THE TOKEN SQUAD (The Oshawa Community C.D.E.I.C)

THE TOKEN SQUAD (The Oshawa Community C.D.E.I.C) B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States Excuse me for my ignorance.... but how are we all to be equal when we practice such discrimination though forced acceptance committees. This week a online post read: Share your voice to create a more inclusive and equitable Oshawa The City of Oshawa is recruiting community representatives to join its Community Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (C.D.E.I.C.). The C.D.E.I.C. includes individuals from all backgrounds who are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Whether you have experience in advocacy, community organizing, program or policy development, or simply a passion for social justice, we welcome your unique perspective and talents. Are you kidding me... ‘create a more inclusive and equitable Oshawa’. The same Oshawa that is so discriminatory to the bone. The same Oshawa that favors one company over another. That discriminates against it’s own City Newspaper for not following the City political agenda. The same City that patronizes supporters and all other are openly ignored and discriminated!!! The City is not recruiting community representative to join no committee. What the City is recruiting is people with a chip on their shoulder that like to champion race. Tokens, that will align to the City political correctness agenda. There is no Diversity and Equity or Inclusion. Then why have a committee of racial tokens. They have no real voice at council. They have no real agenda other than that of the City political interest. I feel for it’s members as they are being used due to the color of their skin. We should not have to have a committee to treat each other with respect and dignity. There should be no governing body or committee forcing us to comply with politically correct agenda. That in itself is oppressive and prejudice. If anyone has a problem with that concept. It is simple. You can’t be accepted to anything if you keep claiming you are different and you expect those around you to make special provisions for you difference. You can’t expect to be a diverse community when everyone wants to be accepted with special provisions and acknowledgment. True diversity comes through a united people respecting the difference but conforming to the national social status quo. The city can’t expect ‘EQUITY’ when they openly practice such discrimination toward their own city newspaper for example. Imagine all the others they discriminate against of not such magnitude. Bye definition Inclusion: the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources. Really, Oshawa..... I feel for the members of this so called committee. They are being used as tokens for political gain. And for those ignorant amongst us... blinded by hate. Put the pitch fork down. There is nothing prejudice for bringing forth questioning of the system. So save it. Educate yourself on the reality that is forcing you to believe something that is not true. Stop letting them use you as a token for their gain. I like to see how the (C.D.E.I.C.) will help me get through the City of Oshawa to support a local small Canadian business operated by a minority. Or do I not qualify for the same diversity, equity and inclusion? I will await the CDEIC reply... waiting... waiting... waiting...waiting...waiting...waiting... Thank God I am not going to hold my breath on hearing from this TOKEN committee.

D-Day anniversary 2025

D-Day anniversary 2025 by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC FEC, CET, P.Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In Canada today, we are at war with, uncertain economic times, strained relations with our neighbor to the south and international tension due to the continuing war in Ukraine and the Middle East. We therefore need to remember as never before, and reflect on the sacrifices that our ancestors have made for us. They should not have fought in vain to secure our freedom, to keep democracy alive in our country and the comfortable standard of living that we have enjoyed for generations. It is time to cherish their memory and learn from their patriotism. We need to ensure that their efforts to win over the evils of fascism were not in vain. Particularly during this new dark period that threatens our very existence, we need to keep up our courage and stand up against our adversaries as our ancestors have done. We need to stay strong in the face of today’s unprecedented challenges. We are currently facing a crucial time in our history in fighting the evil of an unknown upcoming new world order and related societal malaises. In combination, the consequences of the past pandemic and social dysfunction are similar to fighting a new kind of world war with worldwide implications and yet unforeseen effects on Canadians. On 6 June we are marking the eighty-one anniversary of D-Day, the beginning of the Battle of Normandy, along a 100 km stretch of French coastline across the English Channel from Great Britain. This was the largest seaborne invasion in history and a crucial day in winning the war against evil; Nazi Germany. The assault on the beaches of Normandy by British, American, and Canadian troops on the 6th of June 1944, who would then fight their way across Western Europe, has gone down in history as a memorable event. The codenames of where the troops landed — Omaha and Utah for the Americans, Gold and Sword for the British, and Juno for the Canadians — remain familiar today. The Normandy landings, Operation Overlord, marked the beginning of the end of six long years of conflict between Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany and the Allied forces. The development of the role for Canada in the D-Day invasion has a history going back a few years. Following the Dunkirk evacuation Canadians began to come over to Great Britain. They were well-prepared and took on the role of defending the British Isles. They built up around the south coast of England and operated in a defensive and anti-invasion role from May 1940 to July 1943. At that time the 1st Canadian Division was detached and sent to Italy, but the bulk of Canadian forces remained in Britain for all those years. Canadian sailors, soldiers and airmen played a critical role in the Allied invasion of Normandy, beginning the bloody campaign to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. Nearly 150,000 Allied troops landed or parachuted into the invasion area on D-Day, including 14,000 Canadians at Juno Beach. The Royal Canadian Navy contributed 110 ships and 10,000 sailors and the RCAF contributed 15 fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons to the assault. Total Allied casualties on D-Day reached more than 10,000. By the end of the Battle of Normandy, the Allies had suffered 209,000 casualties, including more than 18,700 Canadians. Over 5,000 Canadian soldiers died. From the D-Day landings on the 6th of June 1944 through to the encirclement of the German army at Falaise on the 21st of August this was one of the pivotal events of the Second World War and the scene of some of Canada's greatest feats of arms. Juno Beach was the Allied code name for a 10 km stretch of French coast. It fell to more than 14,000 volunteer soldiers from across Canada, under Major-General Rod Keller, commander of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, to storm the Juno Beach coast line. They seized the beach and its seaside villages while under intense fire from German defenders — an extraordinary example of military skill, reinforced by countless acts of personal courage. The 3rd Infantry Division took heavy casualties in its first wave of attack but took control of the beach by the end of the day. There were 1,074 Canadian casualties, including 359 killed. All things considered, the Canadian troops did very well on D-Day. The Canadians and the British in the Gold and Juno sector made it farther inland than any of the other invasion forces. They had managed to link up their forward units some distance inland, which was a measure of success. At the end of the day, the Queen’s Own Rifles had actually captured its objective, which was short of the overall divisional objective but goes to show that some of the Canadian units were quite successful in the first hours. Their sacrifices will not be forgotten even though their generation is starting to fade into the fog of history. For the time being D-Day still seems to be in the Canadian public’s consciousness. Their memory must be preserved for the millennials and generations to come in order to eliminate the root causes of further conflagrations. D-Day embodied the courage and determination to prevail in that war. It was fought over issues that are still alive today — such as ideology, globalism and injustice. It was an exceptionally difficult and hazardous military operation. It was an operation in which Canadians took a major central role in the war to preserve freedom and democracy. For these reasons and more, it’s important to keep the memory of D-Day alive. The dead, along with scores of other Canadians killed in the fighting during the weeks that followed, are buried in the serene and beautiful Canadian War Cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, just behind Juno Beach. This, and numerous other memorials throughout Courseulles, Bernières and St. Aubin-sur-Mer, commemorate Canada’s sacrifice on D-Day. A private museum, the Juno Beach Centre, overlooking the beach at Courseulles, also tells the story of Canada’s role in the invasion of Normandy. Every year on the 6th of June, the people of the villages along Juno Beach pay tribute to the men and women who fought and died there. They parade through streets festooned with maple leaf flags and hold services and vigils along parts of the seawall, in memory of their Canadian liberators. Long live their memory! Long live the courage those men and women demonstrated. May our current generations and governments show just as much courage in our current hour of need. We can’t afford to wait for someone else to fight for our rights and freedom. We must all take a stand against the tyranny of incompetent leadership, political correctness at the expense of merit, and the stripping away of our individual freedoms in the name of political expediency. Wake up Canada

Christians Told to Stay Quiet: Why Free Speech Feels One-Sided

Christians Told to Stay Quiet: Why Free Speech Feels One-Sided By Dale Jodoin Across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, many Christians feel like they are being told to sit down, be quiet, and not speak their beliefs. People say, "You can go to church. You can pray. Just don’t talk about it in public." That may sound fair to some. But for those who believe deeply in their faith, this is not freedom. It is silent. Christians are allowed to worship privately, but if they speak up on issues like assisted suicide or abortion, they are called far-right, hateful, or even dangerous. This double standard is hard to ignore. In England, a woman was arrested for standing silently and praying near an abortion clinic. She didn’t block the entrance. She didn’t shout. She just stood there. The police said she was breaking a law. But how can silent prayer be a crime? This is not the freedom people fought for. In Canada and the U.S., Christian charities run food banks, addiction centres, and shelters. They help anyone in need, no questions asked. But the Canadian government is now considering removing their charitable status. If that happens, it will cost the country millions. It would also hurt the poor, the hungry, and the homeless who rely on these programs. Is this about fairness, or about punishing Christians for their beliefs? Christians are not the only ones facing problems. Today, Jewish people are being attacked more often in many countries. In the past, Christians were often the ones to speak up for them. But now, many Christians are afraid to speak at all. They worry about being called names or targeted for simply having a different view. When people on the political left protest, they sometimes damage buildings or take over streets. Still, the media often says, "They are passionate. They care about justice." But when Christians hold a sign or speak at a peaceful rally, they are called bigots or extremists. That’s a double standard. The government says we have free speech. But it doesn’t feel that way when one group is told to stay silent while another can say or do almost anything. Free speech means everyone should be able to share their views—even when we disagree. Many people forget that most of the soldiers who fought in World War I and World War II were Christians. They believed in freedom, in God, and in standing for what was right. Today, those voices are fading. Fewer people stand up for their beliefs, especially if they are Christian. Some fear losing their jobs. Others fear attacks online. Some just feel alone. Jesus once said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." This meant that governments have power, but not all power. Our beliefs, our hearts, and our souls do not belong to the government. They belong to God. But today, it feels like the government wants everything—including your faith. Christians do not want to control others. They want the same rights as everyone else. They want to help their neighbours, speak their beliefs, and live with honesty and love. They are not trying to hurt anyone. They are trying to live true to their faith. If Canada takes away Christian charity rights, thousands of people will suffer. The homeless won’t get meals. Addicts won’t get support. Families in crisis will be left without help. These charities have been serving the country for decades. And now, they’re being told they might not be allowed to do so anymore. This is not about one religion being better than another. It’s not about pushing faith on others. It’s about fairness. It’s about letting Christians speak, serve, and believe without fear. We live in a time when people say they want equality. But real equality means protecting everyone’s voice—even the ones you don’t agree with. Christians are not perfect. No group is. But they deserve the right to speak without being punished. The sad truth is many Christians now stay quiet. They go to church. They go home. They keep their faith private. But that’s not how it used to be. Christians used to speak for those who had no voice. Now, they are being told they have no right to speak at all. So what happens next? Will we keep quiet out of fear? Or will we speak with kindness, with care, and with courage? Christians are part of this country. They work hard, pay taxes, raise families, and help neighbours. They are not asking for special treatment. They are just asking to be heard. Isn’t that what free speech is really about?

World Fatigue: Blame the People

World Fatigue: Blame the People By Dale Jodoin There’s a quiet illness spreading across the Americas. It’s not the kind you can cure with a pill or vaccine. It’s called world fatigue, and it’s affecting millions of people—especially the regular, everyday folks who work, pay taxes, and try their best to live honest lives. World fatigue isn’t about being tired from work or chores. It’s a deep emotional tiredness. A kind of sadness mixed with frustration. It builds up every time you turn on the news or look at your bills. It’s the feeling of being blamed, day after day, for problems you didn’t create. And it’s wearing people down. Ask anyone around you, and they’ll tell you the same thing: “I’m just done. I don’t care anymore.” But they do care—they’re just overwhelmed. That’s world fatigue. And it’s growing. So where is this coming from? Part of it starts with the government and the media. They say they’re trying to inform us, but more and more, it feels like they’re trying to guilt us. We’re told that everything wrong in the world is somehow our fault. There are too many homeless people? It’s our fault. Is the planet changing? It's our fault. Minorities aren’t treated fairly? Again, our fault. The list goes on. The message is always the same: if you don’t feel bad, if you don’t do more, then you’re part of the problem. And while it’s important to care about others, what about us? Who’s looking out for regular Canadians—people who are barely making it through the month? Who’s caring for the seniors, the young families, the people who never ask for much? Instead, we’re called selfish. We’re told we’re the problem. But the real problem is this: people are burning out. Not because they don’t care, but because they’ve been pushed too far. Even schools are becoming places of confusion. Kids don’t learn basic life skills anymore. Many can’t read a map, balance a budget, or understand how taxes work. Teachers say their hands are tied. They spend more time explaining political ideas and social movements than they do teaching reading, writing, and math. Our kids are growing up with strong opinions—but no tools to live in the real world. And again, who gets blamed when test scores drop? Parents. Taxpayers. Regular people. One of the biggest signs of world fatigue is how cold people are becoming. Neighbours don’t talk. Families drift apart. People don’t wave hello anymore. It’s not that people have lost all compassion—it’s that they’re tired of always being told what to feel, who to support, what to say, and what to believe. And if you don’t follow along exactly, you’re labeled as hateful, old-fashioned, or worse. Even the gay community, which once stood for love and understanding, has now become a political symbol in many ways. Regular people aren’t anti-gay—they’re just tired of being told they’re bad people if they don’t cheer loud enough. We used to give more to our neighbours, to strangers, to people in need. But now, everything costs so much that people are forced to pull back. Groceries have doubled. Rent has tripled. Hydro bills climb while wages stay the same. People aren’t being greedy. They’re in survival mode. Meanwhile, the government sends billions to other countries. Billions more go to foreign aid, international programs, and global projects that have nothing to do with the average Canadian. By the time they finish giving it all away, there’s nothing left for us. Our roads crumble. Our hospitals are full. Our veterans sleep on the streets. And when we ask why, we’re told to be more generous. More kind. But what’s kind about ignoring your own people? World fatigue shows up in our minds and bodies. People are more anxious, more depressed, and more isolated than ever before. Psychologists are starting to talk about it, even if the media doesn’t. They say the human brain can only take so much pressure, so much bad news, and so much guilt before it shuts down. That’s what’s happening now. People aren’t angry because they hate—they’re angry because they feel powerless. They’re tired of being told they’re the cause of all suffering in the world. They’re tired of politicians pointing fingers. They’re tired of media stories that divide instead of unite. At the root of it all is one big truth: most people just want their lives back. They want to go to work, raise their kids, enjoy their weekends, and not feel like they’re under attack all the time. They don’t want to fight with neighbours. They don’t want to argue about politics. They don’t want to be called names just for speaking their mind. They want peace. They want fairness. And they want someone to finally say, “We hear you. We see you. And we’re sorry.” But that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, the government pushes more rules. More taxes. More lectures. And every time a new problem comes up, they say, “If only the people had done more.” But we have done more. We’ve carried the weight for too long. We’ve stayed quiet. We’ve played along. Now we’re tired. Not because we’re cruel—but because we’re human This is the truth about world fatigue. It’s not a lack of love—it’s too much heartbreak. It’s not that we stopped caring—it’s that no one cared for us. And it’s time we said it out loud. We are not the enemy. We are not the problem. We are the people. And we want our lives back.

The Hoarders House

The Hoarders House By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist Every house has the ability to present its own unique challenges when it comes to getting it sold. A hoarders house however is a horse of a different colour. I remember many years ago shortly after moving to Oshawa, I rented the lower unit of a house in the Rossland and Ritson Road area. When I moved in the landlord told me that there was a gentleman who lived on the second floor who had been there for several years. I crossed paths with the fellow from time to time in the driveway. He seemed nice enough. For some reason, and I surely cannot remember now, but I needed to speak to him, so I went and knocked on his door. I knocked and waited, finally he came to the door but only opened it enough to stick his face between the frame and the door. About eight or nine inches. I said what I was there for, and he told me to come in. I stood there while he tried to maneuver the door open enough for me to be able to step inside. When I was actually able to enter, by turning sideways, I was horrified. He stood there looking at me and I stood there with a look of shock and disbelief on my face for sure. We were in the small entry area where one side of the wall housed the staircase to go upstairs and there was a small closet directly in front of the front door. So, we were in a landing basically of about 4 feet by 6 feet. From floor to ceiling were stacks of decades old Toronto Star newspapers. I could not believe what I was seeing. A person could not move. I was shocked to say the least, but my thoughts turned to things like, what if the fire department needed to get in here? They simply couldn’t. I spoke with the landlord regarding the situation, and he advised me that he was aware and had asked the tenant several times to get rid of the newspapers. He also told me that what I had seen was the tip of the iceberg. Keep in mind this was long before TLC made programs depicting this type of living and what it involved. When I started looking for a place to purchase years ago, I went to see a house on Ritson Rd, near Athol Street. The house was completely full of tools and huge pieces of equipment inside of every room in the house. You could barely get around, in fact I was warned about a particular area of the house. The owner was present and insisted that everything would be gone when the house was sold but it was hard to imagine. I asked the realtor how long it had been on the market, and to no surprise it had been listed for several months with no offers. Hoarding is not a healthy way to live and is often indicative of someone needing serious help beyond the organization of their home. There are many resources available to people now, and I strongly advise anyone who may need some guidance to reach out and seek professional help.

Job Seekers Stop Talking About Your Past. Employers Do Not Care!

Job Seekers Stop Talking About Your Past. Employers Do Not Care! By Nick Kossovan We all know the adage, "What's done is done," which savvy hiring managers cite to themselves as a reminder that a candidate's past achievements do not guarantee future achievements. From experience, I'm now cognizant that while a candidate's past behaviour and results offer insight into their likely future actions, they aren't a foolproof predictor of performance, hence why I don't ask behavioural questions. Such questions complicate the hiring process, favour candidates who can easily conjure up stories—true or not—and don't reveal what I really want to know: how the candidate thinks and their career aspirations. Most job seekers mistakenly position themselves by referring to their past achievements instead of painting an "I want to deliver the results you need" picture for their interviewer. An underused interview strategy is to not dwell on where you've been (water under the bridge); instead, talk about where you're going career-wise and how you'd like the employer to be part of your journey. I call this future-oriented anchoring a powerful narrative strategy that puts you in control of your career story. Frame your trajectory in terms of where you're headed, not where you've been. When you only discuss your past, you anchor yourself to what you've already been paid for and the roles you've already had. However, when you talk with enthusiasm (key) about where you see yourself in the future, you create a positive 'future you" impression, influencing how your interviewer perceives your potential and value. Trying to gauge a candidate's potential is why interviewers often ask, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Instead of dismissing the 'five-year question' as a cliché, acknowledge its significance. Your response to this question, when answered with precision and backed by your current actions, can speak volumes about your ambition, work ethic, and if you have any sense of entitlement. A meticulous approach to answering the 'five-year question' will set you apart from other candidates. "Five years from now, I see myself overseeing the social media team at a major film entertainment studio such as DaVille Studio. I'm currently pursuing a Digital Strategy and Communication Management certificate from the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Additionally, I read as much as I can about social media management. I just finished The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users by Guy Kawasaki, a book advocating purposeful engagement, which I wholeheartedly agree with." Since you know you'll likely be asked, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" there's no excuse not to have a prepared answer in advance, something along the lines of the aforementioned, that’ll make your interviewer sit back and think to themselves, "[You] is serious about their career." One of the most common complaints I hear from job seekers is, "Employers aren't seeing my potential!" Here's the thing: you can't expect employers to see (read: envision) your potential if you don't provide a narrative that conveys your potential. It's your responsibility to help employers recognize your potential and value instead of expecting them to perceive it magically. Future-oriented positioning communicates to an employer that your most significant contributions lie ahead. Consider these two statements 1. "I successfully led our company-wide cloud migration, reducing costs substantially." 2. "I'm focused on enterprise-wide digital transformation that proactively, as opposed to reactively, prepares companies for the next decade of technological change. I want to be part of keeping Burns Industries ahead of the digital curve and deliver no less than an annual 30% cost savings due to adopting an early adoption approach." The first statement merely reiterates what the interviewer already knows from your resume and LinkedIn profile; the second statement is much more compelling. The first statement limits your value to your past, while the second offers the interviewer insight into your potential future contributions to the company. A candidate's potential future value is a significant factor that employers consider when making hiring decisions, which highlights a harsh reality: a candidate's "future" (read: remaining working life) is one reason employers sometimes take a candidate's age into account when hiring. Talking about your career aspirations and how you plan to get there is how you sell employers your potential and value. While employers need to know what you've accomplished, what is more important for an employer to know is how your experiences are influencing your future actions. I don't know a hiring manager who doesn't want to know—better yet, feel— whether a candidate is ambitious, proactive, and ready to take on challenges. If you've executed a successful marketing campaign, don't just stop there. Expand on how that experience influences your vision for future campaigns. You might say, "The marketing campaign I led last year for Jojo's Ice Cream's newest flavour, Banana Karenina, taught me the importance of data-driven decisions. My goal is to leverage this insight to develop even more engaging strategies that boost brand loyalty." When interviewing, don't just discuss your past or career aspirations; an interview isn't solely about you. Interviews are your opportunity, one that few job seekers capitalize on, to showcase your potential value-add, which, as I mentioned, is your responsibility to ensure your interviewer sees and feels. ___________________________________________________________________

DURHAM REGION TO ENTER INTO A GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION WITH SCUGOG FIRST NATIONS

DURHAM REGION TO ENTER INTO A GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT COLLABORATION WITH SCUGOG FIRST NATIONS This week’s column will delve, briefly, into the complex realm of First Nations involvement in Canadian civic affairs, but first, I thought it best to provide some background as to the relationship between governments and Indigenous communities in Canada and within the province of Ontario before arriving at home base, being Durham Region. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has tripled its annual Indigenous spending, from $11 billion to over $32 billion, since The Trudeau Liberals took office in 2015. During that time, Canadian taxpayers have been made to support several significant settlements between the federal government and First Nations, totaling well over $57 billion. The Province of Ontario has also settled claims with First Nations, paying out a total of $14.9 billion in compensation, and has reached 65 land claims and other agreements, settling for close to $11.1 billion up to March 2024. Significant funding has been committed to reforming First Nations Child and Family Services, including $8.5 billion in a landmark agreement to reform the program here in Ontario. With regard to ongoing treaty negotiations, a proposed $10 billion settlement was reached to compensate for unpaid past annuities, with the Ontario government contributing $5 billion. Additionally, the Province has committed over $3 billion for loans, grants, and scholarships to encourage Indigenous participation and ownership in the mining sector, and also funds various programs and initiatives through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. That’s a lot to take in, and the dollars involved are nothing less than staggering. But it doesn’t end there. CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS have been filed, including a $1.1 billion suit by a northern Manitoba tribe, the Shamattawa First Nation, over access to clean drinking water which the federal government claims is the responsibility of the Indigenous communities. Another class action lawsuit against Canada has been filed by the St. Theresa Point First Nation in Manitoba and Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario for failing to provide adequate housing on First Nations land. That class action is seeking $5 billion in damages. In 2023, an alliance of First Nations in northern Ontario argued they were owed upwards of $100 billion over certain aspects of a 173-year-old treaty. Future such actions on the part of Canada’s indigenous population seem highly likely. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AT COUNCILS AND ELSEWHERE have become the norm. The Region of Durham started incorporating land acknowledgments, which recognize the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples, in 2020, based on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report. Specifically, Pickering adopted a land acknowledgment statement in November 2020, and the Region of Durham began reading land acknowledgments at its meetings in January 2021. The City of Oshawa also began incorporating a land acknowledgment statement, which is now delivered at the start of every city council meeting, every standing and advisory committee meeting, and has been mandated for delivery at every City event with opening ceremonies, such as the Tribute Communities Centre when fans gather together for the purpose of watching a hockey game. The investments made by Canadians, both financial and ceremonial are beyond dispute, and are quite considerable. MEMBERS OF DURHAM REGIONAL COUNCIL will be meeting on May 28th to consider a report by the Region’s ‘Chief’ Administrative Officer in which a bilateral agreement has been proposed in an effort to establish a “Government-to-Government Collaboration” between the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Region of Durham. Among the goals set out in the report is a plan for the Parties to meet quarterly, as well as the establishment of an ‘Indigenous advisory committee’ to ensure Indigenous input on a range of Regional initiatives. Further, there is a proposal to co-ordinate service delivery for what the report identifies as “investments in poverty prevention, housing solutions, and homelessness supports.” Finally, there are provisions to ensure an “accountable and transparent” decision-making process in order to serve community needs, while responsibly managing available resources. As justification for these measures, reference is made to the 1923 Williams Treaty, which the report says resulted in the denial of rights and a “lack of proper compensation and additional lands.” The area encompassed by the Treaty includes lands that stretch from Lake Ontario's northern shore all the way to Lake Simcoe. A 2018 Settlement Agreement with the Crown facilitates the addition of up to 11,000 acres to each of the seven First Nations in the area covered by the Williams Treaty. KAWARTHA FIRST NATION which identifies itself as Member 62 of the ‘Alliance of Indigenous Nations’ recently issued a press release in which they state their intention of “actively reclaiming 15,000 square kilometres of unceded land and waters – an area roughly the size of Georgian Bay.” They assert the territory and its resources include The City of Kawartha Lakes, Minden and all of Durham Region. GOVERNMENTS AT ALL LEVELS in this country appear ready to continue enacting policies with regard to ever-increasing claims for land, money, and oversight on the part of Canada’s indigenous population. I wrote in a previous column about Olivia Chow, the Mayor of Toronto, having formed the opinion that the affairs of her community may be better served by adding an unelected indigenous member to serve on city council. A motion was brought forward by the Mayor that would see Toronto’s City Manager look into opportunities to ‘deepen meaningful representation of the Indigenous community in City decision-making… including through advisory bodies and other mechanisms.’ Those ‘other mechanisms’ are seen by many Toronto councillors as an attempt to add one or more members of council who would be appointed based on their ancestry, without having been given a mandate by the electors. There is unquestionably plenty of evidence to show mistreatment of this country’s First Nations communities dating back to the arrival of the first Europeans, and there is certainly justification in expecting financial and other supports to continue up to and including the present day. To say otherwise is to deny history. At the same time, the sheer magnitude of the resources expected to be transferred in this ongoing effort is staggering, and in this columnist’s view, unsustainable. Readers must judge for themselves what may be deemed as necessary or otherwise unreasonable in terms of where this is all going, and what it means for our nation, our culture, and our economy. Is there a point at which one can say, enough is enough?

