A PETA pitch with wings?
Animal protection activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are ready to buy ad space on Air Canada aircraft. The group is suggesting a photo of a seal be painted on airplane fins, along with a punchy slogan on the fuselage.
"PETA would like to offer funds to wrap planes flying between Canada and the U.S. with our 'Ground Cruelty: End the Seal Slaughter' ad," PETA senior vice-president Dan Mathews said in a letter to Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu. "At some point, Canadian leaders will realize that they are tarnishing the entire country's image. ... What better way to get their attention than by reaching out to tourists and business travellers?"
Mr. Mathews will be at Air Canada's headquarters in Montreal later this week, and the airline says it is open to the idea of letting him meet with an airline official to discuss unspecified issues, but Mr. Rovinescu won't be there. While Air Canada recently got animal friendly and allowed some small cats and dogs back into the cabin, count on the airline to politely shut the door on PETA's publicity pitch.
Lightening the load
Margot Sobers, a single mom who works in the downtown Toronto headquarters of Bank of Montreal, decided three weeks ago to act on her idea that kids in the most need could use new backpacks to inspire them at the start of a new school year.
Through her personal philanthropic vehicle, ProjectCLIMB, she set out to collect 50 backpacks and fill them with school supplies and a small chocolate treat. She then donated them to Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs and the Red Door Shelter.
She tapped her colleagues at the bank, and others. Fast forward to the first day of school yesterday and Ms. Sobers had collected donations of funds or supplies to give away 94 bags, and now has a new goal of 200.
"I'm a single mum myself; these single parents really need help. Not a hand-down or pity, we just need people to be kind-hearted," Ms. Sober told us.
