Conservative leader John Tory has launched a website to save the Trillium â not the distinctive, white, three-petal perennial that serves as the emblem and official flower of the Province of Ontario but the stylized logo the government prints on its stationary, annual reports, driver licences and new photo health cards.
Tory isnât happy about Liberal plans to change the provincial logo, which has been around since 1964, the $219,000 the government is spending to redraw the logo or (according to him) the fact that the new logo looks suspiciously similar to the Trillium logo used by Ontarioâs Liberal Party.
His website, www.savethetrillium.ca, includes links to email protest letters to Premier Dalton McGuinty and a space for the public to share stories about what the Trillium means to them or to rant about ârecklessâ? Liberal spending.
I am very sick of the goverment giving money to marketing companies! Isn’t this just like, dare I say it, sponsorship?
Perhaps the 200K would be better spent on education… but, with education… then everyone might come to understand how badly we are being sheistered…
I know… I know… government has an n… I should have had more schooling
I for one feel our Trillium is perfect the way it is. If it ain’t broke……..
If they want to spend money I would like our license plates to read “Ontario Keep it Beautiful” again.
I see you found the site, Barry!
Hmm. What do I think about re-designing the Trillium logo? Good question? Might not be a bad idea. It has been around for 42 years. Companies always update their logos, so why not the government? Could the money be better spent on other issues? Perhaps, perhaps not. Read about issue this awhile ago, and I think the government isn’t planning to replace the logo all at once, but, I think, it is over a period of time, so no exaggerated expenses all at once.
What I don’t like is Tory’s insinuating that the Liberals are wasting money. After spending millions of dollars on health care, automotive industry assistance, infrastructure, etc. How does spending $219,000 connote a wastage of money. Is this all that Tory has: whining about what amounts to a paltry sum, in the grand scheme of things, to re-design the Trillium logo? More importantly is this the extent that politics has devolved into?
Suggestion to those who operate the site: an edit feature for users would be appreciated.
Just found the site B.D./Phantom.. I have to agree that spending money on this logo is just a waste…my son just finished several years at Queens upgrading his education to become a high school teacher…now there are so many cut backs — no hope of getting a position…this is after he gave up his position at M.N.R. for a degree (at their request) to obtain a permanent position and then they closed the office here in Kingston…its one thing after another…put some money into something worthwhile…bring some jobs for the working people…but a flower on a logo…sorry….(Nice to see you guys again)
So John Tory is wandering around the province trying to get the average voter riled up about the Trillium logo fiasco. What a buinch of manure!
Surely the average voter can’t be that easily distracted from remebering the horrible Harris years and the reason so many things are as $$#@**ed up as they are is because of the previous Tory government.
Which government cut spending to schools? Closed hospital beds? Closed schools with their ridiculous funding formula? Sold Highway 407? Caused Ipperwash? Downloaded all the expenses on to communities? Amalgamation?etc, etc.
Manybe before we go to the polls again, we should look at the previous Tory legacy and re-evaluate that.
I do agree that changing the logo is trivial and a waste but surely there are more meatier topics out there!
Don’t disagree that the Tories botched a number of things, particularly downloading social programs onto municipalities. Former government wasted money and spent like proverbial drunken sailors in final year under Ernie Eves, which was more disappointing.
That’s not the point, however.
It is hardly coincidental that the new Ontario logo is closer to the current Liberal logo than the old Ontario logo, if you follow my drift.
This is the same government that railed at the Tories for using taxpayer money to fund partisan ads.
The Liberals are more subtle that the Conservatives (hard not to be) but are up to the same tricks.
Don’t know how meaty that is but it should tick you off.
jwallace, first of all its nice to have you back writing topics for us to debate, whine about, etc.
Secondly, while it is true that the proposed logo is similar to the Liberals own logo, in the grand scheme of things it is a minor irritation. Besides, how many people are aware of the similarities between the two. Hopefully, they are more concerned with the issues, like haditwithgovernment mentioned, or all the good they have done.
