Internet Libel Laws in Canada

David Eaves wrote in part, in an article Dec., 2009, The Supreme Court of Canada: There are no journalists, only citizens about Internet libel laws:

...Supreme Court of Canada ruled that a libel claim can be defeated even when the facts or allegations made turn out to be false... as long as the story was in the public interest and I met a certain standard around trying to ascertain the truth. In short, my intentions, not my output, is what matters most.
This new line of defense has a fancy new name to go with it... the defence of responsible communication....

Notice how it isn't called "the defence of responsible journalism?" (although, ahem, someone should let CTV know). This story matters as it demonstrates that the law is finally beginning to grasp what the internet means for our democracy and society.

Sadly, the Globe, CBC, National Post and CTV (indeed everyone with the exception of Colby Cosh at Macleans) all framed the decision as being about journalism and journalists.

Bala Hydro Project - letter to the editor part 11

I sent a letter to the editor, it was not published, so I publish it myself...

It is with great chagrin that I read yet another stall to the Bala Hydro Falls Project. I am losing faith that our counsellors can continue to uphold the Official Plan of the District Municipality Of Muskoka Lakes, they continue to bend to lobby groups like the Moon River Ratepayers, or the Muskoka Landowners, who fight progress and environmentally friendly development.

The Strategic Vision in the official plan states that Muskoka will create “land use designations, and environmental and infrastructure policies to help ensure the long-term economic, social and environmental health of Muskoka.”  It is crucial, especially in the light of the talks in Copenhagen, that we show the region, the province, the nation, and the rest of the world, that Muskokans show respect for renewable energy sources, and thoughtful, carefully planned, environmental development of our region.

It is most disturbing that the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference has resulted in Canadians being targeted for exploiting our precious non renewable resources, while many locally seek to halt the development of the hydro dam to harness the power of the water. Come election time, I am one who will be remember who chose to stand up for the land and the water, and not for lobbyists, and non-residents, who protest this development and the wise use of our land.

There are only three seasons in Muskoka; bugs, snow, construction.

We are familiar with these barriers, and yet, Muskoka has managed to make it through all sorts of developments: new roads in Gravenhurst, bridge repairs in Port Carling, Port Carling demolition, road repaving on Highway #11,  and the multi-year plan of Streetscape development in Port Carling and Bala. I suspect that there will be some impact when construction begins in November, but the seasonal tourists have gone home.

Seasonal tourists, and residents, have learned to adapt to these situations. Traffic comes to a standstill during Bala's Cranberry Festival, yet the tourists all come to visit.
I feel that many are finding new and different objections to this project, none of which create a strong enough barrier to redoing to dam, and reducing our dependence upon non-renewable resources. The reports are in regarding the impact to the environment, the flora, fauna, and residents. It is time for those protesting to determine how to ensure that this development meets the town, and the municipalities Strategic Vision, while creating jobs, and providing an avenue for a renewable resources, like hydro.

Bala Falls walk on the wild side in winter.

ice heaves and cracks

Tripping around town has been hilarious. Many are piling snow where they can. Driving along highway #118, I spotted a fender across my lane. Dueling snow plows?! I hopped out and moved, after watching car after care in front of me swerve to avoid it. One nice oncoming truck flashed his high beams to let me know to be careful. I was prepared to stop, despite being passed by speeding motorists!


I visited the grocery store. What a picture!

Then, on to the LCBO. Anticipating guests, you see!

There is danger everywhere...travel is difficult for some.

The ice continues to shift and heave.

As the water level lowers, you can hear it moan, crack and break.

Glad I have no one interested in being farther out on the ice!

At least not too far out!

Cat walkies have begun.

Photo ops are plentiful!


*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ *Jenn

The gift of the Magi

 Now, most of us in Muskoka have pets. They tend to be rather amusing at the best of times. I remember one year putting the tree in the playpen for safety.

With family and friends around, space is at a premium.

This year, the creche scene is up. Finished one year (1992?), on Christmas Eve. I made a video of the story, onceuponatime.
 One year...the year before we moved to Muskoka, there were issues.




 
The shepherds, no longer abiding in the fields.

 The Magi arrived with their gifts. 



But later that day,
someone knocked one faithful shepherd flat.  

This one took a header on the manger.
He needed stitches.


It was chaos.

Mary was slapped silly. Quick reflexes, by a nearby Persian, caught her. But what a scene.
After picked themselves up they wondered: "Who could have been responsible for it all?
"Last year Max, the other cat, ate the last sheep.", said a king.

"Two years before it was Sable!" said a shepherd.

"Who me?", said Sady-the-Innocent, -new to the flock. Sitting beside her friend Frosty, who might also need a quick cuff...  
 



The angel's light shone down. I will be a good girl, she promised. 

 And they all lived
*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ *Jenn

After the fall

snowflakes fell all the dark day
all the dark night
one more flake
two at a time
three, four, fourteen, forty

woodpecker in the forest
keeping rhythm to my work
passing under the tree
snow falls on my head
like chicken little
doing a snow plant

the shovel lovingly thrown in the garage
until the next deluge
for joy
rain falls

~~~~~~~~
bugs awake from sleep

woodpecker drums in the forest
weary shovels keep time

Happy Winter Solstice!

Muskoka is a place where families travel to be with grandparents. But it is not without its difficulties. Small towns, without access to larger support services can result in socioeconomic and emotional  hardships.  Many seasonal workers depend upon hourly wages. Funds raised by groups are limited by the financial resources of a community, unlike Toronto's Santa Fund, which.

Yes, most of us bare our souls more in this season. We are gentler, kinder, even if more frazzled. Over the years my classrooms have been filled with a rainbow of December festivals. With December parent/teacher interviews over, report cards digested, we had established a classroom community and trusted one another.

What I love about Muskoka, is that our population is becoming more integrated. Not by much, and very slowly, but it is happening. There is more respect for one another's differences, while we embrace our similarities. With China accepting us as a tourist destination, we can anticipate many more visitors to Bethune House in Gravenhurst.
Not all are able to accept differences, but I hope we become more understanding as society evolves.

We loved and respected those in my classroom who were setting new traditions, in the spirit of divided families, due to divorce, or those who had lost loved ones. We embraced them and honoured their old or new traditions, e.g., pizza with dad on Xmas Eve, or a movie with mom on Xmas Day. I could empathise. I remember my first Christmas Day, with children gone to their father's house, I was alone. The parents of one of my students took me in. It was such a blessing.

Zahra and her mom created this Eid poster for our classroom. She explained the foods I should choose when I planned a visit to a Lebanese restaurant! The others were so delighted.

My joyful students shared their experiences of family traditions: fasting, feasting, festivals, fun, fanfare, food, and family.
And symbols: light, candles, stars, trees, the moon, Eid-Ul-Fitr, the lighting of the Menorah. And stories.

My favourite memory was my student, from a not so successful family. He didn't have much self-esteem until he bravely explained what Hanukkah meant to him. He felt so proud. We clapped in honour.
And the crafts we made. So much fun! 

Remember those around you. Many get together during this season, but more may be alone due to circumstances: poverty, dysfunctional families, transportation issues, mental or physical health issues, addictions, snow storms, and any other complications of life.

Happy Pagan Festival, Shalom, Asalaam 'Alaykum, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, Merry Yuletide and Merry Festivus to the rest of us: to you and yours. Here is a tongue-in-cheek Happy Holiday message.


*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ *Jenn

December Videos worth watching!

With the joy of the season, laughter is the best medicine. Everyone is cheerful in Muskoka these days, having dug out of the snow. Back to business, but first a laugh or two.

Here is a witty, non-exclusive, nondenominational Happy Holiday message.

And a silly story:
Pastafarianism's Holiday
Pastafarianism began as a spoof aimed at the Kansas Board of Education's decision to include the teaching of intelligent design. Incensed, Bobby Henderson created the parody religion, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (aka Pastafarianism). What started as a spoof quickly reached full-blown internet meme status. Some would argue it has attained religion status - as pirate-garbed evangelists preach the gospel of the Flying Spaghetti monster.

Remember these?

CBC during the 'holidays'

There is just too much Christian-centered content on CBC lately, and I must turn to other stations during the day time. As a Spiritualist, I cannot understand the hype that many of the announcers promote. As if Toronto was a WASP community. Even up here in Muskoka we have a much more varied culture than ever before. The lack of diversity of hosts, or guests, disappoints me. My classrooms were filled with multicultural students, we enjoyed sharing other's celebrations. I have yet to hear a mention of any other December traditions.

I listen to the Regional News, and find it it London, ON-focused. I must resort to local radio for local news information, also sadly lacking. Our Snow Emergency was not covered well, with highways closed, many ventured up here.

I have many retired teacher friends who used to depend upon CBC Radio as a connection with the outside world, especially on bad winter days here in Central Ontario. But, no more. The coverage of the vast amount of US-based authors and musicians, precluding Canadian artists and authors, is a sad commentary on our tax dollars.

I miss the multicultural aspect of the city, with a variety of signs, symbols, and traditions honoured by those who celebrate Hannukah, Eid-ul-Fitr, or Christmas (on a secular or non-secular basis). 

Camera Critters

Here birdy, birdy...

Bored cats. Meantime,

 

and Oliver climbs the wall, errrr, branches.

Visit more Camera Critters!

Know the law, the land and water

I post the most recent photos of the lake as it begins its freezeover. You can see from the series of shots that in 4 days (Dec. 15, 16, 18) the lake appeared frozen. Walking on the lakeshore ice, it is only a couple of inches deep at the shore, there were cracks and shifts.  

The OPP and OFSC are vigilant in promoting safe snowmobiling.

For more information on the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, visit e-laws.gov.on.ca for more laws!

To help educate Ontario snowmobilers, the OPP and the OFSC are providing the following checklist. A compliant snowmobile operator must always have on their person or sled:

- Valid driver's licence (or if under age 16, a Snow Vehicle Operator's Licence)

- Proof of snowmobile ownership

- Sled registration (including properly placed registration numbers and validation sticker on sled)

- Proof of sled insurance (pink slip)

- Approved snowmobile helmet (for each rider)

- 2010 Snowmobile Trail Permit (properly displayed on the sled) with permit receipt

In addition, the rules of the road apply to this sport:

• speeding, 
• failing to stop at a road crossing and
• driving with blood/alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit.

Failure to comply with the law carries penalties including fines, loss of driver's licence, criminal charges and/or imprisonment.

I have found that the snowmobile clubs give specific information about Muskoka trails, whether they are open, or closed, safe and groomed. They do a fine job of this! Yet, with the huge amount of snow we had (between 60 and 140 cm in places) grooming has been very difficult. There are those who do not pay attention, and they take risks. "It won't happen to me!"

Many volunteers put time in to ensure that trails are safe. The (Muskoka) Snowcrest Club says on its website:

"With special thanks to our Groomer-Operators, Club Volunteers, Permit Distributors for all your hard work and dedication and especially to our Landowners, without whom our trails would not exist!!!".

Yet accidents continue to occur.

The first incidents of this season total 4. The prairies have seen terribly cold weather, yet the lakes are not frozen. It takes time for the land and the water to totally freeze over.

Other Muskoka Snowmobile Resources:

• OntarioGuide.com, Snowmobile, Ontario, Canada
  
• Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Trails
  
• Muskoka Snowmobile Region
  
• Hill & Gully Riders Snowmobile Club - Muskoka Ontario 
•  Snowcrest Riders Snowmobile Club