ww The FUNNY BUSINESS n Sandra Shamas talks politics, OBSERVER touring and menopause Page 2 Serving our community since 1972 Vol. 46, No. 6 www.torontoobserver.ca Friday, April 14, 2017

n TRANSIT Subway relief line will have ‘huge impact’

By MARJAN ASADULLAH tion can begin — to have the new line The Observer opened by 2031. The April 5 meeting at Morse school The process of building a consensus was about alleviating concerns around around building a new subway line that the proposal, and getting backing from would serve East York continued last members of the public living in the area week with a public meeting at Morse that will be most affected — both by Street Junior Public School on Carlaw construction and by the enhanced transit Avenue. that would result from new subway sta- It was just two days after tions in the area. Mayor John Tory held a subway plat- Paula Fletcher, the city councillor for form news conference calling on the Ward 30, where the meeting was held, provincial government to match Otta- was clear about her support for the relief wa’s pledge of transit funding. That, in line. turn, was just a week after the federal “Moving forward with mass transit Fatima Al-Sayed /// The Observer budget said the Trudeau Liberals will is key,” she said, “and this project will spend billions of dollars on have a huge impact.” All taped up and nowhere to go transit. Some of the issues aired included the Students and staff at Westwood Middle School on Carlaw Avenue found a unique way The “downtown relief line” is one noise and vibration of the subway in the to mark Wednesday’s “International Day of Pink” to raise awareness for diversity and of the main features of Toronto’s tran- neighbourhoods above it, other public against bullying. They bought strips of duct tape to adhere principal Mark Sprack to sit plan. It would link the Pape subway health and environmental issues and the the gym wall. Proceeds from the sale of the tape went to a local women’s shelter. station with the Queen Street station real estate value of houses in the area. downtown via a new route running The Pape Avenue-Eastern Avenue south along Pape, then west along East- route hasn’t been finalized yet, but it’s ern Avenue. the preference of the planners. Stop feeding coyotes, experts say Mayor Tory and the city’s transit Another topic at the meeting was planners say the relief line is needed to paying for the line. So far, there is zero Woman whose dog, cat separate occasions. But Wightman discourage coyotes without causing ease growing congestion on the subway funding specifically earmarked for the said she doesn’t blame the wild an- them harm. downtown. They’re hoping that the de- project. It is estimated that it will require were killed by coyotes imals; she blames the people who The panel agreed that most inci- sign can be finalized soon and construc- a minimum of $3.2 billion to build. attract them into residential neigh- dents can be traced back to people worries about children bourhoods. feeding coyotes and having family Wightman said there is someone dogs off-leash. They said that by By JORDAN BARRERA in her neighbourhood who is feed- feeding the animals, people are un- The Observer ing coyotes and attracting them to wittingly changing their behaviour. Even though Donna Wightman’s the area. In particular, the coyotes’ natural cat and dog were victims of a coy- She said the city needs to do a fear of humans is diminished. ote attack, she says that “the coyotes better job of enforcing regulations Coyote Watch Canada’s Lesley have not done anything wrong.” against that. She said she’s worried Sampson shared tools to scare coy- On Monday night, the East York about the young children on her otes away without hurting them. Civic Centre was the venue for a street. One strategy, known as “hazing,” public information session to advise Mary Lou Leiher, program man- includes shaking a bottle with coins, residents on how to reduce the harm ager for Toronto Animal Services, squeezing an empty water bottle and done by coyotes. agreed that there is an issue. — as a last resort — throwing items Representatives from Coyote “There are people as far as we in the direction of (but not at) the Watch Canada, the province’s nat- know feeding them,” she said, “and animals. ural resources ministry and the city so this has caused a problem.” Leiher said she plans to continue were on hand to answer questions. The main emphasis at Monday education efforts for Toronto resi- Wightman’s cat and dog were both night’s meeting was on co-existence dents in the form of signs and more attacked and killed by coyotes on strategies and ways that people can information sessions. We’ve ‘stopped the presses’ (for now) Although this paper — produced by the journalism students of Centennial College — is going on hiatus as the semester winds down, we’ll still post fresh East York content in the coming days on our companion website, torontoobserver.ca. In ad- dition, our radio edition, Neighbourly News, will continue to air through April and May on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 and Friday afternoons at 4 on CJRU/1280 Marjan Asadullah /// The Observer AM. We’ll re-open our newsroom by mid-September and ramp up all of our media Local residents attended a meeting on Carlaw Avenue last around the end of the month. In the meantime... enjoy the warm weather! week to discuss plans for a new subway line that would run between downtown and Pape station on Danforth Avenue.

Residents of Carlaw 2 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017

POLICE & WHAT’S FIRE What now? Shamas tells all UP IN E.Y. Donations Creator of new show High school sought for ‘The Big What Now?’ art on display fire victims tackles the M word The visual arts de- partment at Dan- Support is com- By RHIANNE CAMPBELL forth Collegiate ing from across The Observer and Technical In- the East York re- stititute is holding gion after a family Comedic writer Sandra Shamas’s jour- an exhibition of of five lost most ney through menopause was a lonely and works by students of their belong- isolating experience. and staff of DCTI ings in a March In vintage Shamas style, though, she’s at the Todmorden 31 fire at their made it a little less lonely and isolating for Mills Papermill home, located the rest of us — and a heck of a lot funni- Gallery on Pottery near Coxwell and er — with her latest show, The Big What Road starting this Danforth avenues. Now, which ended a successful run in To- coming Wednes- Tiffany and ronto earlier this year and is now ready to day, April 19, and Michael Rogers hit the road. running until April and their three The show looks at menopause through 30. The opening children lived next the Shamas lens, a blend of wicked wit reception will be door to a vacant and poignant insights into what it means Wednesday eve- multi-unit house to be a woman over 50. ning from 5-8 p.m. that caught fire “I’m writing a show I need to see, be- with remarks at that afternoon. cause I didn’t see a reflection of my expe- 6 p.m. and music The roof of their rience anywhere in my culture — because Rhianne Campbell /// The Observer provided by the home and all of we’re not going to talk to women who Sandra Shamas talked politics, menopause and how to handle DCTI Ensemble. the contents of are in their 50s,” she said during a visit to badly behaved goats during a recent stopover in East York. their bedrooms Centennial College’s East York campus were destroyed last week. “We’re not going to talk about She later produced Wit’s End I, II and writing about menopause, at a time when Treasurer by fire, smoke their bodies. We’re not going to because III about her retreat to rural Ontario and no one else was, was a way of making the and firefighters’ that doesn’t