Showing posts with label Durham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Durham. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
When Democracy Becomes Propaganda
When Democracy Becomes Propaganda
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
When a sitting provincial premier in Canada produces a 60-second commercial using disembodied clips of Ronald Reagan speaking about tariffs — with the clear intent to influence U.S. political opinion — we cross a line. That’s not diplomacy or persuasion. It’s propaganda.
Ontario’s government, led by Doug Ford, has spent millions on a U.S. TV ad blitz that features Reagan’s 1987 radio address, edited to criticize tariffs. The ad warns Americans that protectionism will cause retaliation, job losses, and economic collapse — extracting excerpts of Reagan’s voice to serve a modern political purpose.
On the surface, using an iconic conservative figure to broadcast a message to Republicans sounds clever. But if you dig deeper, the ad is not an honest “Reagan speaks” piece — it is cherry-picked, decontextualized, and weaponized. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation has already stated that the Ontario ad misrepresents Reagan’s full speech and that the province did not secure permission to edit or repurpose it.
By stripping away context, selectively choosing sentences, and presenting Reagan’s voice as an argument tailored to this moment, the ad turns Reagan himself into a tool — not a historical figure. That is propaganda, not persuasion. And it’s fair to ask whether this kind of political theatre should be paid for by Ontario taxpayers at all.
What Doug Ford’s government did with Ronald Reagan’s words isn’t an isolated stunt — it’s part of a larger pattern. We’ve seen the same tactics right here in Pickering.
Our own mayor used taxpayer dollars to produce a propaganda video — not to inform residents, but to attack and discredit an elected colleague who dared to challenge the status quo. The intent was the same as Ford’s Reagan ad: distort the narrative, confuse the public, and weaponize perception.
Both rely on emotional manipulation instead of honesty. Both use the public purse to protect political power. And both demonstrate a dangerous trend: government officials using the machinery of public communication to silence dissent and reward loyalty.
It’s no coincidence that Doug Ford and the Mayor of Pickering have become close political allies — buddies with mutual friends in the development world, often benefiting from the same cozy network of insiders who profit most when the public stops asking questions. When propaganda replaces truth, those friends get richer, while the people get poorer — in trust, in transparency, and in representation.
In an age of AI, deepfakes, and micro-targeted messaging, citizens can no longer assume all “endorsements” are authentic. When governments use history’s icons — or public platforms — as political props, democracy suffers. Whether it’s a province meddling in U.S. politics or a mayor weaponizing City Hall communications, both cross ethical lines. The public should never have to fund propaganda against itself.
Ford’s ad campaign and Pickering’s political videos both show how far officials will go to control the narrative. When governments use public money to attack the truth, the people must push back. Because once manipulation becomes normalized, it spreads. Today it’s Reagan’s voice; tomorrow it’s your tax dollars funding hit pieces on local opponents. The same playbook — just a different stage.
History and truth belong to all of us. When leaders manipulate one and erase the other, they’re not governing — they’re performing. Doug Ford’s Reagan ad and Pickering’s propaganda videos are not about communication. They’re about control.
And when politicians form alliances built on deception, backed by money and developers, the people lose their voice. The antidote is simple but powerful: call it out. Every time. Everywhere. Because once the truth is gone, democracy doesn’t stand a chance.
"Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On
And Rise Above It"
Canada’s Balancing Act: Slow Growth, Soft Inflation, and the Long Road to Confidence
Saturday, October 18, 2025
MEANINGLESS WORDS
MEANINGLESS WORDS
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
They say that words play a heavy role in it’s interpretation. If you can manipulate words you can manipulate the flow of communication. It is an art that is reserved for the true elite.
For government in order to control the masses. Just this week the City of Oshawa released this online. Knowing very few people would actual read it. Internet posting is not publishing. Internet posting is the ability of municipalities to become a sub-Quasi media. Controlling what they release. Knowing limited or no readers. This is what the release stated:
Oshawa Economic Development has unveiled a refreshed website oshawa@@#!@!$v.ca designed to showcase the City of Oshawa’s competitive advantage and deliver an insight-driven, user-focused experience for investors, entrepreneurs and businesses. (talk about a lot of words that mean nothing. 1st, Oshawa has been criticized in more than one occasion for being prejudice and bias on who they choose to do business with. The City does not even support their own City newspaper. Instead they opted out to be accountable to no one and post online knowing not everyone is online or can afford it. Very discriminatory and divisive).
The new site features bold visuals, dynamic video and streamlined navigation that highlights Oshawa’s vibrant economy, skilled talent pool and strategic location. (Dynamic!!!!, Vibrant economy!!!, SKILLED TALENT POOL!!! Just because we have a University it does not make the population skilled as many graduates can’t get work in the disciplined they took part in. Look at the state of Oshawa downtown? Where is the resilience? Where is the video that show the suffering of those living on our streets and those barely keeping their businesses open?)
In my opinion nothing short of an insult to those in the City that are actually doing something for the community. When was the last time you seen a politician enter your place of business? Or as a citizen.... when was the last town hall to consult on what matter to you?
Never — Thought so. Hypocrites... ‘a new website’, wasting taxpayers money to make it look like they are doing something. I blame this on the poor leadership at City Hall.
They do not care about you or me. They only care that you pay for their mistakes by increasing taxes year after year. There is no accountability nor responsible spending. Most after politics could not hold another job of same title and or responsibility.
Remember 2026 is around the corner. Make it count...
Ontario’s Fall Legislature: Balancing Growth, Governance, and Public Trust
Ontario’s Fall Legislature:
Balancing Growth, Governance, and
Public Trust
by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC
FEC, CET, P.Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
As Ontario’s Legislature returns for its Fall 2025 sitting, after a long summer vacation, the agenda reveals both the government’s ambition and the province’s unease. Premier Doug Ford’s team is pressing ahead with a series of reforms it says will modernize Ontario’s economy and clear the way for growth. However, an unknown factor generated by the evolution of the tariffs war with the United States is yet to influence the legislative agenda. Yet almost every file now before Queen’s Park—energy, labour, housing, or municipal governance—carries the same underlying question: how much efficiency can a democracy afford before accountability begins to fray?
Working for Workers—or for Employers?
The centrepiece of the session, Bill 30, Working for Workers Act 2025, bundles amendments to labour and employment statutes.
The government presents it as a continuation of its promise to “stand up for the little guy,” streamlining outdated regulations and reducing red tape for businesses.
Unions and opposition critics counter that the fine print tells another story: weaker overtime rules, looser enforcement, and fewer tools for vulnerable workers to challenge unfair practices.
For employers, it offers flexibility; for labour groups, it marks another step away from workplace protections that took decades to build.
Powering the Province—Quietly.
Energy reform again takes centre stage through Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act.
It rewrites parts of the Electricity Act, curtails citizens’ ability to sue over procurement decisions, and accelerates infrastructure approvals.
Supporters argue Ontario needs to move faster to keep lights on and attract investment.
Environmental advocates call it a rollback of transparency that shields the government from scrutiny just when the province is grappling with climate commitments.
The tug-of-war between speed and oversight is not new, but this bill pushes it further than ever, prompting even some business voices to warn against concentrating too much discretion in cabinet hands.
Municipal Friction: Bill 9 and the Camera Debate.
Relations between Queen’s Park and municipalities remain strained. Bill 9, ostensibly about municipal codes of conduct, has raised alarms for reducing independent oversight of councillor behaviour.
Big-city mayors say the province is “downloading” responsibility while limiting autonomy.
The same tension underlies the automated speed-camera issue, now resurfacing across Ontario’s cities. Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton have expanded camera programs to curb residential speeding and fund road-safety campaigns. The province controls the legislative framework for camera enforcement and fine distribution, and several municipalities are pressing for clearer authority and a larger share of revenue to reinvest locally.
Supporters view cameras as proven deterrents that protect pedestrians; opponents label them “cash grabs” that punish rather than educate. As installation expands into smaller communities, the fall session could determine whether Ontario adopts a province-wide policy or continues the patchwork of municipal bylaws.
The Housing and Affordability Crunch.
Ontario’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 looms large. Construction remains well below target, while rents and mortgages climb.
The government resists renewed rent controls, insisting that private investment, not regulation, will drive supply.
Opposition MPPs advocate province-wide zoning for four-unit homes and stronger tenant protections.
Municipalities, meanwhile, warn that they cannot meet housing targets without more infrastructure funding and social-housing support. Behind the rhetoric lies a fiscal impasse: cities bear the costs, while the province sets the rules.
Red Tape or Red Flag?
Few slogans define the Ford years more than “cutting red tape.” This fall, new measures promise to simplify approvals for industrial projects, housing developments, and mining operations. Business groups applaud; environmentalists and Indigenous leaders caution that “faster” can mean “less fair.”
The critical-minerals strategy, particularly in the Ring of Fire, illustrates the dilemma. Ontario aims to halve project-approval timelines, positioning itself as a hub for EV battery materials.
Yet northern First Nations say consultation cannot be rushed without violating treaty obligations. The province’s bet on resource speed could either cement its economic future or ignite years of legal conflict.
Accountability and the Rule of Law.
One striking feature of the current legislative package is the growing number of immunity clauses shielding the Crown and agencies from lawsuits.
Proponents argue these provisions prevent costly litigation and provide certainty for investors.
Civil-liberties groups respond that they erode a citizen’s right to challenge government decisions in court.
The pattern extends beyond energy to land-use planning and environmental approvals; a quiet but significant shift in Ontario’s legal landscape.
Everyday Climate and Worker Safety.
Amid the large bills, smaller private-member initiatives are emerging: proposals to establish a “Heat-Protection Standard” for outdoor workers and public-awareness weeks on flooding and extreme heat.
After two consecutive summers of record temperatures, even modest measures carry symbolic weight. They remind legislators that adaptation, not only growth, will define Ontario’s resilience.
The Political Crossroads.
Ontario’s Fall 2025 session is less about single pieces of legislation than about competing visions of governance.
The Ford government’s supporters see a province finally cutting through bureaucracy to deliver results; housing, jobs, and investment. Its critics see a concentration of power, an erosion of checks and balances, and a steady sidelining of local voices.
The debate over speed cameras captures the broader paradox: every initiative aims to make systems faster and more efficient, yet speed itself becomes the problem when accountability cannot keep up.
As the Legislature debates these measures through the winter, Ontarians will be watching not only for what laws are passed, but for how they are passed and at what democratic cost.
Efficiency may win headlines, but in governance, trust remains the hardest currency to replace.
In conclusion, we are facing interesting times to come in Ontario
HOW ELECTED OFFICIALS USE FACEBOOK IN A WORD DOMINATED BY SOCIAL MEDIA
HOW ELECTED OFFICIALS USE FACEBOOK IN
A WORD DOMINATED BY SOCIAL MEDIA
THE USE OF FACEBOOK by elected officials, including mayors and councillors throughout Durham Region, varies significantly. The complexity of navigating the responsibilities of public office in the face of growing online engagement has resulted in a range of approaches - and even consequences for some.
The more engaged members of Oshawa Council use their Facebook accounts to actively post updates, respond to questions, and communicate daily with their residents. Probably the best example of this is Ward 5 Regional councillor Brian Nicholson. One need only take a quick glance at his multiple Facebook groups to see how quickly information is shared – in real time - on matters concerning Council decisions that affect what he has long-since referred to as ‘Southern Oshawa’.
However, communicating on a daily basis with constituents in this way must undoubtedly blur the line between a councillor’s public duties and their private life, with the increasing expectation that they make themselves available at all hours of the day and night.
I had occasion some time ago during a casual conversation to raise that very subject with the councillor from Ward 5, and when I asked him as to the effect social media had on his time off, he immediately responded by reminding me that, once elected, a member of Council “really doesn’t have time off.”
As it stands, councillor Nicholson administers a number of Facebook groups. I can recall him telling me not long ago that his individual posts were on average read by well over 20,000 people, and that actual constituent inquiries numbered in the range of 100 per day. He also used to constantly credit municipal staff for making him “look good” by the speed with which they were taking care of issues passed on from social media.
Other councillors appear more inclined to use their Facebook presence to simply share specific announcements and various press releases issued by the municipality – on routine matters such as snow removal, garbage collection, and the introduction of new policies and programs that residents may find of interest.
One such councillor is Rosemary McConkey from Ward 1. She once told me quite unequivocally that she “doesn’t do photo-ops” therefore what you won’t see by way of self-promotion on her Facebook page will undoubtedly be made up for by endless Excel spreadsheets and other routine documents. The councillor from Columbus appears more inclined to act as an information resource, and you won’t find a whole lot of real-time interaction on what many see as a somewhat tinder dry social media presence.
On the other hand, some councillors seem to want very little to do with Facebook and all that it represents, and a good example of that is Ward 5 City councillor and ex-Mayor John Gray. A glance at his political page shows it to have been dormant since the last election, with the latest post dating back to October 2022. He does make use of his personal page to some extent, however you will see only seven posts since November 2024, all of which were added by others onto his timeline. He has repeatedly told me his preference will always be actual personal contact, either face-to-face or by telephone, and he has no willingness to change that.
Another interesting example of the use of Facebook comes from the Man-Who-Would-Be-Mayor himself, Ward 2 Regional councillor Tito-Dante Marimpietri. A glance at his political page shows no activity for the last four months, however if you swing over to his so-called personal page, you will see a veritable onslaught of selfie-videos the good councillor is using to share his views on everything from homebuilding to homicides.
It seems he can’t make a move without finding one reason or other to offer his loyal viewers a bit of commentary. The abandonment of his Ward 2 councillor page is undoubtedly strategic, as he prepares to campaign for the Mayor’s job in the next election. As one might expect, there is more than a handful of fans ready and willing to press the “like” button on most of his Facebook posts, including Ward 4 Regional councillor Rick Kerr, a man who lives in hope of becoming Tito’s Deputy Mayor.
Meanwhile, it’s important to remember a councillor's social media conduct can be reviewed by an Integrity Commissioner if it violates the Code of Conduct adopted by Council. Oshawa's own policy sets clear guidelines for online conduct. The expected standards dictate that members must not use their social media presence to bully, shame, or engage in disrespectful behavior toward the public, other council members, or staff.
Of course, the most recent offender in this regard was Ward 4 City councillor Derek Giberson who decided it was somehow appropriate to make comments on social media regarding an identifiable individual within the community who was engaged in a matter that was before the courts. The Ward 4 councillor was ultimately found to be in contravention of the obligation of elected officials to refrain from commenting on such matters. No sitting Oshawa councillor has since been seen to bring about such public humiliation and shame.
Of course, other rules exist to ensure that the proper use of social media is maintained. Blocking users on a Facebook account used for official business can be legally and ethically complex. In the city of Toronto, their social media guidebook advises councillors to be careful that blocking does not unfairly affect users, particularly if the account is intended for political debate.
The consequences for violating a social media policy or Code of Conduct can be significant. The recent case in Cambridge, where a councillor faced a potential pay suspension, illustrates that misconduct on Facebook can lead to official punishment.
On a final note, it must be remembered that, contrary to popular fiction, an elected official cannot separate their political Facebook account from any other they see as being personal. Statements and posts added or even shared to any social media account created in the name of a person holding elected office are equal in stature when held to the standards set by a municipal Code of Conduct.
They are equally subject to potential review by an integrity commissioner or any other judicial body that may be called upon to examine a councillor’s conduct.
Social media, and especially Facebook, are questionable means of communication and very much worthwhile in the practice of censorphip, but they can also be self-destructive when in the wrong hands.
I Am the Storm
I Am the Storm
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
There comes a point when the storm you’ve been forced to endure stops being something outside of you… and becomes the fire inside you.
I’ve faced more than most will ever see behind closed doors. The slander. The political punishment. The calculated attempts to isolate, humiliate, and silence. Every tactic known — from weaponizing codes of conduct to manipulating procedure — was designed to wear me down, to make me doubt myself, to force me to give up and stop.
But they underestimated me.
I wasn’t built to bow to pressure. I was built to withstand it.
The harder they’ve pushed, the stronger I’ve become. Every sanction, every vote to strip me of pay, (1.5 years thus far) every moment they tried to bury my voice has only deepened my determination.
I’ve walked through their storm — head high, shoulders squared — refusing to bend to a system that punishes truth-tellers while protecting those who hide behind process. I’ve endured the isolation of standing alone at the table, watching colleagues look away instead of standing up. I’ve endured the personal attacks, the whisper campaigns, and the very public attempts to crush my credibility.
But I am still here. Unbroken. Unshaken. Unafraid.
Because what they don’t realize is this: I was never meant to be swept away by the storm. I am the storm. I was put in this place for a reason...to stand, to fight, and to rise.
And storms don’t ask permission. They don’t wait for permission. They move with force, they reshape everything in their path, and they leave no doubt about their power.
This fight was never just about me. It’s about every person who’s been punished for refusing to stay silent. It’s about calling out corruption, exposing hypocrisy, and standing up for what is right — even when you stand alone.
I will not apologize for speaking the truth. I will not back down because it makes others uncomfortable. And I will never surrender my voice to those who fear it.
They tried to contain the storm. Instead, they created one.
I will survive the storm — because I am the storm.
"Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"
Canada used to be a country that got things done
Canada used to be a country that got things done
By Dale Jodoin
Canada used to be a country that got things done. We built highways through rock, railways across frozen land, towns from nothing. We didn’t stop because someone might be afraid of noise or dust. We worked, we built, we grew. Now, it feels like we’ve traded courage for comfort and backbone for bubble wrap.
Everywhere you look, someone’s afraid of something. The left tells us to tremble at every tweet from Donald J. Trump, the current president of the United States. They say his name will terrify Canadians into silence, making them fear their ammo. And if you don’t side with the left? You’re labelled fascist, racist, or worse. The center is under attack from both sides while the country slowly fractures.
Look around. We’re scared of words, jokes, fireworks, even history. People demand that everyone else stop doing what makes them happy just because someone might be uncomfortable. Life doesn’t come with a comfort guarantee.
Take fireworks. Every July, a few voices demand their cancellation—because they rattle dogs, unsettle veterans, or trigger anxiety. Those are valid concerns. But the solution is not to cancel joy for everyone. If fireworks bother you, stay home. Don’t take something meaningful away from thousands of others.
That’s the deeper problem: we’ve become a nation afraid to offend. You can’t build anything that way. You can’t have free speech if everyone is terrified of it. When did we forget how to disagree without crying for someone to be silenced?
On university campuses, the culture’s even worse. Students are screened for “triggering” words. Professors are censured for jokes that used to spark debate. We’re training a generation more worried about being offended than about being resilient. What happens when life gives them something truly hard, without trigger warnings or safe spaces?
Here’s the truth: fear has become a shield. It’s easier to say, “I’m terrified,” than to take responsibility. If someone says something you don’t like, talk, debate, or walk away. Don’t demand the world rewrites everything just so you’ll never feel uneasy. Canada was built by people who faced fear, not by people who hid from it.
Immigration, once a symbol of hope, is being twisted into a tool of division. Immigrants came to build something together with us to enrich the country. Now politicians use immigration stories to pit one group against another. They whisper victimhood to some, blame to others. That’s not unity. That’s manipulation. It’s quietly ripping the country apart.
We used to be one people, proud and united. Now we fracture into isolated groups, each one afraid someone else will speak. The loudest voices are treated like everyone’s voice. The rest of us are just trying to keep the lights on, raise kids, and live in peace.
It’s almost absurd. We live in one of the safest countries on Earth, yet act like we’re on constant alert. Our grandparents survived wars, hunger, freezing winters. We stress over tweets.
If we keep living by everyone else’s fear, Canada won’t survive not in spirit. Fear shrinks people, kills joy, stops progress. The only cure is courage. And a little humour along the way doesn’t hurt.
So here’s the deal: if you’re scared of something, fine. But don’t ask the rest of us to silence our joy because of it. If you don’t like what someone says, let it pass. If fireworks bother you, stay away. If politics makes you anxious, switch off the news.
Canada can be strong again. We just need to remember who we are: people with courage, hard work, and the freedom to speak our minds. We’re not here to babysit fear. We’re here to build a country. And if that offends someone well, maybe they should try being offended elsewhere. Written by Dale Jodoin newspaper writer and journalists
A Candid Conversation
A Candid Conversation
By Theresa Grant
Real Estate Columnist
Without question, it is a very different world today than the one I grew up in. I remember being a child living in what was then called uptown, it was actually the Yonge and Eglinton area of Toronto. It was a very modest upbringing. My parents worked hard to give their three daughters what they could. We all helped around the house, took turns doing the dishes and things to help our mom. We were respectful and obeyed the rules set out by our parents. We had one bathroom, one television and therefore had to agree on what to watch. Our parents set out most of the viewing schedule and I remember the whole family sitting around the living room watching Carol Burnett, The Waltons and many other entertaining programs. We as children didn’t use the phone much,we waited for someone to come knocking on the door to see if we wanted to play or we went door knocking ourselves. It was simple, stay close, come home as soon as the streetlights came on. At the time, we could not have imagined it being any different than it was. Progress to us (and to our delight), was returning to school in September to find a new piece of equipment added to the playground.
For the many that grew up as I did in the sixties and seventies it is very hard to fathom what is going on with our youth today. Years ago, we thought that older people were looking to recruit the younger ones for their crimes and misdemeanors by telling them that they could not get into any serious trouble due to the young offender’s act.It would often be the case that a couple or a few named young adults would be arrested and we would see on the news that there was a young offender involved who could not be named.
It seems that that is not even the case anymore. We see on the news on a regular basis, children as young as eleven and twelveare involved in horrific crimes and there are no older adults involved. Which begs the question, what the hell is going on with our youth?Where are the parents is one of the biggest questions that I hear posed when these stories hit the news. What is going on in homes across our region that would make these children think that it is okay to go out and commit the crimes they do?
The most recent that comes to mind is the smash and grab at the Oshawa Centre involving a group of boys aged from 13-19. Then there are the 8 kids involved in the armed robbery of another youth on William Lott Dr. in North Oshawa. Here we had12-, 13-, and 15-year-old girls and boys.
Back in the summer there was the swarming of a Pizza worker in south Oshawa that involved an 11-year-old boy and 3 girls aged 13,14, and 15. Most heinous of recent youth criminal acts is the elderly woman killed in frontof her home in Pickering by a 14-year-old boy in an absolutely unprovoked attack.
Something needs to change. Now. People need to speak up.
Starting Point
Starting Point
By Wayne and Tamara
My husband and I have been married over 26 years. He was my dream come true. He has been drinking since age 16, but it never occurred to me he was an alcoholic because I thought alcoholics were bums drinking out of brown paper bags on street corners.
My husband graduated from law school, then joined the Air Force where most activities he chose centered around drinking. Later he worked to establish a private practice and was successful. The nightly drinking continued, and he would blow in later and later.
I sought counseling and the therapist told me he is what is called a functioning alcoholic. I was in total disbelief. My husband turned to the counselor and admitted he was an alcoholic, though he later denied that admission. The next session he came in wasted and was asked to leave.
Since then the alcoholic has filed for divorce and refuses to speak to me. I know of at least one affair. He has acknowledged he is an alcoholic, but he has absolutely no intention to stop. I can’t believe this is really happening. How do I start over?
Robyn
Robyn, a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry reported 76 percent of alcoholics in the U.S. never seek treatment. The 24 percent who do get treatment wait an average of eight to 10 years before seeking that treatment.
Even then, it will be years more before the alcoholic stops drinking for good, and additional years before they stop acting like an alcoholic, if they ever do. Alcoholics have a smugness about the castles in their mind. In that domain they set the rules and they make the laws. Like any absolute monarch, they are unwilling to give up their power.
It doesn’t matter whether you think alcoholism is a disease, a moral failing, a chemical addiction, or the aftereffect of a lousy childhood. The prognosis for successfully living with an alcoholic is poor. If children are present, the consequences are dire.
Human development follows a predictable pattern. To develop their own brain, children need to be around mature brains--brains working from reality, brains meeting challenges and facing facts. Observing those brains and patterning themselves after them, give children what they need to master life.
Child abuse is the term which most accurately describes what children in an alcoholic home endure. The effects of an alcoholic home on children are well-known: depression, inability to form close relationships, relentless self-criticism, inability to complete projects, and constant approval seeking.
Even the non-drinking spouse is changed. That person is co-opted into making excuses, covering up, and pretending what happened the night before never happened. That’s what’s so striking about your letter. You left nearly everything out. The fears, the arguments, the spoiled occasions, the conversations which he didn’t remember are all missing. It’s as if you still don’t want to go there.
That’s understandable because denial is a powerful defense mechanism; it keeps us from having to face pain. Denial operates in two ways. On an internal level, denial keeps us from having to confront our fears and the loss of our hopes and dreams. On an external level, denial keeps us from difficult confrontations with events and other people.
But the cost of denial is high. That is why it is so dangerous. When a person fails to prepare for the consequences of what they seek to deny, those consequences escalate. You feared the dismantling of your marriage and becoming a single woman again, but what you feared you must now confront.
So it’s time to go back to your therapist and tell him or her what you didn’t tell us. You need to talk through why you did what you did, and why you couldn’t admit what was before your eyes. It will feel embarrassing and humiliating at first, but that is where you must begin.
Wayne & Tamara
It’s Flu Season But It`s Not the Flu
It’s Flu
Season But
It’s Not the Flu
By Diana Gifford
“The superfluous,” said Voltaire, the French philosopher, “is a very necessary thing.” Alas, his thinking predated our understanding of the norovirus. The norovirus is one of the most common viruses on the planet – yet it seems to be doing nothing useful, let alone necessary. It’s just making hundreds of millions of people worldwide sick in any given year.
A lot of people made sick by norovirus think they have the flu. The symptoms are similar. But norovirus isn’t the flu at all. It’s a tiny, highly contagious virus that infects the stomach and intestines. It spreads through contaminated food, water, surfaces, and most usually, dirty hands.
