“People focus on the past, the past haunts the area. When people are from somewhere else, like Quebec, and they hear about Jane and Finch, they have a bad idea about it because they only see what it used to be. Sometimes I come home from work at one o’clock or two o’clock at night, and I go home so easy, so freely, I don’t really see hoodlums much. Big media needs to focus on what is present right now. Bigger establishments are too scared to come to the area, but it’s a family community, and very diverse. There are people here that want to spend money but they have to go far out of town to buy what they want, because big stores only see the past and don’t want to come help us build a future.” – Vincent, Security Guard.
Striking York University Food Service Workers Win $15 and Fairness
Alia Karim and David Bush
On Monday March 6th, striking York University food service workers, represented by Unite Here Local 75, voted to accept their new contract. The workers went on strike for and won a $15/hour starting wage and fair working conditions. Their victory paves the way for workers right across the province to achieve $15 and fairness.The workers won major improvements to their contract in the nearly three week strike. They will see an immediate bump in their starting wage from $12.21 per hour to $13.21, which will apply retroactively back to last September. There will be a further wage increase this coming September and by the end of the first year of the contract, the starting wage for all workers will be $15.The workers won improvements in contract language which will protect union work and breaks. They also achieved a significant victory by getting Aramark to fully cover the dental plan, which the company has never done for any of its workers in North America. By the end of the contract, all workers, both full-time and part-time, will be on the health and dental plan.The 160 Aramark food service workers at York University had been preparing for this round of contract negotiations since last year. The low pay, bullying, racial discrimination by management, and the poor working conditions bred widespread discontent amongst the workers. They built up the confidence to take on a powerful multinational corporation and the York University administration by marching on their boss, holding demonstrations, and organizing mass meetings with other food service workers across the GTA. Through months of organizing, the workers in the union were able to produce a 100 per cent strike ratification vote.On February 2, the food service workers walked off the job on a one-day strike, shutting down all Aramark locations at York University. The workers marched on campus, held multiple rallies, and demonstrated their strength to the employer and the administration.Workers then went on indefinite strike on February 16. They held a picket line at the main gate and organized two marches on campus a day. During York's reading week, which was on the second week of the strike, the union organized a week of actions downtown targeting the company. They were joined by the striking food service workers from UofT Scarborough (who are still on strike).
Preparing to Sell Your Home: Tips from Anat Papp
**ADVERTORIAL**By: Giovanna Loureiro and Rhiannon Moller-TrotterAre you selling your home but don’t know where to begin? Remember, first impressions and implementing a plan to enhance your property are very important factors in making your home look attractive to potential buyers.Making sure your home is appealing enough to stand out from the competition is key. First impressions are about giving a potential buyer a good feeling when they initially step into the home. They have to imagine what it would be like to live there. Therefore, with simple improvements you can help hopeful new owners realize that your house is perfect for them.Planning requires a checklist. Write down everything that needs to be done. Imagine it’s your first time walking through your door. What would you dislike? What would you fix? Improvements do not necessarily mean spending a large sum of money and repairing problems that you consider insignificant can make all the difference to potential buyers.The interiorThe home must be clean. Get some disinfectant wipes or use vinegar, soap and water, and wash down the walls, baseboards and surfaces. Cutting the clutter and making your closets look spacious will pay off. A new coat of paint (use a neutral colour) helps freshen up the home. Deep cleaning, or even changing, your carpet will help sell your home faster. Finally, make sure minor repairs are done well and that any leaks or moisture problems are fixed.The exteriorIf you want to increase your home’s value, a newly painted exterior is always an asset. Have the windows washed on the outside and on the inside (you can hire a company or you can do it yourself). Washing the windows can give potential buyers the impression that the house is well maintained.Lastly, the exterior is an invitation to the interior. If it is appealing on the outside, people will assume it is also appealing on the inside. Clean your yard and enhance the landscape with some new plants, flowers and even trees (depending on your budget and space). Your front door welcomes people in, therefore, the entrance should look attractive. Cleaning, painting or even buying a new door will give a good impression to potential buyers. Putting a new welcome mat adorned with flowers on the front steps will make the home more welcoming.Keep yourself organized by creating a checklist of everything you need to clean, repair and improve. This way you can check things off as you do them and tackle the list that will make sure to sell your home for the best possible price.For more expert advice contact:Anat Papp, Broker of RecordGreenfield Real Estate Inc, Brokeragemobile: 416-712-6807phone: 416-226-1020fax: 416-398-1021http://AnatPapp.com
Mr. Digital Photo Lab: New location, same great service
**ADVERTORIAL**By: Rhiannon Moller-Trotter and Giovanna LoureiroWhen we first walked into the new Mr. Digital Photo Lab location, we were speechless. On November 26, in a much bigger studio on the same corner of Jane and Finch, Mr. Digital Photo Lab moved next door to its old unit.When asked what motivated the move, Arunan Vijay, who has been capturing moments through his lens since 1993, said that he needed a bigger space to satisfy a greater amount of customers. Since many stores closed down, a larger number of people began looking to use his services.On top of all the infinite number of services already offered in these past 24 years, Vijay could not hide his happiness when mentioning that they had already started to take pictures of newborns at the new location. Among the services offered by Mr. Digital Photo Lab are: studio photography, business cards, print flyers, metal panel print, banners and posters, canvas print, wide enlargement photos, laminations, and custom craming. Not to mention scans, copies, faxes and ink refills.While going around the new studio, we could not help but to notice the great amount of photo frames being sold in the new location. With a new updated machine that does all the digital work, the quality increased and the price stayed the same. Meanwhile, as we admired the updated space, the door opened every minute with customers coming in. Known for its passport photo service, Mr. Digital Photo Lab received great and spontaneous feedback from those who have witnessed its growth and who have chosen its services since the very beginning.If you ever consider customizing mugs and plates or metal panels, Mr. Digital Photo Lab is the place to go! Are you looking for electronics such as professional cameras, smart watches, TV’s or phones? Would you like to do a photo shoot with your significant other? Go to 2001 Finch Avenue West. When taking passport pictures for a family of four or more, DPL offers a complementary 8x10 inch family portrait. Are you still not sure if you should pay them a visit? They guarantee affordable prices for high quality products with exceptional customer service. It is perfect for your busy schedule because they offer instant service, so you can be in and out in quickly. For your next photo or business needs, do not hesitate to check out Mr. Digital Photo Lab -serving the community since 1993.Digital Photo Lab is located at 2001 Finch Avenue West. Check their website www.digitalphotolab.ca or call 416-746-0006. The store is open Monday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM.
Something to Prove: Samuel Boakye's Story - Part 2
Continued from last month's edition of the Downsview Advocate, we conclude the story of Samuel Boakye's transition from a disinterested, tough-guy student into a caring and ambitious adult.--When half a year of boarding school in Ghana saw no strong improvement in Samuel's attitude or grades, he was sent to live at the large house shared by his two uncles and their families. His father did not enroll him in school, so Samuel spent his time helping out with household chores, socializing with his family, and exploring Ghana.During his long walks through the city and countryside, Samuel began to really think about his future, and what sort of man he would become. It was at this time, that Samuel overheard a conversation between his father and his uncles. His father had brought Samuel's report card from boarding school and the three were discussing the next steps of Samuel's education. Samuel's father was exasperated with his son, but what was most painful to hear was that his father had simply accepted that his son would not amount to anything. Even worse, he seemed to find humour in it.Throughout his youth, Samuel always found it important to be popular and respected by his peers. Why didn't the opinion of his family matter? But that day it finally did, and it hit him like a sledge hammer.He did not confront them, but rather he made a silent promise to himself that when he was sent once again to school, that he would prove them all wrong and succeed. In his own words, he was finally going to "try".While that conversation between his father and uncles helped awaken a desire to show the world that he could succeed in school, it was another event altogether that made him appreciate