$20.28 is slave wages

$20.28 is slave wages Compulsory Certification is the answer By Murray Strong This is Local 27, of the carpenters union in Toronto, wage rates for apprentices. The apprenticeship is divided into 4 sections to complete the 7200 hours. Day 1 your rate is $24.44, plus 10% vacation pay and your benefits. First term $24.44. Second term $29.50. Third term $34.55. Fourth term $41.98. Full rate on completion of apprenticeship, fully trained, is $48.49. 10% vacation pay brings you $4.84 per hour plus the $48.49, to your back account. As you progress through the 4 terms, you get a better vacation each year. As of Sept 25, 2024 the average hourly pay for a carpenter in the Province of Ontario, according to the government, is $20.28. Some will get a bit more some less. It is disgusting how the immigration is being handled for those seeking a life as a tradesperson. As a carpenter in any union, or nonunion worksite, tell me what protection you have in choosing carpentry. 4 years of training, colored certificate to hang on the wall or 30 to 40 years of working in the trade without the schooling. Both options suck! Ask someone who has worked or is working as a carpenter why they will not write the test offered by the government to become a journeyperson. Every answer is the same. “Why should I waste my time to get a piece of paper for my wall. This piece of paper does not protect my profession like a plumber, electrician or hairstylist. Will it give me the same rights as a Canadian? My trade is not compulsory so I have nothing.” You can see the sadness in their eyes when this subject is raised at a work lunch table. All the skilled trades unions for all trades protect their membership. That is their legal mandate if you are a member. They lobby government on the member’s behalf. Who lobbies for nonunion carpenters? The Toronto District School Board has closed the pre apprenticeship course offered through SCAS? So sad to see it end. I will tell a couple of funny stories from my time instructing at “The Fix It Shop”. Jp was the teacher. We had 40 students, 21 years or older, male and female for 18 weeks of training as a carpenter pre apprentice. All hours at this school were deducted from their required 7200 hours. Day one we met the class. JP introduced himself and talked about a few rules. He said we are guests in this school and that we have our own entrance. Everyone work safe. He then told the class our principal Mary had no money so every penny counts. I was standing near JP and watched as he held up a single sheet of toilet paper. I didn’t know what he was doing. He told the students to pinch the center of a single sheet and tear out a small hole. Place a finger through the hole .Some people started to laugh but he stopped then said do not throw away the little piece. You will need something to clean your finger nail. The entire classroom broke out laughing. What an entrance! I asked everyone to stand up. Lift your arms as high as you can. Wiggle your fingers. Keep wiggling them as you look around the room. Do we have 10 each? Let‘s do this at the course ending. What a great experience in my life meeting all these people wanting a career. During this time I went to a supplier of construction hard hats and got an incredible deal for the students. Everyone had a brand new white hat which could be seen from miles away. Brilliant white. We were teaching how to do formwork. I noticed a gas company was building a new gas station just down the street. The men were building forms so I suggested we walk down at lunch and look it over. 40 construction workers in white hats walking down the street. The entire area had security fence completely encircling the worksite. I told the students to spread out so everyone could have a look. Students were pointing and talking between themselves. Suddenly an executive in a power suit walks up to me visibly shaking. Franticly trying to dial her phone. I said these are carpenter apprentices. Whoever she was trying to call, tried to make sense of the problem she was screaming about. Trying to explain the situation to her boss, she dropped her phone in the mud. We returned to class and carried on with the work. Apparently she thought it was a union raid. The workers at the site were nonunion. Frantic calls were made to Local 27 from top Executives of the gas company. Why was the union doing this? Neither side knew what was going on, the Carpenter’s staff kept pleading with the company execs. The carpenters union was not trying to organize their company. When I found out how many people went crazy over this I laughed till it hurt. Thank you Denny Crane

Hiring Is a Process of Elimination

Hiring Is a Process of Elimination By Nick Kossovan Job seekers owe it to themselves to understand and accept; fundamentally, hiring is a process of elimination. Regardless of how many applications an employer receives, the ratio revolves around several applicants versus one job opening, necessitating elimination. Essentially, job gatekeepers—recruiters, HR and hiring managers—are paid to find reasons and faults to reject candidates (read: not move forward) to find the candidate most suitable for the job and the company. Nowadays, employers are inundated with applications, which forces them to double down on reasons to eliminate. It's no surprise that many job seekers believe that "isms" contribute to their failure to get interviews, let alone get hired. Employers have a large pool of highly qualified candidates to select from. Job seekers attempt to absolve themselves of the consequences of actions and inactions by blaming employers, the government or the economy rather than trying to increase their chances of getting hired by not giving employers reasons to eliminate them because of: · Typos, grammatical errors, poor writing skills. "Communication, the human connection, is the key to personal and career success." ? Paul J. Meyer. The most vital skill you can offer an employer is above-average communication skills. Your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters, and social media posts should be well-written and error-free. · Failure to communicate the results you achieved for your previous employers. If you can't quantify (e.g. $2.5 million in sales, $300,000 in savings, lowered average delivery time by 6 hours, answered 45-75 calls daily with an average handle time of 3 and a half minutes), then it's your opinion. Employers care more about your results than your opinion. · An incomplete LinkedIn profile. Before scheduling an interview, the employer will review your LinkedIn profile to determine if you're interview-worthy. I eliminate any candidate who doesn't have a complete LinkedIn profile, including a profile picture, banner, start and end dates, or just a surname initial; anything that suggests the candidate is hiding something. · Having a digital footprint that's a turnoff. If an employer is considering your candidacy, you'll be Google. If you're not getting interviews before you assert the unfounded, overused excuse, "The hiring system is broken!" look at your digital footprint. Employers are reading your comments, viewing your pictures, etc. Ask yourself, is your digital behaviour acceptable to employers, or can it be a distraction from their brand image and reputation? On the other hand, not having a robust digital footprint is also a red flag, particularly among Gen Y and Gen Z hiring managers. Not participating on LinkedIn, social media platforms, or having a blog or website can hurt your job search. · Not appearing confident when interviewing. Confidence = fewer annoying questions and a can-do attitude. It's important for employers to feel that their new hire is confident in their abilities. Managing an employee who lacks initiative, is unwilling to try new things, or needs constant reassurance is frustrating. Job searching is a competition; you're always up against someone younger, hungrier and more skilled than you. Besides being a process of elimination, hiring is also about mitigating risk. Therefore, being seen as "a risk" is the most common reason candidates are eliminated, with the list of "too risky" being lengthy, from age (will be hard to manage, won't be around long) to lengthy employment gaps (raises concerns about your abilities and ambition) to inappropriate social media postings (lack of judgement). Envision you're a hiring manager hiring for an inside sales manager role. In the absence of "all things being equal," who's the least risky candidate, the one who: · offers empirical evidence of their sales results for previous employers, or the candidate who "talks a good talk"? · is energetic, or the candidate who's subdued? · asks pointed questions indicating they're concerned about what they can offer the employer or the candidate who seems only concerned about what the employer can offer them. · posts on social media platforms, political opinions, or the candidate who doesn't share their political views? · on LinkedIn and other platforms in criticizes how employers hire or the candidate who offers constructive suggestions? · has lengthy employment gaps, short job tenure, or a steadily employed candidate? · lives 10 minutes from the office or 45 minutes away? · has a resume/LinkedIn profile that shows a relevant linear career or the candidate with a non-linear career? · dressed professionally for the interview, or the candidate who dressed "casually"? An experienced hiring manager (read: has made hiring mistakes) will lean towards candidates they feel pose the least risk. Hence, presenting yourself as a low-risk candidate is crucial to job search success. Worth noting, the employer determines their level of risk tolerance, not the job seeker, who doesn't own the business—no skin in the game—and has no insight into the challenges they've experienced due to bad hires and are trying to avoid similar mistakes. "Taking a chance" on a candidate isn't in an employer's best interest. What's in an employer's best interest is to hire candidates who can hit the ground running, fit in culturally, and are easy to manage. You can reduce the odds (no guarantee) of being eliminated by demonstrating you're such a candidate. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

