Dave Dale

I certainly wouldn't mind paying the annual fee for a licence plate renewal sticker if it was used to pave the way for someone on the bumpy road of harder times.

It’s natural to feel like you’ve been bouncing between parallel universes all day. Our ‘new normal’ involves alternating between cataclysmic concerns, annoying cognitive dissonance and overwhelming appreciation for life – a bit like juggling a running chainsaw, discarded syringes and a childhood Teddy Bear while stirring a boiling pot of stew.

I haven’t been a fan of Trudeau, I hope the Liberals replace him soon. But if he gives one inch to the right-wing extremist organizers of this protest, we’re in deeper trouble than can be imagined.

'Personally, I draw the line at harassing innocent workers and customers in retail shops over masking rules as a highly contagious virus circulates. Standing on the superhero cape of Terry Fox’s legacy or urinating at sacred monuments – and trying to defend those action – is also perilous to the stated cause'

Those who choose, upon their own volition, to not participate by eschewing vaccination can accept a waiver of consequence. ICU care and ventilators for COVID patients can be triaged for those who take the vaccines and those who are exempted

When the time comes there are provincial leaders who actually want to address these key social issues in an effective manner, there will be a new North Bay Jail built that is designed to make a difference instead of nurturing the turnstile cycle.

The problem with more punitive vaccine requirements is that they do nothing to reduce hospitalizations this month or next. The first dose of either vaccine available in Canada is considered very poor in preventing hospitalization and the recommended schedule for the second dose is eight weeks later.

It’s almost unfortunate we’re having a provincial election in six months, the Progressive Conservative government will deem such calls for probes as nothing more than political witch hunts. And I’m sure the Liberals and New Democrats, for starters, will turn it into a Gong Show laced with rhetoric and platitudes.

The top-selling multi-media subscription next year will be a virtual reality game called Conspiracy Crackers. Players score points if they can convince anti-vax and mandate-resistant players to consider facts and reality-based theories.

The percentage of levy vs total spend is a number I like to keep an eye on because it indicates the direct burden on property owners and their tenants. In 1972, the tax levy was 64 percent of the overall spend and in 2022 we’re looking at something near 69 percent.