Rob Ford apologizes for his remark, no TTC strike in the meantime but a potential one
Well, after spending some time that Rob Ford had distanced himself about his racial remark, he deliberately and silently apologizes to the Asian people about his racy remark. Councillor Rob Ford, the controversial city councillor who believed that he considered Asian people “Orientals” has finally stepped up to his plate and announce a very long statement. However, not everyone got his attention.
Another city councilor has tried to “lure” Rob Ford on making his statement, and it finally did. In a broad step to make him forcibly apologize, council decided to vote in a 33 to 8 decision to make him do so.
Here is his statement:
“Mr. Lee wants to know [why] Oriental studies is okay, but not Oriental people, Someone please explain. Welcome to the faculty of Oriental studies at Oxford University, the school of Oriental and African studies at the University of London, and one of my Asian constituents brought this to my attention over the weekend, at No Frills, they’re advertising Oriental flavour, 100 per cent pure corn starch.
“Asian people do work very hard, and are very, very aggressive,” he started a second time. “If I have offended anyone in the Asian community, I will proudly retract my statements.”
It was a terrible blow - well sort of for the city councilor and it seems that it really shocked him big time. He could have faced the boot that former Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish had made a statement about George W. Bush and stomping on a voodoo doll of him, causing a stirrup and a controversy among MPs - especially the Conservatives. In the end, she was completely kicked out of the Liberal caucus and now serves as a City Councillor in Toronto’s neighbouring city, Mississauga.
Either way, it was a horrific chain of events that lasted for some time. Perhaps Councillor Ford has caught my attention with the last blog posting I did about him and how I compared him to John Baird.
Changing gears, it seems that there will be no TTC strike - at least for now. However, two other unions have decided to vote in favour of a legal strike positition. CUPE Local 2 and the The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 235 are planning to walk off the job as of tonight. The unions will announce a strike within 48 hours notice following the ATU’s footsteps. The CUPE union is making progress cautiously and they are really optimistic that their progress is going on as planned. Either way, it’ll be some time until an agreement can be reached.
To close off this blog, I’m leaving you two music videos from a band called Paramore. The first one is called “That’s what you get”. My colleague, Bobby Foley has his say about the music video. The second music video is called “Hallelujah”. It never made it on the airwaves, but it’s very popular on the internet. Perhaps he should make his own view about the “Hallelujah” music video. The two music videos that Rob Ford wants to have say about them is anyone’s guess. As for the Asians who were traumatized by Rob Ford’s remark and his apology, not everyone is impressed by his apologetic remark, but the Asians said “HALLELUJAH!”. Their prayers have been answered.
Paramore - “That’s What You Get”:
Paramore - “Hallelujah”:
References:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21194.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21168.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21172.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21124.aspx
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/03/31/163333.aspx
TTC negotiations with the ATU members are still ongoing, but CUPE workers voted in favour of a strike
It seems that a walkout by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 have agreed to talk for some bargaining hopefully averting a potential strike. As for the other union, CUPE Local 2 who represent the switchers for the TTC subway and streetcar as well as the communication links - they have decided to vote in favour of a strike. At least 94% of the union has agreed to a potential strike walkout. However their deadline is the same as the ATU’s deadline on Monday. If those services are completely withdrawn, it means that the vital link to Toronto’s transit could grind to a complete halt compromising the safety of many people, even the passengers who rely on the TTC for work and play.
If you live in the City of Toronto and reading my blog now as I speak, I highly suggest that you should tune into the local media for further details as it unfolds. The first “seed” has sown for the TTC strike. We are watching it very closely. The last time that the TTC strike was back in May 2006 - it only lasted for a few hours and it is considered a wildcat strike. There are two instances that there was no walkout by the TTC staff. One in 2002 (because of the tentative deal) and the one in 2005 (there was an announcement done by Bob Kinnear days before the strike on a Friday, but the commission tried to worked out a deal and two days after the announcement of they are going to strike, the union has reached a deal).
A mediator is on hand right now trying to “relax” to those respective unions on avoiding a potential strike. Hopefully, it’ll be done anytime soon. Until then, we’ll have to wait and see.
References:
http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2008/03/28/5128001-sun.html
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/404791
http://www.thestar.com/comment/Speakout/article/404696
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/03/28/ttc-talks.html
Rob Ford: Your municipal reputation is a lie - even John Baird is upset at you!
