nationalobserver--2020-10-16--COVID-19 risk management responsibility has shifted to individuals: study

A new Canadian study has found that over the first five months of 2020 , government and corporate approaches to COVID-19 went from taking decisive , collective action against the pandemic to emphasizing individual responsibility .
The researchers say that Canadian policymakers and firms should take more ownership of the challenge , but in the end , `` it takes everyone to protect everyone . ''
The study , titled `` Passing the Buck vs .
Sharing Responsibility : The Roles of Government , Firms and Consumers in Marketplace Risks during COVID-19 , '' is published in the Journal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authors analyzed speeches and tweets by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Theresa Tam , Canada 's chief public health officer , as well as tweets and emails from a handful of major corporations , from January to May .
They found the messaging went through three distinct phases , beginning with an `` externalization '' stage that lasted from the start of the year until early March , in which the virus was largely seen as a foreign problem .
• America ’ s QAnon problem is infecting Canada .
What should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew S. Wright 's `` Price of Oil '' shortlisted for international Wildlife Photographer of the Year award • Why some environmentalists are turning away from the BC NDP After the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic , researchers found the message shifted to one of `` responsible organizations '' — a phase characterized by daily policy announcements , states of emergency , and major shifts in the way corporations operated .
This lasted until mid-April , when researchers found the emphasis was increasingly placed on `` responsible consumers . ''
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceiling of their efforts and demanded consumers ' co-operation , '' according to the study .
`` It was more like , 'do your job .
Do your part .
Help each other , ' '' Charles Cho , an accounting professor at York University and one of the study 's authors , said in an interview on Thursday .
`` What we find in general is , we first externalize the situation , then we take control of the situation .
Eventually , we sort of ask the consumers to co-operate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authors said the study 's aim is not to lay blame , noting `` citizens must bear some of the burden of trying to contain the spread of the virus . ''
However , Cho said , organizations could have been more proactive in `` owning '' responsibility .
A new Canadian study has found that over the first five months of 2020 , government and corporate approaches to COVID-19 went from taking decisive , collective action against the pandemic to emphasizing individual responsibility .
`` That owned responsibility was just there temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Cho said .
The study also found that governments and organizations failed to properly emphasize the interdependence of different groups , instead focusing on the risks to vulnerable populations such as seniors and health-care workers .
This `` overemphasis '' had one unintentional consequence , the study found : making young , healthy people underestimate their own risk of getting COVID-19 — as well as their role in spreading it .
That 's led to `` failed responsibilization , transgressions , and reduced compliance to guidelines such as physical distancing and mask-wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15 , 2020 .

A new Canadian study has found that over the first five months of 2020, government and corporate approaches to COVID-19 went from taking decisive, collective action against the pandemic to emphasizing individual responsibility.
The researchers say that Canadian policymakers and firms should take more ownership of the challenge, but in the end, "it takes everyone to protect everyone."
The study, titled "Passing the Buck vs. Sharing Responsibility: The Roles of Government, Firms and Consumers in Marketplace Risks during COVID-19," is published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research.
Its authors analyzed speeches and tweets by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, as well as tweets and emails from a handful of major corporations, from January to May.
They found the messaging went through three distinct phases, beginning with an "externalization" stage that lasted from the start of the year until early March, in which the virus was largely seen as a foreign problem.


nationalobserver--2020-10-16--Racist hiring practices, online hate are among targets of $15M federal anti-racism funds

Combating online hate is one of the main efforts getting a financial boost from Ottawa 's anti-racism strategy , with more than a dozen projects receiving federal funding Thursday .
Diversity Minister Bardish Chagger listed 85 projects that will share $ 15 million from the strategy 's anti-racism action program , and nearly one-fifth of that money will be used by community groups and anti-racism organizations to monitor , report on , and try to combat online hatred .
`` If we as Canadians truly desire a consciously more inclusive Canada , every single one of us must step up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can to make workplaces , communities and public spaces safer and more inclusive for all , '' Chagger said .
Amira Elghawaby , a board member at the Canadian Anti-Hate Network , said the $ 268,400 grant it is receiving will allow it to hire more staff and triple the amount of work they 're able to do searching for and combating hatred .
`` Over the past two years , our work has taken on new urgency , '' she said .
• America ’ s QAnon problem is infecting Canada .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Canadian Andrew S. Wright 's `` Price of Oil '' shortlisted for international Wildlife Photographer of the Year award • Why some environmentalists are turning away from the BC NDP `` There are more members and supporters of hate groups and dangerous conspiracy groups than there has been in at least a generation .
They 're harassing people .
They 're killing people , and they need to be stopped , or at least contained .
And that 's what we do . ''
Other projects will see the development of apps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to halt the growth of online hate .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged during the 2019 election to go after online hate more , and restated that commitment in last month 's throne speech .
It took more than a year for the action program funds to be awarded , a delay Chagger blamed on the sheer volume of interest .
`` We received a lot more response than was intended , '' she said , noting 1,100 applications were filed for the $ 15 million .
In addition to online hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systemic racism in the workplace including in hiring practices , racism in the justice system including policing , as well as racism in education and social services .
Combating online hate is one of the main efforts getting a financial boost from Ottawa 's anti-racism strategy , with more than a dozen projects receiving federal funding Thursday .
# cdnpoli The anti-racism strategy was first unveiled in June 2019 as a three-year , $ 45 million program that would include the funds for community action , and an anti-racism secretariat in government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies .
The secretariat is to produce its first report this fall .
Trudeau promised in the 2019 election to double that funding but Chagger was vague about when , or even if , that will happen .
`` We will continue to build upon our commitments to Canadians , '' she said .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15 , 2020 .

Combating online hate is one of the main efforts getting a financial boost from Ottawa's anti-racism strategy, with more than a dozen projects receiving federal funding Thursday.
Diversity Minister Bardish Chagger listed 85 projects that will share $15 million from the strategy's anti-racism action program, and nearly one-fifth of that money will be used by community groups and anti-racism organizations to monitor, report on, and try to combat online hatred.
"If we as Canadians truly desire a consciously more inclusive Canada, every single one of us must step up, be allies and do whatever we can to make workplaces, communities and public spaces safer and more inclusive for all," Chagger said.
Amira Elghawaby, a board member at the Canadian Anti-Hate Network, said the $268,400 grant it is receiving will allow it to hire more staff and triple the amount of work they're able to do searching for and combating hatred.
"Over the past two years, our work has taken on new urgency," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-10-16--Fighting racism in Canada's health-care system takes money and more, feds say

The federal government is ready to use its financial leverage over the health system to fight anti-Indigenous racism in health care , Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says .
He says that includes promoting Indigenous health workers and calling out racism wherever it 's seen .
`` The federal power to spend with conditions , it 's clear , it is a constitutional right .
It exists within health , '' he said Thursday .
`` The question then is how best to do it . ''
Miller said the treatment of Joyce Echaquan , who used her phone to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital , is more evidence of the ways the system has failed Indigenous people for generations .
Miller said he does n't think it 's helpful to try to punish provinces for inadequate action on racism , especially in the middle of a pandemic , but the federal government has a moral duty to set and maintain standards .
• America ’ s QAnon problem is infecting Canada .
What should we do about it ?
• Canadian Andrew S. Wright 's `` Price of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Year award • Why some environmentalists are turning away from the BC NDP The provinces are seeking billions more dollars in health transfers from the federal government , with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promising a first-ministers conference on the subject soon .
`` Putting more money into a system which is beset by systemic issues with prospective systemic racism ca n't be the only solution nor the only reply , '' Miller said .
Miller said he and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett are holding an emergency meeting on the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Indigenous leaders .
The goal is to hear from Indigenous people , including health professionals , who have lived through racist treatment in the health system while politicians like Miller and Bennett listen .
Rebecca Kudloo , the president of Pauktuutit Women of Canada , said in a statement Thursday she will participate in the meeting to highlight how the Canada Health Act is failing Inuit women and girls .
`` The bottom line is that racism experienced before an Inuit woman even seeks health care impacts her socioeconomic status which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality of health care she receives and her health outcomes , '' said Kudloo .
The federal government is ready to use its financial leverage over the health system to fight anti-Indigenous racism in health care , Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says .
# cdnpoli # racism # healthcare Kudloo said she will table recommendations to address racism experienced by Inuit women and children in the health-care system .
These recommendations include increased funding , ensuring anti-racism education , culturally aware training and hiring Inuit staff at all levels .
The meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiences of professionals in the health care system including Indigenous professionals , Miller said .
He said the task will be to sketch out a plan to address racism based on the views of Indigenous professionals who are living racism every day .
`` This is not an artificial situation .
This is an opportunity for people to share their experiences , '' he said .
The meeting aims to make sure that medical professional organizations are respecting cultural sensitivities and recruiting more Indigenous people , Miller says .
It also aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism and accountability from those hurting Indigenous people .
The participants will be able to reflect on the issues after the meeting .

