You Are a 'Perfect Fit' Job Seekers: Do Not Assume You Are a 'Perfect Fit'

Job Seekers: Do Not Assume You Are a 'Perfect Fit' By Nick Kossovan I repeatedly hear, or read it in online venting comments, as I'm sure you also do, something along the lines of "I've been job searching for over seven months and have applied to more than 600 jobs that I'm more than I'm a perfect fit for and only gotten three interviews." Tip: Never vent your frustrations on public forums, such as LinkedIn; it shows employers you can't control your emotions. It's not a brag that job seekers think it is to apply to over 600 jobs. Applying to more than 20 jobs a week—four quality applications a day—is akin to spraying and praying, which isn't a job search strategy; it's a lazy approach. However, I want to focus on the words "perfect fit," which are highly subjective due to the varying degrees of nuance that define what "perfect fit" means to the person using the term. When you claim you'd be a "perfect fit," you're basing your assumption on how you compare to the job description. Essentially, you're ticking off boxes, believing that if you tick all or most boxes, then you're a "perfect fit." What you're not considering is that you have no idea what's happening behind the scenes, and that a large part of hiring decisions comes down to gut feel. As I've mentioned in previous columns, being likeable supersedes your skills and experience. I don't know a hiring manager who hires candidates they don't like. It doesn't matter if you think you're a perfect fit. What matters is whether the person reading your résumé and interviewing you thinks you are. A candidate's skills and qualifications aren't the only factors considered in hiring decisions; also assessed: · How well you'll fit with the team—will the current team accept you?—and the company's culture. (Employers don't hire disruptors.) · Your communication and soft skills (These are my 'must-haves.' When hiring, my primary concern is the candidate's verbal and written communication skills.) · Your energy level. · Are you a flight risk? · Whether your qualifications are "too much" of a good thing. Then there's the elephant in the room: something you can't control. If the hiring manager sees you as a threat to their position, you're not a perfect fit. You wouldn't hire someone who could jeopardize your job or disrupt your team, so why would you expect the hiring manager to do differently? Unless you've spent time within the company, seeing how the sausage is made, attending boardroom meetings, speaking with hiring managers and employees at all levels, and eating in the lunchroom, you can't be certain you're a "perfect fit." You're assuming. You may believe your résumé matches the job description, but unless you're being referred, you have no insight into how the person you'll be reporting to leads and manages, or what keeps them awake at night. You don't know the challenges the company is facing or the internal politics at play. Since the concept of being a "perfect fit" is subjective, there's no guaranteed way to make yourself appear like the perfect fit. However, you can increase your chances of being considered a "perfect fit" by focusing less on your skills and qualifications and more on coming across as a safe, low-risk hiring choice—hiring managers tend to prefer candidates who won't be disruptors. Low risk = perfect fit One thing job seekers often overlook is that hiring decisions are visible to everyone in the company. Making a bad hire, which I've done several times, is never a good look and can cast doubt on your judgment skills. The last thing a hiring manager wants to hear is "Did you hire Bob? He's a train wreck!" Understandably, especially given today's job market, employees worry about keeping their jobs; therefore, they're concerned with how they're being perceived by their boss and their boss's boss. Being worried about "What will the boss and the team think?" is why hiring managers tend to prefer candidates who come across as predictable and low-risk. Consequently, being overqualified and having employment gaps are often viewed as liabilities, and why ageism persists. Rightly or wrongly, these factors are often considered high-risk red flags when making hiring decisions. In uncertain times, such as we're currently experiencing and will likely be for the foreseeable future, employers tend to favour candidates who appear steady rather than bold. There are three aspects of a candidate that determine whether they're likely to be a low-risk hire: 1. Ability to perform the job effectively 2. Shows stability TIP: In your résumé and LinkedIn profile, include the reason for your current career gap and explain what you're doing to stay current in your profession and industry. 3. Aligns well with the company culture Whenever you're being interviewed, it's because the employer believes you're qualified for the role. Ultimately, the purpose of an interview is to assess whether you'd be someone who'll likely fit well with the current team and culture. Here's what you need to accept: the decision whether you're a fit or not is entirely out of your hands. All you can do is show you're a "great match," but never assume you're a "perfect fit."

COMMUNITY VIOLENCE NEEDS ATTENTION

COMMUNITY VIOLENCE NEEDS ATTENTION By Councillor Lisa Robinson Over the last several months, the City of Pickering has been rocked by violence — the kind of violence no community should ever have to face. Let me remind everyone exactly what has happened in our city: On May 2, a man was found dead in Pickering — our city’s first homicide of the year. On May 29, an 83-year-old woman was stabbed to death in her own front yard by a 14-year- old boy. On July 5, a 69-year-old woman was killed in a suspicious house fire on Primrose Court — now confirmed to be a homicide. And just days ago, on July 11, a man’s body was found near Highway 401 and Whites Road — the fourth homicide in just over two months. Four lives gone. Four families shattered. And an entire city left asking: what is happening to Pickering? But it doesn’t stop there. We are also seeing an alarming rise in carjackings, violent home invasions, guns seized, and increasing threats to public safety — right here in our neighbourhoods. Partner violence is up. Mental health breakdowns are up. Homelessness is rising. And far too many people feel abandoned — by the very system that’s supposed to protect them. Let me be absolutely clear: this is not just a public safety crisis. This is a crisis of leadership. Because while the violence rises, City Hall stays silent. While families mourn, the headlines vanish. And while people feel afraid to walk down their own streets, not a single elected official is standing up to say: Enough. Well, I will. To the families of the victims — I offer my deepest condolences. No words can take away your pain, but please know this: you are not alone. If you need support, I will do everything I can to help. I will fight to make sure your loved one is not forgotten. And I will never stop demanding justice — not just for them, but for every single resident who calls this city home. To the people of Pickering — I hear your fear. I feel your frustration. But I also know your strength. We are a city of good, hardworking people — and we deserve to live without fear. We deserve leaders who care. And we deserve a system that puts the safety and wellbeing of its people above political games and bureaucratic silence. I was elected to serve — not to sit quietly while our city unravels. And I say this today not just as a councillor, but as a mother, as a neighbour, and as someone who loves this community deeply: This city needs leadership. Real leadership. Leadership that’s not afraid to tell the truth, to face the hard problems, and to stand up for the people — no matter the cost. So I’m here. I’m standing firm. And I’m not going anywhere. Because the safety of our people is not negotiable. Because every life matters. Because this is our home — and I intend to protect it. Thank you. And may God be close to the brokenhearted tonight. Kind regards, Lisa Robinson “The People’s Councillor” City of Pickering “Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head On And Rise Above It” - Lisa Robinson 2023

HERITAGE OSHAWA IS ACTING LIKE THE ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL BY GOING AGAINST THEIR OWN MANDATE

HERITAGE OSHAWA IS ACTING LIKE THE ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL BY GOING AGAINST THEIR OWN MANDATE WHILE UNDERTAKING RESEARCH on local issues concerning City Hall and its various committees, I have found some enjoyment in watching the online videos you’ll see posted on the City of Oshawa website. I went into the latest such recording of the Heritage Oshawa committee with an abundance of energy, because before the meeting even began, I knew much more than usual about items on their agenda. Which brings our attention to the property known municipally as 853 Simcoe Street South, being a one-and-a-half storey century home built in or around the year 1900. The home was included in a list formulated by Heritage Oshawa volunteers in 1998 as part of their effort to identify properties within the city that show built-heritage value – meaning they have architectural and overall design features that make them unique. The house in question is almost one of a kind, with no less than two ground floor walk-in bay windows, and a unique front porch assembly which includes a main entry door placed 90 degrees from the road. Upstairs, there is a large dormer immediately above one of the bay windows – the rest of the roof area sloping at a somewhat sharp angle, typical of Victorian architecture. This dormer may have been an add-on, or may have originally included a door to a small balcony – a common feature among homes built at the turn of the 20th century. I like to think my knowledge of Oshawa, and the many older homes that fill the neighbourhoods around the centre and southern portions of the city, as being extensive. The remaining inventory of brick-clad Victorian-style homes, already reduced in number, is under constant threat of demolition, and we can include 853 Simcoe Street South as being among them. The property owner appeared before the Heritage committee to request the house be removed from the 1998 list of ‘Class B’ structures – his primary concern being the affect it may have on his current attempt to sell the home on the open market. It is currently listed for sale as a “rental income generating property” and may be viewed on the Realtor.ca website. According to the owner, the inclusion of this house on the list of properties considered to be of heritage interest has spooked potential purchasers for fear it will receive an official Heritage designation – which may impede its ultimate demolition. This, in spite of the assertion on Realtor.ca that the house and property generate a total monthly income of $7000 or more. During his presentation to committee members (Robert Bell and John O’Boyle having both declared a conflict on the item), the property owner offered the following assessment, “To me it’s very clear that if anybody was to look on Google…that home today on Google…there’s nothing at all that resembles anything Heritage at all about that property.” As it happens, a majority of those on the committee were prepared to side with him, and below are a few of their comments made to justify their position. Ward 2 City Councillor Jim Lee offered these assurances to the property owner, “I totally support the removal of your property from Class ‘B’…and I think you spoke very well with regard to, there’s no heritage value there.” Committee member Sarah Smale had some very singular observations on the matter. “So I drove past the property on my way here because that’s my route, and looking at it as I was driving past, I don’t understand why it’s currently on the list… There’s no heritage look to it… I would say no heritage attributes to the outside, so I would definitely be in favour of letting it off the list.” Not to be outdone by his colleagues, committee member James Bountrogiannis had these seemingly intelligent thoughts on the issue, “Why do we call it (Class) ‘B’ if it is undesignated? Oh, it’s something to do. So, let’s get rid of it.” Do you see a pattern developing in these comments from committee members? The only person to even remotely come to the defence of, not only the future of an unquestionably unique home of built-heritage value, but also the realities surrounding the Class ‘B’ list, was the committee Vice-Chair Diane Stephen. With no-one to support her, she appeared to do her best to add an element of reason to the debate, and in doing so she offered these comments directly to the property owner, “Our information comes from research done over the years. We have an inventory of ‘heritage Oshawa’ and your house is listed in here, along with quite a number of other ones, and it’s listed as being built in the 1900’s which makes your house 125 years old. “ These comments apparently did not sit well with Councillor Jim Lee, who took the Vice-Chair to task when he asked, “Being relatively new to the Heritage committee, are we basing ‘designation’ of heritage (sic) buildings based on when they’re built?” The Vice-Chair was quick to remind the councillor that the property at 853 Simcoe St. S. was not being considered for Heritage designation, and that there is “no stepping stone to designation… There’s no ‘B’ then you’re elevated to ‘A’ and then you end up being designated… That’s not how it works.” She would go on to tell her colleagues prior to calling a vote on the issue, “I just want to clarify, it’s not designated…this property is not designated.” As it happened, those remarks would prove ultimately ineffective, as the committee voted to remove the property from the list of structures deemed worthy of heritage interest. At this stage, I would like to offer my readers a few key takeaways from what transpired during the meeting. First and foremost is the flippant manner in which committee member Sarah Smale apparently came to her decision. To suggest, as she did, that a mere drive-by glance is either in whole, or in part, a suitable method of deciding the fate of a historically unique structure, is tantamount to a betrayal of her role to work at preserving Oshawa’s built heritage. One would hope Ms Smale may learn from her mistake, otherwise her resignation from the committee would seem a reasonable expectation. Secondly, the remarks by Ward 2 City Councillor Jim Lee were nothing less than adversarial towards the committee itself, or at least the mandate under which it operates. He showed himself to be no friend or advocate of heritage preservation, and unless his views change, residents of Oshawa may well see many more unique properties threatened by the wrecker’s ball. I will be watching this committee very closely in the weeks and months to come.

HAS THE PLANNING DEPT CONFUSED IT’S MISSION?

HAS THE PLANNING DEPT CONFUSED IT’S MISSION? B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States In a time when everything and anything seems to be acceptable. It appears that the City of Oshawa Planning Department has had it’s mission compromised. It appears they are more bent over planting trees and putting up parks at taxpayers expense then properly planning the future for Oshawa. Then again they are just doing their job. If we voted in a disfunctional council. Staff will not go out of their way to all of a sudden become the sacrificial lamb for council. If we learned anything from 1945 Germany is that just doing your job excuse does not cut it. They say we must learn from our mistakes. I guess we are just evolving into a species of mentally challenged populi....Or we are just plain stupid. Not to long ago... as a matter of fact just before the last municipal election millions of dollars were used in the so called ‘ED BROADBENT’ park. A park next to another park. Primarily ‘Lakeview Park’. Did the people need another park next to an existing park? Could that money not gone to help local downtown businesses that are closing faster then ever? Where is the leadership? Where is the Mayor and council? Playing important as they open a park for their political gain. Now, don’t get me wrong. The park is nothing but an open field. This is Canada. Who is going to go in the middle of winter? Who is going to go in the middle of the ‘HOT CANADIAN’ summers. In my opinion that park is a total waste of tax payers dollars. Not to long ago they announced the ‘rotary pool’ fiasco. Wake up planning department... An outdoor pool in Canada!!! Really. Why not have a retractable roof so it may be used all year around. POOR PLANING. Just a few weeks back. The City decided to give away 70 million to the local hockey team. 70 million in building upgrades. A building that has yet to make a penny for taxpayers. A building that to my understanding is costing taxpayers almost half a million to maintain. Then why the money give away. Is the Mayor a moron. Are city council members on the take? What other explanation could there be? Not to ad insult to injury... but now the same planning department and city council is sinking more millions in an ‘URBAN PARK’. An urban park in a downtown that looks like downtown Baghdad after a bombing raid. More wasted millions... Downtown business need a parking garage... Not a park for the local homeless to invade. Or is it that in the spirit of population growth. Memorial park has over flowed with the homeless and more bushes and trees to urinate on and defecate are required. We have a chamber of commerce that has no teeth...unless you belong to the brown nose club of municipal wanna be’s. We have no support for downtown businesses. The quality of life is beyond despicable. The only businesses left are old grandfathered stores... lot of pot shops. A few restaurants... The main problem is ‘NO PARKING’. Then the huge number of homeless, drug addicts, drug trade, prostitution. Workers fear coming to work. Yes, let’s keep building parks...that is going to solve the problem. Urban park, the homeless home away from Memorial park... Their new summer home... wow.

