Canadian Crossing

Oakland, Green Bay to play NFL preseason game in Winnipeg

We finally have a confirmation of a NFL preseason game in Winnipeg on August 22 at 7 pm CDT with the Oakland Raiders as the home team against the Green Bay Packers. 

The Raiders are in the process of moving from Oakland to Las Vegas. There was a conflict with the Oakland A's over the Week 3 NFL preseason game.

The game at IG Field (formerly Investors Group Field) in Winnipeg will be the first NFL game in the province of Manitoba, and only the second game ever in western Canada. Outside the Buffalo Bills series in Toronto, the last NFL preseason game in Canada was on August 15, 1998 when the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks played at BC Place in Vancouver.

Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 am CDT. Prices range from $75-$340 Canadian. If you are going to the game, the sightlines are rather good there. Even the end zone seats are pretty nice.

NFL exhibition games in Canada used to be more common. Previous NFL exhibition games in Canada have primarily focused on Eastern Canada in Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, and Hamilton.

American fans of a different kind of football will be familiar with what was then called Investors Group Field when the 2015 U.S. Women's World Cup soccer team played in Winnipeg. The stadium got some NHL focus with the 2016 Heritage Classic. IG Field also hosted the 2015 Grey Cup.

See you soon, Canada. 🇨🇦

We’re heading north of the border for the first time ever, hosting the Packers in Winnipeg this preseason.

Release » https://t.co/mSRqNCFJTH
Learn more » https://t.co/tJgQbKrUPb@NFLCanada | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/a6aVF1CoUz

— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) June 5, 2019

The Week 11 CFL schedule was a determining factor. Winnipeg is in Edmonton on Friday that week. The Blue Bombers did not want the NFL game to be on the same night as the CFL game.

Oakland's first choice was Mosaic Stadium in Regina, home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Roughriders, hosting Ottawa on Saturday night, felt the field conversion would cut too close. The Raiders then looked east to Winnipeg.

Touchdown Atlantic is Sunday so the CFL didn't ideally want a game in Canada opposite the game in Moncton.

The Valour FC Canadian Premier League soccer match for August 22 at IG Field will have to be rescheduled.

After seeing Winnipeg on TV, you should go see for yourself

Winnipeg the true winner of the 2016 Heritage Classic

The Heritage Classic shines NHL spotlight on Winnipeg

CFL in the Prairies is where the league shines

2015 Women's World Cup notebook: Canada on the world stage

Aaron Rodgers may be the biggest name to play in the game, but the loudest cheers might be for Luke Willson, actual Canadian NFL player. Willson played mostly with Seattle but played for his nearby hometown team Detroit last year. Willson is from LaSalle near Windsor in Ontario. The Oakland Raiders signed Willson in March.

CanadianCrossing.com NFL coverage

CanadianCrossing.com CFL coverage

The game will be carried by the Oakland and Green Bay local networks. U.S. fans should get a tape-delayed version of the game via the NFL Network. TSN and RDS will have the game live in Canada.

photo credit: me
Twitter capture: @Raiders

Canada is a safer place for abortion though access should be improved

The United States has been under attack with severe anti-abortion state bills designed to practically eliminate legal abortion in those states.

You might come to the conclusion that abortion rights are in way better shape in Canada than the United States.

Having covered American and Canadian politics, there is a yes-and-no answer that is worth having a column to explain and contrast policies in the side-by-side neighbours.

Roe vs. Wade gave the United States the edge in that federal abortion rights have existed since 1973. Canada doesn't get that federal standard until 1988 in what is known as the Morgentaler ruling. The Supreme Court of Canada said the then-abortion law violated women's Section 7 Charter rights to "life, liberty and security of person" and that the law "clearly interferes with a woman’s physical and bodily integrity."

The Conservative Party in Canada, whether in power with Stephen Harper or as the opposition party under Andrew Scheer, has been in the record as not wanting to reopen the abortion debate. There are backbenchers who feel otherwise but they haven't convinced their leadership to change that stance.

