SMALL, DULL NOT BAD FOR AN AIRPORT, PG 6 Movies pg 10 Celebrity Buzz And let ScarJo the just Bride veggin’ Wars out begin OTTAWA • WEEKEND, JANUARY 9-11, 2009 metronews.ca pg 18 Harper more TRA Grocery store upbeat on state CEY TO employees tied N G of economy /M ETRO up in robbery ISNteTpERhVeInE WHaPrrpiemr ew Masi nleisstser OTTAW A gloomy about the economy TRACEY TONG in an interview released [email protected] Thursday, saying Canada was in a strong economic INVESTIGATION For the third position compared with time in a month, grocery others and should be able store employees were found to exit the recession tied up in their workplace relatively quickly. early Thursday morning. The comments to Investigators are explor- Maclean’s magazine were ing the possibility that the noticeably more cheerful latest incident in Orleans is than those he made in an in- associated to similar terview in mid-December, incidents where store when he said he was very employees were bound in worried about the economy early morning grocery store and speculated about the robberies on Dec. 8 and 22 possibility of a depression. on Merivale Road. Harper, who as recently as “We’re mindful that it ap- mid-October said he had a pears to be the same plan to avoid recession, now people,” said Ottawa Police concedes there is no chance Const. Al Boucher. Canada can escape the glob- At approximately 5:40 al economic crisis. Ottawa a.m., Ottawa police respond- has already made clear it Ottawa residents Doug Nesbitt, Joel Harden and Stuart Neatpy, from left to right, showed their support for union members as they ed to a robbery at The Inde- will run budget deficits for went to the Ottawa Civic Centre to vote Thursday on the city’s latest contract offer. pendent grocery store at the next few years. 1619 Orleans Blvd., where Scheduling, ‘quality The minority they found six store employ- Conservative government ees bound and confined in a will unveil a budget on Jan. closed area of the store. 27 and Harper has said it Although some items will include a stimulus plan were stolen in the of life’: Deal breakers? that could be worth as incident, police did not say much as $30 billion. REUTERS what they were. There were no injuries to any of the employees. Local pg 2 The suspects fled the 5 km more Strike still on: Transit workers reject city’s offer scene prior to police arrival. Police are now ice on Canal looking for three firearms- Canadian Labour Con- toting suspects. TRACEY TONG “We’re in the trenches and plan on gress. The first suspect is an Sports pg 8 [email protected] staying in.” “We’re here to support English-speaking male, be- quality of life. Forcing tween 20 and 22 years old, Ottawa’s transit strike con- Bus driver Dave Beamish someone to work 13 hours 5-foot-6, 125 pounds with tinues as OC Transpo is not fair. Reducing drivers blue eyes. He was wearing workers voted against the 64.4 per cent of the eligi- He’s not worried that isn’t fair.” a beige vest, black balacla- city’s latest offer in a vote ble voters rejected the there’s talk of the city hiring Although transit rider va and black gloves. at Lansdowne Park on city’s latest contract offer. scabs to drive the buses. Stuart Neatpy has been in- The second suspect is an Thursday. The vote was“a waste of “It’s not that easy,” he said. convenienced by the strike, English-speaking male, be- Hundreds of the city’s time,” said Naveen Kumar, a “I think it’ll be a landslide he said he was there to sup- tween 20-22 years old, 6- 2,300 OC Transpo drivers, driver for OC Transpo for the No vote,” said Dave Beamish, port workers’ rights. foot and between 180a nd Mom runs into mechanics and other staff past three-and-a-half years. who has been driving a bus He also wanted the driv- 190 pounds. He was wear- currently on strike cast Standing outside the Civic for more than 10 years. ers to know that not every- ing a green shirt, beige record books their ballots at the Ottawa Centre after their vote, Ku- “We’re in the trenches one is against them. pants, black balaclava and Civic Centre on Thursday, mar and several of his fellow and plan on staying in,” he “It’s the city’s responsi- black gloves. after federal Labour Minis- union members said they’d added. “We have no inten- bility to maintain city Police don’t have a ter Rona Ambrose ordered all voted no. tion on giving up. This is services,” said transit user description of the third Music pg 13 the Amalgamated Transit “The city’s not offering about quality of life. We’re and student Lynne suspect. Union Local 279 to allow anything good,” he said. not going to prostitute our- Hunter. And this strike Anyone with information members to vote on the “It’s the same thing they of- selves for $2,500.” has shown that the city is asked to contact the City of Ottawa’s latest offer. fered before — it’s just the Outside the Civic Centre, has failed, she said. Ottawa Police Robbery Sec- While union manage- money that’s going up and union supporters urged “I hope there’s a strong tion at 613-236-1222 ext. ment encouraged its mem- up and up. But we don’t members to stand their No vote so the city will 5116, or Crime Stoppers at bers to reject the offer, it ap- want the money. Schedul- ground. wake up,” she said. “I want 613-233-8477 (TIPS). peared Thursday that they ing is the big issue.” “The City of Ottawa has this strike over.” Sam Roberts didn’t have anything to Sort out the scheduling been trying to push these On Wednesday, city ShareYourViews worry about. and “everyone will be workers against the wall,” council will discuss op- coast to coast A press release from the back to work the next said Joel Harden, a transit tions to mitigate the im- [email protected] mayor’s office said that day,” he said. user and employee for the pact of the strike. Free Daily News Group Inc., operating as Metro Ottawa 130 