MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE KILLING OUR DEMOCRACTIC RIGHTS?

MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE KILLING OUR DEMOCRACTIC RIGHTS? Democracy is often said to mean 'rule by the people'. An example of this is any system of government in which people vote their elected representatives into parliament, Federal, Provincial & Municipal. Today, we the people are being robbed of our democratic rights not by some foreign power but by our very own elected representatives and they’re doing it right in front of us, and we’re letting them, how? While we are busy in our day to day lives 208 of the 444 Municipal Councils across Ontario were busy writing letters to the AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario), to Premier Doug Ford and to the Hon. Paul Calandra asking that the Municipal Act 2001 be changed to allow Municipal Councils to fire an elected colleague. In addition these elected municipal councils also want to ban a so called fired elected colleague from running in the next election. So they want to make sure that we the people can’t vote the colleague back in. What are these municipal councils afraid of? Municipal Councils, our local elected representatives have been creating and passing by-laws against the people, that they are supposed to be working for. These By-laws have been taking away the rights of we the people to have a say in what’s happening in our communities. Some examples - lowering the amount of time a citizen can speak to 5 minutes from 10 minutes - not allowing resident, a visitor, to show their feelings by clapping, cheering, booing, or having a sign while in council chambers. In Durham, Pickering Municipal Council these past two years have passed numerous by-laws to quiet, to suppress you the residents and neighbours, to voice any concerns about your city. Some are; 1 - ban the media from attending and filming unless they get voted permission from 2/3 ‘s of council 2 - ban private citizens from recording or filming meetings 3 - removed the open question opportunity 4 - only Pickering residents can speak to a topic on the agenda if they register by noon on meeting day 5 - ban members of the public from speaking who are not Pickering residents or Pickering tax payers 6 - no longer allow Pickering residents to speak to a topic of concern when submitted 10 days prior to a meeting. Pickering Residents must now have their request (topic) approved, seconded and then have 2/3 ‘s vote to allow the resident to speak about their concern.. NOTE - This it’s just in Pickering where this is happening, it’s quietly happening in many of the Ontario municipalities. It has been more widely publicized about Pickering’s Municipal Council’s indifference and attack removing the democratic rights of citizens, the people who elected them. The Federal Government is taking away our rights to freedom of speech with Bill C-63 The Online Harms Act. - It’s not just about internet child pornography, it also goes onto penalizing your free speech. Check it out. All Bills can be found online at the appropriate government web site. So the Question is ………….. Do You Still Want Democracy ? “Do we want our democratic rights stripped away and silenced by a dictatorship as Pickering Council is doing or, are we finally going to wake up, stand up and speak up, to protect our democratic rights and the democratic rights of our children and our future generations, as our ancestors stood for us?” Please, if you want to keep your democratic rights alive the take an interest in what’s been happening in your community. If you don’t have the time to attend council meetings, you can go online and find the agendas, the minutes and view the meetings live or at your convenience anytime. Enter to, ….... Pickering.ca/en/cityhall.aspx ….... once there select council meetings, then select calendar. Here you can select any date and category, all meetings go back for years. Have your voice heard, get the, City Clerk’s email, then let the clerk know your opinion about anything you agree or disagree with what the council does. Make sure to include that you want your email given to every member of council and the clerk by law has to distribute as you requested. Remember Silence Solves Nothing, Stand Up & Speak Up For Your Democratic Rights. Before Municipal Councils continue voting by-laws to remove them. GET INVOLVED.

We The People’s Voice in Danger – Pickering Council’s Attempt to Override Democracy

We The People’s Voice in Danger – Pickering Council’s Attempt to Override Democracy By Lisa Robinson As an elected representative, I am profoundly, no I am disgustingly disturbed by the recent push by all of my fellow council members, including the Mayor, to secure the power to remove an elected official based solely on a City-Paid Integrity Commissioner’s recommendation - one they can request themselves and then vote on internally. This draconian maneuver represents a fundamental attack on democracy, granting council members unprecedented authority to silence dissenting voices under the pretense of enforcing “accountability.” One of the biggest concerns here is that these changes would give unelected officials, such as the City-Paid Integrity Commissioners, the power to remove elected officials from office. Right now, it’s the voters who hold elected officials accountable, as mandated by Section 224 of the Municipal Act, which ensures that council members represent the public. Handing over the power to remove elected officials to unelected officials undermines the core democratic principle that it’s the voters who should decide if their representatives stay in office. This doesn’t just affect Pickering; it sets a dangerous precedent for the entire province. If these measures pass, elected officials could be removed in any Ontario municipality without the public’s say. Integrity Commissioners, originally intended to investigate and recommend penalties like fines or temporary suspensions under Section 223.3 of the Municipal Act, would instead wield the authority to expel officials from office entirely, a power that could easily be abused. The democratic process could then be easily sidestepped based on subjective decisions rather than the will of the voters. If you’ve been following my updates on YouTube (Lisa Robinson) or reading my weekly column here in The Central, you’ll have seen how the Act is already being used as a tool to repeatedly suspend a member’s pay for up to 90 days at a time. With no cap on how often these penalties can be imposed, the threat of financial punishment is wielded continuously against those who dare to challenge the prevailing narrative. Adding to this, council’s proposal includes provisions to bar any council member removed from office from running in the next election. This is a clear act of political suppression and election tampering, preventing officials from re-seeking office without giving the public any voice in that decision. According to Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, every citizen has the right to run for office and choose their representatives. Blocking someone from running again without allowing the voters to weigh in is an affront to basic democratic rights and an attempt to manipulate election outcomes. This push comes amid existing council-imposed restrictions that already limit what Pickering residents can address in public meetings. We’re witnessing an alarming attempt to stifle public voices, dictating what residents can and cannot speak about, effectively filtering out any opposition. As if vetoing the community’s agenda wasn’t enough, now these members are trying to dictate who can even sit in office, directly undermining the democratic process. And let’s be clear: if council members were genuinely concerned about “safety,” they would address misconduct evenly, regardless of political alignment. When Councillor Brenner publicly threatened to “sharpen his sword” to “decapitate the Mayor” or made a disturbing comment about “sticking a knife in my back, slowly twisting it, and I’d never know until he was pulling it out,” council took no action. These comments would have raised alarm if safety were truly the priority. But since these remarks came from within council’s circle of influence, no repercussions followed. Meanwhile, I, the only council member to raise concerns about corruption, collusion, perceived blackmail, and manipulation of city records, am singled out. Council’s message is loud and clear: they will protect their own at all costs, wielding Integrity Commissioner reports as tools to silence those who challenge their actions. Their proposed changes, masquerading under Bill 207, the Municipal Accountability and Integrity Act, 2024, disguise authoritarian controls as “measures for inclusion and safety.” This legislation would allow council members to engineer Integrity Commissioner reviews and remove dissenting officials, fostering an environment in which public servants can be ousted for standing up against the status quo. This isn’t about democracy - it’s about suppression. The hypocrisy is undeniable. The same council members who claim these measures promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion” are pushing changes that would strip away democratic protections for minority voices. True diversity should allow for a range of ideas, especially those that challenge the status quo. By imposing authoritarian controls, council is advancing only its own narrow narrative and silencing any countering perspectives. It’s also alarming how they manipulate communication with the public to advance their agenda. Council meetings are increasingly shrouded in secrecy: restrictions prevent residents from recording meetings, and public press media, are censored or quietly buried, ensuring critical statements and events never reach the community. This stranglehold on information allows council to present only its version of events, shielding themselves from accountability. Pickering Council’s actions reveal a government more focused on consolidating power than on serving the people. These council members have abandoned their duty to represent, choosing instead to suppress, control, and tamper with the very democratic process they were elected to uphold. They show little respect for the voices of the people who entrusted them with power, and if they cannot honor that responsibility, they should step down. Elected officials should represent, not purge, silence, or manipulate those they disagree with.

