Tootfinder

Dear Internet, what do tires look like when they are "bald" and should have been replaced two months ago (but you are just *willing* them to Oct 1 so you can swap to the winters) 🛞
Answer: This.
The front tires especially (first two pics) have been SO noisy since August. Have been worried about driving over anything abnormal for fear of a blowout!
But made it to today. Tire change day! M&S/ ❄️ restrictions start Oct 1 here on my daily commute route.
#tires #cars #maintenance

Casper got tired of watching birds and decided on a nap. I plan on copying his schedule this afternoon.
#CatsOfMastadon #Retirement #Birdwatching

FYI: mstdn.ca appears to be down if you’re looking for people on that instance. Chad was having some electrical issues earlier.
Edit: @… is back online!
#mstdnca #mastodon #canada

Good Morning #Canada
Today is move in day, so what better day to share some horror stories about unscrupulous movers. Everyone has horror stories about moving from one home to another, and even our meticulously planned event has had some hiccups. Like the truck being 4.5 hours late when we moved out and getting our keys for the new house 8 hours after the deal closed. But we didn't hire anyone from this CBC investigation, so it's all good.
#CanadaIsAwesome #MovingSucks
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-moving-companies-1.6371262

Good Morning #Canada
July 1840 - British parliament passed the Act of Union 1840, and it was proclaimed officially on February 10, 1841, in Montreal. The act abolished the legislatures of Lower Canada (basically the East coast and Quebec) and Upper Canada (most of present day Ontario) and established a new political entity, the Province of Canada to replace them. British objectives were to exert more control of their colony and suppress the French speaking population. In 1848, the Province of Canada was allowed "responsible government," giving them limited rights to pass laws, and some of the more repressive laws of the Act of Union were repealed.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/act-of-union

The Hill Times. Not exactly a fountain of environmental rhetoric. 👍 🔥
“The CER hearing that begins this fall is a glaring example of an industry trying to cope with the high cost of transporting its goods, and offload risks.
The federal government should neither cover potential overruns, nor reduce project costs by weakening the safeguards meant to protect affected communities and the environment. The polluter-pay principle should prevail.”
#climateemergency #endfossilfuels #canpoli

I love that #CA's suing Trump 37 times to block his violations of our state's liberties... but when are we gonna go on the offensive against Fat Nixon?
Block funding, information, cooperation or maybe garnish #Trump National LA & his Estates in

Good Morning #Canada
On this day in 1950, the first mountain rescue by helicopter in Canada took place. Albert David Flowers, a BC Forestry fire lookout man, suffered a leg injury at the Azure Mountain Lookout. He was accompanied by his son Gerald Flowers, who was 15 years old. They radioed for help, and a 2-seater open cockpit helicopter was dispatched from a local mining site. The 15 year old Gerald had to cut down trees to prepare a landing site. There was no room for the teen in the helicopter, so he then undertook a 2-day 45km hike off the mountain.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Helicopter
https://www.barrierestarjournal.com/columns/valley-voices-wells-gray-park-helicopter-rescue-makes-history-in-1950-8027471

Good Morning #Canada
Next week is Beaver Week, a look at Canada's most loved wild creature. Consider today's post as a teaser or commercial for this important event.
#CanadaIsAwesome #BeaverWeek
https://youtube.com/shorts/tGQ1KBJPdDk?si=TBHCsLO63SAtHx-7

Interesting and fulsome interview on exactly how NORAD reacted to the plane hijacking in Victoria/Vancouver on Tuesday. They speak to the commander of NORAD, currently a Canadian.
I appreciated the last section most though:
“It's the only bi-national command in the world; it's been a strong bi-national command since 1958, and nothing has changed.
We don't ever talk politics at work. It's not something that we do, nor does it affect what we do.
I would say that we are as tight, and probably tighter than we've ever been. As the world around us gets to be more dangerous, I would say that NORAD is even closer than it's ever been.
But one last thing — we have the watch. That's the slogan here for NORAD.
To give you a great example, all of the assessors, we all live on-base in homes that actually have a safe, we call it the SCIF. It's basically a classified room that has all of our systems. The days that you're on duty, you're either at work or in your house. Because the timelines are so small for answering the phone, you don't walk the dog; you don't do all these other things, and someone covers for you when you're going between work and home.
That's how important this mission is to us down here. It's really important for everybody in Canada to know that at NORAD, we have the watch”
#canpoli #norad #cf18
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/us-fighter-jets-bc-alleged-plane-hijacking-1.7588750

Both of my weather apps assure me the rain will end at noon. We're slated to play #CarrotCommons at one…

At least the CBC is properly naming and shaming now right there in the sub-head.
"The oilsands continue to pump out more crude and more greenhouse gas”
This must be stopped. We must transition our workers and our economy. We must set a date and wind down the industry while winding up renewable production.
#ABPoli #CanPoli #ClimateEmergency #EndFossilFuels
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bakx-s-p-oilsands-alberta-record-2025-1.7569272

