Don’t Travel Throughout The World, Just Come To Toronto

Toronto is one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the world. We are famous for our ethnic diversity. Did you know that?:

• Over 100 languages and dialects are spoken here
• More than 40% of the population is considered a visible minority
• Over 1/3 of Toronto residents speak a language other than English at home
• 49% of Toronto’s population was born outside of Canada
• We are the 5th largest city in North America with a population of 4.7 million
• Toronto has the 3rd largest English speaking theatre district in the entire world
• One of our nicknames is “Hollywood North” because we rank 3rd in North American television and film production
• We have 6 professional sports teams
• Toronto is the business centre and heart beat of Canada
• Toronto has more than 7,000 restaurants
• Toronto has 79 ethnic publications
• Toronto’s CHIN radio broadcasts in over 30 languages
• CFMT-TV, Canada’s first multicultural television station based in Toronto, broadcasts programming in 22 languages throughout Ontario

Wandering the streets of Toronto is like a trip around the world. Our neighbourhoods - Little Italy, Corso Italia, 3 Chinatowns, Korea Town, Little Poland, Little India, Portugal Village, Greektown, Kensington Market, St. Lawrence Market, Bloor/Yorkville, the Beach, the Gay Village, Queen St. West, the Financial District, the Entertainment District, the Distillery District, the Fashion District, Forest Hills, Rosedale, Harbourfront, and Cabbagetown – represent every ethnic culture that you can possibly imagine, and a few that you couldn’t imagine.

Ethnic food is everywhere – on the streets, in the supermarkets, and in the food courts. Each neighbourhood is special, unique and part of what makes Toronto great. What’s your favourite part of Toronto?

The bad news is that the City of Toronto is now looking into instituting a new tax on bottled water. Yes, on bottled water. The proposed tax would be 5% on a bottle of water produced inside Ontario and 10% on a bottle of water that is imported into the Province of Ontario.

The reasons given for proposing this tax is to help the city pay for the recycling of the bottles and to encourage Toronto residents to drink tap water. Why is the type of water that we choose to drink any business of the city? Of course Mayor Miller is supporting the plan. Mayor Miller supports any tax. Apparently this brilliant idea came from south of the border – Chicago to be exact where they recently approved a five-cent tax on bottled water in their 2008 budget. Does this sound like just another cash grab to you?

The good news is that it most likely will never happen. The proposed tax on bottled water appears to be illegal because under the new City of Toronto Act, the act clearly prohibits sales taxes other than on alcohol, tobacco or entertainment. It would also cost the city a fortune to set up the department to collect the tax, therefore making the program far too expensive to administer. In addition the City of Toronto cannot tax manufacturers directly. They would have to make the store owners collect the tax, creating an incredible hardship on the small independently owned stores. It could potentially force them to stop selling water.

Why doesn’t the city look to impose taxes on something that isn’t healthy? Let’s get all of the sugared-up pop with no nutritive value off the store shelves instead!

Operation Red Nose is coming to Toronto’s Distillery District this party season. From December 12 – 15 you will able drink and still be 0 alcohol tolerance compliant in your car. Although this is a test for Operation Red Nose in Toronto, it would be great news to see it stay and expand throughout the GTA.

Some of you may be unfamiliar with Operation Red Nose because until this year it has never been available in Toronto. This program is designed to keep drunk drivers off the road during the holiday season by giving them a safe and free alternative to becoming a tragic holiday statistic. The way that it works is very simple. If you are out at a party and have had too much to drink simply call Operation Red Nose. A 3-member volunteer team will come to your location. Two team members will drive you and your passengers to your destination in your own car. The 3rd team member will follow in the escort car. That’s all there is to it. If you need a ride from December 12 – 15 in Toronto’s Distillery District call 416-644-4364.

Operation Red Nose is the only program where the potentially impaired driver is driven home in his/her own car. This has been one of the most important features of the program as very often people are reluctant to leave their vehicles behind. Currently in more than 100 cities across Canada, the Distillery District in Toronto is the latest location to be added. This service is totally FREE of charge. Donations are accepted and distributed to charities in the region. In 2006 Operation Red Nose raised over 1.3 million dollars. Volunteers are always needed. And you don’t have to be a driver to volunteer. There are opportunities at the dispatch centre.

Be safe this holiday season! To find out more about Operation Red Nose follow the link below. http://www.ibc.ca/en/Operation_Red_Nose/index.asp