Input for Weatherproof Toronto consultation received by email, letter, and
telephone
Received by email on 4/26/2014
You asked for feedback regarding the recent Ice Storm in Toronto, last December which
certainly was a City emergency!
The attached is a copy of a submission from the Coronation Community Association that was
also given to the Davies Consulting Group that was investigating the actions of Toronto Hydro
during the storm, dated March 6, 2014.
We feel that many of the ideas overlap the duties of the Toronto Hydro with those of the City of
Toronto so we feel the attached also has meaning for our City Administrators.
Please select any information you see as applicable to your consultation.
Thank You,
Dave Barnett,
Member, Coronation Community Association
Ron Wootten,
President, Coronation Community Association
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www.coronationca.com
editor@coronationca.com
March 6, 2014
Davies Consulting LLC & The Independent Review Panel:
Criticisms to the Response by the City of Toronto and Toronto Hydro, to the Ice Storm of
Christmas 2013
We are writing to you on behalf of the Coronation Community Association with regards to the
recent behaviour of the City of Toronto during the Ice Storm beginning just before and ending
just after Christmas.
In the past, subject to all kinds of storms or overloaded circuits, electricity service had been
infrequently subject to failure, in Toronto. If it happened during the summer, people are
concerned with their refrigerators or freezers but not much else. During the winter, severe cold
makes it very dangerous to the lives of citizens and pets as well. In all cases, for at least the past
12 years, the power interruption has lasted a very short period of time—likely no more than 10
minutes. This was not the case during the recent ice storm. Many believed power would be
restored momentarily, as was the pattern over the last years.
Consequently, we feel the City of Toronto has to develop comprehensive plans towards
avoiding the problems associated with a power failure to this level. We would hope that, your
team will support this needed Communication Plan, and will work towards its completion. This
is vital to the lives of the people of Toronto.
Our Association praises the work of Toronto Hydro in returning service to such a large number
of homes within a relative short period of time. However, it was obvious that a well-conceived
Communication Plan was not available to our City leaders. In fact, communication was so bad;
many residents consider it to be never there!
Below are some of our specific concerns: (No particular order)
1. People had no electricity so it was impossible to check the internet for information as
was suggested by the City. This must not be the only method of communication. If
anything radio was the best form of communication as it is in most cars or portable
devices.
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2. Few previsions were made for the thousands of injured or Senior citizens who were
house bound for one reason or another as food ran out; elevators didn’t work, phones
lost their charge, and eventually water was turned off.
3. Most information from our Mayor was well received (if you could get it). However, we
believe he was being told inaccurate information to share. He would report items like
many crews were coming from Manitoba or Quebec and they were working 24/7. This
couldn’t be true as the workers had to sleep and many stopped at 11:00 p.m. The Mayor
also reported that 164 major power feeds come into the City. After 2 days, 160 had
been fixed. “As the others are done, thousands of homes will come on line.” No mention
of the “feeds” was made after the 2nd day! They were doing their best but it suggested
to listeners that help was imminent.
4. The media reported from the City, that just because you don’t see a Hydro truck on
your street, it doesn’t mean the hydro won’t be back on momentarily. Again that made
citizens think help was just a few minutes away (as was our history suggested)
5. It was Christmas. This was possibly the worst time for everyone for such a power
failure. Plans had been made. Family was returning home. Emotions were very low
when all the plans were cancelled. Thank goodness the “land lines” still worked and
telephone service was available! Workers were also asked to give up their family time to
help. However, no celebration was forthcoming sponsored by the City to highlight our
successes when it was over. Everyone was very tired but the entire issue just seems to
have faded away. Expectations are that this could easily happen again and citizens are
worried every time freezing rain is mentioned.
6. Every update by the City and Toronto Hydro began with “We”. There was no mention
of what the citizens should do! All the “we’s” made people feel somewhat better but
gave them false confidence regarding the time it would take to complete the restoration
of the electricity. Only one radio station, CFRB, told us to go and get a tent heater from
Canadian Tire. It was relatively safe and would help.
7.The news was full of warnings about having barbeques in your basement or charcoal
heaters that both produce carbon monoxide. One couple even died. Even though this
information was good the City didn’t catch on to the desperation that was setting in due
to very cold temperatures. The City made no comment about what would work!
For example, gas water heaters still worked and could provide hot water. Fill your
bathtub with hot water. Fill 2L pop bottles with hot water and hold them. Crack a
window and go outside every hour could eliminate most carbon monoxide effects.
Purchase a battery operated CO monitor to help. as it became either suffer from CO
poisoning or die of the cold!
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8. Why did Sunnybrook and the East York Hospital have no proper working back up
generation? It is vital that excellent service, always be available to hospitals where
vulnerable citizens are located.
9.The City must not let what happened fade away. They should keep the issues on the
minds of all citizens so changes can be made for the future. Where citizens helped
others should be promoted and celebrated indicating the true nature, of some of our
good citizens.
10. Towards the end of the 5th day, as less people were affected, radio broadcasts and
City Press Releases were becoming less frequent. Those still suffering, heard nothing,
creating a feeling of isolation. Regular updates must be forthcoming until everyone is
safe!
Suggestions for Improvements:
Our Association certainly does not have very many solutions to help establish this much
needed Communication Plan. However, here are a few.
A. Two warming centres (Agincourt & Malvern) for an entire area like Scarborough are
ridiculous. Citizens in the Guild area, particularly Senior citizens would have no idea of
where these centres are located and even less on how to get there particularly by bus.
We have the facilities in our local high schools located in every community. There are
large open spaces like a gym, showers, cooking facilities, bus stops, and parking.
Area residents would feel more likely to attend a local centre. The cost would likely be
between $5000 and $10 000 for a large automatic generator system. Some high schools,
I am told, have generators already!
Likely about 6 schools in the Scarborough area would be sufficient! It’s about time the
Board and City come together when an emergency occurs. The lives of residents are the
only concern!
B. Some media reported from the City, that not all heating centres were full. Efforts by
Councillors to get local police stations, and Heron Park Community Centre, available,
were met by the City asking that this information NOT be distributed too well, as it may
result in too many people arriving for help. There was a need but residents were
confused which is easily enhanced when temperatures are so cold. Hiding this
information from citizens is an example of cruelty and lack of due diligence. Those
responsible should receive formal consequences for their actions.
C. All hospitals ( like Sunnybrook and East General) must have properly working backup
generators. They are made today to test themselves automatically every month. There
is no excuse for electricity issues at a large City hospital. Fines are needed and regular
inspections should be forthcoming from the City, to these institutions.
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D. Large Condos, apartment buildings, and Toronto Community Housing need a
designated person(s) who will check each resident for safety. Vulnerability lists of
residents, should be created. This should be a mandated safety bylaw, enforced,
recorded, and changed when necessary. We must have this to protect our “shut ins”
and those without families. An emergency plan is needed for all residents but
particularly for our ‘Shut ins” and Seniors.
E. Misinformation must be avoided and forecasting of probable service restoration must
be included.
Mayor Ford was the Spokesperson (only one) and he did a good job. Only one person
should speak to avoid confusion as he did. However, we know some of the information
was incorrect.
Note: Port Hope Ontario had automated phone calls to residents. These indicated where
the Hydro Trucks would be focussing their efforts each day for 2 or 3 days. This permitted
residents to judge when their power would return and make arrangements for hotels,
friends, family or warming centres long before they became desperate.
F. Residents must not be led to think that they are next in line for repairs. This only leads
to unnecessary hardship as good planning is missing. However, they do need to have an
expectation of the progress and some idea as to the time of a resolve for the
emergency.
There were rumours that the Hydro Union didn’t want the public to know what
communities were being serviced due to the likelihood of other citizens harassing the
workers to do their home first!
We hope this is not true. Give our citizens more credit than that! There were heroes in
our City on those cold days and nights. Is anyone recognizing them?
G. Residents must be kept “in the loop”. They should be instructed on what they should
do and when they should do it. This lowers frustration and strengthens communities.
Recently, Andy Byford from the Toronto Transit Commission had over 30 streetcars
taken out of service. He very quickly informed the public and told them exactly what was
wrong (too cold; switches wouldn’t work), and how residents should respond. His
methods have become the “model of communication” (Toronto Star, January 11, 2014)
The instructions as to what the “We” is doing, being Toronto Hydro, filled the media
presentations, every hour of every day. However, these presentations should be
followed immediately by suggested actions of the residents.
H. In this case few were concerned about food. Fortunately large shopping centres now
have generators in order not to waste the large stocks they have (e.g. No Frills & Food
Basics at Morningside Crossing). Residents should have been informed that these stores
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were available by the media from the City. Some residents could have been in danger if
the power outage had lasted much longer
I. The City could sponsor, or support a sale of equipment following something like this
storm that will help improve the situation next time for residents. These could be
battery operated CO detectors, Fire detectors, tent heaters, generators, emergency
equipment packages (blankets, water, Granola bars, large quantities of batteries for
flashlights etc.). We need this “strength” to
help residents cope with the past difficulties and feel more confident should a similar
situation arise again. Being better prepared is absolutely needed!
We were very fortunate that more deaths were not created by this Hydro event at a very cold
time of year. The Insurance Industry of Canada has reported that for the past 5 consecutive
years, they have paid out a billion dollars in repairs due to major disasters, many weather
related!
Likely, we are in for more and we must be ready!
Dave Barnett,
Coronation Community Association
Ron Wootten, President,
Coronation Community Association
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Received by email on 5/6/2014
What did not work well during the protracted power outages in December was support to
people who were housebound - esp. senior citizens.
