NEW DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ON ITS WAY -MERCHANTS CONCERNED OVER LOSS OF PARKING-

NEW DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ON ITS WAY -MERCHANTS CONCERNED OVER LOSS OF PARKING- By Dean Hickey THE PRINCIPLES WHICH GUIDE the approval of any new development within the city’s downtown core will, by necessity, demand a parallel review of the existing parking capacity upon which so many businesses and residents rely. With the future of Lot 4 now being debated by council, many among the various property owners, merchants, and those who frequent the area will doubtless be concerned as to the potential reduction in the number of available spots. The Economic and Development Services committee decided in early November to declare the surface parking lot at the north side of Athol Street, between Simcoe and Centre Streets, as ‘surplus’ in an effort to engage with those seeking to develop the property into something far beyond its current use. Due to the nature of the process which surrounds such negotiations and decision making, most of what has so-far been discussed has taken place in closed session, and the details have yet to be disclosed. It is known, however, that staff did recommend the approval of a specific proposal having been brought forward as a result of a targeted RFP (Request for Proposals) process, whereby consideration was given to a few select proponents. Committee members took a publicly recorded vote on the matter and, oddly enough, those who were opposed to the staff recommendation were Ward 4 councillors Rick Kerr and Derek Giberson. Both men represent the area that encompasses the downtown, and they are known as having competing visions for the city. Those differences will undoubtedly play a role in their responses to a recent petition that has been submitted to city hall on the issue of parking and the losses that may occur. A group of downtown merchants have signed the petition that reads as follows: “We hereby write, sign, and validate this document as a request…with regards to the acceptance of such project wherein consideration is given to the development of a Parking Lot in the area of Lot 4 in downtown Oshawa. The shortage of parking is NEGATIVELY affecting businesses and is resulting in loss of customers and loss of business revenue. Countless customers have expressed their frustration with the lack of parking, and after circling the downtown area and wasting over fifteen minutes, they give up and go somewhere else. If you want to see businesses grow and thrive in downtown Oshawa, you MUST provide parking. We NEED this parking lot to be built to accommodate customers driving from outside of the area and to generate more productivity in the neighbourhood and provide the potential of expansion for future projects. This is a basic necessity.” One property owner I spoke with, on condition of anonymity for the sake of his tenants, said “Anyone can see we have parking issues downtown. The City doesn’t have the money to do anything about it, so they’re relying on developers.” He went on to add, “Factor in the massive residential developments that are coming downtown and we are severely affected.” He expressed a high level of frustration over the City’s consultation process, telling me it’s quite simply insufficient. “They need better communications people, because we have a manager at city hall who is responsible for downtown business development, and nobody seems to know who she is or what she does.” That’s unfortunate, because the effects of an ever-shrinking supply of parking are being felt directly by those who are trying to make a living in the city’s core, and they need proper representation at the staff level. Supporting a blanket conversion of Lot 4 into other uses may be a recipe for advanced economic decline, if one also takes into account the proposal from the Provincial government for dedicated rapid bus lanes that will consume no less than 125 parking spaces when complete. If that wasn’t bad enough, consider the effect the widening of sidewalks along the north side of King Street has had on the number of spaces available, and the losses continue to mount. This is where the difference in vision between the two Ward 4 councillors may be considered. I was advised by one downtown merchant of a recent survey undertaken by councillor Kerr in an apparent effort to gauge just how troubling the whole parking issue has become. “Rick Kerr is all over this parking thing, and it’s like he’s on a mission” she told me as we discussed her most pressing concerns. Numerous factors have come together in recent years, causing a negative effect on her business. They include open drug use among the homeless, an increase in crime, and of course the slow but steady erosion of accessible parking for customers she says are uncomfortable walking any great distance, particularly as the daylight hours diminish at this time of year. I reached out to councillor Kerr for comment, and he suggested that “Our downtown businesses are stifled now by a lack of parking, for both customers and employees, and I can give you at least three examples. The first is the CIBC building, which has lots of available opportunities for future tenants, however they require reliable, available parking in order to successfully market their office space. Another example is the number of empty store-fronts where businesses have closed or relocated to other areas they see as more accessible. The third component is the lack of development potential for small-footprint buildings that cannot be converted or redeveloped due to their lack of anticipated parking requirements.” While I did not reach out directly to councillor Giberson, his public comments on the issue of mobility within cities, and downtowns in general, has been outwardly focused on the promotion of alternate forms of transportation. In one of his social media posts he offers the following, “It's great to see what Ottawa has been doing in substantially increasing their bike lanes, and they are proof that with time (decade+) and focused will (political, planning & engineering depts, community organizing, financial commitment), you can build up that network and make active transportation and public transportation…a viable alternative to car-centric mobility…” For many elected officials and urban planners, it has become fashionable to cast retailers and others who decry the absence of parking as being somehow biased in their perceptions and without proper appreciation for aspects such as bike lanes, which have certainly been in the news recently. Meanwhile, in the shops and offices downtown, those at ground zero can see for themselves exactly what the absence of a meaningful strategic parking initiative has cost them, and they’re tired of excuses from a bureaucratic and political establishment that lacks the necessary vision.

Canada –an independent nation

Canada –an independent nation by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East With the world in turmoil, Canada embroiled in political fights between the two parties which have traditionally ruled it, and our southern neighbor considering the imposition of a 25% tax on products from Canada under the new Trump administration, it is time to remember a little of our history and learn from our past leaders. Largely unknown and unrecognised by the vast majority of Canadians, the Statute of Westminster Day, celebrated on December 11th is nonetheless an extremelyimportant day in Canada’s history as a nation. The self-governing colonies of the British Empire, which included Canada, were known as the Dominions. Despite their right for self-government, the British parliament had considerable legislative authority over the Dominions. The situation was changed by the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which increased the sovereignty of the Dominions, giving them legal autonomy and making them essentially sovereign nations in their own right. However, at Canada’s request, the British parliament retained the power to amend the constitution of Canada for five more decades after the enactment of the Statute. The anniversary of the Statute of Westminster is celebrated in Canada every year, but it is not a public holiday, which means that government offices, educational establishments, banks, and businesses remain open unless December 11 falls on a weekend. To celebrate the day, the national flag of Canada and the Royal Union Flag, commonly referred to as the Union Jack, are flown side by side on federal buildings and establishments from sunrise to sunset. Please observe that this is the case in your community. In remembering the steps involved in the formation of the Canada of today, July 1, 1867, the day the Confederation of Canada came into being is generally considered the founding date of the country. However, at that rime the country still wasn’t an entirely “autonomous” nation. That came decades later, on December 11, 1931 with the passing of the Statute of Westminster. The British law clarified that Canada and other Commonwealth countries have full legal freedom except in areas where those nations chose to remain subordinate to Britain. That Statute included the Dominion of Canada, the colony of Newfoundland (which would join Canada in 1949), the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State. Having garnered great respect internationally and a strong sense of Canada’s unique nationality as a result of the First World War, Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles ending that war as a separate nation from Britain, though this was not quite the case. During the following years, the government of Canadian Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie-King sought the full rights of a sovereign country in creation of laws and foreign policy. The process had begun in the 1920’s when Canada signed a fishing treaty with the U.S without British participation, established an embassy in Washington, and decided not to assist a British occupation force in Turkey without the approval of Canada’s Parliament. However, the seeds for autonomy were sown in 1926 at the Imperial Conference when Britain’s foreign minister, Lord Balfour proposed that the Dominions be granted legislative autonomy. In 1929, Canada’s head of the Department of External Affairs, O.D. Skelton, attended the Conference on the Operation of Dominion Legislation in London. Here the various resolutions proposed in 1926 were firmed up. In 1930 the various governments submitted terms of the future Statute to their Parliaments. Then on the date of December 11, 1931, the Statute was passed into law. While the Dominions accepted all resolutions, only Canada couldn’t determine a process to amend the Constitution. Thus, power to amend Canada’s Constitution remained under British authority until 1982 with the passing of Canada’s Constitution Act. In conclusion, the anniversary of the Statute of Westminster is a key date that celebrates Canada’s legal independence from Britain. This day is important because it marks Canada’s legislative autonomy, allowing it to make its own laws without British approval. The Statute of Westminster was a pivotal step in Canada’s journey towards becoming a fully sovereign nation. Celebrations on this day highlight Canada’s identity and achievements. The statute is celebrated because it acknowledges the hard work and determination of Canadian leaders who fought for the country’s independence. It also serves as a reminder of Canada’s evolution into a nation that stands on its own while still being part of the Commonwealth. Our current leaders need to remember the work of their forefathers who guided Canada’s evolution to becoming an independent nation, They need to learn from our history, and possibly be inspired by the achievements of their predecessors. Instead of bickering in their ivory towers in Ottawa, our leaders should concentrate on developing new and inspiring objectives for Canada as a nation, working to evolve Canada into a leading nation of the world. What do you think?

