FORCED TO ACCEPT FIVE CENT RAPE

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - Big corporations claim that they are not gauging consumer. That it was COVID, the supply chain, war. God himself in many cases as they are running out incidents to blame their huge profits. Bottom line, we have no government intervention. We have no representation. Big Corporations are openly raping us and forcing us to like it. How do you rationalize the increase and drop of gasoline of up to five cents per day. Does the gas in their reserve tanks become cheaper at night? Does some how the prices go up with sun up? NO. These gas stations are openly ripping us off. Is it not bad enough that we have to pay at the pump. That we have to get out of our vehicles and pump our own gas... Pay top dollar. Now be subject to being told when we should be gassing up. I remember the days when gasoline companies pushed for people to drive diesel engines... I just came back from the U.S. and diesel is at five dollars a gallon. Yes five dollars. No wonder we are having a supply problem. No wonder prices are soaring... and you may be wondering who is benefiting. Yes big corporations. From your utilities, to phone companies. Not to mention cable. Cable are the worst violators... as they supply internet, tv and home phone. Packages can get ridiculous. How is it as consumer we have let this happen. Worst of all in the case of net and Tv channel suppliers is that they are sitting on a goose that lays golden eggs every month. Remember the day before cable tv? All you needed to buy was an antenna. No extra cost. Modern society is turning all of us into educated dummies. We are led to believe we have rights and freedoms when in reality we do not. Our rights and freedoms are orchestrated through misinformation. Bottom line we are getting ripped off. We are being raped and forced to like it. Some may wonder why did you use such a powerful world as “RAPE”, to deliver my message. Well they say that the brain is the most erotic organ in the human body. By definition erotic: of, devoted to, or tending to arouse sexual love or desire. Therefore we can generalize that an unlawful sexual thought can penetrate our bodies and force us to do something we normally would not consent towards. Much like physically. As per definition, rape: rape, unlawful sexual activity, most often involving sexual intercourse, against the will of the victim through force or the threat of force or with an individual who is incapable of giving legal consent because of minor status, mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception. Our mental deficiency comes from misinformation -- it’s convinient - it’s good for you - we have special packages. Intoxication through confusion and false rationalization - we have over 1000 channels - (but fail to tell you 80% are repeats or you must subscribe. Unconsciousness or deception - we have bundles for everyone. Who ever said we wanted bundles. We want FREE TV. We want fair gas prices. We want for supermarkets to stop charing six dollars for a ninety nine cent head of lettuce. Are we so traumatized as a victim that we can’t see what they done to us and what they continue to do to us? NO means NO. To corporation ‘NO’ means. No food, no gas, no tv, cell and so on.... So take it, pay and like it. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Canada and the critical minerals saga

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Just last week, close to 25,000 people convened in Toronto for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's annual convention, one of the largest mining events in the world. The mood was optimistic, with many issues discussed. However, the critical minerals issue dominated the discussions, and rightly so. The event saw multiple Federal Liberal cabinet members in attendance. In obvious attendance, were Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. The ministers, as politicians do, stressed the federal government's commitment to critical minerals development. We will see how strong this commitment is, when the federal budget is tabled on March 28. Budget 2023 has the opportunity to place a high priority on the urgent need for critical minerals development. Supports in last year's budget, the most recent Fall Economic Statement, and the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy are positive, although silent on recycling nuclear spent Candu fuel, which is rich in critical minerals, specifically, rare earth elements. Canada has accumulated 50,000 tons of spent Candu nuclear fuel by now. We are sitting on a rich resource of materials from which the country can benefit immensely in multiple areas, including rare minerals. This can be considered a non-conventional mine of critical raw materials. I just wonder when the Laurentian political elite leading this country, will finally put the interests of this wonderful and great country at the forefront. In their wisdom, however, they have put the carriage before the horse. They do not seem to realize that the critical mineral supply chain needs to be assured before trumpeting and chest pummelling to attract new investments for electric vehicles and battery manufacturing. The sustainability of the electric battery ecosystem is contingent on the availability and supply of more critical minerals. Put simply, Canada needs to attract more investment into the critical minerals sector, or Canada's position in the race for advanced technology manufacturing and the benefits that flow from that will be significantly diminished. Looking at sourcing of critical minerals in the world today, we note that the rare earths elements market is characterised by enormous country concentration on the supply side. China's share of production has recently been above 90%. It has also mastered processing, refining and metals alloying technologies (downstream capacity). China gained this monopolistic position in the 1990s, thanks to its geological reserves of good quality, and the wide range of its rare earths elements products. Since 2010, China has tightened its production and export limits. This triggered ongoing trade disputes and brought the geopolitical aspects of the critical minerals market to the forefront. China's restrictions consequently acted as an impetus for developing strategies to diversify the critical minerals supply sources. New providers entering the market include the US, South Africa, Brazil and Russia. Long term projects to rebalance trade have been launched, but as usual lately, Canada is missing the action. In 2020 China produced 58%, USA 16%, Myanmar 12% and Australia 7% of the world total of 240,000 tonnes, which is double the amount produced in 2014 (Statista). In rare earths elements alone, China has 45 million tonnes (37.5%) of the world's 120 million tonnes of reserves, followed by Brazil with 22 million tonnes (18.3%) and Russia with 18 million tonnes (15%). In considering the importance of this sector to the wellbeing of our country, there are some applications we need to shed light on. These need particular attention from Canadian politicians who are infatuated with green technologies without knowing anything about them. Examples of industrial uses of critical minerals: - In magnets in electrical and electronic components, wind turbines, hybrid and electrical vehicles and in medical devices (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); - In some phosphors, used for example, in screens, energy efficient lighting and laser devices; - In glass for absorbing ultraviolet radiation, colourising and decolourising, polishing or altering refractive index (e.g. camera lenses); - In protective coating used for example, in catalysts; - In alloys in metals used in rechargeable batteries; - In ceramics to improve strength and toughness (e.g. semiconductors, microwave dielectrics); - In nuclear energy and defence applications; and - Research on speed and satellite communications, magnetic refrigeration, energy storage (fuel cells) and water treatment (filtering). Just to give an idea of the need for these critical minerals, here are some examples of quantities used in various applications: - a 1.5 megawatt wind turbine includes some 350 kg of rare earths elements (REEs) (mostly neodymium), - an electrical vehicle contains REEs in the motor, up to some 30kg, in batteries (with 10-15 kg of lanthanum and 1 kg of neodymium), in glass and mirrors, in fuel and catalytic converters and in electronics. - smartphones include estimated quantities of 50 milligrams of neodymium and 10 milligrams praseodymium (in loudspeakers). Given the fact that minerals and metals mined in Canada use less carbon intensity than almost any other mining jurisdiction, Canada should be the leading supplier of these critical materials to meet our national needs, and then the global strategic demand. Announcements from auto manufacturers, including companies like Volkswagen, which recently chose Ontario as host to its first North American Electric Vehicle (EV) battery plant, will only come with increased frequency if investments are made into our critical minerals sector. Why do they choose Canada? For its potential supply of critical minerals and secure and responsible environment. So it is time for Canada to stop hesitating and start prioritizing a secure, sustainable and long-term supply of domestic battery grade materials, including expanded production of the raw inputs essential for their manufacturing. As time is of the essence, we cannot afford to wait another year for the government to prioritize the minerals and metals, particularly critical minerals, essential to the battery and EV supply chain. Let us hope the leading elite in Canada will finally act. What do you think?

