Aucun poutine pour vous!

The supreme court pulled off a nice one today, sort of. They have really handicapped Bill 101, the language law in Quebec, by allowing access to English schooling in Quebec to be much easier. It still doesn't allow French-speaking parents to have their children educated in English, but I imaging that won't be *too far behind (*keeping in mind the glacial speed of lawmaking by the courts in Canada).

The clever part, in my opinion, is that the court did not go all the way to actually striking down the law. Had it done so, the province could have used the Notwithstanding Clause (which was my prediction, if you look down the page) to shrug off any ruling the court had given.

In my honest attempt to avoid a flame war spanning two languages, I will say this: Quebec needs to get with the times. You can't save French-Canadian culture by denying citizens their right to access English as guaranteed in the Charter. It's like trying to hold back a wave with your bare hands. French has a distinguished place in Canada, but parents have a legitimate right to want their children to learn English, the language the rest of North America, the language that business all over the world, uses. I don't think the arguement here is cultural, its practical. That is, of course, unless Quebec is planning to cut itself off from the rest of the world, and pretend it can survive all on its own, culture perfectly intact (and we all know how well that's worked out for every other place that's tried that one!).

Thanks for the love!

I think that we've finally achieved a major milestone here at The Daily Nar - our first permanent link to our site. Warren Kinsella has found it somewhere in the depths of his heart to give us a link on his front page! No link on the back page near the classifieds for "Male Models Wanted" for us! Thanks!

At some point very soon, I fully plan to sit down at a better computer, and use my extremely limited knowledge of Dreamweaver to set up my own link section on the sidebar. People have been exceptionally receptive of this here little site, so I'd better give back.

Rock on Chicago... Rock over London... the place with the Wooden Nickel.

No strike Friday for TTC drivers

For those of you, like myself, who were in the midst of sharpening your stakes and lighting your torches in the event of a TTC strike will be happy to know the Red Rocket will still be running tomorrow.

CBC Toronto - No strike Friday for TTC drivers

Terry Schiavo Dead

I don't really know what to say... Or if I should really say anything. I'm glad that it's over for her, her husband and her family. I just hope people realized this sort of thing happens many times a day all over the world, and frankly, its none of our business.

MSNBC - Schiavo dies 14 days after tube removed

I'm Changing My Position...

On Launchcast radio. More specifically, I'm calling out Rogers Cable and Yahoo. Rogers has decided, in it's infinite wisdom (read: greed) that it will no longer offer free Launchcast premium service (which means no ads and a higher quality stream). They didn't even tell their subscribers they were doing this.

I got to work this morning to an email from Dan over at Modelresource telling me that they've pulled the service. Between his phone, cable, internet and blackberry he's paying them a lot every month. You'd think that would be enough... nope!

Between my cable, PVR and internet, I must be paying over $100/month. Well, I'm pissed! It's time to do something about it...

Roger's subscibers, unite! Go here and let Roger's know you're sick of being ripped off, lied to and just generally screwed over by the media oligopolies in general. Tell 'em the Nar sent ya. Use this template if you don't feel like being creative:

I am very disappointed that you have chosen to discontinue the Launchcast premium service for subscribers. Not only that, but you didn't even inform us. How much money exactly do you need from us? Do you think this is fair? I would ask that you consider re-instating the free service considing the high price I already pay to access the internet through your company.

Would you like Poutine with that, sir?

Wow. This one just crept up from behind. A charter challenge on Bill 101 (the language law) in Quebec. From the looks of it, I'd say the challenge will be successfully and the Bill will be deemed unconstitutional. Whether that stops the QP government from changing it (or just using the notwithstanding clause to stay in the media!) is anyone's guess.

CBC News: Supreme Court to rule on Bill 101 and Charter

Preview the new Hot Hot Heat Album!

Elevator is now available online for preview at, gulp, MTV.com. We won't hold it against you...

Sadly, my neolithic-era computer I used during the day won't let me listen. But I will as soon as possible.

MTV.com - Bands - Az - Hot Hot Heat - 877148

What could possibly be more important than what celebrity is dating who now? Or which piece of junk is on sale at Sprawl-Mart? Or even which court decided to drag out the Shiavo fiasco just a leeeetle bit longer (because GOD knows there's nothing more important) than a Whack-o Jack-o trial?

Hmmm, I dunno. How about THE IMMINENT AND TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT(and by association, us)?
But that's just a guess, anyways.

