This Past Weekend (THE DOWNTOWN FACTOR)

This Past Weekend (THE DOWNTOWN FACTOR) By Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the new food hall on King Street here in Oshawa. Market at 70 king is what it’s called. They were advertising a few weeks back for vendors for their Christmas on King Street event and I decided to rent a table. What a great decision that was. At the time, I knew very little about the venue other than it had once been home to the Genosha Hotel. What a grand spectacle it was when it opened its doors on December 5th, 1929. Soon to be overshadowed by the great depression, the Genosha went on to host dignitaries and celebrities from around the world and take its rightful place in history. Over the years the Genosha changed ownership a few times and eventually fell into disrepair. In 2003 with all the glitter that once was completely gone, the hotel closed its doors for good. The structure sat empty and declining for 14 years until it was purchased by a group of people with a vision. Strategically and methodically the vision came to life. First up was the complete renovation of what used to be the hotel rooms which have been transformed into luxury apartments. Then the complete restoration of the main floor which is now the food hall. The food hall is quite something. It is a smattering of unique owner run restaurants with the exception of Church’s Chicken. They offer a variety of food from Sushi to Greek, Italian and Filipino. There is a sweet shop serving coffee and ice cream along with a few other gems. The absolute stand out for me was the Lobby Bar. The lobby bar faces King Street and is done up in a style and theme that evokes memories of the roaring 20’s through the fabulous forties. They offer a high tea service, which is a very popular thing in Durham Region. They also have happy hour, lunch, and some wonderful specialties. The entire building is steeped in history and pays homage to that. It was a real treat to spend the weekend so close to home yet feel as though I could be in old Montreal or Ney York City back in the day. I am grateful for this brilliant team of people who have come together with such an amazing vision. Downtown Oshawa certainly deserves it! I, along with many others, look forward to seeing what will take place next at this grand old building. There is parking behind the building itself along with street parking on King and Bond and Mary. When you drive by the building you will see it all lit up with beautiful lights. Take that as your personal invitation to take a moment to step through the doors and back in time to a glamorous world of art and entertainment. Soak it in and enjoy a drink or a fabulous meal. You won’t be disappointed.

Canada’s Broken Budget and the Union Army

Canada’s Broken Budget and the Union Army By Dale Jodoin Journalist and Columnist The Liberal government’s latest budget sh ows how desperate Canada has become. The plan to fill the military with federal union workers is not innovation. I panic. A military must defend the nation anywhere, anytime, without hesitation. Soldiers answer to the country, not a bargaining committee. Mixing unions with the armed forces is a recipe for collapse. What happens when troops can strike? When deployment becomes a labour dispute? When defending Canada depends on negotiations? That is not readiness. That is surrender. The truth is, the military can no longer convince enough civilians to join. Recruitment has plummeted. The government, under pressure to meet NATO expectations, is trying to fill empty ranks by any means. This is not strategy; it is damage control. The appearance of strength has replaced the reality of it. Unions exist to protect workers, not fight wars. A unionized military would be paralyzed by red tape and political squabbles. Canadians could find themselves defenseless while government employees debate overtime. This is how free nations crumble. Power shifts from citizens to politically protected unions. Every strike becomes leverage. Every contract dispute becomes a threat to national security. What the Liberals call modernization is nothing more than creating a fragile system that could collapse under pressure. We have already seen the warning signs. Postal workers strike. Bureaucrats walk off. Services freeze. Now imagine that attitude in uniform. A military strike during a national crisis would leave Canada vulnerable and humiliated. The government has forgotten that service means sacrifice. It means discipline and loyalty, not entitlement. The armed forces must be built on strength, not paperwork. Canada needs a general election. The people, not unions or party insiders, must decide how this country defends itself. Defence is not a political show. It is survival. If the military becomes just another branch of the civil service, Canada will lose more than its readiness. It will lose its independence. This is only one scenario, one many Canadians have likely imagined. But if we ignore it, we may one day find that the warning came too late.

TWO PROVINCIAL POLITICAL PARTIES WORTH WATCHING - IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ONTARIO

TWO PROVINCIAL POLITICAL PARTIES WORTH WATCHING - IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ONTARIO AMONG THE TEN PROVINCES AND THREE TERRITORIES that make up the Canadian fabric, no two have yet existed in which conditions have been so equal as to give rise to completely identical principles and policies that guide their legislatures. That being said, there are two provincial political parties that do share certain similarities – the one being the newly formed OneBC party and the other being the Libertarians here in Ontario, both of which I suggest are worth watching in an age of increasing voter discontent. Their similarities include support for lower taxes, private healthcare options, and opposition to certain government mandates and regulations. Both parties advocate for policies that actually reduce the size and scope of government interference in our lives, including significant reductions in taxes. OneBC proposes immediate cuts to personal and corporate income taxes, while the Ontario Libertarian party views compulsory taxation as “theft” and aims to someday eliminate both income and corporate taxes. Imagine that. On the matter of healthcare, there is a certain shared vision towards allowing private options as a way to reduce wait times, with the Libertarians going so far as to advocate for the repeal of the Canada Health Act to allow provinces more autonomy in their decision-making. If you believe parents should have greater choice in their children's education, you’ll easily relate to OneBC supporting equalized funding for public, private, and homeschooling options – all the while opposing "woke" activism in schools. The Libertarian’s also support increasing the availability of non-government education providers as part of their manifesto. Another similarity, and the one I’d like to focus on, is the recognition by both parties of the importance of property rights and the need to reduce government regulations they believe do nothing but burden individuals and businesses. This is of particular importance in the wake of the recent BC Supreme Court Cowichan decision that seeks to legitimize Aboriginal title over about 800 acres of land in South Richmond, specifically along the Fraser River. The ruling stated that existing private property rights in this area, which past generations of the Cowichan Tribes used as a summer village site, are an unjustified infringement on their “title” to the land. In my opinion, that decision is nothing less than monstrous, and it must be challenged in every way possible. The OneBC party is led by former Conservative MLA, Dallas Brodie, who has publicly questioned what many in her province – and I suggest the rest of Canada – see as a growing reconciliation industry. Victoria, the BC capital, initiated what they describe as a voluntary ‘Reconciliation Contribution Fund’ where property owners can choose to donate five or ten percent of their property taxes to local First Nations. The fund is separate from the regular property tax bill and directly supports Indigenous people. There are fears it could become mandatory under the provincial NDP government, and at some point be taken up by the federal Liberals in Ottawa. On the overall Indigenous question in this county, OneBC goes even further by arguing that, without physical excavation of human remains, the "discovery" of graves at residential schools remains unproven, and constitutes what they call "the worst lie in Canadian history". That may be seen as a reference to claims of ‘genocide’ that are being tossed about against what has become fashionable to label as “settlers” here in Canada. The Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Nation, which announced the initial findings of 215 potential burial sites at a former Kamloops Indian Residential School in May 2021, later clarified that these were preliminary findings of soil anomalies detected by ground penetrating radar (GPR), consistent with burials and supported by oral history, not physically excavated "mass graves". While many sites identified by GPR technology have not yet been excavated, some limited excavations including the former Pine Creek Residential School site in Manitoba have not found any human remains. There’s a lot there that could be further discussed, however I want to simply remind my readers of some of what I have already shared in a previous column. Governments at all levels in this country appear ready to continue enacting policies with regard to ever-increasing claims for land, money, and power on the part of Canada’s indigenous population. The federal government has tripled its annual Indigenous spending, from $11 billion to over $32 billion, since Justin Trudeau initially took office in 2015. During that time, Canadian taxpayers have been made to support several significant settlements with First Nations, totaling well over $57 billion. The Province of Ontario has also settled claims with First Nations, paying out a total of $14.9 billion in compensation, and has reached 65 land claims and other agreements, settling for close to $11.1 billion up to March 2024. With regard to ongoing treaty negotiations, a proposed $10 billion settlement was reached to compensate for unpaid past annuities, with the Ontario government contributing $5 billion. Additionally, the Province has committed over $3 billion for loans, grants, and scholarships to encourage Indigenous participation and ownership in the mining sector, and also funds various programs and initiatives through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. That’s a lot to take in, and the dollars involved are nothing less than staggering. OneBC is attempting to push back against the reconciliation industry, in an attempt to bring at least a modicum of sanity into what has been a one-sided debate, and I suspect others, including the Libertarians here in Ontario, may eventually join in that effort. Time alone will tell. Overall, the list of key policy positions advocated by OneBC is impressive. It includes ending mass immigration, banning mandatory indigenous land acknowledgements, erasing "gender ideology and woke policies" from schools, banning teacher strikes (which should have been done decades ago), and putting an end to mail-in and early voting during elections, with all votes to be counted by hand. Those are solid proposals, the arguments for which cannot be broken – either by politicians or by the angry woke mob that seeks to dominate all aspects of our political and cultural institutions.

Former or Fashionable - Why Teens Are Choosing Older Items Over the Newest Edition in Everyday Life

Former or Fashionable - Why Teens Are Choosing Older Items Over the Newest Edition in Everyday Life By Camryn Bland Youth Columnist In modern society, pieces of everyday life are constantly changing, such as technology, fashion, and entertainment. There is always something newer, better and updated being advertised, as companies produce more and more products. Despite this, many individuals choose what is oldest, the most nostalgic. This preference of older editions is becoming more and more common. Despite the fact we are in a digital, high speed age, people often choose mature, vintage items time and time again. It can be expected for older generations to choose items which they grew up with, as the product serves more than a practical purpose; it also comes with nostalgia, familiarity, and enough back in my day comments to last a lifetime. Even to older adults, radios aren't inherently better than Spotify or Apple Music, however, they come with memories of dancing in the kitchen or learning to drive. There’s nothing wrong with a new wardrobe, but older clothes can bring an instant sense of nostalgia and comfort to those growing up with different fashion. It is easy to understand why adults and seniors appreciate what is now vintage, but the appreciation doesn’t just stop adults. Adolescents are beginning to turn away from new trends, instead loving anything older than they are. Record players, digital cameras, and wired headphones are all technologies whichhave been replaced by modern inventions, yet continue to trend. Any song can be found online with the click of a button, but record players are found in millions of teenagebedrooms. Practically all cellphones have a high quality camera, yet countless adolescents, including myself, choose to use a digital camera for photography. Wireless earbuds, such as Airpods, are owned by most youth, yet many individuals prefer their headphones wired for reasons other than the price. These examples raise the question of why? I can’t help but wonder if there is a specific reason younger generations choose items older than themselves as opposed to newer auditions crafted for human convenience. One of the most obvious reasons for this oddity would be the quality. In the example of record players, most music lovers believe sound quality is much richercoming from a vinyl or CD. One of the reasons I love my digital camera is the nature and appearance you cannot get anywhere else. In a lot of situations, classic items are believed to have a higher quality, or a cheaper price, when compared to modern items. However, the genuine quality is not the only reason individuals choose vintage over modern additions. I believe a primary reason is the personality and individuality which is interconnected with tangible items. In 2025, almost every Canadian teen uses a cellphone daily, giving them access to a world of content at their fingertips. Although this may be convenient, it has caused many actions to lose the deeper meaning they previously had. Pictures are now taken to be posted online, not remembered and appreciated. Texting is anticipated, not a choice of real compassion. With older items, normal tasks such as photography or contacting a friend feels less about convenience and more about memories and connection. When using a less modern item, everyday tasks turn into something special, partly due to the time and process involved. Dialing a phone number, downloading images from a memory card, or selecting and placing a vinyl all take time, even if only a moment. In an overwhelming and technological period, these moments which force us to slow down are crucial. It compels us to appreciate an average routine, making mundane moments stand out from the rest of the day. A trending example of the dismissal of recent items comes in the form of thrifting. This is an activity loved by practically all teens, as it combines shopping, saving money, and unique items. However, it also exposes teens to older styles, as thrift stores are a forest of timeless variety. It may take time and a whole lot of faith, but you can always find something unique and antique at a good thrift store. They’re the perfect way for anyone to access the trend of old-age style at an affordable price. Whether it be through second-hand stores or pricey record players, it is clear older items have gained their popularity once again. This comes partly from memories and quality, but also from the personality and experience which comes from these items. Vintage technologies allow younger generations to experience a history which was normal life only a few years prior. It’s easy access to nostalgia and memories different from our own, a different time period filled with more interaction and care than we have now. They hold a story, and allow you to add something new with every usage. Older concepts, whether it be related to technology, fashion, or entertainment, all feel unique, personalized, and tangible in our modern world of screens and convenience. With the modern disconnect and technology reliance currently experienced by teens, I believe we could use anything which forces us to pause and connect, even if it comes in the form of a record player, digital camera, or a pair of wired headphones.

DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?

DOES THIS MAKES SENSE? By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States This week a headline read: Ontario Investing $16.5 Million to Protect Tariff-Impacted Workers and Businesses Projects will support $120 million in total investments while protecting and creating 1,500 jobs across Ontario November 17, 2025 Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade VAUGHAN —The Ontario government is supporting companies and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs by investing $16.5 million through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help them increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario. The announcement marks the first round of funding under the OTTF program, with the eight recipient companies’ projects amounting to over $120 million in investments that will create over 300 new, good-paying jobs and protect nearly 1,200 more across the province. I am no economist, no banker nor a financial scholar. Do the math on the investment vs the return. Does it make sense to plunge 120 million to create 1,500 jobs. The math tells you it is $80,000/job. On the surface one may say. Great. In reality, one has to wonder who will the 120 million be really going to. I know the old thinking. Something is better than nothing... the government is famous for putting out cash and ending up in someone bank account that had nothing to do with the initial intent. I believe that our society is falling and about to fall even harder. We elect officials that do not have the business understanding to make the decisions that they make. So what do they do... they bunch up. Spend millions on expensive consultant to give them a series of choices. From these choices they engage in all kinds of paths. Good or bad. It does not matter. As it is not their money. They make a bad decision. They truly do not care as they are not accountable to no one. Think about it... the article read: The Ontario government is supporting companies and workers impacted by U.S. tariffs by investing $16.5 million through the Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) to help them increase resilience, build capacity and re-shore critical supply chains to Ontario. The question I have for the government.... do they really have an understanding on how tariffs work and or how it will impact industry. I ask this question because tariffs in my opinion should only cause a shift in consumer buying... At the manufacturing level it should produce a shift to newer suppliers. If this stand to be true then where are all these millions going? Who are they politically paying off? Will the average worker really benefit... and if so for how long...

Canada Needs a Real Review of Its Criminal Justice System—Before the Trends Get Worse

