If I use the line SYNC="rsync://rsync.ca.gentoo.org/gentoo-portage/" in my make.conf, as advised in the most recent weekly newsletter, then emerge sync hangs. Substituting SYNC="rsync://rsync.namerica.gentoo.org/gentoo-portage/" all is well. host reports root@triffid etc # host rsync.ca.gentoo.org rsync.ca.gentoo.org has address 209.135.104.32 So it looks as if the rotation should be up and running.
.ca only contains one server atm, which appears to be offline. temporarily pointed rsync.ca.gentoo.org at rsync.us.gentoo.org and emailed admin of .ca box.
haven't heard back from .ca mirror admin. will assume this server is dead for now. closing bug.