nationalobserver--2020-08-31--Ontario teachers' unions file health and safety complaint

Unions representing Ontario 's school teachers will each file a complaint with the province 's labour relations tribunal over what they say is the provincial government 's failure to take “ every reasonable precaution ” to protect education workers with its back-to-school plan .
The escalation of their dispute with the government comes after a meeting last week between Labour Minister Monte McNaughton and the heads of the four unions representing 190,000 teachers and education workers in public English-language elementary and secondary schools , Catholic schools and French-language schools across the province .
In that meeting , the unions say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be capped at 20 students and that no one attending school in-person comes into contact with more than 50 people , as well as adherence to ventilation standards and the ability for school boards to delay reopening until it is safe to do so .
While secondary schools are largely being restricted to 15-student classes conducted part-time , elementary schools will retain their pre-pandemic sizes , which means an average of more than 24 students in grades 4 through 8 , according to provincial guidelines .
Teachers have taken to social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 students seated less than two metres apart .
The unions say the demands are in line with measures put in place in other workplaces and public spaces in Ontario .
• Unless we change course , the US agricultural system could collapse • The biblical flood that will drown California “ Smaller class sizes would help make schools safer , '' Sam Hammond , the president of the Elementary Teachers ’ Federation of Ontario ( ETFO ) , said in a joint statement with the other unions .
`` Should teachers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least the same standards and precautionary measures as have been put in place in stores , offices and other spaces across the province ?
” he said .
Premier Doug Ford , asked about the legal move , portrayed his government as having given the unions everything they sought .
“ You wanted ventilation , we got ventilation .
You wanted more money for teachers , we got more money for the teachers , we went out and got the reserves , ” he said at a news conference Monday , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dip into their contingency funds to pay for safety measures , and to a federal government top up announced last week . '
I do n't want to fight with you ' He sought to portray the teachers ' unions as at odds with the feelings of individual teachers , and contrasted their complaints with the heroic efforts of health-care and other front-line workers .
Ontario 's four main teachers ' unions file legal challenge to @ fordnation and @ sflecce 's back-to-school plan ; Ford says they just want to fight “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was running rampant , PSWs ( personal support workers ) walked into long-term care homes like firefighters walking into a burning building , and they don ’ t say a word , they ’ re heroes , ” Ford said .
“ The front-line health-care workers are heroes , the doctors are heroes , how about the grocery store clerks at the peak of this checking out hundreds and hundreds of people .
“ Then we create the safest environment we possibly can for everyone and the teachers ' unions just want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They want to fight with everyone .
I do n't want to fight with you , I want the cooperation like every single person in this country has been cooperating , except the teachers unions.
” The provincial Greens said they stood in solidarity with the teachers and education workers taking legal action , and said the Ford government was seeking to vilify the unions “ for refusing to encourage their members to run into a burning building without complaint.
” “ Despite the Ford government ’ s persistent attempts to divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame for the division at the feet of the unions , Ontario ’ s education workers have banded together to stand up to the Premier ’ s flawed and reckless plan , ” the party ’ s deputy leader , Abhjieet Manay , said in a statement .
He challenged Ford ’ s assertion that his government had done everything asked of it , saying the Progressive Conservatives had refused to mandate smaller class sizes and ignored the advice of health and education experts .
The union statement was co-signed by the Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , the Ontario English Catholic Teachers ’ Association ( OECTA ) , and the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens ( AEFO ) .
They say they are reflecting the widespread concerns of their members as well as parents and others .
“ The anxiety Ontarians are feeling around reopening schools is directly related to the government ’ s lack of leadership and their haphazard , incomplete planning , ” said OECTA President Liz Stuart .
“ The Premier and the Minister of Education say they will do everything possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are asking is that they make an honest , exhaustive effort to follow through on this promise.
” We tried that all damn summer .
Their idea of ‘ working with us ’ is agreeing to every lame thing they want to do .
Enough is enough .
If the government won ’ t set the stage for a # SafeSeptember for all we will fight for it .
https : //t.co/yvTBnzZl9S — Jerry DeQuetteville ( @ jdeq ) August 31 , 2020 “ The accusation that teachers and education workers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to schools is preposterous and insulting , ” OSSTF president Harvey Bischof said .
“ No worker in the province of Ontario should be expected to sacrifice their health and safety , especially when there are such obvious measures the government could be taking to reduce the risk and prevent potential tragedies.
” On behalf of parents , students , grandparents , doctors , nurses , h/c workers , edu workers , custodians , bus drivers , business owners & others across Ontario , we at @ OntarioSafe put together a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smallerissafer # ontariosafe https : //t.co/tUzkrV5gCD — Kelly Iggers ( @ msiggerslibrary ) August 31 , 2020 McNaughton , the labour minister , said he would ensure that workers are safe from workplace hazards , including COVID-19 , and that his ministry has been in touch with every school board in the province and is training both school boards and staff on how to be safe at school .
“ This is no different than our work with employers of the millions of Ontario workers who remained on the job during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since returned to work , ” he said in a statement .
`` In every case , including construction sites , supermarkets , retailers , manufacturing and more , workers , industry , labour and government worked together to create safe workplaces , '' he added .
`` That spirit of cooperation was effective . ''
Editor ’ s note : This article was updated at 5:19 p.m. on August 31 , 2020 to include reaction from the Green Party of Ontario and tweets from a teacher and an advocate

Unions representing Ontario's school teachers will each file a complaint with the province's labour relations tribunal over what they say is the provincial government's failure to take “every reasonable precaution” to protect education workers with its back-to-school plan. The escalation of their dispute with the government comes after a meeting last week between Labour Minister Monte McNaughton and the heads of the four unions representing 190,000 teachers and education workers in public English-language elementary and secondary schools, Catholic schools and French-language schools across the province. In that meeting, the unions say they asked for assurances that class sizes would be capped at 20 students and that no one attending school in-person comes into contact with more than 50 people, as well as adherence to ventilation standards and the ability for school boards to delay reopening until it is safe to do so. While secondary schools are largely being restricted to 15-student classes conducted part-time, elementary schools will retain their pre-pandemic sizes, which means an average of more than 24 students in grades 4 through 8, according to provincial guidelines. Teachers have taken to social media to say they often teach more than 30 students seated less than two metres apart. The unions say the demands are in line with measures put in place in other workplaces and public spaces in Ontario.
“Smaller class sizes would help make schools safer," Sam Hammond, the president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), said in a joint statement with the other unions. "Should teachers and education workers not be able to expect at least the same standards and precautionary measures as have been put in place in stores, offices and other spaces across the province?” he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Premier Doug Ford, asked about the legal move, portrayed his government as having given the unions everything they sought.
“You wanted ventilation, we got ventilation. You wanted more money for teachers, we got more money for the teachers, we went out and got the reserves,” he said at a news conference Monday, referring to the government allowing school boards to dip into their contingency funds to pay for safety measures, and to a federal government top up announced last week. Ontario's four main teachers' unions file legal challenge to @fordnation and @sflecce's back-to-school plan; Ford says they just want to fight 'I don't want to fight with you' He sought to portray the teachers' unions as at odds with the feelings of individual teachers, and contrasted their complaints with the heroic efforts of health-care and other front-line workers. “At the peak of this, and it was running rampant, PSWs (personal support workers) walked into long-term care homes like firefighters walking into a burning building, and they don’t say a word, they’re heroes,” Ford said. “The front-line health-care workers are heroes, the doctors are heroes, how about the grocery store clerks at the peak of this checking out hundreds and hundreds of people.
“Then we create the safest environment we possibly can for everyone and the teachers' unions just want to fight,” he said. “They want to fight with everyone. I don't want to fight with you, I want the cooperation like every single person in this country has been cooperating, except the teachers unions.” The provincial Greens said they stood in solidarity with the teachers and education workers taking legal action, and said the Ford government was seeking to vilify the unions “for refusing to encourage their members to run into a burning building without complaint.”


nationalobserver--2020-08-31--Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes

A group of environmental advocates is suing the Ford government over its COVID-19 economic recovery bill , asking a judge to order the province to go back and consult the public .
The suit announced Monday is the latest in a flurry of court challenges against Bill 197 , which contained a major overhaul of the province ’ s environmental assessment rules .
The government passed the bill last month without holding public consultations , which are required under Ontario ’ s Environmental Bill of Rights .
The legal action was filed by the Canadian Environmental Law Association ( CELA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group Earthroots , non-profit Ontario Nature , a 16-year-old climate activist named Cooper Price , and Michel Koostachin , who was born and raised in Attawapiskat , a First Nations community in northern Ontario .
Earthroots is chaired by Gord Miller , who was Ontario 's environmental commissioner , a watchdog role , from 2000 to 2015 .
“ As environmental commissioner of Ontario for 15 years , I constantly had to work to protect and maintain the ( Environmental Bill of Rights ) , ” Miller said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set public policy back decades .
We must react .
We must defend those rights for the sake of future generations.
” • Unless we change course , the US agricultural system could collapse • The biblical flood that will drown California The group is asking for the court to do two things : Find that the Ontario government acted illegally by passing Bill 197 without consulting the public , and ask the government to meaningfully consult the public before going any further with environment-related changes in the legislation .
A coalition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the province over Bill 197 and the alleged clash between it and the Environmental Bill of Rights .
On Friday , Canada ’ s National Observer reported that a group of First Nations is working on a separate court challenge that hasn ’ t yet been filed , but will hinge on treaty rights .
The action filed by CELA takes a slightly different approach , arguing not only that the bill breached the Environmental Bill of Rights , but is also “ inconsistent with international law conventions , principles and norms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and human rights applicable in Ontario , ” the groups said in a statement Monday .
“ The government is removing space for youth input on our own futures , ” Price said in the statement .
“ This lawsuit is a fight to uplift the youth voice and a fight for the environment.
” “ Our natural laws are greater than man-made laws , we live in harmony with the animals and have respect for our Mother Earth , ” The office of Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek didn ’ t immediately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Ontario government passed Bill 197 last month without holding public consultations .
This is the latest in a flurry of planned court challenges .
# onpoli A list of people/groups that are sounding alarms about environmental changes in @ fordnation 's Bill 197 : - the auditor general - environmental groups ( there 's a lawsuit ) - seven First Nations located near James Bay # onpoli https : //t.co/3cwHTbyrqy — Emma McIntosh ( @ EmmaMci ) August 19 , 2020 Auditor general said bill was ‘ not compliant ’ with law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was aimed at speeding up crucial infrastructure projects that would help the province recover from the economic hit caused by COVID-19 .
The omnibus legislation , passed in late July , altered 20 existing laws .
Critics say the bill is a significant rollback of environmental rules .
One change would mean that projects are only required to undergo an environmental assessment if designated by the government .
Another removed a mechanism that would allow citizens to request a more thorough review .
Bill 197 also expanded the government ’ s power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that overrides potential opposition to projects and gives the province final say on how land is used .
Before Bill 197 was passed , auditor general Bonnie Lysyk warned the government that it would be “ not compliant ” with the Environmental Bill of Rights if it passed those changes without consulting the public .
The government pushed ahead anyway , and Ford later said he disagreed with Lysyk .
Court challenges are the main avenue available to citizens who want to fight the bill .
The Environmental Bill of Rights doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government did not follow it .
It ’ s not clear how long it could be before the courts can hold hearings or deliver a decision , as the justice system has been backlogged due to COVID-19 .

A group of environmental advocates is suing the Ford government over its COVID-19 economic recovery bill, asking a judge to order the province to go back and consult the public. The suit announced Monday is the latest in a flurry of court challenges against Bill 197, which contained a major overhaul of the province’s environmental assessment rules. The government passed the bill last month without holding public consultations, which are required under Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights. The legal action was filed by the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), acting on behalf of conservation group Earthroots, non-profit Ontario Nature, a 16-year-old climate activist named Cooper Price, and Michel Koostachin, who was born and raised in Attawapiskat, a First Nations community in northern Ontario. Earthroots is chaired by Gord Miller, who was Ontario's environmental commissioner, a watchdog role, from 2000 to 2015. “As environmental commissioner of Ontario for 15 years, I constantly had to work to protect and maintain the (Environmental Bill of Rights),” Miller said in a statement. “Bill 197 has gutted those rights and set public policy back decades. We must react. We must defend those rights for the sake of future generations.”
The group is asking for the court to do two things: Find that the Ontario government acted illegally by passing Bill 197 without consulting the public, and ask the government to meaningfully consult the public before going any further with environment-related changes in the legislation. A coalition of environmental groups has already filed a suit against the province over Bill 197 and the alleged clash between it and the Environmental Bill of Rights. On Friday, Canada’s National Observer reported that a group of First Nations is working on a separate court challenge that hasn’t yet been filed, but will hinge on treaty rights. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The action filed by CELA takes a slightly different approach, arguing not only that the bill breached the Environmental Bill of Rights, but is also “inconsistent with international law conventions, principles and norms on environmental assessment, public participation, and human rights applicable in Ontario,” the groups said in a statement Monday.
“The government is removing space for youth input on our own futures,” Price said in the statement. “This lawsuit is a fight to uplift the youth voice and a fight for the environment.” The Ontario government passed Bill 197 last month without holding public consultations. This is the latest in a flurry of planned court challenges. #onpoli “Our natural laws are greater than man-made laws, we live in harmony with the animals and have respect for our Mother Earth,” The office of Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek redirected questions to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. "We will be reviewing the notice of application and determining our next steps," said ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler. "As this matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further." A list of people/groups that are sounding alarms about environmental changes in @fordnation's Bill 197:
- the auditor general
- environmental groups (there's a lawsuit)
- seven First Nations located near James Bay
#onpoli https://t.co/3cwHTbyrqy — Emma McIntosh (vacation mode) (@EmmaMci) August 19, 2020
Auditor general said bill was ‘not compliant’ with law Premier Doug Ford has said Bill 197 was aimed at speeding up crucial infrastructure projects that would help the province recover from the economic hit caused by COVID-19. The omnibus legislation, passed in late July, altered 20 existing laws. Critics say the bill is a significant rollback of environmental rules.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--B.C.'s call on Ottawa to decriminalize drug possession a "shell game", says advocate

