# The CanaDoper Café (2012 edition of The great, ongoing Canadian current events and politics thread.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014 "2012-01-01T03:31:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 120
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2382 "2012-12-24T04:21:49Z")
From what I understand, Blizzaks, X-Ice, and Hakkepelitas are all about tied for best winter tires. I’ve got the Nokians myself and very happy with them, but don’t have experience with the others. In my case it came down to what was available in the size I needed. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2383 "2012-12-24T04:27:38Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > London: [Redirect Notice](http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblackburnnews.com%2Flondon%2F2012%2F12%2F19%2Fidle-no-more-marches-through-london%2F&ei=W6TWUN_AFNCNrQGH4oCgBA&usg=AFQjCNE18BJycbw3crGapb2K-Bu8cS3DXw&sig2=tjgwbU2AA57DwURbnfu2sw) > > and a couple of pics [Redirect Notice](http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDwQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.knet.ca%2Fnode%2F22214&ei=W6TWUN_AFNCNrQGH4oCgBA&usg=AFQjCNFVwXNTMLeMHohqt3ohW8Bn95Jn-Q&sig2=rWkNtVeVvYCQb8qLd0McHA) > > Espanola: [http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2012/12/22-hwy17-closed-sudbury.aspx](http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2012/12/22-hwy17-closed-sudbury.aspx) Thanks for the links - I tweeted one to @nenshi, our Mayor’s twitter feed. 🙂 > [@Leaffan](#): > > Yeah, 40 fucking centimeters of white Christmas! > > Driving sucked the last two days. Well, I’m off to Bayshore mall now… We haven’t had a lot of snow, but it’s been damned cold, and you could skate on the roads tonight. We drove over to the local pub for supper, about a ten minute drive, and slip-slided our way back. The asshole who was double-parked on the road and forced us to come to a complete stop trying to go up a hill on ice made me want to get out and punch him in the head. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2384 "2012-12-24T04:41:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > The asshole who was double-parked on the road and forced us to come to a complete stop trying to go up a hill on ice made me want to get out and punch him in the head. Lack of NHL is taking its toll. I know. Stay calm. The juniors are coming on Boxing day. Until then, have a Caesar or two. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2385 "2012-12-24T04:42:03Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > A [CTV news article](http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/need-for-speed-in-resource-development-meets-first-nations-reality-1.1090147)that show what folks (aboriginals, government and industry) are dealing with that helps bring the blockades into perspective. [http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/need-for-speed-in-resource-development-meets-first-nations-reality-1.1090147](http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/need-for-speed-in-resource-development-meets-first-nations-reality-1.1090147) Interesting article - I found the comments even more interesting, though. Here’s a good example - > [@](#): > > A native friend of my said that natives have a saying: Never step out of your own canoe. In other words, they train their children to believe that the reserve is the only place they will every live. Instead of locking their children on reserves and giving them no hope, native parents could tell their children that there is a whole, wide, beautiful world out there–go forth and explore it! The faster we get rid of these reserves the better. BUt the thing that is holding them back is the chiefs and elders who want to maintain the power, control, and the federal money. They are imprisoning their own people, and when you lock people up and give them no hope, they go crazy or kill themselves. Get rid of the reserves and we’d get rid of these problems in less than a generation. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2386 "2012-12-24T04:43:09Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Lack of NHL is taking its toll. I know. Stay calm. The juniors are coming on Boxing day. Until then, have a Caesar or two. We’ve already got our tickets to the NLL lacrosse season opener here on January 12th! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2387 "2012-12-24T04:50:39Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Thanks for the links - I tweeted one to @nenshi, our Mayor’s twitter feed. 🙂 Might also mention the blocade of CN Rail at Sarnia (a big petrochemical centre). It’s been going on for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2388 "2012-12-24T04:59:03Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Might also mention the blocade of CN Rail at Sarnia (a big petrochemical centre). It’s been going on for a few days. Crikeys, that’s my home town. I’ll get me mum’s take on it tomorrow and get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2389 "2012-12-24T04:59:56Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Might also mention the blocade of CN Rail at Sarnia (a big petrochemical centre). It’s been going on for a few days. Done! ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2390 "2012-12-24T05:05:13Z")
