The Canadian Radio-television Commission has launched a public consultation on the loudness of TV commercials.

"Loud ads on television can disrupt an otherwise enjoyable program and are a source of significant annoyance for Canadians," CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in a news release.

Finckenstein said the CRTC will work with the broadcasting industry to find an acceptable solution.

With a full switch to digital television on the horizon, the regulator is looking for ways to force broadcasters to adhere to a standard of loudness for their signals.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee, an international non-profit group trying to set standards for digital broadcasting, has made recommendations on loudness levels for digital TV.

The CRTC is seeking the public's input on the issue, saying it is looking for a way to effectively control the volume of commercials by cable and satellite providers and broadcasters.

The U.S. has already taken a position on this. Last December, Congress passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, which will require lower volumes for commercials that are usually louder, the New York Times reported.

Read more.

Will you participate in the CRTC's public consultation? Do you find commercials too loud? Let us know in the comments below.

Related P.O.V.: TV commercial volume: Does it need regulation?

The Canadian Radio-television Commission has launched a public consultation on the loudness of TV commercials.

"Loud ads on television can disrupt an otherwise enjoyable program and are a source of significant annoyance for Canadians," CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in a news release.

Finckenstein said the CRTC will work with the broadcasting industry to find an acceptable solution.

With a full switch to digital television on the horizon, the regulator is looking for ways to force broadcasters to adhere to a standard of loudness for their signals.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee, an international non-profit group trying to set standards for digital broadcasting, has made recommendations on loudness levels for digital TV.

The CRTC is seeking the public's input on the issue, saying it is looking for a way to effectively control the volume of commercials by cable and satellite providers and broadcasters.

The U.S. has already taken a position on this. Last December, Congress passed the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, which will require lower volumes for commercials that are usually louder, the New York Times reported.

Read more.

Will you participate in the CRTC's public consultation? Do you find commercials too loud? Let us know in the comments below.

Related P.O.V.: TV commercial volume: Does it need regulation?

By CBC News

Opposition MPs attempted to link the Prime Minister's Office to controversy over an altered foreign aid document, as they wrapped up a week of attacks against the government.

MPs took up most of question period Friday to focus on the decision to alter a document signed by International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda that denied funding for Canadian foreign aid agency Kairos.

The word "not" was added to a signed agreement that would have provided $7 million to the organization.

Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of forcing Oda to make the change.

"His [Harper's] DNA is all over this crime scene," Cuzner said.

"The big hand of PMO comes down and it's got a pen in it, and that pen writes across this application 'not'.... Does he put up with this minister because it was he who put her up to it in the first place?"

NDP MP Libby Davies asked whether accountability is meaningless to the government.

Government House leader John Baird took most of the questions directed to Oda, who wasn't in the Commons. He continued to argue Oda's decision was the right one, sidestepping the question of whether she should step down.

"This minister made the right decision to support the most vulnerable people in the world," Baird said.

Read more.

By CBC News

Opposition MPs attempted to link the Prime Minister's Office to controversy over an altered foreign aid document, as they wrapped up a week of attacks against the government.

MPs took up most of question period Friday to focus on the decision to alter a document signed by International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda that denied funding for Canadian foreign aid agency Kairos.

The word "not" was added to a signed agreement that would have provided $7 million to the organization.

Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of forcing Oda to make the change.

"His [Harper's] DNA is all over this crime scene," Cuzner said.

"The big hand of PMO comes down and it's got a pen in it, and that pen writes across this application 'not'.... Does he put up with this minister because it was he who put her up to it in the first place?"

NDP MP Libby Davies asked whether accountability is meaningless to the government.

Government House leader John Baird took most of the questions directed to Oda, who wasn't in the Commons. He continued to argue Oda's decision was the right one, sidestepping the question of whether she should step down.

"This minister made the right decision to support the most vulnerable people in the world," Baird said.

Read more.

One Winnipeg girl is becoming a YouTube sensation thanks to an endorsement by Lady Gaga.

Maria Aragon, 10, posted a video of herself playing a keyboard and singing the pop superstar's newest song, Born This Way. The video was posted on Feb. 16 and had 3,100 hits prior to being noticed by Gaga.

It saw a massive increase in views when Gaga went to her Twitter page on Thursday to compliment Aragon's rendition.

"Can't stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future," Gaga's posting stated.

The video had been viewed more than 1.4 million times as of 10 a.m. ET on Friday.
"Gaga sent me here," one person commented, while the majority of those who left posted remarks lauding Maria's voice as "amazing."

