Phishing for your TD Bank info

When the email shows up and you just so happen to be a TD Bank customer, the email seems legit. But it's not.

The biggest give away about these "scams" are the spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Your bank will never, ever contact you about sensitive banking information by email. Once you realize that, you'll promptly delete these emails.

Dear TD Canada Trust & TD Commercial Banking customer,

TD Group Customer Serice would like to inform you that we are currently carrying out a scheduled upgrade of TD Security software.
In order to guarantee high level of security to our customers, we require you to complete “EasyWeb Form” (for TD Canada Trust customers) or “Web Business Banking Form” (for TD Commercial Banking customers).
Please select and complete your form using the link below:

http://customerform.td.com/service/serverid/form.aspx?user=6053906972353334647647508184780205775384607667835200612790452&id=585118169537762

Thank you for being a valued customer.

Sincerely,
TD Group Customer Serice

Note the spelling mistake of "Serice". Do you really think a big, multi-billion asset bank like TD Canada Trust would allow for an email to be sent out without it being edited by several online editors ... exactly.

Should you happen to click on the link, you get this form on a page with an URL that has been masked to look like it comes from TD Bank, but it doesn't.

Note the questions asked [click to enlarge]:

What questions? How big is my toe? What color is my hair?
Like I said, it's fake.

Don't do it. This means you, mom.

Education for the driving [m]asses: Tip 371

How to survive a head-on collision

One of the scariest situations any and all drivers can face is to see a car approaching from the opposite direction in your lane. This is very common on two lane rural roads where passing on blind hills, around curves or against a solid (and a double one at that) happens more frequently than those of us who live out in the sticks would like. if you travel to a cottage each summer, I'm sure you've witnessed some of this "stellar" driving.

Chad and I are not afraid to prevent drivers behind us from swinging out on solid lines to pass despite us both driving in excess of the posted speed limit. This practice is not unusual on Courtice Rd. northbound where it is 60 km/hr before the speed increases to 80. Everyone is in a hurry and there is no passing at anytime, not on a solid in the stretch marked at 60. People try it anyway. So I swing over. They swing back. There's a lot of cursing and finger gesturing, so be prepared if you do this. People get really, really, really mad when you don't allow them to blatantly break the law. Performing this maneuver once is usually enough to send a message and most drivers won't try again until the line becomes dotted and they are clear to do so. One driver tried this southbound on Courtice Rd. on a blind hill where the road dips beyond a bridge. Just as I swung over to stop the driver behind me from passing, forcing him back into our lane, a huge dumptruck came over the hill. When both of us came to a stop at Baseline and I cranked my head around to look at this driver (who was old enough to my dad), he pretended there was something on his steering wheel so as not to look at me. If you're kind the kind of person who can't handle confrontation, this attempt at prevention may not be for you.

If someone is trying to pass you at any cost, especially when you are traveling the posted limit, do not tap your brakes. Do not "force" them to go around you in the opposite lane. Signal that you are pulling onto the shoulder, slow down and let them go around. Most head-on collisions occur because of driver error, driving too fast for the road conditions, not predicting a change in road condition and passing when it is not safe to do so.

Now, what should you do if you are in the opposite direction and a car is coming towards you? First of all, driving involves a lot of concentration so as much as we all enjoy the conveniences of cellphones, driver vanity mirrors, iPods, blackberries, cupholders and CD changers, I don't need to remind you where your eyes should be at all times and where your hands should be at all times. You have to look ahead when you drive at all times. I mean, way ahead. If you need to pry open the lid to your cup of Tim's - pull over. It's really that simple. People make driving seem like a right and protest way too much that they should be able to do what they want when they want behind the wheel. When you're in the hospital recovering from two broken legs, a collapsed lung and you're bleeding in your brain, the last thing you are going to care about was the fact that some guy (or girl) interrupted your concentration of finding the next song on your iPod by plowing into you head-on. Think real hard about that.

Head-on collisions can be avoided. If you're driving a car made in the last 10 years, chances are you have an air bag and you're a creature of driving habit when it comes to seatbelt use. These two things will save you from death (the statistics are high), no, not from the head-on collision but from the impact of driving your car off the road -- into a ditch or into a field, even onto a sidewalk. Your goal, should you be faced with a car approaching you in the opposite direction, should be to get your car off the road - now. And aim right. Always drive right. It's what big rig drivers are also taught. Whatever you do, DON'T BRAKE. If the road you are on has a soft shoulder, steer your car so that two wheels are on pavement and two wheels are on the shoulder and take your foot off the gas. This will allow you to get around the approaching car and avoid a head-on collision. By not braking you remain in control of your vehicle. You may make contact with the car you're trying to avoid and lose a sideview mirror ... but there's a reason why you pay for insurance. Cars can be fixed.

You can't.

FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION NEAR BUCKHORN, ON

OPP -- County Rd 507 is closed at County Rd 36 in Buckhorn, Ontario (Peterborough County) because of a two vehicle fatal collision between a motorcycle and an SUV that occurred at 4:00 pm today.
The motorcycle was traveling southbound on 507. The SUV was
traveling northbound and was struck by the southbound motorcycle in the northbound lane.
The male operator of the motorcycle was critically injured and pronounced dead at Peterborough Regional Hospital. The driver of the SUV sustained minor injuries.
As a result of this serious collision, County Rd 507 will be closed for some time.
The OPP are still investigating and are working to open both lanes by midnight.

Sounds to me like an attempt at passing that went bad real quick.
I haven't really posted all of them but since the beginning of June, there have been 17 crashes across Canada where motorcyclists have been killed or seriously injured.

Lolz cat says ...

Two-Car Crash In Aurora Sends Five To Hospital

A head-on crash between a Honda Civic and a Toyota Camry occurred just after 10 a.m. Saturday on Wellington Street east of Bayview Avenue in Aurora, Ontario.

York Regional Police believe two cars were travelling in opposite directions on Wellington when one of the vehicles lost control and slammed into the other.

Two people were airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital and another victim was taken to St. Michael's Hospital.

A fourth person was taken to a local hospital.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call York police.

Traffic reconstruction officers from York Regional Police closed the intersection for four hours. It has since be re-opened.

Gone camping ...

