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No YOUR NEW HOME AND FOR WINTER D EMBRACING WINTER SATIRE 1 LEARN TO LOVE THE SNOW AGAIN WITH INCLUDED SNOW DEVELOPMENTS REMOVAL AND HEATED, INDOOR PARKING AT SELECT ee STREETSIDE CONDOS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. ‘A QUALICO Company JOHANNA SCHNELLER Thank you for being our ambassador for empathy metroLIFE DIVINGIN The Forks Red River Mutual Trail opened sherbrock Foo} reopens for the season on after four years Monday. Bor photos, Gavin Klassen, 4, and his grandpa (and Red River Mutual Trail CEO) Brian Esau give the trail a whirl on Monday afternoon. AlsoinmetroNEWS Developer upset | over dog park RECREATION Proposed site also drawing ire of tenants ‘Stephanie Taylor Metro |Winnipeg Alocal developer is frustrated that aftera yearsong struggle to build a $75-million high- rise, the City of Winnipeg now plans to open a dog park next door Rubin Spletzer, CEO of Crystal Developers Ltd., calls the city's decision to open an off_leash pooch park beside Heritage Landing “insane,” citing a list of concerns from traffic congestion to a loss of property values. “How would you like to have a $70-million building and you put a dog park beside it, right there. don't think you would enjoy that. Neither ‘do we.” Spletzer told Metro in a recent interview about his 25storey apartment complex at 300 Assiniboine Ave. “If they're going to place it the way they designed it right it next to me, my whole building is going to lose about 10 per cent on value, which is around 7 million.” “I will fight the city that the taxes have to then be reduced accordingly.” ‘More specifically, he said a lot of design work went into ensuring the facade of the building overlooking the park complemented the site and met the city's requirements. He calls it “annoying” that tenants looking outside a large window in the lobby and entertainment room will now see dogs running around, ‘Spletzer's concerns have resulted in delays to the dog park opening, according to Coun, Mike Pagtakhan, who chairs the committee on pro- tection, community services and parks, “The city was wanting to hear what the concerns were and to see if we could allay some of those concerns,” Pagtakhan said. Last july, Mayor Brian Bow- man — who campaigned on a promise to open an offleash dog park downtown — an- nounced that Bonnycastle Park had been picked as the future location of the ofFleash area after public consultation, At the announcement, the city said construction on park amenities —like new fences, waste bins and lighting — ‘was supposed to start at the end of September or begin- ning of October and last up to four weeks. @ There’s a lot of tenants that already said if the city puts up that dog park in here, we're moving out. Rubin Spletzer Then last October, munici- pal communications manager David Driedger told Metro that after talking with different stakeholders, “it was de- termined that some design re- visions had to be made and as aresult we've run into some delays.” Pagtakan says Bonnycastle Park maintains the city's pre- ferred location for the downtown off leash dog site. Spletzer, meanwhile, has little hope the city will make design changes that solve his “There's a lot of tenants that already said if the city puts up that dog park in here, ‘we're moving out.” he said, adding that since the apart. ment complex opened last month, there are 26 tenants in the building's 234 spaces. Despite an open house and online survey about where a downtown dog park should go, Spletzer says the city didn’t properly consult with neighbours of the park, many ‘of whom are seniors. He also questions the suit- ability of the location since seven of the high-rise build- ings in the area do not allow pets. “Now I know, dogs need a place to run around. And I know the mayor has promised somewhere, but why choose the most attractive park and destroy it for a dog park?” Some of his concerns pre- date the dog-park plan, and involve an overall frustration with the city over what he characterizes as a years-long struggle to get the highrise built in the first place, In 2008, the company got the go-ahead from the city to build a 15-storey apartment complex near Upper Fort Garry, but the project ‘was met with public back- lash over concerns the site's history would be destroyed. Spletzer says they even- tually agreed to a deal in- volving former mayor Sam Katz to purchase land in the Broadway-Assiniboine area and build the high-rise there instead. He says issues arose after discovering Manitoba Hydro lines buried underneath the land which equaled a costly removal and more delays, “Now they're putting a park, a dog park beside it.” Crystal Properties at 300 Assiniboine Ave., whose developer is upset the city wants to put an off-leash cdog parkin Bonnycastle Park. tue srAFroRoFoR Erno court Teen sentenced for making pro-terrorism comments online ‘A Manitoba teenager who plead- ‘ed guilty to counselling terrorism will spend no more time in custody, but will have to live under strict curfew conditions and wear an electronic monitoring device for more than two years. The teen, who can’t be identified under the Youth Crim- inal Justice Act, was 16 when he was charged with posting pro-terrorism comments on social media, He had been in custody in Brandon since his arrest in November 2015 and pleaded ‘guilty last year to counselling the commission of an indict. able offence for the benefit of ‘terrorist group. Court was told the boy unged people to fight for Daesh and to “strike from within” if they could not go overseas. He also said he considered any government worker or building a legit imate target, Crown attorney Jan Mahon told court. Provincial court Judge John Coombs sentenced the teen to six months deferred custody to be followed by two years of probation that is to