Bus stoppage in the snow

In the winter, Toronto always gets some snow. But because of the warm weather, it melted soon. This year, 2026, was different. Due to climate change, winter became colder, longer, and brought lots of snow.

The City of Toronto did a much better job this year. Still, there is plenty of room to improve. They must clear bus stoppages as a priority, and the area must be cleaned properly so there won't be any blockages to getting on the bus or the sidewalk. There should be enough salt to prevent melted snow from making the area slippery.

Toronto is the best city in Canada.

 As far as I have seen, Toronto has the best weather among all Canadian cities. It has all kinds of features, maybe in limited ways, but you won't miss them. For example, it has Lake Ontario, the Blue Mountains, the Badlands, forests, waterfalls, big cities, a green belt, small towns, rain, snow, wind, railways, subways, LRTs, streetcars, airports, jetties, ships, cruises, skyscraper buildings, cottage villages, a capital city, different cultures and living styles, malls, farmers' markets, best universities, best student grants, amusement parks, natural parks, museums, gondola, skiing, racing, different cultural programs, safari park, etc.

Now it has an official Bangla para too, where most Bangladeshi people live. You will see Bangla nameplates on the roadside shops.

That's why once people start living in Toronto, they don't want to go anywhere else. But the city is becoming increasingly expensive. Living costs are becoming unbearable, mostly in housing and groceries. For this reason alone, some people are moving out of the city. 

Now the job crisis has begun. This crisis is worsening.

Old and current Toronto.

Old Toronto

Toronto, now.

 

Biography 252: Torontonian's snow experience.

 I have lived in Saskatchewan, Canada, for six years. I have lived covered and surrounded with snow for months. I am used to walking when my leg is deep down over the knee in the snow. I have walked and driven in snow storms. I know how it feels when a car gets stuck or slides in the snow. I have all the experience.

Still, Toronto teaches me some more about snow. Here, the situation is different. Here, snow melts into water the next day. Then, in cool weather, it freezes again. So, obviously, anything will slide on this ice floor (humans, cars., trucks, or buses). And the city isn't used to handling snow over 30cm. Suddenly, when snow covers the roads one day, all cars get stuck, and people have to leave their vehicles on highways and other roads. Maybe the city of Toronto should get some training from Saskatchewan crews to handle heavy snow on the roads.

My car got stuck after getting out of the garage. I scared. In this situation, the people of Saskatchewan know what to carry in the vehicle and what things should be at home. They come out from home, even top their car and help all people around them, specially who are in trouble in the car. So, things get normal fast. Torontonians have no idea about it. So, I didn't get any help. I have used all my skills and somehow got out of the trap and came back to the garage.

After this situation, I always have an eye on weather reports. If they give any alert, I take it seriously and don't go out.

Attended the City of Toronto budget meeting

 The event’s objective was for councillors to listen to any problem or concern on the budget from the Toronto inhabitants. I have heard about several issues arising by ordinary people, like needing an elevator in Scarborough Station; the new budget should not give extra money to the Police; it should go to the community to stop the overdose drug problem, gender base problem, to disable people as they are not getting enough money to survive. TTC shouldn’t put any racist message to South American People, and they misuse their money, etc. The community reacted adversely to giving a considerable extra amount to the Police in the new budget proposal.

In this event, I saw several people come to say that the police shouldn’t get the extra significant amount of money. Instead, this amount should go to the community. Some specifically said that it should go to the drug overdose problem. The younger generation needs more recreational activities, mental health support, help to eliminate poverty, etc. One asked to give this money to solve issues of gender bias. Canada is a multicultural country, though it still has gender-based oppression. A disabled person called online. I couldn’t see him but heard his voice and understood he even had difficulty speaking. He said he gets much less, and no one can survive with that money. So, the money should go to disabled people. I found that everyone agreed that the extra money shouldn’t go to the Police department; it should go to the community to make Canada a better country and solve the violence problem.

Biography 243: Dishwasher

 When I was in Saskatoon, I saw that every apartment and condo had a dishwasher. All new or renovated homes had dishwashers.

