You are wrong Mayor Miller

It's Official: All Plastic Bags In T.O. Stores Will Cost You 5 Cents Starting Next June

If your favourite grocery store is No Frills, Food Basics or Price Shopper, this won't really be anything new.

But if you shop at one of the other big chains in Toronto, like Metro or Loblaws, get ready for a change. And that change will be 5 cents.

City Council has passed a law making it mandatory for all stores in Toronto to charge you a nickel for every plastic bag you use.

The idea, which passed Tuesday night, is to get you to reduce the number of bags that inevitably wind up in a landfill and either use up the ones you have now or buy one of those reusable types that are earth friendly.

Mayor David Miller has complained that the carry-alls aren't biodegradable and can last for years and years at garbage dumps. "I'm very proud that Toronto is leading the way," he agrees. "It's the right thing to do."

Source: CityNews (Complete Article)
H/T DARRELL

This story comes via Darrell at NhiCAPS' entry regarding Roger's e-billing.

Although this is a step in the right direction, discouraging the use of Earth unfriendly products, I object to Mr. Mayor's affirmation that "Toronto is leading the way". Toronto is not leading the way, all it is doing is passing a superficial law that will in all likelihood have little affect on consumer behaviour.

Shoppers who buy their groceries at premium supermarkets will most probably not be swayed by the cost of five shopping bags on an eighty dollar shopping trip. As Darrell quite rightly points out, profits garnered from this five cent levy should at the very least be shared with Toronto's recycling facilities. If the Mayor's motivation is indeed our planet, why let the corporations keep 100% of the cash flow generated by this new charge? Why aren't said funds being allocated to improving Toronto's recycling facilities? Or being used to help clean up the city? Or a dozen other things?

Getting back to "Toronto is leading the way" - they are not sir. As of July 21st, 2004, according to the Seattle Post Intelligencer here is a list of cities and countries who, over four and a half years ago began banning or cracking-down on plastic bag usage.

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• Ireland
• Italy
• South Africa
• Taiwan
• Mumbai, India

Leaf Rapids, Manitoba banned plastics bags in April of 2007 and later that year Nigeria and Kenya began spearheading banning plastic bags in Africa. So Toronto is hardly a leader, at least not in this respect.

I do not mean to harp on Toronto. I am proud that she is taking steps to at least try to help clean up the world in which we live, but if Toronto truly wanted to lead she would not stop at half measures that in my opinion reek of nothing more that public relations and photo op shenanigans.

Why Are Cab Fares Still So High?

Early this past summer gasoline prices in Toronto were at about $1.25 per litre. At about the same time, taxi companies increased their cab fares by 17% and the cost simply sitting in a taxi went up from $3.00 to $4.00 citing the increasing value of oil. That was in early June of 2008.

Today the price at the pump is anywhere from $0.69 to $0.75. In six odd months the cost of filling up a vehicle has fallen almost fifty percent, but when I needed to take cab ride last week, as soon I as got in to the car, the fare started at $4.00.

Why is it that the when the price of oil rises, it is reflected at the pumps and all related enterprises almost immediately, but when the opposite happens, everyone is found staring at the grounding whistling and unable to make eye contact?

This is just another example of Canadian consumers either not connecting the dots, or simply being okay with getting robbed blind.

Kevin Smith is Coming to Town

For those of you who are unaware, Apart from directing, acting, writing and producing films, he is also one hell of story teller. In the days of olde, he would have been considered an outstanding bard. He has already done this three times:

1. An Evening With Kevin Smith
2. An Evening with Kevin Smith: Evening Harder
3. Sold Out: A Theevening with Kevin Smith

And now for his fourth appearance he come to The Roy Thompson Hall! Get your tickets now!

Here`s a sample from An Evening with Kevin Smith: Evening Harder

Prankin Palin

A couple of Quebec radio show hosts prank call "foreign policy expert" Sarah Palin.

If Canada's political leaders were children

In time for the elections...

Noam Chomsky On CBC

I know I know... More videos, but when it comes to Chomsky, I just can't resist.

PART I


PART II

Canada Are Pussies ***UPDATE***

Canada Are Pussies

Canada FM regrets 'torture list'

Mr Bernier said he regretted the embarrassment the manual caused The Canadian foreign minister has apologised for including the US and Israel on a list of states where prisoners are at risk of torture.

Maxime Bernier said the list, which formed part of a manual on torture awareness given to diplomats, "wrongly includes some of our closest allies".

Mr Bernier insisted the manual was not a policy document and did not convey the official views of his government.

The listing was criticised by the US and Israel, who demanded it be changed.

Source: BBC News (Complete Article)

That "headline" is one of the toughest things I've had to write. I hated writing it. However, it had to be written.

I really love this country and I really hate that Canada succumbed to US and Israeli pressure so quickly and easily. Actually it wasn't even really pressure; all it took was moral outrage and indignation. It didn't matter that the US at the very least have conducted state sanctioned torture... discomfiture tactics... enhanced interrogation techniques or what ever the hell euphemistic term they choose to use - all they essentially said was, "How Dare You?" and Canada responded with "Hmm, you present a strong and valid argument, we shall reconsider, after all how can we argue with such well thought out and poignant rhetoric?"

I don't know how it happened or when it began but why do nations just bow to this notion that the US government is beyond reproach? Instead of US outrage stemming from being associated with nations like China and Iran, the outrage should come from them being on that list, associated with China and Iran. And the only way off that list should be from the cessation of torturous activities not the diplomatic equivalent of holding one's breath.



A clip from Fox & Friends talking about Dick Cheney and water-boading.

And the hits just keep on coming...

It seems, the powers that be decided it wasn't enough that I would be at the epicentre of all the brats on a flight out of Toronto, or that I wouldn't even make it to Kenya, or that I would barely make it back to Canada - I guess for a lark, they thought let's hit Shay with a viral infection in the sinuses! Something fun that would keep him coughing all night long, unable to sleep with a vicious headache, congestion, stiff neck, hips and knees - this is shaping up to a just a wonderful fucking year! Feel sorry for me...

Horrible Impression Of Canadian Immigration

Upon my return to Toronto after my very short trip across the pond, I had to go through an extra checkpoint to explain the brevity of my trip. I don't blame them. When it comes to "terror suspects", I hit the trifecta. I was an unshaven Indian chap with a Kenyan Passport who had been out of the country for less than twenty-fours so I don't begrudge the officials for doing what probably needed to be done.

Here is my qualm with Canadian Immigration officials - there was a Nigerian gentleman ahead of me in line who, for whatever reason, walked past the "Wait Here" sign and one of the officials, in a tone seething with sarcasm told him to wait at the "Wait Here" sign. She went on to say the sign was after all, big enough, to laugher from her co-workers.

After my turn at the counter, being unfamiliar with this area, I asked how to get out of there to which the official replied in a tone I can only describe as snarky to follow the big "Exit" signs that were across the room obstructed by security people loitering right in front of them.

Think, for a moment, someone who has never been to Canada before, is greeted in such a manner. What are the chances they would come back? How many would recommend Canada to their friends and relatives as a friendly nation to visit, or worse still, how many would tell their friends and family not to come to Canada?

I always thought Canada to be better than that. Sure, not all officials are like that, but these people represent Canada, more than that, they represent people's first impression of Canada. There is no excuse for this sort of shoddy attitude.

What The Fuck Man???

U.S. Publisher Takes American Price Off Magazines To Charge Canadians More

Is it dirty pool or simply smart business? Whatever you decide, it's not a story you're likely to read in a magazine. After months of being hammered over Canadians paying higher prices for U.S. goods despite the higher value of the loonie, one American firm has apparently found a way around it - they've simply removed any trace of the U.S. price for their items sold in Canada.

SOURCE: CityNews
H/T: Darrell F.

All protocol and decorum is being abandoned for this entry. WHAT THE FUCK MAN??? I'm truly sick of the Canadian consumer getting screwed at every turn. For years, when I used to buy magazines, I would look upon the USD price with Envy, and for a split second wished that I too lived the in the land of the green-back, but now that the shoe's on the other foot...

The company maintains it was simply trying to end the confusion for Canucks about the price difference and why it was there in the first place.

What a load of ox shit! There was little confusion for the dual priced magazine cover when the USD / CAD exchange rate favoured the Americans. We in Canada knew that the Loonie was not doing so well against the US Dollar, and so we forked out the extra cash. Seems logical, yes? If there is any confusion, it's why when the exchange rate now favours Canadians, do the the American publishers think that we'll keep paying the extra money!

If I still read any American magazines, this alone would be enough for me stop purchasing their rags all together. If Canadians still buy American magazines at "Canadian" prices despite the current exchange, then they deserve to take it up the tail pipe.

I see why road rage exists.

So Darrell and I were booting about the city on Saturday... actually, let me rephrase... So Darrell and I were moving about the city painfully slowly on Saturday. He was driving, while I was riding "shotgun" and I was the one getting my knickers in a twist. By the end of the day I was mother effing this and c sucker that. On more than one occasion I had to mentally slow myself down, find my Chi, and centre it.

Al has already discussed the Toronto Transit Commission's mismanagement here with a lively discussion ensuing. The people I have an issue with are whoever the hell plans roads and highways in and out of the city.

There are far too few arteries flowing in and out of Toronto for a city this size on the average day, however, when there is an event in the city such as the recently completed Toronto International Film Festival or the Home Show, the city grinds to standstill!

