Can AI Help Fight Cancer?

W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones

The short answer is yes – cancer and other health problems too. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game-changer. Not only can this rapidly advancing technology improve the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis and treatment, it has enormous potential to predict health problems, allowing for far more effective prevention programs that target at-risk populations. Take, for example, children born with congenital heart defects. This fate currently falls to about 40,000 babies born in the U.S. each year, and about 1.35 million newborns worldwide. What causes defective heart structures in the developing embryo is open to debate. But genetics, diet, environment, medications, and smoking are all on the list. But what if AI could analyse vast quantities of data and learn from patterns to predict a problem pregnancy even before conception? Neonatal cardiac surgeons are studying this possibility, in hopes of putting themselves out of a job. Instead of time in operating rooms, they are designing educational programs and delivering nutritional supplements to would-be mothers most as risk. What exactly is AI? And how does it work? Artificial intelligence refers to computer programs, or algorithms, that use data to make decisions or predictions. To build an algorithm, scientists instruct computers to follow a set of rules in the analysis of data. In machine learning (ML), an algorithm teaches itself how to analyze data and interpret patterns. With exposure to vast amounts of data, learning and interpretation improves. The question becomes, to what extent can the decisions being made be trusted? Dr. Hugo Aerts, Director of the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, says, “AI can automate assessments and tasks that humans currently can do but take a lot of time.” Scientists are developing AI tools that use screening images like mammograms to predict risk of developing cancer. To date, doctors used such images to detect if cancer is already present. Due to variation in the skill-level and experience of radiologists, results are highly subjective. Aerts notes that relying on “a human making an interpretation of an image—say, a radiologist, a dermatologist, a pathologist —that’s where we see enormous breakthroughs being made.” In 2018, an AI tool hit the news by outperforming 58 international dermatologists in the diagnosis of skin cancer, missing fewer melanomas and misdiagnosing fewer benign moles. AI models have shown impressive precision in identifying lung, breast, thyroid, prostate, and blood-related cancers. With AI, medical professionals can cut costs, expedite clinical decision-making and significantly reduce wait times. But despite these successes and benefits, there is reason to be skeptical about early computer models as stand-alone tools for screening cancers or predicting the onset of other diseases. One model, for example, was found to raise alarms not in accordance with the patients’ conditions but with the location where imaging equipment was used. Yet, scientists are honing the instructions given AI tools by validating results against well known, trusted data. For example, the Framingham Heart Study has been collecting data from a large population cohort for over 70 years. This data provides an opportunity to assess AI findings against established records. Will the technology become so astute that oncologists and pathologists become obsolete? Not according to Dr. Olivier Michielin of University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. “AI will enable oncologists, pathologists and other stakeholders to work more efficiently, it will not replace them,” he says. But AI is undeniably improving the practice of medicine by having computers do what humans cannot – crunching huge amounts of data to expedite diagnosis and treatment. To what extent AI can help prevent disease remains to be seen. Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

https://youtu.be/HHCbic6Nz0s

THE REALITY OF MATHEMATICS

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. Dear friends and fellow taxpayers. Since I have put my candidacy forth for Mayor of our beloved City of Oshawa. I have received and overwhelming amount of support and encouragement. For that I thank all those that so far have come forth with such encouraging thoughts and well wishes. As it stands there are many people upset/frustrated with the current municipal administration. People do not fee safe walking our city streets. People are seeing first hand how the quality of life in Oshawa has slowly eroded to a level never seen before. This column is not about the obvious problems in Oshawa. this column is a message to take to heart to anyone thinking of running for municipal office. If you are thinking of running do it because you want a better Oshawa not for you but for children. Make sure you teach yourself or talk to others in the community with first hand knowledge of the issues and the needs. Make sure that you understand the job you are about to be elected to perform. Assure you have the time to put forth to be successful in that municipal position. As it stands the problem with our city is that our elected are going through the motions and not doing the job. Sitting in committees and or council is not the job. But part of the job. Councillors are not there to keep score for agendas. Councillors are there as door openers for opportunity for all. Many elected today have stopped caring and only care about fluffing pensions and or assuring that come friday they can collect their pay. It is a culture at City hall that needs to change. The way I see it. The Mayor is the CEO of the corporation. He is the sole responsibility of the success or failure of the enterprise. Council are upper management. Council meetings should be the place we all as a community rejoice over the proposed projects brought before us. Instead City council is nothing short of a rubber stamping process for choices made behind closed doors and heavily persuaded by lobbyist. Look what happened recently at the region with the passing of developing prime lands. For those thinking to enter the Mayoral race. Ask yourself one fundamental question. Is it because I want to win? Is it because you want change for your city? Well if you answer yes to any of those questions. Think about this. If you enter the race now. The votes will be split. This means that the incumbent will win. This meaning more of the same. Is that what we want? My suggestion for anyone wanting to do something positive for the City. Join the INGINO campaign. Mathematically we stand a chance. I am looking for advisors, volunteers, donations. Mathematically and traditionally. The incumbent always has the advantage. The more candidates the greater the chance of re-election. I have seen Oshawa slip for 30 years. It is time to take it back and bring it back to the jewel it was once. Let’s borrow the play book from Mississauga and follow to a ‘T’ and improve it. Success is near. The question is how bad we want it? Let’s work together for the betterment of our kids future.

