Latest news with #RegentPark
CTV News
21-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Regent Park greenspace renamed in honour of anti-gun violence advocate Louis March
Anti-gun advocate and community leader Louis March stands next to an image of himself that was featured in the Nuit Blanche 2019 installation, ReConnectedSTC. (Supplied) A small greenspace in Regent Park, renamed in honour of one of the city's leading anti-gun violence advocates, Louis March, is now officially open. On Sunday afternoon, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow alongside local Coun. Chris Moise, members of March's family as well as Regent Park Mothers of Peace attended a ceremony where among other things they cut a ribbon and unveiled the park's new sign. Louis March Park, a 1.2-acre greenspace that was previously known as Sumach-Shuter Parkette, is located at 485 Shuter St., just east of Sumach Street. Louis March Park A small greenspace in Regent Park has been renamed in honour of one of the city's leading anti-gun advocates, Louis March. March, who was born on Aug. 1, 1955, was a long-time community safety and youth empowerment advocate who founded the Zero Gun Violence Movement, an awareness and advocacy initiative that works to reduce gun violence and its root causes across the city and beyond and build safe and heathy communities for all. The movement, which he also directed, was initially established in June 2013 as a 90-day campaign to address and eradicate Toronto's gun violence problem, but kept going as issues with guns continued to plague the Greater Toronto Area. March died suddenly one year ago today, on July 20, 2024. The long-time Scarborough resident was a believer that 'everyone deserved to live in a safe, supportive and opportunity-rich environment regardless of their postal code,' the city said in a news release, adding that he made many contributions span throughout the city over the years, especially in Regent Park where he had 'a deep connection.' 'March dedicated over three decades to fighting gun violence and its underlying causes,' the release said. 'He spent significant time engaging with (Regent Park) residents, responding to incidents of violence and combating stigma. He stood with the community through grief and healing, consistently supporting young people and their families. His presence, mentorship and leadership were instrumental in building trust and pushing for action.' Louis March The city added that March will be remembered for his 'unwavering dedication to the families and individuals in the Greater Toronto Area, particularly in marginalized communities.' 'He was known for his ability to connect with youth, providing mentorship and guidance while advocating for policy changes at all levels of government. His efforts to create safe spaces and promote healing in neighbourhoods affected by gun violence have left an indelible mark,' it said. 'As the community gathers to honor him with the renaming of a local park to Louis March Park, his vision for a future with zero gun violence continues to inspire ongoing efforts in community advocacy and youth engagement.' Louis March March was also a self-described 'historian of the African experience with an inquiring mind' who worked tirelessly to champion the development of the African-Canadian community. Over the years, he served on the board and/or steering committee of several organizations, including Young and Potential Fathers, Tabono Institute, and African Canadian Heritage Association. Calling his death a 'profound loss for the city,' the City of Toronto said the location for Louis March Park was selected by leaders from the Regent Park community with 'broad local support' and in consultation with his family. Not everyone, however, is thrilled with the process to rename the local park. Shortly before the reopening ceremony some people gathered at one end of the greenspace for a protest, saying they weren't consulted about its renaming.
CBC
08-07-2025
- CBC
2 men given life sentences for shooting that killed Regent Park youth worker
Two men were sentenced Tuesday to life in prison after being found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of a Regent Park youth worker. A jury convicted Noah Anderson and Junior Jahmal Harvey, both 23, in April, nearly four years after 27-year-old Thane Murray was gunned down in a Toronto parking lot while sitting and chatting with friends. Ontario Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts sentenced Anderson and Harvey to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years, as is required by law for a first-degree murder conviction. Both men have also been given two life sentences for the attempted murder of Allen Uthayakumaran and Tony Nguyen, the friends Murray was with that night. The Crown had asked for concurrent life sentences, while defence lawyers had asked for concurrent sentences in the range of 12 to 15 years, noting their lack of previous criminal records. 