Toronto Mike

O Canada

Total 195 Posts

Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa

Yesterday, I took my family to the Canadian Tulip Festival at Dow's Lake in Ottawa. We happened to be staying in nearby Gatineau, so this was a short trip. I had previously written about our gift of tulips from Princess Juliana of the Netherlands, but I had never seen the
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Our Flag

On February 15, 1965, our national flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. That was 50 years ago today. It's the only Canadian flag I've ever known and I can't imagine an alternative. It's always been there, a great source of pride. Here's a few pics I've
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Mercy, Mercy Me

The Supreme Court of Canada says a law that makes it illegal for anyone to help people end their own lives should be amended to allow doctors to help in specific situations. BREAKING: #SCC rules some Canadians have right to ask doctor to help them die #hw #cdnpoli— CBC Politics
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In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved,
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The Shootings at Parliament Hill

Like many of you, I was glued to the television and radio while the story unfolded in Ottawa yesterday. I watched CBC News Network and listened to CBC Radio One, and found the coverage anchored by Peter Mansbridge and Anna Maria Tremonti to be outstanding. There was a wonderful and
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Awesome Heritage Minutes Posters

I loved the old Heritage Minute vignettes that aired on TV during commercial breaks. Historica Canada and Christopher Hemsworth Creative have designed a series of 13 limited edition Heritage Minutes posters with iconic quotes from each Minute. You can buy these as a set here.
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Dalton Pompey Becomes 19th Canadian Blue Jay

When Dalton Pompey hit an RBI groundout to first yesterday, he became the 19th Canadian Blue Jay. Here's the updated list: Dave McKayPaul HodgsonRob DuceyDenis BoucherVince HorsmanRob ButlerPaul SpoljaricPaul QuantrillRich ButlerSteve SinclairSimon PondCorey KoskieMatt StairsScott RichmondShawn HillAdam LoewenMark TeahenBrett LawrieDalton PompeyDalton Pompey is from Mississauga. He had made four appearances
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D-Day: Seventy Years Later

Today we pay tribute to the 150,000 Allied troops who took part in the biggest military invasion in history, the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. The story of the Canadians is particularly touching. At the time of the war, Canada was a nation of only 11 million people with
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Vimy Ridge and My Son

Canadian forces played a very significant role in one of the key massive offensives launched by the Allies in WWI. On April 9, 1917, the Canadian Corps, four divisions strong and fighting together for the first time, attacked the German army posted on the gently rising slope of land that
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Canadians in 2014 March Madness

The NCAA men’s tournament tips off tomorrow, and there are plenty of Canadians taking part, many with key roles. It's not just Andrew Wiggins, it's also Tyler Ennis, Melvin Ejim, Kevin Pangos and my son's friend's cousin, Nik Stauskas.  Here's who you should cheer for over the next two
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A Day of Remembrance

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and during peacekeeping missions.
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Good Riddance to the Penny

I almost never use cash.  Just about everything I buy, from a McDonald's coffee to my groceries, goes on my President's Choice MasterCard.  I'm trying to remember the last time I bought something with cash and I'm drawing a blank. For this reason, I won't even notice the penny has
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Canada is the Most Educated Country in the World

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of the 10 most educated countries in the world.  Canada tops the list. Here's their top 10: CanadaIsraelJapanUnited StatesNew ZealandSouth KoreaUnited KingdomFinlandAustraliaIrelandIn 2010, 51% of our Canadian population had completed a tertiary education, which takes
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A Day of Remembrance

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and
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