Impaired Judgment

My husband has a twofold addiction problem, drinking and drugs. In the six years we have been married, he has had periods of sobriety, but they don't ever last. I feel he has not confronted the underlying problem: he was molested as a child by a family member. He is currently in jail due to getting drunk and hitting a police car. Before we met, he had an arrest history for violent crime, but he was never violent with me. He has a good core to him, as well as a feeling of worthlessness. When things are good they are very good, and you know the rest of the saying. Al-Anon does not appeal to me. There are too many victims. I will not bail him out or give him money. He knows I feel he has to face the music. Luckily, I am financially able to take care of myself, but I wonder if this marriage can ever be saved. I am nearing the end of my patience with him. I refuse to allow him to make more excuses. My feeling is you always have a choice in what action you take. You do not have to be a drug addict. I don't want to kick a man when he is down, but I'm very tired. Emmy Emmy, you are not kicking a man when he is down. You have done nothing but try to help. Now it is time to decide on your best course of action and what your life will be. Sometimes helping someone, in the sense of protecting them from consequences, is exactly what they don't need. Consequences are the only thing which will make them change, because they won't change until the worst that can happen, happens. If you are drawn to individual counseling for yourself, then by all means do it. It may offer you an opportunity to talk about how you got into a relationship with someone under the influence of drugs and alcohol. How do you have a genuine relationship with someone who is chemically impaired? No one can make your husband change until he is ready. That may be long after he is out of your life. Wayne & Tamara Determination Tell me what to do when your own mother can't stop screaming at you, when you know what she's saying has nothing to do with you. The worst thing is she knows it, too, but she still screams. Being a vent for her is not what I want. No one would want that kind of anger in their life. I hate it, but I'm turning into her. I scream the same way she does, except I do it when no one is around. Cate Cate, one day a man with a problem dog went to see a monk who was a dog trainer. It seems whenever the man moved toward any doorway, his dog bolted through ahead of him. The monk and the man talked as the dog lay beside them. Down a hill, a short distance away, was a gate. The monk asked the man to get up and walk toward the gate. The dog raced to the gate, and the monk called the man back. Again and again, the man was directed to walk toward the gate. Each time when the dog ran before him, the monk called the man back. Each time, the dog made less effort to follow. Finally, the man reached the gate and went through as the dog watched. In this way, the monk broke the dog's habit. Each time your mother screams at you for no reason, walk away. When your mother realizes what happens when she screams, her behavior will change. When you realize you have power over the situation, you won't need to scream. At that point, the two of you can begin to talk. Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers.

The Doctor Game Make a Stink for Better Public Washrooms

By Common Sense Health – W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford When asked how to become a famous comedian, Steve Martin replied, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” It’s true, bad performers can usually be ignored. But there’s no ignoring bad public washrooms. Public washrooms have a reputation for abysmal filth, as evidenced by dirty toilets, overflowing trash, empty or broken soap dispensers, sloppy countertops, and door handles not to be touched. An American survey found that 21 percent of respondents used a public washroom at least six times a week, sometimes over 15 times! The reason was not always obvious. Youth tend to visit washrooms to use their phones, change their clothes, or “get away”. In fact, 21 percent of youth acknowledge the use of public washrooms to take a mental health break, to avoid someone, and on occasion to cry. Older people, in addition to using the facilities, also visit public washrooms to check their appearance. Whatever the reason to visit, how important is it to take precautions? The good news is that some of the germs found in public washrooms are no different than the germs found in many other places, including the bathroom at home. Take Staphylococcus aureus for example. It will be found in dirty public washrooms. But it is also commonly carried around by 20-30 percent of people on their skin or in the respiratory system. It is an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it starts to cause trouble not when commonly encountered in the washroom but when the immune system is weakened or when the natural balance of bacteria in the gut is altered. Authorities disagree on how long certain other nasty germs survive or how readily they cause infection. But many bathroom studies have shown remarkable staying power – up to 8 days for E. coli. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu can survive on some surfaces for 48 hours. Washing hands after using public facilities is a no brainer. Yet a study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control found that handwashing and hand-drying equipment in public washrooms are facilitating infections due to contaminated sink handles and paper towel dispensers. Plus people don’t wash their hands with soapy water for 20 seconds or more. Even with the best of efforts, some researchers have noted that “adequate hand hygiene may not always be achievable when using public washrooms.” That’s because the door handle used to leave the washroom is covered in germs. Opting out of using a public bathroom and resorting to “holding behaviour” is not advisable. “Always go to the bathroom when you have a chance,” goes the sage advice of King George V. Royalty have their own reasons. But among common folk, holding urine in the bladder can invite bacteria in the urine to multiply and cause the development of urinary track infections. When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. But there’s worse news to report. A study published in 2020 in Physics of Fluids described a phenomenon known as "toilet turbulence." It’s an alarming and repulsive discovery to learn that flushing a toilet can send small droplets of water and aerosols containing fecal germs three feet into the air above the seat! One public health message advises users to turn away from the toilet when flushing. Good lord! There’s a reason for a toilet seat lid. Put it down before you flush. Making a stink about public washrooms that are poorly designed and infrequently cleaned is probably the best course of action. Afterall, what restaurant or community venue wants to be associated with disgusting washrooms? 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

IF YOU ARE OVER 80 BE CAREFUL THEY ARE COMING FOR YOUR LICENSE

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the Oshawa/Central newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. In my opinion. The Editor/Publisher is a real upstanding type of guy. He shoots from the hip and hold traditional core values. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. I have worked my ass off all my life so that one day, I would enjoy living free of debt and comfortably. Now in my golden days. I thought I had it made. Then with one visit to my doctor. My world has come crushing down. I live in a rural part of Oshawa. My transportation is my lifeline to getting groceries, going to doctors and working around my acreage. During my doctors appointment, he informs me that he will be pulling my license based on my age and my medical condition. He felt that I would be a danger on the roadways. Now, excuse me. I have no tickets, no accidents and perfect vision. When I questioned her. She became very ubrupt and told me that ‘it was what it was.’ Then I started doing some research. I found out that the general practice today for most doctors is that if you are over 80. They can automatically pull your license. This I personally think it is an injustice. I just bought a 90,000. truck. I own an SUV and other machine to work around my property. Now this doctor decides to pull my license. I could understand if I had tickets. I would understand if I had accidents. I would even entertain the idea that if I had vision problems. After all, If I felt a threat to anyone including me. I be the first to stop driving. This is not the case. I pay for the vehicle. I pay for the insurance. I pay for my hefty taxes. I pay and pay and are now transportation castrated because of my age. I think this is a form of discrimination. What do you think. I worked all my life so that I would not have to ask for anything from the system. To retire in comfort. Now this? At the least the doctor could have referred me to take the Mickey Mouse test again. I drive every day and see that many of the new drivers have no common sense. For example. On a four lane street. Someone on the far right decided to make a left turn and cut across four lanes and made everyone wait. Luckily not causing a major accident. Where is the doctor taking their license. On another time. Driving on the 401 and someone on the fast lane decided to go 60km/hr. Trucks passed and beeped.. It was a dangerous scene. I am sure I could write a million pages of those that are young and should have their license revoked, yet we the over 80 population are threat. Those that never received a citation. Those that are fully insured and never had a car accident. Sure, it is easy to shrug our shoulders.... and deem this as my problem. But, remember one day you will be over 80. Then what? Or what if your family elders all of a sudden faced the same dilema and would have to rely on you on transportation... All because the medical association deems people over 80 a public safety threat. Come on people. Let’s do what is right. Why after contributing so much to this great nation am I being discriminated against over my age?

