4 Mental Shifts to Boost Your Job Search Success

By Nick Kossovan A job search requires the following mental frames: 1. Respect (Respect the employer's hiring process.) 2. Persistence (Persistently persevere in your job search.) 3. Patience (Be patient with an employer's hiring process, which is at a pace that suits them.) Shifting your mindset is necessary to embrace all three mental frames. Everything starts in your mind; hence, a job seeker's mindset is the most significant asset to determining their job search success. Your mindset creates everything — everything is consciousness — therefore, you need to adjust your mindset to work for you rather than against you. New mindset = New results I believe the following four mental shifts would greatly benefit every job seeker and help them embrace the mental frames I mentioned, resulting in faster job search success: 1. Kill your ego. Your ego is not your friend, especially when job searching. If you allow your ego to lead you, two things happen: 1. You feel entitled. 2. You believe you have more options than you actually do. Your ego's job is to feel important; its survival depends on it. Your ego needs to fight and defend itself. It needs negative situations so it can have something to do, worry about, or something to change. So, even if you are happy, your ego will look for negative situations, no matter how small. Essentially, it will try to persuade you that your value can only be gauged by how well you compare with others, which is harmful during a job search. Your job search is uniquely your own, as is your career. Comparing yourself to the "projected" success, which we all know is easy to manufacture, of others wastes time you could use towards your job search. When you let your ego control your life, you never feel relaxed or happy, nor will you embrace the three mental frames. Your ego will keep telling you, "It must be done my way!" Recognizing your limits (level of hunger), abilities, and reaches is critical. Learn to manage your ego, your expectations and yourself… as much as you may wish you could, you cannot control how employers choose to hire. I highly recommend you read Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday. 2. Think of your odds. As hard as it may be to admit, if you are looking for a job today, you are facing fierce competition. Most likely, you are competing against candidates who are younger, more skilled, and hungrier than you. In other words, you are not as "qualified" or "an asset" to employers as you think you are. Thinking of your odds — asking yourself 'What are my chances?" — is one of the best job search strategies you can adopt. The key is not simply asking yourself, "What are my chances?" when you come across a job opportunity that interests you, but honestly assessing your chances to do everything you can to increase your odds for success. You can improve your odds by: · Being persistent and resilient during your job search and learning from your failures. · Seek advice from those who are doing the job you want. (The best career advice I ever received was when I asked the person who was where I wanted to be, "How did you get to where you are today?") · Manage your energy throughout the process by understanding your emotions and how they affect your efforts and success. (There is no shame in talking to a therapist to understand yourself.) · Leverage your contacts and networks. (Today, more than ever, job search success depends on being referred.) Throughout your job search, do everything you can to increase your odds of success, the number one being the job search advice I give to all job seekers: "Search for your tribe!" If you are struggling with your job search, I guarantee it is because you are trying to fit into companies where you do not belong. Searching for your tribe will dramatically increase your odds of job search success. Do not look for a job; look for your tribe. 3. Want it, do not need it. Being desperate is a turnoff. Whether you are trying to get the woman of your dreams interested in you, negotiating a deal on a new automobile, or interviewing for a job you really want, acting or seeming desperate will work against you. Having a laid-back attitude and being confident prevents you from looking desperate. You achieve this by making the mental shift to not care so much. Trust me, not caring so much, to a degree, will benefit you on many levels. 4. Think how you can offer solutions. "You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." - Zig Ziglar When meeting someone for the first time, the easiest way to connect is to ask yourself, "How can I help this person?" Employers value employees who create measurable value for their business. Therefore, when interviewing, keep asking yourself, "How can I help this person?" or "How can I make a meaningful and measurable difference to this company?" and notice how it changes how you conduct yourself. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

Game-Set-Match

I don’t know whether to call it jealousy or insecurity. My husband and I have been married almost 30 years. Last year at my husband’s surprise birthday party, one of my friends asked who a certain woman in the room was. When I asked why, she said, “She and your husband have been making eye contact all night, and he seems to be paying her a lot of attention.” From there on, I started watching the behavior between them. My husband participates in a sport with this woman’s husband, and at times we are all together. Each time I noticed more and more eye contact between them. Just to be sure I was not imagining things, I asked my sister. She thought with the looks they gave each other, something might be going on. Late one evening, I confronted my husband. He replied, “Don’t be ridiculous.” He said he loves me and goes to participate in the sport and that is all. He was furious. I told him I loved him too, but I also said my first warning was to him, the next will be to her, and thereafter to her husband. He said if something is going on, it is all on her side. At the next sporting event, this woman avoided me like the plague. It was like she was scared to death of me. Obviously, someone told her something. When I asked my husband if he had, he said no. Now, even though I did nothing wrong, I am very uncomfortable around this woman. I have three decades invested in this marriage and love this man dearly. Still, it is hard to get past this and be friends with this woman again. Helene Helene, you didn’t smell perfume on your husband’s shirt or see lipstick on his collar. All you found was a woman publicly flirting with your husband. Possibly she flirts to make herself feel good, with no real desire behind it. But when the word got out, she stopped. You did three things. You let your circle of friends know you are an observant woman who defends her territory. You let your husband know you will confront this issue head on. And if anything was going to happen, you dumped water on the embers. Mission accomplished. Now the key is to drop this. If the situation has stopped, let it go. If you let it go, your husband may even take it as a compliment. You have let him know how much you desire him. With the other woman, you don’t need to be her enemy and you don’t need to be her friend. Talk to her as you would to any other slight acquaintance. Hold your head up high as a confident married woman who will allow no one to sneak around behind her back. Wayne & Tamara Her Proposal I am a 21-year-old female in a committed relationship with a man I love and want to marry. We plan to live together when I go to graduate school. My dad says he can’t imagine me finding a sweeter, better man who loves me so much. Now I’m worried about the whole living together thing because studies say that living together leads to divorce, and I don’t want to lose him! His dad is concerned he will be tied down, and we will have kids. I don’t see that happening anytime soon! I feel ready to marry now, and I don’t want to lose him. Daryl Daryl, even if you believe the research on living together is valid, you need to realize that marriage does not prevent divorce, abuse, infidelity, or unhappiness. If you are afraid moving in together will stop a wedding, then don’t live with him. But if you want to marry him because you think you will lose him, then he isn’t yours to have. Wayne & Tamaraour young son and daughter. We have done some excellent counseling and made excellent progress. She actually moved back home two weeks ago. You can’t believe the relief. We broke up because of my controlling personality, but there were no financial or drug problems, nothing of that sort. I am a physician. We had a stable home and job for 15 years. I think she just got tired of not being heard and appreciated. I believe I have made many important changes for myself and her. There may not be an answer to my question, but how long does it take for things to be okay again once a couple reunites? Days or months or years? I am a patient soul, but life is quite sreal males would relegate him to the bachelor herd. Tamara. SEND LETTERS TO: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers.