My 90 year old father who lives alone was cold, confused and feeling very vulnerable and upset
(which spirals him into mounting panic, not good I'm sure for heart and general health) - I live
50 km away and also had no power, tree branches were falling all around the house - did not
feel able to go and pick him up, so suggested he call 311. He was told about a warming centre
about 3 miles away, but no way to get there - called taxis - advised that only emergency calls
were being taken (he did not feel he was in an emergency). Fortunately my power returned
around dinner time on Sunday and I was able to go and retrieve him.
I have heard about other seniors who were in much worse straits from other friends and
colleagues.
Idea: some kind of well-publicized "vulnerable persons" register and the formation of perhaps a
volunteer network (like the meals on wheels model) to check on and support these people in
emergency when their family members/neighbours are not able to assist?
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Received by email on 5/8/2014
Hi:
I came across your article at:
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f688b1616a325410VgnVCM10000
071d60f89RCRD
It is a good idea to identify the source and eliminate the source which caused the Toronto flood
first and then think about how you would like to protect Toronto.
Please see:
Toronto Flooding - Electromagnetic-induced Weather System & Censored Data *
For more please visit my site and go through the links section:
Sponsors, Donations and Support at: *
and my facebook page: *
Regards
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Received by email on 5/9/2014
Thank you for a chance to give my views; I live in Leaside, an area of the city with problems of
basement flooding, not necessarily caused by very serious storms, just lots of water with no
place to go. and aging infrastructure.
But I see another factor, over and over again, with what seems to be a case of the right hand of
the city not noticing/caring what the left hand is doing. The downspout disconnection program
turns out to be in too many cases, just draining the water to the driveways to go directly into
the sewer system! That does not make sense!
The idea was to drain the water to the grass/lawn/garden are to be absorbed into the ground.
That diversion idea is sound, but then the city, in contradiction to the principle of this, readily
permits building larger “monster” homes, double paved driveways, “semipermeable” brick
walkways, all to provide extra parking, given the garage is not used for cars, just storage. Oh,
yes, add a pool and lots of brickwork to cover ground.
An application to Committee of Adjustment for variances in FSI and other ground-covering
variances, grade changes and other results? More and more backyard pools? Well, CofA seems
to rarely if ever turn down an application for variances that run counter to any attempt to deal
with getting rid of water.
Right hand? One city arm carries on the fight against downspouts, tries to deal with more
storms, water drainage problems, advice on back-flow valves etc. Helpful.
Left hand? Allow what lawn/grass there is to be covered with house, add a pool to further
aggravate the problem, lots of so-called semipermeable walkways, etc. Not helpful!
The contradictions in this scenario came home to me quite recently when I attended CofA re
new neighbour’s requests for proposed multiple variances to the already generous by-laws, and
a meeting to be held at our local high school re storms, flooding, etc. Right hand, left hand.
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Received by email on 5/8/2014
Just a note, in addition to filling out the "weatherprooftoronto" form about the ice storm
response:
one of my beefs with regard to the ice storm is that when the transformer or whatever it is
loudly went bzzzzztt here on the street right by my house * and the street went dark, in the
middle of the night -- I couldn't get through to ANYbody, not 911, not 311, not the Fire
department, not Hydro, not the Police, nada, zip.....
At that point, there was no way I could know that this was a major event throughout the city. I
just thought, okay, the power went, whom can I get to inform about this..... It wasn't until the
next day that I found out about the general mayhem.
However, the point I'd like to make is: what if there had been a need for an ambulance here,
what if there had been a fire? I couldn't get through to _anyone despite trying for quite a
while, being on hold, trying, being on hold..... and repeat - to no avail.
I'm sure glad we _had no fire, we _didn't need an ambulance.... but.... what if?
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Received by email on 5/9/2014
Dear City of Toronto "Is Toronto Weather Prepared? Weatherproofing Your City" Resident
Engagement department.
Please see my attached paper regarding what I saw was of concern to me during the Toronto
Ice Storm and my suggestions regarding these concerns.
I chose to give my feedback to you by email because I wasn't sure if the Online Feedback Form
would have space for all I had to say.
1. GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO THOSE WITHOUT POWER
I have one issue with regards to getting information out to the public who do not have
power:
As information is being told on TV those residents who still do not have power cannot use their
televisions or computers to hear what they should or should not be doing with regards to
having no power in their homes or apartments.
Many do not have Wi-Five to use their laptops.
Many of the younger residents have gone to malls that have power to charge their laptops and
cell phones thereby hopefully getting to hear media reports on what to do but many who are
seniors, disabled or just have no cell phones or computers with W-Five are unable to get any
information to let them know what to do.
This could be why many chose to use their BBQ's, Coleman Camping Stoves and Generators in
their homes and have been overcome by Carbon Monoxide.
