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Wednesday, January 28, 2015 metronews.ca | twitter.com/metrotoronto | facebook.com/metrotoronto TORONTO NEWS WORTH SHARING. #BellLetsTalk Clara Hughes Today put a little into somebody’s day Today is Bell Let’s Talk Day. For every text, mobile or long distance call made by a subscriber*, and tweet using #BellLetsTalk, Bell will donate 5¢ more to mental health initiatives across the country. #BellLetsTalk bell.ca/letstalk *Regular long distance and text message charges apply. Wednesday, January 28, 2015 metronews.ca | twitter.com/metrotoronto | facebook.com/metrotoronto 7 000 000 $ , , TORONTO NEWS WORTH SHARING. Say it ain’t so, Tim King of coffee does a double-double take on layoffs. Page 11. Toronto taking on wind tunnels Development. The big chill includes looking for ways to “strengthen the language that New policies in works we have in the official plan to to better manage These are some of the cold- (cid:580)(cid:3) (cid:38)(cid:209)(cid:292)(cid:220)(cid:279)(cid:305)(cid:292)(cid:238)(cid:292)(cid:279)(cid:274)(cid:302)(cid:3)(cid:17)(cid:229)(cid:274)(cid:302)(cid:292)(cid:229)(cid:3)(cid:255)(cid:221)(cid:229)(cid:3) deal with wind mitigation and icy urban gusts est spots as determined by rink: “So cold, because it’s wind issues,” Parakh said. David Leonard, founder of right on the water.” The city is also creating a Twitter weather updates via (cid:580)(cid:3) (cid:38)(cid:305)(cid:273)(cid:220)(cid:229)(cid:292)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:292)(cid:255)(cid:225)(cid:251)(cid:229)(cid:552)(cid:3)“So new development permit sys- #DLWS, and his comments: beautiful, but you’ll die if tem, which would shift away ROSEMARY you go there.” from considering develop- WESTWOOD (cid:580)(cid:3) (cid:48)(cid:255)(cid:274)(cid:251)(cid:3)(cid:604)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:209)(cid:317)(cid:552)(cid:3)“Monstrous.” (cid:580)(cid:3) (cid:98)(cid:279)(cid:274)(cid:251)(cid:229)(cid:3)(cid:604)(cid:3)(cid:16)(cid:268)(cid:279)(cid:279)(cid:292)(cid:552)(cid:3)“Bad.” ments on a site-by-site basis and [email protected] consider them in the context of the areas they’re in, which may As towering buildings go up that come with tall buildings,” Seasons Hotel, he added. allow the city to highlight areas across Toronto, city planners said James Parakh, the city’s “We’ve had a number of of greater concern. People battle strong wind gusts — and the frigid cold that comes with them say they’re working to reduce urban design manager. “One conversations with the Four Developers of any new tall — near King and Bay streets. DAVID VAN DYKE/METRO one side effect of highrise de- of the places that’s notoriously Seasons, and we’re looking at buildings are already required velopment: wind tunnels. been referred to as very windy exploring ways in which wind to submit reports that show a few stories high, above which ic guidelines on what should be Toronto is not the windiest is King and Bay.” conditions there can be im- how a proposed building will the building gets narrower. considered safe — or comfort- city in Canada, but pedestrians Yorkville is another blustery proved,” Parakh said. impact gusts at street level. Other features could include able — wind speeds, and relies in the downtown core could be location, and the city has re- Bigger plans are also in the One of the most effective large glass or concrete canopies instead on the expertise of en- forgiven for thinking it is. ceived a number of complaints works. The city is updating its tactics involves a “podium” — a and windscreens. gineers who specialize in wind “That’s one of the impacts about streets around the Four urban design policies and that wider base for a building that’s Toronto doesn’t have specif- tunnel testing for developers. MAKING RAINBOWS FOR SPORTS With the Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games coming to the campus in July, Mike Plumton, chair of the Positive Space committee at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, is launching an effort to focus more attention on LGBTQ issues in sport. Story, page 8. CONTRIBUTED metronews.ca TORONTO 3 Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Relief for Liberty Village commuters LUKE Quoted sharing economy. They SIMCOE don’t want to own a car any [email protected] Our goal is to fill the more. It’s too expensive.... They just want to be able to Well that didn’t take long. empty seats on the get from point A to point B Liberty Village commut- road but not add to conveniently.” ers mourning Line Six — the Although cLink invites the number of cars on private shuttle service that comparisons to Uber, Mare- hit the brakes last week due the road.” schal shrugs off any simi- N to legal concerns — already larities between his service Nicolas Mareschal, who launched cLink have another alternate tran- and the controversial ride- sit provider vying for their share company. patronage. always packed.” “Uber is a completely dif- A crowdsourced carpool Mareschal, 26, decided to ferent business model,” he service by French ex-pat start the project after read- said. “Our goal is to fill the E Nicolas Mareschal, called ing about Line Six’s suspen- empty seats on the road but cLink, has launched a pi- sion. He believes the shut- not add to the number of lot project in the transit- tle service proved there’s cars on the road.” starved neighbourhood. a market for new forms of Mareschal wouldn’t of- Residents will soon be transit in the area. fer up numbers, but told W able to use the app to share The King streetcar is known for being cramped and the area near Liberty “Liberty Village is quite Metro there’s been a “great” seats in their cars or cabs as Village is notoriously starved for transit. A crowd-sourced carpool tool is young. There’s a lot of response to the Liberty Vil- they drive downtown. promising relief. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE FILE young professionals there,” lage project since it was an- “Since moving to To- he said. nounced Monday. ronto, I always hear people portation in Liberty Vil- “The only option is the “And the younger gen- For more information, complaining about trans- lage,” Mareschal said. streetcar and the King car is eration is more into the visit clinkme.co. S Talking to strangers is about to get easier ShoutzApp. New fic here for?’” Expansion planned Toronto-based app Users of the app are able to set up a message bubble for a lets people in transit specific time period, within a (cid:580)(cid:3) ShoutzApp launched in connect anonymously specific radius. Anyone else December and has had a by location using the app in that location few hundred downloads will see the message thread. so far — all users who Qureshy says he’s seen a have helped Qureshy lot of use at Union Station and his 22-year-old ROSEMARY and on GO trains. One person, brother and co-founder, WESTWOOD for example, used the app to Mohammad Ali, work [email protected] warn others on the train that through the bugs. the fare enforcer was coming. Awkward silence is the hall- Qureshy himself has been (cid:580)(cid:3) The brothers plan to mark of Toronto transit. riding GO Transit for more launch an Android ver- But if the founders of a than a decade and said he got sion soon and will be tar- new iPhone app have their the idea after seeing the same geting universities and way, that will soon change. people sit in the same seats Union Station in their ShoutzApp envisions a and get off at the same sta- fi rst marketing push. world where anonymous, tions. Despite that, he never location-based conversations talked to them. (cid:580)(cid:3) Perhaps most appealing let strangers connect. “Especially on the GO for people worried about Like Snapchat, the con- train you have a captive audi- all of the information versations delete after a set ence,” he said, adding the app some apps now collect, time period. But like Twit- could be used “at the univer- ShoutzApp only wants ter, everyone tuned in — and sity, or at the bar. You know to know one thing: Your within range — can see the how difficult it can be to ap- location. messages. proach people.” “If I have something I’m Right now, people can’t (cid:580)(cid:3) “When you download selling I can say, ‘I have an post pictures. the app, you don’t sign iPhone for sale,’” says co- “If people can anonymous- in or sign out, nothing is founder Shehryar Qureshy, ly post things, it can get dirty collected,” not even your 32, who has a day job as an pretty fast,” Qureshy said. phone number, Qureshy said. “It assigns you a engineer. “It could be classifieds, On the web random user name.” missed connections, it could (cid:580)(cid:3) Eventually, Qureshy be if you’re driving and you’re in traffic, you can open (cid:34)(cid:279)(cid:292)(cid:3)(cid:273)(cid:279)(cid:292)(cid:229)(cid:3)(cid:268)(cid:279)(cid:221)(cid:209)(cid:268)(cid:3)(cid:274)(cid:229)(cid:315)(cid:296)(cid:550)(cid:3) hopes the app will make Transit users are among the prime targets for a new app hoping to connect a bubble one kilometre ahead (cid:251)(cid:279)(cid:3)(cid:302)(cid:279)(cid:3)(cid:273)(cid:229)(cid:302)(cid:292)(cid:279)(cid:274)(cid:229)(cid:315)(cid:296)(cid:553)(cid:221)(cid:209) money via sponsored ads. strangers, says Shehryar Qureshy, co-founder of ShoutzApp. and say, ‘Hey, what’s the traf- DAVID VAN DYKE/METRO 4 TORONTO metronews.ca Wednesday, January 28, 2015 Leaf fan looking for new players Hockey. Frustrated snarky, yet unusual, ad on- should be entitled to voicing line, looking to recruit for- their displeasure. fan posts cheeky ad wards, defencemen and goal- “People pay a lot of money online for anyone ies for his favourite team in to come to the arena,” said the NHL. He is, in his own Mucci, disclosing he’s only capable of “putting words, looking for anyone ca- been to two games at Air the puck in the net” pable of “putting the puck in Canada Centre this season — the net.” including one in November “Instead of going to the when the team was crushed GILBERT game and throwing my jer- 9-2 by the Nashville Preda- NGABO sey on ice, which I think is tors. The frustration is justi- [email protected] disrespectful and embarrass- fied, he added. ing, I thought this is the best In January alone, the Alex Mucci is frustrated with way to send out a message,” Maple Leafs have only won the Maple Leafs’ recent medi- he said from his home in Bar- once in 10 games. Their cur- ocre run. rie. rent record on the season is Make that really frustrat- But what message, exact- 22-23-3 and they’ll be look- ed. So frustrated, in fact, that ly? ing to break a six-game los- he’s decided to take matters Players think fans ing streak tonight when they in his own hands. shouldn’t be mad at them, face the New Jersey Devils on The 21-year-old lifelong he said, but if they’re going the road. hockey fan has posted a to be playing that badly, fans It’s no surprise many The ultimate fan? Alex Mucci thinks fans should be able to voice displeasure. CONTRIBUTED Leafs fans feel the same way, Quoted or worse. Since posting the them said. dential emails, he said. He On a serious note, Mucci ad, Mucci said, he’s received At least one person re- didn’t reply to them, though. thinks the Leafs should con- “As a diehard fan, I think we should rebuild if we more than 100 replies, most sponded negatively to the ad, “Clearly they didn’t get the sider “tanking” and getting a in support of his feelings. calling Mucci a “goof.” joke,” he said, laughing. high draft pick, rather than want to win big in the future.” “Thanks for being an About 10 people even The ad has been viewed finishing the season just out- Alex Mucci, on the Maple Leafs awesome Canadian,” one of sent him resumés in confi- about 40,000 times. side the playoff picture. OLYMPIANS FACE THE DRAGONS. WILL THEY TAKE HOME GOLLDD? 8 ALL-NEW WWWWEEBXCLLLUUUSIVE A NEW TONIGHT STARTING FEB. 2 Presented by: AT cbc.ca/nextgenden CLEARANCE!!! GETAWAYS!!! 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With these kinds of services, the daily commute could be less jam-packed and more comfortably spacious. DAVID VAN DYKE/METRO/TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE FILE Possibilities abound with Presto, including free coffee Transit. New fare card per cent of TTC users, while Personal info Quoted ridership counts are done offers TTC access to more by staff standing at stops or Privacy “Presto is a natural rider data and potential inside stations (some buses concerns the University of Toronto’s but it may not be enough. evolution for the TTC are fitted with a sensor that Citizen Lab. “If you’re looking at to introduce real-time counts riders as they board). “But the question is what large datasets, you can start into the 20th century. pricing incentives Presto will automate minimal amount of data is picking out individuals And yes, I mean the much of that data collection, While few can argue with necessary to collect for that based on just one or two 20th century.” and by yoking payment to a the prospect of a less- planning, and is there a way other data points,” he said. single, electronic option, the cramped streetcar, one to authenticate Presto cards Ultimately, any technol- J.P. Boutros, former transit adviser to ex- LUKE TTC will get a clearer pic- Toronto-based privacy that maximally protects ogy like Presto involves TTC chair Karen Stintz, on how the Presto SIMCOE ture of where riders are and advocate has some concerns individuals’ privacy?” some measure of surveil- card will help the TTC catch up to other [email protected] where they’re going. about the TTC tracking his A spokesperson for lance, and Parsons says he major transit systems such as those in New York and London Chris Upfold, head of cus- trips. Metrolinx told Metro that believes it will be up to Big data is coming to the TTC, tomer service for the TTC, “The use of aggregate riders have the option of riders to decide whether bringing with it the promise said the existing data is rider data can be really using Presto cards even if the benefits of the card “If someone taps in at 9 of a smoother commute and “good enough” for planning helpful in terms of figuring they haven’t registered any outweigh any concerns. a.m. at Kennedy Station and maybe even a free coffee. purposes, but he’s excited out how to improve transit,” of their personal informa- “That’s a choice Toron- they tap in again at Osgoode As Presto rolls out across by the potential for real-time said Christopher Parsons, tion. tonians will have to make,” at 5 p.m., you can probably Toronto’s transit system, ex- pricing incentives. a post-doctoral fellow at That’s good, Parsons said, he said. assume they travelled to Os- perts say the new fare card “Right now, we can’t goode earlier that day,” he will revolutionize the way really introduce peak or off- said. the TTC collects and uses peak pricing or any different The TTC could also en- of “a dream,” he says. And ed by Presto won’t be as rich data about its riders. kind of fare policy,” he said. courage off-peak travel even if real-time pricing were as that collected by other fare More online “Presto is a game- “Presto lets you change your through discounts or other to become a reality, it likely systems. In London, where changer,” said J.P. Boutros, fare policy because it’s flex- perks. Upfold gave the ex- wouldn’t be until the TTC tube fares are calculated by transit adviser to former TTC ible; you’re just changing ample of riders