Stop Asking Your Interviewer Cliché Questions

By Nick Kossovan Most job search advice is cookie-cutter. The advice you're following is almost certainly the same advice other job seekers follow, making you just another candidate following the same script. In today's hyper-competitive job market, standing out is critical, a challenge most job seekers struggle with. Instead of relying on generic questions recommended by self-proclaimed career coaches, which often lead to a forgettable interview, ask unique, thought-provoking questions that'll spark engaging conversations and leave a lasting impression. English philosopher Francis Bacon once said, "A prudent question is one half of wisdom." The questions you ask convey the following: · Your level of interest in the company and the role. · Contributing to your employer's success is essential. · You desire a cultural fit. Here are the top four questions experts recommend candidates ask; hence, they've become cliché questions you should avoid asking: · "What are the key responsibilities of this position?" Most likely, the job description answers this question. Therefore, asking this question indicates you didn't read the job description. If you require clarification, ask, "How many outbound calls will I be required to make daily?" "What will be my monthly revenue target?" · "What does a typical day look like?" Although it's important to understand day-to-day expectations, this question tends to elicit vague responses and rarely leads to a deeper conversation. Don't focus on what your day will look like; instead, focus on being clear on the results you need to deliver. Nobody I know has ever been fired for not following a "typical day." However, I know several people who were fired for failing to meet expectations. Before accepting a job offer, ensure you're capable of meeting the employer's expectations. · "How would you describe the company culture?" Asking this question screams, "I read somewhere to ask this question." There are much better ways to research a company's culture, such as speaking to current and former employees, reading online reviews and news articles. Furthermore, since your interviewer works for the company, they're presumably comfortable with the culture. Do you expect your interviewer to give you the brutal truth? "Be careful of Craig; get on his bad side, and he'll make your life miserable." "Bob is close to retirement. I give him lots of slack, which the rest of the team needs to pick up." Truism: No matter how much due diligence you do, only when you start working for the employer will you experience and, therefore, know their culture firsthand. · "What opportunities are there for professional development?" When asked this question, I immediately think the candidate cares more about gaining than contributing, a showstopper. Managing your career is your responsibility, not your employer's. Cliché questions don't impress hiring managers, nor will they differentiate you from your competition. To transform your interaction with your interviewer from a Q&A session into a dynamic discussion, ask unique, insightful questions. Here are my four go-to questions—I have many more—to accomplish this: · "Describe your management style. How will you manage me?" This question gives your interviewer the opportunity to talk about themselves, which we all love doing. As well, being in sync with my boss is extremely important to me. The management style of who'll be my boss is a determining factor in whether or not I'll accept the job. · "What is the one thing I should never do that'll piss you off and possibly damage our working relationship beyond repair?" This question also allows me to determine whether I and my to-be boss would be in sync. Sometimes I ask, "What are your pet peeves?" · "When I join the team, what would be the most important contribution you'd want to see from me in the first six months?" Setting myself up for failure is the last thing I want. As I mentioned, focus on the results you need to produce and timelines. How realistic are the expectations? It's never about the question; it's about what you want to know. It's important to know whether you'll be able to meet or even exceed your new boss's expectations. · "If I wanted to sell you on an idea or suggestion, what do you need to know?" Years ago, a candidate asked me this question. I was impressed he wasn't looking just to put in time; he was looking for how he could be a contributing employee. Every time I ask this question, it leads to an in-depth discussion. Other questions I've asked: · "What keeps you up at night?" · "If you were to leave this company, who would follow?" · "How do you handle an employee making a mistake?" · "If you were to give a Ted Talk, what topic would you talk about?" · "What are three highly valued skills at [company] that I should master to advance?" · "What are the informal expectations of the role?" · "What is one misconception people have about you [or the company]?" Your questions reveal a great deal about your motivations, drive to make a meaningful impact on the business, and a chance to morph the questioning into a conversation. Cliché questions don't lead to meaningful discussions, whereas unique, thought-provoking questions do and, in turn, make you memorable. _____________________________________________________________________ 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 True Bullies of Pickering: How the Mayor and Council are Abusing Power, Silencing Dissent, and Wasting Your Tax Dollars

By Lisa Robinson For over a year now, the mayor and fellow councillor’s of Pickering have relentlessly attacked me—not because I’m failing the people who elected me, but because I refuse to bow down to their political games and pander to their special interest groups. I’ve been sanctioned, stripped of my pay yet again for daring to speak up for the people of Pickering, for exercising my right to free expression under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This latest sanction—another three months without pay—marks a total of six months of financial punishment. This isn’t about accountability; it’s about intimidation. They want me to fall in line, but I refuse. The truth is, they’ve weaponized the Integrity Commissioner as their personal attack dog, pushing a one-sided narrative designed to discredit me. They twist my words, manipulate my actions, and suppress the voices of my constituents. Let me be absolutely clear: There was no legitimate investigation. This is a political hit job—a calculated attempt to silence me, to paint me as the problem, when the real bullies are sitting in council chambers. Think about it: if I didn’t care, don’t you think I’d just shut up and fall in line? Why would I keep working for free while they drag my name through the mud? I have nothing to gain from this fight, but they have everything to lose. I’m standing up for common sense for common people, while they cling to power and their self-serving interests, while catering to developers and special interest groups. The mayor himself has abused his power, using city staff on your dime—paid by Pickering’s taxpayers—to craft his 75 page witch hunt of manufactured complaints against me. And his bias is no longer just behind closed doors. On September 3, he openly stated he is biased towards me and that he doesn’t want to hear anything I have to say. What does that tell you? He is not just dismissing me—he’s also dismissing every voter who believes I have the right to be heard on their behalf. While they’re busy orchestrating this smear campaign, I’m out there doing the job I was elected to do. The day after they voted to strip me of my pay, I was the only member of council to show up at the “Pickering Forward” meeting, an important forum to hear what the people had to say about our city’s future. And where were the rest of them? They didn’t show because they don’t care about what you, the voters, have to say, and it wasn’t a photo opportunity. They’re more interested in silencing dissent and consolidating power than in listening to the people. What kind of leadership sanctions a single mother’s pay, knowing full well I have bills to pay, a mortgage to cover, and a family to support? They don’t care. Just imagine someone taking away your ability to pay for the roof over your head or to feed your family because they don’t like what you have to say. They would rather see me suffer, hoping to break me down so I’ll finally cave to their demands. This is not just an abuse of power; it’s vindictive harassment. They are unfit to lead—not just for their bullying and intimidation, but for their brazen attempt to lobby the Provincial government to change the Municipal Act. They want the power to remove elected officials who disagree with them—an assault on democracy. Worse still, they want to ensure that anyone they oust is banned from running in future elections, silencing the people’s choice even further. Their actions are not just authoritarian; they’re downright dangerous. They don’t want a council of diverse voices; they want an echo chamber where only their views reign supreme. Each of their characters should be seriously questioned, not just for what they’re doing to me, but for what they’re doing to you—the people of Pickering. The draconian measures they are putting in place is to stifle public input and are designed to rig future elections, to ensure only those who agree with their power-hungry agenda get a seat at the table. They don’t care about democracy or free speech—they care about control. And let’s not forget the staggering misuse of taxpayer dollars in this vendetta. Instead of returning my rightful salary—just $15,000+ for three months of lost pay—they’ve decided to burn up to $200,000 of your money fighting me in a judicial review. $200,000 of your hard-earned tax dollars that could be better spent on the community is being flushed down the drain to prop up their lies. And if you think it stops there, think again. When I take them to court again for another judicial review, I bet they’ll be more than willing to waste another $200,000, bringing the total to a disgraceful $400,000 of your hard earned tax payers money just to silence one voice. Do they care? Of course not—it’s not their money. It’s yours. Through all of this, I have never stopped fighting for the people of Pickering. I show up. I listen. I push back against corruption and collusion, even when they come after me with everything they’ve got. The mayor and his council have shown that they are not fit to serve—they are power-hungry, vindictive, and have zero regard for the voices of the people. And let me be clear, this isn’t just happening in Pickering – it’s happening in Municipalities across the Country. So it needs to stop immediately. Personally, I won’t back down. I will continue to stand with you—because that’s what real leadership looks like. Even when they try to silence me, I will not be bullied. The people of Pickering deserve better, and I will fight to give them the representation they elected me for. It’s time to hold these bullies accountable.

ANSWERS TO WHY ?

ANSWERS TO WHY ? WHY, WAS THE QUESTION - ARE THESE THE ANSWERS ? 1. Could it be that we the people who elect these others into power have neglected our duty. We voted and then fail to follow what they do until it’s too late. Then we vote them back in. 2-5. Could it be that the happening across many municipalities of the reducing of car lanes, the creating of bus lanes which are unused the better part of the day, the increase of bike lanes, the set up of these rental stations for bike and scooters are part of the planned 15 minute cities also known as smart cities. 6. Babies are born with blank brains ready to learn. Babies first learn pain by means of hunger & gas. Discomfort is learned by wet and dirty diapers. Babies learn comfort and love by being fed, burped, cleaned, hugged, and comforting voices. As babies grow they absorb and copy everything, they investigate everything around them and we as parents watch over them, encouraging their learning while protecting them from potential dangers. 7. We are careful to only provide our children topics and objects that are age appropriate to learning. e.g. we would not give and expect a toddler to safely balance and ride a bicycle 8. Teaching a child, suggesting to that child that he or she is in the wrong body simply because of things they like, or like to do, is nothing more than manipulation and should be considered child abuse. Remember these are children, their young brains have not yet developed fully and they tend to believe what they are told as these children have not yet learned to question why or what they are being told. It’s no wonder there is a rise in children and teens are having mental problems and suicide attempts. 9. It is not okay to provide children puberty blockers and then when a teenager, mutilate that child? A teenager is still a child in the eyes of the law till the age of majority. When a child, who’s young brain has not fully developed, is encouraged and manipulated by teachers, doctors and other adults into making a life adulterating decision that could also mean a lifetime of medications, then those teachers, doctors etc should be criminally charged with bodily harm and indignity to an underage living person. 10. Governments did not give birth to our children. The government says, we the parents are responsible for our children until they reach adulthood. We, the parents, pay the government to educate our children, reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography and science, NEVER did we the parents, give the government the right to confuse our children about their gender, about their sex or the how to of various sexual activities. 11. People are either a male (boy, man, father, brother, he, him) or a female (girl, woman, lady, mother, sister, she, her). How a person feels internally is not to be confused with what they were born. 12. Death by drug overdoses has increased since so called “safe drug sites” were provided. What we should be providing is help to overcome addiction. 13. Common sense, we, or most of us, have it, common sense and need to get back to using it instead of standing by and letting these things happen. 14. When the opposition doesn’t have answers to your questions and can’t have a civil conversation with you they attack you as being racist, homophobic, transphobic etc. 15. When the your opposition doesn’t have an answer to your question they label it as hate? 16. Electricity is not sole salvation of this world, ask anyone who has been in a two or more day blackout and having no other means then electricity for cooking, heating, communicating & transportation 17.– 20. We seem to have lost our ability of critical thinking and have been conditioned to believe the media and government tells us the truth. When if fact if we had paid attention we would know that the world is and has been slowly governed by non-elected parties who have no part in Canada, the UN (united nations) the WHO (world health organizations) and the WEF (world economic forum) who want to control us. Check out Bill C-63, C-293 for starters. Remember, Silence Solves Nothing, you’re not alone, speak up and others will too. Stand Up, Speak Up For Your Rights, Keep Democracy Alive

“EXPOSED” - MUNICIPAL Councils Are Working Against Constituents S-O-S, S-O-S - PEOPLE OF ONTARIO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ALERT

EXPOSED - YOUR MUNICIPAL MAYORS & COUNCILLORS ACROSS ONTARIO ARE PLOTTING TO DEPRIVE YOU, THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. YES, the Municipal Councils, the people you elected, are working against you, the public. They want the right to have a council member fired from council, they also want the right to have that person who you elected, banned from running in the next election, why? So you the people can’t vote that person back in. In other words, municipal councils want the right to deny you the public your democratic right to who you can vote for. This is the First Step in Killing Democracy. Ontario Municipal Councils have been writing the AMO (association of municipalities of Ontario) which is an elected board consisting of members from the different municipalities of Ontario. The Municipal Councils are begging the AMO to have Premier Doug Ford amend Bill 5, re the ‘Municipal Act 2001’ to allow Municipal Councils to fire a colleague (one of your elected members), and to do it by having the Integrity Commissioner be the one to say a council member should be fired there by absolving the council of being the ones doing the firing. The council will tell you the public that they didn’t fire your elected member. Just another way of hiding by covering the eyes of the public with half truths. The real question is, why would a council want or need to fire an elected colleague? Crimes, sexual harassment, harassment & abuse etc all have ways to be dealt with, example, Human Rights, Criminal Courts etc. Could it be that the fellow elected members, who does not follow the council’s agenda, who does not rubber stamp things but actually works in favour of the people is showing up the rest of the council and exposing what’s happening? I have to wonder? Who are these council members that are running your municipality, who are making decisions that affect your life, your city, town or community,? Who are theses councils who want the right to fire a colleague, an elected member? Do these municipal councils know anything about democracy? If they do not know the difference between a hired employee (staff) by a business -vs- a person elected by the people, then should they really be running your municipality? PEOPLE IT’S TIME, STAND & SPEAK UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS, KEEP DEMOCRACY ALIVE Email Premier Doug Ford at both ….. premier@ontario.ca and correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca Email AMO, Pres Colin Best at ….. amopresident@amo.on.ca Email the city clerk of your municipality (call your council office and get the clerks email and tell the clerk to copy every member of council with your email.) Write the following to the Premier, the AMO and your Municipal Council, let them know how you feel. 1. How dare municipal councils ask for this right to fire an elected person. Only we, the public (voters) have the right to fire an elected member and we will do this in the next election by using our democratic right to vote for our choice. 2. Tell them you are watching and that their voting and decisions will have a direct way on how you vote in any upcoming elections. Citizens of Ontario and Canada, Your “Silence Solves Nothing” It’s Time for Action, to Stand Up For Your Rights Before They Are Gone

