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/

Related articles

• Porter Airlines set to announce Bombardier CSeries order: report (business.financialpost.com)
• Porter Airlines reported to be on verge of ordering first jets from Bombardier (globalnews.ca)
• Porter Airlines reportedly to buy $2B Bombardier jets (cbc.ca)

Advertisement

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

Related articles

• Elizabeth May at centre of fight against Conserative omnibus budget bill (news.nationalpost.com)
• Opposition threaten hundreds of confidence votes over omnibus Bill C-38 (canada.com)
• Opposition parties joining forces to delay passage of ‘Trojan Horse’ budget bill (news.nationalpost.com)
• C-38: ‘Mr. Speaker, let us do the right thing’ (macleans.ca)
• Omnibus Bill C-38: federal government could be tripped up during voting (vancouversun.com)

Markham is building for the future

A 2005 Van Hool newA330 stops at Warden Vivastation, in Markham, Ontario. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So Markham wants to build a 20000 seat arena and entertainment complex that will rival the Air Canada Centre. In a way it makes perfect sense. There has been a lot of talk around bringing an NHL team to Markham, however I believe Toronto residents and possibly the media have it backwards. I used to live in Markham and based on the makeup, demographics and changes in Toronto, I think it will do quite fine with or without a team. Markham is building a new downtown and the facility is part of the plan. With a large ethnic mix of Asian and South-Asian residents; along with the diversity of York Region and north Toronto, other uses are possible. It’s perfectly situated near the Unionville GO station and is well served by VIVA. I remember when prices for brownstone styled homes were listed at $400000. At the time I thought it was high, but now it seems like a bargain. Will it work, who really knows. The world does not only revolve around downtown Toronto. I believe that Markham politicians have recognized that the times are changing and they are betting that they will be on the right side of the future.

Related articles

• City of Markham votes in favour of plans for new arena (tsn.ca)
• Markham council approves massive arena (thestar.com)
• Markham council approves arena financing plan (cbc.ca)
• Markham Town Council votes 11-2 in favor of finacial framework for 20,000-seat GTA Centre (thehockeynews.com)

Progressive Conservatives beat the Wildrose easy in Alberta

Alberta votes to keep the right progressive. With the Federal Conservatives looking more like the Wildrose party and working to help the party, and not the Progressive Conservatives, has the relationship been strained?

Related articles

• Congratulations, Alberta! Uh, I think…. (behavecology.wordpress.com)
• Election Day (waddellz.wordpress.com)
• Alberta election poll shows Wildrose Party ahead (cbc.ca)

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

Related articles

• U.S. clinic offers sex selection service to Indo-Canadians (ctv.ca)
• Gender selection ad targets Indo-Canadians (onehealthyblog.wordpress.com)
• Sex selection ad in B.C. newspaper targets Indo-Canadian community (theprovince.com)
• Choose boy or girl, says fertility ad targeting local Indo-Canadian couples (theprovince.com)
• Video: Birth numbers suggest female-fetus abortions more common in Asian-Canadian communities: study (calgaryherald.com)
• Birth numbers suggest female-fetus abortions more common in Asian-Canadian communities: study (vancouversun.com)
• Scene Description Spotlight: “Gattaca” (gointothestory.blcklst.com)

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”

Related articles

• Students who don’t sing O Canada appear ‘unpatriotic’: Toronto school trustee (calgaryherald.com)
• Toronto Catholic students to sing O Canada without music (thestar.com)

Wildroses in Alberta – but the grass is not always greener on the other side

Danielle Smith and the Wildrose Caucus, (R to L) Guy Boutilier, Heather Forsyth, Danielle Smith, Paul hinman, Rob Anderson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In an interesting twist of fate Alberta, long a stronghold for the Conservatives, is going through some family issues. Till death do us part is not the motto for conservatives today. Alberta is going through growing pains. With an influx of Canadians, of all stripes, change seems to be affecting the province as a whole. The Wildrose party has surged in popularity, but will it last? Cracks in the foundation are already apparent; with Wildrose members sounding both intolerant of immigrants and out of step with Canadian values. In some sense we can draw a comparison to the Republican Party in the United States. With forces split between what is seen as moderates, like Mitt Romney and The Tea Party elements of the Republicans. I sense that this is more of a protest vote; similar to the ADQ in Quebec. The Progressive Conservatives are holding true to the name “progressive”, but will the residents of Alberta give them another chance. With the election near Wildrose party members are under close scrutiny. Can the Wildrose Party grow into a sustainable political force? Or will they continue to bloom and show their true colours?

http://www.thestar.com/mobile/news/canada/politics/article/1164711–tim-harper-alberta-s-wildrose-leader-danielle-smith-s-bumpy-road-to-history

Related articles

• What’s behind the Wildrose rising in Alberta? (cbc.ca)
• YouTube video takes aim at Alberta’s Wildrose party as election looms (vancouversun.com)
• Alberta Tory tinkering ruining oil industry, says Wildrose (cbc.ca)
• Alberta election poll shows Wildrose Party ahead (cbc.ca)
• Alison Redford condemns Wildrose party for having ‘small Alberta’ vision (calgaryherald.com)
• ATA angry with Smith’s comments about teachers (cbc.ca)
• Alberta mayors weigh in on Wildrose candidates’ remarks (ctv.ca)
• Alberta election a race between ‘thugs’ and ‘bigots,’ say Liberals (cbc.ca)

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.

Related articles

• Oprah takes Toronto (theglobeandmail.com)
• Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Lifeclass’ comes to Toronto (ctv.ca)
• Oprah in Toronto: Class is in session for sold-out crowd (thestar.com)
• Oprah Winfrey adds second show to Toronto event (ctv.ca)
• Oprah Winfrey’s Lifeclass tour draws thousands to Toronto shows (thestar.com)

Are we running out of ideas in Toronto?

Aerial view of The Cinesphere and surrounding marina at Ontario Place, Toronto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

MGM is making the pitch to make Toronto a new home for a grand entertainment complex, but are we ready? It seems that both the province and city politicians are running out of ideas to generate funds for the city. It is a worry because often the idea of a casino seems to imply that we have hit rock bottom. Or is it? It’s said that this will be a “entertainment complex”, providing much needed jobs for Torontonians. What does this mean for Niagara Falls or Casinorama? I am not sure, but one thing is certain for Toronto; lack of vision for our future. This is something important and we should let Torontonians decide. Its sad to see the demise of Ontario Place. Question is, how long will it be before the entire Toronto Islands are redeveloped into a massive entertainment behemoth? I imagine developers are already seeing green, and I am not talking about grass.

Related articles

• MGM targets Toronto for ‘spectacular’ casino resort (ctv.ca)
• Woodbine location favoured for Toronto ‘entertainment destination’ (theglobeandmail.com)
• Big casino resort won’t work at Woodbine, MGM says (thestar.com)
• MGM eyes Toronto for sprawling integrated resort and casino (theglobeandmail.com)

Trump talks up Toronto

Trump talks up Toronto

Donald Trump sought to stir up buyers for the unsold units in Canada’s first Trump International Hotel & Tower on Monday, undaunted by talk of an overheated real estate market in Toronto.

Even though there are more condos under construction in Toronto than in any other in North America, Mr. Trump insisted he would be willing to do a second project in Toronto if the right opportunity came along.

Related articles

• Gallery: Trump unveils his newest tower (theglobeandmail.com)
• Trump Towers Hotel And Condos Toronto (torontocondosblog.wordpress.com)

Is Toronto a housing bubble?

While Canada’s high-flying housing market continues to stabilize, it’s increasingly evident that one city — Toronto — is a glaring exception.

In sharp contrast to price moderation in most cities and a significant drop in Vancouver, where buyers are being priced out of the country’s costliest market, Toronto buyers are on a spending spree — one that looks as if it won’t end well.

New figures from the Canadian Real Estate Association show prices up by 10.5 per cent in Toronto over the past 12 months, the only major city with a double-digit gain. In contrast, Montreal gained a modest 3.7 per cent and Vancouver is down by 3.1 per cent.

Read more

Related articles

• House prices in Canada declined in March (cbc.ca)
• What will make the housing boom go bust? ‘Greed’ (theglobeandmail.com)
• National home sales rise in March (creanews.ca)
• Housing market bubble denied by BMO (cbc.ca)

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,”

Related articles

• Qatar Airways Expands Boeing 777 Fleet (harrys-travel.com)
• Qatar Airways continues Africa expansion drive launching flights to Rwanda (airliners1.wordpress.com)
• Qatar Airways’ 2012 Route Expansion Programme Underway (safinnah.wordpress.com)