Showing posts with label Central. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Central. Show all posts
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Going Natural for Male Vitality
Going Natural for Male
Vitality
By Diana Gifford
Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." But for many aging men, it matters a lot when their prized male organ starts to lose the vitality of youth. One of the most common yet often unspoken challenges is the decline in testosterone levels, a natural part of aging that can significantly impact physical and emotional well-being.
Starting as early as the mid-30s, testosterone levels in men begin to decrease by approximately 1 percent per year. This gradual decline can lead to symptoms like fatigue, reduced muscle mass, irritability, and perhaps most distressing for many, a diminished libido.
Not everyone aspires to be Don Juan. But for many, having sufficient upbeat libido is what drives life’s most intimate joys. Plus, having positive and healthy intimate connections can be an indication of broader good health. How many readers know that erectile dysfunction (ED), for instance, is often a precursor to cardiovascular problems? The healthy performance of the male organ can be an indication of the healthy performance of the heart. And when the former declines in prowess, one may surmise the heart is also losing vitality.
But here’s the rub. Many men have trouble discussing their sexual health – with their partners and their doctors, both. The personal relationship with their partners suffers needlessly as a result. Those who do act make two common mistakes. The first is to leap immediately to pharmaceutical solutions that come with potential side effects. The second is to scour the Internet for promising products, nearly all of which are dubious. Searching the Internet causes another problem – the invitation for algorithms to send more and more trashy content that will certainly embarrass when popping up on the screen as someone else is watching!
There’s a Gifford-Jones law that says, “Try natural remedies first.” Fortunately, there are some products available at natural health food and supplements stores that are tested and proven solutions to reignite men’s testosterone production and renew sexual interest. One example is Testo Charge, produced by Certified Naturals, a firm that specializes in clinically studied ingredients, uses no artificial additives, and packages capsules in the dosage scientists have tested in trials.
Testo Charge is made using patented LJ100 tongkat ali, an extract derived from a Southeast Asian plant having a long tradition as a natural aphrodisiac and vitality booster. Studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in boosting testosterone levels, improving sexual performance, and enhancing mood and energy.
There’s something to be said for another natural approach to macho manhood. Don’t forget that a little romance can a powerful aphrodisiac. Build a menu of loving options, each one of which is priceless – a kiss, a caress, a lasting cuddle. There need not always be a main course when the appetizers are filling enough. It’s perfectly natural for intimate relationships to evolve as the years go by.
What’s often underestimated is the importance of talking about how personal abilities change. Yet being the one to open up such discussions is often very, very hard. Years ago, we told readers that bananas go well with hanky-panky. That’s because bananas are loaded with potassium, a nutrient that lowers blood pressure. Bananas also contain magnesium and calcium, nutrients that can help to ease strained muscles. We recommended putting a banana on the bedside table as a fun way to signal romantic intentions to a partner.
Since laughter is such good medicine too, why not write to us with your stories of the amorous effects of your own bedside banana? We’ll print the best ones in a future column.
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HELLO
HELLO
By Wayne and Tamara
I am not sure why I am writing, but I have to know why this is so hard for me to forget. A week ago a man I worked with two years ago called and told me he still thinks about me all the time. He knew I was married and so he never did anything about it. He would give hints, but I thought he was being nice.
I have been married to a wonderful man for 13 years. We both have never cheated, and he has dealt with my spending habits. We have two children. The other man has a girlfriend now, and after speaking to him Saturday night, I have not spoken to him again.
I know I am not happy and do not think I can stay with my husband. I love him but am not in love with him and haven’t been for a long time. I think this heartfelt admission from another helped me see this, though I am not sure why he would call after all this time, and then not call or email again.
Pattie
Pattie, you’ve been carrying around an unloaded rifle, and now someone has put a live round in the chamber. The question you ask is, should I pull the trigger? One phone call is basically nothing, yet one phone call from one man on one night, and you are ready to leave your husband. Who knows what triggered the call. Your former coworker may have been drunk or lonely or feeling amorous. You praise your husband for dealing with your spending habits, and that may be the red flag. Have you reached the end of the line with using money to buy moments of happiness? You say you don’t love your husband anymore, but we are wondering if you ever loved him. Actual love builds and builds.
There is only one thing to do. Look in your heart and figure out how you went from accepting a marriage proposal to being willing to abandon a marriage after a single phone call.
Wayne
Innocent Bystanders
My wife and I are good friends with a couple whom we often accompany to blues festivals and other music venues. The last two times we have been out my buddy’s wife has spent at least an hour or two in the company of two other men she met at these events.
She just disappears. My buddy has made several comments about her “blues boyfriends” and seems not happy about the situation. My wife and I definitely felt uncomfortable both times. In all other regards they seem to be perfectly happy together and enjoy a good relationship.
My question is this. Does this sound like normal behavior? Even if the behavior is innocent on her part, most of the guys I know who hang around other women are usually interested in one thing. And why the heck do I care enough to write you about this?
Vern
Vern, a few years ago Wayne was driving on a highway when a man in a new pickup truck passed him. He was a nice looking older man, and Wayne got a good look at him. When the pickup was well ahead of him, Wayne noticed a tractor trailer approaching the highway from a side road.
The tractor trailer suddenly lurched forward to beat the traffic. In an instant Wayne foresaw what would happen, but he was powerless to stop it. White and blue smoke poured from tires and brakes as the pickup slammed under the larger truck and exploded.
Some men and women can just be friends, but this feels like the last few seconds before an accident. There are elements in the lives of others which make it impossible for us to befriend them. Seeing shock on the faces of bystanders may help this couple face the conflagration they are trying to ignore.
Tamara
8 Stoicism Principles for Job Search Success
8 Stoicism Principles for Job Search Success
By Nick Kossovan
Stoicism is an ancient school of Hellenistic philosophy that teaches us to focus on virtue, reason, and living in harmony with our circumstances. It encourages us to concentrate on what's within our control—our thoughts and actions—while accepting what we can't change, such as being ghosted. Applying Stoic principles to your job search will give you the mental resilience needed to navigate today's fiercely competitive job market and improve your chances of hearing "You're hired!" sooner.
1. Focus on What You Can Control
By focusing on what you can control and influence, you're taking the reins of your job search. You can't control the job market, the number of applicants, or the whims of hiring managers. As Seneca said, "We suffer more in imagination than in reality."
Your energy goes where you focus, so focus on what you can control:
· Your resume · Your LinkedIn profile and activity · Your networking efforts · Your digital footprint · Your interview preparation
Whenever you apply for a job and don't hear back, don't dwell on it. More importantly, don't post on LinkedIn a rant about employers not knowing how to hire. Anti-employer posts are public displays that potential employers will read, showing that you can't control your emotions.
2. Accept What You Cannot
Rejection is an unavoidable part of job searching. Accept that many factors influencing a hiring decision are beyond your control, such as how an employer structures their hiring process, rude behaviour, interviewers who are indifferent, and that there's always someone younger, more skilled, and hungrier than you. Then there's the "I'm a victim of [whatever]!" narrative job seekers often use, which hopefully you aren't participating in. Accepting what you can't control isn't a sign of weakness, but a wise choice that frees up crucial mental space to focus on your job search. Not getting the job, being ghosted, not receiving feedback, and other job search irritations aren't gross injustices as many would have you believe.
3. View Adversity as an Opportunity for Growth
When it comes to job searching, you must overcome—either positively or negatively, the choice is yours—the many 'you can't win them all' challenges you'll inevitably have to deal with.
Instead of expressing your frustrations publicly, damaging your job search, think of these setbacks as learning opportunities. Ask yourself, "What could I have done better?" Perhaps, when networking, you should try offering value first (TIP: When you meet someone for the first time, ask yourself, "How can I help this person?") or focus on quantifying your achievements on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Viewing adversity as a growth opportunity is key to keeping your job search moving forward.
4. Live Virtuously
A virtuous job search approach fosters the crucial element for hiring a specific candidate: trust.
Desperation has led many job seekers to exaggerate and lie on their resumes, hence making honesty and integrity a competitive advantage, which is a sad commentary on our times. As the number of 'bad actors' populating the job market rises, being transparent about your experience and skills sets you apart, since candidates who are transparent are becoming increasingly rare.
5. Practice Gratitude
Your mindset is essential for making your job search more effective and sustainable, rather than scattered and hopeless. It's easy to be overwhelmed by negativity, especially from other frustrated job seekers. Practicing gratitude shifts your focus to the positive aspects of your job search journey, and establishing the faith that, ultimately, you'll find yourself in a better place, as I've experienced several times. A daily practice that'll keep you motivated and resilient is maintaining a gratitude journal. Every morning, write down what you're thankful for, whether it's supportive family and friends, the recruiter who accepted your LinkedIn connection invite, a new skill you've learned, being healthy, having tomatoes in your garden, or any of the countless other reasons to be grateful for being alive and having another day to experience life.
6. Embrace the Present Moment
You can't control the past (what happened) or the future (what will happen). While planning is important, obsessing over what's next distracts you from the present, which is within your control. Embracing the moment means fully engaging with your current tasks, whether it's networking, applying for jobs, or preparing for an interview. Focus entirely on the task at hand and trust that the results will follow.
7. Cultivate Wisdom
Cultivating wisdom involves the ability to discern what's truly important in life, which, as a former chaser of the almighty dollar, I can tell you isn't money. Practically every job seeker I speak with talks about getting paid what they're worth, hence they're chasing their "supposed" worth, which is highly subjective and entirely at the employer's discretion. From experience, chasing happiness is much easier and more rewarding than chasing after your "supposed" worth.
8. Treat Others with Kindness
In a world that often feels self-centred, showing kindness sets you apart. Never mimic the bad behaviour of others and childishly justify your behaviour with "Well, if they can act this way, why can't I?"
The Golden Rule—treating others as you want to be treated—applies throughout your job search and in all areas of life.
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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
THE FOURTH OF MY SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS * A CONVERSATION WITH COUNCILLOR JOHN GRAY *
I MET JOHN GRAY FOR THE FIRST TIME well over 30 years ago. We began our conversation with his reminding me of that which I already knew “I’m very much a hands-on person, and I refuse to give my name to anything unless I’ve played a major role in making it happen.” That sentiment illustrates much of what his friends and colleagues have come to know and expect from a man they have called Alderman, Mayor and Councillor during his many years as an advocate for the community.
A classic car buff, John took pride in telling me of his many hours spent working on mechanical and cosmetic restorations. Unlike most enthusiasts, John enjoys his time in an air conditioned garage that used to be an indoor swimming pool at the back of his house. He said he simply couldn’t wait to fill it in and create a one-of-a-kind space where he can tinker with his cars, although his family had to be persuaded first – which wasn’t an easy task.
John was born in Scarborough in 1959, and at the age of five his family moved to Whitby where he began what would become his formative years, eventually moving to Oshawa as a young man at the age of 23. He received a diploma in Accounting and Financial Management from Centennial College in Scarborough, and as it happens, we shared a few memories as fellow alumni of the Progress campus. He went on to enjoy an interesting career teaching accounting software techniques, as well as establishing on-line database tools for a publishing company located in Toronto.
John looks back at his first run for elected office with an ounce of humility. “I ran for council in 1991 and lost in a big way, and that experience taught me a great deal as I learned the value of face-to-face contact with voters, and I have made it my mission since then to knock on every door.”
He said his life in local politics has been governed by what he describes as a simple but sound philosophy, “I will do whatever it takes to leave this city a better place than I found it.” He attempted to do just that with a considerable amount of infrastructure and ‘legacy’ developments, such as the Legends Centre (now the Delpark Homes Centre) on Harmony Road, and the General Motors Centre (now known as the Tribute Communities Centre) in downtown Oshawa. As always, politics is a tough game, and John did earn a reputation as a free-spending mayor – one who was not afraid to add considerable debt to the City at that time. Ultimately, he would pay the price for that, having been voted out of the Mayor’s office in 2010.
Of course, none of his achievements came easily, or without certain struggles. John recollects chairing a number of very difficult public meetings, but in the end, he feels he was able to maintain a united council. He laughed while thinking back to the opening night concert performed by Tom Jones at the brand new General Motors Centre – as it just happened to coincide with his 2006 election win.
As with anyone in political life, there were many ups and downs in John’s career. Since 1994 he has served as a City and a Regional councillor, and was Mayor of Oshawa between 2003 and 2010. He was elected back onto City Council in 2018 where he continues to serve. John looks back on his first electoral success in 1994 with fond memories “It was a moment of sheer elation” he told me. “There were times when I had to force myself to go out and knock on doors, and I came to the realization that my greatest successes were those I achieved during difficult times – when I would meet some of my most ardent supporters who made such a difference to my campaign.”
John’s early experience watching Oshawa council mirrors my own, however he took the unusual step of attending City Hall in person as much as he could. He recalled what we both see as the “good old days” with men like Jim Potticary, Ed Kolodzie, John DeHart and Jack Wiley in front of the Rogers Cable10 cameras.
