FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS here in Canada are typically pretty boring affairs; certainly nowhere near as dramatic or consequential as those in the Excited States of America. The Canadian election campaign currently underway is particularly snooze-worthy, and it appears that, as … Continue reading →
THE WASHINGTON POST, fresh from having won a whopping four Pulitzer Prizes, apparently didn’t think a photo-op with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was good enough for this morning’s front-page montage of President Obama’s nuclear summit meet and greet: You can’t blame them — our dumpy/frumpy/lumpy PM … Continue reading →
WORST OLYMPICS EVER, EH? Well how do you like us now, you tea-sucking hacks? Sure the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games had its share of mishaps / challenges / tragedies – capped off by a closing ceremony that was embarrassing at … Continue reading →
IT’S HARD TO get all that excited about Canadian politics, even during an election. Whether it’s because nothing genuinely thrilling ever happens in Ottawa – compared to Washington or London, at least – or it’s simply that Canadians are apathetic … Continue reading →
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER Stephen Harper created a bit of a stink last week when he told a business luncheon that “I don’t like to watch Canadian news.” The PM, leader of the Conservative Party, said he doesn’t enjoy hearing what “everybody else is saying … Continue reading →
PRIME MINISTER Stephen Harper is in Canada’s Far North this week, an annual tour/photo-op during which the PM talks about the need to protect the vast, barren Arctic territory by beefing up our military presence there. The Conservative government recently unveiled its new Arctic Strategy, … Continue reading →
On Thursday – just before members of parliament departed on their (excessively) long summer break – the Harper government tabled two bills that seek to expand the ability of law enforcement agencies to collect information on domestic Internet users. Under … Continue reading →
Local talk radio was all abuzz yesterday with news that World Bank boss Robert Zoellick was heading to Ottawa to ask Canada to pony up more money for international aid. The request comes only weeks after the Harper government announced … Continue reading →
THE GUARDIAN — one of the more highly regarded news organizations in the world — has produced this pretty cool “advert” that imagines how the paper and website would have covered the story of the Three Little Pigs. The video … Continue reading → […]
Merry Christmas to all — if you celebrate it, or even if you don’t; and even if you don’t, you’re still going to love Simon’s cat in ‘Santa Claws’ (unless you don’t like cats, in which case, forget you). Happy … Continue reading → […]
NOVEMBER HAS BECOME synonymous with “Movember,” the annual event during which guys around the world grow moustaches to raise money and awareness for men’s health, prostate cancer specifically. It’s a brilliant publicity campaign that has gathered a huge amount of … Continue reading → […]
HOW’S THAT FOR heeding a warning? Saw this head-shaking piece of work on the way into a Toronto-area hospital yesterday. If the genius driver responsible for the damage could read the sign, apparently he didn’t get the message. ryan@roadtostarrdom.com […]
CANADIAN NOVELIST Russell Smith had a thought-provoking column in the Globe and Mail a few weeks back examining the growing tendency these days for young creative people, writers in particular, to work for free. The spur for the discussion was … Continue reading → […]
Perhaps. But check out The New Yorker’s fabulous cover tribute to Jobs: Says it all really, doesn’t it? ryan@roadtostarrdom.com […]
Recent Articles
Rising to the challenge (May 11, 2012)
Hundreds gathered to witness the much-anticipated unveiling of the Shangri-La’s public art installation, "Rising".
The best of both worlds (May 11, 2012)
IT Lofts is located where Little Italy meets Little Portugal and Dufferin Grove (BTW, the IT stands for ITaly).
LivingHome comes to life in Toronto (May 2, 2012)
Gary Lands has built his share of houses over the years. The inefficiency and unpredictability of construction sites always bothered him.
Brad Lamb is a force to be reckoned with (April 26, 2012)
Like him or hate him, Brad Lamb has been a vital force in the Condo Period, helping to spur and shape the growth of the condo industry.
Context King West will be transformative (April 20, 2012)
Context King West represents an innovative approach to urban development that could set a standard for building condos in Toronto’s built-up areas.
Eco-friendly renovations make your home healthier (April 17, 2012)
With the introduction of new higher energy-efficiency standards, it’s a good time to make greening your home a top renovation priority.
Menkes’ Noir is the new black (April 13, 2012)
Compared with many of the condos popping up in the Entertainment District these days, Noir will enjoy a fair bit of breathing room.
Cortellucci builds with a focus on the future (April 13, 2012)
Sustainable development has been a constant focus for Mario Cortellucci over the 30 years he’s served as a principal of his family-run development giant.
The great living space in the sky (April 5, 2012)
Spring has sprung and developer Henry Strasser thinks it’s a great opportunity to gush about the large exterior living spaces he’s got on offer at Jade Waterfront.
Integrated home entertainment at your fingertips (March 30, 2012)
“My intention is to find better ways to live in small spaces,” artist-turned-developer Gary Silverberg explained one recent evening at his Mutual St. office.
277 Davenport offers intimate luxury (March 30, 2012)
Growing numbers of this city’s wealthy empty nesters are looking to downsize from larger homes and enter the world of condo ownership,
Model home was a labour of love (March 28, 2012)
Carlo Carlucci spent five months constructing the scale model of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation Home Lottery’s show home
Migrating Landscapes examines impact of migration (March 23, 2012)
Migrating Landscapes invites young architects and designers to design dwellings that reflected their cultural experiences of migration.
Dream Home brings green design to the masses (March 13, 2012)
The Dream Home R-House featured at this year’s National Home Show is part of an effort by its developer to “bring contemporary green design to the mass market.”
Massey Tower will ‘breathe new life’ into neglected site (February 25, 2012)
For years, whenever developer Gary Switzer passed by the abandoned Bank of Commerce building at 197 Yonge St., he felt a deep sense of civic disappointment.
Indx: It’s a man’s world (February 25, 2012)
Indx Condos will be the first purely residential tower built in the Financial District, so its developers didn’t have to spend long determining the project's target market.
The true cost of home ownership? Ouch! (April 16, 2012)
Buying a home can be such an exhilarating experience for first-timers that they often overlook the true costs.
Eight rules to keep a small business afloat (October 13, 2011)
Poor cash-flow management can sink a company fast. Entrepreneur Mark Cahsens understands and respects this fundamental fact.
Household insurance and weather damage (August 19, 2011)
Simply purchasing a policy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be sheltered from the potential financial fallout after a storm hits.
The new Liberty Village
After the demise of Liberty Village's manufacturing base, CanAlfa president Walter Jensen spearheaded the redevelopment of the 50-acre swath
How to make your home eco-friendly (April 13, 2012)
Greening your abode is a great way to save on energy costs. It also ensures your home is a healthier place for your family and the Earth.
Keys to a healthy, long-lasting roof (December 2, 2011)
There’s nothing more important to the well-being of your house than a properly functioning roof.
Counting out loud (December 2011)
Women started outnumbering men as law school grads a decade ago, but no one knows how they’re faring in the profession. It’s time for law firms to go public.
59 things every lawyer should know (September 2011)
How to be a kick-ass young lawyer — in your practice, after hours and in your community.
Financial Freedom: 50-somethings (December 2011)
It’s an all-too familiar scene: A guy in his mid-50s shoots out of bed at 3 a.m., sweating buckets, deep in the throes of a serious “Oh crap!” moment.
Financial Freedom: 40-somethings (October/November 2011)
So you’ve hit the big 4-0. Your glory days aren’t necessarily behind you, but things aren’t as carefree anymore.
Financial Freedom: 30-somethings (September 2011)
You’re in your 30s and you still know how to live the good life, but the realities of adulthood have set in.
Financial Freedom: 20-somethings (July/August 2011)
A bit of planning and saving in your fancy-free 20s could mean a plump nest egg and stopping work sooner.
The new retirement (May/June 2011)
Retirement isn't what it used to be. How do different generations envision their post-working years?
Colleges worried about CSC funding cuts (September 16, 2011)
Ontario schools see great value in the relationships they've formed with the Construction Sector Council.
Project owners fear loss of sector council data (September 14, 2011)
The federal government's decision to phase out core funding to the Construction Sector Council has raised concerns among owners.
Justin Trudeau: The world is watching Canada
Our abundant natural resources, educated workforce and diverse population position Canada to be a global leader, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau says.
