The Toronto City government appears to be slowly waking up to the arrival of community mailboxes. An Ontario court concluded last week that Canada Post can put the boxes just about anywhere it likes.. That decision came from the valiant effort by Hamilton to get control over the march of these boxes, some of them the size of bus shelters. Whatever unchallenged right Canada Post has had to put boxes anywhere dates from the 19th Century. Community mailboxes will occupy an amount of land that was completely unanticipated by the government when the post office was formed. It represents a huge task to make sure these installations are safe and well-maintained. The City is now going to tell Canada Post about these concerns but it has been slow to wake up to the march of the community mailboxes. Canada Post says it intends to end door to door delivery in South Bayview in 2017. There’s also what appears to be clear departure from fair and equal treatment of all Canadians required by the constitution as the Post Office says it will continue door to door-to-door delivery in perpetuity to downtown neighbourhoods. How nice for them.

John Ibbitson

It catches the attention when someone says the federal election is merely four months away. So notes John Ibbitison as former Toronto police chief Bill Blair is nominated to run for the Liberals in Scarborough Southwest. This augurs well for the Liberals in that constituency but it is Mr. Ibbitson’s contention that the Justin Trudeau Liberals are in a tight spot if they hope to form the government Ibittson’s focus is on Quebec where the Mulcair New Democrats continue to keep voter loyalty in ridings they won under the late Jack Layton. If the Liberals can’t break through in Quebec, says Ibbitson, they can’t win a majority. Take a look at his guesstimates about national support. John Ibbitson, Globe and Mail 

Flash flooding has destroyed cages and inundated enclosures in the capital of the Black Sea country. As many as 300 animals are unaccounted for and in this video we can see a number of large creatures roaming the streets. People have been told to stay indoors.

These graceful ladies were a short act between steel drum virtuosos and an Afghan orchestra. A man was smitten by someone in the dance squad and went down on a knee to present flowers to her. Nicely done sir and a charming moment at the Thorncliffe Neighbours Night Out at R.V. Burgess Park. The park was full of clothing concessions and playing kids (swings, wading pool) as well a food court on the north side.

The Burgess Park’s wading pool (top) was a source of endless fun for kids. Centre above, colourful ethnic clothing stalls attracted many while bottom left, Councillor Jon Burnside is seen in discussion with a constituent. Lower right, the swings were busy too.

See later post above