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WINTER 2018
H B S C A . C A
REVELIN WINTER!IN THIS ISSUE:• NEW TECH & TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2018• COMMUNITY NEWS & UPDATES• REAL ESTATE TRENDS & INFO
VISITHBSCA.CATO SEE ALL OF OURUPCOMING EVENTS
23 CONDO FEATURE QUEENSWAY PARK CONDOS By Urban Capital
28 SOMETHING TO DO | ICE BREAKERS
HEALTH & WELLNESS15 WHAT DOES YOUR HEALTH FUTURE LOOK LIKE By Dr. Maureen Henderson
TRAVEL8 GENIUS GETAWAYS | SAN FRANCISCO By Jim Flynn
24 TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2018 By Krista Garney Cluett
COVER PHOTO:Photo: Don Henderson
4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS10 FAIRNESS & OPPORTUNITY PLAN
By Peter Milczyn | MPP
14 NATURAL RESOURCES
COMMITTEE UPDATE
By James Maloney | MP
16 WATERFRONT TRANSIT STUDY
By John Cardoulis
26 DEVELOPMENT & TRANSIT UPDATE
By Councillor Mark Grimes
30 SIGNS OF RENEWAL
By Irene Jardine
EXPERT ADVICE6 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
OPPORTUNITY
12 THE NEW MORTGAGE REALITY
By Steven Tupholme
22 MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RRSP & TFSA
By Michael Storino
29 REAL ESTATE TRENDS
By Michael Klassen
LIFESTYLE18 RECIPE FEATURE | CHOCOLATE
CHIP COOKIES
20 NEW TECH FOR 2018
By Marc Saltzman
18
29
8
A Community Publication by the Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association
IN THIS ISSUE
15
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 3
4 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
As we move through the New Year there will be issues that
come up in our Community, not all issues can be resolved
in a day or even a week. HBSCA will continue to work very
closely with our elected officials to get things resolved.
Our community is growing and will continue to grow, this will
no doubt result in growing pains. We have to be patient when it
comes to construction in HBS. I know it’s not always fun to be out
in traffic. This is the message to all our residents: We continue to
work with the construction site managers to convey our concern
about the appearance of the properties under construction. We
will work closely with the developers and our City Councillor to
make sure that work sites and adjacent streets are kept clean. If
you see something that needs be taken care of in our community
please contact us at hbsca@rogers.com, call us at 416-792-4964 or
call 311.
We are working on events for the coming year. Our Farmers
Market will be better than ever and we are working on adding new
vendors this season, thanks for the community support! Our
Annual Clean Up will be here before we know it, it’s your com-
munity so come out and help keep it clean. Our Waterfront
Festival was a fantastic event with a big turnout and a good time
was had by all, we look forward to it again this year.
During this coming year, we will see new buildings opening,
bringing in a lot of new residents. We will work hard to keep all
the residents aware of what a great place Humber Bay Shores is
to live, play and work.
We are working with our councillor to try and get a new off
leash area in the community. Remember all the parks in HBS are
not off leash parks so please keep your pets on their leash.
OUR PARKS AND TRAILSThis coming spring, we will see work starting on the pathway
from Palace Pier Court to Mimico Creek.
TRAFFICWe continue to work will the city’s transportation department.
The new pedestrian crossing or PXO will be installed on Marine
Parade Drive; this will help our residents get to the south side
of the street.
The “No U turn” sign has been installed and enforcement
will be beginning. The fine is $110.00 and two demerit points.
If you see driving infraction, you can report it directly
to the Toronto Police at: www.torontopolice.on.ca/core/
driving_complaints.php. It’s your community so report it!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
HBSCA NEWSBY JIM REEKIE , HBSCA PRESIDENT
HBSCA CALL FOR VOLUNTEERSThe HBSCA needs a number of volunteers
to help with various programs and initiatives.
Do you have a little spare time to contribute to your community?
Are you interested in a part-time job and have about 8 hours a week free? Do you like to spend time in your community? This may be ideal for you!
CALL FOR AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE
PLEASE CALL THE HBSCA AT 416-792-4964EMAIL: HBSCA@ROGERS.COM
HH
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 5
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT: Jim Reekie, Palace Place
VICE-PRESIDENT: Joyce Luesink, Beyond the Sea, Phase ITREASURER: Stephanie Mahoney, Palace Place
SECRETARY: Laura Nash, Marina del Rey, Phase IIIPAST-PRESIDENT: Don Henderson, Bal Harbour
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE:Kathryn Winter, Grand Harbour | Tom Arkay, Palace Pier
Jeremy Greenberg, Ocean ClubDIRECTORS:
Vladyslav Kostyuk, Westlake Tower 1 | Ron Anderson, Palace PierKathryn Winter, Grand Harbour, Bldg A & BEleanor Sled-Kurrie, Grand Harbour, Bldg C
TBD, Explorer at Waterview | Mary Hutcheon, Voyager 2Jim Simone, Nautilus | Betty Brooker, Hearthstone by the Bay
John Petrie, Grenadier Landing | David White, Beyond the Sea, Star TowerGina DeLorenzi, Waterscapes | TBD, Palace Place
Dina GodinHo, Lakeside Place | John Cardoulis, Newport BeachJeremy Greenberg, Ocean Club | TBD, Riva del Lago | TBD, Lago
TBD, Jade | Jim Faichnie, WaterfordDon Henderson, Bal Harbour | Ron Ross, Marina Del Rey 3
CONTRIBUTORSPeter Milczyn | Mark Grimes | James Maloney
Dr. Maureen Henderson | Krista Garney Cluett | Irene JardineSteven Tupholme | Jim Flynn | Michael Storino
Marc Saltzman | Michael Klassen | John Cardoulis
PRODUCTIONDESIGN: Markintosh Design | Mark Tzerelshtein
PUBLISHING CONSULTANT: Fred SandersMANAGING EDITOR: Monique Charbonneau
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Hunter Peebles
ADVERTISINGFor advertising inquires please contact HBSCA:
hbsca@rogers.com or call 416.792.4964
Humber Happenings Magazine is published 4 times a year by MJ Rochester Pub-lishing Inc. 2 St. Clair Ave East Suite 202, Toronto, ON. All rights reserved. No partof this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the consent of theHBSCA. The HBSCA, MJ Rochester Publishing Inc. or any member of the productionteam is not responsible for any errors, omissions, facts or representation in edito-rials or advertisements in this publication.
OFFICE: 2240 Lake Shore Blvd West, Unit M-227, Toronto, ON M8V 0B1 • Ph: 416-792-4964
CONTACT INFORMATION: email: hbsca@rogers.comWEBSITE: www.hbsca.ca
Have ideas to share, feedback or wish to volunteer? Reach us at hbsca@rogers.com or 416-792-4964
ABOUT HBSCA: The Humber Bay Shores Condominium Association (HBSCA)was established and incorporated in 1997. HBSCA is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit corporation representing the interests of condominium corporationsand their residents in the Humber Bay Shores community.
WHAT WE DO: We supply representation of the community to all levels of gov-ernment for the enactment, amendment, or repeal of legislation dealing with,but not limited to, all aspects of condominium ownership, real estate devel-opment, and usage of real property in the area. In addition to the above weconduct research and provide awareness and education to our community onissues related to ownership, development, management, financing, and pro-motion of real estate property in the area.
MISSION STATEMENT: Provide strong leadership for the development, preser-vation and beautification of the vibrant, valued, sustainable condominiumcommunity in which we live, work, and play.
WINTER 2018 VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1
Made possible with the support of the
When a business starts turning a
profit, smart owners invest back
into the business.
Now you will have an opportunity to
invest in your business by purchasing
your office space. Jutland Square, a new
commercial condo at Islington and the
Queensway, has just become available for
purchase and will be ready for occupancy
in the spring of 2019.
