VICTORIA -- There will be a super blue blood moon on Wednesday and a total lunar eclipse, events that by themselves are not uncommon but combined they make for a spectacular night for skywatchers in Western Canada.
On the West Coast, the skies will feature the fantastic lunar show as the gravitational forces of the sun and moon churn up the strongest tides of the year, known as king or spring tides.Wednesday, January 31, 2018
TATOOED VEGAN
In an effort to prove her commitment to her lifestyle, Kate Bullen of Preston, England, decided to get the word "vegan" tattooed on her forehead above her right eye.
"I chose to get this tattoo as I'm incredibly passionate about veganism and know I'll be vegan for life." She went vegan a few years ago and is "still learning about how eating meat is so harmful for the planet and contributing towards world hunger and so many illnesses in humans."
LIBERALS DEFINE INAPPROPRIATE
In future election-season vetting, political parties need to ask potential candidates whether they’ve committed an act that can be seen as sexually inappropriate, say two former members of Liberal candidate-vetting committees, although they acknowledge filtering out the badly behaved will still be difficult.
The two members who spoke to The Hill Times said the typical party screening process conducted by “green-light” committees in past election campaigns has tiptoed around directly questioning a potential candidate’s sexual behaviour, because of the private nature of such disclosures.
VICE ADMIRAL NORMAN'S LEGAL BILLS
A fundraising effort is under way to help Vice-Admiral Mark Norman with his legal bills as he fights allegations by the RCMP that he leaked sensitive government information to ensure a navy supply ship was built. Retired army colonel Lee Hammond of Vancouver has set up a GoFundMe account with a goal of raising $50,000.
Hammond said he started the initiative after he learned the federal government had rejected a request from Norman for legal assistance because the Department of National Defence already considered him guilty of disclosing confidential information. Postmedia reported that development last week after receiving a leaked document outlining the rejection.
INIVESTIGATING TORONTO'S ALLEGED SERIAL KILLER
After the recent discovery of skeletal remains in a planter at a Leaside home, investigators plan to dig up the property’s backyard to search for more bodies in the case of accused serial killer Bruce McArthur.But the work Toronto Police are doing at 53 Mallory Cr. — near Bayview and Moore Aves. — may just be the beginning when it comes to this unprecedented probe involving some 30 properties with alleged ties to the 66-year-old landscaper.
KICKING THE DOWNWARD DOG
White people are ruining sacred things at an alarming rate, according to Michigan State professor Shreena Gandhi, who recently penned the essay “Yoga and the Roots of Cultural Appropriation.”
Gandhi, a professor of religious studies at MSU, claims that Americans who practice yoga are contributing to white supremacy and colonialism.
Gandhi, a professor of religious studies at MSU, claims that Americans who practice yoga are contributing to white supremacy and colonialism.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
ELIZABETH MAY IS HUMAN
"I'm only human': Green party leader Elizabeth May asks for independent probe into bullying claims.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she asked for an independent investigation into allegations she harassed and verbally abused former staff in a bid to prove that she’s done nothing wrong.
But one of May’s accusers questioned whether the investigation would be truly independent, given that the lawyer was hired by the Green party.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she asked for an independent investigation into allegations she harassed and verbally abused former staff in a bid to prove that she’s done nothing wrong.
But one of May’s accusers questioned whether the investigation would be truly independent, given that the lawyer was hired by the Green party.
IT AIN'T EASY BEING A JIHADIST LEADER
The leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula griped about wives spilling their jihadist husbands' secrets in a recent video that concluded with the terror group, frustrated about spies and subsequent drone strikes, issuing a blanket ban on cell phones.
FBI's MCCABE STEPPING DOWN
Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe is stepping down, Breitbart News has confirmed.
According to Fox News, McCabe was “removed.”
His early departure also comes just a day after FBI Director Christopher Wray reviewed a memo drafted by House Intelligence Committee staffers that reportedly details FBI abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), in connection with its investigation of the 2016 presidential election.
According to Fox News, McCabe was “removed.”
His early departure also comes just a day after FBI Director Christopher Wray reviewed a memo drafted by House Intelligence Committee staffers that reportedly details FBI abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), in connection with its investigation of the 2016 presidential election.
Monday, January 29, 2018
RUN TO DADDY OR FIGHT IT OUT
Incumbent Liberal MPs want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to protect them from nomination challenges for the 2019 federal election, arguing that while they perform their parliamentary duties in Ottawa for about half the year, their potential challengers have an advantage over them because they can use the time to “undermine” them in their ridings.
Meanwhile, over in the Conservative camp......Nasty fights erupt between some incumbent Conservative MPs and challengers, while two Tories decide not to run again. Meeeooow!
Meanwhile, over in the Conservative camp......Nasty fights erupt between some incumbent Conservative MPs and challengers, while two Tories decide not to run again. Meeeooow!
DOUG FORD THROWS HIS HAT INTO THE RING
TORONTO — A new candidate jumped into the race to lead the Ontario Progressive Conservatives on Monday as the party grappled with the latest accusations of sexual misconduct to hit its ranks.
Doug Ford, a former Toronto city councillor and brother to the city’s late former mayor Rob Ford, said he was throwing his hat in the ring to save the party from what he called political “elites.”
“The elites of this party, the ones who shut out the grassroots, do not want me in this race,” Doug Ford said in a news conference at his family’s home in west Toronto.
Doug Ford, a former Toronto city councillor and brother to the city’s late former mayor Rob Ford, said he was throwing his hat in the ring to save the party from what he called political “elites.”
“The elites of this party, the ones who shut out the grassroots, do not want me in this race,” Doug Ford said in a news conference at his family’s home in west Toronto.
RANDY HILLIER IN THE CROSSHAIRS
A local Progressive Conservative candidate is alleging harassment by MPP Randy Hillier.
BATTLEFORD, SASK. TRIAL BEGINS
The trial of a Saskatchewan farmer accused of killing a 22-year-old Indigenous man began Monday morning in Battleford, Sask., with jury selection.
Gerald Stanley, who is in his mid 50s, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Colten Boushie, a Cree man from the Red Pheasant First Nation reserve. Stanley has pleaded not guilty.
Boushie was shot on Stanley's farm near Biggar, Sask., in August 2016.
POLITICAL PURGE CONTINUES
The turmoil continued at Ontario’s Progressive Conservative party on Sunday, with party president Rick Dykstra announcing his resignation just hours after being contacted by media about an alleged sexual assault.
ONTARIO PC DATABASE HACKED
The Ontario Progressive Conservative Party’s internal database has been hacked.
The database contains the names, phone numbers and other personal information of over a million eligible voters in the province, as well as party supporters, donors and campaign volunteers.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
IN SENATE CROSS-HAIRS OVER TRUMP-RUSSIA DOSSIER
GOP Congressional investigators have written six letters to individuals or entities involved or thought to be involved in the funding, creation or distribution of the salacious and unverified "Trump-Russia dossier" believed to have been inappropriately used by the FBI, DOJ and Obama Administration in an effort to undermine Donald Trump as both a candidate and President of the United States.
Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SCS) wrote six Judiciary Committee letters requesting information from: John Podesta, Donna Brazille, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Robbie Mook, the DNC, and Hillary For America Chief Strategist Joel Benenson.
Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SCS) wrote six Judiciary Committee letters requesting information from: John Podesta, Donna Brazille, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Robbie Mook, the DNC, and Hillary For America Chief Strategist Joel Benenson.
ESCALATING VIOLENT INCIDENTS AT MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL
The MUHC oversees the Montreal General, a Level 1 Trauma Centre with a mandate to treat those injured in car accidents and gang-related violence, among other life-and-death emergencies. In 2015, the MUHC expanded the Montreal General’s ER to take care of psychiatric patients, but decided not to add an overnight security guard in the locked psychiatric ward.
The report by CNESST followed repeated warnings over two years by staff to senior administrators about an escalating number of violent incidents since the ER’s expansion and a lack of resources to fix the problem. During this period, the Quebec health ministry forced the MUHC to make tens of millions of dollars in cuts to its operating budget — cuts that affected everything from secretarial services to security.
The report by CNESST followed repeated warnings over two years by staff to senior administrators about an escalating number of violent incidents since the ER’s expansion and a lack of resources to fix the problem. During this period, the Quebec health ministry forced the MUHC to make tens of millions of dollars in cuts to its operating budget — cuts that affected everything from secretarial services to security.
$107B OF DEBT TO FUND INSOLVENT PENSIONS OF ILLINOIS
Seen in this light, any irrational actions undertaken by the near-insolvent state would almost make sense, if not be expected. Actually make that irrational and utterly bizarre, such as a proposed offering of a mind-blowing $107 billion in debt - a never before attempted amount in the world of munis - to "fund" the state's insolvent pension system, which would also assure that Illinois would default (even faster) in the very near future.
According to Bloomberg, Illinois lawmakers are so desperate to shore up the state’s massively underfunded retirement system that "they’re willing to entertain an eye-popping wager: Borrowing $107 billion and letting it ride in the financial markets."
According to Bloomberg, Illinois lawmakers are so desperate to shore up the state’s massively underfunded retirement system that "they’re willing to entertain an eye-popping wager: Borrowing $107 billion and letting it ride in the financial markets."
PUTIN'S DEMOCRACY
MOSCOW — Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was wrestled to the ground and forced into a police vehicle Sunday as he headed to a Moscow protest that was part of a day of nationwide demonstrations.
Navalny, the most prominent foe of President Vladimir Putin, organized the protests to urge a boycott of Russia’s March 18 presidential election, in which Putin is sure to win a fourth term.
The anti-corruption campaigner was denied permission to be a presidential candidate because of an embezzlement conviction in a case widely seen as politically motivated.
Navalny, the most prominent foe of President Vladimir Putin, organized the protests to urge a boycott of Russia’s March 18 presidential election, in which Putin is sure to win a fourth term.
The anti-corruption campaigner was denied permission to be a presidential candidate because of an embezzlement conviction in a case widely seen as politically motivated.
DANGERS OF FOREIGN CAPITAL IN HOUSING MARKET
The most expensive municipality in Canada, and possibly North America, was among the first to twig to the dangers of foreign capital surging into the housing market.
Two bold council members in West Vancouver broke the regional political silence and began speaking up more than three years ago about the factors that were causing house prices in their seaside community of 42,000 to shoot into the stratosphere.
In a municipality where the median price of a detached house is now $3.1 million, councillors Mary-Ann Booth and Craig Cameron began finding innovative ways to fight against property speculation, both domestic and foreign, despite being restricted by limited municipal powers
Two bold council members in West Vancouver broke the regional political silence and began speaking up more than three years ago about the factors that were causing house prices in their seaside community of 42,000 to shoot into the stratosphere.
In a municipality where the median price of a detached house is now $3.1 million, councillors Mary-Ann Booth and Craig Cameron began finding innovative ways to fight against property speculation, both domestic and foreign, despite being restricted by limited municipal powers
FIDELI TAKES OVER AS INTERIM LEADER OF ONTARIO PC PARTY
The Ontario Tories’ shell-shocked caucus picked Vic Fedeli as the temporary successor to Patrick Brown, who resigned early Thursday
The party will hold a rapid leadership race, with a mass membership vote on a permanent leader by the end of March, the executive announced at the end of the day.
The party will hold a rapid leadership race, with a mass membership vote on a permanent leader by the end of March, the executive announced at the end of the day.
LIBERAL HEHR BOOTED TO BACKBENCH. FINALLY
It was way back in early December, an eternity ago in terms of political timelines, when abuse allegations first surfaced against federal Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr.
He had been rude. He had been a boor.
He had condescendingly told a group of thalidomide survivors that “everyone has a sob story,” and he was deaf-eared to a military wife who came to him while he was veterans affairs minister because of a husband suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have dumped Hehr from cabinet way back then, and didn’t
He had been rude. He had been a boor.
He had condescendingly told a group of thalidomide survivors that “everyone has a sob story,” and he was deaf-eared to a military wife who came to him while he was veterans affairs minister because of a husband suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should have dumped Hehr from cabinet way back then, and didn’t
BUYING YOUR FREEDOM IN SAUDI ARABIA
One of the world's richest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, has been released two months after being detained in Saudi Arabia's anti-corruption purge.
He was freed after a financial settlement was approved by the state prosecutor, an official said.Prince Alwaleed was held in November by a new anti-corruption body headed by the Saudi crown prince.
In the aftermath of the purge, Saudi Arabia's attorney general said at least $100bn (£76bn) had been misused through systemic corruption and embezzlement going back decades.
The detentions - and the expensive settlements - are being characterised by the state as an attempt to recover those funds.
INSURANCE CORP OF B.C. LOSING $3.5MILLION DAILY
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Saturday, January 27, 2018
SOME RESIDENTS "MORE EQUAL" THAN OTHERS IF C-262 ADOPTED
Two articles of particular interest are articles 26 and 19. Article 26 protects Aboriginal rights to all “lands, territories and resources” they have traditionally occupied. There are neither definitions nor exceptions — for example, to land ceded by treaty. And Article 19 requires Parliament and the provincial legislatures to obtain the “free, prior and informed consent” of Indigenous communities prior to adoption of legislation or administrative measures “that may affect them.”
Free, prior and informed consent is not a right of anyone in our parliamentary democracy; our representatives thrash out the necessary compromises. Making all Canadian laws consistent with UNDRIP, as C-262 demands, would not just give Aboriginal Canadians rights not enjoyed by other Canadians, it would concede to small groups of them an absolute veto on many issues of resource development. This would be carrying the Supreme Court’s rebalancing of negotiating strength too far.
Free, prior and informed consent is not a right of anyone in our parliamentary democracy; our representatives thrash out the necessary compromises. Making all Canadian laws consistent with UNDRIP, as C-262 demands, would not just give Aboriginal Canadians rights not enjoyed by other Canadians, it would concede to small groups of them an absolute veto on many issues of resource development. This would be carrying the Supreme Court’s rebalancing of negotiating strength too far.
IT'S TRUE WHEN THE MSM SAYS SO
Every day since he began running for president, the international media have scoured Donald Trump's statements and actions in search of something to mock. One day last February, they fastened on an unscripted remark he made at a rally in Florida. “We’ve got to keep our country safe,” he told the crowd. “You look at what’s happening in Germany, you look at what’s happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They’re having problems like they never thought possible.”
As it turned out, Trump had been referring to an appearance on Tucker Carlson's Fox News program by filmmaker Ari Horowitz, who had discussed his documentary about the devastating impact of mass Muslim immigration on Sweden. But nobody in the mainstream media wanted to talk about that. No, they preferred to take the opportunity to present Trump as clueless and irresponsible.
And so when a paper like the Telegraph runs a piece that at least begins to tell the truth about Sweden, it's a big deal. For many readers, it will mark the first time they ever discovered that Sweden isn't a paradise on earth.
As it turned out, Trump had been referring to an appearance on Tucker Carlson's Fox News program by filmmaker Ari Horowitz, who had discussed his documentary about the devastating impact of mass Muslim immigration on Sweden. But nobody in the mainstream media wanted to talk about that. No, they preferred to take the opportunity to present Trump as clueless and irresponsible.
And so when a paper like the Telegraph runs a piece that at least begins to tell the truth about Sweden, it's a big deal. For many readers, it will mark the first time they ever discovered that Sweden isn't a paradise on earth.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE HOLDING AIR WAR DRILLS
The United States Air Force is launching its largest-ever three-week premier set of air war drills, called Red Flag 18-1
On January 26, the air war drill, known as Red Flag, officially kicked off at Nellis Air Force Base, 20-miles outside of Las Vegas. Base officials have warned residents of increased military aircraft activity due to aircraft departing from Nellis Air Force Base twice-a-day to conduct war drills on the Nevada Test and Training Rang
The drill involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft as well as participants from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Marine Corps. Foreign participants include Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
On January 26, the air war drill, known as Red Flag, officially kicked off at Nellis Air Force Base, 20-miles outside of Las Vegas. Base officials have warned residents of increased military aircraft activity due to aircraft departing from Nellis Air Force Base twice-a-day to conduct war drills on the Nevada Test and Training Rang
The drill involves a variety of attack, fighter and bomber aircraft as well as participants from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and Marine Corps. Foreign participants include Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
ONTARIO GOV'T IGNORING ITS OWN RULES
WALLACEBURG - The discovery that some large wind developments across Ontario are not being required to adhere to new provincial noise emission requirements has prompted four citizen groups to take legal action.
“Essentially, we feel like we are collateral damage in this whole Green Energy Act to be perfectly honest, and that's not right,” said Bonnie Rowe, spokesperson for the Dutton Dunwich Opponents of Wind Turbines (DDOWT).