The virus is found only in humans, not animals, and it doesn’t need much help to make trouble. A microscopic particle is enough to make you sick. Once ingested, it multiplies rapidly and exits just as quickly, shedding billions of copies that can infect others. It’s so efficient that it’s been called “the perfect pathogen.”
Most outbreaks emerge in familiar places like restaurants, daycare facilities, cruise ships, or long-term care homes. The virus is so hardy that it survives freezing, mild heating, and many cleaning products. Even alcohol-based hand sanitizers, so effective against most bacteria, don’t reliably stop it. Soapy water is the best prevention.
Symptoms of infection include sudden nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It comes on fast but is usually over in two or three days. Most people recover without lasting harm, though the elderly, very young, or those with weakened immune systems can become dangerously dehydrated.
Unlike other viruses, getting it once doesn’t make you stronger. You might think that exposure would at least give your immune system a workout and lead to lasting protection. Unfortunately, norovirus doesn’t play by those rules. Your body does mount a defense and produces antibodies, but they fade quickly – usually within six months to two years – and only protect you from the exact strain that made you sick. But norovirus keeps changing. It mutates its surface proteins just enough to fool your immune system the next time around. That’s why you can catch norovirus again and again. There is literally nothing good about norovirus unless you count that it makes victims better appreciate good plumbing.
Scientists have been working for years to develop a vaccine. But so far, the virus’s habit of constant reinvention has stymied efforts. There are dozens of strains, and new ones emerge every few years.
Norovirus often strikes just after a family dinner. Within 24 hours, one person starts feeling queasy, another rushes to the bathroom, and soon everyone is apologizing or looking for culprits in the cooking. But it’s not the food. It’s norovirus that came uninvited on unwashed hands.
What can we do? The answer is old-fashioned but effective. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before preparing food and after using the bathroom. Keep kitchen surfaces clean. Cook shellfish thoroughly, since oysters and clams can carry the virus if harvested from contaminated waters. And if someone in your home is sick, disinfect using a bleach-based cleaner and handle laundry and dishes with care. Norovirus may be hard to kill, but it doesn’t like hot water, chlorine, or good hygiene habits.
The larger lesson in all this is about humility. For all our medical advances, a virus invisible to the naked eye can still level us for days. Immunity isn’t always cumulative, and strength doesn’t always come from exposure. Sometimes, health depends less on what we can endure and more on what we can avoid.
——————————————————————————————————————
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
Saturday, October 11, 2025
SHALL WE DANCE?
SHALL WE DANCE?
By Wayne and Tamara
I just happened to bump into you guys virtually, and must say it was a pleasure! While reading through questions posted online, I realized I had one myself! So here I go.
I hail from India, and as you may know, Indians have a concept of arranged marriages, which I don’t really feel comfortable with. But I am 25 now, and though I’ve been in relationships in the past, I am single at present. So, my parents are on the lookout for a suitable guy for me.
I don’t have much choice because falling into a relationship is kind of slow here in India. People here are very different with regard to relationships as compared to the West. But I would like to find someone for myself rather than going into an arranged thing.
A few days back I met a friend’s friend via a social networking site. I had heard a lot about him from my friends, so I initiated things by sending him a message. He was sweet and prompt and asked me how I knew our mutual friend. We’ve been communicating via short messages ever since.
My question: how can I initiate a deeper relationship with him, though not necessarily too fast? I need to get to know him more as I think he is a great guy. I am by nature a little conservative, so I can’t really take bolder steps like asking for his number. Also, I would prefer not to involve our friend in this.
I don’t want to come around too strong. Should I continue messaging for a few more days? In his last message he said on business he quite often passes by the area where I live.
Daya
Daya, shall we dance? That’s the question posed by a song in the musical “The King And I.” Shall we dance…knowing there are usually many entries on a woman’s dance card before she finds the perfect partner? Shall we dance…knowing that many dances end with the thank you which means goodbye? Shall we dance…knowing that the dance always brings uncertainty?
Yes, let us dance. Let us dance, because the dance may end with us in the arms of the one we can dance through life with. Let us dance, says the song, “on the clear understanding that this kind of thing can happen.”
This man, with a little prompting, noticed you across a crowded dance floor. Your eyes met, and now you wonder, what next? You are a little reserved. He may be, too, because no male seeks to be rejected by a woman.
That’s why a woman waiting to be asked might gently sway her shoulders to the music, indicating she would love to dance. A small signal, perhaps, but enough to make a man start forward. He may still pass by, she knows, but most likely he hopes to take her hand and lead her to the floor.
An inner thing moves two people who can dance happily and comfortably together for the rest of their lives. That’s what dating seeks to learn. A man has said, “I often pass by where you are.” Can you come forward a little, too? Can you mention the café where you take coffee or that you like Chinese food? Can you make an opening so he can ask?
You need not say much or be bolder than your nature, but gently let him know what you may welcome as the next step. Just as you know you look good in certain colors, throw a soft focus on your approachability quotient. Make a small inroad. Give yourself a chance.
That’s not pursuing or chasing. It’s being available and open. It’s being able to acknowledge you are willing to dance. It’s coming forward so another can come forward, if he is drawn to you. Shall we dance? Yes.
Wayne & Tamara
Tax Efficient RRSP Withdrawal Strategies
Tax Efficient RRSP Withdrawal Strategies
By Bruno M. Scanga
Deposit Broker, Insurance & Investment Advisor
Many Canadians diligently contribute to their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) throughout their working years, aiming for a comfortable retirement. However, when it comes to withdrawing these funds, the strategy isn’t always straightforward. For some, tapping into their RRSPs earlier than traditional retirement age can offer significant tax benefits and financial flexibility.
Why Consider Early RRSP Withdrawals? The conventional wisdom suggests deferring RRSP withdrawals to delay taxes as long as possible. Yet, this approach might not be best for everyone. Withdrawing funds during years when you’re in a lower tax bracket can reduce your overall tax burden. This strategy, sometimes referred to as an “RRSP meltdown,” involves strategically drawing down your RRSP before mandatory withdrawals kick in at age 71.
By accessing your RRSP funds between ages 60 and 70, you can decrease the account’s size before it’s converted into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). This proactive approach can lead to smaller mandatory withdrawals later, potentially keeping you in a lower tax bracket and preserving more of your retirement income.
Early RRSP withdrawals can also influence government benefits. For instance, the Old Age Security (OAS) pension has a claw back mechanism for higher-income retirees. By reducing your RRSP balance earlier, you might avoid or lessen this claw back. Additionally, for lower-income individuals, early withdrawals could help in qualifying for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which provides added support to those who need it most.