The number of viewings could continue to soar, as Lady Gaga has 8.2 million Twitter followers.

Read more.

Do you think 10-years-old is too young to be in the spotlight? What do you think will happen to Aragon now that Lady Gaga has noticed her? Let us know in the comments below.

One Winnipeg girl is becoming a YouTube sensation thanks to an endorsement by Lady Gaga.

Maria Aragon, 10, posted a video of herself playing a keyboard and singing the pop superstar's newest song, Born This Way. The video was posted on Feb. 16 and had 3,100 hits prior to being noticed by Gaga.

It saw a massive increase in views when Gaga went to her Twitter page on Thursday to compliment Aragon's rendition.

"Can't stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future," Gaga's posting stated.

The video had been viewed more than 1.4 million times as of 10 a.m. ET on Friday.
"Gaga sent me here," one person commented, while the majority of those who left posted remarks lauding Maria's voice as "amazing."

The number of viewings could continue to soar, as Lady Gaga has 8.2 million Twitter followers.

Read more.

Do you think 10-years-old is too young to be in the spotlight? What do you think will happen to Aragon now that Lady Gaga has noticed her? Let us know in the comments below.

• Cluttered cab: Would you have a problem riding in a cab full of the driver's personal belongings?
• Taxis: Do you feel drivers have the right to decorate the inside of their vehicles?

• Cluttered cab: Would you have a problem riding in a cab full of the driver's personal belongings?
• Taxis: Do you feel drivers have the right to decorate the inside of their vehicles?

• No body checking, and minimal collisions.
• No head contact, or even accidental intrusion with the stick or body into an imaginary sphere around the head, called the halo.
• No shooting at the net when a defender is in line with the goal.

• No body checking, and minimal collisions.
• No head contact, or even accidental intrusion with the stick or body into an imaginary sphere around the head, called the halo.
• No shooting at the net when a defender is in line with the goal.

The WWF has launched a campaign encouraging people to wear sweaters instead of turning up the heat in winter. (iStock)

People across Canada may see a surge in Mister Rogers and Bill Cosby look-alikes on Thursday because of National Sweater Day.

The national campaign, promoted by the World Wildlife Federation, encourages people to lower their thermostats by three degrees and put on a sweater if they get chilly.

If every Canadian turned down their thermostats by that much in the winter, it would save 2.2 megatonnes of carbon dioxide each year -- the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road, according to the WWF.

On Twitter, people paid homage to their favourite sweater-wearing celebrities.

"Happy National Sweater Day everyone," tweeted @kevinfortorcent. "Please pause to give thanks to the patron saint of sweaters, Bill Cosby."

"I will be wearing one--and listening to Weezer," tweeted Industry Minister Tony Clement, who is apparently a fan of the alternative rock band's classic hit Undone (The Sweater Song).

Twitter users also discussed what kind of sweaters they'd be sporting for the event.
 
"In the spirit of National Sweater Day, I will be wearing a wildlife scene sweater," tweeted @kurstmckelv. "The animals include elk, geese, and bobcat."

"I'm going with a heavy magenta cardigan ... how about you?" tweeted jeanninestamand.

Will you be suiting up for National Sweater Day? Send us pics of you in your favourite (or least favourite) sweater. You can upload them here, share them with our Flickr group, or email them to yournews@cbc.ca. You can also tweet us @cbccommunity. 

The WWF has launched a campaign encouraging people to wear sweaters instead of turning up the heat in winter. (iStock)

People across Canada may see a surge in Mister Rogers and Bill Cosby look-alikes on Thursday because of National Sweater Day.

The national campaign, promoted by the World Wildlife Federation, encourages people to lower their thermostats by three degrees and put on a sweater if they get chilly.

If every Canadian turned down their thermostats by that much in the winter, it would save 2.2 megatonnes of carbon dioxide each year -- the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road, according to the WWF.

On Twitter, people paid homage to their favourite sweater-wearing celebrities.

"Happy National Sweater Day everyone," tweeted @kevinfortorcent. "Please pause to give thanks to the patron saint of sweaters, Bill Cosby."

"I will be wearing one--and listening to Weezer," tweeted Industry Minister Tony Clement, who is apparently a fan of the alternative rock band's classic hit Undone (The Sweater Song).

Twitter users also discussed what kind of sweaters they'd be sporting for the event.
 
