PERSPECTIVES

By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City Councillor I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who has shared with me their perspectives and concerns on a recent opinion editorial I penned February 6, 2024, titled “It is not black and white” While perhaps controversial, nowhere in this piece does it exhibit racism. After reading some comments, I understand that some may not have fully understood or accurately interpreted the column's true meaning, and for those individuals, I would like to offer my sincere apologies. Racism is a belief system or ideology that asserts the inherent superiority or inferiority of individuals or groups based on their race. It involves the belief that some races are inherently superior to others, leading to discriminatory attitudes, actions, and policies that treat individuals or groups differently based on their race. This is the very thing that I am fighting against and will continue to fight against. There is a grave need to put an end to the creation of an environment that fosters racism. That means we need to stop judging individuals solely based on their skin colour, religious beliefs, or sexual preferences. Dividing people into these political groups only perpetuates a harmful cycle of creating a breeding ground for racism to exist. We are all human, and to live in unity we need to stop with these divisive tactics. If we need to have a month dedicated to history, then let it truly be about history itself. It does not need to solely revolve around the colour of one's skin, as every culture has a rich and diverse history that deserves to be celebrated and shared. We only have twelve months in a year, and no race deserves to be inherently superior to another. It’s time to shift our focus from judging individuals based on their skin colour, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences, and start evaluating and lifting one another up based on one’s character. This kind of transformation is crucial in our collective journey towards a more inclusive and equitable society. I have said numerous times that the truth can sometimes be uncomfortable for some individuals, and it may sometimes inadvertently cause hurt or offense to one's feelings, but it is important to recognize that no one can control how people emotionally are going to respond to the truth, but one can affect how it directly affects them on a day-to-day basis. It’s extremely important moving forward to prioritize open, honest dialogue and avoid name-calling or labeling something or someone as being racist without having a complete understanding of the subject at hand or participating in open conversations. Approaching discussions with active listening, and empathy, is the only way that true understanding can be achieved. Discussing race and ethnicity does not inherently equate to racism. The aforementioned article may challenge conventional views on race relations, but it does not exhibit hatred, prejudice, or discrimination toward any racial or ethnic group. Instead, I hope it prompts readers to reflect on how we perceive and address issues of equality and

Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8

Tahir Khorasanee, LL.M. Senior Associate, Steinbergs LLP As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, it’s important to reflect on the significant strides women have made in Canada. From winning the right to vote in 1918 to securing a discrimination-free workspace in 1977, women have come a long way in the fight for equality. The journey towards equality has not been easy. Underneath the seemingly smooth surface lies the enduring struggle of those women who used their own experiences as an opportunity to lead by example. They have faced adversity head-on, taking legal action against discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and paving the way for safer workspaces for future generations. This International Women’s Day, we must pay tribute to these brave women. Their courage and determination have not only brought about change in their own lives but have also created ripple effects across the country. Their actions have led to the termination of employment for perpetrators and revisions to workplace policies, ensuring that all employees feel safe and respected. However, the fight is far from over. This is a call to action to all those who are or have suffered quietly – your action may end the suffering of other women. It’s a reminder that every voice matters and every action counts. One such woman was L.N who filed a human rights complaint in 2020 against her employer, Ray Daniel Salon & Spa and Mr. Reza Khosravi. Mr. Khosravi was the sole person responsible for the spa’s operations. L.N. was new to Canada when she commenced her employment in April 2019. The spa paid her $5 per hour (below minimum wage) and in the short time she worked there until May 31, 2019, Mr. Khosravi twice raped L.N, physically and sexually assaulted her and threatened her with reprisal. No investigation was conducted, and her employment was terminated. The spa did not pay L.N. for the month of May 2019. As a new immigrant, L.N. was not aware that Canada had a minimum wage. She was afraid to report the sexual assault and rape to the police for fear of being deported. In her application at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, L.N. sought a total of $250,000, comprising of $210,000 for sexual solicitation and sexual harassment; $30,000 for reprisal; and $10,000 for citizenship-based discrimination. The Tribunal settled on a figure of $180,000. Additionally, the ruling mandated human rights training for the managerial staff of Ray Daniel Salon & Spa and required the posting of the decision within the workplace to prevent future violations. On this International Women’s Day, let’s honor the women who have paved the way for us. As we celebrate the achievements of women, let’s also remember the ongoing struggle of women like L.N. Let’s continue to break the glass ceiling and strive for a world where equal opportunity is not just a concept, but a reality. This is not legal advice. If you need legal advice with respect to workplace violence, please email: tkhorasanee@steinbergsllp.com

4.7% tax on beer... that is call for action

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 it with us Canadians. The price of gas fluctuates from 5 - 10 cents per day. No one says anything. We are taxed through our noses and we work harder. We have our civil liberties compromised we look the other way. Food prices get out of control. We as Canadians go on a diet. Thousands of people if not millions across the country are forced to live on the street. We snub our noses as a ‘not my problem’. Wake up people. But wait. Just this week the headline read: The Canada Revenue Agency reports a 4.7% increase in the federal beer tax effective April 1, 2024. on the one hand, we Canadian smile and hope that it is a misprint or a bad government initiated April Fools joke... On the other. “Whatcha talkin bout Willis,”, type of look and response. You mess with the golden gift from the God’s and you have a Canadian coup-de-etat on your hands. I heard by many that if this tax goes through. Canadians across the land will go on strike. Do a beer convoy to Ottawa. Join the Trump movement. Scream and yell. Some may even resort to stomping their feet and hold their breaths until such time as the government overturned the tax increase on the holy Canadian beer. What have we become in this Country. We put up with political reforms that fail. An economy that is a shame. An immigration policy that is turning our great nation to third world status. Touch our beer and boy hell breaks loose. Could it be that beer is call to action for Canadians. Imagine creating a new party. The Canadian Beer front. Could it be any worst than what we have now? As Canadians we should expect more. We should do more. But unfortunately we keep lowering out standards, looking the other way. Excuse me I am Canadian. Or maybe have one.

Canada’s Natural Resources and the Ignorance of Canadian Politicians

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the geopolitical situation in the world is rapidly deteriorating, it seems that Canadian politicians do not have any ideas on how to position Canada as a strong nation for the future. Instead they quarrel in their respective ivory towers about how to make the climate conform with their desired phantasmagoric and beyond common sense ideas. No vision for the future of Canada has been expressed even remotely. They seem eager only to attack each other over verbiage without content. Unfortunately, they are the bad actors of today, playing with the future of Canada. Instead of looking at the blessings of this great country of Canada - the largest treasure of natural resources - which are there to be put in the service our people, they find numerous excuses to block their use. They do this by a complete ignorance of science, under the influence of dark ages-like theories fomented by the World Economic Forum. In the meantime, nations with more knowledgeable and responsible leaders are doing everything they can for the benefit of their people. Ranging from the acquisition of a rare earths stockpile from a mine in the Northwest Territories to the purchasing of stakes in Canadian mines Solaris Resources and First Quantum, a recent flury of Chinese investment in Canadian mining projects has rightly sparked questions and concerns. In the past three years, many Western nations including Canada have put out critical minerals strategies to promote friendly sources of supply and mitigate Chinese dominance in the sector. Yet Canada is still falling behind. At the same time, one empathizes with Canadian mines looking to China for investment; they are not finding it anywhere else. Junior and mid-sized mines are starved for capital even as Western politicians proclaim their commitment to the sector by words only, not deeds. Fortunately, there is a solution to the challenge of both reducing dependence on Chinese-controlled exports and boosting Western investment in Canada’s own supply. It is time to establish strategic reserves for critical minerals. The concept has plenty of precedent. While many today may know about the International Energy Agency (IEA) from its efforts to stabilize the fossil fuels market, they may not realize that the organization was originally created in 1974 to mitigate oil supply disruptions. Its members include most of Europe, North America, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. Its primary tool for managing oil supplies was the establishment of strategic reserves. IEA members are required, to this day, to hold oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports (Canada, as one of a handful of oil exporters in the IEA, requires no such reserve). The utility of those oil reserves was demonstrated in 2022 with the conflict in Ukraine that disrupted global commodity markets, leading to price spikes. A coordinated release amongst IEA members followed, which succeeded in bringing prices down at the pump. A number of forces are currently conspiring to make Western nations collectively establish critical reserves of minerals. First, they play a key role in maintaining technological advantages in many critical and strategical fields. Ironically, Canada’s own production of critical minerals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and zinc is actually in decline. Second, is the need to enhance Western supply chain independence.The most urgent problem is Chinese dominance in both the mining and processing of many critical minerals. In general, minerals are geographically concentrated, often in politically unstable regions, adding vulnerability to supply chains. The West must find ways to mitigate those risks by producing more of its own supply, diversifying suppliers where that’s not possible, and stockpiling for when all else fails. Canada is an ideal place to look but that means a complete change in political thinking. Third is the inability of mines to attract more investment despite expectations of growing demand. Global capital expenditures in mining peaked in 2013. While investment has risen since the market bottomed in 2017, spending levels are still only two-thirds what they were a decade ago. That figure doesn’t account for inflation and the addition of a billion people, which makes the situation look even more dire. Investors are still scared off by their losses from when the last cycle went bust, as well as a lack of public support for extraction, regulatory burdens, volatility, supply chain risks, long timelines, and other factors. Mining is struggling to compete with other sectors for capital due to incapacity of Western governments to understand science on which Canada bears the flagship. Some countries, such as Japan, already stockpile critical minerals, and commercial reserves exist across the world. The U.S. also has a National Defense Stockpile, but its current value is a rounding error compared to the height of the Cold War, and it is seeking to build it up. Canada does not seem to have any policies in this regards, and is missing in action. Minerals behave very differently in global markets than oil, and they vary from one to another too. It will not be as easy as replicating the system for oil. However, at some level, the concept of a critical minerals reserve should be to establish a floor for commodity prices that is high enough to spur development in Western and other friendly jurisdictions, perhaps in “take-or-pay” types of arrangements. The goal is not just to establish minimum reserves, but to incentivise new production. The question is: is anyone in the Canadian political environment capable of forward thinking? The devil will be in the details and thought will need to go into maximizing the security of supply without needlessly distorting market forces. However, governments should prepare to apply the one thing they have that the market currently lacks; a source of patient capital. There is no doubt that the collective security of the West is put at risk by the current state of the critical minerals market. Investment is not flowing at the rate needed to ensure balanced markets in the coming decade. Canadian foreign policy has been lacklustre of late. One area where we are still looked upon to lead—and retain some ability to do so—is in natural resources. Coming up with solutions to the problem of critical minerals supply that leverages the collective experience of our mining and investment community is an obvious place for Canada to contribute. This seems obvious for rational people, whether Canadian politicials are listening is another issue. Hope somebody wakes up soon to put Canada’s interests first.

BY-ELECTION BYE ELECTION

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. I don’t get it... but I am sure I will. Apparently we are at the eve of a by-election. Erin O’Toole decided ‘NO MAS’. Jumped ship and how the vultures are out in full hunt. Is this how we elect our official in Canada. PICK ONE FROM THE LIST - I did not know about the election until I seen an ad for the PPC in this great newspaper. Who is running? What credential do they have? Does it matter who wins? To me it appears that all those running are running to better their pocket book. I know one thing. Whoever wins won’t be doing a thing for my pocket book. I will still have to put up with Justin insanity. I will still have to live beyond my means as the economy is shot. I will still have to pay for my high property taxes. Pay for Durham Region bill, phone, water, electricity and all the others that someone decides to lick a stamp and send me a bill for. I have a suggestion. Why don’t we leave that seat open and distribute the annual salary among the taxpayers. Hey, a dollar here a dollar there. It makes a difference. After all is this not how the municipalities keep feeding it to us up the ass. Oh, the tax increase this year is only equivalent to and extra $30 dollars. Please... I strongly believe that democracy is dead. Just because you have the right to choose it does not ad up to shit. Think about it. We the people have no voice. No say and no real representation. No matter who wins. Our daily lives will continue the same. Even if a federal election was called tomorrow. Would a change really make a difference? Politics both in Canada and the U.S. have proven to be about wealth and power. It is not about the people. The people can cheer and chant. At the end of the day. He/She that gets elected is the only one that truly benefits. I have a message for the bi-elections. Bye bye. I am not voting. I am not wasting my time to help someone fill their pockets at my expense. I strongly support the idea of leaving the seat open as a show of rebellious intent from the voters. But what am I talking about. People will keep making the same mistake and turn out and vote for some token, only to turn around the next day and begin the criticism of their choice. Bahhhhh

‘ARRIVE’ SOON DEPARTED

By Dale Jodoin During the big COVID-19 pandemic, when everyone was really scared and trying to stay safe, there was this app called "Arrive" that got made. It was supposed to help people by keeping track of where they were if they got sick, to help stop the virus from spreading. At first, it sounded like a really helpful thing, but then things went super wrong. The app was only supposed to cost about $80,000 to set up, but somehow, the cost blew up to $59 million. That's a crazy amount of money, and it made a lot of people think that something shady was happening. It looked like someone was using the scary situation of the pandemic to fill their pockets with a lot of money, which is really not cool. People were already having a hard time because of the sickness, and then they had to hear about this mess. Some folks think the police, like the RCMP in Canada, should check into this to figure out what really happened. But, there are others who say this problem is so huge and might even involve people from other countries, so it's a job for the Canadian Intelligence Service. They're worried that if people in other countries find out who got all this money, they could use that info to mess with Canada's government later on. That's a big worry because it's about keeping the country safe, which people call "national security." The reason why the Canadian Intelligence Service should step in is also because this kind of money, if it's gotten through bad ways like bribery, could make it easy for foreign governments to try and take advantage later on in our country. They could try to influence important people in Canada or make them do things that aren't good for Canada. People are saying that whoever made this mess happen should be found and have to answer for it, especially if they tried to keep it a secret. It's super important to make sure something like this doesn't happen again, especially when everyone needs to trust each other during a big crisis like a pandemic. It's weird that not many people are talking about this, like in newspapers or on TV. But it's a really big deal, and everyone should want to find out the truth to make sure the people who did wrong are held responsible. This is all about making sure everyone plays fair and that the country stays safe and works right for everyone.

