Tories fall, election set for May

Tories fall, election set for May, David Akin, the Sudbury star

Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally lost the confidence of the House of Commons on Friday and will ask Gov. Gen. David Johnston Saturday morning to dissolve Parliament for a general election. Harper has been the Prime Minister of a minority Government for 5 years now and broke the record for longest time without losing a vote of confidence. "Mr. Ignatieff and his coalition partners in the NDP and Bloc Quebecois made abundantly clear that they had already decided they wanted to force an election anyways. The motion that brought the government down was not, technically, a rejection of the budget. Instead, MPs were asked if they agreed with the budget and the House lost confidence in the government." Liberals, Bloquistes and New Democrats all voted in favour (156). Conservatives and the two independent MPs, all 145, voted against. The election is set for May 2nd.

I feel that considering Harper set a record for longest time without losing a vote of confidence, this election could haunt the coalition party's. If someone breaks a record and they still only have a minority, i would be happy with that, if i were the Liberals, NDP, or Bloc. I feel that the Conservatives are going to get a Majority due to Harper success and the Coalition has made a big mistake.

http://thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3045056

U.S. economy better prepared for gas pains

U.S. economy better prepared for gas pains

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/us-economy-better-prepared-for-gas-pains/article1

A New Zealand city destroyed — and then rebuilt

A New Zealand city destroyed — and then rebuilt: Jim Byers, The Toronto star

The 7.8 magnitude quake that wreaked havoc on this seaside town on New Zealand’s North Island destroyed much of the small, innocent city. But folks from all the world heeded the call for aid, and Napier was rebuilt in astonishing time. Not only rebuilt, but rebuilt almost entirely in the architectural style of the time—Art Deco. Kathy Hill, who leads tours for the Art Deco Trust in Napier, painted a grim picture of the 1931 quake as she lead folks about the town a mere days before the Christchurch quake. “The lagoons basically rose two meters,” she said. “Millions of fish were stranded on what suddenly was dry land. Buildings collapsed. Two hundred and fifty six people died.” Many are actual Art Deco style, while others are Spanish Mission or Classical Revival. Less than 48 hours later, the world caved in on Christchurch, much as it had on Napier 80 years and 19 days before.

I think is great that the City is being rebuild and fixed up. I think it's great how fast awareness was put out, but more importantly how fast people reacted and helped out. It still think that the earthquake was terrible and probably ruined a lot of people's lives, but it's important that they stay positive and focus of the good stuff and just move forward from this.

http://www.thestar.com/travel/asiapacific/article/950715--a-new-zealand-city-destroyed-and-then-rebuil

Four Canadian schools on list of world’s best

Four Canadian schools on list of world’s best: Lesley Ciarula Taylor, The Toronto star

Judged only on reputation, Canada has captured four spots in the new Times Higher Education ranking of the world’s best. The magazine on Wednesday released its first rankings based solely on reputation, as rated by of 13,388 academics in 131 countries. The ratings are broken out of its overall rankings list, released each fall. The University of Toronto ranks as Canada’s top university by reputation, at No. 17 on the list of the top-100. It’s also No. 17 on the overall list. Three other Canadian universities made the reputation top 100, compared with only two on the master list. McGill ranked No. 29 worldwide for reputation, the University of British Columbia reached No. 31 and the University of Waterloo was 91st.

I think that this is great that Canada is getting recognised for is schools. Anyone who is affiliated with these schools or even anyone who attends these schools. I think is amazing that we have four school being ranked top 100 in the world. That these school are being judged at the international level is cool.

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/951113--four-canadian-schools-on-list-of-world-s-best

Hume: Oberman’s death a huge loss for city

Hume: Oberman’s death a huge loss for city: Christopher Hume, The Toronto star

Many didn't know Paul Oberman, but most know his work whether they realize or not. He was the driving force behind the brilliant renovation of the old North Toronto train station on Yonge St., better known as the Summerhill liquor store, as well as a number of heritage renovation projects around the city. Paul Oberman, but most know his work whether they realize or not. His death Monday night in a plane crash over Maine will be a huge loss in a city that places little value on its past. Where most of his fellow developers happily pay lip service to preservation, Oberman didn’t just talk the talk, he also walked the walk. Most important of all, his ability to make heritage pay for itself put the lie to an industry that rarely looks beyond the borders of its own holdings.

