WTF is wrong with Ontario?

I think this Ontario election campaign is in grave danger of being 100% railroaded by the greedy, self absorbed, near sighted public unions. It appears to me they are trying and may be successful in throwing Andrea Horwath directly under the bus. The lies, deceit and blatant desperation wreak like a dead carcass. I knew and said this was going to get real ugly when the piggies at the trough see the trough drying up!

I cannot believe that after 10 long years, of what has proved to be the most grossly incompetent government in the history of Ontario, there is enough support that could elect them yet again!

I hope that the "long time NDP piggies at the trough, I mean supporters" pull their heads out of their own a$$e$ and support Andrea, not the Liberal's (which is what they are saying they are going to do). They are still bitching "how could she NOT support the Liberal budget"? Does it not tell you something is tragically wrong when the OLP is bringing down a budget that is giving the NDP cronies wet dreams???

Since when did the political parties become one big circle jerk and exchange/overlap policies and spending habits? Oh, about 10 years ago when Dalton McJerk himself turned the OLP into the largest organization of "legal" organized crime! Kathleen Wynne shows NO sign of jumping off that track and that should scare the bejezzes out of every person in Ontario! If it doesn't then you are either low information or you drank the kool-aid.

Like the parents of kids at the candy store, willing to submit themselves to death by gluttony, we the sane people of this province better get off our ASSES and vote the OLP OUT!

To all the Mike Harris fear mongers, you will be calling him "Daddy" when the entire province implodes from the economic stress of gross money wastage and bloated public sector. In denial? Think again!

When those who are still sane talk about bloated public sector and the need to cut it back the reference is not to nurses, teachers, firemen, water inspectors (as Wynne would have you believe), but referencing the over 650 public agencies (many which do NOTHING but earn a lot of money and achieve NOTHING) that have been created and become sunshine list employers for Liberal insiders, supporters and family such as Sandra Pupatello (new hydro appt) and Kathleen Wynne's brother in law (now head of eHealth) just as two examples! Not to mention Pat Dillion (Working Families Coalition) firmly planted at the trough at OCOT (Ontario College of Trades).

Hate to sound like Rofo but the gravy train MUST stop! We are in very serious trouble. Under the OLP's watch, jobs, business and manufacturing have been streaming out of Ontario. We went from the economic engine of Canada to a have not province all under the OLP's watch!

Warren Kinsella, Dwight Duncan and even Donna Cansfield are all speaking out against the OLP's plan and direction. Why are we still talking about how the OLP may form government again? Smells like a dead rotting rat to me!

Give your head a serious shake Ontario!

Yes it's a nice day out and I'm sitting here writing out a long ranty post but this is important damn it! Our future depends on it.

The Ontario Election is within sight, what can I do to help end BSL?

The Ontario Election is drawing closer, Thursday June 12, 2014. Many dog owners are wondering what they can do to help bring our province closer to ending the discriminatory amendments to DOLA (Dog Owners Liability Act). 

-Make sure you attend any all candidates meetings in your riding. Ask the candidates the following question;

In 2005 the Liberals made amendments to the Dog Owners Liability Act and banned 3 rare breeds of dogs and any dog substantially similar. If elected are you willing to vote in favour of repealing these discriminatory amendments to DOLA and restoring fair and equal treatment for all dog owners regardless of the appearance of their dog? 

-Send out a questionnaire to the candidates in your riding. For your convenience we have put together a questionnaire which you may simply copy and paste into the body of an email.  

1. If the amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) came up today for a free rather than a whipped vote as happened in 2005, would you vote in favour of banning breeds as an effective way to protect people from dog bites? Please explain. 

ANSWER: 

2. Please explain why you think the 'pit bull' ban enacted by the Ontario Liberal government has or has not been successful in protecting the public from dog bites. 

ANSWER: 

3. Would you be willing, if elected, to work to rescind the breed-specific regulations in Ontario's amended Dog Owners' Liability Act (2005) and replace them with an existing, easily implemented Canadian system that has been effective in the control of negligent pet owners, that is supported by all responsible pet owners and that once established is fully funded by dog and cat owners rather than through general revenue taxation? Please briefly explain your response. 

ANSWER: 

4. Is there anything you'd like to add?  

- Offer to help the candidate most likely to beat the Liberal in your riding. To give you an idea of projections here is a link to a list of projections for each riding in Ontario. Offering even a little bit of time is helpful. 

- Educate your friends and relatives and neighbours about the issues. Talk about politics. Engage people and remind them of the Liberal record. Encourage everyone you know to vote and offer to drive them. There is actually a book written about the McGuinty/Wynne record!
- Remember a vote for a fringe group is a vote for the Liberals in such a close race! The fringe parties can offer the moon since they don't have a snowball's chance to take power but (so can the 3 main parties). There is nothing holding any party accountable to follow through with an campaign promise but they must be at least a little bit believable in order to garner enough support to win. 

