Showing posts with label #Durham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Durham. Show all posts
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Hernias Are An Age Old Problem
Hernias Are An Age
Old Problem
By Diana Gifford
Hernias are an ancient ailment. And modern medicine still debates the best ways to repair or live with them.
One of the earliest references appears in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian medical scroll from around 1550 BCE. The treatment for hernias was to push them back into place, in techniques described by Hippocrates. Galen, a Greek physician to gladiators and Roman emperors, had a preference for treating “surgical conditions by means other than the knife.” One can only imagine.
An enduring piece of hernia lore is the truss. A truss was essentially a belt with a pad designed to apply pressure to the protrusion. Trusses were made of leather, metal, or fabric. Some people wore them for decades. Apparently Benjamin Franklin, suffering from a hernia, customized the design of his own truss for improved comfort.
Look no further than to Medieval Europe to find the most absurd so-called cures. Some believed that passing through a split tree trunk – literally crawling through it – could cure a hernia. The tree would then be bound shut, as though healing the patient by analogy. Odd times.
Early hernia surgery was crude, painful, and often fatal. Before the late 19th century, the combination of infection, lack of anesthesia, and poor anatomical knowledge made abdominal operations deeply dangerous.
The turning point came with Eduardo Bassini, an Italian surgeon who, in the 1880s, meticulously studied the groin’s anatomy and introduced a systematic way to reconstruct it. His technique, though modified many times since, is widely regarded as the first reliable hernia repair.
The 20th century brought the introduction of surgical mesh. Using mesh allowed surgeons to reinforce weakened tissue and reduce recurrence rates. It was heralded as a breakthrough, though in recent decades it has also sparked debate and litigation. Mesh can be enormously effective, but as with many medical advances, its success is not guaranteed.
Today, many people delay treatment out of fear, embarrassment, or the hope that the problem might resolve itself. They can result from lifting, chronic coughing, pregnancy, or even genetic predisposition. They are democratic: they affect the young, old, athletic, sedentary, cautious, and risk-takers alike.
In the internet era, the ancient impulse to treat hernias at home has been revived by self-proclaimed experts posting videos of DIY abdominal wraps, self-reduction tutorials, and miracle cures. Some echo centuries-old remedies – compresses, belts, or herbal treatments. Others are newly imagined, drawing on the vast creativity of people in online forums.
The fact is, hernias can occur in many different parts of the body, from a variety of causes, and with a wide range of implications, sometimes inconsequential and sometimes fatal. So go and see a doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Readers often write requesting information about what the take of Dr. W. Gifford-Jones was on one medical issue or another. He had a much appreciated “no nonsense” philosophy. From reading his column for years and years, he was known and trusted.
Well, you can still find what he had to say on topics like hernias. Go to www.docgiff.com and type the keywords of interest into the search engine (a little magnifying glass icon in the top right of the page). For example, type “hernia” and you’ll get access to columns on “how to decrease the risk of large bowel hernias”, “if it’s partly broken, should you fix it?”, and advice to “think twice about hernia surgery”.
Columns since around the year 2000 are posted. I’m posting more and more of the older archive of columns too. Among them, some gems!
——————————————————————————————————————
This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones
2025 Year in Review: Staying Financially Strong in Uncertainty
2025 Year in Review:
Staying Financially Strong in Uncertainty
By Bruno M. Scanga
As we wrap up 2025, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on what the year has brought—and more importantly, how to position ourselves for success in 2026. This year has been another reminder that global uncertainty is here to stay. Trade tensions, fluctuating interest rates, and uneven economic growth have all played a part in shaping Canada’s financial landscape. The good news? Despite all the noise, there are solid, practical steps you can take to stay financially strong.
A Look Back at 2025
Inflation continued to cool through 2025, allowing the Bank of Canada to begin cautiously lowering rates after several years of tightening. While this offered some relief to borrowers, many Canadians renewing their mortgages still faced higher payments than before. Growth remained modest—around 1%—as global trade pressures and slower exports weighed on the economy.
For investors, markets were mixed. Canadian equities were steady, U.S. markets showed resilience, and bonds regained some traction as interest rates eased. Overall, it’s been a year where patience and diversification paid off.
What This Means for You
Periods like this call for a thoughtful financial strategy. Here are a few strategies to carry into 2026:
1. Revisit your budget and cash flow.
Higher living costs and mortgage renewals can tighten monthly budgets. Take time to review spending and look for ways to increase your savings margin—even a small monthly surplus can build valuable flexibility.
2. Strengthen your emergency fund.
If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that uncertainty can show up quickly. Aim to keep at least three to six months of essential expenses in a readily accessible account.
3. Stay invested, but be strategic.
Trying to time the market rarely works. Instead, focus on maintaining a diversified portfolio that matches your goals and risk tolerance. If interest rates continue to drift lower in 2026, both fixed income and equity investments could benefit.
4. Use registered plans wisely.
Whether it’s topping up your RRSP, maxing out your TFSA, or contributing to a RESP or FHSA, these accounts offer powerful tax advantages. Every dollar sheltered from unnecessary tax is a dollar working harder for your future.
5. Plan for the long term—no matter the headlines.
Economic slowdowns, trade issues, and market swings are part of every cycle. The key is having a plan that adjusts with conditions, not one that reacts to fear or hype.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Most forecasts suggest a slow but steady recovery next year. If inflation stays near target, the Bank of Canada could trim rates further—good news for borrowers and markets alike. That said, it’s still wise to prepare for volatility.
The bottom line? Focus on what you can control: your savings habits, spending discipline, and investment strategy. Global uncertainty may persist, but a well-built financial plan is still your best tool for confidence and stability.
Here’s to finishing 2025 strong and stepping into 2026 with clarity and purpose. 
I Smell A…
I Smell A...
By Wayne and Tamara
I was in love for the first time with a man for five years while he was a student at an elite university. We were secretly engaged to be married quietly. During the last year he was away for other training. Two months before the wedding, he called it off.
A year later, on the same day we were to be married, he married another woman. Four years later I married, and today I am divorced from the man I settled for.
Forty-three years later the first man contacted me. We met and he told me this story. He claims he is happily married. The reasons he did not marry me were he thought I was smarter than him, he did not want to take me from my family, and he did not think I would like the travel involved in his career.
None of these things were told to me at the time. He said he thought about me for years and would not come to our home city for fear of seeing me. He said he checked to be sure I was divorced before contacting me.
I am so angry with him for reentering my life. I still cannot believe him. Plus, how dare he say he is happily married and was still thinking of me, even while making love to his wife! After talking awhile following our brief reunion, we stopped all communication. Have you ever heard a crazier story?