5 Ways to Overcome Education Snobbery

By Nick Kossovan If you do not ask, you do not get. Many employers practice education snobbery. Often an employer is judgmental about a candidate's educational history, including the institutions they attended, the courses they took, and the marks they received or their lack of education. The pursuit of formal education beyond high school is not for everyone. It certainly was not for me. I have learned more outside of the classroom than inside. It was outside the classroom that I learned, yes, often the "hard way," how to succeed in the workplace. So how can you overcome education snobbery and confidently move through an employer's hiring process? ANSWER: By becoming visibly knowledgeable about your industry and profession, evangelizing your results, and actioning the following: 1. Be charismatic (likeable). There is nothing more advantageous to a job seeker than having a magnetic personality. As I have said in previous columns: Being likeable supersedes your skills and experience. Throughout your interview, your interviewer is asking themselves one question: "Do I like this person?" When you develop a personality people, such as your interviewer, gravitate toward, you will notice that all the "isms" your self-limiting beliefs are telling you are the reasons for your lack of job search success disappear. When your interviewer likes you, they will overlook many of your shortcomings (e.g., your education) and their biases. It takes persistence and hard work to become charismatic. Many books have been written on how to become charismatic. If you have not already, I recommend you read Dale Carnegie's timeless classic, How to Win Friends & Influence People. TIP: You can start becoming charismatic by showing interest in others, which is a huge gesture. 2. Become a subject matter expert (SME). SMEs provide knowledge and expertise in a specific subject, business or technical area and are viewed as a resource (READ: asset) to their employers. When you are perceived as an SME, you become the "go-to" individual. Regardless of your educational background, you can become an SME. "I'd like to show Bob what Epicor Kinetic can do and get his opinion about whether purchasing the software would greatly enhance the management of our warehouse. When it comes to warehouse management, nobody knows more than Bob." Think of everything that keeps your industry's people up at night, such as safety, revenue generation, government compliance, and supply chain flow. Choose one and immerse yourself in it (books, magazines, attend workshops and webinars, earn certifications) to gain a deeper understanding of the pain points and find ways to mitigate them. 3. Evangelize your results. I, along with many hiring managers, do not care about your education. Education is often overrated and sought-after for the wrong reason, as a meal ticket to a great, financially lucrative career. It is the results you can bring to my department and employer that matter to me. From firsthand experience, I know a candidate's education is not a guarantee they will be able to achieve results. A candidate's track record, however, provides reliable insight into their ability to deliver. Throughout your career, consistently create a result-oriented track record and which you emphasize on your LinkedIn profile, resume and when networking and interviewing. Do not be modest when it comes to your achievements and results. Remember, employers do not hire education; they hire candidates they believe will achieve the results they seek. 4. Publish Today, anyone can publish on social publishing platforms such as LinkedIn, Medium, and Substack or via a blog. Putting your knowledge and thoughts "out there" to promote your expertise has never been easier. Maintain a blog or website and update it regularly. Publish on the social publishing platforms I mentioned and many more. Consider guest posting on other blogs or publishing articles or columns in industry-specific publications. Those of you who are ambitious might want to consider writing a white paper or even a book, which you can self-publish. Do not kid yourself; it is hard work getting your name and expertise out there and becoming known as an expert in your profession and industry. It will not happen overnight, but if you are dedicated, it will happen, and employers will seek you out. Publish regularly, use keywords effectively, and your name will slowly climb Google rankings, which is what you are striving for. As I mentioned in previous columns, once your application is selected as a candidate to possibly interview, the employer will first check your LinkedIn profile and then Google you to see if you are interview-worthy. Imagine the impression you would make if the employer found your articles, blog or book showcasing your expertise. 5. Maintain an active social media presence. Having an active social media presence, ideally with a respectable number of engaged followers, through which you publicize your achievements and highlight your contributions to employers will greatly help overcome education snobbery. Demonstrate your approachability and willingness to share knowledge via social media. Direct your followers to your published works and invite them to ask you questions. With a large enough following on social media, you may be viewed as an influencer in your industry and profession, negating any education snobbery employers may have. ___________________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

IT’S NOT A DRUG PROBLEM IT’S A STUPIDITY PROBLEM

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - Have you heard the latest from our great Federal government? You got to wonder sometimes on who is doing the thinking here. Instead of dealing with problem. The government protocol normally appears to be all the same. First they will try to outlaw it. Then control it. Once this fails, they attempt to look for ways to tax it or make a profit. Thirdly, they just give up and make it legal and toss money so that the aftermath just fades away in the sea of problems. Think about any of the million social problem we have faced in our society. The same protocol has taken place. Look at the ridiculous so called ‘WAR ON DRUGS’. There is no war. There was never a war. The protocol called for extreme actions to combat something government have had little or no control. Today Dodge is open for business and any gun slinger can claim to be Sherif. We lost as a society the civil responsibility that make us civil. We rationalize just about anything and everything. We have no sense of value and or responsibility to one another. Just recently Health Canada granted a British Columbia cannabis company the right to possess, produce, sell and distribute cocaine. A Langley-based cannabis company has caused quite a stir in the B.C. Legislature after it announced it received Health Canada approval to produce and sell cocaine. The premier says he had no idea this was happening, adding if the federal agency did in fact give the company the green light, it did so without consulting the B.C. government. Personally, I think the premier should resign. How can he not know what is happening in his own province. Totally disgraceful. Secondly, is it not bad enough that we have legalized cannabis and having to deal with the social after affects? Now, cocaine will become widely available. Wow. Just this week again the government released this: Government of Canada announces over $3 million to help address harms related to substance use in British Columbia. You got to be kidding me. The old rule of thumb appears to be... if enough people are doing it... We best allow it and infuse it into a forced acceptance norm. Remember when smoking was a taboo. When homosexuality was deemed by the American Psychiatric Association a mental disorder? The examples of government attempts to deem something out of the norm is rampant. Does the government in it’s sea of expert not recognize the big white elephant in the room. Just because more number come froth, it does not make it acceptable by the population at large. Drug use. Drug sales need to be clipped and removed from society period. Legalizing it costs everyone. It costs those that use them. Tax payers that must pay for services such as medical services, police, social and many more. Compassion towards anyone suffering is an understandable human trait. But to open the gates of hell and expect paradise is insanity. The only way to deal with drugs is to eliminate them. Making it easy for people... does not work. Expecting people to be responsible does not work. Let’s stop the stupidity and ban all drugs. No more bleeding hearts. You have a problem. Get help. Simple. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Canada and the opportunity to lead