'Very high degree of planning,' judge rules On Sept. 18, 2021, Murray and his childhood friends Uthayakumaran and Nguyen were chatting in a parking lot area in Regent Park. "The victims were completely innocent; guilty of nothing more than sitting, chatting, enjoying a warm late-summer evening," Roberts said in her decision. Uthayakumaran was shot nine times, while Nguyen was shot only once, which the judge said was "not through lack of effort on the part of the shooters." "Mr. Nguyen was simply the first to notice the shooters and run," she said. Murray was shot 14 times and died at the scene. "He was executed," Roberts said. Meanwhile, Uthayakumaran was in a coma for three months. "There are a number of very significant aggravating circumstances," Roberts noted in her decision. She said the violence was "extreme" and "involved a very high degree of planning and deliberation." Roberts described the shooting as "senseless," saying there was no evidence that Anderson or Harvey knew any of the victims. Murray was beloved by the community and by his family, the judge noted. His mother, father, brother, grandmother, sister and aunt, as well as friends, community members and teachers provided victim impact statements in court, describing their loss. His mother, in particular, said she still can't bring herself to look at his picture.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mohamad Fakih fights for Canadians to use their voice: 'If you can silence me, you're taking away being Canadian from me — and that's the greatest honour ever'
Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians —born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders. Mohamad Fakih embarked on his Canadian journey in 1999, when he first departed Lebanon and landed in Canada with hopes of making this country his forever sanctuary. He didn't have a whole lot with him, except a hunger to prove his mettle and a conviction to succeed. "Canada represented hope for me — a place where I could work hard, grow, and, most importantly, be accepted," he shares with Yahoo News Canada, standing over a stove in a warm kitchen tucked behind a hallway in the Regent Park neighbourhood of downtown Toronto, where he's helping prepare 500 hot meals for those in need. Advertisement The room is relatively quiet, barring the clattering utensils, hum of conversation and a comforting rhythm of service among Muslim Welfare Canada volunteers who pack trays of biryani as the aromatic scent of cumin, roasted chicken and vegetables fills the atmosphere. Across the hall is the dining area, which awaits hundreds of hungry occupants. It's also where Fakih and I sit down to talk about what Canada is to him. Fakih recalls strolling down unfamiliar streets and being greeted with welcoming smiles, a gesture that "made me feel like I belonged even before I got my citizenship." He remembers buying his first car and playing Arabic music from behind the wheel — feeling a mix of pride in his roots and an acceptance of his way of life in a country oceans away from his native land. "Getting my permanent residency was huge," he says, with decades-old relief still felt in his voice. "I finally felt secure like no one could just take me away." Advertisement However, belonging — as a Muslim man and an outspoken advocate — hasn't always felt certain, as he feels acceptance in Canada can, at times, be conditional. "There are times I wonder if I'm truly safe — or if I can be myself as a Canadian." The founder of Paramount Fine Foods built a legacy, as part of which he became a pillar of strength and support for his community. However, his journey isn't only about success, but the price of standing up for his beliefs, the pain of losing friends and rejecting the idea of remaining silent when Canada's values are challenged. As part of our My Canada series, Fakih's conspicuous life story is a testament to courage, resilience and fierce love for this country. When there's a cost to pay for speaking out, but silence isn't an option Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, Fakih emerged as one of the few known Canadian business leaders who publicly advocated for the cause of Palestinian civilians. The backlash to his formidable stance on the war in Gaza was swift and personal, resulting in him facing threats and financial repercussions. Advertisement "Yeah speaking for Gaza, speaking for Palestinians made me lose — I wouldn't call them friends, but they acted like friends at the time," he says, ladling stew into a container. "Some landlords said they wouldn't renew my lease." But Fakih never backed down. "Businesses are not walls. They're people. And if you think I shouldn't speak because it impacts my business — then you think I am owned by money." The 2022 Order of Canada appointee believes in the philosophy of "kinder capitalism" — a unique model which emphasizes on putting people, their values and purpose ahead of profits. Advertisement "Kinder capitalism means be kind to people even when it costs, and do it until it hurts," Fakih stressed. "It's only giving when you do it until it hurts. That's when it really counts." TORONTO. Exterior signage of Yonge Street location near Yonge and Dundas. Mohamad Fakih, the high-profile founder of Paramount, just settled a long court battle with his two largest investors, wresting back control of his Lebanese restaurant story by Jake Edmiston. ( Star) R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star (R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Trump put Canada's sovereignty on the line — and Fakih won't look away Trump's recent rhetoric around making Canada his country's "51st state" sparked a quick reaction from Fakih, who used the opportunity to respond not with political gamesmanship but a plea to Canadians to see distinction between performative patriotism and national pride. You can't talk about Canada's sovereignty and wonder if our silence about what's happening in Gaza wasn't a wink that allowed Trump to say that 'I want you to become the 51st state.' "Injustice anywhere is a risk to justice everywhere," he quotes Martin Luther King Jr., adding, "We