- Call your constituency office to arrange for a lawn sign from your favourite anti BSL candidate or incumbent.  

- Toronto is the battle ground! Offer your help to non Liberal MPP's or candidates in Toronto even if you don't live there. 

There is a great resource website called We Make Voting Easy.  For answers to all the common questions about voting, use this handy resource and pass it around.  

Do your part and together we can make a difference! 

And of course do not forget to VOTE!

Apparently the Ontario Liberal Party has banned the word "ACCOUNTABILITY" from Webster's

This past week our local paper (The Herald) here in Alliston asked each of the candidates in our riding several questions about what accountability means to them. 

The answer from the Liberal candidate Lorne Kenney blew my mind. I can't wait for this week's question on health care. 

Here is a scanned copy of the questionnaire.

Million Mutt March in Ontario kicks off June 12th election celebration!

Media Release - May 1, 2014

Written by Yvette Van Veen

Ontario Dog Walk Reminds Of Missed Opportunity for Increased Safety 

Dog lovers in Ontario are set to converge Saturday on Queen’s Park for The Million Mutt March to End B.S.L.. While many might recognize the event as a call to action to repeal breed banning in Ontario, event organizers from the Ontario “Pit Bull” Co-op and B.S.L. Advocacy and Awareness say there is a bigger message. They say that each year the ban continues is a missed opportunity at enacting effective strategies to reduce dog bites. 

 In 2005 the Ontario Liberal Government amended the Dog Owner’s Liability Act. As part of this controversial bill, the government passed a ban on a variety of rare breeds and mixed breed dogs with similar physical attributes. 

The Million Mutt March will be out in full force reminding citizens and government officials that more effective solutions exist. Those opposed to breed bans contend that every tragedy confirms that the “Pit Bull” ban is not working. Says Angella Robbins, one of the Co-op’s spokespersons…. 

“Noted industry experts warned the government that breed bans would not work. More importantly, experts provided an alternate solution based on the successful City of Calgary model and the Courtney Trempe inquest. How long do we have to wait - how many tragedies do we have to read about - before the government hears what experts have said all along?” 

Highlights of the Calgary model include a dramatic decrease in dog bites. Protesters of the ban want that same level of safety here in Ontario. 

The Calgary model first seeks to prevent incidents through licensing, leash enforcement and education. No breed is exempt. Calgary holds all dog owners accountable and responsible. They do all this with zero taxpayer funding. By contrast, Ontario’s system focuses on punitive measures, applied selectively and inconsistently after an injury has occurred. Robbins goes on to point out... 

“The Co-op’s goal is encourage laws that work. This means that all dog owners, regardless of breed, would be held to the same standard. Our focus is injury prevention. We are average Ontario families, dog owners, mothers and fathers with children of our own. Many of our members do not own banned breeds. We have one thing in common. We care about safety and equal treatment under the law for all dog owners.” 

 One thing is certain, the only issue is safety. The Breed Ban in Ontario is a sad story that illustrates what could have been. Had the Provincial Government embraced a Calgary style model instead of a ban, Ontario could have already been experiencing a dramatic drop in dog bites. 

According to dog behaviour consultant Yvette Van Veen…. 

“The children are victims. The dogs are victims. The taxpayers are victims. The responsible owners falsely accused are victims. Simply put, breed bans do not work.” 

As each year passes, event organizers and participants continue to remind Ontario residents that it’s not too late. The sooner we adopt a successful model, the sooner we can start seeing a drop in dog bite incidents. 

Debbie Black 
Co-founder Ontario “Pit Bull” Co-op
rockapuppy @ yahoo.ca

Zelda Nista  
Founder BSL Awareness  
lynnmydogz @ gmail.com

Hooray! Not only is it the beginning of May but in bigger news an ELECTION was called TODAY!

Ontario will vote June 12, 2014! The Ontario Liberal Party MUST GO! Today NDP Leader Andrea Horwath pulled the plug. 

We have been waiting a decade to get rid of this discriminatory, oppressive and crooked government.

It will be a long, long road back from the damage the OLP has done to our province. 

Mark your calendar Ontario! June 12 you MUST VOTE!

Press release from Ontario NDP website

Horwath says Ontarians have lost confidence in Liberals and deserve government that makes sense

Queen’s Park – Andrea Horwath, Leader of Ontario’s New Democrats, says she has lost confidence in the Liberal government amid mounting scandal and waste and that it’s time for change.

“The Liberal budget is a mad dash to escape scandal by promising the moon and the stars,” said Horwath.