Ursula
Ursula, plane geometry involves proving propositions from axioms. When Wayne was in school, he had a geometry teacher who often grew impatient with the illogical reasons students offered as proof. When students threw out any old thing they could think of, the teacher would interrupt and say, “You’re just throwing manure at the barn wall in hopes that some of it will stick.”
That seems to describe this man’s reasons for breaking your engagement. What woman wants a secret engagement? She wants to shout it from the rooftops and show the ring. So I would surmise secrecy was his idea, and if the promise of marriage changed the nature of your relationship to his benefit, that’s the proof.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “The character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done.” Forty-three years ago this man engaged you in secret, and when he was out of town, he broke the engagement. Then he rubbed your nose in it by marrying another woman on the same date the following year.
Forty-three years later, in another act of disloyalty, he comes to you without his wife’s knowledge, and shares a vulgarity about their lovemaking which you didn’t want to know. It appears he stirred the pot and is waiting to see if it starts simmering. If you go forward, then it’s all on you.
It’s too bad more things in life are not like a hot stove: touch it once and you learn the lesson of getting burned forever. This man said I love you, I love you, I love you, and then in a way which would satisfy even Wayne’s old geometry teacher, he proved the opposite. But women often cling to memories of their first love, especially when the relationship involves physical intimacy.
You are no longer the innocent girl you once were. You are a mature woman who can see that actions are the proof of character. You cannot project that a life with him would have ended well simply because your need for the right partner was never fulfilled.
When we think of things in our own head, we don’t have to phrase them charitably or in shades of grey or in psychologically correct terms. We are free to think in terms which express both the situation’s reality and our legitimate anger. You are free, for example, to think the moral of this story is: once a rat, always a rat.
Tamara
Job You Want Is on the Other Side of the Work You Are Avoiding
Job You Want Is on the Other
Side of the Work You Are Avoiding
By Nick Kossovan
"The life you want is in the work you're avoiding," - Sahil Bloom, American writer.
Bloom's words hit because they're true.
During my early adult years, I was eager to find shortcuts. As I matured and shed my sense of entitlement, while observing those who achieved the success I aspired to, I realized that I could only attain the fulfillment, success, and personal growth I sought by confronting and completing the difficult or uncomfortable tasks I'd been avoiding.
Landing a job in today's highly competitive job market requires more than just talking about it, which is all many job seekers do; you need to do the work you're avoiding. Now more than ever, you have to roll up your sleeves and tackle the unglamorous tasks that'll benefit your job search.
The Habit of Networking
The importance of networking can't be overstated. As I've mentioned in past columns, right now, there are job opportunities all around you. The catch: they're connected to people; therefore, start talking to people! Learn to initiate meaningful conversations. The best networking tip I know is to ask yourself, "How can I help this person?" when you meet someone for the first time. Who can you introduce them to? What can you suggest? What can you offer in terms of sharing knowledge, expertise, or 'tricks of the trade'?
Applying to online job postings is essentially gambling; you're depending on a stranger to hire you. Yes, strangers do get hired; however, they aren't hired as frequently as those who are known to employers and recruiters. Networking builds familiarity, which recruiters and hiring managers rightfully believe mitigates hiring risks.
Indeed, cultivating a professional network can be uncomfortable, and rejection is inevitable. Networking is most effective for people who already have established connections or strong social skills; thus, identifying two actions you should take if you're committed to your job search and career management.
1. If you are currently employed, start building and maintaining a professional network. Networking only when you need a job is asking a stranger for a favour, which you're not entitled to, and often comes across as begging.
2. Develop your social skills, which'll serve you well in both your professional and personal life. Hiding behind the limiting belief that you're an "introvert" does you a huge disservice. We live in a world built by extroverts for extroverts; therefore, you need to adapt to this reality, as it won't adapt to you.
Four books that'll level up your social skills:
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie (If you only read one book, read this one. It's foundational and covers all the essential social skills that are crucial to becoming socially adept.)
2. How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People, by Les Giblin
3. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
4. The Laws of Human Nature, by Robert Greene
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is active 24/7/365. In contrast, your resume only makes an impression when someone looks at it—likely just a quick glance—making your LinkedIn profile more influential in your job search than your resume. Yet, many job seekers avoid fully optimizing what is essentially their digital handshake and naively believe their subpar profile isn't hindering their job search, or, with many feeling entitled, think it shouldn't be.
Spend a day with your LinkedIn profile and nail down the following:
· Professional Photo: A high-quality headshot where you look approachable (smiling helps).
· Background Image: A custom background image that reinforces who you are and what you do.
· Keyword-Rich Headline: Use the 220 characters to highlight your expertise, unique value, and the problems you solve.
· Story-Driven "About" Section (Summary): Write in the first person and share your professional journey, motivations, and skills through a compelling story.
· Detailed Experience Sections: Use bullet points to highlight your achievements and outcomes in each role. (Simply listing your duties doesn't demonstrate your value.) Include links to projects, presentations, or publications to create a visual portfolio of your work.
· Relevant Skills & Endorsements: List at least 10 relevant hard and soft skills, prioritizing the top three as the most important.
· Recommendations: Ask current and former colleagues, managers, and clients for testimonials to show social proof of your work ethic and skills.
· Customized URL: Customize your LinkedIn URL to boost visibility, appear more professional, and strengthen your online presence. (e.g., https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkossovan).
· Completed Profile: Complete all relevant sections, including education, licenses, and certifications, to enhance your profile's visibility in searches.
Boosting Your Visibility
The job market isn't a contest of experience and skills; it's a contest for attention.
You're invisible if:
· You're not active on LinkedIn.
· Your resume is generic.
· You don't follow up.
· You don't show your personality.
You don't attract attention by remaining in the background. You attract attention by being noticed, so:
· Post and comment confidently, with conviction.
· Message with assertiveness.
· Follow up with purpose.
· Broadcast what your value add (read: show evidence) would be to an employer.
When you avoid doing the necessary work required for a successful job search, you surrender the right to expect results. The job you want is on the other side of networking, LinkedIn profile optimization, and increasing your visibility.
The Wonder in Adulthood
COUNCILLORS VOTE TO REDUCE THE 2026 TAX INCREASE BUT WILL IT SURVIVE THE MAYOR’S VETO?
COUNCILLORS VOTE TO REDUCE THE 2026 TAX INCREASE
BUT WILL IT SURVIVE THE MAYOR’S VETO?
TWO SOCIALISTS AND A HALF-WIT DID ALL THEY COULD to maintain higher taxes, but in the end, council voted to accept a proposal by Ward 5 councillors Brian Nicholson and John Gray that would result in lowering the projected 2026 property tax increase to less than 4%.