Questionable Experts and a Gullible Media

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Today I will touch on a very sensitive but important topic; that of the many so-called experts, paraded interminably on all manner of subjects by our elitist, gullible and intellectually challenged media. For the purposes of this article, I will define an expert as "a person with an advanced degree with skill in, or knowledge of a particular subject (Oxford English Dictionary)." Expertise, is the dexterity of an individual to apply the acquired skill or knowledge, and communicate it effectively. Based on the Oxford English Dictionary definition of expert, we, Canadians, prefer to call the vast majority of advanced degree holders, experts. Whether the so-called experts have the expertise to use and communicate their knowledge effectively, is the million-dollar question. In Canada today, you hear from all sorts of experts, in fields as widely varied as governance, science, health, politics, military, security, communication, labour, energy, sanitation, finance, marketing, etc. The big question is, do the cited experts really have the expertise? What does it really mean to be a legitimate expert in a specific area, judged by a common sense approach? There are many kinds of experts in all areas. Some experts have a moderate amount of knowledge about a large number of fields. Other experts have extreme, in-depth knowledge about a tiny area in a particular field, but perhaps not that much about other areas of the same field. For example, someone who is an expert in chemical engineering is not an expert in structural civil engineering or engineering-physics. A medical doctor expert in cancer studies is not an expert on retroviruses, etc. and there are many similar examples in other professional fields. Unfortunately, there are also many fake experts, and like poisonous mushrooms, they are difficult to detect without direct interaction. Generally speaking, a legitimate expert is someone who: - has education in the general field; - has done recent research into the specific area in the field; - makes claims that are supported by systematic reviews of the research literature; - has a good track record when it comes to being accurate on specific field issues; - has not promoted bullshit in some other areas; and - does not have any overt and undisclosed conflicts of interest. So the questions arise; how to evaluate an alleged expert? And how to distinguish a genuine expert from a fake one? How can you spot a phony expert referenced by elitist and syndicated journalists to give a deceptive veneer of credibility to their otherwise unreasonable claims? This is often more difficult than it seems, especially for the general public. However, there are a few red flags that should increase skepticism about an alleged expert. One can roughly divide experts into two categories. The first category of expert relies on deductive methods. For instance, if multiple, well-designed randomized controlled trials point to one conclusion, but the alleged expert claims the opposite, then this alleged expert is probably a fake expert. A relevant example is the recent COVID-19 pandemic which has upended our lives and beaten us down. And just as we saw light at the end of the tunnel (thanks to vaccines, we were told), Omicron arrived. Surrounded by politicians dithering in the face of this new threat to their political lives, politicians advised by 'expert' medical professionals primarily concerned with hospital capacities rather than curing patients, the stage was set. 'Experts' in charge were fixated on vaccinations and testing, using corrupted statistics to intimidate the public. In Ontario, the expert advisory body on Omicron was running around like the proverbial headless chicken. The science Expert Advisor Dr. Peter Juni, since gone to greener pastures in England, was blowing his horn loudly, giving spaced-out advice to ordinary people, seemingly preparing us for further bleak and dark times ahead. This high priest 'expert' was really preaching doomsday when there was none. Canadians were encouraged to be 'fully vaccinated' to beat the Covid pandemic with its Greek alphabet mutations; the famous two doses of sometimes cocktail vaccinations. As this did not seem to be enough, a booster shot was recommended to protect us from the pandemic and end it once and for all. Now we are told that this was a false assumption. So may one ask where the expertise was in all this? The question was, how much longer would Canadians continue to believe in "expertise" that changed daily at the whim of the 'expert' science table, at times completely contradicting itself. Canada's top doctor, Dr. Theresa Tam, said employers must provide the best masks and ventilation possible. So now vaccinated or not, you needed the mask of all masks to stay protected?! The second category of expert relies on probabilistic methods. Being systematically wrong on many field issues increases the risk that an alleged expert would be wrong in the area under discussion. As an example from the political field, take an article run last week by journalist Catherine Cullen from CBC News "Legal experts accuse Leslyn Lewis of 'fearmongering' over WHO pandemic pact". Conservative leadership hopeful Leslyn Lewis, a member of parliament, who holds a PhD in International Law, has outlined a potentially damaging scenario: if Canada signs the World Health Organization's Pandemic Response Treaty, Canadians' travel and medication choices could be restricted, the Constitution could be suspended, and it could all pave the way to a global government. Several legal "experts" referred to in the article were quick to denounce her claims as completely untrue. "This is nothing more than fearmongering. There is nothing to support these really strong assertions," said Prof. Timothy Caulfield, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy at the University of Alberta. A quick scan of Timothy Caulfield's Twitter account shows dismissive and divisive language against those who have chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and articles with headlines like: "No, You're Not Entitled To Your Own Opinion." The other 'expert' quoted, Dr. Steven Hoffman, Dahdaleh, Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal Epidemiology, collaborates with the WHO on a project about antimicrobial resistance but said he receives no funding from the organization. Yet another 'expert', Prof. Kelley Lee, Canada Research Chair in Global Health Governance at Simon Fraser University said: "The bottom line is that her claims are so far from the truth that it's actually hard to know where to begin," However, when academics and journalists are connected with the Trudeau Foundation, have active and historic working relationships with the WHO, and have employment income stemming directly from the federal government, the potential for conflicts of interest and bias cannot be denied. In case you haven't noticed, recommendation from the United Nation and its affiliated organizations seem to be taken as gospel truth in Canada lately, and used as the basis for making domestic legislation. In conclusion, to reach the most reliable evaluation, both deductive and probabilistic arguments have to be taken into account in an expert's testimony. You, the public, being fed a lot of 'expert' information today, face a difficult task in separating the wheat from the chaff. Finding the truth is rarely easy, but it is made significantly more difficult when deliberately clouded. So be alert and be prepared.

Strategically Pick Your References

By Nick Kossovan Hiring is costly, thus why employers ask for references-the last hurdle to jump over to reach your job search finish line. Before going to a restaurant, you've never been to, you likely check out online reviews, as you would read Amazon reviews before ordering a herbal remedy you've never tried or a laptop. Employers conduct reference checks for the same reasons you read reviews before making a purchasing decision: They want to know what kind of employee you'll be (most likely) and whether you'll be worth the salary investment. Furthermore, your opinion of yourself and your work is biased. Someone substantiating your claims goes a long way in making an employer feel confident you're the right person for the job. A few jobs back, I had a candidate going on about how they were a "team player." They even told me great STAR stories. However, when I spoke to a former colleague, they painted an entirely different picture of the person. Providing references who'll speak positively about you should be obvious. I've seen great resumes, impressive interview performances, and all the candidate's efforts negated by bad references. Hence, their candidacy was no longer considered. Speak to your potential references before starting your job search. Changing jobs is common these days; therefore, there's a good chance your former boss is no longer at your former employer. This is why it's a good idea to stay in touch with former colleagues and bosses. You don't want to be asked for references, a sign that your potential employer is considering offering you the job, and then find yourself scrambling trying to find references who'll evangelize your abilities and provide examples of your work. Don't provide a list of names to employers without telling the people on the list that they're references. Never share a person's contact information without their prior consent. If I receive a reference request out of the blue, I decline to act as a reference. First off, I'm caught off guard. Secondly, the person who gave my name and contact information without my permission didn't show any common courtesy. Nobody is owed a reference. As a hiring manager, I've spoken to many references who weren't excited or eager to act as a reference. Gauge how the person feels when you ask them to be your reference. Unless they say, "Sure, anytime!" or, as I tend to say, "I'll make sure they want you more than you want them," then don't use the person as a reference. Don't even try to convince them to be a reference. I will occasionally decline to be a reference for obvious reasons; we parted on bad terms. Not only is it professional, but it's also in your best interest to leave your job amicably. Leave the epic job quitting scenes in Jerry Maguire, Office Space and American Beauty to Hollywood. Keep in mind that it's a small world; many industries are "close-knit," and reputations travel on many roads-then there's social media. You never know when you'll need a former boss or colleague to act as a reference for you. Your references should be people who can speak to your work output and results, your overall approach to projects, and your ability to collaborate and lead. Your mother, father, best friend, or that one successful uncle don't count. Instead, choose former or current coworkers, past managers, or even clients and customers who can offer insight into your work and character. Ideally, your references (Plan on having at least four references in case one or two are unavailable.) should include a recent boss, a peer, and a subordinate. Chose people who not only can speak to your performance and your potential but-this is key-who are articulate. They needn't be orators, but one-word answers and "Oh, he's nice" don't make for a good reference. If you have any doubt about someone being a reference, DON'T USE THEM! As I mentioned, regardless of how well your interviews went, a bad reference can destroy your chances of receiving a job offer. Once you've lined up your references, give each of them a copy of your current résumé. When a potential employer asks for your references, inform your references to expect a call. As well, send them the link to the job posting or the job description. Last but not least, thank your references for helping you take the next step in your career and stay in touch with them for your next job search. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

