The South Bayview Bulldog

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has introduced its electronic baggage check system at Pearson airport (see video below). The process is now unified by electronics which track passenger flow, shows slowdowns and bags needing special attention. There is a private-room where staff electronically screen bags and an improved area for putting luggage and personal belongings back together after the check. Quick and experienced travellers will be able to jump past those with lots of luggage who require more time. Because each passenger is seen and recorded entering the process, the system responds automatically when things get plugged up. The system is called CATSA plus and it is already in service in Montreal and Calgary. The video below is informative.

The Liberal government will create a “super” civilian watchdog to review security and intelligence agencies. This body will lay across the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) as well as every other department and agency that has a security or intelligence function. A reported element of the act, if passed, will let the CSE launch cyberattacks against foreign targets, including terrorist groups and even other countries. The new powers follow recent warnings that cyberattacks are likely during the next federal election in 2019, and new military marching orders to start working on offensive cyber-capabilities. There does not appear to anything reported about home-grown terrorism, the kind which has been seen in Canada and is a major threat to people in Europe. The Public Safety Minister, Mr. Goodale, spoke warmly of how freedom would be protected and the correct balance would now be found between strengthening security and safeguarding charter and privacy rights.

Lester Pearson

1984 Yonge St.

The little-known home on Yonge St north of Davisville Ave. where Lester Bowles Pearson spent the first three years of his life will not be given heritage status by the City. The rather anonymous looking structure at 1984 Yonge will be torn down as part of Yonge redevelopment. Pearson was prime minister from 1963 to 1968 and was widely known as “Mike”. CBC Wikipedia

Two little girls aged about two and three fell two storeys from the second floor of a Scarborough home Monday night. It appears to be misadventure in a home with open windows and no air conditioning. Police said they think it is a case of two kids romping on a bed and getting too close to the window.The younger girl is said to have hit her head and is more seriously hurt. Police said the CAS has been notified.

The CBC says a Toronto Tim Hortons franchisee with two locations has launched a $500-million class-action lawsuit against the parent company for mismanagement of the brand. It accuses Restaurant Brands International of squeezing franchise operators so hard it is a challenge for them to stay in business. The complaint joins widely reported dissatisfaction with the nickel and dime state of Tm Hortons service since RBI took over. The CBC says there’s a “group” of franchisees but then notes the $500,000 action is brought by 1523428 Ontario Inc. owner of two Tim Hortons. It must be certified as a class-action

AD FUND

“Since its acquisition,” the statement of claim reads, “[Restaurant Brands] has used various strategies to extract more money out of the Tim Hortons franchise system at the expense of franchisees.” A serious sore point is the so-called ad fund which was set up and made mandatory for franchisees. They have contributed some $700,00 so far with little say over how the money is spent.

Gord Downie, terminally ill with brain cancer, has been awarded the Order of Canada in a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. At this same event the Governor General apologized for saying that Canada is a nation of immigrants, including aboriginal people. It is not clear just who was offended because history seems to suggest that aboriginal people migrated to North America from Asia. Perhaps it’s the nuanced definition of immigrant or sensitivity. In Toronto, young Ben Kyle has solved the Pyraminx, also known as the triangle Rubik’s Cube, in a record-setting 1.28 seconds Ben, 13, was at the World Cube Association tournament on the weekend. Below that, New Zealand has won three races in a row to put a near lock on the America’s Cup. The defending champions, the US, has a week to shape up and make a comeback. And finally, the gay man photographed with the Trumps in the Oval Office had a giggle we must think by producing a fan and giving it a wave or two in an official photo.

The writers of an annual food price report from Dalhousie University in Halifax say they think meat prices will rise as much as seven to nine percent because of a shortage of cattle and hogs. The Canadian Press story does not say what caused a shortage of animals great enough to sustain increases of this amount. The mid-year update suggests that dairy products, eggs, baked goods and cereals are expected to drop between one and three per cent. They were expected to remain flat or rise up to two per cent.

David Bryant and friends

Alleged break-in?

Longo’s service in the rain

Every grocery store in the country take notice of this splendid service from Longo’s at their Leaside Village store. Kate Young posted a picture of the manager and a few staff carrying umbrellas for customers. Love it. Upper left, here is Leaside’s David Bryant and friends preparing for the Victoria Day sky fire show. It was highly entertaining. Now Dave is asking for help to put on a proper display for July 1. He writes: “I have compiled my list of effects to light up the sky and this will be my most intense show ever. But I need your help. My shopping cart comes to a whopping $5200 pre-discount, I will receive a 50% off my order from my supplier Victory Fireworks. All donations are used towards the cost of the event, if a get more than enough contributions to cover the cost I will buy more. If you are interested in contributing to the show please contact me via call/text/email.”  And finally, Meagan Rènah Harris posted some pictures of kids outside the Leaside Mart early in the morning at McRae Dr. at Sutherland Dr.  She says there were five of them and that there was an attempted break-in. Leaside Community

Fears of fighting between Russia and the US in the middle east flared when Moscow said it will “target” fighter planes seen west of the Euphrates River. This is apparently an agreed-to boundary between the countries as they try to finish off ISIS. The issue was heightened yesterday when the US shot down a Syrian jet because it had dropped bombs near Syrian Democratic Force (SDF) fighters. SDF forces are backed by the US-led coalition fighting ISIS.