The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) designated Toronto Public Health a Best Practice Spotlight Organization at the association’s annual general meeting held recently in Toronto. This achievement, which coincides with National Nursing Week (May 7 to 12), recognizes the valuable work nurses provide to Toronto residents every day.
“I congratulate Toronto Public Health for its new status as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization as it implements multiple clinical best practice guidelines developed by RNAO,” said Doris Grinspun, RNAO’s chief executive officer. “We’re confident that these evidence-based tools are supporting Toronto Public Health nurses to provide the highest quality care and improve patients’ health outcomes and satisfaction.”
Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO) are academic and health-care organizations that implement and evaluate the association’s best practice guidelines. The goal is to make a positive impact on client service through evidence-based practice.
“It is an honour for Toronto Public Health to be recognized by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario with this designation,” said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. “We will continue to integrate the best scientific evidence into public health practice.”
Toronto Public Health has successfully implemented and evaluated the following best practice guidelines:
• A woman abuse project has raised awareness of woman abuse and has supported women by increasing opportunities to disclose abuse.
• Primary prevention of childhood obesity: The BPSO team has implemented a creative intervention that promotes a decrease in sedentary activities, emphasizing a reduction in the amount of time children spend watching television, playing video games and engaging in recreational computer use.
• Interventions for postpartum depression: The primary goal of this project is to improve outcomes in the prenatal and postpartum period for women at risk or experiencing post-partum depression.
• Integrating smoking cessation into daily nursing practice: The aim of this project is to ensure that all nursing staff and other health professionals have the training and resources they need to support smokers who are taking action to quit smoking.
• The Enhancing Healthy Adolescent Development project promotes healthy adolescence. The project takes a co-ordinated approach to training staff who work with youth in Toronto Public Health programs – with the emphasis on engaging youth.
Currently, there are 53 healthcare and academic organizations across Ontario actively involved in the BPSO program. The BPSO designation is extended annually. To maintain it, the spotlight organizations must continue to implement and evaluate best practice guidelines.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on
non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Two men received jail sentences in connection with two separate assaults on TTC employees.
On April 17, a TTC Route Supervisor was performing her duties at Bathurst and Lakeshore, when a male approached her and spat in her face and mouth for an unknown reason. Toronto Police were called to the scene, and the suspect was arrested.
Ian Merkley, 59, had been charged 18 times previously for violating TTC By-Law No. 1. On April 25, Merkley was sentenced to six days in jail on top of nine days already served, for a total of 15 days. He also received 18 months probation that includes a total ban from all TTC vehicles and premises.
In the second case, Arthur Ballard, 36, was sentenced to a total of 19 days in jail for an incident on April 17 in which a TTC streetcar driver was spat upon. Ballard was arrested by Toronto Police and was found to have four previous convictions for fare evasion under TTC By-Law No. 1.
On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assaulting TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.
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A man has been jailed for a second time in two months for threatening to kill a TTC employee. On April 4, following 20 days in custody for an incident in February at Broadview Station, Ryan Boyle, 26, pleaded guilty to threatening a TTC operator on March 26 at Victoria Park Station. Boyle received an additional 10 days in custody for the second incident, as well as two years probation. Conditions of his probation include not being on TTC vehicles or property while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs
On April 5, Ricky Mann, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in Old City Hall court. On March 20, outside Dupont Station, Mann boarded a TTC bus and demanded a free ride. When refused, he spat on the operator and grabbed his arm. A customer stepped in and attempted to assist the driver. He was also spat on. During his bail hearing, Mann pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and received 30 days in jail.
On average, two TTC employees are assaulted every day, ranging from punching, slapping and spitting, to threats of physical harm or death. The TTC’s Court Advocates work with Crown Attorneys and the Courts to secure the stiffest penalties possible for those convicted of assault or threats against TTC employees, and continue to seek limits on the use of public transit in Toronto for those convicted of these crimes.
Two of the TTC’s most popular streetcars from the past will be on the streetcar tracks for the annual Toronto Beaches Easter Parade, which takes place this Sunday, April 8, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade runs along Queen Street East from Neville Loop to Woodbine Avenue.
