Some Interesting News Stories

I still do a lot of reading of stories from various media outlets from around North America and elsewhere. I just find it fascinating to see what other people write about matters that are important for this region.  Naturally, most of the stories that I would be reporting would come from the local media.  After all, I do live here and my focus is primarily on matters that would have an impact on me and my family.

However, I also like reading stories from media personnel outside of this area that are not necessarily focusing on this region but which may have an implication here.

Here are some stories that I have read recently that I hope will be of interest to you.

$200 MILLION MUST BE PEANUTS IN TORONTO

Here  is something that I have been reading recently about tolls that might be charged in Toronto for both the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway to raise money for the City. Once that is done, if it is, what would be the implications here? After all, I would expect a number of cities across Canada to demand that their roads also be tolled to raise money for them.

I must admit that I found this comment by the Toronto Mayor about how he has acted on this file somewhat strange:

"Tory first put forward his tolling plan during a Toronto Board of Trade luncheon in November. He said a $2 road toll would raise $200 million annually, money he said he wants put into a separate fund to pay for transit and infrastructure. The announcement marked a shift in stance for the mayor, who previously campaigned against tolls.  

Carter asked Tory why he didn’t put forward a tolling proposal during his mayoral campaign in 2014.

“I said it wasn’t my preferred means of raising the money to pay for transit, but I got here and I had a choice to make – the choice was as between a massive increase in property taxes, like we’re talking 10 per cent, which goes on to everybody. We’re talking about the sale of assets, including Toronto Hydro and I just felt that wasn’t the right way to go,” Tory said.

“I came to the conclusion that road tolls were the best available means of raising this money and I just stepped forward and said so.” (Nick Westoll Global News December 28, 2016)

Oh and here was a rather funny remark from him about how important this matter really will be:

"Tory added he doesn’t think tolls will be the deciding factor for the upcoming election, saying that the economy is most often one of the issues people consider.

“I think it will be a referendum on leadership and I’m quite prepared to put my overall leadership record in front of people at that time and say, ‘Did I address traffic and transit, housing, keep taxes low and attract jobs to Toronto,’” he said."

Sure, who cares about spending hundreds of  millions of dollars!

MICHIGAN GOVERNOR'S CONTINUING BORDER ACTIONS

I just do not understand why the Michigan Governor is still trying to build a Governments bridge in our area. Does he think that someone has $4 billion or more to build a Governments bridge because that seems to be the price going around now as to its cost? Does he believe that the Ambassador Bridge Company does not have the exclusive right to build a bridge in this area and that the cost for it to accomplish what it wants is not about $500 million, a fraction of his cost?

I saw this comment in a Detroit media article on Sunday:

"Gov. Rick Snyder, who didn’t endorse anyone for president in either the primary or general election, will use the inauguration to try and build relationships with Trump’s administration.

“They’re still filling a lot of positions in their administration and it’s important to see who those people are and build relations,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I’m going. I want us to have a positive relationship.”

He’ll be talking to transportation officials about continuing the support for the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor and the possibility of the federal government picking up the cost of a customs plaza at the bridge. He also wants to talk about potential improvements to the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, noting: “It’s clearly a piece of national infrastructure that we need to invest in.” (Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press January 14, 2017)

Frankly, I thought that it was quite ridiculous for him to do this now. Does he really think that anyone federally is going to speak to him about it this week? Since he didn't endorse anyone to become President, especially the winner, why would anyone want to help him at all!

FEWER CITY EMPLOYEES IN FUTURE

It won't happen right away. Employees will not be terminated if their jobs are outsourced but will be placed in other positions in City employment:

"Windsor taxpayers could save $604,000 a year if janitorial work at city-owned Huron Lodge is outsourced, according to a council report.

Unionized custodians, who earn about $24 an hour, are first on the chopping block as city council looks to cut costs by outsourcing all municipal caretakers. An administration report going to council Jan. 16 says the city could save $604,000 a year by paying a private company to fulfil the duties of the 16 full-time and 19 part-time custodians at the long-term care facility…

Payne said he will only vote for the initiative if it ensures that permanent caretakers are moved to other jobs within the city, perhaps the parks department, which is up for a possible $500,000 budget increase this year." (Craig Pearson, Windsor Star, January 5, 2017) 

Of course, the idea is that these people will not be replaced once they leave the employment in the City. That is how the City officials think they will look so good in what they are doing even if it means reducing the number of people who actually work for the City.

NEW AUTO JOBS IN WINDSOR

I have to admit that I missed this story. I'm glad however that I saw it because it is certainly positive for our employment situation in this area… at least up until now.

"Ford investment to bring 500 jobs to Windsor

Ford is investing more than $600 million in the Windsor Engine plant

Production of a new engine at the Ford Annex in Windsor will bring 500 jobs to Windsor, according to the president of Unifor Local 200. (CBC News November 07, 2016) 

It all depends on what the new US President decides has to be done with the automobile industry with respect to employment positions in Canada. He may want all of these new jobs to be set up in the US instead of elsewhere.