KyleStubbins.com

That's what some think.

• There are about 500,000 temporary and permanent disabled parking permits currently in circulation in Ontario
• Although there are only about 1,700 Ontarians who are 100 years or older, a staggering 4,400 disabled parking permits issued to centenarian drivers currently exist in the province.
• Data obtained by the Toronto Star also shows almost 200 of these disabled permits are registered to people under the age of 16 who are, surprisingly-enough, listed as "licensed to drive".

that there are 2.4 million more Social Insurance Numbers than actual Canadians?

I was reading through a pamphlet ("NDP Volume 2, Issue 1") that I received in the mail yesterday, from Chris Charlton, of the NDP party, and would like to make a few comments regarding the subject.

"NDP Announces Federal Minimum Wage Bill"

Recently, Chris seconded a bill in the House of Commons that will re-establish a federal minimum wage and set it at $10 an hour.

[...]

Federal minimum wage was eliminated in 1996 under the Liberal government.

After thinking about it, I can't say I agree (I seem to be saying that a lot tonight!) with a federal minimum wage. All I can think about is the "snowball effect" it will create. Setting, or raising, a minimum wage effectively raises everything else it comes in contact with. All food, clothing, entertainment, etc., etc., etc. will simply cost more to make up for employers having to pay out more money.

Besides the effect it will have on everything around us, I don't believe that someone working in a minimum wage job necessarily "deserves" a set amount of money. A job that requires "technical" knowledge, regardless if it's a minimum wage job or not, should be paid more than one that does not require "technical" knowledge. Need an example? Someone who drives a "B Class" truck may be in a minimum wage job, but should definitely be paid more than a "burger flipper".

IMO, burger flipping is not worth $10 an hour. If you want $10 an hour job (or more), get yourself an education -- and then you can get yourself a job that pays want you want.

I can't say I like the way the McGuinty government has implemented the new "recycling program" for wine and liquor bottles.

680 News - Jaime Pulfer;

Toronto - The McGuinty government's liquor and wine bottle deposit return program begins today; but, whether Ontarians will bag the bottles and heading off to the beer store for their refunds remains to be seen.

Some individuals tell 680News the $0.10 or $0.20 refund may not be enough motivation - they'll continue to just toss the empties in the blue box and take them out to the curb on recycling day.

I can imagine it looked more like a skit from an episode of Benny Hill than a formal portrait of Toronto's City Councillors.

[...]
Councillor Kyle Rae described the incident as the "lowest depth of childishness."

"It was like watching a 3-year-old have a temper tantrum," he said.
[...]

Last year, the Ianieros of Woodbridge, ON were killed in Cancun.

In January of this year, Woodbridge, ON teen Adam DePrisco was killed in Acapulco in what Mexican officials said was a hit-and-run.

This weekend past, two more Canadians, one from Welland and the other from Niagara Falls, were shot and wounded in Mexico.

[Liberal MP Dan McTeague] - "We don't want to be seen as jumping to conclusions but at the same time I think we have to err on the side of caution," [...]

Is this coincidence, or should we be "jumping to conclusions"? I know I will "err on the side of caution", that's for sure! ;)

It only takes seconds, as this Oakville couple found out this morning.

The Hamilton Spectator - By Susan Clairmont;

A pair of Hamilton cops -- one a rookie, the other a veteran detective -- are charged with framing a man for a crime he didn't commit.

[...]

First, let's meet the two cops.

Constable Jessica Prazeres has only been wearing a badge for 10 months. She donned a uniform in July and hit the streets with a training officer. She just got off her probation as a new recruit in November when she was allowed for the first time to work on her own.

Her name might not mean much to you. But try Googling Jessica Amaro.

[...]

Then there's Detective Helena Russell. A 16-year veteran. Most recently working out of the Mountain criminal investigation division. Before that she had worked in the sexual assault unit. Russell has had a high community profile in the past few months as president of the Hamilton chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Jessica was the chapter's vice-president.

[...]

They will continue to be paid while they are suspended.

[...]

Only in Canada, eh? ;)

UPDATE (02/03/07) - The Hamilton Spectator, letters to the editor -- Hiring process should weed out bad cops

With the ever-rising prices of the Express Toll Route (ETR) Hwy 407, I have found myself using it less and less (it cost me $16.63, with a transponder, from end to end (102.7KM) last month) -- which I think is the motive behind the new 407 loyalty program.

680News - Debra Edwards, with reports from Canadian Press;

Toronto - It will soon cost regular users less to drive on Highway 407, as its operators plan to unveil a new loyalty program this week.