Lord help me.
I hate:

bugs
tents
flies
bugs
air
trees
flies
bugs

Did I say bugs?
Chad is dragging me to Balsam Lake as he wants to spend quality time with Jayde and teach her how to camp. I'm going because he begged me to. Before I got married, camping was an excuse to go into the woods somewhere and drink copious amounts of alcohol. This will be interesting ...

See you Sunday!

16 year old girl runs out onto Highway 401 in tragic bid to end her life

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Bianca on Friday, July 4, 2008. Bianca, loving daughter of Dory and Albert. Sadly missed by her brothers and sister Paolo, Radian and Bacil. Forever remembered by her aunts and uncles; Filo and Dody, June and Mimi, Estela, Imelda and Ver, her cousins and many friends. Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKERSIE-KOCHER FUNERAL HOME 114 Main St. Milton 905-878-4452 from 7-9 pm on Thursday and from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Friday. Vigil Prayers will be prayed at the funeral home on Friday evening at 8:30 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church 139 Martin St. Milton on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Milton Evergreen Cemetery. If desired, memorial donations to the Milton District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.

To send online condolences to the Marcelo family through the funeral home [click here]

McKersie-Kocher Funeral Home
114 Main Street E.

Visitation:
Thursday July 10 2008 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday July 11 2008 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 7:00pm - 9:00pm
*Vigil Prayers at 8:30pm on Friday

Funeral:
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
139 Martin Street
Milton
Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:00am

Internment:
Evergreen Cemetery
190 Ontario Street S.
Milton

To everyone,
One of the hardest things to deal with is the loss of a friend at their own hand. It leaves the blackest mark on your heart and the pain you carry lasts a lifetime. When you lose someone where it starts to take its toll like Bianca felt with Ilko, you really feel the world will never be brighter. Bianca did try to cope but I think it was all too much. There's nothing I can say to make it better but I was stunned when I was emailed it was her. She was such a sweet girl and she tried *so hard* to live through. Remember her for what she was and not what she did.
- A survivor

12:30 pm -- What the hell? I can't believe it.
I didn't know her but I really felt for this girl when she was dealing with the sudden and tragic death of her two classmates (one who was her boyfriend) at Bishop Reding Catholic School in Milton, ON.

I got an email telling me that the 16 year old girl who was killed on the 401 this morning near James Snow Parkway is Bianca Marcelo - the girlfriend of Ilko Nourkov who died last month in a high speed collision.

In the email, there was a link to her Facebook profile and it must be true as tributes are flowing in from friends.

At first, I thought this was just a teenager being stupid and playing chicken but my god, it was suicide ...

7:00 am (Milton, Ont.) – The Port Credit OPP is investigating a fatal collision that occurred in the westbound lanes of Hwy 401 west of James Snow Parkway in the Town of Milton.

On Friday July 4, 2008 at approximately 3:05 am a female pedestrian darted out from the right shoulder of the highway when she was hit by a tractor-trailer.

The pedestrian a 16-year-old female from Milton Ontario was transported to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time until next of kin has been notified.

The Investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the OPP Traffic Support Unit. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the Port Credit OPP Detachment at (905) 278-6131.

Let's help these kids.
And how about the driver of the tractor-trailer? Who wants to hit and kill a kid?
You can't stop those things like a car. I feel for him, too. Jesus ...

No parent should have to bury a child who dies like this.
No one. But they do.

One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to people who look to end their own life is that people think more should have or could have been done. But that's not the case. It really comes down to the person and if they *want* help. The keyword is want. You can drag people kicking and screaming to the doctor or the hospital but depression is a mental illness. It's not something that can just be magically fixed with love or caring friends or phone calls. Medication helps but only if the person takes the medication.

The worst thing is how family and friends will point fingers or feel that more should have been done. That's so much easier said than done.

Also, there is such a stigma to suicide. Don't even get me started on the religious aspect. The Church has not been the best institution for dealing with mental problems, depression being one of them, among a few *ahem* others. Despite what the doctrine may say, a person who dies by choice is not condemned to hell. What a horrible thought. And I won't tolerate any of that nonsense here so don't even try to write it.

What people need to realize is that it's not anyone's fault. You can't fix the person who is in pain. Nothing you can say or do, can or will, make it better.

So what happens next? I don't know.
Someone who I was so close to did the same thing. I see him everywhere I go since I learned of what he'd done. It tortures me that I could have done more but he did what he wanted.

It hurts like effing hell.
How do we stop it?
Sometimes we can't.
;(

The facebook memorial group can be found here.

Cue "the speed is wrong" theme music: 50 over in a pickup

OPP -- On July 03, 2008 at approximately 8:35 PM, Peterborough County OPP officers were conducting patrols on County Rd. 6 (Douro/ Dummer Twp). At that time, a pick-up truck was clocked on radar in excess of 50 km/h over the posted speed limit. As a result of the police investigation, Colin Andrew MAUDE (27 yrs, of Smith/Ennismore/Lakefield Twp) has been charged with Race a Motor Vehicle (Sec 172(1) HTA). MAUDE is scheduled to appear in the Peterborough Provincial Courts on August 11, 2008.

Tragic crash last night near Bracebridge leaves Tyler Mulcahy, Cory Mintz and Kourosh Totonchian dead

This is getting ridiculous.

How many more parents will have to bury their children this summer before the message gets through? Come on kids, let's slow down. - gB

UPDATE 12:30 pm
OPP traffic services have speculated that high speeds contributed to this crash. Alcohol use has not been determined as autopsies are yet to be conducted.

OPP -- MINETT – Police have identified three Toronto men who died last night when a car crashed into a river near Bracebridge, Ont in a town called Minett.

Provincial police say the car hit a guard rail after the driver lost control, flipped through trees and plunged into Joseph River at about 7 p.m. The collision occurred on Peninsula Road at the Joseph River Bridge.

The Audi S4, which landed on its side and partially submerged in water, appeared to have been travelling too fast for the road conditions at the time. Only one passenger survived.

The victims are identified as Tyler Mulcahy and Cory Mintz, who were both 20, and 19-year-old Kourosh Totonchian.

The surviving passenger, 19-year-old Nastasia Elzinga, also of Toronto, was treated for minor injuries and released.

There is no indication yet on what caused the accident, but police say alcohol may have been a factor.

The Audi belonged to Mr. Mintz, but Mr. Mulcahy was driving when the car crashed into the lake.

Friends and family said Friday that the young men were “full of life” and loved to have a good time up at the cottage while on a break from their university studies.

Mr. Totonchian's father, Ali, said Friday that his son was “a great boy” who was finishing his second year of business at the University of British Columbia, and had dreams of becoming a lawyer.

“He was a people person. He could always charm his way through anything,” Mr. Totonchian said.

Ryan Silverstein, who had known Mr. Mintz for seven years, said the young man was starting an acting career and was seeking an agent. He had finished his first year at the University of Western Ontario in London and was living in his mother's boyfriend's cottage on Peninsula Road during the summer while running his own boat-detailing business.

“He wasn't just a best friend, he was my brother,” he said of Mr. Mintz. “He was a hipster guy, liked to party, wore tight jeans, listened to cool music.”

Mr. Mintz's cousin Skye Feiner said the group was driving home from Cory Mintz's cottage at the time of the accident.

Post mortems will be performed on Saturday at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital in Bracebridge.

But the mayhem kept coming ... just after midnight this morning while members of Bracebridge OPP and their traffic investigators were collecting evidence from this scene, a blue Buick, while attempting to turn around, came into contact with a roadside guardrail. This caught the attention of Muskoka Lakes Fire Department personnel at the scene. Officers from Bracebridge OPP caught up to the vehicle in Port Carling and arrested the driver, Matthew MacDonald (25 years) of Niagara Falls for Impaired Driving.

He was transported to the Bracebridge OPP detachment for breath tests and released with a future court date to answer to the charges of Impaired Driving and Over 80 mg.

Rebecca Milner, 17, works at nearby Pride of Rosseau Marine and lives just down the street from where the crash happened. She said her parents and grandparents heard the crash and rushed down the road to help.

Milner's family, along with people from a marina and a nearby wakeboarding class, helped the surviving passenger in the crash up onto the rocks.

"She just had bumps and bruises," Milner said. "She was screaming for her boyfriend and sitting on the rocks with my mother and grandmother."

Milner said some people who rushed to the scene were able to pull one man out of the wrecked car that sat in shallow water in the Joseph River but it was too late to help him.

Olivia Borne and her friend also happened upon the scene soon after the crash but could just stand by as people worked unsuccessfully to free the remaining people in the car.

"It's just sad," she said, adding that fire and marine units were very quick to respond.

Const. Kruger says locals have been showing up at the scene throughout the day to pay their respects at the site of the latest crash to hit the area. There have been three recent fatalities in the Muskoka area including two recent car crashes and a drowning case last week.

"These kids are just in the prime of their young lives," said Kruger. " It's a tragic set of circumstances."

According to Kruger, friends of the deceased have shown up to collect any belongings from the crash and a nearby cottager has been in the water to retrieve personal items including a set of golf clubs and a computer.

- Photos courtesy Facebook and Parry Sound.com
With files from Toronto Star.

And the mayhem continues: Dramatic Police Pursuit Through GTA Ends In Arrest

by Citynews Staff

A dramatic police pursuit in the GTA overnight was like something out of an action movie - but what unfolded was all too real.

It started in Pickering but headed west toward Toronto, and O.P.P. cruisers ended up chasing the suspect down the Don Valley Parkway in the wee hours of Friday morning. The vehicles travelled at speeds allegedly reaching 150 km/h at one point. The car eventually veered onto Richmond St. downtown.

The suspect, a 46-year-old Scarborough man, was eventually arrested in the back yard of 51 Division, in a used car lot, but not before his vehicle had come into contact with a police cruiser.

Investigators found beer bottles and what looked to be stereo equipment in the car.

The man was taken to Toronto Police Traffic Services to undergo a breathalyzer test. There's no word yet on charges.

Check out this stellar individual ... Faron Lyle Akapew gets 4 years for high speed chase that killed 10 year old girl

REGINA -- Faron Lyle Akapew was sentenced Thursday for his role in a dangerous police chase and the ensuing crash that killed a 10-year-old girl and injured a member of her family in March 2007.

Akapew showed no reaction upon hearing his sentence, which is reduced to 4 and 1/2 years because of the time he has already spent on remand. The 47-year-old nodded once to a member of his family and casually took a sip of water before being led out of court by RCMP officers.

The family of the young victim left quickly and quietly after hearing Akapew's sentence.

During Akapew's trial this spring, court heard he spent the morning of March 31, 2007, drinking with some family members before heading out in a stolen car with his 17-year-old nephew, Waylon James Starr. Starr crashed that car after stealing gas from an east Regina gas station, and the men abandoned the vehicle when it broke down along the highway just outside the city.

The two men then boldly stole a truck from a Balgonie-area farmyard, while the elderly female resident of the property stood by helpless.

Akapew and Starr drove to a gas station near Balgonie and were parked near the gas tanks when an officer approached the vehicle and Akapew yelled, "Cops, go, go, go."

tarr repeatedly swerved into oncoming traffic during the harrowing 33-kilometre chase, with Akapew at times throwing items at police and at one point pretending to be aiming a rifle at the officers.

The girl's family was returning home from a hockey tournament when their van was hit by the stolen truck after it veered into their lane.

Akapew was convicted of flight from police causing death and bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, theft of the truck and possession of stolen property. Though Akapew wasn't driving, he was convicted as a party to the offences.

In delivering her sentence, Justice Catherine Dawson said the two men's actions have left an innocent family to "live with a loss no family should have to deal with."

"In those terms, no sentence will ever be enough," she said.

Akapew has more than 70 previous convictions, 22 of which are for criminal driving offences, including two for fleeing police. Dawson described Akapew's record as "atrocious" and said his life has been "a life of crime."
[click here for the full news article]

So I was feeling down and then I discovered this Carlton dance compilation

And what's Carlton without a blooper reel?

To my American readers ...

I totally did *not* forget about you guys.

Happy July 4th!

This video is dedicated to Peter who I visited once down in College Station, Texas and I happened to be there for the fourth of July. It was cool. This video totally reminds me of that weekend as we heard this song at least fifty times that weekend. :)

Guess what? You're never too old to be an asshole behind the wheel

Thanks To S. Simpson for the lead ...