Home Selling Strategies

Home Selling Strategies Real Estate Columnist Whether you put your home on the market in the Summer, Fall, Spring or Winter, there are a few things that you can do that can help your home sell faster and for more money. One of the first things you might consider is de-personalizing the space. When potential buyers walk in, you want them to envision living in the home, making it their own. It is harder for people to do that when the walls are covered with your family photos and pictures of your beloved pets. If you are still living in the home, it might be a good idea to rent a storage locker or container. De- cluttering is helpful as well. It helps the potential buyer get a clear picture of the home, especially if the rooms are on the smaller side. If rooms haven’t been painted in a while, it would be in your best interest to invest some time and money in this. Listings often advertise ‘freshly painted throughout’, it is very appealing to some people. When choosing a paint colour, always stick to neutrals to appeal to the masses as opposed to just a few who may like the distinct colour you chose. Keeping colours light also appeals to most because if they don’t like the colour, there is not as much work to paint it over as there is with darker colours. Rather than putting things in cupboards and closets, clean them out to make them look larger. People will certainly be opening them as storage is important to home buyers. To really make rooms shine, it might be worthwhile to hire a cleaning service to get at every nook and cranny, areas that we often overlook. Odors can really be a turnoff to potential buyers. Make sure that anything that can retain smell has been thoroughly cleaned. Smell is the first thing that is noticed when people walk through the door. When cleaning and pulling things away from walls, it is a good idea to check for any minor repairs that may need to be dealt with. With some things it really doesn’t hurt to replace them with brand new ones if they look worn or dated. Like floor registers, light switches, or cabinet hardware. Paying attention to your front entrance area can pay dividends. Always make sure the entrance is clean, clear of any shoes, coats, or bags. You do not want potential buyers tripping over anything as soon as they walk through the door. Lighting can be very important. If you have dated lighting, it may be a good idea to invest in some newer lighting in strategic areas like the main floor. If you cannot afford to do the whole house or an entire floor, concentrate on the entry, kitchen, and bathroom. Always try to dress up the exterior of the home where you can. Curb appeal will make potential buyers want to tour your home. Staging can play an important role in how a home shows. There are some wonderful staging companies out there that offer different packages from a few items to a whole house. If you opt to do the staging yourself, simply look at some homes for sale and see how they are staging their rooms. You can get some great ideas from what other people are doing and perhaps save yourself a bit of money in the process. Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at newspaper@ocentral.com

Canadian Pluralism; Canadian Values and Politics

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The war in Ukraine and the events of October 7, 2023 in Israel illustrate the dangerous world in which we live. Obviously, these kinds of events do have some life changing effects on our country in testing our ability to continue to be a nation. As we have come to think about it, the post-October 7 events with increasing hostilities in Middle East and the continuous conflagration in Europe which seems to escalate instead of winding down, are testing a series of ideals and beliefs that have seemed immutable until now. It is testing Israel’s resiliency and its capacity to defend itself while acting with major restraint under immense pressure. It is testing America’s role in the world, NATO, and European Union unity in confronting new challenges and the new forces emerging in Asia. Here at home, it is testing the leadership of our civic and political institutions. It is testing the inherent tensions of Canadian pluralism, which is taking a dangerous turn. If not corrected, this turn will challenge our very way of life. Personally, I believe in this nation and the way it has evolved until now. However, I am starting to notice a shift to the back burner, of our national values acquired through years of hard work by our ancestors. Today there is a tendency to focalize on what is going in other nations and forget that our own nation needs attention. We need to take action in order to preserve our values, rather than disqualifying and totally rejecting them. We need to think forward to evolve in a positive direction in order to develop our country and our culture in a way that assures a better future for our children. Lately we have seen a lot of news about all kinds of political demonstrations. In particular, there seems to be an increase in the temperature of hate in our own country. A country that was once famous for understanding and tolerance. Notably, there has been a radical increase of antisemitism and hate towards other religious and ethnic groups. We are looking at a phenomenon that will ghettoize the country instead of unifying it. We need to stop this tendency at once, and the only way is to emphasize that we are all Canadians and we need to build our own country. For this, our diversity must evolve to unify our own country; the country where we live and where our children live. We need to put aside the luggage that may have accompanied us as immigrants; animosities built up over the centuries. We must concentrate on building our life here in Canada, together with our First Nations. We need to be all one nation, working towards one objective, and that is to make our country the best country in the world to live and raise a family. Of course, people should be free to express their political views and live out their values within the law. However, we must also be free to contest others’ views and values in a constructive dialog. We should be free to argue that they are bad or wrong. Moreover, we are free to contend that not all views and values are equally valid. That is a part of pluralism too. We as Canadians have been known to show compromise and cordiality which qualities are generally and essentially good. However, the post-October 7 and the conflict in Europe world calls for something different. We need a principled and considered pluralism that is prepared to stand up for basic Canadian values in the face of ongoing challenge. In view of these needs, the Canadian political landscape does not offer much satisfaction. The governing Liberals seem to be facing a strong challenge from the Conservatives, the loyal opposition. However, there are no significant differences in how the Conservatives will face the challenges of the world if they are elected to form the government. Besides wearing out the slogan “kill the tax” they have not put forward any new ideas about the way forward for the country. They seem to be hooked on the old ideas of the 2011 election with the old staff still in command. Aside from the usual parliamentary maneuvers that attempt to spark an election when the polls are favorable, the Conservatives have done nothing to electrify the electorate by advocating new ideas for building and strengthening the country. As confirmation of this, in recent months we have seen the Conservatives deviating from traditional conservative thinking, including their vote in favour of a ban on replacement workers. Their silence on the government’s massive EV subsidies and foreign aid, their support for Air Canada pilots in their labour dispute, and now their symbolic endorsement of an unaffordable and unjustified hike to the OAS program all go against the traditional conservative values of fiscal restraint and responsible spending. These actions all show theatrical manoeuvers calculated to force an election somehow. Unfortunately, the Conservatives are alone on the political spectrum and unless they get a majority in the next election, they will not be not able to govern because they do not have suitable political allies, as the Liberals do. Canada’s poor economic conditions call for a conventional political response. That means cut spending and taxes, and de-regulate the economy, but keep government control on the strategic industries while generally reducing the size and scope of government to kick-start economic growth. However, it needs to be specified that the social component of advancing our country cannot be neglected. There is an urgent need to reinforce belief in our history and traditions and to preserve and develop those values which are particularly Canadian. We will soon see whether there is a political party or leader who will be able to break this stalemate and guide us towards prosperity once again. What do you think?

HAPPY HALLOW-WEENEY

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - Halloween, what an imaginatory celebration. Full, of stories and folklore. Perceived fears and made up tales of monsters, phantoms and witches. A time to fear that of which is not logical or real. A time when we let our selves go in a world of make belief and fantasy........... Whhhhhhaaaaaaatttttt, did I bump my head. Am I describing all the other days of the year? But before I continue I like to clear up some of the hatters idleling on the sidelines to criticize. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TITLE: What is a Hallow - Oxford dictionary? HALLOW - hallow verb hal·low 'ha-lo hallowed; hallowing; hallows Synonyms of hallow transitive verb 1 : to make holy or set apart for holy use 2 : to respect greatly : VENERATE What is a Weenie - Oxford dictionary? (North American English, informal) (disapproving) an offensive word for somebody who you think is not strong, brave or confident synonym wimp. Now back to the creepy and spooky.... to the unexplained and to the irrational. Wait, a minute. I could be talking about Canadian politics. Let’s get one thing out in the open. As a grown man. I have a lot of fears.... My hydro bill, my phone bill, my gas bill, my taxes, my mortgages, my grocery bill. If those spooks don’t send chills down your back every month. I do not know what would. As a grown man I also fear the future of society. Primarily our future generations. I remember the days when you went to school if you wanted to become something in society. How parents and teachers pushed your intellect to become civil and intellectually sound. To work hard to earn the reward of success. To be open, honest and compassionate towards your fellow man. Hard work will lead you to a happy life....... Those were the days. Until the ugly monster of social change has thrown all that worked out before out the window. Now to the reality of the monsters lurking in our Federal, Provincial and Municipal halls. Passing legislation and regulation to put unfounded fears of security, convenience, national security. The U.S. next week will see the ultimate battle of monsters. Godzilla, ‘Kamala’ and King Kong, ‘Trump’. The swamp vs the people. In Canada we do not have King Kong’s. We do not have Godzillas. What we have in Canada are a bunch of witches jockeying for position withing the different political parties. We have goblins, and ghouls lobbying politicians for all kinds of self serving agendas. We have our share of Ghosts and warlocks. All, making it look like they are doing something when in reality the poor keep getting poorer and the rich keep slipping in to the middle class. The Ultra rich are leaving and outsourcing Canadian jobs. It is scary. To think of a future of pain and suffering. A future, where our youth won’t be able to survive. Then there is the ultra spooky.... a Federal election... We denounce the communist regime where they are given one choice. Well, is it any different than our own holly democratic process? We have three parties. No matter the party. They all appear to be the same. Lot of promises. Same outcomes. Who ever takes over. Blames the previous administration for having to pass regulation and laws that keep the horror of the economic realities haunting us for generations to come. Happy Hallow-weeney.