the opportunities of his own life.One evening, Samuel decided to take a bottle of Irish Cream from his uncle's liquor cabinet without asking for permission, and shared it with a friend. The next day, Samuel overheard his uncle looking for the bottle to serve to guests that had visited the home, but Samuel remained silent on the matter.The very next morning, Samuel was awoken by his uncle who in turn accused him of stealing the bottle and threatened to tell the whole family. Not wanting that embarrassment, Samuel confessed.As punishment, Samuel was taken to the lumber yards of his uncle's business and put to work for the next two weeks without pay or special treatment. So there he worked, day after day in the sweltering summer heat, while sleeping away the nights in a small hotel room full of insects."Working there, I realized the blessings of my own life. Of course, I knew what I had before but it never really dawned on me." Samuel reflected. "The guys there worked hard labour for $50 a month and actually appreciated the opportunity to work to feed their families."Samuel eventually returned to Canada as a new person. He fulfilled his promise and is now completing his studies at the University of Toronto. He continues to work in the field of youth mentorship, turning the lessons he learned in his youth into a great strength to push young people to succeed.Samuel's story proves that it is easy for us, as adults, to forget the pressures youth face. It can even be easier to look at a younger person in the midst of their struggles and confusion, and to simply write them off as future fallen adults."I know what it means to be in the dark and to be naive and to not know what are you doing until the point of near self-destruction." says Samuel, "It is so sad to see a young person die because they had no chance to change."
Vigilance and enhanced police presence vital to protect Jewish and all targeted institutions, says Councillor James Pasternak
*Media Release provided by Councillor James Pasternak's office.*In light of recent threats to Jewish institutions in Toronto and beyond, Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 10, York Centre, is calling for greater vigilance and resources from Toronto Police Service and enhanced investigative and preventative work by the RCMP and other security agencies.“Threats against our valued institutions such as community centres and schools are a gross violation of our ability to go about our daily lives in safety, freedom and live as Jews in Toronto. It is vital that all sectors of society condemn these cowardly harassments and threats. We are calling on Toronto Police Service and our federal and provincial law enforcement agencies to investigate the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” says Councillor James Pasternak.“Moreover, as a preventative measure, it is necessary to increase patrols, security and surveillance around targeted institutions to send a strong signal that we will take all measures necessary to protect freedom of religion, our personal safety and the social cohesion that Toronto is known for worldwide.”
- End -
Councillor James Pasternak416-392-1371 | councillor_pasternak@toronto.cawww.jamespasternak.ca
Media Release: Councillor Pasternak Strongly Opposes the Decision to Close the Urgent Care Centre at the Branson Ambulatory Care Centre
March 2, 2017Media Release: Councillor Pasternak Strongly Opposes the Decision to Close the Urgent Care Centre at the Branson Ambulatory Care Centre Toronto City Councillor James Pasternak, Ward 10, York Centre, strongly objects to the decision to close the Urgent Care Centre at the Branson Ambulatory Care Centre, 555 Finch Avenue West, in June 2017."It is extremely disappointing that the decision was made to close the Urgent Care Centre in June. This facility is an incredibly valuable resource for the local community that enables residents to receive care for urgent illnesses and injuries that are not life threatening. I am calling on the Premier and Minister of Health and Long Term Care to reconsider this decision," said Councillor Pasternak.The Branson Ambulatory Care Centre is one of North York General Hospital's three sites. In addition to the Urgent Care Centre, Branson also provides vital services for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment planning, mental health, medical imaging, cataract surgery and diabetes education programs. In 2015-16, the outpatient volume at the Branson Site was 68,693 with 21,858 visits to the Urgent Care Centre.North York General has determined that it will not be renewing its lease at the Branson Ambulatory Care Centre in 2019 as the Advent Corporation has extensive redevelopment plans for the site that will include a seniors’ living and care community."I would be of great benefit to the community for the Urgent Care Centre to remain open until the end of the facility's lease in 2019. We will work with any medical facility to activate this site and ensure its long-term sustainability," said Councillor Pasternak.- End -Councillor James Pasternak416-392-1371 | councillor_pasternak@toronto.cawww.jamespasternak.ca