Rogers lowers download limits as Netflix looms
Rogers Communications, the country’s second-biggest internet provider, is lowering the usage limits on some of its plans, just days after online video service Netflix announced it was expanding into Canada.
The company lowered the limits Wednesday on several of its service plans in Ontario, its main market. Users who signed up for the cable company’s “Extreme” service after July 21 will be allowed 80 gigabytes of monthly usage, versus 90 GB for those who signed up before.
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Customers who sign up for the “Lite” service will now get 15 GB, versus 25 GB before.
Rogers also simultaneously boosted the speed of the Extreme plan to 15 megabits per second from 10, while the Lite plan’s speed was unchanged.
The company, which has 1.6 million internet subscribers — second only to Bell Canada — did not explain the changes and a spokesperson did not have a comment.
The lower usage limits came two days after Netflix announced its plans to enter Canada this fall. Netflix has become popular in the United States by providing unlimited movies and television shows for a monthly subscription fee of $8.99 U.S.
Streamed to TV
The videos can be streamed to the subscriber’s television through a choice of internet-connected devices, such as game consoles and Blu-ray DVD players.
Netflix also has a mail service in which DVDs are sent to the subscriber’s home, but the company has no plans to offer that option in Canada.
U.S. technology blogs have estimated that a typical two-hour movie from Netflix uses about 1.8 GB of data, while a high-definition version consumes about 3 GB. Users on Rogers’s new Lite plan could therefore view about 10 hours a month of HD video a month if they didn’t use their internet connection for anything else, while Extreme subscribers could view about 53 hours, or less than two hours a day.
Rogers Communications’ highest usage plan is its Ultimate service, which allows for 175 GB for $99 a month. Earlier this year, the company raised its maximum overage fee — extra charges that are incurred when monthly usage is exceeded — to $50 from $25.
John Lawford, a lawyer with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre consumer watchdog, said the move is both a cash grab by Rogers on its internet customers, and a defensive measure to protect its video services. The company is Canada’s biggest cable television provider and it operates a video streaming service similar to Netflix called On Demand Online.
“It’s easier to make money from overage charges because those aren’t really advertised rates. You’re going to make more money from those overages, eventually, than your regular monthly rates,” Lawford said. “It also kind of wrecks [Netflix's] business model if the cost to the end user goes up after they’ve subscribed and then they cancel it a month later because they can’t afford it.”
Rogers usage limits are similar to those offered by most large Canadian internet service providers. Bell, for example, offers 25 GB on its Performance service and 75 GB on its Fibe 16 plan.
The offerings are minuscule, compared with what ISPs give customers in the United States. Cable provider Comcast, for example, has a limit of 250 GB on all plans while customers pay more for higher speeds.
Some smaller Canadian providers who rent portions of phone and cable companies’ networks to provide their own internet services offer high-usage plans for lower fees. Chatham, Ont.-based TekSavvy, for example, leases network access from both Rogers and Bell and sells services with unlimited usage.
A spokesperson for Netflix said it was too early to comment on whether the low usage limits from major ISPs would affect the company’s prospects in Canada.
Arts and Crafts parties for kids
If you need to plan a fun filled day for your family, the following list may help get the ball rolling. These are local organizations/companies that provide services that cater to kids needs. The activities are geared toward arts and crafts for your kids. They are in no particular order so please feel free to browse and check them out.
Tel: 416-488-CLAY (2529)
Let Wanda share her whimsical FIMO/Sculpey projects with your child. NO mess…clay you make and bake. It’s fun & easy, and kids of all ages will love the projects that they create and take home! Parties and classes can be done in our fabulous studio, or in your home. Afterschool & camp programs available too. Look for our coupon in the 2010 print edition. Book available for purchase on Help! home page.
Tel: 416-650-5060
Active Kids Zone offers a variety of exciting Birthday Parties, Holiday Camps and Weekly Summer Camps. Activities offered: Sports, Organized Games, Crafts, Ceramics, Karaoke, Cooking, Bear stuffing and the Fun Zone (indoor playground). Also available for sale: Loot bags, Tableware, and Balloons.
Tel: 416-233-5512
8 Brentwood Rd N
Etobicoke
M8X 2B5
Your paint-your-own ceramics studio! Come on in and paint with us! No appointment, talent or experience required! DROP-INS! BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES! SCHOOL PROGRAMS! BABY PRINTS! BRIDAL SHOWERS! GREAT GIFT IDEAS! ART CAMPS! GLASS FUSING CLASSES! FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Family Day in Canada
Family Day is observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan on the third Monday of February. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.
What do people do?
On Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.
As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends. As Family Day falls on the same date as National Heritage Day, some people use the day to explore their personal heritage and family history.
Public life
In the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, many people have a day off work and schools are generally closed on Family Day. Many businesses and organizations are closed, but post offices may be open. Public transport services may run to their usual or reduced timetables.
In the province of Manitoba, the third Monday of February is a general holiday, known as Louis Riel Day. Many people have a day off work and school and many businesses, organizations and stores are closed. In some communities, stores are open after noon. Public transport services may run to Sunday or holiday timetables. In rural areas, there may be no services.
In the other provinces and territories of Canada, Family Day is not observed and the third Monday in February is not a holiday. Businesses, organizations, schools and post offices are open as usual and public transport services run to their normal timetables.
Background
Family Day was first held in Canada in the province of Alberta in 1990. It is supposed to reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta, and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families. Family Day was introduced in Saskatchewan in 2007 and in Ontario in 2008. One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there were no holidays from New Year’s Day until Good Friday.
Holidays to celebrate families are also held in other places around the globe. In the Australian Capital Territory, the first Tuesday of November is known as Family and Community Day. In South Africa, the day after Easter Sunday is Family Day.
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Where? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1990 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 1991 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1992 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1993 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 1994 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 1995 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 1996 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 1997 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 1998 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 1999 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2000 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2001 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2002 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2003 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2004 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2005 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2006 | Family Day | AB | |
| Mon | Feb 19 | 2007 | Family Day | AB, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2008 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2009 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 15 | 2010 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 21 | 2011 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 20 | 2012 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 18 | 2013 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 17 | 2014 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK | |
| Mon | Feb 16 | 2015 | Family Day | AB, ON, SK |
Dates of Public Holidays in Canada 2010 – 2015
Public holidays in Canada are set at the national level countrywide as well as by each of the 10 provinces and three territories.
See table below for a listing all the national public holidays in Canada until 2015.
Public Holidays in Canada
| Public Holiday | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
| New Year’s Day | Fri, Jan 1 | Sat, Jan 1 | Sun, Jan 1 | Tues, Jan 1 | Wed, Jan 1 | Tues, Jan 1 |
| Family Day (3rd Mon of Feb. in ALTA, SASK. & ON) | Feb 15 | Feb 21 | Feb 20 | Feb 18 | Feb 17 | Feb 16 |
| Good Friday | April 2 | April 22 | April 6 | March 29 | April 18 | April 3 |
| Easter Monday Schools and gov. offices closed, many businesses and banks open. | April 5 | April 25 | April 9 | April 1 | April 21 | April 6 |
| Victoria Day (the Monday before May 25) | May 24 | May 23 | May 21 | May 20 | May 19 | May 18 |
| Canada Day | Thurs, July 1 | Fri, July 1 | Sun, July 1 | Mon, July 1 | Tues, July 1 | Wed, July 1 |
| First Monday of August Civic Holiday:celebrated by most provinces. | Aug 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 6 | Aug 5 | Aug 6 | Aug 3 |
| Labour Day (first Mon. of Sept.) | Sept 6 | Sept 5 | Sept 3 | Sept 2 | Sept 1 | Sept 7 |
| Thanksgiving Day (2nd Mon of Oct) | Oct 11 | Oct 10 | Oct 8 | Oct 14 | Oct 13 | Oct 12 |
| Remembrance Day (banks and gov. offices closed, but most business & schools open) | Thurs, Nov 11 | Fri, Nov 11 | Wed, Nov 11 | Thurs, Nov 11 | Fri, Nov 11 | Wed, Nov 11 |
| Christmas Day | Sat, Dec 25 | Sun, Dec 25 | Tues, Dec 25 | Wed, Dec 25 | Thurs, Dec 25 | Fri, Dec 25 |
| Boxing Day (most stores open) | Sun, Dec 26 | Mon, Dec 26 | Wed, Dec 26 | Thurs, Dec 26 | Fri, Dec 26 | Sat, Dec 26 |
10 great places to eat in Toronto
When it comes to Toronto’s culinary scene, it’s amazing how one guy leaving town can cause such a commotion.
I’m as sorry as the next foodie that Susur Lee headed to Manhattan, but there are still so many opportunities for good eating in this city that I won’t be shedding too many tears.
Here’s a list of 10 of my favourite places scattered throughout the GTA. These are not the 10 “best” restaurants. Only one or two are even what you’d call expensive. They’re just 10 places that serve a particular dish or style of food I really like. And that’s the main reason to go to a restaurant, right?
BURGERS
Allen’s, 143 Danforth Ave.
(416) 463-3086
It’s a great pub with a beautiful backyard to dine in during the warm months, but I come here for the best burger in the GTA. Freshly-ground, high-quality beef served as rare as you like it with superb sweet potato fries and a beer list to die for. Heaven.
CHINESE
Peak Top, 3255 Rutherford Rd.
Concord, (905) 738-0838
For me, Chinese food means barbecue and there’s none better than what you can find here. This location in Vaughan Mills Plaza looks elegant, but it’s the meat you’ll remember: the crunchiest duck, crackling pork and chicken so crisp-skinned you’ll cry.
DELI
Centre Street Deli, 1136 Centre St. Thornhill, (905) 731-8037
My childhood deli memories are from Manhattan, not Montreal, but I find this place the real thing, as do many who grew up swearing by Schwartz’s. Smoked meat is king here, hand-carved and spicy with the authentic peppery tang that keeps you coming back.
DELUXE
Splendido, 88 Harbord St.
(416) 929-7788
You’ve got to have one place for special dining occasions and – now that Susur is closed – there’s no need to choose. This is, hands down, the class act in town. Perfect service, exquisite presentation and – of course – magnificent food. Best of all, there’s not a whiff of snobbery about the place; they make you feel at home.
FRENCH
Batifole, 744 Gerrard St. E.
(416) 462-9965
I may be prejudiced because it’s near my home, but many people besides me hail this as the best French bistro in town. The room is small and the tables are rickety, but the prices are low and the food is superb. If Beef Cheeks are on the menu, order them!
ICE CREAM
Il Gelaterie Artigianale
647 Mt. Pleasant Rd.
(416) 488-2663
Strictly speaking, gelato isn’t ice cream, but sweet frozen eating in this city doesn’t come any better than here. They’ve usually got more than 30 flavours and it’s the best I’ve tasted outside of Florence. Chocolato al Peperoncini (with red pepper) is a killer.
ITALIAN
Tutti Matti, 364 Adelaide St. W. (416) 597-8839
Convivial at lunchtime, romantic in the evening, this Tuscan dining room is true to its school: no pizza and hardly a tomato in sight. But there’s pastas and polentas you won’t forget and heady game dishes (like their wild boar ragu) you won’t find anywhere else.
JAMIE
JK Wine Bar, 9 Church St., JK at the Gardiner, 111 Queen’s Park, Gilead Café, 4 Gilead Pl.
(416) 362-1957 for all venues
Okay, if I have a favourite chef now that Susur is gone, it’s Jamie Kennedy. He saw where dining was going in other cities and led the way in Toronto. Small plates, lots of wines by the glass and an atmosphere that is relaxed, yet classy.
Best of all, his new casual Gilead Café lets you bop in anytime and get the best fries in town ($4) or a deluxe poutine that changes every day ($8). Lots of yummy takeout, too.
JAPANESE
Sushi Kaji, 860 The Queensway
(416) 252-2166
This ain’t your daddy’s sushi joint. Don’t come here looking for California rolls, but an experience that approaches pure art. No à la carte, but exquisite tasting menus at $80 to $120. Sit at the bar to watch Mitsuhiro Kaji make magic out of raw fish. Unforgettable.
MEXICAN
Burrito Boyz, 120 Peter St., (416) 593-9191
218 Adelaide St. W., (647) 439-4065
9 Stavebank Rd. N., Mississauga, (905) 891-2699
Purists will tell you it isn’t real Mexican. All you need to know is that it’s delicious, cheap and high quality, with their Halibut Burrito one of tastiest things in the city. But avoid the downtown locations after the clubs close. Drunk people eating burritos. Not pretty.
Source: http://www.thestar.com/travel/article/448664
Earthquake in Canada – Magnitude-5.5 Toronto Earthquake Reported Today, Tremors Felt in Cleveland, Michigan
UK Today News: Earthquake in Canada – Magnitude-5.5 Toronto Earthquake Reported Today, Tremors Felt in Cleveland, Michigan
Canada Earthquake 2010: A magnitude-5.0 earthquake hit Canada’s Ontario-Quebec border region on Wednesday at around 1:41 p.m. EDT (1741 GMT), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake was felt in Ottawa, the city of Toronto
and parts of New York and Vermont as well as up to Cleveland, Michigan and Cincinnati in Ohio.
As of now there were no reports of injuries or damage.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake took place at a depth of about 12 miles (19.2 kilometers) and the epicenter of the quake was said to be in Quebec, north of Ottawa. It was initially of 5.5 magnitude, but it was reduced to a magnitude-5.0. , the USGS said.
AP reports: “The tremors, which lasted about 30 seconds, rattled buildings in Ottawa and Toronto, as well as government offices across the Ottawa River in Gatineau, Quebec.”