THE SUDAN

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 - Well, it appears our war mongering attention is being re-directed from the Ukraine to the Sudan. I guess by now we have all come to the realization that Russia is not such a big bad super power after all. Russian can’t even invade a neighboring country. What are the chances of them invading Europe or the West. The sad reality is that we are paying for the politics being played out in that region... Not to mention the huge cost of civilians in those affected areas. We the people are nothing but a number in a global bingo game. When the powers in charge feel they have some sort of gain. Our numbers are called one by one. Knowing that eventually we all have to face the same fate. The power pulling the strings decided the longevity of our predestine. The conflict in the Ukraine vs Russia is not something new. It has been going on back and forth for decades. We the west get suckered in due to the fact that governments play on the media to tear our hearts open and rip our pockets for aid. For the past two weeks reports from the Ukraine have dropped. Does this mean the war is over. NO, the war still on. I think the people have realized that in the Ukraine there is no win. That even if the Russians pulled back and out. That area still going to see turmoil. Then why are we in the west in it? Politics. The U.S. through Bidens son are committed to support the war effort. We as good Canadians follow. Now that the billion of dollar tap is slowly shutting down. The world turns to another conflict. This time the Sudan. A nation that has suffered more political strife than any nation in the free world. Why all of a sudden the Sudan? Other nations in Africa on a daily basis are having to deal with all kind of human rights violations. War, famine and political not to mention tribal in-humanities. Wait, I am getting a call from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lybia, Lebanon.... you mean to tell me that all of a sudden all these regions have settled and are living in harmony? NO, the human suffering is astronomical. Why don’t we hear about them in the news? As a member of the media, I strongly believe that the world today is being manipulated. Without force or military might. It is being controlled by misinformation and tailored agenda. Just recently the Canadian government reported the problems of getting Canadians out of the Sudan. I am no military strategist.... but has the Canadian government not have a military. In the Sudan they are killing kin. In the Sudan they are using stones and sticks. How hard would it be to land a strong force. Get what you wanted and get out. No instead our government is starting to tap on our hearts.... to make it look like the Sudan forces are so mighty and powerful that we may have to consider sending in troops... or at the least that we should be seeing foreign aid for those suffering. Get what in a matter of weeks we as good Canadian sheep will open our wallets and give. The question is... why are we so quick to help those suffering abroad and not those suffering within our own borders. It is estimated that there are over 5 million Canadians living on the street or in cars. People that can’t afford a place to live or to put food on the table. Forget about the days, when those struggling would loose their homes. Today, we have become the Sudan. People are living on the street, in make shift camps, in cars. Who is going to help our suffering folk? Who is going to stop this human suffering? Should we like in the Sudan take up arms and demand to be treated like human beings? Who will come to our aid? Better, who is coming to our aid? REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Canada's 'entitled' Public Servants

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East More than 150,000 federal public servants with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) went on strike on April 19th while their union representatives continued to negotiate with the government for a bigger wage increase and more flexibility to work remotely. At the time of this article, no agreement had been reached with the government. Four main areas of disagreement remain between the union and the government: wages, teleworking, outsourcing contracts and seniority rules in the event of a layoff. Many federal services will be affected by the strike, including the processing of tax returns and passport applications. The union anticipates slowdowns at airports and border crossings, as administrative workers with the Canada Border Services Agency walk off the job. The Agency claims it expects to maintain services for travellers and businesses, but PSAC predicts the strike will affect the organization's administrative staff, inevitably causing delays at the border. Canadians are most likely to notice the effects of a strike with these services. Services deemed essential, such as administering the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Employment Insurance and social insurance numbers will be maintained, but at a time consuming slower pace. Passport services, grants and contributions programs, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the Canada Education Savings Grant, the Canada Learning Bond, the Canada Disability Savings Grant, the Canada Disability Savings Bond and the job bank will be partially or fully disrupted. Approximately 300 Service Canada locations will remain open during the strike, but service will be limited to those requiring assistance for Old Age Security, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan payments and the issuance of Social Insurance Numbers. Travel advice and advisories for Canadians abroad, consular services and EduCanada, the program for international students who want to study in Canada may also be affected. Around the National Capital Region, striking workers made their presence felt, circling buildings, chanting through megaphones and blasting music throughout the morning. Why aren't residents protesting about the noise? Was it only the truckers' protest that bothered Ottawa residents? The union has been pushing for a 13.5 per cent pay increase over 3 years and 22.5 per cent for CRA employees. The 9 per cent the Liberal Government is offering isn't enough? How arrogant can these civil servants get? Are they totally oblivious to the suffering of millions of Canadians resulting from the economic downturn following the Covid-19 pandemic? They are secure in a well-paid job with an assured pension after working for only two years. They enjoy a highly privileged position and have the effrontery to demand still more money from taxpayers. Unabashedly, they are now escalating the strike activity. After union president Chris Aylward promised that picket lines would move to more "strategic locations," on Monday April 24th, strike action managed to "shut down" ports in Montreal, Vancouver and St. John's. They focused on ports of entry where the union predicted the strike would have greater economic impact. Striking public servants need only spend four hours a day on the picket line to receive their $75 per day strike pay. The union's strike fund boasted $43 million when the strike began, which may quickly be depleted, depending on how many strikers show up each day. Nevertheless, no worries, they will get support from other unions such as: the Canadian Labour Congress, Unifor, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees. Aylward declared last weekend that he wasn't worried about funds running out. Anyway, Federal public servants will continue to receive their regular salaries until at least May 10. How nice for them! Meanwhile, Liberal federal ministers at a cabinet meeting in Ottawa claimed to be watching the strike closely. However, these are their voters, so expect a mild reaction. Here are some indicative declarations: "On one hand, they have the right to strike and demonstrate," Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne told reporters. "On the other hand, we need to make sure that the economy can continue functioning around the country." Do you detect any intent to act in those non-committal words? Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said he has been in contact with ports and airports to make sure they have contingency plans in place. "I know Canadians would like us to avoid disruption to travel and supply chains, and our focus is to resolve this at the negotiation table," he said. Treasury Board President Mona Fortier assured us last week that both parties were still at the bargaining table. If negotiations continue, why has PSAC walked out already? Federal and provincial governments are more aware than ever of how vulnerable and critical major roadways and ports of entry are after last year's "Freedom Convoy," noted Ambarish Chandra, an associate professor of economics at the University of Toronto. Demonstrators took over major roads in downtown Ottawa for three weeks and blockaded several border crossings for days in February 2022 to protest federal vaccine mandates. The protest precipitated the first use of the federal Emergencies Act. While those events were a far cry from the activities of public servants on strike, federal workers' decision to target points of critical infrastructure could inspire copycat events, said Chandra, one of the experts who testified at the inquiry about the invocation of the Emergencies Act. "The events of last year highlighted how vulnerable we are," he continued. "And it may not be surprising if other groups now seize on that vulnerability to exploit what they now realize is a ... critical shortcoming in infrastructure." Smaller disruptions at borders and other key locations are likely to be annoying and in some cases costly, he said, but they tend to fade from public memory quickly compared to more-substantial blockades. So let's see how eager Chrystia Freeland will be to block the strikers' funding this time, if a prolonged strike continues to block essential infrastructure. We have a precedent, eh….? Anyway, it is becoming increasingly evident that our public service needs a radical overhaul in order to serve the public, not just themselves. What do you think?

