Fire at 650 Parliament

Fire at 650 Parliament

Shortly after 1:00pm on Tuesday, a fire broke out at the buildings’ electrical box. The six alarm blaze caused significant damage and displaced more than 1,500 residents at 650 Parliament Street. I would like to start off by thanking the city’s first responders for their efforts in managing and overseeing the displacement of residents at 650 Parliament Street.  The Red Cross has been able to equipped the Wellesley Community Centre with food, blankets and mats for children to sleep on last night.
We urge community members if you can and are able to, to donate any non perishable food items, clothing, and household products to the Red Cross of Toronto. The residents have been notified that they may be without their home between four days to up to a month. I have been to the building to survey the damage and have yet to tend to the displaced residents.
Having been homeless at one point in my life, I know that having your home and possessions taken away from you can feel like you have nothing and can take a toll on a person. I am reaching out to my donors and organizations to provide any necessities to help during this trying time, and will provide the information at the community centre. I hope to visit the residents and assist with finding additional services that anyone may need.
If anyone would like information on how they can help can reach Red Cross Toronto at gtaresponse@redcross.ca
25 for 25

25 for 25

Friends,
 
Premier Doug Ford proposes to change the size of Toronto City Councillors to 25 members.

 
The downsize will save the city $25 million over four years.
 
25 Councillors with the same boundaries as the Federal and Provincial Government will allow for easier communication between government. 
 
25 Councillors will make it easier to be heard and get things accomplished at city Hall. 
 
I am in agreement with the proposed changes to City Council size and will run in Toronto centre. 
 
Will you stand with me in agreement with the proposed changes? 
 
There are candidates and councillors that oppose the changes, and are challenging the government for fear of losing their job, or worse, actually working for the people. 
 
Help me fight back and get our city, the fourth largest in North America, back to working with the people and for the people. 
 
Pledge today $25.00 for 25 councillors and let’s get our city moving again. Click here to submit your pledge of $25. 
 
Thank you.
Statement Regarding Toronto Elections

Statement Regarding Toronto Elections

I am proud to call Toronto home and I am proud that we live in a fair and democratic society. Many have fought for the right to have their voices heard in our society and are proud of things that they have been able to accomplish. Today, Doug Ford has proposed changes to Canada’s largest city and surrounding areas. The decision Ford has made was immediate so that when voting in October’s municipal elections, Toronto’s needs will be heard by the newly elected council chosen by the people.
There have been many times in City Hall where too many voices shouting during debate have been overlooked. The voices shouting, all wanting to be heard has left decisions and issues not addressed within the government.
Issues such as homelessness and temporary shelters took months to implement, while the winter season claimed the lives of many whom have been left on the streets with no place to go.
Our city’s social housing has been neglected for far too many years. Many have spoken up for the need of more housing but no efficient plan has been in place to tackle the issue. The waitlist for housing, the need for new housing, the back log in repairs needs to be addressed. With a strong voice and with the right leadership to work with government to ensure that progress is being made that can be done.
Constant delays with transit times, delivery of new subway lines, trains, streetcars, and buses, have added on more debt and disruption in the city’s finances.
Communities in the city have different and immediate needs to sustain themselves and to further grow our diverse city. Indigenous communities need more peer support, mental health initiatives, and acknowledgement of their land and history.
The LGBTQ community needs more mental and health care services designed for their community. The community needs to feel safe and have their voices heard because discrimination, self identity, suicide and death are all too common.
Senior citizens need a voice to speak up about elderly abuse, transit that will support their mobility issues and additional services that can assist in their daily lives and be easily accessible to them.
Low income and at risk youth needs services that inspires them to grow and improve their lives so that they can empower others in their community to do better and to be better. They need a safe place. They need to feel a part of a community that strives.
Aligning municipal boundaries to provincial and federal elections makes it clearer for residents on who their elected officials are and their boundaries. A clear and consistent boundary allows for the network between all three levels of government can work quickly together to ensure that all communities in their boundaries to run an efficient government.
This proposed change is short notice and will bring efficient and cost saving measures to the municipal government. This change will also allow for councillors voices to be heard. Doug Ford wants to get things done with running the government more efficiently.
I am currently running in Ward 21. With the proposed changes and I will be proud and honoured to place my municipal council bid for Toronto Centre.

Jarvis Street Construction

Jarvis Street Construction

On Monday, city workers have begun working on replacing two water mains on Jarvis Street. Jarvis Street is currently operating on single lane in both directions from Queen Street East to Dundas Street East. This is expected to cause delays on the route so commuters are encouraged to prepare additional time on their trip. Completion is expected in October 2018

Let’s Stop The Gun Violence

Let’s Stop The Gun Violence

“My superstar son! How can they take him away from me?”

Those words from Smokey’s mother, whom had lost her son just hours before to gun violence had kept me up all night. Her wails, and words will be replayed in my mind for a very long time.
I attended the vigil for Jahvante “Smoke Dawg” Smart, age 21, at the Metropolitan United Church on Monday night. The lost of another friend, another community member, to a senseless act of violence. Our city is filled with senseless violence and death. Toronto has seen too much lost in our city and I implore those to stop.
I know that our city has grown in population and the recent popular culture within the younger generation has inspired many to rise up and feel empowerment. I see the confidence and the hype growing that has made our city well known. With the confidence growing, so has the misinterpretation and the invitation of violence.
We are in a position now to empower each other so that our community can flourish rather than to be ripped apart.
This year, far too many mother’s have had to bury their children because the wrong words have been said. Instead of trying to work it out and setting an example to the younger kids that our watching, we have turned our city into chaos and unsafe. We need more community leaders to empower one another and to promote positivity and peace so that we don’t lose another Smokey.
Monday night, I watched many young kids who looked up to Smokey attend the vigil and I beg that their summer is not filled with vigils and moments of silence. I pray that these youth, don’t believe that they don’t have a chance to make it out of their communities because of the rise in gun violence. I pray that I, and others, will not hear another mother screams of agony and pain for losing their son or daughter to violence.
We have progressed so much over the recent years and have seen the amazing potential of our community. These recent events have set us back, and I again pray that we can pull and learn from this and end the violence. We can all make it. There is room for all of us.
To Jahvante and to all the lives lost in 2018, may peace be upon you.
To our community and for Toronto, I pray that the violence can come to an end as we have seen too much blood shed and lives lost. Toronto is better than this. Let’s show the world that we can end the violence and be better. Do better.
Pride Flag Colour Stripe Meaning

Pride Flag Colour Stripe Meaning

Gay Rights Activist Gilbert Baker designed the Pride flag in 1978 and is used throughout the world. Did you know each colour stripe has a different meaning?

According to Baker’s estate, each stripe has a different meaning: Red represents life; orange is for healing; yellow is for sunlight; green is for nature; blue is for harmony; and purple is for spirit.

If you would like to learn more about the Pride flag and it’s origins, visit Instyle online and read, “Each Stripe of the Rainbow Flag has a coded meaning”

Today and everyday, let’s celebrate Pride with PRIDE!
Toronto Municipal Elections On October 22, 2018

Toronto Municipal Elections On October 22, 2018

On October 22, 2018, the City Of Toronto will host their Municipal Elections. I, Gladys Larbie will be running for City Council member in Ward 21. Make sure to cast your vote for your next Toronto Mayor, City Council Member, and TDSB Trustee. For more information, please check back regularly on my webpage: GladysLarbie.ca as well as https://www.facebook.com/ElectionServices & https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/elections/

Every vote matters. Your vote matters. Vote on October 22.