Perfect for professionals — tech
firms, graphic and interior designers,
dentists, doctors, lawyers, accountants
— it’s close to the QEW, 427 and 401, as
well as TTC and GO stations, and the air-
port. Existing retail, restaurants, and
services are also very close. In fact, the
five-acre site is in an area poised for
growth as nearby Six Points undergoes a
major city-led revitalization.
While the substantial one and two
storey units range from 1838 to 2400 sf,
owners can combine and customize
suites. For example, you may need
upgraded electrical wiring for a dentist or
doctor’s practice, or smaller built-in indi-
vidual workspaces for an accounting
agency. There’s ample ground level and
underground parking, including five
handicapped spots, and parking spots are
included with the unit purchase price.
Developed by Dunpar Homes, this
project is built to the same stringent stan-
dards that are trademarks of all Dunpar
Homes’ communities. Large windows and
12’ ceilings are standard on each of the two
levels. Walls are steel stud framed in struc-
tural steel, with Styrofoam insulation.
Contemporary exterior cladding is a com-
bination of brick, architectural panels and
masonry/precast. Aluminum doors are
eight-feet high and 36” wide making move-
in a breeze. Each unit has individually
controlled natural gas heating and cooling;
each HVAC unit has sheet metal supply &
return air duct stubs into unit terminating
at the bottom of the structural steel joist.
Building high quality townhome com-
munities across the GTA for over 30 years,
Dunpar Homes has now successfully
brought their same high standards of
design and construction to the area
of commercial condominiums. This
dynamic company also has a long history
of revitalizing underused commercial
and industrial sites throughout the
Greater Toronto Area transforming them
into upscale residential communities
and is constantly identifying new oppor-
tunities for growth. HH
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSTAKE NOTE DUNPAR LAUNCHES JUTLAND SQUARE| PREMIER OFFICE
CONDOMINIUMS AT ISLINGTON & THE QUEENSWAY
6 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
Expert Advice | Business Real Estate
“Exquisite Italian cuisine!”“Fantastic food and ambiance!”“You have to eat here!”
Oro di Napoli is an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria which has garneredimpressive reviews from pizza aficionados for its original take on pizza. Their mouth-watering pizzas are cooked to perfection in their signatureStefano Ferrara wood burning oven, hand built in Naples by the mastercraftsman himself.
What is also impressive about this gem on Lake Shore, is the daily creations offered by Chef Giovanni, a master in the art of Italian cuisine.With an extensive experience in Sora, Italy, as well as Scotland andCanada, his dishes are generating a serious buzz. His lobster ravioli issimply to die for. But there are too many dishes to mention in this limited space. For full menu visit www.pizzeriaorodinapoli.ca
Fully LicensedDelivery Available
2312 Lakeshore Blvd West
416.316.0606
BY JIM FLYNN , FOUNDER AND EDITOR OF BESTWEEKENDS.COM
DESTINATION OVERVIEWImmortalized by Tony Bennett’s song “I Left My Heart
in San Francisco”, the city is one of the country’s most
unique destinations. Ethnically diverse, and known
for its foggy climate, cable cars, colorful Victorian
homes, steep hills and the Golden Gate Bridge, San
Francisco is at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list.
Getting There The City is accessible from virtually anywhere in the
US and Canada by air.
When To Go Spring (little rain and mild temperatures) and Fall
(warmest months and less crowded) are the best times
to visit the San Francisco.
Getting Around All means of public transportation are available as is
Uber and Lyft as well as the wonderful cable cars of
San Francisco.
travel | Genius Getaways
SAN FRANCISCOTHE CITY BY THE BAY
8 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 9
Where To StayThe Four Seasons www.fourseasons.com/sanfran-
cisco is a sophisticated hotel with a gorgeous art
collection of more than 90 paintings, sculptures,
prints and works in glass. The Scarlet Huntington
www.thescarlethotels.com in Nob Hill is known for
its exemplary service, possibly the best spa in town,
and the wonderfully clubby My Restaurant & Bar.
Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square
www.fairmont.com/ghirardelli-san-francisco is like
having your own luxury apartment in the City. Great
for longer stays.
Just a short water taxi across the Bay in Sausalito,
Cavallo Point www.cavallopoint.com sits in the
shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge and is a luxury
boutique hotel converted from an old Army bar-
racks. Casa Madrona www.casamadrona.com sits
on a hillside with stunning vistas, fireplace and bal-
cony rooms and an excellent Italian restaurant.
Where To EatFine dining doesn’t get any better than Gary Danko
www.garydanko.com without any pretension. This
resto boasts the Relais & Chateau designation,
Forbes 5 star, is Michelin starred and is a Wine Spec-
tator Grand Award winner. Well worth the trip!
Boulevard www.boulevardrestaurant.com is a gastro
pub helmed by renowned chef Nancy Oakes.
Wonderful food and a spectacular selection of pre-
mium wines by the glass. Kokkari Estiatoria
www.kokkari.com is a wonderful upscale Greek
restaurant with a beamed ceiling and a candlelit
dining room. Maybe the best roast chicken you will
ever experience. As befits a 1930’s style supper club,
the entrance to Bix www.bixrestaurant.com is down
an alley. A dramatic dining room with a mezzanine
overlooking the main floor features an excellent
American menu with live jazz providing the
background music. State Bird Provisions
www.statebirdsf.com is a casual storefront serving
small plates in a dim sum style. This highly awarded
restaurant serves local, organic & well crafted ingre-
dients. Scoma’s www.scomas.com is a waterfront
institution since 1965, serving fresh seafood. Lastly,
Tadich Grillwww.tadichgrill.com provides a taste of
old San Francisco and the ocean views at The Cliff
House www.cliffhouse.com are spectacular. HH
Don’t Miss • Buena Vista www.thebuenavista.com for their legendary
Irish Coffee
• Waterbar www.waterbarsf.com for fresh oysters and an
amazing view of the Bay Bridge
• A visit to Alcatraz www.alcatraztickets.com
• A day in Sonoma or Napa Wine Country; just an hour away.
OPPOSITE TOP: Golden GateBridge over San Francisco Bay.OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Riding acable car in San Francisco. TOP: Montgomery St. andSkyline of Downtown areas ofSan Francisco. ABOVE: TheAlcatraz Penitentiary, now amuseum, in San Francisco.LEFT: Sonoma Valley vineyardsis just an hour away.PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
10 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
COMMUNITY NEWS
Ontario has moved forward with its
plan to create fairness and opportu-
nity for people across the province,
following the release of the 2017 Ontario
Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review late
last year. Our government at that time
outlined new measures to grow the
economy and help people thrive in an
uncertain global environment. The gov-
ernment will balance the budget this
year, as well as the next two years. A bal-
anced budget means more funding for
the programs and services people rely on
most, such as health care and education.
With a balanced budget, the Ontario
government is able to build greater
fairness by strengthening key public serv-
ices that matter most to the people of
Ontario. We are:
• Raising the minimum wage to $14 as
of January 1, 2018 and to $15 an hour
on January 1, 2019, and ensuring equal
pay for part-time workers doing the
same job as full-time workers.
• Continuing to support young people as
they begin their careers and transition
to the workforce. Ontario is providing
new incentives for businesses to
employ youth. Beginning in 2018, the
province will provide $124 million over
three years in supports for youth aged
15 to 29 to support employer hiring and
retention. A small business with fewer
than 100 employees would receive a
$1,000 incentive for hiring a young
worker and a $1,000 incentive for
retaining that worker for six months.
• Supporting seniors through the Aging
with Confidence action plan so they can
live independent, healthy, active, safe
and socially connected lives. The plan
includes creating 5,000 new long-term
care beds by 2022 — and more than
30,000 beds over the next decade.
