Julian Fantino
Early Toronto career
Before joining the Metro Toronto Police, Fantino was a security guard at Yorkdale Mall in suburban Toronto. He volunteered as an Auxiliary Police Officer for the Metro Toronto Police from 1964 to 1969 and then joined the force as a Police Constable. He was a member of the Drug Squad and was promoted to Detective Constable. He subsequently served with Criminal Intelligence and then the Homicide Squad before being promoted to Divisional Commander and then Acting Staff Superintendent of Detectives.
Wiretap controversy
According to an internal police report leaked in 2007, Fantino, as superintendent of detectives in 1991, had ordered a wiretap of lawyer Peter Maloney a police critic and friend of Susan Eng, chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, the body overseeing the Toronto Police service. Conversations between Maloney and Eng were illegally recorded despite a court order that only the first minute of Maloney's conversations were to be monitored so as to determine whether the individual who he was talking to was on the list of those being investigated.[7][8]
Departure
After 23 years of service with the Metro Toronto Police, Fantino left to accept an appointment as Police Chief of London, Ontario in 1991.
London Police Service chief (1991-1998)
In London, he presided over the highly publicized and controversial "Project Guardian", which saw the arrests of over two dozen gay men for involvement in a purported child pornography ring.[9] While several men were eventually convicted of crimes not related to the stated purpose of the investigation, such as drug possession and prostitution, no child pornography ring was ever found.
Journalist Gerald Hannon later published a piece in The Globe and Mail accusing Fantino of mounting an anti-gay witch hunt.[10] In response, Fantino filed a complaint with the Ontario Press Council, which ultimately ruled that the Globe should have more clearly labelled Hannon's article as an opinion piece.
Fantino says that he is "not anti-gay or homophobic" and was simply arresting lawbreakers engaging in "a sick, perverted crime".[11]
York Regional Police chief (1998–2000)
Fantino return to the Greater Toronto Area as Chief of York Regional Police in 1998. His tenure was brief and he returned to the Toronto Police Service two years later. He was succeeded as chief by Robert Middaugh.
Toronto Police Service chief (2000–2005)
Policing controversies
An incident in September 2000 involving five male police officers entering a women's bath house sparked public outrage and drew attention to TPS's poor standing in the gay community.[12] In 2004, Fantino made an attempt to repair relations, primarily by appearing on the cover of fab in a photo which featured him posing in his police uniform with five other models dressed as the Village People standing behind him.[13]
Fantino appeared to have little patience for protesters: he wanted them to ask police for permission before holding demonstrations. In one report, he commented "a problem is now arising where portions of the public believe that Dundas Square is a public space." [14] In his new position with the OPP, Fantino took an aggressive posture with a native protest blocking a major highway: he stated he "would not/could not tolerate the 401 being closed all day." However the commander on site decided against a raid as "[he was] not about to put people at risk for a piece of pavement." [15]
In 2003, Fantino criticized the effectiveness of the Canadian gun registry.[16]
Corruption scandals
Fantino came under increasing scrutiny due to three corruption scandals which broke out during his tenure and his handling of those incidents. Fantino was accused of having tried to deal with these cases out of public view and attempting to shield them from investigation by outside police services.
In one case, drug squad officers are alleged to have beaten and robbed suspected drug dealers. In another, plainclothes officers were charged with accepting bribes to help bars dodge liquor inspections. In the third, a group of officers who advocated on behalf of a drug-addicted car thief faced internal charges.
Two of these cases involve the sons of former police chief William McCormack, and came to light not as a result of investigations by Toronto police, but due to an RCMP investigation into gangster activity which inadvertently uncovered evidence of wrongdoing by Toronto police officers. Mike McCormack was later cleared of all wrongdoing due to a lack of evidence.[17]
In December 2009, Fantino was accused during a related court case of having "unplugged" a special task force investigating corruption charges against the Toronto Police Service's narcotics squad ignoring the task force's suspicions that another of the force's drug squads was corrupt. Lawyer Julian Falconer argued in court that "When Chief Fantino declared there were only a few bad apples, he did not deliver the straight goods," and shut down the investigation before it expanded as part of a damage control campaign.[18]
In March 2005, the CBC announced that they had obtained documents via the Access to Information Act showing that between 1998 and 2005 Toronto had spent $30,633,303.63 settling lawsuits against police. Norm Gardner said the settlement costs, which amount to about $5-million a year over six years, were expected, given the number of confrontations police face, suggesting that "people think they are going to get paid off."
Contract expiry
Fantino's contract as police chief expired on February 28, 2005. On June 24, 2004, the police services board announced that it would not be reappointing Fantino due to a 2-2 tie. This was controversial since chair Norm Gardner had been suspended from the five-man board due to a conflict of interest ruling, but as he refused to vacate his seat the three required votes for renewal were far more difficult to obtain. Conservative politicians on Toronto City Council responded with a "Save Fantino" campaign, and the board was deadlocked on the issue of beginning the search for Fantino's replacement.
