quality

Friday March 3, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator  – Friday March 3, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 3, 2017

Subway defends its chicken after CBC Marketplace report

Subway stands behind its chicken.

The sandwich chain is disputing the findings of a CBC Marketplace investigation into fast food chicken. While most of the samples were found to contain close to 100 per cent chicken DNA, Subway sandwiches contained substantially less than the other chains. Tests showed an average of 53.6 per cent chicken DNA for the oven-roasted chicken and 42.8 per cent for the chicken strips.

The story has garnered worldwide attention, and raised questions about how much chicken should be in a chicken sandwich.

Subway says the report was “absolutely false and misleading,” and demanded it be retracted. The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the chain says its sandwiches contain 100 per cent white meat with seasonings, although the ingredient list it provided to CBC News lists soy protein as a component of the company’s chicken.

Marketplace stands by its report and is releasing the Subway test results as well as additional detail about the methodology and investigation. (Continued: CBC News) 

 

Monday March 28, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Monday March 28, 2016 Bayfront is not just a beach, but a symbol DonÕt swim in Hamilton Harbour. ThatÕs hardly new advice, nor has it been particularly shocking for the better part of a century. Hamilton has been as hard on its precious waterfront as any major metropolis in the developed world, perhaps more so. But recent news that the City of Hamilton has closed the small beach this year at Bayfront Park is still a cause for concern. A consultant will deliver a report on water quality there by the end of the summer, at which time council will decide what the long-term future holds for the ill-fated beach, and whether the closure should become permanent. The challenge is that poor water quality already forces the city and health officials to close the beach more days than not each summer. Turns out itÕs closed 78 per cent of days during summer. The water can make people sick. Farm run-off is often a problem for water quality at beaches across Ontario, as is municipal waste following big storms. BayfrontÕs beach is additionally burdened by its human-made geography, which traps water in the tiny bay that protects the beach, as well as by excrement from geese and gulls. High E. coli counts and toxic algae have plagued the area in recent years. The consultants will look at ways to improve water quality, but the report may well recommend Òanother feature that is sustainableÓ for the site. In other words: no beach, no swimming. Council should weigh the latter option carefully. Whatever the challenges, it is far too early to give up on this gem in downtown Hamilton. ItÕs not merely a nostalgic notion. To be sure, swimming is hardly a big part of this unique leisure and recreation area, but it is symbolic of a healthy environment and a city that cares about itself. A clean beach is a tourist attraction and landmark for which we can all be proud. A polluted beach is a reminder of the mistakes we have m

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Monday March 28, 2016

Bayfront is not just a beach, but a symbol

Don’t swim in Hamilton Harbour. That’s hardly new advice, nor has it been particularly shocking for the better part of a century.

Hamilton has been as hard on its precious waterfront as any major metropolis in the developed world, perhaps more so.

But recent news that the City of Hamilton has closed the small beach this year at Bayfront Park is still a cause for concern.

A consultant will deliver a report on water quality there by the end of the summer, at which time council will decide what the long-term future holds for the ill-fated beach, and whether the closure should become permanent.

The challenge is that poor water quality already forces the city and health officials to close the beach more days than not each summer. Turns out it’s closed 78 per cent of days during summer. The water can make people sick.

Farm run-off is often a problem for water quality at beaches across Ontario, as is municipal waste following big storms.

Bayfront’s beach is additionally burdened by its human-made geography, which traps water in the tiny bay that protects the beach, as well as by excrement from geese and gulls. High E. coli counts and toxic algae have plagued the area in recent years.

The consultants will look at ways to improve water quality, but the report may well recommend “another feature that is sustainable” for the site.

In other words: no beach, no swimming.

Council should weigh the latter option carefully. Whatever the challenges, it is far too early to give up on this gem in downtown Hamilton.

It’s not merely a nostalgic notion. To be sure, swimming is hardly a big part of this unique leisure and recreation area, but it is symbolic of a healthy environment and a city that cares about itself.

A clean beach is a tourist attraction and landmark for which we can all be proud. A polluted beach is a reminder of the mistakes we have made in the past and our inability to deal with it in the present. The fact is we must do better when it comes to the environment if we are to continue to enjoy it, profit from it, and remain healthy because of it. Closing the beach is an admission of defeat.

Meanwhile, Bayfront Park is well used by Hamiltonians and visitors, but it is destined to see much greater use in the future as the area grows in population and popularity. We don’t know how this downtown jewel will be used in the future, but we should remember that the possibilities are endless, and that swimming, and fun on the beach, should remain one of them if at all possible. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)