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Tag: Canada

  • Mystery Man Gives Out Money, Gets Sent to Psych Ward

    No good deed goes unpunished. A Canadian man found himself locked up for psychiatric evaluation this week after he went around handing out money.

    Metro News reported last week that “dozens” of people have said they had received money from a “mystery man” who told them to “thank God” for the free gift. He told them that, if they did not need the money, to pass it along to someone who did.

    A woman named June Bond got two $50 bills from the Robin Hood character. She then passed some of that along to an older couple buying groceries.

    “He said if you don’t need it, pass it along. That sticks in the head,” Bond said. “I think he’s doing the world good. It opened my eyes.”

    Some people had questioned whether the man might be mentally unsound, and wondered if folks should be taking the money. But Bev Cadham of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s local branch in Halifax said the man had approached two people with their program and that she doesn’t think he is mentally ill.

    “He’s a generous individual and is wrapped up in the acts of kindness, and is wanting to help people,” Cadham said.

    Nonetheless, Metro News follows up that police have been on the lookout for the man. When he was spotted Monday driving his car, they pulled him over and questioned him. The man’s name is Richard Wright from Prince Edward Island, and he says he’s done nothing wrong.

    Sgt. Leanne Butler said Prince Edward Island RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) were called to do a “wellness check” on Wright.

    “The officers concluded that the gentleman should go to the hospital for further assessment by a medical health person,” she said.

    Pierre Bourdages, spokesman for Halifax Regional Police, said officers had called for the mental health crisis team, but after speaking with him they determined there was no cause for further action.

    “I can tell you this individual didn’t break any laws,” Bourdages said.

    Wright’s daughter says her father had just returned from a vacation in Halifax where he had given away money that he worked hard to save. She took pictures of her father in the mental health ward and posted them on Facebook. Since the news broke, people who had received money from the generous man are coming forward.

    Jennifer Corbett received $150 from Wright, and says his positive comments stuck with her.

    “I don’t think it’s fair that this happened,” Corbett said. “I mean do you think that people are going to want to do good after this?”

    A Facebook group called #OpFreeRichardWright, dedicated to supporting Richard Wright, has been started. There are currently over 3600 members.

    Image via Facebook

  • WestJet Passenger Leaves Sexist Message to Pilot, She Responds

    Can someone please remind me what year it is because if I recall, it is 2014 and not 1914!

    (SIGH)

    In recent news, a bizarre case of sexism occurred to a Canadian pilot from WestJet airlines.

    On Wednesday, an airplane was on its scheduled route from Calgary to Victoria, B.C., with female pilot Carey Steacy leading the flight.

    Most people are quite aware that female pilots exist, but for one passenger in particular, the news was totally discomforting.

    A male passenger by the name of David left a rather rude note on a napkin to Steacy.

    The message detailed how women shouldn’t pursue pilot careers, as he believed women are meant to stick to more traditional roles like being a mother. (image)

    “The cockpit of an airliner is no place for a woman,” the note began.

    He further mentioned how the airline should warn him when “a fair lady is at the helm,” just incase he needs to make changes to his flight.

    David then ended the insensitive note with the words “not impressed” followed by his signature on the back.

    Steacy shared photos of the scribbled message to her Facebook page, and along with it came her response:

    Thank you for the note you discreetly left me on your seat. You made sure to ask the flight attendants before we left if I had enough hours to be the Captain so safety is important to you, too.

    I have heard many comments from people throughout my 17-year career as a pilot. Most of them positive. Your note is, without a doubt, the funniest. It was a joke, right? RIGHT?? I thought, not. You were more than welcome to deplane when you heard I was a ‘fair lady’.

    You have that right. Funny, we all, us humans, have the same rights in this great free country of ours. Now, back to my most important role, being a mother.

    Steacy told CTV News that she and her colleagues were quite astonished by the sexist note.

    The pilot also stated that she felt it was necessary to respond because just like he has his opinions, she has hers.

    However, Steacy said that she does recognize how uncommon female pilots are today. (image)

    “Almost every day people I find are a little bit surprised, and I think it’s just because women aren’t enrolling in flight schools… And I just hope that that mindset can change, like it has in a lot of professions,” she said.

    According to the Today show, “Canadian carrier WestJet has 1,111 male pilots and 58 female pilots. Its subsidiary regional airline, WestJet Encore, has 87 male and 10 female pilots.”

    In a statement, the airline said that the response was disappointing. However, women working in the industry hope that the incident will help spread light on the contribution women have made throughout aviation history.

    My advice to this David character is to book a flight to an isolated island very far away, stay there, and never return to society since you’re “not impressed” by how modern-day women operate. Sorry to break it to you buddy, but female pilots are here to stay.

