Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Saturday, February 22, 2025
How I Got to 101
How I Got to 101
By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford
My life has been marked by good fortune. Yes, I inherited good genes and followed a sound lifestyle. But I’ve also had the luck of the Irish. I often think about those people who lead a sound lifestyle, but who get terribly unlucky. These are people, sometimes in the prime of life, and through no fault of their own, die from accidents, infections, cancer, or dozens of other common and rare diseases.
My life nearly ended when I had a severe heart attack at 74 years of age. I was advised by several cardiologists in Toronto and others I knew internationally of bad news. They said I would be dead in a few years or less if I did not take cholesterol-lowering drugs (CLDs). But I had witnessed severe complications among those taking CLDs. I knew, for instance, 25 percent of those on long-term treatment developed type 2 diabetes, not a good disease, as well as muscle pain and neurological problems. My cardiologists were not amused when I said no to CLDs.
I had interviewed Dr. Linus Pauling, a two-time Noble Prize winner. He was convinced that the societal increase in heart attacks and cardiovascular disease was due to a deficiency of vitamin C. None of my esteemed professors at the Harvard Medical School had told me that humans, due to a genetic mishap eons ago, had lost the ability to produce vitamin C. But all other animals, except the guinea pig, make their own vitamin C.
I made the decision to take large amounts of vitamin C. Pauling had told me that he took 20,000 milligrams (mg) of C daily. I decided to take 10,000 mg of C daily and have done so for 28 years. My cardiologists are now dead, and I am still on this planet.
I now live in a retirement residence, and I offer a summary of my advice in a new book called Healthy Retirement Residence Living: What Does the Doctor Say? It’s available for purchase at www.docgiff.com. Seniors in any circumstances, but especially in retirement residences, need to hear this message. Pauling was right that we can fight the effects of aging and poor health with high amounts of vitamin C. It’s not feasible to get the high doses needed through diet; you must supplement. And when you take high doses of vitamin C, it circulates to all organs of the body, generating positive effects for cardiovascular health and much more. So for 28 years, I have been taking tons of C, and I believe it has kept me alive.
When will medical schools start to train physicians to consider natural remedies before leaping to pharmaceutical treatments that involve risky complications and great expense? When will doctors ever learn to read history and uphold the Hippocratic oath? “First, do no harm.” I’ve been lucky that I became a medical journalist. It was the necessity of investigating new topics to write about each week that made me an inquisitive physician.
At 101, I am no less insistent on my quest to help people lead healthier lives. I do this by promoting Giff’s Own CardioVibe, my own “forever formula” that is a combination of vitamin C, lysine, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, quercetin, and proline, in a powdered form that allows ease in taking high amounts, in divided doses, over the course of the day. It’s available at giffsown.ca.
I wish everyone the best of luck – but also advise not to count on it. Longevity means hard work in making healthy lifestyle choices, starting at a young age, and never wavering.
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
My Old House - Part Two
I My Old House - Part Two
By Theresa Grant
Real Estate Columnist
I remember back in the 80’s walking into The Brick on Kennedy Road in Scarborough. Oh, everything was so shiny and new, and I just loved it all. Newly married, very young, and no money to speak of.
The brick offered no payments for a year or something along those lines so it was perfect for us. We walked the aisles of endless furniture and appliances, thrilled to be able to pick something out, take it home and not have to pay for it right then and there.
Up until that point, everything we owned was earth tones. Browns and oranges, beige, tan and creams. In fact our living room suite was purchased on the Danforth in Toronto and it was an orange beige floral couch, love seat and chair. The standard 80’s living room package. Seeing all of the different displays and colour schemes in The Brick was mind boggling. I remember looking at one in particular and saying to the salesperson, “we’ll take that”. He asked which of the items I was referring to and I told him we’d take the whole thing as displayed. It was perfect. The display was black and pink and light grey. There was a couch, love seat, chair, coffee table and 2 end tables. We checked out, set up delivery for a week or so down the road and stopped at the paint and wallpaper store on the way home.
Before long, our living room was a beautiful shade of soft pink with boarders going around the top of the wall and just to be different, we also added a boarder in the middle of the wall. Remember, it was the 80’s. Next came a fabulous grey and white carpet. The following week the big truck pulled up and voila! Our living room was a thing of
beauty. Everyone that came over was shocked at the colour scheme, but it worked and it worked well. After many years of that furniture and colour scheme we moved to Ajax. There, new colours abound and somehow, we were leaning toward those darker colours again.
My old semi on Celina was red and orange and it looked great. In this house I am now starting the painting and have gone to a pallet that I have never tried before, never even really thought of before. It’s kind of like when your taste buds mature and you now like things you didn’t all of your life.
I have gone completely coastal! From the kitchen with a creamy yellow that carries on into the living room. The hallway off of the living room is a seafoam green. I am just starting to source furniture, but I think I will go with White. Yes white. In this house I have also decided to have the ceilings painted. Cannot wait to see how they turn out. Stay tuned.. 
Parachuted Candidates, Power Plays, and the Erosion of Democracy
Parachuted Candidates, Power Plays, and the Erosion of Democracy
By Lisa Robinson
As Canada heads into the upcoming federal election, a disturbing trend is emerging across all levels of government—one that undermines the very foundation of our democratic system. In many municipalities, including Pickering-Brooklin, candidates are no longer being chosen by the people but are being parachuted in by centralized selection committees. This top-down approach strips local party members of their right to a genuine nomination process and replaces grassroots democracy with backroom deals.
In Pickering-Brooklin, the candidate selection committee has already imposed its choice on the community, leaving voters with zero say. Adding insult to injury, the chosen candidate doesn’t even live in Pickering or Brooklin. How can someone who has no real connection to the community’s needs and values be expected to represent its interests in Parliament? This blatant disregard for local representation is not only undemocratic—it is symptomatic of a broader systemic decay.
The erosion of democracy does not stop at the federal level. Our municipal governments are increasingly engaging in political power plays that further undermine our right to self-governance. In Pickering and other cities across the country, municipal officials are lobbying the provincial government to amend the Municipal Act, thereby granting themselves the authority to remove elected officials who dare to challenge the status quo. This alarming trend threatens to concentrate power in the hands of a few, making it easier to silence dissent and erase accountability.
When the mechanisms for selecting representatives and holding them accountable are manipulated by political insiders, our entire democratic process is put at risk. Local nomination contests have historically been a cornerstone of community engagement, ensuring that elected leaders truly reflect the concerns and aspirations of their constituents. But when candidates are parachuted in and local voices are muzzled by legislative changes, we are left with a system where power is not derived from the people—it is imposed upon them.
This is not just a problem of policy; it is a direct assault on our democratic ideals. The practice of choosing candidates without the input of local party members, combined with efforts to strip elected officials of their ability to represent their communities effectively, signals a dangerous move towards centralized control.
The creeping erosion of local democracy is a harbinger of a future where power is consolidated away from the voters and into the hands of political elites, who operate in secrecy and with minimal accountability.
The implications are profound. When decisions about representation are made behind closed doors, the trust that citizens place in their government is shattered. Our democracy—the very system designed to ensure that power is distributed equitably among the people—begins to crumble from within. This trend is particularly evident in our own backyards, where communities like Pickering are witnessing first-hand how democratic processes are being subverted by both federal party policies and municipal power plays.
The future we are hurtling toward is not one where Canadians have a meaningful say in their government. Instead, it is a future in which our representatives are selected not by the people, but by political insiders, and where elected officials can be unceremoniously removed for daring to disagree with those in power. This is not the Canada we want. Democracy is failing us at every level—from the federal corridors of power to the municipal councils that once served as the bedrock of local representation.
