The Hoarders House

The Hoarders House By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist Every house has the ability to present its own unique challenges when it comes to getting it sold. A hoarders house however is a horse of a different colour. I remember many years ago shortly after moving to Oshawa, I rented the lower unit of a house in the Rossland and Ritson Road area. When I moved in the landlord told me that there was a gentleman who lived on the second floor who had been there for several years. I crossed paths with the fellow from time to time in the driveway. He seemed nice enough. For some reason, and I surely cannot remember now, but I needed to speak to him, so I went and knocked on his door. I knocked and waited, finally he came to the door but only opened it enough to stick his face between the frame and the door. About eight or nine inches. I said what I was there for, and he told me to come in. I stood there while he tried to maneuver the door open enough for me to be able to step inside. When I was actually able to enter, by turning sideways, I was horrified. He stood there looking at me and I stood there with a look of shock and disbelief on my face for sure. We were in the small entry area where one side of the wall housed the staircase to go upstairs and there was a small closet directly in front of the front door. So, we were in a landing basically of about 4 feet by 6 feet. From floor to ceiling were stacks of decades old Toronto Star newspapers. I could not believe what I was seeing. A person could not move. I was shocked to say the least, but my thoughts turned to things like, what if the fire department needed to get in here? They simply couldn’t. I spoke with the landlord regarding the situation, and he advised me that he was aware and had asked the tenant several times to get rid of the newspapers. He also told me that what I had seen was the tip of the iceberg. Keep in mind this was long before TLC made programs depicting this type of living and what it involved. When I started looking for a place to purchase years ago, I went to see a house on Ritson Rd, near Athol Street. The house was completely full of tools and huge pieces of equipment inside of every room in the house. You could barely get around, in fact I was warned about a particular area of the house. The owner was present and insisted that everything would be gone when the house was sold but it was hard to imagine. I asked the realtor how long it had been on the market, and to no surprise it had been listed for several months with no offers. Hoarding is not a healthy way to live and is often indicative of someone needing serious help beyond the organization of their home. There are many resources available to people now, and I strongly advise anyone who may need some guidance to reach out and seek professional help.

Job Seekers Stop Talking About Your Past. Employers Do Not Care!

Job Seekers Stop Talking About Your Past. Employers Do Not Care! By Nick Kossovan We all know the adage, "What's done is done," which savvy hiring managers cite to themselves as a reminder that a candidate's past achievements do not guarantee future achievements. From experience, I'm now cognizant that while a candidate's past behaviour and results offer insight into their likely future actions, they aren't a foolproof predictor of performance, hence why I don't ask behavioural questions. Such questions complicate the hiring process, favour candidates who can easily conjure up stories—true or not—and don't reveal what I really want to know: how the candidate thinks and their career aspirations. Most job seekers mistakenly position themselves by referring to their past achievements instead of painting an "I want to deliver the results you need" picture for their interviewer. An underused interview strategy is to not dwell on where you've been (water under the bridge); instead, talk about where you're going career-wise and how you'd like the employer to be part of your journey. I call this future-oriented anchoring a powerful narrative strategy that puts you in control of your career story. Frame your trajectory in terms of where you're headed, not where you've been. When you only discuss your past, you anchor yourself to what you've already been paid for and the roles you've already had. However, when you talk with enthusiasm (key) about where you see yourself in the future, you create a positive 'future you" impression, influencing how your interviewer perceives your potential and value. Trying to gauge a candidate's potential is why interviewers often ask, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Instead of dismissing the 'five-year question' as a cliché, acknowledge its significance. Your response to this question, when answered with precision and backed by your current actions, can speak volumes about your ambition, work ethic, and if you have any sense of entitlement. A meticulous approach to answering the 'five-year question' will set you apart from other candidates. "Five years from now, I see myself overseeing the social media team at a major film entertainment studio such as DaVille Studio. I'm currently pursuing a Digital Strategy and Communication Management certificate from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Additionally, I read as much as I can about social media management. I just finished The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki, a book advocating purposeful engagement, which I wholeheartedly agree with." Since you know you'll likely be asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" there's no excuse not to have a prepared answer in advance, something along the lines of the aforementioned, that’ll make your interviewer sit back and think to themselves, "[You] is serious about their career." One of the most common complaints I hear from job seekers is, "Employers aren't seeing my potential!" Here's the thing: you can't expect employers to see (read: envision) your potential if you don't provide a narrative that conveys your potential. It's your responsibility to help employers recognize your potential and value instead of expecting them to perceive it magically. Future-oriented positioning communicates to an employer that your most significant contributions lie ahead. Consider these two statements 1. "I successfully led our company-wide cloud migration, reducing costs substantially." 2. "I'm focused on enterprise-wide digital transformation that proactively, as opposed to reactively, prepares companies for the next decade of technological change. I want to be part of keeping Burns Industries ahead of the digital curve and deliver no less than an annual 30% cost savings due to adopting an early adoption approach." The first statement merely reiterates what the interviewer already knows from your resume and LinkedIn profile; the second statement is much more compelling. The first statement limits your value to your past, while the second offers the interviewer insight into your potential future contributions to the company. A candidate's potential future value is a significant factor that employers consider when making hiring decisions, which highlights a harsh reality: a candidate's "future" (read: remaining working life) is one reason employers sometimes take a candidate's age into account when hiring. Talking about your career aspirations and how you plan to get there is how you sell employers your potential and value. While employers need to know what you've accomplished, what is more important for an employer to know is how your experiences are influencing your future actions. I don't know a hiring manager who doesn't want to know—better yet, feel— whether a candidate is ambitious, proactive, and ready to take on challenges. If you've executed a successful marketing campaign, don't just stop there. Expand on how that experience influences your vision for future campaigns. You might say, "The marketing campaign I led last year for Jojo's Ice Cream's newest flavour, Banana Karenina, taught me the importance of data-driven decisions. My goal is to leverage this insight to develop even more engaging strategies that boost brand loyalty." When interviewing, don't just discuss your past or career aspirations; an interview isn't solely about you. Interviews are your opportunity, one that few job seekers capitalize on, to showcase your potential value-add, which, as I mentioned, is your responsibility to ensure your interviewer sees and feels. ___________________________________________________________________