Mayor Dan Carter has been seeking a tax hike of 4.68% - which, when added to last year’s increase, would see residents of Oshawa paying a whopping 12% more since the Mayor’s previous 2025 budget was passed. The very idea brought about a mutiny of sorts between the two south Oshawa councillors who sought to overturn what they considered to be unacceptable increases.
Their amendment proposed reducing next year’s contribution to what is known as the Infrastructure Reserve account by a little more than $1-million, which councillor Nicholson said, “…means we’re taking less money from our taxpayers to simply add more money to our bank account.” He spoke in detail of an elderly constituent in his ward who he said is going without certain necessities as a way to make ends meet. He took pains to remind his colleagues that “thousands of residents are hitting the wall right now” as they struggle with unprecedented cost of living increases.
His colleague John Gray suggested the amount of revenue being sent to reserve accounts should be temporarily decreased due to already high taxes and a tough economic climate, telling his colleagues, “There are times when we simply can’t make the kinds of reserve contributions that we’d like to, and this is one of them.”
Of course, the usual pushback came from certain councillors, some of whom are more inclined toward a tax-and-spend way of thinking. Ward 4 councillor Derek Giberson quickly labelled the amendment as “irresponsible” saying any reduction in topping up the reserve account would be paramount to allowing the city’s infrastructure needs to go unmet. Mere hours after the vote, he took to social media, suggesting “…this is one of the most reckless and shortsighted motions during my 8 budgets I've ever seen. And... it passed.” The ward 4 councillor was undoubtedly in a state of mourning after having failed to get his colleagues to actually increase spending on external agencies such as the McLaughlin Art Gallery.
Ward 2 councillor Jim Lee, who also voted against the amendment to reduce the property tax rate, took the unusual step of by-passing the Mayor during the meeting and directly asking councillor Nicholson, “Looking at the amount you brought forward, being one million and fifty thousand dollars, what was your rationale behind this, or did you simply pull that number out of the air?”
Of course, the more erudite among his council colleagues would have seen the proposed reduction in reserve contributions as being equal to the amount required to somehow bring the tax hike to below 4%.
Also voting against the amendment was Ward 1 councillor Rosemary McConkey, who suggested the reduced contribution amount could have been used for roads and other short term capital expenditures right now. She and her Ward 1 colleague John Neal had already joined forces to place a number of amendments of their own onto the agenda, however, five were deemed by the Mayor to be “out of order” and the remaining two were defeated. The details of their amendments are hardly worth sharing here, but you can be certain they were mostly a waste of time. In fact, councillor Neal would end up challenging the Mayor’s ruling on at least two occasions, but to no avail.
An earlier proposal brought forward by councillor Nicholson and Ward 2 councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri also found the support required to ultimately carry with a majority vote, being a direction to staff to remove overtime wage costs from certain City operations. The idea appeared to be supported by staff and would see a potential reduction of $200,000 which is significant. Of course, council Giberson was quick to pounce on the idea, suggesting it represented a likely reduction in service standards. At one point he and Dan Carter even seemed to be arguing over that prospect, with the Mayor going as far as to provide specific examples to support the amendment - which was ultimately successful.
At the end of the meeting, the Mayor was asked point blank if there was anything brought forward in the budget meeting that he would be likely to veto, an option made available to him by the Strong Mayor Powers he now enjoys, however he said only that he would let council know in a “few days”. Should the Mayor decide to veto (deny) the amendments that were carried by a majority of councillors, they may request yet another meeting to override such a veto by a two-thirds vote. As to that prospect, we’ll simply have to wait and see.
At this stage, I would like to acknowledge a presentation given during a previous budget meeting by Oshawa resident Greg Milosh, who once said, “Taxation is not theft, but it does mean taking people’s money from them by force. “Before they decide to make so much more of our money, at a time when household budgets are already strained, the people who govern us are obliged, at the least, to show there is no better alternative.”
Mr. Milosh told councillors that, when considering an organization’s financial status, one of the questions that are often asked is, does the organization have a spending problem, or a revenue problem? He was correct in telling councillors that Oshawa City Hall has a spending problem by way of staff remuneration. The average cost to taxpayers for every municipal employee five years ago was $123,000. Fast forward to 2025 and that same employee now costs Oshawa taxpayers an average of $153,000. Back in 2020, the total compliment of City employees was around 700, a number that has ballooned to around 950 today.
The message Mr. Milosh was sending to councillors and to the taxpaying public is that this kind of expansion in local government is completely unsustainable. He’s right about that. If current trends continue, wages and benefits will take almost the entire tax revenue stream and leave precious little for the actual physical component needed to maintain community infrastructure.
We’ll see in the coming days whether the attempts made to lower taxes during what was the last budget meeting prove successful.
Pickering being Treated like an Island
Pickering being Treated like an Island
By Maurice Brenner
Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering
There has been a flow of information recently about lack of transparency and failures to communicate with impacted parties. This week I am sharing my views on how the City of Pickering and by extension the community are being treated and being cut off from our borders to the West, with no transparency and no communication.
Lets first explore what happened on Twyn Rivers Drive a key connection between Scarborough and Pickering. Initially a large part was closed in mid-2024 due to structural concerns involving Stott's bridge. Initially the lines of communication were open and Toronto agreed to work with the City of Pickering on a plan that would ensure a temporary overpass was in place to minimize the glaring commuter impacts it would have on the flow of transportation between the two Cities an ensure there was access to the Rouge Park. Temporary crossings are nothing new, and have been constructed in other locations.
In good faith the City of Pickering offered to work with Toronto and offered to provide some cost sharing, recognizing that our City already has limited access to the West and it takes very little to shut down our road network system putting commuters into total gridlock.
Fast forward, 2025, with no discussion, the City of Pickering learnt through the media, that the City of Toronto has changed its plans and will no-longer be considering a temporary crossing and the bridge/border crossing would remain closed until a new bridge was constructed. The projected commencement of the work would start construction in 2027 and an undefined completion target.
Today a year later, every attempt to influence Toronto to reconsider has failed, and Pickering and Durham Residents remain cut off, left looking for alternate access routes and modes of transportation. Still licking our wounds over the Twyn Rivers/Sheppard closure, residents in South Pickering now find themselves being cut off again, this time losing access to the Pedestrian Bridge that links Pickering to the Rouge Hill Go Station until Spring 2027.
The first residents heard of the closure was waking up in the morning finding their access to the Go Train Station closed. Residents were not party to any discussion leading up to the closure. Was it a decision of Toronto, Metrolink or Parks Canada?