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The latest evolutions on the world stage are giving Canada a unique opportunity to become a world leader in food production. The Covid 19 pandemic and the recent turmoil in Europe; the war in Ukraine, have severely impacted food exports from the region, both directly and indirectly. As a result, nearly two billion people are suffering, many in the poorest countries. The inflation that has followed, attributed to the war and to supply chain disruptions, hasn't helped either. Agriculture, especially the grain exports from the region, (a major supplier for the world), has been most severely impacted. And yet, this crisis presents an opportunity for Canada to take its place as a global food superpower. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that a record 349 million people across 79 countries now face acute food insecurity - up from 287 million in 2021. "This constitutes a staggering rise of 200 million people compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels," according to the WFP. "More than 900,000 people worldwide are fighting to survive in famine-like conditions; ten times more than five years ago, an alarmingly rapid increase." Canada's core agricultural strengths - abundant and fertile soil, the legacy of animal and plant husbandry, and superior farm methods to achieve higher yields and better nutrition outcomes - have helped make Canada a leading food exporter. Indeed, Canada's province-by-province presence in all aspects of the food value chain - from farm crops and animals to leading commodities such as wheat, soybeans, corn, canola, fruits, vegetables, and seafood - has positioned the sector to reach higher aspirational output. In fact, the many disruptions and threats to the world's agriculture and food production sector now present Canada with an unprecedented opportunity. It provides a chance to be forward-looking, to look beyond Canada's traditional products of wheat, potatoes, corn, meat and seafood. To meet the growing demand for the protein ingredients of plant-based diets, including beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils, plus new varieties of vegetables, food commodities, and beverages, including wine, health drinks, and high value-added liqueurs. By any measure, the agriculture and food production system has become a knowledge industry, both domestically and globally. Massive advances have been made in related fields such as veterinary medicine, natural sciences like biology and chemistry, and many related disciplines like economics and the applied areas of agricultural economics, production planning, and data analytics. Today's digital society offers agriculture new tools ranging from drones to smart tractors to smart crop imaging, and most importantly, smarter farmers. In short, technological innovation and food security are the new urgencies of a global food sector in which food abundance and food shortages coexist, even among developed countries such as Britain and the United States. Canada is well positioned to lead in the agricultural field due to its unique capacity to evolve and intelligently transform. In 2021, Canada's agriculture and agri-food system employed 2.1 million people, provided one of every nine jobs and accounted for 6.8 percent of Canada's GDP. However, the present challenge is that politically, the farm sector is seen as a rural issue, not a vital advantage for Canada as a G7 country and a trading partner. Changing Canada's food system as an export sector to superpower status - one of the world's top five, compared to being eighth - is a national challenge. It requires new approaches to breaking down silos and flattening fences; across provincial borders, among sectors, and between the institutions that affect Canadian agriculture. Canada needs to up its agri-food game with high aspirations. Charles McMillan, a Professor of Strategy at the Schulich School of Business, York University and author of several books, suggests in a recent article that Canada needs to make five essential changes to be a world leader in the agricultural field. "Start with a global mindset. Canada should host an annual food fair, similar to the two largest, the AUGA in Cologne and FoodEx in Tokyo, to bring together domestic players and international firms, with leading speakers to underscore the overlap between agriculture, technology, innovation, climate change, food security, public health, the plight of poor nations, and their need for safe and reliable food supplies. Second, like the Netherlands, Canada should be in the business of selling farm and food technology, including new software applications for seed distribution, optimum land use, natural ecosystem diversity, and a host of innovative solutions across the value chain. Third, trade promotion should be the leading target of agricultural departments, and include benchmark targets by country, products, and especially underserved markets where Canadian exports are low or non-existent. Fourth, Canada's scientific and academic institutions should be mandated to break down traditional silos across the relevant disciplines, and institute new measures for deep collaboration on agricultural innovation and food security, including with private firms, farm groups, and the small but growing venture capital sector. The fact that in Atlantic Canada, a federal agency, ACOA (the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) is a leading player in financing start-ups, usually in coordination with private financial institutions, shows how new collaborative ideas are possible. Fifth, Canada's leading food processors and retailers, which already have a commanding presence in the domestic market as well as some with exports to the United States, can play a major leadership role. Few Canadians appreciate the international presence of Saputo, now the eighth largest dairy firm in the world, Couche-Tard, also from Montreal, the world's second largest convenience store (behind Japan's 7-11), and the international presence of McCain's, which has investments in Africa's vast underserved food import market, where the entire continent has only six percent of arable land. Canada can view climate change, food shortages and food security, and disruptive change from the scientific, digital and protein revolution as a threat or a challenge, but also as new distinct advantages for job creation, corporate expansion, and export growth". In conclusion, the opportunity to win is Canada's to lose. The question is whether our present political establishment is up to the task. It is for you to judge.

Negotiate More Than Just Your Starting Salary

By Nick Kossovan If you do not ask, you do not get. While we all know money is not everything, most job seekers only negotiate salary when negotiating a job offer. Presuming the hiring manager says, "$85K is the best I can do," then your next words should be along the lines of: YOU: "Okay, I understand $85K is your best offer. I would be more comfortable if it were slightly higher, say $95K. With that in mind, could we discuss adding extra benefits and perks and revisiting the salary later, say in six months? HIRING MANAGER: "Sure, what did you have in mind?" Before I delve into "adding extra benefits and perks," I want to discuss salary-the reason we hold down jobs. Salary discussions should always take place at the end of the hiring process or, better yet, after receiving a written job offer. When "What compensation are you looking for?" is inevitably asked, I will say, "If you do not mind, I would rather leave the money discussion when you make me a job offer." (Note I do not say, "If you make me a job offer." Throughout the hiring process, I assume I will get the job.) Never start to negotiate salary in the midst of the hiring process. You are not negotiating before the employer has said: "We want to hire you," you are putting a price tag on yourself, which means that your interviewer is now going to ask themselves, "Is Bob worth the $75K he is asking?" When negotiating salary, think about these three "Ws": 1. Wish: A salary you open with and wish to receive. (e.g., $100K) 2. Want: Your actual salary target, which is lower than your wish. (e.g., $85K) 3. Walk: The salary you will not go below. (e.g., $75K) It would be great if all employers were upfront in the job postings regarding salary. However, for many reasons, many that are understandable, it is common for employers to refrain from posting salary information. If they do, it is a salary range. Therefore, during the hiring process, you will be asked what your salary expectation is. In the first five minutes of an initial conversation, which is usually the interview vetting stage, regarding an opportunity, I will ask, "So we do not waste each other's time, do you mind my asking what the salary for this position is?" Usually, I will be given a salary range and then asked what I am looking for. Unless the salary is in my "walk" range, I will answer, as I mentioned before, that the range works for me at this point and that I would rather discuss salary when I get a job offer. If you do not feel comfortable with the salary range, do not continue the interview. In addition to your "want" salary, seriously consider negotiating "extras" such as: - Bonus Ask what the position expectations are, then propose a bonus plan that says when-believe in absolute success, not "if"-you achieve XYZ, then you receive a bonus of X. Employers love it when they are able to give something in return for receiving something. On the other hand, they do not like negotiating for the sake of negotiating. The key to a successful bonus conversation is understanding what a win is for the company. - Your hours A flexible work schedule can be invaluable. Discuss how you are most productive when you work slightly different hours. (e.g., you are a morning person or an afternoon person). Maybe you have kids you want to take to school every morning or are looking after an elderly parent. - Paid time off Employers offer a set amount of starting paid vacation time, usually 2 weeks. If you are coming from a company with more weeks, say three, ask your potential employer to match that number. - Job title Depending on where you are in your career, now may be an ideal time to negotiate a title with your prospective employer. By negotiating a higher title, even if you are not getting paid more, your pay comparable will be higher at your next employer. This is because you have created the illusion of a higher-paying job. - Professional development Professional development and training should be a part of your career management activities, regardless of your profession or position, and should align with your long-term career goals. Negotiate a budget for career-enhancing activities such as classes and conferences. The above are just a few suggestions on what you can negotiate besides your starting salary. The list is endless, from money for grad school to childcare reimbursement to subsidizing your commuting costs. I once had a candidate ask if their industry magazine subscriptions, four in total, could be covered. Remember, if you do not ask, you do not get. Above all, only accept a job if you are completely satisfied with the compensation package. Do not be one of those employees who complain about their agreed-to salary. Lastly, always get everything you have negotiated in writing; otherwise, it does not exist. ___________________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

WE ARE NOT LAZY WE ARE CANADIAN KUNTZ

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - Have you heard the latest? According to our beloved Canadian government we in some magical place have more jobs than people. With this fallacy they are attempting to sell us the idea that we need to bring more foreigners to our beloved land. What they are not telling us that by doing so the Liberal party is buying future votes. It happened before and it is happening now. How dare the government come out and make such statements that there is a shortage in Canadian laborers. That is insulting. Then they go as far as making assumptions that we are lazy. That many rather live off the system then be employed. I find that utterly insulting. If the government is going to insult us. Let them at the least get it right. We are not lazy. We are proud lazy Kuntz. Now that is more aligned with reality. After all is it not the government that wants us to work the Costcos, Walmarts of the world... paying such great wages of minimum wage. Of course we don’t want to work those jobs. We want good paying jobs. We want jobs that at the end of the week we can afford groceries, rent and the odd beer. I can just telepathically sense the many of the anal readers fuming on how dare he call us Canadians Lazy Kuntz. Ok let me explain, the word Kuntz as per dictionary: Kuntz is a German surname. The name originated as a short form of Konrad meaning "bold adviser", or being "crafty" in German. In Yiddish the word is associated with a clever trick. Now that we got that out of the way. Are you not feeling foolish and lucky I did not call you a Canadian, cock or pussy? As by any grade 1 student would quickly recognize one a rooster and other a cat. Anyway. The point I am making here is simple. We as Canadians are privy to technology. Most of us educated in one way or another. We are very crafty at whatever we profess to be experts in. We are bold adviser on just about any topic. As some go as far as claiming status on opinion and obtain academic accreditation. With this said. We as Canadian Kuntz, have learned to enjoy curtain comforts. It is not that we shy away from hard work. Sacrificed and or hardships. The problem with modern Canada is that our beloved government is openly violating us Canadian Kuntz and forced to like it. They go as far as call us names and force us to accept or face replacement by some foreigner that can barely say “HELLO” in the English language. We Canadian Kuntz want good paying jobs. We want our government to assure us god paying jobs. We want to be able to afford homes and cars as we once use to. The question that lingers who are the bigger Kuntz here? We the people that allow to be constantly violated by a government that has truly proven to be master Kuntz. I feel for future generations as little Kuntz will be forced to become third world. Sadly we live in the land of OZ. We have no real choice when it comes to Canadian politics, all parties are infected with the gree virus and there is no antidote. No matter how hard we click our heels Dorothy. We will always be Canadian Kuntz. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

I Canadian Global Affairs in a changing world

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In recent decades, Canada has generally been content to view its foreign policy aligned with the foreign policy of the United States. It is obvious that in the last decades Canada has abandoned a tradition in foreign affairs that formerly allowed Canada to be noticed on the world scene. Year after year, Canada's involvement in international organizations it helped create has decayed in a manner that has turned Canada into a forgotten entity on today's global stage. During my service as an MP, when I participated in many foreign parliamentary missions, I noted with sadness, the diminished diplomatic presence of Canada in many important places in the world. I especially noticed such a lack of presence in Strasbourg, where many important international organizations make their home. Let us face it; practicing diplomacy from a distance is no way to build international relationships. In today's complicated world, where events transpire daily, that can lead to major world difficulties, Canada is missing in action. Previous generations of Canadian politicians and foreign affairs public service employees had a sense of their country's foreign policy often framed proudly through the lens of Canada's "role in the world". For them, foreign policy meant making an important contribution to the world, and a pride of national identity. For much of the Cold War, as a leading member of one of just two international power blocs, Canada could carve out a role as an "honest broker" and defender of multilateralism amidst a superpower standoff. In the unipolar era that followed the cold war, the world seemed ripe for Canadian engagement based on true liberal values. The period of unrivalled American power allowed for the expansion of a Western-backed "liberal international order" which went beyond mere rules-based cooperation between states. It aspired to a global transformation rooted in a newly defined "liberal democracy" and "market interests" based diplomacy. Emerging challenges to this "only power" from China, and the latest flexing of military muscles by Russia, have created a new reality where Canada seems to be lost. No initiatives, no ideas and no action; in essence, no Lester Pearsons. The rise of these rival powers, combined with Western missteps such as the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and the Great Recession of 2008, have rendered the vision of a global order based on new liberal values and a Western hegemony, increasingly implausible. While the "liberal international order" may have declined over recent years, Canada's relative influence in global affairs has waned even more markedly. The terms of today's international order are no longer static, they are dynamic. The new global context calls for a Canadian foreign policy that is active and not reactive. It is not enough to be comfortable speaking the language of just values, supportive action is required. You have to put your money where your mouth is. Canada's shrunken global profile due in part to free-loading and partly to neglect, is in serious need of new energy and vision. The country's last foreign policy review was undertaken nearly two decades ago. With the world no longer divided into capitalist and communist blocs, Canada now finds itself positioned in a terrain of global scope in which the West's share of global GDP is in relative decline. Geographic isolation, combined with a reactive, rather than proactive approach to foreign policy, have resulted in Canada's back-burner position in both European and Asian security dynamics. Where much of the future of global order will be played out these two theatres. The failure to craft a global liberal order coinciding with the advent of multipolarity suggests that we now inhabit, at least in certain respects, a post-liberal order. In such an order, a Canadian foreign policy rooted in values-centric megaphone diplomacy is a recipe for isolation rather than influence. In an international order where liberalism no longer holds a monopoly on conceptions of modernity or universality, albeit one still undergoing a transition whose endpoint remains uncertain, the task for the next generation of Canadian foreign policy thinkers will be twofold. First, can Canada genuinely learn to think about its international engagement in terms of interests rather than only values? And second, can it come to a consensus on a unified list of objectives that represent national interests to present beyond its borders? Highlighting the need to preserve the "rules-based international order" glosses over the crucial and more fundamental question of what truly remains a core national interest in a world where the rules are already being litigated among the great powers. Given Canada's reduced international stature, the aforementioned questions may tilt toward encouraging acceptance of a foreign policy of reduced - albeit more targeted - scope. Canadians could embrace the notion of having a smaller global footprint. A strategy focused on securing core national interests could be easier to sell than some vague and grandiose idea that "the world needs more Canada". As an example, and let's ignore the recent, difficult conflagration in Europe, an active presence of Canada in the Indo-Pacific region would be beneficial in re-establishing Canada's traditions in foreign affairs. Many countries in the Indo-Pacific region have refused to pick sides in the deepening US-China rivalry. While they may view Beijing's rise with a degree of apprehension, and therefore welcome a greater Western security presence in their region, Canada still has to show itself capable of availing itself of a favourable position to interact that this opportunity may present. Situated closer to China than Canada is, local actors in the "Indo-Pacific" are clear-eyed about Beijing's intentions and do not need to be warned about its incisive behaviour. Despite their misgivings, they have a nuanced understanding of their own interests. Many cannot ignore that China remains the lifeblood of their economies. As such, they do not wish for an extra-regional power like the US to exacerbate tensions needlessly by bisecting the region along ideological lines. Such a dynamic would undermine the inclusive and integrated regional order underpinning decades of Asian peace. In this situation, I can see a valuable role for Canada as a diplomatic bridge between Asia and North America, as a mild and well-mannered still a middle power. A national rethink of foreign policy and affairs is long overdue. It must be aimed at arresting decades of intellectual inertia and policy drift. If Canada continues lack new ideas on the world stage, the terms of our national foreign policy will be set by the United States, through default. The problem is that a radical change in thinking is hard to bring about, when a "laissez faire" attitude has been so firmly established in recent decades. What do you think?

Focus on the Value You Create for Employers, Not Your Skills

By Nick Kossovan "I don't believe in work, I only believe in creating value." - James Blacker. The value created by employees determines a company's survival and future. Therefore, when hiring, employers focus on the candidate's potential value to their company. Most people see work as nothing more than a means to an end-a way "to make a living." Therefore, when searching for a job, most people simply list their skills on their resume and LinkedIn profile and rattle them off when interviewing. Conversely, hiring managers are more interested in finding out how you can add value to their company with your skills and experience (READ: track record). Every time a candidate, during an interview, cites their list of "skills," which I have read on their resume or seen on their LinkedIn profile, I think, "How will these skills help me achieve my goals?" Hence hiring managers need to play detective by asking discovery questions such as, "Tell me a time when..." to identify how, for example, your claiming to possess "wizard-like" Excel skills will be of value to the company. Rather than waiting for your interviewer to ask you discovery questions, you can earn mega points when you are inevitably asked "Tell me about yourself" by: - Describing how you have used Excel to solve problems or improve processes. For instance, you might mention how you created a complex financial model, analyzed data to identify trends or patterns, or used advanced functions to streamline a process. - Explaining the potential cost savings and revenue generation resulting from your Excel skills. For example, improving financial reporting accuracy, reducing data entry errors, or accelerating decision-making through data visualization. - Discussing how your Excel skills can help the employer achieve their goals. For example, if the employer is looking to improve their supply chain management, you could discuss how you have used Excel to track inventory and forecast demand. Bottom line: Hiring managers are looking for candidates who show they understand the role and are hungry to deliver massive results. As I have stated in previous columns, employers hire candidates who they feel will achieve results and create value. You are not getting selected for interviews, or rejected after being interviewed, because... - Your resume has horizontal lines or red font. - Your resume lacked the right keywords. - Instead of five paragraphs, your cover letter had four. - Your interview attire was blue rather than grey. You are getting rejected because you are not persuasively explaining how your skills will add value to the company. There are three ways an employee creates value (Which value have you or do you currently, create?): 1. Revenue Growth: Without revenue, a business ceases to exist. Therefore, revenue-generating employees are highly valued by their employer. These employees are eliminating what every employer stresses over, keeping revenue, the lifeblood of every business, flowing. If you are a sales or marketing professional, you should be able to easily show, using numbers, which every employer understands, how you have contributed to your employer's bottom line. Tip for those looking to make a career change: Jobs are generally more secure in professions that generate revenue. 2. Cost Reduction: Cost control is crucial to a business's survival and profitability. Therefore, employers are constantly looking for ways to keep their expenses as low as possible. Consider your past and present roles. Did you save money? Did you improve delivery efficiency resulting in increasing customer retention? As a manager, do you have a track record of employee retention, thus not necessitating your employer having to go through the expense of hiring replacements? There are opportunities to control costs in virtually every position. 3. Freedom: Employees who give their employer the freedom to focus on the big picture are highly valued. Do you deliver consistently, within expectations, so your boss can focus on more than just managing your work and results? I have never encountered a manager who does not want to give their employees autonomy. However, many managers believe their employees have yet to show they can work autonomously and consistently deliver results. Call it what you will, power-hungry, micromanaging, your boss is responsible to their boss for your results, and therefore they must feel comfortable allowing you to work autonomously. In contrast to proving you can generate revenue or reduce costs through numbers, proving you can work autonomously can be challenging. I advise having at least 2 STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories ready to showcase your ability to work autonomously. When job searching, remember your skills are the tools you use to provide value to an employer and that employers are looking to hire the candidate they believe will provide the most value for their salary. Look at it this way: If someone asked you to list all your skills, they would be impressed. But if they were to ask you how those skills have created value for your employers, they would be even more impressed. It is not just the possession of skills that employers want. Employers want employees who can produce tangible value for them through their skills. ___________________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

A Teller Of Tales

I told my daughter I didn’t think my daughter-in-law paid enough attention to her oldest son, 8. He has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and lately has been kicking and hitting little kids. My daughter and I had a falling out, and she told my daughter-in-law what I said. My daughter-in-law was furious. I tried to explain that I did not call her a bad mother. Well, you can imagine what happened. We haven’t spoken in a week. Do I let time take care of this, or do I send her the letter I wrote trying to explain myself? I am very family oriented and, most of the time, pretty direct. Probably to a fault. My daughter and I are not speaking either, so at this point I am estranged from both girls, and my four grandsons. By the way, I am 57 and divorced. Selma Selma, you shouldn’t be surprised by your daughter’s actions. As she grew up, how many times did she watch you make statements about others when they were not around? This time the person not present happened to be you. You fashioned your own punishment. The statement you made about your daughter-in-law accomplished nothing. It was nothing but criticism. It wasn’t said to aid or assist. She is dealing with a difficult problem which medication helps but doesn’t cure, and you offered no solution. Now you are estranged from your daughter, daughter-in-law, their husbands, and your grandchildren. Is this what you want? Doesn’t it indicate a need to look within yourself for a solution? Someday, you may finally say something that an apology won’t fix. It is never too late to admit we have more to learn. If family is what you value, then redefine your role within the family. Your role is not to speak whatever thought crosses your mind. Your role is to love, care, and help. If what you are thinking doesn’t do one of those three things, don’t say it or do it. It will be easier to get past this if the other family members believe you are going to make a true change. But if you apologize and don’t change, that will make your apology worthless. The others will say, “She wasn’t really sorry. She’s at it again.” Revise the letter to your daughter-in-law, then send it. Strive to be the person admired by your family as the one they can trust to help them when possible, the one who maintains a confidence when she can’t help, and the one who loves them always. Alice Roosevelt Longworth said, “If you can’t say anything good about someone, sit right here beside me.” It’s a clever line, and criticism makes us feel superior to others, but there is always a price to be paid. Wayne & Tamara Backlash I’m 17 and have been going out with my girlfriend for five months. She has a lot of male friends, about eight close ones, and she is very outgoing. I completely trust her, but I get really mad when I see her talking to other guys. My jealousy is tearing our relationship apart, and we’re going to break up for a couple of days so she can think about things. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her, but I need help fast. Steve Steve, jealousy is about ownership and control, snooping and suspicion. It has nothing to do with love. You cannot get love by grasping too tightly. The only way you can get it is by giving another the opportunity and freedom to show they love you. Jealousy puts a damper on a relationship from both directions. One grasps, the other wants to flee. Grasping accuses another of doing something wrong, and they will seek to escape. When someone loves you, a tight grasp is not required. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers.

