Election Ontario-Election Day...October 10---the countdown begins..

Premier Dalton McGuinty and Wife Terri

Today's Issue: September 18, Tuesday Morning 9:00am Eastern Daylight...Today’s Issue: Should public funding extended to all faith- based schools?

The current Liberal Government is against the idea and would not even consider calling a referendum on the issue.

The opposition Conservative proposed the issue and will start the initiative of implementing public funding to the approximately 53,000 students of other faith- based schools (about 3% of the total) if it wins the government this coming election.

The other two parties, the New Democrat is against and the Green would like to revert back to Secularism.

At present the Catholic Schools get the same public funding as the Public Schools. Together both School Boards serve 95% of the students from Junior kin to Senior High (grade 12). While 2% are students of purely private or others, and 3 % of other religious based schools, e.g. Muslims, Hindus, Jewish, etc...

According to the Surveys done by two different pollsters, the results were entirely the opposite:

A CTV News-Strategic Counsel poll released last night found 71 per cent of 850 people surveyed oppose the funding of "private, faith-based schools," with just 26 per cent in favour. The poll, conducted last Thursday to Sunday, is accurate to within 3.4 percentage points.
An Environics poll last week showed dramatically different results, with 48 per cent supporting the extension of funding to schools of all religious denomination, 44 per cent opposed and 8 per cent undecided.
At the moment, I belong to the undecided..for now, I would continue the policy of giving tax credit (percentage) for the fees to the faith-based school to the amount not more than of that of public funding. Or go with Green Party Leader Frank de Jong pledged to eliminate all funding of faith-based schools and ensure world religion classes are taught in one secular public system.



September 16, 5:00am eastern daylight...

Election Update (provincial): Today, the New Democrats announced the Party Policy towards Intensive Behavioural Intervention (BPI)-a very expensive one-in-one treatment in a classroom for all autistic children, while the Governing Liberal insists that the issue go beyond funding, but the lack of trained support providers in the province which it said the govt. already started addressing by hiring more specialists and expand college training for more therapists. The Conservatives also pledge to address the issue, but no specific yet... It's about time the Autistic Children will get all the attention and intervention needed, spare no expense, we will foot the bill.

Promises

And from our 'USELESS BUT AMUSING SKILLS' file: when asked to recite a couple of lines from the poem they know by heart, the campaign front runners (party leaders) cheerfully obliged:
Read it Here

MORE ON ELECTION UPDATE Sept 17, 5am: this site will be updating and concentrate on Election Ontario issues for the next few weeks until election day of October 10. Election results will be available hours after official polls closing.

The first Party Leaders televised weekly debates will be on Thursday Evening. The issues and subjects of the debates are not published yet, but it will touch on the two main issues, medical care and education and also the crimes. Not sure if the Green Party leader, which do not represent any seat in the legislature will be represented in the debates, but the environment is also one of the forefront among the issues: Election Ontario

Is this a dirty campaign or not? Health Minister Smitherman said that candidate Klees of the opposition Tories, mused during one of the debates among local candidates that patients should be charged User Fees every time they visit Emergency rooms for non-emergency cases to avoid abuse of the privileges and clogging up emergency rooms, but not mentioning that the Party Leadership do not support such policy as it against the rule of the Federal Law to charge any patient for Medical care. This idea had been floated around just like calling for 911 and ambulance and fire for non emergency cases, but it is kind of hard to judge which are emergencies before the facts...and to punish people without malicious intents is against the spirit of the fair and honest democracy, which this country was founded upon... come on, let not indulge in dirty campaign without disclosing the party's stand.
Patient's user fee

The Chief versus the Prime Minister

Veiled


And the argument is about something that is a non-issue, but now becomes the main issue. The subject, the Muslim Women and a very few minority who wears Burgas and Veils who do not object at all for uncovering their faces if required and even their own community who insist that wearing them are for Cultural and Social Reasons and nothing to do with Muslim Faith, has now become the centre which the Parliament would have to clarify or may have to re-examine the recently passed law that requires visual verification for Federal Elections.

And here is the Argument on the side of the Chief. The PM has said much of his piece in my previous post (scroll down to Breaking News), but knowing the young PM, he's hot blooded and sometimes his step is a little too fast for him.

He also said that all parties participated in a conference call on July 26, in which the veiled-vote issue had arisen, and they were all informed of the way Elections Canada was planning to interpret the law.

The chief said he is just following the law by allowing some Muslim Women to vote with their faces covered. The law state that if challenged the voter should identify self by presenting two ids and the Chief said if the voter refuse to show his or her face, a sworn statement is acceptable. He also added that visual verification is not required for those who votes by Mail and Proxy and said last election there were 80 thousands who voted by mail.

He is throwing back the Controversy at the lap of the PM and other politicians - arguing that they have all ample chance to make clear that people need to show their faces at the voting booth.

Chief Marc Mayrand replaced JP Kingsley who resigned the post last February after 17 years of service. Of course he was appointed by the current Government of PM Harper, but that doesn’t mean that his Independence is somehow affected.