Wrap your mind around how much $$$ the Ontario Liberal's have flushed down the toilet?

Official Statement on Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) from The White House

Worldwide Anti-BSL Peaceful Protest

This past weekend on July 13th a Worldwide Anti-BSL Peaceful Protest was held. I unfortunately could not attend but have watched numerous videos, looked at pictures and read statements from around the world. 

This event brought tears to my eyes. Those of us who've been out slogging for years are witnessing a ground swell of people who are standing up for their dog owning rights and saying ENOUGH is ENOUGH! 

The WORLD is saying NO to DISCRIMINATORY laws! Laws such as breed specific legislation (banning breeds and appearances of dogs), mandatory spay/neuter, pet limits and other oppressive laws. Laws such as these do nothing to contribute to public safety. If they did, bites and attacks would decrease however overwhelming evidence demonstrates the opposite. 



Here is a short video from the gathering in Toronto, Ontario.

video by Beth Mischitelle

A great friend and fellow (Dog Legislation Council of Canada) member spoke on our behalf at Toronto's gathering. 

Video by Dave Nicholson

Ottawa had an impressive turnout for their gathering.

Photo by Holly Michael Photography Ottawa

Edmonton also held a successful gathering.

Protests were held in Belfast, Ireland where blue ribbons were placed on the gates to City Council in memory of Lennox.

Brisbane, Australia

Perth, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

London, England

Cologne, Germany

Michigan, USA

And many many more...

Way to go world! Stand up and protect your dog owning rights. 

People often ask how they can help.  The best thing to do is to contact your Member of the Provincial Parliament, preferably by phone, mail or fax, to ask them to vote in favour of any Bills that seek to remove Ontario’s breed-specific legislation.  This is important regardless of the party of your MPP and especially if they are in Opposition.  If you can book a meeting to speak with them in person, so much the better.  Beyond Breed has a great post 10 Tips for Speaking with a Legislator.

It is also very important that signed, hard-copy petitions be sent in to MPPs so they know that people in their riding want the breed ban removed.  Those two things, which cost almost nothing and require only minimal action, are the best way to help at this time.  Since the legislature is closed until the Fall, and there is currently no Bill to remove BSL on the table, we are in a bit of a holding pattern.

Fighting to restore civil liberties is a tough business and not for the faint of heart. We will succeed in overturning the breed ban in Ontario. We will succeed in overturning breed bans worldwide. We confidently say this because there are a group of dedicated, passionate dog owners who will not quit until BSL is repealed. We hope that all dog owners and others who are concerned about their property rights will stand with us to right this terrible wrong.  

Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport - the support of caring people is needed if we are to prevail.

Discrimination is alive and well

Yesterday morning I was listening to CBC radio and they interviewed Harvey Brownstone, the first openly gay judge in Canada. He married Edith Windsor (who successfully had the Defense of Marriage Act overturned in the US) and Thea Spayer. 

He was speaking about the case in the US. One of his statements was "This issue is the last civil rights battle." It wasn't a main portion of his commentary but it certainly stood out like a sore thumb (in my mind).

Ummm Harvey I don't think so man! For a judge, and a GAY judge at that, to say something like this is rather narrow, don't you think? 

As far as I'm concerned, as long as there are ways, in people's pea brains, to judge and discriminate based on any factor "they" decide to be "different" or somehow against their moral compass... There will be a need to fight for civil rights! Propaganda is alive and well.

It always freaks me out when those who have been discriminated against or for that matter someone who is a lawyer/judge cannot extrapolate beyond the situation at hand.

Take away from this; be careful not to see the world with narrow vision when you have experienced the wrath of discrimination! Victims of discrimination come in many shapes and forms and as humans, sadly there will never be a lack of discrimination. 

Dog owners who own dogs of a certain shape or appearance are one of the  target groups de jour. When one group has a win another is ready and waiting to become the next target. It is human nature and not a pleasant characteristic. 

Talk about an uphill battle.

Advocacy Tips for Building Safe and Humane Communities by Kim Wolf

When BSL is proposed in your municipality/province/city/state, emotions run high and it's tempting to get angry at politicians. Circulating hateful messages only hurts the dogs/owners, pushes people further from the facts and are counter-productive to your goal. 

We need to work with legislators, not against them, to find a solution. We all want safe communities and want substandard owners punished but that rule applies to ALL dog owners regardless of the breed or appearance of their dog. 

Here is a link to a short presentation on effective advocacy tips for challenging BSL. 

http://pblnn.com/resources/for-advocates-2/223-advocacy-tips-for-building-safe-humane-communities.html

(Note: Click the black toolbar for audio, which corresponds with the slides below it.)

This presentation was put together by Kim Wolf.