A complaint filed by the mayor’s brother, Doug Ford (Ward 2) has resulted in an investigation into the conduct of TPS Chief Bill Blair. Mr. Ford raised the matter with the local police services board after Chief Blair answered a question from reporters by saying he was “disappointed” by the revelations of the investigation into the activities of the mayor during 2013. Mr. Ford then alleged in November that a conflict-of-interest occurred when Blair went on a fishing trip with Andy Pringle, who is among the seven members of the Toronto Police Services Board. Ford also complained about the matter to the Toronto Police Services Board. The board reviewed that complaint. Coun. Doug Ford has since been sent a letter from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director, advising him that it would be investigating the allegations. The letter indicates that the police board concluded the allegations “may constitute misconduct as defined in Section 80 of the Police Services Act,” which is why the OIPRD has been asked to investigate them.
Oh no! Please don’t say cities lie about money
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Take it for what its worth — but an important small business organization in Canada says the country’s cities lie about money. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says ahead of this week’s meeting of big-city mayors that about 15 cents out of every tax dollar collected in Canada goes to cities — nearly double the eight cents per dollar the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) says its members receive. “This eight cent myth is used at every municipal meeting to support the story that municipalities are revenue-starved,” CFIB executive vice-president Laura Jones said. “But it’s a story that doesn’t reflect reality.” Mayors aren’t counting major sources of revenue like federal and provincial transfer payments, the CFIB said. According to the report, too much spending is the problem, not a lack of revenue. The CFIB calls on upper levels of government to freeze additional funding to cities until they get their spending in line, and also for municipalities to align public sector wages with those in the private sector. The FCM meets in Ottawa on Tuesday and Wednesday. QMI
#TOpoli tracks Ford, Tory, Stintz and Soknacki
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| Sunflower lady files papers |
Karen Stintz has launched her campaign for mayor by making a number of appearances including NewsTalk 1010, where she was treated with perfect cordiality. There is much to be learned from the established hashtag home of #topoli (Toronto Politics on Twitter for the uninitiated) It is here you can learn such things as Ms. Stintz’s confession (declaration?) that her campaign will be symbolized by the sunflower. Always positive and looking on the bright side, or something like that. David Soknacki announces “I’m not a celebrity, but I am the only fiscally responsible candidate.” as he “welcomes” Karen Stintz and John Tory to the race. Desmond Cole notes that Mayor Ford’s assessment that the proof (of the election outcome) will be in the pudding has caused police to deploy to Loblaws. (Sigh). And finally, when you check out #topoli, notice the furious tweeting of the city planner, Jennifer Keesmaat. Well heck, maybe planning is political. Here is a good wrap of the day’s events in the campaign until noon Monday by CP24’s Chris Kitching.
Source electronics moves up at Sunnybrook
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The Bulldog has learned that the Source electronics retailer will move from its present location in Sunnybrook Plaza to the large premises next to the CIBC. This space was most recently leased by the gift store Wrap-it-up. According to sources, the move will occur as soon as electrical plugs and finishing can occur at the vacant space. It is said that the plaza’s owners, Rio.Can, have been showing prospective tenants through the present Source location next to the Home Hardware store. It is expected that this smaller space will be more readily leased than the large Wrap-it-up location, which has stood empty for a year. The Source was created out of the break up of Radio Shack interests in the U.S. and Canada. In 2009, The Source was purchased by Bell Canada. The move at Sunnybrook brings to the fore the storefront slug-it-out that is going on between Canada’s three largest wireless and smart phone retailers — Bell, Rogers and Telus. Telus is represented at Sunnybrook by Blacks, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the B.C wireless and phone firm. We may expect to see keen competition between these players at Sunnybrook for the spare cash of consumers in and around South Bayview.
Ward 25 transit meeting Tuesday night
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Jaye Robinson (Ward 25) is having her all-star transit meeting Tuesday night at Lawrence Park Community Church 2180 Bayview Ave. beginning at 7 p.m. Some of those on hand will be Andy Byford, CEO of the TTC; Bruce McCuaig, CEO of Metrolinx and Stephen Buckley, General Manager of Transportation.