The federal government is ready to use its financial leverage over the health system to fight anti-Indigenous racism in health care, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says. He says that includes promoting Indigenous health workers and calling out racism wherever it's seen. "The federal power to spend with conditions, it's clear, it is a constitutional right. It exists within health," he said Thursday. "The question then is how best to do it." Miller said the treatment of Joyce Echaquan, who used her phone to livestream hospital staff using racist slurs against her as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital, is more evidence of the ways the system has failed Indigenous people for generations. Miller said he doesn't think it's helpful to try to punish provinces for inadequate action on racism, especially in the middle of a pandemic, but the federal government has a moral duty to set and maintain standards.
The provinces are seeking billions more dollars in health transfers from the federal government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promising a first-ministers conference on the subject soon. "Putting more money into a system which is beset by systemic issues with prospective systemic racism can't be the only solution nor the only reply," Miller said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Miller said he and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett are holding an emergency meeting on the problem Friday with as many as 200 participants, including Indigenous leaders.
The goal is to hear from Indigenous people, including health professionals, who have lived through racist treatment in the health system while politicians like Miller and Bennett listen. The federal government is ready to use its financial leverage over the health system to fight anti-Indigenous racism in health care, Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says. #cdnpoli #racism #healthcare Rebecca Kudloo, the president of Pauktuutit Women of Canada, said in a statement Thursday she will participate in the meeting to highlight how the Canada Health Act is failing Inuit women and girls. "The bottom line is that racism experienced before an Inuit woman even seeks health care impacts her socioeconomic status which, in turn, negatively impacts the quality of health care she receives and her health outcomes," said Kudloo. Kudloo said she will table recommendations to address racism experienced by Inuit women and children in the health-care system. These recommendations include increased funding, ensuring anti-racism education, culturally aware training and hiring Inuit staff at all levels. The meeting will be focused foremost on the lived experiences of professionals in the health care system including Indigenous professionals, Miller said.
He said the task will be to sketch out a plan to address racism based on the views of Indigenous professionals who are living racism every day. "This is not an artificial situation. This is an opportunity for people to share their experiences," he said. The meeting aims to make sure that medical professional organizations are respecting cultural sensitivities and recruiting more Indigenous people, Miller says. It also aims to explore ways to guarantee better education on racism and accountability from those hurting Indigenous people.


nationalobserver--2020-10-16--How this island seafood company hooked fresh opportunities during COVID-19

Cameron Pirie knew his business was facing a watershed moment when the COVID-19 crisis hit the shores of B.C .
this past spring .
The pandemic was ravaging export markets and the tourism and restaurant sectors without mercy .
As a result , the president of Walcan Seafood , a family-owned seafood processing company on Quadra Island , suddenly found himself sitting on $ 2 million worth of product he couldn ’ t find a market for .
Demand for the company ’ s packaged smoked salmon products bottomed out at airports , on cruise ships and in gift shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Asia , Walcan ’ s other bread-and-butter market , were struggling or shuttering due to pandemic protocols .
• America ’ s QAnon problem is infecting Canada .
What should we do about it ?
• Canadian Andrew S. Wright 's `` Price of Oil '' shortlisted for international Wildlife Photographer of the Year award • Why some environmentalists are turning away from the BC NDP What ’ s more , Pirie ’ s company had already heavily invested in the upcoming spot prawn season , a product typically snapped up by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In March , we quickly realized , ‘ Holy crow !
This is serious , ’ ” Pirie said .
“ By April , we were looking at laying off senior managers , and I was feeling really worried.
” Walcan Seafood Ltd president Cameron Pirie pivoted the company to provide fresh fish to Vancouver Island customers after export markets collapsed due to the pandemic .
Photo : Cameron Pirie .
But the company decided to take the opportunity the crisis provoked and try marketing and delivering seafood directly to local customers using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea around for years but hadn ’ t acted on it .
However , the pandemic spurred the company to make changes driven by both necessity and opportunity , Pirie said .
When COVID-19 hit , Walcan Seafood on B.C.
’ s Quadra Island decided to start delivering seafood directly to local customers using an online platform .
Since then , Tide to Table has taken off , with Walcan planning to expand the program .
# fishisfood Walcan branded the new initiative Tide to Table .
Essentially , it allows customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seasonally available fresh or frozen seafood online and have it delivered to their door .
The delivery is free with minimum purchase orders .
The company kept the project hyperlocal to start , only taking orders from people living on Quadra or in neighbouring Campbell River on Vancouver Island .
The initial investment was minimal at first , Pirie said , just enough to set up the online purchasing system on the website and do some social media marketing .
It was purely experimental to start .
“ We thought , ‘ Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ” he said .
The original plan was that senior managers would draw straws for the first couple of weeks after the launch at the start of May , and the one with short straw would deliver the handful of orders they expected on their way home from work .
“ But in the first week , we had 100 orders , ” said Pirie , adding he , his parents and his kids also had to make deliveries at first to meet demand .
“ It kind of took off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ We ’ re really onto something here.
’ ” There is clearly an appetite for locally caught , fresh seafood from area fishers at a price point that is competitive with the traditional retail stores , Pirie said .
The fact the product was being delivered to clients ’ doorsteps during the pandemic when folks were actively avoiding crowds didn ’ t hurt , either , he added .
Fresh fish being unloaded at Walcan arrive on the doorsteps of Tide to Table clients within a couple of days .
Photo supplied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were getting a superior product , Pirie said .
Walcan ’ s fresh seafood is unloaded from the boats the day before delivery .
Folks were calling up Walcan because they were worried something was wrong with their fish because it didn ’ t resemble what they bought at the store .
They were used to eating the chalky , white store-bought halibut , Pirie said .
“ We started getting questions like , ‘ Why is this fish translucent ?
’ ” he said .
“ Well , it ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days after it ’ s caught , and what you 're buying in the store is usually eight or nine days old .
That 's why.
” By the end of July , Walcan had expanded its delivery zone to the Nanaimo region .
The company launched delivery service all the way south to Victoria in September .
Pirie hopes to reach $ 3 million in sales on Vancouver Island in the coming year .
“ That 's a pretty conservative estimate of where we could end up with the program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could mean 15 to 20 per cent of our overall revenue could be derived from Tide to Table.
” While supplying regional customers with locally caught fish wasn ’ t the sole pivot Walcan made to weather the economic impacts of the pandemic , it was an important one , Pirie said .
And one that has the potential to grow , he added .
“ We ’ re already eyeing other places we could launch this , ” he said .
“ Vancouver would certainly offer some new challenges , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One reason the project has been a success is that Walcan chose to keep all the supply chain steps in-house rather than rely on large traditional distributors or retailers .
The company buys directly from fishers and does the processing , warehousing and delivery .
The company also kept the retail packaging at a bare minimum , opting to forgo branding costs and glossy labels for simple ones outlining the nutritional information .
“ Often 65 per cent of the retail sales price will go back to large stores and the distributor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer something for the same price delivered to someone 's door only costs us 15 to 20 per cent.
” It creates a win-win situation for everyone .
The company earns more , enabling it to pay its fishers better prices and pass on savings to customers , Pirie said .
“ It ’ s impacted the livelihood of local fishermen and our workers who have had more work from it , ” he said .
Originally , the Tide to Table program was a way to distribute products Walcan couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it ’ s shifting now to meet customer demand , Pirie said .
“ If people ask for something , we try to find a way to list it , ” he said , adding Walcan is now sourcing halibut , black cod and rockfish , which it didn ’ t do traditionally .
Even if Walcan ’ s traditional markets open up after COVID-19 , Tide to Table will continue , Pirie said .
“ We don ’ t have to choose just one or the other , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and products that were popular in the past will find a home again , Pirie said .
“ But I 'm not going to relinquish what we 've already built for Tide to Table.
” Despite the program ’ s quick geographic expansion , Quadra Island and Campbell River still represent the highest sales on a per capita basis , Pirie said .
“ We ’ ve been selling there longest , but they 're also the two communities that know us best and who we are , ” he said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to locals showing solidarity with a community business and employer experiencing a rough patch , Pirie said .
“ When we asked our neighbours , ‘ Hey , are you guys interested in buying these things ?
’ Resoundingly , we saw people say , ‘ Yeah , absolutely .
’ ”

