Vic Grant is retiring

As of Sept 1, Vic Grant will no longer be news director at CJOB. Now this is not a big surprise as he's been talking of retirement for years. But it seems that this time it's for real. As for a replacement, I wonder what the Chorus executives in Toronto have in mind. Long time host Richard Cloutier??? Or maybe they will bring in some new blood from TO. I have to say I will actually miss his "Excuse Me" segment even though I hardly ever agreed with the guy.

In other news, CJOB is finally filling one of its two full-time reporter positions. They have been vacant since Jeff Keele left for Global and Colleen Bready took a job at City TV.

Minus two points for cheating on Manitoba Day

Here’s a fun little video from the Free Press. Even though the Freep calls it a tie, I’m giving Swan the victory on this one. Hugh clearly didn’t know Tom Burgess was the quarterback for the Bombers in 1990. You can tell he was getting a little help from his political aides.

"50 km/h when children are present"

Now that the issue of photo radar in construction zones “when workers are present” has been dealt with, I wonder if we can now take it one step further.

I would like the city to put signs up in school zones stating “50 km/h when children are present” and in every intersection stating “60 km/h when other cars are present”. If no construction workers, kids or cars are around, I’m plowing through at high speeds. Can I really tell if workers and kids are around until it's too late?...probably not but what's one or two kids when you can shave 30 seconds off your trip.

I’m not a fan of photo radar, but this debate is getting a bit silly.

And if I do get a ticket, it better be in both official languages.

A whole flood of trouble

Buying out some of these flooded homes may make sense instead of repeatedly paying to fix them up, but let’s not make the same mistake Filmon did and try to sell them off without any disclosure.

Whatever happened to this review anyways?

Cabinet Shuffle

Now that the new MLAs have been sworn in, a Cabinet shuffle is in order.

Please note that these are complete guesses (in my defence, the Premier himself likely doesn’t know what he will do so how am I supposed to read his mind).

First, I don’t think the shuffle will occur during this present session. The Premier will wait until the summer to give Blaikie a bit of time to get adjusted to his new life before making any changes. It’s not unusual for the Premier to let a Cabinet posting stay vacant for a relatively long length of time. Andrew Swan became permanent Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade in February 2008, over 8 months after Scott Smith vacated the post due to his loss in the May 22, 2007 election.

Second, it won’t be a major change so don't expect Oswald or Selinger to get moved. Doer has stayed away from major shuffles and he isn't going to start now especially with the current economic situation. And if it aint broke, don't shuffle it.

Now for the guess work...

1. Current Culture Minister Eric Robinson will get his old gig back at Aboriginal and Northern Affairs. This is one is pretty straightforward. Mr. Whitehead is from all accounts quite capable but wouldn't be ready just yet for a Cabinet post.
2. Either Diane McGifford or Peter Bjornson will get moved to Culture, while Blaikie will get the position vacated.

Why? I don’t know, it’s just a hunch.

McGifford is due for a move and has had the Culture post before so it wouldn't be a big adjustement for her. She would just need to do some of her dirty work first.

But Advanced Education might be too junior a position for Blaikie which is why Education might also be a good fit.

How ironic

What?? Ticketmaster is bringing in technology to discourage scalping while at the same time lobbying to get rid of scalping legislation and may be involved in a scalping scheme of their own.

For some reason a certain Alanis Morissette song comes to mind.

When nature calls

Story from the Canadian Press.

LONDON - The family photo must go on.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper was an unexpected no-show this morning at the initial group picture of G20 leaders. So the whole routine - which actually included leaders from more than 20 countries - had to be restaged about an hour later.

Harper was slated to stand on the far right flank of the traditional summit picture, next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But as the leaders of the major industrialized and developing countries first convened, the Canadian prime minister failed to appear.

The British Broadcasting Corporation claimed Canada's prime minister was "in the loo," but a Harper spokesman insisted he was getting briefed by his officials on the draft G20 communique.

Regardless, officials made sure Harper was on hand for the reshoot.