Public Commons

Part of Municipal Strike 2009

July 4, 2009, 16 e-mails

B. S. wrote:

CUPE rally at the Dump, right now, about 100 supporters marching in a circle, flags, traffic jam ...

S. M. wrote:

Are residents still blocking pesticides? B. said it was CUPE, but this article and more http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/660847 say it's residents as well. Can you clarify please?

M. c. wrote:

I dont believe it is the residents - if you look at an earlier email(from B.) it says that it was CUPE and that the police said they couldn't interfere as it was the unions right to action.

I think some calls/mails/comments on the Stars story might help to set the record straight.

B. S. wrote:

We have just learned that the City is aiming for a court injunction to have the pest control contractors spray the temporary dump sites. The court will be in session at 361 University Avenue at 13:00 today.

S. M. wrote:

So now we know why they're rallying. When the city gets their injunction, there will be 100 people to remove.

I hope they can spray soon if they're not going to take the garbage away. Here's some reading for those who don't know what house fly infestation means:

http://bugs.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/flies/house_fly.htm

"The most important damage related with this insect is the annoyance and the indirect damage produced by the potential transmission of pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes) associated with this fly. Pathogenic organisms are picked up by flies from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts, through their vomitus, feces and contaminated external body parts to human and animal food.

Of particular concern is the movement of flies from animal or human feces to food that will be eaten uncooked by humans. Also, when consumed by flies, some pathogens can be harbored in the mouthparts or alimentary canal for several days, and then be transmitted when flies defecate or regurgitate. In situations where plumbing is lacking, such as open latrines, serious health problems can develop, especially if there are outdoor food markets, hospitals, or slaughter houses nearby. Among the pathogens commonly transmitted by house flies are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Chlamydia, and many other species that cause illness. These flies are most commonly linked to outbreaks of diarrhea and shigellosis, but also are implicated in transmission of food poisoning, typhoid fever, dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms."

An intestinal illness could be devastating to a pregnancy, and there's a pregnant woman 30 meters from the site. Please, make it clear that the residents support and demand spraying now, if indeed everyone is in agreement. I, for one, support and demand spraying for her sake.

G. R. wrote:

Residents on the street and members of FCP have been involved in turning away the company contracted to spray when they have been there. We are not there all of the time, but CUPE is. So, there might be two local residents and the rest of the people are CUPE. Sometimes it is only CUPE.

On Thursday and Friday I organized regular shifts, but there is no such plan for Saturday or Sunday. However, there are many people at the dump right now, so I am not sure what their response will be when the court injunction is served after 1pm.

Neither I, nor anyone I have spoken to in our group, has ever supported blocking a court injunction. I plan to simply witness the serving of the injunction.

I encourage you to come to the dump yourself to investigate the situation.

H. S. wrote:

I just published an article that reflects more correctly what happened Friday night:

" TOStrike: Dinner in the Dumps - Why Christie Pits could not have been sprayed Friday night, Orkin contractor had unsafe boots "

Short url: http://T.oronto.ca/7v3

Because events are changing fast, I would ask that FCPP members leave comments on the above post with any new developments or thoughts on the matter.

I have more articles almost ready to be published. Aiming to publish online today asap, again on http://T.oronto.ca

http://Torontopedia.ca/ParksAreNotDumps wiki page is still being updated as I get time this afternoon.

Keep Smilin' Folks

A. S. wrote:

M. the place the city has mentioned on their list for dumping at Dufferin Grove is on the soccer fields.Hopefully this wont happen.

V. S. wrote:

A friend who lives in that neighbourhood said she heard that the Seaton Village Residents Association was planning to rent a dumpster so perhaps your son could look into that. Also he and his friends could check out http://www.craigslist.ca as there are numerous ads from people willing to collect garbage at $5 a bag and take it to one of the dumps, like Jeremy did on this list. It's cheaper than the subway, although there was an article in The Star about an elderly pensioner who took the bus to take her garbage to a dump a distance from her home.

K. wrote:

According to the City, the closure of the sites is because they have reached capacity. Whether or not this is actually true of CP or not, or they are just looking for a way to diffuse the situation there I don't know. Last time I went by there (Wed) it didnt look that full, but I know the Health Inspector said there were issues. So I dont know if the closure has anything to do with the protests or not.

I dont know that I'm personally unhappy about CP being used-but then, I dont live next to it. I can certainly feel for those who do. I would also be concerned about, pesticides and rats and so on if I did.

It's certainly true that the garbage has to go somewhere and not everyone can get to the transfer stations. What a problem! Can't envy the people who have to make the decisions about where the garbage dumps go. Can't envy the people who need to get rid of garbage and just get a hassle wherever they go.

I spoke with Kevin at the councillor BBQ this afternoon and he said there was no information on the opening of the DG site or any other site in the neighborhood to make up for the CP site closure. He will be looking into whether they mean to use the field or the rink should the DG site open in future. It does sound like the councillors themselves have very little say in all of this. Also that they do not get much more advance notice than the general public is getting about the site changes.

Maybe if theres anything positive about this, it will be that people will start to think more about how much garbage they are generating and how they can minimize that.

B. K. wrote:

Where are people taking their garbage? Is anyone responding?

Christie pits closes today and it's not even half filled.

No dumping was ever intended on grassy areas despite the claims!

Pantalone has satisfied the NOT IN MY BACKYARD-ers at the cost of everyone else in the city and I am very disappointed.

Where do we take our garbage in the area? Are they going to trade Christie Pits for Dufferin Grove? Was that really necessary?

Where do you take your garbage "Friends of Christie Pits"? The Star says you prevented spraying so now our rat population will fluourish.

K. wrote:

Hey B., I don't know about anyone else, but I have not had to take garbage anywhere yet. I will have to do so fairly soon though and I'm not sure where I will go. I won't be able to wait for 4 hours at a transfer station so unless conditions there have improved it would have to one of the tempory sites somewhere. I dont know which of these is acceptable from a community viewpoint.

I certainly hope that striking picketers have changed their approach to people trying to use the dumpsites. I agreee with you 100% that they should not be hassling people getting rid of garbage. Their beef is not with the public and the public should never have been harassed by them under the circumstances.

B. K. wrote:

I have a question. Is this necessary if they are closing Christies Pits as a dump site (on the news) on Sunday?

Also, as far as toxic chemicals in the garbage -- they ripped open the bags my husband took to Christie Pits yesterday to make sure the garbage was acceptable. THERE ARE NO TOXIC CHEMICALS BEING BROUGHT IN so I assume you refer to the pesticides used for keeping rats down.

The only thing scary in the flyer is the flyer's wording. I must say this is the kind of scare tactics politicians use to win elections.

I've looked all over for evidence of the truth in the dumping of garbage on non paved areas. Please advise.

I'm curious as to where it is written about the dumping of garbage on the playing fields.

When I took my garbage to Christie Pits yesterday the skating area is less than half full and yet it appears that it's being closed toady..

I have emailed Pantalone's office asking him to keep the dumpsite open unless there is actualy writing citing the dumping of waste on the soccer field and baseball diamond.

I hope those in Bloorcourt Village who will be inconvenienced even further by the moving of this site will do the same.

I am hoping neighbours will help each other out in getting those without cars to dumpsites.

I also hope those blocking the rat controlling substances will desist as i already have a raccoon problem with my garbage.

I also hope Erella is not censoring messages who oppose the views of the Christie Pits protesters. I merely send them as I believe a 'NOT IN MY BACKYARD' movement sends a message that we are anti the well being of the Rest of Toronto.

V. S. wrote:

In response to B.'s email.

After receiving the response from Councillor Giambrone's office, I won't send out the flyer. If things change then it can be ready to go. I am referring to the spraying and I think the idea of pesticides being sprayed is scary particularly if the garbage is kept on the soccer field and baseball diamond in DGP which means the spray will leach into the soil, hence the wording of the flyer. I also hate the idea of the rat population expanding without it so we are in a no-win situation but better have the spraying in the skating rink than the field so it can be cleaned up hopefully much more easily.

There was a list that was sent out on this listserv that sited that the soccer field and baseball diamond would be used at Dufferin Grove Park whereas the majority of the rest of the sites were on paved areas. I questioned Councillor Giambrone as to why they did not choose the paved skating rinks in our park. In his response, Councillor Giambrone's assistant stated as follows that the list "represents a preliminary assessment for contingency planning purposes done several months ago. It does not reflect the evaluative work that needs to be done against the specific criteria mentioned below. It also does not reflect the necessary approvals for any potential site from the Ministry of the Environment and the Medical Office of Health."

With regard to the Christie Pits dump closing, maybe they have decided to spread the pain around a little. I certainly sympathise with the people living around the park.

B. K. wrote:

I still am trying to find out where Friends of Christie Pits are dumping their garbage, because I need an alternative if CP closed today. No one will give me an answer.

Also, friends without cars need a ride to those dump sites.

Noone on the Dufferin Grove listserve will tell me where the Christie Pits dumpers are dumping. I just keep getting messages about flyers and toxic leaching (even though protesters are stopping the rat poison -- I hope your raccon population is in check, cause mine is in my garbage) and dumping on soccer fields (this is uncomfirmed) and baseball diamonds.

all I know is that if they're not at your park then they're at someone's and the NOT IN MY BACKYARD folks don't care about the rest of Torontonians in non-Christie Pits Toronto.

Also, people should not be harassed by either strikers or tree lovers.

Incidently, a sign against dumping was NAILED TO A TREE at Christie pits. How bad is that?

Please, again. where are you dumping, those of you who oppose Christie Pits as a dumpsite?

If I don't get an answer pretty soon , I'm going to assume the worst.

B. S. wrote:

I spent the lovely sunny Saturday afternoon in a sixth floor courtroom of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. At issue was the Notice of Motion for an interim injunction that the city requested, to restrain CUPE Local 416 and "other presently unidentified picketers" from blocking access of the City's pesticide contractor to the Christie Pits Dump. In the reasoning for the order, the City's counsel had specifically named us bystanders and observers on Thursday as follows:

"Approximately 7 picketers from the Union, plus other persons, formed a blockade at the entrance to Christie Pits and denied the City's pest control contractors access to the property.""

Those who were there, know that in fact none of the citizens blocked anyone's access. Moreover, the text reads

"[...] this Notice of Motion has been handed out at the Christie Pits location [on Sunday morning] to those on the picket line as of this morning at the time when the pest control truck was attempting to gain access to Christie Pits."

How do I know? That's because I was handed the document as I was walking back to my home, to refill my morning coffee. I guess that places me "on the picket line" somehow, which would be a first for me. Actually the pesticide contractor had been nowhere in sight (I heard that he did not arrive until a quarter to one). Then CUPE invited me to come down to court at 1:00, to say something.

So there I was.

It was actually interesting. This was certainly not simply a quick, formal deliberation of technicalities, but a real court case, with sworn witnesses - Reg Ayre who had written up the health order, the two city managers who had delivered it, the police sergeant who had decided not to intervene into a picket line, and the pesticide contractor - and with intense cross examination. I made a couple of pages of notes and will probably go over them at a later time; but here is a brief summary:

The Union counsel's strategy was to argue that a court injunction in a labour dispute was an "extraordinary remedy", and to demonstrate that the city had failed to exploit all other means of attempting access - i.e. they had not actually *tried* to access the site (true, they hadn't even opened the gate for the truck), but had essentially turned away when CUPE told them they were not getting in.

The City on the other hand argued that a health order had been served requiring them to act, and they were not obliged to escalate the situation on the street in order to be allowed a motion to obtain an injunction.

After the two counsel's submissions, I was invited by Madam Justice Harrison-Young to make a "representation" - not sworn testimony. I have attached my draft below in case you are interested.

The judge granted the motion, after more than five hours of examinations and discussion. I believe in the end the argument prevailed that on Thursday the police had dismissed the City's request and as of that time the City had really no legal recourse other than an injunction.

Therefore, the spraying will resume. However the motion does not mention the sewage truck that was to pump out the leachate. That will stay. Or leak away.

So who won? On one hand, this case was about the Union's job action strategy, not about our health and environmental concerns. These are two separate issues. From my (our) perspective, we didn't win, and we couldn't have. The choice today was between toxins in the park and flies in our homes. There was no winning outcome in that. The alternative, to forbid using parks as dumps, was not before the court today.

I have heard that our neighbour who lives right next to the dump and his pregnant wife have left the country this morning. The stench, stress and worries had become unbearable.

