Why C is the Forever Vitamin

By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford There’s an irony about the advertising woman who, in 1948, penned “A Diamond is Forever” to signify the enduring love of two people. Her name was Frances Gerety and she spent the bulk of her life alone. Diamonds do sparkle, but there’s a better “forever” companion. Longtime readers will know I’ll choose vitamin C over diamonds or any other glitzy trend, and definitely over cholesterol lowering drugs. Vitamin C doesn’t have the high cost or glamourous glitter of diamonds, and it makes no one rich. But making high doses of vitamin C a part of my daily routine has allowed me to spend another quarter century with my wife and family after a heart attack that nearly ended things for me at age 74. For me, vitamin C is the forever vitamin. In understanding its true value, first get rid of a common misconception. Vitamin C is not just a nutrient! It’s also an antibiotic, and an antifungal, and a component of the immune system that attacks many different infections. And another trap is in thinking a small dose should be enough. For cardiovascular results, the dose must be high. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel prize winner, told me he gets tired of repeating, “It’s the dosage.” With vitamin C, you cannot cause harm by increasing the dose. Humans, unlike animals, don’t produce vitamin C. We lost this ability eons ago due to an unfortunate degenerative mishap in nature. Nearly all animals, with the exception of humans and the guineapig, day after day produce large amounts their own vitamin C. The key thing to realize about Dr. Pauling’s work is that he was not studying optimal amounts of C for healthy people. He was trying to figure out how much was needed to fight disease in unhealthy people, particularly those with heart disease. And this is where more research is still needed. Here's what we know. C decreases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), which is associated with Type 2 diabetes, a problem of pandemic proportions worldwide. Hard arteries decrease the flow of blood to all organs of the body. This causes heart attack, kidney failure, blindness, and amputation of legs. Atherosclerosis is bankrupting our healthcare system. It’s a terrible personal tragedy, ruining quality of life. And it’s a societal nightmare we too readily ignore, costing us billions! Constipation is easily cured by 2000 milligrams of vitamin C at bedtime. If this amount fails to do the job, take 4,000 mg the following night or two. This invariable works. In elderly people constipation may become so severe that fecal impaction results. This means an emergency visit to hospital for enemas along with removal of feces. You’ll wish you had taken vitamin C. Painful swollen joints are sometimes due to weakened blood vessels lacking vitamin C. Weakened arteries rupture releasing small amounts of blood into the joint causing inflammation and pain. Are you getting more colds than formerly or ones that hang on forever? This may be due to a chronic lack of vitamin C and a stressful event. For instance, an emotional event or upcoming surgery can reduce the level of vitamin C in the blood, sometimes by as much as 90 percent. If your tank is low, ask your doctor to give you time to build it up before surgery. Add up all these benefits and many others associated with C, and you can understand why it’s my forever vitamin. It’s inexpensive, natural, and without the complications of prescription drugs. I’m convinced it has got me to my 101st year. What simpler therapy with better return could I ask for? 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

ELECTIONS ARE NOT FAR AWAY - ARE YOU CONTENT WITH THE WAY FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL & MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS ARE RULING YOUR LIFE?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let me ask you …... Would you be comfortable leaving your family home in the hands of basically a stranger, to decide for the next four years how and where your income will be spent? Well, that’s what we have done to our home, Canada. Shouldn’t you have kept checking on your financial status to make sure you still have a home instead of waiting those four years to end only to find out that you are broke, homeless and deeper in debt? IT’S TIME TO SPEAK UP CANADA, HAVE A SAY. As Canadians it is our right, to hold our elected officials accountable and we can only do that by taking an interest in what’s happening and letting our MP (federal) or MPP (provincial), or Mayor & Councillor (municipal representatives) know our opinion on what they currently will be voting on. The way they vote on these matters will have a direct effect on who we vote for in the next election. Waiting for the next election to voice our concern is too late. We must continue to let them know. “So what can I do? Voting doesn’t matter, they just do what they want”. Voting does matter especially in Municipal Elections where people have the biggest say but throw it away, by having the smallest voter turnout. The result being the same old boys club gets elected and continue to do what they want because they know we won’t watch and make them accountable. Hmmm ….. Let me remind you,. Each and every MP, MPP, Mayor and Councillor depends on your vote to keep their job, the job you are paying them for. Below is a list of responsibilities of elected officials of all levels. Note - it says, each and every elected position has a responsibility torepresent their constituents. Are they representing you? The Question is - Are you making your representatives accountable? An MP’s most obvious task is to represent their constituents • MP’s primary responsible is to act in the National Interest. • they must also act in the interests of their constituents, where this does not override their primary responsibility. An MPP’s role is to respond to matters of concern of their constituents or the general public. • MPP’s enact, amend or repeal laws and regulations for the province. • MPP’s are responsible for; civil rights & education; health care, hospitals & child welfare; municipal government; transportation & highways, provincial taxes; A Councillor's primary role is to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it • your Council makes & or revises the by-laws for your community • your Council is responsible for public parks, libraries, social services, local police and fire services, garbage removal, recycling, and public transportation. • your Council is responsible for strategic land use, for subdivision & condominium approval, and storm sewers • your Council is responsible for animal services and municipal law enforcement • your Council is responsible for Arts & Culture • your council is responsible for Tax Collection What can I do I’m only one? You are not alone, many people out there that may feel the same as you. All it takes is one step, then the next step gets easier and the path is formed, and others will follow. Start by attending or watching Municipal Council meetings (they are recorded), if you feel strong about something speak up and write your Council of you objections, that’s how things get changed. When your Mayor, Councillor, MPP & MP’s start getting thousands of objections mailed in they realize they are being held accountable and their job is in jeopardy, that’s when things change. YOUR SILENCE SOLVES NOTHING - SPEAK UP FOR WHAT’S RIGHT WRITE YOUR MP, MPP, OR MAYOR & COUNCILLOR WHEN YOU OBJECT THE PLANS PLEASE SPEAK UP WHILE WE HAVE SOME RIGHTS BEFORE WE LOSE THEM ALL

