Entries by Jaan Pill

Canadians more attached to their country than people of any other advanced democracy on Earth: survey (Toronto Star, Dec. 7, 2013)

A Dec. 7, 2013 Toronto Start article is entitled: “Canada: It really is our home and native land.” The subhead reads: “Canadians are more attached to their country than the people of any other advanced democracy on Earth: survey.” Although the headline doesn’t reflect this theme, the article also refers to research suggesting that “the […]

Colonel Samuel Smith Park and address on Thirty Ninth Street in Long Branch featured in wiretap evidence

I was interested to learn that a recent police report related to Rob Ford’s activities mentions Colonel Samuel Smith (misspelled in the report as “Colonial Samuel’s”) Park. The report notes (p. 22 in the PDF file, which is p. 51 of the original document) that the mayor fabricated a story in which he claimed to have […]

Ormsby-Franceschini Estate now designated under the Ontario Heritage Act

Michael Harrison writes: Good Morning: I just received confirmation that the bylaw designating the Ormsby-Franceschini Estate (Mimico Estates) under the Ontario Heritage Act was passed by Toronto City Council on November 15, 2013. You can download a copy of the bylaw here: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/bylaws/2013/law1484.pdf Michael Comment This is welcome news, and a highly significant achievement. Background […]

David Webster, who grew up in Long Branch (Toronto not New Jersey), has a great recollection of local history dating back to the 1940s

Updates: Colleen O’Marra – see Comments at the end of this post – has added details about Police Chief Smythe that I read with much interest. For additional comments about Toronto-area postwar emergency housing, click here > [End]   I had the good fortune to spend a couple of hours on the morning of Dec. […]

Details are available regarding the intention to designate Wesley Mimico United Church under the Ontario Heritage Act

The redevelopment of Wesley Mimico United Church has been discussed in previous posts – including in an overview of the decision making process related to the redevelopment. I’ve been following this story, at times closely, since February 2012. The repurposing of church buildings in Toronto has been the subject of extensive research in recent years. […]