By Christopher Bird

Ontario to raise minimum wage to $10.25 by 2010 in new budget. NDP critic predictably says “no, we want it NOW,” but Torontoist feels this is one instance where Dalton McGuinty’s tendency to take as middling a road as possible has produced just about the best possible result. A twenty-five percent raise in the minimum wage over three years (and what will be a sixty-six percent raise since the Liberals took office in 2003) ain’t nothing, not even close.
President Bush says he will only allow his aides to testify to Congress if they are not under oath, in private, and with no written transcript of the testimony. Or, more bluntly, he wants the executive privilege for Karl Rove to lie to Congress. Remember: whatever complaints one may have about Stephen Harper (and there are lots), at least he isn’t George W. Bush.
Yesterday was Stephen Colbert Day in Oshawa. Money quote from Colbert: “This is a city I have admired ever since I learned of its existence recently.” However, this story has the unfortunate and possibly dangerous side effect of making people think Oshawa is usually fun and interesting. Be vigilant, people!
Toronto man named “Lucky” wins $18 million 6/49 jackpot. As news editors across North American thank heaven for incredibly fantastic headline.
Conrad Black trial begins with showmanship and lawyers trying to dumb down extremely complicated financial crime for the jury. Best part: Black’s lead defense attorney holding up his hand and asking the jury if they can see it, and quickly answering for them “No, you can’t. Not until you see both sides.” Er, Mister Highly-Paid Defense Lawyer, that’s a fucking stupid analogy.
Leafs 2, Devils 1. Yay hockey team that is ours winning a game!
Finally, do you read Torontoist? (Well, obviously.) Would you like to see a special sneak preview of The Host, the Korean monster movie that notoriously bitchy movie review site pajiba.com says “let me just say this up front: It is awesome,”? Well, if you would like the chance to win one of ten double passes to the sneak preview on March 28th at the Scotiabank Theatre, courtesy of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, just send an email with your first and last name to thehostcontest@torontoafterdark.com by noon this Friday. You know you want to see the giant tentacle monster eating helpless Koreans!
Image by Life In A Lens from the Torontoist Flickr pool.