The Prime Minister on High Gas Prices...

Canada's Prime Minister Steven Harper

The Prime Minister on High Gas Prices..

PM Harper says Canadians hit hard by High Gas Prices should not look to Ottawa for relief at the Pumps..
Harper says that the ability of the Government to affect the price of gasoline is so small that it is not worth doing at all...

The PM says that the Energy Prices in his belief will continue to rise and you can not fool the Public into thinking otherwise.

In response to a question on Fuel Prices, the PM said that the “ability of the Government to affect the Price of Gasoline per se is so small that it is not worth doing”.

“What you’ve really got to do is lower the costs for consumers generally, rather than try to fight the upward trend in the Price of Gasoline”

The PM also said that overall Tax Cuts, like the two percentage points his government taken off the GST (goods and services tax), from 7% to 5%, are the best way to bring saving s to consumers.

Pump prices have risen 11.6 per cent from last April, while fuel oil and other fuels surged 36.9 per cent...

...ON THE OTHER HAND
Oil Prices have doubled from where they were a year ago, surpassing a record $132 US on commodities market yesterday. Yet the Prices at the Pump while painfully high have not doubled.

According to this week’s survey of pump prices by consulting firm M.J. Ervin, Canadians paid an average $1.27 per litre. Last May, a year ago today, the average was about $1.12 a litre, the difference of average 15 cents...

The Price of the crude oil last May was $66 a barrel and this May $132, the difference of $66..yearly double...

The average increase of 15 cents a litre is Big, but not as Dramatic as that of the Crude oil and why it that so?

There are other costs involved in the processing of fossil fuels into gasoline. You wouldn’t get a match to match increase in prices.

The increasingly very expensive raw product, the Crude is an important part of the equation, but there are other costs, like taxes as well as refining and marketing cost that well determine the final pump price.

Also the Fact that the Canadian Dollar is now in Parity with its US counterpart also keep pump prices relatively lower, since oil is benchmarked in U.S. currency..

Provincial Health Plan will Cover John changing into Jane..

TANNIS TOOHEY/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Health Minister George Smitherman announced Monday that a new $500,000 fund will help families meet expenses incurred while waiting for organ transplants. "I can't pretend this is a perfect fix for the situation, but it's a good beginning," he said.


Provincial Health Plan will cover “Sex- Change” operations...

It was 10 years ago that the previous Progressive Conservative government declared the operations were no longer eligible under the taxpayer-funded Ontario Health Insurance Plan, which had covered the surgery since 1971.

Now the Liberal Government will again cover the Procedure..Health Minister George Smitherman said the decision to resume coverage will only cost the Plan $200 thousand (at approximately $20 thousand per procedure) as only 8 to 10 individual will pass the ‘very rigorous’ psycological evaluation required before sex reassignment surgery...(well what happenes if more than 20 or 50 passed the VERY RIGOUROUS psycological evaluation, George?)

It's a very serious medical condition that affects a very small number of people," he told reporters, noting that other provinces including Alberta pay for the surgery.
Smitherman acknowledged the coverage could be controversial in some circles, given the heavy demands on Ontario's health-care system from people with rare, life-threatening diseases, for example.

"I think that people should be careful not to use what is $200,000 on a $40.2 billion health budget as an excuse to try a bit of a `them and us' conversation," he said

More on if you want to be woman johnnyhere


In a Majority Decision 5-4 Canada’s Supreme Court struck down another provision of the law which deal with Young Offender’s Act which require young offenders convicted of Serious Crimes why they should be sentenced as Juveniles.

"Young people who commit crimes have historically been treated separately and distinctly from adults," said Justice Rosalie Abella, in writing for the majority.
"This does not mean that young people are not accountable for the offences they commit. They are decidedly but differently accountable," she said.

The ruling is seen by many legal experts as one of the most important judgments on youth justice in Canada in a century, solidly affirming the concept that young offenders do not have the moral culpability of adults and are entitled to be dealt with in a separate justice system.

The case before the Supreme Court involved a Hamilton teenager identified only as "D.B.," who was convicted of manslaughter for sucker-punching and jumping on another youth at a shopping mall in Dec. 2003. The victim, who'd been standing on the sidelines watching a fight, died of his injuries.

D.B. was on probation at the time.

The Crown was seeking an adult sentence of five years in light of the seriousness of the offence. The youth court judge, however, concluded a youth sentence of three years would be sufficient to hold D.B. accountable for manslaughter.

Writing for the minority Justice Marshall Rothstein said there is "no consensus" within Canadian society that violent young offenders must be subjected to lesser penalties for justice to prevail.

youths are different SC rules...

Rudolph must die! --How about Chicken Little?

A reindeer is seen resting in a field with its fawn at the Toronto Zoo. For the first time in the zoo's history, newborn calves were "euthanized due to being male" for herd management reasons, officials said. (Michael Peake, Sun Media)


Wait until Santa finds out. Toronto Zoo starts killing male baby reindeer to manage the herd. Staff are heartbroken -- and furious By Mike Strobel


Toronto Zoo brass say ... Rudolph must die!
Dear Santa: I hope you are sitting down.