And restaurants both in B.C. and Asia, Walcan’s other bread-and-butter market, were struggling or shuttering due to pandemic protocols.
Demand for the company’s packaged smoked salmon products bottomed out at airports, on cruise ships and in gift shops.
As a result, the president of Walcan Seafood, a family-owned seafood processing company on Quadra Island, suddenly found himself sitting on $2 million worth of product he couldn’t find a market for.
The pandemic was ravaging export markets and the tourism and restaurant sectors without mercy.
Cameron Pirie knew his business was facing a watershed moment when the COVID-19 crisis hit the shores of B.C. this past spring.
“In March, we quickly realized, ‘Holy crow! This is serious,’” Pirie said. “By April, we were looking at laying off senior managers, and I was feeling really worried.”
What’s more, Pirie’s company had already heavily invested in the upcoming spot prawn season, a product typically snapped up by overseas Asian restaurants and buyers.
Essentially, it allows customers the chance to order locally caught, seasonally available fresh or frozen seafood online and have it delivered to their door. The delivery is free with minimum purchase orders.
However, the pandemic spurred the company to make changes driven by both necessity and opportunity, Pirie said.
Pirie had kicked the idea around for years but hadn’t acted on it.
But the company decided to take the opportunity the crisis provoked and try marketing and delivering seafood directly to local customers using an online platform.
“We thought, ‘Let’s just see how it goes,’” he said.
The initial investment was minimal at first, Pirie said, just enough to set up the online purchasing system on the website and do some social media marketing. It was purely experimental to start.
The company kept the project hyperlocal to start, only taking orders from people living on Quadra or in neighbouring Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
The original plan was that senior managers would draw straws for the first couple of weeks after the launch at the start of May, and the one with short straw would deliver the handful of orders they expected on their way home from work.
“But in the first week, we had 100 orders,” said Pirie, adding he, his parents and his kids also had to make deliveries at first to meet demand.
“It kind of took off, and we thought to ourselves, ‘We’re really onto something here.’”
There is clearly an appetite for locally caught, fresh seafood from area fishers at a price point that is competitive with the traditional retail stores, Pirie said.
The fact the product was being delivered to clients’ doorsteps during the pandemic when folks were actively avoiding crowds didn’t hurt, either, he added.
Fresh fish being unloaded at Walcan arrive on the doorsteps of Tide to Table clients within a couple of days. Photo supplied by Walcan.
Customers also learned they were getting a superior product, Pirie said. Walcan’s fresh seafood is unloaded from the boats the day before delivery.
Folks were calling up Walcan because they were worried something was wrong with their fish because it didn’t resemble what they bought at the store.
They were used to eating the chalky, white store-bought halibut, Pirie said.
“We started getting questions like, ‘Why is this fish translucent?’” he said.
“Well, it’s because you’re having it one or two days after it’s caught, and what you're buying in the store is usually eight or nine days old. That's why.”
By the end of July, Walcan had expanded its delivery zone to the Nanaimo region. The company launched delivery service all the way south to Victoria in September.
Pirie hopes to reach $3 million in sales on Vancouver Island in the coming year.
“That's a pretty conservative estimate of where we could end up with the program,” he said.
“So that could mean 15 to 20 per cent of our overall revenue could be derived from Tide to Table.”
While supplying regional customers with locally caught fish wasn’t the sole pivot Walcan made to weather the economic impacts of the pandemic, it was an important one, Pirie said. And one that has the potential to grow, he added.
“We’re already eyeing other places we could launch this,” he said.
“Vancouver would certainly offer some new challenges, but I don't think it's impossible.”
One reason the project has been a success is that Walcan chose to keep all the supply chain steps in-house rather than rely on large traditional distributors or retailers.
The company buys directly from fishers and does the processing, warehousing and delivery.
The company also kept the retail packaging at a bare minimum, opting to forgo branding costs and glossy labels for simple ones outlining the nutritional information.
“Often 65 per cent of the retail sales price will go back to large stores and the distributor,” Pirie said.
“For us to offer something for the same price delivered to someone's door only costs us 15 to 20 per cent.”
It creates a win-win situation for everyone. The company earns more, enabling it to pay its fishers better prices and pass on savings to customers, Pirie said.
“It’s impacted the livelihood of local fishermen and our workers who have had more work from it,” he said.
“So, it’s been a good thing.”
Originally, the Tide to Table program was a way to distribute products Walcan couldn’t move due to the pandemic.
But it’s shifting now to meet customer demand, Pirie said.
“If people ask for something, we try to find a way to list it,” he said, adding Walcan is now sourcing halibut, black cod and rockfish, which it didn’t do traditionally.
Even if Walcan’s traditional markets open up after COVID-19, Tide to Table will continue, Pirie said.
“We don’t have to choose just one or the other,” he said.
Traditional markets will probably slowly rebuild and products that were popular in the past will find a home again, Pirie said.
“But I'm not going to relinquish what we've already built for Tide to Table.”
Despite the program’s quick geographic expansion, Quadra Island and Campbell River still represent the highest sales on a per capita basis, Pirie said.
“We’ve been selling there longest, but they're also the two communities that know us best and who we are,” he said.
But the program’s success is also due to locals showing solidarity with a community business and employer experiencing a rough patch, Pirie said.
“When we asked our neighbours, ‘Hey, are you guys interested in buying these things?’ Resoundingly, we saw people say, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’”
Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-10-16--Environmental impacts of free trade deal with Brazil ignored by review, advocates say

A federal environmental assessment of a proposed trade deal between Canada and the Mercosur countries ignores major environmental and human rights violations in Brazil , environmental advocates say .
The assessment , which was released last week , is a standard part of trade deal negotiations meant to flag any proposed environmental issues that could arise from increased trade .
Focused largely on potential impacts in Canada , it makes scant mention of devastating deforestation and fires in the Brazilian Amazon driven by cattle ranching and soy production .
Brazil is the region ’ s largest economy and the deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by about $ 10 billion .
“ This environmental assessment of the Canada-Mercosur trade deal appears completely divorced from the reality unfolding in Brazil , ” said Reykia Fick , nature and food campaigner with Greenpeace Canada , in an email .
Deforestation in the Amazon increased by 30 per cent in 2019 , boosted by the Bolsonaro government ’ s anti-environment agenda .
In 2020 , more than 12 per cent more fires burned between January and September than last year , covering roughly 1.8 million hectares .
• America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should we do about it ?
• Canadian Andrew S. Wright 's `` Price of Oil '' shortlisted for international Wildlife Photographer of the Year award • Why some environmentalists are turning away from the BC NDP The region plays a critical ecological role , capturing vast amounts of carbon , regulating the region ’ s climate and hosting some of the planet ’ s most biodiverse ecosystems .
It ’ s also home to hundreds of Indigenous nations whose human rights and cultural survival are threatened by deforestation and violence from ranchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible risk ” of deforestation , soil erosion and biodiversity loss arising from increased agricultural production as a result of the deal , the environmental assessment notes .
However , a 2019 report by a coalition of climate and environmental researchers about the situation in Brazil found a close correlation between deforestation , fires and industrial soy production and ranching .
The document states that the deal would include provisions that “ may … help mitigate negative ( environmental ) impacts , notably in relation to … agricultural practices , ” a note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the Trade and Investment Research Project at the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives .
“ We have a model of free trade agreements that have powerful enforceable rights for traders and investors , but the environmental standards are weak , and they ’ re largely unenforceable .
And the same is true of labour standards , ” he said .
Sinclair sees no reason this lax approach to environmental and labour regulations would be any different with this agreement , a concern reinforced by recently leaked documents from a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union and Mercosur countries .
Environmental violations are not considered “ essential elements ” in that document , meaning that sanctions or other enforcement measures can ’ t be implemented if a country violates the environmental standards outlined in the deal .
Similar provisions could easily be included in the proposed Canada-Mercosur deal — a bad sign , especially in light of Brazil ’ s current political situation .
“ This environmental assessment of the Canada-Mercosur trade deal appears completely divorced from the reality unfolding in Brazil , ” said Reykia Fick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
# cdnpoli Brazil ’ s environmental legislation is currently being gutted by the Bolsonaro government , Fick said , with the administration attempting to legalize land grabs of protected areas and Indigenous territories while defunding the country ’ s environmental protection agency .
And despite thrice mentioning that Canada and Mercosur countries will “ maintain high levels of environmental protection ” and “ improve their ( environmental ) laws and policies , ” the assessment offers no details on how those legislative standards will be enforced .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or even supportive of encroachment on this vital ecosystem to the point where experts think it ’ s threatened with collapse , but somehow that doesn ’ t factor into this environmental assessment , ” said Sinclair .
“ If we entered into an agreement with Mercosur … we ’ d be sanctioning ( and ) legitimizing those practices.
” This is especially true as the environmental assessment skirts around the direct relationship between the Brazilian government ’ s policies and deforestation and fires driven by agriculture and cattle ranching .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technological problem that free trade between Canada and the Mercosur region could help solve by “ broaden ( ing ) farmers ’ access to new tools ( and ) enable ( ing ) a reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers , as well as greenhouse gas emissions.
” That ’ s a baseless claim in light of Brazil ’ s current political , social and economic situation , Fick said .
Nor is it the only red flags she sees in the document .
“ The trade and Indigenous Peoples chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
The document states that the agreement would “ acknowledge ” the need for Indigenous people and businesses to benefit from the proposed deal and does not include any mention of the current situation for Indigenous people in the country .
Still , the deal is not yet complete .
“ There have been no new negotiations since last year ’ s forest fire season in the Amazon .
In any potential future negotiations on an investment chapter for a Mercosur free trade agreement , Canada would reaffirm our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ objectives such as respect for Indigenous peoples , and the protection of the environment , ” said a spokesperson for the office of Mary Ng , minister of small business , international trade , and export promotion in an email .
“ Indigenous leaders in Brazil are warning that the conditions ( in the Amazon ) threaten their survival — as land grabbers move into their lands , violence increases and the government refuses to recognize their rights , ” Fick explained .
The assessment also only considers the increase in greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from increased trade with the region , not the overall rise in emissions from pre-existing trade arrangements or deforestation and forest fires in Brazil .
Sinclair explained that such a narrow focus — standard practice for these kinds of environmental assessments — makes it possible to avoid the thornier environmental issues .
And it also misses the point .
“ It misses the big picture .
It doesn ’ t look at the impacts of a free trade agreement as an institutional framework that ’ s destroying the Amazon rainforest in Brazil , @ @ @ @

