On a day when City Council passed a budget that will add about $100 to the average tax bill, Bank of Montreal economist Doug Porter was getting quoted for saying out loud that Toronto and surrounding communities areas are in a housing bubble. But even with annual increases in price of 20 percent, Porter had to say that he didn’t see much that would burst the bubble very soon. Interesting video below.

St. Michael’s Hospital has fired 31 employees after finding some $200,000 in health benefit claims that were irregular in nature. The names and positions of these employees was not released by the hospital nor is it known if the police are investigating. But the stern action taken by St.Mike’s suggests that the unacceptable claims did not occur by accident or through ignorance. St. Michael’s Hospital employs more than 6,000 people, including 1,689 nurses and 812 physicians.

Stuart McLean

Stuart McLean of the CBC has died at the age of 68. Mr. McLean was a bestselling author and host of the radio program “The Vinyl Cafe.” In December, McLean announced he was suspending the long-running program to focus on treatment for melanoma, which he was diagnosed with in late 2015.

BC cook wins $46,000 in sandwich theft case

A Burger King franchisee has been ordered to pay $46,000 in severance and other awards to a minimum wage cook he had employed since 1989 over a fish sandwich she took without paying. National Post

Badminton and Racquet Club destroyed by fire in February

A graphic picture published Wednesday by the Toronto Fire Service reveals the great peril survived by apartment occupants next to the Badminton and Racquet Club on St.Clair West. The grime and soot on the balconies reveal the presence of lethal fire and smoke. Numerous tweets at the chief’s account @ChiefPeggTFS remark on this. People displaced by the six-alarm fire may be able to return to their homes sometime Wednesday

Suspect #1

Suspect #2

Suspect #3

Suspect #3

Honda Odyssey minivan

Three suspects

Suspect #2

Three men have stolen colonoscopy equipment from Toronto Western Hospital on Bathurst Street in a daring mid-afternoon robbery last Saturday. The men forced their way into a surgical area and removed a large quantity of medical equipment worth an estimated $1.2 million. The vehicle of interest is described as a silver Honda Odyssey mini van, possibly an early 2000s The men are described as: 1) the first suspect is 6’0”, 35-45, clean-shaven, medium build, last seen wearing a black English-style cap, black ¾-parka with fur on hood, black pants, and black shoes with noticeable white/silver eyelets. 2) The second suspect is 5’7”-5’9”, 45-55, clean-shaven, short dark hair, stocky build, last seen wearing a black English-style cap, black blazer, light-blue dress shirt, blue jeans and black shoes, carrying a large black-and-grey backpack. 3) The third suspect is 5’7”-5’9”, clean-shaven, medium build, last seen wearing a black winter toque, black winter jacket, black pants, black shoes with a white sole, pulling a purple suitcase on wheels with an extendable handle.

In ten days Canadian tennis sensation Eugenie Bouchard will be 23 and that would make her old enough by most standards to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. And she will. Bouchard leads a flirtatious Twitter existence as illusrated by her recent Super Bowl dating-game engagement and she seems to want to take her act on to other venues. Genie makes good on lost Super Bowl bet

“LOL it made a Twitter moment”

SI Swimsuit Edition

New venues?

Busy, busy

The European Parliament has passed the Canada-EU trade agreement after a stormy session that saw lots of angst about it from isolationist members. In the end, it is believed about 58 percent of the parliament voted to approve the extensive deal which was negotiated bv the  Conservative government. Just when if ever we will see Ford Canada dealerships on the Champs-Elysees or a $15 bottle of Burgundian Pouilly-Fuissé at the LCBO is entirely unknown. CBC

It is what one reader was told when he spoke to an employee at the Whole Foods store at Yonge and Sheppard. “When will Bayview and Broadway open?”  The answer was Friday, April 21, 2017. Take it for what it’s worth.

A US Mormon girl and a Muslim asylum seeker have fallen in love. Let’s hope for the best. Continuing clockwise, are the flying days of Harrison Ford over? You be the judge. Below that, as we follow the clock, you may find it very easy to relate to these traits which are said to make a person creepy. Speaking of creepy, our final video suggests that Kim Jong Nam, half-brother of North Korean tyrant Kim Jung Un, has been poisoned by agents of the great leader in Malaysia. Nam and Un had the same creepy father, Kim Il-sung.

B&R FIRE

The corner of Yonge and St. Clair has partially re-opened to traffic but police are warning that no cars are allowed between Rosehill Ave and St. Clair and between Yonge and Avenue Road on St.Clair. Fire personnel continue to mop up at the scene of the fire at the Badminton and Racquet Club Tuesday. The Yonge trains are again stopping at St.Clair station and streetcar service has resumed on St.Clair. Leaside and Mt. Pleasant bus service has also resumed its normal turnaround at the Pleasant Blvd. entrance to the station .

The Weather Network’s forecast, always changeable of course, is looking pretty good for the Family Day weekend. Time to make some plans

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Former Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. George Moss has died at St. Michael’s Hospital at the age of 96. Dr. Moss was physician with the Canadian Army during WWII and later served and a recipient of Canada’s Centennial Medal. The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles -Newbigging Chapel at 1403 Bayview Avenue from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15th. A funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday, February 16th at 1 p.m. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. If desired, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1599 Hurontario Street, Suite #201, Mississauga L5G 4S1, or St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, 30 Bond Street, Toronto M5B 1W8 would be appreciated. Obituary.

Hazel McCallion celebrated her 96th birthday among political friends today and true to form she inserted a blade between John Tory’s ribs. The former Mississauga mayor praised the present incumbent, Bonnie Crombie, for refusing to agree to road tolls. Even better, with the Premier present, McCallion applauded the decision to axe tolls and urged the Premier not to hesitate “to make the decisions you have to”. Finally, a little lecture for Tory: He doesn’t realize there are more people coming out of Toronto in the morning than going in. The 2018 election is coming.

Former Mayor McCallion to Premier Wynne: You're down in the polls! pic.twitter.com/Ktrz4Brfme

— Colin D'Mello | Global News (@ColinDMello) February 14, 2017