The B.C .
government should take its own steps to decriminalize illicit drug use to help stem surging overdose deaths instead of calling on the federal government to do it , say disillusioned advocates .
Fatal overdoses due to toxic street drugs continue to mount during the pandemic , with 175 dead in July , according to data last week from the BC Coroners Service .
B.C .
Premier John Horgan asked the federal government to decriminalize the personal possession of illicit drugs late last month following a record number of overdose fatalities in June .
But Horgan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game ” to distract the public from what the province could be doing to decriminalize simple possession , said peer advocate and broadcaster Garth Mullins .
Last year Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the B.C .
government should n't wait on action from Ottawa around decriminalization , Mullins said .
• The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes Instead , she recommended B.C .
take its own steps on the issue as one means to address the overdose public health emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
opens his mouth to call for ( federal ) decriminalization , it comes with a lot of subterfuge , ” Mullins said .
“ If he 's saying he 's pro decriminalization , he 's not , because he 's not using his own powers to do it.
” The province could have acted on Henry ’ s recommendations last year , added Mullins , a member of the BC Association of People on Opioid Maintenance ( BCAPOM ) .
“ So , to see senior members of the provincial government walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overdose numbers when there are moves that they could make , and that they ’ ve known they could make for some time , and haven ’ t – that rings false , ” Mullins said .
Henry ’ s decriminalization report , Stopping the Harm , provided a blueprint for provincial action , that could bypass the need for the federal government to make changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act ( CDSA ) , said lawyer Scott Bernstein , of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition .
“ You can only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone was too afraid to call the ambulance because the cops might also show up , ” peer advocate David Clarke on how criminalization of illicit drug use contributes to B.C .
's overdose deaths .
The province ’ s failure to act on Henry ’ s recommendations around decriminalization and the overdose crisis contrasts sharply with its willingness to follow her every advice in dealing with the pandemic , Bernstein said .
“ We will follow Dr. Henry off of a cliff for one public health emergency , but somehow she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the other one , ” he said .
B.C.
’ s Solicitor General Mike Farnworth could set guidelines for police , which prioritizes connecting people to health or social services , and relying on administrative penalties , instead of criminal charges for simple possession , Henry ’ s report outlined .
Secondly , Farnworth could amend B.C.
’ s Police Act to prevent officers from expending resources to enforce the personal possession of illict drugs .
Given the high numbers of overdose deaths across the province , Henry recommended the government act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warranted , and I recommend that the Province of BC urgently move to decriminalize people who possess controlled substances for personal use , ” Henry stated .
The provincial government has lacked the courage to take bold action on the issue , Berstein said , adding public frustration is mounting as the province ’ s current response to the overdose crisis , only aggravated by the pandemic , is not working .
Bernstein thinks British Columbians are ready to abandon criminal enforcement as a means to address substance use issues .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within B.C .
to decriminalize , ” he said .
“ The B.C .
government appears to be very adamant in not making these changes and continuing to follow a criminal justice approach.
” “ We 've tried that for over 100 years and it 's led us to disaster after disaster.
” Minister informed police of new focus on harm reduction The B.C .
government will continue to urge Ottawa to use its powers to amend the federal drug act , the Ministry of Public Safety stated in an email to Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe this is the most effective way to tackle this crisis that continues to take so many lives , ” the Ministry wrote , adding the B.C .
government ’ s call echoes that made by Canadian police chiefs to Ottawa .
“ Ultimately , decriminalization is up to the federal government as it is federal legislation , ” the ministry added .
However , Farnworth sent letters to B.C.
’ s police departments in 2017 informing them simple possession charges were no longer a focus of the provincial government , the email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ province also launched a special committee to examine and make recommendations around modernizing the B.C .
Police Act .
“ The special committee has been tasked with making recommendations on the role of police with respect to complex social issues , including addictions and harm reduction , ” the ministry wrote .
“ So we will be looking at the best way to support vulnerable people and the police ’ s role in that.
” Prohibition and punitive based measures around the personal possession of illict drugs magnifies health harms to substance users @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Criminalization of illicit drug use drives up the transmission of communicable disease such as HIV or Hepatitis C , stigmatizes those who use drugs , and increases drug related deaths .
All while having no effect at reducing drug use rates .
The threat of criminal enforcement for drug possession also contributes to B.C.
’ s skyrocketing overdose deaths , said David Clarke , a peer advisor working with the Comox Valley Community Action Team .
“ You can only imagine how many people have died because someone was too afraid to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up , ” said Clarke , who has participated in harm reduction in a number of Vancouver Island communities .
People arrested for simple possession or using illicit drugs are often dragged into a vicious cycle with the criminal justice system , Clark added .
Charges or incarceration for illicit drug use can impact an otherwise law-abiding person by creating barriers to employment or housing if they ’ re dependent on criminal record checks , he said .
And people with substance use issues on probation with conditions not to possess drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing any progress made in establishing a new life over and over .
“ Even with the best intentions , the system kind of works against you and keeps looping you back in , ” Clarke said , noting the prohibition of liquor was abandoned by government .
If illicit drugs were treated the same as alcohol – a legal drug with a regulated , safe supply – stigma and fear would be reduced , and deaths from the toxic street supply would drop , Clarke said .
Island Health recorded 33 illicit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 165 deaths so far in 2020 .
Of the total , 92 occurred in the south Vancouver Island health service area , 55 in central Vancouver Island and 18 in the north region .
Across B.C , there have been 6,000 deaths since the province declared the overdose crisis a public health emergency in April of 2016 , according to the B.C .
coroner ’ s office .
Senior levels of government need to step up to provide safe supply and decriminalize drug use to stem the tide of overdose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal government , nor the provincial government , are taking the reigns to say this is something we need to do given we ’ re in dual public health emergencies , ” Bernstein said .
“ People are dying .
And we need to take some action .
”

The B.C. government should take its own steps to decriminalize illicit drug use to help stem surging overdose deaths instead of calling on the federal government to do it, say disillusioned advocates. Fatal overdoses due to toxic street drugs continue to mount during the pandemic, with 175 dead in July, according to data last week from the BC Coroners Service. B.C. Premier John Horgan asked the federal government to decriminalize the personal possession of illicit drugs late last month following a record number of overdose fatalities in June. But Horgan’s call on Ottawa is a “shell game” to distract the public from what the province could be doing to decriminalize simple possession, said peer advocate and broadcaster Garth Mullins. Last year Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the B.C. government shouldn't wait on action from Ottawa around decriminalization, Mullins said.
Instead, she recommended B.C. take its own steps on the issue as one means to address the overdose public health emergency. “Anytime the Premier of B.C. opens his mouth to call for (federal) decriminalization, it comes with a lot of subterfuge,” Mullins said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “If he's saying he's pro decriminalization, he's not, because he's not using his own powers to do it.”
The province could have acted on Henry’s recommendations last year, added Mullins, a member of the BC Association of People on Opioid Maintenance (BCAPOM). “You can only imagine how many people have died because someone was too afraid to call the ambulance because the cops might also show up,” peer advocate David Clarke on how criminalization of illicit drug use contributes to B.C.'s overdose deaths. “So, to see senior members of the provincial government walking out and wringing their hands about the overdose numbers when there are moves that they could make, and that they’ve known they could make for some time, and haven’t – that rings false,” Mullins said. B.C. fails to heed Dr. Henry's advice on fatal overdose epidemic Henry’s decriminalization report, Stopping the Harm, provided a blueprint for provincial action, that could bypass the need for the federal government to make changes to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), said lawyer Scott Bernstein, of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. The province’s failure to act on Henry’s recommendations around decriminalization and the overdose crisis contrasts sharply with its willingness to follow her every advice in dealing with the pandemic, Bernstein said.
“We will follow Dr. Henry off of a cliff for one public health emergency, but somehow she's just not credible when she offers advice about the other one,” he said. B.C.’s Solicitor General Mike Farnworth could set guidelines for police, which prioritizes connecting people to health or social services, and relying on administrative penalties, instead of criminal charges for simple possession, Henry’s report outlined. Secondly, Farnworth could amend B.C.’s Police Act to prevent officers from expending resources to enforce the personal possession of illict drugs.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--B.C. imported $9.6M of vegetable seed last year — but that's not all bad, farmers say

Brent Harris ’ bean crop relies on South American seed .
He ’ s not alone .
Commercial vegetable growers in the province like Harris — who owns an organic bean , pea , barley and potato farm in Delta , B.C .
— depend on seed from around the world .
And despite a pandemic-induced global rush on seed , that might not change .
“ There ’ s varieties ( that work for us ) that are fairly specific in their development .
You ’ ve got to chase down their supply , as they grow only in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Often , those areas are thousands of kilometres away .
“ But I don ’ t know if that ’ s actually the case.
” Growing seeds is more complicated than cultivating vegetables .
Some species need to be isolated , to prevent different varieties from breeding inadvertently , while others , such as kale , take two years to reach maturity and produce seed , or demand specific growing conditions .
That takes space and infrastructure , Thoreau explained — significant investments that , so far , B.C .
seed companies haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a large enough scale to supply commercial farms .
“ There clearly is a # seed grower community here that is very unique and points towards having a more robust # localfood and feed system , ” Thoreau said .
“ But I don ’ t know if that ’ s actually the case.
” # seedsovereignty # farming # localfood “ A farm has much more space to plant , so the volume of seed you need is much higher .
Most seed companies don ’ t have that volume of seed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much space ( to grow ) .
” In part , this is because seed growers , like other farmers , are facing high land costs : A hectare of farmland in the Lower Mainland costs around $ 197,600 per hectare for parcels larger than 16 hectares , and up to $ 864,500 per hectare for parcels smaller than 2 hectares .
For seed growers , this means it ’ s only profitable to grow fewer seeds and sell them in packages to gardeners and small farms for a premium price .
Thoreau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to have the same quality control measures in place for their products , exposing farmers to the risk of low yields or crop failure .
“ If a farmer plants half an acre of carrots and has a contract for that carrot seed and it fails , or doesn ’ t come true to type or is susceptible to disease , then that farmer is going to pay for that in a big way.
” For a farmer like Harris , who relies on pallet-loads of seed , that means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chile and Argentina , where it is grown on large , seed-specific farms with extensive quality control .
Those farms are part of a global network that ’ s coordinated through a few large , mostly U.S.-based seed companies such as Johnny ’ s Seeds , Thoreau explained .
These companies develop seed varieties , then will usually hire seed farmers in seed-producing regions — Oregon , Italy , France and Tanzania for example — to grow them .
They ’ re then processed , checked for quality and shipped to farmers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much easier to transport than fresh vegetables — a mobility Chris Thoreau hopes will support a global seed sharing community .
Photo by Bicanski/pixnio And while Harris and Thoreau would like to see more local production , they said the system isn ’ t all bad .
Spreading seed production across several places helps protect the overall supply from crop failures and natural disasters .
“ Seed is the easiest way to transport food .
It ’ s easier to grow seed wherever and ship it wherever , much easier than it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Still , Thoreau hopes to see B.C .
start to produce more seed for commercial domestic use — and export .
That will take time and investment from the provincial and federal governments , he said , but would ultimately benefit farmers in B.C .
and elsewhere .
“ We benefit from the global market , so why wouldn ’ t we send seed back and really build this global community ?
”

