Latest news with #DianneSaxe
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Save wildlife, contractors from winter salt woes: Councillor
Dianne Saxe has a request for Toronto: Go easy on the salt. This week, Saxe's colleagues on city council will consider a proposal from City Hall's infrastructure and environment committee that urges the province to legislate 'best management practices for snow and ice' and to limit liability in slip-and-fall lawsuits. The proposal also calls on City Hall 'to continue to minimize the use of road salt as much as possible while maintaining safety on roads, parking lots and sidewalks.' It comes mere months after councillors debated the sorry state of snow removal in Toronto. In February, Mayor Olivia Chow said the state of removal operations after a long weekend snowstorm had been 'just totally unacceptable.' Saxe's work was instrumental to the item on council's agenda. Saxe, now the councillor for University-Rosedale ward, had previously urged the province to take the salt pollution issue seriously as Ontario's environment commissioner. Saxe told the Toronto Sun this proposal isn't about the road salt that keeps people safe – it's about 'clear waste,' the 'heaps of salt' that hit Toronto's streets each winter. 'This isn't about people not being able to get around,' Saxe said. 'This is about someone slips and falls, they sue everybody, whether or not the contractor behaved reasonably.' The City of Toronto already has a salt management plan and a web page with a list of tips to minimize use in winter. City hall recommends Torontonians 'shovel first' before applying salt, and consider using sand as a traction aid. The federal government, meanwhile, has a set of practices for the use of road salt, finalized in 2004. Saxe said despite those guidelines, there is a need for more. The municipal plan only applies to City Hall's own operations, and solving the liability issue is 'the province's job,' she said. It's understandable that the companies err on the side of not getting sued – they're often family businesses that are too small to survive a lawsuit, Saxe said. 'Once somebody gets sued, it doesn't matter whether they were right or not, it's going to cost them an awful lot of money, and lawyers are eye-wateringly expensive,' she said. Saxe said despite Torontonians' broad concerns about road and sidewalk safety in winter, she expects council to pass the proposal without any fuss. She noted a letter to council from the trade association Landscape Ontario as evidence that what she's proposing is necessary — and not controversial. LILLEY: Toronto's mayoral race already underway despite contenders playing coy Councillor Chris Moise caught up in yet another naming controversy Councillor Bradford's 'accountability' streaming push falters The contractors 'want to be doing a good job, they know what they're doing is very harmful and they're asking for a standard and protection if they follow it,' Saxe said. The item before council says salt pollution causes 'irreversible' damage to the environment and accelerates the decay of Toronto's infrastructure. Saxe emphasized the harm to fish in Toronto's waterways, and warned it's only getting worse because the effects of salt pollution are 'cumulative.' The snow may melt away, but all that salt has to go somewhere – and much of it becomes part of the environment. Another letter to council from an advocacy group, the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition, says 12 municipalities in the province have passed similar motions this year, including Cambridge, Sudbury, Waterloo and the District of Muskoka. jholmes@
CBC
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
What vehicles are allowed in bike lanes? In Toronto, there is no one answer
Toronto needs a single set of rules for bike lanes in the city, a council committee decided on Wednesday. The infrastructure and environment committee passed a motion that directs city staff to report back in the first quarter of 2026 with recommendations to create a "harmonized" set of rules outlining which vehicles can be used in Toronto bike lanes. Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents Ward 11, University-Rosedale, said she moved the motion because there is confusion about what kind of vehicles can use the bike lanes and what exactly the rules are. Saxe said in some cases, the bike lanes are elevated, while in others, they are painted, and in still others, there are bollards separating them from the road. Some are called cycle tracks and some are not. Vehicles that don't move by pedals should not be allowed in bike lanes, she added. "We need a clear simple straightforward rule, that a nine-year-old can explain, and with that we then have an opportunity to do the kind of education, then followed by enforcement, that has a chance to make a difference," Saxe told the committee. Rules 'extremely confusing to the public,' councillor says In a letter to the committee, Saxe said the city's municipal code has different rules governing which vehicles can use bike lanes in Toronto, depending on whether the lane is called a "cycle track." She said some heavy motorized vehicles, which can be moved without pedalling, are allowed on painted bike lanes but not on cycle tracks. "This distinction is extremely confusing to the public and virtually impossible to enforce. It contributes to the plague of mopeds and other motorized vehicles bombing down bike lanes, which endanger the safety of all other road users. The City should have consistent rules for which vehicles can be used in all bike lanes," Saxe said in the letter. In an interview later, Saxe said there is public anger about the dangers created by the mopeds — "big heavy fast motorized vehicles" with "pretend pedals on them." "They're dangerous to cyclists. They're dangerous to pedestrians. They don't follow the rules of the road. They don't belong there, but because the rules are confusing, the gig workers don't really clearly understand that what they're doing is illegal and dangerous. And that needs to be clear." Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth, said she supported the motion because new rules would clarify the definition of a motorized vehicle for city purposes. 'Not everything is black and white,' wheelchair user says Resident Oda Al-anizi said city staff should consider allowing a device called front power assist, an attachment for wheelchairs, when they make recommendations. He said it is "becoming a popular category for wheelchair users, for us to get around." Not allowing them in bike lanes would be a challenge for his safety, he said. "My understanding is technically it's not allowed, it's not legal because there's three wheels and not two," Al-anizi said. Al-anizi said later he's looking for "some clarifications, some acknowledgement of different categories like people with mobility issues because not everything is black and white." He said better signage and more repairs made to pot holes would improve road safety. Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, reminded the committee to stay focused on the fact that cars and trucks are the biggest threat to pedestrians and cyclists on Toronto streets. He said there is a difference between frustration and safety. "Definitely agree that a lot of these vehicles can feel very frustrating and lead to a lot of anger on our roads, but unfortunately, at the end of the day, people are being killed on our roads because of collisions with drivers and automobiles," Longfield said.
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Monthly Kensington Pedestrian Sundays festival facing uncertain future as organizers cancel May event
A sign reads 'Happy Pedestrian Sunday' during the September 2015 edition of the monthly event in Kensington Market. (Joanna Lavoie/CP24) Kensington Market's popular Pedestrian Sundays (PS) event won't be kicking off for the season next Sunday as organizers say they're working to 'reimagine the festival's future.' The Kensington Market Business Improvement Area (BIA) shared the news in a post on its website late last week. It did not specifically say if the street festival, which runs on the last Sunday of the month from May to October, will proceed as planned on Sunday, June 29. 'Plans for future Kensington PS dates will be reassessed after the results of a community survey, which will be completed soon,' the group said. 'Community input will be key in reshaping the event.' The BIA added that it would be seeking support from Mayor Olivia Chow's office and local Coun. Dianne Saxe as well as feedback from local businesses and community members 'to get involved in planning a refreshed version of PS that reflects the true heart of Kensington Market.' 'As part of this effort, we will also be exploring funding opportunities through the City and other grant programs to help meet the financial demands of executing a safe, inclusive, and community-focused festival,' it said. Organizers said the decision to cancel May's event and reevaluate its future follows 'extensive community feedback and the recent public consultation on the festival's direction.' 'The pause reflects a shared desire among residents, businesses, and the BIA to reimagine PS Kensington as an event that celebrates [the market's] cultural diversity in a safe, inclusive, and community rooted way,' the BIA said, pointing to 'growing' concerns about the influx of outside and unpermitted vendors, 'which has created crowding, disrupted pedestrian flow, and complicated event logistics' as well as 'instances of unregulated food sales and unauthorized substances being sold, raising health, safety and legal concerns.' Crows Aug. 2022 Pedestrian Sunday Kensington Large crowds can be seen on Augusta Avenue during the Aug. 2022 edition of Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market (Joanna Lavoie/CP24) The business association said these issues can create risks of liability as well as unfair competition for local businesses. Thirdly, organizers say that the event has taken on a 'more commercial tone,' one strays from its intent to be a 'celebration of art, music, dance, play, and community – a family-friendly space to explore and enjoy diverse cultures,' adding that the festival 'no longer reflects the values that originally shaped it.' 'While we understand that festivals naturally evolve, we believe it's time to realign with the spirit that made KPS special in the first place,' organizers said. CP24 reached out to the Kensington Market BIA as well as Coun. Dianne Saxe for further comment, but we have not heard back.