In point of fact, John remembers his friend and mentor, Gerry Emm, a long time Whitby politician, as being a major influence in his decision to eventually run for office. “When my dad received his first regional water bill in the early 1970’s he was livid, and the first person he called to complain about it was Gerry, and my dad ended up becoming one of Gerry’s biggest supporters. Others whom John saw as friends include Des Newman, Bob Attersley, and Jim Gartshore, big men in their time and effective community leaders, all of whom offered as much advice as one could expect.
The years that would mark John’s time in office were driven, as he says, by a desire to do his best for the city’s downtown, and he told me he remains quite pleased with his accomplishments, although he was forced to pay a personal price. “There were many sleepless nights where I would work in my garage for hours on end following some very contentious meetings.” he said. “But in the end my colleagues and I were able to remain as a unified council, and our success in building a legacy for this city stands on its own.” John also spoke of the working relationship he had with the likes of Terry Kelly, who would at one point telephone him, expressing his personal gratitude for John’s efforts in establishing the General Motors Centre.
Fast forward to the year that is 2025 and the many challenges we face in our society and our communities. I asked John to offer his assessment as to the future of Oshawa, and he immediately raised two concerns, telling me “Our goal must be to further enhance residential development in our downtown, and to somehow deal with the issue of what has become the ‘homelessness crisis’ facing our region and our country.” He further suggests “Successful communities are those that stand above, through innovation and new ideas.” John feels his work in helping to create a better community is not yet finished.
He is currently the City Councillor for Ward 5.
OXYMORONIC!!!
OXYMORONIC!!!
B.A. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
City of Oshawa may think it is drinking from the fountain of youth when it comes to their pereception of the City. In reality we all can see through it and realize that the toilet they are attempting to have the rest of us drink from is far from the fountain of youth.
Just look at the crap they post on their own City web page, as to give themselves some sort of journalistic creditability. The hypocrites that claim they support local small businesses when they far from support any local business unless they are one of the chosen brownosers in their inner circle. Look at the state of the core. Yes, they support local small businesses... Keep drinking the Cool-Aid, Mr. Mayor. Does he know where the core is? On the City own web page they post:
For the latest City news and factual information
Subscribe to City News & Alerts and follow us on - LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, (Twitter) X. This is the same City that likes to think they are inclusive,diverse and equitable?
What a joke. Instead of supporting a local business that has been serving for over 30 years. They rather have taxpayers go to a public toilet for censored releases by the City. This is type of posting lacks any journalistic integrity. It lacks the essence of reporting as it is far from arms length and heavily censored by the municipality. This is not news. To boot they post these ‘factual information’ on social media posts. The ultimate modern day information public toilet forums. At least on a public toilet they make it clear. Male/Female. On social media posts they call the ability to defecate a whole array of catching names like FB and the many others. What disgrace that they city is so cold to force tax payers to buy computers, to pay for internet services to read their censored information passed as ‘factual’. What a disgrace.
As not to confuse anyone with the title:
"Oxymoronic" describes something that contains or uses an oxymoron, which is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. Essentially, it's when two words with opposite meanings are used together to create a new meaning or highlight a point. (factual/information) (censored by the city, not arms length).
In this case we can leave the OXY out and the City own admittance of factual is far from factual but censored and bias. They do not hold the expertise or experience to deem their censored material as news. Leaving them looking like a bunch of morons. This is why our taxes keep going up. Our businesses empty out and our street turned into drug addict heaven. Shame on you City of Oshawa for the deception.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES
The Revival of the National Defence
The Revival of the
National Defence
by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC
FEC, CET, P.Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
The Government of Canada is moving towards to strengthening Canada’s National Defence. Ignored for decades by successive Liberal and Conservative governments, a positive decision has been made by the ruling Liberal Government. Whether prompted by international pressures or the necessity to protect our borders, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a move to bolster our national defence. .
However, the goal of hitting NATO's defence spending target of two per cent of gross domestic product this year will be an uphill battle. The Prime Minister has explicitly stated that part of the goal is to build up the Canadian defence industry, while acknowledging that continuing to do business with allies, including the United States, will remain necessary.
An extra $8.7 billion is earmarked for defence spending by the Department of National Defence (DND) or other government departments, and $370 million for the Communications Security Establishment (CSE). Allies have been pushing Canada to meet NATO's goal for nearly 20 years — but actually doing so has become imperative with Donald Trump in the White House.
The Prime Minister’s words and commitment are right, but he has got to crack the whip in short order. It will be necessary to bring about a complete and rapid change in the mentality and competence of National Defence procurement personnel. Government procurement officials will need to reverse a long-standing culture of risk aversion, deferring decisions and allowing billions of dollars in lapsed spending.
During my career in the military engineers, I witnessed numerous examples of indecision and waste perpetrated by both civilian and military personnel who were responsible for infrastructure and procurement both domestically and internationally. During my tenure as an MP serving on the National Defence Committee I was appalled by indecisions regarding National Defence issues. For example, the contract for procurement of the F35s was left in limbo when the Government was able to make the decision to procure them. This indecision later cost Canadian taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, when after 10 years, the Trudeau Liberal government, rather than Harper’s Conservatives signed the contract.
It is also interesting to find my former colleague on the defence committee, James Bezan, who is now the Conservative defence critic, declaring that it will be difficult for procurement officials in government to change their well-entrenched bureaucratic mentalities. Why didn’t our Conservative government at the time do anything to bring a change of this harmful mentality if it is so clear to him now? Our Conservative Government tolerated managing the procurement for the war in Afghanistan from Koblenz Germany for a long time, which I experienced first hand when deployed. It was faulty and cost taxpayers millions for wrong military hardware delivered and contracts with questionable and costly trading companies. I will refrain from talking about the waste incurred in the peace-keeping mission in Bosnia Herzegovina during my deployment there.
Therefore, for Prime Minister Carney’s Government to be successful and timely it needs to move quickly for a complete overhaul of the Department of National Defence (DND), Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
In situations that are truly time sensitive, the government can invoke a National Security Exception (NSE), Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) or issue an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN). Although these have strict eligibility criteria and are not everyday tools.
Though Prime Minister Carney outlined the general areas for increased investment on June 9, he gave no specifics. The list included better compensation; health care and infrastructure for personnel; new equipment such as aircraft, armed vehicles and ammunition; expanding the Canadian Coast Guard and moving it under DND; repairing and maintaining existing ships, aircraft and other assets; and developing new drones and sensors to monitor the sea floor and the Arctic.
Now these plans he outlined must be put into practice quickly, particularly the spending that needs to be done at home.
