Snow Removal


The weekend storm that caused havoc in the GTA is now headed to the Maritimes. toronto got about 26 centimetres, which was close to the city’s single-day record for December. About 600 snow ploughs, 300 sidewalk ploughs and 200 salt trucks were mobilized to get the city in ship shape for the Monday morning commute. About 400 flights were cancelled at toronto‘s Pearson International Airport and officials expect further disruptions for the next day or two. Ontario Provincial Police reported 1,650 minor accidents. Driving was treacherous as the visibility was low and the drifting snow clogged streets and sidewalks across Ontario. The storm’s reach touched as far north as Sudbury. “It’s a one-day wonder here for Ontario, that’s the good news about it,” said Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips. What’s your view – was it a “one-day wonder” Have city crews in toronto, and across the GTA, done a good job? Have we learned lessons from 1999 storm? Send us your thoughts.

Man charged in Surrey killing left letter for daughter, 12
A Surrey, B.C., man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife left a letter in their home for their 12-year-old daughter, sources told CBC News on Thursday.

Judge strikes down law limiting refugee claims
Ottawa is appealing a court ruling that has the potential to significantly increase the number of people making refugee claims in Canada.

The Golden Compass Controversy
The Halton Catholic school board is reviewing whether to keep copies of the children’s fantasy novel The Golden Compass in its elementary school libraries, after receiving one complaint. Rick MacDonald, a superintendent with the board, wouldn’t say exactly what the complaint is, but did tell CBC News that a committee had been formed to “review the book and consider its appropriateness.” Some reports say the board is reacting to allegations that the author, Philip Pullman, is an atheist and that the novels are anti-religion. Similar complaints have been made against the book in the United States. Ken Sidderington, the toronto Public Library’s children and youth advocate, dismisses the complaint and says that since the book isn’t part of the curriculum it should be allowed to stay on the library shelf. “Like any adventure story there’s a dark side,” said Sidderington in an interview with Ontario Today. “I certainly hope they [the committee] will come to the defence of the reader.” Do you think the Halton board is overreacting or taking appropriate steps. What’s your view?

Abandoned houses
Neighbours in an Oakville community are fuming about an abandoned house on their street. Windows are boarded up, the property is neglected, and inside there’s grafitti and holes in the walls. The house, on Heritage Way and across the street from a school, is not only unsightly; fire officials say it’s dangerous. The deputy fire chief says they’ve discovered lit candles inside, and evidence of small fires. A number of viewers are sharing their stories with us, of similar problems in their neighbourhoods. Now we want to hear yours. What’s your view, tell us about the problem house on your street, and what you think the city should do about properties like it.

Top court refuses to review extradition of convicted Nazi war criminal
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear the appeal of a Vancouver man convicted abroad of Nazi war crimes, exhausting his legal efforts to stay in Canada.

Crossing the border
Ontario has unveiled new, more secure driver’s licences to help prevent identity theft and to serve as the basis for a possible passport alternative for crossing the United States border. The new licences will have more than half a dozen brand-new security features that are supposed to make them more difficult to tamper with. Transportation Minister Jim Bradley has been working for years to convince the U.S. not to force Canadians and Americans to have passports to cross the international border, which he worries will seriously curtail tourism into Ontario, especially spur-of-the-moment visits and day trips by Americans. What’s your view? Do you think more secure licences will clear up delays at the borders and improve security?

Canfor to shut 2 B.C. mills; 435 jobs lost
The beleaguered Canadian forestry industry took another hit Friday, with news that Canfor Corp. is shutting two wood-product mills in Fort Nelson, B.C., indefinitely.

Crown drops charges against former Red Cross director
The Crown has dropped all criminal charges against the former national medical director of the Canadian Red Cross Society, who was one of several officials named in connection with Canada’s tainted blood scandal.