include ‘curfews, electronic monitoring anda ban on using computers. ‘The probation is also to include religious and other counselling directed by his probation supervisor. ‘Coombs said the boy's online threats and plans had to be taken seriously, but also appeared to be more theoretical than practical. “It is also evident that his stated intentions had little connection to reality,” Coombs told ‘court Monday, “For instance, his plans involved the transportation of significant equipment. He had no access to a motor vehicle and had shown no interest in getting a driver's licence.” Court heard the teen talked of travelling overseas himself to fight in an effort called a H- jrah, although he did not have a passport, and had been in contact online with someone who identified themselves as an Islamic fighter. The boy apologized at a court hearing in November and said he was struggling with his identity when he made the online comments, He addressed the court again briefly Monday. “L accept responsibility for what I've done,” he said. Coombs noted the boy had xo history of violent behaviour ‘and has a support system that includes family members to help him during his probation. The youth was taken into custody a few months after the arrest of Aaron Driver in Win- nipeg, who had made pro-Daesh comments on social media, Driver was placed under a peace bond intended to lim- it his activities and moved to southwestern Ontario, Despite the bond, Driver, who was 24, ‘was able to obtain explosives, plan an apparent attack in a public area and film a martyr dom video. Police were tipped offabout his apparent plan by the FBI He was killed last August in a confrontation with police as he {got intoa taxi, necaNnoanoness our essential dai Children raising funds to bring parents’ bodies home ‘Stephanie Taylor Metro | Winnipeg ‘The three children of a Winni- peg couple who were killed in an ambulance collision while vacationing in Cuba are fund- raising to help bring the bodies of their parents home and cover their funeral expenses. Veronika Mayer says her parents, Janos and Résza Boda, ‘were at a resort in Cayo Coco last Thursday when her mother had chest pains and needed medical treatment. Mayer says the ambulance carrying her parents crashed during the trip to hospital The couple were in Cuba celebrating Janos’ 50th birth- ay. hem Global Affairs Canada says NOME consular officals in Cuba are in contact with local authorities and delivered the tragic news This stuff happens in movies, it Khaddaj in an email to CTV siblings, Bettina and Martin fo gather additional informa: about hes parents ; News Sunday Boda, are in high school and tion and assist the family. “Basically he just told me doesn’t happen to you. Résra Bods, who was, was are beinglooked after by their ‘AGoFundMe page has been what happened, and that they Veronika Mayer, reacting to deaths of her parents an elementary school teacher _ sister and Csupak, who is their set up to collect donations for passed away in Cuba, was just in Carman, south of Winni- legal guardian, the family. like ‘is thisa joke?" said Mayer. we know is that there was the “I don’t think there is any peg, and an ambassador for Bettina, 16, said she will Relatives expect the Bodas’ “This stufPhappens in movies, Collision but we don't know blame here. Something like the multicultural festival Folke miss her parents’ warmth a remains tobe retumed to Can- it doesn't happen to you." any of the details and they this is unforeseen. Very tragic” loramawho worked atthe Hun- sense of humou, ada in about two weeks Zoltan Csupak, Jinos' cousin, died on site,” he said “Our thoughts are withthe garian pavilion, Her husband "Her smile, Her laugh,” Mayer had just finished an said the fimily has been work: -Csupak said the family be- family and friends of the Can- worked in the IT department she said tearfully. "My daddy. exam atthe University of Mani- ing with the Canadian embassy Vieves the crash was an acci- adian citizens who passed away of the Manitoba Agriculture he was always able to make toba last week when a Winn in Cuba, dent and could have happened in Cuba,” said Global Affairs Services Cozporation. me laugh when | was going peg police officer called her “Thisislikea nightmare. All anywhere Canada spokeswoman Diana Martina Mayers two teenage through a hard time.” Your Plasma Donation is Needed Wy PROMETIC © : Ak PLASMA RESOURCES INC. (204) 275-4630 3 : y. 137 Innovation Drive . 5 | = Located in SmartPark near the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus | 4 | Tuesday, January 10, 2017 Winnipeg | metre NEWS | Lace up The first leg of the Red River Mutual Trail opened to skaters 3 Monday with two kilometres of ice between the Osborne and tim Norwood Bridges. An ice resurfacer did the honours at the Ss e ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch the trail’s skating season. New warming huts will be installed Jan. 28. Forks’ manager of marketing and to skate communications Chelsea Thomson said more will open by the weekend. Smooth move Grace-full young lady With a helping hand from her grandma, three-year-old Grace Klassen prepared to glide along the Red River Mutual Trail. Quite appropriately, anice resurfacer did the honours of cutting the ribbon to open the Red River Mutual Trail Monday. Hockey practice Mike Frenz pre pares to shoot P fn net during the first skate of the season on the Red River Mutual Trai Text and photos JESSICA FOR METRO First time out Stick to it Three-year-old Paul € Asher Coombs, 8, Mondeh went for practising his stick his first-ever skate handling moves at at The Forks Mon- The Forks" canopy day, with his father rink on Monday nearby — watching progress. | metre NEWS | Winnipeg Reopening goes swimmingly RECREATION Construction was meant to _ “Having a pool in the inner Brian Bowman, <2 !912 months after