A statue with a story is now down in Toronto
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Removal of the Alexander Wood statue in Toronto was requested last summer by the Church-Wellesley Village BIA, over allegations that linked Wood to the residential school system. Back in 2005, the bronzing of the area’s past landowner drew attention for its graphic portrayal of a sex scandal, but community supporters defended its relevance.
The fastest money for the CPC
The first Conservative leadership candidate to have completed all the steps required to get on the final ballot was Leslyn Lewis, the MP for Haldimand-Norfolk who came close to winning last time. This time, social conservatives backing Lewis are taking aim at Pierre Poilievre, who the Campaign Life Coalition accuses of being “pro-abortion.”
Removing highway tolls is the next pre-campaign gesture by Doug Ford. The premier says Ontario’s “humming” economy is allowing for Highways 412 and 418 in Durham Region to officially go toll-free. But fulfilling the legislation to reduce gasoline and fuel taxes for the second half of 2022 is something that has to wait until after the election.
More government in your internet
Questions about legacy media’s interest in the Online Streaming Act being passed—ostensibly to give Canadian creators more attention—coincide with Ottawa rebooting the online harms bill and possibilities of subjective censorship. Meanwhile, as the journalism bailout process goes on, some decisions are actually being explained from the inside:
Reviews are in for Garth Drabinsky’s comeback on Broadway. Paradise Square could only be razzed by the New York Post in light of its advance portrayal, but other appraisals aren’t much nicer. The musical’s opening night at the Ethel Barrymore Theater was preceded by a New York Times piece on the Canadian producer’s trials and tribulations.
Finally, a funnyman out of time
Jim Carrey says he’s ready to retire after promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 2. But his initial comments about Will Smith deserving to be sued for slapping Chris Rock were clarified with empathy for the situation, as Carrey has acted ridiculous himself at award shows. And here he is in the final 40 seconds of the new “Out of Time” video from the Weeknd: