It is what it is

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. I like to begin this column by thanking all the people of Oshawa that believed in me and supported the chance at a new Oshawa. Unfortunately, not everyone shared our wishes and our concerns. As a responsible member of society we must abide and support the decision of the majority. In this case it appears by the numbers at the polls that the people of Oshawa are o.k. with having a never ending problem with people living out on our streets, on our ravines and parks. With people over dosing at an all time high and passing on our streets. I must assume by the results that people are ok with yearly tax increases and wasteful spending like that of the Broadbent Park at a cost of 10 million of your tax dollars. Not to mention that this is an outright waste just before the 2022 municipal election and one that is most notable. How about all the other wasteful spending that no taxpayer ever hears about. The people have spoken and the suffering will continue for another four years. I hope and wish all the people of Oshawa luck in the next four years as we prepare for economic hardship and increase in crime not to mention the ongoing decline in the quality of life of our city. Einstein famous words include, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." This is a powerful statement on society over all. Then why the results before us today? Einstein went as far as stating “Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results”. Could our city be in a worst mental health condition than those walking our streets on drugs? That is a scary thought. To think that the population at large with the exception of those that did vote for change have some sort of neurosis or psychological compromise scares me. Sadly, failure can be rationalized but sourly accepted. Great men like John Wooden "Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be". This appears to be so true for Oshawa. Specially for those on our streets. Robert F. Kennedy - “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Sadly in the meantime... Our citizens are passing away from drug overdose. Our children can’t afford to purchase new homes. Crime is at an all time high. The homeless are living on our streets. Failure has a price and Oshawa voters will have to live with this on their conscious. Henry Ford - “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” It appears that Oshawa has not learned... and I hope that is not the case and that Oshawa does not care. To all across the region that put their names forward. Successful or not. You should all be proud of the effort for having the guts to put your name forward and at the least try. In my opinion this is the ultimate license to opinion. As it is up to all of us to become involved in the governance process. Without involvement we become numbers in a machine. Much like what is taking place in Oshawa. Citizens are treated like a number and far from with respect. The more we shy from asking questions the more we surrender our rights and the more they are abused against us. Policy, procedure, convenience all tools that are set forth to benefit that of which set them. As a people we need to stop being a number and ask for more accountability. We need to instill and demand that standards be set. The minimum requirements be set in the customer service realm. Congratulation to all that achieved their goals. To all that have come up short. Be proud that you did not fear the challenge and hopefully you learned from the experience.

The Public Service and taxpayers' money

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East It is well known that in Canada we have three level of government: municipal, provincial and federal. It is also well known that we only have one taxpayer to pay taxes for all of them. As a matter of common sense, one would expect that public money be spent responsibly in the interest of the citizens and the country to improve life. Then we would expect the Public Service at all levels of government to employ qualified people who apply the highest ethical standards to the managing of the public purse. Unfortunately, lately it has become increasingly obvious that this is not the case. In fact, employment in the Public Service is ballooning at all levels of governments at an unprecedented rate, while care of the taxpayer, aka the judicious spending of public money for our benefit, is more and more diminished. Take for example, the federal Public Service. It is estimated that $15 billion was spent on outsourcing last year alone, yet the federal Public Service is also growing in leaps and bounds. One must realistically ask, where the expertise and the work of the public service is, if they cannot do more of the work in house? As it always happens when some dirt is unveiled, apparently a parliamentary committee is trying to unpack the $15-billion black hole of spending that federal departments spent on outsource contracting. Based on my experience of parliamentary committees, I am not sure how much progress MPs will make with four hearings of two hours each, in uncovering and untangling the web of a well protected mismanagement and obvious incompetence. Here is the big question for MPs on the government operations and estimates committee: why is the public service growing in leaps and bounds while outsourcing is exploding right alongside that growth in the bureaucracy? Common sense eh…. MPs want to know if taxpayers are getting value for money using all these contractors. They have become a "shadow" or ghost public service that can dodge the staffing rules bureaucrats have to follow. My prediction is that the MPs will not get any satisfactory answers to their questions, only a lot of rhetoric to justify the expense…. A Carleton University research team has been digging into contracts to get a handle on how many billions are spent and on what. Last year, it estimated the government spent $15 billion, of which $4.7 billion was on IT contracts. They also found that a big part of costs are amendments to contracts, which clearly points to a hidden incompetence. About 272,075 contracts have been active since 2017-18. About 16 per cent of them have been amended at least once. These amendments added $25.6 billion to the original cost. Was anybody held to account???…. Here are some interesting findings: On average: Contract duration is about 10 months and is worth $423,000 (for contracts over $10,000). Longest: 34.8 years (June 2015 to March 2050 for the consortium to replace the Champlain Bridge in Montreal). Really????? The Confederation bridge was build in 4 years……. Biggest: $5.7 billion to Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions for office building management. ArriveCAN: A head-scratching revelation that the cost of the much-reviled ArriveCAN app is on track to hit $54 million. Stunned, app developers say it could have been done for about $1 million. One should ask why there is a shortage of app developers in government and why there is a shortage of the right skills despite the increased hiring of personnel. Is the Public Service hiring the wrong skills? There is definitively a question of value for money when both contracting and hiring is increasing but services don't seem to be getting any better. We saw a summer of delays for processing passports, immigration applications and throughput at airports. One should ask the government: What steps are being taken to ensure that the quality of the service to the public and to other government departments is at the forefront? Although the Treasury Board is the employer and rule-maker, the actual authority for contracting and human resources has been turned over to deputy ministers, the public servants who manage their departments. The question is: Does Treasury Board have any role apart from setting a general framework? And as guardian of the public purse does it ever follow up on any of the contracts that are sent out? Another question that arises from these issues: When will the auditor-general audit Treasury Board's guide for cost estimation and "make or buy" decisions? What goes on at the provincial as well as the municipal level should also be investigated. We need to make the people handling our money realize, that it is important that public money be spent responsibly. I conclude that outsourcing means higher costs and lower quality services for Canadians. It erodes transparency, accountability and the institutional knowledge of the Public Service. What do you think?

Playing House

My wife and I are newlyweds, and we have had our first fight. We were out of town on vacation. To make a long story short, we got on each other's nerves due to the flight delays. After a huge argument, we came home separately. She wants a divorce after only three months of marriage. She is a dominant person, a spoiled brat, a daddy's girl, and a Leo by zodiac. By nature, I am an impatient person and a Taurus. I am not now in our home and desperately want to reconcile. I suggested counseling, but does that really help? She is stubborn, difficult to talk to, and easily annoyed. For the last week, all I have been doing is annoying her. I decided to give her some time alone. Am I doing the right thing? She has these inner demons when she gets angry, and I don't know how to approach her. Reuben Reuben, years ago Wayne had a landlady named Margaret Richter. Margaret was a spry 90 when he first knew her. One day she looked Wayne square in the eye and said, "I don't believe in divorce. I believe in a fight to the finish!" It looks like your bride kayoed you in the first round. Don't look to the stars for a solution. The reasons for your problems are earth-bound. This separation allows her to resume being a spoiled girl, not a woman interested in going 15 rounds with you. The party is over. She wasn't looking for marriage. She wanted the excitement of the proposal, engagement, wedding, honeymoon, and vacation. Three months later, with little provocation, she wants a divorce. Has she already calculated it's been long enough to keep the wedding gifts? An honest confrontation is the only thing likely to lead to an honest conclusion. My guess is she would rather be Daddy's little girl than your wife. Tamara Another Man's Wife For three years, I have worked with a woman, and we have been great friends. There were more feelings discussed earlier, but she was betrothed to another and followed through on that commitment. Since then, she says, although there are fleeting moments of happiness, her overall marriage is not happy. She does not get the treatment any woman deserves from a husband, though I admit my viewpoint is biased. Since she married, I have pursued other relationships. All ended in disaster. Each time I fall back on the feelings I have for her, and even now, she admits she has feelings for me. It appears she is afraid to leave her husband and is waiting for yet another hurtful thing from him before making any move. I don't want to take on the appearance of a marriage breaker, but this man is certainly not her other half. She knows how deep my feelings run, and that I'd wait for her if I knew she would be there in the end. I'm not sure what her intentions are. Will she get fed up and leave him? What do I do, be the passive friend or aggressive pursuer? Edward Edward, the comedienne Carol Burnett once played a woman waiting for her married lover to divorce his wife. After each rendezvous, Burnett grows older. Finally, the man divorces his wife and rushes to her apartment. As usual, she is waiting by the door for him. He thrusts the door open, knocking her through an open window. When he looks around, he doesn't see her, so he rushes out and marries another woman. In the last scene, the man returns to Burnett, his old lover, expecting to cheat on his new wife with her. This woman at work enjoys your interest, pursuit, and shared confidences. She enjoys receiving foreplay from you, but she is married to another. You are allowing your life to be held hostage by another man's wife. Wayne & Tamara Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com

