Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 65 years as Monarch

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Edward Brain
Queen of United Kingdom (as well as Canada, Au...

Queen of United Kingdom (as well as Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth realms) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today marks the 65th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension as Queen of Canada, the United Kingdom, and 14 other nations.  She is also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne of Canada when her father, King George VI passed away in the early hours of February 6th, 1952.  Prior to this date, she was the Heir Presumptive to the crown.

While Her Majesty predominantly lives in the United Kingdom, she has come home to Canada on many occasions, and has personally undertaken many duties in her official capacity as Queen of Canada, both in Canada, and abroad.  When not in Canada, Her Majesty is represented at the Federal level by the Governor General, in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. Continue reading →

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Democracy Requires Questions

Posted on February 4, 2017 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss some of the questions:

QUESTION:  A former board member intends to stand for election to the board at the next annual general meeting. She has shown herself to be confrontational and nitpick everyone and everything. Our excellent property manager has threatened to resign. Two excellent directors have threatened to step down if she is elected. If she is elected, can the board remove her?

Continue reading →

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Tim Raines Elected to the Hall of Fame

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Edward Brain
English: Tim Raines retired #30 with the Montr...

Tim Raines retired #30 with the Montreal Expos. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long time Montreal Expos outfielder Tim Raines has been elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame.  He was elected to the the Hall of Fame in his tenth, and final, year of eligibility to be elected.

Tim Raines played for six teams from 1979 to 2002, but is remembered in large part for his two stints with the Montreal Expos, from 1979 to 1990 and again in 2001.  He would also play for the Chicago White Sox (1991-1995), New York Yankees (1996-1998), Oakland Athletics (1999), Baltimore Orioles (2001), and Florida Marlins (2002.) Continue reading →

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Nabucco a Success in HD Broadcast

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera presented the last of performance of its current run of Nabucco as part of its Live in HD broadcasts on January 7th, 2017.  It was a delightful afternoon.

The production was directed by Elijah Moshinsky, with sets by John Napier.  The conductor was the Met Opera‘s Music Director Emeritus James Levine.  The production starred Placido Domingo (Nabucco), Ludmyla Monastyrska (Abigaille), Jamie Barton (Fenena), Russell Thomas (Ismaele), and Dmitry Belosselskiy (Zaccaria.) Continue reading →

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Highlights of 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Edward Brain
The Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf

I just want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a huge thank you for reading my blog!

A lot has occurred during the year, and let’s highlight some of the things on my blog: Continue reading →

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Proxies need to be Curtailed in Condominiums

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss some of the questions:

QUESTION:We attempted using proxies to get enough votes to remove our condominium’s directors. But they fell a bit short, Now the board has introduced a new proxy form naming a vice-president as proxy and “failing him, the president — and “failing him” a person to be named by the owner who signs the proxy instrument. Do I understand this correctly that if either the vice-president or president is at the meeting, they will be the proxy and a person named by the unit owner will not?

ANSWER:  Yes! The words “failing him” mean that unless both the vice-president and the president are not available one of them will be the proxy and the unit owner cannot choose the proxy.

Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas 2016

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Edward Brain

Christmas Tree at Eaton CentreI just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

I hope you get to spend time with your family and friends.

May all the blessings of Christmas be found for you and your family.  Continue reading →

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26th Annual Etobicoke Santa Claus Parade

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Edward Brain

On Saturday December 3rd, 2016, south Etobicoke celebrated its 26th annual Santa Claus Parade.

The parade started at Dwight Ave. and Lake Shore Blvd. W. in New Toronto, and continued west along Lake Shore Blvd. W. to 36th St. in Long Branch.

Here are some highlights of the parade: Continue reading →

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104th Grey Cup

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Edward Brain

Tonight, Sunday November 27th, 2016, Toronto hosts the 104th Grey Cup at BMO Field.  The West Division Champions, Calgary Stampeders with a record of 15-2-1, take on the East Division Champions, Ottawa Redblacks with a record of 8-9-1.

This is the first Grey Cup to be played at BMO Field, the stadium the Toronto Argonauts moved into at the beginning of the season.  However, this is the 48th time that Toronto has hosted the Grey Cup game, with the last time in 2012 at Rogers Centre (SkyDome.)

The Grey Cup

The Grey Cup

Both teams finished first in their respective divisions. Continue reading →

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Boards can Always get Second Opinion

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss some of the questions raised:

QUESTION:  Is the board of directors obligated to accept the conclusions of a Reserve Fund Study?

ANSWER:  The board, within 15 days of receiving such a study, must propose a plan for the future financing of the reserve fund. The plan must ensure that, in accordance with the Condominium Act and regulations, the fund will be adequate to provide sufficient moneys for the major repairs and replacements of the common elements and assets of the corporation. These are calculated on the basis of the expected repair and replacement costs and the life expectancy of the common elements and assets.

Continue reading →

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