nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Intimate partner violence by the numbers

Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to enact Clare 's Law , with the aim of preventing domestic violence before it happens .
The law lets a person find out if a partner has a violent past and make informed decisions based on a risk assessment .
The region that stands to benefit the most per capita from Saskatchewan ’ s new law to prevent domestic violence could face steep challenges when it comes to accessing the legislation .
That ’ s because the RCMP , which polices the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District , isn ’ t participating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets onboard , northern residents will have to call the nearest municipal police force when there are none in the region .
In the case of someone living in Black Lake , for example , that would mean contacting the Prince Albert Police Service , 890 kilometres south by road .
That municipal police service might then need to contact the RCMP for information under its jurisdiction .
If you or someone you know are experiencing violence or abuse , crisis centres remain open at all hours .
If you are in danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full list of women ’ s shelters in Saskatchewan can be found on the PATHS website .

Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to enact Clare's Law, with the aim of preventing domestic violence before it happens. The law lets a person find out if a partner has a violent past and make informed decisions based on a risk assessment.
The region that stands to benefit the most per capita from Saskatchewan’s new law to prevent domestic violence could face steep challenges when it comes to accessing the legislation.
That’s because the RCMP, which polices the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, isn’t participating.
Saskatchewan had the highest rate of intimate-partner violence among provinces, with 655 victims per 100,000 people (5,919 victims from 2017 to 2018), Manitoba came in second, and Alberta third, according to the most recent available data from Statistics Canada. A report by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics shows that violent crime rates against young women and girls were highest in northern Saskatchewan, which stood at 13,886 victims per 100,000 population in 2017.
Rates in northern Saskatchewan were found to be six times higher than in southern areas of the province, and higher than all three territories, making it arguably the most dangerous place for women in Canada.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Trump upends Canadian students' plans

Trump upends Canadian students' plans

Tess Megginson has already signed an 11-month lease for a place near the University of North Carolina ’ s Chapel Hill campus .
She was planning to drive there from Ottawa at the end of the month to start her PhD candidacy on 20th-century European history .
But the Trump administration has thrown those plans into disarray with its latest immigration ruling , which says international students whose courses are conducted online-only in September will lose their status and would be required to either transfer or leave .
“ Right now , I ’ m confused , ” Megginson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I 'm really excited and a huge moment in my life , but it 's just stress right now .
I do n't know what 's going to happen.
” While Canadians often receive preferential treatment in the U.S. immigration system , it does not seem the northern neighbours have been spared this time .
“ My son happens to be a Canadian .
He 's a McGill grad and if he was coming over from Montreal to Harvard to take online courses , they would not let him over at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an immigration lawyer based in California .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump “ This rule has no nuance to it whatsoever , and it does n't make any sense , ” he added .
Megginson is one of tens of thousands of Canadian students enrolled at U.S. universities , and there are more than a million international students in the country overall .
Out of these , almost half are from China and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While her school is currently planning a hybrid model for its upcoming academic year , meaning some classes will be held in-person , Megginson worries that a worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic could force a change to that plan , leaving her stuck .
Nine per cent of U.S. colleges are planning to offer online-only education come September , according to the Chronicle of Higher Education , which is tracking the plans of about 1,090 colleges .
Sixty per cent are planning for in-person instruction , and almost a quarter are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and online .
The move is the latest in a string of efforts the Trump administration has made to limit the number of immigrants allowed into the United States , starting with a ban on entry to citizens of several Muslim-majority countries soon after he came to power .
Tens of thousands of Canadians study in the United States .
Trump 's latest effort to toughen immigration rules could snare some of them .
Last month , he extended a ban on immigration put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs .
“ It feels like this administration is using the whole COVID situation at every turn as a way to push their very xenophobic and restrictive immigration policies , ” said Alina Bykova , a Canadian studying at Stanford who counts herself lucky under current circumstances for having applied last year for a Green Card .
“ They 're effectively saying if you are an international student you either have to go to class and risk your health and your life or you have to get out of the country , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bykova considers herself lucky for applying for a Green Card late last year , meaning she is not affected by Trump 's latest move to tighten immigration rules .
Photo supplied by Alina Bykova Bykova is one of the 122,000 people who have signed a petition calling for the U.S. government to reverse the decision .
( A petition on the White House website meanwhile requires around 20,000 more signatures to hit the 100,000 target for an official response . )
And academics from across the United States are mobilizing to find ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new full-credit course offering @ UChicago for international students threatened by the ICE ruling , ” tweeted Mark Westneat , a professor of organismal biology and anatomy at the University of Chicago .
“ We will meet in person , fully distanced , on the athletic fields , for a lecture over the PA system , with readings and discussion on awesome biology.
” Well , it finally happened .
This # ICE International # StudentBan got me back into the “ organizing effective lobbying action via twitter ” game .
Want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can keep their visas ?
Here ’ s how to do it : THREAD.https : //t.co/k8xmv5dNyE 1/14 — Chris Marsicano ( @ ChrisMarsicano ) July 7 , 2020 The Canadian Federation of Students also spoke out about the latest U.S. move , saying it should be revoked .

Tess Megginson has already signed an 11-month lease for a place near the University of North Carolina’s Chapel Hill campus. She was planning to drive there from Ottawa at the end of the month to start her PhD candidacy on 20th-century European history. But the Trump administration has thrown those plans into disarray with its latest immigration ruling, which says international students whose courses are conducted online-only in September will lose their status and would be required to either transfer or leave. “Right now, I’m confused,” Megginson said. “This should be a time where I'm really excited and a huge moment in my life, but it's just stress right now. I don't know what's going to happen.” While Canadians often receive preferential treatment in the U.S. immigration system, it does not seem the northern neighbours have been spared this time. “My son happens to be a Canadian. He's a McGill grad and if he was coming over from Montreal to Harvard to take online courses, they would not let him over at the border,” said Carl Shusterman, an immigration lawyer based in California.
“This rule has no nuance to it whatsoever, and it doesn't make any sense,” he added. Megginson is one of tens of thousands of Canadian students enrolled at U.S. universities, and there are more than a million international students in the country overall. Out of these, almost half are from China and more than a quarter are from India. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Canadian government was not prepared to comment, pointing instead to the $21 billion annually that international students add to the Canadian economy.
“It’s for American leaders to speak to American policies and it wouldn’t be appropriate to speak to their policies,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in an emailed response to queries. “We’re aware of the developments in the United States and closely monitoring the situation.” Tens of thousands of Canadians study in the United States. Trump's latest effort to toughen immigration rules could snare some of them. While her school is currently planning a hybrid model for its upcoming academic year, meaning some classes will be held in-person, Megginson worries that a worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic could force a change to that plan, leaving her stuck. Nine per cent of U.S. colleges are planning to offer online-only education come September, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, which is tracking the plans of about 1,090 colleges. One of those is Harvard, which joined with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in filing a legal challenge (PDF) to the move on Wednesday. The top-ranking university told CNN the edict could effect around 5,000 international students.
Sixty per cent of U.S. institutions are planning for in-person instruction, and almost a quarter are looking at a hybrid model that blends in-person and online. The move is the latest in a string of efforts the Trump administration has made to limit the number of immigrants allowed into the United States, starting with a ban on entry to citizens of several Muslim-majority countries soon after he came to power. Last month, he extended a ban on immigration put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said was necessary to protect American jobs.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--RCMP privacy rules limit northern access to Clare's Law

