nationalobserver--2020-07-10--Cronyism, patronage and destruction of democratic rights mark Kenney's rule by decree

Since its election in April 2019 , Alberta 's United Conservative Party ( UCP ) government has passed two budgets , tabled 60 bills ( as of press time ) , and changed regulations in multiple areas .
The rapid pace of its announcements and the speed at which bills are pushed through the legislature have made careful analysis of the UCP ’ s agenda challenging for the opposition parties , civil society organizations , and journalists .
Moreover , the opportunities for these actors to do their important work of communicating with the public about the implications of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with public debate .
While trying to keep up with the avalanche of new developments , we may lose sight of the big picture—the “ cumulative effects ” of these changes on the political landscape .
Among these are the effects on democracy and citizenship .
We have witnessed a series of moves to strip resources from civil society organizations , remove or weaken rights to representation and collective bargaining , and repress opposition to government policies .
The cumulative effect of these measures is a significant shift of power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to employ state power to repress opposition .
There has been a full-blown return to the cronyism and patronage politics of the old PCs .
The man appointed to head up the $ 3.5 million inquiry into the “ foreign-funded anti-Alberta energy campaign , ” Steve Allan , had supported the Justice Minister ’ s campaign for the leadership of the UCP .
Allan went on to award a nearly $ 1 million contract to the law firm where his son was a partner and where Justice Minister Douglas Schweitzer had worked prior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus Alberta ’ s Ethics Commissioner , Marguerite Trussler , concluded in her July 6 , 2020 report that , in appointing Mr. Allan , the minister had not violated the Conflicts of Interest Act ; Trussler noted , however , that she did not have jurisdiction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed members of the governance boards of public agencies and institutions mid-term , installing friends and donors in their places .
In doing so , they ignored the rigorous and transparent search and appointment procedures , including diversity criteria , that had been established by the NDP .
Omnibus bills introduced in fall 2019 rolled back workers ’ collective bargaining rights that had been instituted by the NDP government .
The UCP restored the power of employers to use replacement workers during a strike or lock-out of essential services workers , and reinstated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers to issue secret directives to public sector employers ( such as Alberta Health Services or university boards of governors ) before and during collective bargaining , thereby asserting direct control over the governance of these supposedly arms-length public agencies and institutions .
Bill 26 precluded farm workers from unionizing , and reduced occupational health and safety protections for workers , among other measures .
The control by pension plan members over the investment of their own pension funds was weakened by the government ’ s arbitrary transfer of some public sector pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by prohibiting any public sector pension plan from replacing AIMCo as its investment manager .
We have witnessed a series of moves by Jason Kenney 's United Conservative Party to strip resources from civil society organizations , remove or weaken rights to representation and collective bargaining , and repress opposition to government policies .
Photo by Felipe Canavera The Public Health Emergency Measures Act , introduced under the cover of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 , gave cabinet ministers the authority to write laws and change penalties for violations without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has characterized this move as “ an end run around democracy ” and is challenging its constitutionality .
The minister of environment and parks has already used this law to suspend requirements for environmental monitoring and reporting .
`` In the time remaining before the next election , we must find ways to reclaim and rebuild the conditions for democratic politics that ( Alberta 's United Conservative Party ) has been actively undermining . ''
The constitutionality of Bill 1 , the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act , passed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal experts , and is being challenged in court by the Alberta Union of Public Employees .
This act gives sweeping powers to the government to declare any space ( public or private ) off-limits to the public and imposes heavy penalties that are intended to deter any protests that the government deems to interfere with “ critical infrastructure.
” Government spokespersons acknowledged that this legislation was motivated by the blockades , occupations , and other actions carried out in February 2020 in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en resistance to the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been passed in the United States .
The UCP has already attempted to intimidate Indigenous and non-Indigenous activists connected to the global climate justice movement by labelling them “ anti-Albertan , ” associating them with shadowy foreign interests , establishing a secretive inquiry to dig into their funding sources and question their charitable tax status , and has funded an “ energy war room ” ( not subject to Freedom of Information requests ) to back the public relations and lobbying efforts of the oil and gas industry .
And then there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced in June 2020 , which allows third parties to spend up to half a million dollars to promote a position in a referendum .
The referenda are not triggered by civil society mobilization , as in other contexts , but can be called only by the premier ( including during an election ) , on a question chosen and framed by the government , for political reasons .
Bill 29 , the Local Authorities Election Amendment Act , also introduced in June , will give an advantage to candidates in municipal elections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The act removes the requirement for candidates to disclose their donors prior to election day , removes limits on spending by third-party advertisers outside the local election campaign period ( from May 1 to election day in October ) , and allows individuals to donate up to $ 5,000 to as many candidates as they want during an election .
All of this is exacerbated by the UCP ’ s introduction , on July 8 , of Bill 32 , the Restoring Balance in Alberta ’ s Workplaces Act .
The act can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full-on attack on Alberta ’ s workers and their unions .
The bill sets limits on how unions collect dues from their members and on what they can do with dues .
It requires explicit consent from each individual member before the union can allocate any portion of their dues to political , social or charitable causes .
Of course , the UCP government has given itself the exclusive right to determine , through regulation , what constitutes “ political , social or charitable ” causes .
It will likely put almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The obvious impact of these limits , when combined with the legislation detailed above , will be to allow only the discourse and opinions that the UCP agrees with to be funded in the public realm .
Groups advocating for labour rights , fiscal reform , public services , health care and education , as well as research institutes looking at progressive policy alternatives , all stand to lose their key source of funds .

Since its election in April 2019, Alberta's United Conservative Party (UCP) government has passed two budgets, tabled 60 bills (as of press time), and changed regulations in multiple areas. The rapid pace of its announcements and the speed at which bills are pushed through the legislature have made careful analysis of the UCP’s agenda challenging for the opposition parties, civil society organizations, and journalists. Moreover, the opportunities for these actors to do their important work of communicating with the public about the implications of the UCP’s policies have been curtailed, along with public debate. While trying to keep up with the avalanche of new developments, we may lose sight of the big picture—the “cumulative effects” of these changes on the political landscape. Among these are the effects on democracy and citizenship. We have witnessed a series of moves to strip resources from civil society organizations, remove or weaken rights to representation and collective bargaining, and repress opposition to government policies. The cumulative effect of these measures is a significant shift of power to the government to rule by decree and to employ state power to repress opposition. There has been a full-blown return to the cronyism and patronage politics of the old PCs. The man appointed to head up the $3.5 million inquiry into the “foreign-funded anti-Alberta energy campaign,” Steve Allan, had supported the Justice Minister’s campaign for the leadership of the UCP. Allan went on to award a nearly $1 million contract to the law firm where his son was a partner and where Justice Minister Douglas Schweitzer had worked prior to being elected in 2019.
Alberta’s Ethics Commissioner, Marguerite Trussler, concluded in her July 6, 2020 report that, in appointing Mr. Allan, the minister had not violated the Conflicts of Interest Act; Trussler noted, however, that she did not have jurisdiction to investigate Mr. Allan. The UCP also removed members of the governance boards of public agencies and institutions mid-term, installing friends and donors in their places. In doing so, they ignored the rigorous and transparent search and appointment procedures, including diversity criteria, that had been established by the NDP. Omnibus bills introduced in fall 2019 rolled back workers’ collective bargaining rights that had been instituted by the NDP government. The UCP restored the power of employers to use replacement workers during a strike or lock-out of essential services workers, and reinstated bargaining unit exclusions. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions They also empowered ministers to issue secret directives to public sector employers (such as Alberta Health Services or university boards of governors) before and during collective bargaining, thereby asserting direct control over the governance of these supposedly arms-length public agencies and institutions. Bill 26 precluded farm workers from unionizing, and reduced occupational health and safety protections for workers, among other measures.
The control by pension plan members over the investment of their own pension funds was weakened by the government’s arbitrary transfer of some public sector pensions to the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, and by prohibiting any public sector pension plan from replacing AIMCo as its investment manager. "In the time remaining before the next election, we must find ways to reclaim and rebuild the conditions for democratic politics that (Alberta's United Conservative Party) has been actively undermining." We have witnessed a series of moves by Jason Kenney's United Conservative Party to strip resources from civil society organizations, remove or weaken rights to representation and collective bargaining, and repress opposition to government policies. National Observer file photo. The Public Health Emergency Measures Act, introduced under the cover of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, gave cabinet ministers the authority to write laws and change penalties for violations without the approval of the legislature. The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has characterized this move as “an end run around democracy” and is challenging its constitutionality. The minister of environment and parks has already used this law to suspend requirements for environmental monitoring and reporting. The constitutionality of Bill 1, the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, passed in May, has also been questioned by legal experts, and is being challenged in court by the Alberta Union of Public Employees. This act gives sweeping powers to the government to declare any space (public or private) off-limits to the public and imposes heavy penalties that are intended to deter any protests that the government deems to interfere with “critical infrastructure.” Government spokespersons acknowledged that this legislation was motivated by the blockades, occupations, and other actions carried out in February 2020 in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en resistance to the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline. Bill 1 mimics similar acts that have been passed in the United States.
The UCP has already attempted to intimidate Indigenous and non-Indigenous activists connected to the global climate justice movement by labelling them “anti-Albertan,” associating them with shadowy foreign interests, establishing a secretive inquiry to dig into their funding sources and question their charitable tax status, and has funded an “energy war room” (not subject to Freedom of Information requests) to back the public relations and lobbying efforts of the oil and gas industry. And then there is the Constitutional Referendum Amendment Act, introduced in June 2020, which allows third parties to spend up to half a million dollars to promote a position in a referendum. The referenda are not triggered by civil society mobilization, as in other contexts, but can be called only by the premier (including during an election), on a question chosen and framed by the government, for political reasons. Bill 29, the Local Authorities Election Amendment Act, also introduced in June, will give an advantage to candidates in municipal elections who have support from well-heeled donors.


