scarborough- guildwood report

SCARBOROUGHGUILDWOOD REPORT
Spring 2010
Hon. John McKay, P.C., M.P.
EAST SCARBOROUGH STOREFRONT - A PLACE TO LEARN NEW
SKILLS, BUILD NEW CONFIDENCE, FIND NEW FRIENDS
It used to be a police sub-station, and
then it stood vacant for some time. The
small building on Lawrence Avenue near
the old water tower was not a very
attractive place, and people passing by
didn’t seem to be interested in what
might be going on inside.
But a lot was happening behind those
closed doors. Several community groups
had been looking for a place to call
home, and here was a possibility right on
their doorstep. Empty and neglected, but
sturdy, it soon became a hub of activity
for staff and volunteers in areas already
under way and others newly created.
I have watched The Storefront and its
Director, Anne Gloger, with admiration,
as she reaches out to the community,
young and old, organizations, groups and
individuals, bringing them to levels of
competence and co-operation they had
never experienced before.
The photos on this page give you just a
glimpse of what can be waiting for you at
The Storefront. Drop in to see for
yourself! It’s at 4040 Lawrence Avenue
East - you’ll be very welcome.
(above) A busy group at the Afghan Association’s Chat and Learn program. This
local initiative is intended for Afghan women who are away from their families and
friends in Toronto. They get together once a week to discover nutritious cooking and
to hear from qualified speakers about such areas as housing, health, education and
parenting. In The Storefront’s friendly and informal setting the women build selfesteem, overcome isolation and enjoy networking opportunities.
For information on this program call Hakima Yusufi at (416) 744-9289 ext 230.
(left) An example of
work done by young
people in a program
called Our City, Our
Stories. With digital
cameras donated by
Canon, they attended
weekly sessions and
learned from a
professional
photographer how to
use the camera, how to
tell a powerful story
using images and how to
take compelling
photographs.
(left) They called it Seedy
Saturday, a day at the Storefront
when garden enthusiasts could
buy or trade heirloom seeds to
grow vegetables, herbs and
flowers and also attend
gardening workshops, under
the auspices of Live Green
Toronto, the Toronto Garden
Community Network, Seeds of
Diversity Canada and
FoodShare. I am shown here
with George Moore, who joined
friends and neighbours on a
very warm spring like day to
anticipate planting time.
(above) Anne Gloger and I with a
mock-up of the proposed design for
the new Storefront building. This was
part of a day-long workshop a group
of young people from our community
will never forget. They had the
chance to work with some of the best
architects and designers in Toronto,
and then create designs for the new
Storefront themselves. A new world
opened to them; some had never
even been downtown before, and
most had never met an architect.
“The results were thoughtful,
stunning and inspiring,” said
architect Zahra Ibrahim.
HON. JOHN MCKAY, P.C., M.P. SCARBOROUGH-GUILDWOOD PAGE 1
GUILDWOOD COMMUNITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
This year marks the 50th
anniversary of the congregation
of Guildwood Community
Presbyterian Church, marked by
a year-long celebration with the
theme “Looking Back with
Thanks…Looking Forward with
Faith”.
Special events commemorating
the past, present, and future of
the congregation are being held
throughout the year, including a
bridal show of gowns that
“walked” down the church’s
aisle, a Christmas candlelight
stroll on the church grounds, and
an anniversary worship service
and luncheon on April 25th.
FORMER MINISTERS RETURN
Two of the congregation’s former
Ministers, the Rev. Gordon Fish, This photo shows the unveiling of the
and the Rev. Dr. Wallace Whyte, congregation's 50th anniversary banner on
were greeted with much warmth January 17.
as they returned to lead Sunday
in June, Lori Gemmell on the harp in
services and renew acquaintances.
October, and the Bach’s Children’s
Several more Ministers associated with
Chorus in November.
the church’s 50 year history are
FROM MISSION TO SELF-SUPPORTING
scheduled to speak throughout the year.
Originally
a mission church supported
Music has always played a large part in
by The Presbyterian Church in Canada,
the congregation’s life. A choir reunion
weekend on April 24/25 and a bell choir it became self-supporting in 1976. Its
reunion weekend on May 15/16 are part charter membership was 34, but the
congregation has grown so that today
of the plans. An anniversary concert
there are over 300 worshippers. One of
series features several accomplished
the church’s charter members still
artists and locally renowned musicians.
attends.
