MB Toronto
Morning Brew: City fears disaster on the Gardiner, Ikea monkey's owner wants her macaque back, ditching the Beer Store, keeping exotic animals, and Eglinton's future
A troubling report revealed by Global News says there's a high risk a heavy truck could "punch through" the thinning deck of the Gardiner Expressway if the roadway continues to deteriorate. The report also reveals that city crews are actively engaged in preventing more chunks falling on to the road below. The surface is only 185 mm thick in places compared to 225 mm on other elevated sections of road.
The former owner of Darwin the Ikea monkey says she's worried the little macaque will miss her now he's been relocated to a sanctuary in Sunderland. In an interview with CP24, Yasmin Nakhuda said she and Darwin bonded during a trial ownership period and would even travel with her to work. She hasn't ruled out fighting to get the monkey back. "There are no books out there to teach you how to raise a monkey," she said. "I'm what's best for him." Should Darwin stay put?
Since Rob Ford's on vacation our desire for scandals leads us to London, where councillors are set to consider a motion that calls on mayor Joe Fontana to step down while a criminal case against him is pending. The charges stem from allegations Fontana used federal funds during his time as a cabinet MP to cover the cost of his son's wedding reception, something he denies.
We discussed the Beer Store monopoly in the summer but now PC leader Tim Hudak has privatized booze back in the spotlight Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn is also talking ditching the utilitarian misery boxes in favour of, shock horror, suds in convenience stores.
The plight of Darwin the monkey has reignited debate about Toronto and Canada's exotic animal laws. Devised at various times, the mix of regulations allows certain animals in some areas and not others. Should Toronto relax its exotic animal laws provided the owners are checked?
New ideas for Eglinton Avenue in preparation for the arrival of rapid transit are thinking big. Bike lanes, development proposals, and concepts for new public spaces could all be on the cards in the coming years for the previously transit-neglected stretch.
IN BRIEF:
- Toronto's budget committee takes input on how to balance budget [National Post]
- Posted notices about disciplined doctors leave public confused [CBC]
- Anti-native racism common in Toronto health care [The Star]
Chris Bateman is a staff writer at blogTO. Follow him on Twitter at @chrisbateman.
Photo: "XTC" by Dominic Bugatto from the blogTO Flickr pool.
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Question fer ya. Are you in favour of government-mandated monopoly, or free enterprise?
Same thing with San Francisco and Seattle after earthquakes knocked out their "Gardiner". So, in a way, this deterioration of the Gardiner could be the best thing to happen since it makes removal an engineering decision rather than a political one. One more winter of heavy salt should do the trick... bring on the snow.
That monkey lady needs some help, and broadcasting her mental problems to the world is not the way to get it. I'd say she needs to have a real child, but she is clearly not fit to raise one.
Sounds a bit whiny to me, blaming all your woes on a strawman.
It's almost like no one is listening...
If it's not a worthwhile issue, then it shouldn't be difficult to dismantle the strange monopoly and move on, right?
Good luck to whoever tries. They will have to march on a road paved with the bones of those who tried before.
As for the monkey lady, she shouldn't get any flack for caring for an animal. If the story was instead about a dog, there would be massive public outcry. However, she broke the law, plain and simple. So should she get the monkey back? No.
I know you are a huge Ford fan and want to turn this into a waste and witchhunt and somehow, just somehow, find a way to blame Miller, leftists, cyclists, unions etc. but this is not about any politician. This is about concrete and rebar and rust and vibration and gravity. For engineering as well as architectural, economic development and urban planning reasons the Gardiner has to come down.
G is right. In a year this woman will be tired of changing his diapers every day when he's not as cute anymore and by then any chance of re-introducing him with his native species will be gone because this nutcase wanted a real live doll to dress-up and take to work every day, or leave in her car so he can get out an give some kid hepatitis.
Were you trying for: "lefty downtown ELITES"? It's pretty sad when you can't even regurgitate your silly talking points and slurs correctly.