Will the new tax Become McGuinty’s Legacy?

Whether or not you agree with his policies, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has never shied away from controversial decisions. The latest of several rather contentious policies his government has introduced in its six years in power is the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). The name sounds nice – the word ‘harmonized’ evokes images of consumers, business owners and tax-gatherers living happily together to a peaceful choral soundtrack. However, the mere thought of another new tax, especially one that increases the price of some things, is enough to make a lot of people bristle.

It has been a little over 13 years since McGuinty became leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and almost six and a half years since he became the premier of Ontario. This period has been eventful to say the least. In the 2003 election, the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party was turfed out, Read more

Not all Movies are Rated Equal

Going to the movies can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Not all films turn out to be quite worth the price of admission – a fact we usually don’t discover until we’ve already bought a ticket and planted our expectant butts down into a seat. At that point, not even an extra-large bag of delicious popcorn smothered with the finest high-quality artificial golden topping butter substitute will lessen that crushing sense of disappointment.

With that in mind, what if we updated the Movie Ratings System to better reflect this all-too-frequent reality? That way, the cinema-going public could more accurately gauge what to expect going in.

But first, here’s a brief history of the process. Read more

Barbara Parisotto: Taking you in a Healthy Direction

With a new year comes a new resolution. And while some of us might resolve to exercise more, take up a new hobby or become more organized, the one vow that we all have in common is to adopt healthier eating habits.

After a long, indulgent season of turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, we should venture into spring with lighter hearts and thinner waistlines. “Spring marks a new beginning,” says Barbara Parisotto, registered dietitian. “It’s a great time to cleanse our bodies of toxins and that starts with improving how we eat.”

Of course, with the tempting confections and deep-fried delights that call our name on the drive home, down the aisles of the grocery store, and even from our own pantry doors, this feat is not always easy. If you need that little push to get started, Read more

Night at the Movies

Catch the latest flicks.

1. Valentine’s Day | February 12, 2010
From the director of Pretty Woman comes a romantic comedy that features one of the largest all-star ensemble casts in cinema history. Taking place over the course of one Valentine’s Day, the star-studded troupe plays an intricate group of couples and singles whose stories of the heart intertwine throughout the movie. With enticing eye candy, dramatic breakups and heart-warming makeups, this puts a fresh twist on the pressures and expectations of this love-laden holiday. Read more

Modern Love

Love. The word is only four letters but holds such power and prestige that Romeo and Juliet died for it and Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee keep getting back together because of it. L-O-V-E. Such a small yet omnipresent word; rolling off your tongue and through your teeth and up into the air like dust that never settles. It’s invisible, it’s blind, it’s palpable. It can also be illegal in some states. Consuming and confusing; revengeful and regretful. The course of true love never did run smooth. It feeds all of our physiological methods of perception: We see it when lovers stroll hand in hand under a starry sky. We taste it from a lover’s kiss and feel our breath bate as it bleeds into our soul. We reach for it in the dead of night or in Rod Stewart’s case cheekily croon: ‘I wanna give you my love touch.’ It is featured in almost every television show or film and each song we tune into. Oh, the power of love that Céline Dion sings so well. Read more

The Bowen Technique: You Don’t Have to Bend Over Backwards to Relieve Pain

Amber Korobkina was a successful computer software trainer in her 20s, when a debilitating back injury altered her life. “I had lifted something that weighed way too much and I blew the discs in my lower back. I sat down because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time, but then I realized that I couldn’t stand up again,” says Korobkina, whose kids were two and five at the time.

After trying almost everything, medical professionals told Korobkina that her only other option was spinal surgery. “I was awaiting the surgery when a friend told me to try the Bowen Technique, which at the time was something I had never heard of. I figured I had nothing to lose,” says Korobkina, who felt immediate results after just one Bowen session. She was even able to dance the night away at a Christmas party – something she never thought would be possible. “I started going for more treatments and Bowen Read more

Designer Kids Wear: Kiddy Couture

Dress your little man or mademoiselle in today’s latest styles of fashion’s most renowned designers. With adorable garments and accessories from famous design houses such as Burberry, Armani, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss, your little ones will no longer want to steal your clothes to play dress-up. “We really go all out in terms of selection. We’re always following the latest trends, in order to provide our clientele with new collections. We are excited to announce that we will be representing Dolce and Gabbana and Christian Dior for Fall 2010,” says co-owner Angela.

Designer Kids Wear is a boutique that’s filled with a range of fun and formal outfits for babies, toddlers and even teens. As one of the few places in the city that centralizes its fashion on high-end goods for younger age groups, Designer Kids Wear has become a recognized destination for consumers seeking quality clothing Read more

Books to Entertain and Enlighten

Do a little soul-searching with these unique book finds. With creative How-Tos to help you add beauty to your home life, and a true story of embracing marriage to add warmth to your love life, these reads will lift your spirits for the new year. Read more

The Shopping Addict’s Redemption

When I was young, my mother was infamous for her habit of constantly buying and returning things. I sometimes answered the door when the man from our local department store made his weekly call to pick up packages. Once, when I didn’t know where the package was he told me, “she keeps them in the hall closet on the top shelf.” (He was right.) Later in life, my mother graduated to returning condominiums – putting down deposits one week and collecting them the next before the cancellation deadline. At the time, this compulsion of hers was simply puzzling. But as is the case with so many facets of our parents’ lives, we begin to understand them better over time and sometimes even find ourselves falling into the same idiosyncratic patterns we ridiculed as children. Consider the following: Read more

Give Cheer

‘Tis the season to forget all about the stresses of gift giving. This Holiday, dip into Santa’s goodie bag to discover what’s on everyone’s list. Read more

Next Page »