One way to spend faster would be to expand existing orders for armoured vehicles, ships and planes. For example, augmenting an existing contract for 360 light armoured vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems in London, Ont. A company spokesperson says it would be able to quickly respond to contract amendment requests.
However, if the government intends to buy equipment not already on order or in the inventory, DND and PSPC have to change their approach quickly. The protracted procurement process must be streamlined, and it would be advisable to spend a good portion of that $9 billion on Canadian firms.
It is also commendable that Canada and Europe have been drawn a little closer together as a result of Prime Minister Mark Carney signing a strategic defence and security partnership with the European Union.
The agreement opens the door for Canadian companies to participate in the $1.25-trillion ReArm Europe program, which is seen as a step toward making Canada less reliant on — and less vulnerable to — the whims of the United States.
Eventually, it will also help the Canadian government to partner with other allied nations to buy military equipment under what's known as the SAFE program.
In conclusion, I definitively see positive signs that the Government of Canada is seriously looking to protect Canada.
Let us hope that these plans will soon materialize, and they do so without major setbacks.
Saturday, August 2, 2025
The Real Risk Isn’t What You Think
The Real Risk Isn’t
What You Think
By Diana Gifford
I have a strong belief in personal responsibility. From an early age, I was taught that my own daily decisions will determine my future. You will know, for example, where I heard that sugar is the “white devil”. It’s a conviction helps me avoid it. For another, if I don’t use my muscles as I age, I know I will lose them. But there’s a set of problems we’re not talking about. In fact, in our personal hopes and efforts for good health, we are often obsessed with fear about the wrong risks.
We focus on cholesterol but ignore loneliness. We cut carbs but don’t move our bodies. We chase step counts, yet deny ourselves sleep, nature, purpose, or joy. If my father championed common sense, I want to build on his message with something just as important: whole-life prevention of ills – with ills very broadly defined.
That means looking beyond pills, blood pressure, and protein intake. It means stepping back from the microscope and seeing the full human picture. And increasingly, large-scale studies are proving the factors that most powerfully protect our health and wellbeing are often the ones we’re least likely to track on a fitness app – or even in most doctors appointments.
Take the Harvard Study of Adult Development, an ongoing project that began in 1938. It’s one of the longest studies of adult life ever conducted. Its key finding? The most consistent predictor of long, healthy lives isn’t diet, wealth, or even exercise—it’s the quality of relationships, also called “social fitness”. Close social ties were more protective than any single medical metric. Loneliness, on the other hand, has been shown to have health effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
In recent years, there have been dozens of studies that explore the impact of multidimensional lifestyle interventions – in other words, these studies test the effects of health care programs that blend physical activity, social connection, nutrition, stress reduction, and other treatments. The findings consistently show superiority over single-focus strategies for managing diabetes and reducing cardiovascular events, stroke, and depression, just to name a few. Illness is not always a precision fix. You may be better off tending to broader dimensions of your life.
It’s worth knowing about the FINGER trial from Finland too. It’s one of the first major randomized controlled trials to show that a blend of modest lifestyle changes (better diet, light exercise, cognitive engagement, and social activity) could slow decline in older adults, even among those at higher risk of dementia. It’s research like this that is sparking a healthy wave of organizations addressing social isolation. GenWell, found at genwell.ca, is one example.
This is the new frontier in prevention: living in a way that protects your health because it supports your humanity.
This isn’t about rejecting advances toward more technical, lab-driven medical breakthroughs. I have huge respect for medicines that cure or manage diseases and for surgeons and their scalpels. I’m proud of what science can do. But too many of us have outsourced health to lab results, forgetting that daily habits, environments, and emotional lives matter as much – sometimes more – than our biomarkers.
Let’s shift the lens. Let’s talk about what really keeps us well. Not fear, not fads, not guilt, but meaningful, joyful, intentional choices, sustained over time.
What does this mean you do? You can start by making an old-fashioned phone call to a friend, a neighbour, or a family member you haven’t connected with for a while. Make a date to get together, go for a walk, cook a meal, and do it with the music turned on.
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WARRING NATURES
WARRING NATURES
By Wayne and Tamara
I recently moved in with a man I love deeply. We’ve been together almost two years, and the only problem we haven’t worked out is the amount of affection I want. I have a higher sex drive than him, and I think that may be part of it. Whenever he is around, I want to throw my arms around him and give him kisses.
While he has never outright denied the affection I want to give him, I can tell sometimes it may be too much for him. I find myself lying awake nights wishing he would put his arms around me without me having to initiate it, or hoping he would want to spend more time alone with me cuddling.
Sophie
Sophie, Timothy Treadwell, the subject of the movie “Grizzly Man,” lived among brown bears for 13 summers. Treadwell believed he loved brown bears and sometimes even crooned “I love you” as he approached a grizzly. In the end, the bears loved him back; they loved him to death. He and his girlfriend were eaten by bears.
Timothy Treadwell’s life illustrates the nth degree of wanting what we cannot have. Treadwell thought because he loved bears, bears should love him. You think because you want cuddling, your boyfriend should want to cuddle. You and Treadwell act as if there is no will on the other side. What about the bears? What about your boyfriend? What if it is not their nature?
The amount of physical affection a person desires depends on many things, including the nurturing they received or failed to receive in the opening years of life. It is a pattern etched into the brain. You can berate, torture, or soothe your boyfriend into sometimes giving you what you want, but that is not his natural state.
You seek a way to get what you desire because you won’t acknowledge what he is like. Acknowledging what he is like implies change on your part, and perhaps, ending the relationship. If you stay with your boyfriend, either you will be sick of pushing him, or he will be sick of your demands. When a fox and a hare try to share the same den, they are in for a lifelong battle.
Wayne & Tamara
Bound To Fail
My fiancée and I have a difficult relationship. I entered the relationship with lingering feelings for my previous girlfriend. It came down to ultimatum time, and I told the woman who is now my fiancée to move on. We carried on as before except for physical intimacy.
She started dating another but told me, “He’s just a friend.” I believed her. As the prospect of losing her for good became real, I panicked. I opened up to her in ways I never had. I proposed and she said yes. We began planning the wedding, but under pressure from me she started dropping bombs about being sexually intimate with him. Can I trust her?
Gregg
Gregg, tit for tat, measure for measure, a taste of one’s own medicine. Is that what this is about? You pushed her away after being intimate with her. You wanted another woman who didn’t want you, and you let her know it.
She dated someone else and lied. Why? Because she hoped you would come around. She didn’t want to be left with no one, if you continued to shove her away. When you decided she was better than nothing, you proposed. Part of wanting her was someone else wanting her. Now you’ve interrogated the truth out of her—so you can shove her away again.