Canada Needs a Real Review of Its Criminal Justice System—Before the Trends Get Worse by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Canadians have long taken comfort in the idea that we live in one of the safest societies in the world. For decades this belief was supported by the numbers: violent crime steadily declined from the early 1990s onward, and homicides rarely reached the levels seen elsewhere. But the recent trajectory of serious crime—especially youth violence and non-homicide assaults—suggests that this old narrative no longer reflects the full reality on the ground. It is time for a sober, evidence-based review of Canada’s criminal justice system. Not a political slogan, not a reflexive “tough on crime” or “soft on crime” posture, but a genuine national assessment of what is working, what is failing, and what must be fixed to protect the public while maintaining fairness and due process. The starting point is the data. While Canada’s homicide rate actually declined last year, the overall Crime Severity Index, which measures both the volume and seriousness of police-reported crime, continues to rise. More troubling is the sharp increase in violent offences committed by youth. Police services across the country report more stabbings, swarming attacks, and group-related assaults by minors—crimes that not only shock communities but expose weaknesses in prevention, supervision, and early intervention. Non-homicide violence is also climbing. Assaults, armed robberies, carjackings, and gun-related incidents connected to organized crime have increased in several major cities. These are not isolated events. They are indicators of a criminal ecosystem in which a relatively small number of repeat offenders, gang-affiliated networks, and hard-to-supervise youth are driving a disproportionate amount of the harm. Yet our justice system still operates as if this pattern does not exist. Instead of a coordinated national strategy, we have a patchwork of bail rules, sentencing practices, and provincial policies that vary widely and often lack the resources to be effective. Police officers arrest the same violent offenders again and again, only to see them quickly return to the streets. Courts struggle with backlogs, prosecutors are overloaded, and probation and parole services are stretched beyond their limits. In too many cases, the result is predictable: a system that looks busy but does not deliver the level of public safety Canadians reasonably expect. One area urgently needing scrutiny is bail. Although reforms have tightened reverse-onus provisions for certain violent and firearms offences, the concern from police services across the country remains the same: high-risk repeat offenders are cycling through the system far too easily. Bail decisions are often made within minutes, with incomplete information, in crowded courtrooms that lack the personnel and time required to make properly informed assessments. This is not about punishing the innocent; it is about ensuring the system has the capacity to evaluate risk accurately and consistently. Sentencing and parole also require careful review. Canada must confront the fact that a small fraction of offenders are responsible for a disproportionate amount of serious, violent, and organized crime. For these groups, sentencing ranges, parole eligibility, and supervision models must reflect the real level of threat they pose. The goal is not mass incarceration, but targeted, effective incapacitation of those who consistently endanger the public. At the same time, a credible review must address prevention—not as an afterthought, but as a central pillar. The rise in youth violence is not merely a policing issue. It is connected to social dislocation, mental-health pressures, school disengagement, online radicalization, and the easy influence of criminal peer networks. Without early intervention, mentorship programs, addiction treatment, and collaboration between schools, communities, and justice agencies, the pipeline into criminality will continue unchecked. Canada also needs transparent, standardized national data on recidivism, bail breaches, weapons offences, gang activity, and case backlogs. Without reliable metrics, governments fall back on ideology rather than facts. A justice system that does not measure outcomes cannot improve them. This is why a full review is not just necessary—it is overdue. Canadians deserve a system that protects them while respecting rights, one that distinguishes between those who need treatment, those who need supervision, and those who must be separated from society for the safety of others. The current mix of rising serious crime, growing youth involvement, and administrative overload shows that the status quo is neither sustainable nor responsible. A national review, carried out with integrity and led by independent experts, would allow Canada to build a criminal justice system worthy of its reputation: firm where necessary, fair where possible, and focused always on the safety of its people. In conclusion, Canadians rightly expect a justice system that protects their families, supports victims, rehabilitates those who can be rehabilitated, and isolates those who pose a continuing threat to society. Today’s mixture of rising serious crime, overstretched courts, uneven policing resources, and growing youth violence shows that the current system is not meeting those expectations. A national review—independent, comprehensive, and driven by evidence rather than partisanship—offers the best path forward. Such a review would strengthen public safety, restore confidence in the justice system, and ensure Canada remains the safe, fair, and orderly country it has long aspired to be. With so many lawyers in the Parliament of Canada, that should be a relatively easy task, partisanship aside. This moment calls for leadership and clarity. Canada cannot afford complacency. The trends are unmistakable, the consequences are real, and the need for action is immediate. An evidence-based national review—supported by the many legal minds in Parliament and guided by a genuine commitment to public safety—would allow Canada to modernize its justice system before the problems become so entrenched they become cancerous.

Speed Dating

Speed Dating By Wayne and Tamara I am a 19-year-old college freshman who has never been married. I am actually dating my first boyfriend, but that is by choice, because I never wanted to be a part of the high school drama scene. I wanted a mature relationship that transcended all that. However, I seem to have gotten myself far too deeply into something I am not ready for. I have been dating my boyfriend for almost three months. He’s 21, and we get along wonderfully. I am not his first girlfriend, but the first girlfriend he ”really wanted.” Just a few days into our relationship, he told me he loved me, and kept saying it, though I never responded in kind. After four weeks, I did finally tell him I loved him. I thought I meant this. However, since then, he’s come to mention quite often plans for the future. Plans such as marriage after we both finish college, children, names for those children, and more. I am not ready for this. I cannot definitely say I want to spend the rest of my life with him, though he is completely enamored with me. I’m also worried, because I have not known how to respond, and in saying nothing, I believe he has read my assent. I am truly scared I’ve led him on. This is not something I can accept of myself, since I honestly do care for him. I don’t want to hurt him, but I will continue to lead him on if I don’t say anything. Bobbi Bobbi, ancient artists drawing on cave walls didn’t sign their work. They couldn’t because they didn’t have a written language. Instead they put their hand against the cave wall, took color in their mouth, and blew. The outline of their hand is the mark they left for us. Lovers also leave a mark—on each other. When your boyfriend said “I love you,” he put his mark on you. When you said it back to him, you put your mark on him, even though you had your doubts. The problem with marks is, if love isn’t there on both sides, then the relationship has missed the mark. In sociology there is a term called the “norm of social reciprocity.” That simply means we feel obligated to give back to others what they give to us. It’s called a norm because if we violate it, if we don’t give back, we feel we have done something wrong. When social reciprocity involves sharing or being polite, there is nothing wrong with it. But it has a dark side. It can be used to take advantage of us. When your boyfriend kept saying “I love you,” it created the expectation that you had to say it back to him. Eventually you succumbed. “I love you” is also an implied promise. It says I will behave in certain ways toward you, now and in the future. Since people are supposed to stick to promises, you feel bad about pulling back now. But if you don’t, you will grow weaker as a person, and farther from your true feelings. You went to college to learn things, and one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to say no. You have a chance, through your education, to secure your future. That is an opportunity many young women don’t have. So grab that brass ring and put it in your pocket, knowing that economic freedom gives a woman the power to make wise decisions all of her life. One of the marks of maturity is the ability to do the right thing, even though it is a hard thing. We totally understand not wanting to trifle with another, but if your boyfriend has moved too far forward, that’s on him. The norm of social reciprocity is no substitute for the mark of genuine love. Wayne & Tamara

Prying Eyes

Prying Eyes By Wayne and Tamara Okay, so I’m going to be 25, and I have lots of best friends. One of them is 35. She’s so cool and is super easy to talk to about crushes and stuff. The problem is I know her dad’s side of the family really well, but I don’t know much about her mom’s side. She wasn’t that close to her mom till she had her baby, and now she has gone back to not mentioning her mom much. For some reason my friend doesn’t like her stepdad. She never mentions him—ever. For the longest time I didn’t even know their names, and I only met them once. You’re probably thinking I could just ask her. You see, though, most of this I only know from her grandma who is like a grandma to me. That’s how we met. Her parents divorced when she was seven, and she lived with her dad growing up. I know it’s none of my business, but it would be nice if she could trust me with it. My friend lives a couple of hours away, so I don’t see much of her. I don’t feel like asking her grandma. I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I have so many questions and I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable by asking. Joni Joni, we live in a world where you can go online and find a satellite picture of any stranger’s house, peek at their legal records, or hire a private investigator to ferret out their personal information. Those activities aren’t driven by altruism, but by baser motives. So the first question you might ask yourself is, why do I want to know? Your friend isn’t suicidal, on the edge, or depressed. Just the reverse. Her life is in order. Why do you need to know more about her background than she has already shared? Many people consider family to encompass everyone they are related to, biologically or through marriage. For others, however, family is the emotional network they were raised in. That seems to be your friend’s view. One thing is clear: you don’t have a true need to know, and a sure way to lose a friendship is by being snoopy and overstepping bounds. There is something creepy about the employee who wants a key to the business the second day on the job, and some of the most frightening movies, like “Single White Female” and “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” aren’t about chainsaw massacres. They are about a person who tries to invade a life. We say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but we don’t acknowledge that people who try to learn too much about us trigger our fears. We fear sharks because they can eat our body, but those who try to get too close may make us feel they are consuming our soul. The historian Felipe Fernandez-Armesto has suggested the earliest human idea—an idea far older than the first written records—is cannibalism. That sounds shocking, but he explains that our ancestors around the world rarely practiced cannibalism for nourishment. Rather they did it in a ritual fashion to take on the prowess of those they admired or regarded highly. If he is correct, then the idea of incorporating into ourselves as much as we can about a respected person is deep within us. Perhaps that is why advertisers use sports heroes to get us to purchase products. Paparazzi try to steal images of famous people, and tabloids dig up dirt on them. When tabloids cannot find dirt, they make the dirt up. We don’t think that describes you, but neither do we see a reason for you to look into your friend’s background. Friendship is not something to tamper with. Her example as a person and the warmth of her light should be enough for any true friend. Wayne & Tamara