DURHAM REGION TO ENTER INTO A GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION WITH SCUGOG FIRST NATIONS

DURHAM REGION TO ENTER INTO A GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION WITH SCUGOG FIRST NATIONS This week’s column will delve, briefly, into the complex realm of First Nations involvement in Canadian civic affairs, but first, I thought it best to provide some background as to the relationship between governments and Indigenous communities in Canada and within the province of Ontario before arriving at home base, being Durham Region. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has tripled its annual Indigenous spending, from $11 billion to over $32 billion, since The Trudeau Liberals took office in 2015. During that time, Canadian taxpayers have been made to support several significant settlements between the federal government and First Nations, totaling well over $57 billion. The Province of Ontario has also settled claims with First Nations, paying out a total of $14.9 billion in compensation, and has reached 65 land claims and other agreements, settling for close to $11.1 billion up to March 2024. Significant funding has been committed to reforming First Nations Child and Family Services, including $8.5 billion in a landmark agreement to reform the program here in Ontario. With regard to ongoing treaty negotiations, a proposed $10 billion settlement was reached to compensate for unpaid past annuities, with the Ontario government contributing $5 billion. Additionally, the Province has committed over $3 billion for loans, grants, and scholarships to encourage Indigenous participation and ownership in the mining sector, and also funds various programs and initiatives through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. That’s a lot to take in, and the dollars involved are nothing less than staggering. But it doesn’t end there. CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS have been filed, including a $1.1 billion suit by a northern Manitoba tribe, the Shamattawa First Nation, over access to clean drinking water which the federal government claims is the responsibility of the Indigenous communities. Another class action lawsuit against Canada has been filed by the St. Theresa Point First Nation in Manitoba and Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario for failing to provide adequate housing on First Nations land. That class action is seeking $5 billion in damages. In 2023, an alliance of First Nations in northern Ontario argued they were owed upwards of $100 billion over certain aspects of a 173-year-old treaty. Future such actions on the part of Canada’s indigenous population seem highly likely. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AT COUNCILS AND ELSEWHERE have become the norm. The Region of Durham started incorporating land acknowledgments, which recognize the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples, in 2020, based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. Specifically, Pickering adopted a land acknowledgment statement in November 2020, and the Region of Durham began reading land acknowledgments at its meetings in January 2021. The City of Oshawa also began incorporating a land acknowledgment statement, which is now delivered at the start of every city council meeting, every standing and advisory committee meeting, and has been mandated for delivery at every City event with opening ceremonies, such as the Tribute Communities Centre when fans gather together for the purpose of watching a hockey game. The investments made by Canadians, both financial and ceremonial are beyond dispute, and are quite considerable. MEMBERS OF DURHAM REGIONAL COUNCIL will be meeting on May 28th to consider a report by the Region’s ‘Chief’ Administrative Officer in which a bilateral agreement has been proposed in an effort to establish a “Government-to-Government Collaboration” between the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Region of Durham. Among the goals set out in the report is a plan for the Parties to meet quarterly, as well as the establishment of an ‘Indigenous advisory committee’ to ensure Indigenous input on a range of Regional initiatives. Further, there is a proposal to co-ordinate service delivery for what the report identifies as “investments in poverty prevention, housing solutions, and homelessness supports.” Finally, there are provisions to ensure an “accountable and transparent” decision-making process in order to serve community needs, while responsibly managing available resources. As justification for these measures, reference is made to the 1923 Williams Treaty, which the report says resulted in the denial of rights and a “lack of proper compensation and additional lands.” The area encompassed by the Treaty includes lands that stretch from Lake Ontario's northern shore all the way to Lake Simcoe. A 2018 Settlement Agreement with the Crown facilitates the addition of up to 11,000 acres to each of the seven First Nations in the area covered by the Williams Treaty. KAWARTHA FIRST NATION which identifies itself as Member 62 of the ‘Alliance of Indigenous Nations’ recently issued a press release in which they state their intention of “actively reclaiming 15,000 square kilometres of unceded land and waters – an area roughly the size of Georgian Bay.” They assert the territory and its resources include The City of Kawartha Lakes, Minden and all of Durham Region. GOVERNMENTS AT ALL LEVELS in this country appear ready to continue enacting policies with regard to ever-increasing claims for land, money, and oversight on the part of Canada’s indigenous population. I wrote in a previous column about Olivia Chow, the Mayor of Toronto, having formed the opinion that the affairs of her community may be better served by adding an unelected indigenous member to serve on city council. A motion was brought forward by the Mayor that would see Toronto’s City Manager look into opportunities to ‘deepen meaningful representation of the Indigenous community in City decision-making… including through advisory bodies and other mechanisms.’ Those ‘other mechanisms’ are seen by many Toronto councillors as an attempt to add one or more members of council who would be appointed based on their ancestry, without having been given a mandate by the electors. There is unquestionably plenty of evidence to show mistreatment of this country’s First Nations communities dating back to the arrival of the first Europeans, and there is certainly justification in expecting financial and other supports to continue up to and including the present day. To say otherwise is to deny history. At the same time, the sheer magnitude of the resources expected to be transferred in this ongoing effort is staggering, and in this columnist’s view, unsustainable. Readers must judge for themselves what may be deemed as necessary or otherwise unreasonable in terms of where this is all going, and what it means for our nation, our culture, and our economy. Is there a point at which one can say, enough is enough?

If Nothing Is Something. Then He Is An Accomplished Leader…

If Nothing Is Something. Then He Is An Accomplished Leader... B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States A recent quote from Mayor Carter of Oshawa regarding crime, drugs, and the homeless read, We’ve done everything we can: Oshawa mayor calls for aid from senior levels of government in the wake of a gun tragedy. Well, if EVERYTHING is to be taken to mean NOTHING, then he is truly an accomplished NOTHING. This is exactly what he has done. All of the programs he has attempted to implement have ended up making matters worse. He cries that we don’t have the money to invest in our own people, that it is the Provinces' and the Feds' responsibility. WRONG, Mr. Mayor. It is your responsibility to ensure that every citizen has a humane level of quality of life. People sleeping on our streets is not doing everything he can. People shooting up drugs in our parks and on our streets is not doing everything he can. Crime is at an all-time high, with people getting shot in our downtown park. That is doing everything he can? In his two terms, he has destroyed Oshawa. He has let GM walk out without any benefits for Oshawa, leaving our City in an environmental mess. Carter cries he has no money to help those living on the streets. Yet, he has 2 million dollars for personal and city staff security contracts. Yes, you are paying for his personal bodyguard. Why would he need a bodyguard if he is doing such a great job and the people appreciate him? He and his staff needed one due to the fact that Oshawa’s quality of life is at an all-time low. People are pissed off... But let’s continue on the premise that there is no money for programs that will assist the poor. Yet, there is 50 million to give to a local hockey team. Or how about wasting 30 million on a park next to a park that no one visits (Lakeview Park next to Broadbent Park)? There is no money for the poor, but there is money for a 20 million dollar (Rotary Park) pool. An outdoor pool in Canada. Really! And we don’t have 20 million to fix the homeless problem? What is more bothersome is the fact that the Mayor was a former homeless drug addict himself. One would have thought that he would understand the needs of those living on the streets. No, I guess the drugs he used to be on fried his brain, as the quality of life for those living on our streets is getting worse. Downtown businesses are closing at an alarming rate due to the fact that people do not want to park their cars downtown for fear of being attacked. My question to Mr. Resilience: How do you sleep at night, knowing that fellow citizens are sleeping on the street? I guess, knowing his character, he just shrugs his shoulders and makes some politically correct comment. It is shameful what is going on. The problem can be solved with very little or no money. What you need is real leadership that can negotiate partnerships with industry, trade, and commerce to create real programs that will open the door to housing to accommodate their no-income needs. To work with the local hospital to have special units for anyone caught overdosing or using drugs... a treatment center paid by OHIP. But what am I saying? We have an achieve NOTHING running a corporation, something that he is not qualified to do. We get what we get: despair, suffering, and a lot of resilience make-believe. Sad. We keep voting for the status quo. We keep slipping in standards. It is evident on the quality of our lives. We need real change...Wake up, people.

Canada Post in trouble

Canada Post in trouble by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Once a revered Canadian institution, Canada Post is now on the brink of bankruptcy. Years of bad management and unrealistic union demands have resulted in soon relegating this institution to the pages of history books. The combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the decline of the letter as a primary means of correspondence, and the rise in popularity of the parcel have not been kind to the postal service. Despite the bleak outlook for its business future, Canada Post employees will be in a strike position next week, threatening to suspend mail and parcel delivery across the country. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers, which represents 55,000 of the service's employees, threatens to have its members walk off the job if there is no progress on a new collective agreement. If that happens, no new mail will be accepted and any items already in the system will be held until the strike is over. So why are we facing another strike when we just had one last November-December that lasted 32 days and deeply disrupted everything from Christmas gifts to passport delivery. The reason is that that the labour dispute was never resolved. The fact is that the financial situation of Canada Post has been in very bad shape for years. Here are the facts on why it is so bad. The last time Canada Post made a profit was 2017. Since then it has lost $3 billion. The annual loss in 2023 was $748 million, even worse than 2022 when it lost $548 million. Until recently, Canada Post funded its operations without any taxpayer money. That changed in January this year, when the federal government loaned it $1 billion to stay afloat. This summer, Canada Post will have to refinance other loans worth $500 million and, it says, by 2026 it will need $1 billion a year from the government just to meet its financial obligations. Canada Post hit peak letter delivery nearly 20 years ago. In 2006, it delivered 5.5 billion letters. In 2023 it only delivered 2.2 billion letters, and that included a lot of bills and other official correspondence. Times have changed and electronic mail has become the norm. Many people in this country have grown up never knowing the practice of writing a letter to someone and putting it in the mail. With the advent of AI, another new technology, which is on the horizon it is difficult to see how Canada Post will be able to adapt in due time to these new challenges. It is clear that the physical distribution of letters to households has become a problem through natural attrition. Since 2006, Canada has added three million new addresses as the population has grown. Canada Post has to serve them all. However, it is delivering in excess of three billion fewer letters. The mismatch of revenue and expenses is now so bad, that it amounts to an existential crisis. When it comes to parcel delivery, there is no monopoly, there is no set price, and the competition is fierce. It is easy to recognize the big name competitors: FedEx, UPS, DHL, as well as other players who are contracted by the likes of Amazon. Canada Post admits it is being beaten badly. In 2019, it delivered 62 per cent of the packages in this country. In 2023, their delivery rate was down to 29 per cent. What makes that figure even more devastating is that Canada Post continues to lose its share of a rapidly expanding market. Millions more parcels are being delivered every year in this country, but Canada Post is getting less and less of the action. Canada Post says part of the reason it cannot compete is that it does not deliver on weekends, while many private companies do so. It wants to hire more part-time staff to work those days, but the union says that amounts to gig work, and won't accept it. Canada Post claims most of its employees cannot be laid off under any circumstances, which it characterizes as "jobs for life." Indeed the collective agreement says "there shall be no temporary or permanent lay-off of any employee (excluding term employees)" who have been employed for more than five continuous years, in the case of older employees. Hires that are more recent need 10 years of experience to avoid layoffs. Clearly, the situation cannot continue like this. If it is not dealt with, and promptly, Canada Post will become bankrupt and taxpayers’ money should be not committed further to a crown corporation that can no longer manage itself sustainably. With negotiations between management and union continuing and the union ready to go on strike, it will soon become evident how things are evolving. In the meantime it is clear that this situation cannot continue as before and drastic measures need to be taken in order to serve Canadians better and save taxpayers’ money. It seems that this is now a government problem so let us see how they deal with it. What do you think?

