L OCAL MP caught The Scarborough in headlights n Photoshopping controversy surrounds Rathika Sitsabaiesan of Observer Scarborough-Rouge River Page 3 Vol. 6, No. 2 Fri. Oct. 7, 2011 torontoobserver.ca serving the Scarborugh community since 2006

Kenney defends PM The ‘Islamicist’ comment

By MERSIHA GADZO Best The Observer When Prime Min- ister Stephen Harper called “Islamicism” the biggest threat to Canada in an of interview with the CBC, Scarborough resident and PhD student Asma Bala found it hurtful and shocking to hear such times language from her own prime minister. Concerned with the in- creas- ing pres- ence of Cole Carruthers /// Observer Islamo- Scarborough-Guildwood Liberal incumbent topped PC contender Gary Ellis in the Oct. 6 provincial election phobia, Thursday. Best celebrated her victory at Prague Restaurant on Scarborough Golf Club Road. she n Kenney de- cided to address the n election 2011 issue, and took it up with Jason Kenney, Scarborough Minister of Immigra- tion, Citizenship and Multiculturalism at the Masjid Al-Jannah mosque in Scarbor- Voters ough on Oct. 1. Kenney came out to endorse the election bid for the Conservatives with local candidate Gary Ellis. paint the “He [Harper] did not distinguish what he meant by that,” Bala said, “but what Liberal he did do with that PC statement is paint 1.6 NDP billion Muslims in the town red world with the same brush, and he made Liberals hold on to all six Scarborough ridings, us out to be fanatics.” Bala asked, “If en route to provincial minority for Dalton McGuinty we’re going to talk about respecting faith tradition, how can we By KYLE LARKIN AND Scarborough-Southwest PC candidate marginalize a very im- YEAMROT TADDESE Mike Chopowick lost his bid, finishing portant community?” 3 Duguid 1 Wong 2 Balkissoon The Observer third behind victorious incumbent Liberal Kenney told Bala Voters went to the polls on election day Lorenzo Berardinetti and NDP candidate she wasn’t taking n Kenney and kept Scarborough a Liberal stronghold, Bruce Budd. Berardinetti scooped 44 per into consideration all with all six ridings remaining in the Grits’ cent of the vote while Chopowick received the other comments hands. about 21 per cent. Second-place finisher Harper made before Scarborough-Guildwood was expected Budd got just over 31 per cent of the vote. that positively ad- to be a tight race between MPP Maragrett Liberal incumbent in dressed Muslims. Best and PC candidate Gary Elis, a former Scarborough Centre won most comfortably police superintendent in 42 and 43 Divi- in Scarborough, receiving more than 51 sions. The results, though, told a different per cent of the vote, beating PC contender l Read more at 4 Best 5 MacCharles 6 Berardinetti story. Carol Williams, who finished with about 24 Best won with nearly 50 per cent of per cent of ballots cast. @ observer.ca the vote, comfortably retaining her seat at n Queen’s Park for a second term. Continued on page 2 O 2 NEWS The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 Balkissoon’s lead cut Soo-weet victory n From Page 1 In Scarborough-Ag- incourt, a riding with- Soo Wong out an incumbent in the race, Liberal contender Soo Wong beat Liang retains Chen of the Progressive Conservative Party, her Agincourt nearest rival. Wong finished with nearly 47 per cent of the vote, topping Chen’s 32 By ANDRE per cent. THURAIRATNAM In Scarborough- The Observer Rouge River, Liberal A packed house of support- incumbent Bas Balkis- ers at the Queen Victoria pub soon, who won in the on Midland Avenue cheered 2007 election by more the news of Liberal candidate than 17,000 votes, Soo Wong’s edged out Neethan victory Oct. Shan of the NDP by just 6 in Scar- over 2,000. Balkissoon borough- finished with nearly 42 @ Agincourt. per cent of the vote, The win, besting Shan’s 36 per lO How do you though, cent. feel? Join means she’ll Andre Thurairatnam /// Observer Pickering-Scarbor- our forum be dropping ough East, projected discussion Soo Wong (centre) celebrates with former Liberal MPP (left) and campaign supporters onwline at her other po- as the news of her victory in Scarborough-Agincourt broke at her party Thursday night. to be wide open head- toronto litical job. ing into election night, observer.ca “I will was easily seized by be retiring and concerns.” TDSB trustee. “It’s been an amazing “We will have to make Liberal candidate Tracy from the To- Although Wong was the In the end she won con- journey,” she told supporters. some tough decisions ahead MacCharles. PC Kevin ronto District School Board,” favourite to win, there was vincingly with 14,903 votes to “You people inspire me, chal- because, as you know, this is Gaudet finished 5,000 Wong said at the victory cel- still some hesitation among 10,216 for her main challenger lenge me and most important- a tough economic time,” she votes behind Mac- ebration. “The voters know her supporters because of the Progressive Challenger Liang ly make me believe in what I said. “We need to have strong Charles, who ended the that I will continue to serve controversy during the cam- Chen. New Democrat Paul do.” leadership and tough MPP’s night with almost half them in a bigger capacity and paign surrounding her dual Choi was a distant third with Looking ahead, Wong said supporting the ridings and of ballots cast. in different avenues of care roles as both candidate and 5,019 votes. the economy is a top priority. community.” Duguid makes it PC third in Southwest three in a row in Berardinetti takes riding for third time Scarborough-Centre By MARYAM SHAH Toronto Observer By CHRISTINA CHENG Toronto Observer Perhaps for the first time in provincial election history, Café La Roche in Scarbor- the Tories have placed third ough is known for its mellow- after the Liberal and NDP shisha-smoking atmosphere parties in a few key ridings in but on Oct. 6 evening its at- Scarborough. mosphere took a whole 360 An example is Scarbor- as Liberal MPP Brad Duguid ough-Southwest where Mike and his supporters celebrated Chopowick has represented his third straight provincial the Tories. He lost to incum- election in Scarborough- bent Lorenzo Berardinetti, Centre. n Carol Williams with Bruce Budd of the NDP “I want to say thank you surprisingly placing second. from the bottom of my heart Chapowick’s disappointment — to the great people of The other main contenders was apparent on election Maryam Shah /// Observer Scarborough-Centre who had in the riding were PC Carol night as the small group from Mike Chopowick sits down with the Toronto Observer following his loss in confidence in re-electing me Williams and NDP Kathleen his campaign office around Scarborough-Southwest. Lorenzo Berardinetti won the riding for the Liberals. as their MPP,” he said. Mathurin. him watched the results at a nearby bar. “Like I said, I’m proud of “We started knocking on tions. He was first elected MPP its moving parts and kills hun- the campaign we ran,” he said. people’s doors and canvassing in 2003 and again in 2007. dreds of birds and bats annu- “Next step is obviously the back in June,” he said. “We got Chopowick ran on the ally. They’re actually having a PC party’s gaining seats as we to meet a lot of voters, got to promise of bringing great negative environmental impact watch the elections, and we’re hear what their concerns were change into his riding, includ- and questionable economic and going to continue to offer an- in the riding.” ing firmly opposing wind - tur energy benefit,” he said. other choice for .” After Newman, it has con- bines. The election may have Chopowick works at the sistently elected Berardinetti “Every wind turbine uses ended in disappointment for Federation of Rental-housing into power in provincial elec- a thousand gallons of oil for Chopowick but he remains Providers of Ontario, an or- cheerful. ganization representing rental “I am very confident that property owners. l For more on this story, we put out a choice for them to Christina Cheng /// Observer He began his campaign please visit us online at make sure Ontario gets back on early, with a lot of good volun- @ torontoobserver.ca the right track,” he said with a Liberal MPP Brad Duguid addresses supporters teers. O smile. at his victory party Thursday night. The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 NEWS 3 news Ming Pao workers strike flashes Chinese daily newspaper employees camp out for three weeks to fight for job security, better wages High school By YEAMROT TADDESE to become The Observer Two-thirds of employees at Ming Pao Chinese daily newspaper walked off the job on Sept. 20. community centre Angela Fung has spent They say they want job security, better pay, fewer three nights out in the cold in hours of work and more vacation time. the last three weeks. Former public “It’s cold, it’s very tiring,” school, Timothy she said. “It’s miserable.” Eaton BTI, at Warden Fung is among the 139 and Finch Avenues employees at Ming Pao who is to become a new walked off their jobs on Sept. community hub, city 20 and started picketing 24 council has decided. hours, seven days a week. The hub is to be Holding signs outside the owned and operated Chinese daily newspaper’s by the YMCA. office near Brimley Road and Huntingwood Drive, the Exposure suspect workers are demanding job security, better wages, shorter in man’s death working hours and more vaca- tion days. A man, 40, was Simon Sung, a graphic de- found dead on Oct. signer at Ming Pao, said he 3 at 1056 McNicoll and his colleagues are asking Ave. When paramedics for the same benefits as their Yeamrot Taddese /// Observer arrived on the scene, counterparts at Sing Tao, Ming the man had no ap- Pao’s competitor, already since 65% of workers joined union’s power,” he said. final offer for a contract “fell “We hope the company parent vital signs. have. the Communications, Energy There have been no talks short of what anyone could comes back to the table with a The cause of Job security, Sung said, and Paperworkers Union of between Ming Pao and the interpret as fair,” Paul Morse, fair offer,” said Morse, who re- death is yet to be is the most pressing issue as Canada (CEP)’s Local 87M workers since the newspaper’s the president of CEP, said. fused to get into the details of determined but initial workers at Ming Pao don’t Southern Ontario Newsmedia what the last offer looked like. reports suspect expo- sure. have a contract. Guild in January 2010, Sung l For more on the strike, see Ming Pao’s management Ming Pao has been using said. could not be reached for com- “any excuse” to lay off core “Obviously, the action @ News at torontoobserver.ca ment despite repeated phone members of the union ever [was taken] to minimize the calls. O Student stabbed MP undraws the line with scissors An 18-year-old By MARYAM SHAH Simson’s other tweets Scarborough student The Observer about the young MP was stabbed outside mentioned difficulty in his school Monday Rathika Sitsabaiesan getting in touch with her morning. recently appeared in the and the lack of an official The incident oc- news for all the wrong constituency office. curred at Monsignor reasons. Simson explained Fraser College in the Her Twitter feed was that her tweets were not Midland and Finch Av- filled with 140-character- meant to be negative. enue East area around long comments on the “To me it wasn’t any 11 a.m., Sept. 26. Mersiha Gadzo /// Observer one thing that seems to issue at all,” she said. The suspects, four Immigration Minister Jason Kenney (far left) addresses issues of visas and immigration with matter when it comes to “It just seems to me the community at the Masjid Al-Jannah mosque in Scarborough on Oct 1. males between 18 young women that people and 25 years old, in parliament: zero in on reportedly attacked cleavage. what female Kenney addresses visa delay the victim with a pair Her politicians of scissors. By MERSIHA GADZO response? “It’s are wear- more and more applicants result there are only 700 Sri Lankan They were last seen The Observer a non-issue, ing, whether in longer delays, Kenney said. Muslim families in Ontario. boarding a TTC bus and we’re not they’ve gained Having the bride’s grandmoth- The minister was there to en- “We want to make a commu- shortly afterward.The going to talk weight, er at the wedding is a must for many dorse the election bid of provincial nity among us, [but] we see that victim survived. about it.” whether families. Unfortunately, numer- Progressive Conservative candi- we aren’t fully represented,” he The young- they’ve lost ous immigrants in Scarborough date Gary Ellis. Ellis also spoke of said. “We don’t have enough man- est, first and it.” have had family members miss local concerns in the community. power in here [to run the mosque].” n Sitsabaiesan only Canadian Sit- out on such family celebrations Rimzy Kuthubdeen, who Kenney said there are no Churches join Tamil Member of Parlia- sabaiesan said she ex- because of visa complications. immigrated to Canada from Sri quotas based on religion or ment’s photograph be- pected the scrutiny that This was just one Lanka in 2001, said he ethnicity. Entrance rates are forces to be one came an instant media she is under right now. concern shared by South attended the meeting based on the largest number sensation once everyone “I had that expectation Asians who came to because he was con- of qualified people who apply. Members from four found that there was a when I committed myself the Masjid Al-Jannah @ cerned there have been Mohamed Nizam, a retired Scarborough-area An- version with her cleavage to a public life,” she said. mosque in Scarborough few Sri Lankan Mus- engineer who emigrated from Sri glican churches have airbrushed out. “I knew that I would be on Oct. 1 to hear fed- O lims entering Canada Lanka in 2005, also attended the together formed Grace Former Scarborough under a microscope.” l To see a Church Scarborough eral immigration minis- photo compared to those of event. After the event, he said he Southwest MP Michelle She became the first ter Jason Kenney speak. gallery on other religious groups applied for a visit visa two years on Kecala Road. Simson tweeted about it South Asian woman The long line for im- this story, from the same country. ago for his sister and brother-in- The move is in on Sept. 24. to win an election in see News response to a steady migration is a “big, good at “We feel that Sri law to come for a month. He was “OK, so NOW I get the Carleton University problem,” Kenney told toronto Lankan Muslims are left baffled when his application decline in member- it. Just read in 2day’s Students’ Association them. “There are far more observer.ca marginalized to a certain was rejected for the reason that ships amongst all four paper Rathika’s been during her undergradu- people who would like to extent because we don’t “there is no strong justification congregations. really busy this summer ate degree. come to Canada than we can prac- see [many] coming in here, as for them to come to Canada.” The very first ser- … “airbrushing” cleavage tically receive in any one time.” opposed to Sinhalese and Tamil vice was held Oct. 2. n For more, see News at out of official Parl. foto.” It has been increasingly dif- Sri Lankans,” Kuthubdeen said. n Find out more at torontoobserver.ca ficult to deal with the demand as Kuthubdeen estimated torontoobserver.ca 4 ARTS & LIFE T he Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 Malvern’s little taste of paradise Children’s garden goes beyond the veggies

By KAYLA KREUTZBERG garden was planted, The Observer she said, when she In Malvern, on realized the untended what used to be an land behind the com- overgrown lot at the plex could be put to foot of an apartment good use. Today there Full-time banker Toufic Makhoul is an active complex on Blackwell are about 12 children dancer at Shall We Dance studios on his Avenue, a little Eden is who help out in the spare time. He and his dance partner show blooming. garden on a regular off their skills at the seventh anniversary In the Children’s basis. celebration on Oct.1. Garden, veggies aren’t It really works be- the only — or even cause Haynes is very Erica Tiangco /// Observer the most important invested in the garden, — things blossom- ANCM manager Alex n community ing. Kids’ Dow said. knowl- For the edge of CHILDREN’S first two nutrition garden veggies or three and months, food are Other vegetables in the chil- Shall we dance? what the the garden include: dren and garden residents is really had only Scarborough dance studio showcases meant to Okra, carrots, hand clip- grow, avid lettuce, radish, pers to gardener green beans and tackle the talent for anniversary celebrations and area potatoes over- resident grown By ERICA TIANGCO “[You see Scarborough’s eight hours and notes that it Auriel The Observer diversity] 100 per cent. We takes nearly 2,000 attempts Haynes Some people do it in the News you have quite a good mix here. before nailing a move down says. shower. Some do it behind We’re at the border of North pat. Despite Slava’s extensive “This closed doors. Others prefer to can use York, Markham and Scar- competitive athletic past in year we had a seed bushes,Haynes said. do it alone while still others borough. We have clients in both martial arts and volley- planting workshop in Without help from do it with multiple partners. You can sign up for Richmond hill, Markham, ball, he believes dancing is the March,” said Haynes, ANCM, Home Depot Whether we like to admit it or dance classes at: downtown Toronto and even most challenging of them all. who founded the Live Green Toronto, not, our bodies simply cannot (416) 502-2333 Ajax,” she said. “I didn’t have to practise garden two years ago United Way Toronto resist the urge to dance. Natasha and Slava Fe- eight hours a week in volley- along with Action and the Morningstar On Oct. 1, Shall We Dance Visit the studio at: dorov began dancing together ball to become a really good for Neighbourhood Christian Fellow- studios in Scarborough show- 511 McNicoll Ave. Unit# after the birth of their second player,” he said. Change Malvern ship, the garden may cased their professional dance 205, 2nd floor child. Although they had Like Slava, Golovanevski (ANCM). not have flourished, programs to community each danced on and off for 10 says dancing offers more than “I asked [the kids] Haynes said. members at their seventh an- Golovanevski, became dance years, the couple was looking just physical fitness. what they wanted to “I cannot sing these niversary celebration. Danc- partners. In 2008, the two for more of a serious and com- “I believe it’s self develop- plant and they said, people’s praises well ers, both professional and became Canadian National petitive dance. Now, Natasha, ment... through dancing.” ‘Swiss chard.’ A year enough,” she said. recreational, showed visitors Champions in American ball- an account executive and ago they didn’t know Caretakers of the just how fun and challenging room dancing. Slava, a sales man- what Swiss chard garden say they hope dancing can be with their syn- Belashov has seen the ef- ager, specialize and was.” to add fruit trees next chronized moves. fect dance has on many of the compete in interna- The seed for the year. Having been in the busi- studio’s members. tional ballroom and ness for seven years shows the “When people come in Latin dance in their community’s strong interest in with bad life situations like spare time. dance, Egor Belashov, man- after divorces or after their “I think it’s spiri- ager of the studio, said. beloved kids left for college, tually a very nurtur- “Most studios only last their lives are empty and we ing thing,” Natasha a year or two so that means put them back on track,” he said. we’re doing something right,” said. “It’s great to Belashov said. “They get new friends, try to do some- “My philosophy is every- they enjoy dancing and it be- thing beautiful one can dance. Some better, comes their long-term hobby. and to strive for some worse,” he said. So, it’s a life-changing ex- perfection. And “It’s a very good social ac- perience for them. They find at the same time, it’s tivity. It makes a difference in something they don’t have in very healthy. It’s a lot of people’s lives.” their everyday [lives].” working out.” After dancing at a young Located at Victoria Park Each week the couple age in Russia where he owned and McNicoll Ave, the studio practices between six to Kayla Kreutzberg /// Observer his own studio, Belashov welcomes members from all The four children have been participating moved to Canada and within over the GTA to learn various l To find out more on this in the Children’s Garden since 2009. They weeks, he began teaching at forms of dance. Golovanevski story, please see Arts at huddle around Auriel as they pick one of the Shall We Dance studios. believes Scarborough’s diver- last batches of carrots before the fall. Years later, he and the sity contributes significantly to @ torontoobserver.ca owner of the studio, Maria the studio’s success. O The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 ARTS&LIFE 5 Duo aims for Juno Scarborough musicians travel abroad

By Christina Cheng obsession with the Bea- The Observer tles and their tight har- monies…. It’s just really, With four studio al- really concise songwrit- bums, a live album and ing,” Carabine said. a recent Juno nomina- “That’s what really tion for the 2011 ‘Roots got the ball rolling for and Traditional Album us.” of the Year Group,’ Dala, The “secret songwrit- comprised of Sheila ers of the sixties and Carabine and Amanda seventies” such as Neil Walther, are Canada’s Young and Joni Mitch- premiere two-piece, ell also influenced the acoustic-folk musical group. group. Carabine and Walther Both members are have travelled to many from Scarborough. Car- places in the world, in- Jessica Lee /// Observer abine and Walther met cluding London and Cal- One of the 25 stray cats that Dorothy Mathieson, below, feeds daily takes a lunch break at her home in a high school band ifornia, but the two still on Kingston and Galloway Roads in Scarborough. Stray cats have been an ongoing issue in the area. class at the Mary Ward consider Toronto home. Catholic Sec- “Sheila and ondary School I were talking in Scarborough, about how we about 10 years feel like citizens ago. @ of the world in Cats can live nine lives “We became a way,” Walther instant friends,” O said. l For Walther said. more on “But my heart “We wrote a this story, is in Toronto. The New study suggests we are becoming a more angry community. song together, see Fea- more we travel, tures at at Scarborough home collaborated and toronto the more we ap- So, what can be done to stop it? And be quick about it! finished it that observer.ca preciate our fabu- very night and it lous city.” was instant mag- Their pitch- Progress made but city’s feral cat problem remains ic.” perfect harmonies soar Walther says she on acoustic folk-pop doesn’t think it’s a co- originals at the Acorn incidence that some of Theatre in Three Oaks By JESSICA LEE that I learned [while making the best Canadian musi- on Sept. 29. The Observer the film] was the suffering cians and artists come The Acorn Theatre’s News you and the hardship that these from Scarborough. artistic director, Kim Dorothy Mathieson con- cats were enduring,” said Jus- Out of a troubled Clark said it was a “great siders herself a bit of a pied can use tine Pimlott, director of Cat neighbourhood, art is turn out for Dala.” piper when it comes to stray City. easily created because “It was a lovely show cats. She usually has up to n Toronto Animal Stray cats in Toronto have people are looking for filled with beautiful voic- eight of them following her Services takes in about to survive through the harsh joy,” she said. es,” she said. around when she walks her 7,000 cats a year. Canadian winters, as well “Scarborough has The folk pair admits dog. n There are 2 free spay/ as finding food. Last winter, a bad reputation but to taking a little bit of Nestled in the suburb of neuter clinics in Toronto they had a new problem: a fe- anyone who lives there Toronto with them ev- Kingston Rd. and Galloway, to prevent an abun- ral cat colony of about 25 at knows that it’s an amaz- erywhere they go. Mathieson’s house is a gath- dance of cats. the Scarborough Bluffs was ing place with so many “We’ve noticed that ering place for feral cats. n If you find a stray cat killed by a pack of coyotes. different forms of inspi- when we especially per- Like a caring mother, she you can direct it to To- Humans can also cause ration.” form in the States, we feeds a colony of about 25 fe- ronto Animal Services in problems for cats by neglect- The talented duo also do bring a piece of our ral cats every afternoon with your area by visiting the ing to properly care for them draws on the Beatles for country with us,” Cara- kibble donated by Toronto Toronto.ca website at and dumping them in the inspiration. bine said. Animal Services. toronto.ca/animal_ser- wild. “We love the Bea- The name Dala comes “The lady next door start- vices/centres.htm Other than TNR, Booth tles. That’s what really from Carabine and Wal- ed feeding them,” she said. recommends owners attach brought us as friends in ther’s first names. “And next thing you know, but admits the number is con- help reduce the feral cat over- microchips to their cats to the first place,” Walther “DA from Amanda you got half a dozen, and all servative. population in the city. The co- easily locate them if lost. said. and LA from Sheila,” of them are having babies.” On Oct. 2, the Documen- alition uses a method called Once the cats are found, if “It was our mutual Carabine said. But according to Hanna tary Organization of Can- Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) owners do not claim them, the Booth, Scarborough’s feral ada (DOC Toronto), held a to combat the cat population cats are put up for adoption cat colonies are a big prob- screening of Cat City at the problem. With TNR, a group or euthanized, depending on lem, with about 120 cats in Centre for Social Innovation of volunteers go out to the how much room is available 10 colonies. Booth, a vet and downtown. colonies and trap stray cats. at the animal shelters. board director at the Humane Although the documentary Then, the volunteers bring the Toronto Animal Services Society, added that Scarbor- about the feral cat population cats to clinics, which spay/ takes in about 7,000 cats a ough was the Toronto Feral in Toronto was made in 2008, neuter the cat. Finally, the cat year, according to staff mem- Cat Coalition’s first target the feral cat population in To- is brought back to the wild ber Eletta Purdy. About one area identified. ronto is still high. and released. third of those cats find homes, “We worked as a coalition “I would say that the situ- The documentary attri- the others are euthanized due to spay [and] neuter them.... ation [of feral cats in Toronto] butes feral cat problems to to overcrowding at the animal I think we have about 70 per gets worse every year,” Booth irresponsible owners who shelters. cent of those cats done now, said. abandon their pets. Their Rather, the focus should so that’s a big success.” Since the making of the numbers then increase be- be on opening low cost spay Booth estimates there are film, the Toronto Feral Cat cause cats are such “success- and neuter clinics, Purdy said. around 100,000 feral cats Coalition was formed by ful reproducers.” There’s more to be done to n Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther wandering around Toronto, several cat rescue groups to “The most surprising thing tackle the problem, she said. 6 OPINION The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 n EditoriaLS ConGritulations Liberal sweep means good news for Scarborough