The Strange Power of Fake Pills

The Strange Power of Fake Pills By Diana Gifford I have been sorting through unpublished Gifford-Jones columns. Among them, I found a dusty clipping from a Reader’s Digest article by Robert A. Siegel and a rough draft of this week’s column. In it, we find a glimpse into a lecture hall at Harvard Medical School 75 years ago, and the teachings of Dr. Henry Beecher, the Harvard anesthetist who challenged the medical establishment’s views about truth and healing. Beecher had stunned his class of medical students when he asked, “Is it ethical for doctors to prescribe a dummy pill – a pill that does no harm, never causes addiction, and yet often cures the patient?” He was speaking of a placebo. The lecture shocked his students who’d been taught that honesty was an unshakeable tenet of medical ethics. And yet Beecher showed that sometimes, deception can be powerful medicine. Siegel’s Reader’s Digest story echoed this point. He described meeting Dr. John Kelley, a psychology professor at Endicott College who studies the placebo effect at Harvard. Curious, Siegel asked whether a “phony pill” might help him overcome his chronic writer’s block, insomnia, and panic attacks. Kelley obliged with a prescription: 100 gold capsules – Siegel’s favourite colour – costing $405. Each one contained nothing but cellulose. And yet, Siegel found that the more expensive they seemed, the better they worked. The gold capsules helped him focus and stay calm. Even when drowsy, another capsule kept him writing. Beecher published his groundbreaking paper “The Powerful Placebo” in 1955. He argued that all new drugs should be tested in double-blind trials so neither doctor nor patient knows who receives the real drug. The results were unsettling. Hundreds of supposedly effective drugs were found to be little more than expensive illusions. Many were pulled from the market. Placebo therapy itself is ancient. And there’s proof that belief predates biochemistry. In the medical lore, we’re told doctors once prescribed crocodile dung or powdered donkey hoof, and sometimes they worked! Later, physicians injected sterile water to relieve pain, and to their surprise, many patients improved. One study in 1959 found that when surgeons tied off an artery to increase blood supply as a treatment for angina, some patients reported relief. But when surgeons merely made a skin incision and did nothing else, the results were just as good. Ethics boards today would never allow such sham surgeries, yet they taught medicine an unforgettable lesson. The mind can profoundly influence the body. Even more astonishing was later research at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Placebo pills improved urinary flow in men with enlarged prostates. Some of these same men also developed side effects so real that they had to stop taking the dummy pills altogether. There is a popular account of a 26-year-old man who swallowed many capsules thinking they were antidepressants. But he was actually in the placebo arm of a trial. His blood pressure plummeted, his heart rate soared, but he stabilized when told the pills were placebos. How do placebos work? The colour of the capsule, the cost, the trust in the physician, all play a role. Our expectations can spark real physiological change, from heart rate to pain relief. Beecher’s lecture appalled some medical trainees. Others were intrigued. But all got the lesson. The placebo didn’t deceive patients; it revealed the self-deception of medicine itself. Of course, no placebo will mend a ruptured appendix or stop internal bleeding. But in an era when so many unnecessary prescriptions are written, perhaps it’s time to remember the wisdom of Voltaire, who wrote, “The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.” —————————————————————————————————————— This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones

When Retirement Savings Meet Healthcare Realities

When Retirement Savings Meet Healthcare Realities By Bruno M. Scanga Ted and Martha had always planned well for retirement—about $600,000 in their RRIFs, which gave them nearly $4,000 a month before taxes. Everything seemed secure—until Ted began experiencing cognitive impairment. For a year or so, Martha managed to care for Ted at home. But eventually she had to make a heart-breaking decision: move him into an extended care facility. Today, depending on your province and whether you’re using publicly subsidized or private care, costs can vary dramatically. For example: · In British Columbia, the maximum monthly rate for long-term care services (publicly subsidized) is $4,073.40 in 2025, while the minimum is about $1,466.20 · Across Canada, private long-term care can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $15,000 per month, depending on location and level of care. In Ted’s case, the facility charged $2,500 per month—a mid-range private rate. Martha knew she needed to boost their RRIF income to keep up: roughly $46,000 extra a year after tax. But even with a strong 7.5% average annual return, the savings evaporated in just eight years. We also face systemic challenges. As of 2025, Ontario has just over 76,000 available LTC spaces, and they’re at full capacity. Meanwhile, nearly 48,000 seniors are waiting for placement—more than the population of many mid-sized Ontario towns. And it’s not just facilities: Based on updated figures from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, around 40% of people who reach age 65 will spend time in a retirement home at some point before they die, underscoring the real possibility that long-term care may be part of many seniors’ life trajectories. Many people prefer staying at home. But private home care isn’t cheap. Depending on the provider, rates for registered nurses run $33 to $41 per hour, medical aides $16 to $21, and personal support workers $22 or more. So, what’s a better way to prepare? Long-Term Care Insurance. Available for people aged 30 to 80, it pays benefits—usually $10 to $300 per day, depending on policy—when care is needed, starting after an elimination period (like 30, 60, or 90 days). Payouts kick in when a physician declares the insured unable to care for themselves due to cognitive impairment or needing help with two or more daily activities. It offers coverage on top of any government benefits. Final Thoughts Ted and Martha’s story is far too common. Retirement savings can disappear fast when unexpected care needs arise. With long-term care costs ranging from $1,466 to well over $6,000 per month in Canada, both planning and protective insurance can make a world of difference.

A Candid Conversation

A Candid Conversation By Theresa Grant Real Estate Columnist A Candid Conversation By Theresa Grant Real Estate We have always had three markets when it comes to real estate in Canada. The buyers’ market, the sellers’ market and a balanced market. Awhile back, I coined a new term for the market we seem to be in. The Trump market. What exactly is the Trump market you ask? Well, it’s a market where the interest rates have really come down nicely considering where they were a year ago, house prices are down 22% from their peek during Covid-19, in fact some absolutely stunning homes that would normally be on offer for well over a million dollars are now being offered well below a million dollars. It’s truly astonishing to see what some of the more palatial mansions of old Oshawa are going for in this market. Why is this the case? In a word, tariffs. Donald Trump’s Tariffs have cast a cloud of fear over Canadian workers to the point that those who were thinking about buying when the interest rates dropped, seem to have completely abandoned the idea. So, while we would have called this a buyers’ market a few years ago. There is definitely something that keeps the buyers from buying. That is the underlying fear of losing their jobs in this very uncertain time. I have heard many stories over the years of people who signed the mortgage papers one day and were laid off or let go the next. Nerve wracking times to be sure. Some real estate agents are reporting zero traffic through their open houses on weekends. That in and of itself screams volumes because even when you’re not necessarily looking to purchase immediately, it’s always been something that people who are intending to purchase at some point enjoy doing. They get out and look. The news is full of reports that housing starts have collapsed, prices are down, the volume of sales is down. Interest rates will continue their downward trend over the next year, but will that make any difference whatsoever? It will help the homeowner who is renewing their mortgage next year, but it will not do much to convince the would-be homeowner that the water is fine and to jump on in. I will admit I have never seen a market like the one we are currently experiencing. That being said, the observance of human nature never disappoints. I find it truly fascinating to see how people behave in different environments, and this is no exception. One thing that stays with me and has since I was a child is a saying that my uncle had. He always used to say, “this too shall pass”. I have brought that to mind many times over the years and firmly believe that it is something we can take comfort in when things are uncertain.

