The province will no doubt wish Finance Minister Charles Sousa well as he goes about finding some $700 million in cash to deal with Ontario’s enduring deficit. This sum will be found, says Mr. Sousa, by shutting down the illegal cigarette trade. Sounds great. Apart from the depredations of tobacco upon its hapless users, the illegal cigarette business is a roaring affront to the simplest notion of law, order and good governance. One of the reasons police have such a difficult time with this cross-border crime is that it is conducted largely on aboriginal reserves. Some of these lie across the international boundary. The “sovereignty” residing at least in the minds of the inhabitants there permits an easy passage between Canada and the U.S. for smugglers In a province that hardly seems to know where the Queen’s writ runs, the challenge will be facing down smugglers who think they are operating in their own private Switzerland. More budget at Reuters
Jumpstart for Spring Into Action is tonight
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The jumpstart to Spring Into Action for diabetes is tonight (Monday, November 17, 2014) at Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park. It begins at 7 p.m. in the Main Court (free jump) and Foam Zone (freestyle jumping into foam). The next Spring into Action Walk or Run for Diabetes is to be held at Sunnybrook Park in May 2015. The event caters to all ages and fitness levels with 10k, 5k, and 2k walks or runs that people can pre-register for at this location
Uptown Yonge Christmas tree lighting Nov 28
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The Uptown Yonge BIA will hold its Fourth Annual Christmas street lighting on Friday, November 28 in the St. Clements-Yonge Parkette at 14 St. Clements Ave. It will take place between 7 and 8 p.m. and this charming little corner of town will hold such delights at hot chocolate and holiday songs. Some of the names connected with the lighting are: hot chocolate by Uncle Betty’s, cookies by Dufflet, tree compliments of Sheridan Nurseries, Entertainment by award winning recording artist MARKUS and the St. Clements School Musicians
South Bayview: Yecch, it’s going to freeze as well
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Unfortunately the sloppy conditions underfoot are going to freeze as well when temperatures go to minus 6 tonight. The Weather Network
Girl 15 found safe after police search Monday
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Police have found Kaley Archer, 15. She had been missing since on Friday, November 14, 2014
Traffic study: Half teens hit or survive close call
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A survey conducted by Angus Reid for the non-profit injury prevention group Parachute Canada and FedEx Express Canada shows 51 per cent of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 have been hit by a car or have been involved in a near miss. Global News. See also post below.
NSS students asked to take a moment for safety
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Parachute Canada is thanking Northern Secondary School students for participating this morning (Monday, November 17, 2014) in traffic safety awareness. A clever play on words asks kids to take a “Moment of Silence” before crossing the street. Meaning, make sure you are paying attention. This is especially true just outside NSS where the corner of Mt. Pleasant Rd. and Broadway Ave. can be pretty busy when school is over. Everybody is looking good but between the phones and each other the boys and girls are distracted from cars and trucks. Traffic can become an afterthought. So go safely guys. Twitter
Conrad Black sells slice of Bridle Path for $7.2 m
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Liquor license for Local Public Eatery on Laird
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Notice has been given by the firm known as Local Public Eatery of Vancouver for the liquor license at its new location at 180 Laird Drive. That’s the old CIBC building with the nice parking lot on McRae Drive. The license calls for both inside and outside serving. A patio certainly means that the one-story addition at the rear of the building is intended to have outdoor tables overlooking McRae. There is really no other outside space. Previous post
Robertson re-elected mayor of Vancouver
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Bob Geldof: Band Aid 30 or Boomtown Bore?
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The Guardian newspaper has followed up on a jaundiced profile of Bob Geldof in recent days with a fairly jaundiced analysis of his plan for Band Aid 30. There seems to be a feeling that Geldof has run out of gas as a helpful agent in dealing with Third World issues — in this case Ebola. As the Guardian sees it, Geldof has plenty to say but most of it is stuck in the 80s. His plan to re-record Do They Know It’s Christmas to raise money to fight the contagion in West Africa is probably going to reinforce stereotypes that are not helpful. At least that’s what the Guardian’s thinkers say Many others may simply want some relief from the guilt dispensary that Geldof works so well when there is a microphone at hand. Guardian Monday’s Whitby-Oshawa byelection tightens
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Voters of the riding of Whitby-Oshawa go to the polls Monday to elect a replacement for the late Jim Flaherty. The candidates are attractive and it seems like a close race. The Conservative is former Whitby mayor Pat Perkins, the Liberal Celina Caesar-Chavannes, described as an entrepreneur and researcher.The Toronto Star takes a Forum Research poll showing Perkins with 44 percent support and Chavannes at 40 percent to be a dead heat, And maybe that’s justified by the margin of error. But to most people, it may be more like a close race. A loss here for the Conservative Party will be a hurtful thing. The riding is a traditional CP hold. Premier Wynne and many other Liberal luminaries have campaigned in the riding. It will make good television viewing Monday night. Toronto Star
ANDREA HORWATH
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has easily survived a vote on her leadership at the party’s convention in Toronto Saturday. Horwath got the support of 77 per cent of delbrates.
ANDREA HORWATH
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has easily survived a vote on her leadership at the party’s convention in Toronto Saturday. Horwath got the support of 77 per cent of delbrates.