These new beds are in addition to the
30,000 existing beds that are being
redeveloped. The government will also
increase the provincial average to four
hours of direct care per long-term care
resident per day when fully phased in.
The province is also investing to
improve care for all patients, with an
additional $618 million for hospitals
this year to provide faster access to
procedures, new programs and digital
technology. And, to support a smooth
transition for patients discharged
from hospital, the government is
investing an additional $40 million to
help patients receive care at home.
• Investing in skills and training through
programs like the Graduated Appren-
ticeship Grant for Employers to
provide incentives to encourage
apprentices to complete training, and
encouraging youth employment by
providing hiring and retention incen-
tives of $1,000 to small businesses that
employ young workers. The govern-
ment is launching a new grant that
encourages employers to help appren-
tices complete their training programs,
and is expanding support to five addi-
tional trades. The province is also
modernizing its apprenticeship system
to improve completion rates — creating
clearer pathways to jobs — and
increasing opportunities for underrep-
resented groups.
• Helping 24,000 more children aged
four and under access licensed child
care this year, reducing waitlists for
families, as part of a commitment to
provide 100,000 new spaces.
• Strengthening small businesses by
providing more than $500 million
over three years in new initiatives that
will lower costs and support growth.
This includes a proposed 22 per cent
cut in the Corporate Income Tax rate
for small businesses. One-third of all
workers in Ontario are employed by
BY PETER MILCZYN , MPP
ONTARIO IMPLEMENTING PLANTO CREATE FAIRNESS AND OPPORTUNITY
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 11
small businesses. Along with recent
measures, such as lowering Workplace
Safety and Insurance Board average
premium rates and other business-
focused initiatives, this would result
in $1.9 billion in provincial support for
small businesses over three years.
• Helping more people find affordable
homes by encouraging increased
housing supply, protecting buyers and
renters, and bringing stability to the real
estate market through the Fair Housing
Plan. As part of the plan, the expansion
of rent control to all private market
units in the province is ensuring that
people are not subject to large, unfair
spikes in rent. To continue helping
families buy or rent a home they can
afford, the province established a
roundtable on housing development
approvals. It has issued recommenda-
tions that will help address housing
affordability challenges, increase
supply and support mixed-use com-
munities that make more efficient use
of land and infrastructure.
• Building major transit projects such as
GO Regional Express Rail and investing
in numerous highway projects to move
goods to market faster and manage
commute times across the province.
Ontario is also reducing the Toronto
Transit Commission (TTC) fare to $1.50
for PRESTO card users transferring
between GO Transit or the Union
Pearson Express and the TTC. Here in
Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ontario is making
it easier for commuters and families to
get around the Greater Toronto and
Hamilton Area (GTHA) by redeveloping
Kipling Station into a major new transit
hub that connects subway, regional rail,
and inter-regional bus services within a
single station.
While Ontario’s economy has grown
faster than Canada’s and those of all G7
nations for the past three years, the gov-
ernment recognizes that the numbers
do not tell the whole story. Many people
are facing uncertainty and challenges.
The measures in the 2017 Review respond
to this uncertainty and will help create
fairness and opportunity for all by sup-
porting the right conditions for families
and businesses to succeed.
Please feel free to contactPeter Milczyn at the Constituency Office at 993 The Queensway in Etobicoke, or by phone at 416-259-2249 or fax: 416-259-3704 with any of your questions, commentsor concerns.
HH
12 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
On January 1st of this year the new
mortgage rule “The Stress Test”
came into effect to help adjust the
Toronto Real Estate market. Those put-
ting even 20% down on a mortgage now
face qualifying at an additional 2% on top
of the current interest rate. In other
words, if the interest rate is currently
3.44% and you would qualify $400,000
based on your income, adding 2% brings
you up to 5.44% which lowers your
amount to approximately $320,000.
What does this mean? A few things: one,
you can expect interest rates to continue
to go up; two, buying power has now
shrunk making it even harder to buy
property in Toronto and three, investors
will most likely become more active with
purchasing should prices start to dip due
to affordability. So, what do you do now?
Ask for help! Get the right advice.
Knowing how much you can afford to
spend and finding the right way to
finance it are two of the easiest ways to
begin. Contact a mortgage agent. Today
there are agents who meet you where you
feel most comfortable whether it be your
home or a coffee shop. They are called
Mobile Mortgage Specialists and they
work with you “whenever, wherever”. As
Melinda Gordon-Edmonds, Mobile Mort-
gage Specialist puts it, “I will help finalize
which type of mortgage is best, the
interest rate, mortgage term and payment
schedule, all at my clients’ convenience.”
One of the most common conditions
in an Agreement to purchase property is
the approval of mortgage financing. It is
very important to have pre-qualified
yourself to obtain financing before
making an offer. Most sellers prefer not
to agree to more than 5 business days to
fulfil a financing condition. Having a
property sold conditionally removes it
from the market. Nobody wants to waste
time and miss out on other potential
buyers. So, before falling in love with a
potential new condo or detached, you
want to obtain a pre-approval. This will
help you stay within your price range and
spend your time wisely looking at homes
you can reasonably afford.
The pre-approval meeting is the time
to find out about different mortgage
products that are available to suit your
particular needs. First-time buyers may
want to ask about special programs such
as the federal government’s “RSP Home
Buyers Plan”. Once the mortgage is pre-
approved, you can shop with confidence,
knowing how much you can spend for
the home of your choice. It is important
to understand that a Pre-Approval from
the lender does not mean that you are
approved for any property you wish, as
final financing always depends on the
actual property appraisal.
If you ever have any questions pertaining
to mortgages, condos, real estate law or any
other real estate related topic, contact me
today. I would be happy to assist you.
Steven Tupholme
Sales Representative
Royal Le Page Connect Realty
Phone: 416-726-1951
ask@thatcondoguy.ca
www.thatcondoguy.ca
HH
expert advice
The NEW MORTGAGEREALITY BY STEVEN TUPHOLME
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Questioning Your Investments?Get an expert second opinion on your portfolio
AN UNBIASED REVIEW CAN HELP YOU:Managing your investment exposure to Risk.
Keep your Fees Low.
Minimize your Taxes.
Review your Will & Estate Planning & Financial Planning.
Michael L. Storino, CCIM, FCSI Investment & Wealth Advisor
Tel: 416-231-3850michael.storino@rbc.comwww.michaelstorino.com
Contact Michael today for your complimentary second opinion service.
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ©2015 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved.
There’s Wealth in Our Approach.™
14 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
In addition to my responsibilities as
your MP, I serve as chair of the House
of Commons Natural Resources Com-
mittee. We study key issues facing both
the resource industry and the country,
balancing the growth of renewable
energy, industry and the environment.
We released a report in December on
electrical interties. There is no question
that affordable, reliable electricity is crit-
ical for the sustainability of the Canadian
economy and way of life. However, the
electricity generation portfolio of each
province and territory varies, both in terms
of the volume of electricity generated and
the fuel sources used. Canada, which has
significant hydroelectric resources, has
one of the highest proportions of elec-
tricity generated from renewable or
non-greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting
sources in the world, with renewable
sources and non-GHG emitting sources
accounting for 65% and 80% of Canada’s
electricity generation respectively.
Several jurisdictions however, rely
heavily on GHG-intensive fuel sources
like coal, diesel, and/or natural gas so the
committee studied four themes: 1)
Canada’s electricity transmission inter-
ties; 2) opportunities to strengthen
Canada’s interties; 3) enhanced regional
cooperation; and 4) recommendations to
the Government of Canada. Witnesses
told the Committee that electrification is
critical to achieving Canada’s national
climate goals. While electricity repre-
sents about 22% of all end-use energy
demand in Canada today, deep decar-
bonization scenarios project this to triple
by 2050. Increasing renewable and non-
GHG sources in the electricity mix, the
federal goal is to increase the share of
non-emitting electricity generation in
Canada to 90% by 2030. Provinces also
have their own goals. In light of these
changes, the Committee invited a wide
range of experts from government,
industry, academia and civil society to
discuss strategic electricity interties. The
Committee made recommendations.
