Morning Brew: October 1st, 2008

Photo: "Fresh From Greenfields" by sniderscion, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.

Your Toronto morning news roundup for Wednesday October 1st, 2008:

Forget about bringing in much needed city revenue by taxing drivers and homebuyers in Toronto. Perhaps what we should be doing instead is taxing the stupid and gambling addicted - those that play scratch tickets, lottery, horse racing, and slots!

Could the solution to Toronto's homeless problem lie in turning inexpensive shipping containers into makeshift dwellings? Where in the city would they end up being located? How long would it take before some nut politician proposes that we fill them up and ship them far away?

The province's Ombudsman has slammed the Special Investigations Unit, accusing the "toothless" watchdog organization of being very clearly biased in favour of police. If the public can't trust that the police will be held accountable for their actions, then the public can't have any trust in the police.

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How lowly can one be? Finding shit (literally) smeared on the front doors of a place of religion has Pickering residents and Durham police lashing out at the unknown culprit and has us wondering just how well we actually do all get along.

As Ontario's economic situation worsens and jobs continue to get axed, it may be time to consider options not so favourable - like moving to Saskatchewan to work for big oil. They'll even supply you with boots and a hammer, folks.

And Mississauga Transit workers will be voting to ratify their newest contract tomorrow. I think I speak for many when I say that it's a little easier for transit riders to breathe, knowing that a certain slick someone isn't at the helm on this one.