Two dead in fire at Ontario retirement home that lacked sprinklers
Deaths on Friday night underscore the need to implement coroner’s inquest’s recommendation to beef up fire safety at seniors’ homes, fire chief says
Calming winds aid Northern Ontario firefighting efforts
Some 800 have been forced to flee cottages, campgrounds and camps in rural areas surrounding the city of 43,000 since the fires began on Sunday
looking ahead
Meet The Globe and Mail’s new restaurant critic
He will fearlessly roam the four corners of the city, munching every step of the way, and he will do it for you
swan song
Joanne Kates signs off after 38 years as the Globe's restaurant critic
Joanne Kates’s first review in the Globe appeared in 1974. In her last, she reflects on how we became a ‘city-state of foodies’
Health care sits top of mind as Ontario wrestles its deficit
McGuinty’s high-profile bid to rein in medical costs has thrust health care onto public radar as No. 1 provincial concern
Marcus Gee
Remarkable Bay Street bird brigade saving tiny lives
Over two decades, FLAP has retrieved 55,000 birds from 164 species, 22 of them listed as threatened. It donates the dead birds to ROM ornithologists
Environment
Bag levy means greenprovement, but councillors still aim to kill fee
It would benefit the community to know where the plastic bag fee is going, says professor, as there’s no consistency among retailers
Hundreds march in Toronto Slutwalk to combat sexual violence
The march began in response to a Toronto police officer telling York students that if they don't want to be raped they shouldn't 'dress like sluts'
worship
With departure of rabbi, Holy Blossom faces its own exodus
John Moscowitz's ouster from the synagogue has raised the ire of some of its high-profile congregants
TTC seeks to increase service this fall as ridership climbs
Report projects a $9-million fare surplus, so transit authority will seek approval to hire more drivers and mechanics
satire
How two property moguls overcame their differences and landed their dream tower
When your non-negotiables include super-fast elevators and auto-flush toilets, the skyscraper is the limit
The Insider
Wouldn’t It Be Nice to attend this Beach Boys’ Party?
Toronto writer Mark Dillon launches book that takes an in-depth look at 50 of the California band’s songs on their golden anniversary
The Hot Ticket
Cavalia’s got equestrians. We’ve got answers
Horse-happy spectacle at Lake Shore East and Parliament
Ontario gives OK to gay-straight alliances
Education minister says anti-bullying clubs can call themselves GSAs if that’s what they want
Canadians split over Mulcair’s energy views, new poll suggests
The survey suggests slightly more Canadians disagree than agree with Tom Mulcair’s assertion that oil exports hurt the economy in other parts of the country
Ottawa pledges more than $140-million to establish national park in Rouge Valley
The federal government will spend more than $140-million over a decade to establish Rouge National Urban Park, located in the Greater Toronto Area
Raging wildfire leaves Timmins, Ont. in state of emergency
The city of 43,000 is under a state of emergency and officials are on high alert
Cautious Liberals likely to keep LHINs on life support
Health-care regionalization scheme may prove too controversial to make it through Ontario’s minority Legislature
Transit
A tiny perfect streetcar line is being laid along Cherry Street
Small stretch of track will provide transit to new West Don Lands neighbourhood and the Distillery District
Budgets
Provinces looking to alcohol sales to help budget shortfalls
Despite weak economy Canadians are drinking more, and opting for premium booze when they do
Kirkland Lake on high alert as forest fires threaten Northern Ontario
A forest fire that has been threatening the community of Kirkland Lake in northeastern Ontario appears to be almost out but dangerous hot spots continue to keep the town on high alert.