Trust Is the Key to Setting Yourself Apart During the Hiring Process

By Nick Kossovan One question is running through your interviewer's head: "Can I trust this person?" You never want your interviewer to think, "Something doesn't feel right." I once had an interview where my interviewer said, "I like you, Nick. I think you can improve our call center metrics and increase our CSAT scores." Being young, slightly cocky, but intuitively knowing I’ll not get hired if my interviewer didn't like or trust me, I replied, "Don't just like me, trust me." Yes, I got a second interview, resulting in a job offer, which I ultimately declined. There are keys to job search success: · Networking · Your LinkedIn profile and resume · Being likeable (Being likeable supersedes your skills and experience.) · Your communication skills If the employer doesn't trust you, all the above is irrelevant. Everything, especially when starting a relationship, begins with trust. Trust translates to confidence in. The opposite of trust is distrust, aka. doubt. As a job seeker, you must look, speak, and behave in ways that’ll establish trust with employers. Don't just focus on selling your skills and experience, which, to reiterate, are meaningless unless the employer trusts you based on these five "Will you?" questions: Will you... 1. Deliver results? (primary question) 2. Be easy to manage? 3. Not be a disruption to the existing team and the company? 4. Be reliable? 5. Show professionalism and integrity? Hiring is based on trust. When a hiring manager gives you the green light to be hired, they trust your ability to do the job, obtain the results required, be reliable, be manageable, and work well with the existing team. There isn't a hiring manager who hasn't been taken in (read: made a fool of) by a candidate who said all the right things and then failed to deliver. When you're being interviewed, you can be sure that your interviewer has been fooled by a candidate at least once and isn't looking to be fooled again, which you should empathize with. Among hiring managers, stories of candidates who didn't walk their talk are all too common, explaining why hiring processes have become more "stretched out." Therefore, to gain a competitive job search advantage, make building and establishing trust your primary job search strategy, not simply trying to sell your skills and experience, which I can't overstate, are worthless unless the employer trusts you. Holistically, the hiring process has two touchpoints that provide you with opportunities to build trust. First touchpoint: The application process. (Approaching the employer.) A hiring manager posts a job online. Within 24 hours, they receive 100's, if not 1,000s, of resumes, all from strangers. In this context, it is easy to understand why networking and being referred will shorten your job search. Who's more trustworthy, a candidate who's a stranger or a candidate who was referred? Having never met Bob, I don't know him. However, suppose Mary, whom I've known and trusted for seven years, refers Bob to me. In that case, I'll regard Bob as more trustworthy than a non-referred candidate who's literally a stranger to me. Whenever I advise a job seeker, I emphasize the importance of not being a stranger to employers as much as possible. Although it may not always be possible to network into a company, you have the ability, by using LinkedIn and other social media platforms, to create a personal brand and establish yourself as a SME (Subject Matter Expert). A low-hanging fruit for building trust is becoming known within your industry and profession. We tend to trust those we know, even if we only know them by their reputation. Presenting your results numerically, while your competition is just offering opinions ("I'm a team player," "I love to sell," "I'm a JAVA coding Ninja."), establishes trust. Your LinkedIn profile and resume should be void of opinions and solely populated with results you've achieved. ("In 2023, I managed an Inside Sales Team of 15 agents, generating $17.6 million in sales. The average order size was $4,250.”) You can further establish trust by offering documents supporting your claims about your skills and accomplishments. (e.g., productivity reports, 360 feedback, performance reviews) Proof = Trust Second touchpoint: The Interview(s) The first touchpoint lays down the foundation for trust. Establishing trust occurs during the second touchpoint: when interviewing. When interviewing, be honest, clear, and specific about your skills, experience, and career goals. Never make contradictions or exaggerations. Above all, be your authentic self. Authenticity is the primary driver to creating trust. I don't speak for just myself when I say, "I tend to trust candidates whom I believe I'm interacting with the real them. I'm not implying that the times you weren't hired were due to your interviewer not trusting you; many factors go into making a hiring decision. The harsh truth is that while your interviewer may have trusted you, they trusted the candidate they hired more. A great interview is one where you leave your interviewer(s) feeling they can trust you; therefore, a few days before an interview, begin asking yourself, "What can I do to get my interviewer(s)—most likely a stranger, even if you were referred—to trust me?” _____________________________________________________________________ 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

Ulterior Motive

from Wayne & Tamara Life was not this complicated a year ago--said laughing while banging head on keyboard. I can make this short, but there is so much and I want to be fair. Stage one: friends. A friend decides our relationship needs to be advanced to a sexual/dating level. This was probably his objective when we first started hanging out, however, I could not picture us together. He was not my type, the age difference was huge (15 years), and I just couldn't see an "us." Stage two: friends plus. Imagine my surprise when I fell head over heels in love. He quickly and effortlessly became my favorite person in the whole world. Once we started sleeping together, well, he's the best I ever had, and he's said the same about me. Regardless, it's been a huge headache. He's got this nice little routine that works for him, and I never once worried about losing my independence because he was so dead set against losing his. It didn't take long to realize I adore this man, and we fit great together. The beginning of the end was saying this aloud to him. I know the rules: always hang up first, leave them wanting more, never give details, blah, blah, blah. But I made the decision to love him and that negated the Barbie and Ken mating ritual in my mind. Not in his. The chase was the most exciting part to him. Stage three: stage fright. He "loves me but is not in love with me." (What does that mean, anyway?) We started the cycle of break up, just friends, get together, have sex, break up, etc. We finally stopped dating, again, two months ago. I've been heartbroken since. Valerie Valerie, in one of P.G. Wodehouse's novels, Bertie Wooster says, "It's like Shakespeare. It sounds well enough, but it doesn't actually mean anything." That is what we think of "I love you, but I'm not in love with you." It sounds well enough, but it doesn't actually mean anything good. What does it mean? It means "I don't love you." One line of your note jumped out at us. "He's got this nice little routine that works for him." That's the situation in a nutshell. He's got this nice little routine that works for him. Not for both of you, but for him. And he doesn't want to change. You believed his objective from the start was to advance your friendship to a sexual level. Friendship was never his objective. It might help you to think of this man as a confirmed bachelor who keeps women on a shelf until he needs them. Or think of him as a married man, married to himself. It is futile to pursue a confirmed bachelor or a married man. What is in your heart? That there is a purpose to dating. There is a goal. You want someone you love, who loves you, in a mutually exclusive relationship leading to marriage. Once you realize you cannot go there with this man, you can move on. Wayne & Tamara Science Fiction I recently had sex with a girl from work. It was only a bit of fun, and it only happened once, but now she says she is pregnant. I made it quite clear I do not want this baby, but she has not even considered what I have to say. She is keeping the baby. Now, it's like I have been used in some way. My head is in bits. Is there some way of dealing with this so she cannot come to me in the future asking for money? Earl Earl, if H.G Wells' time machine actually existed, you could go back in time and wear a condom while you are having your "bit of fun." That is no less a fantasy than believing you are not financially responsible for your child. Wayne & Tamara SEND LETTERS TO: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell and The Young Woman’s Guide to Older Men—available from Amazon, Apple, and booksellers everywhere.

Work Hard to Be 100 and Healthy

By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford Few children have the good fortune of wishing “Happy 100th Birthday” to a vibrant, healthy parent reaching that esteemed age. But that’s what my brothers and I are doing this week. We’ve had the incredible journey of growing up with Dr. W. Gifford-Jones as our dad! Countless people have asked, what’s the secret to reaching 100? The truth is lots of people are figuring it out. In Canada, there are about 10,000 centenarians, people aged 100 or older. In the U.S., the figure is nearing 100,000. And worldwide, it’s an astounding 722,000 people. Some centenarians are living well. Unfortunately, there is a darker side such longevity, as many are not living well at all. There is wide variation in the research, but a conservative estimate is that 60% of centenarians suffer from dementia, a devasting consequence for them and their families. Living through old age can be an outright punishment if mobility is impaired, leaving people dependent on assistance with daily care. Better management of chronic diseases is a mixed blessing. Is extending life worth it when quality of life is gone? There’s no question. Following the formula for healthy aging is the right thing to do, and you know the components. If you need a reminder, read past Gifford-Jones columns. If you need motivation, volunteer your time in your local assisted living facility. Living to be 100 isn’t the only goal. You want to get there and be healthy! So, what might be key to the success of the “escapers”, the centenarians who keep their marbles and their muscles? What sets my father apart, and people like him? The answer might be that my father works hard at his health and everything else. If you break his life into decades, you’d have a story like this. A precocious childhood, with loving parents. An active youth, testing his mettle. In his 20s, scoring a seat at Havard Medical School. A career push into specialization in his 30s. By his 40s, Gifford-Jones emerged as an author, an advocate for a woman’s right to abortion, and a contrarian voice calling for common sense in the medical profession. In his 50s, he managed three fulltime jobs – a busy surgeon, a weekly columnist, and a fabulous family man to his wife and four children. The decade of his 60s marked a period of more fighting – for better pain management in healthcare, against obesity and diabetes, and for patients to use common sense in their lives. By 70, most people slow down. Not my father. He continued to do surgery until 75, and he saw patients in his office until the age of 87. Also in his 80s, he was writing books on alternative medicine, interviewing doctors and scientists around the world, and continuing his weekly column. The decade of his 90s was remarkable. That’s when he began yet another new career move, formalizing his role as an advocate for a powdered form of vitamin C and lysine supplementation that allowed for easier consumption of the high doses he advocated for protection against cardiovascular disease. This decade saw him traveling across the continent speaking in community after community about his medical lessons for a healthy life. At 100, what’s his message? “I’m not finished yet,” he says. “Stay tuned, because I have more to say and new efforts to champion in getting more people to lead healthier lives.” When, we ask, are you going to retire? “Ten years after I’m dead,” he replies. It’s his endless hard work that sets this man apart. We’re looking forward, and in the meantime, celebrating a 100th birthday! 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

