The motorist’s No signup is leased images of a suspect man and a 21-year-old wom- feet eight inches to six feet tall scheduled court required. wanted in two East York rob- an, were followed by a man with a thin build. date is Nov. 9. beries. into the elevator of the apart- Anyone with information is ~ Katherine Forte One of the robberies oc- ment buildings. They were asked to contact police at 416- ~ Alex Kamakaris n SUSPECT curred on Wednesday, Aug. both threatened with a kitchen 808-5300. The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 NEWS 3 Trustee wants children back in class East York parents encouraged to send students to school Cont.d from page 1

the topics will be discussed. Parents also have the opportu- nity to pull their children out of class during those lessons. Jeff Crane, the principal Arifa Ratansi /// The Observer at Thorncliffe Park Public Watermain woes School, says the protest is The commute was a slow one on Tuesday morning after a watermain broke at the intersection of O’Connor Drive and getting away from the curric- Glenwood Crescent, causing flooding and leading to a lane closure. City of Toronto workers and Toronto police were on the ulum. scene, blocking off the right lane on the north side of O’Connor until repairs could be completed. “Thorncliffe Parents Ass- ociation are a group that has strong opinions, but they’re not always the right opin- ions,” he said. “They’ve been Candidates put health care on the table sending misleading informa- tion.” By AZIZA IBRAHIM Conservative party candidate and Dr.Rajiv Singal, a urolo- During the first week of The Observer Bill Burrows declined the hos- gist at the hospital. school, many of the students pital’s invitation. “I can’t disagree with the did not attend class, but since There is a general con- Pharmacare, environmental things my colleagues up here then most have returned; the sensus of opinion among the health, social factors affecting have said; our program is sim- school had only 150 fewer Beaches-East York candidates health and home care were ilar in a lot of ways,” said the students when the current in the Oct. 19 federal election among the main topics cov- Green’s Sach. “The federal protest began. when it comes to the topic of ered during the debate. government now just puts less The parents of some of pharmacare and the high costs “We are pledging in this and less money.... They don’t those children have enrolled of prescription drugs. election to spend $2.6 billion ensure that there’s the same them in private schools or East York residents gath- over four years to bring phar- quality of healthcare available home schooling sessions. ered in a conference room at macare into this country,” across the country” Gerri Gershon, TDSB Toronto East General Hospital New Democrat Kellway said. “On all of these issues we Trustee for Don Valley West, on Tuesday to discuss a topic “We’re talking about hiring really need to change the gov- advises parents not to strike that everyone agreed is ex- 7,000 health-care professionals ernance in this country,” Kell- and to keep them in school tremely important to the com- across the country and building way said. “For too long, Ste- despite the new curriculum. munity: health care. File Photo /// The Observer 200 healthcare clinics.” phen Harper’s reign here has “I think it’s very harmful to “There is an emphasis on re- Liberal Nathaniel Erskine-Smith was among the Questions were submitted not been interaction between the children to keep them out ducing the cost of prescription candidates at Tuesday’s TEGH debate. by hospital staff and reviewed provinces and the federal gov- of school,” she said. drugs and making them more by an expert panel that includ- ernment. But there needs to be “I strongly encourage par- accessible, more affordable… Nathaniel Erskine-Smith. MP Matthew Kellway, was ed Sarah Downey, president regular interaction and negoti- ents to send their children into to lower costs by up to 30 per Erskine-Smith’s main rival, also there — along with Green and CEO of TEGH, Irene An- ation of how these things are the school where profession- cent,” said Liberal candidate New Democratic incumbent party candidate Randall Sach. dress, chief nursing executive going to work.” als can teach them.” Climate change a hot topic at Toronto-Danforth debate By MITCH McCLURE Conservative candidate least 50 per cent of the MPs at The Observer Benjamin Dichter was the only any given time are almost cer- no-show at the debate, held at tainly going to be committed The Tuesday night debate the Applegrove Community on climate change.” among most of the major fed- Centre on Woodfield Road. Liberal Julie Dabrusin and eral election candidates in To- Incumbent New Democrat- Green party member Chris ronto-Danforth may have fo- ic MP Craig Scott introduced Tolley echoed Scott’s points. cused on electoral reform (see the topic of climate change, The Greens have built their story on page 1), but there was saying global warming will reputation on environmental- also considerable discussion be the first issue Canada will ism, but Dabrusin let the audi- on other topics — especially address if Thomas Mulclair ence know that it’s high on her climate change and the envi- becomes prime minister. agenda as well. ronment generally. “I want to be part of a gov- “Improving transit and cy- The contenders talked about ernment that’s taking climate cling will help with that is- transit, cycling, Canada Post, change seriously,” Scott said. sue,” she said. “Toronto has Paula Last /// The Observer re-engaging voters and fund- “We need to have a system a terrible transit system that Julie Dabrusin talks to Toronto-Danforth voters during an all-candidates ing the CBC. that reflects the fact that at needs to be improved.” meeting on Tuesday night at the Applegrove Community Centre. 