CBC News: Two-thirds of Earth's ecosystems at risk: UN

Paul Hester

Sad day. Paul Hester, drummer for the legendary Crowed House, committed suicide. I was always a big fan of Crowded House from the time I was a kid. It's always sad to see this thing happen. It also goes to show you how you never can tell. Just because a public figure isn't falling apart in public, doesn't mean everything is OK.

Prepare to be censored!

This should come as abosolutely no suprise to anyone: Bush's FCC overlord wants to expand the decency empire. Stay tuned for the rebellion...


U.S. broadcasters brace for siege

TTC = Tonnes and Tonnes of Cash

Back for a nice, relaxing weekend - to this. Apparently, $24 an hour isn't enough to move a switch from stop to go. I wonder how cab drivers would feel if we offered then $24 an hour to take over for these cash-grabbing jerks.

I really don't think they'll strike in the end.

CBC Toronto - Talks continue as TTC strike deadline looms

Today was fun. See you on Tuesday.

Vont les étudiants vont ! Numéro trois.

The Morning Update

Go Students Go! Part Deux!

Man! These kids know how to get it done! Take note, Ontario students! These guys made national headlines TWICE in one day.
CBC News: Students take over building in Montreal

New Music Friday No. 6

It's a little early this week, due to the impending hollidays... but also because THE NEW CHOKE ALBUM IS HERE! Slow Fade OR: How I learned to Question Infinity was released yesterday, with a West Coast tour to begin shortly (lucky bastard Jeff!).

Head to Choke's site now to preview the first track (I haven't heard it yet) or over to Smallman Records for info!

One week until new Hot Hot Heat!

*UPDATE: Have now listened to the new Choke Track... it's really f*cking good!

Go Students Go!

CBC News: Protesting students block Montreal highway

"Am I really a Menage a Trois kinda guy?"

I remember when "The Three Amigos" referred to Lastman, Harris and Chretien. This group of Amigos reminds me much more of the movie with the same name: fake. I don't think these three really have anything to talk about. Fox and Martin should have been meeting prior to this to pull some sort of united front jazz against the U.S.; but I'm sure it will be yet another yes-man summit.

prepare to see a lot of quotes like this:

"The talks were very productive"; and
"I believe we touched on a number of important issues"; don't forget my fave;
"There's room for future discussions on that matter"

Blah. Blah. Blahg.

CBC News: Martin will press Bush at three-way summit

I've been trying to avoid the "Terri" case that seems to be swallowing up the mainstream media right now, but it doesn't seem possible. I happened to stumble upon this site, which has easily got to be the best, most unbiased look at the case so far.

My only opinion of this case, by the way: This was a private matter. It's a shame that it has gotten dragged out into the public like this, causing only more pain and anger for all parties involved. Its not fair, but as if the media cares. "If it bleeds, it leads", right?

How to make your waterfront beautiful?

Why, build a massive gas-fired powerplant silly!

I may be wrong (and I rarely am), but I believe this is not only right, but this is the second instance (I am struggling to remeber the last one, it was late last year, email us if you know!) that the Ministry of the Environment should have conducted an environmental assesment, but probably won't. Incidentally, an environmental assesment in this situation could probably be conducted by walking down to the waterfront and looking around at that lack of a powerplant in what should be public space (NOT CONDO-LAND!!)

CBC Toronto - Gas-powered plant clears environmental hurdle

How cool is this?! Tech billionaire and NBA team owner Marc Cuban could be the saviour of CBGB's?! I wish I had a funny joke for this. I remeber one of my first Toronto shows when I was 16 years old was driving down from Sudbury to play upstairs at the Elmocambo with Strung Out and Straight Faced from California. To this day that is still one of my favorite shows I've ever done. It's nice to see that people appreciate good spots like this...

CNN.com - Cradle of punk facing possible eviction - Mar 21, 2005

I feel like stirring the pot...

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of mankind."
- Albert Einstein

Stop consuming animals.

Jesus was a vegatrian.

Normally I wouldn't post something like this. But this is just too weird not to put up. Sad, weird and then selfish all in such a short space...

Yahoo! News - Woman kills herself so blind sons can see

Ad Disclaimer

I don't know if you can see the ads down the side of the page right now, but they all have a distinct "Pro-Bush" feel to them. Let me assure, humble reader, I am no more Pro-Bush than I am Pro-Lighting-My-Hair-On-Fire. Google picks the ads based on key words it scans from the page. Here are some key words that will hopefully fix the problem:

- Equal Rights
- Globalization
- Adbusters
- Boobies
- Clams have feelings, too.

