Morning Brew: Rob Ford wants to scrap bag fee, OLG should look to Singapore, learning about the Eglinton LRT, a Prince on the TTC, and Jays split Twins series
Toronto's 5-cent bag fee could be chopped if Rob Ford gets his way. Currently, retailers pull in over $5.4 million from the nickel charge - none of which they are obliged to donate to the city. Councillor Michelle Berardinetti - a member of the Executive Committee who will discuss the charge later today - wants to find a way to divert those funds to protect the city trees vulnerable to invasive species and disease. Since 2009, the charge has halved the number of bags handed out by retailers. Should we tweak the bag fee to benefit the city (thereby making it a tax) or cut it completely?
The OLG should look to Singapore's Marina Bay Sands complex when planning to build a casino resort in Toronto, according to an editorial in today's Globe and Mail. The piece argues that a large, multi-use facility is the best way to maximize the success of the project. The Marina Bay Sands looks like this by the way. In other casino news, Doug Holyday wants to ban the lobbyists from city hall and billionaires love the idea! The National Post also outlines the five hurdles the casino must clear to get the green light.
We're going to get our first real idea of how the Eglinton LRT will affect the local neighborhoods when a two-year city planning process begins on Thursday. When complete, the study will recommend new buildings, zoning laws and public spaces for the entire 26-kilometre line. Speaking to The Star, Mike Colle, MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence, says the installation of the light-rail line will bring development and investment to a street that "for decades nobody ever paid attention to." Overstate things much, Mike?
It seems royalty prefers surface transit. Prince Charles will ride a TTC bus during his visit to Toronto later this month, according to an itinerary announcement made Friday. The Yonge Street Mission and Distillery are also on the list for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The TTC says it won't charge a fare for the ride.
The famous Ned Hanlan tugboat currently stored at the CNE grounds will make its way to a location more suited to its name at Hanlan's Point this month, according to Mike Filey in the Toronto Sun. The boat was once famous for its speed and ice-breaking capabilities in Toronto harbor.
We're heading back in time to enjoy a Safety Association of Ontario PSA courtesy of Retrontario this week. This series of videos terrified many budding builders out of ever picking up a hammer in the name of home improvement, or for any other reason for that matter. This is actually one of the tamer videos - shards of metal in the eye is too much for a Monday morning.
IN OTHER NEWS:
FROM THE WEEKEND:
Photo: "2012 Sporting Life 10k" by PLTam in the BlogTO Flickr pool.
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