Website phasing out November 1st, 2014

As you may have heard, I have decided not to run for City Councillor. I will continue to serve as councillor until December 1st, 2014, but will be ceasing operation of this website on November 1st. I want to thank those of you who have supported me through the years, with your help we have worked together to make this ward a better place for all of us to live.

North Scarborough Green Loop Opening Event

A new 12km cycling loop will be officially opened on the 24th of May.

The trail goes through an area bordered approximately by McCowan, McNicoll, Birchmount and Huntingwood Avenues. It originated as a spontaneous idea of a local resident: connect existing paths and low-traffic streets, mark the route with its official signs and tell folks about this new way to get around in the neighbourhood. Great support came from various City departments, the local councillors, and the City's Environment and Energy Office awarded this community project a Live Green Toronto grant.

The Opening Event will be on the 24th of May at the L'Amoreaux Recreation Centre, located at 2000 McNicoll Ave (intersection with Kennedy Road). There will be exhibits, a bike Rodeo run by Toronto Police for the smaller children, and at 2 pm, Councillor Del Grande and Councillor Chin Lee will officially declare the green Loop as "open". Folks are encouraged to bring their bicycles and participate in the guided rides after the ceremonies.

The event is hosted by the Friends of the North Scarborough Green Loop and the TRCA, and supported by Councillor Chin Lee, Councillor Mike Del Grande and Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. For more details, see https://www.facebook.com/nsgreenloop or contact Erhard Kraus at erhard.interlog@gmail.com
In case of rain, the event will be held indoors! https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Scarboroughs-Green-Loop/384703554924747

For more information and a map of the loop, please download this flyer.

Enterprise Toronto Small Business Money Forum - June 4

Enterprise Toronto will be holding a forum for small businesses, with focus on alternative funding, finance proposals, crowd funding, and networking. For more information on this event, download this flyer.

Multi-Cultural Event at L'Amoreaux CRC - Saturday, May 3rd

The Agincourt Community Services Assocation (ACSA) in association with Steeles L'Amoreaux Youth Empowerment (SLYE), and Steeles L'Amoreaux Strength In Partnership (SSIP) will be holding Multi-Cultural Event at the L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre on Saturday May 3rd from 2pm - 5pm. Admission is free. For more information on the event, download this flyer.

Eco-Roof Incentive Program - grants for green and cool roofs

From Live Green Toronto:

Consider an eco-roof for your home or business

The summer season is just around the corner and many Toronto homeowners and businesses are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills and contribute to a greener environment.

Installing an eco-roof is a project with big payoffs, and the City of Toronto offers incentives to install eco-roofs through the Eco-Roof Incentive Program. Through the program, eligible residential, industrial, commercial and institutional buildings in Toronto can apply for funding to help cover the costs of a new green or cool roof.

What is the difference between a green roof and a cool roof?

A green roof is a roof surface that supports the growth of vegetation over a substantial portion of its area for the purpose of water and energy conservation.  A cool roof is a roofing system with an exterior surface with high “solar reflectivity” and “thermal emissivity” that reflects the sun’s rays and reduces heat build-up from the sun’s thermal energy.

§  Eligible green roof projects will receive $75 per square metre up to a maximum of $100,000.

§  Eligible cool roof projects will receive $2-5 per square metre up to a maximum of $50,000. (Cool roofs with a coating applied over an existing roof are eligible for $2 per square metre; cool roofs with new membranes are eligible for a $5 per square metre.)

Visit the Eco-Roof Incentive Program website for all of the program details.

Why install an eco-roof?

Ø  Extend the life of your roof

Ø  Increase the energy efficiency for your home or business

Ø  Lower heating and cooling costs = lower energy bills

Ø  Improve air quality

Ø  Cool the air and reduce urban heat in the summer

Ø  Reduce noise

Ø  Reduce storm water runoff

For more information on this program, please visit the links above or download this brochure and Q&A sheet.

Public consultation on Weather Emergencies

On April 1, 2 and 3, 2014, City Council adopted the report December 2013 Extreme Winter Storm Event - Provincial Funding Request and Structure of Comprehensive Reviews, outlining the public consultation process to seek feedback from residents on the City's response to the December 2013 ice storm.

The City Manager's Office is holding public consultations May 9 – 30, 2014 on weather emergencies as outlined in the recent reports to Council.

The City is looking for public input on our response to the July 2013 flood and December 2013 ice storm, and how the City can support its residents in future weather emergencies.

Public sessions are scheduled in each Community Council area. All sessions are from 6-9 p.m. Venues are accessible and ASL interpretation will be provided.

Event Dates and Locations:

Monday May 12            Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive

Tuesday May 13           City Hall Rotunda, 100 Queen Street West
Wednesday May 14           North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street
Thursday May 15           Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall

Program:
6 p.m. Open House starts with displays and emergency preparedness information
7 p.m. Formal staff presentation, questions and remarks from the public, followed by group discussions

A public website with background information, reports, and details on how the public can share their input will go live April 24: www.toronto.ca/weatherprooftoronto. The website will include an online feedback form which will be available for three weeks from May 9 to May 30, 2014.

Local resident awarded Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award from University of Toronto

Our office extends our congratulations to local resident Anjum Sultana, who was awarded the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award at the Univeristy of Toronto for taking a leadership role in initiatives that combined education and global health, as well as contributions to the community in North America, Ghana and Kenya in the field of global health.

For more information on the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award, and a list of other recipients, please click here.