The South Bayview Bulldog

Union president Jerry Dias has announced a $1.3 billion investment by General Motors to build an unnamed pickup truck at the Oshawa GM plant. Dias made the announcement Thursday morning at the Sheraton Centre. GM has signed a new tentative contract agreement with Unifor auto workers in St. Catharines and Oshawa. Sources to the talks indicated the two sides struck a deal at 2:45 a.m. for current work in St. Catharines and Oshawa plants, with many ideas also discussed, including expanding GM’s Canadian footprint once again.

A note of caution

If fulfilled, the plan is immensely important to the Ontario economy which has relied on the auto industry especially in Oshawa for more than a century. But such announcements at contract-signing time are often subject to change after the excitement of the moment. Caution may be in order.

Cherry St. looking south at Mill St.

Wednesday has seen a fatal accident at Mill St and Cherry St in which the driver of a cement truck struck a woman in the crosswalk during the noon hour in clear weather. She died of her injuries at the scene. It’s not clear from the TPS release if the driver even saw her, nor is there any mention of the traffic lights at this signalized corner. The woman, 67, was crossing Cherry from west to east as the truck, eastbound on Mill, turned right onto Cherry. Police are asking for any video which might help explain this perplexing fatality.

The Federal Government’s Bill C-10 contains language which will require Netflix and other streaming services to program in the interests of minority and indigenous communities.

Miss Vickie’s Canada has recalled Kettle Cooked Potato Chips over a chance there may be pieces of glass in them, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says. According to the CFIA, one reported injury has been associated with the consumption of the recalled products and an investigation is underway. The chips were sold in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Americans are turning out in record numbers to settle the contest between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The video at the right explains the curious electoral college. Its complicated story is rooted in slavery and the fear of some states of being submerged by popular voting.

Lori Loughlin has entered jail for that sad payoff to falsify her daughter’s athletic resume. It’s said she will be out by Christmas. The real punishment is the loss of her career. Next, the UK’s high court says that Johnny Depp did indeed beat his wife. His lawsuit against the Sun tabloid has been dismissed. Below that, there is tension at Rideau Hall as more than 50 employees meet with job consultants. They say the GG is a tough boss. Lastly, transit passengers in Holland have had a miraculous escape when their derailed elevated train found a perch on a huge sculpture of a whale instead of crashing to the ground.

Rescued from fallen apartment three day after earthquake

The CBC tells the incredibly moving story of how this girl of three was found in earthquake rubble by firefighters in Izmir, Turkey. They believed she was dead but as one of them brushed the dust from her face she opened her eyes and grabbed his thumb.

Toronto police are raising the alarm Monday about the disappearance of Land Rovers from the driveways of 53 Division residences. In particular, there have been several thefts recently from homes in the Lawrence Avenue West and Bathurst Street area. Cops suspect that electronic devices that compromise an SUV’s security system are being used.  The public is urged to be vigilant with locking vehicles in their driveways and elsewhere. Use the garage if possible.  Residents are also reminded to store vehicle keys in a secure location away from the front door. If anyone sees suspicious people or activity near their vehicles, they should call the police to report it at (416) 808-5300.

The first snow of the season sneaked into town overnight but it will soon melt. On Facebook, one family is wondering if Radar the Cat was so curious about the funny white flakes that he went adventuring from his home at Rumsey Rd. and McRae Drive. The tweet below shows the calm scene at Yonge and Eglinton (construction central) as the snow arrives. At right below is Mark Robinson in the southwestern hinterland of Strathroy. Mark admits in his profile that he lives an odd life but it’s fun. Thanks, Mark.

Carl Girouard, 24, in custody after desperate manhunt in Old Quebec City

A day of anguish and urgent probing in Quebec City of just what caused a man identified as Carl Girouard, 24, to kill two people and wound five others with a ceremonial sword has ended. The findings lean heavily towards a young man who is simply mentally ill. That’s the opinion of the Quebec mayor and police seem to agree. There is no apparent motive related to either politics or religion in the attack.