Brent Harris’ bean crop relies on South American seed. He’s not alone. Commercial vegetable growers in the province like Harris — who owns an organic bean, pea, barley and potato farm in Delta, B.C. — depend on seed from around the world. And despite a pandemic-induced global rush on seed, that might not change. “There’s varieties (that work for us) that are fairly specific in their development. You’ve got to chase down their supply, as they grow only in certain areas,” he said. Often, those areas are thousands of kilometres away. It’s a complex supply chain the pandemic made more visible to British Columbians. Packaged seeds were in high demand this year, as millions of people made quarantine gardens and seed companies faced a several hundred-fold increase in demand. Last year, B.C. farmers purchased $9.6 million worth of seed from abroad, with the majority coming from the Netherlands, the U.S., and Peru.
Growing seeds takes space and infrastructure many small farms can't afford. As a result, B.C. imports most of its seed from places like this farm in Oregon. Photo by HessCreek/Wikimedia Commons That’s no surprise for Chris Thoreau. The long-time farmer is pursuing his master's degree at the University of British Columbia with a focus on how larger, commercial organic vegetable growers in the province source their seeds. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “There clearly is a seed-grower community here that is very unique and points towards having a more robust local food and feed system,” he said.
“But I don’t know if that’s actually the case.” “There clearly is a #seed grower community here that is very unique and points towards having a more robust #localfood and feed system,” Thoreau said. “But I don’t know if that’s actually the case.” #seedsovereignty #farming #localfood Growing seeds is more complicated than cultivating vegetables. Some species need to be isolated, to prevent different varieties from breeding inadvertently, while others, such as kale, take two years to reach maturity and produce seed, or demand specific growing conditions. That takes space and infrastructure, Thoreau explained — significant investments that, so far, B.C. seed companies haven’t been able to make on a large enough scale to supply commercial farms. “A farm has much more space to plant, so the volume of seed you need is much higher. Most seed companies don’t have that volume of seed because they don’t have that much space (to grow).” In part, this is because seed growers, like other farmers, are facing high land costs: A hectare of farmland in the Lower Mainland costs around $197,600 per hectare for parcels larger than 16 hectares, and up to $864,500 per hectare for parcels smaller than 2 hectares. For seed growers, this means it’s only profitable to grow fewer seeds and sell them in packages to gardeners and small farms for a premium price.
Thoreau also noted that small seed producers might not be able to have the same quality control measures in place for their products, exposing farmers to the risk of low yields or crop failure. “If a farmer plants half an acre of carrots and has a contract for that carrot seed and it fails, or doesn’t come true to type or is susceptible to disease, then that farmer is going to pay for that in a big way.” For a farmer like Harris, who relies on pallet-loads of seed, that means buying seed from as far away as Chile and Argentina, where it is grown on large, seed-specific farms with extensive quality control.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Where in the world do B.C. farmers get their seed?

He ’ s not alone — most of the seeds used on medium- and large-scale Canadian vegetable farms come from abroad .
And their countries of origin might come as a surprise .
That ’ s because the Delta , B.C.
, pea , bean and potato farmer ’ s seeds were grown on farms in Chile or China , and places in-between .
For instance , in 2019 , the Netherlands was Canada ’ s most important supplier of seed , followed by the U.S. and Peru .
Tanzania , France and Italy were also key suppliers .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 13 per cent of which went to B.C .
farmers .
That ’ s almost three times the value of B.C.
’ s agricultural sector .
They ’ re numbers that don ’ t surprise Chris Thoreau , a farmer pursuing his master ’ s degree at the University of British Columbia with a focus on how larger , commercial organic vegetable growers in B.C .
source their seed .
Growing seed takes a lot of space and infrastructure , he explained , making it more efficient on a larger scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a specific crop .
Seed is also transported easily , so moving it between different growing areas and countries is relatively easy .
It ’ s a system that underwent a stress test over the last six months .

Brent Harris’ farm holds a world map — a map that grows.
That’s because the Delta, B.C., pea, bean and potato farmer’s seeds were grown on farms in Chile or China, and places in-between.
He’s not alone — most of the seeds used on medium- and large-scale Canadian vegetable farms come from abroad. And their countries of origin might come as a surprise.
For instance, in 2019, the Netherlands was Canada’s most important supplier of seed, followed by the U.S. and Peru. Tanzania, France and Italy were also key suppliers. These imports were valued at $128 million, about 13 per cent of which went to B.C. farmers. That’s almost three times the value of B.C.’s agricultural sector.
They’re numbers that don’t surprise Chris Thoreau, a farmer pursuing his master’s degree at the University of British Columbia with a focus on how larger, commercial organic vegetable growers in B.C. source their seed.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--COVID-19 health measures exacerbated opioid crisis: Canada's top doctor

Canada ’ s top doctor says public health measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 may have made it harder for people who use drugs to access needed support .
In her daily COVID-19 briefing , Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam marked International Overdose Awareness Day by urging Canadians to be more compassionate and to de-stigmatize substance use .
Tam also outlined how the pandemic has exacerbated Canada ’ s ongoing opioid crisis , with social isolation measures increasing the risk of overdoses .
Tam has previously suggested there needs to be a discussion around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use and overdoses have been increasing in Nova Scotia and across Canada .
We hope to provide a better understanding of overdose , spread awareness , end the stigma and remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose .
# IOAD2020 # OVERDOSEAWARE pic.twitter.com/VSPykrvici — CMHA Nova Scotia ( @ nsCMHA ) August 31 , 2020 “ You can not arrest your way out of an opioid crisis , ” she said during her daily pandemic briefing on August 21 .
“ It is escalating as we speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made prior to COVID-19 have unfortunately been lost.
” As Canada dealt with the pandemic , the country 's ongoing opioid epidemic only got worse .
The federal government launched a national consultation on supervised consumption sites on Aug. 15 , in response to the pandemic worsening the country ’ s existing opioid crisis .
But while the 60-day government consultation progresses , existing consumption sites face a lack of funding , with many also running at half-capacity under new COVID-19 restrictions .
Amid International Overdose Awareness Day , Canada ’ s busiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alta .
— was shut down on Monday after the province pulled funding .
The facility , run by a non-profit organization called ARCHES , was audited by the Alberta government , which found instances of financial mismanagement .
Instead , Alberta Health Services will be providing supervised consumption services through a mobile overdose prevention site .
“ We must continue to work together to prevent overdose deaths and reduce substance-related harms , ” said Tam in her briefing .
“ Just as we are working hard to reduce the impact of COVID-19 @ @ @ @

Canada’s top doctor says public health measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 may have made it harder for people who use drugs to access needed support. In her daily COVID-19 briefing, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam marked International Overdose Awareness Day by urging Canadians to be more compassionate and to de-stigmatize substance use. Tam also outlined how the pandemic has exacerbated Canada’s ongoing opioid crisis, with social isolation measures increasing the risk of overdoses. Using drugs alone is a major risk factor in fatal #overdose, yet the majority of overdose deaths in 🇨🇦 occur at home when alone. #TakeThatStep to https://t.co/d7tIKh3FH8 for free, accessible, 24/7 support. #DontUseAlone — Canada's CPHO (@CPHO_Canada) August 31, 2020
Tam has previously suggested there needs to be a discussion around the decriminalization of illegal substances. As Canada dealt with the pandemic, the country's ongoing opioid epidemic only got worse. Opioid use and overdoses have been increasing in Nova Scotia and across Canada. We hope to provide a better understanding of overdose, spread awareness, end the stigma and remember those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to drug overdose. #IOAD2020 #OVERDOSEAWARE pic.twitter.com/VSPykrvici — CMHA Nova Scotia Division (@nsCMHA) August 31, 2020 “You cannot arrest your way out of an opioid crisis,” she said during her daily pandemic briefing on August 21. “It is escalating as we speak, some of the gains that were made prior to COVID-19 have unfortunately been lost.” The federal government launched a national consultation on supervised consumption sites on Aug. 15, in response to the pandemic worsening the country’s existing opioid crisis. But while the 60-day government consultation progresses, existing consumption sites face a lack of funding, with many also running at half-capacity under new COVID-19 restrictions. Amid International Overdose Awareness Day, Canada’s busiest supervised consumption site — in Lethbridge, Alta. — was shut down on Monday after the province pulled funding. The facility, run by a non-profit organization called ARCHES, was audited by the Alberta government, which found instances of financial mismanagement.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--FreedomSchool Toronto tackles racism through education

