Federal finance minister Jim Flaherty emphasized that today's budget will be "frugal" in anticipation of an economic slowdown in the coming year. To demonstrate the concept in symbolic terms, Flaherty had an old pair of shoes resoled instead of buying the pair of new shoes traditionally associated with budgets. Flaherty also announced that he's saving money on undergarments by going "commando," although to be fair that gesture is more about sexiness than symbolism. A......

Toronto doctor Gino Bucchino will be representing Italian ex-pats in the Italian parliament after winning a tight election. He'll be representing all of North America. West side cheesemaker Mario Pelosi makes damn good ricotta. Actually he makes the world's best ricotta, and that's not just Torontoist being proud of fellow Torontonians. Judges at the World Cheese Championship gave the nod to Mr. Pelosi of International Cheese Co. He led the Canadian delegation to a third......