The time to confront this assault on democracy is now. We must shine a light on these practices, expose the backroom deals, and demand accountability from those who would strip away our rights. While the candidate for Pickering-Brooklin has already been imposed upon us and legislative moves are underway to further erode local control, we cannot remain silent. Our democracy is in peril, and unless we wake up to this grim reality, the future of local representation will be decided by power brokers far removed from the people they claim to serve.
Canadians deserve better. The future of our nation depends on restoring genuine democratic processes and ensuring that every vote, every voice, and every community truly matters. The time for change is overdue, and the fight to reclaim our democracy has only just begun.
I am Councillor Lisa Robinson, The People’s Councillor
Job Search: Hack Talk to Strangers
Job Search:
Hack Talk to Strangers
By Nick Kossovan
An impromptu conversation with an AI engineer, the chef of a five-star hotel writing down their lamb stew recipe for me, being told of a mechanic for my '82 Corvette whom eight years later I still go to, advice that improved my golf game, countless "you need to connect with [person], give me your email address, I'll e-intro you" and job opportunities. Every person you meet has something to teach you or is connected to someone that you'd benefit from knowing.
In previous columns, I've pointed out that opportunities are all around you; the catch is that they're attached to people. The person pumping gas beside you or standing behind you in a grocery store checkout line, seated next to you on a plane, in your doctor's waiting room, or at a sporting event might be a VP, director, or head of HR at a Fortune 500 company or a business owner.
You never know who's next, in front of or behind you.
Think about the wealth of knowledge and opportunities surrounding you when eating in a crowded restaurant. Talking to strangers is not merely a skill; it's a mindset rooted in openness and receptivity. It's one of the most underrated skills for personal and professional growth.
Many people have conditioned themselves to avoid interacting with strangers because of habit, fear of rejection, or being too preoccupied. This conditioning explains why interviews—essentially conversations with strangers—often trigger anxiety.
Starting a conversation, especially with someone you don't know, is more art than science. It involves understanding social cues (body language, tone of voice, personal space), reading the room, and thinking creatively. As with any skill, starting a conversation becomes easier with practice. Start by having a different conversation with someone you know. Ask thought-provoking questions. Be curious. Shift the dialogue beyond the usual.
Consider questions like:
· "What skills are essential for success in your field?"
· "What makes you think that?"
· "What have you tried?"
· "What's your end goal?"
· "Do you think you could improve if you had [whatever]?"
Asking open-ended questions and being genuinely curious about the other person—showing interest in someone is a massive gesture—often leads to meaningful conversations.
Here are three simple yet effective ways to take advantage of our tendency to love sharing what we know and who we are, which can lead to job opportunities, expanding your network, friendship, mentorship, and maybe even love.
Give a Compliment
A genuine compliment about a unique watch or handbag can break the ice and lead to discussions about personal interests and career paths. For example, saying, "That's a nice watch! Mind my asking where you got it?" might open a dialogue revealing that the watch owner works at a large accounting firm—just the connection you need as an accountant seeking opportunities.
Alternatively, you can wear or carry something unique that attracts attention to you so you're receiving compliments. (read: strangers starting a conversation with you) When I take my '82 Corvette for a spin, I always get strangers asking about my car. Once, an admirer of my car turned out to be the president of a pizza chain who was facing challenges with his call center's customer service. I ended up doing some consulting work for him after explaining my background.
Ask for a Recommendation
Shared spaces like restaurants, sporting events, and doctor's waiting rooms create a sense of commonality. You can assume everyone in line with you at a sushi restaurant likes sushi as you do. When you're in a coffee shop, bookstore or new to a town or neighbourhood, leverage this commonality; don't hesitate to ask a stranger for recommendations on a good book or where the best BBQ ribs are to be had. Asking a stranger in a bookstore's historical fiction aisle, "I'm looking for a new book to read; do you have any favourites?" may result in discussing your reading interests and perhaps what you do for a living.
Engage with Humor
Victor Borge once said, "Laughter is the closest distance between two people," which is why I like to use humour to engage strangers. A light-hearted comment, such as, "If this line gets any longer, I might as well order a coffee for my great-great-grandkids!" fosters camaraderie and stimulates conversation.
The key to these conversation starters is authenticity. Genuine engagement resonates with people, making them more likely to participate in meaningful discussions. Focus on starting and building relationships—the essence of networking. Don't be that person who, upon learning what I do for a living, asks, "Can you get me a job?" Avoid the mindset of "What can I get from this person?" Instead, ask yourself, "How can I help this person?" as I did when I met the president of the pizza chain.
Offering assistance is the most effective way to establish a bond with someone.
Most importantly, give your full attention. Pocket your smartphone, maintain eye contact, listen actively, and show interest. Although engaging with strangers at first seems daunting, the rewards can be substantial. There's no telling what a simple conversation could lead to that could benefit your job search, career, or other aspects of your life.
_____________________________________________________________________
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 IT IS YOUR CHANCE
NOW IT IS YOUR
CHANCE
By Joe Ingino
B.A. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Articles
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
This week will hopefully bring some positive change. I have been doing this job for over 30 years. In such a role. I hear all the concerns from all kinds of readers.
The main one for most is quality of life. People in general are tired of having to work and pay all kinds of taxes. Only to see their quality of life slowly erode.
Politicians don’t care. Try contacting your local municipal elect. Good luck. Try to call your MPP. Good luck. French is notorious for not returning phone calls. Yet, there she is out on the campaign trail making all kinds of promises and making claim of achievements thatare few and petty at best. The question before us is not the person. Instead, its about her accomplishments and what has she done to improve your quality of life.
I think she has had her two terms to improve the quality of life in Oshawa and she has failed. We have a never ending number of people living in the street. Open drug use is at an all time high.
Where is our provincial MPP. Sitting in her office playing politician.
WHAT HAS SHE DONE FOR YOU?
I am running in this provincial election as your change. I am not a politician. I am a local business person. Someone like you. Working hard to feed my family. I am a local business person that know first hand the value of a dollar. I know what it means to want a good solid community life. I have been a member of every service group as per the banner to the left. I talked to you the people and live your pain. I want good quality of life. Clean Oshawa. An Oshawa that is inviting and full of life. I want to bring to Oshawa prosperity. I can tell you that I may not have all the answers. But I have a solid proven business track record for the past 30 years of service to Oshawa. I will bring you solutions to real Oshawa problems. No more going through the motions. Pretend and make excuses. No more spewing statistics and hope that they stick.
I can promise you results. I can promise you the improvement of Oshawas quality of life.
I can assure you that my interest will not be maintain my position for another term...nor that I have an income.
As a matter of fact. I will donate my wages to programs in the city until Oshawa quality of life improves..
I will assure that my wages go directly to making Oshawa a safe and clean City. Can French say that? Can any of the candidates make such statement and commitment. All I am asking is for you to give me the opportunity to serve you and restore Oshawa to the jewel it has always been in the Durham crown. Thank you.
Canada Flag Day 2025
Canada Flag Day 2025
by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC,
FEC, CET, P. Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
In February when the Canadian winter really settles in, we have something great to celebrate and be proud of it. Something, which made us a nation to be cherished and respected. I actual circumstances with dark clouds on our suzerainty the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Flag has a new meaning that of the unity o all Canadians.
You have seen it proudly flying throughout the country. Maybe you have waved a paper hand flag on Canada Day, or worn it as a pin on your jacket. Maybe you have even sewn one on to your backpack and travelled the world! Regardless of where you see it, the National Flag of Canada stands out both at home and abroad as one of the most striking and recognizable symbols representing Canada.
February 15 is Flag Day in Canada, the annual day on the calendar where we mark the first raising of the “new” Canadian flag, the Maple Leaf, on Parliament Hill in 1965.
While the quest for a national flag for Canada dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the flag as we know it today emerged from the major social transformations during the 1950s and 1960s in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967.
In 1960, Lester B. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. As the newly elected Prime Minister in 1963, Pearson promised to resolve the question of a new national flag in time for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967.
A parliamentary committee was created and given a 6-week deadline to submit a recommendation for a national flag. Debate within the committee was fierce, divided between those who wished to retain the symbols that tied Canada to its colonial history, and those who wanted Canada to adopt its own symbols for the future. This period was known as the Great Flag Debate.
The legendary Flag Debate has seen two respected Canadians making their points, the great John Diefenbaker – who wanted Canada to keep
using his beloved Red Ensign – and the equally great Lester Pearson, who wanted Canada to turn a new page with a flag distinctly our own.
While most Canadian historians and commentators have consistently criticized Mr. Diefenbaker for his stand and the long debate on the issue in the House of Commons, this actually helped all Canadians eventually accept the change. Canadians who feared such a radical change in symbols felt that their voices had been heard. While they feared the switch to a new national symbol, they had witnessed Mr. Diefenbaker fight for their cause and this in turn, helped in the end to cement the Maple Leaf in its earliest years.
One of the more well-received designs considered by the parliamentary committee was proposed by George Stanley, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. Inspired by RMC’s own flag, Stanley recommended a design featuring a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white background with 2 red borders.
On October 22, 1964, the committee voted in favour of Stanley’s single-leaf design. Two months later the House of Commons approved, followed shortly after by the Senate.
Let’s review the history of the Canadian flag for a moment. The flag that was first raised on February 15, 1965, the flag that has made us all proud as Canadians to have our own beloved Maple Leaf centered Canadian flag.
Several different flags were used in Canada before our current National Flag. Since the first days of European presence on Canadian soil, flags of European homelands, such as France, have been displayed. The flags of British North America used in colonial Canada showcased ties to the British Empire. Both before and after Confederation in 1867, Canada used the United Kingdom’s Royal Union Flag, commonly known as the Union Jack.
Another British flag used in Canada was the Red Ensign. While it was officially a naval flag used by Canadian ships starting in the 1890s, the Canadian Red Ensign — a combination of the Union Jack and the shield of Canada — had been used unofficially both at sea and on land since the 1870s and was widely recognized as a national symbol.
During the First World War, the Canadian Red Ensign became a popular patriotic emblem.
Canada in Crisis:Nation Demands an Election Now
Canada in Crisis:Nation Demands an Election Now
By Dale Jodoin
Canada finds itself at a political crossroads. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned as Liberal leader but remains in office, awaiting the selection of his party’s next leader. In the background, one name looms large—Mark Carney, handpicked by Trudeau to take over. However, a major issue remains: Carney is not an elected MP, and Canadians do not want him as their next leader.
This situation creates a constitutional and democratic dilemma. Trudeau, though he has resigned as party leader, must continue serving as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen. The problem? The people do not want Carney, and they do not want the Liberals to choose their next leader behind closed doors. The demand for an immediate general election is growing louder.
Trudeau Resigns, But Stays in Power—For Now
Despite stepping down as Liberal leader, Trudeau remains Prime Minister in a caretaker role, with full control of the government until an election is called. This means he still wields power, but his authority is weakened as his own party scrambles to find a replacement.
Under Canada’s parliamentary system, a Prime Minister cannot simply walk away. There must be a transition of power, either through a leadership race within the party or by calling a general election. Since Trudeau has resigned, the Liberals will eventually choose a new leader, but that does not mean that person automatically becomes Prime Minister.
This process typically allows time for leadership campaigns and party votes. However, in this case, Trudeau's preferred successor, Mark Carney, has already been unofficially selected. But with no elected seat, Carney cannot simply walk into the role of Prime Minister. That decision belongs to the people of Canada.
Mark Carney: The Leader Nobody Asked For
Despite being widely respected in financial circles, Carney lacks democratic legitimacy. Unlike previous Prime Ministers who had served as MPs before taking office, Carney has never been elected by the Canadian people. His only claim to leadership is that Trudeau wants him to take over.
This has sparked outrage among voters. Canadians are not willing to accept an unelected leader chosen in the backrooms of the Liberal Party. If Carney truly believes he is the right leader, he must first win a seat in Parliament. But the greater issue is clear: the people do not want another Liberal government at all.
Canadians Want an Election, Not a Liberal Replacement
While the Liberal Party will eventually select a new leader, that decision should not be made without input from the people. Trudeau’s resignation is a clear sign that the country is demanding change. However, if the Liberals are allowed to install a new leader without holding an election, it would be a direct insult to democracy.
Here’s why an immediate election is the only fair option:
The Liberals Have Lost Public Trust – Trudeau’s resignation is proof that his leadership has failed. Canadians should have the right to decide if they want the Liberals to remain in power at all.
Mark Carney Has No Mandate – Carney is a Trudeau appointee, not a leader chosen by the public. The people must have the right to vote on whether he should lead the country.
Canadians Are Tired of Backroom Politics – Letting the Liberal Party decide the next Prime Minister without an election would further damage faith in the political system.
What Happens Next?
As it stands, Trudeau remains in office as a sitting MP and interim Prime Minister until a new leader is chosen. But even after the Liberals select a leader, they do not have an automatic right to form a government. The Governor General has the power to call a general election if there is enough pressure from the public or Parliament.
If the opposition parties and Canadian voters make their voices heard, an election can be forced sooner rather than later. The choice is clear—let the people decide their next government, not the Liberal Party.
Trudeau’s resignation signals the end of an era, but the fight for democratic accountability is just beginning. The only legitimate way forward is for Canada to hold an election immediately. The idea of Carney sliding into leadership without voter approval is unacceptable.
The people have spoken—they do not want Carney, and they do not want another unelected Liberal government. It’s time for an election. Let Canadians decide their future.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
I Can’t Afford to Be a Patriot Because of the High Cost of Food
I Can’t Afford to Be a Patriot Because
of the High Cost of Food
By Dale Jodoin
I Can’t Afford to Be a Patriot Because of the High Cost of Food
Patriotism is a powerful thing. It’s the belief in one’s country, the pride of being part of something greater. But in today’s Canada, patriotism is becoming a luxury—one that fewer and fewer people can afford.
The cost of living has skyrocketed. The middle class is shrinking. The elderly, the working poor, the young people trying to start their lives—everyday Canadians—are being crushed under the weight of taxes, inflation, and government policies that seem more interested in ideology than survival. Because of eight years of Liberal government, backed by the NDP, prices have gone through the roof for everyone. Their green tax has made it impossible for people to live the way they used to. Groceries, gas, heating—everything costs more, and there is no relief in sight.
What does it mean to be a patriot when you can barely afford to live?
No Room for Fresh Produce in the Budget
A woman in her fifties walks into the grocery store, her list short but her worries long. She used to be able to fill a cart with fresh vegetables, local dairy, and quality meats. Now, she picks up a cucumber, looks at the price, and puts it back.
The irony stings—Canada grows some of the best produce in the world, but she can’t afford to buy it. Instead, she settles for imported fruits and vegetables from Mexico and China. They’re not as fresh, not as nutritious, but they’re cheaper.
“I thought I’d always be able to afford good food,” she murmurs. “I never imagined it would come to this.”
A Young Worker Forced to Buy Foreign
A young man just starting out in the trades needs work boots. He’s landed his first real job, and he’s eager to contribute. But when he checks the price of a Canadian-made pair, he feels sick—over $300, more than half his paycheck before taxes.
He wants to support local businesses. He wants to wear something made in Canada. But he can’t afford it. Instead, he buys boots from a Canadian retailer that imports them from China.
“I didn’t want to, but what choice do I have?” he says. “I need boots to work, and I don’t have the money for the good ones.” It’s an ugly truth—many who declare themselves patriots, who say they buy only Canadian, unknowingly (or unwillingly) support foreign manufacturing because their wallets don’t give them a choice.