Four Words That Will Help You Get Hired: Features Tell, Benefits Sell

Four Words That Will Help You Get Hired: Features Tell, Benefits Sell By Nick Kossovan The selling principle features tell, benefits sell highlights that customers are driven by outcomes, not technical details. While a product's features describe what it is or does, its benefits explain why that matters to the customer. Successful salespeople focus on conveying the benefits of their products or services in a way that builds both practical and emotional connections. Most job seekers refuse to acknowledge that job searching is a sales activity, which explains their prolonged search. A job seeker has one goal: to sell their value (benefit) to employers. Applying the features tell, benefits sell selling principle to your job search will significantly shorten it. Getting hired depends less on what you can do and more on the value you can contribute to an employer's profitability. Start by identifying your features (skills, experience) and then explain how they offer a tangible benefit (value). Feature: 15 years of delivering $4 million+ projects under budget and on schedule. Benefit: Projects are finished on time and within budget, resulting in cost savings (enhancing profits) and client satisfaction (recurring revenue). Feature: Automated data collection and analysis processes, reducing reporting time from 7 hours to 1.5 hours. Benefit: Executives can make decisions more quickly. Feature: Delivered training to over 50 employees, raising performance metrics within three months by 15%. Benefit: Increasing employee productivity eliminates the need to increase headcount. LinkedIn Profile: Your 24/7/365 Online Presence Your LinkedIn profile is how recruiters and employers discover you and assess whether you're interview-worthy. For these reasons, you should consider your LinkedIn profile more important than your résumé. Your LinkedIn profile and activity will either enhance or hinder your job search. Employing the feature-benefit approach throughout your profile is a game-changer. "As a Sales Manager at Ziffcorp, I led a team of eight outside sales representatives for five years, consistently surpassing our annual sales target by at least 120%, resulting in a 15% year-over-year growth without additional marketing investment." This shows potential employers not just what you did, but also why it matters; what employer doesn't want growth without spending more on marketing? Applying the feature-benefit approach throughout your profile is how you get employers to see you as a solution provider worth having on their payroll. Why would an employer hire you if they don't see an ROI from hiring you? Résumé: Your Marketing Document Like your LinkedIn profile, résumé is an opportunity to leverage features tell, benefits sell. As you should be doing throughout your LinkedIn profile, craft narratives that highlight your accomplishments and their impact. Avoid duplicating your LinkedIn profile; redundancy wastes valuable space that could be used to expound the benefits of hiring you. "I oversaw Grubhub's marketing campaigns, which led to a 55% increase in lead generation from 2022 to 2024, eliminating the need to buy leads." Again, what employer doesn't want growth without incurring additional marketing expenses? Cover Letter: Reason to Read Your Résumé Not including a cover letter is lazy. I don't know a hiring manager who hires lazy. Using your cover letter to provide context around your features, the ones the employer is looking for (skills, years of experience) and explaining the benefits they offer, gives compelling reasons to read your résumé. Don't just say, "I have five years of customer service experience." Instead, say, "Having worked in customer service for five years, I have developed a skill that enables me to resolve conflicts quickly. This has led to a 95% customer satisfaction rate, which correlates directly with customer loyalty and retention." Name an employer that doesn't consider retention and loyalty essential for their business success. Interviewing: The Sales Pitch An interview is a sales meeting; therefore, a feature-benefit approach is a solid strategy. When asked about your experience, don't just recite your résumé. Use the opportunity to show how your features translate into tangible benefits. Imagine you're interviewing for an account management position; don't just say, "I managed a portfolio of over 500 accounts." Instead, use the features-benefit approach: "I oversaw 547 accounts. While meeting the wants and needs of purchasers was my priority, I also ensured invoices were paid in accordance with the agreed-upon terms. As I'm sure you can appreciate, Nifty Snacks, being a wholesaler, constantly monitored how much each retailer was purchasing in relation to their ability to pay on time. Compared to my predecessor, I reduced delinquency by 45%, resulting in fewer accounts being sent to collections agencies." Networking: Building Professional Connections When you meet someone, consider your features and benefits as talking points. Instead of saying, "I'm a project manager," reframe it: "I'm a project manager who has successfully led cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and under budget, saving my last employer over $475,000." This not only creates a more engaging conversation but also leaves a lasting impression. Articulating your features and benefits makes you memorable. By focusing not just on "what you've done" (features) but on "how it matters" (benefits), you transform your job search into a solid explanation of how you add value to an employer, an explanation few job seekers offer because they fail to understand that employers aren't interested in their features, but rather in the benefits of hiring them. ___________________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

Oshawa: The City That Refuses to Die

By Dale Jodoin I’ve lived in Oshawa my whole life. My family came here in 1964, when my father got a job at General Motors. Like many others, he came for honest work and a chance to build something real. He didn’t come for politics or promises he came because Oshawa was a place where you could work hard, raise a family, and take pride in both. He stayed, and so did I. The Oshawa I grew up in was a different kind of city. King Street was lined with diners, barbershops, and smoky pool halls. Some of them even had “no women allowed” signs, strange to think about now, but that was the way it was. The air smelled of oil and metal. You could hear the GM plant from blocks away, humming through the night. That sound meant stability. It meant a steady paycheck, a full table, and a reason to get up in the morning. I worked downtown for years before retiring. I’ve seen this city in its glory days, and I’ve seen it when the silence after the layoffs felt like grief. When the plants slowed down, Oshawa was shaken to its core. Families struggled, businesses closed, and it felt like part of our identity had been lost. But Oshawa doesn’t quit. We bend, we bruise, but we don’t break. Now when I walk downtown, I see a city finding its feet again. Cranes rise where old buildings once stood. The Bond-Simcoe Urban Square is nearly finished, bringing people back to the core. There are new cafés, art studios, and trails being built by the lake that connect us back to nature. The smell of engine grease has been replaced with the smell of coffee and hope. It’s not the same city, but it’s still home. You can still feel the old Oshawa if you stop by the McLaughlin House or the Oshawa Museum. Those places remind us of where we came from the families who built this town with their bare hands, and the industries that gave them a reason to stay. It’s not about who sat in city hall or what policies were passed. Oshawa has always been about the stubborn, hardworking, loyal people who don’t give up even when everything around them seems to change. That’s what keeps this city alive. You see it in the small acts of neighbors helping neighbors, teachers staying late for students, volunteers handing out food with a smile. That’s the real Oshawa. Not the politics, not the headlines, the people. Sure, we’ve still got challenges. Homelessness, addiction, and high living costs are real issues. But we’ve faced worse before, and we always find a way forward. The new HART Hub will help, but real change will come from us from the same people who built this place in the first place. And there’s life here again. Durham College and Ontario Tech have filled the city with new faces and energy. The Convergence Festival paints the streets with color and music every summer. And now the Albany FireWolves lacrosse team is coming to town, bringing pride and excitement back to the Tribute Communities Centre. You can feel momentum again, quiet, but steady. Some say Oshawa isn’t what it used to be, and they’re right. It’s different now but that’s growth. The factories built our bones, but the people built our heart. The city has learned how to change without losing itself. When I walk by Lakeview Park and see kids riding bikes and families laughing near the water, I think about my father. He is proud. He sees that Oshawa still works, still grows, and still believes in itself. The sound may have changed, but the spirit behind it never did. And before I close, I want to thank those who’ve helped keep Oshawa’s story alive. Rick Kerr, City Councillor for Ward 4, believed in this city when others doubted it. He pushed for downtown renewal and never stopped fighting for progress. His persistence reminds us what real dedication looks like. And to Joe Ingino and The Central Newspaper thank you for keeping Oshawa’s voice strong. The paper has stood through the city’s highs and lows, giving space to local stories and international news that affect us here at home. Joe’s work reminds us that Oshawa isn’t isolated from the world, it's part of it, shaped by it, and still proud to speak its truth. That’s what makes Oshawa what it is: persistence, pride, and people who care. We’ve never been the kind of city that waits for someone else to fix things. We roll up our sleeves and do it ourselves. Every time someone says we’re finished, we prove them wrong. That’s why I think our motto should be simple: Welcome Home. Because no matter how much this city grows, it still feels like home. You can leave for years and still find your footing the moment you return. Oshawa bends, but it never breaks. It falls, but it always stands back up. We’ve come a long way, and there’s more to do. But growth isn’t supposed to be easy, it's supposed to be earned. And if any city knows how to earn it, it’s this one. Oshawa doesn’t just survive. It endures. It remembers. And through every change, it remains what it’s always been: the city that refuses to die. Dale Jodoin is a lifelong Oshawa resident and retired downtown worker who writes about the people and spirit that keep his city alive. His words are published with appreciation to The Central Newspaper for continuing to share Oshawa’s voice and the world events that shape it.