Plum, our granddaughter's cat, has gotten accustomed to being tucked in. She's wondering why it is taking so long...
#Caturday #CatsOfMastadon

The BC Green Party has a new leader! 25 year old @…
This youtube link should be cued up to the 21m50s mark when she starts her inaugural speech as leader!
Big Congrats to her!
#BCGreens #BCPoli #CanPoli #GreenParty
https://www.youtube.com/live/psZhiP6JsaQ?si=72Nvlyy-buUh07TD&t=1310

done!
I had them swap the rims onto the winter tires so that we could potentially put sensors on the other rims or maybe sell those rims and just keep one set. We'll see in the spring.
The tread is definitely better
lol
edit: oh yeah, and I have a appointment for wheel alignment tomorrow.. #evcrosscanada #tires #cars #maintenance

Good Morning #Canada
One of the most influential Canadians that most of Canada has never heard of was Elijah Harper (March 3, 1949 - May 17, 2013). He served with distinction as a politician in Manitoba, serving as minister of Northern Affairs. Harper is best known for the role he played in scuttling the Meech Lake Accord, for which he was named the Canadian Press newsmaker of the year in 1990. The Meech Lake Accord was an attempt by then Prime Minister Mulroney to gain acceptance of the constitution by Quebec. The proposed amendments, negotiated in secret by the 11 Premiers, would have eroded federal powers by granting the provinces and territories more rights over key areas.
Without Harper's stubbornness, Canada’s federal powers would have been weakened, and we very well could have ended up splintered like the USA.
#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadianHeroes
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/elijah-harper

A hive of activity around here! A few seconds ago a full logging truck left and now there is an empty logging truck in its place. Every bay is full. Everyone running full bore!
Pearson Tire/Kal Tire in Port Alberni.
Been getting my tires here for 20 years! Great people. And free tire changes!
Edit: just to emphasize the point… a full Kal Tire delivery truck just pulled up on the main street beside and is now sitting there in the left turn lane waiting for the logging truck to be done so it can pull in. Crew now working double fast lol.
Winter tire season definitely on!
#evcrosscanada #tires #cars #maintenance

Senior Cassie, now in her 10th year, is looking floofy and comfy in the cat tree.
#CatsOfMastadon #Caturday

This window hammock is pretty awesome.
#CatsOfMastadon #Snooze

I believe these are the second set of “summer/all season” tires for this car. I think we got them the spring before we embarked on our 14,000km summer 2022 #evcrosscanada road trip. That was about 160,000km ago by the odometer, but we alternate summer/winter, so probably about half that. Let’s say 75,000km for these tires.
They are Nokian all seasons. Not sure what I will replace them with next spring. We’ll see!
#tires #cars #maintenance

Good Morning #Canada
In August 1998, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Quebec could not legally secede from Canada unilaterally. The court's decision affirmed that any secession would require a constitutional amendment negotiated with the federal government and other provinces. This ruling stemmed from a reference case initiated by the federal government following a close referendum on Quebec sovereignty in 1995. Although Quebec was represented at the Supreme Supreme Court hearing, they did not participate in presenting arguments. They essentially ignored the ruling and planned a future referendum, which never happened.
This ruling established an important precedent that Alberta separatists should pay attention to. But details such as this ruling, aboriginal rights, or common sense seem to escape their attention spans.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/supreme-court-says-quebec-can-t-separate-unilaterally-1.159509

Ensuring the sovereignty and security of Canadian health data | CMAJ #canpoli
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/197/26/E763

Nathan O’Rourke, excellent QB of the BC Lions had some excellent words about the changes proposed to the CFL.
#WeAreAllORourke #CFL #Canada #NoNFL #51stState

Given the chance, I think her words could resonate in a Provincial election against both the David Eby #BCNDP and the Rustad #BCConservatives (and whatever other parties happen to pop into existence).
It was nice to see a leader actually genuinely congratulate and lift up her rivals in the contest. A rarity these days in too many party leadership races!
Key lines from her speech:
"take on this province's billionaires, largest corporations, and big oil... who take far more than they give.
"democracy is in retreat around the globe, but I am encouraged to see young people in BC fighting back.”
"the BC Green Party has solutions”
"the BC NDP.. are making decisions based on scarcity and fear”
"David Eby... rolling out the red carpet for Donald Trump's inner circle of oligarchs to buy and control even more of our province”.
"The NDP's big idea… to double down on raw resource exports.... no manufacturing, no innovation, no vision for a future beyond more foreign billionaires ripping and shipping our resources while families wait for the wealth to trickle down.”
“while workers wait for fair wages and homes we can afford, the BC NDP doubles down on MAGA backed fossil fuel projects, ignores the need to obtain consent, and refuses to care for our community members”
”The horrors that we are witnessing now are the death rattle of the old world.”
"it is up to us force a new world through”
"We can build a plan to take back the public wealth that has been looted with real taxation on the ultra wealthy”
"Build on our massive advantage of renewable energy… create thousands of jobs”
"will reclaim BC's economy for working people… together we can build a resilient thriving province that respects indigenous sovereignty and our planetary boundaries.”
“we are worthy of better, and worthy of hope. When we learn to believe that again, we can win.”
@…
#BCPoli #BCGreens #CanPoli #CdnPoli #RenewableEnergy