Another advantage of accessing RRSP funds early is the opportunity to transfer them into a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). While you’ll pay taxes upon withdrawal from the RRSP, once the funds are in a TFSA, they can grow tax-free. This setup offers greater flexibility for future expenses, such as medical costs or helping family members financially.
For couples, early RRSP withdrawals can be particularly beneficial. Imagine both partners have large RRSPs. If one partner passes away, the surviving spouse inherits the RRSP funds, potentially resulting in a significant tax liability due to higher mandatory withdrawals from a larger RRIF. By each partner drawing down their RRSPs earlier, they can manage and possibly reduce the combined tax impact in the future.
While there are clear benefits to early RRSP withdrawals, it’s essential to approach this strategy thoughtfully. Withdrawing funds means paying taxes sooner and potentially missing out on the tax-deferred growth those funds would have enjoyed. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess your current financial situation, future income expectations, and retirement goals.
SGT PEPPER HAS IT RIGHT!!!
SGT PEPPER
HAS IT RIGHT!!!
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
Before I begin this column. I like to fully disclose that I do not endorse or support violence in any way. As a professional martial artist, the root of our training is the avoidance of violence at all cost.
Our discipline is to be used to defend when attacked and always use self restraint. With this said. I give the police forces across the world great praise as they have a real tough job. In many cases it is the use of brute force and not tactical body dynamics in the taking down of hostile perpetrators.
I say this with such confidence as I enjoy on my spare 30 seconds a day to watch YOUTUBE videos on how police around the world deals with police take downs. In most cases you can tell that the officer in attendance has had limited or no training as in most take down it takes two, three, four officers to take down one person. When in reality it should take one officer. The other day Sgt. Pepper caught my eye. I think he was not a police officer but either a national guard or a marine on the front line of a demonstration.
The demonstrator your typical ‘woke’, one hundred and twenty pound over opinionated unemployed basement dweller. There was this nose drip shouting in front of a 350lb officer. He kept screaming to the officer. “WHAT IS YOUR NAME SOLDIER” time and time again. The soldier was very calm and very patient. The perpetrator kept screaming in his face demanding his name.
Then with a swift swipe the officer quickly pulls out pepper spray can and gives the perpetrator a mouth/face full of this orange spray. The perpetrator goes down in tears screaming like a baby as the officer stands there with a very deserving grin... and states. “Dr. Pepper son”.
Super classic response. I think what is taking place in the U.S. needs to be employed in Canada. Zero tolerance to police interference while dispensing law. Anyone in breach should be dealt with extreme force. The problem with today’s police attitudes is that they do not want to be legally liable or worst criminally found to be guilty of law in the dispensing of law. Something that is very hard. As civilians we must also make sure that police do not abuse powers entrusted in them.
So how do we balance. Well, open the door for police to do their job. If an abuse complaint is brought forth. Investigate with the understanding that the job is extremely stressful and difficult.
I think filming of any police activity should be illegal. I think journalist should be kept out of hot spots like riots and protests.
I strongly believe that the police need to be respected and protected against criminal prosecution for minor things. Much, like Sgt. Pepper’s actions. They could be seen as against the law. Then again under the circumstance. It can be deemed reasonable. Protestors have become more militant and more aggressive due to the fact that they have lost the fear factor. I think we need to instill that emotion in order to preserve society.
October 7, Two Years On: Canada’s Place in a Conflict That Reverberates Here
Saturday, October 4, 2025
The Weight of Passion and Purpose - Fighting the Pressure to Sacrifice Hobbies in High School
The Weight of Passion
and Purpose - Fighting the Pressure to
Sacrifice Hobbies in High School
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
Throughout high school, students begin to discover, strengthen and advance a variety of passions. These passions are fostered through mandated courses, extracurricular activities, and relationships built. They are incorporated into the high school system to guarantee students try new things and develop new talents. Together, these experiences create a diverse range of interests and experiences that can be applied beyond school, whether in higher education, future careers, or simply in developing a unique sense of identity.
Throughout my own high school journey, I have pursued countless opportunities, each providing their own life lessons. My time with the dramatic arts built a sense of confidence, community, and critical thinking, in addition bringing me joy. Time spent studying math and science enhanced my problem-solving and analytical skills, regardless of my disinterest in pursuing STEM. Extracurriculars such as student council and debate helped me grow in leadership, communication, time management, and integrity. I never turn down an opportunity presented to me; each one I accept with enthusiasm and commitment. To me, this variety is the only way to maximize my high school experience, to make the most out of these four years before University. I do not want to graduate and regret rejecting an opportunity, staying home, or not trying out; instead, I want to take advantage of everything offered to me, before I enter a new chapter of my life.
While this diversity has been rewarding, it has also left me with an overwhelming schedule, including countless passions, which feels impossible to balance. As I begin my junior year, I feel increasing pressure to abandon the talents I’ve spent so long building.
I have dedicated myself to many passions, and I feel each one is pulling me in a different direction. School encouraged me to learn new things and celebrate diversity, yet it opposes when I commit to each. Every class gives homework to fill each waking hour, every council expects availability available Monday to Friday, like a full time job. I am an individual who wants to learn as much as possible, yet within the constraints of the school system, this feels unattainable.
I constantly feel pressured to find one talent, one ambition, and fully commit to it. At times, I feel like a jack of all trades; I am good with math, science, english, arts, and communication, yet spectacular at nothing. It leaves me questioning my past,
present, and future uses of time. Regardless of the commitments, I feel I do not have
anything to feel truly proud of. I am left wondering about the connecting factors, and
which of these will attach me to future happiness.
My days of eagerly accepting every opportunity are now past, replaced with anxiety and an overwhelming schedule. What is the point of studying chemistry if I won’t be a chemist? Why spend time on drama if I have no interest in acting professionally? Each activity not directly correlated to my goals can seem like a waste of time, which forces me into a never-ending cycle of doubt, as I am still unsure of what those goals are.
Choosing one specialty talent is not the only expectation students face as they grow older. Beyond choosing one skill to perfect, teens are also forced to ensure that this skill is both practical and efficient. At sixteen, individuals are expected to have a life plan, including steps to reach those goals. Many students commit their limited spare time to studying sciences, practicing math, learning languages, or volunteering.
Although these hobbies are important, they often cause the love of creative passions, such as painting, acting, or writing, to be dismissed. This creates a pressure not just to find a passion, but to justify it in terms of future practicality. It feels as though the value of a skill lies only in its ability to assist a stable career. In our society, passions have lost their purpose of joy or learning experiences, and are instead focused on proving they are “worth it” to the eyes of others.
