Canadian Crossing

What marijuana tourism in Ontario will look like on Opening Day

"Ontario won't open private stores until at least April 1, 2019" — me, November 13, 2018

Canadian provinces have run into a few problems with having enough product in its stores since marijuana was legalised in Canada on October 17, 2018. Those provinces didn't have trouble getting the stores up and running.

Ontario had the "ambitious" goal of 25 stores in the largest province in Canada, 5 of those locations in Toronto, the largest city in the province and country. Even then, not all of those 25 stores will open on time thanks to the intensely rigorous process established by the Doug Ford Government.

The Liberals under Kathleen Wynne wanted a similar system to LCBO and the Beer Store where the Ford Government preferred private locations.

The bad timing is also bad financial news for the store owners. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) requires a $6,000 non-refundable fee and a $50,000 letter of credit. The organisation has the power to draw down $12,500 for each week the stores are not open.

If you are looking for a sweet spot for legal marijuana in Toronto, look no further than Queen Street West. The Hunny Pot at 202 Queen Street West (open Monday) and Nova Cannabis on 499 Queen Street West would be a good place to start.

Another good collective spot will be Tokyo Smoke (333 Yonge Street) and Canna Cabana at 435(B) Yonge Street. Canna Cabana has a few locations in Alberta as well as proposed locations in Hamilton and Sudbury. The Tokyo Smoke location is the old HMV record and video store.

The final Toronto location is Ameri at 20 Cumberland Street west, just north of the Yonge-Bloor intersection. Ameri will be ready to go on April 1.

If you haven’t been to Toronto, getting to those locations is pretty easy. Yonge Street marks the east-west point.

You can take the Queen streetcar west from either the Queen Street stop (at Yonge/0 Queen West) or Osgoode stop (130 Queen West). 499 Queen Street West is just west of Spadina near Chinatown.

333 Yonge Street is just north of Dundas Square near the Dundas stop on the Yonge Street line. 20 Cumberland Street West is a very short walk north and slightly west from the Bloor-Yonge stop.

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Here is the breakdown of the 25 locations in the province:

• 5 locations: Toronto (2 ready to open April 1)
• 3 locations: Ottawa (ready to open April 1); London (1 ready to open April 1)
• 2 locations: Kingston (ready to open April 1); Hamilton; Sudbury
• 1 location: St. Catharines (ready to open April 1); Brampton (ready to open April 1); Burlington (ready to open April 1); Oshawa; Ajax; Niagara Falls

You can check the status of the locations. At press time, 11 of the 25 locations will be ready to go on April 1.

Ottawa, the national capital, will be able to help those federal legislators and bureaucrats. There is a location in the Byward Market and a location south of downtown on Bank Street, about 2 km north of TD Place, home of the CFL Ottawa RedBlacks.

London is the furthest west in the province with a store, so people in Windsor will have about a 2-hour drive. The locations hug Lake Ontario with the exception of Ottawa, Sudbury, and London.

The Public Notice period has ended for all prospective provincial locations with the exception of the Yonge Street locations in Toronto: Tokyo Smoke (April 2) and Canna Cabana Toronto (April 9).

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There are shops that are technically illegal that are still in operation, mostly in Toronto.

Those in Ontario can order marijuana off the official province Web site. The online option lends itself to credit cards, a risk for Canadians wanting to cross the border. Having an online option limits marijuana tourism.

If you are traveling by car to participate in marijuana tourism, know that the provinces have set up nuanced rules on how marijuana can be transported by car. The Toronto locations don't require a car.

There still aren't any edibles, so you also have to find a place to consume the product.

photo credit: me

NHL the week in preview March 29, 2019

NBCSN did cancel the telecast of the Calgary Flames in Orange County on Wednesday night, but did add the Habs in the U.S. capital Thursday night. Hopefully, that will not include the horrible Washington announcers.

CBC showcases the Battle of Ontario from Ottawa. The late Saturday game has Vancouver hosting Dallas.

Citytv goes all-Canadian with the Habs in Winnipeg.

Rogers Sportsnet jumps in with a late Saturday game as Edmonton tries to hold off Anaheim at home. Hometown Hockey will be in Saskatoon, SK with Calgary knowing the way to San Jose. Ottawa travels to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

Rogers Sportsnet One will not be fooled on Monday as Edmonton has to wear sunglasses in the bright lights in the desert.

