As the demand for a public inquiry into police conduct over the G20 continues to increase, the Civil Liberties Association is pondering a joint lawsuit against those responsible for last weekend's mass arrests. According to Nathalie Des Rosiers, general counsel for the CCLA, they've been inundated with phone calls regarding wrongful arrests and detentions and are thus "planning to help people who are seeking compensation to (initiate) a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Ontario."

One such person just might be Benjamin Elroy Yau, a TTC employee on his way to work last Saturday -- in full uniform, no less -- when police detained him for allegedly resisting arrest. To listen to Yau's account of what transpired during his ordeal is to realize that the "wrong place at the wrong time" excuse just doesn't cut it.

The HST kicks in today, and along with the very visible increase in the cost of gas, numerous other items will have you reaching a little deeper into your wallet. For a refresher on what has changed and what will stay the same, this Globe article is quite helpful. It also explains the logic behind the implementation of the tax, though I'm not convinced everyone will buy it.

On the cusp of free agent frenzy in the NHL (which officially starts today), Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke pulled the trigger on a mid-size trade that will see former Chicago Blackhawk and Stanley Cup winner Kris Versteeg suit up in the blue and white next season. Of concern, perhaps, is who's going back the other way. Along with prospects Christopher DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis, the Leafs gave up the hyper-speedy Viktor Stalberg. I have the distinct feeling that this will bite Burke down the road.

Depending on your preferences, even bigger news might be where Chris Bosh is headed -- and though Houston is quite the motivated suitor, who he'll chose to play for remains uncertain.

In brief:

Having just arrived back from New York, this article on Toronto's best dressed strikes me as a tad embarrassing. Street Style commenters: there's work to be done on re-adjusting these people's egos!

Proof that driving conditions are awful in this city or that Torontonians are simply the worst whiners can be found here.

For a reminder of what we used to complain about before the G20's arrival, you could go here or here.

And with it being Canada Day and all, why not test your knowledge of the nation with the annual Historica-Dominion Institute quiz published in the Post. Answers can be found here.

Enjoy the day (or crazy long weekend if you finagled Friday off!).

Photo: "lazy summer afternoon" by Johanna Hoffman, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.