city where kids can come, get y the 2012 closure, but reopen- there on their own, walk there, _ mayor and one- 13s.v2s delayed several umes i's close to diferent anspor since then, and a few times tation (options), i's really vital uaueaemm™ time lifeguard, since summer 2016. to make sure we have access- ‘ Tht at the reopening and on ibility” Officiates event gyi Bowman mused how ln dition to youth, Gilroy asaswimmer i's “great to see noted how newcomers immi Br oy another quality pool facility in grants and seniors will also Jones Winnipeg.” benefit greatly from the faci. 7 MetrelWinnipeg Area councillor Cindy Gilroy ity being reopened shared his enthusiasm for the She explained how a com long before he was mayor, a neviy renamed Kinsmen Sher. munity group that was heavily young Brian Bowman was a brook Pool — after the Kins- involved in the pool's upkeep, swim instructor and lifeguard men Club of Winnipeg donated Friends of Sherbrook Pool, will ‘who regularly enjoyed the Sher $1 million in funding. be working with the commun- brook Pool ‘Ina big city. what's really ity to decide on future program That was also years before an important is we have programs ming. inspection tumed up structural and facilities within commun- “They're going to be inter problems that forced it to close ities that (are) easily accessible,” ested in trying to get people suddenly in 2012. Gilroy said. out to it,” she said, adding the But on Monday, the mayor “It’s great to have the pools community-driven program- was all smiles while cutting awe have in other areas, but if ming development is “going to ribbon to reopen the 86-year they're far and hard to get to, be a model (the city) can look ‘old pool following more than city kids just aren't going to at” employing elsewhere too, fxty’s lifespan, while mechan’ ‘Wt’ really vital first patrons, including some > ‘ciepicoteran isis tomakesurewe = Hs) tme fees — ized the facility and got itup have accessibility. gerring hack in there. she said CONVENIENTLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT WINNIPEG! www.shapes.ca “WITH 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES JAN. 23, 2017. Must present coupon. See club for details. | 6 | Tuesday, January 10, 2017 ‘cuLTURE Art City recruiting pros for workshops to sponsor more guest artists. Jessica 3 ‘We want to bring in guest Botelho-Urbanski artists that reflect sort of the ForMetro|Winnipes whole gamut of Canada’s cul- tural identity," Ruth said, list ‘A West End art centre is looking francophone, indigenous ing to recruit professional and newcomer aitists among artists locally, nationally and those he'd like to see repre- internationally to teach work- sented, “We have an increasing shops this programming year. amount of participants that ‘An City’ professional guest- are newcomers, including a artist series is accepting pro- lot of Syrian refugee families Posals for innovative projects that are coming... so we really that would appeal to “everyone want to bring in guest artists from tiny tots all the way to that can relate.” older adults.” said managing In 2016, Art City catered to director Josh Ruth, 1,100 participants between its Past workshops have includ- headquarters on Broadway and ed silk-screen printmaking, various outreach efforts in lo- sculpture building and Djing. cal community centres. All of ‘AS part of Canada’s 150th its art programming is offered celebrations, Art City has free and is open toll ages and earned some extra funding experience levels ae y <— Kevin Chief, centre, attends a ceremony for the new cabinet at the Manitoba Legislature in 2014. The former Manitoba cabinet CHARITY minister and popular New Democrat resigned on Monday to spend more time with his family. sou wooos/rae canaouw Press ‘Might as well run another marathon Beloved politician A local ultra-runner braved the cold to warm hearts, finish- soos Kevin Chief resigns benefit Siloam Mission, Amount of money raised Junel Malapad ran 100 kilo- | byJunel Malapad's efforts metres to turn Boxing Day into NEW DEMOCRATS lature seat Monday, almost four speaker George Hickes before he Running Day while raising cpap ‘weeks after announcing his plan resigned and Chief replaced him awareness and finds for the “It went over really weil” | LOVES IVE MO Glesvepoities and spend more in 2011, Chie easily retained the Social agency. He then deliv. he said. "Thecommuntycame | date for When __ timewithhis family seat in last year’s election, even ered the fruits of that labour together... It reminded me Premier Brian Pallister would as other NDP strongholds such along with Tim Hortons coffee of those commercials where | Chey Will call not commit to calling a byelec- ‘as Thompson and Brandon East during another S0-kilometre people come running and ‘ Son in time to fil the seat before swung to the Tories. rin on Sunday theyve smiling Itwasa spe | Dyelection the legit resumes March Cie wo developed a strong He said it was “difficult cial time.” He would only say the vote will reputation for staying in touch at some points.” but he was Malapad, who is training | Manitoba's Progressive Conserva- be held sometime within six ‘with his constituents, scored the fuelled by the energy offellow to run a 150-mile ultramara: | tive government gavelttleind- months, as required under law. took almost a full year to lsid- highest popular vote percentage runners and the $2,235 he thon in celebration of Can- | cation Monday on how soon it “The constituents of Point ings suchas Mortis i 2014and of any New Democrat at 58 per raised. ada’s 150th birthday this year, | would calla byelection and pro- Douglas can be assured their The Pas in 2015, Palliser’ gow cent. He gamered almost three In addition to the money, said he felt he “might as well | vide the first test of Tory popu- voices will be heard and respect- ernment