Not long ago I read a report that US companies were shipping by rail across Canada as it was quicker and more reliable. With that in mind, plus recognizing the dismal on time performance of VIA because of the busy cargo dominant carriers, would it not be worth while to twin the existing coast to coast rail system?

Passenger travel would become truly dependable while cargo will have their own system. Canada could build the new requisite carriages and engines with steel and aluminum keeping workers employed! Oh! How about subways to get people out of cars? .. sorry, exuberance comes unannounced…. Have a good day Canada!

Am I being somewhat petty or overly obsessed with details when I say the following. Canada, as a country, did NOT officially exist prior to 1867. How then can anyone say (as Peter Armstrong just did) that CANADA burned down the US White House during the War of 1812?

Years ago while travelling in Newfoundland, I was impressed by the province's ability to promote literature written by Newfoundlanders. As Canadians, I don't think we do enough to promote Canadian authors. For example, Robert J Sawyer has just won the Aurora, the Canadian Science Fiction & Fantasy Award for best novel of the year. Ever heard of him? Order of Canada. Ever heard of the award? Another area of Canadian literature is the many self-published works by new, up coming authors such as Julian Jackson. (Powder & Poison) Have you ever actively perused Canadian works? I am sure we can all name a few famous authors but I bet you can't name one famous (or not so famous) Canadian author who is not in that short list of the very greats like Atwood, Burton or Leacock. So here's a challenge. Next time you're at the library or downloading an ebook, give a Canadian author a try.

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

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: 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?

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

makevbuy.substack.comWhy can we build our own furniture but not our own cars?DIY and transportation

https://youtu.be/VMDqB2GcC2w?si=t8nzCVmJzhEVCv57

https://www.cicnews.com/2026/08/processing-time-for-proof-of-canadian-citizenship-applications-surpasses-two-years-0879087.html?shem=isphe,

This news is breaking my heart. 2 years is forever!!

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: 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?

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

Hey.Café GamesCannections Monday Edition / Hey.Café GamesThe Monday Edition of Canadian based word matching game where you pick 4 words that match. Puzzles by Tod Maffin and his team with a new one every Monday for you to enjoy.

Some more news of Canadians doing remarkable things.

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https://youtube.com/shorts/1ISKiIjjEJI?si=V2bICNR3GijOBNZs

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!

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!

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.

If you are interested in finding different Canadian towns, Still Standing on CBC is an awesome show! Small towns across Canada.

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!

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.

Anybody else a member but keeps getting this message? Some of them play, some of them wont.

🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

So, thus started with a conversation about Tartiflette (think amazing, super sexy, scalloped potatoes)

The standard cheese, Reblochon, is banned in Canada (as are all raw milk cheeses)

Most if the suggested substitutes are imported, and in this case Brie is a non starter

Can anyone give me advice?

We have Monks making cheese all over the place in Canada (that sounded better in my head...) but I'm only really familiar Saint-Benoît-du-Lac

Thoughts?

#cooking

#BuyCanadian

#Cheese