Fire the Canons! It’s

Daylight Savings Time! W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris in 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." In his advocacy for people to wake up and leverage the day, Franklin joked there should be a tax on window shutters, candles should be rationed, and canons should be fired at sunrise! But it was the small town of Port Arthur in northern Ontario that first changed the clocks by enactment on July 1, 1908. In recent times, one of the main arguments for shifting the time to align with the sun focuses on energy savings during evening hours. But dozens of studies have shown the effect to be negligible. Now, the health implications of Daylight Savings Time (DST) are becoming the hot topic, with researchers investigating its impact on everything from sleep patterns to heart health. The effect of DST on sleep is significant. Numerous studies have found the time change can disrupt our sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and increased fatigue. This is particularly true in Spring, when we lose an hour of sleep and our bodies struggle to adjust to the new schedule. The time change and associated disruption to sleep patterns can have more serious health consequences. One study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the risk of heart attacks increased by 25% on the Monday following the springtime change. This is powerful evidence that disturbed sleep patterns can be highly stressful on the cardiovascular system. Mental health can be another victim. One study published in Sleep Medicine found the springtime change was associated with increased symptoms of depression, particularly in people who already had a history of depression. The study’s findings further suggested that the disruption to sleep patterns might even trigger the onset of depressive symptoms. One strategy to mitigate these problems is to adjust sleep patterns leading up to the time change. For those observing a regular nighttime routine, this means going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day in the week leading up to the change. Even for those without a firm pattern, making the effort to shift forward in advance – both physically and mentally – should help. Another strategy is to prioritize good sleep. Create a comfortable sleep environment, establish a regular sleep schedule, and avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to bedtime. Are you tired of the debate about DST? Worse, are you “tired all the time”? You may need to take a closer look at the benefits of getting a good sleep. Sleep scientists can present compelling evidence showing how being tired leads to increased risk of traffic accidents, for example. Studies also link poor sleep with obesity, diabetes, cancer and dementia. Abnormal sleep and psychiatric conditions go hand in glove. Don’t forget the function of sleep as a sort of garbage collection system. During sleep, the body rejuvenates the brain by sorting “keeper” information from “trash”. Sleep also helps the body clear out and clean up waste in the cardiovascular system while refueling immune function. If there is a good argument in favour of DST, it might be Franklin’s suggestion to fire a canon each morning at sunrise. That would surely get people on their feet and outside to take a look. An early morning experience in the outdoors – whether it be a walk or even just a few moments of quiet contemplate about the new day – is an excellent step to good health. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Oshawa Becoming A Police State

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - By definition: Police State - A police state is a state with authority which uses the police, especially secret police, to maintain and enforce political power, even through violent or arbitrary means if necessary. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism or other harsh means of social control. On Monday, Oshawa council voted to extend the city’s contract with a downtown security firm. Logixx Security Inc. will keep dedicated patrol teams in the downtown core for another year, which will be worth about $893,000 for 2023. Logixx will also continue its corporate security services and parking garage patrols at City Hall, which will be worth about $1,534,500 for 2023. With HST and a tax rebate taken into account, the contract is worth a total of $2,467,245 for the calendar year. In Oshawa, we have Police to deal with the criminal code infractions. By-law to deal with by-law infractions. Logixx to deal with security? How many million are we spending? The police comes out of our taxes. By law comes out of our taxes. 2 million to Logixx, at least 2 million to by-law and through our taxes I am sure we contribute another 2 million. This is 8 million dollars to control the masses. If this is not police state mentality. I do not know what is. It is rumored that the mayor has a body guard. Really!!! Never in the history of Oshawa. Have we had this problem. I strongly believe that the people have had enough of being treated as second class citizens. City elect have proven to do little if anything when it comes to citizens coming forth with concerns. Look at the welcoming citizens get when they visit City hall. Three security guards at the entrance. Citizens can’t access the city elevator. Citizens are forced to deal with Service Oshawa in a very stand offish customer service approach. You express the least dis-satisfaction and security is called and you are asked to leave the building or face ‘trespass’. Really. The City has clearly failed in dealing with the homeless situation and the drug trade. This infuriating many local citizens. The City of Oshawa has no leadership. We are being led that by his own admission our mayor was illiterate until his late 30’s. A former homeless and drug addict. This is what is suppose to be making multi million dollar decision on our behalf. Clearly, lacks the intellectual properties to perform his duties. Even by Mayor Carter’s own public record admissions. Of course people are going to get upset. City of Oshawa by-laws have become so restrictive. That any by-law officer can approach you and write you up on a series of non public known citations. God forbid if you happen to share a sandwich with a homeless person. That will get you a $250 ticket. By-laws are supposed to make our lives easier... The City of Oshawa uses them to control and restrict access. This is wrong. The Mayor may be under threat due to his arrogance and lack of doing something positive for the people of Oshawa. Unfortunately, only 18% of the population voted and made the mistake of voting him back in. The 82% are to blame for lack of involvement as many have speculated that the 18% that turned out. 10% were die hard conservative party card holders. Oshawa has become a police state. Try to challenge it and you will face a ‘trespass order’. An order that is used to enforce restriction to public building and facilities... as trespass orders originally designed for private property matters and must show some sort of fear of threat to harm by an individual. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

The Chinese Are Not Our Enemy - We Are

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - What is wrong with modern society. We want to appear as we are so advanced. Yet, by our own design we are becoming a civilization of ignoramus. One would think that with the overwhelming amount of information circulation online that we all be geniuses by now. In reality this proves a the theory that we all profess to know everything and in fact know nothing. That we the masses are nothing but sheep to a habitual go around that is controlled by misinformation, too much information and or information overload. The media plays us like a social fiddle. Just this week it hit the news.... The headline read, “Was there foreign interference in the 2021 election? What a new report says”. Followed by, “Overall, the system in place to alert Canadians of foreign interference threats to the 2021 election worked well but there are areas for improvements.” In other words they know something is up, but the power in the clouds can’t prove a thing. It appears that we go from one war right in to another. Covid kept us in fear for almost 3 years. Then came the Russians. Now the Chinese. I am sure that the Chinese are laughing about us. Saying things like, “Ha, they worry about balloons. Those are just distractions.” Think about it for a moment. Without knowing it we have slowly been invaded for the past 40 years. From our industry, to our commerce not to mention our manufacturing to our financial economies. China, owns a large part of Canada. Both in hard assets and finance. Then why worry about balloons, electronic tampering when they are basically already running the show. To boot we have a Federal government that admires the communist regime. Why should the Chinese waste a bullet. They have won the war without a single fight. Now deaths are a different thing as their negligence in the release of the COVID virus took out people all across the world. If it had been an oil spill would we the world not wanted retribution, some sort of compensation. Why should we not demand retribution for the COVID spread? Well, the Chinese are obviously smarter than we are and know how to push our social buttons. How are we Canadians with more social hang ups then the Chinese have grains of rice compete with a regime that is calculative, organized and focused on winning at all cost. We the Canadian people that would gave up our lives during world wars to protect the integrity of Canada are already dead. They hit us with vaccines that till today are truly unproven and unknown. They hit us with the control of our internet and our media. They control our financial institutions and buy lands at large. We the people are our own worst enemy. We have to awaken to the reality that China is our master and there is nothing we can do. Or can we. I would say. We need to devaluate their currency. Stop depending on their goods. And make Canada first and once in for all bring back what worked in Canada. What am I saying. This is Canada. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Canada and nuclear energy

