nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Giving youth the advocacy tools to help end the AIDS epidemic

Life has been stranger than normal for Travis L ’ Henaff since COVID-19 hit .
“ My life is always bizarre , but it 's been exceptionally bizarre and disorientating going through this , ” said L ’ Henaff , a model and a member of the pit crew on Canada ’ s Drag Race this year , in a phone interview .
When he spoke with Canada 's National Observer , the 29-year-old was still working out the details of his role in NoTimeToWait , a youth HIV-AIDS conference happening later this month .
But he was happy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finds it hard to keep his own secrets and derived so much value from reaching out to community after he was diagnosed with HIV on Halloween 2018 .
“ Medicine does n't really have a publicist , it does n't have the same type of marketing to get knowledge out there , ” said L ’ Henaff , who first spoke out in a November 2019 promo for HIV info site CATIE that informs the public that “ people living with HIV on effective treatment can ’ t pass it on to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's it mean for Canada ?
Model and HIV advocate Travis L'Henaff says stigma hampers the fight to eradicate HIV and AIDS .
Photo supplied by Travis L'Henaff The LetsStopAIDS charity reached out to L ’ Henaff via Instagram because of the anti-stigma work he has done since his diagnosis , including for the Gay Men 's Sexual Health Alliance .
LetsStopAIDS is presenting the NoTimeToWait conference , which aims to make sure anti-stigma work reaches younger people .
“ I think a lot of times younger people and youth are overlooked , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , ” he said .
Video of The Tea and the D with Travis L'Henaff Travis L ’ Henaff talks about surviving and thriving with HIV in a YouTube video released on Oct. 30 , 2020 by the Gay Men 's Sexual Health Alliance .
Source : YouTube/GMSH L ’ Henaff wants to use the platform he has — his social media following has grown since being on TV , and he was recently interviewed for Out magazine — to advocate for better access to HIV services for those least able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know that “ they have a community in me.
” “ Because there are so many different levels in society that make it easier or harder to access care , I do n't want to be this privileged white dude that is speaking their story , which isn ’ t the most complicated , ” he said .
It ’ s advocacy and community that Laura Foran and other organizers of the inaugural NoTimeToWait event , taking place online on Nov. 21 and 22 , want to foster .
They hope to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 .
“ It 's really about promoting those safe spaces and having that open dialogue available to folks who are marginalized and really fostering communities of care , ” she said .
“ A big part of our work is that we believe in building community as a means of building capacity.
” The group is aiming to bring together more than 200 young people from across Canada for the virtual conference , which will give them the tools to develop local initiatives , youth leadership and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If we 're able to create that community for youth who represent all kinds of populations across Canada , we then believe we can create that capacity to carry out those initiatives , ” Foran said .
L ’ Henaff said while he was guided to good health by peers , friends and medical professionals , often people with HIV are left with just a prescription , or check-ins that are few and far between .
If a family doctor doesn ’ t realize the diagnosis is going to impact their patient ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t steer them to what resources are available , L ’ Henaff said .
While the overall incidence of HIV and AIDS in Canada is far lower than during the height of the pandemic that raged in the 1980s and ’ 90s , cases are rising again , including among young people , and especially young men aged between 20 and 29 .
A total of 2,561 HIV diagnoses were reported in Canada in 2018 , an increase of 8.2 per cent compared with 2017 , and almost a quarter of all new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men , according to federal government data .
Gay , bisexual and other men who have sex with men still predominate in cases , but heterosexual contact and intravenous drug use are also common routes of transmission .
Around 63,000 people were living with HIV or AIDS in Canada in 2016 , and more than that 9,000 people were thought to be living undiagnosed .
A chart shows the rate of HIV infection in Canada by age group over time .
Source : HIV in Canada—Surveillance Report , 2018 Stigma about HIV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that patients first have to face in themselves , which L ’ Henaff said can take a heavy mental toll .
“ It 's because of our own internalized stigma , especially for queer people we already have a lot of shame around sex , we already feel like we ’ re dirty or something like that , ” he said .
Grindr and other gay meetup apps allow users to post their HIV status , but L ’ Henaff says very few do “ because of the backlash they will get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them or not at all interact with them because of something that they do n't understand.
” “ Even for me , being public about my status in this way on this level ...
I am happy that I have done it , but I 'm putting myself out there to anyone and everyone that has an opinion or a feeling about HIV , ” he said .
Added to that is both the stigma expected from other people , and the stigma and outright discrimination that actually happens , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help work through that , since it is “ showing people in your community , whether they ’ re doing very well or not as well , those are your people who will understand on some level what you are going through better than anyone else .
”

Life has been stranger than normal for Travis L’Henaff since COVID-19 hit. “My life is always bizarre, but it's been exceptionally bizarre and disorientating going through this,” said L’Henaff, a model and a member of the pit crew on Canada’s Drag Race this year, in a phone interview. When he spoke with Canada's National Observer, the 29-year-old was still working out the details of his role in NoTimeToWait, a youth HIV-AIDS conference happening later this month. But he was happy to talk about it, mostly because he finds it hard to keep his own secrets and derived so much value from reaching out to community after he was diagnosed with HIV on Halloween 2018. “Medicine doesn't really have a publicist, it doesn't have the same type of marketing to get knowledge out there,” said L’Henaff, who first spoke out in a November 2019 promo for HIV info site CATIE that informs the public that “people living with HIV on effective treatment can’t pass it on to a partner.”
Travis L'Henaff is working with LetsStopAIDS to engage youth in a push to eradicate HIV and AIDS by 2030. Photo by Maxime Bocken The LetsStopAIDS charity reached out to L’Henaff via Instagram because of the anti-stigma work he has done since his diagnosis, including for the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance. LetsStopAIDS is presenting the NoTimeToWait conference, which aims to make sure anti-stigma work reaches younger people. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “I think a lot of times younger people and youth are overlooked, obviously sex ed is such a thing as well,” he said.
Video of The Tea and the D with Travis L'Henaff Travis L’Henaff talks about surviving and thriving with HIV in a YouTube video released on Oct. 30, 2020 by the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance. Source: YouTube/GMSH L’Henaff wants to use the platform he has — his social media following has grown since being on TV, and he was recently interviewed for Out magazine — to advocate for better access to HIV services for those least able to get them, and let them know that “they have a community in me.” “Because there are so many different levels in society that make it easier or harder to access care, I don't want to be this privileged white dude that is speaking their story, which isn’t the most complicated,” he said. It’s advocacy and community that Laura Foran and other organizers of the inaugural NoTimeToWait event, taking place online on Nov. 21 and 22, want to foster. They hope to get younger people involved in a push to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
“It's really about promoting those safe spaces and having that open dialogue available to folks who are marginalized and really fostering communities of care,” she said. “A big part of our work is that we believe in building community as a means of building capacity.” The group is aiming to bring together more than 200 young people from across Canada for the virtual conference, which will give them the tools to develop local initiatives, youth leadership and grassroots activism related to HIV. “If we're able to create that community for youth who represent all kinds of populations across Canada, we then believe we can create that capacity to carry out those initiatives,” Foran said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents: Elizabeth May

Residents around the Salish Sea in B.C .
are very concerned with a proposed U.S. military testing program that could harm critically endangered whales in the region , says Elizabeth May .
The Green party ’ s parliamentary leader and MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands has raised the issue twice in the House of Commons and written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to protest the rules surrounding new U.S. navy tests , including torpedoes , sonar technology and underwater drones .
The navy ’ s activities , set to be authorized Nov. 12 by the U.S. National Oceanic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ would likely adversely affect ” the southern resident killer whales ( SRKW ) , a critically endangered species with a population of just 72 , according to a summary of NOAA ’ s own scientific analysis .
The use of sonar and detonations in the water could expose the orcas to things such as temporary hearing loss or the blocking of their feeding , breeding or migration patterns .
Other whales , such as the blue , the fin and the humpback , as well as the Guadalupe fur seal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ species of fish , could also be significantly harmed .
“ Canada must take a strong position on this issue , ” May wrote to Trudeau in an Oct. 2 letter .
“ The program is estimated to cause harm to an additional 1.7 million marine animals.
” • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada ?
Washington state Gov .
Jay Inslee has taken a critical position on the issue .
In July , the governor wrote the U.S. government asking for “ significant revisions ” to the rules that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or harass wildlife .
The state considers the rules as they stand to be “ unacceptable , ” he wrote .
May asked the Trudeau government about the issue in the House of Commons on Nov. 5 .
“ Will Canada stand up to protect our whales ?
” asked the MP .
Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan responded that Canada 's Department of Fisheries and Oceans was “ engaging ” with NOAA on the issue “ to ensure common understanding of the proposed activities , and the need to mitigate any potential impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will continue to work closely with our U.S. partners on actions we can each take to protect this species , ” Jordan said .
In an interview Nov. 9 , May said that the state of Washington ’ s request for revisions to the rules is something that should be seen as the bare minimum effort by Canada .
She said the federal government is already behind in its protection of the endangered orcas , and Jordan ’ s statement about engaging NOAA was insufficient .
Elizabeth May has raised the issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to protest new U.S. navy tests , including torpedoes and underwater drones that could harm endangered killer whales .
“ What DFO has said so far is , ‘ We ’ re working well with our U.S. partners.
’ Which means nothing — you ’ re standing by , ” May said .
“ I think we should support the state of Washington and state clearly that we hope this will be put on pause , to consider significant improvements to the mitigation and avoidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached out to Jordan ’ s office Nov. 9 for comment but did not receive a response before publication .
In his letter , Inslee said the U.S. state had made “ significant investments to restore the ecosystem of the Puget Sound and our coastal waterways , ” and while he appreciated the navy ’ s work to avoid wildlife before , his concerns over sonar exposure and vessel strikes had not been addressed .
NOAA is set to issue seven-year regulations under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act that would authorize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ species of marine mammals ” from “ sonar and other transducers and in-water detonations , ” according to an emailed summary written by the National Marine Fisheries Service and obtained by Canada 's National Observer .
The rule would also authorize the “ potential serious injury or mortality of up to three large whales from vessel strikes over the seven-year authorization period.
” The agency says it has worked with the navy to develop a “ comprehensive suite of mitigation measures ” that would reduce the likelihood of harm for most species .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used where mammals carry out important behaviour , or where certain species gather .
Meanwhile , the navy has said that the authorization reflects a “ worst-case scenario ” and is not indicative of the typical testing activity .
Navy spokespeople have told media that their vessel traffic makes up less than one per cent of all traffic in Pacific Northwest waters , and the military is careful not to intrude on wildlife .

Residents around the Salish Sea in B.C. are very concerned with a proposed U.S. military testing program that could harm critically endangered whales in the region, says Elizabeth May. The Green party’s parliamentary leader and MP for Saanich—Gulf Islands has raised the issue twice in the House of Commons and written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to protest the rules surrounding new U.S. navy tests, including torpedoes, sonar technology and underwater drones. The navy’s activities, set to be authorized Nov. 12 by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through 2027, “would likely adversely affect” the southern resident killer whales (SRKW), a critically endangered species with a population of just 72, according to a summary of NOAA’s own scientific analysis. The use of sonar and detonations in the water could expose the orcas to things such as temporary hearing loss or the blocking of their feeding, breeding or migration patterns. Other whales, such as the blue, the fin and the humpback, as well as the Guadalupe fur seal, the leatherback sea turtle and dozens of species of fish, could also be significantly harmed. “Canada must take a strong position on this issue,” May wrote to Trudeau in an Oct. 2 letter. “The program is estimated to cause harm to an additional 1.7 million marine animals.”
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has taken a critical position on the issue. In July, the governor wrote the U.S. government asking for “significant revisions” to the rules that would authorize the navy to incidentally harm or harass wildlife. The state considers the rules as they stand to be “unacceptable,” he wrote. May asked the Trudeau government about the issue in the House of Commons on Nov. 5. “Will Canada stand up to protect our whales?” asked the MP. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan responded that Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans was “engaging” with NOAA on the issue “to ensure common understanding of the proposed activities, and the need to mitigate any potential impacts to whales and whale habitat.”
“We will continue to work closely with our U.S. partners on actions we can each take to protect this species,” Jordan said. Elizabeth May has raised the issue twice in the House of Commons and written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to protest new U.S. navy tests, including torpedoes and underwater drones that could harm endangered killer whales. In an interview Nov. 9, May said that the state of Washington’s request for revisions to the rules is something that should be seen as the bare minimum effort by Canada. She said the federal government is already behind in its protection of the endangered orcas, and Jordan’s statement about engaging NOAA was insufficient. “What DFO has said so far is, ‘We’re working well with our U.S. partners.’ Which means nothing — you’re standing by,” May said. “I think we should support the state of Washington and state clearly that we hope this will be put on pause, to consider significant improvements to the mitigation and avoidance measures.”
Canada’s National Observer reached out to Jordan’s office Nov. 9 for comment but did not receive a response before publication. In his letter, Inslee said the U.S. state had made “significant investments to restore the ecosystem of the Puget Sound and our coastal waterways,” and while he appreciated the navy’s work to avoid wildlife before, his concerns over sonar exposure and vessel strikes had not been addressed. NOAA is set to issue seven-year regulations under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act that would authorize the U.S. navy to incidentally harass “28 species of marine mammals” from “sonar and other transducers and in-water detonations,” according to an emailed summary written by the National Marine Fisheries Service and obtained by Canada's National Observer.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Warmer winters mean more freeze-thaw cycles — and more emissions — for Canada's fields

Each September , Ashala Daniel sows her fields with winter rye , hoping the seed takes root before the first snows fall .
It ’ s a ritual that could help save the planet .
Fields are among Canada ’ s largest emitters of agricultural greenhouse gases ( GHGs ) , emissions that are at their highest levels in winter .
During the freeze-thaw cycle , increased levels of nitrous oxide ( N2O ) and methane , both potent GHGs , are pumped from barren fields into the atmosphere .
The natural phenomenon is expected to become more common as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of why I cover crop , ” said Daniel , who owns Solstedt Organics , an organic vegetable farm and orchard near Lytton , B.C .
Cover cropping is the practice of planting a field with a crop , like winter rye , after the growing season is over .
It is common on organic farms because it helps build soil fertility and reduce erosion .
However , the practice isn ’ t widely used on most Canadian fields , particularly if they ’ re managed for industrial agriculture .
• Biden-Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada ?
That could be a problem : A study published last month in the scientific journal Nature revealed that nitrogen fertilizers , essential to industrial agriculture , and the N2O they release are driving agricultural emissions globally .
Without major transformation to farming systems globally , these emissions will send global temperatures soaring far above the 1.5 C “ safe ” limit agreed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement .
Freeze-thaw cycles play a major role in this process , explained Carson Li , lab and research co-ordinator for the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a researcher who studies N2O in agriculture .
“ Normally , people think that where N2O comes from is the warm-weather agricultural regions , ” but that ’ s not what ’ s happening , he said .
Instead , his team and others have found that between 17 and 28 per cent of field-based emissions are taking place in the winter , after crops have been harvested and the fields left fallow .
It ’ s an unexpected process they trace back to the freeze-thaw cycle .
In the northern hemisphere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperate and northern agricultural regions .
Map by Wagner-Riddle et al .
( 2017 ) “ ( N2O ) is produced by microbial processes in the soil , ” he said .
“ A lot of the ( soil ) bacteria will use carbon and nitrogen contained in the organic matter .
They break them down to emit CO2 , methane and N2O.
” It ’ s a complicated process shaped by temperature and oxygen and water levels in the soil that get disrupted by a hard frost .
Each September , Ashala @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping the seed takes root before the first snows fall .
It ’ s a ritual that could help save the planet .
# sustainableagriculture When the ground freezes , the water contained in it expands , blocking oxygen from reaching organisms living in the ground below the frost line and moving the soil around .
That forces the microbes to start anaerobically digesting the fresh organic matter pushed from the surface underground by the frozen water .
If there ’ s excess nitrogen in the soil , which is usually the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with artificial nitrogen or even manure , that process transforms it into N2O .
When the soil thaws again , that N2O gets released into the atmosphere in a hard-to-measure burst , Li said .
That means the more freeze-thaw cycles fields go through over the course of a winter , the more N2O they emit — and those cycles are expected to become more common Canada-wide over the next century .
“ As winter temperatures rise across Canada , especially in southern parts of the country , we get more days where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then go back colder again , ” said Chris Derksen , climate researcher for Environment and Climate Change Canada .
Canada is getting warmer , especially in the winter , with the observed changes in temperature between 1948 and 2016 most pronounced in the darkest months .
Map by Environment and Climate Change Canada/Bush , E. , and Lenmmen , D.S .
( 2019 ) Canada is warming at almost twice the global average , according to a 2019 report by Environment and Climate Change Canada .
If nothing is done to curb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average up to 6 C warmer than between 1986 and 2005 .
“ That ’ s an example of a positive climate feedback ( loop ) , where we get warming temperatures in the winter , it leads to more freeze-thaw cycles , that releases more GHGs in the atmosphere , which exacerbates warming , ” Derksen said .
It ’ s a dangerous cycle , and one that cover crops can slow down by picking up excess nutrients in the soil , Li explained .
That prevents fields from feeding subterranean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby creeks and lakes where they can also contribute to similar feedback loops .
“ A cover crop is definitely one of the most useful ways to reduce and mitigate this type of environmental impact , ” he said .

