My Comments

For some reason I can't comment on other peoples articles so I'm posting my comments here. :)

Paviya's Blog: The scourg of invisible racism

Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Is Statistics Canada's prediction really that surprising? I think that by 2031 it is possible that 2/3 of Canada's population will be non white. Walking through Toronto today, 20 years before 2031, you can see people from so many different backgrounds everywhere.
Racism is an issue, it can be delt with, but I don't think it's going to completely dissappear. As long as there are people, there will be different beliefs, as long as there are different beliefs there may be racism.
I agree with Paviya's point. If people of a certain race label themselves depending on their skin colour, then people of other races are going to think it's okay to label them that way too. It happens all the time, for example, the 'Asian' corner on B 1/2. Or the 'brown' way of doing things. People at King talk about themselves and their friends that way. They don't mean to be racist, but it shows other people that thats how things are and its okay to refer to them that way. These little sayings may seem harmless but they are actually a form of racism.
In the article it says that people may be too scared to speak out about racism which could be true. But it is also possible that they are not even aware of it, as I mentioned earlier. If they are not aware of it or don't no how to identify it, racism will always be there.

Kitty's Blog: Halifax principal wrestles student to ground, escapes dismissal

This video was shocking to me. How is it possible that a school principal would do such a thing? Wrestle a student to the ground and drag him to the office for using a cell phone?! That was absolutly unnecessary behavior. What shocks me more is that Ken Fells was not fired. How can his actions be overlooked? If I were a parent, I definatly would not want my children attending a school with a principal like that.
It is understandable that he would be angry at the student for using a cell phone at school, but as an adult and the principal of the school, he should have handled the situation in a completely different manner. What kind of example does this set for other students? It is basically showing young people that if you hold a position of power, you are free to do as you wish. That is not the case. No matter how old you are, it does not give you the right to behave this way with those younger than you.
I completely disagree with the decision made to simply relocate the principal. If he lost his temper so violently over a cell phone, how would he react to a real problem? I think he should be dismissed.

Deanna's Blog: Harper government won't pay for Toronto gay pride festival

Although Tony Clement the Industry Minster says that the funding for the Pride Festival was only cut back because they want to support smaller cities, there are some very good points that suggest it was because of the homophobic views of some Conservative members. Last year the Pride Festival got $400,000 from Diane Ablonczy. Apparently the majority of MPs were not happy about the funding, and shortly after Tony Clement took Diane Ablonczy's place. This I think shows homophobia.
But it is true that the Pride Festival is popular enough to support itself without the governents help.

Alex's Blog: why Diversity Matters

I agree with Michaelle Jean. "Saying yes to diversity is saying yes to modernity, to opportunity, to the very future of our country." Diversity id the future of our country. Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in Canada. However there are still some parts of the country that are not so diverse. This is something that will need to change. People should be accepted and given equal opportunities no matter what their race, culture, gender, etc.
Relating this article to Paviya's article about racism, if 2/3 of Canada's population is going to be non white by the next 20 years, there is no room for racism. Each part of the country will have to be accepting to everyone. Diversity leads to better leadership, more creative thinking and better communities.
Already diversity is increasing and rasicm is disappearing. Younger kids are the most accepting because they see diverse communities from the start. They don't think about a person's race or culture. It's not just little kids, many people are very accepting of everyone. Hopefully, in the future many more parts of the country will be like Toronto.

Siv's Blog: Woman Fined for Face-Covering Veil

I think that everyone has the right to follow their own religion. The issues regarding Muslim women wearing hijabs, niqabs, and burqas are coming up a lot. I don't understand this at all. Why are they issues in the first place? No matter what culture, race or religion, people should be accepted for who they are wherever they chose to live. The fact that any sort of clothing that covers your full face is banned because of an anit-terrorist law is a bit stereotypical, even though the law doesn't specifically mention Muslim head dresses. Also what Franzinelli said about the mayor having to push the ordinance because children were scared when a woman wearing a burqa came to their school is pretty bad. Children are young so it's okay if they are scared of things they don't know or understand, but it is the adults job to make sure they do understand. The teachers should have taken this oppertunity to teach the kids about different cultures and religious practices. Responding to the incident in this way did not help at all, it just increases raciam and fear of differences.
When people read about incidents like the one in this article, are they going to want to go live in Novara? Are they going to think "Oh yes we should move there because it is such an accepting place where they make accomadations for everyone?" No. The same issue came up in Quebec, about reasonable accomadation. Less people of different backgrounds are going to be moving to these areas because they will not feel welcome.
Also, why was the woman fined? She allowed a female officer to check her identity, did she not? Then I don't understand what the problem was after that.
I think people need to be more understanding. Muslim women wear head dresses because it is part of their religious practice, and that can not be taken away from them.

Merger talks ‘ridiculous,’ says Liberal leader

Tornto Star

By: Richard J. Brennan and Les Whittington

Published: June 9, 2010

OTTAWA-Liberals are scoffing at rumours the party is holding serious talks on merging with their New Democrat rivals in an attempt to topple the Conservative government in the next federal election.

“There’s nothing to it. Not much more to say,” Liberal MP Bob Rae said Wednesday.

Insiders say that, while some party members are unhappy with Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff’s performance, it’s a long way from the historic party climbing in bed with the NDP.

“I think they (rumoured talks) are more a sign of desperation than well-thought-out political philosophies or political change,” Greg Sorbara, former president of the Ontario Liberal Party and provincial finance minister, told the Toronto Star.

Sorbara said just because Ignatieff has not yet caught on with Canadians, “ I don’t think that is any reason to roll up the tent . . . and that we now have to partner with one of the other three main parties. I don’t think the one follows from the other.”

He recalled how many pundits had written off former prime minister Jean Chrétien in 1993 and then he went on to sweep the country.

Ignatieff told reporters that talks of a coalition were “ridiculous,” adding it’s the Conservatives who are on the ropes these days, not the Liberals.

“We had some discussion of this ridiculous discussion of fusion of the two parties. Nobody has any authorization to even discuss this matter. It’s ridiculous . . . I am proud to be a Liberal . . . we’re going to form a Liberal government,” he told reporters Wednesday, as he left the party’s weekly caucus meeting.

Ignatieff was reacting to a CBC Television story in which Warren Kinsella, a one-time advisor to Chrétien, said, “Serious people are involved in discussions at a serious level.”

NDP Leader Jack Layton also said there was nothing to the rumours and that no one has been authorized from the NDP to even have such discussions.

Ignatieff dismissed the source of the story, saying “I have no relationship with Warren Kinsella” and instead talked about the Conservatives’ wild spending on the G8 and G20 summits, including the fake lake at the Toronto media centre, which has become fodder for stories around the world.

“We’ve got a government that is misspending public money — the fake lake, the gazebo, the boat that doesn’t float — have entered the folklore of Canadian politics as a classic example of fiscal irresponsibility,” he told reporters, referring to controversial projects paid for by taxpayers as part of the G8 preparation. The price tag for security for the summits has exceeded $1 billion.

In a sworn affidavit, Kinsella says Liberal party president Alfred Apps told him in May about “high level” discussions with NDP officials about the “creation of a new party.”

But Apps told CBC News that Kinsella’s claims in the affidavit are not true. He insisted Kinsella called him and told him of the meetings of two party’s senior figures, not the other way around.

In the Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper turned aside Liberal criticism of the summit spending by alluding to the rumoured coalition talks.

“These guys can talk about a fake lake, but what we are learning in these coalition talks is they have a fake party over there,” Harper responded to Ignatieff.

Of the coalition rumours, a senior Liberal organizer said, “This is a stillborn coup by some disaffected, disgruntled people” but “it’s such a small number of people as to be laughable.”

“There is widespread awareness that the leader has to significantly pick up his game, but no one is willing to blow up the party,” the well-placed Liberal said.

“I don’t think anyone is willing to sell out 125 years of Liberal history because of a month of bad polls.”

The organizer also said Liberal policies don’t mesh with NDP demands. “They’re socialists, we’re not.”

Also, the source pointed out it was Ignatieff who, shortly after taking over as interim Liberal leader in 2008, scrapped the unpopular coalition former leader Stéphane Dion had established with the NDP and Bloc Québécois.

At their closed-door meeting Wednesday, Liberal MPs expressed annoyance that people outside the party caucus were stoking media speculation about imaginary merger talks with the NDP, one MP said afterward.

The rumours reflect restiveness within the party over Ignatieff’s inability to increase the Liberals’ standing in the polls despite Conservative problems over G20 spending, the firing of former cabinet minister Helena Guergis, persistent high unemployment and the controversy over suppressed Afghan torture documents.