Slater Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E2. Publisher: Bill McDonald metro metronews.ca Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 2 NAC CEO stays till 2011 The National Arts Centre board of trustees has extended Peter Herrndorf’s appointment as president and CEO. Since his appointment in September 1999, Herrndorf has worked to strengthen the NAC’s national role as well as its youth and education activities across Canada. His contract now runs through Aug. 31, 2011. METRO OTTAWA Snowshoe under the stars Local Friends of Gatineau Park is hosting its Snowshoe under the Stars event on four Fri- days, starting this week as a part of its 2009 Dusk Series. Visitors will discover how animals face the challenges of winter survival. The events are held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Jan. 9 and 16 and Feb. 6 and 20. They begin at the visitor centre at 33 Scott Rd. in Chelsea. The cost is $15 for adults, $12 for members and $5 for children and includes snowshoes and hot chocolate. To register, call 819-827-2020. METRO OTTAWA Cops seek gas More ice cleared for skaters bar robber HEIST Ottawa police are Rideau Canal Skateway open from Dow’s Lake to Corkstown bridge seeking a suspect after a lone male robbed a Petro- Canada gas station at gunpoint Thursday. canal daily in about 40 loca- where it’s more shallow and TIM W p.mAt. ,a ap mpraolxei smuaspteelcyt 1a2r:m40ed TtiImM.w [email protected] tioUnssi.n g an auger, they drill nanardr owB rolinkseo nb etwdoewenn tBoawnnk, IECLAW wPcaeittterhod a- Co gnaun tnah deea n3 tg0ea0rs0e sd bt atlohticeokn o lfo- Tmhiess Nioant ihoansa cl lCeaapreitda la Cnoomth-- ouNuraetn ttahe lec odsraeeip dst hamt ohpfe ltyeh eta oric eme , aeblasusot- tthheeOn nic ethN,”e ehrwee’ ssY ameidao.r sr’e Ddeacy,a yt hoef SKI/METRO O Woodroffe Avenue. er five kilometres of the concerned about the quality NCC opened two kilometres TTAW He robbed the store of an Rideau Canal Skateway for of the ice. between Pretoria Bridge and A undisclosed amount of cash skating. Ideally, they are looking Bank Street. before fleeing on foot. Beginning Friday, skaters for at least 12 inches of clear, Only an 800-metre section There were no injuries. can travel a seven-kilometre solid ice. Ice that is cracked between the Corkstown Police are now seeking a stretch from Dow’s Lake to or opaque is considered low- pedestrian bridge and thin black male, approx - the Corkstown pedestrian er quality. Rideau Street remain closed. imately 18 years old. The footbridge. The rest area at The best quality ice is usu- The NCC is asking people suspect was wearing a black Patterson Creek will also ally in the middle of Dow’s not to venture onto the jacket at the time of the in- open. Lake where the water is closed section of the Skate- cident. Ice tests conducted along deepest. Nantel said the nar- way where ice is considered Anyone with information the length of the Skateway row, shallow parts of the unsafe. is asked to contact the showed the ice had reached canal are more vulnerable to The Rideau Canal is one of Ottawa police robbery unit at least 12 inches of thick- undercurrents created by the official sites for Winter- at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116 or ness. rain and melting snow. lude, which kicks off Feb. 6. Crime Stoppers at 613-233- At the beginning of the “In places like Dow’s Lake 8477 (TIPS). skate season, Alain Nantel, and near Fifth Avenue, it ShareYourViews The National Capital Commission’s Alain Nantel, who is responsi- TRACEY TONG/METRO OTTAWA who is responsible for the doesn’t make that much of a ble for the Rideau Canal, confirms the depth and quality of the ice, said the NCC tests the difference. But in places [email protected] ice at the centre of Dow’s Lake on Thursday morning. More bang-ups in wake of snow Scholarships help offset cost of school for community housing tenants WHAT’S ONLINE TODAY scene of dozens of minor col- Ottawa OPP were also busy AWARDED Back when the Video Prominent Canadians TRACEY TONG lisions where drivers had Thursday morning, attend- school year began, Loula Larkin winners condemn Ottawa’s stance on [email protected] slid off the road. ing about a dozen collisions. Abib’s mom suggested she Gaza conflict at Paramedics receive a flood “It’s been one call after an- apply for a new scholarship (cid:129) Abib, along with Carleton metronews.ca/canada The snow may have stopped of calls every other,” said being offered by Ottawa University students Samatar VideoMichael by Thursday morning, but time there’s a Const. Guy Pre- Community Housing. Yusuf, Sagal Osman, Molly “It drains our Ignatieff vows low- for police and paramedics, snow day, which vost. “We had a At first, the first-year uOt- Twikirize and Algonquin and middle-income the day shaped up to be a can prove to be a resources, big few rollovers. Be- tawa psychology student re- College robotics program tax cuts to boost busy one as telecommuters strain on servic- time.” cause snow- jected the idea, thinking it student Irina Popova, re- the economy at headed back to work. es, Trottier said. banks are so would only be a waste of ceived their scholarships at J.P. Trottier metronews.ca “It was worse (Thursday) “We’ll have hard, the cars go time. But her mom kept on the OCH board meeting. /canada morning than it was com- some people sideways once her about it, and finally on pared to the two previous driving by (collisions) and they hit the snowbank. And the day of the deadline, Abib wealthy and university is rush hours,” said Ottawa call 911. We find ourselves people have been going filled out the application, kind of expensive.” paramedic spokesman J.P. going to a lot of calls where straight into the ditches.” and promptly forgot about it. The scholarship was Lotteries Trottier. “I suspect a lot of our services are not re- Over in Gatineau, drivers A few