Haunted Houses Theresa Grant

Real Estate Columnist It’s one thing to settle into a new space knowing it will take some time to get used to all the little quirks and sounds that come along with every individual place. It’s quite another thing to try to get used to things that go bump in the night – every night. When it comes to haunted houses, we’ve all heard stories of strange sounds like children crying, someone calling your name, apparitions that seem to walk the hallways and so on. Some people love ghost stories and actively seek out haunted places. Some will spend big money to stay in hotel rooms that are known to be haunted, hoping to have an experience with a ghost. Others, however, are not as enthusiastic about the paranormal, especially when it comes to purchasing a home. One might think that if something horrific took place in a house that you are considering purchasing, that that fact might be disclosed to you. You would be sadly mistaken. In Ontario anyway. In Canada, the Province of Quebec is the only Province that requires the seller or the seller’s representative to disclose any paranormal activity in or on the property, or any stigma associated with the property such as a murder, suicide or major crime. The Canadian Real Estate Association deems a stigmatized property to be one with an intangible, non- physical attribute that could elicit and emotional or psychological response from a potential buyer. In Ontario it is buyer beware. That being said, The Ontario Real Estate Association does require all Registrants to operate with fairness, honesty, and integrity. This is part of the code of ethics. So, to break it down, the seller or seller’s representative do not have to disclose by law, but ethically, if they are aware they should. On the buyer’s side however, it’s a bit of a different story. If a buyer’s agent is aware of stigma associated with a property their purchaser is thinking about, they are obligated to share that with their client. Just another reason to work with an agent that knows the area you are looking to purchase in, and whom you trust completely. I myself purchased an old semi in downtown Oshawa years ago. It was over 100 years old when I purchased it and in need of real help. I moved in and got to work painting and updating it. I took great pleasure in watching the old house take on a whole new look and feel over the next couple of years. It was during a conversation that I had with my neighbour who owned the other side of the semi, that I was made aware of a horrific incident that had taken place there thirty years earlier. There had been a large and devastating fire at the house and the little boy who lived there did not survive. The family remained in the house and the back of the house was rebuilt. After several years the family moved away. Given that there is no obligation on the part of the seller to disclose stigma, it is definitely in the best interest of the potential purchaser to ask questions regarding this type of thing if it would affect your decision. Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at newspaper@ocentral.com

SNIP DURHAM

By Maurice Brenner Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering At a recent Pickering Council Meeting, we learnt about a new organization in Durham Region that provides subsidized services for neutering/spaying which is an essential component of being a responsible pet owner. But for some, the financial cost of this service is beyond their means. When not neutered or not spayed it not only contributes to pet overpopulation but can also compromise the health of our furry friends contributing to diseases such as cancers and prostatic disease. SNIP will be visiting lower tier Municipalities across Durham promoting their service as well as looking for financial support. Spray Neuter Initiatives Association (SNIP) is a non-profit organization that is committed to addressing the issue of over population of cats and dogs across Durham Region by offering a subsidy to those who can not afford the high cost of these procedures. Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers and veterinarians SNIP is making a positive impact. While working together with Animal Services, SNIP’s goal is to keep animals from having to be surrendered while Animal Services provides a similar service but only after being surrendered. The SNIP Spay / Neuter Program is available to residents of Durham Region based on the current living wage in Durham Region. – Total income of one household member not to exceed $37,492. – Total income of two household members not to exceed $48,204. To learn more about SNIP or how to be a sponsor donor, they can be reached at 905-244-3484 or email to lindapower@bell.net or visit their website at www.snipanimalclinic.ca

Before Spending Money on a ‘Career Coach,’ Do Yourself a Favour, First Try These Job Search Strategies

