I got a real kick, in a sort of painfully embarrassing kind of way, out of these vintage Canadian televison ads. There's really nothing funny about these ads, most are quite dull, but if you grew up in Canada during these years you might experience an odd feeling of nostalgia or nauseation, depending on your mood. Try to spot the NHL hall of famer! And no it's not our Swedish friend Ingemar. [via veer]

I've always had a thing for the graphic designs covering skateboard decks, same goes for the t-shirt designs. These deck designs are now being appreciated as art rather than sports equipment at an exhibit traveling across Canada, making stops in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal. 32 Inch Canvas is featuring hand painted decks from 65 artists from across North America. Vancouver being the next opening for the show, October 16th at Livestock in Gastown.

It probably would come as no surprise that I voted for the Victoria Green Party candidate Ariel Lade. The Greens failed to will a single seat in Ottawa, but because of changes under the Elections Finances Act, parties that are able to get 2% of the popular vote will receive $1.75 per vote in federal funding. Even though I knew it would be a close call for the Greens to simply win one seat in parliament I didn't feel my vote was going to be for nothing and that I had to vote for the "lesser of two evils."

The Green Party received some 580,000 votes, an increase of 458% since the 2000 federal election resulting in more than a million dollars in public funds each year. Now you can see why Jim Harris released a "Victory Speech" without winning a single seat. In his speech Harris thanked supporters and criticized the current electoral system. Below are a few quotes which really resonated with me.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow, or is that today... I know, five years and still have a hard time with that time difference thing. Participatory democracy is "in" say experts as well as being seen at elementary school gymnasiums and church basements across the nation.

With all the time I've spent over the last 4 years following American politics I've really lost touch with the issues in my country of citizenship, Canada. A general election has been called for June 28, so this morning I took a political quiz that asked questions on a range of issues from Heath Care to Missile Defense to Marijuana Decriminalization.

and these are my potential choices according to the quiz;

Layton Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada (score = 100)

Gilles Duceppe Leader of the Bloc Quebecois (score = 86)

Paul Martin Leader of Liberal Party of Canada, Prime Minister of Canada (score= 45)

Stephen Harper Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (score = 14)

There's only one problem. The quiz totally omitted the party I am somewhat leaning towards. The Green Party of Canada. This year the Greens have 300 confirmed candidates, and have plans to become only the fourth party in Canadian history to run a full slate of 308 candidates, and currently polling at 6% nationally.

Green Party leader Jim Harris has also been blocked from attending the upcoming political debate despite the widespread support the Greens are getting from all over the country, and especially in British Columbia where the party is polling at 14%.