Dear Premier Ford

By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City CouncillorPickering’s Mayor Kevin Ashe labels residents of Durham as racists. Dear Premier Ford and Minister Calandra, I am writing to you today to address and unequivocally rebut the false and misleading allegations made against me by Mayor Kevin Ashe and other members of the Pickering Council. It is deeply troubling that I have been consistently denied the opportunity to present my side of the story simply because certain members of the Council do not appreciate the truth I am bringing to light. First and foremost, let me clarify that the Integrity Commissioner’s report, which has been weaponized against me, is currently under judicial review. This process underscores the fact that the findings are not final, and I have every right to challenge them. It is imperative to note that the review is a legal and legitimate recourse, which should not be dismissed or undermined by political actors who are eager to silence dissent and undermine democratic processes. The hypocrisy of the current mayor and certain council members cannot be overstated. They have engaged in a pattern of behavior that is far more egregious than anything they have accused me of. Their tactics include maligning the character of Pickering residents by labeling anyone who opposes their views as “racists,” “Nazis,” “transphobic,” or “homophobic.” These baseless accusations are not only harmful to the individuals targeted, but they also serve to stifle free speech and legitimate criticism within our community. The attempt to label my supporters—and indeed, anyone who dares to question the actions of the mayor and Council—as being aligned with hateful ideologies is both unjust and deeply irresponsible. The real issue at hand is not my conduct but rather the fact that I am uncovering and exposing the truth about what is happening within the City of Pickering. This transparency is unwelcome by those who prefer to operate without scrutiny, and they are doing everything in their power to have me removed as a sitting councillor. Furthermore, the mere consideration of such authoritarian measures, which threaten to undermine democracy in our community, is unacceptable. If the municipal laws were ever changed to allow the removal of an elected official by there colleagues, democracy would fail to exist in the Western world. This is a direct attack on the democratic process, and we must stand firm against any such encroachments. The Toronto Sun recently shared a video of mine where I condemned the actions of the host, Kevin J. Johnston, whose podcast I appeared on. Despite my clear denunciation of his actions and the overwhelming support I have received from the community, my fellow councillors continue to weaponize this against me. Meanwhile, they conveniently ignore the fact that Councillor Brenner should be charged criminally for his violent rhetoric, including saying he wants to “sharpen his sword and decapitate the mayor.” I have included a video below that captures how I and members of the community are being treated by the Mayor and my colleagues. In this video, you will see how I have been threatened and bullied, and I have made claims of sexual, psychological, and workplace violence. This kind of violent rhetoric and behavior is unacceptable, and it highlights the lengths to which they are willing to go to silence me and anyone who opposes them. They have spread many lies, all of which can be proven, starting with the three draft motions my constituents asked me to bring forward, which I will also include below. These motions reflect the will of the people I represent, yet they have been met with hostility and deceit by those who fear transparency and accountability. These continuous attacks on my character and integrity are part of a broader effort to discredit my work and silence my voice. However, I remain steadfast in my commitment to serve the people of Pickering and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability. In light of these considerations, it is clear that the mayor and council should step down from their positions for even contemplating such communist asks that threaten to destroy democracy here in the Western world. We need leaders who truly represent democratic values and prioritize the welfare of our community over personal vendettas. I urge you to consider the broader context of these attacks and recognize them for what they are: an attempt to suppress a voice challenging the status quo and advocating for the residents of Pickering. I am confident that the truth will prevail, and I will continue to fight for what is right, regardless of the obstacles placed in my path. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please feel free to reach out to me for any further clarification. https://x.com/ShaunRickard67/status/1821962565120901197 https://youtu.be/kKNs6wVUGo0?feature=shared CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Pickering councillor responds to being on far-right podcast (youtube.com) With gratitude. "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"

COMING OUT AND PROUD!!!

coming out and proud By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - White/Black, Sad/Happy, Peace/War, Love/Hate... For the love of words... the ultimate human weapon against eternal ignorance. "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation." The outcome is nothing short of eternal bliss: Eternal bliss is the state of total peace of mind. This peace is not just for a moment or any given period of time. This state of peaceful mind has to be permanent, only then you can say it is eternal peace. To achieve such state of mind is not easy. With this said... one has truly to understand the composition of words to be descriptive of the intended message. We are upon one of, if not the most important dates in our sovereign identity. In a society of Pride. We must show our true personal pride to our family, community and our country. Some may surrender to eternal ignorance and be proud of false ideology. We may find eternal bliss in our decision, escaping the illogical agenda behind the ignorance. Not the agenda pride we are force to tolerate. The true patriotic pride. But foremost. We must dig deep and find our true essence of who we are as a people. Leaving out social agenda, political direction and or external influences. We as a united nation should not be waving all color flags and or flags of foreign nation to show either our pride or support for external conflict. We as Canadians should only fly one flag proudly and that is the good old red and white maple. A symbol of peace, unity and resillience. A symbol of valor, sacrifice and committment. A symbol of inclusivity through adaptation, assimilation and respect for Canadian way of life, culture, customs and traditions. Not forced acceptance. We as PROUD Canadians patriots are about to take a moment and celebrate our true identity. Something that needs to be our primary focus when we refer to PRIDE and not the alternative sexual lifestyle. Canada Day celebrated on July 1st of each year, holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians across the globe. It is a day of immense significance; it marks the birth of a nation and commemorates the rich history, diverse culture, and shared values of the Canadian people. For this reason on July 1st, 2024. I will be COMING OUT AND PROUDLY of support my country as a good patriot . OUR CANADA. My Canadian history. My Canadian culture, customs traditions and languages. I will be coming out in support of a nation that has given me a life of opportunity. A land that allowed me to enjoy the freedoms that our forefathers so valiantly sacrificed during world conflicts. I will stand proud with all that served and and support their causes and their well being. We are a united nation that should not be compromised by external influences, agenda nor cause. We as Canadians are for Canada first. Happy Canada Day. I hope all come out and show your true patriotic pride.

INTERNET VOTING THE LAST BLOW TO DEMOCRACY

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” This week I received a real interesting email. It read: City of Oshawa exploring internet voting. The City of Oshawa is exploring the possibility of offering internet voting for its 2026 Municipal and School Board Elections and wants to know your thoughts. First and foremost. The City does not care about your thoughts as they already made their minds. The token request for your thought is as if to give you the impression that they care. Did they care when you gave them your thoughts on the budget? No. They stuck it to us. Now this. As if it is not bad enough that the City of Oshawa has a municipal election and only one seat changes. Our democracy has come down to name recognition voting by the same 18% voters turn out. A percentage that is slowly diminishing due to natural death. Now, the City wants to go online voting. This further giving the incumbent an edge over any new comers. Last municipal election it was a disaster. Most of the new candidates or all that ran on a shoe string budget or no budget. Faced with ever declining municipal voter turnout in local elections, the City of Oshawa is considering the possibility of offering internet voting for the 2026 municipal and school board elections. Internet voting allows eligible voters to cast their ballot online. It is a proven secure method of voting since ballots can be cast anywhere with internet access using a device of the voter’s choice, including computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. Oshawa’s turnout in the 2022 municipal election dropped to a dismal record low of 18.42 per cent of all eligible voters. It was just the latest in a declining Oshawa municipal election voter trend that saw a turnout of 24.1 per cent in 2018, 26.4 per cent in 2014 and 29.9 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in 2010. You have to go all the way back to the election of 1994 to find a voter turnout of over a third of all eligible voters, when 33.5 per cent cast a ballot. Contrast that with the glory days of voter participation and the highest ever turnout: 51.7 per cent in 1960. Those days are long gone, however, and most municipalities would be happy today to hit the Ontario municipal average of 36.9 per cent across the 444 municipalities of the province for the 2022 election. Voter turnout for Oshawa municipal elections rarely ever went under 33 per cent until the 1970s but has steadily slid since 1997 from a high of 29.9 per cent in 2010 to a dismal 18.42 per cent in 2022. With this in mind. Now the City of Oshawa wants to go electronic.... A way for creating new avenues to corrupt the democratic process by registering people that are either dead or not living in Oshawa anymore. This compounded with the real threat of external election influences. This is a formula for disaster. The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions, and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced that the measures brought in to protect by-elections from any potential foreign interference will be applied to the Durham electoral district by-election to be held on March 4, 2024. These measures are continuously reviewed in light of the potential for new and evolving threats. The Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force provided enhanced monitoring and assessing of foreign interference threats during the by-election period. These assessments will be provided to the Deputy Minister Committee on Intelligence Response, which will stand ready to brief and advise ministers with mandates to combat foreign interference and protect Canada's democratic institutions. How do you like them apples. If this is known. That tampering can happen and has happened. What are we to assume that will happen with City Online voting? Other Durham municipalities that have adopted internet and/or telephone voting over the last decade include Ajax, Pickering and Clarington. Ajax was the early adopter in the group, taking on internet and telephone voting — in addition to traditional paper and advance voting — in 2014. And it had a noticeable impact in voter turnout. When Ajax did not have internet voting in 2010, turnout was 25.4 per cent. In the 2014 municipal election, with internet voting added, turnout jumped to 30.4 per cent, and was 32.9 per cent in 2018. However, voter turnout in Ajax slumped back to 22.5 per cent in 2022, suggesting internet voting is not a cure-all. Pickering and Clarington opted for internet voting only in time for the 2022 election. In 2018, Pickering’s turnout was 29.17 per cent in the 2018 municipal election before the advent of internet voting. In 2022, the turnout was actually lower at 27.4 per cent. Meanwhile, in Clarington, in 2018 the turnout before online voting was used, it was 28.57 per cent. After adopting online or internet voting, it was very slightly down at 28.05 per cent. So much for transparency, accountability when all they do is look for ways to stack the deck against any new comer.

A Too Uncommon Theory of Medicine

By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford Are your health care providers trained in integrative medicine? It’s not an area of medical specialization, like gynaecology or gastroenterology. Think of it as a theory of medicine. Doctors practicing integrative medicine respect the roles of prescription drugs and surgery when the situation calls for these treatments. But they also study and embrace the potential for natural remedies, lifestyle modifications, nutrition, and traditional practices in both health promotion and disease treatment. Hippocrates, born in 460 BC, was the most influential philosopher of integrative medicine. He believed the human body should be treated as a whole, not as the sum of its parts. Benedict Lust, born in 1872 in Baden, Germany, is regarded as the “Father of Naturopathy”, a form of alternative medicine whose legitimate members promote evidence-based natural remedies. Then there is Linus Pauling. Through his research, he advanced the prevention and treatment of disease by studying how the body benefits from optimized amounts of substances which are natural to the body. Pauling was a molecular biologist. His practice of orthomolecular medicine acknowledges the body’s biochemical pathways and genetic variabilities that interact with diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, and brain-related conditions. Dr. Andrew Saul was the founder of the Orthomolecular Medical News Service, and with his death earlier this year, we lost one of the world’s foremost advocates for evidence-based natural therapies. He made it his life’s work to pass on a wealth of knowledge, including the message that natural remedies never killed anyone. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs can’t make that claim. Saul practiced what he preached. His home included a garden full of vegetables, and he stressed that for a few dollars it would produce thousands of dollars of fresh produce for his family. Saul’s news service shares research papers from esteemed scientists from around the world. But it’s the simple messages that stick, and his reminders about the importance of vitamins are worthy of note. Take the 80-year-old tennis player who had to stop playing his favourite game due to severe leg cramps. He wasn’t getting oxygenated blood to his leg muscles. After taking natural vitamin E, he was back on the court. Vitamin E increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. This is the other reason E can stop anginal heart pain. Saul chastised dermatologists for telling patients to keep out of the sun and to use sun block. He championed the need for 3,000 to 5,000 units of vitamin D daily to decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis and maintain our sense of balance as we age. What irritated Saul the most? It was the failure of doctors to accept that vitamin C carries out so many vital health functions, and that it fights the number one killer, heart disease. He pointed to medical studies showing its effectiveness in fighting viral diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, meningitis, polio and even the lethal bite of a rattlesnake. He repeated over and over that no one had ever died from an overdose of vitamin C. If you take more than you body can use, it is excreted in the urine. Another fact he underscored was that the dose is so important – the greater the degree of infection the greater amounts of C needed to cure it. Saul reported that in patients desperately ill with infection, in the process of dying, one decision could save them – that is, huge doses of vitamin C, such as 300,000 milligrams administered intravenously. His final advice? Hospitals are the locus of death. So stay away, or get out of them quickly. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

Looking for Loopholes

 Direct Answers
from Wayne & Tamara

Looking for Loopholes
Q My boyfriend and I had a great start to our relationship. We were medical students then. We trusted each other and were both clear that cheating is a dealbreaker for us.
     When we moved to different cities to start our specialty training, we saw each other less. Things got busier but we tried working things out, always thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel. Nonetheless, we felt really happy once we met.
     Two years ago, someone anonymously messaged me on a networking site saying my boyfriend was seeing someone else. There was no evidence, but I immediately called him and he denied it.
     One day, I went into paranoid mode and checked his phone while he was asleep. I saw flirty messages. The next morning I confronted him and asked who she was. He said they were coworkers and friends, and he was just helping her review. That was our first big argument.  Of course, I believed him. We even got engaged last year!
     Fast forward to three months before our wedding. Another person messaged me, this time with proof! Turns out, their relationship became physical both before and after he proposed to me.
     Bit by bit, he told me the truth. He admitted they were friends, part of a group who went out together and reviewed in his apartment, until the two of them were left alone. But he never once mentioned this group of friends to me. He said he was afraid I wouldn’t give my permission to hang out with them.
     He said the girl made a move and kissed him first, and his lust took over. After that, they had sex for a few more meetings until he realized what they were doing was wrong. He claims he ended it with the other woman three months ago and was going to tell me.
     My life crumbled. The person I thought I knew best and trusted most, suddenly became a stranger. We broke up and our wedding was canceled.
     A month and a half after D-day, we still communicate. He’s remorseful and readily answers my calls, even though he knows I just want answers.
     I will be flying to another country for 18 months of further training, while he’ll be staying in our home country for his training. He says he’ll fly to see me once he’s done and court me again. He says I’m the person he wants to live with in this lifetime.
     Can a person really change? Will I be able to get past this feeling of betrayal?
Heidi

A Heidi, a loophole is defined as an exemption that can be used to avoid the effect of a law. You and your boyfriend are both looking for a loophole.
     In this case, the law you want to avoid is a law of human nature.
     Your boyfriend’s first line of defense was to lie. His second line of defense was to blame you. (You wouldn’t approve of his group.) His third line of defense was to blame the other woman. (She started it.)
     If you stay with him, his final defense will be, “It couldn’t have been all that bad because Heidi stayed.”
     Of course it isn’t all that bad to him. He’s not the one betrayed. Proceeding as before is what a cheater wants because they are not the injured party. But if you had cheated on him, would he be so lenient on you? Of course not.
     His excuses are the archetypal responses of a cheater who is caught. It’s the classic pattern, but because you haven’t been through this before, you don’t recognize the pattern. Still, your gut told you to cancel the wedding.
     When he blamed the other woman, he admitted he can “fall prey” to any other woman. In trying to wriggle off the hook, he set the hook. He admitted, “I cannot control myself and you cannot trust me.”
     You were not paranoid when you checked his phone. You smelled gas and looked for the leak. That’s realism, not paranoia.
     Perhaps you’ve had to explain to a patient that they have a terminal disease. Now you’re on the other side of that. You must face that your relationship with this man is terminal.
    Reactions to cheating—the disgust, the outrage at the unfairness, the suspicion, the traumatic response—are not something a skillful counselor can talk you out of. They are part of your human nature.
     Counseling can be helpful in many areas, but it cannot overcome the basic needs built into us for trust, for justice, and for love.
     In a marriage, there can be no loopholes. Why? Because with people who belong together, none are needed.
 Wayne & Tamara  