The NHL Center Ice free preview should be in progress.

Those in the Washington and Tampa Bay markets should get Bob Cole calling the Montréal Canadiens in Winnipeg on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night.

NBCSN

Thursday
Montréal @ Washington, 7p

NHL Network

Tape delayed
Friday NY Islanders @ Winnipeg, 2p
Monday Calgary @ San Jose, 2p (90-min)
Tuesday Toronto @ NY Islanders, 2p (2-hour)
Wednesday Winnipeg @ Minnesota, 1p
Tampa Bay @ Montréal, 2p

ESPN+

Sunday
Calgary @ San Jose, 8p
Monday
Toronto @ NY Islanders, 7p
Winnipeg @ Chicago, 8:30p
Tuesday
Carolina @ Toronto, 7:30p
Tampa Bay @ Montréal, 7:30p
Wednesday
Calgary @ Anaheim, 10:30p
Thursday
Winnipeg @ Colorado, 9p

CBC

Saturday
Toronto @ Ottawa, 7p
Dallas @ Vancouver, 10p

City

Saturday
Montréal @ Winnipeg, 7p

Rogers Sportsnet

Saturday
Anaheim @ Edmonton, 10p
Sunday
Calgary @ San Jose, 8p
Wednesday
Ottawa @ NY Rangers, 7:30p

Rogers Sportsnet One

Monday
Edmonton @ Las Vegas, 10p

NHL Center Ice free preview

Friday
Anaheim @ Calgary, 9p
Saturday
Toronto @ Ottawa, 7p
Montréal @ Winnipeg, 7p
Dallas @ Vancouver, 10p
Anaheim @ Edmonton, 10p
Sunday
Calgary @ San Jose, 8p
Monday
Toronto @ NY Islanders, 7p
Tampa Bay @ Ottawa, 7:30p
Winnipeg @ Chicago, 8:30p
Edmonton @ Las Vegas, 10p
Calgary @ Los Angeles, 10p
Tuesday
Carolina @ Toronto, 7:30p
Tampa Bay @ Montréal, 7:30p
Winnipeg @ Minnesota, 8p
Edmonton @ Colorado, 9p
San Jose @ Vancouver, 10p
Wednesday
Ottawa @ NY Rangers, 7:30p
Calgary @ Anaheim, 10:30p
Thursday
Tampa Bay @ Toronto, 7p
Ottawa @ Buffalo, 7p
Vancouver @ Nashville, 8p
Winnipeg @ Colorado, 9p
San Jose @ Edmonton, 9p

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ESPN+ did well to carry the Nashville-Winnipeg game Saturday night but also to pick up the Hockey Night in Canada feed. Rogers went with John Shorthouse and Garry Galley. Rogers likely won't produce more than 5 series, if that, even if 4 Canadian teams make the playoffs. Shorthouse would be on the shortlist to expand beyond the primary four.

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The fact that the Calgary game in Anaheim got taken off the NBCSN schedule isn't a huge deal. The game only seemed to be on there to get Anaheim on U.S. television. The only obvious concern is that the U.S. channels will cover the Calgary Flames in the Stanley Cup playoffs with only a single early-season telecast for the team.

When Calgary was last in the playoffs in 2017, NBCU picked up the CBC feed for the whole series.

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The NHL Global Series was filled with Canadian teams last fall, but the series will be free of Canadian teams next season. Winnipeg did okay but Edmonton struggled with its trip.

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Chris Cuthbert worked Monday night in St. Paul on NBCSN while Gord Miller called the game in Denver Wednesday night for the same channel.

The NHL Network picked up the Columbus feed for the Habs game last night.

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This was the last of the CBC promos on the NHL Network for the regular season. Unfortunately, the final one only had 5 promos.

CBC used 4 of the 5 aired promos for shows instead of sports, a higher ratio than we've seen lately.

The long 3rd period promo for Diggstown aired right after a spot.

The final 2 weekends should be covered by the NHL Center Ice free preview. We will provide all that we can get depending on how well the preview works.

Early game: Mixed Doubles Curling (1st); Street Legal; Kim's Convenience; Schitt's Creek (2nd); Diggstown (3rd)

2019 Toronto Blue Jays season preview

2019 may give Toronto Blue Jays fans a nice slice of the future with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and others shuffling in from Buffalo.

The transition might be a bit too rough for Blue Jays fans still pondering the recent past to back-to-back ALCS appearances.

Charlie Montoyo is the new Toronto manager replacing John Gibbons. The release of Gibbons seemed as mutual as a managerial firing can get. Montoyo comes from the Tampa Bay organisation. The idea of an occasional 4-man outfield is a symbol of new leadership in Toronto.

There will be enough contenders for left field led by Teoscar Hernandez and includes a few infielders. Kevin Pillar will be in centre field with Randal Grichuk in right field.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is the logical shortstop but Freddy Galvis will handle SS while Gurriel will take over at 2nd base. Justin Smoak will handle first base. Perennial DH Kendrys Morales was traded to Oakland yesterday, a move to increase roster flexibility. 2nd and 3rd base will have a few people going back and forth, including Brandon Drury, Devon Travis (injured), and some guy named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The latter won’t start on the Opening Day roster but he is only 20.

The Jays have suffered in the leadoff spot, hoping for Grichuk, Travis (injured), Billy McKinney, or anyone to excel at the top.

Toronto Blue Jays help celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Montreal Expos

Toronto Blue Jays draw Milwaukee Brewers as 2019 opponents in Montreal

2019 Toronto Blue Jays spring training schedule

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Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki will not be physically in Toronto but their salaries are still there. The Blue Jays ate most of Martin’s remaining salary in the trade with Los Angeles. Tulo’s money will be an albatross for some time.

The Jays non-tendered Yangervis Solarte, who became a free agent, lost SP Marco Estrada, and traded INF Aledmys Diaz to Houston for P Trent Thornton. Toronto signed starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker to a 1-year deal and acquired starting left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard from San Diego.

Canadian John Axford, who was traded by Toronto to Los Angeles at the trade deadline, is back with the Blue Jays, but currently rehabbing.

Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez will anchor the rotation with Shoemaker and Richard. Ken Giles is the closer. Danny Jansen will be the starting catcher.

This season, you can enjoy all your favourite ballpark classics for $5 or less! Which items are you grabbing? pic.twitter.com/2sXIR5RnfJ

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 19, 2019

The Dugout Deals is a nice gesture. The sections for the deals are in 137, 239, and 536. If you aren't familiar with Rogers Centre, the sections are in and around the left field fair pole. 137 is in left-centre; 239 is around the left-field pole; and 536 is far down the left-field line but on the foul side of the pole.

Wrapping up the 2018 Toronto Blue Jays season

2018 Toronto Blue Jays season preview

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Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez will handle play-by-play with Pat Tabler providing analysis on Rogers Sportsnet and Rogers Sportsnet One. Jamie Campbell and Joe Siddall will provide takes from the studio.

Ben Wagner and Mike Wilner will handle play-by-play on the radio games with the flagship Sportsnet 590 The FAN (Toronto) and the Sportsnet Radio Network, which includes Sportsnet 960 The FAN (Calgary) and Sportsnet 650 (Vancouver). Scott MacArthur will host Blue Jays Talk after the games. The press release does not list a radio colour analyst; Siddall was the last regular analyst before replacing Gregg Zaun on the TV side in 2018.

You might have forgotten all of that since Rogers showed the opposing team feed for 8 of the 10 games from Florida. We rip on Rogers being cheap but this is low even for them. Rogers didn't even cover the Blue Jays game with the Canada Jr. team.

Toronto Blue Jays lose Sunday Night Baseball slot in a matter of days

We noted the absence of the Toronto Blue Jays on ESPN last year. The channel reportedly will have the Jays on twice (at least) in 2019. The guaranteed game will be April 9 with the Blue Jays in Boston. Don't expect Toronto to be mentioned much since the game is the Boston home opener and the banner ceremony for the 2018 World Series champions.

Toronto will open at home against Detroit. The opener is at 3:37 pm today with starting times for the next 3 days at 7:07 pm; 3:07 pm; and 1:07 pm. The homestand continues April 1-3 with Baltimore in town at 7:07 pm; 7:07 pm; and 4:07 pm. The first road trip is a short distance in Cleveland April 4-7 at 6:10 pm; 7:10 pm; 4:10 pm; and 1:10 pm.

The free MLB Extra Innings preview should cover those home games. The home team feed might be the only option for some, so keep that first week in mind.

photo credit: @BlueJays
Twitter capture: @BlueJays

Toronto Blue Jays help celebrate the 50-year anniversary of Montreal Expos

50 ans en Montréal pour les Expos.

The theme of the 2019 Toronto Blue Jays in Montréal is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Montréal Expos.

Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler mentioned Expos legends in attendance: Felipe Alou, Larry Walker, Claude Raymond, and Dennis Martinez. Other reports mentioned Steve Rogers. The Blue Jays announcers noted that the loudest ovation was for Felipe Alou, the manager of the 1994 Expos with the best record in baseball.

The Montréal Expos joined the National League in 1969 and played at Jarry Park on the city's north side through the 1976 season. The Expos played at Olympic Stadium from 1977 until the removal of the franchise after the 2004 season.

The bigger news of the week might have been the announcement of a potential new site for a ballpark near the Peel Basin just south of the Bell Centre.

"Don’t have to say we need to be ready," Stephen Bronfman said. "We are ready."

Bronfman, the executive chairman of Claridge Inc. and son of the original majority owner (Charles) of les Expos from 1968-1990, is leading a group of Montreal businesspeople to bring a MLB team back to Montréal.

The #Brewers will be without Ryan Braun for the two games in Montreal against the Blue Jays. Sounds like he thought he had his passport with him but turns out he didn't. So, couldn't come to Canada.

— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 25, 2019

All-star Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun didn't make the trip to Montréal. Tom Hardricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Braun forgot his passport and couldn't come to Canada. Manager Craig Counsell said Braun thought he had his passport with him in Arizona.

A lost passport does happen to the best of us, but could also serve as a "I don't really want to go" excuse.

Braun would have had a working passport to get into Toronto in April 2017, the last time the Brewers were in Canada. Braun played in both games at Rogers Centre.

Braun received a 65-game suspension by MLB in 2013 for performance-enhancing drugs.

Canadian Brett Lawrie is a part of the Milwaukee Brewers organisation, but Lawrie is in the middle of long-term rehabilitation with the club. Lawrie last played baseball with the Chicago White Sox since the middle of the 2016 season.

New Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has some history with the Montréal Expos. Montoyo was a September call-up for the Expos in 1993. He was late in arrival to Olympic Stadium but delivered a game-winning hit with his first (of 2) major league hits. Montoyo met with the press sitting in the exact spot in the dugout where he sat as a player on that fateful day. Montoyo retired with a .400 batting average with 2 hits in 5 at-bats.

Toronto Blue Jays draw Milwaukee Brewers as 2019 opponents in Montreal

2019 Toronto Blue Jays spring training schedule

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MLB Network ran a condensed version of Monday's game in a 2-hour, 50-minute timeslot. The channel's previous worst mark was 2½ hours of a potential 3-hour timeslot.

Rogers Sportsnet continues its shift to de-emphasize the Montréal element of the games. No interviews of past Expos. Arash Madani did speak about the Bronfman group and reunion, but not until the top of the 8th inning of Monday's game. The U.S. audience on MLB Network didn't see any of that limited coverage.

Buck and Pat had a nice interview with Richard Griffin, the new director of baseball media for the Blue Jays. Griffin had been with the Toronto Star since 1995. Griffin talked about his days working for the Montréal Expos from 1973 to 1995.

Eric Sogard had the game-winning hit in the 7th inning in Tuesday's game to give Toronto a split with Milwaukee.

The attendance was slightly down from last season. The series drew 46,984, down from 51,151 in 2018. The Monday-Tuesday pairings were expected to reduce the attendance from the 43,000-53,000 crowds the Montréal games grew when the format was Friday-Saturday.

Toronto now has a 6-5-1 record in the exhibition games in Montréal.

Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium in Montréal

Date	Opponent	Score	Attendance
March 26, 2019	Milwaukee	Toronto 2-0	22,502
March 25, 2019	Milwaukee	Milwaukee 10-5	24,482
March 27, 2018	St. Louis	Toronto 1-0	25,816
March 26, 2018	St. Louis	St. Louis 5-3	25,335
April 1, 2017	Pittsburgh	Toronto 6-4	52,202
March 31, 2017	Pittsburgh	Tie 1-1	43,180
April 2, 2016	Boston	Boston 7-4	53,420
April 1, 2016	Boston	Boston 4-2 (10)	52,682
April 4, 2015	Cincinnati	Toronto 9-1	50,231
April 3, 2015	Cincinnati	Cincinnati 2-0	46,314
March 29, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 2-0	50,229
March 28, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 5-4	46,121

photos credit: Rogers Sportsnet/Toronto Blue Jays/MLB
Twitter capture: @Haudricourt

Toronto Blue Jays draw Milwaukee Brewers as 2019 opponents in Montreal

The Toronto Blue Jays are back at Olympic Stadium in Montréal. This year, the Milwaukee Brewers are the team that will serve as the opponent. Milwaukee was the first opponent at SkyDome in 1989 back when the Brewers were division mates in the American League East with Toronto.