“ If this new legislation and program can save even one life , it will be well worth the effort , ” Jo-Anne Dusel , executive director of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan ( PATHS ) , told Canada ’ s National Observer .
Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to enact Clare 's Law , with the aim of preventing domestic violence before it happens .
The law lets a person find out if a partner has a violent past and make informed decisions based on a risk assessment .
Advocates worry the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provincial domestic violence legislation could hurt northerners most and strain municipal police services .
But the RCMP , the only police force in the far north , hasn ’ t signed on because it says federal privacy laws do n't allow it to disclose that kind of information .
Women and girls in northern Saskatchewan are the most at risk for violent crimes and intimate partner violence in the country according to data from Statistics Canada .
Once the police force finishes its analysis of the file , it is transferred to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one month of the application .
Dusel explained that the process works by approaching a municipal police force and telling them you would like to make an application under Clare ’ s Law for information on an intimate partner for yourself , a close friend or family member .
Northern Saskatchewan faces a combination of the highest risk Canada and the RCMP 's inability to comply with Clare 's Law .
Photograph by Rochelle Baker .
In the case of someone living in Black Lake , for example , that would mean contacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kilometres south by road .
That municipal police service might then need to contact the RCMP for information under its jurisdiction .
“ Persons who think they are at risk are able to apply to a municipal police service for a Clare ’ s Law application , ” the justice minister 's spokesperson Marieka Andrew told Canada ’ s National Observer .
At least for now , northerners wanting to make applications through Clare ’ s Law will need to contact their nearest municipal police force , none of which are in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second from right ) with First Nations , Métis and Northern Affairs minister Lori Carr in her riding of Estevan .
Photograph courtesy of Premier Scott Moe .
“ We hope that by implementing Clare ’ s Law we can inform those at risk and help protect them from potential violence and abuse , ” Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said .
Saskatchewan 's new legislation is modelled after “ Clare ’ s Law ” in the United Kingdom , named after a young woman killed by a boyfriend with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman at knifepoint for 12 hours .
Also , the RCMP said criminal convictions are public information and already accessible .
The Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement that it remains “ committed to helping ” anyone with domestic violence concerns “ through processes that have always existed for the RCMP , ” such as calling 911 or filing a report .
The red line indicates the boundary between the North and the South within the provinces .
The boundaries between the provinces and the territories are indicated with white lines .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each province and territory are included in the map .
Source : Statistics Canada .
“ Intimate partner violence is extremely underreported… We know that just because there isn ’ t something in a police report or any convictions does not mean that that person would not use violence in a relationship , ” she said .
Dusel said she was consulted on the legislation and was involved in developing training programs for police units in Saskatchewan .
“ Some research would suggest one in five , but my anecdotal experience as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about one in 10 of the women who came and stayed at the shelter involved the police in their case , ” Dusel said .
She said the extra strain of having to deal with an out of area police service is real and adds to the problem , but she ’ s hopeful the RCMP will change its tune .
“ When the news first broke , it sort of sounded like the RCMP were just opting out .
Now what we ’ re hearing is that maybe they ’ re still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Dusel said .
Dusel said that northern residents will need to work through already overwhelmed municipal police services hundreds of kilometres away as they process files outside their jurisdictions .
“ I know that there is some concern about the potential for a real burden on some of the municipal police forces , but they ’ re not going to deny the service , ” Dusel said .
Dusel noted that many rural , remote and northern residents do not have access to private phonelines or the internet and rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Statistics Canada , northern Saskatchewan has the highest per capita rates of violence against women and girls in Canada — six times higher than the rest of the province and higher than the territories when looked at separately from the southern part of the province .
Front-line workers reported that calls to women ’ s shelters initially dropped during the pandemic , likely because of fears related to maintaining social-distancing guidelines .
But that pointed to something darker as calls for support services went up .
“ What we ’ re seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment and safety planning , but calls to actually come into the shelter are down , ” Dusel told Canada ’ s National Observer in April .
“ We know that rural and remote areas experience higher rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide already , part of that potentially being that lack of access to services nearby .
So when you throw in this pandemic into the mix , there are additional challenges , ” Dusel said .
Clare ’ s Law is being considered in the neighbouring province of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of intimate partner violence in northern areas patrolled by the RCMP .
Manitoba ’ s conservative government has also been vocal in support of such legislation , but has yet to make good on its promise .
“ Given that Saskatchewan is not the only province that is looking at implementing Clare 's Law across the country , having a national police force not involved does n't make a lot of sense , ” Dusel said .
The justice minister 's office told Canada ’ s National Observer that it has asked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation in Clare ’ s Law .
“ We remain hopeful that the RCMP will assist residents with their interpersonal violence concerns , ” Andrew said .
In a written release , the RCMP said it “ is continuing to look into the matter , and considering how best it can support Clare 's Law objectives within its obligations under the federal Privacy Act.
” But the Saskatchewan government said information released to Clare ’ s Law applicants is subject to a stringent review process to ensure the disclosure does not violate privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not victims and survivors decide to report violence to police , they can reach out to local victim services , shelters , cultural and community health centres , Indigenous friendship centres and other community centres for support .
Dusel said that victim services through the RCMP might be able to assist in terms of access to phones or internet and that if there is a women ’ s shelter nearby , to go to them and request help with the application .
“ Go somewhere in your community and ask for support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police force is nearest and work through the process that way .
If there ’ s a shelter , you can get assistance there for working through the process , ” Dusel said .
“ Any person who makes the application will be connected with services so that they can discuss what ’ s going on , make a safety plan for themselves and they can have an idea of what to watch out for in the future.
” The justice ministry added that residents in regions policed by the RCMP should approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or situations requiring protection .
The RCMP can then link individuals to victim services in their jurisdictions .
Saskatchewan has one Indigenous police service , which operates in the southern part of the province .
The File Hills First Nations Police Service is the same as a municipal police force for these purposes .
If you or someone you know are experiencing violence or abuse , crisis centres remain open at all hours .
If you are in danger , you can call 911 .
A full list of women ’ s shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PATHS website .

Dusel explained that the process works by approaching a municipal police force and telling them you would like to make an application under Clare’s Law for information on an intimate partner for yourself, a close friend or family member.
Northern Saskatchewan faces a combination of the highest risk Canada and the RCMP's inability to comply with Clare's Law. Photograph by Rochelle Baker.
“If this new legislation and program can save even one life, it will be well worth the effort,” Jo-Anne Dusel, executive director of the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS), told Canada’s National Observer.
Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to enact Clare's Law, with the aim of preventing domestic violence before it happens. The law lets a person find out if a partner has a violent past and make informed decisions based on a risk assessment.
Advocates worry the RCMP's refusal to participate in new provincial domestic violence legislation could hurt northerners most and strain municipal police services.
But the RCMP, the only police force in the far north, hasn’t signed on because it says federal privacy laws don't allow it to disclose that kind of information.
Once the police force finishes its analysis of the file, it is transferred to a multi-sectoral committee for review and disclosure within one month of the application.
“We hope that by implementing Clare’s Law we can inform those at risk and help protect them from potential violence and abuse,” Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said.
Saskatchewan's new legislation is modelled after “Clare’s Law” in the United Kingdom, named after a young woman killed by a boyfriend with an undisclosed six-year conviction for holding another woman at knifepoint for 12 hours.
Also, the RCMP said criminal convictions are public information and already accessible.
The Saskatchewan RCMP said in a statement that it remains “committed to helping” anyone with domestic violence concerns “through processes that have always existed for the RCMP,” such as calling 911 or filing a report.
The red line indicates the boundary between the North and the South within the provinces. The boundaries between the provinces and the territories are indicated with white lines. The locations and names of the capitals in each province and territory are included in the map. Source: Statistics Canada.
“Persons who think they are at risk are able to apply to a municipal police service for a Clare’s Law application,” the justice minister's spokesperson Marieka Andrew told Canada’s National Observer.
At least for now, northerners wanting to make applications through Clare’s Law will need to contact their nearest municipal police force, none of which are in the north.
Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe (second from right) with First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs minister Lori Carr in her riding of Estevan. Photograph courtesy of Premier Scott Moe.
In the case of someone living in Black Lake, for example, that would mean contacting the Prince Albert Police Service, 890 kilometres south by road. That municipal police service might then need to contact the RCMP for information under its jurisdiction.
Dusel said she was consulted on the legislation and was involved in developing training programs for police units in Saskatchewan.
“Intimate partner violence is extremely underreported… We know that just because there isn’t something in a police report or any convictions does not mean that that person would not use violence in a relationship,” she said.
Map of emergency domestic violence shelters, second stage shelters and domestic violence counselling programs in Saskatchewan. Source: Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan.
“Some research would suggest one in five, but my anecdotal experience as a shelter worker for 20 years was that about one in 10 of the women who came and stayed at the shelter involved the police in their case,” Dusel said.
She said the extra strain of having to deal with an out of area police service is real and adds to the problem, but she’s hopeful the RCMP will change its tune.
“When the news first broke, it sort of sounded like the RCMP were just opting out. Now what we’re hearing is that maybe they’re still considering working on this in the future,” Dusel said.
Dusel said that northern residents will need to work through already overwhelmed municipal police services hundreds of kilometres away as they process files outside their jurisdictions.
“I know that there is some concern about the potential for a real burden on some of the municipal police forces, but they’re not going to deny the service,” Dusel said.
Dusel noted that many rural, remote and northern residents do not have access to private phonelines or the internet and rely on one-on-one contact to file reports.
An increase in calls for support correlated to a decrease in calls to go in to women';s shelters during the pandemic. Photograph from Shutterstock.
According to Statistics Canada, northern Saskatchewan has the highest per capita rates of violence against women and girls in Canada — six times higher than the rest of the province and higher than the territories when looked at separately from the southern part of the province.
Front-line workers reported that calls to women’s shelters initially dropped during the pandemic, likely because of fears related to maintaining social-distancing guidelines. But that pointed to something darker as calls for support services went up.
“What we’re seeing is an increase in calls for support assessment and safety planning, but calls to actually come into the shelter are down,” Dusel told Canada’s National Observer in April.
“We know that rural and remote areas experience higher rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide already, part of that potentially being that lack of access to services nearby. So when you throw in this pandemic into the mix, there are additional challenges,” Dusel said.
Clare’s Law is being considered in the neighbouring province of Alberta, which also has high rates of intimate partner violence in northern areas patrolled by the RCMP.
Manitoba’s conservative government has also been vocal in support of such legislation, but has yet to make good on its promise.
Newfoundland and Labrador introduced legislation in 2019 for a Clare's Law protocol to be developed.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. Photograph by Canadian Press.
“Given that Saskatchewan is not the only province that is looking at implementing Clare's Law across the country, having a national police force not involved doesn't make a lot of sense,” Dusel said.
The justice minister's office told Canada’s National Observer that it has asked the RCMP to review its decision regarding full participation in Clare’s Law.
“We remain hopeful that the RCMP will assist residents with their interpersonal violence concerns,” Andrew said.
In a written release, the RCMP said it “is continuing to look into the matter, and considering how best it can support Clare's Law objectives within its obligations under the federal Privacy Act.”
But the Saskatchewan government said information released to Clare’s Law applicants is subject to a stringent review process to ensure the disclosure does not violate privacy legislation.
The RCMP said that whether or not victims and survivors decide to report violence to police, they can reach out to local victim services, shelters, cultural and community health centres, Indigenous friendship centres and other community centres for support.
Dusel said that victim services through the RCMP might be able to assist in terms of access to phones or internet and that if there is a women’s shelter nearby, to go to them and request help with the application.
The La Ronge Native Women’s Council, which governs Piwapan Women’s Centre in La Ronge. Staff cover 13 northern communities and provide outreach services in remote areas sometimes called "shelter deserts." Ts’ekwi K’oni Koe (A place to protect women) in Black Lake remains the only emergency domestic violence shelter north of La Ronge since it opened in 2019. Photograph courtesy of John Sanderson.
“Go somewhere in your community and ask for support in making a call to whatever municipal police force is nearest and work through the process that way. If there’s a shelter, you can get assistance there for working through the process,” Dusel said.
“Any person who makes the application will be connected with services so that they can discuss what’s going on, make a safety plan for themselves and they can have an idea of what to watch out for in the future.”
The justice ministry added that residents in regions policed by the RCMP should approach their local detachment with any emergency circumstances or situations requiring protection. The RCMP can then link individuals to victim services in their jurisdictions.
Saskatchewan has one Indigenous police service, which operates in the southern part of the province. The File Hills First Nations Police Service is the same as a municipal police force for these purposes.
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer
If you or someone you know are experiencing violence or abuse, crisis centres remain open at all hours. If you are in danger, you can call 911. A full list of women’s shelters in Saskatchewan can be found on the PATHS website.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Pandemic spotlights food system reforms needed to prepare for climate change

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed much about our food system .
Most people have seen the headlines : more than 1,000 cases at a single beef-packing plant , farmers dumping milk , potatoes deteriorating in storehouses , and farmworkers falling ill by the hundreds .
More importantly , this crisis has revealed our vulnerability to the coming one — the much larger climate crisis .
In preparing for that crisis , we can learn from our experience with COVID-19 : Heed the advice of experts and act early .
The pandemic has shown the need for clear government leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The pandemic has one more lesson : It is important to “ flatten the curve.
” How does this apply to climate change ?
The curve for atmospheric carbon dioxide ( CO ) concentrations has gone exponential .
The graph below shows global atmospheric CO concentrations from 1900 to 2020 .
The graph shows how much CO is in the atmosphere and , thus , how much warming we can expect .
If we do not flatten this curve and push it continuously downward , we will unleash levels of death , disruption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surpass those of the pandemic .
But this need not be a wholly negative message .
We are showing , right now , around the world , that rapid , concerted action can push back deadly perils .
Action can work .
But inaction , in the face of viral or climate threats , is deadly .
If we combine what we know about likely impacts of climate change with the lesson of COVID-19 , we can begin to formulate plans for resilient , revitalized food production systems .
To enable the farms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacts of climate change , to reduce climate-disrupting emissions from those farms , and to support adequate farm incomes , we must rapidly implement several policy reforms : `` Ill-conceived government and corporate policies have , since 1991 , pushed nearly a third of farm families off the land . ''
1 .
Governments must refocus their agricultural policies away from maximum-export , maximum-production , maximum-input , maximum-emission farm and food systems and toward sustainability and resilience .
Reducing farmers ’ overdependence on petroleum-intensive fertilizers , chemicals , and other inputs can reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nitrogen fertilizer is the largest single source of agricultural emissions .
Nitrogen fertilizer is unique among human processes and materials in that it is a major source of all three of the main greenhouse gases : carbon dioxide ( in production ) , nitrous oxide ( in use ) , and methane ( from its natural gas feedstock ) .
Canadian farmers have doubled nitrogen tonnage since 1993 ; emissions are up as a result .
We must flatten such curves and bend them downward if farmers are to contribute to efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Governments must hire and train large numbers of independent extension agrologists to help farmers find production-sustaining alternatives to high-emission fertilizers and other inputs .
Governments must also create demonstration farms where productive , income-supporting , low-emission approaches can be refined and showcased .
3 .
We need new agencies .
One example would be a Canadian Farm Resilience Agency ( CFRA ) .
Modelled on the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration ( PFRA ) born out of the 1930s dustbowl , but updated for the 21st century and emerging climate threats , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , oversee wetlands restoration and tree planting , manage extension agrologists and independent soil testing , and operate demonstration farms .
4 .
We must diversify food production approaches .
Large-scale farming will likely continue on most of Canada ’ s farmland , but we must increase the area farmed using low-input , organic , holistic , regenerative , and agroecological methods .
Moreover , government policies must support and encourage all farmers in moving all farms , big and small , toward climate-compatible , low-emission production models .
5 .
Soil health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and carbon are more fertile , hold more water , and are a critical part of climate change adaptation and resilience .
Government-funded research and education along with incentives within farm-support programs can support and accelerate soil-building practices by farmers .
6 .
Livestock systems must be transformed so that they maximize benefits ( soil building , supporting grassland ecosystems , and functioning as integrated parts of biodiverse , mixed farms ) while simultaneously minimizing emissions .
7 .
We must fix the farm income problem .
Realized net farm income from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) is not far above zero ( $ 16 per acre , on average , in 2019 ) .
Farm debt is on track to hit $ 170 billion this decade .
Massive debt and inadequate income make farmers hyper-vulnerable to climate impacts , such as floods , droughts , and violent storms .
8 .
It is critical to change the structure of the agri-food sector so that we can increase the number of farmers stewarding the land , create desirable careers throughout the food system , and revive rural communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers to be pushed off the land in a generation .
Reversing such trends must be among governments ’ top priorities as they revamp all aspects of agricultural policies .
We need young farmers , new farmers , and more farmers .
9 .
The federal government must lead in helping farmers reduce emissions from buildings , machinery , and fuels .
Governments must accelerate on-farm renewable-energy production ; the development of low-emission battery-electric trucks , tractors , and other farm equipment ; and energy-conserving retrofits of farm buildings .
10 .
Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new foundation of food sovereignty : Local and regional food systems democratically shaped by the needs of producers , consumers , and communities , and focused on sustainability , resilience , justice , and the dependable provision of delicious , healthy food for all .
Like all human systems , agriculture must be restructured and transformed if we are to thrive during the 21st century .
The pandemic ’ s lessons are clear , and we know what we must do to prepare for climate change and avoid its worst effects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build food systems that will be flexible and strong enough to withstand future crises .
We need to flatten curves , decentralize systems , diversify approaches , build capacity to withstand shocks , regionalize supply chains , support essential workers , and reduce susceptibility to risk .
COVID-19 is a moment of reckoning , but a much larger and potentially more lethal reckoning looms .

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed much about our food system. Most people have seen the headlines: more than 1,000 cases at a single beef-packing plant, farmers dumping milk, potatoes deteriorating in storehouses, and farmworkers falling ill by the hundreds. More importantly, this crisis has revealed our vulnerability to the coming one — the much larger climate crisis. In preparing for that crisis, we can learn from our experience with COVID-19: Heed the advice of experts and act early. The pandemic has shown the need for clear government leadership, and strong, resilient supply chains. The pandemic has one more lesson: It is important to “flatten the curve.” How does this apply to climate change? The curve for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations has gone exponential. The graph below shows global atmospheric CO 2 concentrations from 1900 to 2020. The graph shows how much CO 2 is in the atmosphere and, thus, how much warming we can expect. If we do not flatten this curve and push it continuously downward, we will unleash levels of death, disruption, and economic carnage that will far surpass those of the pandemic. But this need not be a wholly negative message. We are showing, right now, around the world, that rapid, concerted action can push back deadly perils. Action can work. But inaction, in the face of viral or climate threats, is deadly.
Policy remedies for farms and food systems The pandemic is hitting Canadian farms and food systems weakened by pre-existing conditions. Ill-conceived government and corporate policies have, since 1991, pushed nearly a third of farm families off the land, and two thirds of young farmers (those under 35). "Ill-conceived government and corporate policies have, since 1991, pushed nearly a third of farm families off the land." High input costs and low product prices have eroded net incomes, forcing many farmers to rely on taxpayer-funded support programs — more than $116 billion in total subsidies since 1985. Farm debt, now $115 billion, has doubled since 2000. Corporate control and concentration are extreme, with two to four corporations controlling nearly every link of the food chain upstream and downstream of farmers. Governments have dismantled marketing agencies, regulatory bodies, and policy frameworks that previously helped balance power between farm families and agribusiness transnationals and restrained the profit-reaping powers of the latter.
If we combine what we know about likely impacts of climate change with the lesson of COVID-19, we can begin to formulate plans for resilient, revitalized food production systems. To enable the farms that produce our food to withstand the impacts of climate change, to reduce climate-disrupting emissions from those farms, and to support adequate farm incomes, we must rapidly implement several policy reforms: 1. Governments must refocus their agricultural policies away from maximum-export, maximum-production, maximum-input, maximum-emission farm and food systems and toward sustainability and resilience. Reducing farmers’ overdependence on petroleum-intensive fertilizers, chemicals, and other inputs can reduce emissions and raise net incomes.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Jagmeet Singh, Elizabeth May urge Trudeau to help women and immigrants hurt by COVID-19

Recent immigrants saw jobs disappear quicker and rebound more slowly than Canadian-born people this spring , while child-care centre closures meant that women dealt with more unpaid work at home and saw their job performance suffer , according to a new federal analysis out Wednesday .
The analysis was released as part of the federal government ’ s “ economic and fiscal snapshot ” of its pandemic relief efforts .
The findings demonstrate that , across a range of different indicators , women , women with children under 18 years , and recent immigrants were all disproportionately impacted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that people , to get back to work , need child care , and this is a crisis moment for a lot of people , ” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh , the MP for Burnaby South , in remarks to media on Wednesday morning before Finance Minister Bill Morneau presented the snapshot .
“ We know that the pandemic has hit women more than men , and the recovery will mean that more men will go back to work , and less women , unless we address this issue of child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands , also noted that “ it is evident that Finance Canada understands that economic recovery will depend on secure and affordable child care and better paid sick leave.
” She called on the government to continue spending levels and `` keep partisanship out of this . ''
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada Morneau acknowledged Wednesday that women have been “ harder hit ” through the course of the pandemic , “ and our measures therefore need to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care .
He said the government was in talks with provinces about a safe restart .
Families , Children and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said in Parliament that the government was committed to helping parents access “ safe , affordable , accessible and quality child care , ” and that it wants to create 250,000 additional child-care spaces in before- and after-school programs .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives a press conference in Parliament on July 8 , 2020 .
Photo by Kamara Morozuk The government said 5.5 million Canadians , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either lost their jobs or “ saw their hours significantly scaled back over March and April ” before employment rebounded by 290,000 in May .
But while COVID-19 affected all Canadians in some form , the impacts vary widely across demographics .
Recent immigrants , for example , “ have been hit hard by the labour market impacts of COVID-19 , ” stated the government ’ s snapshot document .
Recent immigrants saw jobs disappear quicker , rebound more slowly than Canadian-born people this spring , while child care closures meant that women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and saw their job performance suffer , says a new federal analysis : Just under a quarter of landed immigrants applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit between mid-March and mid-May , it said , compared to less than a fifth of those born in Canada .
As well , from February to April , employment among recent immigrants dropped more dramatically than those born in Canada , and while Canadian-born people saw employment rise again in May , there was no such rebound for those who have been in Canada five years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May and June revealed that 34 per cent of people who identify as white said they lost their jobs , or had their hours cut , compared to 40 per cent of those identifying as Southeast Asian , 40 per cent Korean , 42 per cent Filipino , and 47 per cent West Asian .
In the context of a health crisis like COVID-19 , it means women , immigrants and racialized people are more exposed .
Nurse aides and orderlies , for example , are overwhelmingly women , at 86 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and racialized than other occupations , in particular Black and Filipino .
There is “ early evidence ” from some cities that racialized people are overrepresented among COVID-19 cases , the government said .
As an example , it pointed to Ottawa Public Health ’ s confirmation that 66 per cent of the cases in Ottawa since early May are from racialized groups .
Finance Minister Bill Morneau appears on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 8 , 2020 as the government presented a fiscal `` snapshot '' of its COVID-19 relief effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also “ leading the charge as front-line workers in many settings , including in hospitals and long-term care homes , although this comes with a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 , ” it said .
While women and men basically split cumulative job losses between February and April , “ employment increased more than twice as fast among men than among women ” in May , the analysis stated .
Almost a fifth of women , 18 per cent , who are in the core age group of 25 to 54 , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half their typical hours compared with 14 per cent of men .
The trend seen in pre-COVID-19 Canadian society , that women take on a larger share of unpaid work at home caring for children , appears not to have changed during the pandemic .
“ Closures of schools and child-care services during COVID-19 increased the amount of unpaid work in the home , which is disproportionately carried out by women , ” the document stated .
“ There is evidence that this has greatly affected employed women ’ s job performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployed women ’ s ability to return to work or find work , especially when child care is unavailable.
” The government ’ s fiscal “ snapshot ” showed that the federal deficit was projected to be $ 343 billion this year .
Government figures showed Ottawa has committed least $ 212 billion in “ direct support ” to businesses and individuals , alongside another $ 85 billion in taxes and customs deferrals , and other programs .
Federal ministers argued the government ’ s emergency benefit and wage subsidy helped 11 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of public health orders .
“ When the pandemic first hit , a lot of people lost their jobs overnight .
They didn ’ t know how they were going to feed their families or pay their bills .
Faced with this unprecedented challenge , our government had two options , ” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday morning .
“ We could sit back , let Canadians fend for themselves , and hope it would all be over soon , or we could swiftly and substantially choose to support Canadians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

Recent immigrants saw jobs disappear quicker and rebound more slowly than Canadian-born people this spring, while child-care centre closures meant that women dealt with more unpaid work at home and saw their job performance suffer, according to a new federal analysis out Wednesday. The analysis was released as part of the federal government’s “economic and fiscal snapshot” of its pandemic relief efforts. The findings demonstrate that, across a range of different indicators, women, women with children under 18 years, and recent immigrants were all disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Canada. “We know that people, to get back to work, need child care, and this is a crisis moment for a lot of people,” said NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, the MP for Burnaby South, in remarks to media on Wednesday morning before Finance Minister Bill Morneau presented the snapshot. “We know that the pandemic has hit women more than men, and the recovery will mean that more men will go back to work, and less women, unless we address this issue of child care.” Green Party Parliamentary Leader Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands, also noted that “it is evident that Finance Canada understands that economic recovery will depend on secure and affordable child care and better paid sick leave.” She called on the government to continue spending levels and "keep partisanship out of this."
Morneau acknowledged Wednesday that women have been “harder hit” through the course of the pandemic, “and our measures therefore need to consider that challenge,” including through child care. He said the government was in talks with provinces about a safe restart. Families, Children and Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said in Parliament that the government was committed to helping parents access “safe, affordable, accessible and quality child care,” and that it wants to create 250,000 additional child-care spaces in before- and after-school programs. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives a press conference in Parliament on July 8, 2020. Photo by Kamara Morozuk
5.5 million Canadians lost jobs or saw hours cut The government said 5.5 million Canadians, or 30 per cent of the workforce, either lost their jobs or “saw their hours significantly scaled back over March and April” before employment rebounded by 290,000 in May. Recent immigrants saw jobs disappear quicker, rebound more slowly than Canadian-born people this spring, while child care closures meant that women dealt with more unpaid work at home and saw their job performance suffer, says a new federal analysis: But while COVID-19 affected all Canadians in some form, the impacts vary widely across demographics. Recent immigrants, for example, “have been hit hard by the labour market impacts of COVID-19,” stated the government’s snapshot document. Just under a quarter of landed immigrants applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit between mid-March and mid-May, it said, compared to less than a fifth of those born in Canada. As well, from February to April, employment among recent immigrants dropped more dramatically than those born in Canada, and while Canadian-born people saw employment rise again in May, there was no such rebound for those who have been in Canada five years or less.
A crowdsourced survey over May and June revealed that 34 per cent of people who identify as white said they lost their jobs, or had their hours cut, compared to 40 per cent of those identifying as Southeast Asian, 40 per cent Korean, 42 per cent Filipino, and 47 per cent West Asian. In the context of a health crisis like COVID-19, it means women, immigrants and racialized people are more exposed. Nurse aides and orderlies, for example, are overwhelmingly women, at 86 per cent, and more likely to be immigrants and racialized than other occupations, in particular Black and Filipino. There is “early evidence” from some cities that racialized people are overrepresented among COVID-19 cases, the government said. As an example, it pointed to Ottawa Public Health’s confirmation that 66 per cent of the cases in Ottawa since early May are from racialized groups.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Oilsands enjoying change in fortunes?

Oilsands enjoying change in fortunes?

Oilsands companies are restoring thousands of barrels of daily production to take advantage of higher oil prices as relaxed pandemic measures allow North American consumers to get back on the road .
Executives speaking at a TD Securities energy conference on Tuesday said they are confident the oil price crisis is subsiding — while expressing dismay at recent setbacks for oil pipelines in the United States .
`` I believe we 've made it by far through the worst of the situation and , as we see commodity prices grow , we 're seeing a strong price signal to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CEO of Cenovus Energy Inc .
The Calgary-based company stopped about 60,000 barrels per day of crude production and halted crude-by-rail shipments as prices fell in March and April , but has since restored about half that , Pourbaix reported .
Cenovus is also making deals with other producers to add to the amount it is permitted to bring to market under Alberta 's oil curtailment measures , he added , thus allowing even more output to be restored .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suncor Energy Inc. CEO Mark Little said he expects a `` downstream-led recovery '' as consumer demand sparks increased throughput from its Canadian refineries .
That consumer-led demand will then translate into more production from its oilsands and other `` upstream '' assets .
He did n't say when he expects to reverse Suncor 's oil production cuts , which included going to one production train from two at its 194,000-barrel-per-day capacity Fort Hills oilsands mine .
Husky Energy Inc. has restored about 40,000 bpd of the 80,000 bpd in oil production it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at its U.S. refineries rises , said chief financial officer Jeff Hart at the conference .
`` We continue now to bring up both our upstream and downstream production in concert with one another and in concert with where we see the end demand , '' he said , noting full restoration is expected in July or August .
The recovery in consumer demand is boosting confidence at Imperial Oil Ltd. as well , CEO Brad Corson told the conference , without giving production specifics .
He said his company , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corp. , is seeing strong markets for its gasoline and diesel products , but jet fuel demand remains about 70 per cent lower than it was at this time last year .
Oilsands companies are restoring thousands of barrels of daily production to take advantage of higher oil prices as relaxed pandemic measures allow North American consumers to get back on the road .
Imperial and Suncor both own refineries in Eastern Canada that have been affected by disruptions on Enbridge Inc. 's Line 5 pipeline through the Great Lakes .
Enbridge shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month after noticing a disturbance to an anchor support on its underwater east leg in the Straits of Mackinac .
The west leg was restarted , then ordered shut down by a judge at the request of state Attorney General Dana Nessel ( who has also asked for a preliminary injunction that could keep Line 5 closed indefinitely ) .
Last week , the judge allowed the west leg to reopen but the other leg remains closed until more testing is completed .
Suncor 's Little said ongoing efforts by Michigan state politicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental damage if it leaks pose a `` huge potential threat '' for consumers in Michigan as well as Ontario and Quebec .
He said Suncor has the option to use rail and ships to transport oil to its refineries at Sarnia , Ont.
, and Montreal , but that drives up costs and will have an affect on consumers .
Corson said Line 5 is `` integral '' to getting crude to its Ontario refineries at Sarnia and Nanticoke but the company has developed a contingency plan using rail and ships in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the three-year-old Dakota Access pipeline that takes oil from North Dakota to an Illinois hub must shut down by Aug. 5 because a crucial federal permit fell short of National Environmental Policy Act requirements .
If the pipeline is closed , it would affect Calgary-based Enerplus Corp. , which produced 50,872 barrels of oil equivalent per day in North Dakota in the fourth quarter of last year .

Oilsands companies are restoring thousands of barrels of daily production to take advantage of higher oil prices as relaxed pandemic measures allow North American consumers to get back on the road. Executives speaking at a TD Securities energy conference on Tuesday said they are confident the oil price crisis is subsiding — while expressing dismay at recent setbacks for oil pipelines in the United States. "I believe we've made it by far through the worst of the situation and, as we see commodity prices grow, we're seeing a strong price signal to bring production back," said Alex Pourbaix, CEO of Cenovus Energy Inc. The Calgary-based company stopped about 60,000 barrels per day of crude production and halted crude-by-rail shipments as prices fell in March and April, but has since restored about half that, Pourbaix reported. Cenovus is also making deals with other producers to add to the amount it is permitted to bring to market under Alberta's oil curtailment measures, he added, thus allowing even more output to be restored.
In a separate session, Suncor Energy Inc. CEO Mark Little said he expects a "downstream-led recovery" as consumer demand sparks increased throughput from its Canadian refineries. That consumer-led demand will then translate into more production from its oilsands and other "upstream" assets. He didn't say when he expects to reverse Suncor's oil production cuts, which included going to one production train from two at its 194,000-barrel-per-day capacity Fort Hills oilsands mine. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Husky Energy Inc. has restored about 40,000 bpd of the 80,000 bpd in oil production it took offline as demand for products produced at its U.S. refineries rises, said chief financial officer Jeff Hart at the conference.
"We continue now to bring up both our upstream and downstream production in concert with one another and in concert with where we see the end demand," he said, noting full restoration is expected in July or August. Oilsands companies are restoring thousands of barrels of daily production to take advantage of higher oil prices as relaxed pandemic measures allow North American consumers to get back on the road. The recovery in consumer demand is boosting confidence at Imperial Oil Ltd. as well, CEO Brad Corson told the conference, without giving production specifics. He said his company, which is 69.6 per cent owned by Exxon Mobil Corp., is seeing strong markets for its gasoline and diesel products, but jet fuel demand remains about 70 per cent lower than it was at this time last year. Imperial and Suncor both own refineries in Eastern Canada that have been affected by disruptions on Enbridge Inc.'s Line 5 pipeline through the Great Lakes. Enbridge shut down both legs of the pipeline last month after noticing a disturbance to an anchor support on its underwater east leg in the Straits of Mackinac.
The west leg was restarted, then ordered shut down by a judge at the request of state Attorney General Dana Nessel (who has also asked for a preliminary injunction that could keep Line 5 closed indefinitely). Last week, the judge allowed the west leg to reopen but the other leg remains closed until more testing is completed. Suncor's Little said ongoing efforts by Michigan state politicians to retire Line 5 over fears of environmental damage if it leaks pose a "huge potential threat" for consumers in Michigan as well as Ontario and Quebec.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Groups 'shocked' by minister's approach

Groups 'shocked' by minister's approach

A coalition of groups devoted to eliminating gender-based violence across Canada is urging Ottawa and Nova Scotia to refrain from using a restorative justice approach for a promised inquiry into the mass killing that claimed 22 lives in the Maritime province .
In a letter addressed to the prime minister , Nova Scotia 's premier and several cabinet ministers , the group insists such an approach would undermine the need for an independent , fully transparent public inquiry .
`` We were shocked to see media reports that the launch of an inquiry into the April 2020 massacre in Nova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to graft a 'restorative approach ' onto the traditional federal-provincial public inquiry , '' says the letter , signed by more than two dozen groups and obtained by The Canadian Press .
Restorative justice is a process that focuses on addressing the harm caused by crime by offering those involved — victims , offenders and public officials — the opportunity to meet and discuss healing and reparation outside the regular criminal justice system .
The letter says the group , which includes Women 's Shelters Canada and the National Association of Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the restorative justice process in this case because hearings are typically held in private and there is no mechanism to compel witnesses to testify .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada `` The public outcry for an inquiry was not a demand to have discrete groups of affected individuals participate in a series of private meetings , '' the letter says .
`` The families and individuals who lost loved ones as a result of this massacre , the women and children who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada , and the Canadian public traumatized by ... ( the ) mass killing are entitled to the full and public justice of an inquiry that ensures public accessibility ... public accountability and transparency . ''
Public hearings are central to the concept of a public inquiry , said Deepa Mattoo , executive director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic in Toronto , a specialized counselling and legal clinic for women experiencing violence .
`` Unfortunately , a restorative approach without a proper ... transparent approach would mean lack of accountability from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
`` I think any process that can delay a thorough , transparent public inquiry should be put on hold and not considered at this point .
Canadians deserve a clear process for accountability at this stage . ''
On another front , the letter points out that Nova Scotia has imposed a moratorium on the use of the restorative justice model to deal with offences involving domestic or sexual violence .
A coalition of groups devoted to eliminating gender-based violence across Canada is urging Ottawa and Nova Scotia to refrain from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised inquiry into the mass killing that claimed 22 lives in the Maritime `` We question whether the use of a restorative approach in this instance is a breach of this moratorium , '' the letter says .
Last week , Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey said the provincial and federal governments were ironing out details of how the inquiry would work , but he said there were delays because of `` technicalities and legalities . ''
Furey has said the inquiry or review must have certain features common to public inquiries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compel witnesses to testify and the ability to make recommendations to hold public agencies accountable for their actions .
And he has said the investigation could take the form of a traditional federal-provincial public inquiry led by an independent commissioner .
However , Furey indicated last week that some sort of hybrid was in the works .
`` We want to take a different approach to sourcing the questions that individuals would have , particularly the family members , '' he said on July 2 .
`` We 're taking a human-centred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the principles of restorative methodologies . ''
Furey said he wants people to come forward to tell what they know about the circumstances before , during and after Gabriel Wortman 's murderous , 13-hour rampage through northern and central Nova Scotia on April 18-19 .
In recent weeks , several groups and individuals have come forward to call for a public inquiry that includes a feminist lens , partly because the carnage the gunman unleashed started with a violent assault on his longtime common law partner .
In 2015 , Nova Scotia created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appointed a committee to look into allegations of long-term abuse at a former orphanage in the Halifax area , known as the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children .
Its collaborative approach featured `` sharing circles '' with former residents , black youth and community organizations .
But the hearings involving former residents were held in private .
And instead of providing a list or recommendations , the inquiry 's final report offered a less specific `` road map '' for change .
Over the past two months , the provincial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of calls for a traditional , public commission of inquiry .
Among those demanding this approach are relatives of victims , about 30 professors at Dalhousie University in Halifax and opposition politicians .
As well , the daughter of Heather O'Brien — a nurse who was killed by the gunman on April 19 — has urged the federal and Nova Scotia governments to work together .
In early June , Darcy Dobson said `` the back and forth about who 's responsible for an inquiry is unreal . ''
Last week , five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the province to join with Ottawa to launch a joint inquiry .
They said delays in announcing an inquiry have led to increased speculation about the shootings and the assailant , which could be eroding public trust in law enforcement .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8 , 2020 .

A coalition of groups devoted to eliminating gender-based violence across Canada is urging Ottawa and Nova Scotia to refrain from using a restorative justice approach for a promised inquiry into the mass killing that claimed 22 lives in the Maritime province. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Nova Scotia's premier and several cabinet ministers, the group insists such an approach would undermine the need for an independent, fully transparent public inquiry. "We were shocked to see media reports that the launch of an inquiry into the April 2020 massacre in Nova Scotia was being held up by an attempt to graft a 'restorative approach' onto the traditional federal-provincial public inquiry," says the letter, signed by more than two dozen groups and obtained by The Canadian Press. Restorative justice is a process that focuses on addressing the harm caused by crime by offering those involved — victims, offenders and public officials — the opportunity to meet and discuss healing and reparation outside the regular criminal justice system. The letter says the group, which includes Women's Shelters Canada and the National Association of Women and the Law, is opposed to using the restorative justice process in this case because hearings are typically held in private and there is no mechanism to compel witnesses to testify.
"The public outcry for an inquiry was not a demand to have discrete groups of affected individuals participate in a series of private meetings," the letter says. "The families and individuals who lost loved ones as a result of this massacre, the women and children who are subjected to misogynistic violence every day in Canada, and the Canadian public traumatized by ...(the) mass killing are entitled to the full and public justice of an inquiry that ensures public accessibility ... public accountability and transparency." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Public hearings are central to the concept of a public inquiry, said Deepa Mattoo, executive director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic in Toronto, a specialized counselling and legal clinic for women experiencing violence.
"Unfortunately, a restorative approach without a proper ... transparent approach would mean lack of accountability from the system," Mattoo said in an email. A coalition of groups devoted to eliminating gender-based violence across Canada is urging Ottawa and Nova Scotia to refrain from using a restorative justice approach for a promised inquiry into the mass killing that claimed 22 lives in the Maritime "I think any process that can delay a thorough, transparent public inquiry should be put on hold and not considered at this point. Canadians deserve a clear process for accountability at this stage." On another front, the letter points out that Nova Scotia has imposed a moratorium on the use of the restorative justice model to deal with offences involving domestic or sexual violence. "We question whether the use of a restorative approach in this instance is a breach of this moratorium," the letter says. Last week, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Mark Furey said the provincial and federal governments were ironing out details of how the inquiry would work, but he said there were delays because of "technicalities and legalities."
Furey has said the inquiry or review must have certain features common to public inquiries, including judicial leadership, the power to compel witnesses to testify and the ability to make recommendations to hold public agencies accountable for their actions. And he has said the investigation could take the form of a traditional federal-provincial public inquiry led by an independent commissioner. However, Furey indicated last week that some sort of hybrid was in the works. "We want to take a different approach to sourcing the questions that individuals would have, particularly the family members," he said on July 2. "We're taking a human-centred and trauma-informed approach consistent with some of the principles of restorative methodologies."


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Now Scheer has a mask issue

Now Scheer has a mask issue

Scheer 's office said he was wearing a mask for his trip .
A spokesperson said the photos must have @ @ @ @ @ the covering to take a call but before he put it back on .
Two @ @ @ @ @ leaders sitting comfortably in a waiting area circulated online .
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and @ @ @ @ @ spotted Tuesday in a Toronto airport lounge not wearing mandatory masks to curb COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ to join some friends in conversation at the Toronto airport this afternoon , '' he @ @ @ @ @ `` It was an error on my part , it wo n't happen again .
@ @ @ @ @ currently has a policy that masks must be worn at all times to curb the @ @ @ @ @ limited exceptions that include being at a food or beverage service location .
The photos @ @ @ @ @ with Pallister and a couple of others , and while they are seated spaced apart @ @ @ @ @ mask .

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister were spotted Tuesday in a Toronto airport lounge not wearing mandatory masks to curb COVID-19. Two separate photos of the bare-faced leaders sitting comfortably in a waiting area circulated online. Scheer's office said he was wearing a mask for his trip. A spokesperson said the photos must have been taken after he doffed the covering to take a call but before he put it back on. Pallister was contrite. "I lifted my mask to join some friends in conversation at the Toronto airport this afternoon," he said in a statement.
"It was an error on my part, it won't happen again." Toronto's Pearson airport currently has a policy that masks must be worn at all times to curb the spread of COVID-19, with limited exceptions that include being at a food or beverage service location. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The photos show Scheer in the lounge with Pallister and a couple of others, and while they are seated spaced apart, none is wearing a mask.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--COVID-19 battered Canadian charities

COVID-19 battered Canadian charities

The federal Liberal government is facing increasingly desperate pleas for assistance from Canadian charities and non-profit groups as some of the country 's best-known and largest organizations say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19 .
The YMCA Canada , the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion are among those that say they are facing severe financial difficulties and been forced to permanently close some locations even as demand for their services has increased .
A YMCA facility permanently closed its doors in Yarmouth , N.S.
, because of the pandemic while the Boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edson , Alta .
The legion has seen three halls close for good in Ontario and one in New Brunswick .
While the fear is those are just the beginning , the government is also being warned that failing to help now could cost more in the long run as organizations that provide child care , emergency food support and other social services disappear .
`` The problem is the bill will come due later , '' said Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada president Owen Charters .
`` Because as these organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tax burden where the government needs to step in and provide those services directly . ''
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada The sector began to bang the drums with alarm at the end of March as Canadians started to realize the pandemic would last longer than a couple of weeks and donations and other sources of income such as the provision of child care started to dry up .
Dozens of charities signed a letter on March 25 asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent `` irreparable damage , '' particularly at a time when more people needed their services .
Ottawa has since included the sector in some of its COVID-19 supports such as wage-subsidy and rent-deferral programs .
It also created a $ 350-million fund for organizations to provide emergency assistance to Canadians during the pandemic .
While welcome , those interviewed say the already-announced federal programs and funding fall far short .
`` What we need is direct supports to make sure Ys can survive the crisis , '' YMCA Canada president Peter Dinsdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for sector stabilization .
It 's not just YMCAs in this country .
It is Boys and Girls Clubs , the United Way .
So many entities out there require support . ''
The government has been told as much numerous times , with letters written and phone calls made .
Yet those interviewed say there has yet to be a real response .
That silence has sparked concern and frustration .
The federal Liberal government is facing increasingly desperate pleas for assistance from Canadian charities and non-profit groups as some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19 .
`` We sent off two letters , '' said Royal Canadian Legion dominion president Tom Irvine .
`` There was no acknowledgment of receiving the letters or nothing .
So I 'm pretty discouraged at this time , but still hopeful .
This is a Canadian institution and if we do n't do something , we could lose it . ''
Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen 's spokeswoman Jessica Eritou on Tuesday praised the work of the charitable and non-profit sector and touted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organizations say does not address the core of their concerns .
`` We are continuing to look at ways to work with charities and non-profits supporting Canadians during the crisis , '' she added .
`` We continue discussions with organizations to help support the important work they 're doing in communities across the country and we will keep looking for the most effective ways to help Canadians during this unprecedented crisis . ''
Cardus , a charity that does research on the non-profit sector , released a paper on Tuesday urging the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadians to different organizations using money set aside to cover the costs of a tax credit for Canadians who donate .
But Dinsdale and Charters said matching programs will still leave many organizations struggling , and that the only real solution is direct federal support to help the sector weather the pandemic and continue providing essential services .
A lack of safe places for children to be while their parents work is an obstacle to economic recovery , economists have warned , particularly for women .
`` While the federal government 's been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidy , like CERB and other initiatives , they have ignored this sector , '' said Dinsdale , whose organization runs child-care centres across the country .
`` And they 've ignored this sector at the risk of not having the most critical social services available to Canadians as the economy reopens . ''

The federal Liberal government is facing increasingly desperate pleas for assistance from Canadian charities and non-profit groups as some of the country's best-known and largest organizations say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19. The YMCA Canada, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion are among those that say they are facing severe financial difficulties and been forced to permanently close some locations even as demand for their services has increased. A YMCA facility permanently closed its doors in Yarmouth, N.S., because of the pandemic while the Boys and Girls Clubs shuttered its operations in Edson, Alta. The legion has seen three halls close for good in Ontario and one in New Brunswick. While the fear is those are just the beginning, the government is also being warned that failing to help now could cost more in the long run as organizations that provide child care, emergency food support and other social services disappear. "The problem is the bill will come due later," said Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada president Owen Charters. "Because as these organizations disappear, the social safety net becomes a tax burden where the government needs to step in and provide those services directly."
The sector began to bang the drums with alarm at the end of March as Canadians started to realize the pandemic would last longer than a couple of weeks and donations and other sources of income such as the provision of child care started to dry up. Dozens of charities signed a letter on March 25 asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government for financial aid to prevent "irreparable damage," particularly at a time when more people needed their services. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Ottawa has since included the sector in some of its COVID-19 supports such as wage-subsidy and rent-deferral programs. It also created a $350-million fund for organizations to provide emergency assistance to Canadians during the pandemic.
While welcome, those interviewed say the already-announced federal programs and funding fall far short. The federal Liberal government is facing increasingly desperate pleas for assistance from Canadian charities and non-profit groups as some of the country's best-known and largest organizations say they are struggling to survive because of COVID-19. "What we need is direct supports to make sure Ys can survive the crisis," YMCA Canada president Peter Dinsdale said. "There is a real need for sector stabilization. It's not just YMCAs in this country. It is Boys and Girls Clubs, the United Way. So many entities out there require support." The government has been told as much numerous times, with letters written and phone calls made. Yet those interviewed say there has yet to be a real response. That silence has sparked concern and frustration. "We sent off two letters," said Royal Canadian Legion dominion president Tom Irvine. "There was no acknowledgment of receiving the letters or nothing. So I'm pretty discouraged at this time, but still hopeful. This is a Canadian institution and if we don't do something, we could lose it." Social Development Minister Ahmed Hussen's spokeswoman Jessica Eritou on Tuesday praised the work of the charitable and non-profit sector and touted the $350-million emergency fund, which organizations say does not address the core of their concerns.
"We are continuing to look at ways to work with charities and non-profits supporting Canadians during the crisis," she added. "We continue discussions with organizations to help support the important work they're doing in communities across the country and we will keep looking for the most effective ways to help Canadians during this unprecedented crisis." Cardus, a charity that does research on the non-profit sector, released a paper on Tuesday urging the federal government to start matching donations from Canadians to different organizations using money set aside to cover the costs of a tax credit for Canadians who donate.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments (again) for 'economic recovery'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford 's COVID-19 economic recovery plan includes changes to the province 's environmental assessment process that critics say will undermine oversight of development .
Premier Doug Ford said “ clean air ” and “ clean lakes ” are a priority for his government , but said Ontario ’ s 50-year-old environmental assessment process is too slow .
If passed , the changes would mean projects only need an environmental assessment if the Progressive Conservative government decides they should — the current law applies to most projects by default .
For those that do need environmental oversight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” process .
“ We ’ re losing jobs , ” Ford said .
“ We aren ’ t going to dodge ( environmental assessments ) or anything .
We ’ re going to make sure we strengthen them , but we ’ re going to do them quicker and smarter.
” Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said the proposed changes would help industry avoid unnecessary delays as the province recovers from COVID-19 .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada “ We are taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their impact on the environment versus smaller projects that may have little or no impact , ” he added .
“ We have to deal with , obviously , big projects , but should the environmental assessment for a landfill site be the same as replacing a box culvert in a rural community ?
” The full impact of the 188-page recovery bill — which would alter 20 pieces of legislation , touching on everything from education to the judicial system — wasn ’ t immediately clear Wednesday .
The Ford government also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Sarah Buchanan of the green non-profit Environmental Defence said she doesn ’ t see how the environmental assessment changes could be made without compromising the health of the environment .
It ’ s “ rash ” to rewrite such a significant policy during a pandemic when the public ’ s attention is elsewhere , she added .
“ There ’ s a reason these regulations were put in place , ” Buchanan said .
“ Changing the entire environmental assessment process and significantly loosening it will have a huge environmental impact.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes to the province ’ s environmental assessment process , part of an omnibus economic recovery bill introduced Wednesday .
# onpoli “ Protecting forests , farmland and drinking water is not red tape , ” he said in a statement .
“ The premier wants us to believe that we need to destroy the places we love to get the economy moving .
He ’ s wrong.
” Environment Minister Jeff Yurek was not at the daily briefing where Ford and key cabinet ministers announced the bill .
His office did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t there , and didn ’ t respond to a request for an interview about the environmental changes .
In Ontario , the Environmental Bill of Rights mandates that governments consult and notify the public about legislative changes that affect the environment through the Environmental Registry .
The government did not post a bulletin about the changes in the omnibus bill before tabling it Wednesday .
Chelsea Dolan , a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment , Conservation and Parks , told National Observer the government included a measure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty to consult and notify the public in advance .
“ To ensure that these proposed changes and subsequent regulations can be implemented quickly to support recovery efforts , the proposed legislative amendments include a provision making the amendments not subject to the minimum 30-day posting requirement under the Environmental Bill of Rights , ” she said in a statement .
The government will post a notice on the registry for the sake of “ public awareness ” later Wednesday , Dolan added .
The government also consulted the public on broad plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , she added .
It ’ s troubling that the government wouldn ’ t consult the public before pushing through the bill , Buchanan said .
“ People should have the opportunity to have their say.
” Here ’ s what @ fordnation and @ SteveClarkPC had to say today about proposed changes to how Ontario conducts environmental assessments , part of the omnibus economic recovery bill introduced today .
# onpoli pic.twitter.com/vb9Qk8w3QG — Emma McIntosh ( @ EmmaMci ) July 8 , 2020 ‘ We can do this without giving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ford said the bill is only the beginning of the province ’ s recovery from COVID-19 , which caused widespread economic shutdowns this spring .
“ It lays the foundation for a strong recovery for Ontario , ” he said .
“ We ’ re already working to get shovels in the ground faster.
” One major cornerstone of the bill was the province ’ s plan to fast-track transit projects and nearby affordable housing , announced earlier this week .
Though opposition leaders said parts of the bill had nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures , for example — and called it an overreach , Ford said “ everything ’ s related to COVID recovery.
” “ Schools are part of the COVID recovery .
Again , the justice system , the backlog is staggering , is part of COVID recovery , ” he added .
The bill is about “ getting the government out of the way , ” Ford said .
But in other ways , the bill also grants expanded powers to the government .
If passed , it would expand the government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( MZOs ) , a mechanism that allows Clark to override the normal land use planning process — and any potential opposition — to make decisions about how land should be used .
Halfway into its mandate , the Ford government has already used more MZOs than the previous Liberal government did during a decade in power .
Clark and Ford stressed Wednesday that the bill contains measures that stop the expanded powers around MZOs from being used in the protected Greenbelt area of southern Ontario .
The proposed changes to the orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments and contribute to urban sprawl , Environmental Defence said in a statement .
“ You can destroy natural spaces without touching the Greenbelt , ” Buchanan said .
“ There 's a lot of other places developers want to build.
” It feels like some of the changes “ were probably on some lobbyist ’ s wish list , ” Buchanan added .
Environmental Defence also sounded alarms about a measure in the bill that would require the government to offset any new regulatory burden on industry with slimmed-down rules elsewhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” that needs to be cut is what led to issues like the Walkerton crisis , when lax water guidelines contributed to a public health disaster in 2000 .
“ It ’ s not a good way to make policy , ” Buchanan said .
Schreiner said there are other ways to boost the economy post-COVID .
“ I support better regulations to build affordable housing and transit faster and smarter , ” he said in the statement .
“ But we can do this without giving a free pass to polluters or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In other countries such as Denmark , Germany and the United Kingdom , leaders have outlined intentions for a green economic recovery that would boost clean technologies .
That kind of vision is missing from Ontario ’ s plan , Buchanan said , which means it ’ s not a good long-term strategy as the world shifts towards a lower-carbon future .
`` It just seems like there hasn ’ t been thought put into how we position ourselves to be a place that ’ s a leader in the future , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just , 'How can we get shovels in the ground for the same old projects ? '
''

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's COVID-19 economic recovery plan includes changes to the province's environmental assessment process that critics say will undermine oversight of development. Premier Doug Ford said “clean air” and “clean lakes” are a priority for his government, but said Ontario’s 50-year-old environmental assessment process is too slow. If passed, the changes would mean projects only need an environmental assessment if the Progressive Conservative government decides they should — the current law applies to most projects by default. For those that do need environmental oversight, the government is proposing a “streamlined” process. “We’re losing jobs,” Ford said. “We aren’t going to dodge (environmental assessments) or anything. We’re going to make sure we strengthen them, but we’re going to do them quicker and smarter.” Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said the proposed changes would help industry avoid unnecessary delays as the province recovers from COVID-19.
“We are taking the lens of looking at major projects and their impact on the environment versus smaller projects that may have little or no impact,” he added. “We have to deal with, obviously, big projects, but should the environmental assessment for a landfill site be the same as replacing a box culvert in a rural community?” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The full impact of the 188-page recovery bill — which would alter 20 pieces of legislation, touching on everything from education to the judicial system — wasn’t immediately clear Wednesday. The Ford government also weakened the current environmental assessment process last year.
Sarah Buchanan of the green non-profit Environmental Defence said she doesn’t see how the environmental assessment changes could be made without compromising the health of the environment. It’s “rash” to rewrite such a significant policy during a pandemic when the public’s attention is elsewhere, she added. The Ontario government is planning major changes to the province’s environmental assessment process, part of an omnibus economic recovery bill introduced Wednesday. #onpoli “There’s a reason these regulations were put in place,” Buchanan said. “Changing the entire environmental assessment process and significantly loosening it will have a huge environmental impact.” Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner swiftly condemned the bill. “Protecting forests, farmland and drinking water is not red tape,” he said in a statement. “The premier wants us to believe that we need to destroy the places we love to get the economy moving. He’s wrong.”
Environment Minister Jeff Yurek was not at the daily briefing where Ford and key cabinet ministers announced the bill. His office did not immediately respond to questions about why he wasn’t there, and didn’t respond to a request for an interview about the environmental changes. In Ontario, the Environmental Bill of Rights mandates that governments consult and notify the public about legislative changes that affect the environment through the Environmental Registry. The government did not post a bulletin about the changes in the omnibus bill before tabling it Wednesday. Chelsea Dolan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, told National Observer the government included a measure in the bill that exempts it from the duty to consult and notify the public in advance.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--Federal website advertising hundreds of student-volunteer positions that don't exist

The federal website advertising volunteer positions for students hoping to earn money for their educations through a $ 900-million government aid program contains hundreds of positions that do not actually exist .
Among the student-volunteer positions advertised as available on the I Want to Help website are 1,500 spots with YMCA Canada to help create online exercise regimes for kids and seniors in their communities .
Yet the YMCA says those positions were actually the brainchild of WE Charity , the organization originally tapped by the Liberal government to administer the Canada Student Services Grant , and that the YMCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YMCA and WE blame a miscommunication as WE scrambled to get the grant program — through which students can get up to $ 5,000 toward their schooling if they volunteer the maximum 500 hours — up and running as quickly as possible .
WE has since withdrawn from running the program .
• Canada also has an environmental racism problem In an interview , YMCA Canada president Peter Dinsdale said his organization proposed hosting 391 volunteers through dozens of YMCA locations .
They would focus on three areas : helping local branches with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and assisting seniors with tech questions .
The YMCA arrived at the number after reaching out to branches across the country , Dinsdale said , after which the national office drew up a draft memorandum of understanding with WE to formalize the arrangement .
`` We sent a draft in and they sent a draft back and that 's when we saw these other positions and we asked to separate them , '' he said of the 1,500 positions for online exercise regimes .
`` And they said great .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has gone down . ''
`` These discussions ( with the YMCA ) took place quickly , given our short timeline for delivery , and some confusion arose around the two separate agreements , '' WE said in a statement to The Canadian Press .
`` That confusion contributed to a misunderstanding on our part which led to one group of service positions being posted , rather than the other group of service positions . ''
It nonetheless means those advertised positions are not actually unavailable .
The federal website advertising volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their educations through a $ 900-million government aid program contains hundreds of positions that do not actually exist .
The status of thousands of other positions apparently created by WE to meet the requirements of the volunteer program remains uncertain .
Youth Minister Bardish Chagger 's spokeswoman Danielle Keenan stood by the Canada Student Services Grant program on Wednesday , saying that while there will be delays in its rollout following WE 's departure , the government remains committed to it .
`` The Canada Student Service Grants program provides opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities COVID-19 response , '' Keenan said in an email to The Canadian Press .
`` Although the delivery of the program will change , our objective has not changed which is to ensure students , not-for-profits , and communities are supported throughout the pandemic . ''
WE and the Liberal government announced last week that they were ending a sole-sourced contract to have the charity manage the grant program after questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the organization .
Dinsdale said the YMCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been posted , noting the agreement with WE was never signed .
At the same time , the 391 positions that the YMCA does want to fill have yet to be advertised .
Dinsdale said the YMCA is waiting to hear from the government on those .
`` The 391 that we 're actually putting forward , our Ys are ready and willing to engage in it and there are some really interesting opportunities that could exist for youth and our YMCAs and communities , '' he said .
`` So we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thousands of other positions posted on the federal website involve the creation of online content or the mentoring other students on such topics as COVID-19 's impact on the environment , nutrition and cyberbullying .
Some of those are posted in huge batches , such as a call for 1,000 volunteers to be trained to hold one-to-one sessions with people on `` the impact of COVID-19 on food security in your community . ''
Another seeks 1,250 volunteers to devise `` social-media assets '' such as captions , memes and videos , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the spread of COVID-19 .
None of those postings includes the name of a hosting organization : they 're listed as `` supporting local non-profits in your community '' rather than with a specific agency .
WE did indicate that it was behind many of them as it sought to meet the government 's requirement that in order to be eligible for the student grant , positions must be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` The purpose of the CSSG was to engage tens of thousands of post-secondary students in service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , '' WE said in its statement .
`` COVID-19 has been in Canada for a relatively short period of time and there are limited new service opportunities related to addressing ( it ) .
This is partly why WE was brought in ( to ) develop and co-ordinate service roles that fulfil the program guidelines and deliver a meaningful impact . ''
Employment and Social Development Canada , which will now administer the grant program instead of WE , did not respond to repeated questions about the positions , including whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative employment critic Dan Albas said the questions about the federal website underscore the need for answers when it comes to the student grant program , including how positions have been chosen or created and what benefit they are expected to have .
`` To find out that perhaps hundreds of positions have been put forward and in good faith maybe people have applied for those positions without having a correction from the government ? ''
he said .
`` This is public money .
They need to come clean and clean up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spent gets the maximum opportunities for young people and value for money for taxpayer dollars . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8 , 2020 .

The federal website advertising volunteer positions for students hoping to earn money for their educations through a $900-million government aid program contains hundreds of positions that do not actually exist. Among the student-volunteer positions advertised as available on the I Want to Help website are 1,500 spots with YMCA Canada to help create online exercise regimes for kids and seniors in their communities. Yet the YMCA says those positions were actually the brainchild of WE Charity, the organization originally tapped by the Liberal government to administer the Canada Student Services Grant, and that the YMCA never agreed to them. Both the YMCA and WE blame a miscommunication as WE scrambled to get the grant program — through which students can get up to $5,000 toward their schooling if they volunteer the maximum 500 hours — up and running as quickly as possible. WE has since withdrawn from running the program.
In an interview, YMCA Canada president Peter Dinsdale said his organization proposed hosting 391 volunteers through dozens of YMCA locations. They would focus on three areas: helping local branches with marketing and website design; data analysis; and assisting seniors with tech questions. The YMCA arrived at the number after reaching out to branches across the country, Dinsdale said, after which the national office drew up a draft memorandum of understanding with WE to formalize the arrangement. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We sent a draft in and they sent a draft back and that's when we saw these other positions and we asked to separate them," he said of the 1,500 positions for online exercise regimes. "And they said great. And we haven't heard from them since all this has gone down."
"These discussions (with the YMCA) took place quickly, given our short timeline for delivery, and some confusion arose around the two separate agreements," WE said in a statement to The Canadian Press. The federal website advertising volunteer positions for students hoping to earn money for their educations through a $900-million government aid program contains hundreds of positions that do not actually exist. "That confusion contributed to a misunderstanding on our part which led to one group of service positions being posted, rather than the other group of service positions." It nonetheless means those advertised positions are not actually unavailable. The status of thousands of other positions apparently created by WE to meet the requirements of the volunteer program remains uncertain. Youth Minister Bardish Chagger's spokeswoman Danielle Keenan stood by the Canada Student Services Grant program on Wednesday, saying that while there will be delays in its rollout following WE's departure, the government remains committed to it.
"The Canada Student Service Grants program provides opportunities for students who want to help with their communities COVID-19 response," Keenan said in an email to The Canadian Press. "Although the delivery of the program will change, our objective has not changed which is to ensure students, not-for-profits, and communities are supported throughout the pandemic." WE and the Liberal government announced last week that they were ending a sole-sourced contract to have the charity manage the grant program after questions were raised about a potential conflict of interest between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the organization.