Normally, I'd ask you to kindly click the ads to make me a couple of $$$. But in this situation, I'd ask that you don't give Bushies a red cent. Don't click on any ad that supports George W. Bush Jr. please!

Hoppy First Day of Spring

... as if that's not the worst joke ever. Enjoy the bunnies!

The Ice Wall Tumbleth

Ice Wall Is No More

Too bad. Can't wait to see what this weirdo does next year!

New Music Friday No. 5

Not new music today, but sweet, sweet old stuff. Pennywise has re-released some of their best albums REMASTERED! Including my favorite, Unknown Road. Also, Converge have re-released some of their best albums. Head over to Revelation Records to pick it all up. One more week till new Choke. Two weeks till new Hot Hot Heat!

If don't already, use LaunchCast radio whilst at work. If you have Rogers internet, it's free to use the delux version. The more you rate the better it gets. I love it! Right now I'm rockin out to Twisted Sister!

In other band related news... The WPP are looking for people to help them fill gaps in their tour. Help 'em out if you can, you won't be sorry! Some suck-arse band asked me to friends with them on Myspace... Denied! I know that's not news but it is funny.

Method's for destroying the Earth

See: George Bush's Agenda

funny-
Sam's Archive

TTC looks at bike racks for buses

This story made me shake my head when I saw it a day ago. Now I just have to say something...

While I can't argue the notion that it's a nice option to have if the weather changes or something I can argue this:

1) Bikers ride bikes so they DON'T have to ride the bus; and
2) You're broke, remeber? Stop contradicting yourself for God's sake!

Also, you just know typically patient and forgiving Torontonians are going to love having to wait while people pull their tangled bikes off of racks at every other stop.

Nice try TTC, but I think I'll use the subway if it rains.

CBC Toronto - TTC looks at bike racks for buses

Talk about a flawed bit of logic. From the Ottawa Post today:

The University of Ottawa is considering cutting more than 100 courses in arts, humanities, languages and literature.

Part time professors, hired after an enrolment increase of more than 6,000 students, teach most of the affected courses. Those recently hired would be most likely to loose their jobs.

So, if you cut the profs that were hired to teach the 6,000 new students, WHO WILL TEACH THE 6,000 NEW STUDENTS?! But make sure the grey-haired old farts that continue to cobweb up the halls of our schools by not retiring are safe and secure. Forget the profs of tomorrow. We don't need 'em.

...like a 20 tonne steamroller!

Man, score yet another one for Bush today! You name it, he's f*ckin' it up!

CBC News: U.S. Senate OKs Alaska wildlife refuge drilling

Bush is on a roll...

Now it's the FCC. According to reports, this fella, a former stumper for the Bush-Cheney campaign, is a big fan of the FCC controlling EVERYTHING. Yup, broadband, VOIP, your thoughts, you name it, he wants it...


Bush chooses Martin as next FCC chairman | CNET News.com

Battle of the Bands ends in Blood?

This story is awesome because of the clearly out-of-touch wording. For example:

Llewellyn said the mosh pit — an area near the stage where the concert-goers congregate to shove, push and body slam each other — was one problem, and the lack of adequate police presence was another.

Classic.

The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com

Now that's a Hostile Takeover

MSNBC - Wolfowitz tapped to lead World Bank

Bush is stacking the deck with hawks. World Bank, the UN... yes, I am worried something IS going to happen.

Can I call it or can I call It!?

Remember a few days ago, I stated that the judge appointed to examine the York land scandal was probably an administration crony? Well, I love being right. From today's Toronto Star:

York University Land Deal Review Sparks Concerns

Academics at York University are critical of the choice of the university's board of governors to appoint retired Ontario judge Edward Saunders to head the investigation of a controversial land deal. The concern stems from the fact that Saunders is employed at the same legal office as the university's chancellor, Peter Cory.

Marshall Cohen, the board's chair, said the review would be "independent" and "partial."

Nancy White, a spokesperson for Saunders said, "Mr. Saunders will continue to undertake this impartial and independent review and will arrive at his own conclusion."

While both Cory and Saunders share an office and the same administrative assistant, a co-worker noted that their incomes are not related so there is no "financial conflict."