The stars from Montréal won't be a part of the action this year. Last year's on-field hero Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will miss the series with a Grade 1 left oblique strain. Russell Martin was traded in the off-season to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The games next week once again fall on Monday and Tuesday reducing the potential attendance. Then again, drawing 25,000+ on a weeknight for exhibition games is still impressive.

The games mark the 50th anniversary of the origin of the Montréal Expos that started play in the National League in 1969.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. helps Toronto Blue Jays to split in 2018 Montreal series

2018 Toronto Blue Jays in Montreal preview

2019 Toronto Blue Jays spring training schedule

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Sam Gaviglio will start Monday night for the Blue Jays. Thomas Pannone gets the call to start Tuesday night.

Toronto has a 5-4-1 at Olympic Stadium in Montréal.

Rogers Sportsnet will carry both games live (except on SNW). The Tuesday telecast also airs on Rogers Sportsnet One. MLB Network carries the Monday game from Montréal tape-delayed Tuesday morning at 6 am Eastern. The U.S. channel will carry the Tuesday game live at 7 pm Eastern.

Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium in Montréal

Date	Opponent	Score	Attendance
March 27, 2018	St. Louis	Toronto 1-0	25,816
March 26, 2018	St. Louis	St. Louis 5-3	25,335
April 1, 2017	Pittsburgh	Toronto 6-4	52,202
March 31, 2017	Pittsburgh	Tie 1-1	43,180
April 2, 2016	Boston	Boston 7-4	53,420
April 1, 2016	Boston	Boston 4-2 (10)	52,682
April 4, 2015	Cincinnati	Toronto 9-1	50,231
April 3, 2015	Cincinnati	Cincinnati 2-0	46,314
March 29, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 2-0	50,229
March 28, 2014	NY Mets	Toronto 5-4	46,121

photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays/MLB

NHL the week in preview March 22, 2019

The NHL Network jumps back to the CBC feed with Hockey Night in Canada from Toronto. The channel picks up a surprise Montréal game on Thursday night in the Ohio capital on what should be the start of the NHL Center Ice free preview.

CBC goes Original 6 with the New York Rangers in Toronto in the early game. Calgary goes west to Vancouver in the nightcap.

Citytv goes to Montréal on a Saturday night with Buffalo in town.

Rogers Sportsnet has Hometown Hockey festivities are in Enoch Cree Nation, AB with the Habs in the U.S. south but not too far south. The Maple Leafs are in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.

Rogers Sportsnet One is helpful on Wednesday with the Calgary Flames welcoming Dallas.

Rogers Sportsnet 360 as well as SNW and SNP embrace P.K. Subban and his friends traveling to Winnipeg on Saturday night.

The NHL Center Ice free preview should start on Thursday.

NHL Network

Saturday
NY Rangers @ Toronto, 7p
Thursday
Montréal @ Columbus, 7p

Tape delayed
Friday Winnipeg @ Las Vegas, 3p
Thursday Dallas @ Calgary, 2p (2-hour)

ESPN+

Saturday
Nashville @ Winnipeg, 7p
Calgary @ Vancouver, 10p
Sunday
Montréal @ Carolina, 7p
Columbus @ Vancouver, 10p
Tuesday
Florida @ Montréal, 7:30p
Thursday
NY Islanders @ Winnipeg, 8p

CBC

Saturday
NY Rangers @ Toronto, 7p
Calgary @ Vancouver, 10p

City

Saturday
Buffalo @ Montréal, 7p

Rogers Sportsnet

Sunday
Montréal @ Carolina, 7p
Wednesday
Toronto @ Philadelphia, 7p

Rogers Sportsnet One

Wednesday
Dallas @ Calgary, 9:30p

Rogers Sportsnet 360

Saturday
Nashville @ Winnipeg, 7p

NHL Center Ice free preview

Thursday
Florida @ Ottawa, 7:30p
NY Islanders @ Winnipeg, 8p
Dallas @ Edmonton, 9p
Los Angeles @ Vancouver, 10p

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The NHL Network didn't think much of Calgary-Winnipeg but Rogers was smart enough to put its top team on the game. Fortunately for U.S. viewers, ESPN+ carried that Hockey Night in Canada game.