A federal environmental assessment of a proposed trade deal between Canada and the Mercosur countries ignores major environmental and human rights violations in Brazil, environmental advocates say. The assessment, which was released last week, is a standard part of trade deal negotiations meant to flag any proposed environmental issues that could arise from increased trade. Focused largely on potential impacts in Canada, it makes scant mention of devastating deforestation and fires in the Brazilian Amazon driven by cattle ranching and soy production. Brazil is the region’s largest economy and the deal could increase its agricultural exports to Canada by about $10 billion. “This environmental assessment of the Canada-Mercosur trade deal appears completely divorced from the reality unfolding in Brazil,” said Reykia Fick, nature and food campaigner with Greenpeace Canada, in an email. Deforestation in the Amazon increased by 30 per cent in 2019, boosted by the Bolsonaro government’s anti-environment agenda. In 2020, more than 12 per cent more fires burned between January and September than last year, covering roughly 1.8 million hectares.
The region plays a critical ecological role, capturing vast amounts of carbon, regulating the region’s climate and hosting some of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. It’s also home to hundreds of Indigenous nations whose human rights and cultural survival are threatened by deforestation and violence from ranchers and loggers. There is “a possible risk” of deforestation, soil erosion and biodiversity loss arising from increased agricultural production as a result of the deal, the environmental assessment notes. However, a 2019 report by a coalition of climate and environmental researchers about the situation in Brazil found a close correlation between deforestation, fires and industrial soy production and ranching. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The document states that the deal would include provisions that “may … help mitigate negative (environmental) impacts, notably in relation to … agricultural practices,” a note that doesn’t convince Scott Sinclair, director of the Trade and Investment Research Project at the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives.
“We have a model of free trade agreements that have powerful enforceable rights for traders and investors, but the environmental standards are weak, and they’re largely unenforceable. And the same is true of labour standards,” he said. Sinclair sees no reason this lax approach to environmental and labour regulations would be any different with this agreement, a concern reinforced by recently leaked documents from a similar deal now being negotiated between the European Union and Mercosur countries. “This environmental assessment of the Canada-Mercosur trade deal appears completely divorced from the reality unfolding in Brazil,” said Reykia Fick, nature and food campaigner with @GreenpeaceCA. #cdnpoli Environmental violations are not considered “essential elements” in that document, meaning that sanctions or other enforcement measures can’t be implemented if a country violates the environmental standards outlined in the deal. Similar provisions could easily be included in the proposed Canada-Mercosur deal — a bad sign, especially in light of Brazil’s current political situation. Brazil’s environmental legislation is currently being gutted by the Bolsonaro government, Fick said, with the administration attempting to legalize land grabs of protected areas and Indigenous territories while defunding the country’s environmental protection agency. And despite thrice mentioning that Canada and Mercosur countries will “maintain high levels of environmental protection” and “improve their (environmental) laws and policies,” the assessment offers no details on how those legislative standards will be enforced.
“It’s a perfect storm where the regime is indifferent or even supportive of encroachment on this vital ecosystem to the point where experts think it’s threatened with collapse, but somehow that doesn’t factor into this environmental assessment,” said Sinclair. “If we entered into an agreement with Mercosur … we’d be sanctioning (and) legitimizing those practices.” This is especially true as the environmental assessment skirts around the direct relationship between the Brazilian government’s policies and deforestation and fires driven by agriculture and cattle ranching. Instead, it frames the environmental devastation as a technological problem that free trade between Canada and the Mercosur region could help solve by “broaden(ing) farmers’ access to new tools (and) enable(ing) a reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.” That’s a baseless claim in light of Brazil’s current political, social and economic situation, Fick said. Nor is it the only red flags she sees in the document.


nationalobserver--2020-10-15--Feds fund small nuclear reactor as part of plan to reach climate goals

OTTAWA — An Ontario nuclear power company is getting $ 20 million from Ottawa to try to get its new small modular reactor in line with Canada ’ s safety regulations .
The grant to Terrestrial Energy in Oakville , Ont.
, is the first investment Canada has made in small modular reactors , or SMRs .
It comes just weeks before Natural Resources Minister Seamus O ’ Regan expects to produce a `` road map '' to show how the emerging technology will be used to help get Canada to its climate change goals .
`` Just last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landmark report showing that achieving our target of net-zero emissions without nuclear energy will take a lot longer , with a great risk of failure , '' he said .
Canada has promised to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by almost one-third in the next 10 years , and then to net-zero by 2050 , when any emissions still produced are captured by nature or technology .
About one-fifth of Canada ’ s electricity still comes from fossil fuels , including natural gas and coal .
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They currently make up 15 per cent of Canada ’ s energy mix overall , but only Ontario and New Brunswick use nuclear reactors for electricity .
Those CANDU reactors are big and expensive , while SMRs are pitched as smaller and more versatile , and can be shipped to remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently reach .
SMRs are still in the developmental stage , with about a dozen companies in Canada trying to be the first to the finish line .
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains , whose department is providing the $ 20-million grant through its strategic innovation fund , said they are an emerging technology with high growth potential .
`` Without a doubt one of our most promising solutions to fight climate change and promote clean energy has three letters — SMR , '' he said .
Bains says the money will help the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission .
`` Without a doubt one of our most promising solutions to fight climate change and promote clean energy has three letters — # SMR , '' Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said .
# cleanenergy # nuclear This process occurs before the company applies for a licence so that it can work to meet the commission ’ s requirements in the development phase .
Terrestrial has been working with the commission for nearly two years and is also undergoing a similar process with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut .
The company hopes its first nuclear reactor will be producing power before the end of the decade .
Not everyone is as convinced as O ’ Regan and Bains that nuclear is the answer to Canada ’ s climate change dreams .
Eva Schacherl , who helped found the Coalition Against Nuclear Dumps on the Ottawa River , said nuclear waste is a big concern , and fears investments in SMRs are going to take money away from cleaner , already proven technologies like wind , solar and tidal power .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources , '' she said .
Plus , she said , Canada already has enough nuclear waste to fill more than 1,000 Olympic−sized swimming pools .
`` We really don ’ t need to create more , '' she said .
O ’ Regan said he is also developing a radioactive waste policy , and said nuclear will not displace other sources of clean power .