Please note that many probably didn't know (as I didn't know) that if you have a Carbon
Monoxide/Smoke Detector Combo hooked up to your electricity that when the power goes off
you have to make sure that one you have Back up Batteries in the Combo unit and two that
those Batteries are working.
I live in a TCHC building which was not affected by a power outage and when I heard this the
first thing I did was to email the Super in my building asking him if there were Back up Batteries
in my Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarm Detector Combo and if they had been checked to make
sure they are working just in case my power ever went out.
*Note: The TCHC Fire Inspector for my building said there doesn’t need to be any “Back-Up
Batteries” in Carbon Monoxide Detectors that are connected to the Electricity in the building.
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2. “EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PAMPHLETS” FOR ALL TORONTO RESIDENTS
Also with regards to getting information out to the public I was wondering if the City could
make up for all their residents in all their languages an "Emergency Preparedness Pamphlet"
that could go to all residents homes and apartments to let them know:

what to do to prepare ahead of an emergency or power outage
 what to do during an emergency or power outage
 and what to do after an emergency or power outage
The reason I say a pamphlet made ahead of time is that during an emergency where there is no
power no one can watch TV to hear what to do.
This way they know what to do ahead of time and can read the pamphlet to prepare
themselves and take care of themselves during and after an emergency especially when there
are power outages which many emergencies have.
I have been accumulating things to know and to do from many of the News Releases that I have
been receiving from the City through email (note not all residents of Toronto have a computer
or use email especially many seniors) and from other sources to help give me an idea of what to
do to prepare for an emergency, what to do during an emergency and what to do after an
emergency and have attached them to this email.
I know there may be other information that could help residents that I may have missed but at
least what I have given you will give the City a start at what to look at.
I just want all residents of Toronto to have information given to them ahead of time so that
they can prepare for any emergencies especially ones that pertain to power outages.
I know the information that I have accumulated has helped me to buy flashlights, batteries, a
crank radio, bottled water, to know about having a bag prepared with extra clothing, to have
any medications at hand easily to grab if needed etc.
I now know that even if I lived in a house in the City that having a generator outside my home
to heat my home could be a danger due to the possibility of Carbon Monoxide being able to
leak into my home.
I knew that Coleman Camping Stoves, BBQ's etc. should not be used indoors and to have
flashlights instead of candles.
All this I learned and accumulated into papers that I could put in plastic sleeves in a box with all
the items I would need in case of an emergency.
Many people do not know what to accumulate, many seniors and disabled need someone to
help them make up Emergency Kits, and many residents don't understand written English well
and will need any Emergency Pamphlet translated into their language.
Again, if there was an Emergency Preparedness Pamphlet" made up by the City of Toronto with
the help of all its divisions, Fire, Police, Ambulance, Hydro and Public Health that would be
great.
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The Pamphlets also needs to have a number where those whose first language isn't English can
call to get information in their own language.
I think if every resident of Toronto had one of these pamphlets, were able to read and
understand it
 maybe there wouldn't have been so many Carbon Monoxide incidents
 maybe there wouldn't have been so many residents ripped off by electricians that didn't
know how to fix the house hydro- electric pipe correctly so that Hydro could reconnect
the resident
 maybe all residents (which I'm doubtful but hopeful) wouldn't have drove
through intersections where the signal lights were out and did instead the 4-way stop
 maybe many residents would know that in the event of an emergency to automatically
go to their local community centre as
Many did not know what to do because they didn't have any power to hear what was
happening off their TV or computer.
P.S. I say Public Health because in the News Releases it is only given a web site address and no
information about food related items and when to toss them out after a power outage. The
whole food related issue needs to be put in the Pamphlet not just a web site because
remember many residents don't have computers, many are seniors, disabled, residents that will
need full versions of the Pamphlet with telephone numbers in them not web site address's.
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Received by email on 5/12/2014
Good morning.
As a member of Toronto Fire Services, I worked the day of the Ice Storm.
In 24 years, this was the busiest shift I ever worked.
The only complaint I have is, why did we not have members called in on Overtime, to staff
trucks pulled out of service due to members off sick and on LTD?
The Hydro Companies upstaffed, in anticipation of this Ice Storm, which was predicted about
48-72 hrs prior to its arrival.
Toronto Fire did not have a plan in place, to ensure that we had adequate staff on duty the day
of this storm.
Thank you,
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Received by email on 5/13/2014
For quite a number of years both Toronto Hydro and the City of Toronto have failed to trim
trees a sufficient distance from beneath, alongside and hanging over the electric wires used to
distribute electricity throughout the city.
Whatever trimming policy has been in place for some years has been wholly inadequate and
that inadequacy was painfully in evidence during Christmas week of 2013. Put it another way, if
the job had been done properly then the damage would have been significantly less and as a
result, required less of a response.
As I write this there are large branches overhanging wires all over the city waiting to fall and
break wires when the next storm hits. And the existing forestry canopy remains in damaged
condition. Storms of wind and ice can and will happen again.
Trimming trees away from wires is known as "Vegetation Management" in the electricity supply
industry. Failure to correctly perform vegetation management will lead to more blackouts of
increasing severity requiring expensive responses.
Please act on vegetation management.
I was without electricity for five and a half days during Christmas week.
Sincerely,
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Phone call received on 5/14/2014
The following are notes taken during a phone call received from a resident. These notes are a
summary of what the resident had to say, but staff could not record all the comments verbatim.





I am a senior who has lived in the city for 50 years now.
We are not prepared properly for natural disasters and storms because our planning
department and city hall (and in other cities) are not ready.
The main issue is the trees – they are important, but maples, etc, it is not proper for
them to be in the boulevards. The boulevards are only 5-6 ft wide, but the roots are very
large, under the streets, lifting up the sidewalk, it cracks them, which costs the city
money. As homeowners we try to make our properties look good so we water and
fertilize, and the tree roots need nutrients. So we are feeding but we are damaging the
taxpayers' dollars.
The second issue is wiring, especially when trees grow high. Trees fall and damage the
lines. How many millions of dollars have we paid for them to be repaired? Trees we
have like maples should not be planted on boulevards, but just in parks, ravines. I had a
tree in front of my house hit by lightening years ago and it sent electrical damage
through the house. We can prevent that. We have technology.
In addition, Public Health needs to give more information about food and healthy
eating, and what to about food which is past the best before date including during
emergencies.
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Received by email on 5/15/2014
Hello,
I noticed the call for feedback by the City regarding the ice storm. As you may recall, Toronto
East General Hospital was one of the hospitals that lost power for 30 hours during the storm –
although we remained powered by our own back up generators. I polled key individuals
responsible for coordinating the response here at TEGH to the ice storm and have the following
comments:
 We were initially surprised at the lack of warming stations in the east end, particularly
ones that would be subway accessible.
 We were extremely grateful for the city staff and our local councillor’s responsiveness to
our request to have the East York Civic Centre opened as a warming station and an
emergency station opened up the street. We heard of delays due to the unsafe walking
conditions on the property around the EYCC, which would be good to further examine in
hopes that if a similar situation in occurs in the future there would be no need to delay
that opening. In extreme weather, many people automatically default to come to the
hospital for help despite the fact that they do not need hospital or even medical care. It
was very important that we could quickly redirect these residents to a close and
accessible centre for warmth, respite or a cell phone charge. This accessible access is
important in order to ensure the emergency department can remain available for true
emergencies.
 It would be great for the City to work more closely with the Local Health Integration
Network on emergency response planning, even exploring the concept of having
homecare staff (CCAC) or volunteers (Red Cross?) visiting emergency shelters and
retirement homes in order for residents with poorer health conditions be able to safely
be diverted from the hospital if medically stable. Clearly EMS were overwhelmed and
any additional support for community medical response should be explored.
 Existing communications resources on Toronto Public Health were great tools to rely on
and share during the power outage and recover phase – i.e. links to fridge safety during
a power outage, etc.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback.
Shelley Darling
Director, Corporate Communications, Planning, Partnerships & Volunteer Services
Accreditation Lead
Toronto East General Hospital
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Received at the public consultation event on 5/15/2014
Emergency Responsiveness
Research, including evidence-based compilation and communication of threats and needed
responses
Organization, including policy, planning, coordination and financing infrastructure, including
critical and social infrastructure and systems and appropriate development
Response capability, including information provision and enhancing capacity
Environment, including maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services
Recovery, including triage, support services and scenario planning.
Essential 1: Put in place organization and coordination to understand and reduce disaster risk,
based on participation of citizen groups and civil society. Build local alliances. Ensure that all
departments understand their role in disaster risk reduction and preparedness.
Essential 2: Assign a budget for disaster risk reduction and provide incentives for homeowners,
low-income families, communities, businesses and public sector to invest in reducing the risks
they face.
Essential 3: Maintain up-to-date data on hazards and vulnerabilities, prepare risk assessments
and use these as the basis for urban development plans and decisions. Ensure that this
information and the plans for the city's [disaster] resilience are readily available to the public
and fully discussed with them.
Essential 4: Invest in and maintain critical infrastructure that reduces risk, such as flood
drainage, adjusted where needed to cope with climate change.
Essential 5: Assess the safety of all schools and health facilities and upgrade these as necessary.
Essential 6: Apply and enforce realistic, risk compliant building regulations and land use
planning principles. Identify safe land for low income citizens and develop upgrading of
informal settlements, wherever feasible.
Essential 7: Ensure education programs and training on disaster risk reduction are in place in
schools and local communities.
Essential 8: Protect ecosystems and natural buffers to mitigate floods, storm surges and other
hazards to which the city may be vulnerable. Adapt to climate change by building on good risk
reduction practices.
