nationalobserver--2020-05-22--What's making the rich stupidly richer?

What's making the rich stupidly richer?

Tobias Lütke is a Canadian business rock star who — with his owlish eyeglasses and golfer ’ s caps — resembles a Starbucks-mooching slacker .
The young billionaire is CEO of Shopify Inc. , the Ottawa-based e-commerce giant that recently surpassed RBC as Canada ’ s biggest company when measured by market capitalization ( the total value of all of its publicly traded shares ) , which hit $ 121 billion earlier this month .
That ’ s because Shopify ’ s stock is selling for more than a staggering $ 1,000 a share — up from $ 367 only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stock is soaring is because COVID-19 has given Shopify a shot in the arm : It sells e-commerce software that helps companies sell goods online — the sort of software bound to be popular when no one can visit local shops anymore .
But here ’ s the catch : Since it was founded in 2004 , Shopify has never made a penny in profits .
Instead , it ’ s lost hundreds of millions of dollars .
In 2019 , despite sales surging 47 per cent over the previous year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net loss of $ 124.8 million — up from a loss of $ 64.5 million in 2018 .
In short , the higher Shopify ’ s sales climb , the more money it loses .
Yet for Lütke , who owns 6.7 per cent of the company ’ s shares , his fortune — on paper , at least — just keeps on growing ( he ’ s worth US $ 6.5 billion ) .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • High schoolers across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Welcome to the Twilight Zone world of the stock market , a place where the rich are getting richer — even during the worst global pandemic in more than 100 years .
Defenders of Shopify hope it will go into the black one day , the way Amazon did after racking up losses for years .
Others say it will never happen .
Starting in 2017 , Andrew Left and Jan Barta , two short sellers ( investors who bet on stocks falling rather than rising ) , produced reports arguing Shopify ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their research said Shopify loses so many customers every year that it ’ s forced to spend enormous sums finding new ones — and that cost offsets any chance of it ever turning a profit .
So far , Left and Barta have been right .
But while Shopify ’ s stock performance may defy logic , that ’ s merely an appetizer .
In mid-March , when the full force of COVID-19 struck North America , the markets collapsed , with the Dow Jones index falling from 29,500 to 18,600 in just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent plummet .
Not for long , however .
Almost immediately , the markets rebounded , rising by 32 per cent , even though mass layoffs and the shutdown of the global economy were in full swing , with real unemployment in the U.S. and Canada steaming north of 20 per cent — levels not seen since the Great Depression .
“ The market is very disconnected from the economy , ” explains Mark Rosen , a principal with Rosen & Associates Ltd. , a Toronto-based financial analysis firm .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy . ''
`` Welcome to the Twilight Zone world of the stock market , a place where the rich are getting richer — even during the worst global pandemic in more than 100 years . ''
Indeed , the notion that stock markets are a barometer of how an economy is performing is fallacious , as noted in a New York Times story in May headlined Repeat After Me : The Markets Are Not the Economy .
“ The stock market looks increasingly divorced from economic reality , ” noted Times markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States is on the brink of the worst economic collapse since the Hoover administration .
Corporate profits have crumpled .
More than a million Americans have contracted the coronavirus , and hundreds are dying each day .
There is no turnaround in sight .
Yet stocks keep climbing.
” “ No , I don ’ t think markets are a particularly good descriptor of how regular people are doing , ” agrees David Macdonald , senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives ( CCPA ) .
Angella MacEwen , senior economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , notes that one reason stock market dynamics have become increasingly divorced from economic realities is because leaders of corporations listed on the TSX , NYSE and other major world stock exchanges have engaged in lavish buy-back strategies aimed at boosting the value of their companies ’ shares even when their companies may not be healthy .
“ We think this promotes very short-term thinking , ” MacEwen says .
“ This is very hurtful to labour.
” It ’ s not just left-wing , pro-labour economists like Macdonald and MacEwen who worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock prices by detaching stock prices from traditional measures of real economic value .
Phillip Cross , who headed Statistics Canada until 2012 and has been described in the Globe and Mail as “ Canada ’ s economist at large , ” is also highly critical of the ongoing “ financialization ” of the Canadian economy by stock market insiders aiming to juice share prices at all costs .
The big six chartered banks , with their vast stock market valuations and massive influence over financial policymakers and lawmakers , are by far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cross observes , “ and the banks always put themselves first.
” Secondly , with government bonds earning zero or even negative interest , the wealthy see stocks as the only place that could generate some returns , even if they are minimal .
And finally , the so-called FAANGs — Facebook , Amazon , Apple , Netflix and Google — are increasingly powerful forces on the markets , which are flourishing during the pandemic compared to companies not so rooted in the internet .
In short , some of the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make enormous profits from everyone being quarantined at home .
All of which raises another reality — the rich are going to get even wealthier as a result of this crisis .
After all , that ’ s what happened after the last one — the 2007-09 credit crisis .
According to a study by University of California , Berkeley economist Emmanuel Saez , from 2009 to 2012 , the top one percenters ' incomes grew by 31.4 per cent , while the bottom 99 percenters ' incomes grew a mere 0.4 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada survey showed that corporate directors ’ compensation jumped 33 per cent from 2008 to 2010 .
Why are the rich going to prosper during the COVID-19 pandemic ?
Gary Stevenson has an explanation .
He ’ s a former trader who became a multimillionaire in his 20s working for Citibank in London from 2008 until 2014 .
Originally from a poor family in Ilford , Stevenson studied economics and math at the London School of Economics ( LSE ) .
After winning a competition run by Citibank — one of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered a position on its interest rate trading team .
Stevenson ’ s job entailed selling loans based on where interest rates would be in the future .
“ So you may want to borrow money in a year ’ s time and you want to secure today the interest rate on that loan , ” he explains .
“ In order to do that , you need to go to traders and say , ‘ I want to borrow X amount of money and what interest would rate will you give me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traders would then try to guess what amount central banks would be setting interest rates at in the future .
If they guessed correctly , they would profit accordingly .
By age 25 , Stevenson was the most globally profitable trader at Citibank .
And that ’ s because he ignored conventional economic wisdom , which said that as the global economy recovered from the credit crisis , central banks would raise interest rates to offset inflation .
He realized this was not going to happen .
And that ’ s because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the U.K. , Japan , Spain and Italy — were weak , debt-laden and burdened by chronically poor productivity .
And he was right : Since 2008 , central banks have kept interest rates hovering around one per cent .
Moreover , Stevenson realized that income inequality had led to the rich hoarding wealth while average workers were broke .
“ I came from quite a poor background , but traders mostly come from comfortable financial backgrounds , ” he notes .
“ If you come from a poor , ordinary background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are not spending : It ’ s because they literally don ’ t have any money ... People are in debt ...
Ordinary people simply can not spend more . ''
Indeed , in Canada , real wages have remained stagnant for nearly 40 years while consumer debt has reached almost $ 2 trillion — or $ 73,000 per consumer .
Today , Stevenson says the rich are going to get even richer from COVID-19 for two reasons .
For starters , governments have responded to the pandemic by handing out money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bills .
“ ( The money ) is going to the poor people , but it ’ s not staying with the poor people , ” he explains , noting that citizens must use the cash to pay for food , rent , mortgages and other essentials .
That ’ s when the rich receive this money , because they own apartment buildings , food companies , e-commerce companies and banks .
Furthermore , the rich will have cut their personal spending , too , because of COVID-19 .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he also points out that the rich don ’ t use their wealth to invest back in the economy .
Instead , they buy stocks , bonds and assets like property and gold .
“ This money will not cycle back through the system , pushing up wages ; instead , it pushes up the prices of these assets , ” says Stevenson .
Finally , Stevenson believes it ’ s difficult to imagine the global economy recovering anytime soon .
“ Most of the governments in the world are in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they are spending more than their income and they ’ re running down their wealth .
So they have no capacity to spend more and will probably have to cut their spending , as well , ” he remarks .
“ If governments are in debt and running their wealth down and the people are running their wealth down , assuming that the wealth of the world has somehow not collapsed , there has to be one group that is accumulating wealth very quickly .
I think it is the rich … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which I don ’ t think it will unless there ’ s significant political change , then this economic crisis is not a temporary economic crisis , but a permanent economic crisis.
” So while Tobias Lütke might be getting wealthy while running a money-losing Shopify , the rest of the population is being driven deeper into hock and despair .

Tobias Lütke is a Canadian business rock star who — with his owlish eyeglasses and golfer’s caps — resembles a Starbucks-mooching slacker. The young billionaire is CEO of Shopify Inc., the Ottawa-based e-commerce giant that recently surpassed RBC as Canada’s biggest company when measured by market capitalization (the total value of all of its publicly traded shares), which hit $121 billion earlier this month. That’s because Shopify’s stock is selling for more than a staggering $1,000 a share — up from $367 only a year ago. And one reason the stock is soaring is because COVID-19 has given Shopify a shot in the arm: It sells e-commerce software that helps companies sell goods online — the sort of software bound to be popular when no one can visit local shops anymore. But here’s the catch: Since it was founded in 2004, Shopify has never made a penny in profits. Instead, it’s lost hundreds of millions of dollars. In 2019, despite sales surging 47 per cent over the previous year to $1.6 billion, Shopify posted a net loss of $124.8 million — up from a loss of $64.5 million in 2018. In short, the higher Shopify’s sales climb, the more money it loses. Yet for Lütke, who owns 6.7 per cent of the company’s shares, his fortune — on paper, at least — just keeps on growing (he’s worth US$6.5 billion).
Welcome to the Twilight Zone world of the stock market, a place where the rich are getting richer — even during the worst global pandemic in more than 100 years. Defenders of Shopify hope it will go into the black one day, the way Amazon did after racking up losses for years. Others say it will never happen. Starting in 2017, Andrew Left and Jan Barta, two short sellers (investors who bet on stocks falling rather than rising), produced reports arguing Shopify’s business model is fatally flawed. Their research said Shopify loses so many customers every year that it’s forced to spend enormous sums finding new ones — and that cost offsets any chance of it ever turning a profit. So far, Left and Barta have been right. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But while Shopify’s stock performance may defy logic, that’s merely an appetizer. In mid-March, when the full force of COVID-19 struck North America, the markets collapsed, with the Dow Jones index falling from 29,500 to 18,600 in just over a month — a staggering 37 per cent plummet.
Not for long, however. Almost immediately, the markets rebounded, rising by 32 per cent, even though mass layoffs and the shutdown of the global economy were in full swing, with real unemployment in the U.S. and Canada steaming north of 20 per cent — levels not seen since the Great Depression. "Welcome to the Twilight Zone world of the stock market, a place where the rich are getting richer — even during the worst global pandemic in more than 100 years." What’s going on? “The market is very disconnected from the economy,” explains Mark Rosen, a principal with Rosen & Associates Ltd., a Toronto-based financial analysis firm. “It’s not really reflective of the economy." Indeed, the notion that stock markets are a barometer of how an economy is performing is fallacious, as noted in a New York Times story in May headlined Repeat After Me: The Markets Are Not the Economy. “The stock market looks increasingly divorced from economic reality,” noted Times markets reporter Matt Phillips. “The United States is on the brink of the worst economic collapse since the Hoover administration. Corporate profits have crumpled. More than a million Americans have contracted the coronavirus, and hundreds are dying each day. There is no turnaround in sight. Yet stocks keep climbing.”
“No, I don’t think markets are a particularly good descriptor of how regular people are doing,” agrees David Macdonald, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). Angella MacEwen, senior economist at the Canadian Union of Public Employees, notes that one reason stock market dynamics have become increasingly divorced from economic realities is because leaders of corporations listed on the TSX, NYSE and other major world stock exchanges have engaged in lavish buy-back strategies aimed at boosting the value of their companies’ shares even when their companies may not be healthy. “We think this promotes very short-term thinking,” MacEwen says. “This is very hurtful to labour.” It’s not just left-wing, pro-labour economists like Macdonald and MacEwen who worry about wizardly financial tactics aimed at juicing stock prices by detaching stock prices from traditional measures of real economic value.


nationalobserver--2020-05-22--Pandemic relief fund makes an impact

Pandemic relief fund makes an impact

Recipients of the uranium giant ’ s program were announced earlier this month and now the relief fund money is getting to work helping six charitable organizations in the tri-community of La Ronge , Lac La Ronge and Air Ronge .
Two of the community groups on the receiving end of Cameco ’ s $ 1-million COVID-19 relief fund for northern Saskatchewan couldn ’ t be happier .
“ We organized hampers and delivered them to all five schools , the women ’ s shelter and Bigstone Community Centre .
The kids are super pumped about it , ” Christopher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s group , said .
The Men of the North group in Lac La Ronge received $ 5,000 for recreational activities and equipment for children and families during the pandemic .
Kikinahk Friendship Centre and Men of the North and are using the funds to provide food , personal protective equipment , homeless shelter services and recreational supplies for residents .
“ There are so many communities and charitable groups hit hard by this pandemic , yet their services are needed now more than ever , ” Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1-million relief fund was announced shortly after Cameco , the world ’ s largest producer of uranium , suspended its operations in northern Saskatchewan due to the pandemic .
“ The health region is part of it , to make sure that the food is proper .
We ’ re careful with these things , ” he said .
“ The one thing about Kikinahk is that everything we do is for the good of the community .
Ultimately , we ’ re providing 130 hampers , ” Woytowich said .
Kikinahk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and hand sanitizer to support its Headstart participants , as well as pregnant women in the community , low-income seniors and clients at its Scattered Site homeless facility .
Kikinahk Friendship Centre supports a 60-child Headstart/pre-kindergarten program , a prenatal program for women in La Ronge , a homeless shelter , and a youth program ( with 700 kids registered ) , plus other community activities .
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich , who is also executive director at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a godsend for the group ’ s work in the community .
“ We went out to the Lake Country Co-op grocery store and Giant Tiger and picked up just over $ 5,000 worth of ( supplies ) for the youth in our community , ” Merasty said .
 “ We can see the hurt , the struggles that are apparent through all of Saskatchewan … and while we can only imagine what the most vulnerable and underprivileged are going through , we do know that we want to help , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the relief fund as simply a response to this unprecedented pandemic that is impacting all of us , ” Jonathan Huntington , Cameco ’ s vice-president of sustainability and stakeholder relations , told National Observer the day after the program was announced in April .
The mining company put up the money as a way of giving back to the region where it operates .
Men of the North is a support and empowerment group for northern men based in Lac La Ronge and part of its mandate is helping build a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group has focused on helping the community weather the pandemic .
“ As of right now ... we have shifted our focus from helping the men in our community to the men helping our community , ” Merasty said .
The group initiated programs such as pickup and delivery of groceries , care packages , cleaning supplies and prescriptions for residents who are self isolating .
The money from Cameco has helped it expand on those efforts .
Thanks to the fund , Men of the North was able to supply recreational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Ronge , and on the Lac la Ronge Indian Band .
Merasty was joined by other leaders in the community distributing toys , games and recreational equipment .
The group also worked with five local schools , the Piwapan Women ’ s Centre and the Big Stone Community Centre .
The money went further than community organizers had expected .
Merasty said that well over 200 kids and families in the community benefited .
He said the recreational activities initiative gives families with children more to do during social isolation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all day now if they want .
We want to promote a healthy atmosphere for healthy family time in the community , ” Merasty said .
Items given away included board games , backyard gear like lawn darts , skipping ropes , and sports equipment , as well as activity books , painting kits and puzzles .
Kikinahk pitched in some of its own funds to complement the Cameco initiative .
“ That ’ s the reason for Kikinahk , we ’ re a help organization .
We have a multitude of programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to provide this and work on all of these programs with health , ” Woytowich said .
“ The truth is , if it wasn ’ t for Cameco … it wouldn ’ t have happened.
” Food security and the availability of personal protective equipment for residents , especially front-line workers at places like the homeless shelter , have been an issue in La Ronge since the pandemic started .
“ We have n't had our Headstart program running for two months now , almost .
So we have a food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Headstart , ” Woytowich said .
On pre-pandemic Tuesday nights , Kikinahk would offer prenatal classes and provide food for pregnant women in the community .
“ We can ’ t do that now , but we can still disperse proper dietary food for them , and that ’ s why we have the dietician from the hospital here because she oversees a whole pile of prenatal programs , ” Woytowich said .
Woytowich said that Cameco , a major employer in northern Saskatchewan , has been key in keeping programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long before the pandemic .
“ Cameco has been very good to La Ronge .
I remember when we wanted a hospital and they stepped up with a couple hundred thousand dollars , which made it easier , ” Woytowich said .
And when Cameco steps up to help , other organizations tend to follow suit , he said , pointing to the homeless shelter as a perfect example .
The facility has been operating on a shoestring budget as COVID-19 takes a toll on its clients and staff .
“ We would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We would have been totally closed and there were no other funds , ” Woytowich said .
“ When I got the letter from Cameco that said they would provide everything but the labour , I then contacted another organization , which funds friendship centres , and ( they said ) , ‘ If that ’ s what ’ s keeping you from getting this , we ’ ll fund the labour.
’ We wouldn ’ t have gotten either if it wasn ’ t for Cameco , ” Woytowich said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have no idea how much you helped .
So it 's really nice , ” he said .
Woytowich worries that if the pandemic continues for a long stretch , the friendship centre won ’ t be able to continue its programs because it will run out of funds .
He said it 's not cheap : The combined cost of Kikinahk ’ s relief initiative is over $ 20,000 .
“ If this virus is over and we can all get back to normal reasonably soon , then it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if this isn ’ t temporary , and it keeps on going through September and November , Cameco isn ’ t going to have that kind of money to do it again .
That kind of scares me , ” Woytowich said .
When he ’ s not out and about in the community , Merasty is an employee on the production team at Cameco ’ s Cigar Lake Mine .
That ’ s now on hold since the mine was placed in care and maintenance after pausing production of uranium because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to thank Cameco .
That was super awesome … the generosity that they showed us and the support that they have shown our community , ” Merasty said .
And the community is stronger when people look out for each other , he said .
“ We ’ re in this pandemic together .
Shutting the country down overnight takes a lot and there ’ s a lot of confusion and misleading information out there .
We can get through anything as long as we stick together ... be responsible and practice social @ @ @

Kikinahk Friendship Centre and Men of the North and are using the funds to provide food, personal protective equipment, homeless shelter services and recreational supplies for residents.
“There are so many communities and charitable groups hit hard by this pandemic, yet their services are needed now more than ever,” Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel said in a written statement.
Recipients of the uranium giant’s program were announced earlier this month and now the relief fund money is getting to work helping six charitable organizations in the tri-community of La Ronge, Lac La Ronge and Air Ronge.
Two of the community groups on the receiving end of Cameco’s $1-million COVID-19 relief fund for northern Saskatchewan couldn’t be happier.
“We organized hampers and delivered them to all five schools, the women’s shelter and Bigstone Community Centre. The kids are super pumped about it,” Christopher Merasty, founder of the men’s group , said.
The Men of the North group in Lac La Ronge received $5,000 for recreational activities and equipment for children and families during the pandemic.
Kikinahk received Cameco relief funding for food, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizer to support its Headstart participants, as well as pregnant women in the community, low-income seniors and clients at its Scattered Site homeless facility.
Kikinahk Friendship Centre supports a 60-child Headstart/pre-kindergarten program, a prenatal program for women in La Ronge, a homeless shelter, and a youth program (with 700 kids registered), plus other community activities.
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich, who is also executive director at the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge, told National Observer the Cameco relief money was a godsend for the group’s work in the community.
“We went out to the Lake Country Co-op grocery store and Giant Tiger and picked up just over $5,000 worth of (supplies) for the youth in our community,” Merasty said.
The $1-million relief fund was announced shortly after Cameco, the world’s largest producer of uranium, suspended its operations in northern Saskatchewan due to the pandemic.
“The health region is part of it, to make sure that the food is proper. We’re careful with these things,” he said.
“The one thing about Kikinahk is that everything we do is for the good of the community. Ultimately, we’re providing 130 hampers,” Woytowich said.
When a uranium mine goes into care and maintenance a reduced crew takes care of the site until such a time as production is resumed. Photograph courtesy of Cameco Corporation.
The mining company put up the money as a way of giving back to the region where it operates.
“We look at the relief fund as simply a response to this unprecedented pandemic that is impacting all of us,” Jonathan Huntington, Cameco’s vice-president of sustainability and stakeholder relations, told National Observer the day after the program was announced in April.
“We can see the hurt, the struggles that are apparent through all of Saskatchewan … and while we can only imagine what the most vulnerable and underprivileged are going through, we do know that we want to help,” Huntington said.
Men of the North is a support and empowerment group for northern men based in Lac La Ronge and part of its mandate is helping build a healthy community.
Dalton Rogers and Christopher Merasty with Men of the North gifted children and families in the community with recreational equipment. Photograph courtesy of Christopher Merasty.
Since COVID-19 hit, the group has focused on helping the community weather the pandemic.
“As of right now ... we have shifted our focus from helping the men in our community to the men helping our community,” Merasty said.
The group initiated programs such as pickup and delivery of groceries, care packages, cleaning supplies and prescriptions for residents who are self isolating. The money from Cameco has helped it expand on those efforts.
Thanks to the fund, Men of the North was able to supply recreational supplies to youth in La Ronge, Air Ronge, and on the Lac la Ronge Indian Band.
Merasty was joined by other leaders in the community distributing toys, games and recreational equipment. The group also worked with five local schools, the Piwapan Women’s Centre and the Big Stone Community Centre.
Jody Ratt and Cst. Cheung with the RCMP delivering tonations at Bell's Point Elementary School. Photograph courtesy of Christopher Merasty.
The money went further than community organizers had expected. Merasty said that well over 200 kids and families in the community benefited.
He said the recreational activities initiative gives families with children more to do during social isolation.
“They can hang out in their backyards all day now if they want. We want to promote a healthy atmosphere for healthy family time in the community,” Merasty said.
Items given away included board games, backyard gear like lawn darts, skipping ropes, and sports equipment, as well as activity books, painting kits and puzzles.
Kikinahk pitched in some of its own funds to complement the Cameco initiative.
“That’s the reason for Kikinahk, we’re a help organization. We have a multitude of programs and it was very nice to be able to provide this and work on all of these programs with health,” Woytowich said.
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich is also executive director at the Kikinahk Freindship Centre in La Ronge. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
“The truth is, if it wasn’t for Cameco … it wouldn’t have happened.”
Food security and the availability of personal protective equipment for residents, especially front-line workers at places like the homeless shelter, have been an issue in La Ronge since the pandemic started.
“We haven't had our Headstart program running for two months now, almost. So we have a food budget there to provide to our families in the Headstart,” Woytowich said.
On pre-pandemic Tuesday nights, Kikinahk would offer prenatal classes and provide food for pregnant women in the community.
“We can’t do that now, but we can still disperse proper dietary food for them, and that’s why we have the dietician from the hospital here because she oversees a whole pile of prenatal programs,” Woytowich said.
Frontline workers pack items for COVID-19 relief to vulnerable members of the community at teh Kikinahk Freindship Centre in La Ronge. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
Woytowich said that Cameco, a major employer in northern Saskatchewan, has been key in keeping programs and services going in La Ronge since long before the pandemic.
“Cameco has been very good to La Ronge. I remember when we wanted a hospital and they stepped up with a couple hundred thousand dollars, which made it easier,” Woytowich said.
And when Cameco steps up to help, other organizations tend to follow suit, he said, pointing to the homeless shelter as a perfect example. The facility has been operating on a shoestring budget as COVID-19 takes a toll on its clients and staff.
Jackie Ballantyne, outreach program director at Scattered Site making sandwiches at the emergency shelter as it starts to flood. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
“We would have been shut down on March 31. We would have been totally closed and there were no other funds,” Woytowich said.
“When I got the letter from Cameco that said they would provide everything but the labour, I then contacted another organization, which funds friendship centres, and (they said), ‘If that’s what’s keeping you from getting this, we’ll fund the labour.’ We wouldn’t have gotten either if it wasn’t for Cameco,” Woytowich said.
“My message to Cameco is: You have no idea how much you helped. So it's really nice,” he said.
Woytowich worries that if the pandemic continues for a long stretch, the friendship centre won’t be able to continue its programs because it will run out of funds. He said it's not cheap: The combined cost of Kikinahk’s relief initiative is over $20,000.
“If this virus is over and we can all get back to normal reasonably soon, then it’s good. But my real concern is if this isn’t temporary, and it keeps on going through September and November, Cameco isn’t going to have that kind of money to do it again. That kind of scares me,” Woytowich said.
When he’s not out and about in the community, Merasty is an employee on the production team at Cameco’s Cigar Lake Mine. That’s now on hold since the mine was placed in care and maintenance after pausing production of uranium because of the pandemic.
Men of the North founder Christopher Merasty and his team have been helping deliver essentials in the La Ronge area since April. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
“I just want to thank Cameco. That was super awesome … the generosity that they showed us and the support that they have shown our community,” Merasty said.
And the community is stronger when people look out for each other, he said.
“We’re in this pandemic together. Shutting the country down overnight takes a lot and there’s a lot of confusion and misleading information out there. We can get through anything as long as we stick together ... be responsible and practice social distancing.”
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-05-23--New York Times deputy editor Matt Purdy says media in ‘pitched battle’ for truth in a time of Covid

One of the New York Times ’ top editors , Matt Purdy , remembers the last time he ventured briefly into the normally bustling newsroom .
After 169 years , the Gray Lady ’ s 1,700-staff editorial department — renowned for explosive political exposés and overseas war coverage — had fallen eerily silent .
“ There were literally three or four of us there , ” Purdy , the deputy managing editor , said Thursday .
“ We sort of looked at each other and said , ‘ What are we doing here ?
!
’ My older son called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 had stilled the typical patter of deadline-racing keyboards and cacophony of countless phone interviews , the Times ’ reporters and editors see themselves at the front lines of “ a pitched battle for the truth ” during a Trump-era pandemic , Purdy told Canada 's National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon Wood in a Zoom conversation on Thursday .
Reporting the spread of the virus as it ravaged the U.S. , particularly New York City , was anything but simple .
“ If you ’ re taking it seriously and covering it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re being shouted down as if you ’ re against the President.
” Its reporters , some having risked lives as war correspondents , found themselves thrust into a new kind of battleground .
Even before Covid-19 , the paper spent President Donald Trump ’ s first term facing his attacks as a “ Fake News paper , ” or a year ago as “ truly the enemy of the people '' — an assault which in typical Times ' neutral voice was simply reported : `` For 30 Minutes on a Hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Range of Critics . ''
Now , some were claiming the pandemic was being exaggerated by the media to undermine Trump ’ s re-election chances or harm his party .
And with much of the U.S. economy in tatters , the people 's rage — and divisions — are a tinderbox .
Video of New York Times Deputy Executive Editor Matt Purdy on journalism in 2020 Events took a surreal turn when Trump admitted he was taking an unproven drug to “ prevent ” Covid-19 which his own Food and Drug Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mike Pence , have repeatedly been questioned by reporters for not wearing face masks despite their own experts asking Americans to do so .
Long besieged as ‘ enemy of the people ’ by Trump , how do journalists report # Covid19 when even basic facts are in dispute ?
@ NYTimes deputy managing editor @ mattbpurdy sits down with the @ NatObserver to talk about today 's 'pitched battle for the truth ' This week , after touring a Ford automotive plant , journalists grilled Trump on why he was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I didn ’ t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it , ” he replied .
Undeterred , the Times ran with the headline , “ Trump Visits Ford Plant in Politically Crucial Michigan , Leaves Mask Off for Cameras.
” At every level of reporting , the newspaper ’ s already besieged journalists have essentially become war correspondents in their own country under lockdown .
Most of the newspaper ’ s platoon of reporters found themselves suddenly embedded in the pandemic ’ s epicenter , New York City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America ’ s grim death toll which neared 100,000 nationwide Friday .
By comparison , New York ’ s 8.4-million citizens represent less than three per cent of the U.S. population .
Yet the Big Apple has five times greater Covid-19 deaths per capita as the rest of the country — and nine-fold worse than Canada .
On Thursday , the front page ’ s top story summarized the Times ’ latest investigation : `` Waiting to Lock Down Cost 36,000 Lives , Estimate Says.
” One of those struck down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the New York Times who spent four decades in journalism , until his death on March 24 .
`` Alan Finder , 72 , Unflappable Newspaper Journalist , Dies , '' his own beloved paper 's headline read the next day .
“ It ’ s a story we 're covering as a story , but it 's also happening to us in our lives , ” Purdy explained .
“ It 's more like covering a war in a way — where you 're at risk.
” Although the newspaper has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its pages since January , he admits almost everyone there was still caught off-guard at how swiftly it would devastate U.S. cities and health systems .
“ Journalists always want to use the word ‘ unprecedented , ’ ” Purdy quipped , and it ’ s usually editors ’ job to tell them they should avoid that word because nothing is unprecedented .
“ But this was pretty close to unprecedented , ” he admitted .
“ Some said this is kind of like 9/11 .
9/11 was truly horrible .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
But this … had even more unknowns to it.
” The constant barrage of attacks from the paper ’ s opponents seems to have hardly fazed the Times ’ editors .
Journalism remains a fundamental check on power , Purdy and his colleagues still insist , and an ill-informed citizenry is detrimental to democracy .
The Times ’ reporting , and the editorial decisions around front page priorities and headlines , have become a lightning rod for millions .
From the right , the paper is attacked as undermining the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the perception it goes out of its way to provide undue equal weight and mouthpiece to once-fringe views in the name of “ balance.
” Purdy said on some issues , such as climate change , Times editors agree with the “ scientific consensus ” and do not devote equal column inches to “ both sides.
” But the Times ' leadership has eschewed its competitors ' more combative approaches — steering away from the Washington Post 's motto `` Democracy Dies in Darkness , '' or the Guardian 's social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as closer to `` advocacy journalism . ''
That 's led some to attack the Gray Lady for `` both sides-ism , '' for instance its controversial 2017 intimate profile of an alt-right extremist , `` A Voice of Hate in America 's Heartland . ''
Media criticism is necessary .
But the attacks on basic facts , Purdy said , should deeply disturb anyone interested in preserving democracy .
“ This is why this campaign to erode the truth , and to go after a shared set of facts , is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The loss of that muscle in a democracy is really quite frightening.
” But despite dire examples of many small-town newspapers shuttering and others struggling in the U.S. and across Canada , the Times has managed to buoy its readership massively since Trump ’ s election , and even more so during the Covid-19 pandemic , Purdy said .
Other major outlets are finding the same thing as readers search for in-depth , reliable information .
But declines in advertising revenues , and many readers filtering their information purely through social media platforms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lifeline .
There ’ s still hope , Purdy said .
“ The fact our circulation keeps growing shows there ’ s a thirst for the kind of journalism we ’ re doing , ” he said .
“ It ’ s important to support all sorts of new investigative journalism organizations popping up in this country and around the world .
“ We ’ re going to come out of this moment .
And we want to do it with our integrity.
” This live interview is part of Canada 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics around COVID-19 , the economy , politics and climate change .
To watch the full conversation , head to our YouTube channel .
To stay up to date on upcoming interviews , subscribe here .

One of the New York Times’ top editors, Matt Purdy, remembers the last time he ventured briefly into the normally bustling newsroom. After 169 years, the Gray Lady’s 1,700-staff editorial department — renowned for explosive political exposés and overseas war coverage — had fallen eerily silent. “There were literally three or four of us there,” Purdy, the deputy managing editor, said Thursday. “We sort of looked at each other and said, ‘What are we doing here?!’ My older son called me out on Twitter.” Even though Covid-19 had stilled the typical patter of deadline-racing keyboards and cacophony of countless phone interviews, the Times’ reporters and editors see themselves at the front lines of “a pitched battle for the truth” during a Trump-era pandemic, Purdy told Canada's National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon Wood in a Zoom conversation on Thursday. Reporting the spread of the virus as it ravaged the U.S., particularly New York City, was anything but simple.
Video of New York Times Deputy Executive Editor Matt Purdy on journalism in 2020 New York Times Deputy Executive Editor Matt Purdy talks with Linda Solomon Wood Long besieged as ‘enemy of the people’ by Trump, how do journalists report #Covid19 when even basic facts are in dispute? @NYTimes deputy managing editor @mattbpurdy sits down with the @NatObserver to talk about today's 'pitched battle for the truth' Events took a surreal turn when Trump admitted he was taking an unproven drug to “prevent” Covid-19 which his own Food and Drug Administration warned against. Trump and his Vice-President, Mike Pence, have repeatedly been questioned by reporters for not wearing face masks despite their own experts asking Americans to do so. This week, after touring a Ford automotive plant, journalists grilled Trump on why he was the only official without a mask. “I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it,” he replied. Undeterred, the Times ran with the headline, “Trump Visits Ford Plant in Politically Crucial Michigan, Leaves Mask Off for Cameras.”
At every level of reporting, the newspaper’s already besieged journalists have essentially become war correspondents in their own country under lockdown. Most of the newspaper’s platoon of reporters found themselves suddenly embedded in the pandemic’s epicenter, New York City, home to a staggering 30 per cent of America’s grim death toll which neared 100,000 nationwide Friday. By comparison, New York’s 8.4-million citizens represent less than three per cent of the U.S. population. Yet the Big Apple has five times greater Covid-19 deaths per capita as the rest of the country — and nine-fold worse than Canada.


nationalobserver--2020-05-24--Canada wants to get women back to work

Canada wants to get women back to work

With women bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic , federal officials are trying to figure out how recovery efforts can help get women back to work , earning more money and securing more stable jobs .
Women have seen proportionately steeper job losses than men , and are more often in part-time work , as well as in sectors that were affected early on in the pandemic .
Statistics Canada reported this month that 1.5 million women lost jobs over March and April , a 17 per cent drop in employment from February levels .
The actions that Ottawa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the social inequities COVID-19 has exposed : that women are more often employed in marginal jobs ; tend to make less money than men do ; and represent the vast majority of health care , child care and elder care workers .
Child care is being flagged by many as the most pressing need to help women get back to work .
Jennifer Robson , a social policy expert from Carleton University whose advice has been sought by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in recent weeks , says temporary layoffs and reduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if businesses are ready to reopen but parents who do n't have child care ca n't go back .
Canadian moms make 40 per cent of household income , which is an important part of the economy , Robson says .
But it also means that families without child care options will have a problem .
`` Somebody has to stay with them and a lot of the economic signals will probably be pushing women to be that person that stays home , '' she says .
Since women make up about half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is mathematically impossible without women going back to work , says Armine Yalnizyan , a fellow with the Atkinson Foundation whose advice was also recently sought by the Prime Minister 's Office .
`` There 's no recovery without a she-covery and no she-covery without childcare , '' she says .
Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen has been leading an internal effort to determine how federal spending on child care can be better targeted .
Experts and stakeholders have told him Ottawa can help provinces and territories address the patchwork of child-care options @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Equality Minister Maryam Monsef also stresses the central role child care will play in Canada 's economic recovery effort .
`` Access to skilled labour was already a challenge before COVID and we can not afford to lose women who choose to work because of lack of available , affordable , high-quality child care .
This will be fundamental to restarting our economy , '' she said in a recent interview .
Parents will need to feel confident that child care centres are safe .
Physical distancing measures will likely lead to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each space a hot commodity , Robson says .
That 's where social infrastructure investments will be needed , which could include using other community facilities temporarily for child care to `` adapt spaces for more , but lower-density , child-care provision , '' Robson says .
But child care is not the only answer to addressing the so-called `` she-cession '' of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada .
The virus has exposed the fragility of the long-term care system .
Nursing homes have seen the highest numbers of outbreaks and deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has also had a particularly gendered impact , as a majority of workers in elder care centres are women .
Possible solutions could see Ottawa create national standards for elder care , including staffing ratios , as well as better health and safety regulations and more robust employment standards for workers across Canada , Yalnizyan says .
One move several provinces made quickly was to require workers to stick to one long-term care home , since many worked in multiple places to make ends meet and risked carrying the virus that causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario boosted their pay and promised bonuses .
Robson says more clarity is also needed on leave provisions for parents or caregivers who may not be able to return to their jobs right away .
Each province has its own standards and time limits , and there 's another set for federally regulated workers .
`` Now that we 're in a situation where some industries and some sectors are having some emergency restrictions lifted , I think there is some merit to having greater clarity in communicating both to employers as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Trudeau has said his government 's primary focus remains on managing the emergency response to the crisis and that it 's too early to talk about stimulus plans .
But a senior official in the Prime Minister 's Office who spoke to The Canadian Press on condition of anonymity because they were n't authorized to speak publicly , says discussions are taking place about how to rebuild the country in a way that is more competitive and resilient , with an economy that is `` future-proof . ''
The official confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these discussions , as are ways to address the vulnerabilities within the elder care system .
Problems in these two systems overlap , including why child-care and senior-care workers are paid so little when there is such a strong demand for these services .
Federal standards that respect provincial jurisdictions are key , the official said .
The pandemic has revealed the importance of essential services , Yalnizyan says , which raises the question of whether government should be doing more to provide them .
`` ( Government ) could be providing essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's what we 're learning — that childcare is an essential service , and so is drugs , dental and vision .
It should n't be tied to whoever your employer is , '' she says .
Some employers keep workers ' hours down so the employers do n't have to cover benefits , Yalnizyan points out .
Boosting spending power will be essential to the economic recovery , and one way to do that for women whose marginal service- and retail-sector jobs have disappeared is for government to take over paying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Once you start liberating the purchasing power that way of people who are working , then there is more money to start setting up these more marginal things . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23 , 2020 .

With women bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials are trying to figure out how recovery efforts can help get women back to work, earning more money and securing more stable jobs. Women have seen proportionately steeper job losses than men, and are more often in part-time work, as well as in sectors that were affected early on in the pandemic. Statistics Canada reported this month that 1.5 million women lost jobs over March and April, a 17 per cent drop in employment from February levels. The actions that Ottawa takes could offer an opportunity to address some of the social inequities COVID-19 has exposed: that women are more often employed in marginal jobs; tend to make less money than men do; and represent the vast majority of health care, child care and elder care workers. Child care is being flagged by many as the most pressing need to help women get back to work. Jennifer Robson, a social policy expert from Carleton University whose advice has been sought by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in recent weeks, says temporary layoffs and reduced hours could quickly turn into permanent layoffs if businesses are ready to reopen but parents who don't have child care can't go back.
Canadian moms make 40 per cent of household income, which is an important part of the economy, Robson says. But it also means that families without child care options will have a problem. "Somebody has to stay with them and a lot of the economic signals will probably be pushing women to be that person that stays home," she says. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Since women make up about half of Canada's workforce, economic recovery is mathematically impossible without women going back to work, says Armine Yalnizyan, a fellow with the Atkinson Foundation whose advice was also recently sought by the Prime Minister's Office.
"There's no recovery without a she-covery and no she-covery without childcare," she says. Feds probing ways to address COVID-19 impact on women Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen has been leading an internal effort to determine how federal spending on child care can be better targeted. Experts and stakeholders have told him Ottawa can help provinces and territories address the patchwork of child-care options across the country. Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef also stresses the central role child care will play in Canada's economic recovery effort. "Access to skilled labour was already a challenge before COVID and we cannot afford to lose women who choose to work because of lack of available, affordable, high-quality child care. This will be fundamental to restarting our economy," she said in a recent interview. Parents will need to feel confident that child care centres are safe. Physical distancing measures will likely lead to a reduction in spaces, which will make each space a hot commodity, Robson says.
That's where social infrastructure investments will be needed, which could include using other community facilities temporarily for child care to "adapt spaces for more, but lower-density, child-care provision," Robson says. But child care is not the only answer to addressing the so-called "she-cession" of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. The virus has exposed the fragility of the long-term care system. Nursing homes have seen the highest numbers of outbreaks and deaths from COVID-19, including among their staff.


nationalobserver--2020-05-24--Will House of Commons resume on Monday?

Will House of Commons resume on Monday?

Intense behind-the-scenes negotiations are to continue today among federal political parties over how Parliament should function as the COVID-19 crisis drags on .
The House of Commons , which has been largely adjourned since mid-March , is to resume normal operations on Monday .
But whether that normalcy lasts more than a few hours will depend on the outcome of talks among party House leaders , which are expected to continue through the weekend and possibly into Monday morning .
Last month , the Liberals and opposition parties joined forces to reject a Conservative bid to require multiple in-person sittings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reduced roster of MPs physically present in the chamber .
Instead , they agreed to set up a special COVID-19 committee as a sort of stand-in for the Commons .
It has been meeting in the Commons chamber once a week in person , with fewer than three dozen MPs actually present , and twice a week virtually , which has given all 338 MPs a chance to participate without risk of spreading the deadly coronavirus .
But that agreement expires on Monday and how the Commons will carry on after that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers are taking a break this weekend from what has become their routine daily briefings on the pandemic .
The Liberals are proposing to continue with the COVID-committee but with a twist .
They want the meetings to be a hybrid of in-person and virtual , with a small number of MPs in the Commons and others simultaneously participating via two large video screens that would be set up on either side of the Speaker 's chair .
Liberal insiders say the government is also open to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each week .
However , the Conservatives have had it with the COVID-committee .
They 've complained bitterly that it precludes them from asking the government questions on anything but the pandemic , although in reality that rule has not been consistently applied .
Talks continue over how , if , House of Commons should resume Monday Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called Friday for the House of Commons to resume its normal work schedule five days a week — albeit with no more than 50 MPs sitting in the chamber at any one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols on physical distancing .
That would allow MPs to resume moving motions , ask questions on whatever topic they like and engage in what Scheer called `` proper debate '' on government legislation , private members ' bills and opposition motions .
`` In a crisis , oversight is more important than ever , '' he said .
As long as the Commons resumes its normal schedule , Scheer said his party is open to the idea of hybrid sittings .
There 's one big hurdle to the Commons resuming normal activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go about allowing for MPs not in the Commons to vote electronically and not all parties are convinced it 's a good idea .
Until that is resolved , only the small number of MPs actually in the chamber would be able to cast votes , which could violate one of the most basic parliamentary privileges for the vast majority of MPs who would be prevented from standing up and being counted .
Votes are not an issue with the COVID-committee arrangement , which provides time for lengthy question-and-answer sessions , statements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under the agreement reached last month , every Wednesday after the committee wraps up , the government may , if necessary , ask the small number of MPs in the chamber to reconvene in a sitting of the House of Commons to consider emergency pandemic-related legislation .
The Commons has sat three times since mid-March to do just that , with the government each time negotiating unanimous consent in advance to allow the legislation to sail through in a matter of hours without the need for a recorded vote .
Until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House leader Peter Julian has suggested that hybrid COVID committee meetings are probably the best way to proceed for the next month or so .
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet agreed that the easiest route would be to continue with the COVID-committee model , perhaps in a hybrid format .
But he laid down a number of conditions that must be met in order to obtain Bloc support .
Among other things , he wants the government to honour previous commitments to provide incentives to recipients of emergency aid benefits to take available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help small businesses pay their fixed costs .
The Bloc also wants MPs to sit for at least four weeks during the summer and the government to set a date in June for delivering an economic update .
If those conditions are not met , Blanchet warned his party will support the Conservative bid to resume normal Commons operations .
Should all parties agree over the weekend on how to proceed , Monday 's resumption of the Commons could be brief — just long enough to seek unanimous consent for a motion laying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee , will operate going forward .
Should one or more opposition parties refuse unanimous consent , the Liberals could move a motion laying out the government 's preferred approach .
Because they hold only a minority of seats , however , the Liberals would need the support of at least one of the main opposition parties to pass the motion .
Barring that , the Commons would resume its normal routine , starting Monday .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23 , 2020 .

Intense behind-the-scenes negotiations are to continue today among federal political parties over how Parliament should function as the COVID-19 crisis drags on. The House of Commons, which has been largely adjourned since mid-March, is to resume normal operations on Monday. But whether that normalcy lasts more than a few hours will depend on the outcome of talks among party House leaders, which are expected to continue through the weekend and possibly into Monday morning. Last month, the Liberals and opposition parties joined forces to reject a Conservative bid to require multiple in-person sittings of the Commons each week, with a reduced roster of MPs physically present in the chamber. Instead, they agreed to set up a special COVID-19 committee as a sort of stand-in for the Commons.
It has been meeting in the Commons chamber once a week in person, with fewer than three dozen MPs actually present, and twice a week virtually, which has given all 338 MPs a chance to participate without risk of spreading the deadly coronavirus. But that agreement expires on Monday and how the Commons will carry on after that is the subject of the negotiations. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers are taking a break this weekend from what has become their routine daily briefings on the pandemic.
The Liberals are proposing to continue with the COVID-committee but with a twist. They want the meetings to be a hybrid of in-person and virtual, with a small number of MPs in the Commons and others simultaneously participating via two large video screens that would be set up on either side of the Speaker's chair. Talks continue over how, if, House of Commons should resume Monday Liberal insiders say the government is also open to increasing the number of special committee meetings each week. However, the Conservatives have had it with the COVID-committee. They've complained bitterly that it precludes them from asking the government questions on anything but the pandemic, although in reality that rule has not been consistently applied. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called Friday for the House of Commons to resume its normal work schedule five days a week — albeit with no more than 50 MPs sitting in the chamber at any one time in order to respect public health protocols on physical distancing. That would allow MPs to resume moving motions, ask questions on whatever topic they like and engage in what Scheer called "proper debate" on government legislation, private members' bills and opposition motions.
"In a crisis, oversight is more important than ever," he said. As long as the Commons resumes its normal schedule, Scheer said his party is open to the idea of hybrid sittings. There's one big hurdle to the Commons resuming normal activity — the chamber has not resolved how to go about allowing for MPs not in the Commons to vote electronically and not all parties are convinced it's a good idea.


nationalobserver--2020-05-24--Plastics profit and environment neglected during pandemic