OTTAWA — An Ontario nuclear power company is getting $20 million from Ottawa to try to get its new small modular reactor in line with Canada’s safety regulations. The grant to Terrestrial Energy in Oakville, Ont., is the first investment Canada has made in small modular reactors, or SMRs. It comes just weeks before Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan expects to produce a "road map" to show how the emerging technology will be used to help get Canada to its climate change goals. "Just last week, the International Energy Agency released a landmark report showing that achieving our target of net-zero emissions without nuclear energy will take a lot longer, with a great risk of failure," he said. Canada has promised to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by almost one-third in the next 10 years, and then to net-zero by 2050, when any emissions still produced are captured by nature or technology. About one-fifth of Canada’s electricity still comes from fossil fuels, including natural gas and coal.
Nuclear generators produce no greenhouse gas emissions. They currently make up 15 per cent of Canada’s energy mix overall, but only Ontario and New Brunswick use nuclear reactors for electricity. Those CANDU reactors are big and expensive, while SMRs are pitched as smaller and more versatile, and can be shipped to remote locations where electricity grids don’t currently reach. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions SMRs are still in the developmental stage, with about a dozen companies in Canada trying to be the first to the finish line.
Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, whose department is providing the $20-million grant through its strategic innovation fund, said they are an emerging technology with high growth potential. "Without a doubt one of our most promising solutions to fight climate change and promote clean energy has three letters — #SMR," Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said. #cleanenergy #nuclear "Without a doubt one of our most promising solutions to fight climate change and promote clean energy has three letters — SMR," he said. Bains says the money will help the company complete a pre-licensing process with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. This process occurs before the company applies for a licence so that it can work to meet the commission’s requirements in the development phase. Terrestrial has been working with the commission for nearly two years and is also undergoing a similar process with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Terrestrial has offices in Oakville and Connecticut.
The company hopes its first nuclear reactor will be producing power before the end of the decade. Not everyone is as convinced as O’Regan and Bains that nuclear is the answer to Canada’s climate change dreams. Eva Schacherl, who helped found the Coalition Against Nuclear Dumps on the Ottawa River, said nuclear waste is a big concern, and fears investments in SMRs are going to take money away from cleaner, already proven technologies like wind, solar and tidal power.


nationalobserver--2020-10-17--Here's a glimpse of how post-CERB supports will work

The employment insurance system absorbed almost 1.3 million people in the last three weeks , new figures show , as a key COVID-19 benefit wound down .
A breakdown of applications for the simplified EI program shows that overall there had been more than 1.5 million claims as of late this past week , among them 1.15 million people who were automatically transferred when their emergency benefit ran out .
The figures are enormous for a system that in one day this month handled 246,000-plus claims .
In the spring , officials worried the 87,000 applications on one March day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seams .
Figures obtained by The Canadian Press also show that more than 84 per cent of applications had been processed , which experts who reviewed the numbers noted was a positive sign for the transition off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit , better known as the CERB .
Couple that with the more than 300,000 people who turned to a suite of new benefits on the first day they were available , and the figures provide a hint at the ongoing need for income support even as employment has picked up .
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Figures on claims can be `` valuable in providing a partial , real-time assessment '' of the impact COVID-19 has on the labour force , officials wrote to Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough in April .
At the time , they were writing in a briefing note about providing regular updates on CERB recipients and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to evolve across the country.
” The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the briefing note under the Access to Information Act .
The CERB ceased to exist on Oct. 3 , although people can still retroactively apply for CERB payments until Dec. 2 .
The government expected up to four million people would use the revamped EI and three additional benefits for those not EI-eligible .
Up to 2.8 million people would need EI , based on internal projections from the department that oversees the program .
About one million more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the first day it was available this past week , 240,640 people applied for the Canada Recovery Benefit .
By that same Monday , a further 107,150 applied for a caregiving benefit and 58,560 applied for the new two-week sickness benefit , both of which had opened for applications the previous week .
The employment insurance system absorbed almost 1.3 million people in the last three weeks , new figures show , as a key COVID-19 benefit wound down .
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives had estimated about 5,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its senior economist David Macdonald said the vastly higher number suggests some EI-eligible workers may have found it easier to apply for the sickness benefit .
`` There will be plenty of honest confusion among people as to where they might apply next , and they might take the path of least resistance , which is going to be these ( recovery ) programs , '' said Macdonald , who has closely tracked aid figures .
Mikal Skuterud , a professor and labour economist at the University of Waterloo , said there may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apply for the CRB because of other differences in the programs , such as how quickly benefits are clawed back , how long they last , and how much tax is taken off at the source of payments .
`` There are some big issues there , but that 's kind of unfair to criticize the government because designing these kinds of income-support programs for self-employed people is a quagmire , '' he said .
The first EI payments went out this week , with just over 84 per cent of applicants receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
The labour market has recouped about 2.3 million of the three million jobs lost when the pandemic first struck .
A new round of restrictions amid rising COVID-19 case counts threatens some of those gains .
Given the unknown future path of COVID-19 , Scotiabank senior economist Marc Desormeaux said the government will have to be very careful about when it winds down the pandemic benefits .
Ending programs too soon could lead to weak business results as fewer people have money to spend , leading to potential bankruptcies or closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak anew .
`` We want to try and recover more quickly to the extent that we can , because these things have a way of reinforcing themselves , '' he said in an interview .

The employment insurance system absorbed almost 1.3 million people in the last three weeks, new figures show, as a key COVID-19 benefit wound down. A breakdown of applications for the simplified EI program shows that overall there had been more than 1.5 million claims as of late this past week, among them 1.15 million people who were automatically transferred when their emergency benefit ran out. The figures are enormous for a system that in one day this month handled 246,000-plus claims. In the spring, officials worried the 87,000 applications on one March day would make the decades-old system burst its seams. Figures obtained by The Canadian Press also show that more than 84 per cent of applications had been processed, which experts who reviewed the numbers noted was a positive sign for the transition off the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, better known as the CERB. Couple that with the more than 300,000 people who turned to a suite of new benefits on the first day they were available, and the figures provide a hint at the ongoing need for income support even as employment has picked up.
Figures on claims can be "valuable in providing a partial, real-time assessment" of the impact COVID-19 has on the labour force, officials wrote to Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough in April. At the time, they were writing in a briefing note about providing regular updates on CERB recipients and payments as "the labour market landscape continues to evolve across the country.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Canadian Press obtained a copy of the briefing note under the Access to Information Act.
The CERB ceased to exist on Oct. 3, although people can still retroactively apply for CERB payments until Dec. 2. The government expected up to four million people would use the revamped EI and three additional benefits for those not EI-eligible. The employment insurance system absorbed almost 1.3 million people in the last three weeks, new figures show, as a key COVID-19 benefit wound down. Up to 2.8 million people would need EI, based on internal projections from the department that oversees the program. About one million more would likely need the three new benefits. On the first day it was available this past week, 240,640 people applied for the Canada Recovery Benefit. By that same Monday, a further 107,150 applied for a caregiving benefit and 58,560 applied for the new two-week sickness benefit, both of which had opened for applications the previous week. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives had estimated about 5,000 people would use the taxable sickness benefit. Its senior economist David Macdonald said the vastly higher number suggests some EI-eligible workers may have found it easier to apply for the sickness benefit. "There will be plenty of honest confusion among people as to where they might apply next, and they might take the path of least resistance, which is going to be these (recovery) programs," said Macdonald, who has closely tracked aid figures.
Mikal Skuterud, a professor and labour economist at the University of Waterloo, said there may also be people who are EI-eligible but apply for the CRB because of other differences in the programs, such as how quickly benefits are clawed back, how long they last, and how much tax is taken off at the source of payments. "There are some big issues there, but that's kind of unfair to criticize the government because designing these kinds of income-support programs for self-employed people is a quagmire," he said. The first EI payments went out this week, with just over 84 per cent of applicants receiving benefits, a figure experts noted as positive.


nationalobserver--2020-10-18--In Waterloo they're looking for nature's deepest and weirdest secrets

Tim Hsieh , a theoretical physicist , pauses when asked what he studies for a living .
`` It 's pretty tricky , to be honest , '' acknowledges Hsieh , a faculty member at the newly created Clay Riddell Centre for Quantum Matter at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo , Ont .
`` It 's kind of a different way of thinking about physics .
Quantum matter is a very different philosophy . ''
But there 's no hesitation when he talks about the possibilities that may emerge from the brains and blackboards at the centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most open-minded places I 've ever been . ''
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The centre is the result of a $ 10-million donation announced this week from the Riddell Family Foundation set up by Clay Riddell , who was a Calgary businessman and philanthropist .
It 's the largest single donation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
The money will aid Canadian researchers to probe some of the deepest and strangest properties of the world within the atom — and , maybe , make breakthroughs toward a next generation of supercomputers or impossibly efficient power grids .
Quantum mechanics is what happens to physics when it gets really , really small , said centre director Rob Myers .
`` When you go to the scale of atoms or even smaller , the rules of how the universe works change . ''
Predictions go from certainties to probabilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways Isaac Newton never dreamed of and that Albert Einstein once called `` spooky action at a distance . ''
Understanding that spooky action is what scientists like Hsieh and others at the new centre are doing .
The results , said Myers , will be profound .
Tim Hsieh , a theoretical physicist , pauses when asked what he studies for a living .
Quantum computers will be able to do calculations that would take traditional computers thousands of years .
Ultrasensitive quantum sensors could reshape medicine or environmental monitoring .
Quantum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superconductors could transmit electricity without losing any of it .
The institute has already been an integral part of research that brought the world its first images of a black hole .
But the best stuff probably has n't even been thought of yet , Myers said .
Think of how cellphones — science fiction a generation ago — have changed society .
`` We hope the theoretical work we 're doing here builds the foundation for the cellphones of the future .
( Our scientists ) are thinking about the big questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hsieh said his work , day to day , is n't that grandiose .
He reads others ' research and confers with both theoretical and experimental colleagues .
`` Also , a lot of daydreaming , '' he said , `` hopefully constructive .
It 's a very non-linear process .
You just keep following your nose and what you think is fundamentally interesting . ''
The value of places such as the new centre is in bringing people together who are looking at similar phenomena from different angles and letting them work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you bring together a group of people , you have a lot of inspiration from ways of looking at the same material … a lot of flow of ideas . ''