4 VOTE 2015 The East York Observer // Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 Canvasser says it’s simply a conversation Sam Dyson, 23, is a cam- Mason University showed comfortable feeling,” he said. Torontoobserver.ca Liberal volunteer, 23, paign aide to Liberal candi- that potential voters who were A 2001 Stanford Univer- is the place for relishes ‘knocking date Julie Dabrusin (in the visited by the candidate were sity study showed that hav- election night Toronto-Danforth riding) in 20 per cent more likely to ing door-to-door canvassing coverage from all on strangers’ doors’ the campaign leading up to vote for that candidate. teams increased voter turnout corners of East the Oct. 19 vote. Having lived Dabrusin has been a res- by 7.1 percentage points com- By MARCUS MEDFORD York. With East in the area all his life, Dys- ident of Toronto-Danforth pared to mail or telephone The Observer York Observer re- on also volunteered for John since 1998, and she believes calls. However, some people porters at strategic He’s done it municipally. Tory during his mayoral cam- canvassing is the most effec- don’t like to be visited by By PAULA LAST points in Toronto- Now Sam Dyson is doing it paign in 2014. tive way to learn what’s going canvassers because they have Danforth as well federally. Dabrusin realizes the value on with her neighbours. already decided how they are as Beaches-East “Face-to-face interaction of her team of canvassers. Although Dyson thinks of going to vote or conversely York and Don Valley with people is by far the most “It’s important for them canvassing as simply having because they have no interest West, we’ll bring effective way to convey our (the community) to see that conversations with voters, he in voting. you the breaking message,” he said. I’m out there and I’m com- admits that it’s not always “Some people are genuine- news as the num- “Most importantly, (we) mitted to working for them,” easy. ly not interested and do not bers roll in. hear what people are con- she said. “Knocking on strangers’ want to be disturbed,” Dyson cerned about.” A 2012 study from George doors can definitely be an un- said. n SAM DYSON Green candidate LGBTory.ca founder ready for move hunting for votes from municipal to national politics in Don Valley West “I am eager to join council to tackle Dichter’s LinkedIn site says that he’s a Candidate also ran in last the hard issues facing Toronto,” says his certified gemologist, having received his fall’s municipal election LinkedIn profile. “Tight budgets, crum- accreditation from George Brown College. British Columbia bling infrastructure, transit debates and It also says that he’s currently president of resident running By CHRIS DE MELO unbearable congestion, all while the econ- Ink Port, a small business specializing in The Observer omy is stagnant, are problems that cannot graphic design. to make sure all be ignored any longer.” Dichter is also one of the founders of Benjamin Dichter has shifted his sights One newspaper covering his run in LGBTory.ca. A group whose website pro- voters have a voice since last fall. Ward 27 — just outside the southwest fesses a need to break leftist control on the By BRANDAN KAJIOKA The businessman and LGBT activist corner of East York — characterized his LGBT community, it strives to represent The Observer who ran for city council in Toronto Cen- platform as one of avoiding partisanship. LGBT people who are also socially con- tre-Rosedale and garnered five per cent of “Council is a particularly extreme exam- servative. The Green candidate in the the vote is now running for the House of ple of divisiveness and councillors’ ad- The group has participated in pride pa- Don Valley West riding of the Commons in Toronto-Danforth. herence to ideology, over what rades despite a petition circulated recent- Oct. 19 federal election has He replaces the original Conservative is best for the city,” the paper ly calling on Capital Pride organizers campaigned to give residents candidate, Tim Dutaud, who was dropped quoted him as saying. to ban them from marching in the an alternative option… but from the Tory bandwagon last month Toronto Sun city hall col- Ottawa pride parade. from a distance. n NATALIE HUNT when YouTube videos came to light in umnist Sue Ann Levy of the Dichter has travelled and even Natalie Hunt admitted that which he makes distasteful prank phone Toronto Sun called him “a lived in South America — an expe- she has never visited Edward headquarters in Vancouver. calls. breath of fresh air.” rience that he says has given him a Gardens nor seen the traffic Despite the distance, Hunt Dichter has been unavailable for an Ob- But Dichter still garnered broad perspective on life. congestion on the Don Valley says she fully understands server interview, but there are traces of his only about 1,500 votes out of n BENJAMIN Parkway. the situation, attempting to positions from last fall’s municipal elec- about 31,000 cast in his A candidate for the Green familiarize herself with the tion campaign. ward last fall. DICHTER Party, she is campaigning as Don Valley West community a paper candidate only; that from B.C. is, a standard-bearing name “Our priority would (be) on a ballot, with no actual having a candidate who lived on-location campaign. in Don Valley (West),” she Carmichael vs. Oliphant