Excerpt:
Despite passionate arguments on both sides of the issue, hundreds of people both for and against a massive residential development proposed by a Thornhill Mosque, deputants kept their cool while making their final pleas to Vaughan city council.
“This is democracy at play,” quipped Shafiq Ebrahim outside a jam-packed council chambers as councillors prepare to make a final decision on the proposal next Wednesday.
Ebrahim is the vice president of the Islamic Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat (ISIJ) of Toronto, the group hoping to secure council’s support for the Jaffari Village community development.
The plan for the area near Bathurst Street and Rutherford Road includes an eight-storey tower and a six-storey tower, along with a school, 60-townhouse complex and parking structure.