Each September, Ashala Daniel sows her fields with winter rye, hoping the seed takes root before the first snows fall. It’s a ritual that could help save the planet. Fields are among Canada’s largest emitters of agricultural greenhouse gases (GHGs), emissions that are at their highest levels in winter. During the freeze-thaw cycle, increased levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane, both potent GHGs, are pumped from barren fields into the atmosphere. The natural phenomenon is expected to become more common as winters warm. “It’s part of why I cover crop,” said Daniel, who owns Solstedt Organics, an organic vegetable farm and orchard near Lytton, B.C. Cover cropping is the practice of planting a field with a crop, like winter rye, after the growing season is over. It is common on organic farms because it helps build soil fertility and reduce erosion. However, the practice isn’t widely used on most Canadian fields, particularly if they’re managed for industrial agriculture.
That could be a problem: A study published last month in the scientific journal Nature revealed that nitrogen fertilizers, essential to industrial agriculture, and the N2O they release are driving agricultural emissions globally. Without major transformation to farming systems globally, these emissions will send global temperatures soaring far above the 1.5 C “safe” limit agreed to in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Freeze-thaw cycles play a major role in this process, explained Carson Li, lab and research co-ordinator for the University of British Columbia's sustainable agricultural landscapes lab and a researcher who studies N2O in agriculture. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Normally, people think that where N2O comes from is the warm-weather agricultural regions,” but that’s not what’s happening, he said. Instead, his team and others have found that between 17 and 28 per cent of field-based emissions are taking place in the winter, after crops have been harvested and the fields left fallow. It’s an unexpected process they trace back to the freeze-thaw cycle.
In the northern hemisphere, N2O emissions are most pronounced in temperate and northern agricultural regions. Map by Wagner-Riddle et al. (2017) “(N2O) is produced by microbial processes in the soil,” he said. “A lot of the (soil) bacteria will use carbon and nitrogen contained in the organic matter. They break them down to emit CO2, methane and N2O.” Each September, Ashala Daniel sows her fields with winter rye hoping the seed takes root before the first snows fall. It’s a ritual that could help save the planet. #sustainableagriculture It’s a complicated process shaped by temperature and oxygen and water levels in the soil that get disrupted by a hard frost. When the ground freezes, the water contained in it expands, blocking oxygen from reaching organisms living in the ground below the frost line and moving the soil around. That forces the microbes to start anaerobically digesting the fresh organic matter pushed from the surface underground by the frozen water. If there’s excess nitrogen in the soil, which is usually the case in fields that have been heavily fertilized with artificial nitrogen or even manure, that process transforms it into N2O. When the soil thaws again, that N2O gets released into the atmosphere in a hard-to-measure burst, Li said.
That means the more freeze-thaw cycles fields go through over the course of a winter, the more N2O they emit — and those cycles are expected to become more common Canada-wide over the next century. “As winter temperatures rise across Canada, especially in southern parts of the country, we get more days where temperatures may go above zero ... and then go back colder again,” said Chris Derksen, climate researcher for Environment and Climate Change Canada. Canada is getting warmer, especially in the winter, with the observed changes in temperature between 1948 and 2016 most pronounced in the darkest months. Map by Environment and Climate Change Canada/Bush, E., and Lenmmen, D.S. (2019)


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Seniors' advocates want national standards for care as COVID-19 surges

Seniors ' advocates are calling for federal action to better protect vulnerable long-term care residents as COVID-19 cases escalate across the country .
On Monday , 998 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths were reported over a 48-hour period in British Columbia .
B.C .
Premier John Horgan said case numbers were dangerously high in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions , and unless case numbers dropped , there could be a return to the strict Stage 1 restrictions enacted at the beginning of the pandemic in March .
B.C.
’ s densely populated Lower Mainland is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders ( PHO ) as of Saturday , after the province recorded back-to-back records for daily number of cases Thursday and Friday .
Case numbers also surged to record highs in Ontario and Quebec over the weekend .
And the Manitoba government announced it will investigate after COVID-19 ravaged two Winnipeg long-term care homes , killing eight residents within a two-day period this past weekend .
• Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada ?
The ongoing death toll and dire impacts on seniors in residential care during the pandemic are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unaddressed issues , said Laura Tamblyn Watts , CEO of CanAge , a national seniors ' advocacy group .
“ We know a lot of the problems that have plagued our response to COVID-19 are long-standing issues , ” said Tamblyn Watts during a recent Zoom forum on seniors ’ issues .
Long-term care across the country is in crisis due to chronic underfunding , lack of staffing and resources and an institutional , outmoded delivery model , she said .
There is no national framework when it comes to seniors ’ well-being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watts said .
“ Canada has never actually had a strategy for aging .
We are unique in the OECD ( Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ) , and not in a good way , ” Tamblyn Watts said .
Long-term care falls under provincial control , but advocates want federal quality standards to address the patchwork , inequitable supports seniors in residential settings experience across the country , she said .
The ongoing death toll and dire impacts on seniors in residential care during the pandemic are the legacy of historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laura Tamblyn Watts , CEO of CanAge , a national seniors ' advocacy group .
And federal dollars should be tied to meeting those new standards , she added .
“ The next step is dedicated federal funding for long-term care , which is not just dropped into general health transfer revenues , ” Tamblyn Watts said .
Some benchmarks for federal quality standards could include increased hours of care per resident , higher staffing ratios and a better mix of staff that would also include doctors , registered nurses or specialists such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Blaney , NDP MP for North Island-Powell River , wants the federal government to standardize care at residential homes .
Photo courtesy Rachel Blaney 's office Rachel Blaney , NDP MP for North Island—Powell River , who hosted the virtual seniors ’ meeting , agreed federal standards of care for seniors ' residential care homes was important .
Constituents have brought inequities of residential care to her attention , Blaney said .
Families moving loved ones to or from long-term care in different provinces remark on the differences of care , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s frustrating for them , ” she said .
“ There ’ s no way of making sure the standard of care you get at one place is as good somewhere else.
” The federal Liberal government has assembled the National Seniors Council to advise it , said Blaney , but a concrete federal seniors ' strategy has yet to be formulated .
More also has to be done by the federal government to support seniors aging in place in their homes , near their families and communities , Blaney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aging seniors is on the rise , the number and condition of facilities to care for them is on the decline , Blaney said .
“ There 's a lot of significant concerns about things like infrastructure for seniors ' housing , ” she said .
Tamblyn Watts agreed , saying the stock of aging residential care facilities across the country is under duress .
“ For example , in Ontario we 're going to lose about 30,000 beds within five years because they do n't have sprinklers in them , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a total of 79,000 beds , just to give you a sense of how prevalent the need for infrastructure is.
” And new care facilities should feature smaller “ dementia villages ” or campuses of care that house 10 to 25 residents rather than large , sterile , institutionalized settings , she added .
“ We need to stop building giant institutions and move to an emotion-focused model of care , ” Tamblyn Watts said .
The actions needed to improve seniors ’ care across the country are generally agreed upon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed a road map policy-makers and stakeholders can employ .
“ The good news is we actually know how to make it better .
”

Seniors' advocates are calling for federal action to better protect vulnerable long-term care residents as COVID-19 cases escalate across the country. On Monday, 998 new cases of COVID-19 and five deaths were reported over a 48-hour period in British Columbia. B.C. Premier John Horgan said case numbers were dangerously high in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, and unless case numbers dropped, there could be a return to the strict Stage 1 restrictions enacted at the beginning of the pandemic in March. B.C.’s densely populated Lower Mainland is subject to new, stringent public health orders (PHO) as of Saturday, after the province recorded back-to-back records for daily number of cases Thursday and Friday. Case numbers also surged to record highs in Ontario and Quebec over the weekend. And the Manitoba government announced it will investigate after COVID-19 ravaged two Winnipeg long-term care homes, killing eight residents within a two-day period this past weekend.
The ongoing death toll and dire impacts on seniors in residential care during the pandemic are the legacy of historical and well-documented but unaddressed issues, said Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, a national seniors' advocacy group. “We know a lot of the problems that have plagued our response to COVID-19 are long-standing issues,” said Tamblyn Watts during a recent Zoom forum on seniors’ issues. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Long-term care across the country is in crisis due to chronic underfunding, lack of staffing and resources and an institutional, outmoded delivery model, she said.
There is no national framework when it comes to seniors’ well-being, including in residential care, Tamblyn Watts said. The ongoing death toll and dire impacts on seniors in residential care during the pandemic are the legacy of historical and well-documented but unaddressed issues, said Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, a national seniors' advocacy group. “Canada has never actually had a strategy for aging. We are unique in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), and not in a good way,” Tamblyn Watts said. Long-term care falls under provincial control, but advocates want federal quality standards to address the patchwork, inequitable supports seniors in residential settings experience across the country, she said. And federal dollars should be tied to meeting those new standards, she added. “The next step is dedicated federal funding for long-term care, which is not just dropped into general health transfer revenues,” Tamblyn Watts said.
Some benchmarks for federal quality standards could include increased hours of care per resident, higher staffing ratios and a better mix of staff that would also include doctors, registered nurses or specialists such as physiotherapists, audiologists or dentists. Rachel Blaney, NDP MP for North Island-Powell River, wants the federal government to standardize care at residential homes. Photo courtesy Rachel Blaney's office Rachel Blaney, NDP MP for North Island—Powell River, who hosted the virtual seniors’ meeting, agreed federal standards of care for seniors' residential care homes was important.