Many Fantino supporters claimed that Miller was openly hostile to Fantino. Miller had ignored calls to pressure the police board after it voted against Fantino's renewal, yet Miller subsequently contacted the board looking for a role in hiring the next police chief, although the latter request was not granted.
Former deputy police chief Mike Boyd took over as interim chief of police on March 1, 2005. On April 6, another former deputy chief, Bill Blair, was named Fantino's permanent successor.
Commissioner of Emergency Management (2005–2006)
On February 8, 2005, Fantino was appointed Ontario's commissioner of emergency management by Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty. This move was criticized by the opposition parties in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, both for the lack of transparency in the hiring process and for the perception that the appointment was primarily motivated by the desire to avoid having Fantino run as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the 2007 provincial election against Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. However, Sorbara had also blamed Miller for failing to renew Fantino's contract, so this appointment could have also been seen as the Ontario Liberals' show of support for Fantino.
Ontario Provincial Police commissioner (2006-2010)
Fantino was appointed Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police replacing the departed Gwen M. Boniface on October 12, 2006 by the provincial Liberal government; initially for a two year term. His appointment was criticized by First Nations groups. In March 2008 his contract was extended until October 2009.[19] In June 2009 his contract was further extended until July 2010 so that he could oversee the province's security contingent at the 2010 G8 Summit in Huntsville, Ontario. The province will begin the search for his successor in January 2010.[3]
He has received much public attention over highly publicized child pornography busts, with 21 men arrested in February 2008 and 31 men (some as young as 14) arrested in February 2009.[20] None of the cases has come to trial to date. During his term, Fantino has changed the look of the OPP by ordering that the livery for police cruisers be changed to a 1960s era black and white pattern.
Shawn Brant controversy
Fantino was criticized by lawyer Peter Rosenthal during the trial of aboriginal activist Shawn Brant. Fantino was criticized for ordering wiretaps of Brant's phone without proper authority and for making provocative comments to Brant during negotiations to end a blockade of the rail line west of Kingston.[21] NDP MPP Peter Kormos called for Fantino's resignation accusing him of using "pugnacious and bellicose" rhetoric and for engaging in "Rambo-style policing."[22] In the face of defence motions for the police to disclose more evidence about their conduct the Crown agreed to drop the most serious charges against Brant in exchange for a plea bargain resulting in a light sentence.[23] Fantino was also criticized for his role in the Caledonia land dispute after he was accused of sending e-mails to local politicians accusing them of encouraging anti-police rallies by non-Natives.[24]
Internal discipline hearing controversy
In late 2008 and early 2009, Fantino was embroiled in a controversy surrounding his role in an internal discipline case at the OPP in which Fantino was accused of being petty and vindictive in his actions against the officers.[25] Fantino ordered a hearing into the matter but attempted to remove the adjudicator he had appointed on the grounds that the judge was biased against the commissioner due to critical comments he made during testimony by Fantino. Divisional Court rejected Fantino's request.[26] The Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the lower court decision saying an informed person viewing the matter realistically and practically would not conclude there was any apprehension of bias on the part of the adjudicator. The OPP dropped the disciplinary case against the two officers on December 15, 2009, the same day Fantino was due to be cross examined[27] by defence lawyer Julian Falconer.[28] The entire process cost more than $500,000 in public money.[29]
Private prosecution charge for influencing or attempting to influence an elected official
Fantino was summoned in early January 2010 to face a charge of influencing or attempting to influence an elected official in April 2007 in Haldimand County, Ontario. The summons came after a December 31 Ontario Superior Court order demanding a formal charge be laid in relation to allegations against Mr. Fantino brought forward by a private complainant, Gary McHale, who alleged that Fantino was illegally influencing or attempting to influence municipal officials in regards to the Caledonia land dispute.[30] The charge against Fantino was stayed in February 2010 as the Crown said there was no reasonable prospect of conviction
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Good news! : Blind woman wins case against federal government.
Blind woman wins case against federal government
CBC News
Donna Jodhan successfully sued the federal government because she was unable to apply online for a government job.
A blind Toronto woman who sued the federal government because she is unable to apply online for a government job has won her case.
A Federal Court judge in Toronto ruled Monday that the government has 15 months to make its websites accessible to visually impaired users.
Donna Jodhan, a special needs consultant who has certified skills with Microsoft and Novell programs, as well as a master's degree in international business and finance from McGill University, launched the constitutional challenge in September.
Take our survey. Government lawyers had argued there was no discrimination because those same services are provided in other formats, such as on the phone, in person or by mail.
The American White House website is outfitted with transcriptions, audio clips and captions. Jodhan said the Canadian government should do the same with its web pages.
"One of the saddest things is that government has spent a lot of money fighting this case," she said at the time. "Why are you fighting me on this? Why are you spending taxpayers' money?"
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/11/29/blind-woman-federal029.html#ixzz16hgzFCGI
CBC News
Donna Jodhan successfully sued the federal government because she was unable to apply online for a government job.
A blind Toronto woman who sued the federal government because she is unable to apply online for a government job has won her case.
