June 12th

Backyard gatherings can be a little larger in the GTA as of today. Group sizes can double from five to ten, but still with social distancing.

If you live outside of the GTA or Hamilton, you can now get a hair cut, have a beer on a patio, or swim in a public pool.

Toronto city councillor Michael Ford has been hospitalized with COVID-19

Alberta Chief Arrest

A lawyer representing the chief of a northern Alberta First Nation has filed a court motion to have charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer stayed over infringements of Allan Adam’s charter rights.
That’s after a 12-minute video emerged of the chief’s violent arrest by the Mounties on March 10th after he was pulled over for having expired plates. The R-C-M-P dash-cam video shows Adam getting in and out of his truck and swearing as he complains about being harassed by police before a second officer arrives, charges at Adam, tackles him to the ground and punches him in the head. Wood Buffalo R-C-M-P say the officers’ actions did not meet the threshold for an external investigation. (From The Canadian Press)

June 11th

Toronto outdoor pools and beaches could be open again as soon as Friday, June 19, and on June 22nd, lifeguards will return to six Toronto beaches

Goodlife says it will start reopening gyms in the GTA on July 13th

Ontario has reported a slight increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases but infections continue to trend downward in the province. Health officials reported 251 new cases of the disease on Wednesday.

A new Abacus poll finds More than two-thirds of Canadians believe discrimination is common in the country and another 61 per cent think systemic or institutional racism exists in Canada.

June 10th

The federal government’s latest bill, which would impose penalties for fraudulently claiming the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, appears to have no support among the main opposition parties. It will be debated today on Parliament Hill.

By now, you’re likely wondering what you can do for a summer vacation. Well, private campgrounds across Ontario have been given the green light to open for business this Friday. Before then, the only people allowed at these parks were those who live full-time in their RVs.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the worst global recession in nearly a century.

Calls to Rename Dundas Street and Dundas Square

Hundreds of people have signed an online petition to rename Dundas Street and Dundas Square. The petition states that Scottish politician Henry Dundas, whom the street is named after, took part in obstructing the abolition of slavery. Organizers say they want Black led organizations and historical societies to work with city council on a new name.

Indigenous

After pressing questions about police brutality and systemic racism, Ottawa says it is moving to overhaul policing in Indigenous communities. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair says his government is working on a new legislative framework. In recent days In Nunavut, video surfaced of an RCMP officer hitting an Inuk man with the open door of a moving police vehicle. And law enforcement in New Bruinswick shot and killed Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old First Nation mother, during a wellness check.

June 9th​

Indigenous

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde says he’s helping Prince Charles promote an international initiative. It aims to make greening the economy a centrepiece in the COVID-19 recovery plans of nations and corporations.​

June 8th

Are a haircut, mani and pedi, in your near future? We’re expecting details from Queen’s Park today about Stage 2 of re-opening the province’s economy

A massive turn-out is expected at a church in Houston today, as the city remembers George Floyd, the black man killed after a while police officer used his knee to pin down his neck, as Floyd begged for air.

Record Label Stops Using Word “Urban”

One of the most powerful record labels in the US, will stop using the word “urban” to describe music of black origin. The term is often considered to be a generalisation that marginalises music by black artists. Republic Records is home to Drake and Ariana Grande.

Indigenous

Canada’s Public Safety Minister says he’s deeply concerned over a northern Alberta First Nation chief’s account of his violent arrest by the R-C-M-P. Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam told a news conference that he was beaten by officers in March after being stopped for an expired licence plate. Bill Blair, says Ottawa is keeping a close eye on an independent investigation into the allegations.

June 5th

Organizers say violence won’t be tolerated… but that hasn’t stopped stores around Dundas Square from boarding up their windows this morning. At 12:30 this afternoon, an anti-racism march will start from the Bloor-Yonge subway station, down to city hall and back. Another protest is at 2 tomorrow afternoon, starting at Trinity Bellwoods Park.

A side note, The Go Fund me campaign for the family of George Floyd has raised 13-million dollars, the most money ever raised by individuals on that platform.

Indigenous

Indigenous activists are saying they will be supporting Black Lives Matters protests, and they won’t be highlighting their own struggles at the same time. Idle No More organizers say black activists have supported Indigenous people for a long time, and now it’s their turn to give back.

More Money from Ottawa

More financial support is expected from Ottawa today.. this time funding to help the provinces re-open their economies without triggering an explosive second wave of COVID-10 cases. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will present the offer during their weekly conference call today.

June 4th

George Floyd

A key witness in the deadly arrest of George Floyd is speaking out. A report in the New York Times, says the man was in the passenger seat when Floyd was stopped by police in Minneapolis. According to The Times, Maurice Lester Hall, said Floyd in no way resisted arrest, and was saying, “Please officer, what’s all this for?”

A private memorial is planned for George Floyd in Minneapolis today, more than a week after his arrest and subsequent death in the custody of police.

COVID-19

Restaurants and patios are getting ready to reopen….and this morning Mayor John Tory, says he will unveil when and how in an announcement at 10 o’clock.

As of today, you can line up to buy from the ice cream trucks or the food trucks in Toronto.. as long as you’re socially distanced.

There is expected to be plenty to discuss at Ontario’s legislature today as groups representing the province’s hard-hit tourism sector share their COVID-19 stories of economic woe.

Indigenous

A year has passed since the National Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women issued called for justice. But Indigenous groups say they want to see action. The report was supposed to be followed one year later with an action plan, but it has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.