sell magazines. That doesn’t farm life. process less isolating and more accessi- wanted water. No one was sell product.” As a figure-head of Canadian comedy, ble. The East York harmed in the Shamas, a Lebanese-Canadian pro- Shamas said she has noticed a shift in the While women of a certain age are not Learning Ex- two-alarm blaze. ducer, writer and actor originally from media in terms of who is being represent- represented as much as Shamas feels they perience is a The Rogers are Sudbury, Ont., has been performing her ed. “Symbolic annihilation,” the descrip- should be by the media, she said she’s no- longstanding currently staying unique one-woman shows for over 30 tion she uses in her show, is an academic ticed a shift towards female-driven come- community-based with relatives. years now. Her latest, The Big What Now, term for when any aspect of any culture is dy. To her, that’s a very good sign. learning program They do not earned critical acclaim during its Toron- no longer represented in the media. In this “We’ve all had to overcome much in or- that helps local have contents to run and continued a week beyond the case, it refers to women over 50. der to just be women on this planet. And adults improve insurance. But original closing date due to popular de- During the show, she explains this phe- then be women doing what we do (come- their math, read- there’s a donation mand. nomenon to the predominantly female dy) for a living,” she said. ing, writing and dropoff on the Early in her career, Shamas performed crowd. Although Shamas will not likely be on computer skills. porch of the home with Second City and Fraggle Rock. She “Did you hear the audience go ‘ohhh’? Canadian television any time soon, she The charitable or- at 321 Kingswood said it was her dislike of the world of tele- Like you hear the whole room go ‘f*** did say she’s working on a cross-Canada ganization is look- Rd. And a relative, vision production that motivated her to no, are you kidding?’ It’s harsh and it’s tour of The Big What Now. ing for a volunteer Kris Rogers, has create her own work. On stage, she could happening and we’re still here so, it For now, though, she’ll continue to live treasurer with a started a crowd- speak her own language and live in trans- doesn’t make any sense,” said Shamas, day by day on her farm, feeding herself CA, CPA, CGA or funding campaign parency. who was born in 1957. and sharing what she can’t eat herself CMA designation to help the family. She entered her first show, My Boy- She described climbing menopause with her community. who can sit on its For more in- friend’s Back and There’s Gonna Be mountain as one of the most awakening As for the ‘R’ word, retirement is not board of directors. formation or to Laundry, in the Edmonton Fringe Festi- experiences she’s gone through, which led part of her lexicon. Shamas said she is For more informa- make a dona- val, which turned out to be the first in a to it becoming a major focus of her show. going to continue working until she dies, tion, contact the tion, visit www. trilogy of shows. The final of them was “It’s not like anything you’ve experi- which means we can look forward to see- EYLE at 416-425- gofundme.com/ called Wedding Bell Hell. enced as a woman,” she said, adding that ing her on stage for the next 40-odd years. 2666. coxwell-ave-fire- destroys-home. Anyone wanting Story swap to help the fam- Calling contract ily in another Society celebrates 35 years of history workers and free- way can email lancers: the Urban Jane Somers at Organization helps said long-time society member to council and a former East Work Project has somersjane48@ Joyce Crook. York MPP. The night marked teamed up with gmail.com East York residents “Certainly I’ve enjoyed my 24 years since Prue’s election Centennial Col- experience with the society as East York’s sixth mayor. lege’s 951 Carlaw ~ Connor Atkinson remember the past and tonight I hope we can get He addressed a point that’s Avenue campus to host a communi- By ANNA BOYES some more members.” popular among boosters of ty-building event The Observer The EYHS was formed in East York: the reversal of Corrections 1980 and became an affiliate the forced integration of East on April 29. The The East York Historical of the Ontario Historical Soci- York into the “mega-city” night will involve A photo caption on page 8 Society’s venerable status was ety in 1981. The organization of Toronto by then-Premier 150 independent of the March 17 Observer on display last week when is aimed at providing residents Mike Harris in 1998. workers coming misidentified a young cellist at members and friends attended with the resources they need n MICHAEL PRUE Prue joked that if East York together to share the East York Music Festival, the EYHS’s 35th anniversary to research and retain informa- ever secedes, he’ll stand in stories about their held at Westminster Presbyte- dinner at the York Masonic tion about East York. she wiped away tears. front of Harris and say: “As practices and rian Church. The musician’s Temple’s banquet hall on Mill- Someone who was not in “Our kids are saying this is I was saying, before I was so network with each correct name is Ewan Bailey. wood Road. attendance but did send his our community and this is a rudely interrupted….” other. Participants In addition, the byline of For members, the April 6 regards was Prime Minister community I am proud of,” It may not be realistic, but will listen to talks the March 17 page 4 feature festivities were more than just . A letter by the Ward 31/Beaches-East York the audience liked it. on workplace is- about Black History Month a milestone. PM to the group noted the im- councillor Janet Davis said to “It’s my very hard wish that sues and resourc- observances at the East York “It means a great deal to me, portance of its work and con- the guests. this would come true,” said es for a better campus of Centennial College because I was born here in tribution to the community. The headline speaker was Crook. “After hearing Mi- career experience. misidentified the writer of the East York many, many years “I just love it,” said a choked- Michael Prue, the last mayor chael Prue’s speech tonight, piece. Kajan Thiruthanikas- ago — so naturally, anything up Pancheta “Pat” Barnett, the of East York, a former East it really makes you enthusi- ~ Anna Boyes alam wrote the story. that’s East York, I support it,” current EYHS president, as York councillor on Toron- astic.” The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 NEWS 3 ‘My whole body jumped up in the air’ Man hit by car in local anin, had to be hospitalized. In an interview, Radicanin said he parkette worries about was sitting on one of the benches wait- ing for his girlfriend to get off work traffic flow in the area when the Malibu crashed into him: “I grabbed a coffee and was wait- By AMIL DELIC ing for her on the bench. Next min- The Observer ute there is a car coming from behind The Alexander the Great Parkette at me and it ran over both of my feet. Danforth and Logan avenues has been My whole body jumped up in the air a part of the East York-area landscape and twisted. (The) car came so fast. for almost a quarter-century. Named I was face down in the dirt. The fire for an ancient Greek king, it’s a point department and paramedics put me in of pride for the ethnic community that a backboard neck brace, put me in an has given that stretch of the Danforth ambulance and away we went.” its other name: Greektown. Sitting on the next bench over was But Paul Radicanin has a very dif- Thomas Tzovanas, 70, who has been ferent view of the parkette. living in the neighbourhood for years. “It doesn’t make sense to have it Tzovanas didn’t notice the oncoming there,” he said in an interview. “There vehicle, because his back was turned Amil Delic /// The Observer are always little kids playing in the to Logan Avenue. He sustained major The Alexander the Great Parkette at Danforth and Logan avenues is a community fix- park area. Half the people don’t know bruising and multiple fractures to his ture. But a man who was run over in the parkette worries about traffic flow around it. how to drive who are making that turn left leg. on the one-way street near the TD “I was in shock when I got hit. The a result of the physical pain. running low for that as well. Both men an accident or get a traffic ticket face Bank.” car reversed all the way to the statue,” “I get up every morning at 4 a.m. are pursuing legal action in hopes of an exam, and drivers over 80 have to Radicanin isn’t a traffic engineer, Tzovanas said through his nephew, because I can’t sleep. I am always forcing the insurance companies for pass a test every two years. But sta- but he is uniquely qualified to com- Frank, who acted as his translator. stressed out. I carry a lot of pain in the man who hit them to pay for their tistically speaking, older drivers are ment on the parkette. On Sept. 28, Tvovanas currently walks with the as- my lower back and my right knee,” he continuing medical treatment. still fairly safe drivers. The number Radicanin, 45, was badly hurt when sistance of a cane. Though his right leg said. “They gave me orthopedic shoes The driver of the Malibu was an of senior drivers killed and/or in- a beige 2002 Chevy Malibu reversed was deemed fine, he has progressively and a customized knee brace, but my 84-year-old man whose wife was sit- jured on Ontario roads increased by out of a small parking lot behind TD been experiencing more pain the past balance is still off.” An all-season ting in the passenger seat during the 12 per cent between 1994 and 2013, Canada Trust across Logan Avenue few months. He is currently receiving landscaper by trade, Radicanin has accident. Charges were not laid, but but that increase is well outpaced by and struck Radicanin and two other active and passive physiotherapy two used up his health insurance’s $3,500 “appropriate action has been taken,” growth in the rate of Ontarians over people who were just sitting on bench- to three times per week. physiotherapy allowance. said Const. Clint Stibbe, of the To- 65 in the first place. Those over 65 es at the corner of the parkette. Since the accident, Radicanin said As for Tzovanas, he’s in therapy ronto Police Service. are involved in just under a fifth of Two of the victims, including Radic- he’s had trouble sleeping and eating as for constant leg pain, but finances are Drivers over the age of 65 who have all accidents. Child porn charges laid By LEA SHEFFIELD collaborating with the Toronto police in The Observer this case, Le Bouthillier said. He asked that further questions about A Canadian Armed Forces reservist is the investigation be directed to the To- facing charges related to child pornog- ronto police. “As the Toronto Police raphy. Service have the investigative lead on The police child exploitation unit the matter, it would be inappropriate for searched a residence near Donlands and us to comment further.” Danforth avenues on March 10. They This is an ongoing investigation for also searched portions of Canadian police, confirmed Toronto Const. Jeniff- Forces Base Borden in Simcoe County. erjit Sidhu. That same day, police arrested a Ca- “The Toronto Police Service always nadian Forces reservist training at Base works in co-operation or conjunction Borden. with all our community partners and “The member is a reservist with 25 agencies,” she said. Field Ambulance out of Toronto,” said Robert Kohlsmith, 30, of Toronto is Olivia Blackmore /// The Observer Daniel Le Bouthillier, a spokesperson charged with accessing and possessing Team Chicago was this year’s winner of the Little Stanley Cup. The team beat team for the Department of National Defence. child pornography. He appeared in court Boston in overtime 3-2. Canadian Forces Military Police are at Old City Hall on March 11. Little players, big league dreams

By OLIVIA BLACKMORE “Today’s a really emotional day,” vicariously through them,” Seccull The Observer said Connie Mitchell, president said. “This is a great time for them, of the executive committee of the and I’m so lucky to be part of it.” His favourite team is the Toronto EYHA. Local politicians, including Maple Leafs, but on this particular “You see a lot of kids laughing, Beaches-East York MPP Arthur day, he got to play for Boston. you see a lot of kids crying. Some- Potts, Ward 29/Toronto-Danforth Cam Smith, 12, played for Bean times they cry because they won and councillor Mary Fragedakis and Town during the final game of the they’re so happy.” Ward 31/Beaches-East York coun- Little Stanley Cup tournament. The peewee division, which is cillor Janet Davis, also attended the “I think there’s a sense of pride, made up of kids aged 11 and 12, had tournament. given the history of East York and been training since October for the Parents, organizers and volun- the hockey with the (Little) Stanley big Little Stanley Cup Day tourna- teers seem to agree: the Little Stan- Cup,” said Cam’s mother, Nicole ment, held at the East York Memori- ley Cup Day tournament is about the Methuen. al Arena on Cosburn Avenue. kids having a great time and work- On April 1, the house league This year, team Chicago beat ing as a team. teams of the East York Hockey As- team Boston in overtime, 3-2. “Being able to have a real house sociation played for the Little Stan- Jeff Seccull, the coach for Chica- league program, where they can Anna Boyes /// The Observer ley Cup, the only official replica of go, no longer has kids of his own on come out and actually feel for just Dog day afternoon the Stanley Cup, which was sanc- the team, but said he thinks of all of a moment like a real NHL star, is tioned by Clarence Campbell, presi- his players as his kids. something that’s really heartwarm- Kathy Stoyan (left) and Adrienne Rabin walk Ivy and Ozzy dent of the NHL, in 1955. “It’s exciting. I’m living a little ing to see,” Mitchell said. around the Evergreen Brick Works one recent sunny day. 4 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 Tenants say legal loopholes spike E.Y. rent

By JORDAN BARRERA housekeeping, such as maintenance and pest The Observer control, he says that some landlords can dis- courage people from continuing their lease. Tenants joined Toronto-Danforth MPP Peter “Getting rid of vacancy decontrol ends that Tabuns at a recent public forum to deliver pas- whole incentive for landlords to clear people sionate remarks on how current housing condi- out of their buildings,” Tabuns said. tions and government policies have failed them. The panel agreed that normal rent should ac- On March 27, Tabuns held a meeting at Beth- count for 25 to 35 per cent of a tenant’s income. any Baptist Church at the corner of Pape and But residents at the meeting shared stories of Cosburn avenues. He invited the public to dis- unaffordable rent caused by current policy. cuss the details of a bill he had been pushing They said that some tenants have to allocate as that would re-introduce rent control. much as 70 per cent of income to their rent. Alongside Tabuns was a panel of four rep- Jane Janigan has been a tenant in her cur- resentatives, each with specific knowledge of rent East York apartment for five years. She rental policy — including representatives from said since she moved in, many of the building Flemingdon Community Legal Services, the amenities have been stripped despite steadily Federation of Metro Tenants’ Association, the Jordan Barrera /// The Observer increasing rent. national and municipal activist organization Don