A Red Light District in Toronto?
Image: RealMagick
Following Monday’s historic Ontario Court of Appeal ruling which swept aside many of Canada’s anti-prostitution laws, city councillor Giorgio Mammoliti proposed the city establish a licenced brothel zone – or, you know, a red light district.
Read More: New Sex Worker Rulings Unveiled Today
The Toronto Star is reporting that last year, Mammoliti suggested the Toronto Island may be the ideal spot for this unique business venture. The York West councillor also said he wants to remove city-licenced massage parlours from his ward, and may be advocating for this special zone as an alternative.
Mammoliti plans to float this proposal at an upcoming city council meeting. How about that.
Bye Bye to the Federal Deficit?
Image: InformedVoter.ca
A report from Royal Bank is giving Finance Minister Jim Flaherty an early lead on this Thursday’s budgetary announcement.
According to the report, compiled using published government data, the federal deficit this year could come in as low as $20-billion, $11-billion below previous government calculations. Not too shabby! Of course, just last week, Flaherty stressed that budget cuts, expected to be around $4-billion to $8-billion higher than estimates, will be “modest.”
Still, RBC’s Monday analysis shows Ottawa would be able to eliminate the deficit in one year, or maybe two, instead of its 2016-2017 target, while keeping cuts low. Nice. Now if only Tuesday’s Ontario budget announcement would be as uplifting…
Syria Accepts a Peace Plan
A spokesperson for United Nations envoy Kofi Annan says Syria has accepted his peace plan and cease-fire for the country.
As per Ahmad Fawzi, Annan’s spokesperson, Syria’s acceptance of Annan’s proposal came in a letter addressed to Annan, and issue a two-hour halt to fighting to safely evacuate and protect the injured, while ensuring the proper provisions of humanitarian relief. The plan also includes proposed talks for a political, diplomatic solution.
The UN says more than 8,000 people have been killed in Syria’s uprising over the past year. If enacted, this peace plan will help mitigate regional security concerns. In other words, it’s time to exhale.
Oops! Did Madonna Have an MDMA Mishap?
After Madonna’s surprise appearance at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival, Saturday, the megastar was attacked by Toronto’s favourite DJ, deadmau5, for allegedly encouraging drug use.
During her cameo appearance on stage, Madonna yelled out, “How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?” Molly, of course, is code for ecstacy. Taking to Facebook, deadmau5 wrote, “such a great message for young music lovers at ultra. quite the f’n philanthropist. but hey, at least yer HIP AND TRENDY!”
Way harsh, Tai, or just a cheeky message gone awry?
Madonna is in the midst of promoting her new album, MDNA, which was released Monday. MDNA is a triple entendre; about how Madonna gets in your DNA, an eponymous abbreviation, and a play on words with MDMA, or ecstacy, and the euphoria associated with its use. Oh, Madge.
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Joanna Adams writes the Morning Cable, and lots more, for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at †@nowstarringTO.
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