Elderly Couple Forced to Choose Between Food and Heat
In a small home, an elderly couple sits at their kitchen table, the room colder than it used to be. They’ve lived here for decades, paid their taxes, and contributed to their community. But as property taxes increase and their fixed income stays the same, every month becomes a battle of choices.
Do they pay the heating bill? Or do they buy enough groceries to last the month?
The old man fights back tears. He eats less so his wife can eat more. She notices.
“We worked all our lives for this?” she whispers.
The Gas Prices That Keep a Single Mother from Earning
A single mother wakes up before dawn, ready for another long day. She has a part-time job but relies on Uber to make ends meet. Every night, she calculates whether the cost of gas is worth the extra fares.
It’s not just gas—it’s insurance, maintenance, and the price of everything going up. But without her car, she has no way to make the extra money her family needs.
She looks at her earnings after another night on the road, subtracting the cost of fuel. Barely enough.“I’m doing everything I can,” she says. “But it’s never enough.”
The Dollar Store Economy
More and more Canadians are finding that the only place they can afford to shop is the dollar store. Discount shops, bargain bins, and clearance sections have become the grocery aisles of the working class. Gone are the days of filling a cart with fresh meat, dairy, and produce. Now, they rely on canned goods, processed foods, and whatever is on sale.
And when they shop at grocery stores, they see another problem—shrinkflation. Prices are rising while portion sizes shrink. A loaf of bread that used to last a week now barely makes it through a few days. A box of cereal that once served a family is now half the size but double the price. “They’re charging more and giving us less,” a father of three says. “But we can’t do anything about it.” But now, things have gotten even worse. There are Canadians who can’t even afford to be dollar store people.
The 2 Million Who Rely on Food Banks
The situation is so dire that over 2 million Canadians now rely on food banks just to get by. These are not just the homeless or the unemployed—many of them are working families, retirees, and even professionals who simply cannot keep up with the rising cost of living.
Food banks, once a safety net for the most vulnerable, have become a necessity for the middle class. People who never imagined they would need help—who spent their lives paying taxes, working hard, and believing in the Canadian dream—now stand in line, waiting for a bag of food to get them through the week. “I was raised to believe that if you worked hard, you’d be okay,” says a father of two. “But here I am, picking up a food hamper because my paycheck doesn’t cover everything.”
The Government Says It Cares—But Does It?
Politicians claim to fight for the middle class. They make speeches, shake hands, and promise relief. But while they debate, real Canadians are drowning.
The Prime Minister, the NDP, even so-called conservatives—they all claim to care. But what have they done? The unions fight for their members.
The wealthy fight for their tax breaks. The fringe groups fight for their causes. But who is fighting for the everyday Canadian?
The Patriotism Paradox And here lies the greatest irony: many of those who call themselves patriots, who say they “buy Canadian” and “support local,” don’t even realize that most of their purchases come from overseas.
The hat that says “Proud Canadian”? Made in China.
The t-shirt with the maple leaf and the word “Patriot” across the chest? Stamped with “Made in Bangladesh.” The boots, the clothing, even the flags waved at Canada Day celebrations—so many of them come from foreign factories because it’s simply too expensive to buy Canadian.
People don’t do this out of disloyalty. They do it because they have no choice.
No End in Sight
There’s no light at the end of the tunnel. The cost of everything continues to rise—housing, food, fuel, taxes. And while politicians sit in their comfortable offices making decisions that push people further into despair, real Canadians are left behind. The ones who suffer the most are the people who once built this nation. The workers. The farmers. The elderly. The middle class. There is no relief. No hero comes to save them. Just another winter of impossible choices. Another year of tightening belts that are already suffocating.
The dream of being a proud, patriotic Canadian still burns in their hearts. But in their empty wallets and cold homes, they wonder—can they still afford it?
Everyone knows somebody like them. A friend, a neighbor, a family member. These are the stories of real Canadians. And the saddest part? Their struggles are getting worse.
Making A Difference
Making A Difference
By Joe Ingino
B.A. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000 Articles
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
Everyone likes to complain. But far from few actually stand up against all odds and do something about it. We are upon a call to action by our Provincial elect. Out of the blue Ford calls and election as to expect to solidify the seats of conservatives across the Province. A bold move, that test the will of taxpayers at large. By now you all may be aware that I put my name forth Ontario New Blue Party as your Oshawa candidate.
If we learned anything from the recent U.S. elections. It is time to put new blood in office. Stop electing - re-electing careered politicians that once they get in they sit on their hands.
The U.S. took the right lead. Elect someone from outside the establishment. A successful business person with a proven business track record. Someone that knows the value of a dollar and the commitment to sacrifice in the name of humanity.
As a candidate. I will not profess to know everything. But what I know I know it well. I may not have all the answers. But I have the solutions to real problems founded on experience. this is why I am running. We have millions of dollar coming to Oshawa through the Province and in my opinion they are wasted.
The sitting NDP MPP has let jobs slip out of Oshawa and is content with token jobs in return. The MPP in my opinion is not approachable, arrogant and ignorant of the billions of dollars sitting on the side lines wanting to come to Ontario. To Oshawa.
For the past 4 years she has yet to return a phone call to her local City newspaper. French as the City of Oshawa candidate has never visited me or any local business that I know off to ask what our needs may be from the Province.
I think it is time to stop the waste of tax dollars we are paying this MPP and elect someone that has first hand experience in the downtown. Someone that has brought to Oshawa the only successful shop local campaign as seen by the many signs posted on local downtown shops. All I am asking for an opportunity to serve you. I will not promise you anything but instead deliver the assurance of working with the municipal government to put and end to people living on the street. I will deliver good paying jobs by approaching developers, business owners and the right type of industry to come to Oshawa. I will aggressively look for funding to better all aspects of Oshawanians. I will develop special partnerships, sponsorship with corporations and those directly involved in finance to assure that our downtown may thrive again. To get rid of crime by working with DRPS for more funding. I will work hard to influence an Ontario balanced budget. I will assure every citizens that all calls will be answered and returned. I promise to bring government back to you. To uphold decency and dignity. To protect our identity and bring back economic pride to Oshawa. Now it is your choice.
You have a choice to make a positive difference in your life.
United States Tariffs the Saga Continues
United States Tariffs
the Saga Continues
by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU. CHISU, CD, PMSC,
FEC, CET, P. Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
Canada has received a 30 days reprieve until 4 March from the 25% tariffs the Trump administration threatens to impose. However, the situation is far from good, while politicians in Canada are involved in elections at various levels.
Ontarians have been called to the polls on February 27 to elect a new government, while the Governing Liberal party is involved in a leadership contest in order to elect a new Prime Minister of Canada, who in turn, will be facing an imminent election. These electoral diversions cannot help but seriously affect sound national judgement.
Therefore, the tariffs are still a menace for Canada and strong leadership will be essential in negotiating with the Trump administration.
Ontarians are looking for their leaders to stand up for them, and secure the best possible options. Dealing with tariffs, border-state diplomacy, ad campaigns aimed at American voters, and business-to-business pressure are all necessary tactics.
The fear of ordinary Ontarians over this eventual tariff war must be addressed. That is where Ontarians are looking to their own province’s leaders to protect them.
Ordinary people are not worried about theoretical macroeconomic shocks. They are concerned about the price shock of suddenly paying a lot more for gas, groceries and other imported products. That is what keeps them up at night.
With the provincial election campaign in full swing, I am just wondering how Premier Ford’s caretaking government will be able to deal with this very serious issue. If it is mishandled, it will affect the wellbeing of the people of Ontario and Canada as well.
However, nothing will matter as much as Doug Ford’s ability to convince Ontarians that he is the best candidate to protect their pocketbooks from Donald Trump ‘s actions.
Elections are not won on hypotheticals; they are won on trust. Moreover, right now, Ontarians do not need a leader who promises to “figure it out”
when the storm hits. The storm has already hit. They want someone who has been through the storm before and knows how to steer the ship.