    Images via YouTube

  • George Lopez Passes Out On Casino Floor; Arrested For Public Intoxication

    George Lopez might have enjoyed himself a little too much at a Canadian casino on Thursday. The Mexican-American comedian and actor reportedly passed out on the floor of the Caesars Windsor Hotel and Casino and was subsequently arrested for public intoxication, according to TMZ.

    The celebrity news site also reported that in-house casino security called the local police shortly before midnight when they spotted Lopez lying on the floor of the casino bar. No charges are being filed against the 52-year-old talk show host, although he stayed in police custody until he sobered up. Lopez was eventually released several hours later.

    Lopez gave a performance at the casino before the incident happened. Caesars Windsor spokesperson Jhoan Baluyot said that the Lopez Tonight star has another scheduled show on Friday, February 28, which will continue as planned.

    The comedian released a statement to PEOPLE, which included a humorous jab at the intoxication incident. Lopez said that he was “not feeling great this morning” and he “was trying to sleep it off”; however, he fell asleep on the casino floor.  He also joked about doing what he did in Ontario “what Bieber does to America” during his Friday show.

    A Twitter photo allegedly taken by onlooker Chad Maury showed Lopez lying on his left side with his stomach partially exposed. The photo went viral almost as soon as it surfaced.

    George Lopez was “discovered” by acclaimed film actress Sandra Bullock, who served as executive producer of his own self-titled television sitcom. George Lopez ran from 2002 to 2007 and in 2009, Lopez ventured into talk show hosting with Lopez Tonight. He suffered kidney problems, which required him to get a kidney transplant in 2005. His then-wife Ann served as his kidney donor. Lopez is due to star in the sitcom Saint George, which will premiere in March, 2014.

    Image via YouTube

  • Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue: Coach is to Blame

    Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue lost their chance at a gold medal in ice dancing to their rivals and training mates Meryl Davis and Charlie White. So, what’s next for the duo?

    Finger pointing, apparently. And the person at the focus of the pointing finger is the trainer of both couples and former soviet ice dancer, Marina Zoueva.

    Moir and Virtue say they believe part of the reason they lost to Davis and White is because the coach had become more focused on the American team, according to AFP.

    As the Americans began to pass the pair up in skill and accomplishment, they say she slowly began to focus more on White and Davis. Which seems to have paid off for the US, now that we have our first ice dancing gold to add to the list. Of course it wasn’t just the training. White and Davis can also attribute their success to the comfort of a seventeen year working relationship and unebbing support from their moms.

    “We were both pretty blunt with her in the fall and leading up to the Olympics. We weren’t happy and we felt that sometimes she wasn’t in our corner,” Moir said of Zoueva. “We went to Marina on countless occasions and told her there was no way we would be happy with the silver medal. We’ve had some odd things happen this year that haven’t happened before. We expected that Marina would march with us and be on our team like she was in Vancouver … she wasn’t.”

    One of those odd things Moir spoke of was Marina’s glaring absence at the couple’s national championship competition. However, when a coach has two really great teams on her hands, what is she to do?

    Moir admitted, “She’s not in any easy position. My Mom’s a figure skating coach and she always says to me ‘you know she (Zoueva) can’t win no matter what’ … well you know she does win no matter what.”

    “There’s always an angry set of parents and an angry set of skaters out there so she has a hard job.”

    The Canadian duo was quick to say that they weren’t displeased with their silver medal in ice dancing, ”We couldn’t have asked for more about our performances,” Virtue said. ”It’s nice to be satisfied and content with our job. We’ve managed to create the Olympic moment.”

    What does the future hold for Moir and Virtue? Well, retirement is expected, but they haven’t confirmed or denied that yet.

    Image via You Tube

  • Canadian Man Convicted Of Bestiality Gives ‘Walk The Dog’ New Meaning

    When joining the SCPA, either as an employee or volunteer, you’re generally expected to prevent the abuse of animals. For one New Brunswick resident, he used his status as a volunteer to get close to the animals without raising suspicion.

    CBC reports that Anthony Volgmann, a 30-year volunteer with the Canadian SPCA, pled guilty to charges of bestiality and corrupting morals. Volgmann was found to have had performed sexual acts with dogs under his care during his time as a dog walker between January and September in 2013. He also posted pictures of his acts online which resulted in the corrupting morals charge.

    As it turns out, he was actually caught thanks to those pictures he was posting online. An America SPCA member spotted Volgmann’s pictures on a bestiality Web site and notified the authorities in Canada. Volgmann was identified, arrested and subjected to a psychiatric test before standing trial.