The revival of Canada is beginning

The revival of Canada is beginning by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The severe shock received by Canada from its neighbor to the South seems to have energized the sleeping giant of enormous resources to finally wake up. It is now clear that both the federal and provincial governments are looking to take decisive steps to make Canada into a powerful economic entity. It is the right time to do this and has been long overdue. The first major projects of the Canadian government’s signature nation-building initiative are likely to be drawn from several key areas that have emerged as “shared priorities” between Ottawa and the provinces. We can easily see the areas in which significant progress will be made. These include attention to the Western and Arctic Corridor, Critical Minerals development, the Next Stage of Nuclear development, and Export Diversification Infrastructure, to name a few. As Canadian citizens, we may be amazed to see how quickly the Canadian political establishment shook off its long endured coma and started to act in our best interests. It is a pleasure to see the whole country energized and all the stakeholders getting ready to act rapidly to put our country in the right place on the world map. Canada has resources, which can be put to work rapidly and wisely to provide a better life for its citizens. Prime Minister Mark Carney seems to be taking an unprecedented lead setting up summits with stakeholders, to ensure that the federal and provincial governments will continue discussions with proponents on feasibility and specific projects that could be advanced under Bill C-5. The Carney government hopes to supercharge Canada’s economic growth and mitigate damage from tariffs levied by the United States by streamlining federal approvals for major projects deemed to be of national importance under new provisions laid out in Bill C-5, which passed Parliament at the end of June. Provincial and territorial premiers were invited to submit project ideas, though the federal cabinet alone will decide which projects to fast-track. These decisions will be based on factors such as whether the proposal strengthens Canada’s economy or security, the likelihood of it being successful and whether it also advances the interests of Indigenous peoples or contributes to clean and rapid growth. Of particular interest to me, is the attention that is finally being paid to western and arctic corridor development; something I proposed more than ten years ago that fell on deaf ears at the time. One proposal that has gained momentum among the Western premiers is an economic corridor connecting British Columbia’s northwest coast through the Prairies to Hudson’s Bay, eventually linking by road to an Arctic port in Grays Bay, Nunavut. Western premiers in May pledged to begin planning port-to-port-to-port infrastructure, including roads, rail, power generation, transmission and pipelines, which could help deliver more energy, critical minerals, agricultural goods and manufactured goods to tidewater for export to both Asian and European markets. Obviously the most valuable and contentious component of the corridor would be the construction of a new oil export pipeline, (potentially paired with a major carbon-capture project in the oil sands) to the Hudson Bay first and then eventually under Hudson Bay to Nunavut in the Arctic. Besides the oil pipe line the arctic corridor has great potential for simultaneously developing the exploitation of critical minerals and the build-up of infrastructure to support mining, processing and exports, including roads, clean power generation, transmission lines and grid connections. Canada currently ranks “near the bottom” in terms of mine development timelines, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada director Jeff Killeen said, with it sometimes taking more than 25 years for a viable project to go from initial discovery to production. “Part of that extensive timeline comes from the infrastructure gap that we’re talking about right now in many parts of the country,” he said. The Western and Arctic corridor also overlaps with another key category of major projects, the so-called next stage of nuclear, since boosting Saskatchewan’s uranium ore mining sector could increase exports while simultaneously supporting Ottawa’s ambitions for expanding the next generation of nuclear technologies, regaining the world lead in the field. Ontario is currently constructing the first commercial-scale small modular reactor project among the Group of Seven industrialized nations, and provinces such as Saskatchewan, Alberta and New Brunswick are hoping to follow suit with the help of Ontario Power Generation Inc. In this context it would be advisable to construct small nuclear reactors in the developing regions in need of energy and then connect them to a suitable grid There are also proposals to refurbish Canada’s aging Candu reactor technology that could be fast-tracked under Bill C-5. Of great interest are projects in the field of critical minerals of which the Carney government has said the world is bullish on Canada’s potential to supply critical minerals, so projects that capitalize on this opportunity are likely to draw attention as part of the nation-building initiative. The Ontario government’s proposed multi-billion-dollar investment in the mineral-rich Ring of Fire region looms large on the list. Premier Doug Ford has put developing the vast region at the top of his priority list and is looking to speed assessments of some key components of the project under Bill C-5, including portions of a three-part road network proposed to provide access to the Ring of Fire. Other projects in the pipeline that seem to be high on the consideration list are projects related to export diversification infrastructures. These are in the field of energy and natural resource infrastructure, and transportation projects such as roads and railways. The hope is that these projects will create jobs while helping Canada’s exports reach different trading partners. Canada finally seems to be on the right path to once again becoming a great and respected country on the world scene. Let us keep up the good work.

Sink or Swim- the Reality of How Teens see High School

Sink or Swim- the Reality of How Teens see High School By Camryn Bland Youth Columnist Most teenagers believe high school is the most stressful experience they will ever endure. Of course, that opinion usually changes when they hit university, and then when they get a full time job, and then when they have to tackle their own family. However, until adolescents graduate high school, nothing will compare to the struggles of secondary education. Trying to balance culminating projects, final exams, extracurricular activities, and a personal life can be a huge challenge, and often I fear it is too much to handle. My educational anxiety is mostly my own doing, as most of my daily stressors are ones I have put on myself. I may not choose to take final exams, but I do choose to participate in multiple extracurriculars, take classes which are more intense, and volunteer to help with extra work. This is because I am one of the teenage oddities who enjoys school, at least for the most part. I enjoy going to elective classes of my choice, which are usually focused on humanities, language arts, and performance arts, opposed to science or technology. I am a dedicated student, with a final grade of 90% or higher in every one of my classes. During my grade 10 year, I participated in 7 extracurricular activities, ranging from pro/con debate, to morning badminton, to a musical theater ensemble. Overall, I see high school as a great opportunity to try new things, learn what interests you, and make connections. It is a place to make friends, to decide who you want to be, and to experiment with what you want to do for the rest of your life. When put that way, high school sounds like a fantastic experience which every teen will enjoy. Unfortunately, that is not the full high school picture. Although it may be enjoyable, it is also extremely overwhelming. Since I began ninth grade, I have grown to be a perfectionist, aiming to be the best in every one of my classes. When thinking rationally, I know this is not always realistic, especially while also juggling 7 extracurriculars. However, I pressure myself anyways, and continue to do whatever it takes to reach 100%. Sometimes this pays off, and I reach my goals; other times, it’s extremely damaging to my mental health. When my grades aren’t as good as I hoped, when I get an 80% instead of a 90%, it feels like an attack on my self esteem. This isn’t just an isolated issue of mine; almost every student feels overwhelmed by their workload, even if they don’t experience the same perfectionism. Maybe it’s due to that one concept in class they just don’t understand, or perhaps they have an unpleasant teacher. Possibly, the student has a learning disability, or they just have no interest in the classes they are taking. No matter the reason, high school is something most teenagers dread on a daily basis. They skip class, beg their parents to stay home, and take mental health days, all so they can avoid the anxiety of being in a classroom, at least for one more day. Academics are not the only stressors for students. In addition to juggling assignments and extracurricular activities, teens are also figuring out who they are as individuals, and navigating a complicated social life. Adolescence is a crucial period for developing a sense of self and identity. It’s when individuals are forced to answer the question, who am I? What makes me happy? What motivates me? As teens develop their sense of self, their social life is affected. They may find new friends, or old ones may drift away. Every day, friends fight, young couples break up, and rumors get spread. It’s a time when everything feels uncertain, and everything is anxiety-inducing. All of these struggles then cause teens to turn away from exciting opportunities. A student hates their classes, so they don’t care to expand their learning. They are mentally drained at the end of the day and just want to go home, so they miss opportunities to see their friends. They fear failure, so they don’t try out for any teams or clubs. These issues may seem mundane, but altogether, they create a continuous cycle of anxiety and disappointment. Daily life can feel like sink or swim, and most students are just treading water. Finding the balance between academics, extracurriculars, self identity, and a social life can feel difficult, but it’s a crucial step for every teenager. Only with this balance will secondary education reach its full potential as a place to learn, make friends, and find yourself.

Taxed to Death: Why Canadians Are Going Underground

Taxed to Death: Why Canadians Are Going Underground By Dale Jodoin Every day, more Canadians wake up wondering how they’re going to make it to the end of the month. Prices are up, wages are flat, and the only thing growing is the list of taxes on everything we do. Rent is now so high it feels like a joke. Grocery bills are eating paychecks whole. Power prices are through the roof, and with the government pushing electric cars on everyone, don’t expect that to change anytime soon. They keep telling us this is all for the greater good. That it’s about saving the planet or growing the economy or whatever new excuse they roll out. But regular Canadians aren’t seeing the benefit. They’re being left behind. What we’re seeing is the slow death of the middle class, and worse, the rise of a new kind of silent economy one where you have to hide what you earn just to survive. The Liberals and the NDP have turned Canada into a land of hidden hustle. Not the fun kind of hustle you post about on Instagram. This is quiet, backdoor work. This is cutting lawns for cash, fixing cars in the garage, selling baked goods out of your kitchen, or helping people move for a twenty-dollar handshake. No paperwork. No receipts. No CRA. Why? Because the second you play by the rules, the system bleeds you dry. That’s the new Canadian reality. You can work hard, pay your taxes, follow the law, and still not afford a normal life. Or you can take your chances, keep your mouth shut, and do what needs to be done. And it’s not just a few people doing this anymore. It’s spreading. Fast. The only way to survive in this new Canada is to stop telling the government everything. That sounds harsh, maybe even illegal, but look around. We’re being pushed into it. The government will call it tax fraud. They’ll say you’re a criminal. But what do you call it when a system forces its people to go broke for simply trying to live? We used to be proud of our country. We used to brag about how great Canada was. But now, more and more people are ashamed. Not of being Canadian but of what’s being done in our name. While Ottawa talks about equality, they give handouts to people who just arrived while the ones who’ve worked here all their lives get told to wait. While the elite throw money at green energy plans and fancy carbon credits, average folks can’t even fill their gas tank. And while politicians pose for the cameras, Canadians are sitting in the dark because they can’t pay the power bill. This isn’t a conspiracy theory. This is everyday life now. The rich are still rich. The poor are still poor. But the working class, the ones who kept the country going, are being punished for simply existing. It’s not about right or left anymore. It’s about survival. People are afraid to speak up. They’re afraid their neighbours might report them. They’re afraid of audits, fines, or worse. We’ve created a country where you don’t know who to trust, where even doing an honest day’s work might come back to bite you if you mention it to the wrong person. That’s not freedom. That’s fear. And the fear is growing. The more the government taxes, the more people hide. And the more people hide, the more the government tightens its grip. It’s a loop. One that’s hard to break. And they know it. They want control. They don’t want independent Canadians. They want dependents. They want us poor, desperate, and obedient. That’s why they tax small businesses harder than corporations. That’s why they punish side hustles but let billion-dollar companies skate by with loopholes. That’s why they praise people who rely on government programs, but shame the ones who try to make it on their own. They’re building a country where hard work doesn’t pay and independence is punished. But there’s still a fight left in us. There are still people out there who aren’t ready to give up. If you’ve got a skill for anything from carpentry to cutting hair you need to keep it close and keep it quiet. Don’t advertise online. Don’t trust platforms that track you. Use word of mouth. Free papers. Posters on local boards. Your neighbour’s garage. Keep it small, keep it moving, and keep the government out of it. That might sound un-Canadian to some, but ask yourself: what’s more Canadian than helping your neighbour, working hard, and asking for nothing but a fair chance? That’s not a crime. That’s community. This isn’t about greed. It’s about survival. The people who defend the system will keep calling us lazy, selfish, or paranoid. But they’re the ones who benefit from it. They’re the ones who get the subsidies, the free education, the special grants, the electric car rebates, the carbon credit bonuses. Regular Canadians get none of that. We just get taxed. Again and again. And if we complain? We’re told we’re the problem. That we need to sacrifice more. That we need to work harder. We’ve been doing that. And we’re done. If this country wants to keep the lights on, it better start listening to the ones paying the bills. Because when we all go underground, the system will collapse. And maybe that’s what it needs. Maybe it’s time to stop pretending that everything’s fine. Because it’s not. The country we knew is gone. And if we want to survive what’s coming next, we can’t wait for someone to save us. We have to save ourselves. Quietly. Carefully. Together.