Here are a few:
• That the Government of Canada work
with partners to assess the economic
opportunities of increased electricity
interties in different regions across
Canada, including interties that
increase interprovincial trade of elec-
tricity and provide other benefits for
electric utility operators, such as reli-
ability and resilience, according to the
findings of the Regional Electricity
Cooperation and Strategic Infrastruc-
ture Initiative; Interties to increase
Canada-U.S. electricity trade and pro-
vide safe, secure, reliable, clean and
efficient power to market; Interties
that could help reduce economic
losses from the electricity sector by
stemming curtailment and spillage of
renewable resources.
• It also recommended that the Govern-
ment explore export opportunities in
the U.S.
• Within our boundaries, the committee
recommended that the Government of
Canada work with partners to
examine: how electricity interties can
support provincial renewable elec-
tricity targets and help manage the
variable output of some renewable
electricity resources; opportunities to
coordinate interprovincial electricity
trade between low-carbon electric-
dominant provinces and their
neighbouring provinces and in
Northern and remote communities.
The Committee also recommended
that the Government of Canada engage
provinces and territories to identify
and address regulatory barriers
between jurisdictions to facilitate
developing transmission interties,
increasing interprovincial and Canada-
U.S. electricity trade, and modernizing
electric systems and markets.
• Non-GHG emitting sources of elec-
tricity are part of the energy solution
of the future.
For more information and for a copy of
the full report, contact my office.
James Maloney is the Federal Member of
Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore and has
been a resident in the riding for 40 years. Prior
to becoming the M.P., Mr. Maloney served as the
City Councillor for Ward 5 and practised law,
full-time, as a partner at Hughes-Amys.
NATURAL RESOURCESCommittee UPDATE
HH
BY JAMES MALONEY , M.P.
COMMUNITY NEWS
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 15
health & wellness
You can’t look into a crystal ball to
see how your health will be in 5, 20
or 50 years, however there are some
signs and trends that can give us a
glimpse into our future.
What are your genetic factors?
Are/were your parents healthy, mobile
and devoid of medications in mid to old
age? Are you similar to them? Do you
exercise on a regular basis to maintain
muscle tone and a healthy heart? Are you
an optimum weight for your age? Or, as
is the current trend, are you overweight,
and gaining 2-5 pounds per year? Do you
get adequate sleep? Are you eating a well-
balanced, nutritious diet with sufficient
protein to maintain all critical body func-
tions? Do you have work/family stressors
that take up a lot of your thoughts? Are
you content with your current life?
Here are a few ideas on how you can
achieve lifestyle management.
Take control of your future by imple-
menting small steps and strategies to
reverse or minimize these harmful fac-
tors. Genetics play a huge role; we can be
predisposed to heart disease, diabetes,
some cancers and other health issues.
However, we can alter these health risks
by modifying dietary habits, improving
our nutritional supplementation, lim-
iting alcohol consumption and not
smoking. Eliminating sugar, the silent
killer, is one of the most important fac-
tors for healthy living.
If weight loss is required JUST DO IT!
You will then experience the benefits of
increased mobility, more energy, a feeling
of well-being and possible reduction in
some medications, etc. Other actions such
as regular exercise/physical training will
maintain optimal muscle tone as you age.
Eliminate the negative in your life; do
you have any control over the stressor(s)
you are thinking about or that keep you
awake at night? If not, throw it over your
left shoulder and move on! Address the
issues, one by one, that you have some
control over and reach viable, successful
conclusions.
Encourage the positives and that
begins with YOU being healthy and happy.
The old saying, “Smile and the world
smiles with you, cry and you cry alone” is
so true. Give someone a hug, an exchange
of positive energy today. The power of a
hug is beyond measure. It helps form a
strong bond with friends and family. And
the nicest thing about a hug is that you
usually can’t give one without getting one.
Hugging is good medicine!
Change is uncomfortable and that’s
why we often fail with resolutions. How-
ever, you are the only one who can make
the commitment to change your life. Do
you want health, happiness and mobility
in your final years? What are you willing
to do to achieve these goals? It’s never too
late to start your healthy journey.
Remember, 90% of success is having a
goal and preparing the necessary steps to
achieve it.
Are you ready to change? Are you worth the
sacrifice? Our office provides Complemen-
tary Weekly Health Educational Seminars:
Tuesdays at 6:00 pm — Join us and let us
inspire you to become the ideal you. Contact
our clinic at 416-231-9502 to reserve your
seat. www.kingswayhealth.ca
Dr. Maureen Henderson,
Chiropractor and Ideal
Protein Coach has been
practicing for 41 years
located at: 2405 Lake Shore
Boulevard West, Etobicoke.
HH
BY DR. MAUREEN HENDERSON
WHAT DOES YOUR HEALTH FUTURE LOOK LIKE?
16 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
WATERFRONTTRANSIT RESET STUDYSUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Back in November 2015 the City of
Toronto launched the Waterfront
Transit “Reset” Study. Phase 1 was to
conduct a complete review of the history
of waterfront transit planning since 1995.
The study was commissioned to review
waterfront transit initiatives and options
to include:
• the proposed Shore Line (closing the
gap on the dedicated streetcar right-of-
way between St. Joseph’s Hospital and
Exhibition Place),
• the relocation of the Humber Loop,
• the Park Lawn — Lake Shore Trans-
portation Master Plan then underway,
• the possibility of a new GO Transit stop
at Park Lawn, the proposed Legion
Road extension,
• the proposed A.M. peak turning
restrictions on Park Lawn Road from
the Gardiner Expressway,
• the Mimico By the Lake Secondary
Plan (Mimico 20/20),
• the Long Branch Avenue Study,
• 2150 Lake Shore Boulevard West
(former Mr. Christie bakery site).
The Humber Bay Shores Condo-
minium Association was invited to
participate in the study as a stakeholder
and to offer its views, opinions and
COMMUNITY NEWS
IN PART BY JOHN CARDOULIS , HBSCA DIRECTOR | NEWPORT BEACH CONDOMINIUM
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 17
assessments of the study progress as part
of a broader advisory group.
Phase 2, started in June 2016, was for the
further development and costing of align-
ment concepts, detailed analysis of transit
operations and ridership, identification of
priority segments, as well as the creation of
a Business Case and implementation
strategy for delivering a coordinated water-
front transit solution. Again, HBSCA
participated in several additional Stake-
holder Advisory Group meetings.
Updates on the progress of this study
have been provided to HBSCA members and
executives at board meetings, the annual
general meetings and in various emails. The
study, completed in late November 2017,
will be considered by the Executive Council
on January 24, 2018 and by City Council on
January 31, 2018. Following below is an
excerpt for your review of the work product
of that study. The Waterfront Transit Net-
work Plan Report For Action has been
submitted by Deputy City Manager, Cluster
B, John Livey.
An excerpt from the Summary of this report of special interestto HBSCA members:“This report was prepared in collaboration
with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
and Waterfront Toronto.
The goal of this study was to create a
waterfront transit network from Long
Branch and Lake Shore in the west to Queen
Street and Woodbine Avenue in the east. The
results of the study and latest travel demand
forecast confirmed the direction of previous
initiatives to create an exclusive streetcar
right-of-way (LRT) from Legion Road and
Lake Shore Boulevard in the west to Leslie
Street and Commissioners Street in the east.
This direction is consistent with land use
projections to 2041 where it was found that
the waterfront will outpace most other areas
of the City and Region in terms of growth.
In this report, solutions are being
advanced for key sections of the network
between Humber Bay Shores and Exhibition
Place, along Bathurst St from Fort York Blvd
to Queens Quay, and for the Port Lands from
Parliament St to Leslie St.
The study has defined the primary east-
west waterfront transit corridor as a
component of a connected transit and multi-
modal system that supports significant growth
areas, the greatest concentration of cultural,
recreational and special events in the City, and
also provides flexibility and network resilience.
As a result, a series of streetcar infrastructure
projects are recommended that will support a
range of route and service options that will
allow different future demands to be served.
The two most significant projects in the
network are the westerly extension of a new
exclusive LRT right-of-way from Exhibition
Place to serve the Humber Bay Shores area
(“Humber Bay Link”), and improving the
underground transit link from Union Sta-
tion to Queens Quay, including the
previously approved exclusive LRT right-of-
way along Queens Quay East. Without these
two components of the network, the benefits
of further transit improvements to the west
and the east cannot be fully realized.”
The full 16-page document is available at:
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2018/
ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-110749.pdf
My thanks to Don Henderson, the original
HBSCA member attending the early stakeholder
meetings, for inviting me to represent HBSCA
during Phase 2 meetings. It’s been an experience!
HH
PHO
TO: A
ND
Y ZA
V
18 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
LIFESTYLE
WINTER CHILLS=WARMCHOCOLATECHIPCOOKIESW
hen the winter chills keeps us away from
our regular outdoor routine what better
way to enjoy your inside time than with
an old fashion bake day. There is a certain satis-
faction in home baking and warm chocolate
chip cookies with no additives or preservatives
is a win win!
Idea: package a few in a cute bag with a
ribbon for a neighbour or friend.
After some tasty research, we settled on this
Martha Stewart recipe:
HH
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment
paper, and set aside.
2. Combine butter and both sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with
the paddle attachment, and beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, and mix
to combine. Add egg, and continue beating until well combined.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly
add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just
combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
Repeat with remaining dough, placing scoops 3 inches apart. Bake until
just brown around the edges, 16 to 18 minutes, rotating the pans between
the oven shelves halfway through baking. Remove from the oven, and let
cool slightly before removing cookies from the baking sheets.
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped,
or one 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS
Mortgage AdviceWhenever, wherever
We understand that life can be hectic, so we make getting home financing advice convenient and comfortable.
Ask me how
Melinda Gordon-EdmondsMobile Mortgage Specialist
Tel: 416 689 8501
melinda.gordon-edmonds@td.com
• BOOKKEEPING
• ACCOUNTING
• INCOME TAX
• CONSULTING
• REPRESENTATION WITH
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
MAKING YOUR LIFELESS TAXING
523 The Queensway, Unit 100, Toronto ON M8Y 1J7Phone: 416 -767-3336 | Fax: 416-767-3178
E-mail: milcon@rogers.com
Conveniently located near the intersection ofPark Lawn and Queensway beside Royal Bank.
WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES:
20 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
lifestyle
If you thought last year’s tech was cool, in the immortal
words of ’70s rockers Bachman-Turner Overdrive,
“baby, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”
If the recent Consumer Electronics Show
(CES) is any indication, 2018 looks to be a
stellar year for new or improved technologies.
While we might not see domestic robots or
flying cars debut anytime soon, the following
is a look at a few interesting developments on
the horizon.
BY MARC SALTZMAN
TECH IT OUT:WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2018
VIRTUAL BLENDS WITH THE PHYSICALAs our lives become increasingly digital,
we’re seeing a deeper integration of these
two worlds. Look at your environment
through the camera lens of your smart-
phone (or windshield or special glasses),
and you’ll see digital information layered
on top of the real world. Called “aug-
mented reality,” the applications are
endless, such as seeing furniture in your
home before you bring it home, or GPS
directions overlaid on the roads in front
of your instead of looking at a teeny
5-inch screen. Another example of this
fusion between online and offline
worlds colliding: artificial intelligence
(A.I.)-driven “chatbots” simulate human
conversations in a messaging app like
Facebook Messenger and can interface
with you like a real person.
EVERYTHING BECOMES VOICE-CONTROLLEDSpeaking of A.I., Canada’s hottest tech
products – voice-activated personal assis-
tants in the home, like Google Home and
Amazon Echo – will continue to surge in
popularity, plus the technology will debut
in many other products, too. If you
haven’t seen these devices, they resemble
small speakers you’d place in, say, a
kitchen. After you say the wake word
(such as “OK Google,” or “Alexa” for
Amazon devices), you can ask a question
or give a command, and you’ll hear a
human-like voice give you an answer.
From booking an Uber or a restaurant
reservation to adjusting your home’s tem-
perature or turning the lights on outside,
these smart home assistants will get
smarter and more affordable in 2018. Other
products will fold in this same technology
too, including smart TVs and thermostats.
BLOCKCHAIN, CRYPTOCURRENCY BOOMAn overused yet often misunderstood term,
blockchain is a type of “distributed ledger,”
in which value exchange transactions — a
la Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies — are
sequentially grouped into blocks. As the
name suggests, each block is chained to
the previous block, and distributed
across a network, using a trusted cryp-
tographic mechanism (for a secured
platform). This disruptive technology
may be hyped most by the financial
services industry looking for a more
efficient global digital economy, but
promises to transform many other
industries including commerce (from
supply chain to transactions), digital
entertainment distribution, communi-
cations, personal identity verification,
and more.
IOT: A CONNECTED FUTUREAlong with other (and related) buzz-
words like “big data” and “M2M”
(machine-to-machine), Internet of
Things (IoT) refers to the fact all our
devices are beginning to talk to one
another. Everything is connected with
sensors on virtually all items and able to
identify themselves to other devices.
Example: Your car rounds the corner to
your home, which prompts your garage
door to open and coffee maker to brew a
fresh cup of Joe. After you pour milk into
your coffee and place the carton back
into the fridge, the fact that it’s nearly
empty prompts the fridge to add the item
to your shopping list or even add the
item to the online supermarket that will
ship the milk, along with other items,
every Friday morning. While most “tech”
items today involve a computer, phone
or tablet, IoT tells of a world where just
about everything is connected and in
communication.
SMARTER, GREENER CARS ON THE ROADThanks to relatively inexpensive electric
cars like the Chevrolet Bolt (under $30K
after government incentives) and the
upcoming Tesla Model 3, each with huge
range, electric cars will likely get the push
it needs to become more widely adopted
this year. And these vehicles aren’t just
better on the environment and much
cheaper to run than gas-guzzling cars but
they’re shopping with some serious
smarts too. The Model 3, for example,
includes the sensors, cameras and com-
puting power to essentially let the car
drive itself. Chevrolet’s vehicles are also
packed with many semi-autonomous
driving technologies to help the driver.
After all, about 95 percent of all car acci-
dents are caused by human error, so why
not get a little help from technology?
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 21
HH
22 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
expert adviCe
When it comes to saving for your
retirement or putting money away
for a rainy day you can’t beat the
tax advantages offered by contributing to
a Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) and/or
a Registered Retirement Savings Plan
(RRSP). Here are some tips on making the
most of each.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF AN RRSP?Contributions to your RRSP are tax-
deductible which means contributing to
your RRSP will help reduce your income
tax burden during your higher income
working years. You do eventually pay tax
when you withdraw income in retire-
ment, however, in theory the tax payable
should be lower as your income
decreases in retirement.
Not only are your contributions
tax-deductible, they also grow on a tax-
deferred basis. In other words, while your
investments sit in your RRSP, their
growth is sheltered from tax so the total
value can grow more quickly.
Also consider contributing earlier in
the year, or setting up a pre-authorized
contribution plan for regular intervals
throughout the year. This can result in
greater growth over time compared to con-
tributing a lump sum at the end of the year.
