Earth Day will be happening on April 22 this year

Earth Day plans are underway. Once again, CCRA will be partnering with the 2nd Highland Creek Scouts and West Rouge Sports and Recreation Association. The event will be happening at two locations this year. Like last year, the Port Union Community Centre will host a number of activities. We will have the Rouge Butterflyway group participating to educate residents about gardening with native plants. There will be crafts for children and, of course, our area clean-up!

The Scouts will be bringing back their recycling program in a big way. Note that this year the Scouts will be setting up a drive-by recycling operation in the West Rouge Community Centre parking lot.

We’re planning to bring a great Earth Day event to our community. Save this date: Saturday, April 22. There will be more details coming in the April issue of this newspaper.

CCRA Spring Dance Returns

YES! Our community spring dance is finally returning. Our events team still has lots of planning to do, but here is what I can tell you: Saturday, May 27 is the date and the venue will be at the new Highland Creek Legion on Morrish Road. If you haven’t already paid a visit to see this newly renovated building, I encourage you to do so. Mark your calendars! More details coming your way in the coming months.

Scarborough Wins on Electoral Boundaries

Back in October we published an article about the proposed changes to the federal electoral boundaries. If you recall, one of the proposals brought forward by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario was to remove a riding from Scarborough.

This was a huge issue. I spoke at the public hearing about my concerns regarding the reduction in ridings in Scarborough as did many others. I am pleased to say that a final report has been released and the commission has dropped the idea of eliminating a riding in Scarborough. Instead, small portions of North York west of Victoria Park have been added to Scarborough ridings.

Scarborough‒Rouge Park now includes Guildwood, and the commission has proposed to rename the riding as Scarborough‒Guildwood. The final report will now go to Parliament for MPs to consider.

I have been told that the MPs only have the power to rename ridings, not change boundaries. Scarborough will retain six ridings therefore our political representation will not be compromised. This is a win for Scarborough. The process of approvals at the federal level will be completed by April 2024.

March Break

For those of you with school age children or grandchildren, March Break goes from March 13 to March 17. There are hundreds of activities across the city to enjoy. If you are travelling, please travel safely. Enjoy your time with your family.