    At the sentencing, Volgmann avoided jail time on the grounds that his crimes were non-violent. Instead, he will face two years of probation and must attend psychological counseling. Obviously, he will not be allowed anywhere near dogs or places where dogs congregate. Finally, he is also banned from using any electronic device that’s connected to the Internet unless it’s related to work or if he’s under supervision.

    Volgmann should be glad that he wasn’t in Kenya. The average conviction there is six to 10 years. They even make you stand trial before the victim.

    Image via Thinkstock

  • Team Canada Beer Fridge: Canadian Passport Needed

    Canada sure knows how to turn up the heat at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Molson, a Canadian beer company, sent a bright red fridge filled with beer to Team Canada’s headquarters in Sochi to give them a taste of home. Best of all, the beer is free for all who carry Canadian passports.

    The beer fridge operates just like an airport scanner and works by verifying the font on the passport, the word “Canada”, and the country’s seal. When everything is good to go, the fridge door opens and free beer is within reach. The free Molson beer is offered to Canadian Olympians and all their friends.

    Molson is a Montreal-based beer company that merged with Coors in 2005. The red, retro Molson fridge has always been an icon in Canada. Forest Kenney, Molson’s spokesperson, said that the promotion in the Olympics is a continuation of last summer’s Canada Day campaign where the red fridge was placed in different locations and only those with a Canadian passport can open the door and get beer. The red fridge popped up in various locations in Europe, such as Belgium and France.

    Aaron Starkman, the creative director and partner of Toronto-based advertising agency Re Think said that it has always been a plan to bring the iconic fridge to the Sochi Winter Olympics. Starkman’s team organized and came up with the red fridge campaign.

    Footage for the travelling fridge was made into a 30-second television commercial and is said to be one of the most watched advertisements in Canada. After the fridge’s journey in Europe, it was sent to the U.S. for the Winter Classic in January before making its way to the Sochi Olympics.

    The red fridge’s presence in the Olympics has had positive reviews, including one from a USA Today writer who exclaimed that the retro beer fridge is one of the best technologies in Sochi.

    http://youtu.be/8gper3YkzMg

    Image via YouTube

  • Kaetlyn Osmond, Canada’s Favorite Skater, Ends Fifth

    Kaetlyn Osmond, the 18-year-old Canadian figure skating sweetheart, skated in her first Olympics event on Saturday at Sochi’s Iceberg Skating Palace.

    Osmond, now a Sherwood Parks resident in Alberta, Canada, moved from Marystown, a province in Newfoundland and Labrador on the Burin Peninsula, eight years ago. However, that transition doesn’t stop Marystown residents from still claiming Kaetlyn as their own hometown girl.

    Marystown residents decked out the small town in the Canadian colors red and white, holding numerous fundraisers for Osmond’s trip to Russia, and even gathering to watch her performances in the Olympics at local St. Gabriel’s Hall.

    Kaetlyn’s grandmother, Claudia (Osmond) Lambe, and older sister, Natasha, were two of the teen’s family members present on Saturday at St. Gabriel’s.

    Natasha, who was once a champion figure skater as well, praised the residents of Marystown, telling them how much she appreciates their support for a “girl who started out here.”

    Marystown Mayor Sam Synard said, “I can see Kaetlyn’s pride and poise as she skates reflected in her family, especially her grandparents here today. I recall Kaetlyn when she was a young girl in school, but I never thought she would be the ‘Olympian Kaetlyn.’”

    Kaetlyn’s grandmother, Claudia, then spoke as well, saying, “We’re hoping she will be able to finish in the top eight, like she did last year at the World’s (Figure Skating Championships). I’ll be glued to the television when she skates in Sochi.”

    Osmond, the first contestant to skate in the women’s short program on Saturday, fulfilled her grandmother’s wish for a score that would place her in the top eight; Kaetlyn ended the day in fifth place with a score of 62.54. (The highest score of the day, that of the first place finisher, was 72.90.)

    The 2014 Canadian Olympic Figure Skating Team is now in second place in Sochi, sitting at a combined team-total of 41 points; Russia is in first place, having a total 47 points. The United States is currently sitting in the number three spot, with a total 34 points; they are followed by Italy (31 points), and Japan (30 points).

    The Canadian team’s only qualifying event on Saturday was in the women’s short program. This qualified Kaetlyn to participate in the last day of the figure skating events in Sochi, on Sunday, where she will skate in the free program.

    Whatever happens in Sochi, one thing can be for certain – Kaetlyn Osmond is going to end the adventure with a smile on her porcelain face.

    When asked recently by the Edmonton Sun what her favorite ‘words to live by’ are, Kaetlyn responded, “To have fun with everything, because anything is possible.”

