Gay date rejected for prom

Following a ruling by Monsignor John Pereyma Cathoic High School board, student Marc Hall, 17, will not be permitted to attend the school's prom accompanied by his 21 year-old boyfriend. ``We accept and support Marc,'' Mary Ann Martin, chair of the Toronto Area school board, said. ``But as for his request for the board to change its mind and allow him to bring his boyfriend to the prom, this we will not do.'' Hall, charging the school board with homophobia, insisted he would appeal the decision. ``I plead with you to reconsider your decision because of the many supporters. But more than that, I believe in justice and that God loves me for who I am,'' he said of the decision.

Mike Harris leaves office

Ontario's Premier, Mike Harris, officially left office Tuesday, marking the end of a career that left his home province a changed place and provided inspiration and encouragement to other like-minded politicians, notably Gordon Campbell and Steven Harper. Chief architect of the Common Sense Revolution, Mr. Harris brought the Ontario Tories back into power, and his departure raises questions about the party's ability to persuade the public it deserves re-election when its current term expires. Among Mr. Harris accomplishments are the reorganization of municipal government for the City of Toronto and surrounding communities, and a revival of the Ontario economy, which had grown stagnant after many years of Liberal and NDP management. Spending his final day on a trade mission to Los Angeles, Mr. Harris ended his career promoting the Canadian film industry with Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman.