SPECIAL BOARD MEETING ON POLICE STREET CHECKS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

In recent months, the Toronto Police Services Board has been reviewing the issue of “street checks” conducted by the police (also referred to as “carding” or the provision of contact cards) and has heard concerns raised by the community about racial profiling related to this practice.
At its meeting of October 7, 2013, the Board again discussed this issue and approved a motion to hold a special public Board meeting dedicated to soliciting community input.
As a result, the Board will hold a special public Board meeting on:
Monday November 18, 2013 at 5:00PM
Toronto City Hall (100 Queen Street West)
Council Chambers

The meeting will be based on two documents: (1) the Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER) Report presented by Chief Blair to the Board at its meeting of October 7, 2013 and (2) a report prepared by Chair Mukherjee on the issue of police carding and racial profiling.

An agenda, with links to both documents, will be posted on November 11, 2013.

Specifically, the Board is interested in hearing answers to questions such as the following:
•What are the parameters that should be placed on the practice of street checks and/or community engagement?
•What are reasonable justifications for this practice?
•What tools can be imposed to ensure that street checks are being conducted only when appropriate and justified?
•What is the appropriate retention period for information obtained through such a practice?
•How can the Board ensure that the community plays a meaningful and ongoing role in evaluating this practice and providing feedback to the Board and the Service?

The Board will consider the input received from the community at this meeting in its development of a policy governing street checks. It is anticipated that this draft policy would be placed on the Board’s public agenda at a meeting in early 2014.

Deputations at the special meeting will be limited to 5 minutes in length; to sign up to make a deputation, please contact Sheri Fulton at sheri.fulton@tpsb.ca or by phone at 416-808-8089. In addition, written submissions may be provided by email to this address.

Strong Neighbourhood Strategy 2020 Community Conversations

The City of Toronto is working with residents, businesses and agencies to determine what needs to be considered when identifying the next generation of Neighbourhood Improvement Areas (formerly known as Priority Neighbourhoods).

Have your say by completeing the online survey or by joining a Community Conversation at a location near you. The event closest to our ward takes place on Friday, November 1st, from 7 to 9pm at the Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute (2450 Birchmount Road)

For more information and a complete list of Community Conversations, visit www.toronto.ca/neighbourhoods or download this poster.

UPDATE: The survey conversation kit for this excercise has been released and can be downloaded here.

Toronto Public Health community flu shot clinics

Toronto Public Health will be holding a number of community flu shot clinics at locations across the City, including the Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Drive). The times and dates for the Scarborough events are below:

November 16, 2013 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November 22, 2013 2:30 PM - 8:00 PM
November 23, 2013 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November 29, 2013 2:30 PM - 8:00 PM
November 30, 2013 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
December 7, 2013 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
January 7, 2014 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM
January 25, 2014 3:00 PM - 7:30 PM

For more information on other times and locations and how to registrater, please click here.

TTC Open House on the Construction of the New McNicoll Bus Garage - November 27

The TTC will be holding an open house to discuss plans for a new bus garage at McNicoll and Kennedy Road. The event will take place on November 27, 2013 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Kennedy Public School (20 Elmfield Crescent). For more information on the project and the upcoming meeting, please download this poster.

Events and Update from Toronto East Quadrant Local Immigration Partnership (TEQ LIP)

For more information, please click below.

6th Annual Identify 'N' Impact Awards nominations

The TYC is looking to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of young people throughout Toronto. The INI Awards annually recognize the valuable contributions that young people make to making Toronto a vibrant and diverse City. The awards are open to all youth 13-24, youth serving organizations, youth-led groups, and adult mentors.

To apply for a INI Award please download this nomination form before Friday, November 15th.

Youth Leaders in Action (Nov 4)

The North West Scarborough Youth Centre (NWSYC) is looking for youth ages 15 - 17 who are interested in building leadership skills and planning community projects. The 10-week program Youth Leaders in Action will teach skills vital for up and coming young leaders. Graduates will receive volunteer hours and a certificate, snacks and TTC fare will be provided. For more information, please download this poster.

Let's Build a #healthierTO Youth Forum (Nov. 16)

Toronto Public Health is holding a forum for youth including workshops in a variety of public health, civic engagement, and leadership workshops. The event takes place on November 16 at Metro Hall. For more information and how to register, please download this poster.

Events from the SYRC

The Scarborough Youth Resource Centre (SYRC) will be holding two events in the upcoming weeks. For more information on each event, please download the below posters:

October 23rd - Afro Fusion Dance Workshop
October 25th - Youth Night

For information about regular events and location, please download this poster.

New micro-grant opportunities from Art Starts

If you had up to $1000 to make community engaged art, what would you do?

Art Starts is currently offering emerging and newcomer
 artists up to $1000 to engage our neighbourhoods through the arts!
If you have a great idea for a new and innovative art project 
and could use money to make it happen

For more information and how to apply, please visit Art Start's page here.

City of Toronto holding town hall meetings for street food vending industry review

News Release

October 16, 2013

City of Toronto holding town hall meetings for street food vending industry review

Members of the street food vending industry and the general public are invited to attend town hall meetings as the City of Toronto's Municipal Licensing and Standards Division reviews the City's street food vending bylaws. The goal is to create a harmonized street food vending bylaw that balances the interests of all stakeholders and encourages a vibrant street food experience.

The town hall meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the current street food experience and examine key considerations to be taken when drafting the harmonized bylaw. Topics to be addressed:

maximum designated area that food carts may occupy on sidewalks
minimum distance that street food vendors must maintain when operating near established restaurants
role of Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in the permit issuance process
current moratorium on street food vending in the downtown area and limiting the number of vendor permits issued
opportunities for vending on public property (city parks, public spaces, right-of-way)
opportunities for vending on private property (parking lots)
improved vending opportunities for mobile food vendors such as food trucks.

Schedule of Town Hall Meetings
Monday, October 21, 2 to 4 p.m., Etobicoke Civic Centre, Council Chamber
Tuesday, October 22, 10 a.m. to noon, City Hall, Committee Room 3
Tuesday, October 22, 6 to 8 p.m., City Hall, Committee Room 3
Monday, October 28, 10 a.m. to noon, Scarborough Civic Centre, Council Chamber
Monday, November 4, 2 to 4 p.m., North York Civic Centre, Council Chamber
Tuesday, November 5, 10 a.m. to noon, East York Civic Centre, Council Chamber

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/streetfoodvending.

Staff will report consultation findings to the Licensing and Standards Committee in the spring of 2014.

Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day - City of Toronto ceremonies - November 10 - 11

City of Toronto ceremonies take place at City Hall and each of the Civic Centres across Toronto, as well as Fort York. One such event will be taking place at the Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Drive) on Sunday, November 10th at 2pm. Other events will occur throughout the city on Monday, November 11th.

For more information and a full listing of Rememberance Day events, please visit the City of Toronto's Rememberance Day Services page.