New Ontario street-racing law takes effect today

The new street-racing law takes effect in Ontario today. OPP troopers were out for the new law which took effect today, netting 28 offenders in the first day. More

Why the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system might not be good for Ontario at this time

The mixed-member proportional (MMP) system might not be good for Ontario at this time. I say this against the background of the current system of government, which often results in three political parties occupying the parliament. The Ontario assembly and government needs to deliver urgent and critical development in the province and a more "splintered" parliament with the almost certain entry of "new" parties will not help. I am recommending a NO vote in the referendum on October 10 in the interest of moving Ontario forward.

Wal-Mart goes high-tech with managing employee absenteeisn, will others follow?

Wal-Mart earlier this year moved on employee absenteeism in a manner some may describe as draconian and even worse. But then, that's Wal-Mart. Recent trends have been focusing on employee productivity and not time spent around the office. I wonder how many other corporations will make this move as pressures mount to increase cost savings. If this trend continues, will it spell the end of the telecommuting trend? More

Circus comes to town - UN in session

This week will see even more theatrics with the anti-US corner getting their moment to sound-off in New York. These leaders often are not otherwise eligible for entry into the USA based on their record in their home country with their own citizens. Leaders from Iran, Venezuela and Cuba have been known to give quite animated speeches to the UN General Assembly often ranting against the prime target, USA. Let the show begin!

Tory's team should be providing more expalnation on his key policy issues

I just read John Tory's response to voters' questions in the National Post this afternoon and I am wondering why his campaign team is not explaining the key policies the way Tory did today. The explanation given by John Tory today which would see all faith-based schools having had to meet key provincial school board requirements would best become law in three years following consultations and pilot projects. Also included was his response to questions on public transit in the Toronto and the GTA.
Tory went on to further explain and allay the fears of a voter who thought keeping now private schools out of the public system of monitoring and supervision, would prevent extremism from being taught in these classrooms.

Again, here is my question to the electorate. If the 53,000 students attending the faith-based schools decides to enter/re-enter the public school system, isn't the province and Dalton McGuinty obliged to accept them and provide additional funding for the schools they choose? Read the full blog.

Ontario's future and the campaign messages

The Ontario election campaign is noticeably lacking in issues of vital importance to the province's economy and is instead focused on the the issues to get votes and power. The only party that has deviated somewhat from the "faith-based" funding issue since the start of the campaign is the NDP. Howard Hamilton has shifted the debate to funding for children with special needs and joined McGuinty and Tory in promising needed provincial uploads to the city of Toronto. Unfortunately Premier McGuinty is now seeing victory on the issue of John Tory's pledge to provide public funding for faith-based schools and forgets that there is a desperate need for public transit in the province.

I don't understand the concerns regarding the funding of faith-based schools as these students can always re-enter the public school system. Whatever happened to the $17 billion promise that he made when "Green" was the fashion of the day?

Ontario election campaign

Today is day 2 of the Ontario election campaign and the main candidates came out swinging. John Tory is defending his proposal to make religious schools public and Dalton McGuinty is trying to justify his decision to tax Ontarians after his 2003 election pledge not to. Tory's campaign theme "Leadership Matters" could turn the tables on the Liberals here in Toronto and the recent scandal involving government grants to "liberal friendly" groups will not help the premiere. October 10 is not so far away.

9/11 - 6 years on

Today we remember the attacks of 9/11 which has changed the world since. Few predicted the extent to which the world would change as a result, however many seem to forget when this latest round started in New York. How did it help those in whose name they fight? Only time will tell. The conspiracy theorists were quick to capitalize on the emotions of those too gullible, despite repeated evidence and explanation from those who understand structures. Unlike the conspiracy theories memories have not faded. More

Pavarotti laid to rest

Liciano Pavarotti was laid to rest today in his home town of Modena, Italy. The world acclaimed tenor is gone too soon and undoubtedly his musical heritage will be around for generations. Among the mourners gathered in Modena to pay their final respects to the opera star were Bono of U2, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Goodbye maestro!