Even though I didn't know who Paul Oberman was before i read this article, i still feel terrible and the city of Toronto has suffered a huge lose. Read more of this article, I realise he did so much and seemed like a truly good guy. I'm sure many people who loved him and in great morning know and my sympathy goes out to them.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/950750--hume-oberman-s-death-a-huge-loss-for-city?bn=1

Habs’ Pacioretty diagnosed with concussion, cracked vertebra

Habs’ Pacioretty diagnosed with concussion, cracked vertebra: Bill Beacon, The Toronto star

Boston’s Zdeno Chara will face no further league discipline for the hit that hospitalized Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty. NHL senior vice-president Mike Murphy called the Chara hit “a hockey play that resulted in an injury because of the player colliding with the stanchion and then the ice surface.” “I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any other manner that could be deemed to be dangerous.” “He remains under observation in hospital. There is no other prognosis at this time,” Martin said after practice Wednesday. Murphy, who had a telephone hearing with the Bruins captain Wednesday, said he took into consideration that Chara has not been involved in a supplemental discipline incident during his 13-year NHL career.

First of all, I don't care if a player has never been in a supplemental discipline incident, If he did it, punish him, if he didn't, don't! I personally believe the league should be ashamed that they didn't fine Chara, let alone suspend him. Head shots have been a growing worry in the NHL, and people always say they need to crack down on them, and once they have this chance to make an example of Chara, they let him get away with it. Besides that i feel terrible for Pacioretty, even though i hate the Habs, and how he recovers, not to play necessarily, but to keep a healthy life.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/951021--habs-pacioretty-diagnosed-with-concu

Paris police find $25M in stolen jewels from 2008 heist in sewer

Paris police find $25M in stolen jewels from 2008 heist in sewer: Associated Press, the Toronto star

French investigators have found jewels valued at $25 million hidden in a Paris rain sewer — part of the spectacular 2008 heist from luxury jeweller Harry Winston’s Paris boutique. Nineteen rings and three set of earrings (one pair valued at $19.5 million) were dug up from a drain at a house in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis. The jewels were hidden in a plastic container set in a cement mould inside the sewer, police said. The house belonged to one of the nine people charged in the heist. The bold Harry Winston robbery on Dec. 5, 2008, netted the thieves — some dressed as women and wearing wigs — gems and bejeweled watches worth up to $118.1 million, police said. More recently, police have set the figure at $85 million.

I think this is crazy that items with such great value could be stolen. I don't see how whoever did this thought they could get away with it. It might take a while to find them, but sooner or later someone was getting caught. I don't see what would possess a person to do this, but i guess 85 million dollars would help. Do you think the others will get caught?

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/950950--paris-police-find-25m-in-stolen-jewels-from-2008-heist-in-sewer

TTC drivers fired for harmless cellphone use, union says

TTC drivers fired for harmless cellphone use, union says: Liem Vu, the toronto star

TTC union president Bob Kinnear is claiming that the Toronto Transit Commission is going to “ridiculous” lengths to stop drivers from using cell phones on the job, including punishment for using cell phones on their break. Kinnear sent a message to all TTC employees Sunday informing them of increasing complaints over a supposed restriction on uniformed workers using cell phones, even when not behind the wheel. He estimates that 40-50 workers are out of a job due to cell phone use. Kinnear’s message warned workers they could be fired for dialling 911, calling their spouse to say they have to work overtime or even to check up on their sick child. Ross denied some of the allegations, saying that employees would not be punished for calling 911 as long as they pulled over the vehicle.

I personally believe that this is ludicrous that bus drivers be fired from talking on the phone, while on break, not even driving the bus! I have read articles about drivers being fired for talking on the phone, while driving passengers, which i understand, but this is totally different. I agree that it is important for bus drivers not to talk while driving, but they can on break. This crazy outbreak on reported drivers is probably due to spoiled snobby city folks, who have probably done the same crime on numerous occasions.

http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/949724--ttc-drivers-fired-for-harmless-cell

GTA home prices remain high despite slower sales

GTA home prices remain high despite slower sales: Tony Wong, the toronto star



Canadian homes are slightly overprised, but this minor correction is not likley to change, says a report by the bank of montreal. Current home sales of this past February in the GTA or greater Toronto area, were down 14 percent from an earlier year. This information was reealesed by the Toronto Real Estate Board on Thursday, March 3rd.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/948110--gta-home-prices-remain-high-despite-slower-sales