Man, 72, killed in Norton, N.B. crash; police say speed a factor

NORTON, N.B. - A 72-year-old man has been killed in a single vehicle crash on Highway 1 near Norton, N.B.
RCMP say he was passing vehicles when he lost control and rolled several times earlier today.
The victim was trapped and had to be removed from his vehicle by volunteer firefighters.
Police say speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.
The man's name has not been released.
(The Canadian Press)

And the blatant stupidity continues!

SASKATCHEWAN -- Two Saskatoon men are in hospital now but are off to court as soon as they're released facing a grab bag of charges.

Just before 3 this morning, officers spotted a Dodge Neon on Wilson Crescent in Saskatoon which had been reported stolen. When police tried to stop the car, it rammed the police cruiser.

The police pursuit was called off when speeds reached 120 km/h. The suspects then drove around stop sticks which had been deployed and went the wrong direction onto the 8th street off-ramp colliding head on with a mini van. Oh, and while officers were trying lay the stop sticks, the suspect vehicle tried to run into them.

The two suspects suffered non life threatening injuries while the two women in the minivan suffered minor injuries.

Two men, aged 23 and 21, face numerous charges including Assault with a Weapon, Failure to Stop for Police, Robbery, Possession of Stolen Property - among others.

Police are also investigating the possibility that the same suspect vehicle may have been involved in a robbery of a gas station on Highway 11 south.

***Awesome***

But are judges going to enforce the new amendments or are they going to stick with current case law when it comes to impaired driving convictions?

Every so often, the public will approach their MPs (members of parliament) and ask to introduce a private member bill that will either amend a current law (or code) or introduce a new law into Canada's criminal code. This is how we got all these laws in the first place. MPs will also introduce bills on their own if they feel that changes are needed to help keep Canadians safe or protect Canadians from harm.

On July 1st, the criminal code was amended to make it harder for impaired drivers to escape harsh penalties, especially those who kill others while behind the wheel. The amendments were also intended to close the loopholes many defence lawyers exploit to help their clients avoid jail time.

And the new law plans to do exactly that.

The amendments will make it easier for police to obtain blood samples after serious automobile accidents in which alcohol is believed to be a factor and reduce the opportunities for defendants to use "evidence to the contrary" arguments to try to avoid a conviction.

"The legislation will make it more difficult for those who drink, drive and kill to escape liability," said Robert Solomon, a law professor at the University of Western Ontario in London.

Mr. Solomon, who is also director of legal policy for MADD Canada, said other countries with stricter impaired-driving laws are surprised by the provisions in this country.

More than 1,200 people across the country died as a result of impaired-driving incidents in 2005, according to the latest statistics available.

That was nearly double the 663 people who were murdered that year. Even when defendants are convicted of serious offences such as impaired driving causing death, it is unlikely that a prison sentence of more than four or five years will be imposed.

"It is the No. 1 criminal cause of death in this country, yet we have this attitude that boys will be boys. Why do we make excuses for drunk drivers?" asked Mr. Solomon, who suggested there have been too many "technical loopholes" available for defence lawyers to use.

In one high-profile example, Margaret Trudeau admitted during a public speech last week that she should not have been acquitted of impaired driving. The Ontario Court of Appeal concluded this spring that she was stopped for an improper purpose and her Charter rights were violated. "I shouldn't have got off, I was over the limit," the former wife of Pierre Trudeau said during the speech.

In another decision last week, a judge in Barrie, Ont., acquitted a senior Toronto police detective who was allegedly driving an unmarked police car 145 kilometres per hour at 4 a. m. and had a Breathalyzer reading of more than twice the legal limit. The judge accepted the evidence of the officer and his colleagues that he had five beers to drink and the Breathalyzer must have been inaccurate.

The "evidence to the contrary" defence can be presented under the new legislation only if it is shown there was a malfunction with the Breathalyzer, along with clear evidence the driver was not over the legal limit.

This restriction was questioned by the Canadian Bar Association in a presentation to Parliament last summer. "It would be particularly difficult for an accused to raise a reasonable doubt based on instrument malfunction, given that the instrument is in the custody of the authorities," said the legal organization. It called for a "mandatory protocol" to ensure the reliability of testing devices.

The evidence to the contrary defences have been used "completely inappropriately," yet they have often been accepted by judges to defeat "objective" results from Breathalyzers, Mr. Solomon said.

One of these legal arguments, known as the "bolus drinking" or "last-drink defence" suggests the blood alcohol reading is incorrect if someone "chugged" a drink a few minutes before driving, because it could not yet be absorbed into the body. "The last-drink defence does not exist in any other country," noted Mr. Solomon.

While he is pleased with the amendments, the law professor said there will be only minimal reductions in the number of impaired-driving incidents unless the blood alcohol limit for a criminal charge is reduced from .08 to .05. "We'll get there eventually," he predicted.

Impaired-driving trials already make up more than 30% of the cases in criminal courts in Canada. Critics of the new laws say they will be subject to constitutional challenges and are likely to further clog up the courts.

Sources: The Financial Post

America keeps abreast of pop culture with titillating talent shows

The King of Southern Gospel is Dead ... RIP Ira Tucker of the Dixie Hummingbirds

One of my favorite blues/gospel singers has died. His family notified the media of his death today which occurred on June 24. I worked for an independent music store for three years starting when I was 16 and the owners had one of the best blues, gospel, r&b, jazz and southern rock collections this side of Detroit. I learned a lot and I became a big fan of 50s and 60s gospel. I loved the sound and the harmony.

The Dixie Hummingbirds have symbolized music greatness over their almost eight-decade career as the foremost gospel quartet. Led by frontman Ira Tucker, the "Birds" celebrated 80 years of show business in 2008. Sadly, lead singer, Ira Tucker has passed away. He was 83.

The Dixie Hummingbirds sung backup for Paul Simon for years. This is one of my favorite songs. It's called "Loves me like a rock".

Ray Romano sings the hits

Really, some dead dude holding a plate of poutine is offensive?

I agree Samuel de Champlain is a prominent figure in Canadian history. He also founded Quebec City, a breathtaking place in the Canadian province of Quebec ... you know, the same province that's been trying for years to break away from Canada ... yeah, that province.

How is this picture (see right) offensive to Canadians? I'm Canadian. I eat poutine. It's what we do. Jesus, if anyone says they are from Quebec, most people will make a joke about poutine. It's like Canadians and hockey.

So how is that picture offensive?
To people in Quebec maybe? To Americans?