A Federal Court judge in Toronto ruled Monday that the government has 15 months to make its websites accessible to visually impaired users.
Donna Jodhan, a special needs consultant who has certified skills with Microsoft and Novell programs, as well as a master's degree in international business and finance from McGill University, launched the constitutional challenge in September.
Take our survey. Government lawyers had argued there was no discrimination because those same services are provided in other formats, such as on the phone, in person or by mail.
The American White House website is outfitted with transcriptions, audio clips and captions. Jodhan said the Canadian government should do the same with its web pages.
"One of the saddest things is that government has spent a lot of money fighting this case," she said at the time. "Why are you fighting me on this? Why are you spending taxpayers' money?"
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/11/29/blind-woman-federal029.html#ixzz16hgzFCGI
Leslie Nielsen dies at 84. :(
Leslie Nielsen dies at 84; serious actor became a comic star
The Canada native, who seemed perfectly cast as a handsome leading man when he came to Hollywood in the 1950s, had career-changing roles in the 'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun' comedies.
Leslie Nielsen, who starred in multiple spoof movies including "Wrongfully Accused," has died. He was 84.
Leslie Nielsen
November 29, 2010
Leslie Nielsen, a serious actor who became a comic star with his career-changing roles in "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" comedies, died Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84.
Nielson died of complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home, surrounded by his wife, Barbaree, and friends, his agent, John S. Kelly, said in a statement.
In "Airplane!," the 1980 send-up of just about every disaster movie plot imaginable, Nielsen as Dr. Rumack was "an essentially serious actor taking essentially preposterous material very straight," wrote Times Arts Editor Charles Champlin in his review.
Just how preposterous was it?
As the crew and passengers became ill, Nielsen said they needed to get the sick to a hospital.
"A hospital? What is it?" a flight attendant asked.
Nielsen: "It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now."
And when Nielsen was told, "Surely you can't be serious," he answered: "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."
Nielsen followed up "Airplane!" with another goofy role delivered with deadpan conviction as Frank Drebin in the "Police Squad!" television show and "Naked Gun" movies.
It was quite a career shift for an actor who seemed perfectly cast as a handsome leading man when he came to Hollywood in the 1950s, already a veteran of live television appearances.
A typically serious early role was as the spaceship commander in "Forbidden Planet, " the 1956 science-fiction classic. "It's the reason I was never asked to do 'Star Trek' or 'Twilight Zone' for TV," he told the Toronto Star in 2002. "I carried too much baggage with me from that movie."
Nielsen played Debbie Reynolds' sweetheart in the 1957 film "Tammy and the Bachelor," was the Revolutionary War fighter Francis Marion in the Disney TV adventure series "The Swamp Fox" and had roles in such TV series as "The New Breed" and "Bracken's World."
"I just always worked," he said. "I played a lot of leaders, autocratic sorts. Perhaps it was my Canadian accent."
Nielsen also was captain of the doomed ocean liner in the 1972 disaster movie "The Poseidon Adventure."
All the while he "was a closet comedian," he told The Times in 1991.
Then "Airplane!" changed his career.
Producers-directors-writers Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker hired Nielsen and other veteran actors Robert Stack, Peter Graves and Lloyd Bridges, all perfectly cast to spoof their own heroic and very serious images.
"I will be forever grateful to them," Nielsen told The Times in 1991. "It is just an amazing roll of the dice. I am so lucky to be a representative of their humor."
Nielsen then was cast in "Police Squad!," which aimed to do to cop shows was "Airplane!" did to disaster movies.
It lasted all of six episodes on ABC, but Nielsen moved on as Drebin to the 1988 movie "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!," with George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson and Priscilla Presley among his co-stars. Its success led to two sequels.
"Leslie has the idea to play it maybe not straight but deadly serious," David Zucker told the L.A. Daily News in 1994. "You can take any one performance and just transfer it from a comedy to a drama. There's just no difference — that's what he can do."
Nielsen was born Feb. 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan. His father was a Royal Canadian mounted police officer and one of his brothers became a deputy prime minister of Canada.
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force after graduating from high school and after the service studied at a Toronto radio school operated by Lorne Greene — who would become a TV star with the series "Bonanza"— before moving to New York to start working in television.
Nielsen's later movies included "All I Want for Christmas" in 1991, "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" in 1995, "Spy Hard" in 1996 and "Mr. Magoo" in 1997.
He also toured with his one-man show on the life of defense lawyer Clarence Darrow.
Nielsen had two daughters and was married three times previously, according to the Associated Press. A complete list of survivors was not available.
The Canada native, who seemed perfectly cast as a handsome leading man when he came to Hollywood in the 1950s, had career-changing roles in the 'Airplane!' and 'Naked Gun' comedies.
Leslie Nielsen, who starred in multiple spoof movies including "Wrongfully Accused," has died. He was 84.
Leslie Nielsen
November 29, 2010
Leslie Nielsen, a serious actor who became a comic star with his career-changing roles in "Airplane!" and "The Naked Gun" comedies, died Sunday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84.
