26Jun 2016 by johnastapleton

Hit over the head and blamed for falling? The curious case of Scarborough and the Toronto media

When Canada first built its railways, forever remembered in the sepia photograph of the last spike, the idea was that railways spawn communities, commerce, and population growth. It was the undisputed economic model. It is precisely why, along with connecting communities, that both Canada and the United States built their railways in the first place. But when it comes to the Scarborough subway 130 years later, we have thrown that model into reverse:  we won’t lay the rails down until the communities, commerce and population growth are already in place. Although we are looking at a similar mode of transport, we are treated to a 180 turn of the lens. And if you agree with the premise that Scarborough doesn’t deserve the Subway because it is not a growth community,…
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14Jan 2016 by johnastapleton

City of Toronto Budget Deputation: John Stapleton; Scarborough, January 13, 2016: 6:00 p.m.

I am a newly minted senior citizen. I have lived in Scarborough for the past 37 years. I am a proud resident of Scarborough but I see a problem. I see the problem of poverty in Toronto. I think that we can and should do more to eradicate poverty in our city Toronto is the largest and richest city in Canada Our economy comprises almost 11 per cent of Canada’s GDP,  And in recent years Toronto has been ranked: The world's most tax-competitive major city (KPMG Competitive Alternatives 2014: Focus on Tax) The 2014 Intelligent Community of the Year (Intelligent Community Forum) Fourth on Price Waterhouse Coopers’ Cities of Opportunity (PwC, 2014); and The world's most resilient city (Grosvenor Group, 2014)[1] But there is another side to Toronto. Toronto houses Canada’s highest…
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08Oct 2015 by johnastapleton

Scarborough Wants In!

Toronto Tourism growing in importance In the afterglow of the Pan/Parapan Am Games, Toronto residents have fixated on tourism revenue and city building as important dividends arising from our successful hosting job. And now that the Games’ success has bolstered support for other hosting opportunities, new infrastructure projects and unprecedented levels of tourism are now within sight. Torontonians recognize the benefits of drawing visitors to the various attractions, businesses and neighbourhoods that define our city and showcase its unique character.   Toronto is home to an enviable array of urban and natural enclaves, diverse cultural experiences, food, entertainment and world-class retail. Tourism Toronto guide is the official guide but shortchanges Scarborough That’s why visitors and locals turn to the Official Toronto Tourist Guide produced by Tourism Toronto, the official destination marketing…
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07Sep 2014 by johnastapleton

Scarborough and the politics of resentment

“Scarborough has long been seen as Toronto’s wasteland and a subway is something too expensive for an outpost like Scarborough” [1] Mary Wiens, CBC Reporter, Metro Morning, Toronto Wednesday September 3, 2014 On September 3, 2014, CBC Toronto’s Metro Morning website introduced a radio interview with one Scarborough resident in the following manner: “Scarborough Transit Transit is one of the most important issues in this mayoral campaign, especially in Scarborough. Mary Wiens spoke with voters in Scarborough, who could be key in deciding who becomes the next mayor.”[2] This is a blog that in some ways I am reluctant to write. I like Metro Morning. I like Matt Galloway and I really like Mary Wiens. I always turn up the radio to listen to the interviews she conducts as they…
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17Feb 2014 by johnastapleton

A Train They Call the ‘District Of Scarborough’

(To be sung to the tune: City of New Orleans) Riding on the ‘District of Scarborough’ Union Station, Monday morning rail Thirteen cars, two thousand restless riders Two Conductors; we don’t carry mail All along the southbound odyssey - the train pulls out of Kennedy Rolls past malls and condos made of steel Tanker cars that have no name, freight yards back to work again And megalots of high-end automobiles Good morning, Toronto, how are you? Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son I'm the train they call the ‘District of Scarborough’ I'll be done 10 circuit trips when the day is done Dealing transit plans with Toronto City Council None agree - ain't no one keeping score As the paper war that freezes movin’ forward Feels the…
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