Collymore shares his rent policy ideas with Toronto-Danforth MPP “They keep taking away and taking away and known as ACORN, and Ward 29/Toronto-Dan- Peter Tabuns (left), his panel and the crowd at a tenant meeting on not doing the maintenance and we keep paying forth city councillor Mary Fragedakis. March 27 at Bethany Baptist Church. the rent increases,” Janigan said, speculating Tabuns said that his bill, which he introduced that a new tenant would have to pay even more in the Ontario legislature at Queen’s Park on have advanced Tabuns’ bill. There is controversy lords can charge any amount of rent for empty than she does if she were to move out. While March 16, would have eliminated loopholes in around whether rent control will discourage the units. This means that unscrupulous landlords she is satisfied overall in her current unit, she current legislation and provide tenants across construction of rental units, and the Wynne gov- can effectively try to push people out of their said she feels “stuck” because of Toronto rental Ontario with clearly defined rent stability. ernment says it plans its own measures on behalf homes when they feel there is more to gain fi- market conditions. But on April 6, the Liberals and Conserva- of tenants. nancially by signing a new tenant. This is ex- “The rents are very high,” agreed Fragedakis, tives in the provincial legislature blocked a vote Currently, rent control regulations do not ap- actly what has been happening in East York, the city councillor for Ward 29, and “they’re get- called by NDP leader Andrea Horwath that would ply to any unit built after 1991. As well, land- according to Tabuns. By not dealing with basic ting higher.” Taxpayers fighting new water charge By NICOLE ROYLE and the amount of hard surfaces in The Observer Toronto, not enough stormwater is being absorbed into the ground. Some East York taxpayers want to Water then runs off into the see more incentives in the Toronto drainage system. Toronto’s drain- water department’s newest pro- age system was built many years posal aimed at repairing the city’s ago for much less stormwater overwhelmed drainage system. runoff. So the system is being over- “People are not going to accept whelmed, hurting water quality and this proposal without incentive,” causing basement flooding. Sarah Bhola/// The Observer one resident said to Toronto Water The East York residents at the Candace Meeks, co-creator of “Riverdale,” a satire based on the Netflix hit, waves to managers during a public informa- meeting said the current proposal is the crowd after a March 22 performance at The Social Capital on Danforth Avenue. tion meeting on March 20 at the not sufficiently directed at creating East York Civic Centre. incentive for residents to decrease That resident and others want their stormwater runoff. Archie and pals come to town financial credit from the city for Currently, the stormwater charge replacing roofs and driveways with is 20 per cent of a property’s water By SARAH BHOLA many of them friends of Meeks and Archie-portrayer KJ Apa’s forehead permeable materials to reduce bill. The proposed system will take The Observer Birch who were out to show their sup- scar. It was a bit of an inside joke for runoff. this 20 per cent off of the water bill port. Seated near the bar was a neatly viewers of Riverdale, who are partic- “What you’re hearing is that and add it as a separate flat rate. The Social Capital on Danforth Av- dressed woman, waiting for her boy- ularly aware of the scar because they people want something that recog- So the lowest 10 per cent of water enue near Broadview was packed on friend to return with drinks. are treated to frequent closeups of nizes those who have done more to users in residential homes could opening night. The small bar above “I grew up reading the Archie com- Archie’s face on the TV show, usu- create permeability at the bottom see their water bill rise between The Black Swan Tavern is also a DIY ics, so this is kind of like bringing it to ally frozen in a puzzled expression. level,” said Janet Davis, the coun- $41 and $391 per year. venue frequently used as a perform- life, really,” said Stephanie Burrows, Justine Cargo, the bartender at cillor for Ward 31/Beaches-East The residents voicing their con- ing arts space, and it’s known for lo- 29. the Social Capital, has even been York. Davis pressed for further cerns at the meeting were generally cally produced comedy. As a fan of both Archie and the inspired to create a drink based on consideration of amendments to the in that lowest 10 per cent of water On that Wednesday night, March Riverdale TV show, Burrows had Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe, the main current flat-rate charges for runoff. users. Some voiced their disap- 22, people were there for the premiere brought her Archie-indifferent boy- meeting point for the characters in Paul Dowsett, a sustainable pointment in what they said was of “Riverdale-Improvised,” hosted by friend to Riverdale-Improvised after both the comics and TV show. architect, agreed. the shortsightedness of the early comedians Candace Meeks and Korri seeing a post on BlogTO. The drink looks like a tiny milk- “The reason that I came here stages of this proposal. Another Birch. Now they and their cast and Riverdale, the CW series, is a shake, which is an icon of the comic is on behalf of both myself and resident spoke on behalf of East crew are preparing for an encore per- campy drama that’s been compared books. Archie is often depicted shar- our clients who take steps towards York homeowners, asking that the formance on April 26. to the early 2000’s hit The O.C. and ing a milkshake with best friends and reducing their stormwater impact,” city “leave (them) out of it.” The improv show is based on the the surreal ’90s drama, Twin Peaks. romantic rivals Betty and Veronica. he said. “The question I am here to Di Gironimo assured the room CW television network’s teen drama The improv show pokes fun at the Despite the low body fat count ask is will there be any consider- that amendments regarding these “Riverdale,” which was adapted as a ongoing drama of Riverdale, exag- among the characters on Riverdale, ation taken for those people.” incentives and rewards will be Netflix exclusive in Canada and based gerating the show’s earnest charac- the town’s residents are often seen Lou Di Gironimo, the general looked at once the initial plan is on the popular Archie comic books. ters. sucking down these high-calorie manager of Toronto Water, had implemented in 2019. When Birch contacted Meeks with Once the show started, the crowd drinks. come to explain that Toronto “Once you’ve got a program up the idea, she was feeling it. became a vibrating hum of ener- The rival concoction, “Pop’s shot,” Water is proposing to work with and running, and running well, “I was like, ‘Hell, yeah — let’s do gy, laughing for the majority of the is a creamy pink concoction of Bai- city council in order to separate then you look at broadening the it,’ not thinking it would be anything performance. A joke about Archie leys, raspberry Sour Puss and Disa- the existing stormwater cost from program,” Di Gironomi said. at all,” Meeks said. keeping his guitar pick in the dent ronno; it will also be available at the water usage, leaving a fixed-rate The incentives and rewards that But the sold-out opening night between his eyebrows got a surprised next performance. stormwater tax. some East Yorkers want will cost proved her wrong. burst of laughter from the crowd, The next instalment of River- Stormwater is snow and rain. the city extra money, in terms of The crowd was mostly artsy and even a few claps. The joke was dale-Improvised will be on April With an increase in intense storms added administrative costs. 20-somethings and other comedians, a reference to Riverdale actor and 26 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 each. The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 FEATURES 5