In mid-January the British Columbia government announced it was looking at a wide ban on single-use plastic grocery bags to put an end to a piecemeal , city-by-city approach to the problem of plastic pollution .
Ten weeks later , the province 's chief public health officer , Dr. Bonnie Henry , issued guidance saying the exact opposite .
Stores were to provide clean carry-out bags , she told retailers on March 30 , as the province was closing in on 1,000 positive cases of COVID-19 .
`` Customers should not use their own containers , reusable bags or boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was but one sign that environmental policies were to be among the first things cast aside or suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Canada .
Fear of contamination from reused packaging and the need to operate with reduced staff and with fewer interactions between people , prompted retailers to bar reusable packaging , from bags to coffee cups .
Restaurants were forced to go to a take-out only model , pushing the need for plastic and Styrofoam containers through the roof .
And as the use of plastic containers went up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , or even cancel outright , municipal recycling programs .
Last week Calgary suspended blue-bin operations entirely because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the city 's recycling plant .
Edmonton has said about one-quarter of what it collects from blue bins is going to the landfill now because it do n't have the staff to handle all the material .
In eastern Ontario , Quinte Waste Solutions , which provides recycling to nine municipalities , suspended collection of most hazardous and electronic waste for proper disposal .
In Nova Scotia , several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Energy Regulator has suspended almost all environmental monitoring requirements for the energy sector , including soil , water and air pollution .
Initially just applicable to some oilsands operations , on Wednesday the regulator expanded the exemption for the entire energy sector , saying it was no longer safe to do so with the threat of COVID-19 .
In early April , Ontario passed a regulation under its Environment Bill of Rights that suspends the requirement for a 30-day consultation with the public on any policy that affects water , air , land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be able to respond quickly to COVID-19 as the reason , although the requirement was not lifted only for any COVID-19 policies , but for anything .
Environmental Defence executive director Tim Gray said governments that were already less inclined to care much about the environment are abandoning policies the fastest , but there are also delays to promised protections because of COVID-19 that could become a longer-term problem .
Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said last week the government remains committed to its climate-change and plastics ban plans , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit because of the virus .
`` My concern is that this will go on for so long it will push it so far down the road it ca n't get done before another election , '' said Gray .
He said decisions to suspend plastic-bag bans are a `` panicked response '' that may cool as more information and science is understood about the virus .
Just this week , the Centers for Disease Control in the United States changed its wording about how the virus is transmitted to say it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Canada 's deputy public health chief Dr. Howard Njoo said Friday rigorous and frequent hand washing and not touching your face without washing your hands will prevent any virus you may have picked up on your hands from making you sick .
The plastics industry has seen an uptick in demand in the midst of the virus , said Bob Masterson , the president of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada .
`` What I would say has changed is people , as a result of COVID , have a much better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sanitary material for the food industry , '' he said .
Stores across the country rushed to wrap their checkout counters with plastic shields and equip their employees with plastic gloves and face shields .
Demand for hand sanitizer — mostly bottled in plastic — soared .
John Thayer , a senior vice-president at petrochemical manufacturer Nova Chemicals , said while some orders were cancelled because of COVID-19 , demand has increased for plastics used to make food packaging , e-commerce packaging and shipping requirements and medical packaging and protective equipment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ventilators , test tubes and COVID-19 testing kits , use plastic .
`` Polyethylene and other polymers are helping prevent COVID-19 transmission and treat those impacted by the virus , '' said Thayer .
Sarah King , head of the oceans and plastics program at Greenpeace Canada , disputes that plastics are safer as a means to protect consumers .
She said plastics have a place in the medical world but studies have shown the virus actually lives longer on plastic than any other material .

In mid-January the British Columbia government announced it was looking at a wide ban on single-use plastic grocery bags to put an end to a piecemeal, city-by-city approach to the problem of plastic pollution. Ten weeks later, the province's chief public health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, issued guidance saying the exact opposite. Stores were to provide clean carry-out bags, she told retailers on March 30, as the province was closing in on 1,000 positive cases of COVID-19. "Customers should not use their own containers, reusable bags or boxes," reads the written instruction. It was but one sign that environmental policies were to be among the first things cast aside or suspended as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on Canada. Fear of contamination from reused packaging and the need to operate with reduced staff and with fewer interactions between people, prompted retailers to bar reusable packaging, from bags to coffee cups. Restaurants were forced to go to a take-out only model, pushing the need for plastic and Styrofoam containers through the roof.
And as the use of plastic containers went up, some cities were forced to cut back, or even cancel outright, municipal recycling programs. Last week Calgary suspended blue-bin operations entirely because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the city's recycling plant. Edmonton has said about one-quarter of what it collects from blue bins is going to the landfill now because it don't have the staff to handle all the material. In eastern Ontario, Quinte Waste Solutions, which provides recycling to nine municipalities, suspended collection of most hazardous and electronic waste for proper disposal. In Nova Scotia, several recycling depots were closed. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Alberta's Energy Regulator has suspended almost all environmental monitoring requirements for the energy sector, including soil, water and air pollution. Initially just applicable to some oilsands operations, on Wednesday the regulator expanded the exemption for the entire energy sector, saying it was no longer safe to do so with the threat of COVID-19.
In early April, Ontario passed a regulation under its Environment Bill of Rights that suspends the requirement for a 30-day consultation with the public on any policy that affects water, air, land or wildlife. The government cited the need to be able to respond quickly to COVID-19 as the reason, although the requirement was not lifted only for any COVID-19 policies, but for anything. Plastics bans, environmental monitoring get short shrift during pandemic Environmental Defence executive director Tim Gray said governments that were already less inclined to care much about the environment are abandoning policies the fastest, but there are also delays to promised protections because of COVID-19 that could become a longer-term problem. Federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said last week the government remains committed to its climate-change and plastics ban plans, but that some policies are being delayed a bit because of the virus. "My concern is that this will go on for so long it will push it so far down the road it can't get done before another election," said Gray. He said decisions to suspend plastic-bag bans are a "panicked response" that may cool as more information and science is understood about the virus. Just this week, the Centers for Disease Control in the United States changed its wording about how the virus is transmitted to say it does not spread easily from touching contaminated surfaces.
Canada's deputy public health chief Dr. Howard Njoo said Friday rigorous and frequent hand washing and not touching your face without washing your hands will prevent any virus you may have picked up on your hands from making you sick. The plastics industry has seen an uptick in demand in the midst of the virus, said Bob Masterson, the president of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada. "What I would say has changed is people, as a result of COVID, have a much better appreciation of the benefit of plastic as a sanitary material for the food industry," he said.


nationalobserver--2020-05-25--Employers readying for reopening worry about second wave of COVID-19

Chef Kreg Graham says he 's been doing a lot of thinking about washing dishes now that some COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and he can start serving meals again .
The executive chef at the Victoria-area Oak Bay Beach Hotel said much of the time he 's spending in the kitchen preparing for a restart has been on safety protocols , not the menu .
`` We 've been doing a lot of research and brainstorming on how we can safely operate in the kitchen in tight spaces , '' Graham said in an interview .
`` Everyone understands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there 's a lot of work to be done to make sure everyone 's safe . ''
The British Columbia government lifted operating restrictions placed on restaurants , pubs and some personal and health services , including hair stylists and dentists , on May 19 after a successful effort at slowing the spread on the novel coronavirus .
Despite being closed since March or limited to take out , curbside and delivery services , many businesses took the week to fine tune their safety plans to protect customers and employees before reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area became one of his greatest concerns .
`` Probably the most vulnerable area in any kitchen right now is the dishwashing area , '' he said .
`` As the plates and cutlery and glasses come back into the kitchen , we are being very careful to minimize any contamination to the dishwasher personnel and the other things in the area .
Every plate , spoon , fork , glass is being soaked in a sanitizing bath before being put into the dishwasher . ''
Graham said when the kitchen is operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 people , but he does n't expect to see that number until the fall , depending on the state of the virus .
A recent Conference Board of Canada survey found most employers are not fully prepared to bring employees back to work , with many concerned about worker and customer safety and the potential impact of a second wave of COVID-19 .
The survey found only eight per cent of employers were fully prepared to restart operations , while 40 per cent were close to being prepared and the remaining 52 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Allison Cowan , the board 's director of human capital research .
`` What we heard is most employers are bringing people back in phases , '' she said in an interview from Ottawa .
`` Ultimately , when it comes to bringing workers back to the workplace this needs to be done carefully and responsibly .
Safety is paramount and the virus will likely find loopholes in safety measures we put in place . ''
Employers worry about safety , cash flow , second wave in COVID-19 restart Bridgitte Anderson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said businesses are worried they wo n't survive if customers do n't return .
`` Without revenues coming back to where they were , there 's just going to be some unfortunate outcomes , '' said Anderson in an interview .
`` This continued new normal is likely going to continue on through the summer for sure and into the fall .
This is a very gradual recovery and unfortunately that brings along with it a lot of pain . ''
A survey of more than 1,300 member businesses by the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Business Council of B.C .
found just 26 per cent believe they can open and operate profitably with the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions .
The survey also found 75 per cent of businesses worry about attracting customers .
`` I would say the business community is under incredible pressure over the next several months as we enter more into this reopening phase , '' Anderson said .
The B.C .
government said Friday it would allow pubs , restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality sector to apply to temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enlarge their footprint .

Chef Kreg Graham says he's been doing a lot of thinking about washing dishes now that some COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and he can start serving meals again. The executive chef at the Victoria-area Oak Bay Beach Hotel said much of the time he's spending in the kitchen preparing for a restart has been on safety protocols, not the menu. "We've been doing a lot of research and brainstorming on how we can safely operate in the kitchen in tight spaces," Graham said in an interview. "Everyone understands we live in a different world now and there's a lot of work to be done to make sure everyone's safe." The British Columbia government lifted operating restrictions placed on restaurants, pubs and some personal and health services, including hair stylists and dentists, on May 19 after a successful effort at slowing the spread on the novel coronavirus. Despite being closed since March or limited to take out, curbside and delivery services, many businesses took the week to fine tune their safety plans to protect customers and employees before reopening.
Graham said ensuring a safe dishwashing area became one of his greatest concerns. "Probably the most vulnerable area in any kitchen right now is the dishwashing area," he said. "As the plates and cutlery and glasses come back into the kitchen, we are being very careful to minimize any contamination to the dishwasher personnel and the other things in the area. Every plate, spoon, fork, glass is being soaked in a sanitizing bath before being put into the dishwasher." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Graham said when the kitchen is operating at full capacity, the hotel employs 25 people, but he doesn't expect to see that number until the fall, depending on the state of the virus.
A recent Conference Board of Canada survey found most employers are not fully prepared to bring employees back to work, with many concerned about worker and customer safety and the potential impact of a second wave of COVID-19. Employers worry about safety, cash flow, second wave in COVID-19 restart The survey found only eight per cent of employers were fully prepared to restart operations, while 40 per cent were close to being prepared and the remaining 52 per cent were only somewhat ready, said Allison Cowan, the board's director of human capital research. "What we heard is most employers are bringing people back in phases," she said in an interview from Ottawa. "Ultimately, when it comes to bringing workers back to the workplace this needs to be done carefully and responsibly. Safety is paramount and the virus will likely find loopholes in safety measures we put in place." Bridgitte Anderson, president of Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, said businesses are worried they won't survive if customers don't return. "Without revenues coming back to where they were, there's just going to be some unfortunate outcomes," said Anderson in an interview. "This continued new normal is likely going to continue on through the summer for sure and into the fall. This is a very gradual recovery and unfortunately that brings along with it a lot of pain."
A survey of more than 1,300 member businesses by the board, the B.C. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of B.C. found just 26 per cent believe they can open and operate profitably with the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The survey also found 75 per cent of businesses worry about attracting customers. "I would say the business community is under incredible pressure over the next several months as we enter more into this reopening phase," Anderson said.


nationalobserver--2020-05-25--Indigenous group strikes deal to dismantle blockades at Manitoba Hydro site

A Manitoba Indigenous group says there 's a deal with the province 's Crown-owned hydro utility to remove blockades set up over fears that workers could introduce COVID-19 to an area around a multi-billion dollar hydroelectric project .
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak says in a news release that leaders of First Nations that had been blockading the Keeyask power project met with Manitoba Hydro President Jay Grewal on Saturday , and that they reached an agreement for the barricades to come down .
The announcement says the deal includes lifting a court injunction issued last week against Tataskweyak Cree Nation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the protest .
Four northern First Nations stopped entry at three points around the site about 725 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg after Manitoba Hydro said it would rotate out hundreds of employees and contractors who had been there for eight weeks .
Manitoba Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen says the utility is pleased to reach an understanding with its First Nations partners that he says `` will see construction on Keeyask resume safely , '' adding that more information will be released Monday .
The MKO news release does n't say whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MKO spokeswoman says in an email that the First Nations will continue to work with Manitoba Hydro on a plan to gradually resume construction at Keeyask .
`` First Nations , like other Manitobans , have made many sacrifices to restrict the transmission of COVID-19 , '' Tataskweyak Cree Nation Chief Doreen Spence said in the MKO news release .
`` While we absolutely want our economies to open up and succeed , we are ultimately most concerned about the well-being and health of our citizens during this uncertain period . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Crown and four First Nations — Tataskweyak Cree Nation and War Lake First Nation , York Factory First Nation and Fox Lake Cree Nation .
The northern area so far has no cases of COVID-19 , and Manitoba Hydro had said the Crown corporation planned to safely resume regular work rotations while protecting workers and neighbouring communities .
Manitoba 's Court of Queen 's Bench issued an injunction last Monday ordering the removal of the blockades , an order the First Nations had said they would ignore .
Deal struck to dismantle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group says Spence said in the news release that her community has `` asked Manitoba Hydro to work with us in a better way to move forward with the project . ''
York Factory First Nation Chief Leroy Constant , meanwhile , called the situation `` extremely frustrating and unnecessary . ''
`` If Manitoba Hydro had fully engaged with its Cree partners from the beginning , this situation would not have happened , '' he said in the release .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24 , @ @

A Manitoba Indigenous group says there's a deal with the province's Crown-owned hydro utility to remove blockades set up over fears that workers could introduce COVID-19 to an area around a multi-billion dollar hydroelectric project.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak says in a news release that leaders of First Nations that had been blockading the Keeyask power project met with Manitoba Hydro President Jay Grewal on Saturday, and that they reached an agreement for the barricades to come down.
The announcement says the deal includes lifting a court injunction issued last week against Tataskweyak Cree Nation, one of the communities that was part of the protest.
Four northern First Nations stopped entry at three points around the site about 725 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg after Manitoba Hydro said it would rotate out hundreds of employees and contractors who had been there for eight weeks.
Manitoba Hydro spokesman Bruce Owen says the utility is pleased to reach an understanding with its First Nations partners that he says "will see construction on Keeyask resume safely," adding that more information will be released Monday.


nationalobserver--2020-05-25--Crowds eased on Sunday at Toronto park flooded by thousands on Saturday

A downtown Toronto park flooded by a crowd of thousands on Saturday had largely emptied on Sunday as police and bylaw officers turned up in full force .
Officials condemned the gathering at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday and reminded residents that people who are n't from the same household must keep two metres apart under city bylaws during the COVID-19 pandemic — a rule parkgoers respected on Sunday , according to police .
Police Chief Mark Saunders said public drinking was a large part of the problem at the Queen Street West park , and unruly people were defecating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` ( Homeowners ) certainly did n't buy to have people defecating in their laneways , in their backyards , '' Saunders said .
`` If you 're going to be bringing beer here and then utilize someone else 's house as a toilet , then there 's a bit of self entitlement there . ''
Saunders pointed out that people in other parks around the city were acting responsibly , and even people in other ends of Trinity Bellwoods Park were keeping their distance .
But police said that by Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said they only issued four tickets at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday .
They say their focus remains on educating the community .
Police did not immediately say how many tickets their officers issued .
City spokesman Brad Ross implored residents to take advantage of the city 's many other parks rather than crowding and drinking together at some of the most popular destinations .
`` It became a bit of a party atmosphere frankly , and alcohol was a contributing factor to that , '' said Ross .
`` There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them please , but please do so responsibly . ''
Toronto officials say crowds eased at park flooded by thousands on Saturday He added that there are no plans to close popular parks like Trinity Bellwoods , and said a recent closure of High Park in the city 's west end was only done because the space 's cherry blossoms attract massive crowds in the spring .
Mayor John Tory went to the park on Saturday in what he said was an effort to educate people while trying to understand their behaviour .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd , and for failing to properly wear a mask — something he apologized for on Sunday evening .
`` I want to apologize for my personal behaviour yesterday .
I visited Trinity Bellwoods Park to try to determine why things were the way they were , '' he said in a written statement .
`` I fully intended to properly physically distance but it was very difficult to do .
I wore a mask into the park but I failed to use it properly , another thing I 'm disappointed about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he 'll set a better example .
City officials are continuing to warn people that they can face a fine of up to $ 1,000 for not following social distancing orders .

A downtown Toronto park flooded by a crowd of thousands on Saturday had largely emptied on Sunday as police and bylaw officers turned up in full force. Officials condemned the gathering at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday and reminded residents that people who aren't from the same household must keep two metres apart under city bylaws during the COVID-19 pandemic — a rule parkgoers respected on Sunday, according to police. Police Chief Mark Saunders said public drinking was a large part of the problem at the Queen Street West park, and unruly people were defecating and urinating near people's homes. "(Homeowners) certainly didn't buy to have people defecating in their laneways, in their backyards," Saunders said. "If you're going to be bringing beer here and then utilize someone else's house as a toilet, then there's a bit of self entitlement there." Saunders pointed out that people in other parks around the city were acting responsibly, and even people in other ends of Trinity Bellwoods Park were keeping their distance.
But police said that by Sunday, the crowds had eased significantly. City officials said they only issued four tickets at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday. They say their focus remains on educating the community. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Police did not immediately say how many tickets their officers issued.
City spokesman Brad Ross implored residents to take advantage of the city's many other parks rather than crowding and drinking together at some of the most popular destinations. Toronto officials say crowds eased at park flooded by thousands on Saturday "It became a bit of a party atmosphere frankly, and alcohol was a contributing factor to that," said Ross. "There are 1,500 parks in this city, use them please, but please do so responsibly." He added that there are no plans to close popular parks like Trinity Bellwoods, and said a recent closure of High Park in the city's west end was only done because the space's cherry blossoms attract massive crowds in the spring. Mayor John Tory went to the park on Saturday in what he said was an effort to educate people while trying to understand their behaviour.
But he faced criticism for adding to the crowd, and for failing to properly wear a mask — something he apologized for on Sunday evening. "I want to apologize for my personal behaviour yesterday. I visited Trinity Bellwoods Park to try to determine why things were the way they were," he said in a written statement. "I fully intended to properly physically distance but it was very difficult to do. I wore a mask into the park but I failed to use it properly, another thing I'm disappointed about." He said that going forward, he'll set a better example.


nationalobserver--2020-05-25--First Nations health authorities say they need more PPE

Indigenous health authorities that service Western Canadian First Nations say they are experiencing problems accessing enough medical and protective equipment needed to protect their citizens from COVID-19 .
Senior representatives from regional First Nations health authorities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia told a Commons committee Friday they need more personal protective equipment .
`` We have delays in accessing PPE , '' said Tara Campbell , executive director of the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority in Saskatchewan .
`` On-reserve populations ' PPE in Saskatchewan are distributed by the province and unfulfilled requests are then forward to the national emergency stockpile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as thermometers and testing supplies are not readily available and that nursing capacity `` remains a critical issue . ''
Campbell noted the key role that testing played in addressing an outbreak in the northern Saskatchewan community of La Loche earlier this month , where extensive door-to-door and mobile testing was done to identify and stop the spread of the virus .
`` By being able to test and get results sooner , we were able to isolate individuals to make sure that transmission was minimal , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in every community because testing supplies are limited . ''
Chief Charlene Belleau , chair of the First Nations Health Council of B.C.
, said access to PPE has also been a concern for First Nations across her province .
`` We also recognize the limitations across the country , but we are constantly advocating for PPE not only for our health care providers but also for our people that are providing security on the lines or at band offices , '' she told the committee .
The federal government has said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment to Indigenous communities to ensure they are able to protect their citizens and front line workers against the novel coronavirus .
First Nations health authorities tell Commons committee they need more PPE On Friday , Indigenous Services Canada tweeted that as of May 22 , it had shipped 845 orders of PPE to First Nations communities and had one order in progress .
But Conservative MP Bob Zimmer , who is the party 's Northern affairs critic , says the accounts coming from First Nations chiefs and advocates at committee over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical supplies are needed in many Indigenous communities .
`` It 's a federal responsibility to provide PPE to the Indigenous communities and it was supposed to be established that way .
We 're hearing of shortages across the board , across Canada , '' Zimmer said Friday .
Richard Jock , interim chief executive officer of British Columbia 's First Nations Health Authority , said his agency has developed a system to distribute PPE to its communities and regions to ensure there is a few weeks ' supply to try to prevent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to say that there 's a stockpile or an accumulated surplus , '' he said .
Bellau also noted a rising dispute in B.C .
about what level of government — federal , provincial or Indigenous — should pay the increased costs being incurred by First Nations that have hired security personnel to block or limit access to their communities to prevent outbreaks COVID-19 .
`` ( Indigenous Services Canada ) can not rely on First Nations utilizing our own resource revenue as a means of protecting our communities , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press was first published May 24 , 2020 .

Indigenous health authorities that service Western Canadian First Nations say they are experiencing problems accessing enough medical and protective equipment needed to protect their citizens from COVID-19. Senior representatives from regional First Nations health authorities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia told a Commons committee Friday they need more personal protective equipment. "We have delays in accessing PPE," said Tara Campbell, executive director of the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority in Saskatchewan. "On-reserve populations' PPE in Saskatchewan are distributed by the province and unfulfilled requests are then forward to the national emergency stockpile." She also said medical supplies such as thermometers and testing supplies are not readily available and that nursing capacity "remains a critical issue."
Campbell noted the key role that testing played in addressing an outbreak in the northern Saskatchewan community of La Loche earlier this month, where extensive door-to-door and mobile testing was done to identify and stop the spread of the virus. "By being able to test and get results sooner, we were able to isolate individuals to make sure that transmission was minimal," she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We aren't able to do this in every community because testing supplies are limited."
Chief Charlene Belleau, chair of the First Nations Health Council of B.C., said access to PPE has also been a concern for First Nations across her province. First Nations health authorities tell Commons committee they need more PPE "We also recognize the limitations across the country, but we are constantly advocating for PPE not only for our health care providers but also for our people that are providing security on the lines or at band offices," she told the committee. The federal government has said it has been delivering large amounts of protective equipment to Indigenous communities to ensure they are able to protect their citizens and front line workers against the novel coronavirus. On Friday, Indigenous Services Canada tweeted that as of May 22, it had shipped 845 orders of PPE to First Nations communities and had one order in progress. But Conservative MP Bob Zimmer, who is the party's Northern affairs critic, says the accounts coming from First Nations chiefs and advocates at committee over the last few weeks indicate more of these critical supplies are needed in many Indigenous communities.
"It's a federal responsibility to provide PPE to the Indigenous communities and it was supposed to be established that way. We're hearing of shortages across the board, across Canada," Zimmer said Friday. Richard Jock, interim chief executive officer of British Columbia's First Nations Health Authority, said his agency has developed a system to distribute PPE to its communities and regions to ensure there is a few weeks' supply to try to prevent critical shortages. But supplies are low.


nationalobserver--2020-05-25--Calgary homeless sleeping outdoors over fears of catching COVID-19

Gordon Kelter has something to fear more than not having a bed to sleep in at night — catching COVID-19 .
`` Worried about catching it ?
Are you kidding me ? ''
said Kelter as he searched behind some dumpsters for his backpack on a recent night in Calgary 's downtown East Village neighbourhood .
Kelter , who has been homeless for years , said he has started to sleep on a friend 's couch until the pandemic blows over .
He has slept in some awful places , including concrete parkades , he said .
But the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoiding shelters .
`` It 's not like I like to sleep on the streets .
It 's awful , '' he said .
`` I wo n't go near the Drop-In Centre .
The COVID really freaked me out . ''
In the drizzling rain one night last week , clusters of people were hunkered under bridges , behind restaurants , in doorways and across from the locked gates of the city 's Drop-In Centre .
Chaz Smith , founder of the not-for-profit Be The Change YYC homeless outreach team , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jake Tremblay .
They were wheeling a wagon full of bag lunches , including meal replacements , vitamin powder and granola .
They also handed out socks , emergency blankets , tarps and tents .
`` The tents and tarps are running bare .
We 've handed out about 50 tents the past little bit , '' Smith said , who was himself homeless for five years .
Those out on the streets now are scared , he said .
'It 's awful ' : Calgary homeless sleeping outdoors over fears of catching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small amount of rough sleepers who are sleeping outside overnight .
And now the majority of all the people you see are actually sleeping outside , '' he said .
`` When we ask why are n't you staying in shelters , they 'll just say either they ca n't get in or they 're afraid to catch COVID . ''
Across from the Drop-In Centre , wooden pallets piled with bedding lay under blue , white and green tarps tied to a chain-link fence .
Bicycles and overflowing shopping carts were locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was blaring .
One man , with blood flowing from a gash on his head , struggled to his feet and hobbled away while holding up his pants .
A woman under the tarps screamed at the outreach workers and threw bag lunches back at them .
`` What 's going on tonight ? ''
wondered Smith .
`` Everyone 's so negative . ''
There have been a total of 24 cases of COVID-19 at Calgary shelters since the pandemic began : 12 at the Drop-In Centre , 10 at Alpha House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ten people have recovered and 14 infections remain active .
Trisha Bearspaw was standing on a loading dock behind a shuttered restaurant .
The 35-year-old was homeless for 10 years and now lives in a group home , but continues to hang out downtown with her boyfriend , who is still on the streets .
She tested positive for COVID-19 and spent a week in hospital in early April , but says she is fully recovered .
`` It was crushing , like I could n't breath .
It felt like someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's how bad it was . ''

Gordon Kelter has something to fear more than not having a bed to sleep in at night — catching COVID-19. "Worried about catching it? Are you kidding me?" said Kelter as he searched behind some dumpsters for his backpack on a recent night in Calgary's downtown East Village neighbourhood. Kelter, who has been homeless for years, said he has started to sleep on a friend's couch until the pandemic blows over. He has slept in some awful places, including concrete parkades, he said. But the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus has him avoiding shelters. "It's not like I like to sleep on the streets. It's awful," he said.
"I won't go near the Drop-In Centre. The COVID really freaked me out." In the drizzling rain one night last week, clusters of people were hunkered under bridges, behind restaurants, in doorways and across from the locked gates of the city's Drop-In Centre. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Chaz Smith, founder of the not-for-profit Be The Change YYC homeless outreach team, was out walking with volunteers Chris Macnab and Jake Tremblay.
They were wheeling a wagon full of bag lunches, including meal replacements, vitamin powder and granola. They also handed out socks, emergency blankets, tarps and tents. 'It's awful': Calgary homeless sleeping outdoors over fears of catching COVID-19 "The tents and tarps are running bare. We've handed out about 50 tents the past little bit," Smith said, who was himself homeless for five years. Those out on the streets now are scared, he said. "We used to have a small amount of rough sleepers who are sleeping outside overnight. And now the majority of all the people you see are actually sleeping outside," he said. "When we ask why aren't you staying in shelters, they'll just say either they can't get in or they're afraid to catch COVID."
Across from the Drop-In Centre, wooden pallets piled with bedding lay under blue, white and green tarps tied to a chain-link fence. Bicycles and overflowing shopping carts were locked to the fence. Loud rap music was blaring. One man, with blood flowing from a gash on his head, struggled to his feet and hobbled away while holding up his pants. A woman under the tarps screamed at the outreach workers and threw bag lunches back at them. "What's going on tonight?" wondered Smith. "Everyone's so negative."