Election Canada is an Independent Agency responsible for Federal Elections and Referendums and Reports to Parliament. The Chief is Appointed by the Governor General at the Recommendation of the Government of the Day and has the tenure of up to 65 years of age or resigned and can only be fired with cause by the Majority vote of the Parliament, the Senate and the House of Commons.

For Ontario Voters this coming October 10 election, don’t worry, Election Ontario doesn’t care if you wear a golie mask or paper bag over your head, it loves you to come and cast your vote, just show your voter’s Election Notice or your ID and do your civic duty.

The Muslim Canadian Congress says Elections Ontario should require everyone to show their face when casting a ballot.
A spokesman for the group says veils and burkas are worn for cultural and social reasons and have nothing to do with the Muslim faith.

the argument

Not a big deal... sure the parliament will thresh out this issue and make it very clear with election canada the intention of the law. Nobody wants this matter up to the court to decide.

Provincial Election...October 10, 2007

Howard Hampton, New Democrat Party Leader



Liberal Party Leader Dalton McGuinty

Conservative Party Leader John Tory and wife Barbara Hackett







Gentlemen, On your Post, Get Set, Goooo...

They’re off and running. Actually only John Tory, The Provincial Conservative Party Leader started his campaign for October 10 Provincial Elections for Members of Ontario Parliament. Premier Dalton McGuinty, Liberals Leader won’t officially start his campaign until next Monday when the writ is signed, while New Democrats Party Howard Hampton, start his by joining the Labour Day parade, without announcing any party policy.

And here are what we expect from the Three Parties representing the Members of the Parliament:

Although the Liberals have not started their campaign yet (they are the government) Finance Minister Greg Sorbora announce that if the Liberal is re-elected it, would create a New Statutory Holiday in February (one of the Months without a day-off, the other are November and June) probably on the third Monday.

Opposition John Tory, can’t wait to question the timing of the announcement and asked...why just now? And added it is cynical (the opposition Leader forgot that this is Election campaign). Of course people have been asking ever since for a long weekend in mid-winter, imagine from January 1 until the Good Friday?

And here’s the Major Issue this Election and the Party’s stand on them:

But the major issues in the campaign will focus on the economy, the environment, help for cities and the working poor, along with the hot-button issue of funding for faith-based schools, which Tory ignited by saying he would fund them, while McGuinty supports the status quo – funding for public and Catholic schools.

Don’t Know yet where the NDP stands on these issues.

The Parties go into the campaign with these standing:

Liberal: 68 out of 103 seats
Tories : 24
Democrats: 10
I seat vacant.. There will be an additional 4 seats to be contested this October 10 election (re-adjustment)..

And also there will be a referendum for Proportional Representation System of electing members and if carried will take effect in 2011.

Finally NDP Leader has something to say:

Hampton said the Liberals can't be counted on to keep their promise of a new holiday given that the government effectively killed a private member's bill in 2003 that would have created such a holiday.
"Dalton McGuinty found the time to give himself a $40,000 raise but didn't get around to giving working families a much-needed day off," Hampton said in a statement.

I’d say what about a Statutory Holiday in November? Third Monday would be perfect...

Care to read more related articles?
Toronto Star

Get Ready- The City About to Cut the Quality of Life of its Residents..

mother and child enjoying a swim at one of the city's community centres facilities, which will become the victim of cost saving measures by the city, will be closed on Mondays.

City cuts quality of Life...

City mayor David Miller said that the city must cut the quality of life to its residents and citizens as he struggles with a shortfall of $575 millions projected for 2008.

Dirtier streets, more graffiti and potholes, less snow removal, city golf courses closing a week earlier, and no Monday service at community centres.

And it is not getting any better from now on.

Read the rest of the Article and see how the Locals (the council members "insult" and shout at each others like anywhere else).
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/245340

From Toronto Star on-line edition ( the blog publisher subscribes to the Print Edition).

Toronto Star is Canada’s largest daily serving Toronto Greater Area and the rest of Canada..

A subdued looking Mayor David Miller told a news conference at City Hall that the changes are unavoidable given the city's fiscal crisis. The crisis peaked during the past two weeks after councillors, in a 23-22 vote, deferred a motion – backed by Miller – to raise about $350 million by increasing the land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee.

"All of these things are a diminution of the quality of life in Toronto, and from my perspective that's why it was so important to try and avoid this day," the mayor said.

"All of it is something I don't think any member of council wishes to do, but we face a real choice. It's time for people to understand that you either pay for a quality of life in a city that you want, or you get a different quality of life. There is no way to provide good quality of life without paying for it," Miller said.

Savings from Hoy's reductions include: (Shirley Hoy is the City Manager, the top Civil Servant)
$700,000 by closing all city community centres on Mondays beginning mid-September.

$800,000 by opening outdoor artificial ice rinks in January instead of December.

$1 million by providing sidewalk and windrow plowing only when there's 15 cm of snow. The current standard is 8 cm.
(start wearing a higher sole snow boots, hehehe, by 7 cm, good for shorties)

$120,000 by cancelling December yard waste pickup.
(we can always haul our own yard waste to the designated drop off locations anytime).

$125,000 by reducing automated leaf pickup, in areas that have it, from two pickups to one.

$230,000 by releasing seasonal litter-picking staff two weeks earlier than normal.
(people just simply stop littering, problem solved)

Miller says the city still needs the new taxes and council is to vote on them Oct. 22.
Yesterday's announcement led to emotional outbursts, with Councillor Howard Moscoe, a supporter of the new taxes, saying seniors will be crying foul over the reductions in snow removal, especially the windrow service,* which is available in certain parts of the city.

*windrow service is the service provided by the city, removing the snow dumped by the road clearing at the end of the driveway. During heavy snowstorm windrow could be waist deep, though only the lenght of the driveway will be taxing to clear, especially of senior citizens. glad got myself a powerful snow thrower. neighbors ( those without) better be nice to me..


"It's going to be awful. We've got an aging population, senior citizens who shovel their driveway, then the snow plow dumps the snow in front."

An ugly shouting match erupted immediately after the cuts were revealed, as councillors launched personal attacks against one another.

"You're a hypocrite, Denzil. You're an absolute hypocrite, and you haven't done the research. You've been on council since you were 12 years old and you don't even know the details in this budget. That's embarrassing,'' Councillor Adam Vaughan shouted at Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong.

"Adam, you may be interested in increasing the ratings on your television program, but I'd like to answer this (reporter's) question ... do you mind?'' Minnan-Wong fired back, a reference to the fact Vaughan hosts Hour Town, a monthly political special on CP24.
(Although by law, Municipal politics are not allowed to have political parties, still councils are some kind of "buddy, buddy party".)

In giving her presentation, Hoy said the city's "financial issues'' are on the revenue side.
Under provincial law, the city is required to balance its operating budget every year, she said, adding it has done that over the past few years in part by depleting the city's reserve funds and exhausting all potential one-time fixes.

Hoy said the "long-term sustainable solution'' to the city's financial challenges must include: Getting the province to pay the true costs of its social programs and resume carrying half of the TTC's operating budget; obtaining new and diverse revenue sources; and continuing cost-control measures.

The city's operating budget in 2007 is $7.8 billion. One-quarter of that pays for roads, garbage collection, recycling, parks and recreation services and libraries.
A third covers provincially mandated programs, and another third is spent on TTC**, police, fire and ambulance.
(glad, ms Hoy didn't ask any savings from fire and ambulance budget, wise move)

Hoy asked for $30 million in savings from the TTC and $10 million from the police.
The TTC came up with $6 million, police $3 million.
(not enough, you two!!)

Still up for consideration by the TTC are measures such as mothballing the Sheppard subway line, eliminating more than 20 bus routes, and a fare hike. The transit commission plans to hold public consultations in September and make a final decision on those reductions afterward.

**Toronto Transit Commission (mass transit system)

Public Service from Police Services:
THE ARE 4000 bikes stolen every year in the City. To help the Police Re-unite the re-covered Bicycles to their rightful owners and help prosecute the criminals, registration of Bikes is now offered on Line Free of Charge... visit this link and help stop the crime, register your bike...

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/bike/

Sickening..this One Is...

Police probe handicapped agency theft...

Public Guardian official fired, OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) investigates money missing from handicapped client.

Attorney General Michael Byrant (file photo), said today that a Public Servant was terminated and under police investigation for misappropriation of funds entrusted...

Police probe handicapped agency theft...
Public Guardian official fired, OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) investigates money missing from handicapped client.

This is unbelievable.. A client Representative of the Public Guardian Trustee since l995 went on vacation on May and a colleague took over her files and found out anomalies regarding the management of funds of one of her clients, a Mentally Handicapped.

.
Ontario Attorney General Michael Brant said that there was misappropriation of funds, a significant amount of funds but decline to give the amount and added " the very idea that someone entrusted that trust violate that trust is SICKENING".

The internal Probe started in May upon discovery and the public servant was suspended pending preliminary report. She was terminated Thursday and the Police taking over the Criminal Investigation. She can not be named for Privacy reasons as she has not been charged in proper court yet. As always presumption of innocence is a constitutional right and until a person is charged, he or she can not be named and even if charged he or she can not be presented to the the Media or images published unless for public interest (like for asking for more witnesses, the image of the accused maybe necessary) or an accused is at large. For minor, a court permission is necessary..

Opposition parties yesterday blamed the Liberals for not having proper safeguards in place. "This thing was discovered, it sounds to me, by accident," said Progressive Conservative justice critic Bob Runciman, a former solicitor general.

Auditor General Jim McMaster said he's reported on other problems in the guardian's office before, including questions about whether investment portfolios were being managed properly, but never allegations of theft.

"I can't say that anything really (similar) stands out in my mind," he said yesterday.

The guardian's office administers $1 billion in financial assets for about 9,000 Ontario citizens who are unable to govern their own affairs. Officials are checking to see if more than one client was cheated out of money.

Bryant also announced that former Ontario integrity commissioner Coulter Osborne has been hired to help guardian office clients and their families with any concerns and to arrange for reimbursement of any losses they suffered. At this point, there is "zero evidence" other staff at the guardian's office have been involved in schemes to cheat clients, Bryant said, but McMaster, along with an outside accounting firm called in to help, are keeping an eye out for any signs that has happened.

"They will follow the money," Bryant said. "The government is focused on moving as quickly as possible."

Ontario Residents and all Canadians who are Physically and Mentally handicapped and are not capable of managing their own affairs are wards of the Government. They are provided with social assistance and all available medical care and whatever assets they may have from their inheritance or from family is managed by the Public Guardian Trustee. Trust among employees of this government agency is thereby absolute and violation of such trust is Sickening....

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/244581

Something Good for the Health of Womanhood...

Dr. Jenny Blake, chief of obstretics at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, who has treated Cerivical Cancer patients, has already taken daughter Allie DePetrillo, 16, for HPV shots at her expense and she takes issue against those who questions the merits of the vaccine..

Girls to Get Cervical Cancer Vaccine... Gardasil..

Premier to announce $39 million voluntary immunization program for Grade 8 students
Starting this fall Grade 8 girls a cross Ontario will be offered Free Vaccines to prevent them from sexually transmitted virus that cause cervical cancer.

This program was financed by the Federal Government $300 millions voluntary vaccination program across Canada. In Ontario it is expected to immunize up to 84,000 students this year and will continue for at least another 2 years. After that it is not know if the Province will take over the program.

The vaccine, Gardasil, immunizes against the most deadly forms of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer.

It's the second most common cancer for women aged 20 to 44, after breast cancer.
In Ontario, some 550 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 150 die every year.
Gardasil is already available in Ontario but OHIP does not cover the $400 per person cost of the vaccine. Some employee benefit plans may cover it.

Health Canada approved Gardasil last summer for use in girls and women aged 9 to 26.
(Anyone under the age group who wish to have the vaccines, talk to your Doctor and check the coverage of your Extended Care, or your parents or guardian, otherwise be ready to fork out $400.)

Note: The Universal Health Care are not the same for every Province. Basic care like Hospital care for all sickness and illness are covered including procedures and medical bills and hospital stays with no limit, including medications during confinement, but maintenance medication and prescription pills are only covered fully under a separate Drug Plan Programs for Senior Citizens, Physically and Mentally disabled, indigents, social assistance recipients, or disabled due to health or accident, minors and basically all those that can not afford or without means. And there are medications and appliances not covered by these Drug Plans, but most often covered by those who are gainfully employed thru the Extended Insurance Plan by Employers. And that could include medication for ED (erectile dysfuncitons) and other lifestyle drugs...

The vaccine protects against infection from four separate strains of HPV, which combined, cause 70 per cent of all cases of cervical cancer.

But a Canadian Medical Association Journal paper, released online yesterday, says there is no "epidemic" of cervical cancer in Canada to warrant a vaccination program for girls
(Can’t understand the contention of the CMA, to me 400 deaths annually is a concern)

Across Canada, cervical cancer kills 400 women each year.
Worldwide, about 250,000 women die from the disease annually.

http://www.thestar.com/living/Health/article/242383

Is this Good or Bad? http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/242910

Eligible expenses for people taking the altruistic step of donating a kidney or part of their liver, whether to a loved one or a stranger, must be pre-approved by officials. Once that approval is obtained, the program will reimburse donors up to $5,500 for any travel, accommodation or meal expenses, or for lost income. August 3, 2:45 PM eastern daylight....

Political Scandals, We Too Have them...

Premier McGuinty, Left, with Citizenship Minister Mike Colle during happy days.

Provincial Minister of Citizenship Resigned Amid Scandal!!!

The Provincial Election is set for October 10 and the Government of Premier McGuinty (Liberal Party) just lost its First Cabinet Minister due to Scandal.

Citizenship Minister Mike Colle resigned after Auditor General Jim McCarter slammed spending Controls on the Grants to Multicultural Groups as "among the worst that we’ve seen" after finding out that Grants were doled out without proper Paper Works and in some instances Much More than what the Groups were asking for. And the Election Campaign will Start in a little more than six weeks from now.

Colle's resignation comes despite earlier attempts by the government to defuse the controversy over the grants in the face of a series of Toronto Star revelations and opposition party attacks.
But the Government could find a little comfort as the Auditor ruled out favouritism in awarding Grants to community Groups.

A very interesting case the Auditor highlighted, the Ontario Cricket Association asked for a grant of $150,000 and instead got a $ 1 million and more than half of the Money still sitting on the bank. And the Auditor General added, "they clearly did not need a Million Bucks, this isn’t Cricket".

He suggested the furor over the grants, made in the last two years with no formal application process or criteria, was a case of the government shooting itself in the foot.

"We found no evidence that any organization received a grant because it had political ties. However, in some cases those ties did exist, and, when this is combined with a process lacking openness and most of the normal accountability controls, it can create the perception of favouritism if the organization ends up obtaining a grant," McCarter wrote.

Both the Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats vowed to remind voters about the Liberal imbroglio as the election approaches

.
Premier McGuinty quickly apologized to the People of Ontario and this what he had to say:

The lax oversight was "clearly not in keeping with the respect our government must have for every dollar taxpayers send us," McGuinty said yesterday.

"I want to apologize to the people of Ontario for not living up to the high standards that we have set for ourselves and that they are entitled to expect from us. I want Ontarians to know we are implementing all of the auditor's recommendations."

Judgement Day will Come October 10 if the "voters of Ontario" will accept the Premier’s Apology or Not.

For this voter it is not an issue, because I belong to the opposition party. And the Premier was very slow in acting about this issue that has been lingering for a while after it was Revealed by the Media and the Oppositions.

Read more here:
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/240471

For star editorial:

http://www.thestar.com/article/240319

Something Good: A 64 years old Senior, 5'7" took down two robbers, both over 6 feet tall and young at a pharmacy, after he stumbled into Crime in Progress as he was filling up his Prescription. Roy to the Rescue... check this link...

http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2007/07/28/4374963-sun.html

Ombudsman to investigate the SIU..

SIU investigator on the scene of the crime...


The Ontario’s Ombudsman is taking on the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the Civilian Agency that Probes serious injuries and deaths involving Police, over concern that it maybe biased towards the Police.

Ombudsman Andre Marin, himself, SIU director in the l990 said that there has been a troubling increase of complaints from the Public that the SIU is alleged to not doing its job properly.

The Ombudsman told a news conference that his investigation is based on complaints from 8 families who have suggested that the SIU probes of Police Conducts lack objectivity and were less thorough.

Twenty complaints were given preliminary investigation and 8 of them will be put under the "microscope".

A few among them was the case of Jeffrey Reodica, a Pilipino Youth shot and killed by a Metro Officer in which the SIU investigations declared that the Officer was justified in his Actions.

But the Coroner’s Inquest that followed, found so many defects and inconsistencies to the investigations and processes.

Note: The Reodica Family had filed a $5.4 millions civil lawsuits against the police services, the officer and the chief.

And here’s another case: Toronto Lawyer Julian Falconer who said he represented two of the cases cite one of his cases.

Hafeez Mohamed had been stopped in Pickering for drunk driving by Durham Regional Police, with four times the legal limit of alcohol in his blood last May and spent over a month in intensive care, yet the SIU found the use of force was "appropriate and reasonable," Falconer told a news conference.

"There’s a potential reality that a pro-police culture has taken over the SIU."

Mohamed said he was too drunk to remember if he resisted the police or not.

The Ombudsman said his reports will be ready by the end of October.

If the Politicians, the Liberal Government of Premier McGuinty, in particular Attorney General Michael Bryant, had followed up on the many complaints voiced against the SIU, there would be no Ombudsman's probe necessary.

Obviously the Government has been sitting on the complaints, so Ombudsman Marin has to step in.
http://www.thestar.com/article/222795


Worth Repeating:

Editorial... Toronto Star
Jun 08, 2007 04:30 AM

Organizers of a Toronto gala and opera celebrating the accomplishments of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela say they are "devastated" by Canada's refusal to allow their political hero into the country. And Madikizela-Mandela, the 70-year-old ex-wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, is understandably upset too.

Their distress, though, should be tempered by the fact that Canadian officials are right to refuse to allow a visit by this controversial figure.

Madikizela-Mandela's many admirers celebrate her work as an anti-apartheid activist and a bold campaigner in the fight against AIDS in South Africa. Indeed, she has been effective on both those fronts.

But there is another side to Madikizela-Mandela that must not be ignored, or indirectly condoned, by letting her into Canada to be celebrated. In 1991, she was convicted of having a role in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Stompie Moeketsi, a 14-year-old boy accused of being a police informer. Her six-year jail sentence was reduced to a fine on appeal. Then in 2003 she was convicted of 68 counts of theft and fraud, for which she received a suspended sentence.

These were not trumped-up charges, or accusations that had no legal merit. And the resulting convictions surely justify barring Madikizela-Mandela from the country under a Canadian rule refusing admission to anyone convicted of serious crimes.

Madikizela-Mandela's supporters have a right to focus only on the bright side and mark her achievements with glowing speeches and a new play, titled The Passion of Winnie, which opens tonight. But Canada's government is obliged to look at the entire record. And that record is troubling to such a degree that it justifies keeping her out.

In a speak out section of Toronto Star, I have this to say:

"We have a process to be followed in admitting visitors and immigrants to our country, irregardless of whom they maybe and that is including Ms Mandela, that we under our policy to apply equality to all and I applaud our immigration officers for adhering to such". ---vic

A tragic aftermath of a stolen car and a "police pursuit"...

A stolen car driven by a 15 year-old-boy ended up wrapped in a light pole after hitting two taxis, killing a 16 years old passenger and another 17 years old lying 'brain dead' in hospital, both friends were passenger in one of the taxis. Both drivers suffered minor injuries. The driver of the stolen car also died on the scene...

A few days ago, I made a comment in one of my regulars favourite blog sites in the Philippines ‘inside the mind of snglguy regarding the cops and robbers and the cars chases’ and here is the particular entry.

http://snglguy.com/?p=636

This is about the protocol of Police chases and when not to do it to avoid injuries or fatalities to the innocents public.