Good Morning #Canada
#HappyBirthday to me. It's my 69th, and mentally, I feel young, but parts of my body have exceeded the "best before date." According to bornglorious .com there are 137 "famous" Canadians born on August 24th. Most are nobodies like me - politicians, actors, or NHL players you've never heard of. But there are a few notables. Like Alex Colville (1920-2013), a favourite Canadian conceptual painter. Or chain-smoker René Lévesque (1922-1987), who tried to tear Canada apart. But perhaps the Canadian born on this day with the most impact is Rocky Johnson (1944-2020). Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Johnson was a Canadian pro wrestler and the first black champion in WWE history. Oh yeah.... he was also the father of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Famous
https://youtu.be/dhdOPhTHeoE?si=U6ddnjhi5-iyXywU

Looks like the ostrich farm people have been arrested and the birds are going to be culled now. Here's the post I did about them a couple weeks ago.
Culling of the herd is simply what you do when you're farming. The nonsense culture war stuff is just that. Nonsense.
#culturewar #AntiVax #antiScience #farm #farming #H5N1 #CanPoli #BCPoli #DrOz
https://mstdn.chrisalemany.ca/@chris/115204022092473804

Good Morning #Canada
July 24th, 1534, the original Cross of Gaspé was erected overlooking the bay of Gaspé, by the crew of Jacques Cartier on his first trip exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Planting the cross symbolized the ownership of the territory on behalf of the King of France. Today, a granite Cross of Gaspé, erected in 1934, has replaced the original. Amazing that the installation of a religious artifact defined clear ownership of a continent you didn't know existed just days prior.
I have a small Easter Island statue in my garden that I'm going to install in the middle of my neighbour's yard. Wish me luck.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History #Colonization
https://youtu.be/aXZkwrI3V10?si=8abMJ6iEnSgGLUCr

confirming once again that there is absolutely no way I am going to be able cross the border into the USA, if that was a thing I ever wanted to do.
#ThoughtPolice #AmericanFascism #FreeSpeech
#canPoli #CdnPoli #USPoli #USA
https://mastodon.social/@MEActNOW/114739146099376846

Good Morning #Canada
Yesterday, hundreds of women flocked to Washington D.C. to tryout for a few dozen spots in the new Women's Professional Baseball League. It's #Historic because it last happened over 70 years ago. It gives hope to young women who played baseball or softball at a high level in their youth, but there was no career path that involved a sport they loved. Many of those participating in the tryouts are from Canada, and certainly, one of the most interesting is Alli Schroder. At age 16, Schroder pitched the final inning for Canada’s National Team that won Bronze, and more recently, she has been striking out men in a university league in B.C. while her day job is fighting wildfires. Here's a TSN feature on her released a few years ago.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Baseball #Historic
https://youtu.be/_cOhV3giZZc?si=W3mLddxEBHshxktu

Carney: Iran's retaliation was deescalatory. Opening for ceasefire with Israel, and possibly in Gaza.
#CNN #Canada #CanPoli #CdnPoli #NATO #Iran #Israel #Gaza #Genocide
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/Tv/video/amanpour-mark-carney-trump-sot

Good Morning #Canada
A Canadian inventor gave Mothers across North America a device that was beneficial and a little scary. We are, of course, talking about the Jolly Jumper, once referred to as "the Canadian Nanny" on a 1957 CBC broadcast. Susan Olivia Poole (1889–1975) was an Indigenous Canadian inventor who created the Jolly Jumper in 1910, but it was not until 1948 that they were produced for the retail market, and patented in 1957. They continue to be manufactured in Ontario by the company that purchased the rights in 1960.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Inventors
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/olivia-poole

Good Morning #Canada
It's a slow news day, historically speaking, so I'll share some local, very cool history related to my small community of Belle Ewart. As parts of our country experience heat waves, perhaps this post will remind you that it will get cold again. For you corporate types, a new definition of frozen assets. For everyone else, think about how far we've come as you rattle the ice cubes in your favourite drink.
#CanadaIsAwesome #iceIceBaby
https://www.orilliamatters.com/local-news/lake-simcoe-ice-company-thrived-in-late-19th-century-6192112

Let’s have the “think tank” people go live in America with no single payer insurance and no money to buy any.
#canpoli #cdnpoli
https://journa.host/@winnipegfreepress/115225441978516901

If you would like to see reliable news reports from the ostrich farm, the BC Interior news source Castanet is updating this article.
Apparently the farm has been cleared of people not from the RCMP or CFIA, including some that have been arrested. The cull is expected to take place today or tomorrow though no timelines have been given.
#culturewar #AntiVax #antiScience #farm #farming #H5N1 #CanPoli #BCPoli #DrOz

"Hey... I'm right here. Stop watching that YouTube crap."
#CatsOfMastadon

Brutal, the CFL is essentially going to take everything about the game that is unique to Canada (larger field, goal posts, points) and scrap it so it looks more like the NFL.
Why? well just because apparently…
Hey CFL: Read the room/stadium!
#elbowsup #canada #CFL #NFL
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-major-announcement-game-changes-1.7640149

I'm not sure what Casper is dreaming about, but he sure is concentrating hard...
#CatsOfMastadon #Dreaming

Good Morning #Canada
I have one final chapter for The Dirt on Canadian Farming, and it's more of an opinion piece.
As I conducted research on each province for information on their agriculture, there were numerous news stories about how farmers and farm organizations were fighting against loss of farmland. Urban growth, new housing development, and sprawling industrial parks are gobbling up prime farmland. The attached article is just one example. The statistics released by each province have common trends:the average age of farmers increasing, individual farm operators in decline, larger farms are increasing, renting of farmland is growing, and overall arable land is in decline. With the sparsely populated prairies holding the majority of fertile farmland, Canada likely won't lose our global impact because of development for houses or industry. But elsewhere, our food chain will be pushed further away from where we live. Or disappear.
#CanadaIsAwesome #SaveOurFarmland
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/waterloo-region-new-update-wilmot-land-plans-1.7534644

A very hot summer has meant mostly closed windows to make sure our A/C is efficient. But we gave Casper some open window time this morning so he could chatter at birds. He's pretty animated here after watching a large raven take off from the bird feeder.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastadon

“ave US Tariff rate has risen from 2% to 16% over the past year”
"Countries must now buy access to the world's largest market (USA)”
"The USA reaffirmed CUSMA will not be subject to tariffs.”
"Actual US tariff rate on Canadian goods is actually 5.6%”.
"More than 85% of Canada/US trade is tariff free”
"Canada has the best deal of any country in the world.”
"We must do everything we can to preserve this unique advantage for Canadians”
"The Canadian government will now match the USA, by removing all tariffs on goods covered by CUSMA”
... he goes into French repeating most of this.
#Live #CBC #Canada #CanPoli #CdnPoli #Trump #TradeWar

Good Morning #Canada
Rights affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the death penalty for homosexuality. Notably, as of January 2025, only 38 countries recognize same-sex marriage, out of 195 recognized nations. Canada has been a leader in LGTBQ rights and, in a recent ranking, places us 5th worldwide in protecting same sex and gender affirmation. The USA ranks 23rd but is likely to drop further as the report was based on 2024 data before the MAGA morons took office.
#CanadaIsAwesome #LGTBQI
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/lgbt-rights-by-country

Good Morning #Canada
It has been well reported that OTD in 1880 Dr. Emily Stowe became the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Canada. But actually she was the 2nd as Jennie Kidd Trout (born Gowanlock; April 21, 1841 – November 10, 1921) was the first woman in Canada to become a licensed medical doctor on March 11, 1875. Not sure why Trout was misplaced in the history books for a few years, but perhaps she was overshadowed by Stowe's much more public lifetime dedication to fighting for women's rights. Regardless, both were pioneers that helped establish educational opportunities in medicine for women in Canada.
#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadianHeroes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennie_Kidd_Trout

Casper greeting the newest member of our family. He was a little tentative at first but accepted it once he realized there would be no additional competition for treats.
#CatsOfMastadon #Halloween

Good Morning #Canada
Normally, I'm posting about history or geography or trivia, but the July tourism numbers are dominating the news. We "Nasty" Canadians are choosing not to visit the USA, and trips across the border continue to drop month after month. At the end of 2024, U.S. tourism revenue from Canadians was projected to increase 16%. Surprise! Losses by USA businesses are already estimated to be in excess of $20B USD, and some states are bracing for government cuts due to a decrease in sales taxes.
#CanadaIsAwesome #ElbowsUp
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2025/08/11/canadian-car-visits-us-plunge-37-percent/

BTW - If you're feeling stressed, this should help.
Thanks to @… for this helpful tip.
#CanadianBeaversAreAwesome
https://youtu.be/vNePhmCMnbU?si=mH6o5vcOQKZovG-n

I don't usually advocate for an outcome like this... but this time I am because really the question isn't about the CBC. It's about Canadian sovereignty. Trump should have no part of any decision in Canada, period. So whether you love the CBC or not, the only correct answer here is No because we should never allow a foreign dictator to make decisions for us.
#CanPoli #CdnPoli #ElbowsUp
https://mastodon.online/@ZebKing/114829919091275075

Fire alarm testing day at my daughter's apartment. Find a #SafeSpace!
#CatsOfMastodon

