Back in May we said that if Justin Trudeau became leader of the Liberal Party it would be the last political act of his father. Correction. If, as a public opinion poll out today says, Justin could easily lead the Liberals to power in Ottawa, that will be the last political act of the late Pierre Trudeau. It’s remarkable. Young Trudeau may turn out to be the most able new political newcomer since Wilfred Laurier. But it is absolutely true that he starts his run for the top with an enormous advantage — his father’s name. Without it, Justin would be, if not nobody, certainly just an another also ran. As the old saying has it — it’s better to lucky than smart. (and we’re not saying Justin isn’t smart. But he is luckier than smart). Previous post. National Post
Rosedale home leasing for $17,500/month
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A newly renovated home on 63 Douglas Crescent in Rosedale is advertised for lease at $17,500 a momnth. It is on a ravine lot and has 4,500 square feet of space. Here are some of the other things noted in the ad: “Contemporary 4+2 Bedrooms Modern Residence Create A Stylish Sense Of Lightness,Openness And Minimalist Elegance.Dramatic Steel And Walnut Floating.Open Concept Kitchen And Family Rm With Marble Fireplace.Walnut Hardwood Flrs,Huge Aluminum Wall Window. Basement With Nanny Suite. 48′ Subzero Fridge, Built-In Miele Coffee Maker, Cook Top Miele & Stove and Microwave, Wine Cooler, Double Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, Water Cooler, Cac, Cvac, Gdo & Remotes, Sound System. Heated Floors In All Bathrooms, Kitchen & Basement. Furniture – Optional” The agent is shown as Steven Smurlick, Royal Le Page Real Estate at 55 St. Clair Ave West Rita DeMontis is loving Longo’s in Leaside
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Shopping maven Rita DeMontis discovering what many local people have already found as she goes through Longo’s in the Leaside Village. Toronto Sun
Motion to study when life begins defeated 203-91
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The Harper government was determined to defeat the backbench bill. MPs voted 203-91 with a number of Convservative MPs in favour supported by four Liberal MPs. The definition of life in Canada remains as it has for decades as beginning when an infant is fully delivered at birth. CBC.ca
High school teachers vote heavily for strike
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High school teachers have voted in favour of a strike, but union leaders say they won’t be walking out any time soon. Toronto members of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) voted 93.4 per cent in favour, matching an appetite for job action expressed in votes held across the province. Globe and Mail
Sunnybrook’s Uptown on Restaurant Makeover
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The Food Network will air The Uptown episode of Restaurant Makeover tomorrow night, Thirsday, September 27, 2012. The Uptown was for many years the Sunnybrook Restaurant at the east end of the Sunnybrook Plaza. Earlier this year it was re-made according to the tender mercies and wisdom of Restaurant Makeover. Tomorrow’s show will be aired on the Food Network at 9 p.m. Should be fun and of course the restaurant folks are inviting everyone to come over and watch the show.
Globe’s Margaret Wente accused of plagiarism
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There are a series of complaints that the Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente is guilty of what is declared to be plagiarism. Incidents appear to have been accumulating somewhat under the surface of the news. This article in the NYTPicker deals sufficiently with specifics of one case from which a reader can make his own decision as to whether there has been plagiarism. There are, it should be added, enough complaints about Margaret Wente’s various columns that it would be quite a job to personally find and read the specifics of each case. But it seems to add to the gravity of the accusation. — Torontoist Huffington Post
CTV says Trudeau will run for Liberal leader
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CTV News says that it has learned Justin Trudeau will announce his candidacy for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada at a rally in Quebec next Tuesday.
City’s plastic bag ban is coming apart
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| L to r Peter Milczyn, Anna Kinastowski, John Parker |
City Council’s shoot-from-the-hip decision to ban plastic bags effective January 1, 2013 is beginning to come apart. Back on June 6 Council huddled all day and then stunned citizens and businesses alike by announcing that the bag was gone. Since then City Solicitor Anna Kinastowski has gently reminded Council that the case for legality of the bylaw would be better if there had been some consultation with the rest of Toronto’s population. Now Ward 5 Councillor Peter Milczyn (The Kingsway) says in a motion for next week’s Council meeting that “it would be prudent” for council to formally reopen the debate. If two-thirds of councillors agree, the ban could be rescinded or delayed. Readers will recall that three Councillors — Matlow, Minan-Wong and Pasternak — changed their minds from no to yes in the process. Among other local Councillors, John Parker voted no and Kristyn Wong-Tam and Jay Robinson voted yes. Karen Stintz was absent. Toronto Star
Day after the Canadian Tire fire that was
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Canadian Tire in the RioCan Centre at Laird Drive and Eglinton Ave. E. will be closed for several weeks after yesterday’s fire. Today the store and parking lot were full of green shirted clean up people from a company with the somewhat grandiose name of Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Well, if the name means anything it should be a great cleanup. As suspected, there will huge losses on water-logged inventory.
BBC and reporter apologize to the Queen
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The BBC has been forced to issue an extraordinary apology after disclosing details of a private conversation a senior journalist had with the Queen in which she expressed concerns that a radical Muslim cleric was not in police custody – an embarrassing disclosure for a monarch who avoids public political statements.National Post
Ontario reports first pig-to-human H1N1 case
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The province has said it has a confirmed case of pig-to-human influenza — H1N1 — but in an unusual move won’t say where it is. Dr. Arlene King, medical officer of health for Ontario, said the patient is an adult male who is in critical but stable condition in hospital. He is said to have come down with symptoms of the influenza virus strain after close contact with pigs either in Canada or the U.S. The case was confirmed Sept. 23 after laboratory tests were conducted. Toronto Star