Prince Edward Island eases abortion restrictions (2015)

Abortion definitely an issue in New Brunswick election (2014)

In Canada and the United States, the battle is being fought on the state/provincial level. Provinces control health care though they receive money from the federal government for health care.

Prince Edward Island was in a land of its own until 2016. The province had refused to provide that form of health care on its land. The province would reimburse medical costs but not travel costs to places such as Halifax (NS) or Moncton (NB). The province sets medical abortions at 9 weeks and surgical abortions to 12 weeks, 6 days. Those requirements apply to abortions in the province.

Up until February 5, 2018, Nova Scotia required a physician referral to schedule an abortion. That was particular onerous for younger women who might not be able to find a physician that would support an abortion.

In 2014, New Brunswick required a woman to have written certification from 2 doctors that the procedure was medically necessary and the abortion must be done by an obstetrician/gynecologist in approved hospitals (only in Moncton and Bathurst). Currently, the province will only fund abortions at hospitals, not clinics.

Ontario funds abortions at some clinics, but not all of them.

Travel is a consideration for a lot of remote areas in Canada. Even in not so remote areas, travel is a concern. In the entire province of Alberta, there are lone clinics in each of the two largest cities: Edmonton and Calgary.

The anti-abortion crowd in Canada might be quieter but they do exist.

Politically, the difference is that the U.S. law is federal. Those who want to overturn Roe vs. Wade know that large U.S. cities (and their states) will still have abortion access. They want to have the right as individual states to install draconian laws against abortion.

The proposed laws are often drafted to make having an abortion across a state line a significant problem, especially if the female hasn't reached the age of majority.

In Canada, the law is still federal but provinces have a wide range of control from access, limits on number of weeks, and covering costs.

The United States prohibits federal Medicaid funding of abortions thanks to the Hyde Amendment. Canada will generally pay for abortions, an advantage thanks to the single-payer health care system.

Those who have financial means and/or live in large cities won't have to worry about abortions. Those without financial means and/or in rural areas will struggle more.

The abortion pill was supposed to be a benefactor for girls and women where access was limited. Access to the abortion pill is often lacking in the areas where it is most in need.

Canada has a major advantage over the United States: stability of the Supreme Court. Conservatives know that the Supreme Court of Canada will never overturn the 1988 ruling. The appointments of several Supreme Court justices in the United States under controversial circumstances tips the court in a direction where political, not legal, rulings are likely or possible.

Women's rights are better protected in Canada under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The United States is a state short of approving the Equal Rights Amendment.

We saw under the Harper Government that even though Harper appointed the vast majority of justices that the Court ruled unanimously against the Harper Government on key decisions. That lack of bias doesn't exist on the United States Supreme Court.

CanadianCrossing.com health care coverage

Ireland legalised abortions in a referendum about a year ago. The government later made the procedure free for Irish women. Those women and girls in Northern Ireland have it more like Alabama's new law; those able to travel to England can get an abortion. Poland has one of the most extreme takes on abortion in Europe.

Here is to hoping abortion, birth control, contraception, and women's health care become medical issues, not political footballs.

video and photo credit: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee/TBS

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada has a new book on The Art of Diplomacy

Bruce and Vicki Heyman are no longer connected to the role of U.S. Ambassador to Canada where Bruce served from 2014-2017. Given how visible the Heymans have been and how invisible Kelly Knight Craft has been, you might have wondered otherwise.

Bruce Heyman has made a number of appearances on U.S. TV talking trade, tariffs, and the relationship between the U.S. and Canada over the last couple of years.

Now Bruce and Vicki Heyman have a book The Art of Diplomacy. The two of them served in separate ways to improve relations between the countries.;

They describe how they were iced out by the Harper Government even before Heyman had presented his credentials. The neutral stance on the Keystone XL pipeline by the Obama Administration brought on cancelled meetings and being called in on a holiday weekend. Heyman pointed out that his initial meeting with then Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird was the first and only meeting despite Heyman's desire for more conversation.

