Reacting to economic times

I have been intrigued by some of the reaction to the downturn in the economy.
On one side of the spectrum, I get pressure to cast aside everything in the name of stimulating the economy – like fiscal accountability, good planning practices, and environmental protection.
On the other side of the spectrum, I get pressure to stop. [...]

Provincial budget

There are often other inclusions in a budget that don’t generate much press attention.
Here is one:
The Assessment Act will be amended to exclude the addtional value of specific energy-efficiency enhancements when calculating current value. 
This should remove a disincentive for homeowners want to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy.  I remember a recent local story [...]

Bangladesh Community donates blood today

The Bangladesh community is celebrating their Independence Day today.
Tonight they are having a cultural celebration.
This morning, their community gave blood at Canadian Blood Services.  This was their way to honour those who fought for their independence as a nation while helping their fellow citizens in their new home, Canada.
MP Frank Valeriote, MPP Liz Sandals and [...]

Celebrating Diversity – March 27

Ugadi (India, Mauritius, Nepal) – Ugadi marks the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar.  Celebrated mainly in the southern states of India, people awake before the break of day, bathe and decorate the entrances of their homes with mango leaves.  They eat bitter Neem leaves with sweet jaggery to signify the bitter and sweet [...]

Celebrating Diversity – March 26

Kuhio Day (Hawaii) – a state holiday, celebrates Prince Kuhio’s birthday, 1871.  He is remembered for actively, promoting Hawaiian culture and getting Congress to pass the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Act, providing homesteads for native Hawaiians.
Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com
Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.

Celebrating Diversity – March 26

Birth of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroastrian) – Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India and Persia) is the founder of the Zoroastrian religion dating back to sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE.  He lived in Persia, modern day Iran. Zoroastrianism became the  state religion of various Persian empires, until the 7th Century CE. When Arabs, followers [...]

City Hall on the move

City staff are on the move into the new City Hall.  Lots of work to move an organization of this complexity while keeping our doors open to citizens.  Also lots of excitement of staff moving into their new location.
Newly updated webpages highlight the new buildings services,  green features, heritage features, community spaces and much more.
Check it [...]

City Engineers win Provincial award

Here is a picture of City Engineer Richard Henry accepting the Ontario Public Works Association’s 2008 project of the year award for the Victoria Road bridge reconstruction project.

This project was completed four months ahead of schedule and came in on budget. It was a complex project that involved taking the bridge from two to four [...]

Celebrating Diversity – March 25

Evangelismou (Greece) – The Greeks combined the national Independence Day with the Annunciation and what was earlier believed to be the spring equinox.  Greeks wear traditional clothes and celebrate with speeches and folk dancing.
Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com
Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.

Celebrating Diversity – March 22

Mothering Sunday (UK) – Mothering Sunday is the celebration of motherhood in the UK, and takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally children bring gifts of flowers and chocolates to their mothers.  Breakfast in bed is also an expectation, as is a relaxing, carefree day.  It originated with the Victorian practice of allowing [...]