Some big automotive news to tell ya about this morning. Toyota has announced its suspending sales of 8 of its models, that are currently being recalled in this country and the U.S. The recall affects about 270 thousand Canadian late model Camry’s, Corolla’s and RAV-4’s. It’s all because of a sticky gas pedal problem. One expert says this problem could be huge, if a solution isn’t found quickly.
There was free beef being handed out at Leg yesterday. A rancher from Langruth, gave away 800 kilos of ground beef, to call attention to what he says is government neglect of the cattle industry. Kerry Arksey says both the feds and the province have failed to help cattle producers, who’ve been financially reeling since the mad cow crisis in 2003. The 4th generation producer says he’s been forced to sell off virtually all of his cattle.
Mayor Sam Katz delivered his state of the City address yesterday. And, he didn’t pull any punches. Katz took shots at the provincial government, school divisions and political parties who he says are looking to get more involved in civic politics. The speech did have some bright notes however. Katz promised to try and freeze property taxes again this year. And give tax cuts to business owners.
Prime Minister Harper is in Switzerland today for the Davos World Economic Forum. He’ll spend the next day and half mingling with other world leaders, business executives and academics. He’ll give a keynote speech tomorrow, where it’s expected he’ll talk about the world’s role in rebuilding Haiti.
The Winnipeg Police Association says there satisfied with the 10 year sentence given to a 31 eyar old man who opened fire on city cops outside a downtown bar. Neither officer was injured in the July 2007 incident, but the gunman, Rene Barrios-Lopez, was struck in the abdomen with a police bullet.
A U of M professor wants to see improvements to the country’s food safety system. Richard Holley says most cases of food borne illnesses happen sporadically and aren’t monitored at all. He estimates there are 11 million cases of food poisoning annually in Canada. Holley says there should be a better system for recording and analyzing cases of food borne illnesses.
That sweet smell in the air during next month’s Olympic Games in Vancouver might not necessarily be success. It could be marijuana. Longtime pot activist Marc Emery expects tourists coming to the Games to try their hand with B.C.’s best known export. While Vancouver police say they expect to exercise their usual relaxed discretion around pot smoking, they’ll also make sure people realize that it’s still against the law.
Another earthquake survivor has been pulled from the rubble in Port au Prince. A 35 year old man is being treated for a broken leg and severe dehydration. The U.S. military says the man was trapped for 12 days by an aftershock, rather than the initial quake which happened 2 weeks ago yesterday.
The world’s longest surviving octuplets are celebrating their 1st birthday at their California home. The 8 babies were born a year ago yesterday. Mother, Nadya Suleman apparently marked the day with a quiet celebration with immediate family and friends.
Elizabeth Buhler’s secret to a long life is simple….exercise and good solid food. The Manitoba woman, who is the oldest Canadian now, is just days away from celebrating her 111th birthday. Buhler plans a quiet party on Monday, Feb. 8th, the actual day of her birthday.
