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Newsstand: January 18, 2012
Oh, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday. Here you are again. Luring us in with your mid-week charms. There's only one way to combat your siren call, and that's a good hard look at the news. Today: a little something called the 2012 Budget, arrests outside City Hall, elementary schools go boutique, and the cards are stacked against the possibility of a Toronto casino.
The day of (budget) reckoning was upon us, and we reckon it was quite a day. That’s right, day. Not three, as planned, but less than 24 hours and BOOM. Budget passed! Toronto’s controversial 2012 budget passed 39-5 with amendments, overturning many of Mayor Rob Ford’s proposed cuts, thanks in part to Toronto’s new left-leaning BFF Josh Colle (Ward 15, Eglinton-Lawrence). But it seems our mayor is an optimist, declaring the budget a “victory,” even with the reversal of $19-million in spending cuts. Others aren’t so upbeat about the whole thing. For more details, check out yesterday’s live blog.
Even as many cuts were being squashed, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside City Hall early yesterday evening for what was supposed to be a peaceful protest against the budget cuts that quickly got out of hand, once again leaving Torontonians guessing about how protests will go down in the city. Four male protesters were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly and obstructing a police officer. Although police could not confirm whether pepper spray had been used against the demonstrators, the Toronto Star reports that at least two people required spray-related medical attention.
Okay pre-schoolers, it’s time to start thinking seriously about your future. The Toronto District School Board has opened registration for its nine new boutique academies, which include all-boys and all-girls, as well as health and wellness-, sports- and music-focused programs. Rather than have the elementary school-aged students audition, if demand exceeds available spots, entrance will be determined by a lottery. Certainly we can’t have them competing with each other, how would children know that they are each special in their own way? Participation ribbons for everyone!
Sorry local gamblers, but if Tim Hudak has it his way, you’ll have to try your luck elsewhere. The opposition leader would prefer that you take your slot-pulling, card-playing, money-losing, no-good selves to Windsor, Orillia, Niagara Falls, Brantford, Point Edward, Sault Ste. Marie, Gananoque, Thunder Bay, or Point Perry. Keep your gambling money far, far away from this city.