Calling an election when the Province of Ontario already had a majority government, shows very poor leadership, especially when the government should be fully focused on this potentially major economic problem. Looking good in the polls now, can easily backfire.
At the same time, the governing Liberals are involved in a leadership contest that will be decided on March the 9th, and is very likely to be succeeded by a federal election. All these electoral issues obviously jeopardise the full attention that should be dedicated to the very likely trade war with the United States.
It seems clear that the Trudeau government mistakenly believed it could persuade Trump to change his mind. Therefore, they made no preparations for this looming eventuality between late November when Donald Trump first raised the prospect of tariffs on Canada, and when he officially announced them.
Now that we have gotten this 30-day reprieve, we cannot afford to waste this time too. Although the temporary agreement is ostensibly focused on fentanyl and border control issues, Trump’s social media post emphasized that the delay was meant to see “whether or not a final economic deal with Canada can be structured.”
This post strongly suggests that all of this turmoil will culminate in the imminent renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) under the threat of imposing tariffs, withdrawal from the agreement, or some combination of the two.
Canadian policymakers need to be ready. They should be devising a renegotiation strategy over the next 30 days, which accepts that any negotiation is going to be suboptimal. It will be conducted under a state of duress and the lesson of the past weeks is that there is no guarantee that Trump will ultimately honour an agreement. Yet it is still in the country’s best interests to try to maintain a free trade agreement with the United States.
Canada must therefore have a clear understanding of its own priorities in advance of the USMCA’s renegotiations. The US administration’s lack of clarity on what it precisely wants can actually be an advantage.
Canada has a chance to shape the negotiations and fill-in-the-blanks of America’s policy goals. By exercising first-mover advantage, Canada could set out a new vision for a North American economic and security partnership.
Such a proposal must be cognizant of the administration’s understanding of the end of unipolarity and the requisite adjustments to America’s economic and foreign policy.
Trump’s top advisors firmly believe that the U.S. can no longer accept the asymmetric economic and security arrangements with its allies that have marked the past several decades. Those in its orbit (or bloc) will face greater expectations than ever before. Canada will need to bring more to the relationship.
This requires Canadian policymakers to reach beyond the typical playbook. Radical ideas like economic union or a common border adjustment policy should be considered, for example.
The same goes for a bilateral arrangement on drug development costs and consumer prices. Alternatively, even shared border patrols and Arctic defence bases.
Are Canada’s politicians ready to think outside the box?
Pickering's Public Forum turns into a racist, pornographic nightmare!
Pickering's Public Forum turns into a racist, pornographic nightmare!
By Lisa Robinson
On Wednesday February 12, 2025, which was meant to be a transparent, inclusive discussion on our Climate Adaptation Plan for all ages degenerated into an unmitigated horror show. Instead of fostering meaningful community dialogue, the City of Pickering’s virtual Open House became a stage for racist slurs, repeated displays of swastikas, and graphic pornographic content—images that no one, especially an event for all ages, including children should ever be forced to endure. The flagrant failure of City staff is at the heart of this atrocity. With full control over the meeting, they did nothing to immediately shut down the broadcast. By neglecting to disable participants’ microphones and cameras, they provided a free rein for these perpetrators to spread hate, and explicit disgusting pornographic content, leaving our community exposed and traumatized. I can honestly say that I will never be the same after witnessing such a disturbing and deeply traumatizing event.
As if this horrific incident were not enough, the hypocrisy of the City of Pickering has reached a new low by launching a calculated attack on my integrity. Recently, they have been trying to falsely accuse me of “aiding and abetting harassment” solely because I publicly condemned hateful remarks made on a podcast. Let me be absolutely clear: I denounced a hateful remark both in an email to my colleagues and live on his podcast, repeatedly stating that I do not condone what the host said or any form of violence. To further clarify, I never even heard the remark because I was taken off the podcast the time it was made, and the announcer explicitly declared that his words were entirely his own and not reflective of my views. Again, I want to be clear – I have never met this person before. I had no prior knowledge of them, no connection, no relationship of any kind before that podcast. I simply participated as a guest, unaware of what they would say or do. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is false. The absurdity of twisting my decisive, public denunciation into grounds for an investigation is a deliberate act of public mischief—a manufactured narrative designed solely to silence me and try to remove me from Council for consistently speaking the truth and calling out the corruption that I have witnessed during my tenure.
If the City of Pickering is so quick to claim that I was aiding and abetting harassment—an act over which I had absolutely no control and one that I condemned publicly—then it is only logical that they should be thoroughly investigated for aiding and abetting racist slurs, hate symbols, and the distribution of pornography. Their failure to secure a safe space during the meeting, by not disabling participants’ cameras and microphones, allowed these heinous acts to occur. Yet, instead of acknowledging this gross negligence, the Corporation of the City of Pickering is busy fabricating false narratives and even pressured me into removing video evidence that serves the public interest. Not only have they not even issued an official apology to me or anyone else who witnessed this appalling incident, but they are also desperately trying to suppress the truth about what really happened. This is nothing short of a cover-up, a sham attempt to shift blame away from their own undeniable failures.
I call for immediate answers. Who was responsible for moderating the meeting, and why was it not shut down the moment hate speech and explicit content erupted? Which members of leadership were aware of these events—and when did they finally act? Will the same unfounded legal standards now being used to target me be applied to those whose gross negligence allowed this atrocity to occur? I am not only traumatized by what I witnessed but I am also appalled by the lengths to which our City’s leadership will go to suppress the truth.
Our community deserves a safe, respectful public forum and leaders who take responsibility, not ones who attempt to rewrite history to deflect their own failures.
A police investigation is now underway, and I will not rest until every individual responsible for this disgrace is held accountable. The City of Pickering must stop shifting blame and begin addressing its own gross negligence for the sake of transparency, accountability, and the wellbeing of our community.
I am Councillor Lisa Robinson, The People’s Councillor!
Employers Are Not in the 'Give a Chance Business'
Employers Are Not in the
'Give a Chance Business'
By Nick Kossovan
Many job seekers become frustrated and angry because they believe employers should take a chance on hiring them. Most job seekers fail, or refuse, to grasp that hiring is a critical business decision involving an investment of their time, money, and trust—the stakes are high. Great hires can propel a team forward, while bad hires can create setbacks, disrupt a company's culture, and waste resources.
When a hiring manager assesses a candidate, they're not just asking, "Can this person do the job?" they're also asking:
· Will this person stick around?
· Will they be manageable?
· Will they fit into the current team and culture?
· Will I regret hiring this person six months from now?
A common phrase among job seekers is "Give people a chance." Expecting employers to take a chance on you and blaming them when they don't displays a sense of entitlement. Employers aren't in the business of giving chances. Business survival requires being risk-averse. Minimizing hiring risks is in a business's best interest. In this respect, it's the job seeker's responsibility to demonstrate why the reward of hiring them outweighs the risk.
The job market is a battlefield where there are many job seekers who, admittedly, out of desperation, are, to put it mildly, "not playing fair." An employer's hiring decision isn't merely about filling a vacancy. The person hired will, to some extent, affect their bottom line, team chemistry, and long-term goals. I've seen, as you likely have, how hiring the wrong person can lead to productivity losses, decreased morale, and budget wasting. You can't fault employers for selecting employees cautiously; you would, too, if you owned the business.
On the other hand, employers can be regarded as 'givers of low-risk chances.' No matter how much due diligence an employer does to mitigate hiring risks, they're still taking a chance—a risk—on the candidate who they deemed to be the most qualified, will deliver the results the business needs, and will fit their culture. Despite employers designing their hiring process in ways they believe will mitigate hiring risks, hiring people doesn't come with any guarantees. The best an employer can do is hire the candidate they believe poses the lowest hiring risk.