It Is the Candidate Who Tells the Best Story Who Gets Hired

By Nick Kossovan A six-word story attributed to Ernest Hemingway: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Almost every hire I have ever made was a result of my being able to relate to the candidate's story. Solutions, right answers, and great ideas are as exciting as watching paint dry. On the other hand, who does not love risk-takers, plain talkers, and underdogs? For the most part, job search success depends on which candidate tells the most compelling story, a story that will compel the hiring manager to hire them. Emotions are often the difference between a candidate being hired or rejected. Logic is not the only factor in hiring decisions; emotions (feelings) play a significant role. Our emotions determine how we perceive someone when first meeting them, and those perceptions lead us to regard them positively or negatively. The quickest way to land on the hiring manager's "positive" side: Tell a compelling and relevant story in your resume, cover letters, and interviews. The power of storytelling lies in its ability to influence and persuade. Opinions are often more polarizing than persuasive, and statistics, even when used as evidence, are difficult to retain. However, you can tug at heartstrings if you blend the two into an engaging narrative. All you need to do is organize your achievements into a story that elicits positive emotions. - Start with your audience in mind. Most job seekers believe providing a long, chronological list of projects, responsibilities, and job activities is a good job search strategy. The belief is that if you stuff as much experience as you can into a 2-page resume, a 4-paragraph cover letter or a 45-minute interview, something will click with the reader/interviewer, and they will "understand" your value and fit their business Actually, the opposite is likely to happen. Will the person receiving your information remember everything? Nope! It is more strategic to prioritize your career information according to the employer's needs, to show them only what is relevant to the position and their company; hence you do not come across as being another cookie-cutter applicant, which employers typically see. (Not being cookie-cutter = Being different = Standing out) Always have your audience at the forefront of your mind. What is their role? What is their level? How are their business and industry doing? What current challenges do they face that are critical to their success? Hiring managers look for more than just a list of skills and experiences. Along with hard skills (e.g., formal education, technical, foreign languages), employers, more than ever, look for candidates with soft skills (READ: people skills), such as authenticity, strong communication, mindfulness, and inclusivity. - Have a theme. Once you know your audience, stop, and consider the one thing you want your audience to remember about you. In storytelling, this is called the 'big idea,' and it is the lynchpin of every effective story and, therefore, should be woven into all your written and verbal communications during your job hunt. Are you looking to join a marketing organization? Then the overarching theme of your resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters and when interviewing might be: I'm a person who is driven by innovation and growth. Every example you give regarding your marketing expertise should demonstrate how your creativity contributes to brands reaching a wider audience. (e.g., Created a holistic paid acquisition strategy, leading to a 63% ROI for every dollar spent.) Tie all your experiences in your resume, cover letters, and interviews directly into your theme. In addition to guiding your narrative, your theme influences a hiring manager's memory as to what it is you do and how well you do it. - Context! Context! Context! Throughout your job search, you will have many opportunities to share your career success stories. Like all great stories, you need clear context to make your experiences meaningful. Storytelling experts call context the "why" that drives a narrative's plot. Context gives your audience a reason to listen to your story to the end and arrive happily at your resolution. There are three things that establish context: setting, characters, and conflict. 1. Setting: The place where your story unfolds. 2. Characters: The people involved in and impacted by the triggering event in your story. 3. Conflict: An event that causes you and the other characters in your story to take action. As you tell your story, make sure the context sinks in so your interviewer can see how you work with others, how you approach challenges and how you solve problems. - End your story with a clear resolution. Your goal, as you wind your story down, is to give your listener a compelling reason to care about the outcome, results that would be relevant to the job you are applying for. Now is the time to be the hero and tell your interviewer how you resolved the conflict of your story. This is where you explain how you achieve the metrics listed on your resume and LinkedIn profile in greater detail. The conclusion of your story should encourage your interviewer to hire you. Telling your career success stories effectively will greatly enhance your 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

MY HEART ACHES AND NOT JUST FROM AGE BUT FOR THOSE NOT OF AGE

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. From the big Canadian corporations to your average person walking the street. People have changed and they have changed for the worst. I remember closing million dollar deals on a shake hand an or my word. Today, you can’t trust not even the shadow that follows you everywhere. Corporations today are not about you or me. Forget about customer service. They will do whatever they can to make a dollar off your hard work. They make you sign contracts without letting you read the fine print. Corporation hide behind policy and procedure. Not to mention, the lengthy automated systems. Now with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence and robotics. Good bye Charlie Brown to jobs. Jobs that saves these corporation millions. The other day driving through Oshawa. I noticed this young man. He looked like he was able and fit to work. I rolled down my window and said to him. “Hey, buddy. How would you like to do yard work for a good meal and decent pay?”. The man looked at me in the eye and first thing that came out of his mouth was. “HOW MUCH DOES IT PAY? I can make about a $100/day doing this”. Really. He is begging for money. Common sense would tell you that someone is offering you work you take it on the spot. This new generation has no clue what it feels to truly have to suffer and go without food/shelter. This man, probably living on the street. Living off the money the government gives him and hand outs. This man had no real ambition and or goals. He lived day by day. This scares me. As this type of man is why society is failing. Crime is up and the family institution is changing. No one has responsibility for anything. I know in my day. I may have been poor but my goal was to work as hard as I could to feed my family and make something out of my life. I am no scholar. I had to learn my trade the hard way. No one gave me anything. Not that I would take it as if we can’t have self esteem and believe in our efforts. What purpose is there in life. I was shocked and appauled by this mans response. Then I look at the bigger picture and begin to understand why corporate Canada treats us they way they do. If we don’t care to fight back. We are easy picking for corporations to make millions off our lack of self respect. We need to teach our kids the value of a hard days work. Then again for those that do try hard and educate themselves. Look at their hardships do to poor governmental leadership. People we as a society are doomed. I can’t believe it. Godspeed.

CANADA AND THE OVERTAXED CITIZEN

Canada and the overtaxed citizen by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East In a turbulent world with uncertain economic predictions and the rising prices of the basic needs for a citizen to live in peace and without concerns, the future looks dark.

As it is most relevant for the entire country we will concentrate on the Province of Ontario Canadian resident to see how they fill with their future economic prospect. According to a new poll, 73 per cent of Ontarians feel that the average family is over-taxed. This result should not come as a surprise. A 2022 study published by the Fraser Institute found that the average Ontario family (consisting of two or more people) paid 44 per cent of its income in taxes (including income taxes, sales taxes, etc.). Unfortunately, relief is nowhere in sight. Although both the provincial and federal governments tabled their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, there were no serious discussion about tax reductions. In fact, the Ford government, has walked back promises it made on the campaign trail in 2018 when then-candidate Ford championed lower taxes, stating that the government was perhaps "the worst place you can hand your money over." But as premier, Ford has done little to nothing to reduce taxes for Ontario families. The same poll, conducted by Leger and commissioned by the Fraser Institute, found that 80 per cent of Ontarians believe the average family should pay 40 per cent or less of its income in total taxes. And more than half of respondents (55 per cent) in the province believe the average family should pay 25 per cent or less of its income. (Remember, the average Ontarian family currently pays more than 40 per cent of its income on taxes.) Clearly, there's incongruity between what Ontarians believe the average family should pay in total taxes versus what the average Ontarian family actually pays. Ontarians want tax reductions, but their governments are not listening. Finally, according to the poll, Ontarians are not thrilled with the quality of services (health care, education, police, roads, etc.) they receive in exchange for their tax dollars. Four in 10 (40 per cent) Ontarians believe they get poor or very poor value from government services. Only 19 per cent of Ontarians feel they receive good or great value from the services their tax dollars finance. And roughly three in 10 (31 per cent) said they receive satisfactory value. When Ontarians voice their opinions on taxes in the province, the results are clear. They want lower taxes, and they aren't over the moon about the quality of services provided by all levels of government. In other words, Ontarian families feel they're over-taxed and governments are under-delivering, and the Ford and Trudeau governments should pay attention. Will they? There is also another fact: Canadians already pay roughly $720 a year for climate-related damages. Those costs will keep rising (to around $2,000 a year by 2050). The question arise; is this a realistic approach or it is an additional tax grab for governments futuristic projects? For example the latest federal budget focused on promoting clean electricity . However, the more electricity we save, the easier it will be to achieve the so called zero-carbon grids and electrification of heating, transportation and industry. However, the budget had little emphasis on saving electricity, an area where Canada significantly lags behind the World. The budget had a clear bias for supplying more energy over reducing demand. For example, the document stated that "as electricity becomes the main source of energy, daily and seasonal demand peaks will become more pronounced. Canada will need to invest heavily in renewable generation to meet this demand." This statement obviously misunderstands the modern operation of electricity systems, where demand-side management is an indispensable resource to reduce peaks and demand growth. Better insulated buildings, more efficient industrial motors and energy management, and optimized commercial lighting and HVAC systems are examples of improvements that provide the same or better services to our electricity systems as energy generation. Demand-side management also involves shifting energy use to different times. "Efficient energy solutions - charging hot water tanks, electric vehicles or industrial heating outside of peak periods - can make room for increased electric heating and cooling needs when it is hot or cold. The federal budget released on March 28 confirmed in dramatic fashion that Canada is facing a major construction challenge. Our electric power grids, which provide essential power services across the country, will need huge upgrades over the next 26 years. "Canada's electricity demand is expected to double by 2050" the budget predicted, saying "our electricity capacity must increase by 2.2 to 3.4 times compared to current levels." These changes are needed to serve rising demand for electricity. The scale of the infrastructure development ahead is unprecedented. The implications for the economy and the environment are enormous and the time proposed is very tight. Judging by the $400 billion estimate recently disclosed by Ontario's grid operator, the cost of power system improvements across Canada could exceed a trillion dollars in this timeframe. What's more, much of this expenditure will be needed in the early stages, in the next 10 or 11 years. Canadians will surely be asking questions about where this money will come from, and how it will be spent. For Canadians, it has become timely to consider how decision-makers and regulators will oversee such a massive investment in the energy system. Without early attention and expertise, the work could be improperly focused, and money could be wasted on insufficiently considered choices. The Electricity Canada, the organization representing electricity generation and transmission companies across the country, is calling for a Canadian Electricity Strategy. They can see more clearly than most the dangers of entering this phase of major development without co-ordination between the many regions, governments, and business entities in the sector. A Canadian electricity strategy will probably need to wrestle with significant public policy questions such as: 1. How far should government go to encourage major new transmission lines between provinces and regions? 2. What kind of community input and engagement will be necessary for each type of development? 3. Do we have the right skills and training programs? 4. How to co-ordinate the timing of major investments with the natural schedule for replacement of existing capital assets? Francis Bradley, the CEO of Electricity Canada, recently said, "Canada needs a cross-government strategy to co-ordinate these efforts, pool resources, coordinate funding and work with the electricity sector to implement the planning and building process." With all this grandiose projects in making still the question remains of from where the money is coming from. I might think that it will come from more taxes on the ordinary Canadians. What about to limit careless spending of the governments on foreign soil pet projects in the name of promoting democracy instead of looking for the need of Canadians. Enough is enough a change is needed!