France is providing a wonderful example of why if and when we dumped the British Monarchy, a Canadian Republic would probably be best not to go to a fully elected Presidential system but rather keep the appointed and largely powerless Constitutional head of state with the same Parliamentary system.
There is something to be said for not only the simplicity of our Parliamentary system but also the election of MPs that turn into a Cabinet and PM.
#canpoli #cdnpoli #Republican https://journa.host/@w7voa/115175872332891929

Good Morning #Canada
Yesterday, we upgraded our water filtration and, to ease the pain in my wallet, I thought I would share some facts on well water for those who care.
- approximately 11% of Canadians rely on non-municipal water sources.
- the vast majority of wells are drilled wells because they are safer, provide higher volume, and generally last longer.
- dug wells (like ours) are less common and are usually placed where there is a high water table. They are more susceptible to surface runoff.
- well water, although free, is not necessarily cheaper than municipal supply. There is a large upfront cost, which can vary greatly depending on soil conditions, but $25K for drilled and $10K for dug is not uncommon.
- a pump and filtration equipment can cost another $10K, depending on water treatment needed. We needed an additional Iron Filter due to high concentration. Sediment filters and UV treatment require annual maintenance, typically $400 .
#CanadaIsAwesome #Water #GlassHalfFull

On Sunday, October 5, 2025, my wife and I are participating in the Canadian Cancer Society's Run for the Cure. This national fundraiser brings together communities across the country who will run or walk in support of all Canadians impacted by breast cancer. We are walking in honour of my mother, my two sisters, and both our daughters - all of whom have been touched by this terrible disease.
Our family isn't special as 1 in 8 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, and all of us likely know someone who has battled it in the past, or is fighting it today. I encourage all Canadians to donate in honour of someone they know or simply to help their communities fight breast cancer. This cause is particularly important to us, especially this year, as we support our daughters, and I hope all Canadians get involved.
#CanadianCancerSociety #RunForTheCure
https://support.cancer.ca/site/TR/RunfortheCure/RFTC_NW_even_?px=15178695&pg=personal&fr_id=30455

#caturday napping
#atlas #catsofmastodon

Good Morning #Canada
Today, we celebrate the #FallEquinox, not to be confused with the Chevy Equinox, which is an entirely different thing. The Fall Equinox means summer is officially over, and some of you missed 3 weeks of nice weather when you gave up back on Labour Day. Right now, day and night are roughly equal, more or less, across Canada, but our days are getting shorter for the next several months, until December 21st-ish. Start thinking about snow tires and Christmas shopping because the calendar moves quickly this time of year. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, please ignore this message.
Some bonus content - your Fall 2025 #Horoscope. It's from the CBC, our national news service, so you know it must be accurate. I read mine (Virgo) several times and haven't got a clue what it means. So I've got that going for me.
#CanadaIsAwesome ##WinterIsComing
https://www.cbc.ca/life/culture/fall-equinox-horoscope-2025-1.7638561

Despite my objections, Casper is helping me make the bed.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastadon

Good Morning #Canada
For those of you dreaming of moving to an idyllic lifestyle in beautiful #PEI, consider this to be a public service announcement. No disrespect to our beloved potato province.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://youtu.be/CJxffIMhBd0?si=89VPMfodAtgSMrxS

I tried to make the bed, but someone was using it.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastadon

Harley was trying to go lay in her bed in the bedroom this morning - you can see it in the top left corner of the photo. Unfortunately, she was wary of Casper lying in wait in the laundry basket. You can see his white ears sticking out the top of the basket. Harley chose to avoid getting pounced on if she went by and laid down out of reach.
#DogsOfMastadon #CatsOfMastadon #Hunting

Good Morning #Canada
Recent news may have some of you panicking with the announcement that AOL Dial Up Services will officially shut down on September 30th of this year. Yikes! But, the Canadian government has your backup plan as they attempt to provide high-speed internet services to 100% of Canadians by 2030. Current estimates put access at 94.5%, and the next target is 98% by the end of 2026.
I kinda miss the phone couplers, bragging about the size of my "Baud Rate," and the beep booping screeching announcement of going online. OK.... not really.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/high-speed-internet-canada/en/high-speed-internet-all-canadians

Welp. Was going to take advantage of the rare vacation day on a work day between the weekend and Canada Day to go buy rocks for the #poolpond but turns out the local rock/cement place is taking the day off too. Fair. 🤷‍♂️
I took the trailer for a bath at the car wash instead and got the watering done before the heat sets in today.
Maybe later I will go get some lengths of pipe. But I sense a swim in the lake. 🏊‍♂️ #today #canadaday
What are you up to today? Day off, or slaving for The Man?