Most job seekers focus on demonstrating their skills and experience but fail to consider how they might appear as a hiring risk, such as:
· Being underqualified or overqualified
· Posting negative comments on social media
· Exhibiting a sense of entitlement
· Having a lengthy employment gap
· Holding several short-term jobs
Applying for a job involves being compared to everyone else who applied. Put yourself in the employer's shoes. If you received over 500 applications for a Sales Director role, whom would you find "less risky"?
Candidate A: Has had four jobs in seven years.
Candidate B: Has been at their current job for 14 years.
Candidate A: Has a complete LinkedIn profile (profile picture, banner, completed sections) showing the measurable value they've brought to previous employers.
Candidate B: Has an incomplete LinkedIn profile.
Candidate A: Was referred by an employee.
Candidate B: Applied online.
Candidate A: Includes a compelling cover letter.
Candidate B: Doesn't include a cover letter.
It's the job seeker's responsibility to prove that they're worth taking a hiring risk on. You should approach your job search strategically, showing that you are not just another candidate, but one who can add measurable value to the business, such as increasing revenue, reducing costs, or solving problems. With so many qualified job seekers in the job market, why would an employer opt for a candidate with perceived risks?
If you believe employers should "give you a chance," you're setting yourself up for disappointment, leading to frustration and anger. Instead, flip the script and show employers that you're a low-risk hire who will add value to their business.
Here's how:
Build a Strong Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Numbers are the language of business; speak it! Use numbers to demonstrate your past successes and value. Employers hire results, not unsubstantiated opinions.
Leverage Networking: A warm introduction will significantly reduce the perceived risks of hiring you. Contact people in your professional network who are connected to the employer you're applying to or may know someone connected to your targeted employer. (It's a small world.)
Prepare for Interviews: Don't just respond to questions; prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewer, thus showing enthusiasm and engagement.
Follow-Up: Few job seekers send thank-you notes after interviews; therefore, doing so sets you apart. A thank-you note shows initiative, reiterates your interest, and, most
importantly, gives you an opportunity to address any concerns raised during the interview.
As for cultural fit, I believe in being yourself and letting the chips fall where they fall. Don't contort yourself, as self-proclaimed career coaches advise job seekers to try to "fit in"; if the employer doesn't see you as a fit, why would you want to join?
Employers don't owe you a chance; they owe their business and existing employees the lowest hiring risk they can find. It's on you to show employers that hiring you is a low-risk decision they won't regret making.
_____________________________________________________________________
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
Trudeau’s farewell: A divisive leader now calling for unity
Trudeau’s farewell:
A divisive leader now calling for unity
By Sami Parvez
Justin Trudeau has changed his tone towards Canada and Canadians following the announcement of his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister on Jan. 6, 2025. Trudeau has long been perceived as favoring only those who supported him while showing disdain for his opponents. Within his own caucus, anyone who stood up to him was shown the exit door, as exemplified by former Justice Minister and Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould.
His shift in tone comes amid heightened tensions with the United States. After Donald Trump called for the annexation of Canada and imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, Trudeau called for national unity to oppose the tariffs.
“This is a moment of pride. This is a moment of pulling together. This is a moment for Canada to be solid in our identity, in our sovereignty and in our presence, for our friends and neighbours,” Trudeau told reporters during a visit to Paris for the AI summit on Feb. 11, 2025.
Since winning the U.S. presidential election in Nov. 2024, Donald Trump has pushed for tariffs on Canada and suggested it become the 51st U.S. state, citing concerns over defense spending and border security. On Feb. 1, 2025, he signed executive orders imposing a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports, with a reduced 10% tariff on Canadian energy products. In response, Trudeau announced retaliatory tariffs worth $155 billion. Following a phone call between the two leaders, Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for 30 days. However, on March 12, 2025, he will impose 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum imports from Canada.
Trudeau’s efforts to position himself as a defender of Canada against Trump’s aggressive trade policies stand in stark contrast to how he treated his own citizens during times of domestic unrest. While he now calls for national unity, his past actions have sown deep divisions within Canada itself.
One of the most striking examples was his response to the Freedom Convoy protests in 2022. Instead of listening to the concerns of working-class Canadians frustrated by his government’s heavy-handed COVID-19 mandates, Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canadian history. He labeled the protesters as extremists and crushed the movement through financial restrictions and police intervention.
During the 2021 snap election campaign, Trudeau told a Quebec television station that those who refused COVID-19 vaccinations were often racist and misogynistic extremists. “They don’t believe in science or progress and are very often misogynistic and racist,” he said in French in Sept. 2021.
In 2019, Trudeau acknowledged that Canada had committed genocide against Indigenous peoples, specifically regarding the findings of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) inquiry. However, in 2021, when the House of Commons voted 266-0 to declare that China was committing genocide against the Uyghur Muslim minority, Trudeau and
his Cabinet abstained, arguing that the term “genocide” is “extremely loaded” and that certain standards must be met before it can be formally used. This inconsistency drew criticism.
For months in 2021, flags on federal buildings were flown at half-mast following the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, including on Canada Day. While this was meant as a solemn acknowledgment of past injustices, it also sparked debate over how Canada should balance recognition of its history with national pride.
As Trudeau's time in office is coming to an end, Canadians should reflect on his leadership. Instead of uniting the country, he used political wedges to keep us divided based on vaccine status, religion, gender, and race. He will be remembered as one of the most divisive leaders in Canadian history.
Before anything else, we are Canadians, and we should take pride in that. Canada is the land of opportunity, and freedom is our identity.
As Sir Wilfrid Laurier once said, “Canada is free, and freedom is its nationality.”
February 15 is National Flag of Canada Day, a time to proudly wear or fly the maple leaf as a symbol of our national pride. Let it be flown proudly from coast to coast to coast.
O Canada!.
Why Trump Shouldn't Negotiate With Putin On Ukraine
Why Trump Shouldn't Negotiate With Putin On Ukraine
by Thomas L. Knapp
Last May, Donald Trump bragged on Truth Social that "IF PRESIDENT, I WOULD BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THIS HORRIBLE AND RAPIDLY ESCALATING WAR WITHIN 24 HOURS" (all-caps styling his).
Last October, Trump upped the claim at an Iowa campaign rally: "I will end the war in Ukraine before I even step foot in the White House again."
The war didn't end prior to January 20. Nor did the war end by January 21.
However, on February 12, Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin finally held what Trump called a "lengthy and highly productive" phone call, after which Trump touted coming negotiations (with a possible assist from China, the Wall Street Journal reports) to end the war.
That's a bad idea for at least three reasons.
One reason is the Russian regime -- like other regimes, and for good reason -- considers the US regime "not agreement capable." Going all the way back to its treaties with Native American tribes and continuing up to the present day, the US has a terrible record on holding up its end of deals and complying with provisions of treaties it signs on to.
Another reason is Putin's attitude toward negotiating with Trump specifically. Pepe Escobar characterizes that attitude as "negotiating with Team Trump is like playing chess with a pigeon: The bird walks all over the chessboard, sh*ts indiscriminately, knocks over pieces, declares victory, then runs away." The third reason, however, is the biggest: The war in Ukraine is not and never has been the US regime's business.
The war might well have been averted if the US hadn't fomented a coup in Ukraine in 2014, leading to the secessions of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, followed by eight years of US-Russia proxy war in the latter two areas and the US throwing gasoline on the fake fire of Ukraine as a prospective NATO member state.
The following full-on war might well have ended quickly -- with only those seceded areas in Russian hands -- if the US and its NATO lackeys hadn't simultaneously armed/funded the Ukrainian forces, while leaning on Ukraine to refuse further negotiations after the Russian rejection of an early ceasefire draft.
Donald Trump negotiating with Vladimir Putin on behalf of Ukraine can't plausibly produce an agreement which either side -- let alone the Ukrainian side -- considers itself bound by.
