Tim Hortons Employee Fired

Nicole Lilliman, a 27-year-old mother of four children has been fired from her job at Tim Hortons after she gave away a free Timbit to a baby. The retail value of the Timbit is $0.16, however, on the day following the incident, her manager called her into the backroom of her Tim Hortons and made her sign a letter of termination stating that she had given away the Timbit. The woman had had aspirations to become a supervisor at Tim Hortons however her hopes were soon dashed after being fired. She is now in search of work that will enabled her to provide for her children.

This is an extreme way of dealing with this issue. The mother was simply trying to be nice and give to a young child. I understand where the manager was coming from by disciplining Mrs. Lilliman, you do not want it to become a habit of giving free food away however it is far too excessive to fire an employee over such a small thing. What should have been done in this instance is the employee called in and explained to why Timbits can not be handed out for free. If the employee was given a warning on the subject i am sure it would not happen again, it is just that in this case, the manager took the wrong course of action for the issue.

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/080508/K050808AU.html

City Of Toronto Considered High Risk Employer

The city of Toronto has been given 39 orders to correct unsafe working conditions in the second half of 2007. The orders were issued by the Ministry of Labour for unsafe excavations, guardrails, stepladders, and scaffolding. A report says that the city posted 1,924 lost-time injuries last year, up 7.7 percent in one year. In certain sectors of government work injuries have been decreasing like garbage collection, road maintenance, and fire protection but this is being overshadowed by the overall bad numbers. In 2007, the city paid workers $30.9 million in compensation up from the $29.8 million in 2006.

This is not acceptable that the City of Toronto is not a safe working environment. As Mayor David Miller has said, it is not very difficult either to provide these safe conditions, it can be as simple as having ramps, guard rails, proper scaffolding, etc. If there are poor contractors that the city is useing, they should not be rehired. Currently, there are unsafe working conditions in the City of Toronto and this ends up costing tax payers millions, something must be done in this situation and it can be very small changes.

Solar Roof For Markham Walmart

Walmart Canada has produced plans this morning to build the world's largest rooftop solar-energy system in the country. This solar-panel will be built atop the new Walmart superstore in Markham Ontario this year and has the potential to spread nationwide through the retail chain. Ontario's Ministry of Research and Innovation is donating $3 million to the project. This project will provide emission free electricity and heating to the Walmart Store, this can end up taking off 390 tonnes of gas emissions per year. The contract has gone to a small local company, tool and die maker, who have been struggling in recent years.
It is great to see such a large business taking initiative in eco-friendly energy options and supporting local businesses. Even though i am not a supporter of Walmart, it is good to see that they are looking into new types of technology to help the environment as well as supporting local businesses like Tool and Die Maker, as these are two prominent problems in our world and economy today.

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/428983

Cyclist Dies After Injuries Sustained

On Thursday, a 57-year-old cyclist died after sustaining injuries from being hit by a cube van. The events took place at around 1 p.m. when the cyclist was traveling along Eglinton Avenue. The occupant of a parked car along the roadside opened his driver side door. The cyclist collided with the open door, lost control and fell onto the road where he was hit by a cube van. The man died four hours later in hospital.

This is a tragic occurrence and very unfortunate to have happened. This incident seemed to have been an accident and somewhat of a fluke, however the driver of the parked car should have been more aware of what was going on around him. I would say that the blame falls on his shoulders as he should have been watching when he opened the door. Riding a bike quickly on the road the cyclist would not have had adequate time to react. People should be more aware of the events taking place around them including things like opening the door of a parked car.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/05/23/cyclist-death.html

New Powerplant

A new power plant is set to open on Toronto's waterfront. The Portland Energy Centre has two natural gas turbines, these turbines will be tested until the planned opening on June 1st. This power plant is expected to supply around one quarter of Toronto's overall energy needs. The power lines coming from Pickering are just about maxed out and the city was warned that they could face brownouts, this problem however will be resolved upon completion of the plant. In addition to the two gas turbines, an additional turbine will be introduced in the fall that will run off steam from the heat of the first two turbines. Some criticts like Greg Bosner tried to stop the plant from being built in this area and instead build up the parks and recreations aspect for the neighborhood.

