Happy New Year!
** Happy New Year! ————————————————————
Hello West Benders,
It looks like 2019 is going to be a busy one. Watch for a new development proposal for the Giraffe site – another tower nearly 30 storeys tall. Construction is likely to begin on at least two other condominium buildings this year near Dundas and Annette as work continues on the tall towers by the Freshco. Plans for the Loblaw’s site will continue to be developed — hopefully with plenty of input from the community.
We expect continued uncertainty in how the City of Toronto is governed within the Province of Ontario; including the proposed uploading of the TTC subway. That will have a an impact on how the subway system serves the residents of the West Bend. And don’t forget that we have a Federal election coming up this fall – so make sure you let our candidates know what you want from them!
It may not be so easy to imagine right now with the cold weather outside, but gardening season is just three months away! We have a lot of opportunity (and budget!) to complete a significant overhaul of the Railside Gardens. Sign up for our gardens mailing list if you are interested. Visit our website at thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=894fdbee7d&e=f9d0e74817 enter your email address in the space down the right side, and be sure to select the checkbox beside “Gardens”!
There are back-to-back events concerning the environment this week. Green 13 is hosting a free screening and discussion session the day before our MP hosts an Environment Town Hall in Swansea. If you are not planning to come to the West Bend Association meeting Wednesday, the Town Hall would be a worthwhile alternative!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy 2019!
In this Newsletter: * WBCA meeting this Wednesday – Jan 16 * Green 13 presentation -Jan 15 * Environment Town Hall – Jan 16
============================================================ West Bend January Meeting Wednesday, January 16th @7:00pm 2nd floor staff room, Indian Road Crescent Public School
Our regular monthly meeting is where we gather to discuss the general business of the Community Association. It is an opportunity to meet your neighbours, raise issues of interest, and discuss things going on in the West Bend. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Environment Town Hall Wednesday, January 16th @7:00pm Swansea Town Hall, Rousseau Room
Our MP, Arif Virani, will be hosting a town hall on Wednesday with a special focus on climate change and putting a price on carbon pollution.
** See and share the event poster here. (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=117807c6d8&e=f9d0e74817)
Space is limited so please RSVP!
Why should we care? A free screening and discussion hosted by Green 13 Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 6:30 pm Runnymede Library, 2178 Bloor St. W. ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=d7ee5d0425&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=ce276c64f8&e=f9d0e74817)
** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=d603633ea1&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=2bd00ec664&e=f9d0e74817)
** View the event poster here. (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=8102e67c0f&e=f9d0e74817)
Dire reports have been coming out over the past weeks on climate destabilization: • IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5o C ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=4b429ba379&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=0f02b78438&e=f9d0e74817)
• Lancet Countdown 2018 Report: Briefing for Canadian Policymakers ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=1ef6d4b831&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=545b7aa19d&e=f9d0e74817)
• Fourth National Climate Assessment (U.S.) ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=ac049e3e75&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=02b1c3efe2&e=f9d0e74817)
• World Health Organization’s COP24 Special Report on Health and Climate Change ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=195038a4a8&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=7394d6b539&e=f9d0e74817)
• In the works (IPCC): The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate • In the works (IPCC): Special Report on Climate Change and Land …
In preparation for the town hall on climate change and pricing carbon pollution, to be hosted by our MP Arif Virani the following evening, (January 16), you are welcome to join Green 13 the evening of Tues. Jan. 15 as we watch and discuss:
• Greta Thunberg’s school strike for climate – save the world by changing the rules – and how young people around the world are joining in. ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=c5ac001f88&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=d3a704b12c&e=f9d0e74817) (11 min.) ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=f650937207&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=45780d9cea&e=f9d0e74817) (18 min.) and ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=c27a3c6159&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=d00f67d23b&e=f9d0e74817) (20 min.) Fridays for Future: Canadian youth on climate strike ** thewestbend.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a0ae2229a6ff6dfaffbff4c28&id=909fb636e9&e=f9d0e74817 (thewestbend.us3.list-manag