nationalobserver--2020-11-09--Ottawa's delayed broadband fund welcomed with skepticism by interest groups

The Trudeau government officially launched a previously announced fund Monday that promises to provide $ 1.75 billion for rural and remote parts of Canada that currently do n't have fast , reliable internet service .
But there was skepticism about how well the government will follow through on its promises and its ability to make sure the money rolls out quickly to projects that will make a difference for families and businesses outside major urban areas..
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and OpenMedia , for instance , welcomed an extra $ 750 million that the government is making on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 2019 .
But both the business lobby group and the non-profit consumer advocacy group said they want to see that the Trudeau government follows through on its promises of better internet and wireless service for underserved areas .
Maryam Monsef , minister for rural economic development , said the Trudeau government had been ready to officially launch the fund in March but decided to hold off to consult with members of Parliament from rural areas and officials from local governments that were overwhelmed by the COVID crisis .
• Biden-Harris prevail !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We heard that the processes have to be streamlined and more easily accessible , '' Monsef said at the Ottawa press conference .
`` We also heard that communities are , rightfully so , impatient to see progress . ''
As a response , she said , the government is ready to accept applications immediately , there 's a new service to assist with navigating the system , and $ 150 million of the $ 1.7 billion is designated for projects that are ready to be completed by next November .
Ulrike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of digital economy , technology and innovation , said its members want the government to accelerate and streamline its efforts because `` everyone has moved online . ''
She described Monday 's announcement as `` another building block '' and the Chamber will work with its members and partners within governments towards getting the plans implemented .
University of Guelph professor Helen Hambly , who heads a project that has been studying rural and agricultural connectivity issues since 2007 , said that she was glad that the government had `` opened the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund and announced tools to make their work easier .
But Hambly said it remains to be seen how they sort through requests for a relatively small amount of money , considering how much internet and wireless networks cost to build .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is launching a $ 1.75-billion fund to expand high-speed internet to Canadians in rural and remote communities .
# internet # cdnpoli She said a `` real cause for concern '' has been the lack of competition in rural parts of Canada , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the result has been a lack of choice .
`` Unlimited data packages are still few and far between , so people are going over their ( limits ) at high costs to themselves and their households .
This has been a real cause of concern during COVID-19 .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , who was accompanied by four of his ministers during the official announcement in Ottawa , said reliable internet is a basic service , not a luxury .
`` Now more than ever a video chat cutting out during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s too slow to upload a school assignment , that ’ s not just a hassle , that ’ s a barrier . ''
Another barrier that was acknowledged by some of Trudeau 's ministers , under questioning from reporters , is the lack of affordable internet and wireless service in some areas .
OpenMedia , which campaigns for consumer-oriented improvements to Canada 's information services , said in a statement that the Universal Broadband Fund will be a `` much-needed boost '' to the country 's digital infrastructure .
But OpenMedia campaigner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a majority of the funds will go to benefit Big Telecom — meaning the country 's large phone and cable companies .
`` We 'd like to see the government 's investment actively put toward smaller , local , community or Indigenous-led projects , '' Knight said .
In addition to the Universal Broadband Fund , the government announced a $ 600-million deal with Ottawa-based satellite company Telesat to link up particularly remote communities with high-speed broadband via satellite .
Innovation , Science and Industry Minister Navdeep Bains said Telesat 's low-orbit satellites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 and service is projected to begin in 2022 .
Bains also acknowledged that many communities in the North have faced bracingly high internet fees .
He said the government believes competition among different service providers would `` enable the price points to go down . ''
The Universal Broadband Fund is partly an evolution of the Connect to Innovate program that the Trudeau government announced in its first mandate , to connect more households to the internet , and partly a complement to its $ 35-billion infrastructure bank .
The Liberals created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entice funding from private-sector partners to fuel what the government has called `` transformational '' infrastructure projects that would create 60,000 jobs .
However , the bank has been criticized for its relatively small number of investments in fewer than a dozen projects so far and both the Conservatives and NDP promised in the 2019 election to abolish the bank if they were voted into power .
— With files from Christopher Reynolds in Ottawa This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9 , 2020 .

The Trudeau government officially launched a previously announced fund Monday that promises to provide $1.75 billion for rural and remote parts of Canada that currently don't have fast, reliable internet service. But there was skepticism about how well the government will follow through on its promises and its ability to make sure the money rolls out quickly to projects that will make a difference for families and businesses outside major urban areas.. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and OpenMedia, for instance, welcomed an extra $750 million that the government is making on top of $1 billion originally announced in March 2019. But both the business lobby group and the non-profit consumer advocacy group said they want to see that the Trudeau government follows through on its promises of better internet and wireless service for underserved areas. Maryam Monsef, minister for rural economic development, said the Trudeau government had been ready to officially launch the fund in March but decided to hold off to consult with members of Parliament from rural areas and officials from local governments that were overwhelmed by the COVID crisis.
"We heard that the processes have to be streamlined and more easily accessible," Monsef said at the Ottawa press conference. "We also heard that communities are, rightfully so, impatient to see progress." As a response, she said, the government is ready to accept applications immediately, there's a new service to assist with navigating the system, and $150 million of the $1.7 billion is designated for projects that are ready to be completed by next November. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, the Chamber's senior director of digital economy, technology and innovation, said its members want the government to accelerate and streamline its efforts because "everyone has moved online."
She described Monday's announcement as "another building block" and the Chamber will work with its members and partners within governments towards getting the plans implemented. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the government is launching a $1.75-billion fund to expand high-speed internet to Canadians in rural and remote communities. #internet #cdnpoli University of Guelph professor Helen Hambly, who heads a project that has been studying rural and agricultural connectivity issues since 2007, said that she was glad that the government had "opened the door" for applications for the universal broadband fund and announced tools to make their work easier. But Hambly said it remains to be seen how they sort through requests for a relatively small amount of money, considering how much internet and wireless networks cost to build. She said a "real cause for concern" has been the lack of competition in rural parts of Canada, even in relatively densely populated southern Ontario, and the result has been a lack of choice. "Unlimited data packages are still few and far between, so people are going over their (limits) at high costs to themselves and their households. This has been a real cause of concern during COVID-19.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was accompanied by four of his ministers during the official announcement in Ottawa, said reliable internet is a basic service, not a luxury. "Now more than ever a video chat cutting out during a meeting or a connection that’s too slow to upload a school assignment, that’s not just a hassle, that’s a barrier." Another barrier that was acknowledged by some of Trudeau's ministers, under questioning from reporters, is the lack of affordable internet and wireless service in some areas.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--An explainer on the Green Party of Canada  and its leader Annamie Paul

“ We have this very bad habit , unfortunately , in Canada for creating policies for communities where they have no participation in the process , and then consulting them about it retroactively .
The only option they have is to comment on something that is already being done , supposedly , on their behalf .
“ We all bring our lived experience , in addition to our professional experience and education , to our political lives .
When you ’ re developing policy that particularly impacts communities , you ’ re far less likely to create public policy that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it if the people who are going to be most affected by it are actually part of creating that policy .
“ On the day that he died , my sister ( actor Ngozi Paul ) called me in tears and said to me , ‘ We have got to do better than this , Annamie .
We have got to know what a life is worth.
’ So that is a question as we face down this pandemic , as we face down the climate emergency , that we must constantly ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” ( As quoted in The Tyee ) “ So by electing and having true diverse leadership from the very beginning of the process , we ’ re far less likely to have bad public policy .
It ’ s an avoidable problem that we have in Canada , given how much diversity we have.
” “ When you ’ re running as a woman of colour , with this level of politics , that is definitely what it takes .
You have to be as near to perfect as you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely dedicated.
” On the pandemic and improving long-term care “ What we should have heard is a plan to sit down at the earliest possible moment with the provinces to talk about how we are going to create a truly national long-term care strategy and how we are going to begin to wrap long-term care into the Canada Health Act where it should have always been.
” On holding byelections in Toronto Centre during the second wave of COVID-19 “ This is not the first time that low-income and racialised people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participation .
I ask the people of Canada to think of their neighbours , and ask themselves : would you accept voting in Stage II , under these circumstances , and before Elections Canada 's proposed changes for a safe COVID election have been put in place ?
These are voting conditions that would be condemned in other countries .
“ Toronto-Centre is a community that takes great pride in voting , and normally has a higher than average voter turnout .
However , it is also a community in which 40 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French as their mother tongue .
Therefore , while sending out an Advance Voting notice , with 6 days to go to request a mail-in ballot , may be sufficient for some communities , it is certainly inadequate to secure the safe , accessible and democratic participation for the community of Toronto-Centre . ''
A few Green party policies highlighted on Paul 's campaign site Sixty per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels .
The Green party has also committed to ensuring we reduce Canadian emissions in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon budget remaining to avoid warming beyond 1.5 C. Canada can do this through a Green Recovery Plan that : '' GLI would provide every Canadian with a basic revenue source , ensuring that people can cover basic expenses such as food and accommodation .
It would be available with few or no restrictions and be sufficient to protect Canadians from the types of financial catastrophes that many find themselves confronting during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Given that GLI would be comprehensive , it will also be simpler and therefore less expensive to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs of social programs ) . ''
• Committing to protecting 50 per cent of Canada ’ s natural landscapes by 2050 , with an emphasis on biodiverse areas or areas with endangered species • Investing in long-term protected area management , to maximize the benefits of , and return on , investment in protected areas that provide for local communities • Developing a more ambitious Boreal Forest Protection Plan that will guarantee the conservation of endangered species , such as caribou , grizzly bears and wolverines • Ensure that the Boreal Forest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boreal , which is over 300 billion tonnes of carbon ( equal to 36 years ’ worth of global emissions ) .
Over the past 20 years , 25.4 million acres have been logged for industrial purposes .
This number should be cut exponentially in the upcoming years • Creating a protected zone in the Arctic in which no mineral resource exploration is permitted by any country