Nielson died of complications from pneumonia at a hospital near his home, surrounded by his wife, Barbaree, and friends, his agent, John S. Kelly, said in a statement.
In "Airplane!," the 1980 send-up of just about every disaster movie plot imaginable, Nielsen as Dr. Rumack was "an essentially serious actor taking essentially preposterous material very straight," wrote Times Arts Editor Charles Champlin in his review.
Just how preposterous was it?
As the crew and passengers became ill, Nielsen said they needed to get the sick to a hospital.
"A hospital? What is it?" a flight attendant asked.
Nielsen: "It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now."
And when Nielsen was told, "Surely you can't be serious," he answered: "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."
Nielsen followed up "Airplane!" with another goofy role delivered with deadpan conviction as Frank Drebin in the "Police Squad!" television show and "Naked Gun" movies.
It was quite a career shift for an actor who seemed perfectly cast as a handsome leading man when he came to Hollywood in the 1950s, already a veteran of live television appearances.
A typically serious early role was as the spaceship commander in "Forbidden Planet, " the 1956 science-fiction classic. "It's the reason I was never asked to do 'Star Trek' or 'Twilight Zone' for TV," he told the Toronto Star in 2002. "I carried too much baggage with me from that movie."
Nielsen played Debbie Reynolds' sweetheart in the 1957 film "Tammy and the Bachelor," was the Revolutionary War fighter Francis Marion in the Disney TV adventure series "The Swamp Fox" and had roles in such TV series as "The New Breed" and "Bracken's World."
"I just always worked," he said. "I played a lot of leaders, autocratic sorts. Perhaps it was my Canadian accent."
Nielsen also was captain of the doomed ocean liner in the 1972 disaster movie "The Poseidon Adventure."
All the while he "was a closet comedian," he told The Times in 1991.
Then "Airplane!" changed his career.
Producers-directors-writers Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker hired Nielsen and other veteran actors Robert Stack, Peter Graves and Lloyd Bridges, all perfectly cast to spoof their own heroic and very serious images.
"I will be forever grateful to them," Nielsen told The Times in 1991. "It is just an amazing roll of the dice. I am so lucky to be a representative of their humor."
Nielsen then was cast in "Police Squad!," which aimed to do to cop shows was "Airplane!" did to disaster movies.
It lasted all of six episodes on ABC, but Nielsen moved on as Drebin to the 1988 movie "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!," with George Kennedy, O.J. Simpson and Priscilla Presley among his co-stars. Its success led to two sequels.
"Leslie has the idea to play it maybe not straight but deadly serious," David Zucker told the L.A. Daily News in 1994. "You can take any one performance and just transfer it from a comedy to a drama. There's just no difference — that's what he can do."
Nielsen was born Feb. 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan. His father was a Royal Canadian mounted police officer and one of his brothers became a deputy prime minister of Canada.
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force after graduating from high school and after the service studied at a Toronto radio school operated by Lorne Greene — who would become a TV star with the series "Bonanza"— before moving to New York to start working in television.
Nielsen's later movies included "All I Want for Christmas" in 1991, "Dracula: Dead and Loving It" in 1995, "Spy Hard" in 1996 and "Mr. Magoo" in 1997.
He also toured with his one-man show on the life of defense lawyer Clarence Darrow.
Nielsen had two daughters and was married three times previously, according to the Associated Press. A complete list of survivors was not available.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Jacqueline Bigar Horoscope for Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010.
IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: This year, your ability to communicate and express yourself becomes a salient feature. You often share a lot in order to get clarification, but still wonder what you just heard. Your family and home life develop a rich, dynamic tone. If you are single, you could meet someone of romantic significance in 2011. This relationship will have flash and energy. If you are attached, you will discover the excitement of a new venture with your significant other. The more different this happening or decision might be, the better the end results. Leo opens up to you.
BORN TODAY: Actor Jaleel White (1976), American royalty Caroline Kennedy (1957), singer Eddie Rabbit (1941)
ARIES (March 21-April 20)
Express your energy and ingenuity when making plans with a child or loved one. Whether going off on an adventure or following through on an important plan makes little difference. Excitement paves your way. Tonight: Enjoy every moment.