Trump threat to withdraw from NAFTA should lead back to original Canada-U.S. free trade agreement

NAFTA 2.0, er, USMCA is a nightmarish trade deal for Canada

Where in the world is Kelly Knight Craft?

Heyman was asked about the revised NAFTA deal (USMCA/CUSMA) on CTV's Question Period. The former ambassador said the deal in its current form is dead.

"They messed up the clock. Second, they did not collaborate or communicate with unions, nor did they work with the Democrats. So now they find themselves in a position where the Democrats, and the unions in the United States have a different perspective," Heyman said.

The ongoing tariffs are an issue for the Canadians in Parliament over approving the agreement. Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House have a host of concerns, mostly labour and environmental.

Heyman said Congressional Republicans have been pushing the White House to drop the tariffs.

Joe Biden reinforces Canadian leadership in state visit

The Heymans tell a story about the uncertainty for them after the 2016 election. Bruce was willing to stay if offered for a smooth transition; Vicki wanted no part of that. "I just felt I had to share the values of the person that I worked for and I worked with," Vicki Heyman said on CTV.

They asked Vice President Joe Biden in December 2016 when Biden visited Canada. Biden said they should stay if asked, but he was clear they wouldn't be asked to stay.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

As part of the promotion for the book, the Heymans sat down with Ian Austen of The New York Times. They weighed in on the good and bad about Canada.

What particularly surprised you about Canada?

Bruce Heyman: The world could use Canada’s balance and perspective, the empathy, the pause, the perspective on gender and the Indigenous inclusion.

You all look internally and say: wow we’re not good enough on this and we should be better on that. And I say from external perspective if we could just take some of this sauce and spread it around the world it would be a really good thing.

But Canadians aren’t perfect. What needs improving?

Vicki Heyman: Gosh, I’m pretty high on Canadians right now. In our experience, we didn’t find a lot wrong.

Bruce Heyman: It’s just much more balanced, not perfect. Nothing’s perfect, we’re all human beings.

Kelly Knight Craft may leave U.S. Ambassador to Canada post for promotion

CanadianCrossing.com Donald Trump coverage

As for current Ambassador Kelly Knight Craft, she was officially nominated last week to be the next U.S.  Ambassador to the United Nations. The job has been vacant since Nikki Haley left late last year. The role was a Cabinet post under Haley but will not be in the Cabinet under her successor.

Craft's “both sides” of the science answer on climate change in a CBC interview in 2017 will almost certainly come up in the hearings. The UN position should require a more elaborate approval process. 

As for whether or not Craft gets approved, the odds of me knowing are about as high as the 65-1 odds Country House had in winning the Kentucky Derby held in Craft's home state.

photo credit: CTV News Channel

The Simpsons and others should learn Newfoundland before cracking jokes

Here's the full context of last night's Simpsons episode making fun of Newfoundlanders, does it change anything that they were pointing out that Canadians don't always treat Newfoundlanders well? (Video from CityTV) pic.twitter.com/4uljG1rXVl

— Peter Cowan (@PeterCBC) April 29, 2019

Newfoundland is celebrating 70 years of being a part of Canada. The territory officially joined Canada at midnight on April 1, 1949.

For most of that time, Canada hasn't treated Newfoundlanders well. They were different and not just because The Rock was 30 minutes ahead of the Atlantic Time Zone.

Reducing the people of Newfoundland to "Newfie" is simplistic, especially since their Maritime neighbours don't suffer a similar fate. If the insinuation is more rural as opposed to the "big" city of St. John's, most of Canada could be identified by that word.

South Park used that word in It's Christmas in Canada (Season 7, episode 15) in 2003 and implied that people from Newfoundland were into sodomy. There might have been some controversy but the Internet is broader in scope 16 years later.

Anthony Bourdain takes CNN's Parts Unknown to the mysterious land of Newfoundland

Someone on the Twitter account for CNN's Parts Unknown hosted by Anthony Bourdain used that term on the Newfoundland episode of the travel series: "Embrace the Newfies as they are." There was a lot of people upset at the use of the term.