    Apparently, Kaetlyn is already doing just that; former figure skating champion, Elvis Stojko, tweeted about Kaetlyn’s performance on the ice, saying that the teen’s grace and joy of being on the ice were palpable, extending beyond the ice, into the far corners of the arena.

    Main image courtesy @kaetlyn_23 via Twitter.

  • Pig Virus Makes Its Way From the U.S. to Canada

    A deadly virus known as porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDv) is spreading among hog herds in Canada and is said to be affecting two provinces.

    The pig virus, which was tested positive in the United States last May, has now made its way to the farm regions of Ontario and Quebec.

    Twenty-three hog herds (equivalent to 66 million animals) in the U.S. infections included vomiting and diarrhea caused by the virus epidemic.

    A farm located in Middlesex County was the first to notice that its herd picked up the disease.

    NPR reported:

    “Since its arrival, PED has been spreading relentlessly…PED spreads within barns and from farm to farm, even when strict biosecurity measures — hand-washing for livestock workers — are in place. That’s because it can survive in tiny bits of manure that travel on boots or trucks.”

    Although investigators have reported that the virus will neither affect human health nor prices on bacon, the Canadian Swine Health Board has clarified how deadly this virus can be.

    Piglets are in more danger of its symptoms than are full-grown pigs.

    Since the disease thrives better in colder conditions, baby pigs are affected more by the diarrhea, which results in severe dehydration. An increase in affected pigs may be devastating for Canada’s swine population, resulting in a high mortality rate.

    The Olymel S.E.C. LP processing facility’s spokesman, Richard Vigneaul, told Bloomberg “the virus may have ‘a very serious economic impact’ on Canada’s pork industry if it spreads and reduces the supply of pigs.”

    Canada’s herd, unfortunately, has no immunity to PEDv. However, Vigneaul has reassured that they have taken disinfecting measures to help stop the dispersion of the disease.

    The RNA Particle Vaccine, an already existing immunization by Harrisvaccines, has been used in U.S. farms but shows no guaranteed resilience to PEDv.

    Animal health companies are still working on a second vaccination that will prevent pigs from further contracting PEDv.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Pipeline Explosion Leaves Many Without Heat

    The Pipeline explosion that rocked southern Manitoba on Saturday is to blame for nearly 4,000 dealing with the extremely cold temperatures sans heat. Many of theses residents have alternate sources of heat to fall back on, according to Chambers Ewen, spokesperson for the Rural Municipality of Hanover.

    “Given the area we live in, there’s a lot of people that have an alternative source of heat,” she said, and added that many who don’t are staying with friends and family to ride out the disaster until TransCanada can supply gas again to Manitoba Hydro, which provides heat to the area.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35WuVpezu3w

    According to the Globe and Mail, Manitoba Hydro has warned their customers to prepare for an outage that could last several days and be an immediate danger in temperatures that drop to around -20 degrees C and snow blowing so hard it causes visibility issues and closes many roads.

    According to Yahoo, Emergency Measures spokesperson Nicki Albus confirms that it is going to be a cold, nasty ordeal but assures the public that they are doing everything they can to help those affected.

    “We know it’s cold and people may be concerned about that but we are on the job here. Everyone here’s communicating well. We have a great group of people at the site and in the communities who have set up their emergency operation centres to handle this dilemma.”​

    TransCanada stated in a press release yesterday that they are working vigorously on the issues and hope to resolve them as soon as possibe.

    “TransCanada wants Manitoba Hydro customers affected by the natural gas outage to know that our staff are doing everything possible to determine the cause of the fire and get the pipeline repaired and regular natural gas service restored quickly, safely and in accordance with regulations.”

    Community Warming Centers were quickly set up for those who might need a place to stay, and as for those who are using alternate heat, they were reminded not to use kerosene heaters, barbeques, or temporary space heaters as they could be unsafe. Only approved space heaters should be used.

    Image via youtube

  • Rob Ford Curses In Drunken Jamaican Jibber Jabber

    He’s done it again! Just when we thought Toronto Mayor Rob Ford  was done with drinking, there’s a new video showing the mayor in another one of his drunken stupors. In the video, the intoxicated mayor is heard using words that are offensive or profane — in Jamaican patois.

    Although the video is generally incoherent and some of his words sound like gibberish, Jamaican words such as “bumbaclot” and “rassclot” are heard and experts are weighing in on their context.

    Jamaican speaking Canadians familiar with Jamaican dialect say the words are extremely profane when used in the right context. According to the experts, the words are offensive in most situations in Jamaica and in general is viewed as low-class.

    It is difficult to pin down specific words in the video, which was made in a northwest Toronto restaurant Monday night. Bob Arthurs, a retired teacher, says the words are common slang words in Jamaica just like the F-word. “If you met someone on the street you didn’t know and you said, “you’re a bumbaclot, that could be a very trying situation for you,” said Arthurs.

