Giambrone mayoral bid predicted by US official: Wikileaks

In one of more than 1,800 cables concerning Canada that were released by Wikileaks Thursday, an American official predicts the "ambitious" Adam Giambrone will likely run for mayor.

The November 2009 communication, sent just months before Giambrone announced his candidacy, concerned American business opportunities relating to Toronto Transit Commission expansion. The 7-paragraph cable specifically discussed the Spadina subway expansion to York University. The TTC, it read, is actively looking for U.S. partners, particularly when it comes to construction contracts.

View the full cable here.

Giambrone is a former councillor, TTC chair, and David Miller heir apparent. Giambrone dropped out of the mayoral race early after, well, you know the story.

"TTC's chairman, an ambitious city councilor with a Toronto mayoral campaign likely in his future, personally urged us to promote the expansion project as an opportunity for U.S. businesses," the official wrote.

Here is when you can tell City Hall which services should survive

July is usually a sleepy time at City Hall, as many of the decision-makers decide whether to nap on the dock or the deck.

Not this year. The dog days of summer will include public deputations on which services Toronto should reduce or scrap altogether as part of efforts to slay the city's "structural" (i.e. chronic) deficit.

The consultations arise from motions passed this week authorizing the program review that will see private-sector consultants help staff decide what should go on the block. Taxpayers - the favourite word at 100 Queen St. W. these days -- will get their chance to sound off.

Here's the schedule for special meetings of the standing committees with public deputations on the service review findings:

• Public Works & Infrastructure Committee (Special) – July 18
• Economic Development Committee (Special)– July 19
• Community Development & Recreation Committee (Special) – July 20
• Parks & Environment Committee (Special) – July 21
• Licensing and Standards Committee (Special) – July 25
• Government Management Committee (Special) – July 26
• Planning and Growth Management Committee (Special) – July 27
• Executive Committee (Special) – July 28

Freedom Festival gets green light for Queen's Park, Afrofest to follow

Two major festivals that drew a combined 80,000 revellers to Queen's Park North last year appeared to be D.O.A. for 2011 when the city's parks department denied them permits, citing violations of past permits and the physical toll the gatherings were taking on the parks.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam got involved, and moved the two sides toward a compromise that would see them hold scaled-down events this year, on the understanding they would move elsewhere in 2012 when the city park just north of the legislature is do for a rest and refurbishment.

On Tuesday, Sandy Straw, Toronto's manager of Parks, told Freedom Festival organizer Gabe Simms in an email that: "I am pleased to advise that your permit will be approved for Saturday May 7 2011."

Afrofest's Michael Stohr said that, based on discussions with parks that will culminate with a site event map delivered to the city on Wednesday morning, he expects to see a permit also issued for his event, scheduled for July 9 and 10.

The 5-year-old Freedom Festival, which sees up to 30,000 people gather after the Global Marijuana March, will have one stage instead of three, Simms told The Goods.

He is also looking to double or triple the 75 to 100 volunteer marshalls who kept an eye on the crowd last year, in a bid to ensure the permit conditions are followed. They'll be discouraging open grills, people climbing trees and other activities that could do damage to the green space.

And, while marijuana use is part of the gathering that sees live music and other events after the march, the marshalls will be discouraging open consumption of alcohol.

"This is an event in an open park. We don't have a liquor licence and it is an all-ages event," Simms said. "Frankly, in our experience, alcohol and cannabis don't mix very well."

Simms doesn't expect the changes to cause a significant dip in attendance, which has grown quickly since the event was launched.

He added that there is no decision yet on where Freedom Festival will be held next year, but he hopes to make an annoucement before this year's event and to work collaboratively with city officials on the 2012 plan.

Stohr said: "We are ironing things out with the city and expect the same result," as the Freedom Festival. The 23-year-old Afrofest, celebrating African culture and music, drew about 50,000 people last year.

He credited Wong-Tam with helping to overturn what had seemed like an ironclad denial from parks officials.

Afrofest is planning to minimize its impact on the park in part by expanding on to streets around the park, much like Word on the Street. That option was denied to the Freedom Festival after police advised they couldn't condone closing streets knowing illegal activity -- pot smoking -- would take place.

Stohr said city staff are encouraging Afrofest to move to Downsview Park next summer, but he's not so sure.

"To me, there is something fundamental at Afrofest's core, to provide a profile to African culture in Toronto. I personally think it's counter-productive to that goal to move it up to the unseen reaches of Downsview. We're certainly accepting the challenge of looking at other venues. But we're also hoping that we can show this year that we can reduce the stress on Queen's Park north."