Are the Pumps at Your Local Gas Station Accurate?

It's bad enough that gas prices have soared in the last 2 years, but a recent story by CBC News shows that the governments own data proves that gas pumps have incorrectly charged consumers nearly 20 million dollars a year, 12 million of which was - hold your breath - overcharged!

The CBC Story follows below.

Canadians already paying steep gas prices can add one more cost to their bill: forking over money for fuel they didn't receive.

Government data obtained by CBC News shows that six per cent of all gas pumps tested over the past 2½ years failed to dispense the right amount of fuel. In about two-thirds of the faulty tests, customers bore the brunt of the error.

The loss adds up to an average of a couple of dollars for every 50 tankfuls, the Automobile Protection Association estimates, but the total loss across Canada is in the millions.

"If you can pick up pennies here and there, it adds up to real money and that's really our concern," says George Iny, director of public interest group Automobile Protection Association.
 
Gas retailers overcharged consumers by nearly $20 million a year, and undercharged them by $12 million, according to Measurement Canada, based on 2008 figures.

Rates varied by province

The number of faulty pumps found in the Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2011, tests varied by province:

• Saskatchewan rated the highest for overcharging customers when a pump was faulty, at 83 per cent.
• Tests in Ontario revealed seven per cent of gas pumps made mistakes, with 67 per cent of the faulty readings favouring the retailer.
• Four per cent of Alberta's tested pumps were faulty, favouring retailers 73 per cent of the time.
• Nova Scotia — where seven per cent of pumps dispensed the wrong amount — was the only province where faulty pumps actually favoured the consumer, at 54 per cent.

An inaccurate pump in the tests equals a discrepancy of more than 100 mL over or under for 20 litres of gasoline.

The problem of inaccurate gas pumps first surfaced in 2008 when media reports revealed that nearly five per cent of pumps tested between Jan. 1, 1999, and Aug. 28, 2007, shortchanged consumers, or one inaccurate pump every 20 times.

The industry minister at the time, Jim Prentice, vowed to crack down on inaccurate pumps. He promised stiffer penalties and directed Measurement Canada, an agency that checks whether yields match the ticket price, to increase the frequency of pump inspections. The new rules are still not in effect.

Industry Minister Christian Paradis was not available for comment.
Since 2008, the number of inaccurate pumps shortchanging consumers dropped by one percentage point to four per cent. On average, motorists are now shortchanged once every 25 pumps, according to the latest government statistics. Once every 50 fill-ups, they receive more than what they paid for.
 way."

The agency is part of a class-action lawsuit against five gas retailers, accusing them of shortchanging consumers. The lawsuit is seeking certification.

"It also shows a culture in the oil industry," says Iny. "Even with the results becoming public, even with a lawsuit, no oil company has offered, as far we know, to refund customers who paid too much.

"What Are Canada's Two Official Sports?" and Other Interesting Facts

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Fun Facts About Canada.....

Canada has more donut shops per capita than the United      

      States.  

Canada's national animal is the beaver.

Canada's two official sports are lacrosse and hockey.

Canada's national colors are red and white.

Canadians consume more Kraft Dinner per capita than any other nation on earth.

WHAT DO CANADIANS HAVE TO BE PROUD OF.....

1. Smarties
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp
3. The size of our football fields, one less down, and bigger balls
4. Baseball is Canadian - First game: June 4, 1838 - Igersoll, ON
5. Lacrosse is Canadian
6. Hockey is Canadian
7. Basketball is Canadian
8. Apple pie is Canadian
9. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin' Donuts (a US company)
10. In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans back ... past their White House. Oh, did I mention that we also burned their White House?
11. Our civil war was fought in a bar - it lasted a little over an hour
12. A Canadian invented Standard Time
13. The Hudsons Bay Company (aka 'The Bay') is the world's oldest company
14. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes 
15. We invented: Ski-doos, jet-ski, Velcro, Zippers, Insulin, Penicillin, Zambonies, and the telephone
16. A Canadian invented Superman

English Lyrics of O Canada! O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

French Lyrics of O Canada! O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux, Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux! Car ton bras sait porter l'épée, Il sait porter la croix! Ton histoire est une épopée Des plus brillants exploits. Et ta valeur, de foi trempée, Protégera nos foyers et nos droits. Protégera nos foyers et nos droits.

