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.

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

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.

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?