A Notice of Application for Judicial Review was filed by DDOWT in the Divisional Court in Toronto on Tuesday against the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change alleging the ministry has allowed companies promoting at least five large-scale wind projects to ignore new government guidelines with respect to limiting the amount of noise any residence in the area should have to tolerate.
“Essentially, we feel like we are collateral damage in this whole Green Energy Act to be perfectly honest, and that's not right,” said Bonnie Rowe, spokesperson for the Dutton Dunwich Opponents of Wind Turbines (DDOWT).
A Notice of Application for Judicial Review was filed by DDOWT in the Divisional Court in Toronto on Tuesday against the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change alleging the ministry has allowed companies promoting at least five large-scale wind projects to ignore new government guidelines with respect to limiting the amount of noise any residence in the area should have to tolerate.
ET TU ELIZABETH MAY?
Three former Green Party staffers accuse Elizabeth May of workplace bullying.
Rob Rainer, a manager of six non-profit organizations before he served as the party’s interim executive director in 2014, said the Green Party has failed to address and prevent a pattern of “verbal and emotional” abuse by the 63-year-old leader.
May also said she “can’t recall ever yelling or screaming” in the workplace.
“I am the antithesis of the bully leader.”
OBAMA, THE LIBERAL JEW
Former President Barack Obama told a Jewish congregation in Manhattan Thursday that he is “basically a liberal Jew” as he defended his administration’s record on Israel and his decision to criticize Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.
Ha’aretz reports
Ha’aretz reports
The event at Temple Emanuel in Manhattan marked the first time that Obama spoke publicly about Israel since leaving officeObama defended his decision to abstain at a December 2016 UN Security Council vote denouncing Israeli settlements. He explained that vetoing the resolution would have hurt “our credibility on human rights.” He also stated that “to be a true friend of Israel it is important to be honest about it, and the politics of this country sometimes do not allow for it.”
PHONY LISA JUMPS IN FRONT OF THE PARADE
"Certainly when I heard issues about women I would bring those forward," she said, adding that she raised the matter with campaign members "before Christmas."
MacLeod said she had gone to Soudas instead, because he was a friend and she did not trust members of Brown’s staff.
Soudas -- who is best known for his time on Parliament Hill as a top communication aide to Prime Minster Stephen Harper -- confirmed MacLeod’s account in a series of tweets, saying: "Ms. McLeod [sic.] informed me of rumours and allegations in regards to her then leader, Mr. Brown. She did not have specific details. Just rumours. I strongly urged her to raise these issues directly with Mr. Brown as I was a volunteer and she was a caucus member. I also urged her to raise this issue with caucus. She clearly didn’t."
MacLeod said she had gone to Soudas instead, because he was a friend and she did not trust members of Brown’s staff.
Soudas -- who is best known for his time on Parliament Hill as a top communication aide to Prime Minster Stephen Harper -- confirmed MacLeod’s account in a series of tweets, saying: "Ms. McLeod [sic.] informed me of rumours and allegations in regards to her then leader, Mr. Brown. She did not have specific details. Just rumours. I strongly urged her to raise these issues directly with Mr. Brown as I was a volunteer and she was a caucus member. I also urged her to raise this issue with caucus. She clearly didn’t."
OBAMA-FARRAKHAN PHOTO RELEASED
A photograph of then-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan that was taken in 2005 at a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, was released Saturday after a 13-year cover-up to protect Obama’s political career.
Journalist Askia Muhammad told TriceEdneyWire.com that he took the photograph after Obama had engaged “in a warm conversation with constituent and fellow Chicagoan Minister Louis Farrakhan.” However, he realized that the photograph could endanger Obama’s presidential ambitions, which were already being widely discussed.
Journalist Askia Muhammad told TriceEdneyWire.com that he took the photograph after Obama had engaged “in a warm conversation with constituent and fellow Chicagoan Minister Louis Farrakhan.” However, he realized that the photograph could endanger Obama’s presidential ambitions, which were already being widely discussed.
Friday, January 26, 2018
THE RUSSIAGATE STAKES ARE EXTREME
The Republicans’ delay in releasing the summary of the House Intelligence Committee’s Russiagate investigation is giving weight to the presstitutes’ claim that the report is not being released, because it is a hack attempt at a Trump coverup that is not believable. Only Republicans are stupid enough to put themselves in such a situation.
Readers ask me why the summary memo is not released if it is real. There must be some reasons besides the stupidity of Republicans. Yes, that is so.
Readers ask me why the summary memo is not released if it is real. There must be some reasons besides the stupidity of Republicans. Yes, that is so.
CSIS TRACKING HOME GROWN JIHADISTS
The issue of homegrown jihadists abroad is such a concern for Canada’s top spy agency that they’ve been running internal reports on the extremists’ whereabouts on as much as a weekly basis.
Documents marked “top secret” and “secret” obtained via access to information and made available to the Sun reveal the frequency with which CSIS was updating its tally of foreign fighters.
The weekly reports, which span most of 2016 and early 2017, track those “currently in Turkey/Syria/Iraq” and those “returned to Canada from Turkey/Syria/Iraq”.
Documents marked “top secret” and “secret” obtained via access to information and made available to the Sun reveal the frequency with which CSIS was updating its tally of foreign fighters.
The weekly reports, which span most of 2016 and early 2017, track those “currently in Turkey/Syria/Iraq” and those “returned to Canada from Turkey/Syria/Iraq”.
A PIECE OF CANADA STUCK TO AUSTRALIA
At its closest point, the western coast of Canada is more than 7,000 miles away from the edge of Australia. But the world map hasn’t always been that way.
Researchers at Curtin University in Australia published a study in Geology which found that more than a billion years ago, a chunk of present-day Canada broke away from the fledgling North American continent and smashed into Australia. That chunk of land is present-day Georgetown, Australia.
Researchers at Curtin University in Australia published a study in Geology which found that more than a billion years ago, a chunk of present-day Canada broke away from the fledgling North American continent and smashed into Australia. That chunk of land is present-day Georgetown, Australia.
BUILDING GAS-FIRED POWER PLANTS FOR DECLINING ELECTRICITY DEMAND
Seven years after sparking a major scandal that culminated in last week’s criminal conviction of a former top Dalton McGuinty aide, two gas plants are back on the radar as critics question the need for them.
The natural gas-fired power plants abruptly axed in Mississauga and Oakville by the former premier before the 2011 election have since found new life near Sarnia and Napanee at a cost of over $1 billion — but as demand for electricity declines.
Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, whose riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington includes the Napanee plants, bristles at that logic.
“They cancel the plant down in Oakville where there’s big demand, and they relocate it to eastern Ontario where there’s no demand, beside an existing generating station that they don’t really use.”
The natural gas-fired power plants abruptly axed in Mississauga and Oakville by the former premier before the 2011 election have since found new life near Sarnia and Napanee at a cost of over $1 billion — but as demand for electricity declines.
Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, whose riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington includes the Napanee plants, bristles at that logic.
“They cancel the plant down in Oakville where there’s big demand, and they relocate it to eastern Ontario where there’s no demand, beside an existing generating station that they don’t really use.”
SUBSTANDARD CARE IN ONTARIO'S OVERCROWDED HOSPITALS
Patients are receiving "substandard care" in hallways at hospitals across Ontario due to a crisis in capacity that leads to increased infection rates, more violence and higher mortality rates, according to the Ontario Health Coalition.
Natalie Mehra, executive director of the coalition, said basically every hospital in a city with 50,000 people or more is running at 100 per cent capacity or higher, and not just during the flu season surge.
Natalie Mehra, executive director of the coalition, said basically every hospital in a city with 50,000 people or more is running at 100 per cent capacity or higher, and not just during the flu season surge.
MEDIA HAS BECOME THE COURT
For all the other moments #MeToo has wrought, the Patrick Brown story is seminal: A political leader is cut down like a sapling in the forest in a matter of hours, and none of his colleagues, in and outside of the Ontario Conservative party, and including the Ontario premier and the prime minister of Canada, have one word to say in the defence of fair play or the presumption of innocence.
This — not the anonymous allegations of Brown’s accusers from the shadows — is what is shocking and disgraceful about this story.
This — not the anonymous allegations of Brown’s accusers from the shadows — is what is shocking and disgraceful about this story.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
COMEY, ROSENSTEIN, MCCABE NAMED IN FISA MEMO
So to recap: not only were high level intelligence officials allegedly involved in clandestine meetings in which they conspired to "impair" Donald Trump, this leak in conjunction of the four-page GOP memo appear to confirm what many have suspected all along; a highly illegal operation was conducted against President Trump which goes all the way to the top of the U.S. government.
If Trump needed an excuse to drain the swamp without the appearance of partisan politics, it's just been handed to him on a silver platter. Or he may want to wait until the general public has seen the memo - which is being fast-tracked by the House.
If Trump needed an excuse to drain the swamp without the appearance of partisan politics, it's just been handed to him on a silver platter. Or he may want to wait until the general public has seen the memo - which is being fast-tracked by the House.
MERKEL CLINGS TO HER IDEOLOGY
Angela Merkel has attacked the “poison” of right-wing populists, slammed the building of “walls”, and defended free movement and globalism during her speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The German chancellor’s attack comes after the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surged in the German Federal elections, leaving her struggling to form a government, and shows her tone has changed little since the 2015 migrant crisis that preceded the election humiliation.
The German chancellor’s attack comes after the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surged in the German Federal elections, leaving her struggling to form a government, and shows her tone has changed little since the 2015 migrant crisis that preceded the election humiliation.
KEEPING EXTREMIST INFLUENCE OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS
NP: The Trudeau government says countering radicalization is a foundational component of Canada’s national security policy. Indeed, it has established the new Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence. The government should therefore be pleased with the recent introduction of Bill C-371, the Prevention of Radicalization through Foreign Funding Act, which is an excellent complement to its efforts in this area.
C-371 would enable Canada to establish a list of foreign states that meet specific criteria, such as promoting egregious forms of religious intolerance or engaging in activities that support radicalization. Once that list is in place, all Canadian religious, cultural and educational institutions would be prohibited from accepting donations from those foreign governments.
C-371 would enable Canada to establish a list of foreign states that meet specific criteria, such as promoting egregious forms of religious intolerance or engaging in activities that support radicalization. Once that list is in place, all Canadian religious, cultural and educational institutions would be prohibited from accepting donations from those foreign governments.
BROWN RESIGNS AS LEADER OF ONTARIO CONSERVATIVES
Patrick Brown has resigned as Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader after serious allegations of sexual misconduct from two women who spoke to CTV News.
In a statement released early Thursday morning, Brown called the allegations false but says he is resigning after consulting with friends, family and caucus members.
"I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations," said Brown, who is 39.
In a statement released early Thursday morning, Brown called the allegations false but says he is resigning after consulting with friends, family and caucus members.
"I will remain on as a MPP while I definitively clear my name from these false allegations," said Brown, who is 39.
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
UNIONS CRYING OVER SPENDING LIMITS
TORONTO — A coalition of Ontario unions that has spent millions on attack ads targeting Progressive Conservatives during past election campaigns is fighting a Liberal law that limits how much third parties can spend on election advertising.
The Working Families group has filed a constitutional challenge against Bill 2, alleging the law that took effect last year infringes on its rights to free expression and free association.
The Working Families group has filed a constitutional challenge against Bill 2, alleging the law that took effect last year infringes on its rights to free expression and free association.
PREPARING YOUR POPULATION FOR WAR
As the world marches closer to war, countries in Europe are rushing to educate and prepare their civilian populations for military conflict with Russia.
Last week, for the first time since World War II, Sweden’s government announced that it would soon distribute some 4.7 million civil defense brochures to its citizens, warning them about the onset of war.
In the latest installment of war preparations, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that the government of Estonia is preparing to send some 1.3 million civil defense brochures to its citizens, with instructions of what do in the event of a significant crisis or war, said Brig. Gen. Martin Herem of the Estonian Defence Forces.
All three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania) have been invaded and occupied by Russia in the past. However, the Baltic states are now under NATO control, which has made Russian aggression into Europe somewhat complicated, because it would trigger war.
Last week, for the first time since World War II, Sweden’s government announced that it would soon distribute some 4.7 million civil defense brochures to its citizens, warning them about the onset of war.
In the latest installment of war preparations, Estonian public broadcaster ERR reports that the government of Estonia is preparing to send some 1.3 million civil defense brochures to its citizens, with instructions of what do in the event of a significant crisis or war, said Brig. Gen. Martin Herem of the Estonian Defence Forces.
All three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania) have been invaded and occupied by Russia in the past. However, the Baltic states are now under NATO control, which has made Russian aggression into Europe somewhat complicated, because it would trigger war.
2017 WAS MEXICO'S MOST MURDEROUS YEAR
The latest homicide data from the interior ministry is the highest ever to be reported since records were first kept in 1997 and represents a whopping 27% surge over 2016 figures.
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees to exercise increased caution while traveling in Mexico, and even restricted some regions from access because of “violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery.”
Across the 31-Mexican states, there were 29,168 homicides in 2017, the federal government published in a brand new report on Sunday, making last year the most murderous year on record.
Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department warned U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees to exercise increased caution while traveling in Mexico, and even restricted some regions from access because of “violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery.”
Across the 31-Mexican states, there were 29,168 homicides in 2017, the federal government published in a brand new report on Sunday, making last year the most murderous year on record.
WHAT INVESTORS SEE IN CANADA
NP: The prime minister is off to Davos, where we are told he will “champion Canada as an attractive place to invest.” That’s nice to hear, and certainly one wouldn’t want him to suggest he had any doubts on that score. But, er, is it?
But the longer-term outlook is decidedly less rosy — the Finance department projects growth in future decades at just 1.7 per cent per year — and even in the short term the barriers to investment, notwithstanding the prime minister’s optimism, are accumulating. You can only boast about how well our banking sector survived the financial crisis so many times.
But the longer-term outlook is decidedly less rosy — the Finance department projects growth in future decades at just 1.7 per cent per year — and even in the short term the barriers to investment, notwithstanding the prime minister’s optimism, are accumulating. You can only boast about how well our banking sector survived the financial crisis so many times.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
PROF. FIGHTS BACK AGAINST CAMPUS TOTALITARIANS
“In the fall of 2016,” New York University professor Michael Rectenwald recently told The Daily Caller, “I was noting an increase of this social justice ideology on campuses, and it started to really alarm me. I saw it coming home to roost here at NYU, with the creation of the bias reporting hotline, and with the cancellation of the Milo Yiannopoulos talk because someone might walk past it and hear something which might ‘trigger’ them.”
Rectenwald, himself a leftist, created an initially anonymous Twitter account, @antipcnyuprof, to speak out against that ideology and the “absolutely anti-education and anti-intellectual” classroom indoctrination he was witnessing, as well as the collectivist surveillance state that the campus was becoming, as students were urged to report each other for the sin of committing microaggressions.
In October of that year, he outed himself as the man behind the controversial Twitter account, and “all hell broke loose.”
Rectenwald, himself a leftist, created an initially anonymous Twitter account, @antipcnyuprof, to speak out against that ideology and the “absolutely anti-education and anti-intellectual” classroom indoctrination he was witnessing, as well as the collectivist surveillance state that the campus was becoming, as students were urged to report each other for the sin of committing microaggressions.
In October of that year, he outed himself as the man behind the controversial Twitter account, and “all hell broke loose.”
SECRET SOCIETY WITHIN THE FBI
There is serious talk on Capitol Hill about the appointment of a second special counsel amid several new bombshell revelations swirling around the Trump/Russia probe. First, there are the allegations of shocking and substantial government surveillance abuses under President Obama outlined in the FISA abuse memo. Secondly, the FBI lost five months of key text messages between the anti-Trump/pro-Clinton FBI officials Peter Strzok and his mistress Lisa Page. And now there's talk of a "secret society" of officials within the FBI that apparently met the day after the election of Donald J. Trump to plot against the president-elect.
PHONY TRUDEAU ON DISPLAY IN DAVOS
Adler: But while things may be rosy for him in the Swiss Alps, things have been thorny on the ground back home in down-to-earth Canada.
In Switzerland, he’ll be seen as one who plays well with the other kids. But here in Canada, it seems like every day he’s picking a fight, not with professional political pugilists, but with ordinary Canadians.
In the last three months he’s been seen battling small, mom and pop business people — some of the hardest working people in Canada — accusing them of being selfish, greedy people not willing to share their wealth fairly, by taking advantage of Canada’s taxation system.
In Switzerland, he’ll be seen as one who plays well with the other kids. But here in Canada, it seems like every day he’s picking a fight, not with professional political pugilists, but with ordinary Canadians.
In the last three months he’s been seen battling small, mom and pop business people — some of the hardest working people in Canada — accusing them of being selfish, greedy people not willing to share their wealth fairly, by taking advantage of Canada’s taxation system.
