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Toronto Public Health (TPH) is encouraging the public to nominate individuals and organizations for the 2014 Public Health Champion Awards. Torontos Board of Health established these awards in 2008 during TPH's 125th anniversary to recognize leaders in public health from the front lines and the sidelines.

"There are many people who are dedicated to making Toronto a healthier and more equitable city for everyone," said Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St. Paul's), Chair of the Board of Health. "The Public Health Champion Awards is a way to celebrate individuals and organizations for their hard work to protect and promote the health of all Torontonians."

The City of Toronto is extending peak period parking and turning restrictions on Queen Street, King Street and Adelaide Street to reduce congestion in the downtown core.

City Council at its December meeting approved the Downtown Transportation Operations Study. The new regulations will extend stopping, standing and turning restrictions along the three streets during morning and afternoon rush hour periods.

Prolonged, extreme cold temperatures are having an impact on the City's watermains and water services causing delays in response times to service calls related to the cold weather.

Toronto has been experiencing unprecedented, sub-zero temperatures for an extended period of time. Water pipes are buried below the frost line (the frost line is approximately four feet below the surface), but unusually cold weather is freezing the ground below the frost line, causing watermains to break more frequently and some water services, the underground pipes that brings water to homes, to freeze.

Prolonged, extreme cold temperatures are having an impact on the City's watermains and water services causing delays in response times to service calls related to the cold weather.

Toronto has been experiencing unprecedented, sub-zero temperatures for an extended period of time. Water pipes are buried below the frost line (the frost line is approximately four feet below the surface), but unusually cold weather is freezing the ground below the frost line, causing watermains to break more frequently and some water services, the underground pipes that brings water to homes, to freeze.

Elizabeth Church - The Globe and Mail Wednesday, Feb. 26 2014

"Toronto Councillor Paula Fletcher wants the city to let skaters get the most out of this year’s cold weather and keep more rinks open into March.

This weekend was the last call for most of the city’s 52 outdoor skating rinks, with 17 remaining open for an extra three weeks.

But Ms. Fletcher, who tries to skate most days at a city rink, says given the frigid weather it does not make sense to shut so many rinks for the season. Next week, she also plans to ask the Parks Committee to change its rink policy to avoid this kind of problem in future years."

By  Global News February 26, 2014

Despite the persistent freezing temperatures, most of the Toronto’s outdoor ice rinks are closed.

But councillor Paula Fletcher hopes that if next winter brings similar temperatures, her new motion will give the parks committee the ability to keep those facilities open.

“This weather is perfect skating weather and I think we need a little more flexibility,” she said. “Our staff needs to be able to say ‘ok, we’re keeping 52 rinks open for another two weeks because the skating weather is so perfect.’”

Portions of Ward 30 have been selected to participate in the pilot project for the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). HELP is a new financing tool offered by the City to help residents improve their home's energy efficiency. While upgrading or retrofitting your home can both cut your energy bills and reduce harmful emissions to the environment, the high upfront cost of these improvements can often be too costly to take action. HELP tries to solve this problem by offering low interest loans to home owners who are interested in improving the energy and water efficiency of their properties. Through HELP, the City will provide the funding required to complete the improvements and the home owner will repay the City over time via instalments on their property tax bill. For more information on this program, please download the HELP Homeowner Guide.

The City of Toronto is holding public consultations to speak with Torontonians about the establishment and implementation of a local appeal body that would hear appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions.

The Province of Ontario granted the City of Toronto the power to establish a local appeal body to hear appeals of Committee of Adjustment decisions on both minor variances and consent applications.

Calling all Leafs fans! On Friday, February 21 at 10am come down to Greenwood Rink to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs for a practice in our neighbourhood! Toronto Maple Leafs , MLSE Foundation and SportChek are holding an Outdoor Practice at Greenwood Rink from 10am-11am and setting up a Leafs Fan Zone. I encourage you to break out your jerseys to watch the practice, and stick around for a skate afterwards.

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