Rallying For Democracy: From Coast to Coast

With Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
The broadcasting elite have shut Green Party Leader Elizabeth May out of the televised Leaders’ Debates. They don’t want you to hear Elizabeth May speak about climate change, youth engagement, respect for veterans, first nations issues, and women’s rights.

Is this true democracy? Is this really happening, in our Canada?

The majority of Canadians believe Elizabeth May should be in the debates. She was there in 2008. She must be there in 2011.

Join us and rally for democracy!

Toronto

When: Thursday April 7th from 17:30-19:30
Where: This is London Club, 364 Richmond Street West Toronto, ON M5V 2L7
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Montreal

When: Friday April 8th from 17:00 – 19:00
Where: Newtown, 1476 Crescent St, Montreal, QC (Métro Peel)
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Halifax

When: Saturday April 9 from 12-1PM
Where: Sackville Landing, 1655 Lower Water Street, Halifax, NS
Visit the Facebook event here >>

Hamilton

When: Sunday April 1oth from 17:30-18:30
Where: TBA
Visit the facebook event here >>

Vancouver

When: Monday April 11th from 12.00-13:00
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (Georgia St. side), 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver BC

Bienvenue à Québec ~ A David Raetsen Production

Recently we traveled to Quebec City for a little vacation and to Montreal for our stag party and Divers/Cité. This is the video from the Quebec City portion of the trip. We had planned to go to St. Anne Canyon, but it is 40km outside of the city and unfortunately there was no convenient public transportation.

Rooftops in the old city of Quebec. 

Quebec City is a designated UNESO World Heritage Site

There is tremendous history in old Quebec. It is really a must see in Canada. Of course there are also the street performers and the massive nightly multi-media Quebec City history show projected onto 81 grain silos. I'd love to go back sometime and stay at the famous Chateau Frontenac but there are many small boutique hotels as well as large chains to choose from, depending on your preference.  We stayed at the Hotel Marie Rollet in the old city. It was inexpensive, quaint and close to everything. I also recommend traveling by train. It is relaxing, stress-free and the views are really quite pretty.

Green Party Leader Biking to Montreal To Support AIDS Charity

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner is raising funds for PWA (People With AIDS) Toronto by taking part in the 12th Annual Bike Rally. The ride takes these fearless fundraisers from Toronto to Montreal. I wish you well Mike. Please join me in supporting Mike by making a donation today.

This is timely considering the International AIDS Conference which took place in Vienna this year ended today, and of course once again our esteemed Prime Minister, Stephen Harper made the news, or didn't when he and his Health Minister were publicly (and rightly so) reprimanded by Dr. Julio Montaner, the Canadian head of the International AIDS Society.

From CBC.CA 

 In his closing address to the International AIDS Conference in Vienna on Friday, conference chief Dr. Julio Montaner slammed Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.
"I would also like to have a special word of recognition to the prime minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper … for demonstrating, yet again, their incredible ability to take credit where none is due."
Montaner, one of Canada's most prominent AIDS researchers, said the federal government is "punching well below its weight" in funding international efforts to fight the disease and isn't doing enough to protect Canadians from its spread.  Read the full story here.

War Criminal/Terrorist Speaks at Iconic Montreal Hotel

Former U.S. terrorist President George W. Bush spoke at the iconic Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal today, to an audience of ( I suspect) fat, rich, french businessmen.
In what is the most ironic thing I've heard today, the Queen Elizabeth hotel is the same hotel where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their bed-in and recorded the peace anthem "Give Peace a Chance" in 1969.
Read all about it in The Toronto Star

Clement defends decision not to fund gay arts fest

Industry Minister Tony Clement says his government had to consider "regional fairness" when doling out stimulus money to big tourism events – and that's why a gay arts festival in Montreal didn't make the cut.

The organizers of Montreal's Divers-Cite festival, which features gay and lesbian performers from around the world, said they were shocked to find out this week that their application for funding under the new program had been rejected.

They had been told by bureaucrats they had met all the rigorous criteria for their $155,000 bid – a fact not disputed by the government.

Director Suzanne Girard had initially scoffed at suggestions that ideology might be at play in handing out grants, but now says she suspects politics were involved.

After some Conservative caucus members complained last month that Toronto's Pride Week had received $400,000, junior tourism minister Diane Ablonczy lost responsibility for the file. Read the full story at The Star.com

This posting is a follow up to the recent post regarding the demotion of Diane Ablonczy after she gave 400K to Pride Toronto.