If Nothing Is Something. Then He Is An Accomplished Leader…

If Nothing Is Something. Then He Is An Accomplished Leader... B.A. Psychology Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States A recent quote from Mayor Carter of Oshawa regarding crime, drugs, and the homeless read, We’ve done everything we can: Oshawa mayor calls for aid from senior levels of government in the wake of a gun tragedy. Well, if EVERYTHING is to be taken to mean NOTHING, then he is truly an accomplished NOTHING. This is exactly what he has done. All of the programs he has attempted to implement have ended up making matters worse. He cries that we don’t have the money to invest in our own people, that it is the Provinces' and the Feds' responsibility. WRONG, Mr. Mayor. It is your responsibility to ensure that every citizen has a humane level of quality of life. People sleeping on our streets is not doing everything he can. People shooting up drugs in our parks and on our streets is not doing everything he can. Crime is at an all-time high, with people getting shot in our downtown park. That is doing everything he can? In his two terms, he has destroyed Oshawa. He has let GM walk out without any benefits for Oshawa, leaving our City in an environmental mess. Carter cries he has no money to help those living on the streets. Yet, he has 2 million dollars for personal and city staff security contracts. Yes, you are paying for his personal bodyguard. Why would he need a bodyguard if he is doing such a great job and the people appreciate him? He and his staff needed one due to the fact that Oshawa’s quality of life is at an all-time low. People are pissed off... But let’s continue on the premise that there is no money for programs that will assist the poor. Yet, there is 50 million to give to a local hockey team. Or how about wasting 30 million on a park next to a park that no one visits (Lakeview Park next to Broadbent Park)? There is no money for the poor, but there is money for a 20 million dollar (Rotary Park) pool. An outdoor pool in Canada. Really! And we don’t have 20 million to fix the homeless problem? What is more bothersome is the fact that the Mayor was a former homeless drug addict himself. One would have thought that he would understand the needs of those living on the streets. No, I guess the drugs he used to be on fried his brain, as the quality of life for those living on our streets is getting worse. Downtown businesses are closing at an alarming rate due to the fact that people do not want to park their cars downtown for fear of being attacked. My question to Mr. Resilience: How do you sleep at night, knowing that fellow citizens are sleeping on the street? I guess, knowing his character, he just shrugs his shoulders and makes some politically correct comment. It is shameful what is going on. The problem can be solved with very little or no money. What you need is real leadership that can negotiate partnerships with industry, trade, and commerce to create real programs that will open the door to housing to accommodate their no-income needs. To work with the local hospital to have special units for anyone caught overdosing or using drugs... a treatment center paid by OHIP. But what am I saying? We have an achieve NOTHING running a corporation, something that he is not qualified to do. We get what we get: despair, suffering, and a lot of resilience make-believe. Sad. We keep voting for the status quo. We keep slipping in standards. It is evident on the quality of our lives. We need real change...Wake up, people.

The Sad Truth About Canada's Military: From Proud Force to Forgotten Joke

The Sad Truth About Canada's Military: From Proud Force to Forgotten Joke By Dale Jodoin There was a time when Canada’s military stood tall. Our soldiers were respected across the world. They were trained, ready, and proud to serve. But today, something has changed. Our military is no longer what it used to be. It’s been left to fall apart by the very governments that were supposed to protect it. Today, many Canadians are starting to ask: Why did our leaders let this happen? From One of the Best to a Shell of the Past Canada once had a strong, trusted military. We played a big role in World War II, in peacekeeping missions, and in NATO. But now, we’re barely hanging on. Much of our military equipment is older than the people using it. Some of our tanks and vehicles date back to the Vietnam War era. Our planes are so old they need parts that are no longer made. Instead of giving our troops the tools they need, governments—both Liberal and Conservative—have cut budgets, delayed upgrades, and let morale fall. It’s become a clown show, where the military is rolled out only for show on Canada Day or emergencies, but rarely respected or taken seriously the rest of the year. Troops Are Leaving in Record Numbers Our men and women in uniform are quitting. Not because they don’t love this country—but because they feel abandoned. The equipment is old. The pay is low. The training spaces are crumbling. New recruits, especially women, often leave within a year. Why? Because the military isn’t what it used to be. It doesn’t support them the way it should. Many feel disrespected. They see that the government cares more about politics than protecting its people. That hurts. It tells our troops: “You don’t matter.” And so, they leave. Liberals Won’t Fight for This Country Let’s be honest. A Liberal government has never shown the heart to fight fully for this country. They act like defence is someone else’s job. They’d rather put money into social programs and global issues, not national defence. They expect other countries—like the U.S.—to carry the weight for them. When Canada went to Afghanistan, we didn’t even have the right gear. We had to borrow equipment from the United States. Later, we gave away some of our own outdated stuff to Ukraine—not because it was helpful, but because it was all we had. That’s embarrassing. A country as big and rich as ours should be able to supply its own military. The NATO Joke Canada is a member of NATO. That means we’re supposed to help defend not just ourselves, but our allies too. But let’s be real—every other NATO country sees us as the weak link. We don’t spend enough. We don’t send enough. We don’t prepare enough. We’re a joke. And every year we fall further behind. Countries half our size—like Poland or Finland—are building strong, modern forces. Meanwhile, Canada shrinks and shrinks. The Will to Serve Is Still Here But here’s the hopeful part: Canadians still want to serve. We have brave men and women from coast to coast who would give everything to defend this land. That includes new Canadians—immigrants—who would gladly join the military if it helped them earn citizenship. Imagine a program where someone could earn full Canadian citizenship after 5 years of military service. The response would be massive. Thousands would sign up. We have the people. We just need leadership. But that’s what we don’t have. Our Fallen Soldiers Deserve Better Every year, we honour the memory of the soldiers who gave their lives for Canada. But with each year, fewer and fewer people show up. Fewer parades. Fewer moments of silence. Fewer stories told. It’s like the government would rather forget. But we won’t forget. We remember their sacrifice. And we know they would be ashamed of what the military has become. The Rich Don’t Have to Care In this new Canada, the people in charge don’t worry about defence. They have private security. Their kids don’t go to war. They live in safe homes, far away from any danger. So they don’t think about rebuilding the army. To them, the military is just another budget line. But for the rest of us—for the families with someone in uniform—it’s personal. We know the truth. Other Countries Are Passing Us By Here’s something scary: smaller countries now have more powerful militaries than Canada. Poland, Israel, South Korea—even Norway and Estonia—have more modern gear and better-trained troops. Why? Because they take defence seriously. Canada does not. And until that changes, we’ll keep falling further behind. Rebuilding Is Possible—But Will Anyone Try? We can rebuild. It’s not too late. But we need a government with courage. One that understands that national defence matters. One that doesn’t treat the military like a circus act to be dragged out during disasters and then locked away again. We need real investment in equipment. Real care for our troops. Real training and recruitment. And most of all, real respect. Because the people who defend this country deserve more than old trucks and broken promises. They deserve a country that believes in them. Canada has some of the finest people in the world. Strong. Brave. Loyal. Willing to stand up and serve. But they need a reason to stay. They need leadership that doesn’t see them as leftovers or extras. They need support that lasts beyond one photo-op. If we don’t act soon, we may not have a military left to fix. And when the next emergency comes—whether it’s war, natural disaster, or terrorist threat—Canada may not be ready. And that, sadly, will be on us.

The Employer is the Customer

By Nick Kossovan A job seeker's mindset determines their job search success. A crucial mindset shift job seekers should adopt to improve their chances of job search success is recognizing that, in the context of their job search, employers are customers—potential customers looking to purchase skills and time. Consider the similarity between an employer paying employees, freelancers, and contractors to accomplish tasks and achieve results, and you engaging a cleaning service, painter, dentist, or mechanic. Essentially, the employer-employee relationship is fundamentally a customer relationship, where the employer purchases the services of its employees for as long as required, similar to hiring a contractor to finish your basement. This means: · The adage "the customer is always right" applies. Employers determine the scope of work, expectations, and how much they're willing to pay. · Regardless of an employee's position, all employees essentially work in the service industry, delivering a service to their employer. Job searching is essentially a "finding a customer" activity. Given the prevalence of layoffs, it should be obvious that employees are free agents and will likely need to find a new employer (customer) several times during their working life. Understanding the Customer Relationship When you view an employer as a customer, you approach your job search differently. Think about how you like to be treated when you're a customer. Do you lower your expectations? Of course not! Yet, fueled by a sense of entitlement, many job seekers publicly criticize employers for not lowering their hiring requirements so they can "have a chance." Employers have the same rights to have hiring expectations—set the bar—as you do when you hire a plumber or hairdresser. Like any other customer, employers have specific needs they seek to fulfill, which must be met to remain in business. Therefore, understandably, employers look for candidates they can trust to deliver results, solve problems, and contribute to their success (read: profits). Few job seekers thoroughly research the company's goals, culture, and challenges and then use that knowledge to present their skills and experiences in a way that will make the employer say, "Yes!" When interviewing, you have one goal: to demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand their business needs and that they can rely on you to deliver results that address those needs. Employers Are Customer Dependent for Their Survival "It's not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It's the customer who pays the wages." - Henry Ford Employers are unlikely to overlook a candidate they feel would be dedicated to looking after their most valuable asset: their customers. Employers are aware that without customers, their business ceases to exist. It baffles me how many employees don't extend themselves to look after their employer's customers, who pay their salary, as Henry Ford pointed out. When approaching employers, demonstrate how you'd maintain their existing customer base to prevent them from going to the competition—a valuable skill in today's price-sensitive market. An even better attention-grabber, demonstrate your ability to acquire new customers. Setting the Scope and Expectations Applying for a job is equivalent to bidding for the job, much like a contractor bids (quotes) for jobs. In the same way that you'd define what you expect a painter to do based on the scope of the work and what you're paying them, employers define job responsibilities, outcome expectations and performance metrics to gauge productivity. When networking and interviewing, provide examples and numbers—employers love numbers—demonstrating how you added value to your previous employers. This approach positions you as a solution provider, communicating you understand the scope of work and can meet expectations. Flexibility and Adaptability More than ever, employers need flexible employees. Going back to the adage "the customer is always right." Employers, if they want to stay in business, need to adapt to ever-changing customer demands, which means their employees must also be willing to do the same. An effective way to stand out from other candidates is to convey your understanding that your employer's success is also your success. Assure your interviewer that you're eager to adapt to changing needs, such as adjusting your hours, working onsite, learning new procedures, or obtaining certifications. Forget about being hired if your interviewer senses inflexibility or you're a clock-watcher. Building Trust and Long-term Relationships Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship. It's the core reason for hiring a candidate. Do you purchase from companies you don't trust? The same principle applies to job searching. Hiring decisions are based on trusting that the candidate will deliver the results the business needs; therefore, focus more on building trust than selling your qualifications. Building trust starts with following application instructions, something many job seekers fail to do. Closing the Deal Securing a job offer is akin to closing a sale. Only attempt to close the deal once you've established your value—proven you've delivered measurable results for previous employers—and communicated your understanding of the employer's needs. Much like hiring a weekly maid service to enhance your life (e.g., freeing up time to pursue a side hustle), an employer isn't hiring an employee; they're securing a service they believe will improve their business's efficiency and profitability.Most interviewers appreciate candidates who come prepared with thoughtful questions. However, while your questions are important, the strategic timing of when you ask them is more crucial.at you're focused on what the employer can do for you, not on what you can do for the employer ___________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

The Senior’s Move

The Senior’s Move By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist We have all experienced the dreaded move by time we reach adulthood. Even when we are excitedly looking forward to a new and fresh start, be it College, our first apartment, or the new home that has been dreamed of for years. As much as we often look forward to living from a new home, the physical move itself can be overwhelming. All too often we are stressed out, riddled with anxiety over the smallest of things and our nerves are just on edge until we get where we’re going and the move has come to completion. I recall my own moves, and there have been far more than I care to think about. At first, there was no problem. I was a very organized person when it came to packing and labelling. Getting the kids organized so that they would not feel so impacted by the move. I found though, that as the years passed and the moving didn’t really slow down any, it got much harder. Oh, there were various reasons for so many moves, but mostly due to economics. I am grateful to have been in the same place now for several years. As one gets older the moving gets much harder in all ways. When I got my real estate licence, I decided also to get a special designation as a Senior’s Real Estate Specialist. Seniors are just my thing. I love them, and anything I can do to help them is a pleasure. Working with seniors and preparing them for their last move can be very emotional. Often, they are on their own after the passing of a spouse, and leaving the mar- ital home where they have made so many memories is just plain difficult. Sometimes they are headed for a seniors building, or one of the many retirement homes that have wonderful activities and restaurant style dining rooms. Sometimes they are headed for an adult child’s home. No matter the destination. The packing up of the memories and downsizing to start a new, often perceived as the final chapter takes time, patience, and care. There are so many stories within all the things. There are some wonderful downsizing companies that spe- cialize in exactly this type of thing. These companies are well worth a look because of the expertise they bring to the situation. So much patience is needed when packing up the life of senior. If you ever find yourself being asked to help a senior downsize and or move, try to put yourself in their shoes. Be kind and patient with them. If we are lucky, we will be needing that same assistance one day

THE SOARING COSTS TO MAINTAIN O.H.L. TEAMS ** HOW MUCH CAN TAXPAYERS KEEP CONTRIBUTING? **

THE SOARING COSTS TO MAINTAIN O.H.L. TEAMS ** HOW MUCH CAN TAXPAYERS KEEP CONTRIBUTING? ** IT HAS BEEN REMARKED that the quality of civic life within any community will, out of necessity, require ongoing financial support for various sporting venues, in addition to arts & cultural institutions. Municipal governments transmit those costs onto local taxpayers, compelling them as individuals to take on the responsibility of paying for facilities and programs they may never use. Residents of Oshawa are by now fully aware of the significant commitment made by Mayor Carter and councillors to offer further financial support for the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club – to the tune of $50 million. This newspaper was the first to inform local citizens of the deal negotiated between the City and other stakeholders that will see major renovations to the Tribute Communities Centre completed by late 2027. In a press release posted on the City’s website, the renovations are offered up as a necessary ‘modernization’ of the existing facility, including a main entrance expansion, interior alterations with seating for up to 7000 fans, and an updated concession area. Research into this topic shows a marked trend among a growing number of municipalities choosing to invest significant taxpayer resources into attracting or maintaining Ontario Hockey League franchises, with some communities having done so for decades. To its credit, the OHL has an impressive track record as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League. There are 20 teams in total, with 17 of them based here in Ontario, and the league is well regarded for providing hockey scholarships. At that same time, there is a strong desire within today’s OHL landscape to run individual franchises like Supercentres, in large state-of-the-art venues. Beleaguered taxpayers are right to question whether the practice of supporting OHL teams and their owners’ ever-increasing demands has, over time, grown to be far too expensive. Prior to the $50 million announcement at the Tribute Communities Centre, an endorsement for an even larger investment was offered up by city councillors in Brantford, to the tune of $140 million for a new sport-entertainment centre. This, in a community that only a few years ago saw fit to sell a municipally owned golf course to better enable funding for local affordable housing. One Brantford councillor raised a concern that the funding was not being allocated towards a new hospital in partnership with the provincial government, telling his colleagues, “A hospital would serve 100 percent of the constituents, versus the five percent that could attend a hockey game.” In Kitchener, home of the successful Rangers hockey team, the municipality is moving ahead with $2 million in renovations to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium that will see a new restaurant built opposite an existing sports bar. Unlike the Oshawa Generals, the Kitchener Rangers team is publicly owned by season ticket subscribers. The team itself will be footing the bill for what they see as ambitious changes necessary for their club to “remain competitive” in the rapidly changing world of OHL hockey. Being a historic club isn’t good enough anymore, especially after the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) south of the border made a landmark decision to allow players with junior hockey experience into its ranks beginning next season. The move gives players more leverage when choosing their destination, and the OHL is beginning to feel the pinch as some players leave the league earlier than expected to head to schools in the U.S. None of this bodes well for keeping the costs associated with OHL franchises anywhere near affordable for Ontario municipalities. The renovation details to Kitchener’s ‘Aud’ as it is known by fans, sound somewhat familiar to those the Oshawa Generals are now anticipating. The entire Rangers business office will be dedicated to the players, with dressing room improvements, a gym and workout area, players’ lounge and even a pool therapy section, among other things. Oshawa’s own arena, completed in 2006, has already seen an expanded gym, a new video review room for team members, and an area that offers players better nutrition options by way of a fitted kitchen. It is known that OHL teams have the ability to boost local economies through revenue generated by games, merchandise sales, and other businesses. With regard to the business of hockey, the value of the top five teams is as follows: The Ottawa 67s at $55.53 million, The Mississauga Steelheads at $44.85 million, the Hamilton Bulldogs at $32.69 million, The London Knights at $23.02 million, and the Kitchener Rangers at $13.78 million. The Oshawa Generals came in 8th place at $9.41 million. Which brings us to comments made by Generals owner Rocco Tullio during a recent podcast with Mayor Dan Carter, in which he said, “The last thing I wanted to do was take the Generals down the road to the city of Pickering… but, we have to make sure we have the tools and the resources… If you have success, people believe in you. Our next priority is to put a blueprint in place that allows us to host the Memorial Cup here. I want to showcase our fans, we do it every game, but I want to put it on the world stage. I want to show everyone in the world stage that, hey… this is what we get on a nightly basis, and now you get to see it on a major scale.” Does that sound like someone who simply loves the game of hockey, or could taxpayers be forgiven for thinking their $50 million contribution is a boost, not only to Mr. Tullio’s self-esteem, but to the future value of his franchise? In answer to a question posed by Mayor Carter as to whether his colleagues in the world of junior hockey were jealous of the $50 million deal that was negotiated, Mr. Tullio had this to say, “Kingston called me already, and they are up for renewal and they want to do the exact same thing…so they’ve called to pick my brain.” All of which describes a situation where one significant financial contribution inevitably leads to a series of similar negotiations, all of which follow in perfect sequence. Oh, the possibilities are limitless.

A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH

A NEW COLUMN TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH MY NAME IS KATHY CUMMING and you may have read my letters-to-the-editor in previous editions of The Central where I described some of the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues. In this occasional column, I will attempt to share stories centered on people of my acquaintance who have been forced to cope with the many hardships associated with concerns over their mental health. I’d like to tell these stories in a unique way, with a focus on how they managed life, both at home and within their communities, and what they needed most in terms of care and support. I want to help by sharing their stories and describing, where I can, some of the alternatives to pharmaceuticals that may benefit others. Some of the topics within the field of mental health that are rarely discussed include the question as to who assesses the available programs, should it not be the families that actually use them. I will also seek answers as to who is best to determine outcomes and how we can move beyond simply asking families to “please fill out this survey”. The needs among those struggling are great, and include factors such as group home environments, dietary needs, assisted housing, employment, transportation, access to proper medical care, and even counselling in matters of faith and education. How can we help build that? DURING A CONFERENCE ON FUNDRAISING for Mental Health charities and non-profits, a gentleman walked up to our group and stated, "everyone has mental health concerns, and in reality it just depends on the severity" I had thought long about family members and others I knew growing up, and the complex names given to their various conditions. Friends I knew who had some form of simple anxiety could also be numbered among the people suffering from, as the fellow at the conference said, some type of mental health concern. I have spent considerable time visiting unique communities within North America looking for clues that would enable the creation of the perfect environment in which everyone with mental health issues may find peace. Such a place remains a mystery to me. I value your input as we move forward in our discussion. Let’s learn from each other.

Oshawa is getting a bad Wrap?

Is Oshawa getting a bad rap? By Theresa Grant Real Estate columnist You don’t have to look very far to find people dissing Oshawa for one reason or another. Granted Oshawa has a whole host of issues and problems, but not unlike any other urban city of the same size in Ontario. That being said, Oshawa has some wonderful attributes as well. I find that Oshawa is often compared to Hamilton. As far as that goes, Hamilton is in the news far more often for all the wrong reasons. It is almost guaranteed that when you turn on the television on a Sunday morning you are going to hear about some of the goings on in Hamilton the previous night. Oshawa and Hamilton are of similar size with both having had one main source of industry that each is most well known for. They are both University Cities. They are both perched alongside Lake Ontario, making for some very picturesque areas. The housing market in both cities is similar. The addictions and homeless communities in both are, again, similar. So why does Oshawa get far more bad mouthing from people than Hamilton? Why do people focus on what’s negative instead of accentuating the positive? I guess it comes back to that old saying…haters are going to hate. It’s sad though, because Oshawa has the lovely Botanical Gardens which are really quite beautiful. They also have a gorgeous lakefront, and Lakeview Park is a sight to behold in the summertime. Oshawa has some stunning architecture. One of my personal favourites is Mary St. from about Aberdeen to Beatrice. I love driving up that street in the summertime when the trees on either side of the street create canopy for you to drive under. Just beautiful. Oshawa has some wonderful entertainment venues, fabulous restaurants with more opening all the time. Many builders have planted their flags in Oshawa because it is a changing, growing community with so much to offer. Everywhere you look there are new buildings going up which speaks to future growth. Yes, without question, Oshawa has a problem with unsheltered people and open drug use. Again, not unlike many other cities. While saying that it is not unlike other cities is not an excuse, nor a solution, until such time as the powers that be find solutions for the issues, why not enjoy and focus on the beauty that Oshawa does have to offer.

THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION

THE REALITIES OF THE TRIBUTE COMMUNITIES CENTRE RENOVATION THIS NEWSPAPER WAS THE FIRST media outlet to break the story on massive renovations to the Tribute Communities Centre (TCC) that are due to be completed by late 2027. Our editorial, published the same day Mayor Carter and others gathered together to announce a $50 million investment into the TCC, raised concerns as to the costs involved and the lack of transparency in the negotiations leading up to council’s decision to undertake such an expenditure. We began by looking back to 1964, when residents came together to pay for the construction of the much-loved Civic Auditorium, with many fans donating a portion of their weekly paycheques to see their dream turn into reality. We also recalled that moment in 2006 when, once again, residents of Oshawa took great pride in welcoming the Generals to their first home game in what was then called the General Motors Centre. Built at a cost of at least $35 million, the downtown arena has never turned a profit in its almost 20 years of existence, requiring taxpayers to remain as loyal contributors year after year. Nevertheless, Oshawa Generals owner Rocco Tullio said in early 2023 that he was “done” negotiating with City Hall, and was ready to move the team to Pickering, saying at the time that any deal to keep the Gens in Oshawa would hinge on the City meeting a number of conditions. It appears those terms have been met. In a recent press release posted on the City’s website, the renovations are offered up as a necessary ‘modernization’ of the existing facility, including a main entrance expansion, interior alterations with seating for up to 7000 fans, and an updated concession area. The announcement goes on to say, “The $50 million modernization of the TCC will not impact the tax rate. It will be funded through various sources, such as the new Oshawa Generals and Oak View Group agreements, Municipal Accommodation Tax, and additional seat revenue.” What that statement doesn’t tell you is that one major debt is to quite simply be taken over by another. Forget the dribs and drabs of any additional seat revenue or the tax on hotel stays for just a moment. Consider; the current debenture (the debt issued by the City of Oshawa that relies entirely on their creditworthiness) for the TCC was due expire in November 2027…the date upon which the new debt for the proposed renovations will be issued. To say, at this stage, that the tax rate won’t be impacted is to be economical with the actualité. Interest rates alone are very unpredictable, not to mention cost overruns during construction. It is well known in political circles that once a municipal debt is paid off, something always comes in to fill the void, either by way of new spending, or the increased cost of maintaining services. Nevertheless, the announcement of a $50 million ice rink renovation couldn’t have come at a worse time for local taxpayers who were already saddled with a significant increase in the Mayor’s budget last autumn. Recent events both here and abroad have conspired to slow the economy, including a recent announcement of 700 layoffs at the General Motors production facility, either due simply to a temporary slump in sales, or the more sinister possibility of an eventual relocation south of the border. In the latest edition of Mayor Carter’s RealTalk podcast, a very open and frank discussion may be heard between the Mayor and Generals owner Rocco Tullio. The two men talk of a 30-year extension of the partnership recently negotiated between the City, the Oshawa Generals Hockey Club, and the operators of the TCC, being the Oak View Group. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation between the two men that readers may find interesting: ON BUYING & OWNING THE TEAM MR. TULLIO: “I wanted to prove to the fans that this was more than just a business for me; it was my passion. I wanted to restore the credibility of the Oshawa Generals. This isn’t a big money maker. I didn’t buy it to make money off of it; I did it because I wanted to give back in so many ways.” ON THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR PLAYERS MR. TULLIO: “I want to standardize things. We put our team in certain standards of hotels, and a quality of food, like last night after the game and every post-meal it’s been ribeye steak…we don’t just go and give them pizza. When they don’t perform well on the ice…you didn’t feed them properly, you didn’t ensure a good night’s sleep…then you expect them to perform at a high level.” ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE GENERALS TEAM MAYOR CARTER: “I’ve watched the evolution of your organization with you as an owner, and we’ve seen a small gym to a larger gym, an area that was a meeting area that is now a video review room where all the players are. We’ve seen an area for players so that they can have proper nutrition with a kitchen that has been put in. If we want the best out of people then we have to create an environment so they can be their best.” ON THE NEGOTIATIONS MR. TULLIO: “You (Mayor Carter) fight for what you believe is right for the city of Oshawa and we fight for what we think is right for the Oshawa Generals. At the end of the day, Dan, you championed this, and you put your money where your mouth is, and you delivered at the end of the day. We have to make sure we have all the resources and tools to be able to survive the longevity of what Junior Hockey is evolving into, and space was so critical for us. Kudos to you and the rest of council for recognizing that. We were able to find a happy medium for everybody.” That “happy medium” includes $50 million from the taxpayers of Oshawa. Kudos to you all.