The Sad Truth About Canada's Military: From Proud Force to Forgotten Joke

The Sad Truth About Canada's Military: From Proud Force to Forgotten Joke By Dale Jodoin There was a time when Canada’s military stood tall. Our soldiers were respected across the world. They were trained, ready, and proud to serve. But today, something has changed. Our military is no longer what it used to be. It’s been left to fall apart by the very governments that were supposed to protect it. Today, many Canadians are starting to ask: Why did our leaders let this happen? From One of the Best to a Shell of the Past Canada once had a strong, trusted military. We played a big role in World War II, in peacekeeping missions, and in NATO. But now, we’re barely hanging on. Much of our military equipment is older than the people using it. Some of our tanks and vehicles date back to the Vietnam War era. Our planes are so old they need parts that are no longer made. Instead of giving our troops the tools they need, governments—both Liberal and Conservative—have cut budgets, delayed upgrades, and let morale fall. It’s become a clown show, where the military is rolled out only for show on Canada Day or emergencies, but rarely respected or taken seriously the rest of the year. Troops Are Leaving in Record Numbers Our men and women in uniform are quitting. Not because they don’t love this country—but because they feel abandoned. The equipment is old. The pay is low. The training spaces are crumbling. New recruits, especially women, often leave within a year. Why? Because the military isn’t what it used to be. It doesn’t support them the way it should. Many feel disrespected. They see that the government cares more about politics than protecting its people. That hurts. It tells our troops: “You don’t matter.” And so, they leave. Liberals Won’t Fight for This Country Let’s be honest. A Liberal government has never shown the heart to fight fully for this country. They act like defence is someone else’s job. They’d rather put money into social programs and global issues, not national defence. They expect other countries—like the U.S.—to carry the weight for them. When Canada went to Afghanistan, we didn’t even have the right gear. We had to borrow equipment from the United States. Later, we gave away some of our own outdated stuff to Ukraine—not because it was helpful, but because it was all we had. That’s embarrassing. A country as big and rich as ours should be able to supply its own military. The NATO Joke Canada is a member of NATO. That means we’re supposed to help defend not just ourselves, but our allies too. But let’s be real—every other NATO country sees us as the weak link. We don’t spend enough. We don’t send enough. We don’t prepare enough. We’re a joke. And every year we fall further behind. Countries half our size—like Poland or Finland—are building strong, modern forces. Meanwhile, Canada shrinks and shrinks. The Will to Serve Is Still Here But here’s the hopeful part: Canadians still want to serve. We have brave men and women from coast to coast who would give everything to defend this land. That includes new Canadians—immigrants—who would gladly join the military if it helped them earn citizenship. Imagine a program where someone could earn full Canadian citizenship after 5 years of military service. The response would be massive. Thousands would sign up. We have the people. We just need leadership. But that’s what we don’t have. Our Fallen Soldiers Deserve Better Every year, we honour the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for Canada. But with each year, fewer and fewer people show up. Fewer parades. Fewer moments of silence. Fewer stories told. It’s like the government would rather forget. But we won’t forget. We remember their sacrifice. And we know they would be ashamed of what the military has become. The Rich Don’t Have to Care In this new Canada, the people in charge don’t worry about defence. They have private security. Their kids don’t go to war. They live in safe homes, far away from any danger. So they don’t think about rebuilding the army. To them, the military is just another budget line. But for the rest of us—for the families with someone in uniform—it’s personal. We know the truth. Other Countries Are Passing Us By Here’s something scary: smaller countries now have more powerful militaries than Canada. Poland, Israel, South Korea—even Norway and Estonia—have more modern gear and better-trained troops. Why? Because they take defence seriously. Canada does not. And until that changes, we’ll keep falling further behind. Rebuilding Is Possible—But Will Anyone Try? We can rebuild. It’s not too late. But we need a government with courage. One that understands that national defence matters. One that doesn’t treat the military like a circus act to be dragged out during disasters and then locked away again. We need real investment in equipment. Real care for our troops. Real training and recruitment. And most of all, real respect. Because the people who defend this country deserve more than old trucks and broken promises. They deserve a country that believes in them. Canada has some of the finest people in the world. Strong. Brave. Loyal. Willing to stand up and serve. But they need a reason to stay. They need leadership that doesn’t see them as leftovers or extras. They need support that lasts beyond one photo-op. If we don’t act soon, we may not have a military left to fix. And when the next emergency comes—whether it’s war, natural disaster, or terrorist threat—Canada may not be ready. And that, sadly, will be on us.

The Employer is the Customer

By Nick Kossovan A job seeker's mindset determines their job search success. A crucial mindset shift job seekers should adopt to improve their chances of job search success is recognizing that, in the context of their job search, employers are customers—potential customers looking to purchase skills and time. Consider the similarity between an employer paying employees, freelancers, and contractors to accomplish tasks and achieve results, and you engaging a cleaning service, painter, dentist, or mechanic. Essentially, the employer-employee relationship is fundamentally a customer relationship, where the employer purchases the services of its employees for as long as required, similar to hiring a contractor to finish your basement. This means: · The adage "the customer is always right" applies. Employers determine the scope of work, expectations, and how much they're willing to pay. · Regardless of an employee's position, all employees essentially work in the service industry, delivering a service to their employer. Job searching is essentially a "finding a customer" activity. Given the prevalence of layoffs, it should be obvious that employees are free agents and will likely need to find a new employer (customer) several times during their working life. Understanding the Customer Relationship When you view an employer as a customer, you approach your job search differently. Think about how you like to be treated when you're a customer. Do you lower your expectations? Of course not! Yet, fueled by a sense of entitlement, many job seekers publicly criticize employers for not lowering their hiring requirements so they can "have a chance." Employers have the same rights to have hiring expectations—set the bar—as you do when you hire a plumber or hairdresser. Like any other customer, employers have specific needs they seek to fulfill, which must be met to remain in business. Therefore, understandably, employers look for candidates they can trust to deliver results, solve problems, and contribute to their success (read: profits). Few job seekers thoroughly research the company's goals, culture, and challenges and then use that knowledge to present their skills and experiences in a way that will make the employer say, "Yes!" When interviewing, you have one goal: to demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand their business needs and that they can rely on you to deliver results that address those needs. Employers Are Customer Dependent for Their Survival "It's not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It's the customer who pays the wages." - Henry Ford Employers are unlikely to overlook a candidate they feel would be dedicated to looking after their most valuable asset: their customers. Employers are aware that without customers, their business ceases to exist. It baffles me how many employees don't extend themselves to look after their employer's customers, who pay their salary, as Henry Ford pointed out. When approaching employers, demonstrate how you'd maintain their existing customer base to prevent them from going to the competition—a valuable skill in today's price-sensitive market. An even better attention-grabber, demonstrate your ability to acquire new customers. Setting the Scope and Expectations Applying for a job is equivalent to bidding for the job, much like a contractor bids (quotes) for jobs. In the same way that you'd define what you expect a painter to do based on the scope of the work and what you're paying them, employers define job responsibilities, outcome expectations and performance metrics to gauge productivity. When networking and interviewing, provide examples and numbers—employers love numbers—demonstrating how you added value to your previous employers. This approach positions you as a solution provider, communicating you understand the scope of work and can meet expectations. Flexibility and Adaptability More than ever, employers need flexible employees. Going back to the adage "the customer is always right." Employers, if they want to stay in business, need to adapt to ever-changing customer demands, which means their employees must also be willing to do the same. An effective way to stand out from other candidates is to convey your understanding that your employer's success is also your success. Assure your interviewer that you're eager to adapt to changing needs, such as adjusting your hours, working onsite, learning new procedures, or obtaining certifications. Forget about being hired if your interviewer senses inflexibility or you're a clock-watcher. Building Trust and Long-term Relationships Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. It's the core reason for hiring a candidate. Do you purchase from companies you don't trust? The same principle applies to job searching. Hiring decisions are based on trusting that the candidate will deliver the results the business needs; therefore, focus more on building trust than selling your qualifications. Building trust starts with following application instructions, something many job seekers fail to do. Closing the Deal Securing a job offer is akin to closing a sale. Only attempt to close the deal once you've established your value—proven you've delivered measurable results for previous employers—and communicated your understanding of the employer's needs. Much like hiring a weekly maid service to enhance your life (e.g., freeing up time to pursue a side hustle), an employer isn't hiring an employee; they're securing a service they believe will improve their business's efficiency and profitability.Most interviewers appreciate candidates who come prepared with thoughtful questions. However, while your questions are important, the strategic timing of when you ask them is more crucial.at you're focused on what the employer can do for you, not on what you can do for the employer ___________________________________________________________________ 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

The Senior’s Move

The Senior’s Move By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist We have all experienced the dreaded move by time we reach adulthood. Even when we are excitedly looking forward to a new and fresh start, be it College, our first apartment, or the new home that has been dreamed of for years. As much as we often look forward to living from a new home, the physical move itself can be overwhelming. All too often we are stressed out, riddled with anxiety over the smallest of things and our nerves are just on edge until we get where we’re going and the move has come to completion. I recall my own moves, and there have been far more than I care to think about. At first, there was no problem. I was a very organized person when it came to packing and labelling. Getting the kids organized so that they would not feel so impacted by the move. I found though, that as the years passed and the moving didn’t really slow down any, it got much harder. Oh, there were various reasons for so many moves, but mostly due to economics. I am grateful to have been in the same place now for several years. As one gets older the moving gets much harder in all ways. When I got my real estate licence, I decided also to get a special designation as a Senior’s Real Estate Specialist. Seniors are just my thing. I love them, and anything I can do to help them is a pleasure. Working with seniors and preparing them for their last move can be very emotional. Often, they are on their own after the passing of a spouse, and leaving the mar- ital home where they have made so many memories is just plain difficult. Sometimes they are headed for a seniors building, or one of the many retirement homes that have wonderful activities and restaurant style dining rooms. Sometimes they are headed for an adult child’s home. No matter the destination. The packing up of the memories and downsizing to start a new, often perceived as the final chapter takes time, patience, and care. There are so many stories within all the things. There are some wonderful downsizing companies that spe- cialize in exactly this type of thing. These companies are well worth a look because of the expertise they bring to the situation. So much patience is needed when packing up the life of senior. If you ever find yourself being asked to help a senior downsize and or move, try to put yourself in their shoes. Be kind and patient with them. If we are lucky, we will be needing that same assistance one day

Keep Flags and Classrooms Neutral; Protecting Childhood, Not Promoting Agendas

Keep Flags and Classrooms Neutral; Protecting Childhood, Not Promoting Agendas By Councillor Lisa Robinson Every June, institutions across Canada are pressured to fly the Pride flag in recognition of Pride Month. What began as a civil rights movement has evolved into something far more political and ideological-one that many school boards and parents are now rightfully questioning. Increasingly, school boards are refusing to raise the Pride flag, not out of hatred or fear, but out of a sincere desire to protect childhood and maintain the neutrality of our public institutions. Let’s be honest: the Pride flag today isn’t just about acceptance or inclusion. It has become a symbol of an agenda that centers on adult themes-sexuality and gender identity-across an ever-expanding spectrum. When government buildings and schools fly that flag, they’re not just promoting kindness, they’re promoting an ideology. And when it comes to children, that crosses a line. Children are impressionable. Schools should be places of learning, not arenas for social experimentation. Parents have every right to demand that education remain focused on reading, math, science, and history, not personal pronouns and sexual identities. This isn’t about homophobia or transphobia. It’s about age-appropriateness, parental rights, and keeping politics out of the classroom. Let me be clear: I have never opposed just the Pride flag-I’ve opposed any political or identity-based flag flying on government buildings. That’s not hate. That’s a call for neutrality. Our government institutions, especially our schools, should fly only the national flag, the provincial flag, and the flag honoring veterans who died defending our freedoms. That’s what unity looks like. That’s what respect for all Canadians looks like-not elevating one group above another by displaying their symbols on public property. I know firsthand what it costs to stand up for neutrality. I lost pay and faced public shaming in 2023 when I said I didn’t believe in flying any flag for any group. My colleague’s lied and twisted my words, accusing me of being racist or hateful, because I stood for equal treatment. That’s the irony of today’s climate: demand neutrality, and you’re labeled intolerant. There’s a growing grassroots response to this pressure. Every year, thousands participate in the Pride Walkout Day, organized in part by Campaign Life Coalition. It’s a peaceful act of resistance-a stand for childhood, for parental rights, and for the belief that tolerance doesn’t require blind allegiance to every symbol or slogan. Refusing to fly ideological flags is not an act of hate-it’s an act of principle. It protects the integrity of our institutions and preserves the innocence of our children. We can teach respect and kindness without hanging a new flag every month. Government buildings are not billboards. Schools are not soapboxes. And our children are not pawns. Let’s return to common sense. Let’s keep government neutral, classrooms safe, and childhood sacred.

