1108LNDN

Pot bust: 3,642 plants, four grow-ops, nine arrests

A staggering $3.6 million worth of marijuana was seized from four London residences yesterday in the largest bust of its kind in the city this year.

Nine Londoners, who all know each other, are charged. "It's the largest seizure of connected grow operations (in London)," said Const. Amy Phillipo.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/200...576151-sun.html

1108TNTO

Massive $50B transit project approved

Commuting without a car could get a lot easier -- in 25 years.

And one of the first rapid transit projects to make that happen will break ground in northeastern Toronto next year.

The board of directors for Metrolinx unanimously passed yesterday its ambitious 25-year $50 billion project to build more than 1,200 kms of rapid transit lines throughout the GTA and Hamilton.

The massive infrastructure project, called The Big Move: Transforming Transportation in the GTAH, surprised many when it was released in early October and did not include tolls for the Gardiner Expressway or the Don Valley Parkway.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandg...574871-sun.html

1108TNTO

Condo Critic: Carlton St. has an identity crisis

The past may be a foreign country but it's one that can still be found in many Toronto neighbourhoods, Carlton St. among them. True, Carlton is actually a number of streets, but from Parliament St. west to Jarvis, it's the 19th-century city writ large. Mansions, rowhouses and, of course, churches are everywhere. It reminds us of just how urban the 1800s were, even in this then-provincial outpost.

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/543235

1108CATH

Planning the route to completion

Q: The re-routing efforts of the contractors widening the QEW are, in my opinion, quite exceptional. There is very little disruption to the flow of traffic through St. Catharines.

Each day there seems to be a new pathway to allow the contractors to proceed on yet another section and still keep cars clipping along. Who sits down and figures all this out -- to know what section must be dealt with and in what order?

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/Article....aspx?e=1322557

1108BTFD

Growing concerns

Sitting at their kitchen table, Roy and Elizabeth Amaron examine the drawing of a 890-home development proposed for construction behind their Hampton Court residence in St. George.

"It absolutely boggles the mind," Elizabeth says. "It makes you want to cry for St. George."

Since they moved to the village four and a half years ago, deer, coyote, geese and rabbits have been occasional visitors to the Amarons' backyard, which borders a sprawling farmer's field where Empire Communities has proposed the 164-acre residential development, which also includes a commercial component.

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1321955

1108BAOR

Development plans proceeding slowly

The fire-scene property had been slated for a large-scale redevelopment which would make it look more like Las Vegas than the beachfront town local residents had come to know.

As fire razed the old pedestrian mall last November, plans were already underway to transform Wasaga Beach from its modest past into something that could rival Blue Mountain a few kilometres across the bay, and visible in the distance.

Wasaga Beach CAO George Vadeboncoeur said plans for the massive beachfront redevelopment are still moving forward.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1321829

1108OTWA

Residents express concern about where Ottawa is headed Improving public transit is No. 1 priority, survey finds

Ottawa citizens are happy to live in this city, but increasingly concerned about the direction of city government, according to a large survey released to councillors and the public yesterday.

The Harris/Decima survey of 1,128 residents, conducted in October, found residents are proud of their city, but 31 per cent of residents are concerned the city is headed in the wrong direction, compared with 26 per cent a year ago. Fifty-two per cent said the city is headed in the right direction.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/c...9c-31aae715ae5a

1108OTWA

Council votes for Transitway rail

It's full steam ahead for the latest incarnation of Ottawa's transit plan.

City council has voted in favour of a 25-year Transportation Master Plan that includes a $2.1-billion investment to convert the Transitway to light rail from Blair Rd. station to Tunney's Pasture and build a downtown transit tunnel. Staff have said a tunnel could be completed in 10 years.

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndReg...574011-sun.html

1108ONTR

Ottawa sets deadline for Big Three

The federal and Ontario governments have set a deadline of Dec. 5 for struggling automakers seeking financial support to crack open their books.

The two governments are asking top Canadian executives at the Detroit Three automakers to provide detailed financial information and a restructuring plan for their Canadian operations.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Business/article/474381

1108KWCG

Condo developer seeks OK to build 12-storey tower

WATERLOO

A developer is seeking a zone change uptown to allow for a 12-storey, 128-unit condo development on Alexandra Avenue.

London-based Auburn Developments wants to build the luxury condos on the former parking lot at 31 Alexandra Ave., which backs onto William Street.

Chris Pidgeon of GSP Group in Kitchener, said the project, on about a third of a hectare, will feature two- and one-bedroom units.

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/451387

1108YMAR

Markham aims for zero tax hikes

Mayor Frank Scarpitti is challenging town staff and council to ensure you don't see an increase in your tax bill next year.

"We have been listening to people and businesses," Mr. Scarpitti said. "We aren't isolated from economic times and what you're contending with."

The mayor said town staff and fellow councillors will be studying ways to prevent an increase.

"I believe the opportunities are there," he said.

http://www.yorkregion.com/News/Markham/article/85262

1108TNTO

Welcome to the new realty reality

In the real estate world, it's the equivalent of a price rollback at Wal-Mart.

Last year it was all about multiple offers, and like nervous suitors at a high school dance, buyers were lined up, hoping to be picked by choosy vendors.

But this year vendors are the ones handing out the corsages while adjusting to the new reality that the average Toronto-area home is worth $41,672 less than it was a year ago, while sales are down by 35 per cent.

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/546051

ON Small Town Updates: 2008-11-30