    Another Jamaican-Canadian, York University professor, Clive Forrester said the words are simply curse words, “not suitable for use in polite company or in the presence of children, and performers have been fined in the past for using the words on stage,” Forrester noted.

    Ford did admit that he had been drinking, breaking vows he made weeks ago that he had given up drinking. The controversy stricken mayor contradicted his “most loyal brother” Councillor Doug Ford. The Councillor claimed that the video was an old one which was probably taken before the mayor declared that he would stop drinking — the video was taken less than a week ago.

    Many of Ford’s colleagues were not fooled by his assertion that he would quit drinking. The city’s only black councilor, Michael Thompson, said many of his fellow councilors did not believe the mayor had changed for good.

    “I think we all had sort of concluded it was only a matter of time,” Thompson said.

    Rob Ford Is Unapologetic About Incident

    http://youtu.be/LWKfrlskXSQ

    Image via YouTube

     

  • Jennifer Jones, Canadian Curling Team Head to Sochi

    Canadian curling star Jennifer Jones spoke to the media after her team’s match against Norway at the Continental Cup on Sunday.

    Jones and the rest of the curling team are headed to Russia next month to participate in the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which are being held in Sochi.

    Jones and her coach, Brad Jacobs, both commented on the Canadian team’s seemingly successful preparation for the Games.

    Jacobs’ team played in a match against Norway at the Continental Cup this weekend, giving them a chance to prepare to fight for a win when they are matched against Norway.

    Thomas Ulsrud, who captured the silver medal for the Norwegian curling team in 2010, said that the Canadian team were difficult opponents, but are going to have to “work for” a win in Sochi.

    Upon the end of the match, Jones confidently said, “We couldn’t have asked for more or for it [the week] to go any better. We just feel real good with the ice and how we’re playing heading into Sochi.”

    Jacobs discussed the strategy of focusing on Canada’s own curlers, rather than worrying about what their opponents were doing, saying, “We’ve played them before, We focus on our game. Everyone’s throwing the rock well right now, that’s the main thing for our team. I really like what I see as skip from the other end. It’s really nice to be here, playing on this great ice surface in really serious competition that everyone’s trying their hearts out at.”

    In an attempt to prepare for the Games, the ice of the Sochi arena was mimicked at the Cup; Hans Wuthrich, the ice-maker for the 2014 Games, also prepared the surface at the Continental Cup.

    The Continental Cup consists of matches in traditional curling, mixed doubles, singles, and skins play, pitting six North American teams against six other World teams, according to The Canadian Press.

    The 2014 Olympic Winter Games will begin February 7 and last through February 23 in Sochi, Russia.

    Main image courtesy @CCACurling via Twitter.

  • Eugenie Bouchard: Now Serving at the Adult Table

    Eugenie Bouchard, the 19-year-old tennis sensation hailing from Westmount, Quebec has a great chance of reaching the Australian Open Semifinals if she defeats Ana Ivanovic.

    This is record-breaking stuff for Canada; Patricia Hy-Boulais has been the only other Canadian able to make it into a Grand Slam Tournament, and that was way back in 1992. In Bouchard’s lifetime, she’d be the only Canadian to accomplish this feat in the professional women’s realm. Bouchard has already won the status as the first Canadian to win a Junior Grand Slam in singles at Wimbledon, and has proven herself to be a dominant youth player. Now it’s time to prove once and for all that she can run just as well with the big dogs.

    It won’t be easy running– although she’s fortunately been able to sidestep the most dominant player in the league right now in Serena Williams, she now has the task of taking down the victor of that intense match. Ana Ivanovic is obviously on a roll with the epic triumph under her belt, so Ivanovic will undoubtedly serve up some work for Bouchard– even though she has already decimated Ivanvoic in straight sets at the Wimbledon just last summer.

    A lot can change in a year, however, and Bouchard is not taking this upcoming match lightly. She also has to forgo resting up for the match– she has a doubles round with Vera Dushevin on Monday.

    Although Bouchard tells a Canadian newspaper that “she’s just happy to be playing,” we can be sure that the gravity of her appearing in the Grand Slam tournament is not lost on her. It is a sure bet that Bouchard will take advantage of the injury issues that likely slowed Serena Williams down to cause her defeat, allowing Bouchard to sidestep the number one tennis player in the world.

    Be sure to check your local listings to see when the Monday match airs on your network. You can also read about her bathroom struggles,

    her New Year greeting gripes

    and more by following her Twitter.

    Image via Twitter

  • H5N1 – Bird Flu Is Here In North America

    H5N1 – Bird Flu Is Here In North America

    The first reported case of H5N1, the Bird or Avian flu, has touched down in North America, Canada to be exact.