High school is a challenging balancing act, as students are tasked with managing inspiring opportunities and their saddening limits. I have lived with the mindset to never close a door, to never turn away from an opportunity, but I have recently learned that doing everything is impossible. The system often demands that we measure the value of our time by how useful it is for our future, as if every class, talent, or passion must lead directly to a stable career. Under this logic, the value of creativity through painting, drama, or music is diminished the moment it is made; yet these are the very talents that bring joy, perspective, and balance to life.
Despite my anxieties regarding my use of time, I’ve come to understand that impractical does not mean worthless. A passion that doesn’t have a finish line can still change my perspective, teach new lessons, and create everlasting connections. Yes, individuals must accept their limits and make rational choices, but those decisions should not be decided on practicality alone. I refuse to believe that the time I’ve spent exploring my passions is wasted. Instead, these opportunities are what have shaped me into the person I am today.
My secondary education has shown me balance isn’t about choosing a single path to commit to; it’s about carrying forward the important experiences, even if they aren’t practical. While I can’t keep every door open, I trust that the ones I do step through will add to my life through lessons, opportunities, and enjoyment. I may choose how to spend my time with purpose, however that does not mean I must sacrifice everything which brings me joy. Only through this balance of practicality and experiences can the four years of high school be properly fulfilled
WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE!!!
WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE!!!
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
I have served as your City Editor for the past 30 years. I have seen all kinds of change. Unfortunately, It has not been for the better. The quality of life has diminished to the point that walking down our city streets have become a health risk and or a personal secuirty issue.
I get asked all the time. What do I think is the magic formula.
Well I ran in the last election on this principle. But it appears that people were happy with the status quo and we are enduring another four years of the same chaos.
In my opinion we must address the white elephant in the room. I do not put the blame on the thousands of homeless. As, I am sure that they are not homeless by choice.
People tend to generalize that those homeless are a bunch of drug addicts and or suffering from some sort of mental health issue.
What we need to do is undestand the psychology. Being homeless is very stressful. It brings about all kinds of emotions that in all cases are difficult to control.
Many have no one to turn to. Many have lost hope in society and use alchohol and drugs to offset the daily pain. A pain that runs far beyond any physical disability.
If I had been Mayor. I would have shut down the ‘safe’ injection sites. I would have made sure that everyone dependant on drugs.... that Oshawa was closed for business.
I would have worked with police to enforce law. Create special detention centers that no one would be able to leave until such time that they were sober and properly
At the facility I would have mental health experts running evaluation on people. Those with addiction would be admitted to hospital for treatment. Those with mental health issues would be given appointment to attend a trained mental health worker to deal with the neurosis.
For those homeless, I would offer them temporary shelter at a pre-set wharehouse facility. I would create special work programs. Programs that would give these homeless folk the opportunity to earn money. Programs like ongoing grass cutting for senior. Garbage pick up throughout the city. Snow removal along all our city streets. The City of Oshawa spent 70 million dollars to the Generals hockey team. 50 million for an outdoor pool in Canada. 30 million on the Ed Broadbent Park. You mean to tell me we can’t invest in helping those in need.
Those three projects alone are $150 million. 150 million of your tax dollars... that you the taxpayer will never see a dime and or benefit directly.
Imagine having 5,000 homeless in Oshawa. Divide that by 150 million. That would give us $300,00/homeless person in assistance. But wait, 2026 is around the corner. Instead of voting in people with substance, vision and solutions. Guess what... Most likely the status quo will reign supreme again. Sad.
WARD 4 COUNCILLOR GIBERSON STAYS ON A PATH OF SELF-DESTRUCTION, BUT WHO PAYS THE PRICE?
WARD 4 COUNCILLOR GIBERSON STAYS ON A PATH OF
SELF-DESTRUCTION, BUT WHO PAYS THE PRICE?
IF A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION doesn’t somehow stop the progression of the human mind, it will certainly guide it in one direction over another. The effects of this were certainly laid bare at the September 29 meeting of Oshawa Council, and I encourage my readers to pause with me for a few moments as we consider some of what transpired.
The title of this week’s column could have easily read, “Miracle on Centre Street” due to the rare occurrence whereby Ward 1 councillor Rosemary McConkey actually found favour among her colleagues – this time regarding a motion that seeks to address the problem of uninhibited drug use in our public spaces.
The proposed initiative previously failed to gain support at the committee level, however Ward 3 councillor Bob Chapman came to the rescue by helping craft a new and more realistic version, one that was ultimately successful and supported by the Mayor and Council.
To say the City needs to do something in an effort to encourage the Minister of Justice to take appropriate action on what has become a major breakdown in our society is a complete understatement. The motion makes reference to the open use of drugs in the community (A concern focused no doubt on the city’s downtown) and the effect this has had on young people as well as those who may be recovering from addictions.
As noted in the motion, the possession of substances regulated under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is a criminal offence, and the open use of such substances has become flagrant in parts of the city of Oshawa, reducing the quality of life for law-abiding residents. The open-air use and availability of those substances in areas providing supports to people attempting to recover from addictions undoubtedly impedes their recovery efforts. It also attracts drug dealers associated with greater crimes to areas frequented by users of those drugs.
As written and presented, the motion was filled with all the right intentions, and perhaps a little too much diplomacy, given the ongoing crisis in mental health and addictions our country is facing.
Nevertheless, at least one elected official took it upon himself to stand on the very margins of critical thought - in almost complete opposition to the initiative being proposed. That person was Ward 4 councillor Derek Giberson.
This should come as no surprise to anyone in the community who has taken at least five minutes to listen to anything the councillor from downtown Oshawa has had to say during this term of Council.
In an age where municipalities across Canada are starting to enact zero-tolerance policies on open-air drug use, including efforts to redirect offenders to court-ordered diversion programs and addiction support, it would seem unfathomable for a member of Oshawa Council – in a city severely burdened by the effects of so much drug use – to actively oppose the initiative.
The tide is finally turning toward an approach that balances compassion with accountability, and it’s no stretch to suggest those who live and work downtown would welcome such a move on the part of councillors to seek a degree of sanity in the area of public safety standards.
During the debate on this issue, councillor Giberson lamented the very idea of incarceration as a partial means of dealing with these problems. His comments bore all the hallmarks of the failed ‘soft-on-crime’ social experiment taken up by the courts over the last decade. Reasonable people understand that enforcement is not the only solution, and that the crisis over addictions we now face is primarily a healthcare issue. However, the public sphere is not the place for intravenous drug use. Expanding access to detox beds, treatment centres and recovery programs – coupled with limits on public consumption, is the best formula.