Ned Franks, a parliamentary historian at Queen’s University, said maybe the Liberals and New Democrats should be talking, given the two parties share so much voter support.

“At this point it makes sense because they appeal roughly to a similar demographic, which is he middle of the road,” Franks said, noting that it’s not new for political parties to merge in Canada, citing the Progressives and Conservative parties joining forces early in the last century.

G8-G20 security firm doesn’t have licence to work in Ontario

Toronto Star

By: Jesse McLean

Published: Tuesday June 8, 2010

The security firm awarded a government contract to provide private guards for the G8 and G20 summits is not licensed in Ontario.

Now the provincial ministry in charge of regulating the private security industry is rushing to get Contemporary Security Canada licensed after the RCMP awarded the Vancouver-based company the contract despite a lack of accreditation.

“The clock is ticking down to the G20. For the aim of public safety, we’re moving forward with the process to have them licensed quickly but with all the due diligence necessary,” said Laura Blondeau, spokeswoman for Rick Bartolucci, community safety minister.

Contemporary Security Canada (CSC), which did private security for the 2010 Winter Olympics, was hired by the RCMP to provide about 1,100 guards for the Toronto and Huntsville summits.

Blondeau said the ministry became aware of the CSC contract no more than two weeks ago — after the company was already hired. Around that time, the firm was already advertising job openings for screeners.

According to CSC’s job posting, guards will be required as early as June 15.

“CSC is not currently performing any security services in Ontario, but will ensure all regulatory requirements are met before security screening begins. We are confident that we will be fully compliant and meet all prerequisites in the time frame required,” company project manager Todd Severson said in a statement.

RCMP Sgt. Leo Monbourquette, a spokesman for the summit’s Integrated Security Unit, said only security firms that had been “security cleared” — which includes background checks on staff — could apply for the tender because the operation involves sensitive information.

The RCMP hired a third party to vet the process, he said.

He said the government tender required the winning firm to “meet regulatory requirements in whatever jurisdiction they were operating in,” but didn’t specify how CSC managed to nab the contract or its cost.

Security industry members, meanwhile, are outraged that not only was the nonaccredited firm awarded the contract, but that its licence is being fast-tracked.

“It’s an unfair slight to all the legitimate players in this industry,” said Ross McLeod, president of the Association of Professional Security Agencies.

Licensing is a rigorous, three-stage process that normally takes four to six months.

McLeod said there are questions about the tendering process, as well. The work order went up on April 7 and was taken down within a few days, he said.

The tender process typically takes around a month, McLeod said.

“What really needs to be asked is what kind of due diligence is done,” asked Paul Carson, president of ASG Security Group. “How do you award a contract to a company without a licence?”

He added: “It ain’t right. This thing just stinks all over the place.”

Blondeau said she understands why industry members are frustrated, but stressed that the ministry is simply trying to cope with a situation that was passed on to it.

In order to get the licence done quickly, the RCMP is helping the ministry perform any necessary background checks.

McLeod said the wages offered by CSC — $20 to $25 an hour — are about double the going rate for security guards, and said his members are worried that guards already working downtown will jump ship for higher pay.

“It’s putting the whole industry in a tilt. Legitimate businesses don’t know if our employees are going to show up or book off sick to go make some money (working for CSC),” said McLeod, who is also president of Intelligarde security firm.

He estimated that CSC’s contract for summit security would be well over $100 million — more than the $97 million the company made working the Vancouver Olympics.

Summit guards will use magnetometers and hand-held metal detectors to screen people entering the security sites, CSC’s job posting said.

While it has an office in Vancouver, CSC is a fresh face on the Canadian security scene and only began about three years ago, industry insiders say. The company is connected to Contemporary Security Corp., a leading security company in the United States.

Tories under fire after refusing moratorium on off-shore drilling

Toronto Sun

By:Althia Raj, Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: May 27, 2010

OTTAWA - The Conservative government came under fire Thursday over its refusal to issue a moratorium on off-shore drilling.

Opposition MPs slammed the federal government after U.S. President Barack Obama announced a six-month stop for new deep water well permits and the haulting of two exploratory projects off Alaska's coast.

Liberal Judy Foote said the Conservatives had taken "no action" to ensure current drilling is safe and to prevent catastrophic diasters from happening off Canada'a coasts.

Environment Minister Jim Prentice told QMI Agency, Canada in effect already has a moratorium in place in the arctic.

