U.S. President Obama rolled out the flattery for Canada in his remarks to the House of Commons Wednesday. No doubt it got the MPs thoroughly chuffed up, at least on the government side. There was a mild shot about money, specifically how little Canada contributes to NATO. It is a common failing among NATO members. At the Granite Club, Canada would be expelled for being in arrears
Summit sees soul-searching about non-democratic EU
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The elected governments of member EU states have had to come to grips with the non-democratic decisions of the huge bureaucracy that has been built up over the decades in Brussels. In legal declarations both sweeping and insufferably intrusive, the EU functionaries have regulated everything from the curvature of bananas to be sold in European markets to trade with Canada because of the seal hunt.
Sunnybrook to get super-precise tumour-targeting tool
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A revolutionary six-tonne piece of machinery will be lowered through the roof of Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre and into a specially constructed radiation treatment bunker. It will be a huge undertaking – the equipment is so massive the roof is the only way in. But the effort will be worth it because the new diagnostic device (known as an MR-Linac) will permit the precise targeting of even the most elusive tumours with high-powered radiation. The MR-Linac is manufactured by the Swedish firm Elekta and Phillips. It carries out high-definition imaging of tumours in real-time during radiation therapy. This will allow Odette Cancer Centre specialists to target tumours with extraordinary precision – even as a tumour moves inside the body – and to quickly see the radiation’s effect on the tumour. Sunnybrook Health Matters — edited.
Police confirm body of Nadler and wife found in wreckage
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Peel police confirmed Friday that the man’s body found in wreckage of a home on Hickory Drive in Mississauga is in fact that of the owner, Robert Nadler, 55. They had earlier identified a woman’s body as that of his wife, Dianne Page 55. Authorities continue to work to confirm the cause of the explosion which has been widely speculated as a natural gas build up inside the home. But no determination has been revealed. Police also continue to review the many handwritten notes which are said to complain about ill health, a lack of money and seemed apologetic in nature.
Hydro continuing to work on Riverdale area outage
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East end outage update: boundaries reduced to Danforth/Queen/DVP/Coxwell. Crews on site working as quickly and safely as possible.
— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) June 30, 2016
Sobey’s parent takes stunning $1.3 bln charge on Safeway
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Empire Co. Ltd., the parent of Sobeys, has taken a $1.3 billion impairment charge over its disastrous acquisition of Safeway in western Canada three years ago. The hint of serious problems arose last fall when Empire announced massive difficulties integrating Safeway stores into its sales and inventory systems. Empire shares plummeted close to 10 per cent Wednesday as the firm conceded there is much work to be done in order to remedy problems in its supply chain, rationalize private labels and try to squeeze a profit out of the disappearing margins of the grocery business.
INSTRUCTIVE STORY
It is an instructive story for those wondering why Whole Foods isn’t just keen as can be to open a store at 1860 Bayview. In a word, it is a rough business and the competition isn’t getting any easier. “It’s not simple promotional fixes that will get the job done,” Empire CEO Marc Poulin told analysts. “It’s more fundamental changes that will adapt the business for our customers.” Empire, second largest grocer after Loblaws, has suffered amid stiff competition from lower-priced discount chains such as No Frills and Walmart.
Police warn of sick coyote seen in east-Scarborough
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Police have warned east-Scarborough residents about a “sick coyote” seen Tuesday in the area of Military Trail and Morningside Avenue. This animal was seen to be coyote suffering from mange (a skin disease causing hair loss). It was described as having an injury to the left shoulder area It may be dangerous to the public if approached Anyone who sees it is asked to call 3-1-1, Animal Services.
Ontario to offer a gender anonymous X as well as M and F
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Ontario will offer those who wish to be anonymous in gender terms (so to speak) the chance to mark an X on drivers licenses and health cards. It appears that those wishing to announce their sex may still do so with the time-honoured (or whatever) F and M. Ontario will also launch public consultations this summer to develop policies on how the government collects, uses and displays sex and gender information on government forms and products.
AS ALWAYS, NUMBERS MATTER
The decision seems like a sop to a small fraction of the population. The number of people who might choose X would seem to be infinitesimal. It speaks volumes that the government didn’t simply eliminate M and F and declare that everyone should be an X. Such a decision — or a sudden preference for X by ten or 20 per cent of the population — would wreak havoc on government recording keeping in everything from crime prevention to health care.
Could “apology notes” be related to Missy home explosion?
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As a clue in Monday’s explosion, it seems like a long shot. But neighbours of the Hickory Drive home in Mississauga which blew up Monday afternoon are telling the CBC that they have found notes and letters which seem to apologize in advance for the actions of the writer. That’s the interpretation of either the neighbors or the writer. There are no such words quoted. Police have taken the papers as evidence. The CBC story says no one so far can tell in which home these letters were written. “There’s nothing to connect it to the actual house,” police said. “As you are aware, there are a lot of damaged homes. So we’re working on connecting it to wherever it belongs. We’re not specifying what’s on the paper, what the documents are. We’re just asking if you do find something, turn them over.” Residents who read the notes told CBC The letters say the describe being in pain and ask God for help. A second letter shown to CBC News also mentions health challenges and includes an apology for the writer’s inability to keep up with home maintenance and cleaning.
Suspect in local B&Es enters homes with owner there
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Police are warning residents of 53 Division that a brazen break and enter offender is operating in local neighborhoods. They report a noticeable increase in entries across midtown as well. In recent days there have three more reported break-and-enters, during the night hours, into unlocked homes in the Midtown/Rosedale areas. Video of the suspect has been captured by a security camera. He is described as 20 to 30 with a thin build. He was wearing a grey hoodie, baseball cap, white shoes, dark pants, and carrying a black backpack. The 53 Division Facebook page says this skinny perpetrator has been known to enter homes while the residents are inside. Questions may be directed to 53 Division Crime Prevention Officers Constables Timothy Somers at 416-808-5337 or Alex Li at 416-808-5308.
The three amigos — what would we do without them
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Prime Minister Trudeau is meeting with Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the North American Leaders’ Summit Wednesday in Ottawa. The three leaders are now known by the name of the 1986 movie The Three Amigos. Sometimes the slapstick conduct of Martin Short, Chevy Chase and Steve Martin seems to apply. But never mind. This time Canada got Mexico to open its market to Canadian beef and Mexico gets to send its citizens here without a visa. It is a decision that seems to have Immigration Canada bothered. IC recommended against lifting the visa restriction recalling masses of visitors who over-stayed and sometimes disappeared. Mr. Obama arrived Wednesday morning in Air Force One and many are saying, logically, it will be his last visit here. Too bad perhaps since he gets on so well with Mr. Trudeau. And then there is the vision of the next Three Amigos. Will it be Hillary Clinton (or Donald Trump) Justin Trudeau and an as-yet unnamed Mexican president? Among amigos, it’s all good.
MIXED AGENDA
The amigos assayed many topics, talking positively about clean air, LGBT rights and indigenous rights. all three warned of “demagogues” but none trumped the other to actually name the man to whom they were alluding. Prime MInister Trudeau appeared wearing a middle blue suit, red tie and what brown shoes. Maybe he needs a fashion consultant because he looked out of place beside the colour-co-ordinated Obama. Or maybe it doesn’t matter because it’s 2016. Does that line work with the phone bill?
Summerhill residents in effort to beat parking pad appeal
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The ABC residents association in Summerhill is gearing up for the Ontario Municipal Board hearing on Thursday, July 8, 2016 at 10:00 am at OMB offices downtown (16th Floor, 655 Bay Street, 16th Floor Toronto ON M5G 1E5). The hearing will deal with the appeal of the owner of 67 Roxborough St. West for a variance to permit a parking pad on her front lawn. The request was previously turned down by Toronto Committee of Adjustment. ABC is asking that as many members as possible attend to show opposition to the parking pad idea. Councillor Wong-Tam, the City’s legal department and City planners will be opposing the request. Two residents of Roxborough St. West. Daniel Owen of 71 Roxborough St West and either Sean or Deborah Spokes of 60 Roxborough St West, will speak for residents opposed to the parking pad. ABC asks that if members cannot attend they send e-mail to ABC containing name and address and a statement giving consent and expressing support.
COMMENT ON THIS POST
Reader Linda McLean has written to say the property’s owner, Ms Ivey Bannock, really just wishes to restore a “driveway” which was there in a previous incarnation of the residence. Just where the driveway went is not clear but with the home in its present form the net effect of the proposal apparently seems like a parking pad to some. It is reported that there is a rear lane with a garage connected to the property. It is also said Ms. Ivey Bannock is expected to have neighbours who support the parking pad in attendance to speak at the hearing. The decision may have wide-ranging repercussions in other parts of the City. The house being renovated next door to 67 Rox seems to be holding a space for a front yard parking pad. Roxborough parking pad appeal could set wide precedent