NATIONAL NEWS

NATIONAL NEWS By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City Councillor The City of Pickering has recently become the subject of National News bringing with it a newfound awareness of the realities of how things are run at the Municipal level and other related institutions. This awakening, if you will, is an important step in holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions. Being a newly elected official of 2022, I have been doing my best to shed light on the underlying corruption I have witnessed during my short time on the Council. I have been steadfast in questioning the motives and “best practices” of those entrusted with decision-making while upholding my Declaration of Office. I had to solemnly promise and declare that: I would truly, faithfully, and impartially exercise this office to the best of my knowledge and ability; that I have not received and will not receive any payment or reward, or promise thereof, for the exercise of this office in a biased, corrupt or any other improper manner; I will disclose any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third. While my Declaration of Office does not commit me to prioritize the needs and best interest of the people I represent, my focus is and will always be on the well-being and interests of the community, which is the very essence of why I persevered to join this political arena in the first place. Despite my attempts to make friends or become popular, I was quickly cautioned by various individuals within the City staff by a recurring cautionary note that struck a chord with me that I will never soon forget: “Councillor Robinson, these people are not your friends.” Today I find myself humbled by the wisdom of those words and realize just how accurate they were. I have grown from these very words and now champion myself to be not a nice person but rather a good person. In my humble opinion, a nice person is someone who wants to be liked and be popular. They will do anything they can to make sure they win the next election even if it is morally wrong and goes against the good of the people. A yes nodder, who doesn’t question one-sided narratives being pushed forward in fear of being disliked. A good person, however, does not care about being liked or popular. A good person will refuse to base their decisions on whether or not it serves their best interest and gets them re-elected. I want to be known as a politician who is a good person, one who consistently speaks the truth and is genuinely honest, putting the needs of the people first above all else. A good person who will not be coerced into political posturing, by colleagues or special interest groups just to win a popular vote. I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to being a principled independent thinker. I refuse to conform or vote along with my colleagues just for the sake of agreement. I thoroughly research topics brought forward in my agenda and ask pertinent questions. If I cannot obtain any, or at least satisfactory answers, then I refuse to vote in favour of said agenda item with my colleagues. I am still trying to understand how anyone can make informed decisions and prioritize the best interests of the community without having answers. Because I have the ability to see what everyone else can see, but I can think differently, raises grave concerns in some instances, resulting in many 6 to 1 votes, and judging by the transparency of staff and council expressions, my perspective of not following along is not popular and frowned upon. The same goes with my three draft motions that I was trying to bring forward for my constituents in which I lost one-quarter of my first year's salary under the recommendation of Principles Integrity. Whom I believe was biased, and based their report on double hearsay, her personal opinion and her personal views, while attacking my character and concluding that the following three draft motions somehow showed to be transphobic and homophobic in nature: a draft motion asking that we as a Municipal Government should remain neutral by only flying government flags (and the poppy/Veterans flag) on all government buildings; a draft motion that would give boys, girls, men, and women the choice to use either their biological changeroom or the choice to use a universal changeroom that is inclusive to all genders and/or families; and a third draft motion that would have placed an age restriction on drag queen story time and pride events. Unfortunately, none of my colleagues supported having open dialog surrounding the implementation of these policies, and instead voted to sanction my pay on the recommendation of “Principles Integrity.” I have since initiated a Judicial review of their report, and it is also worth noting that there seems to be a trend with “Principles Integrity” who were fired from another Municipality in 2022 on similar allegations of having a biased opinion and the way they attacked another Council member's integrity. Recently, I have become aware of the City’s decision to withhold payment for an ad I authored in this very newspaper at the end of last year. It seems they are dissatisfied with my proactive approach in reaching out to constituents and sharing information regarding all the 6 to 1 votes I lost during my initial year on Council. Consequently, The Central newspaper will be compelled to take legal action against the City of Pickering to obtain payment that was rightfully allocated within my 2023 budget. The punitive measures of depriving me of monetary amounts due to my exercise of free speech and expression, on top of my monetary sanction, serve to demonstrate the City of Pickering’s vindictive stance against me and the constituents perspectives I represent. It doesn’t stop there, as just the other week, on my way to a meeting, I overheard a conversation where a senior member of staff, who happens to be the mayor’s right-hand man, was instructing staff to meticulously scrutinize all my videos, social media, and op-eds in an effort to find grounds for code of conduct charges against me. I find it deeply concerning that the mayor has been engaging in this type of targeted action with the intent to undermine and harm me because I tell the truth, I ask too many questions, and I refuse to sit silently and obey. Not only does this type of behaviour violate the principles of fairness, respect, and professionalism as outlined in our Code of Conduct, but it is compromising the trust and integrity of the Council as a whole. Not to mention that this attack on me comes at a cost to you, the taxpayer, showing the lengths of just how spiteful and vindictive our mayor is willing to go to silence my right to free speech and challenge the status quo. CUPE 129 and PPFA have joined in, following the mayor’s narrative of calling me a racist for publicly stating a personal opinion, in a timely fashion. A classic playbook strategy in which they executed flawlessly, as they need to protect their interests and make sure their concerns are taken into consideration in future decision-making processes. Despite my willingness to engage in open dialogue, no one has directly approached me to discuss my opinion. Not the Mayor, Council members, staff, or either union. Instead, they have chosen to act against me covertly, betraying my trust with their secret meetings, whispers in the halls, emails, and phone calls. You the taxpayer should be concerned with this ongoing trend as this is not how leaders should behave. These undemocratic actions do not align with the principles outlined in our Charter of Rights and the Bill of Rights which should be guiding the conduct of these elected officials, and leaders of the community. As challenging as my path has been thus far, it only reinforces that more than ever I need to uphold values and fulfill the responsibilities that my constituents elected me to do. As for those individuals who take joy in resorting to hatred, name-calling, insults, and mocking my appearance through memes, I understand that your emotions may be sensitive, but I will always prioritize truth over feelings. Perhaps one day, you too will come to see this perspective. Until then, embrace the love within you, for it has the power to illuminate even the darkest paths of your journey. "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"

No to brown

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 - Remember the days when you pull in a gas station and two or three guys would approach your car and ask you what you needed? While one asked the another cleaned your windshield and the third checked your tires. Then while you waited for the gas to be dispensed. One of the attendants would ask you if you like a tea or coffee. They ask you if you like your oil checked... It was a three ring circus of sort of service. Or how can you forget the gas stations that with every fill up they give you a free collectors mug and or glass. Those were the days. I remember the days when cars came out that took diesel. They were marketed as the game changer in fuel economy. They came and gone. Remember the 8 track tapes? You had to rush out and buy the latest player and the new high sound quality tapes.... They cam and gone. Today, the new diesel and 8 track tape fad appears to revolve around EV cars. With all this fuzz over the environment we are being led down a rabbit hole of misinformation... Buy EV it is good for the economy. So much so that it is becoming a political war cry. Ottawa has mandated that by 2035, all new vehicles sold in Canada must be emissions-free. In two years, 20 per cent of all cars sold must be zero emissions. It has laid out a road map of how to get there, but critics have said it’s unrealistic. According to Statistics Canada’s most recent data, EVs accounted for three per cent of light-duty vehicle registrations in 2022, up from 2.3 per cent in 2021. The total number of road motor vehicles registered in Canada was 26.3 million in 2022, and light-duty vehicles accounted for 91.7 per cent of that figure. Great stats. But let’s look at the writing on the wall. Here in Durham. During the summer are we not asked not to turn on our air conditioners due to grid over load. Specially if you live in the border of Oshawa and Whitby along Thornton. An area that has more brown out, and power failures during the summer than any other area. Now if we are to all have EV’s in the future. Where are we to plug them in. Are we to assume that a solar type of car charging station is in the cards? Governmnent is always quick to jump on the political band wagon without reading the writings on the wall. Can you read? I can. I see that EV will soon become another pet rock, 8 track tape and or a revolutionizing idea like diesel was supposed to be.