nationalobserver--2020-07-10--Trudeau ministers welcome decriminalization endorsement as opioid crisis deepens

Canada 's attorney general and federal health minister say they welcome the call from Canadian police chiefs to decriminalize drugs for simple possession , as the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the opioid crisis .
Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer , president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police ( CACP ) , said July 9 that “ the tide is turning ” with a new generation of law enforcement now acknowledging that arresting people for drug possession is n't effective and “ does not save lives.
” “ We are here today to officially state that the CACP recognizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issue .
Being addicted to a controlled substance is not a crime and should not be treated as such , ” Palmer said .
The police chiefs said in a report that the `` compelling case '' for change had been made by public health officials addressing the opioid crisis , which killed over 15,000 Canadians between January 2016 and December 2019 , and continues to kill .
In British Columbia , far more people have died this year from illicit drug overdoses than from COVID-19 .
By mid-June , B.C .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , compared to 186 deaths from coronavirus as of Thursday .
May was the deadliest month ever for overdose deaths in the province , a grim milestone .
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus `` Currently , people who experience substance use disorder face repercussions including criminal records , stigma , risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diseases , '' reads the police chiefs report .
`` The aim is to decrease these harms by removing mandatory criminal sanctions , often replacing them with responses that promote access to harm reduction and treatment services . ''
'One of the most serious public health threats ' Last year , B.C .
's top health officer , Dr. Bonnie Henry , called on B.C .
to do what it could to decriminalize possession .
She said the province `` can not wait for action at the federal level ” and must move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprecedented deaths . ''
Justice Minister David Lametti and Health Minister Patty Hajdu said in a joint statement to National Observer that , as the government fights the pandemic , `` we can not forget the opioid overdose crisis has exacted a heavy toll on thousands of families in communities throughout the country . ''
`` This crisis , now intensified by the pandemic , continues to be one of the most serious public health threats in Canada ’ s recent history , and our government remains committed to a compassionate approach to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government was taking a `` public health approach '' to substance use and expanding access to services for people who use drugs , like drug treatment courts , supervised consumption sites and safer supply access .
Canada 's attorney general and federal health minister say they welcome the call from Canadian police chiefs to decriminalize drugs for simple possession , as the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the opioid crisis .
“ Today , the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police released a report that recognizes substance use as a public health issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal sanctions in response to the offence of simple possession .
We welcome their endorsement of a holistic approach including harm reduction and diversion , and thank them for their recommendations , '' they said .
Today , we released our report endorsing the decriminalization for simple possession of illicit drugs .
/ Aujourd'hui , nous avons publié notre rapport qui appui la décriminalisation pour simple possession de drogues illicites .
https : //t.co/joGw3A4exr pic.twitter.com/xD4sfg31lZ — CACP / ACCP ( @ CACP_ACCP ) July 9 , 2020 Palmer said the CACP had provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minister Bill Blair , and that police chiefs were “ optimistic ” they would get federal buy-in on their recommendations .
The CACP has proposed a `` national task force '' on drug policy reform composed of its own representatives and those from Public Safety Canada , the Department of Justice , the Public Prosecution Service , Health Canada and other experts .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ruled out decriminalization during the 2019 federal election campaign .
But Liberal MPs put forward a decriminalization resolution in 2018 , and Toronto-area Liberal MP Nathaniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decriminalization .
He questioned last month why public health advice was being followed on COVID-19 but not on the opioid crisis .
The Green Party and the NDP are in favour of decriminalization , while the Conservatives campaigned against the idea .
Simple possession refers to section 4 ( 1 ) of the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act .
There are many other criminal sanctions related to drugs , such as trafficking , importing or illegal production , that police chiefs said they remain committed to combating .
Decriminalization means responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of criminal charges .
It is not as comprehensive as legalization , which can remove or change a range of criminal sanctions and introduce a regulatory regime , as Canada did with cannabis in 2018 .
Palmer said many police agencies have already shifted resources away from simple possession charges in recent years , and toward enforcing other illicit drug laws .
“ In Vancouver , I would call what we have now as de facto decriminalization of possession of drugs already .
It ’ s probably been about 10 years that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we do not spend resources on enforcing for possession of illicit substances . ''

Canada's attorney general and federal health minister say they welcome the call from Canadian police chiefs to decriminalize drugs for simple possession, as the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the opioid crisis. Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer, president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), said July 9 that “the tide is turning” with a new generation of law enforcement now acknowledging that arresting people for drug possession isn't effective and “does not save lives.” “We are here today to officially state that the CACP recognizes substance use and addiction as a public health issue. Being addicted to a controlled substance is not a crime and should not be treated as such,” Palmer said. The police chiefs said in a report that the "compelling case" for change had been made by public health officials addressing the opioid crisis, which killed over 15,000 Canadians between January 2016 and December 2019, and continues to kill. In British Columbia, far more people have died this year from illicit drug overdoses than from COVID-19. By mid-June, B.C. had recorded 554 deaths from illicit drugs, compared to 186 deaths from coronavirus as of Thursday. May was the deadliest month ever for overdose deaths in the province, a grim milestone.
"Currently, people who experience substance use disorder face repercussions including criminal records, stigma, risk of overdose and the transmission of blood-borne diseases," reads the police chiefs report. "The aim is to decrease these harms by removing mandatory criminal sanctions, often replacing them with responses that promote access to harm reduction and treatment services." 'One of the most serious public health threats' Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Last year, B.C.'s top health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, called on B.C. to do what it could to decriminalize possession. She said the province "cannot wait for action at the federal level” and must move urgently to “stem the tide of unprecedented deaths."
Justice Minister David Lametti and Health Minister Patty Hajdu said in a joint statement to National Observer that, as the government fights the pandemic, "we cannot forget the opioid overdose crisis has exacted a heavy toll on thousands of families in communities throughout the country." Canada's attorney general and federal health minister say they welcome the call from Canadian police chiefs to decriminalize drugs for simple possession, as the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the opioid crisis. "This crisis, now intensified by the pandemic, continues to be one of the most serious public health threats in Canada’s recent history, and our government remains committed to a compassionate approach to address it." The ministers said the government was taking a "public health approach" to substance use and expanding access to services for people who use drugs, like drug treatment courts, supervised consumption sites and safer supply access. “Today, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police released a report that recognizes substance use as a public health issue and examines a range of alternatives to criminal sanctions in response to the offence of simple possession. We welcome their endorsement of a holistic approach including harm reduction and diversion, and thank them for their recommendations," they said. http://twitter.com/CACP_ACCP/status/1281288770046705664
'Optimistic' government will be receptive Palmer said the CACP had provided copies of the report to Public Safety Minister Bill Blair, and that police chiefs were “optimistic” they would get federal buy-in on their recommendations. The CACP has proposed a "national task force" on drug policy reform composed of its own representatives and those from Public Safety Canada, the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service, Health Canada and other experts.


nationalobserver--2020-07-10--Ford government’s moves to address anti-Black racism in Ontario schools  too slow for one young crit

Ford government’s moves to address anti-Black racism in Ontario schools  too slow for one young critic

Premier Doug Ford 's government said it will not begin the process of ending 'streaming ' in Ontario ’ s Grade 9 classrooms until September 2021 , as it launched an education equity strategy to tackle systemic racism in schools on Thursday .
And it will start with only one subject : mathematics .
Streaming is a practice in which students are separated into academic and applied courses — a process critics say unfairly directs Black students away from higher education .
“ It seems like they ’ re playing it safe , ” said Stephen Mensah , the education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s not like they ’ re trying to expedite it.
” Stephen Mensah , the education lead for the Toronto Youth Cabinet , says the provincial government could be moving more aggressively to counter anti-Black racism in Ontario 's education system .
Photo supplied by Stephen Mensah The practice of streaming is one of the reasons Black students are more likely to be pushed out of high school early , which in turn often lowers earning capacity and perpetuates a racialized socio-economic divide .
• Doug Ford ready to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus Mensah said it made sense to wait until 2021 , given all the COVID-19-related disruption , but that they should merge streams for at least two subjects to ensure a timely revamp .
“ Are we going to be doing it one subject every year ?
” Mensah asked .
“ Because if we 're going to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take forever.
” The government had signalled the broad contours of the education equity plan earlier this week .
Lecce on Thursday said the reason for the 2021 start to de-streaming is that 's when a new Grade 9 math curriculum is being rolled out , following the revamp of Grades 1 to 8 math , planned for this September .
Lecce deflected a question about de-streaming plans beyond that at Thursday ’ s virtual news conference , as well as others on whether working parents should be asking their employers for flexibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario 's Ford government will begin closing down streaming for grade 9 students next year , and only in one subject initially , which youth advocate @ StephenMensah_ says is n't moving fast enough to dismantle systemic racism in education The government has asked school boards to prepare for three different teaching scenarios : one where classes resume , one which is online-only , and hybrid models that see children going to school part time .
Lecce declined to say whether the government would hire more teachers or seek to secure additional space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return full time , which he said was the government ’ s goal .
He did say the government plans to spend $ 730 million more on grants for student needs in the next school year .
On addressing racism in education , Lecce said that “ the status quo is morally indefensible ” and that this plan would “ unleash the full potential of every child , most especially racialized kids who have felt ignored.
” “ It ’ s the racism of low expectations , it 's not really believing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone in the system to start doing that and that work will start this year , ” Lecce said .
On streaming , Lecce cited Toronto District School Board data showing that almost half of its Black students took applied courses ( compared to 19 per cent of non-Black students ) and only one-third pursued post-secondary education .
He said applied students are four times less likely to graduate , and that Black students account for 34 per cent of suspensions in the TDSB , despite only making up 11 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lecce ’ s use of the TDSB ’ s race-based data made him wonder why he would n't agree to the youth cabinet ’ s request that Ontario require all boards to collect the same , standardized data by 2021 , instead of the province ’ s 2023 target .
Lecce also said he was calling for teachers ’ unions to support mandatory anti-racism training for education workers , and would deploy the same for trustees .
He said the government would work with the Ontario College of Teachers to toughen sanctions for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would also introduce a mandatory test for new educators to meet the Grade 9 math standard , and spend $ 20 million to encourage teachers to take on more professional development and training .
Jamil Jivani , a community organizer who has been advising the Ford government since late last year as its Advocate for Community Opportunities , said he had been streamed into applied courses in the Ontario school system and was committed to making a difference for the next generation .
Jamil Jivani , a special advisor to Premier Doug Ford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education system to become more student-focused .
“ We are challenging Ontario 's education establishment to become more student-centered , ” Jivani said , adding that for more than a decade prior to Ford ’ s government the province had fallen in line with school boards , teachers ’ unions and teaching colleges looking to retain the “ education status quo.
” Jivani praised Ford for collecting a wide range of views from Black communities including parents , religious groups , business leaders and those leading sports or tutoring programs , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid too much attention to “ a small fraction of the Black community , that makes the most noise and sends the most tweets.
” “ My hope is that we will remember today as a call to continue elevating voices in the Black community that have been historically ignored and to look beyond the noise and the tweets .
”

Premier Doug Ford's government said it will not begin the process of ending 'streaming' in Ontario’s Grade 9 classrooms until September 2021, as it launched an education equity strategy to tackle systemic racism in schools on Thursday. And it will start with only one subject: mathematics. Streaming is a practice in which students are separated into academic and applied courses — a process critics say unfairly directs Black students away from higher education. “It seems like they’re playing it safe,” said Stephen Mensah, the education lead for the Toronto Youth Cabinet. “It’s not like they’re trying to expedite it.” Stephen Mensah, the education lead for the Toronto Youth Cabinet, says the provincial government could be moving more aggressively to counter anti-Black racism in Ontario's education system. Photo supplied by Stephen Mensah
The practice of streaming is one of the reasons Black students are more likely to be pushed out of high school early, which in turn often lowers earning capacity and perpetuates a racialized socio-economic divide. Mensah said it made sense to wait until 2021, given all the COVID-19-related disruption, but that they should merge streams for at least two subjects to ensure a timely revamp. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Are we going to be doing it one subject every year?” Mensah asked. “Because if we're going to do it like that, it's going to take forever.”
The government had signalled the broad contours of the education equity plan earlier this week. Ontario's Ford government will begin closing down streaming for grade 9 students next year, and only in one subject initially, which youth advocate @StephenMensah_ says isn't moving fast enough to dismantle systemic racism in education Lecce on Thursday said the reason for the 2021 start to de-streaming is that's when a new Grade 9 math curriculum is being rolled out, following the revamp of Grades 1 to 8 math, planned for this September. Lecce deflected a question about de-streaming plans beyond that at Thursday’s virtual news conference, as well as others on whether working parents should be asking their employers for flexibility when schools are set to reopen. The government has asked school boards to prepare for three different teaching scenarios: one where classes resume, one which is online-only, and hybrid models that see children going to school part time. Lecce declined to say whether the government would hire more teachers or seek to secure additional space such as community centres to enable students to return full time, which he said was the government’s goal.
He did say the government plans to spend $730 million more on grants for student needs in the next school year. On addressing racism in education, Lecce said that “the status quo is morally indefensible” and that this plan would “unleash the full potential of every child, most especially racialized kids who have felt ignored.” “It’s the racism of low expectations, it's not really believing in their potential, and we need everyone in the system to start doing that and that work will start this year,” Lecce said.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box

First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents

The litany of racial slurs inserted into the comments section of an online Conservative leadership debate Wednesday was not surprising , candidate Leslyn Lewis said the next day .
Lewis , Erin O'Toole and Derek Sloan were debating B.C.-related issues when for nearly a minute , slurs started filling the chat box of the video conference program .
Lewis , who is the first Black candidate to run for the Conservative party leadership , said she saw them and then closed the chat screen so she could focus on the event .
`` The racist comments during last night 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black people and Jewish people were sadly not surprising , '' she said in a statement Thursday .
`` This past week we saw much more blatant displays of antisemitism in Toronto , and it has not been an irregular occurrence for me to encounter racist individuals during this campaign . ''
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus A transcript of the debate chat provided to The Canadian Press by organizers suggests the racist slurs were one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion , with the other interjections seemingly nonsensical .
He said as the comments were noticed , moderators booted the user from the chat , but then a new one would pop up .
Eventually , they disabled the chat function altogether .
`` We are thankful to the hundreds of members in the chat who alerted us to these terrible comments and demanded swift action , which we took , '' he said .
Isidorou said some cursory research by the organizing team suggested there had been a plan prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to join the online debate was widely circulated as the event was backed by all 42 riding associations in the province .
The litany of racial slurs inserted into the comments section of an online Conservative leadership debate on Wednesday , July 8 , 2020 , was not surprising , candidate Leslyn Lewis said the next day .
The racist comments were n't mentioned by the candidates or moderator during the event , but screenshots of them circulated online after they were removed .
Peter MacKay , who skipped the debate , later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling it `` disgusting and totally unacceptable . ''
Hackers disrupting video conference calls have been a hazard as the software has exploded in use during the COVID-19 pandemic .
But Lewis ' campaign said though the team has held hundreds of online sessions , they 've only experienced a single other instance of someone attempting to disrupt the event , and in that one , the commentator was attacking Lewis for her gender .
Her campaign said her previous encounters with racism on the campaign trail have come in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her statement , Lewis said the response from fellow Conservatives to the events of Wednesday night prove to her that racist behaviour is not acceptable in the party .
`` I truly believe that together we will continue to make Canada a welcoming and safe place for all . ''
Voting is now underway in the race and the mail-in ballots are due back by Aug. 21 , with a winner expected to be announced the week after .
The debate Wednesday night covered a range of regional topics , including a rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the COVID-19 pandemic , which is believed to have originated in China .

The litany of racial slurs inserted into the comments section of an online Conservative leadership debate Wednesday was not surprising, candidate Leslyn Lewis said the next day. Lewis, Erin O'Toole and Derek Sloan were debating B.C.-related issues when for nearly a minute, slurs started filling the chat box of the video conference program. Lewis, who is the first Black candidate to run for the Conservative party leadership, said she saw them and then closed the chat screen so she could focus on the event. "The racist comments during last night's debate which were directed at me, Black people and Jewish people were sadly not surprising," she said in a statement Thursday. "This past week we saw much more blatant displays of antisemitism in Toronto, and it has not been an irregular occurrence for me to encounter racist individuals during this campaign."
A transcript of the debate chat provided to The Canadian Press by organizers suggests the racist slurs were one of several attempts by to hijack the discussion, with the other interjections seemingly nonsensical. Debate organizer Angelo Isidorou called the incident "mortifying." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions He said as the comments were noticed, moderators booted the user from the chat, but then a new one would pop up. Eventually, they disabled the chat function altogether.
"We are thankful to the hundreds of members in the chat who alerted us to these terrible comments and demanded swift action, which we took," he said. The litany of racial slurs inserted into the comments section of an online Conservative leadership debate on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, was not surprising, candidate Leslyn Lewis said the next day. Isidorou said some cursory research by the organizing team suggested there had been a plan prior to the event to disrupt it. The link to join the online debate was widely circulated as the event was backed by all 42 riding associations in the province. The racist comments weren't mentioned by the candidates or moderator during the event, but screenshots of them circulated online after they were removed. Peter MacKay, who skipped the debate, later condemned the incident on social media, calling it "disgusting and totally unacceptable."
Hackers disrupting video conference calls have been a hazard as the software has exploded in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Lewis' campaign said though the team has held hundreds of online sessions, they've only experienced a single other instance of someone attempting to disrupt the event, and in that one, the commentator was attacking Lewis for her gender. Her campaign said her previous encounters with racism on the campaign trail have come in the form of social-media messages and direct correspondence.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--Chiefs call for police reforms and inquiry but Premier Higgs says problem's bigger than N.B.

Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick say they are losing faith in Premier Blaine Higgs and his provincial government after a second meeting failed to produce an agreement for an inquiry into systemic racism and two recent police shootings .
Wolastoqey and Mi'kmaq chiefs joined Higgs and members of his cabinet Thursday afternoon for a two-and-a-half-hour meeting in Fredericton .
The Indigenous leaders said they insisted the provincial government establish an inquiry to look at how the justice system in New Brunswick is failing Indigenous peoples .
They left empty-handed and without any commitment on another meeting .
`` His inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perley of the Tobique First Nation at a news conference following the talks .
`` We have waited over three weeks for this meeting and we still have no firm commitment for an inquiry . ''
The last time the two sides met was in June .
The chiefs left that meeting disappointed after Premier Higgs turned down their request for an inquiry and instead suggested a task force to review recommendations made from previous inquiries .
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus Chief George Ginnish , of Eel Ground First Nation , said there has long been systemic racism in the justice system , and when it comes to policing , the RCMP is not prepared to deal with First Nations ' issues .
`` We need community peacekeeping , '' Ginnish said Thursday .
`` We need people that can interact with our members on the ground and work with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our health centres , and have a comprehensive approach to what our issues are . ''
The chiefs say they 're united in their call for a independent provincial inquiry .
Higgs , however , told reporters after the meeting he thought the concerns of the Indigenous leaders should be addressed with a national inquiry .
`` I said this is bigger than New Brunswick , '' Higgs said .
`` This is a national issue .
Every province is dealing with these issues , and why do n't we make it that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing by the RCMP require a national perspective .
`` I just believe that we have to make it a bigger national issue because so much of it is related to the federal government . ''
Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick say they are losing faith in Premier Blaine Higgs and his provincial government after a second meeting failed to produce an agreement for an inquiry into systemic racism and two recent police shootings .
The chiefs say they want Opposition members to call for a vote in the legislature as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member Chuck Chiasson says it would be late September at the earliest before they could debate the issue .
He said the Liberals already introduced a motion on June 25 calling for an inquiry into systemic bias against Indigenous people in New Brunswick , but the legislature does n't sit again until September .
The chiefs ' calls follow the fatal shootings of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi — two Indigenous people killed by police in June .
Mi'kmaq leaders are also calling for immediate reforms to the justice system , including improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involvement in police oversight .
In a letter to the premier dated July 2 , they demanded a change in the approach to law enforcement including the creation of a community-based initiative they are calling Mi'kmaq Peacekeepers .
`` This will be a system of unarmed safety officers from our communities , trained in de-escalation tactics and to address issues of mental health , addiction , poverty and trauma , '' they wrote .
Levi , 48 , was attending a barbecue on June 12 near the Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation when someone allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwanted person . ''
The Mounties have said a suspect carrying knives was jolted with a stun gun , but that failed to subdue him .
He was shot when he charged at officers , police said .
Moore , 26 , was fatally shot June 4 when an officer from the Edmundston Police Department was conducting a `` wellness check . ''
Police allege she lunged at an officer with a knife .

Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick say they are losing faith in Premier Blaine Higgs and his provincial government after a second meeting failed to produce an agreement for an inquiry into systemic racism and two recent police shootings. Wolastoqey and Mi'kmaq chiefs joined Higgs and members of his cabinet Thursday afternoon for a two-and-a-half-hour meeting in Fredericton. The Indigenous leaders said they insisted the provincial government establish an inquiry to look at how the justice system in New Brunswick is failing Indigenous peoples. They left empty-handed and without any commitment on another meeting. "His inaction is unacceptable," said Chief Ross Perley of the Tobique First Nation at a news conference following the talks. "We have waited over three weeks for this meeting and we still have no firm commitment for an inquiry." The last time the two sides met was in June. The chiefs left that meeting disappointed after Premier Higgs turned down their request for an inquiry and instead suggested a task force to review recommendations made from previous inquiries.
Chief George Ginnish, of Eel Ground First Nation, said there has long been systemic racism in the justice system, and when it comes to policing, the RCMP is not prepared to deal with First Nations' issues. "We need community peacekeeping," Ginnish said Thursday. "We need people that can interact with our members on the ground and work with our mental health teams, work with our health centres, and have a comprehensive approach to what our issues are." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The chiefs say they're united in their call for a independent provincial inquiry.
Higgs, however, told reporters after the meeting he thought the concerns of the Indigenous leaders should be addressed with a national inquiry. Indigenous leaders in New Brunswick say they are losing faith in Premier Blaine Higgs and his provincial government after a second meeting failed to produce an agreement for an inquiry into systemic racism and two recent police shootings. "I said this is bigger than New Brunswick," Higgs said. "This is a national issue. Every province is dealing with these issues, and why don't we make it that?" The premier said problems involving policing by the RCMP require a national perspective. "I just believe that we have to make it a bigger national issue because so much of it is related to the federal government." The chiefs say they want Opposition members to call for a vote in the legislature as a way to order an inquiry. But Liberal member Chuck Chiasson says it would be late September at the earliest before they could debate the issue. He said the Liberals already introduced a motion on June 25 calling for an inquiry into systemic bias against Indigenous people in New Brunswick, but the legislature doesn't sit again until September.
The chiefs' calls follow the fatal shootings of Chantel Moore and Rodney Levi — two Indigenous people killed by police in June. Mi'kmaq leaders are also calling for immediate reforms to the justice system, including improved police training and standards and increased Indigenous involvement in police oversight. In a letter to the premier dated July 2, they demanded a change in the approach to law enforcement including the creation of a community-based initiative they are calling Mi'kmaq Peacekeepers.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus

The WE organization has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's family , it acknowledged Thursday , as organizations that need volunteers awaited word of the future of a $ 900-million program WE was to run .
The government says it is working on what to do with the Canada Student Services Grant after its agreement with WE was cancelled amid controversy over the Trudeau family 's connections to the Toronto-based charity and its for-profit arm , ME to WE Social Enterprise .
The WE organization said Thursday that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 250,000 for 28 speaking appearances at WE-related events between 2016 and 2020 .
His brother Alexandre has been paid $ 32,000 for eight events , according to WE .
The organization that represents them as speakers was paid additional commissions , WE said .
And Trudeau 's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau received $ 1,400 in 2012 for a single appearance that year .
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she debated opponents Most of the payments went from the for-profit component of the organization , which sponsors the charitable component , WE Charity said in a statement , though about $ 64,000 went from WE Charity to Margaret Trudeau 's speaker 's bureau because of `` an error in billing / payment . ''
`` Justin Trudeau has never been paid by WE Charity or ME to WE Social Enterprise for any speeches or any other matters , '' WE Charity said .
Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said late Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is fully probed , turning power over to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland .
Trudeau is now under investigation by the ethics commissioner over allegations of a potential conflict of interest when the government awarded the sole-source contract to WE .
Trudeau has acknowledged he did not recuse himself when cabinet approved the deal .
Trudeau has maintained the non-partisan public service recommended WE to administer the deal , while his spokesman Alex Wellstead on Thursday said `` the prime minister 's relatives engage with a variety of organizations and support many personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What is important to remember here is that this is about a charity supporting students .
The Canada Student Service Grant program is about giving young people opportunities to contribute to their communities , not about benefits to anyone else . ''
`` Justin Trudeau has never been paid by WE Charity or ME to WE Social Enterprise for any speeches or any other matters , '' WE Charity said .
WE 's sudden departure from the volunteering program has created confusion as the days tick past for young people to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay them up to $ 5,000 toward schooling .
Several non-profits say they and their volunteers are anxiously waiting for answers from the government , including whether the program is going to go ahead and the students they have already taken on will be compensated for their work .
`` I have three or four students talk to me and they 're anxious , and I get why they 're anxious , '' said Emily Fern , mission co-ordinator for the Saint Andrew 's Community Outreach and Support Program in Whitby , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mom call me and she 's anxious .
`` I 've got a few people who are volunteering in good faith right now and we are keeping track of their hours .
And some of the families that use our program have been asking ( to volunteer ) and I ca n't tell them anything right now . ''
The grant program promises to pay students up to $ 5,000 for their post-secondary educations if they volunteer the maximum 500 hours .
WE said last week that around 35,000 applications had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew 's program provides food assistance to local families in need , among other things .
Fern said demand has increased by more than 25 per cent since the pandemic started in March even as the number of volunteers available has dramatically declined .
It was for that reason that Fern asked for and was given approval to take on five student volunteers through the Canada Student Service Grant while WE was administering the program .
But since WE left last week and the government took over , `` it 's kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's not like I have a ton of time to deal with this , '' she said .
Most of us are all volunteers too .
And it 's also such a stressful time that if I did n't need the help I would n't have asked for it .
And I definitely did n't need more work . ''
Michelle Porter , CEO of the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Halifax , said she has also heard nothing from Ottawa since it took over the program from WE , which both she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
`` They were giving us frontline care , '' Porter said of WE .
`` 'What do you need ?
What do you need them for ? '
So we thought this is great because we were getting great treatment .
And then they kind of got pulled away and we have n't heard anything since . ''
Porter does n't know whether the five students she has now will be compensated as promised and she is reluctant to advertise the other 10 unfilled positions , which her organization needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of its other charitable operations .
`` Students want to come here and I would like to see even more students if we could get them , '' Porter said .
`` That 's the biggest thing , having to just put it on a hold because we do n't know if there are going to be any changes or if they are going to pull it away . ''
Youth Minister Bardish Chagger ’ s spokeswoman Danielle Keenan appeared to stand by the Canada Student Services Grant program this week even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working right now to determine the next steps '' and acknowledged the likelihood of a delay .
The program itself has criticized since the details were rolled out at the end of June , with some questioning the blurry lines between volunteer and paid work .
Others have blasted the government for compensating students $ 10 per hour worked , which is less than minimum wage .
Canadian Federation of Students deputy chairperson Nicole Brayiannis echoed those criticisms Thursday as she urged Ottawa to pull the plug on any further positions and invest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting the summer is already well underway .
She also suggested keeping existing placements , but increasing their pay to at least minimum wage .
`` Students do want to be able to contribute to their communities and they do want to build their resumes and gain that experience , '' she said .
`` However , the volunteer program just does n't seem to make sense in the way that it was laid out .
It would make much more sense just to ensure that if compensation is received for work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at the minimum-wage level . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9 , 2020 .

The WE organization has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family, it acknowledged Thursday, as organizations that need volunteers awaited word of the future of a $900-million program WE was to run. The government says it is working on what to do with the Canada Student Services Grant after its agreement with WE was cancelled amid controversy over the Trudeau family's connections to the Toronto-based charity and its for-profit arm, ME to WE Social Enterprise. The WE organization said Thursday that it had paid Trudeau's mother Margaret about $250,000 for 28 speaking appearances at WE-related events between 2016 and 2020. His brother Alexandre has been paid $32,000 for eight events, according to WE. The organization that represents them as speakers was paid additional commissions, WE said. And Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau received $1,400 in 2012 for a single appearance that year.
Most of the payments went from the for-profit component of the organization, which sponsors the charitable component, WE Charity said in a statement, though about $64,000 went from WE Charity to Margaret Trudeau's speaker's bureau because of "an error in billing / payment." "Justin Trudeau has never been paid by WE Charity or ME to WE Social Enterprise for any speeches or any other matters," WE Charity said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet said late Thursday that Trudeau should step aside until the matter is fully probed, turning power over to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Trudeau is now under investigation by the ethics commissioner over allegations of a potential conflict of interest when the government awarded the sole-source contract to WE. Trudeau has acknowledged he did not recuse himself when cabinet approved the deal. "Justin Trudeau has never been paid by WE Charity or ME to WE Social Enterprise for any speeches or any other matters," WE Charity said. Trudeau has maintained the non-partisan public service recommended WE to administer the deal, while his spokesman Alex Wellstead on Thursday said "the prime minister's relatives engage with a variety of organizations and support many personal causes on their own accord." "What is important to remember here is that this is about a charity supporting students. The Canada Student Service Grant program is about giving young people opportunities to contribute to their communities, not about benefits to anyone else." WE's sudden departure from the volunteering program has created confusion as the days tick past for young people to put in hours for which the government promises to pay them up to $5,000 toward schooling. Several non-profits say they and their volunteers are anxiously waiting for answers from the government, including whether the program is going to go ahead and the students they have already taken on will be compensated for their work.
"I have three or four students talk to me and they're anxious, and I get why they're anxious," said Emily Fern, mission co-ordinator for the Saint Andrew's Community Outreach and Support Program in Whitby, Ont. "And I've had a mom call me and she's anxious. "I've got a few people who are volunteering in good faith right now and we are keeping track of their hours. And some of the families that use our program have been asking (to volunteer) and I can't tell them anything right now." The grant program promises to pay students up to $5,000 for their post-secondary educations if they volunteer the maximum 500 hours. WE said last week that around 35,000 applications had been received for the program.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--North Atlantic right whales nearing extinction