NO ONE CARES...

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. You have no idea how much it bothers me to think of the future. Many authors have attempted to predict the future in the outmost scholarly fashion. Some got it right. Others missed their mark. The bottom line is that living is the best future forecast. I look around me and we are becoming third world. Not only from the import of all kinds of people that have no real interest in keeping the traditions and culture of our great Nation. What worries me is what is happening to our government. The disconnect between government and the average citizen. How can any Federal politician support the sending of billions to foreign lands in the form of foreign aid.... When we have so many people at home in dire need. Suffering like it has never seen before. It breaks my heart to see people living in tents... Or sleeping on store door fronts. What is happening to our Canada. The real sad thing is that I or you can’t do nothing about it. Except silently suffer. Look at those that are supposed to represent us. No matter the party. They all are out for themselves. We complain about Justin.... Do we have a choice? Do you really think that the PC or NDP would do any different. To change a blind horse for a crossed eyed just because it can see a little bit better, still will not prevent us from suffering and living on the street. I thank God every morning that I lived during an era that paid for hard work. I still have the scars on my hands and the strains in my back. Today, that kind of hard work even in three jobs can’t assure you living on the street. God Help Us All.

Airbnb in OntarioBy

Airbnb in Ontario

Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist Airbnb was started by a couple of guys in San Fransisco in 2007, who were broke and looking for ways to pay their rent. Knowing that an upcoming convention had all the hotels in the city booked solid, they purchased air mattresses, started advertising, and Airbnb was born. All these years later, Airbnb has over 7 million active listings in 220 countries and is a publicly traded company worth over 98 billion dollars! If you’ve ever thought about jumping on the Airbnb bandwagon, the first thing you should do is check with your local government authorities to make sure you don’t run afoul of any Bylaws or regulations. Short-term rentals are subject to very specific regulations in most areas. Depending on your set up, there can be a substantial investment of time and money to get going as an Airbnb host. You may need to hire a cleaning person to maintain cleanliness and readiness between guest stays. A handyman may also be needed from time to time to take care of anything that pops up needing immediate attention. Airbnb rentals generally yield higher returns compared to long-term rentals as they charge by the night, like a hotel does. An Airbnb can be anything from a spare bedroom in the house you live in to a completely separate apartment or house that you have as an investment property. Airbnb is a very popular platform in The GTA. Toronto has the most listings, but ranking very popular are places like Niagara Falls, Stratford, Prince Edward County, St. Catherines, Hamilton, and yes, Oshawa is in there with 112 active listing on the Airbnb platform. You can also be a part of the Airbnb platform without owning property. Airbnb has a network of service providers for both guests and hosts. On the guest side of things, providers offer services like home cooked meals, fitness classes, yoga, massage, tours, lessons and activities just to mention a few. As far as hosts go there are a myriad of services from Co-hosting, ideal for a host who has more than one property or who is just very busy. Property management and property maintenance, cleaning and photography. You can become an Airbnb consultant and work with hosts to provide or improve branding, develop marketing plans and implement new technologies. The Airbnb model is pretty simple, they take a percentage of whatever you charge for rent. Of course, to have your space booked regularly you’ll have to stay competitive. There is a variety of insurance coverages for hosts and properties. Airbnb’s AirCover covers both hosts and guests for liability, property damage and cancellations. Many people rent out seasonal properties on the Airbnb platform to help pay for the property or just for extra income. A lot of older family cottages that have seen better days are now being renovated to bring them up to date and add all the bells and whistles that will be sure to bring in big dollars. More and More families are looking for beautiful waterfront cottages, with a hot tub, watercraft, toys, and trails. Airbnb can be very lucrative. Whether it’s that spare bedroom across the hall or a big city condo. It might be worth investigating. Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at newspaper@ocentral.com

A JOURNEY BACK TO OCTOBER 1994 -A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HEADLINES FROM 30 YEARS AGO-

A JOURNEY BACK TO OCTOBER 1994 -A LOOK AT SOME OF THE HEADLINES FROM 30 YEARS AGO- By Dean Hickey This week’s column will take readers on a 30-year passage back through time as we examine some of the local stories that were making headlines in Oshawa’s daily newspaper. A protest at city hall by retail merchants, a report promoting the installation of sculptures on downtown buildings, and a few of the many trials and tribulations among Oshawa’s elected officials will round out our journey. ARMSTRONG QUITS OVER HOSPITAL BATTLE… The Oshawa Times reported on October 4, 1994 that veteran regional councillor Mike Armstrong had decided to get out of politics. In an emotional speech, the Ward 7 Regional councillor said he accomplished many of his goals, but said he was fed up with an ongoing battle in his ward over Oshawa General Hospital’s $106-million expansion proposal. Armstrong was at odds with a neighbours’ group that wanted to stop a massive parking garage and cancer treatment centre going up in Alexandra Park. He was quoted at the time as saying, “It plays on your mind and plays on your body and this has been playing on my mind for 10 months now.” He went on to admit the issue had a “devastating” impact on him and his family and was a catalyst for his decision not to run in the upcoming municipal election. While not ruling out a return to elected office, he told The Times, “Never say never. My advice for everybody is to get away from politics for a while. It allows you to come back with some fresh ideas.” The 44-year old lawyer was the only incumbent who chose not to seek re-election that year, and he has not been a member of Oshawa council since. JUST ANOTHER PIPE DREAM…An editorial in the October 18, 1994 edition of The Oshawa Times took a look at a consultant’s proposal to spruce up the downtown core by way of façade improvements and video advertising. The editorial included the following comments: “A good idea and a bad idea. That is the way one could best describe the latest proposal to spruce up Oshawa’s downtown core. A team of consultants from the consulting firm of Marshall Macklin Monaghan presented a plan for the re-beautification of the city core at a Downtown Action Committee meeting last week. The plan called for spruced up buildings with sculptures on top of the buildings, video advertising screens, sculptured gates and a uniform colour throughout the area. The sculptured gates would be erected on King, Simcoe, Bond and Centre Streets to usher shoppers into the downtown core. The sculptures would serve as icons giving Oshawa a unique identity. But the first warning bell that the project was a pipe dream came when the planners were unable to attach a price tag to the proposal. It was estimated to upgrade each building would cost $12,000 to $23,000. Everyone would agree a downtown re-beautification is needed, but this plan will not get off the ground. Under the proposed plan, the funding for this project would come from the property owners, with half of it eligible for financing through a long-term low interest loan. The latest idea of sprucing up the downtown core is not a new idea and is only one of many proposals which have been batted around for years. But asking the merchants to pick up the tab on a frivolous project would only push them further into red ink." COUNCIL GIVES IN TO MERCHANTS’ DEMANDS FOR DOWNTOWN ACTION… The Oshawa Times reported on October 25, 1994 that over 100 angry protesters marched on city hall to demand politicians fix up Oshawa’s ailing downtown core. In an unusual move, council voted to make redevelopment and revitalizing the downtown the number one priority in the upcoming council term from 1995 to 1997. Business owners were generally pleased. “Hopefully this is start for the downtown” said Angelo Sacco, a longtime area businessman and owner of Art Technique and Hairstyling. The protest was organized by a group of downtown business and property owners who said they wanted city hall to cut their taxes, reduce parking costs, eliminate on-way streets, and control crime. As it happens, I was a participant in the march to city hall and I rose to speak in the chamber. I will never forget councillor Irv Harrell drawing jeers from the crowd when he suggested the products shoppers want are not being provided. He told those gathered that they should provide better products to ensure the demand would follow. ONGOING LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES BETWEEN MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR… The Oshawa Times reported on October 28, 1994 that an on-going legal battle between Mayor Nancy Diamond and councillor Brian Nicholson was far from over. Earlier that year, Diamond had filed a lawsuit against Nicholson over a letter-to-the editor the Ward 1 councillor wrote to the Oshawa Times. The two were bitter political rivals. The letter implied the Mayor had ulterior motives in her involvement in the filling of a vacant Public Utilities Commission seat. The claim that was filed in a Whitby court asked Nicholson for $200,000 plus costs, however Mayor Diamond suggested the whole thing could be settled for $2.00 and an apology. Councillor Nicholson, in his refusal to apologize, said, “We told her we would make a clarification that there were no criminal wrongdoings, but I want to make it clear that I have never agreed to apologize.” The Mayor would eventually abandon her lawsuit against councillor Nicholson, and the two would remain adversaries over the many years that followed. Nancy Diamond passed away in February 2017. An interesting look back, and perhaps the most poignant aspect of these stories is the slow deterioration of the city’s downtown, as retailers, professionals, and financial institutions would continue to abandon the area over the decades to come. Investments by Ontario Tech University have seen the preservation of the Regent Theatre and the construction and restoration of certain properties within the city’s core, however the introduction of a social service agency at the Simcoe St United Church would ultimately put the nail in the coffin as downtown streets would become filled with drug users and people sleeping on sidewalks and in alleyways. It is a problem that shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