weeks later, she named in recognition of re- Ontario Pick 3:6 2 4; Ontario Pick 4: 8 6 9 4 people worked from home quired.” were a bit more careful. learned she was a finalist for tired as OCH CEO Ron Larkin. Encore:7953929 on Wednesday. Perhaps that Sixty or 70 per cent of the Police attended 43 weath- one of five $1,000 Ron Larkin “I hope that these scholar- Daily Keno: 8, 10, 14, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 37 influenced it a little bit. It calls paramedics attended er-related collisions, includ- scholarship awards, for first- ships will ease the financial 42, 46, 48, 52, 56, 59, 62, 64, 66, 69 was worse in terms of the Thursday did not require ing three with injuries, be- year post-secondary students burden associated with pur- Payday:30, 53, 63 & 77 number of calls because of medical assistance. tween 7 a.m. Wednesday living in community housing. suing academic goals,” said These results are not official. the road conditions.” “It drains our resources, and 8 a.m. Thursday, said “It helps so much,” she Larkin. Paramedics attended the big time,” said Trottier. Constable Isabelle Poirier. said. “My family is not that TIM WIECLAWSKI/METRO OTTAWA TRY DIFFERENT THINGS. BUILD NEW SKILLS. GAIN EXPERIENCE. 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TMTrademarks of Rogers Communications Inc. used under license or of Rogers Cable. All other brands and logos are trademarks of their respective owners, used under license or with permission. © 2009 Rogers Cable. metro metronews.ca Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 FIDO Rescue joins Petfinder.com 4 GROUPS OF 4 SAVE 10% local Ottawa’s FIDO Rescue recently joined other animal welfare organizations in the area that list their homeless pets on Petfinder.com. The site currently lists 301,000 homeless pets. METRO OTTAWA Reconnect with the sky Canadians asked to register their ‘Galileo moments’ Ottawa Civic Hospital (across from flower shop) 1053 Carling Ave. 613.884.7867 TIM of Galileo Galilei’s first ob- www.omegalaser.net TIM WIECLAWSKI W servations of space using a Metro Ottawa IECLAW telescope. Last March, Christian SKI/M coCmamnaitdtieaen c hIaYiAr Jiemxe Hcuestsiveer Marois experienced a ETRO said they don’t have to be “GTahliele oN matoiomneanl t.”R esearch OTTAW qcouviteer inasg as isgonliafri csaynstte mas. dis- A CAA North & East Ontario Council astronomer created “We want to get people to images of three Jupiter- reconnect with the sky,” he sized planets moving said. around a single star located “It’s a personal discovery approximately 130 light to see something and know years away in the constella- that it’s real. It’s not just a tion Pegasus. photograph from the Hub- It was the first time in his- ble space telescope.” tory humans were actually As night becomes able to see planets orbiting brighter from artificial light other stars. in cities, people are losing “In the past, there were their connection with the some that were borderline, sky. Hesser said they are en- but nobody ever found couraging people to make something close to that be- that connection again, ei- fore,” said Marois. “Planets ther on their own, at star with mass similar to Jupiter parties, planetariums or at WWhhyy wwaaiitt?? have been found before, but National Research Council astronomer Christian Marois holds up special concerts. the problem is that they an artistic rendering Thursday of a recently discovered solar sys- Canadians can register were never orbiting around tem during the launch of the Canadian international year of as- their Galileo moments on 1-800-JOIN-CAA a star. They were orbiting tronomy at the Canada Science and Technology Museum. the astronomy2009.ca web- around something called a site and have their name brown dwarf.” national Year of Astronomy Canadians this year, which launched into space by the Launched Thursday at the (IYA) 2009 group is hoping was chosen as the year of Canadian Space Agency Canada Science and Tech- to collect one million astronomy to commemo- aboard the NEOSSat satel- caaneo.ca nology Museum, the Inter- Galileo moments from rate the 400th anniversary lite in 2010. FIND YOUR BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE OUR NEW BEAUTY BOUTIQUE IN OTTAWA Welcome to the Beauty Boutique at the Bank & Heron Shoppers Drug Mart. Visit our beauty BOUTIQUE and feel free to indulge in some of the world’s fi nest beauty brands including luxurious cosmetics, fragrances and skin care. You’ll experience an elegant atmosphere that invites you to touch, feel, experiment and above all - enjoy... because that’s the beauty of Shoppers Drug Mart. NOW OPEN Bank & Heron, 8am to midnight, 7 days a week metronews.ca metro Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 Russia eyes restoration of gas supply to Europe 5 Russia’s state-controlled gas monopoly said yesterday it would restore supplies to Europe through Ukraine, cut off after a dispute between Moscow and Kiev, as soon as international monitors are in place. The gas cutoffs have left hundreds of thousands of people in the Balkans without gas, forced factories to shut down and disrupted deliveries as far west as France and Germany.REUTERS Canada/World Blackmore claims Obama urges stimulus religious persecution Few new budget details in economic speech U.S. president-elect Barack to quickly toughen the fi- rate could reach double Obama warned Thursday nancial regulatory system. digits.” Polygamist leader says charges are for political reasons the U.S. economy could “I don’t believe it’s too But he gave few new de- stay mired in recession for late to change course, but tails about the package of years without bold action, it will be if we don’t take tax cuts and public-works FERNANDO CARNEIRO “Polygamy is not about religion. It’s about and he urged lawmakers dramatic action as soon as spending likely to cost [email