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John Filion
John Filion Ward 23 Councillor
YOU’VE SEEN THEM in Times Square, you’ve seen them in Dundas Square, and now… coming to Yonge Street near you: large video screens broadcasting advertising messages 24/7.
At least that’s what the developer of the plaza on the southeast corner of Yonge and Sheppard wants to see — I mean, wants you to see.
Never mind that such signs are against the city’s current sign bylaw. Never mind that they’ll be further prohibited under the new sign bylaw scheduled to be approved later this month. Never mind that not a single resident I’ve spoken with likes the idea.And never mind that the community representative (me) has met the request from Tridel/Hullmark with the proverbial “over my dead body.”
There are big bucks — read that as “many millions of dollars” — to be made from such signs. And not just at this location. Once the rules get opened up, why not on all four corners of Yonge and Sheppard?
Why not at Yonge and 401? I’m expecting a lobbying campaign from the developer, and no doubt the sign industry, to induce a majority of members of council to overlook all the rules and allow these signs.
A few years back, another developer (Menkes) wanted a video sign at Yonge and North York Boulevard. I was offered $10,000 to my favourite charity and use of the sign for my community messages. When that didn’t work, a lobbyist firm was hired to chat up as many politicians as possible. It almost worked.
This time, I’d like to be armed with the public interest — as expressed by the public — against the developer’s purely financial interest. I can think of lots of ways to stop this blight on our community. Please contact me at jfilion@toronto.ca.
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