Alexa Battler /// The Observer Don Valley West public school trustee Gerri Gershon (left), Beaches-East York MPP Arthur Potts and spokesperson for the Anglican Church of Canada Ryan Weston (right) spoke at St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church during the church’s first-ever environmental fair. East York church gets jump on Earth Day

By ALEXA BATTLER ishes when we take care of it.” our priorities, then people don’t know what they To end the day, the massive white oak tree The Observer The congregation also heard an address from can do as individuals to contribute.” outside of the church was officially recognized Ryan Weston, a spokesperson for the Anglican St. Cuthbert’s has undergone an energy audit as an Ontario Heritage Tree. Forest Ontario St. Cuthbert’s Anglican Church got a jump Church of Canada. to tighten up its power usage. The church keeps has been recognizing trees that have unique on the observance of Earth Day next Saturday, “We know that increased ecological chal- the heat low and the lights off whenever possi- features, historical relevance, or artistic signif- April 22, with an ambitious expansion of Earth lenges are coming. We know that there will be ble. Its stained-glass windows were reinforced icance since 2009. For Canada’s 150th anni- Hour on March 26. That Saturday, the church struggles and challenges ahead,” he said. “But with another sheet of glass to keep heat from versary, Forest Ontario will be recognizing 150 held its first-ever environment fair, dubbed Cre- we also know that we are called to face these.” escaping, and their lights are gradually being notable trees. ation Care 2017, as part of its ongoing efforts to Around 20 vendors ran information booths replaced by LED alternatives. St. Cuthbert’s tree was the first. champion environmental issues. at the Bayview Avenue church on environmen- Rain bins, green bins and careful recycling Steve Housell, president of Forests Ontario, “This church has been in the community tally friendly products and services, including (including clothing drives twice per year) keep said the tree is a “landmark of St. Cuthbert’s longer than this place has been a town. (We are electric cars, local and fair-trade foods, solar garbage minimal. Participants grow over 13 Anglican Church and the Leaside community, doing this) to be relevant to our neighbourhood, power and even eco-funerals. types of vegetables and 10 types of herbs in their one that has resided over generations of com- to be helpful,” said Lorna Krawchuk, a former Later in the day, Beaches-East York MPP Ar- gardens, which are then served in the church. munity and church events.” East York politician and longtime local activist. thur Potts, Ward 22 councillor Josh Matlow and Last year, in response to global declines in Ontario Premier and Don Valley West MPP St. Cuthbert’s is one of many churches to Ward 13/Don Valley West public school trust- bee populations, the church added a pollinator Kathleen Wynne was among the special guests commit to environmental awareness and action ee Gerri Gershon made speeches and answered garden, with four different types of flowers na- at the ceremony. as part of the Anglican Church of Canada’s Cre- questions about environmentalism in govern- tive to East York. “It’s individual families and individuals who ation Matters program. ment. “For a long time, we’ve really struggled with are the stewards of the environment when it The fair began with a morning sermon led by “(I am here) to remind people of the good (the question) what does that mean to love your comes down to it. We can pass policies at the the church’s acting reverend, Ian LaFleur, who initiatives that we’re taking to protect the envi- neighbour? Now we are entering into this idea government level but people have to take ac- also gave the event its name. ronment, but also how much more we have to that neighbour should include endangered spe- tion,” she said. “It’s at that level that we really “All of creation is a gift,” he said. “Life flour- do together,” Matlow said. “If we don’t discuss cies,” LaFleur said. have environmental activism.” Political underdog talks about the long road to victory

By FARHEEN SIKANDER money to. As the votes are counted, a MPs are female despite dramatic gestures The Observer guest speaker addresses the women. On like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s this occasion, it was Dabrusin. half-female cabinet. Imagine being a woman in the so- Throughout the campaign, she said, Dabrusin also told her audience about called man’s world of politics, being “people kept on telling me (that) I the drastic change that occurred in her relatively unknown, and still running as a wouldn’t win. The whole time, I wasn’t life once she joined the government. candidate for one of the highest offices in favoured.” “Right before I was elected, I was the land: member of Parliament. Her opponent was incumbent New home with my children — which meant Imagine being the clear underdog, Democrat . Scott was heavily that I was in a very ‘female’ kind of opposing an incumbent who represents a favoured to win in the fall of 2015, in community, day-to-day, in all of vol- party in a riding that’s considered one of part because Toronto-Danforth was con- unteer organizations I was working in. the party’s strongholds. sidered a fortress for the NDP. Its previ- Suddenly, now, a lot of times, I’m the Imagine campaigning for more than a ous representative in the House was the only woman at the table.” year, going door-to-door to tell people late leader of the party, . And Dabrusin added that she also why they should vote for you, and hear- “The first thing for me was I had to finds herself having to leave her chil- ing the same thing over and over from develop confidence in myself,” Dabrusin dren (aged 11 and 13) more often now. people who say they’re sympathetic, but said of going up against Scott and the Her parliamentary schedule involves realistic: ‘I really don’t know why you’re NDP machine, “and I can’t say I had tons an early-morning flight to Ottawa on doing this. You have no chance.’ of it when I started… but kind of built it Mondays, living in a hotel room in the That’s what Julie Dabrusin said she up.” capital during the week and flying back heard at least 10 times a day when she But the crimson tide behind Justin to Toronto by week’s end. was campaigning as a Liberal to repre- Trudeau also carried Dabrusin to a two- “I’m here on weekends and that’s sent Toronto-Danforth in the House of point win over Scott that election night, usually three weeks out of every month. Commons in the 2015 election. Monday, Oct. 19, 2015. It was one of the That’s a bit more of the negative side.” “My nomination was a year long,” said biggest upsets anywhere in the country. Ending her speech on an advisory Evangelo Sipsas /// The Observer Dabrusin during her speech at a recent Dabrusin told her audience that the note, Dabrusin gave the women two Julie Dabrusin (centre) poses with her ‘100 Women Who Care-East York’ meet- United Nations has set a goal of 30 per tips: To always surround themselves supporters in Toronto-Danforth after winning ing. The group meets regularly to learn cent women in governments worldwide. with a great team — and to be resilient, her House of Commons seat on election about organizations doing good works; And even a progressive country like Can- especially when it comes to facing set- night, Oct. 19, 2015. then they vote on one to contribute their ada isn’t there yet; only about a quarter of backs. 