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thethirdperiod.ca is where I write about family, travel, golf, activism, and other stuff that crosses my mind.
I’m a retired business executive with a wonderful family and a full, rewarding life.
Now, in the third period of life, I’m sharing the experiences we’re having—the fun, the discoveries, and the adventures that come with this stage. We’re enjoying our family, grandchildren, friends, and the activities that keep life interesting.
And who knows? We may even go into overtime.
Note: The image shows the original time clock from Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto
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Should Private Collections Cost Public Officials Their Jobs?
An article in the Toronto Star this morning caught my attention, and I thought it was worth exploring the implications of the situation it described. Niagara Region Chair Bob Gale resigned his position, effective immediately, after it was revealed that he had purchased a signed copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf . Gale had served as regional chair for 84 days after being appointed by the Ontario government following the death of the previous chairperson. Documents confirmed by
tgandco2
Mar 124 min read
Ontario’s Online Gambling Boom Is Creating a Problem Gambling Crisis
In June 2022, I posted an article on this blog about online gaming—specifically sports betting. You can read that article here . In that post, I was trying to make a few key points. First, online gaming—particularly sports betting—had become far too easy and largely uncontrolled following the government's decision to allow private operators into the market on April 4, 2022. Essentially, you now have an online casino and sportsbook in your pocket 24/7. It’s always with you—whi
tgandco2
Mar 115 min read
Ontario Education Policy: The Real Impact of Ford’s OSAP Changes
Doug Ford has always struck me as an “anti-education” kind of guy. He doesn’t have a university degree and dropped out of Humber College. Presumably, there was no university degree requirement for him to join his family’s multi-million-dollar business. In fact, Ford has never held a job outside the company his father started or politics—first at Toronto City Hall and now provincially. His populist style gives me the impression of someone who may be insecure about his lack of
tgandco2
Mar 105 min read
Women’s Hockey Is Thriving — Should Canada Follow Its Lead?
Teresa and I recently attended a Toronto Sceptres game, with the team hosting the New York Sirens. We’ve tried to make this an annual tradition ever since the Sceptres moved to Coca-Cola Coliseum at Exhibition Place. In their first year in the league—when they played at the rink above the Loblaws at the old Maple Leaf Gardens site—tickets were nearly impossible to get. These days, access is still competitive, but far more realistic. And from the moment you start planning th
tgandco2
Jan 85 min read
Is America in Decline? A Canadian Retiree's View on the Rot in US Society Today
I don't often post politically oriented articles. My fundamental view is that each person is entitled to their opinion, and as long as that opinion doesn't infringe on my (or others') way of life, have at it. I don't really care what you think. For example, let's take the controversial topic of abortion. You can believe whatever you want on the subject; I don't care. However, when you take actions that inhibit others, whether that is harassing patients outside an abortion cli
tgandco2
Nov 20, 20257 min read
Rethinking Taxes - Is it Time to Feel Better About Paying Taxes?
Introduction Taxes are often viewed as a necessary evil, a burden that we all must bear. But what if we could change our perspective on...
tgandco2
Sep 25, 20257 min read
Is health care in Ontario a disaster?
Disaster is probably too strong a word, although many would say it is not strong enough. I think the Ontario Health Care system (OHIP)...
tgandco2
Jan 21, 202513 min read
Trudeau's dismal support of the TRC - we should be embarrassed as Canadians
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, issued the following statements after receiving the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation...
tgandco2
May 20, 20247 min read
I Joined a Political Party (then quit)
I have never been a member of any political party. Although I have a keen interest in current affairs and follow politics closely, I have...
tgandco2
Dec 31, 20239 min read
The Boy in the Picture
I don’t listen to podcasts as a rule, but the only one I do listen to is The Secret Life of Canada. Teresa and I started listening to...
tgandco2
Jun 10, 20224 min read
Online gaming - Who is going to take responsibility for this?
I should say up front that I have never been a gambler. When I was working, I travelled to Las Vegas twice a year for conferences. My...
tgandco2
Jun 9, 20225 min read
Truth and Reconciliation?
I don't think there was a news story in 2021 that grabbed the attention, and more importantly, the heartstrings of Canadians more than...
tgandco2
Feb 23, 20226 min read
Oh! ... Ottawa ... Oh! ... Canada
I am sure many of you watched with a mixture of interest, concern, disgust and embarrassment at the last three weeks in Ottawa and to a...
tgandco2
Feb 22, 202211 min read
My Canada Day Project
I thought I would wait to post this as there seemed to be a flurry of articles, comments, posts and rants about Canada Day at the...
tgandco2
Aug 29, 20215 min read
Why Recognizing the Armenian Genocide Maybe an Indicator that Joe Biden Will be a Great President
April 24, 2021, was the 106th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire. On this same day, President Joe Biden...
tgandco2
May 20, 20215 min read
How do we hold governments and government leaders accountable?
One of the things I have found increasingly frustrating is that governments and their leaders seem to be held even less accountable...
tgandco2
Mar 17, 20216 min read
My 2020 list of ... What frustrates me the most
This is the time of year when so many best-of lists are produced. Best movies, books, television shows. Best classic rock songs (although...
tgandco2
Jan 2, 20219 min read
What Can We Do About Climate Change?
I hope everyone reading this agrees that climate change is a significant, human-caused problem that requires dramatic action, or else the...
tgandco2
Oct 21, 20209 min read
My Journey into Activism
In some ways, I feel like my engagement in activism was similar to my engagement in health and wellness (read A Journey to Better Health...
tgandco2
Jul 7, 20209 min read
Our Journey to More Local Shopping
My first decision was whether this post should go under the health or activism category. My inclination was activism as I felt that you...
tgandco2
Jun 12, 20206 min read
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