The South Bayview Bulldog

PC leader Doug Ford says that if elected premier in June he will call a commission of inquiry into government spending. He has already promised to perform an audit on Ontario finances. Mr. Ford said he the accuracy of Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk’s report, but he does not believe it gives a complete picture of government spending and accounting practices.

The practical transformation of the automobile into the SUV is official. Ford will drop all its car models except the Mustang. Then, there’s persistent E Coli illness in the US traced to romaine lettuce grown in Arizona. Here in Canada, the Food inspection Agency says there’s no such outbreak and no cause for it to issue a warning. Below, the CBC reviews the hi-jacking of the Humboldt tragedy for pure profit. And finally, a man who is both adored and reviled in Canada, David Suzuki, is at the centre of a storm in Alberta.

Trap set for Luna, but neighbor objects

The search continues in North Leaside for Luna, a probably-pregnant tabby who strayed from home about a week ago. Its owner is saying on Facebook that a trap has been set on Thursfield Crescent at the spot where she is seen every day. A kind homeowner, of whom there seem to be many, has allowed the trap in his backyard. But incredibly, there is a neighbor threatening to call police because the owner is sitting in her car on the street to monitor events with the trap. Unbelievable. One reader says Luna’s owner should buy the person a Tim’s card and thank her for her understanding. Luna’s owner says she needs to be so close to the trap in case it shuts. Luna might injure herself. Most of the time her partner is in the car during the night and early morning because those are the times Luna is out. She asks for any help with alternate parking. During the day Luna hangs out between 37 and 47 Brentcliffe. Leaside Community

The Boston Bruins earned a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in a wild Game 7 on Wednesday evening, clinching the series win and setting up a second-round meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The City of Toronto has issued a media release announcing that they will host a #TorontoStrong Vigil this Sunday evening at Mel Lastman Square. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and support all those who have been affected by Monday’s tragedy in Toronto.

Mel Lastman Square (Source: Green Lotus/Facebook)

Date: Sunday, April 29
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St.

This City-hosted vigil, organized in collaboration with community groups Faith in the City and the Toronto Area Interfaith Council, will be an interfaith demonstration of Toronto’s diverse communities as well as a display of the city’s resiliency. Additional details, including how residents and faith groups can participate, as well as the expected vigil program, will be posted on the following web page as they become available: http://ow.ly/eYEH30jFJQ9.

Members of the public are encouraged to ride public transit to the #TorontoStrong Vigil as road closures may be in effect in the area. More information about Faith in the City is available at https://www.faithinthecity.ca/. More information about the Toronto Area Interfaith Council is available at https://www.taic.ca/about-us. Residents and the public can also contribute to the #TorontoStrong fund which will support victims and their families, first responders and those affected by the trauma, through organizations including Victim Services Toronto and other supporting partner organizations. To learn more about the #TorontoStrong fund and to contribute visit http://www.torontofoundation.ca/torontostrong/.

Pointing something at officer

But as cop approaches with baton, subject drops the object (circled)

He retreats and falls to knees

The frames above are all taken from about four seconds of video shot by Zaid Yakub from his vehicle Monday as PC Ken Lam, using apparently only his night-stick or baton, arrests a man on Yonge St.  It reveals that the subject of Lam’s attention drops whatever it is he is pointing at the policeman. Most reports say it was a cellphone. The wanted person immediately raises his hands and moves to the sidewalk and falls to his knees without being forced or hit. Lam is much celebrated for his courage and judgement. Fortunately for him, his perceptions were correct. He did not unholster his gun and most certainly could have been shot by anyone with a gun.

Ontario’s auditor general says the Liberal government’s statements on the province’s finances understate its deficit by billions. In a pre-election report released Wednesday, Bonnie Lysyk also says the government has not accurately reflected the true cost of its borrowing plan to cut hydro rates by 25 per cent, and is raising questions about the way it accounts for revenues related to two teacher pension plans. As a result, Lysyk says the government’s deficit projections are off by 75 per cent in 2018-2019, jumping to 92 per cent in 2020-2021. Lysyk says the 2018-2019 deficit projected by the government was $6.7 billion and will instead by $11.7 billion. The deficit projections for 2020-2021 are $6.5 billion, but Lysyk says that figure will actually be $12.5 billion.

PLANE WITH SIX ABOARD LANDS SAFELY ON CALGARY STREET

A small plane carrying six people made an emergency landing on a Calgary street Wednesday morning. Police say the twin-engine plane was coming in from the south, heading for a landing at the Calgary airport, when the pilot radioed in that the aircraft was low on fuel. Sgt. Duane Lepchuk said the plane came down shortly before 6:00 a.m. on a two-lane stretch of 36th Street, about five kilometres south of the airport and not far from the Trans-Canada Highway. There were no injuries among the four passengers and two crew members. “36 (Street) is an overpass that goes over the Trans-Canada,” noted Lepchuk, who said there was no indication the plane was damaged during the landing.

Respect/Steve Russell@RussellPhotos Twitter

Grief and strength at North York memorial/Nathan Denette Twitter

Michael de Adder/National Post

Prayers in Olive Square at Yonge south of Finch

PC Ken Lam with proud dad David

In the depth of the grief and despair felt by people across Toronto, there is much simple decency to help us be brave. We will find it in thousands standing vigil at Olive Square off Yonge St. for victims of the truck attack Monday. It’s in prayers expressing love for all and in the generous giving underway to address personal and family catastrophe. And there is the pride of a father in his fearless son in blue. It is our pride too. Toronto Strong. Stay as you are.

Not legal but we love to pull U-turns

The dangerous and illegal practice that is so common on Bayview Ave., and elsewhere near home, occurred again Tuesday morning. This time it caused an accident. Social media was alive with the U-turn crash on Bayview between Manor Rd. and Millwood Rd. A rental van attempted a U-turn from a parking spot and was struck by a bus. It seems we love to do it even though Bayview is signed from Davisville to at least Parkhurst to the contrary. The practice may be slightly less dangerous on South Bayview than elsewhere, if you don’t mind $1,000 in repairs. The Highway Traffic Act does permit U turns under elaborately cautious conditions and if not specifically forbidden.

TWO DEATHS LOCALLY IN A YEAR

But on Mt. Pleasant Rd. near Carstowe Rd. or the Bayview extension near the Brick Works, it’s been deadly twice in slightly more than a year. And it could easily kill a pedestrian right on our favorite street. Both these accidents were caused by illegal turns in violation of a City bylaw that  prevents them where “unsafe,” sources say. Such turns are also referenced in a bylaw on “dangerous practices.”  U-turns are dangerous because they create a surprise for other drivers. It’s a 360 degree window of peril. A driver exiting parallel parking on Bayview cannot know that someone on the other side is going to turn in front of him. Although specifically prohibited here, and elsewhere, there is little enforcement. Offender demographic is well peppered with matrons with kids in the car, dads, bozos and guys in a hurry.

See later post