The Simpsons has Lisa seeking asylum in Canada in D'oh Canada

“Where the wind blows cold and there’s ice and snow, some days go on forever. But I’m warm and fed in a Newfoundlander’s bed, I’ll be an islander forever. I’ll be an islander forever.”

Those are the lines that the Newfoundland version of Ralph Wiggum sings in The Simpsons episode D'oh Canada that aired earlier this week on Fox and Citytv.

A few media outlets attributed the song to The Islander by Bruce Moss, but the lyrics in the show don't match up with the 1982 song. Moss said in an interview that The Simpsons offered him $20,000 U.S. to licence the song but he refused.  

"I'm not sorry I didn't license it. And after what I've been told about this episode, I'm really happy I didn't." Moss told The St. John's Morning Show.

Several Google searches didn't net a result for the origin of the song in the episode. Tom Power of Q likely knows the answer. The song lyrics rang true and was more a part of Newfoundland than the lame jokes.

Ku-kum Kitchen offers up chance to learn more about indigenous Canadians through food

Angry Inuk film review

Eating seal meat does not get Don Cherry's seal of approval

The temptation of sealskin mittens from Canada

Newfoundland is a mysterious, majestic vacation escape

Canadian notebook: Newfoundland and Labrador developing anti-book reputation

Humour can be fun when there is some truth behind the joke. The show could have joked about cod shortages or the time zone difference of being a half-hour ahead or taught the world what "b'y" means. The joke could have been about screech or rum or everyone has a pet moose. The focus could have been on the province having the worst literacy rate in Canada.

The problem with the "clubbing baby seals" joke is that there is no truth. The act has been illegal for more than 30 years. Most hunting involves adult animals for a simple reason: you get more benefit from a larger animal, especially in an indigenous culture where the whole animal is used (buffalo, seal).

When I was in Newfoundland, I heard quite a few people share with me variations on what happens in the seal hunt. I've seen a seal hunt in films and on television. Anthony Bourdain covered the seal hunt and how the whole seal is used in a visit to Quebec.

The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon along with Canadian icon Pamela Anderson visited St. John's in 2013. Simon, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, offered $1 million to Canadian sealers to give up the seal hunt.

Newfoundland native Mark Critch (This Hour Has 22 Minutes) crashed the photo-op with his much smaller $1 million check that he offered to Pamela Anderson to stop acting.

There is nothing wrong with being anti-hunting as a general concept but the seal hunt has been a target based on the incorrect perception of "clubbing baby seals." That perception has cost the native people in that region from being denied the right to sell goods made from seals outside of Canada.

Sunday night's joke looks like a legacy to Sam Simon.

Come From Away wins a single Tony award for best direction

Come From Away earns 7 Tony nominations

2019 Newfoundland and Labrador election preview

If you are looking to take away an impression of Newfoundland other than lame jokes from The Simpsons, Come From Away is a remarkable legacy. Gander and many other communities suddenly hosted people on airplanes that landed in eastern Canada on September 11, 2001.  

The generosity was amazing to the travelers but typical of how Newfoundlanders are. I saw similar hospitality to me during my visit there in 2015.

You could also watch Republic of Doyle with Allan Hawco to see Newfoundland. The CBC show is available in the U.S. on Netflix.

We will also talk about Newfoundland and Labrador as the province gets ready for its election in 2 weeks on May 16.

Twitter capture: @PeterCBC
photos credit: me

The Simpsons has Lisa seeking asylum in Canada in D'oh Canada

The Simpsons have spent time in Canada before last night's episode: Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver leap to mind. Now they can add Niagara Falls and Windsor to the list.

The family is trying to use up travel points as they go to Niagara Falls, New York. Lisa blows away into the falls and lands on the Canadian side. The authorities think Lisa is trying to seek political asylum in Canada. Marge works hard to get her daughter back to Springfield.

Here are some of the Canadian highlights from The Simpsons episode D'oh Canada:

The welcoming mountie points out that Canadians are too modest to brag. The same mountie determines that Lisa Simpson is a victim of political persecution and therefore assigned a hockey team. Lisa softly says "Please, not Ottawa" but draws an Ottawa Senators cap. Her IV in hospital says "maple syrup."

