Rogers Communications has laid off 94 employees across its media division as it reworks operations to react to lower advertising revenues. The cuts are spread across the country at the broadcast TV divisions of Citytv and OMNI, as well as radio stations and magazines like Maclean’s and Chatelaine. Maclean’s
Torstar Corp reports loss of $70 million in Q-3
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Torstar Corp. reports a third-quarter loss at September 30, 2013 of $70.8-million. That is a decline in revenue of 7.7% — down to $328 million from last year’s $355 million. The losses occurred in both the media division and the publishing division, Harlequin. The romance novel arm of Torstar was a a gold mine for the firm for decades. The digital reader revolution has had a killing effect on Harlequin sales, as it has had with other publishers. The newspaper business continues to suffer from diminishing advertising sales. The Toronto Star’s publisher, John Cruickshank said it is too soon to gauge the success of the online paywall recently placed on the Star’s website. He said the revenues gained from this move were about what had been expected but he did not speak on how the decision had impacted the number of so-called unique visitors to the site, the measure used to establish online advertising rates.
Twin snow leopard cubs debut precedes the snow
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No snow yet but something much better. Twin snow leopard cubs, a boy and a girl, are now on display at New York’s Central Park Zoo. They were born this summer and are making their first full-time public appearance this week. Officials say they’re the first snow leopards to be born at the zoo. The twin cubs weigh 30 pounds and were born to mother Zoe and father Askai. The cubs will eventually weigh between 65 and 120 pounds. The cubs have not yet been named.
Murray Newbigging property worth $5,500,000
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A well-known family business of more than 60 years in our area has had the value of its property established in a recent sale. The Murray E. Newbigging Funeral Home at 733 Mt. Pleasant Rd. traded hands in a transaction that closed at the beginning of the year for $5,500,000. The business continues at this address.
Nov.11 ceremony set for Mt Pleasant Cemetery
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Next Monday November 11, 2013, there will be a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Mount Pleasant Road. It is being conducted by the the Royal Canadian Air Force and will begin at 10 a.m. For information you may contact Master Warrant Officer Normand Marion at Normand.Marion@forces.gc.ca .
Duffy, Wallin and Brazeau suspended, expelled
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The Senate has voted to suspend Patrick Brazeau, Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin without pay and without perks for a period of two years. The three are accused of claiming improper living and travel expenses. They will retain their health, dental and life insurance benefits. But the disgraced senators must leave the government premises and not return for the specified period. The vote was 50-29 in the Conservative dominated Red Chamber. In the Commons, Prime Minister Harper endured another question period grilling today, this time about a letter that shows the RCMP is seeking documents that “may potentially be evidence of criminal wrongdoing” by some in the Prime Minister’s Office. In particular, investigators are looking for emails related to a “script” Duffy said he was given by the PMO to cover up the fact that Nigel Wright, Harper’s chief of staff at the time, gave him $90,000 to repay his disallowed expenses. For the time being however, the suspensions would appear to end the soap opera of “sue process” and accusations that have embroiled the Senate all summer.
Mayor says: “Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine”
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Mayor Ford made a brief appearance at City Hall over the noon hour in which he made the remarkable admission that he has smoked crack cocaine. It was a disturbing little exchange in which the mayor lectured reporters to “ask the question the right way.” The admission was couched by the mayor once again in the manner of his Sunday apology. “I’ve made mistakes. All I can do is apologize and move on.” The tone of the admission was defensive and loaded with reproach for the reporters for, apparently, taking as much interest in this matter and because they “didn’t ask the question in the right way.” Mr. Ford said he was not an addict and that the occasion of his crack cocaine use may have occurred in the context of his being “in a drunken stupor” about a year ago. It was not clear whether the mayor was admitting to smoking crack cocaine once or more than once.
Mid-morning mugging at Roehampton-Rawlinson
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Toronto Police Service report: A 13 year old male reports that on October 31, 2013 at approximately 1150 hours, he was in the area of Roehampton Avenue and Rawlinson Avenue when a male suspect approached him from behind. The suspect struck the victim about the shoulder causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect removed the victim’s cellular telephone and fled the scene eastbound on Roehampton Avenue and then northbound on Rawlinson Avenue. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Suspect #1: Male, white, 30 to 35 years, 6’3”, 200 pounds.
Costco consultation meeting Thursday, Nov. 7
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There will be a community consultation meeting Thursday, November 7, 2013, to discuss the proposed Costco store at the site of the vacant Coca-Cola buildings on Overlea Blvd. The meeting will be held at the Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral at 76 Overlea.
Doug Ford launches slashing attack on Chief Blair
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Doug Ford has accused Chief Bill Blair of behaving like he is judge, jury and executioner. He is, said Mr. Ford, the most biased police chief in the history of the city. He said he will write a letter to the police review board and also complain to the police board. He criticized police board member Andy Pringle who he said had been on a fishing trip with the chief. He called this a “massive conflict of interest.” Mr. Ford said we cannot have a board member being the police chief’s fishing buddy. He called for Mr Pringle’s resignation. The angry Mr Ford said he is not intimidated by the police chief. “The police chief doesn’t intimidate me,” said the mayor’s brother. “We don’t live in a police state,” he said. Reporters tried to bring the discussion back to the mayor’s conduct but failed in the face of Mr.Ford’s forceful strategy to stay on the subject of the police chief. The chief has held a scrum news conference in which he said he is in the hands of the attorney general. Blair said he is subject to civilian review and insisted he will not respond to any personal attacks. I am just going to do my job,” said Mr. Blair. The timing of the chief’s scrum coincided exactly with Mr. Ford’s news conference at city hall. It caused CP24 to cut away from Mr. Ford to cover the chief. Councillors John Filion (Ward 23) Paula Fletcher (Ward 30) and Pam McConnell (Ward 28) offered immediate responses to Mr. Ford’s attack. They were all strongly critical of Mr. Ford. Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34) this morning said he supports Chief Blair and board member Pringle in the face of Doug Ford’s attacks. 11.03 a.m.
Dutch girl’s amazing voice astounds talent judges
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The impact of a 9-year-old Dutch girl’s raw talent has shocked judges at the Holland Got Talent program and created an overnight international sensation. She is Amira Willighagen, a schoolgirl otherwise unknown who has never even taken singing lessons. Here she sings a familiar piece from Puccini’s opera ‘Gianni Schicchi’. It is known in English as Oh My Beloved Father. From the Mirror: “Are you really nine years old?” astounded judge Chantal Janzen asked. “This is incredible.” Perhaps even more amazing was when young Amira admitted she had never even had singing lessons, instead honing her incredible voice from YouTube tutorials. In the above video the opening remarks are in Dutch. Amira begins to sing at about one minute and 40 seconds into the video. Mirror