Canada the death of merit and quiet descent into intellectual corruption

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Success in Canada is increasingly a product of inheritance and connections rather than merit. Throughout Canada’s history, a humble yet profound dream has resonated: the belief that through diligent, honest work, one could secure a decent living and ensure a brighter future for one’s children. In the last few years, however this dream has rapidly evaporated for countless young and new Canadians who find themselves on the wrong side of a job market and facing a housing crisis that saw prices nearly double between 2015 and 2022. Rents also exploded by over 11 percent in 2023, continuing a decade-long trend of growth at twice the rate of inflation. In the same timeframe, Canada’s real GDP per capita, a measure of economic activity per individual, has barely budged—and may be lower at the end of 2024 than in 2015.This means that Canada has the poorest performance in the G7 and the second lowest among 35 OECD “wealthy” countries. Grimly, in 2022 the OECD predicted a generation-long stagnation, estimating this country would have the slowest per capita growth rate of members through 2060. Canada now faces a fast growing divide as society, which is basically segregated into two distinct classes: the affluent, wealth and property-owning class with considerable political and economic influence, and a new class of permanent tenants, for whom homeownership and long-term economic progress are out of reach. The malaise plaguing Canada’s economy stems from a deep-rooted socioeconomic shift that has simmered for decades. It is reminiscent of a historically long past era that has unfortunately been revived in a new scenario. While political discourse today is mired in the dichotomy of progressivism versus conservatism, with the so-called political correctness on center stage, the nation is actually confronted by challenges that are more archaic savor and far more insidious in nature. The malaise is akin to a resurgence of the black plague. Unlike the “deja vue” of historical feudalism, where monarchs and the privileged nobility subjugated the masses through land ownership and serfdom, today’s society in-the-making operates through covert manipulations of regulatory frameworks and economic policy by a new class of aristocrats with the same goal. The chasm between property owners and everyone else left behind by the housing crisis, has been driven by the actions of affluent and well-connected residents and major landholders and their dutiful servants. These interests have exerted their significant political influence over local and provincial land-use policies and usurped property rights for decades. Their sway over policy via deep political relationships has resulted in stringent growth regulations, rendering new housing development slow, prohibitively expensive, and dominated by big businesses. Consequently, the housing market has become increasingly inaccessible for younger and newer Canadians, furthering the growing chasm between owners and a burgeoning class of permanent tenants. While provincial and local governments throttle supply, the federal government’s recent management of immigration (despite a recent shift in policy) has dramatically boosted demand for housing and accelerated cost of rents. The last two years have seen an unplanned entry of over a million net temporary residents, particularly students, who have been exploited in low-wage work and by fraudulent educational institutions. The policies that led to this outcome were strongly advocated by influential business interests as a solution to labour shortages. The influx created a pool of low-wage labour for them to draw on, enabling them to forgo wage increases and investments in improved workforce productivity. While this benefits these businesses, it harms existing workers, undermines confidence in the immigration system, and hinders economic progress of the nation. The intersection of economic and political power, which was common in feudal systems, is highlighted by the increasing dominance of political dynasties like those represented by Justin Trudeau, Doug Ford, Bryan Mulroney, Olivia Chow (Layton family) and many more that manifest the emerging typical new feudal type structure of Canadian society. Doug Ford’s recent Greenbelt scandal, involving an opaque regulatory decision that conveniently favoured properties of a well-connected billionaire family is a blatant example of the entanglement. Their actions created an $8.3 billion dollar land value uplift, and while reversed due to public outcry, it demonstrates how politicians and economic winners covertly use the regulatory system against public interest. This dark economic shift extends beyond the housing sector, permeating across Canada’s economy in areas such as finance, wealth management, insurance, telecom, agriculture, grocery, natural resources, public service and media. A select group of billionaires, multimillionaires, and their agents who use their extensive networks, associations, relationships, philanthropy, and political influence to gain regulatory favour hold significant interests in too many areas of our national wealth. This trend now well entrenched is facilitated by the growing complexity of technological society and our governing bureaucracy’s reflexive reliance on increased regulation to superficially “fix” complex problems. It overlooks the need for a systemic understanding of issues and the political execution of challenging reforms that would produce better results. The outcome is a regulatory system developed in collaboration with existing economic winners that justify new rules as “in the public interest” but instead create barriers to entry for competition. This process has far-reaching effects on the Canadian economy. It has led to an environment that is counterproductive to innovation, equitable growth, investment, and our long-term prosperity. It basically undermines merit based employment. Canada’s innovation and productivity hurdles, often attributed to a “conservative business culture,” are more accurately the result of decisions by rational actors in sectors insulated from competition, such as the public service. Inter-provincial trade barriers that exist due largely to the influence of special interest groups, are estimated to raise the cost of goods by seven percent, impeding our economy’s full potential. Thus, Canada’s challenges in productivity and investment are not a result of a “conservative business mindset,” but rather a consequence of rational choices in private industry dominated by economic fiefdoms awarded by the subservient government. Our present faltering economy, besieged by escalating housing costs and a lethargic private sector, is accompanied by an eroding standard of living. In Toronto and Vancouver, our most productive cities, exorbitant housing costs fueled by crippling growth restrictions are severely hampering labour mobility. This has profound repercussions for national wealth and our collective prosperity. Canada’s gradual shift towards a new dark ages marks a fundamental departure from the liberal democratic system that once fostered prosperity and opportunity through economic freedom and effective governance. This transition, characterized by an increasingly burdensome regulatory landscape ostensibly for public benefit, paradoxically shields a new aristocracy and their servants and jeopardizes our socioeconomic vitality. The quintessential belief that hard work leads to a good life, including homeownership, is faltering as family wealth evolves from helpful to indispensable for the next generations’ prosperity. Like a dark past era, success in Canada is increasingly a product of inheritance and connections rather than merit, challenging a deep national myth that Canada is a free nation of free people. It requires a deep re-evaluation of our systems and commitment to substantive reforms aimed at rejuvenating the Canadian dream and upholding our core values as a nation. What do you think?