Lisa's foster parents (Gord is the father) help Lisa pick a place for dinner. The mother suggests Harvey's and Swiss Chalet. Lisa suggests Mr. Submarine and Earl's. Gord says they shouldn't forget Humpty's. Homer starts drooling over restaurant chains he has never heard of before now. (I know the first 4 pretty well; Humpty's is mostly in Alberta and Saskatchewan with nominal locations in Manitoba and British Columbia, nowhere near the foster family in Ontario. The Keg would have also been a good choice.)

Kent Brockman calls Canada "America's Ned Flanders to the North."

Lisa attends Alanis Morissette Elementary School. She has a science textbook that acknowledges climate change (though not available in Texas). The food pyramid of poutine has cheese curds followed by French fries then gravy. Fries would be the base of any poutine followed by cheese curds and then gravy.

The classroom walls also have portraits of John A. MacDonald and Gordie Howe, the latter was featured in another episode of the show.

Lisa wants to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a question and that happens easily as she talks to him through a computer monitor. Trudeau does the planking yoga position on his desk. Lisa asks about the SNC-Lavalin affair and Trudeau escapes out the window.

The teacher says there will be a class play based off a great Canadian novel. A kid in the back suggests The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler. (I've seen the movie version starring non-Canadian Richard Dreyfuss.) Turns out the kids are doing a children-friendly version of The Handmaid's Tale.

Marge sneaks into a Springfield car crossing the Detroit River on the Ambassador Bridge. Marge gets to the foster home where a Stanley Cup lamp is near the rug in the foyer that is covered in the Quebec Nordiques logo.

Im not upset about the ‘newfie’ joke @mrtimlong wrote for tonight’s @Simpson’s episode so much as surprised that in all my 45 years, the lamest, least-interesting ‘Newfie’ joke I’ve heard was on @thesimpsons

— Mark Critch (@markcritch) April 29, 2019

Lisa's teacher points out that Canada also exploits the environment. Lisa asks if people are treated well. The kids respond by making exceptions for the Quebecois and Newfies (derogatory term for people from Newfoundland). We see Ralph as a Newfie bashing a toy seal and then singing a Newfoundland song about how "I'll be an Islander forever."

Lisa conjures up American heroes while sitting in Windsor looking at Detroit. Louis Armstrong crosses over into Canada to get marijuana because "it's legal now."

A bilingual "coyote" says the same thing in English and French before trying to help Marge and Lisa cross the frozen Detroit River. He makes a remark about Martin Short and being short of Shatners.

The class back in Canada ends up watching an episode of The Beachcombers.

Lisa brings the mountie for show-and-tell in Springfield. The mountie finds Nelson's dad hiding in Medicine Hat, Alberta. He tells Nelson that he has a brother in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

OFFICIAL: Ay Caramba!

I will be a guest voice on @TheSimpsons this Sunday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In Nov 2017 I put together an impressions video https://t.co/D548zZNx7g for family and friends and it somehow led to this #cdnpoli 1/3 pic.twitter.com/8UZADrngnj

— Lucas Meyer (@meyer_lucas) April 22, 2019

Newstalk 1010 Toronto reporter Lucas Meyer is not an actor. Meyer posted the video of impressions that included the prime minister. Meyer recorded the audio back in September.

Tim Long is one of 3 Canadian writers on The Simpsons. Long co-wrote the episode with his screenwriter wife, Miranda Thompson, who is Canadian by marriage at worst. Joel H. Cohen and Jeff Westbrook are the other Canadian writers.

Long said in an interview that the episode has "a shocking number of Canadian things" that "95 percent of the American audience won't get."

The temptation of sealskin mittens from Canada

CanadianCrossing.com television coverage

I heard countless stories while in Newfoundland about the realities of the seal hunt. The false bravado of the clubbing baby seals story continues to be prevalent long after being disproved. The song that Ralph sings was more in the spirit of those from the island.