You don’t want to be with her, and you don’t want the insecurity of trying to find another. If this engagement goes to marriage, one day you will be standing at the altar, while your friends in the pews take bets on how long the marriage will last.
Wayne & Tamara
Nature, Nurture, and Neuroplasticity -The Key to Understanding What Influences the Person You Are Today
Nature, Nurture, and Neuroplasticity -The Key to Understanding
What Influences the Person You Are Today
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
Every morning, you wake up, brush your teeth, and get ready for the day. Then, you head out the door, and live your daily life as you choose. But the question is, what made you choose that life? Why did students choose the courses they did, and what impacts an adult's career choice? Why did an individual choose to eat that for lunch today, and what inspired their outfit? Every detail of your life is related to the unique per son that you are, but what influenced that personality?
Many people frame these philosophical questions as nature versus nurture. The big question has always been, are we born who we are, or do we become ourselves due to the world around us? Science has proved both to influence our identity; genes and physical traits play a large role in human behavior, but so does childhood, education, and socioeconomic status. When it comes to these two components, I have always found myself more interested in nurture, how our everyday choices affect our identities. I believe that although our DNA and inherited traits influence us, our complex nurture ultimately decides who we are and what we do.
I am a teenager who loves to write, read, bake, debate, and act. I have strong morals, I spend most of my time studying, and I tend to overthink everything. When I analyze my identity, I realize I may not be the same person I am now if just one small thing about my past was different. If my mom didn’t encourage me to read when I was younger, I may not be the bookworm I am today. If I didn’t transfer schools in the seventh grade, I may not be interested in theatre, as I wouldn’t have known about the arts school I now attend. If I didn’t force myself to attend debate tryouts, I wouldn’t have developed the research and critical thinking skills which I gained from hours of tournament preparation. I am the person I’ve become due to my experiences, and I know my identity will continue to develop as I experience more of what the world has to offer.
Our nurture is not just one isolated influence, it is made of many components which each affect us in different ways. These factors include, but are not limited to, our friends, pastimes, socioeconomic status, and cultural expectations. Childhood and early family life both have a large impact on your characteristics and personality. If an individual is exposed to violence as a child, they may develop a tendency to physically lash out at others when angry, they may become passive in an attempt to cover their negative emotions, or they may turn to friends and romantic partners with similar abusive habits. If parents are too controlling of their child, then they may not develop independence, however if they are too permissive, children may not understand
boundaries or follow rules. Small, seemingly insignificant details from our childhood or adolescence may seem inconsequential, however, they may influence us for the rest of our life in ways we do not realize.
Childhood and adolescence are not the only times when our identities are influenced; our everyday actions have a large impact on our character, regardless of our age. The human brain has neural pathways it is accustomed to using, which are formed by our daily routines. When we begin to practice new routines and habits, the brain creates new pathways. This is known as neuroplasticity, which is formally defined as, “the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience.” Scientists have proven that with time, we are always able to grow, learn, and adapt, regardless of past conventions. Every time we think, feel, or do something, the communication between our nerve cells are stimulated; the more we do that thing, the stronger the nerve connections, and the easier the activity becomes. As individuals, we are always changing, even if we don’t realize it. If we act
consciously, we are able to do anything we put our minds to, regardless of how challenging it may seem at first.
Neuroplasticity can be seen in our everyday lives, especially in relation to the media. We are constantly consuming information from news companies, social media books, movies, and even musical artists. The average person spends over two hours a day consuming media; therefore, the perspectives of the media we consume are ones we are constantly practicing, which causes the brain to adopt that thinking style. For example, if we are constantly exposed to media discussing the disasters of our society, we are constantly going to feel anxious and upset. However, if we watch media which is uplifting, inspirational, and enjoyable, we will more often feel confident and hopeful.
Being mindful of our media consumption is a necessary step in understanding what influences our attitude and behavior, and it may be the solution to changing habits from ineffective to productive.
As individuals, our identities are constantly being influenced by many components, such as our daily experiences and the media you consume. Your past and present affect you in ways you may not realize, from intelligence to your favorite color.
For hundreds of years, philosophers have been debating whether we are made of our nature or nurture, but they’ve been asking the wrong questions. We now understand we are products of both, but we’ve also realized each component is far more complex than we thought. Nurture isn’t just our early childhood, it’s made of everything in our daily lives, from the moment you are born to the day you die.
The key to understanding yourself comes from analyzing every experience, everything you consume, and everything you practice. Only through this reflection can you begin to truly understand what makes you, you.
Employers Are Not Responsible for Your Chosen Lifestyle
Employers Are Not
Responsible for Your
Chosen Lifestyle
By Nick Kossovan
Recently, I came across the above picture of a man during the Great Depression wearing a sandwich board advertising that he was looking for work. Aside from the number of people who'll see it, his sandwich board doesn't differ much from the 'I'm now available' posts I see on LinkedIn.
The picture made me think, '90 years ago, job seekers made the same mistake as they do today, saying what they want instead of explaining what they can do. Did he expect employers to stop and ask him what the three languages and trades he speaks and knows are? Did he think broadcasting that he'd fought for three years and has three children would motivate employers to hire him?
Today, job seekers have the Internet and social media, especially LinkedIn, to broadcast (advertise) that they're looking for work—no need to wear a sandwich board—and are making the same mistake that the man in the picture made.
Like me, you probably see the many 'Open to Work' posts on LinkedIn from newly minted job seekers sharing what they want—remote work, a six-figure salary, unlimited PTO, benefits to start immediately—when they should be touting their skills and sharing quantifiable achievements that demonstrate the value they can bring to an employer, such as:
· Willing to work on-site. (Don't underestimate how attractive this is to employers.)
· Speak English, French, and Spanish fluently.
· Certifications (e.g., Project Management Professional (PMP), AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker)
· Managed a portfolio of projects valued at $47 million, ensuring a minimum ROI increase of 25%.
· PMO head with over 15 years' experience managing portfolios ranging from $50 to $100 million and leading global IT teams of up to 100.
· Over the course of 12 years, I sold 513 Corvettes in Las Vegas. (A candidate actually told me this, and I ended up hiring him. Within three months, as part of an inside sales team of 39, he was leading in POS sales.)
· In 2018, I secured over $85 million in mortgage loans for clients.
· I'm the person behind the EcoBrew "Sip Sustainably" campaign.
· Answered between 60 and 80 calls daily. Since 2022, I have consistently maintained a client satisfaction rate of 95% or higher.
