The South Bayview Bulldog

The Ontario Court of Appeal has delivered a split decision in favour of the province in the City’s challenge to Bill 5, the Better Local Government Act, 2018. The court found 3-2 that the legislation that reduced the City’s wards from 47 to 25 in the middle of the 2018 election is constitutional. Decision CBC

Russ Lewis robbed of $19,000 in bank card theft/Nick Dixon CTV News Toronto

Robbed on street?/CTV News Toronto

CTV has told the concerning tale of a mysterious pickpocket theft and high-tech bank card manipulation that cost a Toronto man $19,000 in just a few minutes. He is Russ Lewis, senior vice president and chief agent of a downtown reinsurance company. The theft occurred Monday, September 9 somewhere between his downtown office and a local lunch spot. Lewis told CTV he is unable to pinpoint just where his wallet containing five credit cards and two bank cards was lifted but video shows it did not happen in the restaurant. Maybe, he says, he was victimized by a close-up encounter in the elevator or on the street.  So strange. But within a few minutes, the perp or perps had cracked several cards and withdrawn the cash.  It appears that Mr. Lewis was with his bank manager trying to stop the theft even as the thieves tried to grab another $10,000 but were stopped.  Welcome to 2019.

2001 Party/Time Magazine

Justin Trudeau has apologized and spoken of “how much harder I’m going to have to work” to build a country free of discrimination. This, as a photo from an Arabian Nights themed party in 2001 showing Mr. Trudeau in blackface was published overnight by Time Magazine. The picture was taken at a private party held at Vancouver’s West Point Grey Academy and released to Time by a parent at the school. At the time, Trudeau was a 29-year-old teacher at the school. The photo was published in the school’s 2000-2001 yearbook called The View.

Then and now

The photo shows Trudeau with four smiling women who, if they were offended by his costume, don’t seem to be showing it. Political party leaders have commented very unfavorably on the photo and it is expected that pollsters will soon attempt to gauge its impact on the election’s outcome. City News video Also CBC

The City of Toronto Special Committee on Governance is inviting the public and neighbourhood associations to its coming meetings. City Council established the Committee with a mandate to consider the impacts on the City’s governance structure and processes arising from the reduction in the size of Council and make recommendations to City Council on any further changes to its governance structure. The Committee will hold its next meeting at 9:30 a.m. on September 25, in Committee Room 1 at City Hall. The Committee will receive a staff report on the engagement activities to date. Members of the public are invited to watch the meeting online, make a presentation at the meeting or provide written comments in advance. More information about the Special Committee on Governance, how to register to speak or making a submission to the next meeting is available here.

Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott has ordered hospitals to begin reporting all cases of vaping-related lung disease to the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “In light of the growing evidence, I have become increasingly concerned about the prevalence and possible health consequences of vaping, particularly as they affect our youth. At the same time, it has become abundantly clear that we do not have access to sufficient data and information to understand the potential scope of this issue,” Elliott said in a statement Wednesday.

First illness in Canada at London

She made the announcement on the same day public health officials in London announced Canada’s first case of vaping-related illness. The Middlesex-London Public Health Unit is expected to provide more details later Wednesday of the case involving a youth who has been diagnosed with severe respiratory illness that has been linked to the individual’s use of vaping products.

In Toronto, it’s Cheeseburger Day, the chance for McDonald’s fans to get a free cheeseburger with any purchase of a dollar. But in the quaint and historic village of Rutland, England, the battle is on to keep the Golden Arches at bay.

Hello Doggo, enjoy your stay

An East York Facebook post has drawn a lot of interest to this commercial DogSpot dog house designed to house a pet while the owner is busy shopping, getting the hair done and so on. You can pay for the stay with a credit card. DogSpot is the product of a US company with a website here.

Dump truck drove by open doors of stopped streetcar/Global News

A woman was hit by a dump truck as she stepped off a streetcar at Bathurst and Ulster Sts Tuesday about 9 a.m. Police say the truck drove by the open doors of the tram. The Highway Traffic Act requires a vehicle to stop behind the open doors of a streetcar. The woman’s injuries are unknown at posting.

Leaside Wildcats Midget BB Pica gold winners/Wildcats

Say “well done” to these shining faces of the Leaside Wildcats Midget BB Peca team (15-17 years) as they bring home the top prize for their class from Markham over the weekend. Below, the Mt. Pleasant Village BIA Harvest Festival is set to go this Saturday. It’s always fun. Also seen are Josh Matlow (Ward 12 Toronto St. Paul’s) and MPs Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul’s) and Rob Oliphant (Don Valley West) at Mr. Matlow’s party in Davisville Park. And those yummy carrots are a reminder of Tuesday’s Appletree Market in Davisville Park starting at 3 p.m. Sadly, market days are dwindling down to a precious few.

This Saturday

Josh Matlow, Carolyn Bennett and Rob Oliphant

Market Day at Davisville Park

Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. Oxycontin, once seen as a useful medicine, is now viewed as the cause of a health crisis that has cost the firm billions. The Sackler family, owners of Purdue, are the whipping boys of politicians. Next to that, the all-electric Taycan has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is hoped by Porsche that the Taycan will put a dent in Tesla. Below, the heartwarming story of how surgically separated twins have managed to grow into their teens after the tricky operation back in 2001. Finally, buying your way into Canada. An interesting insight from the CBC.