One has to ask oneself, at what point will the Ward 4 councillor actually start agreeing to anything whatsoever to make downtown Oshawa a better place?
We must first recall his failed attempt to erase much of the city’s artistic history by promoting the removal and partial replacement of the downtown murals. We can then look to his refusal to support the redevelopment of the Athol Street parking lot nearest to City Hall – an initiative that will soon see a multi-story parking and residential structure occupy what is now a sea of asphalt. We can further look to his oft-repeated stance against planning policies that favour more opportunities for additional parking spaces throughout the downtown, and his fixation on somehow mandating a made-in-Europe model for North American transportation needs.
Finally, there was councillor Giberson’s failed attempt to sway councillor’s opinions in the matter of the By-law which now requires an 800 metre distance between existing and proposed social service locations.
Remember, this is the same councillor who was found by the Integrity Commissioner to be in breach of the Code of Conduct that governs how members of Council are expected to behave, both at City Hall and within the public realm. Do you see a pattern of political self-destruction in all of this?
Meantime, downtown businesses and those who live in the areas that surround social services agencies like the Back Door Mission are all too aware of the effect that open-air drug use has had on their community. They also see the results of so-called harm reduction and safe supply programs whereby discarded needles are now as plentiful as dandelions in springtime.
It doesn’t take much imagination to foresee the effect that an actual crackdown on open drug use would have on the mandate of the Mission and its collective determination to carry on for as long as possible, seemingly without concern for area residents or those trying to run a business downtown.
Ward 4 is in desperate need of change. When residents are forced to endure so much uncertainty at the hands of one or more ideologues whose self-interest appears to be all encompassing, they necessarily become victims who must stand and watch as their rights to security of property and personal safety are literally snatched from them.
As soon as someone begins to treat public affairs as something removed from actual public service, they become a menace to society. In that regard, residents can certainly make their concerns known at the ballot box.
The next municipal election is scheduled for October 26, 2026.
HOW DO THEY GET AWAY WITH IT
God, Family, Country
And the Courage to Speak:
A Tribute to Charlie Kirk
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
On Monday, September 29th, at one o’clock in the afternoon, while most people were at work, Pickering Council held a Special Meeting where they voted to approve the Seaton Recreation Complex and Library — the most expensive project in our city’s history.
In just a little over three and a half hours, Council committed taxpayers to a $266 million build that will potentially drive your property taxes up nearly twelve percent and blow our debt wide open. To put it into perspective, for every single minute during that meeting, Council was committing 1.4 million dollars of your money.
Right now, Pickering carries about 5 million dollars in debt. By this January, that number will already rise to 57 million dollars in debt with other projects now in the pipeline. And by 2027, with the Seaton project added in, our debt will skyrocket to 331 million dollars. That’s an increase of over 570 per cent coming to you the taxpayer in less than 458 days. Think about that. That’s like a family jumping from a five-thousand-dollar credit card balance to over three hundred and thirty thousand — and being locked into paying it off for the next twenty years.
Even our own Treasurer called this one of the most difficult financial decisions the city has ever faced. He recommended caution. He recommended deferral. And what did Council do? They ignored him.
I tried to move a motion to defer this decision until at least 40 percent of Pickering’s population had the chance to comment. I suggested a mail-out survey to every home that would clearly state the eleven-point-seven-one percent tax increase if the project was approved. Not one councillor would second my motion. The Mayor shut it down immediately, saying, “I don’t think that’s the way to do fiscal responsibility. That would be a huge undertaking.”
But since when is mailing residents the truth a huge undertaking, while spending two hundred and sixty-six million dollars without their informed consent is considered fiscal responsibility? Make it make sense.
Meanwhile, staff and the Mayor insisted that just over 3,000 adults responding was an “exceptionally high” number. They even went so far as to boast about community engagement, claiming they had logged 82 hours in the field holding twenty pop-up events, three in-person sessions, and circulated surveys through schools where even children were counted as respondents. Yet not once in any of this engagement did they mention that approving this project would mean a 12 percent property tax increase.
That’s not consultation. That’s manipulation. And the irony? Just months ago, I was punished with three months’ pay taken away for saying surveys can be skewed. This one proves my point exactly. If a survey doesn’t disclose the real cost or consequences of what people are “agreeing” to, then it’s not an honest survey.
When I pressed on the financial realities, the Mayor didn’t respond with facts. Instead, he tried to smear me personally — falsely claiming once again that I wanted a 10 percent tax hike for snow removal. Let’s clear that up right now, once and for all: that was their inflated consultant’s estimate, not mine. My proposal never involved a tax hike at all.
And while the Mayor told residents in his Council Meeting recap that taxes were going up because of a $2.3-million-dollar fire truck, he left out the $266-million-dollar decision made that very same afternoon just hours before. Ask yourself: why?
Here’s the reality: the Treasurer confirmed this project alone adds approximately $255 dollars a year to the average homeowner’s bill. Every year. For the next twenty years. And to make room for it, other critical needs — like the Seaton Fire Station and the Northern Operations Centre — were shoved onto the “parked projects list,” indefinitely delayed. And not to mention this nearly 12 per cent tax hike is only for this single project aloan. It doesn’t include the other tax increases the city will need for roads, sewers, infrastructure, and everything else we do. It doesn’t include the school board increases. It doesn’t include the Region’s increases. And if I’m not mistaken, it doesn’t even include the additional 2.7 percent Council already approved under the so-called climate adaptation plan if I'm not mistaken. Add it all together, and you’re looking at tax bills that will climb far higher than what I’m even admitting to you today.
Look around the region. Whitby’s new complex came in at 160 million. Clarington’s is projected at 180 million. Pickering’s? 266 million — and staff already admitted it could climb to over 300 million by the time it’s tendered in 2027. And this was all decided in one Monday afternoon, in a little over three hours, with a six-to-one vote.
I was the only councillor who voted no. Not because I oppose recreation, libraries, or community spaces, which I am sure will be the rumour spread by the Mayor or Council, but because you deserved the truth. You deserved real consultation. You deserved to know that your taxes will rise 12 per cent, that your debt will explode from 5 million today to 57 million in January and to 331 million dollars in less than 458 days, that other essential projects will now be shelved, and that only 3 percent of adults were consulted — without ever being told the real cost.
This isn’t about building community. It’s about building a political legacy — on your back.
Rob Ford reminded us all that respecting taxpayers isn't just words — it's action. Yet, when decisions are made without transparency, that respect is lost.
As your servants, we must do better.
Councillor Lisa Robinson
"Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"
Another Attack on Free Speech: The Government’s Push to Punish Words Before They’re Spoken
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)