Having no information to share with residents, I reached out to City of Pickering Staff as well as conducted some research via the Internet and found that it was Parks Canada this time who failed to consult and engage the impacted City of Pickering.
According to a post by Parks Canada which took time to locate, the bridge was closed to enable Parks Canada to complete 2 projects in the Rouge Park.
1. Revitalization of the Rouge Beach Day Use Area - This work includes improved infrastructure to address climate change impacts, flooding, erosion, species at risk, invasive species and overall ecological restoration. The project aims to enhance environmental protection and support safe access to the Lake Ontario shoreline and Rouge Marsh.
2. Formalized trail and boardwalk connection - A proposed new trail and raised boardwalk will create a continuous connection from Rouge Beach to the broader Rouge National Urban Park trail network. This route will extend toward the Twyn Rivers. Day Use Area and ultimately toward the future park visitor centre near the Zoo Road Day Use Area. The trail is designed to provide a safe, low-impact experience in this ecologically sensitive area. While the projects could have been a good news story, it is unfortunate that Parks Canada closed the pedestrian bridge over Rouge River abruptly while the City of Pickering staff in good faith waited for a meeting to discuss measures that would keep the pedestrian crossing open. Such a meeting was in the process of being set to discuss Pickering’s concerns and the need to find options that would keep the crossing open between Bella Vista Drive and the bottom end of Dyson Road to enable Pickering residents to continue to have a pedestrian access route to the Rouge Hill GO station.
Who ever made the decision and designed the detour route, did not know the area and why the pedestrian bridge was important.
While not a stakeholder nor the project owner and does not control construction timelines, detours or project-related communication, we are impacted and will continue to reach out to Parks Canada in an hopes of finding a way to open up the access enabling residents to cross the border and access the Rouge Hill GO Station. 
Property Taxes Out Of Control
Property Taxes Out Of Control
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
This is why I did not win the Mayoral election in 2022. I did not win because people do not like the truth. They do not like politicians with common sense. By the results one would think that voters are masochist’s. How else do you explain in Oshawa the return of all of council with the exception of one?
Were the voters happy with the never ending deterioration of the core. Were they happy with all the homeless, the open drug use... and last but not least. The huge tax increases?
A masochist is a person who derives pleasure from pain, suffering, or humiliation. This can include sexual gratification (sexual masochism) or a more general enjoyment of difficult or painful experiences, which can be a personality trait or a psychological condition.
I know that If I had been elected. We would have solved in a humane way the problem of the homeless, mental health and open drug use on our streets.
I would have made sure that due to the economy. Taxes were kept at zero increase. You may be wondering... How?
Simple. I am a local business man. I know the value of every dollar. I know how it feels to ride the razors edge when cash flow is tight.
I hear every day as people call me for helps as they are either being forced out by a landlord or forclose by banks.
During my Mayorship. I would have made sure that wasteful expenses... Like the Broadbent park (30 million), the Rotary Pool (20 million) and the truly waste of money park (Veterans park) smack downtown to the tune of (20 million).
Would never happen. Not to mention the 70 million sunk into the “GM CENTRE”. A facility that has yet to turn a penny profit for the taxpayers as we own it.
There alone we have close to 140 million. This is what we know. Imagine all the millions that are being wasted and the taxpayers have no idea. I would estimate that the total cold be as high as 500 million waste.
This is what happens when you keep voting candidates from the same public toilet. Quality of life keeps going down while they fill their pockets with your money.
Simple look at the tax roll. One would think with all the new housing... that the tax roll would increase significantly. More revenue for infrastructure and administration.
NO, it appears that the incompetents voted in, instead cry that due to the increase in numbers there are more cost associated with services. ‘BULL’. I say that is pure mismanagement.
The key to keeping taxes at zero is eliminate unnecessary expenses as those above. Enter into more partnerships with industry and trade to offset infrastructure costs.
Implemented programs that has peak tax rates for all new homes and grandfathered type of programs for homes over 40 years. Or paid off properties by owner. Anyone with more than 2 property pay a premium.
Cutting cost on staff, salaries and things like security at an estimate of 1 million. We that tax payers need to take our city bak. 2026 is around the corner. Learn from your mistakes.
Canada’s Infrastructure Crisis Can No Longer Be Ignored
Friday, November 21, 2025
This Past Weekend (THE DOWNTOWN FACTOR)
This Past Weekend
(THE DOWNTOWN FACTOR)
By Theresa Grant
Real Estate Columnist
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the new food hall on King Street here in Oshawa. Market at 70 king is what it’s called.
They were advertising a few weeks back for vendors for their Christmas on King Street event and I decided to rent a table. What a great decision that was.
At the time, I knew very little about the venue other than it had once been home to the Genosha Hotel. What a grand spectacle it was when it opened its doors on December 5th, 1929. Soon to be overshadowed by the great depression, the Genosha went on to host dignitaries and celebrities from around the world and take its rightful place in history.
Over the years the Genosha changed ownership a few times and eventually fell into disrepair. In 2003 with all the glitter that once was completely gone, the hotel closed its doors for good. The structure sat empty and declining for 14 years until it was purchased by a group of people with a vision.
Strategically and methodically the vision came to life. First up was the complete renovation of what used to be the hotel rooms which have been transformed into luxury apartments. Then the complete restoration of the main floor which is now the food hall.
The food hall is quite something. It is a smattering of unique owner run restaurants with the exception of Church’s Chicken. They offer a variety of food from Sushi to Greek, Italian and Filipino. There is a sweet shop serving coffee and ice cream along with a few other gems.
The absolute stand out for me was the Lobby Bar. The lobby bar faces King Street and is done up in a style and theme that evokes memories of the roaring 20’s through the fabulous forties. They offer a high tea service, which is a very popular thing in Durham Region. They also have happy hour, lunch, and some wonderful specialties.
The entire building is steeped in history and pays homage to that.
It was a real treat to spend the weekend so close to home yet feel as though I could be in old Montreal or Ney York City back in the day.
I am grateful for this brilliant team of people who have come together with such an amazing vision. Downtown Oshawa certainly deserves it! I, along with many others, look forward to seeing what will take place next at this grand old building. There is parking behind the building itself along with street parking on King and Bond and Mary.
When you drive by the building you will see it all lit up with beautiful lights. Take that as your personal invitation to take a moment to step through the doors and back in time to a glamorous world of art and entertainment. Soak it in and enjoy a drink or a fabulous meal. You won’t be disappointed. 
Canada’s Broken Budget and the Union Army
Canada’s Broken Budget and the Union Army
By Dale Jodoin
Journalist and Columnist
The Liberal government’s latest budget sh ows how desperate Canada has become. The plan to fill the military with federal union workers is not innovation. I panic.
A military must defend the nation anywhere, anytime, without hesitation. Soldiers answer to the country, not a bargaining committee. Mixing unions with the armed forces is a recipe for collapse. What happens when troops can strike? When deployment becomes a labour dispute? When defending Canada depends on negotiations? That is not readiness. That is surrender.
The truth is, the military can no longer convince enough civilians to join. Recruitment has plummeted. The government, under pressure to meet NATO expectations, is trying to fill empty ranks by any means. This is not strategy; it is damage control. The appearance of strength has replaced the reality of it.
Unions exist to protect workers, not fight wars. A unionized military would be paralyzed by red tape and political squabbles. Canadians could find themselves defenseless while government employees debate overtime.
This is how free nations crumble. Power shifts from citizens to politically protected unions. Every strike becomes leverage. Every contract dispute becomes a threat to national security. What the Liberals call modernization is nothing more than creating a fragile system that could collapse under pressure.
We have already seen the warning signs. Postal workers strike. Bureaucrats walk off. Services freeze. Now imagine that attitude in uniform. A military strike during a national crisis would leave Canada vulnerable and humiliated.
The government has forgotten that service means sacrifice. It means discipline and loyalty, not entitlement. The armed forces must be built on strength, not paperwork.
Canada needs a general election. The people, not unions or party insiders, must decide how this country defends itself. Defence is not a political show. It is survival.
If the military becomes just another branch of the civil service, Canada will lose more than its readiness. It will lose its independence.
This is only one scenario, one many Canadians have likely imagined. But if we ignore it, we may one day find that the warning came too late.
Former or Fashionable - Why Teens Are Choosing Older Items Over the Newest Edition in Everyday Life
Former or Fashionable - Why Teens Are Choosing Older Items Over the Newest Edition in Everyday Life
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
In modern society, pieces of everyday life are constantly changing, such as technology, fashion, and entertainment. There is always something newer, better and updated being advertised, as companies produce more and more products. Despite this, many individuals choose what is oldest, the most nostalgic. This preference of older editions is becoming more and more common. Despite the fact we are in a digital, high speed age, people often choose mature, vintage items time and time again.
It can be expected for older generations to choose items which they grew up with, as the product serves more than a practical purpose; it also comes with nostalgia, familiarity, and enough back in my day comments to last a lifetime. Even to older adults, radios aren't inherently better than Spotify or Apple Music, however, they come with memories of dancing in the kitchen or learning to drive. There’s nothing wrong with a new wardrobe, but older clothes can bring an instant sense of nostalgia and comfort to those growing up with different fashion.
It is easy to understand why adults and seniors appreciate what is now vintage, but the appreciation doesn’t just stop adults. Adolescents are beginning to turn away from new trends, instead loving anything older than they are.
Record players, digital cameras, and wired headphones are all technologies whichhave been replaced by modern inventions, yet continue to trend. Any song can be found online with the click of a button, but record players are found in millions of teenagebedrooms. Practically all cellphones have a high quality camera, yet countless adolescents, including myself, choose to use a digital camera for photography. Wireless earbuds, such as Airpods, are owned by most youth, yet many individuals prefer their headphones wired for reasons other than the price. These examples raise the question of why? I can’t help but wonder if there is a specific reason younger generations choose items older than themselves as opposed to newer auditions crafted for human convenience.
One of the most obvious reasons for this oddity would be the quality. In the example of record players, most music lovers believe sound quality is much richercoming from a vinyl or CD. One of the reasons I love my digital camera is the nature and appearance you cannot get anywhere else. In a lot of situations, classic items are believed to have a higher quality, or a cheaper price, when compared to modern items.
However, the genuine quality is not the only reason individuals choose vintage over modern additions. I believe a primary reason is the personality and individuality which is interconnected with tangible items.
In 2025, almost every Canadian teen uses a cellphone daily, giving them access to a world of content at their fingertips. Although this may be convenient, it has caused many actions to lose the deeper meaning they previously had. Pictures are now taken to be posted online, not remembered and appreciated. Texting is anticipated, not a choice of real compassion. With older items, normal tasks such as photography or contacting a friend feels less about convenience and more about memories and connection.
When using a less modern item, everyday tasks turn into something special, partly due to the time and process involved. Dialing a phone number, downloading images from a memory card, or selecting and placing a vinyl all take time, even if only a moment. In an overwhelming and technological period, these moments which force us to slow down are crucial. It compels us to appreciate an average routine, making mundane moments stand out from the rest of the day.
A trending example of the dismissal of recent items comes in the form of thrifting. This is an activity loved by practically all teens, as it combines shopping, saving money, and unique items. However, it also exposes teens to older styles, as thrift stores are a forest of timeless variety. It may take time and a whole lot of faith, but you can always find something unique and antique at a good thrift store. They’re the perfect way for anyone to access the trend of old-age style at an affordable price.
Whether it be through second-hand stores or pricey record players, it is clear older items have gained their popularity once again. This comes partly from memories and quality, but also from the personality and experience which comes from these items.
Vintage technologies allow younger generations to experience a history which was normal life only a few years prior. It’s easy access to nostalgia and memories different from our own, a different time period filled with more interaction and care than we have now. They hold a story, and allow you to add something new with every usage. Older concepts, whether it be related to technology, fashion, or entertainment, all feel unique, personalized, and tangible in our modern world of screens and convenience.
With the modern disconnect and technology reliance currently experienced by teens, I believe we could use anything which forces us to pause and connect, even if it comes in the form of a record player, digital camera, or a pair of wired headphones.
DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?
DOES THIS MAKES SENSE?
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
This week a headline read:
Ontario Investing $16.5 Million to Protect Tariff-Impacted Workers and Businesses
Projects will support $120 million in total investments while protecting and creating 1,500 jobs across Ontario
November 17, 2025
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
VAUGHAN —The Ontario government is supporting companies and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs by investing $16.5 million through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help them increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.
The announcement marks the first round of funding under the OTTF program, with the eight recipient companies’ projects amounting to over $120 million in investments that will create over 300 new, good-paying jobs and protect nearly 1,200 more across the province.
I am no economist, no banker nor a financial scholar. Do the math on the investment vs the return. Does it make sense to plunge 120 million to create 1,500 jobs. The math tells you it is $80,000/job.
On the surface one may say. Great. In reality, one has to wonder who will the 120 million be really going to.
I know the old thinking. Something is better than nothing... the government is famous for putting out cash and ending up in someone bank account that had nothing to do with the initial intent.
I believe that our society is falling and about to fall even harder. We elect officials that do not have the business understanding to make the decisions that they make. So what do they do... they bunch up. Spend millions on expensive consultant to give them a series of choices.
From these choices they engage in all kinds of paths. Good or bad. It does not matter. As it is not their money. They make a bad decision. They truly do not care as they are not accountable to no one.
Think about it... the article read: The Ontario government is supporting companies and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs by investing $16.5 million through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help them increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario.
The question I have for the government.... do they really have an understanding on how tariffs work and or how it will impact industry. I ask this question because tariffs in my opinion should only cause a shift in consumer buying... At the manufacturing level it should produce a shift to newer suppliers.
If this stand to be true then where are all these millions going?
Who are they politically paying off? Will the average worker really benefit... and if so for how long...
Canada Needs a Real Review of Its Criminal Justice System—Before the Trends Get Worse
Canada Needs a Real Review of Its
Criminal Justice System—Before the
Trends Get Worse
by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC
FEC, CET, P.Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
Canadians have long taken comfort in the idea that we live in one of the safest societies in the world. For decades this belief was supported by the numbers: violent crime steadily declined from the early 1990s onward, and homicides rarely reached the levels seen elsewhere. But the recent trajectory of serious crime—especially youth violence and non-homicide assaults—suggests that this old narrative no longer reflects the full reality on the ground.
It is time for a sober, evidence-based review of Canada’s criminal justice system. Not a political slogan, not a reflexive “tough on crime” or “soft on crime” posture, but a genuine national assessment of what is working, what is failing, and what must be fixed to protect the public while maintaining fairness and due process.
The starting point is the data. While Canada’s homicide rate actually declined last year, the overall Crime Severity Index, which measures both the volume and seriousness of police-reported crime, continues to rise. More troubling is the sharp increase in violent offences committed by youth. Police services across the country report more stabbings, swarming attacks, and group-related assaults by minors—crimes that not only shock communities but expose weaknesses in prevention, supervision, and early intervention.
Non-homicide violence is also climbing. Assaults, armed robberies, carjackings, and gun-related incidents connected to organized crime have increased in several major cities. These are not isolated events. They are indicators of a criminal ecosystem in which a relatively small number of repeat offenders, gang-affiliated networks, and hard-to-supervise youth are driving a disproportionate amount of the harm.
Yet our justice system still operates as if this pattern does not exist. Instead of a coordinated national strategy, we have a patchwork of bail rules, sentencing practices, and provincial policies that vary widely and often lack the resources to be effective. Police officers arrest the same violent offenders again and again, only to see them quickly return to the streets. Courts struggle with backlogs, prosecutors are overloaded, and probation and parole services are stretched beyond their limits. In too many cases, the result is predictable: a system that looks busy but does not deliver the level of public safety Canadians reasonably expect.
One area urgently needing scrutiny is bail. Although reforms have tightened reverse-onus provisions for certain violent and firearms offences, the concern from police services across the country remains the same: high-risk repeat offenders are cycling through the system far too easily. Bail decisions are often made within minutes, with incomplete information, in crowded courtrooms that lack the personnel and time required to make properly informed assessments. This is not about punishing the innocent; it is about ensuring the system has the capacity to evaluate risk accurately and consistently.
Sentencing and parole also require careful review. Canada must confront the fact that a small fraction of offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of serious, violent, and organized crime. For these groups, sentencing ranges, parole eligibility, and supervision models must reflect the real level of threat they pose. The goal is not mass incarceration, but targeted, effective incapacitation of those who consistently endanger the public.
At the same time, a credible review must address prevention—not as an afterthought, but as a central pillar. The rise in youth violence is not merely a policing issue. It is connected to social dislocation, mental-health pressures, school disengagement, online radicalization, and the easy influence of criminal peer networks. Without early intervention, mentorship programs, addiction treatment, and collaboration between schools, communities, and justice agencies, the pipeline into criminality will continue unchecked.
Canada also needs transparent, standardized national data on recidivism, bail breaches, weapons offences, gang activity, and case backlogs. Without reliable metrics, governments fall back on ideology rather than facts. A justice system that does not measure outcomes cannot improve them.
This is why a full review is not just necessary—it is overdue. Canadians deserve a system that protects them while respecting rights, one that distinguishes between those who need treatment, those who need supervision, and those who must be separated from society for the safety of others. The current mix of rising serious crime, growing youth involvement, and administrative overload shows that the status quo is neither sustainable nor responsible.
A national review, carried out with integrity and led by independent experts, would allow Canada to build a criminal justice system worthy of its reputation: firm where necessary, fair where possible, and focused always on the safety of its people.
In conclusion, Canadians rightly expect a justice system that protects their families, supports victims, rehabilitates those who can be rehabilitated, and isolates those who pose a continuing threat to society. Today’s mixture of rising serious crime, overstretched courts, uneven policing resources, and growing youth violence shows that the current system is not meeting those expectations.
A national review—independent, comprehensive, and driven by evidence rather than partisanship—offers the best path forward. Such a review would strengthen public safety, restore confidence in the justice system, and ensure Canada remains the safe, fair, and orderly country it has long aspired to be. With so many lawyers in the Parliament of Canada, that should be a relatively easy task, partisanship aside.
This moment calls for leadership and clarity. Canada cannot afford complacency. The trends are unmistakable, the consequences are real, and the need for action is immediate.
An evidence-based national review—supported by the many legal minds in Parliament and guided by a genuine commitment to public safety—would allow Canada to modernize its justice system before the problems become so entrenched they become cancerous.
Speed Dating
Speed Dating
By Wayne and Tamara
I am a 19-year-old college freshman who has never been married. I am actually dating my first boyfriend, but that is by choice, because I never wanted to be a part of the high school drama scene. I wanted a mature relationship that transcended all that.
However, I seem to have gotten myself far too deeply into something I am not ready for. I have been dating my boyfriend for almost three months. He’s 21, and we get along wonderfully. I am not his first girlfriend, but the first girlfriend he ”really wanted.”
Just a few days into our relationship, he told me he loved me, and kept saying it, though I never responded in kind. After four weeks, I did finally tell him I loved him. I thought I meant this. However, since then, he’s come to mention quite often plans for the future. Plans such as marriage after we both finish college, children, names for those children, and more.
I am not ready for this. I cannot definitely say I want to spend the rest of my life with him, though he is completely enamored with me. I’m also worried, because I have not known how to respond, and in saying nothing, I believe he has read my assent.
I am truly scared I’ve led him on. This is not something I can accept of myself, since I honestly do care for him. I don’t want to hurt him, but I will continue to lead him on if I don’t say anything. Bobbi
Bobbi, ancient artists drawing on cave walls didn’t sign their work. They couldn’t because they didn’t have a written language. Instead they put their hand against the cave wall, took color in their mouth, and blew. The outline of their hand is the mark they left for us.
Lovers also leave a mark—on each other. When your boyfriend said “I love you,” he put his mark on you. When you said it back to him, you put your mark on him, even though you had your doubts. The problem with marks is, if love isn’t there on both sides, then the relationship has missed the mark. In sociology there is a term called the “norm of social reciprocity.” That simply means we feel obligated to give back to others what they give to us. It’s called a norm because if we violate it, if we don’t give back, we feel we have done something wrong.
When social reciprocity involves sharing or being polite, there is nothing wrong with it. But it has a dark side. It can be used to take advantage of us. When your boyfriend kept saying “I love you,” it created the expectation that you had to say it back to him. Eventually you succumbed.
“I love you” is also an implied promise. It says I will behave in certain ways toward you, now and in the future. Since people are supposed to stick to promises, you feel bad about pulling back now. But if you don’t, you will grow weaker as a person, and farther from your true feelings.
You went to college to learn things, and one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to say no. You have a chance, through your education, to secure your future. That is an opportunity many young women don’t have. So grab that brass ring and put it in your pocket, knowing that economic freedom gives a woman the power to make wise decisions all of her life.
One of the marks of maturity is the ability to do the right thing, even though it is a hard thing. We totally understand not wanting to trifle with another, but if your boyfriend has moved too far forward, that’s on him. The norm of social reciprocity is no substitute for the mark of genuine love.
Wayne & Tamara
Monday, November 10, 2025
Prying Eyes
Prying Eyes
By Wayne and Tamara
Okay, so I’m going to be 25, and I have lots of best friends. One of them is 35. She’s so cool and is super easy to talk to about crushes and stuff. The problem is I know her dad’s side of the family really well, but I don’t know much about her mom’s side.
She wasn’t that close to her mom till she had her baby, and now she has gone back to not mentioning her mom much. For some reason my friend doesn’t like her stepdad. She never mentions him—ever. For the longest time I didn’t even know their names, and I only met them once.
You’re probably thinking I could just ask her. You see, though, most of this I only know from her grandma who is like a grandma to me. That’s how we met. Her parents divorced when she was seven, and she lived with her dad growing up. I know it’s none of my business, but it would be nice if she could trust me with it.
My friend lives a couple of hours away, so I don’t see much of her. I don’t feel like asking her grandma. I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I have so many questions and I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable by asking.
Joni
Joni, we live in a world where you can go online and find a satellite picture of any stranger’s house, peek at their legal records, or hire a private investigator to ferret out their personal information. Those activities aren’t driven by altruism, but by baser motives.
So the first question you might ask yourself is, why do I want to know? Your friend isn’t suicidal, on the edge, or depressed. Just the reverse. Her life is in order. Why do you need to know more about her background than she has already shared?
Many people consider family to encompass everyone they are related to, biologically or through marriage. For others, however, family is the emotional network they were raised in. That seems to be your friend’s view. One thing is clear: you don’t have a true need to know, and a sure way to lose a friendship is by being snoopy and overstepping bounds.
There is something creepy about the employee who wants a key to the business the second day on the job, and some of the most frightening movies, like “Single White Female” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” aren’t about chainsaw massacres. They are about a person who tries to invade a life.
We say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but we don’t acknowledge that people who try to learn too much about us trigger our fears. We fear sharks because they can eat our body, but those who try to get too close may make us feel they are consuming our soul.
The historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto has suggested the earliest human idea—an idea far older than the first written records—is cannibalism. That sounds shocking, but he explains that our ancestors around the world rarely practiced cannibalism for nourishment. Rather they did it in a ritual fashion to take on the prowess of those they admired or regarded highly.
If he is correct, then the idea of incorporating into ourselves as much as we can about a respected person is deep within us. Perhaps that is why advertisers use sports heroes to get us to purchase products. Paparazzi try to steal images of famous people, and tabloids dig up dirt on them. When tabloids cannot find dirt, they make the dirt up.
We don’t think that describes you, but neither do we see a reason for you to look into your friend’s background. Friendship is not something to tamper with. Her example as a person and the warmth of her light should be enough for any true friend.
Wayne & Tamara
Saturday, November 8, 2025
When Retirement Savings Meet Healthcare Realities
When Retirement Savings Meet Healthcare Realities
By Bruno M. Scanga
Ted and Martha had always planned well for retirement—about $600,000 in their RRIFs, which gave them nearly $4,000 a month before taxes. Everything seemed secure—until Ted began experiencing cognitive impairment.
For a year or so, Martha managed to care for Ted at home. But eventually she had to make a heart-breaking decision: move him into an extended care facility.
Today, depending on your province and whether you’re using publicly subsidized or private care, costs can vary dramatically. For example:
· In British Columbia, the maximum monthly rate for long-term care services (publicly subsidized) is $4,073.40 in 2025, while the minimum is about $1,466.20
· Across Canada, private long-term care can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on location and level of care.
In Ted’s case, the facility charged $2,500 per month—a mid-range private rate. Martha knew she needed to boost their RRIF income to keep up: roughly $46,000 extra a year after tax. But even with a strong 7.5% average annual return, the savings evaporated in just eight years.
We also face systemic challenges. As of 2025, Ontario has just over 76,000 available LTC spaces, and they’re at full capacity. Meanwhile, nearly 48,000 seniors are waiting for placement—more than the population of many mid-sized Ontario towns. And it’s not just facilities: Based on updated figures from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, around 40% of people who reach age 65 will spend time in a retirement home at some point before they die, underscoring the real possibility that long-term care may be part of many seniors’ life trajectories.
Many people prefer staying at home. But private home care isn’t cheap. Depending on the provider, rates for registered nurses run $33 to $41 per hour, medical aides $16 to $21, and personal support workers $22 or more.
So, what’s a better way to prepare? Long-Term Care Insurance. Available for people aged 30 to 80, it pays benefits—usually $10 to $300 per day, depending on policy—when care is needed, starting after an elimination period (like 30, 60, or 90 days). Payouts kick in when a physician declares the insured unable to care for themselves due to cognitive impairment or needing help with two or more daily activities. It offers coverage on top of any government benefits.
Final Thoughts
Ted and Martha’s story is far too common. Retirement savings can disappear fast when unexpected care needs arise. With long-term care costs ranging from $1,466 to well over $6,000 per month in Canada, both planning and protective insurance can make a world of difference.
