Most recent entries for April 2008

More than one person came in the office this morning stressed because they couldn't Netfile their taxes on time. The good news is that Netfile users get an extension until May 6 due to delays on the website.

Based on many reader comments, however, it looks as though a number of you don't need the extension. Tax keeners told us, "That's odd. I sent mine in in February and system worked really well. ;)" and, "If only the CRA accepted returns 365 days out of the year, and not just on April 30th.... oh wait, they do."

Perhaps the commenter who captures it best: "If you owe money, you usually file the last possible day. If they owe you money, you usually file the day you get all your T4's. Funny how that works."

Read more comments on our tax story. And, be sure to take our tax YOUR VOTE. We want to know: Did you file your taxes on time?

Today is a busy day on CBCNews.ca. Some readers are outraged by the story Daughter locked in Austrian cellar reunites with children, mother-- see what you're saying. Plus, Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair photo 'beautiful': Leibovitz is still number two on the top viewed stories list. Got an opinion? Take our YOUR VOTE.

And, love it or hate it, see what Heather Mallick and you have to say about Walmart: Cheap and convenient come at a cost.

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Most viewed story this morning: Miley Cyrus Vanity Fair photo 'beautiful': Leibovitz

Photographer Annie Leibovitz says she's sorry her photos of teen idol Miley Cyrus, star of Disney's Hannah Montana TV series, have been 'misinterpreted.'

Leibovitz's remarks come in light of a public apology issued late Sunday by the 15-year-old performer saying she is "embarrassed" by two sets of sexy photos, including ones taken by Leibovitz for Vanity Fair magazine.Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus, seen here at the 2008 CMT Awards on April 14, both star in her Disney cable TV series, Hannah Montana.

Read story

Canadians sound off

...on Miley photo

"Oh no, I purposely posed for pictures of an artistically provocative (and non-sexually explicit) nature in a moment of Satan-induced weakness! I really hope my fans and Jesus will forgive me."
Ridiculous.
- She Bop 606

How come there isn't more outrage about the blatant sexualization of 15 year olds?

Maybe we can stem the prominence of pedophilia if we aren't tarting up girls under 16 and having them pose topless.
- cait50

"I'm so sick of all this young Hollywood nonsense! These girls are not a good influence. I'm sure the photos are gorgeous, but she's a 15 year girl...If I hear one more thing about Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton I'm gonna puke. Please, someone inform me when Paris Hilton goes to get a manicure on Sunset Blvd -- or When Miley Cyrus buys oranges at a supermarket. WHO CARES! "

Actually, the most disturbing part of this story is the part that says:

"Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day. Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley."

I'm sorry .... I am totally flummoxed by this. Even if this 15 year old was being stupid (as 15 year olds have a tendency to be) ... this girl's parents, and guardians were there. They saw the whole thing. They saw the pictures afterwards. They thought the pictures were "beautiful."

And now, suddenly, there are feelings of embarrassment and guilt???????

Sounds like a situation where the life of a performer is coming into conflict with her "image" as "Christian" and the marketers are freaking out.
- WindyStone

Also, the fact that Miley Cyrus will be a billionaire by the end of the year? Is that true? What is going on?
- Lotusfire

I'm not quite sure where in the bible it says not to allow "sexy" pictures of yourself to be taken. Anyone?
- GaretS

Why is this story cluttering the news page?
- WillieTheCat

Want to weigh in? Take our poll.

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Water levels continue to rise in New Brunswick. We've received dozens of photos.

Check out your best from the St. John River Flooding.

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Transit riders across Toronto were shocked to discover locked subway stations and out-of-service buses starting at midnight Friday after unionized Toronto Transit Commission workers walked off the job in a unexpected strike.

Here's are some of your reactions.

Torontonians sound off

...on the transit strike

"Mass transit is an essential service. We should send a bill to the union for all the extra carbon and pollution they are creating this weekend by making everyone drive to their destination in Toronto."
--crusaderx

"A regretful turn of events indeed, yet I can see a bit of logic in this action..the membership voted down the contract recommended by their union executive...the union executive may have surmised that to lock out immediately and disrupt the weekend users and hopefully force an acceptable renegotiation, was a better move than giving 48 hours and walking out Monday morning and devastating the extremely busy and important weekday commute. Just a thought."
--BThere

"As someone who has been on strike, no one enjoys it. You lose a lot of pay and have to wait for a very bureaucratic process to continue. Its always the last resort, but I'm glad to have done it.

But seriously - strikes are supposed to be inconvenient, folks. If they weren't, they wouldn't be effective. I know it sucks, but there was a vote, and it wasn't even close. I guess the MAJORITY of the workers felt they couldn't compromise. And that's how the democratic process works. You can't force workers to work when they feel their rights and security are endangered. Even if they were legislated back to work, all workers have the right to organize and engage with protest. Plus, it's legal.

So perhaps people need to show a bit of solidarity with the workers, not only with this strike, but with how hard they work. Perhaps if you were getting screwed over in your job, you would want the same.

And remember, it was the UNIONS that gave us the weekend. Even if we have to enjoy it without transit.
--SharmeenKhan

"As someone who has been on strike, no one enjoys it. You lose a lot of pay and have to wait for a very bureaucratic process to continue. Its always the last resort, but I'm glad to have done it.

But seriously - strikes are supposed to be inconvenient, folks. If they weren't, they wouldn't be effective. I know it sucks, but there was a vote, and it wasn't even close. I guess the MAJORITY of the workers felt they couldn't compromise. And that's how the democratic process works. You can't force workers to work when they feel their rights and security are endangered. Even if they were legislated back to work, all workers have the right to organize and engage with protest. Plus, it's legal.