· Delivered over 30 keynote speeches at national banking conferences and industry events, engaging audiences of up to 1,500 people.
I believe most people are willing to help job seekers if they can, which is good news since companies are comprised of people. Therefore, right now, there are job opportunities all around you attached to people (employees), illustrating the importance of networking. The caveat is that you need to make it easy for people to help you, starting by giving them more context than "I'm looking for a job."
Do you think someone, especially someone in a position to hire you, takes unsubstantiated opinion statements like "I'm a team player," or "I'm detail-oriented" seriously? Is using statements such as "I have rent and bills to pay" or "I'm running out of savings" an attempt to guilt employers into hiring you?
When posting an 'Open to Work' announcement, include the essential information—context, clarity—that hiring managers, recruiters, directors, executives, and an employee needs to evaluate whether you can add value to their company. To further reduce friction and boost your chances of receiving help, follow my one rule—a goal to aim for—for writing bullet points for a resume, LinkedIn profile, or an "Open to Work" announcement: Write each bullet point so that the reader thinks, "I must meet this person!"
At the risk of sounding overly blunt, each of us freely created our respective lifestyles or bought into marketing propaganda that influenced us to create it. Employers didn't create your lifestyle, so why would you expect employers to be responsible for it? Your worth to an employer isn't determined by your lifestyle or the cost of living.
Your worth, from an employer's perspective, is solely based on the value they believe you can bring to their business. Therefore, the more specific value you can demonstrate—and provide evidence of, such as "Grew TikTok followers from 0 to 10,000 in four months with creative video content," [link to video added]—rather than just saying "Managed social media"—the more likely your 'Open to Work' post will generate engagements that could lead to your next job.
An employer-employee relationship, as anyone who has been in the corporate trenches should know, is a business relationship, not a personal one. Thereby, not an employer's concern:
· The lifestyle you choose to live. · The cost of living going up. · Your career.
If you want your "I'm looking for a job" broadcasting efforts to pay off, then start hyper-focusing on showcasing your value to employers. The more you demonstrate your value add, whether when posting your 'Open to Work,' throughout your resume, LinkedIn profile, while networking and interviewing, the shorter your job search will be. Job searching isn't about making employers guess what you can offer; it's about communicating your value without expecting employers to be responsible for your lifestyle.
_____________________________________________________
Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
*** A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BELL ***
THE THIRD OF MY SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS
*** A CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BELL ***
THE HERITAGE OSHAWA COMMITTEE continues to be well served by my friend Robert Bell, a man who truly cares about the history of his community. His photographs on social media number into the tens of thousands, and he has long been regarded as the unofficial photographer of all things Oshawa. This is his story.
Born at Oshawa General in 1959, Robert has made it his mission to share all that makes his hometown a great place to live – and for him the reason is simple: “Our collective experiences form the basis of the human condition.” In this regard he has become a sort of pioneer, seeking to put on record all that may represent the best examples of community bridge-building among those he likes to call “connector people”.
Robert’s father was a postman, and Robert himself attended the University of Toronto, graduating in 1983 with a 4-Year BA Honours in Economics and Political Science. When I asked him as to the key to his success in such a rigorous program, he said with confidence “I was required to read many books, and in every instance I would try to become one with the author, taking on his mindset to the point where I could write my own quotations on his behalf.”
The costs of his education were met through creative means, and his summer jobs included a stint at Dupont in Whitby, however the bulk of my friend’s income was derived through furniture refinishing. “In point of fact, most of the raw material came from local landfills.” Robert explained it this way: “I would venture out to the dump each week, and always come back with more than I went out with.”
Unlike most, my friend can boast local political ties within his own family, being a descendant of Abel Wilder Ewers, an early Ontario County politician, and a radical of his time. Ewers was a Reach Township man, much given to the ‘cause of the people’. Further such family political ties include a connection to Ruth Bestwick, who served for 14 years on Oshawa Council. As to his possibly running for office, he said his penchant for always reaching a consensus is reason enough for his disqualification. “Elected officials are duty bound to ultimately reach a decision, even when the facts are perhaps less than clear, and I can’t see myself making such a commitment when there exists even an element of doubt on my part.”
The two of us then discussed Oshawa’s future, and I asked him to provide a few insights on the subject. He instantly delivered: “One should always start with a historical perspective, and an appreciation of history by linking our future to our past.” he said. “We were a community long before we became a city, and it’s people that make the difference.”
In his view, we must always seek to modernize, and he illustrated this point by referencing the renovation of the Genosha Hotel, a historic building that maintains its outward identity, but with a focus on the future and new opportunities.
Robert obtained his real estate license in 1986, at the urging of those who knew of his buying and selling antiques. Looking back, he says “My friends thought I was a natural born salesman, and that gave me the necessary encouragement to take the plunge and get into the world of real estate.”
Among those who played a major role in the development of his career was Lloyd Corson, a well-known Oshawa realtor who started Guide Realty in 1961, and who passed away at the age of 95 in 2012. Also prominent in his career was Keith Peters, another well-known realtor who passed away in 2018. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see Robert’s name on Coldwell Banker signs, as he enjoys a productive business relationship with his colleagues.
When not at work, my friend spends his time collecting books and antiques, chatting on social media, and enjoying his time as a member of the North Shore Amateur Radio Club. His collection of radio equipment is impressive, and the work of a serious enthusiast, however, it is his interest in photography that has gained him a significant presence on social media and throughout the community.
At the age of five, he was given his first camera, a Kodak 127 model. After years of taking photos on family outings and during special occasions, it was Robert’s entry into real estate that caused him to purchase a professional camera, eventually upgrading to digital.
What he calls “the biggest transformation” occurred in 2012, when he purchased a Cannon 60D. From that day on his interest in photography exploded. To illustrate this, he looks to his Facebook and Twitter accounts, and talks of having uploaded many thousands of photos, with almost two million views.
He has attended too many local events and gatherings to count, and the number of people who have been captured by Robert’s lens is staggering. According to my friend, his experiences have shown most people to be naturally drawn towards the camera, wherever he may be, and for him that’s a good thing.
At this point in what amounted to a very long and interesting conversation, we decided to venture out to one of Robert’s favourite spots for a fish and chip takeout, and as usual my friend was immediately recognized by one or two regulars, and a hearty conversation began. I moved over to the counter where the owner of the shop was gently wrapping fried fish in newspaper – a tradition I had thought long gone. She told me of the many people who have come to know “the man in the suit” and how customers look forward to chatting with my friend about whatever may be happening around town.