The Key to Interview Success Goes Beyond Your Answers

By Nick Kossovan I'll break it down: • If your interviewer likes you, they're going to hire you. • If they don't like you, they won't hire you. • Likeability is the rarest commodity there is. • During an interview, you assume your interviewer is asking questions about your skills, abilities, and background; they're not. They're asking you questions to determine if they like you. • Then you hear, "We hired someone whose skills, qualifications, and background more closely match what we're looking for," and think you weren't qualified enough for the job. So, you decide to return to school for another degree or certification to "upskill." • You were qualified (Employers don't schedule interviews with candidates who aren't qualified.); you just weren't likeable. Your skills, resume, LinkedIn profile, and digital footprint will get you interviews. Your character and personality are what get you hired. Hence, the advice "Hire for attitude, not aptitude" is floated around. Rather than chasing more education and skills, consider taking a Dale Carnage course to enhance your social etiquette and become more likeable. Recently, an HR Director at a telecom company told me, "I can hire technically advanced and degreed candidates all day. What is harder to find is someone I can trust to show up every day, who's proactive, who doesn't make excuses, who'll dedicate themselves to getting the job done, and who will go above and beyond." The other day, I came across an article that discussed an aspect of the job interview few people consider: their behaviour. Most interview advice revolves around how to answer the questions a candidate is likely to be asked, but what about their behaviour? The article, This Manager Won't Hire Anyone Who Fails His 'Coffee Cup Test' described Trent Innes,' Chief Growth Officer at SiteMinder, "coffee cup test" he uses to assess candidates. Before starting the interview, Trent gives the candidate a tour of SiteMinder's office, culminating with stopping by the kitchen and offering a cup of coffee or tea. Then, with a beverage in hand, Trent and the candidate head to Trent's office for the interview. At the end of the interview, Trent observes what the candidate does with their empty cup. Do they offer to take it back to the kitchen? If not, Trent passes on the candidate. Trent's concern about a candidate's character and having social etiquette is understandable. A workplace—a shared space—is essentially a social structure; those who work in it should possess fundamental social skills to get along with their coworkers and, most importantly, not be a disruption. Social etiquette shows you have consideration (read: respect for) of other people, which significantly increases your likeability. The phrase, "Actions speak louder than words," derived from "Actions are more significant than words," which Gershom Bulkeley wrote in his book Will and Doom, published in 1692, is the foundation of how we judge someone, especially when meeting them for the first time. Your behaviour, mannerisms, and actions speak volumes about who you are and what you stand for. Even though I've never done the coffee cup test, I notice certain behaviours, such as making eye contact, showing confidence, standing up to greet me when I walk into the reception area, and shaking hands. I like Trent's cup test. It's an excellent gauge of character and considerateness. A person who offers to return the cup is unlikely to carry a sense of entitlement, which regular readers of this column know rubs me the wrong way or complain about first-world problems and are likely to take personal responsibility and be emotionally intelligent, a trait that's becoming less common. An interview is the entirety of a candidate's presence on the premises of the company they're interviewing with. How you arrive, park, enter, and treat the receptionist and other employees, along with everything you say and do while on the company's property, goes into the hiring decision mix, not just what you say when speaking with your interviewer. An interview isn't an assessment of your skills and experience, at least not to the extent you think. Your interviewer is aware of your skills and experience from your resume and LinkedIn profile. When an employer is interviewing you, it's because you have the qualifications they're looking for and need. Yes, your interviewer will assess your skills and experience, but not as much as your character, values, mannerisms, and whether you'll fit in well with the team/company or possibly be a disruption. In several columns, I've stated that being likable supersedes your skills and experience. I've yet to meet a hiring manager who hired someone they didn't like. Social etiquette, which, worth repeating, shows consideration for others, goes a long way toward being likable. Your skills and experience aren't your greatest asset. They're secondary to your greatest asset, being likable. Therefore, as a job seeker, do yourself a huge favour by not focusing so much on selling your skills and experience, which, as I said, your interviewer is aware of. Instead, focus on your social etiquette, presenting yourself as a friendly, easygoing, likeable person who's considerate of others and, therefore, will be easy to work with. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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

BILL 200

By Todd McCarthy MPP Durham The current legislative session was recessed on June 6, 2024, with Her Excellency Edith Dumont, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, providing Royal Assent to several Government Bills, including legislation that I am proud to say sets an elevated standard for protections of homeowners and homebuyers in Canada. Bill 200, the Homeowner Protection Act, 2024, bans the registration of Notices of Security Interest (NOSIs) for consumer goods on the Land Registry and deem NOSIs for consumer goods currently registered on title to be expired. It also provides additional protections for new homebuyers by establishing a 10-day cooling-off period for buyers of new freehold homes. Notices of Security Interest are registrations that may be made on the land registry system by a business when it rents, finances or leases goods such as a water heater or furnace installed on a property. While NOSI registrations are intended to help a business protect their interest in those goods, investigations have revealed bad actors use NOSIs to extort exorbitant payments from consumers, particularly seniors, newcomers and vulnerable Ontarians. These scams can sometimes involve leveraging the NOSI, or multiple NOSIs, to secure high-interest mortgages on the property, which can ultimately lead to the homeowner losing their property. The changes do not eliminate a business’ security interest in the fixture or invalidate their contract with the consumer. If the consumer defaults on payment, the business may still be able to repossess the fixture and seek repayment through other means, such as through the courts. This legislation further strengthens consumer protections for homeowners and buyers by establishing a 10-day cooling-off period for purchases of new freehold homes, allowing buyers to cancel agreements without penalties. This provides buyers with time to fully understand their commitments and back out if they choose. "This legislation takes historic action in protecting the financial well-being of Ontario’s seniors. Through the banning of Notices of Security Interest, vulnerable Ontarians including seniors are assured to see the government taking proactive measures to prevent predatory behaviours from bad actors” said Laura Tamblyn Watts President, and CEO of CanAge. “Our organization commends the government for taking decisive action to address this problem and make Ontario a safer marketplace for senior homeowners. " The province also intends to further strengthen consumer protections for condominium communities and people buying new freehold homes by ensuring public disclosure of builder cancellations of purchase agreements for new freehold homes to promote transparency, protecting consumers from unreliable builders. The province intends to consult in the coming months on changes to support the implementation of the cooling-off period for purchases of new freehold homes, improve access to information and transparency for buyers of new freehold homes, and better support condo communities. I am proud of is a landmark piece of legislation – the first of its kind in Canada – to protect consumers from fraud and bad actors. By banning the registration of consumer NOSIs on land titles, we're putting an end to the exploitation that has targeted our elderly and most vulnerable residents. Moreover, we’re giving Ontarians the crucial information and time they need to confidently make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives through our enhanced protections for new homebuyers. The Homeowner Protection Act is indeed a testament of our government’s unwavering commitment to building a safer, fairer, and stronger economy, now and for future generations.

SUMMER MODE

By Maurice Brenner Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering Now into full summer mode, its time to spend more time outdoors, Be it a dog walker, hiker or an explorer, while enjoying this time of the year beware of those potential risks to your health. This weeks column will provide you with a look inside the Region of Durham’s Public Health Department and the role they play, offering programs and services as well as the managing and control of diseases that we unknowingly can be exposed to while enjoying the summer outdoors. Ticks and Lyme Disease Like many diseases Lyme disease can be treated but not cured, which is why it is important when outdoors this time of the year to take the necessary precautions. Wear light clothing, covering as once skin as possible. Ticks neither fly nor jump but transfer from long grass areas and or overhanging trees to their host. Some are the size of a sesame seed and hard to see. Once home its important to remove your cloths for immediate hot water washing and take a shower, checking your body as you wash. Should you feel an area where you have already been bitten, you need to remove the tick gently with fine tipped tweezers. (Durham Region Public Health does provide Tick Kit Tweezers at No Charge) There is no shortage of wrong information floating around, never try burning the area with a hot match nor spraying it with insect repellent. These practises not only will not work, but could harm you. Once you have been bitten, it is important to contact your doctor or if that is not possible a pharmacist that has been granted Ministry of Health approval to administer treatment. This must be done with in 24 hours. Assume the worse and advise them you have have been bitten and believe it could carry Lyme disease. Municipalities such as Pickering are working with Regional Public Health, signs are bposted along many trail entrances reminding those using the trails of risks along with a QR code to Regional Public Health for more information. Also as a prevention buffer zones of 3 metres cut backs are required along public walkways abutting Municipal or Regional Properties. Mosquitos and West Nile Virus Durham Region has been tracking and responding to the risk of West Nile virus as far back as 2003 when the Province of Ontario began funding the program. 76% of all reported cases occur between July to September. However with current impacts of Global warming risks can be increased throughout the year. The Durham Regional Heath Health Department conducts surveillance and control activities for West Nile virus by larviciding road side catch basin, stagnant surface water sites, trapping adult mosquitoes and sending them for testing and identification and investigating reported human cases. While numbers have decreased over the years Regional Public health recommend prevention as the best defence. When walking at dusk or dawn (most prevalent times of risk) to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and covered shoes as well as spraying your clothes with an insect repellent. On your own property eliminate stagnant water. Should you notice stagnant water on private property or municipal property, including Conservation lands and Hydro corridors report it to your Municipality. Municipal Bylaw officers work as a team with Regional Public Health to ensure that the area is treated with larvicide while the Bylaw team will work with the property owner to remedy the situation which could mean pumping out the stagnant water or cutting the long grass and weeds.