Rogers whined for some time that viewers didn't know where games were. They put their #1 team on a game only on Sportsnet West and Pacific, a striking move for Rogers.

Another nice move was Cassie Campbell-Pascall working colour with Bob Cole in Montréal. Rogers had a good roundtable on women in hockey. Campbell-Pascall had strong words over the need to nurture potential hockey analysts regardless of gender.

In watching Kendall Coyne Schofield in Edmonton on NBCSN, I was reminded of those early games Campbell-Pascall called on CBC, mostly with Mark Lee. She is the fill-in for Kelly Hurdey on Calgary Flames telecasts on Rogers Sportsnet West. I thought she was good from the start but she had greatly improved.

Coyne Schofield had moments of sharp analysis mixed with awkward moments and a few too many "awesome" mentions. To Campbell-Pascall's point, you have to give analysts time and experience to develop.

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The 2019 Heritage Classic is still on for October 26 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The press conference gave us the news that the home team has flipped from Calgary to Winnipeg.

Tickets will go on sale on April 25. A pre-sale priority will be given to Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames season-ticket holders.

The Toronto-Nashville matinee rebroadcast got dumped for a press conference for the 2020 Winter Classic on Wednesday.

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The Hometown Hockey game will also air on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network with the audio in the Plains Cree language. The Hometown Hockey crew and festivities are in Enoch Cree Nation near Edmonton in Alberta.

Montréal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price's mother is the former chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation.

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The first half of the Rogers pregame was lost to the U.S. audience for a Charlottetown-Halifax Quebec Major Junior Hockey League game. The missing content looked to be previews of the primary games i.e., not the one in Montréal.

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The Calgary-Winnipeg telecast made good use of Rush's Limelight. There are 3 possible connections: the "lime" in Limelight ties in the green of St. Patrick's Day; Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets in the limelight of the NHL; or the Junos that were held the next day in London, ON.

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The Simpsons had a bit of fun with Canada and the Calgary Flames in last week's E My Sports episode. Bart is the leader of the Evergreen Terrors video game team that gets past its first opponent to play the Calgary Lames in the North American final. In a valiant comeback, the Terrors get past the Lames.

When the Lames think they are going to win, they take maple syrup and try to throw it on the coach. The maple syrup is so thick that it never reaches the coach. The other major Canadian joke is that the officials tell the Canadian team they are out. They don't know they are out until the official says "oot."

The Simpsons airs on Global in Canada via Fox in the United States.

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We have noted in the past that Boston's Zdeno Chara leads a charmed life with referees and the league. Chara lifted the stick of Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele to the rafters in a game last week. A penalty would have been called on most NHL players, but not Chara, of course.

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NBCSN has a "Star Sunday" to market NHL players. Mark Stone was opposite Connor McDavid. Liam McHugh said about Mark Stone "not exactly a household name here." This exposes the hypocrisy of NBCSN not carrying Ottawa and Vancouver. If Elias Pettersson wins the Calder Memorial Trophy, NBCSN still won't know who he is.

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NHL Network went with the Chicago feed for the Vancouver game. 2 of the 3 U.S. telecasts for Vancouver have been against Chicago.

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NBCSN gave us the uninspired choice of Los Angeles play-by-play guy Alex Faust and the cluelessness of Brian Boucher for the Winnipeg game in Orange County Wednesday night. Kendall Coyne Schofield isn't as consistent as Boucher but at times, she is a better analyst.

Gord Miller will work Sunday night on NBCSN in Chicago.

Schitt's Creek to bow out gracefully after Season 6 in 2020

To Our Dear Fans... pic.twitter.com/FIXjD3gbzA

— dan levy (@danjlevy) March 21, 2019

Schitt's Creek had finally received the well-deserved platitudes, especially on the U.S. side of the border, in recent months. The CBC show will have its series finale about a year from now at the end of Season 6 in the spring of 2020.

The program airs on Pop TV in the United States and is available on Netflix.

Co-creator Dan Levy said the show has been building to this point for some time.

