Toronto

Thought I'd leave some links for new gardeners, or people itching for spring who just want to come check out seeds etc.

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday at Brickworks from 9-2 (free bus just north of Broadview station) - https://www.evergreen.ca/evergreen-brick-work/events/seedy-weekend-2025

March 22, Scadding Court from 10-2 (west end of the city) - https://torontourbangrowers.org/events/scadding-court-seedy-saturday-2025

...

Other good resources for beginners:

General Planting almanac

North American Native Plant Society

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26304594

Posted speed limits in nearly 200 Mississauga school zones will soon increase to 40 km/h

With the new amendments on local roads, City of Mississauga officials said the speed limit will remain 30 km/h from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and outside that period will be increased to 40 km/h. The move was prompted by complaints from drivers that the 30 km/h limit was too low during times when there were no students and other people around.

The Beer Store takes back all alcohol primary and secondary packaging sold across the province, including bottles, cans, kegs, cardboard packaging, bottle caps and plastic rings. The Beer Store also accepts all empty containers under the Ontario Deposit Return Program, including all alcoholic beverage containers sold in Ontario.

Where to take empties?

For now, it’s unclear whether customers will have a convenient empty return option if their local Beer Store closes. The best bet appears to be commuting to the next closest Beer Store retail outlet.

Alternatively, you could hold on to your empties and donate them to a fundraising drive in your community. Many community groups, such as Rotary clubs, the Knights of Columbus and local sports teams, hold bottle and can collection events.

Metroland has reached out to The Beer Store to ask what options consumers may have for empty container returns following the next round of Beer Store closures.

The lawsuit was filed in Ontario Superior Court on Friday, Feb. 21. The 40 business owners are seeking $10 million from the city for “negligence and nuisance”

The group is also requesting a court injunction to remove the bike lanes along Bloor Street West and restore the streets to their original condition.

Cody MacRae is the founder of the non-profit community group Balance on Bloor. He says the community’s concerns about the bike lanes have been ignored.

“It has caused huge suffering in our community. Whether it be senior citizens who can’t access businesses properly or people with disabilities who are complaining.”

Cyclists and advocates have long called for action to improve safety on Toronto’s streets following numerous fatalities and bikes struck by drivers on roadways.

Executive Director of Cycle Toronto, Michael Longfield questioned the decision to sue the city.

“The City of Toronto has voted on these bike lanes now at least four times. And each time it passes City Council. I understand folks may not be content with that decision, but there is actually a transparent and democratic process for how these projects happen.”

Archived link

Toronto 911 dispatcher turnover is over 20%. Most 911 calls get put on hold when seconds count. Been going on since 2017. Paramedic service is understaffed relative to the 5million daytime population.

Paywall removed: https://archive.is/15K4Z

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25878550

The Greenbelt scandal is the elephant in the room of Ontario’s 2025 election, even as Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives try to leave it in the rearview.

It’s been more than a year since the RCMP opened an investigation into the boondoggle, which saw the Ford government open sections of environmentally protected land outside Toronto for housing construction in fall 2022. That move came at the request of a select group of well-connected developers who stood to make more than $8 billion from the deal. 

In early February, The Trillium reported that two former Ford government staffers — one a central figure in the Greenbelt changes who resigned amid the fallout, the other an employee of Ford’s re-election campaign — are being sued by a developer alleging they accepted money in exchange for promises to use “backchannel contacts” to rezone land, but did not deliver.

It also prompted attention from journalists, who soon revealed developers stood to be the main beneficiaries. Ontario’s auditor general and integrity commissioner released twin reports in August 2023 that were chock-full of bombshell revelations. The public was furious, while Ford remained defiant, even as Amato and Clark resigned from their roles. (Clark has remained an MPP in the Progressive Conservative caucus, and was named government house leader last June.)

But there were also spinoff scandals. One revolved around a pre-wedding stag-and-doe party for one of Ford’s daughters in the months before the Greenbelt changes — developers were invited, and attendees were encouraged to give cash gifts to the happy couple in addition to the $150 ticket price. Another involved a Las Vegas trip involving key Tory figures and a would-be Greenbelt developer that happened in 2020. There were also allegations about an alleged unregistered lobbyist dubbed Mr. X who had close ties to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Finally, in September 2023 — as new salacious details mounted about a Tory MPP getting a massage at the same time as a would-be Greenbelt developer during that Las Vegas trip, prompting more resignations in the Progressive Conservative government

There were major delays reported along a portion of Line 1 on Tuesday morning after ice and snow on the rails at Davisville Station resulted in a train getting stuck.

The issue was first reported at around 7:40 a.m. and didn’t clear until shortly after 9 a.m.

Shuttle buses were running between Bloor-Yonge and Eglinton stations while service was restored.

In a post on social media, the TTC said that there was a train stuck at Davisville Station “due to ice and snow on rails,” which meant that trains were only able to travel through the stations using one of the platforms.

While full service has since resumed, the TTC says that delays of up to 10 minutes are being reported between Vaughan and Finch stations due to a separate issue related to weather conditions.

Didn't expect to see Ryan Donais there, but the man himself was checking in on the housed, and I got to shake his hand. Keep it up Ryan!

TL;DR: I don't even know what I'm asking.

I got attacked on my way to my room. It was from a dude I used to talk to back when we were trying to find a homeless shelter together. I think he was on drugs and attacked me when he realized I wouldn't give him money.

He got me in the shoulder and lower abdomen but thankfully my prosthetic is perfectly fine and the cops literally saw the entire thing unfold so realistically I should be dead but I was able to receive help quickly.

I haven't started my new job yet so I currently don't have an income. $45 is impossible for me to pay right now. Thank you to the Toronto Police.

Unrelated but are we actually paying European level taxes for substandard service or is that a myth?

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25616911

A growing body of research suggests that road salt contributes to metal corrosion and can have a negative impact on ecosystems. Despite the introduction of some successful alternatives, many Canadian cities are still using salt because it's cheaper.

Ice eggs, or ice balls, are a rare natural phenomenon caused when small pieces of ice are rolled over by wind and currents in freezing conditions and grow into spheres of ice. This phenomenon is currently observable at Woodbine Beach. Spheres are mostly orange-sized, with some larger ones that are as big as basketballs. More info: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_eggs#%3A%7E%3Atext=Ice+eggs%2C+or+ice+balls%2Cpack+together+in+striking+patterns

Sign the Change.org petition:
https://chng.it/9NM7ndPJyj
https://tinytinyhomes.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/@tinytinyhomes

Email to Carrytel Customers: Dated Feb 11

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you of an upcoming adjustment to the pricing of our services at Carry Telecom. We have always been committed to providing you with high-quality internet, VOIP, and IPTV services at competitive prices. However, due to recent economic changes and our continual commitment to enhance service quality, we find it necessary to revise our pricing structure. The current monthly fee of your Cable Internet 1000(ON HotDeal) is $49.99. From Mar 17,2025, your new monthly service fee will be $64.99.

The decision to adjust our prices has not been made lightly and is influenced by several key factors: Inflation: The ongoing global economic situation has led to increased costs across various sectors, impacting our operational expenses. Labor Costs: To maintain our high standard of service and customer support, we have invested in our workforce. This includes fair and competitive compensation for our dedicated team, ensuring we attract and retain the best talent. Investment in Our Network: We are continually upgrading our network infrastructure to provide you with more stable and robust services. These enhancements are crucial for meeting the growing demands for high-speed and reliable connectivity.

We understand that any price increase can be of concern. Please rest assured that this decision is in alignment with our goal to offer you the highest quality of service. We are dedicated to continual investment in our technology and people, ensuring that you receive the best possible experience.

We thank you for your continued support and understanding. Carry Telecom remains committed to providing you with exceptional service and connectivity solutions.

Warm regards, Carry Telecom Inc.

A Toronto city councillor is calling for an immediate review of safety measures after a woman was critically injured by a construction vehicle working on the Ontario Line.

According to Toronto police, a 46-year-old woman was struck by a dump truck while crossing at the intersection of Mortimer and Pape Avenues on Feb. 6. She was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.