SONO UN TRANS-CAVALLO I AM ENTERING IN THE NEXT KENTUCKY DERBY

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. I survived COVID - Only God knows how I survived it... Apparently now a days we are so desperate in finding the COVID magic cure that they are giving medicines to fight the virus that they give to horses. Or possibly could it be that because I ended up in the Port Perry hospital that the staff confused me with a donkey and gave me deworming medicine to fight COVID. Ah, good question. Any way, at Port Perry hospital they gave me ivermectin is a medicine that is used to deworm horses. Ivermectin is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved antiparasitic drug used to treat several neglected tropical diseases, including onchocerciasis, helminthiases, and scabies. For these indications, ivermectin has been widely used and is generally well tolerated. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and I was in very bad shape. When, I heard that I had received a horse medicine. I became agitated... Strong like horse THEY SAID. I demanded answers. They all looked at me as if I was crazy. Crazy horse, I guess. I must admit, what they gave me gave me energy and made me feel real good. But still, it was medicine they gave to horses. I was so alarmed that I signed myself out. The doctors could not believed me and pretty much barred me from the hospital. Well, needles to say. I galloped out and to my home.... Only to be taken back to Oshawa General the next day. The horse medicine wore out and boom it hit me hard. I could not breath and I think I even seen the big guy in the sky. I know it was the big guy in the sky, cause he looked at me and said we don’t take horses in heaven. Next thing you know there I was at Oshawa General where I was granted a four day forced vacation. Thank God. I recovered. Until this day I do not know what they gave me at Oshawa General. All I know is that every time I drive by a pasture I have this urge to gallop. So much so that ever since COVID I been eating a lot of salad....Ok stop laughing... I lied about the salad. I think this year I am in the money. With this new vigor I am planning on entering the Kentucky Derby as a Trans-Horse. I always as a young boy felt like a stallion of sort...It is time for me to come out of the (closet) stable and let the world that I am an Italian Stallion. I think I may have a real good chance at winning.

My patriotic oath to Canada

By Dale Jodoin This is my patriotic oath to Canada, a declaration of allegiance and devotion to the land that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, encompassing the rugged beauty of its mountains, the vast expanse of its prairies, and the serene allure of its lakes and forests. It is an oath that binds me to the red, white, and maple leaf – symbols of a country known for its peace, tolerance, and diversity. These colors and emblem not only represent the physical landscape but also the spirit of the Canadian people: resilient, inclusive, and proud. In this pledge, I commit to standing together with my fellow Canadians, united in our diversity and steadfast in our resolve. We will not back down in the face of challenges, whether they come from within our borders or beyond. Our unity is our strength, a testament to our collective determination to uphold the principles of freedom, democracy, and respect for every individual's rights and dignities. We vow to fight for our freedom and our rights, recognizing that these are not mere words but the very foundation of our society. Our history is a tapestry of struggles and triumphs, a narrative that has shaped our national identity. We honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, who fought for the liberties we enjoy today. Their courage and vision set the path we continue to follow, ensuring that future generations inherit a land as free and as full of opportunity as the one we cherish now. Our commitment extends to standing together, undivided, in the face of any attempt to sow discord among us. We recognize that our diversity is our greatest asset, reflecting a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions that enrich our collective experience. We will defend this diversity against division, knowing that our shared values and aspirations are the glue that binds us. In our pride, we find not arrogance but a deep appreciation for the gifts our country has bestowed upon us. We are determined never to be denied our right to live in peace, to express our views freely, and to build a just society for all. Our pride is rooted in our achievements, both as individuals and as a nation, and in the promise of what we can accomplish when we work together towards common goals. Raising our flag, we are reminded of the sacrifices and the dreams that it represents. It is a symbol of our identity, our values, and our aspirations. We pledge never to forget that we are the land of the free and the brave. This freedom was earned through the resilience and bravery of those who believed in the possibility of a better, fairer Canada. Our patriotic oath is more than just words; it is a living commitment to the ideals that define us as Canadians. It is a promise to contribute to the ongoing story of Canada, to respect and protect its beauty and its heritage, and to work tirelessly towards a future where every Canadian has the opportunity to thrive. In this spirit, we stand together, united by our love for Canada, committed to safeguarding its legacy and ensuring its prosperity for generations to come.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher Before anyone starts getting all defensive and start pointing fingers and calling people all kinds of name. This column has nothing to do with race, color, belly buttons, temperament, social economics, or the three stooges. In today’s modern society people get bent out of shape for all kinds of things. I blame our education system for graduating so many illiterate. With this said. By definition: Eeny, meeny, miny, moe - Wikipedia "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe" – which can be spelled a number of ways – is a children's counting-out rhyme, used to select a person in games such as tag, or for selecting various other things. It is one of a large group of similar rhymes in which the child who is pointed to by the chanter on the last syllable is chosen. Now this brings us to the meat and potatoes of the column and nothing to do with Irish stew... or a Polish, Kotlet mielony. This column is about the current status of our Federal government. On the one hand everyone is crying resign Trudeau. Resign Today. On the other... people are beginning to wonder if a change is the answer? More importantly what is the answer? I say this because politics have shown their true colors. It is not red, blue, orange, green and purple. It is not about ideology and philosophical integrity. Modern day politics is nothing short of a very elaborate rat race. Almost a dog eat, dog type of environment. There is no real loyalty other than that benefits the individual. Is this representation of the people? Is this democracy... governed by a loud minority. Led to believe that is the will of the people? Then, if it is not. Why is the majority so silent and distant from the process of democracy to bring about real change? I think in part it is because the majority have given up. They have become discouraged as the world is governed by popular ideology that is not reflective of the population at large. The silent majority, are the ones that work hard to pay taxes. To pay mortgages and keep food on the table. A silent majority that has no time to endevour in a system that is set up for the wealthy and elite. Look at all party so called leaders... Are they not all millionaires or there about? If not then once they get in... all of a sudden they become. How is this reflective of the working class. Of the average person. It is not. Then again to my initial question. We are not happy with what we have running our country. Would change for the head of another rat race make a difference? The answer is obvious. NO. If we learned anything from our history. When, there is a drastic shift in power. We the people end up paying for it. The incoming administration will blame the previous administration and justify tax increases. In the name of change they will implement regulation and policy that will affect our pocket book. So, I ask this question again. Is change what we really need and want? Think about it.

Empowering Single Mothers: The Legal Obligations of Employers

Tahir Khorasanee, LL.M. Senior Associate, Steinbergs LLP In today’s diverse workforce, employers are legally obligated to accommodate employees based on their family status. This includes single mothers, a group that often faces unique challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act, family status is a protected ground. This means employers cannot discriminate against employees based on their family status, including being a single mother. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodation unless it causes undue hardship. Let’s consider two examples to illustrate this: Example 1: Flexible Work Hours Consider Jane, a single mother working in a tech firm. She has to drop off her child at school by 9 AM and pick him up by 3 PM. The standard work hours from 9 to 5 don’t accommodate her needs. Recognizing Jane’s family status, her employer could offer flexible work hours. This allows Jane to start, and finish work later, ensuring she can fulfill both her professional and parental responsibilities. Example 2: Remote Work Now, let’s look at Sarah, another single mother who works as a customer service representative. Her child falls ill frequently, requiring her presence at home. In this case, the employer could provide Sarah with the option to work remotely. This way, Sarah can attend to her child’s needs without compromising her work duties. These examples highlight how employers can accommodate single mothers, promoting a more inclusive and equitable workplace. However, it’s important to note that what constitutes ‘reasonable accommodation’ and ‘undue hardship’ can vary. Factors such as the size of the organization, financial resources, and health and safety requirements can influence these determinations. Recognizing and accommodating the unique needs of single mothers is not just a legal obligation for employers, but also a step towards creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace. By doing so, employers can foster a supportive environment that respects and values all employees, regardless of their family status. Employers can terminate employees while they are on a maternity or parental leave, as long as the termination is not because the employee went on the leave, which is protected under the Employment Standards Act, 2000. If the termination is for economic reasons or because of a genuine corporate restructuring, the employee terminated while on a maternity or parental leave is entitled to the same notice and severance pay. If the dismissal of an employee on maternity or parental leave is not handled properly, it can substantially escalate the termination costs, potentially leading to human rights damages due to harm to the employee’s dignity, emotions, and self-respect. It is advisable to consult an employment lawyer when considering the termination of an employee on such leave. Early involvement of an expert can result in considerable cost savings. In certain cases, pregnant employees who have been terminated might be eligible for increased severance. Courts may take pregnancy into account as a significant factor when determining the amount of severance due upon termination, as exemplified in the case of Nahum v. Honeycomb Hospitality Inc. Sarah Nahum, a 28-year-old employee, had only been employed for 4.5 months as the director of people and culture. She was five months pregnant when she was terminated without cause. The Ontario Superior Court awarded her five months’ reasonable notice, recognizing that her pregnancy could likely pose challenges in securing new employment, and thus, should be considered as a factor. That said, an increased notice is not a guarantee. While it may seem that terminating a pregnant employee would invariably lead to a higher severance payout, the reality is far from straightforward. Pregnancy does not automatically extend an employee’s notice period. Each case is unique, and the analysis is contextual. Disclaimer: This article is not legal advice. If you need legal advice with respect to any workplace issues, please consult an employment and labour lawyer.