passed alaw to reduce _ times as many votes as his clos- Malapad, his family and help out in different ways” | larity since the party's decisive ed withabyelection held within the maximum to six months est competitor, Liberal Althea friends helped serve around since he's doing such lengthy | electoral victory ast Apr sivmonthes Pallstersaidin an shovlyafler taking ofice. - Guiboche S00-cups of offee at Siloam training runs anyway ein Chet aggablythe mest emaled staiement Point Dougls, alowincome The Tories ran a candidate on Sunday func ones poplar memiver ofthe Oppow —Theovemment usedto have aren ianencityWinnipe, has who lived in Bandon, Marsa Mion NDP cauews, formally re uptooneyeartofila vacntset, only voted NDP. twas eld for Stee, who finished third be signed his Point Douglis legis dtheformesNDP government 21 years by former legisatine hind Glboce. ne cuaoanoves © nerer as eas = mma ss Councllorstohear staff Polcefear gangs behind iiTany Sccountforsnow-clearing trafficking of explosives . Winnipeg councillors wil Winnipeg police are Urban Knights to protect homeless vets get a chance to ask city investigating trafficking Staff what's what regarding and selling of emulsion living on the street. shelters or housing organiza- Based on national estimates, tions and help them get es. |’) TAKE PART Winnipeg Urban Knights par sential items such as dothing snow clearing. ‘explosives after finding a City staff are scheduled batch of “flex tubes with Jor to brief the infrastructure metal crimped ends” last Metro| Winnipeg trol commander Patrick Marchand blankets. ‘The group is actively and public works commit- Thursday. believes there may be “about “A lot of these veterans on | Seeking recruits and can tee about the recent snow- Const. Jason Micha- Every person who experiences 300 (veterans) potentially in the street may have mental- be reached at cap able@ removal obon Tuesday. _‘lyshen said the explosives | homelessness in Winnipeg has Winnipeg on the street or in health issues, like any other | jiyereom or at the Royal Since December, the “are intended for blasting _| a different story of the hard- some kind of need.” street person." March said. Canadian Legion, St city has been hit with three rock in mining settings” ships that led to theirdire cir- March explained that the “These are people who served James Branch No. 4 on hefty snowfalls, making last Police arelookingat the | cumstances, but many ofthem Royal Canadian Legion added our country and for some rea- | Portage Avenue, month one ofthe snowiest possibility of gang involve- | share a common thread: they “veterans outreach patrol” to _ son oranother fll through the on record. Many residents ment elated to the explo- | served their country. their mandate at their last gen- cracks. We want to give them have complained about the _sives' traficking, ‘A new outreach effort eral meeting. a hand up." Day to help them participate quality of snow-clearing, _lyshen said. launching this weekend — He said the goal is to find The Urban Knights will also _ in one of the city's ceremonies. especially on sidewalks. Jessica sore wHo-URaANSKI/ run by volunteer patrol group them, refer themto resources try to help provide meals, March said patrols will STEPHANIETAYLORIMETRO FoRMETRO Urban Knights — will try to. —such as the legion's “Leave showers and rides for home- launch this month in Toronto, support vulnerable veterans the Streets Behind” program, less veterans on Remembrance Prince George and Winnipeg. [metreaNEws| Canada Trudeau gives his cabinet a shake OVERNMENT PM to reshuffle team in wake ofTrump presidency Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to give his year-old cabinet a facelift on Tuesday, shifting some weak ministers and promoting strong per- formers as his government braces for Donald Trump's imminent ascension to the US. presidency. Sources tell The Canadian Press that the shufile will in volve at least six people. ‘Those expected to be moved include International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is believed likely to replace Stephane Dion at Foreign Affairs Freeland, a former econom- ics journalist with extensive contacts in the United States. is credited with deftly navigat ing through some eleventh: hour obstacles that threat ened last fall to scupper the CanadaEuropean Union free trade agreement — potentially valuable experience for deal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a news conference with his cabinet after they were sworn in at Rideau Hall 4, 2018. naccanaoinvoness ing with the incoming Trump administration. Trump, whose inauguration takes place jan. 20, has vowed to adopt at unapologetically protectionist, America-first policy on trade, including re- ‘opening or even tearing up the North American Free Trade Agreement. Dion's tenure at Foreign Affairs has been a rocky one, marred by controversy over his approval of a $15-billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia. His prickly demeanour could also be ill-suited to dealing with the unpredictable Trump, who has demonstrated a ten: dency to easily take offence. Rumours have swirled for months that Dion was to be named ambassador to France but he has denied any interest in the plum post. ‘News of the shufle leaked out Monday, just as the Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Trudeau's two top aides, Katie Telford and Gerald Butts, have been meeting with some of Trump's senior advisers, building bridges to the incoming administration, Also believed to be in the shuffle mix are Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu, seen as a strong performer, and Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, widely criticized for her hand. ling of Trudeau's promise to reform Canada’s voting system. Employment Minister Mary- Ann Mihychuk is also expected to be moved. Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details publicly, expect at least one new face in cabinet: Francois-Philippe Champagne, parliamentary secretary to Finance Minister Bill Morneau. In his first cabinet of 30 ministers, Trudeau famously appointed an equal number of men and women “because it's 2015." That parity was upset last fall when Hunter Tootoo resigned from cabinet and the Liberal caucus to seek treatment for alcohol addiction following what he later admit- ted was an inappropriate rela- tionship with a female staffer EDMONTON Fraudsters turn copper into gold Maimann Metro| Edmonton About once a month, someone ‘comes into Sarah Patterson- Robert's store trying to hawk fake gold, ‘Usually I can tell really quick ‘whether or not they know that it's fake and they're tying to rip me off, because they'll make a face when I say | have to test it, or they'll grab it and run,” said Patterson-Robert, who's the manager of Edmonton Gold, a shop that buys and sells precious metals, ‘Occasionally the person try ing to sell it to me was ripped off, because they are just devastated ‘when they're told it's fake: Indeed, some Edmontonians got a painful reminder Monday that not all that glitters is gold. Police are warning people in Edmonton not to buy gold unless its been properly tested. arpoerrvimaces Police say about 20 merchants and individuals in the city have been swindled into buying bars of fake gold for $300 to $800 each. Their actual value? Less than cone dollar apiece. “It's a significant loss of money for them,” said Edmon- ton Police Service Const. Robert ‘Wellon, with the criminal investigation section, Police found the bars were covered in real gold but made from 94 to 96 per cent copper afferan investigation, following a similar scam that was uncovered in Winnipeg last month ‘They recovered the bars which combined had a total of 220 ‘grams of gold, which they peg ‘ata total market value of $10,000. Patterson Robert offers to test every piece of gold she sells in front of the customer, and said noone should buy from someone ‘who isn't able to do that. “There's alot of people who believe that we're going to be going back to a gold-based system — they think that regular money isn't going to be worth anything,” Patterson- Robert said. Marineland facing more cruelty charges Marineland was charged Mon- day with six counts of animal cruelty, but the company dis- missed the allegations, accus- ing Ontario's animal welfare agency of acting on behalf of “a band of discredited activists.” The latest charges, filed by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani mals, relate to a number of land animals kept at the tour ist attraction in Niagara Falls They include one count each of permitting elk, red deer and fallow deer to be in distress, and one count each of failing to provide the standards of care for those animals, ‘The agency's deputy chief inspector, jennifer Bluhm, said the latest charges were part of complex investigation” that began on Nov. 10, when the OSPCA received a complaint of alleged animal cruelty. Later that month, the agency laid five counts of animal cruelty against Marineland that related to the treatment of peacocks, guinea hens and black bears. Tory MP calls for vacation investigation Conservative leadership candidate Andrew Scheer has asked Parliament's ethics commis- sioner to decide whether Jus- tin Trudeau's secret family vacation to the Aga Khan's pr- vate island was an improper “gift” that constitutes a con- flict of interest for the prime minister. Ina letter dated Sunday, the Saskatchewan MP pointed out that the Aga Khan's founda- tion in Canada has received tens of millions of dollars in international development contracts from the federal government, as well as funds for the organization's headquarters in Ottawa, Scheer wrote that the family vacation was ‘a “private gift” from the bil- lionaire religious leader that may have breached the Con- flict of Interest Act. Fellow Tory leadership hopeful Kellie Leitch also called for an investigation on Twitter. “The prime minister of Can- ada must be held to the highest standard," Scheer said ina statement. rosstar news SERVICE best fin pecan athe pic Vehicle ince tod: fay. ‘TRUMP ADMINISTRATION From son- in-law to senior adviser President-elect Donald Trump's influential son-in-law Jared Kushner will join him in the White House’as a senior adviser, transition officials said ‘Monday, putting the young real estate executive in position to exert broad sway over both domestic and foreign policy, particularly Middle East issues and trade negotiations. ‘Trump has come to rely heavily on Kushner, who is married to the president- elect’s daugh- ter Ivanka, Since the elec. tion, Kushner hhas been one of the transition team's main liaisons to foreign governments, com- municating with Israeli off cials and meeting last week with Britain's foreign minister. He's also huddled with con- ¢gressional leaders and helped interview Cabinet candidates. His eligibility could be chal- lenged, But Kushner lawyer Jamie Gorelick argued Mon- day that a 1967 law meant to bar government officials from hiring relatives does not apply to the West Wing. She cited a later congressional measure to allow the president “un- fettered” and “sweeping” authority in hiring staff. Kushner, who will not be taking a salary, will resign as CEO of his family's real estate company and as publisher of the New York Observer, as well as divest “substantial assets,” Gorelick said, She said Kushner will recuse himself “from par- ticular matters that would have Jared Kushner rPrcerry menses adirect and predictable effect on his remaining financial in- terests.” TwE ASSOCIATED PRESS ‘Once Samuel L. Jackson appeared in Dubai, it really was only a matter of time before the snake on a plane turned