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East I have spoken on the importance of nuclear energy several times in past articles, in the House of Commons and at some public events. During the time I was an MP in the House of Commons in Canada, I raised the importance of Canadian Nuclear energy on several occasions. I tried to impress upon my colleagues, the need to continue developing it, and the tremendous advantages of recycling spent nuclear fuel. The latter is a hidden resource of inestimable value. Unfortunately, this advocacy lead to me being sidelined, ignored and looked upon as a kind of strange entity. I excuse my colleagues because they were not technical people, and the civil servants and staff advising them were frequently incompetent. However, I cannot forget the ignorance displayed, and the serious mishandling of the future of nuclear energy in Canada. Now, more than a decade later, the powers-that-be, are awakening to the possibilities of nuclear energy. Will wonders never cease!? Ontario is exploring the possibility of building new, large-scale nuclear plants in order to meet increasing demand for electricity and phase out natural gas generation. A report late last year by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) found that the province could fully eliminate natural gas from the electricity system by 2050, starting with a moratorium in 2027, but it will require about $400 billion in capital spending and more generation of nuclear energy, including new, large-scale nuclear plants.Decarbonizing the grid, in addition to new nuclear, will require more conservation efforts, more renewable energy sources and more energy storage, the report concluded. The IESO said work should start now to assess the reliability of new and relatively untested technologies and fuels intended to replace natural gas. To accomplish such a radical change in how power is generated, we will need to set up large, new generation sources such as nuclear plants and hydroelectric facilities. The province has not committed to a natural gas moratorium or phase-out, or to building new nuclear facilities other than its small modular reactor plans, but it is now consulting on the prospect. A document recently posted to the government's environmental registry asks for input on how best to engage the public and Indigenous communities on the planning and location of new generation and storage facilities. Building new nuclear plants is "one pathway" toward a fully electrified system, Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith said in an interview. "It's a possibility, for sure, and that's why we're looking for the feedback from Ontarians," he said. "We're considering all of the next steps." Not surprisingly, interest groups such as the Environmental Defence oppose new nuclear builds, as well as the continued reliance on natural gas. "The IESO's report is peddling the continued use of natural gas under the guise of a decarbonization plan, and it takes as a given the ramping up of gas generation ... and continues to rely on gas generated electricity until 2050, which is embarrassingly late," said Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence's Ontario climate program manager. "Building new nuclear is absurd when we have safe and much cheaper alternatives such as wind and solar power." Does Ms Goldberg live in Canada or some tropical paradise where there is constant sunshine and the trade winds operate like clockwork? Is she so naïve as to dismiss the reality of the harsh and cloudy climate we enjoy here, that make solar and wind energy so inefficient and unreliable in Canada? The IESO has said the flexibility natural gas provides is needed to keep the system stable while new and relatively untested technologies are explored and new infrastructure gets built, but also as an electricity supply crunch looms. Ontario is facing a shortfall of electricity with the nuclear plant in Pickering set to be retired, others being refurbished, and increasing demands put upon the system by such innovations as electric vehicles, new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, electric arc furnaces for steelmaking, and growth in the greenhouse and mining industries. Therefore, the need to have more nuclear plants is becoming a reality. I just wonder how long it will take for this realization to sink in and for effective action to be taken in Canada, and especially in Ontario. Other countries in the G7 and European Union are already thinking of building more nuclear plants. In France for example: President Macron recently said, "What our country needs, and the conditions are there, is the rebirth of France's nuclear industry." Promising to accelerate the development of solar and offshore wind power, Macron also said he wanted to extend the lifespan of older nuclear plants. In the world's most nuclear-intensive country, he proposes to extend the life of certain reactors to more than 50 years (currently rated for more than 40 years), provided it was safe. Is this something Canada and Ontario can learn from? President Macron's thinking has been reshaped by the European Union's ambitious goals for carbon neutrality within three decades. This goal puts renewed focus on energy forms that emit fewer, or zero, greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. Nuclear is one of these forms. So, whether for better or worse, Europe is moving to considering nuclear energy more and more. Is Canada up to the task? I hope that this will be a wake up call for Canada. Once at the forefront of development in nuclear energy reactors and power plants, Canada is presently lagging far behind on the international scene. Maybe the recent turmoil in the world will be a warning call for Canadian politicians to come out of hibernation and start looking out for the interests of Canadians first. We are a rich country and must make it a priority to use our resources wisely for the benefit of future generations. What do you think?

Shorten Your Job Search by Writing a Compelling Value Proposition Letter - Part 2