I drove highway 2 today. It’s damn cold up here too, but other than a few idiots and lots of defensive driving I was ok. I was still happier to have my boyfriend in the car with me and not driving it alone. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2391 "2012-12-24T12:12:06Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Crikeys, that’s my home town. I’ll get me mum’s take on it tomorrow and get back to you. I’m curious to learn if it is a general protest, a protest specifically addressing the [male/female birth ratio of people on the reserve](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1281269/), or both. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2392 "2012-12-24T16:38:57Z")
> [@Flutterby](#): > > I drove highway 2 today. It’s damn cold up here too, but other than a few idiots and lots of defensive driving I was ok. I drove Highway 2 recently as well. Not bad, but not as good as it could have been. Still, Saturday’s snowfall in Calgary coupled with the plunge in temps has meant that the stuff isn’t going anywhere soon. Slow down and stay safe, all! ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2393 "2012-12-24T18:44:56Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I drove Highway 2 recently as well. Not bad, but not as good as it could have been. Still, Saturday’s snowfall in Calgary coupled with the plunge in temps has meant that the stuff isn’t going anywhere soon. Slow down and stay safe, all! All in all I like a 20 degree Calgary brown Christmas (I go for a bike ride). But this year’s sure will be pretty. Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone. Looking forward to a Dope 2013. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2394 "2012-12-24T19:33:26Z")
Shutting down the office for Christmas. Top of the season to all of you! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2395 "2012-12-24T22:26:20Z")
> [@gregorio](#): > > All in all I like a 20 degree Calgary brown Christmas (I go for a bike ride). But this year’s sure will be pretty. Yup, me too. They’re talking about a white Christmas on the weather channel all the time, and I keep thinking, “A white Christmas means snow. I’ll take a Chinook Christmas, thanks.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2396 "2012-12-25T00:01:02Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > We’ve already got our tickets to the NLL lacrosse season opener here on January 12th! 😃 Calgary had the best record in the West last year and are kicking off the 2013 season by hosting the team with the best record in the East, the Toronto Rock. Should be a blast! 🙂 Merry Christmas, all y’all! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2397 "2012-12-25T00:16:26Z")
Snow tornados in Ontario? Snownados? Seriously? WTF, weather? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2398 "2012-12-25T00:24:45Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Snow tornados in Ontario? Snownados? Seriously? WTF, weather? It’s just like the good old days, when we used to have real winters in Ottawa. Like 1998 with the second largest amount of snow on record, and 1970-71 with the record 444 cm. Seriously, we get snowy winters; we get mild winters; we get ice storms; we get it all. The last three winters here have been easy. We’re probably due for a whopper of a winter. I’m OK with that as long as I can slither to work and back OK. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2399 "2012-12-25T06:30:21Z")
Just waiting for the kidlet to fall asleep now so I can fill the stocking. We were out late at family dinner. Merry Christmas all! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2400 "2012-12-25T07:25:11Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I’m in Calgary right now. Tonight, I sat by the window of a pub and had a bite of supper and a couple of beers while watching the snow fall outside. It was nice. Felt like Christmas. That’s one of my favourite things to do at this time of the year - but the pressure of work and the Cub means I don’t get much opportunity. I squeezed in a pint and snow a few weeks ago: [I love having a Kilkenny and watching the snow fall!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675242&highlight=kilkenny) ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2012, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014/2401 "2012-12-25T08:12:42Z")
Santa’s been to Calgary. I’m in Calgary, staying at the Palliser. I was having some supper in the bar tonight, when we were all interrupted by Santa and his elves, walking in, greeting us with “Merry Christmas,” and “Ho Ho Ho-ing.” Santa walked around and met everybody in the bar, and he left things for all of us–some got little teddy bears, some got a handful of candy canes, and one gentleman got a large stuffed elephant. We all laughed and clapped for Santa as he left to get back in his sleigh in order to visit the children of Calgary. Me, I got a handful of candy canes. Santa remembered that I have a sweet tooth! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014.md?page=119) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadoper-cafe-2012-edition-of-the-great-ongoing-canadian-current-events-and-politics-thread/608014.md?page=121)