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CBC
33 minutes ago
- CBC
He was fighting the wildfire from above — as his community was evacuated below
Helicopter pilot Chris Rodway was working on the fire in Conception Bay North when he had to make an unscheduled landing — his own community was being evacuated. Rodway raced home to grab valuables, and enough socks and underwear to keep flying.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
If Ontario removed Toronto bike lanes, aid groups say they could be forced to suspend food deliveries
Social Sharing As a legal battle over the province's plans for Ontario's bike lanes continues, some Toronto aid groups say they are at risk of shutting down food delivery programs if key bike lanes in the city are ripped out. Toronto's bike lanes are used by scores of people like commuters and couriers — but also aid groups like Community Fridges TO (CFTO), which transports produce from farmers markets and food banks throughout the week. The province is set to appeal an Ontario court ruling in July that deemed removal of protected bike lanes on Yonge Street, Bloor Street and University Avenue unconstitutional. Should the provincial government win on appeal, community members — particularly seniors and people with disabilities — risk losing aid delivery, aid groups say. "I think it would have a massive negative impact on us and the community members that we serve … some of the programs we have would end," said Joy Gough with CFTO. Provincial government officials did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Organizations like CFTO, which has seven community fridges in Toronto, collaborate with Bike Brigade, another volunteer group, to deliver food to community fridges and to people who cannot travel to designated aid locations. WATCH | Cyclists protest against removal of Toronto bike lanes: Cyclists protest against removal of Toronto bike lanes 5 months ago Why aid groups say protected bike lanes are key The biking groups play a critical role in collecting the donated food and delivering it to community fridges and residents. "Bikes make the most sense" as they allow faster delivery by bypassing congestion, said Cyndi Gilbert, a board member at Bike Brigade, whereas using a car poses additional challenges including parking. The number of people willing to drive to deliver food is also decreasing because of traffic, high gas prices and negative impacts on climate, Gilbert said. Bike Brigade travelled approximately 14,500 kilometres and partnered with 35 social service agencies to make 8,000 food deliveries across Toronto last year, Gilbert said. Reaction pours in after Ontario judge blocks Ford's bike lane removal plan 19 days ago For many seniors, immune-compromised individuals and people with disabilities, this might be the only delivery they receive, Gough said. One in four Toronto households face food insecurity with Indigenous, racialized, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities hit the hardest, according to the City of Toronto's website. The city declared food insecurity an emergency in December 2024. But using the bike lanes is not just about food delivery, the groups say, as biking allows the riders to build a relationship with the people receiving aid. People wait for food delivery at community fridges and food banks, so volunteers get a chance to converse with them, Gough said. "It becomes more of a social event. It's not just somebody shoving a bunch of food in the fridge and getting back in their car and leaving," Gough said. Protected biking infrastructure also encourages more people to volunteer because they feel safer, especially young people, Gough said. Parents occasionally bring their children to help deliver the donated food and "a key part of all of this is safety," Gough said. In the past decade, 68 per cent of serious cycling collisions occurred on streets without safe cycling accommodations, according to a City of Toronto report. "With protected bike lanes, when cyclists feel safe to ride, it is quite simple to get around the city, to lock up your bicycle, to make a delivery," Gilbert said. Province says move is about congestion The provincial government has maintained that the removal of these bike lanes will help solve Toronto's traffic congestion woes. WATCH | Ontario's bike lane removal plan may not reduce congestion, internal docs reveal: Ontario's bike lane removal plan may not reduce congestion: internal documents 5 months ago New internal documents reveal that Ford's government is aware of many of the risks associated with removing bike lanes in Toronto. As CBC's Lane Harrison explains, the report shows the move may not have an impact on congestion and could increase collisions for everyone who uses roads. Premier Doug Ford called the court decision to keep 19 kilometres of bike lanes the " worst case of trampling on people's rights that I've ever seen ever" during a news conference earlier this month. Meanwhile, in January, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria called these bike lanes "a failed approach" that was detrimental for drivers and local businesses in a news release. It would cost provincial taxpayers $48 million to remove the existing infrastructure, according to a City of Toronto report. Ultimately, in his July ruling, Justice Paul Schabas said the bike lane removals will not solve Toronto's congestion problem.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Nova Scotia charities hold back-to-school drives
With back-to-school season in full swing, many families are turning to local charities. The charities say the demand for help is higher than ever. Karsten Greene has the story.
