Shades of Trudeaumania from the late 60's and early 70's. Federal Liberal party leadership candidate Justin Trudeau brought his roadshow to the city this weekend and the crowd's reaction was wow! A farmer's market vendor sent me an e-mail after Trudeau's Saturday morning appearance there, writing he had "never seen the outpouring of emotions from ordinary folk like today...for a bloody politician." He went on to say Trudeau moved only a few feet in over an hour, that "the 500 people around him made progress impossible." He signed off the note saying, "As soon as he walked in the door the place erupted in a standing ovation. Never got goosebumps frm a man before." I don't know whether its our desire to turf the Harperites from office or a fascination with the name Trudeau or perhaps a combination of both that causes such a reaction. The federal Conservatives should be worried.
The love for Trudeau wasn't entirely felt at yesterday's federal Liberal leadership debate. Again challenger Marc Garneau accused him of avoiding the big issues and telling voters just what he stands for. He says Canadians don't want empty words. "They may not like what I have to say," Garneau told the audience, "but at least they will know where I stand." Trudeau denied he was ducking the issues and the crowd was solidly on his side. Unless he makes a major gaffe in the coming weeks, there's no question he will be the next leader of the Liberal party.
The city's auditor general will provide us with some interesting reading in the coming weeks. Larry Munroe will be released a report that includes the controversial Washmill Lake Drive underpass, a project that cost $6 million more than planned. It's been described as a boondoggle. Whose to blame for the cost overruns, all of it covered by HRM taxpayers? Inquiring minds need to know. Stay tuned.
While other nations like the U.S. Japan, China and the European countries pour millions into improving their rail systems, Canada is going in the opposite direction. We've already seen cuts to runs like the Ocean, downsized from 6 to 3 days a week between Halifax and Montreal. Now there's fear more cuts are coming. Budget estimates show a 62% reduction for Via leading critics like Transport Action to fear the worst. It's members are urging Canadians to contact their MP's and express their concern for the future of rail service in this country.
CBC's weekend news reporting the story of a Bridgewater area family upset after their dog Indy was apparently caught in a hunter's snare and then shot. It was days later the hunter confessed to the Department of Natural Resources. He claims he mistook the dog for a coyote. The dog's owners are both devastated and suspicious, wondering how someone could mistake their dog, a Siberian Huskie, for a coyote. Other pet dogs have been caught in snares or leg traps. The family's urging they be banned and replaced with cages. Perhaps a lesson on the differences between dogs and coyotes as well, huh?
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention,
Rick Howe
