Weekend Newsstand: June 30, 2012

Weekend! C'est le weekend! And oh, what a weekend it will be! In the news: Province doesn't support OneCity, but the people do; what to do about the island ferries; the end of the bag fee; a bigger role for police boards; and the heat goes on.

By Sarah-Joyce Battersby • Illustration by Brett Lamb

So the Province doesn’t support the OneCity transit plan. Too disruptive to existing plans, they say. Just the beginning of more protracted debate, they chirp. Well, the people say tut tut to all that, and overwhelmingly support the plan. According to a poll commissioned by the Star, 80 per cent of Torontontians are aboard the OneCity train. And what’s more, support comes from all corners of the city, even Scarborough, where it turns out Rob Ford does not personally respond for each resident (since he knows exactly what they want at all times, and all). What’s even more, only “almost one out of three” Rob Ford voters strongly opposes the plan. We don’t really know what that means, but it sure sounds like it means something.

Speaking of transit rejuvenation, John Lorinc takes a look at the troubles plaguing the Toronto Island ferries. More regulation means the boats can carry fewer people, and those babies aren’t getting any younger.

This weekend marks the end of the line for the bag fee. So enjoy that five cent savings on plastic bags while you can, because after January 1 they’ll be gone altogether. And then you’ll be rich in nickels.

A former Toronto Police Services Board member is calling Judge John Morden’s report on police behaviour in the G20 a “gamechanger.” The report blames a lack of understanding of the act that governs police boards. Going forward, boards should be emboldened with the knowledge that they can have a say when it comes to police operations, something boards were warned away from in the past.

The City has issued a heat alert for the third time in as many days. It’s been hot and sunny, and it will stay hot and sunny all weekend long. And thanks to these heat alerts, you may now lie in a tub of popsicles, judgment free.