The best course for the US, for Ukraine, and arguably for Russia, is for Trump to tell Ukrainian president Volodomyr Zelenskyy that US involvement in the war -- arms, funding, and supposed mediation assistance -- is drawing to a close.
That would free Zelenskyy to drive the best deal he can and Putin to declare victory, settle for what he has, and pull Russia's teat out of the Ukraine wringer.
My Old House
Three Tips To Successfully Do Public Relations When You Have Autism
Three Tips To Successfully Do Public Relations When You Have Autism
by Kadin McElwain:
Public relations is a field where you have to do your best to manage a company’s image. Whether it be through Corporate Social Responsibility, organizing events, or social media management, you have a really important job. This job can be all the more complicated if you have autism. Autism can make you incredibly intelligent and talented. But it can also hinder some of the social skills required in the field.
Nonetheless, people with autism still have the capabilities to succeed in this career. They just need a little help. So here are three tips for successfully doing public relations when you have autism.
Tip One: Don't Be Hard On Yourself:
Public relations can be a tricky field to get in and manage when you have autism. You have to socialize 24/7 and look your best, so that the brand looks good. But just know that you'll do great. Don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake. Public relations is all about persistence, and you'll be doing just that, regardless of the drama that's involved.
Tip Two: Learn How To Manage A Crisis Calmly:
In the public relations field, you have to know how to properly manage a crisis. It's a high-tense situation and emotions are high during these times. It can especially be hard for those with autism. But there are three ways to properly manage your emotions in a PR crisis:
1. Take a deep breath.
2. Make good decisions calmly
3. If the situation is overwhelming, take a five minute break.
If you follow these three steps for managing a PR crisis with autism, you'll surely be able to thrive in the field.
Tip Three: Be Yourself and Have Fun:
Public relations is all about personality and how you present yourself. Yes, there are times to be professional, especially if it's an important work meeting or a business dinner. But there are also times to be yourself and have fun. Embracing the gift you have and the person you are is the key for success in this field. Public relations should be fun and enjoyable, without the risk of being shamed for who you are. Embrace yourself as much as possible.
Yes, public relations is a socially-active field to get into. It can also be made harder when you have autism. But as long as you follow these three steps for success, you'll do fine in the field. So go on! Get out there! Help your company grow and embrace yourself while doing it!
Siren Song
How Clutter Causes Problems
How Clutter Causes
Problems
By W. Gifford-Jones MD and Diana Gifford
Have you ever walked into a home, or even a single room, and wondered, "How do these people live in such a mess?" Collecting and holding onto too much stuff causes many problems – economic, social, and emotional. It is not a common way to assess your health. But having a look at your home is an interesting diagnostic tool.
“Cluttering” can be expensive. About 11% of American households rent a storage unit at an average monthly cost of $85. Nearly half of self-storage customers rent for a year or more, costing over a thousand dollars!
Some nationalities are more compulsive about clutter. For instance, Germans and Swedes seem less inclined to pile up unused things. The Swedes have a saying that stresses you should not leave a mess for others to clean up. They call it "death cleaning".
Studies show that clutter breeds emotional chaos for some people. A study at Princeton University showed that with too much stuff around, the brain is unable to process information well. Another study from the University of California revealed that clutter can have an adverse effect on hormones. For instance, women who live with a mess did not show the normal decrease in the stress hormone, cortisol, that usually occurs during the course of a day. Moreover, they experienced an increase in depressed mood. In some cases, living in a mess means social isolation stemming from the embarrassment of friends not able to get in the door for all the mess.
A messy home can also lead to falls. Getting older is a dangerous process. Seniors are less agile, and vision deteriorates. Tripping over a mess can cause a fractured hip or other serious injuries.
For messy households, there is nothing like the workload that comes when parents move into retirement homes. This topic doesn’t feature in my new book about Healthy Retirement Residence Living, but that’s my oversight. Fortunately, my own family does not have this problem, but the tales are legendary of families who must sort through room after room of “stuff” collected over a lifetime.
If you’ve decided it's time to get rid of clutter, there’s good news. Decluttering does make people feel psychologically better. It provides a sense of accomplishment and well-being. Equally important, decluttering gives people a sense of personal control, lowering stress.
If getting rid of clutter is good for you, why don't more people do it? There are lots of reasons. Are people too busy? Is there just too much stuff? Does procrastination win?
Just as a voyage of a thousand miles begins with the first step, the best thing is to just get started. Set small goals, so you don't become overwhelmed before you even begin.
Experts in decluttering offer sage advice. Sort your things into three broad categories, “Keep, Discard, and Maybe”. Then repeat with the "Maybe" stuff as many times as needed.
Break the work into small chunks of time. Spending 30 minutes on one task is enough, so you don't get overtired or bored and say, "What's the use?"
Remember that deciding to clean up a mess means the clutter has to go somewhere. This is a time when you can make less fortunate people happy. Donate clothing, electronics, books, furniture, and other items to The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other charitable organizations.
Hmm. I can just hear my wife saying, "So Giff, when are you going to toss out those old shoes?" But like old wine, I find it hard to say goodbye to old shoes.
They remain on my "Maybe" list.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
Saturday, February 8, 2025
PICKERING FORWARD
PICKERING FORWARD
By Maurice Brenner
Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering
Having attended the PICKERING FORWARD Planning Department Open House Townhall as part of the Policy Development for a New Pickering Official Plan on February 6th at the George Ashe CC, this transformative session was nothing less than impressive. About 40 members of communities from across Pickering turned out and took part in meaningful discussions that focussed on sustainability and the natural environment.
Some of the key highlights raised by residents stressed the importance of protecting community character along the Kingston Road corridor. Things such as wide multi-purpose
Bvds that are pedestrian friendly, with regard for architectural design controls that enables a blend of structural forms. Another important item, was the need to better understand the impact of removing all trees during development through an environmental lens to ensure appropriate mitigating options are explored.
As Pickering continues to move forward with growth in Central Pickering, the redevelopment along Kingston Road and infill, I will do my utmost to bring these and other important items to the table always keeping in mind, that what ever we do today will impact tomorrow.,
During the coming weeks PICKERING FORWARD will launch its next phase of this implant policy review of our Official Plan. And while there was some scepticism that voices may not be heard, the Planning Team assured them that everything was on the table and deemed important.
To learn more about PICKERING FORWARD, check out www.pickering.ca/Pickeringforward 
How To Ensure That Both Cleanliness and Godliness Are Maintained As An Autistic Individual
How To Ensure That Both Cleanliness and Godliness Are Maintained As An Autistic Individual
by Kadin McElwain:
As a college student, I have many things going on and tend to hyperfocus on my academics. Historically, this has resulted in me neglecting to clean the bathroom regularly, which has annoyed my parents. So they suggested that I do a quick wipe-up on the bathroom at least once a day and do a deep clean one day of the week, that day being Saturday. In the past, these problems have been more profound. But thanks to my making a proper routine, I now have a lot of this stuff under control. While cleaning regularly isn’t something anyone wants to be doing, it still has to be done.
I’m not the only individual on the spectrum who has struggled with a regular cleaning schedule. A lot of autistic individuals struggle with cleaning their bodies or rooms, for one reason or another. In fact, one of the most common reasons for these struggles is due to sensitivities the individual might have to cleaning materials. But as the saying goes, “Cleanliness is close to Godliness”. There is a way to ensure you maintain a consistent cleaning schedule for your body and room without being uncomfortable. Here are three tips to make sure your cleanliness and Godliness are consistent.
Tip One: Make A Cleaning Schedule:
Autistic individuals tend not to have the best track record with schedules. This is mainly because they don’t want to be seen as weak. With that said, schedules don’t make the individual weak at all. If anything, having a plan in place to properly ensure you’re getting your cleaning tasks done can be a great way to prove your strengths. But how can autistic individuals slowly build confidence in making a schedule?