As Toronto students prepare for a new learning experience this fall , shaped in part by the COVID-19 pandemic , another topic that could appear in classrooms , on the heels of dozens of anti-police riots and Black Lives Matter protests , is racial justice .
And the FreedomSchool , a Toronto-based community program , is ready for these conversations .
The volunteer-run program was created by educators and parents , with a focus on confronting anti-Black racism in the classroom .
Based on their age group and interests , students can enrol in three-week learning programs , conferences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other trainings designed to “ engage youth in Black liberatory education.
” Djennie Laguerre , a Haitian-Canadian actress and parent volunteer , said FreedomSchool has given her 11-year-old daughter the confidence to speak up for herself , and to tackle activities such as coding and robotics .
“ That age group , they don ’ t understand how you can not be liked because of the colour of your skin .
It ’ s abstract , ” said Laguerre , who also ran a puppet-making workshop for the youth .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s given a lot to my daughter .
She wasn ’ t just lost in the shuffle.
” • The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes Laguerre said she was also impressed by the focus that educators put on teaching students self-affirmation and resiliency .
Kemisha Harris , an 18-year-old Humber College-bound design major , participated in the FreedomSchool ’ s cooking camp this summer .
“ It ’ s like you ’ re putting on your own shoes and stepping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that there are people like me , ” she said .
In addition to camp programs that focus on activities , the curriculum is geared toward learning about historical figures of the Black resistance in Canada , including Marie-Joseph Angélique and ancestors of the Maroons of Jamaica in Nova Scotia .
Volunteers also offer parents and students resources to navigate court support , Children ’ s Aid intervention and mental health assistance .
Campaigning for police-free schools and anti-criminalization of Black youth are among the FreedomSchool ’ s other advocacy projects .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult forms of oppression , ” said Naomi Bain , an arts educator and community organizer who began volunteering with the organization in 2016 .
“ We really affirm our students in their own Blackness and educate them to be proud of who they are , ” she said .

As Toronto students prepare for a new learning experience this fall, shaped in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, another topic that could appear in classrooms, on the heels of dozens of anti-police riots and Black Lives Matter protests, is racial justice.
And the FreedomSchool, a Toronto-based community program, is ready for these conversations.
The program was created by educators and parents, with a focus on confronting anti-Black racism in the classroom. Based on their age group and interests, students can enrol in three-week learning programs, conferences, Black Power Saturday sessions, summer camps and other trainings designed to “engage youth in Black liberatory education.”
Djennie Laguerre, a Haitian-Canadian actress, said FreedomSchool has given her 11-year-old daughter the confidence to speak up for herself, and to tackle activities such as coding and robotics.
“That age group, they don’t understand how you can not be liked because of the colour of your skin. It’s abstract,” said Laguerre, who also ran a puppet-making workshop for the youth at FreedomSchool. “I really wanted to invest in the program that’s given a lot to my daughter. She wasn’t just lost in the shuffle.”


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Engineering our way through a pandemic

Engineering our way through a pandemic

As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic abates , we have a chance to catch our breath and reflect on the rapid changes to our lives over the past six months .
This includes both our work and social lives , and our dependence on science and technology to help us cope in a world where we must remain vigilant as we reopen our shuttered economies and control a second wave .
Understandably , most of the attention on innovation so far has been focused on the important work coming out of the health sciences — the hunt for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But many other disciplines have been working toward important ideas and solutions as well .
Canadians may be unaware of the many critical projects that rely on work in collaboration with various branches of engineering and science .
• The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes To understand how Canadian engineers are contributing to the fight against COVID-19 , Engineering Deans Canada conducted a national survey on engineering research activities specific to addressing this pandemic and in preparation for future pandemics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their students have rapidly adapted their research to develop COVID-19-specific diagnostic , treatment and tracking solutions , as well as exploring the best way to restart a shuttered economy safely .
The survey results show close to 300 engineering research projects underway across Canadian universities — many of which have leveraged existing research projects , but adapted them to focus on this health crisis .
Electrical and computer engineers are applying models and computational methods to understand how the infectious disease is spreading , optimizing the curve and learning from the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
In some cases , these models can be detailed enough to take into account the unique transmission and susceptibility rates for every individual based on age , transportation habits ( cars or public transit ) , shopping patterns and health status .
`` Engineers are our 'scientists in action ' who have responded swiftly to help fight COVID-19 .
Let ’ s not forget them when we examine the many initiatives Canadians are undertaking to make our country function in this new reality . ''
Mechanical and mechatronics engineers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also the use of the 3D printers to cover the ever-increasing need for personal protective gear and other equipment , such as N95 masks , face shields , hands-free door openers and ventilator components .
Chemical Engineers are creating self-cleaning surfaces from advanced polymer coatings and composites .
They are exploring nanotechnology to make antimicrobial coatings that can kill bacteria , fungi and viruses , and superhydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces that can repel liquid droplets – even those troublesome ones that become airborne when someone sneezes .
Biomedical engineers are accelerating and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way they are delivered .
They are also involved in formulating a better understanding of the interactions between our bodies and the molecular entities that exert the therapeutic effects of medicines .
A significant challenge for any vaccine will be the scalability of production to generate sufficient doses .
An example of this is the development of a dual-modality DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine that could be delivered through a nasal spray .
And they are working to prepare the production and supply-chain delivery process that will efficiently manufacture and dispense the billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected .
Civil engineers are using their knowledge around transportation , city planning and risk management to help us understand the impact on disruptions of supply chains on the everyday lives of people , as well as our health care systems .
Network science , machine learning , systems analysis , and multi-objective optimization linked to our physical and infrastructure and the ways people interact in these spaces are being developed to help guide decision-makers around re-opening of our facilities .
Environmental engineers are examining the persistence of coronavirus in our environment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our water systems as a marker for coronavirus in our communities .
Wastewater can reveal the presence of the virus even before cases are confirmed in a community , since those who haven ’ t been tested , with mild or no symptoms , still shed the virus through urine and feces .
This knowledge can be translated into the use of early warning systems that will alert public health authorities about an outbreak before people start to show symptoms .
Engineers are our “ scientists in action ” who have responded swiftly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not forget them when we examine the many initiatives Canadians are undertaking to make our country function in this new reality .
We all have a role to play and Canadians are rising to the challenge .

As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic abates, we have a chance to catch our breath and reflect on the rapid changes to our lives over the past six months. This includes both our work and social lives, and our dependence on science and technology to help us cope in a world where we must remain vigilant as we reopen our shuttered economies and control a second wave. Understandably, most of the attention on innovation so far has been focused on the important work coming out of the health sciences — the hunt for a vaccine or an effective antiviral medication. But many other disciplines have been working toward important ideas and solutions as well. Canadians may be unaware of the many critical projects that rely on work in collaboration with various branches of engineering and science.
To understand how Canadian engineers are contributing to the fight against COVID-19, Engineering Deans Canada conducted a national survey on engineering research activities specific to addressing this pandemic and in preparation for future pandemics. The survey confirms that Canadian engineering professors and their students have rapidly adapted their research to develop COVID-19-specific diagnostic, treatment and tracking solutions, as well as exploring the best way to restart a shuttered economy safely. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions
The survey results show close to 300 engineering research projects underway across Canadian universities — many of which have leveraged existing research projects, but adapted them to focus on this health crisis. "Engineers are our 'scientists in action' who have responded swiftly to help fight COVID-19. Let’s not forget them when we examine the many initiatives Canadians are undertaking to make our country function in this new reality." Electrical and computer engineers are applying models and computational methods to understand how the infectious disease is spreading, optimizing the curve and learning from the data to make predictions on the status of the pandemic. In some cases, these models can be detailed enough to take into account the unique transmission and susceptibility rates for every individual based on age, transportation habits (cars or public transit), shopping patterns and health status. Mechanical and mechatronics engineers are examining the development of anti-viral surface coatings, but also the use of the 3D printers to cover the ever-increasing need for personal protective gear and other equipment, such as N95 masks, face shields, hands-free door openers and ventilator components.
Chemical Engineers are creating self-cleaning surfaces from advanced polymer coatings and composites. They are exploring nanotechnology to make antimicrobial coatings that can kill bacteria, fungi and viruses, and superhydrophobic self-cleaning surfaces that can repel liquid droplets – even those troublesome ones that become airborne when someone sneezes. Biomedical engineers are accelerating and scaling up the production of vaccines and the way they are delivered. They are also involved in formulating a better understanding of the interactions between our bodies and the molecular entities that exert the therapeutic effects of medicines. A significant challenge for any vaccine will be the scalability of production to generate sufficient doses. An example of this is the development of a dual-modality DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine that could be delivered through a nasal spray. And they are working to prepare the production and supply-chain delivery process that will efficiently manufacture and dispense the billions of doses needed to ensure populations are quickly protected.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--COVID-19 leaves kids lonely, bored, hungry, at risk of abuse