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Essential 9: Install early warning systems and emergency management capacities in the city and
hold regular public preparedness drills.
Essential 10: After any disaster, ensure that the needs of the survivors are placed at the centre
of reconstruction with support for them and their community organizations to design and help
implement responses, including rebuilding homes and livelihoods.
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Received by email on 5/16/2014
What appalled me during the recent great winter storm and power cuts was POLICE IDLING IN THEIR CARS WHILE THE STREET INTERSECTIONS WERE CLOGGED WITH
TRAFFIC.
IT TOOK 2 HOURS TO GO ACROSS TORONTO, which normally wld have taken 20 mins
similarly all who can should take initiative to prevent such a gridlock. there has to be leadership
or someone giving orders. so many people would have been HAPPY TO DIRECT TRAFFIC - but
may have been unsure how to go about it
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Received by mail 5/21/2014
Submission to City of Toronto’s ‘Weatherproof Toronto’ initiative
Extreme Weather May Cause Toxic Pipeline Spills
Photo: Line 9 in the Rouge River valley, 2012. The pipe stood exposed for 2.5 years.
East End Against Line 9 wishes to point out a little-known danger of extreme weather events in
Toronto related to the refitting of an Enbridge pipeline across Toronto, Line 9, to carry
dangerous and toxic tar sands oil.
The City of Toronto has taken a strong stand on Line 9, calling for measures to protect residents
against Line 9 breakage, which would poison land, water, and air. The City has asked for an
environmental assessment of this project.
The City has also received a report on climate change that predicts, within 20 years:
 Extreme rainfall events will be almost three times bigger.
 Days with humidex above 40oC will be five times more frequent.
 Need for air conditioning (in “degree days”) will be six times greater.
The City’s “weatherproofing” initiative is based on these projections.
These insights of City Council need to be interrelated. What will be the impact of future
extreme weather events driven by climate change on pipelines in this city?
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The great storm of 2005 washed out 80 metres of Finch Avenue. During the mega-storm last
July, we were officially warned that floodwaters threatened to sweep away the banks of the
Don River. Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline lies buried in our riverbanks. In such a storm, it could be
swept away.
Last fall, our committee told the federal regulator, the NEB, that the advent of such superstorms compromises the engineering data underlying the Line 9 project. This issue was not
addressed in the regulator’s findings. The City of Toronto is left holding the bag.
East End Against Line 9 proposes that the City re-examine the threat of a Line 9 pipeline rupture
in the contact of projected extreme weather events. We also support calls for the city to invest
now in green infrastructure projects and energy conservation measures, which can reduce the
cost of global warming in terms of future expense and human suffering.
East End Against Line 9
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Phone call received on 5/21/2014
The following are notes taken during a phone call received from a resident. These notes are a
summary of what the resident had to say, but staff could not record all the comments verbatim.
City has by-law on right of ways, but not on private properties. Over the years neighbours have
arguments – because they don't have an understanding on the rules re their property lines –
e.g. planting trees – the roots go to the other property when the trees mature – the roots can
grow 24-45 feet long.
Townhouses especially there is not one responsible for tree maintenance e.g. fertilizer and
trimming.
Caller lives where there are townhouses behind him and there were little trees when he moved
in – he's moved his garden and controlled the roots of the fruit trees in his neighbours property
– but now the roots are penetrating into his property because the soil is very rich. He did this
for 20+ years but then he gave up because the work is difficult. He tried to complain to the
people but they weren't receptive and pointed to the townhouse management who didn't
respond to him. He was cutting, but there was only so much he could do – e.g. trim the
branches so that his own grass and trees were not negatively affected.
The trees were not healthy because they were deprived of the sunlight - and the owners of the
trees would argue that they didn't want him to do the pruning. The City doesn't protect the
homeowners – we deserve privacy and to do whatever we want but there should be limits.
Who's picking up the leaves of the neighbours trees?
Our City – why there was so much damage from the ice storm? Wires can be above ground or
underground – don't mix together. Caller has a maple tree in the front of his property. Many
years ago the tree was struck by lightning and somehow survived – the current went through
the tree and into the wiring into the house – the current hit his house – no matter the damage
(5,500$) the insurance deductable was too much and not worth the hassle to pursue.
The trees in the boulevards – he complained about it but he never got a response from forestry
– those trees need space to grow – the boulevard is only 6 feet wide so where to the roots go?
They penetrate and go under the sidewalks and most of the time into the road and break the
pavement and then the city has to fix them – which costs the taxpayers money – the city
doesn't care.
The City needs to do more than just trim the trees – like the leaves which go into the sewer
system – and block them up and so the trees have no business being in the boulevard but
should be in the parks where they can grow freely. Once a tree reaches a certain age they
should be replaced so the roots don't penetrate, and the branches fall into the wiring because
they fail.