Otherwise, the abundance of Canadian references were fun to watch.

The episode touched on the issues of border crossings and asylum with Mexico/U.S. and U.S./Canada.

The Simpsons airs on Fox in the United States and Citytv in Canada.

photo credit: The Simpsons/Fox
Twitter captures: @markcritch; @meyer_lucas

Canola farmers in Canada latest pawn in China battle over Meng Wanzhou arrest

As you watch all of those Huawei sponsorship mentions on Hockey Night in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet, consider that China still has 2 Canadians held captive in conditions much worse than how Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is living in Vancouver. Another Canadian may be put to death.

Canadian canola farmers have been feeling the sting of China's retaliation, at least all of this is "unofficial" retaliation.

Canada sends a lot of canola to China, about $2.7 billion worth in 2018. Suddenly, Chinese customs inspectors said they found "dangerous pests" in Canada canola shipments. Shipments from 3 Canadian companies have been blocked.

• There is no reason to think "dangerous pests" even exist as China hasn't shown any proof.
• Some might struggle with the idea of "China" and "food safety" in the same sentence.

While everything is unofficial, the correlation is clear. China is still upset about the arrest of Meng Wanzhou on Canadian soil at the request of the United States.

Canada paying a price to go along with U.S. desire to arrest Meng Wanzhou

CanadianCrossing.com trade coverage

The original retaliation: 2-for-1 and in horrible conditions vs. living better than most people in Vancouver. A death penalty sentence and canola oil sales to China are icing on an over-frosted cupcake.

Canada could ban Huawei from its 5G networks. Australia is doing that. Australian coal shipments are "suddenly" running into extra scrutiny at Chinese ports, including impurity complaints.

The United States — the country that wanted Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to be arrested and extradited — hasn't had any retaliation, mostly due to its size and impact of what the country could do in retaliation.

This op-ed provides enough details that, if they are close to being accurate about the conditions where Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig have been suffering for over 4 months, requires swift action.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Donald Trump coverage

This scenario will not magically disappear short of Meng Wanzhou being on Chinese soil and a full apology from Canada, neither of which is happening. Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are going to be trapped in deplorable conditions for some time.

Robert Lloyd Schellenberg is in a whole different nightmare. Schellenberg was found guilty of drug smuggling and sentenced to 15 years in November. After the Meng Wanzhou arrest, Schellenberg was retried and sentenced to death over the same charges in a one-day trial in Dalian.

There may be a delay in the very slow process, thanks to Meng Wanzhou filing a civil lawsuit, claiming she was unlawfully detained and questioned for 3 hours without being advised of her constitutional rights. She is entitled to file the lawsuit but you can't help but wonder that Canadians Spavor and Kovrig don't have those rights in China for much harsher treatment.

The Canadian canola farmers are innocent financial pawns. They might find other homes for the canola seeds but they had contracts with China.

China is upset against the Western world but Canada is paying the price. The allegations of the connection between Huawei and the Chinese government have strong credibility. In an open world, the threat of Canada banning Huawei from its 5G networks would be a financial incentive for China to release their "hostages." Canada and other countries don't want to use Huawei in their 5G networks but are seeing the financial impact in a world where denying them may not be possible.

photos credit: me

2019 Canada Now Canadian film festival still too focused on U.S. coasts

The 2019 version of Canada Now films sneaked past us and already launched in New York City and Los Angeles.

The New York City version at the IFC Center featuring some films we know, some films where we had no clue, and in the words of The New York Times: "Canadian productions in disguise."

Those words specifically applied to Hugh Hefner's After Dark: Speaking Out in America but also appears to apply to The Accountant of Auschwitz.

There are Canadian documentaries on the list that are known to our readers, which includes Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, winner of the top doc award at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, and Edge of the Knife.

The Fireflies Are Gone is the only other film besides Anthropocene: The Human Epoch on the list we've seen. Mouthpiece from Patricia Rozema is on my list and their list.

Clara and À tous ceux qui ne me lisent pas | For Those Who Don't Read Me, based on the poet Yves Boisvert from Yan Giroux, are completely new to me.