Canada ’ s children have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and should be prioritized in the country ’ s recovery efforts , a new report says .
“ The toxic stress that many children have experienced in recent months , and will continue to experience , will take a heavy toll and will require concerted effort and investment on the part of our federal government to ensure children can recover , ” said Sara Austin , the founder and CEO of advocacy group Children First Canada .
The shutdown has led young people to experience more poverty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism and physical inactivity — as well as an increased potential for abuse — according to the group 's Raising Canada 2020 report , released Tuesday .
The group is calling for Ottawa to establish the role of a federal children ’ s commissioner , as well as a strategy and a $ 250 million budget to tackle what they say are the top-10 threats to children .
• The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes These threats are not new ; they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become highly visible , during the pandemic .
The report draws heavily on data compiled by Statistics Canada , including the findings of its 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth , released last month .
That survey found that young people aged 12 to 17 often rate their own mental health less positively than their parents do , suggesting the mental health struggles experienced by children often go unnoticed both at home and by the system .
The shutdown has led young people to experience more poverty , food insecurity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inactivity — as well as an increased potential for abuse — according to @ children1stca 's Raising Canada 2020 report “ Even prior to COVID-19 children had very long wait times , months and sometimes years , to access mental health support , ” Austin said in a phone interview .
“ Those wait times have increased since COVID-19 because in many cases programs and services have had to shut down or demand has increased.
” Suicide has overtaken preventable injuries and accidents as the leading cause of death among children aged between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ deeply disturbing to me as an advocate , as well as a mom with a 10-year-old , to think about children so young facing suicidal ideation.
” Young people in Canada say climate change is one of their primary health concerns .
Photo via Children First Canada The report , a version of which Children First Canada first published in 2018 , also named a new threat : climate change .
“ This is one we 're hearing directly from children themselves needs to be a high priority for the policy-makers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-being of children , ” Austin said .
While perhaps more difficult to quantify than some of the other threats , Austin said climate change ’ s impacts can be measured by indicators such as access to safe drinking water , especially in the context of the boil water advisories affecting children in many Indigenous communities , and rates of asthma in urban areas .
Austin said the resumption of school after months of lockdown is expected to result in a spike in reports of child abuse .
“ This is when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up , ” she said , noting there is typically a spike in such reports when children return to school after holidays .
“ But we expect it to be even more drastic given that kids have been confined for six months now , ” she said .
Early survey data has shown that young people and their mothers are feeling worse than before the pandemic , while calls to Kids Help Phone have also increased .
The report also said vaccine rates have dropped by 20 per cent in some parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities push children off their vaccine schedule and increase the risk of a resurgence in preventable infectious diseases .
It named systemic racism and discrimination as a specific threat , and identified inequity as a theme that cut across all other threats .
Black and Indigenous children and other children of colour are more likely to live in poverty and in child welfare , face discrimination in schooling , and are more vulnerable to COVID-19 .
They or someone in their household are also more likely to be working in healthcare , grocery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed essential and frontline .

Canada’s children have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and should be prioritized in the country’s recovery efforts, a new report says. “The toxic stress that many children have experienced in recent months, and will continue to experience, will take a heavy toll and will require concerted effort and investment on the part of our federal government to ensure children can recover,” said Sara Austin, the founder and CEO of advocacy group Children First Canada. The shutdown has led young people to experience more poverty, food insecurity, worsening mental health, racism and physical inactivity — as well as an increased potential for abuse — according to the group's Raising Canada 2020 report, released Tuesday. The group is calling for Ottawa to establish the role of a federal children’s commissioner, as well as a strategy and a $250 million budget to tackle what they say are the top-10 threats to children. Those 10 threats are:
unintentional and preventable injury
poor mental health
child abuse
poverty
infant mortality
physical inactivity
food insecurity
systemic racism and discrimination
vaccine-preventable illnesses
bullying These threats are not new; they have been dramatically affected by, or become highly visible, during the pandemic.
Mental health, climate change and other troubles The report draws heavily on data compiled by Statistics Canada, including the findings of its 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, released last month. The shutdown has led young people to experience more poverty, food insecurity, worsening mental health, racism and physical inactivity — as well as an increased potential for abuse — according to @children1stca's Raising Canada 2020 report That survey found that young people aged 12 to 17 often rate their own mental health less positively than their parents do, suggesting the mental health struggles experienced by children often go unnoticed both at home and by the system. “Even prior to COVID-19 children had very long wait times, months and sometimes years, to access mental health support,” Austin said in a phone interview. “Those wait times have increased since COVID-19 because in many cases programs and services have had to shut down or demand has increased.” Suicide has overtaken preventable injuries and accidents as the leading cause of death among children aged between 10 and 14, which Austin said was “deeply disturbing to me as an advocate, as well as a mom with a 10-year-old, to think about children so young facing suicidal ideation.”
(These rates continue to be significantly higher among First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth.) Young people in Canada say climate change is one of their primary health concerns. Photo via Children First Canada The report, a version of which Children First Canada first published in 2018, also named a new threat: climate change.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Catch up on Erin O’Toole’s first week as Conservative leader

Erin O ’ Toole won the race to become leader of the Conservative Party of Canada last week .
His early days on the job were fairly routine — the Durham , Ont.
, MP outlined his plans for the coming months and talked about the possibility of a snap election .
But O ’ Toole ’ s first week ended with controversy , as a Conservative MP tweeted and deleted a post referencing an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory , and then the new leader sidestepped a question about systemic racism .
Here ’ s a roundup of O ’ Toole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Aug. 19 , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament until Sept. 23 , a move that essentially hits the reset button .
The government will have to deliver another throne speech , which triggers a confidence vote — if the sitting Liberals can ’ t secure enough support , there could be a snap election this fall .
Speaking on Aug. 25 , O ’ Toole said his party is prepared for any outcome : “ If Mr. Trudeau thinks he can play some games with a new leader and force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Catch up on what happened during Erin O'Toole 's first week as Conservative Party leader .
# cdnpoli On Sunday , in an interview with Global News , O ’ Toole said he ’ s more focused on responding to COVID-19 .
“ That ’ s not my priority , ” he said of the possibility of an election .
O ’ Toole ’ s first test as leader came Saturday morning , in the form of a tweet from B.C .
MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay , the Conservative Party ’ s environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Findlay said Canadians should be “ disturbed ” by a video showing Liberal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland interviewing George Soros , a billionaire philanthropist who is often the subject of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories .
Freeland , a former journalist , was working for the Financial Times when the interview was filmed .
“ The closeness of these two should alarm every Canadian , ” Findlay wrote .
She later deleted the tweet and posted an apology , but didn ’ t address her comments about Freeland and Soros .
“ Earlier today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am now learning is a source that promotes hateful conspiracy theories .
I have removed the tweets and apologize to anyone who thinks I would want to endorse hateful rhetoric , ” she said .
Earlier today , I thoughtlessly shared content from what I am now learning is a source that promotes hateful conspiracy theories .
I have removed the tweets and apologize to anyone who thinks I would want to endorse hateful rhetoric .
— Kerry-Lynne Findlay ( @ KerryLynneFindl ) August 29 , 2020 O ’ Toole has not responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Global News , O ’ Toole didn ’ t directly answer when asked if he believes there ’ s systemic racism in Canada .
Scheer took criticism for a similar response to the same question in June , amid massive protests in the United States and Canada over the issue .
“ Until someone defines what that is , I ’ m always going to say , ‘ I think there is racism ’ and I want to stamp it out , ” O ’ Toole said .
“ I fight for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you use a term like ‘ systemic , ’ some of those people feel that you ’ re calling them racist .
”