"In the spirit of National Sweater Day, I will be wearing a wildlife scene sweater," tweeted @kurstmckelv. "The animals include elk, geese, and bobcat."

"I'm going with a heavy magenta cardigan ... how about you?" tweeted jeanninestamand.

Will you be suiting up for National Sweater Day? Send us pics of you in your favourite (or least favourite) sweater. You can upload them here, share them with our Flickr group, or email them to yournews@cbc.ca. You can also tweet us @cbccommunity. 

The Westminster Kennel Club awarded its best in show title to a five-year-old Scottish deerhound named Hickory on Tuesday night.

She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.
"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked everyone at New York's Madison Square Garden, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international -- there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries.

"The quality of all of the dogs were outstanding," Dondina said. "This animal is like in the heavens. It's not of this world."

-With files from The Associated Press

Read more.

Which dog do you think should have won the Westminster Kennel Club best in show award? What's your favourite breed of dog? Let us know in the comments below.

The Westminster Kennel Club awarded its best in show title to a five-year-old Scottish deerhound named Hickory on Tuesday night.

She became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.
"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked everyone at New York's Madison Square Garden, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international -- there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries.

"The quality of all of the dogs were outstanding," Dondina said. "This animal is like in the heavens. It's not of this world."

-With files from The Associated Press

Read more.

Which dog do you think should have won the Westminster Kennel Club best in show award? What's your favourite breed of dog? Let us know in the comments below.

Miami Heat all-star Chris Bosh returns to face his former team in Toronto for the first time Wednesday.

The Toronto Raptors drafted Bosh in 2003 and fans watched him blossom from a talented rookie to becoming one of the league's most highly skilled big men. But after seven seasons in Toronto, and only two playoff appearances, Bosh left the NBA's lone Canadian franchise to join superstars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in Miami during free-agency last summer.

In a city that celebrated the return of Vince Carter by donning No. 15 baby bibs, the Raptors know Chris Bosh's visit to Toronto could get ugly.

"I think it will be real crazy, I think it will be a lot of excitement, I think it will be, phew. . . like The Rock coming back to WWE," Raptors forward Reggie Evans said, laughing.

Toronto fans have been spurned before, watching the likes of Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady and Carter hightail it to other teams.

But the manner of Bosh's departure left fans stinging. He toyed with their hearts, tweeting: "Should I stay or should I go?" He complained that Raptors games weren't on T.V. in the U.S., he griped about Canada's inferior cable T.V. lineup.

Bosh is prepared for the worst, but the 26-year-old said he has no regrets on how his handled things in Toronto.

"Sometimes there's no good way to separate or move on. You have to put the past behind," Bosh told reporters in Indianapolis on Tuesday before Miami's game versus the Pacers. "At no time did I feel I said anything degrading or bad or acted uncivilized. I'm pretty happy with the way things went."

-With files from The Associated Press

Read more.

Miami Heat all-star Chris Bosh returns to face his former team in Toronto for the first time Wednesday.

The Toronto Raptors drafted Bosh in 2003 and fans watched him blossom from a talented rookie to becoming one of the league's most highly skilled big men. But after seven seasons in Toronto, and only two playoff appearances, Bosh left the NBA's lone Canadian franchise to join superstars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in Miami during free-agency last summer.

In a city that celebrated the return of Vince Carter by donning No. 15 baby bibs, the Raptors know Chris Bosh's visit to Toronto could get ugly.

"I think it will be real crazy, I think it will be a lot of excitement, I think it will be, phew. . . like The Rock coming back to WWE," Raptors forward Reggie Evans said, laughing.

Toronto fans have been spurned before, watching the likes of Damon Stoudamire, Tracy McGrady and Carter hightail it to other teams.

But the manner of Bosh's departure left fans stinging. He toyed with their hearts, tweeting: "Should I stay or should I go?" He complained that Raptors games weren't on T.V. in the U.S., he griped about Canada's inferior cable T.V. lineup.

Bosh is prepared for the worst, but the 26-year-old said he has no regrets on how his handled things in Toronto.

"Sometimes there's no good way to separate or move on. You have to put the past behind," Bosh told reporters in Indianapolis on Tuesday before Miami's game versus the Pacers. "At no time did I feel I said anything degrading or bad or acted uncivilized. I'm pretty happy with the way things went."

-With files from The Associated Press

Read more.

• Mortgages: How much do you still have to pay off?
• Credit card fraud: has your account been compromised?
• Credit card surcharges: Should merchants implement them?
• Debit, Credit or Cash: Which do you use most?