Have you ever experienced how some people (not all but some) in Quebec treat non-French speaking Canadians or even a half-Acadian like myself? Often, it's with contempt that we ask questions or for directions in English. How dare we travel into Quebec. Merde!

Whatever ...

I thought the illustration was cute and funny, not in poor taste.
So why all the fuss ... ?

Canadian embassy in Washington apologizes for controversial Canada Day invite
By: Peter Rakobowchuk, THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL - The Canadian embassy in Washington [official website] is apologizing after it sent out a Canada Day invitation which showed Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City, holding a plate of poutine.

Jean-Paul Perreault, the president of Imperatif francais, a group that defends and promotes the French language, called the embassy's behaviour "contemptuous and unacceptable."

"It's ridiculous, it's a.....lack of respect towards the Canadian identity which proudly includes French-speaking communities," he said in an interview Wednesday.

Poutine is a popular Quebec dish that consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with brown gravy.

"If it was a joke, it was a joke in bad taste which we can't allow as part of the activities of a (Canadian) embassy," he added.

Perreault said several citizens also complained to Imperatif francais about the invitation.

The Canada Day invitation was placed on the embassy's website and about 2,000 people showed up for the July 1 party in the U.S. capital.

Perreault pointed out that this year marks the 400th anniversary of the July 3 founding of Quebec City by Champlain.

The event will be celebrated Thursday with various events in the provincial capital.

Tristan Landry, a spokesman for the Canadian embassy, says the online invite was eventually changed and the plate of poutine was removed from Champlain's right hand.

"It was obviously not intended to offend anybody and we apologize if it offended anyone," he told The Canadian Press.

It is so OBVIOUS.

Get a grip people.
How about we focus our attention on the things that are really wrong in this country and not some dead dude holding lunch?

[read the rest of the news article]

OPP lay 6,562 speeding charges, 696 seatbelt charges, 146 charges for impaired driving and hand out 172 12-hour suspensions over long weekend

(ORILLIA) – Four people died on roads patrolled by the Ontario Provincial Police, three died in marine incidents over the Canada Day weekend and one person was killed in an ATV crash. In addition, OPP officers charged 181 motorists with going more than 50 kilometres over the posted speed limit.

“Our targetted enforcement, combined with the use of two aircraft and our extensive marine patrols appear to be having a positive affect on people,” Commissioner Julian Fantino said. “Our officers, in the air, on the ground and on the water, did an excellent job all weekend.

“While even one death is one too many, it’s encouraging to see our efforts are saving lives and enabling citizens to enjoy their vacations or long weekends safely.”

Province-wide, between 6 a.m. Friday and midnight yesterday the OPP laid 6,562 speeding charges, 696 seatbelt charges, 146 charges for impaired driving and handed out 172 12-hour suspensions. On the water, officers laid 113 charges Two people were killed in a collision in the Ottawa area. An ATV travelling at high rate of speed on Eastbound Concession # 6 in Haldimand County failed to yield at a stop sign and collided with a motor vehicle traveling southbound on Sandusk Rd.

In addition, at least two traffic stops on the weekend turned into criminal investigations. In one case, Highway Safety Division officers stopped a BMW SUV for speeding on Highway 401 in Oxford County. As the vehicle slowed down, the driver and passenger were seen changing positions. A search of the vehicle revealed 21 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $35,000 and $6,550 in cash. The driver, a 28-year-old London resident, was charged with driving while under suspension and he and his fiancé are both facing drug charges.

In another case, two people were charged with firearm, drug and driving offences Sunday when OPP officers stopped a vehicle on Highway 406 in the Welland area for doing more than 130 kph in a posted 80 kph zone. Officers recovered two firearms and marijuana in the vehicles. The driver and passenger are both facing firearms charges and the driver had his vehicle seized and his driver’s license suspended on the spot.

“The fact the weekend was spread out over five days helped,” Chief Superintendent Bill Grodzinski, Commander of the Highway Safety Division said. “Some people had Friday off and worked Monday, others had both Friday and Monday off and some had Monday and Tuesday off. That kept traffic congestion to a minimum.”

The two planes the OPP used all weekend – its own and a rental - were hampered by poor weather much of the weekend but still managed to lay almost 500 charges, including 11 under Section 172 and more than 350 additional speeding charges.

The planes patrolled the Queen Elizabeth Way between Hamilton and St. Catharines and Niagara Falls and Welland, Highway 400 and 401 and Highway 35/115 in the Peterborough area.

“Officers put in more than 900 hours on the lakes and rivers of the province over the weekend,” Acting Staff Sergeant Karen Harrington, manager of marine programs said. “It appears that most boaters are obeying the law and not drinking and boating and have the proper safety equipment on board but we’d like to see everyone wearing their personal flotation device at all times.”

Sergeant Cam Woolley
Highway Safety Division
(416) 809-9070 - cell
(416) 692-1521 – pager

World’s Biggest Corey Feldman Fan Meets Corey Feldman - Cue Creepy Music

Another Canada Day come and gone ... but could you pass a citizenship test?

Here are a couple of quick questions for you:

• When did the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms become part of the Canadian Constitution?
• From where does the name "Canada" come?
• And who were the United Empire Loyalists?

If you couldn't answer one or more of those queries, get ready for a jolt: they're the kinds of questions you'd be asked if you were trying to become a Canadian citizen.

The shame of it is that people anxious to come to this country may actually wind up knowing more about it than those who were born here. After all, they have to pass a test to gain permanent entrance.

Those who know the answers celebrated their citizenship at the CN Tower on Thursday, in advance of Canada Day. Fifty new Canucks from 20 countries were officially welcomed here, an annual event that precedes the nation's birthday.

It's easy to take Canada for granted until you see the looks on the faces of those for whom it means a better future. People like Shazor Hazad, who was born in Pakistan. "I decided to come to Canada and become Canadian because Canada is one of the best countries to live in the world," he explains. But could you pass the test they had to take? Try your hand at a 5, 20, 80 or 100 question quiz here.

Weekend pics

Our cat George, makes sleeping a sport.

Jayde loves our new inflatable hot tub.

Happy Canada Day - wtf?

No seriously, what is this garbage? (NSFW) due to language.
Apparently these guys are finalists in Funny or Die's Canada contest or something ...
The only funny part about this whole video was the comment that some Decembers we have little snow and it's hard to ski ... so ... yeah ... you'll get the joke.

Ow ...

So this morning I go out to raise our sun umbrella on the deck and I put on the t-shirt I had left to dry in the sun yesterday.
As I was cranking the umbrella, I felt a sharp intense pain on my left shoulder blade. It felt like a knife being poked into my skin. I thought it was just a spasm until I felt another "sting" and I ran into the house ripping my shirt off in the process. My back was on fire!
I high tailed it upstairs and felt another "sting" as I ran into the bathroom. I grabbed a towel and began to swipe at my back.
In my t-shirt was a fire ant (we have them out here in good ol' Clarington county) and despite our 10 foot elevated terrace, they climb up and down our deck. I guess one crawled into my shirt.
In all, I was stung three to four times. I took some antihistamine but my back and neck still feel somewhat stiff and I feel incredibly drowsy. Because I am on medication that interacts with just about every other drug, taking an antihistamine makes me feel incredibly lethargic and sleepy so I am actually having trouble writing this post.
So what's the point?
The point is I'm hurting and I'm looking for sympathy.
I also wanted to share how bad it %^&*$# hurts.

So what's a fire ant?
The fire ant is a wingless member of the order Hymenoptera, which includes wasps and bees. It is a potentially lethal environmental hazard in the United States, infesting more than 310 million acres of land. Fire ants are resistant to control efforts and can overwhelm an environment. They damage farm equipment, electrical systems, irrigation systems, and land. They build mounds in sunny, open areas (eg, lawns, playgrounds, parks, golf courses) and aggressively attack anyone who disrupts their mound.

How does it sting?
The fire ant uses its mandibles to grasp its victim. It arches its body and drives an abdominal stinger into the skin to release venom. If not quickly removed, it then pivots around its mandibles and inflicts further stings in a circular pattern.
The stinger is a modified ovipositor that consists of a dorsal stylet and 2 ventrolateral lancets. These structures surround the venom canal, which connects to the venom sac. A pair of coiled glands produces the venom that discharges into the venom sac.

What happens next?

• Physical findings from fire ant bites and stings can be subdivided into local and systemic reactions.
• Skin lesions produced by fire ants typically occur in clusters.
• The attachment site of the ant's mandibles makes 2 small, hemorrhagic puncta.
• The initial reaction to the sting is the development of a wheal, followed within 24 hours by a sterile vesicle.
• The fluid in the vesicle becomes cloudy; after 8-10 hours, the typical lesion is an umbilicated, sterile pustule on a red, edematous base.
• The pustule may last for several days and is characteristic for fire ant stings.
• The pustule then ruptures, forms a crust, and heals several days later, sometimes leaving small scars.
  
  ** Awesome **

Stolen

On Monday, June 23, 2008 at around quarter to ten that night, Darshanjit Buttar succumbed to injuries sustained after a drunk driver collided with his car in Brampton. He died in his car. Alone.

His children never had a chance to say goodbye. They slept not knowing what happened to their father. He was on his way to work, a rare occasion to handle a night shift, otherwise he would have been home with his wife. A 20 year old man from Oshawa would trigger a chain of events when he ran a red light that would see him land in the hospital with serious injuries and his 18 year old passenger critically injured. Regan Senthamilselvan was drunk. It's also alleged that he had been caught driving impaired before.

Darshanjit was working as a real estate agent part time on top of working full time to support his family. He loved being a dad and aside from his wife and two sons, he leaves behind a large and close family who have not yet recovered from the shock of his untimely and purely unjustified death. His sons are still coming to terms with the heartbreaking fact that daddy is gone, forever.

Below are pictures of Darshanjit (Darshan to his family) sent in by a relative.

You know, before you go drinking tonight or this weekend, I hope these photos leave you with a mental snapshot of families destroyed by selfish decisions made by ordinary people to drive home regardless of how little they may have drunk. You just don't know ...

These two boys will grow up without a father, remember that.
It's not just one person that you hurt. It's everyone left behind.


More about this tragedy after the jump

Removal of a licence does not deter driving or tragedy

Ever since I've been receiving feeds from the OPP, I am really disappointed by the number of individuals who drive under suspension. But it only gives credibility to those who have claimed all along that suspending a licence does not deter anyone from driving. That person will still drive regardless. I think the loss of the freedom to drive is too much for some to take as for most, driving is a means of independence.

Of the 21 impaired drivers charged by the Peterborough OPP detachment this weekend, four were caught driving under suspension. We can't seem to keep the drunks off our roads. "We" being our justice system, the very system we pay for. It's not the cops, but the judges. There's too much hand-holding, slaps on the wrists and hand-wringing going on.

In total, police laid close to 3,000 charges so far this Canada Day weekend. Many of the charges were laid against drivers who were not legally allowed to be on the road.

"We encountered more people who are prohibited drivers under the criminal code," OPP Sergeant Cam Woolley told CTV news. "Several drivers that were apprehended were actually under lifetime bans."

We've all seen what happens when these suspended and banned drivers get back behind the wheel. Just last week, a Brampton father of two was killed by a drunk driver who had been caught driving impaired before. Last July 19th, Andrew and Nettie Miller were killed when a habitual drunk driver, 29 year old Ingram Bakhsh, plowed into the back of their car as they waited at a GO train crossing in Milton. The impact sent the Millers' car spinning onto the tracks where it was crushed by the oncoming commuter train. Ingram was out on bail at the time.

The Milton man was already facing other drinking and driving charges at the time of the collision. He has pleaded guilty in connection with the deaths of the couple and will be sentenced in August. Sara, a regular reader of the Creed, guesses the judge will hand down a four year prison term. It is doubtful Bakhsh will receive a conditional sentence considering his past problems with alcohol and his denial and refusal to seek treatment.

The Millers' adult children have been trying for the past year to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and figure out how to carry on without their mom and dad. Lord only knows how hard it has been for them. I can't imagine but if it's what I have come to know, the consequences of such a tremendous loss has weaved its way into the fabric of their lives, affecting their friendships, relationships, way of life and ability to work without losing concentration. The grief and anger does not end the day of the funeral and the loss can't be fixed with comments such as "it was their time" or "god had a plan". Anyone who has experienced a sudden and tragic loss of a loved one knows that nothing fixes the hole left behind, time does not heal the wound and sadness never really stops. If anything, life does move forward and you learn to move with its current, paddling with one oar instead of two. That's how these families deal.