I thought this was Canadian culture. I liked it. I need a dishwasher.

After moving to Toronto, the first thing I noticed was that the apartments didn't have dishwashers. In most homes, even after renovation, people don't add dishwashers.

I didn't like that? Saskatchewan people think Toronto is a very progressive city. But in some cases, it isn't. They don't know the necessity of the dishwasher in a home. This is not a luxury item at home. Grow up, Toronto!

Roses in Toronto

 After moving to Canada, I first stayed in Saskatchewan. You know, in Canada, especially in Saskatchewan, they only have a few months to grow flowers outside. But still, I found they planted several colours and different kinds of flowers at their front end. I recognized very few of them because I came from a tropical country.

Then, I moved to Ontario. I found many known flowers in the front garden of the house, mainly roses. They plant lots of different kinds of roses at the front end. They look bigger and more beautiful than I have seen in Bangladesh. They have less fragrance but are strong enough to stay in comparatively cold weather.

Freeman, V. (2010). "Toronto Has No History!"

 Freeman, V. (2010). "Toronto Has No History!" Indigeneity, Settler Colonialism, and Historical

 

A)      After reading the article, I was struck by the untapped potential of Toronto's rich urbanization history of Indigenous people. This history, if properly recognized and celebrated, could be a powerful tool to attract tourists, offering a unique perspective on the city's past. Currently, when newcomers arrive in Canada or prepare for citizenship, they are primarily exposed to the history of European settlers, a narrative that overlooks the significant contributions of Indigenous communities.

B)      “He explained that according to tradition, Toronto had been one of the stopping places of his ancestors on the Great Migration of the Anishinaabeg from the east coast.  “We stayed quite a while,’ he added, but “in 1847, we were removed from this place.” He paused before continuing somewhat bemusedly: “I’m asked to come and celebrate this city, but the city itself kind of moved us out.” (Freeman, 2010, P. 21). Here, we can get information that Indigenous people had built the city and were removed from their land. After a long time, they were called to celebrate the city, but they are the outsiders now.

“Yet historical memory is always fluctuating, contested, and precarious, especially in Toronto, a city of newcomers, where half its current residents were born outside of Canada” (Freeman, 2010, P. 31). I found it very accurate. I was a newcomer, too. Now, become Canadian. I didn’t know about this Indigenous history in Toronto. Most people I know are newcomers; they also don’t know about it. I have met some aged white Canadians. Also, they never mention it or might not even know about the rich Indigenous history of urbanization.

Reference:

Freeman, V. (2010). "Toronto Has No History!" Indigeneity, Settler Colonialism, and Historical

Memory in Canada's Largest City. Urban History Review, 38(2), 21-35,88. https://login.gbcprx01.georgebrown.ca/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/toronto-has-no-history-indigeneity-settler/docview/216510498/se-2

Community Resources in Regent Park, Toronto

  

Regent was one of Canada’s most significant housing projects. It has a mix of old and new housing projects. The neighbours also confirmed during an interview that the new high-rise buildings have both affordable housing and luxury ones.

Regent Park had a community newspaper, Regent Park Community News, which used to be published twice a month. In 1977, the Regent Park Community discussed the necessity of a community centre mainly for the youth, and they were planning and submitting a proposal on how and where it would be created. In those days, they had community guardians. The Salvation Army opened its first fitness center in Regent Park in 1977.

Nowadays, they have a website with different kinds of information, news, a direct message system, apps, and a system for virtual tours or in-person tours.

Currently, the Regent Park community has a COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION:

-          REGENT PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE (features recreation facilities)

-          PAM MCCONNELL AQUATIC CENTRE (Previously, it was the community center (Source: Interview the front desk; it has a 25-metre lap pool)

-          CNH - CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSING (This is a 108-year-old settlement center. The second old settlement centre in Toronto. Their staff and volunteers provide different services, like for children and youth and newcomers)

-          EMPLOYMENT CENTRE (Help to search for jobs)

-          REGENT PARK COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE (This organization works for people living or working in the Regent Park area to improve their health and well-being.)