This cheat sheet was prepared in anticipation of a Conversation event featuring Green party Leader Annamie Paul and Canada's National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon Wood that will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT .
“On the day that he died, my sister (actor Ngozi Paul) called me in tears and said to me, ‘We have got to do better than this, Annamie. We have got to know what a life is worth.’ So that is a question as we face down this pandemic, as we face down the climate emergency, that we must constantly ask ourselves, what is a life worth?” (As quoted in The Tyee )
“We have this very bad habit, unfortunately, in Canada for creating policies for communities where they have no participation in the process, and then consulting them about it retroactively. The only option they have is to comment on something that is already being done, supposedly, on their behalf.
“We all bring our lived experience, in addition to our professional experience and education, to our political lives. When you’re developing policy that particularly impacts communities, you’re far less likely to create public policy that has huge vacuums or gaping holes in it if the people who are going to be most affected by it are actually part of creating that policy.
“So by electing and having true diverse leadership from the very beginning of the process, we’re far less likely to have bad public policy. It’s an avoidable problem that we have in Canada, given how much diversity we have.”
On being a woman of colour in federal politics
“When you’re running as a woman of colour, with this level of politics, that is definitely what it takes. You have to be as near to perfect as you can be. And you have to be completely dedicated.”
On the pandemic and improving long-term care
“What we should have heard is a plan to sit down at the earliest possible moment with the provinces to talk about how we are going to create a truly national long-term care strategy and how we are going to begin to wrap long-term care into the Canada Health Act where it should have always been.”
On holding byelections in Toronto Centre during the second wave of COVID-19
“This is not the first time that low-income and racialised people have had to face barriers to their democratic participation. I ask the people of Canada to think of their neighbours, and ask themselves: would you accept voting in Stage II, under these circumstances, and before Elections Canada's proposed changes for a safe COVID election have been put in place? These are voting conditions that would be condemned in other countries.
“Toronto-Centre is a community that takes great pride in voting, and normally has a higher than average voter turnout. However, it is also a community in which 40% of residents do not have English or French as their mother tongue. Therefore, while sending out an Advance Voting notice, with 6 days to go to request a mail-in ballot, may be sufficient for some communities, it is certainly inadequate to secure the safe, accessible and democratic participation for the community of Toronto-Centre."
A few Green party policies highlighted on Paul's campaign site
Green economic recovery
Sixty per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels. The Green party has also committed to ensuring we reduce Canadian emissions in a way that is consistent with the global carbon budget remaining to avoid warming beyond 1.5 C. Canada can do this through a Green Recovery Plan that:
Reinforces national carbon tax / rebate program
Broader carbon adjustments
Invests in renewable energy, large-scale green infrastructure, carbon capture technology
Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI)
"GLI would provide every Canadian with a basic revenue source, ensuring that people can cover basic expenses such as food and accommodation. It would be available with few or no restrictions and be sufficient to protect Canadians from the types of financial catastrophes that many find themselves confronting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that GLI would be comprehensive, it will also be simpler and therefore less expensive to administrate (usually one of the greatest costs of social programs)."
Reforming Canada’s police services
Reduce: significant divestment in police services
Reallocate: investing divested police services funds into community and social services
Record: national database of police interactions with public
Review: community oversight of police services
Land protection


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Trudeau 'deeply disappointed' by actions of Liberal MP who employed her sister in riding office

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is `` deeply disappointed '' by how Toronto MP Yasmin Ratansi handled her office .
Ratansi said Monday she ’ s leaving the Liberal caucus after admitting she employed a relative at her constituency office .
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa , Trudeau said Ratansi ’ s behaviour is unacceptable and he expects a thorough followup by the House of Commons administration .
Ratansi , who represents Don Valley East , said in a statement posted to Facebook Monday night that she `` made an error ’ ’ by employing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post that she had informed the Prime Minister ’ s Office as well as the Speaker .
• Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada ?
She apologized to her constituents and said she intends to continue representing the riding as an Independent .
`` We need to know that there are strong rules in place to ensure that ( MPs ) behave properly , '' Trudeau said Tuesday .
He said he learned of the apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the very best of all of them , in our party and all parties .
We will continue to hold that high standard . ''
Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett called on Ratansi to resign .
`` Liberal MP Yasmin Ratansi knew it was wrong to employ her sister with taxpayer dollars , yet she went to great lengths to cover up this information , '' said Barrett in a statement .
`` Canadians deserve better from their elected leaders . ''
The issue has been referred to the ethics commissioner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his recommendations .
Toronto MP Yasmin Ratansi , who represents Don Valley East , said Monday she ’ s leaving the Liberal caucus after admitting she employed a relative at her constituency office .
# cdnpoli Ratansi has represented the Ontario riding since 2015 , and previously held the riding from 2004 to 2011 .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10 , 2020 .
This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship .

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is "deeply disappointed" by how Toronto MP Yasmin Ratansi handled her office.
Ratansi said Monday she’s leaving the Liberal caucus after admitting she employed a relative at her constituency office.
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau said Ratansi’s behaviour is unacceptable and he expects a thorough followup by the House of Commons administration.
Ratansi, who represents Don Valley East, said in a statement posted to Facebook Monday night that she "made an error’’ by employing her sister.
Ratansi said in the post that she had informed the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Speaker.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Civil liberties group asks court to order release of delayed RCMP watchdog report

A civil liberties group is heading to court to force the release of a long-delayed watchdog report on its complaint about alleged RCMP surveillance of anti-oil protesters .
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association says the Mounties have been sitting on the report for more than three years and the group is now asking the Federal Court to order its disclosure .
The move comes after the Mounties missed a Nov. 7 deadline set by RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to finalize the national police force 's input into the document , which would allow the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The RCMP public complaints system is completely broken , '' said Paul Champ , a lawyer for the association .
`` Complaints are taking years and years to resolve , and that means the Canadian public is being denied the right to know about RCMP wrongdoing . ''
The civil liberties association 's notice of application , filed Monday in Federal Court , seeks an order declaring the `` extensive and unconscionable delay '' of the report has interfered with the association 's ability to speak about important public matters , breaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada ?
It also asks the court to order Lucki to respond to the interim report within 14 days .
The association lodged a complaint in February 2014 with the complaints commission .
It alleged the RCMP improperly collected and shared information about people and groups who peacefully opposed the planned Northern Gateway pipeline project and attended National Energy Board meetings .
The association said monitoring , surveillance and information-sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector created a chilling effect for those who might wish to take part in hearings or other public discussions on petroleum issues .
The commission launched a public interest investigation and completed an interim report into the matter in June 2017 , forwarding it to the RCMP for comment on the conclusions and recommendations .
The commission can not prepare a final report until the RCMP commissioner responds , which also means the findings ca n't be disclosed to the civil liberties association or the public .
In a June 23 letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposes a legal duty to provide a response to the commission 's interim report `` as soon as feasible . ''
A civil liberties group is heading to court to force the release of a long-delayed watchdog report on its complaint about alleged RCMP surveillance of anti-oil protesters .
`` It is our view that three years for your review and response to the CRCC 's interim report is clearly an unreasonable delay not contemplated by the statute , whether the delay is due to insufficient allocation of resources or any other cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 7 reply , Lucki said she had advised the complaints commission chairwoman that she `` would try to provide her with my response to the interim report within 90 days . ''
`` I recognize the time the RCMP has taken to respond to the CRCC 's interim report in this matter has not been ideal , '' Lucki wrote .
Champ expressed disappointment in a followup letter to the commissioner .
`` With respect , this delay is inexcusable and undermines the confidence that the public has in the public complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RCMP itself . ''
Champ told Lucki that in the event she did not respond to the complaints commission by Nov. 7 , he would seek instructions from the association to head to court .

A civil liberties group is heading to court to force the release of a long-delayed watchdog report on its complaint about alleged RCMP surveillance of anti-oil protesters.
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association says the Mounties have been sitting on the report for more than three years and the group is now asking the Federal Court to order its disclosure.
The move comes after the Mounties missed a Nov. 7 deadline set by RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki to finalize the national police force's input into the document, which would allow the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP to release it.
"The RCMP public complaints system is completely broken," said Paul Champ, a lawyer for the association. "Complaints are taking years and years to resolve, and that means the Canadian public is being denied the right to know about RCMP wrongdoing."
The civil liberties association's notice of application, filed Monday in Federal Court, seeks an order declaring the "extensive and unconscionable delay" of the report has interfered with the association's ability to speak about important public matters, breaching its charter right of free expression.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Joe Biden is the U.S. president-elect. Now can he save the planet?

This article was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of Canada 's National Observer 's collaboration with Climate Desk .
After five days of nail-biting , anxiety-inducing ballot counting in half a dozen key swing states , Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election .
And while Biden ’ s victory will put an end to the notoriously anti-environment Trump era , it also comes with one burning question : Will the former vice-president — who made climate change a centrepiece of his campaign — be able to push the country onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
That means Biden will probably focus first on undoing the damage of the Trump era .
( Trump has repeatedly called human-induced warming a Chinese “ hoax , ” and suggested that supporters of the Green New Deal were going to “ take out ” America ’ s cows . )
In 2017 , Trump vowed to pull the U.S. out of the landmark Paris Agreement , a move that , due to a combination of complex rules and random chance , was officially completed this week ; Biden has said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration in January .
Trump dismantled at least 70 Obama-era environmental rules intended to keep fossil fuels in the ground and dangerous toxins out of American air and water ; Biden has pledged to reverse as many of those actions as he can .
Other climate-friendly initiatives — funding for renewable energy , or for building more efficient homes — will have to be wedged into spending bills , or otherwise snuck into legislation that could get through a Republican-led Senate .
Biden might have an advantage in this , however : With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has more congressional experience than any other president .
To be sure , the results of the election weren ’ t exactly what activists and advocates were hoping for .
The next four years are more likely to feature incremental action than the sweeping dreams of the Green New Deal , and — much as in the Trump era — progress may be led by left-leaning states and big corporations willing to cut carbon .
“ A Biden win is a first step to a better future .
But we have a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ken Caldeira , a climate scientist at the Carnegie Institution .
# climatechange At the same time , the problem of climate change is becoming too big to ignore .
In the past few months alone , there have been so many hurricanes that meteorologists started naming them after Greek letters .
In September and October , fires over California , Oregon and Colorado turned the skies a sickly , Blade Runner orange .
As even ordinary Americans become tuned in to the issue , a victory for a presidential candidate who recognizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a necessary first step — that will still leave many wanting more .
“ What we do in the next years and decades will affect the Earth for tens of thousands of years , if not longer , ” said Caldeira , the climate scientist .
Biden , he added , “ needs to show us that there is a reason for hope .
”

This article was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of Canada's National Observer's collaboration with Climate Desk. After five days of nail-biting, anxiety-inducing ballot counting in half a dozen key swing states, Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. And while Biden’s victory will put an end to the notoriously anti-environment Trump era, it also comes with one burning question: Will the former vice-president — who made climate change a centrepiece of his campaign — be able to push the country onto a safer, and cooler, path? “A Biden win is a first step to a better future,” said Ken Caldeira, a climate scientist at the Carnegie Institution, via email. “But we have a long road ahead of us.” The stakes have never been higher. The United States is responsible for approximately 15 per cent of the carbon dioxide spewing into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. Without dramatic action to slash those emissions in the coming years, the globe is expected to face dangerous levels of warming, combined with heat waves, runaway floods and catastrophic wildfires. Scientists have recently been warned that another four more years of Trump could have terrible consequences: Michael Mann, an eminent climate scientist, portrayed it as “game over” for the climate.
That means Biden will probably focus first on undoing the damage of the Trump era. (Trump has repeatedly called human-induced warming a Chinese “hoax,” and suggested that supporters of the Green New Deal were going to “take out” America’s cows.) In 2017, Trump vowed to pull the U.S. out of the landmark Paris Agreement, a move that, due to a combination of complex rules and random chance, was officially completed this week; Biden has said he will rejoin the agreement immediately after his inauguration in January. Trump dismantled at least 70 Obama-era environmental rules intended to keep fossil fuels in the ground and dangerous toxins out of American air and water; Biden has pledged to reverse as many of those actions as he can. “A Biden win is a first step to a better future. But we have a long road ahead of us,” said Ken Caldeira, a climate scientist at the Carnegie Institution. #climatechange Other climate-friendly initiatives — funding for renewable energy, or for building more efficient homes — will have to be wedged into spending bills, or otherwise snuck into legislation that could get through a Republican-led Senate. Biden might have an advantage in this, however: With 36 years in the Senate, he has more congressional experience than any other president. To be sure, the results of the election weren’t exactly what activists and advocates were hoping for. The next four years are more likely to feature incremental action than the sweeping dreams of the Green New Deal, and — much as in the Trump era — progress may be led by left-leaning states and big corporations willing to cut carbon. At the same time, the problem of climate change is becoming too big to ignore. In the past few months alone, there have been so many hurricanes that meteorologists started naming them after Greek letters. In September and October, fires over California, Oregon and Colorado turned the skies a sickly, Blade Runner orange. As even ordinary Americans become tuned in to the issue, a victory for a presidential candidate who recognizes the scale of the problem looks like a necessary first step — that will still leave many wanting more. “What we do in the next years and decades will affect the Earth for tens of thousands of years, if not longer,” said Caldeira, the climate scientist. Biden, he added, “needs to show us that there is a reason for hope.”


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Renewable energy set to hit record growth despite COVID-19 pandemic

This article was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of Canada 's National Observer 's collaboration with Climate Desk .
Global renewable electricity installation will hit a record level in 2020 , according to the International Energy Agency , in sharp contrast with the declines caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the fossil fuel sectors .
The IEA report published on Tuesday says almost 90 % of new electricity generation in 2020 will be renewable , with just 10 % powered by gas and coal .
The trend puts green electricity on track to become the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coal , which has dominated for the past 50 years .
Growing acceptance of the need to tackle the climate crisis by cutting carbon emissions has made renewable energy increasingly attractive to investors .
The IEA reports that shares in renewable equipment makers and project developers have outperformed most major stock market indices and that the value of shares in solar companies has more than doubled since December 2019 .
• Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s biggest markets for renewables and the IEA suggests deployment could accelerate even faster if the policies of the president-elect , Joe Biden , are implemented .
“ Renewable power is defying the difficulties caused by the pandemic , showing robust growth while others fuels struggle , ” said Fatih Birol , the IEA ’ s executive director .
“ The resilience and positive prospects of the sector are clearly reflected by continued strong appetite from investors.
” Fossil fuels have had a turbulent time in 2020 as Covid-related measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to plunge .
“ In 2025 , renewables are set to become the largest source of electricity generation worldwide , ending coal ’ s five decades as the top power provider , ” Birol said .
“ By that time , renewables are expected to supply one-third of the world ’ s electricity.
” Solar power capacity has increased by 18 times since 2010 and wind power by four times , according to IEA data .
In October , Birol said : “ I see solar becoming the new king of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 77 % of green power in 2010 , but that has fallen to 45 % in 2020 .
However , electricity is only about one-fifth of all energy use , with the burning of fuels in transport , industry and heating making up the bulk of energy emissions .
The IEA forecasts that new renewable capacity around the world will increase by a record 200 gigawatts in 2020 , driven by China and the US where developers are rushing to take advantage of expiring incentive schemes .
“ Renewables are resilient to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Birol said .
“ Governments can tackle these issues to help bring about a sustainable recovery and accelerate clean energy transitions .
# greenshift # covid19 # energycrisis There is even stronger growth to come in 2021 , the IEA said , when India and the European Union will be the driving forces .
But growth could decline slightly in 2022 under current policies , the IEA warned .
“ Renewables are resilient to the Covid crisis but not to policy uncertainties , ” Birol said .
“ Governments can tackle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainable recovery and accelerate clean energy transitions .
“ In the US , for instance , if the proposed clean electricity policies of the next US administration are implemented , they could lead to a much more rapid deployment of solar PV and wind.
” Analysis for the Guardian , published on Monday , showed that far more of the coronavirus recovery funds being spent by governments was going to fossil fuels sectors than green projects .
“ The natural environment and climate change have not been a core part of the thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Jason Eis , the chief executive of Vivid Economics .
“ In the majority of countries we are not seeing a green recovery coming through at all .
”

