On June 15th and 16th, 2022, the VIA Historical Association (VHA) had two of its’ cars on display the at TRACCS Rail Event at the Toronto Maintenance Centre.
The VHA is a not-for-profit organization aimed at preserving equipment operated by VIA Rail Canada, the Crown Corporation that provides rail service across Canada.
On display were:
Continue readingOn June 2nd, 2022 the Province of Ontario held a general election for its 124 seats in the Provincial Legislature.
The Progressive Conservative Party (PCs) led by Premier Doug Ford won a second term in office while increasing their seat total to 83. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Andrea Horwath remain the Official Opposition despite losing seven seats (31 total seats), the Ontario Liberal Party (Liberals) led by Steven Del Duca increased their seat count from seven to eight, and the Green Party of Ontario (Green Party) led by Mike Schreiner won one seat (Mr. Schreiner as re-elected in Guelph.)
Overall, only 43.5% of eligible voters voted despite 10 days of advance polls (May 19th to 28th) and the polls being open for 12 hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.) on election day. Early indication is that this is the lowest recorded turnout in the Province’s history1. The PCs received only a slight increase in total votes from 2018 despite winning more seats. The Liberals won 5,000 more votes overall than the NDP despite winning only eight seats.
On election night, both Ms. Horwath and Mr. Del Duca announced that they would be resigning as party leaders.
Continue readingToday I dropped by a couple of locations as part of Doors Open Toronto 2022.
My first stop was at the Toronto Railway Historical Association (TRHA) at the John St. Roundhouse, which is located near the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre (SkyDome.)
The John St. Roundhouse used to service locomotives owned and operated by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and was part of their passenger yard that was located south of Union Station in the heart of Toronto. Eventually the property south of Union Station, which also saw the Canadian National Railways (CNR) yard was converted to other uses, including the Rogers Centre (SkyDome), the CN Tower, and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Here are some pictures from there:
Continue readingSpring is in full bloom.
Following are some pictures I have taken this spring. I hope you enjoy!
For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, VIA Rail’s flagship train, The Canadian, is now back to two days per week.
The first first day of the resumption of the second departure of the westbound version of the train, #1, was today, May 4th, 2022.
I was able to get most of the consist of the train, which is as follows:
Continue readingI recently went for a walk through Humber Bay Promenade Park, which hugs the shores of Mimico Harbour in southeast Etobicoke.
Here are some pictures of my walk:
Today (March 8th, 2021) is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth.
Traditionally, in London, Queen Elizabeth II leads a celebration at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and the Commonwealth High Commissioners. Her Majesty is the Head of the Commonwealth, and normally reads a speech in honour of the occasion.
Commonwealth Day allows member nations to remember the importance of the bind that we all have in being members of the Commonwealth. This bind has, and can continue to be, an important source of trade, security, and friendship.
Continue readingThe 24th Winter Olympics have now concluded. Congratulations to all the athletes who competed.
Let’s look at how Team Canada performed at the Olympics:
In total, Canada won 4 Gold, 8 Silver, and 14 Bronze medals, for a total of 26 medals, good for 11th place overall.
Team Canada won the following medals:
Today, February 6th, 2022, marks the 70 Anniversary of Her Majesty’s ascension.
On February 6th, 1952, Her Majesty ascended the throne of seven independent countries – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon. She would also become the Head of the Commonwealth, an association that now comprises of over 50 independent countries.
Over the years, some realms become republics, while others become independent countries with Her Majesty as their Head of State. As such, she is now Queen of 15 countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and The United Kingdom.
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