Performing will be the Victoria Scholars
(l to r) The Rev. Gordon Fish, the Minister
between 1969 and 1974, who led the
service on January 17, 2010., and The
Rev. Hugh Donnelly, the current
Minister.
CONCERN FOR OTHERS
Events during this year-long celebration
will support “Enough For All”, a mission
project undertaken in co-operation with
the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the
aim of which is to raise funds for wells in
three villages in Malawi.
All are invited to take part in the
celebrations. For more information and
a complete listing of upcoming events at
Guildwood Community Presbyterian
Church, please visit
www.guildwoodchurch.ca or contact the
church office at 416-261-4037. The
church is located at 140 Guildwood
Parkway, Scarborough. For ticket
information, please e mail
[email protected] or phone
Sue Harris at 905-839-8949.
LIBERAL LEADER RESPONDS TO PRIME MINISTER’S INVITATION
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff recently wrote a
letter in response to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s
invitation to outline Liberal priorities for the new
session of Parliament.
In his letter, Mr. Ignatieff directly expressed the
dismay of Canadians that Parliament was not
currently sitting, and encouraged the Prime Minister
to create a special committee to review the Liberal
party’s recommended prorogation reforms.
 Adopt a made-in-Canada climate change
plan, including a binding and verifiable cap-andtrade system with hard caps, absolute reductions,
and fairness to all industries and regions;
 Reform pensions to help Canadians save more
and protect Canadians whose pension income is
threatened by employer bankruptcy;
 Strengthen oversight of our independent
watchdog agencies;
 Reaffirm the principle of equal pay for work
PRIME MINISTER AVOIDS ACCOUNTABILITY
of equal value as a non-negotiable right;
 Call an investigation into the national shame
“Mr. Harper sacrificed his entire legislative agenda
of missing and murdered Aboriginal women;
simply to avoid the kind of accountability and
 Increase supports for Canadian veterans
Hon. Michael Ignatieff,
transparency he once promised to deliver,” said Mr.
suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder;
Leader of Her Majesty’s
Ignatieff. “That’s why our party has come forward
 Develop a National Neurological Strategy to
Loyal Opposition
with a proposal to place reasonable and responsible
address Alzheimer’s and dementia;
limits on the Prime Minister’s ability to request a prorogation,
 Reaffirm Canada’s traditional support for a
and limits on the overall impact of prorogation."
woman’s right to access contraception and reproductive
The Liberal Leader also put forward a number of policy
health services as part of the maternal health initiative;
proposals arising from the recent “Liberals are Working” policy
 Protect victims of white collar crime with measures like
roundtables, in addition to those announced over the past
mandatory restitution and tax relief;
several months.
 Pursue proven crime-prevention solutions that reduce
“Over the past month, Liberals have hosted 24 public hearings
crime, prevent victimization and enhance community safety.
that have produced a wealth of substantial policy proposals
from Canadians of all political stripes,” said Mr. Ignatieff.
AFGHAN DETAINEES - THE SCANDAL
“We’re putting forward a number of these proposals to provide
THAT WON’T GO AWAY
the basis for a productive session of Parliament – assuming that
Mr. Harper is interested in making our minority Parliament
work.”
The Liberal leader also addressed the issue of providing the
public with transparency over the government’s role in the
TWELVE REASONABLE POLICY PROPOSALS
transfer of Afghan detainees. This would involve reconstituting
and ending Conservative boycotts of Parliament’s Afghanistan
Mr. Ignatieff encouraged the Prime Minister to implement the
committee, and respecting the will of Parliament by handing
following initiatives:
over unredacted documents in a manner that protects
 Job creation proposals to support manufacturers and
legitimate claims of national security.
young Canadians, and to encourage investment in start-up
companies;
“This Parliament has important work to do and can still
 Increase investments in clean energy and energy
achieve results for Canadians,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff.
efficiency;
PAGE 2 HON. JOHN MCKAY, P.C., M.P. SCARBOROUGH-GUILDWOOD
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED FOR
WEST HILL COMMUNITY SERVICES
(l to r) Atput Atputhanathan, Lisa Cheskes, John McCallum,
John McKay, Simon Ng and Ariff Nakuda at the February
John McKay Breakfast.
BREAKFAST AND INFORMATION AN INTERESTING COMBINATION
On Saturday morning February 13 about 50 people came out to
the Centennial College Residence and Conference Centre to
enjoy a very fine breakfast of perogies, pancakes, eggs, fruit
and other good selections. This was one of a series of regular
breakfast meetings hosted by John McKay.
The featured speaker this day was John McCallum, Liberal
Finance Critic and Former Senior Vice-President of the Royal
Bank of Canada.
Mr. McCallum spoke briefly about several Liberal priorities,
including ideas for job creation and green projects. He then
opened the floor for a lengthy question and answer interactive
forum.
The morning was enjoyed by all in attendance. These
breakfast meetings are reasonably priced and open to
everyone. Watch for the next one, currently planned for April
24. Please contact my constituency office for details.
(above) The ice surface at the
Curran Hall Winterfest.
(right) Maybe someday we will
see a Scarborough youngster on a
gold medal Olympic team like
the one in Vancouver.
CURRAN HALL’S FIRST
WINTERFEST
Of all the ways people enjoyed themselves at Curran Hall’s first
Winterfest, the star attraction had to be the ice rink. Created as a one
-time feature, it has been maintained ever since by local volunteers.
Families, teens and seniors use the rink, not only coming from the
immediate community but also the surrounding areas, with many
cultures represented. Children and adults have come to learn how to
skate for the first time, and many who have skated before are
rediscovering the pleasure. It has brought people together; new
friendships have been formed. Older kids and young adults have
lent hockey sticks to younger children they don't know, and then
engaged them in a game of pass the puck.
The West Hill Community Food Bank was the recipient of over 500
packages of pasta sauce donated by Kraft and 50 bags of sugar from
Redpath, as well as food brought by generous local residents.
There was fun for everyone at Winterfest, and the happy organizers
are already planning next year’s festivities.
We welcome the
appointment of Jeanie
Joaquin as the new
Executive Director of this
wonderful community
agency. We have seen its
work over many years,
and know how vital are the
services it provides.
Jeanie brings over 20
years of experience in
providing leadership to
Jeanie Joaquin with me at the
key organizations in
WHCS Annual General Meeting.
Ontario's healthcare
delivery system. Most recently, Jeanie was Director of
Operations, Canadian Foundation for Women's Health,
responsible for building strong community partnerships and
programming support. Prior to this, she worked for over 10
years at the senior executive level of The Scarborough Hospital
(TSH). At TSH, as Vice President, Patient Services, she led multi
-disciplinary teams at multiple sites and demonstrated a
passion for ensuring high-quality health and wellness
programs and services for the Scarborough Hospital.
NEW UNIT COMMANDER TAKES OVER AT
43 DIVISION OF TORONTO POLICE
Supt. Tom McIlhone, (above), has been a member of the
Toronto Police Service for 33 years and has experience in
Primary Response, Traffic, Investigative and Community
Response functions, working in Traffic Services, 14 and 42
Division.
He was the Community Response Staff Sergeant at 42 Division
from 2002 to 2004 and worked very closely with the community
and members of the Service’s Community Police Liaison
Committee (CPLC) to enhance the quality of life for the residents
and business community.
EXPERIENCED IN DEALING WITH GUN AND GANG VIOLENCE
Supt. McIlhone was promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2004
and was second in command of 31 Division, where he
successfully managed an initiative dealing with gun and gang
violence. In January 2005 he was selected to initiate and
manage the Service’s Toronto Anti- Violence Intervention
Strategy (TAVIS) before being promoted to Superintendent and
Unit Commander of 22 Division in Etobicoke. In October of
2009, Supt. McIlhone was reassigned to the Unit Commander of
43 Division.
SECOND IN COMMAND TO STAY
Supt. McIlhone also announced that the second in command at
43 Division, Inspector Bernadette Button, will remain at
this Division and will be of invaluable assistance with her
experience, knowledge and skills, as well as her ongoing
commitment to our communities.
OPEN HOUSE IN MAY
An open house will be held on May 15 for residents of the area
covered by this Division to meet Supt. McIlhone and his officers
and tour the facility.
HON. JOHN MCKAY, P.C., M.P. SCARBOROUGH-GUILDWOOD
PAGE 3
THE JUMBLIES COME TO SCARBOROUGH
Jumblies Theatre began
the second year of its
residency in East
Scarborough hatching a
flock of activities. 50 Tamil
seniors arrived by bus at
Cedar Ridge Creative
Centre to enjoy tea and art
activities; teenagers living
with their families in
Kingston Road shelters and
motels did a photo shoot
with the masks they had
been making; children and
youth from the shelter
returned by bus to Cedar
Ridge; and art-making was
taken to the Toronto District
Councillor Paul Ainslie (second from left) and I are
School Board Newcomers
shown at the Grand Opening of the Jumblies Lido Art
Youth Centre.
