Brampton Mayor Sighing, CSIS Lying, Trees Dying

Brampton's mayor and police chief are looking to dispel a local urban myth that the municipality is paying Toronto gang members between $5,000 and $10,000 to move to Brampton. Officials deny the payouts, but admit they may have distributed a pamphlet suggesting that in Brampton "the streets are paved with 9 mm shells and the malt liquor flows like water."

Back in 2002, a CSIS official with a gift for euphemism noted his belief that Maher Arar would be sent to the Middle East for to be questioned in a "firm manner" after the Canadian engineer was detained by American authorities in New York. This information was revealed as part of an inquiry which makes the bold recommendation that in future Canada not participate in the illegal detention, deportation, and torture of innocent people.

This summer's drought is causing a "tree emergency" in Toronto, with many trees sick or dying from lack of water. If you see a tree that looks thirsty, don't hesitate to get the hose out. They'd do it for you.

At the premiers' meeting in Moncton, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has said he is willing to do his environmental part by requiring auto manufacturers to reduce tailpipe emissions by 30% in nine years, but only if other provinces step up to the plate too. Expect other premiers to make similarly empty gestures as the meeting winds down.

Photo by Erik Twight from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.