up. Dubai- ‘based airline Emirates said that one of its flights from ‘Muscat, Oman, to Dubai ‘was cancelled after a snake was spotted. Passengers hadn't yet boarded the Boeing 777. Jackson, who starred in the thriller “Snakes on a Plane," was, {in Dubai last month for the Dubai international Film Festival. re associareD press Over half of Americans hold favourable view of president ‘More Americans feel Barack ‘Obama's presidency divided the country than feel it brought people together, a new poll shows. Yet he leaves office held in high esteem by a solid majority. ‘Bight years after Obama's his- toricelection, just 27 percent see theUS.as more united asa result of his presidency, according toan Associated Press NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted after the 2016 election. Far more — 44 per cent — say it's more divided, ‘Those figures underscore one of the key contradictions ‘of Obama's presidency. By and large, Americans like him. Yet, aside from the big “Obamacare"™ health care overhaul, he has been ‘unable to translate that approval into congressional majorities to fulfil many of his goals. “It's one of the few regrets of my presidency — that the rancour and suspicion between the parties has gotten worse instead of better.” Obama said last January in his final State of the Union address. Stil, 57 percent say they view ‘Obama favourably, putting him ‘way ahead of his predecessor, George W. Bush, and on par with, Bill Clinton at the end of their two terms. Clinton had the same 57 per cent but Bush just 40, according to Gallup polling at the time. Bush’s father fared better, ‘with 62 per cent viewing him fa. vvourably at the end of his time in office Just over half say Obama's presidency has been great or ‘Thirty-seven per cent view him unfavourably. Did he keep his promises? He did not, in the minds of 2 of 3 Americans, though 44 per cent say he tried. ‘There's frustration even ‘among many longtime Obama supporters about the lack of movement on major priorities such as overhauling the nation’s immigration laws, enacting gun control measures and shutting the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, “He acted very presidential, but he just couldn't get things done.” said Dale Plath, a retired sales manager from Mason City, Towa. He said he voted for Obama the first time, voted against him the second, and this year, Plath sid: *L voted for change, frankly” —in the form of Donald Trump. Obama leaves office more popular than he was just a few years ago. In December 2014, Obama nets high approval, but he didn’t unite nation the month after Democrats lost control ofthe Senate, just 41 per ‘cent sid they viewed him favourably in an AP-GIK poll. His complicated legacy comes into sharper focus when it comes to race. Nearly 8 in 10 Aftican- ‘Americans view the nation’s first black president favourably, but far fewer see his presidency as having yielded the type of pro- found changes for black Amer jcans that many had hoped, {Just 43 per cent of African- ‘Americans say Obama made things better for black people, ‘while roughly half say they see no difference. Six per cent say Obama has made things worse. WILDLIFE. You fly more than 100 miles for love. You get rejected. You fly another 100 miles. Another rejection. And another. ‘That's the high-flying but fu- tile sex life of the male pectoral sandpiper looking for love in northernmost Alaska, according to a new study. ‘Some males are more persis- tent than others, Researchers tracked one desperate small shorebird that logged more than 8,100 miles (13,045 kilometres) in two dozen different hookup attempts over a frenetic four weeks. “They're definitely trying hard to flirt and court.” said biologist Bart Kempenaers of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany “They are not particularly suc cessful most of them. Failed Don Juans mostly.” ‘Sandpipers migrate from South America to breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra in the summer. The males tend to be sex crazy during this time because females are only fertile for a few weeks. They flit all over the place, trying hard to seal the deal with loud throaty hoots as many times as pos- sible. The problem for them is that the females only mate ‘once or twice a season. “Copulations are incredibly rare," Kempenaers said. “The males need to try and try and keep at it.” Researchers tracked the ac. tivity of 100 male birds during a breeding season. It is “the most extreme example” of pro- miscuity in animals seen yet, said Kempenaers, who led the study published Monday in the journal Nature ‘The males mostly forgo sleep {Anale pectoral sandpiper on the tundra near Barrow, Alaska, calls out inthe futlle hope of attracting a female. exer hen AER PLANCK NETTUTEFOR ORNTHOLOGY AAP as they embark on non-stop flights in search of a mate, getting by on snatches of shut- eye lasting several seconds ata time, Kempenaers said ‘The average bird flies about 110 miles (178 kilometres) be tween mating attempts. In a breeding season, the males log on average about 1,900 miles (3.060 kilometres) a bit farther than flying from Los Angeles to Chicago. Sandpipers can fly 40 hours non-stop around 37 mph (60 ph), but these long trips often end up in rejections. Those that ‘Failed Don Juans’ won't stop looking for a mate successfully mate don't have a role in raising the offspring, Kempenaers said. George Divoky, a biologist ‘at the scientific group Friends ‘of Cooper Island that monitors the changing Alaskan Arcti said in general Arctic shore. birds are shrinking in popu- lation. He called the study on this species of bird impressive, adding that it “will make me think differently about every pectoral sandpiper | see during the summer.” ¢€ RED RIVER | schoo COLLEGE | CONTINUING EDUCATION hi z ‘The Port of Montreal is expecting 110,000 cruise