So what is the Bombardier #C-Series anyway?

It’s a nice looking jet and it’s great to see that a #Canadian company may possibly compete with the likes of #Airbus and #Boeing. Seating between 100 – 149 seats and leaving a smaller environmental footprint I dare to say that maybe “less is more”. With the rumors of Porter Airlines purchasing these jets it will be interesting to see what happens in the long-term. Will they expand Billy Bishop Airport? Will these planes fly out of Montreal? Maybe, with the new Airport link, they will fly out of Pearson? What about Hamilton, Oshawa Airport or Buttonville? We will have to wait and see what actually happens today at the announcement. Hopefully the Bombardier C-Series will shake up the industry. Maybe we are just a bit nostalgic over the prominent days of the Avro Arrow and Canada being on top once again.

By: @iammannyj

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The Bombardier CSeries is a family of narrow-body, twin-engine, medium-range jet airliners that are being developed by Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace. Models are the 110-seat CS100, and the 130-seat CS300. These were initially named C110 and C130, respectively. In November 2012, Bombardier announced that the CS100 would take its maiden flight in June 2013 and enter service in 2014. 

To learn more about the CSeries go to http://cseries.com/info/en/

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Is it too late for RIM?

English: Screenshot from the upcoming Bold 9900 / 9930 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RIM seems to be broken and customers in North America are leaving Blackberry for Google Android and Apple iPhones. There Playbook, albeit a great device, seems to be lost in a sea of tablets and obscurity. So what is RIM to do now? It seems that they are taking their time. Moving slowly towards a goal. BB10 will be a great OS and will provide Blackberry users with the update they need, however it seems that RIM is in slow motion; in an industry moving at lightning speed. We have already heard word that the first BB10 phone will not come with their signature keyboard, which some feel is suicide; a keyboard version not coming until 2013. We still don’t even have a release date. We want the best for RIM and they have a network, with software services, that other players covet. The only positive note is for RIM is the move by Microsoft to produce their own device; upsetting their OEM manufacturers. Google buying Motorola and potentially going it alone; now releasing updates about their Nexus 7. The question, is it too little too late for RIM?

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The omnibus bill – Canadians keeping their head in the sand literally for summer vacation

Colina do Parlamento / Parliament Hill (Photo credit: Marcio Cabral de Moura)

A voting marathon that could keep members of Parliament chained to their desks around the clock is set to unfold in the Commons as opposition parties try to thwart passage of the Conservatives’ massive budget bill.

Opposition MPs are challenging the Harper government’s parliamentary majority this week with hundreds of proposed amendments to Bill C-38, the 425-page budget implementation legislation that revises approximately 70 federal laws.

The far-reaching omnibus bill will touch on nearly every aspect of Canada’s public affairs, and the Liberals, NDP and Green Party say its size makes a mockery of MPs’ duties to vet legislation and hold the government accountable.

Read more from the Toronto Star

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• C-38: ‘Mr. Speaker, let us do the right thing’ (macleans.ca)
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Has our world gone upside down? False allegations against teachers and why it’s not like the old days anymore

Has our world gone upside down? False allegations against teachers and why it’s not like the old days anymore

We expect teachers to be educators, psychologist and the parent. However what do you do when children make false allegations?

A substitute teacher, was investigated after a student made false allegations over a banana. Unfortunately there is no middle ground and common sense. One false accusation will destroy a teacher. We hardly even have male teachers in school. There must be consequences for false allegations, however what is the solution? Is education like the good old days? Maybe we need video camera‘s in the class? What do we do about parachute parents or bad teachers?

Read more

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ONTARIO AMBER ALERT! Joshua Low

THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE HAS REQUESTED AN “AMBER ALERT” FOR AN ABDUCTED CHILD IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA.

TORONTO, April 21, 2012 /CNW/ –

Victim’s name: Joshua LOW

Date of Birth: 28 April 2003 (8 years of age)

Physical Description: Oriental
Height- 4 ft
Weight- 40-45 lbs
Hair color– Black
Eye color– Brown

Clothing: Last seen wearing dark hooded sweat shirt, blue and yellow shoes.

Believed to be in the company of: “Jessica” Yi Qing LOW-ZHEN

Date of Birth: 28 August 1966 (45 years of age)

Physical Description: Oriental
Height- 5 ft 1″
Weight- Thin build
Hair color- Long black hair
Eye color- Brown

Click here for photos and more details from the Toronto Police Services

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Unnatural Selection and killing off girls in Indo-Canadian / Asian Families

With all of the controversy over a the Washington Center for Reproductive Medicine, I thought it would be good to look at the following book. Remember the movie Gattaca? Unlike those who believe in “weeding out imperfection”, what happens in communities that prefer boys or girls? Please take time to read and review the following book “Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls, and the Consequences of a World Full of Men”.

Book: Unnatural Selection

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Embarrassed to sing “O Canada”? It’s only a ”Pittance in Time”!

national Flag of Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Toronto Catholic District School Board had to pass new guidelines, forcing students to “sing” O’Canada. I just listened to the news and heard students state that they will not sing “O Canada“, or that they were “embarrassed” to sing it. Also heard one say “I will not be singing it because its my right not to”, with a very disturbing tone. How did we get to this point? What happened to our patriotism? Do we care about Canada? It’s only a “Pittance in Time”, to those who fought and died so we could enjoy it. Just saying!

Read more “Students must sing O Canada, school board rules”

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Oprah in Toronto

Oprah Winfrey in Denmark on 30 September 2009 to promote Chicago as Olympic host (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Die-hard fans lined up at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to see Oprah Winfrey bring her life-class north of the border. The event had motivational speaker Tony Robbins, spiritual healer Deepak Chopra, Iyanla Vanzant and Bishop T.D. Jakes. The event aimed to inspire and help individuals change their world.  It was the first-ever Canadian broadcast and it will air live on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

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Have you seen missing teen Michelle Yu

Michelle Yu, 18, has been missing since Tuesday

Toronto police are seeking the public’s help in locating Michelle Yu, an 18-year-old who has been missing since Tuesday.

Police say she was last seen at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the TD Bank at 354 Bay St., near Temperance Street. Her image was captured on the bank’s security camera and she appeared to be alone. Members of her family say this is not the bank branch Michelle regularly uses.

She was also seen at around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the York Mills Road/Chipstead Road area.

Read more

Rogers Video no more, time to get an Apple TV device

The 2nd generation Apple TV (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rogers Video no more, time to get an Apple TV device

Are you looking to rent a movie? Apple TV makes the process simple and easy. You also get access to a host of other bonus features. With Rogers Video officially putting an end to their video stores it’s now time for you to consider alternatives. Devices like an ATV can help to mitigate the transition. Straight from Apple’s website “The new Apple TV with 1080p HD gives you access to the best content — blockbuster movies, TV shows, sports, your music and photos and more — right on your widescreen TV. You can even play content from your iOS devices on your TV using AirPlay. Best of all, Apple TV is just $109″. It connects to Netflix, Vimeo, YouTube, WSJ and other services. I’ve had it for 2+ years and have no complaints.

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Qatar Airways keen to expand in Canada

Qatar Airways keen to expand in Canada

The CEO of Qatar Airways has said he is struggling to secure more landing rights to boost services to Canada.
Akbar Al Baker said in a speech in Montreal that Canadians deserved a better airline service to the Middle East but government restrictions were hindering progress.

“Qatar is of course interested in forging even closer ties with Canada but we are struggling with being granted additional landing rights,”

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Is it time to open the skies in Canada and allow U.S carriers?

Air Canada Boeing 747-133 C-FTOC at Zurich International Airport (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is it time to open the skies in Canada and allow U.S carriers?

Despite the issues pilots have with their employer, Air Canada, the issues today are showing the serious flaws in Canada’s transportation system. Air Canada, like the photo, is starting to look old and out-dated. There are alternatives for trips to Montreal, Ottawa and other locations; using Porter or WestJet, however other remote and specific locations are leaving Canadians hanging. People are upset and rightly so. There is a dependency in Canada, on Air Canada. However, there are a not a full list of choices. I am sure Buffalo Niagara is seeing an increase and maybe it’s time to get other carriers in Canada. Our Federal policies prevent an American, or other carrier, from flying within Canada. Air Canada is taking a big hit and Canadians are angry. The Conservatives, now with a majority, may take notice. We have underutilized airports in Hamilton, London and even Oshawa. Is it time to open the skies?What do you say?

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