Cherry Blossoms at High Park

A perfect way to spend Earth Day in Toronto.

Shutting down Twitter might turn off voters

This past weekend NDP Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus announced that he was leaving Twitter, blaming hateful tweets, twitter mobs and dumbed-down conversations as reasons for his abrupt departure.  “Being on Twitter is like being badgered by a drunk on a 24-hour bus ride,” he said.

While Angus provides food for thought on social media in the political realm, Canadian politicians should think twice before waving “bye-bye” to the blue bird.

In an age where people live-tweet from events and “check in” every time they grab coffee at Starbucks, it is more important than ever that politicos of all stripes  keep up with hashtags, uploads, and trending topics.

Half of Canadians reportedly use social networks and,  in 2011, 20 percent of Canadians using social media were using Twitter. These tools have become a lifestyle for many of us, and something that interests all age groups.

Signs of the times

Rex Murphy has some choice words for Justin Trudeau

Snapshots of the 2012 World Juniors in Edmonton

My family and I spent Christmas in Edmonton, Alberta where we had the chance to check out some of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship games.

Here are some snapshots from the games.

Partisan politics and finger-pointing: Why the blame game is failing Attawapiskat

When it comes to Attawapiskat, the steady hands of our nation’s leaders move quickly to pass a buck or point a finger.

In recent weeks, the opposition parties have blamed the crisis on the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister has blamed his staff, the chiefs have blamed the government, and the non-natives have blamed the natives.

While people in Toronto were camping in tents and occupying St. James Park, families in Attawapiskat were calling tents and shacks a permanent home when their chief declared a state of emergency.

Then came the influx of media and the appearance that it was all a shock to Ottawa. An appearance of surprise that a community could deal with such detrimental conditions, even as Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo says that at least one hundred reserves in the greatest country in the world are dealing with similar  housing and water crises.

Mrs. Claus’s big break and more from the Santa Claus parade

Kids of all ages crowded the snowless city streets yesterday to hand in their “Dear Santa” letters and catch a peek of the oversized elf in anticipation of December’s main event.

There were Lego men, Muppets, Smurfs, Rob Ford, and the sweet sights of holiday corporate sponsorship.