SO MANY SHADES OF BLUE

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. You got to be kidding me... How many shades of greed oops, I meant BLUE are there. From the true blue blooded Conservative party old guard to the People’s Party that can’t win a seat. It appears that the under rank has lost sense of direction and anyone and everyone that does not like kissing ass before being considered for a promotion can now open up a branch of the conservative party. I got to laugh at the NEW BLUE provincial party. REALLY... COME ON FOLKS. Look in Oshawa alone. This Alex Dawn. An arrogant, ‘YES MAN’ type. She is the classic example of all that is wrong with the conservatives. The party has lost it’s purpose, it’s vision and by the selection of it’s candidates it’s mind. With this said. Look at a guy like Colin Carrie. A conservative waiting on the sidelines... for what no one knows... as it has been almost a decade and what has he done for Oshawa. I use to be a strong supporter of the Conservative party. Jim Flaherty was one of our first columnist. Unfortunately the Flaherty days are no longer part of the conservative party legacy. I remember in those days. The conservative party was about leadership and about duty to the party. It was about working hard to assure the true values of the conservative party were felt in the community. Today, the conservatives have proven to be no better or worst than those they attempt to defeat. It is not about preservation of ideology and way of life. It is about jockeying for the top seat. Members don’t like it or disapprove of the way things are being done. They branch off and start their own party. This clearly showing the lack of understanding and commitment that is needed to truly represent any party. You can’t lead by division. You can’t win by splitting votes. If within your own conservative party you have splinters. How are the voters to take you serious and as a solid party. May there be hope for the conservatives yet? Let’s look at a man like: Pierre Marcel Poilievre PC MP. A careered politicians with the right look, the right moves and knows how to say when and for the right reason. Could he be the messiah for the conservatives? Or just another wolf in sheep skin. Personally, I been doing this for way to long. I have seen them come and go. I believe that Pierre end goal is obvious and he will dance to any tune played before him. Charming the votes of anyone that will take a moment to hear him. For this reason I tread with caution as I seen this type of leader before. I am sure the Liberals are thinking something similar with Trudeau.... Thinking how long can we ride this Trudeau nostalgia horse. Can the Trudeau nostalgia be enough to beat the song and dance that Pierre brings to the center stage? Hard to tell as we the voters have become so confused and have surrendered our ability to rationalize misinformation that we rely on voting on smiles, empty promises and much like Trudeau win. On nostalgia. We do not live in a democratic state. We live in a deceptive, misinformed state that emblematically shields itself as a democracy. Blue is not blue anymore. Don’t be fooled by the many shades as they are only signs of weakness not strength.

Expensive, outdated and mediocre Canadian health-care system needs urgent reform

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, it is becoming evident that Canadians are paying too much for too little health care. According to a recent study by the Fraser Institute "Less Ottawa, More Province, 2021: How Decentralized Federalism is Key to Health Care Reform" published on October 19, 2021, this is because by current legislation, the federal government prohibits the provinces from reforming an expensive and deteriorating system. COVID-19 has exacerbated two of the most important ongoing public policy challenges facing Canada: the deterioration of government finances and the underperformance of our health care system. The two problems are related as the cost of Canada's inefficient health care system continues to grow over time, consuming a larger share of government resources and putting increasing pressure on public finances. Provincial governments are responsible for providing health care services, but federal government policies play a crucial role in shaping how health care is financed and delivered across the country-and not always positively. Specifically, the Canada Health Act, established in 1984, governs the way the federal government transfers payments to the provinces and territories in support of health care, and uses the threat of financial penalties to discourage provinces from experimenting with policies and innovations. An extension of previous federal laws related to provincial financing of health care, the Canada Health Act (CHA) of 1984 set the terms and conditions upon which Established Programs Financing (EPF) funding would be contingent, and created provisions for withholding transfers if they were not met. The Canada Health Transfer (CHT) set the terms and conditions under which provincial governments receive federal health transfers; they remained in place when the EPF was replaced by the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST), and they remain in place to this day. To date, the federal government has not withheld transfers due to noncompliance. However, the threat of withheld payments is almost certainly a constraint on provincial health policy action. In essence, there is a need to modernize the Canada Health Act and that should be a priority for the federal liberal government. Unfortunately, while economic issues, particularly inflation, are on the fast track, the government seems to be more concerned with international issues, putting this essential service for Canadians on the back burner. We need to be clear and blunt that as of today, there are two major problems that have either emerged as a result of, or been exacerbated by, the current system of federal health transfers. The first of these is that as the population ages, almost all projections suggest that health care costs across the country will rise significantly. Recent research projects substantial growth in age-related health care spending in the years ahead. Secondly, a significant body of evidence suggests that, despite sustained spending growth, Canada's health care system is underperforming relative to peer countries with universal health care systems. These facts raise important questions about the sustainability of our current approach, and suggest the need for policy reform to make Canadian health care spending more sustainable in the medium and long term. However, the pressure that rising health care spending is placing on provincial budgets is not the only evidence that points to the need for meaningful reform. Also important is the fact that, despite what by international standards are high levels of spending on health care, Canada's health care system underperforms relative to several other countries with universal health care systems. Despite very high expenditures, Canada ranks 26th out of 28 in the number of doctors (2.8 per 1,000 people); 25th out of 26 in acute care hospital beds (2.1 per 1,000) and 24th out of 28 in psychiatric beds (0.4 per 1,000). Canada ranks 21st out of 24 countries in the number of MRIs (10.5 per million of population); 22nd out of 26 in CT scanners (15.2 per million) and 17th out of 24 in PET scanners (1.6 per million). Canada's medical wait times are the longest in 10 comparable countries with universal health care systems that are members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). While Canada ranks close to the average of high-income OECD countries with universal health care for the rate of doctor consultations and CT scans, it performs poorly on other indicators. In particular, Canada reports the lowest degree of hospital activity (as measured by curative care discharges) 12 per hundred thousand populations. In conclusion, as of today, Canada has one of the most expensive universal-access health care systems in the OECD. However, its performance in terms of availability and access to resources is generally worse than the average OECD country, while its comparative ranking in terms of use of resources and quality and clinical performance is mixed. The data presented in the above Fraser study is supported by separate analyses from the Commonwealth Fund, which show that in several areas of health system performance Canada underperforms peer countries despite its high expenditure levels. Clearly, there is an imbalance in the performance of our health care system, given the relatively high amount spent on provincial health care systems. The question for federal, provincial and municipal politicians, is how can we improve our health system performance and outcomes without spending more money to do so. In my opinion this should be the primary focus of any politician truly interested in the wellbeing of Canada's citizens, not other political fantasies. What are your thoughts?

By Nick Kossovan In every hiring scenario, the hiring manager is looking for someone as close to a "sure thing" as possible. Therefore, the story of how you've added value to your employers needs to be told throughout your résumé, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and during interviews. This is how you sell yourself! Successful job seekers understand a job search is a sales process. They see themselves as a salesperson hunting for prospects (employers), building a pipeline of potential clients (employers), and scheduling interviews because that's where "the sale" is made. Don't kid yourself; interviews are sales meetings. A professional salesperson knows the most effective way to make a sale is to demonstrate value. They articulate how the product or service they're selling will generate revenue, save money, save time, improve results, or fix a pain point. Ask yourself: What will an employer gain by hiring you? The "gain(s)" is your value, which you need to convey to employers. Most job seekers answer their interviewer's questions giving cliché answers, "I'm a team player," "I'm great at sales," "I love writing," "I'm detail-oriented." Without numerically quantifying or mentioning specific accomplishments, these are just the candidate's opinions, and employers don't hire opinions. Talk is cheap. You might be very good at your current job, but if you don't demonstrate and vividly communicate your expertise and results (Employers hire to achieve results.) throughout your job search, you'll struggle to find your next job. Providing examples of how you have the competencies listed in the job description is essential when job hunting (e.g., problem-solving, taking initiative, managing change, bringing in revenue, creating process improvements, leadership skills). What better way to prove your competencies and track record than bringing evidence to your interview? Don't tell an employer what you think your value is-prove it with evidence! Do you expect your interviewer to simply take your word? The next time you're interviewing, consider bringing the following evidence to show your skills, capabilities, and results you've achieved. - Performance report My world (call center management) revolves around productivity reports. Such reports show me how my call center is doing, whether it's meeting its objectives, and which agents are distracting it from meeting its objectives. Over the years, I've had a few candidates who've been astute enough to show me their recent call center statistics. Such proactive initiative always impresses me and makes my hiring decision easier. Numbers are the language of business. Showing your interviewer recent reports of your performance (e.g., sales reports, key performance indicators) will go a long way in proving you walk your talk. Anyone can say they were a top 5 sales rep at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Inc. However, producing last month's sales report ranking the company's 45 sales reps and showing you were third in sales revenue changes your claim into an undeniable fact. Undeniable facts are influential. What recent (no older than 3 months) reports can you bring to your next interview? Sales Report? Website Traffic Report? Social Media Report? Marketing Report? - Appraisal/performance review During your job search, you'll most likely be asked something along the lines of, "If I were to call your boss, what would they say about you?" or "What will your references say about you should I call them?" Your interviewer is asking you what your past/current manager thinks of your job performance. Which is more powerful, giving a verbal answer such as "My last manager would say I was one of the best hires he has ever made. He'd say I was the go-to person to get things accomplished on our team," or saying, as you hand over your last performance review, "I'm glad you asked. Here's my last appraisal, which I'm proud of. As you'll see, my manager thought highly of my work, professionalism and how I contributed to the department's success."? Just answering the interviewer's question without producing evidence is hoping your interviewer will simply believe you. Other ways you can provide proof (READ: evidence): - Media appearances (e.g., newspaper articles) - Written recommendations - Presentations/videos (e.g., you as a keynote speaker) - Portfolio (articles, graphics, etc.) - Awards, honours and recognitions - 360 reviews Besides not being a fit, the most common reason candidates get rejected is their inability to provide relevant, concrete examples of what they've done in their current/previous job that is relevant to the position they're seeking. Bringing evidence to your interviews will set you apart from your competition and provide hard proof that what you claim is true, which no interviewer will be able to ignore. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

