The federal budget will be revealed Monday afternoon. It expected to offer ongoing cash for child care and extended pandemic aid programs. The deficit will push $400 billion. CTV

Ontario says the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine will be offered to people 40 and over beginning Tuesday at hundreds of drugstores already stocked with the serum. The office of the Health Minister, Christine Elliott, confirmed the change on Sunday. The federal committee that first stalled on approving AstraZeneca, then approved it for over 55s, has now approved it for adults over 18. But supplies will limit such use to those over 40 in the coming days. Medical advice to the public throughout the western world has been universal to take the first vaccine available, including AstraZeneca.

• Maclean’s review asks: “How did it come to this?”

George Turrell

Premier Wynne congratulating King of Leaside in 2017

Ann Brown has shared a post from Jaclyn Lefebvre on the condition of Leaside’s much-loved George Turrell. George earned the title of the King of Leaside for his unstinting assistance at the gardens and elsewhere over the years. He is said to be gravely ill in hospital. Archives

Premier Ford has reversed the order enabling police to stop pedestrians and drivers to randomly check on violations of the C-19 stay-at-home order. He has also reversed the order to close playgrounds. Both orders were issued Friday night and were part of other tightened rules intended to help control the pandemic third wave across Ontario. Now the government is saying that police may make stops when they have reason to suspect there is a violation of the C-19 restrictions. The idea of random police checks stunned many people and prompted most police services to announce they would not be taking any such action. It appears almost as if the police acted in concert to defy the order. Remarkable.

Doctors on Twitter are genuinely frightening

The public cannot know what type of reasoning occurred inside cabinet and government circles but the reality of the pandemic remains the same. Distancing and masks will stop the virus in its tracks. The rest is up to the public. And while recommendations and advice are essential, many can’t understand how police stopping people randomly would assist. Those who are determined to act in a way that spreads C-19 won’t be found walking on a City sidewalk. Stopping people randomly looked like a government run amuck. In fairness, the projections made by doctors on Twitter (and there are many) are genuinely frightening.

Metrolinx has announced that as early as Monday crews at Mt Pleasant Station will begin the second stage of pile removals on the north side of Eglinton Ave east of Mt Pleasant Road. Work will take place Monday to Friday between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. for approximately four weeks. A release says that crews will try to perform noisier works, such as hydro-vacuuming, between 5 p.m. and midnight. Significant pedestrian changes will be in effect.

Shooter’s Bar in Calabogie

The criminal negligence trial of a former bartender in the Eastern Ontario village of Calabogie continued in Pembroke Friday. Court heard from Enrico DeFrancesco, an Algonquin College professor, former bartender, nightclub manager and instructor in the responsible serving of alcohol. He testified about a serving protocol as taught in a course known as Smart Serve. The charge of criminal negligence against a server is so rare that the case may be a precedent. The accused is Ann Senack, a well-known local resident who has had much support in the community.  Renfrew Today

The Queen has shared a photo from her private collection of herself and Prince Phillip as they relaxed in Scotland. Funeral services were held for Phillip Saturday.

Many South Bayview residents are waking up to the joyous sound of the lusty Cardinal song. Thanks to Melody Johnson of Birds of Canada.

Fiesty commentator Evan Solomon is worked up over what he calls “vaccine nationalism” in the US. Could be.

Cheaper Wifi? CRTC takes a stab at lowering prices

Politics as usual in Legislature (but not many solutions)

Here’s a raw clip from the Legislature of NDP leader Andrea Horwath scolding Doug Ford over why he can’t seem to just fix the C-19 crisis.

St. Cuthbert’s in the Spring offers message of hope

Kathleen Davies has posted this inspiring view of St. Cuthbert’s Church at 1399 Bayview Ave dressed for Spring and offering a reminder that better times will come. She quotes Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness. Hope whispers that things will get better.”