THE SOARING COSTS TO MAINTAIN O.H.L. TEAMS ** HOW MUCH CAN TAXPAYERS KEEP CONTRIBUTING? **

THE SOARING COSTS TO MAINTAIN O.H.L. TEAMS ** HOW MUCH CAN TAXPAYERS KEEP CONTRIBUTING? ** IT HAS BEEN REMARKED that the quality of civic life within any community will, out of necessity, require ongoing financial support for various sporting venues, in addition to arts & cultural institutions. Municipal governments transmit those costs onto local taxpayers, compelling them as individuals to take on the responsibility of paying for facilities and programs they may never use. Residents of Oshawa are by now fully aware of the significant commitment made by Mayor Carter and councillors to offer further financial support for the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club – to the tune of $50 million. This newspaper was the first to inform local citizens of the deal negotiated between the City and other stakeholders that will see major renovations to the Tribute Communities Centre completed by late 2027. In a press release posted on the City’s website, the renovations are offered up as a necessary ‘modernization’ of the existing facility, including a main entrance expansion, interior alterations with seating for up to 7000 fans, and an updated concession area. Research into this topic shows a marked trend among a growing number of municipalities choosing to invest significant taxpayer resources into attracting or maintaining Ontario Hockey League franchises, with some communities having done so for decades. To its credit, the OHL has an impressive track record as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. There are 20 teams in total, with 17 of them based here in Ontario, and the league is well regarded for providing hockey scholarships. At that same time, there is a strong desire within today’s OHL landscape to run individual franchises like Supercentres, in large state-of-the-art venues. Beleaguered taxpayers are right to question whether the practice of supporting OHL teams and their owners’ ever-increasing demands has, over time, grown to be far too expensive. Prior to the $50 million announcement at the Tribute Communities Centre, an endorsement for an even larger investment was offered up by city councillors in Brantford, to the tune of $140 million for a new sport-entertainment centre. This, in a community that only a few years ago saw fit to sell a municipally owned golf course to better enable funding for local affordable housing. One Brantford councillor raised a concern that the funding was not being allocated towards a new hospital in partnership with the provincial government, telling his colleagues, “A hospital would serve 100 percent of the constituents, versus the five percent that could attend a hockey game.” In Kitchener, home of the successful Rangers hockey team, the municipality is moving ahead with $2 million in renovations to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium that will see a new restaurant built opposite an existing sports bar. Unlike the Oshawa Generals, the Kitchener Rangers team is publicly owned by season ticket subscribers. The team itself will be footing the bill for what they see as ambitious changes necessary for their club to “remain competitive” in the rapidly changing world of OHL hockey. Being a historic club isn’t good enough anymore, especially after the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) south of the border made a landmark decision to allow players with junior hockey experience into its ranks beginning next season. The move gives players more leverage when choosing their destination, and the OHL is beginning to feel the pinch as some players leave the league earlier than expected to head to schools in the U.S. None of this bodes well for keeping the costs associated with OHL franchises anywhere near affordable for Ontario municipalities. The renovation details to Kitchener’s ‘Aud’ as it is known by fans, sound somewhat familiar to those the Oshawa Generals are now anticipating. The entire Rangers business office will be dedicated to the players, with dressing room improvements, a gym and workout area, players’ lounge and even a pool therapy section, among other things. Oshawa’s own arena, completed in 2006, has already seen an expanded gym, a new video review room for team members, and an area that offers players better nutrition options by way of a fitted kitchen. It is known that OHL teams have the ability to boost local economies through revenue generated by games, merchandise sales, and other businesses. With regard to the business of hockey, the value of the top five teams is as follows: The Ottawa 67s at $55.53 million, The Mississauga Steelheads at $44.85 million, the Hamilton Bulldogs at $32.69 million, The London Knights at $23.02 million, and the Kitchener Rangers at $13.78 million. The Oshawa Generals came in 8th place at $9.41 million. Which brings us to comments made by Generals owner Rocco Tullio during a recent podcast with Mayor Dan Carter, in which he said, “The last thing I wanted to do was take the Generals down the road to the city of Pickering… but, we have to make sure we have the tools and the resources… If you have success, people believe in you. Our next priority is to put a blueprint in place that allows us to host the Memorial Cup here. I want to showcase our fans, we do it every game, but I want to put it on the world stage. I want to show everyone in the world stage that, hey… this is what we get on a nightly basis, and now you get to see it on a major scale.” Does that sound like someone who simply loves the game of hockey, or could taxpayers be forgiven for thinking their $50 million contribution is a boost, not only to Mr. Tullio’s self-esteem, but to the future value of his franchise? In answer to a question posed by Mayor Carter as to whether his colleagues in the world of junior hockey were jealous of the $50 million deal that was negotiated, Mr. Tullio had this to say, “Kingston called me already, and they are up for renewal and they want to do the exact same thing…so they’ve called to pick my brain.” All of which describes a situation where one significant financial contribution inevitably leads to a series of similar negotiations, all of which follow in perfect sequence. Oh, the possibilities are limitless.

The Homeless Are Not The Problem… It’s The Politicians

The Homeless Are Not The Problem... It’s The Politicians B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States I do not know about you, but it sickens me to drive downtown Oshawa and see so many people shooting up drugs right in the public’s view. People walking around like zombies while the drug dealers shake down the poor beggars soliciting passing cars for dollars to feed their habit. They blame it on the homeless. They blame it on mental health. What ‘They’, the politicians fail to acknowledge is the real problem. The lack of opportunity. The lack of good paying jobs. The lack of affordable housing.... All, roots of the problem we deem ‘drug addiction’. Yes, it is obvious that social, economic pressure would drive anyone crazy. How do these lost souls cope? They turn to drugs. Drugs lead to crime and the vicious cycle never ends. Elected officials have no understanding of this cycle. And if they do. They are professionals at turning the other cheek. I love to hear the Mayor of Oshawa openly lie to people. ‘WE DON’T HAVE MONEY TO ASSIST ALL THOSE ON OUR STREETS’, or my all time favorite. ‘OTHER MUNICIPALITIES HAVE IT WORST’, and employ the attitude that if they pay it no mind that the problem will some how disappear. Well, it has not. It will not. If anything it is getting worst. Just this past week two people got shot at Memorial Park. Stabbings are as common as the un-reported over dosing. The politicians cry... we have no money... Meanwhile our Mayor invested 50 million in a facility that cost the city on the average 500,000 a year to operate. My understanding is that the GM center has not turned a profit since it opened... It cost tax payers indirectly 40 million. Now we are going to throw away another 50 million? Oh yes, don’t forget the money we don’t have for the people living on our streets. Let’s not forget 30 million we wasted on the infamous white elephant of a park next to Lakeview Park. As it is best politicized known the ‘Ed Broadbent Park’. Or how can we forget the new park that the city approved to the tune of almost 10 million next to the Holiday Inn. Great idea council. A park so that the homeless have a shaded area for the hot days of June and July. But wait, one very concerned councillor made the ridiculous suggestion that this new park will host public bathrooms.... Yike, have they not learned their lesson from what happened at the band shell bathrooms at Memorial Park, or subsequently what happened in the mobile potty along the OPUC? A total disaster. But wait. Let’s not forget not to have money for the homeless but yet fund an outdoor pool in Canada to the tune of 30 million. The problem is not the poor. The problem is the elected officials. We elect incompetents and we do not hold them accountable. Instead we give them power. I say we should denounce all council members and demand they resign. They like to blame the problem on lack of funding from the Province. Yet, out of the aforementioned projects you almost have 100 million. Parks that no one goes to visit. Parks next to other parks. An out door pool in Canada where it may only be used 3 months of the year. We burn money to keep a hockey team that on any given day has problems filling the arena. I feel for all those living in the street. This is Canada. They should not be on the streets. It is not that we don’t have the money. We don’t have the people that have the sense to prioritize.