When contacted by the Toronto Star, Saunders would not comment on the issue and Cory was not available for comment.

Of course they're not available for comment. They're both out at the same York function being "independent" and "partial" together!

PETA takes on the J-LO

The JLowdown is a great site. If you can stomach the gross details of how that fur gets from the animals to your back. Sorry, blogspot no likey Apple computers...
http://www.jlodown.com/

Et tu Sprawl-Mart?

I find it darkly humorous that on the Ides of March, the day when Caesar was assassinated by his own friends, colleagues and country-men; that we have this to post:

A Canadian Press story reports that Canadian shoe retailer Bata has closed its doors today, and places most of the blame on Wal-Mart for forcing it out of business...

I'm not even going to say anything.
I'll just put this up.
Again.
Sigh.

t r u t h o u t - "White House News Forgeries Widespread"

t r u t h o u t - "White House News Forgeries Widespread"

Ho hum. No big suprise here.

Trying to buy a beer at a bar in Toronto

Maybe its just me, but its getting a lot harder just to sit down and order beer at a bar anymore. I offer this as my proof:

This past weekend, I was out on a Saturday night at a bar in downtown Toronto. I won't name names because I don't really want to get anyone in trouble. After meeting up with our rather larger group at a set of tables, a waitress came over. She promptly told us that she was the bartender and that the waitress was on break. Fine. I ask whether we should simply go the bar and order there. That, for some reason, seemed to trigger her giving me the epic, Tolkein-esque saga of the battle between our hero, Cash n' Carry, versus the evil menace, Tab. You see, Tab's only weakness is that it can't destroy to a whole table at a time. Instead, the evil one must single out three or four at a time to be his victims, forsaking the rest for all eternity (or at least the rest of the night).

All I wanted was a beer, not a story, to which I remarked "I don't care what tab you put me on, I'll buy at the bar if it's cheaper." Once again, this was met with silence.... After about 10 minutes, I decided I was not going to get a beer from my table, which didn't matter since I had been rebuked by the evil Tab and was on my way to aid Cash n' Carry in his valiant efforts to conquer the bar....

"One Stella", I ask.

"Seven dollars", is the reply.

"Gulp!" I exclaim, but pay my bill.

The bartender then drops my change on the floor and remarks "Oh, did you drop something?" to which I of course reply "Yes, your tip". The rest of the night the bartender/waitress made sure to bang into me each time she walked by. I did eventually find my change on the floor, which unfortunately, did not become her tip.

Anyway, the moral of this story is that bartenders should tend bar. If I'm already pay six times the normal amount for a beer vs. buying it at the beer store, just get me my order. Keep the stories to yourself next time, ok?

This is funny. From the "New Media Confuses and Frightens Old Media" file:


Look who's hanging out with your kids; This March break Strong Bad will have one million visitors, including your kids. Can marketers be far behind?
Guelph Mercury
Sat 12 Mar 2005
Byline: NAOMI POWELL

Strong Bad is at it again. At the urging of one of his adoring e-mail fans, he's forcing the dimwitted Homestar Runner to cry. Strong Bad holds up a pencil sketch of a sad one-legged puppy named "L'il Brudder." Within seconds, Homestar is sobbing. "There ya go," Strong Bad types into his computer. "Homestar crying. Not a problem."

Make no sense? It does to the scores of kids who spend hours each day on Matt and Mike Chapman's immensely popular Web site, homestarrunner.com. The site's quirky characters and off-beat humour draw more than a million unique visitors per month.

But what makes the site truly original is its creators' refusal to include product placements, contests, or advertisements of any kind. Their one concession to commercialism is the sale of T-shirts featuring characters like Strong Bad and Homestar.

Yup. No advertising confuses the media. That's good for a laugh. You know what elese is good for a laugh? Strong Bad email. I wonder if Naomi can even program a VCR...

From the Toronto Star:

Retired judge Edward Saunders has been appointed by York University to review a land sale that was negotiated, in part, by a university official with close ties to the purchasing developer.

Marshall Cohen, Chair of York University’s Board of Governors, indicated that Saunders will have available to him all documents in the possession of the university regarding the sale and will be empowered to call on any personnel he would like to question.

York sold a parcel of land to Tribute Homes for $15.8 million, a figure noticeably less than what similar parcels of land in the area have sold for, which has led many to question whether or not there was a conflict of interest.


