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February 26, 2005

Betting on the Pope

With Pope John-Paul II's health in question again, Irish bookmakers have opened betting on who will succeed him, proving, once again, bookies will set odds for anything - however distasteful. Odds from bookie Paddy Power annointed Dionigi Tettamanzi, the Archbishop... More...

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Filed in: Strange Stuff

February 24, 2005

Suit seeks $9-million for CIBC fax fiasco

Lawyers in Toronto have announced a class action law suit against the Candian Imperial Bank of Commerce seeking $9-million in compensation for clients who had their personal information faxed to a scrap yard in West Virginia. In part, the suit... More...

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Filed in: Business

Booze lobby targets GM

American Beverage Licensees, the trade association for purveyors of wine, beer and spirits, has launched and advertising campaign targeting General Motors for its support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The campaign, supported by a website (www.MADDatGM.com), includes a series of... More...

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Filed in: Business

February 23, 2005

Budget 2005: Government will survive

A "happier than expected" Stephen Harper said his Conservative Opposition will not force an election over the 2005 budget tabled this afternoon by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale. "We're not going to cause an unnecessary election at this point," Mr. Harper... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

Budget 2005: Reaction

Here is a sampling of the early reaction to the 2005 Budget tabled by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale this afternoon. Air Transport Association of Canada: By not reducing airport rent, the Government is wilfully undermining the economic competitiveness of the... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

Budget 2005: No real surprises

The Federal Budget, tabled in the House of Commons this afternoon, was pretty much as advertised. Finance Minister Ralph Goodale is still delivering the non-stop list of platitudes that passes for a budget speech which could be summarized simply: "Move... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

$12B for Military

The Federal Budget, to be tabled today, will include the first true investment in Canada's armed froces since the 1980s. According several media outlets, sourced on Parliament Hill say Ralph Goodale will give the Forces a cash infusion of $12-billion... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

February 22, 2005

Singh countersuing Sgro

The Pizzas for Visas controversy simply won't go away. In a last-ditch attempt to avoid deportation last January, pizza guy Harjit Singh made public allegations that Judy Sgro, then the Minister of Citizenship, offered to help him stay in Canada... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

February 19, 2005

Hockey talks end: "No progress"

The National Hockey League and its players' union met for 6-1/2 hours today but made no progress according to a statement on the league's website. According to the statement, the talks were "cordial and informative" but that no new proposals... More...

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Filed in: Sports

Is the season worth saving?

Late yesterday the National Hockey League Players Association agreed to a request by the league for meetings today in New York. The invitation was made Thursday, a day after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman canceled the hockey season. Word of the... More...

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Filed in: Sports

February 18, 2005

PM is Mr. Dithers: Magazine

Britain's The Economist paints a very unflattering picture of Prime Minister Paul Martin in this week's issue. In the article, the magazine calls the PM "Mr. Dithers" and accuses him of setting up a "fiscal cafeteria" for the provinces. It... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

Broken Promise Fatigue has set in

Yesterday, Dalton McGuinty's government announced $280-million so schools can "secure financing for $4 billion worth of repairs, additions and new schools." The news release also says the new policy will "slow down school closures." So the Liberals, who at every... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Ontario

February 16, 2005

Johnathan Mistrial a lesson for 'net users

The bombshell that brought a premature end to the trial of three teens charged with killing 12 year old known only a Johnathan should serve as a warning to those who post to blogs, newsgroups and bulletin boards. The jury... More...

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Filed in: The Media

February 15, 2005

NHLPA climbs down on cap

With the National Hockey League season scheduled to be cancelled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Players Association made a major concession in its negotiations with the league last night. According to the NHLPA, it agreed to a salary cap of... More...

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February 14, 2005

Blakes seeks to profit from Martin tesitmony

Bay Street law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon thinks AdScam is an opportunity to make money in the United States. Today, Blakes sent an email to clients south of the border bragging Neil Finkelstein, co-counsel to the Public Inquiry into... More...

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Filed in: Business

Yes, things have changed since you last visited

I have made a few changes to the layout of the site - I hope you approve. The goal was to make my blog look... well, less blog-like. Not that I dislike the look of most blogs, but I just... More...

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Filed in: Site Updates

February 13, 2005

Results in for Iraqi election

Two weeks after the Iraqi election, officials have released what they are calling "final unconfirmed" results. According to Reuters, an alliance of Shi'ite groups received 47.6% of the popular vote, the Kurdish alliance picked up 25.4% and the party led... More...

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Filed in: Politics / World

February 10, 2005

IKEA: Swedish for 'stampede'

One man was stabbed and at least 5 others were injured as a stampede greeted the opening of a new IKEA store in London. The store, which was due to remain open 24 hours for its opening day was closed... More...

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Filed in: Business

February 9, 2005

NHL shocker: Players reject salary cap - again

The hearts of hockey fans undoubtedly skipped a beat as they learned that another round of secret negotiations were underway between the NHL and its players. The hope that there might be a hockey season has not evaporated yet for... More...

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Filed in: The Media

February 8, 2005

Chrétien ends testimony with a parting shot for Gomery

Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien finished up his testimony today with devastating parting blow aimed at inquiry Commissioner John Gomery. Justice Gomery famously called the Mr. Chrétien "small-town cheap" for the purchase of golf balls bearing his name and the... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

Chrétien off to a good start

Jean Chrétien's opening statement to the Gomery Inquiry into AdScam showed he hasn't lost his touch. The former Prime Minister's lengthy monologue put forward the case for the maligned Sponsorship Program in the context of the time when it was... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Canada

February 5, 2005

Fantino appointment signals politicization of public service

Reports out of Queen's Park say Premier Dalton McGuinty will appoint Toronto's outgoing Police Chief to be the Ontario's new Commissioner of Emergency Management. Julian Fantino will replace Dr. James Young who is heading to Ottawa to take on a... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Ontario

February 3, 2005

McGuinty changes his mind - again

Newspapers, blogs and message boards have been abuzz over the McGuinty governments plans to rebrand Ontario. The government says the rebranding effort is required to increase tourism and investment in the province. One of the things they were planning on... More...

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Filed in: Politics / Ontario