Ontario’s Court of Appeal bars mental health judges from forcing hospitals to take offenders
Judges had been rebelling against allowing mentally ill accused to end up in jails when hospitals were full
Taxi driver charged in skateboarder’s death released on $200,000 bail
Adib Ibrahimu cannot leave home unaccompanied and had to surrender his passport and driving privileges
Teens inspired by Jack Layton win national essay contest
‘When he published the farewell letter to Canadians, that’s when I fell absolutely in love with him,’ says Mary Faheim of Mississauga who took home the grand prize in A&E contest, although several others also wrote about the NDP leader
Perilous task ahead for sherpas trying to recover climber’s body
For sherpas trying to recover Shriya Shah-Klorfine’s body from Mount Everest, it will be a long, hard job, descending the mountain with her remains tied to a sled, in a controlled slide down steep, icy and snow-covered slopes.
Hélène Campbell vows to keep up advocacy after double lung transplant
Activist grateful to donor family for ‘miracle’ transplant
Inspection blitz of Gardiner Expressway under way
City putting more staff to work checking underside of structure after three incidents of falling concrete; crews will target pedestrian walkways first
Ornge suffering $14.5-million deficit this year, Tories claim
The Progressive Conservatives say new documents show Ontario’s troubled air ambulance service is running a $14.5-million deficit.
Toronto Port Lands revitalization report put off until fall
Deputy city manager dismisses any suggestion the possibility of a casino development was a factor in the delay
Ontario cardiologists warn of mass exit unless fee cuts halted
Health Minister open to talking with heart specialists about at least one of the government’s proposed 37 fee schedule changes
Catholic school board defers naming Ontario’s first ombudsman
TCDSB trustee says move could help repair board’s previous poor image in public accountability
31 Toronto police officers face G20 disciplinary hearings
Some officers are facing more than one hearing
Marcus Gee
Councillor on thin ice over proposed road hockey rules
Could Josh Matlow’s push to remove a ban that’s never enforced have anything to do with political optics?
Elections Canada gambit in robo-calls probe fails
Elections Canada investigators tried, but failed, in a bid to use allegations levelled by Conservative insiders as a means of coaxing more evidence from a former Tory staffer thrust in the spotlight over the Guelph robo-calls scandal.
OUTSOURCING
Liberal budget offloads services in Ontario to private sector
The Ontario government plans to outsource major services to the private sector, including the delivery of birth certificates and driver’s licences
GLOBE EDITORIAL
The Supreme Court is right to hear life-support case
In agreeing to hear the case of a patient on life support, the Supreme Court of Canada can provide much-needed guidance on end-of-life treatment
Man faces second sex charge for not disclosing he’s HIV-positive, police say
Dwane Robert Koltchigin charged with aggravated sexual assault; police fear there are more victims
Ontario First Nations group searches for answers in teen deaths
An Ontario First Nations group has asked the province’s chief coroner for a joint inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal teens who left their reserves to get an education.
Family of boy killed by TTC bus blames understaffing, poor police planning
Family of Alex Gillespie, who was hit by a TTC bus on August 20, 2010, is suing the TTC and Toronto police for $2-million
Newlywed Liberals, NDP bicker over stalled Ontario budget bill
There appears to be a misunderstanding between the parties over the exact nature of their verbal accord that helped the province dodge a snap election
Canadians killed in Atlantic City stabbing identified as mother and daughter
Ontario residents Po Lin Wan, 80, and Alice Mei See Leung, 47, were stabbed repeatedly in Atlantic City in what appears to be a random attack
Protest unlikely to save unique Schoolhouse shelter
‘Wet’ facility housed in dilapidated 1886 school building is one of a few in the city that allow alcohol consumption on site
Family sues TTC, police in 2010 death of teen
Son was hit by a bus leaving a party on Woodbine Beach
Royal Visit
Torontonians pack in for close encounter with royal couple
Visit is in marked contrast to 2009, when lukewarm reception greeted Charles, Camilla
Lillian McGregor helped natives survive in the city
Aboriginal activist served as University of Toronto’s elder-in-residence
HEALTH CARE FUNDING
Ontario refuses to pay for blind boy's treatment in U.S.
