Toronto council has voted 28-16 in favour of building a subway to the Scarborough Town Centre. The chronically indecisive members of council finally reached a determination Wednesday afternoon. But their motion to take this underground route hangs on a commitment of money from the federal government. The decision means the scrapping the already-funded project to convert the Scarborough RT to an LRT line. As to financing, the City will require $418 to $660-million dollars, not including some $333 million already committed to the Sheppard LRT. The province must also contribute $1.8 billion as previously promised. Council committed to the LRT plan in 2012 and the province set aside $1.8 billion for the project in a master agreement with Metrolinx.
Rolling Stone profiles surviving Boston bomber
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Many people are reacting with anger today after Rolling Stone magazine revealed it has put Boston bomber Jahar Tsarnaev on the cover of its latest issue. In the end however, the article does not appear to be a distortion of “the monster” which Tsarnaev became. Psychiatrists will be fascinated by Tsarnaev as an example of another youthful male who, through whatever germination, turns his yearning for meaning into a homicidal rampage. Rolling Stone says the cover story presents “a riveting and heartbreaking account of how a charming kid with a bright future became a monster”. The magazine’s two-month investigation found that Jahar’s brother Tamerlan once confided to his mother that he felt like “two people” were inside him. “She confided this to a close friend who felt he might need a psychiatrist, but [his mother] believed that religion would be the cure for her son’s inner demons and growing mental instability, and pushed him deeper into Islam.” Joe Fresh in Shoppers a threat to apparel shops
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So many things to think about when Loblaws buys Shoppers Drug Mart. Will we see PC Black Label Cough Syrup? Will you get Shoppers Optimum Points for using the Loblaws washroom? Seriously, it will change things. This is a thoughtful piece on the possible impact on small clothing retailers. Ottawa Citizen
Tall tale copper called on the carpet by chief
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| CBC tells on PC Nicholas Dorazioa, right |
A Toronto cop, PC Nickolas Dorazioa, has been called on the carpet by the chief for cooking up a story for local TV that he had just been rescued from the stranded GO train down by the Don River a week ago Monday. It was all a load of baloney because Dorazioa never got any closer to the train than the sloppy verges of Bayview Ave. He was ordered there earlier in the evening along with hundreds of other able-bodied people to help in the rescue of those 1,400 passengers. The story as it was first reported was as murky as the water that swirled into the GO train. We were afraid that PC Dorazioa had elbowed little old ladies out of the way to get an early rescue from the train, so severe and worrisome were the news reports. And it almost sounds from the reaction at headquarters that they took it just that seriously. Chief Blair has called Dorazioa “shameful” for duping the poor TV types that way. And if you look carefully at the policeman’s face, it seems to reveal the mischief in his heart as he regaled reporters with a tale of being carried to safety by brave police officers. Well, he should not have done it, of course. Silly man. And if, as suspected, other coppers were egging him on, they too should get a tongue-lashing. Let’s keep in mind however that these men were in a stressful situation and that there were long waits with nothing to do. But they did not steal lifeboat seats from women and children. As a group they performed an honorable service. As for the chagrined TV reporters, we say get over it.
Japan moms make 3D models of unborn babies
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Pregnant women in Japan can now come face-to-face with their unborn baby, thanks to new technology which prints a solid 3D image, using data from a simple ultrasound scan. Associated Press.
Broadview and Gerrard closed until July 22
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| Dampening dust at Broadview-Gerrard |
Police say it is expected that the intersection of Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East will be closed to vehicles until Monday, July 22, 2013. Pedestrian traffic will have access to stores and businesses in the area. Commuters are asked to check with the TTC for updated routes and schedule. This picture shows demolition workmen bringing down what’s left of the Cai Yuan Supermarket. The fire hose helps keep down dust. Local residents are finding this activity the best show in town with many of them watching from the steps of the Riverdale Library kitty corner from the fire scene. Previous Post.
Honest Ed’s outlandish landmark is for sale
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The outlandish Toronto landmark known as Honest Ed’s is for sale for an estimated $100 million. And despite reassurances from the company, it seems the bargain centre at Bloor St West and Bathurst St. is likely to be part of history before very long. Ed Mirvish, who died in 2007, started his in-your-face cut-rate store in 1948 and went on to accumulate a fortune in real estate. Along the way he became one of the world’s great impresarios, owning theatres and launching thousands of performances. The general manager of Honest Ed’s Russell Lazar said “nothing has been signed”. That appears to be a reference to the wide belief that the property will go to condominiums. The Mirvish family is clearly in the process of reorganizing its assets. Last October, David Mirvish unveiled plans for a Frank Gehry-designed art and condo complex at the site of the Princess of Wales Theatre on King Street West in downtown. Eight new ministers range in age from 33 to 54
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Stephen Harper poses with the eight new members of the federal cabinet at Government House in Ottawa after the swearing in ceremony. Harper has his hopes riding on the appeal and performance of the new ministers as a way of inspiring fresh public support. Time will tell. From the left: Chris Alexander, 44, Pierre Polliviere, 34, Candace Bergen, 48, Kellie Lietch, 43, Kevin Sorensen, 54, Shelley Glover, 46, Michelle Rempel, 33 and Greg Rickford, 45. 4 men accused in $8 million fraud of banks
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Toronto Police Service has caught up with a daring gang who borrowed money from banks for non-existent businesses. But the end did not come before some $8 million had been defrauded from branches of the big banks. Cops say only “a minority” of the cash has been recovered. It is unknown just where it went. Police would only say the money has been laundered. Four men were sought and three have been arrested. The four are left to right Daniel Kebbe, Elias Rassi, Ajaz Ahmed Khan and Michael Shawn Majeed. It appears Khan has left the country. As described in the National Post, the plan involved using the premises and furnishings of existing businesses to dupe bank personnel that they were looking at a legitimate start up which needed a loan. For more than a year, the ringleaders orchestrated a series of meetings with lenders in the Toronto area, inviting them to locations staged as legitimate businesses.
Is there life after Loblaws for Life brand?
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Commentator says Shoppers Drug Mart junk food looked clinical. Marc Weisblott
Byford back in offices at 1536 Bayview Ave.
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Sue Byford writes that the company is getting settled back in its premises at 1536 Bayview after several weeks of renovations. The Byford’s Blog
PM tweets “four strong women” to cabinet
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Prime Minister Harper has tweeted the news that he will name four new women and eight new ministers to the cabinet. “Proud to be naming four new strong capable women to the ministry,” he wrote of the shuffle which will be officially announced at 11 a.m. ET. LIVE updates: See cabinet list here.