Hi all!

Jeffrey here.

“It Was the Worst of Times” is this week’s puzzle title and we have a quip spread across 7 entries:

17a, 25a, 36a, 40a, 43a, 51a, 64a [Quip about a bad business venture] – I USED TO SELL FURNITURE FOR A LIVING. THE TROUBLE WAS, IT WAS MY OWN.

Quip puzzles are tricky because you really only have one (long) theme answer so if it doesn’t entertain people there’s isn’t much else. I was entertained.

Canadian content:

11a [Const.’s R.C.M.P. boss] – CPL. Corporal in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

30a [Jason Kenney’s prov.] – ALTA.  Jason Kenney is the current premier of Alberta.

42a [Van. post-sec. school] – UBC. University of British Columbia.

67a [“___ Not Here, Man” (classic Cheech & Chong routine)] – DAVE’S. Tommy Chong is Canadian and he met Cheech Marin in Vancouver.

69a [6% levy in Sask.] – PST. Provincial Sales Tax.

10d [Birthplace of Burton Cummings and Terry Fox] – WINNIPEG. The last time I was in Winnipeg was an emergency landing on a Toronto to Victoria flight. The airport fire department are very fast and efficient, and fortunately ended up not being needed.

11d [Like many houses in Newfoundland] – COLOURFUL.

34d [“Killing ___” (Sandra Oh drama)] – EVE. Sandra Oh is Canadian.

Tip of the Week

If you are having trouble starting a puzzle, look for a fill-in-the-blank clue as they are usually easier to solve without crossings. “NEED I say more?” (62a)  I guess not.

See you next week!