I was examining some news recently about a controversial city councilor of Toronto named Rob Ford. He was recently charged for aggregated assault and threatening death. He is such a loudmouth recently, he also made a few rude remarks about Asian people. This is what he states:
“Those Oriental people work like dogs. They work their hearts out. They are workers non-stop. They sleep beside their machines. That’s why they’re successful in life. I went to Seoul, South Korea, I went to Taipei, Taiwan. I went to Tokyo, Japan. That’s why these people are so hard workers (sic). I’m telling you, the Oriental people, they’re slowly taking over.”
From my experience, he is making racial remarks about Asian cultures and many other related things with their religion. As a former Scarborough-born resident, I couldn’t get myself to sleep about Rob Ford’s remark. He is like the John Baird of municipal politics (FYI, John Baird is the federal environment minister of Canada). To sum this up, a special quote dedicated for Rob Ford:
“perhaps he could go to the Liberal Party and return all those cash!!”
And to add something more exciting for Rob Ford refusing to apologizing to Asians about his remark, a special quote from Federal minister of natural resources, Gary Lunn:
“Why didn’t you do something when you have a chance?!”
It’s about time that Mr. Rob Ford should clean up his act. Just like when Josh Ramsay of Marianas Trench quote:
That one stings a little
I’m always in the middle
I don’t expect but try me
And you will always find me here
This is where I scream from
You can take it all away and I’ll miss
There’s a little bit of you in all this
And you can say you only think you know, yeah
Please, there’s a better bit of me to see yet
Cause you haven’t seen any of my best
You know I hate myself without you now
Hurts the same when nobody knows
I guess that’s just how it goes
And I won’t say anything at all
Mr. Rob Ford, if you are read my blog right now, follow Josh Ramsay’s verse. You will most likely to do the “Shake Tramp” by the time you retire, and that’s when you “Decided to Break It”. And as Josh Rasmay would quote, “I for one, AM NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!”
To finish off this blog, i’m leaving you a few random videos. One video of Rob Ford in action, Three music videos by Marianas Trench and one video from my favourite T.V. show, “The Rick Mercer Report” (aka the Monday report). If Mr. Rick Mercer was viewing my blog right now as I speak, he will make his say about Rob Ford. Hope these videos will give you the laughs.
Councilor Rob Ford in action:
John Baird Home Alarm System:
Rick Mercer Audio Challenge:
Marianas Trench - Say Anything:
Marianas Trench - Decided to Break It:
Marianas Tench - Shake Tramp:
References:
http://torontoist.com/2008/03/rob_ford_arrest.php
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21072.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20609.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20341.aspx
http://680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080326_170351_4688
2 (Two) TTC strikes for the price of one!
It seems that there’s going to be another strike to coincide with the main TTC strike done by the workers who represent the high number of TTC drivers, subway operators and streetcar operators by the Amalgamated Transit Union. This time though, another union decided to take part: CUPE Local 2.
The workers behind CUPE local 2 represent the workers who control the entire switching systems inside the subway and control all communications equipment that are needed for the streetcar, subway and bus operation could potentially strike too - only if they vote on an offer.
Spokesperson Mike Santos stated in an interview that the entire system would grind to a halt, but could keep the system running, but doing that could compromise the safety of the passengers who rely on the TTC almost everyday. The good thing is that their request is more simpler unlike their counterpart, the ATU local 113. The CUPE union is ready for a discussion for negotiation at any time. They have done everything they could but they cannot guarantee that they can’t negotiate by their own selves.
On the other side of the strike discussion, TTC Chair Adam Giambrone states in this own statement: “We’re committed to working with CUPE 2 to resolve the issues…….Many of them are similar to the A.T.U. Obviously they represent a slightly different bargaining unit than 113. They’re an important part of the commission. They deal with things like our signal systems, for example our cameras, and we’re committed to working with them to find a collective agreement.”
While members who represent CUPE is about to do the process of going for a strike vote this Thursday (with full results ready by 9p.m. tomorrow), their is no word on when the workers who represent the ATU on negotiating on the bargaining table…..as the old saying goes, “wait and see.”
Until that is happen, I highly urge you people to plan some alternative options. Keep posted on our blog for further updates. If Mr. Ed Drass, the freelance writer who regularly writes articles for the popular free daily in Toronto, “Metro” and the main newspaper, the National Post, he’ll also state in his own view that the strike is hurting many passengers. He once co-ordinated a facebook group for people who want to deal with the anxiety of the GO Bus drivers strike, which unfortunately didn’t came as a result of the new agreement ratified by the workers.
Either way, we’ll have to watch closely.
References:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21030.aspx
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20995.aspx
http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080326_072350_5228
The TTC is going to be on strike - April 1st is their anticipated strike date
I was reading some more information about the TTC strike looming around. It seems that members of the Amalgamated Transit Union local 113 will be in a “legal” strike position starting Monday at midnight. The union has overwhelmingly rejected a new offer by the commission. Security is among the top concern for many TTC employees faced everyday. Many TTC employees were either verbally or physically assaulted and the majority of TTC employees suffer a severe reduction in their pay which had contributed to their injuries on their duty.
Adam Giambrone, the official chair of the TTC stated that the members and the union first voted on the first offer, but it got turned down. “We don’t have any information as to whether or not negotiations will continue. We’re still hoping for a negotiated settlement, and we’re working very hard to achieve it,” Adam Giambrone stated in an interview. At this moment, negotiations are silent.
However, Bob Kinnear union president of the ATU Local 113 stated that: “We have called off negotiations until the TTC can address this fundamental issue…It is very unlikely that there will be an offer that will be accepted by our negotiating committee that does not address this issue,”
Mr. Kinnear also stated about the many risks that the TTC workers faced almost everyday.
“People are going to work and being punched and beaten up because of the increased fares…we don’t believe that there should be any reduction in wages for someone who is attacked at work,”
“If they are receiving WSIB benefits, it’s a reduction of 15 per cent, and if they’re receiving short-term disability, it’s a reduction of 25 per cent. We don’t believe that is justifiable considering that TTC management has no loss of income despite why they’re off from work,”
The last time that the TTC was on an “official” strike was back in 1999. That strike lasted two days. The Wildcat strike that took place in May of 2006 however lasted for a few hours which crippled many to find alternative ways. The transit striked reminded me of when Durham Region Transit went on strike too. It crippled every community in the Durham Region except ones in Whitby and in the Northern areas. Those areas were contracted out. Whitby buses however, cannot go into Oshawa as a result. The strike last for at least two to three weeks. As a college student, I have to face many challenges and this is a “prime” example.
Anyways, I hope that the union and their members will resolve their problems anytime soon. Until that is ongoing, people who live and/or work in Toronto, my take home message: plan alternative options accordingly.
References:
http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080325_065932_2284
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2008/03/25/ttc-negotiations.html
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/03/25/162533.aspx
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/350423
The Internet: Then and Now (and into the future)
I stumbled upon two videos about how the internet changed the way we revolve in our lives with technology. The first video is from the CBC back in 1993. It aired a news report about how the internet will evolve towards the future. People can e-mail people, surf the internet, check for exciting stuff online and many other things. As we head toward the late 90s, things are starting to change: Play games online, download music, chatrooms, video conferencing, bulletin board systems (BBS) you guess it.
During the days of the dot-com bubble, many companies saw developing growth over the internet. The period lasted form 1995 to 2001. Many companies has since gone bankrupt or suffered gigantic losses which could give some time to fully recover.
Today, the internet has fully evolved as a way of life. People can social network on Myspace and Facebook, chat with Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo Messenger (or other Instant Messaging programs), download music on the internet (like iTunes), BitTorrent and most importantly, YouTube has become the way of life for some.
Soon, Fiber to the Home will soon be a reality for every home all across the world. It’s only a matter of time on when the internet will handle the “Exaflood” (1 Exabyte is equal to 1,000 Petabytes of 1,000,000,000 Gigabytes).
The second video is from the Fiber to the Home council and it’s about the future of the internet. I hope you people will check these videos out. They’re quite tedious to watch but very informative.
CBC News’ report about the Internet:
Fiber to the Home Council - The future of the internet:
GO Transit’s new hardcore double decker bus (with a weird surprise)
Well, folks the wait is finally over. GO Transit’s double-decker bus has finally arrived on Canadian roads! After spending millions and millions of dollars for GO Transit on expanding their service, they finally get their treat: 12 new vehicles built by a Scottish-based company called Alexander Dennis has made their grand debut on Canadian roads. The new bus was showcased at GO Transit’s maintenance facility in Toronto. Premier Dalton McGuinity, minister of Transportation Jim Bradley and many representatives were on hand to showcase and unveil the bus’ display.
Here are some quick facts about the new bus (source www.gotransit.com):
Double decker bus quick facts
- The double decker buses are manufactured by Alexander Dennis Limited, a UK-based company. There are no North American manufacturers of double decker buses.
- The buses’ dimensions are:
-
- Length: 43 feet (13 metres)
- Width: 8.3 feet (2.5 metres)
- Height: 14 feet (4.3 metres)
-
- GO Transit’s standard 45-foot (13.7-metre) highway commuter bus seats 57 passengers; the double decker bus can carry 78 passengers – an increase of 21 riders or 37 per cent.
- To prepare for the introduction of double decker buses, GO worked with the Ministry of Transportation, all road and fire departments from the regional and local governments along the proposed routes, representatives from 407 ETR, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
- Selected routes for the double deckers have been thoroughly studied to ensure height clearance
- To prepare for the introduction of double decker buses, GO worked with the Ministry of Transportation, all road and fire departments from the regional and local governments along the proposed routes, representatives from 407 ETR, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
The people at GO Transit has to handle these buses with great care. I don’t want a situation to happen, as does this video shows:
As the old saying goes, expect the unexpected. When the vessel that were shipping the buses made a stop in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at least four stowaways were on board hidden on the double decker buses that were destined for Toronto. They are currently in custody pending hearing. A statement has been released by Alexander Dennis He quote, “It would be virtually impossible for stowaways to get on its buses before they went aboard the ship, because there are security checks done during the drive from the factory and before the bus enters the port area. Our drivers take the vehicle right onto the ship and before they leave them they do a final delivery inspection. They go through every aspect of the bus, from A to Z….”
It seems that the stowaways have a “big mess in their hands”. To finish off this blog, I’m leaving you a music video from a band called “The Academy Is…”. Their music video is called “We’ve Got a big mess on our hands”. I went to their concert back in May last year (they were one of the supporting acts for last year’s Honda Civic Tour that featured headliners Fall Out Boy, (+44), Cobra Startship and DJ Paul Wall. To view my review on this, please go here) Enjoy the music video.
The Academy Is…. - We’ve got a big mess on our hands:
References:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_20826.aspx
http://www.gotransit.com/public/event/Double_Deck_Bus/doubledeckerevent.htm
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/news/Product.asp?ProductID=2057
Koodo mobile launches to cater the younger people
I stumbled upon a brochure that I had picked up at a shopping mall yesterday about an unfamiliar company making its debut to compete with the other players. Koodo mobile (which in turn launched by Telus Mobility) is the new provider on targeting to mainly younger wireless customers who don’t want to subscribe to their parents’ plan and the new provider has claimed to fight off “bill bulge” and no system access fees.
Koodo offers a variety of plans starting at $25 per month plus taxes. This is the second time that Telus Mobility struggled to market a brand to cater to the younger people. Amp’d Mobile, the new service that Telus has launched in co-operation with it’s parent back in March has finally shelved after 5 months in operation. First the parent filed for bankruptcy and then the Canadian subsidiary fell victim to the wrath. This have left many people struggling on replacing their Amp’d phones with the ones that are Telus-branded. There’s no word on what happened to the Amp’d Mobile studio sessions at 355 King street in Toronto. My guess is that it has bite the dust too.
After Amp’d’s demise, Telus spent months and months trying to find out how to cater the cell phone market to the younger audience. After spending a year and a half innovating some ideas, they finally come out with a new provider: Koodo mobile. Right now, the Canadian wireless industry is dominated by three main players: Rogers (along with it’s subsidiary Fido), Telus and Bell. With the recent announcement of Industry Canada auctioning the wireless spectrum to the highest bidder, it seems that it will allow more competition and eventually it will lower phone bills in greater numbers. To see the list of bidders, you can do so right here. The announcement will take place sometime in May 2008. With number portability already in place since March 2007, it seems that people don’t need to surrender their phone number when changing providers.
By going into Koodo’s official website, I analyzed their plans (you can choose your combos ready-made or build your own), their phones (choose any phone) and add-ons you can have. The opening video from their home page reminded me of a workout show that was aired on CityTV in the 1980s. I couldn’t remember what the name of that program is……lol
The providers that we have currently:
- Rogers
- Fido
- Telus
- Bell Mobility
- Virgin Mobile
- Solo Mobile
- PC Mobile
- Petro Canada mobility
- 7-Eleven speak out
- Sasktel
- MTS
- Videotron
- Primus
- YakMobile (GlobaLive, the parent company of Yak had submitted an application to enter Canada’s wireless spectrum)
The list goes on and on and on…….Shaw is also the newcomers entering the marketplace, but as for Cogeco - it’s highly unlikely. Either way, it’s going to be a bumpy ride for the bidders trying to bid on the spectrum. To finish this blog off, I’m leaving you a music video by a band called the Used. The song is called “Buried Myself Alive”.
The Used - “Buried Myself Alive”:
References:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/03/17/canada.wireless.bidders/
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gst.nsf/en/sf08900e.html
http://blogs.cisco.com/gov/2007/02/new_spectrum_auction_in_early.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080318.RKOODOTICKER18/TPStory/Business
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/tech/cellphones/wireless-spectrum.html
Virgin Mobile plays fun on Eliot Spitzer
Yesterday, I stumbled upon reading the Metro (and possibly the 24 Hours) daily commuter newspaper (both of which are free daily and very popular among commuters) until I stumbled upon an ad from Virgin Mobile Canada. The ad features former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer and in the cloud he was thinking, “I’m tired of being treated like a number…” If you people don’t know Spitzer had resigned as governor of New York on Monday because of his involvement in prostitution line (or something like that) talking to a person named Ashley Alexandera Dupre (aka Kristen). He was criticized on his involvement with that person and that’s why it lead to his resignation. Eliot Spizter is known as “Client 9″. The people of the state is not impressed by this.
Anyways, changing gear back to the Virgin Mobile ad campaigns, The ad campaigns also feature Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton as well. The as describes as this:
“At Virgin Mobile, you’re more than just a number. When you call us we’ll treat you like a person, not a client. Whether you’re #9 or #900, you’ll get hooked up with somebody who’ll finally treat you just how you want to be treated.”
However to ensure that the good people at Virgin Mobile won’t get sued, they posted this statement: “You probably already guessed this, but no celebrity endorsement intended or implied.” Rest assured, Virgin Mobile is not planning to do a full-scale rollout with the ads featuring Spitzer, but because of that, the former New York Governor caught his attention to those ads.
The viral ads reminded me of when Ontario Colleges did some viral campaign called “Obay“. Some people think it’s a new medication, but in the end the viral ads revealed to be that the product doesn’t exist, but it offers parents to provide some post-secondary opportunities for their kids.
I laughed at the way Virgin Mobile did this, but it’s anyone’s guess if they will plan to do these types of ads if they were to mock Chris Avenir, the guy who got expelled from Ryerson for his alleged involvement on organizing a facebook study group. If Avenir suddenly detected this, he will sue Virgin Mobile for his unauthorized use of his picture. The same thing goes to Billy “Fish” O’neill (if you don’t recall, he got hit by a car when he did a trick during the conference team visit to Barcelona, Spain). He will possibly sue Virgin Mobile - providing if he did not authorize them to use his picture. But, if Virgin Mobile decided to make the ads featuring Billy “Fish” O’Neill, they will most likely get his attention.
As the old saying goes, “Freedom of Speech”.
References:
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9893529-7.html?tag=nefd.top
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/virgin-mobile-turns-spitzer-scandal-into-marketing-gold/
http://www.adrants.com/2008/03/spitzer-scandal-spun-to-promote-virgin.php
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/03/could_virgin_mo.html
1998 - Pickering Airport
SIMON: It was a controversial project that spanned almost a century. In 1972, the Trudeau Government had expropriated a piece of farmland in North Pickering for a future airport, as a proposed plan to close Pearson Airport back then. Almost 30 years ago, the residents are still fighting against the plan, as we go back to this story back in 1998, a coalition formed by a group of people would not rest the case. As Newswatch reported at the time, its controversy was noisy.
[Cut to protestors yelling in background]
REPORTER: Tensions mount high as residents along with the Voters Organized to Cancel the Pickering Airport Lands, aka VOCAL continued to fight against the proposed Pickering Airport. The land, located in a small community of Brougham was very controversial. One resident who lived in the area for many years were shocked by the current process the government had treated her.
RESIDENT: I couldn’t get myself to sleep almost everyday and I still have to pay for the land I owe to the federal government. Next up, they are going to evict me from my property.
[Cut to various shots of the lands, which No Trespassing signs in English and French]
REPORTER: In the 1970s, the Federal government under Pierre Trudeau made a study on where the new airport should be built. The report narrowed down 59 sites, but Pickering wasn’t among them at that time. The government then decided to move forward on a piece of land located in North Pickering, despite the report indicates that Pickering was eliminated from the shortlist.
That’s when in 1972, the Provincial and Federal governments moved forward on announcing new plans for a proposed airport. This has sparked a protest against the government on stopping the proposed lands for many years. Months later, expropriation notices began and the houses were torn down gradually.
[Cut to various clips of file footage of a protester dressing in a KKK-like wardrobe, complete with street plays by various people]
Many people lost their land which they had cherished for generations, others ran away. Others meanwhile fought the proposal. It took three and a half years of fighting until the government shelves the plan after a report released in 1975.
[Cut to a protester announcing at the airport lands which torn down houses in background]
PROTESTER: WE CLEAR THESE LANDS! WE MADE FARMS! WE MADE COMMUNITIES! WITHOUT SCHOOLS, WE MADE A HOME FOR OURSELVES IN OUR COMMUNITIES HERE! WE WORKED HARD BUT THE GOVERNMENT DIDN’T LIKE WE GET THINGS OUT HERE IN RADICAL CORNERS! THAT’S WHAT THEY CALLED US AND IN 1837 CAME, WE MARCHED TO TORONTO AND MY SONS WERE ARRESTED, AND OUR MEN FOLK WERE ARRESTED, AND HER HUSBAND PETER MATTHEWS WAS HANGED BY THE GOVERNMENT!
RESIDENT #2: We don’t want another Mirabel in our backyard. Ever.
REPORTER: Montreal’s second airport located in a northern community of Mirabel opened in 1975 but at a greater expense than the original budget.
[Cut to protesters getting off school bus at night]
REPORTER: Protesters made their grand entry towards Pickering Town Hall.
PROTESTERS: We’re VOCAL, No Airport! We’re VOCAL, No Airport! [Chanting continues]
[As the protesters enter town hall, two men were holding a large banner marked, “V.O.C.A.L., Voters Organized to Cancel the Airport Lands”, with the “O” as a No symbol over an airport sign]
REPORTER: As the voices get louder and louder by the minute, the tension is building. Police were on hand making sure nothing went hostile. [Cut to protesters at the front doors of town hall, with chanting continues]
VOCAL Organizer: WE ARE VOCAL –
PROTESTERS: NO AIRPORT!
VOCAL Organizer: WE ARE VOCAL –
PROTESTERS: NO AIRPORT!
REPORTER: Meanwhile at the town hall, councilors were wondering, what was the commotion is about.
[Cut to outside town hall]
VOCAL Organizer: The business of this meeting is for the Town of Pickering, to reinstate and to reinforce the opposition that is has always had. We have clear indication from them that they are willing to do that, and what we wanted to do is to go in and show the federal officials and the provincial officials who so far have not come to the table, but we’re VOCAL and we want no airport! WE’RE VOCAL, NO AIRPORT [Protesters join in]
[Chanting continues]
REPORTER: Suddenly a change of plan by the police.
[Cut to police officer]
POLICE OFFICER: You are doing a good job, sir, [inaudible], but at the same time, when you know – everyone’s welcome in, okay, but at the same time, no signs, no [inaudible], keep it reasonable. Okay, because people will be asked to leave and they will be escorted out.
[Cut to a full crowd at town hall]
REPORTER: The protesters eventually comply with the police, but they continue to chant. People range from to 6 months, to 80 years joined in the fight. Even the councilors stepped in. [Cut to the town council chamber with people throwing paper airplanes in the background, applauses]
MARK HOLLAND: My community members are working hard against the proposal that almost existed for 20 or 30 years and we will not rest until the federal government matters are resolved! We also sent a request to the federal minister of transport for the review.
REPORTER: Many people who lived in the area for years will not stand a chance; they will still continue to fight against the airport proposal until the federal government steps in. The bulldozing of houses being torn down will most likely to continue after eviction notes are handed out. In Brougham, Ian Hympus, NewsWatch.
SIMON: The GTAA or Greater Toronto Airport Authority currently owns the Pickering airport lands and has a site office located in North Pickering. As for the fate of Pearson Airport turned out, the airport recently completed a multi-billion dollar expansion to the entire airport terminal. In a report back in November 2004, the authority has released a final report that an airport will cost $2 billion. Mark Holland, now a Member of Parliament of Ajax-Pickering along with the VOCAL organizers continues to fight against the new Pickering Airport to this day. The Mirabel airport meanwhile has since ceased passenger operations. The airport now handles mainly cargo flights. As for the future of the Pickering Airport, the final decision won’t come through until 2009. Next week, we’ll go back in time when electronic payments were new. See you then.