An Interview's Ending Is More Important Than Its Beginning

By Nick Kossovan "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou How you end an interview is more important than how you began and performed throughout the interview, within reason, of course. Yes, making a great first impression is essential; however, the last impression you make tends to linger. As your interviewer is wrapping up your interview (e.g., They ask if you have any questions or they are glancing at their watch.), you want to leave a positive lasting expression. Just shaking your interviewer's hand and saying, "I look forward to hearing from you," will not cut it. The last impression you leave with your interviewer will profoundly impact their memory of you since they are more likely to remember the last five minutes of the interview than the first five. The next time you are interviewing, make it your mission to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer by doing the following: 1. Ask insightful questions. As your interviewer is winding down the interview, inevitably, they will ask, "Do you have any questions for me?" (If your interviewer does not ask you this question, presume you will not be offered the job.) Asking good questions does two things: 1. It gives you a final opportunity to show your interviewer that you prepared for the interview and put thought into your questions. (You are serious about wanting the job.) 2. It lets you determine if the company and role are the right fit for you. Always have a couple of questions ready. Never say, "You have answered all of my questions." Some questions you could ask: - What would I be expected to accomplish in the first six months? The first year? - What is the biggest challenge I would face in this role? - Please describe your management style. How would you manage me? - What will the onboarding and training process look like? - Where does [company] see itself in five years? - What are some of the biggest challenges facing the company/department? - What expectations would I need to meet to be successful in this role? 2. Thank your interviewer. "Thank you" is essential because we are primates and inherently social creatures. When goods or services are exchanged, and currency is not involved, then our words and expressions become the currency. Manners are still important today. Saying "Thank you" goes a long way in acknowledging someone providing you with an opportunity, such as interviewing for a job. Thank yous should be genuine and sincere. While making eye contact say something along the lines of, "Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I look forward to hearing back from you.". Note: Do not overdo the "Thank yous"; you don't want to appear desperate or insincere. One "Thank you" is all you need to make a good impression. 3. Re-state why you are the best candidate. At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to quickly summarize your key strengths. Mention how your experience can directly impact the company. Make your summary short and compelling. "As I mentioned, I implemented and worked with the ZET4500 accounting software system for seven years and was instrumental in transforming how my previous company had increased oversight over their account receivables. I'm confident my accounting skills, passion for numbers and ability to use the ZET4500 proficiently will be a great asset here at Wayne Enterprises." 4. Your handshake matters. Pre-coronavirus, a firm handshake at the end of an interview was an indisputable indicator of confidence. When interviewing in person, feel free to initiate the handshake rather than wait for your interviewer to extend their hand. Your handshake, while making eye contact (shows confidence), should be reasonably firm. If more than one person was part of your interview, be sure you shake everybody's hand. 5. Ask for the job. I like assertive and confident, even borderline brash, candidates. Therefore, I am always impressed when a candidate asks me outright for the job, something I wish happened more often. The next time you have an interview for a job you want, ask for it! (Yes, I have hired on the spot a candidate who asked me for the job.) "I know this is the company that I want to work for. Is there anything that prevents you from making me an offer today?" If your interviewer declines to give you an offer (e.g., "I'm scheduled to interview two more candidates this afternoon." ), then say, "I understand why you need to consider other candidates. Therefore, I look forward to hearing back from you. When can I expect to hear back from you?" TIP: Get your interviewer's business card so you can send a thank you email. As I noted at the beginning, the last impression you make tends to linger. How you closed the interview will be remembered by your interviewer-did you finish confidently, reaffirm your interest in the job, or appear uninterested? I do not know any hiring manager who would hire a candidate who seems disinterested in the position. __________________________________________________________________________ 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

Suffering

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 - There is not one person that has not experienced some form of suffering or another. From the loss of a love to the loss of a loved one. The deep feeling of suffering lingers in our minds and heart impacting our psychology. By definition, suffering is: the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship. distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. the hurricane put everyone in great distress. suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. This in part is why when we see someone suffering we tend to open our hearts and attempt to offer assistance or relief. The government through the media has learned how to manipulate and control this very personal emotion. Pictures of war are presented on our tv screens as to spark and emotion of responsibility, a call to actin to do something for those suffering all over the world. From the UNICEF’s for the world to individuals collecting money for just about every cause. They all play on this emotion. Most recent the media bombarded us with images of civilians being attacked by Russian forces. Bad Russians attackign poor innocent civilians. A war that has been going on back and forth for decades. The government of Canada is quick to send millions of our tax dollars to alleviate the problem. Rightly so if we did not have Canadian suffering right here at home. We the people are fooled to prioritize foreign suffering over our own peoples suffering. Most drive down city streets and notice someone homeless. Most common thought. A those bums. Get a job. Get off drugs. Well maybe that was the case at one time. When every town had one or two of these vagabonds roaming the streets. Today things are different. In Oshawa alone according to a poll taken before the new year. Oshawa had 1,500 homeless. People living on city sidewalks, along rail tracks, in parks, alley ways and or in their cars. This is not just a substance abuse problem any more. Let’s take a hypothetical look at the numbers. If in Oshawa we have 1,500. Let’s assume that across Durham region we have 5,000 people. Across the GTA 50,000 people living in sewers, under passes, drainage pipes, in tents. Across Ontario 200,000 people. Where are the CNN of the world covering this massive human suffering happening right here in Canada. One of the world’s richest countries sending millions if not billions to fight phantom wars? We the people have to stop and realize how we are being manipulated by the government and the media. How we are being played a fool without us not even knowing. Now you may be saying. Well the homeless, the poor choose to live that way. Really!!! Let’s look at your arrogance. Yes, some may suffer from addiction. No question about it. Some may even suffer from mental health issues. But look at all the others that just can’t make it. Not even with three minimum wage jobs. Rents are way out of reach for many. Food and gasoline prices are sky rocketing. You may still say, so what we all have to deal with that. Take this thought with you. You may be comfortably living. But what if your health deteriorates? You suffer financial changes? You loose a loved one? How would that change your current life. What if you loss your source of income? What if you had a stroke of bad luck and your income stopped coming in? What if you faced loosing your home? What if there was no one to help you? Think before you judge. Think before you give. We the people of Canada need the help in order to stop the suffering within our own border as we may at any time become those in need and no one is coming to assist us. Except people like you wrongfully judging those suffering. THINK PEOPLE - THINK REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Canada and soaring food prices

