Alan with the Honourable Barbara McDougall at Rolph Road School’s 75th anniversary in 2014. Photo By Kurt Grantham.

Leaside’s The Honourable Barbara Leaman McDougall

July 1, 2017 Alan Redway

Does the name Barbara Leaman ring a bell? What about the name Barbara McDougall? In fact, they are one and the same person. You may remember Barbara from school or from the Leaside neighbourhood or …more

Leaside’s boxing great Shawn O’Sullivan

June 1, 2017 Alan Redway

Do you remember when Leasider Shawn O’Sullivan won the gold medal at the World Amateur Boxing Championships in 1981 and again in 1983? At the time he was the toast of the town and the …more

Canada’s 150th: Celebrating Leaside’s colourful Senator Royce Frith

February 1, 2017 Alan Redway

This year as we mark the 150th anniversary of our country, we should also celebrate the part that Leasiders have played in it. Long-time residents, particularly those who live in North Leaside, will remember when …more

Crestview building. Courtesy Grant Management Ltd.

Why Leaside home prices keep rising

September 1, 2016 Alan Redway

Have you ever wondered why the price of a single family detached home in Leaside and elsewhere in Toronto is going through the roof? I often wonder whether my children and grandchildren will ever be …more

Leaside Municipal Building, McRae Drive, s.w. cor. Randolph Road; looking s. Salmon, James Victor (Canadian, 1911-1958)

In the old days we ran our own show

July 1, 2016 Alan Redway

As you know the Toronto Official Plan currently designates land east of Laird and south of Eglinton as the Leaside Employment Area. But do you remember when Leaside had its own official plan? That was …more

Low rise defines Leaside’s physical character

May 1, 2016 Alan Redway

With the physical character of Leaside under continuing attack from high rise condominium apartment developers these days, it is reassuring to drive along Moore Ave. to see the low rise Crestview Apartments, a complex comparable …more

C.P.R. tracks, looking n. from around Millwood Rd. Image courtesy of Toronto Public Library. Salmon, James Victor.

You once had to take a train to Leaside

March 1, 2016 Alan Redway

Until 1927 the only way you could get to Leaside by automobile was to drive from Yonge St. along Government Rd. (now Merton St. and McRae Dr.), constructed during World War I as a supply …more

Leaside was once bankrupt

May 1, 2015 Alan Redway

Did you know that during the Great Depression of the 1930s the Town of Leaside was bankrupt? I didn’t know that until I wrote my book, Governing Toronto: Bringing back the city that worked. What …more

Let’s move Leaside to another ward

February 1, 2015 Alan Redway

I have just published a book entitled Governing Toronto: Bringing back the city that worked. In it I trace the growth and governance of the city from its creation in 1834 through its successful Metro …more

When a teacher spanked you over her knee

December 1, 2014 Alan Redway

Last October Rolph Road school celebrated its 75th anniversary. It brought back a lot of memories. The school opened in 1939. I startedthere in 1940. At that time the school was both an elementary school …more