On Friday, our Conservative Government announced a successfully negotiated agreement with the Obama Administration that will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects financed under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Our Government stood up for Canadians in resolving this issue with our American partners and the result […]
Canadian early childhood educators (ECE) and politicians could certainly learn a thing or two from Geoffrey Canada. Canada is the New York City education reformer who has been the President and CEO of the “Harlem Children’s Zone” (HCZ) for some twenty years.
While the motto for HCZ is: “From cradle to college to community building,” they actually start before babies are even born with a “how-to-parent” program called “Baby College” for soon-to-be mothers.
Now, just how is Geoffrey Canada’s approach different? Well, as an African American who grew up in poverty himself, he apparently demands results, not only from students, but teachers as well. No ifs, ands or buts. Moreover, it is his expectation that parents, including those who work full-time, will be totally involved in the lives of their children and their school.
Canada’s First Nations University (FNU), located in Regina Saskatchewan, will soon be closing its doors because of infighting, financial scandals and mass dismissals, the most recent example being the firing of its Chief Financial Officer, Murray Westerland, in December 2009, just days after he released a damning report.
So, while it may have been necessary for the Conservative governments in Saskatchewan and Ottawa to pull the public funding plug on FNU from an accountability point of view, as a former university teacher myself, I also want to point out the human costs in terms of damaged futures, blighted careers and the destruction of institutional and cultural memory.
There are only so many hours in a day and they can’t all be spent at the computer. Therefore, due to those time constraints, this blog will once again be about both education and Canadian politics — as the “Just Politics” blog has been integrated into “Crux of the Matter.”
First published on February 6th at “Just Politics,” this entry is reposted here at “Crux of the Matter” today so that on visitors might enjoy the YouTube video of comedian John Morgan (who unfortunately passed away in November 2004) playing ”Jock McBile” in “Get Stuffed” on CBC’s Royal Canadian Air Farce (h/t Jack’s Newswatch).
Of course, the title of this blog post is said with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Specifically, the video reminds Canadians, in a humourous way, what former PM Jean Chretien did for his own riding of Shawinigan, Quebec — including how he was “entitled” or “expected” to do as he did.
Originally published on December 9th, 2009 and republished on February 6th, 2010, this article is directed to college and university students about how to write an essay. For research validation and all background information, refer to this permanent page. It is based on Chapter six of a book I wrote and is, therefore, copyright material, requiring a citation if used in a paper, book or presentation. What follows is the ten-step continuous feedback multi-sensory writing process.
My thanks to U.S. based academics Drs. Howard Margolis and Gary Brannigan for featuring my article on “How to write a college/university essay.”The acknowledgment is very much appreciated.
Without a doubt, “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome” (SIDS), or what used to be called crib death, is a scourge on mankind.
Today is February 3rd, 2010. My granddaughter Jacqueline would have been 23 today. Unfortunately, she died when she was only twelve weeks old – on April 26th, 1987.
Here are some very personal reflections on what it was like in Haiti immediately before and following the recent earthquake. They are by Oakville, Ontario doctor, Dr. J. Yates.
Dr. Yates is a volunteer with a very reputable Non-governmental Organization that I have been supporting for some years now – ”International Child Care” (ICC). It is a Government of Canada approved charity through Revenue Canada.
As readers will note in Dr. Yates’ reflections, ICC needs to raise funds in order to rebuild the health care facilities that were damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Therefore, should any readers wish to make such a donation — which will be matched by the Government of Canada — here is the link to do so.
Up to now, I have stayed out the global warming debate, man-caused or otherwise. However, I am jumping in today because I am noticing far too much negativity and unreasonable expectations coming from Conservative government supporters.
No government is perfect
True, everyone is entitled to their opinions. Me included. But, I have to ask: What is happening in our country, that so many of us hold extreme “either the government does this or I won’t support them” positions?
I mean, no government is perfect. We all complain about something and that is our right in a free and democratic society.
In my case, last fall I complained loudly about the federal role in the passing of legislation to allow Ontario to charge the HST. But, I didn’t walk away from the government over the issue.
In mid-January I wrote a post about a potential, looming strike by the union representing Ontario’s 9000 community college teachers — OPSEU. I was annoyed because I felt students were being used as pawns by both sides, but particularly the union. Some readers suggested that without that threat the college’s bargaining team wouldn’t settle.
Well, I don’t care who is to blame. We are living in tight economic times. As such, OPSEU should be prepared to remove their cloak of entitlement and face reality. Yet, what do they do? They reject the college’s “final” offer (h/t Jack’s Newswatch), which is a good one, in my opinion. Meaning that a strike could be imminent — a strike that will adversely affect not only the 9,000 instructors but 200,000 students.
We are constantly led to believe by many in the Canadian media, particularly those in the Parliamentary Press Bureau (PPB), that unlike certain Conservative leaders who are constantly criticized for being controlling and dogmatic, Liberal leaders always reflect the wishes of their constituency and have the best of intentions when they make decisions.
It is unlikely the mainstream media will tell Canadians how well-respected Prime Minister Harper is internationally, so I will put up this link to prove it. In fact, apparently Mr. Harper is so esteemed, that the Swiss government arranged for two fighter jets to come along side the PM’s plane in order to escort it out of Swiss air space — as a type of salute. Well done Mr. Harper! Well done. Some of us do appreciate your international stature.
Earlier this week, I heard President Obama’s voice loud and clear during his first state of the union address saying: ”we must double our exports!”
Ah, but you see Mr. President, exporting and free trade goes in two directions. And, as Canadians know only too well, you can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth. To do so is pure hypocrisy. So too is a “buy American” policy that totally excludes imports while expecting to freely export products. As an editorial in today’s Globe and Mail says:
“To date, Mr. Obama has been disappointingly dismissive of Canada’s position on Buy American requirements. As The Globe reported last week, it has been five months since Canada offered the Obama administration a sensible deal to solve this conflict: access for American firms to Canadian stimulus purchasing at the provincial and municipal levels in exchange for reciprocal rights for Canadian firms in the U.S. Ottawa is still waiting.”
So, Mr. President, when can Canadians expect trade to flow in two directions? Because, fair trade goes BOTH ways. Protectionism didn’t work in the 1930’s and it won’t work now. Instead, it will destroy the global economy and prolong the current downturn.
While ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis) works for many children with severe autism symptoms, there is also an alternative called the “Son-Rise” approach. (See what I have written on this topic here.) In fact, as more and more parents are taught how to use this form of treatment, the more it seems we are hearing about positive outcomes — with some parents going so far as to claim, not only dramatic results, but even a cure.
As such, while I remain somewhat sceptical, I would, nevertheless, strongly recommend parents, caregivers and even behavioural therapists, check out the YouTube videos at this link before they decide which approach would be best for their children or patients.
Please note, however, that since Sandy at Crux of the Matter does not endorse any particular approach or treatment protocol, the link is provided only as a resource.
I am sensing that far too many conservatives, small “c” and capital “C” are panicking (as in feeling unusually anxious) with the latest polls and the fact that the opposition and media’s anti-prorogation campaign may be having an effect.
As such, I am going to go out on a limb and recommend everyone just take a deep breath and relax. Why? Because: (1) Prime Minister Stephen Harper knows exactly what is going on and what needs to be done; (2) I have lived through many a minority and near constitutional crisis (including Pierre Elliot Trudeau enacting the War Measures Act) and our country has survived — in fact, very well, if history is any judge.
