Patio reopening conversation starter pack
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The Montreal Canadiens had their flag raised at city hall by the mayor, whose social media asserted one day earlier that the Toronto sign wouldn’t follow the CN Tower in lighting up to honour the Habs. The ongoing NHL playoffs are also a factor in a bigger story: whether other industries can be given a boost with a faster reopening of the border.
Ryerson has a new address
The new possessors of Egerton Ryerson’s head will be pleased to send it on tour if someone wants. For now, it’s on a spike at 1492 Land Back Lane near Caledonia after being toppled at Ryerson University before taking a bath. Meanwhile, in response to the Kamloops residential school grave discovery, Victoria is delaying its virtual Canada Day.
Liberals welcome a new floor-crossing MP. Jenica Atwin of Fredericton walked away from the Greens, citing internal strife over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current parliamentary scene is now focused on pushing four priority bills through before summer recess. And the We Charity scandal has culminated with a scathing report.
The unsettled sunsetting of AM
While broadcast monoliths were busy pitching TV lineups to advertisers, the once-bullish sports radio scene showed diminishing returns in the latest ratings, while CBC Radio One dominates as ever in Toronto. And there’s another name to add to the pile of departures at Global News Radio, as Mike Stafford no longer has a show:
BuzzFeed’s complex chase of Complex Networks before going public. It reportedly involves raising $200 million for the addition to a special purpose acquisition company. HuffPost was previously acquired by BuzzFeed, which then closed the Canadian operation. Complex, co-owned by Hearst and Verizon, is operated in Canada by Corus.
Finally, talking back to Bell
Tanner Zipchen claiming he was paid in Scene points was one of the final Canadian showbiz scandals before the pandemic upended everything. The former Cineplex pre-show host tried to reboot on YouTube before he got into acting. And not falling prey to the tactics of a would-be employer finally earned Zipchen the respect he craves:
