society

Thursday November 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 2, 2017

Ontario MPP proposes law to fine distracted pedestrians

A new private member’s bill that would see distracted pedestrians fined up to $50 for crossing the road while using their smartphones was unveiled at Ontario’s Legislature on Monday.

The “Phones Down, Heads Up Act” will be introduced by Toronto MPP Yvan Baker, with a debate set for next March. The representative for Etobicoke Centre, in the city’s west end, said he was prompted to draft the legislation after his constituents raised concerns about the number of pedestrian deaths in Toronto.

In 2016, 42 pedestrians were killed on the city’s streets, the most since 2002.

Baker’s bill would ban people from looking at their phones or electronic devices when crossing roads, with an initial $50 fine for the first offence, $75 for the second and up to $125 for the third. Exceptions would include pedestrians making an emergency call or if they began speaking on the phone before stepping into the crosswalk.

“These fines are modest and are meant to act as a deterrent,” Baker said during a news conference Monday morning. He was joined by Brian Patterson, chief executive of the Ontario Safety League, a group whose work includes pedestrian advocacy. The organization is endorsing the bill.

The legislation would also mandate a ministry of transportation-led annual distracting driving awareness campaign, with a focus on texting and driving.

“This bill is about raising awareness about risky behaviour because limiting that behaviour will save lives,” Baker said. (Source: CBC News) 

 

Saturday February 4, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday February 4, 2012 When the kid comes back When Joey Temprile finished high school, he promptly moved out and started university. As soon as he graduated, he moved back home with his parents. More than two years later heÕs still there and doesnÕt plan to leave any day soon. At 25 and fully employed with the government, Temprile is an official member of the so-called boomerang generation, a growing breed of young adults who are returning home. Half of young Canadians in their 20s live with their parents, a phenomenon observers attribute to the troubledÊeconomy and ever-changing family dynamic. As debate rages over whether or not the trend is troublesome, families living with adult children say the key to making it work is communication, respect and boundaries. Neither Temprile nor his parents have any concern with the fact that he and his brother Matt, 22, are still at home Ñ inÊfact, they like it. ÒFrom a parenting perspective it gives you the opportunity to talk with your child and relate to your child in a way you never have before,Ó says TemprileÕs father Dan. ÒThatÕs been an enjoyable evolution of our relationship.Ó Temprile feels the same way and notes any downfalls to the situation are overshadowed by the benefits. ÒI can live with (less) freedom if it means I can have a house at 26 or 27.Ó ItÕs a clash of expectations that most often leads to conflict when children return home, says Christina Newberry, author of The Hands-on Guide to Surviving Adult Children Living at Home (Self-published, $30.53). After a taste of independence, many children struggle with the restrictions ofÊbeing back under their parentsÕ roof. Likewise, their parents wonder what the new house rules should be and worry if their fledgling will ever leave the nest.(Source: Hamilton Spectator)Êhttp://www.thespec.com/news-story/2231143-when-the-kid-comes-back/ Adult children, grown up, parents, society, living, arrangement, empty nest, fam

Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Saturday February 4, 2012

When the kid comes back

When Joey Temprile finished high school, he promptly moved out and started university. As soon as he graduated, he moved back home with his parents. More than two years later he’s still there and doesn’t plan to leave any day soon.

At 25 and fully employed with the government, Temprile is an official member of the so-called boomerang generation, a growing breed of young adults who are returning home. Half of young Canadians in their 20s live with their parents, a phenomenon observers attribute to the troubled economy and ever-changing family dynamic.

As debate rages over whether or not the trend is troublesome, families living with adult children say the key to making it work is communication, respect and boundaries. Neither Temprile nor his parents have any concern with the fact that he and his brother Matt, 22, are still at home — in fact, they like it.

“From a parenting perspective it gives you the opportunity to talk with your child and relate to your child in a way you never have before,” says Temprile’s father Dan. “That’s been an enjoyable evolution of our relationship.”

Temprile feels the same way and notes any downfalls to the situation are overshadowed by the benefits. “I can live with (less) freedom if it means I can have a house at 26 or 27.”

It’s a clash of expectations that most often leads to conflict when children return home, says Christina Newberry, author of The Hands-on Guide to Surviving Adult Children Living at Home (Self-published, $30.53). After a taste of independence, many children struggle with the restrictions of being back under their parents’ roof. Likewise, their parents wonder what the new house rules should be and worry if their fledgling will ever leave the nest.(Source: Hamilton Spectator)