Lawyer baffled by “bribery” in Duffy charges

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The CBC story about the 31 charges which the RCMP have laid against Mike Duffy contains surprising information about the most contentious charge — bribery of a judicial officer. The apparent allegation is that there was a corrupt element to Duffy’s acceptance of $90,000 from PMO chief of staff Nigel Wright to pay off expenses he owed to the government. Many have wondered how this represented bribery and the CBC story quotes Daniel Brown, Toronto region director of the the Criminal Lawyers’ Association on the subject. Brown says it isn’t clear to him on the evidence how the cops got to where they did. “It seems as though his intent of receiving the payment was to pay back the government and so it wasn’t clear to me what his corrupt intent would be,” Brown told the CBC. So why was the charge laid? Here Brown offers a view which must rattle the judicial process. It is essentially that the RCMP, possibly, are so gun shy they might lay a charge just in case there is evidence they haven’t found.  “They want to ensure that everything appears to be above board. They don’t want to be criticized later on for not having laid charges where evidence may have existed,” Mr. Brown said.

How can we deal with our grief and anger?

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How can we deal with our grief and anger? How? Today there are pink ribbons on trees, poles and fence posts on many streets in South Leaside. These are little wisps of cloth, some with fancy bows, an expression of support for the family of Georgia Walsh but also an act of simple survival by ordinary people against crushing grief and helplessness. All over this little town within a City, decent people are seeking ways to somehow gain control of a heartless world. They were coming and going from the sweet memorial for Georgia by the hedge of Leaside United Church today at the last place she stood full of life and fun. The little boy seen here was with his dad as he photographed the statement hung there by Georgia’s parents. “Thank you for this extraordinary outpouring of love for our beloved daughter Georgia.”  It told all who came there that the cards will be kept and cherished, the animals will be given to the Hospital for Sick Children to comfort other children and the flowers “will continue to fill our community with your endless love.”  On the sidewalk on both sides of the street are large boxes of coloured chalk, a communal tool for the expression of messages. Georgia’s mother and father scratched their own: THANK YOU  xo Georgia’s Mum and Dad   
National Post 

Summer Sale underway today on South Bayview

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They’re having fun on South Bayview this noon and although there is a sprinkle predicted, the crowds are out to sample what’s to be had at the Summer Sidewalk Sale. You can too. De la mer, the premier seafood store next to Starbucks, is cooking up some of its great salmon burgers. Many other merchants have goods out too. Up at Dolly Jewellers a tent covers a variety of things that catch the attention. Those oversize wall clocks are displayed as well. They have an antique look but modern quartz works. Dolly has a monthly draw for just such a clock during July. No sale is required to enter. Next door at Puregrass Med Spa the irrepressible Cheryl Ingram, spark plug of the summer sale, is out in front with friends to preview her many services. Photos: top, making salmon burgers at de la mer; Dolly Jewellers

Why we are saddled with streetcars in Toronto

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The National Post series Streetcarnage addresses publically for the first time in a long time the odd attachment the City of Toronto has for what was once known as the “street railway.”   Streetcars are long gone from Canadian cities although Hamilton retains a charming bit of nostalgia in the 19th century name of its transit system — the Hamilton Street Railway or HSR. How did Toronto become the eternal home of these enormous, unpredictable and road-hogging vehicles? The event is traceable to the efforts in 1972 of what the Post calls “a core of leftist public transit activists through a group called Streetcars for Toronto.”  Its backers included public transit advocate Steve Munro and William Kilbourn, a Rosedale historian says Terrance Corcoran in the linked article. As is frequently the case at City Hall, no one was looking when this happened, much as no one was looking when the 21st Century streetcar cataclysm known as the St. Clair Ave. W. right-of-way occurred.  In this instance, advocates of the streetcar like former TTC Chief Adam Giambone rammed through a monstrous obstruction to traffic and business Nothing mattered but the care and feeding of the trolley.  Terrance Corcoran

Woman on nearly 100 counts of passport fraud

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A 50-year-old Toronto woman has been charged with almost 100 counts of producing and selling fraudulent Canadian passports. The Mounties charged Rozeline Zeitoune, a former passport processing officer with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) this week It’s a case that more than a little alarming considering the high value of Canadians passports to terrorists who wish to do real harm to others.  CBC 

John Tory touts endorsements from 2 Liberals

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John Tory is touting some interesting endorsements this weekend. He has received the support of Alvin Curling, Case Ootes, Judy Sgro and Bernard Trottier for his candidacy for mayor. Ms. Sgro is a Liberal MP who has been fairly partisan over the years but like the others says the Progressive Conservative John Tory is “rooted in the City” and that she will be supporting him. Mr. Curling was for several terms a Liberal MPP and cabinet minister who says Tory’s “post-partisan” nature will make Toronto move again. Mr. Oates was a well known and influential deputy mayor and Mr. Trottier is a Conservative MP.
GIRLS PUT BOYS TO SHAME IN SALSA “ELECTION DEBATE”

At the Salsa on St. Clair event Saturday the girls put the boys to shame in what was supposed to be a contest between candidates for mayor. Olivia Chow and Karen Stintz brought a lot of style to the dance but David Soknacki proved to have two left feet. Mayor Ford’s performance, for which he deserves a prize for guts, was unfortunate. John Tory apparently did not show up.  Also good photos in the Sun here of ladies at work.

Arrangements for Georgia Walsh are announced

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Arrangements for Georgia Walsh include visitation this Sunday, July 20 from 2 until 4 p.m. and  6 until 8 p.m. at Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Ave. The funeral will take place on Monday July 21 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 2 p.m. (227 Bloor St. E.) followed by a reception at the church  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation in memory of Georgia. Some suggest showing a pink ribbon 

“Slow down” lawn signs are made in Leaside

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Organizers are proceeding quickly but with care to make lawn signs that would tell drivers to slow down. Mail in Leaside today says they are being designed but before distribution will first be shown to the family of Georgia Walsh to be sure they are acceptable. Georgia, 7, was killed Wednesday afternoon when she was stuck by a minivan at the corner of McRae drive and Millwood Road. Motor firms BMW and Lexus on Leslie are helping to cover the cost of this work. Otherwise, say the organizers, it would not be possible. Interest has been very high with more than 100 requests for signs just today.  

State of emergency declared in Tecumseh

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The fire at the Bonduelle food-processing plant has been burning since 2 a.m. this morning.  Thick black smoke filled the sky. No injuries have been reported.  Quantities of ammonia inside the plant have officials concerned, which has prompted an emergency evacuation order for people in the area surrounding 1192 Lacasse Blvd., Tecumseh (near Windsor).CBC