Flashback
Using various resources from the resources of the Simon Tonekham archives and experiences by other people combining with fictional content, Simon Tonekham revisits events previously featured by the people’s experiences.
Posted every Saturday on this blog.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the participants. All flashback posts are purely semi-fictional. Any similarity to real places, events and people living or dead is purely coincidental.
This week:
1997 - E-cash: Before the debit card made the advent of our everyday lives, one technology were herald as a way to revolutionize the way we purchase stuff. Chip-equipped cards of smart cards as they call it help make transactions easier unlike cash and/or credit cards. As we first reported in 1997, Newswatch traveled to Guelph on where the pilot project is taking place and they were the latest thing [View report here]
Since that story had aired, Mondex had failed to provide a nationwide implementation and in 2001 the project was quietly shelved. As the security of debit card skimming began to increase, the Interac association along with the major credit card companies is starting to implement cards equipped with a microchip and provided guidelines on equipping all bank machines and PIN pads to handle chip cards. It is expected by 2010, every Canadian debit and credit card will be equipped with these chips to reduce the amount of fraud associated with debit and credit card skimming. Currently a pilot project is well underway in Kitchener-Waterloo and the planned project in the Quebec town of Saint-Jerome will commence in the spring of this year. Both projects are expected to be completed in the fall.
Previously featured:
2004 - Blink 182’s last ever concert in Canada: It’s been almost three years since Blink 182 ran into an indefinite hiatus. That hiatus isn’t complete with the last-ever show by the band. As our concert reporter Kevin Talbot reports back on that day on May 29, 2004, Blink 182 performed at Toronto’s Molson Amphitheatre with a sold-out crowd. [View report here]
The ball had finally come down in early 2005 when Blink-182 made a big announcement that they are taking an indefinite hiatus. From then, they are no plans for a possible reunion. In November 2005, the record label had released their Greatest Hits CD compiling of hit songs from their musical career. Guitarist Tom Delonge is now in another band called Angels & Airwaves. Their new album “I-empire” was released in November 6th, 2007. This was a follow-up to their debut album “We Don’t Need to Whisper” which was released back in May 23rd, 2006. As for drummer Travis Barker and Bassist Mark Hoppus, they are now in a new band called +44 (Plus 44). Their debut album “When your heart stops beating” was released last year on November 14, 2006. Work, currently underway for their second followup album, is slated to be released tentatively in 2008.
2003 - Asian Long Horned Beetle: Currently, the Emerald Ash Borer recently invaded the City of Toronto for the first time, but before the green beetle came to the city, there’s one other unwelcome pest. The Asian long-horned beetle is known to kill many trees, like poplar, elm, willow and most importantly, the valuable maple tree. As our Edmond Fernandez reports back in September 2003, the infestation is rapidly growing. [View report here]
2003 - Skate4Cancer: The late Terry Fox, the athlete who wants to go across Canada to raise money for cancer research suddenly didn’t make the grade during his tour. However, one Newmarket native wants to go across North American and skateboard – for a cure. As our Sun Ming-Cho reports back in December 2003, one man wants to go out on an adventure and raise money for the cause. [View report here]
1998 - Spice Girls concert: With the Spice Girls recently reunited and already confirmed to perform for a sold out crowd in Toronto in February, we go back in time when Spice-mania was already into high gear. This news story dates back in 1998, when this popular Europop band performs in front of a sold-out crowd at the Molson Amphitheatre. [View report here]
2004 - Hostage Situation: Every day, thousands of people flock to and from Toronto’s busy Union Station by GO train, subway and intercity train. But things had grinded to halt as a hostage situation is ongoing, leaving many commuters unaware. This report dates back on August 2004 as our Maurice Roussieaux reports; the crowd has thought that a Hollywood action flick is filming in their doorsteps. [View report here]
2004 - Wakestock: Recently, a devastating fire has rocked Wasaga Beach, a very popular tourist attraction. But in their better days, Wasaga Beach was home to a very controversial event attracting many people from over Ontario, and the United States. As we report from our own Stacey Patton with that story. [View report here]
2001 - Olympic bid for 2008: The 2008 summer Olympics and Paralympics will be held in Beijing in August 2008, and the city is preparing for almost anything. However, there was one city that struggled to take the position. It too was the candidate for the 2008 Summer Olympics as well. Our news story dates back on July 2001 as reported by Liam Swick, when Toronto along with other candidates of the 2008 summer Olympics watched closely. [View Report Here]
2001 - Wave: They had been the most popular pop rock duo in Canada and the answer was simple: “Wave”. They were the most popular duo in Canada with their hit singles “California”, “Think it over”, “Sleepless”, “That’s how it feels” and “Don’t Say Sarah”. As our Sophie Davidson reports back in 2001, Wave is headed for a new direction. [View Report Here]
2001 - Psykoblast: It was a once-popular tour that pop music fans all across Canada enjoy very well. YTV, a Canadian network decided that they want to promote many pop music artists in one tour. Psykoblast had dated back in the 1990s, but as we go a few years later to this report dated back in 2001, the tour has featured all-Canadian artists. Our very own Michelle Pytlik covers the story from Vancouver back then. [View Report Here]
2003 - SARS benefit concerts: Part 1: SARS or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome also known as atypical pneumonia is a very contagious respiratory disease that claimed almost 800 deaths in China as well as some in Toronto. In 2003, Toronto had suffered a massive outbreak of SARS, which contributed to 43 deaths in the city and translated to a slump of tourism in the city. However, many benefit concerts were taking place for the city to revitalize the entire image of the city. It’s all in our two part flashback series on SARS benefit concerts in Toronto. On this day on June 21st, 2003, this first SARS benefit concert features mainly Canadian artists. Here’s Liam Swick with that report. [View Report Here]
2003 - SARS benefit concerts: part 2 - Last week in our flashback feature, we featured a SARS benefit concert that features Canadian Artists back in 2003, but in that same year, it’s the international artists’ turn to shine the city. The Rolling Stones along with many other celebrities decided to rock Downsview Park for another SARS benefit concert, but this time it’s bigger. Here again is Liam Swick. [View Report here]
2004 - Fast Ferry: In 2003, Toronto has suffered a slump in tourism, due to the SARS outbreak in the city. As the outbreak had subsided, the city’s tourism authority began an aggressive tourism campaign on bring the people that the city is safe once again. There was one company back in 2004 who wanted to provide a fast ferry service from Toronto to Rochester, New York as an alternative of driving down the QEW and then crossing the bridge to the United States. However, the new fast ferry did not surprise everyone during its inauguration. [View report here]
2003 - Warped Tour: It’s known as the punk rock festival of the summer, The Vans Warped Tour is attracting many punk rocker fans to see their favourite bands perform at different stages. This was a case in 2003, when Punk Rock gains momentum. As we report from our reporter Laura Mundinger, the weather wasn’t co-operating. [View report here]
2003 - UOIT: It has been there for five years now; the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology has attracted many people from all points. The Oshawa-based post-secondary institution located on the same site as Durham College and as we hear from this report in 2003, students have to represent a new challenge during the “Double Cohort” at the time. [View Report Here]
The UOIT has come a long way for its students, close the 700 students majoring in various programs graduated from the UOIT back in June 2007. The UOIT will celebrate its five years as a University starting this September.
2002 - Simple Plan: They have make popularity of the Canadian music scene. Simple Plan, formerly known as Reset back then has broken ground since they made their major debut in 2002. As our Stacey Patton reported and appeared back then when Simple Plan filmed a music video in Toronto back in June of that year, Simple Plan has lots of opportunities down the road. [View Report Here]
Dakota, seen in that report had denied our request for an interview. Mark Hoppus of the now-defunct band Blink-182, who was also seen in that report was later in his new band that drummer Travis Barker collaborated called +44 (Plus 44). Simple Plan meanwhile had come a long way to stardom. Simple Plan had toured in various parts of the world and released many albums and a documentary DVD. As it turned out, they recently released their self-titled third album, after a four year gap from the last album, “Still Not Getting Any” in 2004, which is the predecessor from its debut album, “No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls” back in 2002. Sebastien Lefebvre and his sidekick for the band, Patrick Langlois (under his alias Patrick Cunningham) has their own podcast called “Man of the Hour”. Pierre Bouvier and Chuck Comeau meanwhile have their own clothing company called, “Role Model Clothing”. Simple Plan continues to tour and meet with fans worldwide to this day.
1998 - Pickering Airport: 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. [View Report Here]