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East We have had been assaulted with the budgets and endured the glowing predictions of the politicians in power. Now let's get back to reality. While green energy infatuated politicians continue to abuse taxpayers' money by pouring it into pie-in-the-sky futuristic projects, everyday Canadians are concerned with what they will put on the family dinner table. An example of these futuristic projects and major failures on the part of both politicians and the public service is the case of the two electric "green" ferries built in Romania, the Amherst Islander II and the Wolfe Islander IV. Built using the latest high technology available in the world, and delivered in the fall of 2021, they are still waiting to be put into service, because the clients operators lack the technology for charging their batteries. It seems that the high technology of the ferries surpassed the technology available in Canada. So, who cares that there was a major delay in the construction of the specialized dock, a landing platform providing a charger of 6MW necessary for recharging the ferries' batteries, currently expected to be ready by 2025. And why have we heard nothing about this in the official media, or from the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, or the Federal green gurus in the Canadian government? With public money being spent so wisely, let us see what Canadians can expect in terms of food prices, which are closer to their hearts than politicians' green mania. According to a December 2022 report Canadians won't be getting a break from soaring food prices any time soon. The report forecasts that it will cost over $1,000 more to feed the average family of four in 2023. After a year of skyrocketing prices and grocers raking in profits while denying price gouging allegations, Canadians are set to see food prices rise by five to seven per cent more this year, the report found. Even a study by a parliamentary committee did not find or even recommend a solution. Canada's Food Price Report 2023, released in December 2022, estimates that price increases will mean an average Canadian family of four will spend around $16,288 per year on food, a jump of $1,065 compared to the yearly cost of food observed in 2022. The biggest increases are expected to be in the price of vegetables, dairy and meat. Vegetable prices are predicted to increase by six to eight per cent in 2023, the largest price jump for any one category of food. The smallest change is expected to be in the price of fruit, which is anticipated to increase by three to five per cent. This prediction of an overall increase by five to seven per cent for food prices in 2023 is the same prediction researchers made for 2022 - a prediction that turned out to be far too low. The food price increase recorded as of September 2022 was 10.3 per cent, the report admits, much higher than had been anticipated. At the time, the report's prediction of an increase of seven per cent "was considered by many to be alarmist," the new report stated. And yet, prices spiked even higher than expected. In 2022, Canada saw the highest rate of food inflation since the 1980s, according to the report. In 2022, vegetable prices increased by more than 12 per cent, while bakery items increased by nearly 15 per cent. Meat prices increased by 7.6 per cent, far above that category's predicted two per cent increase. In 2022, there were also nearly 1.5 million visits to food banks, with the usage in March 2022 being the highest of all time for that month. Food bank usage has been increasing since June 2020, the new report notes, and rising food prices are expected to keep this trend going as more and more Canadians find they can't afford to buy food. Is there anything that the average Canadian can do? Researchers recommend, motherhood advice as usual. Apparently, it's a good time to become a "smart shopper" and start using coupons and consulting flyers for specials, as well as finding cheaper alternatives to expensive brands. "We haven't seen food prices increase thismuch in Canada for over 40 years and based on our findings, the increases we have predicted are still quite high but not as high as the increases for 2022," Simon Somogyi, University of Guelph campus lead, said in the release. "That may be cold comfort for Canadians, as food prices are already high, but if inflation can come down, it's possible that we could see price increases for 2023 at or below 5 per cent." How likely is that, based on the recently published budgets and their dewey-eyed spending? Predictions are a dime a dozen. We need immediate and effective action to bring about solutions. Canadians need relief now. Ask your elected politicians of all stripes for their solutions.

A Game-Changing Factor to Job Search: Your Ability to Make Human Connections

By Nick Kossovan This column will be a departure from my usual job-searching topics to focus on something crucial to a successful job search and your career momentum, especially when networking and interviewing: making human connections. "The most important things in life are the connections you make with others." - Tom Ford, American fashion designer. Genuine human connections lead to positive energy exchange and trust building. Since most job search activities involve interacting with people, projecting positive energy and being seen as trustworthy greatly benefits you. According to American psychologist Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, love and belonging are the most essential needs we must fulfill, besides food, water, and safety. We are more fulfilled when our needs for love and belonging are met. We live busy lives, juggling work, family responsibilities, self-care, side hustles, and more. Therefore, often our social connections fall by the wayside. You might not think connecting with others is important, but it is. Social connections can lower anxiety and depression, help regulate emotions, increase self-esteem and empathy, and improve your immune system. These are huge pluses when job hunting. Sadly, we live in a time when there is a great deal of disconnection. While technology gives the appearance we are more connected than ever, the screens around us disconnect us from nature, ourselves, and those around us. Rather than using technology, especially social media, to enhance our human connections, we use it to replace them. Being brave, proactive, and taking chances is often required to make human connections. Striking up a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating, requiring you to step out of your comfort zone. Your lowest-hanging fruit is to reconnect with current friends and family. Then venture out and try new activities, such as joining a club or taking classes, to meet people to build a relationship with. Putting yourself out there will ultimately pay off in the form of a rewarding feeling that comes from building human connections. Here are six simple ways you can create human connections. 1. Surround yourself with people with shared interests. It is easy to bond with people who share your interests and hobbies. Identifying commonalities between your interviewer and yourself is the most straightforward way to bond with your interviewer, which will give you a competitive advantage. Do you love reading? Join a local book club. Are you a runner? Join a running club. Go where people who share your interests and beliefs are, such as clubs, volunteering, sports, taking classes, church or sitting on an advisory board. 2. Overcome your resistance. Building relationships is often intimidating because of a natural fear of rejection. However, to make human connections, you must overcome your limiting beliefs causing your resistance to change and embrace situations outside your comfort zone. The best way I know how to lower your anxiety when meeting new people is to remember showing interest is a massive gesture to anyone you meet. Therefore ask open-ended questions about the other person and make your discussion all about them. TIP: When meeting someone for the first time, ask yourself, "How can I help this person?" 3. Smile and give off a positive attitude. People prefer positive emotions to negative ones when forming a social connection; therefore, first impressions count. A positive demeanour and a genuine smile will naturally draw people to you. Before spending time with others, I find doing a gratitude exercise and taking a few minutes to reflect on the good things in my life helpful in creating a positive attitude. Putting your best self forward will maximize your chances of being a people magnet. 4. Open up. If you want to make friends more easily, allow yourself to be more vulnerable with others. This does not mean dropping all filters or boundaries. Too much, too soon, can put people off. On the other hand, you do not want to be an overly edited version of yourself and thus coming across as not being authentic. People can sense whether or not someone is genuine, so let them see the most authentic version of you. Your vulnerability will also prompt them to feel comfortable around you and connect with you on a deeper level. 5. Do not hide behind your phone. In social situations where you are uncomfortable, hiding behind your phone is easy, preventing you from making real-life connections. Being on your phone during a party or networking event makes you less approachable. Whenever you are out, focus on being present and engaging with the people around you. 6. Stay in touch. Human connections need to be nurtured. Regular contact deepens your connections. If you make a new friend, keep in touch with them and grow your friendship. Likewise, maintain your existing relationships with friends, family, and colleagues by keeping in touch. Making and maintaining human connections is an activity you should prioritize if for no other reason than the fact that opportunities (e.g., jobs, friendships, love) exist all around you; the only caveat is they are connected to people. Therefore, the more people you are connected to, the more opportunities you will be exposed to. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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

