Earth Hour Next Saturday Night

Earth Hour is on March 27th from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. Please join the rest of the world and turn out those lights!

LottoMax TV Commercial Update

A few weeks ago, I submitted a complaint to Advertising Standards Canada regarding the commercial in which the driver of a speedboat and a person in a helicopter are texting each other while playing hide and seek.

While fully realizing the advertisement is far-fetched and fantastical, I do not support or condone the unsafe behavior. It is a slap in the face and a disregard of the new law enacted to stop the use of mobile devices while operating motor vehicles.

I received a reply from the OLG explaining their stance on the advertisement the relevant part of the letter follows. At this time I still feel the ad is at the least poor judgement and potentially goes against clause #10 as described below:

Toronto Opera Repertoire - Figaro DVD

This is a sample clip of the Marriage of Figaro performance on February 24, 2010 by the Toronto Opera Repetoire. A two disc DVD will be available around the end of March, please contact me if you would like to purchase the DVD.  Price is $25.00

http://www.toronto-opera.com/

Debborah Donnelly to be Green Status of Women Critic

The Green Party of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Debborah Donnelly to the Shadow Cabinet portfolio of Status of Women. Debborah is the nominated candidate for the Toronto-area riding of St. Paul.

As a Canadian Naval Officer for over a decade, Debborah blazed a new path for women in Canada’s Armed Forces by being one of the first female officers in a combat role. She was instrumental in developing policy on the training of women in the Navy, and eventually instructed and mentored the next generation of women and men at the Naval Officer Training Centre. Also a skilled archaeologist, Debborah has worked on numerous excavations overseas, where she forged ties with and learned from women of many cultures.

Town Crier Profiles Chris Tindal

Chris Tindal says he’s running to make a difference. 

“I think the decisions a councillor makes over the next four years will be with us for a lifetime,” said the 28-year old. “We are building the city for the next generation.” 

He said a large part of the job for the local rep is focused on development in this dense downtown Ward 27. He wants to focus on having new office space in the city built closer to transit. 

“I think everyone wants to get to and from work in a convenient way,” said Tindal who has lived in the ward for a decade. 

He said he is a member of Auto Share, commutes by bike in the summer and uses transit regularly. He’d like to see people get away from the bike vs. car rhetoric. 

“A lot of people in this ward drive but would rather not if given the option,” said Tindal. “We have to get people out of their cars with a carrot  not a stick.”

If the city implemented its entire bike plan rather than a few cycling lanes here or there, it would encourage more people to commute by bike rather than car, he said.

Tindal was the federal Green Party candidate in Toronto Centre twice, so he has already met many of the people in the ward during those campaigns. 

Now hopes to win the race through the sweat of his brow. 

“I will work hard to make sure every single resident in this ward gets a chance to meet me and tell me their hopes and dreams,” said Tindal. 

Cyndi Lauper to perform free concert a Queens Park for Toronto Pride

Cyndi Lauper, one of the world's most recognized Queer icons, comes to Toronto on Saturday, July 3 2010 for a FREE concert in Queen's Park.

An unwavering advocate for LGBTTIQQ2SA* rights, Cyndi Lauper established herself as a household name with the 1983 single "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", kicking off a long career which includes more than 25 million in record sales and nominations for 13 Grammy awards, 2 Emmy awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV awards.

Her most recent album "Bring Ya To The Brink" affirmed her international pop diva status, even more so amongst her LGBT fans, who were featured prominently in the music video for her #1 single, "Into The Nightlife".

"It's an honor to always have the genuine affection of the gay community," Cyndi says. "They have never turned their back on me and I will never turn my back on them. We've had a long and enduring love affair."

In 2007, Lauper created the True Colors Tour, bringing together artists like Erasure, The B-52s, the Indigo Girls, Deborah Harry and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts to raise public awareness about issues facing the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. A year later, she founded the True Colors Fund to inspire and engage everyone-particularly those in the straight community-to become involved in the advancement of equality.

Canadians Advocating Political Participation

Tsunami Advisory for British Columbia and Pacific Rim

The Canadian Press is reporting a tsunami advisory has been issued for all of coastal British Columbia following Saturday’s 8.8 earthquake in Chile. The quake is one of the strongest every recorded.

The West Coast Alaska Tsunami Warning Center says a tsunami advisory means there is a possibility of strong localized currents.

No significant inundation is expected, but low-lying coastal areas and beaches are at risk.

The provincial emergency system says experts predict the first wave arrival time of 15:11 PST at the southern B.C. coastline.

It says local governments may consider activating their emergency plans, including evacuating marinas, beaches and other areas that are below normal high-tide mark.

A stronger tsunami warning was issued earlier Saturday for a wide swath of the Pacific, including Hawaii, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The Agenda On the Road in Brockville

MONDAY, MARCH 1 The Agenda will be broadcasting live from Brockville. For more information and to get tickets » go to The Agenda With Steve Paikin: On The Road 2010 wiki.

Monday on The Agenda Live from Brockville The Debate: Agenda on the Road: Brockville How should Ontario reinvent itself for the 21st century? How does Brockville, and similar cities across Ontario, see their future unfolding?

TAR SANDS FLAME

An Evening With Elizabeth

Our fundraising event is drawing close. If you are in the GTA please come and join us, there is still room for a few more! Tickets are only ten dollars and available at the door.  This will be a night to remember. I've arranged for Elizabeth's recent book; "Losing Confidence; Power, Politics and the crisis in Canadian Democracy" to be available for purchase and Elizabeth will sign your copy for you.

There will also be some fantastic door prizes including original works of art and custom jewelry. Refreshments and music,  food and drink! Not to mention some of the most intelligent political minds of our time!

Please RSVP if you plan to attend!

Tickets are only $10.00 and your ticket helps to support the Toronto Centre Greens. I hope to see you there!

Click the image to view full size.

Save The South Side of Colborne St.

Please find included a link to the petition as noted above which is to appeal to the Minister of Culture to exercise its authority to issue a stop work order on the impending demolition of the buildings on the South Side of Colborne Street, Brantford. Read about it at Urban Toronto.com

This is rather urgent so please, if you wish to sign, do so as soon as you're able to. If we can obtain as many signatures as possible within the next week, it would be most helpful.

A copy of the petition will also be made available to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing which is the umbrella organization which is responsible for land use planning in the Province of Ontario.

Go here to sign: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethesouthside/

Thank you everyone for your help!