Chasing the Clock The Universal Anxiety Which Surrounds Loss of Time

Chasing the Clock The Universal Anxiety Which Surrounds Loss of Time By Camryn Bland Youth Columnist Everyone is given the same 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, and 365 days in a year. Yet, each individual chooses to spend those moments differently, shaped by personal goals, motivations, and circumstances. These moments make up more than one hour or day; they become our entire lives, second by second, whether we recognizeit or not. This reality of time can be viewed with either calm acceptance or anxious worry. Some individuals believe time is in abundance, that a few productive hours justify rest without purpose. However, many others fear the end of the day, concluding time slips away much too quickly. In a better system, I do not believe we would ever be confined to a 24 hour day. I am constantly paralyzed by the cl0ck, wondering how much of my unachievable workload I can get through before the clock strikes midnight. Although everyone shares the same 24 hour day, personal situations make each day distinct. While I study, a classmate is unable to do the same because she has to manage her family, while another can barely get out of bed. I know I am extremely fortunate to have the control which I do. I am able to choose the classes I study in and pursue activities which were chosen to better my future. Yet, despite the advantages, these choices overwhelm me. I want to manage everything, take extra courses, participate in every extracurricular, and master hundreds of skills. Doing it all is impossible, yet I hold a menu of possibilities which I am tooindecisive to choose from. I feel my only option is to order everything or nothing at all. I chase goals without understanding why, save money with no budget, study with no expectation. I spend such a large portion of my life working towards milestones I can’t explain, goals set with no real intentions. The clock keeps moving forward while I keep working, yet I don’t trust the direction either of us are heading towards. One day it may strike midnight, and I’ll realize I never wanted this in the first place. My combination of action and uncertainty can be closely related to the ideal “hustle culture,” as I am surrounded by others who seem so self-assured. People describe their non-stop days, every moment seemingly purposeful. Although this idea is clearly flawed, it continues to drain my motivation, setting an unattainable standard. This has created a need for action, even when the action lacks meaning. Somewhere along the way, time stopped being a gift and became a to-do list. We measure our worth by how many boxes we can check off, or how efficiently we use each hour. Rest, relaxation, and enjoyment never make it on the list, as they are never a priority. I sit, staring at the clock tick like sand running through my fingers, unable to catch a single grain. I fear it may be gone before I can prevent it, I know it is impossible to stop it. I may dictate my activities, but I will be forever confined to a day without enough time. The reality and illusion of control leaves me powerless, understanding I plan for something that was never meant to be mastered. The thought of looking back and regretting my past terrifies me. Every action is irreversible, every decision final. How many social events will I sacrifice for work, or assignments will I miss because of social events? Minor choices feel detrimental, and all regrettable. No matter which of the endless options I choose, none are correct. No matter which way I spin it, this anxiety is futile. I can not control every second, cannot plan the rest of my life. If I continue to attempt this, I will miss the moments in between the days, the seconds filled with happiness instead of intention. The point of a day isn’t to micro-manage and panic, but to experience and learn. As long as we spend our lives thriving to our own standards, then maybe our time is okay. Maybe, the point isn’t to fill every second, but to feel it. The only way to make full use of our time is to find a balance between micro-managing and apathy. We must plan what we can to make our days most worthwhile, but not sacrifice the little moments of rest. We need to stop chasing the moments not meant for perfection, and instead live inside of the opportunities they present. We cannot control the clock, cannot make it stop ticking. However, we can take control in a different way; we can fill each second, hour, and day with balance which makes life worth living.

I can’t believe I’m writing this but here we go

I can’t believe I’m writing this but here we go By Councillor Lisa Robinson Next time you’re at the grocery store, ask yourself: is the meat and dairy you’re purchasing real… or is it cloned? Most Canadians have no idea that our federal government has quietly opened the door to cloned animals in our food supply. Health Canada has reclassified cloned beef and dairy so they are no longer considered “novel foods.” That single decision removed the requirement for pre-market safety reviews, public notification, and labeling — leaving the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the very agency responsible for enforcing food safety and labeling, with almost no authority to intervene. The CFIA is the same agency that didn’t hesitate to kill healthy ostriches — no tests, no proof, no concern for whether the animals were sick or healthy. And now? With cloned meat, they don’t even need to approve whether it’s safe for humans to eat. Think about that. The very agency that treated living creatures like disposable objects is now deciding what we put on our plates — and they don’t have to show us a single shred of evidence that it’s safe. If they couldn’t care about birds, why should we trust them with people? If Health Canada doesn’t require labels, then the CFIA can’t enforce them. Let me be very clear: cloned beef and dairy products from cloned cattle — and their offspring — can now legally enter our grocery stores. There are no labels, no warnings, and no way for Canadians to know what they’re buying or eating. And the most disturbing part? We don’t even know if it’s already on our shelves. Health Canada has not told the public when the change officially took effect — and since there’s no labeling or tracking, there’s no way to verify what’s already in circulation. They say it’s “safe.” But this isn’t about safety anymore — it’s about transparency, ethics, and trust. Cloning is not natural. It’s a laboratory process that copies an animal’s DNA to create a genetic duplicate. Many cloned animals suffer from deformities, reproductive issues, and shortened lifespans. Even the surrogates that carry them face complications. So instead of increasing oversight, our government quietly removed it. Instead of warning Canadians, they decided we didn’t need to know. WTF Canada — time to start paying attention. Do you think this is transparency? I bet the majority of Canadians — maybe 60 to 70% — have no idea this is even happening. And a good chunk would probably call it a “conspiracy theory” while reading this post. Year a little research will prove it’s truth. This is deception, plain and simple Canadians deserve to know what we’re putting on our tables and feeding our families. Health Canada made the decision. The bullies, I mean the CFIA will enforce it. And the Canadian people are left completely in the dark. Time to open your eyes and start paying attention my friends, Because no government should ever decide that the truth belongs to them — and not to the people. 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