Grilled Asparagus - The Perfect BBQ Sidedish

Here is a video clip refresher on grilling asparagus....it is so easy and adds great colour to the plate.

I like to add garlic to the marinade and a sprinkle of parmesan after it's cooked.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/summer/bbq-basics/video-grilled-asparagus-the-perfect-bbq-side-dish/article2046695/

Enjoy!

Improvements to Victoria Lake Required to Maintain a Kitchener Landmark

Anyone who has strolled around Victoria Lake immediately recognizes the inherant beauty and tranquility of the location.  However, the unseen portion of the lake is slowly choking it to death as a substantial amount of sediment is required to be removed.

The public information meeting held Thursday night also outlined proposals to reconfigure the lake and naturalize its banks.

This article from the Record outlines the plans.

Victoria Park lake Shown in this May, 2007 file photo.

David Bebee, Record staff file photo

KITCHENER — Some people don’t want the flagpole in the middle of Victoria Park’s lake to disappear.

Others questioned whether the planned rehabilitation work at the lake will sufficiently address the perennial, and to some problematic, goose population.

But for the most part, there was unanimous agreement Thursday night at an information session on the plan — it’s time to save the lake.

“Something definitely needs to be done,” said David Kuhn, who ran for the ward’s council seat last fall. “It’s not pleasant when you come into the park and all you smell is that lake.”

Its less-than-desirable conditions are something that Jeremy Shantz and his wife, Bridget Hinnegan, talk about. Improvements could go a long way toward attracting people to that part of the park, Shantz said.

“It would be a picturesque place to put my canoe in the water,” he said.
While she was interested in some of the proposed changes to the lake’s edges, Hinnegan said she hoped that as many trees as possible are preserved during the project.

Work to reconfigure the lake, improve its outlet structure, naturalize its banks and remove as much as 33,000 cubic metres of sediment could begin late this year. A second phase will see upstream improvements made. Total costs will be approximately $16 million. For the next four years, about one-third of the money collected through the city’s new stormwater management fee will be dedicated to the project.

Kitchener resident Ann Archer said she’s pleased with the idea to extend the lakefront walkway around the front of the Boathouse. Her husband, Toivo Vaino, said the construction of a small fore bay to catch much of the incoming sediment will result in cleaner water for the rest of the lake.
Still, he expressed concerns that the plans will not adequately address the problem of floating algae. “I personally feel that crews should be hired to skim off the algae constantly.”

Staff are recommending that the flagpole bearing the Maple Leaf be removed to help return the lake to its original romantic landscape. It’s a move that could meet with resistance, Kuhn predicted.
“I think a lot of people would notice if it was gone,” he said. “It’s a symbol of national pride.”

Coun. Frank Etherington said he ran for office largely because of the lake issue. “I’m delighted with what has happened,” he said. “It’s way overdue.”

The only thing that concerns him is that the project is going to be a messy one. “But I think most people understand that.”

One information board cautioned residents to expect considerable truck traffic and noise, and that dredged material may be stored temporarily on site. The amount of sediment to be dredged could represent more than 3,000 truckloads.

As for those geese, some of them were rounded up and trucked away Thursday on their annual trip to “summer camp,” as Etherington called it. Officials know some of them will make their way back by the fall.

City engineer Grant Murphy said the project will see plantings done along the water’s edge that discourage geese from populating the lake. “Basically the geese don’t like long, tall grass,” he said.
Once the work is done, Bob Sharpe, a member of the Victoria Park Working Group, envisions a fresher, cleaner, cooler oasis in the heart of the city.

“It will be an enhancement of the romantic landscape,” he said. “We’re a fortunate city to have it to begin with.”

Another public information session will be held in November before construction begins.

City kills Cedar Hill bylaw - When the Human Rights Code Trumps the City's Best Intentions

While the City of Kitchener may have had the best intentions when enacting a bylaw to prevent the "ghettoization" of one of it's neighbourhoods, the Human Rights Code must be abided by as decided by the Ontario Municpal Board in 2010.

Rather than amend the bylaw to conform with the Human Rights Code, the City has struck the bylaw from the books.

(from the Record) KITCHENER — A city bylaw that banned some types of housing from a downtown neighbourhood was repealed in the face of continuing challenges based on the Charter of Rights and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Instead of trying to bring the bylaw into conformity with the charter and human rights code, the city struck it from the books. The bylaw applied to Cedar Hill, a densely populated residential neighborhood adjacent to the downtown.

The case breaks new legal ground where human rights law intersects with urban planning, said Ken Hale, a human rights lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario.

“It solidifies the idea that the Charter of Rights and human rights code apply to municipal planning decisions,” Hale said. “We are pretty happy.”

Hale argued against the bylaw during a lengthy hearing in 2009 before a provincial tribunal that rules on land use disputes — the Ontario Municipal Board.

After weeks of testimony, the municipal board handed down an interim decision in January 2010. The board gave the City of Kitchener 15 months to bring the bylaw into compliance with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

“The major issues had been decided at that point,” Hale said.

Specifically, the city needed to put in place policies and programs to support the dispersal of social and supportive housing to other neighbourhood. Instead, the city repealed the bylaw and official plan amendment.

“We didn’t think the city was that keen on going out to the public to make these kinds of developments more accessible in other neighbourhoods, which is kind of unfortunate,” Hale said.
Group homes, social service establishments and social housing can be established in any neighbourhood, so the restrictions on Cedar Hill were not discriminatory, said the city. But the municipal board disagreed and said the city must take positive steps to promote that type of housing in other areas if it is being restricted in Cedar Hill.

“It was not enough to counteract the restrictive measures that they imposed on Cedar Hill,” Hale said.
Cedar Hill is a 10-block area adjacent to the downtown that is one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in Waterloo Region. The narrow, tree-shaded streets are lined with diverse housing—a 19-floor condominium, heritage houses, duplexes, a large apartment building, triplexes, a seniors residence, public housing, affordable housing and a group home.

A study of the area concluded that Cedar Hill was in danger of becoming the region’s first low-income ghetto unless something was done. The city responded with the 2005 bylaw and changes to the city’s official plan.

That bylaw and official plan amendment banned lodging houses, social service establishments that provide crisis care or on-site counseling, residential care facilities, small houses and single detached houses with more than two bedrooms. The bylaw required the owners of duplexes and triplexes to live in one of the units.

Tenants Ontario said this was a crackdown on absentee landlords renting units to poor people and others who needed supports or assistants with daily living.

The bylaw was put in place following years of complaints from Cedar Hill residents about absentee landlords who did not maintain their properties. Other complaints were about street prostitution, drug dealers and concentrations of social housing.

“Some of the stresses the neighbourhood was experiencing have gone, it is looking pretty healthy,” said Sally Gunz, who has lived on Peter Street since 1981.

Gunz said while she does not like seeing the bylaw struck from the books, she understands why the city had to do it.

“In some ways it is a positive thing because the need is not as serious as it has been,” Gunz said.
With the pulling of the bylaw, the Cedar Hill Neighbourhood Association has called on the city to ensure property standards and other bylaws are enforced, Gunz said.

Property speculators may try to assemble land in their neighbourhood now because the light rail line will run along Charles Street, the northern boundary for Cedar Hill, Gunz said.

“There is a sense the area remains vulnerable, particularly if there is speculation,” Gunz said.
The neighbourhood has become attractive again to families with young children and others who like living in a walkable district close to the downtown.

Since the farmers’ market opened two blocks north of the area six years ago, the abandoned and dilapidated houses on Cedar and Eby streets have been renovated and reoccupied. New businesses have opened.

Drug dealers were chased from Cedar Hill years ago by an organized network of residents who immediately alert the police to any illegal activity. Many of the houses on Cedar Hill were extensively renovated in recent years.

The municipal board case means land use bylaws need to be evaluated, in part, through a human rights lens, Hale said.

“Any time councils are considering land use issues that affect vulnerable people, spend some time thinking about the human rights implications,” Hale said.

“And think of ways that any kind of negative impact can be dealt with. What can we do to counteract any negative impact?” Hale said.

Frequently Asked Questions Answered Regarding the New Waterloo Rental Bylaw

Residential Rental Bylaw and Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the timeline for implementing the new bylaw?

A: The following chart indicates key activities prior to and after the introduction of the new bylaw on April 1, 2012.

Date	Task
June 20, 2011	Proposed licensing fees  and the enforcement policy for the new program are presented to council for approval.
September 1, 2011	A reminder notice is e-mailed out to all individuals who registered for updates advising of application details and the upcoming April 1, 2012 start date of the new program.
January, 2012	Information regarding available assistance in completing applications is e-mailed out to individuals and advertised in the Waterloo Chronicle.
February – March 2012	Online and face-to-face training and assistance available to individuals who are preparing to complete applications for licences.
April 1, 2012	New residential rental licensing bylaw comes into effect. Reminder is e-mailed to all individuals who have requested to receive information.
Throughout April, 2012	Education and outreach is available to assist people in completing applications.
June 30, 2012	Last day to take advantage of the grandfathering provisions provided to previous lodging house licence holders as well as the exemption for floor area requirements in bedrooms.

Q: How do I know if I need a licence?

A: Any individual who is renting out a low-rise residential unit in Waterloo will require a residential rental licence.

Q: Does the licence have to be renewed?

A: Yes, licences must be renewed every April 1st.  

Q: When can I apply for a licence?

A:  The new residential rental licensing bylaw comes into effect on April 1, 2012. All individuals registered to receive updates will be e-mailed a reminder notice in advance of this date.

Q: How will the minimum distance separation (MDS) requirement impact me today and after April 1, 2012 when the new bylaw comes into effect?

A: To understand the impact of the minimum distance separation requirement on your rental unit, you will need to know what zone your unit is in and what the requirements are for that zone. Current zoning and MDS requirements stipulated for each zone have not changed as a result of the new rental bylaw. To determine the current impact, follow these steps:

1.      Determine the zoning of your rental unit by checking the zoning bylaw web page (http://www.waterloo.ca/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=2385).

2.      Determine the MDS requirements for your rental unit’s zone as follows:

1-3 People	Any dwelling unit occupied by one to three lodgers with or without a proprietor and his/her household is permitted in any residential zone.
4-5 People without Proprietor:	This type of unit is allowed in all residential zones.  The unit is subject to the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) of 150 metres in the following zones: GR1, GR2A, SD, SD-1, R, SR1, SR1A, SR1-10, SR2, SR2A, SR3, SR4 and FR. The unit is subject to the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) of 75 metres in the following zones: MD, MD1, MD2 and MD3 (except properties at 256 Phillip Street and 143 Columbia Street West). The unit is subject to the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) of 75 metres at 121 University Avenue East.
4 or More People with Proprietor:	This unit may only be permitted in the following zones: GR, GR2, GR3, GR4, GR5, MR, GB, MD2, C6, C7, C8, C9. This unit is subject to Site Plan Review Committee
6 or More People without Proprietor:	This unit may only be allowed in the following zones, GR, GR2, GR3, GR4, GR5, MR, GB, MD2, C6, C7, C8, C9. This unit may be subject to Site Plan Review Committee.

Q: Will my current rental unit comply with the new rental licensing bylaw?

A: If you have more than three people in your rental unit, you will have to comply with the minimum distance separation requirements under the zoning bylaw (see above). Completed applications will be received and processed on a first come and first served basis and should circumstances change and as new rental units become licensed in your zone, your unit may be impacted by the MDS requirement.

Q: I have an existing lodging house that is currently licensed under the lodging house program. Do I need to do anything as a result of the new rental licensing bylaw?

A: Yes. As of April 1, 2012 the existing lodging house bylaw will be repealed. You will need to apply for a residential rental housing licence after April 1, 2012 and comply with all requirements stipulated as part of that licence. In addition, you will also need to have a completed application in before June 30, 2012 in order to take advantage of the grandfathering clause of this new bylaw. 

Q: What do I need to do to ensure I am in compliance with the safety requirements of the new rental licensing bylaw?

A: According to the new bylaw, before a licence can be granted or renewed the property must conform to the following: 

• City of Waterloo zoning bylaws
• Ontario building code
• Ontario fire code
• Ontario electrical safety code
• City of Waterloo property standards bylaw
• City of Waterloo lot maintenance bylaw

Q: What are the costs associated with the application?

A: A fee schedule will be proposed to Waterloo city council on June 20, 2011. These fees will be posted after they are approved by council. 

Q: How will applications be processed on or after April 1, 2012?

A:  Applications will be processed in the order they are received. Only complete applications with all the required information will be processed. If an application is rejected due to incompleteness it will not be processed until complete. Training and support will be available to assist individuals with the proper completion of the application form.

In addition, it is important to note that the minimum distance separation requirements stipulated in the zoning bylaw may impact your rental unit if another application in a similar zone is received and processed prior to your application. 

Q: Can I apply online or in person?

A: The goal is to have both an online application service as well as a paper application. As well there will be training and education both online and face to face through various application workshops scheduled to be held beginning in February, 2012.

Q: Can I transfer the new residential rental housing licence if I sell my rental unit?

A: No. If you sell your rental unit, you will need to notify the bylaw division. The residential rental licence is not transferable. The new owner will need to apply to the city for a licence.

Q: If I have a recognized accessory apartment, will it continue to be recognized under the new rental licensing bylaw and program?

A: Yes, it will continue to be recognized, however, you will be required to apply for a licence under the new bylaw and program.

More Proof that K-W is Viable, Innovative and Prospering - $72 Million Dollar investment announced today!

Global Innovation Exchange Wilfrid Laurier University president Max Blouw describes the planned Global Innovation Exchange to be built at the university thanks to $72.6 million received from the provincial government.

Peter Lee, Record staff

WATERLOO — The provincial government announced today that it will invest $72.6 million in Wilfrid Laurier University.
The money is aimed specifically at Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchange, a facility to be built on an old elementary school site in Waterloo. It will house the School of Business and Economics and the Department of Mathematics.
It is the largest single capital investment in Laurier’s history

The LRT decision: What regional councillors said

Last night the Waterloo Regional Council voted for the LRT 9 -2.  Several of the Councillors had, up to yesterdays vote, refused to comment on their positions.

Here is a summary of what councillors said as the proposal – eventually passed by a 9-2 margin – to build light rail transit in Waterloo Region was discussed on Wednesday night.

Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran and Cambridge Councillor Claudette Millar voted against LRT.


Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr said supporting light-rail transit is “clearly a defining moment for this council and this community.“This is a major principle statement we are making tonight.”

Coun. Sean Strickland of Waterloo said he strongly favours trains over buses as a more sustainable solution. “It is time to seize the day. It is time to transform the community . . . It is time to vote for LRT.”

Coun. Jane Mitchell of Waterloo said light-rail transit will generate jobs locally and will benefit the city of Waterloo the most as people working in the city or attending one of the two universities will be its main users.

But Waterloo Mayor Halloran said while she supports a rapid transit system, she was voting against light rail transit because opposition to the plan is what she heard from the citizens during last fall’s municipal election.

“For me it is a simple ethical decision. I made a campaign pledge to the citizens of Waterloo who elected me and trusted me,” she said.

Wilmot Township Mayor Les Armstrong said since he became elected last fall, he has learned a lot about light rail transit from regional reports and staff. “I can support this. There is good work here. There are good staff reports here,” he said.

Coun. Geoff Lorentz of Kitchener said “clearly the status quo is not good enough,” and council needs to plan for the future.  He likened the opposition to light rail transit to similar views that were expressed when the Conestoga Parkway and Kitchener Auditorium were built decades ago. Those projects were also considered too costly and not needed, he said.

“You need to have vision and see the benefits, not just for you, but for other people,” he said.
Woolwich Township Mayor Todd Cowan, another newcomer on council, said he grew to support the light rail system once he learned more about it.

He said a township survey found that 82 per cent of residents support a rapid transit system and 66 per cent preferred light rail transit.

Coun. Jean Haalboom of Kitchener said light rail transit “can help shape the look of our urban centres” with more green space, while protecting rural lands.

Wellesley Township Mayor Ross Kelterborn, who did not indicate how he would vote until the actual voting occurred, said before the meeting he had Chinese food and his fortune cookie said: “You are headed in the right direction. Listen to your instincts and that is what I did.” He voted for LRT.

Millar said Cambridge – which will not get LRT but instead rapid buses in the project’s initial phase - is being unfairly treated. “I stand alone for Cambridge. It is not that we want to be snippy. It is the facts as we have heard them,” she said.

Coun. Jim Wideman of Kitchener, who chaired the meeting, said light rail transit will lead to less congested roads, quieter neighbourhoods, cleaner air and a region that will attract more employers.
“I believe this can truly be a barnraising event,” he said.

Tomorrow is the Day Waterloo Regional Council Votes on the Light Rail Transit Proposal

June 15th, 2011 may very well be an historic day for Waterloo Region if the vote on the LRT system passes as it is expected.

It has been a long process that began nearly 9 years ago culminating in tomorrow's vote.  It has been a roller coaster ride and much debated....

But what happens if the LRT is approved?

LRT: Next steps

If council approves rail transit, here’s what regional government would do through 2017:
Finalize a rapid transit report and undertake a planning assessment required by provincial legislation. This would continue into 2012.

Launch construction to relocate, replace or encase utilities beneath the tracks. This work could launch in 2012. It is necessary to avoid disruptions to train service.

Acquire needed land. This includes whole properties and slivers of property.

Launch studies to extend trains to Cambridge and lobby for more senior government funding for this extension. Buses could launch in Cambridge in 2012 with some features to bypass congestion.
Finalize who will build rail transit, leading to a contract. This could include private partnerships. Council may debate this issue in 2011 and into 2012. Formalize agreements with senior governments to deliver funding commitments worth up to $565 million.

Launch track construction by 2014. Trains could begin operating by 2017 when construction of rail transit concludes.

Dangerous time for region’s turtles - those Turtle Crossing Signs aren't a joke

It is that time of year when female turtles are making treacherous journeys accross our neighbourhood roads to lay their eggs, which is why you often see Turtle Crossing signs.

This article from the Record outlines the reasons for the signs and why it is important for our neighbourhood turtles to make the crossings unharmed.

Turtle Photos of the female snapper and her labourous efforts. The turtle laid her eggs along Homer Watson between Stirling and the Expressway.

Submitted photo

KITCHENER — Why did the turtle cross the road?
What sounds like an innocuous joke is serious business for the region’s turtle population this time of the year.

Late spring to early summer is when female turtles are on the move to find places to lay their eggs. This often means dragging themselves across roads, something perilous for a creature whose trademark is its slow gait.

According to Josh Shea, the natural areas co-ordinator for the City of Kitchener, turtles are also drawn to the side of roads because there is usually loose gravel or sand with lots of sunlight, which are the perfect conditions for turtle eggs.
“At this time of year, until July, people have to keep an eye out for turtles on the side of the road,” says Shea.

It was that scenario that presented itself to Janet Carey on Saturday. While driving home, Carey, a Kitchener resident, noticed a snapping turtle that looked like it was about to make its way across Homer Watson Boulevard between Stirling Avenue and the entrance to the Conestoga Parkway.
“I looked at it and I said ‘Uh-oh, there’s trouble,” said Carey, a member of the Kitchener Waterloo Field Naturalists.

A concerned Carey stopped on the side of the road and got out to ensure the turtle didn’t make the dangerous trip across four lanes of fast-moving traffic. However, upon seeing Carey, the turtle turned around and started to make its way off the roadside.

Carey headed back home but remained concerned, and after making a call to Shea about the turtle, she returned to the location. It was then that she saw the turtle in the process of laying eggs. Carey and other onlookers, including Shea and Carey’s neighbour, Heather Bagg, would stay a few hours while the turtle laid a total of about 20 eggs, before returned to the Lakeside Park area that extends west of Homer Watson and Stirling Avenue.

“It was quite fascinating to see this kind of thing,” said Carey. “It was a nature lesson right there on the side of the road.”

Seeing the turtle lay eggs was also exciting for Shea, who deals extensively with turtles as part of his role in the Turtle Project, which monitors the state and location of the region’s turtle population.
“It was a very neat experience,” said Shea. “You don’t get to see many snapping turtles, so seeing it on the side of the road gives you some perspective.”

According to Shea, snapping turtles are one of two main types of turtle found in the region, along with painted turtles. Snapping turtles, Canada’s largest freshwater turtle, are listed as a “special concern species” under Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. Along with crossing roads, the other dangers for the turtles are from habitat loss and pollution caused by urban sprawl, both significant factors in a fast-growing Waterloo Region.

Shea says that the best thing that region residents can do to help protect turtles is to be aware while driving near wetlands or protected areas. If seen on the road, the smaller painted turtle can be picked up and placed on the other side of the road, while snapping turtles need to be treated with more caution, but can be lead across with a stick. Shea adds that it’s important that the turtles are led to the other side of the road, or they will just continue to try to cross it.
“They are a neat animal to have a city and we need people to be aware of them,” says Shea. “We can all do a little bit to be aware and protect them.”

High gas costs prompt ‘stay-cation’ living

 If you’re like most Canadians, you probably wince when you pull up to the gas pumps these days.  It’s already having an impact at how many ‘day trippers’ drive out of the city each weekend for visits to the beach or lake.   

And it doesn’t look like the situation is going to improve any time soon.  The latest news comes from Air Canada, announcing that it is eliminating several flights due to the high cost of fuel.  With these cut-backs comes a warning that we can expect airfare prices to rise dramatically over the next short span of time.  It leaves me wondering if more crowded seating and luggage surcharges can be far behind. 

So with all these rapid changes and escalating costs, where does that leave the average Canadian family when it comes to their vacation plans?  Many of my customers are already telling me that they’re changing their vacation strategies.  And not too surprisingly, that brings us back to the subject of real estate.  Many homeowners are opting to take their vacations at home.  They’re planning to put their holiday budget back into their property, to create their own restful oasis from their daily stress. 

Luxury features like saunas, home theatres, hot tubs, entertainment size kitchens, swimming pools, outdoor rooms, water features and extensive landscaping are all part of this scenario.  Such appealing amenities are going to be increasingly sought after by discriminating home buyers in the future.   If you’re thinking of similar improvements, I’d be glad to tell you how your renovation plans might improve your property’s resale value.

But what about those people who still crave a change of scene for their vacation plans?  Here’s where a real estate solution can also be the answer.  Think about it!  A family cottage or chalet can grow in value and create an asset you can enjoy for years to come, and even provide rental income if you don’t want to use it for the whole season.  When you’re situated in an area with multiple leisure activities all around you, you won’t be burning gas and spending most of the day driving to get to some outdoor area attraction just to spend a few hours there. 

A vacation property can be a sound investment if you have the help of a specialist to do it right.  I can help you do the groundwork right here at home, helping you to determine how much you can afford, offering creative financing solutions and much more.  And when the time is right, I have a network of experienced colleagues in resort locations to help you find the right property for you and your family.  So why not give me a call and let’s see if we can put a new spin on your family’s vacation strategy?  The high cost of fuel could send you in an exciting new direction!    

Thinking of purchasing a rental investment property or already own one in Waterloo? Free Seminar offered!

For anyone interested in purchasing rental investment property or already owns investment rental property in Waterloo, this would be a great session to attend.

City of Waterloo is having a Landlord Information Session:

THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2011
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
HAUSER HAUS
WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX

Topics of Discussion:

- Residential Rental Licensing Next Steps
- Landlord/Tenant Rights
- Property Standards Fees Updates
- Smoke Alarm Advice
* New - Rental Living Guide - Free to 25 landlords

For details please go here: http://www.waterloo.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=40&CalendarPage=1&Mid=504&ItemID=2658

Open House at a Beautifully Renovated Home in the Heart of Kitchener this Saturday!

This home has had $200,000 in upgrades and updates - it is a beautiful home!  Come out and take a look this Saturday or go to the link and check out the virtual tour...you WILL be impressed.

http://tinyurl.com/3snkn9k

Get the best bang for your renovation buck

Now more than ever, Canadian homeowners are venturing into the domain of home renovating.  Many Canadians look forward to enjoying the new, attractive or functional features that these renovations can bring to their everyday life.  Yet more and more, market-savvy homeowners are spending thousands of dollars on home improvements, just to turn around in a short period and put the property up for sale.  Renovations may not sound like a novel idea in terms of adding market value to your home.  However, knowing how and where to use your money can help you achieve the best return on your investment by delivering an improved listing price when the time comes to sell.

The two most prominent areas of your home that will affect its selling appeal are the kitchen and bathrooms, so these are two prime areas to focus on if you’re looking for the biggest bang for your renovating bucks.  For bathrooms, if you’re looking to improve resale value, then focus your efforts first on the main floor bath or powder room.  Buyers decide on a home within the first few minutes, and it will be the only one they will have seen in that time.  Besides, it’s usually the bathroom all your visitors use and it’s typically small – perhaps a half bathroom – so it’s a good place to splurge and achieve maximum impact for a relatively low expenditure.  After the main floor, the master bath is most worthy of premium fixtures and upgrades, because that’s the one prospective buyers will visualize themselves using.  For these two rooms, you don’t necessarily have to break the bank by replacing tubs and sinks.  New products such as porcelain tub paint or even a full insert that mounts on top of your existing tub can give your bathroom a fresh as new look.  Where it will pay off in the end to spend some money is with new, modern faucets and perhaps a new light fixture. 

No other fixture in the home gets more use than the kitchen faucet – so don’t skimp here!  A good idea is to choose one of the latest washerless styles that minimize internal seals and components that can wear out.  Spend the extra couple of dollars on stylish, advanced faucets that will give years of leak-free service.  While the plumbing for the faucets are out, you might decide to replace the kitchen sink – a good investment if yours is showing signs of obvious wear. 

The countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms are another guaranteed-return home improvement.  If the cost seems a little daunting, don’t be discouraged.  New melamine paints can rejuvenate an outdated counter surface with today’s new cool neutral shades.  If your counter is scratched and worn, there are new countertops available today, which are custom ordered pieces according to your specifications that are placed over top of your existing counter.  The end result is a low cost, limited effort alternative that gives you the look of solid granite!

Give me a call today for further ideas on how to best improve your home in terms of market value.

No Referendum on Light Rail Transit Issue

I believe Regional Council made the correct decision yesterday to NOT hold a public referendum on the Light Rail Transit issue in Waterloo Region.

They are the elected officials who have all the necessary background information and research required to make the tough decisions and I'm glad they didn't pawn it off.

The Record story from today is below:


WATERLOO REGION — Regional council voted 7-3 Wednesday evening against holding a public referendum on its $818-million rail transit proposal.

Kitchener and Cambridge councils backed a referendum on the controversial rail transit plan that’s heading to a regional council vote June 15. A public opinion poll by Ipsos Reid found 83 per cent of residents support a referendum.

“There really is a consensus among residents of the region that there should be a referendum,” Ipsos Reid pollster Sean Simpson told council.

Most councillors want to decide the issue themselves.

“We’ve all been charged with the responsibility to look at the big picture,” said Coun. Geoff Lorentz of Kitchener.

“I think it would be absolute folly to support a referendum this late in the game,” said Coun. Sean Strickland of Waterloo. “We’re elected to lead. We have a contract with the people for four years.”

It’s estimated a referendum asking a yes or no question might have cost up to $1 million. It would not have been held until 2012 according to provincial legislation and would not have been binding unless turnout exceeded 50 per cent.

About 40 people were in the audience at council chambers Wednesday to hear politicians debate the referendum proposed by Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran.

“83 per cent of our citizens are saying, ‘where is our voice?’ ” Halloran said.

She said citizens told politicians “loud and clear” in the October municipal election that they are opposed to the rail transit plan. And yet seven months later council is preparing to vote on the same plan at a higher cost.

“That was my referendum. And that was the voice I heard from our citizens,” Halloran said. “Somewhere between when I got elected and now, that voice has been lost.”

Ten public delegations urged council against a referendum. One delegate endorsed a referendum.

“This issue is too complex,” Andrew Dodds told council. “I trust you and I trust the staff to help us make this important decision.”

Cambridge Coun. Nicholas Ermeta said a referendum would be a good way to involve Cambridge residents who are feeling left out of the rail transit debate.

Regional council previously ordered a referendum on water fluoridation, held in the 2010 municipal election.

Rail transit is an urban redevelopment proposal that supporters hope will persuade investors to build homes and workplaces near stations. Proponents say it will get residents out of their cars and restrain suburban growth.

Senior governments have pledged up to $565 million and regional taxes could rise by 10.5 per cent to help pay for it.

Critics fear it will be a costly failure in a place where most people drive everywhere and few commute by transit.