DURHAM REGION TRANSIT (REINSTATEMENT OF LOST SERVICE)

By Maurice Brenner Deputy Mayor/Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering My last column provided readers with some background about the reduction in service levels by Durham Region Transit through the lens of Human Rights. Today’s Column will focus on Community Mobilization and the role it is playing to convince DRT to restore what was canceled. A strong message was sent to Durham Region Transit (DRT) thanks to many Durham Residents, Durham Col Student Council, UNIFOR and the many DRT Bus Drivers who attended the DRT Transit Executive Committee February 7th. The delegations provided an important insight into how the changes in services has negatively impacted many transit riders, and the barriers that have been created resulting in so many being left behind. Soon after the January implementation which reduced service levels, there was an outcry across the Region which resulted in an mid-January review. The review, recommended some immediate changes such as restoring the Sunbird Trail Loop with limited services commencing February 19th 8am-10am and 3pm-7pm, however it does not go far enough as there still remains many left behind unable to access Public Transit, After some debate, the DRT Executive heard the message and gave direction to DRT Staff to bring the matter back to the March 6th meeting with cost breakdown for the reinstatement of the lost services. Direction As Adopted: MOVED BY Commissioner Brenner SECONDED BY Commissioner Anderson A) That Report #2024-DRT-01 be received for information; and That staff be directed to report back as part of the budget discussions at the next Transit Executive Committee Meeting the cost of reinstating the lost service through the January optimization without reducing the positive changes made. DATED this 7th Day of February, 2024 Carried on a Recorded Vote I remain optimistic that the continued support and input from the users of Transit users, a balance can be found that will leave no one behind.

CUPE 129 STOP YOUR HATRED

By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City Councillor Hello everyone, I want to extend my gratitude for the diverse range of comments I've received over the past week, both positive and, admittedly, some less so. Regardless, I appreciate each one, for we live in a free and democratic country where we are all entitled to exercise our rights and freedoms without the fear of persecution. Speaking of persecution, it's crucial to understand its definition: hostility and ill-treatment, especially based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or political beliefs. This freedom we enjoy today has been hard-earned and granted by the sacrifices of many who came before us, of all races and backgrounds, so that we could coexist civilly without the fear of persecution. Regrettably, I've found myself subjected to public persecution this past week, not only by the Mayor of Pickering but also by the leadership of CUPE 129. A public statement, released by a cowardly anonymous author, on behalf of the membership, targeted my character with false allegations and judgments, persecuting me for simply exercising my right to freedom of speech. In the release of their opening statement, CUPE 129 declared their commitment to fighting racism and hatred in all forms. We encourage members not to be neutral when witnessing racism in any form, yet their attack on me seems hypocritical. Is it not a form of hatred and discrimination when they assail me for exercising my freedom of speech and because of my gender? Their statement referred to an op-ed I wrote as "egregious and racist." The term "egregious" typically describes conduct that knowingly violates the law or is obviously wrong beyond a reasonable degree. I challenge the author of this said release, supposedly representing all CUPE members, to publicly clarify their intent, as the only thing truly egregious was their release, intended to represent all union members. I demand accountability from the cowardly author of this release. How dare they claim to represent all members and speak of Pickering's values while attacking an elected official? Their presumptions are based on bias, prejudice, and hatred, as the president of CUPE and I have a history of clashing on previous issues that stem back to before I even became an elected official, and quite frankly, many more since. So much hatred for such an Elected Official that he tried to stop me from attending an awards event last year, and when I refused, he refused to show up and accept his award. I would like to call on the Mayor to apologize for attempting to discredit me and my good name with his absurd remarks regarding my column. The fact that he proudly displayed CUPE's release on his Facebook page raises questions about the nature of their relationship. It's disheartening to see how CUPE might be trying to get on the good side of the Mayor, possibly for future negotiations. Is this the representation members pay for? Union representatives cozying up to municipal leaders? The author of the release clearly didn't either read or comprehend the content of my column, resorting instead to false allegations and misconceptions. It's apparent they lack the intellect to understand its meaning and simply jumped on the Mayor's bandwagon. I'm deeply disappointed in our Mayor, who seems to lack the intellectual integrity to grasp basic concepts. Resorting to political maneuvering and supporting freezes on my pay, making it impossible for me to pay my taxes, mortgage, and put food on the table for my family. This only serves to highlight his lack of understanding and empathy for the struggles faced by single mothers like me. I represent the people of Pickering, and neither the Mayor nor the anonymous author of the CUPE release have the right to question my integrity or morality. I've been elected to represent my constituents fairly and justly, and I expect the same from them. I will stand strongly that I do not believe in divisive tactics of segregating people into groups based on the colour of their skin, their religion, or their sexual preferences. I also stand by my belief that if we were to have a month dedicated to history, than let it truly be about history itself. It does not need to revolve solely around the colour of one's skin. Every culture has a rich and diverse history that deserves to be celebrated and shared. An apology is warranted from both parties. If they are unwilling, then in my opinion, they do not deserve to represent the hardworking individuals of our community. "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"

