Ward 9 (York Centre)
Memories of the Downsview early morning explosion in August 2008 still linger in Ward 9.
The blast at Sunrise Propane, at 54 Murray Rd. northwest of Keele Street and Wilson Avenue, ripped through the neighbourhood just before 4 a.m. on Aug. 10 2008, killing Sunrise employee Parminder Singh Saini, 25.
Veteran firefighter Bob Leek collapsed and died at the scene. The explosion also left more than 12,000 residents temporarily homeless.
Meanwhile, many residents are worried that proposed development at Downsview Park will strain already over-burdened services in the community.
The park’s board of directors is overseeing plans to develop the 572-acre park into five neighbourhoods with residential, commercial and environmental features.
Councillor Maria Augimeri said former prime minister Jean Chretien’s Liberal government “hoodwinked” the community into believing the entire area would become a park.
She is also worried the proposed development could overwhelm services in the area.
For the full ward profile, read the story HERE.
| CANDIDATES |
| Gianfranco Amendola | ||
| Maria Augimeri | ||
| Wilson Basantes | ||
| Gus Cusimano | ||
| Stefano Picone | ||
| Note: Toronto Community News attempted to contact all candidates to give them an opportunity to share their information on insidetorontovotes.ca. Candidate information featured herein was provided to Toronto Community News by the candidates. | ||
| DEMOGRAPHIC DATA (Statistics Canada 2006) |
| Population by age group | ||
| Age 14 and under | 7,970 | 18.0% |
| Age 15 to 24 | 5,470 | 12.4% |
| Age 25 to 44 | 12,970 | 29.3% |
| Age 45 to 64 | 10,325 | 23.3% |
| Age 65 and over | 7,515 | 17.0% |
| TOTAL | 44,250 | 100.0% |
| Top 10 countries by origin – Immigration | ||
|
Country/Area
|
Total Immigration
|
Percentage of Total
|
| Italy | 7,325 | 28.4% |
| Caribbean | 3,000 | 11.6% |
| Vietnam | 2,610 | 10.1% |
| Philippines | 1,235 | 4.8% |
| Guyana | 905 | 3.5% |
| Central America |
890 | 3.4% |
| India | 825 | 3.2% |
| West Africa | 625 | 2.4% |
| Sri Lanka |
545 | 2.1% |
| Portugal | 475 | 1.8% |
| Other | 7,395 | 28.6% |
| TOTAL | 25,830 | 100.0% |
| Education – Highest level completed by age group | |
| Age 15 to 24 | Age 25 to 64 |
| Total Population (20% sample data) = 5,360 | Total Population (20% sample data) = 23,055 |
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| Age 65 and over | LEGEND |
| Total Population (20% sample data) = 7,450 | |
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| Family household information | ||
| Average family income | $42,010 | |
| Total single parent families | 2,180 | |
| Family with children at home | 5,050 | |