I went to savethetrillium website to read some of the “rants” people are writing about this supposed kerfuffle created by Premier McGuinty’s altering the design of the Trillium, and lo and behold there was no “rants” published on the site, nor was there a specific place to write any (at least none I could find). There was a place where you could write anecdotes about the actual trillium. Primarily, the site was dedicated to writing letters to Premier McGuinty about the changes.
The question I have, is how does the government’s changing the design of the logo, impact on the actual Trillium in a negative manner? (Oddly enough the website connects the two AS if the new logo somehow altered our understanding of what a trillium looked like. Completely absurd!). This affair is completely, as the Bard said, much ado about nothing!
Laura Says:
July 18th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
I am very sick of the goverment giving money to marketing companies! Isn’t this just like, dare I say it, sponsorship?
Perhaps the 200K would be better spent on education… but, with education… then everyone might come to understand how badly we are being sheistered…
Laura: The government does business by paying money to marketing firms for the work they are asked to do. That is normal business practice. To compare it to the Sponsorship fiasco is ludicrous. The government has increased spending on Education already. In order to understand how government works, one needs to take Political Science courses (i.e.: University).
Be careful Phantom, that sounded as if you were putting Laura down for not having much education and how would she be able to get more education if our government in its infinite wisdom is cutting away teaching positions by such a high percentage, increasing tuition and make it virtually impossible for the average Canadian to enter post graduate studies (unless they are willing – can get and carry huge loans) while opening the doors to Foreign students ? and don’t forget that after graduation…the job market has been cut oops did the gov’t do that also…oh well you still have to pay for those loans…at what percentage per month…? that can be quite a feat if you are married with kids….
I know you wouldn’t put anyone down…
rose:
I wasn’t attempting to put Laura down for her comment, rather I was attempting to clarify things for her. Her comment about giving money to marketing firms, is somehow similar to the Sponsorship scandal, is an erroneous statement.
As for her statement of giving the money to Education, I simply pointed out that Education has received increased funding. And her ascertain that if the money was given to Education “then everyone might come to understand how badly we are being sheistered…” (her words). I pointed out that to acquire that knowledge one would require University education, as far as I’m aware (I’ve been out of Secondary school long enough, I am unaware if it is taught there.
Yes, rose, I am very aware of the cost involved in a post-secondary education. Until recently I have been studying at the Master’s level. While the interest rate is not that high (my opinion), it can be difficult to re-pay. Yes, it is an expensive undertaking, but the government has made improvements to OSAP, so that more people can qualify, and receive more money. However, the Governments does provide re-payment options. According to Stats Canada, we have the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years.
You’re right, rose, I was being curt in my response by including the reference to University, and for that Laura, I am sorry.
While this is off topic, do they teach Political Science at the Secondary level?
Phantom, Political Science is not taught at the Secondary level here..the only subject that might come anywhere close is History. Political Science is a M.A. program here, one that my husband has completed at U. of Essex and is now completing a M.I.R. here at Queen’s. We get into a few debates — he is from Greece.
I knew you were not putting Laura down, you would never do that, but it wasn’t my intention to sound bossy.
rose: No worries you didn’t sound bossy. Thanks, for pointing out that I was being curt. It is frustrating when people associate everything with the Sponsorship affair. BTW – you can complete a B.A. in Political Science. I know that they have mock U.N. sessions at the Secondary level, but I was unsure whether they incorporated an actual Political Science course in the curriculum. I think, it would be a good idea if they implemented it as a required course for all levels, perhaps, it would help educate people. You husband is completing an M.I.R. It is a Master’s of ???
rose, why aren’t you posting in the current topic: Tory going to school?
Yes …Masters of Industrial Relations….lots of Canadian law…he’s writing his thesis … I don’t find Tory going to school very interesting…read my latest post there lol…like the newest posting tho…glad he took your idea to heart…thanks for that…I really like world issues when they pertain locally.. do you still speak with B.D…don’t see him on here….
Sounds like a very intriguing course. Hopefully, your husband enjoys writing, a thesis is a major undertaking: most don’t realise that it can be the length of a book. I don’t find the topic of Tory going to summer school interesting, either. I wrote some stuff in order to get some debate going.
Haven’t heard from Barry, lately. We have e-mailed each other irregularly, last heard he was busy working. I miss his comments, they were always thought-provoking. Except his only post so far, since the site has become re-activated.
I missed everyone with all the kuffuffle that went on and just before everything was shut down I saw that you had found B.D.’s addie. How did you do that? I have something that I would like to send to him, not on topic for here. I appreciate the way things are running here now…its seems great eh?
I meant to address your statement “good idea if they implemented it as a required course for all levels, perhaps, it would help educate people” – depending on the will of some primary and secondary teachers to engage theirselves they will hold classes and mock elections and try to imbue wherein children are taught everything regarding our political culture from municipal to federal levels. A few good teachers are very enthusiastic when given free rein.
I agree, rose. I obtained Barry’s addie from the last incarnation of this blog site. he had posted it in one of the category’s (I forget which one, although, it doesn’t matter now). Hopefully, Barry sees your post and provides you with his addie. I’m not sure it is for me to divulge it, cause you never know, our old pet, could be reading, but not posting. We wouldn’t want him to know too much info. One can never be too cautious.
Yes, it is nice that that things are running alright, so far.
I agree with you teachers should, if the boards of Education would allow them, to teach the students how the system works and hold mock elections, (although, that is happening in some schools now), so they will become more educated in how everything works from the election process through to how governments work, with all its inherent intricacies. Teachers, need to be given more leeway to teach revelent topics, such as this and Canadian History. We, seem to be in too much of a rush to educate the young generation, but not include important aspects of who we are as Canadians.
totally understand…I wouldn’t give it either…hopefully we will see our friend on here soon – he must be busy writing a piece since we know that he has found the site.
I see that there is someone who is very anxious to debate with you lol ..edging you on by calling you gullible…go get em’…love a good debate…have you noticed that J.W. will enter when its a one on one…but when others are in there debating he steps back…I think that is a good host eh? I know that you know I am in Kingston, but I never did find out where you are….?
Keep your eye on Johnny….
rose, It is always good to have a debate on a topic. Any time you can have an exchange of ideas or examine your position it is worthwhile. Yes, I have noticed that about J.W. and I think that is a good way to host a site to remain on the sidelines, unless or until it is necessary to respond to problematic situations. Yes, I remember you live in Kingston and I have not given an exact location as to where I live, other than to say it is along the Lake Erie shoreline. When, our pet was posting I did allude to the fact that I didn’t all that far from Brantford, which is where he lives. At least according to Barry, and if I remember correctly he mentioned that as his home town.
Yes, I am watching out for Johnny, although, he hasn’t responded lately, nor has Anole.
rose: I didn’t mention before, that in one of the last e-mail’s Barry sent me, he said he hasn’t been writing any articles lately, and that he had a job as a bartender at a yacht club. The reason I suspect Wally as being Barry is because of the similarities in writing style, the usage of words and the choice of put-downs. Having read, as you have, Barry’s posts, the similarities to me are striking. When, our pet, used to post under a different avatar and attempted to be relatively polite, I knew who it was base on writing style and usage of words, and I was always correct. But, I do hope, I am wrong in believing that Wally and Barry are the same individual. Your points, that they both live in Toronto, both are writers and both are the same age, tends to lead one in the direction that they are one and the same person. As does the fact that Barry has failed to post since July 18. Which is unusual for him, especially since he always enjoyed engaging in lively debates. Nor, has he e-mailed me in a long time, not that we exchanged e-mail’s on a regular basis, but we did occasionally.
well here we go again …Phantom I think we have to be careful…B.D. has a big problem…someone has a gripe against him personally…