A Candid Conversation
A Candid Conversation
By Theresa Grant
Real Estate Columnist
A Candid Conversation By Theresa Grant Real Estate
We have always had three markets when it comes to real estate in Canada. The buyers’ market, the sellers’ market and a balanced market. Awhile back, I coined a new term for the market we seem to be in. The Trump market.
What exactly is the Trump market you ask? Well, it’s a market where the interest rates have really come down nicely considering where they were a year ago, house prices are down 22% from their peek during Covid-19, in fact some absolutely stunning homes that would normally be on offer for well over a million dollars are now being offered well below a million dollars. It’s truly astonishing to see what some of the more palatial mansions of old Oshawa are going for in this market.
Why is this the case? In a word, tariffs. Donald Trump’s Tariffs have cast a cloud of fear over Canadian workers to the point that those who were thinking about buying when the interest rates dropped, seem to have completely abandoned the idea.
So, while we would have called this a buyers’ market a few years ago. There is definitely something that keeps the buyers from buying. That is the underlying fear of losing their jobs in this very uncertain time.
I have heard many stories over the years of people who signed the mortgage papers one day and were laid off or let go the next. Nerve wracking times to be sure.
Some real estate agents are reporting zero traffic through their open houses on weekends. That in and of itself screams volumes because even when you’re not necessarily looking to purchase immediately, it’s always been something that people who are intending to purchase at some point enjoy doing. They get out and look.
The news is full of reports that housing starts have collapsed, prices are down, the volume of sales is down. Interest rates will continue their downward trend over the next year, but will that make any difference whatsoever?
It will help the homeowner who is renewing their mortgage next year, but it will not do much to convince the would-be homeowner that the water is fine and to jump on in.
I will admit I have never seen a market like the one we are currently experiencing. That being said, the observance of human nature never disappoints. I find it truly fascinating to see how people behave in different environments, and this is no exception. One thing that stays with me and has since I was a child is a saying that my uncle had. He always used to say, “this too shall pass”. I have brought that to mind many times over the years and firmly believe that it is something we can take comfort in when things are uncertain.
Four Words That Will Help You Get Hired: Features Tell, Benefits Sell
Four Words That Will
Help You Get Hired:
Features Tell, Benefits Sell
By Nick Kossovan
The selling principle features tell, benefits sell highlights that customers are driven by outcomes, not technical details. While a product's features describe what it is or does, its benefits explain why that matters to the customer. Successful salespeople focus on conveying the benefits of their products or services in a way that builds both practical and emotional connections.
Most job seekers refuse to acknowledge that job searching is a sales activity, which explains their prolonged search. A job seeker has one goal: to sell their value (benefit) to employers. Applying the features tell, benefits sell selling principle to your job search will significantly shorten it. Getting hired depends less on what you can do and more on the value you can contribute to an employer's profitability.
Start by identifying your features (skills, experience) and then explain how they offer a tangible benefit (value).
Feature: 15 years of delivering $4 million+ projects under budget and on schedule.
Benefit: Projects are finished on time and within budget, resulting in cost savings (enhancing profits) and client satisfaction (recurring revenue).
Feature: Automated data collection and analysis processes, reducing reporting time from 7 hours to 1.5 hours.
Benefit: Executives can make decisions more quickly.
Feature: Delivered training to over 50 employees, raising performance metrics within three months by 15%.
Benefit: Increasing employee productivity eliminates the need to increase headcount.
LinkedIn Profile: Your 24/7/365 Online Presence
Your LinkedIn profile is how recruiters and employers discover you and assess whether you're interview-worthy. For these reasons, you should consider your LinkedIn profile more important than your résumé. Your LinkedIn profile and activity will either enhance or hinder your job search. Employing the feature-benefit approach throughout your profile is a game-changer.
"As a Sales Manager at Ziffcorp, I led a team of eight outside sales representatives for five years, consistently surpassing our annual sales target by at least 120%, resulting in a 15% year-over-year growth without additional marketing investment." This shows potential employers not just what you did, but also why it matters; what employer doesn't want growth without spending more on marketing?
Applying the feature-benefit approach throughout your profile is how you get employers to see you as a solution provider worth having on their payroll. Why would an employer hire you if they don't see an ROI from hiring you?
Résumé: Your Marketing Document
Like your LinkedIn profile, résumé is an opportunity to leverage features tell, benefits sell. As you should be doing throughout your LinkedIn profile, craft narratives that highlight your accomplishments and their impact. Avoid duplicating your LinkedIn profile; redundancy wastes valuable space that could be used to expound the benefits of hiring you.
"I oversaw Grubhub's marketing campaigns, which led to a 55% increase in lead generation from 2022 to 2024, eliminating the need to buy leads." Again, what employer doesn't want growth without incurring additional marketing expenses?
Cover Letter: Reason to Read Your Résumé
Not including a cover letter is lazy. I don't know a hiring manager who hires lazy. Using your cover letter to provide context around your features, the ones the employer is looking for (skills, years of experience) and explaining the benefits they offer, gives compelling reasons to read your résumé.
Don't just say, "I have five years of customer service experience." Instead, say, "Having worked in customer service for five years, I have developed a skill that enables me to resolve conflicts quickly. This has led to a 95% customer satisfaction rate, which correlates directly with customer loyalty and retention."
Name an employer that doesn't consider retention and loyalty essential for their business success.
Interviewing: The Sales Pitch
An interview is a sales meeting; therefore, a feature-benefit approach is a solid strategy. When asked about your experience, don't just recite your résumé. Use the opportunity to show how your features translate into tangible benefits.
Imagine you're interviewing for an account management position; don't just say, "I managed a portfolio of over 500 accounts." Instead, use the features-benefit approach: "I oversaw 547 accounts. While meeting the wants and needs of purchasers was my priority, I also ensured invoices were paid in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. As I'm sure you can appreciate, Nifty Snacks, being a wholesaler, constantly monitored how much each retailer was purchasing in relation to their ability to pay on time. Compared to my predecessor, I reduced delinquency by 45%, resulting in fewer accounts being sent to collections agencies."
Networking: Building Professional Connections
When you meet someone, consider your features and benefits as talking points. Instead of saying, "I'm a project manager," reframe it: "I'm a project manager who has successfully led cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and under budget, saving my last employer over $475,000." This not only creates a more engaging conversation but also leaves a lasting impression. Articulating your features and benefits makes you memorable.
By focusing not just on "what you've done" (features) but on "how it matters" (benefits), you transform your job search into a solid explanation of how you add value to an employer, an explanation few job seekers offer because they fail to understand that employers aren't interested in their features, but rather in the benefits of hiring them.
___________________________________________________________________________
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
Oshawa: The City That Refuses to Die
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)