news
Newsstand: December 18, 2009
Running a race in freezing weather with a flaming torch weighing down your arm is probably challenging enough on its own. But, just in case, let’s throw in a massive protest bent on delaying and obstructing the relay or, failing that, taking control of the narrative with their own counterfeit torch. But don’t take the Star’s word for it—check back soon for the pictures!
Way back on Wednesday, you may recall, we gave you an update to the Toronto Star’s exposé on the paid duty system. That’s the program that makes private and tax-funded institutions pay off-duty cops sixty-five dollars per hour for services that Police Chief Bill Blair calls keeping an extra set of eyes on the community but the Star perceives as eating a sandwich. We’d now like to give you an update on that update: The city’s Police Services Board is signalling their sympathetic attention to the “sandwich” faction by ordering a provincial audit of the system.
We may not agree with the National Post‘s eye-rolling treatment of a few cellphone self-portraits David Miller took in Copenhagen, but we are a little hurt he’s spending the waning days of his term mayoring around some other city. Well, if brings back some new priorities for cycling in Toronto, we’ll forgive him for slipping off this one time.
Is it just us, or does Adam Giambrone (Ward 18, Davenport) seem to get mentioned in about one story every day lately? After he made headlines (and Newsstand) on Wednesday and Thursday by being pretty sure the TTC budget would pass, and on again Thursday when it passed, he’s back in the spotlight to reassure these angry businesses that they’ll be getting their sweet, sweet 505 Dundas streetcar back in service this weekend. And he’s expected to bring the good news again today, so keep your fingers crossed.
In case you didn’t know, the majority of Canadian sex toys apparently contain potentially dangerous chemicals and aren’t regulated by the government. It’s not like we never expected to say this, but in this one special case, a little federal oversight of what goes on in the bedroom might be nice. Kim and Amy Sedgwick, the two women who run Red Tent Sisters and ecosex.ca, thought so, too. So, they got the government involved. Nice work! And thanks, also, for reminding us that this Monday is International Orgasm Day! Let’s leave things on that festive note for now and get on with the day. Isn’t there another upcoming holiday we should be looking out for?