It's never the same again.

Be cool AND save on your electricity bill

/Metoo

In response to another blog post about how utility companies are ripping off customers while execs make big salaries and bonuses, I had a few thoughts on how to save money. Someone wrote they were interested in seeing the comment in a blog post, so here it is. (You can skip to the bullets below for a short answer of what to do, the next couple of paragraphs describe why I did them).

Any questions? Just post them in the comments.

The purpose is to discuss things you can do to lower your electricity bill for aircon in summer. Like anybody, I want to minimize the bills I pay, but maintain comfort for my family in our home. Our place is between 40 and 50 years old, a ranch style bungalow in more northerly clime in Ontario. So way back when they built it, designing for cooling efficiency wasn't a big priority. One problem with a long wide home on a big lot is that the AC coolant line has to stretch a long way, so I couldn't move the furnace to make that shorter, and I didn't want to spend more on a higher capacity aircon unit (either of these would make the cooling fluid cycle a shorter distance, and make it more efficient).

So, basically I had to squeeze more cooling capability out of the unit I have (1.5 ton) by doing tricks with the air circulation in the house, and thermostat programming.

One BIG issue is that the thermostat is on the main floor. It's really important to understand why this is problem. Cool air sinks, right, so if you are cooling your house, and all the cold air goes downstairs, your thermostat upstairs doesn't sense the coolness and thinks: "oh! it's so hot, i better tell the AC to keep cranking!". The AC does that, and keeps pumping cool air into the basement!

So the goal was to distribute cool air more evenly through out the house, so that the thermostat could do its job right, and the house would be comfortable whereever you are.

Here's what I did (with apologies if this is obvious):

I had an old furnace with a crappy belt-drive blower on it. It moved hardly enough air for my bungalow with finished basement. So the basement was a refrigerator with AC on, and upstairs would never cool (temp would start at 24 and just keep climbing).

* I got rid of the furnace and replaced it with one with a direct drive fan with LOTS of air flow setting options. I wanted this baby to blow. (Also, it's efficient on oil but we'll talk in the winter about it).

(Note: I could have increased the blower motor from 1/3 HP to 1/2 HP and screwed around with the belt wheel ratios, but the furnace was 14 years old and it wasn't that good in the winter either, so it went). One alternative to buying a new furnace would also be to get a "fan booster" which goes in your duct work and increases air flow that way. These are apparently readily available, and not hard to install. I didn't investigate this much.

* I close all my registers downstairs so that all the cool air blows ONLY upstairs

* I blocked the cold air return upstairs with paper and tape BUT (AND THIS IS IMPORTANT), my downstairs cold air returns are left wide open, unobstructed. Blocking cool air intakes is very bad if you leave no flow back to the unit, the fan needs to BOTH suck and blow.

* I set the fan to blow to the MAX amount when it is in "cool" mode. AND stay always on when not cooling "engaged". (This disregards what the "manual" says to do, as it doesn't account for the AC capacity ("tonnage"), but I'll get to why it doesn't matter).

* Now, the basement acts like a big "cooling" battery. You have a cool air storage battery sitting in your basement, so you want to spread that cool air around. This setup is ALWAYS sucking up cool air from downstairs and dumping it upstairs. PLUS extra cooling when the "cool" engages on your AC. So even if you have a low-rated AC exchanger, you give it a boost with the cool air from downstairs. (This is why the manual's recommended settings don't matter, since they are making assumptions that they can't possibly know about your house).

* I also have a programmable thermostat that I allow settings to increase a little during the day (to not run the AC too hard), and then lower the temp at night since it's easier to get the temp down when there is no sun (this also gives the house a nice low end temp to start off the next day).

I notice a huge difference in how often the AC comes on. Last year it never went off from 10am-10pm.... it was a leech! Now it comes on occasionally, PLUS I'm able to reach whatever low-end temp I want.

The less often it comes on. The less $$ I spend on juice.

The blower being always on costs extra, but a fan costs nothing compared to AC. It's worth it just for the air circulation.

That's it.

(Bonus Tip). Use a dehumidifier and put it in your basement. This makes the air drier, and makes the temp "feel" cooler. The dehumidifier will add a little heat to your home, but if you've tuned your AC well, it won't be a huge hit. BUT you will feel cool because less humid air lets your skin expel heat easier than more humid air.

Hot tub lovin'

If you have $675 to spare, I strongly recommend you head over to Wal*Mart and pick up this portable spa. As one reader pointed out, ours looks a lot like a product called Spa2Go. It's actually manufactured by a company called Sofina.

Although this product takes less than an hour to set up, you can't exactly start using it right out of the box unless you have the ability to fill it with hot water. The Sofina spa comes with a heater with three temperature settings, 30C, 35C or 40C. For my American friends, that translates to 86F, 95F and 104F. If you fill the spa with cold water from the hose, you will need to attach the inflatable, insulated cover and zip the spa close for 24 hours. It actually has taken us 36 hours to reach 40C only because we've be using it but after 16 of non-use hours, it was at a comfortable 24C.

Having owned a pool in the past, I am familiar with water care and if you plan on keeping water in your spa for more than a day (it does take 900 litres), you will need to plan to invest about $60 to $90 in chemicals. Chad and I went to a spa place near our home as the employees are well versed and trained in chemical use and spa care, more so than the sweet 19 year old in the seasonal department at Canadian Tire. I am hyper sensitive to chlorine so we opted for bromine tablets that are placed in a skimming dispenser that bobs around in the water. Bromine is an organic substitute to chlorine. This can get annoying real quick as it bobs around your body so I took some fishing line and anchored it to the massage control pod - problem solved. You'll need to purchase water test strips, algae fighter and spa shock chemicals so you can keep your water clear and bacteria free. If you do it right, you should be able to use your spa for four months before changing the water. The filter needs to be cleaned regularly by blasting it with a garden hose. This will keep it up to snuff. The filter should be replaced when it's gone from white to dark gray. I would strongly suggest you check the filter at least three times a week as the build up of hair and dirt increases the more you use the spa.