Canada Flag Day 2024

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In February when the Canadian winter really settles in, we have something great to celebrate and be proud of it. Something which made us a nation to be cherished and respected. You have seen it proudly flying throughout the country. Maybe you have waved a paper hand flag on Canada Day, or worn it as a pin on your jacket. Maybe you have even sewn one on to your backpack and travelled the world! Regardless of where you see it, the National Flag of Canada stands out both at home and abroad as one of the most striking and recognizable symbols representing Canada. February 15 is Flag Day in Canada, the annual day on the calendar where we mark the first raising of the “new” Canadian flag, the Maple Leaf, on Parliament Hill in 1965. While the quest for a national flag for Canada dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the flag as we know it today emerged from the major social transformations during the 1950s and 1960s in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967. In 1960, Lester B. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. As the newly elected Prime Minister in 1963, Pearson promised to resolve the question of a new national flag in time for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967. A parliamentary committee was created and given a 6-week deadline to submit a recommendation for a national flag. Debate within the committee was fierce, divided between those who wished to retain the symbols that tied Canada to its colonial history, and those who wanted Canada to adopt its own symbols for the future. This period was known as the Great Flag Debate. The legendary Flag Debate has seen two respected Canadians making their points, the great John Diefenbaker – who wanted Canada to keep using his beloved Red Ensign – and the equally great Lester Pearson, who wanted Canada to turn a new page with a flag distinctly our own. While most Canadian historians and commentators have consistently criticized Mr. Diefenbaker for his stand and the long debate on the issue in the House of Commons, this actually helped all Canadians eventually accept the change. Canadians who feared such a radical change in symbols felt that their voices had been heard. While they feared the switch to a new national symbol, they had witnessed Mr. Diefenbaker fight for their cause and this in turn, helped in the end to cement the Maple Leaf in its earliest years. One of the more well-received designs considered by the parliamentary committee was proposed by George Stanley, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. Inspired by RMC’s own flag, Stanley recommended a design featuring a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white background with 2 red borders. On October 22, 1964, the committee voted in favour of Stanley’s single-leaf design. Two months later the House of Commons approved, followed shortly after by the Senate. Let’s review the history of the Canadian flag for a moment. The flag that was first raised on February 15, 1965, the flag that has made us all proud as Canadians to have our own beloved Maple Leaf centered Canadian flag. Several different flags were used in Canada before our current National Flag. Since the first days of European presence on Canadian soil, flags of European homelands, such as France, have been displayed. The flags of British North America used in colonial Canada showcased ties to the British Empire. Both before and after Confederation in 1867, Canada used the United Kingdom’s Royal Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack. Another British flag used in Canada was the Red Ensign. While it was officially a naval flag used by Canadian ships starting in the 1890s, the Canadian Red Ensign — a combination of the Union Jack and the shield of Canada — had been used unofficially both at sea and on land since the 1870s and was widely recognized as a national symbol. During the First World War, the Canadian Red Ensign became a popular patriotic emblem. As Canada matured as a nation, it became more important to create uniquely Canadian symbols to represent the country. In 1921, King George V granted Royal Arms to Canada and the shield of Canada’s new official coat of arms took its place on the Canadian Red Ensign. It is this version of the Canadian Red Ensign that represented Canada during the Second World War. Beyond a new coat of arms, many Canadians also wanted a new, distinctive Canadian flag to represent them. Appeals for such a flag increased steadily in the early 20th century. However, creating an entirely new flag was no easy feat. Which symbols could be chosen to represent and characterize Canada and its values? In the years following the Second World War, public opinion grew in favour of a new national flag, but the nation was divided. Canadians had fought and died under the Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign and many were still attached to these emblems and to their British heritage. The new maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. At the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. The 14th Prime Minister of Canada, Lester B. Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.” In conclusion, during these difficult times with the world in turmoil, it becomes important that we unite under our beloved national symbol, the Canadian Flag. If our nation endures for a thousand years, the 15th day of February, 1965, will always be remembered as a milestone in Canada’s progress as a nation. Under this Flag may our citizens find new inspiration for loyalty to Canada; for a patriotism based on our deep traditions of freedom, fairness and responsibility, and the pride that all Canadians can feel for our richly endowed and beautiful land. Happy Flag Day!

IT’S OK TO BE POOR

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. I see that a new culture has emerged. A new sort of ranking amongst the poor. I know first hand how it feels to be poor. To wake up every morning my body aching from the previous day work. At time have not eaten for a day or two. I remember those days as if they were yesterday. This gives me appreciation for what I acquired through my hard work. What really intrigues me today is how those struggling have divided themselves of sort. Don’t get me wrong. I had, pride in myself. Even though my close may have looked ragged. It was clean and sharp. Today, it appears that looking ragged is ok. To have no hygiene or self pride is ok. This is so wrong. I also see that the poor in some cases have given up on life. That they rather sit and wait for the cheque at the end of the month and live month to month. I know that feeling. But from a different perspective. I remember working like a mule. My hands so achy I could barely wipe my ass. But I never once gave up and or became satisfied with my situation. I believed that hard work would bring me financial glory. The words of my father echoed in my mind and heart. This fueled my passion to work harder even though at times my body said different. I think as a society we have to invest in our youth. We have to some how bring back the importance of family. A family rooted in basic human principles. One that strongly supports sacrifice, endurance and perseverance. In part I blame our government for the condition of our youth. Our federal government has let society go bad. Our federal government is more concerned over foreign aid then moral responsibility to our citizens. The question is. Are we to far gone. Will change in Ottawa change anything or will it be the same old same old under a different flag? My Canada.

Is Your 'Job Snobbery' Keeping You Unemployed?

By Nick Kossovan Judging is part of human nature. Everyone is a snob about something, the most prevalent being job snobbery. You encounter job snobbery when you meet someone for the first time and, after judging your appearance, they inevitably ask: "What do you do"? Based on your response, they're either delighted to meet you or look at their watch and excuse themselves. Asking, "What do you do?" is how we evaluate a person's respectworthiness. This is why many people are concerned about their job title, which often they manipulate. Who has more status? "I'm the CEO of Logifire." (Logifire is a yet-to-make-a-profit startup with 6 employees.) or "I manage a McDonald's." (You have 46 employees.)? Answer honestly: If you wanted to improve your golf game, who’d you rather work with, a Golf Instructor, a Golf Pro, or a Golf Performance Coach? Due to conditioning, we associate our identity with our job title. I know people who've declined a better-paying job with advancement opportunities because of the title. Such a high level of status anxiety baffles me. Western society prioritizes what a person does for a living over who they are. (e.g., a supportive partner, a food bank volunteer, a caretaker for an aging parent, bakes the best ginger molasses cookies) Sadly, most people don't try to get to know someone beyond their job title. Experience that's humbled me has taught me that a person's job title is an unreliable shortcut to assessing their character. We grossly overvalue our work and job titles. There's no moral argument for working a 40-70 hour week, chasing promotions that may or may not happen, trying to build a career. Regardless of how you answer, "What do you do?" your job does what every job does; it earns you money. I say all this to raise this point; job seekers know they’ll be judged by their job. This "knowing" greatly influences their career choice and, therefore, their job searches. There's no question that job seekers who seek jobs based on their perceived status have a much more frustrating and prolonged job search than job seekers simply seeking to earn a living, who are of the mindset that work is work. Three recent encounters: 1. At the beginning of this year, my wife and I purchased a new bed from a major furniture retailer. We were assisted by a knowledgeable salesman who appeared to be in his mid-50s and seemed to enjoy his job. 2. Several weeks ago, my wife and I had dinner at a popular steakhouse with my niece and sister-in-law. Our server, who I'd also place in her mid-50s, was friendly, engaging, and forthcoming in telling us she was approaching 30 years of being a server at that steakhouse. 3. During a recent visit to a company's business unit, I spent a few minutes talking with the receptionist. She told me she's been the receptionist for over 24 years and was happy. All three encounters highlighted that making a living, even a good life, is possible when you put aside your job snobbery and seek out jobs that, because they lack status, are much easier to land. However, the key isn’t simply to land a job as a server but to master skills that'll make you an outstanding server, resulting in substantial tips and repeat customers. The salesperson who sold my wife and me our bed interacted with us professionally and had extensive product knowledge. He was serious about his job; selling furniture wasn't a stop-gap job. Contrary to popular belief, it's possible to make decent money as a... · Server, bartender (The key is to work in a high-end establishment, where the average spend is higher and hence the average tip is higher.) · Furniture, clothing, electronics, or car salesperson (A retail job offering a base salary plus commission can be financially rewarding for those who hone their sales and customer service skills.) · An orderly · Custodian · Inside Sales (I know you're thinking "telemarketing," "cold calling." There are inside sales positions paying a base salary plus commission, where you're making calls to existing customers.) The above-mentioned jobs, and many more, especially if they involve labour, are plentiful and, therefore, much easier to land than covenanted laptop jobs with fancy titles. As a job seeker, when you consider all the other candidates vying for the job you want, it's liberating to just look for "work" (READ: a paycheck) where you have less competition. Searching for "work" per se doesn’t require a radical pivot, such as obtaining more education, certification, or apprenticing. Your pivot is entirely mental. There's no shame in having been laid off from your marketing director job and, after months of job hunting in today’s hyper-competitive job market, taking a job selling cars at your local Ford dealership. As long as you're supporting yourself and your family, why care what others think? With the competition for white-collar jobs intensifying—it’s an employer’s market— job seekers would be wise to put aside their job snobbery, disregard the views of others, and consider jobs that serve what should be their primary goal: to earn a living. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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