By Nick Kossovan In this column, I will be keeping the promise I made in my last column (Part 1) to provide examples of value proposition letters you can send unsolicited to employers as part of your job search activities. In other words, you are not responding to a job posting with your resume and a value proposition letter; instead, you are fishing for possible employment opportunities now or in the future. Before you get to my examples, here are a few recommendations to increase the chances of your email being read and acted upon: - Keep your letter to a maximum of 300 words. - Copy/paste your letter into the body of your email. Never send your letter as an attachment. - Always address your letter to a specific person. - Make your email subject line compelling enough to get the recipient to open it. Your email subject line determines whether or not your email will be opened. Spend extra time crafting an eye-catching email subject line. EXAMPLES: - In 3 months, I grew my employer's Instagram followers by 30%. Now I want to be your next social media manager. - Social Media Manager with Non-Profit Expertise Interested In Helping Your Team - Revolutionize Your Call Centre Operations with My 20+ Years of Experience First value proposition letter example (171 words): Dear [Executive], More than 20 years later, I still recall first eating Kay's Potato Chips, your Sour Cream & Onion, while visiting an aunt who lived in Dayton, Ohio. I was immediately hooked. Therefore, I was thrilled to see you breaking into the Canadian market and your chips now available in grocery stores throughout Ontario. Given your expansion into Canada, I would not be surprised if your Procurement team is pushed to the limit. (This is your pain hypothesis which in this case is not a stretch when you consider the demands on a company expanding into a foreign market.) When I was a Senior Buyer/Planner at Deep Nutrition Corp. before its acquisition by Soylent Industries, I created the company's first Supplier Quality Assurance program along with negotiating cost-saving long-term agreements with Deep Nutrition's top four suppliers. Those agreements helped Deep Nutrition grow sales volume from $14 million when I arrived to over $31 million within three years. Can we talk over the phone about Kay's Potato Chip's expansion plans for Canada and your current supply chain? With my background, I can help your company's expansion plan proceed as smoothly as possible. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Nick Kossovan LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkossovan/ Second value proposition letter example (265 words): Dear [Executive], I am writing to express my interest in bringing my sales skills to Prescott Pharmaceuticals. With over 24 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, 16 with Edgars Industries, I have a track record of successfully selling pharmaceutical products to healthcare providers and institutions. As I am sure you are aware, Umbrella Corp. has expansion plans to come to Canada in the latter part of this year. Therefore, you and Prescott Pharmaceuticals' leadership team are likely brainstorming how your company will maintain its current market share while staying ahead of Umbrella Corp. Having someone like me, who has built a successful pharmaceutical sales career on the premises "relationships are everything" in the field, would notably differentiate Prescott Pharmaceuticals for Umbrella Corp. My high-level achievements include the following: - Developed and executed business plans for various pharmaceutical products in the Prescott Pharmaceuticals portfolio targeting primary care and specialty physicians throughout Canada's Atlantic region. - Exceeded sales targets by 10% every quarter and beat department averages by 25% every quarter for the past 7 years. - Grew market share by 20% for 30+ products in the Atlantic region. (my territory) - Generated an average of $18 million in revenue per year. - Two-time recipient of the Albert P. Johns internal company award for sales excellence. As you can see, my core capabilities are selling a portfolio of pharmaceutical products and developing local strategic business plans to increase market volume. I would happily jump on a call with you over the next few days. If nothing else, I can share insights about how I achieved the abovementioned results. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Nick Kossovan LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkossovan/ It is no secret that there is a lot of employee churn happening. Hence, you can be certain that most employers have several current, or soon-to-be, openings. So, put yourself in an employer's shoes. If an opening suddenly arises, especially an unforeseen opening, say due to an employee moving on, what is more straightforward, posting the job opening and spending time shifting through 100s of resumes, mostly from unqualified job seekers and then conducting interviews, etc., or reaching out to someone who sent a value proposition letter? Yes, some recipients will delete your letter. Some will forward it to HR, where it will languish in the "black hole," however, there will be those who will email or call you, especially if your timing happens to be right. Incorporating sending value proposition letters as part of your job search strategy gives credence to the adage, "You have nothing to lose and everything to gain." ___________________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

Vicious Cycle

My mother and I are in yet another silent period. Again, it is her choice. She is 70 and I am 48. Mother and I were reminiscing, and the conversation to that point was pleasant. When I was a child, we had a caretaker with a distinctive cry for my brothers. I mimicked her cry, and mom and I both laughed. Suddenly, the tide turned as if I stabbed my mom with a knife. It all has to do with mom’s mother. She died when mom was nine, and after this my mom’s life was tough, going from home to home, never fitting in. Her father did not handle the death well. Mom felt he blamed her for the death of his wife. When I was born, mom named me after her mother. My relationship with mom was not much better. I was a behavior problem, tall and overweight. At nine I was sent to live with my father, and at 11, sent to boarding school. The birth name mom gave me was a name other students made fun of. I wanted to die. One wonderful friend suggested, if it was so bad, why not get rid of the name? So, with much protesting from my family, I created a new identity for myself with a nickname. I cannot tell you what it was like not to be teased anymore! As a graduation present, my father allowed me to go to court and make it my legal name. Thankfully, 12 years ago I found a great therapist who helped me look to the future, but my mom never has warmed up to me. I am a fly she would like to swat and can’t. Add to this all my brothers’ wives are thin college graduates, and you get the picture. When I said my birth name in the voice of my old caretaker, it brought all this back to my mom. She said, “When you changed your name, it was like you killed all of what I had of my mother, and I had to lose her a second time.” The name change happened 30 years ago. Part of me wants to tell mom off. Part of me wants to comfort her. I am sick of trying to bend myself into something she can deal with, yet I fear doing more damage to our relationship. Sylvia Sylvia, you do see the pattern, don’t you? At nine, your mom loses her mother. Then she names you after her dead mother. When your mom sent you away at nine, she accomplished two things. She deliberately punished you in the way she had been punished by life, and she got revenge on her own mother for dying, the event she felt estranged her from her father. Some people say the family is the best of institutions, and they are right. But the family can also be the worst of institutions. It can be the home for incest, beatings, insult, and ridicule. As John Douglas, the famous profiler of violent criminals, said, “In all my years of research and dealing with violent offenders, I’ve never yet come across one who came from what I would consider a good background and functional, supportive family unit.” The biological link we value with our parents only goes so far. It can be destroyed by the lack of the important elements of caring, love, and protection. You are an adult now. Weigh in your mind what position in life your mother holds. As you make strides to move forward emotionally, you must decide how much distance to place between you and your parent. Your mother may call you selfish, but trying to make you replace a dead relative, and holding a hurt from over half a century ago, is selfishness raised to the level of cruelty. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers.

Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin

W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones Vitamin D is often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin". This is because it is synthesized in our skin in response to sunlight. The beauty of Vitamin D is that it's free – a great model for “all things in moderation” too. There are two main forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is the form that is synthesized in the skin, while vitamin D2 is found in some plant-based foods and supplements. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health by promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet. It also helps to regulate the immune system and may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colon, breast, and prostate cancer. Despite the importance of vitamin D, many people are deficient in this essential nutrient. In fact, studies suggest that up to 50% of the global population may have insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D! Symptoms of deficiency can vary, including fatigue, depression, cognitive decline and dementia. Bone density loss increases the risk of fractures and falls in older people. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. Why does a deficiency develop? It can be difficult to get enough vitamin D from sunlight, especially during the winter months. Additionally, vitamin D is found in relatively few foods, so it can be challenging to get enough vitamin D from the diet. Scientific studies have found income, gender and ethnicity differences in vitamin D status globally. One study looked at the vitamin D status of over 1,000 healthy Japanese adults and found that 40% of women and 26% of men had vitamin D deficiency and that individuals of non-Japanese ethnicity were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than those of Japanese ethnicity. A study in the US found that people with higher incomes were more likely to be using supplements, and therefore less likely to suffer deficiencies. Consumer choices and food prices may also be important. Studies have found that consumption of fortified milk and mild products, or example, has a major effect on likelihood of deficiency. If you need to know your vitamin D level, a blood test will determine it. But as the philosopher Voltaire once said, "the best is the enemy of the good." Getting regular intake of Vitamin D should be the goal, not trying to measure daily levels. Make it a habit to get some vitamin D everyday. The most effective way is to get sunlight directly on your skin. Spending 10-15 minutes outside in the sun each day with your arms and legs exposed will help your vitamin D levels, plus sunshine is a “feel good” prescription in general. Be sure to protect your skin with sunscreen if enjoying longer exposure. But getting outside without layers of clothes can be difficult during the winter months, especially in northern latitudes. So don’t forget you also get vitamin D from certain foods include fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel), egg yolks, and fortified foods (such as milk, orange juice, and cereal). If you're not one for being in the sun and concerned the Vitamin D is your diet is insufficient, a daily supplement can help. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies depending on age, sex, and other factors, but in general, adults need between 600 and 800 international units (IU) per day. The upper limit for vitamin D intake is 4,000 IU per day for adults, and it's important not to exceed this amount unless under medical supervision. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones