Canada has grown to a nation of more than 36 million, Statistics Canada announced today. The figure being used is 36,048,500, a number set on January 1, 2016. The population grew some 62,800 from October 1, 2015 because of the country’s busy storks — there were 95,300 births compared with 67,900 deaths, based on preliminary estimates. Net international migration was 35,400, up 600 from the same quarter in 2014.
Calling his Tiguan SUV effectively unsellable, a German consumer has tried to get the dealership to cancel his purchase of the vehicle. Today a court denied that bid but the man said he will appeal to a higher court. The court decision says the dealer was not to blame for the Volkswagen emissions scandal. VW admitted in September it had fitted illegal software on up to about 11 million cars worldwide that mitigated emissions during tests but stopped doing so on the road. The plaintiff took legal action against the dealership in Bochum where he bought his Tiguan saying the manipulations by VW had rendered the model unsellable
John Cruickshank
John Cruickshank will be step down as publisher of the Toronto Star in May after six years in that demanding position. Mr.Cruickshank, a well-liked personality has had a long career in journalism in Toronto, coming to the Star from the CBC. The Star announced Wednesday that his responsibilities will be assumed for now by David Holland, who is president and chief executive of Torstar. Cruickshank will remain co-chair of the board of Canadian Press Enterprises as a Torstar director.
Prince Harry has announced that international games for wounded and ill servicemen and women will be played in Toronto in 2017. The Invictus Games were created by the prince in 2014 after he visited the U.S.-based Warrior Games in 2013. Invictus is a Latin word meaning “unconquered”. Telegraph
The name of the new tenant at 1591 Bayview Ave. is staying confidential for now. And it may be unknown for quite a while. One man who knows is Broker Paul Slavens, who leased the large space that sits between the Second Cup and Badali Fruit. He is quoted as saying that the name of the new tenant may become known “once they start fixturing in June.” Readers can take what they like from this wisp of insight into the timetable of the new arrival on Bayview. Some think it means the firm in question must be very large. How else might it lease and keep a premises like the former TD Bank space for three months without even beginning to “fixture” a new location.
Very frequently political leaders have to get up and say things that seem elementary to most people. Premier Wynne for example had to tell “student leaders” today that the hopelessly hyped “free tuition” isn’t free and never will be. Tuition for higher education is so expensive sadly that no province or country can afford to give it away. The member for Don Valley West said she had been “worried” about her government pitching a new student grant program providing “free” tuition because, well, it isn’t. Tuition will continue to cost most prospective student, barring grants, at least $3,000. Thank you Madam Premier.
RALPH GOODALE
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale wanted everyone to know that it’s important that Canada “needs to be among the best in the world at stopping radicalization.” This after the unsettling behaviour of the man with a knife on a mission from the Almighty or whomever at a recruitment centre in North York. Yes, Mr Goodale, we sort of get that reasoning. Thank you sir for reminding us how it would help if we could keep young men and women from “going rad”. Got any ideas?
Any guesses? It’s apparently about making “developers” include low-cost housing in their “developments.” Would that be three houses or three hundred? Who knows? The Ontario government says it’s about finding nice homes for people who don’t have much money. Some think that’s like pretending houses will be cheaper by a different name. But inclusionary housing is the flavour of the week at City Hall — whatever it means. Metro News
Listen to the bystanders at a Markham house fire today chatter about when the fire department will arrive. A viewer sent this video to the CBC. Five were sent to hospital of whom three were kids. One man is at Sunnybrook in serious condition. The fire was on Douglas Haig Drive near McCowan Rd and Steeles Ave.
This lovely picture of the Leaside United Church nine-person team at Pearson airport was taken before they boarded a plane to Honduras today. The story of their mission is here as are the names of the members. Sorry we can’t match up the names with the faces. Any reader who cares to tell us, please do. These fine people will go to the El Hogar home which is aided by the church and assist in many tasks that need doing. El Hogar is The Home, a place where impoverished Horduran kids can find a future. Nice age range of this team with two of the members being teenagers. Great going guys.
Steven Spielberg will direct Harrison Ford in an untitled fifth installment of the Indiana Jones saga in a film that will be in theatres three years from now, it was announced today. Ford will be 77. No doubt there will be much inventiveness around his senior citizen character with lots of young blood to keep all ages groups interested. Hollywood Reporter
Did anybody check the floor? This CBC video shows a string of models at the Mikhael Kale fashion show stumbling at the same spot during Toronto Fashion week. The festival organizers said it was the floor and you have to think they are right. Sorry ladies.
