Mayor Tory invites Toronto residents to his January 1 skating party

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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Media Advisory:  December 29, 2014       

Mayor Tory invites Toronto residents to his January 1 skating party

Toronto Mayor John Tory and City councillors are inviting residents to join them at the Mayor's New Year's Day Skating Party on Thursday, January 1. The family-friendly event at Nathan Phillips Square will give residents an opportunity to mix and mingle with Mayor Tory and other members of City Council on the first day of 2015.

Date: Thursday, January 1, 2015

Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m. – Mayor's welcoming remarks at about 2 p.m.

Location: Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W.

In anticipation of a large public turnout, a space will be reserved for media to the east of the event stage for the Mayor's welcome message. Due to safety considerations, cabling will only be permitted in the area reserved for media.

Media availability: There will be a media availability with Mayor Tory to the east of the event stage immediately after his public remarks.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contacts:

Paula Chung, Strategic Communications, 416-392-1649, pchung2@toronto.ca 

Amanda Galbraith, Office of the Mayor, 416-338-3206, Amanda.Galbraith@toronto.ca

Zero-tolerance enforcement policy for stopped or parked vehicles in rush hour routes starts January 5, 2015

World Record Participants Wanted Sunday December 21st!

                     

MEDIA ADVISORY

CAROLLERS WANTED
TO HELP CHALLENGE WORLD RECORD

Mill Street World Carolling Challenge takes over

The Toronto Christmas Market on December 21

with more than 15,000 carollers expected

Mill Street Brewery and the Toronto Christmas Market are embarking on a bold and very vocal campaign – to challenge a world record for most carollers singing in one place. Whether they will sing from the same song sheet is a different story! The public is invited to warm up those vocal cords and come out to the Distillery Historic District on Sunday, December 21 at 5 p.m. to support this challenge – with a great cause.

Please bring a toy to the Toy Drive Trek to 51 Division!

Organizers will give each caroller a candle holder with a reusable LED candle light.The Candy Cane Carollers will lead the singing with renditions of traditional holiday songs.

WHAT:    Mill Street Brewery World Carolling Challenge 

WHEN:    Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 5 p.m.       

WHERE:  Toronto Christmas Market @ Distillery Historic District

                  55 Mill Street

                  Toronto, ON M5A 3C4 

             www.thedistillerydistrict.com

Mill St. Brewery's Toy Drive with 51 Division

You Know You Shouldn't So Don't - Crossing Against a Red Light

You Know You Shouldn't, So Don't - Blocking an Intersection

You Know You Shouldn't, So Don't - Parking in a Rush Hour Route

You Know You Shouldn't, So Don't - Prohibited Turn

Toronto Police Service launches gridlock-reduction campaign

Toronto Police Service News Release

Toronto Police Service launches gridlock-reduction campaign, Update, New Public Service Announcement released

Wednesday, December 17, 2014 - 11:36 AM
Corporate Communications:  416-808-7100

On Monday, December 8, 2014, Chief William Blair launched the Service’s gridlock-reduction campaign "You know you shouldn't...so don't."

City of Toronto to host New Year's Eve celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release:  December 15, 2014      

City of Toronto to host New Year's Eve celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square

The City of Toronto is proud to host and produce this year's free New Year's Eve celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W.

"I am excited to join Torontonians of all ages as we usher in the new year in Nathan Phillips Square," said Mayor John Tory. "This long-standing tradition has become customary, and the City of Toronto is thrilled to provide a memorable experience for citizens and visitors. I look forward to counting down the seconds with you as we welcome in 2015!"

Mayor Tory will be present to count down the New Year, which will include a midnight fireworks display from Circus Orange choreographed to music. The evening will also feature street performers from Dispatch Talent, DJ Mel Boogie and music by Zeus and Tebey.

Toronto artists Amanda Martinez and Nicole Brooks will be the on-stage hosts for the festivities. Entertainment starts at 8 p.m. and the skating rink will be open until 10 p.m. The main celebration will start at 10 p.m. on the Nathan Phillips Square stage.

Five food trucks – Beaver Tails, Ultimate Food Truck, Wheeling Gourmet, Pappas Greek and La Loteria – will be on-site throughout the evening.

More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/newyearseve or by calling 311.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/16oFf8G

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Shane Gerard, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA needs your input

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP FOR OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?

 

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA is in the process of creating a master plan that will help guide future initiatives in the public realm, from improving the lighting on certain streets to creatively enhancing and animating spaces for a range of uses.  We have been hearing from our members, but we also want to hear from you -- the residents -- about what you think the priorities should be and where they should be focused.

 

 

Follow the link below to a short survey relating to the public realm in the neighbourhood. St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA Local Resident Survey

 

The deadline for the survey is next Wednesday, December 17th.  Please feel free to get in touch with me by phone or email if you have any questions or comments.

 

Regards, Dave Mair Urban Planner, Special Projects St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA Email: davidmair@stlawrencemarketbia.ca Phone: (416) 830 9645

Give an animal a second chance during Toronto Animal Services' 12 Strays of Christmas adoption campaign

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  December 12, 2014

Give an animal a second chance during Toronto Animal Services' 12 Strays of Christmas adoption campaign

The City of Toronto's 12 Strays of Christmas animal adoption event begins today and runs until December 23. The annual event features cats, dogs and rabbits available for adoption at Toronto's three shelters, as well as at adoption partner locations.

The 12 animals featured in this year's Christmas adoption campaign are all hard to re-home for a variety of reasons, including age, type of animal or medical condition.

All cat adoptions are just $25 – a saving of almost $50 – plus tax and a licence. The licence fee is $15, or $7.50 for seniors.

For the first time, this campaign will waive fees for rabbits. People often purchase rabbits as pets without realizing that they need socialization, stimulation and exercise. Like cats and dogs, all rabbits adopted from city shelters are spayed or neutered. This makes them calmer and much better pets.

Rabbits can be litter-trained, as well as trained to do agility exercises. They also love to jump. Rabbits live for approximately 10 years, therefore are a long-term commitment.

All animals up for adoption are vaccinated, micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, vet checked and de-wormed. Each of the 12 strays will receive a gift, donated by Toronto residents, from under the animal shelter's Christmas tree to take to its new home.

For residents unable to adopt a pet but wanting to contribute to Toronto Animal Services, donations can be made at http://www.toronto.ca/animalservices or in person at any of the shelters.

Donations made to Toronto Animal Services directly benefit the animals through programs such as spay/neuter, extended veterinary care, shelter enhancements or pet adoption, socialization and enrichment programs.

Torontonians can also drop off a holiday gift for the animals, which are always in need of blankets and towels (new or used), cat treats, dog cookies, canned cat and dog food, leashes, collars and halti-leads, toys and hot water bottles.

Pets are available for adoption at the following locations:

Toronto Animal Services shelters

• West Region - 146 The East Mall (Highway 427 and Dundas Street West) 

• East Region - 821 Progress Ave. (Highway 401 and Markham Road) 

• South Region – 15 Nova Scotia Avenue, (Exhibition Place, Horse Palace) Shelters are open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Adoption partners

Toronto Animal Services partners with a number of retailers in Toronto to adopt out pets.

A list of all adoption partners and locations is available at http://www.toronto.ca/animalservices. On that web page, select Adopt a Pet.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1so2Haz

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Tammy Robbinson, Strategic Communications, 416-338-3761, trobbin@toronto.ca

City of Toronto reminds residents about its level of snow clearing service

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release:  December 10, 2014  

City of Toronto reminds residents about its level of snow clearing service

With snowfall expected over the next 24 hours, the City of Toronto is reminding residents and businesses about the levels of snow clearing the City provides.

Larger snowfalls require a coordinated approach by the City’s staff and contractors to ensure that city streets and sidewalks are safe.

As soon as the snow begins, Transportation Services sends out its fleet of salt trucks to the expressways and the main roads. After this, the salt trucks will then move on to the local roads. If the City receives two centimetres of snow, the plows are sent to the expressways and if five centimetres falls, plows go to the main roads and plowing will take place for the duration of the storm.

When the snow stops and if the snow accumulation reaches eight centimetres, plows will be sent to the local roads. Residents are asked not to call 311 during a storm to ask when their street will be plowed. The City clear the local roads between 14 to 16 hours after the snow stops falling.

The City will clear snow from sidewalks on local roads where it is mechanically possible to do so after eight centimetres (five centimetres in January and February) of snow has fallen. In the central core of the city, property owners are required to clear their sidewalks of snow 12 hours after a storm has taken place. More information about sidewalk snow clearing and to view a map of where the service takes place, go tohttp://www.toronto.ca/transportation/snow/sidewalks.  

The City of Toronto’s levels of service for snow clearing meets those set by the Province of Ontario for municipalities and road authorities. These levels of service were adopted by Toronto City Council in 2009.

The City has 600 snow plows, 300 sidewalk plows and 200 salt trucks ready to tackle the winter season.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visithttp://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, sjohnsto@toronto.ca 

Public meetings on review of Toronto's ward boundaries

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  December 9, 2014                           

Public meetings on review of Toronto's ward boundaries

Residents of the Etobicoke-York area are invited to provide their input as part of a review of the size and shape of Toronto's electoral wards. The Toronto Ward Boundary Review is intended to ensure that each person in Toronto has equitable representation at City Council.  

Toronto’s significant growth has resulted in wards with populations above or below the average of 60,958, with some wards 30 to 50 per cent above the average. The goal of the review is to ensure that the number of electors in every ward is similar to the number in other wards throughout the city.

The Toronto Ward Boundary Review's next series of public meetings will take place in the Etobicoke York Community Council area starting this week. The meetings will be held on Wednesday, December 10, Saturday, December 13 and Monday, December 15. Wednesday's meeting will be held at Richview Baptist Church, 1548 Kipling Ave., Saturday's meeting at Ourland Community Centre, 18 Ourland Ave., and Monday's meeting at Thistletown Community Centre, 925 Albion Rd.

These three meetings are part of a two-stage public consultation process. Additional information, including meeting times, locations and the full calendar of the review's public consultation meetings, is available at http://www.drawthelines.ca.

The review will take into consideration:

• the number of people living in each ward 

• geographic communities of interest and neighbourhoods 

• major physical and natural boundaries, and 

• population trends.

The City of Toronto has oversight of the Toronto Ward Boundary Review. The study is being conducted by an independent team of consultants that is responsible for making sure the process is not influenced by political interests.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1s8WqoB

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Beate Bowron, Toronto Ward Boundary Review, 416-365-0816, ext. 224, info@drawthelines.ca     

Meeting Details - Toronto & East York Community Council Area

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 | S. Walter Stewart Library      

Time: 6PM - 9PM
Address: 170 Memorial Park Ave., East York, ON  Room: John S. Ridout Auditorium
Major Intersection: Coxwell Ave. and Cosburn Ave.
TTC/Parking Information: Take the O'Connor bus northbound from Coxwell subway station.  Free parking lot adjacent to library.

Thursday, January 8, 2015 | Parkdale Library

Time: 6PM - 9PM
Address: 1303 Queen St W., Toronto, ON   Room: Auditorium
Major Intersection: Queen St. & Dufferin Ave.
TTC Information/Parking: TTC Dufferin bus #29 southbound from Dufferin subway station to Queen Street, walk 5 minutes west to the library. TTC streetcar #501 along Queen Street West.  Paid parking lot 1 block west on Queen Street.

Saturday, January 10, 2015 | Trinity St. Paul's Church

Time: 9AM - 12PM
Address: 427 Bloor Street W., Toronto, ON   Room: Gym
Major Intersection: Bloor & Spadina
TTC/Parking Information: Located one block west of the Spadina subway station. There are limited residential parking spots on the streets surrounding Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre. There are pay parking lots close by. 

Homicide #54/2014, 200 Wellesley Street East, Wasfi Ghalban, 47

Broadcast time: 10:53
Saturday, December 6, 2014
51 Division:  416-808-7400

On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at approximately 11:45 p.m., police received a call for Unknown Trouble at 200 Wellesley Street East. 

Officers arrived and entered an apartment. They found a man with significant signs of trauma. Paramedics were called but the man was pronounced on the scene. 

The deceased man is now identified as Wasfi Ghalban, 47, the resident of the apartment. 

Police request the public's assistance with this investigation. Anyone who may have seen or spoken to the deceased, between Monday, December 1, 2014 and Wednesday, December 3, 2014, is urged to call Detective Sergeant Mike Carbone at 416-808-7400. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World. 

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Mike Carbone, Homicide

Wasfi Ghalban, 47, victim in Homicide

Sexual Assault Alert, Public assistance sought identifying man

Broadcast time: 08:10
Friday, December 5, 2014
51 Division:  416-808-7474

The Toronto Police Service is alerting the public to a Sexual Assault investigation and requesting the public's assistance identifying the suspect.

It is reported that:

- on Monday, December 2, 2014, at approximately 12:45 a.m., a 30-year-old woman was walking in the Queen Street East/Sherbourne Street area

- she was sexually assaulted by a man in an alleyway

The man is described as having a dark complexion, 20-30, with a thin build and wide nose. He was wearing a red hoodie, loose-fitting pants, and an earring in his right ear.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7474, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.


A sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact. It includes, but is not limited to, kissing, grabbing, oral sex and penetration. To learn more about sexual assault, including how to report a sexual assault, please visit our Sex Crimes website.


For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

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Constable Victor Kwong, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Amanda Chilvers, Sex Crimes

Yuletide spirit flourishes at Toronto's Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Christmas flower shows

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  December 4, 2014

Yuletide spirit flourishes at Toronto's Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Christmas flower shows

The annual Christmas flower shows at Allan Gardens and Centennial Park Conservatories are a long-standing tradition, marking the start of the holiday season for many Torontonians and visitors. Both shows open Sunday, December 7 and run until January 11.

The shows will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on the grand opening event and candlelight dates outlined below. 

The shows feature many new varieties of poinsettias, with about 40 different types on display.

Allan Gardens Conservatory's grand opening event will take place on Sunday, December 7 from noon to 7 p.m., and includes Victorian carollers, cookies and hot apple cider, children's activities and horse-and-carriage rides. Allan Gardens Conservatory is located at 19 Horticultural Ave. More information is available by calling 416-392-7288.

Centennial Park Conservatory's opening event will take place one week after the show opens on Sunday, December 14 from noon to 7 p.m., and includes Victorian carollers, hot apple cider, horse-and-carriage rides and chestnuts roasting over an open fire. A family carol sing will take place at 4 p.m. Centennial Park Conservatory is located at 151 Elmcrest Rd. More information is available by calling 416-394-8543.

The two conservatories will extend hours until 7 p.m. to enable visitors to enjoy the floral displays by the warm, festive glow of candlelight on the following dates:

Allan Gardens - December 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 Centennial Park - December 20, 21, 27 and 28

Admission to the conservatories is free. Donations to the food bank are welcome.

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

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1w3MTRb

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, pfrmedialine@toronto.ca

Cavalcade of Lights - St. Lawrence Market - Saturday December 6, 2014

Ian Campbell, 63, charged in Voyeurism investigation, Update

Ian Campbell, 63, charged in Voyeurism investigation, 

Update, 

14 new victims identified, 

38 new charges laid

Broadcast time: 09:56
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
51 Division:  416-808-5100

The Toronto Police Service would like to update the public about new charges laid in a Voyeurism investigation

On Thursday, July 10, 2014, police became involved in a Voyeurism investigation at 133 Wilton Street.

It is alleged that:

- within the last week, two people had been invited to stay at the home of a friend while he was out of town

- during their visit, they noticed a number of hidden cameras placed around the apartment

- they became concerned and called police

It is further alleged that:

- photographs and videos were taken of people who stayed in the apartment

- photographs and videos were taken in the washroom and other rooms

On Thursday, July 10, 2014, officers executed a warrant in the George Street and The Esplanade area. Ian Campbell, 62, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with:

1) four counts of Voyeurism

He appeared in court at College Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, 10 a.m., room 501.

Police have now identified 14 new victims in this ongoing investigation. On Monday, December 1, 2014, Ian Campbell, 63, surrendered to detectives at 51 Division. 

He has been further charged with: 

1) 17 counts of Voyeurism - Reasonable Expectation of Privacy 
2) 12 counts of Voyeurism - Sexually Explicit Activity 
3) two counts of Voyeurism - for a Sexual Purpose 
4) five counts of Make Child Pornography 
5) two counts of Unlawfully Possess Child Pornography 

Police believe there may be more victims. Anyone who has visited the home of Ian Campbell is encouraged to contact 51 Division Youth and Family Services. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World. 

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

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Constable David Hopkinson, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Aleksandra Zlobicki, 51 Division Youth and Family Services

Ian Campbell, 63, faces 38 new charges in Voyeurism investigation