potentially phases out the “gravity sys- distance, passengers must The TTC does have limited chair Karen Stintz. “You’re some binary numbers in the receiving a coupon for a cof- tem,” where tokens or cash swipe in and out of the sys- data — and we played with only as good as your data, back office.” fee at a nearby café if they are dropped into fare boxes. tem. The result gives Trans- it to make an interactive and right now we don’t have In the future, riders wait- wait until capacity frees up. In New York, it took the port for London a point A and map. It won’t tell you as the information.” ing for a packed 504 King “If you can shift people’s Metropolitan Transit Author- point B for every trip taken much as Presto will, but you Much of the data about streetcar could receive a behaviours and spread the ity a decade to eliminate tok- on the network. can find out where people how — or how many — smartphone notification in- traffic out, you can use your ens after the fare card was Upfold said swiping out getting on at Union Station people use the TTC is still forming them there’s less services and assets more ef- introduced in 1993. There’s doesn’t make sense on the end up (spoiler: It’s collected manually, and congestion along Queen fectively,” he said. no timeline yet at the TTC, TTC — he called it a “hassle” Finch). Explore more often imperfectly. The Trans- Street and offering them a The services Upfold is en- but Upfold expects it will be — but he’s confident the data stations yourself at portation Tomorrow Survey, discount if they walk north visioning aren’t necessarily faster. the transit organization will metronews.ca/ttcdata. for example, polls only five to board instead. in the works — they’re more However, the data provid- collect will still be robust. 8 TORONTO metronews.ca Wednesday, January 28, 2015 U of T Scarborough turns its Homelessness Advocates praise proposed funding focus to LGBTQ issues in sport for LGBTQ shelters One in five of Toronto’s homeless youth will have Equality. Campus group that, and try to leave a leg- access to a shelter tailored acy that will be favourable to specifically to their needs aims to encourage everyone?” if this year’s proposed dialogue ahead of Pan Plumton is getting the ball budget is passed, with rolling early. LGBTQ issues in funding designated to Am, Para Pan Am games sport and, overall, the import- create 54 beds for young ance of inclusion are the focus people who identify as a of the school’s Rainbow Tie sexual minority. GILBERT Gala tonight. The annual event Twenty per cent of NGABO will include the screening of young people in Toronto [email protected] a short video built around a who are homeless are strong message: I belong, you gay, lesbian, bisexual, The LGBTQ community at belong, we all belong here. transgender or queer, ac- University of Toronto Scarbor- There may be some LGBTQ cording to a city study re- ough wants sports to be more athletes coming to compete at leased in the fall of 2013. inclusive — and they’re taking Pan Am, and openly gay ath- Advocates say homeless action. letes are starting to become youth who are a mem- With the Pan Am and Para more common in society. But ber of a sexual minority Pan Am games coming to the that doesn’t mean the environ- often experience verbal campus in July, the commun- ment feels safe for everyone, and physical abuse in the ity wants athletes and sports Plumton said. city’s 11 general popula- fans to think more about “We hear a lot of issues tion youth shelters. issues surrounding gender and around the locker room,” he The proposed budget sexual diversity. said. “We hear some people say for 2015 includes “We want to capitalize on they stopped playing sports be- Mike Plumton is chairman of the Positive Space group at University of Toronto Scarborough. Issues around gender and sexual $600,000 to fund the cre- the occasion to talk about what cause it wasn’t a place where diversity still exists in locker rooms, he said, “so we keep pushing for sports inclusion here on campus.” CONTRIBUTED ation of 54 LGBTQ beds, it means to be a gay athlete or they felt comfortable.” which are intended to a transgender in sports,” said Having well-known ath- “If someone comes out as that doesn’t really get the people, but they’re just silent, materialize in the form of Mike Plumton, the university’s letes come out goes a long way a gay athlete and they get bul- community anywhere,” he not talking about the issues, two shelters. Positive Space chair. “How do to helping others feel more lied or harassed, which is still said. “Mostly, people are polite either. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE we get people talking about comfortable, Plumton said. happening on a micro level, and not rude towards LGBTQ “And that needs to change.” GENUINE MAKING SURE GEORGE CAN TELL THE IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JACKS AND KINGS. VISIT PEARLEVISION.CA TO ARRANGE YOUR EYE EXAM* 20 CONVENIENT GTA LOCATIONS THIS IS GENUINE EYE CARE™ Most major vision plans accepted *Eye exams available by the Independent Doctors of Optometry at or next to Pearle Vision. © 2015 Pearle Vision. All rights reserved.