My advice would be to start by making a schedule for a day. Whatever you need to get done for that particular day should be on the schedule. If the daily schedule works out well, make
a schedule for the week with the things you need to get done. If the weekly schedule works, make a list of tasks for the month that need to be completed and so on. Getting adjusted to a schedule of obligations may take some time. But it’ll be worth it when you can say that you completed a cleaning task.
Tip Two: Set Reminders On Your Favorite Calendar App:
While a schedule can be a good start for getting your cleaning tasks in order, simply setting a schedule is not enough. Remembering the tasks you have to do for the day can be hard for not just individuals on the spectrum but for everyone. No one is a superhuman being that can remember everything that needs to be done for the year. The only problem is that not remembering everything can result in tasks not getting done, which could result in chaos. Not only that, but the individual’s friends and family can’t be on standby 24/7 to remind the individual that X, Y, and Z tasks need to be done, especially if the individual is an adult.
This leads to my second tip: Set regular reminders on your favorite calendar application. Mostly everyone has a cellphone or device with a calendar feature. This app allows you to put in a regular reminder to help you remember to do your cleaning tasks, whether it be cleaning the toilet or making sure the dogs are brushed regularly. One of my favorite calendar apps to use is Google Calendar, which has a feature that allows you to set the reminders you set for yourself every day. That way, it pops up as soon as you wake up in the morning. With the reminders on your phone and the schedule you come up with for yourself, you’ll be able to conquer your cleaning tasks and not forget them in the process. However, there is one more thing an individual can do to ensure success in achieving cleanliness and Godliness.
Tip Three: Ask For Help, But Don’t Expect People To Save You:
Another thing that may be hard for some autistic individuals is asking for help when they need it. The reason it can be hard for some individuals on the spectrum,
including me, is that we think that asking for help makes us weak. But my parents taught me that asking for help doesn’t make you weak. If anything, taking responsibility and realizing that you can’t do everything by yourself shows that you are strong. But there is one other thing you should remember when it comes to asking people for help: You can’t expect them to save you all the time.
In life, autistic or not, you have to make a few mistakes and have a few failures to learn what to do better next time. If you have someone doing everything for you regularly and saving you whenever things get overwhelming, you won’t be able to learn from your mistakes. So my suggestion is to use the 30-minute rule when trying to solve a problem. Try to solve a problem on your own and if you aren’t able to after 30 minutes, then it’s a good time to ask for help. This assures that you try as hard as possible to get the task done, while also making sure you aren’t being lazy either.
To conclude, cleaning can be hard for autistic individuals, or anyone for that matter, to remember to do at times. But the three tricks that can help in this aspect are asking for help, making a list, and setting reminders. When asking for help, you should also be sure to only do so after 30 minutes, so you don’t come across as lazy. Cleaning is a task that everyone hates. But if you remember these three tips, you can ensure that maintaining cleanliness and Godliness is easy, enjoyable, and stress-free.
Canada’s Border Crisis: China, Fentanyl, and the Failure of Leadership
Canada’s Border Crisis: China, Fentanyl, and the Failure of Leadership
By Sami Parvez
Canada’s Border Crisis: China, Fentanyl, and the Failure of Canada's border policies have been criticized for being too lax, particularly under the Liberal government. In recent years, under the Liberal government, policies have become more relaxed. In July, after Canada accepted over 5,000 refugees from Gaza, U.S. Senators expressed concerns, warning that the policy could provide individuals with potential ties to terror groups easier access to the United States. Immigration Minister Marc Miller dismissed these concerns as “categorically false,” adding that “Canada only issues refugee travel documents to individuals deemed legitimate refugees after a separate assessment process."
Canada wouldn’t have taken any action if there were no concerns about tariffs. Canadians owe gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump for threatening tariffs on Canadian products, which prompted Ottawa to get serious about the illegal flow of drugs into the country, illegal border crossings, and the misuse of Canada's relaxed visa system for temporary residents. In fact, Canada has a long history of fentanyl arriving in Vancouver from China, but authorities have taken no concrete action to address the issue in the past.
After a phone call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Feb. 3, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to pause proposed tariffs on Canada for 30 days—on the condition that Canada strengthens border security to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In response, Trudeau committed to deploying 10,000 front-line personnel, appointing a "Fentanyl Czar," designating Mexican cartels as terrorists, and signing a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when he was Liberal leader in 2013, famously said he “admires China because of its dictatorship,” sparking significant discussion in Canada, particularly among Chinese-Canadians who fled China for their safety from the Chinese Communist regime.
In 2019, two Chinese scientists working at Canada's top infectious disease lab in Winnipeg, Dr. Xiangguo Qiu and her husband, Keding Cheng, were dismissed due to concerns about their connections to Chinese military researchers and sharing of sensitive information. While they were red-flagged, fired, and sent back to China, the Liberal government did not take significant public action or raise the issue directly with China at the time.
When the opposition brought up the matter in the House of Commons, Trudeau accused them of being racist and spreading anti-Asian sentiment.
“The rise in anti-Asian racism we have been seeing over the past number of months should be of concern to everyone,” Trudeau told the House on May 26, 2021, in response to then-Tory MP Candice Bergen's questions regarding reports that two Chinese scientists at Canada's top infectious-disease laboratory in Winnipeg had been collaborating with Chinese military researchers.
In October 2024, the RCMP dismantled what authorities described at the time as “the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl and methamphetamine drug superlab” in Canadian history, located in Falkland, B.C. According to the police, “the combined fentanyl and precursor chemicals seized could have amounted to over 95.5 million doses, with an estimated $485 million in potential profit.”
The recent drug bust underscores the need for stronger border security and law enforcement. It also highlights the role of foreign actors in Canada’s crime problem. Award winning investigative journalist Sam Cooper has raised concerns about China’s involvement, claiming that Chinese military links to criminal networks are fueling money laundering and drug trafficking.
“There are very deep concerns that Canada is being used by China in a very sophisticated economic and truly criminal way,” Cooper told The Daniela Cambone Show.
“Chinese military was directly involved with these underground Chinese criminal networks that were facilitating this massive money laundering which tied into fentanyl, cocaine, (and) money moving around the world. So, drugs are coming in through Vancouver right then spreading across Canada and getting down into the United States.”
Yet, despite mounting evidence, neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nor his main rival, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, has directly named China as a key player in Canada’s fentanyl crisis. Trudeau’s government has also failed to strengthen oversight of Canada’s ports, particularly the Port of Vancouver—a well-documented entry point for Chinese fentanyl shipments. Instead of prioritizing the safety of Canadians, Trudeau continues to shield Beijing from accountability, placing diplomatic ties above national security.
Poilievre has vowed to crack down on fentanyl traffickers if elected, saying, "I will lock up fentanyl kingpins and throw away the key. It’s like spraying bullets into a crowd—even if you don’t aim, you will kill people. The penalty should be the same as murder. I will pass mandatory life sentences, so fentanyl kingpins never get out of jail and stop killing our kids."
While his tough-on-crime approach resonates with many, he has yet to address who is ultimately responsible for flooding Canada with this deadly drug. Without tackling the source of the crisis, enforcement alone may not be enough.
It’s time for strong leadership that puts Canada first. Ottawa must invest more in law enforcement and defence to ensure better protection with more boots on the ground. There must be zero tolerance for foreign interference, and our borders must be fully secured. No one should enter Canada illegally, nor should money laundering or the drug trade thrive. Canada needs patriotic leadership that prioritizes national sovereignty and puts Canadians above all else.
Criminals must face stricter punishments, and foreign citizens who break the law should be deported immediately. Their assets should be seized, and those born outside Canada must be returned to their country of birth without exception. Canada must uphold the rule of law, and rule breakers should not be tolerated. It’s time to reinstate tougher penalties to ensure justice and security.
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