Erin O’Toole won the race to become leader of the Conservative Party of Canada last week. His early days on the job were fairly routine — the Durham, Ont., MP outlined his plans for the coming months and talked about the possibility of a snap election. But O’Toole’s first week ended with controversy, as a Conservative MP tweeted and deleted a post referencing an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory, and then the new leader sidestepped a question about systemic racism. Here’s a roundup of O’Toole’s first days as Conservative leader. O’Toole says the Conservatives will be a big-tent party In his first news conference with reporters as leader, O’Toole promised to defend abortion rights, LGBTQ rights and womens’ rights. The remarks distinguished him from former leader Andrew Scheer, who often stumbled in discussions about abortion and LGBTQ rights during the 2019 election, and signalled O’Toole’s intent to expand the party’s base beyond its stronghold in Western Canada.
“I won the leadership of the Conservative party as a pro-choice Conservative MP, one that won with a strong mandate,” O’Toole said. “That's how I'm going to lead as the leader of the Opposition and that's how I'll be as prime minister. I'm in politics to defend the rights of Canadians to secure a brighter future.” O’Toole also said he’d stand up for the West, where the Conservative Party’s voting base lies. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It’s been one week since I had the honour of being elected as the Leader of the @CPC_HQ.
I promised I would hit the ground running, and I did.
On day one, I spoke with Justin Trudeau about prorogation, parliamentary oversight and western alienation. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/ALxj9bMHfh — Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) August 31, 2020
Snap election? ‘Not my priority,’ O’Toole says On Aug. 19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament until Sept. 23, a move that essentially hits the reset button. The government will have to deliver another throne speech, which triggers a confidence vote — if the sitting Liberals can’t secure enough support, there could be a snap election this fall. Catch up on what happened during Erin O'Toole's first week as Conservative Party leader. #cdnpoli Speaking on Aug. 25, O’Toole said his party is prepared for any outcome: “If Mr. Trudeau thinks he can play some games with a new leader and force an election, we will be ready.” On Sunday, in an interview with Global News, O’Toole said he’s more focused on responding to COVID-19. “That’s not my priority,” he said of the possibility of an election.
B.C. MP tweets about Soros conspiracy O’Toole’s first test as leader came Saturday morning, in the form of a tweet from B.C. MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, the Conservative Party’s environment critic. In the now-deleted tweet, Findlay said Canadians should be “disturbed” by a video showing Liberal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland interviewing George Soros, a billionaire philanthropist who is often the subject of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Freeland, a former journalist, was working for the Financial Times when the interview was filmed.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Ottawa invests $28.5M in B.C. green infrastructure

“ We are going to need to address these issues as part of any long-term recovery strategy , ” he told reporters in Vancouver .
The money will go towards 11 projects across the province , including electric vehicle charging stations and an initiative in Vancouver that harnesses energy from heat released by sewage .
As the federal government seeks to help Canada ’ s economy recover from COVID-19 shutdowns , the “ critical , looming ” crisis of climate change remains important , Wilkinson said .
The federal government will invest $ 28.5 million to fund green infrastructure projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilkinson announced Tuesday .
“ Our government is committed to ensuring we build back better.
” The federal government has pledged to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2050 , but its full plan for hitting that target was delayed by COVID-19 .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he intends to include green infrastructure in his government 's economic recovery plan — he and former finance minister Bill Morneau , who resigned last month , reportedly clashed over the scope of those plans .
B.C , ’ s provincial government will contribute $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CleanBC Communities Fund , while local and Indigenous communities will pitch in more than $ 13 million , Wilkinson said .
More than 80 electric vehicle charging stations will be installed using the funding .
Wilkinson said they ’ re aimed at creating jobs and making clean transportation more accessible .
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart said the clean energy projects that will receive some of the federal funding can help the city burn less natural gas .
( The federal government has also subsidized the B.C .
natural gas industry , to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The federal government will invest $28.5 million to fund green infrastructure projects in British Columbia, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced Tuesday.
The money will go towards 11 projects across the province, including electric vehicle charging stations and an initiative in Vancouver that harnesses energy from heat released by sewage. As the federal government seeks to help Canada’s economy recover from COVID-19 shutdowns, the “critical, looming” crisis of climate change remains important, Wilkinson said.
“We are going to need to address these issues as part of any long-term recovery strategy,” he told reporters in Vancouver.
“Our government is committed to ensuring we build back better.”
The federal government has pledged to reach net-zero carbon pollution by 2050, but its full plan for hitting that target was delayed by COVID-19. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he intends to include green infrastructure in his government's economic recovery plan — he and former finance minister Bill Morneau, who resigned last month, reportedly clashed over the scope of those plans.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Town moves for greater public access to council meetings

The town of La Ronge in northern Saskatchewan made a move toward greater transparency last Wednesday when a motion was passed to air town council meetings through AccessNow TV , a community platform broadcast through Access Communications .
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich said the move will increase public access to meetings and help residents engage in town politics .
“ I wanted that years ago ...
I didn ’ t do this , but I ’ m very happy that it is ( happening now ) , ” Woytowich told Canada ’ s National Observer on Monday .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a homeless shelter in the downtown core leading to increased online viewership .
Mayor Ron Woytowich said broadcasting meetings on AccessNow TV will improve democracy in the community .
Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
He said that since July 29 , the council has been broadcasting meetings on YouTube as part of that move toward greater transparency , but not everyone has access to the internet .
Televised council meetings will allow people who don ’ t have that access to participate in the democratic process .
• The biblical flood that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit over environmental assessment changes Access Communications is a co-operative focused on community television that broadcasts in more than 235 jurisdictions around Saskatchewan .
Ninety-seven of those communities have their own local programming .
Administration also recommended approving the platform 's request to air the meetings , because it would help communicate with residents at no cost to the town .
“ It does n't matter if you ’ re a very strong conservative or a very strong NDP supporter .
Just to see what ’ s going on and how people react @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big thing , ” Woytowich said .
Public interest in the meetings has risen , with the last livestream garnering more than 100 viewers on YouTube .
Former mayor and local developer Joe Hordyski might take the Town of La Ronge to court over a land sale that he says broke the Northern Municipalities Act by selling a lot valued at more than $ 500,000 for $ 1,000 to a relative of one of the councillors .
Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Woytowich said that the Town of La Ronge is also hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that making meetings more accessible will help them prepare for what the job entails .
“ It does n't matter if you ’ re a very strong conservative or a very strong NDP supporter .
Just to see what ’ s going on and how people react and how councillors treat issues is a big thing , ” Ron Woytowich .
“ We would love to have more people run for council .
I ’ m sure every community is like that .
But they do n't realize the complexity and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Woytowich said .
“ Everybody that ’ s brand new , never been on council before , the first thing they say is ‘ What an eye-opener , I didn ’ t know you deal with that many things.
’ Listen to it for a couple of meetings and you ’ ll see everything that comes up.
” When council voted down a motion to raise the Pride flag in 2017 , it inspired the LGBTQ+ community to organize around the cause .
Photo submitted by Colin Ratushniak .
Councillor Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not vote because he also works for SaskTel , which competes with Access Communications .
He said the town ’ s new YouTube channel is “ an effort of transparency , showing what the councillors debate in every meeting.
” Like many small town councils , La Ronge doesn ’ t allow journalists to record meetings themselves .
McPhail told Canada ’ s National Observer on Monday that it ’ s important for journalists to be able to check their notes against a recording .
“ Part of journalism is that you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting , and I think the easiest way to maintain accuracy is to have something , either where journalists can bring in your own recorded devices or we have something similar to the legislative assembly of Saskatchewan , where you can go and review video of the day and orders of the day , ” McPhail said .
Councillor Jordan McPhail said it 's important for journalists in the community to be able to “ review video of the day and orders of the day ” to report accurately .
Photo by Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going from general memory , then you leave room for people to make mistakes on what was actually said in a meeting .
I think whatever means we can provide to allow for accurate reporting of what the council is doing ... is important for any council to do.
” The broadcast will not be a livestream of the meeting , but the video recording of it .
The video will air sometime after the council meeting .
Access Communications will either record the livestream directly from YouTube or from a video @ @ @ @ @