When I got home - my head still spinning - I just caught the last moments of our wonderful, annual "Crawfeast" in the little parquette on the street. Then we projected Wall-E on a bedsheet, I hadn't seen it before, it was just the right thing to get me grounded again.

You know you've had a strange day when you spent it at court, and it takes Wall-E to bring you back in touch with reality.

B.

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Representation before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice In the Case 09-CV-382349 City of Toronto vs. CUPE LOCAL 416 and OTHER PRESENTLY UNIDENTIFIED PICKETERS

B. S.: As a resident living a few steps from the temporary garbage dump in Christie Pits, I have witnessed the ongoing picketing activities and can comment on the community involvement. I have observed how a truck labelled with Orkin Inc. attempted to enter the site on Sunday, June 28. At this time citizens were present with signs and fliers to inform those who wished to dump their garbage into the park that alternatives exist, in particular at the transfer stations. The Orkin employee refused to answer our questions what he was going to spray, in his own words such information would not be provided to "common citizens". Residents and other concerned citizens then prevented the access of the truck to the site by standing on the sidewalk.

I then proceeded on my own private initiative to seek information on the pest control protocol from the city and three MSDS sheets were provided to me on the next day by Mr. Reg Ayre. I posted these MSDS on the Google mailing list of our neighborhood community group, Friends of Christie Pits Park, a group that is normally active in organizing pizza nights in the park and recently an organic community garden; many of our members are however opposing the garbage dump in the park.

After studying the medical literature available to me, I concluded that the substances to be applied by the city - Permethrin, Benzalkonium chloride and Difethialone - are considered reasonably safe for humans in Public Health applications. There are however environmental concerns and off-target effects of these toxins. I have summarized this information and again posted it on our mailing list, on Canada Day, July 1.

I have further learned that the stagnant water that is pooling in the ice rink and in part escaping through cracks is not only laden with these pesticides and disinfectants, but poses unique and unpredictable hazards in and of itself. I have come to the conclusion that while the spraying of pesticides and disinfectants may mitigate the situation, it will not eliminate the hazards to human health and to the environment that currently exist in Christie Park and likely in the other parks, where the city is operating temporary dump sites in locations that are not appropriate for the storage of human excrements, household refuse and decomposing organic materials.

Pest control through external spraying cannot solve the problems posed by putrescible garbage that as I have observed is decomposing in leaking trash bags. It can mitigate the problems but they can only be solved through removal.

To my knowledge there is no ongoing picketing action by citizens that would prevent the access of pest control contractors. Citizens - and that includes me - have stated on numerous occasions that we will not be involved in or condone illegal activities. However, in my respect for the law and the interest of the common good, I am firmly committed to the demand that the temporary dump sites must be closed and the garbage removed to professionally managed locations where all hazards can be brought under control.

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July 5, 2009, 11 e-mails

B. K. wrote:

We have done two runs to Christie Pits already (mostly green bin) and did not wait at all. Yesterday, my husband observed a skating rink that was not full.

I'm afraid to keep any amount of garbage outside however wrapped, because raccoons usually get at it and we have a history with mice.

Some streets seem to be getting dumpsters and that seems to be a good idea for those who can afford to chip in.

Composters seem like a good idea too, but I was never able to get anything from mine - didn't know how to use it correctly when I had it, is my best guess.

I will just hunt for the closest site, I guess. Good luck with your choice of site.

M. S. wrote:

Green P lots are in fact owned by the city. and this is a great idea - making city-owned parking lots in to dumps. it would solve two problems at once!

M. W. wrote:

I suggest we purchase the rights to the Movie "Garbage: The Revolution Starts at Home" and do a screening at next Friday Night's Potluck. (I have access to a copy, but believe you need to pay more $$ to do a screening). Maybe we can figure out a way to do it as a CELOS fundraiser. I'd be happy to make a bunch of popcorn.

Heather's family keeping their garbage is the way we have been going so far. When it comes down to a choice between dumping in parks or crossing a picket line, we see neither option as entirely acceptable.

Waste-wise, we are running into trouble around the kitty litter, but I think we will buy the flushable stuff from now on. (Though that takes a different toll on the waste system.)

The movie is worth a watch. Only 75 minutes long, interesting and relevant. After my daughter watched it she said she wanted to save her garbage for three months too. I told her we had a two week start already.

B. S. wrote:

I would like to pose a question directly to the person who can answer yes or no on both "sides". We know that the City's temporary dump- and storage sites pose risks to human health and to the environment that can not be eliminated by pest control measures. The garbage dump in Christie Pits Park will likely stop accepting additional garbage today. However we hear it will remain open and exposed to the elements for as long as the strike lasts.

I want to ask whoever can make that decision in the City: If CUPE Local 416 would temporarily suspend their labour action to remove the garbage and residue from Christie Pits Park, and thereby eliminate the currently existing hazards to health and environment, would the City allow and support this?

I want to ask whoever can make that decision at the Union: If the City would allow and support this, could CUPE Local 416 temporarily suspend their labour action to remove the garbage and residue from Christie Pits Park and eliminate the currently existing hazards to health and the environment?

I want to ask both parties: In case the answer to either question is "No", would the city or CUPE Local 416 stand in the way, if private citizens were to organize the removal and appropriate disposal of the garbage and residue that is currently piled in Christie Pits Park?

If anyone on the list knows the name of the person this question can be directed to, I would appreciate to hear from you.

K. H. wrote:

For Cupe you might draft a letter to Cupe Ontario (Syd Ryan), It would definitely be good PR for the union to allow this. They would probably be concerned about a private company doing this. For the City, maybe the head of Parks and Recreation and the Mayor's office. Then where would the garbage go? It is an interesting proposal worth contemplating.

G. R. wrote:

I was very happy to see TEA's statement on pesticide spraying at the temporary dumps outlining their concerns. Please see their media release at:

http://www.torontoenvironment.org/campaigns/toxics/dumpsites

One disturbing except:

"One long-term human health concern linked to low-level exposure comes with permethrin's potential to act as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it may interfere with our body's ability to communicate through its hormones, glands and cellular receptors. Possible effects, depending on time of exposure, could be increased risk of reproductive problems, effects to children's development and thyroid disorders. Permethrin is a 'suspected' endocrine disruptor, and health effects from endocrine disruption are still being researched."

