Viva Talks of Returning to Work

Recently the Viva bus system in York Region has gone on strike leaving 35,000 passenger without transport. As of this morning there has been talk that on Wednesday there will be a meeting to discuss the terms in which would need to be met to get the bus drivers working again. Veolia is one of four private companies that operate transit for York Region for about $90 million a year. Viva represents about a third of the overall York ridership. This morning labour minister Peter Fonseca said that he hopes the moderator of the meeting can get the buses running again. However, there will not be a back-to-work legislation as there was one last spring when the Toronto Transit Commission went on strike. Fonseca said that the back-to-work legislation is only used in extreme circumstances and this does not count as one.

I personally do not ride the Viva very often but I can understand that many people rely on it as a main mode of transportation. This is very good news for anyone who was affected by the strike. This would affect more then just the people riding the bus but would also affect everyone that those people worked for since they could possibly not go to work. This would also force many people to drive cars rather then take public transportation, which in turn would be worse for the environment.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/508212

Dead Sea Scrolls

Today it has been reported that five Dead Sea Scrolls will be at the Royal Ontario Museum for display within the next year. "Sixteen ancient scrolls - including the five - form the core of an exhibition on the earliest known copies of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible, discovered by Bedouin goat-herders near the Dead Sea in what is now Israel in 1947." The showing of these scrolls is scheduled to run next June 27th and run for six months. Of course with such a showing there will be extra special security settings around the ROM. Each scroll even has its own first class seat on its way to Ontario, in the plane. The texts of these scrolls include fragments from the books, Genesis, Deuteronomy and Psalms, as well as more obscure sectarian documents such as “Community Rule,” “War Scroll” and “Messianic Apocalypse.” These scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in 11 different caves on the north shore of the Dead Sea. These scrolls will teach us about early Judaism and Christianity.

I think that the fact that us Torontonians have a chance to see such a great exhibition is fantastic. It is truly amazing to see such texts that were created so long ago. I also think that these scrolls are important to not only Christianity and Judaism but also every religion around the world. They may possibly explain certain links between religions and may help people better understand the basis of many religions.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/News/article/505241

Slow Down to Global Warming

A team of Canadian researchers have just discovered the most ancient ice ever found in North America. This ice is 700,000 years old. Experts say that due to this new find we can understand that this permafrost does not release its carbon as fast as we used to think. Although this does not throw the idea of global warming away it does tell us that it in fact may be a slower process than once thought. Since the ice has been dated back to over 700,000 years, this means that it has not melted during two periods where scientists thought the Earth was warmer then today. These scientists say that their discovery does not mean to tell people to forget about global warming, because it may still cause a serious impact on the early, especially in the North. Several climate models predict significant melting of permafrost in the coming decades, or by the end of the century. However it now appears that it might take longer then that.

I think that this is a fantastic discovery to Canada. It is a great find and I'm sure many Canadian's, as well as anyone around the world is happy to know that we will have more time to slow down global warming. I, myself do not personally believe very strongly in global warming. I think that although it is partially our fault for polluting our planet, I still think that some part of it is some how happening naturally.

Soure: Globe and Mail "Discover waters down fears of fast-melting ice" Article. Issue: Friday Sept 19. 2008

Canadian Gas Price Drops

Gas seems to be a very popular topic in the news today. However today, instead of the usual spike in gas prices, us Canadians finally see a lower gas price. The gas prices across the country have lowered as much as five cents a litre, which although may not seem like alot compared to the thirteen cents increase previously, it is still very good news! The average price of gasoline in Canada is at about $1.31/L which is five cents lower then days previous to Thursday. Lucky enough for us Torontonians, gas should be hitting as low as $1.10/L and $1.09/L, which is the lowest across the country. Vancouver and other areas in BC are still suffering with prices as high as $1.40/L. The main reason for the large spike last week in Canadian gas prices was Hurricane Ike, which struck the US in areas that contain 50% of the oil refineries. However, hopefully soon enough gas prices should slowly start to decrease once again.

I think that gasoline prices is a very "hot" topic in Canadian society right now. It seems ridiculous that we are paying suck crazy prices just for gas, considering that the price for crude oil is at $100 a barrel. I think it especially outrageous that the decisions of what the price should be are being made by people who by on means should be making the decision. They have no real reasons for keeping the prices so high, even when the price for crude oil is relatively cheap. I also think that the gas being as high as it is, might have a positive factor. I think these high gas prices will encourage people into investing in Hybrid cars, which will save lots of money as well as saving our environment.

http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/377291

Bloody Day for Toronto

Yesterday, September 16th was a tragic day for Toronto. Three people were killed in an 8 hour span in four separate areas. The first attack happened in Toronto's east end outside of Bendale Business Institute, when a 16 year old boy Taimone Moore, however Taimone had surgery later in the day and did not die. The second attack happened in Mississauga when Paramprit Dhinsa a 23 year old man was shot outside of an apartment waiting in his car for his girlfriend. Later in that day another boy was shot at the Jane and Finch area as well as a man was stabbed near Kennedy and Sheaperd, both attacks resulting in the death of the victim. These three attacks brought a dark day to Toronto.

It is quite obvious that this was a very tragic day for Toronto. But the better assumption is that what are we really doing to fight these crimes. How is it possible that four attacks can happen in one day. I think there should be more of an effort to stop the current crimes that are happening in Toronto. Although it is easier said then done I think there should be more of an effort to stop guns entering the GTA and to stop teen crime rates. I think there should also be more programs set up to keep kids off of the street.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/500579

Cell Phones as bad as Alcohol to Drivers

Ontario doctors recently notify the public of the severe risks of car accidents while talking on a cellular phone. "Mobile phone use effects a driver's cognitive function, visual concentration, speed of processing information and reaction time." says the Ontario Medical Association. This study does not only relate to using a cellphones by holding it to your head but you are also effected when using hands free or by using an earpiece. In 2005 there were 766 fatalities and 71,850 injuries due to vehicle collisions, although it isn't known how many of these can be linked do direct cellphone use. Cellphones while driving are banned in Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as five states and 30 countries. The study also proves that cellphone use while driving is the same as driving at the legal alcohol limit. Research also found that that cellphone use while driving lessened the drivers field of view, changed driving speed, slowed response to traffic lights and changed the distance between other drivers.

I think that although driving while using a cellphone might seem to be such a problem, I do not really think that it is avoidable. Many people need to use their phones especially if they are driving long distances. I do not think they should be banned however I think that drivers should monitor their use better then they currently do. Cellphones may cause a problem but at many times they are needed for emergency purposes. A way to solve this problem would to have an emergency line that could be called, so that the driver will only pick up on that line. In conclusion I agree that cellphones are becoming a problem to today's drivers however I still think that they are needed and should not be banned due to emergency circumstances.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080914.wcellphonedrive0914/BNStory/Technology/home

Supreme Court Orders Questioning Changes For Youth

Recently the Supreme Court of Canada has enforced a new rule stating that interrogators of youth offenders must word questions in a way that the youth being questioned can understand. This meaning that each youth will most likely be questioned differently. The reason for this being is that not every person will understand certain things they are being told, such as their rights, the same. Factors that affect this include language and learning disabilities. The reason that this was brought up to the SCOC was due to a recent case of a boy from Nova Scotia who had been charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harmed. The boy was questioned immediately by police, however after reviewing the tape the Court was not really sure if the boy even understood the rights he had. "An individualized, objective approach must take into account the level of sophistication of the young person and other personal characteristics relevant to their understanding," says the ruling. This forces police to take into consideration the age and sophistication of youth they are questioning. In the case of the boy from Nova Scotia previous to his questioning his mother had explained to the police that her son had a learning disability and even during questioning her son relied on her to explain each question he was being asked. The interrogator does not need to contact parents or teacher but should determine the youths level of understanding on his/her own.

I believe that this will be a very effective law in Canada. I also think that alot of problems that teens face when under questioning aside from being scared is that fact that they probably do not understand everything they are being told, or questioned. I think this way will ensure the police are going to get the answers they need as well as the youth not being confused, and saying false facts. In turn this should both better the youth and police ends of the problem.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/09/11/scoc-lth-case.html

Green Party Exclusion

Leader of the Green party Elizabeth May is fully ready to challenge the courts for the exclusion of the Green party in an upcoming televised debate, prior to the election. The four other party leaders all being men raises the question of a sexist decision. At least this is the way many people take this situation. May calls this decision which was made by her four political rivals and major broadcasting stations an "anti-democratic and sexist" decision. Leaders Jack Layton and Stephen Harper were two of the leaders who threatened to pull out of the debate if May was included. Stéphane Dion did not threaten to pull out because of May but he said that if Harper pulled out he would as well. A spokesman for Gilles Duceppe said that he would have participated in the debate regardless of May's attendance. When asked why they had made the decision to exclude May she was told that it was better to only include the Four major political parties and that it was in the interest of Canadians.

I believe that this was a very sexist and unjust decision made. I think that as long as she is a political leader there is no reason for her to be excluded from a debate. This raises a question of whether or not the other leaders are sexist, as well as many Television stations. However, I do think that regardless of her attendance the debate should still go on, it is an important part to the upcoming election and regardless of the decision to exclude her, what has been done is done, so May should move on and accept what has happened.

http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/495684

Hybrid Cars Constantly Improving

More then one obvious solution has been offered to the constant problem of gas prices, and pollution due to driving in Canada. The largest and most obvious being hybrid cars, cars that run partially on electrictiy and partially on gasoline. The most popular of these cars being the Toyota Prius. After doing the proper math it is found that many of these cars, although their high original cost, will inturn save a driver a great amount of money. As well as being more fuel efficient they save the environment from many harmful emmisions produced by gasoline or diesel powered vehicles. However, it is not fair to say these vehicles will always guarantee to save money and save fuel, it really depends on the driving style of the owner. These cars are mainly beneficial for a stop-go-stop driving that is common in cities.

I believe that hybrid cars will soon take over the majority of cars on the road. With the quickly rising gas prices a hybrid car seems to be the right alternative. Although they seem almost fool proof I do not believe they may appeal to everyone. For example if someone who does alot of long distant highway driving these cars may actually cost more money, since most of the electricity only is used in slow driving. In conclusion I thinkt hat despite a view downsides the hybrid cars are beneficial for drivers in Canada.

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