IT IS A GAS

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. Please check your pulse. Are we as Canadians dead? How high must the gasoline price get before we are broke? Will it have to get to that? The old ‘we have the money, we pay’ mentality has to stop. As the government is catching on an on a never ending price increase. After all if no one complains, it must be ok to keep rising the price of gasoline. Come on people, we not only lower our standards in this country to accommodate those of lesser civilized nations. But now we are being bent over at the pumps and have our wallets raped right in front of our children. How much more should we endure before we all go broke. Believer there is no machismo in opening a wallet knowing that is your last stash of cash for a while. We need to come together as a nation and put a stop to this. How is it that just three years ago when Trump was in office. The gas price was well under a dollar. Under a dollar. Can you believe the change. This brings me back to the Obama era. Same thing. The gas prices were skyrocketing without no real point of return. What is our government doing? We are a shadow of the American way. The U.S. pays out of their ass for gas. So do we. The U.S. touches on changes to abortion laws. Boom all of a sudden, abortion becomes a huge political issue. Let’s stop following. Let’s vote in real leaders. Ok, stop laughing. NO matter who we elect we the people still get it in the GAS. Sad to think that our economy is so heavily dependent on the Yanks. I guess as Canadians we can do anything but pray that Trump makes a big come back. Not because of his political inclinations but of his leadership qualities. NO MEANS NO... AS LONG AS IT IS NOT GOVERNMENT. I ENDORSE JOE INGINO FOR MAYOR OF OSHAWA IN 2022 VOTE INGINO

IT IS NOT ABOUT ‘I’ IT IS ABOUT ‘US’

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. The other day in conversation I came across someone that is thinking of putting their name in the municipal election. He is undecided on the ward and on if he should be regional or city. He even expressed opinion of possibly putting his name in for Mayor. This particular person has no political experience. Unemployed, but has great community involvement. I asked him why he wanted to run for office? His answer floored me. “Well, I know I probably won’t get elected. I am doing it to get more name recognition.” Wow, really. Sadly his answer is not that uncommon. Many that have entered municipal politics do it to get name recognition. Look at our current Mayor. An unemployed television broadcaster. Ran for a council seat and won it on name recognition. The same person ran for Mayor with no real business experience and won on name recognition. Sad, that we as taxpayers vote on name recognition and not competency, experience and contributions to the community. Imagine using the same process of democracy to hire the CEO of GM, or OPG. Personally, I put my name forward because I care about the community at large. Anyone can have an opinion and anyone can criticize. It takes character to do something about it. I am tired of driving downtown and witnessing people living on the streets. You don’t have to look far to see people smoking crack. Or people that have overdosed in door ways. We have a system that is broken. That due to neglect it has deteriorated to a level never seen in Oshawa before. I decided to run not for me. Not because I needed a job or the money. I decided to run because something positive needs to be done. It is not about ‘I’, it is about “US”. We can’t afford to continue this way. We must plan for the future of Oshawa by implementing a solid path. We must create this path by ongoing setting of goals that will lead us to success and prosperity. No matter what you do in life “I” can only be used in selective places such as: “I”, must be the one that must go to work to assure my family is taken care. “I”, must be the one that will stand up for what is right. “I”, have a duty to my family, community, country. “I”, have the responsibility to assure that my children are educated and productive members of society. “I”, must live by the law of the land and support those less fortunate. I can further tell you that “I”, should never be in: “I”, am doing it for my best interest. “I”, should think of me first and my fellow man second. “I”, have no responsibility and it is my life. “I”, should not be about rewarding the self but about contributing in any way possible for the betterment of society. There can never be an “US” in an “I” mentality. Unfortunately this is the biggest problem with society today. This in part is why Oshawa is failing. We can’t run a corporation with an ‘I’, mentality. Made up of retiree's, realtors and the unemployable only looking to up their pensions, get a job and or name booster recognition types. Only thinking of how they can better their lives and not ours. If I am wrong. Tell me this. How has your life become better in the last four years? Choose wisely. Choose one of ‘US’.

Canada, the internet, social media, privacy laws and freedom of speech

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As spring descends on Canada, with economic worries and a bleak international environment surrounding us, Canadian parliament is in session and focusing on laws to put more controls on the citizens of Canada. Two of the most important values in a democracy are the right of citizens to have their privacy protected and their right to free speech. With the advances in internet technology and electronic management of your finances, shopping and social media, you never know where your personal information is going. Worse still, your personal information and even your personal movements can now be tracked and used by malefic organizations with the intension to control you and eventually punish you. So we need to do something to avoid further loss of our personal freedom, while also avoiding a nefarious digital environment. Canada's current privacy law, which governs how Canadians' personal information must be handled and protected by the businesses and government you share it with, was brought into force about 20 years ago. While there have been some tweaks made to it since then, the digital world we live in today is vastly different from twenty years ago. Federal law simply hasn't kept up with the pace of change, and consequently, ordinary Canadians donating to charitable organisations and Canadian businesses are now finding themselves exposed and at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, state bureaucrats like to do work for themselves and create little kingdoms. In Canada there is the added complication of several sets of privacy laws; the federal privacy law and the provincial privacy laws. How nice and efficient. The federal privacy laws, including those that regulate digital privacy and digital trade, are increasingly coming into play, and are also significantly outdated. They are now outdated to the point of holding Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship back, while also limiting the freedom of expression. The lesson to learn from this is to create an efficient law, a common sense one, to ensure that Canada doesn't end up with a proliferation of new privacy laws being enacted in each province individually. More importantly, the new privacy law must not act as a limitation on personal freedoms. In a digital world, Canadians are connected like never before. As virtual activities continue to increase, businesses and their customers must be confident that their data is protected. Simply put, Canada needs 21st century privacy legislation to help get the job done. This new reality creates a world of opportunity for those who desire to have some control over you, your activities and your movements. This must be avoided at all cost. There is little doubt amongst experts, policy makers and the public, that the ways in which our digital infrastructure is designed and incentivized has had widespread social, economic, and political costs. The largest and most vexing piece of this policy agenda is what to do about harmful content online and how we define it. When we discuss this issue we need to be very careful to avoid infringing on the basic freedom, the freedom of speech. We need to be assured that ensuring online safety does not harm the core democratic right, which is the free expression. Democratic governments around the world define and regulate speech differently, and so there is no global set of rules for platforms to follow - this will be determined country by country. In the Canadian context, the Charter provides robust protection for free speech, while recognizing that governments can limit speech to prevent harms, provided the limits are reasonable and justified in a free and democratic society. So the Canadian government must find the best way to accommodate privacy, safety and freedom of expression. Some countries have developed some systems, but our society must define one for Canadians by the Canadian legislators who have been elected to serve the people. The systems must be made radically transparent. One of the core problems with digital platforms is their opacity. Platform companies such as Facebook and Google could be compelled to share privacy-protected data with the public. Platforms must also be held accountable for how they build their products. To do so, we should base our regulatory system on a concept already in use in Canadian law - that of a statutory duty to act responsibly. This would place the onus on platforms themselves to demonstrate that they have acted in a manner that would minimize the harm of the products they build and offer to Canadians. A well-resourced regulator could have the power to audit these systems. It is also critical to shift the balance between platforms and their users. We can do so through mandated interoperability and data portability, a serious national civic education and digital literacy initiative, and critically, significantly strengthened and long overdue data privacy protection. This approach is not about responding or reacting to content, or speech, but about assessing the level of risk and implementing product safety standards so that platforms are being subject to the same statutory duty to act responsibly as other consumer facing products. For too long the issue of online harms has been erroneously framed as one of individual bad actors and the regulation of speech, but the problem is one of systemic risk and it must be addressed as such. Canada now has the chance to learn from and build on the policies attempted in other countries and get it right once and for all. Hope they will do it well!

FIT! FIT! FIT!

By Nick Kossovan I can't stress enough how important an employer seeing you as "one of them" is to being hired. A few jobs back, while analyzing stats reports, my phone rang. It was Crocs's Director of Talent Acquisition calling from the company's head office in Boulder, Colorado. He'd come across a Pinterest board I'd created, 'Brands that Have My Heart,' and noticed I included Crocs. He then visited my LinkedIn profile. Turned out my background was a fit with a position he had open. (This is why you should keep your social media presence current and clean.) I said, "Your call is like the mothership calling." He laughed, and we had a great conversation resulting in my joining Crocs. When interviewing, don't underestimate the importance of making it clear you're a culture fit. Ready for counterintuitive advice that's worked for me? Adopt the attitude "Either I'm a fit, or I'm not," and then just be who you are. Being someone you're not, in order to fit in, never works. My advice doesn't mean you shouldn't be strategic in making your interviewer see you're a good fit. Here are three "I'm a fit" strategies to try: 1. Communicate you have the same values and passions. Professing your undying love for the company doesn't tell your interviewer whether you'll actually fit in with the team and you're someone others will want to be working with. Research the company's core values. Read its mission statement, 'About Us' page, and social media postings. Determine what the company cares about. Then ask yourself how it overlaps with your own career and personal experiences. Now you can lead with something like, "I'm an avid camper; I love your tents, which is why I applied to be your next Director of Sales. I own your Giga Tent. Regardless of the weather, it's never failed me. Your website mentions how Habitat Camping Gear's mission is to embrace enjoying the outdoors in an environmentally friendly way. That resonated with me. Camping is how I unplug from the city. Like most campers, I'm environmentally conscious. Camping has minimal adverse effects on our environment compared to flying to a resort, which creates a large carbon footprint. " 2. Appear knowledgeable, not obsessed. Think again if you believe showing over the top bubbly enthusiasm for the company's products and/or services and raison d'être will give you an edge over your competition. (TIP: Every company's raison d'être is to make a profit. Therefore, be sure to explain how you plan to influence the company's bottom-line.) Say you're interviewing for a Senior Character Technical Animator position with Warner Bros. Your interview isn't the place to give your rendition of Bug Bunny's "Ehh, what's up, doc?" or re-enact your favourite scene from Troy. You want your interviewer to subtly notice your passion. Create a plan for what you'll do once you get the job. Then share it and discuss Warner Bros.'s challenges and how your plan addresses those challenges. This shows you're interested in Warner Bros.'s success and understand the problems they're facing. You also show what every employer looks for in a candidate, initiative. Candidates who present me with a plan of action are candidates I lean into. 3. Send a thank you note. That's it! I understand; you're eager to hear about the status of your candidacy, and you want to prove you REALLY want the job. However, too much follow-up will work against you-you'll look desperate, which is a turn-off. Take a deep breath. On the same day of your interview, email a thank you note. (Yes, thank you notes do have influence.) Thank your interviewer for their time and offer more. Provide more information to a question you were asked, give feedback on recent news you read about the company, or ask a clarifying question. Then wait. Don't follow up! (seriously) I don't believe in chasing an employer; either they want you, or they don't. No answer is an answer. Two more "I'm a fit" strategies: -Language usage is telling. Throughout your interview, use appropriate industry lingo and terminology. - Every company has an unofficial way of dressing (READ: uniform). Before your interview, find out what it is and follow it. When I interviewed with Crocs, I wore my Crocs. Joining a company whose culture is right for you should be what guides your job search. Being part of a company with values you can relate to, which you are living organically, inevitably leads to a great work experience. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

IT IS OUT OF CONTROL

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. It took a bunch of truck drivers to bust the COVID mandate. Now even tho we are in the six, seventh wave. No more closing businesses. No more attempts to control it. Not even mention of vaccination. What happened in such a short time that it is a free for all on all fronts when comes to covid. I think we should learn from the truckers efforts. They took it to Ottawa and they won. They won back our freedoms. I think the same should be done by every red blooded Canadian when it comes to taking control of our gas prices. Really, two dollars plus at some gas stations? You got to be kidding. How are people going to pay? I heard that the government is forcing people to use public transport. They are going as far as lowering the rates to just a dollar. Is this how it is going to be. Control people by forcing them to comply to use public transportation. Who can afford a house. A car and all that comes with it. Like insurance, taxes and maintenance. This can’t be allowed to continue. Gas prices need to be brought under control. We went from eighty cents to two dollars in no time... There is no excuse other than that of the government wanting to push electric cars. No one will buy electric if the gas price is low. This is not about the environment. It is about making millions if not billions. I think the electric car fad is a mistake. That eventually people will realize that the cost for an electric car is not worth it in the long run. How much do you think it cost for a battery for one of those cars... just as much a mid size car. Once we make the transition. It be hard to go back. I say. Let’s all go to Ottawa and let them know what we think. Lower the price of gas or we will occupy Ottawa. What do you think am I crazy? I ENDORSE JOE INGINO FOR MAYOR OF OSHAWA IN 2022 VOTE INGINO

As much as I like to complain about laws and policies

A King for the People by Alex King

, there are other matters our public servants at the State level can and should address in between legislative sessions. When it comes to the wellbeing of the residents of Tyler and Wetzel counties, as well as those simply passing through this wonderful neck of the woods, those representatives should address the dangerous hillside slip that sends large rocks onto WV State Route 2 between Sistersville and Paden City. Regardless of any excuses made, there is no justification for the State allowing debris to so frequently disrupt a route it is responsible for maintaining. And although large rocks (or small boulders as some would see them) usually only slide into the road following hard rains, these instances happen often enough that people have almost lost their lives. This is in no way a judgment on those who work for the State and have to respond to the hillside slip for cleanup duty. I feel bad that they have such a mess to deal with in the first place, and I believe that addressing the issue will ultimately make their jobs safer and less hectic. It will also result in less risk to our first responders, who are often called out at random hours to navigate traffic around debris in the road. According to the information I've gathered, the State owns at least fifteen feet of the hillside as measured from the edge of the road. You would think that fifteen feet is enough room to adopt some form of preventative measure. Even if the price tag for such a project is expensive, our State government should be willing to spend millions to fix the slip if it means saving lives. If you've been paying attention the last few decades-or even the last few months-then you should understand the amount of our money the government is willing to fritter away. Is it so much to ask that our tax dollars go toward what they're intended to fund, such as projects to improve infrastructure? There is a large fence to stop falling rocks along a section of highway between New Martinsville and Moundsville, and from what I hear it only went up after a life was lost to debris falling into the road. Let's not wait until a tragedy happens. My calls to the State have been somewhat educational. Apparently, if enough people visit dotforms.wv.gov/cra and fill out a report, then the State will consider doing something about it. Despite the calls I've made and the questions I've asked, I'm still more ignorant about this matter than I'd like to be, and I am fine admitting that. The goal of this column isn't to frame myself as if I have the answers. I simply want to start a conversation. If you would like to correct any of my points or add to them, I am happy to convey the knowledge you share. While you can speak to me directly, I may also consider publishing your points in print if I think they'll bring clarity to a topic. Don't hesitate to email me at alkwriter@outlook.com. As always, be safe, and pay attention to your surroundings when traveling.