Let the Buyer Beware of Needless Radiation

By Common Sense Health – W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford There’s a Gifford-Jones Law that says, “Never accept radiation you don’t need.” But a dangerous new medical trend is breaking this law. What’s the worry? Across North America, some private clinics are now promoting the promise of early detection of disease to healthy people. In return for a fee, buyers get whole-body screening using a variety of diagnostic imaging equipment. These promoters don’t have to be marketing stars. People naturally fret about their mortality and become receptive listeners. It’s wrong to profit on those fears. But the trend is catching hold. The sell is easy when the hope is early detection of a small cancer. “You may not have any symptoms as yet,” they’ll pitch, “and an early catch means high likelihood of a cure.” Or another pitch might be the benefit of detecting a life-threatening aneurism. “The largest artery in your body could be bulging and about to rupture causing massive bleeding and death,” they might suggest. “A preventive scan will save your life!” Full body scans are good at discovering what are called “incidentalomas”, the medical term for incidentally found asymptomatic tumors. Sometimes they find stones in the gallbladder that are best treated by the crematorium at 90 years of age. Or they can find a small asymptomatic hernia that does not warrant surgery and would otherwise have gone unnoticed for life. Some people get lucky with these scans. For instance, a brain tumour may be discovered early, enabling surgical treatment. But radiologist in The Netherlands who conducted a study of full body scans concluded that there were false positives 16 percent of the time. Experts in various countries have given thumbs down on these procedures. Dr. Mirza Rahman, a physician and president of the American College of Preventive Medicine, says these scans are a bad idea. “Follow-ups mean everything from more costs to more procedures that may lead to more complications.” The American College of Radiology also released a statement, “There is no documented evidence that total body screening is cost effective or evidence it prolongs life.” All the different types of scans come with major risks. With CT scans, it’s the radiation exposure. Health Canada warns “Whole body CT screening exposes you to radiation levels that are 500 to 1000 times as high as those of a routine chest X-ray and increases your risk of developing radiation-induced cancer.” Magnetic resonance uses no radiation but has other concerns. According to Health Canada, “The strength of the magnetic field used in MRIs can make metallic implants, such as pacemakers, metal pins or clips, move and tear soft tissue. MRIs may also cause biological effects, including the electrical stimulation of nerves, and the heating of implanted metallic leads, which may cause serious burns. Also, the magnetic field in an MRI scanner can magnetize nearby objects, which can become dangerous projectiles in an examination room.” Is there a time for full-body scans? People having a genetic predisposition to forming multiple tumors may benefit, says Dr Resten Imaoka, a radiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. But this is the point: unless your doctor has a good reason for ordering a full-body scan, it’s best to stick to recommended and proven screening tests, such as for colorectal cancer. A wise sage was asked, “How would you describe a healthy patient?” He replied, “A patient not been seen by many doctors.” Remember, the best way to fight illness is not with endless tests. It’s by avoiding illness in the first place. And that’s the original Gifford-Jones law. Adopt a healthy lifestyle early in life and stick with it. 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

Canadian Global Affairs and the Real World

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Events on the global stage are in a dynamic state. They are evolving rapidly and quite dangerously for global geopolitical stability. Europe is facing a dangerous war, there are notable tensions in Asia, and Africa is in complete chaos. America is facing economic problems and Canada is diplomatically missing in action. Canadian diplomacy seems to be in a phase of complete complacency. Canada has been so convinced of its virtue as a force for good that it has missed the forest for the trees. The bare truth is, that Canada, once an important and respected player on the international stage, has lost its influence. This reality, which should be shocking and distressing, has instead, been quietly accepted as fact, and ignored by successive Canadian governments. So the question is, how did Canada arrive in this situation? For the past 20 years, Canada’s diplomacy has been based primarily on exporting our values. The slogan “the world needs more Canada,” as vain as it sounds, has, in fact, been at the heart of Canada’s approach to international affairs. Unfortunately, this static approach did not take into consideration the rapid evolutions in world politics. This kind of approach is similar to the mentality that “the budget will balance itself”. Canadians’ worldview has been one shaped by self-comparison. A legacy of middle-power status, an apparent successful immigration program, advancement of social norms, access to quality education, and vast natural resources – bolstered by survey after survey ranking Canada as one the best places to live – have contributed to this inebriation. Successive governments have been all too happy to reinforce and tout these positives and reflect them proudly, regardless of how out-of-touch it is with an ever-changing situation in the world. Programs such as Canada’s feminist foreign policy are an example of looking great and grandiose on paper but grossly missing in practice. Such stereotypes as Canada’s long-touted commitment to women’s empowerment through its international assistance are cheap words unsubstantiated by real action. It claims that it is positioning Canada as a champion for gender equality through its international assistance programming. While new initiatives are commendable, let’s be blunt: there are other global issues of more immediate and demanding priorities which seem to have escaped the attention of Canadian diplomacy, still living in the shadows of the Cold War era. Starting in the 1990s, the world began re-ordering. Emerging powers such as China strategically positioned themselves for a new post-colonial world previously dominated by the West. The Global South was beginning to affirm itself, seeking investment and partners, just as the United States and its allies became distracted by the aftermath of 9/11 and the global war on terror. Canada, after notably declining to accompany the United States into Iraq, wholeheartedly followed the Americans into Afghanistan and elsewhere. Thus began a period of western style legitimized regime changes, all adhering to the notion of self-defence and protection of civilians, rule of law, and of course, an eagerness to flex its newly found military and diplomatic muscle. Canadian governments wholeheartedly joined the U.S., France, Britain and others in supporting the Arab Spring movements to topple autocratic leaders such as Khaddafi in Libya etc. This process, led by the U.S, continues today in different shapes and forms. What Canada failed to assess was that this alignment of it’s newly found foreign policy in the full shadow of U.S. foreign policy, was ill-perceived by many nations that might otherwise have been favourable to Canada. For a superpower like the United States, with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, it is one thing to conduct foreign policy in a hubristic, self-referential and self-congratulatory fashion. With its complete alignment to U.S. foreign policy, without any questions asked, Canada failed to recognize that in a global game of musical chairs, our superiority complex left us the ones standing. So convinced of our virtue as a force for good in the world, we delighted in small wins here and there while completely missing the ever changing realities of the world. As Canada pursued a so-called “principled foreign policy,” later internally re-phrased with big words such as “values-based diplomacy,” trying to reshape the world in our image, it stopped listening to what other nations actually wanted – and stopped considering what was in its own best interest. For years, governments in the developing world, albeit not all democracies, have sought partners, not benefactors with social strings attached. Appreciative of assistance in education and health, they also wanted help building infrastructure, not only a public scolding on human rights. Instead, Canada robotically (perhaps even disdainfully) stayed on its course and even doubled down, attaching a myriad of social conditions in exchange for support. For example, Canada’s contributions to the UN system are increasingly earmarked for specific gender-based programs. This practice has been deplored by the UN itself because of the added cost of delivery and reduction in resources directed to core programs – and by recipient countries for failing to address their own priorities. It is a clear Ivory tower syndrome. Mixed with a little diaspora politics, values-based foreign policy played well at home, but it fell miserably flat abroad. Canada essentially failed to recognize that it was annoying foreign governments, including some of its closest historical friends. Failing to adapt to the changing world has also been fostered by a lack of co-ordination between government departments. Global Affairs Canada no longer really leads foreign affairs. The result is the absence of coherence and priority management. Sometimes, departments even work at cross purposes. For example, a year prior to the vote for a seat on the UN Security Council when Canada was a candidate, the immigration department unrolled cumbersome biometrics requirement for new visas despite Global Affairs Canada’s objection. The result? Canada took a big hit abroad at a time when it could least afford it. Another element that has undermined our international stature has been the bureaucratization of Global Affairs Canada. The qualities that had made Canadian diplomacy so effective, such as strong analysis, intelligence gathering, international networks, negotiation skills and time spent abroad have been replaced with a focus on internal management prowess. Over the last 20 years, officers who rose to senior positions did so based on administrative skills, not foreign-policy experience. We lost years of foreign-affairs know-how. This obviously means that the quantity and quality of information going back to Ottawa from foreign missions is much lower than it once was. It is time to drastically change the approach of Canadian diplomacy. Canada needs a pragmatic foreign policy more closely tied to Canada’s interests, based less on virtue signaling and staffed by well qualified personnel. Feel-good diplomacy is not effective diplomacy. Canada should resist knee-jerk media statements and focus on advancing international collaboration on issues such as health, infrastructure, the environment and security. Let’s be done with buzz words and press conferences to announce unrealistic, utopian aspirations. Canada needs is soft-spoken yet spirited diplomacy that truly reflects who we are, matched with the capabilities to back up our words. What do you think?

Employers Love It When You Speak Their Language

By Nick Kossovan When interviewing candidates or meeting someone at a professional event, I can tell how involved they are in managing call centres. How? By the words they use. Specifically, I am referring to terminology call center professionals use, such as AHT (Average Handle Time), ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition), CTI (Computer Telephony Integration), and SLA (Service Level Agreement). Code-like acronyms, technical terminologies, jargon, and business buzzwords… all industries and professions have a language. Speaking the language of the industry and profession of the job you are interviewing for demonstrates your knowledge and experience of the employer's industry and your profession, making you credible and conveying that you are one of them. Since language is shared, it is a bonding agent. The words you use with your interviewer will be used to decide whether you are "a member of their club" and help create rapport. Using industry language is akin to a secret handshake. There is no need to learn a new language, like Kingon. You only need to know terms specific to your industry and profession and when to use them. What terms and jargon are most commonly used in your profession and industry? · Finance: Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), Aggressive Growth Fund, Beta, Expense Ratio · Marketing: A/B Testing, Bounce Rate, List Hygiene, Responsive Design · Social Media Management: Clickbait, Clickthrough Rate (CTR), Native Advertising, User Generated Content (UGC) · Film: Crafy, C-Stand, C-47, Snot Tape When it comes to the hiring process, speaking the industry language is a game-changer; if not for nothing else, it shows you understand the ins and outs of your profession, which sets you apart from those candidates who, during their interview, do not speak "the language." Furthermore, incorporating jargon into your communication showcases your ability to adapt quickly within the workplace. Demonstrating "jargon fluency" shows you can seamlessly integrate into any team or project without excessive handholding or explanation. Now that you are aware of why speaking the language of the employer’s industry and your profession will give you a competitive edge, here are some tips on how to competently speak jargon. 1. Research the company. In addition to each industry and profession having its own language, companies often have their own as well. Before an interview, research in-depth the company and familiarize yourself with its jargon. Imagine interviewing for a position at Apple and the positive impression you would make with your interviewer if you used Apple lingo such as AirDrop, A-Series Bionic, Deep Fusion and LiDAR Camera throughout the interview. 2. Use jargon sparingly. It is important not to overuse jargon to the point where it seems contrived. Only use relevant terms when appropriate. 3. Be confident. Whenever you use jargon, do so confidently. Practice incorporating industry and profession-specific terms into your professional conversations, so they become second nature. 4. Customize your language. There is a time and place for everything, including jargon. Consider your audience when choosing your language. This is important. More than once, I made the mistake of using call centre jargon with a recruiter or HR unfamiliar with it. Only use industry-specific jargon if you are speaking with the person you will be reporting to or someone in a leadership role; you want to avoid coming across as being pretentious. However, using company-specific jargon (e.g., Google: GBike, Noogler, GUTS (Google Universal Ticketing Systems, Plex), regardless of your interviewer's position, will earn you points. In addition to speaking the language of the employer's industry and your profession, it is important to speak the language that is universal across all workplaces. Using common business jargon shows you are not a newcomer to the workforce. I frequently use the following business jargon: Bandwidth: Capacity to handle more work. Those with bandwidth can take on more work; those without bandwidth cannot. "If need be, I have the bandwidth to work evenings and weekends." Core competencies: Strengths or skill set, ideally proven with past measurable results, you, a company or individual, possess. "Among my core competencies, I am fluent in French, have above average Excel skills, can comfortably work under pressure, and have outstanding leadership skills, having led a 50-person call center for the past six years." Holistically (aka "big picture"): Taking into consideration the entire organization, department, or individual. "To consider everyone who may be affected by a decision I am making, I tend to think holistically." Leverage: Using data, research, knowledge, or someone's skills to decide, take action or get something done. "A few years back, I leveraged the Spanish-speaking skills of two of my team members to call into the South American market, resulting in $3.5 million in sales." Low-hanging fruit: A goal that is easy to reach (achieve) or reliably productive. "When I began the Clearwater Resort outbound campaign, I focused on what I believe would be low-hanging fruits. I started the campaign by having my agents call Ontario-based doctors and dentists since they typically have disposable income." Next time you prepare for an interview or are at an industry networking event, do not hesitate to incorporate relevant jargon into your conversations, showing you take your career seriously. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

IS DECEPTION LEGAL? YOU BE THE JUDGE...

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 - The BIG MAC, THE KING BROILER, WENDY’S TRIPLE, KFC CRUNCHY CHICKEN, POPEYE’S CRISPY CHICKEN, SUBWAY SUBS and so on and so on commercials are misleading. The Big Mac in their advertising makes it look like it is the size of a dinner plate. In reality today’s Big Mac is more like the size of an oversized twooney. Have you seen their breakfast menu. I find more taste on the grease in the wrapper than the actual food. Is it legal? Burger King - Another that commits the same legal crime. In the advertisers the burgers look the size of a frisbie. In reality, even though bigger than the Big Mac. Far from a frisbie. My favorite posters are that of the Wendy’s line up with special mention of their TRIPLE. The advertisement would convert any vegan back to meat. In reality, they meat in most cases is dry. Has the texture of a Mr. Clean sponge and the taste of my dogs treat. Is this legal? Now to the chicken platform. KFC, the pride of fried chicken, at least in my experience... when have they changed from chicken to pigeon? The portions appear to be smaller and the crispiness has gone aside. Is this legal? Now Popeye’s attempt to crispy chicken is something to acknowledge. Their advertisement offers a particular taste but delivers the cook of the day consistency. I found that depending on the store and or region. Chicken can go from tooth breaking crispy to a soggy mess. Is this legal? But my favorite commercial of deception has to lie on Subway. They spend millions on celebrities and athletes pushing their product. The sandwiches they showcase in their advertising are out of this world good looking and delicious. Then you visit a franchise and reality hits you. Every shop is a little different. Each store dispense topping as if it came out of the employees wages. Nothing like what they advertise in my opinion. Is this legal? What is happening to modern society. We are constantly being mislead through a bombardment of misinformation. It appears that we have become numb of reprisal. We have been conditioned to just accept and pay. Remember the days when MCD was the place you knew was the cheapest meal in town? In most cases you got what you paid for. I must say back in the day. A Big Mac was a big deal. Most of us would buy the regular burger or if we had coin go for the cheese burger.... All came in a paper wrapper. The regular burgers in a blue wrapper and cheese burgers in yellow. It was the poor mans cheap meal. Today, to eat a MCD, you have to hold down two jobs. So how does corporate rationalize the cut in size and increase in prices. One, McD is the brand you are paying for. Two, the corporate make the excuse for the smaller buns as it is healthier for the consumer. Less calories, good for your health. But not for your wallet. As for BK, KFC and subway. The rates are nothing less better. In my opinion the quality of food at these fast food outlets leave a lot to be desired. Consumers do not visit on taste. Instead, name recognition. I rather eat a mom and pop type of diner and know my meat comes from a cow. That my portions will be in accordance to what I pay, as they want my business back. Service will be friendly and courteous. I rather even pay more knowing it is going to help someone pay their mortgage and not some greedy corporate head. We the consumers need to take control of where we spend our dollars and send a message to corporate. That we ARE THE CUSTOMER - NOT A NUMBER THAT GENERATES REVENUE.

Ontario Greenbelt Controversy

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East A new controversy is brewing in Ontario; this time it is regarding housing. It is due, again, to the incompetence of elected and public service officials in Ontario. It is clear that the process of removing land from the Greenbelt was amateurish and done in haste. Two independent, legislative watchdogs — in successive reports released just weeks apart from each other — found major flaws with the province's decision to remove land from the Greenbelt last December for the purpose of building housing. The Integrity Commissioner J. David Wake found that Housing Minister Steve Clark chose to "stick his head in the sand" rather than oversee the process of selecting which sites would be removed from the Greenbelt — a vast 810,000-hectare area of protected farmland, forest and wetland stretching from Niagara Falls to Peterborough meant to be permanently off-limits to development. Instead, Minister Clark left it to his chief of staff at the time, Ryan Amato, whose actions alerted some developers to a potential policy change and resulted in their private interests being improperly advanced, the integrity commissioner found. That report came just two weeks after Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk's report first revealed how a small group of well-connected developers suggested to Amato many of the sites that would ultimately be removed, providing the landowners with a potential windfall upwards of $8 billion. It is clear that the impact of the Greenbelt controversy has put pressure on the Ford government, and has ultimately resulted in the resignation of Minister Clark and a brief government reshuffle. Nevertheless, there are further ramifications that also smell of corruption. The file has been referred to the RCMP; and let us see what comes next. Indeed, the national police agency is assessing whether or not to conduct an investigation of its own into the Greenbelt land swap after receiving a referral from the Ontario Provincial Police. The Ford government is now in damage control mode. The province says it is willing to reinstate environmental protections on land removed from the Greenbelt if it believes landowners will not be able to meet the government's directive that developers show significant progress on approvals by the end of this year, with construction to begin in 2025. There was a time when Ontario premiers and cabinet ministers understood the concept of “ministerial responsibility” and acted accordingly — but that was long ago. This controversy raises a question in the Durham Region, especially in the city of Pickering, and that is: where is the MPP for Pickering Uxbridge and Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy? In this entire Greenbelt process, which has seen a significant amount of Greenbelt land located in his own riding given to developers, he has been missing in action. He has remained suspiciously silent on this entire issue, practically washing his hands of it. As a professional and senior member of the Ontario Provincial legislature, surely he should have had some input into the process. His constituents would expect nothing less. Preservation of the Greenbelt primarily refers to the preservation of prime agricultural land, but here are other controversies. No one raises the issue of the existence of many golf courses spread across this area, also taking away significant portions of prime farmland. This subject seems to be taboo, and no wonder, considering a certain elitist attitude surrounding the issue. There are environmental and community associations viscerally against development here such as the building of an airport in the Pickering area, however, they are suspiciously silent on the existence on the myriad of golf courses on the prime farmland. As the saga continues, let us see if the government will be able to strong arm its way to getting shovels in the ground and getting houses built in record time. They have three years to do so before Ontario voters get the final say at the ballot box. It is worth noting, that the entire Pickering City Council voted against developing the land in question, not for altruistic, but for practical reasons. In their estimation, it will take 10 to 25 years to build up the infrastructure that will support major development in the subject area. How well does that bode for the instant housing the Ford government is after? However, as these infrastructure concerns are not in the public consciousness, they may only need to tweak their actions to get away with it. Ford and his new housing minister may not need to cancel plans to develop small sections of the Greenbelt, or even embark on a permanent reversal. They just need to have them reviewed by a trusted, competent and non-partisan third party to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the people of the province. Here is hoping for the best!

Like It or Not, Your LinkedIn Profile Picture Affects Your Job Search

By Nick Kossovan Back in the day, including a headshot with your resume was expected. As anti-discrimination and labour laws started being passed, this practice stopped since pictures could potentially lead to discrimination. Then LinkedIn officially launched on May 5, 2003. If you believe a headshot (profile picture) may lead to hiring discrimination, then you likely see LinkedIn as a step back. A fun fact: Leonardo da Vinci is credited with creating the first resume. His "resume" was essentially a cover letter written to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, a potential employer, in 1482, touting his inventions. It was not until the 1930s that the modern resume became common. LinkedIn, which I believe is much more relevant to employers than your resume, is not going anywhere anytime soon, nor will it be removing its profile picture feature, which all social media platforms have. Debating the merits of LinkedIn is unproductive. Having a fully optimized LinkedIn profile is an unavoidable requirement for job seekers. I am sure you are aware that first impressions are everything. Whether you like it or not, within mere seconds, you are looked at, judged, labelled and categorized. As humans, we see, make assumptions, and pass judgment. You do it, I do it, we all do it. I do not know anyone who does not, at least in part, judge a book by its cover. Your LinkedIn profile — your 24/7/365 business card — picture is the first impression recruiters and employers will have of you and will use to assess whether to read your profile. If you have self-limiting beliefs and hang-ups that make you not want to have a profile picture as part of your LinkedIn profile — surprisingly, I still see profiles without one — and you are not willing to "get over it," then you need not read further. The lack of a profile picture makes it difficult to take the person seriously. Either you want employers to take you seriously, or you do not care whether they do. I get it that many people are concerned about possible racial, ethical, or sexual discrimination if they include a profile picture. My response: If an employer rejects your candidacy because of racism, ageism, or sexism, they are not an employer you want to work for. A profile picture enables the reader to get to know you better; it gives your name a face. Keep in mind, since it is the only visual representation they have, it makes "human sense" for a reader to form an opinion about a person based on their LinkedIn profile picture. Besides helping the reader to get to know you, your LinkedIn profile picture: · shows your profile is active and legitimate. · along with a results-oriented profile, shows you are confident. The first impression your LinkedIn profile makes will influence whether the reader will take the time to read your profile. (According to studies, hiring managers glance at a resume for seven seconds before deciding whether to read further or discard it; the same applies to your LinkedIn profile.) Now, you probably want to ask me, "Nick, is landing a job easier if you are attractive?" I would be misleading you if I said "No." What person does not like to be around attractive people? The truth is, which you already know, if not at least strongly suspect, beautiful people are more likely to get hired, receive better performance evaluations and get paid more. On the other hand, attractive people are often stereotyped negatively, such as being shallow, demanding, and hard to manage. Your LinkedIn profile picture's overall quality and professionalism are more important than your appearance. Pretty eyes and a Hollywood smile have no chance against solid, hard skills and a track record of achieving results. Competencies are the most critical factor for "most" (keyword) hiring managers, keeping in mind hiring managers are, like you, human and therefore have their respective biases. Here are some tips on how to take a profile picture that will impress hiring managers and make them want to read your profile: 1. Start with the right frame. A good photo begins with the right frame. Position yourself correctly in your picture. Your profile photo should not show more than your head, neck, and shoulders. 2. Choose the right background. Background matters. For example, a green background makes you appear likable, open, and cooperative. Red conveys passion and urgency. Blue suggests trust and calmness. An office background indicates professionalism and a corporate mindset. 3. Wear a casual but professional outfit. When choosing what you will wear, think about how you would dress for an interview. Dress for the position you are aiming for. 4. Smile! Smile for the following reasons: · To establish trust · To appear friendly and approachable · To make a connection with the reader · To show confidence One more thing: Upload the correct LinkedIn photo size, which is 400 x 400 pixels. According to LinkedIn research, having a picture makes your profile 14 times more likely to be seen and 36 times more likely to be contacted. Without a profile picture, you increase your odds of not being contacted. (READ: lost opportunities) _____________________________________________________________________ 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

YOU VOTED HIM IN THE MAN IS A MORON

By Joe Ingino ‘You voted him in - the man is a moron.’ Unfortunately, that is even an insult to poor morons. For those intellectually challenged, that become easily offended by words... Moron by dictionary definition: Moron is a term once used in psychology and psychiatry to denote mild intellectual disability. If this definition does not perfectly depict\ our beloved Oshawa Mayor, I do not know what does. People wonder why Oshawa City streets are flooded with drug users, hookers, and the homeless. Why Oshawa is so dangerous to visit that the city passed a bylaw restricting the mere thought of having a picnic without a permit. Forget walking our parks and creeks as many are a public health risk area from becoming pricked by a drug users needle. Oshawa use to be a heaven for good life. It use to be a great place to raise a family and live the life. For the past 20 years life has gone from good to bad. The question. Why? We keep electing the same incompetent council term after term. We elect mayors that are administrators not leaders. Currently we have a former drug addict, homeless person. A person that was illiterate until his late 20’s. Now we the people reward him with the top job? You go to be kidding. His lack of leadership is directly the reason for our core our downtown being the way it is. One bad decision after another. We have a mayor that spends more time being led by staff and upper tier politicians than he does representing the people of Oshawa. A Mayor that wasted 30 million of your dollars on a park in the south end so that during the election he could rally NDP votes. A mayor that has allowed the raping of prime lands to the north with these future to be ghettos. Town home and close proximity estate homesthat for anyone with half wit would realize that today they are new homes. In 20 years those 4 - 5 bedroom homes will become rooming houses. As many even today are being bought and rented out to multiple families and or as rooming house. Our Mayor blames theProvince the Feds for the out of control building spur. I say malarkey. If you have the intellect. The life experience. You would quickly note that even though something is forced upon you by law... You can work around it and control the dispensing, the implication and the application. What do you think lawyers do for a living. To just put up your arms and surrender is irresponsible and far from leadership. Our Mayor is being manipulated by the Durham Realtors indirectly.Look who was his mayoral campaign manager. A scoundrel of a person.A former councillor, the former chair of the Durham Realtor Board. It is open season forrealtors, developers and anyone wanting to make a few billions. But enough of the obvious and history. Just this past week our beloved leader released this: Statement from Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter on the Oshawa Executive Airport. As Mayor, I am extremely disappointed to learn about a groundbreaking ceremony for a 30,000 square foot hangar expansion at the Oshawa Executive Airport. This development has been reported in the news as supporting expanded flight training. According to Durham Radio News, “The expanded facilities will support the growth of\ aviation activities in Oshawa, providing a new home for businesses and aircraft displaced\ from Buttonville as well as building on general industry expansion and flight training demand.” I am frustrated as this does not support balancing the quality of life of our residents with the economic benefits of the airport. The expansion of flight training is not consistent with the Council-approved 2021-2022 Oshawa Executive Airport Action Plan outlined in Report DS-21-137, which addresses the impact of flight training schools on the surrounding neighbourhoods. As a tax payer I am extremely disapointed that he keeps denouncing good project for Oshawa. Developments that will benefit Oshawa and at no cost to taxpayers. City of Oshawa airport for the longest time has been the center of controversy. From the area neighbours complaining about noise. To the tenants at the airport screaming foul play by the city and it’s future plans for the airport. The airport sits on prime real estate. Developers for years have been trying to close the airport. Airport associations and patrons. Not to mention those that run training and very lucrative business out of the airport.... have been wanting more support from the city and the Provincial and Federal government to look for ways to expand. The airport for any municipality is a ticket to the world. You can export and you can import just about anything. The problem with the City of Oshawa airport is management. The people of Oshawa have been stuck for the past 20 years. The rule of the game is keep the status quo. Council approved 2021-2022 Oshawa Executive Airport Action Plan outlined in Report DS-21-137 is a joke. It is nothing but a tool of deception. A way to keep the surrounding neighbourhoods silent and continue the attempt to justify the closure of the airport in favor of the developers interest. The City as it stands is being run by staff. Not city council. City council have proven that they can’t put two thoughts together without the dependence of staff. This is not leadership. Leadership would be to develop ideas, plans and use the expertise of staff to bring it to reality. City council wastes money on projects like 30 million on the Ed Broadbent park. Meanwhilepeople are living and dying on our city streets. Developers are making billions and we the peopleof Oshawa must endure 5-10% property tax increases. And the Mayor is ‘EXTREMELY disapointed’. Do the taxpayers of Oshawa a favor quit in your disapointment. Hell no. Who orwhere on earth will this mayor ever get a cherry job that pays what it pays to waste other people’smoney? GOOD LUCK WITH THAT THOUGHT... I am extremely disapointed. Aren’t You?

Canada Housing Crisis

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Canada’s housing problem is not just a national crisis. It is a stark example of what happens when the Federal government neglects an area of responsibility in the name of good government. This is the result when the three levels of governments do not work together for Canadian taxpayers, but only for themselves, forgetting that there is only one taxpayer paying for their illustrious mismanagement. Starting back in the mid 1980s, the national government signed agreements turning over housing responsibility to provincial governments in an effort to shift responsibility. It was not until 2017 that the federal government joined forces with most provincial governments to launch a National Housing Strategy (NHS). It included a 10-year, $40-billion plan to house 530,000 families and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent. However, the province of Quebec has refused to participate in the national strategy, claiming it “intends to fully exercise its own responsibilities and control over the planning, organization and management of housing on its territory.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized when he claimed recently, that “housing isn’t a primary federal responsibility. It’s not something that we have direct carriage of. But it is something that we can and must help with.” As expected, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has a simple solution. He promises to withhold transfer payments to local governments who do not fast-track housing. Anyway, this housing crisis has been in the making for many years but it is only now that the bubble has burst. There were years and years of neglect, with governments taking the position that it will resolve itself. If we take a look at history, an unfashionable activity these days, an in-depth review of the demise of housing availability in Canada should start with a document released decades ago by Bill McKnight. As the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) back in 1986, he released a document entitled, “A National Direction For Housing Solutions.” At the time the CMHC was also known as, “Canada’s housing agency,” but this report was the first step in dismantling a national housing policy in favour of multiple provincial policies. Back in 1984, the federal government spent $1.4-billion annually on housing. However, the McKnight document relegated the federal role in housing to solely that of funder, with provincial governments responsible for building housing and developing sound policy. We see here that the model proposed and followed is the same as that of the health care system. The only difference being, that here the Federal government had the opportunity to insert control measures, which do not seem to have been exercised. The lack of controls slowly created the current housing crisis situation. We can affirm then that the Federal government divested and shifted responsibility to provincial governments on the bulk of housing issues. In plain language, they washed their hands of housing related responsibilities. The only areas that remained in federal hands included co-operative housing developments, urban Indigenous housing, and some housing rehabilitation programs. The rest were transferred to provinces, and it took more than 30 years for the federal government to re-insert itself into the conversation in 2017. Thirty years of stagnation in housing and social housing construction has certainly come with huge consequences. Now, when a national push for housing arises, the focus is on reducing the number of people who need houses, not decreasing the size of our housing footprint, for example. The relative house size in Canada is more than double that of the United Kingdom. In the UK, people inhabit an average 818-square-foot home, compared with 1,948 square feet in Canada. China’s average urban house size is 646 square feet. At the same time, fewer people are living in increasingly bigger homes. So, when we are looking at housing policy, we have to consider that size matters. Simply cutting back on immigration is not the entire solution to this problem. If we really want to tackle the housing problem, we need to look at a national housing strategy that does not encourage people to be over-housed, living in underutilized structures. Older Canadians remember the time when a 500-square-foot house provided habitation for a family. Now we have mega homes that often house only two or three people and the costs are big. In addition, it is time for a country like Canada to think about creating new settlements in sparsely populated areas as other countries like Brazil and Australia have done, in order to develop the country. Canada has a population of approximatively 39 million people, mostly concentrated within 50 km of the border with the United States, despite being the country with the second largest territory in the world. Let us hope that in continuing to build the nation, politicians and public servants will start to really look at the interests of Canada, instead to just following their own interests. The current focus is on building new homes, but renovations should also be included in the discussion. Urban planners are trying to figure out what to do with vacant office buildings and shopping destinations. Landfill sites across the country are being cluttered with building materials from houses that have been torn down because their inferior building quality was designed for obsolescence after 30 years. These questions are complex. A single government is not going to fix them. A true and open cooperation at all three levels of government is what is needed here. Removing the federal government from responsibility for housing policy in 1986 was a serious error that we are paying for today. It has taken us 30 years to move toward a fix. The active role of the Federal government is required, and they finally stepped in in 2017. However, five years have passed, during which time Covid-19 hit, and nothing seems to have been done to mitigate the housing crisis. Rampant inflation and the Bank of Canada rates going to unprecedented heights only exacerbate the crisis and affordability of housing. According to Statistics Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s average five-year mortgage lending rate rose to 5.99 per cent in July, the highest since December 2008. It is great to build houses, but it is even better to be able to sell them to people who have the financial resources to buy them. As far as social housing goes, there should be a realistic plan and it should certainly be coordinated with immigration policy. In conclusion, a problem that took over 30 years to develop will take at least another 10 to fix. This should be a priority for any Federal government in Canada, in cooperation with provincial and municipal governments. Obviously, we need to follow sound proposals, rather than making hasty decisions in an unprofessional manner that jeopardize agricultural and sensitive lands. This happened in Ontario recently, notably in the Durham region city of Pickering. What is your take on it?

Starving the Gut Feeds the Brain

By Common Sense Health – W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford If our bodies could speak to our brains, many would hear this: “Dear brain, please know the difference between being hungry and bored. Sincerely, I’m getting fat!” Who doesn’t turn to food when the doldrums set in? The smart brains would offer their hosts three pieces of advice. One, eat nutritional food. Two, limit portion sizes. And three, now and again, engage in fasting. Why fasting? Because studies show that for obese and skinny people alike, after prolonged reduction of food intake, the body’s defences improve against stresses. Cardiovascular risks decline. And the brain functions better. Temporary cessation of eating provokes chemical changes throughout the body. Ketones are a type of chemical the liver produces when it breaks down fats. The body puts ketones to work as a source of energy when food sources are absent. Ketones are also active during extended exercise or when carbohydrates are not available. Production kicks into gear during a fast. One of the consequences is an increase in the activity of helper molecules that ease the work of neurons to connect with neighbouring neurons. Brains and the nervous system depend on these cells connecting with each other to function and reproduce effectively. Interestingly, an increase in the production of ketones also reduces appetite, a helpful effect in maintaining a fast. This is why people who make it past an initial bout of hunger without eating will find the sensation of hunger diminishes. Need more motivation? Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has demonstrated that sedentary lifestyles involving easy access to food indulgences accelerate the aging of the brain. In such people, scientists have identified telltale signs of problems that leave the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and stroke. The labels describing these markers tell the story: “stem cell exhaustion”, “aberrant neuronal network activity”, “oxidative damage”, “impaired molecular waste disposal”, and “mitochondrial dysfunction”, to name a few. Studies have also started to explore how the timing of food intake affects obesity and measures to achieve weight loss. Normal eating patterns involve a striking a balance between the rewards of food intake and the regulation of energy. Our bodies are well adapted to modest, regular meals. But modern lifestyles make eating frequent calorie-rich foods easy. This launches the brain-gut microbiome into reward overdrive, depriving the system of the opportunity to shift into time for regulation of energy. Weight gain is among the consequences. This helps explain the success of diets involving time-restricted eating, the practice of consuming no calories outside of established hours. What qualifies as fasting? The answer ranges widely. Most people will be familiar with the doctor’s orders for a 12 or 24 hour fast before certain medical tests or procedures. But for weight loss, and to gain the benefits for brain and cardiovascular health, longer periods of intermittent fasting are required. The key to success is moderation. Fasting need not be an unpleasant pursuit. To the contrary, implementing a habit of reduced food consumption can have its own rewards. Extra body fat will be reduced. The brain will age more slowly. The heart will be healthier. And researchers have found mood improvements, even euphoria, associated with fasting. The next time your stomach hollers “feed me”, let your brain do the work. “Listen to me,” it will say. “I need a few hours to think this over.” Have a glass of refreshing water, then focus on other activities. Step on your bathroom scale every morning to see the results and keep this article in your pocket to remind yourself of the benefits of intermittent fasting. 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

Employers Do Not Care About ‘Your Whys’ They Care About ‘Their Whys.’

By Nick Kossovan Outside of you, nobody really cares about your "whys." Therefore, an effective way to build a relationship with someone is to show them you care about their whys. The ability to cultivate strong bonds with others is a valuable skill that will significantly enhance your personal and professional life. A job search and life tip: When you meet someone for the first time, ask yourself, “How can I help this person?” When interviewing, keep asking yourself, “How can I help this person?” Keeping this question top of mind will change how you interview and come across. For one thing, you will be more consultative rather than the typical "I need a job" candidate. You will be that rare candidate who asserts, "I can help you achieve your goals; here is how," which is very attractive. "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961 When it comes to searching for a job, some of your whys may be: · To be able to make your mortgage payments. · To be able to buy food. · To be able to vacation in Costa Rica. · To be able to own a car. · To forward your career. There are countless reasons why someone needs a job and is job searching. Employers are not concerned with any of them. Employers are concerned with their whys. An employer's top four reasons (whys) for hiring for a particular position are: · To maintain their business. · To handle an increasing workload · To grow their business. · To enhance their competitiveness by adding new skills or perspectives. Note none of the employer's whys are "to create a job so a new hire can fulfill their whys." It is your responsibility to manage your career and finances and the employer's responsibility to ensure that their company remains in business and grows. Employers are not in the job-creating business; they are in the profit-making business. Therefore, all their whys lean towards creating and maintaining profits. It is not the goal of a company to increase its workforce. A company's goal is the opposite: Having as few employees as possible while being successful. Care and friendship are not part of the bargain of employment. The deal is 'a day's pay for a day's work.' Anything more than that is either luck or brilliant management. Years ago, I had a tense conversation with a C-suite executive, which ended with, "This company didn't create your lifestyle, so why do you think we should be responsible for it?" Eventually, I realized his point. I was thinking backwards! I was expecting my employer to care about my whys without me caring about my employer’s whys. Once I stopped looking to employers to take care of me, my career trajectory and job search success significantly improved. I was now giving off the "vibe" — your vibes are an integral part of your communication; therefore, always be aware of the vibes you are giving off — that I was looking to help the employer achieve their goals, not just help myself. My vibe differentiated me from the other candidates. Employers will lean into you much more if they feel you genuinely want to help them achieve their goals. This requires understanding why the job you are applying for exists, how it fulfills a need or will help achieve a goal(s). (e.g., increase revenue, lower production costs, maintain a high-value client, increase efficiency) When applying for a job, consider why the position exists. All positions exist to fulfill an essential function. The person hired to fill a position is hired based on their ability to perform and achieve the position's goals. The next time you apply for a job, do something most job seekers never do… reflect on the purpose of the job. Ask yourself, "Why did the company create this position?" "Why does this job exist?" Then, address these whys throughout your application (resume, cover letter) and when interviewing. Holistic reasons a position exists: · Payroll manager: Manage payroll. · Office manager: Oversee office operations. · Social Media Manager: Manage the company's social channels. · Warehouse Order Picker: Pick and package items. The employer's reason for creating the position. · Payroll manager: Ensure that payroll is processed accurately and that payroll tax laws are followed precisely. · Office manager: Maintain an efficient and cost-effective office. · Social Media Manager: Plan, create and execute content strategies to drive engagement on a company's social platforms. · Warehouse Order Picker: Pick and prepare requested items for shipping and complete the necessary paperwork, ensuring orders are processed correctly. You cannot go wrong presenting yourself to employers in such a way that your skills, experience, and, most importantly, your desire to assist the employer in achieving their goals are evident. Nowadays, in addition to having the skills and experience to do the job, employers are looking for employees who are genuinely committed to helping their business succeed. A savvy job seeker focuses on how they can help the employer achieve their whys (goals). Their personal whys are not their primary focus. This is how you make yourself valuable to employers. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

LABOUR DAY THE CELEBRATING MODERN DAY SLAVERY

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 it about human psychology that out of suffering comes relief and out of optimal relief converts back to a new kind of suffering? Think about it. Today we celebrate ‘LABOUR DAY’ as a great human rights achievement. A movement that at the time of inception was much needed. A time in history when workers were taken advantage, abused and neglected. Practically forced to work in some of the worst working conditions for minimal or no wage in dangerous environments. Something had to give. The birth of a united workers front evolved. At first workers would unite to speak as a unified voice against all kinds of neglect, abuse and most importantly pay. Unions normally were made up of workers within a shop that had enough and would utilize all kinds of tactics to get through to management. Management in the name of keeping production and profits going would give in to the workers demands. This carried on in individual shops until the word got out on how well this new ‘union’ concept among worker was working.... this fanning a fire of desire by other shops. Many attempted and many failed. As management would heavy handed oppress any union or request of better working conditions and or pay at their shops by closing shops or firing workers. This gave birth to ‘unionized’ trades. For example the auto workers union. One union representing one industry across the board. Workers pay a union fee to belong and enjoy the benefits of the union representation. Today just about every profession, trade or group has realized on the benefit of unionizing and followed the lead from previous workers. No matter how you look at the worker. They have always been the engine that keeps any industry, trade or commerce going. The modern day slave that would work for minimal reward and benefits. The modern day slave that had no ownership other than that of his own psychological confine. Forced to enter a daily routine out of necessity for survival. Unions gave the modern day slave, hope, purpose and a false sense of worth as now they had perceived rights. I say perceived rights as unions in their collection of dues... They themselves become a form of management. A management that in principle to represent the workers or modern day slaves. Instead in many cases these unions have become political entities pushing agenda other than that of the workers best interest. Using their membership numbers as political tool to influence the outcome of the democratic process. Unions in modern times have gone from being the shield against management oppression to the middle man in the process of fair treatment. Unions in many cases are the hard hand that oppresses worker to conform to their policy and agenda under the guise of representing what is best for the entire union membership. This twist in representation, now leaves the workers with a two tier management process. At the corporate level. The average worker has little or no voice as they are directed to deal with their union rep. At the union level, workers are forced to comply with all unions policy and agenda to get adequate representation. At the end of the day. Who suffers? The average modern day slave. So what has changed? Well some argue that something is better than nothing. Happy Labour Day from a proud modern day slave.

Canada under fire

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the summer plods along with a high inflation rate and high interest rates on mortgages, Canadians are also facing an unprecedented rash of forest fires with many communities affected from coast to coast to coast. It has really been a season and a year of extremes. Drought is one example. Canada is a big place and it's always dry somewhere, but not like this year. Agriculture Canada's June 30 drought map shows most of the country was abnormally dry. Large stretches of the Prairies were under at least moderate drought conditions, reaching extreme proportions in southern Alberta. In British Columbia, once the "wet coast," 28 out of 34 river basins were at the province's top two drought levels. Ranchers were selling cattle that they could not grow enough hay to feed, and low stream flows were threatening salmon runs. It has also been really hot. Although the east was generally quite normal, except for the forest fires in Quebec in early June, the west was not. From May through July, Kelowna, British Columbia, experienced 36 days of more than 30 C weather. The normal count is 16 C. Norman Wells, not far from the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories, set a new record of 38 C on July 8. Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips totalled up the number of warm temperature records set this summer versus the number of cold records. There were 372 new hot-temperature marks and 55 cold ones. On top of this, the heat was not restricted to the land only. Phillips said waters off all three Canadian coasts have never been warmer. Hudson Bay is up to 3 C warmer. The Pacific coast is between 2 C and 4 C warmer. Both the Atlantic and Arctic coasts are 5 C above average. Then there were the floods — "so many floods," said Phillips. On July 21, Halifax got three months worth of rain in 24 hours. At least three people died in the floods, up to 600 had to evacuate their homes, and power cuts affected 80,000. Roads washed away and at least seven bridges were left needing major repair or replacement. Then there were the fires that spread smoke across the continent and into Europe, where "Canadian wildfires" made headlines from the New York Times to Germany's nightly news. With more than 13 million blackened hectares, it has been the worst wildfire season in North American history. All 13 provinces and territories have been affected, often at the same time. Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes, hundreds of houses were destroyed and four firefighters have been killed. Over the years, cities such as Calgary and Edmonton have grown used to "smoke days." This year, that unhappy club grew to include Ottawa (171 smoke hours), Montreal (100 smoke hours) and Toronto, which, on June 30, had the second-worst air quality in the world. If we are looking to the history of forest and vegetation fires in Canada in general, since the 1970s and 1980s, the total annual number of wildfires in Canada has decreased while the total area burned has increased, though there is variability between years. Since 1959, the number and size of large fires has increased and the average fire season has become longer by about two weeks. In Canada, wildfire season usually starts in May. The 2023 fires have been compared to the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire and the 2021 Lytton wildfire, but the fires this year were far worse. When people revert to blaming the now well-known slogan of “climate change” perpetuated by humans, we might do well to consider that the so-called ‘climate change’ is a natural and cyclic phenomenon depending on many variables, including the path of the earth in space etc. At the same we must not ignore the basic issue of forest management. It seems that the elite and elite scientists are not seeing the forest for the trees. Roughly, half of all wildfires in Canada are caused by lightning; lightning strikes and lightning-caused fires are happening more frequently. Lightning-caused fires account for about 85% of land burned, often occurring in clusters in remote locations. The other half of wildfires in Canada are human-caused, often unintentionally sparked by things such as discarded cigarette butts, abandoned smouldering campfires, or sparks from braking trains. But let’s face it; Forest management is also a big factor in the wildfires. So here we are: because Canada's forest management has focused on fire suppression, dry vegetation has accumulated on the forest floor. Canada has generally stopped performing controlled burns, which help reduce the risk of larger and more dangerous fires. It is difficult to get permission for controlled burns, especially for Indigenous groups who have historically performed them and are disproportionately affected by wildfires. Canada lacks a national firefighting service, and local resources are stretched thin due to budget cuts. Pollution due to a global increase in wildfires has created widespread, long-term impacts on human health. Due to wildfire emissions, Canada broke its record for annual carbon emissions in late June. Have any of the so-called climate scientists calculated the contribution of forest fires to the total of carbon emissions in Canada? Well ???? Furthermore, is there anyone in government or the public service looking to establish better forest management practices; a service long neglected by all levels of government in Canada? The answer seems to be a resounding NO. They are looking for carbon taxes in various hidden forms, they are looking for fashionable electric vehicles, when due to the recent rash of forest fires Canada broke the record on carbon emissions and became the laughingstock of the world. It is time to think seriously about better forest management and invest in it, rather than spending huge amounts of money overseas and on politically correct pet projects. The forests are burning and people are suffering from coast to coast to coast, while politicians and their advisers in the Canadian public service are fiddling. Enough is enough! Canadians can do without any more Neros! What do you think?

New Economic Problems on the Horizon in Canada

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As Canadians, we continue to enjoy our short summer and look forward to the fall, though it may not be a very nice one. Inflation continues to raise its ugly head and that means that the Bank of Canada will probably bump up interest rates even further in September. As outlined by journalist Pete Evans’ realistic analysis of the situation, we are not looking forward to getting out of these economic worries any time soon. Canada's inflation rate bucked its recent trend of slowing last month and rose at a 3.3 per cent annual pace in July, Statistics Canada said’. That was an increase from 2.8 per cent the previous month. Gas prices were a major factor pushing up the inflation rate, mostly due to what economists call the base effect. For most of the past year, the cost of gasoline has been a big factor dragging down the overall rate. However, as you may have noticed, prices are up again. Pump prices increased by 0.9 per cent in July. The same month a year earlier, they declined by more than 9 per cent. Gas prices weren't the only type of energy bill that was a big factor in pushing up the inflation rate. The price of electricity skyrocketed in the past year, up by 11.7 per cent. That's more than twice the annual increase of 5.8 per cent clocked in June and the biggest reason for the uptick was a more than doubling of electricity bills in Alberta, which rose by 127.8 per cent in the year up to July. Food prices, another factor that has been driving up the cost of living, eased somewhat during the month, but they are still going up at an eye-watering pace. Grocery prices increased by 8.5 per cent in the year up to July. That is an easing from 9.1 per cent the previous month, but still three times the overall inflation rate. Not every grocery aisle is getting more expensive, or at the same rate. There was some relief in the produce section, with fresh fruit prices seeing their largest month-over-month decline since February 2008, down 6.5 per cent. The price of grapes plummeted by more than 40 per cent last month, according to Statistics Canada. While a slowdown in the rate that food prices are going up comes as some relief, it remains a crisis, which has prompted calls for drastic measures such as price caps on staple grocery items. Other countries, including France and Greece, have dabbled with implementing price controls, where retail prices for core items are capped at a certain level. Similar attempts at price controls in the 1970s had disastrous results, but some policy experts say it is an idea worth exploring, at least on a limited basis. "It's not the '70s anymore, our markets are different," said Vass Bednar, executive director of the Master of Public Policy Program at McMaster University in Hamilton. "We need to recognize that." While Bednar says she does not advocate for a heavy-handed cap on all types of food in perpetuity, she says it makes sense to look into policies that could ensure some basic necessities — baby formula, bread, certain fruits and vegetables — have at least some options that remain affordable. However, Avery Shenfeld, an economist with CIBC, said he does not see the justification for price caps in Canada's grocery business, given the trends we are seeing beneath the surface. "I don't really think we're in need of that here," he said in an interview. "At the end of the day, the best method of fighting inflation isn't to try to pick one or two prices in the economy and intervene in them. It's really to control the pace of spending power [and] moderate growth a little bit." Food prices are not the only thing getting more expensive, either. Mortgages have been another major pressure point in the increasing consumer price index of late, and that problem got worse in July, not better. Mortgage interest costs have increased by 30.6 per cent in the past year. That's another record year-over-year gain, and the largest single factor in the increase in the overall inflation rate. With this said many smart people in the financial sector seem to think a recession is coming. And yet a lot of them also think that before that, central bankers here, in the United States and overseas are going to raise interest rates some more. The fact is fighting inflation is complicated and politically divisive. For central banks, it becomes even more complicated and politically divisive as inflation gets closer to their target, because rate hikes hurt more for less obvious reward. There are few inflation riddles harder to solve than the fact that the Bank of Canada's own interest rate hikes are actually driving inflation higher, with the mortgage cost component continuing to climb. So let us see what is coming and how our politicians will act to ease the worries of Canadians. Any hope?

Congratulations! You Got the Job, Now What?

By Nick Kossovan The inspiration for this column came from several readers who, after a successful job search, emailed me asking for advice on the best way to establish themselves with their new employer, boss, and colleagues. Therefore, I will be departing from my pragmatic job searching advice. Instead, I will be offering tips on how to start a new job off on the right foot. During your first six months, focus on cultivating working relationships, learning policies and procedures — how things are done — and getting to know your new work environment, especially the culture. In contrast to most new hires, you do not want to keep repeating behavioural patterns that do not serve your self-interests. Instead, use your new job as an opportunity to fix self-sabotaging habits, which we all have to some extent. Use your first 180 days to: · Build relationships. · Establish credibility and trust. · Analyze the political landscape. · Identify influencers and rockstars. · Create a reputation (aka, personal brand) as someone who gets stuff done. Before your first day, think about how you want to be perceived by the leadership team, your new manager, and your colleagues. Decide what you want to be known for at your new job, then take strategic actions — create a plan of action — to control your narrative and define yourself. (Either you decide what you want to be known for, or others will decide for you.) Do you want to be the go-to person for statistical analysis, project management or be seen as a strong people leader? Now is your chance! Additionally, your new job is the perfect opportunity to let go of any baggage you may have. When starting a new job, I suggest you: Arrive early, leave late. Showing up early — prepared and ready to go — and not leaving the moment your eight hours are up demonstrates your enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to your new employer. Watching the clock is not something you want to be known for. Be friendly and open. A new job entails new relationships. Your new colleagues will notice how you come across; therefore, make sure your first impression is positive. Make it a point to present yourself as open, friendly, and ready to cultivate productive, positive working relationships. Now is not the time to succumb to the "I'm an introvert" narrative you have sold yourself. A lack of interaction or openness will quickly lead to word getting around that you are "difficult" or "rude." Ask questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions, especially clarifying questions. By asking questions, you show engagement, interest in learning, and, most importantly, a desire to succeed. Observe and listen. Spend most of your first weeks at a new company listening to your colleagues, taking in the company culture, and observing workplace norms and conventions. Note how long people take for lunch and how they dress and behave around managers and leaders. Identify influencers who do not hold a leadership position. (e.g., The assistant to the VP of Marketing likely has more influence than the Director of IT.) Use your observations to help you adapt to your new work environment without disrupting it. Not being perceived as a "fit" is the most prevalent reason for new employees not working out. Do not engage in office politics. A boss once told me, "Office politics are inevitable when there is more than one person in the room." Workplace politics is prevalent because everyone is looking out for their self-interests. Unfortunately, you will need to navigate the inevitable gossiping, backbiting, rumours, and badmouthing. For the first couple of months, the longer, the better, refrain from doing so. (Ignore their existence.) Getting involved in office politics right away is a recipe for disaster. Whenever possible, steer clear of employees who spread negativity or create drama. As a newbie, you may feel tempted to align with a particular group. Avoid doing this! You will be judged by whom you choose to associate with. Carefully select who you affiliate with and — I cannot stress this enough — be mindful when sharing information. I have seen many careers stall or, worse, implode due to oversharing. Embrace your employer's ways. Make it a priority to thoroughly learn your new employer's systems, procedures, and policies and to understand the reasoning behind why things are done the way they are. It may be possible for you to suggest improvements in the future, but first, understand "why." Moreover, immediately learn the basics, such as using your telephone's features, accessing your email, logging onto the company's Intranet, etc. A few jobs back, I was walking by the cubicle of an employee who had been with the company for several months. They stopped me to ask how to transfer the caller they had on hold. It was not a good look. Update your LinkedIn profile. By the end of your second week, update your LinkedIn profile, which I guarantee your new boss and colleagues are checking regularly to see if you have. Updating your profile announces your new job and shows your employer you are committed to it, something they will look favourably upon. _____________________________________________________________________ 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

COME ON CANADA WE CAN DO BETTER

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 - Canada ‘absolutely’ can’t build more houses without more immigrants, The Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship says. Canada aims to welcome 451,000 new immigrants in 2024. By 2025, the number is expected to go up to 500,000. Miller said he was not considering slashing these targets. You got to wonder how these people get appointed to the positions they have. What planet does this minister live on? Walk across any city downtown and you will see how his thinking is way out of wack. We can’t house and feed what we have and we are going to bring in 451,000 new people that many do not even speak the language or have no inclination to adapting to Canadian culture and traditions. Instead he thinks this is the answer to the housing problem. MY MIND KEEPS SPINNING ON HOW WE AS CANADIANS WE CAN HAVE SUCH PEOPLE IN POWER. PUSHING SUCH AGENDA. Agenda that benefits the Liberal party as all this minister is doing is buying foreign immigrant future votes. Insanity. We as Canadian taxpayers have to sit and swallow the garbage he spews. Let’s take the assumption that we are Canadian and we welcome immigrants... and there is a big difference between and immigrant and a refugee. An immigrant has to qualify to enter Canada. A refugee just has to plea that he is being persecuted by his national regime. These are people that carry a heavy anti government chip on their shoulder and in most cases once allowed to enter Canada end up pushing their homeland cause here in Canada. Now what does refugees have to do with housing? Your son or daughter as it stands today. Can’t afford to go out and buy a one million dollar shack. How is an immigrant with no real Canadian work experience to afford one. How is a refugee that in most cases leave their homelands with nothing but what they have one to afford one? What are we the taxpayers expected to pay for them... Under multi culturalism... are we to put some foreigner over our own children's needs? Your son and daughter are forced to work for minimum wage. Knowing that home ownership is as far as some of these refugee’s home lands. I say, if this is the Ministers perspective. He needs to resign. We need to call for his resignation as he is a threat to national security. We, don’t want refugees to continue their homeland causes on our Canadian soil. We want the Minister to focus on working with the Prime Minister to find a way to subsidize all minimum wage earner. Subsidize, in a way that will give those working their asses off a chance at buying a home. Force all multi billion dollar companies that pay minimum wage to contribute by having them pay their employees a minimum of $25.00/hr. No instead we let these multi billion dollar company keep making billions while our people starve. Look at the rate of homeless in our country. Are we to let our standards down so much that we put a refugee’s suffering over our own home folks? I say we have an imbalance of logic when it comes to the out of control rental, home prices, food prices and wages. Why is the government allowing the gouging of food prices? Where is the Minister, intervening...as these food retail chains keep making billions. To think we need more refugees or immigrants to resolve the housing crisis is pure insanity all we are doing is importing other nations problems. What’s your take?