passengers and crew this summer as the city celebrates its 375th birthday and Canada's sesquicentennial. rorsran news seevice Canada hot for cruises TOURISM of Montreal anticipates the CSwivtieveoe) Sues with an expected, sti number of cruise passengers 99,266 passenger and crew vis- Port cities are fhicew member will beup its-up fom 30,448 passenger and crew visits in 2016. “We're definitely excited ici i 28 per cent from last year to anticipating — ti Jsooan the cy celdoraes asurgein its 375th birthday and Can- | gneouraged cruise lines about the increases because it ees ada’s sesquicentednial ms ‘will mean increased economic visitors The Port of Montreal is |addeuteetiesummmer, | activity" Webb added jOutes this sumim at the heart of those celebra- While in Canadian ports, Canadian port cities expect tions," said port CEO Sylvie @ Canadas birthday ‘cruise ship passengers spent to get an economic boost Vachon. celebrations, the Tal almost $262 million or nearly this summer from an influx “We know that maritime | Ships gathering in Halifax | S150 per person in 2012, ac- of cruise visitors attracted by trade has played an important | fom July 29 to’Aug. and cording to the latest study alow loonie and the country’s rolein the development ofthe jngreased tourismeefforts conducted by the industry. 150th birthday celebrations. city and the entire country.” | geross the region are also Average spending was high- Ports across Atlantic Can- The extra passengers are | contributing factors fest in BC. ports, which ac- ada, Quebec and British Col expected to generate an addi- counted for 54 per cent of A wegen tae ers anes ioe eet) Learn Anywhere, in cruise trafic spending, raising the total this Webb, executive director of _ passenger visits and 77 per ° ‘Canada is hot right now," yearto about $30 million, says Cruise Atlantic Canada. cent of spending. nection ela entel ee) Anytime tourism board said inan inter _Portsin Atlantic Canada are the board, so every single port in Atlantic Canada, welcomed view. also anticipating double-digit looks to be seeing increases," 238,000 cruise passengers in With the opening in May increases in 2017 above the he said from Nova Scotia. 2016, up seven per cent from F F of a $78-million refurbished nearly 600,000 passengers that Newfoundland and Lab- the prior year. 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There are currently seven licensed cannabis producers in * Education is a compact, portable version Canada who are working with + Health Sciences Se See Ne ‘cunwenieNypaubanereartucacsren | someon i does ag lunes Peeters Information Technology ims big, traditional ice Cleaners, ce game, the fasbook pager | thls produces A po by | (ar Me end result isthesame,” which seal arated StOO100. Miscrenon: Ponatee Ld po. | fers appoinied ask ree CET OURRERT OU “HEMCTRSURT Ene Gaertn a iorseier | cu mnepaee punt ne MESS m sip aks poe ues ree an omvemeaerad | pymesoremperaate Se amen ee Monae cccamaes | see sae noee Teese cnip) LaaGieeecnsee forensic aeurisoeeas | Be'emmneree Wececnes curmmyersi0000 salt Ta" prepare mjecl? Gunirie sa Gre cotaens | "ir agleon to toning a rre.ca/online SecA ew ferthis(aenben is Oe be seeucace eee e eae Scans fovematecc coed gaa ua oraenatise Cost significantly less than the No stranger to the outdoor [THE CANADIAN PRESS VIEWS EMMA TEITEL ON THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT Despite a reputation for standoffishness (especially ‘with tourists) the French have invented some of the ‘most important mass communication tools in human history. These include the papermaking machine, the Bic Cristal ballpoint pen (who doesn’t have one of those?), and the bane of high school principals everywhere: the mobile software that enables us to share photos on our cell- phones en masse, i. the DNA of the nude selfie, This history is interest- ing and odd, because at this very moment France is not in the business of building on the tools of mass com: munication; it's in the business of restricting them. I'm referring to the coun- y's new “right to disconnect law" that went into effect on New Year's Day (along with a series of other labour-related regulations}: a law that makes it illegal for employers to intrude on ‘employees’ private time via ‘email after working hours, More specifically, the law requires that companies with 50 or more staff members work with unions and ‘employees to devise a policy that prevents the intrusion of office emails into work ers’ leisure time, The “Right to Disconnect” policy comes on the heels of a French. study about the scourge of so-called “info-obesity”: the suffering health of French workers who are constantly connected to their emails Technology's pervasiveness is as much the fault of Internet-obsessed employees as inconsiderate bosses. outside working hours. Cur- tail that connection, argues French Labour Minister Myr- iam El Khomri, and everybody — bosses and charges alike — will be better off, So it goes that the nation that invented the software that keeps Kim Kardashian’s selfie empire afloat has taken a vow of technologic- al temperance. The question now for those of us who live outside of that nation is should we follow suit? Should we do as the French do, and de- mand: “No longer will our ward reviving the fast fading line between work and play (a line that is likely to go extinct without government intervention.) But unfortunately, the law is also a Band-Aid solution toa much deeper problem. Excessive emailing isn’t the prime enemy of leisure time In the modern work world. ‘We are the enemy. That is, our addiction to technology is the enemy. It’s an addiction that mo- tivates 87 per cent of US, ‘workers, according to an American survey from 2015, ‘Now that France has passed a law that makesitillegal for ‘employers to intrude on employees’ private time via email i hours, the question for the rest of uss: Should ‘we follow suit? torstan ews serviceniLe vacations be cut short by uncharitable bosses who re- fuse to respect the authority of our Out of Office auto- replies?” Our answer, judg- ing by fawning headlines and editorials heralding the right to disconnect, is a re- sounding yes. As a rule, liberal North Americans love to heap praise on progressive European social policy, ‘and it appears this case is no exception, ‘And why should it be? ‘The law, after all, isa step in the tight direction to- to check their emails outside work hours everyday, and provokes the average smartphone user, accord: ing to a study from 2013, to check Facebook 14 times a day. I's an addiction, ac: cording to another study, from the U., that triggers university students who are separated from their tech: nology for 24 hours to suffer ‘withdrawal symptoms simi lar to those exhibited by heavy cigarette smokers. It’s an addiction, in other words, that cannot be legis- At this very moment France is not in the business of building on the tools of mass communication; it’s in the business of restricting them. lated away, because its per vasiveness is as much the fault of Internet-obsessed ‘employees as it is inconsiderate bosses. (I check my email almost every day when Tam on vacation not because I think my employer is emailing me, but because Iam addicted to my phone.} In fact, one could argue that a prohibition against after-hours emailing is almost useless if it doesn’t address the job pressures ‘exacerbated by social media. Email, after all, is only one of many online communication tools available to ‘employers. If you happen to work in public relations, or advertising, the line between personal and profes: sional is often even blurrier: many people in these fields are required to post content to social media on behalf of their organizations — a duty that never sleeps and is rife with personal risk. Make a mistake in a rush, and your career and reputation could be in the gutter. If your job involves social media — and even if it doesn't — it isn’t unlikely that you follow your bosses and colleagues on Twit: ter, Facebook or Instagram. If this is the case, so long {as you are logged onto to ‘one of those platforms you are effectively never out of reach of your employer. The truth, then, is that the disappearing line between work and leisure time cannot be restored by legislation alone. It will be restored only if — in addition to the passage of progressive labour laws — ‘we decide to commit to the deeply personal work required to kick any powerful addiction. Emma Teitel is a columnist for the Toronto Star. Tuesday, January 1 It’s time we started shovelling sidewalks Shannon VanRaes Straining under the weight of each shovelful, somehow sweating through my parka ‘while simultaneously freez- ing, | hear a small voice. Am 1 dreaming? Is it a magical snow clearing vision brought on by exhaustion and despai:? ‘Apparently not. I's ac. tually a young boy, tiny plastic shovel in hand as he aspires to help an older man clear the sidewalk. “How come not everybody shovels?” he asks. “Because people are lazy.” the man responds. ‘More than a week after the last storm | still struggle to make it down residential side walks, either because the snow remains entirely untouched by human engineering or because it was so compacted that clearing efforts yielded poor results. For folks with physical limita- tions the sidewalks are simply impassable. ‘Atcity hall, questions about the number of snow clearing ‘machines, budget lines and total accumulation swirl like ‘a mid-winter squall. How can snow clearing be improved? ‘And how can it be done without increasing taxes or short- changing other city services? My fellow Winnipeggers the answer is right in front our frosty faces — the time has come to clear our own sidewalks. ‘This is not a popular idea, Tunderstand that. Mayor and council understands it too, No one wants to be remembered as the politician who reduced. city services. Telling constituents to suck it up and shovel isn’t the kind of move that increases one's odds of | reelection, But how long can we con- tinue to spite our collective face by cutting off our own noses? Winnipeggers bemoan the condition of residential sidewalks, but so many then ‘greet the suggesting of clear. ing 20 or 30 feet of snow with the cry, "But I pay taxes!” Yes, we all pay taxes, ‘And those tax dollars would be better spent if city crews could spend more time clearing sidewalks and active tran- sit routes impacted by graters ‘and loaders, than trundling down every residential sidewalk in the city. It's really not an outrageous suggestion. Winnipeg tesi- dents are already responsible for maintaining boulevard ‘areas adjacent to their homes in the summer months, and ‘major cities like Calgary, Ed- ‘monton, Vancouver, Saskatoon ‘and even the parts of Toronto require property owners to re- move sniow and ice. ‘Those cities also make ac- commodations for citizens physically unable to clear snow, such as the Snow Angels program in Calgary, while plenty of private businesses of fer to meet clearing deadlines for individuals who'd rather pay someone else to do the ‘work. This is not an insur- ‘mountable problem, it just takes a little imagination and some cooperation. Fora city that prides itself ‘on not just surviving -40C temperatures, but thriving in them, this should be the ob- ‘vious solution, Winnipeggers ‘will eat dinner on frozen tiv- ers, cycle year round, skate in any wind chill and line-up in the cold to stand in the cold at Festival du Voyageur. Helping each other out by shovelling sidewalks is just one more winter activity ‘we must find a way to warm upto. PHILOSOPHERCAT bby JasonLogan a recnarors on Ces Me wore RA P09 “SOCRATES Philosopher catnow at Shicmgmatrostorccs