Gas Price Drops

The price of gas dropped on Wednesday Morning in the GTA. The average drop in price was 3 cents per litre. That means the regular gasoline in the GTA costs a total of $1.19 per litre. A survey of gas prices in Canada leads to a country-wide average of $1.25 per litre. At the same time, the United States are paying a record high average of $3.60 per gallon, this converts to $0.96 Cdn per litre.

This is unfair for the united states to be playing an average of $0.30 cheaper than Canada. As it is Canada is paying less than many countries internationally. I don't think that this should be tolerated. One of the main reasons for the low gas prices in the United States is because they declare war on countries that have resources such as oil. The prices of gas should not be dependent on the size of a military and the willingness to invade.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/04/30/gta-gas.html

More Patients to Receive Healthcare at Home

Ontario will soon be introducing a new plan to free up emergency rooms by reducing the number of patients. This "comprehensive strategy" plans to reduce the number of patients who are taking up hospital beds when they can receive the needed care at home, the new plan will include releasing patients that are not in need of beds to their homes and allowing care to be received at individual residences.
I think that this is a great idea. It has taken the province a long time to come up with a plan and i think that this one has the ability to become very successful. If the patients are able to be properly cared for at home, this allows people with immediate issues to have rooms available. If this plan can be introduced properly, it has the makings of an excellent solution to waiting times in emergency rooms.


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/04/24/emergency-health.html

Toronto Moves Against Gun Violence without Ottawa's Help

Ontario is considering implementing a law that would give police the right to impound vehicles and strip citizens of their license if they are caught with illegal firearms in the vehicle. The city is planning to implement this as a potential tool to combat the gun violence in the city. They are creating this rule as they have not received help from Ottawa to impose a full hand gun ban. If this bill is passed, it will give Ontario partial control over handgun use. Mayor David Miller, has long asked for a handgun ban, and says that incidents of gun violence can't be properly enforced without a total ban. Miller has posted a petition online calling for the federal conservatives to ban all handguns, this petition had 16,000 names as of Wednesday morning.

This is an excellent initiative on the part of the city of Toronto. In the past few years, there has been much issue directed towards the gun violence in our city and it is good to see the municipal and provincial governments take a forwards stance on this issue. Although it will not completely end the problem, it will deter the use of illegally obtained handguns and work as a temporary patch the the issue, until a ban on all handguns can be enacted.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/04/10/ont-guns.html

Red Light Penalties

Toronto is determined to crack down on motorists that run red lights. On Wednesday, the public work's committee for the city voted on Wednesday to ask the provincial minister of transportation for stricter new penalties and fines for motorists that run red lights. The city of Toronto also plans to increase the number of red light cameras to 100 intersections with cameras, this is triple the previous amount. The councillors also want the fines for running a red light to be increase from the current $180 to a $500 fine. The councillors also plan to ask the province for an increase in demerit points and the suspension of drivers that are repeat offenders or drivers that cause injuries by committing the offense.

I think that this is completely acceptable to increase the penalties as it is a very dangerous act. By implementing stricter penalties it will deter motorists from running lights and putting themselves as well as other citizens in danger. As a new driver, I would feel much safer if the motorists that are repeat offenders of driving through a red light are removed of their privileges to drive, it makes the roads safer and protects from dangerous motoring.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/04/09/red-light.html

Cold Reception For Olympic Torch

On Sunday, the Olympic torch arrived in London as part of the relay to Beijing. It was greeted by protesters against the Chinese government's human rights record and the recent crackdown in Tibet. These tried to stop the torch from reaching its destination. The activists frequently got past Chinese officials as was as British police making attempts to put out the torch using a fire extinguisher as well as one attempt made by 3 protesters that got into a relay bus holding Olympic gold medalist, Steve Redgrave. One protester was even able to grab a hold of the torch before police officers wrestled him off the torch. Police say a total of 37 arrests were made.
Although I do not sanction the Chinese government suppressing Tibet through force, i do not believe that economic events should interfere with the Olympic games. The games are around to celebrate the success of each country's success in sport, it is unfair to remove the chance to compete here from the athletes that have trained hard to make it to this level. If it is necessary and if people feel strongly enough that the Olympics should be boycotted this year and the Chinese government stopped, there is the opportunity to do so, however, that opportunity is not available here in this ceremonial event of the Olympics.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2008/04/06/oly-torch.html?ref=rss