Toronto Sun
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Dundas Station to be renamed after confidential deal with TMU approved
Concerns raised about transparency, lack of consultation amid rare double excommunication of historical figures First Yonge-Dundas Square, now Dundas station. The TTC board has voted to remove the Dundas name from the subway stop and replace it with TMU. Photo by Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun files The board of the Toronto Transit Commission approved a new name for Dundas Station in a meeting with more tension than the unanimous vote might suggest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The renaming, from Dundas to TMU Station, was packaged Wednesday morning as part of a sweeping partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, which is outside of the subway stop. While board members spoke with enthusiasm about having TMU's best minds consulting the TTC on how best to run transit, Councillor Dianne Saxe made it clear she thought the consultation on the name change was 'extremely limited.' She tried to sell the renaming as a compromise from city council's former goal of renaming all city assets bearing the Dundas name, a process she called 'profoundly unpopular' and potentially 'really damaging. 'I want to say that nothing I'm doing here today is meant as any repudiation or comment about Henry Dundas,' Saxe said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dundas Station in Toronto will soon be renamed "TMU Station," after Toronto Metropolitan University. But, there is a bit of good news here. The TTC board has specifically rejected the city's accusations against Henry Dundas. It says renaming has nothing to do with the city's… — Jennifer Dundas (@jldundas) May 14, 2025 While the association was hailed as bringing important technology and know-how to Toronto's transit system at effectively no cost, it's unclear just what the city is signing up for because the 'partnership framework' remains confidential. The renaming represents a rare double excommunication of historical figures as it would see the removal of Dundas' name in favour of TMU, which used to be named after 19th-century educator Egerton Ryerson. TTC vice-chairman Joe Mihevic, asking a question about AI at the university, caught himself referring to the institution as Ryerson. TMU president Mohamed Lachemi presented a slide deck on the school's Transit Innovation Yard project. Lachemi told the board the station is seen as 'part of the campus' and said renaming it would be a chance to 'turn a page' without elaborating. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lachemi said TMU was 'committed to cover the cost of the signage because of the name change.' The board was told there is some immediacy in approving the TMU name because it could be snuck in with system software changes for the soon-to-open Finch West LRT line, offsetting a significant cost. A slide that was part of the TMU presentation at the TTC board meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Photo by City of Toronto/TMU However, some citizens spoke up with concerns – one of them being that with seemingly no money changing hands with the TMU renaming, cash is being left on the table. Jennifer Dundas, a distant relative of 18th-century politician Henry Dundas, told the board a recent transit hub renaming in San Francisco led to a nine-figure payday for that municipality. City staff, meanwhile, countered there's little interest in corporate renamings for subway stations and the potential for such a deal to fall through, forcing the city to swap names again. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dundas said the public had been 'ambushed' with news of the name change as the report that called for the TMU agreement was released just two days before Wednesday's meeting. 'As for the cost, there is no way to assess whether the TTC is getting reasonable value in this mysterious partnership agreement,' she said. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Saxe apologized to Dundas 'for what's happened to your family' and said she appreciates 'your spirited and sustained defence of your ancestor. 'I do want to clearly say that I do accept your research and your conclusions,' she added, presumably referring to her public remarks about Henry Dundas' contested role in the abolition of slavery. Daniel Tate, meanwhile, told the board that while the partnership is 'probably a good thing,' the lack of transparency and consultation is not. He said removing the name of a major downtown street from the station would make it harder to get around the city, given most users of the subway stop aren't TMU students or staff. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Tate noted Lachemi had just told the board that TMU was renamed after a two-year consultation. 