Tim Hsieh, a theoretical physicist, pauses when asked what he studies for a living. "It's pretty tricky, to be honest," acknowledges Hsieh, a faculty member at the newly created Clay Riddell Centre for Quantum Matter at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ont. "It's kind of a different way of thinking about physics. Quantum matter is a very different philosophy." But there's no hesitation when he talks about the possibilities that may emerge from the brains and blackboards at the centre. "This is one of the most open-minded places I've ever been."
The centre is the result of a $10-million donation announced this week from the Riddell Family Foundation set up by Clay Riddell, who was a Calgary businessman and philanthropist. It's the largest single donation since the institute's founding two decades ago. The money will aid Canadian researchers to probe some of the deepest and strangest properties of the world within the atom — and, maybe, make breakthroughs toward a next generation of supercomputers or impossibly efficient power grids. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Quantum mechanics is what happens to physics when it gets really, really small, said centre director Rob Myers.
"When you go to the scale of atoms or even smaller, the rules of how the universe works change." Tim Hsieh, a theoretical physicist, pauses when asked what he studies for a living. Predictions go from certainties to probabilities. Seemingly unconnected particles affect each other in ways Isaac Newton never dreamed of and that Albert Einstein once called "spooky action at a distance." Understanding that spooky action is what scientists like Hsieh and others at the new centre are doing. The results, said Myers, will be profound. Quantum computers will be able to do calculations that would take traditional computers thousands of years. Ultrasensitive quantum sensors could reshape medicine or environmental monitoring. Quantum cybersecurity could be virtually unhackable. Quantum-based superconductors could transmit electricity without losing any of it.
The institute has already been an integral part of research that brought the world its first images of a black hole. But the best stuff probably hasn't even been thought of yet, Myers said. Think of how cellphones — science fiction a generation ago — have changed society. "We hope the theoretical work we're doing here builds the foundation for the cellphones of the future. (Our scientists) are thinking about the big questions and swinging for the fences."


nationalobserver--2020-10-18--Scott Moe has concerns about Keystone XL and Meili is anti-Trump

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if the Democrats win next month 's U.S. election , he has concerns about the future of the Keystone XL pipeline .
Moe is himself running for re-election on Oct. 26 and , while on the campaign trail , weighed in on comments about the project made by presidential candidate Joe Biden .
Biden has promised to kill the 2,000-kilometre pipeline , which would carry up to 830,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Alberta to Nebraska and travel through Saskatchewan .
It had been rejected by former president Barack Obama when Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump .
Moe says he 's been in contact with American governors along the pipeline 's route .
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He says he would also expect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to push for the project 's construction if Biden were to win .
“ I would expect that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf of the western Canadian energy industry and more specifically , the western Canadian workers in that industry , '' Moe said .
“ ( It 's ) a very important project for ensuring that western Canadian energy can get down into the Gulf Coast and ultimately to global markets , as we seem to have the inability to build that type of infrastructure across this nation.
” Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili says the pipeline is important and he would advocate for any project moving through the province to be built with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want to see Trump win a second term .
`` Donald Trump has not been a good president , not a good president for Saskatchewan , as we 've seen with the steel tariffs and frankly , I think , not a good president for the world , '' Meili said .
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if the Democrats win next month 's U.S. election , he has concerns about the future of the Keystone XL pipeline .
`` His response to COVID-19 has been terrible and ... much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitudes that he 's encouraged in people -- I would definitely not want to see him re-elected . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16 , 2020 .

Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if the Democrats win next month's U.S. election, he has concerns about the future of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Moe is himself running for re-election on Oct. 26 and, while on the campaign trail, weighed in on comments about the project made by presidential candidate Joe Biden.
Biden has promised to kill the 2,000-kilometre pipeline, which would carry up to 830,000 barrels a day of crude oil from Alberta to Nebraska and travel through Saskatchewan.
It had been rejected by former president Barack Obama when Biden was vice-president, but approved by President Donald Trump.
Moe says he's been in contact with American governors along the pipeline's route.


nationalobserver--2020-10-18--Trudeau considers federal role in Canada's nursing homes

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no intention of trying to assert federal jurisdiction over long-term care facilities but still believes there is a role for Ottawa to play in fixing the country 's troubled nursing homes .
Trudeau is pushing the provinces to agree to harmonize minimum standards for long-term care so that vulnerable seniors are protected and cared-for well no matter where they live .
`` This is a moment for us to step up and reassure Canadians that their loved ones , that they themselves as they advance in age , wo n't be left aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trudeau said Friday .
Trudeau met with the premiers by phone about the issue Thursday .
The Canada Health Act does not govern long-term-care homes , and their existence and operation are entirely up to each province , a fact Trudeau said he fully recognizes .
`` Obviously , I respect provincial jurisdiction in running those institutions , '' he said .
`` But we 've seen that those institutions have n't done a good enough job in this pandemic particularly , but in a long-standing challenge . ''
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He said his proposal for `` national norms '' would n't mean a top-down approach from Ottawa , dictating what provinces must do on long-term care .
Rather , he said provinces that have done better can share what worked with their counterparts , and all can commit to reaching minimum basic care standards on their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in various provinces around our seniors and I think every Canadian can understand how important it is to make sure that all of our vulnerable senior citizens are properly protected , regardless of which province or territory they happen to live in , '' he said .
Provincial governments are wary of federal intrusions , with Quebec Premier François Legault warning the prime minister before Thursday 's meeting that he was `` playing with fire '' and suggesting Ottawa intervening in long-term care would be akin to Quebec trying to make up rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic exposed serious problems in care homes across the country , with overcrowded conditions , underpaid staff with high turnover , staff levels too low to provide adequate care and very limited infection control .
In the spring , the federal government sent in the military to help replace staff at dozens of homes in Quebec and Ontario that could not cope with the pandemic .
Subsequent reports to the government from the military exposed horrific conditions in some of those homes , including COVID-19 patients not isolated from non-infected residents , cockroach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in soiled clothing .
In the first wave of the pandemic , long-term-care residents accounted for about 20 per cent of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 — and 80 per cent of the deaths .
Some homes saw more than one-third of their residents die .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no intention of trying to assert federal jurisdiction over long-term care facilities but still believes there is a role for Ottawa to play in fixing the country 's troubled nursing homes .
In Ontario , nearly 2,000 long-term-care residents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers .
The infection rate slowed over the summer , but as the second wave began to explode this fall , long-term-care homes are starting to get hit again .
One care home in Ottawa saw 100 residents infected and 15 die of COVID-19 in September .
The provinces have asked for a massive increase in federal health transfers , including to help improve long-term care , but with few if any federal strings attached .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no intention of trying to assert federal jurisdiction over long-term care facilities but still believes there is a role for Ottawa to play in fixing the country's troubled nursing homes. Trudeau is pushing the provinces to agree to harmonize minimum standards for long-term care so that vulnerable seniors are protected and cared-for well no matter where they live. "This is a moment for us to step up and reassure Canadians that their loved ones, that they themselves as they advance in age, won't be left aside, won't be made vulnerable," Trudeau said Friday. Trudeau met with the premiers by phone about the issue Thursday. The Canada Health Act does not govern long-term-care homes, and their existence and operation are entirely up to each province, a fact Trudeau said he fully recognizes. "Obviously, I respect provincial jurisdiction in running those institutions," he said. "But we've seen that those institutions haven't done a good enough job in this pandemic particularly, but in a long-standing challenge."
He said his proposal for "national norms" wouldn't mean a top-down approach from Ottawa, dictating what provinces must do on long-term care. Rather, he said provinces that have done better can share what worked with their counterparts, and all can commit to reaching minimum basic care standards on their own. "We've seen varied outcomes in various provinces around our seniors and I think every Canadian can understand how important it is to make sure that all of our vulnerable senior citizens are properly protected, regardless of which province or territory they happen to live in," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Provincial governments are wary of federal intrusions, with Quebec Premier François Legault warning the prime minister before Thursday's meeting that he was "playing with fire" and suggesting Ottawa intervening in long-term care would be akin to Quebec trying to make up rules about the Canadian border.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious problems in care homes across the country, with overcrowded conditions, underpaid staff with high turnover, staff levels too low to provide adequate care and very limited infection control. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he has no intention of trying to assert federal jurisdiction over long-term care facilities but still believes there is a role for Ottawa to play in fixing the country's troubled nursing homes. In the spring, the federal government sent in the military to help replace staff at dozens of homes in Quebec and Ontario that could not cope with the pandemic. Subsequent reports to the government from the military exposed horrific conditions in some of those homes, including COVID-19 patients not isolated from non-infected residents, cockroach infestations, rotting food and patients left in soiled clothing. In the first wave of the pandemic, long-term-care residents accounted for about 20 per cent of all confirmed cases of COVID-19 — and 80 per cent of the deaths. Some homes saw more than one-third of their residents die. In Ontario, nearly 2,000 long-term-care residents have died of COVID-19, and eight long-term care workers. The infection rate slowed over the summer, but as the second wave began to explode this fall, long-term-care homes are starting to get hit again. One care home in Ottawa saw 100 residents infected and 15 die of COVID-19 in September.


