news
Newsstand: July 28, 2010
Illustration by Matt Daley/Torontoist.
Hey! Today the province says G20 police powers were not granted unconsciously, eco-fees are a smart idea stupidly managed, and John Tory could be back in the running.
The Star reports that the order-in-council that gave police expanded powers prior to the G20 summit was part of an uncommonly large batch that was rushed through before MPPs headed to the hammock for the summer. The measure, which declared the security zone around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to be a “public work,” was one of at least 116 orders passed on June 2. By comparison, a typical session might include around twenty to thirty orders-in-council. Government sources insisted that all measures passed were carefully considered and not rubber-stamped, including the appointment of Carrot Top as lieutenant-governor and the decision to build a gazebo in Queen’s Park out of meatloaf.
Will John Tory run for mayor after all? The news-blog-tweetiverse is rife with rumours that the 2003 runner-up and former provincial Tory leader may change his mind and toss his hat ringwards. Tory isn’t commenting, but sources tell the Star that with private polls showing him ahead of frontrunners Ford and Smitherman, he’s seriously considering another kick at the mayoral can. The most interesting part might be watching Rob Ford publicly reconcile his declared friendship and admiration for Tory with impotent fury at having the mayor’s sash ripped from his thrifty grasp.
Well, this is awkward. A George Smitherman volunteer snapped a picture of Joe Pantalone’s car parked in a bike lane on the weekend and lost no time in tweeting the news to a breathless public. Pantalone has long been a vocal supporter of building more bike lanes in the city. The deputy mayor’s spokesman said that the car was only there for a few seconds and that Smitherman’s team should have better things to do than monitor people’s parking habits. What’s next, pics of Joe digging a subway line?
Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller says that the eco-fee program is a good one even though it had to be temporarily scrapped due to general outrage and confusion. Miller blamed retailers for the problems, saying the fees charged to consumers were never mandated by the program. Dalton McGuinty weighed in as well, noting that some programs implemented by the government have been “less than successful,” eco-fees among them.
Americans are heading north in growing numbers to buy Pakistani mangoes. The Asian delicacy is banned in the US because growers don’t meet USDA requirements for pest control, but allowed in this country where freedom of fruit is guaranteed under the Charter of Rights.
Disappointing headline of the day, from the Globe: “Sister defends Vader.” Actually refers to recently captured fugitive Travis Vader, not the Dark Lord of the Sith.