will “We do think that every said. Canadian should have a But “I think that my back- voice,” Hunt said in an inter- ground and my values, espe- be a race to watch on Oct. 19 view from British Columbia. cially being a young person “There are citizens, there and being a woman, I can an interview with the Observer, but in he has served on the North York General are voters in Don Valley bring a voice and view that Federal election marks third past campaigns, the grandfather and for- Hospital Foundation Board. whose interests and values represent a lot of Canadi- time these two candidates mer car-dealer has emphasized several He has also been the president of Row- we represent.” ans who are not necessarily planks in his campaign platform: lead- ing Canada and a director of the Cana- “We want those people to heard.” have run against each other ership, the economy, public safety and dian Olympic Committee. Carmichael send a message to Ottawa to Leduc said that occasional- needed improvements to local infrastruc- was appointed this year by Prime Minis- By TARA FORTUNE help define their values and ly so-called “star candidates” ture — especially transportation. ter Stephen Harper to be the chair of the The Observer views (as well as) having are recruited by a party from “The Conservative government’s GTA and cen- that representation in Parlia- outside the riding, and they Conservative incumbent John Carmi- steady leadership has helped Canada tral Ontario ment.” bring their name and reputa- chael is one of the headliners in what emerge quickly from the global reces- Conser- Lawrence Leduc, a profes- tion along with them. may be East York’s marquee matchup on sion,” he told the Observer during the vative sor in the political science “But these are also gener- Oct. 19. last campaign. caucus. department at the Universi- ally expected to make some Carmichael is seeking re-election in a “We injected billions of stimulus dol- ty of Toronto, explained the connection to the locality tight contest against Liberal Rob Oliph- lars into the economy, which has helped risks involved in running as a over the course of the cam- ant. us emerge stronger than our G7 part- paper candidate. paign. And even then, they This marks the third time that the two ners.” “In Canadian politics, often don’t succeed,” he said. have run against each other. His campaign website is johncarmi- local ties of some kind are Hunt admits she may Oliphant won in 2008. Carmichael chael.conservative.ca, and it says that generally considered import- be unfamiliar with Toron- won in 2011. Some pundits give Oli- Carmichael considers his strong busi- ant for a candidate,” he said. to-based politics, but in- phant the edge this time around; earlier ness skills as what sets him apart “Without any, she is unlikely sists she is fully prepared this week, the poll-aggregating website from the others running in the rid- to be elected.” to handle the political and threehundredeight.com was giving the ing. It adds that he has a strong Natalie Hunt has worked social complexity that exists challenger an 82-per-cent chance of win- presence is the community, where as the West Coast operations within the Don Valley West ning the riding. manager at the Green party riding. Carmichael has been unavailable for n JOHN CARMICHAEL The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 FEATURES 5 East York then and now By NOVEMBER new, modern features — as od home in Playter Estates, 100-year-old homes in River- Moving forward, reno- neighbourhood that have un- CHERNICK long as they don’t tear apart Mandalas sees both the value dale. Oftentimes bricks have vation and restoration will dergone transitions over the The Observer what was originally there. and the challenges in restor- not been preserved and they continue to be a vital part of years. Even though the architec- “(It) is really important to ing a historic building. need to be replaced on the ex- the community, but new con- While many of the struc- tural landscape of East York maintain and persevere what “Costs in new construc- terior of the home. struction cannot be avoided. tures still closely resemble has changed over time, hints was there before,” Mandalas tion would be much cheaper Problems can occur, as As Mandalas puts it, their original form, some of the past still remain. says. than restoration. Restoration modern bricks are much larg- “Some people don’t see the have gone through total re- Angela Mandalas, a real “We sometimes don’t is preserving what’s already er and formed differently value in what was there to construction, making the lo- estate agent who specializes construct things in the same there and it can be very diffi- than those a century ago. This begin with. They often don’t cations almost recognizable. in the four neighbourhoods of manner we did beforehand. cult. If something hasn’t been means that a simple exterior understand the value of that. The series of photos below East York, Danforth, River- For example, hand-cut crys- preserved, you have to dupli- refinishing becomes a pro- Or it’s easier for them to tear demonstrates comparisons dale and Playter Estates, says tal doorknobs — you can’t cate what was there before.” cess of finding and sourcing it down and start all over.” of locations in the East York she is not against the augmen- just go buy one at the store.” She gave the example 100-year-old bricks from oth- Below is a photo gallery community from the early tation of old buildings with Having purchased a peri- of the bricks found on the er locations. of buildings in the east-end 1900s to today.

