Yep. I haven't set foot in one in decades, though.
The Maple Leaf Lounge
- Thread starter Avro Arrow
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Yep, they're still a thing in Canada. The thing to understand is that they weren't run by the same company in Canada, so when the company went bankrupt in the States, the Canadian counterpart was able to continue as if nothing happened. So, we still have Big Box Toys R Us stores all over the place.
Although the tricky thing with the American company going bankrupt was in the unique and exclusive things available at the stores, given that the American company had much clout with toy manufacturers, but I think it worked out OK in the end. I think in a roundabout way, the Canadian company still existing might have helped the smaller rebooted company come into existence, simply by keeping the IP alive.
An interesting thing is that during the bankruptcy, there were early talks of the possibility of the Canadian holding company buying up the American one to help them out, but that deal fell through.
Although the tricky thing with the American company going bankrupt was in the unique and exclusive things available at the stores, given that the American company had much clout with toy manufacturers, but I think it worked out OK in the end. I think in a roundabout way, the Canadian company still existing might have helped the smaller rebooted company come into existence, simply by keeping the IP alive.
An interesting thing is that during the bankruptcy, there were early talks of the possibility of the Canadian holding company buying up the American one to help them out, but that deal fell through.
so it looks like we could be heading for an election as the tories have rejected the throne speech (no suprise there) and the singh is saying the ndp won't support it but the man is truly a complete and utter fuckwit.
Best chance of getting anything close to what they want is with the liberals because they'll need be in government and at this point in time they don't have the funds for an election battle and they can't get them because of their piss poor performace at the last election (have nothing to leverage for any sort of financial loan).
if we go to an election, I wouldn't be suprised if the ndp wind on the verge of losing official party status (was going to say 4th behind the bloc by they are already there).
Best chance of getting anything close to what they want is with the liberals because they'll need be in government and at this point in time they don't have the funds for an election battle and they can't get them because of their piss poor performace at the last election (have nothing to leverage for any sort of financial loan).
if we go to an election, I wouldn't be suprised if the ndp wind on the verge of losing official party status (was going to say 4th behind the bloc by they are already there).
Wonderful. 
I don't exactly want a pandemic election, thank you.
I have to think the NDP is going to end up supporting the government by the time the vote rolls around. It's unlikely that their situation improves any with another vote, and they're much more likely to get the type of programs they advocate for with the Liberals than with the Conservatives, so why take the chance?
I don't exactly want a pandemic election, thank you.I have to think the NDP is going to end up supporting the government by the time the vote rolls around. It's unlikely that their situation improves any with another vote, and they're much more likely to get the type of programs they advocate for with the Liberals than with the Conservatives, so why take the chance?
cos singh is an idiot (who should have been dumped after the last election) and replacing mulchair was a big mistake.
I think any party that triggers an election at this time would not fare well. Or at least I hope not. I had enough trouble voting last time, as I do it by in-home special ballot (for disabled people who can't get to a polling station and have barriers for mail-in ballots).
Seems there was a part of the rules rewritten between 2015 and 2019 that says anyone voting by in-home special ballot is automatically deemed to be illiterate and must submit to having the candidate list read to them AND having to tell the EC workers who they want to vote for. The voter isn't allowed to fill out the ballot (though apparently EC doesn't mind if we sign our names on the part where we declare our eligibility to vote and that we haven't previously voted in this election).
In short, disabled people voting by in-home special ballot are denied the right to cast a secret ballot. I don't object to anyone asking for the candidate list to be read to them or the ballot marked for them if that's what they want. But I do object if it's what I don't want, as my disability is mobility-related, and not because I can't read or write.
When the EC workers got here, they were all set to read the names, but I'd put the local candidates' list up on my laptop and told them, "No, you don't need to read it to me."
EC: Yes, we do.
Me: No, you don't. It's there on the computer, I can read it for myself.
EC: Is that really the local list? (stares at the screen) Oh. Ok, well, we still have to read it to you.
Me: NO, YOU DON'T. IT'S RIGHT THERE, I'VE READ IT AND I KNOW WHO I WANT TO VOTE FOR.
EC (after having me sign the outer envelope with the declaration of eligibility): Okay, which of us do you want to write the name for you? (they're always in teams of 2)
Me: Neither. I can do it myself.
EC: No, you're not allowed. One of us has to do it.
Me: I'm not happy with my right to a secret ballot being denied.
EC (in a chirpy voice that makes me want to slap her): But it IS a secret! It's a secret between the three of us!
Me: That's not a secret ballot.
EC: Well, which of us do you want to write and which do you want to witness?
Me: It doesn't matter, since you're both going to hear what should be private.
EC: Okay, tell us who you want to vote for.
Me (pushing a piece of paper over on which I'd previously written the candidate's name): There it is. I'm not illiterate, and you can read it for yourself.
EC: (looking Very Annoyed, they write it down and show me to prove they wrote my choice down; gotta wonder how this works with a blind voter with no support person like they're entitled to at the polling station)
Then there's a bit more paperwork - apparently it's okay if I fill that out myself. And then I asked how to make a complaint, because at this point I am beyond livid. They handed me an Incident Report form and said to fill it out, or I could dictate it to them, and they'd take it with them.
I told them I'd prefer to write it myself and they didn't have time to wait for all the things I had to say (not that there was enough room on the form). So they got permission from the Returning Officer for me to send it via email.
Whereupon I sent a scathing (but polite) tirade about discrimination on the basis of disability, which is a violation of my Charter rights. I made it clear that I don't object to lists being read and ballots marked for people who need this done, but not all disabilities are equal and they shouldn't assume that just because one part of a person's body doesn't work, it means they're incapable in all other ways as well.
He sent a reply saying he would forward my complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer, but I am willing to bet that if I checked the EC website this discriminatory rule would still be in place.
So I'm wondering what happened between 2015 and 2019 to prompt this.
And I am wondering if in-home voting will be allowed now. The commenters on CBC.ca just blather that it doesn't matter, mobile polls go around to the seniors' homes, so what's the problem?
I'm not a senior, I don't live in an assisted living facility, and the government habitually forgets people like me.
Seems there was a part of the rules rewritten between 2015 and 2019 that says anyone voting by in-home special ballot is automatically deemed to be illiterate and must submit to having the candidate list read to them AND having to tell the EC workers who they want to vote for. The voter isn't allowed to fill out the ballot (though apparently EC doesn't mind if we sign our names on the part where we declare our eligibility to vote and that we haven't previously voted in this election).
In short, disabled people voting by in-home special ballot are denied the right to cast a secret ballot. I don't object to anyone asking for the candidate list to be read to them or the ballot marked for them if that's what they want. But I do object if it's what I don't want, as my disability is mobility-related, and not because I can't read or write.
When the EC workers got here, they were all set to read the names, but I'd put the local candidates' list up on my laptop and told them, "No, you don't need to read it to me."
EC: Yes, we do.
Me: No, you don't. It's there on the computer, I can read it for myself.
EC: Is that really the local list? (stares at the screen) Oh. Ok, well, we still have to read it to you.
Me: NO, YOU DON'T. IT'S RIGHT THERE, I'VE READ IT AND I KNOW WHO I WANT TO VOTE FOR.
EC (after having me sign the outer envelope with the declaration of eligibility): Okay, which of us do you want to write the name for you? (they're always in teams of 2)
Me: Neither. I can do it myself.
EC: No, you're not allowed. One of us has to do it.
Me: I'm not happy with my right to a secret ballot being denied.
EC (in a chirpy voice that makes me want to slap her): But it IS a secret! It's a secret between the three of us!
Me: That's not a secret ballot.
EC: Well, which of us do you want to write and which do you want to witness?
Me: It doesn't matter, since you're both going to hear what should be private.
EC: Okay, tell us who you want to vote for.
Me (pushing a piece of paper over on which I'd previously written the candidate's name): There it is. I'm not illiterate, and you can read it for yourself.
EC: (looking Very Annoyed, they write it down and show me to prove they wrote my choice down; gotta wonder how this works with a blind voter with no support person like they're entitled to at the polling station)
Then there's a bit more paperwork - apparently it's okay if I fill that out myself. And then I asked how to make a complaint, because at this point I am beyond livid. They handed me an Incident Report form and said to fill it out, or I could dictate it to them, and they'd take it with them.
I told them I'd prefer to write it myself and they didn't have time to wait for all the things I had to say (not that there was enough room on the form). So they got permission from the Returning Officer for me to send it via email.
Whereupon I sent a scathing (but polite) tirade about discrimination on the basis of disability, which is a violation of my Charter rights. I made it clear that I don't object to lists being read and ballots marked for people who need this done, but not all disabilities are equal and they shouldn't assume that just because one part of a person's body doesn't work, it means they're incapable in all other ways as well.
He sent a reply saying he would forward my complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer, but I am willing to bet that if I checked the EC website this discriminatory rule would still be in place.
So I'm wondering what happened between 2015 and 2019 to prompt this.
And I am wondering if in-home voting will be allowed now. The commenters on CBC.ca just blather that it doesn't matter, mobile polls go around to the seniors' homes, so what's the problem?
I'm not a senior, I don't live in an assisted living facility, and the government habitually forgets people like me.
looks like we're avoiding a fall election as the ndp have agreed to support the throne speech after the liberals are doing more about paid sick leave.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/20...h-deal-on-covid-19-aid-averting-election.html
but now there are rumours about an early provincial election in Ontario (some time in 2021) which ford is denying.
The theory is that he would go early before the impact of the covid recession really hit.
https://www.thestar.com/politics/20...h-deal-on-covid-19-aid-averting-election.html
but now there are rumours about an early provincial election in Ontario (some time in 2021) which ford is denying.
The theory is that he would go early before the impact of the covid recession really hit.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Although this has been an exceptionally difficult year, there are still many things I am thankful for: near the top of the list is that so far, my family members and I have managed to avoid contracting COVID. Also very thankful that so far, I have been able to hold on to my job. Things would be a lot bleaker with no income.
I hope all of you also have things you are thankful for. As our case counts rise, and we slowly slide into the cold winter months, I fear things are bound to get worse before they get better. It probably doesn't hurt to reflect a little on the good things we still have in our lives.
Although this has been an exceptionally difficult year, there are still many things I am thankful for: near the top of the list is that so far, my family members and I have managed to avoid contracting COVID. Also very thankful that so far, I have been able to hold on to my job. Things would be a lot bleaker with no income.
I hope all of you also have things you are thankful for. As our case counts rise, and we slowly slide into the cold winter months, I fear things are bound to get worse before they get better. It probably doesn't hurt to reflect a little on the good things we still have in our lives.
This is certainly a time for reflection, more than ever perhaps. I'm thankful that my area for the most part has made an effort to be vigilant in slowing the spread, and it's made me realize that we're actually in a pretty good place despite cases rising.
Somebody please tell the prime minister that nobody wants an election right now...
Tell that to the Reformacons. They're the ones pushing and making threats, and I wish Michelle Rempel would shut her great big stupid mouth that nothing intelligent ever comes out of.
Whichever party triggers an election is going to be decimated. I hope. Not that I want a Reformacon government, mind. That would just make everything a dozen times worse in Alberta, what with Jason's buddies running rampant in Ottawa while he runs rampant in Alberta.
unfortunately justin the boy blunder never seems to listen to the right people or maybe he just doesn't listen full stop.
I don't have a problem with additional oversight on government spending but I think this more a fishing expedition and the committee would be abolished next time the tories are in office (remember the attempts to get to the bottom of the $2bil spent for the G20 that included a boat of money in clementi's riding).
and it looks like we're safe (relatively speaking) from a fall election until the next time blunder boy decides to engage in some brinkmanship
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/confidence-vote-commons-corruption-committee-1.5770807
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/confidence-vote-commons-corruption-committee-1.5770807
Oh, there's plenty of blame to go around!
Trudeau could have also just accepted that they're in a minority government, realized that not everything will necessarily go their way, and then not turned it into a confidence vote.Thank goodness. Hopefully everyone gets to work and stops playing these games. I hear there's a pandemic or something going on...
So... people in BC are complaining that not being able to attend church is an infringement of their Charter Rights, and some honestly seem to think they can pray the pandemic away: Church fined 2.3K for violating ban on worship services
They do have a point about liquor stores being open. I don't consider that necessary, particularly when I had to fight one of the departments at city hall to be able to go to the bank (the disabled transit authorities decided that banking was not essential for their clients because "everything can be done online or with your cellphone" and never considered that there actually are things that can't be done online, nobody is answering the phone, and not everyone even has a cellphone).
But it's not like one or two people at a time in the bank are going to cause a super-spreader event like those verified to have occurred at worship services.
They do have a point about liquor stores being open. I don't consider that necessary, particularly when I had to fight one of the departments at city hall to be able to go to the bank (the disabled transit authorities decided that banking was not essential for their clients because "everything can be done online or with your cellphone" and never considered that there actually are things that can't be done online, nobody is answering the phone, and not everyone even has a cellphone).
But it's not like one or two people at a time in the bank are going to cause a super-spreader event like those verified to have occurred at worship services.
Oh, for sure. I think they need to understand that it's not about violating their rights as churchgoers, but to prevent mass gatherings to limit the spread. Praying can only take you so far
Perhaps they feel emboldened by the recent Supreme Court ruling in the U.S. We are separate countries, though, and I have to believe we would never endorse such a flagrant disregard towards public safety.
That's an attitude I would expect here in Alberta, since we have a Trump fan and his ilk running the province (we even have our poorer version of Betsy DeVos running the education system; a popular meme people post of Adriana LaGrange is to photoshop her face onto a picture of Dolores Umbridge (one of the villainesses of Harry Potter). It's scary how much resemblance there is.
Praying the plague away didn't work in the 14th century, the 17th century, the 20th century, or any other century, and it won't work now.
Oh, no doubt. Though I feel the sentiment has picked up in Canada. It's all about how they've been influenced by what's happening down south. There's one local anti-masker group and someone I know was part of that group. He's a total nutjob and was apparently the group's leader. A local reporter happened to be on the scene of one of their anti-masker rallies and was accosted by him, as he assumed the reporter was there to ask them questions, got all aggressive, refused to answer any questions and accused the reporter and associated media of spreading lies.
It seems the real pandemic is the spread of fear mongering and hysteria combined with the pointing of fingers. It won't get us anywhere. Only by being patient and calm can we get through this.
I read a really interesting article about how people celebrated Thanksgiving during the 1918 pandemic. It pertains to American Thanksgiving, but I think it's quite refreshing and sobering to see just how many parallels we share more than a century later. One really interesting thing about 1918 that the article points out was that medicine wasn't advanced enough to know what to look for. They thought they were looking for a bacteria, so that's what they were developing a vaccine against, and didn't have tools such as electron microscopes that would be invented later to help them see viruses.
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/n...pandemic/6264231002/?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Hey, we finally got one!! 
Canada gets its own shiny viral monolith in Manitoba
Too bad it got taken down later the same day...
Canada gets its own shiny viral monolith in Manitoba
Too bad it got taken down later the same day...
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