Canada’s Democracy at Risk -The Fight to Protect Free Speech from Tyranny

Canada’s Democracy at Risk -The Fight to Protect Free Speech from Tyranny By Lisa Robinson Canadians are standing at a crossroads, a moment in history where the very essence of freedom is at stake. The right to speak freely, to express our beliefs, and to stand for what we know is right—these are the rights that define us as individuals and as a nation. Yet, today, those rights are being systematically attacked. What we are witnessing is not just a political skirmish. It is the slow dismantling of democracy, brick by brick. Make no mistake—what is happening to me is only a symptom of a much deeper issue. As an Elected Councillor, I have a duty to speak for the people I represent. But instead of being allowed to do my job, I’ve been sanctioned, had my pay withheld, and been silenced—all for daring to speak truth to power. And I am not alone. Across cities, municipalities, and even school boards, those who refuse to fall in line with the prevailing narrative are being punished. The Integrity Commissioner, once a tool of accountability, has been twisted into a weapon of control. The aim is clear: to suppress dissent and silence anyone who challenges the status quo. But this is about far more than just me. This is about all of us, about every single person who believes that democracy is more than just a word on paper. It’s about the fundamental belief that we, the people, have the right to question, to criticize, and to express our views without fear of retribution. What we are seeing now is the creeping hand of authoritarianism, cloaked in the language of ‘fairness’ and ‘order,’ but make no mistake—it is an assault on freedom itself. Today, it’s happening in Pickering, but tomorrow it will be happening in your town, in your school, in your workplace. This isn’t a local issue - it’s a national crisis. And if we don’t stop it now, this wave of censorship and control will only grow stronger. It’s already happening in school boards, where parents and students are being silenced. It’s happening in city councils across the country, where elected officials are muzzled for daring to speak their minds. It’s happening in Canada, and it’s happening all over the world. This is not just my fight—this is our fight. Because when one of us is silenced, all of us are silenced. When one voice is muted, it sends a chilling message to every other citizen: fall in line or face the consequences. That is not democracy. That is tyranny. And it is up to us, to every one of you listening, to say “enough.” But we can’t do it alone. To stop this erosion of our freedoms, we need your help. The lawyers fighting this battle aren’t just fighting for me—they are fighting for every Canadian who believes in freedom of expression. They are fighting for you. But they need support to keep this battle going. This isn’t just about saving one person’s job or reputation. This is about saving our democracy. We are at a turning point. If we do not push back, if we allow these authoritarian measures to take root, then the Canada we know and love will cease to exist. We will become a country where only those who toe the line are allowed to speak, where dissent is silenced, and where the people live in fear of expressing their true beliefs. Is that the future we want? I don’t believe it is. I believe we are stronger than that, that we believe in the power of free speech, of open debate, and of democracy. But we must act now, before it’s too late. This is our moment. Will you stand with us? Will you fight for the rights that so many before us fought to protect? Will you ensure that future generations inherit a country where freedom is not just a dream, but a reality? I ask you today—not just for me, but for all of us—support this fight. Help us defend democracy before it’s too late. Your voice, and your support can make the difference. Together, we can stop this wave of censorship and restore the rights that belong to every Canadian. This is the battle of our time. Let’s make sure we win it—together.

AJAX YOUR PREJUDICE IS SHOWING...

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - In a sea of forced acceptance and compliance. In a vacuum of equality and inclusiveness. Along the jungle of anti-prejudice. The bottom line is always the same. It is not about social prejudice or forced acceptance of obvious differences. It is all about politically correctness without logic or rational thought. This past week, I received this public awareness request from the Town of Ajax. It read: Ajax seeks Indigenous, Jewish, and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members for anti-racism task force. Does this mean that whites, blacks, brown and all of the other God’s shades faiths and sexual preferences are not to apply. I can only imagine how ‘JUAN VALDEZ and his by decree his matrimonial donkey spouse are going to feel. So left out. Ok, stop laughing. You get the point. Why should Ajax be posting such a bias, prejudice post online? I guess that proves me correct when I call the Internet nothing but a modern age public toilet. People including municipalities post inappropriate things that insult the general public and no public outcry. Who is Ajax’s public relations officer? In my opinion. Many of these municipalities hire. Political correctness, yes men/women. Many barely have a degree and little life experience. To me the Ajax release is very disturbing, insulting and discriminatory. By their words are we to assume that people that are not Indigenous, Jewish and 2SLGBTQIA do not have the same intellect, moral fiber, compassion as those that this prejudice post warrants? Are we to assume that those they seek are racist or that they possess some special social power to uphold the integrity of the anti-racism task force? Is the general consensus of the post is that by having these particular members of society the task force will or would have any more or less integrity? That is absurd to assume or even insinuate. Then why is Ajax so hung up on showing their prejudice. Can the anti-racism task force be tainted and in fact racist? I written many columns on this topic. The bottom line is that as long as we oppress the obvious difference we can never achieve equality between the indifference. Sure we are all equal under on God. Sure we all as a member of the human race must uphold the principles and integrity of civility and champion peace and harmony. I remember as a young boy. In rural South America. My mom turning to me and saying. “Do not get dirty in the mud. You enjoy your civility be nice to all other children and never forget you are an educated member of society and you must be dignified. Where you see someone in need you be there. When someone act out of line. You be there. When you see wrong being done to another you intervene and make things right. This has carried with me. It is not about being black/white/brown/yellow or other. It is not about your sexuality or mental integrity. Anti-racism should be about championing civility across all humanity. Non-politicized. Just pure human essence. Just pure humanity. We are all equal. What differs in our eyes, our heart. It is up to all of us to do what is right.

TURMOIL ON THE HILL

Turmoil on the Hill by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The Fall session of the House of Commons in Ottawa is in full swing. It is not unusual to have emotional discussions in Parliament at this time of year. All the pent up energy accumulated by parliamentarians during the summer has to be released somehow. The parties are ready for political games. The governing Liberals are intent on holding onto power, and the opposition Conservatives are eager to oust them as soon as possible, while the polls favor them, and before they flatten out. Timing is essential in this political game of thrones. Speculations, maneuvers and emotions are running high in political Ottawa. Let us first consider the speculations. There are rumors that the Liberals are looking to challenge Trudeau’s leadership. Pressure is building on the Prime Minister and his office, as a growing number of anxious Liberal MPs, in a seemingly co-ordinated effort, want to force Justin Trudeau to step down as Liberal Party leader. This news is all over the anxious main media, citing multiple anonymous sources, as usual. Reliable gossip and innuendo? In conclusion, emotions and turmoil are high in Liberal circles these days. As the situation on challenging Trudeau’s leadership evolves, work in the House if Commons seems to be facing legislative paralysis. Speculations abound here as well, on the possible prorogation of parliament, in order to give some breathing space to the governing Liberals. In the meantime the Conservatives are pummeling the Liberals with the worn out old ploy ‘to kill the gas tax’, which seems to have become an obsession with them, in the absence of any new ideas. While this emotional turmoil ferments in Ottawa, life outside the capitol goes on. Sensitive problems Canada faces are quietly accumulating. These include the souring of relations between Canada and India centered on political interference issues, resulting in the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats. Perhaps the time has come for someone to ask how our foreign relations have managed to deteriorate so badly with so many countries. Not long ago, Canada was looked upon as a bacon of democracy and an example on how foreign relations should be conducted. As the political games continue to unfold in Ottawa, the diplomatic row between Canada and India, the world’s fastest-growing economy, could derail a trading relationship that already underperforms its potential. In particular, the latest developments suggest Canada can forget about any imminent progress toward the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a proposed bilateral trade deal that the two countries have been negotiating in fits and starts since 2010. Canada continues to have deteriorating relations with China, both politically and economically. The trade battlefield with China widens as a result of the precedent-setting dispute over Canada’s EV tariffs. China’s investigation into Canada’s tariff hike to 100% on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), made on the basis of combating “discriminatory” practices, has set a new precedent for future trade disputes. Canada has followed the lead of the United States and the European Union, in announcing last week, a 100-per-cent tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles and a 25-per-cent tariff on imported steel and aluminum from China. Comparatively, the bulk of China's electric vehicle exports to Canada is from Tesla's Shanghai factory and local Chinese firms do not have big exposure to that export market yet. In retaliation, China announced on August 3rd, that it plans to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada. After Ottawa moved to impose these tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, China raised prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month high. The world's second largest economy imported 5.5 million tons of canola in 2023, valued at US $3.72 billion. Imports from Canada accounted for 94 per cent of the total. More than half of canola produced in Canada makes its way to China, the world's biggest oilseed importer. Canola, also called rapeseed for certain variants, is used as a cooking oil and in a wide range of products including renewable fuels. China will also initiate an anti-dumping investigation into some Canadian chemical products. Once again we are in danger of creating an economic crisis because we are not dealing intelligently with China. So here we stand. Instead of focusing on our role in the ever faster evolving world issues that impact Canada and our economy, our parliament is locked in useless political haggling and posturing, demonstrating our elected representatives’ competence in, and preparedness for, dealing with issues of consequence. Can we do more than hope that this will ever change? Will there ever again, be politicians in Canada who will do the right thing, finally serving the vital interests of Canadians? What do you think? .

THE CRIMINAL TRADE OF FAKE SERVICE ANIMAL ID

The Criminal Trade of Fake Service Animal IDs: A Growing Problem in Canada By Dale Jodoin In Canada, service animals are more than just pets; they are vital companions for individuals with disabilities, offering assistance and support to those who need it most. However, a troubling trend is emerging that threatens the integrity of this crucial support system: the increasing prevalence of fake service animal IDs and harnesses. This illicit trade not only undermines the rights of legitimate service animal users but also complicates the experiences of businesses and the general public, raising serious concerns across the nation. The Impact on Legitimate Service Animal Users Service animals play an essential role in the lives of many Canadians. For individuals who are blind or visually impaired, these animals provide necessary guidance and safety. For veterans suffering from PTSD or individuals facing mental health challenges, service animals offer emotional support and stability. Yet, as the market for fake service animal IDs and harnesses grows, the consequences for those who genuinely rely on these animals become dire. People with real disabilities are finding it increasingly difficult to access public spaces due to rising skepticism about the legitimacy of service animals. Many establishments, from restaurants to public transport, are tightening their policies, often resulting in denial of access to those with legitimate service animals. "I’ve been turned away from places because they thought my dog wasn’t a real service animal," shared Sarah Thompson, a visually impaired woman who relies on her guide dog, Max. "It’s heartbreaking to think that people would take advantage of something that means so much to us." The Rise of Fake IDs and Harnesses The rise of counterfeit service animal IDs and misleading support animal harnesses is alarming. Criminal enterprises are now selling fake documentation, vests, and harnesses online, making it easy for anyone to pass off their pet as a service animal. Many of these harnesses are labeled with terms like "emotional support animal" or "service animal," further blurring the lines for unsuspecting businesses and the public. According to a recent survey, nearly 30% of Canadians have encountered someone with a fake service animal in public spaces. This increase in fraudulent claims has led to heightened scrutiny and anxiety among businesses tasked with ensuring compliance with service animal laws. Statistics reveal that complaints regarding fake service animals have surged by over 50% in the past year alone. Many businesses are left feeling vulnerable and confused about how to handle these situations, leading to a culture of mistrust that punishes those who truly need service animals. Problems with Untrained Animals The issues surrounding fake service animal IDs and harnesses extend beyond simple misrepresentation; they also involve the behavior of poorly trained animals. Many of these pets are unaccustomed to public environments, leading to disruptive and sometimes dangerous behavior. Reports of dogs barking aggressively, growling, or showing their teeth are becoming increasingly common. In some cases, these animals threaten to bite, creating fear among patrons and staff. Additionally, untrained animals may defecate in public spaces, further complicating the already challenging environment for businesses. "It’s tough enough for us to navigate the laws about service animals," said John Miller, a restaurant owner in downtown Toronto. "When someone brings in a dog that’s barking and threatening people, it puts us in a really uncomfortable position. We have to think about the safety and comfort of all our customers." This problematic behavior can lead to a negative experience for everyone involved, further driving a wedge between legitimate service animal users and businesses that are trying to comply with the law. Impact on Businesses The consequences of this fraudulent trade extend beyond the individuals affected. Businesses, particularly in the food and service industries, are caught in a difficult position. They have a legal obligation to accommodate legitimate service animals, but they also face the risk of backlash if they inadvertently allow a fraudulent animal into their establishment. "We want to help everyone, but it’s becoming increasingly hard to differentiate between a genuine service animal and a pet," said Miller. "The last thing we want is to be publicly shamed for turning someone away, but we also can’t take chances when it comes to our customers’ safety and health." The fear of negative publicity and online backlash has made many businesses reluctant to enforce their policies. This environment leaves legitimate service animal users vulnerable to further discrimination and isolation. Government Response and Solutions Recognizing the urgency of this issue, some provinces are taking steps to address the problem. In British Columbia, a hotline has been established for individuals to report suspected cases of fraudulent service animal usage. The hotline allows citizens to report individuals using fake IDs or tags, contributing to efforts to maintain the integrity of service animal laws. Moreover, advocacy groups are calling for a national standard that would require proper certification for service animals. This measure would not only help legitimate users but also protect businesses from the repercussions of unwarranted accusations. "We need clearer regulations and consequences for those who misuse service animal privileges," said Linda Carter, a disability rights advocate. "It’s essential for the protection of those who genuinely rely on these animals for their well-being." A Call to Action As the problem of fake service animal IDs and harnesses continues to escalate, it is crucial for communities across Canada to remain vigilant and informed. Public awareness is vital in ensuring that legitimate service animal users are supported and protected. Businesses are encouraged to educate their staff about the rights of service animal users and to establish clear guidelines for handling these situations. The public can play a role by reporting any suspected misuse of service animal privileges, helping to uphold the integrity of the system. In conclusion, the rise of counterfeit service animal IDs and misleading harnesses poses a significant challenge to the rights of those who genuinely depend on these animals. It’s time for all Canadians to stand together and ensure that the support system for those in need is protected. Service animals are not just companions; they are essential lifelines for many, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they can do their vital work without unnecessary barriers.

