The Etobicoke York Community Council approved the two-tower development at Weston and Little on Monday. The towers, when built, will be the largest in Weston: one is 35 storeys, the other 29.

Six residents spoke out against the proposal at the meeting. They raised concerns about

• The character of the neighbourhood
• The large scale of the development
• That the smaller tower was remained large, though staff had recommended it be made smaller
• The location of the driveway on Little Avenue
• The poor record of city planning

It seemed to me, however, that their concerns were not given much consideration by the members. Early in the meeting, Councillor Mark Grimes ignored a speaker and met briefly with Doug Holyday until they were told off. Only Frances Nunziata asked a follow-up question, and it wasn’t about the development—it was about whether it was appropriate for her tenant to hang clothing on the property. No other committee members asked any questions.

In addition to the speakers, about 20 people (including me) wrote to the council, and 29 others signed a petition.

The towers will have 733 condominium units when built. Councillor Nunziata announced that it would include a space for the Weston Historical Society.

The development must next be rubber-stamped by City Council.

The Weston Village BIA will be hosting a Canada Day celebration tomorrow, Friday, July 1. There will live performances, food, and activities.

Faisal Hassan, our former MPP who narrowly lost to Michael Ford, is considering a run for the leadership of the NDP, according to The Star.

An MPP who lost his York South-Weston seat by just 796 votes to Progressive Conservative Michael Ford — the premier’s nephew — said he is also mulling a leadership bid.

“I know I’m not part of the party establishment,” Faisal Hassan told the Star, saying more racial diversity is needed in the contest. Hassan said he was discouraged he didn’t get more help from other NDP candidates in the GTA who won their ridings by comfortable margins.

UrbanArts is hiring eight people as part of the Canada Summer Jobs Program. Applicants must be between 18 and 30, and “a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, have a valid Social Insurance Number and be legally entitled to work in Canada.”

The summer jobs are:

• One Program Assistant
• Three SummerArts Camp Councillors
• One Administrative Assistant
• Two marketing assitants
• One Special Events Assistant
  
  They’re also hiring an operations manager and two engagement and marketing assistants for full-time positions.
  

Michael Ford, our MPP and the premier’s nephew, has been made the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. He immediately faced accusations that he had got the job through nepotism.

The NDP took issue with his appointment, saying “we have a lot of BIPOC folks wondering… there are plenty of people, people of colour, in Ford’s caucus that could take that position. And he chose to appoint his nephew. And, as we all know, the qualifications there are dubious.” Ford is 28 years old and white.

The NDP respond to the appointment of Michael Ford as Minister of Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. pic.twitter.com/YpHPVVNqsd

— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) June 24, 2022

Michael Ford told CityNews, “I totally dismiss that. I’ve been elected to Toronto District School board, I have served on Toronto City Council for a number of years, representing one of the the most diverse communities in one of the most diverse cities in the world.”

Shakespeare in Action will be hosting “Speaking Up: Voices of the Community”, a youth spoken word event tomorrow, Saturday, June 25. The event is at 1844 Weston Road, free, and no registration is required.