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news

TTC Talks Tasing, TDSB Cancels Schools and Pools, Toronto Hydro Prefers Air Drying

By Karen Whaley

0417news_ttc.jpg
TTC strike: not today, but probably Monday. If it happens, Torontoist will let you know.
If you were to get your ass kicked by a TTC Special Constable, would you prefer a gun, a taser, or the standard pepper spray? The TTC launches a $100,000 study to find out.
The Toronto District School Board is set to make some controversial changes over the next few years. A report released yesterday threatens the closure of school swimming pools, the cancellation of ESL classes to adult students, and bans homework on holidays.
According to a survey conducted by WWF Canada, 85% of Torontonians switched off their lights for Earth Day. Call us skeptical, but can you really find that out from surveying 1,002 people online? What’s your take, sociologists?
Speaking of making small lifestyle changes to conserve energy, Toronto Hydro is giving away 75,000 clotheslines to GTA homeowners. The clotheslines are valued at $13 each and will save you money on your hydro bill, so JACKPOT.
Photo by David Topping.

Comments

  • David Topping

    Torontoist’s survey about Earth Hour participation had 3/5 of the response that the WWF’s did, and 66% of people who responded said they participated in the hour (20% more said they kind of did). I’d be astonished if 85% of Torontonians actually did turn off their lights.

  • Mark Ostler

    I wonder if anyone’s going to poll Toronto businesses and companies to see how many participated. I’m sure the numbers will be significantly lower (I’m looking at you, empty downtown towers).

  • Karen Whaley

    Maybe Torontoist should send its online poll statistics to The Star and get a story written about it.

  • Doggiez

    Re: The photo of the TTC employee. I’m surprised he didn’t have a royal flaming shitfit when you took this picture… most drivers have issues when it comes to being photographed.

  • Mark Ostler

    How many TTC drivers have you tried to photograph? And why? Is it the uniform, because I’ve got to say, those hats do it for me.

  • TokyoTuds

    As for clotheslines, I thought they were banned ….
    Tuds

  • Mark Ostler

    Tuds: Certain subdivisions and developments enacted covenants banning clotheslines (I believe these were put into contracts of sale, but I’m not sure, not an expert on it). The reasons vary, I’m sure, probably “unsightly” and such. Not a city or provincial law or anything.

  • Lauriemc

    It’s sad how much money is wasted on/by the TTC and yet low-income new Canadians won’t be able to access free or affordable ESL classes.

  • PDSmith

    Bob Kinnear is right. The city union is 1st class. The others working with them, such as transit unions are second class and get far less than their city counter parts. I personally know people doing the same job in 2 unions. The city employee makes twice the other’s salary.
    The problem is they are depriving the city’s citizens, who have become the 3rd class citizens in all of this, of the ability to get to work, get paid and support their families. Because they don’t have protected pensions? They people who pay the price have no pensions at all.

  • TokyoTuds

    Hey mark0, thanks for the correction. I was being facetious, actually, and as my wife and I dry all our laundry on a clothes line here in Tokyo, this is actually a top criteria for home shopping in Toronto. We hope to buy this summer … and air our laundry ;-)
    Tuds