http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/canada-news/ en-us Wed, 8 Oct 2008 02:20:20 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100090/posts Having tolls removed from a major route in British Columbia, Canada, has taken some of the sting out of the cost of operating a trucking business in that province, but there’s still plenty of sting to go around. In late September, the government removed a $20 truck toll and $10 passenger vehicle toll from the Coquihalla Highway, which connects the city of Hope to Kamloops, B.C., in the Canadian West. Provincial officials said that truckers were pleased with the move, and they were. “Given the price of fuel, truckers are very happy with this,” Bridgitte Anderson, spokeswoman for British Columbia... Land Line Magazine http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2100090/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 02:20:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099861/posts The Sarah Palin political phenomenon is spilling over the border and into Canada. Not because she hunts moose — a favorite pastime of many Canadians, the present author included — but because she offers principled leadership on life and family issues. In short, she inspires Canadians concerned with these issues to demand better from politicians.Americans are not the only ones going to the polls this fall. In Canada, voters will elect a new government come Oct. 14. Yet, Catholics on this side of the border face a difficult choice: How to choose between five officially pro-abortion political parties?Prime Minister Stephen... NCR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099861/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 20:45:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099844/posts CALGARY -- Using her bra to stop the bleeding, a Calgary woman is being credited with helping save the life of a man beaten unconscious outside a southwest nightclub. Nicky Arsenault, 19, was leaving the Back Alley Nightclub with friends early Sunday morning when they saw two men who had been left unconscious and bleeding heavily on the sidewalk. A nursing assistant at Bowcrest Care Centre, Arsenault jumped into action along with friend Paul Fitzgerald, a welder in the Canadian military. "There were 20 or 30 people standing around but nobody was doing anything," she said. "I saw he had... Canoe.ca http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2099844/posts#comment Tue, 7 Oct 2008 20:26:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097897/posts KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- The work day all but over Saturday, Bombardier Hollie Speers did what a lot of Canadians are thinking about these days: she voted in an advance poll. Unlike the average voter, though, Bombardier Speers cast her ballot with an assault rifle slung over her shoulder, at a polling booth deep in Taliban country. She was part of a Herculean effort to ensure that hundreds of Canadian troops in Afghanistan get a chance to exercise their democratic franchise, between firefights and reconstruction projects. So far, the project has been a surprising success. The 75% poll turnout at Bombardier... Canwest News Service via National Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097897/posts#comment Sun, 5 Oct 2008 12:18:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097830/posts Canada's parliamentary elections entered the home stretch Friday with the start of three days of advance voting ahead of the main polling day on October 14. Elections Canada -- the independent federal agency that oversees the voting process -- said those who need to cast their ballots early could do so on Friday, Saturday or Monday. Tuesday was meanwhile the deadline for putting one's name onto the electoral list. APF http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097830/posts#comment Sun, 5 Oct 2008 05:39:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097502/posts KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - As rifle fire echoed from the nearby practice range, soldiers lined up Saturday night at a remote operating base in Afghanistan to cast ballots in advance polling for the Oct. 14 federal election. Despite being far from home, Canadian soldiers stationed here are taking a keen interest in the federal election. About 75 per cent of those stationed at this forward operating base voted over the course of the last week, some only hours after trading shots with Taliban insurgents. "It's my choice," said Bombardier Ian Scott of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. "I'm... Canadian Press via Sun Media http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097502/posts#comment Sat, 4 Oct 2008 18:23:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097482/posts From the National Geographic website... A video showing a black bear opening the front (unlocked) door of a Subway restaurant, and getting some free samples... VIDEO: A Bear Walks Into a Restaurant... National Geographic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097482/posts#comment Sat, 4 Oct 2008 17:50:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097326/posts OTTAWA -- If there's been a governing party that has waited until the last week of the campaign to release a platform for its re-election, nobody can remember it. But the silliest conspiracy theory hinted at during the grate debate Thursday is that the missing Conservative platform is tangible proof of either a hidden Harper agenda or a government with nothing worth standing on for re-election. "Where's your platform?," demanded Green Party leader Elizabeth May in an early debate showdown against Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "Yours is the only party that hasn't put forward any platform in this election." Other... National Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2097326/posts#comment Sat, 4 Oct 2008 12:40:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096564/posts Ontario health officials are searching for 27 people who may have been exposed to tuberculosis while travelling on a Greyhound bus from Toronto to Windsor on Aug. 31. There's a "moderate risk" they contracted the disease, public health officials said Thursday. A passenger on the bus was sick with the tuberculosis and may have spread it by coughing while in close proximity to the other bus passengers. The passenger, identified only as a woman with a Canadian passport, was detained by American custom officials at the border between Windsor and Detroit. Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams... CTV.ca http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096564/posts#comment Fri, 3 Oct 2008 12:54:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096417/posts OTTAWA - Stephen Harper came out ahead of his political opponents in the English-language leaders debate Thursday night, but New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton was a formidable match for the prime minister, according to viewers who answered a survey during the broadcast Vancouver Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096417/posts#comment Fri, 3 Oct 2008 05:41:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096224/posts DOUGLAS — All eyes were turned skyward on Wednesday at Douglas Municipal Airport as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in their red and white jets with blue stripes shot across the sky casting shadows over “D” Hill. “So, what do you think, guys? Does that look like fun?” asked Snowbird Capt. Eric Willrich of the 2,000 students and spectators who came out for the mid-week air show. Willrich is the newest member of the Snowbirds and has found his niche, just not in a spot between positions No. 4 and No. 6. His forte is on the ground, talking to the... Sierra Vista Herald/Bisbee Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096224/posts#comment Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:57:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096204/posts TORONTO, October 2, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper's disturbing statements to the media that he will undemocratically not permit anyone to reopen the debate on abortion are a stark betrayal of conservative principles and should prompt his electoral defeat in Calgary Southwest in the coming federal election, says the editor of Canada's national Catholic magazine of news, analysis and opinion. In addition, Father Alphonse de Valk, editor of Catholic Insight magazine, is calling for the removal of Harper as Conservative party leader. "For Mr. Harper to state that he would not personally support a law limiting abortion is... LifeSiteNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096204/posts#comment Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:29:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2095335/posts I will be live blogging the french canadian debate at voices in the wilderness. It should be fun (Canadian debates usually are...they are less scripted than the U.S debates) Please join me for the fun and excitement. It starts and 8pm eastern time. Link below: http://www.voicesinthewilderness.net/index.jsp Voices in the Wilderness http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2095335/posts#comment Wed, 1 Oct 2008 23:47:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093461/posts OTTAWA, September 29, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In his strongest statements in support of unlimited abortion on demand in Canada, Prime Minister Harper today told reporters that his government would not only not open the abortion issue itself, but would prevent anyone else from raising it. Asked by a reporter if Harper could give assurances to pro-abortion groups who are accusing the Conservatives of engineering a stealth pro-life campaign, Harper said he could give such groups assurances. "The answer is yes. This government will not open, will not permit anyone to open the abortion debate. Our position is clear," he said,... LifeSiteNews http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093461/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:53:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093298/posts The CBC has issued an apology and retraction for posting a controversial online column by freelancer Heather Mallick about Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin earlier this month. Following 300-plus complaints from readers, and attacks from Canadian and American media organizations, including Fox News, publisher John Cruickshank said the public broadcaster had erred in its editorial judgement and the item should never have appeared on the CBC website. In an online statement, Cruickshank said reaction to the column has caused the CBC to install new editing procedures that will ensure inappropriate work won't appear. "We are open to contentious reasoned argument... canadianpress.google.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093298/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:28:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093194/posts CBC News apologized Sunday for publishing a column about Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, conceding that it was "viciously personal." More than 300 people complained to the CBC ombudsman about a column that ran on Sept. 5 on CBCNews.ca by award-winning freelance writer Heather Mallick. The article, "A mighty wind blows through Republican convention," reportedly said Ms. Palin was chosen to appease the party's "rural," "unlettered" "white trash" base and said that the vice-presidential nominee looked like a "porn actress." CBC News publisher John Cruickshank said in a letter that the public broadcaster erred in judgment. Vince Carlin, the CBC... The National Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2093194/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:05:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092937/posts It's now obvious the American political system is a serious competitive disadvantage for the United States. Parliamentary systems are cost-efficient, are built for rapid reaction times to stresses and can impose tough measures quickly if need be. The American system has deteriorated into a constant political reality show, corrupted by stunts, personality cults, media manipulation and by special interests. This is searingly obvious this fall when the U. S. election cycle and economic crisis have collided, bringing its economy, and others, to the brink and Washington has been unable to fix anything in a timely, effective manner. Consider the differences... The National Post of Canada http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092937/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:07:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092832/posts Heather Mallick must be loving it. The largely anonymous journalist, a legend in her