"There are no licenses issued for deep wells... The soonest anybody could drill deep wells in Canada's actic would be 2014," he said.

The National Energy Board is also reviewing conditions under which it would allow arctic drilling, Prentice said.

NDP energy critc Nathan Cullen said the Tories had seen no need for pause, reflection or any learning from the gulf disaster.

"The government has said drill, baby, drill," he said.

Ecojustice's Stephen Hazell urged a "time out" on all exploration drilling.

Pointing to a Chevron project that began drilling this month off the coast of Newfoundland, in waters more violent than the Gulf of Mexico, Hazell said "the risk here is much, much higer."

Prentice said he is concerned that a recently liscenced Greenland offshore project in the Davis Straight, in challenging waters where massive icebergs travel to the Atlantic Ocean, could pose environmental risks to Canada.

Prentice plans to raise concerns at an arctic environment ministers' meeting on June 9.

"We want to make sure that the standards in place (in Greenland) are the highest environmental standards," he said.

Big city mayors want seat at big table

Toronto Sun

By: Antonella Artuso, Queen's Park Bureau Chief
Last Updated: May 27, 2010

Big city mayors are getting tired of sitting at the kiddie table of Canadian politics.

Twenty-two mayors representing the largest cities in the country are calling for a new partnership between all three levels of government, one they say recognizes the serious responsibilities that municipalities shoulder and the need for adequete and stable access to revenue streams.

Toronto Mayor David Miller pointed out that municipalities get a small slice of tax revenues while the remainder is shared between the provincial and federal governments.

"I sometimes jokingly say to my colleagues, 'What would Canada look like if Ottawa had to come to us for grants?'" Miller said. "Would we use $1 billion to build a Finch (light rail transit) to serve the neediest people in Toronto, to create 10,000 jobs, to build public transit for 100 years. Or would we use it for security for a few days event in Toronto?"

Miller said he supports the decision to host the G20 summit in Toronto, but said that if the federal government can spend $1 billion on security for that event, then it should be able ti help build more public transit in the city.

Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion said a new partnership is not enough - it's time to open the "can of worms" that is the constitution to give recognition to the important role of cities, enshrining powers and revenue sources needed to keep municipalities viable.

After 40 years in government, McCallion said it's obvious that the country can't go on with the current situation that leads only to confusion, duplication and underfunding.

"It really means a look at the constitution, there's no question about it," McCallion said.

"I don't think we can shy away from it anymore. Municipalities today, the large cities of Canada, are the economic engine of the country."

The big city mayors' caucus met in Toronto Thursday in advance of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) annual general meeting.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to speak to the FCM Friday.

Caucus chairman and Kitchner Mayor Carl Zehr said the stimulus funds in the federal economic action plan have helped municipalities catch up on needed infrastructure after years of under-investment and and off-loading by senior levels of government.

"More importantly, it brought all levels of government together to create jobs and fight the recession," he said. "Municipalities are turning stimulus money from Ottawa into new jobs...and managing thousands of front-line projects accross the country. It shows that some challenges are simply too big for any one government to solve on their own."

Other issues facing cities require equal co-operation and shouldn't have to wait for an economic crisis to be addressed, he said.

An infrastructure deficit, homelessness and traffic gridlock were highlighted by mayors as problems that demand immediate attention.

"Strong cities drive our economy and protect out quality of life," Zehr said. "For Canada to comete globally, all goverments have to solve the national problems that are playing out in our streets."

Canada imposes sanctions on N. Korea for warship sinking

Toronto Star

Published on Mon May 24 2010

OTTAWA - Canada imposes sanctions on North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean navel vessel in March.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper says in a statement issued today that the sanctions will include enhanced restrictions on trade, investment and other bilateral relations with North Korea. The government will also suspend high-level visits to Canada by North Korean officials.

the sinking of the Cheonan on March 26 near the Koreas' western maritime boarder killed 46 sailors. Three experts from the Canadian Navy joined the multinational team that investigated the incident, and concluded the warship was sunk by a torpedo.

Harper's statement says, "Canada has condemned the reckless North Korean regime for this egregious violation of international law and its blatant disregard of its international obligations."

He pledged Canada's support of South Korean President Lee Myung-bac's decision to respond decisively to the "act of aggression."

The statement adds that Canada is committed to a co-ordinated international response, including through the United Nations Security Council.