I also think TEA's point that we are entitled to information from the city to be an important one:

[The city should..] "Publically provide details of how they will clean up the temporary dump sites once they are no longer in use to ensure that any long-term contamination from the garbage and pesticides is eliminated before the public can access the site. This will likely mean keeping areas closed after the garbage is removed to allow for soil testing and mitigation."

I wonder how long the pool will remain closed after the strike, as it probably wouldn't be a good idea to have anyone in the area of the hazardous residue in the area?

I guess Joe Pantalone would be the person to approach with these questions, but he remains missing in action. It still stuns me that the neighbourhood is facing its greatest problem of the last five years, and our Councillor cannot even respond to our emails, come to consult with his constituents, or provide us with the most basic of information about what is going on.

B. K. wrote:

I still am trying to find out where Friends of Christie Pits are dumping their garbage, because I need an alternative if CP closed today. No one will give me an answer.

Also, friends without cars need a ride to those dump sites.

Noone on the Dufferin Grove listserve will tell me where the Christie Pits dumpers are dumping. I just keep getting messages about flyers and toxic leaching (even though protesters are stopping the rat poison -- I hope your raccon population is in check, cause mine is in my garbage) and dumping on soccer fields (this is uncomfirmed) and baseball diamonds.

all I know is that if they're not at your park then they're at someone's and the NOT IN MY BACKYARD folks don't care about the rest of Torontonians in non-Christie Pits Toronto.

Also, people should not be harassed by either strikers or tree lovers.

Incidently, a sign against dumping was NAILED TO A TREE at Christie pits. How bad is that?

Please, again. where are you dumping, those of you who oppose Christie Pits as a dumpsite?

If I don't get an answer pretty soon , I'm going to assume the worst.

M. G wrote:

My family has been keeping all our garbage since the strike. Our recycling is taking up a lot of room around the house (since we had a birthday party for my 6 year old.) We have a backyard compost for fruits and vegetable scraps. The organic green bin waste is now full and I will be taking it to Commissioners St. transfer station because we have a car. I will ask my neighbours if they need me to take some with me.

As a community, Seaton Village Residents Association rented a bin for 18hrs and people in our area could dump their garbage for $5/bag.

We are hoping to rent another bin for this area so there will be a pick up once a week if this strike continues.

The Christie Dump is closing because it is full. We are not celebrating. This is not a victory by any means. We are very concerned about all the other sites that might open in the future.

I'm really sorry you feel so stressed out about garbage...this strike is really awful. Maybe you could arrange a bin for your area once a week for people who do not have a car or check craigslist.org for private companies who pick up garbage.

No body wants this strike to continue but we are trying very hard to keep the impact of the dump to a minimum.

S. wrote:

I'm not a Friend of Christie Pits, but I can tell you where I'm dumping my garbage - I'm not.

All my garbage is cleaned, dried, compacted as much as possible - tins and cardboard can be flattened - separated into clear plastic bags and stored on my porch. There is no organic matter to attract vermin so I don't have to worry about raccoons or rats getting into it.

All my vegetable waste goes into my backyard composter. I live in a house but I have friends who live in apartments or condos who have vermiculture set up in their homes for the same purpose.

I've postponed large purchases that will produce a lot of packaging to get rid of. I've cut back on buying meat since that can't be composted here in my backyard. What non-compostable food waste I do have to deal with is separated into green bin waste and contaminated garbage (meat wrappers and the like), wrapped up securely and stored in the freezer.

The strike has been going on for *two* *weeks* and I am quite frankly flabbergasted that people can't hold onto their trash for such a short length of time. If the strike goes on long enough for me to run out of freezer space I will have to take ONE bag of garbage to the transfer station. I don't have my own car so I will either get an Autoshare vehicle, make arrangements with a neighbour or hire somebody from Craigslist.

What I will not being doing is "getting rid" of my garbage by tossing it into what is virtually somebody else's front lawn. I would consider that extremely unethical.

L. J. wrote:

Hear! Hear! We are doing the same thing. We may have to send one bag to the dump but for the near future, we are allocating freezer space for the meat scraps and the composter takes care of the vegetable matter. Makes you very aware of how much garbage we produce. I intend to watch very carefully the amount of packaging on things from now on!

B. S wrote:

As you will probably know, yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, the City's pest control contractor entered the Christie Pits Dump to spray insecticides and disinfectants. He came back again to spray a second time at 11:00 p.m. He returned a third time to spray this morning. And he is planning to return again tonight.

According to the Health Hazard Order passed by the City, and according to the sworn testimony given by the City's Public Health Inspector at court on Saturday, it is the contractor, not Public Health, who assesses whether spraying is indicated; the subsequent spraying is done by the same contractor. I expect that the contractor is paid for both.

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I took a walk around the park this morning at 8:00, the Organic Garden is so beautiful. A small detachment of starlings was hopping through the stalks, pecking at grubs and worms, robins were in the grass and a magnificent red-winged blackbird spread its wings in the sun, perched on a bamboo rod, ready to fly off just before the busily winding beanstalks would trap him.

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July 6, 2009, 5 e-mails

From: Councillor Vaughan

Councillor Adam Vaughan and Scadding Court Community Centre Open a Community Compost Site for Ward 20

Toronto- As we enter the third week of the strike by City workers many Toronto residents are looking for sustainable ways to manage the trash build up in their homes and communities.

Although the City is not collecting organic waste during the labour disruption - Councillor Adam Vaughan (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) has partnered with the Scadding Court Community Centre to set up a Community Compost Site for local residents.

Starting on Monday July 6th, the staff and community gardeners at Scadding Court Community Centre invite Ward 20 residents to bring their organic waste to their compost site.

Councillor Vaughan hopes that " this partnership will help us to build our parks and community programming in spite of the strike instead of damaging precious neighbourhood resources." [...]

Composting is a little different from the City's usual Green Bin Organics Collection Program.

The Ward 20 Scadding Court Community Organics Site only accepts the following items:

- fruit and vegetable waste - noodles, rice, cereals, breads and grains - coffee grounds, tea and egg shells

Please do not bring:

- meat or fish scraps - dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) - food waste that has been cooked in oils or fats - plastic bags or packaging - paper products - bathroom waste - including diapers, tissue, hair, or sanitary products - dog waste

These items will NOT be accepted.