nationalobserver--2020-10-18--Now O'Toole and Kenney together without masks

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole praised Alberta Premier Jason Kenney for his province 's handling of COVID-19 as the two sat side-by-side during a livestream on Saturday , while neither leader wore a mask .
`` I 'm the easiest guy to hang out with because I ca n't give it or get it from anyone for four months , '' O'Toole said , answering Kenney 's question about how O'Toole was doing after he and his wife got the novel coronavirus last month .
Kenney 's United Conservative Party is holding a virtual annual general meeting from Nobleford , Alta.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stopped by for a visit because he was in the province and was on his way to meet with cattle industry representatives .
A statement from UCP spokesman Evan Menzies said both O'Toole and Kenney wore masks before and after sitting in front of the camera on Saturday , and the number of staff in the studio was well below Alberta 's indoor gathering limits .
All equipment was sanitized before and after use .
`` All individuals who enter the building are required to complete a health screening and sanitize before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toole and the premier , '' the statement said .
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole praised Alberta Premier Jason Kenney for his province 's handling of COVID-19 as the two sat side-by-side during a livestream on Saturday , October 17 , 2020 , while neither leader wore a mask .
`` The facility was following strict health guidelines as part of their studio insurance that go above Alberta public health guidelines , '' Hann added .
The U.S. Centres for Disease Control website states that there are no confirmed reports to date of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of initial infection .
However , it notes additional research is ongoing .
`` CDC recommends that all people , whether or not they have had COVID-19 , take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19 .
Wash hands regularly , stay at least 6 feet away from others whenever possible , and wear masks , '' the website states .
O'Toole told Kenney that getting COVID-19 helped him know what many families are facing , particularly in provinces that he said have n't managed the crisis as well as Alberta .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to account for not making 15-minute rapid COVID-19 testing available for Canadians .
Alberta reported 332 new COVID-19 cases on Friday , and Calgary joined Edmonton on a watch list , but the province 's chief medical officer of health did not recommend additional restrictions .
Bars , restaurants and gyms remain open in the province .

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole praised Alberta Premier Jason Kenney for his province's handling of COVID-19 as the two sat side-by-side during a livestream on Saturday, while neither leader wore a mask.
"I'm the easiest guy to hang out with because I can't give it or get it from anyone for four months," O'Toole said, answering Kenney's question about how O'Toole was doing after he and his wife got the novel coronavirus last month.
Kenney's United Conservative Party is holding a virtual annual general meeting from Nobleford, Alta., this weekend, and O'Toole said he stopped by for a visit because he was in the province and was on his way to meet with cattle industry representatives.
He and Kenney elbow-bumped instead of shaking hands, but sat at a table only a couple of feet away from each other, faces uncovered, for approximately ten minutes as they discussed the pandemic and energy policy and pipelines.
According to Alberta Health spokesman Tom McMillan, the province still advises everyone to wear masks when physical distancing isn't possible.


nationalobserver--2020-10-18--Tam asks Canadians to unite against COVID-19

Canada 's chief public health officer urged residents to continue making a `` collective effort '' to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday as parts of the country braced for new rounds of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus .
Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement acknowledging that confusion over appropriate public health measures is understandable in light of the fact that the pandemic is playing out differently across different provinces and territories .
But she stressed that Canadians must `` keep our number of in-person close contacts low '' and adhere to public health practices .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 is not going away , so public health is focused on making the response sustainable through to the end of the pandemic , balancing the health , social and economic consequences , '' Tam said Saturday in a news release .
`` What is certain , is that our response requires a collective effort .
Everyone 's actions matter . ''
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• America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What should we do about it ?
Canada continued climbing toward the 200,000 mark for COVID-19 cases , with 196,324 confirmed cases reported Saturday across the country .
Canada also recorded 9,746 deaths related to the virus .
On Friday the Manitoba government announced it would impose increased COVID-19 restrictions in Winnipeg on Monday , while the Ontario government plans to do the same in York Region , north of Toronto .
Restrictions limiting visitors at long-term care homes in the region also took effect as of Saturday , the Ontario government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases on Saturday , for a total of 3,258 , with 1,572 considered recovered and 38 deaths .
With cases spiking there , the province is imposing new restrictions in the greater Winnipeg area , starting Monday and lasting for two weeks .
Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement acknowledging that confusion over appropriate public health measures is understandable in light of the fact that the pandemic is playing out differently across different provinces and territories .
The new rules in Winnipeg limit gatherings of people to five , and state that beverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close .
Meanwhile , restaurants , lounges , retail stores , museums and libraries will be limited to half capacity .
In Ontario , which reported 805 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths related to the virus Saturday , another Toronto-area public health unit has imposed tighter restrictions on local long-term care homes .
The new ban on all but essential visitors and caregivers is in effect in York Region , which is facing an upward trend in COVID-19 cases .
Starting Monday , York Region will also join the province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving back to a modified Stage 2 of pandemic protocol for 28 days .
Toronto , Peel Region and Ottawa were placed under similar restrictions amid rising cases a week ago .
The modified Stage 2 includes the closure of gyms and movie theatres , a ban on indoor dining in restaurants or bars , and a cap on public gatherings at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors .
Ontario now has a total of 63,713 cases of COVID-19 , including 54,686 that are considered resolved and 3,041 deaths .
Quebec continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 diagnoses in the country , reporting 1,279 new cases on Saturday .
With different approaches across the country while schools and some businesses remain open , the situation is `` complicated '' and challenging for individuals , families and public health authorities , Tam said .
But we need to remember that every person we encounter `` brings with them a whole network of contacts , '' she added .
`` So , as much as you can , I urge you to reduce encounters with people outside of your consistent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I especially urge you to avoid these encounters in crowded and closed settings with limited ventilation .
Keeping apart is difficult , but it is what will make us stronger , more resilient and better able to sustain public health efforts through the fall and winter . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17 , 2020 .