For Old Time's Sake

I am currently going through a divorce, and we've been negotiating the terms of the settlement for a year and a half without agreement. I have started a relationship with another woman, but I'm in a saddening, irresponsible situation that was mischievously planned by the ex. About four months ago, I went to the ex's to pick up our two young children. She begged me to have sex with her one last time, and she swore she would leave me alone forever if I did this. She desperately begged, begged, and begged. I told her it was over. I told her it didn't make any sense. But I was a stupid, irresponsible idiot and gave into her, thinking I would get rid of her once and for all. Right after, I knew I'd made another stupid mistake. About a month later, in an odd and happy manner, she told me she was pregnant. Under the circumstances, I thought she should be devastated. I'm angry because I know she planned this to make me go back to her. That couldn't be further from what I want. Outside of this incident, I hadn't touched her in over a year. This mistake happened only because I wanted her to leave me alone forever, as she promised. I know I'm partly to blame because no one put a gun to my head. If this child is mine, I will pay for my legal responsibilities. Anyway, I want to grow in my relationship with this other woman. I have known her for six years, and we connect on all levels. But I've lost her trust. She wants to be with me, but she is having a difficult time in getting through this and I don't blame her. Teddy Teddy, begging for sex one last time for old time's sake, sounds suspiciously like something a man would say. It is not in a woman's repertoire. An alarm should have gone off in your head, the one that says the world has suddenly turned upside down. Even in a situation which was totally unreal, you acted like a caveman. The last thing you are going to get from a woman who begs for unprotected sex one last time is left alone. Revenge, paybacks, and blackmail maybe. But left alone? Never. You ignored the alarms about your wife, and you ignored the alarms about ruining your new relationship. I understand why your girlfriend has a problem with this. The story itself sounds like a male fantasy. Your girlfriend put herself in an emotionally vulnerable situation because she didn't wait until you were divorced before getting so deeply involved. What makes it doubly worse for her is that, because of your children, she has no guarantee you won't be "begged" again by your wife. This isn't going to end for her. Because of your children, she can't tell you never to see that woman again. Your girlfriend may very well decide this is not something she is going to be able to endure. It's for her to decide. You showed a lack of character. This is really about doing the right thing in each moment. Tamara Doing The Math My boyfriend purchased a house three years ago for $380,000. He put $20,000 down. He plans to refinance for $400,000. He plans an addition to the house for $50,000. How much should I pay to become an equal partner? Cornelia Cornelia, this sounds like one of those algebra word problems. If John is twice as old as Ted, and Roberto is five years older than John, how old is Ted's twin, Chris? Algebra word problems confused me, but in this case, I think I know the answer. Buying a home with a boyfriend usually turns into a legal problem. Until your status is more permanent, find another way to invest in real estate. Wayne Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com Wayne & Tamara are also the authors of Cheating in a Nutshell, What Infidelity Does to the Victim, available from Amazon, Apple and most booksellers.

What Is the Best Nutritional Advice

Ever Given? W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones How long has this column recommended a high-fiber diet? Since March 1978 when readers were informed that processed foods create a “slow assembly line” in the bowels. Now some of the world’s most highly regarded nutritional scientists at Imperial College London say dietary fiber is “the best health advice of all time”! What is it about fiber that is so important? Soluble fiber dissolves in the stomach and can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Insoluble fiber passes through the digestive system, supporting a faster assembly line that moves waste out, reducing the risks for hemorrhoids and colon disease that creep up when hard stools loiter the bowels. Experts agree that women need about 25-30 grams of fiber daily, and men about 30-35 grams. Children need substantial fiber too. But on average, North Americans are consuming only 15 grams of fiber a day. Instead, most people are choosing too much processed food – white flour, sugar, low-quality breakfast cereal, chips, pies, processed meat, and ready meals, to name a few. One must shake the head when the benefits of fiber have been known for so long. Dr. Denis Burkitt, an Irish researcher, reported decades ago that even disadvantaged populations in Africa consumed large amounts of fiber and had healthy bowel movements. Unlike better off Europeans, they did not suffer from constipation, and it was rare to see appendicitis and large bowel problems. Most people won’t remember the King George V battleship chasing the German battleship Bismarck in World War II. But the British captain was also a medical expert. He brought sacks of bran on board to fight the common ailment at sea of constipation. The bowels of the battleship and the sailors performed very well! Going back further in history, Hippocrates, who lived from 460-370 BC, told the people of Athens that to keep healthy they should have large bulky bowel movements. He scrutinized the stools of his patients to diagnose problems and recommended bread, fruits and vegetables. Today we know that whole wheat, fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. Bananas, tomatoes, prunes, celery and roasted almonds are also good choices. Don’t forget the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The reason? An apple can contain over 3 grams of fiber. Be sure you’re not fooled by food labels. Look for the words “whole grain” or “whole wheat” on bread. One slice contains about two grams of fiber. Breads that are labelled “multigrain” may contain little or no fiber. How do you know if you’re getting sufficient fiber? Be like Hippocrates and have a look in the toilet bowl. Small, hard, stools are a problem. A high fiber diet will result in regular soft stools having the texture of bananas. Fiber also fights obesity. One apple loaded with fiber has a filling effect. Wait a few minutes after eating one to note how it eliminates the hunger reflex. Get “fiber smart” and begin the day with a bowl of high fiber cereal along with a banana, blueberries, or other fruits and nuts. Then select meals at lunch and dinner that provide more fiber. Pass on the processed options. Desserts don’t need to be loaded with unhealthy calories. Apple crumble is an example of a high fiber dessert. No one can claim that fiber is bad for your health. But keep in mind that adding too much fiber too quickly could cause a commotion in the bowels in the form of intestinal gas and bloating. Increase fiber in the diet gradually. 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

LET’S STOP REWARDING FAILURES

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 - Come on people wake up... We had an opportunity to make some serious changes in our community and we sat on our hands and reward people that by their own admission lack the intellectual capacity and or life experience to hold the position that they been elected at any other corporation. We elected as our leader a former homeless and drug addict. On the one hand... We can congratulate him on his achievements. On the other we must shake our heads and wonder... how low have our standards become that we vote on a smile and empty promises. Just recently our beloved Mayor presented before a room full of ass kissers so called businessmen at a Chamber function... Our Mayor boasted on how great our economy is doing... How our development rates are skyrocketing...How during his administration construction levels have gone through the roof. On the one hand. Are the people attending that function that ignorant that stupid and naive to swallow such shit? Really... Let me explain. First of all if we have had a record in building permits. It had nothing to do with our Mayor’s leadership. What we are experiencing if force building compliance due to real pathetic immigration reforms. If we have had such a surge in growth. We missed out on huge opportunities to better our City. Our downtown still in peril. Our airport still and eye sore. Our harbor has been given to Hamilton. Our essential services are a mess. Why do we reward failure. Drive downtown Oshawa. Is that the facade of a successful downtown? What has really changed in 30 years? We have more drugs, more homeless and crime. But wait our beloved failure of a Mayor brushes it off as he was quoted saying during the municipal race. “Oh look at B.C. it could be a lot worst.” REALLY... That is leadership. Yet 18% of you turned out and voted him back in. 82% of you are now faced with a 5% tax increase from the City and 5% tax increase from the region. Out of all the council member we only changed one. Really, you mean to tell me that many of us are happy with the quality of life in Oshawa. I keep shaking my head. I keep saying we do not need municipal government as it is a waste of taxpayers money. We have no representation and those elected have proven to have no real leadership qualities as they make desicions based on staff recommendations. Most on council are pension stuffers and or careered politicians. People wake up. Look at Toronto - Even a former MP from Durham decided for a pay increase and put her name in the Mayoral race. I think that to run for office of any kind there should be standards. There should be requirements. Voters, must be forced to turn out or face fines. I guess this would not be a democracy... but wait it is not a democracy as it is.... only a small percentage of the population turn out and self represent as a majority. Democracy as it was ideologically set out is dead. We have become nothing but mindless numbers. Numbers that have no value but that to work and be compliant with controlled social norms. So much for freedom, choice. REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

Remembering the Battle of Vimy Ridge 106 years later

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the world continues to be ravaged by the new war in Europe and new uncertain times are to come, Canadians are being encouraged to remember the efforts of Canadian soldiers in World War I during those four bloody days in France, between April 9 and 12, 1917. It is important to remember that more than a century ago this nation was essentially created by the efforts of all Canadians demonstrating patriotism and a high level of civic responsibility. Today we need to demonstrate the same patriotism and civic responsibility to keep Canada the best country in the world to raise a family. A couple of months after the critical battle at Vimy, another enemy, the Spanish flu, decimated the world, also taking a devastating toll in Canada. Just having survived the Covid-19 pandemic, which tested world resiliency, the world is once again facing uncertain times, brought on by the new conflict in Europe. The current situation requires that all Canadians unite to care for each other like never before. We must rely on our own civic responsibility and sense of duty to overcome these black clouds that are enveloping the modern world. Let us now look back in history to the days of Easter 1917, which defined the birth of a proud and compassionate nation. We will soon be celebrating Easter ourselves, but let's not forget our compatriots who gave their lives to ensure better lives for us. As dawn broke on that morning at Vimy, close to a hundred thousand Canadians poured from trenches, dugouts and tunnels, surged up a slope and conquered an enemy position considered impregnable by its German defenders and, frankly, by Canada's allies. This was the first time all four divisions of the Canadian Forces fought as a unified force. They planned and rehearsed, planned again, and they stockpiled vast amounts of ammunition. On Easter Monday (April 9), they launched the battle, and because they were so well prepared, the artillery barrage was said to be so enormous you could hear the distant thunder of it as far away as London, England, a distance of more than 250 kilometres. It was a costly victory. 3,600 Canadians making the ultimate sacrifice, and approximately 7,000 being wounded on the 9th: the worst day's losses for Canada in the war. Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadians had done a remarkable thing and, they had done it with French, English, First Nations and recent immigrants fighting together. Vimy was followed by other Canadian victories, some of them even greater feats of arms. Sir Arthur Currie, Canadian Corps commander after Sir Julian Byng, the victor at Vimy, was promoted, boasted that he had won an even better victory at Lens when he persuaded his British commander-in-chief to let the Canadians capture Hill 70, forcing the Germans to counter-attack at enormous cost in German soldiers' lives. Currie's arguments for smarter tactics carried weight chiefly because of Canadian success at Vimy. The Vimy experience provided a pattern for future successes. The Canadians had rehearsed tirelessly before the battle. They dug trenches and tunnels and piled up tons of ammunition for the heavy guns that pulverized German trenches and wiped out most of the German artillery hidden behind Vimy Ridge. The motto for Canadian success was "thorough". Nothing that could help soldiers succeed would be ignored. Digging trenches and tunnels and lugging artillery shells through miles of wet, muddy trenches was brutally exhausting work. The Vimy victory shaped a Canadian way of making war. Other nations might celebrate flamboyant valour or dogged sacrifice; Canadians built on the conviction that only thorough preparation could spell success. At Hill 70, at Amiens, in crossing the Canal du Nord and even by capturing Passchendaele in October 1917, Canadians could take pride in their "ever-victorious" Canadian Corps. The victory at Vimy Ridge was greeted with enthusiasm in Canada, and after the war the battle became a symbol of an awakening Canadian nationalism. One of the prime reasons is that soldiers from every region of Canada - fighting together for the first time as a single assaulting force in the Canadian Corps - had taken the ridge together. As Brigadier-General Alexander Ross would famously say: "in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." So it is time for reflection, time to learn from our own history and act in accordance with what we have learned, in facing these challenging modern times. Let's not forget! Are our leaders listening or hiding? Lest we forget…and Happy Easter!

Rethink Your Job Search Strategy: Think Like a Marketer

By Nick Kossovan Most people start looking for a job out of necessity (e.g., laid off, fired, their job was outsourced, the business closed) without a plan of action or any sense of direction, applying haphazardly to jobs posted online, in panic-like mode. Furthermore, most job seekers do not view a job search as a marketing campaign. If they did, they would succeed much sooner in their job search, landing a job aligned with their skills, career goals and "would-like" compensation. Marketing is all about strategic, tactical positioning. As a job seeker, you are an expensive product that needs to convince employers that you will solve a problem the company has and earn your keep. Like any valuable product, you need solid positioning and a go-to-market strategy. A marketing strategy is guided by five Ps: 1. Product 2. Price 3. Promotion 4. Place 5. People Similar to a marketing strategy, a successful job search strategy has its own five Ps: 1. Positioning 2. Process 3. Persistence 4. Presentation 5. Personality "Don't just accept whatever comes your way in life. You were born to win; you were born for greatness; you were created to be a champion in life." - Joel Osteen, American preacher, televangelist, and businessman. I have yet to meet a job seeker who would not benefit from mapping out some concrete steps, with milestones, that will actually lead them to the employer and job they want rather than simply accepting the job they happen to get, which is the case for most job seekers, and why many employees are unhappy. (They are in the wrong room.) Using the five Ps of a successful job search strategy, you can create and execute a job search strategy that will yield the results you desire. 1. Positioning Before you begin your job search (networking, reaching out to employers, submitting applications), identify what makes you valuable to an employer. In other words, answer the question: Why should an employer hire you? Create a unique value proposition (UPS) that will differentiate you from other job applicants. Carefully review the job requirements and the employer's culture. Assess how your skills and experience match the job requirements and how you are a "fit." 2. Process Hunting for a job requires strategic thinking. Rather than simply applying to job listings, focus on companies you want to work for. With so much churn happening these days, your preferred employer likely has some openings, giving you a chance to get your foot in the door. If there are no current openings, introduce yourself-and then maintain regular contact-along with your background and what value you can bring to the person overseeing the department you would like to work for so your name will be top of mind when an opening does arise. (A job search is a marathon, not a sprint.) Do your homework on your target employers (e.g., their market, their competitors, and what pains they are experiencing). Obtain information that will impress a hiring manager. 3. Persistence Top talent can spend six months to a year job hunting before they land an ideal (keyword) offer. Job searching requires lots of stamina! The trick to staying motivated? Set small, attainable goals and milestones to make you feel like you are making progress. For example, attend one networking event per week and establish one professional relationship. 4. Presentation I am all about the elevator speech. Give me a brief overview of who you are, what you do, and what value you can offer. Sadly, many job seekers boast about their abilities without giving concrete examples. "Hello, my name is [your name]. I'm a digital marketing specialist and have been working in agencies for the past five years. I've helped [number] clients streamline their digital marketing strategies and increase their revenue on average by X%. I'm now looking to apply my skills and knowledge within a healthcare organization." Your elevator speech should not exceed 60 seconds. The importance of being comfortable with your elevator speech cannot be overstated. Record a video of yourself to see and access your body language. Eye contact, hand motions, posture, and tone of voice are all critical nonverbal cues during a job interview. 5. Personality Present yourself to your interviewer as a person, not just as a professional. Hiring managers rarely hire solely based on a candidate's credentials. This is why they often ask about a candidate's personality along with making their own judgment. Consider how your personality traits relate to the position you are interviewing for. For example, for a customer service job, you might say, "I'm a problem-solver by nature. My immediate goal when I speak to a customer is to resolve their issue as quickly and efficiently as possible." For an administrative assistant job, "I've always been an extremely organized person, a skill that served me well in my last job, where my attention to detail helped save the company ten percent on a major account." When looking for a job, consider how you see yourself. See yourself as a solution to an employer's problem. Market yourself as a solution. Think like a marketer! ___________________________________________________________________________ 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

Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage to $16.55 an Hour

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 - Someone please help me. I can’t stop shaking my head. Who is doing the thinking around here. The economy is a horrible state. Just about every corporation is openly ripping off consumers. Not to mention grocery stores. They all blame it on COVID, the war, the supply chain. Small to mid size employers are struggling to keep people on pay rolls due to the poor economic climate. Then the government announces this: Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage to $16.55 an Hour. Hurray for the common worker working on minimum wage. Chaos for the employer that could barely pay the minimum wage as it was. It is no secret that big business does not care about you me or their consumers. Try calling them. They have these pathetic automated answering systems that are rigged to benefit them. You as a consumer have no say and no way to rebut the messages they spew. When you actually get someone to pick up after wasting 20 minutes in their automated system. You get some foreigner with an accent that you can barely make out. These corporation pay these foreign call centers a fraction of what they would have to pay if the call center was in Canada. The question is why do we do business with these companies. Well that is a topic for another column. The real question here is what is our government thinking? They raise the minimum wage as a great thing but fail to alleviate the problem. High cost of living. How is anyone living even with the increased minimum wage to pay for an apartment on the average $1,000 plus $300 food, cell phone $60, a car, insurance, hydro, gas and other daily expenses? When you do the math at 40hr/week they only make $2,648 before taxes... These renters will never be able to buy a home. One they don’t make enough for a down payment. Two, they don’t generate enough income to qualify to pay the monthly mortgage. Ok. Let’s assume they have two jobs and are a two income home. Still they would not have enough to save for the down payment and or afford the monthly mortgage payment. In some magical way. The government believes that by pressuring employers to pay more that it will address the economic problem of average Canadians. Wrong. All the government is doing is assuring less hours to work due to the extra cost of doing business by small to medium businesses. Here is my suggestion: 1. Take control of gasoline prices. (NO MORE GAUGING) 2. Assure that any supply chain issue have priority one. 3. Invest in local small businesses by offering grants based on business productivity and performance. The $20,000. they gave out during COVID was a great model. Every business should receive $20,000. every quarter if they can prove productivity increases of 40% plus the hiring of at least 5 new people per quarter. We waste money fighting foreign wars. Let’s invest in our people first. Do you not agree? REMEMBER ALWAYS Hope for the Best. PREPARE FOR the worst.

CANADA BUDGET TIME 2023

Canada budget time 2023 by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East We have arrived at the time of the year when politicians are working on our financial future. Bad or good we need to live with it. The most populous province in Canada, Ontario, was first to table a budget, soon followed by an interesting federal budget. Let us first see what the Ontario budget tells us. The $204.7B budget forecasts a provincial surplus of $200M by 2024-25. That sounds encouraging, but the budget does little to ease daily affordability issues. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled the budget Thursday, saying it is "rooted in strong fundamentals" and features "real action ... to not only face the current turbulence we see in the global economy, but emerge from it stronger than ever." Words of comfort from a magician? It comes amid nearly unprecedented economic circumstances for Ontario: above-target inflation, high interest rates, a generational labour crunch and a coming recession. Although, for the moment, the province is reporting record-high revenues and a historically low unemployment rate. The 187-page budget document forecasts that Ontario could run a modest $200 million surplus in 2024-2025, getting back to balance three years earlier than estimated in last year's budget. That surplus could increase to $4.4 billion by the following year. In this upcoming fiscal year, the province expects a $1.3 billion deficit - a figure roughly 12 times lower than that cited last April. I wonder how accurate these predictions will prove to be. Some of the highlights look promising: The government is addressing health-care staffing shortages by investing $200 million in supports to grow the workforce. These include offering up to 6,000 health-care students training opportunities and supporting up to 3,150 internationally educated nurses to become accredited in Ontario. The province is also investing a total of $80 million over three years to expand nursing education in universities and colleges, adding 8,000 additional nurses by 2028. To address the more than one million Ontarians experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge every year, the government is pouring an additional $425 million into mental health services over three years. The government also plans to accelerate the $1 billion it pledged over three years for home care. The budget further expands prescribing power for pharmacists, only two months after Ontario's pharmacists were allowed to prescribe treatments for 13 common ailments. The government plans to expand the Guaranteed Annual Income System, which helps low-income seniors. A higher private income threshold will make about 100,000 more seniors eligible for the program in July 2024. The budget contains $22 billion to build more schools and childcare spaces. The funding will go in part toward a new English elementary school in North Bay, a new English Catholic high school in Windsor and new additions to French elementary schools in Pickering and Oakville. An additional $25.1 million this year will be spent to support searches at residential school burial sites across the province. Ontario is investing an additional $3 million this year and $3 million next year into a program that helps junior mining companies finance mineral exploration and development. The investments build on the government's critical minerals strategy, which aims to grow the sector and make Ontario a leading producer of critical minerals - including those in the Ring of Fire in the province's north. This all looks promising, but the issues start to get complicated when it comes to implementation. Now let's take a look at the federal budget. Canada is facing the most profound challenges to its prosperity since the end of World War II. Our traditional sources of economic growth - a young and rapidly growing population, an expanding oil and gas sector, international trade - are at risk of drying up in the face of powerful forces and trends. There are four key issues facing Canada's future growth that, if not addressed by the current government, could have major repercussions on its prosperity. They are its aging population; its shrinking sources of export growth; its reliance on the United States as its number one trading partner; and public investments to respond to a volatile global market. So let's see what the budget contains. The 268 page 2023 budget, valued at $491B, is full of spending and promises. Titled "A Made-in-Canada Plan", it projects federal deficit to be $43 billion this fiscal year, and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland no longer forecasts that federal coffers could be back in the black by 2027-28. Instead, the deficit is set to gradually decline over the next five years, still sitting at $14 billion in 2027-28. The 2023 federal budget promises "transformative investments" in Canada's green economy as the country tries to maintain its place in the global reset clean tech revolution and realign its supply chains toward allies who won't use energy as a political weapon. "Together these two great shifts represent the most significant opportunity for Canadian workers in the lifetime of anyone here today," Freeland said in the House of Commons. The remarks clearly mirror World Economic Foundation (WEF) vision, transposed into the Canadian environment. So let's go into a few details. Some of the more significant funding initiatives in Budget 2023 are: - $43B in net new spending over six years. - 3 main priorities: health care/dental, affordability and clean economy. - Doubling of GST rebate extended for lower income Canadians, up to $467 per family. - $13B over five years to implement a dental care plan for families earning less than $90K. - $20B over six years for tax credits to promote investment in green technologies. - $4B over five years for an Indigenous housing strategy. - $359 million over five years for programs addressing the opioid crisis. - $158 million over three years for a suicide prevention hotline - Creation of a new agency to combat foreign interference. It is interesting that more than one-third of new spending addresses Canada's targeted response to keep pace with the United States Inflation Reduction Act, which last year promised to direct US$370 billion at clean technology and electric vehicles over a decade. The budget also warns of the ramifications of not investing in the low-carbon economy, with significant hits to the GDP and jobs in the next 30 years, even as it acknowledges the enormous amount of money this will take. All the plans seek to develop new industries with supply chains connected to allies like the US and Europe. Freeland said in her speech that this would help to end what Ursula Von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission has called Europe's "dangerous dependencies" on authoritarian economies. A clear path to a new world order inspired by the WEF from Davos; a working front element of the powerful lobby of the Bank of International Settlements (BIS). Almost one-tenth of the new spending is directed at making life somewhat more affordable for some Canadians, including the second GST rebate top-up in a year to low-income Canadians, and increases to grants for post-secondary students. As we have seen in both budgets, much of the spending reflects political interests to secure power for the parties in control. While inflation is declining, there are strong indications that a recession is coming, creating unforeseen challenges to the tabled budgets. …and both budgets are still spending freely. Have we learned nothing?