"says Carney is bootlicking Trump”
Lloyd Axworthy with the first Truth to Power statement from a former Foreign Minister.
YUP
#CanPoli #CdnPoli

"Now more than ever, we need the federal government to work around the clock to secure a deal that is right for Canada and eliminates all American tariffs,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office said in a statement. And then he left early to beat the cottage traffic...
#CanPoli #OnPoli
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/trump-says-the-friends-have-been-worse-than-the-foes-trade-war-live-updates-here/

Hey Canadian friends.
Happy Canada Day 😊
🇨🇦 #elbowsup #canadaDay

#Caturday morning #Blep
#CatsOfMastadon

Government once again working in service of mega corporations and against regular, suffering, people.
“Boeing BA-N and the Justice Department on Wednesday asked a U.S. judge to approve an agreement that allows the company to avoid prosecution despite objections from relatives of some of the 346 people killed in two 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.”
#corporatocracy #usa #canada https://flipboard.com/@globeandmail/world-qs57rganz/-/a-vSZpN2zeT3SqZlIzFDUYJg:a:729020400-/0

Good Morning #Canada
The Webster–Ashburton Treaty was signed August 9, 1842, and resolved several border issues between the United States and the British North American colonies (the region that very soon would become the Dominion of Canada). The treaty would end disputes and controversies over the vague indefinite terms and text of the old peace agreement of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the American Revolutionary War. Specifically, it defined borders between Maine and New Brunswick, territory surrounding Lake Superior, and reaffirmed the western border on the 49th parallel. More importantly, it began a period of peace and friendly diplomacy between the two countries... until Americans decided a moronic spray tanner, suspected abuser of women, convicted felon, golf cheat, and narcissistic conman should be their president.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/webster-ashburton-treaty

Very glad to finally see this issue being addressed in a major publication. The headline is a little confusing. It’s not about engineering, it’s about all disciplines.
Even as we have made gains getting women into post secondary now young men are not coming, aside from a few specific traditional areas. Especially in Arts and Humanities, there is a huge gap. I see it every day at my university.
We need to reverse this. We need men and women in every field and discipline. We need men and women learning critical thinking, learning history, learning biology, learning engineering, together, collaboratively, in ways that speak to all genders.
I blame a large part of the gap on a notion that is still perpetuated by both regular people and government, that “trades gets u a job” with implicit and explicit bias toward those trades being male dominated. The manosphere often degrades traditional “thinking” degrees as not masculine enough.. or have been “woke” and a threat to stereotypical male roles. Plus there remain biases against teaching and healthcare as “women’s” work in those influential spheres, and not helped by general society either.
TLDR: we just need to stop devaluing post-secondary every other moment of the day and make it free and easy for absolutely anyone to walk in and expand their minds!
#viu #university #postsecondary #canada #education #gendergap #men #manosphere
https://archive.ph/NhuKo

Good Morning #Canada
I think most Canadians know what an #Inukshuk is, but this post is intended to give you a greater understanding of these iconic piles of rock. An inuksuk, or inukshuk (plural inuksuit) is a type of stone landmark or cairn built and used by Inuit, including Iñupiat, Kalaallit, Yupik, and other peoples of the North American Arctic. These structures are found in northern Canada, north of the Arctic Circle, which is dominated by the tundra biome and has areas with few natural landmarks. These structures, often resembling human figures, serve various purposes, primarily as navigational aids and markers, but also as symbols of the Arctic landscape and Inuit culture.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Inuit #Sculpture
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/inuksuk-inukshuk

Cc: to B.C. Minister of Health @… #viu #university #postsecondary #canada #education #gendergap #men #manosphere

Good Morning #Canada
It's National Junk Food day, which, for me, is any day ending with the letter "y." Celebrated every year on July 21st, this day is dedicated to the foods we like to snack on, meaning today, you can eat junk food for every meal. Junk food is not a new phenomenon, as crafty entrepreneurs have been taking advantage of our taste buds for over a hundred years. Here's a look back at some of Canada’s best versions of this food category.
#CanadaIsAwesome #MMMGood #GuiltyPleasure
https://canadianfoodfocus.org/canadian-food-stories/the-snack-story-a-history-of-canadas-favourite-snack-foods/

Looks like we got the ignition but the engine did not light. Rockets are hard! Hopefully next time.
#Space #Canada https://mstdn.chrisalemany.ca/@chris/115113806852397662

Good Morning #Canada
Today, we celebrate the reincarnation of Shep to the shores of Dorchester New Brunswick, despite being reinstalled without proper government approval. The original wood Shep was less than 20 years old when it began to rot, leading to a new, more durable version made of fiberglass and steel. At 2.4 metres high and 135 kilos, it should be able to weather storms and bureaucratic red tape.
#CanadaIsAwesome #BigStuffInSmallTowns
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/shep-2-sandpiper-statue-returns-dorchester-1.6805965

