NarrativeBear

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

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.

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.

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.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25419858

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.

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.

Beer Store locations across Ontario are shutting down as the chain faces unprecedented competition.

What was once held a monopoly for the sale of beer and other ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages across Ontario could soon be facing extinction, as a swath of closures have wracked the company in recent months.

According to the TTC website, refunds are not provided for tickets, tokens, passes or PRESTO purchases. Meanwhile, as of June 1, 2025, the TTC will stop accepting paper tickets and tokens, and customers will not be refunded or provided a credit if they have these forms of payment.

“I pay at the door, get to the platform and hear a ‘there is no service between _____ and ____,’ announcement. Each time I go to the fare collector booth and request a refund because the service I paid is not operating and I need to take an Uber,” the Redditor explained, saying that their request is always denied because workers say they are unable to give refunds.

The user then claims that the workers tell them they can’t issue refunds and that their job is to provide information to transit riders. However, the rider then questions why they don’t see workers handing out information during service disruptions.

“So they are getting paid to do literally nothing. But why are they investing in all these fare inspectors and now plainclothes when they take people’s money, don’t provide the service and then don’t give refunds? What are we paying for?” the Redditor questioned, adding that they have also reached out to customer service and had their request denied.

TTC Senior Communications Specialist Stuart Green explained that the commission does not offer refunds in such instances, and the TTC always provides alternate services to accommodate riders during service disruptions.

“We absolutely recognize the inconvenience delays have, but the reasons for them, and the impact on individual customers, are rarely the same,” Green told Now Toronto on Tuesday.

Promises made by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to buy Highway 407 and remove the tolls to help ease chronic gridlock have so far come up empty,

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French, the NDP Critic for Infrastructure, Transportation & Highways, called out the government’s inaction on Highway 407 as the region faces some of the “worst traffic worldwide.”

“People deserve a government that gets them where they need to go, safely and efficiently,” said French. “While people are stuck in gridlock across the GTA, the 407 sits half-empty – and this premier isn’t doing anything about it.”

Mississauga city council has voted to keep its residential street sports ban in place, meaning hockey and basketball on the road will remain out of bounds.

The Nov. 6 vote came more than a year-and-a-half after Ward 2 Coun. Alvin Tedjo brought forward a motion aimed at amending the bylaws, noting that some residents have “weaponized” the existing rules to prevent kids from playing on their streets.

Mississauga has observed the ban since 1979. It was amended in 2010 to also include the prohibition of sporting equipment, like hockey and basketball nets, on the roadway.