Have a Little Laugh When Angry

W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones The iconic Marvin The Martian from Looney Tunes, frustrated by Bugs Bunny in his efforts to blow up Earth, would quickly walk away declaring, “You make me very, very angry.” He offered kids an entertaining lesson in how to handle heated confrontations. A refresher course for adults would be a good prescription. How people manage anger can make a big difference for personal health and much more. Anger, itself, is not always a negative thing. Anger can be a natural and useful emotional response to perceived wrongs. For example, getting angry can be highly motivational. Individuals can deploy anger to break a bad habit and groups can work together in the same way. The #MeToo movement rallied collective anger against injustice to achieve social change. But poorly managed anger is decidedly not good for one’s health – and probably not good for the well-being of everyone else around. Teaching children the tools for anger control is not only about hushing up their outbursts. Researchers have found that kids lacking the ability to cope with frustrations tend to have more problem relationships in their adult lives. They also have more physical and mental health issues. Studies have also shown that people who are chronically angry suffer greater rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, headaches, skin disorders and digestive problems. Dr. Chris Aiken of Wake Forest University School of Medicine is an expert on natural and lifestyle approaches to health promotion. “In the two hours after an angry outburst, the chance of having a heart attack doubles,” he says. Anger increases the likelihood of stroke. If you are unlucky enough to have aneurysms in the arteries of the brain, it’s best to “keep calm and carry on”. One study found six times higher risk of rupture following an angry outburst. Research has also shown that angry people get sick more frequently due to negative impacts of stress on their immune systems. What can you do when you find yourself furious? First, take a clue from Marvin The Martian and leave the scene. Calming down needs to take precedence. Second, figure out what is causing the anger. Get to the root of the matter. It’s recommended that you talk with someone – a trusted friend or a trained professional – to validate your thinking. Third, develop an action plan that either fixes the issues or builds coping mechanisms. Incorporating comedy into anger management is a strategy deserving mention. The evidence shows it works. Another children’s program, Sesame Street, was shaped by psychologists intent on applying research to skits performed by puppeteers. Kermit the Frog had children laughing with his outrageous tirade on Cookie Monster for devouring a happy face. Kids shows are, by design, intended to be entertaining. But the fact that laughing, happy children learn better than disengaged kids has got others thinking about how to use laughter with adults needing to learn about more serious issues. Climate change scientists angry by the slow pace of action have adopted comedy as a tactic. A group of comedians have come together to form the Climate Comedy Cohort. They acknowledge research linking anger with comedy to motivate change. “Comedy is uniquely persuasive and attention-getting when it comes to serious issues like the climate crisis,” they note. Their work offers audiences levity – in itself a good thing. But their ultimate goal, they say, is “to leverage humor as a strategy to change the climate narrative from doom and gloom to ‘we’ve got this!’—and shift how people see their role in clean energy.” Next time your anger flares up, it’s good to know you have options. 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

OSHAWA -EINSTEIN SAID IT BEST “Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results”

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. With less than one week. The big question before us will the people of Oshawa make the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? When you speak of the realities of our City. People jump to concussions and assume it is negativity. NO IT IS REALITY. The reality of things is that people keep electing that had already served in council on a name recognition basis. Not on achievements, accomplishments and contributions to the community they want to serve. Many of the incumbents are careered politicians that in some cases are nothing but fluffing pensions on your dime and other could not get equivalent paid position in any other corporation. So it is put on your best suit on. Brush them pearlies and do a lot of praying that someone in your family has a recognizable name. I remember the Aker family name. The sitting councillor partially retired and his daughter put her name ran on the Aker name and won. Not till after the election did the electoral realized they been fooled. People please stop making the same thing time and time again and expect a different outcome. The future of our City is on the line. The future of your children. The safety and health of our community and that of our families is on the line. I can stand at any given corner and yell caution. But will that do any good? Then how do we get through? Einstein famous words include, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Think about this for a moment. Our current Mayor had his chance to do something for the city. Natural growth is not of his design but on natural over population. Much like in Carter's word during the recent debate. The proof is in the pudding. Then if so. Take a walk downtown Oshawa. Do you feel safe? Talk to any merchant of the core and ask them two questions. 1. When was the last time you seen the Mayor walk in to your shop and ask you how your business was doing? 2. Do you feel safe in your place of business? We live in one of the world richest countries. Our people are over dosing at a rate of 1 every two nights. People are living on the streets, along ravines. In Einstein's words... we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them. Then should Carter even be considered? He made the problem he was elected to solve worst. What would give anyone the idea that he can accomplish anything different in another four years. The future of Oshawa is on the line. They say we can’t move forward until we respect and appreciate our history. Einstein was not a stupid man. He knew better. Would Einstein have voted for Carter? Would he have voted him for another term? You know the answer. Then why should you prove Einstein theories true? NO TO CARTER.

The Bank of Canada and the Canadian Economy

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In today's high finance driven western world, it is time to take an attentive look at the relationship and influence of the Bank of Canada on the Canadian economy and the wellbeing of Canadians. This institution has a major influence on our lives and we certainly need to update it so that it suits our contemporary needs and has a major responsibility to the elected Parliament. To give a historical perspective, the bank was chartered by and under the Bank of Canada Act on 3 July 1934 and the Bank of Canada began operations on 11 March 1935, following the granting of royal assent to the act The preamble to the act set out bank's purpose: WHEREAS it is desirable to establish a central bank in Canada to regulate credit and currency in the best interests of the economic life of the nation, to control and protect the external value of the national monetary unit and to mitigate by its influence fluctuations in the general level of production, trade, prices and employment, so far as may be possible within the scope of monetary action, and generally to promote the economic and financial welfare of Canada In practice, however, it has a more narrow and specific internal definition of that mandate: to keep the rate of inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) between 1% and 3% Currently The Bank of Canada is structured as a Crown corporation rather than a government department, with shares held in the name of the minister of finance on behalf of the government. While the Bank of Canada Act provides the minister of finance with the final authority on matters of monetary policy through the power to issue a directive no such directive has ever been issued. The governor and senior deputy governor are appointed by the bank's board of directors. The deputy minister of finance sits on the board of directors but does not have a vote. The bank submits its spending to the board of directors, while departmental spending is overseen by the Treasury Board with their spending estimates submitted to Parliament. The head of the Bank of Canada is the governor. While the law provides the board of directors with the power to appoint the governor, in practice they approve the choice of the government. So the question is, where is the so called independence of the Bank? The governor serves a fixed seven-year term which may be renewed. With the exception of matters of personal conduct ("good behaviour") the Bank of Canada Act does not provide the government with the direct ability to remove a governor during his or her term in office. Certainly this should be changed! In the case of profound disagreement between the government and the Bank, the minister of finance can issue written instructions for the bank to change its policies. To date, this has not happened in the history of the bank. In practice, the governor sets monetary policy independent of the government. From the above we see an institution which acts independently and is not responsible to the elected government or parliament Rather, I need to assume that it follows instructions from an intricate web of similarly created banks such as the Bank of England, the Federal Reserve Bank in the US, and the European Bank etc. with the head of the dragon being the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) owned privately by historically well established financial families. BIS is really the bank which tells national banks what to do and in fact is a super national organization which dictates governments. But nobody of the elites seems to bother… Let us now look at the latest Bank of Canada decisions. With the exception of the Conservative opposition leader, no attention was paid to the Bank of Canada's latest actions and its failed duties to Canadians. Inflation is high because there are too many dollars and too few goods to buy. The Trudeau government kept spending galore on pandemic related "relief" programs, and the Bank of Canada kept pumping out more and more new money to cover this orgy of government expenditure with no accountability. This rapid, reckless and massive expansion of Canada's money supply has had a profound impact on inflation in this country. According to Bank of Canada numbers, the money supply grew by more than 22% between the start of the pandemic and spring this year. That means more than one in five dollars currently in circulation in Canada didn't exist in pre-pandemic life. When you think about it, that's a staggering amount and all produced electronically…. Considering the responsibility of the government in this matter, and that of the Minister of Finance, we can see that they worked in tandem and in gross incompetence. And who has to pay for it? You and me. International supply chain issues also contributed but not as much as domestic blunders. While the Trudeau government and the Bank of Canada have spent more than a year denying any blame for inflation, the truth of the matter is that the single biggest cause of Canada's inflation is the tsunami of extra cash the government and the bank pumped into the economy. That money is still sloshing around out there. It's also one of the biggest reasons housing prices have skyrocketed: There are hundreds of billions of dollars on the market and a limited supply of housing. The Trudeau Liberals spent almost $400 billion on pandemic subsidies - by far the most, per capita, in the developed world. They didn't have an extra $400 billion to spend. They didn't tax an extra $400 billion from Canadians. What they did was issue bonds in that amount and because there weren't enough private or institutional investors interested, the Bank of Canada chipped in and created enough new money to cover Justin Trudeau's massive overspending. Even though the bank has repeatedly claimed that it wasn't responsible for inflation, its staff had to know that all this extra money flooding the economy would lead to way too much money chasing goods. While Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has been reluctant to accept his institution's complicity in the worst inflation in 40 years, at least he is now finally admitting that our inflation is homegrown. One has to ask where the Minister of Finance was in this concerning situation. Wasn't it her duty to oversee the Bank and show leadership? Apparently not, as the Minister is more interested in globalist issues led by World Economic Forum (WEF) where she is on the Board of Directors, than national interests. Of course, rather than pointing the finger at his own bank, Governor Macklem blames businesses. Not the bank but those foolish entrepreneurs and greedy workers are responsible for the high inflation! Let's face it. The bank and the government created this inflation and now they are expecting ordinary Canadians to pay for it with higher interest rates, higher prices, lower growth, lower wages, a devalued currency, eroding savings and a general decline in the standard of living. Don't you think it's time to reform the Bank of Canada?

Job Searches Are Full of Uncontrollable Factors

By Nick Kossovan "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." - Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr. The following scenario is probably familiar to you. Several years ago, I interviewed for what I believed was my dream job, overseeing a well-known consumer goods company's contact center. My preparation for the interview was intense. Even though I was nervous on the morning of the big day, I felt prepared. I was at ease with my interviewer. My charismatic personality helped me establish a strong relationship with him. For 10 minutes, we talked about our mutual love for golf. All the signals pointed to me being in. I left the interview feeling confident I'd be getting a call back or better yet a job offer. Instead, the next day I got an e-mail thanking me for my time... you know the rest. I was crushed and disappointed beyond words. Years later, now that I've made 1,000s of hires, I realize I wasn't selected because I lacked the experience or skills. I wasn't chosen because I wasn't a fit. When job searching-looking for a new employer-it's tempting to compare your job search to shopping for a new car or booking a vacation. You envision researching all the jobs available, picking the best, and it'll be yours. However, job hunting involves many variables beyond your control, including the positions currently available, your competition, and even your interviewer's mood. Focusing on the parts you can control will produce much better job search results. (READ: Getting more "Yes!") As for everything outside your control, admit they're uncontrollable and don't take rejections personally. Here are three things you can't control during your job search: 1. Who's hiring is beyond your control. When the job search gods are smiling, your network or a job board presents you with a perfect job, employer, and location. However, most of the time, you're constantly refreshing job boards and contacting your network, hoping to see or hear of a suitable opportunity. You conjure up the right job and employer to suddenly become available. However, you have control over your efforts. Your job search will only progress if you devote enough time to it, which is no less than 6 hours daily if you're unemployed. Yes, some people seem to have jobs land in their lap. Such people have embraced the value of cultivating, and maintaining, an extensive professional network. They are active on LinkedIn and regularly update their profile. Personal branding is something they take seriously. Consistent effort pays off! Instead of envying those you think have it easier than you or have the success you wish you had, ask yourself what they're doing that you're not. 2.You can't control the job market. The job market has always been in flux, but the World Health Organization declaring the COVID pandemic on March 11, 2020, has thrown it into even greater turmoil. Technology, AI, robotics, offshoring, wars, supply chain problems, and pandemics are all out of your control. All these activities and numerous others create economic shifts that directly impact your job search. However, you can control how you react to the current job market. Understanding the forces influencing the job market can help you target your job search and anticipate which industry is expanding and which are contracting. Additionally, you can better determine if and how your skills are transferrable to a new, growing industry. 3. You can't control whom you're competing against. Regardless of your age, you'll always have to contend with someone younger, more skilled, and hungrier than you. (I know that truisms hurt.) Often your competition is more qualified, charismatic, and articulate than you. A few months after my heartbreaking rejection, using LinkedIn, I looked up who'd been hired. After reading her profile, I thought to myself, "I would've hired her." She had 5 years more experience than me and a better pedigree of past employers. (Yes, the employers you have worked for do influence hiring managers.) However, you have control over your preparation. Stressing about your competition is counterproductive. Instead, focus on being well-prepared. Practice, practice, practice! Interviews are essentially sales meetings. Speaking about yourself, your past achievements, and your strengths, in other words selling yourself, can feel unnatural. Practice, either by yourself or with a friend, talking about yourself as if you're a product employers must have to improve their business, whether it be increasing revenue, efficiency, or savings. Another thing that's beyond your control, the hiring manager's final decision. However, you can control how you react and respond to rejection. I believe that for every "No" you receive, you're closer to a "Yes." View your job search as a competition. (Believe me, it is.) Identify what you have control over and maximize them to give yourself every advantage, and that "Yes" you're after isn't far off. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

DOA DEBATE CARTER TURNS RED AND RUNS AWAY

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. Talk about 50 shades of gray... this was more like 50 shades of red. Ok let me back it up. This past week the Chamber of Commerce in its attempt to save face as the traditional debate failed with great style and grace. Originally it was to take place at a local restaurant at 7:30am at a cost of $27. This was met with opposition. One to early on a week day the other people did not want to pay $27 dollars for a breakfast. Instead the Chamber pulled a 180 and opted for no debate. No public. Just the Mayoral candidates. Mayoral candidates were invited to attend Rogers community TV studio for a live on air Q&A. The recording can be viewed if you go to ingino.org and scroll down. The Q&A was an early morning turkey shoot. The question loaded and the mayor spewing statistics like a champ. He attempted to take credit for natural growth. Meanwhile not acknowledging all the opportunities he missed. Not to mention addressing the serious and in peril condition our downtown is in. According to Carter the City has never done better. Quality of life according to him could not be better. At one point I had to wake up Sara as she sat to my left. A question was asked and she just sat there. I had to call her name so that she realized that a question was pending. Sara’s priority for the city appeared to revolve around a dog park downtown and nature path. She clearly showed that she lacks the experience of running a business. By her own admittance on the broadcast she admits not to have answers to some issues. She goes on as stating that Sara has approached city many times and the City has ignored every request. She clearly has not been effective as a civilian she will surely not be effective as a mayor with no real life experience. Near the end of the broadcast... Carter goes on how he is law abiding citizen... blah, blah only to be questioned on why he broke his own bylaws by posting his election signs prior to the allotted time. Some law abiding person. Some leader. Great example. Not to mention a police investigation. During Carter break of the law. He was filmed by a citizen. In the film. You can clearly see Carter walking up and attempt to push back the camera man. Subsequently the camera man suffered injury and has filed a complaint with Durham Regional Police. The question I ask is... Would you hire Sara or Carter to run any corporation? Have they ever had a business or filled the role they seek election for? Sara a clerk at an electrical contractor. Carter a careered free loader. Is this what I am running against? Should I even have to campaign. Proven leadership. Proven successful business. PEOPLE IT IS TIME. LET’S TAKE OUR CITY BACK.

Canada on the way to recession

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The fall is upon us; the trees are changing colors as the landscape gets ready for the upcoming winter. We are moving towards the winter blues as a dark cloud rises on the horizon; the certainly an upcoming recession. Canada faces growing economic headwinds as key trading partners teeter on the brink of recession, piling worries about trade and commodity prices on top of concerns about the domestic economy. Global growth is being hit on multiple fronts. Central banks around the world, led by the U.S. Federal Reserve, are raising interest rates at the fastest pace in decades - intentionally slowing their economies, ostensibly, to fight inflation. The European energy crisis escalated this week, with the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines that ship gas from Russia to Europe. Meanwhile, Britain is in the midst of a currency and bond market meltdown, which pushed the Bank of England to intervene in markets and warn of a "material risk to U.K. financial stability. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said earlier this week it expects the world economy to be US$ 2.8-trillion smaller in 2023 than it projected a year ago. And things could get a lot worse, the OECD warned, if a cold winter in Europe leads to energy rationing and new gas supplies fail to materialize. Increasing taxes, skyrocketing government debt, expanding regulations, soaring inflation and rising interest rates. Does that sound like Canada today? In fact these were the practices that defined Pierre Trudeau's tenure as prime minister in the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually culminating in a near crisis. Today, we are heading for a similar situation with accelerated speed, as well as facing an international crisis. Without any fresh ideas, the current Trudeau, Justin, as Prime Minister, is taking a similar approach to the economy. The worsening of the economic situation internally added to the global trade chain disruptions will certainly have a disastrous effect on our economy. At the end who will be impacted in Canada? Certainly not the elite or the inefficient and overblown civil service. It is the ordinary Canadians who will suffer, with no relief in sight. Despite repeated assurances from the governing Liberals I predict that the recession will be severe and will take place once the new year, 2023, starts. According to new data from Statistics Canada, the Canadian economy grew by a modest 0.1 per cent in July. Their estimates, however, show economic growth stagnating in August, when the annual inflation rate reached 7.0 per cent, down from a high of 8.1 per cent in June. The signs are there and Canada's cooling housing market will play a significant role in that slowing. The latest Statistics Canada figures show output from real estate agents and brokers dropping 3.4 per cent in July, down for the fifth consecutive month and this trend will certainly continue. Since peaking in February of this year, home sales across the country have declined 31% and prices have fallen 17%. With its itchy fingers on the panic button and claiming to fight inflation, the Bank of Canada raised interest rates to 3.25 per cent on Sept. 7, which has contributed to the cooling of the housing market. The increase followed a full percentage point hike in July, which was the largest single rate increase in Canada since August 1998. The Bank of Canada began hiking interest rates in March, after they fell to 0.25 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some economists predict the next interest rate hike will come on Oct. 26 and it will likely be six, nine, or even 12 months before we start to see the Bank cutting rates again because they'll want to be certain that they brought inflation under control. In these circumstances, it is the Bank of Canada, an independent entity from the Government of Canada, that will dictate economic policy, rather than the government. Connected to a web of international banking interests led by the Bank of International Settlement (BIS) it is difficult to predict their future actions. With economic growth slowing, the job market across Canada will weaken, likely raising the unemployment rate. Slowing growth in the United States will also weigh on Canada's economy in the months ahead based on our close economic relations. Eventually the crucial variable for Canada is what will happen in the United States. There, the outlook has darkened over the past weeks as the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) doubled down on its efforts to curb demand in the U.S. economy and get prices under control. The Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.75 percentage points last week, to a range of 3 per cent to 3.25 per cent. The rate hike was expected. But updated projections showed policy makers expect to push the Fed Funds rate to between 4 per cent and 4.5 per cent by the end of the year - considerably higher than previously forecast. "That (in fact) materially raises the risks that the U.S. economy has a hard landing. And if the U.S. has a hard landing, I think it's very hard for Canada not to have one as well," said Craig Alexander, chief economist at Deloitte Canada. Beyond the U.S., the growth picture is even more dire. China's economy is expected to grow at the slowest pace in decades this year (excluding 2020 and the COVID-19 shock), as the country struggles with strict pandemic-control measures and a real estate crash. In Europe, the war in Ukraine and Russian sanctions have sent natural gas and electricity prices soaring. That's squeezing consumers and making energy-intensive businesses unprofitable, pushing many European Union countries, as well as Britain, toward a period of stagflation: the painful combination of low growth and high inflation. The OECD now expects the euro area to grow just 0.3 per cent in 2023, down from a projection of 1.6-per-cent growth in June. The German economy is expected to contract 0.7 per cent next year, while the British economy is expected to post no growth. So in conclusion, with a Liberal government at the helm, that seems to have no real sense of the economy and seems oblivious to these other complicated issues, we can expect to face hard times ahead. So keep your chin up, and take care of your families as best you can.

WEEKS AWAY

By Karrie Lynn Dymond ward 5 City Councillor Hello everyone, my name is Karrie Lynn Dymond. As a new face in municipal politics. I hope to bring you people based type of representation. Well folks it is a couple of weeks before we find out how the people voted. Everyone I meet I tell them to get out and vote... of course with a little bias in my voice as I hope they vote for me. People are funny sometimes as they may say sure, sure and then they don’t even turn out to vote. I understand the frustration of casting a single vote and time and time again your candidate does not get in. After a bit it can get frustrating and discouraging. But people this time around it is different. We all have to make a difference. Our future depends on it. From the Mayor’s position right down the line. We need change. We need real people representing real people. I like to think that I fill that bill to a tee. I am a hard working individual. I value every dollar I make and promise to carry over the same spending principles. I want to bring municipal government back to the people. People like you and m e. Is that not a refreshing idea. Plus I like to assure that every tax dollar is wisely spent. I want to review where we can cut on waste and reinvest back into the community in a positive and constructive way. Everyone seems to have an issue with the condition of our downtown. There is no question that something needs to be done. We can’t continue with the rampant use of drugs. People sleeping on our sidewalks. We need leadership in this City that will address this very serious problem. I like to think I can contribute to the process and alleviate the problem. I can’t wait. A couple of more weeks and we will have the results. Please remember to vote. With your vote we can free ourselves from the current situation. Thank You.

Employers and Your Ego Are Constantly at Odds Over Your Value

By Nick Kossovan When considering the value of an item from a holistic perspective and through the philosophical lenses of existentialism, you realize an item has no value until someone is willing to pay for it, whether it's a Porsche 911 GT3, a 26th floor condo in Vancouver, a cup of Starbucks coffee or pair of Levi's jeans. Have you ever bought an item, a leather jacket, for example, for $400 and then a month later, it was on sale for $250? The retailer reduced the price of the leather jacket because the number of customers willing to pay $400 had dwindled to the point where it wasn't selling. Taking this analogy further, the jackets that ended up not selling had no value. Value doesn't simply exist. Value is assigned by supply and demand-demand being the keyword. The value of your skills and experience on the job market is determined by how much employers are willing to pay for them, which constantly fluctuates. It's no secret most employees feel underpaid. The perception is mostly personal, based on: - Your assessment of your worth, which is highly subjective, and - The amount of money you need for the lifestyle you created. Neither is relevant. In general, compensation isn't arbitrary. A job's value is determined by: - Job-specific educational requirements - Skillset required - Experience level - Responsibilities - Location Additionally, those who criticize what employers are offering them never think about the scenario that the employer may have ten employees currently earning $65,000, whereas you want $75,000. It would cause turmoil to hire you at your asking salary. "Getting paid what you're worth!" has become a popular sentiment. In reality, though, the value you place on yourself and the value employers in your region are willing to pay you are two entirely different perspectives. Recently, someone asked me if I felt underpaid. "Nope," I replied, "I'm getting paid the amount I agreed to when I joined my employer." I have never understood nor empathized with people who accept jobs and then complain about the pay. Your ego and sense of entitlement may have convinced you that you deserve $75,000, but you may find that employers disagree with your value assessment. Anyone with a slight sense of business acumen understands an employee's compensation needs to correlate with the value they bring to their employer. Hiring involves taking a candidate's words at face value, especially regarding their work ethic, past results, and ability to work well with others. Gut feel plays a significant role during interviews. Skills and aptitude can be tested, but only to a certain extent. A hiring manager can only do so much due diligence (multiple interviews, testing, reference checks). Work ethic, ability to achieve results, having the skills they claimed, and being a team player are only proven or disproven after a new hire starts. Most of the tension between job seekers and employers results from job seekers expecting employers to pay them "their value" for abilities that they haven't actually proven. In contrast, an employer's best interest is to mitigate hiring risks by starting new hires at the low end of their budgeted salary range. There're 2 types of candidates: 1. Unemployed 2. Employed Those employed should not accept a starting salary less than 20% higher than their current salary. Unless your motivation is other than money, it's not worth the stress of starting a new job and reproving yourself for your current salary. On the other hand, if you're jobless, your income is $0. Unless the compensation offered is insultingly low, I don't suggest you try and negotiate for the starting salary (WARNING: Brutal truth ahead.) you made up based on what you think of yourself. Financially and emotionally, having no job and, therefore, no income is a worst-case scenario for many. I know you're now asking, "But Nick, how will I get the compensation I feel I deserve if I accept what I'm offered?" Whether employed or not, you need to prove your worth, which requires the following: 1. Getting the job (Proving your worth is impossible without a job.), and 2. Negotiate and get in writing that upon achieving specific metrics, milestones, revenue targets, or whatever else you can think of, within your first six months, you'll get a 15% salary increase or whatever percentage you feel appropriate. IMPORTANT: I can't stress enough to be sure your employment offer letter includes everything you and the hiring manager discussed and agreed to. Number two makes it much easier for an employer to say "Yes" to you since they aren't taking all the risks of hiring you at a salary you want and then finding out you can't deliver. Offering this option demonstrates you're confident in your skills and abilities and aren't afraid to prove them. Who would you choose if you had two more-or-less equally qualified candidates to choose from and one of the candidates offered you the option of proving their worth before getting the salary they feel they deserve? -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

I came back

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central 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. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. 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 and earn. 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. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I 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 must tell you about something personal that has happened to me just a few weeks ago. I was rushed to the hospital. According to paramedics. I was dead. During my trip to the hospital. I experience the strangest thing. I could see me out of my body. I could see myself lie there as the ambulance workers kept working on me. I went through a series of images that were very calming. During my experience, something told me to take a breath... Forcefully, telling me to breath as i gain my breath. According to the doctor. I had developed sever pneumonia, cutting oxygen to my brain. This cause me to have a series of mini strokes. The doctor could not believe that I came back. Well I came back and let me tell you. Appreciate every moment and everyone in your life... As easy as that it can all be gone. During this election. Remember you may never be around for ever. This is why you have to do what is right and vote for the future of your children. I ENDORSE JOE INGINO FOR MAYOR OF OSHAWA IN 2022 VOTE INGINO

WHO IS TAKING THE SIGNS

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. Let this be a notice to anyone tampering or removing election signs. You are breaking the law and could face serious criminal consequences. Tampering with or stealing/moving/storing election signs is an offense under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Elections Act, and anyone caught doing so can be facing charges, including mischief to property or theft under $5,000- which has a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Candidates beware the other day I received a phone call from an idiot that is removing signs in Columbus by the name of Stephen LaForest. He was very friendly but forceful. He informed me to remove my signs as they were on private property and that if I did not removed them that he would take them and that I could go pick them up from his house. After careful investigation. It appears that this character is working some how in conjunction with Rosemary McConkey. This LaForest is going around misrepresenting himself as the agent for property owners and demanding to remove signs or else he will. This is against the Criminal Code. Since his attempt. A police report has been filed against him and he has been warned that if he does it again that there will serious consequences. It is not bad enough that we have some vigilante by the name of Larry Jr. going around painting business signs. Now this. Wonna be by law municipal officer. So far to my count I have had over 130 signs gone missing from roadways. Is this democracy? No this is petty thiefs working on behalf of crooked incumbents. New candidates would never pull this as they are way to busy just learning the process. What is wrong with people now a days. Cheating is the way to go about winning? Look at the mayor and Tito - putting up signs and violating the same by-law they are supposed to be upholding. What role models. What leadership. We need to rid of both of these character from municipal office. Tito just recently in a phone conversation with a constituent made it public that he has been involved in city contracts without going to bid or tenders. Is this even legal? To boot Tito turns around and files to police a complaint that the person that recorded him threaten him somehow. Pathetic. Tito and Carter have to go. They both have proven to lack leadership quality. They are both in it for themselves. Look at Tito once the head of the Liberal party align himself to Carter a conservative backed candidate so that in the next election he can run for mayor . We have to put a stop to dirty politics. We have to bring municipal government back to the people of Oshawa. Vote Ingino for real change and proven leadership.

Celebrating Thanksgiving 2022

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The air is getting colder, the pumpkins are getting bigger, and the trees are becoming more beautiful as their foliage turns colorful with the onset of the Canadian Fall. As we approach our Thanksgiving this year, it is important to reflect on where and why this traditional celebration has come to be. It holds a special place in our hearts, and gives each of us the opportunity to take a moment in which we give thanks for what we have, and consider those who have less. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year we are confronted with many serious issues: social, political and economic. Despite all the problems we must face today, the one beacon of hope we can surely aspire to, is to celebrate Thanksgiving with our immediate family. While it may not be easy this year, taking time to be grateful for the simple things in life is vitally important. It is true that the Covid-19 pandemic, now finally over, has put a strain on our day to day relations, but I hope it is also true that we will come out of this pandemic stronger in our beliefs and in our humanity. Let us transition for a moment to the positive in our lives and try to celebrate and reflect on the full meaning of the Thanksgiving celebration as we enjoy it with our family. We can all use a little serenity in our lives these days, when we are faced with negativity on all fronts. So let us briefly look at the history of our Canadian Thanksgiving. First of all let us consider the meaning of Thanksgiving. It is the celebration of being thankful for what one has and the bounty of the previous year. It is deeply rooted in our countries' (Canada and US) early history and traditions. For many Canadians this upcoming long weekend really kicks off the autumn season. People across the country will spend it raking leaves, harvesting, shutting down the family cabin, and hopefully eating a delicious meal surrounded by friends and family. The fact that we in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving earlier, has been attributed to the earlier onset of winter in the North, thus ending the harvest season earlier. Thanksgiving in Canada did not have a fixed date until the late 19th century. According to historians, the first celebration of Thanksgiving in North America occurred during the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England in search of the Northwest Passage. The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are also sometimes traced to the French settlers who came to New France in the 17th century, and celebrated their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season and continued throughout the winter season, even sharing food with the indigenous peoples of the area. As settlers arrived in Nova Scotia from New England after 1700, late autumn Thanksgiving celebrations became commonplace. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish, and Germans, also added their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the US aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated into our Canadian Thanksgiving rituals when United Empire Loyalists began to settle in Canada, fleeing from the United States during the American Revolution.. Prior to Canadian Confederation, many of the individual colonial governors of the Canadian provinces had declared their own days of Thanksgiving. The first official Canadian Thanksgiving occurred on April 15, 1872, when the nation celebrated the Prince of Wales' recovery from a serious illness. By the end of the 19th century, Thanksgiving Day was normally celebrated on November 6th. However, when World War I ended, the Armistice Day holiday was usually held during the same week. To prevent the two holidays from clashing with one another, in 1957 the Canadian Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on its present date on the second Monday of October. On January 31, 1957, the Governor General of Canada, Vincent Massey, issued a proclamation stating: "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed - to be observed on the second Monday in October." In preparing the roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, various autumn vegetables (mainly various kinds of squashes but also Brussels sprouts), and pumpkin pie, we need to reflect on the fact that we are blessed to live in Canada and we need to uphold the values and traditions this country was founded on. Those treasured values have drawn many people to settle in this country with the dream of having individual freedom, respect, fairness and responsibility guaranteed for all. Let's continue to build Canada together for a better future. We also need to remember that this year our Thanksgiving celebrations are marred by a post Fiona hurricane which devastated our people in Atlantic Canada and a world which has become more dangerous than ever before. We may be worried about keeping our family and friends safe. Nevertheless, we will do well to think positive and celebrate. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

How Pathetic

By Ahmad Formuly Ward 1 City Councillor Candidate for Oshawa I like to begin this column by thanking The Central for inviting me to write a weekly column to all readers. This I believe is a great service to the community at large. Most voters when faced with an election know very little about those running. Specially the new candidates. From now until the election I hope to take advantage of this feature and address many of the issues that matter to Oshawa and the ward I will be representing. Just this past week I have been out in full force putting out my signs. As such and on a limited budget as most new candidates have to carefully place my signs strategically. Sadly I received a call from a local man by the name of Stephen LaForest. He was very friendly but forceful. He informed me to remove my signs as they were on private property and that if I did not removed them that he would take them and that I could go pick them up from his house. I thought this to be odd. The man claimed that he represented the land owner. When asked the names of the land owners he refused to provide. This seemed a bit strange. I consulted a good friend of mine that has extensive knowledge in this matter and he informed me that no citizen without authorization can remove signs from any property other then that of their own. That anyone removing election signs from any property other than that of their own is in breach of federal law. Furthermore. No person shall act as a bylaw officer and or practice such practices. If my signs were on private property and the land owner selected not to have them there they have two options. 1. To contact City bylaw. 2. Contact me directly. The fact that a third party calls me without proof of authorization in working as an agent for any land owner is one a fraud... as this Mr. LaForest is misrepresenting himself. Secondly, this Mr. LaForest has no legal right to touch, tamper, alter and or remove any municipal signs as that is a break of federal law. RCMP across the country are reminding people that it’s still a criminal offense to tamper with election signs. Tampering with or stealing/moving/storing election signs is an offense under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Elections Act, and anyone caught doing so can be facing charges, including mischief to property or theft under $5,000- which has a maximum penalty of two years in prison. I further had discussions with Mr. Russo that is also running in the same ward. He expressed concern that many of his signs have gone missing in the past weeks. He was also contacted by the same individual. According to Mr. Ingino running for Mayor. In discussion with Theresa Anne Corless, she disclosed her concern over stolen signs. In Mr. LaForest message on Mr. Ingino phone stated that on two of the properties that LaForest demanded for signs to be removed. Rosemary McConkey the third candidate of that ward according to LaForest she had permission. Question 1. How does LaForest know that McConkey has permission. Could this be a ploy by McConkey? What a coincidence that in Ward 1 for City Councillor. Theresa and myself are having signs disappear. That this LaForest is not responsible for making our signs go array. This is cheap politics. If McConkey is involved. Shame on you. After careful discussions with Mr. Ingino and since Mr. Ingino has over 130 signs gone missing. He has a clear message for LaForest. You have no authority to touch any signs or demand the removal of the same. You will be persecuted to the full extend of the law if you continue to attempt to coherce, intimidate or misrepresent yourself in any way. I share the good advice of Mr. Ingino. LaForest govern yourself accordingly.

Ghosting Not Hearing Back is Your Answer

By Nick Kossovan Back in the day, maybe still today, at the end of an audition, Hollywood producers would say, "Don't call us; we'll call you." If you didn't hear back, you didn't get the gig. Not hearing back was your answer. Maybe hiring managers should end their interviews with, "If you don't hear from us by Friday, presume we've moved on to other candidates." I'd prefer to know the interviewer's communication context rather than assuming I'll hear back either way or worse, being told I'll hear back in a few days and not hearing anything. The term ghosting-not hearing back from the company after an interview-was born in the dating world. Recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates are increasingly abruptly ending communication. (Ghosting is happening both ways.) Even though ghosting is considered "unprofessional," I believe it'll eventually be integrated into our social norms, just as many other social norms we accept today were considered unacceptable just a few years ago. Think about all that we accept or tolerate today that weren't accepted or tolerated 20 years ago. I can't recall the last time I wore a tie to an interview, funeral, as a keynote speaker, or meeting with "the powers that be." Visible tattoos aren't frowned upon, and the usage of profanity doesn't raise eyebrows. Today, manners are less pronounced, and people are more prone to being offended, causing everyone to walk around on eggshells, which is why ghosting is increasing. Additionally, a sense of entitlement is prevalent today. Many candidates raised on the idea that "everyone is a winner" react negatively when not chosen. Due to having been verbally bitten several times, it's understandable that employers avoid reaching out to rejected candidates. More than one hiring manager has said to me, "It's easier to not have the conversation than to have it." For better or worse, I'll let you decide. It can't be expected that the downgrading (READ: becoming more casual) of our social mannerisms wouldn't find its way into the workplace. The 20 or 30-something HR manager has an entirely different set of values and definition of what it means to be a professional than the 48-year-old job seeker. Generational clashes are happening. Hiring managers are swamped with applications. Replying to everyone, aside from an automated "We've received your application and will contact you if we feel there's a match," would take more time than they have. Technology one of the reasons recruitment is becoming increasingly discourteous. Here's some straightforward talk: Nobody wants to spend their lifeblood on someone else's business. A person has a job to make a living. For most people, their job is purely transactional. Having a transactional mindset is why movements such as "quiet quitting" and the "F.I.R.E. movement" (Financial Independence, Retire Early), where Gen Z adults extreme save 50% to 75% of their income so they can retire by their 40s or 50s, exist. Therefore, it shouldn't be a surprise that social niceties are being dropped as employers and employees are rapidly moving towards a relationship where each party views the other as a means to an end. Like every job seeker, I've been ghosted. Since I tend to keep my expectations low, sometimes having none, being ghosted has never really bothered me. I'm serious! I don't feel a recruiter or hiring manager owes me a reply after an interview. When I get a follow-up call, which I usually do, it's nice, but it's not something I expect. I attribute my assumption that no one owes me, coupled with my belief that business is never personal, to why I'm motivated to energetically help myself. I believe having the expectation of "I'm owed" is why many job seekers are frustrated with how employers design their hiring process. Most of your job search will involve dealing with strangers who, let's face it, owe you nothing. A fact of life: You can't control someone's behaviour or actions, especially that of a stranger. Acknowledging this fact of life is how you "discipline your disappointment" when someone fails to meet your expectations. Always end your interviews knowing the next step and when to expect to hear back if you're green-lighted to move forward in the hiring process. ("I really enjoyed our conversation. What is the next step, and when can I expect to hear back if I'm selected to move forward?") Once I'm told what to expect, I'll say, "If I don't hear back from you by the end of Friday, I'll presume you've moved on to other candidates." If the get-back-to-you deadline passes, reach out once and then let it go. Some advice I learned in the job search trenches: Always have several pokers in the fire throughout your job search. Don't become dependent on a particular employer offering you a job. Having other job opportunities in your pipeline will help you move on from being ghosted. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 Wire

By Karrie Lynn Dymond ward 5 City Councillor Hello everyone, my name is Karrie Lynn Dymond. As a new face in municipal politics. I hope to bring you people based type of representation. Representation that matters to you. That impact our daily life in positive and dynamic way. My life experience in the community has given me first hand glimpses at the impact decision have on the daily lives of our citizens. For this reason I am looking forward to becoming your Ward 5 representative. I am really excited as we enter the last 20 days or so of the campaign. My signs are out in full force. Please let me know if you like one. I love to get one out on your front yard. Showing all of Oshawa that you are ready for change. The right kind of change. Change by one of you. A hard working tax payer that knows the value of a dollar earned. I may not have all the answer all the time. But I can assure you that I will work very hard to find them and bring you only results. In the past few years we have had to come to the reality that our country is suffering economically. Normally we would have said. It can never happen here. Canada is one of the richest countries in the world. Well, it appears that we are now facing a very serious problem when it comes to the well being and economics of the average person. More and more are becoming homeless and more and more are going to be hungry every night. I am so excited to start working with council on finding solutions to the homeless and hunger problem. To rid our streets of drugs and assure the safety and happiness of all our citizens. I strongly believe that together we can make great things happen. That if we all do our part we can achieve greatness. For this reason I am humbly asking you to vote. Come out to vote like never before. Your vote has never been more important. Change only come about one vote at a time. I need your vote. The city needs your vote.

Making Headway

A few years ago, I suffered several traumas within the space of a year. My father died, and my mother, out of grief, attempted suicide. The town I live in was hit by severe economic problems, problems so severe most of my friends moved away. I went through a period of extreme neediness without many people around me. The people who were around me, by the way, were also reeling from the loss of many friends. I made an effort to meet new people, but, unfortunately, most of the people who stayed are 15 or 20 years older than me. The only reason I stayed was because I held a good government job, a job I trained many years for and one I was lucky to get. The year all this tumult occurred, I was given a permanent position. I was torn. Personally, I was shattered, while professionally I was flourishing. The last four years have been extremely difficult. The loneliness was unbearable at times, so I took solace in the bottle. I became so concerned about it last spring I called my mom to come and get me. I took leave from work and returned to my hometown. Being around my family and old friends made my desire to seek oblivion disappear. But when I returned here, I again found the loneliness overwhelming. I met a married man, and because he was so kind to me, began an affair. This is the first time I have done anything like this. My ethics have always led me to act with integrity. It's madness, I know, but the pleasure, however stolen, that I get from this man is intense. I'm sure it's driven by loneliness and fantasy. I don't have anyone to confide in, so I guess I'm not asking for advice, just support. I know what I have to do, but I'm scared to be alone again. I'm scared to leave a job I love and return home to look for work. Tess Tess, Gilroy, California bills itself as the "Garlic Capitol of the World." If you drive by the fields during much of the year, the place positively reeks of garlic. If you can't stand the smell of garlic, you can't live in Gilroy. The place where you live is destroying you. Booze, loneliness, and losing your self-esteem threaten the one thing you stayed for. Your job. Your deeper self is sending you a message. You are trying to live in Gilroy, but you are allergic to garlic. Most good things are scary, at least in the beginning. The first day of school, flying for the first time, even simple things like going to a restaurant for the first time, can be scary. But what is the alternative? If there is no opportunity where you are, you need to move. The longer you stay, the harder it will be to start over. Is it scary? Of course, but it's also exhilarating. Will there be difficulties? Of course, but you will move to a place where you have emotional support. The key to a successful, fulfilled life lies in following the impulses from the deepest level of our being. Before we think, before we act, an answer is there. What is it? Before conscious thought intervened, what seemed right? It doesn't matter what the situation is. Intuition listened to and followed makes us strong. You are not asking for advice because you don't need it. You know what to do. When you move your life in the right direction, in time, you get a deep sense of satisfaction. When your life is out of hand, it seems like life is a random collection of events or "one damn thing after another." When you follow what you know is right, in time, it feels like you are being moved by the hand of destiny. Wayne & Tamara Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Age Difference Relationships, When Is the Gap Insurmountable, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com

Rake Up the Leaves this Fall

W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones What’s the most absurd image of healthy living? It’s a picture of a young woman using a leaf blower to clean up leaves in her yard while wearing ear protection, eye protection, and a mask covering her nose and mouth. The only thing that makes good sense is the mask. It’s the leaf blower that is most offensive. The first offense is the condoning of laziness. A leaf blower nearly eliminates the physical effort needed to clean up the leaves. In the past, we may have looked upon this as a good thing. Less work equals better life. False! Raking up those leaves offers a wonderful cardio workout, in the lovely outdoors, resulting in the satisfaction of a job well done. It’s exercise that can be self-paced. The twisting and bending are nothing but good! The second is environmental. Gas-powered leaf blowers spew pollutants at astounding rates. A remarkable study in 2011 compared a consumer-grade leaf blower to a 6,200-pound Ford F-150. The tests found that a 4-stroke leaf blower emitted “almost seven times more oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 13.5 times more carbon monoxide (CO)" and a 2-stroke leaf blower emitted “23 times CO and nearly 300 times more non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC)” than the pick-up truck. One reporter calculated that the “hydrocarbon emissions from a half-hour of yard work with the two-stroke leaf blower are about the same as a 3,900-mile drive from Texas to Alaska.” Gulp. How about noise pollution? These machines can produce levels between 80-92 decibels (dB), and sometimes over 100 dB for the operators. At a distance of the length of a semi-truck trailer, the noise can still measure over 70 dB. No wonder neighbours get annoyed. Why do dangerously noisy leaf blowers exist? One wisecrack observer noted we allow it “for the same reason that builders made chimneys to be cleaned by starving, frightened orphan boys: it was not yet illegal.” In fact, leaf blowers are banned in some cities and subject to increasing regulation across North America. But the pace of lawmaking is slow. Removing the leaf blower from the scene, what about the mask worn by the woman in the picture? There may be good reason for this. Fallen autumn leaves can be a haven for molds, pollen, and weeds that cause allergies. The plentiful fall pollen of ragweed, for example, travels far and can settle on all those leaves. Leaves dampened by rain or morning dew become a haven for mold. Raking up the leaves can send pollen and mold spores into the air, causing aggravation for asthma sufferers. Dr. Purvi Parikh is an allergist and spokesperson with the Allergy and Asthma Network. “Most people associate allergies with spring, and often fall allergies get mistaken for viruses and other infections due to weather getting cold,” she notes. The distinguishing feature of an allergy is that it does not cause a fever. However, if an allergy leads to a sinus infection, a fever can result. One more thought about those leaves. They are full of nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. These are the ingredients for healthy soil needed by productive gardens, beautiful landscapes, and all the grasses that are home and sources of food to diverse wildlife. To see the picture of good health, look at those falling leaves with anticipation and admiration, not dread. The rake, a pair of gloves, and maybe a mask are the items to use this fall when tidying up the yard. Remember moderation too. Raking leaves can be just as strenuous as shoveling snow. And that’s the next thing! 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

The Reign of Queen Elizabeth The Second

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East The death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022, marked the beginning of a new era. Her passing at the age of 96 ended the longest reign of a British monarch and what was widely considered to be the second-longest reign of any monarch in world history. In her place, the former heir and Prince of Wales, Charles, has ascended to the throne, taking the title of King Charles III and becoming the fifth royal Head of State of Canada since the Statute of Westminster was enacted in 1931. The Queen's passing set a longstanding plan known as Operation London Bridge into motion, which reportedly saw Buckingham Palace use the cryptic phrase "London Bridge is down" to signal to media and other groups that the inevitable had occurred. Most Canadians have never known a world in which Queen Elizabeth II wasn't their official head of state. News of the longest-serving British monarch's death sent shockwaves of grief across the country. The world in 2022 is unimaginably different from how it was in 1952 in terms of aspirations, standing in the world, sense of identity, and make-up. We're much more cosmopolitan, much more international. And today Canada is a vastly different country from what it was at the beginning of her Majesty's reign. She saw United Kingdom through 70 years of massive change; reduced from a great power to a second-rate power, starting with a great empire, to largely losing that empire. The Queen has seen United Kingdom through a period of stability without revolution or upset on home soil. Personally, she has been a great rallying figure. The Crown is still the point at the centre of the constitution. The death of Queen Elizabeth, the longest reigning monarch in British history, also marks the end of an era for Canada. Queen Elizabeth witnessed the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959, the expansion of Canada's social programs in the 1960s, the Quebec referenda in 1980 and 1995, free-trade agreements with the United States and father-and-son prime ministers. In 1982, she signed the proclamation that repatriated the Constitution, ending the role of the British Parliament in Canada's affairs. During her long reign, Canada became dramatically less anglophone and anglophile. Nearly half of Canadians were of British ancestry when she assumed the throne in 1952, but that number had decreased to one-third by 2016 and continues to decline. In the 1950s and early 60s students across English Canada waved the Union Jack, sang the royal anthem ("God Save the Queen"), said the Lord's Prayer and cheered cadet corps dressed in British khaki. Queen Elizabeth saw the replacement of the Union Jack by the Maple Leaf in 1965 when Canada adopted the new flag, and the royal anthem by "O Canada" in 1980. Over seven decades, Elizabeth successfully transitioned from embodying the key traditions and beliefs of many to a warmly regarded, but not particularly significant, figure in the lives of Canadians. She remained personally popular in Canada, although she spent relatively little time (about 200 days) in the country over visits that averaged once every three years. Her dedication to the job as monarch was viewed favourably, as was the absence of scandal in her personal life. She garnered goodwill from Canadians primarily as an individual, not so much as the hereditary head of an institution, while acting as a living link to Canada's days as a colony in the British Empire. Currently, Canada is still a constitutional monarchy. The House of Windsor is our house. Whether people of this country are excited by or supportive of it, this will not change in the short term. The end of the second Elizabethan era will catch us out in moments of unguarded emotion. It will hit us harder than we may expect. It will feel hard to believe. Almost four generations have known no other monarch. On our currency. On the titles of almost everything government-related. In the words of our national anthems. We've watched her grow older and frailer, particularly in the last year. We felt her loss when the Duke of Edinburgh, her husband of 73 years, died last year. We saluted her stoicism in laying him to rest, virtually alone, under strict COVID rules. Many of us marvelled at a lifetime of indefatigable execution of her duties. The Queen's passing will bring about changes affecting the lives of everyday Canadians. Queen Elizabeth II will remain the face of Canada and other Commonwealth nations' currencies in the interim, as mints refrain from pre-emptively designing new coins to depict yet-to-be-crowned monarchs. Those who still use cash can expect to wait at least a couple of years before the newly-crowned monarch appears on Canadian coins. You'll also see new passports issued in the coming years, as countries scramble - and pay generously - to replace the former Queen's royal insignia on all official documents. For now, we remember her. We miss her. The smiles. The hats. The bags. The symbol. The woman. Let us sit with these memories and feel the warmth of them. Then let us think about what comes next.

As a Job Seeker, You Should Have Non-Negotiables

By Nick Kossovan Knowing what you want from your next job, boss, and employer is one of the best ways to boost your job search confidence and earn respect from potential employers. The hiring managers I know don't hire candidates they don't have confidence in or respect. I attribute my having committed myself (READ: created non-negotiables) to only accepting what I want and not accepting what I don't want as the reason I don't chase the wrong jobs and employers. Having non-negotiables is how you know, nearly without hesitation-almost instinctually-what to say "No" to, thus freeing yourself to go after what you do want. An additional benefit of non-negotiables: You know what questions to ask and what clarifications you need. Get what I call determining questions-questions that'll help you decide whether a job is worth pursuing-off the table ASAP. (e.g., during the initial phone screening) Before you begin the recruitment process, make sure the job and employer match your non-negotiables. Within a few minutes of first talking with a recruiter or employer who's contacted me, I'll say something along the lines of, "Before getting into the details of the job, let me ask a few questions to determine if it's a good fit." Then I'll ask questions such as: - What's the budgeted compensation? - What are the benefits, and when do they begin? - Where's the position located, and is there free parking? - What are the expected working hours for this position? - Will I have an office with a door? - What are the call center hours? (I'm in call center management.) Yes, I do ask such questions and several others. Once, a major retailer approached me about managing its call center at its headquarters. Within a few minutes, I asked if the call center manager was expected to work weekends or statutory holidays. The answer was "Yes." After thanking the HR manager for calling, I said I wasn't interested in working weekends or holidays; therefore, the position wouldn't work for me. I saved my time and the HR manager's by asking this question early in the conversation. Other non-negotiables for me include commute distance and free parking. For me, I won't accept an over 15 km commute and/or free parking not being available. Therefore, I get this off the table immediately. If working remotely is one of your non-negotiables, then bring it up ASAP. Continuing to talk with the employer if remote working isn't going to happen is pointless. Obviously, if the job description mentions your non-negotiable will be met, which I presume is why you applied, you don't need to ask, other than maybe to confirm. A shoutout to employers: Writing job postings that answer the most common questions candidates will ask would greatly benefit you. The more details you provide, the better job seekers can self-select-apply or not. Hence, you won't fill your hiring pipeline with candidates who'll walk away halfway through your hiring process because the job doesn't fit their needs. (e.g., compensation isn't as expected) I know the advice I just gave goes against everything you're being told by self-professing job search experts. Having non-negotiables-criteria I decide must exist or must not exist before I will accept an offer-has worked for me during my many job searches, hence my firm belief in having non-negotiables. Without thinking, I walk away when a non-negotiable isn't part of the compensation package, such as dental benefits. Walking away is critical. It's pointless to have non-negotiables if you talk yourself into thinking they're "flexible." If you're non-negotiable is a $75K base salary, don't talk yourself into taking a job with a $68K base because the employer has lunch brought in on Fridays. What makes a person happy in their work life depends heavily on how much time they spend learning what they want and having enough self-respect to pursue it. Many employees are unhappy because they accepted a job, a compensation package, a commute, a boss, or a workplace they didn't really want. I respond to complaints about hours, compensation, benefits, or commute by asking, "Didn't you know this before you took the job?" Unhappy employees are employees who settled. When I meet a candidate for the first time, I can immediately tell if they know what they want from their job and employer. With such candidates, I can cut to the chase and ask, "Other than the obvious, what is it you expect from me?" (Yes, I do ask this question.) We then have an open conversation about whether the company and I can deliver on the candidate's "asks," which is how all interviews should be conducted. Some hard learned advice: Ensure your job offer letter contains all your non-negotiables. Many job seekers tell me of accepting a job and discovering it and/or the workplace was "misrepresented." -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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