toronto ontario: Three Year Average Resale Home Prices - Greater Toronto Area - August 2011 - 09/29/11 03:20 PM
Three Year Average Resale Home Prices - Greater Toronto Area - August 2011
The chart below shows that the average resale home price has been trending upwards from 2008 to August 2011.  There are recurring seasonal trends throughout the entire time period shown on the chart.  For example, prices have tended to be higher during the spring / summer months compared to the winter months.  This data may be useful to help you determine when you should list your home for sale or when you should purchase a home.
Data used to prepare this chart is obtained from data reported by … (4 comments)

toronto ontario: Greater Toronto Area - Rental Market Statistics - May 2011 to August 2011 - 09/29/11 02:35 PM
Greater Toronto Area - Rental Market Statistics - May 2011 to August 2011
Toronto Real Estate Board ("TREB") REALTORS® reported 6,933 apartment lease transactions through the TorontoMLS® system for the May 2011 to August 2011 period which is an increase of 11% compared to the May 2010 to August 2010 period when 6,232 apartment lease transactions were reported. 
The lease transactions were reported for the Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, York, Peel, Halton and Durham.
The average condominium apartment rents increased for all bedroom types. Average rents for one-bedroom from May 2011 to August 2011 were up by 4% compared to … (1 comments)

toronto ontario: What is closed on Labour Day 2011 in Toronto, Ontario? - 08/28/11 04:02 PM
What is closed on Labour Day 2011 in Toronto, Ontario?
Monday, September 5, 2011 is Labour Day in Ontario. Since Labour Day is a statutory holiday, there will be many closures. In addition, some services will operate on a holiday schedule. Below is a list of some of the closures for Labour Day 2011 in Toronto, Ontario.
The following will be closed:
Government offices (municipal, provincial and federal) except for a very limited number of services Libraries Canada Post Stores, shopping centres, plazas, grocery stores (some shopping may be available in designated tourist areas or where there are exceptions in the … (5 comments)

toronto ontario: TTC making schedule changes effective September 6, 2011 - 08/28/11 03:37 PM
TTC making schedule changes effective September 6, 2011
The Toronto Transit Commission ("TTC")  is making changes to many of its bus, streetcar, subway and LRT routes effective Tuesday, September 6, 2011.  A small number of the changes become effective on September 4, 2011 or September 10, 2011.
Make sure that you have the latest information regarding how any changes will affect you.
Visit www.ttc.ca then select "Service Advisories" then select "Service Changes" to find out about your TTC bus route, streetcar route, subway route or light rapid transit route are affected.
You can also contract the TTC's customer service at:
(416) … (0 comments)

toronto ontario: Public Transit Schedule on Labour Day 2011 - 08/28/11 03:24 PM
Public Transit Schedule on Labour Day 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011 is Labour Day, a statutory holiday in the Greater Toronto Area.
Public transit systems, including York Region Transit, VIVA, Toronto Transit Commission ("TTC") (including buses, streetcars, subways and light rapid transit), GO Transit (including trains and buses) will all be operating on a holiday schedule on Victoria Day.
Therefore, before you travel, remember to check the schedules to determine when the systems will be running.
Have a Happy and Safe Labour Day 2011.
Public Transit Schedule on Labour Day 2011
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toronto ontario: Real Estate Recovery in Greater Toronto Area - July 2011 - 08/14/11 03:51 PM
Real Estate Recovery in Greater Toronto Area - July 2011
Statistics released by the Toronto Real Estate Board ("TREB") for July 2011 show that the real estate recovery in the Greater Toronto Area is proceeding well.
TREB REALTORS® reported 7,922 transactions in the TorontoMLS® system in July 2011 which represents a 23% increase over July 2010.  The average selling price in July 2011 was $459,122 which is up almost 10% compared to the July 2010 average of $418,675.
Ongoing low interest rates are expected to encourage people to purchase real estate in the Greater Toronto Area.
Real Estate Recovery in Greater … (1 comments)