protected] the power of men over women and to work day and night to possible,” Obama said at $800 billion US or more. pass a massive stimulus George Mason University Obama is seeking ap- children.” Nancy Mereska One of the men facing plan. in Fairfax, Va. proval by mid-February of polygamy charges in the Obama, who takes office “If nothing is done, this the stimulus package he is British Columbia commu- ligious freedom as guaran- but when they practise a Jan. 20, promised to set a recession could linger for crafting with the Demo- nity of Bountiful said teed by Canada’s Charter of belief that is against the new economic course and years. The unemployment cratic-led Congress. REUTERS Thursday he’s being perse- Rights and Freedoms. law, they are committing a cuted for his religion. Nancy Mereska, co-ordi- crime.” Pakistan OK’d Winston Blackmore, who nator of Stop Polygamy in Mereska said she believes Jordan The next generation allegedly has more than 20 Canada, said she “absolute- that more charges are com- gunman info, wives, told reporters in Cre- ly rejects” Blackmore’s ing. ston, B.C., that he was be- claim. “I can see this going to ex-adviser says MA ing charged for political “Polygamy is not about the Supreme Court of JED JA roef atshoen csh. aHreg essa iwda tsh ien tteimndinedg raebloiguito nt,h”e sphoew esra iodf. m“Iet’ns Cyeaanrasd, aa nidn I’amb oucot nfsiedveennt StyH OagOeTnINcGiePsa hkaisdt aanu’tsh soercizuerdi- BER / REU teor nhmelepn tth e cur“rgernatn Bd.sCt.a gnodv”- ovSehr ew aodmdeend atnhdat c Phailrdt r1e no.”f ttho eu Spuhporledm oeu rC olauwrts ias ggaoiinnsgt cMounmfirbmaia gtiuonnm thane swuarsv iPvainkg- TERS ahead of this spring’s the Charter says the rights polygamy.” istani, a former adviser provincial election. listed are subject to the said yesterday, adding he Polygamy is illegal in laws of Canada. ShareYourViews was sacked because the Canada, a ban that Black- “They can have whatever prime minister had been more claims violates his re- religious belief they want, [email protected] out of the loop. India had said for weeks the gunman captured in Behaviour gap in Mumbai was from Politics Iggy’s ‘Rosedale gang?’ non-racists: Report Pakistan, who replied that his name could not be Jordanian children hold toy guns as they shout anti-Israel slo- RACISMWhen it comes to RYAN found in a national gans during a protest in Amman on Thursday against Israeli at- repudiation of racism, TA database of citizens. tacks in the Gaza Strip. A UN aid agency halted work in the re- words speak louder than PLIN Prime Minister Yousuf gion after two of its drivers were killed Thursday. /M aYcotriko nUsn, iavcecrosritdyi nstgu tdoy a that ETRO Rnaatziao nGailla sneic fuirrietdy tahdeviser, suggests people are far CAN Mahmud Ali Durrani, on UN passes Gaza ceasefire resolution A more tolerant of bigotry DA Wednesday, shortly after than they might express. officials confirmed the MIDDLE EASTThe UN Securi- The vote followed days While they would gunman in Indian custody ty Council passed a resolu- of haggling at the UN, with condemn racism in was Pakistani. Media in In- tion yesterday calling for foreign ministers from advance, most non-black dia interpreted his an immediate ceasefire in Arab nations pressing people would sit mute as dismissal as a reaction to Gaza, an end to arms France, Britain and the blatant acts of anti-black the news. But Durrani said smuggling and Israel’s full United States to go along racism occurred before authorities had already de- withdrawal after a 13-day with a resolution, rather them, according to the cided to confirm the gun- offensive, but the U.S. ab- than a more diluted presi- Toronto research, man was Pakistani. REUTERS stained in the vote. dent’s statement. REUTERS published Friday in the journal Science. News in brief TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE News in brief INDIA A teacher who blinded a PAKISTAN Al Qaeda’s oper - September, as well as other at- girl by inserting a pin into one ations chief in Pakistan and a tacks, the official said. EDUCATION The school year of her eyes will be charged top lieutenant are believed to NEPAL The United Nations hu- for Ontario’s public elementary Questions are being asked about the way Liberal Leader with attempted murder, be dead, a U.S. official said yes- man rights agency has urged students could be in jeopardy Michael Ignatieff, shown here at a town hall meeting in Halifax officials said. Police said the terday The operations chief, Nepal’s government to search after the teachers union threat- on Thursday, is preparing to run the party. Ignatieff is expected teacher used a pin to prick the Usama al-Kini, was thought to for girls who went missing af- ened to move toward a strike if to put so many of his Toronto faithful in backroom jobs that six-year-old girl’s right eye af- be behind the truck bombing ter their parents sold them into “progress” isn’t made on nego- some are already calling it the “Rosedale gang.” ter she failed to answer a ques- of a Marriott hotel in Islama - domestic service, and urged an tiations. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE tion in class. bad that killed 55 people in end to the practice. REUTERS metro metronews.ca Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 6 LOCAL NATIONAL Assoc MngingEditor, Tarin Elbert Art Director, Laila Hakim Marketing Manager, Ian Clark Group Publisher, Bill McDonald Assoc Night MngingEditor, Jim Reyno National Sales Director, Susan Courtney Distribution Manager, Bernie Horton Editor-in-Chief, Dianne Rinehart Enter/Lifestyle Editor, Dean Lisk Interactive/Mrktng Director, Jodi Brown Comment & Views M Comment ICH A EL D Housing hidden troubles E A D D ER Homebuyers should do research to avoid a fixer-upper tario’s new-home warran- Marketplace As with most things, you have to do a lot ty program). In the end, of work to make sure that what you are they received a settlement from Tarion, but their Wendy getting is a quality product. fight still isn’t settled Mesley with the builder or the their new home for just are getting is a quality city. three years. But within product. If you’re worried about two weeks of moving in, For the Wests, the prob- getting sunk with a mon- B part of their basement lems started before they ey pit of a brand new uying a new floor caved in. Within the took possession. The City home, there are things house is probably next few months, they of Hamilton didn’t issue a you can do: the biggest pur- compiled a list of building permit, which is Get references from chase you will more than required by law, until your builder. Before buy- ever make. It’s 100 prob- five months after con- ing, make sure your real- supposed to come with lems, in- struction began. That estate lawyer checks for peace of mind, both finan- cluding se- means the builder started any liens against the cially and structurally. But rious leaks, an un- work on the house with- house and that an occu- some Canadians who steady roof and out the building plans re- pancy permit has been is- bought new homes dur- shaky floors. So in ad- viewed by the city. sued. Check that all build- ing the housing boom are dition to the hundreds If the Wests were buy- ing permits are issued. just now finding out that of thousands of dollars ing a new toaster, they Get an independent in- new doesn’t always mean spent on their new could just take it back. spector to check your trouble-free. And that home, they had to spend But it’s not as easy to home before you take pos- Worth mentioning could be a lot of people. thousands more to start do that with a new session. Even with the economic fixing their house. house. Instead, the Has soccer star Beckham lost slowdown, more than How does a new home Wests began a Wendy Mesley is co-host of CBC TV’s 83,600 new homes will be become a fixer-upper? As fight with their Marketplace. To learn more about new home buying pitfalls, check out this season’s pre- his footing in the ad world? built in Canada this year. with most things, you builder, the City miere episode, New Home Nightmares, Joe and Joanne West of have to do a lot of work to of Hamilton, Friday, Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. or go to www.cbc.ca/marketplace. Hamilton have been in make sure that what you and Tarion (On- David Beckham’s image as a G gbleo bshalo wmianrgk eittsin fgi riscto cnr amckasy. ETTY IMA G Views The soccer star, whose 10- ES year marketing relationship with PepsiCo recently end- With airports, small & dull beats hectic ed, came to the U.S. in 2007 in a deal with Major League David Beckham Soccer worth up to $250 Angeles Galaxy team, and Urban ous or otherwise worthy of hectic O’Hare International treal in bad weather, and on million US. MLS TV ratings are stagnant. Compass text.” Airport, and run down one landing, ignored by airline “Becks” was already an in- “He is no longer a world- I think this may be its endless concourse and up and airport alike. ternational star for his soc- class athlete, and therefore greatest virtue. If the airport another just in time to miss A glitch in my return to cer skills, good looks and has become less interest- Steve was the most memorable my connection. Ottawa is far less dramatic. marriage to a former Spice ing,” said Stephanus Tekle, Collins part of your trip, something I am directed to a so- It’s New Year’s Day, a little Girl. But his U.S. tenure has consultant at SPORT+ probably went wrong. called service desk. Nobody after 9 p.m. We deplane on- been marred by injury and MARKT in Germany. Last year, the Airports from the airline is in sight, ly to find our entrance to poor performance by his Los BEN KLAYMAN/REUTERS Council International’s serv- but I can stand in line for a the airport is locked. Down ice quality awards rated Ot- phone and taste the thrill of a ramp we go and find our- Quote of the Day Ottawa’s airport, in some tawa the second best small flying standby in booked- selves in the departure ways, might as well be a bus airport in the world. Halifax solid holiday traffic. lounge, which is abandoned station. took first place. The loudspeaker advises and locked up tight. It’s un- “I was just floored ... to find out It’s small enough that On a recent flight, all the me that today’s terror expected, but nobody’s visi- that the future commander-in- passing politicos find it diffi- usual petty oppressions — threat level, courtesy the bly nervous. Several are cult to dodge the media. removal of shoes, confisca- ever-fearful U.S. Depart- laughing at the goofiness of chief was actually going to be This is where elusive Agri- tion of verboten bottled wa- ment of Homeland Security, our predicament. At Orange culture Minister Gerry Ritz, ter and shaving gel, no jok- is Orange. No specific Alert O’Hare, it might be dif- the future nerd-in-chief.” for example, got scrummed ing under penalty of law — threat, just generalized low- ferent. last September about his ill- are observed, but it’s all level official panic. A member of the ground — Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada, who said the advised listeriosis knee-slap- done in a low-key, sensible, There’s no place like crew soon arrives to unlock idea for a new Spider-Man edition, Spidey meets the pers. Ontarian way. home, but our small, dull the friggin’ door. Small, President!, came from a statement from U.S. president-elect And it’s dull. A frequent There’s nary a frantic pas- airport isn’t perfect. Ask the dull, and (mostly) efficient: Barack Obama that he collected Spider-Man comics. REUTERS and perceptive flyer I know senger in sight. We are passengers who stewed for What more could you ask describes our humble plane bored, resigned, a bit cranky 12 hours last March on the for in an airport? Metro Online Poll Results stop as “entirely without and waiting for it to be over. tarmac, trapped in two charm or soul. I cannot Soon, blandly and without a Cubana planes without Steve Collins lives, writes and 71% Should polygamy continue to be 29% think of anything unique, hitch, it is. food, water or toilets. They’d walks in Ottawa. SAID illegal in Canada? SAID YES NO interesting, quirky, luxuri- I land next in Chicago’s been redirected from Mon- Weigh in on today’s question at metronews.ca It’s your turn to tell others what you think. E-mail your thoughts and opinions to: [email protected] Letters must include sender’s full name, address and phone number –street name and phone numbers will NOT be published. We reserve the right to edit letters. METRO Ottawa 130 Slater Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, ON K1P 6E2; Tel: 613-236-5058 • 1-888-916-3876; Fax: 1-866-253-2024; Advertising: 613-236-5058 • [email protected]; [email protected] metronews.ca metro Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 Fraudsters digging through digital trash Identity thieves are resorting to buying second-hand drives from eBay and recovering 7 “deleted” files, including some information that could be confidential. REUTERS Business EDITOR: FERMIN DESOUZA, [email protected] A sea change in banking habits Rising credit losses mestic banking at Scotia- coupled with slowing loan “When you get un- bank. growth spell a challenging rest in the market- GICs and high-interest year for the country’s big savings accounts are prov- place, money goes banks. ing popular and more More Canadians are hun- to safe havens.” growth is expected as kering down and saving Canadians flock to the new Chris Hodgson more money, sparking a tax-free savings accounts. swell in deposits growth at Meanwhile, banks are a time when demand for bracing for slower demand some consumer loans such share of deposits and pre- for residential mortgages, as residential mortgages is dicts that consumers will higher default rates on fading. be more inclined to save loans and growing credit Some banks are shifting than borrow this year. card balances as con- their focus to bread-and- “When you get unrest in sumers rely more heavily butter retail banking. Bank the marketplace, money on plastic money to get of Montreal, for example, goes to safe havens,” said through the tough times. says it has gained market Chris Hodgson, head of do- TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE Retail sales SonyLight on wallet and weight fared better REU than in U.S. TERS/STEV FIGURESWhile U.S. retail- E M A ers reported what some RCU analysts called the worst S holiday sales in four decades, some said they fared better in Canada. South of the border, a slew of American retailers issued profit warnings yes- terday after reporting sharply lower same-store sales for December that could have repercussions Japanese journalists look over a Sony P Series Lifestyle PC at for Canadian subsidiaries the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on of chains, experts said. Wednesday. The computer weighs 1.4 pounds and is expected An executive at RioCan to be available next month for about $900 US. Real Estate Investment Trust, a major Canadian retail landlord, said sales Chrysler and GM Canada were down anywhere from three to 10 per cent on a same-store basis. receive loan deferrals These numbers are consid- ered a key indicator of re- tail performance because AUTOS General Motors of scheduled to begin Dec. 29. they compare sales at Canada Ltd. and Chrysler Officials for both compa- stores open since this time Canada Inc. won’t start re- nies and the governments last year. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE ceiving up to $4 billion in would not comment on government loans until the reasons for the re- the middle of the month quests for deferrals or any In brief after the companies re- outstanding issues in talks. quested a deferral. GM was to get $800 mil- OVERTIME Five million Britons The federal government lion on Dec. 29 in the first worked a total of $40.53 billion confirmed yesterday that of three instalments and US in unpaid overtime last year Ottawa and Queen’s Park another $2.2 billion by Feb. because of a “long-hours” cul- agreed to the request for 27. Chrysler was to get an ture and concern that the the two-week delay in dis- initial $400 million and an- downturn was putting their tribution of the loans, other $600 million in instal- jobs at risk, the Trades Union which was previously ments. TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE Congress said. It noted 2008’s figure was the highest level Pensions at risk if funds fail since 1992. ENTERTAINMENT DVD revenue PENSIONS Employees and bined to slash solvency in the United States fell by retirees could expect dras- funding levels, which eight per cent in 2008, but a tic reductions in their pen- measure a pension’s new report projects it’s only a sions, if their companies health, by 28 per cent last matter of time before Blu-ray can’t survive long enough year. The global credit cri- begins to compensate for de- to fully fund defined-bene- sis has sapped investor clining returns from traditional fit plans. confidence and erased tril- discs, an industry group said. Two leading actuarial lions of dollars of wealth, Sales in the home enter - firms estimated yesterday impairing pension plans of tainment industry fell six per that investment losses and all stripes. cent last year. REUTERS falling interest rates com- TORSTAR NEWS SERVICE metro metronews.ca Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 8 Sinclair honoured The Canadian Soccer Association announced Thursday that Christine Sinclair, left, is the female selection for the 2008 adidas Canadian Player of the Year award. The 25-year old played 22 games for the national team in 2008, scoring 13 times.METRO NEWS SERVICES Tavares traded Sports The Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights acquired Team Canada hero John Tavares, left, from the Oshawa Generalson Thursday. It is not known when he will make his Knights debut, but if he’s in the lineup Friday, he’ll face his former team as London hosts the Generals. Tavares is favoured to be the first pick in the 2009 NHL draft. METRO NEWS SERVICES [email protected] She’s 40 and fast Sports in brief NHL The Senators’ Dany Heat- Thursday. Smoltz had played ley was named to the NHL’s his entire 21-year career in At- Eastern Conference all-star lanta. team Thursday. Other notables METRO NEWS SERVICES How a Nova Scotia single mother ran into history named included Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin and Jeff SOCCER Manchester United Carter of the Flyers. The game winger Cristiano Ronaldo takes place Jan. 25 in Montreal. escaped unhurt Thursday after Robson was a cross-coun- say I’d done it.” country’s 17-year-old masters his car hit a roadside barrier. MATTHEW WUEST try runner during her uni- “It was totally as a lark,” record (and her personal MLB The Boston Red Sox “No one was injured,” Manches- [email protected] versity days, but quit “cold she says. best) by more than three agreed to terms with both ter Police said after the Portugal turkey” 19 years ago. It was- It turned out to be a lot minutes, running the Cali- pitcher John Smoltz and international’s Ferrari crashed in As a single mother of n’t until five years ago that more than that. She was the fornia International outfielder Rocco Baldelli on a tunnel. REUTERS three, it goes without say- she took it back up. She had fastest woman in the P.E.I. Marathon in Sacramento in ing that Denise Robson no grand visions of running Marathon with a time of 2:41:12. does plenty of running a 42.2-kilometre marathon. three hours, 13 min- Robson was taken aback around. She was going through a utes, and qualified when she was informed a Teach English Abroad But Robson is not just a separation and just wanted for the Boston week after the marathon single mother of three; she’s to relieve some stress. Marathon — that she had made history. also the fastest 40-and-older “A co-worker asked something that “I was like, ‘You’ve got the marathoner in Canadian me to join them for a usually takes wrong person here. Are you Life..... history. And for her, run- lunch-time run,” years of train- kidding me, 2:41 is the Begin living a meaningful ning around involves a lot she recalls. “I ing — by record? Great, but I’m gonna more than the traditional thought, more than be faster next year,’” says duties of parenthood. ‘Hmm, 30 min- Robson. Her goal is to crack The 40-year-old Nova Sco- why not? utes. the two-hour, 40-minute bar- tia woman fits in training Some time “Every- rier this year, and says the whenever she can: shorter away from one was key to her success might be runs on her lunch breaks; my desk, like, the 14-year break she took longer 12-kilometre runs some fresh ‘OK, from running. Many elite from her office to her home air? It would wait a marathoners her age have after she’s done work. do me good.’” minute, run more miles and suffered “I shake my head all the Five months you’ve more wear and tear. time,” Robson groans, at later, Robson en- got something Now, she wants to make how she manages training tered the Prince Ed- here, Denise,’” she up for lost time. with girls aged eight, 10 and ward Island says. “It’s been an “I’m living a dream at 40 12. Marathon “just to addiction ever that I should have been liv- WJianCtnear. Tl2lE 0NStOohLw C- 2!o!5u rtshe brakuweid“ncaIsan y.u”hi fnsaregov emi ttti ’moms ybeim atilipmasnonerc’ ttew a nitttahthk i nimmnggyys DfBhieoeerdsn tf iofisorensr t RMt tohraebyr. sapotrhneo sqtnuig aoilnoi-us slhpys,re ionH avceneersdd. m” lacatsoismhnt etemdisn uonoitutmhhse,-- itnaenhsdo ga.fw”a ta r tI o a’2mps0 pI , g”co oasrinhtnu,e gnn s itoatoy yp sru.ua “ntnI imwn20tiiets, hsnes didot- 562-8370 Road trip comes to a merciful end Free Teach Abroad Seminar Tuesday Jan. 13th NHL RESULT NHL with 30 wins this season. ADA M H @ 7pm Senators 4 Bruins 6 HOME AT LAST:With anoth- UNG United TESOL College Campus VS eerig lohts sg, athmee S reonaadt otrrisp f i1n-6is-h1 .t heir ER/REUTERS THE LACK OF SCORING:Be- 41 York St. ByWard Market. sides Dany Heatley, Jason Spez- za and Daniel Alfredsson, no THE SKINNY:Ottawa other Ottawa forward has more overcame a pair of two-goal than 12 points this season. deficits to tie the score going in- to the third period, but couldn’t BITING THE BULLET:Jarkko match the Bruins offensive pow- Ruutu sat out the first of a two T e a c h i n : BraCzoisl,t Kae Rniycaa,, SJpaapiann, ,C Moleoxmicboi,a , er in the final 20 minutes. gfaalom’se A snudspreewns Pioente frosr o bniting Buf- Jason Spezza lunges for a loose puck last night. Peru, Egypt, China, Poland, & more... THE FIRST TO 30:With the Tuesday. tors play their first home game Scotiabank Place Saturday unitedtesol.com victory, the Boston Bruins in exactly three weeks when night. become the first team in the THE NEXT GAME:The Sena- they welcome the Rangers to MIKE BEASLEY/FOR METRO OTTAWA metronews.ca metro Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 9 Visit metronews.ca/moviesto get showtimes, watch trailers and read reviews. & Movies Entertainment EDITOR: DEAN LISK, [email protected] Movies movies Pg 11 Battle of the brides Pg 10 Kevin James puts heart, soul and big butt into Mall Cop. music Pg 13 Sam Roberts shares insights on how Canadians rock. 7th heaven Pg 16 Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway actually made a few funnies in the film Bride Wars. Although the storyline is pretty Why does this couple make predictable, the cynical, cutthroat humour comes with a good dollop