The Annex Guardian

Registration information for classes running from July 2-25 can be accessed through the board's website at www.tcdsb.org/continuinged/. New credit courses are full-day, running from 8:25 a.m. to 3:35 p.m., while upgrading classes are half-day, with either morning or afternoon classes offered.

Non-TCDSB students requesting online courses will be placed on a waiting list and notified by e-mail if space is available.

For more information, e-mail continuing.education@tcdsb.org or call the Continuing Education Department at 416-222-8282 ext. 2675, 2168, 2894 or 2135.

A University of Toronto professor is out to examine that claim.

U of T urban studies professor Patricia Petersen is conducting research into decisions made by the OMB in planning matters to see whether the perception that the provincially appointed board members favour developers over communities holds true.

The board is often viewed as a refuge for developers unhappy with council decisions or perturbed that the city is delaying unnecessarily in dealing with an application.

Petersen will be working with a fellow urban studies expert in order to bolster or debunk the theory that the OMB is pro-development.

Registration information for classes running from July 2 to 25 can be accessed through the board's website at www.tcdsb.org/continuinged. New credit courses run from 8:25 a.m. to 3:35 p.m., while upgrading classes are half days, with either morning or afternoon classes offered.

Non-Catholic board students requesting online courses will be placed on a waiting list and notified by e-mail if space is available.

For details, e-mail continuing.education@tcdsb.org or call the continuing education department at 416-222-8282 ext. 2675, 2168, 2894 or 2135.

Toronto residents who are 18 and older and have expertise in heritage buildings, Toronto history, Casa Loma community history, fundraising, finance, marketing, hospitality, event management or tourism are invited to apply.

Interested residents can access application forms online at www.toronto.ca/public-appointments, by calling Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 or by visiting the City Clerk's Secretariat office at city hall (100 Queen St. W.) or the civic centres in Scarborough (150 Borough Dr.), Etobicoke (399 The West Mall) and North York (5100 Yonge St).

Applications will also be available at two information sessions:

• Thursday, May 15 from 7 to 9 p.m., Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace near the corner of Davenport and Spadina roads.

• Friday, May 16 from 1 to 3 p.m., city hall, Committee Room 4

Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk's Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.

Visit www.casaloma.org for information about the castle.

An essential service designation, which would require provincial legislation, would remove TTC workers' right to strike.

The concept was brought forth at last week's City Council meeting, but because the issue did not receive enough support at the meeting to open a debate on the matter, it was sent to the executive committee for further consideration.

At Monday's City of Toronto executive committee meeting, Miller referred the issue to City Manager Shirley Hoy.

The mayor asked that Hoy work with the TTC and external experts to examine the city's options and possible consequences if the city were to ask the province to bestow an essential service designation on the transit service.

Miller requested that the report be completed in time for the September meeting of the executive committee.