    Canadian health officials have confirmed that it was the H5N1 flu that killed a resident of Alberta, Canada who had just returned from Beijing.

    Canada’s Health Minister, Rona Ambrose, said the infected individual had recently traveled to Beijing.

    “As Canada’s Health Minister I want to reassure the public this is an isolated case,” Ambrose said. “The risk of H5N1 to Canadians is very low. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. It is also important for Canadians to know that this case is not part of the seasonal flu which circulates in Canada every year.”

    It is the first human case that was imported into North America from a traveler, and that traveler was not a poultry handler. No H5N1 viruses have been detected in people or in animals in the United States.

    This fact has experts and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) a bit concerned. According to WHO most avian flu viruses do not cause disease in humans. However, some like H5N1 are zoonotic, which means they can infect humans and cause disease, even death.

    The CDC claims that of all of the human cases, nearly 650 people, who have been tested for H5N1 since 2003 have been in direct contact or proximity to poultry. However, experts claim that once that smart little virus mutates and learns how to jump from bird to human, it is only a matter of time before it’s jumping from human to human.

    To keep people from outright panic over the animal related influenza that is traveling around the globe, killing people in record numbers such as the H1N1 virus, they’ve made a statement claiming that: people in the Americas posed by the detection of this one case is very low. The U.S. agency is not recommending that the public take any special actions regarding H5N1 virus in response to the Canadian case.

    We are in flu season, yes, however, until factory farms stop condensing animals which is causing an overuse of antibiotics to get them to slaughter, thereby creating superbugs and viruses that are resistant to the vaccines being administered to prevent them, this is only going to get worse.

    Image via Farm Sanctuary

  • Train Derailment in Canada Causes Fire, Homes Evacuated

    Fire continues to burn Wednesday after a train carrying oil derailed in New Brunswick, Canada Tuesday.

    The train consisted of 122 cars and four locomotives. Only eight were transporting crude oil and propane from Canada, which were destined for an Irving Oil refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick.

    Although there is no official explanation to why it occurred, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board Manager Daniel Holbrook reported that faulty brakes and a broken axil might have caused the incident.

    “Preliminary reports were that the train was proceeding, and while proceeding experienced what we call is an undesired brake application,’’ he said.

    Fifteen cars and a locomotive just so happened to derail. The freight cars then caught on fire, causing residents within a 1.24-mile radius to evacuate their homes.

    There are no major environmental damages occurred but the fire continues to spread.

    This derailment is one out of many other similar events that have increased major concerns as far as the transportation of oil via train.

    Communities and rail officials located near rail lines are the most concerned about the danger it induces. (image)

    According to a report by CBS News:

    “In July, 47 people were killed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, when a train carrying crude oil derailed. Another oil train from North Dakota derailed and exploded in Alabama in November, causing no deaths but releasing an estimated 749,000 gallons of oil from 26 tanker cars, adding to concerns about the safety of such shipments.”

    Fortunately, there were no reported deaths or injuries in this case, but people are still on the fence about the issue.

    A news report on the train derailment that happened in Quebec last July.

    Image via Youtube, Megan Shockley

  • Rob Ford: Toronto’s Crack Smoking Mayor Seeks Reelection

    Is he smoking crack…again? Despite repeated calls for him to step down from office, Toronto mayor Rob Ford was the first candidate to show up at City Hall on Thursday to register for reelection. The mayor is asking Toronto to vote for him in the city’s municipal election on October 27th.

    “Ford more years,” he declared. He then referred to himself as the “best mayor” Toronto has ever had. “I’m sticking to my record, and talk is cheap. You’re going to see action like you’ve never seen before.” he added. Yes, this is the same crack smoking, foul mouthed, erratic Canadian politician named Rob Ford we’re talkin’ about here. Maybe the mayor was just in another one of his “drunken stupors”.

    Well, Ford did maintain all along that he would seek reelection and on Thursday morning he showed up to the state building to file his paperwork.

    In May of last year video footage surfaced of the mayor smoking what appeared to be a crack pipe and spewing out a series of curses and racial slurs.  The video embarrassed many Canadians and Ford eventually confessed to smoking crack, using marijuana and abusing alcohol. One of Ford’s gang member associates also snitched on him, confirming that Ford is in fact a crackhead and a heroin user and he had pictures to prove it. Ford does however maintain that he is not an addict and is perfectly capable of executing his job as the mayor of the largest city in Canada.

    Despite his belief in his ability to carry out his job, the Toronto City Council stripped him of most of his powers, though he continues to receive support from more conservative voters.

    Would you vote for Rob Ford? We can only wait to see how Toronto votes in October.