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Schitt's Creek celebrates Christmas with a holiday special

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"I truly think it will be, always, one of the greatest comedies ever created in this country," said Sally Catto, general manager of programming for CBC English Television. "It really also became an anchor for a new era of [scripted] comedy at the CBC."

The cast and crew deserve amazing credit for bringing a soft comedy to make a big impact in Canada and the United States. The show gave some great exposure to a younger generation of Canadian actors (Emily Hampshire, Annie Murphy, Noah Reid, Sarah Levy, and Dustin Milligan).

Season 5 of Schitt's Creek, currently in progress, and Season 6 will have 14 episodes. Season 5 ends on April 9 on CBC and April 10 on Pop TV.

Twitter capture: @danjlevy
photo credit: Critic Choice Television Awards/CW network

2019 Alberta election preview

Rachel Notley and her incumbent NDP in Alberta could have waited out the clock and called an election as late as May 31. Notley called the Alberta election for April 16.

Notley and the New Democratic Party have 52 seats in the 87-seat legislature, down from 54 in the 2015 election. The United Conservative Party, led by former Stephen Harper cabinet member Jason Kenney, has 25 seats, down from the 30 seats (21-Wildrose; 9-Progressive Conservative) in the previous election.

The Alberta Party had 3 seats with Stephen Mandel as its leader. The Liberals (David Khan) and Freedom Conservative Party (Derek Fildebrand) each have a single seat in the Alberta legislature.

Notley could have had several pipelines going to the West Coast or the East Coast and still be in serious danger of losing in 2019. The NDP snapped a nearly 44-year run by the Progressive Conservatives with the win in 2015.

While incumbents don't run again for a variety of reasons, over 20% (11) of the NDP incumbents are not running in 2019.

Then again, there is a cloud over the UCP over allegations that there was calculated coordination between Kenney and a minor candidate to go after Brian Jean (Wildrose) in the leadership campaign in 2017.

There is also the resignation of Caylan Ford, a top UCP candidate, after messages were leaked that Ford had commented on what she saw as a double standard for white supremacist terrorists.

2019 Canadian politics preview

Analyzing NDP win in Alberta: Keystone XL and beyond

Alberta votes for change, NDP, Rachel Notley

When the conservative front was divided between the Progressive Conservatives and the Wildrose Party, you saw different hues of conservatism. Having them under one large umbrella may make for practical bedfellows, but the contrasts become more apparent.

You also have the contrasts of leadership: Rachel Notley is seen as a strong and trustworthy leader; Jason Kenny is seen as being not a nice or trustworthy person. Alberta voters may indeed vote UCP in this election, but despite Kenney not because of him.

If you are looking for trends, the NDP captured a number of rural seats in 2015 to give them the margin of victory. The party will lose a number of those rural seats but can't really gain too many urban seats that the party doesn't already have.

Rachel Notley is the only female premier in Canada. Notley is the only female head of party in the province.

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We noted that longtime Calgary Flames rinkside host Roger Millions retired in part to run for nomination for the United Conservative Party in the Airdrie-East riding. Millions lost to incumbent MLA Angela Pitt who got 71% of the vote.

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The April 16 election date will be during the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Calgary has clinched a playoff berth while Edmonton has a very outside chance of making the playoffs. Look for a lot of political ads during games, especially playoff games.

We will see whether Calgary will get an off day on that date or whether the CBC will cover that series or what the CBC will do with its coverage choice. We saw CBC dump out of covering the Ontario election last year.

photo credit: CBC Calgary

Dream of a Starlight Canadian film channel should shift to a streaming service

A group of influential people in Canadian film came together in 2012 and 2013 to get a cable channel devoted to Canadian film to be a required-carry channel as designated by the CRTC.

That didn't happen and the Starlight concept disappeared into thin air. The dynamics seemed to be either acceptance as a required-carry channel or not at all. The numbers of people who would voluntarily subscribe might not be enough to reach the significant goals: their idea was to get enough funds to produce 8-12 films that would debut on the channel before being released into theatres.

Starlight was a marvelous idea in the "long-ago" era of 2013 but times have rapidly changed. The concept of Starlight is still needed but with a boost to a more ideal format.

Starlight is key to opening up eyes to Canadian film

Canada Screens uses Internet to showcase Canadian film

How many Canadian cities would run a Canadian film in a theatre?