6 OPINION The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 n COLUMNS n EDITORIALS He was always there Hazy messages The truth was staring at me that almost half of it went school, my relationship with from my recycling bin. into the batter. When I asked my mother deteriorated, so I “Dad, is your ‘homemade’ why he baked them, despite moved in with my dad. Trudeau’s delay in legalizing marijuana cake from a box?” the pound of salt, he Every day, he would wake The man had me fooled laughed. up at what seemed like the has left dispensaries and patrons in limbo for years. But knowing But don’t be crack of dawn to get ready how he makes cookies, fooled. The man can for work. He owned a music Toronto police are spending time and money to raid and shut down marijuana dis- this shouldn’t have bake. In Grade 8, school, which was his dream pensaries when they should be focusing on more serious crimes. But police, like the surprised me. my class was trying for a long time, and the place dispensaries, the customers who frequent them and the East Yorkers who merely pass Every batch was to raise money for where he would spend most of by the pot shops along the Danforth, can be excused for their confusion. an experiment, a trip to Québec. his day. But he never forgot to Just yesterday, April 13, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government finally unveiled and I was the We would have pack me a lunch. And always the bill that will eventually legalize marijuana —a year and a half after taking the reins guinea pig. weekly bake came home in time to make of government. Had Trudeau kept his legalization promise in a more timely fashion, we I once came sales, and without dinner. wouldn’t have this ongoing grey area where dispensaries believe they can sell pot, cus- home only to fail, my dad My relationship with my tomers believe they can buy it, and the police believe they should shut the shops down. find freshly would make a mother has been complicated Pot is increasingly seen as relatively benign and marijuana smokers are no longer the baked cookies strawberry pie for many years, and I resented stereotypical potheads of past media depictions. While recreational pot use is still con- sitting on the or chocolate her when I was younger. (My troversial, it seems that even recreational opponents agree with using it for medicinal kitchen counter. cake that would friends’ mothers made their reasons. Marijuana can be used to treat serious health conditions and lessen the symp- I was so happy I always sell out. lunches and dinners; why toms in cases of glaucoma, epilepsy, anxiety and cancer. Studies have found that the nearly ate a whole Lunches were couldn’t mine?) chemicals in marijuana, mainly THC, can slow the progression of some diseases, lower cookie in one bite. I a whole other thing, For years, I was angry with blood pressure in the body and relax the brain. But with dispensaries under pressure immediately regretted though. He made her because of this idea that I around the city, patients who rely on the drug for relief will suffer. that decision. It tasted mine every day, but had of what a mother should And let’s also acknowledge that dispensaries are beginning to take marijuana out of as if a pound of salt let’s just say no one be. But what I wanted from the hands of drug dealers and rehearsing for regulated sale. Taking the business ap- was in the batter. ever wanted to trade my mother for all of these proach makes it safer for users to consume marijuana. Ultimately, one study showed, I confronted my with me. years was always there. this could be a taxable $23 billion a year industry for Canada. dad the next morning. My parents divorced And to this day, whenever Prime Minister Trudeau’s Liberals hope legalization will take effect by Canada Day I asked, “What was up when I was nine, and I tell my dad I’m having a of 2018. But until then, dispensaries along the Danforth and elsewhere must be mindful with the cookies?” He they decided it was bad day, he answers: “Do you of the fact that the substance they deal in is still against the law. Continuing to operate casually said best that I want me to bake you some shops may well lead to continued raids. Law enforcement can’t just turn a blind eye to that the cap Olivia lived with cookies, sweetie?” these things because then the enforcers aren’t doing their jobs. Marijuana is still a con- on the box of Blackmore my mom. “Sure dad, but hold the trolled substance and some officers feel the need to keep it out of what they consider to salt broke and But in high salt.” be the wrong hands. It’s unfortunate that the prime minister and his government have taken so long to act on this issue. Let’s just hope that the ponderous wheels of Parliament now begin to turn efficiently. Not only will the users benefit, but so will the government if it takes advan- tage of the business opportunity that the industry presents. Defending journalism ~ Tiara Chutkhan When I tell people I’m a media, we don’t need journal- fire, where 36 people died in journalist, I’m often met with ists because we are able to get a warehouse party. Journalists a skeptical gaze and a raised firsthand information instant- exposed how the city failed eyebrow. ly. But the two complement to take action that could have “Aren’t journalists supposed each other. I don’t think so- prevented the fire. Risky business to tell the truth?” I was asked cial media hinders journalists, These stories required the last week by a friend. “Main- but rather, it helps journalists dedication of journalists who Accommodation is a matter of human rights stream media. All those guys. do their job. We can focus on found the facts and brought They lie. It’s propaganda.” talking to sources and verify- problems to light. Some Haily Butler-Henderson, 24, says that she was denied access to the restroom at What I can say is that I ing information while being outlets may be more or less the Pentagram Bar and Grill on Danforth Avenue in August. According to Butler- believe that journalism is supported by social media. exceptional, but amid all Henderson, the staff denied her access because they were afraid she might fall down the an essential pillar of soci- Journalism is far from the talk of fake stairs — and that might lead to legal action. ety. Journalism is a needed dead or fake. This week, the news, plenty So now they’re facing another form of action. Butler-Henderson, who has spina bifida watchdog on government, big winners of the Pulitzer Prizes of good jour- and needs the assistance of forearm crutches, has filed a human rights complaint against business and the other institu- were announced. Eric Eyre nalism exists. the bar. tions that directly or indirectly of the Charleston Gazette in She argues that she has the right to decide for herself whether to take the risk of using govern our lives. West Virginia won for in- the stairs. Everyone is talking about vestigative reporting. The establishment has made no public statement. But most assume that they were an incident on Sunday, in He reported on afraid for Butler-Henderson’s safety. And something else. It should be noted that they which a passenger on a Unit- downtrodden were sued in 2007, after a man fell down the restaurant stairs and became paralyzed. ed Airlines flight was dragged counties in West It stands to reason that they may have been afraid of a repetition. down the aisle and out of the Virginia with But it should also be noted that Butler-Henderson says she wasn’t offered assistance overbooked aircraft. Much the highest in descending the stairs. And now we get to the crux of the matter. of the firsthand information rates of opioid This is a matter of human rights. came through Twitter and overdose in the