write:  Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com

Canada and the Arctic

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The Arctic is an important part of our country and deserves a lot more attention than it is getting. It is a vast land, our land, which is being completely ignored by our esteemed politicians. As Canadians we routinely and unquestioningly sing its praises in our national anthem, O Canada, referring to "the True North Strong and Free". However, a more realistic description would be "the True North Weak and Neglected". Forty percent of Canada's land mass is considered Arctic and Northern. There are 162,000 kilometres of Arctic coastline, accounting for 75% of Canada's national coastlines, making Canada's coastline the world's longest. The territory is vast, but the population is small at 200,000 inhabitants, half of whom are indigenous. Our Arctic immediate neighbours are Russia, the United States, and Denmark, putting the Arctic at the centre of increasing geopolitical rivalries since 1945. In my tenure as an MP on the Defence Committee, I tried several times, to draw attention to this important region. I voiced the need to develop our Arctic in a way that would allow us to rightfully claim sovereignty over the contested North West passage and develop the vast resources that exist there. It is in the interest of our nation to have a well and uniformly developed country with many essential resources for our own use. A meaningful debate on Canada's role in the Arctic is long overdue, and hopefully we will finally get around to holding one soon. Such a debate is of particular importance, given the central place that the circumpolar region occupies in the tapestry of Canada's national interests. Beside the obvious strategic military importance of our Arctic, on which I will not elaborate, there is also potential wealth off our Arctic coastline. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) gives coastal states full sovereignty rights over a 12 nautical mile territorial sea, and a 200 nautical mile continental shelf exclusive economic zone. That allows countries the rights to exploit resources like deep-sea mining or oil and gas exploration in the seabed and subsoil (the economic zone confers rights below the surface of the sea; the surface waters are international waters). Half of the Arctic Ocean's 14 million square kilometres is already claimed by the five coastal states. Canada's economic zone of approximately 2.9 million square kilometres is the seventh largest in the world. Beyond this bounty for coastal states, the Law of the Sea provides a process for assessing further claims if science can delineate that the continental shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles. States submit claims to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which examines the submitted data drawn from mapping underwater geological features like ridges (Canada began collecting data in 2003 and submitted a claim in 2019, with an addendum in 2022). The Commission judges the accuracy of the claim and makes recommendations. If states have overlapping claims, they must negotiate the boundaries. In 2021, Russia made a maximum claim that its continental shelf stretched right up to the exclusive economic zones of both Canada and Denmark/Greenland, potentially giving it 75% of the seabed in the central parts of the Arctic Ocean. Canada then revised its 2019 submission in 2022, now arguing that its continental shelf extended to 2.4 million square kilometres, an area about the size of the Prairie provinces. It will be years before the UN Commission makes recommendations on Canada's claim but when it does, Canada must negotiate with Russia. The stakes are potentially very high indeed. The case that a greater concentration on the Arctic would fulfill several of Canada's national interests is compelling but articulating a strategy and actually making it happen are very different things. In recent years, the Government of Canada's rhetoric about our economic development in the Arctic and foreign policy goals and accomplishments has been effusive and confused. This has resulted in underinvesting in its diplomatic capacity, spending huge quantities of taxpayers' money overseas without accountability and totally neglecting national interests. In 2008, for example, Stephen Harper announced that Canada's aging heavy icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, would be replaced by a new vessel, the CCGS John G. Diefenbaker: Fifteen years later in 2023, steel for the Diefenbaker has yet to be laid, though the government is now promising to do so. In 2007, Stephen Harper announced that Canada would construct a naval refuelling facility at Nanisvik, Baffin Island to service new Arctic patrol vessels with a planned opening in 2013. Initial plans were for year-round personnel and a jet airstrip to support the naval facility, but these were soon scaled back due to costs. Instead of pursuing our interests in the Arctic the Liberal government is spending huge amounts of money on foreign aid for their own political purposes. As a result, delays with the icebreaker program have suffered delays year after year. It is now expected that the facility will not be operational until 2024-25, 18 years after it was first announced. Well done! During the same period, Rob Huebert a prominent Arctic defence analyst, and I, have noted, that Russia has modernized and reopened 13 Cold War military bases in the Arctic as well as dozens of smaller posts and has also enhanced economic activities in the area. Since 2011 for example, an interdepartmental Marine Security Operating Group has repeatedly identified gaps, looming equipment obsolescence and weaknesses in satellite surveillance in the Arctic, but limited actions have been taken. The report concludes, "we found significant risks that there will be gaps in Canada's surveillance, patrol, and presence in the Arctic in the coming decade as aging equipment reaches the end of its useful service life before replacement systems become available." The need for a serious economic development plan in the Arctic should be a priority for any future Government of Canada for the benefit of our stringent national interest. We as Canadians deserve better! In conclusion, both achieving our interests and enhancing our values, the Arctic should be a preeminent priority of Canadian policymaking. Developing the Arctic is in Canada's national interest, perhaps even its paramount national interest. Time to focus on the future of our own Canada the good! mate e for cities to hit their decarbonization targets by 2040, but they have to act now, and the shift will require a co-ordinated effort between government, industry and residents. The question is, where is the money coming from? Mark Hutchinson, vice-president oange experts this is possible. But wait a moment, WHO will foot the bill? Like I said, get ready to pay more taxes soon….

The Chinese Are Not Our Enemy - We Are

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” Always Remember That The cosmic blueprint of your life was written in code across the sky at the moment you were born. Decode Your Life By Living It Without Regret or Sorrow. - ONE DAY AT A TIME - What is wrong with modern society. We want to appear as we are so advanced. Yet, by our own design we are becoming a civilization of ignoramus. One would think that with the overwhelming amount of information circulation online that we all be geniuses by now. In reality this proves a the theory that we all profess to know everything and in fact know nothing. That we the masses are nothing but sheep to a habitual go around that is controlled by misinformation, too much information and or information overload. The media plays us like a social fiddle. Just this week it hit the news.... The headline read, “Was there foreign interference in the 2021 election? What a new report says”. Followed by, “Overall, the system in place to alert Canadians of foreign interference threats to the 2021 election worked well but there are areas for improvements.” In other words they know something is up, but the power in the clouds can’t prove a thing. It appears that we go from one war right in to another. Covid kept us in fear for almost 3 years. Then came the Russians. Now the Chinese. I am sure that the Chinese are laughing about us. Saying things like, “Ha, they worry about balloons. Those are just distractions.” Think about it for a moment. Without knowing it we have slowly been invaded for the past 40 years. From our industry, to our commerce not to mention our manufacturing to our financial economies. China, owns a large part of Canada. Both in hard assets and finance. Then why worry about balloons, electronic tampering when they are basically already running the show. To boot we have a Federal government that admires the communist regime. Why should the Chinese waste a bullet. They have won the war without a single fight. Now deaths are a different thing as their negligence in the release of the COVID virus took out people all across the world. If it had been an oil spill would we the world not wanted retribution, some sort of compensation. Why should we not demand retribution for the COVID spread? Well, the Chinese are obviously smarter than we are and know how to push our social buttons. How are we Canadians with more social hang ups then the Chinese have grains of rice compete with a regime that is calculative, organized and focused on winning at all cost. We the Canadian people that would gave up our lives during world wars to protect the integrity of Canada are already dead. They hit us with vaccines that till today are truly unproven and unknown. They hit us with the control of our internet and our media. They control our financial institutions and buy lands at large. We the people are our own worst enemy. We have to awaken to the reality that China is our master and there is nothing we can do. Or can we. I would say. We need to devaluate their currency. Stop depending on their goods. And make Canada first and once in for all bring back what worked in Canada. What am I saying. This is Canada. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

For Your Cover Letter to Do Its Job Don't Commit These Faux Pas

For Your Cover Letter to Do Its Job Don't Commit These Faux Pas By Nick Kossovan Not including a cover letter is lazy-employers don't hire lazy. (I certainly don't.) Regardless of how you apply for a job, whether through a referral or online, you must show how your skills, experiences, and personality set you apart from other applicants. It's for this reason, you should always include a cover letter. Including a well-written cover letter tailored to the job, and addressed to the hiring manager, offers several competitive advantages: - It shows your enthusiasm and that you researched the job requirements and the company. (You're not lazy.) - You're addressing the hiring manager directly and therefore bringing your relevant skills and experiences directly to their attention. - You're selling how you can add value to the company. - Your personality is conveyed to the hiring manager. - Your cover letter shows off your writing skills. (Employers value above-average writing skills.) Your cover letter has one job; to get the reader to read your resume. (It's your resume's job to get you an interview.) Imagine how much more likely you'd get an interview invite if you applied for jobs with a great cover letter and a resume that WOWs. Therefore, you don't want to make the following mistakes that'll hinder your cover letter from doing its job. 1. Attaching your cover letter to your email. To ensure your cover letter is read, don't send it as an attachment. Instead, write it within the email body. When the recipient opens your email, your cover letter will be immediately visible, increasing the likelihood that they'll read it. 2. Providing irrelevant information. Cover letters should be concise. Only offer details directly relevant to the job or that illustrates you have the skills and experience the employer is looking for. When I'm looking for a sales-oriented call center agent, I'm not looking for someone who's been providing "world-class" customer service or who's, in their opinion, "detail-oriented." These things don't matter in terms of reaching sales goals. A person who knows how to ask a prospect discovery questions to uncover their wants and needs and then offer them the appropriate product or service is whom I'm looking for. I'll lose interest if someone goes on and on about their customer service skills. I want them to tell me about the biggest sale they ever made, along with their passion and methodology (e.g., discovery questions they usually ask) for making sales. Hiring managers aren't responsible for connecting the dots regarding why you're a great fit for the position or how your skills are transferrable. Connect the dots in your cover letter. "Having sold life insurance for the past 15 years, I'm comfortable selling an intangible product, and therefore, I don't anticipate not being successful selling registered RESPs." (Registered Education Savings Plan) Think about what the reader of your cover letter would like to see and what'll convince them you're worth interviewing. Sentences like, "I see you need someone who's available to work nights and weekends. I enjoy working these hours and I'm available to do so," or, "Along with my resume, I've attached several samples of my writing." goes a long way. 3. Not including requested information. The most common application mistake I see is not following instructions. Based on my experience I'd estimate 7 out of 10 applicants fail to address every stipulation listed in a job posting, which indicates an inability, or unwillingness, to follow instructions. Name an employer who'd hire someone who can't follow instructions. Be sure to read the job posting in its entirety! It's common for employers to ask candidates to submit examples of their work or portfolio, link to their LinkedIn profile, their availability, a video, or their salary requirements. In your cover letter, include anything you've been asked to include or mention that it's attached (e.g., portfolio, writing sample, video, certificates). Failure to follow instructions is a sure way to get rejected. 4. Closing with a cliche statement. "Thank you for taking the time to review my resume. I look forward to hearing from you," shows a lack of creativity and hustle. (Name an employer who dislikes employees who hustle.) Conclude your cover letter with something like, "I look forward to discussing what I can bring to the Social Media Manager role at Pendant Publishing. I'll call you Thursday morning to schedule a time/date for us to meet." This shows initiative, that you want the job and aren't afraid to go after what you want. (Be sure to make the call.) I once received a cover letter that closed with, "Call today, don't delay." The closing was aggressive, which I tend to gravitate towards. It grabbed my attention. Additionally, her cover letter outlined everything she could bring to the table as an employee. Her boldness impressed me, so I called her. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 Media Should Stay Out Of War

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States “I live a dream in a nightmare world” As a member of the media I strongly believe that the role of the media is to report on the facts and not to influence outcomes by swaying public opinion to a political agenda. I remember a time in history when the media out of respect for the dead and those suffering would limit what they would report when it came to human suffering. Today’s media seems to go out of their way to wait for something horrific to happen to someone so that they may splash their photos all over. This is not right. War is not a place anyone wants to be in. As media it is our duty to keep people informed of what is happening... Not to mind control our audiences through pictures and words. Sure people are going to die in a war. Sure, there are going to be crimes committed. Sure there is going to be bombings, refugees and chaos. It is a given. I feel for the people of the Ukraine. As I feel for those left behind in Afghanistan. What has come of them. You never hear about living conditions there. It appears that our attention has gone from COVID - Afghanistan to the Ukraine and the threat of a world war. Why is it that we are always combating something or someone? How can global peace be achieved when in our eyes, minds and heart all we hear is chaos. I feel that the war in the Ukraine is not (the west) war. I further think that by the west sending billions to fight Russia only makes it worst. Suckering us into a conflict that could end up in a world war. Don’t think for a moment that the Chinese will not become involved and take the side of the Russians. I truly hope that I am wrong. As it stands the U.S. is seen as weak and without might. The perfect time to finally achieve world dominance by communist regime. Even within our own democratic borders we have swayed more to the left then ever before. The media is not doing any service by taking sides. Report the facts. Report the real news not opinioned parts of it in order to justify and entice further action towards extinction. Think about it.

WHAT ARE WE THINKING PEOPLE?

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” The other day I cam across this very interesting news item: U.S. helps bring refugees to Canada, but 1,250 Canadians remain in Afghanistan. Canada evacuated roughly 3,700 people from Afghanistan during its efforts and expanded its humanitarian program to welcome 20,000 refugees. How do you like them apples. The Americans pull out and we get dumped on. To boot 1,250 Canadians remain in Afghanistan. Who is going to get them? Canada equivalent of the Seal team? Canada Walrus force 12? OK stop laughing.... I am so disgusted by what Biden has done that I can’t even put in words. If it was that important for the U.S to be out by a particular date. Would it not have made sense to get their people out while the U.S. had the troops in control and power? No instead they pull back and Taliban go to town killing anyone that even looks at them wrong. But wait we don’t see that being reported in the news. What Biden should have done is said. We the world are not going to take it and send back in the troops. Use the same rule of thumb the Taliban used to take over a country in 10 days. You have a gun. The American’s shoot first ask questions later. This pull out was so messed up that no one in the military had the thought of destroying the 80 billion worth of equipment before leaving? Personally I think someone within the military ranks made 40 billion easy. How can you justify leaving so much equipment behind? We do not need excuses we need resolve. What will become of the 1,250 Canadians left behind? What will happen to all the American supporters left behind? The answer is obvious. They will all be killed. Some may make it out. I like for Trudeau to explain this out in public. What our magnificent leader/negotiator is going to sit down with the Taliban and have a talk. Hell Trudeau surely can’t threaten... as the Taliban just come off a win against the world military super power. If Trudeau is not nice.. the taliban may threaten him with invading Canada by sending over more refugees (wink, wink). All Trudeau can do is click his heels and wish it was not Kanasas. How is it that the American government can’t be held responsible? The worst is if the Americans actually decide to go back in. They will not find a soul that would help, as the people of Afghanistan have lost all confidence. In Canada what are we doing bringing in 5,000 refugees? Our own people are wondering our streets homeless and without food and we bring in 5,000 that in most cases do not even speak the language? How are we to know that these so called refugees are not Taliban. As it stands we should think that they are all Taliban as how else do you explain for the country to fall so quick. Come on Trudeau. You have it in the bag. This only impacts your chances of winning the federal election, unless Trudeau is giving the refugees voting rights right off the mark. I walk downtown Oshawa and the poverty is overwhelming. No matter the time of the day and there are 100’s of people wondering our city without a home or food. I think that this election is nothing short of a sham. Trudeau continues to miss the mark when it comes to Canada first on anything. If O’toole was to win. We would be set back as O'toole would grand stand on the waste of the previous government only to find a way to tax the average citizen to pay for it. Nothing would be accomplished and the changes in policy would mean little or nothing to the average Canadian. Now if the NDP for some miraculous reason won. God help us. The policy changes would be so radical that it would have us begging for Trudeau to come back. So who is left. The PPC. They have as much of a chance of getting in as the Bloc. 1,250 Canadians need us. Not 5,000 refugees. Why then did we get the refugees? Why are we allowing the Taliban to sliently invade our society, culture, country disguised as refugees?

