The prime minister is saying that in retrospect maybe he should have answered in English when asked questions in that language Tuesday at a town hall meeting in Sherbrooke. But he didn’t. He is translated saying things like “We’re in Quebec so Ill answer in French.” It ranks right in with “Because it’s 2016” for superficial talk. CBC
Winnipeg server Jennifer Peitsch has received a $1,000 tip from customer Saturday night during at Mongo’s Grill on Regent Avenue in Winnipeg. The stunning gratuity of $1,000 on an $87 bill stunned the recent graduate. The money has permitted her to pay off a credit card debt and plan for further education. “To start out 2017 knowing that there are still people out there that have that kindness in their heart inspires me to keep going and do the same to other people as well,” she said. The benefactor was Lisa Holgate, who explained her tip to the CBC.
The Toronto Star has kept things rolling today after columnist Edward Keenan found evidence that MP Kellie Leitch thinks Toronto has no sense of neighbourliness. Well, we know that’s wrong about South Bayview. But Keenan, and now Star writer Alicja Siekierkas, struck on Leitch’s reported reference to the cup-of-sugar test in these matters. The MP reportedly didn’t think you could get one from the family next door in Toronto. Well, by gum, that sent Canada’s largest newspaper and reporter Siekierkas out into, among other places Leaside, to find the truth. She went to “Stephen Harper’s street” Bessborough Drive and found Ken Rice and Fran Mackenzie. Bet your life these fine people would lend you a cup of sugar. They might even volunteer it. Apparently they shovel their neighbours’ walks from time to time. It is a courtesy not unknown around here (and elsewhere no doubt). Ken and Fran you are sooo refined.
Businessman and Rosedale resident Kevin O’Leary has entered the Conservative leadership race tomorrow, according to the CBC. O’Leary was born in Montreal but is unilingual. The former Dragon’s Den investor must file his candidacy papers and pay a deposit by Feb. 24 in order to be a candidate in the May 27 vote.o become leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. He issued a video on his Facebook page to declare his candidacy. “You know why? I listened to you,” he said in the video posted Wednesday, thanking the “40,000” Canadians he said went to his website and encouraged him to enter the race. Video
The reporter goes at it slowly but a process of elimination seems to suggest that vice-admiral Mark Norman was relieved of duty over allegations that he helped a competitor in the shipbuilding industry bid for work in Canada’s multi-billion dollar frigate replacement program. CBC
Premier Wynne held a “consultation” with tenants of Thorncliffe Park in the auditorium of Thorncliffe Park Public School Tuesday night. It is a meeting she attends in an ongoing but irregular fashion given her schedule. The meeting seemed to appear out of nowhere with many media getting brief notice. But these are after all the Premier’s constituents and she was there. She had anticipated most if not all the complaints in a published agenda. But the heartfelt and colourful expression of concerns was interesting. One by one, tenants spoke of large rent increases justified by landlord upgrades, unreliable elevators, rats and various vermin, overcrowding (several families to an apartment) and inequities such as higher rents, reputedly for immigrants just off the boat or airplane. Abbas Kolia, the crusty president of the Thorncliffe Park Drive Tenant Association was called forward by Ms Wynne. He verbally lambasted the Premier for delays in addressing issues he had brought forward some eight months ago.
ABSENTEE SUPERINTENDENTS?
The Premier’s response to Mr. Kolia as he stomped to the rear of the gym was an appreciative thank you much as if he had just read a prayer (see video). And so it was as tenants complained about landlords such a Morguard and MetCap. These were organizations that had millions if not billions of dollars, said tenants, and they did little to keep locations clean and safe. One woman struck a disturbing note when she complained of absentee superintendents. The concept is challenging. Her point was that in an emergency no one was in charge. Pat Moore, a familiar and wise Thorncliffe hand who is a member of TNO, the Thorncliffe Neighborhood Office, fired up the crowd with her idea for a rent strike. The money would be held in escrow pending the completion of landlord obligations. Notable at the meeting were Jon Burnside (Ward 26) and Justin Van Dette, an energetic community organizer in East York and John Tory supporter.
Home security video has caught the night prowling of a petty thief on Leander Court checking cars to rob. This is off O’Connor Drive in East York east of Massey Creek and south of St. Clair Ave. E. In the video from the home of Diogo Beltran, the thief is seen at work outside the Beltran home opening the rear hatch and drivers side door of a van. He spends close to two minutes rummaging through things inside the van. It is about 2.34 a.m. on the morning of Sunday January 15. The gait and manner of the thief makes him look like a teen. It is common among some criminally minded youth to finish off a Saturday evening out by rifling a few cars. Perhaps, as in the case of the 2014 Bennington Heights car fires, they’ll do something that imperils life. In this case, residents say they have been hit at least three times in recent months. Mr. Beltran says a thief recently stole his laptop from an unlocked car. Police urge residents to report such activity no matter how small the loss.
Freezing rain and winds across the U.S. central and midwest states left serious damage.
This nice video recalls the important work of Dr. Tom Pashby as well as the large donation made by his family’s foundation to safety at the Leaside Memorial Community Arena. Doc Pashby Fund to make $500,000 gift to Leaside Gardens
The new Leaside Hockey Rink has just been named after my late Grandfather. Inspiring story of dedication to sports. https://t.co/vgWqb5e1MJ
— Narrative Financial Services Inc. (@NarrativeFinSer) January 17, 2017
Shocking costs in veterinarian bills — $6,000 it is said — followed the purchase of a dog that needed much health care even though the seller assured this Toronto couple the dog was fit and fully certified by an animal doctor. CBC
Your alternate world contains the unveiling of a life-sized statue of Cilla Black in Liverpool. The hometown girl and friend of the Beatles rose from cloakroom clerk at the Cavern Club to singer and presenter. Next, the eyeglass market tightened up yesterday as Luxotica owner Leonardo Del Vecchio bought the French lense producer Essilor. In Rome. McDonald’s is beating back criticism of its store in the Vatican by feeding the poor. And in part of the U.S., Goat Yoga is the thing. Robin Meade renders that one below.