John Tory wants to be mayor — “Sorry Karen”
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John Tory wants to be mayor. The talk show host on NewsTalk 1010 has told his fellow employees there that he will file his nomination papers for inclusion on the ballot Monday morning (February 24, 2014). He does so on the same day that another candidate, former TTC Chair Karen Stintz, will file her papers. It might be coincidence, but it’s more likely scene stealing. The millionaire former cable executive, head of the Progressive Conservative Party and 2003 candidate for mayor, says he wants a livable city and a “new tone” at City Hall. The tone thing should be easy. The livable city seems like a rather vague wish for things that cost money, and which in the end may not be universally popular. We have to see what they are. Does John Tory, for example, think a roaring La Guardia style airport on the island will make Toronto more livable? The unlamented bridge to the island airport is generally thought to have been an issue in his defeat when he lost by 36,000 votes to David Miller eleven years ago. Miller ran an effective campaign against the airport. This time as well, Mr. Tory is talking about “congestion” — the devil or bogeyman of city life, depending on your view. He wants to “get the shovels in the ground” for the so-called Yonge Relief Line. Tory says he also wants to keep taxes low, especially property taxes. He wants to have the city government work in a way that makes people proud. He will have lots of time to say this to the face of mayor Rob Ford. “You can have the greatest plan in the world, but if you can’t get it through the city council because you’re not possessed of the right skills or determination to work with other people, well then, it won’t matter as much,” Mr.Tory told NewsTalk 1010. The joker in the pack for many observers is Olivia Chow, the NDP MP for Trinity Spadina and widow of the late Jack Layton. Her benign expressions of love for Toronto and the lingering feelings of sympathy for the passing of Mr. Layton will be a potent force in the October general election if Ms. Chow decides to run. Tonight Mayor Ford’s brother, Doug Ford, welcomed Mr. Tory to the race and in questioning by CP24 went on to suggest that the radio commentator isn’t really a Conservative and can’t make up his mind. “Libs too quick with transformative promises”
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Laugh Out Loud #5 is 90 percent sold out
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A Tweet from Charlene Kalia in recent hours indicates that tickets are 90% sold for the Laugh Out Loud in Leaside Act 5 good-times event to be held on Friday, February 28, 2014. If you want to get in on it, check this post.
Ukraine crisis: Opposition asserts authority
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3-0 Canada over Swedes for hockey gold
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Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews scored to give Canada a 3-0 victory against Sweden for Olympic gold Sunday morning. Canada’s size, talent and speed were clear throughout. It is a huge national triumph when added to the hockey gold won by Canada’s women’s team. Tweet below is a chuckle. Safe to say the Swedes have upped their game in the meantime.
Coca Cola invents “social media guard”
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Not really. It’s a hilarious commercial twitting us all for our obsession with the teeny little phone screen that now runs out lives. It plays to our guilt that our behaviour in this regard is terrible, The ad purports to offer a solution in the form of an enormous “social media guard” which looks a lot like a dog cone. Very funny and inventive ad.
Swedes angry that all 4 refs live in Canada
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| Canadian ref Kelly Sutherland |
The Swedes are damn angry about the fact that the four referees for Sunday morning’s big game all live in Canada. How did that happen? According to Olympic officials, the four are the best guys available for the job. They are three Canadians and an American who lives in Calgary. All are top NHL referees and no one can really question their skill. Yet, as the Toronto Star is saying tonight (Saturday February 22, 2014) the optics are terrible. Peter Forsberg, the penalty-shootout hero of Sweden’s 1994 gold-medal victory over Canada at the Lillehammer Olympics, reportedly texted an angry (and vulgar) complaint to a Swedish newspaper. The offcials in question are Brad Meier, an American who makes Alberta his home, Kelly Sutherland of Richmond B.C., Derek Amell of Port Colborne and Greg Devforski of Guelph. However odd the officiating crew may seem, they certainly bring a lot more credibility to the sport than figure skating judges. As anyone can tell, it’s simply not possible for referees to fix a hockey game. Even if a ref were prejudiced, the chance of an effective fiddle with the outcome is a huge long shot fraught with the prospect of raging fans all over the ice. Here in South Bayview, we wish you a happy hockey happening. If you are not going to watch through your toes in bed, the doors at McSorely’s open at 6.30 a.m. and you can be settled with a brew and breakfast when the puck drops half an hour later in Sochi for the Canada-Sweden gold medal hockey game. Things are timed nicely for you to get to church right after the game too. Oh yes, you can only have Molson Canadian, not Tre Kronor