A Winnipeg business group, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, organized a huge public participation project Canada Day to create a living maple leaf at the famous intersection of Portage Ave. and Main St. It estimates as many as 3,600 people participated. The details of just how they were dressed to create the impression are not clear but from the time-lapse video, it was clearly a big job to marshal and move everyone into position.

See later poost

Princess

Thousands watched from under the CN Tower and further afield, as well as through windshields on the Gardiner, taking in the enchanting fireworks display Saturday night marking Canada’s 150th anniversary. Fireworks from the tower almost always cause traffic to slow and police were issuing warnings through the evening.

The father and daughter being sought near Broadview Ave. and Gerrard St E. are found safe and the matter is closed.

11-year-old Arnav Sharma of Reading, England has passed the Mensa IQ test with a score of 162, higher than either Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking. The so-called genius benchmark is set at 140. The interviewer here asks Arnav if he wishes to use his intelligence to help the world and he says “Yes, but I’m not sure how.” Smart lad. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named every province and territory except Alberta during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill Saturday and he says he is embarrassed about it. Psychiatrists might venture a thought or two on the subconscious impact of how Albertans often vote. Not for him, that is. “We may be of every colour and creed, from every corner of the world,” Trudeau said. “We may live in British Columbia, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia or Newfoundland and Labrador. But we embrace that diversity while knowing in our hearts that we are all Canadians.”  Hope you got all that. CBC Below are some Canada Day remarks from a different venue.

As best anyone can tell, this blockage of traffic by a few (said to be) Indigenous people at Bloor St and Spadina Rd. Saturday is about protecting air and water. Elsewhere, the MP for St. Paul’s, Carolyn Bennett, who is also the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs was confronted and ultimately ignored by protesters carrying a sign protesting “Indigenous Genocide.”

Carolyn Bennett

This occurred, says the CBC, at an event at the Spadina Museum. The protesters had a long list of alleged complaints against Canada including “rampant alcoholism” among their people. Ms. Bennett is among the more ardent advocates of Indigenous rights and has spoken of her desire for “nation to nation” discussions.

Interac says it’s hopeful the e-Transfer service will come back online Saturday following serious disruption since Thursday night. It said that after “significant progress” made overnight in addressing the internal technical issue affecting e-Transfer, it anticipated that the service would be soon be back. “Our top priority is making the Interac e-Transfer service fully operational and stable as quickly as possible.” It addressed a concern of many people on Twitter and elsewhere that their cash had “disappeared” or was in limbo somewhere. Interac said all unaccounted for cash is in fact safe and not lost.

Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre

124,000 square feet

Between Wings D and F

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is proposing a new 124,000 square foot addition dedicated to psychiatry to be called the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre. The development would sit between the present Wings D and F overlooking the green belt along Life Saving Drive. It would include a two storey Brain Sciences Wing with one additional level below grade. According to Urban Toronto, the aim of the new centre is to provide specially designed spaces where world-class brain sciences research and care can be nurtured. Compared to the existing premises at Sunnybrook, the new addition will offer more natural lighting to the interior. There will be 37 beds in the new wing.

We the East lady

Rudy Limeback biked it

Misty dressed for the day

MG TC

Doug Ford

First Light Scout Band

East York lady

Gentleman

Mayor Tory

Great crowd

Accident squad

Lady in red

The 60th Annual East York Canada Day found excellent weather Saturday morning as it formed up as usual on Cosburn Ave at Dieppe Park. The day is typically spent by many East York families playing and swimming at the destination of the parade, Stan Wadlow Park. It is also a hive of political tents as elected persons of all kinds strive to stay in touch and impress.

HAZARD:
Toronto Island Airport
-Drone spotted above airport
-Affecting approach to landing
-White/blue graphics #GO1175293
^dh

— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) July 1, 2017

A drone has been reported hovering over Billy Bishop Airport Saturday morning, imperilling landings and take offs. TPS Operations notes the hazard on what many are calling potentially the busiest day in the history of the island facility. As many as 13,000 passengers are expected to travel through the airport on their way to Canadian and US destinations.

Canada Day has dawned with the national cash transfer service at Interac still down for a third day. Interac, which was formed in 1984 by the big five banks in Canada, took the email service down on Saturday after recurring problems which began Friday night. It appears that unknown numbers of people are unable to pay their rent and make essential transfers as the banks begin a three-day holiday. Many are commenting at @INTERAC on Twitter. “My heart goes out to all the stressed out developers over at @INTERAC. Tech: When it works, no one notices. When it fails, everyone screams.” says one post. “Anyone else bordering on full panic that @Interac etransfers have been down for 2 days? I have significant amt of $$ now lost in the ether,” said another.