Sydney Ireland, 15, is battling to get the Boy Scouts of America to change its boys only rule so she can join and earn an Eagle Scout badge. As Sydney tells in this report from WCBS, the badge is a powerful part of a resume. She and her dad have started a petition but the Boy Scouts of America still say no. In the meantime, Sydney is a member of the 80th London (Ontario) Scouts. Scouts Canada became coed in 1998.
Changes to the Highway Traffic Act will take effect September 1, 2016. The venerable legislation has been updated many times since first enacted in 1923 and the latest ones reflect changing times. Distracted driving is already mentioned in the act but it is such a seductive and lethal infraction the fines will now go up from $200 to $490 if you get caught. There are also demerit points and suspensions on conviction. Pedestrian crossovers will now require drivers to wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the road at crossovers and school crossings before proceeding. It raises concerns about whether the last pedestrian has to have both feet on the sidewalk before a vehicle moves. Who knows. But no doubt the police will be watching because it will be an easy one to catch violators.
POLITE DANCE BETWEEN CARS AND BIKES
Passing cyclists will now require drivers to leave one metre of room wherever possible. Sanity seems to have insisted on the words “wherever possible” because other cars, joggers, lane width and God knows what else have a way of breaking in on the polite dance which we all have as our dearest wish for cars and bikes. The so-called “move over law” will require drivers to slow and move into another lane when passing emergency vehicles. It’s a good idea but will also be easy to break because there are going to be lots of times when that rule requires a driver to come to a dead stop in order to make a lane change. Just saying. Finally, those caught driving under the influence of drugs will now face the same penalties as drunk drivers, the ministry said. Seems reasonable.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is advising consumers to avoid oysters packaged as “Large Standard Oysters” and “Mixed Oysters.” They are produced in by P.E.I.-based Five Star Shellfish. CFIA says the affected products are sold in 100-piece packages and display a harvest date of Aug. 13.
A World War II mortar has been found the site of Camp X near Whitby, Sir William Stephenson’s paramilitary and commando training centre during that conflict. Police say armed forces experts safely detonated the device Wednesday. The shell was found by a man who was searching Intrepid Park for artifacts and coins with a metal detector Tuesday evening. Sgt. Bill Calder told the CBC that the man found a large metal object and dug it out of the ground by hand before taking a picture of it to send to a family member. The relative then told the man it was probably dangerous, according to Calder. Police say that’s when the man called in the mortar shell around 7 p.m. Tuesday. The area of Camp X is now known as Intrepid Park after Stephenson’s code name.
Mortar a reminder of wartime work at Whitby’s Camp X
The annual good-works fundraiser known as the Leaside Smokedown is in the planning for October. There’s always great food, good beer and music. See post shared by Andy Elder for this year’s event info. Music of the night at last year’s Smokedown.
Leaside Junior Wildcats will hold their FUNdraiser event on Sunday September 11th at Leaside Arena. It is open to all registered Tyke, Novice and Atom Leaside Wildcats (House League & Competitive): players can get the rust off their blades in a one-hour skills session with our Junior players and coaches. All proceeds support our Juniors as they look to build on their successful 2015-16 season.Information & Registration: http://bit.ly/
Andre De Grasse can hardly believe the support he is seeing from Canada. “It’s incredible,” he told reporters at Pearson Airport yesterday as he arrived from from Rio. De Grasse and high jump gold medalist Derek Drouin were greeted by family and a happy throng of fans. “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life,” said De Grasse who arrived home with a silver and two bronze medals. “I have a whole nation to support me. It’s just incredible to have Canada supporting me all the way through it. They’ve motivated me and helped me through this whole journey.” The 21-year-old sprinter from Markham, Ont., won bronze in the 100 metre, a silver in the 200 metre and a bronze in the 4×100-metre relay.
McDonald’s has introduced an innovative program whereby senior employees can earn credit towards a business diploma while doing the work of the burger chain. Managers who complete McDonald’s training will be eligible to skip the first of two years of a business or business administration diploma course at one of 24 authorized colleges in Ontario.
Happening this Sunday in #Leaside. #CityofTO https://t.co/uvZAhAzugg
— Discover the Don (@DiscovertheDon) August 23, 2016
Help us eliminate waste. Bring reusable items to #CityofTO Community Environment Days near u https://t.co/umpsWAdiwb pic.twitter.com/ZBV9aco6Mv
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) August 22, 2016
Readers Helen Godfrey and Matthew Trineer (who added a photo above) tipped off The Bulldog to a freaky accident on Cleveland Street just north of Hillsdale Ave. Tuesday at dinner hour A tall transport truck owned by Brewer Transport caught some wires over the street. That caused the wires to fall in front of the truck following, seen above in the shot by Mr. Trineer. Sources said the wires may well have been hanging below the 16.5 foot minimum now allowed in Toronto. The drivers of the tall transport insist it is no more than 14.5. They were delivering hot tubs from Costco.
Catherine McKenna
Canadian Press has obtained documents from the Conservative opposition that show Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (Ottawa Centre) authorized a fee of $6,662 for some pictures of the minister with her staff at the so-called COP21 conference in Paris earlier this year. COP21 was all about the “conservation of biological diversity.” The photo contract revelation comes after Health Minister Jane Philpott said she would repay $520 billed to taxpayers to access Air Canada lounges in North America and Europe.
BEV ODA’S ORANGE JUICE WAS $16
Last week, Philpott also said she would repay $3,700 that was spent on car services, along with any other expenses deemed inappropriate by her department. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged today that his government must do better to control such expenses and left open the possibility of greater transparency in divulging ministerial spending. Bev Oda, it may be recalled, was fired by Stephen Harper for charging $16 orange juice to her hotel bill. And there’s more
Penny Oleksiak was interviewed by the CBC’s Linda Ward on the return of the Olympic Team Tuesday morning. Penny said that when she sneaked home a few days ago she went to Canada’s Wonderland with friends. The gold medal winner confessed she was feeling “a little bit bad”: about telling some fans that she wasn’t Penny Oleksiak.