The Toronto Zoo is killing baby boy reindeer.
Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer...

The first was dispatched shortly after his birth April 8.
His mom, Hayzel, bellowed mournfully for two days. You could hear her from Meadowvale Rd.

The second met the same fate at the point of a hypodermic on April 22.
His mom, CUPE, is named for the zoo staff's union.

And their only fault were being born of the wrong gender, boy!! one is coming anytime soon, and hoping it is a girl...
Read the rest at Toronto Sun here
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RON BULL/TORONTO STAR
Lucky Clucky feasts directly from the bowl of plenty while behind her Sally and Heidi forage on the backyard lawn. The chickens are illegal in Toronto, a situation their owner is hoping to change.

It is Legal in New York, Portland, Chicago and Seattle and dozens other cities in the U.S., but Toronto By-Laws forbid poultry for Health reasons but allow raising Pigeons provided they rest, roost or perch only on their owner’s property.
And which comes first, the Chicken or the Egg? Find out HERE

The Elizabeth Bain Case..

Elizabeth Bain - undated photo


Breaking News...Robert Baltovich acquitted of murder of Elizabeth Bain..

April 22, 11:00 AM EDT

A Jury acquitted Robert Baltovich of murdering his college sweetheart Elizabeth Bain, 18 years ago after she disappeared.

The Crown prosecutors told the courtroom Tuesday morning, April 22, they would not proceed with their case against the 42 years old Baltovich. They would not be calling witnesses or bring evidence forward, the Crown said..

It was the Second Time Baltovich was to stand trial in Bain’s murder. He was convicted the first time and served 8 years before the Judge squashed the conviction and ordered a New Trial..

Elizabeth Bain disappeared in June 19, l990 after telling her Mother she was heading to University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. Her car was found few kilometers from her home and the blood test confirmed blood found in the back seat of the car was hers...

Baltovich was charged in November l990.

During the appeal that overturned his Conviction, the Defense Legal’s Team collected a Reasonable Evidence that Bain may had been murdered by Serial Killer Paul Bernardo, said the lead defense lawyer...

Paul Bernardo was the Notorious School Girls Rapist and serial killer, who together with his wife Karla Homolka were convicted of two school girls and suspected of also killing Homolka's sister and few others disappearance, after raping and mutilating them and disposing their bodies..Bernardo is serving Life Sentence while his wife got a lighter sentence after a Plea Bargain with the Crown to testify against her Husband and now is out of Jail..

Did Paul Bernardo do it? The Notorious sex killer denied murdering Bain, but witnesses saw man fitting his discription and now if it wasn't Baltovich, then who else could it have been?

Baltovich defence team says that legitimate question was never properly addressed because the Police focus back in l990 was on Baltovich "to the exclusion of all other potential perpetrators."

For police interview with Paul Bernardo in 2007 it is here and the rest of the story..

details here

As for Elizabeth Bain’s mother doubt that Paul Bernardo involved in her daughter’s death..
Elizabeth mother is a Pilipina and her father is a Caucasian..

UPDATE: Columnist Rossi Dimanno Articles and Interview with Julita Bain, Elizabeth Bain's Mother Prayer and Anger don't ease the torment of Julita Bain

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No longer any reasonable prospect of conviction’


Text of Crown attorney Philip Kotanen's statement to the court this morning:

"Recent developments, including the cumulative effect of the pre-trial evidentiary rulings rendered to date in this case, other evidentiary issues, and changes to case law, have obliged the Crown to seriously reconsider whether there remains a reasonable prospect of conviction. We carefully weighed the evidence that was once available to the prosecution, and what now remains as a result of the evidence that was excluded in the pre-trial evidentiary rulings, and the other factors listed above.

"I wish to advise you that, now having completed that careful and detailed reassessment of the case, and having sought the advice of senior colleagues in the ministry, it has become apparent that there is no longer any reasonable prospect of conviction at this point. As such, I am duty bound to discontinue this prosecution.

"Accordingly, the Crown will not call any evidence in this matter. The murder of Elizabeth Bain was a horrendous and tragic event that has had a devastating impact on the lives of her family and friends. I can assure the family and the public that this decision has only been taken following a careful and exhaustive review of the evidence as it currently exists. However, as I have stated, the Crown cannot proceed where there is no reasonable prospect of conviction. Thank you for the opportunity to place these comments on the record."

RCMP siezed Protest Ship....

RCMP seizes seal hunt protest ship:

UDATE:The Minister was Right after all.

It's all about the money, environmental crusader told CBC's Barbara Frum
Apr 16, 2008 06:08 PM THE CANADIAN PRESS

HALIFAX–An environmental crusader at the centre of the anti-sealing movement is standing by comments he made 30 years ago in which he rebuked other conservation groups for exploiting harp seals for profit.


In a 1978 CBC radio interview, now being circulated on YouTube, Paul Watson slams Greenpeace and others for focusing protests on seal hunting because "it is very easy to exploit," even though the species is not endangered.