The town of La Ronge in northern Saskatchewan made a move toward greater transparency last Wednesday when a motion was passed to air town council meetings through AccessNow TV, a community platform broadcast through Access Communications. La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich said the move will increase public access to meetings and help residents engage in town politics. “I wanted that years ago ... I didn’t do this, but I’m very happy that it is (happening now),” Woytowich told Canada’s National Observer on Monday. Last week town council denied a motion for a homeless shelter in the downtown core leading to increased online viewership. Mayor Ron Woytowich said broadcasting meetings on AccessNow TV will improve democracy in the community. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. He said that since July 29, the council has been broadcasting meetings on YouTube as part of that move toward greater transparency, but not everyone has access to the internet. Televised council meetings will allow people who don’t have that access to participate in the democratic process.
Access Communications is a co-operative focused on community television that broadcasts in more than 235 jurisdictions around Saskatchewan. Ninety-seven of those communities have their own local programming. Administration also recommended approving the platform's request to air the meetings, because it would help communicate with residents at no cost to the town. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “It doesn't matter if you’re a very strong conservative or a very strong NDP supporter. Just to see what’s going on and how people react and how councillors treat issues is a big thing,” Woytowich said.
Public interest in the meetings has risen, with the last livestream garnering more than 100 viewers on YouTube. “It doesn't matter if you’re a very strong conservative or a very strong NDP supporter. Just to see what’s going on and how people react and how councillors treat issues is a big thing,” Ron Woytowich. Former mayor and local developer Joe Hordyski might take the Town of La Ronge to court over a land sale that he says broke the Northern Municipalities Act by selling a lot valued at more than $500,000 for $1,000 to a relative of one of the councillors. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. Woytowich said that the Town of La Ronge is also hoping more residents will run for council, and that making meetings more accessible will help them prepare for what the job entails. “We would love to have more people run for council. I’m sure every community is like that. But they don't realize the complexity and the things that you have to deal with,” Woytowich said. “Everybody that’s brand new, never been on council before, the first thing they say is ‘What an eye-opener, I didn’t know you deal with that many things.’ Listen to it for a couple of meetings and you’ll see everything that comes up.”
When council voted down a motion to raise the Pride flag in 2017, it inspired the LGBTQ2+ community to organize around the cause. Photo submitted by Colin Ratushniak. Councillor Jordan McPhail declared conflict of interest and did not vote because he also works for SaskTel, which competes with Access Communications. He said the town’s new YouTube channel is “an effort of transparency, showing what the councillors debate in every meeting.” Like many small town councils, La Ronge doesn’t allow journalists to record meetings themselves. McPhail told Canada’s National Observer on Monday that it’s important for journalists to be able to check their notes against a recording.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--York University opens new environment faculty

Careers in environmental studies were once considered niche , but now an emerging job market for professionals with experience in corporate social responsibility and sustainability has pushed this training to the mainstream .
York University in Toronto is adapting to this demand with the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change ( EUC ) , a new addition to its roster of 11 faculties .
The EUC merges the former Faculty of Environmental Studies and geography department , and will provide a suite of new undergraduate and advanced degree programs in 2021 , including environmental and arts justice , global geography @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to offer some real flexibility for students to get not just fundamental environmental knowledge , but also to specialize in different areas , ” said Dean Alice Hovorka , who previously spent two years as dean of the former environment faculty .
• The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit over environmental assessment changes With an emphasis on interdisciplinary and hands-on learning , the school will prime students for careers pathways in fields such as wildlife biology , natural resource conservation , waste management , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hovorka said .
The new faculty “ will position York University as a higher education leader in sustainability , environmental issues and the challenges that arise from intense urbanization , ” said York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton , in a news release .
For the last three years , the university has also offered a semester abroad program in May and June , at the Las Nubes eco-campus in southern Costa Rica .
Given travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic , the program is on hold until at least next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in collaboration with educators in Costa Rica to create documentary films that explore the biological diversity and conservation efforts in the area .
They are also working on making other elements of the program virtual .

Careers in environmental studies were once considered niche, but now an emerging job market for professionals with experience in corporate social responsibility and sustainability has pushed this training to the mainstream.
York University in Toronto is adapting to this demand with the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC), a new addition to its roster of 11 faculties.
The EUC merges the former Faculty of Environmental Studies and geography department, and will provide a suite of new undergraduate and advanced degree programs in 2021, including environmental and arts justice, global geography, and sustainable environmental management.
“We want to offer some real flexibility for students to get not just fundamental environmental knowledge, but also to specialize in different areas,” said Dean Alice Hovorka, who previously spent two years as dean of the former environment faculty.


nationalobserver--2020-09-01--Ontario Liberals want your views on Ford's school reopening plan. Especially if they're bad.

He wants to hear the good and the bad , Steven Del Duca says .
But mostly the bad .
Standing outside Queen ’ s Park with a selection of concerned archetypes – the parent , the senior high school students , the teacher , the bus driver , the retired trustee – the leader of the province ’ s Liberals asked Ontarians to get in touch .
“ We want to be one , as part of many , opportunities for people to give voice to their concerns and anxieties , ” he said , pointing people to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched Tuesday .
“ We want to hear from Ontario families , from educators , from everybody in the system , good stories and bad , ” he said .
The fight over Ontario ’ s education system that raged before the pandemic has turned increasingly political as schools across the province prepare to re-open .
The Liberals are duelling with the official Opposition NDP to land the heaviest blows on Doug Ford ’ s Progressive Conservative government .
• The biblical flood that will drown California • Doug Ford facing second lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website requires the post code and email address of those who want to share their concerns about Ontario 's back-to-school plan .
Screengrab on Sept. 1 , 2020 The Liberal site requires that submissions include a post code and email address and permission for the party to stay in touch .
Asked directly by Brian Lilley of the Toronto Sun whether this was mostly about collecting data of potential voters , Del Duca said he ’ d happily share the insights gleaned from the website with the government , presumably without the names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the premier , I hope Doug Ford will listen to us and , more importantly , listen to them , ” he said .
“ The disclaimer information is very clear individual Ontarians can provide the information to us anonymously , ” he said , adding that the party always respects someone who does not want to receive any more information from them .
And then he turned to the school-themed one-liners , the sound bites Del Duca would no doubt hope to get in the heads of voters ahead of the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Del Duca and the @ OntLiberal want to collect the contact details of parents , teachers and others concerned about @ fordnation 's back-to-school plan “ Doug Ford didn ’ t start his homework on this in March , ” when schools were first ordered closed for an unknown amount of time , he said .
“ He is trying to cram for an exam the night before , and our kids and our system and our families deserve better than that.
” Del Duca did not survive the Liberal Wynne government ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has less opportunity for relevance when parliament is in session .
But with summer break extended for parliamentarians , his party and the NDP have been touring schools to highlight the problems they have with the plan Ford and his education minister , Stephen Lecce , unveiled in late July .
Just ahead of the release of the government ’ s $ 309-million budget for the reopening plan , Del Duca put out his party ’ s estimate that suggested a safe reopening would require a $ 3.2 billion investment .
Ford and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for funding photo-ops and to present their message of having done all that they can to make the re-opening safe .
Ford and Lecce and provincial health officials toured a school in Toronto Tuesday to see a new outdoor learning space , a wellness space that can turn into an isolation space , and modified teachers ’ lounge and other changes implemented as part of the plan they say is the safest in the country .
The party said in a statement that the Liberals were collecting personal information for use in fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious ethical and privacy concerns . ''

He wants to hear the good and the bad, Steven Del Duca says. But mostly the bad. Standing outside Queen’s Park with a selection of concerned archetypes – the parent, the senior high school students, the teacher, the bus driver, the retired trustee – the leader of the province’s Liberals asked Ontarians to get in touch. “We want to be one, as part of many, opportunities for people to give voice to their concerns and anxieties,” he said, pointing people to the Keep Our Schools Safe website the Liberals launched Tuesday. “We want to hear from Ontario families, from educators, from everybody in the system, good stories and bad,” he said. The fight over Ontario’s education system that raged before the pandemic has turned increasingly political as schools across the province prepare to re-open. The Liberals are duelling with the official Opposition NDP to land the heaviest blows on Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government.
The Liberals' website requires the post code and email address of those who want to share their concerns about Ontario's back-to-school plan. Screengrab on Sept. 1, 2020 The Liberal site requires that submissions include a post code and email address and permission for the party to stay in touch. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Asked directly by Brian Lilley of the Toronto Sun whether this was mostly about collecting data of potential voters, Del Duca said he’d happily share the insights gleaned from the website with the government, presumably without the names and contact details.
“I hope the premier, I hope Doug Ford will listen to us and, more importantly, listen to them,” he said. Steven Del Duca and the @OntLiberal want to collect the contact details of parents, teachers and others concerned about @fordnation's back-to-school plan “The disclaimer information is very clear individual Ontarians can provide the information to us anonymously,” he said, adding that the party always respects someone who does not want to receive any more information from them. And then he turned to the school-themed one-liners, the sound bites Del Duca would no doubt hope to get in the heads of voters ahead of the next election, due in mid-2022. “Doug Ford didn’t start his homework on this in March,” when schools were first ordered closed for an unknown amount of time, he said. “He is trying to cram for an exam the night before, and our kids and our system and our families deserve better than that.”
Del Duca did not survive the Liberal Wynne government’s rout in 2018, and so has less opportunity for relevance when parliament is in session. But with summer break extended for parliamentarians, his party and the NDP have been touring schools to highlight the problems they have with the plan Ford and his education minister, Stephen Lecce, unveiled in late July. Just ahead of the release of the government’s $309-million budget for the reopening plan, Del Duca put out his party’s estimate that suggested a safe reopening would require a $3.2 billion investment.