Victory in Europe 2025 and reflections on Canada

Victory in Europe 2025 and reflections on Canada by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As we continue to deal with worsening international relations and a resurgence of conflicts worldwide we need to remember one of the greatest tragedies of the last century, which was WWII. We see again a war in Europe, a war in the Middle East, and recently a war brewing between two nuclear powers in Asia. Therefore, it seems that humanity has forgotten the tragedy, which occurred within living memory, in the last century. WWII was one of the greatest challenges to both humankind and democracy. The time has come to reflect on this event, in order to avoid a repetition of it in any shape or form. Today we must stop the drift toward another world conflagration, which, if it occurs, will be more cruel and more devastating. We need to raise our voices to protect our basic rights of freedom and democracy, especially our freedom of speech, which is under siege from many sides. Each year we commemorate Victory in Europe Day, but this year it is special because it is the 80th anniversary of the day also known as V-E Day. On May 8, 1945 Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allied Forces of the Second World War. This day in history marked the end of World War II in Europe, although the war would continue in the Pacific Theater of Operations. V-E Day marked the end of most of the fighting in Europe, where tens of millions of service members and civilians had been killed since the start of hostilities. The second world war was the deadliest conflict in human history, which saw 50 to 85 million fatalities. This year the 80th anniversary of V-E day is a special one because of the issues around the emergence of new dangerous conflicts in the world. These conflicts must be stopped before it is too late. We need to remember that the defeat of Nazi Germany was a great success for democracy and freedom. We need to remember and be grateful for the sacrifices made by millions of people to ensure that in today’s world we can enjoy relative peace, progress and stability. It seems however, that there are many challenges ahead, and the forces of darkness are again trying to raise their ugly heads under several incarnations. So let us take a closer look at the events leading to V-E day in Europe. After six years of heavy fighting in Europe, Nazi Germany was finally defeated on 8th of May 1945 by the allied forces, composed of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the Soviet Union (most of today’s Russia). I strongly emphasize the great Canadian contribution to this war, which seems to be generally forgotten by today’s Canadian society and politicians, being barely mentioned. It is time to celebrate this event in a way that strengthens our unity as a country in view of the new challenges emerging to our statehood. We need to be proud Canadians again, and remember our ancestors who fought for us and fought to make Canada strong again. The countries in Western Europe mark the victory in Europe on May 8th. May 9th was chosen in the Soviet Union (Russia today), as it was already the next day when the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and its Allies in Berlin late in the evening of May 8th 1945. We need to remember that during the course of the Second World War, over one million Canadians served in places like the North Atlantic Ocean, Italy, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. One in eleven Canadians had participated and 42,000 were killed (2,024 in the Navy, 22,917 in the Army, and 17,101 in the Air Force). It was a long and arduous war whose end was long awaited. When Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day) was declared on May 8, 1945, excited celebrations spilled into the streets and neighbourhoods throughout the world, including Canada. Prime Minister Mackenzie King, in San Francisco at the time, wrote in his diary, “this has been a good day— a happy day… one in which the burden has been greatly lightened from the knowledge that Nazi militarism has, at last, been destroyed.” Not everyone was at home to celebrate. Around 200,000 members of the First Canadian Army were still in Europe at the time of VE-Day. In addition, over 35 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons as well as more than 250 Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) warships were abroad when victory in Europe was officially declared. Hundreds of those naval and air force personnel joined the revelries in Britain and France. Many European cities, especially those in England, had been perpetually blacked out for nearly 5 years due to the impending threat of air raids by the enemy. On VE-Day, lights were free to shine again, and this added to the enthusiastic atmosphere. Despite all the jubilance, the deaths of millions and the horrors of war tempered the spirits of many. Communities across Canada were deeply affected by the tragic loss of their young men and women. Many found themselves widows and widowers. The small town of Sackville, New Brunswick witnessed 350 of their men enlist—ten per cent of their population—of whom 33 died. For many town residents, VE-Day became a day for remembrance and reflection rather than celebration. Canada’s involvement in the Second World War was costly. In addition to the 42,000 military personnel who died, 54,000 were wounded, and of the volunteer merchant civilians, 1,600 gave their lives for the cause. For those returning home from serving abroad, the experience represented a completed chapter, both in their own lives and in the history of Canada; they relished the long-awaited opportunity to build normal, better lives for themselves, and a better nation for Canadians. Victory day is about remembering those who gave their lives to achieve the victory we have enjoyed for almost four generations against the forces of evil. We cannot allow those who would oppress us to succeed, making a mockery of the supreme sacrifice our ancestors made for us during World War II! It has been said that freedom is not free. Truer words were never spoken. Throughout history there have been those who would take freedom from the independent, the individual, the type of person who succeeds by his/her own efforts. For generations North America has been the beacon of freedom to the rest of the world, but in the last half century that beacon has been slowly fading. Our beloved Canada is fast approaching the point where the torch of freedom will totally fade. Indeed, the time has come for Canadians to once again stand up for the freedoms that our ancestors gave their very lives to defend during World War II. We need to stand up against the tyranny of incompetence in leadership, political correctness at the expense of merit, and the stripping away of our individual freedoms under the guise of political expediency. Are you willing to stand up and be counted?

Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts

Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts By Dale Jodoin In the latest Canadian election, many people were surprised that the Conservatives didn’t win. After all, they had clear points, strong leadership, and a plan to fix problems like the rising cost of living, high taxes, and broken services. But even with all that, they still lost. The real reason? Fear. Not of them—but of someone who isn’t even Canadian. Let’s go back a bit. When the President of the United States began placing tariffs on Canadian products, it shook the country. Suddenly, everyday things got more expensive, and the future of trade between Canada and the U.S. seemed unsure. This made people nervous. But instead of offering calm, clear leadership, the Liberals and NDP took a different route: they used fear. The Liberals and NDP ran their campaigns by tying everything to Donald Trump, the American president. They didn’t talk about Canada’s rising debt, long hospital wait times, or the housing crisis. Instead, they pointed their fingers at Trump and said, “Be careful, the Conservatives are just like him.” It didn’t matter that the Conservative leader had never worked with Trump or even agreed with him. The Liberal media—TV, radio, and newspapers mostly funded by the federal government—repeated the same line over and over. They called the Conservatives “Trump’s cousins,” warning that if Canadians voted Conservative, they would see the same style of leadership as in the U.S. This message worked. Not because it was true, but because people were afraid. They voted not for what they believed in, but for what they feared might happen. The truth is, the Conservatives had no way to fight back. When most major news stations are paid for by the government, it’s hard to get your message out. Every time the Conservatives tried to explain their ideas, they were either ignored or twisted into something negative. And anyone who spoke up in support of them was often shouted down or labeled as “dangerous.” So what did Canadians really vote for? They didn’t vote for the best plan or for the strongest leader. They didn’t vote for change or solutions. They voted out of fear. Fear that Donald Trump might have too much influence over Canada. Fear that standing up to the U.S. would bring more problems. And fear that a Conservative government might “look” too much like something they saw on American news. But this fear-based voting comes with a cost. Now Canada faces real issues: food prices are still high, housing is out of reach for many, and our debt keeps growing. Many rural hospitals and services are stretched thin, and young people are struggling to see a future here. Instead of addressing these problems, the current government has focused more on image than action. They brought in a leader who looks good on camera and says the right things—but many say he’s just a puppet. Some believe this leader was picked not for his ideas, but because he could be controlled. Others think he simply repeats what party bosses or friendly media tell him to say. Either way, it’s clear that the voices of regular Canadians weren’t heard. What happened to open debates? What happened to letting people decide for themselves without being told who to fear? In a democracy, people should be able to vote based on facts—not feelings forced on them by news stations or politicians. And yet, here we are. Canadians were told again and again to “stand against Trump.” But Trump isn’t running our country. What’s happening in Canada—like the rising cost of living and the slow breakdown of public services—is something our own government must take responsibility for. Blaming someone outside the country won’t fix that. What’s more troubling is that not one political leader stood up for baby boomers—many of whom have been blamed for everything from the housing crisis to climate change. These are the same people who built this country up, paid taxes for decades, and are now often struggling in retirement. But during the election, they were used as a scapegoat too. So what can be done? First, Canadians need to stop voting based on fear. We must learn to question the headlines, listen to more than one voice, and think about what’s best for our country—not what someone tells us to be scared of. Second, we need to demand fair media. When news companies are funded by the government, they have a responsibility to stay neutral. If they become cheerleaders for one side, democracy breaks down. Canadians deserve honest reporting, not stories meant to scare or silence. Third, it’s time to talk to each other again. Too many families and friends are divided over politics, with people afraid to speak their minds. But Canada was built on free speech and respect for different opinions. We need to bring that back. Finally, we must remember this: it’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to challenge what we’re told. And it’s okay to believe in something different. That’s what democracy is all about. The Conservatives may have lost this time, but their ideas deserve to be heard. And next time, hopefully Canadians will vote based on hope, not fear. Because if we keep letting fear choose our leaders, we may one day wake up in a country we no longer recognize.

Ottawa Pro-Life March: A Rallying Cry for Courage, Compassion, and the Defense of Life

Ottawa Pro-Life March: A Rallying Cry for Courage, Compassion, and the Defense of Life By Councillor Lisa Robinson As a proud elected councillor for the City of Pickering, I have attended many events - but none have stirred my heart and renewed my sense of purpose like the recent Pro-Life March in Ottawa, hosted by the remarkable March for Life Coalition. This was more than just a march; it was a nationwide stand. Thousands of Canadians, young people, parents, grandparents, faith leaders, medical professionals, and advocates, gathered with one powerful message: to defend the dignity of human life, from the moment of conception to natural death. In a world where the push for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) has crept deeper into our healthcare system — even targeting the vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled, and sometimes even the mentally ill - this march was a critical statement. We are saying loud and clear: Canada must be a country that protects life, not disposes of it. Life is precious at every stage, and we must push back against policies that treat death as a solution to suffering, poverty, or mental health struggles. What stood out most was the courage and resolve in the faces of those marching. Despite the challenges, the media pushback, the political resistance, and the social pressures, these Canadians showed up - peaceful, determined, and driven by love. We weren’t there to judge; we were there because we care deeply about the voiceless, the vulnerable, the unborn, the sick, and the future of our country. The March for Life Coalition and their event crew deserve enormous praise. Their flawless coordination - managing logistics, amplifying diverse voices, and ensuring everyone felt safe and respected - transformed this gathering into a monumental moment. I felt proud, not just to attend, but to stand shoulder to shoulder with national leaders and ordinary citizens alike, all united in one moral cause: to affirm that every life matters. I left Ottawa with a renewed determination to bring this message home - because defending life is not just a federal issue or a national conversation; it’s something that touches every local community. We need to have the courage to speak up at every level, even when it’s politically inconvenient or socially unpopular. To those who marched, organized, volunteered, and sacrificed to make the Pro-Life March a success: thank you. You are proof that conscience, conviction, and compassion still thrive in this country. This is a movement that will not be silenced, and I, for one, am honored to be part of it. Together, we stand for a Canada that cherishes life, from the first heartbeat to the final breath - not by force, but by the natural dignity every person deserves.

The Timing of Your Questions During an Interview Is Everything!

The Timing of Your Questions During an Interview Is Everything! By Nick Kossovan Most interviewers appreciate candidates who come prepared with thoughtful questions. However, while your questions are important, the strategic timing of when you ask them is more crucial. You've likely heard, "Timing is everything." This is especially true in interviews. Asking about work-life balance too early—during the initial (introductory) or second interview—can lead to elimination. Sure, work-life balance matters, but raising it early screams: "I just want to do the bare minimum!" "I'm not a team player!" "I'm already planning my escape." As a job seeker, understand that the hiring process is inherently a process of elimination, necessitated by many candidates vying for one role. Therefore, before you ask questions that answer, "Will this job serve my self-interests?" first, focus on establishing stickiness—a connection and trust. By demonstrating your awareness of the employer's needs, something candidates you're competing against are unlikely to exhibit; you increase the odds of your interviewer envisioning you as the ideal candidate for the role and the company. Also, keep in mind that an interview is a sales meeting. Your initial and second interviews should revolve around selling yourself. Emphasizing the value you can bring—how you'll generate revenue, solve problems, increase savings—distinguishes you from candidates more focused on WIIFM (What's in it for me?). The exception is the "money question." Ideally, you should know the salary range for the position. I always ask within the first five minutes of an initial interview, "To ensure we're not wasting each other's time, I'm looking for an annual salary of $X. Is that within the range for this position?" There's no point in pursuing a job that won't meet your compensation requirements. Save everything else for later, as those details are often negotiable. During your first and second interviews, ask: Discovery questions: · What's the most important thing I should accomplish in my first 90 days? · What challenges might I face in this position? · Will my responsibilities change in the next six months to a year? · Can you tell me about the team I'll be working with and my direct reports? Clarification questions: · Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this role? · What specific skills or experiences are you looking for in the ideal candidate? · Please clarify the reporting structure for this position. · What's the timeline for the expected projects or initiatives this role will be involved with? Closing questions: · What am I not asking you that I should? · What is essential for success in this role and at [company]? · How is performance in this role measured and evaluated? · Is there anything valuable for me to understand about the role or [company] role that we haven't discussed? Regarding closing questions, the purpose of asking such questions is to create a selling opportunity to emphasize that you have the skills, experience, and confidence, a critical aspect of interview success that jobseekers underestimate, to do the job. If you don't believe in yourself, then why should your interviewer? For instance, if you ask, "What are the biggest challenges I will face in this position?" and your interviewer answers, "Rimway is currently implementing a new company-wide software program called GLaDOS, which will greatly enhance our ability to interface with our customers and inventory; therefore, Rimway employees are in a steep learning curve." You can respond in one of two ways: 1. That you're familiar with GLaDOS, having used it extensively while working at [company], this would be the ideal answer, or 2. Recount a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) story in which you were successfully part of an implementation, be it new software, change in process, new government regulations, etc., to demonstrate (sell) your ability to adapt to changes and learn new technology, processes, regulations, a mindset not everyone has. During your first and second interviews, focus your questions on the company, its people, and how the role contributes to its overall success. More than ever, your entire job search, not just when you're interviewing, but your resume, LinkedIn profile, and how you present yourself during a networking opportunity, needs to clearly (keyword) demonstrate—this is where your quantifying results and achievement numbers (revenue, savings, time, amount, size, percentage) come in—how hiring you will add value. An interview is your chance—never easy to obtain—to demonstrate (read: sell) what you can do for an employer. As the job seeker, you're trying to land the job, not vice versa. (In today's job market, an employer will have many viable candidates per position. You're not an employer's only option.) More than ever, especially as employers are understandably increasingly running their business on lean, a job exists because the employer believes that by creating the job and having it occupied by the right person (key), they'll make more money than by not having it. Strategically timing your questions is a crucial factor in achieving interview success. Asking about benefits, flex hours, vacation, sick days, professional development offered or "Can I work from home?" (despite the job posting stating the job is on-site) too early in the interview stage is perceived as an indication that you're focused on what the employer can do for you, not on what you can do for the employer ___________________________________________________________________ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com