North Atlantic right whales are now considered one step away from complete eradication .
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is moving the whales from `` endangered '' to `` critically endangered '' on its red list of global species facing threats to their survival .
The only step beyond `` critically endangered '' is extinction .
Fewer than 250 mature whales were known to exist at the end of 2018 , in a total population of only about 400 .
More than 30 whales have been killed by ships or fishing gear entanglements in the last three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus The conservation group classified right whales as endangered in 2008 , and since then the population has declined more than 15 per cent .
Sean Brillant , a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation in Halifax , says the change in status is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure on governments in Canada and the United States to do more to stop these whales from being wiped out .
`` We are an affluent country with an incredible amount of knowledge and resources , we have good controls over our oceans industry , '' he said .
`` And we ca n't figure this out ?
How embarrassing .
We need to step up and solve this problem . ''
He said Canada has done a lot in recent years to try to protect the whales , including closing fisheries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , more than 12,000 square kilometres of the Gulf of St. Lawrence has already been closed to fixed-gear fishing until November , because so many North Atlantic right whales were spotted in the region this summer .
Department of Fisheries and Oceans rules close about 2,000 square kilometres for 15 days around a place where a whale is spotted ; if a whale is spotted within that area again in that period , the area closes for the rest of the season .
Brillant said it 's still not enough .
Oceans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed limits in the Cabot Strait mandatory instead of voluntary after research showed most ship captains were choosing not to follow it .
The Cabot Strait is the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Newfoundland and Cape Breton that most of the whales use .
North Atlantic right whales are now considered one step away from complete eradication .
Brillant also said speed limits are better than nothing but the only full solution is to prevent the ships from going near the whales at all .
Amy Butcher , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has mandatory speed restrictions in most of the Gulf of St. Lawrence , and this year imposed a new restricted area that requires ships to stay away or reduce speeds even further from 10 knots to eight .
`` Our government takes the protection and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale very seriously , '' she said .
Brillant said so far this year has been positive with no whales dying in Canadian waters thus far .
Two calves have died in American waters , and one of their mothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up dead .
Both calves were killed by ships , and one was hit by ships twice in its seven months of life .
The whales , which migrate along the eastern coast of North America , spend winters off Florida and Georgia before migrating north to New England and Atlantic Canada in the summer .
The whales are threatened by a combination of factors , including climate change , which appears to be driving them further north in the summer months to find food .
Brillant said before 2017 , surveys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St. Lawrence were limited , but when that work began in more detail , it was clear there were a lot of whales present in waters that opened them up to serious risk of being hit by big ships or tangled in fishing lines .
Brillant said in addition to the 31 whales that have died , at least another 10 have been entangled with fishing gear , most of them in Canada .
Whales tangled up in fishing gear are `` as good as dead '' because they can not reproduce and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are not going to be graded on good intentions and good decisions unless we get the results .
And the results have to be that we do n't drive this species to extinction . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9 , 2020 .

North Atlantic right whales are now considered one step away from complete eradication. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is moving the whales from "endangered" to "critically endangered" on its red list of global species facing threats to their survival. The only step beyond "critically endangered" is extinction. Fewer than 250 mature whales were known to exist at the end of 2018, in a total population of only about 400. More than 30 whales have been killed by ships or fishing gear entanglements in the last three years, two-thirds of them in Canadian waters.
The conservation group classified right whales as endangered in 2008, and since then the population has declined more than 15 per cent. Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation in Halifax, says the change in status is not surprising and should put even more pressure on governments in Canada and the United States to do more to stop these whales from being wiped out. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "We are an affluent country with an incredible amount of knowledge and resources, we have good controls over our oceans industry," he said. "And we can't figure this out? How embarrassing. We need to step up and solve this problem."
He said Canada has done a lot in recent years to try to protect the whales, including closing fisheries and implementing speed limits for boats. This year, more than 12,000 square kilometres of the Gulf of St. Lawrence has already been closed to fixed-gear fishing until November, because so many North Atlantic right whales were spotted in the region this summer. North Atlantic right whales are now considered one step away from complete eradication. Department of Fisheries and Oceans rules close about 2,000 square kilometres for 15 days around a place where a whale is spotted; if a whale is spotted within that area again in that period, the area closes for the rest of the season. Brillant said it's still not enough. Oceans Canada recently called on Ottawa to make speed limits in the Cabot Strait mandatory instead of voluntary after research showed most ship captains were choosing not to follow it. The Cabot Strait is the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Newfoundland and Cape Breton that most of the whales use. Brillant also said speed limits are better than nothing but the only full solution is to prevent the ships from going near the whales at all. Amy Butcher, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Marc Garneau, said the government has mandatory speed restrictions in most of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and this year imposed a new restricted area that requires ships to stay away or reduce speeds even further from 10 knots to eight.
"Our government takes the protection and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale very seriously," she said. Brillant said so far this year has been positive with no whales dying in Canadian waters thus far. Two calves have died in American waters, and one of their mothers has not been seen since the calf showed up dead. Both calves were killed by ships, and one was hit by ships twice in its seven months of life. The whales, which migrate along the eastern coast of North America, spend winters off Florida and Georgia before migrating north to New England and Atlantic Canada in the summer.


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--Senate committee claims Canada not ready for COVID-19 second wave

Canada is ill-prepared for a second wave of COVID-19 , says a Senate committee , calling on the federal Liberals to deliver a plan by Labour Day to help people and communities hit hardest by the pandemic .
Seniors , in particular , are a focus of the report from the Senate 's social affairs committee , from those in long-term care homes to those with low incomes .
Just this week , the Liberals rolled out one-time special payments of $ 300 to the more than six million people who receive old-age security , and $ 200 more for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guaranteed income supplement .
The income supports are meant to help seniors facing increased costs as a result of the pandemic , such as more frequent prescription fees and delivery charges for groceries .
Senators on the committee wrote of evidence of `` financial insecurity and increased vulnerability '' for low-income seniors as a result of the first wave of the novel coronavirus .
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus A potential second wave , which could coincide with the annual flu season that starts in the fall , would make the situation even worse for these seniors `` without concrete and timely government action , '' the report says .
Senators say the Liberals should deliver a plan to help low-income seniors , among other populations vulnerable to economic shocks like new immigrants , no later than the end of August , and contain short- and long-term options .
The report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay urgent attention to seniors in long-term care homes where outbreaks and deaths in the pandemic have been concentrated .
The document made public Thursday morning is the committee 's first set of observations on the government 's response to the pandemic , with a final report expected later this year .
Before then , the Liberals are planning to provide another economic update like the one delivered Wednesday , or possibly a full budget .
The government shelved plans to deliver one at the end of March when the House of Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The long-awaited economic `` snapshot , '' as the Liberals styled it , said federal spending is closing in on $ 600 billion this fiscal year .
That means a deficit of $ 343 billion , fuelled by emergency pandemic aid that the government budgets at over $ 230 billion .
Canada is ill-prepared for a second wave of COVID-19 , says a Senate committee , calling on the federal Liberals to deliver a plan by Labour Day to help people and communities hit hardest by the pandemic .
The Chartered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures demand a `` full and transparent assessment '' to see what worked , what did n't and what needs to change for an economic recovery .
Hassan Yussuff , president of the Canadian Labour Congress , said the Liberals should take back up their promise to create a national pharmacare system as the government considers its next steps .
A federal advisory council last year calculated the cost of a program at over $ 15 billion annually , depending on its design .
`` The last thing we want to have is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with this pandemic and I think the government really needs to think of that , '' Yussuff said in an interview Wednesday .
`` Had it not been for the health care system we have right now , '' he added later , `` think of how this country would have fared in this pandemic . ''
The Senate committee 's report also notes the national emergency stockpile of personal protective gear like masks , gowns and gloves was n't managed well over the years , nor sufficiently stocked when the pandemic @ @

Canada is ill-prepared for a second wave of COVID-19, says a Senate committee, calling on the federal Liberals to deliver a plan by Labour Day to help people and communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Seniors, in particular, are a focus of the report from the Senate's social affairs committee, from those in long-term care homes to those with low incomes. Just this week, the Liberals rolled out one-time special payments of $300 to the more than six million people who receive old-age security, and $200 more for the 2.2 million who also receive the guaranteed income supplement. The income supports are meant to help seniors facing increased costs as a result of the pandemic, such as more frequent prescription fees and delivery charges for groceries. Senators on the committee wrote of evidence of "financial insecurity and increased vulnerability" for low-income seniors as a result of the first wave of the novel coronavirus.
A potential second wave, which could coincide with the annual flu season that starts in the fall, would make the situation even worse for these seniors "without concrete and timely government action," the report says. Senators say the Liberals should deliver a plan to help low-income seniors, among other populations vulnerable to economic shocks like new immigrants, no later than the end of August, and contain short- and long-term options. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The report also says the federal government needs to pay urgent attention to seniors in long-term care homes where outbreaks and deaths in the pandemic have been concentrated.
The document made public Thursday morning is the committee's first set of observations on the government's response to the pandemic, with a final report expected later this year. Canada is ill-prepared for a second wave of COVID-19, says a Senate committee, calling on the federal Liberals to deliver a plan by Labour Day to help people and communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Before then, the Liberals are planning to provide another economic update like the one delivered Wednesday, or possibly a full budget. The government shelved plans to deliver one at the end of March when the House of Commons went on extended hiatus due to the pandemic. The long-awaited economic "snapshot," as the Liberals styled it, said federal spending is closing in on $600 billion this fiscal year. That means a deficit of $343 billion, fuelled by emergency pandemic aid that the government budgets at over $230 billion. The Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada said the spending figures demand a "full and transparent assessment" to see what worked, what didn't and what needs to change for an economic recovery. Hassan Yussuff, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said the Liberals should take back up their promise to create a national pharmacare system as the government considers its next steps.
A federal advisory council last year calculated the cost of a program at over $15 billion annually, depending on its design. "The last thing we want to have is Canadians in frail health as we're dealing with this pandemic and I think the government really needs to think of that," Yussuff said in an interview Wednesday. "Had it not been for the health care system we have right now," he added later, "think of how this country would have fared in this pandemic."


nationalobserver--2020-07-09--Canada joins international group to protect oceans

Canada has joined an international group of nearly two dozen other countries working to protect the world 's oceans .
The Global Ocean Alliance , founded by Great Britain last year , seeks to protect 30 per cent of the world 's oceans by 2030 .
`` Working in partnership is the only way we 're going to make headway , '' said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan , who made the announcement Thursday .
The alliance 's 22 members include European countries such as Italy , Germany and Sweden , as well as island states such as Fiji @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share information and experience — as well as set a public standard for members to live up to .
`` International partnerships keep us accountable , '' Jordan said .
`` We can share resources and information about what works and what does n't . ''
• Doug Ford ready to cut environmental assessments ( again ) for 'economic recovery' • First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • WE details thousands in fees for Trudeaus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct financial commitment , she said .
The International Union for Conservation of Nature , one of the world 's largest organizations of conservation scientists , says protecting 30 per cent of the planet 's oceans is vital to keep ecosystems functioning .
Canada had already announced a conservation target of 25 per cent of its marine and coastal areas by 2025 and has protected 14 per cent of those .
More is on the way , Jordan said .
`` Our largest potential is in the Arctic .
We 're partnering with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As well , regulations are being drafted for a planned marine protected area in the Pacific .
Another 59 smaller refuges are planned in all three of Canada 's oceans .
Canada has joined an international group of nearly two dozen other countries working to protect the world 's oceans .
Together , they would bring the percentage of protected waters and coastlines in the country to over 20 per cent .
Louie Porta , director of the group Oceans North , said joining the alliance is a good thing .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize and set new ambitious targets , '' he said .
But he warned that targets and percentages do n't tell the whole story .
`` To set a target and meet that objective , it requires that you are engaging in a good way with local people , who have a vested interest in having an abundant , healthy ocean , and working with them to ensure those values endure . ''
Major international players such as China , Russia and the United States are n't part of the alliance .

Canada has joined an international group of nearly two dozen other countries working to protect the world's oceans.
The Global Ocean Alliance, founded by Great Britain last year, seeks to protect 30 per cent of the world's oceans by 2030.
"Working in partnership is the only way we're going to make headway," said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan, who made the announcement Thursday.
The alliance's 22 members include European countries such as Italy, Germany and Sweden, as well as island states such as Fiji and the Seychelles. The group will share information and experience — as well as set a public standard for members to live up to.
"International partnerships keep us accountable," Jordan said. "We can share resources and information about what works and what doesn't."


nationalobserver--2020-07-10--When kids have no social lives

When kids have no social lives

A crowdsourced survey of Canadian parents suggests that nearly three-quarters of participants are concerned about their children 's social lives during the pandemic .
An expert says the Statistics Canada report published Thursday offers a glimpse into the challenges children and parents are facing because of COVID-19 , and those pressures will only intensify as the start of the school year nears .
More than 32,000 Canadians with kids up to age 14 voluntarily filled out an online questionnaire about parenting during the pandemic between June 9 and June 22 , according to Statistics Canada .
Unlike most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't randomly sampled , so it reflects the views of the respondents but is n't statistically representative of Canada 's population .
The results suggest that 71 per cent of participants are very or extremely concerned about their children 's opportunities to socialize with friends , and more than half are really worried about their kids being lonely or socially isolated .
• First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • They wanted to buy a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The world chipped in .
• Cronyism , patronage and destruction of democratic rights mark Kenney 's rule by decree Balancing the demands of childcare , schooling and work was a chief concern for the parents surveyed , with three in four participants saying the issue weighs heavily on their minds .
Nearly two-thirds of parents said they are very or extremely concerned about managing their children 's behaviours , emotions and anxiety .
Some parents also seem to be struggling to keep their own emotions in check .
More than half of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , raising their voice and scolding or yelling at their children .
The report suggests many caregivers are turning to technology to help fill the hours , given that there are so few options to keep kids occupied , particularly for parents who need time to work .
Almost two-thirds of parents reported being very concerned about the amount of time their children are spending in front of screens .
Nine in ten respondents said their kids use digital devices daily or almost daily , according to the survey .
Approximately 60 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out their kids ' schedules with physical activity or reading almost every day .
A crowdsourced survey of Canadian parents suggests that nearly three-quarters of participants are concerned about their children 's social lives during the pandemic .
The responses indicate that some parents are also having a hard time looking after themselves .
Forty-three per cent of participants said they 're very worried about staying connected with family and friends , while 37 per cent are concerned about getting along and supporting each other .
Toula Kourgiantakis , a family therapist and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school of social work , said the survey captures only a sliver of the pandemic 's far-reaching effects on Canadian families .
`` I worry about not just what we 're seeing right at this moment , but the effects that we 're going to see in six months , one year , '' said Kourgiantakis .
`` It 's affecting ( parents ) on so many levels .
And there are some families that are feeling it more than other families . ''
Statistics Canada says a large proportion of the survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada and had a bachelor 's degree or higher .
Consequently , Kourgiantakis said these crowdsourced responses likely do n't account for the full spectrum of struggles parents are facing .
On top of juggling professional , educational and caregiving duties , many families are dealing with the added stress of financial losses , health issues and learning or behavioural challenges , said Kourgiantakis .
Essential workers face the additional hurdle of finding childcare when they 're on the job , while single parents have to shoulder all of these burdens by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just is not sustainable for families to continue like this , '' she said .
`` We do n't know what is going to happen in September and how families are going to navigate that if kids are not in school full-time . ''
As many school boards drag their heels on back-to-school plans , more parents are confronting the possibility that they 'll be called back to the office before classrooms fully reopen , Kourgiantakis said .
She said government officials need to provide a comprehensive framework to support parents in such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation of children .
`` There needs to be a very clear plan ... so that it is n't expected that families are going to be trying to do their jobs while also having kids in the background , '' said Kourgiantakis .
`` I 'm hoping that plan is not going to come on Labour Day weekend . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9 , 2020 .

A crowdsourced survey of Canadian parents suggests that nearly three-quarters of participants are concerned about their children's social lives during the pandemic. An expert says the Statistics Canada report published Thursday offers a glimpse into the challenges children and parents are facing because of COVID-19, and those pressures will only intensify as the start of the school year nears. More than 32,000 Canadians with kids up to age 14 voluntarily filled out an online questionnaire about parenting during the pandemic between June 9 and June 22, according to Statistics Canada. Unlike most of the agency's studies, the survey wasn't randomly sampled, so it reflects the views of the respondents but isn't statistically representative of Canada's population. The results suggest that 71 per cent of participants are very or extremely concerned about their children's opportunities to socialize with friends, and more than half are really worried about their kids being lonely or socially isolated.
Balancing the demands of childcare, schooling and work was a chief concern for the parents surveyed, with three in four participants saying the issue weighs heavily on their minds. Nearly two-thirds of parents said they are very or extremely concerned about managing their children's behaviours, emotions and anxiety. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Some parents also seem to be struggling to keep their own emotions in check. More than half of respondents reported concerns about losing their patience, raising their voice and scolding or yelling at their children.
The report suggests many caregivers are turning to technology to help fill the hours, given that there are so few options to keep kids occupied, particularly for parents who need time to work. A crowdsourced survey of Canadian parents suggests that nearly three-quarters of participants are concerned about their children's social lives during the pandemic. Almost two-thirds of parents reported being very concerned about the amount of time their children are spending in front of screens. Nine in ten respondents said their kids use digital devices daily or almost daily, according to the survey. Approximately 60 per cent of parents said they're rounding out their kids' schedules with physical activity or reading almost every day. The responses indicate that some parents are also having a hard time looking after themselves. Forty-three per cent of participants said they're very worried about staying connected with family and friends, while 37 per cent are concerned about getting along and supporting each other. Toula Kourgiantakis, a family therapist and associate professor at University of Toronto's school of social work, said the survey captures only a sliver of the pandemic's far-reaching effects on Canadian families.
"I worry about not just what we're seeing right at this moment, but the effects that we're going to see in six months, one year," said Kourgiantakis. "It's affecting (parents) on so many levels. And there are some families that are feeling it more than other families." Statistics Canada says a large proportion of the survey's participants were women who were born in Canada and had a bachelor's degree or higher.