Eyes open my kind, Canadian, anti-fascist friends. The forces of hate are organizing and training in plain sight because they have been emboldened by opportunistic and ignorant conservative politicians who see power as the only goal.
“a months-long CBC visual investigation, in collaboration with The Fifth Estate, reveals exactly where some of these groups are training.
“It's f–king unacceptable,” said Kevin Mans, the owner of Niagara BJJ in Welland, one of the martial arts studios CBC identified. “I have built a team that is pluralistic… these guys are scum.”
Active clubs are part of a decentralized white supremacist and neo-Nazi network that has grown globally in recent years, increasingly moving from online forums to real-world training groups and anti-immigration protests.”
#canpoli #cdnpoli #nazi #rightwing
https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/fascist-fight-club

Casper's daily discovery of new napping spots in the new house.
#CatsOfMastadon #Snooze

Good Morning #Canada
Last night, we attended a wedding dinner where they celebrated 5 years of marriage, 2 kids, and family finally sharing the event. Marriage trends in Canada are shifting with it happening later or simply deciding on common law. As an institution or cultural phenomenon it may be disappearing.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Marriage
https://madeinca.ca/marriage-statistics-canada/

Dear Globe and Mail: IT’S NOT A F_ING “CULTURE WAR” IT’S A BUDDING FASCIST DICTATORSHIP.
But then... why should I think that the G&M would do anything different from Disney or CBS right now?
#Trump #TheAmericanFascist #GlobeAndMail #CanPoli #CdnPoli

started again 8min! #Space #Canada #Space

It's always about subtle domination with Casper. Either a surprise attack on Harley's tail or merely looking down on her from above.
#Caturday #CatsOfMastadon #DogsOfMastadon

Countdown has restarted. 10 minutes and counting!
update: nm stopped again at 9:18
#Space #Canada #Space

Good Morning #Canada
A very busy day and evening yesterday as we hosted some of our family in an impromptu open house. So I'm kinda "mailing it in" this morning with a ##MercerMemories. Rick and Jann visit a donkey sanctuary near Calgary Alberta.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Donkeys
https://youtu.be/jhO-FP-eDb8?si=_cJ2k3634wwnk2Ye

NordSpace is 30 minutes away from attempting their first Sub-Orbital rocket launch. This would be the first commercial rocket launch from Canadian soil!
#Space #Canada #Space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oxDEKPSbF4

Canada Day history (in Spanish? 😆)! On this day in 1958, the CBC starts television transmissions in all of Canada over microwave. #cbc #canada
https://mastodon.social/@enestedia/114778337945370179

Good Morning #Canada
Our recent move to Innisfil, with a short walk to Lake Simcoe, has provided us with hourly flyovers of Canada Geese. Another of our country's iconic animals respected for its monogamy, aerial prowess, and prodigious ability to crap everywhere. Throughout the day, we see hundreds passing overhead as they find resting spots on Cook's Bay, the southern arm of Lake Simcoe. On visits to our community beach, there are flotillas of geese too large to count. In the early 1900s, Canada Geese had been decimated due to habitat loss and hunting, but today it's estimated that there are more than 5 millon across North America thanks to conservation efforts and regulations.
I've had #BeaverWeek and #MooseWeek series. Don't be surprised if in the future I sneak up on you from behind with a Goose Week.
#CanadaIsAwesome #CanadaGoose
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/animal-facts-canada-goose/

“I can stick with the [Canadian Pension Plan], which is one of the most effective things in the world, or I can gamble with you idiots."
#canPoli #CdnPoli #ABPoli #CPP #pension #AlbertaNext
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alta-next-panel-1.7587269

Well Canadians are “disappointed" by your Administration's “pro-Fascist" and “51st State" tendencies... so really... pound sand, Mr Ambassador.
#CanPoli #CdnPoli #51stState #TheAmericanFascist
https://flipboard.com/@ctvnews/atlantic-lgqhk918z/-/a-wLFqtbiSTS2I7JKeP6c_rA:a:2823982346-/0

Casper and I are ready to battle galactic aliens...
#CatsOfMastadon #Halo

But mostly sleepy
#whiskers #blackCatAppreciationDay #catsodon #blackcat #catsOfMastodon

16, deaf, but still trouble.
#whiskers
#blackCatAppreciationDay
#catsodon #blackcat
#catsOfMastodon

It's soooo exhausting watching birds at the feeder all day.
#CatsOfMastadon #Caturday

Watching this update on #PeePee being parachuted into Alberta and the phrase, " All hat and no cattle" comes to mind...
#CanPoli
https://youtu.be/1u2-hlTYfhM?si=9V05ajdU_gGXum6-

Good Morning #Canada
It's a holiday across most of our nation today, so why not take 14 minutes to find out why Alaska isn't part of Canada and discover why Lord Alverstone is the villain you've likely never heard of.
Lord Alverstone, whose full name was Richard Everard Webster, 1st Viscount Alverstone, played a key role in the Alaska Boundary Dispute of 1903. As the British representative on the arbitration tribunal, he ultimately sided with the United States, leading to a decision that favored the US claim over Canada's claims regarding the Alaska panhandle. At the time, the British government was trying to rebuild relationships with the U.S. and likely instructed Lord Alverstone to rule against Canadian border claims.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History
https://youtu.be/woXBk3OAtSM?si=-pTwI7OKidfK2g2L