Collect your kitchen waste in a reusable, washable container - bring it to Scadding Court to add to the compost pile! Take your container home with you to begin your next collection.

The Ward 20 Scadding Court Community Organics site opens on Monday July 6th, 2009 at 10 am and will be open the duration of the labour disruption.

C. P wrote:

I see Adam Vaughan is announcing a "Community Compost Site for Ward 20 residents".

This is not for most of us here but is an interesting idea. I wonder how difficult it would be to stop dumping of inappropriate materials.

B. S wrote:

To keep you appraised of what we are currently doing: I've been busy this day opening the channels to pose the three questions to the Mayor's office and to CUPE national *on behalf of FoCPP*. They are there now, being considered and I hope to get some answer soon. It very simply boils down to the following. Can we please get the garbage out of the park. Now. Yes, or no?

Tonight, Rogers has requested a live telephone interview and that may give me an opportunity to say something about this initiative. The questions are below.

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We know that the City's temporary dump- and storage sites pose risks to human health and to the environment that can not be eliminated by pest control measures. What I would like to ask are the following two questions:

(1) Of the Mayor: If CUPE Local 416/79 would temporarily suspend their job action to remove the garbage and residue from Christie Pits Park, and thereby eliminate the currently existing hazards to health and environment, would the City allow and support this?

Of CUPE: If the City would allow this, could CUPE Local 416 temporarily suspend their labour action to remove the garbage and residue from Christie Pits Park and eliminate the currently existing hazards to health and the environment?

(2) Of both parties: In case the answer to either is "No", would the City or CUPE stand in the way if private citizens were to organize the removal and appropriate disposal of the garbage that is currently piled in Christie Pits Park?

M. M. wrote:

Hello B. - I am in awe of your many abilities in analyzing a multitude of issues. You have a balanced and informed approach, excellent technical info., and have been an excellent spokesperson. I have been chairing the TDSB Eco-committee at Hawthorne school this past year. So, although I don't live in the neighbourhood this is the closest park to our school, and in fact is used year-round by the school. We also have many friends who live in close proximity to the park.

My one concern with your very interesting proposal, is that if the citizens privately arrange for garbage removal, are we not setting a precedent that lets the city 'off the hook' for their apparently not- well-thought-out actions in the first place? It seems that the creativity and reasonableness of citizens, while very necessary, has a slippery outcome of allowing the situation to be prolonged, and enabling the city to not be responsible for literally 'cleaning up their own mess'. They have budget, they have personnel and many more resources than we as private citizens to deal with such a tremendous and complicated issue of safe removal and disposal.

THANK YOU for all the work you are doing on behalf of so many citizens. It is much appreciated!!!

From: Howard Shapiro MD MSc FRCPC

Associate Medical Officer of Health

I am writing on behalf of Toronto Public Health in response to your email regarding Moss Park.

Information on the pest control products being applied at the temporary garbage sites can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/labour-relations/pesticide-odour-control.htm . The MSDS sheets for Generation Mini Blocks (rodenticide) and Dragnet FT (insecticide) are available online:

http://www.yorku.ca/dohs/documents/msds/5113600.pdf

http://www.liphatech.com/Documents/US/MSDS/Generation/ENG_GEN_MiniBlocks_MSDS.pdf

Temporary garbage sites are inspected daily and pest control products are applied on an as needed basis. Toronto Public Health has confirmed with the pest control company that the application of these products will occur between 9pm and 7am. Measures are in place to minimize the risk of these products extending beyond the garbage sites.

Permethrin (the active ingredient in the sprayed insecticide), is used in agriculture for application on crops. Eating foods sprayed with permethrin is a common source of exposure. As with all fruits and vegetables, make sure to wash the produce from your community garden thoroughly before consuming to reduce exposure to potential contaminants from all sources.

Sincerely,

Howard Shapiro MD MSc FRCPC Associate Medical Officer of Health

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July 7, 2009, 8 e-mails

J. B. wrote:

That would be, the dumping of inappropriate materials, impossible to police. This morning walking back from an impressively clean Dufferin Grove with my dog, we came across discarded, soiled diapers on the sidewalk. What are we supposed to do? I didn't have a doggy bag large enough to scoop this.

So inappropriate behaviour will probably become the 'new normal'.....

M. E. wrote:

Just read in the Metro that the Scadding court compost thing has been shut down by the minister of health. Apparently accepting compost from multiple households is a health hazard (this really is the justification), while dumping them in parks is not :-(

Sorry, it was the ministry of the environment, not the ministry of health that shut it down.

B. S. wrote:

I have received responses to the question whether the Union and the City could collaborate to remove the hazards and to the question whether they would allow us to do it.

I have received a "No" on both counts from CUPE. And the City will not "deal in hypothetical situations". I have appended the responses below.

There will not be a "Miracle of Christie Pits Park".

What next? I am taking the position that we currently have a hazard to human health and the environment in our parks, hazards that arise from improvised and insufficient management of the waste, as well as from exposure to pesticides, antibiotics and toxins.

I can think of four paths to address the issue and I would like to share my thoughts with you as I am trying to think this through:

Wrap it up

Would a technical solution make the problem tolerable? I could envision the whole ice rink under a silage tarp that keeps the rainwater off, the birds out, some of the smell in and the toxins better contained. Is this just a band-aid or is it a pragmatic solution?

Obtain an injunction against the garbage in the park

There is a risk to health and environment, we have asked for its removal and that was declined. Where else can we turn to? Is this a matter for the legal system now? Is this the time to attempt obtaining an injunction to have the garbage removed and stored safely?

Settle the labour dispute

I don't know how the negotiations are going. Could pressure on both negotiating parties be generated to settle quickly? And would generating pressure be possible without taking sides in the labour dispute? I don't see how, but maybe I just haven't had the right idea.

Legislate back to work

The Ontario legislature is a neutral party in the strike. Contacting all three constituent parties to advocate for back to work legislation may be an approach that is not taking sides in the dispute. Or is it?

I'll try to get some opinions on these directions. Any feedback is of course welcome and helpful.

The replies I have received:

'''Response from CUPE, relayed via Risa Pancer in the Ontario Regional Office of CUPE National:'''

Unfortunately, the Toronto Civic Employees Union, Local 416 cannot agree to your request and suspend their labour action to remove the garbage and residue from the Christie Pits Park as they are on legal strike. The union members would be crossing their own picket line to do their own work if they agreed to this. Nor can CUPE agree to the request to stand down the picket lines to allow a private contractor or private citizens to come in to do their work while they remain on strike.