The Peter Witt streetcar served the citizens of Toronto from 1921 until 1963. The PCC streetcar was the backbone of the TTC’s surface fleet for many decades, and was a popular sight in Toronto from 1938 until 1995. At one time, Toronto owned the largest fleet of PCC’s in the world – 745 cars. Two cars remain in the TTC fleet and are available for charters.
Due to the parade, the 501 Queen streetcar will turn back at Kingston Road at 1 p.m. The 64 Main and 92 Woodbine South will also be on diversion for the duration of the parade.
Enjoy the holiday weekend with a TTC Family/Group Pass. For $10.50 a day, a TTC Family/Group pass provides unlimited one day travel for a group of up to six people, maximum two adults and not more than four children/youths 19 years of age or under. The pass is valid from the start of service until 5:30 a.m. the next morning.
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So the 512. St. Clair West streetcar is 7km in length.
I was thinking…How long would it take to run 7km using a streetcar, subway and bus.
According to the Google Maps Gods:
7km with Streetcar
Route used: 512 St. Clair West (St. Clair Station to Gunn’s Loop)
28 minutes
7km with Subway
Route used: Yonge-University-Spadina (Lawrence Station to Wellesley Station)
13 minutes
7km with Bus
Route used: 54 Lawrence East (Brimley and Lawrence to Valia and Lawrence)
22 minutes
So what is better to travel the same SCROW distance?…The streetcar failed miserably.
That is all. Something short and sweet.
Kiss my arse Joe Mihevc
We will be covering the event tonight.
Peter Ashton
Peter is a graduate student at York University, a university of 51,000 students and a key destination for TTC customers. The Toronto York Spadina Subway Extension, due to open in 2015, will dramatically transform transit to York University. Peter’s background makes him passionate about using evidence based and responsive processes to help improve the TTC experience.
Eric Augustin
Eric is a daily commuter from Scarborough to Toronto’s financial district. His work in both information analysis and sales and customer support will bring valuable technical and analytical skills to the Panel. His time as a summer student at the TTC (2000/2001) means that Eric has experienced the TTC both as a customer and as an employee.
Luis Calhau
Luis is the Senior Manager, Customer Experience for a transportation company where he is responsible for on all onboard activities to ensure customer service is consistently delivered to the highest standard. His background in operations at a variety of Toronto hotels, and his experiences as a LEAN Six Sigma Coach, make him an ideal candidate to reflect the voice of the customer within the TTC
Justin Kozuch
Justin is a passionate advocate for public transit with strong skills in digital marketing and social media. He is passionate about customers and is well regarded and active member in Toronto’s technology community. He is interested in helping the TTC use technology and social media to improve its community outreach.
Niru Kumar
A resident of Toronto and graduate of McGill University, Niru is a lawyer and mother of two. Niru brings her critical thinking skills and professional drive together with the profound understanding of the important role that the TTC plays in the lives of Toronto.
Eric Martin
Eric has a passion for customers and has worked a variety of jobs that involved the delivery of front line customer service. He has a passion for social engagement and the desire and drive to work with the TTC on improving customer service now and in the future.
Wayne McEachern
In 2010 Wayne retired from the City of Vaughan Policy Planning and Urban Design Department where he was the manager. Close to 40 years experience in transportation planning and land use policy makes Wayne a valuable technical addition to the Customer Panel. Wayne is a life long resident of the city of Toronto and his transit pedigree is impeccable with his grandfather a former long time TTC employee.
Kathleen McGinnis
Kathleen is a market relations consultant with the Independent Electricity System Operator. She and her family rely on public transit on a daily basis from getting to work, running errands to leisure activities and enjoyment. As a former journalist and public affairs consultant, Kathleen’s experience in communications and stakeholder relations and her busy working mom’s perspective, make her a valuable member of the Panel.
Howard Muchnick
Howard is an Assistant Professor at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management. In addition to his extensive experience in the theory and practice of customer service excellence, he was formerly the President of the CN Tower and the General Manager of Casa Loma. Howard’s further insights as a small business owner who owned and operated 14 bakery cafes across Southern Ontario will be an additional benefit to the TTC.
