Latest news with #Laferriere
Global News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Calgary rezoning debate heats up as more neighbourhoods explore restrictive covenants
Residents in a northwest Calgary neighbourhood are exploring the use of restrictive covenants to pushback on citywide rezoning as the debate over the policy continues with a looming election. Several new and proposed developments under the zoning policy in Charleswood and Brentwood have a coalition of area residents frustrated. 'We do need some housing development,' said Valerie Laferriere, who chairs the Brentwood Charleswood RC Initiative. 'But this mid-block, high-density, 60-per cent lot coverage, 12-metres-high stuff I think everybody is done with.' The group is now exploring the use of restrictive covenants to 'take back their communities,' and 'control what kind of development they want to see now and in the future,' according to Laferriere. A restrictive covenant is a legally binding agreement on a property title that limits how a property is used or developed, even after it is sold to a new owner. Story continues below advertisement Brentwood and Charleswood would be joining residents in 11 other communities looking to use the legal tool, according to lawyers at Carbert Waite, including Varsity, Lakeview and Lake Bonavista. View image in full screen A map showing the communities exploring restrictive covenants in Calgary. Global News 'I do think restrictive covenants were here long before this council, they'll be here long after this council,' Laferriere said. 'I think it does give a tool back to property owners to exercise their property rights.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She said the proposed developments in the area have raised concerns for residents over potential impacts to parking, privacy, and property values. The citywide rezoning policy took effect on Aug 6, 2024, after Calgary city council voted in favour of a bylaw to change the city's default residential zoning, to allow a variety of housing types including single-detached, semi-detached, duplexes and rowhouses on a single property. Story continues below advertisement It's expected to be a hot button issue ahead of the next municipal election in October, with three candidates running for mayor vowing to repeal it including Jeromy Farkas, Sonya Sharp and Jeff Davison. This week, the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) reaffirmed its opposition to the policy in its YYC Votes 2025 campaign, aimed at highlighting several housing related issues to voters and candidates. CREB, which represents nearly 8,800 realtors in Calgary, outlined its support for sustainable community growth and responsible municipal spending, while looking for an alternative to the citywide rezoning policy. 'In that opposition, we believe that grassroots, community-focused engagement is important for all these communities,' said Christian Twomey, chair of CREB's government relations standing committee. However, Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott said he feels CREB's policy stance and the real estate board's own data is conflicting. 'They're trying to appease the reality that the only way to make sales in a housing crisis is for housing to be affordable, but then, on the other hand, the way to make the most money is to have exclusivity in the housing sales and you see this throughout their bullet points,' Walcott told Global News. Walcott pointed to Calgary's benchmark housing price of $586,200 in June, which is down nearly four per cent year-over-year. Story continues below advertisement CREB data shows inventory for rowhouses jumped 22 per cent since June of last year, with semi-detached inventory climbing just shy of 20 per cent. It also shows the benchmark price of a rowhouse in Calgary is $450,300, down 3.1 per cent. The real estate board's June update said while all property types reported gains in inventory, both row and apartment-style homes reported inventory levels 'over 30 per cent higher than long term trends.' Recent city data shows 271 applications were submitted for new homes in established communities in the first quarter of 2025, a 59-per cent increase over the same time period last year. Thirty-one per cent of those applications were rowhouses and townhomes, a 163-per cent increase from the same quarter in 2024, while citywide rezoning enabled nearly half or 45 per cent of all new low-density housing development permits in established neighbourhoods. 'If affordability is the goal, why stray off the path that's working?' Walcott added. CREB is defending its position, and said other factors are contributing to lower sales and home prices including no decline in lending rates, economic uncertainty and price concerns. 'To say that blanket rezoning is the cause of prices going down and the increase of supply is just patently false,' Twomey said. Story continues below advertisement Walcott, who is not running for re-election, also raised a concern with the growing trend of communities seeking restrictive covenants. 'While I respect everyone's right to do what they want with their own property, I do think it sets a negative precedent that people are using a 100 year old tool to stop their community from having more neighbours,' he said. The next municipal election is on Oct. 20, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
23-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
New roof coming to New Liskeard arena
TEMISKAMING SHORES – The Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena is getting a new roof. The Ontario government announced $484,100 in funding last week to replace the roof at the New Liskeard arena. The new roof is expected to improve energy efficiency and extend the building's lifespan. The provincial funding enables the city to move ahead with a greatly needed infrastructure upgrade, said Mayor Jeff Laferriere in a statement. 'Replacing the aging roof will protect this well-used facility and extend its lifespan, benefiting not just our local residents, but also the broader region that relies on the facility for sports, recreation and events,' Laferriere said. 'The funding received by the province is provided on a 50 per cent matching contribution basis. We are targeting spring/summer 2026 to have this work completed,' said Matt Bahm, the city's director of recreation, in an email. The funding for the New Liskeard arena roof was included in $12.6 million announced for projects in Northeastern Ontario on July 18. Funding comes from the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, which the provincial government describes as an initiative to help communities revitalize local facilities, grow the economy and promote active, healthy living. 'At a time when Ontario families are facing rising costs due to tariffs, our government is proud to support organizations focused on delivering better services for people while breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for children and young people,' said Sport Minister Neil Lumsden in a news release. 'With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.' The lion's share of the recent funding – $10 million – is earmarked for the construction of a new Valley East twin-pad multipurpose sports complex in the City of Greater Sudbury. The Espanola Arena will receive $1 million to replace its aging refrigeration system with a state-of-the-art carbon dioxide system. Just over $614,000 is going for critical repairs at the Kashechewan Arena. Markstay-Warren's multiplex is getting $585,250 for renovations to enable expanded programming, including floor hockey, pickleball and Zumba. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Los Angeles Times
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Kings' record 15-game home points streak ends in loss to Maple Leafs
John Tavares scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Kings 3-1 on Saturday. Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist, Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves, and the Maple Leafs are 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Alex Laferriere scored, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves, and the Kings had their franchise-record 15-game home point streak snapped. It was their first regulation loss at home since falling 5-1 to Pittsburgh on Jan. 20. Laferriere put the Kings ahead early in the second period, but Matthews tied it up 1-1 early in the third with his second career short-handed goal. Tavares then put Toronto in front by putting in Matthews' rebound during a 4-on-3 power play with less than eight minutes remaining. He picked up an empty-netter with 1:35 remaining. The win put the Maples Leafs atop the three-team race for the Atlantic Division for now, moving them one point ahead of Florida and Tampa Bay. The Panthers do have a game in hand over the other two challengers. Maple Leafs: Toronto, which came into the game with the third-best road power play in the NHL, went 1 for 4 to turn the game in their favor. Kings: Laferriere ended a 17-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 22 when he opened the scoring. Key moment: Kuemper got a little too active with his stick, tripping Matthews during 4-on-4 hockey, and setting the stage for Tavares' 12th power-play goal of the season. Key stat: Tavares has scored in five straight games and leads the NHL with 13 goals since the 4 Nations Face-off. Up next: The Maple Leafs visit Anaheim on Sunday, and the Kings host San Jose on Sunday.
CBS News
30-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Tavares, Maple Leafs end Kings' home point streak with 3-1 victory
John Tavares scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Saturday. Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist, Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves, and the Maple Leafs are 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Alex Laferriere scored, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves, and the Kings had their franchise-record 15-game home point streak snapped. It was their first regulation loss at home since falling 5-1 to Pittsburgh on Jan. 20. Laferriere put the Kings ahead early in the second period, but Matthews tied it up 1-1 early in the third with his second career short-handed goal. Tavares then put Toronto in front by putting in Matthews' rebound during a 4-on-3 power play with less than eight minutes remaining. He picked up an empty-netter with 1:35 remaining. The win put the Maples Leafs atop the three-team race for the Atlantic Division for now, moving them one point ahead of Florida and Tampa Bay. The Panthers do have a game in hand over the other two challengers. Maple Leafs: Toronto, which came into the game with the third-best road power play in the NHL, went 1 for 4 to turn the game in their favor. Kings: Laferriere ended a 17-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 22 when he opened the scoring. Kuemper got a little too active with his stick, tripping Matthews during 4-on-4 hockey, and setting the stage for Tavares' 12th power-play goal of the season. Tavares has scored in five straight games and leads the NHL with 13 goals since the 4 Nations Face-off. The Maple Leafs visit Anaheim on Sunday, and the Kings host San Jose on Sunday.
Associated Press
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Tavares, Maple Leafs end Kings' home point streak with 3-1 victory
LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Tavares scored twice and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Saturday. Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist, Anthony Stolarz made 36 saves, and the Maple Leafs are 5-1-1 in their past seven games. Alex Laferriere scored, Darcy Kuemper made 23 saves, and the Kings had their franchise-record 15-game home point streak snapped. It was their first regulation loss at home since falling 5-1 to Pittsburgh on Jan. 20. Laferriere put the Kings ahead early in the second period, but Matthews tied it up 1-1 early in the third with his second career short-handed goal. Tavares then put Toronto in front by putting in Matthews' rebound during a 4-on-3 power play with less than eight minutes remaining. He picked up an empty-netter with 1:35 remaining. The win put the Maples Leafs atop the three-team race for the Atlantic Division for now, moving them one point ahead of Florida and Tampa Bay. The Panthers do have a game in hand over the other two challengers. Takeaways Maple Leafs: Toronto, which came into the game with the third-best road power play in the NHL, went 1 for 4 to turn the game in their favor. Kings: Laferriere ended a 17-game goal drought dating back to Feb. 22 when he opened the scoring. Kuemper got a little too active with his stick, tripping Matthews during 4-on-4 hockey, and setting the stage for Tavares' 12th power-play goal of the season. Key stat Tavares has scored in five straight games and leads the NHL with 13 goals since the 4 Nations Face-off. Up Next ___