    Watch Rob Ford In Some Of His Finer Moments

    Image via YouTube

  • Canada Prostitution: Supreme Court Removes Restrictions On Sex Trade

    Sex workers in Canada are celebrating after the country’s highest court unanimously struck down three anti-prostitution laws. In their landmark 9-0 ruling, the nine judges deemed that bans against owning and visiting brothels, publicly soliciting for sex and living off prostitution proceeds constitute gross violation to the principles of life, liberty and security of sex workers.

    Prostitution is legal in Canada but laws aimed at curbing its practice went overboard in as far as protecting the public from nuisances associated with prostitution is concerned, the judges noted. “Parliament has the power to regulate against nuisances, but not at the cost of the health, safety and lives of prostitutes,” Read part of the ruling.

    However, the ruling doesn’t take effect immediately as Canada’s parliament has one year to create appropriate legislation. This decision by the Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal that struck down the law against owning and visiting brothels on the grounds that this forced sex workers into the streets.

    The last time the Supreme court ruled on matters of anti-prostitution laws was more than two decades ago when it upheld the law against street solicitation. Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin said times have changed since the 1990 ruling.

    “The harms identified by the courts below are grossly disproportionate to the deterrence of community disruption that is the object of the law,” the chief justice noted.

    The sex workers from Vancouver who were part of the group that brought the case before courts applauded the decision, through their lawyer Katrina Pacey,  terming the ruling as “unbelievably important” for sex workers and human rights.

    “The court recognized that sex workers have the right to protect themselves and their safety,” she said.

    http://youtu.be/aOo3nEicwBw

    Image via YouTube

  • Scientists Use Vodka to Send World’s First Molecular Text Message

    Researchers at York University in Toronto have finally found a good use for vodka.

    Using a simple setup with a spritzer and a receiver, placed apart from one another on a table, they were able to send the world’s first molecular text message. The message was programmed into a series of sprays, and the alcohol was sprayed across the room to a receiver, which determined whether the level of alcohol was increasing, or decreasing. The researchers were able to deliver a simple communication using this rig – O CANADA.

    “In the final part of the paper, we demonstrated a practical molecular communication system capable of transmitting short text messages. Although high transmission rates were not achieved in this work, the transmission rates can be significantly improved by using better fans, more sophisticated protocols and detection algorithms, use of multiple chemicals, use of multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication, designing better sensors, and using sensor arrays. We leave these for future study,” said the researchers in a research article.

    In other words, it worked – but there’s a lot of improving left to do in order to make this sort of communication reliable. What they have proven is that it is possible, and highly plausible, that future communications could be sent chemically.

    Image via York University, YouTube

  • AT&T Announces 4G Data Roaming in Canada Through Rogers

    AT&T Announces 4G Data Roaming in Canada Through Rogers

    AT&T today announced a deal with Rogers Communications to provide its customers with 4G LTE data roaming capabilities while in Canada.

    Access to the data will, of course, not be free. AT&T customers will have to buy packages of capped monthly data to use Rogers’ network. The packages start at $30 per month for 120MB and also come in $60 for 300MB and $120 for 800MB sizes.

    “Our agreement with Rogers affirms our commitment to deliver superior international coverage to our customers,” said Bill Hague, EVP of International Alliances and Integrations at AT&T Mobility. “AT&T customers already have access to the nation’s fastest, most reliable 4G LTE network while in the United States and now they can enjoy LTE speeds while roaming in Canada.”

    AT&T stated in its announcement that it is the first U.S. carrier to offer international LTE roaming. While that statement is technically true, the announcement is actually a reaction to T-Mobile’s recent announcement that its customers will have access to free, unlimited international data (though not 4G) in over 100 countries around the world. Compared with that, AT&T’s Canada policy might not look like much but it is a step in the right direction and Americans in cities bordering Canada will likely get plenty of use out of the offering.

    International data roaming is yet another new feature that T-Mobile is forcing larger U.S. mobile providers to compete on. Earlier this year the company unveiled its “JUMP!” upgrade plans, allowing customers to pay off their devices over time and upgrade more often. Within weeks all three other major U.S. mobile providers had unveiled similar plans. T-Mobile’s creative initiatives and low pricing have helped it grow subscription numbers at a time when other carriers are losing subscribers.

    (Image courtesy Siqbal/Wikimedia Commons)

  • 12 Years A Slave Has A Significant Connection To Canada

    Those who have seen the film 12 Years A Slave already know of the important character that appears late in the film from Canada, but probably do not know the story behind him.

    Samuel Bass, played by Brad Pitt, shows up toward the end of the film, and is the key figure in helping Solomon Northrup finally become a free man again.

