Father Giff (David Giffen) has tweeted an invitation to an evening of live jazz wine, cheese, and art created by local artists. You can’t be late because its a drop-in event — 7 to 10 p.m. It’s at the Church of the Transfiguration (Anglican) on Manor Road just where Redpath Ave. joins “in the heart of Davisville Village.”. The date is Friday, April 25, 2014. Sounds like fun.
Cabinet friend and doctor in bid to save Flaherty
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Kellie Leitch, the Minister of Labour and a medical doctor at the Hospital for Sick Children, tried to save Finance Minister Jim Flaherty as he was dying yesterday. Leitch, the MP for Simcoe-Grey, has an apartment in the same Cumberland St. building in Ottawa as the late finance minister. She was apparently made aware of the emergency in the building and rushed to perform CPR on Flaherty but was unable to save him. Surrounded by MPs wearing green ties, sweaters and jackets in honour of Flaherty’s Irish heritage, Leitch said everyone in Parliament benefited from the friendship, devotion and commitment to Canada of “the short Irishman.” “He loved his country and served it with a heart as big as the country itself,” Leitch said as she fought back tears. Leitch, a pediatrician, recalled how Flaherty had convinced her to get into politics at a time when she wasn’t particularly interested in doing so. “He loved his country and served it with a heart as big as the country itself.”
Yonge line down for Saturday a.m. track work
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Yonge St. subway service will be delayed until at least noon on Saturday because of track work near Davisville Station. There will be no service between Bloor and Eglinton stations. Thirty-five shuttle buses will be operating on Yonge Street until the closure is lifted, the TTC says. While that stretch is closed, subway service will begin as scheduled at 9 a.m. on all other portions of the system.
Profile reveals Jim Flaherty’s close family ties
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Among the reflections being published on the life of Jim Flaherty is a profile of his close relationship with his wife and children. She is Christine Elliott, deputy leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. They have 23-year-old triplet sons, Quinn, John and Galen. The couple are said to have been partners in every sense of the word, according to the story published today in the Hamilton Spectator and sourced through TorStar. Elsewhere, a remarkable gesture of respect for the late finance minister as the elite of global finance paused during a gathering of the G-20 members in Washington to pay tribute to Mr. Flaherty. The body opened its doors to a private dinner so the media might hear the remarks of those who spoke about their colleague. It was the first time in nearly a decade such an event was attended by a Canadian finance minister other than Flaherty. The new minister, Joe Oliver, said his predecessor would be remembered as a great Canadian statesman for his influence on policy, and also for his role among decision-makers who steered the world through the post-2007 financial crisis. “I also want to say how much I appreciated Jim’s personal kindness and assistance when I was a candidate, and later a cabinet colleague,” Oliver said. Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, now chairman of the Bank of England, spoke of the valuable guidance he had received. Photos by Bernard Weil, Toronto Star: top, Jim Flaherty and Christine Elliott, with sons Quinn (l), John (2nd rt) and Galen (r). Spectator Bright and mild weekend for South Bayview
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South Bayview and all of Toronto is looking forward to a bright and mild weekend. Click the weather icon above for the details. A reminder that the Toronto 10K run will clog streets Sunday morning.
“Tears in the air” among MPs mourning Flaherty
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CTV has produced a selection of comment and tweets from members of parliament on the passing of Jim Flaherty. The cause of his death has not been released but many are saying they believe Mr. Flaherty died of a heart attack. CTV
Jim Flaherty died suddenly says a shocked prime minister
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NASDAQ tribute
Jim Flaherty
The NASDAQ sign over Wall Street flashes the news and a tribute to former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty following his death today. The stunning information has been felt here in Toronto, all corners of Canada and in countries around the world. The family released a statement saying Mr. Flaherty had been in Ottawa at the time of his death. There is no cause known for the passing of the 64-year-old Conservative. Prime Minister Harper spoke briefly to say that his “partner and friend” had died very suddenly. The PM was clearly shocked by the death. His wife Laureen was seen to be crying. A police news conference said only that a 9-1-1 call had been received about a man in difficulty.
Declared dead in Ottawa apartment
Mr. Flaherty was declared dead in his apartment on Cumberland Street in Ottawa. Flaherty stepped down as finance minister a few weeks ago, citing personal reasons and a desire to leave public service and head back to the private sector. He suffered from what was called a painful skin condition which was not fatal. He had long been a key player in the Harper government, especially when it came to fiscal policy. He has been the only Tory to serve as finance minister under Prime Minister Harper, having served the same role in Ontario at the provincial level before running federally. In retiring, Mr. Flaherty said he was planning to take work in private business. The family statement said: “Christine Elliott and her triplet sons, John, Galen and Quinn would like to make Canadians aware that her beloved husband and father passed away peacefully today in Ottawa. “We appreciate that he was so well supported in his public life by Canadians from coast to coast to coast and by his international colleagues. “The family asks for privacy at this time.”
Stephen Colbert confirmed to replace Letterman
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A new triumvirate of late show laugh-masters is formed as CBS announces a five-year deal with Stephen Colbert to take the prime late-night slot being vacated by David Letterman Left to right: Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel. The New York Times say that Colbert will essentially change his act for CBS. He will be, in one way, an all-new talent for CBS because he will drop the broadly satirical blowhard conservative character he has played for nine years, and instead perform as himself. Mr. Colbert became the immediate front-runner for the position both because of an increasing recognition of his talent — his show won two Emmy Awards last year — and because he clearly wanted the job. His representation had ensured that he would be available to CBS by syncing his recent contracts with Mr. Letterman’s. CBC Twitter
Better make me safe or I’ll sue you big time
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Annie Malik, 19, says she feels betrayed by York University because of the shooting on March 6, 2014 at York. Maybe, but the $20 million lawsuit she and seven other students have launched against the school over this incident has the smell of mindless greed on it. We’re sorry for Ms Malik’s trauma and her injuries, but the idea that a university could hire enough security guards — 10? 40? 300? 1000? — to make sure no one ever gets hurt by a random shooting incident is stupid. Sean Tepper, Toronto Star
CBC to eliminate 657 jobs in next two years
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The CBC will eliminate 657 jobs over the next two years. It will cease bidding on big league sports rights and figure out generally how to do with less money. Marc Weisblott
Leaside Garden Society meets Thursday night
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Leaside Garden Society meets tonight (Thursday, April 10, 2014) at the Leaside Library on McRae Drive. Master Gardner Cathy Park will discuss Balcony Gardening. Ms. Park has been a Master Gardener for 14 years and a member of Leaside Garden Society since she moved to the neighbourhood 20 years ago. Her interests are in shade plants and environmentally-friendly garden practices and, recently, garden tours to far off places. Refreshments are available prior to the meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Prince George takes engagement “in his crawl”
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Time for the next batch of pictures from New Zealand where royal reporters are saying Prince George took his first major royal engagement entirely in his stride. Or as Gordon Rayner of the The Telegraph said, in his crawl. The occasion was a meeting of the prince with ten other babies at what Rayner called the world’s most exclusive playgroup. George is now fully mobile, a feat which at eight months apparently beats his father by a month. The playgroup was organised by The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, or Plunket for short, which provides free parental support services to more than nine in ten babies there. In years to come the future king will look back on this joyous event as the moment his life’s work began. George’s mom, the duchess, was wearing a Tory Burch dress. She carried carried Prince George on her hip as she chatted and giggled with other parents about their shared experiences of bringing up babies. And where fashion-watchers are usually obsessed with the Duchess’s outfit, it was Prince George’s smart navy blue dungarees that were attracting more interest on Twitter. The Prince wore a £75 pair of “sailboat smocked dungarees” by the British designer Rachel Riley over a white Milo Body by Chelsea Clothing Company and navy Alex Pre-Walkers shoes by Early Days. The babies chosen as George’s playmates were politically-correct. They included the daughter of two gay fathers and children of Maori, Samoan, Polish and Oriental descent. All were born within days of Prince George, but most were dwarfed by him, apart from Levi Birch, known as “superman” because of his strength and size. Rayner reports that Prince George had no fear in pulling himself up towards the other children – and stealing their toys. Telegraph