What A Great Moment In Soccer History For Canada

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 - Something to be truly proud of. CANADA, and Canada’s national soccer team representing all of us in the Copa America. Until, now. Canada never made a difference in the soccer matrix. The Southern hemisphere nations normally dominated the scene. 2024 appears to be different. This past week. Canada played Venezuela. What a great game it was. Full of mistakes from both sides. Rough play was evident from the Venezuelans. Canada took a beating but was victorious. Canada has surely come a long way. In Group A, Canada has managed to rank in second place behind world champions Argentina. Canada played Argentina before and lost 2 - 0. This friday it is the final judgement. Canada faces Argentina once again. If Canada is successful they would be eliminating one of soccer's titans. Head Coach, Jesse Marsch and his staff have surely done an outstanding job in bringing the Canadians this far. During the Venezuelan game. Marsch, frustration was obvious as the referee kept calling fouls against Canada and not against Venezuela. After the first goal by up coming international star, forward Jacob Shaffelburg. Shaffelburg, took a barrage of assaults to his legs. Many were not called. Some of the punishment by the Venezuelans was so severe that at one point, it looked like Shaffelburg was not going to get up. His leg had twisted in such a way that it looked like a serious knee injury. Shaffelburg, got up and continue with his assault on Venezuela almost bringing Canada to two more goals. Shaffelburg showed some real star qualities as he gave Canada numerous opportunities with his wide crosses over the goalies box. Speaking of goalies -- Goalie Maxime Crepeau, another international star in the making. His agile demeanor in the face of almost certain goal was inspiring. He saved Canada from at least 8 goals. Unfortunately, he got caught going up on one of the early rushes and the opposing Venezuelan team cashed in on the opportunity making the game 1 - 1. The goalie, the forward and the coach are a great back bone for the rest of this Canadian team. The Canadian team has never gone this far. In Canada we should all be behind them. I know we are a hockey country. But, the achievements of this great Canadian team on the international stage needs to be recognized and supported. Canadian soccer is taking the world by storm and as Canadians we should stand behind them and support them all the way. Their success is all of our success and something as a Nation we should help promote. If the Canadian Team goes on. We soon may become an international world Champs. Time will tell. GO CANADA GO.

The Ford Government and the Ontario Science Center

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In this province, and specifically related to the city of Toronto,we have developed the habit of letting our most valuable assets rot and crumble, while finding money for the construction of many new towers. Just look at the state of our hospitals, our transit system,our roads and our general infrastructure.Are we justified in still thinking that Ontario and Canada are the center of the world? The Ontario Science Center, which was designed by prominent architect Raymond Moriyama, was the world's first interactive science centre when it opened in 1969. Unfortunately, years of limited capital investments have left it with several deficiencies over the years. The Ford government announced the closure of the Ontario Science Centre on June 21, immediately cancelling summer camps and barring entry to visitors. According to the province, the sudden closure was necessary due to a new report from professional engineers, which found serious structural issues with the building. The report indicated that these issues, specifically with regard to some roof tiles, could become critical as early as this winter under the pressure of heavy snow. It is interesting that these issues are coming to light now. Was there no previous indication of problems?What kind of maintenance plan was in place at the Ontario Science Center under the supervision of the oh, so competent Ministry of the Province of Ontario? The whole affair is an interesting one and reflects the approach of the Ontario Government towards the promotion of science in general. They are ready to spend billions of dollars on politically motivated investments, but are skinflints when it comes onspending a few dollars on science education for the public. It is very sad and highly concerning that they would cite an engineering report out of context, and interpret it to mean that the Ontario Science Center must be closed and demolished. Is this really in the public interest, or are they following their own mean political interests to make the developer world happy? The position of the City of Toronto is also concerning. It owns the land on which the Ontario Science Center is located and leased to the Province, yet they only blame the Province rather thanlooking to themselves. Isn’ it nice to pay for woke projects instead of supporting science? The Ford government's decision to close the Ontario Science Centre has already sparked extensive criticism, but pleasedo not forget the role of the City of Toronto. There seems to be some sort of a dark gentlemen’s agreement between these two entities about which the general public is not aware at this time. Many advocates who note the engineer’s report used to justify closure for safety reasons, have proposed alternative measures, such as restricting access to vulnerable roof areas and installing temporary reinforcements and horizontal boarding. Moriyama Teshima Architects, the firm that designed the centre, suggested the province's abrupt closure was politically motivated, and offered free repair services to keep it open. "We offer our architectural services pro bono to the Government of Ontario to realize the necessary roof repairs and we encourage the structural and building science community to similarly offer pro bono services for this scope to accomplish the recommended repairs immediately,” said the architecture firm. The government was already planning to relocate the science centre to the waterfront Ontario. Indeed the Ford government already planned to move the science centre from its current location to a redeveloped Ontario Place site, next to a planned spa being built by Austrian company Therme, an expanded Live Nation concert venue, as well as new public space and beaches. So, it is clear that the closure of the Ontario Science Center was a premeditated fact in order to clearly accommodate developers’ requests.The Ontario Place attraction with the new Science Center,under much smaller dimensions,is not slated to open until 2028. Officials said they would look for a temporary space to house some of the programming and exhibits in the meantime. If these officials had been professionals, they would have had a temporary place ready before the closure, in order not to have interruptions in promoting science. The bare truth is that nobody in the Ontario government and related public service seems to be interested in science at all. They are more interested in rewriting history and spending precious money on that. By the way, the roofing material that triggered the closure of the Ontario Science Centre is used in hundreds of other public buildings across the province, including schools. Why have those other buildings not been closed over safety concerns? A business case released last year by the government found that the current building is facing $369 million in deferred and critical maintenance needs over the next 20 years. Ontario's auditor general said in a report last year that alack of government funding is a key causative factor in the Center’s state of decay. That report also found the government made its decision to move the centre to Toronto's waterfront with "preliminary and incomplete cost information" and failed to consult key stakeholders. Let us hope that the closing of the Ontario Science Center will not generate a scandal similar to the one related to the Green Belt. One never knows what is brewing behind the scenes. Ironically, temporary relocation will be at least as expensive and up to three times more costly than making the $22-$40M in roof repairs, which Infrastructure Ontario cited as the reason for the Centre’s abrupt closure. Are we looking at a new Ford government controversy?Let us see how it unfolds.

SENIORS MONTH

t By Todd McCarthy MPP Durham This year, our government themed Seniors Month, ‘Working for Seniors’ which emphasized the continued importance of supporting older adults through vital programs and initiatives that provide wellness, social engagement and education in communities across the province. Seniors Month in Ontario has been celebrated since 1984, making this year the 40th anniversary of recognizing Ontario’s outstanding seniors and recognizing the positive impact they have made on the lives of Ontario’s current residents. In 2021, the number of adults aged 65 and over was approximately 2.6 million and this figure is expected to grow exponentially as Ontario is projected to house 4.4 million seniors by 2046. It is paramount that we provide these seniors with the services they need as these individuals have made enormous contributions in building the Ontario we all enjoy today. I am exceptionally proud of the work that the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility has done - and continues to do - to address the needs of Ontario’s seniors while also helping these individuals contribute to all aspects of our community life. n Of significance, the Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) Program promotes wellness, social interaction, education and support services with the goal of keeping seniors healthy and independent through approximately 316 programs across the province. This program was especially important to Durham as we had 6 different organizations receive grants from the SALC Program. The Bowmanville Older Adult Association, and five of Oshawa’s Senior Citizens Centres all received annualized funding of $51,137. This sum of annualized funding will be used at these organizations to bolster the services they provide and will allow seniors to continue to thrive in our community. In addition to the SALC Program, our government also provided grants through the Seniors Community Grant Program which funds local not-for-profit community groups and organizations to deliver projects supports and resources that help older adults by offering a wide variety of activities to promote engagement, reduce isolation and promote healthy living. In Durham, these grants were awarded to Clarington Public Library ($17,740), the Municipality of Clarington ($18,630), Theatre 3x60 ($24,950) and New Life Global Church ($25,000). This funding is crucial for these organizations to continue to be able to provide seniors with support that they would not otherwise receive. If more information regarding these programs is required, visit our new website ontario.ca/seniors and our Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors as there is a wealth of information for seniors and caregivers concerning health, finances, housing, security and more. Providing seniors with these programs is extremely important. As Minister Cho, the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility has stated, “Our government knows that Ontario’s communities are strengthened, and everyone benefits when our aging population can stay active and connected with local supports”. As Seniors Month in Ontario comes to a close, our government has worked with many municipalities and community partners to provide necessary resources that promote the health and well-being of Ontario’s seniors. In providing this support, we have reduced social isolation in numerous communities, Durham included, to ensure seniors have the opportunity to thrive in their later life. In the months following Ontario’s Seniors Month, it is important to continue to encourage everyone to reach out to a senior in their life and acknowledge the achievements they garnered for Ontario. Let’s recognize Ontario’s seniors and help them to stay active, fit and socially connected to their community.