Compulsory Certification is the answer

Jesus Was a cARPENTER

By Murray Strong A simple question about Jesus as a carpenter, turned a quick check on google, into hours of research. What was his experience like working with his father Joseph? Did he enjoy his life? Was his father strict in his training? Jesus Mother Mary, provided a good home and support. Did he work on any large projects? Unfortunately the Bible contains no information on the missing 18 years of his life. Jesus was born in a manger, seen by 3 wise men and went home with his parents. Next mention of Jesus was around the age of 12. Next mention was at 30 years old. He left home and every detail of his life after this point is in the Bible. The people he met, his friends, even his death is known by most people. His father, Joseph son of Jacob, is the first carpenter in the Bible. It is the responsibility of a father to teach his trade to his son. Still no luck on finding the missing information during 18 years of his life. Hollywood is desperate to find new movies that people would pay to see at the theater. Cartoons are the rage in 2024. What about a movie of Jesus during the missing 18 years. You did it with Elvis. If you’re a younger reader ask your teacher at Sunday school about the missing 18 years. The carpenter of Nazareth raised a good son. Canada started to go metric in 1970 but America stayed with the old imperial methods. This causes a lot of confusion and expense for both countries in nearly all businesses. Carpenters and most trades need to know both systems and carry tools for both. Even the military has problems with two systems. Hopefully Canada and the rest of the world convinces Americans the metric system is easier and more accurate. In 1744 the country of England invented the slot screw and screwdriver. 130 years passed before Henry Frank Phillips (June 4/1889 –April 13, 1958) an American businessman from Portland Oregon, invented the (“crosshead”) screw and screwdriver which is named after him. Canada saved the world by inventing a better screw, the Robertson square socket drive. Peter Lymburner Robertson (Dec 10, 1879-Sept. 28 1951 ) was a Canadian inventor , industrialist , salesman, and philanthropist. He had his business in Milton Ontario where he solved the American problem of camming out when using a Philips screw. Some facts about the drink made from Vodka and orange juice called a “screwdriver”. It was invented by American oil workers in the Persian Gulf in the mid 20thcentury. While working they would secretly put a little Vodka into their orange juice and with no spoon they used a screw driver to stir their drink. Thank you Denny Crane

Those Pesky Interest Rates

By Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist Interest rates affect everything from Car Loans to Credit Cards, to Mortgages and so many other things. I remember back in the 1980’s, I was perusing the pages of a local newspaper looking at houses for sale. I was living in Toronto, and while prices there were out of reach, Durham Region offered a glimmer of hope. My brother-in-law worked for The Toronto Dominion Bank, yes, at that time it had not merged with Canada Trust. After having a conversation with him regarding purchasing a house, he provided me with a little cardboard slide calculator from the bank. I will never forget the range on that slide. It went from 10% to 24%. When I asked why it started at 10%, he was puzzled, I said something to the effect of what happens if the rate drops to 8% or 9%? I was assured I had nothing to worry about. In 1981, interest rates were crushing. Three little words ruled the real estate market in Canada, Power-of-Sale. Such a sad time for so many. It was common to see power of sale signs everywhere. It seemed like everyone knew someone who was losing their home due to incredibly high interest rates. It would be many years of looking, and waiting for rates to come down, before I was able to purchase my first home. A tiny war-time bungalow in Ajax. I remember going to the bank to fill out the mortgage application and just praying that the numbers would all jive so I would be approved. When the lady from the bank called a few days later to say I’d been approved, I was ecstatic. Not only had I been approved, but the mortgage rate was a ridiculously low 5.9% I recall telling different people that I got my mortgage at 5.9% and everyone reacted as though I had won a lottery! Mortgage rates were indeed on their way down, and I was the very happy recipient of one of lowest rates of that year. It was 1992. Over the years the interest rates have come down. In 2020 they bottomed out at the lowest rates ever seen by some. The thing about interest rates in the real estate market though, is that when rates are low, house prices are high. That’s just how it works. In 2020, Covid-19 spurred a craze in the housing market that drove prices to insanely high numbers. Well above the actual value of the home in many cases. Prices were out of control, but people were getting amazing interest rates. As we know, what goes up must come down, and so they did. In a big way. Homeowners were left holding the bag on huge mortgages, only to find they were facing rising interest rates as their home values dropped drastically. In March of 2022 interest rates started to climb. In May of 2022 house prices started to fall. As we meander through the fall of 2024, we are in a full-fledged buyer’s market, with more inventory than buyers. Interest rates have started to come down again. Our next interest rate announcement from The Bank of Canada is on October 23, 2024. For those holding variable rate mortgages, we are crossing our fingers and hoping for another rate cut as we ride this wave. Questions? Column ideas? You can email me at newspaper@ocentral.com

Compulsory Certification is the answer

Jesus Was a cARPENTER

By Murray Strong I have some homework for everyone reading this column, especially those wanting to try carpentry as a profession. Imagine if you had the chance to build your own home. Where is the kitchen located? Where is the master bedroom? Does my family need lots of closet space? Number of bedrooms needed. Do I need a man cave or a woman cave? The ideas are endless. A skilled carpenter can make it happen for his or her own family. The Princess Margaret Hospital has a web site we can use to explain how to design the floor plans. They raise money to fight cancer .To help with your homework visit princessmargaretlotto.com/early-bird-prize. Scroll down to “useful links” and open the floor plans of the 3 homes displayed .When you open this, construction drawings appear for the 2780 SF 3 level cottage. You can easily see which way a door swings, stair location, windows, your new deck or dock for your boat, each child has their own bedroom. The $2.4 million dollar, 4200SF exquisite Georgian Bay show home with an open concept is my favorite. This home has an amazing kitchen and lots of other great ideas. For those who like the million dollar life style you could build the $7.4 million King City show home. Look at all the required details you will need to consider in your design of the new family cottage or home. Draw the floor plans of any size or shape building. A pencil, paper and ruler is all you require .Design for your needs and enjoyment. Show your ideas to family, teacher and friends. Keep the drawing as a time capsule. Finish your apprenticeship and pull out that old drawing. You have now bought a building lot. You have your footings poured. Your new neighbors hear the sound of a delivery truck loaded with wood. As a Skilled Carpenter you build your own home. Thank you Denny Crane.