Today, a family is deciding if to take their 17-year-old daughter out of life support after a suffering some serious injuries early Saturday morning where her friend and fellow passenger in a taxi, 16 years old, died on the scene, including a l5 year old boy, driving a stolen car, hitting a light pole and after hitting the two other vehicles (taxis), where the other two teenagers where on board in one of them. The taxi drivers, escaped with minor injuries.

Initial reports, said that the police received a gun call, and saw a car speeding by them and decided to follow the car. And the chase ensued. It is not known yet if the boy was involved in the gun call.

The Province’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is taking over investigation. SIU is a civilian agency that investigates incident involving police and civilians resulting in injuries and fatalities.

There is an outstanding Protocol regarding Police chase that serves as guidelines to all police forces in the Province. But that still leaves on the judgement of officers concern to initiate the chase or not.

Now the Provincial Premier is voicing concern that the current Protocol may require further reviews while the families of the victims demand from the city mayor to call for the Inquiry into the incidents.

Three young lives, two are now gone, one innocent, one a suspect, and one lying brain dead and the family yet to make another painful decision. And in the quite of an early morning hours, such tragedy is an unimaginable, to the families of the victims and to the Police Officers who may in their best intention would realized that such would end up in lose of two young lives and the prospect of losing another. And the Public to face another Long and Trying time if an Inquiry is called to review the protocol and guidelines for Police Chases...
For links to the stories clik Canada’s biggest daily:

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/221075

Update: The Family had announced that the decision to take their daughter off life support had been made. "she is no longer with us"....

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/221221

Two City Councillors in Trouble for Non-Spending.??

Two tightwads City Councillors who spent the least money for their office expense, (one reported zero, the other $ 1,471 for a year) may be subjected to investigation by the City’s Auditor General and the Integrity Commissioner for improperly spending their Own Money or someone else’s instead of the City’s. Either Way it is Against The Council Code of Conduct, contend one Councillor who led the vote for investigation..

Councillor Rob Ford, representing Ward 2, Etobicoke North, known to be a critic of other councillors’ wasteful spending reported Zero for his office expenses, while Dough Holyday, Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre, reported only the amount of $l471.

Each councillor has an expense allowance of $53,l00 a year to send out letters, rent office space in their constituencies or otherwise run their offices.

There are 44 Wards in Toronto each represented by One councillor Plus the Mayor which is elected city wide. Together they formed the City council. A deputy Mayor is picked among the councillors.

Led by councillor Mammoliti ( Ward 7, York West), maybe the BIG spender, councillors on the executive committee struck back at the frugal duo .

Councilman Mammoliti said that it’s obvious from letter sent out by the Two Councillors on their own letterheads that they are ordering Stationery and under council policy, they should be paying for them from the office budget.

Councillor Ford, the Zero expense one, said there is no mystery of who’s is paying his office expense: HE IS. And added that Mammoliti is just wasting the committee time with what seems and obsessions about how he does his job. "I don’t know why he hates me so much. I wish he would move on, and stop worrying his whole life about what Rob Ford does." He also added that the family owns a printing press.

Note: These two Veterans of the City Council had some kind of Scruple in the Past and Mr. Ford is quite a bulky guy and can stand toe to toe with any tough guy in the council. But Perish the thought, this is Toronto. Out of the council room, they’re just like you and me...

Councillor Howard Moscoe, (known to be the top spender, being chairman of Toronto Transit Commission, city biggest run service), agreed that Ford should be charging expenses. "There's a constant stream of printed material out of Councillor Ford's office, and it's completely against the bylaw to go to private sources to do that," he said.

Mammoliti has feuded with Holyday over Holyday's frequent use of space at Etobicoke City Hall. Mammoliti says Holyday uses the space as his constituency offices, but doesn't pay rent for it as he ought to.

In a letter to the executive committee, Holyday – who was out of town yesterday – says he's not required to pay for the space and would be "pleased" to have the integrity commissioner rule on the issue.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/209046

To Donate or not to donate, that is the Question...

Ontario's Education Minister Kathleen Wynne


To Donate or Not to Donate for Your School Boards, that is the Question:
Parents can now raise money for school auditoriums, additions, even a pool – any major construction – under policy changes adopted by the Peel School District board that are raising fears of a two-tier system.

In the past, some School Boards accept donation from parents for minor school project, but it was never an official policy of any District School Boards to raise funds from parents purposely for Capital projects.

But some Fifteen Years ago, the power of taxation was taken off the School Board to raise taxes for shortfall on the Boards budget and some affluent districts or communities have been accepting voluntary donations from parents, some for major project such as auditoriums, swimming pools or any major constructions. And it sparks fear over a Tow - Tier system.

Before I go on, secondary education in Ontario as well as the whole of Canada is publicly funded and is guaranteed to be Equally accessible to all Canadians and legal residents. Simply means what’s good for little Johnny or Zvi is also good for Juan or Ali or Chi Kuang Ho.

And here again, we listen to what the people whose words and actions matters most say about the issue:

From the Chair of Peel District School Board who started the ball rolling, Janet McDougald:

In the past, parents have raised funds for such things as computers and playground climbers, but in recent years groups have come forward who want to contribute "in a big way," by financing a renovation or even purchasing a portable."

Our policy did not address fundraising projects such as that," said McDougald. "We are definitely, in Peel, open for business and we welcome all opportunities that would increase success for our kids and opportunities – we want to be able to entertain these kinds of things.

My question for Jane: How about in some district where parents can’t afford to donate a portable, can we send their children to your school? Just you wait and Janet has already some kind of answer to this query.

But the trend is not setting well with some, especially this, from the Catholic School Board,
Oliver Carroll, Chair of Toronto Catholic District School Board:

You are just asking for trouble. The discussion have been a non-starter for my board. It divides communities when it’s over and done with.

Annie Kidder, People for Education advocacy group also added:

It’s a two ties of funding education, in an area where parents have the time and the money, a school might get a gym but what about a school in less affluent areas?

Answered Back Janet (I told you so):

We'll try to address some inequities. If we could have a community build us a bigger library or resource centre, or refurbish a science lab, that would be money freed up that could go to a school that doesn't have those things.

It's not perfect, it will create some inequities and the board is fully aware of that, but we have to take advantage of those (fundraising) opportunities.

Hold it a minute there Janet. Section 15 of our Charter, which deals with Equality is very clear about your last statement. I’m afraid somebody, sometimes in the future will challenge your Board policy and it will invalidate that specific one, then what?

Well, Janet is quite fully prepared and here’s more she wants to add:

While there have been no proposals since the policy changes were passed at the board's March 27 meeting, future projects will have to undergo a "viability review" to ensure the board can afford any ongoing costs and maintenance.
If someone wants to put air conditioning in a school, that's the small cost,"
We want to make sure that whatever is being built is consistent with our planning and our board goals.
If the community wants a swimming pool, but that school really needs a science lab ... we might say, `We want to work with you, but could you see a way to fulfill this priority?

But Anne Kidder is not done yet. Remember her?, the Education for People advocate:

Kidder said the issue speaks to the funding problems boards face, because no government in recent years has paid attention to the spiralling costs of renovating, building or repairing schools, not to mention heating and lighting them.
"Schools do need upgrading and they do need work,". "I don't think they're all totally falling to pieces, but if you are a parent and you can see the need in your own school, I understand the desire to fix up your school.
"But governments are supposed to make sure that all schools are great, and when you rely on fundraising that's not going to happen."


Well, most had said their piece already, oh wait a minute, before I go to the one most important person, here another from the man of the cloth.

Rev. Stefan Wolf, parent council chair at Glenhaven Senior Public School in Mississauga:
(Mississauga is one of the cities composing the Peel Region)

In recent years the board has poured a lot of money into renovations and upgrades to the gym, windows, entrances, schoolyard and parking lot.
We are very pleased with the Peel board. However, the school is located in a highly transient neighbourhood that's considered at-risk, and fundraising is difficult. If it was up to the parents to fundraise for such building amendments, we wouldn't be able to do it."

And now for the Important Character, Ontario Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne (show us the Money).

While fundraising in general raises equity concerns, it is up to boards to set their own policies.

I don't think any board would want to see one school develop to the disadvantage of others, she said, adding she wasn't aware of any others following the Peel's lead.
"It's a delicate issue because trustees are responsible for all schools in their board," she said. "They have to make decisions that allow schools to be in relatively equal position."
Wynne noted the province has given boards money that allows them to leverage $4 billion for capital projects, which she called "a good start."

Me and my little message to the Honourable Minister: Threading a delicate line there Minister, but overall you have done a good job, actually an excellent job, too bad your admirer is a Conservative and will campaign against your party this fall election, but personally I wish you the Best....

Links to my daily paper (maybe the Star will waive my next year’s subscription payments) since I don’t make more than a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee on this Blog adsense..hehehe..
http://www.thestar.com/article/206074

Something Terrible Happened Here:

Mullins-Johnsons - stayed 12 years behind bars for wrongful conviction of the strangulation of her 4 year old niece Valin Johnsons.

Something Terrible Happened Here:

William Mullins-Johnson spent 12 years behind bars after he was wrongly convicted of first degree murder of her 4 year-old niece Valin Johnson, by strangling after sexually assaulting her.

Marco Trota remains in custody convicted of second degree murder of 8 month-old son Paolo, while his case is under review by the Supreme court.

Brenda Waudby was charged with the 1997 beating death of her 21-month-old daughter, Jenna Mellor.
Those charges were eventually dropped and Jenna's babysitter was convicted this year of beating her to death.

Altogether there were l3 convictions all involving the killings of Children as the results of Expert Testimonies of Dr. Charles Smith, Pathologist for Hospital for Sick Children from l991 to 2002.

Yesterday, Ontario’s Chief Coroner released a damning report prepared by five international experts on Dr. Charles Smith's work that found that he likely made errors in 20 cases in which people were charged with killing children.

In 13 of those cases, people were convicted of criminal offences. One of those individuals was Mullins-Johnsons.

