Environment . Human Rights . Politics . Atheism . Food . Toronto . Ontario . Canada
4.09.2012
Ontario’s job training shuts out half of unemployed
If the best route out of poverty is a job, a commission studying Ontario’s welfare system thinks the province can do more to help its most vulnerable residents find work.
Part of the problem is that almost half of Employment Ontario’s $1.2 billion worth of training programs are available only to people receiving employment insurance benefits.
And yet, barely half of the province’s jobless — and less than a quarter in Toronto — are eligible for EI.
As a result, swaths of job-seekers, including more than 550,000 households living on social assistance, are shut out of these programs, the commissioners note.
• Just 17 per cent of people receiving services from Employment Ontario are on social assistance.
• Half of Employment Ontario's $1.2 billion in training programs are available only to those eligible for Employment Insurance.
Read the full story by Laurie Monsebraaten here: The Star
4.08.2012
4.05.2012
4.04.2012
What doesn’t the Harper government want you to know?
The Conservative Party ran on a platform of open responsible and transparent government, but at their current rate they will soon be the most secretive on record.
“Secret meetings”, somewhat of a tradition in majority governments, are becoming more and more regular at the House of Commons.
Lately, government committees are holding a large percentage of their meetings in camera, denying the public access to what was discussed and decided.
In a number of recent articles, Elizabeth Thompson compared the number of secret meetings held under the liberal and conservative majority governments.
While the Liberals were ahead, the Conservative Government, at their current rate, will soon hold the record as the least transparent government in recent history.
The top three most secretive committees according to Thompson’s article are,
- The Standing committee Procedure and House affairs which has spent a record 62.7 percent of its time in camera
- The Standing Committee of Public Accounts at 50 percent
- The Standing Committee for the Status of Women at 42 percent.
Under the leadership of Elizabeth May, we are working to ensure these secret committees are held to account. Take action in demanding an open, transparent, accountable government today, by to writing Prime Minister Harper, and challenging he follow through on his promise of a transparent government.
The text below is the letter I just sent to Prime Minister Harper. Please feel free to copy my letter and write to the Prime Minister yourself and demand open and accountable government.
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
The Conservative Party ran on a platform of open responsible and transparent government, but at the current rate your government will soon be the most secretive on record.
“Secret meetings”, somewhat of a tradition in majority governments, are becoming more and more regular at the House of Commons.
Lately, government committees are holding a large percentage of their meetings in camera, denying the public access to what was discussed and decided.
Canada should be a leader in democracy and I write to you to demand an open, transparent, accountable government.
You ran on a promise of transparency and accountability and Canadians expect you to follow through on your promise of a transparent government.
Regards, Mark Daye
3.30.2012
Election Fraud Rally's Across Canada this Saturday!
All across Canada, concerned Canadians will take to the
streets this Saturday, March 31st, as part of a second wave of protests
in response to the widening electoral fraud scandal.
We can see more and more evidence of systematic election fraud. A recent CBC investigation found a national pattern of voters receiving misleading robocalls after they were identified as being non-Conservative, a result that suggests “that the misleading calls relied on data gathered by, and carefully guarded by, the Conservative Party.” [1]
Just this week our friends at the Council of Canadians have launched legal challenges to election results in seven key ridings where they have found significant evidence that fraud affected the result of the election. [2] With your help, we’ve sent hundreds of reports of electoral fraud to the Council of Canadians and Elections Canada to aid their investigations.
Now, as a recent poll shows that your call for a public inquiry is supported by an overwhelming majority of Canadians, it’s time to get back out into the streets and refocus attention on this issue. [3] This weekend’s rallies will demand a rapid investigation, a full public inquiry, and serious consequences for election fraud including new elections in affected ridings.
What: Rally against Election Fraud
When: Saturday March 31st (Sunday in Ottawa)
Where: Cities all across Canada - see below for a rally near you!
National Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/
Not on Facebook? Check here for a list of rallies happening all across the country: http://newelectionnow.
We can see more and more evidence of systematic election fraud. A recent CBC investigation found a national pattern of voters receiving misleading robocalls after they were identified as being non-Conservative, a result that suggests “that the misleading calls relied on data gathered by, and carefully guarded by, the Conservative Party.” [1]
Just this week our friends at the Council of Canadians have launched legal challenges to election results in seven key ridings where they have found significant evidence that fraud affected the result of the election. [2] With your help, we’ve sent hundreds of reports of electoral fraud to the Council of Canadians and Elections Canada to aid their investigations.
Now, as a recent poll shows that your call for a public inquiry is supported by an overwhelming majority of Canadians, it’s time to get back out into the streets and refocus attention on this issue. [3] This weekend’s rallies will demand a rapid investigation, a full public inquiry, and serious consequences for election fraud including new elections in affected ridings.
What: Rally against Election Fraud
When: Saturday March 31st (Sunday in Ottawa)
Where: Cities all across Canada - see below for a rally near you!
National Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/
Not on Facebook? Check here for a list of rallies happening all across the country: http://newelectionnow.
- Brantford: Victoria Park, 1:00 pm
- Calgary, Calgary City Hall, 1:00 pm
- Edmonton: Sir Winston Churchill Square, 12:00 noon
- Gatineau: Parc Moussette, 11:00 am
- Halifax: Parade Square, 1:00 pm
- Hamilton: Gore Park, 2:00 pm
- Kelowna: The Sails, 1:00 pm
- Kitchener-Waterloo: Kitchener City Hall, 1:00pm
- Lethbridge, 255 8th St. South, 11:00 am
- Montreal: Place Du Peuple – Square Victoria, 2:00 pm
- Nelson: City Hall, 12:00 noon
- Ottawa: Parliament Hill, 12:00 noon on Sunday April 1st
- Peterborough: Confederation Park, NE corner, 1:00 pm
- Regina: Victoria Park Plaza, 2:00pm
- Saint John: King’s Square, 2:00 pm
- St. John’s: Colonial Building, Military Road, 2:00 pm
- Toronto: Old City Hall, Queen & Bay, 2:30 pm
- Vancouver: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St., 2:00 pm
- Victoria: Centennial Square, 2:00 pm
- Windsor: Charles Clark Square, 2:00 pm
- Winnipeg: corner Osborne St, & River Ave, 2:30 pm
3.28.2012
Strong Action, Strong Leader? Strong Response.
The following is an edited version of Premier McGuinty's letter to Ontarians. My comments in italics.
Read the original letter here.
This is quite a place, our Ontario. (almost 8% unemployment, discriminatory schools, lack of social housing, worst gridlock in North America).
We are, all of us, blessed to live in the greatest province in the best country in the world (just don’t tell the Americans, the unemployed or those trying to live on $599 per month).
Our public schools now rank the best in the English-speaking world.
Our hospitals now have the shortest surgical wait times in the country. (Hopefully, you won’t be wanting any drugs with your surgery).
Even our economy, in the midst of a punishing global recession, has created nearly half the new jobs in Canada, and more new jobs than any of our neighbouring (Unemployment: Why Canada is trailing the U.S. on jobs. March 9, 2012: The Star. ) states.
These things didn't happen by accident. We didn't get lucky. No shit, Sherlock!
Working together, we made our publicly funded Catholic schools and our hospitals better (e-health. [1B Waste] and ORNGE ), and our economy stronger (Samsung thanks you).
But now, years of Liberal government over-spending, the recession and continued global economic uncertainty have left us with a problem: a stubborn deficit that threatens economic growth and job creation, and puts our publicly funded Catholic schools, our health care, and our very quality of life (a luxurious $599 per month for Ontario Works recipients) at risk.
We can't allow this deficit created by Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals to defeat us. And we won't.
Our strong plan will eliminate the deficit by Ontario's and Canada's 150th anniversary, on July 1, 2017. (Unless there is a 1 point increase in interest rates, among many other variables).
It won't be pretty. It won't be easy. But we will succeed.
We'll make difficult decisions and tough choices.
Sacrifices will be made. But not on the backs of the top paid CEO’s who will still get their bonuses.