TAURUS (April 21-May 20)
Honour a sense of fatigue, even if a friend or loved one wants to get you motivated. You might not have the whole story regarding a critical situation involving an authority figure. A friend simply doesn’t have the facts. Tonight: Close to home.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Rethink what has been a tough relationship. You reach out for those at a distance, but don’t forget a commitment to someone close, perhaps an older relative. Have a long-overdue talk over a leisurely meal. Tonight: At a favourite spot, with favourite people.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Be careful how extreme you get. You could overindulge quite naturally in one area or another. Do try to squeeze in a walk or some other form of exercise. News from a distance could be surprising. Tonight: Your treat.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
You cannot and will not be held down. Let your imagination combine with another person’s inspired vision. You learn that nearly anything is possible. Someone of interest will come toward you without that additional nudge. Trust yourself. Tonight: Know that you are top dog.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Know when to kick back and let others do the work. Often, you do too much, making others feel like you think they are incompetent. Don’t push a family member too far. Follow the same advice with key relationships. Tonight: Keep plans mum.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
Keep your objectives in your mind’s eye. You’ll be less likely to be tossed off course. You know where you are going and what is important. Count on the energy, though a jolt of some sort could toss you off your path — for a while. Tonight: Act like it is any other night of week.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Others seek you out, wanting to know what your plans might be. Realize that an element of confusion in your domestic life and with friends could make revealing plans close to impossible, as you don’t know them yet. Tonight: A force wherever you are.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Your incredible ideas make it impossible not to enjoy plans you make. Just go with spontaneity. Will others enjoy them? Only time will tell. Remember, there are differences in all of us. Tonight: Follow the music.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You’ll gain a great deal of insight about a partner just by relaxing and letting this person call the shots. (He or she wants to anyway.) Your sense of humour mixed with understanding could make this day more exciting than anticipated. Tonight: Visit with others.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
You often find a key person in your life nearly magnetic. Once more, this person casts a haze around you, as you enjoy every minute. Don’t over-indulge, as there could be ramifications later. That doesn’t mean not to enjoy yourself. Tonight: Where the action is.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)
Invite others over for a mellow get-together. You hear news that on one level delights you but on the other surprises you. Know that you might not be reading this person correctly. Work with a partner, not against him or her. Tonight: Play it easy.
http://www.jacquelinebigar.com/
BORN TODAY: Actor Jaleel White (1976), American royalty Caroline Kennedy (1957), singer Eddie Rabbit (1941)
ARIES (March 21-April 20)
Express your energy and ingenuity when making plans with a child or loved one. Whether going off on an adventure or following through on an important plan makes little difference. Excitement paves your way. Tonight: Enjoy every moment.
TAURUS (April 21-May 20)
Honour a sense of fatigue, even if a friend or loved one wants to get you motivated. You might not have the whole story regarding a critical situation involving an authority figure. A friend simply doesn’t have the facts. Tonight: Close to home.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Rethink what has been a tough relationship. You reach out for those at a distance, but don’t forget a commitment to someone close, perhaps an older relative. Have a long-overdue talk over a leisurely meal. Tonight: At a favourite spot, with favourite people.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Be careful how extreme you get. You could overindulge quite naturally in one area or another. Do try to squeeze in a walk or some other form of exercise. News from a distance could be surprising. Tonight: Your treat.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
You cannot and will not be held down. Let your imagination combine with another person’s inspired vision. You learn that nearly anything is possible. Someone of interest will come toward you without that additional nudge. Trust yourself. Tonight: Know that you are top dog.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Know when to kick back and let others do the work. Often, you do too much, making others feel like you think they are incompetent. Don’t push a family member too far. Follow the same advice with key relationships. Tonight: Keep plans mum.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
Keep your objectives in your mind’s eye. You’ll be less likely to be tossed off course. You know where you are going and what is important. Count on the energy, though a jolt of some sort could toss you off your path — for a while. Tonight: Act like it is any other night of week.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Others seek you out, wanting to know what your plans might be. Realize that an element of confusion in your domestic life and with friends could make revealing plans close to impossible, as you don’t know them yet. Tonight: A force wherever you are.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)
Your incredible ideas make it impossible not to enjoy plans you make. Just go with spontaneity. Will others enjoy them? Only time will tell. Remember, there are differences in all of us. Tonight: Follow the music.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)
You’ll gain a great deal of insight about a partner just by relaxing and letting this person call the shots. (He or she wants to anyway.) Your sense of humour mixed with understanding could make this day more exciting than anticipated. Tonight: Visit with others.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
You often find a key person in your life nearly magnetic. Once more, this person casts a haze around you, as you enjoy every minute. Don’t over-indulge, as there could be ramifications later. That doesn’t mean not to enjoy yourself. Tonight: Where the action is.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20)
Invite others over for a mellow get-together. You hear news that on one level delights you but on the other surprises you. Know that you might not be reading this person correctly. Work with a partner, not against him or her. Tonight: Play it easy.
http://www.jacquelinebigar.com/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
CRTC gives green light to Sun TV... AKA Fox News North!
CRTC gives green light to Sun TV
Quebecor Inc.’s (QBR.B-T36.720.100.27%) bid to create a new 24-hour news channel in Canada has taken another step toward the TV dial. On Friday, the federal broadcast regulator approved the license application for the Sun TV News Network.
The approval had been expected since last month, when the Montreal-based company adjusted its application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, to request a standard license for a specialty channel.
The upcoming channel has been surrounded by some controversy, including an online activist group that objected to its launch.
The controversy led to the resignation in September of the head of the project and former spokesperson for the Harper government, Kory Teneycke. Mr. Lavoie – a former spokesman for Brian Mulroney and close associate of Quebecor chief executive officer Pierre Karl Péladeau – took the reins at Sun TV after Mr. Teneycke left in an attempt to “lower the temperature” of the debate.
“When people made the comparison, calling us Fox News North, they were totally mistaken,” Mr. Lavoie said on Friday. “The philosophy behind this was not to be Fox News ... it was to be an offshoot of the Sun Media culture.”
That includes mimicking the “irreverent” and “provocative” tone of the Sun newspapers Quebecor owns, he said. Sun Media journalists will also be expected to contribute to the network, shooting video and doing on-air commentary while working on stories for the paper. (Sun TV is a joint partnership of Quebecor divisions Sun Media Corp., which publishes newspapers across the country, and TVA Group Inc., which runs its broadcast operations.)
But Mr. Lavoie acknowledged the channel did take some inspiration from Fox News in its mix of reporting and punditry. The channel plans news reports during the day, with more commentary in the prime time hours, beginning at 5 p.m.
Sun TV has already hired conservative activist and Sun newspaper columnist Ezra Levant; former Canwest (now Postmedia) reporter David Akin; current Corus talk radio host Charles Adler; and former CBC reporter Krista Erickson, among others. More hiring announcements are on the way, Mr. Lavoie said.
The company is currently constructing the network’s main studio, in downtown Toronto close to the Toronto Sun offices, which will also house a second studio. Others will be built in Ottawa, Calgary, and likely Edmonton.
Sun TV had originally requested a license that would obligate cable and satellite companies to carry it on their services. That was rejected; and Sun TV tried again, asking for a standard license with the exception that distributors would have to offer it to customers on at least one of their packages, in the first three years. In early October, Mr. Péladeau said the company would withdraw that request, and ask for a standard Category 2 license.
“We welcome a diversity of voices. We want to have as much news out there as possible, as many different voices,” CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said on Friday. “As a Category 2 license, there’s absolutely no problem. If their original application had been in this format, we would have sent it [the license] to them by return mail, basically.”
In a statement, Mr. Péladeau welcomed the CRTC decision, calling it “the dawn of a new era for Canadian news media.”
Quebecor Inc.’s (QBR.B-T36.720.100.27%) bid to create a new 24-hour news channel in Canada has taken another step toward the TV dial. On Friday, the federal broadcast regulator approved the license application for the Sun TV News Network.
The approval had been expected since last month, when the Montreal-based company adjusted its application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, to request a standard license for a specialty channel.
The upcoming channel has been surrounded by some controversy, including an online activist group that objected to its launch.
The controversy led to the resignation in September of the head of the project and former spokesperson for the Harper government, Kory Teneycke. Mr. Lavoie – a former spokesman for Brian Mulroney and close associate of Quebecor chief executive officer Pierre Karl Péladeau – took the reins at Sun TV after Mr. Teneycke left in an attempt to “lower the temperature” of the debate.
“When people made the comparison, calling us Fox News North, they were totally mistaken,” Mr. Lavoie said on Friday. “The philosophy behind this was not to be Fox News ... it was to be an offshoot of the Sun Media culture.”
That includes mimicking the “irreverent” and “provocative” tone of the Sun newspapers Quebecor owns, he said. Sun Media journalists will also be expected to contribute to the network, shooting video and doing on-air commentary while working on stories for the paper. (Sun TV is a joint partnership of Quebecor divisions Sun Media Corp., which publishes newspapers across the country, and TVA Group Inc., which runs its broadcast operations.)
But Mr. Lavoie acknowledged the channel did take some inspiration from Fox News in its mix of reporting and punditry. The channel plans news reports during the day, with more commentary in the prime time hours, beginning at 5 p.m.
Sun TV has already hired conservative activist and Sun newspaper columnist Ezra Levant; former Canwest (now Postmedia) reporter David Akin; current Corus talk radio host Charles Adler; and former CBC reporter Krista Erickson, among others. More hiring announcements are on the way, Mr. Lavoie said.
The company is currently constructing the network’s main studio, in downtown Toronto close to the Toronto Sun offices, which will also house a second studio. Others will be built in Ottawa, Calgary, and likely Edmonton.
Sun TV had originally requested a license that would obligate cable and satellite companies to carry it on their services. That was rejected; and Sun TV tried again, asking for a standard license with the exception that distributors would have to offer it to customers on at least one of their packages, in the first three years. In early October, Mr. Péladeau said the company would withdraw that request, and ask for a standard Category 2 license.
“We welcome a diversity of voices. We want to have as much news out there as possible, as many different voices,” CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said on Friday. “As a Category 2 license, there’s absolutely no problem. If their original application had been in this format, we would have sent it [the license] to them by return mail, basically.”
In a statement, Mr. Péladeau welcomed the CRTC decision, calling it “the dawn of a new era for Canadian news media.”
Friday, November 26, 2010
G20 Police officers not at fault for injuries during protests: SIU.
Brendan Latimer was knocked down by a herd of fellow protesters during a G20 demonstration at Queen’s Park.
Lying on the ground, police moved in and arrested the delivery worker. That’s when one of the officers allegedly struck him in the face, causing a fracture.
The 19-year-old’s case is one of six from the June G20 summit that has been probed by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit.