The one person who is enjoying this the most is Jayde. I gave birth to a fish. I am working from home today and have managed to get an ethernet cable onto our terrace by dropping it through the upstairs office window so I can work outside. It's only quarter to ten in the morning and Jayde is already in the spa playing with the disabled drain hose that she calls her "snake". I'll take a picture later when I can use my home PC as right now I'm on a laptop and don't want to leave her unsupervised while I grab my camera.

For me, this is the best thing I could have done for myself. I benefit greatly from water therapy especially aqua massage as childbirth and its related complications at delivery left me with poor blood circulation in my arms and legs. It is recommended that you use the jets at 15 minute intervals but yesterday, we treated the spa more like a pool which is what Jayde is doing this morning. The water is at a pleasant 35C and she'll stay in there for at least 2 hours, more if I join her. We play crocodile where she stands behind me and pushes my feet and we play "ride" where I crawl along and she rides my back while I circle the circumference. The spa is seven feet around so you can get a good whirlpool going and then we both try to move against the current.

Good times!

OPP suspends drivers of over 100 vehicles since Friday

The Ontario Provincial Police have seized more than than a hundred vehicles due to infractions under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act since Friday. All drivers were in violation of section 172 which prohibits speeds above fifty kilometres over a posted limit.

OPP Sergeant Cam Woolley told 680 News this is double the average amount for a weekend.

"Those people are driving at extremely high speeds performing stunts and racing and while we can tell summer is here, some people are trying to take a break from traffic law," said Woolley

The OPP have two planes in the air covering much of the southern Ontario corridor between the Golden Horseshoe and Kawartha.

And the carnage continues -- Three Hurt In Serious Crash On Gardiner Expressway

7:50 am -- Three people were ejected after a single vehicle crash on the westbound Gardiner Expressway early Monday morning. The westbound express lanes approaching Islington Avenue are closed.

Just after 1 a.m. today, city transportation cameras spotted several vehicles stopped in the westbound express lanes of the highway, near Islington Ave. A dark-coloured Ford Escape SUV was on its side against a guardrail and several people were walking around on the road.

Toronto fire, police, ambulance and officials from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation arrived on the scene and found five people in the vehicle, which police say rolled over several times.

According to 680News traffic reports, traffic is slowed from Grand Avenue. The lanes are expected to re-open around noon.

The SUV is still on the Gardiner Expressway, smashed up and sitting beside the guardrail. The driver is in critical condition, and the two other female passengers are in serious condition.

One Constable on scene told 680News that he could not believe how many people pulled over to help out, from a paramedic, a soldier and a cab driver.

Traffic services suspect alcohol and speeding contributed to the accident. Police could not confirm if all five occupants were wearing seatbelts but did say two other people were partially ejected from the vehicle.

Traffic has been lighter than normal on Monday on account of the disjointed Canada Day long weekend. One witness said it was amazing no other vehicles were involved in the crash.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police traffic services at 416-808-1900.

Sources: Toronto Traffic Services | Citynews | 680News

Update:

According to the Toronto Star [article] the male driver got the worst of it: EMS officials report that one man and two women were taken to hospital. Police say the man, who is described as in his 30s, was the driver and suffered life-threatening head injuries. Police are not sure if he will survive.

According to CityNews [article]:

Police allege alcohol, speeding and not wearing seatbelts were all factors in this crash.

"Those are the big three in a lot of the crashes. We always remind people, tomorrow being Canada Day, they're travelling in the city, out of the city and back to the city, control your speed, wear your seat belts and please don't drink and drive," Haines added.

[Why? How much more clear can this message be, especially to a 30-year-old, on a summer long weekend, driving on heavily policed roadways. What else would it take to get through to this guy? -Metoo]

130 km plus in an 80 zone in Welland

WELLAND, ON -- At about 11:52 am on Sunday, June 29 th, 2008, an O.P.P. officer from the Highway Safety Division’s Traffic Support Unit was performing speed enforcement at East Main St., and Highway 406 in Welland. A vehicle was stopped for speeding, in excess of 50 km/h over the 80 Km/h speed limit. During the investigation, the officer recovered two firearms and a small amount of marijuana from the vehicle.

The driver, a 30 year old male resident of Port Colborne, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of marijuana, obstruct police and stunt driving. He remains in custody and will appear for a bail hearing on June 30th in Welland. The passenger, a 20 year old male resident of Port Colborne, was arrested and charged with careless storage of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. He was released on an Appearance Notice with a court date of August 20th in Welland Court.

** Super **

Provincial Constable Graham Williamson #10939
Media Relations Unit
Highway Safety Division
416-553-9673
www.opp.ca

Lolz "Office Space" cat says ...

If it's any consolation, I work tomorrow, too.
Happy Canada Day ... pffft.

Scooter driver dragged to death in Montreal early Sunday morning

MONTREAL -- A 26-year-old man will be arraigned in court tomorrow afternoon on charges of hit and run causing death after what witnesses described as a horrific crash at the corner of St. Laurent Blvd. and Villeneuve St. early yesterday.

A witness said that about 1:20 a.m., he saw a man who had been riding a scooter fly through the air after being hit by a speeding SUV that ran a red light.

The scooter got lodged under the SUV and was dragged loudly as sparks flew from underneath, several witnesses said.

Police said they found the scooter three blocks away at the corner of l'Esplanade Ave. and Rachel St. The 36-year-old victim was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The SUV driver was found drinking at a bar in Old Montreal later in the morning, police said. (How appalling! WTF? - gB) A witness had provided them with the licence plate number of the speeding vehicle.

The names of the victim and the accused have not been made public.

If convicted, the SUV driver will most likely get three years, one criminal lawyer said - provided he has no previous convictions.

That's not enough time, said Gilles Boudreau, co-founder of a security and neighbourhood watch group west of Montreal that teams up residents and police officers, to, among other things, educate people about the dangers of speeding.

"I think if they apply stiffer sentences for people who cause bodily harm with their car or even kill somebody, I think there would definitely be a change in attitude," Boudreau told The Gazette.

He said he spends a lot of time with police officers in his St. Lazare neighbourhood, and that they are getting frustrated with aspects of the justice system involving younger drivers.

"(The police) know full well that when they take them to court, there's a chance that he's going to get off," he said.

"I think that the justice system has to change its ways. Without saying that everyone has to go to jail for a long period of time, I think there needs to be a stronger message being sent out." But Boudreau said the wider community must share responsibility for public safety, and he urged parents to speak