Before Spending Money on a ‘Career Coach,’ Do Yourself a Favour, First Try These Job Search Strategies By Nick Kossovan I'm sure you're aware of the "career coaching" industry—Internet talking heads promising job search and career success—that's sprung up in recent years. Worth noting: The industry is unregulated. All career coaches are self-proclaimed; no certification or licensing is required. Career coaches have one ultimate goal: To make money off you. Today's tight job market is making job seekers frustrated and desperate, which career coaches are taking advantage of with their promise of insider knowledge, personalized guidance, and a direct line to the hidden job market. Career coaches market themselves as a shortcut to finding a job, which is appealing when you've been unemployed for a while. I'm not averse to hiring a career coach to assist you with your job search; it's your money. However, keep in mind a career coach... · is a significant expense, especially if you're unemployed · will only offer common sense advice, nothing that you probably already don't know or haven't read or heard before, and · doesn't have insider knowledge ...and you'll still need to do the activities related to job searching. When asked, "Nick, should I hire a career coach?" my answer is an unequivocal "No!" Conducting your job search solo will not only save you money, you'll also be developing job search skills you'll need for the next time—chances are there'll be a next time—you're job hunting. Before spending thousands of dollars on a career coach, I suggest first trying the following job search strategies. Optimize your online presence. In today's digital-first job market, employers will check your online digital footprint to evaluate your candidacy; are your interview-worthy? Start with the obvious: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and showcases your quantified accomplishments (a non-quantified statement is an opinion) so employers can see the value you can add. Do yourself a favour, read LinkedIn Mastery: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Digital Landscapes Effectively, by Benjamin Stone. Necessary: Stay active on LinkedIn! Your LinkedIn profile can't be non-active. Maximizing LinkedIn's potential requires regularly engaging with content, commenting on posts, and contributing original content. Engaging actively and visibly on LinkedIn will lead to opportunities. Next: · List your social media accounts. · Deactivate accounts you are no longer using. · Set any accounts you don't want prospective employers or recruiters to see to private. · Ensure your social media profiles (e.g., display name, handle, headshot, bio) convey the same message about your professional background. Leverage your existing network (a low-hanging fruit few job seekers take advantage of). Everyone has a network of some sort. This means since all job opportunities are attached to people—good news—there are job opportunities all around you. Often, your barista, dentist, hairstylist, neighbours, fellow members of whatever club or association you're a part of, and, of course, family and friends can help open doors for you. Tell everyone you know that you're looking for a new job. Always carry extra copies of your resume and hand them out when appropriate. You'll be surprised at the number of people willing to help you when they understand your situation. Read these two books: · Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi - Ferrazzi outlines practical strategies for building relationships, networking, and leveraging connections. · Finish What You Start, by Peter Hollins Hollins provides actionable strategies for achieving your job search and career goals, such as overcoming procrastination and boosting productivity with focus and discipline. Apply less, connect more. Applying online is a waste of time. In previous columns, I've noted that applying online is comparable to playing the lottery; you're hoping a stranger hires you. Numerous studies have shown that most jobs aren't advertised; they're filled through connections and referrals. Job searching today is a long game; you need to be patient. Today, you need to network your way into a company and identify opportunities, which no career coach can do for you. It's unlikely the resume you submit online will be reviewed. Paying to have your resume redesigned won't get it more views; getting it in front of people who can hire you will. Take what you will from the following. A few months back, a job seeker asked me, "I've been working as a help desk agent at a healthcare software company for five years. I want to become a Director of IT at a large multinational company. What should I do?" How should I know? I'm not a Director of IT. Why not ask the Director of IT at a large multinational company? Take advantage of the fact that people love talking about themselves. Dinner with someone who holds the position you aspire to is a better investment than hiring a career coach who lacks your dinner partner's real-world experience. I charted my career path by observing those ahead of me and seeking their advice. Talking to people who are where you want to be will benefit your job search and help you achieve your career aspirations. By shifting your mindset, optimizing your online presence, leveraging your existing network, staying engaged on LinkedIn, and connecting with the right people, you won't need to hire a costly career coach, and you'll develop skills you can use throughout your career. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