-          DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAM (They have a team of certified diabetes educators, registered nurses and dietitians who educate people about type 2 diabetes)

-          TORONTO BIRTH CENTRE (A community-based health care centre where pregnant people can give a safe birth in a family environment.)

-          SUMAC CREEK HEALTH CENTRE (They provide after-hours medical services)

-          CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT - TD LEARNING CENTRE (This organization provides educational opportunities to develop the community)

-          EARLY ON CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE

-          NELSON MANDELA PARK PUBLIC SCHOOL (Offers JK to Grade 8 programs.)

-          PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION™ PROGRAM (provide various supports to high school students who are living in the communities)

-          CRC - Christian Resources Centre (For over 50 years, they have provided services for low-income people, like providing healthy food four days a week, affordable housing support, food training, gardening, etc.)

-          DIXON HALL (They started as a soup kitchen but now provide services to the vulnerable and at most risk.)

-          NEIGHBOURHOOD INFORMATION POST–NIP (This organization provides a homeless prevention program.

-          YSM – YOUNG STREET MISSION (A local Christian development company that works for people who are in poverty)

-          DANIELS SPECTRUM (“Rooted in Regent Park, Open to the World” This is a community cultural hub. It has many arts bases and community-based organizations. Where people can work, play, or study. It has exhibition spaces, Ada Sleight Hall, the Artscape Lounge, a network of hallway galleries and the Courtyard.)

LOCAL BUSINESS:

-          F45 REGENT PARK (Provide functional training)

-          LE BEAU (They have the best coffee, handcrafted pastries, and beautiful plates of food)

-          JERK PARADISE (Serves jerk and fried chicken, burgers, roti, and other quick to-go meals)

-          NOOR PIZZA (They combine Ethiopian and Italian pizzas, including super inexpensive slices and Ethiopian Tibs/Salad/Injera plates.)

-          SULTAN OF SAMOSAS (They have a variety of samosas and fritters, ten savoury, and two types of sweet)

-          PAINTBOX BISTRO (This is an award-winning hospitality hub and social enterprise featuring a catering company, plant-based café, and event space.)

-          SUKHOTHAI (A kitchen from Thai cooking)

-          WEHLIYE RESTAURANT (Somali restaurant)

-          WENDY'S (Food court)

-          SUBWAY SANDWICH (Food court)

-          TIM HORTONS (Food court)

-          SHOPPERS DRUG MART (Shopping centre)

-          ROGERS (Network Company)

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

-          COAT CHECK 4 CHANGE INC (A service company that takes on various events, like corporate events, holiday parties, fundraising events, concert events and more.)

-          INFINIGUARD (Provide training and services)

-          QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP (Provide popular items)

-          TASTLLING (Food entrepreneurship for the new immigrant)

-          REGENT PARK CATERING COLLECTIVE (Cooking academy)

-          BEAR STANDING TALL & ASSOCIATES CULTURAL AWARENESS TRAINING (Indigenous-owned company that provides Consulting and Corporate Training)

OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES:                

-          GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE CAMPUS (For Fashion)

-          CHURCH

References:

(1977, May 18) Regent Park Community News

https://www.connexions.org/SevenNews/RegentNews/RegentParkNews-V6N8.pdf

(N.D.) Regent Park Community Health Centre https://regentparkchc.org/

(N.D.) Regent Park Social https://www.regentparksocial.org/

(N.D.) Toronto https://www.toronto.ca/data/parks/prd/facilities/complex/3502/index.html

RT Train in Toronto

Scarborough Station

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The main attraction of this station is the RT train. This train connects people from McCown to Kennedy Station in Toronto. It has 5 stoppages. It's a big area, if you try to ride on the bus, you will face many stoppages and traffic problems. In rush time, trains can contain more people than buses. If we stop this train service, all pressure will be on the bus, which will be complete, and people will have to wait for the next bus. This situation is unsuitable for working people and students who must maintain time on the road.

If the train becomes outdated, it should be repaired and modernized. It could also be transformed into a tourist attraction, providing a scenic view of the city. People who reside near the stations or prefer not to take the subway can use the train.