Thank you for taking the time to enquire into this.

'''Response from Stuart Green, Deputy Director of Communications in Mayor Miller's office:'''

As a rule, we don't deal in hypothetical situations. If and when you have firmer information to share, we can revisit.

C. S. wrote:

I agree with your assessment and believe that the injunction is the best option. We have already had one pregnant woman vacate her house due to the odor and hazardous waste spill. Do we have anyone with legal expertise in the FoCPP group?

On another related topic: It is clear that the "24 hour security" on the dump is in-effective (or more likely non-existent), evidenced by the illegal dumping around the fence. I plan to remove as much as I can today with my truck.

Do we have a strategy for this illegal dumping? Was 24 hour security a condition of the temporary dump permit?

C. S. wrote:

Here is an example of the illegal dumping at the park. There is more beside the East fence.

(If you look closely, you can see the "President's Choice Green" logo on the garbage bags. Wonder if the criminal who dumped these bags understands the hypocrisy of their actions?)

C. A. wrote:

Thanks B. for putting those four options out there.

I contacted a friend of mine, a long time union member, who is on strike right now. She had this to say:

The MOH has not said it is a hazard. In 2002, the MOH, Sheela Basrur, resisted the declaration by the Ontario MOH to declare the garbage strike a hazard (the real reason being that the Pope was coming). Contact David McKeown and ask him what would constitute a hazard in his opinion.

The only thing to do in the interim is to put pressure on the City and the union.

This is what I think needs to happen. Both sides are entrenched. They didn't even sit down yesterday. The City needs to take benefits off the table and the union needs to lower its increase demands. Write an open letter to the newspapers or send out a press release and say that.

According to my friend, there are varying opinions within the union itself and the hard line approach is not a unanimous one. It seems like the city is divided as well. If the community has faith in the process and the parties involved than I think it's a fair option. If not, and I personally don't, but I am just one voice, maybe the injunction is the way to go. Or of course, a community-based initiative that cleans up the park ourselves. (Risky, but heroic!)

I will support whatever the community decides.

B. S. wrote:

A private initiative to clean up does not seem to be an option; according to the response from CUPE:

[...] Nor can CUPE agree to the request to stand down the picket lines to allow a private contractor or private citizens to come in to do their work while they remain on strike. [...]

At least CUPE is clear and forthright on their position ... Boris

PS: What caused the back-to-work legislation in 2002? According to the Canadian Press[1] it was not actually the Pope.

"The 2002 strike came to an end with legislation, but McGuinty says at that time there had been an advisory from health officials urging government action."

[1] http://tinyurl.com/LBTW2002

K. H. wrote:

Legistlating the Cupe members back to work will mean that CUPE looses and sends a very anti-labour message. I think the best option is neighbourhood response to the garbage, getting our own contractors to move the garbage and asking Cupe picket members to allow us to do this. CUPE may loose the PR campaign if they are not allowing the garbage to be removed. It is one thing to have labour solidarity and quite another to make people suffer so needlessly. We need to clean up our park, the union and the city don't seem interested and that is very sad. Then maybe both the City and the union will understand that the people in Toronto are getting tired of the lack of negotiation going on between these two parties at the table.

I think there is alot of concern within the union at the way negotiating is done. People like CUPE's Risa Pancer make alot of money the longer this strike drags out. That is the truth and the average CUPE member with a family to feed is suffering too.

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[+July 8, 2009+], 5 e-mails

B. S. wrote:

Yesterday I posted about four paths to move on.

Here's an update on that:

Wrap it up

I've tried to get information from the City: who can I talk to regarding health- and waste-management aspects of better containment in a foil wrap. So far I've not received contact information - or any other response.

Get an injunction

We would need an expert who is credible as the source of an affidavit about the hazards to health and environment of the dump, and who is willing to be cross-examined at court. Negatives so far, will keep asking.

Pressure to settle

Nothing to report.

Legislate back to work

Rosario Marchese's office has informed me that a petition can be forwarded only when the Legislature is in session and it is not now. Only the Premier can call it back. According to Canadian Press yesterday:

"Premier Dalton McGuinty says health officials aren't sounding the alarm about Toronto's garbage strike, so residents shouldn't expect him to legislate an end to the dispute any time soon."

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The piles of bags you heard about yesterday, dumped outside the rink, have been removed. Thank you to however took care of that. Tonight, two new bags were thrown next to the rink, on the grass at the Barton side.

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According to WHO information I read yesterday, Permethrin has remarkably little _acute_ toxicity for birds. That's fortunate for the sparrows and starlings who are feeding on the dead flies in the rink. http://www.inchem.org/documents/pds/pds/pest51_e.htm

G. M. wrote:

This was forwarded from Adam Giambrone's office and may be of interest to families who are having childcare/activity challenges during the strike. I'm not sure whether the attached calendars will come through - email me directly if you'd like it forwarded to you.

My Name is Tamara Largie, I am sending your offices a copy of our summer Ontario Early Years Calendars.

Our free drop-In programs can be used as alternate programming for families during the city strike. Please forward the attachments to whomever you would like.

July 2009, August 2009

Thanks so much.

Tamara Largie

Supervisor, Health Promotion & Early Years Initiatives

Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre

T. C. wrote:

Hi neighbours! We're doing another garbage run. Here is J.'s message and contact info.

Hi all! I'll be renting a truck this Monday July 8th and thought I'd offer my services again.

I found a great private dump near the Ingram Transfer Station that's reasonably priced. Rest assured, no picket lines will be crossed.

Here's the deal!

• $5 a bag (a 3 bag minimum would be greatly appreciated [if you haven't accumulated much maybe talk to a neighbour?!]) • Please leave the money in an envelope in the mailbox

If you're interested please respond with the following information*.

Address: ___________
Phone Number: __________
Bag Location: __________
Special Instructions: __________

I'll be starting my route early (7 am) and will be going all day. So don't worry if it's 1pm and I haven't been by yet. I'm on the way!

Oh, and if the strike ends before Monday I'll assume my services are no longer needed unless otherwise instructed. I'll go either way as we have tenants and a lot of yard waste to deal with.

• Apologies, I know we've probably been over this already but it saves me a ton of time organizing and it's greatly appreciated.

---

C. M. wrote:

I am a little concerned if this group is spending it's time and energy trying to get city employees legislated back to work. That would be a very anti-worker and anti-democratic approach and I personally think not what this group should be focused on.

L. B. wrote:

What is more "anti-democratic" than taxing citizens for services that are not delivered, then dumping pesticide laden waste in public park space next to their homes without warning?

As for the matter of arbitration, this is not necessarily "anti-worker". Past examples of arbitration have demonstrated that this can result in more generous settlements for unions than continued negotiation.

Personally, I support the idea of pursuing a court order for the legal removal of waste from Christie Pits, seeing as CUPE and city officials have already refused the proposal put forward by private citizens to contract out this service. It seems to me that if a judge would permit the suspension of a strike action in order to allow spraying to occur, following the issuance of a public health order, then it would stand to reason that we could obtain a similar injunction to permit the removal of the waste. My 2 cents.

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July 9, 2009, 2 e-mail

A. A. wrote:

First, thank You so much for your work and advocacy and mobilization in combating the City’s use of Christie Pits Park parks space as a dump. The Nook children and their families greatly appreciate that someone is speaking out on behalf of the park space.

I am writing regarding another urgent Christie Pits Park community matter. As you know I am with the Nook Children's Program, an operation that is part of the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre. We serve many of the families in our neighbourhood and recently our membership has increased due to many families facing financial instability and needing access to free quality programming. This summer our children’s program is operating at capacity with 75 children enrolled. We are facing a challenge with the City of Toronto – Parks and Recreation Department ourselves, and we are hoping you can help us. We have a staff team of only 4 and provide FREE experiential educational after-school, summer, community arts, cooking club, bicycle share, special event, and suspension help programming for over 1300 children annually in this area.

As well we provide Parenting Workshops on issues such as the Effects of Sugar, and Healthy Discipline, etc. We also run many events including community dinners and movie nights. Currently we are in the midst of Summer Program and are in the process of reviewing application for our Program Coordinator; this position is to be filled for the Fall 2009. However, we have just received word that as of September the City Parks and Recreation Department, specifically Bob Abate Community Centre, will cut one of the two positions they fund for us.

This is extremely devastating to our program - especially in these times where we have had huge increases in users due to the financial vulnerability faced by our community families. Many of our families are working families trying to find ways to provide opportunities for children while making ends meet, and many are newcomers who desperately need help with Literacy. The Nook also provides services to many families with children with special needs who require properly invested after-school programming. We have been so fortunate that our staff team is so dedicated to community building and helping inspire the next generation of community members that they work for nominal wages provided by Parks and Recreation and Bob Abate Community Centre. Below is what the City of Toronto- Parks and Recreation Department felt was a reasonable wage for these workers who contribute so much to our community:

Recreation Worker 15 hours a week @ $9.50 per hour

Literacy Worker 25 hours per week @ $10.50 per hour

Now they have cut the Literacy position @ 25 hours per week. Many of our schools will be affected, including Essex Public School, Dewson Public School, Hawthrone Alternative, St. Raymond’s Catholic School, and Montrose Public School. As well, many of our community events will either be reduced in scope or completely eliminated.

Our community members are faced with tremendous pressures: the City is on strike, the Park is being used as a dumping ground, and now a huge part of The Nook’s program is being cut regardless of the fact that our program is one of the few operational community summer programs running and the only FREE program of its kind. Many of our community members would be outraged and devastated to hear that one of the most joyful, useful, and free programs in Christie Pits Park is being cut.

We desperately need the help of the Friends of Christie Pits to secure this position for the fall. We are hoping that your mobilization skills and advocacy work for the spirit of community in Christie Pits Park can help us voice our concerns for such an obvious display of disregard for community needs.

Please let me know if you can help us with this cause, and if you would be able to meet to discuss any ideas you may have of ways to help us ensure the quality and momentum of this amazing program. I hope you can help,

C. A. wrote:

Hello B.

Personally, I am alone with three small children this weekend and can't participate in your walk. But I do recognize the frustration in your email. I feel it as so many others do. I also feel it's time to take some action, however symbolic, to illuminate the absurdity of the situation and the poor choices that have been made since this strike began. And to go public with a vocal disapproval of 'negotiations' that aren't really happening and periodic news reports about there being 'no end in sight' to the strike. That's not alright.

Is there another way we can make this point besides your walk on Saturday? Can we come up with a creative idea that might empower the community and send a message at the same time? Is it out of the question to get the dump site assessed as a health hazard? I know CUPE said they would not allow a private contractor to pass the picket line but would they change their minds if hundreds of community residents, kids, friends, supporters AND the media showedozens of families and community residents and the media showed up? I think they might step aside.

I really think it's time we stood up and said 'enough' in whatever way is appropriate. I'm sorry I can't join you on your walk. It's a great idea. Maybe it will be the first of many.

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July 10, 2009, 6 e-mails

K. H. wrote:

Haven't read the whole gist of B.s' Garbage Walk idea but I think this is an excellent idea if we could network throughout the city with all the communities across Toronto using the networks of the environmental groups such has TEA and Greenpeace, Environmental Defence etc. I think it would make a wonderful Citizen's Statement. If you like Boris, I will work with you and an organizing core group to get such a walk together. We may even have fun with such a citizen's action by getting the politicians and the union to walk together....now that is subversive! Maybe we could settle the strike on the walk!

Would you like to give it a go and organize?

Toronto's Garbage Walk 2009...ofcourse the bicycle networks could come to ...Critical Mass.

C. A. wrote:

Yes! Maybe we can give ourselves a week to organize and bring as many people on board as possible. I will help in any way I can. B., what do you think of this idea?

C. S. wrote:

I have contacted J. F. at Environmental Defence Canada (416-323-9521 ext. 232). Perhaps we can collaborate on our grass-roots movement!

M. G. wrote:

Friends of Christie Pits Park (Friends of all Toronto parks)

Hi all,

Although the temporary dump site at Christie Pits Park is not accepting any new garbage, we still feel strongly that NO PARK should be used as dumps during this strike.

Moss Park is a large park located between Jarvis and Sherbourne north of Queen St. E.

Moss Park is surrounded by Toronto's largest homeless community including Fred Victor Centre, Salvation Army and Good Sheppard. There are many low income buildings that surround the park and it is also home of the John Innes Recreation Centre. During the current strike many families have been left scrambling for summer camps and in this area there is a noticeable number of children hanging around without any supervision. Their (2yr old) basketball court has been turned into a dump.

The community around this park is one of the most marginalized people in all of Toronto and now is home to one of biggest downtown temporary dumps.

Please join us at a rally on Monday July 13th at 5p.m. NO PARKS ARE DUMPS!

We are encouraging people from all of Toronto who are opposed to seeing our Parks turned into dumps to join us in protecting what little green space we have.

M. S. wrote:

wondering: is anyone actually from the moss park area involved in organizing the protest? if not, this callout feels kind of problematic.

M. G. wrote:

Yes, there is small group of residents who have been trying to fight this temporary dump since the beginning. However, the media seemed to focus only on Christie Pits Park. We feel that No Parks should be used as dumps and were asked to shed much needed attention to this community. It should also be noted that the area around moss park is actually surrounded by mostly high rises with private garbage collection....makes me wonder who is dumping their garbage there?

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July 11, 2009, 2 e-mail

From: Councillor Adam Vaughan

Dear residents,

A special e-newsletter listing summer day programs for children in Ward 20 is attached in PDF format.

Best regards,

P. wrote:

Hey folks I posted hand made signs at St Lawrence Market this morning for the rally on Monday. If anyone has additional posters I could pick them up and ride around on my bike and post them in various neighbourhoods this weekend. I would also like to post some in the Moss Park area apartments in Pam McConnell's ward.

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July 12, 2009, 1 email

B. S. wrote:

I carried one bag of garbage from our Christie Pits dump to the Commissioners Street Transfer station yesterday. Several neighbours and friends came along. HiMY document the entire walk and in the shortest time created an outstanding documentation; his images and clips are on the Torontopedia Wiki and on Flikr, along with links to the media who picked the story up on Saturday and Sunday.

http://www.Torontopedia.ca/A_Walk_For_One_Bag_of_Garbage

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photopia/sets/72157621331099658/

Thank you to all who were there and helped in person and in spirit.

Three images stand out in my mind as I think back about yesterday.

The first is a non-image: a sense of non-emergency, non-issue. We passed queues at the ROM, tourist buses, Afrofest, Outdoor Arts Exhibition, the Orange Parade ... people were going about their lives, coping, settling in. The hazards to health, environment, economy, social fabric ... are diluted across the City. We have heard how the fallout is harming many - but my conversations with "the street" on Saturday did not convey a sense of urgency.

The second image is the spirit of City workers at all places I have met them so far. Whether at our park, at City Hall, at Moss Park or at Commissioners Street, I have without exception met people who are friendly, open, compassionate about the strike's consequences on all sides, and passionate about their City. I have encountered a positive attitude that I find remarkable.

The third image is that of citizens who had driven their garbage down to the transfer station, who were stoically sitting in their cars in a long queue, being made to wait.

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July 13, 2009, 17 e-mails

M. T. wrote:

I support this – I feel there must be a legal route that we can take and that there must be some individual or group out there that would be interested in doing this pro bono.

M. G. wrote:

Rally is today at Moss Park at 5 pm.

I've rec'd confirmation City TV, CP24, Global and Toronto Sun will be there!

Please show your support for Toronto Parks.....Parks are not Dumps!

B. S. wrote:

I spoke on the telephone with Dianne Saxe, an environmental lawyer.

http://www.envirolaw.com/

She was very kind to help me sort out thoughts about legal options towards a cleanup at Christie Pits. It appears the chances of getting an injunction are likely slim. IF the Medical Officer of Health would proclaim a health hazard that can not be addressed in another way, or IF the Ministry of the Environment would proclaim that the environmental hazards would make Christie Pits an unsuitable site after all, it would have to be shut down and cleaned up. But if they don't, we would need to prove that such hazards in fact exist. For various reasons that does not appear very promising.

Small steps that can be pursued in any case include alerting the MOE Spills Action Centre

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/emergency/actioncenter.php

whenever instances of leachate entering the ground, drainage and storm sewers have been observed and documented. In addition, I will see what information I can get from the City regarding their monitoring protocol to ensure the parks and playgrounds are again safe for children and everyone else, once this is over.

M. G. wrote:

Friends of Trinity Bellwoods:

Here is some important info forwarded to you from The Friends of Christie Pits Park and supported by The Friends of Trinity Bellwoods Park.

Hi all, Although the temporary dump site at Christie Pits Park is not accepting any new garbage, we still feel strongly that NO PARK should be used as dumps during this strike. Moss Park is a large park located between Jarvis and Sherbourne north of Queen St. E. Moss Park is surrounded by Toronto's largest homeless community including Fred Victor Centre, Salvation Army and Good Sheppard. There are many low income buildings that surround the park and it is also home of the John Innes Recreation Centre. During the current strike many families have been left scrambling for summer camps and in this area there is a noticeable number of children hanging around without any supervision. Their (2yr old) basketball court has been turned into a dump. The community around this park is one of the most marginalized people in all of Toronto and now is home to one of biggest downtown temporary dumps. Please join us at a rally on Monday July 13th at 5p.m. NO PARKS ARE DUMPS!

We are encouraging people from all of Toronto who are opposed to seeing our Parks turned into dumps to join us in protecting what little green space we have.

M. G. , Friends of Christie Pits Park (Friends of all Toronto parks) http://www.christiepits.ca

Do you care about our Park? The Friends of Trinity Bellwoods encourage you to email our Councillor at councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca and/or Peter Leiss, Parks Supervisor at pleiss@toronto.ca to voice your concerns about Triinty Bellwoods and Parks in general used as temporary dump sites.

E. D. wrote:

Hello – I am the first to admit that I am not well versed in municipal politics but I am wondering if anyone else feels we are deserving of a rebate/credit back for the services we have lost due to the strike?

We pay a lot of money for these services in our taxes (splash pads, pools, Island ferries, garbage etc etc) and not only are we not able to utilize them, we are spending additional money in many cases to get these services elsewhere (camps, pools, garbage removal). With the garbage issue alone, we are performing their duties with a lot of effort, time and in many cases, money.

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July 14, 2009, 6 e-mails