Unlocking Our Northern Resources is Canada’s Future

Unlocking Our Northern Resources is Canada’s Future by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Our country has the second largest land mass in the world, and it has a treasure trove of Natural Resources that we are not using. The Northern stretches of our country are particularly well endowed, but sadly, they are also particularly ignored. During my tenure in the House of Commons, I always looked for ways to develop the Canadian Arctic both economically and as an essential part of the defence of Canada. Canada's three territories, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon - account for nearly 40 percent of the country's land mass and have a coastline that is twice as long as the Atlantic and Pacific coasts combined. However, Northerners number only about 114,000, with many living in the territorial capitals of Iqaluit, Yellowknife and Whitehorse. Indigenous peoples make up 86 percent of the population of Nunavut, 51 percent in the Northwest Territories and 23 percent in Yukon. The North is a place with many settled land claims and boasts a world-class geology. There are many different natural resources in the Arctic region of Canada. The land has gold and other minerals like zinc and copper, as well as diamonds. There are many mines in the Arctic for extracting these minerals and diamonds that provide jobs. Canada is the third largest producer of diamonds in the world. These diamond mines, strategic minerals and large oil and gas reserves could form the basis of a lucrative materials industry. In addition, the rich and unique cultures of our Northern territories could attract visitors from around the world, contributing to a thriving tourism industry. Thus, the North has the potential to become an engine for economic growth for the entire country and a destination for investment. The potential for wealth and job creation through resource development in the North is tremendous. Managed in a sustainable manner, Canada's incredible natural resources, including living marine resources such as fisheries, could contribute to the prosperity of Northerners and all Canadians for generations. These resources have the potential to be a cornerstone for sustained economic activity in the North and throughout Canada. The only problem is that Canadian governments since WW2 have had little interest in developing the country as a whole. They have remained focused on the old established settlements around the three big cities, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, and a narrow strip of land North of the US border. There have not been any new ideas, let alone revolutionary ones, for developing the country, cluttering the minds or desks of any politicians in the recent past. They limit themselves in the House of Commons to producing and pursuing imaginary political fights without any substance. Unfortunately, this trend continues in our current times, and shows no signs of abating. It is time to ask our politicians outright, what they are prepared to do today, for developing Canada; to establish new settlements and develop northern resources. Here is where the real future of Canada lies, not in fruitless and imaginary financial manipulations and corporate welfare. The federal government has the opportunity to unlock the North’s enormous potential for the benefit of all Canadians. Let us hope that one day soon they will do just that. The North is often viewed through the lens of its challenges — vast distances, harsh climates, and small populations — but these very factors make the North an exciting opportunity for Canada. As global attention focuses on critical minerals, climate resilience, and the Arctic’s geopolitical significance, the strategic potential of the North has never been clearer. The vastness of the North, while an asset, also poses real challenges. Nearly half of the communities lack year-round road access, leaving them isolated from essential goods and services. As climate change accelerates, northern supply chains are increasingly threatened by shorter winter-road seasons and lower water levels for barging. The impact of these changes has already been felt, with the rising cost of living and lost economic opportunities. Here, then, is the importance of federal investments in the North, rather than in futile and very costly international projects and subsidies. The importance of investing in Canada’s North cannot be overstressed. We need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure including all-season roads and energy and communications corridors to strengthen the North’s connection to the rest of Canada. We must ensure that Canada’s link to the Arctic remains secure, and we must unlock its economic potential. The North is warming at four times the global average, and the consequences of climate change are already reshaping life there. The North is Canada’s next horizon. Through strategic investments in housing, infrastructure, climate resilience, and critical minerals, the federal government has the opportunity to unlock the North’s enormous potential for the benefit of all Canadians. So how can we alert the Canadian political world to making the development of the North a first priority? What do you think?

A CONVERSATION WITH PICKERING MAYOR KEVIN ASHE -WOULD A PROVINCIAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MUNICIPALITIES WORK?-

