New large oil discovery in Brazil is further shifting the energy balance

Petrobras yesterday announced the discovery of up to 8 billion barrels of new oil and natural gas deposits in the Tupi field offshore Santos Basin. This new finds ranks Brazil as world number 8, moving ahead of Nigeria in the oil and natural gas producing nations. Brazil's latest find in the Tupi field ranks the country well against the recent find in Kazakhstan's Kashagan field. Let's see how the market reacts to this. More

The issue of police cameras

Privacy expectation has been a hot topic since the City of Toronto decided to go ahead with the installation and operation of surveillance cameras on the streets in a number of communities in the city. Public space can be defined in a number of ways with varying degrees of privacy expectations, however the streets and public thoroughfares where law enforcement members are hired to protect and keep members of the public safe while they are in use should not be seen as a violation given that these cameras are not reported to be producing x-ray vision nor are they mounted at ground level. Opposition to this latest crime prevention measure warrants serious research as I struggle with the issue of PRIVACY expectation in PUBLIC places. How ridiculously ironic.

We will never forget...

This week will see different cermonies to honor those who have served, are currently serving. Veteran's week will end on Memorial Day Sunday, November 11, 2007. Let's go out rain or shine and honour those brave hero's who have served us and those who continue to fight for our freedoms.

New Federal tax cuts

Federal Finance minister Jim Flaherty yesterday unveiled a range of tax cuts for Canadians starting in the new year. All this, amidst clamouring from provincial and municipal governments for funds to be released for infrastructure development. The federal and provincial governments continue to enjoy enormous budget surpluses which is grossly unethical. Toronto has for sometime given strong support to the Liberal party hence our help should come from Premier McGuinty who chides the Feds for not sharing with Toronto. He got the votes, what is he waiting for?

Living the sheltered life

"For those who fought for it, life has a flavour the sheltered will never know" - John S Mills.

Canadians have a lot to be thankful for these days however, if you ask around there will be a number of our constituents who would disagree for a variety of understandable reasons. In Canada poverty and needs are defined in Canadian terms, and they should be. Yesterday a few hundred demonstrators were out adding their voices to what was a global effort against troops in Afghanistan. I am never sure what these demonstrators are thinking as there are many ways of looking at the situation with Afghans in their country today.

In Afghanistan a power vacuum was created in late 2001 and the UN Security Council unanimously agreed that help must be provided to get the country up and running again. I can think of three groups of people in the case of the Afghan situation namely; the anti-American fraternity who opposes anything the USA is involved in, those from the middle-east and eastern regions (living in the west) who are anti-American and believe that Afghanistan is better off without soldiers from the west (this group seems to have few or no Afghan members) and then there are those who think all things should be accommodated in the name of peace and dialogue should prevail ad infinitum. The last group however well intentioned, are largely sheltered and unlike their parents have not been exposed to any of the horrific wars fought by the Europeans in the last century. This group could also included some of those who would like to prosecute our military leaders for allowing members of the Taliban resistance movement to be tortured. They are not necessarily naive, they just never had to fight or fend for anything in life as yet.

It is that time of year again and I proudly wear my poppy in remembrance and appreciation for those who gave that we might enjoy Canada today. I know that in life there are always things worth fighting for, dying for, depending where you are on the needs hierarchy.

VW facing takeover?

The European court of Justice today ruled that the German law protecting auto magnate Volkswagen AG from hostile takeover is illegal. For years Porsche invested in the auto company which carries a full suite of vehicles envied even by Porsche. From the popular VW brand to the upscale Audi and topped off by the Bugatti and Lamborghini, Volkswagen has been the target of a number of European auto manufacturer. Full article

When scientist fall prey to their instinctive social upbringing

Nobel laureate James Watson expressed his honest belief earlier this week when he declared that Europeans were essentially smarter that Africans and that social policies to help Africa were based on the flawed assumption that they (Africans) were as intelligent as Europeans. He however did not reveal where or how the Europeans stacked against the Indians, Asians, Arabs or Hispanics and that in itself is a display of some amount of intelligence on his part. Watson was smart enough to single out the ethnic group less likely to react in kind to his comments. I am somehow curious as to his opinion on Nazi Germany's position that they were superior to the British and were bent on exercising that belief until deterred. In his defence Watson declared that he was misunderstood, particularly by the less intelligent journalists and commentators and maybe by a few of his own who would very likely have defective genes.