need to protect Canada, protect its sovereignty. And it will never be the 51st state to anybody." Advertisement Fakih equates defending Canada to defending Canadian values, including the nation's responsibility to speak up for issues relating to international human rights. "If you can silence me, you're taking away being Canadian from me — and that's the greatest honour ever," he says, leaning over the dining table in a calm but firm voice. In the midst of losing friends and standing alone, Fakih held fast to principles Fakih's commitment to advocacy isn't recent and neither is he a stranger to standing alone. In the past years, he's helped repair synagogues, reconstructed church doors, housed homeless strangers in hotels during a crisis and stood with Quebec mosque shooting victims — all rooted in a single motivation: "Half of life is showing up." "I have felt the taste of helping others. I was someone that needed help. I've been hungry. There are nights where I slept hungry," he says, visibly emotional. "Canada empowered me to not bury who I am. I wanted to be that example for our next generation of Canadians." Advertisement But the advocacy comes with a price tag. "It hurt my business. Some days it hurt personally. I've had to explain to my children why I get weekly threats," he says. "But I came to Canada because we celebrate kindness, not just profit." It is that ethos which, he says, is "stronger than greed." You drive a Rolls Royce and still stop to feed someone hungry — that's power. Mohamad Fakih, Founder, Paramount Fine Foods Canada as family: A son's fierce loyalty to a nation in pain Fakih admits that his idea of Canada has evolved — not drifted — over time. He doesn't see Canada through rose-coloured glasses, but as someone who loves this country like he loves his family. "My dad passed away last year," he says, turning his attention inwards, his eyes on his hands. Advertisement "And I think of Canada like my dad — kind, but in pain sometimes. And if Canada's in pain and needs me to use my voice — even if it hurts me — I will," his voice softening. That love shows up every year when Fakih proudly takes part in the Hazel McCallion Parade on Canada Day. "The first year, I was too shy to join. Now I walk with my kids. And I celebrate — because after my parents and children, Canada is the thing I love most." MISSISSAUGA, ON - JULY 1: Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion gets some help from MP Stella Ambler, MPP Charles Sousa and others in cutting a giant 16 x 8' Canadian flag cake. Canada Day celebrations were in full swing at Paint the Town Red in Mississauga's Port Credit district with a parade, live music and fireworks. July 1, 2014. (Chris So/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Fakih's message to Canadians: Use your voice or risk losing the country we love As he steps out in the hallway to welcome his fellow Canadians queued up for a hot meal, Fakih shares one final message: "Being Canadian is the greatest honour, and part of it is the freedom to say what you believe in, without fear. That's why we came here," he says, urging Canadians to use their voice while they still can. Speak for the hungry. Speak for the oppressed. One day, you might need someone to speak for you. Mohamad Fakih, entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mohamad Fakih fights for Canadians to use their voice: 'If you can silence me, you're taking away being Canadian from me — and that's the greatest honour ever'
Yahoo News Canada presents 'My Canada," a series spotlighting Canadians —born-and-raised to brand new — sharing their views on the Canadian dream, national identity, and the triumphs and tribulations that come with life inside and outside these borders. Mohamad Fakih embarked on his Canadian journey in 1999, when he first departed Lebanon and landed in Canada with hopes of making this country his forever sanctuary. He didn't have a whole lot with him, except a hunger to prove his mettle and a conviction to succeed. "Canada represented hope for me — a place where I could work hard, grow, and, most importantly, be accepted," he shares with Yahoo News Canada, standing over a stove in a warm kitchen tucked behind a hallway in the Regent Park neighbourhood of downtown Toronto, where he's helping prepare 500 hot meals for those in need. The room is relatively quiet, barring the clattering utensils, hum of conversation and a comforting rhythm of service among Muslim Welfare Canada volunteers who pack trays of biryani as the aromatic scent of cumin, roasted chicken and vegetables fills the atmosphere. Across the hall is the dining area, which awaits hundreds of hungry occupants. It's also where Fakih and I sit down to talk about what Canada is to him. Fakih recalls strolling down unfamiliar streets and being greeted with welcoming smiles, a gesture that "made me feel like I belonged even before I got my citizenship." He remembers buying his first car and playing Arabic music from behind the wheel — feeling a mix of pride in his roots and an acceptance of his way of life in a country oceans away from his native land. "Getting my permanent residency was huge," he says, with decades-old relief still felt in his voice. "I finally felt secure like no one could just take me away." However, belonging — as a Muslim man and an outspoken advocate — hasn't always felt certain, as he feels acceptance in Canada can, at times, be conditional. "There are times I wonder if I'm truly safe — or if I can be myself as a Canadian." The founder of Paramount Fine Foods built a legacy, as part of which he became a pillar of strength and support for his community. However, his journey isn't only about success, but the price of standing up for his beliefs, the pain of losing friends and rejecting the idea of remaining silent when Canada's values are challenged. As part of our My Canada series, Fakih's conspicuous life story is a testament to courage, resilience and fierce love for this country. Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, Fakih emerged as one of the few known Canadian business leaders who publicly advocated for the cause of Palestinian civilians. The backlash to his formidable stance on the war in Gaza was swift and personal, resulting in him facing threats and financial repercussions. "Yeah speaking for Gaza, speaking for Palestinians made me lose — I wouldn't call them friends, but they acted like friends at the time," he says, ladling stew into a container. "Some landlords said they wouldn't renew my lease." But Fakih never backed down. "Businesses are not walls. They're people. And if you think I shouldn't speak because it impacts my business — then you think I am owned by money." The 2022 Order of Canada appointee believes in the philosophy of "kinder capitalism" — a unique model which emphasizes on putting people, their values and purpose ahead of profits. "Kinder capitalism means be kind to people even when it costs, and do it until it hurts," Fakih stressed. "It's only giving when you do it until it hurts. That's when it really counts." Trump's recent rhetoric around making Canada his country's "51st state" sparked a quick reaction from Fakih, who used the opportunity to respond not with political gamesmanship but a plea to Canadians to see distinction between performative patriotism and national pride. You can't talk about Canada's sovereignty and wonder if our silence about what's happening in Gaza wasn't a wink that allowed Trump to say that 'I want you to become the 51st state.' "Injustice anywhere is a risk to justice everywhere," he quotes Martin Luther King Jr., adding, "We need to protect Canada, protect its sovereignty. And it will never be the 51st state to anybody." Fakih equates defending Canada to defending Canadian values, including the nation's responsibility to speak up for issues relating to international human rights. "If you can silence me, you're taking away being Canadian from me — and that's the greatest honour ever," he says, leaning over the dining table in a calm but firm voice. Fakih's commitment to advocacy isn't recent and neither is he a stranger to standing alone. In the past years, he's helped repair synagogues, reconstructed church doors, housed homeless strangers in hotels during a crisis and stood with Quebec mosque shooting victims — all rooted in a single motivation: "Half of life is showing up." "I have felt the taste of helping others. I was someone that needed help. I've been hungry. There are nights where I slept hungry," he says, visibly emotional. "Canada empowered me to not bury who I am. I wanted to be that example for our next generation of Canadians." But the advocacy comes with a price tag. "It hurt my business. Some days it hurt personally. I've had to explain to my children why I get weekly threats," he says. "But I came to Canada because we celebrate kindness, not just profit." It is that ethos which, he says, is "stronger than greed." You drive a Rolls Royce and still stop to feed someone hungry — that's Fakih, Founder, Paramount Fine Foods Fakih admits that his idea of Canada has evolved — not drifted — over time. He doesn't see Canada through rose-coloured glasses, but as someone who loves this country like he loves his family. "My dad passed away last year," he says, turning his attention inwards, his eyes on his hands. "And I think of Canada like my dad — kind, but in pain sometimes. And if Canada's in pain and needs me to use my voice — even if it hurts me — I will," his voice softening. That love shows up every year when Fakih proudly takes part in the Hazel McCallion Parade on Canada Day. "The first year, I was too shy to join. Now I walk with my kids. And I celebrate — because after my parents and children, Canada is the thing I love most." As he steps out in the hallway to welcome his fellow Canadians queued up for a hot meal, Fakih shares one final message: "Being Canadian is the greatest honour, and part of it is the freedom to say what you believe in, without fear. That's why we came here," he says, urging Canadians to use their voice while they still can. Speak for the hungry. Speak for the oppressed. One day, you might need someone to speak for Fakih, entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist
CTV News
22-06-2025
- CTV News
Suspect in custody after man stabbed in Regent Park
Police are on the scene of a stabbing in Regent Park on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (CP24) One man has been rushed to the hospital following a stabbing at an apartment building in Regent Park Saturday evening. Toronto police say they received a call at 7:19 p.m. about a person stabbed inside a building in the area of Sackville Street and Dundas Street East, east of Parliament Street. When officers arrived, they found a male victim suffering from a stab wound. Toronto paramedics told CTV News Toronto that the man sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Police say a suspect was arrested and later transported to hospital. Paramedics said the suspect suffered minor injuries. The circumstances that led to the stabbing are not known.
