Among the tributes paid to Christie Blatchford Thursday is a story written by Cassandra Szklarski of the Canadian Press It begins: “Veteran court reporter, celebrated author and biting newspaper columnist Christie Blatchford, whose vivid prose championed cops, kids and soldiers while challenging corruption and hashtag social mores, has died.” CP
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he plans to speak with members of his cabinet Wednesday to discuss “next steps” in the ongoing anti-pipeline protests that have hamstrung the country’s rail network. The CBC quotes Mr. Trudeau as saying the train stoppage is “an issue that is of concern.” He commented during a news conference in Senegal Wednesday morning. “Obviously it’s extremely important to respect the right to freely demonstrate peacefully, but we need to make sure the laws are respected. That’s why I’m going to be engaging with our ministers and looking at what possible next steps there are. I am encouraging all parties to dialogue, to resolve this as quickly as possible.” Some may find the government’s plan a bit hesitant. Old army trucks and similar make-shift devices have illegally stalled trains for about a week.
Toronto Star writer Jack Lakey is raising an alarm about the use of whip cream cartridges containing nitrous oxide by misguided people to get high on the gas. Nitrous oxide is also used by dentists as an anesthetic and is commonly known as laughing gas. The Star publishes pictures of cartridge litters along Yonge St. in North York. Who knew?
Former Markham-Stouffville MP Dr. Jane Philpott will become the dean of the faculty of health sciences at Queen’s University. She is set to take on her new role on July 1. A longtime family physician before launching her political career, Phillpot tweeted that she “can hardly wait” to start her new job.
As Indigenous protesters oppose the construction of a pipeline in BC, Canada’s train system seems paralyzed. They continue to stop trains near Belleville, one of several locations where such blockades are occurring. Via Rail says trains are on hold until at least Thursday night. Freight and passenger service is also disrupted elsewhere. One concern is that Atlantic Canada will shortly run out of gasoline because oil cannot be shipped to a refinery in New Brunswick.
The National Post has confirmed to CTV that long-time Canadian journalist Christie Blatchford has died. According to the newspaper, Blatchford, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer that metastasized to bones in her spine, died in hospital this morning. She was 68.
Canadian Press says Tuesday that the grieving mom and stepdad of Keira Kagan, 4, will view her body Tuesday. The child was found alongside her father at the bottom of the Niagara Escarpment at Rattlesnake Park late Sunday. Philip Viater is quoted as telling CP he and his wife, Jennifer Kagan, will be going to the coroner’s office to say goodbye to Keira.
An odd up and down pattern will mark temperatures this week and next. A low of minus 10º Celsius Friday and a forecast of plus 7º by next Tuesday are predicted. Oh yes, tomorrow (Wednesday) will see snow — as much as 4 cm.
Tuesday’s video wheel has graphic evidence of the old (and dangerous) belief by kids that they are invulnerable. If only. Then, a new study says slowing traffic on Toronto streets really does make them safer. Below that, sex sells big-time in the super-liberal Dutch capital of Amsterdam. Lastly, President Xi of China seemed to be trying to hide from the coronavirus epidemic. But now he’s had to change that.
Rexall has opened its pharmacy at 1820 Bayview Ave. on the west side of the street between Roehampton and Glazebrook Aves. The move shifts the last anchor tenant from Sunnybrook Plaza. There’s been a Rexall (and before that a Pharma Plus} drugstore at Sunnybrook for decades. The new store is smaller and employs a modest mezzanine level to accommodate all necessary stock. A wheelchair lift takes disabled customers up the four or five steps. There is parking behind the store accessed off Glazebrook.
Philip Viater, the stepfather of four-year-old Keira Kagan says he does not believe her death nor that of her natural father were accidental. The two were found in Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area after an extensive search. Girl, 4, dad die in fall over escarpment during weekend visit
The City has received the No Board Report which was requested from the Ministry of Labour. This outcome sets the legal strike deadline for the refuse collection workers of CUPE Local 416 for Thursday, February 27. A release from Toronto Monday says “challenging” issues remain including job security, parental leave, benefits and wages. It says a contingency plan for a strike will be released soon. The strike would occur east of Yonge St. only. The west half of Toronto is serviced by a private contractor, Green For Life (GFL). Toronto suffered through a 36-day garbage strike in the summer of 2009. The misery of that event created a memory that permitted the subsequent privatization of the west side by Mayor Rob Ford.
