Good morning, Etobicoke! I’m Bri, the voice behind Etobicoke Scoop. Every Thursday, I’ll bring you the latest news, events, and stories from our community—all in one easy read.

In this week’s newsletter:

🐟 Fishy Business: Why dead fish are washing up along Etobicoke’s shoreline
⚠️ $70K Mistake: The Etobicoke company fined $70K after a workplace injury
🏘️ Multiplex Mess: A rejected fourplex proposal sparks debate on Kipling Ave
🌊 Goose Pond Origins: How a failed construction site became “Goose Pond”

Plus: Mother’s Day markets, spring symphonies, and a fishy little joke to test your trivia skills 🎣💐🎶

THE DIGEST

🐟 Seasonal Fish Die-Off Along Etobicoke’s Shoreline 🐟
If you’ve noticed dead fish along Lake Ontario’s shoreline in areas like Marie Curtis Park and Humber Bay Park, you’re not alone. Experts say this is a natural seasonal occurrence involving Alewife, a herring species common to the lake. These fish migrate to shallow waters in the spring to spawn, and environmental stressors like fluctuating temperatures and low oxygen levels can lead to die-offs. While the sight and smell may be unpleasant, authorities confirm there are no significant health risks. However, it's advisable to avoid touching the fish or allowing pets to interact with them due to potential bacterial growth. This phenomenon is a normal part of the lake's ecosystem and typically resolves as scavengers and natural decomposition take their course.

⚠️Etobicoke Manufacturer Fined $70K After Workplace Injury ⚠️
A brake press accident at Spacefile International Corp. left a worker critically injured, and now the Etobicoke-based company has been fined $70,000. The machine didn’t have the required safety guard, which violated Ontario’s workplace safety laws. The incident happened in March 2023, and the company pleaded guilty in court this February. A victim fine surcharge was also added to support provincial programs for victims of crime.

🏘️ Multiplex Housing Hits a Wall on Kipling Ave 🏘️
A proposal to build two fourplexes on Kipling Avenue in Etobicoke has been rejected, despite Toronto’s recent bylaw meant to support multiplex housing. The builder, Peter Plastina, had hoped to add eight condo or rental units, but the project faced pushback from neighbours concerned about parking, renters, and changes to the area’s character. The Etobicoke York Committee of Adjustment turned it down, and a later appeal failed. City staff say they’re reviewing how the new rules are working, with an update expected at council in June.

🌊 The Mimico Mystery Pit, Explained 🌊
Next to Mimico GO Station sits a massive abandoned construction pit, the result of a development site that has cycled through three failed owners over the past decade. The most recent, VanDyk Properties, never got their plans off the ground before folding in debt. What’s left behind is a rusting pit with buckling walls that now resembles a murky urban pond. Some wildlife have even made themselves at home — which is how the site earned its new nickname: Goose Pond. Bring bread, not blueprints.

Upcoming Events & Happenings

• Now through June 22 - OVO by Cirque du Soleil
  Under the Big Top | 2150 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

  Experience the magic of Cirque du Soleil’s 25th anniversary show, OVO—a dazzling celebration of the world of insects brought to life through acrobatics, colour, and movement. 🐞✨🎟️ Tickets available now | Prices vary
  

• May 9th - Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra: Jubilations of Spring
  Martingrove Collegiate Institute | 50 Winterton Dr., Etobicoke

  Celebrate the season with a joyful evening of music featuring Schumann’s “Spring” Symphony, Strauss’s Laughing Song, Alice Ho’s Jubilations of Spring, and more. With soprano Natalya Gennadi and music director Matthew Jones. 8:00 p.m. 🎟️ $30 | $25 (Seniors) | $15 (Students) | Free for kids under 12
  

• May 10th - Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra: Jubilations of Spring
  Humber College Lakeshore Campus, A Building | 3199 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

  Enjoy a special matinee performance featuring Strauss’s Overture from Die Fledermaus, Alice Ho’s Jubilations of Spring, and Schumann’s “Spring” Symphony No. 1, led by music director Matthew Jones. 2:00 p.m.

  🎟️ $20 | $10 (Children)
  

• May 11th - Mother’s Day Market @ Mimico Square
  2445 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

  Celebrate Mom with a day at the Mother’s Day Market! 💐🛍️ Shop from local vendors offering handmade gifts, baked goods, candles, and more. Enjoy free kids’ activities while you find the perfect treat for Mom. 🕙 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 🎟️ Free admission
  

• May 11th - King’s Mill Park Community Cleanup
  King’s Mill Park South | 1 Humber Valley Rd., Etobicoke

  Join Toronto Nature Stewards and local Pine groups for a community cleanup and environmental learning day in the Humber River Valley. 🌿🌍 Meet near the off-leash dog area at 11 a.m. to help care for this beloved green space. No experience or gear needed, just bring your love for nature!
  

• May 15th - Speaker’s Night: A Century of the Bicycle’s Ups and Downs
  Montgomery’s Inn | 4709 Dundas St. W.

  Explore the fascinating 130-year history of cycling in Toronto with Albert Koehl, author of Wheeling Through Toronto. 🚲 From early bike crazes to modern active transportation debates, this talk blends politics, pride, and prejudice on two wheels. 🕢 7:30 p.m. (Refreshments at 7 p.m.) Presented by the Etobicoke Historical Society. Free to attend—everyone welcome!
  

Weather

• Thurs., May 8: High 13°C, Low 7°C ⛅

• Fri., May 9: High 16°C, Low 6°C ⛅

• Sat., May 10: High 21°C, Low 7°C ☀️

• Sun., May 11: High 16°C, Low 7°C ☀️

• Mon., May 12: High 21°C, Low 7°C 🌧️

• Tues., May 13: High 16°C, Low 11°C 🌧️

• Wed., May 14: High 19°C, Low 12°C ⛅

Fun & Games

🎣 3 Truths and 1 Lie — Fishy Facts Edition

One of these is a fishy fib. Can you spot the lie?

A) Alewife fish can die off in large numbers during spring.
B) The name “Alewife” comes from a medieval beer-brewing tradition.
C) Fish can get sunburned.
D) Lake Ontario is home to sharks.

🧠 Think you know? Scroll down for the answers — or take your best guess and impress your walking group at Marie Curtis Park this weekend.

Answers below…

A) ✅ True — it’s what’s happening now! Alewife die-offs are common in spring due to spawning stress and oxygen changes.
B) ✅ True — it’s thought to come from “ale-wife,” a woman who brewed beer in medieval times.
C) ❌ Nope — no sharks in Lake Ontario, promise.
D) ✅ Surprisingly true! Some fish, especially those in shallow, clear water, can experience UV damage (sort of like sunburn).

Like being in the know? Share the love! Forward this newsletter to friends and neighbors who’d enjoy staying up-to-date on all things Etobicoke. 📬

Thanks for reading! See you next week for more of what’s happening in Etobicoke.

-Bri