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By Emily Mathieu Affordable Housing Reporter Wed., May 1, 2019 In the heart of Parkdale a small band of tenants and housing advocates are celebrating a singular yet monumental victory in the ongoing battle with gentrification — the purchase of a rooming house. The Neighbourhood Land Trust, a charity, has become the proud owner of a licensed rooming house on Maynard Ave. near King St. W, scooped from Toronto’s white hot real estate market thanks primarily to $1.5 million in city funds. The sale — the first of its kind and made possible through a pilot project designed to preserve rooming house stock — means the home’s 15 units will remain affordable for almost 100 years. “Most Parkdale residents have lived here for a long time and plan to continue to live here, and to make that possible we need housing that is long-term,” said Joshua Barndt, executive director of The Neighbourhood Land Trust. “As a community … [Read more...] about Parkdale rooming house saved from open market
Locals from toronto
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie lays out case for separating from Peel Region
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By Gilbert Ngabo Staff Reporter Tues., April 30, 2019 Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie Mississauga says she remains hopeful the provincial government will grant her city’s wish to break free from Peel Region. Crombie told the Star’s editorial board Tuesday that she has met with two provincial special advisers — former deputy minister and CEO of Metrolinx Michael Fenn, and former chair of Waterloo Region Ken Seiling — who were appointed earlier this year to lead a review of Ontario regional governments. She said Premier Doug Ford has said “some positive things” about how not one size will fit all. There are regions that want to amalgamate, and others that are fine with the status quo. Mississauga wants none of that. “It doesn’t work for us. We overcontribute. It’s all pay no save. It is broken,” she said, listing cities of Mississauga’s size or smaller that are governed independently — … [Read more...] about Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie lays out case for separating from Peel Region
Pho: the story of a Toronto favourite explained
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By Karon Liu Food Writer Tues., April 30, 2019 Before we sit down at the dinner table, Duy Nguyen wants to make sure I get the pronunciation of our meal right. The rice noodles swimming in hot, aromatic broth before us is called “fa?” not “faux” as many Torontonians say it, explains Nguyen, a member of the Vietnamese Association, Toronto. Every word in the Vietnamese language has a melodic cadence and “pho” (phở in Vietnamese) ends in an inflection, like a question. It may sound complicated to those who don’t speak the language, but this dish, popular across the GTA and around the world, deserves respect. “In Vietnamese, all of our words sound richer with accents,” says Nguyen. “It’s important to know that when you’re learning about pho.” To understand the complexities of this dish, it’s important to look at how it’s made, its relatively short but storied history … [Read more...] about Pho: the story of a Toronto favourite explained
Local home prices still a bargain
Hong Kong maintains its position as the world's most expensive residential city, while Bangkok is ranked 33rd out of 35 cities surveyed, according to the latest research by CBRE.The fifth annual Global Living Report by the multinational real estate services group underlines how investments in urban areas such as transport infrastructure, connectivity, retail, cultural centres and housing are key drivers of economic growth. This year's survey expands the number of cities covered from 29 to 35, from emerging technology-driven powerhouses like Shenzhen to more traditional capitals such as Rome and Lisbon, to rapidly evolving modern urban centres like Dubai and Johannesburg. "The world's greatest cities continue to transform to encourage innovation, increase their working and living populations and create new commercial opportunities for businesses," said Jennet Siebrits, head of residential research at CBRE UK. The three most expensive places to buy a residential property are once again … [Read more...] about Local home prices still a bargain
Amid Toronto’s architectural malaise, innovative condos like these get noticed
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By Christopher Hume Star Columnist Mon., April 29, 2019 Is it any wonder that even Toronto has grown so tired of itself? Bogged down in an endless round of bickering over everything from transit and taxes to teaching, forever struggling to house its residents and eternally besieged by provincial governments determined to suck it dry, this is Ground Hog City, a place stuck in a circular search for answers that never come. Among the most visible signs of its malaise is contemporary architecture in Toronto. The trouble isn’t that the city has been inundated with glass-and-steel towers, but that they all look alike. It’s hard to tell one from another. Local architects seem to be running out of ideas. Their work is so predictable people have stopped paying attention. So when a project like River City 3 appears on the skyline, Torontonians sit up and take note. Located in the West Don Lands, the new condo is unlike anything seen in these parts. It … [Read more...] about Amid Toronto’s architectural malaise, innovative condos like these get noticed