Homes in Toronto are already expensive and the City’s Land Transfer Tax has only made that problem worse. People that are starting or have existing families want to live in a home that (a) they can afford and (b)that are close to good schools and (c) have access to community facilities such as daycare, parks, recreation facilities, etc.

School closings and the corresponding Land Sales amplify this problem.

Not only are schools shut down — making kids travel further to receive their education, but school closing also often mean that Day Care spaces are endangered as well.

When that land is sold to a developer, it removes the school, the daycare spaces that it may have hosted, and the greenspace that accompanied the lots. This makes any properties in the area “less desirable” to a family.

When a developer builds — regardless of dwelling type — there are now MORE people in need of those same facilities that have vanished.

An additional problem is that developers want to build high density dwellings like condos or if you are “lucky”, townhomes. These types of dwellings are not family friendly themselves, which pushes these people out to the suburbs…

This of course, reduces the requirements for schools, which forces the school boards to shutter more schools or amalgamate them into larger (less friendly) buildings, which requires larger lots, which requires paving over more greenspace and requires more money to fund…

The loop is endless it seems — we have to fight back and draw a line in the sand…

This problem started with the Fewer School Boards Act and with Trustees inability to create and stick to a reasonable budget…There is enough blame to go around but blaming doesn’t solve anything!

We need to address these underlying and related issues right away — before more damage is done!

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/160458–central-etobicoke-park-s-future-uncertain

Also check out our video posted on…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuaEqTfg-TU

In the TDSB’s desperate rush for quick cash injections to fund emergengy school re-development projects, their ill advised and short sighted policy to liquidate properties at fire sale prices is claiming unintended victims. They are ripping apart the fabric of local communities and the environment. Irreplaceable community greenspace is being sacrificed forever for short term monetary gain. Shame. Ironically, the new practice is in conflict with the Board’s own “green” policies. Double shame. How many other parks and greenspaces are up for sale?
Our fight has just begun….

Parks NOT Profit$
The Heather Crest Community Green Committee

I think that the teacher’s unions need to work towards this real improvement in our society while protecting thier members. Boards have to also work towards this but not by using daycare staff to replace teachers.

This is a necessary but expensive and dificult issue.