Watson, the 57-year-old co-founder of Greenpeace who later established the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, tells the interviewer that conservation groups campaign to protect seals because the animals are "cute" and their images help generate more donations than efforts to save other species.
"Oh, it's definitely because it's easier to make money and because it does make a profit," he says in the seven-minute discussion with Barbara Frum.

And now it is the same Mr. Watson and his organization who is raising Millions in Donations protesting the Seal Hunts which is neither for Conservation (seals are not among endangered species) nor for Cruelty as Experts in the Fields had declared that the methods of harvesting the Seals is as humane as killing of animals in the Slaughterhouse..Well it is because it is cute and easy to raise money..to me and many who depends on the annual hunt for their livelihood this is like a scam no different than other schemes taking advantage of emotional issues for their own personal gains..Fisheries Minister Hearn was right after all: "a bunch of money-sucking manipulators"

for the rest of the story, it is here and the video here
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They can Protest, yet they have to abide by our Rules, that’s all we ask of them!!!
Video and More here

HALIFAX – An RCMP tactical squad stormed and seized the anti-sealing vessel Farley Mowat today, in a provocative move the federal fisheries minister said would prevent "a bunch of money-sucking manipulators" from interfering with the annual hunt.

Paul Watson, head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said the seizure of his ship and the arrests of two senior officers amounted to an "act of war" because the vessel is registered in the Netherlands

Seal Hunt is a legal livelihood for many Canadians in the East Coast for decades now and it is also strictly regulated like any legal activities such as fishing and hunting. Every year during the Season, there are high Profile Protesters adding their voices against the annual ritual and Europe is contemplating banning all Seal Products coming from Canada, well and good, we do not have problems with that.

But the issue here, while it is still legal for our fishermen and seal hunters to engage in their lawful livelihood, it is our Right and we reserve to exercise that right to protect them in our Water and Shores under our Laws and under the International Laws of the Seas.
And just to show that we are not strangers to confrontation and would not hesitate to do what we believe is right, we do have some little experience with those who showed disregards of our rules..

To be sure, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Fisheries Department are no strangers to confrontation on the water.
On March 9, 1995, as Spain and Canada were locked in an emotional battle over the overfishing of turbot just beyond Canadian waters, the coast guard patrol vessel Cape Roger intercepted the Spanish trawler Estai, which cut its nets and fled.
After a lengthy pursuit, the crew of the Cape Roger fired four bursts from .50-calibre machine gun across the bow of the Estai, which then stopped and was seized by RCMP and Fisheries officers

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Banning what was already Banned.

CARLOS OSORIO/TORONTO STAR


ETF officers and K-9 unit search for clues on Janet Blvd. after 2 p.m. shooting at Lawrence Ave. E. apartment building April 8, 2008, left two men injured.

Banning what was already Banned is more Politics than Sense..

With increasing rate of Gun Crimes in the Greater Toronto Area, particularly in the areas where the Drug and Gang cultures are prevalent, the Toronto Council’s Executive committee unanimously approved a resolution banning handguns..

The Best the City could do is asked the Federal Government to ban Handguns...But. But handguns have been effectively banned across the country for a long time already..Handgun can be carried only by Police Officers and Security Personnel (armoured vehicles guards).

Yet, handguns can be had by anyone legally under the law and without the limits as to how many a person can have as long as the requirements of the law regarding proper and safe storage are complied with and all others such as they must be registered, and only for the purpose of Collection and Sports (target shooting).

But lately, some gun crimes involved legally owned handguns committed by its owners and most stolen from their owners, but majority still involved illegal handguns smuggled from across the border and traded illegally on the City Streets.

If indeed ownership of handguns should be banned, it can not only be done locally in particular city or province, but the whole country as Criminal Law is the Federal Government responsibilities and banning ownership in one place, but not in another is surely in Violation of the Charter's provision on Equality...

But the Federal Government had already informed the City of Toronto Government that Canada’s Gun Control Law is the Strictest it could get as handguns are already effectively banned. What is needed is the Policing aspect of enforcing the Gun Law and the enforcement of as much the Maximum penalty for violent Crimes involving firearms..

Also lately, Police forces in the GTA let it known that most of the suspects arrested in violent gun crimes are either repeat offenders, or Out on Bail for another Gun Crimes or Violent Crimes.

The granting of Bail for violent crime offenders should be reviewed and this is where the Onus should be Reversed and the burden should be shifted to the Accused to justify granting of Bail before the resolution of his or her case.

Yes, witnesses have been hearing lot of fireworks, anytime of day and only to read in the paper or watch in the t.v. or listen in the Radio that another one had been a victim of a gun crime, and sometimes a completely innocent by-stander...

for today's fireworks, clik here and here and for much bigger fireworks it's here

UPDATE: A 7 yerrs old boy that was reported missing during the shooting and who may have witnessed the shooting had been located by the Police together with his Father in the Same Building Complex where the incident happened..the boy's father was charged for the double shooting...it's here just clik...