Court Finds Employer Broke Contract, Awards $456,908 to Dismissed Executive

Court Finds Employer Broke Contract, Awards $456,908 to Dismissed Executive By Tahir Khorasanee, LL.M. Senior Associate, Steinbergs LLP In a case that underlines the importance of sticking to written agreements, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ordered Artisan Development Labs Inc. and its subsidiary, Artisan Cell Labs Inc., to pay $456,908 to former Executive Vice-President Dr. Nicholas Timmins. The court concluded that Artisan “by their correspondence and actions” repudiated—meaning fundamentally broke—the employment contract when they dismissed Dr. Timmins and failed to honour the severance terms it had promised. A Contractual Promise Unfulfilled Dr. Timmins began working for Arte­san’s American parent company in November 2019, earning an annual salary of $475,782 CAD, plus stock options, benefits and a performance bonus. In 2021 he moved to Toronto to establish Artisan Cell Labs Inc., the company’s Canadian operation, and was promoted to Executive Vice-President. His 2019 employment agreement clearly stated that if he was dismissed without cause, he was entitled to the greater of: Three months’ pay in lieu of notice, or His minimum statutory entitlement under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). Despite this clear promise, in March 2023 Dr. Timmins received only one week of ESA-minimum notice pay. The letter explaining his termination also tied any additional severance to Dr. Timmins signing a “full and final release,” which would bar him from pursuing any further claim against the company. What “Repudiation” Means When one side to a written contract shows—by words or by conduct—that it no longer intends to be bound by the contract’s terms, courts call that a “repudiation.” In such cases, the innocent party can treat the contract as ended and seek damages under common-law rules. Here, Justice Callaghan agreed with Dr. Timmins that Artisan’s insistence on a release before paying contractual severance made no sense if the company truly intended to honour its three-month notice promise. How the Court Calculated Damages Rather than simply order the three months’ payment, the court moved to assess a fair amount of notice under common law, applying the familiar Bardal factors: Age (44 years) Length of service (3.5 years) Character of employment (senior executive role) Availability of similar work (niche gene-therapy sector) Balancing these considerations, Justice Callaghan set a nine-month notice period. Nine months’ worth of salary, benefits, pension contributions, phone allowance and a prorated bonus totals $456,908. A Warning Shot to Employers For businesses of all sizes, the decision is a vivid reminder: honour your written termination clauses. If you condition contractual severance on signing a broad release—or impose any hidden requirement—courts may find you have repudiated the contract, leaving you exposed to larger common-law awards. Practical Takeaways Draft Clear, Stand-Alone Clauses: Ensure severance or notice provisions are written plainly and without strings attached. Separate Release Agreements: If you require a release or confidentiality covenant, present it in a distinct document—not as a condition to pay what’s already owed. Train HR Teams: Make sure those who handle terminations understand that contractual entitlements must be honoured in full. Budget Accordingly: Factoring in the risk of repudiation claims can save six-figure surprises down the road. Broader Impact Although this dispute involved a high-earning executive in the biotech field, the ruling has implications for workers at every level. Any employee whose contract specifies a fixed amount of severance or notice, now has clear authority to demand common law severance, which is often much higher than the contractual amount. Case Reference: Timmins v. Artisan Cells, 2025 CanLII 2387 (Ont. S.C.J.) Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

The Toughest Column to Write

The Toughest Column to Write By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford A few days ago, I departed this planet with great reluctance during this, my 102nd trip around the sun. But I offer these final words with readers. I have never missed a week in over 50 years of writing this column. Possibly this persistence will help me squeeze through the Pearly Gates! Some will say, “Not bloody likely.” As I look back on my journalism career, it reminds me of the introduction to the book, A Tale of Two Cities. It was the best of times; it was worst of times. There were times when my life was threatened because I took on controversial issues, particularly the right of women to safe abortion. Opponents found fault with my work to legalize heroin for the treatment of terminal cancer pain. One well-known health organization labelled me “a headline-seeking medical journalist.” Other critics lied about the pain-killing advantages of heroin. When finally legalized, some hospitals set up foolish roadblocks to heroin’s use as pain therapy. Do I have regrets? Yes, the anxiety my work caused my family. I could have avoided trouble. But I’d have been an awful hypocrite, and I can’t stand hypocrisy. Besides, my DNA has never allowed me to be a fence-sitter. So, apart from some difficult bumps along the way, being a surgeon and medical journalist has been a wonderful dual ride, and “the best of times”. Final advice for readers? Remember, “If you keep going to hell you will eventually get there.” Living with a faulty lifestyle, fools attempt at the end of life what smart people do at the start. So, don’t fall victim to “pillitis” and take a pill for every ache and pain. Take prescription drugs for the shortest possible time, as they almost always add risks of terrible side effects. Above all, keep in mind what I stressed for years, that many natural remedies in health food stores are safe, less expensive, and should be tried first before prescription drugs, surgery, or other medical treatments. I want to mention the vital role that Susan, my wife, played. As my editor, she frequently kept me out of trouble with the words, “You can’t say that!” She was right 99 percent of the time. I’ll miss her presence, guidance, and love more than I can say. If there is a Pearly Gate I will be waiting at it for her and my family. I’m fortunate that my daughter, Diana, will carry on this column. She was too smart to become a doctor, and that’s why readers will learn a lot from her perspective on health and wellbeing, and about how the world actually works. How I’ll miss my almost daily chats with her. On a philosophical note, I was convinced long ago that “The problems of society are caused by so-called intelligent people who are largely fools.” I haven’t changed my mind. Shakespeare was right when he wrote “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves.” Unfortunately, humans have never learned the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as would you have them do unto you.” Do I have any last wishes? Yes, I’ve always said, “Freedom of the press only belongs to those who own the newspaper.” So, whatever type of media exists behind those Pearly Gates, I want total ownership. I hope a loving God shares my opinion. My best wishes to all readers and editors for good health and longevity. W. Gifford-Jones _________________________________________________________________________ Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Know before you sign by Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist

Know before you sign by Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist As an option to purchasing a cottage, many people purchase a trailer. There are a few different types but if you are purchasing a trailer as opposed to buying a cottage, chances are you are going to purchase one in an established trailer park. I myself had a great trailer for many years in a park in Trent River, a little hamlet next to Havelock, Ontario. That is the most common scenario for trailers. There are a few others and that is what I am going to shed some light on here today. When you head out of the city in any direction you eventually find yourself in beautiful farm country of some sort. With so many lakes and rivers in Ontario there are thousands of parcels of land for sale in the province. Some large others small. Some with water on the property or adjacent to a lake river or stream. A new build is often attractive to people who feel they cannot afford to purchase an established property. In that scenario, you buy the land and then at some point, and there is usually no time limit, you build your house on your land. Some one came to me recently and told me that they had done exactly that. They had purchased a beautiful large vacant waterfront lot in a small hamlet east of Oshawa. The lot was fully serviced, meaning it had hydro and water available. The couple were thrilled that they had this beautiful lot. They purchased a 40-foot house trailer and had it delivered to the lot. After some settling in, everything looked gorgeous. They soon received notice from the township that there were no trailers allowed on the property. They were devastated. They were on the hook for the trailer because they had just purchased it. They also were the owners of the parcel of land. They had no idea that there would be such a problem given that they were the owners of the land. They had seen other trailers in other areas sitting nicely at the water’s edge and never thought that they would have this issue. There was in fact a bylaw for that area that there were no trailers allowed on a vacant lot. Not even while you build your house. The morale here is to never assume that what is perfectly okay in one area is alright in another. Not even in the same area. I would personally go to the city or town office with the paperwork of the lot or parcel I was planning to purchase and have them sign off on what is or isn’t allowed before I would sign on the dotted line. Too many people sign first and ask questions later. This can get very expensive if you try to fight it or try to get a variance for your property. In the end your best bet is always to do your home work.

WE LOST A GREAT ONE…

WE LOST A GREAT ONE... B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States With sadness in my heart I report to you today the passing of a great man. A man that was a friend and associate and an over all exceptional human being. He was one of our first columnist at the Central over 30 years ago. Dr. Ken Walker was born in Croydon, England, the son of Walter and Annie Walker. At the age of three, his parents emigrated to Montreal and later moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario. He received premedical training at the University of Toronto and graduated from the Harvard Medical School. He trained in surgery at the University of Rochester, McGill University and later at the Harvard Medical School. He was also a family doctor, hotel doctor at the Manoir Richelieu Hotel at Murray Bay, Quebec, and ship’s surgeon where on his first Atlantic crossing had to remove the captain of his command due to illness. For 25 years Dr. Walker practiced as gynecological surgeon in Niagara Falls and then was appointed to the staff at Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals. He authored 10 books and was a medical journalist for over 50 years, published by dozens of newspapers in Canada and the U.S. under the pseudonym, W. Gifford-Jones M.D. A strong advocate for women’s rights, medical assistance in dying, and common-sense health, one of his many campaigns was to legalize heroin in Canada to ease the pain of terminal cancer. He was a founding member of The Lincoln Trust and Savings Company. His foundation provided funds to establish the Gifford-Jones Professorship in Pain Control and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto Medical School. He often joked that he was refused admission to the University of Toronto Medical School so was forced to attend Harvard where the admission standards were lower, grateful to be accepted at the Harvard Medical School and even more grateful to graduate. His column stressed over the years the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle. He often wrote about controversial issues, and never as a fence-sitter. As occasionally his columns were rejected by editors, he often expressed the hope that, if there is a Valhalla somewhere, he would own all the newspapers. Dr. Walker enjoyed 70 years with Susan, his wife and constant companion. He will be missed by Susan, his four children and 12 grandchildren. He will be missed and never forgotten. Ken Walker M.D. (W. Gifford-Jones M.D.) February 28,1924 – July 1, 2025

Modern Day Slavery: The Silence They Ignore

Modern Day Slavery: The Silence They Ignore By Dale Jodoin Slavery still exists. Today, it's called human trafficking and illegal immigration. While everyone argues over slavery from 400 years ago, they ignore the slavery right in front of them. This silence is not an accident. It’s deliberate, because modern slavery benefits people in power. Human trafficking is organized slavery. Migrants pay cartels to be smuggled across borders. When they arrive, they owe a debt. That debt is enforced through violence and fear. These people, men, women, and children are forced into labour, drug running, and prostitution. Speaking out means deportation or death. Businesses quietly profit. Undocumented workers are cheap, desperate, and replaceable. They can’t form unions. They don’t complain. Farms, factories, and service jobs all benefit. And politicians look the other way because it keeps industries fed and the economy humming. That’s the truth. Liberals say they defend the vulnerable. But they fight to protect systems that trap people in modern slavery. They call it compassion. They say it’s about opportunity. But how is it compassion to leave someone in a job they can’t quit, earning wages they can’t live on, under threat from violent traffickers? Cartels thrive on this system. Trafficking migrants is big business. Some are used to smuggle drugs. Others are forced into sex work. Debt keeps them trapped. Fear keeps them quiet. This isn’t just happening at the border, it's everywhere. In cities. In the suburbs. In towns where no one thinks to look. Sex trafficking is another form of slavery. Girls and women are taken from India, Asia, Central and South America. Many are drugged, raped, beaten, and sold repeatedly. They’re forced to work as prostitutes and are punished if they resist. Some never escape. Where’s the outrage? Where are the marches, the speeches, the social media campaigns? The same people who demand reparations for past injustices ignore the suffering of people enslaved today. They don’t want to confront the truth, especially when the criminals involved belong to politically protected groups. In Canada and the U.S., the justice system goes soft on minority offenders. Judges hand out light sentences for human trafficking, especially when the accused are Indigenous, Black, or part of another minority group. The idea is to avoid appearing racist. The result is a free pass for traffickers. Gangs of every background are involved: Black gangs, Indigenous gangs, Chinese mobs, and white supremacist groups. They all traffic humans. They all profit. White gangs are just as guilty, often working across state lines, moving drugs and women like cargo. Some are tied to biker gangs and nationalist militias that preach hate while running trafficking rings behind the scenes. Yet they’re rarely exposed because law enforcement fears being accused of profiling, or worse, targeting protected identities unfairly. And still, nothing changes. Speaking honestly gets you labeled racist. That fear keeps people silent. That silence protects criminals. In Canada, Indigenous girls go missing every year. The numbers are staggering. Many families are still waiting for answers. Some of these girls are assumed to have been trafficked, but we don’t truly know how many have fallen into modern slavery. The data is limited, the investigations are weak, and too many cases remain unsolved. The truth is buried under bureaucracy and silence. The UN claims to stand against human trafficking. Yet it often prioritizes politics over victims. Conferences are held. Speeches are made. But the criminals stay in business, and the slaves stay hidden. Liberals cry about the past while ignoring the present. They demand payment for slavery that ended generations ago but won’t confront the slavery happening now. Their outrage is selective. Their compassion is fake. And their silence makes them complicit. This is not about deportation or closed borders. It’s about the truth. People are being enslaved right now. Girls are being raped. Men are being forced to work under threat of violence. Children are vanishing. And the systems built to stop it are protecting the perpetrators. This is not a mystery. We know where it happens. We know who does it. But nothing changes. Because the truth is inconvenient. Because it challenges the narratives. Because it exposes the lies. Human trafficking is the slavery of today. It's in your city. Your neighbourhood. And maybe even your street. But no one talks about it because it doesn’t make anyone feel good. Because there’s no easy villain to blame. Because it might force people to face hard facts. The media avoids it. Politicians downplay it. Activists stay quiet. And victims keep suffering. That’s the cost of silence. That’s the price of fake compassion. We need honesty. We need courage. And we need to stop pretending this isn’t happening. Call it what it is: slavery. No more excuses. No more cover-ups. No more lies.

Ontario’s Court of Appeal Declares ESA-Only Termination Clauses Alive and Well

Ontario’s Court of Appeal Declares ESA-Only Termination Clauses Alive and Well By Tahir Khorasanee, LL.M. Senior Associate, Steinbergs LLP When the Ontario Court of Appeal released Bertsch v. Datastealth Inc., 2025 ONCA 379, employment-law Twitter lit up with a single, incredulous question: Did the Court really just bless an ESA-only clause? It did—and in doing so, it handed employers their clearest roadmap in years for limiting termination packages to the Employment Standards Act’s bare minimums. A meteoric rise—and a four-week fall The appellant, identified as G.B., joined Toronto-based cybersecurity firm Datastealth Inc. in May 2024 as a vice-president on a $300-thousand salary. Less than nine months later he was let go without cause and given four weeks’ pay in lieu of notice— inclusive of the 1 week notice required under section 57 of the ESA for employees with under one year of service. Believing he deserved 12 months’ reasonable notice at common law, G.B. sued. His entire case turned on one paragraph in his contract. The clause under the microscope The deal Datastealth presented G.B. read in part: “If your employment is terminated with or without cause, you will be provided with only the minimum payments and entitlements owed under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000… including notice (or termination pay), severance pay (if applicable) and benefit continuation. …If any of your entitlements under this Agreement are, or could be, less than your minimum entitlements under the ESA, you shall instead receive your minimum entitlements under the ESA.” That final sentence—the so-called failsafe—was Datastealth’s insurance policy: if the clause ever drifted below ESA floor, the ESA kicked back in. Ambiguity argument: the employee’s Hail-Mary G.B. conceded the wording tracked the statute, yet insisted it was ambiguous because a layperson might think the company could fire for mere negligence without pay, contrary to the ESA’s stricter “wilful misconduct” standard. If a clause is even potentially ESA-offside, courts usually strike it down; ambiguity is fatal. The motion judge’s first-down ruling On a Rule 21 motion Datastealth asked the Superior Court to strike the claim outright. Justice Morgan obliged, finding “no reasonable interpretation” that violated the ESA and dismissing the suit without leave to amend. G.B. appealed, arguing the judge set the bar for ambiguity too high. The Appeal Court’s playbook: common-sense, not conjecture Writing for a unanimous panel, Justice Lauwers sided with the employer on every point: Reasonable interpretation trumps fanciful fears. The test is how the clause can fairly be read, not how an uninformed reader might misread it. “With or without cause” does not invite ESA breaches. Read together with the failsafe, the phrase cannot authorize sub-standard notice. Legalese is allowed when the meaning is clear. Phrases like “termination pay” and “severance pay” come straight from the ESA; using them does not create uncertainty. Finding no ambiguity, no contracting-out, and no public-policy concern, the Court of Appeal dismissed the case. Game over. Why Bertsch matters beyond one executive’s paycheque A rare appellate stamp of approval. Since Waksdale (2020), employers have watched a string of lower-court cases gut termination clauses for the slightest drafting slip. Bertsch is the first Ontario Court of Appeal decision in years to uphold an ESA-only provision in its entirety—without blue-pencilling or judicial rescue. Practical language gets a thumbs-up. The Court accepted a straightforward “minimum-standards-only” clause plus a failsafe, rejecting arguments that more elaborate wording is needed to fence off every hypothetical pitfall. The “ordinary person” test takes a backseat. Plaintiffs often argue termination clauses must be intelligible to the non-lawyer employee. The Court clarified that contracts are interpreted objectively, not subjectively, and that reasonableness—not perfection—is the yardstick. Ripple effects across Canada. The decision aligns with British Columbia’s Egan v. Harbour Air Seaplanes (2024 BCCA 222), hinting at a cross-provincial shift toward enforcing plainly drafted ESA or CLC clauses. Playbook for employers: drafting lessons from Bertsch Do Don’t Anchor every entitlement to the ESA—reference the Act explicitly and spell out that statutory minimums are the ceiling as well as the floor. Use blanket language that could be read as limiting benefits or bonuses below statutory thresholds. Include a failsafe: If any portion of the clause is or could be illegal, ESA minima govern. Assume a failsafe alone can cure sloppy drafting—courts still scrutinise the entire agreement. Specify “with or without cause.” This signals the clause covers both no-cause and just-cause scenarios while still bowing to ESA limits. List grounds like “negligence” or “poor performance” that fall short of “wilful misconduct”—that wording invites attack. Keep it reader-friendly but precise. Clear headings (“Termination Pay”) and bullet points help defeat ambiguity claims. Bury critical language in tiny font or dense paragraphs—courts look at structure as well as words. What employees—and their counsel—need to watch Short service, big risk. Senior recruits lured by glossy titles but thin tenure are the most exposed under ESA-only clauses; bargaining for a guaranteed minimum beyond the ESA should be priority one during negotiations. Failsafe ≠ free pass. If any other clause (bonus plan, stock options, confidentiality) purports to claw back amounts on termination that violate the ESA, the entire contract can still fall. Fresh consideration matters. Amendments tightening termination rights mid-employment require something of value in return—for example, a promotion or signing bonus—or they may fail for lack of consideration. Will this change the litigation landscape? Probably—but not overnight. Plaintiffs’ lawyers will still test the limits of every clause, and trial-level judges remain free to distinguish Bertsch on its facts. Yet the ruling offers a powerful precedent: employers who mirror the Datastealth language and respect ESA floors stand a solid chance of early dismissal motions succeeding, sparing six-figure litigation costs. Final whistle For years, HR professionals have juggled duelling dicta: draft ESA-only clauses for cost certainty, but fear they’ll be struck down in court. Bertsch v. Datastealth finally tilts the field back toward predictability. The Court of Appeal didn’t invent a magic incantation—it simply applied first principles of contract interpretation and statutory compliance. The takeaway is refreshingly mundane: write clearly, honour the ESA, add a failsafe, and your clause should stand. In an era when termination-clause litigation has become a cottage industry, that bit of common-sense guidance is worth far more than the four weeks’ pay Datastealth cut to its ex-VP.

Employers Do Not Care About ‘Your Whys.’ They Care About ‘Their Whys.’

Employers Do Not Care About ‘Your Whys.’ They Care About ‘Their Whys.’ By Nick Kossovan Outside of you, nobody really cares about your "whys." Therefore, an effective way to build a relationship with someone is to show them you care about their whys. The ability to cultivate strong bonds with others is a valuable skill that will significantly enhance your personal and professional life. A job search and life tip: When you meet someone for the first time, ask yourself, “How can I help this person?” When interviewing, keep asking yourself, “How can I help this person?” Keeping this question top of mind will change how you interview and come across. For one thing, you will be more consultative rather than the typical "I need a job" candidate. You will be that rare candidate who asserts, "I can help you achieve your goals; here is how," which is very attractive. "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 When it comes to searching for a job, some of your whys may be: · To be able to make your mortgage payments. · To be able to buy food. · To be able to vacation in Costa Rica. · To be able to own a car. · To forward your career. There are countless reasons why someone needs a job and is job searching. Employers are not concerned with any of them. Employers are concerned with their whys. An employer's top four reasons (whys) for hiring for a particular position are: · To maintain their business. · To handle an increasing workload · To grow their business. · To enhance their competitiveness by adding new skills or perspectives. Note none of the employer's whys are "to create a job so a new hire can fulfill their whys." It is your responsibility to manage your career and finances and the employer's responsibility to ensure that their company remains in business and grows. Employers are not in the job-creating business; they are in the profit-making business. Therefore, all their whys lean towards creating and maintaining profits. It is not the goal of a company to increase its workforce. A company's goal is the opposite: Having as few employees as possible while being successful. Care and friendship are not part of the bargain of employment. The deal is 'a day's pay for a day's work.' Anything more than that is either luck or brilliant management. Years ago, I had a tense conversation with a C-suite executive, which ended with, "This company didn't create your lifestyle, so why do you think we should be responsible for it?" Eventually, I realized his point. I was thinking backwards! I was expecting my employer to care about my whys without me caring about my employer’s whys. Once I stopped looking to employers to take care of me, my career trajectory and job search success significantly improved. I was now giving off the "vibe" — your vibes are an integral part of your communication; therefore, always be aware of the vibes you are giving off — that I was looking to help the employer achieve their goals, not just help myself. My vibe differentiated me from the other candidates. Employers will lean into you much more if they feel you genuinely want to help them achieve their goals. This requires understanding why the job you are applying for exists, how it fulfills a need or will help achieve a goal(s). (e.g., increase revenue, lower production costs, maintain a high-value client, increase efficiency) When applying for a job, consider why the position exists. All positions exist to fulfill an essential function. The person hired to fill a position is hired based on their ability to perform and achieve the position's goals. The next time you apply for a job, do something most job seekers never do… reflect on the purpose of the job. Ask yourself, "Why did the company create this position?" "Why does this job exist?" Then, address these whys throughout your application (resume, cover letter) and when interviewing. Holistic reasons a position exists: · Payroll manager: Manage payroll. · Office manager: Oversee office operations. · Social Media Manager: Manage the company's social channels. · Warehouse Order Picker: Pick and package items. The employer's reason for creating the position. · Payroll manager: Ensure that payroll is processed accurately and that payroll tax laws are followed precisely. · Office manager: Maintain an efficient and cost-effective office. · Social Media Manager: Plan, create and execute content strategies to drive engagement on a company's social platforms. · Warehouse Order Picker: Pick and prepare requested items for shipping and complete the necessary paperwork, ensuring orders are processed correctly. You cannot go wrong presenting yourself to employers in such a way that your skills, experience, and, most importantly, your desire to assist the employer in achieving their goals are evident. Nowadays, in addition to having the skills and experience to do the job, employers are looking for employees who are genuinely committed to helping their business succeed. A savvy job seeker focuses on how they can help the employer achieve their whys (goals). Their personal whys are not their primary focus. This is how you make yourself valuable to employers.

GIBERSON PREDICTS COURT CHALLENGES AS COUNCILLORS VOTE TO APPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES BYLAW CHANGES

GIBERSON PREDICTS COURT CHALLENGES AS COUNCILLORS VOTE TO APPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES BYLAW CHANGES I BEGAN A SIX-PART SERIES of social media essays in 2020 on the topic of homelessness in the city of Oshawa, and I can tell you that, five years and over 16,000 views later, the issues I wrote about then are still very much the same now. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I made some lasting friendships along the way. It was also a real eye-opener as I went into the camps to see, first hand, much of what being homeless was all about. I interviewed elected officials and those living and working in the downtown, and I also spent time volunteering for a local meal program. All-in-all it was a disturbing scene, but one filled with a sense of community built on the relationship between those living in desperate conditions, and the army of volunteers and agencies who work so hard to offer support. Looking back at all that I did to immerse myself into the world of homelessness, I can recall standing in line at a now-closed charity on Simcoe Street awaiting a meal prepared by a team of volunteers – in absolutely sweltering conditions. I learned much that day by eating and talking with the men and women who actually rely on local charities and other agencies for their day-to-day survival. Which brings us to the present time, and the debate over changes made to a municipal by-law governing the number and location of social services within the city’s limits. In summary, Oshawa councillors recently approved amendments that would require a considerable separation between new and existing agencies and charities that serve the homeless. Other retail entities were also affected, however the focus of public debate has so-far been focused on the affect these new rules may have on services available for those most vulnerable. At a special council meeting held on Thursday morning, several residents were joined by representatives of the AIDS Committee of Durham Region, as well as the John Howard Society, to express their concerns. The underlying message sent to councillors appeared to be one of implied deceit, with several delegations questioning the ‘real intent’ of the proposed changes. One resident, currently working towards his Masters of Urban Planning degree, appeared before council to suggest the vote would be based more on ‘identity’ than on actual land use aspects. Another resident went so far as to accuse councillors of potential discrimination bordering on Human Rights violations. The specter of going against such laws was also brought to the fore by councillor Derek Giberson – who has, himself, been a board member for the Back Door Mission, a collaborative social service and primary health care HUB located at the Simcoe St. United Church. It is well known the Mission has received an extension to allow them time to find a new space, as the church officially closed, having held their last service in April 2024. That means much of what councillor Giberson said was undoubtedly driven by the likelihood of the Mission being shut out of a large geographical area which surrounds the downtown. However, during his questioning of one of the delegations, he seemed to offer up an entirely different scenario, “If a pre-existing organization in a primary location wants to open a satellite location, would they start ‘massing up’ at their current location…which would go against the intent of these by-law changes?” And that’s not all. On one of his social media pages, the Ward 4 councillor took his colleagues to task by way of a few pre-emptive remarks: “If tomorrow's Zoning By-law amendment passes…it will prevent any new social services operated by a non-profit or charity from opening anywhere in the City of Oshawa within an 800 metre radius of an existing social service… Two letter-writers have already identified the serious concern that it may not pass a Human Rights Code test.” Added to this was a hint dropped by councillor Giberson in the same social media post, perhaps unwittingly, where he appeared to shed light on a potential relocation of the Back Door Mission: “Also included is ‘Dispensing from or receiving at the building clothing and household articles’, prohibiting a place of worship that doesn't currently provide this type of assistance from starting up such a service…” Is it possible the Mission may have found another willing host but inadvertently missed the boat on a new location? Meanwhile, councillor Brian Nicholson who represents Ward 5, itself being inclusive of a portion of the greater downtown area, offered the following comments on his own social media page: “Rather than get into a back and forth with those spreading the false rumours, I would like to express a few simple thoughts. Nothing in the proposed changes impacts the location of existing social services and support groups nor does it limit access to those services… One thing that has been learned from the last decade or so is that locating all social services uses in a confined area leads to many issues for both those in need of services and those resident in the community. It cannot be a one way conversation. Compassion must be offered to both those in need and those living in communities.” He went on to add, “The proposed changes being discussed tomorrow are not a hurried response as claimed by opponents, but a well thought out compromise put forward by planning professionals that both protects the services of those in need and protects the safety and integrity of neighbourhoods and residents impacted by these services.” So, there were specific comments made during the special council meeting which really caught my attention. One of the delegations referred to what she called the “social services industry”, and suggested any blanket ban on new services would essentially be a “freeze on growth.” That aspect was repeated in a question from councillor Giberson: “Some organizations mature and become ‘provincial’… Is this a barrier to that growth?” to which the delegation replied, “Yes.” Another delegation who represents a newly established social services agency lamented the fact they were unable to locate in the downtown, and suggested, “We’re getting bigger and have…federal agencies looking at us now.” Although ‘non-conforming uses’ as they are known, still retain the ability to expand at their current locations, one got the sense that those representing such agencies are more concerned with opportunities for growth than they are at maintaining a balance between those services and the needs of residents and business who call downtown Oshawa their home. Clare Hewitt, the co-founder of Redemption House of Recovery, told councillors, “800 metres (separation between agencies) will stop people from using services. They will stay where the drugs are… People on the streets need to be navigated.” I’ll leave my readers to contemplate the meaning of his remarks.

BEACHES CLOSED!!!

BEACHES CLOSED!!! B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States Is it just me... or has the world gone mad.  I remember the days of my youth. Living in Uruguay South America. Summer days would see extreme heat. You could almost smell the sun in the air. Going to the beach was the only way to keep cool... Back then air conditions were a luxury most could not afford. The only relief if not the beach was a good siesta on a cold tile floor. At times going to the beach could be frightening. They had the ‘RED’ flag signaling strong tide, winds, unpredicted waves and the odd time.... the Rio Negro that ran out of the River Plata and out to the Atlantic would swell due to heavy rains and flush all kinds of animals. Including snakes, gators and anything that swam... including piranha and yes the odd shark that would loose it’s way. Yes, when you would see the red flag.  You had to ask and make sure you stayed out of the water. Never in all my days going to the beach did I ever have to worry about pollution. Toxic waste, radio active waste and or industrial run offs. It appears that things are a lot different today here in Canada. Out of the series of beaches. Some stay open many stay closed. Closed due to the toxic composition in the water. From infectious algae. To pollutants. Now, my question is.... how are some beaches OK to swim in and others are not? Same water. Same lake. That scares me. Think about it for a moment. I rather be bitten by a swept up piranha or have a Python wrap around my neck than have to worry about infection from the same water that we drink and bathe from. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not paranoid or some freak that fears the water. No, I have a very real concern. We live surrounded by nuclear plants. The experts tell us we have nothing to worry about. That it i safe. That the level of radiation these plants release are minimal and have no affect on our health. Yet, most of these experts live outside the danger zones. The test they run on the water measures toxicity based on thresh holds and not on actual purity. Therefore at one site it may read ‘A’ and on another a few miles away ‘B’. One same is safe the other is not.... but what is to say that as soon as that test is done... that the tide does not change and it deems the clear site as now toxic. You can’t expect for these so called experts to continue running tests all day in and out. If it is not safe in Oshawa for example. How can it be safe in Clarington... It is just does not ad up if you ask me. Further more they do not test for purity but for thresh hold figures that are only markers for minimal public health concern. How can you feel safe swimming in such an environment? NO matter the number the water is still toxic. What is worst... That is the same water that is bleached with chlorine and piped up to your faucet, shower... Then flushed out from your toilet, hospital waste lines, industrial plants, commercial food processing cleansing and lets not forget the odd leak from any one of the nuclear plants. You can dive in and take your share of pollutants... Or you can sip them and eat them at home in the form of water and or thought your vegies.... Scary thought...

Canada Day 2025

Canada Day 2025 by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East This year is the 158th anniversary of a country still called Canada. Mired by the dark aspersions cast on our history and the complicated world situation we find ourselves in, we need to remember that we are still Canadians and be proud of it. As we reflect on events since the beginning of the year, let us hope that this year Canada Day will finally bring the nation a glimmer of hope and that the second half of 2025 will be better. Let’s take a moment to consider the incredible contributions made by Canadians throughout our history. Their efforts have helped to make the country what it is today; a country of vibrant cities and strong rural communities. Canada is a place where cultural freedom still flourishes, and Canadians from all backgrounds are still free to express themselves and help our country prosper despite recent tendencies to restrict these freedoms. Successive waves of immigrants from France, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries together with Indigenous people have helped to forge our nation’s unique character. Through their efforts, our communities have become a distinct part of the Canadian identity which we need to preserve rather than deny. We should honour this legacy while we recognize that we can do better in the future. Let’s be proud of our combined anglophone, francophone and indigenous heritage and seek a strong and constructive cooperation with all our people of different backgrounds for a better Canada. Canada was not born of bloody conflict. It emerged from a lengthy process of brainstorming about practical matters, of negotiations, proposals, and legislative ratifications. On July 1, 1867, the Confederation of four Canadian provinces created our country and with the inclusion of Lower Canada – now Quebec – it ensured from the outset that Canada would be a blend of two nations, two cultures and two languages. The acceptance of both civil and common law systems is a factor that still makes Canada a helpful player on the international scene. And from the outset, religious tolerance was Canada’s only option. The enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which made the confederation of the provinces law, was celebrated on July 1, 1867, with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto. Contemporary accounts of the celebration also describe "bonfires, fireworks and illuminations, excursions, military displays and musical and other entertainments". On June 20 of the following year, Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation. However, the holiday was not established in statute until May 15, 1879, when it was designated Dominion Day, alluding to the reference in the British North America Act to the country as a dominion. The holiday was initially not dominant in the national calendar; celebrations were mounted by local communities and the Governor General hosted a party at Rideau Hall. No larger celebrations were held until 1917 and then none again for a further decade—the gold and diamond anniversaries of Confederation, respectively. Canada's centennial in 1967 is often seen as an important milestone in the history of Canadian nationalism and in Canada's maturing as a distinct, independent country, after which Dominion Day became more popular with average Canadians. Some Canadians were, by the early 1980s, informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day, a practice that caused some controversy. However, with the granting of Royal Assent, the holiday's name was officially changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982. Canada Day coincides with Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, with memorials typically held in the morning of July 1. As the anniversary of Confederation, Dominion Day, and later Canada Day, was the date set to commemorate a number of important events. It was the first national radio network hookup by the Canadian National Railway (1927). It was the inauguration of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's cross-country television broadcast, with Governor General Vincent Massey's Dominion Day speech from Parliament Hill (1958) and the flooding of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (1958); It was the first colour television transmission in Canada (1966); the inauguration of the Order of Canada (1967); and the establishment of "O Canada" as the country's national anthem (1980). Other events fell on the same day coincidentally, such as the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, shortly after which Newfoundland recognized July 1 as Memorial Day to commemorate the Newfoundland Regiment's heavy losses during the battle. Our nation is facing greater challenges today, than ever before. These include economic hardship, less reliance on our neighbour on the South, and issues related to a new conflagration in Europe and Middle East, high unemployment and seriously escalating social problems. Let us again show that we support each other. This community spirit is one of the most admirable characteristics of being Canadian. On July the 1st let’s celebrate our country’s achievements and use them, not our failings, as a foundation to build a better and a brighter future together. Let’s celebrate our unity and our treasured country. Happy enlightened Canada Day!

Oshawa isn’t just a car town anymore

Oshawa isn’t just a car town anymore By Dale Jodoin Oshawa isn’t just a car town anymore. The days of General Motors being the centre of everything are fading into the past, and in their place, new Subcultures. Across the Durham Region, a quiet transformation is happening. You might not notice it at first, but if you look closer, the city’s streets, parks, shops, and schools are full of signs that the way people express themselves and have fun is shifting. The entertainment scene isn’t just changing, it's being rebuilt from the ground up by people who don’t wait for permission. Take the car lovers. Oshawa will always have a place in its heart for gearheads. But now it’s more than just retired workers fixing up old Chevys. Young people are showing up with tuned Hondas, LED lights, and sound systems that shake the doors off gas stations. They meet in parking lots and industrial backroads, not for money or fame, but for community. Their cars are part art, part rebellion. These meetups are entertainment in its purest form loud, passionate, and completely their own. Not far from them, on smooth pavement and near old warehouses, you’ll find skaters and BMX riders claiming their space. These kids don’t need fancy gyms or fields. Give them concrete, a board, and a little room to fall, and they’ll turn it into a stage. They film tricks, cheer each other on, and post their wins online. It’s sweaty, painful, and risky but it’s real. And in a world of screens and filters, real life is hard to find. Step inside the local bars or dig around the basement show scene, and you’ll still hear the raw scream of metal and punk. Oshawa’s music culture hasn’t died, it's just gone underground. There are people in this town who live for the sound of heavy riffs and truth-telling lyrics. The crowd is mixed: teens with green hair standing next to grey-bearded punks who’ve been coming to the same spots for twenty years. They don’t follow trends. They make their own. And they’ve got the scars and tattoos to prove it. Down the street, the kids dressed in black, silver chains clinking, aren’t just going through a phase. The alt scene is strong in Oshawa. Some call themselves goths, others emo, others don’t bother with labels. What they share is a need to be seen for who they really are. They make their own clothes, write poetry, and stare the world down with courage masked in eyeliner. They don’t just consume entertainment, they create it in everything they wear, say, and do. Meanwhile, gamers and tech fans are building another world entirely. In dorms, basements, and online chat rooms, they’re coding, streaming, and pushing pixels to the edge. Ontario Tech and Durham College are feeding this quiet revolution. Some of these kids are turning hobbies into side hustles. Others are chasing dreams of esports glory. They may not throw parties, but their screens light up every night with life, drama, and action. You won’t always see them, but they’re there changing the game one click at a time. The hip-hop scene in Durham might not be in the spotlight, but it’s got heart. Local rappers are putting out tracks online, mixing beats in bedrooms, and writing lyrics that speak to real life struggles, losses, hopes, and hustle. It’s not about fame or record deals. It’s about having a voice when no one else is listening. These artists are turning side streets and basketball courts into stages. And if the big city music labels won’t look this way, they’ll build their own scene instead. One of the most colourful subcultures is the anime and cosplay crowd. These fans don’t just watch cartoons. They become them. You’ll spot them at conventions, libraries, or sometimes even wandering through the mall in costume, smiling as kids stare in awe. They sew, sketch, and dream up whole new identities. It’s not weird, it's creative. It’s brave. And it takes guts to show up in full costume when the world is quick to judge. Tattoos have become part of daily life in Oshawa. It’s not just bikers or rockers anymore. Teachers, nurses, waiters, and grandparents are walking around with full sleeves and deep stories written in ink. Tattoo shops aren’t just businesses, they're gathering places. Every design carries meaning. Some mark pain, others celebrate love, and a few are just for fun. Either way, they’re permanent proof that art doesn’t always hang on a wall. Outside the city, a slower, softer culture is taking root. Cottagecore and vintage living aren’t just internet trends, they're ways of life for a growing number of people in the region. These are the folks baking bread, pressing flowers, and thrifting for clothes from another era. They like quiet days, simple joys, and small gatherings. In a fast paced world, they remind us that entertainment can be as gentle as a book and as meaningful as a cup of tea. All of these groups, from the loud to the quiet, from the rough to the soft, are part of what makes Oshawa and Durham special today. This isn’t a city waiting for a concert to come to town or for a big event to make it on the map. The people here are making their own kind of fun, their own way. They’re not looking for permission or attention. They’re looking for connection. Whether it’s through music, fashion, sport, or art, they’re saying one thing loud and clear: we’re here, we’re proud, and we’ve got something to say. The face of entertainment has changed. It’s younger, more creative, and much more personal. And in Oshawa and across Durham, it’s growing every day. If you want to see the future, don’t look at the billboards. Look at the streets, the skate parks, the tattoo chairs, and the cosplay meetups. That’s where the action is. And the best part? Anyone can join in.