Morning Brew: TDSB next in line for spending controversy?, TCHC members resign but Ford's still not happy, Toronto's aflush with unisex washrooms, and the province fast-tracks TTC strike ban
Looks like there's another Toronto board that has a lotta s'plainin to do. But apparently Toronto District School Board Director of Education Chris Spence has no regrets over spending $11,000 in taxpayer money on a two-day retreat at the Nottawasaga Inn for trustees. In fact, he says, "It was absolutely worthwhile...it was a quantum leap forward for us as an organization." And despite all the sensitivity surrounding the recent controversy with TCHC's spending, Spence says he has yet to receive criticism over the retreat's cost. I wouldn't speak so soon...
Looks like Mayor Rob Ford got his TCHC wish. Almost. Seven out of nine citizen board members of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation have resigned, but Ford still wants TCHC CEO, Keiko Nakamura, to step down as well because he wants to clean house and disband the 13-member board entirely. "I think we have to start fresh with a whole new body," said Ford. "We're gonna get this board back on its feet and restore the trust because a lot of tenants are upset about what happened."
Man, Premier Dalton McGuinty's having a rough week. First, Rob Ford threatened to sic "Ford Nation" on him; then NDP education critic Rosario Marchese said it appears he's afraid to talk about sex; and now a recent Toronto poll shows the provincial Progressive Conservatives are in a dead heat with the Liberals. "It's a red flag for the Liberals... because this is ground zero of their support and they're not dominating it the way they normally would, or the way they have in the past," pollster Lorne Bozinoff said. "For sure they can't take it for granted." But let's not forget that this is the same research company who asked some pretty suspicious questions the last time around.
Toronto councillor and deputy mayor, Doug Holyday, said he doesn't like the idea of a proposal by Toronto's board of health that would grant instant OHIP coverage to new immigrants because it would encourage people to abuse our world-class health care system."This will encourage medical tourism where people will come here to use our health care system and leave," Holyday said Thursday. "This is not a good idea." The proposal, which has been under discussion since 2009, was sent to Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews for consideration
Seems like Toronto's restaurants are aflush with a growing number of unisex washrooms. The one at Mildred's Temple Kitchen is rather notorious, but you can now add to the list the Black Hoof, Delux, The Beaver , Mitzi's Cafe, Thor Espresso Bar and Soma Chocolatemaker, who all house unisex washrooms.
IN BRIEF:
Photo by Jeremy Gilbert in the blogTO Flickr pool.
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