"Suzuki"

by: moi

Miscommunication?

“It’s a provincial project, and I’m quite confident that the Premier is going to continue building subways” 


- Mayor Ford after the council voted against his Transit plan.


“I confirmed once again that I needed the approval of the council. Should he receive that, great, we’re off to the races. Should he not receive that and council decides they want to pursue another decision, that is something I feel obligated to consider.”


-Premier McGuinty after hearing Ford's response

Bob Chiarelli (MPP, former Mayor of Ottawa) puts Mayor Ford in his place:

“I don’t know where mayor Ford got the sense that the Premier was advocating, or the partnership advocated, for subways. It’s not a decision for the mayor; it’s a decision for council. We have no choice but to abide by the decision of council on that type of issue.”

Some really good articles worth reading:

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1128389--james-mayor-rob-ford-gets-blindsided-by-his-subway-blind-spot?bn=1 (excellent article)

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/province-to-ford-council-rules-supreme/article2332548/

S.O.S (Save Our Seals)

Much controversy has erupted over Canadians’ need to host the annual seal hunt off the coast of the Atlantic.  This inhumane act has sparked much interest since the NDP’s MP, Ryan Cleary, of Newfoundland and Labrador announced his disapproval of the entire cause. He voiced his concerns a few weeks ago stating, “The day of the seal hunt may be nearing an end. Part of our history is also whaling … and the day came when the whaling industry stopped. Now is that day coming with the seal hunt? It just may be.” The newly elected MP further reasoned that seal fur only contributes $1 million to the industry, thus disproving its effectiveness. He appears to be standing strong against this treatment of seals despite the possible repercussions it could have on his career.

Many people, especially those living near the Atlantic Ocean, were outraged by Cleary’s comments as it is a vital component of their livelihood. According to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), “seal amounts to only a fraction of the $600-million Newfoundland fishery. But for some sealers, it represents up to one-third of their annual income. And in a province with jobless rates north of 15 per cent, they say that means even more.” Based on the feedback, this cause will have a direct impact on Cleary’s popularity within the province.

Canada, a typically forward thinking nation, is lagging in the worlds’ efforts to ban the sale of seal products, whereas the United States banned it in 1972.  Following suit the European Union announced its’ ban in 2009 along with the U.S. Senate unanimously passing Resolution 84, an immediate end to the annual seal slaughter.

Seal meat is not considered a favorable meal nor is it even a delicacy; seals are simply desired for their fur – if even that. If the utter inconvenience and cost efficiency of continuing this massacre won’t put an end to the slaughter than perhaps the sheer cruelty of the act can. The Washington Post describes it as,  

“[A] seal appearing to gasp for air, blood running from its nose as it lies on an ice floe. Not far away, a sealer sharpens his knife blade. The seal seems to be thrashing as its fur is sliced from its torso."

Thousands of seals are clubbed and killed for their beautiful white rich fur – purely to satisfy our consumer oriented lives.  One could possibly reason that this hunt should continue because it feeds hundreds of thousands of people, however that is not the case. Seal meat is typically unused and thrown away– proving the wastefulness of this industry. 

Could MP Ryan Cleary’s stand against the seal hunt result in Canada finally putting an end to this idiotic custom? Will Canada follow our peers, the United States and European Union, in helping to put an end to the ill treatment of our most innocent creatures? I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

How could anyone hurt this adorable face?

What’s the deal with Vegans?!

The moment one discovers I’m vegan I am bombarded with numerous questions, looks of disbelief, and judgement. I am automatically characterized as a tree-hugging hippie, whose goal in life is to make everyone else’s complicated. This could not be further from the truth. Many people who become vegan, do so as a conscience choice to minimize their ecological footprint, improve their health and to lead a more ethical and compassionate life. 

We are not out to get you, trust me.

A vegan is a person who has made the conscious decision to live a life free of meat, eggs and dairy. These individuals also avoid products that are made from and are tested on animals.  I know what you’re thinking, why on earth are you not consuming dairy– cows are not killed during the production of milk. Yes, that may be true; however the dairy industry has desecrated of the entire process. Cows produce milk for their young the same way mothers produce breast milk for their babies. The dairy industries inject artificial insemination into dairy cattle to impregnate them and kill them after 4 -5 year, even though their average life span is 25 years. These cows are fed numerous chemicals and antibiotics to ensure they produce the most amount of milk possible, so that the industry can make the most bang for their buck.  Not only is this painful and inhumane, but it also contributes to many health issues we as North Americans face today.

 The ongoing battle of what came first: the chicken or the egg? Who the hell cares?! These little beings are forced to live their entire life in horrific living conditions and complete confinement.  Multiple hens are crammed into cages in which they are unable to simply spread their wings. They have their beaks cut off without the use of painkillers, most commonly referred to as debeaking, and often urinate on each other due to space restrictions. These hens are fed hormones that allow them to continually lay eggs until they are calcium depleted and on the verge of death. All this for what?  To be able to consume something that is so high in cholesterol and will likely cause clogged arteries, high blood pressure and heart disease. These processes are extremely cruel and immoral. It is a very unsettling to think that humans have the smarts to advance in terms of development and technology, but are capable of causing such pain on innocent creatures.

Anything can seem daunting and difficult if you allow it to be - being vegan doesn’t have to be. We are all very fortunate to be a part of a society that allows us to opt for one choice over another, so make it count. Next time you run into a vegan and question ‘why?’ consider ‘why not?’ 

GOING GREEN: Tips to lessen your carbon footprint

Sustainability has become a vital issue in our lives; whether we’re purchasing a car, clothing or food, we’re encouraged to consider where our products come from and the impact that has on our environment. 