toronto ontario: Rouge Park Reptile and Amphibian Awareness Day - 07/27/11 11:04 AM
Rouge Park Reptile and Amphibian Awareness Day
Date: Tuesday, August 9, 2011Time: 9:30 AM  to  12:30 PM Location: 1749 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto ON Cost: $5.00 (suggested donation)
Learn about the unique lives of amphibians and reptiles. You will learn how to identify reptile and amphibian species and go for a hike in Rouge Park in search of these amazing creatures! There is a suggested donation of $5 and kids under 5 are FREE! To RSVP, contact jamesp@ontarionature.org or call (416) 444-8419 x 243. Please RSVP by August 5th and space is limited! For more information, visit rougepark.com/media/events.php
Rouge Park Reptile and Amphibian Awareness Day
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toronto ontario: Canada Post on strike in the Greater Toronto Area - 06/13/11 05:01 PM
Canada Post on strike in the Greater Toronto Area
The rotating strikes across Canada against Canada Post have arrived in Toronto.  Effective at 11:30 pm on Monday, June 13, 2011, the strike hits Canada Post's largest sorting plants which are located in the Toronto area.  The rotating strikes have been occuring in various area across Canada for 24 hours and then move onto another city or town for 24 horus.
In addition, mail will not be delivered.
It had been previously announced by Canada Post that during the strike, mail delivery will only occur three days per week rather than five … (6 comments)

toronto ontario: City of Toronto Pre-Authorized Property Tax Payment Program - 06/12/11 04:38 AM
City of Toronto Pre-Authorized Property Tax Payment Program
Now is the time to sign up for 2012 Interim Property Tax Bill Pre-Authorized Payments for new applicants who pay City of Toronto property taxes.  The deadline to sign up is September 9, 2011.
An application form must be completed.  It is available at the City of Toronto website at www.toronto.ca/taxes/property_tax/forms.htm
To learn more information about the Pre-Authorized Property Tax Payment Program for the City of Toronto, visit www.toronto.ca/taxes/property_tax/preauth.htm
City of Toronto Pre-Authorized Property Tax Payment Program
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toronto ontario: City of Toronto Property Tax and Water Relief Programs - 06/12/11 04:21 AM
City of Toronto Property Tax and Water Relief Programs
The City of Toronto offers Property Tax and Water Relief Programs for qualifying low-income seniors and low-income persons with a diability.  Three types of programs are currently offered:
Property Tax Increase Deferral Program Property Tax Increase Cancellation Program Water Rebate Program Visit the City of Toronto website at www.toronto.ca/taxes/property_tax/tax_relief.htm#cancel to learn more details about each of the programs.
City of Toronto Property Tax and Water Relief Programs
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toronto ontario: Who is my Toronto City Councillor? - 05/26/11 07:22 PM
Who is my Toronto City Councillor?
Do you need to contact your City of Toronto Councillor but don't know who your councillor is or have the contact information?  Do you want to read some background information about your councillor such as what committees and agencies in which your councillor participates?
You can find your councillor by entering your street address at http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp.  If you know the ward you are in or you know your councillor's name, you can find your councillor at http://app.toronto.ca/im/council/councillors.jsp.
Who is my Toronto City Councillor?
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toronto ontario: Change in 2011 Christmas Holiday Schedule for Ontario Schools - 04/20/11 12:02 AM
Change in 2011 Christmas Holiday Schedule for Ontario Schools
The Ontario Ministry of Education has approved a change to dates of the holidays that include Christmas 2011 and New Years Day 2012.
Ontario public and separate schools will be closed from December 26, 2011 to January 6, 2012.
The original holiday schedule proposed by the Ontario Ministry of Education had classes ending on December 16, 2011 and restarting on January 2, 2011.
Change in 2011 Christmas Holiday Schedule for Ontario Schools
… (1 comments)

toronto ontario: Why am I receiving a $67.41 rebate cheque from Bell Canada? - 03/21/11 02:48 PM
Why am I receiving a $67.41 rebate cheque from Bell Canada?
On August 31, 2010, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC") ordered that Bell Canada rebate an amount to subscribers of certain home telephone products who were customers on August 31, 2010. 
Over a number of years, Bell Canada was required by the CRTC to include an amount in its fees that would be used to improve services in some rural areas of Ontario and Quebec. In the August 31, 2010 ruling, the CRTC determined that the amount that had been collected and set aside for the technological improvements was … (5 comments)