• Mortgages: How much do you still have to pay off?
• Credit card fraud: has your account been compromised?
• Credit card surcharges: Should merchants implement them?
• Debit, Credit or Cash: Which do you use most?

The tour will run from June 30 to July 8 and will include stops in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

The tour will run from June 30 to July 8 and will include stops in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.

By CBC News

A CBC investigation has found that reusable plastic food trays in some Vancouver-area shopping malls have as much bacteria on them as toilet seats have.

Swabs taken from trays in food courts at three malls were sent to University of British Columbia microbiologist Bob Hancock, who analyzed the samples. The malls involved were Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver, Park Royal in West Vancouver and Metrotown in Burnaby

"We saw as many bacteria on some food trays as we saw on a toilet," said Hancock.

The Pacific Centre mall's general manager, Ultan Kampff, said cleaning staff wipe the trays after every use and disinfect them every night.

"Our service provider has very high standards that are in line with acute care facilities," Kampff said. "Having said that, there's always an opportunity to revisit our procedures and our processes to see if we can do it better."

Park Royal and Metrotown both offered statements in response to the CBC test results, saying they had rigorous cleaning methods.

Despite the presence of some serious pathogens, they are not a major concern for healthy people, Hancock said.

Read more.

CBCNews.ca readers engaged in a discussion about our society's concerns about cleanliness. Many commenters believe people have become too anxious about bacteria.
"How do you think we become immune to certain types of bacteria? It is by being exposed to them," wrote jkeating. "The kids growing up today will be sicker than the previous generation, all because of the fear mongering and people's need to have a sterile world."

Bobby65 agreed. "Certainly we don't want really harmful bugs hovering around everywhere but some exposure to bacteria and things is not going to kill anybody if they are living a decent healthy lifestyle."

However, bette102 was glad the issue of bacteria on food trays was brought up. She said she contacted the health department in Winnipeg after finding the food trays at malls greasy. "They told me that the system won't change, that it's OK to just wipe down the tray. I suggested soap and hot water but they thought it wasn't necessary. Do these people just spray their dirty dishes and wipe them with a rag and put them back in the cupboard?
I never use a tray now, I carry my food to the table. If any food hits the table I throw that away."

Do you think people have become too worried about bacteria? What kinds of public places are you most concerned about when it comes to cleanliness? Let us know in the comments below.

By CBC News

A CBC investigation has found that reusable plastic food trays in some Vancouver-area shopping malls have as much bacteria on them as toilet seats have.

Swabs taken from trays in food courts at three malls were sent to University of British Columbia microbiologist Bob Hancock, who analyzed the samples. The malls involved were Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver, Park Royal in West Vancouver and Metrotown in Burnaby

"We saw as many bacteria on some food trays as we saw on a toilet," said Hancock.

The Pacific Centre mall's general manager, Ultan Kampff, said cleaning staff wipe the trays after every use and disinfect them every night.

"Our service provider has very high standards that are in line with acute care facilities," Kampff said. "Having said that, there's always an opportunity to revisit our procedures and our processes to see if we can do it better."

Park Royal and Metrotown both offered statements in response to the CBC test results, saying they had rigorous cleaning methods.

Despite the presence of some serious pathogens, they are not a major concern for healthy people, Hancock said.

Read more.

CBCNews.ca readers engaged in a discussion about our society's concerns about cleanliness. Many commenters believe people have become too anxious about bacteria.
"How do you think we become immune to certain types of bacteria? It is by being exposed to them," wrote jkeating. "The kids growing up today will be sicker than the previous generation, all because of the fear mongering and people's need to have a sterile world."

Bobby65 agreed. "Certainly we don't want really harmful bugs hovering around everywhere but some exposure to bacteria and things is not going to kill anybody if they are living a decent healthy lifestyle."

However, bette102 was glad the issue of bacteria on food trays was brought up. She said she contacted the health department in Winnipeg after finding the food trays at malls greasy. "They told me that the system won't change, that it's OK to just wipe down the tray. I suggested soap and hot water but they thought it wasn't necessary. Do these people just spray their dirty dishes and wipe them with a rag and put them back in the cupboard?
I never use a tray now, I carry my food to the table. If any food hits the table I throw that away."

Do you think people have become too worried about bacteria? What kinds of public places are you most concerned about when it comes to cleanliness? Let us know in the comments below.