'Dundas Station is culturally and historically significant. Those yellow bricks are antiquities in our city and people on this meeting are gonna destroy that, erase that with 48 hours of notice?' he asked. A protester hits the head of Egerton Ryerson's statue after protesters pulled it down at what was then known as Ryerson University, in Toronto on Sunday, June 6, 2021. Now called Toronto Metropolitan University, the TTC board was told it was renamed only after two years of consultations. Photo by Chris Young / The Canadian Press The TTC board called for a 'framework for considering the naming of Dundas Station and Dundas West Station' at a meeting in February 2024. That decision included a call for a 'racial equity analysis regarding capital asset naming' and a summary of associated costs. Two councillors who were then serving on the board told the Toronto Sun last year that terse words were exchanged at that meeting, but no video of it exists. After a request from Councillor Chris Moise, council was told in June 2024 a video archive wasn't saved because nobody ended the livestream and it timed out. (Moise is no longer on the TTC board.) This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At Wednesday's meeting, pains were made to distance the transit board from the Dundas renaming initiative. While chair Jamaal Myers warned deputants 'we are not here to relitigate the legacy of Henry Dundas,' he also emphasized that the direction to rename the station had come from city council, not the TTC. In an exchange with Tate, however, Myers portrayed that February 2024 meeting as 'public consultation.' Councillor Josh Matlow, a TTC board member, did not speak at the meeting. As Tate noted, Matlow just months ago said he was 'uncomfortable' with the approach in renaming another asset, the former Yonge-Dundas Square, to Sankofa Square. jholmes@ Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Relationships Columnists Canada Olympics
CBC
04-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Toronto hasn't ticketed a single driver for idling in the last 5 years. Here's why
Not a single ticket has been issued for idling in Toronto in the last five years. And it's unlikely drivers will receive the $130 fine anytime soon. The reason? There's no longer proactive enforcement of Toronto's anti-idling bylaw because of limited resources, according to a report that went before the city's infrastructure and environment committee last week. "It's outrageous," said Coun. Dianne Saxe, a member of the committee. "If we have bylaws — especially bylaws for public health — and then we don't do anything to enforce them, we make a mockery of the law and we undercut public trust in the government." Toronto was the first Canadian municipality to implement an anti-idling bylaw in 1996 to reduce unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. In 2010, the bylaw was amended to shorten the maximum idling time from three minutes to one and remove several exemptions. Back then, council also wanted to improve enforcement and directed staff to come up with a plan with police for parking officers start enforcing the bylaw. But parking officers never took on enforcement. Instead, the city now relies entirely on a complaints-based system where it's up to the public to report idling vehicles to 311. Then staff send the registered owner a warning letter with information on the harms of idling and on potential fines. System based on limited resources "Municipalities have struggled and struggled to get police to play that enforcement role," said Gaby Kalapos, executive director of Clean Air Partnership, a non-profit that supports municipalities with climate actions, including anti-idling. "They've gone to the complaints-based system just because that's the solution available to them based on the limited resources they have." CBC Toronto asked the city for details on what happened with council's 2010 direction to develop a plan for police parking officers to start enforcing the bylaw, but the city said the question would be best addressed by police. In an email, a Toronto police spokesperson said the service doesn't have information on the 2010 decision, or if any discussions were had, but confirmed that parking enforcement officers have never issued bylaw tickets for idling. Before 2011, the city ran idling enforcement blitzes in May and September each year, alongside its complaints-based system. The last proactive enforcement efforts were in 2019 when 29 tickets were issued, according to the report which responded to a council request from 2021 for details on how the city was enforcing the anti-idling bylaw. From the time of the last ticket to the end of 2023, the city received at least 2,167 complaints and issued at least 1,783 warnings. In a statement, the city said warning letters have proven to be an effective deterrent because complaints stop once they are issued and more than 2,100 anti-idling signs also contribute to compliance. The report says about 25 new signs are installed each year in high-complaint areas or in response to councillor requests. Councillor wants data on repeat offenders Saxe questioned staffers at committee on whether they were tracking repeat offenders, who the top offenders are, and which areas of the city are seeing the most idling complaints, but they didn't have answers. "The big problem is the big diesel trucks and the construction vehicles, which tend to be the most polluting," said Saxe. "What we should be doing is figuring out from this database of the 1,783 warnings that they've issued … who are the worst offenders? Get a meeting with those companies, ask them what they're doing about it and pay more attention to those." At committee, a motion from Saxe recommended that city council direct staff to report back in the fall on how to enhance enforcement and compliance when it comes to diesel trucks.
