Advocating for accessibility on Vancouver Island
Hello, I would like to have a conversation with Tod regarding advocating for the increase of affordable wheelchair accessible accommodations on Vancouver Island. There has been a great increase in accessible places to visit on the island, but they are difficult to visit if you do not have a place to stay. Thanks
Are you from Gander? Come hang out!
Wednesday night I’ll be around to hang out, if anyone wants to say hi!
Details in the Events section here in the Clubhouse:
https://farandwide.beehiiv.com/community/events
Today in Canada: Canada's First Patent
TODAY IN CANADA: In 1869, William Hamilton received the first patent under the federal Canadian Patent Act. His patent was for the "Eureka Fluid Meter," a machine designed to measure liquids.
🍁YOUR SAY: What are some everyday objects you were surprised to learn were invented in Canada?
Why can we build our own furniture but not our own cars?
Making your own food more, okay, people can see the benefits of that easily. Making your own clothing is a harder sell, but they know people (er, besides me) who do it, so it seems plausible. Making your own vehicle... no. Most people dismiss it as too difficult. We have been very well trained to think of vehicles as something only experts and factory workers make. Except for the people I know who have already done it, and they are neither experts nor factory workers. https://makevbuy.substack.com/p/why-can-we-build-our-own-furniture

Citizenship delays making me sad
This news is breaking my heart. 2 years is forever!!
Country of origin
We were shopping in No Frills (Loblaws) in Winnipeg and noticed that the company has decided not to post where their bulk produce is from any more. They are still required to ensure the information is available, but it’s up to the consumer to check the stickers on the fruit and vegetables to see where they are from. They are counting on their customers not paying attention and buying whatever is on the shelf or in the bin. Just another way Loblaws is trying to increase their profits. For a Canadian company owned by a Canadian family I would have thought they would understand and possibly support the boycott on American goods. Their profit is more important than representing the Canadian people.
Today in Canada: First Quebec Conference
TODAY IN CANADA: In 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Mackenzie King opened the First Quebec Conference at the Chateau Frontenac to plan the D-Day invasion of France.
🍁YOUR SAY: How much does Canada's role in planning D-Day get overlooked?
Cannections Monday August 17
It's time for another Cannections! Get your mug of maple syrup and see if you can solve this one. Remember, we've added a hint button to help you out. Have fun Cannecting. https://games.hey.cafe/cannections/monday

Simon Fraser University Pipe Band wins World Piping Championship 2026 in Glasgow
Some more news of Canadians doing remarkable things.
Careers in the Ontario Public Service
Looking for a career where your work actually matters?
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) offers opportunities across Ontario in everything from emergency management, public safety and justice to IT, finance, policy, health, infrastructure, natural resources and more.
And it’s not all Toronto. You can search GoJobs by location/region, salary, language, career level and job type to find opportunities that fit you.
Why consider the OPS?
🍁 Meaningful public service
💼 A huge range of career paths
📍 Opportunities across Ontario
💰 Competitive salaries and benefits
🏦 Defined-benefit pension
📚 Training, development and advancement opportunities
🎖 Hiring provisions recognizing the skills and experience of Canadian Armed Forces veterans
🔔 Job alerts so you can be notified when new opportunities matching your interests are posted
You don’t have to check the site every day. Create a profile, set up a job alert, and let the opportunities come to you.
Whether you’re starting your career, looking for a change, leaving the military, or wondering what your next chapter might look like, GoJobs is worth a look.
Good people. Great jobs. Stronger Ontario.
#OntarioPublicService #OPS #GoJobs #OntarioJobs #PublicService #Careers #Veterans #CareerOpportunities #GovernmentJobs
Gander's Role in 9/11
Next month will be the 25th anniversary of 9/11. #Gander played a pivotal role that day, helping thousands of stranded passengers.
To understand how small Gander is... the entire town is about the same size as the airport!
I've always wanted to go to Gander and make some videos about it. Should I? UPDATE: I'm going!
Canadian Produce MIA
Went shopping this weekend to buy produce at our local supermarket. Not a Canadian Apple or Green Bean,Onion and even potatoes other than 10 lb bag to be had. ALL product of USA. As such we are not having green beans apples and I bought the bag of potatoes even though it’s too much.
Next time only going to farm markets. Big chain superstores will lose my business. That’s my rant!
Proportional representation
In the latest newsletter from Tod he has thoughts on PR. Lots love this idea, but me, not so much. I fear Italian style results and government paralysis leading to co finial elections. Yes, minority governments have to cooperate and generally give positive results, but the occasional Majority government also works for Canadians. I’m happy with the system as is.
Canadian towns
If you are interested in finding different Canadian towns, Still Standing on CBC is an awesome show! Small towns across Canada.
Need info!
Several people commented on Tod’s “Expel Pete Hoekstra” YouTube post asking for info about the music accompanying the video. Do tell, please!! Some think the song was AI generated. Was it? Most have exhausted their search engines trying to locate the source. (I being one of those people!) The tune is catchy, and the words are spot on! Can you give us more info on the creator and availability to download the music? Thanks!
Mandatory Bail Money a Bad Idea!
As a former law clerk and court liaison, this is 1000% a very, very bad idea! The US does mandatory cash bail and look how messed up things are. People incarcerated not because they're any greater danger to society or flight risk, but because they're too poor to afford it and have no way to get the cash that fast, if at all.
The current system would work if only they invested in actually going after people financially who breach their conditions under the current rules, including debt collection, liens on property and blocking renewals of driving licenses and passports, etc. Fix what's already there rather than going down a rabbit hole that makes no sense.
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