The South Bayview Bulldog

Associate Chief Justice Alexnadra Hoy

Justice Edward Belobaba

Premier Ford

Ontario’s Court of Appeal has issued a stay putting a lower court’s ruling striking down Bill 5 on hold. Bill 5, which slashed the size of Toronto council to 25 wards, is now in effect pending appeal.  This decision by the panel of three judges means that City staff will immediately begin preparing for a 25-ward election, to be held on Oct. 22. As tweeted below, the appeal court took issue with Superior Court Judge Edward Belobaba’s finding that freedom of expression was related in some way to the size of municipal wards. The appeal court panel was composed of Associate Chief Justice Alexandra Hoy, Justice Robert Sharpe and Justice Gary Trotter. The judges found that while Toronto City Council candidates had a “reasonable expectation” they would be contesting a 47-ward election, they are not  guaranteed this outcome by the Charter of Rights. They also say that changing rules after campaign began may be unfair, but “unfairness alone does not establish a charter breach.” The appeal court again makes a distinction between fairness and a violation of the constitution. “The question for the courts is not whether Bill 5 is unfair but whether it is unconstitutional. […] [W]e have concluded that there is a strong likelihood that application judge erred in law and that the AG’s appeal to this court will succeed.”

Strong words here from the court of appeal judges, slamming Belobaba's earlier ruling: "It is not in the public interest to permit the impending election to proceed on the basis of a dubious ruling that invalidates legislation duly passed by the Legislature."

— Lauren Pelley (@LaurenPelley) September 19, 2018

Metro Inc, Loblaws and Empire (owner of Sobeys) were weeping tears of apparent sadness Tuesday as they cited rising minimum wages and new trade tariffs at the US-Canada border for increased prices now and in the near future. “Exactly when and how — it’s all about competitive dynamics. Everybody is competitive. Nobody wants to lose any share. So, let’s see how things play out,” said Metro Inc. boss Eric La Fleche. The executives met at Scotiabank’s back-to-school conference in Toronto. National Post

Saliva test for concussion

Yusaku Maezawa

Twin Town Brazil

The scourge of concussion may be much easier to diagnose and treat quickly as a result of research into a simple saliva test. Remarkable. Then, say hello to Japanese billionaire and artist Yusaku Maezawa, 43, who will be the first revenue service rider on a trip around the moon in 2023. Below that, the mysterious abundance of twins in Cândido Godói, Brazil. It is a village of 7,000 inhabitants populated by descendents of German immigrants and scientists say, not surprisingly, that it must be in the genes. Finally, the Ontario Court of Appeal will decide tomorrow if Doug Ford has violated the rights of Ontarians or merely enacted legislation to make Toronto Council smaller.

Doug Ford drove a tractor Tuesday as did NDP leader Andrea Horwath. They’re seen in the City News video below. Both leaders seem to have brought home the bacon as they worked the land. Premier Ford was talking tough about trade. There should be no compromises on agricultural supply management he said. “If you’re asking me, don’t compromise,” he said. “We have to protect the farmers. We have to protect the auto workers. We have to protect everyone in Ontario.” The Ontario Plowing Match is in Chatham-Kent.

Tuesday at Cleveland St. and Belsize Ave.

Same place recently

The Bulldog is noticing fresh paint in the form of zebra stripe crosswalks on Cleveland St. and elsewhere in South Bayview Tuesday. It appears to be part of the City’s Vision Zero road-marking plan to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.

Christine Blasey Ford then

Brett Kavanaugh

Christine Blasey Ford now

Palo Alto University professor Christine Blasey Ford has come forward and says she is ready to testify before Congress. She will tell members that Brett Kavanaugh, a nominee for appointment to the US Supreme Court, groped her over her clothes, ground his body against hers and clumsily attempted to pull off her one-piece bathing suit and the clothing she wore over it. This occurred on a summer night at a party sometime during or before 1983. Kavanaugh vehemently denies the allegation. A letter has gone out from 65 women who say they knew Kavanaugh in high school and have stayed in touch. “For the entire time we have known Brett Kavanaugh, he has behaved honorably and treated women with respect,” they say. Letter written by Christine Ford

A Mainstreet Research poll in Toronto, where the PC Party won just seven ridings in the June election, contains a sampling of some 800 people who are opposed to the use of the notwithstanding clause by 65 percent. The poll also reveals that 55 percent oppose a smaller City Council except in North York where a narrow majority supports the reduction. Mainstreet does not break out the minority numbers and those with no opinion. The poll also shows that some 61.8 percent of respondents support John Tory’s re-election as mayor. The poll says 25.6 percent support former planner Jenifer Keesmaat. Candidate FaithGoldy is said to have 6 percent support.

Vernon Unsworth

Nicholas Maduro

Walter Carr

At left, the British diver, Vernon Unsworth, who helped rescue young soccer players trapped in a cave in Thailand is suing Elon Musk, alleging that the Tesla CEO falsely accused him of being a pedophile. It began when Unsworth called Musk’s submarine scheme to rescue the boys a publicity stunt. Musk is touchy. Since then he has called Unworth a pedophile several times and taunted him to sue. Centre is Nicholas Maduro, the former bus driver who is president of Venezuela. That’s the hopelessly mismanaged country where it is impossible to buy aspirin or toilet paper much less a good steak. But Mr. Maduro has been seen dining lavishly in Turkey as he makes his way back from China where he was apparently trying to drum up business. Lastly, meet Walter Carr, a young man who set out at midnight to walk to work rather than make a bad impression on his first day. His car had broken down. Police saw him trudging along and bought him breakfast. They pronounced him “a good kid.” His boss was so impressed by Carr’s diligence that he gave the young man his 2014 car as a gift. Also an interview by Fox News

A Nova Scotia woman and her nephew have reached a resolution in a family dispute that has made headlines across the country. Tyrone MacInnis, 19, will receive $350,000 of a $1.2 million lottery jackpot, while his aunt, 57-year-old Barbara Reddick, will keep the rest. In July, a ticket bearing the names of Reddick and MacInnis won $1,222,639.00 in the Chase the Ace lottery in Margaree Forks, NS.  She sues nephew over lottery win but put his name on ticket

There are nearly 20 posters on The South Bayview Bulldog Bulletin Board. Here are some of the events taking place in the hours and days just ahead.

Coca Cola is said to be sniffing around some kind of possible deal with Aurora Cannabis, the licensed weed dealer out of Edmonton. The information is very fragmentary but everyone is talking about CBD Oil, the non-intoxicating element of marijuana that has quickly assumed the status of some kind of wonder drug. Maybe, maybe not. We said the other day that it was being touted for everything from diabetes to flat feet. Be careful and stay tuned. It may turn out to be as valid as asparagus water.

The Toronto Hydro outage that lay across Davisville Village and South Leaside was repaired by dinnertime Monday as shown on the firm’s blackout map online. There remains at posting time a small outage which seems to be centred in the west side of Summerhill off Macpherson Ave. and Roxborough St. West.