carborough has voted wisely by re-electing the Liberals for an- other term in all the six ridings in the Oct. 6 provincial election. SA traditionally Liberal stronghold, Scarborough has benefitted under the Grits. The Liberal campaign platform offers several key promises that Scarborough stands to benefit from. With a strong immigrant population, businesses in the community can take advantage of the $10,000 immigrant tax credit proposed in the Liberal campaign agenda. Forbes Magazine recently ranked Canada as the best country in the world for business in part because of the @ introduction of the HST in Ontario and British Colum- O bia. l For Forbes said Canada moved up four places from last more on the Liberal year’s ranking because of an “improved tax credit.” The win, visit us hype and controversy surrounding the HST should — online at must — die a quiet whimper after this. toronto observer.ca The government of Premier Dalton McGuinty has also taken the province from having the longest surgical wait times in the country to the shortest Cancer survival Jessica Lee /// The Observer rates in Ontario were also ranked among the best in the world. Let’s not forget Mike Harris’s Progressive Conservative govern- n column ment’s shoddy record with health care in the province. It’s easy to see that we, as a province, are better off with McGuinty as our premier rather than PC Leader Tim Hudak. Scarborough will continue to grow and prosper under the Liberals. S itsabaiesan focusing ~Aakanksha Tangri on politics, not cleavage

hen it comes to power- she must be careful how she in touch with community A failing grade ful, successful women, carries herself. Especially in organizations, but still goes Wone assumes she should male-dominated careers such door-to-door promoting her wear dresses that end below as politics. position and is currently Credit mill students pay for success, literally the knee, no heel should These rules are implement- working on a petition with be higher than a couple of ed so women are seen as pro- to make a fed- inches and certainly no cleav- fessionals, not sex symbols. eral infrastructure strategy. pparently, money can buy you everything. age should ever show. For a But Scarborough’s own MP As the first NDP candidate Now up for grabs in Ontario: a brand-spanking-new education that woman to be taken seriously, Rathika Sitsabaiesan knows to conquer a dominant liberal Aparents can buy for their children. firsthand that when the two riding, Sitsabaiesan is to be At least that’s what they think, as Ontario youth herd to high school Jessica Moy cross each other, it can create commended for what she “credit mills,” trading money for marks. a windstorm of controversy. stands for as a politician. She Sorry kids. You might be getting the marks, but this is still a fail. Recently, Sitsabaiesan’s of- makes being powerful and Consider the main goal here: parents want their kids to be accepted into ficial parliamentary headshot sexy possible. a university or college, and then graduate from said university or college. was photo shopped to get She’s a woman. She has Buying them high school marks ignores the latter half of that ultimate goal. rid of the cleavage that was cleavage. Embrace it. Of The student will be ecstatic getting into their desired post-secondary shown. Frankly, it is not a course, she could have worn institution, but what happens then? question of whether it is right a more conservative shirt, but They’ll be set up to crash and burn, that’s what. or wrong, but a wake-up call maybe this controversy did Let’s make this analogous, in case credit mill graduates are reading this. for our priorities. her a favour. More people Imagine you’re building a house — a house with no foundation. Would What is seen as more know her name – no publicity be pretty difficult, I’d assume. important in a politician? is bad publicity. Without the prior work ethic or intelligence required to succeed in post- Breasts or their campaign We have to prioritize be- secondary education, parents prepare their kids for failure, not fortune. platform? fore we start jumping to con- It will be extremely tough for a student who has a phantom high school I get it: it’s a controversy. clusions about professionals degree to keep up at the no-nonsense post-secondary level — you can It’s different and needs to be in any field. Hard to believe, damn well bet these teachers won’t give you marks for doing nothing. published in newspapers and but they are people too. They What makes this tragedy a catastrophe is the effect on student’s vying websites to create traffic flow. make mistakes. for a spot in university or college that actually did the work, yet have their It’s not a story you come Sitsabaiesan should still be spot stolen from the credit mill alumni. across every day. respected as a professional A student earning a 70 per cent average is surely a better fit then a stu- We have to remember she and a strong, independent dent handed an 80 per cent, no? With the elections wrapped up, hopefully is still a young woman. For a women, known not only for our incumbent will pay more attention to the education system — one of 29-year-old, she is creating a her curves but for the positive many topics being debated. promising career for her- changes she is bringing to our ~ Alex Kozovski self. She is not only actively community.