The inquiry will look into the methods by which the price was decided on and will determine whether there were any conflicts of interest that affected the process.

Personally, my money's on the 'quietly announcing the findings and this story disappears' outcome. I've not heard one thing from the York Federation of Students yet, but I will try to see if this judge is connected to York in some way. Shenanigans I tells ya!

Ha.

It's all about the money, honey.

From any news serivce today:

"TTC staff voted overwhelmingly to reject the most recent contract offer. TTC staff also endorsed strike action if an agreement can’t be reached."

Do I need to say it?

I WANT MY 9 BILLION BACK! This quasi-public/private corporation is as bad as it gets. When will a responsible journalist get down and dirty with this story? How much are we expected to take?!

The TTC essentially has the city by the short hairs (the TTC moves over 1 million people to work and school everyday); and as such is acting like a bully. It's time for the province to step in and make the bully sit in time-out for a while. I say, nationalize the TTC! Well, maybe not, but this has got to stop. Every year: we're broke! we can't afford to buy brand new buses again this year! i can't afford to buy that second car/cottage in Muskoka/trip to Fiji... enough!

I came across a very interesting article today from the London Free Press in my media scan. Here are some excepts:

"Nothing actually gets "sold" when governments privatize public services, which perhaps would be important to remember the next time any government initiates plans to privatize a public service, like health care, for example. Don't be fooled. Privatization, off-loading, divesting, whatever you call it, should be a dirty word because no one benefits except for the elite at the top of the food chain in the private organization."

These comments were made by Phil Sardies, former Chairman of the Young Offender Services for the Ontario Public Service (MCSS/MCYS). Government spending is good, m'kay? Privatization bad. There are fundamental reasons we have governments, spending on public projects and the public good overall is WHY we pay our taxes. I'm glad the Grits have instituted the Democratic Renewal Secretariat here in Ontario. I have a friend who's post-grad work is primarily in democratic deficit (what a term!), and as a think-tank, these guys do good work. I could say more, but I'd have to kill you.

A good one....

Interesting... and true. After being unemployed for a long time after graduation (not anymore, thank God!), I can say that networking is the key to working in the 21st century (or probably any other century). You may not even be aware of how much you do it. Thanks for the breadcrumb Warren. See?! I just networked!

Top Ten Reasons Blogging is Good for your Carreer

MASSIVE CHANGE

The Massive Change exhibition, started at the Vancouver Museum, opens this Saturday at the AGO. Hailed as a critial convergence of art, design, technology and progressive thinking, Massive Change is not to be missed. $18 per adult. The Nar will be there.

UPDATE (March 14): Massive Change is also featured in this month's Adbusters. Which I would have know had I turned the page in my copy!

New Music Friday Vol. 4

Ahh. There's nothing like a little Dillinger Escape Plan to warm you up on a snowy morning... incidentally, DEP's Miss Machine was voted top Metal Album of the year by PLUG ("Plug is a collection of music lovers, writers, DJs, webmasters, artists, filmmakers, managers, indie retailers, and most importantly fans who gather together each year to celebrate the artists who live and flourish in the margins and we are very proud to be honored by this organization.")

Today's feature band, however, is Vaux. Vaux are a relatively new band (at least, to me); and can best be described as, well, Clutch meets rock n'roll. Hardcore with a groove, if you will. Their first release, There must be some way to stop them, was not so great. A little more time playing would have helped this one along. Their new EP, however, is much much better. Plague Music has got a couple of really good songs on it. Head over here and check it out...


... In a related subject, old Sudbury alums that now edit Skateboard Canada Magazine tell me they are having their annual shindig tonight at the 360 here in Toronto (pronounced Tur-rana). $7 gets you in. Good buddy DJ Leland is spinning, and a burlesque show, skate videos, and some giveaways top off the night. Heck, you might even see the Nar there!

Can you say...

Insta-Ghetto? I hope my friends at Spacing Magazine don't let this slip by. All this progressive thinking, and what do we come up with? A 30 building, 12,000 person verticle parking lot in the centre of Mississauga. Bravo.

TheStar.com - Council endorses 30-building plan

I also realize this is like the fourth time I've posted this today. The ol'Internets is acting up again. Gonna have to send Martha down with a broom again to git the rats out of the machine...

This is also rad. If you look reeeealy closely, you can see the artist in the bottom right corner. Superman is a pansy. This guy has a whole website dedicated to this thing...

So sorry...