Nuclear War and Durham Region: Why We're Not Prepared

By Dale Jodoin In today’s world, the threat of nuclear war, though distant to some, is a reality that cannot be ignored. If a global conflict were to erupt, Durham Region in Ontario could be one of the first areas to face devastating consequences. It’s a chilling thought, but one we must confront, as Durham hosts not one, but two nuclear power plants: Pickering and Darlington. These plants, strategically located on Lake Ontario, also sit in close proximity to major U.S. cities like New York, placing the region on the radar of hostile nations like Russia or North Korea. First and foremost, the presence of these two nuclear facilities makes Durham a prime target in the event of an international conflict. The sheer power these plants generate is vital, but it also poses an undeniable risk. Should any nation attempt to cripple Canadian infrastructure, these plants would be obvious targets. And that’s only the beginning of Durham’s potential problems. The numbers don’t lie. According to Natural Resources Canada, Pickering and Darlington nuclear stations combined generate nearly 7,500 megawatts of electricity, enough to power millions of homes. These plants also sit just 56 kilometers (35 miles) from Toronto, a city with a population of over 6.7 million people in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). An attack on these facilities would not only disrupt Canada’s energy grid but could also lead to catastrophic radioactive fallout affecting millions across southern Ontario. The Canadian government estimates that in the event of a serious nuclear disaster, more than 500,000 people would need to be evacuated from the Durham and GTA regions alone. But the evacuation infrastructure in place is inadequate. There are only a handful of major highways and arterial roads connecting the region to the north, and these would quickly become clogged with panicked residents. In a simulation conducted by Public Safety Canada, it was estimated that the roads out of the GTA could become impassable within 2-3 hours of an emergency, leaving thousands trapped with nowhere to go. On the American side, reports from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security show that fallout from a nuclear strike on a facility like Pickering or Darlington could travel across Lake Ontario, impacting major U.S. cities like Buffalo and Rochester. The population in these cities totals around 2 million people, adding to the overall devastation. The fallout could spread across multiple states, affecting tens of millions of Americans in densely populated areas. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nuclear explosion would release radioactive materials that could remain hazardous for several weeks, contaminating water supplies, crops, and infrastructure. Two major state highways, essential routes between Toronto and areas to the east, run through the region. In the event of an attack, these highways would be shut down instantly. This would leave civilians in Durham with no way to evacuate and leave Toronto effectively trapped, unable to move eastward. The chaos that would ensue as people tried to escape would be unimaginable, especially without any formal evacuation or defense plans in place. Disturbingly, there is no clear, widely disseminated plan on what residents of Durham—or Canada in general—should do in case of a nuclear attack. In 2018, a survey by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) found that 60% of Canadians living near nuclear facilities were unaware of the emergency protocols in the event of a nuclear disaster. Despite the proximity to Pickering and Darlington, iodine pills—which help reduce radiation exposure—are not provided to all residents in the region, and most people are unaware they should have them on hand. When compared to the U.S., where citizens near nuclear plants are regularly given such pills and have access to clear emergency plans, Canada falls woefully short. What makes this situation even more alarming is the state of our military defenses. Over the past decade, Canada’s military has been hollowed out, with the government neglecting to invest in necessary equipment, training, and defense infrastructure. The Liberal and NDP governments have spent vast amounts of taxpayer money on international causes while overlooking our military at home. Our soldiers are under-equipped, and our air and naval defenses are near non-existent compared to other global powers. We depend heavily on the United States for our defense, which leaves us vulnerable. If war were declared tomorrow, there are no guarantees that we could defend our own territory effectively, let alone coordinate with our allies. There is no visible military presence in Durham, and should a threat arise, we would be unprepared to protect critical assets like our nuclear plants. For a region so vital to the country’s energy grid and positioned near a major population center, this is a glaring failure of government. We should have air defenses and military personnel stationed in key locations, ready to respond in the event of an emergency. Yet, right now, nothing is in place to prevent or respond to a nuclear strike on our soil. Another critical issue is the lack of reliable infrastructure for evacuation. The roads leading north from Durham are few and far between, and in the event of a large-scale evacuation, the region would descend into chaos. Without proper routes and coordinated evacuation plans, people would be left to fend for themselves, with little hope of escape. In addition, our hospitals, already struggling with routine care, would be completely overwhelmed by an influx of radiation victims. If our healthcare system is barely coping now, how could it possibly handle the catastrophic fallout of a nuclear attack? According to a 2019 report by the Canadian Medical Association, hospitals in the Durham region are already operating at over 90% capacity, leaving very little room to accommodate mass casualties in the event of a disaster. In the worst-case scenario, a nuclear strike could result in thousands of injuries from both the blast and radiation exposure, pushing hospitals far beyond their limits. Medical professionals warn that the region’s healthcare infrastructure would collapse under the strain, leading to a humanitarian crisis on top of the physical devastation. The sad truth is that Canada is woefully unprepared for a nuclear disaster, and this is largely due to the government’s misplaced priorities. Over the last eight years, we have seen our military underfunded and neglected while the government focuses on external issues. Meanwhile, our soldiers lack even the most basic equipment, including proper winter gear. Recently, a scandal emerged in which our military was provided with sleeping bags that were entirely unsuitable for the harsh Canadian winter—this is the level of incompetence we’re dealing with. Heads should have rolled for this, but instead, the situation persists, and our armed forces continue to suffer. The government’s failure to invest in our defense infrastructure leaves all Canadians vulnerable, but especially those in critical areas like Durham. It’s not an exaggeration to say that lives are at risk. A nuclear attack, while perhaps unlikely, is not impossible. And when you consider the strategic importance of Durham and its nuclear plants, it becomes all the more concerning that no real defense measures are in place. At the end of the day, I’m not suggesting that nuclear war is inevitable. But I am saying that we are not even close to being prepared. And while our government continues to make excuses and divert funds to international causes, the reality is that Canadians—particularly those in Durham Region—are being left unprotected. This is not just a political issue; it’s a matter of national security. We need a government that prioritizes the safety of its people and invests in the military and emergency preparedness plans necessary to defend our country. The time to act is now, before it’s too late. We need to demand better from our leaders and ensure that, should the unthinkable happen, we have the resources and plans in place to protect our homes and families. The alternative is simply too grim to imagine.

Killing Seniors !!!

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. Canada is killing seniors.... What!!! Are you out of your mind... Ok, take a deep breath and let me explain. Most, seniors live on a fixed income. Most, struggle to stay a float. I try to be an honest and responsible senior much like many reading this. Unfortunately the government is making it that much more difficult to live in Canada. Taxes keep going up. Food prices keep going up. Not to mentions the gauging of prices at the gas pump. Seniors benefits, stay the same. Pensions stay the same. How are we to survive? And seniors are not the only ones that the government are killing.... look at what they are doing to the future of our youth. This is not anymore about work hard and you get some place. At $17.50/hr. You would have to work 24/7 to just have some savings... and far from ever purchasing a home. My heart breaks. I know what hard work is. My back would hurt. My hands rougher than rocks. Running out of sweat 2hrs in your shift. The only thing keeping you going was the thought of Friday coming and getting that pay check to pay for my necessities and save the rest to buy land. That was then. This is now. The youths dreams and hopes are being destroyed. Seniors are slowly being killed by the worry of not having enough money at the end of the month to meet all their responsibilities. Going to a supermarket and looking at food you want and being forced to purchase the food you can afford. This is so demoralizing. So, sad. It eats at your very core. Now, with the way housing is. Many seniors are being forced on the street. Is this our Canada? Is this the same Canada that sends billions over seas to assist in foreign wars. Canada first my friends.

FOREIGN PROBLEMS ARE JUST THAT FOREIGN

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - Ceremonies, events and protests WERE held across Canada to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. The Oct. 7, 2023 attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis, while another 250 are being held captive. Canada has sent billions to Ukraine and other nations to fight political foreign wars. Should Canada be supporting foreign wars? Is this what Canadian taxpayers pay such high taxes for? The use of our resources to fund foreign conflict is wrong. The militization of our Canadian population to support a foreign cause is wrong. Our children are being used by foreign entities to protest foreign issues that we as Canadians are not fully educated or briefed on. The recent ceremonies and protests should be something personal for those directly affected by the international conflict. Canadians should not be drawn in and create a domestic environment to simulate that of foreign states. Now don’t get me wrong. Human suffering is a horrible thing any place in the world. We as responsible members of the global village. Should do all we can to combat human suffering at all levels. To extend assistance and humanitarian aid is and should be the only right thing to do. But only if we/our people are not suffering. As sending foreign aid as a political badge of support is nothing short of hypocritical. Canada is facing the worst national war in the history of Canada. Our red, and white blooded Canadians are suffering by the millions. People living without the ability to save money. Afford the purchase of a new home. Many of us are living in cars, family, unregulated rental properties. Houses that are turned into illegal rooming houses. At times with as many as five families living in one home. Some live in tents, along ravines, open fields... Where is the domestic aid for our people suffering. Federal government funds go to lower tier municipalities that filter to band aid solutions. Funds released end up in coffers for political interests and or agendas. I call for a national emergency plan to be implemented much like during war time. Municipality by municipality create centers for assistance. Create encampments for those without shelter. Create direct Federal government control of emergency for housing development for the poor. Anyone caught violating or abusing the system to face severe penalties. We need to address the White Elephant sitting on our head. We need to identify the real human suffering need. We need to create centers for those in need of mental health. We need addiction centers not ‘safe injection sites’. We need to treat the White Elephant in the room as a serious threat to our national security. We need solid action as that we extend to foreign nations to relieve the pain and suffering abroad. Act now. The threat is real. The suffering is all around us.