Celebrating Canada Day (Dominion Day) with Heritage and Traditions

As we celebrate Canada Day, I am filled with pride for our beautiful country and everything it represents. Our nation, founded under God, stands as a beacon of freedom, democracy, and unity. These values, symbolized by our iconic Canadian flag, inspire me every day in my role as a politician. From the early days of Jacques Cartier to Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada was built on Christian principles, with deep roots in the Church of England and a devotion to God’s teachings. Our Parliament buildings, adorned with biblical passages, remind us of this heritage. Psalm 72:8, inscribed on the Peace Tower, proclaims, “May He have dominion from sea to sea,” reflecting our identity as The Dominion of Canada. This is more than just history; it’s a call to uphold the values of faith, justice, and unity that shaped our nation. Today, however, these foundational principles are under threat. Our educational institutions often overlook Canada’s Christian heritage, teaching instead a narrative devoid of these roots. The rise of secularism and the promotion of ideologies that contradict our historical values concern me deeply. It’s essential to educate our children, not indoctrinate them. We must ensure our schools foster critical thinking and respect for diverse opinions, rather than pushing one-sided agendas. Unfortunately, some politicians prioritize political posturing over patriotism, choosing to fly special interest flags on government buildings rather than solely our national and government flags. This is, in my opinion incredibly unpatriotic. The Canadian flag should always be our number one symbol, alongside the veterans’ flag, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It’s unfortunate that some politicians care more about special interest groups and d gaining votes, than upholding the very foundations on which Canada was built: the supremacy of God, our Bill of Rights, and our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The erosion of these values undermines the sacrifices made by our veterans who fought for the freedoms we enjoy. To preserve their legacy, we must resist the pull of transient cultural shifts and the so-called “woke” ideologies that seek to redefine our national identity. Holding onto our traditions is not just a matter of nostalgia; it’s about safeguarding the moral and spiritual fabric of our society. Biblical passages like Ephesians 6:13, which calls us to “put on the full armor of God,” remind us of our duty to stand firm against the challenges we face. As a nation, we must remember that our strength lies in our unity and our adherence to the principles that have guided us since our founding. We are a nation under God, and it is His sovereignty that has sustained us. On this Canada Day, let us reflect on our heritage and renew our commitment to the values that define us. Together, we can keep Canada strong and free, a place where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared future. As we celebrate, let’s proudly wave our Canadian flag, our true pride flag, and reaffirm our commitment to this great nation and its enduring values. Please sign up for my online newsletter. Through my web site: lisarobionpolitician.ca "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"

Rethinking harmful DEI policies that are steering us towards Communism

By Patricia Conlin Have you ever heard of the phrase Divide and Conquer which was made famous by Julius Caesar during the Roman Empire? This military strategy to control the masses has worked so well over the centuries that it is still being used today in the form of Identity Politics. An example of Identity Politics are DEI policies. DEI which is supposedly an acronym for Diversity/Equity/Inclusion is more accurately described as Division and Engineered/Inequality. As an active and concerned citizen of Durham Region, it’s time for all of us to examine the harm of DEI policies. I speak on this topic out of love for all people regardless of any external factors including their skin colour, beliefs or their choices for life partners. Today’s DEI policies are leading us collectively down a very dark path. They are fueling division and are blatantly discriminatory. Martin Luther King stated beautifully “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King fought for a world where his fellow man had an equal opportunity and was treated fairly and with respect independent of race, religion or sexual identity. Current DEI policies actually promote reverse discrimination and inequity instead of what they advertise. And this isn’t the first time this propaganda has been used by governments. The roots of so called “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” come from Marxist ideology which was used throughout history as a tool to implement totalitarian policies in communist countries with promises of a utopia of equality which of course never happens. The result with these types of Marxist ideologies is always the same…increased censorship, government control, corruption and poverty. Any yet, here we are again going down this path of division. Right now, in Canada as an example, some jobs are advertising ONLY for those who are part of the LGBTQ++ community to apply. Others will not be considered. This is excellent if you are part of the LGTBQ++ community but not if you are not. You won’t have a chance under DEI even if you have the best skills for the jobs. Is that fair? Other companies are subsidized to hire new immigrants or refugees instead of long-term Canadians and if you say anything about it, you will be called a racist or worse. Many long-term immigrants are seeing that they are being cast aside for the newer arrivals who meet made up criteria of deserving better treatment. Is this right? As Canadians become poorer, sicker and increasingly demoralized, these polices become more fanatical. There is now, like in communist countries, a quota for every “persecuted group” except our government has totally forgotten about merit or character. Martin Luther King was a powerful force of unity but current government policies seek only to divide. DEI has gotten so out of control that safety and quality are now at state. Companies like Boeing and many others are experiencing massive issues with quality control as a result of having implemented DEI policies. They have seen record safety issues due to hiring unqualified people over competent workers to meet DEI quotas. Is it healthy that we are building a victim society where only those who identify as being persecuted are granted any assistance, employment or support? Although equity of opportunity is critical to all of us in Canada, no government or private official can or should work to guarantee equity of outcome. This means that decisions for hiring, events and policies should be based on equal standards or benefits for all people in the community. But is this happening? Even if you are benefiting today from DEI policies, realize that you too might be on the chopping block by discriminatory policies that might judge you not by your work but by whatever new quota has been identified. We are all equal and each person deserves the opportunity to improve their live and reach their goals. Let’s remove Marxist DEI from government, work and schools and start promoting equal opportunities for everyone. This starts with removing harmful ideologies from our schools, focusing on skills and learning, hard work, character and competence again so we can create real positive growth and unity again in Canada.

FIESTA WEEK TRAGEDY

FIESTA WEEK TRAGEDY By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Published Columns in Canada and The United States

Before we begin we must define what a fiesta is. As per dictionary interpretation, FIESTA: You can use the word fiesta for any party, but it usually refers to a large feast, festival, or very extravagant party. In Spanish, fiesta means "feast," and in many Spanish-speaking places, a fiesta celebrates a saint's day or other religious occasion. The word comes from the Latin festus, "festive, joyful, or merry." Now, focus on the LARGE word as that is the key to the event. I say this because through the years I have seen the so called Fiesta week slowly diminish. I have personally approached the committee involved and they refuse help. If is not their way it is no way. This type of mentality is seen across many City committees. Committees made up of people with good intentions but no clue on how to promote and or market an event. A success is not 40 - 50 people appearing on any one particular day. A success is 1,000 - 10,000 showing up in our city. People from all across the globe coming in for a good time. For a FIESTA. No, instead we have small gathering... normally family and friends of those hosting the particular pavilions and some curious visitors. The fiesta week for the past 10 years at least has had no real promotion or advertising. Sadly, this is another example of why our City of Oshawa has opportunity after opportunity pass us by. The downtown car show, the lakeview park car show. Gone. We have a chamber of commerce that is ineffective and inactive. It has been years since I seen one of the reps come over for a chat. I know that if I had been mayor. I would have turned Fiesta Week into a real international event. I would have targeted all kinds of groups to create a buzz like never before. This would have been months of pre-event preparation. Coordination with all kinds of real partners....not like they do it here in Oshawa... they call partners... nothing short of political supporters for those elect. I would have approached investors in the Fiesta week. I would have had the event marketed in foreign countries inviting tourism to Durham Region. No, instead what do we have? The same old the same old. The numbers slowly dwindling and opportunity keeps passing us by. Have we not had enough of the same old, same old?

Canada Day 2024

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East This year is the 157th anniversary of a country still called Canada. Mired by the dark aspersions cast on our history and the complicated world situation we find ourselves in, we need to remember that we are still Canadians and be proud of it. As we reflect on events since the beginning of the year, let us hope that this year Canada Day will finally bring the nation a glimmer of hope and that the second half of 2024 will be better. Let’s take a moment to consider the incredible contributions made by Canadians throughout our history. Their efforts have helped to make the country what it is today; a country of vibrant cities and strong rural communities. Canada is a place where cultural freedom still flourishes, and Canadians from all backgrounds are still free to express themselves and help our country prosper despite recent tendencies to restrict these freedoms. Successive waves of immigrants from France, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries together with Indigenous people have helped to forge our nation’s unique character. Through their efforts, our communities have become a distinct part of the Canadian identity which we need to preserve rather than deny. We should honour this legacy while we recognize that we can do better in the future. Let’s be proud of our combined anglophone, francophone and indigenous heritage and seek a strong and constructive cooperation with all our people of different backgrounds for a better Canada. Canada was not born of bloody conflict. It emerged from a lengthy process of brainstorming about practical matters, of negotiations, proposals, and legislative ratifications. On July 1, 1867, the Confederation of four Canadian provinces created our country and with the inclusion of Lower Canada – now Quebec – it ensured from the outset that Canada would be a blend of two nations, two cultures and two languages. The acceptance of both civil and common law systems is a factor that still makes Canada a helpful player on the international scene. And from the outset, religious tolerance was Canada’s only option. The enactment of the British North America Act, 1867 (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which made the confederation of the provinces law, was celebrated on July 1, 1867, with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto. Contemporary accounts of the celebration also describe "bonfires, fireworks and illuminations, excursions, military displays and musical and other entertainments". On June 20 of the following year, Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation. However, the holiday was not established in statute until May 15, 1879, when it was designated Dominion Day, alluding to the reference in the British North America Act to the country as a dominion. The holiday was initially not dominant in the national calendar; celebrations were mounted by local communities and the Governor General hosted a party at Rideau Hall. No larger celebrations were held until 1917 and then none again for a further decade—the gold and diamond anniversaries of Confederation, respectively. Canada's centennial in 1967 is often seen as an important milestone in the history of Canadian nationalism and in Canada's maturing as a distinct, independent country, after which Dominion Day became more popular with average Canadians. Some Canadians were, by the early 1980s, informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day, a practice that caused some controversy. However, with the granting of Royal Assent, the holiday's name was officially changed to Canada Day on October 27, 1982. Canada Day coincides with Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, with memorials typically held in the morning of July 1. As the anniversary of Confederation, Dominion Day, and later Canada Day, was the date set to commemorate a number of important events. It was the first national radio network hookup by the Canadian National Railway (1927). It was the inauguration of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's cross-country television broadcast, with Governor General Vincent Massey's Dominion Day speech from Parliament Hill (1958) and the flooding of the Saint Lawrence Seaway (1958); It was the first colour television transmission in Canada (1966); the inauguration of the Order of Canada (1967); and the establishment of "O Canada" as the country's national anthem (1980). Other events fell on the same day coincidentally, such as the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, shortly after which Newfoundland recognized July 1 as Memorial Day to commemorate the Newfoundland Regiment's heavy losses during the battle. Our nation is facing greater challenges today, than ever before. These include economic hardship and high inflation, issues related to a new conflagration in Europe, high unemployment and seriously escalating social problems. Let us again show that we support each other. This community spirit is one of the most admirable characteristics of being Canadian. On July the 1st let’s celebrate our country’s achievements and use them, not our failings, as a foundation to build a better and a brighter future together. Let’s celebrate our unity and our treasured country. Happy enlightened Canada Day!

A NEW NAZI MENTALITY ...

By Dale Jodoin The Echoes of History: Examining the Alarming Parallel between Canadian Left-Wing Extremism and Nazi Ideology A disturbing shift has taken root within Canadian left-wing circles, echoing the hateful rhetoric and tactics of historical Nazi ideology. This dangerous trend is not only a threat to democratic values but also poses a grave danger to the safety and well-being of Jewish Canadians. Today, elements within the Canadian left-wing have embraced extremist narratives, including calls for the destruction of Israel and the denial of Jewish people's right to exist. This virulent anti-Semitic rhetoric bears a striking resemblance to the propaganda and policies propagated by the Nazi regime. The impact of this ideological shift cannot be overstated. Jewish Canadians now face a heightened risk of verbal assaults, threats, physical violence, and systemic discrimination, reminiscent of the persecution experienced during darker periods of history. While not identical, the parallels between contemporary left-wing extremism and Nazi ideology are alarming. Both propagate hateful stereotypes, promote scapegoating of minority groups, and advocate for the elimination of perceived adversaries, be it through words or actions. Regrettably, the response from Canadian political leaders has been insufficient, with condemnations often lacking meaningful follow-up actions to address and combat the growing tide of anti-Semitism within the left-wing. Extremist groups, such as Hamas and Iranian-backed organizations, have played a pivotal role in fueling anti-Semitic sentiments within left-wing circles, exploiting grievances and spreading hateful ideologies under the guise of activism. The erosion of civil liberties, including freedom of speech and religious expression, is a direct consequence of this extremist infiltration within left-wing politics. The very values that underpin democratic societies are under threat. A resolute and collective response is urgently needed to confront and dismantle this resurgence of hate and extremism. Concrete measures must be implemented to safeguard the rights and safety of Jewish Canadians and uphold democratic principles. In closing, the rise of Nazi-like rhetoric and actions within Canadian left-wing extremism serves as a stark warning. It is incumbent upon all Canadians, regardless of political affiliation, to reject hatred, uphold inclusivity, and stand in solidarity against bigotry and discrimination in all its forms.tion habits. More and more Canadians are choosing bicycles, e-bikes, and scooger laws that treat the theft of bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters with the seriousneensure a safer, more secure future for all Canadians.

Innovation Unlocked: How CEO’s Can Encourage

Connection, Community, and Creativity By Stephanie Uprichard, IDC, GDC, ARIDO, IIDA Studio Forma Interior Design Principal Designer Connection, Community, And Innovation: Unleashing Creativity In The Workforce In the modern business landscape, innovation and problem-solving are key drivers of success. CEO’s recognize that fostering a sense of connection and community within their organizations not only enhances employee satisfaction but also unleashes the creative potential required for breakthrough ideas and solutions. Here’s how these vital aspects are intertwined and how CEO’s can further encourage a culture of innovation: The Power of Connection and Community in Innovation When employees feel connected and part of a community, they are more inclined to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and build on each other’s thoughts. This collaborative environment stimulates creativity and fosters a collective intelligence that can lead to innovative breakthroughs. A strong sense of community also encourages risk-taking and the exploration of new ideas, as individuals feel supported and valued, even if their suggestions don’t always lead to success. CEO’s who understand this connection actively work to break down silos and encourage cross-functional collaboration. They recognize that diverse perspectives are crucial to innovation and that a community-oriented culture can provide a platform for diverse thoughts and experiences to come together. Encouraging Innovation through Connection and Community Here are some ways in which CEO’s can further encourage innovation within their organizations, building on the foundation of connection and community: Foster a Culture of Psychological Safety: Create an environment where employees feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and share ideas without fear of rejection or ridicule. This can be achieved through inclusive leadership, where diverse thoughts are welcomed, and through team-building activities that emphasize the value of each individual’s contribution. Embrace Diversity and Inclusion: Seek out and promote diverse talent, ensuring that your workforce represents a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Diversity fuels innovation, and by creating an inclusive community, CEO’s can harness the power of these diverse viewpoints to drive creative solutions. Encourage Cross-Functional Collaboration: Break down departmental barriers and encourage employees from different teams to collaborate. This can be facilitated through mixed-team projects, social events, or even shared physical spaces that bring people together. Such interactions spark new connections and can lead to innovative insights. Provide Creative Spaces: In addition to the physical design elements mentioned earlier, consider incorporating dedicated creative spaces within the office. These might include maker spaces, innovation labs, or simply areas with whiteboards and creative supplies, encouraging employees to brainstorm and experiment. Celebrate Failure: Reframe failure as a learning opportunity and a stepping stone to success. CEO’s can lead by example here, sharing their own stories of failure and the lessons learned. This shifts the organizational mindset from one of risk-aversion to one of experimentation and growth. Leading with Vision and Inspiration CEO’s set the tone and provide the vision that inspires employees to embrace innovation. Here’s how they can further encourage a culture of creativity: Share the Vision: Clearly articulate the organization’s vision and how innovation plays a role in achieving it. Help employees understand how their contributions, no matter how small, fit into the bigger picture. This provides a sense of purpose and motivates employees to bring their creative best. Lead by Example: CEO’s should embody an innovative mindset, embracing new ideas and technologies. They should be willing to experiment, learn, and adapt, signaling to employees that innovation is a continuous journey. Leading by example inspires employees to follow suit. Recognize and Reward: Implement recognition programs that celebrate innovative achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing and rewarding employees who take calculated risks, challenge the status quo, or develop creative solutions encourages others to do the same. By fostering connection and community within the workforce, CEO’s create an environment ripe for innovation and creative problem-solving. This, coupled with a thoughtful approach to office design and a culture of psychological safety, empowers employees to bring their full creative selves to the table.

Think of Ways You Can Be Attractive to Employers

By Nick Kossovan Think of Ways You Can Be Attractive to Employers Shiny objects catch our attention. When job searching, you want to be that shiny object that catches the attention of employers; exposure is the key. There's no "shiny" without exposure. Some people—perhaps you know one or two—are constantly sought after by employers, while most chase employers. Sought after people understand it's not their knowledge or experience that will make them attractive to employers, but what they show. (read: expose) Consequently, the adage "It's who you know, not what you know" has been replaced with "It's not who you know, it's who knows you." In today's job market, finding a job boils down to making yourself as attractive to employers as possible. When you appear on an employer's radar, you want them to say, "I must meet this person!" The more attractive you are as a "must-meet," the more opportunities will present themselves. Whether or not you successfully attract opportunities depends on what you strategically (keyword) show the world. Fundamentally, when searching for a job, your skills and experience matter less than what you show. (Of course, you must show employers what they want to see.) Showing requires visibility; visibility requires exposure, which can be achieved in several ways. · Utilize social media to build a strong presence. Employers and recruiters pay attention to online "goings-on," hence the obvious: Use social media to promote yourself. When done correctly and consistently, your digital footprint will showcase your expertise and connect you with influencers in your field and industry, along with: 1. Positioning you as an expert in your industry and/or profession. 2. Demonstrating your communication skills, a skill employers highly value. The key is to be active, ideally daily, and not just passively observe. Don't just create profiles and let them sit there. Participate in LinkedIn groups, write posts and guest blogs, share insightful content, and ask questions. Social media's reach is unfathomable. You never know who might read your profile or content and contact you. Years ago, I got a call from Crocs's VP of Human Resources. The head of marketing had seen my Pinterest board, 'Brands That Have My Heart,' which included Crocs— it's common for employers to Google themselves to see what's being said about their products—and after reviewing my LinkedIn profile, felt I might be a good fit for an open position her had. I ended up working for Crocs for several years. My social media posts often lead to recruiters and employers contacting me. When used to build a visible personal brand, the Internet and social media are job seekers' best friends. · Become an active member of a professional association. Professional associations are the perfect place to increase your visibility with like-minded individuals who share a passion for a particular profession or industry. Employers often look for candidates among association members. Understandably, employers prefer players in their industry, people who exhibit an affinity for their profession and industry by staying current with news, trends, and market changes, information that can come in handy during interviews. As with not leaving your social media idle, don't join an association solely to list it on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Being visible in an organization requires active participation. Volunteer to recruit conference speakers, or, even better, be a speaker/panellist yourself. Write for the association's newsletter, offer to manage their social media, or sit on a committee. Becoming a member of an association opens you up to a smorgasbord of networking opportunities with people who are most likely attached to opportunities in some way. Hence, to be top of mind for the opportunities they're connected to, they first need to know you. · Volunteer "strategically" You probably know someone whom everyone knows because of their volunteer work. Strategic volunteering means volunteering for a position (e.g., fundraiser, social media manager, event planner) within a cause that'll leverage and enhance your core skills while making a tangible contribution to the cause, which is where creating your visibility happens—difference-makers are noticed—and provides an opportunity to expand your network. Volunteerism brings together people from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds for a common goal, thereby creating uncommon connection opportunities that often lead to rare opportunities. All networking, no matter with whom, has potential benefits. Additionally, many employers gravitate to charitable candidates. · Make your LinkedIn profile stand out with numbers. According to Hootsuite, every month, 1.6 billion people visit LinkedIn. You don't need statistical evidence to know LinkedIn profiles receive many more views than resumes, so give your LinkedIn profile lots of love! Your LinkedIn profile and resume should follow the cardinal rule of emphasizing your results rather than your responsibilities. An employer's success largely depends on its employees' results; therefore, understandably, your past results are all they care about. Use quantifying numbers that illustrate your achievements to make your LinkedIn profile and resume stand out. For instance, mentioned that you managed a $4 million annual budget or that you sourced a new Internet service provider that reduced costs by 15%. Numbers that show that you improved your employer's bottom line or increased revenue are eye-catching, making you a shiny object. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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