If James Watson were to state his understanding of intelligence as it relates to his statement earlier this week, I would be most curious as to his excuse for those Europeans who after invading Africa and plundering it for the last 400 plus years had not been intelligent enough to realize that their recent methods for resuscitating the African economies were not working. Is it that they were successfully making a fool of their population or James Watson on the eve of his 80th birthday needs help?

Is the number of parents seeking places in faith-based schools on the increase?

The Ontario election campaign is in its final stage and one wonders why faith-based schools were a constant focal point. I have already established that the issue of funding is moot as these pupils are entitled to paid tuition should they chose to access any of the two publicly funded school systems.

Is there a correlation between the changing public school curriculum to accommodate the more liberal views of today's society towards minorities like gays and lesbians, and the trend towards enrollment in faith-based schools? Is there a fear from liberals that the public school system could be replaced or outnumbered by publicly funded "faith-based" schools? While I research this further the indicators are suggesting that this divisive issue may have been precipitated by an earlier and equally divisive one.

John Tory moves to save campaign

Without even addressing the "non-issue" of funding to his constituents, PC leader John Tory changes his tune on the controversial faith-based school integration issue. While one could reasonably argue that the further promotion of faith-based schools was a dangerous path, it is very clear that the current batch of 53,000 students are entitled to public funding should they chose a school from the two public school boards. One of Tory's opponent chided him for being a poor leader who was determined to take a path even it was disastrous and linked him to other notable North American conservative leaders. Ironically, its the same camp that now questions Tory's leadership as a result of his change of plans.

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

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?

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!

Funding Cricket and sports in Ontario

Yesterday Perdita Felicien won the 100M hurdle silver medal at the World Track and Field Championship meet in Osaka, Japan. Athletes have complained repeatedly about not getting support from the government, however our cricketers have been lucky. A month ago it was revealed that the Ontario Cricket Association were the beneficiaries of a $1M grant after requesting $150,000. The only problem the association seem to be having is deciding what to do with the $600,000 they still have in their coffers. It's election time Premier McGuinty. more

TO is world's No. 5 most livable city!

Toronto is ranked No. 5 on the Economist magazine's world most livable cities list after No. 1 ranked Vancouver. Way to go Canada! more

Toronto and the Mayor's tax plan

Today Royson James outlined in his Toronto Star article what might be the genesis of the city's tax woes. Whatever happens for the rest of Mayor Miller's tenure there will still be a need for strong leadership in the city in the years to follow.

In times of desperation

As I watched the newscast last week where the people in a town in the northern Indian state of Bihar were stricken and devastated by flood waters, I couldn't help but notice the reporter's words on how the residents were fighting for the food being released from the helicopters bringing in relief supplies. This brought to mind, the basics of humanity and how we all react when confronted by desperate situations. I was at Ontario Place, Toronto a year ago and a crowd of probably a thousand or more had converged on the TTC station to get the street car back to the city centre.

The small street cars were still running at the usual schedule of 10 minutes or less and the crowd grew restless and started pushing/shoving each other and the customary queue disappeared. In Canada, we are not accustomed to these desperate situations however by the example I have outlined there are no exceptions when they do happen, desperate circumstances almost certainly provokes desperate responses, not just in the developing world.

Gordon O'Connor's future

Gordon O'Connor could leave his post of Defence Minister in the near future when Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to shuffle his cabinet. Political opponents are clamouring for his removal however, I doubt it will be from the cabinet. Afghanistan has been very challenging however there has been a number of accomplishments namely the renewal of the military infrastructure. Opposition leader Stephan Dion could see his wish for a full removal only partially granted as a full removal of Minister O'Connor from the cabinet could be harmful for progress made in the development of Canada's ill-equipped military.

New driving phenomenon in Toronto?

The GTA motorist are taking more photographs of live incidents and this is becoming a problem for traffic flow at times. This was reported on CityTV in the past week when a tractor trailer overturned on the westbound highway 401 between Keele Street and the highway 400 exit. It was ironic to note that while covering this incident, CityTV still continues its "Its your Story" competition which encourages the recording of incident as they happen.

Cuba in 2010

Cuba is bound to be a news leader in the near future. Reformists are moving into the seats of power and we should be hearing from them...