Canada’s New Liberal Government

Canada’s New Liberal Government by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Finally, we have completed a crucial election and a new Mark Caney Liberal government has been sworn in. It seems to be an interesting one, judging by the qualifications of the people appointed to ministerial and state secretaries’ roles. At first glance, it looks ready for business in a world full of unforeseen challenges especially from our neighbour from the South We see a mixture of former Trudeau ministers and new ones, people with political experience and less so, and a wide variety of work experience. It seems that this government has more of a business-oriented composition with a CEO in Prime Minister Mark Carney. Now we only need to see what results they achieve. Prime Minister Mark Carney did not name Trudeau as the missing piece of this new federal cabinet, but his message, that this is not-the-Trudeau cabinet, was crystal clear. “Canadians elected us with a mandate for change. So there is a great deal of change in this cabinet, by necessity,” Carney said, boasting that he’d created a “perfect” mix by building a team that’s made up of half rookies, half experienced hands. The other message it sends is that this is a prime minister not afraid to cut people loose, even those Mark Carney installed around himself when he did his first shuffle after winning the leadership. Toronto’s Nate Erskine-Smith, Bill Blair and Jonathan Wilkinson from British Columbia have all been replaced. While the cuts were no doubt brutal to those who did not get the call for cabinet this time, this is not the worst reputation for Mark Carney to acquire early, as a prime minister who won’t cling to ministers when it is time for them to move on. One other big difference Carney seemed keen to establish is that his PMO would not be holding the hands of any ministers, new or old.Therefore, the PMO staff will be as they should be, with no extra powers over ministers. “This cabinet is smaller and more focused than those of previous governments,” Carney said. “It will operate with a commitment to true cabinet government, with everyone expected and empowered to show leadership, bring new ideas, to have a clear focus and to take decisive actions to accomplish their work in a return to more traditional cabinet.” Whether PM Carney can pull that off is another question and will soon be evident. At the moment, Mark Carney is also displaying strict discipline over who speaks for his government. He repeated several times on inauguration that the buck stops with him on all matters dealing with Canada-U.S. relations and Donald Trump. As was the case a week ago when Carney met with Trump, Carney did all the talking on inauguration day; not any of his ministers, new or old. This too could be at odds with his vow to cultivate “true ministerial government,” with cabinet members speaking for themselves without waiting for the go-ahead from the PMO. The new Carney cabinet has not totally exorcised the ghost of Trudeau, as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was eager to point out on Tuesday, listing all the old ministers who had survived the Carney cuts. Poilievre is predicting that Trudeau policies on everything from housing to the environment are just being repackaged. “Mr. Carney talked a good game about reversing liberal policies in these areas, but now we have to find out if he was serious, and so far, it’s not a promising start,” he said. These comments from Pierre Poilievre savor of sour grapes, when he should be reflecting on the excellent opportunities lost by the Conservative Party for forming the government. Carney has stuck to the policy of gender parity in cabinet and has restored a ministry in charge of women’s issues, which was cut in his first try at cabinet-making, a move that was the subject of much criticism. This is a sign, a welcome one, that Carney is still learning on the job and that he and his team have been hearing the criticism about the “bro culture” that seemed to be swirling around the early team coalescing around the new Liberal leader. So now let us see the reaction of the official opposition when the House of Commons resume. Let us hope they will react in a constructive matter. The Conservative Party has a lot of thinking to do and changes to undergo to put themselves on track if they intend to form the next government. The old approach of dictatorial staff in Pierre Poilievre’s office should end and a true and honest candidate selection process must be up and running at least a couple of years before the next election. We seem to be experiencing new beginnings in Canadian Politics, with an adult in the house after three terms of childish chaos. May he be successful in his quest to make Canada strong again. What do you think?

Why Are All Unions, From Public to Private, Out of Touch With the World?

Why Are All Unions, From Public to Private, Out of Touch With the World? By Dale Jodoin Across Canada, both private and public unions seem to be forgetting the very people they claim to represent. From large organizations like Unifor to provincial and federal government unions, there’s a growing feeling among regular Canadians that unions are no longer fighting for fairness — they’re fighting for themselves. Let’s be clear: unions used to serve a very important role. They helped working people get better wages, safer working conditions, and job security. Without unions, many families would have had no protection at all. In the past, they were a powerful force for good. But now, something feels different. During recent elections, unions across the board pushed hard against the Conservatives. Many of them pressured their members to vote Liberal, claiming the party would protect workers’ rights. In return, unions expected the government to give them everything they asked for — higher wages, more benefits, more control. But what did everyday Canadians get in return? While the cost of groceries, housing, and gas keeps climbing, many union leaders seem completely out of touch. These union heads earn huge salaries, attend expensive conferences, and speak on behalf of workers they no longer understand. And worse, they act like they’re victims — when often, they are the ones holding others hostage. Let’s look at public sector unions. These are the unions that cover government jobs, from teachers to city workers to federal employees. Many of these workers already have good wages, solid pensions, and health plans that most Canadians can only dream of. And yet, every year we see them threaten to strike or actually walk out, demanding even more. Now, let’s be fair — this isn’t about the average worker. Most teachers, nurses, and city workers care about their jobs and try to help others. But the heads of these unions? They’re not scraping by. They’re not choosing between rent and groceries. They’re collecting six-figure salaries while organizing rallies that disrupt cities and divide people. It’s hard to feel sympathy when someone earning over $100,000 a year complains they’re being treated unfairly — especially while millions of Canadians struggle to afford groceries or heat their homes in winter. Private unions like Unifor are different, of course. They deal with private businesses and manufacturers. If they strike, it hurts the companies they work for — not the taxpayers. That’s their right. But when public unions strike, it’s the people who suffer. Kids miss school, hospitals delay services, and city services grind to a halt. And it’s not just about money. These union heads often push political agendas that have nothing to do with their members’ jobs. They attend rallies, issue political statements, and spend member dues on campaigns that regular workers don’t even vote on. When did unions stop being about work and start becoming about power? We’ve seen this kind of behavior before. During the Russian Revolution, constant strikes and walkouts caused chaos, not change. The leaders claimed to speak for the people, but in the end, they only made life harder for everyone. It’s time for unions — especially government ones — to wake up. Canadians are watching, and they’re fed up. We’re not saying to get rid of unions. Far from it. Unions are important. They give a voice to workers who might otherwise be ignored. They protect against greedy corporations and unsafe workplaces. But when unions start acting like greedy corporations themselves, people notice. Maybe it’s time for more transparency. Maybe union heads should be elected more often. Maybe members should vote on how their dues are spent. Maybe strikes should require public approval before they happen. Maybe it’s time for government unions to be regulated more strictly — not to silence them, but to make sure they serve the people, not just themselves. If unions truly want to be respected again, they need to get back to basics: fighting for fair pay, safe workplaces, and respect for all workers — not just those at the top. Until then, many Canadians will keep seeing union leaders not as champions of the people, but as part of the problem.

A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH

A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH MY NAME IS KATHY CUMMING and you may have read my letters-to-the-editor in previous editions of The Central where I described some of the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues. In this occasional column, I will attempt to share stories centered on people of my acquaintance who have been forced to cope with the many hardships associated with concerns over their mental health. I’d like to tell these stories in a unique way, with a focus on how they managed life, both at home and within their communities, and what they needed most in terms of care and support. I want to help by sharing their stories and describing, where I can, some of the alternatives to pharmaceuticals that may benefit others. Some of the topics within the field of mental health that are rarely discussed include the question as to who assesses the available programs, should it not be the families that actually use them. I will also seek answers as to who is best to determine outcomes and how we can move beyond simply asking families to “please fill out this survey”. The needs among those struggling are great, and include factors such as group home environments, dietary needs, assisted housing, employment, transportation, access to proper medical care, and even counselling in matters of faith and education. How can we help build that? DURING A CONFERENCE ON FUNDRAISING for Mental Health charities and non-profits, a gentleman walked up to our group and stated, "everyone has mental health concerns, and in reality it just depends on the severity" I had thought long about family members and others I knew growing up, and the complex names given to their various conditions. Friends I knew who had some form of simple anxiety could also be numbered among the people suffering from, as the fellow at the conference said, some type of mental health concern. I have spent considerable time visiting unique communities within North America looking for clues that would enable the creation of the perfect environment in which everyone with mental health issues may find peace. Such a place remains a mystery to me. I value your input as we move forward in our discussion. Let’s learn from each other.

Oshawa is getting a bad Wrap?

Is Oshawa getting a bad rap? By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist You don’t have to look very far to find people dissing Oshawa for one reason or another. Granted Oshawa has a whole host of issues and problems, but not unlike any other urban city of the same size in Ontario. That being said, Oshawa has some wonderful attributes as well. I find that Oshawa is often compared to Hamilton. As far as that goes, Hamilton is in the news far more often for all the wrong reasons. It is almost guaranteed that when you turn on the television on a Sunday morning you are going to hear about some of the goings on in Hamilton the previous night. Oshawa and Hamilton are of similar size with both having had one main source of industry that each is most well known for. They are both University Cities. They are both perched alongside Lake Ontario, making for some very picturesque areas. The housing market in both cities is similar. The addictions and homeless communities in both are, again, similar. So why does Oshawa get far more bad mouthing from people than Hamilton? Why do people focus on what’s negative instead of accentuating the positive? I guess it comes back to that old saying…haters are going to hate. It’s sad though, because Oshawa has the lovely Botanical Gardens which are really quite beautiful. They also have a gorgeous lakefront, and Lakeview Park is a sight to behold in the summertime. Oshawa has some stunning architecture. One of my personal favourites is Mary St. from about Aberdeen to Beatrice. I love driving up that street in the summertime when the trees on either side of the street create canopy for you to drive under. Just beautiful. Oshawa has some wonderful entertainment venues, fabulous restaurants with more opening all the time. Many builders have planted their flags in Oshawa because it is a changing, growing community with so much to offer. Everywhere you look there are new buildings going up which speaks to future growth. Yes, without question, Oshawa has a problem with unsheltered people and open drug use. Again, not unlike many other cities. While saying that it is not unlike other cities is not an excuse, nor a solution, until such time as the powers that be find solutions for the issues, why not enjoy and focus on the beauty that Oshawa does have to offer.

THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION

THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION THIS NEWSPAPER WAS THE FIRST media outlet to break the story on massive renovations to the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) that are due to be completed by late 2027. Our editorial, published the same day Mayor Carter and others gathered together to announce a $50 million investment into the TCC, raised concerns as to the costs involved and the lack of transparency in the negotiations leading up to council’s decision to undertake such an expenditure. We began by looking back to 1964, when residents came together to pay for the construction of the much-loved Civic Auditorium, with many fans donating a portion of their weekly paycheques to see their dream turn into reality. We also recalled that moment in 2006 when, once again, residents of Oshawa took great pride in welcoming the Generals to their first home game in what was then called the General Motors Centre. Built at a cost of at least $35 million, the downtown arena has never turned a profit in its almost 20 years of existence, requiring taxpayers to remain as loyal contributors year after year. Nevertheless, Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio said in early 2023 that he was “done” negotiating with City Hall, and was ready to move the team to Pickering, saying at the time that any deal to keep the Gens in Oshawa would hinge on the City meeting a number of conditions. It appears those terms have been met. In a recent press release posted on the City’s website, the renovations are offered up as a necessary ‘modernization’ of the existing facility, including a main entrance expansion, interior alterations with seating for up to 7000 fans, and an updated concession area. The announcement goes on to say, “The $50 million modernization of the TCC will not impact the tax rate. It will be funded through various sources, such as the new Oshawa Generals and Oak View Group agreements, Municipal Accommodation Tax, and additional seat revenue.” What that statement doesn’t tell you is that one major debt is to quite simply be taken over by another. Forget the dribs and drabs of any additional seat revenue or the tax on hotel stays for just a moment. Consider; the current debenture (the debt issued by the City of Oshawa that relies entirely on their creditworthiness) for the TCC was due expire in November 2027…the date upon which the new debt for the proposed renovations will be issued. To say, at this stage, that the tax rate won’t be impacted is to be economical with the actualité. Interest rates alone are very unpredictable, not to mention cost overruns during construction. It is well known in political circles that once a municipal debt is paid off, something always comes in to fill the void, either by way of new spending, or the increased cost of maintaining services. Nevertheless, the announcement of a $50 million ice rink renovation couldn’t have come at a worse time for local taxpayers who were already saddled with a significant increase in the Mayor’s budget last autumn. Recent events both here and abroad have conspired to slow the economy, including a recent announcement of 700 layoffs at the General Motors production facility, either due simply to a temporary slump in sales, or the more sinister possibility of an eventual relocation south of the border. In the latest edition of Mayor Carter’s RealTalk podcast, a very open and frank discussion may be heard between the Mayor and Generals owner Rocco Tullio. The two men talk of a 30-year extension of the partnership recently negotiated between the City, the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club, and the operators of the TCC, being the Oak View Group. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation between the two men that readers may find interesting: ON BUYING & OWNING THE TEAM MR. TULLIO: “I wanted to prove to the fans that this was more than just a business for me; it was my passion. I wanted to restore the credibility of the Oshawa Generals. This isn’t a big money maker. I didn’t buy it to make money off of it; I did it because I wanted to give back in so many ways.” ON THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR PLAYERS MR. TULLIO: “I want to standardize things. We put our team in certain standards of hotels, and a quality of food, like last night after the game and every post-meal it’s been ribeye steak…we don’t just go and give them pizza. When they don’t perform well on the ice…you didn’t feed them properly, you didn’t ensure a good night’s sleep…then you expect them to perform at a high level.” ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENERALS TEAM MAYOR CARTER: “I’ve watched the evolution of your organization with you as an owner, and we’ve seen a small gym to a larger gym, an area that was a meeting area that is now a video review room where all the players are. We’ve seen an area for players so that they can have proper nutrition with a kitchen that has been put in. If we want the best out of people then we have to create an environment so they can be their best.” ON THE NEGOTIATIONS MR. TULLIO: “You (Mayor Carter) fight for what you believe is right for the city of Oshawa and we fight for what we think is right for the Oshawa Generals. At the end of the day, Dan, you championed this, and you put your money where your mouth is, and you delivered at the end of the day. We have to make sure we have all the resources and tools to be able to survive the longevity of what Junior Hockey is evolving into, and space was so critical for us. Kudos to you and the rest of council for recognizing that. We were able to find a happy medium for everybody.” That “happy medium” includes $50 million from the taxpayers of Oshawa. Kudos to you all.

STRONG MAYOR POWERS THE MUSOLINI COMPLEX

STRONG MAYOR POWERS THE MUSOLINI COMPLEX B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (29 July 1883 – 28 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who, upon assuming office as Prime Minister, What is Mussolini most known for? But in the world of twentieth century dictators, Benito Mussolini was a pioneer. He created fascism, a movement that would plunge most of Europe into darkness. From undermining judges to indoctrinating children, he pioneered key tactics that other dictators would use to seize power. The Fascist state ruled Italy violently, projecting its coercive power deeply and diffusely into society through confinement, imprisonment, low-level physical assaults, economic deprivations, intimidation, discrimination and other quotidian forms of coercion. In October 1922, following the March on Rome, he was appointed prime minister by King Victor Emmanuel III. After removing opposition through his secret police and outlawing labour strikes, Mussolini and his followers consolidated power through laws that transformed the nation into a one-party dictatorship. What is fascism in simple terms? Fascism is a far-right form of government where most of the country's power is held by one ruler or a small group, under one party. Benito Mussolini (left) and Adolf Hitler (right), two fascist leaders (pictured in 1937). Mussolini and Giovanni Gentile described their ideology as right-wing in the political essay The Doctrine of Fascism (1932), stating: "We are free to believe that this is the century of authority, a century tending to the 'right,' a fascist century." This is similar to Communism as the control factor is put on one person. In simple terms, Marxism is a theory about how societies are organized and how they change. It argues that history is driven by class struggle and that the economic system (like capitalism) shapes all aspects of society. Essentially, it analyzes how the ownership and control of resources lead to conflict between different groups in society. Modern communism grew out of the aftermath of the French Revolution. In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels offered a new definition of communism in The Communist Manifesto. Does the above not sound like what took place in Europe? Strong Mayors Powers were put in affect to streamline government. Not to be used as a weapon. To politicize it to the advantage of a few. To be used as a tool to discriminate during bids and tenders. Could it be the man or the system that keeps failing humanity. Look at what has beent taken place across Durham region. Municipality after municipality have used strong mayors powers to isolate and control. To legally discriminate and punish any opposing voice. Left/Right, in theory they are all about the same. Control.

Victory in Europe 2025 and reflections on Canada

Victory in Europe 2025 and reflections on Canada by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As we continue to deal with worsening international relations and a resurgence of conflicts worldwide we need to remember one of the greatest tragedies of the last century, which was WWII. We see again a war in Europe, a war in the Middle East, and recently a war brewing between two nuclear powers in Asia. Therefore, it seems that humanity has forgotten the tragedy, which occurred within living memory, in the last century. WWII was one of the greatest challenges to both humankind and democracy. The time has come to reflect on this event, in order to avoid a repetition of it in any shape or form. Today we must stop the drift toward another world conflagration, which, if it occurs, will be more cruel and more devastating. We need to raise our voices to protect our basic rights of freedom and democracy, especially our freedom of speech, which is under siege from many sides. Each year we commemorate Victory in Europe Day, but this year it is special because it is the 80th anniversary of the day also known as V-E Day. On May 8, 1945 Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Forces of the Second World War. This day in history marked the end of World War II in Europe, although the war would continue in the Pacific Theater of Operations. V-E Day marked the end of most of the fighting in Europe, where tens of millions of service members and civilians had been killed since the start of hostilities. The second world war was the deadliest conflict in human history, which saw 50 to 85 million fatalities. This year the 80th anniversary of V-E day is a special one because of the issues around the emergence of new dangerous conflicts in the world. These conflicts must be stopped before it is too late. We need to remember that the defeat of Nazi Germany was a great success for democracy and freedom. We need to remember and be grateful for the sacrifices made by millions of people to ensure that in today’s world we can enjoy relative peace, progress and stability. It seems however, that there are many challenges ahead, and the forces of darkness are again trying to raise their ugly heads under several incarnations. So let us take a closer look at the events leading to V-E day in Europe. After six years of heavy fighting in Europe, Nazi Germany was finally defeated on 8th of May 1945 by the allied forces, composed of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Soviet Union (most of today’s Russia). I strongly emphasize the great Canadian contribution to this war, which seems to be generally forgotten by today’s Canadian society and politicians, being barely mentioned. It is time to celebrate this event in a way that strengthens our unity as a country in view of the new challenges emerging to our statehood. We need to be proud Canadians again, and remember our ancestors who fought for us and fought to make Canada strong again. The countries in Western Europe mark the victory in Europe on May 8th. May 9th was chosen in the Soviet Union (Russia today), as it was already the next day when the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and its Allies in Berlin late in the evening of May 8th 1945. We need to remember that during the course of the Second World War, over one million Canadians served in places like the North Atlantic Ocean, Italy, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. One in eleven Canadians had participated and 42,000 were killed (2,024 in the Navy, 22,917 in the Army, and 17,101 in the Air Force). It was a long and arduous war whose end was long awaited. When Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day) was declared on May 8, 1945, excited celebrations spilled into the streets and neighbourhoods throughout the world, including Canada. Prime Minister Mackenzie King, in San Francisco at the time, wrote in his diary, “this has been a good day— a happy day… one in which the burden has been greatly lightened from the knowledge that Nazi militarism has, at last, been destroyed.” Not everyone was at home to celebrate. Around 200,000 members of the First Canadian Army were still in Europe at the time of VE-Day. In addition, over 35 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons as well as more than 250 Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships were abroad when victory in Europe was officially declared. Hundreds of those naval and air force personnel joined the revelries in Britain and France. Many European cities, especially those in England, had been perpetually blacked out for nearly 5 years due to the impending threat of air raids by the enemy. On VE-Day, lights were free to shine again, and this added to the enthusiastic atmosphere. Despite all the jubilance, the deaths of millions and the horrors of war tempered the spirits of many. Communities across Canada were deeply affected by the tragic loss of their young men and women. Many found themselves widows and widowers. The small town of Sackville, New Brunswick witnessed 350 of their men enlist—ten per cent of their population—of whom 33 died. For many town residents, VE-Day became a day for remembrance and reflection rather than celebration. Canada’s involvement in the Second World War was costly. In addition to the 42,000 military personnel who died, 54,000 were wounded, and of the volunteer merchant civilians, 1,600 gave their lives for the cause. For those returning home from serving abroad, the experience represented a completed chapter, both in their own lives and in the history of Canada; they relished the long-awaited opportunity to build normal, better lives for themselves, and a better nation for Canadians. Victory day is about remembering those who gave their lives to achieve the victory we have enjoyed for almost four generations against the forces of evil. We cannot allow those who would oppress us to succeed, making a mockery of the supreme sacrifice our ancestors made for us during World War II! It has been said that freedom is not free. Truer words were never spoken. Throughout history there have been those who would take freedom from the independent, the individual, the type of person who succeeds by his/her own efforts. For generations North America has been the beacon of freedom to the rest of the world, but in the last half century that beacon has been slowly fading. Our beloved Canada is fast approaching the point where the torch of freedom will totally fade. Indeed, the time has come for Canadians to once again stand up for the freedoms that our ancestors gave their very lives to defend during World War II. We need to stand up against the tyranny of incompetence in leadership, political correctness at the expense of merit, and the stripping away of our individual freedoms under the guise of political expediency. Are you willing to stand up and be counted?

Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts

Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts By Dale Jodoin In the latest Canadian election, many people were surprised that the Conservatives didn’t win. After all, they had clear points, strong leadership, and a plan to fix problems like the rising cost of living, high taxes, and broken services. But even with all that, they still lost. The real reason? Fear. Not of them—but of someone who isn’t even Canadian. Let’s go back a bit. When the President of the United States began placing tariffs on Canadian products, it shook the country. Suddenly, everyday things got more expensive, and the future of trade between Canada and the U.S. seemed unsure. This made people nervous. But instead of offering calm, clear leadership, the Liberals and NDP took a different route: they used fear. The Liberals and NDP ran their campaigns by tying everything to Donald Trump, the American president. They didn’t talk about Canada’s rising debt, long hospital wait times, or the housing crisis. Instead, they pointed their fingers at Trump and said, “Be careful, the Conservatives are just like him.” It didn’t matter that the Conservative leader had never worked with Trump or even agreed with him. The Liberal media—TV, radio, and newspapers mostly funded by the federal government—repeated the same line over and over. They called the Conservatives “Trump’s cousins,” warning that if Canadians voted Conservative, they would see the same style of leadership as in the U.S. This message worked. Not because it was true, but because people were afraid. They voted not for what they believed in, but for what they feared might happen. The truth is, the Conservatives had no way to fight back. When most major news stations are paid for by the government, it’s hard to get your message out. Every time the Conservatives tried to explain their ideas, they were either ignored or twisted into something negative. And anyone who spoke up in support of them was often shouted down or labeled as “dangerous.” So what did Canadians really vote for? They didn’t vote for the best plan or for the strongest leader. They didn’t vote for change or solutions. They voted out of fear. Fear that Donald Trump might have too much influence over Canada. Fear that standing up to the U.S. would bring more problems. And fear that a Conservative government might “look” too much like something they saw on American news. But this fear-based voting comes with a cost. Now Canada faces real issues: food prices are still high, housing is out of reach for many, and our debt keeps growing. Many rural hospitals and services are stretched thin, and young people are struggling to see a future here. Instead of addressing these problems, the current government has focused more on image than action. They brought in a leader who looks good on camera and says the right things—but many say he’s just a puppet. Some believe this leader was picked not for his ideas, but because he could be controlled. Others think he simply repeats what party bosses or friendly media tell him to say. Either way, it’s clear that the voices of regular Canadians weren’t heard. What happened to open debates? What happened to letting people decide for themselves without being told who to fear? In a democracy, people should be able to vote based on facts—not feelings forced on them by news stations or politicians. And yet, here we are. Canadians were told again and again to “stand against Trump.” But Trump isn’t running our country. What’s happening in Canada—like the rising cost of living and the slow breakdown of public services—is something our own government must take responsibility for. Blaming someone outside the country won’t fix that. What’s more troubling is that not one political leader stood up for baby boomers—many of whom have been blamed for everything from the housing crisis to climate change. These are the same people who built this country up, paid taxes for decades, and are now often struggling in retirement. But during the election, they were used as a scapegoat too. So what can be done? First, Canadians need to stop voting based on fear. We must learn to question the headlines, listen to more than one voice, and think about what’s best for our country—not what someone tells us to be scared of. Second, we need to demand fair media. When news companies are funded by the government, they have a responsibility to stay neutral. If they become cheerleaders for one side, democracy breaks down. Canadians deserve honest reporting, not stories meant to scare or silence. Third, it’s time to talk to each other again. Too many families and friends are divided over politics, with people afraid to speak their minds. But Canada was built on free speech and respect for different opinions. We need to bring that back. Finally, we must remember this: it’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to challenge what we’re told. And it’s okay to believe in something different. That’s what democracy is all about. The Conservatives may have lost this time, but their ideas deserve to be heard. And next time, hopefully Canadians will vote based on hope, not fear. Because if we keep letting fear choose our leaders, we may one day wake up in a country we no longer recognize.