...the daily nar has been daily busy with daily work. There has been no significant news, so I offer you this. And this. Both excellent examples of the oncoming apocalypse.

New Music Friday #3

Sorry guys, new music Friday was down on Thursday with the links to Arkata's new tracks. The opening act, The WPP , were really, really good. Arkata played rad, sans bass player, but still came off like gangbusters.

If I can think of someone to add, I'll throw it up here today.

YOU DRINK TOO MUCH COFFEE!

CBC News: Coffee contest highlights litter issue

20% of Nova Scoita's litter is Tim Horton cups?! I (more or less) quit drinking coffee three years ago. I can't remeber the last time I had one, but it would have been decaf. One of the best things I've done for myself (besides quiting smoking, and going veggie).

CBC News: Gomery rejects motion to strike remarks

CBC News: Gomery rejects motion to strike remarks

I can't believe I'm about to beat Warren to the punch on a sponsorship article (have fun at the convention). This is interesting, and just goes to show what a collosal waste of time this inquiry has (predictibly) turned out to be. The judge is obviously bias it's a moot point. I can't wait for this to be over.

APP.COM - Video of teacher's outburst is on Web

This story should ring to true to anyone who's had a teacher like this. I'm torn: on one hand, I think this teacher is totally out of line yelling at his students like that. He gains nothing by sacrificing all the inherent respect his position commands. On the other hand, those kids were asking for it, showing no respect at all to their teacher (screw the anthem). the video is here.

New Arkata Tracks

Arkata have posted 4 spiffy new tracks up on their Myspace site for listening (not stealing) enjoyment. If you likey, be sure to head out to Sneaky Dee's at the corner of College and Bathurst tommorow night to see them play as part of Canadian Music Week.

The British Empire continues to reward those who work for Queen and.... wait, what?!

Sneak Attack

CBC Toronto - TTC fares to rise as council passes budget

"...contains the expected hike to Toronto Transit Commission fares, raising the price of 10 tickets or tokens from $19 to $20. Cash fares rise from $2.25 to $2.50, but the price of Metropasses remains unchanged."

I'm still waiting to hear a reporter ask the question "Why does it cost 9 Billion [at least!] a year to run the TTC?" If anyone out there knows the approximate cost of running, say, the Tube in London, or the Metro in Paris, Email us so we can get some sort of investigative journalism going.

Condi "I have no idea what your are talking aboot" Rice, appearantly (and this is a political term) threw a suck attack and cancelled her trip to Canada because we wouldn't roll over and let the U.S. scratch our belly with a bunch of missles.
However, she is comming tomorrow at the behest of some Ottawa politicos. We all know its so we can kiss some serious NFL-loving, NSA-cum-Secretary of State butt.

As I was reading this article, I got out my old York-calibrated-BS-Meter, pointed it at said article, and it exploded. Once again, administration does what it likes, and completely ignores the consequences (because, as an institution of "higher learning, they are better than that). Dont' forget, these are the people the government is think about giving carte blanche to set their own tuition. Do YOU think they'll be responsible? Me neither.

Issue: York University Agrees to Independent Review on Land Deal

York University chairman Marshall Cohen announced the university will submit to an independent review regarding the controversial university land sale with developer Tribute Communities.

Premier Dalton McGuinty produced a letter written by York president Lorna Marsden in which she wrote, “We emphatically reject the thrust of these articles…and believe that we have followed all the appropriate steps in approving the land developments, which have been in the planning for more than eight years.”

NDP leader Howard Hampton is urging the auditor-general to investigate the “shady land deal”. The Premier denied the request. “As usual, the NDP wants to take it a step too far. They not only want to ensure that…the Auditor General has full authority to conduct audits of colleges, universities, hospitals and school boards, they want us now, apparently on an individual basis, to be very selective, in terms of those things that suit our particular passing fancy, of where they’re going to conduct an audit.”

University spokesperson Richard Fisher said, “The Provincial Auditor would have no jurisdiction because it is not a grant (of money) that is the issue.”

Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Mary Anne Chambers said she will look into extending the Freedom of Information Act to universities. “You have to remember, we have 18 universities and 24 publicly funded colleges and we don’t exactly see this popping up as an issue every day, so I don’t think we should be too quick to react to a story.”

Ontario chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students Jesse Greener said, “There is a growing concern over the idea that university administrators are exempt from disclosing details of the deals they are negotiating with corporate brokers.”