No matter what your beliefs, it’s difficult to argue that certain measures can alleviate some of the damage done to the environment. Adapting these habits doesn’t mean overhauling the way you live your life. Being environmentally conscious may seem daunting and time consuming, but rest assured, there are simple steps you can take to ensure you leave a lighter carbon footprint, save some money and contribute to a sustainable future for our planet.

Don’t fall for ‘Green Washing’

The word ‘green’ is everywhere. You can’t walk by a store without being bombarded by green products – don’t be fooled by these marketing schemes. Many cosmetic and food companies mislead consumers by claiming ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ on the label. Educate yourself – read up on these ingredients, assess how green they really are.

Buy used whenever possible

Avoid large chains such as Chapters, in spite of its cozy allure and smell of freshly brewed coffee, try supporting local and used bookstores. It may seem easier to simply order books from Amazon, but there are various convenient options throughout Toronto, yes, even in Scarborough! Also avoid big chain clothing stores, like H&M and Forever21, because let’s face it: cheap clothes mean bad quality and a generic look. Amp up your wardrobe with personal and vintage touches from used clothes stores such as Value Village, Preloved and Bungalow. It may take some mixing and matching, but there are definitely cool looks to play around with at affordable prices.

Shopping local means you’re supporting small businesses in your own community – businesses that likely make smaller carbon footprints than their big chain counterparts who import materials from around the world.

Visit The Freecycle Network at freecycle.org, a great sharing network where people are able to recycle used items by passing them on to othes. Try giving away that bike you were just going to toss out or check out Freecycle beforeyou hit up IKEA for that new lamp.

Say no to the bottle

Check! Thanks to the Sustainability Office, U of T is now a bottle-free university. Fortunately, Toronto is one of the few cities that has clean drinking water available at the turn of a knob, so stay hydrated and carry your tin bottle wherever you go! Don’t fall for the misconception that clean, filtered water is only available in a plastic bottle.

Ride the Rocket

This is likely the hardest step to commit to, due to the TTC’s ever declining reliability. Yes, the TTC is frustrating, but we can still be advocates for taking public transit and carpooling whenever possible. One way to ensure a smooth and timely ride is to plan your trip in advance, by writing down scheduled bus times and giving yourself sufficient travel time. Albeit, even with extensive planning, the TTC has managed to present travelling obstacles, but don’t give up on the system. Join TTCriders.ca and fight for frequent service, let your voice be heard!

Meatless Mondays

Did you know that producing a little more than two pounds of beef produces more greenhouse gas emissions than driving a car for three hours and uses up more energy than leaving your house lights on for the same period of time? Sir Paul McCartney has started a Meat Free Mondays campaign that encourages non-vegetarians to give up eating meat for one day a week, “by joining together in having one meat-free day each week we’ll be making great steps towards reducing the environmental problems associated with the meat industry.” Many people are jumping onboard, even Mario Batali, who now features a Meat Free Mondays menu at his restaurants.

So there you have it, try following a few or all of these tips and you’re already on your way to living a greener lifestyle. The key is staying informed and knowing where products you buy are coming from and what impacts everyday decisions have on a greater scale. Matters of sustainability and environmental protection are certainly big issues, but small efforts can go a long way in inspiring a change.

BANNED.

(photo credit: Toronto Star)

Its official: The sale and consumption of shark fin has been banned in Toronto. This may come as sad news to some, but a reason to celebrate for many! Councillor De Baereamaker and Councillor Won-Tam were thrilled after the Committee Meeting, October 25^th, since they have been fighting long and hard to ensure the safety of our sharks.

Many people showed their support for the ban by deputing to council members, protesting in front of city hall and by simply advocating for the cause as it generated awareness. What a wonderful accomplishment - Sharks all over the world are applauding :) 

Sharks: Predator or Prey?

Fierce is probably the most common word used to describe sharks. Dangerous and scary are likely to follow, however these adjectives could not be further from the truth. In reality sharks are intelligent, gentle, and friendly creatures that prey on fish for survival. The great misconception that they are vicious creatures wanting to devour humans’ whole was devised from the classic 1975 movie, Jaws, which not only established this notion, but has fuelled its ongoing trend.

The Marine Conservation Group Oceana estimates up to 73 million sharks are killed each year, primarily for their fins.  The mistreatment of sharks has caused the greatest decline – near extinction – of our oldest living mammal.Shark finning is the painful act of cutting a shark’s fin off and discarding the remainder of the body into the water. The shark is usually still alive as it is tossed back into the water and unable to swim. It must then endure a slow and painful death as it sinks toward the bottom. The sharks are tossed back to sea to cut costs as it is very expensive to maintain and transport the bulky body. There is simply minimal demand for shark meat.

 Sharks have been around for over 450 million years and are responsible for maintaining order in the ocean. An ocean without sharks’ results in a world deprived of oxygen, as sharks prey on species that are responsible for the controlled amount of algae in the ocean. Algae are an essential aspect of our ecological system, providing humans with sufficient oxygen for survival. The absence of sharks creates an excess in some species, resulting in a vast decline of algae and oxygen which will lead to the end of human kind. 

Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, Ward 38, recognizes this cause and has taken a strong stance against the cruel treatment of sharks and the increasing demand for shark fins. For the past few months he has been all over Toronto advocating for the ban on the sale or consumption of shark fin in Toronto. He has fought city council on this matter and is continuing to fight for it. On October 13 2011, Councillor DeBaeremaeker and many Torontonians’ will fight to ensure the safety of our sharks. In light of Mississauga’s recent ban on shark fins’, Councillor De Baeremaeker is hopeful Toronto will soon follow. 

 Want to put an end to shark finning in Toronto? Go FIN FREE and sign the petition at:

http://www.unitedconservationists.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=124&Itemid=236