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We have technology to improve this system. Other cities protect the trees which are good for
humans and birds – yes it creates mess – but all trees to do. City needs to brainstorm solutions
– we pay good money through our taxes. The City is no different than corporations that we
criticize for nickel and diming the public – the city is wasting money on payouts for executives –
the public need the respect they deserve. People are fed up and won't complain because the
government is such a slow process.
Called the forestry department and they didn't have the decently to call back. Would have liked
to attend one of the sessions – but wanted to give his input so called in. We weren't prepared
for the emergency – the City said go to the shelters – but we were not prepared to do that.
All things are connected – can't have wiring and trees mix – they need to be far apart.
Hope this is a lesson to the forestry department and the City …and even Hydro – to learn for the
future. Hope that in my lifetime we can see some changes – and that the city knows how
frustrated people are with the slow pace of change. We know we try to do our best – but we
don't seem to have the right resources or the right people. Maybe too many bureaucrats and
they aren't working together. We can all try to make the city a better place – and it starts with
the city staff and the people. Need to communicate better – they all want something for
themselves and not for the city as a whole. We need to have people who are more creative
and the departments should be much better working together.
All the expenses of the ice storm could have been avoided if we had better by-laws.
Consultation is very important – communication is critical – the city should have consultation
with and from every department.
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Received by email on 5/28/2014
I am most worried about our vulnerable seniors, many of whom are living alone and are frail or
have multiple health and cognition issues. With many of their family members living out of
town, it is difficult to ensure they are safe during major weather conditions which can further
isolate them. Is there some way seniors agencies like ourselves (North York Seniors Centre) can
contribute to a consultation process, sit on an advisory committee or have our voices
contribute to a city wide solution.
Thanks,
Sharon Gold
Sharon Gold, BSW, RSW
Director, Client Services
North York Seniors Centre
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Received by email on 5/30/2014
City of Toronto,
It was good to hear the City is inviting feedback about two storms that hit the city in 2013. I
would like to share my story during the flooding in July 2013. I am a working mother in my late
fifties with a health problem, and my daughter is a young professional just turned 30 this year.
For the privacy issue, we cannot use our names in this email.
On Monday July 8, 2013, I worked 9-6 and my daughter worked 10-7. We both live and work on
the subway line: our housing is on Yonge and Sheppard, my work is at Greenwood station, and
my daughter is at Yonge and Eglinton.
On my way home by subway around 7 pm I heard the announcement that the train will stop at
Lawrence station and turn back due to a flood. I got off at St Clair station hoping to get a taxi
but in vain. It was raining hard and lots of people were standing by the roadside waiting for a
taxi. A lady told me she had tried for half an hour but could not get one. I boarded the train
again and was dropped at Lawrence station.
I met my daughter in the station. We both got out and came up to the street. There we saw
hundreds of passengers waiting for TTC buses, and more passengers poured out from the
station. The Starbucks at the southwest corner of Lawrence and Yonge were full of people. I
saw a bus coming but it was hard to even get close to the bus as there was a large crowd.
Besides, the coach did not stop at the bus stop but moved onward slowly for about 10 meters.
Only strong and brave passengers could move on with the bus until it stopped and got aboard.
Having sensed the severity of the flood and transportation, we decided to walk to a side street
waving a taxi. All passing taxis were fully loaded and mostly heading south. It was getting dark
and the rain still pouring down. In despair, we walked back to Starbucks and I called a taxi
company. The operator told me it would take one hour for a taxi to travel to the
Yonge/Lawrence area, and I told her I will wait. She hanged up and I sensed it won't work
either.
It was 9:30 pm. I left home at 8 o'clock in the morning. In the past 14 hours, I worked 8 hours
and traveled almost 6 hours, and there was little hope to get any transportation soon (we do
not have any family or close friends that could help). I was exhausted. I felt I could collapse at
anytime. In despair, we started to ask help from the local residents on Lawrence West. A senior
lady told us maybe her next door neighbor could help. We knocked at the door. A man and a
lady came out. We told them the story, and asked them if they could gave us a ride to Yonge
and Sheppard, and we would pay them. They asked us to wait, returned to their house. After
waiting about 10 minutes, they did not show up. We understood the situation and walked back
to the Lawrence station.
It was almost a desperate situation with the large crowd and few buses. We had to do
something to help ourselves. Traffic were moving very slowly on Yonge St. I started to knock on
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taxi window asking for help. The people in the first taxi did not respond. Fortunately, the man in
the second understood the gesture I made (it was dark and I had to make gestures showing two
people needed a ride going straight forward). He let us in. A stranger man wanted to follow us
in but I told him it was full and he needed to try the next taxi.
It took us one hour driving from Lawrence station to Yonge/Sheppard. We thanked the
passenger and the driver and got off. There was no traffic lights at the crossroad and no lights
on the street. We managed to walk to our residence building and there was no power either.