Meanwhile Jumblies artists Space. Artistic Director Ruth Howard is in the centre.
renovated a basement suite
each other through shared creative
at the Lido Motel, which will become a
endeavour.
drop-in art space situated where families
This year, inspiration comes from an
are living, and the first storytelling
existing text - Shakespeare’s A Winter’s
workshop was held at the Native Family
Tale. This play’s poetry, imagery, story
and Child Centre.
and themes - of seasonal and life cycles;
In February theatre and sewing
jealousy, friendship and betrayal; guilt,
sessions were held for Tamil and other
loss and redemption; and courage to defy
seniors at Tuxedo Court, workshops
authority - will be the catalysts for a host
were offered at Willow Park School, and
of theatre, dance, music, writing and
yet more groups and people were
visual arts activities. These explorations,
discovered to involve in the project.
with groups of varied ages and cultural
This is how Jumblies Theatre works:
backgrounds and a large and diverse
nesting in an area, going out to places
team of artists, will lead to a Spring workwhere people live or congregate,
in-progress event at the Cedar Ridge
getting to know them, making something
Gallery and other local venues from May
fun and inspiring happen, inviting them
2 to 16. Everyone is welcome to join in.
back to the home base (in this case,
Call 416-203-8428, visit
Cedar Ridge), welcoming them into the
[email protected], or drop by the
larger process, and introducing them to
Gardener’s Cottage at Cedar Ridge.
VISIT MY INTER-ACTIVE USER-FRIENDLY
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Read my House of Commons speeches
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Keep up with the latest Parliamentary news
Access links to government and community
Websites
Visit my Twitter, Facebook, YouTube sites
Enjoy an enhanced picture gallery
Click on videos for active coverage
Find answers to frequently asked questions
Check upcoming events (your event can be
included)
When you or a family member reaches the
age of 65 or more or celebrates a long-time
marriage, send us the details through this
Website and we will see that the occasion is
acknowledged appropriately.
SCOUTS, GUIDES AND THE
GREAT PASTA CHALLENGE
Guildwood Community
Presbyterian Church
participated in The Great
Pasta Challenge from January
3rd to Feb. 28th. Local Scout
and Guide groups also
participated. About 1,300
assorted packages of pasta,
canned pasta, and pasta sauce
were dedicated during a Scout
-Guide week
service
on Feb. 28 before
being delivered to
the West Hill
Community Food
Bank.
News in our
Neighbourhood
Birthdays
Congratulations to Steve
Warbuck, who
celebrates his 90th
birthday this year and
William James
Qualtrough, who is 80. We wish many
more happy years to you both.
Anniversaries
Saryo and Indu Desai have
been married for 55 years,
2010 marks Norman and
Shirley Williams’ 50th, and
George and Usha Raj were
married in1980, making 30
years of marriage for them. Our good
wishes to all these happy families.
Hometown hero
When Scarborough native Shelley-Ann
Brown leapt to the second-place podium
at the Whistler Sliding Centre during the
Olympics, amid the deafening
roar of the partisan Canadian
crowd, halfway across the
country the students at
her former elementary
school in Scarborough
were screaming their lungs
out well past their bedtimes, celebrating
the silver medal as if they had won it
themselves.
Brown, whose parents are from Jamaica,
was born in Scarborough and later
moved with her family to Pickering,
where she attended Dunbarton High
School and excelled in track & field. She
was recruited to the University of
Nebraska on a track & field scholarship,
and later graduated with a degree in
biology and a Masters in Educational
Psychology.
We are so proud of Shelley-Ann and all
our Olympians. They showed the world
that Canada is truly a place where we
celebrate our young people and offer
them the opportunity to spread their
wings.
(l to r ) The Rev.
Hugh Donnelly,
Minister at
Guildwood
Community
Presbyterian
Church; Carlos
Silva, Area Commissioner Ajax-Pickering Scouting; Dena Rogers, Area
Commissioner, East Scarborough Scouting; and Al Harris, Group
Commissioner, 7th Pickering Scout Group.
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE
LEGISLATIVE OFFICE
3785 Kingston Road Unit 10
Toronto, ON M1J 3H4
549-D Centre Block, House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Tel: 416-283-1226
Fax: 416-283-7935
Tel: 613-992-1447 Fax: 613-992-8968
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Office hours 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday
Website: www.johnmckaymp.on.ca
PAGE 4 HON. JOHN MCKAY, P.C., M.P. SCARBOROUGH-GUILDWOOD