Month: March 2018

PC leadership candidates left to right: Tanya Granic Allen, Christine Elliott, Doug Ford, Caroline Mulroney, (David Donnelly/CBC)

Voting has begun online Friday to elect the next leader of the Ontario PC Party and it will continue until the winner is announced March 10. Party members have until 11.59 p.m. Monday to register to vote. The contest pits Caroline Mulroney, Christine Elliott, Tanya Granic Allen and Doug Ford in a contest for a job that could well make one of them Premier of Ontario. The general election is June 7.

Dofasco steel in Hamilton

Alcoa Aluminum

The markets in Toronto and New York were reeling Thursday after President Trump told supporters he will definitely impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the US. Steel will carry a 25 percent levy and aluminum, ten percent. It is a potential swift kick at Canada’s economy and the market baskets of millions here. At its worst, such tariffs will stagger the economy. But it isn’t clear. Canada is the largest seller of steel and aluminum to the US but there is little flak directed at this country in American rhetoric. Much of the noise is aimed at China, which is a relatively small exporter of steel to the US. The plan is still unknown. In Toronto the TSX was down 48.73 and the Dow plunged 420.22.

A woman became distraught at City Hall Thursday over her apparent failure to obtain timely repair of a window which had been damaged by a bullet in her City-owned housing residence. The dramatic screaming and profane language stopped a news briefing by Premier Wynne and Mayor Tory but may not be as sinister as portrayed in some places tonight. Hedley will take an indefinite hiatus following multiple complaints about sex and one complaint that the lead singer committed rape, a charge he vigorously denies. Below that, the BBC explores the scene of the kidnapping of 110 girls by the iniquitous Boko Haram in Nigeria. Lastly, the Brexit agony seems to be approaching a turning point as British PM May prepares a statement on the UK will actually depart the EU.

See just how different a Putin election campaign is from say, that of Justin Trudeau. Thursday the Russian oligarch bragged in an election speech about a new array of nuclear weapons that are invincible (his word). Mr Putin made the claims as he laid out his key policies for a fourth term (which he seems certain to win) in 17 days’ time. The weapons he boasted of included a cruise missile that he said could “reach anywhere in the world”. He said of the West: “They need to take account of a new reality and understand … [this]… is not a bluff.” It seems that Russians generally love this stuff.  What a swell guy is that Putin.

Strangers gathered to mourn the loss and mark the lives of four infants found abandoned

Four babies abandoned in Ontario centres, including Toronto, were laid to rest Tuesday at Elgin Cemetery in Etobicoke in a ceremony attended by a TPS ceremonial unit and sponsored by a non-profit group known as Abuse Hurts. Babies Grace, Hope, London and Zenora were found dead in London ON and Toronto. They were buried next to a large monument dedicated to a total of 11 babies abandoned in Ontario, provided by the cemetery, and laid to rest on behalf of Abuse Hurts. Teddy bears and a single bouquet of flowers were placed with their caskets. Toronto Police release.

Fire service aboard flight

An Air Canada flight was delayed and a passenger received minor burns when her cellphone caught fire as the aircraft prepared for takeoff Thursday morning. The 7 a.m. flight to Vancouver was delayed as a fire crew dealt with the phone. The plane was not damaged. The owner of the phone was able to walk off the plane to get help.The flight has since left.

Four storeys on top of CF Eaton Centre

Bank of Montreal will build a high-tech workplace for employees over parts of the CF Eaton Centre on the southwest corner Yonge and Dundas Sts., the company says. As is fashionable, the large space will be known as a campus. A news conference with the mayor and company executives present was set for Thursday morning. The new facility will add four storeys to the present structure and house as many as 3,500 employees. It will feature “advanced digital technology, natural light through a four-storey atrium and collaborative workspaces,” the bank says. It is expected to be finished in 2021.

The City of Toronto’s will conduct its annual count of the homeless count on Saturday, April 26 It is seeking volunteers to assist. Hundreds of volunteers, members of community agencies and staff will take to the streets and shelters to ask people experiencing homelessness about the services they need to find housing and keep it. Responses to the survey help Toronto shape programs. Members of the public wishing to register as volunteers for the 2018 Street Needs Assessment can do so at http://www.toronto.ca/homelesscount.

The new breakfast and lunch place mentioned here in The Bulldog February 14 appears to be moving ahead. It is called Green Canoe. The principal, Ryan Horwood, has posted a picture to Leaside Community of the new sign which was installed Wednesday at 900 Millwood Rd at Randolph Rd. In response to many inquiries online he reviews the concept this way: “We’ll have our Breakfast menu which will include Vegetarian and Vegan options. Homemade Burgers and Deep-fried Buttermilk Chicken Sandwiches with Shoestring Fries and Sweet Potato Fries. Fresh baked breads and pastries. Homemade pies and tart. Jams, Jelly and Preserves! We’ll also have small businesses selling Maple Syrup and Real Honey and so much more! Oh and our COFFEE!” Here are some pictures from an Instagram account. Green Canoe 

Breakfast Sandwich

Burger

Crispy Lasagna

A woman of about 49 has been found on the 401 overnight between Victoria Park and Warden Aves. According to OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt, the woman was struck by a transport truck. She is said to be from Scarborough. More later.

A rain and wet snow mix is expected to move into the Toronto Area Thursday night as a strengthening low pressure system approaches the Great Lakes. As the low pressure passes by to the south, brisk northeasterly winds will pull in colder air and cause the precipitation to turn over to all snow this evening. Total snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm are expected by Friday morning. Strong and gusty northerly winds may result in local blowing snow and very poor visibility in exposed areas tonight. Spring is Tuesday, March 20 at 9:16 a.m.