Don't allow the ban on "man spreading" on the bus/train to pass.

Canadian Association for Equality

Various people are looking to get the TTC to ban something they call "man spreading" which is a sexist term, and is the simple act of opening your legs. There are a lot more things taking up seats on busses than men opening their legs, such as purses, strollers, back packs and the like.

People should have a common understanding about how much room they are allowed to use on a bus. That should not vary because of their gender, and if they need extra room whether for baggage, carts, walkers, canes, or children they should seek it as a special permission. This sets a very bad precedent as men opening their legs is something we have to do due to our biology. It's physically painful for men to close their legs and we cannot be expected to do so, and it's also a biological necessity for us to do so.  We can't force woman to stop breast feeding on buses or trains and we can't force them to stop bringing strollers on, why should we force men to close their legs? This is sexism plain and simple and it cannot be passed. If we lose, this will be a big blow to men's rights, and if we win not much will change and we will continue being able to keep our legs open on buses. This petition is sponsored by CAFE (Canadian Association for Equality) http://equalitycanada.com/

Click on this line to sign the petition.

The $240-million-dollar computer Grinch that stole Christmas.

FAMILIES ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVE BAD NEWS 48 HOURS BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE

Ontarians who rely on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program are still not receiving cheques or deposits in spite of promises from the Liberal government that the problems with their new computer system would be fixed in time for the holidays. Cindy Forster, Ontario NDP Critic for Community and Social Services and MPP for Welland, says this is unacceptable.

“It’s 48 hours until Christmas Eve, and people on OW and ODSP are finding out that new computer system rolled out by the Liberals is still broken,” said Forster. “This is one of the toughest times of the year for families on Social Assistance. The Liberals were warned for a year that this computer program had problems, but the Liberals rolled it out right before the Christmas holiday. They went ahead, and now some of the most vulnerable Ontarians are paying the price. Again.”

Problems with the new computer software became apparent last month when the $240 million system failed to send cheques or complete deposits to people across Ontario, and some recipients received as little as $5. The software has been plagued with problems across North America. Something Ontario was well aware of.

Frontline workers estimate that 36,000 Ontarians were paid the incorrect sums earlier this month.

“The holidays should be a time for joy and hope. Instead, the Liberals are throwing families into chaos, with many wondering how they’ll make it through the holiday season,” continued Forster.

Kathleen Wynne had previously dismissed the problem as a “glitch” while her Minister said the problem was a “slight glitch” and cast doubt on these families saying she found it “very difficult to validate some of the anecdotes.”

Save Bala Falls from Wynnes' Avarice!

Save the Bala Falls!

Save Bala Falls! Click on the photo to sign the petition.

The Bala falls is the one and only iconic heritage of the charming, historic town of Bala, Ontario. It has been used as a portage by Native voyagers on their way to Lake Couchiching and back, as well as fur traders, and explorers. Its significance lies in its connection to both the past and present, and once gone it cannot be replicated or replaced.

However, now the province of Ontario, together with a 'for-profit' outfit, is pushing through a plan to destroy Bala Falls as we know it. Why? For the purpose of making more money.

So how much is heritage worth? To a cynical, uncaring, avaricious government, apparently not much. But to the people of Bala it is priceless.

Please sign this petition and pass it on. Thank You.

Click here to sign the petition to save Bala Falls

Double-dipping at Wynne Ontario's hog trough

This is not the the first time an official has taken advantage of the system. During her time as chair of Ontario Power Generation (earning over $2.2 million, including a $300,000 limousine service) Eleanor Clitheroe billed  the crown corporation $214,000 in car allowances.

The point is, nobody noticed! Not an accountant, not an auditor, Nobody! Not only is it (minimally) unethical on the part of the officials, but incompetence on the part of those who should have been watching over this.

Incredible.

Union says Ontario welfare software riddled with 'design flaws'

TORONTO -- A new computer system tasked with administering social assistance in Ontario is creating "chaos" as staff waste valuable time trying to get it to work rather than helping their clients, the union representing welfare caseworkers says.

Carrie Poole-Cotnam with the Canadian Union of Public Employees said the revelation a bug in the software erroneously queued up $20 million in overpayments to welfare and disability recipients earlier this week was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The $240-million Social Assistance Management System is riddled with "design flaws" that see workers jumping through hoops just to do basic tasks -- such as adding a new child to a welfare case, a move which now takes "over 100 steps" from six before, she said Sunday.

Where do you even begin to address this issue for its ineptness and incompetence?

"Here we have a government that is so arrogant that they're not even prepared to apologize for this mistake, nor can they guarantee that it's not going to happen again," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

First, imagine winning the $50M jackpot. Untold wealth, right? Well, the $240 million the hot shots at Queen's Park sqaundered on this computer system is nearly 5-times that amount. FIVE TIMES $50M! That's 2,400 Rolls Royces sitting your driveway, 240 million-dollar homes at your disposal, 2,400 hundred charities you could gift with $100,000 apiece, etc. AND ITS YOUR MONEY! Can you dig it?