Latest news with #AusmaMalik
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Toronto launches 2 new boats to improve emergency responses ahead of summer season
Toronto will be able to respond faster to water emergencies this summer thanks to two new boats that can access tighter and shallower waterways, Toronto's fire chief says. Fire Boat 334 and Rescue Boat 334, which cost roughly $4 million combined, were introduced by the City of Toronto and Toronto Fire Services Friday with a ceremonial bottle-break and an inaugural voyage of Toronto's Harbourfront. The boats will "absolutely save lives," said Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop. The Toronto Fire marine division runs many calls each year, responding to everything from water rescues to drownings, Jessop said, and now crews will be able to better answer those calls. "The time it takes to respond to the Scarborough Bluffs has literally been cut three quarters with the new fire boat," Jessop said. "It provides the Toronto Fire Services the ability to get to all areas of the lake, all areas of the island that were never accessible, and in a much quicker time than we ever had before." Plans for the new vessels started in 2022 in response to the steadily increasing volume of waterborne emergency calls that Toronto Fire had been receiving, Jessop said. Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik said that the city is planning to increase activities around the waterfront area over the summer. "The emergency services must have the right tools, equipment, and the capacity to respond to that increased activity and the enjoyment of our waterfront," said Malik. The roughly 17-metre Fire Boat 334 has a more powerful engine than the rescue boat will be able to respond quickly to fires and medical incidents, the city says, with paramedics onboard designated to provide patient care and transfer them from emergency scenes. Meanwhile, the smaller Rescue Boat 334 will offer faster, more agile deployment for flood response and search and rescue missions — particularly near the Toronto Islands and Scarborough Bluffs.
CBC
04-07-2025
- General
- CBC
City of Toronto launches 2 new boats to improve emergency responses ahead of summer season
Toronto will be able to respond faster to water emergencies this summer thanks to two new boats that can access tighter and shallower waterways, Toronto's fire chief says. Fire Boat 334 and Rescue Boat 334, which cost roughly $4 million combined, were introduced by the City of Toronto and Toronto Fire Services Friday with a ceremonial bottle-break and an inaugural voyage of Toronto's Harbourfront. The boats will "absolutely save lives," said Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop. The Toronto Fire marine division runs many calls each year, responding to everything from water rescues to drownings, Jessop said, and now crews will be able to better answer those calls. "The time it takes to respond to the Scarborough Bluffs has literally been cut three quarters with the new fire boat," Jessop said. "It provides the Toronto Fire Services the ability to get to all areas of the lake, all areas of the island that were never accessible, and in a much quicker time than we ever had before." Plans for the new vessels started in 2022 in response to the steadily increasing volume of waterborne emergency calls that Toronto Fire had been receiving, Jessop said. Toronto Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik said that the city is planning to increase activities around the waterfront area over the summer. "The emergency services must have the right tools, equipment, and the capacity to respond to that increased activity and the enjoyment of our waterfront," said Malik. The roughly 17-metre Fire Boat 334 has a more powerful engine than the rescue boat will be able to respond quickly to fires and medical incidents, the city says, with paramedics onboard designated to provide patient care and transfer them from emergency scenes. Meanwhile, the smaller Rescue Boat 334 will offer faster, more agile deployment for flood response and search and rescue missions — particularly near the Toronto Islands and Scarborough Bluffs.
Hamilton Spectator
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto's free ‘Soccer Day' event kicks off countdown to Canada's FIFA World Cup 2026
We're officially one year away from the first ever FIFA World Cup in Canada — and the City of Toronto is marking the countdown with a celebration at Nathan Phillips Square on Thursday, June 12. Mayor Olivia Chow has officially proclaimed the day as 'Soccer Day,' recognizing the city's 'passion for the beautiful game' and its role as an official host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A post shared by City of Toronto (@cityofto) The free, family-friendly public celebration kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on June 12, with all guests invited to join the celebration by wearing their favourite soccer jersey. Whether you'd like to wear a national team jersey, a local club jersey, a community league jersey or even just wear red and white to represent Canada, all are welcome to wear their pride on the city's first ever day of its kind. Additionally, an official 2026 FIFA World Cup Toronto Countdown Clock is set to be unveiled, which will count the days down on site until opening day. A post shared by FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto (@fwc26toronto) A year from the date, the Canadian men's national team will be playing their first ever FIFA World Cup game on home soil at BMO Field on Friday, June 12, 2026 — with the opponent still yet to be determined after qualifiers. In March, the City of Toronto and MLSE announced a $146-million makeover that will enhance the stadium infrastructure, technology and overall appeal and fan experience ahead of the prestigious tournament. City of Toronto, MLSE reveal $146M BMO Field makeover ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup The stadium's capacity is set to be increased to 45,000, as well as enhancements to the field, player spaces and locker rooms to meet FIFA's world-class standards. 'The updates to Toronto Stadium ensures the city is ready to take the world stage for FIFA World Cup 2026 while solidifying the city's reputation as a destination for major events,' Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik said in a news release . 'These upgrades will enhance the experience for fans and athletes alike and be a legacy from the event for Torontonians and visitors for years to come,' Malik added. A post shared by FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto (@fwc26toronto) Toronto will be hosting a total of six matches, primarily throughout the group stage and capped off with a Round of 32 match that is set for July 2, 2026. Vancouver is set to be the other Canadian host city, along with various locations across the United States and Mexico. The first ever Soccer Day takes place at Nathan Phillips Square, located at 100 Queen St. W.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gondola, tunnel or bridge? Toronto city council eyes improved island access
Toronto city councillors are being asked to create a task force to accelerate expanded access to the Toronto islands, work that includes long-term and pricey options like a possible bridge, tunnel or gondola to the popular park. City staff are recommending that council create the new group to accelerate access improvements to the Toronto Island Park which has over 1.8 million visitors every year. The debate comes after the city's aging ferry fleet struggled with service outages last year, sometimes resulting in long delays to access the park. "I think it's not a bad idea to explore," Mayor Olivia Chow said of options the task force could consider. "Maybe they are too fanciful. We don't know until we examine the possibilities." The mayor's executive committee approved in principle the creation of the task force last week, but city council will make the final call at a meeting that starts Wednesday. The task force will look at short and medium-term options to expand access like more water taxis and relief ferries. It will also look at long-term solutions like building a bridge, tunnel or gondola, which staff have warned could cost more than $100 million. "The constraints would not make a fixed link project impossible, but they do indicate that such a project would not be quick, simple or inexpensive," staff said of the fixed link in a report to council. WATCH | Torontonians frustrated at long lines to island ferry: Council approved the purchase of two new electric ferries to replace a pair of vessels but the first of those ships won't be delivered until next year. Staff said last year the purchase will cost taxpayers $85 million. Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, whose downtown ward includes the islands, has been pushing for expanded access to the park since last summer. The space is as close to a backyard as many downtown apartment and condo residents can get, but accessing it can be a problem, she said. "I know what an ordeal it can be to get to, especially in our peak summer months," she said. "We've heard it and we've experienced it: the lineups, the heat and sometimes the uncertainty." Councillor Paula Fletcher, who represents the neighbouring ward, which is home to the Port Lands said building a bridge, tunnel or gondola is easier said than done. The city doesn't own the land where the gap between the city and island is the narrowest — around 220 to 265 metres — and the waterway is a live shipping lane. "I'm just saying it's really a factor here that sometimes we forget about and it's still a working port," she said. Deputy Mayor Mike Colle voted against establishing the task force at the mayor's executive committee and does not support expanding access to the islands, saying increased visitor traffic will damage habitat and natural spaces. "Leave it alone," he urged his fellow councillors. "These hare-brained ideas. I mean, the only gondola I'd like to see is like the one they have in Venice."
National Post
17-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
City Hall committees warn of money woes one year before World Cup
Article content With just over a year until kickoff, it appears the City of Toronto's World Cup money is still very much in motion. Article content Article content While councillors were told last week that spending plans for the soccer bash remain on budget, they also learned City Hall is considering ways to 'reduce scope' and Mayor Olivia Chow floated the possibility that the provincial and federal governments may not come through with their share. Article content Article content As Chow put it, the soccer situation is in 'flux.' Article content The city's World Cup subcommittee on Monday elected to send its update on government funding straight to next week's City Council meeting, bypassing the powerful executive committee to give bureaucrats more time to craft a report. But Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik added the item in time for the executive committee to also discuss it the next day. Article content 'We have recently received some correspondence from the provincial government that has implications on our financing of this magnificent opportunity, so we are doing some negotiations,' Chow told the committee on Tuesday. Article content 'The cabinet has just been sworn in, the federal cabinet that is, and we don't know at this point what the new government would do,' the Mayor added. 'Hopefully, they will honour previous arrangements. We shall see. So, things are in a bit of a flux.' Article content Councillors at that meeting were told that Toronto's World Cup project was still on budget. That was only a day after Malik pressed Sharon Bollenbach, executive director of the city's World Cup secretariat, about 'progress' on the 'funding gap.' Article content Bollenbach, giving the FIFA subcommittee an update about the city's procurement plan, said work is being done to find 'prospects' for the champions table – private donors willing to give money to offset the cost of hosting the soccer tournament. Article content Article content Bollenbach also said city staffers are eyeing ways to reduce costs and 'perhaps reduce scope.' Article content The final wording of the procurement update, which City Council will vote on this week alongside the government update, recommends councillors authorize Bollenbach and the head of procurement to negotiate with vendors 'whose initial quotations exceed targets.' Article content The report Bollenbach brought to the committee on Monday shows total capital costs have grown by nearly $10 million from an estimate at the start of the year, and a contingency fund for operations has been shrunk from $30.5 million to $21 million. While it's not clear what is driving the rise in costs, the document said the pricing 'is surpassing initial estimates' after pre-construction work at BMO Field.
