Newsstand: November 5, 2009

You read about the possibility yesterday and, besides, you knew it was going to happen anyway, so here it is: the TTC is planning to propose a fare increase on November 17, which they hope to implement by January. According to the National Post, this would be the first fare increase since 2007, and "the adult fare will increase to $3 from $2.75, while tokens will cost $2.50, up from $2.25. Seniors and student rates will rise to $2 from $1.85, while children's fares will climb to 75¢ from 70¢. The cost of a monthly Metropass will rise to $126 from $109."

Speaking of proposals, there's one in the works for a $50 fee to open an account to pay your property taxes if you're a resident or business in Toronto, and that's just one of the many charges recommended that will be debated on Monday. The Globe and Mail reports that, "if approved, the city will bring in two new fees: $50 for a new property-tax account and $35 to transfer ownership of an existing utility bill for water and solid waste. Some cities already charge even higher fees for those services – $62 for each of them in Ottawa – with others in the $30-$50 range."

As is often the case at around this time every year, the poppy is the subject of scandal yet again. So says the Toronto Sun: "Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion has threatened to take legal action against a Cobourg-area credit union for distributing lapel pins depicting the Highway of Heroes sign, which incorporates the image of a poppy." According to the paper, the Legion claims to own numerous trademarks and designs having to do with the poppy.

Mayor Miller is off to Mexico for the final round of lobbying before Saturday's vote for who will host the 2015 Pan Am Games. CTV News states: "On Friday, the city will make an hour-long presentation to the Pan American Sport Federation, followed by 30 minutes of questions and answers. Toronto will be the final presenter."

And finally, H1N1 vaccinations are getting expensive. "In addition to the previously announced $403 million for the vaccine," claims CP24, "Ottawa will spend another $78 million on related costs incurred by Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency." What related costs, you ask? "That $78 million will cover the cost of developing emergency and strategic plans, surveillance and outbreak management, communications, overtime and standby pay for regulatory and lab staff, and planning ahead and rapid research." Hope that answers your question!