Comrade Ford

and the New deal for Ontario by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East By now it is well known that the weather vane syndrome is working more efficiently that the Covid-19 pandemic, as the so called conservatives waver in the wind, conservative in name only, far to the left of conservative in their actions. Premier Ford's recent announcement of the vaccine passport is a striking example of just that. At first he was fiercely opposed to the idea of vaccine passports, yet now he is fully endorsing them. What a turn around in a few months and again, hiding behind questionable scientific advice. Never mind. It is all about controlling you, the humble Canadian. Controlling what you do, where you go, who you associate with, maybe even extending to where you sleep, in the not too distant future. All of this is for retaining power at all costs; there is definitely no thought for your children's and grandchildren's future. The mask is off for now. Soon Ontario residents will have to show proof they've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 even to dine indoors at restaurants or go to gyms and theatres - but not necessarily to enter retail locations - the province announced Wednesday. The "enhanced COVID-19 vaccine certificate" system, as the Ontario government is calling it, will come into effect on Sept. 22, interestingly enough, after few days of the conclusion of the federal election. Premier Doug Ford said the new system came from "in-depth conversations" with experts based on "evidence and best advice." "We need to protect our hospitals; we need to avoid lockdowns at all costs. We want our kids in schools, and our businesses to stay open," he said. If you notice, he speaks first of protecting the hospitals and not of protecting you. Lockdowns work in favor of large companies, but against small business. He has already used lockdowns to put many small businesses out of business. He is silent, however, on large companies. At first, fully vaccinated Ontarians will need their current vaccination receipt with a valid photo identification to enter premises covered under the new system. Let's go over this proposal and analyse it briefly. The receipts of proof of vaccination can be printed or downloaded from the provincial government website. "Fully vaccinated" here means having had two doses, with the most recent at least 14 days prior. At first, fully vaccinated Ontarians will need their current vaccination receipt with a valid photo identification to enter premises covered under the new system. So already "show me your ID", sounds very familiar for people who experienced communism! What about people vaccinated overseas with two same vaccines and not the cocktail ones? Ontario officials quickly pointed out that the enhanced certificate system is meant to be temporary, though how long it remains in place will depend on how the fourth wave of the pandemic unfolds in coming months. We all know by now what temporary means in government speak. Read permanent. The government says that on Oct. 22, it will shift to certificates that include QR codes containing much of the same information included on the vaccination receipts that are already available. That shift will be accompanied by the release of a "verification app" that can be used to validate the QR codes and provide the vaccination status of an individual. Nice, where is privacy for now? Big Brother will control you. Ontario officials said the purpose of the app is to relieve businesses and facilities from having to determine whether a patron has been vaccinated or not. The intention is that the enhanced certificates be usable in other provinces with vaccine passport systems in place, and eventually for them to be integrated with the federal passport for international travel. "We need to be proactive to avoid reactive closures," said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore Wednesday. He said this will also be an incentive for more people to get vaccinated. Nice again, the question in how you apply it in the field. Read it to mean more bureaucracy and more useless work for well paid government workers for hire. Finally, enforcement measures for the certificate system will fall under the Reopening Ontario Act, the same officials said. Businesses, facilities and individuals who refuse to comply can face fines. We do not yet know the details, but this most certainly means further limitations on the freedom of movement and individual rights. No reactions from the major and elitist parties involved in the federal elections. Notable exception is the People's Party of Canada. They are standing fast for freedom, fairness, respect and individual responsibility. They are the only ones who oppose this blatant assault on your right to control your own body. The Conservatives are conspicuously silent on the matter, their comment will come after a polling taken to see where they can harvest more votes. In conclusion, dear readers, be prepared for a new politics of fear and division in our society with comrades like Ford shaping your future. It is time for a Great Canadian Awakening!

Hey where are we going with this! Trudeau I loved you but no more

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat or go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. I once held a relatively high position within the Liberal government riding of Oshawa. I left because I became disgusted on the way the party was running things. Today, Trudeau is destroying Canada. From his 90 million dollar scandal I ask where the money gone...to the way he treats seniors, the military and the poor. On the one hand he says he cares and on the other he does the opposite. My pension got cut cause I made more than 59,000. That is money I made and paid into and because I am blessed with being able to make more I get penalized. That is not fair. Imagine all the seniors out there...that need more than 59k a year to live. That is not fair. Yet he gives free housing, welfare and pay per child benefits to anyone crying refugee. NO MY FRIENDS. THAT IS NOT MY CANADA. Trudeau and h is cronies have the balls to call me and ask for donation. Normally I would be happy to contribute my share as I have in the past. This time around. You take from my table I forget who you are. To ad insult to injury just recently Trudeau gave seniors $500. What did he expect, for seniors to turn around and hand him back the cheque in appreciation. No, buddy screw you. Our country is ruined and there is no real change in the horizon. We need a new party. A new type of leadership that values it’s citizens. Oh my Canada it’s finished.

The Great Pretender

from Wayne & Tamara The Great Pretender Q I identify as a self-sufficient, independent person. I consider myself a beautiful woman, not in a conceited way, but I’ve been told this my entire life. I am an empath. I’ve dedicated my life to working in social services. I am a free spirit, yet an entrepreneur at heart. I love empowering women, and I’m working on becoming a certified self-love coach. I am 35; my partner is 38. He cheated on me during our entire relationship. He never admitted to the timeline, but he claims it wasn’t years. Still, the other woman has photos dating back to 2016. He said the pictures were old, and she was an ex who was obsessed with him. Honestly, the way she presented herself, I believed him. I also believed he worshipped the ground I walked on. From late 2016, he was living a double life. He stayed with her during the week, and we saw each other on weekends, vacations, and on random days off. We looked at houses, but he would never commit. The same with engagement rings. He got caught when I was 20 weeks pregnant, a pregnancy that was planned. On the day he was caught, I told him I would be sharing our pregnancy. I sent him a message saying so. He messaged me, saying he had been told I was cheating on him. I was distraught. I said, “No. I’d never do that to you. I love you. Who is saying this?” He said, “People you don’t know.” I said, “People I don’t know, know me and know I’m cheating on you?” I realize now he said this to use against me, because an hour after I posted our pregnancy announcement, his other girlfriend contacted me. When I confronted him, he said, “See, you never believe me! People are saying you are cheating on me, and I believe you. But you can’t do the same for me!” I feel sick thinking back to this. The next day, he eventually admitted he was cheating. For a while, he seemed remorseful. He cried. He was depressed. He lost weight. He begged and apologized all the time. I also found out he lied about his career. He had been fired from his job in 2016, but he told me he was still working as a pharmacist. I actually think he was a pharmacy tech. I now believe he was fired for stealing narcotics and selling them. A couple of days ago, I went through his computer and found an apology letter he wrote to the court saying he was sorry for stealing. On his laptop, I found a video. It was really dark, but I could hear two people having sex. I believe he had sex with a woman while he was visiting his grandparents in 2017. It was a trip I paid for. Belinda A Belinda, in 1994, a boy went missing in San Antonio, Texas. He was last seen playing basketball with friends. Three years later, a French serial imposter assumed the missing boy’s identity. He was flown to the United States and, for five months, accepted as authentic by some of the boy’s family. This was despite the fact he spoke with a French accent and had brown eyes and dark hair, while the missing boy was a blue-eyed blond. Released from prison in the U.S., this imposter repeated the deception in Spain and again in France. Your boyfriend is a serial imposter, but he doesn’t pose as an orphan. He poses as a man who loves women he does not love, like you. Men like him are without mercy and without remorse. An empath can feel things. A social worker knows to verify everything she is told. That is why she does home visits and verifies employment. But you turned all of that off because your need for someone was so great. You never met his friends or family. You never confirmed he had a job. You accepted everything at face value. When it comes to love, we cannot toss out everything we know about life. You followed a recipe for tuna casserole and continued on, even when you saw no tuna in the list of ingredients. All you can do now is learn a bitter lesson and be the best parent you can be. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com