Health review board said equivalent procedure to save two-year-old’s eyes is available in Ontario, but family argues the specialized doctor is not
More concrete falls from Gardiner Expressway
Third time this month the debris has crashed to ground, no one injured
Carroll accuses mayor of not showing up at the office
‘He doesn’t meet with people that want to kill him politically,’ Doug Ford says
'Save me,' Canadian climber told sherpas after being urged to turn back
Personal goals, delays, fatigue, altitude and high winds factor into Toronto woman’s death on world’s highest mountain
Pride grant in limbo as Queers Against Israeli Apartheid plan to march
City council members have discussed withholding Toronto Pride Week’s funding if Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is allowed to march in this year’s parade.
Woman charged with killing Canadian tourists laughed during hearing
Accused woman’s family say she has long suffered from schizophrenia and had been homeless since January
Mayor Ford cancels another weigh-in
Feel-good contest marred by event cancellations, weight gain
Enthusiastic crowds greet royal couple in Toronto
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla attended the Diamond Jubilee Medal ceremony at the Ontario legislature before heading to the Moss Park Armoury and Ryerson University
Prince Charles, Camilla draw a crowd at Toronto park
The royal couple watched a Victoria Day fireworks show in the city’s east end
Neighbours ‘going to war’ over plans for University of Toronto residence
Confidentiality agreement school inked with private developer has put wedge of silence between U of T and community
Soccer extravaganza in limbo as lease holder tussles with council
Owner of Boardwalk Pub believes city’s rejection of event stems from their acrimonious relationship
Man survives 50-metre plunge over Niagara Falls
Witnesses tell police they saw the man, believed to be in his 40s, climbing over a railing at 10:20 a.m. “and deliberately jump.”
Hundreds told to evacuate homes, cottages as forest fire rages in northeastern Ontario
Natural Resources officials say the fire broke out Sunday morning and by Monday had consumed more than 20 square kilometres of forest
Three years later, a Duchess wows the Canadian crowd
Three years after her first royal visit to Canada failed to stir up much excitement, Camilla proves to be a crowd-pleaser this time around
McGuinty’s penchant for consultation raises questions
Premier’s predilection for calling in the experts has turned into a borderline fetish
300-unit YWCA residence opening for low-income women
$80-million building, largest of its kind in a decade, allows low-income and aboriginal women, as well as those suffering from mental health issues to feel like they’re part of a community
Natural history
Bringing national parks to the people
Attendance is down at national parks across the country. And budget cuts threaten to roll back years of ecological development. But the government has a plan: If people are not going to the parks, bring the parks to the people
Man accused of swallowing stolen diamond passes real gem in Windsor, Ont.
Richard Matthews is alleged to have switched a diamond at Precision Jewellers and swallowed the real one
Councillor wants Expo 2025 in Toronto
Kristyn Wong-Tam wants council to vote in June to study the feasibility of making a bid
Miss Universe
No crown for transgendered Miss Universe Canada contestant
The first-ever transgendered contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant strutted the runway Saturday night, making it to the penultimate round before losing her bid to win the title.
satire
Putting the Victorian back in the Victoria Day weekend
Attention citizens of Old York! Seeing as you live in the most righteously WASPish city in the only country in the world to celebrate the birth of Queen Victoria – shouldn’t the Victoria Day weekend be commemorated with a little more, well, Victorian behaviour? Here’s how:
traffic
A better long weekend, starting behind the wheel
Don’t hate the smug people who have attained a stress-free cottage commute – become one
At last the whistle's been blown on the G20 carnival of police excess
This week’s scathing report by Ontario’s independent police watchdog concluded that the police used excessive force during the G20 protests, that the mass arrests were unlawful and that there were numerous breaches of constitutional rights. And, indeed, the G20 was a weekend of excess in every way
Italian senator accused of embezzlement built palatial Toronto villa
Luigi Lusi and his Canadian-born wife sent cash to Ontario company administered be her brother to pay for Toronto mansion
Green Spaces
Mike Holmes to rebuild High Park playground’s wooden castle
Reconstruction of structure set ablaze two months ago will be filmed as part of TV series
MARCUS GEE
Lawn chemicals ban means Toronto’s public spaces are going to seed
The grass in city parks is losing the battle as weeds move in
Globe Editorial
Plastic-bag levy raises awareness
More retailers should direct the revenues to good causes
centennial
Meet the man who shaped 20th-century Toronto
A bold, forward-thinking public-works official, he was responsible for some of our most iconic structures
film; cinema; movies; toronto
360 Screenings are so much bigger than surround sound
Unique locations and costumed actors contribute to a completely immersive cinematic experience new to Toronto
art
Illustrator finds beauty in Toronto’s back alleys
Michael Cho’s sketches of sun-dappled or snow-dusted corners of the city reveal memorable images in forgotten places
Residents receive automated calls after judge throws out election results
Parties are already preparing for a possible federal by-election in an Ontario riding after a defeated Liberal MP successfully challenged Elections Canada’s handling of local balloting during last year’s federal vote.
Toronto police chief vows to pursue charges against G20 officers
Blair also commits to incorporate lessons learned at G20 into procedures, training and future responses
Our Time to Lead
A Canada of 100 million: Better served, better defended
We need to recognize the fact that Canada does not have enough people, given our dispersed geography, to form the cultural, educational and political institutions necessary to have a leading role in the world
Globe Editorial
Toronto police must learn from G20 mistakes
Chief Bill Blair's response is strangely grudging
G20
Dozens of police officers facing charges for G20 actions
Review office says it has recommended disciplinary tribunals a day after report reveals who ordered use of controversial tactics
TTC bus driver charged with careless driving
Police say the bus driver braked suddenly and people fell to the floor; nine people sent to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries
Father, stepmom face upgraded 1st-degree murder charges in Brampton boy’s death
Ten-year-old Shakeil Boothe was found without vital signs at a Brampton home last year and was declared dead a short time later
Lawyers for terror suspects slam federal move to skip preliminary hearings
Federal prosecutors unexpectedly decided that Misbahuddin Ahmed, Hiva Mohammad Alizadeh and Khurram Syed Sher will go directly to trial in Ontario Superior Court
Ford cheered for surprise appearance at anti-homophobia event
Mayor makes first public demonstration of support for Toronto’s gay community
The site of GTA casino down to four possibilities
OLG eying downtown Toronto, Mississauga, Markham or Richmond Hill for new gambling facility that would bring a new source of revenue for province
Diamond in the rough: Windsor police wait for suspected thief to pass swallowed jewel
It’s been nearly a week since Richard Mackenzie Matthews is alleged to have switched a diamond and swallowed the real one
Bruce Anderson
Mulcair’s oil-sands musing risks halting NDP momentum
Decrying Alberta’s resource as what’s wrong with Canada’s economy is not a winning strategy
Mean streets: Motorists boil over ‘in the age of rage’
Why do some drivers lose their cool when they’re behind the wheel?
Ontario electronics recycler chose price over performance, critics say
Organization in charge of electronics recycling put cost-cutting in favour of performance
Ornge key legal adviser introduced Mazza to McGuinty
Prominent Liberal Party member advised disgraced Ornge exec on how to deal with Premier, Smitherman
Traffic Safety
Skateboarders becoming a force to reckon with on streets
Toronto fatality points up potential risks as long boards join urban commuter traffic
Friends hold vigil for slain skateboarder
Ralph Bissonnette described a generous, gentle person
Independent Police Report
Report critical of G20 tactics, Chief Blair defensive
Toronto’s top cop admitted ‘things could have been done differently and therefore better’
Predators
Invasive snakehead fish found in B.C. park lagoon
Voracious predator could be big threat to native aquatic populations
Breaking barriers
Canada’s only registered male midwife knew his calling all along
Canada’s only registered male midwife was present for the birth of his baby brother, helped cut the cord, and found his vocation, at four years old