Canadian Pluralism; Canadian Values and Politics

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The war in Ukraine and the events of October 7, 2023 in Israel illustrate the dangerous world in which we live. Obviously, these kinds of events do have some life changing effects on our country in testing our ability to continue to be a nation. As we have come to think about it, the post-October 7 events with increasing hostilities in Middle East and the continuous conflagration in Europe which seems to escalate instead of winding down, are testing a series of ideals and beliefs that have seemed immutable until now. It is testing Israel’s resiliency and its capacity to defend itself while acting with major restraint under immense pressure. It is testing America’s role in the world, NATO, and European Union unity in confronting new challenges and the new forces emerging in Asia. Here at home, it is testing the leadership of our civic and political institutions. It is testing the inherent tensions of Canadian pluralism, which is taking a dangerous turn. If not corrected, this turn will challenge our very way of life. Personally, I believe in this nation and the way it has evolved until now. However, I am starting to notice a shift to the back burner, of our national values acquired through years of hard work by our ancestors. Today there is a tendency to focalize on what is going in other nations and forget that our own nation needs attention. We need to take action in order to preserve our values, rather than disqualifying and totally rejecting them. We need to think forward to evolve in a positive direction in order to develop our country and our culture in a way that assures a better future for our children. Lately we have seen a lot of news about all kinds of political demonstrations. In particular, there seems to be an increase in the temperature of hate in our own country. A country that was once famous for understanding and tolerance. Notably, there has been a radical increase of antisemitism and hate towards other religious and ethnic groups. We are looking at a phenomenon that will ghettoize the country instead of unifying it. We need to stop this tendency at once, and the only way is to emphasize that we are all Canadians and we need to build our own country. For this, our diversity must evolve to unify our own country; the country where we live and where our children live. We need to put aside the luggage that may have accompanied us as immigrants; animosities built up over the centuries. We must concentrate on building our life here in Canada, together with our First Nations. We need to be all one nation, working towards one objective, and that is to make our country the best country in the world to live and raise a family. Of course, people should be free to express their political views and live out their values within the law. However, we must also be free to contest others’ views and values in a constructive dialog. We should be free to argue that they are bad or wrong. Moreover, we are free to contend that not all views and values are equally valid. That is a part of pluralism too. We as Canadians have been known to show compromise and cordiality which qualities are generally and essentially good. However, the post-October 7 and the conflict in Europe world calls for something different. We need a principled and considered pluralism that is prepared to stand up for basic Canadian values in the face of ongoing challenge. In view of these needs, the Canadian political landscape does not offer much satisfaction. The governing Liberals seem to be facing a strong challenge from the Conservatives, the loyal opposition. However, there are no significant differences in how the Conservatives will face the challenges of the world if they are elected to form the government. Besides wearing out the slogan “kill the tax” they have not put forward any new ideas about the way forward for the country. They seem to be hooked on the old ideas of the 2011 election with the old staff still in command. Aside from the usual parliamentary maneuvers that attempt to spark an election when the polls are favorable, the Conservatives have done nothing to electrify the electorate by advocating new ideas for building and strengthening the country. As confirmation of this, in recent months we have seen the Conservatives deviating from traditional conservative thinking, including their vote in favour of a ban on replacement workers. Their silence on the government’s massive EV subsidies and foreign aid, their support for Air Canada pilots in their labour dispute, and now their symbolic endorsement of an unaffordable and unjustified hike to the OAS program all go against the traditional conservative values of fiscal restraint and responsible spending. These actions all show theatrical manoeuvers calculated to force an election somehow. Unfortunately, the Conservatives are alone on the political spectrum and unless they get a majority in the next election, they will not be not able to govern because they do not have suitable political allies, as the Liberals do. Canada’s poor economic conditions call for a conventional political response. That means cut spending and taxes, and de-regulate the economy, but keep government control on the strategic industries while generally reducing the size and scope of government to kick-start economic growth. However, it needs to be specified that the social component of advancing our country cannot be neglected. There is an urgent need to reinforce belief in our history and traditions and to preserve and develop those values which are particularly Canadian. We will soon see whether there is a political party or leader who will be able to break this stalemate and guide us towards prosperity once again. What do you think?

WHO WILL BE OSHAWA’S NEXT MAYOR?

-A LOOK AT SOME OF THE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES- By Dean Hickey The next municipal election is still two years away, but when it comes to making a bid for the Mayor’s chair, it’s never too early to start speculating on who might seek the top job on council. Rumours abound that current mayor Dan Carter has no intention of seeking re-election in 2026, and this would leave the field wide open for others on council to seek higher office. One need only take a glance at social media to quickly recognize the active campaigning by one or more councillors as they jostle each other over never-ending photo opportunities for every cause imaginable. Below is an alphabetized list of councillors and others who may be seen as most likely to try to fill the void upon Mayor Dan Carter’s retirement. BOB CHAPMAN…. The Ward 3 Regional councillor was first elected in 2010, and aside from a brief absence during a failed campaign for the provincial PC Party in 2018, he has been a member of council ever since. His previous career in law enforcement spanned 30 years, and he remains an honorary colonel of the Ontario Regiment, having also served in the Canadian Armed Forces. His list of committee appointments is extensive and he has certainly taught himself the intricacies of municipal governance, but to what end? At times he seems more intent on continuing his political career as nothing more than a ventriloquists doll perched on mayor Dan Carter’s knee, and the citizens of Oshawa deserve much better. On a personal level, councillor Chapman has been seen by some as having more than once stepped over the line of acceptable behaviour, due to his often abrupt manner when in the council chamber, an attribute that can hardly be seen as mayoral. JOHN GRAY.... Currently the local councillor for Ward 5, John Gray began his political career in 1994 as a rookie councillor who would go on to become mayor from 2003 to 2010, defeated long-time mayor Nancy Diamond. His record as mayor includes the building of the Tribute Centre, Delpark Homes Centre, South Oshawa Community Centre, and of course a major re-build at city hall. Nevertheless, it was the perception of a free-spending mayor that would ultimately be his undoing in the 2010 election that saw John Henry take over the top job. Since returning to council six years ago, John Gray appears to have taken a cautious approach to politics and as such has often been referred to as yesterday’s man. He will need a major rebranding should he wish to capture the hearts and minds of today’s voters for a return to the mayor’s job. JOE INGINO…. A local independent businessman and longtime proprietor of The Central newspaper, Joe Ingino is no stranger to politics, having offered up some heavy criticism against what he sees as a lack of progress in the downtown core and elsewhere. He has invested 30 years of his life writing about municipal politics, and his determination to make Oshawa a better place does not appear to have wavered during that time. He is man with big ideas who speaks his mind, and has certainly seen his share of controversy due to his straight forward approach. He is, nevertheless, determined to stay focused on all that he sees as necessary for the betterment of the community. No-one can deny his is an independent voice that is far removed from the collective that reigns supreme in the corridors of power at city hall. RICK KERR… First elected to council in 2014 and now representing Ward 4 at the Regional Level, Rick Kerr is seen by most of his colleagues as someone who is honest and easy to work with. His first foray into politics saw him campaign in a city-wide election, which is a daunting task for a newcomer. Having retired from a 30-year teaching career, he has taken on the role of councillor with energy and optimism, even as his ward has faced issues of homelessness and drug addiction on downtown streets. His particular contribution to the cultural aspect of the city has included work on local music events and his ongoing attempt to see Oshawa as an arts, culture, and entertainment destination. At the same time, he has garnered a reputation for moving too quickly from one initiative to another, often weekly, in his ambitious attempt to see multiple project through to completion. While no-one can fault his enthusiasm, the problems facing residents in the downtown area are real and persistent, and will require more than arts and entertainment as a solution. TITO-DANTE MARIMPIETRI…. The King of photo-ops, this Ward 2 Regional councillor seems to want to be everywhere at once. Born and raised in Oshawa, he began his political career at the tender age of 24, and by 35 he could boast having chaired several committees, being assigned the role of deputy mayor, and ultimately elected to a Regional seat. He is currently chair of the Economic and Development Services Committee, a demanding role in a time of record investment in new residential and commercial developments. He is not, however, a man without some controversy on council, and this is an aspect of his career that will forever chase him in the form of documents available on the internet. He won his seat by a narrow margin, and is known to harbour a general distrust of those he sees as an impediment to his goals, leading to a weakening of his ability to establish effective working relationships. BRADLEY MARKS…. Being the grandson of Ernest Marks, mayor of Oshawa in 1967, no-one benefits more from a well-respected family name than the City councillor from Ward 3. A lawyer with the firm of Marks & Pellegrino, he carries weight in the council chamber as one who understands all manner of administrative procedures when taking care of the City’s business. He appears to enjoy contributing to the community in many respects, including his involvement in Oshawa youth hockey, baseball, and different charitable institutions such as Durham Outlook for the Needy. He does tend to say little during council debates, and lacks any significant sign of what one might describe as political passion, often being seen as overly concerned with procedure at the expense of vision. The weeks and months ahead will undoubtedly give ample rise to further speculation, more photo-ops, and an unending dialogue on the part of those seeking to become Oshawa’s next mayor. There is more to come on this topic.