Friends for Life Bike Rally

On July 26, 2009, 400 courageous individuals will embark on an incredible journey. For six days, our riders will cycle over 600km from Toronto to Montreal with the support of a fabulous crew, and in doing so will raise thousands of dollars for men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. The experience promises to have a profound impact on the lives of each and every participant. Visit the website.

Tories reject funding for Montreal gay festival

A gay and lesbian arts festival that was told it met all government criteria under a new tourism stimulus program learned Tuesday it was rejected for funding.

The news arrived at Montreal's Divers-Cite a few weeks after tension swept the Conservative caucus over funding for Toronto's Pride week, and just days before the beginning of their event.

The directors of Divers-Cite had actually sprung to the defence of Stephen Harper's government earlier this month, telling The Canadian Press that the Conservatives had never treated them differently. Some in the gay community attacked them for their comments.

They had submitted a bid under the new Marquee Tourism Events Program for $155,000 to add performers and promotion to this year's $2-million event. Full Story at CTV.

I can't say I'm surprised.

Here is the link to the earlier post about the Toronto Pride funding.

$300M to speed Toronto-Montreal rail travel

Ottawa is committing $300 million to what's being hailed as the largest-ever investment in passenger rail service between Montreal and Toronto.

Via Rail's CN Kingston Subdivision Project is a series of infrastructure improvements at eight locations along the 539-kilometre, double-track rail line. Full Story

Its about time!

330 CYCLISTS BEGIN TORONTO TO MONTREAL JOURNEY

Toronto – On July 27, 2008 , hundreds of cyclists will stream through the streets of Toronto , beginning their annual six-day trek to Montreal . This year, the Friends For Life Bike Rally honours its tenth anniversary of supporting the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) and expects to raise $1 million.

“As long as there’s a reason, there’s a ride,” said Todd Ross, co-chair of the event. “Ten years after the rally was born, people living with HIV/AIDS in our community still need support. As long as they do, we will keep riding.”

Sunday, July 27, 2008 - Queen’s Park, Toronto

8:00 a.m. Group Photographs
8:30 a.m. Speeches - Minister of Health Promotion Margaret Best and Toronto City Councillor Adrian Heaps
8:45 a.m. Group Stretching
9:00 a.m. Departure

The ride departs north to Wellesley Street, south on Yonge Street and east on Front Street . Detailed route maps are available.

“There’s an undeniable energy that comes from hundreds of cyclists and volunteers working towards a common cause,” said Stefanie McQuaid, event rally co-chair. “Their collective efforts have allowed PWA to strengthen and expand its services to the men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto .”

Visit http://www.bikerally.org/ for backgrounders and more information. Spokespeople are available to talk about the event, as well as broader HIV/AIDS issues in Ontario .

About the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation

The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation exists to promote the health and well-being of all people living with HIV/AIDS by providing accessible, direct, and pr act ical support services. It is Canada ’s largest direct support service agency for people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit: http://www.pwatoronto.org/

Montreal Gay Bar Faces Human Rights Complaint

Audrey Vachon was recently refused service at Le Stud in Montreal's gay village after sitting down with her father for a quiet afternoon pint. A waiter came over and told her father, Gilles, that the bar doesn't serve women.
Vachon, 20, says the waiter avoided looking at her during the conversation.
"On the spot I didn't believe it, I thought it was a bad joke," Vachon said Wedensday in an interview.
"I didn't say a word until I'd left. I was too shocked. I was embarrassed, I was humiliated, I felt guilty that I'd even gone there, like I'd done something wrong."
Vachon said she would be the first to complain if homosexuals were refused service at a business.
Bar owner Michel Gadoury says Le Stud has banned women most nights since it was established 11 years ago. He says he doesn't understand the fuss.
The bar, an understated spot in a flamboyant part of the city, has the trappings of a local pub with pool tables and video poker terminals.
On many nights it shows gay pornography on TV screens instead of the usual hockey game fare.
"Le Stud is the best place in town for a truly manly meat market," said a review on one travel website.

studbar.com
cp.org

Montreal Man Arrested in Shooting Death of Athens Truck Driver

Police have arrested a Montreal man in the shooting death of Athens, ON truck driver, Don Woods (pictured). See the full story at CTV here.

Pet Shop Boys New Album

The PSB newest CD - Concrete will be released on October 23, featuring a version of 'Jealousy' sung by Robbie Williams.

Their N. American tour begins tonight in Montreal. We are going to see the show tomorrow night at the Hummingbird Centre in Toronto.

Visit their site here.