Mullins-Johnsons 36, was released from prison just over a year ago after independent experts concluded that her niece Valin had died of Natural Causes.

Now here is what all the parties have to say except Dr. Smith or his Lawyers:

Victims:
Mullins-Johnsons: ( wrongfully convicted of sexually assaulting and strangling his niece): "I was put into an environment where I had to hide a lot," Mullins-Johnson said softly, as he faced the cameras.
"I was in an environment where potentially my life was at risk every day."
Mullins-Johnsons also said that he felt the sense of relief that finally people believe him.

Dr. Barry McLellan, chief coroner for Ontario:
"I am very surprised with the overall results of the review and concerned about the results," said Dr. Barry McLellan, chief coroner for Ontario, whose office prepared the report.
McLellan said his office is now studying cases handled by Smith from the time he was hired in l981 to l991.

Lawyers for the Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted, who fought for Mullins-Johnson's release, sharply criticized Bryant (Provincial Attorney General) for not immediately calling a public inquiry:

"Of course, confidence in the administration of justice has been severely affected by today's announcement and rightly so," lawyer James Lockyer said. "And it takes a public inquiry then to restore that public confidence in the administration of justice."

And from the Politicians:

Attorney General Michael Bryant said he found the report profoundly disturbing, and didn't rule out the possibility of a full public inquiry into cases in which Smith either performed autopsies or provided professional opinions into baby deaths in Ontario.

"It's unacceptable that it happened," Bryant said. "It's wrong. Now we need to not only get to the bottom of it but prevent it from ever happening again."

Bryant said former chief justice Patrick LeSage and a medical expert will conduct a review of Smith's work to determine how things went so wrong, and how similar miscarriages of justice can be prevented in the future.

Me and my big mouth Address to the Attorney General: "Call a Full Public Inquiry Now, which you should be had called long time ago. Remember in 2002 that Dr. Smith was Reprimanded with Caution by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for his works on Three suspicious deaths?"

The 18-month review on Dr. Charles Smith’s work was done by 5 internationally respected Medical Experts from Canada, Finland, Northern Ireland and England.

Check this link for more: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/205390

Smoking Ban in High-Rise Apartments?

Smoking Ban in Apartments???

Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman floating the Idea of opening a Debate of whether smoking should be banned in "some" high rise apartments or Not. Growing pressure to curb the deadly effect of second hand smoke and the fact that many public places already declared smoke free and all work places are now have a designated smoking areas or some are no smoking at all.

While Smitherman said he would rather see market forces drive landlords to declare their buildings smoke-free, he acknowledged it would be worth having the discussion about whether legislation would be necessary to back up any ban.

"We’ve got to look at it from a regulatory standpoint," he said. "We sure will do that. There will be a good discussion. But there is a lot of power in the hands of the people."

Now here are what all the other parties have to say about the Health Minister's Idea of a Debate on this Issue:

Premier Dalton Mcquinty (Il Supremo) said:

Who previously ruled out banning smoking in cars where present of children saying it is a slippery slope, doesn’t like the Idea of his Health Minister "That’s not something we’re considering, no," he said when asked whether anti-smoking laws should be extended to apartment buildings.

Irene Gallagher of the Ontario Free Tobacco-Network said:
that "two polls conducted last year for the network suggest that people want the choice of living in a smoke-free building."

Some 64 per cent of respondents to the poll said they would prefer a smoke-free building over one where smoking was permitted, while 46 per cent of apartment dwellers said smoke from their neighbours had seeped into their units.

"If they want to open up this debate in the legislature, that’s good," Gallagher said:
"It would get people talking. We need the industry to respond to market demand by offering some choice".

Vince Brescia, president and CEO of the Federation of Rental-housing Providers of Ontario said:

"Landlords can’t evict a tenant who has a pet, let alone enforce a smoking ban", Brescia said.
"We agree with the concept of choice . . . but we’re prevented from providing that choice by Ontario law".

Hilary Short, president and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association said:

" if the province can do something to mitigate the harmful impact of second-hand smoke, it should act. I think it’s very well worth a debate," she said. "Any reduction in people’s exposure to second-hand smoke would be very positive. I think it’s a great idea."

And from the Two Opposition Parties:

New Democrat Shelley Martel said:

" the province can’t duck this issue for long."
"The yardsticks have moved a long way," said Martel, noting many critics didn’t think it would be possible to impose a ban on smoking in workplaces — something that’s now commonplace.

Tory (Conservative) Leader John Tory said: (notice the leader's name and the party are the same)

" it’s not worth talking about regulating what people do in the privacy of their own apartments. The province would be better off improving the building code to stop smoke from drifting from unit to unit than legislating their behaviour, he said.
"People have a refuge, which is their home," he said:
"Where does it stop? What do you start telling people what they can and can’t do in their homes?

There you have folks. The Minister of Health floating the idea to start the debate. The important personalities already said their pieces and now it’s the turn of the others that matter most, the tenants of high rise apartments, the landlords of high-rises and the taxpayers and voters of this province. Let the debate starts....

links: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/196459