Mrs. Robinson

from Wayne & Tamara My wife, 41, and I have been married 18 years. She is very religious and attends church every weekend. During the past six months she's shown special interest in a 25-year-old young man who is new to her church. Based on our phone records, she calls him several times a day even when we are on vacation. When I ask why she is so interested, she says she is mentoring and coaching this young man in life situations. He recently broke up with his girlfriend, and she serves as a sounding board for him. She told me she has no romantic feelings for the young man. However, she does care for this single young man and loves him as a friend. He is always a perfect gentleman, she claims. She says she would like to help him find a girlfriend, but I do not see much evidence of that. A few months ago she asked if he could spend the night in our house since he lives an hour away and it was late. I told her no. She invited him anyway. When I found out he was in the house, I asked her to tell him to leave. She did. That incident did not change their relationship. She took a trip with him to a church function out of town, while I was on a business trip. Am I simply being jealous? Should I be concerned this relationship will grow into a romance? Jim Jim, if you don't have children, and if we consider your wife's age, there is an innocent possibility. Many women in their 40s feel a biological need to mother. They often want a child. We might call this the last gasp of their biology. What your wife is doing could be a last expression of her biological urge. He's a young man, lost in life, and she can direct and mother him. This may also be what is expected of her in her church, so she is taking care of two things. She is nurturing him as a mother, and she is nurturing him spiritually as her religion requires. There is another possibility, of course, one which trips your triggers. You see this as the movie "The Graduate" and your wife as Mrs. Robinson, the older woman who seduces a young man. Women in their 30s and 40s are at their sexual peak, and your wife could be attracted to a young man. Which of the two is it? Is her biological clock ticking, or is her sexual pot boiling? You know your wife better than anyone. Take an honest look at your relationship with her right now. Not how you imagine it to be, but how it actually is. Is she enough disconnected from you to be having an affair with a young man? Or is she looking for the spiritual and emotional connection you've lost with her? Wayne & Tamara Want Ads I work at a small radio station. I started eight months ago, and I've done really well. But the longer I'm here the more problems I have with my boss. He's the type of man who can talk friendly all day, but the minute you want to talk business, he gives you the cold shoulder. I work on commission and am paid once a month. I was supposed to be paid 10 days ago, but I haven't even seen my boss. Five of my paychecks have bounced since I started. I need money to pay bills, but the more I ask for my commission, the more he avoids me. Natalie Natalie, the Greeks invented a way of deducing answers called the syllogism. Putting your problem in a three-part syllogism, we get this: I have a job and jobs pay money. I am not being paid. Therefore, I don't really have a job. I must move on. Wayne SEND LETTERS TO: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell and The Young Woman’s Guide to Older Men—available from Amazon, Apple, and booksellers everywhere.

How You Breathe Affects Your Health

By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford An old Chinese adage goes, “If you know the art of deep breathing, you have the strength, wisdom, and courage of ten tigers.” When a kung fu master takes a meditative moment before delivering the kiss of the dragon, these powers are summoned, and woe be the opponent! But is this practice of deep breathing also responsible for the seemingly long lives of these great masters? Breathing is something we do naturally and without thought. But ask people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or lung cancer. There’s no taking the lungs for granted, and a great deal of thought goes into the process. Does it matter, how you breathe? Breathe in, breathe out, isn’t that enough? It turns out, you may want to make some adjustments in how you do it, and you can have a little fun at the same time. Researchers conducted an interesting study. Over the course of one month, they compared the practice of mindful meditation with three different types of daily, 5-minute breathwork exercises. One group of study participants were instructed to breath using longer inhalations and shorter exhalations. Another group performed box breathing or tactical breathing, which is equal duration of inhalations, breath retentions, and exhalations. A third group probably had a laugh or two as they undertook something called cyclic sighing, which emphasizes prolonged exhalations. One can’t be sure, from reading the study, if indeed any of the study participants in the third group had a chuckle or two while doing their 5-minutes of sighing. Since it was conducted remotely during the pandemic, researchers wouldn’t know either. But imagining the potential humour only accentuates the study’s results. Maybe 5 minutes of breathing with prolonged exhalations can be done in relative silence. But after all, it’s called cyclic sighing. So add the vocalization, and especially when two or more people do it together, the humour becomes more palpable. All three groups achieved greater benefit from daily 5-minutes of breathwork than from the practice of mindful meditation. These benefits were measured in terms of rate of respiration, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability. But the cyclic sighing group had the highest benefit. Here’s another fun fact about the study. Researchers found that study participants doing cycle sighing benefited more from the exercise the more days they did it compared with mindfulness meditation, an effect not observed in the other groups. When might you want to try cyclic sighing? The study suggests everyday. But here’s another consideration. In moments of stress and anger, taking time out to breathe deeply has been shown to have positive benefits. The physiological effect of deeper, slower breathing is a calming of the nervous system. In turn, calmer nerves mean lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduced production of stress hormones, and less build up of lactic acid in muscles. Add in a bit of laughter and what happens? It may, initially, speed up your heart rate. But the relaxation that follows brings that rate right down. It increases endorphins in the brain that improve mood. It stimulates circulation and aids muscle relaxation. Laughter can ease pain both by distraction and by stimulating the body to fight pain with its own natural painkillers. Why not try it now, as you finish reading this article? Set a timer for 5 minutes and commence taking deep breaths in, followed by longer sighs of exhale. Anyone around will ask what on Earth you are doing. You can have a good laugh in explaining and inviting them to join in. 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

“SOCIAL MEDIA, FACEBOOK, NEXTDOOR, YOUTUBE ETC.” IS IT GOOD OR BAD ?

On the upside, some would say, Social Media has opened the world to them ….. - it brings me closer to family & friends who live far away from me, who otherwise I might not see - it links me with groups of similar interests and hobbies, and thereby, new friends - it introduces me to my neighbours and alerts me to what is happening in my neighbourhood - it allows ordinary people to provide their opinions on comments of others, of politics, of news etc - the comments, videos, stories often bring a smile to my face, a tear to my eye or challenge me On the downside, it has allowed a platform for bullies, for haters and those that delight in being able to brag to their like minded friends, “Well, I told them”….. Hmmm …. The majority of these bullies are full of self importance, bullies take pride in attacking without actually knowing what they are attacking. Bullies attacks are based on a headline or usually on what someone told them. Bullies can’t wait to jump in, their self importance desires to be the first to attack without research. Rarely do these bullies actually read or understand the whole article or have they actually witnessed the happening. There are two types of bullies, those puffed up on self importance seeing their name on social media for all to see and then there are the bullies who hide behind fake names and pictures. Note - Neither do either of these types of bullies actually explain or answer why they felt the need to attack. Bullies seem to lack common sense or understanding. MANY MUNICIPALITIES AND COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THOSE IN DURHAM, USE SOCIAL MEDIA AS ANOTHER PLATFORM TO KEEP CITIZENS INFORMED. The City of Pickering has their own Facebook known as …. Let’s Talk Pickering …. an online hub to find out about what special projects and initiatives are open for public comment. Note - you must register to get involved. “Pickering Talk”, a facebook forum, not the city’s, created to given residents another avenue to share their many valid questions and concerns as to what’s happening. Unfortunately it seems this forum is used primarily by a number of residents (bullies) to spread their biases, only a few residents use this forum to bring up valid concerns. I have to ask the following bullies, who continually have delightedly these past number of months posted their names and biases against Councillor Robinson; “Hopes Cradle” a safe place for a mother to secretly anonymously abandon/surrender her baby, without facing criminal charges, provided the baby is healthy. Sounds good, save a life. so what’s the downside? Hmmm … let’s think about this for a minute. Suppose the mother is/was youR daughter, grandaughter, your girlfriend, your son’s girlfriend etc. and for one reason or another, you were not aware of the pregnancy. You only become aware some months later that a baby, who related to you, was born. Too bad for you after thirty days, any legal rights as the mother or you, a blood relative who was never aware of the pregnancy, has no rights to the child, the baby, your family member has gone into the system and you will be left with a hole in your heart, never knowing the joy of having this child in your life. I understand that these are the questions that Councillor Robinson asked, that need to be dealt with prior to just approving Hopes Cradle as it currently stands. I pray that you, your daughter, your son or other close relative never finds yourself in this situation. As an added note, the baby will never know it’s medical & family history. Now, for all you bullies, real & fake, who love to be seen out there and love make false accusations, Kathy Sauve Uden, Brenda Holdsworth, Lead Todd, Allison Myers Marcoux, Lesly Mckenna McConnell, Janet DiLeo, Chris Raithby Robinson, Julie Fontbona, Aaron Mcguillicuddy, Ed Cunningham, Kevin Ashe & others it’s time for you all to stop the accusations, stop trying to pass your misguided words off as being the councilor's words. I challenge you to “Provide real proof, evidence of your accusations not what someone else said or wrote, that’s hearsay”. In my opinion, all government levels, are in a mess because we are afraid to speak up for what’s right. PLEASE SPEAK UP WHILE WE HAVE SOME RIGHTS BEFORE WE LOSE THEM ALL

Mayor Ignores Public Pleas for Change Room Choice at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC)

By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City Councillor In a recent development, Mayor Kevin Ashe has dismissed my pleas to bring forward a motion that would allow users of the CHDRC to choose their preferred change room. Despite substantial public interest and repeated recent requests, the mayor’s response indicates a clear disregard for the community’s concerns. The mayor’s reasoning is encapsulated in his recent correspondence: “Your request for a Seconder on Notice of Motion is moot. As of December 2023, CHDRC front desk staff have been trained and instructed to consider accommodation requests from non-members to use the membership change rooms. This has been promoted on our Conversations in the Community web page for the past half year. I am aware that you’ve previously referenced Conversations in the Community on social media, but perhaps you missed this key point. Here is a link to the page: Conversations in the Community I know that this issue is very important to you, but to date, there have been zero instances where non-members have requested to use the membership change rooms. Outside of some online chatter that took place months ago, the reality is that the universal change rooms are a non-issue for the thousands of visitors and users of the CHDRC. I hope these new insights are able to satisfy your concerns.” In response to the mayor’s stance, I conveyed the following: Dear Mr. Mayor, Thank you for your response regarding the accommodation requests at the CHDRC. I appreciate the efforts taken to train front desk staff and the promotion of this information on the “Conversations in the Community” webpage. However, I must respectfully disagree with your assertion that this issue is moot, and here is why. Firstly, the absence of formal requests from non-members to use the membership change rooms does not necessarily indicate a lack of demand or concern. It is possible that potential users are unaware of their rights or feel uncomfortable making such requests, particularly if they have not seen explicit signage or direct communication about this accommodation at the CHDRC. Secondly, while the “Conversations in the Community” webpage is a valuable resource, not all community members may visit this page or be aware of its contents. This highlights a gap in communication that could be addressed through more proactive measures, such as clear signage at the facility, direct emails to registered users, and social media posts specifically highlighting this accommodation policy. Furthermore, my recent influx of calls, emails, and social media comments on this topic indicates a growing concern within the community that cannot be ignored. These communications suggest that there is indeed an underlying issue that needs to be addressed more transparently and effectively. I believe that incorporating this accommodation policy into a formal, widely disseminated policy document would provide clarity and assurance to all users. This could involve outlining specific procedures for non-members to request access to the membership change rooms, ensuring staff are not only trained but also periodically reminded of these protocols, and actively monitoring the policy’s effectiveness through regular feedback from the community. In conclusion, while your insights provide some context, they do not fully address the concerns being raised by community members. A formal policy would not only address current issues but also prevent potential misunderstandings in the future, ensuring that the CHDRC remains an inclusive and welcoming space for all. Thank you for considering this perspective. I look forward to continued dialogue on this matter. Sincerely, Councillor Lisa Robinson We hope that Mr. Mayor acts in the best interest of the people of Pickering and brings this forth in open and civil public debate. "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"

COMING OUT AND PROUD!!!

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

Ontario education today: doing everything but teaching fundamentals

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Ontario’s school system is worse than a tsunami disaster on all fronts these days. It seems to be driven by an ignorant woke class that permeates every aspect of the system like a malignant virus. A group of people in power positions pushing their own agenda with a blatant disregard for parental input, opinion or concerns. Today, the leaders of the boards of education are there to tell you that as a parent you do not need to know what is being taught, just trust them. If you ask questions, they tell you that you are racist, your kids are racist, the system is racist, everyone is homophobic, and our society is built on white supremacy and colonialism. Furthermore, the police are to be feared and Canada is a horrible country whose founders are to be forgotten because they were bad people. They also tell you that mathematics and science are only to be tolerated and sidelined because they are tools of the privileged class. Today’s educational leaders favor the new, so-called futuristic social approaches in order to create a ‘better’ society, ruled in bliss, by ignorants. Most people are unaware of what goes on in the school system. They genuinely believe the system is there to provide a service on which they can rely to do the best for their children. That may have been the case once upon a time, but now the system is there to serve the needs, wants and ideology of a completely ignorant class of lackeys and the wokecrats who employ and enable them. Not long ago, Canada was a beacon of hope; the example of a harmonious society eager to do better for the country and be proud of it. Today we see a destructive trend that fractures our country and creates friction in our society, perpetuated by people following a globalist ideology that is harmful to the very existence of humanity. This is evident in the educational approach of today, which ignores real science in favor of a pseudo social science. Today it is more important to socialise than teach mathematics, physics and chemistry. One may wonder whether there are still teachers available who are knowledgeable in and competent to teach these subjects. Long gone are the homework assignments for children to complete, that served as the basis of a teacher parent interaction. Parents today are deliberately kept in the dark, strongly discouraged from asking questions about the curriculum or how it is being implemented in their child’s classroom. At best, they are given very vague, non-committal answers. Children are not allowed to bring home their workbooks, or even their marked tests. They are told the mark they got on the test, but do not have it when the correct answers are discussed, to see where they went wrong. Have these educators forgotten that correcting your own mistakes is one of the key elements of effective learning? The education system has become quite dictatorial with no recourse for questioning by the very people who pay the taxes to support it, and hence, pay their salaries. The results are evident in the performance of Ontario students on provincial tests in mathematics. They have been on a steady decline for years, despite careful tweaking of who takes the test, and specific lessons delivered before administering the test. It seems that the education system is there to produce graduates who are scientifically illiterate and technically challenged. This is not good for either the province or the country. For example, once Canada was a strong leader in the nuclear sciences. Today, when nuclear energy is recognized as ‘green energy’, we have lost that edge to countries whose education systems still hold mathematics and the exact sciences to be the cornerstone of general education. An approach to education that marginalizes mathematics and the exact sciences by making them socially unacceptable is bound to flounder in a technological world. A curriculum that makes statements like the following has clearly been taken over by people trying to rationalize their own scientific illiteracy: “Mathematics has been used to normalize racism and marginalization of non-Eurocentric mathematical knowledges, and a decolonial, anti-racist approach to mathematics education makes visible its historical roots and social constructions,” taken from the 2021 curriculum revision. When kids are being taught that math is racist, or everyone in history, including one of the founding fathers of our country, Sir John A. MacDonald for example, is racist, or that they are racist, a great injustice is being done both to the children and our history. Furthermore, the current curriculum is exposing children prematurely to social constructs in the classroom that also pose legitimate concerns, particularly about gender ideology. The idea that we should be teaching young children that gender is fluid, that you can change your gender, before they even fully understand the concept of gender, is not only unconscionable, but a recipe for disaster. There are also policies in place at school boards across the province that tell teachers not to inform parents of children, as young as four, who tell a teacher they want to change their gender. The school policy, far too often, is to do what the child says he/she wants based on premature exposure to these social constructs in school, while keeping the parents in the dark. There are also boards of education that prefer to celebrate flags other than the Canadian Flag, hoisting it instead of the symbol of our nation. How is that for inclusivity? Is this the new and revolutionary concept of nation building? We also had bans on allowing police officers into classrooms, especially in uniform, even for kids who wanted to bring a parent who works in law enforcement, for career day. None of these issues are driven by what is best for the students. They are driven by wicked politics. It is time for parents to stand up and say, enough is enough. It is also time for the government to listen to parents and return to them their justly earned primary role in the education of their own children. What do you think?