own lunchtime, is now the subject of controversy because she called American Republicans "white trash," said Sarah Palin looked like a porn actress and made repugnant personal comments about the governor of Alaska's family. She did all this on the CBC website, paid for by public dollars. The content of the diatribe is less Oscar Wilde and more Oscar the Grouch, but it's become major news in the United States. This is not a woman whose career has exactly blossomed and the consequent anger and bitterness... Toronto Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092832/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:30:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092805/posts CBC News apologized Sunday for publishing a column about Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, conceding that it was "viciously personal." More than 300 people complained to the CBC ombudsman about a column that ran on Sept. 5 on CBCNews.ca by award-winning freelance writer Heather Mallick. The article, "A mighty wind blows through Republican convention," reportedly said Ms. Palin was chosen to appease the party's "rural," "unlettered" "white trash" base and said that the vice-presidential nominee looked like a "porn actress." CBC News publisher John Cruickshank said in a letter that the public broadcaster erred in judgment. National Post (Canada) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092805/posts#comment Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:50:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092639/posts Surely no one can really have been this nice. Blame it on evil journalistic scepticism, but my mission yesterday became finding someone -- anyone -- who has something even a teensy bit bad to say about a certain Richview Collegiate Institute alumnus named Stephen Harper. But in the hallowed halls of the Etobicoke high school celebrating its 50th anniversary yesterday, the many indulging in nostalgic memories of scarlet and gold would yield only glowing -- and rather protective -- reviews of Harper, Class of 1978. In that year's yearbook, the gangly guy looking out at the future through hugely unattractive... The Toronto Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092639/posts#comment Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:05:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092152/posts HURRICANE KYLE DISCUSSION NUMBER 10 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL112008 1100 PM EDT SAT SEP 27 2008 KYLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT A VERY ASYMMETRIC CLOUD PATTERN FOR A HURRICANE. THE CENTER OF THE CYCLONE IS LOCATED NEAR THE SOUTHWESTERN EDGE OF THE DEEP CONVECTION...DUE TO SOUTHWESTERLY SHEAR. THE LATEST DVORAK DATA T-NUMBERS FROM BOTH AGENCIES DECREASED A LITTLE...HOWEVER...THE CONVECTION HAS EXPANDED AND THE CLOUD TOPS HAVE COOLED DURING THE PAST COUPLE HOURS...AND KYLE REMAINS A 65-KT HURRICANE. ANOTHER RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WILL BE SAMPLING THE STORM AROUND 0600 UTC. SATELLITE DERIVED WINDS INDICATE VERY STRONG...BUT DIVERGENT FLOW OVER... National Hurricane Center http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2092152/posts#comment Sun, 28 Sep 2008 03:05:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091952/posts Opposition Liberal leader Stephane Dion, trailing badly in the Canadian election campaign, urged voters on Saturday not to follow what he called the right-wing ideology of U.S. President George W. Bush's administration. Dion said that after watching part of the U.S. presidential debate on Friday night he was struck by differences between Canada and Washington during the eight years Bush has been in the White House. "I see the tough times coming in the United States, the mistakes they have done, terrible mistakes with its right-wing ideology of laissez-faire I-don't-care," said Dion, whose plan to impose a new carbon tax... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091952/posts#comment Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:29:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091886/posts Liberal Leader Dion is accusing Prime Minister Stephen Harper of character assassination ... An increasingly frustrated Dion responded Saturday to new polls that show his party languishing with support levels in the low to mid-20 per cent range and the New Democrats closing in from behind. "Never has a government spent so much to destroy a person and his policies as Harper has towards me," Dion said during a campaign event in Stoney Creek, Ont., just outside Hamilton. He said the leaders' debates Wednesday and Thursday will allow him to reach out to voters and illustrate that neither he nor... canada press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091886/posts#comment Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:23:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091749/posts OTTAWA–The Conservatives have a tenuous grasp on a majority government, while the Liberals and New Democrats are in a dead heat for second place, a new poll shows. The survey, conducted for the Toronto Star by Angus Reid Strategies, found that 40 per cent of Canadians would vote Conservative if an election were held tomorrow. The Liberals under Stéphane Dion continue to drop, losing core supporters to the Tories as well as to the other parties. For the first time in the campaign, the Liberals and New Democrats, under Jack Layton, are tied at 21 per cent support. The Greens... The Toronto Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091749/posts#comment Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:34:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091362/posts Conservative Leader Stephen Harper accused his Liberal opponent of cheering for a recession as he notched up his appeal for a majority government to run the economy his way. ... A combative Mr. Harper argued that economic commentators are saying the fundamentals of the Canadian economy remain solid despite the slowdown, but what we see is “the Leader of the Opposition and his leading critics going around and trying to tell Canadians the opposite, trying to drive down confidence in the Canadian economy without foundation.” “And quite frankly sitting on the sidelines virtually cheering for there to be a recession.”... globe and mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2091362/posts#comment Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:40:48 GMT