But then who among us didn't grow up hearing of the hardships and sacrifices our parents and grandparents made to create a better life for us. (I recall my Mom telling me how people could walk out of high school and into a factory or office and get a job in the 60’s. As for my grandparents, we’ve all heard stories of how the economy was booming after WWII).
Well, now it's our turn. Time for our generation to stand up and take action.
We will do whatever it takes to protect the gains we've made in our publicly funded Catholic schools and our “health care” that treats illness, instead of focusing on prevention.
We'll do whatever we need to do to preserve what is so very special about this place. Special treatment for the top paid CEO’s, putting the onus of economic recovery on the backs of our poorest citizens and allowing discrimination to continue against students and teachers, in our schools and 7.4% unemployment (Compared with 12 months earlier, employment was up by 121,000. )
And we'll do it together. (Unless your a non-catholic teacher) Because that's the way we do things around here.
Together. We can do this. We're Ontario.
Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
and
Mark Daye
Citizen of Ontario
Read the original letter here.
This is quite a place, our Ontario. (almost 8% unemployment, discriminatory schools, lack of social housing, worst gridlock in North America).
We are, all of us, blessed to live in the greatest province in the best country in the world (just don’t tell the Americans, the unemployed or those trying to live on $599 per month).
Our public schools now rank the best in the English-speaking world.
Our hospitals now have the shortest surgical wait times in the country. (Hopefully, you won’t be wanting any drugs with your surgery).
Even our economy, in the midst of a punishing global recession, has created nearly half the new jobs in Canada, and more new jobs than any of our neighbouring (Unemployment: Why Canada is trailing the U.S. on jobs. March 9, 2012: The Star. ) states.
These things didn't happen by accident. We didn't get lucky. No shit, Sherlock!
Working together, we made our publicly funded Catholic schools and our hospitals better (e-health. [1B Waste] and ORNGE ), and our economy stronger (Samsung thanks you).
But now, years of Liberal government over-spending, the recession and continued global economic uncertainty have left us with a problem: a stubborn deficit that threatens economic growth and job creation, and puts our publicly funded Catholic schools, our health care, and our very quality of life (a luxurious $599 per month for Ontario Works recipients) at risk.
We can't allow this deficit created by Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals to defeat us. And we won't.
Our strong plan will eliminate the deficit by Ontario's and Canada's 150th anniversary, on July 1, 2017. (Unless there is a 1 point increase in interest rates, among many other variables).
It won't be pretty. It won't be easy. But we will succeed.
We'll make difficult decisions and tough choices.
Sacrifices will be made. But not on the backs of the top paid CEO’s who will still get their bonuses.
But then who among us didn't grow up hearing of the hardships and sacrifices our parents and grandparents made to create a better life for us. (I recall my Mom telling me how people could walk out of high school and into a factory or office and get a job in the 60’s. As for my grandparents, we’ve all heard stories of how the economy was booming after WWII).
Well, now it's our turn. Time for our generation to stand up and take action.
We will do whatever it takes to protect the gains we've made in our publicly funded Catholic schools and our “health care” that treats illness, instead of focusing on prevention.
We'll do whatever we need to do to preserve what is so very special about this place. Special treatment for the top paid CEO’s, putting the onus of economic recovery on the backs of our poorest citizens and allowing discrimination to continue against students and teachers, in our schools and 7.4% unemployment (Compared with 12 months earlier, employment was up by 121,000. )
And we'll do it together. (Unless your a non-catholic teacher) Because that's the way we do things around here.
Together. We can do this. We're Ontario.
Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario
and
Mark Daye
Citizen of Ontario
3.27.2012
3.24.2012
3.23.2012
The Future of Jarvis: Public Town Hall
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam wants to hear from the
community about the future of Jarvis Street. If you are a cyclist, this
is your chance to defend our bike lanes!
When
the Public Works Committee decided to rip out the bike lanes, Kristyn
was not consulted nor was the public. Now she wants to give citizens a
chance to be heard.
This is a free public event, open to everyone:
Tuesday, April 3rd, 6:30pm
Jarvis Collegiate Institute (at Wellesley)
Facebook rsvp: https://www.facebook.com/
If you support the bikelanes, join us at this meeting (and wear your helmet!).
3.22.2012
A childhood lost can never be regained.
Last week I was shopping in the new Loblaws store that has taken up residence in the Maple Leaf Gardens building. The spacious store was bustling with shoppers, many taking pictures and excitedly calling friends on their iphones describing the new store. I wondered how many of them knew about the crimes that took place here, or if they cared.
Every time I go near that building, I think of Martin Kruze, a man I've never met and never will. Martin killed himself in November 1997 by jumping off the Bloor St. viaduct, a few hundred metres from where I now live.
He was one of the many children who were sexually abused in this iconic building in downtown Toronto. Martin was the first victim to come forward in 1997. I think of Martin Kruze and Sheldon Kennedy because the same year, I was going through a very public case regarding sexual abuse myself.
The effects of childhood sexual abuse lasts for years and destroys lives.
I was sharply reminded of this on Tuesday when the pedophile Graham James was sentenced to a pathetic two years in prison for repeatedly molesting Theron Fleury and his cousin Todd Holt.
I had been sexually abused for more than a decade, by two men, one an uncle and the other a family friend. It began when I was 10 years old. The uncle pleaded guilty to molesting me (and others) more than 500 times. He was sentenced to 10 years. He served about 3. The other man killed himself before standing trial.
In 1997, he also admitted to molesting Sheldon Kennedy, who played in the NHL, and another player. James served about 18 months for that conviction.
Mr. Holt, said in a statement yesterday, "This sentence today is nothing short of a national travesty because we know that childhood sexual abuse has reached epidemic proportions in our country." I couldn't agree more.
The province of Manitoba should appeal the sentence of Graham James. As it stands James could be out of prison by November of this year!
The survivors of childhood sexual abuse deal with the effects of the abuse daily, for the rest of their lives. Studies have proven higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide.
This has to stop. We must send a strong message to those who abuse children that they will be punished to the full extent of the law.
We must send an equally strong message to the children who are being abused that we won't tolerate abuse and they will be supported if/when they come forward.
Judge Catherine Carlson has done a great disservice to the people of Canada.
A childhood lost can never be regained. Ever.
Every time I go near that building, I think of Martin Kruze, a man I've never met and never will. Martin killed himself in November 1997 by jumping off the Bloor St. viaduct, a few hundred metres from where I now live.
He was one of the many children who were sexually abused in this iconic building in downtown Toronto. Martin was the first victim to come forward in 1997. I think of Martin Kruze and Sheldon Kennedy because the same year, I was going through a very public case regarding sexual abuse myself.
The effects of childhood sexual abuse lasts for years and destroys lives.
I was sharply reminded of this on Tuesday when the pedophile Graham James was sentenced to a pathetic two years in prison for repeatedly molesting Theron Fleury and his cousin Todd Holt.
I had been sexually abused for more than a decade, by two men, one an uncle and the other a family friend. It began when I was 10 years old. The uncle pleaded guilty to molesting me (and others) more than 500 times. He was sentenced to 10 years. He served about 3. The other man killed himself before standing trial.
In 1997, he also admitted to molesting Sheldon Kennedy, who played in the NHL, and another player. James served about 18 months for that conviction.
Mr. Holt, said in a statement yesterday, "This sentence today is nothing short of a national travesty because we know that childhood sexual abuse has reached epidemic proportions in our country." I couldn't agree more.
The province of Manitoba should appeal the sentence of Graham James. As it stands James could be out of prison by November of this year!
The survivors of childhood sexual abuse deal with the effects of the abuse daily, for the rest of their lives. Studies have proven higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide.
This has to stop. We must send a strong message to those who abuse children that they will be punished to the full extent of the law.
We must send an equally strong message to the children who are being abused that we won't tolerate abuse and they will be supported if/when they come forward.
Judge Catherine Carlson has done a great disservice to the people of Canada.
A childhood lost can never be regained. Ever.
James sentence should be appealed
OTTAWA - The Green Party of Canada is joining the
calls for the Manitoba government to appeal the Graham James sentence.
The former junior hockey coach was sentenced to a paltry two years for
sexually abusing the young boys under his care.
“We are very concerned that this light sentence will have a profound effect on other victims who may never come forward, since they do not appear to be taken seriously,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
“This man could be out of prison by the end of the year. The punishment does not seem to fit the crime.”
“We also hope that treatment will be in place along with his punishment. The victims deserve to know that everything possible is being done to ensure this pedophile will not harm another child,” said May.
“We are very concerned that this light sentence will have a profound effect on other victims who may never come forward, since they do not appear to be taken seriously,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
“This man could be out of prison by the end of the year. The punishment does not seem to fit the crime.”
“We also hope that treatment will be in place along with his punishment. The victims deserve to know that everything possible is being done to ensure this pedophile will not harm another child,” said May.
3.21.2012
ORNGE Scandal Requires a Review of all Public-Private Partnerships
 |
| Photo Credit: Simcoe.com |
Toronto: Green Party of Ontario (GPO) leader Mike Schreiner is calling for a comprehensive review of all Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) in the wake of the scandal at ORNGE.
“Why are our tax dollars being wasted on million dollar bonuses and expensive perks?” asks Schreiner. “This mess stinks, and it calls into question the value, transparency and accountability of P3s.”
The GPO believes that Auditor General Jim McCarter’s Special Report for ORNGE Air Ambulance raises a number of disturbing questions that require a full review of all P3s in Ontario.
“The government clearly was unable to hold ORNGE accountable for quality patient care and responsible financial stewardship due to the arms length, P3 relationship with ORNGE,” says Schreiner.
The GPO believes the ORNGE scandal must go beyond typical gotcha politics and include a public review of P3s. Providing long-term solutions that result in transparent, accountable and effective delivery of public services are a top priority for the GPO.
“How many other ORNGE’s are out there,” asks Schreiner. “The privatization of profit and socialization of risk on the back of taxpayers concerns everyone. We need to know if P3s are really providing financial value for Ontario.”
“Why are our tax dollars being wasted on million dollar bonuses and expensive perks?” asks Schreiner. “This mess stinks, and it calls into question the value, transparency and accountability of P3s.”
The GPO believes that Auditor General Jim McCarter’s Special Report for ORNGE Air Ambulance raises a number of disturbing questions that require a full review of all P3s in Ontario.
“The government clearly was unable to hold ORNGE accountable for quality patient care and responsible financial stewardship due to the arms length, P3 relationship with ORNGE,” says Schreiner.
The GPO believes the ORNGE scandal must go beyond typical gotcha politics and include a public review of P3s. Providing long-term solutions that result in transparent, accountable and effective delivery of public services are a top priority for the GPO.
“How many other ORNGE’s are out there,” asks Schreiner. “The privatization of profit and socialization of risk on the back of taxpayers concerns everyone. We need to know if P3s are really providing financial value for Ontario.”
3.16.2012
The Robocall Scandal And A Call For Justice! (pressfortruth.tv)
Last Sunday, I attended the rally at Yonge Dundas Square and spoke to pressfortruth.tv
My comments can be seen around the 9:40 mark and again right at the end of the video. (Sorry about the bad hair!)
On Sunday March 11th Canadians all across the country held rallies to
call for a public inquiry into the robocall scandal. With more and more
complaints about calls coming in there appears to be a need for
by-elections in all effected ridings and for Stephen Harper to be held
accountable for electoral fraud.
3.12.2012
Robogate.ca
During the 2011 federal election, Canadians in several ridings with tight races across the country were contacted by automated calls and individuals providing false and misleading information. These dishonest tactics were deliberately used to weaken Canada's electoral process and discourage people from participating in our democratic system.
We cannot allow this!
Robogate.ca
3.11.2012
Holes of Happiness -Pothole Gardens
Holes Of Happiness is a short documentary looking at the reactions of the public to some pothole gardens that have been popping up around East London. http://www.thepotholegardener.com
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