"INDEPENDENT" SENATORS TEND TO VOTE WITH LIBERALS
OTTAWA — As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s vision for a less-partisan Senate takes shape, independent senators are now the most likely to be lobbied by special interest groups.
Lobbyists communicated with members of the upper chamber twice as often in 2017 as in 2016, and a full six times as often as in 2015, apparently a reflection of senators’ increasing influence.
POLITICS, AS USUAL, IN CANADA
Seven Conservative MPs are facing nomination challenges for the 2019 election, but there is widespread speculation the party’s leadership is behind at least some of those challenges, which the party strongly denies.
Cory Hann, director of communications for the Conservative Party, denied any suggestions that the party’s leadership is in any way involved in encouraging any challenger to run against incumbent MPs.
“We’re running our nominations in the exact manner we’ve run all our nominations including our leadership—in a very fair and open manner,” said Mr. Hann, last week.
Nothing to see here folks, move along.
Cory Hann, director of communications for the Conservative Party, denied any suggestions that the party’s leadership is in any way involved in encouraging any challenger to run against incumbent MPs.
“We’re running our nominations in the exact manner we’ve run all our nominations including our leadership—in a very fair and open manner,” said Mr. Hann, last week.
Nothing to see here folks, move along.
CANADIAN BUSINESS STRATEGY: BE PART OF THE FURNITURE
OTTAWA — For all of Canada's efforts to promote the North American Free Trade Agreement on U.S. soil, there are concerns one important voice from the north has been a little quieter than the rest: Canadian business.
The heads of two key business groups, one on each side of the border, think corporate Canada could be doing more to drum up U.S. support for NAFTA — especially as the embattled deal's renegotiation enters its most critical phase.
Canadian politicians from different levels of government have joined forces with members of the Canadian business community to boost NAFTA with Americans as part of the so-called charm offensive.
But the Business Council of Canada says that despite this push, too many corporate leaders have "kept their powder dry" out of fear of highlighting their status as non-American entities.
The heads of two key business groups, one on each side of the border, think corporate Canada could be doing more to drum up U.S. support for NAFTA — especially as the embattled deal's renegotiation enters its most critical phase.
Canadian politicians from different levels of government have joined forces with members of the Canadian business community to boost NAFTA with Americans as part of the so-called charm offensive.
But the Business Council of Canada says that despite this push, too many corporate leaders have "kept their powder dry" out of fear of highlighting their status as non-American entities.
AB-SK PLATE WAR ENDS
EDMONTON — Saskatchewan — facing a free trade probe and potential multimillion-dollar fines for banning Alberta licence plates — reversed course Monday, labelling its about-face a triumph.
Saskatchewan Trade Minister Steven Bonk said the province is immediately ending a policy it imposed in December that banned vehicles with Alberta licence plates on government construction projects.
Bonk said they were doing so because Alberta Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous told reporters last week his province would abide by a pending panel ruling on a separate free-trade issue surrounding support for Alberta micro-brewers.
Saskatchewan Trade Minister Steven Bonk said the province is immediately ending a policy it imposed in December that banned vehicles with Alberta licence plates on government construction projects.
Bonk said they were doing so because Alberta Economic Development Minister Deron Bilous told reporters last week his province would abide by a pending panel ruling on a separate free-trade issue surrounding support for Alberta micro-brewers.
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENDED
President Donald Trump celebrated the decision by Democrats in the Senate to end the government shutdown and pass a continuing resolution to fund the government.
“I am pleased that Democrats in Congress have come to their senses and are now willing to fund our great military, border patrol, first responders, and insurance for vulnerable children,” Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
Trump said that now the government was reopened he would continue working for an immigration bill, but only if Democrats agreed to his terms.
“I am pleased that Democrats in Congress have come to their senses and are now willing to fund our great military, border patrol, first responders, and insurance for vulnerable children,” Trump said in a statement released by the White House.
“We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country,” he said.
NAFTA SCRAPS
OTTAWA — Canada is shooting back at American criticism that it is being inflexible and unconstructive at the North American Free Trade renegotiation that has resumed this week in Montreal.
Canadian officials are taking direct aim at the narrative that its negotiators are being inflexible — or even obstinate — when it comes to discussing the controversial U.S. proposals to raise continental content on automobiles, scrap the dispute resolution mechanism, and institute a five-year sunset clause.
All four tenets of Canada's progressive agenda — gender, labour, environment and Indigenous issues — are on the agenda for talks this week, officials said.
Canadian officials are taking direct aim at the narrative that its negotiators are being inflexible — or even obstinate — when it comes to discussing the controversial U.S. proposals to raise continental content on automobiles, scrap the dispute resolution mechanism, and institute a five-year sunset clause.
All four tenets of Canada's progressive agenda — gender, labour, environment and Indigenous issues — are on the agenda for talks this week, officials said.
Monday, January 22, 2018
FEW REGULATORY HURDLES IN CHINA'S GENE EDITING TRIALS
HANGZHOU, China—In a hospital west of Shanghai, Wu Shixiu since March has been trying to treat cancer patients using a promising new gene-editing tool.
U.S. scientists helped devise the tool, known as Crispr-Cas9, which has captured global attention since a 2012 report said it can be used to edit DNA. Doctors haven’t been allowed to use it in human trials in America. That isn’t the case for Dr. Wu and others in China.
In a quirk of the globalized technology arena, Dr. Wu can forge ahead with the tool because he faces few regulatory hurdles to testing it on humans. His hospital’s review board took just an afternoon to sign off on his trial. He didn’t need national regulators’ approval and has few reporting requirements.
U.S. scientists helped devise the tool, known as Crispr-Cas9, which has captured global attention since a 2012 report said it can be used to edit DNA. Doctors haven’t been allowed to use it in human trials in America. That isn’t the case for Dr. Wu and others in China.
In a quirk of the globalized technology arena, Dr. Wu can forge ahead with the tool because he faces few regulatory hurdles to testing it on humans. His hospital’s review board took just an afternoon to sign off on his trial. He didn’t need national regulators’ approval and has few reporting requirements.
MORE CYA BY THE FBI?
A major contradiction has been discovered between yesterday's revelation that the FBI "lost" five months of text messages, and a claim by the DOJ's Inspector General, Michael Horowitz - who claimed his office received the texts in question between FBI employees Peter Strzok and his mistress Lisa Page last August.
AWARD EXPOSING ABSURD & EXCESSIVE GOV'T REGULATION
Bureaucracy would be funny if it weren’t so painful. Who are we kidding? The egregiously absurd can also be pretty laughable. Ahead of Canada’s ninth annual Red Tape Awareness Week (Jan. 22 to 26), the Canadian Federation of Independent Business has announced finalists for the worst of the worst government agencies with excessive regulation that hurts small business. The “winners” include:
Watch your step! A business owner working on a ladder at a construction site is told by an Ontario Ministry of Labour inspector that the ladder is illegal and he must buy a new one or be fined. What makes the ladder, in perfect working condition, illegal? Worn-out certification stickers.
Watch your step! A business owner working on a ladder at a construction site is told by an Ontario Ministry of Labour inspector that the ladder is illegal and he must buy a new one or be fined. What makes the ladder, in perfect working condition, illegal? Worn-out certification stickers.
CHINA SETTING STIFF RECYCLING RULES
Tougher standards set by China for waste paper could mean a $1-million hit to Edmonton’s recycling effort as the city scrambles to tighten its sorting process, city officials say.
They’ve hired extra staff and slowed conveyor belts on the sorting lines, doing everything possible to get coffee cups, plastic knifes and cardboard out of the paper bundle.
Last year, the facility made $6 million by selling the recyclable product. It cost $8 million to operate.
They’ve hired extra staff and slowed conveyor belts on the sorting lines, doing everything possible to get coffee cups, plastic knifes and cardboard out of the paper bundle.
Last year, the facility made $6 million by selling the recyclable product. It cost $8 million to operate.
STALLED PERMITS DELAYING TRANS MOUNTAIN PROJECT
Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. said Wednesday that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project could be a year behind schedule as it continues to encounter permitting delays.
The estimate is three months further behind from the company’s last estimate in December, and now potentially puts the $7.4-billion project in service by Dec. 2020 depending on regulatory, permit and legal approvals.
The estimate is three months further behind from the company’s last estimate in December, and now potentially puts the $7.4-billion project in service by Dec. 2020 depending on regulatory, permit and legal approvals.
TRUDEAU'S ACTING ASPIRATIONS
For heaven’s sake, anyone with an ounce of common sense would have been a tad suspicious about the alleged scissor-wielding attack on a girl wearing a hijab in Toronto over a week ago that has since proven to be a hoax.
Sadly, our prime minister was too busy taking drama lessons in his earlier life to learn such reticence before launching into yet another almost inevitable, dewy-eyed rendition of a cloying message of love and support, mixed in with suitable, heartfelt condemnation of his own citizens.
Sadly, our prime minister was too busy taking drama lessons in his earlier life to learn such reticence before launching into yet another almost inevitable, dewy-eyed rendition of a cloying message of love and support, mixed in with suitable, heartfelt condemnation of his own citizens.
EVOLUTION OF THE SHOPPING MALL
Many smaller shopping centres that require big-name retailers and lack the benefit of being attached to large tourist areas are having to revisit their business plans. Many are opting to add condominium towers, more restaurants and more entertainment offerings, such as amusement parks, fitness centres, video arcades, movie theatres and escape rooms, turning shopping specific locations into family friendly places to pass the time. With residential properties built in, they hope to attract new visitors. With consumers feeling the pinch of higher interest rates and rising costs, Canadians have increasingly been turning to discount retailers and wholesalers to cut back on their spending. Much of the new development in the suburbs will likely include lower-price retailers such as Costco, Walmart and Giant Tiger.
THE RALLY THAT WASN"T
Toronto: The battle between rival unions over hotel workers in the GTA continues.
But a rally to “fight” labour union Unifor’s alleged “raiding” of another union’s members went bust on Sunday, after organizers pull the plug on the protest.
But a rally to “fight” labour union Unifor’s alleged “raiding” of another union’s members went bust on Sunday, after organizers pull the plug on the protest.
HOW CSIS VIEWS THE JIHADIST THREAT
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shows little concern over the threat posed by battle-hardened jihadists returning to Canada. He even argues they can be rehabilitated. But documents unearthed from CSIS – some of them marked “top secret” – reveal alarming information about how Canada’s spy agency views the jihadist threat, what they’re doing to track it and their concerns about future attacks on home soil.
Sunday, January 21, 2018
MURDER IN MEXICO
There were more than 25,000 murders across drug-ravaged Mexico in 2017, the highest annual tally since modern records began, government data showed.
TURKISH FORCES PUSH INTO SYRIA
AZAZ, Syria (Reuters) - Turkish ground forces advanced into northern Syria’s Afrin region on Sunday, Ankara said after launching artillery and air strikes on a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia it aims to sweep from its border.
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM BLAMES TRUMP
According to The Guardian, The World Economic Forum, a forum composed of large businesses, is concerned that President Trump is withdrawing from global climate agreements which would have triggered the transfer of vast sums of US taxpayer’s cash to large businesses.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BULLIES
STEYN: If a government shuts down in the forest and nobody hears it, that's the sound of liberty dying. The so-called shutdown is, as noted last week, mostly baloney: Eighty-three percent of the supposedly defunded government is carrying on as usual, impervious to whatever restraints the people's representatives might wish to impose, and the 800,000 soi-disant "non-essential" workers have been assured that, as soon as the government is once again lawfully funded, they will be paid in full for all the days they've had at home.
But the one place where a full-scale shutdown is being enforced is in America's alleged "National Park Service," a term of art that covers everything from canyons and glaciers to war memorials and historic taverns. The NPS has spent the last two weeks behaving as the paramilitary wing of the DNC, expending more resources in trying to close down open-air, unfenced areas than it would normally do in keeping them open.
But the one place where a full-scale shutdown is being enforced is in America's alleged "National Park Service," a term of art that covers everything from canyons and glaciers to war memorials and historic taverns. The NPS has spent the last two weeks behaving as the paramilitary wing of the DNC, expending more resources in trying to close down open-air, unfenced areas than it would normally do in keeping them open.
AMERICA'S PAINKILLER ADDICTION
Opioids kill more people than they cure. Every day in the United States, some 140 people die from taking opioids - addictive opiate-based drugs. They’ve become the leading cause of death among the under-50s, ahead of road accidents and firearms.
CANADA'S DOCTOR SHORTAGE
The Supply of Physicians in Canada: Projections and Assessment finds the number of doctors per capita in Canada lags far behind other developed countries in the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, and Canada likely won’t close the gap in the coming years. In 2015, Canada had 2.7 doctors per 1,000 people—almost 20 per cent lower than the 3.4 per 1,000 person average for the OECD.
FALLOUT FROM PRESIDENTIAL SH!THOLE CONTINUES
Steyn: The novelist Martin Amis once described me as "a great sayer of the unsayable". Since then, a lot more has gotten unsayable. So saying it becomes a revolutionary act: That's what Donald Trump did in June 2015 when he came down the escalator and started talking about Mexico "not sending us their best". "S***hole countries" is going down better with his supporters than almost anything he's said since. At this stage, there would be disappointment if it turned out he hadn't said it; the lack of s**t would hit the fans, badly.
CANADA'S CRUEL AND COSTLY DEPORTATION SYSTEM
According to CBSA, removal costs of people ordered deported, vary based on the country and transportation used. The average cost of an escorted removal is around $15,000, while a non-escorted removal is $1,500.
Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, said the deportation system can be costly — and enforcement at times "cruel."
She said unsuccessful refugee claimants should have more time to get their affairs in order, and have financial assistance to rebuild their lives in their country of origin. They don't want to leave, and many face extreme hardship back home.
Janet Dench, executive director of the Canadian Council for Refugees, said the deportation system can be costly — and enforcement at times "cruel."
She said unsuccessful refugee claimants should have more time to get their affairs in order, and have financial assistance to rebuild their lives in their country of origin. They don't want to leave, and many face extreme hardship back home.
SIGNS FROM ANGRY WOMEN'S MARCH
Thousands of anti-Trump protesters filled the National Mall around the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pond on Saturday, carrying signs that reveal, one year into the Donald Trump presidency, the anger over his victory has not dimmed.
ENDING MIGRATION SCAMS BY GLOBAL RICH IN CANADA
Canada could crack down in many ways on the scams performed by “ghost immigrants” who avoid paying their share of Canadian taxes while driving up housing prices in Vancouver and Toronto.
Immigration and tax specialists are pressing Ottawa to adopt numerous proposals they believe would put an end to widespread illegitimate migration schemes, such as those employed by two rich families from China, whose tactics were exposed this month in B.C. Supreme Court.
Immigration and tax specialists are pressing Ottawa to adopt numerous proposals they believe would put an end to widespread illegitimate migration schemes, such as those employed by two rich families from China, whose tactics were exposed this month in B.C. Supreme Court.
USA GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
WASHINGTON — The federal government shut down at the stroke of midnight Friday, halting all but the most essential operations and marring the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration in a striking display of Washington dysfunction.
Last-minute negotiations crumbled as Senate Democrats blocked a four-week stopgap extension in a late-night vote, causing the fourth government shutdown in a quarter century. Behind the scenes, however, leading Republicans and Democrats were already moving toward a next step, trying to work out a compromise to avert a lengthy shutdown.
Last-minute negotiations crumbled as Senate Democrats blocked a four-week stopgap extension in a late-night vote, causing the fourth government shutdown in a quarter century. Behind the scenes, however, leading Republicans and Democrats were already moving toward a next step, trying to work out a compromise to avert a lengthy shutdown.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
A GOOD START
A wind turbine has snapped in half and is currently sitting bent over in an open field in Chatham-Kent.
The approximately 160-tonne turbine is located at Drake Road and 16 Line at Raleigh Wind Power facility in Dillon, Ont. The turbine buckled overnight, according to Terraform Power director of investor relations Chad Reed.
"The collapse involved a single turbine at our 52-turbine Raleigh facility," Reed told CTV News. "TerraForm has not experienced any similar issues at any of its wind facilities globally."
The approximately 160-tonne turbine is located at Drake Road and 16 Line at Raleigh Wind Power facility in Dillon, Ont. The turbine buckled overnight, according to Terraform Power director of investor relations Chad Reed.
"The collapse involved a single turbine at our 52-turbine Raleigh facility," Reed told CTV News. "TerraForm has not experienced any similar issues at any of its wind facilities globally."
FAKEST YEAR ON RECORD AT NOAA
The usual fake news sources are hysterically parroting the standard NOAA and NASA fake news about 2017 being the hottest something or other.
PM TRUDEAU'S VERSION OF DIVERSITY
WENTE: I am as lapsed a Christian as they come. But I have a lot of time for people such as Mr. Dreher, who argue that the new orthodoxy of secular individualism is no more tolerant of difference than any other faith. We just don't see it – because, like all true believers, we believe that people who don't agree with us suffer from disordered thinking.
The law increasingly exists not to protect minority opinion but to impose majority opinion, Mr. Dreher has written. "Those institutions that hold to Christian orthodoxy are going to be increasingly isolated and stigmatized."
That is why you will find Mr. Trudeau in mosques, temples, shrines and smudging ceremonies. But one place you won't find him is in Pastor Jones's or Ms. Redshaw's church. Diversity is all very well – but only when it's good for the brand.
AB-SK PLATE WARS
The ongoing border skirmish between Saskatchewan and Alberta over licence plates has so far mostly been a war of words, but a deadline next week could see it escalate, with the potential for hefty fines and possible trade sanctions.
That is, unless Saskatchewan backs down first.
Last month, Saskatchewan banned vehicles with Alberta plates from government construction sites, an attempt to make sure the province’s construction workers weren’t taking jobs that might otherwise have gone to Saskatchewanians.
That is, unless Saskatchewan backs down first.
Last month, Saskatchewan banned vehicles with Alberta plates from government construction sites, an attempt to make sure the province’s construction workers weren’t taking jobs that might otherwise have gone to Saskatchewanians.
TRUDEAU LIBERALS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH COMPETITION
OTTAWA — A Finnish company, Arctia Ltd., has raised red flags over the Trudeau government's decision to launch negotiations with Quebec shipyard Davie for the lease of four icebreakers without conducting a competition.
Arctia isn't alone in questioning the decision to forego a competition to address an anticipated shortage of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers in the coming years. Alan Williams, who previously oversaw military procurement at the Department of National Defence, suggested the government could face legal challenges from companies for entering into direct negotiations with Davie.
"I can't help but wonder, what is the legal justification to bypass competition?" Williams said.
Arctia isn't alone in questioning the decision to forego a competition to address an anticipated shortage of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers in the coming years. Alan Williams, who previously oversaw military procurement at the Department of National Defence, suggested the government could face legal challenges from companies for entering into direct negotiations with Davie.
"I can't help but wonder, what is the legal justification to bypass competition?" Williams said.
CANADA'S SPINELESS TWO-FACED POLITICIANS
When Khawlah Noman claimed a man in his 20s twice tried to cut her hijab that quickly became a national story in Canada. Toronto mayor John Tory and Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne weighed in on the case, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proclaimed that in an “open and welcoming country” like Canada “incidents like this cannot be tolerated.” Trouble is, according to police the incident “did not happen”
Last October 8, Habbibullah Ahmad, 21, attacked Anne Widholm as she strolled on the Ganatchio trail in Windsor, Ontario. The 75-year-old grandmother suffered “the worst skull fractures I’ve seen in my 12 years here in Windsor,” as neurosurgeon Dr. Balraj Jhawar told reporters. The victim’s lacerated scalp, bruised face and fractured neck vertebrae were “among the most brutal things I’ve seen in my career.”
Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, who campaigns against bullying, made no statement on the case and offered no public support for Anne Widholm. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau likewise ignored the case and did not warn that such incidents “could not be tolerated.”
Last October 8, Habbibullah Ahmad, 21, attacked Anne Widholm as she strolled on the Ganatchio trail in Windsor, Ontario. The 75-year-old grandmother suffered “the worst skull fractures I’ve seen in my 12 years here in Windsor,” as neurosurgeon Dr. Balraj Jhawar told reporters. The victim’s lacerated scalp, bruised face and fractured neck vertebrae were “among the most brutal things I’ve seen in my career.”
Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, who campaigns against bullying, made no statement on the case and offered no public support for Anne Widholm. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau likewise ignored the case and did not warn that such incidents “could not be tolerated.”
TRUMP-RUSSIA NOT MUELLER'S FIRST BOTCHED INVESTIGATION
Controversy surrounds Robert Mueller and his investigation into the Trump-Russia collusion mirage. Some maintain that he is the ultimate professional dedicated to following the truth, but others say he is a political hack.
There is no need to wonder about how Mueller operates. His history has made it quite clear. One needs only to study his actions as FBI director when he managed the FBI's most important investigation ever.
There is no need to wonder about how Mueller operates. His history has made it quite clear. One needs only to study his actions as FBI director when he managed the FBI's most important investigation ever.
LOVING YOUR CULTURE ENOUGH TO PRESERVE IT
We are lectured by Democrats that we must privilege third-world immigration by the hundred million with chain migration. They tell us we must end America as a white, Western, Judeo-Christian, capitalist nation – to prove we are not racist. I don't need to prove a thing. Leftists want open borders because they resent whites, resent Western achievements, and hate America. They want to destroy America as we know it.
As President Trump asked, why would we do that?
We have the right to choose what kind of country to live in. I was happy to donate a year of my life as a young woman to help the poor Senegalese. I am not willing to donate my country.
As President Trump asked, why would we do that?
We have the right to choose what kind of country to live in. I was happy to donate a year of my life as a young woman to help the poor Senegalese. I am not willing to donate my country.
Friday, January 19, 2018
ECONOMIC SUCCESS OF SMALL GOVERNMENT
The experiment on how to best help the economy — and especially those in greatest need — has been running in real time in jurisdictions across the U.S. and Canada. In Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario, where the fallout from the January 1st minimum-wage increase to $14 an hour is just beginning, the results are mixed. While low-wage workers are nabbing a hefty pay hike, consumers are seeing price hikes as employers try to recover their increased labour costs. Businesses unable to raise prices have begun shutting their doors. And workers are having their hours shortened or their wage hike clawed back by employers cutting benefits or requiring staff to pay for their uniforms.
The small-government part of the experiment, in the laboratory run by President Donald Trump and Co., is producing opposite results. Even before he signed into law one of the biggest corporate tax cuts in U.S. history, his slashing of regulations unchained the private sector, spurring it to invest in expansion. The hiring that resulted raised median wages, which had been stagnant for four decades, and cut the unemployment rate to its lowest level in 17 years.
The small-government part of the experiment, in the laboratory run by President Donald Trump and Co., is producing opposite results. Even before he signed into law one of the biggest corporate tax cuts in U.S. history, his slashing of regulations unchained the private sector, spurring it to invest in expansion. The hiring that resulted raised median wages, which had been stagnant for four decades, and cut the unemployment rate to its lowest level in 17 years.
LIVINGSTON FOUND GUILTY IN GAS PLANT TRIAL
TORONTO — A former chief of staff in the Ontario premier’s office has been found guilty of deliberately destroying emails and other records in an attempt to avoid scrutiny in the cancelled gas plants controversy.
David Livingston was convicted Friday of attempted mischief to data and unauthorized use of a computer.
Livingston used a “scorched earth” process to destroy documents on 20 hard drives in the premier’s office despite being warned that he was obliged to preserve records, Lipson said.
David Livingston was convicted Friday of attempted mischief to data and unauthorized use of a computer.
Livingston used a “scorched earth” process to destroy documents on 20 hard drives in the premier’s office despite being warned that he was obliged to preserve records, Lipson said.
NOT GUILTY IN LAC MEGANTIC TRIAL
After nine days of deliberations, jurors have acquitted the three former Montreal, Maine and Atlantic (MMA) railway employees charged with criminal negligence causing death in the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster.
Locomotive engineer Tom Harding, 56, rail traffic controller Richard Labrie, 59, and operations manager Jean Demaître, 53, were all charged after the derailment of a runaway fuel train early on July 6, 2013. Several tankers, carrying highly volatile crude oil exploded, turning downtown Lac-Mégantic into an inferno and killing 47 people.
Locomotive engineer Tom Harding, 56, rail traffic controller Richard Labrie, 59, and operations manager Jean Demaître, 53, were all charged after the derailment of a runaway fuel train early on July 6, 2013. Several tankers, carrying highly volatile crude oil exploded, turning downtown Lac-Mégantic into an inferno and killing 47 people.
FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT ABUSES
Republican congressmen are calling for the immediate public release of a four-page memo that reveals what they call “shocking,” “troubling” and “alarming,” government surveillance abuses under President Obama. One congressman even likened the details of the memo currently circulating in Congress to "KGB activity in Russia."
CALL A TOW TRUCK OR A SNOW PLOW?
A playful yet hard-working resident in the north of Montreal decided on a winter project designed to confuse ticket-wielding parking enforcement officers of the city, and it seemed to have worked.