By Dean Hickey At the request of the Ford government, the Ontario Integrity Commissioner’s office recently offered the Province a series of nine recommendations to strengthen municipal conduct rules. These include options on how to address what may be considered harassment and general misbehavior among local councillors. The City of Pickering has been in the spotlight on this issue for some time. The current term of council is being seen by many political observers as a test-case when it comes to how the existing codes of conduct are enforced. I spoke with Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe recently on the possible merits of a single, standardized set of rules and obligations. No-one knows the issue better than the man who now sees himself as a sort of referee within the council chamber due to a growing list of conflicts during meetings. His initial thoughts on the matter were focused on what he sees as the next steps in the process. “The recommendations are somewhat obvious in my opinion, yet they still maintain a very basic code, and there is nothing that precludes the Provincial government from going even further” he said. The list includes the creation of a one-size-fits-all code of conduct for municipalities that would be enhanced by training for both elected officials and staff. It would establish a standard process for investigations and require integrity commissioners to submit a public annual report. Still, as Mayor Ashe sees it, much can be learned by looking at what some municipalities have already done in an effort to raise the bar on accountability. “Pickering has tried to lead the way by implementing rules such as a lobbyist registry and a gift disclosure provision that other councils simply don’t have.” He cites a lack of consistency among municipalities and their integrity commissioners as a problem, suggesting different thresholds of accountability are causing confusion in what many see as a flawed approach. “The current process can be weaponized and I wouldn’t support any legislative requirement that would see councillors deciding issues that are best left to a judge.” There has been a deal of noise within the community which suggests much of what has already played out in Pickering has involved the weaponization of a process used to silence dissention among council members. Debates over Pride flags, universal washrooms, and even Black History Month celebrations have resulted in what some are calling an attack against the right of free speech. There have been repeated sanctions imposed by Pickering council where opinions have gone against what has been described as the ‘prevailing narrative.’ Some see this as a form of authoritarianism where individuals are silenced for simply speaking their minds. The right of elected officials and others to be heard without fear of retribution in this country is unquestionably the bulwark of our freedoms. At the same time, the question has to be asked as to whether the concept of free speech can be seen to override protections against what some argue is nothing less than aggression towards certain members of society. That’s a lot to consider in an age where ‘political correctness’ has transformed itself into what is now seen as a ‘woke’ ideology, one that seeks to impose alternative social and political norms, often at a high price for those who may disagree. I posed this to Mayor Ashe as we discussed what has undoubtedly become a tense atmosphere in most communities. “Make no mistake, I am somewhat of a libertarian at heart, and I believe in the values of free speech as well as the need for a fair process, however there are certain lines that, when crossed, can lead to groups and individuals being maligned and intimidated” he said. That kind of intimidation has certainly been felt on all sides, as activist groups have sought to tear down or even erase much of what is considered to be the foundations of Western culture. This is being felt in the civic square, at most levels of academia, and in human resource departments determined to dictate more than just acceptable behaviour. Recent press reports have cited new restrictions as having been imposed by Pickering council on the opportunities for the public and the media to participate in the democratic process. This includes the requirement of two-thirds of council to approve credentialed media requests and any applications made by members of the public who wish to bring forward an item at a council meeting. Mayor Ashe described a need to not only maintain order, but to ensure staff and others feel safe within city hall. “The council chamber is the people’s chamber, and we’ve tried to respond to situations where staff have been made to feel intimidated” He said. “If there is one location within our community where everyone must be made to feel safe, it is city hall, especially during our public meetings.” As in any legislative body, there are long-standing rules that already govern much of what takes place, and they include various procedural bylaws, the obligations on the part of the city clerk’s office to handle inquiries, as well as the Chief Administrative Officer who has the ability to make recommendations on all manner of subjects, including conflicts that do arise. It has often been said that power, to an elected official who holds his office by the will of the people, is what money is to a banker… not a means but an end. Something of which he can never possess enough. As Pickering council continues to face differing views on matters of ideology, individual rights, and what may be seen as the heavy hand of censorship, the debate as to a modernized and more effective code of conduct will reach a level of importance not previously seen. As Mayor Ashe reminded me, “Elected officials are political, while staff are the professionals who ensure a fair and equal process… and everyone should be fully aware of the difference.” Aware or not, there are many who will be watching closely in the weeks and months ahead.

‘LEST WE FORGET’

‘LEST WE FORGET’ By Joe Ingino B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States ‘LEST WE FORGET’ - As an immigrant to this great Nation. I stand here before you during these times of Remembrance and admire all those before me that proudly called themselves Canadians. the good folk that did all they could to preserve all that is good about Canada. Our history, our culture our, languages, our traditions and most importantly our way of life. A people that had standards, the right kind of pride. Most importantly they had basic human decency. They respected each others differences and not celebrated fallacious misconceptions of obvious differences. During times of need. The people united for the common good. Civility was the end goal and purpose in society. The country had a united social responsibility and agenda. One to live as the bible had intended. Free, and glorious. Respect everyone as you would like to be respected. Treat others as you would like to be treated. The rule of law reign supreme and every citizen upheld the importance of its role in society. Respect, was a badge of honor. Duty to nation was never compromised or questioned. We as Canadians did what we had to do. Many gave, others sacrificed and others prayed that all would return home safe and sound. Unfortunately many that served never made it back. Their valor and commitment to our great Nation is why today we stand on this land and enjoy our rights and freedoms. Rights and freedoms that are our duty to uphold. To respect and appreciate. To assure that no foreign entity changes, compromises and or questions. We are Canadians for a reason. We live in Canada free and glorious by our own free will. On November 11. Do not just stand there. Give yourself the freedom to vow that if called upon that you will follow the bravery of those fallen, champion their commitment and their valor to take arms against any foreign threat and or challenge that calls on the compromise of our culture, our languages, our traditions and our way of life. Those that fought in the trenches full of fear. Full of the unknown did it so that you did not have to. You want to honor them. Make the commitment. My envy for their valor is eternal. My respect for their convictions is beyond words. Their souls rest in my heart as I do not feel worthy that I may measure to their commitment if faced with the same advercity. To their sacrifices. To the determination to make Canada the greatest nation in the world. This goes beyond thanking a vet. This is about putting your heart and soul on the line and assuring that all those that served know how much they are appreciated. For those fallen. Even though never met. I hope that they are still showing their valor in keeping the heavens safe. God bless all those fallen. God bless all those serving. God Speed.

The Death of Full Service in North America: Are We Moving Backwards?

By Dale Jodoin In today’s world, full-service options are disappearing. From gas stations to grocery stores, what used to be a common part of daily life is almost gone. Think about it: remember when you pulled up to a gas station and an employee would come out, pump your gas, and even wash your windshield? Now, with the rise of technology and self-service, you’re on your own. You have to get out, pump the gas, and, often, talk to a machine to pay. Even people who can’t easily get out of their car, like those in wheelchairs, are left struggling without help. The Disappearance of Help at Gas Stations It used to be that gas stations would have attendants who helped fill up your tank. This was helpful, especially for people who had trouble getting in and out of their cars. But today, most stations only have self-service pumps. Even though these stations might offer handicap parking, they don’t have an option to assist someone with a disability in pumping gas. This trend seems to ignore those who truly need help, making life harder for people with disabilities. Grocery Stores: Doing It All Yourself The shift isn’t just happening at gas stations. Grocery stores have also moved to self-service. Many stores now have self-checkout lanes, where customers scan and bag their own items. Sure, some stores still have a few cashiers available, but they’re becoming rare. And while customers are doing the work that cashiers once did, they’re still paying the same high prices. This raises a big question: if we’re doing more of the work, why aren’t prices going down? Paying More for Less Service We still pay high fees at places like banks, even though many services have moved online. Now, a lot of banks have staff working remotely, sometimes even in other countries. Bank fees are as high as ever, but customers aren’t getting the same in-person help they used to. The same goes for police services: if you need to file a report, you’re often told to do it online. But police stations still have accessible parking spots, which seems strange since you rarely get to speak to an officer directly anymore. Full Service is Outdated for Some – and Inaccessible for Others All of these changes might be more convenient for people who are comfortable with technology, but not everyone has access. Some people, especially seniors or those with disabilities, may not know how to navigate online forms. Others might not even have internet access at home. These people are being left behind, with fewer options and even less help. And while government workers or big companies can still work from home, those with accessibility needs face more barriers than ever. Are We Really Saving Any Money? The switch to self-service and online systems might save businesses money, but it doesn’t seem to save customers anything. You’re still paying bank fees, grocery prices, and gas costs as if someone were helping you. Gas stations haven’t lowered prices for self-service, grocery stores haven’t cut costs for self-checkout, and banks still charge high fees for services that used to include in-person help. It doesn’t seem fair, especially to those who need full-service options the most. The Real Cost of Self-Sufficiency Full-service used to mean that help was always available, but now we’re being asked to do it all ourselves – for the same cost. This setup is especially hard on those who can’t help themselves, whether due to age, disability, or lack of resources like a smartphone or internet. If the trend of self-service continues, how do we make sure everyone can still access what they need? What are companies doing to support customers who rely on full service?