THE REALITIES OF THE CLOWARD-PIVEN STRATEGY AND IT’S EFFECT ON CANADIAN SOCIETY

THE REALITIES OF THE CLOWARD-PIVEN STRATEGY AND IT’S EFFECT ON CANADIAN SOCIETY THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE LIVE are very often designed to favour particular outcomes, whether we realize it or not. Quite recently, I came across an online discussion about what is referred to as the Cloward-Piven Strategy, being a process for social and political manipulation – and a topic that has since led me to examine more thoroughly the degree to which this initiative may exist in Canadian society. In this week’s column, I will share with you some of what I've learned. The Cloward-Piven Strategy is a political and social blueprint that aims to create a crisis, both politically and within our welfare system. The aim is to force radical social change and an increasing dependency on government. In recent years, this has included the establishment of a guaranteed minimum income – a topic most Canadians have by now either read or heard about. The strategy was outlined in a 1966 article entitled "The Weight of the Poor: A Strategy to End Poverty," published in the ‘The Nation’ magazine by two American sociologists and political activists, Richard Cloward and Frances Piven. The central idea of their thesis is to encourage mass enrollment into social welfare programs to the point of overloading the administrative and fiscal capacities that support them. What that basically points to is a calculated effort, over time, to mobilize the ‘poor’ and so-called ‘marginalized’ groups in our communities to apply for all the benefits to which they’re entitled. The resulting flood of claims would strain local bureaucracies and budgets, leading to a breakdown in their ability to function properly. In theory, this would compel governments at various levels to intervene with a much bolder solution, such as a guaranteed minimum income provided by the state. As we know, this would result in a massive redistribution of wealth in our country – and add a frightening new level of dependency. For decades, Canadians have witnessed an ongoing expansion in Provincial welfare rolls, however, the concept of a guaranteed minimum income has yet to be implemented – regardless of the efforts made by social activists. I would argue that such a program would, primarily, encourage many thousands of unemployed people across this country to simply rely on government handouts manifestly designed to promote a socialist agenda. Stay with me, because there’s much more behind the ideals that form the basis of such an economic and political theory – ideals that go well beyond a guaranteed minimum income. Some of the more worthwhile commentary I have read on social media suggests the Cloward-Piven Strategy is right now being implemented by our federal government in ways I hadn’t previously considered. It begins with programs put in place during the Covid pandemic, those that included massive government stimulus spending, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which gave more than eight million Canadians free money with no strings attached. Some say desperate times call for desperate measures, however, there’s an argument to be made that CERB was in fact part of a broader agenda, one that helped to create an additional dependency on programs that allowed the federal government to gain more control. Justin Trudeau and his cabinet appeared ready and eager to raise our national debt to the point of bankruptcy-by-design, even under the guise of keeping our national economy temporarily afloat. Another example to be considered is the Liberals’ radical climate agenda that began affecting Canadian energy producers as major banks stopped issuing loans to oil and gas firms unless they complied with net-zero targets. With fuel prices soaring, we faced historic inflation, and food banks across the country reported record demand as the cost of groceries increased roughly 30 per cent between 2020 and 2025. This, too, helps to create a dependency never before seen, as individuals from coast to coast still struggle to feed their families and are more often starting to look to government for assistance. On a larger scale, our now-Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the Vatican in 2019 in support of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, a group designed to unite global corporations, financial institutions, and the Catholic Church under a single moral-economic framework. His message was clear: Loyalty must shift from traditional institutions to a centralized system where authority is dictated by economic compliance. At the same time, there appears to be a movement dedicated to the creation of an even greater permanent dependency on the State through what is known as ‘programmable money’. Our Prime Minister has been seen as one of the most vocal international advocates for Central Bank Digital Currencies. In a speech given at a gathering of the Bank for International Settlements, Mark Carney suggested the future of ‘money’ will be programmable and trackable, and that its purpose must include support for what international agencies see as ‘sustainable’ development. In October 2023, the Bank of Canada began pilot testing a central bank digital currency, and our Prime Minister helped to advise that effort. If implemented, this programmable currency would allow the government to freeze accounts, limit purchases, and control every financial transaction – in theory. What is not mere theory but rather factual evidence is the swiftness of action taken by the federal Liberals to freeze the bank accounts of protesters they simply didn’t agree with. Those “financial incapacitation” measures by which individuals seen at a protest were subjected to bank account freezes and auto insurance cancellation decrees - all without a court order or even notice and a chance to respond - were ultimately deemed by the courts to be unlawful. The actions taken by then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet remain as one of the most glaring examples of government overreach in Canadian history. Additionally, many Western leaders across the globe appear to have loyalties more connected to the World Economic Forum, the United Nations, and other unelected global institutions than to national sovereignty and the maintenance of individual freedoms. The future is full of doubt, particularly for Canada, as in recent days our federal government has brought forward a budget that forecasts a total debt of $1.347-trillion in 2025-26, while at the same time offering up additional spending in excess of $140-billion over five years. When taken as a whole, these and other government initiatives that tear down the rights and freedoms of the individual can only succeed when a community of citizens is itself corrupted into almost complete dependency. This is the Cloward-Piven strategy in full force.

CAMBALACHE

... By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States "Cambalache" can refer to several things, most notably the 1934 Argentine tango song by Enrique Santos Discépolo, which is famous for its lyrics about corruption and chaos. These are the lyrics of such tango that if read carefully... They not only foretell today... but the future to come. Have a read: That the world was and always be filth, I already know… In the year five hundred and six and in the year two thousand too! There always have been thieves, traitors and victims of fraud, happy and bitter people, valuables and imitations. But, that the twentieth century is a display of insolent malice, nobody can deny it anymore. We lived sunk in a fuzz and in the same mud all well-worn… Today it happens it is the same to be decent or a traitor! To be an ignorant, a genius, a pickpocket, a generous person or a swindler! All is the same! Nothing is better! They are the same, an idiot ass and a great professor! There are no failing grades or merit valuations, the immoral have caught up with us. If one lives in a pose and another, in his ambition, steals, it’s the same if it’s a priest, a mattress maker, a king of clubs, a cad or a tramp. What a lack of respect, what a way to run over reason! Anybody is a gentleman! Anybody is a thief! Mixed with Stavisky, you have Don Bosco and La Mignon don Chicho and Napoleon, Carnera and San Martin. Like in the disrespectful window of the bazaars, life is mixed up, and wounded by a sword without rivets you can see a Bible crying next to a water heater. Twentieth century, bazaar problematic and feverish! If you don’t cry, you don’t get fed and if you don’t steal, you’re a stupid. Go ahead! Keep it up! That there, in hell we’re gonna reunite. Don’t think anymore, move out of the way. Nobody seems to care if you were born honest. That is the same the one who works, day and night like an ox, than the one who lives from the others, than the one that kills or heals or the one who lives outside the law. We are living in dangerous times... times that are about to transform civilization in a never to return what was. Canada is under seige in a Cambalache of misconception. As we celebrate ‘Remembrance’ We should all bow our heads in shame in letting our country fall and allow being forced to conform. Canada is tired... and it seeping at the seams. This past week a local news item read: Hateful comments stepped up by assault at McDonald’s A delivery driver was assaulted after a male suspect made hateful comments in Bowmanville, in the Municipality of Clarington. Police attempted to investigate as a hate crime... Now don’t get me wrong there is no room for prejudice or injustice. But in a social Cambalache...you have to give respect to the causation... as open social defiance is seen by Canadians as insulting to our National identity. People dressed in foreign attire even though their right to wear what they want. It is insulting to Canada. Tolerance has been pushed to the limit of oppressive laws to force compliance. This cambalache is not hate but frustration. We may be multicultural but very much one nation with one custom, tradition, language and history. This is why today we bow our heads in remembrance... under one flag, one people.