Good Morning #Canada
March 1975, the Beaver is officially designated as a National Symbol of Canada, meaning #BeaverWeek is helping us celebrate 50 years of celebrity status for the tail slapping mammals. The National Symbol of Canada Act came about because in January of 1975, a New York Senator proposed making the Beaver an official state animal. Canadians, who loved Beavers more than Americans, moved quickly. The youngest MP in history, 23 year old Sean O’Sullivan, introduced a private member's bill to counter the American attempt to grab our Beaver. O'Sullivan should be immortalized on the $5 bill.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/the-dam-the-myth-the-legend-50-years-of-the-beaver/

My daughter's cats are really into shrubbery. Big Monty Python fans...
#CatsOfMastodon #Gardening

Reading in our sunroom with a buddy.
#CatsOfMastadon #Retirement

From this vantage point, Casper can easily look out every window in the sunroom. All that vigilance has worn him out.
#CatsOfMastadon

Casper is settling into the new house. This sunroom perch has quickly become a favourite spot.
#CatsOfMastadon #Snooze

Good Morning #Canada
On August 19th, 1942, Operation Jubilee was launched. Commonly known as the Dieppe Raid, it was a disastrous Allied amphibious attack on the German-occupied port in northern France. Over 6,050 infantry, predominantly Canadian, supported by a regiment of tanks, were put ashore from a naval force operating under the protection of Royal Air Force fighter aircraft. Aerial and naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to achieve their objectives. The tanks were trapped on the beach, and the infantry was largely prevented from entering the town by obstacles and German fire. After less than six hours, mounting casualties forced a retreat. Within ten hours, 3,623 of the 6,086 men who landed had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. 5,000 were Canadians, who suffered a 68% casualty rate, with 3,367 killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. The operation was a fiasco and a dark day for Canada’s military.
#CanadaIsAwesome #History #WWII
https://youtu.be/jiFKJNiXFok?si=fWzmcigVM8ZFfmHE

Good Morning #Canada
The Canadian Universal Healthcare system has been under tremendous stress since COVID, and it's easy to have the impression today that it is broken. IMO, I would characterize it as bent or wounded as it continues to provide medical services that save lives. This article points out that several of Canada’s hospitals rank amongst the world's best , particularly in cancer and cardiac treatment. Let's continue to fight to improve our current system and vote out any clown (cough... Ford... cough) that threatens to erode the universal affordability principle through privatization.
#CanadaIsAwesome #Healthcare #FuckCancer
https://www.uhn.ca/corporate/news/pages/uhn-canadas-top-hospital-ranks-third-in-the-world.aspx

On the final day of #BeaverWeek, we focus on Beaver Rescue efforts. Many organizations across Canada care for injured Beavers, abandoned kits, or bonded pairs that have to be relocated. Here is a list of recognized Beaver rescue organizations (worldwide) in case you're feeling generous and looking for a charitable organization to support.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://martinezbeavers.org/beaver-friendly-organizations/

Good Morning #Canada
#Aaarrr ....
If you're a follower of #Pastafarianism then you understand. Yes, it's #TalkLikeAPirate Day, which makes it a great opportunity to post about those scoundrels who sailed the eastern coast of Canada during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the best-known pirates to make his mark on Canada was Peter Easton. In 1612, Easton embarked on a series of raids on European fishing fleets in coastal harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador. He turned Harbour Grace into his headquarters and destroyed a Basque fleet that was intent on capturing his fort there. Part of his myth involved capturing an Irish princess who later married one of his lieutenant and settled in Newfoundland. Easton was the rare pirate who retired in France with his wealth. He was succeeded in Canadian waters by Black Bart who captured more than 400 ships over 2 year period, but who met a bloody end when he was put out of business by the British navy.
#CanadaIsAwesome
https://thisiscanadiana.com/episode-pages/2022/6/29/the-rise-of-piracy-in-canada-part-1

Good Morning #Canada
Conservationists who focus on restoration of wetlands are increasingly "Leaving It To Beaver." Beavers are considered the ultimate Keystone Species because they area they re-engineer offer benefits to many other species, and an entire ecosystem can collapse if a Beaver is removed. A Beaver dam doesn't just hold and conserve water. Beavers increase the population of frogs, fish, insects, birds, and small mammals and extend the range of larger mammals like moose, deer, and bears. The quantity and variety of vegetation are increased. Water is filtered and saturates the land, refilling artesian wells. It's unbelievable that we almost lost this amazing creature because of a hat fashion trend.
#CanadaIsAwesome #BeaverWeek
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2021/01/01/leave-it-to-beavers-keystone-species-provides-nature-based-restoration/