Fortunately the backup power made the elevator work that took us to our apartment on the
21st floor. It was 11 pm.
We were glad we were safe home despite whatever we experienced during those hours in the
storm.
We have only one question for the city: Could you review how TTC handled the service at
Yonge/Lawrence station that evening? And how they can improve it if the same natural disaster
hit the system again?
Thanks for reading this real case.
Yours sincerely,
Citizens @ Yonge/Sheppard
Toronto
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Received by email on 5/31/2014
Recently I saw an inquiry by the City to the public asking for input or suggestions.
Two issues that became intimately related as far back as Last Winter, were;
1. the power outages throughout Etobicoke.
2. The present conditions of our roads.
Friends at 311 if we venture north on Islington above hwy 7 into Kleinberg. or westward
towards and into Mississauga, we will be struck by the non existence of "Above Ground" power
lines.
There would be no exaggerating the Overtime Hourly Cost to have implemented the Repairs
necessary to EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.
A Cost that would have been NON existent, IF the Hydro had been beneath ground, as it has
been for some 45 years in Mississauga.
Today, we clearly see the revulsion of these totally unnecessary extra expenses, that came at
the very worst time in Canadian history.
We see that Tim Hudak, wants to "Privatize" Hydro (and dear friends, there are a lot of us who
cant say as we blame him)
The untold cost of last winter's power outages and the repairs found therein are exacerbated to
untold heights, by the horror many of us experienced in what was supposed to be Christmas,
ending up being a nightmare, not to mention the incidences of desperate measures that Burnt
down homes, because people cooked and heated in the freezing cold, with Bar b ques, indoors.
I personally phoned for Hotel accommodations in the early hours of the first day of outages,
and the Hotels were booked solid.
And so, please believe me when I tell you, that this suffering will be reflected in the polls and in
our outrage.
We are sickened, by the Notion that Hydro workers made $100,000.00 a year.
There is no describing my outrage regarding the road conditions, and we are yet to see
anything being done.
Dear friends, please do not insult us, by telling us that the roads are being fixed, we are half
way into June.
To continue to simply ignore the Hydro Pole antiquity knowing what many constituents know
today, as the most costly winter in history as well as the most disconcerting Christmas season.
And to Couple this absurdity with a Patch it up and that will do for now road fix, well this will
just announce to all Etobicoke, that Next winter will be a Carbon Copy.
Need I remind any of you of the Major intersections in Etobicoke.
Islington and Albion rd.
Kipling and Albion rd.
Islington and Finch.
And that traversing any one of these busy intersections at almost any time of the day, is like
"Russian Roulette?"
Those who RUN Stop lights KILL THOSE WHO ARE PULLING AWAY TO TRAVERSE.
We need the advance greens on ALL these intersections ALL THE TIME.
With extended yelo light timing too.
Giving left turns a fighting chance.
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Where are the Police???
We see on a daily basis, people walking out into an intersection when the orange hand is up
and flashing.
With absolutely NO Regard for left turns in traffic.
We see bicycle riders, riding their bikes into crosswalks and intersections, when they should be
dismounted.
We see "Jay walkers" with no regard for there own safety, crossing streets where traffic light
are only a few paces away??
Many of these above offenders are not privy to our laws and culture here in Canada.
Many that are driving, have NO Insurance!
The notion that this is a Federal issue or a Provincial matter, whether a civil of criminal matter,
it is becoming an epidemic, which makes it an entire nations problem!
And dear friends, the Notion, that we can Look the other way, because it's not be department,
is soon going to land many of us up in moral bankruptcy.
You might even argue that "Moral" is someone Else's department too.
It sickens us to see that in Toronto, there are up to 50 police speed traps set up below the 401
and down into the Lakeshore region.
And the Tens of millions of dollars Police are tagging people for, because of a small speeding
issue.
People trying to get where they r all going, people who have so little money and yet are fined
and punished unfairly.
The Google internet calls these Police Speed traps "Fishing Holes".
How r we the public supposed to perceive that?
sorry for the rant.
But the end is near for this 65 and 75 buck an hour job. so, I hope you all understand that you
could have averted this.
Killing the Goose that laid the Golden egg, what were u all thinking of.
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Received by email on 5/31/2014
Sorry to have missed the consultation time period, and the presentations. I wasn't able to make
them. I am glad the city is addressing this issue. I would hope the city would also pressure the
other levels of government for policy changes foremost of those being carbon pricing to start
the turnaround off fossil fuels which is making our crisis worse every day. Carbon pricing would
incentify conservation and renewables - and a signal to insurance companies that government
is starting to be pro-active.
During the last storm I noticed a distinct lack of coordination esp of volunteer help. Lots of
people who had power were quite willing to volunteer to help others and there was no
coordinated way to do so. So that's on the human side.
Best with your work,
Thanks
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