On Thursday, the agency announced no charges will be laid against police officers for injuries to civilians during the G20 protests.
In Latimer’s case, the agency interviewed nine witness officers from the Toronto Police Services as well a civilians. SIU director Ian Scott concluded that while there was “reasonable ground” to believe excessive force was used, they were unable to tell which officer caused his injuries.
“I’m let down, I’m very frustrated,” said Latimer, who says he also suffered two broken ribs and a deep cut to his head.
“They spent all this money installing cameras and surveillance devices . . . I’m enraged that they could use that stuff to catch protesters but not to catch police.
“It just seems like a double standard,” he added.
The SIU has a mandate to probe incidents involving police that result in death, allegations of sexual assault or serious injury.
Frank Phillips, an SIU spokesperson, said that only six complaints from the G20 were investigated by his agency because, “these cases met our mandate of serious injury.”
Dorian Barton, 29, was at a demonstration near University Ave. and College St. when he turned around to take pictures of mounted police officers with his cellphone. He was allegedly taken to the ground by a male anti-riot officer and suffered a fracture to his right arm.
Like Latimer, the officer could not be identified. Scott also said that Barton could not fully explain how the injury occurred.
“I ended up suffering a lot because of what happened to me and it’s frustrating no one is going to be held accountable,” said Barton.
In another incident, a YouTube video titled “Toronto G20, Peaceful Protester Tackled and Roughed Up,” shows Adam Nobody being chased by a group of about six uniformed police officers.
He is then tackled to the ground.
Because the officers all wore identical helmets and uniforms, it was impossible to identify which one is responsible for causing a fracture below Nobody’s right eye, said Scott.
Two officers were identified as having something to do with the incident, but exercised their rights, declining an interview with the SIU.
Nobody, 27, also alleged that two plainclothes officers took him behind a van, and repeatedly kicked him in the head. Scott said he found “no corroborative evidence.”
“It’s disappointing that the SIU felt that they were unable to get sufficient evidence to lay charges against any of the officers given the fact that all six of the complainants investigated did receive serious injuries,” said Toronto lawyer Peter Rosenthal.
“One would have thought the SIU would have been able to identify some of the officers.”
The Star recently ran a series of investigative reports examining a lack of results and accountability for police officers probed by the SIU over two decades. The series, “Above the Law,” found evidence that Ontario’s criminal justice system heavily favours police and concluded that officers are often treated far differently than civilians when accused of shooting, beating and running over and killing people.
“The record of the SIU has not been very good at pursuing charges against officers who have seriously injured people,” added Rosenthal.
Norm Morcos, whose complaint was also being investigated, said he wasn’t surprised. But not because the SIU was ineffective.
“The (SIU) officers I was dealing with were diligent and motivated,” said Morcos, who suffered a hand fracture, possibly from a police baton, while being corralled at Queen’s Park during the summit.
“I did not think that it would be likely that police officers would come forward and identify themselves as having contributed to my injury,” he said.
Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack said it’s important to remember there were officers from across the country who came in to police the G20, “not just ours.” Responding to the SIU’s conclusions, he said: “Mr. Scott put it the best. There was insufficient evidence for him to the lay the charges.”
For Brendan Latimer, it’s all very frustrating.
“Just to know that they can say ‘Yes, we know this happened, but there’s nothing we can do about it,’ ” he said.
“If they can’t do anything about it, who can?”
Lying on the ground, police moved in and arrested the delivery worker. That’s when one of the officers allegedly struck him in the face, causing a fracture.
The 19-year-old’s case is one of six from the June G20 summit that has been probed by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit.
On Thursday, the agency announced no charges will be laid against police officers for injuries to civilians during the G20 protests.
In Latimer’s case, the agency interviewed nine witness officers from the Toronto Police Services as well a civilians. SIU director Ian Scott concluded that while there was “reasonable ground” to believe excessive force was used, they were unable to tell which officer caused his injuries.
“I’m let down, I’m very frustrated,” said Latimer, who says he also suffered two broken ribs and a deep cut to his head.
“They spent all this money installing cameras and surveillance devices . . . I’m enraged that they could use that stuff to catch protesters but not to catch police.
“It just seems like a double standard,” he added.
The SIU has a mandate to probe incidents involving police that result in death, allegations of sexual assault or serious injury.
Frank Phillips, an SIU spokesperson, said that only six complaints from the G20 were investigated by his agency because, “these cases met our mandate of serious injury.”
Dorian Barton, 29, was at a demonstration near University Ave. and College St. when he turned around to take pictures of mounted police officers with his cellphone. He was allegedly taken to the ground by a male anti-riot officer and suffered a fracture to his right arm.
Like Latimer, the officer could not be identified. Scott also said that Barton could not fully explain how the injury occurred.
“I ended up suffering a lot because of what happened to me and it’s frustrating no one is going to be held accountable,” said Barton.
In another incident, a YouTube video titled “Toronto G20, Peaceful Protester Tackled and Roughed Up,” shows Adam Nobody being chased by a group of about six uniformed police officers.
He is then tackled to the ground.