toronto ontario: Toronto Water Supply - Lead Testing - 01/29/11 03:24 PM
Toronto Water Supply - Lead Testing
If your home was built before 1955 in the City of Toronto, you can request free water testing to help determine if your home's water supply comes into contact with lead pipes.
Prior to 1955, many service connections were made of lead.  Service connections are pipes that attach the private residence to the watermain running down the street.  According to the City of Toronto's website, approximately 65,000 service connections out of the over 470,000 service connections in the City of Toronto are made of lead.
For details about the free water testing, visit the City … (1 comments)

toronto ontario: City of Toronto Removes Vehicle Registration Fee Effective January 1, 2011 - 12/19/10 03:03 AM
City of Toronto Removes Vehicle Registration Fee Effective January 1, 2011
ON December 16, 2010, the City of Toronto Council voted 39 to 6 in favour of eliminating the City of Toronto vehicle registration tax.  The $60 fee will not be charged for new registrations and renewals that take effect on or after January 1, 2011.  However, the change is not retroactive.  Also, prorata refunds for registrations periods that commenced before January 1, 2011 will not be issued.  If your renewal period starts before January 1, 2011, you will still need to pay the full $60 fee for a full year.
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toronto ontario: City of Toronto Driveway Parking Bylaw to be Reviewed - 12/18/10 05:33 PM
City of Toronto Driveway Parking Bylaw to be Reviewed
Earlier in 2010, the City of Toronto harmonized numerous bylaws of the five pre-amalgamation cities and one pre-amgamation borough.  The new harmonized bylaws became effective on October 1, 2010.  One of the bylaws related to the number of vehicles that can be legally parked on residential properties.
There has been considerable press and many articles written about problems with the new driveway parking bylaw.   Brian Madian, a real estate broker colleague, has written some articles on this issue.
The Toronto city councilg has voted to send the issue to the January 27, … (0 comments)

toronto ontario: 2010 Toronto Municipal Election - Important Information - 10/17/10 03:32 PM
2010 Toronto Municipal Election - Important Information
Over the past few weeks, I have written several articles about the upcoming October 25, 2010 municipal election in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  In this article, I provide an index of the articles so you can easily find the important information.
How do I get on the 2010 City of Toronto voters' list? Can I vote over the Internet in the 2010 Toronto municipal election? How do I vote in the 2010 City of Toronto municipal election? New identification ("ID") requirements for 2010 Toronto municipal election How many candidates are running for Mayor in the … (0 comments)

toronto ontario: Metro Toronto Convention Centre and a Bird - 08/22/10 03:38 PM
Metro Toronto Convention Centre and a Bird
Earlier this year, I had an all day meeting in downtown Toronto.  I decided to leave extra early to miss rush hour and take the opportunity to stroll around downtown Toronto for a couple of hours prior to the meeting. 
It was a great day to some nice photography since it was a beautiful sunny blue sky day.  I had the time to explore parts of downtown Toronto where I don't normally visit.
While walking along a less frequently used walkway on the south side of the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention … (11 comments)

toronto ontario: Major Daily Newspapers Serving Markham, Ontario - 08/08/10 12:54 PM
Major Daily Newspapers Serving Markham, Ontario
Markham, Ontario is served by four major Toronto daily newspapers.  The Greater Toronto Area is one of the most competitive newspaper markets in North America.  The websites for the newspapers are:
Toronto Star Toronto Sun National Post Globe and Mail Markham is also served by community newspapers and a variety of ethnic newspapers, which have various publishing frequencies.
… (0 comments)

toronto ontario: 2010 Canadian National Exhibition - Early Bird Tickets - 08/08/10 12:08 PM
2010 Canadian National Exhibition - Early Bird Tickets
School starts very soon.  That means it is almost time for the Canadian National Exhibition, which is also well known as The Ex and the CNE, will run from Friday August 20, 2010 to Monday September 6, 2010 (Labour Day).
Buy your C.N.E. tickets BEFORE August 20, 2010 and save!
You can buy your early bird tickets online at www.theex.com, at Lakeshore lline GO Train stations and at Union Station.  Mac Convenience stores will also be selling early bird tickets.
For the 2010 season, ticket prices are as follows:
Admission Pass (all … (2 comments)