Canadian sets Pedal Boat World Record

Greg Kolodziejzyk from Calgary, Alberta, set a new world record by pedalling his human-powered boat "Critical Power 2" 241.8 km (151.3 miles) in 24 hours. He started Monday, September 8 and finishing the next day. Official observers from the International Human Powered Vehicle Association were stationed along the course to verify that Kolodziejzyk stayed to the outside of the markers and travelled the full distance measured. The record must be ratified by the IHPVA and Guinness World Records.

Canadians excel in 2008 Paralympics

Canada's athletes have won 50 medals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China - with 19 gold, 10 silver, and 21 bronze. Canada rated 7th in gold and tenth overall out of 148 countries.

The Sailing team won 3 medals. Paul Tingley (Halifax NS) won gold in 1P keelboat (2.4mR), the first sailing gold in a Paralympic games. John Scott McRoberts (Victoria, BC) and Stacie Louttit (Victoria, BC) won bronze in 2P keelboat.

The Swimming team won 21 medals. In Women's 200m individual medley, Chelsey Gotell (Antigonish, NS) won gold with a new world record with 5 medals overall. Kirby Cote (Winnipeg, MB) and Valerie Grand'Maison (Montreal, QC), with 5 medals, were second and third. The three won again in the women's 100m butterfly, but in a different order. Stephanie Dixon (Victoria, BC) with 4 medals, won gold in the women's 100-metre backstroke and broke her own world record. Benoit Huo won 3 medals, and Anne Polinario won a gold. [2008 Paralympics | Canada - 2008 Paralympics ]

Quebec think-tank advocates Selling Canada's Water

The Montreal Economic Institute, has released a report (Aug 27) that says Quebec could make up to $65 billion a year by selling “just 10%” of its blue gold to the United States to the south. They suggest that redefining water as a trade item would actually protect Canada’s water resources by requiring the creation of “a legal and regulatory framework.”

The report conflicts with Canadian public opinion. Since the 1960’s, Canadians have rejected ideas by private companies and the U.S. government to divert bulk quantities of Canada’s fresh water or to turn water into a tradeable commodity like oil or wood. Although the World Resources Institute lists Canada #3 in renewable water (replenished by precipitation), the Polaris Institute noted 60% of Canada’s rivers flow away from populated areas into the Arctic and cannot be used by even Canada.

Montreal Economic Institute report: http://www.iedm.org/main/show_publications_en.php?publications_id=226
Polaris Institute: http://www.polarisinstitute.org/turning_on_canada_s_tap_0
| http://www.polarisinstitute.org/critics_dump_on_water_study