This article was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of Canada's National Observer's collaboration with Climate Desk. Global renewable electricity installation will hit a record level in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency, in sharp contrast with the declines caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the fossil fuel sectors. The IEA report published on Tuesday says almost 90% of new electricity generation in 2020 will be renewable, with just 10% powered by gas and coal. The trend puts green electricity on track to become the largest power source in 2025, displacing coal, which has dominated for the past 50 years. Growing acceptance of the need to tackle the climate crisis by cutting carbon emissions has made renewable energy increasingly attractive to investors. The IEA reports that shares in renewable equipment makers and project developers have outperformed most major stock market indices and that the value of shares in solar companies has more than doubled since December 2019.
The US is one of the world’s biggest markets for renewables and the IEA suggests deployment could accelerate even faster if the policies of the president-elect, Joe Biden, are implemented. “Renewable power is defying the difficulties caused by the pandemic, showing robust growth while others fuels struggle,” said Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director. “The resilience and positive prospects of the sector are clearly reflected by continued strong appetite from investors.” Fossil fuels have had a turbulent time in 2020 as Covid-related measures caused demand from transport and other sectors to plunge. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “In 2025, renewables are set to become the largest source of electricity generation worldwide, ending coal’s five decades as the top power provider,” Birol said. “By that time, renewables are expected to supply one-third of the world’s electricity.”
Solar power capacity has increased by 18 times since 2010 and wind power by four times, according to IEA data. In October, Birol said: “I see solar becoming the new king of the world’s electricity markets.” “Renewables are resilient to the Covid crisis but not to policy uncertainties,” Birol said. “Governments can tackle these issues to help bring about a sustainable recovery and accelerate clean energy transitions. #greenshift #covid19 #energycrisis Hydropower provided 77% of green power in 2010, but that has fallen to 45% in 2020. However, electricity is only about one-fifth of all energy use, with the burning of fuels in transport, industry and heating making up the bulk of energy emissions. The IEA forecasts that new renewable capacity around the world will increase by a record 200 gigawatts in 2020, driven by China and the US where developers are rushing to take advantage of expiring incentive schemes. There is even stronger growth to come in 2021, the IEA said, when India and the European Union will be the driving forces. But growth could decline slightly in 2022 under current policies, the IEA warned. “Renewables are resilient to the Covid crisis but not to policy uncertainties,” Birol said. “Governments can tackle these issues to help bring about a sustainable recovery and accelerate clean energy transitions.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first leader to talk to U.S. president-elect Joe Biden

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the first international leader to have personally congratulated Joe Biden on being elected U.S. president , his office said Monday as it summarized a conversation about areas of co-operation — and potential contention .
I just spoke with @ JoeBiden , and congratulated him again on his election .
We ’ ve worked with each other before , and we ’ re ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries - including climate change and COVID-19 .
pic.twitter.com/wldIwLSz5H — Justin Trudeau ( @ JustinTrudeau ) November @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place even as Donald Trump refused to concede , making unfounded allegations of electoral fraud .
Trudeau had already issued a statement congratulating Biden , who will be sworn in as president at an inauguration ceremony Jan. 20 , soon after media outlets declared him the winner Saturday .
The prime minister and Biden discussed a variety of topics , including COVID-19 , climate change , the need to fight anti-Black racism and China 's detention of two Canadians , Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor , according to a statement released by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statement also says Trudeau raised several issues that have challenged the Canada-U .
S. relationship , including the softwood lumber dispute , U.S. protectionism and the Keystone XL pipeline , which Biden has suggested he wants cancelled .
• Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada ?
Biden 's transition team released its own statement acknowledging the call — a typically routine government exercise that had become a rarity under Trump .
Biden , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working closely '' with Trudeau on ways to `` advance global health security and resilience against future biological threats ; revitalize bilateral economic ties as well as the broader North American partnership , and to deepen collaboration with Canada to address a range of regional and global challenges . ''
Earlier Monday , Trudeau stressed Ottawa would stand up for Canadian jobs and interests if the new administration sought to erect barriers to trade between the two countries .
During a news conference announcing federal funds to expand high-speed internet across Canada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's allegations of electoral fraud .
Trudeau said he has `` confidence in the American electoral process as it has unfolded . ''
When asked what message he would send to Trump , Trudeau said his message is the same for every American president : `` I will work to defend Canadian interests .
That 's my job . ''
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the first international leader to have personally congratulated Joe Biden on being elected U.S. president .
# USCanada # USMCA # CUSMA # freetrade The election of Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau government after four tumultuous years dealing with the mercurial Trump , who personally attacked the prime minister on several occasions as his administration imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian steel , aluminum and other goods .
Yet Biden has talked about limiting foreign products in his plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy over the next four years as part of what he has described as a Build Back Better strategy .
That could have a big impact on Canadian jobs and interests .
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country , is one of those that have expressed concern about Biden 's plans — and called on Ottawa to redouble its efforts to keep trade flowing .
`` Traditionally , Democrats have been more protectionist in their outlook , '' CME president Dennis Darby said in a statement .
`` Mr. Biden campaigned promising to strengthen the Buy American Acts and Buy America , and these policies may force Canadian companies to invest in or relocate to the United States . ''
The CME urged the Liberal government to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent an rise in protectionism , as well as changing Canada 's tax regime to help business .
Asked about a rise in U.S. protectionism under Biden , Trudeau said Canada has developed a great deal of experience in pushing back against the Trump administration 's tariffs as well as the negotiation of a new North American free trade agreement .
`` The fundamental argument that we made every step of the way over the past four years — and we 'll continue to make into the future — is the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada and the U.S. not only hurts Canada , but also hurts workers and companies in the United States , '' Trudeau added .
`` The integration of our supply chains , the close collaboration and co-operation between businesses and people on both sides of the border means it 's always better for us to have free-flowing goods and opportunities on both sides of the border as we work together to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market . ''
Scotty Greenwood , a former American diplomat in Canada who now heads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says it is important that Canada not become complacent on trade , with the Biden administration taking over after four years of Trump .
`` There will be work to be done to make sure that the administration is reminded of the specifics of how integrated we are , '' Greenwood said .
`` But it 's not going to be the kind of lift it was for the last four years . ''
Specifically referring to some of the punitive tariffs and other unilateral trade actions taken against Canada by Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` You wo n't see those kinds of tariffs and those kind of threats being levied against Canada or our other allies in a Biden-Harris administration . ''
Colin Robertson , a former Canadian diplomat to the U.S. and vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute , noted that Canada had to fight a decade ago when the Obama administration implemented restrictions on foreign goods in its own stimulus spending following the financial crash .
The Trudeau government should mimic what Stephen Harper 's Conservatives did back then , Robertson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with U.S. governors and negotiating a reciprocity agreement on procurement .
`` It strikes me that Biden will want environmental and labour safeguards and this will be congruent with our own approach , '' he added .
`` It means we should approach this bilaterally and aim for a Canada-U .
S. agreement like in 2010 rather than trilateral ( with ) Mexico . ''
The prime minister also said he will keep working with the Trump administration until Biden takes over on Jan. 20 , including on efforts to get Kovrig and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also went out of his way to congratulate Biden 's running mate Kamala Harris , who is to become vice-president .
He said seeing a Black and South Asian American woman elected to the vice-presidency was inspiring , and a reminder that everyone has a place in the corridors of power .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the first international leader to have personally congratulated Joe Biden on being elected U.S. president, his office said Monday as it summarized a conversation about areas of co-operation — and potential contention. I just spoke with @JoeBiden, and congratulated him again on his election. We’ve worked with each other before, and we’re ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries - including climate change and COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/wldIwLSz5H — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2020 The telephone call took place even as Donald Trump refused to concede, making unfounded allegations of electoral fraud. Trudeau had already issued a statement congratulating Biden, who will be sworn in as president at an inauguration ceremony Jan. 20, soon after media outlets declared him the winner Saturday. The prime minister and Biden discussed a variety of topics, including COVID-19, climate change, the need to fight anti-Black racism and China's detention of two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office after the call. The statement also says Trudeau raised several issues that have challenged the Canada-U. S. relationship, including the softwood lumber dispute, U.S. protectionism and the Keystone XL pipeline, which Biden has suggested he wants cancelled.
Biden's transition team released its own statement acknowledging the call — a typically routine government exercise that had become a rarity under Trump. Biden, it said, is looking forward to "working closely" with Trudeau on ways to "advance global health security and resilience against future biological threats; revitalize bilateral economic ties as well as the broader North American partnership, and to deepen collaboration with Canada to address a range of regional and global challenges." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Those challenges include "managing hemispheric migration, strengthening NATO and combating climate change."
Earlier Monday, Trudeau stressed Ottawa would stand up for Canadian jobs and interests if the new administration sought to erect barriers to trade between the two countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the first international leader to have personally congratulated Joe Biden on being elected U.S. president. #USCanada #USMCA #CUSMA #freetrade During a news conference announcing federal funds to expand high-speed internet across Canada, the prime minister sidestepped questions about Trump's allegations of electoral fraud. Trudeau said he has "confidence in the American electoral process as it has unfolded." When asked what message he would send to Trump, Trudeau said his message is the same for every American president: "I will work to defend Canadian interests. That's my job." The election of Biden is a breath of fresh air for the Trudeau government after four tumultuous years dealing with the mercurial Trump, who personally attacked the prime minister on several occasions as his administration imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and other goods. Yet Biden has talked about limiting foreign products in his plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy over the next four years as part of what he has described as a Build Back Better strategy. That could have a big impact on Canadian jobs and interests.
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, which represents more than 2,500 companies across the country, is one of those that have expressed concern about Biden's plans — and called on Ottawa to redouble its efforts to keep trade flowing. "Traditionally, Democrats have been more protectionist in their outlook," CME president Dennis Darby said in a statement. "Mr. Biden campaigned promising to strengthen the Buy American Acts and Buy America, and these policies may force Canadian companies to invest in or relocate to the United States." The CME urged the Liberal government to continue lobbying U.S. senators and state governments to prevent an rise in protectionism, as well as changing Canada's tax regime to help business.


nationalobserver--2020-11-10--President-elect Joe Biden's long to-do list to include repairing damaged Canada-U. S. ties

Joe Biden 's to-do list just got a whole lot longer — and it 's a safe bet it now includes patching the holes in Canada 's relationship with the United States .
Biden has more pressing priorities to address first , such as the pandemic , which was top of mind Monday for the president-elect as he set about changing American attitudes toward COVID-19 .
`` Please , I implore you : wear a mask , '' he pleaded on a day when the number of infections in the U.S. to date crossed the 10-million threshold .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months .
Not Democrat or Republican lives , American lives . ''
There could be a role for Canada in Biden 's strategy , given his focus on following the science and providing Americans with clear , factual guidance on how best to tackle the challenge , said Kirsten Hillman , Canada 's ambassador to the U.S. • Proposed U.S. navy weapons testing in Salish Sea alarms residents : Elizabeth May • Biden-Harris prevail !
What 's it mean for Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the outset , '' Hillman said in an interview .
`` Having some discussions , if they 'd like to , with some of our experts , and some members of our COVID task force — how we did that , what we learned , what we would do differently if we were to do it again — I think there 's a lot of room there for partnership and co-operation , and we 've already expressed that to the Biden team . ''
Former Manitoba premier Gary Doer was Canada 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the White House , one of whom was Biden himself as Barack Obama 's vice-president .
Another was Ron Klain , a former chief of staff to Biden who was tapped by Obama to lead the administration 's defence against the Ebola outbreak in 2014 .
Klain , who helped draw up Biden 's strategy for the current crisis , is likely to be front and centre in helping to implement it as well , Doer said .
`` We had a very co-ordinated approach to contain Ebola in North America … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border and then prevent it , to deal with it in countries where it was originating , '' he said .
`` We had great co-operation between the disease lab in Atlanta and the Winnipeg lab and other labs in Canada , we had great co-operation before then on SARS .
So I think we 'll see a more of a Canada-U .
S. approach to the knowledge economy and the entire supply chain . ''
Joe Biden 's to-do list may well include patching the holes in Canada 's relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CUSMA # USMCA # climatechange As if on cue , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the president-elect Monday and predicted a close working relationship .
`` We 've worked with each other before , '' Trudeau tweeted .
`` We 're ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries — including climate change and COVID-19 . ''
I just spoke with @ JoeBiden , and congratulated him again on his election .
We ’ ve worked with each other before , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries - including climate change and COVID-19 .
pic.twitter.com/wldIwLSz5H — Justin Trudeau ( @ JustinTrudeau ) November 9 , 2020 Climate is an area where the federal Liberal government is more closely aligned with the incoming Biden administration than it ever was with Donald Trump .
But , as ever , Canada 's dependence on its energy sector , and the political challenges it has long presented for Trudeau , could complicate matters — especially in the hair-trigger atmosphere of a minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to champion the cross-border Keystone XL pipeline expansion , which would move more than 800,000 additional barrels of diluted bitumen from the Alberta oilsands to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast .
The Obama administration slow-walked and then ultimately vetoed the project in 2015 , only to see Trump turn around and repeatedly sign executive orders in an effort to resurrect it .
The U.S. Supreme Court slammed the brakes on again in July .
During the campaign , Biden was unequivocal : he would not allow the expansion to proceed .
Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer .
`` We try to make sure that American stakeholders and lawmakers at all levels , including Democrats on ( Capitol ) Hill … understand that that project is something that is going to strengthen U.S. energy security , and it 's going to do so safely and responsibly , '' Hillman said .
`` Canada 's one of the only major suppliers to the U.S. that has a price on carbon , that has a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 … Talking about our KXL project , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around how energy trade with Canada is important for both countries , even if we are transitioning to a lower carbon economy . ''
The president-elect also has a suite of protectionist `` Buy American '' policies ready to kick-start the U.S. economic recovery and placate some of those working-class voters who supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 .
As vice-president , Biden presided over the implementation of the 2009 Recovery Act , an $ 800-billion stimulus package enacted in the midst of the Great Recession that restricted the use of foreign materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — rules from which it took Canada nearly a year to negotiate a waiver .
His new `` Made in America '' office would have the power to review all Buy American waivers and establish a public record of any and all of them .
The political climate in 2009 was very different than it is in 2020 , said Doer , who expects Canada to be able to negotiate waivers to the rules much as it did 10 years ago .
Those waivers , he noted , were supported by major labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Canada-U .
S. border .
`` All those people … were very instrumental to Biden 's win in the Great Lakes states — Pennsylvania and Michigan and Wisconsin and Minnesota , '' Doer said .
`` So I think that we 'll have to use that kind of template to try to have not a Buy American position but a Buy North American view in our neighbourhood . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 9 , 2020 .

Joe Biden's to-do list just got a whole lot longer — and it's a safe bet it now includes patching the holes in Canada's relationship with the United States. Biden has more pressing priorities to address first, such as the pandemic, which was top of mind Monday for the president-elect as he set about changing American attitudes toward COVID-19. "Please, I implore you: wear a mask," he pleaded on a day when the number of infections in the U.S. to date crossed the 10-million threshold. "We can save tens of thousands of American lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months. Not Democrat or Republican lives, American lives." There could be a role for Canada in Biden's strategy, given his focus on following the science and providing Americans with clear, factual guidance on how best to tackle the challenge, said Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S.
"We've been doing that since the outset," Hillman said in an interview. "Having some discussions, if they'd like to, with some of our experts, and some members of our COVID task force — how we did that, what we learned, what we would do differently if we were to do it again — I think there's a lot of room there for partnership and co-operation, and we've already expressed that to the Biden team." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Former Manitoba premier Gary Doer was Canada's ambassador the last time the Democrats were in the White House, one of whom was Biden himself as Barack Obama's vice-president. Another was Ron Klain, a former chief of staff to Biden who was tapped by Obama to lead the administration's defence against the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
Klain, who helped draw up Biden's strategy for the current crisis, is likely to be front and centre in helping to implement it as well, Doer said. Joe Biden's to-do list may well include patching the holes in Canada's relationship with the United States. #USCanada #CUSMA #USMCA #climatechange "We had a very co-ordinated approach to contain Ebola in North America … to contain it on both sides of the border and then prevent it, to deal with it in countries where it was originating," he said. "We had great co-operation between the disease lab in Atlanta and the Winnipeg lab and other labs in Canada, we had great co-operation before then on SARS. So I think we'll see a more of a Canada-U. S. approach to the knowledge economy and the entire supply chain." As if on cue, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to the president-elect Monday and predicted a close working relationship. "We've worked with each other before," Trudeau tweeted. "We're ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries — including climate change and COVID-19."
I just spoke with @JoeBiden, and congratulated him again on his election. We’ve worked with each other before, and we’re ready to pick up on that work and tackle the challenges and opportunities facing our two countries - including climate change and COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/wldIwLSz5H — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 9, 2020 Climate is an area where the federal Liberal government is more closely aligned with the incoming Biden administration than it ever was with Donald Trump. But, as ever, Canada's dependence on its energy sector, and the political challenges it has long presented for Trudeau, could complicate matters — especially in the hair-trigger atmosphere of a minority government on Parliament Hill.