The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act promises accessible facilities by other social media. U.S. 2025. The Act, however, does not promise this for older establishments, such as some of And yet it was journalists Meanwhile, those on the Danforth. The Act is only fully applicable to new establishments. who brought the story to a staff at the However, Section 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees wide audience. Journalists East Bay equal protection under the law — and notably, in this case, that includes those who interviewed others on the air- Times in have a physical disability. Furthermore, Section 2(1) of the Ontario Human Rights plane, reached out to United Oakland, Code guarantees the right of accommodation. Accommodation that Butler-Henderson Airlines for comment, and California won a says she was denied. In a society where laws are put in place for the protection of the discovered the ejected passen- Pulitzer Prize for breaking vulnerable, this may be another example of how much further we have yet to go. ger’s troubled past. news. They ~ Tina Adamopoulos Critics may argue that reported on the Michael Chachura because of the rise of social “Ghost Ship”

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 Cellie Agunbiade Fatima Al-Sayed P.O. Box 631, Stn. A, Toronto, M1K 5E9. E-mail c/o Stephen Cogan PHOTO EDITOR Michael Chen [email protected]. Telephone 416-289- Lindy Oughtred Joseph Burrell ASSIGNMENT EDITOR OBSERVER 5107, fax 416-289-5111. We welcome your input, Rhianne Campbell including letters to the editor. The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 FEATURES 7 Leaside lights up with press of a button

Courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives The Observer continues its look back on East York history through photographs from the City of Toronto Archives. These two photos recall a momentous day in East York history — when Ontario Premier Howard Ferguson officially opened the “Leaside Hydro Station.” The date was Oct. 1, 1928, and the premier was inaugurating the hookup between Toronto’s electrical grid and a generating station 370 km away, on the Ottawa River at Gatineau, QC. At left, Premier Ferguson presses the ceremonial button to make the electrical connection. At right is a portion of the station’s control paneling (complete with what appears to be some early neon signage). Some of the original equipment at the hydro station reportedly remained in operation until 1998, and to this day, its successor, the “Leaside Transformer Station” operates off Millwood Road.

Adventurer shares tales of Self-checkout trend expands death-defying expeditions to Todmorden library branch By CELLIE AGUNBIADE Chasing tornadoes, diving at double the highway speed in the rain The Observer with your face out of the window for six with sharks all in a day’s or seven hours,” Kourounis said. “Every While she’s had a library card since she was a raindrop felt like a needle, every piece of child, Marina Phillips-Anderson says she’s never work for TV series producer gravel felt like a bullet.” used the Todmorden library mini-branch in the By SAMMY ABDO The most unique and dangerous experi- East York Community Centre on Pape Avenue The Observer ence Kourounis had was looking for alien near Torrens. However, with a proposal to keep life here on Earth. He pitched the idea to the so-called “Todmorden Room” open addition- Explorer. Adventurer. Storm-chaser. National Geographic, al hours coming this fall, that could change. That’s how East York resident George and believed that the A pilot project for the Todmorden Room will Kourounis was introduced to the East York “Doorway to Hell,” a see its open hours extended as late as the commu- Cellie Agunbiade /// The Observer Historical Society at its regular monthly natural-gas burning cra- nity centre itself. Todmorden and another small Marina Phillips-Anderson and her meeting. ter in Turkmenistan that branch of the Toronto Public Library system in son, Joseph Clement, visited the The 46-year-old spoke to the group on had conditions similar Bloor-West Village are the two branches that Todmorden library mini-branch. March 28 at the S. Walter Stewart library n KOUROUNIS to other extrasolar plan- have the lowest number of hours open to patrons. branch. Kourounis, who lives in the area ets, could harbour life. But while there will be extra hours of opera- them. It would just have to be caught on-cam- of Victoria Park and Holland avenues, had “We stretched fire-resistant rope across tion, librarians will not be present during those era.” the room quiet and engaged as he talked the entire span of the crater, and then I extended hours. O’Reilly said her union would prefer the li- about some death-defying experiences. went out in my heat suit… rappelled down “I think it is a great idea,” Phillips-Anderson braries to hire new librarians willing to work “I chase tornadoes, drive into the eye of and set foot at the bottom,” Kourounis said. “Libraries are safe havens for people.” those extended hours, not employ surveillance hurricanes, rappel into active volcanoes, said. “Twelve people had been on the sur- She added that she believes libraries provide cameras instead. dive with sharks — basically anything in face of the moon; one at the bottom of this an escape for people, and the extended hours will “The library staff are an important part of the the natural world that wants to kill you,” crater.” accommodate patrons’ work hours and leisure service because they are there to assist patrons,” he said. That expedition yielded bacteria not time. she said. “They are there to be the eyes and ears Kourounis is the producer of Angry found in any database, a potentially im- The change means that after-hours, the two of the library for health and safety concerns.” Planet, a TV series on the specialty cable portant scientific discovery for clues to life libraries will offer a self-checkout machine and But Ana-Maria Critchley, a Toronto Public network OLN, which documents extreme on other planets. video surveillance to monitor and protect pa- Library spokesperson, has confidence in the sur- natural phenomena across the world. He But no other experience was as close to trons. The Toronto Public Library Board said the veillance system. brought photos and videos of his expe- his heart as when he got married on the extended hours are a cost-effective way of serv- “The Todmorden library is a small room… lo- ditions, which elicited excited and even edge of a volcano in Vanuatu, a nation in ing the public’s needs. cated in (a) community (centre),” Critchley said. some shocked responses from the audi- the South Pacific. But Maureen O’Reilly, president of Toronto “If anyone needs assistance, they will be able to ence. One video showed him inside Hur- “It was a pretty crazy marriage propos- Public Library Workers’ Union, believes that the access somebody at a nearby branch.” ricane Katrina, when the “strong side” of al,” Kourounis said to the laughter of the staff-free proposal poses a number of potential Library visitor Phillips-Anderson believes that the storm hit Mississippi. crowd. “She actually said yes to the vol- problems, including vandalism and the safety of safety of patrons shouldn’t be a big issue. “We were getting wind gusts up to cano part faster than the ‘Will you marry patrons. “I do hope that people respect the rules,” she 200 miles an hour. So imagine driving me?’ part.” “What if somebody had a heart attack?” she said, “and will help check other people if any- said. “There wouldn’t be anyone to attend to thing does happen.” 8 NEWS The East York Observer /// Friday, April 14, 2017 Understanding the victory at Vimy

