Tag Archives: Canada

Buy nothing day

Today in Canada, and tomorrow in 63 other countries around the world, is Buy Nothing Day. It began in Canada in 1992 as a small protest against raging consumerism. In 1997 it was moved to the day after American Thanksgiving — known as Black Friday — for reasons which I believe are quite obvious. Black Friday in America is known as one of the busiest retail days prior to Christmas.

I concur with the premise of Buy Nothing Day. Notwithstanding the encouragement of the various leaders around the world to buy, buy, buy us out of the current “recession”, I will do nothing of the sort. I’ll be leaving it up to others to entertain the economic juggernaut currently unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.

Road signs, revisited

I know I’ve said this before, but entering Ontario via Buffalo and the Peace Bridge is a pain in the ass when you’re trying to cover new ground and there are no signs directing you. The Buffalo side has plenty of signs to point you to the border. The Canadian side continues to be a mystery, and finding your way – especially if you’re new to the area (or visiting after decades of absence) –  is a royal pain.

The monolithic tourist information center visible across the way was a nice touch, but I never saw a sign pointing towards it from the convoluted road system, either. Thus, I was unable to discover Ontario in the fashion and manner to which, I’m certain, Ontario would desire.

The absence of meaningful directional signs until 20 miles past the border, on some road, is ridiculous. But of course, it’s Ontario the good, isn’t it? Idiots.

Here’s a Wikipedia explanation of concession roads in southern Ontario. After reading it, there is no doubt that southern Ontario has got to have one of the most convoluted and stupid highway naming conventions in North America. And I haven’t even begun to talk about those miniscule white on dark blue county road signs that are hidden on electrical posts and lighting standards. Try following those through a city some day.

Put up a series of meaningful directional signs, you morons. I’d prefer a variety that is plainly visible, of standard dimension and color, and that actually point me in a direction that I choose to proceed. Of course, that’s only me. I’m sure local yokels who never travel out of the valley and other miscreants are quite happy the way it is.

Otherwise, don’t bother – which appears to be the direction that Ontario chooses to follow.

Canada adds U.S. to torture list

I must admit, I missed this back in January:

In Canada, the United States has joined a notorious group of countries… as a place where foreigners risk torture and abuse, according to a training manual for Canadian diplomats… — washingtonpost.com, Robin Wright and Julie Tate

Other nations on Canada’s list where foreigners risk torture and abuse:

  • Saudi Arabia
  • Syria
  • China
  • Iran
  • Afghanistan

Distinguished company, that.

Link to article here.

Let’s make fun of…

Ontario has, without a doubt, the ugliest and most boring license plates of any jurisdiction in North America.

*     *     *

I crossed the Peace Bridge from Buffalo into Ontario, Canada. No problem with that; however, while trying to find my way north to Toronto, I encountered two road signs: Concession Road North and Concession Road South.

I don’t know about anyone else, but to me, a concession road is a farm road. Now, why on earth would I take a farm road anywhere? Right. I wouldn’t.

Unfortunately, the Ontario tourist information building – which I could see! – was across on another farm road, and there was absolutely no signage to direct me to it. I know this to be true, because I tried to get to it.

Twenty miles down a road, I finally discovered a sign with directions for Toronto, London and some other mystery destination.

How these southern Ontario farm boys find their way around their own country is a mystery to me, although, I suppose if one is a local farm boy, he already knows how to get to Toronto for his rub and tug.

How about some signage for the tourist?

Better yet, how about some meaningful directional signs right after one leaves the border station?