Connect with us

Anglais

Former PC leader Patrick Brown looks back one year after being felled by scandal

Published

on

[ad_1]

This time last year he was Ontario’s next premier.

Today, Patrick Brown is the mayor of Brampton.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown during an interview in Brampton on Jan. 21, 2019 nearly a year after the first anniversary of his departure as PC leader. “In hockey, you get bodychecked, you get knocked down, you get back up. I got hit pretty hard — I got levelled like a truck with those allegations — but in adversity it’s an opportunity to show what you’re made of, too,” Brown said.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown during an interview in Brampton on Jan. 21, 2019 nearly a year after the first anniversary of his departure as PC leader. “In hockey, you get bodychecked, you get knocked down, you get back up. I got hit pretty hard — I got levelled like a truck with those allegations — but in adversity it’s an opportunity to show what you’re made of, too,” Brown said.  (Steve Russell / Toronto Star)

It was Jan. 24, 2018, when CTV News broadcast an investigative story alleging Brown, then the Progressive Conservative leader and front-runner to succeed Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, was sexually inappropriate with two women.

While he denied the claims, most of his top aides resigned en masse that night, emboldening Tory MPPs to force him out as leader and paving the way for Doug Ford to win the premiership.

“I would say 2018 started very challenging and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy…because that doesn’t just hurt you, it hurts your family, it hurts your friends,” Brown told the Star in a wide-ranging interview this week in his spacious top-floor office in Brampton city hall.

Brown is suing CTV for $8 million and expects the case could take “up to four or five years” to resolve. A spokesman for the network said “CTV News continues to stand by its reporting” and would not comment further on the court proceedings.

Despite penning a searing autobiography, Takedown: The Attempted Political Assassination of Patrick Brown, that was critical of many Conservatives, he insists he is not bitter.

“When I look back at 2018 it’s with fondness,” he insisted, pointing to his September marriage to girlfriend Genevieve Gualtieri and his improbable Oct. 22 victory over incumbent Linda Jeffrey in the Brampton mayoral race.

“In hockey, you get bodychecked, you get knocked down, you get back up. I got hit pretty hard — I got levelled like a truck with those allegations — but in adversity it’s an opportunity to show what you’re made of, too.”

His book has stoked controversy with Tory MPP Vic Fedeli threatening legal action over passages that allege the now-finance minister was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female staffer. Fedeli has denied any wrongdoing.

Brown said writing the book was cathartic. “I think it’s been a big success. The publisher tells me we’ve now sold over 7,000 books and they’re going to have to do a reprint,” said Brown.

The memoir also allowed him to settle scores with the four top aides — his chief of staff, campaign manager, advertising guru, and press secretary — who quit that fateful night one year ago.

Brown appears more sanguine than he was when he was writing his book, claiming he no longer gives much thought to them.

“Obviously, mercenaries are mercenaries. People hired for the purpose of an election are only invested in themselves. The lesson there is loyalty and real friendship in public service is important,” he said.

PC Leader Patrick Brown begins to leave the PC Caucus room for the late night press conference in Jan. 24, 2018. Earlier that day, CTV News broadcast an investigative story alleging Brown, then the Progressive Conservative leader and front-runner to succeed Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, was sexually inappropriate with two women.
PC Leader Patrick Brown begins to leave the PC Caucus room for the late night press conference in Jan. 24, 2018. Earlier that day, CTV News broadcast an investigative story alleging Brown, then the Progressive Conservative leader and front-runner to succeed Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne, was sexually inappropriate with two women.  (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star)

But there were other Brown controversies beyond the CTV story. Last April, Ontario’s integrity commissioner reprimanded him for “deliberately” failing to disclose rental income and a $375,000 loan on his Lake Simcoe home.

J. David Wake, the independent watchdog, was responding to a complaint filed by Tory MPP Randy Hillier.

The former PC leader plays that down as an example of “the hornets’ nest of Queen’s Park” in spite of being censured by Wake.

Still, he acknowledged there remains a schism with some in the party he had led since 2015.

Brown stressed he was “happy” last June 7 that so many of the Tory candidates he personally recruited were elected — including six members of Ford’s cabinet.

Any elation has been tempered, however, by the more right-wing direction adopted by the premier on issues as disparate as sex education and climate change.

“I would have loved if we’d had a moderate, pragmatic Progressive Conservative government, one that Bill Davis could have been proud of,” he said, referring to his mentor and fellow Brampton resident, who was Ontario’s centrist Tory premier from 1971 until 1985.

Ford’s opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal carbon-pricing plan, which a Brown PC government would have adopted, is especially troubling.

“I look at the debates that we’re having between provinces on climate change and I think it would have been very different. Climate change is an issue that shouldn’t be partisan,” he said, conceding the new Tory leadership effectively “changed the entire conversation for the country” on carbon pricing.

Similarly, Brown had publicly broken with the social conservatives who helped him with the 2015 Tory leadership and embraced the modernized sex-education curriculum introduced by Wynne’s Liberals.

But Ford, who needed those same groups to win last March’s PC contest, has so far stuck with them, scrapping the updated sex-ed lessons and temporarily reverting to the previous 1998 curriculum while revising the syllabus.

“Just think how different the flavour of the government would be,” said Brown, adding he had hoped to march in last summer’s Pride parade as premier of Ontario, an event Ford skipped.

“To have no Conservative leader there? We’d made so much progress on that front. Was I sad that that progress had taken a step back? Of course,” he said.

His fractious relations with the premier remain an issue.

Brampton mayor Patrick Brown is interviewed for the first anniversary of his departure from the PC leadership , Ont. on Jan. 21, 2019. Brown is suing CTV for $8 million and expects the case could take "up to four or five years" to resolve.
Brampton mayor Patrick Brown is interviewed for the first anniversary of his departure from the PC leadership , Ont. on Jan. 21, 2019. Brown is suing CTV for $8 million and expects the case could take « up to four or five years » to resolve.  (Steve Russell/Toronto Star)

Ford, who didn’t want his predecessor as a PC candidate in Barrie in the last campaign, unilaterally cancelled the regional chair election in Peel — along with those in York, Niagara, and Muskoka — after Brown was vying for the post.

Some of the premier’s operatives then helped Jeffrey, a former Liberal cabinet minister, in her unsuccessful re-election bid.

Less than 24 hours after Brown defeated her, the province cancelled a planned satellite Ryerson University/Sheridan College campus for Brampton, along with expanded post-secondary facilities in Milton and Markham.

Now, the province now looking at sweeping reforms to regional government that could have an impact on Brampton as well as other municipalities.

Brown emphasizes the differences with his Tory successor are ideological and not personal.

“Obviously there are different styles of conservatism. There is the Trump style and there is the Bill Davis style and obviously I am more of a red Tory, a moderate conservative,” he said.

That said, the rookie Brampton mayor said he is “willing to work with anyone.”

“I think it’s in the self-interest of Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford to take an interest in what we’re doing in Brampton. If you want to become prime minister or premier you need to win in the 905, you need to win in Brampton,” said Brown.

“It’s not my mentality to look backward, I like to look forward and I’ve got an opportunity to do something special in Brampton and I want to honour the confidence that the people in Brampton have shown in me.”

Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

[ad_2]

Source link

قالب وردپرس

Anglais

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Published

on

By

Get a taste of adventure with Starburst XXXtreme based on the legendary NetEnt Game. The nostalgic themes are sure to capture fans of the classic version as they get treated to higher intensity, better visuals, and features. The most significant element of the game is its volatility. Patience will not be an essential virtue considering the insane gameplay, and there is a lot of win potential involved. It retains the original makeup of the previous game while adding a healthy dose of adrenaline. 

Starburst Visuals and Symbols

The game is definitely more conspicuous than before. The setting happens over a 5-reel, 3-row game grid with nine fixed win lines, which function if a succession from the left to the right reel is present. Only those players that that attain the highest win per bet line are paid. From a visual standpoint, the Starburst XXXtreme slots illustrates lightning effects behind the reels, which is not surprising as it is inherited from the original version. Available themes include Classic, Jewels, and Space. The game is also available in both desktop and mobile versions, which is advantageous for players considering the global pandemic. According to Techguide, American gamers are increasingly having more engaging gaming experiences to socialize to fill the gap of in-person interaction. Starburst XXXtreme allows them to fill the social void at a time when there is so much time to be had indoors. 

Starburst XXXTreme Features

Players get to alternate on three features which are Starburst Wilds, XXXtreme Spins, and Random Wilds. The first appears on reels 2,3, or 4. When these land, they expand to cover all positions while also calculating the wins. They are also locked for a respin. If a new one hits, it also becomes locked while awarding another respin. Starburst XXXtreme offers a choice between two scenarios for a higher stake. In one scenario with a ten times stake, the Starburst Wild is set on random on reels 2,3, or 4, and a multiplier starts the respin. The second scenario, which has a 95 times stake, starts with two guaranteed starburst wilds on reels 2,3, or 4. it also plays out using respin game sequence and features. The game also increases the potential with the Random Wilds feature to add Starburst Wilds to a vacant reel at the end of a spin. Every Starburst Wild gives a random multiplier with potential wins of x2, x3, x5, x10, x25, x50, x100, or even x150.

The new feature is sure to be a big hit with the gaming market as online gambling has shown significant growth during the lockdown. AdAge indicates the current casino customer base is an estimated one in five Americans, so Starburst XXXtreme’s additional features will achieve considerable popularity. 

What We Think About The Game

The gambling market has continued to diversify post-pandemic, so it is one of the most opportune times to release an online casino-based game. Thankfully Starburst XXXtreme features eye-catching visuals, including the jewels and space themes. These attract audience participation and make the gameplay inviting. The game also has a nostalgic edge. The previous NetEnt iteration featured similar visuals and gameplay, so the audience has some familiarity with it. The producers have revamped this version by tweaking the features to improve the volatility and engagement. 

That is characterized by the potential win cap of 200,000 times the bet. Starburst XXXtreme does not just give betting alternatives for players that want to go big. The increase of multipliers also provides a great experience. If the respins in the previous version were great, knowing that multipliers can go hundreds of times overtakes the game to a new level. 

Players should get excited about this offering. All of the features can be triggered within a single spin. Whether one plays the standard game or takes the XXXtreme spin route, it is possible to activate all of the features. Of course, the potential 200,000 times potential is a huge carrot. However, the bet size is probably going to be restricted and vary depending on the casino. It is also worth pointing out that a malfunction during the gameplay will void all of the payouts and progress. Overall, the game itself has been designed to provide a capped win of 200,000 times the original bet. 

Continue Reading

Anglais

‘We’re back’: Montreal festival promoters happy to return but looking to next year

Published

on

By

In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.

In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.

Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.

With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.

Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”

“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.

The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.

When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.

“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”

Continue Reading

Anglais

MELS new major movie studio to be built in Montreal

Published

on

By

MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.

MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.

The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.

The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.

Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.

STUDIO SHORTAGE

The film industry is cramped in Montreal.

According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.

With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.

Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »

« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.

She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.

« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.

There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.

« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.

Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.

For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.

Continue Reading
Styles De Vie6 mois ago

MAPEI Canada inaugure l’agrandissement de son usine à Laval, au Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Le Gala Elles reconnaissent célèbre les femmes remarquables de l’industrie de la construction

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Préparez votre maison pour l’hiver afin d’éviter les réclamations d’assurance

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Quatre façons de commencer à travailler dans le domaine des ventes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

La Commission indépendante soutient le recours de la Cour suprême contre le déni des droits des non-francophones par le Québec

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Justin Trudeau est un raciste contre les Noirs et les Premières Nations – 14 signes

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Enfants aux études loin de la maison : Trois conseils pour veiller à la santé de leurs finances

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Règles et règlements que toutes les entreprises canadiennes doivent connaître

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Épargnez pour l’avenir grâce à nos trucs financiers pour la rentrée

Styles De Vie6 mois ago

Efficacité énergétique: 10 façons économiques de l’améliorer

Actualités2 années ago

Ces légendes du baccara vous dévoilent leurs secrets

Affaires2 années ago

Retard de vol : le devoir de la compagnie envers ses passagers

Anglais3 années ago

Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme

Opinions3 années ago

Même les jeunes RÉPUBLIQUES se lassent du capitalisme, selon les sondeurs américains — RT USA News

Opinions3 années ago

« Aucune crise climatique ne causera la fin du capitalisme ! »

Opinions3 années ago

Innovation : le capitalisme « responsable », faux problème et vraie diversion

Opinions3 années ago

Vers la fin du Capitalocène ?

Opinions3 années ago

Le “capitalisme viral” peut-il sauver la planète ?

Opinions3 années ago

Livre : comment le capitalisme a colonisé les esprits

Opinions3 années ago

Patrick Artus : « Le capitalisme d’aujourd’hui est économiquement inefficace »

Anglais5 années ago

Body found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge

Santé Et Nutrition4 années ago

Comment aider un bébé à développer son goût

Anglais5 années ago

Head of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Salon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts

Anglais5 années ago

This B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

Gluten-Free Muffins

Santé Et Nutrition5 années ago

We Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish

Anglais5 années ago

Man facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now

Anglais6 années ago

Condo developer Thomas Liu — who collected millions but hasn’t built anything — loses court fight with Town of Ajax

Anglais5 années ago

27 CP Rail cars derail near Lake Louise, Alta.

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario’s Tories hope Ryan Gosling video will keep supporters from breaking up with the party

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Renaud Capuçon, rédacteur en chef du Figaroscope

Mode5 années ago

Paris : chez Cécile Roederer co-fondatrice de Smallable

Anglais5 années ago

Ontario Tories argue Trudeau’s carbon plan is ‘unconstitutional’

Anglais5 années ago

100 years later, Montreal’s Black Watch regiment returns to Wallers, France

Anglais5 années ago

Trudeau government would reject Jason Kenney, taxpayers group in carbon tax court fight

Styles De Vie5 années ago

Ford Ranger Raptor, le pick-up roule des mécaniques

Affaires5 années ago

Le Forex devient de plus en plus accessible aux débutants

Anglais4 années ago

The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda… as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Anglais5 années ago

Province’s push for private funding, additional stops puts Scarborough subway at risk of delays

Trending

slot server jepang
judi slot pulsa