Remembrance Day 2025: The Nation That Remembers

by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As services across Canada prepare to mark Remembrance Day on November 11, 2025, we once again pause as a nation to remember — not only the wars fought and lives lost, but also the ideals for which those sacrifices were made. In an age when the world seems as turbulent as ever, remembrance is not a mere tradition; it is an act of unity, gratitude, and renewal. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, more than a century ago, the guns of the Great War finally fell silent. The armistice that ended the First World War ushered in a silence that was more profound than any words — a silence filled with the weight of loss, endurance, and hope. More than 625,000 Canadians had served; 61,082 never returned home, and another 154,000 came back wounded in body or in spirit. Those numbers, stark as they are, cannot convey the faces behind them — young men and women from farms, small towns, and city streets who answered the call to serve a country still defining itself. From the Fields of Europe to the Shores of Peacekeeping The legacy of service did not end in 1918. Canadians would again take up arms in the Second World War, standing firm against tyranny when freedom itself hung in the balance. They would serve in Korea, where Canadian soldiers fought in the bitter cold of the hills around Kapyong. They would wear the blue helmets of peacekeepers in Cyprus, Bosnia, and Rwanda. And they would deploy to Afghanistan, where over 40,000 Canadians served and 158 made the ultimate sacrifice. These stories — of courage, sacrifice, and endurance — have shaped our nation’s character. They have given us not only our freedoms but also our shared sense of duty and compassion. Yet as the years pass, the distance between us and those wars grows. The veterans of the Second World War are now few, their ranks thinning each year. That is why our remembrance must deepen, not fade. A Time for National Unity In 2025, the world faces new and uncertain challenges — wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the shadow of extremism, and the pressures of social division at home. At such a time, Remembrance Day calls on Canadians to stand together, above politics, to reaffirm the values that those before us fought to defend: liberty, democracy, and the rule of law. In every community — from coast to coast to coast — Canadians will once again gather around cenotaphs, in schools, town squares, and legions. The red poppy, humble yet powerful, will bloom again on lapels and jackets. It is not a symbol of war but of peace; not of politics but of gratitude. To wear the poppy is to say, I remember. Sadly, there are voices today who downplay the meaning of Remembrance Day, dismissing it as a relic of another age. Yet to forget is to lose ourselves. As Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel reminded us: “Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.” Remembering Beyond the Battlefield Remembrance is not only about soldiers at the front lines. It is also about the families who waited — the mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, children who watched the trains depart and prayed for their loved ones’ return. It is about the workers on factory floors who built the ships, the planes, and the shells. It is about the nurses and doctors who tended to the wounded, and the communities that rebuilt after each war’s end. In Canada, remembrance also means acknowledging those who served at home — Indigenous volunteers who fought in disproportionate numbers, new immigrants who defended a land they had just begun to call home, and women who kept industries running and later demanded their rightful place in society. The Meaning of Sacrifice Freedom, democracy, and peace are not guaranteed. They are earned, maintained, and renewed through vigilance. The men and women who wore the maple leaf on their sleeves understood this. As President John F. Kennedy said in 1961: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” That promise remains relevant today — not as a call to arms, but as a reminder of the responsibility we all share. To be Canadian is to inherit not only rights but also duties: to protect the weak, defend justice, and foster understanding among nations. Lest We Forget On November 11, as the trumpets sound and the silence falls, each of us has a duty to remember — not only as citizens of Canada but as custodians of a legacy built on courage. We do not celebrate war; we commemorate peace. We do not glorify conflict; we honour sacrifice. The poppy on our lapel connects us to those who came before: the soldier in the trenches of Passchendaele, the pilot over Dieppe, the medic in Kandahar. It connects us also to those who serve today — sailors patrolling northern waters, peacekeepers abroad, and reservists who balance military service with civilian life. These men and women are not faceless. They are our neighbours, friends, and family. They have dreams and ambitions, yet they choose service before self. Their courage deserves not only our gratitude but also our enduring remembrance. Carrying the Torch Forward In classrooms across the country, young Canadians will once again recite the lines of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s immortal poem “In Flanders Fields.” It is more than poetry; it is a passing of the torch: “To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.” That torch now rests in our hands. How we carry it — through respect, civic engagement, and a commitment to peace — will define us as much as the battles once did. As we look around our communities this Remembrance Day — from Vancouver to Halifax, from Iqaluit to Windsor — let us stand together as Canadians, united in purpose and gratitude. Let us remember those who gave their today for our tomorrow. For in remembering, we preserve not just the past, but also the very essence of who we are. We will remember them. Lest we forget.

Why Flying Is Safer Than Surgery?

Why Flying Is Safer Than Surgery By Diana Gifford Many of us have the experience of boarding a plane with a prayer that the pilot has had enough sleep. With your surgeon, it’s a similar problem. Few people get to choose who will do their surgery. Even if you’ve gone to the trouble of arranging a referral to the best, how can you know the doctor hasn’t hit a rough patch? Maybe a crumbling marriage? Or a punishing work and travel schedule that simply has your surgeon fatigued? What can you do? As individual patients, not much. In fact, wait lines are often so long there’s a disincentive to jeopardize that precious surgery date. But as for airline pilots, health care systems have safeguards to ensure surgeons are in good working order. But they are a looser and more opaque. Working hours for pilots are strictly regulated by law. Residents in training often work 24-hour shifts despite known fatigue risks. Fully trained surgeons often have no legally mandated work-hour limits. Schedules are set by hospitals and departments. Is there a culture of bravado among doctors, that they tolerate this? When there’s a near miss in an airplane, the pilot faces the same consequences as passengers. When a surgeon makes an error, there no co-surgeon to prevent or correct it, and reporting of incidents is rare for fear of lawsuits. Physicians are trained to diagnose and to treat. They are not trained to admit vulnerability. Yet, the profession is showing serious strain. More than half of Canadian doctors report feeling burned out, with many contemplating early retirement. In the United States, the numbers are similar. Across Europe, countries have begun to notice alarming levels of depression, addiction, and even suicide among doctors. Why then does the public know so little about existing programs that support doctors and their families. Even healers need help when the going gets rough. We should be broadcasting the programs that care for doctors. And they do exist. The Ontario Medical Association offers a confidential Physician Health Program for doctors, residents, and medical students dealing with mental health challenges, addictions, or professional stress. Other provinces in Canada have comparable services. The U.S. has the Federation of State Physician Health Programs. In Europe, the NHS Practitioner Health service in England, the Practitioner Health Matters Programme in Ireland, and programs in the Netherlands, Norway, and France provide support. Spain offers a particularly sobering example. In the 1990s, several high-profile physician suicides shocked the medical community there. The profession realized that denial and silence were killing their own, and that patients, too, were at risk. In response, the medical colleges created the Programa de Atención Integral al Médico Enfermo, or “Comprehensive Care Program for the Sick Doctor.” It has become a model across Europe, combining confidentiality with structured monitoring to ensure doctors get well and return to practice. The model is strikingly consistent across jurisdictions, offering confidential support, separate from licensing bodies, to encourage doctors to step forward. Where risk to patients is clear, reporting obligations to regulators remain. But the central aim is prevention: address problems before they spiral into impairment, mistakes, or withdrawal from practice. Should the public know more about these programs? My answer is yes. Not to fuel distrust, but to build confidence. A doctor who seeks help is not a doctor to be feared; quite the opposite. Still, it is easy to see why some bristle. Shouldn’t the system be stricter, not gentler, with impaired physicians? Isn’t there a danger these programs “protect their own”? Such suspicion misreads the design. These programs are protective, for doctors and patients. Alas, medicine clings to its culture of invincibility, and that’s why flying is safer than surgery. —————————————————————————————————————— This column offers opinions on health and wellness, not personal medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones

The Hidden Role of Luck in Building Wealth

The Hidden Role of Luck in Building Wealth By Bruno M. Scanga Deposit Broker, Insurance & Investment Advisor When it comes to money and investing, a lot of people fall into the same trap: chasing what’s “hot” right now. If a certain stock, sector, or trend is making headlines, many will jump in—hoping they’ve found a “sure thing.” The funny thing is that’s the exact opposite of how real planning works. Whether it’s a financial strategy, goal setting, or life in general, lasting results come from acting before the proof is obvious. Think about New Year’s resolutions. When you commit to exercising three times a week or finding a new job, you’re betting on something you want, not something you already see. At first, there’s no evidence it will work—but over time, if your actions match your intentions, results show up. Eventually, you may even enjoy the process. The problem is that most people want proof first. It works the other way around: action comes first, then proof follows. History is full of examples—Gandhi imagined a free India long before there was any evidence it could happen. A financial strategy works the same way. When you buy a car, you get the keys at once. But when you sit down with an advisor to map out retirement, you’re taking steps today for something you might not see for 20 or 30 years. The only “evidence” we have is the past—and while it can guide us, it can’t guarantee the future. That’s where both wise behavior and a little luck come into play. Advisors can point to past success stories, but your journey will be unique. You might even do better than expected—but there are no promises. The smartest path? Follow proven strategies to build wealth as efficiently as possible, while tailoring them to your comfort level, lifestyle, and financial situation. Your plan should factor in your health, earning potential, savings ability, and resilience against life’s bumps—like recessions, job loss, or unexpected expenses. Once the key pieces are in place—saving tax-efficiently with RRSPs or TFSAs, managing risk, and living within your means—the next step is to give your plan the one thing it truly needs: time. But don’t confuse that with “set it and forget it.” The economy changes. Government policies shift. Markets evolve. These things will affect your plan, which is why regular check-ins and adjustments are crucial. And then there’s luck—the wildcard you can’t control but can certainly be ready for. Who could have predicted that real estate values in some Canadian cities would skyrocket, giving many Baby Boomers an unexpected boost to their retirement? Sometimes, simply owning the right asset at the right time makes all the difference. In the end, good planning is about creating the conditions where luck can work in your favor. Preparation doesn’t guarantee success—but it sure stacks the odds. Talk about how to combine smart planning with life’s unpredictable twists to help you reach your goals.