Demand For Women and Gender Studies Classes Intensify, Leafs bottom out, while York Region is shipping organic waste to New York

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Women and Gender Studies for High School Students

A recent post from the Torontoist has highlighted the growing demand to institute a Women's and Gender Studies program in the Ontario High School curriculum. The campaign, referred to as the Miss G____ Project for Equity in Education, was not created overnight, with the post noting that they have “been fighting for three years for a WGS program in Ontario high schools.” The post quotes Kathleen Wynne referring to the project as “the most effective lobby effort the Ministry has seen in recent history." Wynne also pointed out that the Liberals promised that the course would be implemented should they be re-elected. They were, and so far nothing has happened.

The January release of the Falconer Report has apparently instilled a new sense of urgency into the campaign. The report outlined a shockingly high amount of sexual harassment and homophobia plaguing Toronto-area schools. The post declared “this begs the question: why do we only teach students about women's and gender studies once they reach university? Wouldn't it make sense to educate them at an age when they are the most vulnerable and impressionable?”

Pinball Shortlisted for Coach of the Year

A recent post from the Canadian Football League blog has highlighted the shortlist for this year's Coach of the Year Award. The nominees are selected by the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and the winner receives the Annis Stukus Trophy, named after the former Edmonton Eskimos and BC Lions head coach. “The 2007 finalists are Kent Austin (Saskatchewan Roughriders), Wally Buono (B.C. Lions) and Michael Clemons (Toronto Argonauts).”

While the post strays away from actually endorsing a candidate or making a prediction on the outcome, Toronto's own Michael “Pinball” Clemons is considered a seriously strong contender after rallying the Argo's after a 2-6 start to eventually finish first in their division. The post noted that “Michael Clemons Clemons is second in all-time wins with the Toronto Argonauts and is one of just three coaches in club history to coach 100 games.” The winner will be announced February 27 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Calgary.

Leafs Hit Rock Bottom

HockeyNation is providing some insight as the Leafs bad season gets increasingly worse. According to the post, “with their 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday night, Toronto claimed undisputed custody of last place in the Eastern Conference, number fifteen with nowhere to go but up.” In order to achieve that elusive last playoff spot, the Leafs will have to rise above six different teams in the difficult Eastern Conference- no easy task.

In order to salvage something from this season, one of the main pieces of the puzzle is veteran captain Mats Sundin. Should Sundin be offloaded? The post is adamant that if a series of good-looking offers came in, a trade would likely be in the cards. While Sundin has recently expressed his desire to remain at the ACC, if the right team offered the right contract HockeyNation recommended that Sundin take the money and run. “If the right situation comes along, Sundin would be foolish to let it slip by.”

York Regions Adds SSO Capacity

The CHEV Local News blog has confirmed that the Regional Municipality of York Solid Waste Committee has approved a “contingency plan” to export Source Separated Organics (SSO) south of the border. The plan has been agreed with Covanta Niagara L.P and will effectively ensure “continuous Green Bin program operations in the event of service disruptions at existing facilities in Ontario and Quebec where the Region has processing contracts.” Green Bin participation has been on the rise recently, with York Region Chairman and CEO Bill Fisch stating that “we continue to increase Green Bin participation and are taking measures to ensure appropriate capacity for our popular organics program.”

The post points to a reduction in processing capacity from existing plants located in Ontario and Quebec during the past year. “The short-term solution would be used only until additional Ontario and Quebec capacity become available in late 2008.” The program reportedly saves over 80,000 tonnes of SSO just within this region alone. Additionally, “negotiations are underway with new providers to offer additional capacity for York Region in 2008.”

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