Although i think this is a great idea to build a new power plant to supply energy to our growing city, and i think that it is also smart to have another turbine run off the heat of the previous two to save energy and resources i agree with Greg Bosner. To build the power plant on the lake front is in my opinion a mistake. It could have been built in another location more removed and inland so that this area could be developed for parks purposes to aid the surrounding communities. It is good that a new plant is being built to stop the energy crisis the city is in but it should have been built elsewhere.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/05/23/portlands-energy.html

Parents Charged in Infant Abandonment

A thirty-year old couple has been charged for abandoning their baby daughter in a freezing parking garage back in January. In January, the 11 month old baby was found by a passer-by lying face down on the concrete in -14 C weather with minor cuts and bruises on the face. The baby is now in a foster home and the parents are being charged with a number of things under the criminal code including, failing to provide the necessities of life, abandoning a child under the age of 10, assault causing bodily harm and criminal negligence. The parents have been found through tips and have moved to Kitchener in April, following the events.

If in fact the parents charged turn out to be guilty of abandoning their child, then i think that they should be punished harshly. It is a horrible thing to abandon a defenseless infant to a sure death. The parents should be held accountable for this crime and should be punished accordingly.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/05/22/angelica-leslie.html

Man Turned Down On Award

A man was recently turned down for his $300,000 lawsuit against Culligan of Canada Ltd. after he found a fly in his water bottle. The man claims that after his experience with the water bottle he had trouble sleeping, working and his sex life even went down. The man has been assessed by a number of doctors that say he now has sevre depression, anxiety and phobias of flies. The man was after a lengthy trial turned down for this lawsuit.
This is insane that this man could get severe depression over such a small thing like a fly in a water bottle. This is taking things to the extreme and i find it extremely hard to believe that a man could conceive so many issues from such an insignificant problem. I understand that it is not very pleasant to find a fly in your water bottle, however to claim a $300,000 lawsuit against Culligan for your psychiatric problems is ridiculous and a complete waste of tax payer's dollars to bring this to court. I am glad the man did not receive compensation for this ridiculous claim.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/428663

Donkey Jailed

A Mexican Donkey is doing time in southern Mexico on charges for assault and battery. Police say the donkey was sent to a jail that is usually used for people that display public drunkenness and other public disturbances. The donkey was sent here after it reportedly bit and kicked two people near a ranch. The donkey bit and kicked the two men giving one of them a broken ankle. Strangely enough, this is not the first time that the Chiapas have thrown animals in jail. In the past they have sent a bull to jail for devouring crops and destroying two wooden vending stands. A dog was also held in jail for twelve days before his owner agreed to pay the $18 fine.
This is ridiculous that the police force in this region of Mexcio is locking up animals. I find it absurd that they would be locked up alongside people at the cost of tax-payers money. To lock the animal up is insane, what should have been done is a charge to the owner and fine that would free up room in jails and not take up tax payers money like this.

http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/427611

Body Of Canoeist Pulled from Lake North Of Toronto

Early on Sunday Morning a canoe capsized at approximately 1:30 A.M. The canoe contained three men, all of which had been drinking and were canoing without PFD's. One of the men managed to swim to shore however the other two men ages 19 and 21 were not as lucky. One of the bodies has been recovered and the second is yet to be found.
This shows the recklessness that can be shown, alcohol and water should not be mixed, this just shows what can happen. People must be responsible in cases like this and avoid going near water after drinking and if required, use a PFD at all times.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/05/19/bodies-search.html

Yard Sale Raises Money for China Earthquake Relief

A yard Sale at an Edmonton Church on Monday allowed the Chinese community to raise relief money for victims of the south-west china earthquake. The sale included everything from clothing to household appliances. All of the money raised from the sale will be donated to china victims through the red cross.

I think that this is taking great initiative and looking out for others in our global community. Even such a small scale fund raising activity can have huge implications on the outcome. More people should follow the example that this community is showing and help others around the world in times of need such as this one.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2008/05/19/edm-china.html

Calgary Zookeeper Injured by Elephant

A Zoo worker was recently injured while cleaning an elephants viewing pen. The worker was pressed against the wall by the asian elephant, Swarna. The man was sent to hospital with cuts and bruises and has spent the day recovering. This is yet another problem that has been facing the Calgary Zoo in recent weeks following the stingray incident.
This is yet another problem that the Calgary Zoo has been facing. Although this one is not related to the public, i believe that the Zoo should introduce something to provide more protection to both animals and people. With so many issues occurring at the Zoo it is evident that something needs to be done.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2008/05/19/zoo-keeper.html

3 People Perish in Blaze

Family members mourn the sudden death of 3 victims that died in a house fire. Annette Turner, 46, Bradley Merasty, 20, and Merasty's four-month-old son all perished when their house that they had been renting caught fire. The fire took place in Cormorant, Manitoba and the RCMP are still investigating the cause to the blaze.
This is a horrible thing to have happen, and with the entire house dying it is astounding that nobody survived. Unless there were other unknown complications i think that the household should have had a plan in place in case of a fire, this could have prevented such a horrible thing from happening if all people in the house knew what to do in case of fire.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/05/19/mba-fire.html

Austrian Man Confesses To Locking up his Daughter

A 73-year-old Austrian man has recently admitted to locking up his daughter and fathering her children. The man imprisoned his daughter in a windowless cell in his basement for 24 years and fathered her seven children. He originally locked hr up at the age of 18 and repeatedly had sex with her. The man, Josef Fritzl, also admitted to incinerating a newborn baby boy after it died shortly after birth. The father brought her down the basement in 1984, drugged her and handcuffed her. Since then, 3 of the children have been raised by the father in his house and the other three never left the basement, and have never seen the sun. The cell was protected by reinforced concrete an electronic lock with a key less entry system and a soundproof door to stop her from being heard or escaping.

This is astounding that this could go on for so long that nobody noticed. I would have at least thought that the wife would have noticed and set their daughter free. It is horrible that the man has gotten away with this for so long and ruined his daughters prime life. I do not know how nobody noticed three more children appearing in the family even though the wife is not pregnant. This story is baffling and it is amazing to believe that it lasted for so long.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/04/28/austriaslave.html

Vancouver Olympics Security Cameras

Cameras that the RCMP plan to implement in Vancouver for the 2010 winter Olympics have raised some concern over privacy. This cameras will be placed in approximately 100 Olympic sites. The public has been reassured that the recordings will only be viewed by select few for the purpose of security.

I do not see this as an issue if the cameras are being placed in public areas. If the purpose of the cameras is security i am a full supporter of the plan. This is not very different from most of the major urban centres in Canada and i do not see why concern should be drawn in this instance.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/05/12/bc-olympic-security-cctv.html

RCMP Taser 82 year old

An elderly man in Kamloops, BC was tasered while in hospital. He had recently undergone bypass surgery and requires an oxygen tank to breath. While in hospital the man pulled a knife an refused to put it away. After the nurses called the RCMP, the man was subdued by taser. The man was in a delirious state and nurses say it sometimes happens when he receives a lack of oxygen.
This has become a big ordeal over tasering the 82 year old while in hospital. In this situation however, i believe that the RCMP has not enforced the law unjustly. No matter the age, the police is required to take precautions when people are endangered. The police in this case did not overreact or use excessive force and for that i think that it was the right thing to do no matter the age of the criminal.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/05/08/bc-kamloops-man-taser.html