    12 Years A Slave is likely to receive several award nominations, and already receiving a great amount of attention from film critics.

    The film tells the real-life story of Solomon Northup, a free man from Saratoga Springs, NY, who is sold into slavery, and forced to work on southern plantations. In the film, he is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, a role that will likely get him several award nominations. It is also very disturbing, and used to depict the many horrors of slavery.

    The film features a significant connection to Canada that most people are probably not aware of yet. The information has Bass’ descendants overjoyed with pride, after it was kept from them for such a long time. Laurie Morris, a 50-year-old whose mother is a descendant of Bass’ youngest daughter Hannah said of the relationship, “The movie is about Solomon Northup, right? But we would never have heard of him, I guess, if he hadn’t met my great-great-great-great-grandfather.”

    The ironic part of it is that before 12 Years A Slave was released, Morris and her family did not even know of their connection to the man who helped Solomon Northup to freedom. In a chance encounter while working on the plantation that Solomon lived, Samuel Bass, a Canadian carpenter, was able to contact his friends in the north,and vouch for Solomon’s identity.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjwptdtn9fQ

    Part of the reason that his story did not come out until many years later is that Bass left Canada sometime around 1840, just before the movie takes place, when he took a variety of carpentry jobs throughout the United States. He also left his wife and four daughters, which might be why he was barely talked about in the family.

    In preparation for the filming and research on 12 Years A Slave, David Fiske, a historian and author, was able to trace Bass back to southern Ontario. The connection was made through Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave and Plantation Life in the Antebellum South, a 2007 book by Sue Eakin.

    Upper Canada, which is now Ontario, abolished slavery just before Bass was born, and throughout his life, he was outspoken in his opposition to slavery, and strongly spoke out against the practice, despite having a different viewpoint from the majority of others.

    12 Years A Slave is being hailed as one of the best films of the year, and it helps to expose the real-life story of Solomon Northup, while also introducing Canadians to a long lost descendant, and very important figure.

    Image via Facebook

  • Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne Ready to Start Family

    Chad Kroeger, member of the band Nickelback and husband to Canadian singer Avril Lavigne, recently announced they are ready to settle down and have children of their own, as soon as they can find time.

    When the two are apart, they steer away from alcohol as well as nightclubs. They like to avoid temptation at all costs. That is, when they are apart. They do not like to be away from each other for more than two weeks at a time. Ground rules such as these are one of the main reasons why their major is so strong.

    They love to make time for each other and put a large effort into doing so and try enjoy the small things in life. “I crave the time I can snuggle up with her and watch a movie.”, Kroeger told People.

    The couple got married on the French Riveria this past July after seeing each other for just a little over one month. They have been happy ever since and even wrote multiple songs together for Lavigne’s new album.
    “We bonded like crazy. It was like we’d known each other forever. It’s a very intimate process, and you have to really open up when you’re songwriting. When it was over and I had to go work with other people, it sucked. So I called him and asked him to come back to L.A. to do some more writing with me, and he was like, ‘Hell yeah!’ ” she told People Magazine, about working with her husband, Kroeger.

    One of the first times the pair performed together was at the wedding. They surprised the audience by singing a song they wrote, “If I Said I Love You” while dancing to it.

    While Lavigne is working on promotional projects with her new album, Kroger is touring Europe with his band.

    [Photo via Youtube]

  • Lenovo Bid For BlackBerry Reportedly Nixed By Canadian Government

    The Globe and Mail this week reported that a proposed buyout of struggling Canadian tech firm BlackBerry was rejected by the Canadian government. The offer was from Lenovo, a Chinese tech manufacturer that recently topped HP in notebook shipments during the second quarter of this year.

    The Mail report cites unnamed “sources familiar with the situation” as saying the offer was rejected specifically over national security concerns posed by Lenovo. With BlackBerry providing much of the enterprise security software backing up several large government institutions in North America, the prospect of a Chinese company owning the business was a no-go for Canada.

    The news comes just as BlackBerry yesterday revealed that its proposed $4.7 billion buyout by an investor group led by Fairfax Financial has failed to materialize. Instead, Fairfax and other investors will pump $1 billion into BlackBerry in the form of a debenture.

    The company’s current CEO, Thorsten Heins, has also been ousted from the company along with board member David Kerr. Heins will be replaced in the coming weeks with John Chen, the former CEO of Sybase, as interim CEO of BlackBerry.

    The Fairfax consortium had over one month to raise the cash for a BlackBerry buyout. In the meantime, BlackBerry had been open to other offers for it or its various divisions. No further deals materialized during that time, and the Mail report states that Lenovo’s rumored offer was turned down by BlackBerry before the Canadian government had a chance to reject it.