End the war in ukraine bring back trump

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” Funny how Trump use to deal with foreign affairs. In his own magical way he would befriend those America hated. In it’s magic Trump would control and manipulate them in a majestic fashion. The world was at peace Today under ‘COME ON MAN’ super hero Brandon. The world is chaos, the gas prices are out of control. Jobs are far from few. The world is facing threat of a third world war. COME ON MAN... Really. Thank the God’s for COVID as Covid has become the carpet of inwhich the incompetent can put the blame under. Putin in a way is smart. He seen the weakness in Biden. He seen how poorly Biden handled the Middle East. For the Russians it was an opportunity of a life time. The Chinese indirectly backing Putin. It was the perfect moment to invade. ISIS is rebuilding and waiting for America’s weakest moment to strike again...It is as if doomsday is a matter of time.... Then again... Imagine if Trump was in office. I am sure he would have met with Putin and cut a deal to not invade the Ukraine. That is what business men do. Negotiate. Biden much like in some of his speeches. His administration is all over the map. In this quest to save the environment he is killing the people on it by driving them to poverty. The gas prices are blamed on the supply line. On covid. On the war. When in reality the gas prices are the blame of an administration that has no direction and follows public opinion. We must go back to what worked. Trump had a solid understanding of our energy needs. He had the Arab suppliers basically giving the oil away. He had total control of the second teared oil producing nations and even in a position where he could export oil/gas produced and sourced in the U.S. Why the drastic change under the administration of captain ‘COME ON MAN’? Don’t get me wrong. This is not about being a Democrat or a Republican. This is about what makes sense for the people of the country. At some point politicians have to come to grip with the reality that we must act in the best interest of those that elected us. I guess that by jacking the gas prices up. The administration can justify selling more electric cars. Cars that much like the turbine turned out to be will be a great idea but not practical or logically sound. All we can do for now is grind our teeth and count day to the next election and hope that America is restored to at the least pre last election.

IT IS OFFICIAL AND I DID IT FOR OUR CHILDREN

IT IS OFFICIAL AND I DID IT FOR OUR CHILDREN 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” Dear People of Oshawa. allow me to take this time and explain my recent decision to run for the office of Mayor. I am a hard working local business man raising a family like most of you. I work hard for what I have and know the true value of a dollar. I drive through our downtown and my heart aches. How can we live in such a rich nation and have our own country folk living on our streets. Many call the homeless a ‘problem’. When in reality it is more a circumstance. A circumstance that we are all having to deal with. Many blame it on social services. Others on drug/alcohol addictions. Some point the the lack of affordable mental health services for Canadians, not to mention the lack of affordable housing. To me these are all parts of a bigger picture. Many wise men have said that the solution to a problem lies in the problem. Well this is not a problem but circumstance of various factors. I say this because in order to deal with the homeless we must understand it’s parts and create a clear path/vision that we can follow. As it stands many of the services available are fragmented. They are scattered and restrictive. In part this is why even though making an impact are not effective. We have the services but not the vision to align them to the needs of those in need. We can drive by those in need and snub our noses up. Just remember we at any given time for an array of reason can become homeless or substance dependent. Not to mention suffer from mental illness that may causes us to become homeless. With this said. I can’t beyond me come to terms to on how our elected officials can go to sleep at night knowing people in need are sleeping out in the cold. On our downtown businesses doorways and our alleys. How can in good consciousness our municipal elect collect their pay when there are so many in dire need. You would think that the city elect would make it priority one to find a solution. Four years have passed and the problem has been getting worst. We are now to the point that the drug trafficking and sales are an all time high. Prostitution has shot up by 60%. People are dying of overdose at an alarming rate. Our parks and ravines are full of disposed needles. The real worrisome thing is that there are no real plans on how to deal with it. DO WE WANT OR NEED ANOTHER FOUR YEARS OF THIS? My decision to run in this election is one to clean up our city. I don’t need the job nor the money. I am doing it out of civic duty. I can write about it. My staff can report on it... at the end of the day. Nothing changes. For this reason I decided that I must put my words, my expertise and my knowledge to good use and do something about it before it gets worst. I pledge to fix our city homelessness and related issues. I am a man of my word. To prove it I will not take a penny of reenumeration until I achieve this objective immediately as it needs the outmost attention. I promise that I will work with the mind set that the tax dollars you entrust me to work with, as if they were my own. I will cut expenses. I will assure to freeze taxes for at least the four years I will serve in office. I will negotiate with major investors/industry/trade and the like to bring Oshawa opportunity and good paying jobs. This will help offset to pay for any increase in cost for services rendered. My four year forecast will be one that will transform downtown Oshawa to world standards. Bring developers and investors to offset the population expansion from Toronto. Stop allowing the use of prime farm lands for ‘stick and drywall’ type of developments as we see to the North of Oshawa. Other municipalities have done it why not Oshawa. Use the Mississauga model to tailor our own path forward. We need leadership not managers. Carter he did what he could with his limitations. Now it is time to make the right changes and take Oshawa back from the dark cloud of despair it has been under for the past four years and make it shine across the region, the province and Canada. Working with the Regional Chair to bring prosperity and opportunity to Oshawa. The Regional Chair has had many milestones and is doing exceptional work to attract business to Durham. We must align ourselves and our future growth with the efforts put forth by the Region. My administration with the help of staff and council will work to assure that no opportunity is overlooked. That all citizens have a voice and that all ideas and consultations are not brushed off to committee. I will dissolve many committee that are only a layer of red tape. I promise to make myself available to all citizens much like I am now as your editor and publisher of the Central newspapers. People of Oshawa should feel as if they can walk into my office any time and vent their ideas, concerns and opinion... Something that the current administration has failed to do. People in Oshawa feel marginalized, discriminated against and made to feel as second class citizens. THIS WILL STOP. Soon I will have a full detailed platform available for view. My 2022 plan of action. You may visit www.ingino.org At the current moment my 2018 platform stands.... and if you take the time to read it. Many of the issues presented are still applicable today. As the current administration has done nothing to improve our quality of life. Soon you will be able to read in full. We need to operate the City of Oshawa as the corporation that it is. We must stop relying on tax dollars and look for investment and partners to create revenue to infuse into programs and service for the people of Oshawa. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. Oshawa is for us to take back. It is for us to really elect real leadership. Now is the time to make a difference. Don’t make the same mistakes we have made in the past. We, our children can’t afford to pay for our mistakes. Use your vote wisely this election. 2022 Hopefully will be remembered as the year for change in Oshawa. If you like to volunteer or donate please call me at any time 905-441-2657 or sent cheques to 136 Simcoe St. N. #4 L1G 4S7.

A Hot Political Conservative summer

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the weather starts to improve, leaving the cold days of winter behind, and Nature renews itself in splendor, the conservatives face new challenges. Let us first look at the provincial election just called in Ontario, where the provincial conservatives lead by Doug Ford are seeking re-election as the governing party. The parties in competition for the governing job are the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario (PC), Liberals, NDP, Greens and the New Blue Party of Ontario. The latter is a newcomer on the provincial political scene, and as usual, is being ignored by the established elite media, despite the fact that they have successfully registered candidates in all 124 electoral districts. So be it! With the pandemic winding down and people starting to resume some semblance of a normal life, the provincial election campaign is gearing up for the June 2nd election. The established parties seem to be in competition on promising many things, essentially trying to buy the votes of the electors. In this quest, the PC Party lead by the fearless Doug Ford, is far and away outdoing everybody. In his spending spree promises on various gigantic projects, the conservative way he is supposed to represent is long forgotten. The traditional conservative way of trying to spend wisely and working to balance the budget as soon as possible is out the window. The proposed conservative spending blueprint looks like a copycat of the governing Liberals' federal spending. Just one day before the provincial election was called, Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford stood together in friendship, to announce federal and provincial support for a $3.6-billion investment in auto plants in Windsor and Brampton to produce electric vehicles. Does anyone remember the fact that just three years ago, it suited Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Ford to make war on each other over the Liberal carbon tax? But this is what politics has devolved to nowadays; promise anything to be elected, and afterward conveniently forget whatever was promised. Just remember, four years ago, Doug Ford offered Ontarians $1 beers if they installed his Progressive Conservatives in government. And he delivered, though only briefly: The cheapest six-pack in Upper Canada today, costs a shocking $9.30. This time around, the swag in the PC loot bag comes with many trailing zeroes, and many goodies are transportation-themed: $1.1 billion to scrap licence-plate renewal fees; $645 million to cut the gasoline tax; $6 billion to build a new highway around Brampton. The government recently axed tolls on two GTA highways and so on. With all this said, good luck to you in the provincial election. Choose wisely! On the other hand, the federal conservatives are involved in another leadership contest. This is the third one after the electoral defeats of 2015, 2019 and 2021. Let us hope that this time they will choose wisely, because the next leader will have three more years to wait in the wings and hone his skills before the Liberal-NDP pact will allow an election to occur. The candidates for the Conservative Party leadership are Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison, and former Ontario MPP Roman Baber. The Conservatives will announce their next leader on September 10. As the candidates are gearing up to convince Conservative Party members to vote for them in the leadership contest they are also careful to convince the general electorate that the Conservative Party is also ready to govern. We will see a lot of campaigning from the candidates during the summer with many new political issues appearing on the horizon both nationally and internationally. It should be noted that the perceived front runner in the conservative leadership contest at this time is Pierre Poilievre. It seems that his messages are well received by Conservative Party members and the public in general. Young, experienced, well prepared and energetic, he is a real asset for the Conservative Party. Along with other candidates and useful debates to follow, let us hope that a more energetic, truly conservative principled, newly reborn Conservative Party will emerge from the race, to soon lead the country. The previous two leaderships should be forgotten, as they were teetering and completely abandoned the basics on which the Conservative Party was built. With this said I invite you to follow the Conservative Party leadership contest campaign, hoping that better days will follow for Canada, that will preserve our history and traditions. Get ready for a long and hot political summer!

Negotiating Your Compensation, Are You Willing to Walk Away?

By Nick Kossovan You've gone through a phone interview and 2 face-to-face interviews, and a Myers-Briggs Personality Test. You like the company. Your last interview was with the person who'd be your boss-you bonded, you connected. The following day HR calls to inform you they'll be emailing you an offer. Anxiously you check your emails every 5 minutes. Finally, on your sixth email check the offer! It's $20K less than you expected. Now what? You negotiate! Most job seekers fear they'll appear greedy and lose the job offer if they ask for more money. That's rarely the case. Finding a hire-worthy candidate isn't easy. When you're a good fit for the job, it's in the hiring manager's best interest to make an offer you're satisfied with. Even if there's no wiggle room, the offer isn't going away; it'll stay on the table until you either accept it or reject it. The key to successfully negotiating compensation is to be prepared. Know what your skills are worth on the market. With all the salary information available online, there's no excuse to not have a ballpark salary in mind. Make sure to factor in where you live. Salaries can vary significantly from city to city, region to region. Visit websites such as Payscale.com, Salary.com and Glassdoor.com that offer salary comparisons across various roles and industries. It is common to ask applicants about their salary expectations early in the hiring process, usually during the phone vetting interview. Play it safe; you don't want to give a too low or a too high salary figure. Defer answering the question by stating you'd like to learn more about the job's duties and accountabilities before discussing compensation. Your goal is to make the employer like you, see you as an excellent fit for the position and company, and ultimately fall in love with you before discussing compensation. Adhere to the cardinal rule: Don't bring up salary! You may be negotiating against yourself if you throw out the first number. The employer may have been willing to make a higher offer than you had proposed. Your offer will likely be higher than expected if you've demonstrated an undeniable track record of success ("proven" is much more valuable than "unproven"). Therefore, you should emphasize proving (quantifying) your value throughout the hiring process. If the offer is lower than you expected, make a counteroffer based on your salary research. Depending on what the hiring manager says and how much you want to work for the company, consider negotiating to receive a raise six months into the role if you meet agreed-upon goals. (IMPORTANT: Get this in writing!) Many candidates make the mistake of only negotiating money. (salary, commission, bonuses) Other aspects of compensation can be negotiated, such as vacation time, work hours, perks, working from home, or a hybrid model, medical/dental benefits, tuition reimbursement, RRSP matching percentage, fitness and wellness subsidies, stock options, etc. Don't underestimate the outcomes of negotiating non-salary benefits. The bottom line: To get the compensation package you feel you deserve, which is highly subjective, you must be willing to walk away. Walking away frees you to continue looking for a company that'll agree to the compensation you desire. Never talk yourself into accepting a job offer! Either the compensation package offered works for you, or it doesn't. If the hiring manager informs you that your compensation requests aren't feasible, you have two choices: - Thank them for their time and continue your job search, or - Accept the offer WITHOUT expecting a raise or promotion later. (Unless you have it in writing, you'll receive a raise after meeting agreed-upon goals within six months or whatever timeframe you negotiate.). I believe if the employer's final offer doesn't provide the compensation you want, you're better off walking away. Hoping you'll be recognized for your work and given a 15% raise is a bad strategy. Negotiating compensation with candidates has taught me the most common reason people want more money is their lifestyle. This isn't a solid reason to convince an employer why you deserve the compensation you're asking for. Employers aren't responsible for the lifestyle you created. You created your lifestyle, not the employer. Before walking away, understand that ultimately your job satisfaction hinges less on getting your compensation negotiation right and more on getting the job right. The industry and position in which you work, your career trajectory, and the daily influences on you (e.g., management, coworkers) are significantly more important than the specifics of a job offer. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

NOW IS YOUR TURN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

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” GREAT NEWS!!! As of May 2nd, 2022 we the people can do something about the marginalization practiced by City of Oshawa elect. ((of a person, group, or concept) treated as insignificant or peripheral). Marginalized groups include women, people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, Indigenous peoples, people of a lower socio-economic status and so on. These groups have been historically disempowered and oppressed by influential and discriminatory groups such as those elected to represent us in Oshawa. The culture at the City of Oshawa is one of hypocritical nature. Pretend you are doing something when in reality very little gets done. The Mayor boasted on 1Billion in development, but failed to point out the poor planning by the City in allowing ‘sticks and cardboard’ subdivisions to be built on prime farm lands to the north of Oshawa. A mistake that will cost the city billions in the future in policing, public health and standard of living in the area. The City is very unfair and bias. If you are not to directly benefit someone on council or follow the City political arrogant and pretentious ways. You are black balled as an outsider and nothing you suggest even gets consideration. For example during the height of COVID a local downtown business owner offered the city $100,000. in subsidy. The businessman was refused at committee and at council. The City elect including the Mayor showed poor judgement and lack of professionalism as not even a notice was sent back to the businessman with a reason of why the very generous offer was declined. Only that through the mouth of some council, stated that they just did not approve or like the particular business person. More recently. C.A.M.P - Community Assisted Meal Program. A volunteer based program that fed hundreds every day were denied a permit to continue it’s services. Once again. The denial was never explained nor any formal reason was given to the organizer. According to the organizer. Once again. The City has a prejudice/bias towards him as it was not a City or city councillor initiative. THIS HAS TO STOP. How can anyone on council go to bed at night knowing that hundreds of people are sleeping in tents and on our s treets. How can any council member with a good conscious cash their pay cheque knowing the need of our city and the poor state that it is by their reluctance to get things done. People are constantly asking me to run for the office of Mayor. Many state that the people of Oshawa can’t afford to make the same mistakes again. If I was to run for office. I would pledge that until I find a solution to the homeless problem in Oshawa. I would not collect one penny in renumeration. The money that would have come to me I would donate it to a worthy cause and or set up a program funded with those dollars. I could not in good conscious and rooted morals take the people’s money when the people of Oshawa are suffering. As your Mayor, I would cut back all wasteful expenditures. I would personally work with developers, business people and those of like minds to create a real development plan of action. Not one that would take year to accomplish. Instead one that would be implemented right of way and come to fruition before my term in office was up. This would entail a very aggressive and decisive plan that can be done and has been done in other municipalities. I would address the assessment values of properties, restructure the property tax system. To give special incentives to those that have owned their properties for a long time vs those that are just purchasers. We need to find a balance so that the core of our system is maintained while the developing aspect of Oshawa contributes for a better future for all. This will include an aggressive campaign in the quest of bringing good paying jobs. Oshawa is for us to take back. It is for us to really elect real leadership. Now is the time to make a difference. Don’t make the same mistakes we have made in the past. We, our children can’t afford to pay for our mistakes. Use your vote wisely this election. 2022 Hopefully will be remembered as the year for change in Oshawa.

Its time to strengthen Canada's manufacturing

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Inflation has reared its ugly head and the Ukrainian war has the world in turmoil. Canada should think seriously about its manufacturing capabilities lost to the globalization fantasy. Global supply chains are shattered and Canada starts to see the unpleasant results. Relinquishing strategic manufacturing capabilities to other countries made Canada suffer in the pandemic due to lack of vaccine and personal protection production facilities. COVID-19 has made it clear that Canada needs a strong domestic strategic manufacturing sector to produce what our people need. Industrial production has been stagnant in this country for many decades and it's a must for Canada to create and sustain a resilient strategic manufacturing economy that will also be more competitive in global markets. In today's world there is a need for strong national strategic manufacturing that will create good jobs while minimizing environmental impacts and keeping expertise and essential skills at home. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war raging in Europe have revealed the fragility of the international economic arrangements we rely on in times of crisis. In its most acute sense, this took the form of lack of access to essential goods. Years of offshoring, outsourcing and just-in-time production has left us, and others, ill-equipped to deal with the pandemic and today's dangerous world. As a result, many countries have quickly turned inward, enacting policies mandating that personal protective equipment meant for export must now be used for domestic purposes, cutting off Canada's supplies of these essential goods. In Canada, both federal and provincial governments reacted slowly, lacking long-term planning for critical supplies. Ultimately, the pandemic has illustrated first hand, the importance of a strong domestic manufacturing sector to produce what Canada needs. It has also shone a light on the decline of the Canadian manufacturing sector over the last number of decades. Over the past 20 years in Canada, GDP from industrial production has essentially been stagnant due to political neglect, complacency, lack of expertise and mismanagement. Manufacturing presently accounts for roughly 10 percent of Canada's GDP, down from about 16 percent in 2000 and far lower than the high of 30 percent in the 1950s when we had politicians such as C.D. Howe who really meant business and created the wealth and standard of life that Canadians enjoy today. As a result, it took the Canadian manufacturing sector close to six years to recover from the 2008-2009 financial crisis. In contrast, Germany, a country with a domestic industrial strategy, has seen GDP from industrial production rise by more than 66 percent over the last 20 years, and its manufacturing sector rebounded from the 2008 crisis in less than three years. The decline in manufacturing has been a key contributor to the stagnation of wages in Canada and Canada's increased reliance on the extraction and export of unprocessed natural resources. Never mind that the extraction of these natural resources is also under threat from the liberal government, strangely enamored with fantasy driven environmental concerns. If these combinations of ill conceived political strategies are not changed, they will contribute to a wild recession and a sharp downgrading of the standard of life for Canadians. In 1980, almost 20 percent of all jobs in Canada were in the manufacturing sector. By 2021, that had dropped to 9 percent. In short, the era of globalization and liberalized trade regimes has not been kind to Canadian manufacturing. It is true that the pandemic has presented a challenge to a global economic order that too often relies on cheap labour, prioritizing cheap goods and short-term gain. Canada cannot ignore the fact that it is still party to dozens of international trade and investment treaties and our manufacturing sector is still heavily reliant on export markets. Therefore, Canada needs to create and sustain a resilient manufacturing economy that will also be more competitive in the global marketplace. Successful manufacturing economies such as Germany's, have supported advanced manufacturing that creates good jobs and cannot be offshored to low-wage countries. Following this model requires rethinking the role that the state and workers can play in the revitalization of manufacturing. This must start with the joint priority of creating good jobs, while minimizing environmental impact. Policy decisions must be made with those considerations at the forefront. With the creation of good jobs as the focus of a manufacturing strategy, it follows that Canada must ensure it has a properly trained workforce. Canada needs concerted training and apprenticeship policies that assure a highly qualified workforce. Government and employers have a responsibility to provide workers with training, apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling. Union involvement is also critical when analyzing the real or potential impacts of automation. Automation and technological development is not inherently good or bad, but if the effects on employment, communities and environment are not considered, the potentially positive effects of automation can be lost. The federal and provincial governments should play key roles in ensuring the oversight and co-ordination of key industries and supply chains. In developing a national manufacturing strategy, the federal government should define made-in-Canada while considering the entire supply chain. One of the fears of strengthening environmental standards - and of the possible increased cost of using Canadian-made goods - is that they will simply be undercut by cheaper imported products, rendering higher standards counterproductive. A comprehensive manufacturing strategy must include mechanisms such as border carbon adjustments (BCA) to prevent undercutting of strengthened environmental standards. A BCA would apply to goods produced in countries that have no form of carbon pricing, in particular on trade-exposed products with high emissions such as steel and aluminum. This would help to reflect the true cost of imported goods. Where it really is unfeasible to re-shore a supply chain (for example, there is no prospect for domestic production or Canada simply does not have the raw materials), then supply chain diversification is an option. Rather than relying on one country or one global supplier, Canada needs to diversify. When it comes to ensuring markets for goods produced in Canada, one of the most promising means of augmenting demand for domestically manufactured products is to tie sustainability goals into procurement policies. Despite the lack of procurement policies in the CUSMA, Canada should work with U.S. allies to ensure a binational strategy for North American manufacturing. However, Canada cannot rely on the old mechanisms, such as offshoring or ever-expanding export markets, for the goods it does produce. This requires a rethinking of the role of the state and workers in revitalizing Canadian manufacturing. Ultimately, it requires directed policies that promote good jobs to benefit communities across the country, while reducing environmental impact. Politicians need to be focused on the progress of Canada and the well being of Canadians. If Canada does not seize this opportunity to rethink the role of manufacturing in our economy, it risks being left behind in a dynamically changing international economic order.