nationalobserver--2020-07-10--Police chiefs call for decriminalization

Canada 's police chiefs are calling for decriminalization of personal possession of illicit drugs as the best way to battle substance abuse and addiction .
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is proposing increased access to health care , treatment and social services to divert people away from the criminal justice system .
This would apply to people possessing a small amount of illicit drugs for personal consumption .
The Trudeau government has already legalized recreational use of marijuana with the goal of keeping pot out of the hands of young people and denying profits to organized criminals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis and a poisoned drug supply that has devastated communities and taken thousands of lives , said Chief Const .
Adam Palmer of Vancouver , the association president .
• First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership in Canada witnessed chat box filling with racial slurs as she debated opponents • They wanted to buy a forest to save it from loggers .
The world chipped in .
• Cronyism , patronage and destruction of democratic rights mark Kenney 's rule by decree `` We recommend that enforcement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach that requires partnerships between police , health care and all levels of government . ''
The chiefs say diversion would improve the health and safety outcomes for drug users while reducing property crime , repeat offences and the demand for drugs in communities .
They urge creation of a national task force to research drug policy reform , specifically looking at section 4 ( 1 ) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act , covering simple possession .
The office of Health Minister Patty Hajdu did not respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to target trafficking and the illegal production and importation of drugs to choke off the supply of harmful substances coming communities , the chiefs say .
But the traditional role of frontline policing has fundamentally shifted to harm reduction when interacting with people experiencing addiction or mental-health problems , Palmer said in a statement .
Canada 's police chiefs are calling for decriminalization of personal possession of illicit drugs as the best way to battle substance abuse and addiction .
`` Frequently , our officers are the point of first contact and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessing appropriate services and pathways of care . ''
The chiefs ' recommendations flow from the findings of a special committee to study the decriminalization of illicit drugs and its impact on public safety .
`` We must adopt new and innovative approaches if we are going to disrupt the current trend of drug overdoses impacting communities across Canada , '' the committee report says .
`` Merely arresting individuals for simple possession of illicit drugs has proven to be ineffective .
Research from other countries who have boldly chosen to take a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic drug use have demonstrated positive results . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9 , 2020 .

Canada's police chiefs are calling for decriminalization of personal possession of illicit drugs as the best way to battle substance abuse and addiction.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is proposing increased access to health care, treatment and social services to divert people away from the criminal justice system.
This would apply to people possessing a small amount of illicit drugs for personal consumption.
The Trudeau government has already legalized recreational use of marijuana with the goal of keeping pot out of the hands of young people and denying profits to organized criminals.
Canada continues to grapple with the fentanyl crisis and a poisoned drug supply that has devastated communities and taken thousands of lives, said Chief Const. Adam Palmer of Vancouver, the association president.


nationalobserver--2020-07-10--Doctors, nurses and patients urged to provide info on racism in B.C. emergency rooms

A former judge investigating allegations of racism towards Indigenous people in British Columbia 's health-care system is calling on patients , families , doctors and nurses to come forward with their stories .
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond said Thursday the allegations involving emergency room staff playing a game to guess patients ' blood-alcohol level are disturbing but health professionals who provide information will be protected .
The professional bodies for doctors and nurses are supporting her investigation and they should not fear losing their jobs , despite the fact that British Columbia 's whistle-blower legislation does not apply to health authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicians to give evidence can be difficult so she is hoping for voluntary compliance and disclosure from those who wo n't be `` shamed '' as Indigenous people themselves have been through racism .
`` I can say , though , if I do find that there have been violations of the Criminal Code or the standards of health professional bodies as I look into these investigations , I will report that to the appropriate authorities , '' Turpel-Lafond said .
• First Black candidate ever to run for the Conservative party leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial slurs as she debated opponents • They wanted to buy a forest to save it from loggers .
The world chipped in .
• Cronyism , patronage and destruction of democratic rights mark Kenney 's rule by decree She said an investigation , not an inquiry as some Indigenous groups have suggested , is the quickest route to addressing ongoing racism that has not been dealt with because of a broken complaint system .
Racism exists across the health-care system with Indigenous people seeking care often asked irrelevant questions about whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turpel-Lafond said .
Her investigative team includes former provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall as well as Indigenous professionals with clinical experience and those who will analyze data about the number of Indigenous people using the health-care system .
Turpel-Lafond expects to provide an initial report in a few months to Health Minister Adrian Dix , who appointed her to conduct an investigation on June 18 .
However , Turpel-Lafond said CEOs of health authorities should immediately address allegations of racism and she 'll ask those who did n't to explain themselves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a confidential survey of their experiences and says anyone with experience or knowledge of racism could provide information through email or a 1-800 number .
A former judge investigating allegations of racism towards Indigenous people in British Columbia 's health-care system is calling on patients , families , doctors and nurses to come forward with their stories .
Daniel Fontaine , CEO of Metis Nation British Columbia , one of the groups assisting with the investigation , said he learned last month about a `` Price is Right '' game played in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of Indigenous patients .
He said the allegations were outlined in a report by the Provincial Health Services Authority and a second report included `` story after story of racism '' reported by health-care workers around the province .
Both reports were brought to him by his staff , who work in the Health Ministry , and were stamped March 2019 , Fontaine said , adding he contacted the deputy health minister the night before Dix made the allegations public .
`` I said we were going to have to speak out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months ago , '' he said .
Fontaine said the organization planned a news conference the following morning but backed off when Dix announced Turpel-Lafond 's appointment .
Fontaine said he 's hoping she will recommend all health-care workers be provided with standardized cultural training that has been endorsed by Indigenous groups .

A former judge investigating allegations of racism towards Indigenous people in British Columbia's health-care system is calling on patients, families, doctors and nurses to come forward with their stories. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond said Thursday the allegations involving emergency room staff playing a game to guess patients' blood-alcohol level are disturbing but health professionals who provide information will be protected. The professional bodies for doctors and nurses are supporting her investigation and they should not fear losing their jobs, despite the fact that British Columbia's whistle-blower legislation does not apply to health authorities, she said. Turpel-Lafond said compelling physicians to give evidence can be difficult so she is hoping for voluntary compliance and disclosure from those who won't be "shamed" as Indigenous people themselves have been through racism. "I can say, though, if I do find that there have been violations of the Criminal Code or the standards of health professional bodies as I look into these investigations, I will report that to the appropriate authorities," Turpel-Lafond said.
She said an investigation, not an inquiry as some Indigenous groups have suggested, is the quickest route to addressing ongoing racism that has not been dealt with because of a broken complaint system. Racism exists across the health-care system with Indigenous people seeking care often asked irrelevant questions about whether they are intoxicated or addicted to substances, Turpel-Lafond said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Her investigative team includes former provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall as well as Indigenous professionals with clinical experience and those who will analyze data about the number of Indigenous people using the health-care system.
Turpel-Lafond expects to provide an initial report in a few months to Health Minister Adrian Dix, who appointed her to conduct an investigation on June 18. A former judge investigating allegations of racism towards Indigenous people in British Columbia's health-care system is calling on patients, families, doctors and nurses to come forward with their stories. However, Turpel-Lafond said CEOs of health authorities should immediately address allegations of racism and she'll ask those who didn't to explain themselves. She is urging Indigenous people to complete a confidential survey of their experiences and says anyone with experience or knowledge of racism could provide information through email or a 1-800 number. Daniel Fontaine, CEO of Metis Nation British Columbia, one of the groups assisting with the investigation, said he learned last month about a "Price is Right" game played in an emergency room by staff guessing the blood-alcohol level of Indigenous patients. He said the allegations were outlined in a report by the Provincial Health Services Authority and a second report included "story after story of racism" reported by health-care workers around the province.
Both reports were brought to him by his staff, who work in the Health Ministry, and were stamped March 2019, Fontaine said, adding he contacted the deputy health minister the night before Dix made the allegations public. "I said we were going to have to speak out because these reports had been produced 15 months ago," he said. Fontaine said the organization planned a news conference the following morning but backed off when Dix announced Turpel-Lafond's appointment.