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Canada Screens is a wonderful asset, showcasing Canadian films with categories and suggestions from Canadian film icons.
Drawbacks: charge per film instead of monthly fee; only available in Canada; very limited Canadian film menu

CBC Gem has mostly television but also carries Canadian films. CBC Gem has a ad-free section for a small monthly fee but otherwise does not charge.
Drawbacks: more TV than film; not that much film

Acorn TV, along with Britbox, shows British TV for a monthly fee. The service does carry Murdoch Mysteries and Republic of Doyle.
Drawbacks: very little Canadian TV, no Canadian movies

So how to build a Canadian streaming service?

Classic content: We discussed some time ago the idea of a CBC Classic cable channel to help finance the operation. Older Canadian films don't have a home. They could be the gateway to discovering the influences of modern Canadian film through its past. They wouldn't interfere with the Netflix desire for current Canadian content.

TV and movies: Netflix and Amazon Prime have a combination of both TV and cinema. The introduction of 30-minute and 60-minute programming offers variety to the streaming consumer.

Programming with perspective: The Filmmakers is a good resource to supplement a Canadian streaming service. Older films and TV need context so Canadians can learn the history of their art.

International support: United States, United Kingdom, and Australia are prominent English-speaking countries outside of Canada where Canadian content can shine. Add in a multitude of French-speaking countries around the world for Quebec programming and you can spread Canadian content well past the 49th parallel.

Canadian content has a wide variety within its borders. If you think the streaming service will be too marrow, consider that Disney will launch a streaming service devoted to its content.

Canada doesn't have a devotion to Canadian films on cable the way American cable runs tons of American films. Turner Classic Movies is all about older films. Starlight could have removed the excuses for why Canadians couldn't see Canadian films.

Starting with classics might deviate from promoting current Canadian content. Having older material at the start can lure potential streaming consumers whose experience will only be enhanced by new releases.

video and photo credit: YouTube/StarlightTVCanada

Lilly Singh proves a Canadian can host a daily late-night talk show

Lilly Singh breaks through a bunch of barriers as she will start a new late-night talk show on NBC this fall.

A Little Late with Lilly Singh starts in September and replaces Last Call with Carson Daly in the post Late Night with Seth Meyers timeslot at 1:37 am Eastern.

Singh is the first YouTube star to break through in this realm, the second woman of colour ever to host a late-night talk show on a major network, a bisexual person, and a Canadian in late-night in the United States.

Known as IISuperwomanII, Singh was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario, just outside of Toronto, and went to York University.

"An Indian-Canadian woman with her own late night show? Now that is a dream come true," Singh said in a press release. "I'm thrilled to bring it to life on NBC, and I hope my parents consider this to be as exciting as a grandchild."

A number of outlets have pointed out that Singh is the first woman to host a late-night talk show on one of the major networks and the first hiring of a woman on a network late-night show since Joan Rivers in the 1980s. All of these stories leave out Cynthia Garrett, who hosted Later from 2000-2001. Garrett was also the first woman of colour to host a late-night talk show on a major network in the United States.

Samantha Bee stands up for Canadian health care

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee reminds us what The Daily Show is missing

'Daily Show' senior senior correspondents bring Canadian flair

Samantha Bee has been a late-night Canadian pioneer on U.S. television with 12 years on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and her own late-night weekly show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee on TBS.

As we noted some time ago, the recently departed Alan Thicke paved the way for Canadians in U.S. late night with the Thicke of the Night in 1983-1984. That show aired in syndication, not on a U.S. network.

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

With streaming and YouTube, the glamour of a over-the-air network show may not be as exciting as it once was. Did you honestly know Carson Daly had a late-night show on NBC? And that he has had a late-night show since 2002?

Making fun of getting one's start on YouTube feels ageist somehow. If Singh's goal was to get a late-night talk show, she wouldn't have had too much luck on Canadian television. The late-night TV shows in Canada come from the United States. Canada can find talent by running late-night shows in its own country. CBC, CTV, Global, Citytv: find some talent for a late-night TV show in Canada.

Singh will have the luxury of a very late slot and only 30 minutes to fill. A low-pressure situation without question. When NBC gave the post-Carson slot in 1982 to a young man named David Letterman, there was almost no pressure for success.

At press time, we don't know if a Canadian outlet will run the new show. 

video credit: Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon/NBC
photo credit: YouTube/IISuperwomanII