Via MTL Blog, photos of the work done by Simon Laprise, a machinist in the city, were posted to Reddit of a car made entirely of snow seemingly “parked” on the illegal side of a residential street.
LIBERALS FAIL TO HONOUR LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
An ethics watchdog is suing the Trudeau government for the way it handled appointments for the lobbying and ethics commissioners, saying the Liberals failed to honour legislative requirements mandating consultations with all parties recognized in the House of Commons.
Democracy Watch announced on Jan. 18 that it had filed lawsuits in Federal Court challenging the appointments of Mario Dion as ethics commissioner and Nancy Bélanger as lobbying commissioner on the grounds that opposition parties were not adequately consulted during the nomination process.
Democracy Watch announced on Jan. 18 that it had filed lawsuits in Federal Court challenging the appointments of Mario Dion as ethics commissioner and Nancy Bélanger as lobbying commissioner on the grounds that opposition parties were not adequately consulted during the nomination process.
FEDS TO LEASE ICEBREAKERS FROM DAVIE SHIPYARD
OTTAWA — The federal government will launch negotiations Friday for the lease of four icebreakers from Davie, the Quebec shipyard at the centre of the RCMP's investigation against suspended Vice-Admiral Mark Norman.
The surprise move follows growing concerns about the coast guard's aging icebreaker fleet, which were highlighted earlier this month when mechanical problems kept the service from helping a ferry trapped in the St. Lawrence River.
It also comes after strong pressure from the Quebec government for Ottawa to give Davie more federal work. The company recently laid off 800 workers after converting a civilian ship into a new interim resupply vessel for the navy.
The surprise move follows growing concerns about the coast guard's aging icebreaker fleet, which were highlighted earlier this month when mechanical problems kept the service from helping a ferry trapped in the St. Lawrence River.
It also comes after strong pressure from the Quebec government for Ottawa to give Davie more federal work. The company recently laid off 800 workers after converting a civilian ship into a new interim resupply vessel for the navy.
BLAME WYNNE
A staff memo written by a couple of Tim Hortons franchise owners in Whitby, Ont., blames cuts to employee benefits on the Ontario government and its minimum wage hike.
The notice also suggests employees contact Premier Kathleen Wynne if they have concerns about the changes — and let her know she doesn't have their support.
Cue the outrage.
The notice also suggests employees contact Premier Kathleen Wynne if they have concerns about the changes — and let her know she doesn't have their support.
Cue the outrage.
WYNNE SHORING UP THE VOTES
A pre-election cabinet shuffle is a big deal in the life and death cycle of any government, a last chance for reincarnation or resurrection.
The Liberals are putting their best face(s) forward in the final months before a June 7 vote. But Wednesday’s cabinet unveiling also lays bare the party’s exposed flanks after 14 years in power.
The Liberals are putting their best face(s) forward in the final months before a June 7 vote. But Wednesday’s cabinet unveiling also lays bare the party’s exposed flanks after 14 years in power.
Thursday, January 18, 2018
ALBERTA'S COMMITMENT TO KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE
The Alberta government is making a two-decade commitment to TransCanada Corp's long-stalled Keystone XL pipeline – a key move that will underpin the $8 billion (U.S.) project that has struggled to gain enough support from major oil shippers.
The Alberta government's crown corporation, the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission, will pledge 50,000 barrels of oil per day for 20 years, said Cheryl Oates, communications director for Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.
While rival Enbridge Inc. calls the deal a "subsidy" for the TransCanada project, the Alberta government said the commitment will bolster industry confidence and stability for the pipeline project, as well as the province's economy as a whole.
DISSENSION IN THE UNION RANKS
TORONTO — The largest private sector union in Canada says it is splitting with the Canadian Labour Congress over issues which include disagreements about the rights of workers to choose what union should represent them.
In a letter to the CLC, Unifor national president Jerry Dias and Quebec director Renaud Gagne say the congress has also been less than supportive of their concern about American-based unions "trampling on the rights" of workers.
In a letter to the CLC, Unifor national president Jerry Dias and Quebec director Renaud Gagne say the congress has also been less than supportive of their concern about American-based unions "trampling on the rights" of workers.
FUNDING TIED TO LIBERAL VALUES TEST
OTTAWA — Faith-based organizations are welcome to seek federal funding to create summer jobs for youth, the Liberal government says, but it has not budged from a new requirement that recipients demonstrate they respect a woman's right to have an abortion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he is willing to work with churches and other religious groups that have expressed their concerns over the new application process for the Canada Summer Jobs program, which requires applicants to attest that neither their core mandate nor the job itself oppose human rights, including those related to abortion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he is willing to work with churches and other religious groups that have expressed their concerns over the new application process for the Canada Summer Jobs program, which requires applicants to attest that neither their core mandate nor the job itself oppose human rights, including those related to abortion, sexual orientation and gender identity.
APOLOGY TO CANADIANS FOR HIJAB HOAX
The family of a young girl who garnered international attention with a harrowing hijab attack story that turned out to be a hoax has now offered an apology to all Canadians.
In a statement released Wednesday, the family explains they were fooled by the 11-year-old’s tall tale — just as many others were, including the prime minister.
In a statement released Wednesday, the family explains they were fooled by the 11-year-old’s tall tale — just as many others were, including the prime minister.
THE CLIMATE LAWSUIT GOLD RUSH
For years many fossil fuel companies seemed content to stay quiet in the face of public vilification, but with big lawsuits looming, this strategy of avoiding public climate controversy is looking increasingly precarious.
Up until now it has mostly been enough to simply fight each case on its merits. But as the shock victory in the Netherlands demonstrates, fighting each case solely on the evidence presented at the hearing for that case may not always be enough.
Unless fossil fuel companies do more to publicly challenge the junk science underpinning the climate lawsuit gold rush, they could end up haemorrhaging large settlements to green opportunists.
Up until now it has mostly been enough to simply fight each case on its merits. But as the shock victory in the Netherlands demonstrates, fighting each case solely on the evidence presented at the hearing for that case may not always be enough.
Unless fossil fuel companies do more to publicly challenge the junk science underpinning the climate lawsuit gold rush, they could end up haemorrhaging large settlements to green opportunists.
TARIFFS ON IMPORTED SOLAR PANELS?
LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would announce a decision soon on whether to slap tariffs on imported solar panels, and quipped that when countries dump subsidized panels in the United States, “Everybody goes out of business.”
The solar industry is anxiously awaiting the decision, which will have wide-reaching implications for the sector. Domestic panel producers opposed to cheap imports would benefit from a tariff. But installers that have relied on the lower-cost hardware for their recent breakneck growth would suffer.
The solar industry is anxiously awaiting the decision, which will have wide-reaching implications for the sector. Domestic panel producers opposed to cheap imports would benefit from a tariff. But installers that have relied on the lower-cost hardware for their recent breakneck growth would suffer.
CLIMATE CHANGE A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK
WASHINGTON -- More than 100 lawmakers, led by a New York Republican and Rhode Island Democrat, have called on the Trump administration to reverse its decision to pull climate change as a threat from the National Security Strategy (NSS).
The letter to President Trump expresses "concern" about the NSS as "we have heard from scientists, military leaders, and civilian personnel who believe that climate change is indeed a direct threat to America's national security and to the stability of the world at large."
"As global temperatures become more volatile, sea levels rise, and landscapes change, our military installations and our communities are increasingly at risk of devastation," they added. "It is imperative that the United States addresses this growing geopolitical threat."
CNN BIG WINNER OF TRUMP'S FAKE NEWS AWARDS
CNN was the big four-time award winner in President Donald Trump’s Wednesday night “Fake News Awards” unveiling that presented eleven total awards.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
WHY AREN'T WE ALL DEAD YET?
James Delingpole: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Paul Ehrlich’s eco-doom bestseller The Population Bomb. Maybe we should all stage a mass die-in to spare the distinguished Stanford biology professor his embarrassment.
His book claimed: The battle to feed humanity is over. In the 1970s and 1980s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now. At this late date nothing can prevent a substantial increase in the world death rate.
Remember all those hundreds of millions of people who starved to death between the release of Led Zep III and Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever? Nope, me neither. That’ll be because like most of the things predicted by the future Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford University, it
His book claimed: The battle to feed humanity is over. In the 1970s and 1980s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now. At this late date nothing can prevent a substantial increase in the world death rate.
Remember all those hundreds of millions of people who starved to death between the release of Led Zep III and Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever? Nope, me neither. That’ll be because like most of the things predicted by the future Bing Professor of Population Studies at Stanford University, it
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