Three things I consider wins that happened during the TCHC Board of Director's virtual meeting on April 27th, 2020 (all of which I highlighted in my deputation submission) -  

1) there is an extensive audit happening with respect to the sprinkler systems in our buildings 

2) a - the $300,000 contingencies have been removed from the two projects that were already receiving additional money through change order requests

2) b - the city councillors are seeking a history of change order requests for those sites (Honestly, this is NOT the result of a valid tendering process.  Contractors appear to be underbidding to get the initial contract.  Then they continuously come back to BIFAC (Building Investment, Finance and Audit Committee) or the Board of Directors requesting more money.  In some cases I would even argue that TCHC doesn't properly identify the scope of work up front.) 
 
3) a - there was not an Emergency Executive Committee created (the proposal didn't even include the COO Sheila Penny.  How can you have a legitimate executive committee without the COO's contribution?) 

3) b - the attempt to turn over complete responsibility to the President and CEO Kevin Marshman was denied.   He is not the Mayor of TCHC town.  

Unfortunately, they didn't get around to talking about implementing the Rubin Thomlinson recommendations.  You can read a few of the concerns I have in my deputation to the TCHC Board of Directors.  

(Would it really have killed them to take a moment and reassure TCHC tenants that they were doing everything they could to prevent an outbreak of COVID 19 in our buildings?)

Watch this Michael Moore documentary about the alternative energy products that are currently available.   Form your own opinion.  

Am I the only one that when confronted with the process of bio fuels wondered how long it would take for them to market this as an alternative to the cremation or burial of our loved ones?

​It's unequivocally illegal to drive around with Grandma in the trunk.  But, it's environmentally friendly to drive around with Grandma in the tank.     

Otherwise, I find it interesting that since Planet Of The Humans documentary was released on YouTube the Green Industry is just demanding that the film be take down from certain websites.  You'd think that if there was any false information in the Planet Of The Humans that the Green Industry would be threatening to sue the filmmakers.  

I can't help but draw the conclusion that the Green Industry isn't really worried about environmental benefits.  It is worried about the other "Green" …. The money.  Exactly how much money does the green energy sector accumulate in government grants, and civilian donations? 

Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival and National Canadian Film Day partner to celebrate rich Canadian cinematic culture. Here is your schedule for today's events.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

April 22, beginning at 7:00 PM EDT

7:00 PM – Marauder screening on YouTube.
7:20 PM – Live Q&A with Dir. Brendon Rathbone on Instagram Live
7:45 PM – Which Way is East screening on YouTube.
8:30 PM – Live Q&A with Dir. Blake Sovdi on Instagram Live
9:00 PM – Live Q&A with Dir. Michael McGowan on Instagram Live
9:30 PM – One Week screening on Amazon Prime*
​
​All times are Eastern Daylight Time. Atlantic +1. Central -1. Mountain -2. Pacific -3.
*Not an Amazon Prime subscriber? Amazon is providing a free 30-day trial so you'll be able to watch the film with us for free.

​The ladies of Nice Horse are self-isolating with "Wine At Nine" on Facebook every Monday at 9am MST/11am EST, featuring guests such as Clayton Bellamy and Jason Blaine!

Anyone else get your COVID 19 package from Toronto Community Housing today?  Anyone else thinking they could have and should have done better?
Yeah. Me too.
For starters this notice was dated April 1, 2020.  April Fool's.  Jokes on us.
In every package TCHC has tossed in a Household Income and Assets Review form (previously known as Annual Review Form). Nowhere on this form does it say Fill Out ONLY If You Have COVID Related Financial Issues.
So I can imagine a high percentage of tenants filling out these firms when they don't need to. How many staff hours will be wasted going through the submissions to find the ones from tenants that are experiencing COVID related financial difficulties?
Now let's get into the nitty gritty.
On the very first page of the four page fold out there was a mention of "Staff reaching out by phone to seniors and tenants identified as having vulnerablities to ask what supports they may need."  Why didn't TCHC just include a list of supports so that tenants don't have to guess at what "services" are available? 
Then there's the advice to protect yourself from infection.
Wash your hands.
Check.
SOCIAL Distancing.
Check (Stop trying to introduce other phrases like Physical Distancing it's only going to confuse some people. Stick with the accepted terminology.  That's more than likely why there are still some rip roaring parties in certain TCHC units.  They thought that Physical Distancing was enough.  But Social Distancing implies an additional layer of caution that TCHC tenants with customers for their illicit activities don't want to abide by.) 
To top that off there is no mention of preventative non-medical face masks. This is what happens when you take your jolly ole time getting information out to tenants.
There is anther thing that is SOOOO OBVIOUSLY missing. As I have indicated in emails to TCHC CEO Kevin Marshman & TCHC COO Sheila Penny the tenants could most definitely have used a reassuring message from the Board of Directors with at least one quote from one of the tenant directors.
Is it really that hard to understand that tenants in social housing already feel a sense of social isolation and therefore we could use a "we care about you" response in this era of Stay Home, Stay Safe? (And one not one dated TWO WEEKS AGO!)
Items you could have included in this package are a) a face mask or two, or b) a fridge magnet with the TCHC logo on it and the hashtags #StayHome #StaySafe... The least you can do is pretend that you care.  

Toronto, ON – Tuesday, March 31, 2020 – Mysterious … eccentric … subversive … Just three of the terms used to describe Banksy, the world’s most infamous and provocative street artist. This May, an all-new exhibit featuring some of his greatest works, as well as never-before-seen-in-Canada pieces, comes to Toronto. Particulars detailing the exact time and place are yet to be announced. This event will surely be a must-visit