Because the officers all wore identical helmets and uniforms, it was impossible to identify which one is responsible for causing a fracture below Nobody’s right eye, said Scott.
Two officers were identified as having something to do with the incident, but exercised their rights, declining an interview with the SIU.
Nobody, 27, also alleged that two plainclothes officers took him behind a van, and repeatedly kicked him in the head. Scott said he found “no corroborative evidence.”
“It’s disappointing that the SIU felt that they were unable to get sufficient evidence to lay charges against any of the officers given the fact that all six of the complainants investigated did receive serious injuries,” said Toronto lawyer Peter Rosenthal.
“One would have thought the SIU would have been able to identify some of the officers.”
The Star recently ran a series of investigative reports examining a lack of results and accountability for police officers probed by the SIU over two decades. The series, “Above the Law,” found evidence that Ontario’s criminal justice system heavily favours police and concluded that officers are often treated far differently than civilians when accused of shooting, beating and running over and killing people.
“The record of the SIU has not been very good at pursuing charges against officers who have seriously injured people,” added Rosenthal.
Norm Morcos, whose complaint was also being investigated, said he wasn’t surprised. But not because the SIU was ineffective.
“The (SIU) officers I was dealing with were diligent and motivated,” said Morcos, who suffered a hand fracture, possibly from a police baton, while being corralled at Queen’s Park during the summit.
“I did not think that it would be likely that police officers would come forward and identify themselves as having contributed to my injury,” he said.
Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack said it’s important to remember there were officers from across the country who came in to police the G20, “not just ours.” Responding to the SIU’s conclusions, he said: “Mr. Scott put it the best. There was insufficient evidence for him to the lay the charges.”
For Brendan Latimer, it’s all very frustrating.
“Just to know that they can say ‘Yes, we know this happened, but there’s nothing we can do about it,’ ” he said.
“If they can’t do anything about it, who can?”
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse will try to block the Canada Revenue Agency's efforts to obtain volumes of client records as Ottawa cracks down on Canadians suspected of hiding money overseas.
MONTREAL — Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse will try to block the Canada Revenue Agency's efforts to obtain volumes of client records as Ottawa cracks down on Canadians suspected of hiding money overseas.
Bank officials tell QMI Agency it won't hand over 500 boxes of documents because it's not required to do so under Canadian law. Credit Suisse adds the Canadian government's request is too broad, and it has filed an injunction in Toronto Federal Court to stop the request.
"Canadian law requires certain conditions to be met before CRA can issue such a request and we do not believe that those legal conditions have been satisfied," the bank said in a statement. "Furthermore, we are very concerned about the personal and financial privacy interests of our clients."
The bank says no money was ever hidden in Credit Suisse accounts, though a Canadian citizen has confessed to sheltering money from tax officials after transferring it from the bank.
The client told tax officials that he conducted the transaction on advice from a financial adviser at another bank. Credit Suisse shut down its Canadian private banking offices in 1998.
CRA has until Saturday to tell the court if it will contest Credit Suisse’s injunction. A department spokesman had no comment Tuesday.
A total of 3,000 Canadians have admitted to tax evasion since last year and have paid out $138 million. Most said they hid money overseas through the UBS and HSBC banking groups.
Reports say another 1,800 Canadians might be hiding millions in Switzerland.
Under Swiss law, Swiss banks can't be forced to reveal the names of Canadians who hold accounts in the European country. Canada can ask about specific account holders but only if it assembles evidence in Canada of possible wrongdoing.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a treaty with his Swiss counterpart to allow the two countries to exchange tax information for future tax years.
The deal will apply to individuals who earn taxable income in either country.
Bank officials tell QMI Agency it won't hand over 500 boxes of documents because it's not required to do so under Canadian law. Credit Suisse adds the Canadian government's request is too broad, and it has filed an injunction in Toronto Federal Court to stop the request.
"Canadian law requires certain conditions to be met before CRA can issue such a request and we do not believe that those legal conditions have been satisfied," the bank said in a statement. "Furthermore, we are very concerned about the personal and financial privacy interests of our clients."
The bank says no money was ever hidden in Credit Suisse accounts, though a Canadian citizen has confessed to sheltering money from tax officials after transferring it from the bank.
The client told tax officials that he conducted the transaction on advice from a financial adviser at another bank. Credit Suisse shut down its Canadian private banking offices in 1998.
CRA has until Saturday to tell the court if it will contest Credit Suisse’s injunction. A department spokesman had no comment Tuesday.
A total of 3,000 Canadians have admitted to tax evasion since last year and have paid out $138 million. Most said they hid money overseas through the UBS and HSBC banking groups.
Reports say another 1,800 Canadians might be hiding millions in Switzerland.
Under Swiss law, Swiss banks can't be forced to reveal the names of Canadians who hold accounts in the European country. Canada can ask about specific account holders but only if it assembles evidence in Canada of possible wrongdoing.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a treaty with his Swiss counterpart to allow the two countries to exchange tax information for future tax years.
The deal will apply to individuals who earn taxable income in either country.
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