Adrian Ryans
Originally an Engineer Adrian has spent his career as a professor of strategy at leading business schools in the United States (Stanford), Canada (Ivey) and Switzerland (IMD). Adrian offers both impeccable academic credentials and wide ranging experience as a customer on a wide variety of international transit systems. Adrian’s passion to help improve the TTC and his personal background make him an important part of bring the voice of the customer closer to the TTC’s decision points.
Linda Wild
Linda’s speciality is in customer segmentation and positioning of products to ensure they meet the customer’s requirements. She considers herself the customers advocate in all she does. Linda has served on community service boards in the past and has the skills and passion to make a valuable contribution to the Panel.
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Adrian Ryans, Andy Byford, Chris Upfold, Eric Augustin, Eric Martin, Howard Muchnick, Justin Kozuch, Kathleen McGinnis, Linda Wild, Luis Calhau, Mazin Aribi, Niru Kumar, Peter Ashton, Steve O'Brien, Toronto Transit Cimmission, Toronto Transit Cimmission Customer Liaison Panel, Toronto Transit Cimmission Customer Service Advisory Panel, TTC Customer Liaison Panel, TTC Customer Service Advisory Panel, Wayne McEachern
The Toronto Transit Commission today announced the makeup of its first Customer Liaison Panel (CLP). Eleven TTC customers were selected from more than 250 applications. The panel members will sit on the CLP for two years, and be chaired by the Chair of the TTC. The terms of reference for the CLP are below.
The formation of a customer advisory group was one of 78 recommendations of the Customer Service Advisory Panel in its August 2010 report, chaired by Steve O’Brien, General Manager of One King West Hotel and Residence. Mr. O’Brien has agreed to sit on the CLP has an advisor. The TTC’s Chief Customer Service Officer, Chris Upfold, and TTC CEO Andy Byford will also sit on the CLP, in addition to Mazin Aribi from the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit. Its first public meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Members have been invited to attend the TTC’s next town hall on March 29 at York University and the next Commission meeting on March 30.
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Adrian Ryans, Andy Byford, Chris Upfold, Eric Augustin, Eric Martin, Howard Muchnick, Justin Kozuch, Kathleen McGinnis, Linda Wild, Luis Calhau, Mazin Aribi, Niru Kumar, Peter Ashton, Steve O'Brien, Toronto Transit Cimmission, Toronto Transit Cimmission Customer Liaison Panel, Toronto Transit Cimmission Customer Service Advisory Panel, TTC Customer Liaison Panel, TTC Customer Service Advisory Panel, Wayne McEachern
March 26, 2012
City reaches agreement with CUPE Local 79
Shortly after midnight the City of Toronto reached an agreement with CUPE Local 79 that will see the City’s final offer go to the union membership for a ratification vote on Wednesday, March 28. The City has four collective agreements with Local 79 (Full-time, Part-time B, Long-Term Care Homes and Services and Recreation Workers units) representing 23,000 workers.
“This is great news for the City of Toronto, for the employees who didn’t want to strike and the residents and taxpayers who did not want services disrupted,” said Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday. “The offer that Local 79 members will be voting on is fair, reasonable and affordable. It is very similar to the Local 416 agreement ratified last month and we are confident that Local 79 members will ratify the deal.”
Highlights of the offer include a four-year term with job security, wages and benefits that are almost identical to the 416 agreement that was ratified unanimously by City Council in February. Information on the City’s final offer is posted on the City’s website at www.toronto.ca. Full details will be released once the agreements are ratified by the Local 79 membership and subsequently approved by City Council.
Deputy Mayor Holyday thanked the City’s bargaining team for its hard work and long hours in negotiating an agreement that will help the City of Toronto move forward, and also acknowledged the Local 79 bargaining team for its willingness to negotiate at the bargaining table rather than taking job action that would have deprived residents of important City services.
City services and programs continue as usual.
Legend:
Blue Line: Pearson to Toronto Zoo via Dorset Park and Malvern
View Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown as Subway in a larger map