It is not as though these are Hailey's comet type events that happen every once in a while. No! These are yearly occurrences. The same can be said when there's a Leaf, Raptors, Jays (well, maybe not the Jays), Argos or Toronto FC game in town. The down town core is gridlocked! Getting on or off the Gardiner anywhere between Bathurst and Yonge is enough of an ordeal to throw a Zen master into a fit of rage. One can only imagine what the city would have become had we been awarded the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

One of the primary motives for the IOC not granting the City of Toronto the much coveted games was our poor infra-structure. To put it another way, according to the IOC (not that their credibility isn't unblemished), the Toronto road system is worse than the Beijing's pitiful human rights record.

I will concede that not all the traffic problems are the fault of the road network. A fair bit of blame should fall squarely on the some of the drivers in the city.

Making a green light is NOT as important as making it across the intersection.
Switching lanes just to get a car's length ahead is not work inconveniencing three other vehicles.
Indicator (signal) lights do serve a purpose - please use them accordingly.
Sightseeing at the expense of everyone behind you is RUDE

You know, I remember the good ol' days when they made you take a test to get a driver's license. Whatever happened to them? Maybe I'm just getting old...

Hi, I'm a Liberal

Global Warming


Branding


Crossing Dressing

Canada dethrones Australia as friendliest nation!

Australia Loses Out in Latest Anholt Nation Brands Index

Sydney, May 31st, 2007 – Aussies are no longer the friendliest people in the world, according to the Q1 2007 edition of the Anholt Nation Brands Index (NBI) powered by GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.), a provider of global market intelligence solutions. Canada took Australia’s crown as the world’s friendliest nation, and China knocked Australia out of the Top 10 nation brand financial valuations by making its debut in Brand Finance’s 2007 Nation Brand League Table, climbing from 12th place in 2005 to ninth this year. Australia, whose nation brand valuation ranked ninth in 2006, goes down two places to number 11 in 2007.

Source: Anholt Nation Brands Index

Well that settles it. After experiencing the amiability of Canadians first hand, on Jun 1st, 2007; it turns out that just the day before we were named the friendliest nation in the world by Anholt Nation Brands Index. Don't really have much to say on the matter except... We're #1!.. Oops, I hope I don't screw up Canada's ranking in the humility rankings.

Toronto is friendly

So I was meeting Alana at the Queen's Park subway station this afternoon, and while I was waiting for her, I apparently had a mild blackout and supposedly "fell" and hit my head on the railing I was leaning against. I have no recollection of said events, save the word of two very kind women who came to my immediate assistance. They near insisted on taking me to the closest hospital and were adamant about not leaving me alone, and they didn't, despite my assurances that I was okay. They did not leave my side until Alana showed up.

I neither got their names, nor thought to ask for them. The chances of those altruistic women ever coming across this lowly blog are as great as getting hit by lightning on the way to cash a winning lottery ticket. But on the very very slim chance that either or both of them do happen to stumble across TFTH, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to the both of them for their act of genuine compassion.

My thanks to you.

Fuckin' A eh

The New Canadian Twenty Dollar Bill?

If this is what the twenty dollar bill actually looked like, I'd be even more inclined to save.

Gavin Crawford's apology on "22 Minutes"

The "N-word" on "This hour has twenty-two minutes"? How dare they!

Canadian poppy quarter triggers US spy warning

Canadian 'poppy coin' culprit behind U.S. spy warning

(AP) -- An odd-looking Canadian coin with a bright red flower was the culprit behind a U.S. Defense Department false espionage warning earlier this year about mysterious coin-like objects with radio frequency transmitters.

The harmless "poppy coin" was so unfamiliar to suspicious U.S. Army contractors traveling in Canada that they filed confidential espionage accounts about them.

The worried contractors described the coins as "anomalous" and "filled with something man-made that looked like nanotechnology," according to once-classified U.S. government reports and e-mails obtained by the AP.

The silver-colored 25-cent piece features the red image of a poppy -- Canada's flower of remembrance -- inlaid over a maple leaf. The unorthodox quarter is identical to the coins pictured and described as suspicious in the contractors' accounts.

The supposed nanotechnology actually was a conventional protective coating the Royal Canadian Mint applied to prevent the poppy's red color from rubbing off. The mint produced nearly 30 million such quarters in 2004 commemorating Canada's 117,000 war dead.

"It did not appear to be electronic [analog] in nature or have a power source," wrote one U.S. contractor, who discovered the coin in the cup holder of a rental car. "Under high power microscope, it appeared to be complex consisting of several layers of clear, but different material, with a wire-like mesh suspended on top."

Source: CNN (Complete Article)

Goodness gracious me. How stupid do Americans think we are? If we were to spy on US military contractors, I'm pretty sure CSIS would find a more surreptitious way of doing it. Placing a red flower on a Canadian quarter to draw attention to it wouldn't be very high on the list. What a bunch of maroons.

Christopher Hitchens on Free Speech

Christopher Hitchens was the guest speaker after this debate at Hart House at the University of Toronto. He sums up a lot of what's in my head very concisely and precisely. I can't reiterate enough when he says something to the effect of not taking refuge with the consensus of the masses. We really need to curb our knee-jerk reactions.