of wit that offers a refreshing surprise. our weekly hot list? Peter Howell, “ONE OF THE BEST OF 2008!” STARTS TODAY! VIOLENCE, COARSE LANGUAGE Check Theatre Directory or www.warnerbroscanada.com for Locations and Showtimes metro metronews.ca/movies Weekend, January 9-11, 2009 movies&entertainment 10 Also opening Also hitting theatres on Friday is the horror film The Unborn. Visit metronews.ca/movies for screen times and images. A review of the movie will also be online on Sunday, and in the Monday edition of Metro. METRO NEWS SERVICES Movies 55555 A CLASSIC; 5555 EXCELLENT; 555 GOOD; 55 FAIR; 5 POOR Character fun to watch, Married to predictability but morality feels heavy BrideWars On the web Gran Torino himself developing a chum- Director:Gary Winick my relationship with his Stars:Kate Hudson, Anne (cid:129)To see a Bride Wars trailer, Director:Clint Eastwood Hmong neighbours after he Hathaway and for more pictures from Stars:Clint Eastwood scares off pestering gang- Classification:PG the movies, visit Classification:14A bangers with a shotgun Rating: 11 metronews.ca/movies Rating: 111/2 grumbling, “Get off my lawn.” STEVE GOW If that slice of dialogue ROBYN YOUNG time as Hathaway’s charac- for Metro Canada sounds like it was uttered for Metro Canada ter Emma discovers part by Eastwood’s own Dirty way through the film. REVIEW Clint Eastwood Harry, it’s certainly not by Kate Hudson and Anne Greg DePaul and Casey thinks America’s gone soft mistake. In fact, Gran Tori- Hathaway actually made a Wilson probably could and he wants you to know no is an obvious tribute to few funnies in the film have written the screen- it. First, the 78-year-old act- the toughness of East- Bride Wars. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway transform from best friends to play in their sleep, but ing legend told Esquire wood’s career. Kowalski is- The generically-titled bridezillas when their weddings are booked on the same day. much of the dialogue is in- Magazine that people were n’t so much a character as flick about two BFFs turned telligent and Kristen John- “tougher” when he was a he is the symbol of an era frenemies in the preamble peek of one while attend- linquish her date or loca- ston (Third Rock from the kid and that much of his and this film, a moral les- to their coinciding nuptials ing tea service with their tion. Resentment builds Sun) puts on a decent sup- “childhood was spent son of changing times. Per- is just in time for one of the mothers as youngsters. until it explodes into an porting actress perform- punching the bullies out.” haps because of this, Gran most popular wedding- The live-in boyfriends of all-out war on the day of ance as Emma’s unstable Now, with his latest dra- Torino’s set-up does feel movie months of the year. each (played by Chris Pratt their shared wedding colleague-turned-maid-of- ma Gran Torino, Eastwood somewhat mawkish, even And although the story- and Steve Howey) end up shower. honour-by-default. puts his words into deeds satirical at times. line is gag-me-with-a-spoon proposing around the same “Your wedding better The main disappoint- playing bigoted veteran While Eastwood is ago- predictable, the cynical, cut- time, a scheduling mix-up watch it!” shouts Hudson. ment is director Gary Walt Kowalski, a character nizingly fun to watch — throat humour comes with with fictionally infamous “Your wedding better sleep Winick’s decision to go that perhaps, like Clint think Archie Bunker with a a good dollop of wit that of- wedding planner Marion St. with one eye open.” with the melodramatic himself, would rather put trigger finger — Torino’s fers a refreshing surprise. Claire (Candice Bergen) fol- Since it’s January and ending that tries to suck a up than shut up. morality feels heavy-hand- Emma (Hathaway) and lows, and — voila! — a most of us have spent the few tears out of the audi- Kowalski just wants to be ed and tone uneven. Sure, Liv (Hudson) have been nightmare is born. last two months being ence. It ends up overplayed left alone but as he sits on it plays out like a eulogy to a best friends since grade The bosom buddies’ overly nice to everyone in with a vomit-inducing re- his porch sipping beer, tremendous career but school and both have weddings are booked on our paths, it comes as a bit sult. lamenting the disregard of while Eastwood’s surely dreamed of June weddings the same day, at the same of a treat to indulge in the Otherwise, it’ll be a de- youth and the growing eth- worth celebrating, I’m not at the Plaza Hotel in New time, in adjacent rooms sabotage-fest that ensues. cent rental for a Friday nicity of his neighbour- convinced his Gran Torino York City since catching a and neither bride will re- It’s tiring being nice all the night in February. hood, he reluctantly finds is. 5 GOLDENGLOBE® NOMINATIONS “HILARIOUS!” B P EST ICTURE (Drama) ® HFPA BESTDIRECTOR BESTACTOR(Drama) BESTSCREENPLAY BESTORIGINALSCORE Kelli Gillespie, CW-TV/San Diego David Fincher Brad Pitt StSocrrye beny EricRothandRobinSwicord Alexandre Desplat Screenplbayy EricRoth “Loved It!” Nadine Rajabi, National Lampoon TV and Comedy Radio XM “AMovieThat MustBeExperienced. “Take Your BFF, Take Your Frenemies.” A MONUMENTAL Manny De La Rosa, NBC-TV/Palm Springs ACHIEVEMENT.” – Rex Reed “SWEEPSYOUAWAY... WHAT DAVID FINCHER DOES IS SIMPLY EXTRAORDINARY. Hefusesferocityandfeeling and createsaworld you wanttogetlostin.” – Peter Travers (cid:2)(cid:2)(cid:2)(cid:2) “ ACLASSIC FOR THEAGES. Brad Pitt gives a deeply soulful and affecting performance. Cate Blanchett is luminous.” – Lou Lumenick MATURE LMAANYG OUFAFGEEN D THEME NOW PLAYING IN THEATRES EVERYWHERE SSTTAARRTTSS TTOODDAAYY!! Check directory or log onto www.cineplex.com,* www.amctheatres.com, www.empiretheatres.com or www.tribute.ca for locations and showtimes CHECK THEATRE DIRECTORIES FOR LOCATIONS AND SHOWTIMES