18 of 23 trucks checked at random on Toronto streets this week by police and the Ministry of Transportation proved to have some kind of safety issue. The police inspections found numerous problems, including things like insufficient brakes, improperly secured load, cargo on fire, steering wheel fell off, truck being driven by dog, etc., etc.

The former principal of C.W. Jeffries Secondary School, who came under fire for failing to report an alleged gang sexual assault, has landed on her feet. Charis Newton-Thompson will be "manager of curriculum review," meaning she looks at the school curriculum and makes sure it appropriately reflects Toronto's diversity. It's not a real job, but she don't have to be no snitch, you know what I'm sayin'?

Stéphane Dion's Green Shift™ plan will have a far greater tax impact on Alberta and Saskatchewan than on provinces that vote Liberal don't produce oil. No word on whether Dion would continue with the Tory strategy of sucking every last dime out of Toronto and then complaining that the city is in decline.

The Competition Policy Review Panel has come out with a report saying that Canadians need to ease up on foreign ownership rules if we want to stay competitive. Torontoist and our benevolent Gothamist overlords would like to announce our full support for the immediate implementation of such wise and farsighted policies.

Oil prices hit another record high of US$141 a barrel this morning. If that bothers you, remember that when you fill up your car you've just paid to destroy a little more polar bear habitat and fund four milliseconds of flight time in a Saudi prince's private jet.

Russia lost to Spain 3–0 yesterday in the Euro Cup semis, meaning the final will be played between Germany and Spain this weekend.

Photo by stumblintrucker from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.