RIGHT: Looking east on Danforth Avenue at Logan Avenue.

LEFT: The southeast corner of Broadview and Danforth avenues. Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives

Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives O@ l For more East York stories, please check us out online at Jeffrey Sze /// The Observer toronto observer.ca

Jeffrey Sze/// The Observer RIGHT: This church was once called the Danforth Baptist Church. It is now the Danforth Church.

BOTTOM RIGHT: The bank at the northwest corner of Pape and Danforth avenues still exists today.

BELOW: The northeast corner of Pape and Lipton avenues. The Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives Pape subway station is now located on this corner.

Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives Jeffrey Sze/// The Observer

Marcus Medford /// The Observer

Photo courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives Jeffrey Sze /// The Observer Jeffrey Sze /// The Observer 6 OPINION The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 v n COLUMNS n EDITORIALS Sach the right choice NDP puts child care first A vote for the New Dem- program. And the Toron- to finance it. In an election where four parties chose women to manage their campaigns, women’s ocratic Party is a vote for to-Danforth incumbent, New NDP Leader Thomas Mul- issues have still been pushed to the side. moving Toronto-Danforth Democrat Craig Scott, said cair said most of the funding If anything, the Conservatives have distracted voters from the real issues by using a forward economically while that there will be a cap on fees for his party’s plans will come woman’s niqab as a veil of their own. strengthening traditional Cana- “so the parents would not have from an increase in corporate Women comprise 50.4 per cent of Canada’s population — a key electoral demographic. dian values. to pay more than $15 a day per taxes. With this hike, along Despite every party’s dependence on women voters to be elected, the only prominent East York is a communi- child.” with new tax incentives, the issue on the table that disproportionately impacts women is child care. ty made up of people from The Conservative party NDP is committed to bal- That’s why the East York Observer is endorsing Green party representative Randall diverse cultural and economic fares much worse on this ancing skyrocketing Toronto Sach for Beaches-East York. Female leadership, awareness of women’s issues and com- backgrounds — all hoping to issue; child care is not even home prices by building mitment to reinstate a national subsidized daycare program makes a vote for the Green establish a home here. Run- on the Tory agenda. They’re affordable rental units. party the best vote for women. ning in a federal riding in one wishfully proposing “af- The Liberal party The absence of women’s issues in this election has been a factor from the start, judging of the most diverse parts of the fordable” housing instead. proposes similar ideas, by the last-minute cancellation of an August debate on women’s issues organized by Up city, Toronto-Danforth candi- Stephen Harper says he but we worry that for Debate. dates need to pay attention to hopes to raise the number of Canadians will only be Stephen Harper refused to participate. Thomas Mulcair then pulled out, saying that he the unique needs of East York Canadian left with broken wouldn’t attend a debate where Harper was absent. But Mulcair did participate in Up for residents. home- promises in a Debate’s Sept. 21 live stream panel discussion at the University of Toronto. For instance: many residents owners to Justin Trudeau But the scarcely mentioned issue that could explain the status quo is unequal political in this riding are hard-working 700,000 by government. representation. people who are planning or 2020. He expects There are no According to Equal Voice, 33 per cent of candidates this year are women, up from 31 are starting new families. So to do this by plans to increase per cent in 2011. The NDP has the highest percentage at 43 per cent, with the Green party an important topic being dis- establishing a “First- corporate taxes, in second at 39 per cent. The Conservative party has the least representation from women cussed by residents and party Time Homeowners so where will the at 20 per cent. representatives is child care. Tax Credit,” so eligible Liberals get their In a first-past-the-post electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, Liberal candidate Julie buyers can claim a funding for their these numbers mean little. Dabrusin has spoken of her $5,000 non-refundable $20-billion invest- Green party Leader Elizabeth May pointed out the disadvantage of the first-past-the- challenges in securing daycare tax credit to cover costs ment in “social post for women candidates in her Up for Debate interview. spaces for her daughters. The associated with home infrastructure?” Her view is supported by a report from the Fawcett Society, a U.K. charity supporting problem is that the Liberal purchases. East York is a hub gender equality. It says that proportional representation provides more opportunity for party says it will focus on pro- But how are people of communal activity political gender equality. viding middle-class Canadians going to manage mort- and new families hop- For this election, women in the Beaches-East York riding still cannot vote directly for a with affordable and quality gage payments after they ing to establish homes representative of their gender. child-care spaces — while purchase their homes? where child care and But they can vote for a candidate with international development experience. not giving due emphasis to Providing tax credits home ownership are Sachs was working for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) when low-income families who may would indeed allow first- important issues. the Conservatives were first elected. In an interview with the Observer, he recalled his be struggling to balance child time homeowners What residents need impressions of the new government during a CIDA staff meeting. care with work. to buy a house, but is clear. And the NDP “I heard that the new Conservative government wasn’t as interested in environmental or Contrary to that, the NDP would not can provide gender issues as they should be.” is planning to create an allow them Kei Lam it. Can the ~ Paula Last affordable national child-care to continue others? Riaz’s time to shine Under 25? Get out and vote Once again, Don Valley West appears to be a dead heat between two familiar faces: There are few things in this this age group in the past two believes it is powerless to shape Conservative incumbent John Carmichael and Liberal Rob Oliphant — who also happens nation to which we are truly federal elections has been Canada’s future, you have a to be Carmichael’s predecessor, having represented the riding from 2008 to 2011. Because entitled and the right to vote is abysmal. major concern. of the recycled nature of the two major candidates, the Observer believes it is time for a one of them. The record shows that only The fact is, as a demograph- new political voice in Don Valley West, and has chosen to endorse the NDP’s Syeda Riaz Sadly, it is a right that the 37.4 per cent of 18- to ic, we have the power to bring as that voice. 18-24 demographic rarely 24-year-olds voted in the about change through exercis- The Liberals and Conservatives have combined for more than 80 per cent of the votes in chooses to exercise. This 2008 federal election, ing our right to vote. Don Valley West in all but one election since 1997. It is clear that this is a red versus blue group comprises many first- increasing only marginal- We have a civic responsibility riding, but the Grits and the Tories seem a little too comfortable in offering up the same time voters whose ly in 2011, to 38.8 to vote, and not only because it candidates time and time again. Constituents should send a message to Messieurs Harper apathy towards per cent. is our future. More importantly, and Trudeau that if they want to control the riding, they will at least have to find some politics and gov- In 2011, we must show that we care new names with new ideas to go on the ballot. ernment terrifies overall voter about what goes on in this coun- This is not to say that dissatisfaction with the Liberals and Conservatives is the only me. It terrifies turnout was try beyond taxes on Netflix. reason to vote for Riaz: she is a dedicated member of her community and takes part in me, and I am a part only 61 per cent, We are a sleeping demo- a number of charitable causes. She has helped organize the Danforth Multi-faith Com- of the demograph- with the victori- graphic that has been heavily munity Walk since 2008, a biannual event dedicated to bringing together local religious ic, because we ous Conservative sedated by the cynicism of our communities. She also helped lead the Sister To Sister Campaign, a fundraiser dedicated should care. party collecting times - and now is the time to to helping women affected by the 2010 Pakistan floods. In the past, she served as execu- Instead, we’re a only 39 per cent wake up and be heard. tive director for the Asian Communities Council of Canada and the Pakistani Community generation where of the popular As the CBC’s resident ranter Centre. Since Don Valley West is one of the most ethnically diverse ridings in Ontario, social and civic vote. Rick Mercer put it, “If you’re Riaz’s involvement in minority communities should appeal to a great number of its con- responsibility has Those absent between the age of 18 and 25 stituents. taken a back seat to 18- to 24-year-olds and you want to scare the hell Her opposition to the controversial ‘security’ Bill C-51, which was supported by both self-interest.We’re could have made out of the people that run this the Liberals and Conservatives, should also endear her to many voters in the riding. Like- a generation a difference. country, this time around do the wise, the NDP’s stances on child care and youth job creation also make her an attractive where we some- It’s one thing to unexpected. Take 20 minutes candidate in Don Valley West, which is home to an above-average number of residents how collectively believe that one out of your day and do what aged 18 or under. agree that our vote doesn’t young people all around the Don Valley West is in need of a change. For residents who want to send a message to individual matter, but when world are dying to do.” the establishment and bring fresh ideas to the riding, Syeda Riaz is the best option. votes do not you have a So go out on Oct. 19, and matter. generation scare the older generations with ~ Daniel Goldsmith Voter Paolo Maquiraya that almost your vote. turnout for collectively That’s what I’ll be doing.

The East York The East York Observer is published by Centennial College journalism students at the East York cam- FACULTY EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR PRODUCTION EDITORS pus, 951 Carlaw Ave., Rm. 149. Mailing address: Ted Barris Lataevia-Ceianna Kemp Paolo Maquiraya P.O. Box 631, Stn. A, Toronto, M1K 5E9. E-mail c/o Stephen Cogan Shelby Morton [email protected]. Telephone 416-289- Lindy Oughtred PHOTO EDITOR OBSERVER 5107, fax 416-289-5111. We welcome your input, Ethan Manninen including letters to the editor. The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 FEATURES 7 Jasun’s cat photos just keep on giving Proceeds from 2016 calendar featuring late journalist’s work to go to Toronto Cat Rescue

By STEPHANIE HINDS The Observer

She never met the photographer behind the camera, but Leigh Cavanaugh can see Jasun Singh’s familiarity with his subjects. “There was a very personal tie to (the pho- tos),” she said. Centennial College journalism student Jasun Singh died almost a year ago. In his memory, Deidra Barton/// The Observer the family has assembled some of Singh’s pho- Charlotte Schwartz’s son Isaiah suffers from galactosemia, a metabolic tographs of cats housed at the Toronto Cat Res- disorder with no cure. cue (TCR) and published them in a calendar. Cavanaugh created the graphic design for the project. “It wasn’t like a normal job … because I felt Parents raising funds for the passion,” she said. “I felt connected to it.” Daniel Goldsmith /// The Observer Last year, TCR celebrated its 20th anniversa- Graphic designer Leigh Cavanaugh ry. Since 1994, the registered, no-kill charity played a big role in the creation of research into rare disorder has helped thousands of cats find loving homes Toronto Cat Rescue’s 2016 calen- and families. dar. By DEIDRA BARTON speak on time and walk on time. It doesn’t mean But the organization has provided solace to The Observer that they’ll ever be an average member of soci- more than just cats. Executive officer Nalini But the work doesn’t stop there. Funds raised ety.” Ramroop described Jasun Singh’s unique rela- from the calendar, which sells for $10 per copy, Nine days after having their second child, There is no cure for galactosemia and very lit- tionship with TCR’s principal clients. will help TCR provide housing for even more East York parents Charlotte and Seth Schwartz tle information is available on the disease, which “Jasun volunteered at the Pet Smart Kennedy cats. received a phone call from the Ontario Newborn led the family to raise $15,000 last year. This was Commons adoption centre as a caregiver for the “The 2,000 copies that were printed will gen- Screening Program that would change their lives enough to establish a Galactosemia Research cats,” she said. erate over $20,000 of fundraising for Toronto forever. They were told that the results for their Fund at Sick Kids Hospital. “He was responsible for feeding, cleaning cag- Cat Rescue,” Ramroop said. newborn son, Isaiah, came back with a positive Roughly $12,500 was raised on Sept. 25 at the es and entertaining the cats. But it quickly be- “The executives (will) use those funds to- screen. The very same day, Isaiah began to show first annual Soy Boy Soirée. Over 200 guests en- came apparent that his true talent was capturing wards training space in a new rescue centre we symptoms and was later diagnosed with having a joyed a fun-filled night including a comedy show, their beauty in his photography.” are planning to open.” rare disorder called galactosemia. an auction and a brief talk by Dr. Andreas Schul- For Leigh Cavanaugh, despite never meeting She added that the calendars will keep the Galactosemia is an inherited disease that af- ze, director of the Newborn Screening Program Jasun, the interactions she shared with his fam- memory of Jasun Singh alive, as well as help fects the body’s ability to metabolize the sugar and leader of the Galactosemia Research Fund. ily throughout the process made the project ex- homeless cats find “forever” homes. galactose, which is found in dairy products. As a Schulze explained the importance of the research tremely personal and important. “The rescue centre will be called the Jasun result of this, Isaiah was immediately switched to fund and what it is working towards. And it turns out that Singh’s support for TCR Singh Memorial Training Centre and it will a soy-based diet. “Research in galactosemia worldwide works – publishing the photos on social media – came strengthen the TCR to keep up the good work “There’s no way to treat it other than acutely, at a very slow pace,” she said. “There’s almost along at just the right time. He assisted in a that Jasun so wholeheartedly believed in,” like life or death. You have to follow the diet be- nobody doing research on it and the way we treat record-breaking year for the charity. In 2014, Ramroop said. cause if they ingest the toxic sugars, they can die it hasn’t changed over the last 20 or 30 years.” TCR found homes for 2,163 cats, the highest “We will put some of his photographs in the of liver failure, brain damage or a combination of The Schwartz family has set a goal to raise number of annual adoptions in the history of the centre and the spirit of Jasun Singh will be im- the two,” Charlotte explained. $50,000 before the end of the year. To donate, Toronto Cat Rescue. mortal.” “Even if you follow the diet to the letter of visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com/page/run- “(Of) all the photographs that were there, all the For more information or to order a calendar, the law, it doesn’t mean that your kid is going to ningforsoyboy. cats have been adopted,” Cavanaugh said. go to http://torontocatrescue.ca. It’s a brand new game at local tennis club

By ERIC PEMBER was that we didn’t have the financial resources wouldn’t normally be introduced to a sport The Observer to do that, so we had to build a reserve to do like tennis, because they come from a different this,” Barachina said. culture where tennis is not popular,” Stamenic The Thorncliffe Park Tennis Club was in They ultimately raised $70,000 for the said. very poor shape when current president Chris- renovations. Kids and adults both abounded at the grand tine Barachina joined. They did this both with donations from the reopening of the tennis courts recently. In fact, that’s why she was able to join — members of the club and by renting out the Stamenic was present to work with the at- it was easy to get in because there was no park to other clubs. tendees on their tennis games. There was also waiting list. “A lot of other groups came to use our court, a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MPs Barachina was originally on the waiting list such as the Toronto Gay and Lesbian Tennis John Carmichael and Rob Oliphant. for the Leaside Tennis Club, but “their email Club (and) the Toronto Tennis Academy … Once they had raised the money, the tennis bounced back and they basically said to feel so we were able to raise money by essentially courts took about three weeks in total to free to join the other club — Thorncliffe Park having them use our court,” Barachina said. resurface. Tennis Club — that doesn’t have a waiting The association with the Toronto Tennis They were slightly delayed because of the list,” she recalled. Academy, in particular, has come in handy for rain, which pushed the reopening back by a “As a result, I joined the tennis club and the club. day. ended up on the board.” It connected them with tennis pro Branko “You can’t really do it in April because She took the board position after two years Stamenic, who now regularly trains people underneath the surface of the club, the ground of being a member and immediately embarked there. is basically still frozen from the winter,” Eric Pember /// The Observer on an initiative to rebuild the tennis court so “One of the great things about working at Barachina said. “It’s recommended that you Christine Barachina cuts the rib- that more people would want to join. Thorncliffe is that it gives me the opportunity do it at the end of August when the ground is bon to mark the grand reopening. “The only thing that was stipulating for us to introduce the game of tennis to kids who warm and pretty much settled.” 8 FEATURES The East York Observer /// Friday, Oct. 9, 2015 n COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING Boyes raises a leaf to women’s health By BRAYDON HOLMYARD Although he grew up in the west will be displayed on the Tree of Life The Observer end, there is something about the East in the store. York hospital that continues to call As Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy It didn’t take long for newly signed Boyes’ name. owner Jayesh Tailor says, every do- Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brad “The preparation that goes into ev- nation makes a difference. Boyes to contribute to the city that erything and the reach of this hospi- “Each leaf, one dollar at a time, is drafted him. tal is great. The hospital factors into collected over the years and we can Boyes joined the Shoppers Drug a number of different areas, from see its impact,” he says, adding that Mart team Oct. 1 to help raise mon- pediatric to women’s health and the “200,000 goes a long way in support- ey for Toronto East General Hospital ER, so it touches a lot of different ing the hospital with all the resources (TEGH). people,” Boyes said after Thursday’s that they need.” Braydon Holmyard /// The Observer Shoppers Drug Mart’s “Growing presentation. Boyes’ return home to Toronto is Women’s Health Campaign” has “The events have been great. They not only great news for the Maple aided women in the East York com- put them all over the east side of town Leafs, but also for the East York com- munity for the last seven years, rais- and up at the Danforth, and I think munity. And while his commitment ing more than $180,000 in that time. that sticking to a charity like this and to improving Toronto East General With the help of customers, 12 local this hospital, it’s nice that we can fo- Hospital is admirable, he’s not the Shoppers locations will be raising Braydon Holmyard /// The Observer cus all our energy towards it.” only one who can make a difference. money at their counters until today Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brad Boyes places his leaf The annual fundraiser gives the When asked why customers should (Oct. 9), with 100 per cent of the pro- as part of the ‘Growing Women’s Health Campaign.’ East York community a chance to donate, he put it into perspective. ceeds going toward cancer care and make a difference for women’s health “It’s really important,” he said. women’s health at TEGH. He worked at a local McDonald’s with his wife and daughter, bringing at their local hospital. Customers can “Everyone has a mother; everybody Mississauga native Boyes is no during McHappy Day in 2013, an toys to the sick children at Christmas. purchase a “leaf” for $1, a “butterfly” in some way is going to be affected stranger to the East York community event that raised over $74,000 for the He also participated in the TEGH for $5 or a “cardinal” for $50. Each by a woman in their life who has and Toronto East General Hospital. hospital. In 2012, he played Santa Danforth Dash Bed Race. decoration can be personalized and health issues.” Your commute just got a little artsier, thanks to new mural By SIDRA SHEIKH StreetARToronto to solve a prob- The Observer lem. They discovered that the wall on which the mural was to be created A Toronto artist has given commut- really needed attention and that the ers on their way to the Coxwell TTC neighbourhood wanted to see some station a reason to pause to view an colour. It appears some who live in the outdoor exhibit. area, including resident Luis Caballe- Sean Martindale has created a com- ro, are pleased with the result. munity mural called ‘Transitions’. “It’s priceless,” Caballero said. “The “We really wanted to make this combination of colours is so attractive something that the community could and I think it’s a really good project. It’s Paula Last /// The Observer be proud of,” he said. excellent. I wish they could do more.” Rebecca Baird and Phil Cote of Tecumseh Arts designed the ‘Gathering of the Clans’ “It’s an area that’s really (ex- Some community members did mosaic now on permanent display at Todmorden Mills. perienced) a lot of change… so I more than just pay compliments. As- wanted to recognize that with the sistant artist Vero Diaz said some citi- word Transitions.” zens want to join in. Martindale explained that he and “We’ve have had more than 20 vol- Mosaic honours the history East End Arts were approached by unteers,” she said. of local indigenous peoples By PAULA LAST The mosaic came about through a loons and the cranes are the chief The Observer collaboration between the Tecumseh clans. The deer clan people are lov- Collective and Red Pepper Specta- ing and nurturing. The marten clan Over the summer of 2015, First cle Arts. is the warrior, and the bird clan car- Nations in Toronto reclaimed a piece Gabriella Caruso, of Red Pepper ry spiritual knowledge. Medicine is of their history in the Don Valley. Spectacle Arts, talked about the mo- represented by the bear clan. The On Sept. 28, local politicians, saic technique. turtle and fish are the intellectuals, community members and arts and “Each piece is hand-cut and hand the planners and the educators who indigenous culture supporters wit- sanded to fit in its exact specific lo- share information among clans. nessed the unveiling of The Gather- cation,” Caruso said. Gaudet said she became familiar ing of the Clans Community Mosaic The mosaic started with small with these stories in order to teach Project on the north lawn of Tod- drawings of animals, which were her students. morden Mills. then filled in with mosaics. The art- “First I went to ceremonies … but After an opening prayer by local ists worked together installing the there’s a lot of written material out Anishnaabe elder Dorothy Parker, final pieces. there, like the Mishomis Book,” she Todmorden Mills museum admin- “It was truly a gathering of many, said istrator Ulana Baluk spoke about many disparate and creative ener- “I’m always researching infor- the role the Don River played in the gies,” Caruso said. “I hope we can mation to bring to our kids from all 11,000-year history of indigenous continue to gather around the table.” nations so that we may have children peoples in southern Ontario. The mosaic, like a large circular that represent those nations.” “The river provided food and ma- table, illustrated the various clans, Gaudet added that with issues fac- Sidra Sheikh /// The Observer terials for subsistence, served as a represented by animals and birds. ing the indigenous community such Sean Martindale’s community mural, ‘Transitions,’ is now transportation corridor and was an First Nation School’s Ojibwe lan- as residential schools and missing available for the viewing pleasure of people on their way to important expression for cultural guage teacher Marie Gaudet out- and murdered women, the mosaic the Coxwell TTC station. and spiritual values,” Baluk said. lined what each clan represents. The can also become a space for healing.