As Robert and I made the journey back in a car filled with the aroma of fish and chips, I told him he was certainly liked and respected by the people in the restaurant, and I suspect this is true wherever he may venture throughout the city. He laughed modestly and told me of a book he was reading, a book about the power of families and neighbourhoods.
With a grateful tone, he said, “the author writes about communities, and how all of us bear a responsibility for each other, and I think that’s true.”
They’re Turning Pickering Into a Nuclear Dump — And They’re Doing It Quietly
They’re Turning Pickering Into a Nuclear Dump — And They’re Doing It Quietly
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
Something is happening in Pickering, and most people don’t even know it.
The federal government — through the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) has quietly approved a new nuclear waste storage structure at the Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF).
You weren’t notified. You weren’t consulted.
And unless you’ve been tracking federal regulatory bulletins, you probably didn’t even hear about it.
But make no mistake — it’s happening.
This facility is located right on the Pickering Nuclear site, just steps from the shoreline of Lake Ontario, and directly adjacent to residential neighbourhoods, schools, and parks.
It’s operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), and is already used to store low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste — things like contaminated tools, filters, and building materials from inside the reactors.
So what’s the big deal?
This new structure is being built to handle waste from two sources:
The decommissioning of Reactors 1 to 4 — which are already offline or being phased out.
And — this is key — the possible future refurbishment of Reactors 5 to 8.
Now here’s what they don’t want to say out loud:
The refurbishment of Units 5 to 8 has not been approved.
The formal application won’t even be heard until 2026.
And yet — they’re already building the storage site for the waste it would create.
This is what happens when decisions are made before the public has a chance to speak.
The hearing is still a year away, but the groundwork is already being poured — physically and politically.
Let’s talk numbers:
Out of a city of over 100,000 people, just nine members of the public submitted feedback on this waste facility.
Nine.
There was no mailing. No town hall. No door-knocking.
No real attempt to inform or involve the community.
That’s not public consultation — that’s engineered silence.
And while all of this is happening behind the scenes, look who’s suddenly setting up shop in Pickering:
SNC-Lavalin — now rebranded as AtkinsRéalis — the same company tied to one of the biggest political scandals in Canadian history.
They now own CANDU Energy, the engineering firm that handles nuclear refurbishments.
They’ve worked on reactors at Bruce and Darlington — and now, they’re clearly positioning themselves to take on the refurbishment of Pickering’s Units 5 to 8.
So let’s put it all together:
A new waste facility has already been approved.
A refurbishment that hasn’t been approved is being prepared for.
A company with political ties is moving in early.
And the people of Pickering have been completely cut out of the process.
They’ll tell you this is about energy, progress, and modernization.
But when radioactive waste is being stored beside homes — for reactors that haven’t even been given the green light — and residents aren’t even told?
That’s not modernization.
That’s a betrayal of public trust.
Let’s be absolutely clear:
This is not a done deal.
The future of Units 5 to 8 is still subject to public hearings.
But what’s being built — and who’s moving into town — tells you how little they care about what you think.
So here’s what I’m asking you to do:
Demand a public meeting. Ask OPG and the City why you weren’t consulted.
File a Freedom of Information request. The paper trail matters.
Talk to your neighbours. Most people still don’t know this is happening.
Share this op-ed. Get the truth out before it’s too late.
Make it clear: Pickering is not Canada’s nuclear dumping ground
Email me your thoughts at lrobinson@pickering.ca
“Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head
On And Rise Above It” - Lisa Robinson 2023On And Rise Above It: Lisa Robinson 2023
DID I GET IT WRONG? MUST I BE 17!!!
DID I GET IT WRONG?
MUST I BE 17!!!
B.A. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
Excuse me... Has my mind gone south so badly that I am getting it wrong. You work hard all your life to feed your family. You sacrifice day in and day out all while keeping a smile on your face.
You teach your children to be good people.... only to pick up local newspaper and read how 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 year olds are getting busted for drugs and weapons possession.
1st question. Do I really want these types of youth next to mine? Do, I want them in my tax paid school system?
2nd. I am driving home in my paid for car on my paid for road. Having had to pay for insurance, gas and repairs only to be pulled off the road by a police office checking if I am wearing my seat belts.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against police officers doing their jobs. But when teens are running around our streets with guns dealing drugs. I have a problem with the way justice is being dispensed.
Not only that. If I want to buy a gun to protect my property and family. I must spend thousands of dollars. Go to courses, get licenses and the God’s know what other obstacles I will be made to jump.
How did these individual, these kids get guns?
I know the old cry.... Oh they come from broken homes. They are lost souls in a society that pushes them to crime.
I say bull. Children are children. Crime is crime. Let’s not cross the line and then blame it on the child’s upbringing.
I think police services should hold parent or guardians responsible for their kids actions. No soft love.
Bring discipline to the family. Now I do not mean abuse. I mean structure, where everyone has a responsibility and a role. A family institution that has worked. In past generations there have been many that come from broken homes. From homes with abuse, substance issues and yes drug use.
Many of those victims managed to have the enough sense to get out and make a life for themselves. What has gone wrong from then to today?
The answer is simple. Event though homes may have been broken. The family structure was still the root of social development. Today, with all kind of violence found in games, television. Children are brought up without discipline and the believe that they have special rights to do as they please. This compounded with crime. We have what we have today.
Let’s take charge of our families and work on improving our future generations.
A Short History of the Canada US Tariffs War
A Short History of the
Canada US Tariffs War
by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC
FEC, CET, P.Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
We are fast approaching a difficult deadline in negotiations in the tariff war between Canada and United States. In a couple of days we may be in for a shattering awakening. The United States has recently made preliminary agreements with Japan and the European Union
for a tariff of 15%.
However, for the moment, Canada is still being threatened with a 35% tariff and no signs from President Trump that he may eventually lighten the load. Was he deliberately mocking us when he stated a few days ago that Canada is not a priority for him? Surely, he jests. The 2025 Canada–United States tariff war marks one of the most serious trade disputes in the modern history of the two countries.
As two of the world’s closest trading partners, Canada and the United States have long benefited from free trade agreements such as NAFTA and its successor, the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency in January 2025 set the stage for a dramatic shift in American trade policy.
President Trump campaigned on a strong protectionist platform, promising to revive American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports. On February 1, 2025, he signed executive orders imposing sweeping tariffs: 25% on most Canadian imports and 10% on Canadian oil, gas, and potash. He justified these measures on the grounds of national security and unfair trade practices, invoking sections 232 and 301 of U.S. trade law.