Other areas are getting fewer films or different films. As an example, the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA got Through Black Spruce and Firecrackers. You can see all the films and all the dates in various places.

We love the idea of Canadian films touring the United States, but a real tour with advance publicity that isn't trapped by the yo-yo that is New York City and Los Angeles and somehow New Orleans most years.

This isn't just about Chicago but more about the idea that people in the middle of the United States could get into the idea of a Canadian film festival if one ever came to their city. Some of the dates are throwing in a film or two in another festival. Canada Now is its own festival in New York City and Los Angeles.

Canada Now is adding Germany and Mexico to the UK for international destinations, which is welcome news. Semana de Cine Canadiense (Canadian Film Week) just finished up in Mexico.

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Telefilm Canada, which organises Canada Now, should spread the word to places that would warmly embrace Canadian film in the United States.

You can find out more about the 2019 Canada Now Canadian film lineup.

video and photo credit: Canada Now

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).

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

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

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

CanadianCrossing.com MLB coverage

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

Brexit should remind UK, U.S., and Canada advantages to free movement

Canada doesn't have $1 trillion to buy Montana, as suggested in a recent online petition. We've seen calls to have Alberta transferred to the United States, though that is about oil, oil, and oil.

That would be an unfair trade for Canada. The U.S. would get 2 more NHL teams, a lot of oil, and amazing scenery. Canada would get, well, Montana.

If Canada were to expand into the United States, Canada should pick off the West Coast triumvirate of Washington, Oregon, and California. All 3 states are Canada friendly in policy: all 3 states have legal recreational marijuana. The states are also environmentally friendly. Canada could have domestic fruit from California.

The usual drawback to Canada is that the country is too cold. Not in Los Angeles. And Hollywood would produce Canadian films that Canadians would want to see.

We see this infighting between Canada and the United States because, unlike the people in Europe, people can't just move back and forth between the countries.

Europe has a Schengen area where goods and people can move across borders. If you live in France and want to move to Germany, you can. No red tape, no begging to be a refugee.

United Kingdom Brexit decision has little impact on Quebec

How the United Kingdom Brexit decision affects Canada

Detroit-Windsor crossing shouldn't be inspiration for post-Brexit borders

As the United Kingdom is finding out with Brexit, goods and people moving freely has distinct advantages. We've already seen companies moving headquarters and employees out of England to places such as Dublin, Ireland and Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The March 29 Brexit deadline for the United Kingdom looms large without a deal. The Ireland-Northern Ireland border needs to be softer than 5-ply bathroom tissue. Goods and services back and forth between the UK and EU.

The best option would be a second vote, which would go against the concept that such a vote shouldn't be a plurality, especially with the lies and deception from the leave side in the first vote.

The current CETA trade agreement with Canada and the European Union wouldn't apply to trade with the United Kingdom once Brexit happens. A future trade deal might seem too little, too late.

British people who live in Europe. Europeans who live in the UK. These people may not want to move but might be required to change.

Seeing Canada's Governor General in person (Schengen question)

There are plenty of Americans who would love to live in Canada in a heartbeat, such as the person typing these words. There are plenty of Canadians who think life is better in the United States.

Let's give them a shot. Even if you limit movements between citizens and that movement factors in 3-4 million combined, what would be the advantages?

• Happier people who want to be where they are. People might complain after they relocate but likely not. And even if they did complain, they could move back.
• More productivity. People who are where they want to be get more done.
• Fewer stories about selling states or provinces to the other country.

If nothing else, these North American countries could show the United Kingdom where cohesion is a smashing idea. Like the UK, each country can keep its own currency. The pesky concern would be health care where Canadians who left would want to keep the health care and the Americans who run north would want that health care system.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Schengen is about free movement between countries, but Americans and Canadians entering the Schengen zone starting January 21, 2021 will require an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) "visa."

The U.S. and Canada require something similar for EU citizens.

We would love a system that fewer visas and hurdles to roam the globe.

video and photo credit: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee