Environment . Human Rights . Politics . Atheism . Food . Toronto . Ontario . Canada
1.11.2008
Ontario - Quebec High Speed Rail Link?
TORONTO (CBC) - Ontario and Quebec are reviving old plans to run high-speed trains between Quebec City and Windsor, Ont., the premiers of both provinces announced Thursday.Dalton McGuinty of Ontario and Jean Charest of Quebec said they will spend $2 million to study the project and expect to have a report ready in a year. It will focus on the development of a high-speed rail system linking major cities such as Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Full Story from CBC.ca
1.10.2008
1.03.2008
RIGHT TIME TO ADOPT A PET
With hundreds of animals in need of a home, and scarcely any place to put them, the Toronto Humane Society is urging anyone thinking about getting a pet to adopt one now. It is a call that should be heeded. Dogs, cats and other creatures would have a second chance at a good life while providing Torontonians with a good pet. Click here to read the full Toronto Star editorial.
1.02.2008
Student Unions Skip Blood Drives
Several Canadian universities' student unions decided to skip student blood drives because of Canadian Blood Services' lifetime ban against blood donations from gay men.
Many student groups and gay rights activists say the policy is outdated and discriminatory. The concerns stem from sections of a lengthy questionnaire potential donors need to fill out.
Question No. 18 of the blood agency's questionnaire asks potential male donors if they have had sex with a man, even once since 1977. If the answer is yes, even if the person has practised safe sex and is in a monogamous relationship, they are instantly deemed ineligible to donate.
Click here for the full story from CBC news.
Many student groups and gay rights activists say the policy is outdated and discriminatory. The concerns stem from sections of a lengthy questionnaire potential donors need to fill out.
Question No. 18 of the blood agency's questionnaire asks potential male donors if they have had sex with a man, even once since 1977. If the answer is yes, even if the person has practised safe sex and is in a monogamous relationship, they are instantly deemed ineligible to donate.
Click here for the full story from CBC news.
12.27.2007
Update: Google Transit
You may recall my post regarding Google Transit and the TTC. I wrote to TTC Chair, Adam Giambrone to ask if they had any plans to become part of the Google Transit site and this is Mr. Giambrones reply:Thanks to Adam for getting back to us so promptly. We think he's doing a great job as TTC Chair (and is one of the cutest politicians ever) and the TTC seems to be getting better these days because of his hard work!"The TTC is aware of this Google site and have been in touch with
representatives from Google to discuss options related to it. At this time
however, there are no concrete plans for the TTC to be added to this
site."
12.23.2007
12.21.2007
Google Transit Search
Here is something new and cool from Google. This site alllows you to enter an address where you are and a destination address and the search engine will give you detailed public transit directions. It comes as no surprise to me at all that our wonderful Toronto Transit Commision is NOT included as part of this search, although there are some Canadian cities involved including; Vancouver, BC, Fredericton, NB, and Montreal, QC.
I've written to TTC Chair Adam Giambrone to ask if the TTC will be taking part in this in the future. I think it is a good way to make public transit much more user friendly. I'll let you know what he has to say.
Coming in 2008 from BBC: Oceans
EarthEcho International president Philippe Cousteau is proud to be a host for Oceans, a BBC/Discovery co-production.
We know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the depths of Earth's oceans. Hidden there are amazing stories that will reveal new truths about our past, our planet, and the life within it. These incredible unseen stories will be told in the eight episodes comprising the Oceans series.
Each hour-long program, filmed in a different sea or ocean, will feature explorer Paul Rose, environmentalist Philippe Cousteau, maritime archaeologist Dr. Lucy Blue, and marine biologist Tooni Mahto as they brave the dangers of the deep, engage with the local people whose lives and livelihood depend on the sea, reflect on humankind's impact on the oceans, and attempt to inspire people to consider their changing relationship with the oceans.
Visit Cousteau's site here.
We know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the depths of Earth's oceans. Hidden there are amazing stories that will reveal new truths about our past, our planet, and the life within it. These incredible unseen stories will be told in the eight episodes comprising the Oceans series.
Each hour-long program, filmed in a different sea or ocean, will feature explorer Paul Rose, environmentalist Philippe Cousteau, maritime archaeologist Dr. Lucy Blue, and marine biologist Tooni Mahto as they brave the dangers of the deep, engage with the local people whose lives and livelihood depend on the sea, reflect on humankind's impact on the oceans, and attempt to inspire people to consider their changing relationship with the oceans.
Visit Cousteau's site here.
12.17.2007
Saudi King pardons vicitm
A few weeks ago I posted a story about a woman who had been gang raped and then was sentenced to 90 lashes for the rape. Today I read this story from CTV news about the Saudi King pardoning the victim.
12.16.2007
Green Party congratulates Australia on Kyoto ratification
03.12.2007
OTTAWA – Green Party leader Elizabeth May extended congratulations to Australia for ratifying the Kyoto protocol and urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to rethink his strategy to block international action on climate change.
“Newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ratified the Kyoto protocol in his first act after being sworn in,” said Ms. May. “Mr. Rudd has pledged to do everything in his power to ensure Australia is a leader on taking action against climate change. Unfortunately for Canadians, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has taken the opposite approach. He has damaged Canada’s reputation since the day he took office by obstructing action to arrest the climate crisis.”
Ms. May added that there is every indication the Conservative government will continue to act as global saboteur as negotiations on the second phase of Kyoto begin at the United Nations climate change conference Bali. She noted that today, on the opening day of the conference, Canada has the shame of being awarded the third-place Fossil of the Day award from Climate Action Network International, behind only the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“Mr. Harper must drop his disgraceful stance on Kyoto and climate change and follow Australia’s lead by honouring Kyoto and playing a constructive – not obstructive – role in the second phase negotiations.”
OTTAWA – Green Party leader Elizabeth May extended congratulations to Australia for ratifying the Kyoto protocol and urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to rethink his strategy to block international action on climate change.
“Newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ratified the Kyoto protocol in his first act after being sworn in,” said Ms. May. “Mr. Rudd has pledged to do everything in his power to ensure Australia is a leader on taking action against climate change. Unfortunately for Canadians, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has taken the opposite approach. He has damaged Canada’s reputation since the day he took office by obstructing action to arrest the climate crisis.”
Ms. May added that there is every indication the Conservative government will continue to act as global saboteur as negotiations on the second phase of Kyoto begin at the United Nations climate change conference Bali. She noted that today, on the opening day of the conference, Canada has the shame of being awarded the third-place Fossil of the Day award from Climate Action Network International, behind only the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“Mr. Harper must drop his disgraceful stance on Kyoto and climate change and follow Australia’s lead by honouring Kyoto and playing a constructive – not obstructive – role in the second phase negotiations.”
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