WHAT IS A TAX-FREE SAVINGSACCOUNT (TFSA) AND HOWDOES IT WORK?The TFSA is an extremely flexible savings
account that can meet a wide range of
needs. It can help you save for short term
goals like a vacation or home renovation
or be used to earn tax free income in
retirement. You can even use a TFSA
simply as an emergency fund from sur-
plus savings you may have.
The main feature of a TFSA is that any
growth from capital gains or dividends
you accumulate is not taxed. Since you do
not receive a tax benefit contributing to a
TFSA, you are not taxed when you with-
draw from a TFSA. You can withdraw as
much as you want, whenever you want,
for whatever reason you want and you
pay no taxes on the withdrawal. Addition-
ally, any amounts you withdraw are
added to your available contribution
room for future years, beginning on Jan-
uary 1 of the following year.
Any Canadian resident aged 18 and older
with a Social Insurance Number can open
a TFSA. The contribution limit for the TFSA
for 2018 is $5,500. As of January 1, 2018,
anyone who has never opened a TFSA can
contribute a cumulative total of $57,500.
Be very careful not to over contribute
to a TFSA. Work with your Investment
Advisor to ensure you are within your
TFSA contribution limits. CRA has been
known to penalize those who go over the
allowable limit.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER –RRSP CONTRIBUTION OR TFSACONTRIBUTION?This is very specific to everyone’s per-
sonal situation. Speak with your
Financial Advisor or give us a call to help
determine whether an RSP Contribution
or TFSA contribution is best for you. In
many cases a combination of both can be
a sound strategy.
MAKING YOUR 2017 RRSP CONTRIBUTIONThe deadline for your 2017 contribution
is March 1, 2018. You can contribute up to
18% of your 2017 earned income to a max-
imum of $26,010 minus any pension
adjustment from your 2016 T4 tax slip.
As always, if you are unsure about any of
the rules regarding RRSP or TFSA contribu-
tions, contact your accountant or financial
advisor. We are always happy to help.
Financial planning services are available
through RBC Dominion Securities Inc. RBC
Dominion Securities Inc.* and Royal Bank
of Canada are separate corporate entities
which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian
Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion
Securities Inc. is a member company of RBC
Wealth Management, a business segment of
Royal Bank of Canada. ®Registered trade-
marks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under
license. © 2015 Royal Bank of Canada. All
rights reserved. This article is not intended
as nor does it constitute tax or legal advice.
Readers should consult their own lawyer,
accountant or other professional advisor
when planning to implement a strategy.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR RRSP& TFSA: WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
HHHH
BY MICHAEL STORINO, CIM, FCSI , INVESTMENT & WEALTH ADVISOR
Michael L. Storino , CIM, FCSI, an Investment &
Wealth Advisor with RBC Wealth Management —
Dominion Securities. Member-Canadian Investor
Protection Fund. For more information or to inquire
about offered wealth planning services, call 416-
231-3850 or contact michael.storino@rbc.com.
www.michaelstorino.com
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 23
LIFESTYLE
The Queensway is one of the only
areas in the city where old meets new
and large meets small, all while per-
fectly blending together. A five-minute
walk east of Royal York Road along The
Queensway takes you to Tom’s Dairy
Freeze, a city-wide favourite ice cream
spot that opened in 1969. A five-minute
walk west of Royal York takes you to
Costco and Starbucks. This sort of balance
can be found anywhere along The
Queensway, and is the reason why the
neighbourhood has been a real estate hot
spot in recent months and is experi-
encing even more demand.
Near the corner of Royal York and The
Queensway, nestled between quaint bun-
galows and popular box stores, will be
Urban Capital’s Queensway Park Condos.
Located just in front of its namesake, a
lush 3.1-hectare park, Queensway Park is
helping change the face of Etobicoke’s
most popular boulevard.
RAW Design was mindful of
Queensway Park’s surroundings when
designing the building. Like its original
1950s neighbours, it’s a brick and glass
building made up of angular volumes and
characterized by a strict cadence of win-
dows and balconies in a sleek frame of
dark grey brick.
Once complete, the residence will
stand nine storeys tall and be home to 170
units ranging in size from one-bedroom
to three-bedroom spaces. Designed for
living, each unit will feature oversized
windows and nine and 10-foot ceilings
creating an expansive feel. Sliding doors
and free flowing layouts allow for rooms
to be opened up for dramatic effect, or
closed off for privacy.
Kitchens will feature extra storage
and an island so that resident foodies
can spread out while making their
favourite dishes.
Queensway Park’s amenities will offer
something for every life stage and
interest. Residents will be able to enjoy
garden plots for urban farming, a hobby
room that will allow people to hone in on
their inner craftiness, a product library to
borrow household items, a kid’s play-
room, dog bath, and of course a fully-
equipped gym. A shared interior lounge
and outdoor lounges will give residents
an opportunity to unwind.
The best amenity of all though, is
located just north of the condo.
Queensway Park has long been a local
community hub featuring two baseball
diamonds, a children’s playground and
large playing field. The park is currently
undergoing a transformation to include
an ice skating trail throughout, and two
new tennis courts.
Queensway Park residents will never
have to go far for a fun night out. Located
along The Queensway is an endless selec-
tion of gourmet restaurants featuring
cuisines from all over the world, a Cineplex
movie theatre, and boutique shopping —
all within walking distance. For even more
selection, the downtown core is just a short
drive away on the Gardiner.
For more information about Queensway
Park Condos visit Queenswaypark.ca or call
416-251-3000.
CONDO FEATUREDISCOVER A HIDDEN GEM OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD AT
QUEENSWAY PARK CONDOS
HH
Each year we watch for the “next big
thing” in travel. Yet one thing
remains constant: our appetite to go
wandering, regardless of world events.
Here are a few trends for the coming year.
A-LA-CARTE PRICINGWith the introduction of several “Ultra
Low-Cost Carriers” in the North American
market, fares will drop overall. However,
watch for the rise of pay-for-what-you-
use fares. It is important to understand
the rules of the lowest fares, as they are
restrictive, and many do not include
checked bags or even carry-on allowances
in the ticket price, even for international
flights. Hotel “resort fees” beyond the base
fare are claimed to cover extras and can be
as high as $40 per night. Many online
sites hide this extra cost to be competitive.
HOSTED TOURINGEven those who wouldn’t have previously
considered booking a package holiday are
taking a second look, recognizing the value
and peace of mind they provide in uncer-
tain times. This is the “new” hosted tour —
no longer luggage out by 6:00 a.m. and “if
it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium.” Today’s
tours are more personalized with longer
stays and exclusive options that most trav-
elers would not have access to or even
think of — the ability to connect with a
destination and dive into the food and cul-
ture, led by local insiders who share their
secrets. Tours range from fully private to
small groups — with the details taken care
of so that you can skip the lines, enjoy a
smooth ride and make the most of every
day. Imagine arriving at Machu Picchu with
plans to hike the Inca Trail only to learn
that park passes have been sold out for
months or arriving at the Vatican or
Sagrada Familia without reservations to
find the lineup three blocks long. With a
little planning and a local host, you will
know that someone has your back, even
when an unexpected event takes place!
TECHNOLOGYMost don’t leave home these days without
a smartphone or tablet. Social media is
pervasive as travelers document their
experiences by blog, post, share or tweet.
The “Selfie Stick” has been banned at many
popular tourist venues. With instant
access to relevant information across the
web, travelers no longer rely on out-of-
date guidebooks or paper maps. Some
hotels are introducing smart home tech-
nology — voice controlled speakers,
thermostats and lighting preferences.
Cruise ships are introducing Virtual
Reality experiences, enhanced Wi-Fi at sea
and a smart watch that opens your door,
allows you to order drinks and keep track
of your daily schedule. Biometric systems
(even face recognition) are being tested to
speed up boarding, luggage, security and
customs processes at airports.
24 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
travel
BY KRISTA GARNEY CLUETT
TRAVEL TRENDSFOR 2018
RIVER CRUISINGRiver cruising will continue to increase in
popularity. The slow travel a river cruise
provides allows guests to experience a
higher level of immersion in local culture.
With under 200 guests onboard, there is
an intimate atmosphere and more person-
alized experience. River cruise companies
continue to add new options for touring
destinations (bike tours, cooking classes)
and are appealing to a wider demographic.
This year, Uniworld is introducing two
ships aimed at 21 to 45-year old’s. Disney
Cruise Line has chartered a river cruise
ship with a special itinerary designed for
the whole family. Popular itineraries will
continue to sell-out up to a year in advance
so plan ahead for the best fares.
GOING SOLOThe liberation of solo travel is on the rise.
The freedom to make your own vacation
choices, of not having to be responsible
for anyone’s pleasure but your own
allows you to appreciate the experience
on an entirely different level than when
you’re with a friend, spouse or family
member. Travel companies who have
long charged 150-200% premiums for
solo guests are offering more options for
waived or reduced solo supplements. Just
You is a tour company which offers tours
for guests, all with single accommoda-
tions. Many companies such as G
Adventures offer a program with a rea-
sonable supplement for single guests or
they will match you with another traveler.
Some cruise lines offer single occupancy
staterooms — Norwegian Cruise Line
offers studios with an exclusive lounge
for solo guests. Most cruise lines offer
waived or reduced single supplements on
a selection of sailings throughout the
year — you just have to watch for them.
MULTIGENERATIONAL TRAVELOnce upon a time, you took a vacation to get
away from your extended family, not get
closer to them! But these days, with quality
time with loved ones harder to come by,
multigenerational travel is fast becoming
the most popular trend in the industry. By
traveling together with younger and older
relatives, families are able to reconnect.
“Skip-gen” trips, where grandparents take
grandchildren on a special adventure,
leaving the parents behind to experience
their own time off, are also becoming more
popular. Many resorts, cruise lines and
even hosted tours offer something for
everyone — from a multitude of dining
options to specialized sightseeing. The key
is to create lasting memories for everyone
through shared experiences.
POP-CULTURE DESTINATIONSWhen the Lord of the Rings movies came
out, visits to New Zealand spiked as
tourists flocked to experience the films’
iconic landscapes. Visiting areas of Ice-
land, North Ireland, Croatia, and Morocco
made famous by Game of Thrones is the
latest trend as fans want to see the most
popular on-screen settings first hand.
And with the announcement of the latest
Royal Wedding, watch for “Royal” themed
tours. You can soak up the royal atmos-
phere around Windsor and London
throughout the year, even if you did not
get an official invite to the wedding.
AUTHENTIC/RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL2017 was dominated by ‘over tourism’ –
with some locals feeling there were more
downsides than upsides from tourism.
Tourists, too, found overcrowding detracted
from their holiday. “Authentic travel”
shifts the emphasis to ensure local com-
munities see more of the tourists’ money
this year — working with local people
around their culture and ways of life. The
average bucket list used to consist of the
classics: the Eiffel Tower, the Greek
Islands. Today, that list is so much more
diverse, as travelers look to have experi-
ences in places off the beaten path. There
is a movement towards appreciating and
preserving the unique natural and cul-
tural features of the places we visit.
Ready to be inspired? For more information
visit www.HumberBayTravel.com
Humber Bay Travel, 88 Palace Pier Ct. #103.
416-236-2266 • info@HumberBayTravel.com
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 25
HH
OPPOSITE TOP: Cape Reinga Lighthouse, NewZealand OPPOSITE BOTTOM: Rovinj, CroatiaABOVE: Village in Morocco LEFT: NorwegianCruise Line. Photos: Depositphotos.com
The last two sessions of City Council
for 2017 yielded important initia-
tives for both our community and
the city at large.
During the November session of City
Council, I moved two motions specifi-
cally focused on Humber Bay Shores. As
I have stated on several occasions, I do
not support additional residential devel-
opment on the First Capital [former Mr.
Christie’s] site.
In addition to questions regarding the
future of this property, I also heard from
many residents concerned about the sale
of the All Canadian Self Storage property
located at 2256 Lake Shore Blvd W. and
the possibility of additional residential
density on that site.
With these community concerns in
mind, I moved a motion asking that the
City ensure no new residential develop-
ment proceeds in Humber Bay Shores until
the necessary soft and hard infrastructure
is committed. I am pleased to confirm that
this motion was unanimously supported
by my Council colleagues.
At the municipal level, both the Park
Lawn Lake Shore Master Plan and the
Waterfront Transit Reset are underway to
prioritize transit and improve multi-
modal transportation in Humber Bay
Shores. I believe it’s time for the Province
and Metrolinx to step up and support
much-needed transit in our community.
It’s a critical component in ensuring res-
idents are both willing and able to choose
public transit over driving. This will help
alleviate congestion on our roads and
address environmental impacts – tying
into larger city-wide objectives to reduce
the effects of climate change and traffic
throughout Toronto.
My second motion directed the City
to work with both Metrolinx and First
Capital Realty to make Park Lawn GO a
priority. With the future of the First
Capital site as a potential major employ-
ment centre — ideally incorporating
space for public and community ser-
vices on the property — now is the time
to support transit. I continue to say the
need for transit is at a tipping point in
our community. We cannot afford to
wait any longer.
Working in conjunction with both the
Park Lawn Lake Shore Master Plan and the
Waterfront Transit Reset, the addition of
a new GO station at Park Lawn would pro-
vide residents with a variety of integrated
transit and transportation options, ide-
ally as part of an integrated transit hub on
the First Capital site, which I have called
for. If you would like updates regarding
this motion, City Council or other Ward 6
initiatives, please sign up for my eNews
at www.markgrimes.ca.
Mark Grimes is the Councillor for Ward 6
Etobicoke-Lakeshore. He is a life-long resi-
dent, activist and businessperson in south
Etobicoke. He can be reached by email at
councillor_grimes@toronto.ca, or by phone
at 416-397-9273
COMMUNITY News
HUMBER BAY SHORESDEVELOPMENT& TRANSITuPDATE
BY COUNCILLOR MARK GRIMES
HH
26 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
ICC Theory ..................................................................................Feb 19 - Mar 8
Intermediate Coastal Nav Standard ..........................................Feb 19 - Mar 8
Intermediate Cruising Theory ..................................................Feb 21 - Mar 21
Sailboat Diesel Engine Maintenance ......................................Feb 21 - Mar 28
Red Cross Standard First Aid with CPR level C & AED ..............Mar 3 - Mar 4
VHF Radio “ROCM”with DSC Endorsement ......Multiple start dates (summer)
Powered Vessel Operators Permit(Toronto Harbour License) ..................................Multiple start dates (summer)
Basic Keelboat Cruising ....................................Multiple start dates (May-Jun)
Intermediate Keelboat Cruising ........................Multiple start dates (May-Jun)
Basic Keelboat Starter Package ....................................................................
......................(Basic Keelboat course+VHF+THL+1 month Sailing Club Pass)
Running from January 19 to February 25,
the five wintertime art installations
are located on Queens Quay West
between York Street and Spadina Avenue.
A giant red bear reclining in the snow,
a cosy cabin made from tree roots and a
jingling wind chime constellation are just
some of the installations that visitors to
Toronto’s downtown Waterfront can
experience this winter as the winners are
announced for the second annual Ice
Breakers event.
Ice Breakers, the temporary Waterfront art
exhibit presented by the Waterfront BIA and
produced by Winter Stations, asked artists
and designers to look to the stars for inspira-
tion for 2018, with the theme “constellation”.
“After the huge success of last year’s Ice
Breakers event, we decided to open the
exhibit up as an international competi-
tion for 2018. We were looking for
installations that would bring colour,
warmth and activity to the Waterfront -
attracting visitors from across the City to
experience this spectacular wintertime
streetscape,” says Carol Jolly, Executive
Director, The Waterfront BIA.
On October 19, the Ice Breakers jury
met to choose the final five art installa-
tions that will be built and featured along
Queens Quay West. It was a full day of
jury deliberations, where over 100 inter-
national submissions from around the
world were reviewed. Jury members
included Heather A. Meltzer, Principal,
Bow Bridge Communications LLC, Udo
Schliemann, Principal Creative Director,
Entro Communications, Ilana Shamoon,
Cultural Programming and Public Art
Commissions Manager, Waterfront
Toronto, Jeremy Smith, Chief Develop-
ment Officer, Harbourfront Centre
and Deborah Wilson, Vice President
Communications and Public Affairs,
PortsToronto, also joined by WBIA and
Winter Stations organizers. “We were
bowled over by the high standard of
entries this year, and the creative
responses to the theme ‘constellation’. We
chose the winners based on their origi-
nality, feasibility and how interactive and
engaging we thought they could be,” said
Winter Stations co-founder Ted Merrick
of Ferris + Associates.
The name Ice Breakers is inspired by
the utilitarian ships once used in
Toronto’s harbour to break up frozen
bodies of water, keeping commerce
flowing into and out of the City. Ice
Breakers is also a testament to the power
of design, bringing strangers together and
sparking a fresh dialogue about Toronto’s
urban Waterfront.
Developed in partnership with
PortsToronto, all five Ice Breakers instal-
lations will be dispersed throughout the
Waterfront between York Street and
Spadina Avenue beginning January 19.
The exhibition will run over five weeks,
coinciding with the debut of the fourth
annual Winter Stations competition in
The Beaches on Family Day.
28 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
lifestyle
ICE BREAKERSRETURNS TO TORONTO’S URBAN WATERFRONT FOR WINTER 2018
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ABOVE: ‘Winter FanFare’ by Thena Tak (Van-couver, Canada) Winter FanFare is a series ofrotated fan-sculptures that collectively form a cir-culation playscape for winter exploration. In thespirit of the competition’s theme, ‘constellations’,Winter FanFare deploys individual fan-sculpturesto create clusters of pockets where the public canmeander through or run in and around.
WINTER 2018 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 29
Did you know that Toronto home
prices growth is increasing faster
than any other city in Canada? The
average price of a home is approximately
$1.5 million, with condos hitting an
average of just over $560,000. In order to
capitalize on the more affordable home
prices that the outskirts have to offer, many
homebuyers are making the move to
Southern Ontario, which continues to be a
popular destination for Torontonians who
currently live near the downtown core.
Larger homes for similar prices to that
of a condo in Toronto are especially
attractive to young families and first-time
buyers who are seeing real value in being
able to purchase a townhouse, semi or
detached home with a backyard.
The most desirable product for young
families is a detached home in a new sub-
division. Newer subdivisions are
beautifully built and provide access to
local existing amenities like parks, new
schools, planned and existing infrastruc-
ture and new retail.
Take for example St. Catharines. The
average price for a pre-construction house
is around $550,000 and the average re-
sale price is $347,900, which is less than
the price of a condo in the GTA. This is
appealing to growing families who may
have started out in the city, but are slowly
making their way out for more space.
Another popular incentive to relocate is
the GO regional express train network
expansion set to be completed by 2023. The
expansion will include weekday service to
Niagara Falls, new stations in Grimsby and
upgrades to Via Rail stations in Niagara
Falls and St. Catharines. The Golden Horse-
shoe is within close proximity to the GTA
via the QEW, making Toronto accessible in
just over an hour. This is a convenient
option for commuters who may have to
drive into the city for work or leisure.
Investors are attracted to the Golden
Horseshoe market as it offers them more
affordability, capital appreciation and
lower deposit amounts.
Empty nesters from Toronto, Missis-
sauga, Oakville, Hamilton and Burlington
are also migrating further south for the
same reasons. Their homes have greatly
appreciated over the last few years and they
are able to sell them for more than double
Niagara’s prices, allowing them to pur-
chase a more affordable home while
putting the rest of their equity into their
retirement funds. The Niagara Region is a
popular option for retirees as it offers them
better home prices, more space, better
weather and a more relaxed lifestyle.
The real estate market in Niagara is
predicted to continue to rise over the next
few years which makes investing in the
Golden Horseshoe a smart decision. Any
property you purchase today will only
increase in value in the future.
Michael Klassen is a Broker of Record at Eleven
Eleven Realty Inc. Michael co-founded Eleven
Eleven with the sole focus on the growing resi-
dential preconstruction market. With a 12-year
career as a licensed realtor, his proven track
record for selling out low-rise, mid-rise and high-
rise preconstruction projects has made him a
sought-after industry expert. Often referred to
as the “Pre-Construction Specialist,” his excep-
tional relationship-building skills have been
instrumental in establishing Eleven Eleven’s
extensive investor database. www.1111realty.ca
SOUTHERNONTARIOCONTINUES TO BEA POPULAR DESTINATIONFOR GTA HOMEBUYERS
HH
BY MICHAEL KLASSEN , BROKER OF RECORD AT ELEVEN ELEVEN REALTY
EXPERT ADVICE
30 HUMBER HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2018 WWW.HBSCA.CA
“Why are they are cutting down
trees in Humber Bay Park East
without prior notice to the
community”?, was a message I received
in late October. I directed this question to
the Toronto and Region Conservation
Authority (TRCA). Danny Moro, TRCA’s
Project Manager of Restoration Projects,
Restoration & Infrastructure, apologized
for this oversight and has now supplied
the following details:
“The Humber Bay East Shoreline
project will see the enhancement of the
eastern embayment at Humber Bay Park
East by TRCA in partnership with the City
of Toronto. Part of this restoration work
includes the naturalization of approxi-
mately 375m of shoreline. This entails
the creation of a subtle natural sloped
shoreline with tree and shrub plantings,
rock piles, submerged shoals, log
cribs/log tangles and sheltered areas that
will promote the growth of aquatic vege-
tation. Benefits of the project include:
water quality enhancement as natural-
ized shorelines absorb nutrients and
contaminants; improved erosion protec-
tion as shoreline structure helps mitigate
wave action; and enhanced fish and
wildlife habitat. Logs and rocks at or near
the water surface provide basking and
loafing opportunities for turtles and
waterfowl, while the underwater features
benefit fish, both large and small. The
native trees and shrubs that will be
installed next spring will benefit a variety
of species including migratory and resi-
dent birds. Included in this project is the
creation of two accessible recreational
nodes on the west and east sides of the
embayment. These nodes will offer more
opportunities to enjoy the Humber Bay
Park East environment and alleviate pres-
sure on the existing, very well used social
gathering areas.”
When questioned further, Moro
explained that TRCA’s Restoration &
Infrastructure, Restoration Services staff
began planning this project in late 2016
with the City providing priority locations
and funding for recreational viewing
nodes. Humber Bay Park East Embayment
was on the priority list and was selected
for recreational viewing nodes.
The total budget for this project is
approximately $350,000 of which
$100,000 is covered by an Environment
and Climate Change Canada fund.
Moro confirmed that as of December
2017 construction was complete. Plantings
will be scheduled for the spring of 2018.
This project dove-tails with the Humber
Bay Park Masterplan and is the first con-
crete sign of the park’s renewal.
HUMBER BAY PARK SHORELINE PROJECT UPDATE
SIGNS OF RENEWAL
Community news
HH
BY IRENE JARDINE
New Twitter Account Alert! HumberBayFriends@FOHBP. For more information or to become a member follow us on Facebook(Friends of Humber Bay Park) friendsofhumberbaypark@gmail.com
PHO
TO: J
ULI
E RY
AN
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