The Scarborough The Scarborough Observer is a biweekly news- Fca ulty Editors production editor copy Editors n COntact us Eric McMillan James Wattie Natalie Sequeira paper published in print and online by journal- Andrew Mair photo editor Yeamrot Taddese 416-289-5107 ism students at Centennial College’s Centre for Maryam Shah Janice Yeung [email protected] Creative Communications at 951 Carlaw Ave., Managing Editor Assignment editor Observer Toronto, ON, M4K 3M2. torontoobserver.ca Aakanksha Tangri Kyle Larkin The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 NEWS 7 New Centre unveils new look residents Expansion get warm of mall in embrace time for By CHANTELLE HENRIQUES holiday The Observer

season Faith Tsao expected to start a new life and a new job after im- By JESSICA MOY migrating to Toronto The Observer from Hong Kong. In- stead, Tsao, a regis- tered nurse, was told Scaffolding and construction her credentials were tape have come off the Scarbor- not valid due to her weak command of ough Town Centre to reveal the English. dramatic changes at East To- Six years later, she ronto’s premier shopping desti- is fluent in the lan- nation. guage. A number of new stores have “I came across The Northwest Scarbor- opened following the two-year, ough Local Immigra- $62-million renovation for STC. tion Partnership (NWS Justice, ecko unltd., Zumiez, LIP) and attended ESL Eyestar Optical, LOCALE and programs and my life M for Mendocino had their of- Courtsey of Scarborough Town Centre changed,” she said. Newcomers like ficial grand openings last month. The new skylight at Scarborough Town Centre is one of many additions that were added in the Tsao shared their sto- And a list of big-name stores ries at the NWS LIP are getting ready to join them, $62-million renovation for the mall, to make the centre more attractive for shoppers. meeting on Sept. 28 at including Victoria’s Secret and the Centre for Informa- Aritzia, which are opening in At Ease, Jean Machine and the mall, which covers 1.4 mil- has seen an increase in sales sory sales have risen by 20.4 tion and Community Services in Scarbor- November. Fruits and Passion are among the lion square feet in total. and foot traffic. According to per cent, men’s apparel sales ough. None of the old stores were few stores that had to relocate to Since the renovation, STC a press release, fashion acces- have increased 16.1 per cent and The second annual closed during the renovations to make room for the additions. women’s apparel sales are up event kicked off with the mall. The renovations add 60,000 l For more on this story, 2.5 per cent. traditional Chinese, In- “Stores that have closed ex- square feet. These additions in- Parking has been one of the dian and Tamil perienced a natural expiry of clude a two-storey Forever XXI see News at main concerns regarding the dances. their lease,” Jai Lee, marketing that occupies 27,000 square feet, @ torontoobserver.ca building’s expansion since traf- While manager of STC said. making it one of the biggest in fic flow has increased. pro- O grams like NWS LIP help make n Mahadevi Private high school under fire services for new- com- ers more accessible, project manager Mani Principal defends school against newspaper allegations of being a ‘credit mill’ Mahadevi says there is still work to be done By MARYAM SHAH an Observer reporter showed speak with the principal. schools, including TCI, as she ended up with the mark, in the Northwest Scar- The Observer up to interview the principal. However, a week later on credit mills. there’s an adjustment made borough communities where 71 per cent of Students were heard talking Oct. 3, a return visit found Credit mills are private for the college level. That’s the population are im- Toronto Collegiate In- in class, instructors were pho- locked doors. schools where students can why she got the mark she got. migrants. stitute (TCI) was open last tocopying papers, the recep- The recently take courses towards their They didn’t mention anything There are a lot of week during its 8-to-5 busi- tionist was waving in visitors, published an investigative high school degree and get about that.” immigrants who have ness hours last week when a volunteer was waiting to series exposing several high higher scores than they would The teacher of that course little access to new- comer settlement pro- in public school. has since resigned, he said. grams, most of which But in the Observer inter- He maintained the school are based in down- view, principal and is running on sched- town Toronto. owner Sivam Ma- ule and other stu- Mahadevi said halingam denied the dents recognize many newcomers like Tsao have degrees but charges. their disciplines. @ still undergo a hard “We are doing “We didn’t boost time settling into Scar- very good,” Mahal- O the mark, ask any borough. ingam said. “We are l For more, student, they know,” “Many newcom- not cheating like see News at he said. “They say ers end up becoming taxi drivers or factory they said.” toronto you are so strict, you observer.ca workers,” Mahadevi Star reporter want marks, people said. Jennifer Yang had cry like that.” “If the government gone undercover Mahalingam said can create new oppor- as a student at the Institute that he was advised by his tunities for newcomers based on their skills, and received a high grade in lawyer to continue what he is that would be great.” chemistry despite not com- doing and leave his situation Having arrived in pleting required hours and up to the law. Toronto in the early homework. A high school student 1970s, Soo Wong According to Mahalingam, waiting to speak with Sivam knows about the dif- the grade had been adjusted to said she volunteers there to ficulties of settling in. A Liberal candidate reflect the lower level of the complete her hours. for Scarborough-Ag- Maryam Shah /// Observer chemistry course. “He’s the one who told incourt in the provin- “She took grade 11 and me to go into pharmacy,” she n For more, see News at Toronto Collegiate Institute was closed on Oct. 3 during business hours. 12 chemistry already back in said, asking to remain un- torontoobserver.ca Alberta,” he said. “So when named. 8 LIFE The Scarborough Observer /// Friday, Oct. 7, 2011 Centre breaks down barriers

By ERICA TIANGCO The Observer

What a woman needs to succeed is other women, say the users of the Scarbor- ough Women’s Centre (SWC). The SWC is a non-profit resource centre that has helped Scarborough women overcome hardship for almost 30 years. On Sept. 29, the centre held its 29th annual meeting to discuss its way forward. Kyle Larkin /// Observer Executive director Let’s play ball! Lynda Kosowan said the centre is all about Travis Logan practises throwing long-distance at Wishing Well Park on Oct 3. Colin Cummins (inset) runs baseball training ses- possibilities. sions for aspiring athletes through Red Eye Pro Baseball throughout the offseason. “It’s possible for women to move past barriers and through struggles, and become happy, independent and active people who Christmas sharing shut down have achieved their goals,” she said. Having served 25 years as the centre’s City council cuts program that distributed fault,” he said. executive director, “[It’s] the incompetency of Kosowan has seen toys, helped Scarborough families in need our politicians to offer some- first-hand the SWC’s thing that they cannot deliver.” progress over the He said almost 100 fami- years, but more impor- By NATALIE SEQUEIRA Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre lies will be cut off the Share tantly, its significance The Observer (BBNC), couldn’t put a name Christmas list. to Scarborough. All he wanted for Christmas to the man’s face, but he stood Part of the reason for the n For more, see Life was to be a part of the Share out to her as the reason for the shortened list is that the centre at torontoobserver.ca Christmas program because centre’s Share Christmas pro- will start doing its own screen- receiving gifts from strangers gram, she said. ing this year. The BBNC plans made him feel cared for. But it’s about more than on fine-tuning its interview But this man is one of hun- just Christmas, Curley said. process this year in prepara- dreds who may not be receiv- “The Christmas Bureau Natalie Sequeira /// Observer tion. ing any gifts through the pro- doesn’t just give out toys to Linda Curley, volunteer coordinator at BBNC, shows “At what moment do you gram this year, thanks to the children and families in need. helpers the brochure for the Share Christmas program. say to [a] child, ‘You, yes and mayor and 24 city councillors, It connects [the community], you, no’?” Roberto added. who voted Sept. 26 to scrap ensuring that [these] families across Toronto that partners lies each year. “Who [am I] or the steering funding to the city’s Christmas are assisted through the winter with the Christmas Bureau, Executive director Enrique committee … to say to a child, Bureau. months.” which has worked since 1956 Roberto plans to go ahead you cannot receive the support Women must know Linda Curley, volunteer The Share Christmas pro- to coordinate the distribution with Share Christmas. … you were hoping to receive they’re not alone. coordinator at the Birchmount gram is just one of many of gifts and donations to fami- “It is not the people’s this year?”

U of T honours longtime baseball LINGUISTIC LARKS With the letters coach with field in his name given, guess the Category horizontal clues. By ALEX KOZOVSKI Blues coach, an educa- baseball pioneer. and off the diamond.” Work your way to the vertical clue. The Observer tor on and off the field. “Dan showed a pas- The 13-year veteran Animals Univer- sion not only was honoured not solely E M U Despite having an sity of Toronto for the athletic for his body of work for accomplished resumé president David pursuits of his the Blues, but also for H I C R O in university baseball, Naylor, UTSC athletes but also his contributions to the Dan Lang is more than principal Franco for their academ- Scarborough commu- I N H I L a coach, according to Vaccarino and ic and personal nity. those who honoured him professor Ira goals,” said Beth He led the project Unscramble the A T P E circled letters to Sept. 25. Jacobs, dean of Ali, director of for a permanent Blues form the final The University of To- the the physical intercollegiate baseball facility in Scar- n LANG answer. ronto Scarborough Cam- education and and high perfor- borough. Nocturnal Predator pus renamed its varsity health faculty, mance sport at field the Dan Lang Field attended the ceremony U of T. “He was truly a n For more, see Sports after the former Varsity for the Varsity Blues player’s coach both on at torontoobserver.ca By Kyle Larkin