So perhaps people need to show a bit of solidarity with the workers, not only with this strike, but with how hard they work. Perhaps if you were getting screwed over in your job, you would want the same.

And remember, it was the UNIONS that gave us the weekend. Even if we have to enjoy it without transit."
--edcann

Update: Toronto transit strike could be short-lived -- JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Check out these recent video submissions:

- St. John Flood
- Moncton van fire

To view, go to our video page and click Most Recent.

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Yesterday, the Bank of Canada said we can expect economic growth to grind to a near halt in the second quarter. Here's are some of your reactions.

Canadians sound off

...on slow economic growth

"I wonder, who outside of an economics major expects never ending growth? Is a FLAT economy really so bad? Sure, it doesn't create any more of those colourful paper pieces that people like to horde, but outside of that?

The World isn't endless either, so at one point something has to give, be it the planet / environment or the markets."
--Snowrunner

One of the primary causes of this is the high price of the Canadian dollar... this is Alberta's time to shine. Unfortunately the rest of Canada is going to pay very heavily for the prairie windfall.
--FromCalgary73

Don't blame Alberta or the Can Dollar

"The 2010 Olympics will pull us out of this . Two years to go, go, go..."
--Sweet Nut

Global Credit Crunch” = “Global Confidence Crisis”

The reality of this situation is that no one should have a problem getting more credit … in fact, the average person currently has access to far far far too much to credit.

The underlining problem here is the fact that the banks have been pirating for profit, got caught predatory lending, and now these same banking pirates will not lend to each other (as, of course, there is no honor among thieves) … thus today we have a Global Confidence Crisis in which these same banks now require a government bailout in order to carry on … which of course, the average person will be required to pay for, in the name of “our own good”.
--AnIdea

"Dear Bank of Canada: Thank you for grasping the obvious."
--TellTheTruth

Join the discussion

Leigh Felesky
Sr. Producer, CBCNews.ca

Montreal braces for another hockey game tonight -- go Habs! Readers submitted dozens of eye-witness photos of the riots after the game earlier this week. We've chosen some of the best to feature.

View them here.

Leigh Felesky
CBCNews.ca Sr. Producer

Spring snowstorms in the west and floods in the east, this week has been full of wild weather. Many readers sent in their flood photos. You can find twenty featured in this St. John River Flooding Gallery.

We've also been tracking your reactions to some of the most viewed stories.

Canadians sound off:

…on the claim that the "Tide is turning" for Hillary Clinton:

Tide is turning? That's some spin. A few weeks ago she was beating Obama by 20 percent in Pennsylvania polls. Now her lead has been cut to 10 percent and her cash-strapped campaign is a joke compared to the amount that Obama has raised.
bmorales85

Great Story! I envision one of these candidates as President and the other as Vice President. With all the attention they're getting it could happen. Even if it's a bit negative right now, later on when they make nice and run together against the republicans they may just pull it off.
- CathyT

Having lived in the United States for the last 12 years I have seen this country change from a proud, robust nation into one that has been intimidated by unfortunate events like Sept 11 and by bullying tactics by two Bush administrations, to become a nation fearful of the known and unknown. Gone are the days of "..the only thing we have to fear is fear itself". Barack Obama truly represents America's greatest opportunity to set its path in the right direction. Truly he is "untested", but has the sum 100 years experience between Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and Wolfowitz helped this country at all?
- kevinLondon

This is the first time I've commented here on the CBC on anything regarding the US presidential election. If I were an American citizen, I would most definitely fall into the category of Democrat. I have long admired Democrats...FDR, JFK, LBJ (yes that LBJ), Carter and Clinton (yes, that Clinton). But as a Canadian citizen who recognizes the importance of our relationship with the United States, in the upcoming vote, I would be supporting McCain. I simply do not feel that neither Hillary Clinton nor Obama are qualified to lead that nation. I wish this were not the case, but given Obama's lack of experience and Clinton's apparent lack of foreign policy knowledge, our interests on the world stage would not be served by either.
- ABBarb

Join the discussion

…on Brenda Martin being found guilty in money-laundering case:

Normally I am on the side of the accused, when it comes to Mexican justice, but something here smells so bad it would send skunks running.

She looks like she is acting and to be honest she is not good at it.
BillArends

Thank God other people see it too. I have been saying since day 1 that this is a scam. Brenda Changed her story a couple of times and lied to the public and the media and alot of people bought it hook line and sinker. If found guilty I DO NOT want her returned to Canada. She has wasted enough of canadians tax money on this. And if a guilty verdict does come in it'll will be funny to see the Lib and NDP MPs who held the Bring Brenda Home rally on Parliment Hill squirm. They were just trying to score points. This women shot her moulth off about foreign affairs dept. knowing full well that because of privacy laws they couldn't defend themselves. If she is indeed not guilty then I feel bad for her but i don't think she is.
- Out west by choice

I am getting mightily sick of hearing about poor Brenda and how depressed she is. Who would be happy about being in jail? But what really depresses her is getting cuaght and convicted. And as a taxpayer, I don't want her spending one more dime of my money. Serve your time in Mexico, Brenda. It is where you wanted to live - Canada wasn't good enough for you until you made a mess of things down south. Now you want us to rescue you. Sorry, babe. Too many others who deserve help...
- Rhody77

Join the discussion

Join today's discussion about the Montreal hockey riots.

Plus, don't miss today's top commented on stories:
Bank of Canada cuts interest rate
Ontario to ban cosmetic use of pesticides
'I'm not predicting a win,' Obama says of Pennsylvania primary