Downsview Park is considering proposals from builders for about 650 units of housing on an 11-acre site in the Stanley Greene neighbourhood on the south side of the former military base. The housing would help pay for the park itself. Ottawa said it wanted a self-financing national urban park developed on the site after the base closed in 1994. In order to do that, the plan is to sell or lease 223 acres for development around the perimeter of the base to bring in enough money to build a 349-acre park. Two things I don't understand: developing land in order to conserve the land, and Canada's fascination with the name "Stanley."

The Ministry of the Environment confirmed Sunday that a cleanup is underway after an undisclosed amount of auto fuel as well as windshield washer fluid began leaking into Little Rouge Creek on Friday. The leak appears to have been caused during the crushing of automobiles, causing fuel to seep into the ground and eventually into the creek which winds through the Metro Zoo in the east end and eventually leads to Lake Ontario. However, the municipal drinking water is said to not be impacted. If you're going to crush something, shouldn't all remnants of the item be removed, particularly hazardous material? Thank goodness no one struck a match around there.

Call it the beginning of a beautiful friendship: David Mirvish, the largest producer of commercial theatre in Toronto, and Dan Brambilla, CEO of the Sony Centre and the "David Mirvish" in the non-profit sector, have formed a partnership with great potential for Toronto's show business scene. They will offer their patrons special arrangements to purchase tickets for the other's shows; help each other with cooperative publicity and make the spacious Sony available for up to 10 weeks a year for Mirvish-Brambilla co-productions that would demand the increased capacity and production facilities. Plans are also underway to unite the young talent of Toronto and give them a chance to work in the city's major theatres. Patrons of the arts rejoice.

Government sources tell The Canadian Press that off-peak electricity rates in Ontario will start two hours earlier starting next May, meaning off-peak hours will start at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. The source said, "this will help families with an additional two hours in the evening to benefit from lower rates - or an extra 10 hours a week." Ontario Energy Minister Brad Duguid is expected to make the announcement on Tuesday. Yes, being able to watch "30 Rock" instead of PVR-ing it will definitely keep my mind off the skyrocketing electricity bills.

In Brief:

• Bieber is Artist of the Year.
• Argos Lose.
• Gordon Ramsey is Charming?!

Photo by Katrin Ray in the blogTO Flickr pool