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Wednesday July 18, 2012

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday July 18, 2012

Scarborough shooting kills two, injures 19

A reckless exchange of bullets at a crowded outdoor party in Toronto killed two young people late Monday night in what the city’s police chief described as an unprecedented episode of gun violence.

At least 19 others, including an infant, were injured after bullets from more than one gun were sprayed into the crowd of more than 200 people at a outdoor barbecue in the city’s east end.

Toronto police now have a “person of interest” in custody.

Homicide investigators have been working “relentlessly through the night” and interviewing scores of witnesses after the shooting, which killed a 14-year-old girl and a 23-year-old man, Police Chief Bill Blair said.

Their names have not been released.

“I’ve been a cop for 35 years and this is the worst incident of gun violence, in my memory, anywhere in North America,” said chief Blair. “It’s very shocking. A lot of innocent people were injured tonight.”

The infant, who is under three years old, is in stable condition.

In addition to those wounded, others received injuries as a result of the widespread panic that ensued after shots were fired.

“I am shocked an disgusted by this senseless act of violence,” read a statement from Mayor Rob Ford early Tuesday morning. “I want to assure residents that this horrific criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. (Source: National Post) 

 

Thursday July 12, 2001

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 12, 2001

Goofy gag proposal doesn’t serve public

If Hamilton city council has an ounce of common sense, a staff proposal that could see councillors and staff jailed, fired or fined for leaking information to the media will be in the trash by the time you read this.

This proposed bylaw, which was to be debated by committee of the whole yesterday, is so heavy-handed it’s laughable. It’s a caricature of good public policy.

In a time when even those not much interested in the affairs of government agree Canadians should have much more access to information than they do at present, bureaucrats at city hall want you to have less.

Proponents of the bylaw argue it’s needed to serve the interests of taxpayers. The argument goes something like this: When confidential business becomes public prematurely, the city’s negotiating position is weakened, and taxpayers could be stuck with a higher bill as a result. Thus, they argue, the public interest is not well served.

No amount of draconian legislation will stop leaks, especially not at Hamilton city hall. Leaks are a symptom, not the problem. The problem is the lack of a constructive relationship between city staff and elected officials. Fix that problem, and leaks will cease to be the headache they are.

Do we have a vested interest in better access to information concerning how this city is operated and governed? Yes. And so do you. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)