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Category: Politics

A Double Down political storm

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Trudeau once said that “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.” But apparently, there is a a place for the state in the stomachs of the nation: Canadian Press reports that the sale of the KFC Double Down sandwich may be reviewed by the Ontario government: Ontario Health Promotion Minister Margarett Best was asked about the Double Down today, and said it was something the province could investigate. Best said it wasn’t something that the government had discussed, but added “it’s certainly is something we may look at and review.” To be fair, Best didn’t actually raise the issue – and most likely, not knowing what she was talking about, decided not to close any doors. And once that door is not closed, then media are free to say that Ontario may do a review – after all, the Minister didn’t say no so it…

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Fish and Cheap

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As we were getting closer to Hfx09, I was sent on a pre-convention tour on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. The obligatory first stop was at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. I was a little annoyed because even though my Air Canada flight had landed 5 minutes ahead of schedule, we sat on the tarmac for 45 minutes as we waited for a free gate and a free ground crew. Still, I had a few hours before the boss landed, and so I decided that lunch was the next obligatory stop since it was past noon and Air Canada no longer feeds people on their flights. Choice is limited at the Halifax Airport, so I settled for the Maritime Ale House. Operated by HMS Host, the MAH is an ode to the Molson Brewery. Available beers on tap are all Molson products. The place was busy but not packed.…

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Celebrating Freedom

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Mel and I were meeting Crystal for dinner to catch up and so on and so on.  Ever since she moved to BC, we barely see her anymore. Mel had picked the terrace in front of the Metropolitain as a meeting point, planning to maybe wander in the Market for a place to eat.  But since I was a few minutes behind and Crystal was nowhere in sight, Mel made the executive decision to pick up one of the few remaining tables on the Met’s patio. I showed up and we ordered drinks while we waited.  Mel felt Euro-sophiticated and decided to go for an Alsatian Kiss, one of their Metro Martinis – Citron vodka, apple vodka, apple juice, simple syrup.  (Why isn’t it called Lemon Vodka anyway?)  It was a well balanced drink – not too sweet, some tartness. Refreshing.   I opted for a pint of Stiegl. An Austrian beer, the…

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What the phoque?

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Today was the beginning of the seal hunting season in Canada, and the world was watching. Of course, a lot of people are opposed to seal hunting.  Only 4 other countries practice seal hunting: Russia, Denmark, Norway and Namibia. In this corner, what we care about is food.  If seals are being hunted, surely it is not only for their pelts? Well, no.  Although I have never had seal meat, others have.  But it is a very small market and too often the carcasses are left to rot on the ice. I am told that seal meat has a very particular gamey taste.  A rich dark meat, it is apparently remarkably tender.  Seal meat is quite high in iron and in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.   You can find some traditional recipes here and some more modern here. I haven’t tried any of them.  Perhaps it is because there is not a lot of…

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Plus près de Paris que nous pensons

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We celebrated Gaby`s departure today at lunch, and we were very generous in letting her select the location. She decided that we would have lunch at the Métropolitain Brasserie because she is quite a fancy girl. Located at 700 Sussex, The Met is a relatively new favourite for politicos, journos and lobbyists of all types. They claim it is at the corner of Les Champs Élysées for marketing purposes, but you are soon reminded of where you are when you look down Rideau Street. The place was opened in 2005 by the owners of The Empire Grill, and has been trying to attract Hillites with specials such as The Hill Hour, from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays, where oysters, jumbo shrimp, mussels and othere appetizers are offered at decent price. Oysters for instance can be had at 1$ a piece during the HH. As it was, lobbyists were out in…

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