By BEN FREEMAN COLLINS Canadian. Instead, they were being led tions that led to an overhaul in the way the The Observer by British Lt.-Gen. Sir Julian Byng. And Canadian core was organized and trained. the planning for the battle and the artillery And it was these changes that would The Battle of Vimy Ridge is remem- assault, which was key to the victory, was play a vital part in Vimy’s success. bered as one of the pivotal points in Cana- done by his officers. Finally, to appreciate Vimy, one should dian history. It is often said that it was the Vimy also led to one of the most divisive understand that the Western Front in 1917 moment Canada came of age. policies in Canadian history: conscription. was plagued by stalemate. But what’s the truth behind that state- Prime Minister Robert Borden, who was “Russia at this point was on the verge ment? And why do we remember Vimy, in England at the time of Vimy, was under of leaving the war…. The Italians were but not the Hundred Days, or Kapyong, or immense pressure to supply more men. stumbling from defeat to defeat. The Kandahar? But doing so threatened to divide the French troops had been bled white, and That is the question historian Jack nation. As Granatstein said, it was a plan there were mutinies,” Granatstein said. Granatstein posed to his audience on April that pitted English against French, rural And the British “had no tradition of victo- 3 at the S. Walter Stewart library. farmers against urban dwellers and labour ry in the Great War on the Western Front.” Granatstein is a York University pro- against capitalists. But when the took Vimy, they fessor emeritus and the author of more “So it’s not really a nation-builder in “established that tradition for themselves, than 60 books on Canadian military, po- the sense of bringing people together,” of victory, of being able to beat what was litical and diplomatic history. During his Granatstein said. “Vimy leads to conscrip- arguably the best army in the world, the hour-long presentation, he talked about tion which leads to ripping the national German army in World War One.” the importance of Vimy Ridge. fabric apart.” Not only that — “they had succeeded But to do that, he had to first correct the So why is Vimy so important? where the British and the French failed,” myths that surround Vimy — the legend- As Granatstein pointed out, when the Granatstein said. It was “a tribute to the ary First World War battle that was fought Canadian Expeditionary Force entered way the raw recruits of 1914 had become in France exactly a century ago, on April the war, they were an untrained, ill-disci- superb soldiers by Easter 1917.” 9, 1917. plined and ill-led force. Throughout the Allied nations, the Ca- First, most of the soldiers who fought “But they had learned on the job,” he nadians were praised for their victory, he at Vimy Ridge weren’t born in Canada. said. And despite heavy casualties at added, and “it gives the Canadian core Over half were newly arrived immigrants Ypres in 1915 and the Somme in 1916, a sense of greatness, a sense of pride…. from Britain. They would have spoken “they were beginning to develop a good Vimy was a Canadian victory. A battle with a British accent and thought of them- reputation.” won by soldiers who had begun to think selves as subjects of the British empire. Also, Canadian officers began to dis- of themselves as Canadians.” Ben Freeman Collins /// The Observer As Granatstein said, “Vimy is a Canadian tinguish themselves — officers like Maj.- As one veteran of Vimy Ridge aptly Jack Granatstein, professor emeritus at York victory, but it’s not quite a Canadian-born Gen. Arthur Currie and Lt.-Col. Andrew put it, “We went up the ridge as Alber- University, speaks about the importance of the victory.” McNaughton. It was Currie’s analysis of tans and Nova Scotians, we came down as Battle of Vimy Ridge to Canadian history. They also weren’t commanded by a the French army and his recommenda- Canadians.” Finding the truth when faced with ‘alternative facts’ By JOSEPH BURRELL of the term. In her opinion, fake news isn’t The Observer just a story that has spin. She defined it as a news publisher that has made up wholly Two schools of thought, usually friendly untrue and unfounded stories, intending to rivals in the industry of media dissemination, generate hits with clickbait to increase ad came together at Centennial College’s East revenue. Her expertise is in tracking down York campus on March 22 for a discussion online sources to determine who owns a on what to do about “fake news” in this website, and from where they’ve been post- “post-truth” era. ing stories. She’s less concerned with larger The “Facing The Alternative Facts” panel outlets like Fox News that twist a story; her was sponsored by energi PR and hosted by focus is on publishers, usually from obscure the public relations and journalism depart- locations, that churn out outrageous head- ments at Centennial on Carlaw Avenue. lines just to get views. Experts from both professions weighed in “I wouldn’t call (Breitbart or The Reb- on what constitutes fake news, and how it el) fake news… they usually don’t create should be addressed. entirely fake stories,” Lytvynenko said. “It’s Jane Lytvynenko of Buzzfeed News, Tom often some teenager in Macedonia wanting Joseph Burrell/// The Observer Blackwell of The National Post, Ashley money; that’s my most famous example.” Tom Blackwell, Ashley Therriault and Mark Nusca (l-r) discuss how to Therriault of Veritas PR and Mark Nusca of Blackwell also had his own distinction to handle fake news in the current “post-truth” era of journalism. energi PR were headliners at the event, while make. “When it isn’t totally accurate, that’s Centennial journalism professor Tim Doyle not fake news, that’s just a mistake.” Nusca brought up the issue of credibility back against fake news goes, none of the moderated their panel. He not only defended the journalist’s right and mentioned that PR firms used to be held guest speakers had a concrete plan of attack. Therriault was the first to point out that to make an error, but also took a step back accountable, and were expected to vet the Therriault did, however, come to a bleak fake news, ironically, isn’t all that new. What and commented on the use of the “fake clients they represented. The influence of conclusion that may ironically point some has changed is the fact that audiences are news” label by those outside of the industry. people like Trump advisor Kellyanne Con- sort of countermeasure. She believes that now believing it, and its focus has shifted As Therriault mentioned, politicians like way proves that this is no longer the case. Trump has been very effective in appealing from the celebrity rumour mill to the manip- President Trump have made the term their Trump can make any manner of uninformed to the emotions of the masses, and that the ulation of political commentary. own, and its meaning to the public is being claim, and when it is “confirmed” by Con- only way to counter his influence is to beat “It’s received branding now. It’s always shaped by his usage of the phrase. way, so too is it confirmed to his support- him at his own game. been a thing. We used to call it ‘tabloids,’” “It’s being used as a catch-all against the ers. Credibility is no longer a concern, as “We can’t fight their fake facts with our she said. “Now a man has made it his mon- media when you don’t like what they report, Trump’s supporters believe his team to be real facts,” she said. “Is the next step in our iker.” or when you think they’ve made a mistake,” more trustworthy than anyone who might communications behavioural psychology? Lytvynenko had a more stringent definition Blackwell said. call them into question. As far as fighting We have to fight fake facts with emotion.”

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