The tariffs officially took effect on March 4, 2025. Canada responded immediately by imposing 25% tariffs on approximately CA$30 billion worth of U.S. products, targeting politically sensitive sectors such as steel, aluminum, household appliances, and certain agricultural goods. Both governments adopted an increasingly confrontational tone, with President Trump threatening even higher tariffs if Canada did not agree to new trade terms.
In the following months, the U.S. introduced increasingly stringent measures. Tariffs on steel rose to 50%, and auto parts not fully produced in North America faced 25% duties. Canada expanded its retaliation, increasing tariffs on additional U.S. goods and filing challenges at the
World Trade Organization. By mid-spring, the trade dispute had disrupted key industries, particularly in the automotive, steel, aluminum, and forestry sectors.
On May 28, 2025, a U.S. trade court ruled that some of the new tariffs exceeded the president’s authority under emergency powers. However, tariffs imposed under national security (Section 232) and unfair trade (Section 301) provisions were deemed fair, and were therefore upheld. That left most of the measures in place.
The tariff war caused immediate economic disruption. The automotive industry, deeply integrated across the United States–Canada border, reported billions of dollars in losses. Stellantis, a major automaker, alone projected a US$1.7 billion hit in 2025 as shipments fell by about 25%. United States tariffs on Canadian lumber were increased to an effective rate of around 35%, pushing up housing and construction costs in the United States. Canadian aluminum producers began diverting exports to Europe and other markets to reduce reliance on the U.S.
For consumers, prices of imported goods rose on both sides of the border. Small and medium-sized businesses reported difficulties claiming USMCA exemptions, meaning that they were paying full tariffs even on qualifying goods.
The Canadian public reacted strongly to what many people perceived as United States economic bullying. Consumer boycotts of American goods and travel to the United States gained widespread support. Politicians from across the spectrum called for Canada to diversify trade relationships, deepen ties with Europe and Asia, and reduce its economic dependence on the United States.
Through mid-2025, trade talks between the two countries remained deadlocked. Trump set an August 1, 2025 deadline for a new bilateral trade deal, threatening to impose 35% tariffs on Canadian imports if no agreement was reached.
At the same time, he floated the idea of a universal “world tariff” of 15–20% on imports from all countries, which could further harm Canadian exporters.
Canadian officials, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, describe the current talks as being in an “intense phase,” but they acknowledge that a comprehensive deal before the deadline is unlikely.
Canada has continued to prepare new retaliatory measures and pursued formal disputes through the World Trade Organization.
The 2025 Canada–U.S. tariff war has underscored the fragility of even the closest trade relationships when political priorities shift. While the two countries remain bound by the USMCA, the conflict highlights the limits of trade agreements in constraining unilateral tariff actions.
As of late July 2025, the outcome of the negotiations—and the future of North American trade integration—remains uncertain, with significant economic and political consequences looming for both nations.
Let us hope for the best, and good luck to Canada in making the best possible deal
for its people!
Terminations by Employers for Off Duty Conduct
Terminations by Employers for Off Duty Conduct
By Tahir Khorasanee, LL.M.
Senior Associate, Steinbergs LLP
When an employee’s misconduct occurs outside of office hours, employers must tread carefully between protecting their reputation and respecting individual privacy. Striking that balance has become a pressing challenge as social media and public visibility blur the line between personal life and professional role.
Legal experts agree that discipline for off‑duty behaviour is only justified when there is a clear connection to the employment relationship. An employer needs to show that the conduct undermines its business interests, damages its reputation, or directly impacts workplace harmony. Without that link, disciplinary action risks violating privacy laws and human rights protections.
Certain positions carry an elevated duty of public trust, making off‑duty discipline more readily defensible. Police officers, teachers, health‑care professionals and high‑level executives are held to a higher standard because misconduct outside work can erode public confidence and impede effective job performance. In one recent British Columbia case, a special provincial constable was terminated after an off‑duty altercation that received local media coverage. The court upheld the dismissal, noting the incident’s serious damage to the constable’s credibility and the force’s integrity.
By contrast, employers should think twice before disciplining rank‑and‑file employees for private‑life choices. Courts have ruled that social media posts or lifestyle decisions, however distasteful, warrant discipline only if they are illegal or if they create a foreseeable risk in the workplace—such as disclosing confidential information or harassing co‑workers online. Employers need very strong, narrowly tailored policies to intervene in off‑duty conduct.
To reduce legal exposure, organizations are advised to adopt clear, accessible off‑duty conduct policies that define the scope of prohibited behaviour, outline potential disciplinary measures, and provide examples of real‑world scenarios. Regular training for managers ensures consistent application and guards against unconscious bias. “A well‑drafted policy is your best defense,” says HR consultant Laura Patel. “Ambiguity invites disputes.”
When an incident arises, fair process is essential. Employers should investigate thoroughly, afford the employee an opportunity to respond, and apply progressive discipline where appropriate. Immediate termination without warning may be defensible in extreme cases—such as violent or criminal acts—but risks being overturned if the employer cannot show prior guidance or if the conduct bears no direct link to the workplace.
Beyond legal risk, off‑duty discipline carries reputational stakes. Public perception of an employer punishing someone for harmless personal conduct can prompt social‑media backlash, harming morale and consumer goodwill. A well‑known retailer learned this lesson after briefly suspending an employee over controversial political views expressed on social media. Public outcry prompted a swift reversal and a costly public apology.
Experts also note the importance of proportionality. If an employee’s off‑duty conduct has no tangible effect on job performance, a verbal reminder may suffice; more serious infractions might call for written warnings or temporary suspension. In determining an appropriate response, employers should weigh factors such as the nature of the misconduct, its frequency, the employee’s disciplinary history, and the potential impact on co‑workers and clients.
For companies operating across multiple jurisdictions, local legislation adds another layer of complexity. Privacy statutes in Canada, for example, protect employees from overly intrusive inquiries into personal social‑media activity. Employers must ensure that any monitoring or investigation of off‑duty conduct complies with provincial privacy laws and applicable human rights codes.
As the boundary between personal and professional lives continues to blur, balancing organizational interests with respect for individual rights grows ever more complex. Employers that invest in clear policies, manager training, and fair investigative processes position themselves to respond effectively when off‑duty issues arise—protecting both their brand and their employees’ fundamental rights.
In an era where a single social‑media post can reach thousands within minutes, the question is not whether off‑duty conduct will come to light, but how employers will respond. The answers lie in thoughtful policy design, consistent enforcement, and a measured approach to discipline that respects both the workplace and the private sphere.
Are Regular Canadians Racist or Just Tired of Being Ignored?
Saturday, July 26, 2025
The EV Mandate Is Not About the Environment It’s About Control
Our Self Deceptions Are Being Watched
DEAL BREAKER…
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