When Mayor Ford and City Council clashed over transit issues, many Torontonians witnessed for the first time, a political standoff that has delayed many important decisions.  Toronto´s gridlock and congestion can´t afford a delay to action and many Torontonians are concerned about the future of this city.  The standoff prompted Toronto’s longest serving mayor, Senator Art Eggleton to write an op-ed in the Globe and Mail emphatically arguing that “this is no way to run a city”.

On May 28th, WSIC will welcome Senator Eggleton as …

The Ontario government recently cut $66 million from university and hospital research funding. In tough economic times, austerity measures must be taken, but if Canada is to thrive economically, we must ensure our place as a leader in innovation. Doing so will foster the development of high-growth companies that will create the jobs of the future.

Toronto´s MaRS Discovery District, with the upcoming addition of its Phase 2 property, will soon be one of the largest urban innovation hubs in the world. MaRS CEO Dr. Ilse …

According to the chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, mental health and addiction issues account for approximately 35 per cent of Canada´s disease burden. Yet, they receive only about 5 per cent of the (funding) resources.

Many doctors believe that the burden on our health care system could be reduced by providing better mental health care before patients are really ill. Dr. Paul Garfinkel, a practicing psychiatrist and former CEO of CAMH, will share his expertise on the matter, as will Elaine Flis, past …

Condos are popular first homes for many people today. For some, it will be the biggest purchase they ever make. But how many of us can really judge how well these assets are built or maintained?

The truth is, condos can be anything from dream homes, both affordable and green, to overpriced energy hogs, or worse. Even the smartest consumer can be fooled into making a bad purchase.

That’s why MPP Rosario Marchese proposes the Condominium Owners Protection Act–designed to protect would-be condo buyers and their neighbours …

On Monday, we’ll take a look at Energy needs in Ontario.  Ontario´s population is growing,so its energy needs are too. But no one wants a new gas-fired power plant if it’s going to be in their own backyard. In WSIC’s first event of 2012, U of T’s Dr. Kim Pressnail will tell us how Ontario can reduce its need for more power plants in local communities.  His solution is to decrease the burden on our energy grid by mandating better building requirements.

Do you agree? Disagree? …

Health Canada is charged with protecting the health and safety of Canadians, a job that covers everything from overseeing ingredients in cosmetics and bath toys to approving which drugs can be sold in Canada. Is this agency–responsible for so much at once–able to meet its full mandate?

MP Terence Young isn’t so sure. After losing a daughter to a prescription drug which has since been pulled from the market, Young began to explore how the drug industry operates and the conflicting role Health Canada plays in …

A restaurant and bar´s probably the best place for a talk on food. Better even than a farm, especially with the rain storm we had on Tuesday night

The latest edition of Why Should I Care? focused on food security-an issue with many, many, many facets to it, as the range of questions proved. Our guest speaker was Darcy Higgins, Executive Director of the Food Forward Advocacy Alliance a Toronto-based, registered non-profit organization advocating for a better food system.

Food Forward works with the public, politicians and …

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION!!!!

Roughly half the Earth’s population now lives in cities, meaning fewer farmers are producing the food it takes to feed us. Here in Canada, though we are blessed with abundant land, a growing portion of our food is coming from abroad–as oil prices rise, our food cost will sure to follow. Food safety and security is often taken for granted.

Darcy Higgins, Executive Director of the Food Forward Advocacy Alliance, has some ideas on how to fix this. And he wants to share them …

In spite of the looming provincial election, 19 September marked another successful WSIC event, with about 30 interested citizens joining the WSIC team to hear about and discuss Ontario’s Green Energy Act.

John Stepheson kicked off the evening with a discussion on district heating. Space and water heating account for about 20% of our energy consumption, and we can’t live without the heat. Since marginal energy use comes from the grid – which is heavy on fossil fuels – improvements in secondary heating can generate significant …