news
Newsstand: November 14, 2011
Today's the kind of dark and dreary Monday that really gets you thinking about why November is the most depressing month of year, and then you realize... it's not even half over. You're welcome. In today's news: MP Olivia Chow presses for safer streets for cyclists, Mayor Rob Ford doesn't back down on his Occupy Toronto eviction notice, four City-funded museums on the chopping block, more troubles for Bixi, and baubles and dollars.
Following the death of cyclist Jenna Morrison last week, Olivia Chow will today reintroduce a bill—her third attempt—pressing for truck side guards that can prevent cyclists or pedestrians from being trapped between a truck’s wheels. While Transport Canada remains unconvinced of the value of installing these potentially life-saving devices, they are likely quite aware of the price of the guards, which range from $600–$2,600 per truck.
Who’s afraid of hacker-activists Anonymous? Nooooobody! Oops, wrong mayor. Current Mayor Rob Ford isn’t backing down on his position to evict the Occupy Toronto protesters from St. James Park, even after the organization’s YouTube cyber-threat to “remove Toronto from the Internet” if the City removes the Occupy protesters from their protest site. Following the threat, the mayor’s office released a statement reaffirming their position, which, according to the Toronto Star, says: “The mayor and city manager have been very clear over the past week. It’s time this came to a peaceful conclusion. They do not have a permit and we are asking them to leave.” Further details about just how the City plans to evict the protesters will come this week, as City manager Joe Pennachetti has promised to unveil details.
In an example of the kind of culture-quashing that elicits quiet bonnet-donning revolution, word on the street is that Montgomery’s Inn, the Gibson House, the Zion Schoolhouse, and the Market Gallery are on the City’s chopping block. According to City Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul West), these museums are slated for closure in 2012 due to budget cuts. The mayor is set to tip the gravy boat just enough to spill $774 million from next year’s $9.4 billion budget.
In a case of abandoning the seemingly sinking ship, the president of Bixi, Roger Plamondon, has left the company in light of the financial issues faced by the bike-sharing company, including the possibility that taxpayers will be on the hook for the company’s deficits. While a spokesperson has says that his resignation will have no impact on Toronto’s Bixi program, it should be noted that the City granted the Toronto branch a capital loan guarantee of $4.8 million over a period of 10 years. However, this is peanuts compared to the $37 million Bixi has already borrowed from Montreal, with a $71 million loan guarantee.
While the Occupy Toronto movement continues to fight global greed and other social inequalities, a 50-carat diamond was auctioned off Sunday afternoon at the Royal Ontario Museum for a mere $2.7 million. And in another news that may interest the one per cent, Canada’s new plastic $100 bills go into circulation today.