Canada's chief public health officer urged residents to continue making a "collective effort" to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday as parts of the country braced for new rounds of restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus. Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement acknowledging that confusion over appropriate public health measures is understandable in light of the fact that the pandemic is playing out differently across different provinces and territories. But she stressed that Canadians must "keep our number of in-person close contacts low" and adhere to public health practices. "There are no quick fixes and COVID-19 is not going away, so public health is focused on making the response sustainable through to the end of the pandemic, balancing the health, social and economic consequences," Tam said Saturday in a news release. "What is certain, is that our response requires a collective effort. Everyone's actions matter."
Canada continued climbing toward the 200,000 mark for COVID-19 cases, with 196,324 confirmed cases reported Saturday across the country. Canada also recorded 9,746 deaths related to the virus. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions On Friday the Manitoba government announced it would impose increased COVID-19 restrictions in Winnipeg on Monday, while the Ontario government plans to do the same in York Region, north of Toronto.
Restrictions limiting visitors at long-term care homes in the region also took effect as of Saturday, the Ontario government said. Dr. Theresa Tam issued a statement acknowledging that confusion over appropriate public health measures is understandable in light of the fact that the pandemic is playing out differently across different provinces and territories. Manitoba reported 85 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, for a total of 3,258, with 1,572 considered recovered and 38 deaths. With cases spiking there, the province is imposing new restrictions in the greater Winnipeg area, starting Monday and lasting for two weeks. The new rules in Winnipeg limit gatherings of people to five, and state that beverage rooms, bingo halls and casinos must close. Meanwhile, restaurants, lounges, retail stores, museums and libraries will be limited to half capacity. In Ontario, which reported 805 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 new deaths related to the virus Saturday, another Toronto-area public health unit has imposed tighter restrictions on local long-term care homes.
The new ban on all but essential visitors and caregivers is in effect in York Region, which is facing an upward trend in COVID-19 cases. Starting Monday, York Region will also join the province's other three COVID-19 hot spots in moving back to a modified Stage 2 of pandemic protocol for 28 days. Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa were placed under similar restrictions amid rising cases a week ago.


nationalobserver--2020-10-19--A national school lunch program would solve more than hunger, advocates say

School meal programs should be more than a meal — they should anchor school curriculum and root kids into their school , advocates say .
Canada is the only G7 country without a national school meal program , with a patchwork of school-based and regional programs partially filling a gap exacerbated by the pandemic .
It ’ s an inadequate system that needs reform — an opportunity , say advocates pushing for a universal , national school lunch program , to rethink the role of food in Canadian schools .
“ There ’ s three reasons why we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada , ” said Debbie Field , co-ordinator for the Coalition for Healthy School Food , a national organization advocating for a Canada-wide school food program .
“ We don ’ t prioritize healthy food in our lives or in Canada ... we have a very old-fashioned division of labour in Canada between what is so-called provincial jurisdiction and so-called federal jurisdiction ... and the Canadian government is loath to create new social programs that may get expensive when , in fact , we believe this program would save money because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roughly 20 per cent of Canadian households with children struggle with food insecurity , according to a May report by Statistics Canada .
School meals are essential to helping those kids get enough food — but they also play a larger role , benefitting students across the socio-economic spectrum and contributing to societal well-being more broadly .
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The new Canada Food Guide , released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diet that 's both healthy and sustainable .
School meal programs can help students learn how to cook ( and appreciate ) meals in line with the recommendations .
Image by Health Canada .
School meals have been shown to have a suite of health benefits , both for individual kids and communities as a whole .
That includes higher fruit and vegetable consumption , reducing the risk of heart attack , stroke and Type 2 diabetes .
They ’ ve also been found to improve kids ’ overall diets and help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and healthier , more plant-based diets into adulthood — a win for public health and sustainability ( diets with more plants have a smaller carbon and water footprint ) .
The programs are also associated with better academic performance , and students who eat breakfast have been found to graduate high school more than those who don ’ t .
Emotional well-being and resilience have also been shown to increase among students with access to meals at school .
“ School meals , ideally , attend to the basics of living — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our schools for children and faculty as a way to promote well-being .
And ( they should ) be designed intentionally to level the playing field and reduce inequality , ” said Shannon Turner , executive director of the Public Health Association of British Columbia .
And the programs ’ impacts on tackling inequality , Turner explained , expand beyond keeping bellies full to support both health and academic performance , particularly in B.C .
“ There needs to be a universal approach to eating together .
This is not an exchange for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support to families ( that ) will not get rid of poverty but will support ... families , ” said Debbie Field of @ C4HSchoolFood “ The B.C .
( school food ) model focuses on embedding ( school meals ) within the curriculum .
( That ) makes it easy for teachers and farmers and students to work co-operatively to enhance their education around healthy eating , ” she said .
It ’ s an approach that puts food , and the journey it travels from farm to fork , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model , setting the stage for a generation of British Columbians who know how to grow , source and cook healthy food .
And hopefully , Turner said , developing that knowledge base will help support healthy practices among the broader population and increase support for a more sustainable , local food system .
That ’ s why those programs are so important — and why universality is key , Field said .
“ Almost all politicians and journalists , when they first look at the ( school food ) issue , assume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is something for poor kids at school , ” a problem because it singles out lower-income kids from the general school population , often exacerbating already stressful social situations at schools and pushing some to avoid the meals altogether .
And poverty isn ’ t the only reason kids go hungry , she said .
A range of issues — social pressure , eating disorders , a home situation , regardless of income , that doesn ’ t prioritize food — can all push them away from eating well and developing a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a universal approach to everybody eating together ...
This is not an exchange for welfare reform , this is an additional support to families ( that ) will not get rid of poverty but will support working families , ” she said .
This kind of support is also essential to increasing equity among parents and getting women into the workforce , she noted , as the burden of worrying about and preparing kids ’ lunches primarily falls on mothers .
This is an especially pressing issue in light of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen a disproportionate number of women pushed out of the workforce by COVID-19 .
NOURISH KIDS NOW - INVEST IN SCHOOL FOOD We are calling on the federal government to make a cost-shared investment in healthy , universal school food programs .
Join us and make your voice heard .
Check out ⬇ how you can do your part !
 # NourishKidsNow https : //t.co/iqGBZXKpRy pic.twitter.com/vyFJel4tof — Coalition for Healthy School Food ( @ C4HSchoolFood ) February 1 , 2019 The range of public policy issues that school food programs can help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , sustainable food production and gender equity — mean that developing a comprehensive national program should be a priority as the federal and provincial governments look toward a post-COVID-19 world .

School meal programs should be more than a meal — they should anchor school curriculum and root kids into their school, advocates say. Canada is the only G7 country without a national school meal program, with a patchwork of school-based and regional programs partially filling a gap exacerbated by the pandemic. It’s an inadequate system that needs reform — an opportunity, say advocates pushing for a universal, national school lunch program, to rethink the role of food in Canadian schools. “There’s three reasons why we don’t have a national school food program in Canada,” said Debbie Field, co-ordinator for the Coalition for Healthy School Food, a national organization advocating for a Canada-wide school food program. “We don’t prioritize healthy food in our lives or in Canada ... we have a very old-fashioned division of labour in Canada between what is so-called provincial jurisdiction and so-called federal jurisdiction ... and the Canadian government is loath to create new social programs that may get expensive when, in fact, we believe this program would save money because of the (beneficial) health impact.” Roughly 20 per cent of Canadian households with children struggle with food insecurity, according to a May report by Statistics Canada. School meals are essential to helping those kids get enough food — but they also play a larger role, benefitting students across the socio-economic spectrum and contributing to societal well-being more broadly.
The new Canada Food Guide, released this year, provides a template for a diet that's both healthy and sustainable. School meal programs can help students learn how to cook (and appreciate) meals in line with the recommendations. Image by Health Canada. School meals have been shown to have a suite of health benefits, both for individual kids and communities as a whole. That includes higher fruit and vegetable consumption, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions They’ve also been found to improve kids’ overall diets and help them enjoy a greater diversity of foods and healthier, more plant-based diets into adulthood — a win for public health and sustainability (diets with more plants have a smaller carbon and water footprint).
The programs are also associated with better academic performance, and students who eat breakfast have been found to graduate high school more than those who don’t. Emotional well-being and resilience have also been shown to increase among students with access to meals at school. “There needs to be a universal approach to eating together. This is not an exchange for welfare reform, this is an additional support to families (that) will not get rid of poverty but will support ... families,” said Debbie Field of @C4HSchoolFood “School meals, ideally, attend to the basics of living — that is healthy, nutritious food available in our schools for children and faculty as a way to promote well-being. And (they should) be designed intentionally to level the playing field and reduce inequality,” said Shannon Turner, executive director of the Public Health Association of British Columbia. And the programs’ impacts on tackling inequality, Turner explained, expand beyond keeping bellies full to support both health and academic performance, particularly in B.C. “The B.C. (school food) model focuses on embedding (school meals) within the curriculum. (That) makes it easy for teachers and farmers and students to work co-operatively to enhance their education around healthy eating,” she said. It’s an approach that puts food, and the journey it travels from farm to fork, at the centre of the school’s educational model, setting the stage for a generation of British Columbians who know how to grow, source and cook healthy food. And hopefully, Turner said, developing that knowledge base will help support healthy practices among the broader population and increase support for a more sustainable, local food system.
That’s why those programs are so important — and why universality is key, Field said. “Almost all politicians and journalists, when they first look at the (school food) issue, assume that what we’re talking about is something for poor kids at school,” a problem because it singles out lower-income kids from the general school population, often exacerbating already stressful social situations at schools and pushing some to avoid the meals altogether. And poverty isn’t the only reason kids go hungry, she said. A range of issues — social pressure, eating disorders, a home situation, regardless of income, that doesn’t prioritize food — can all push them away from eating well and developing a healthy relationship with food.