Don't allow the ban on "man spreading" on the bus/train to pass.

Canadian Association for Equality

Various people are looking to get the TTC to ban something they call "man spreading" which is a sexist term, and is the simple act of opening your legs. There are a lot more things taking up seats on busses than men opening their legs, such as purses, strollers, back packs and the like.

People should have a common understanding about how much room they are allowed to use on a bus. That should not vary because of their gender, and if they need extra room whether for baggage, carts, walkers, canes, or children they should seek it as a special permission. This sets a very bad precedent as men opening their legs is something we have to do due to our biology. It's physically painful for men to close their legs and we cannot be expected to do so, and it's also a biological necessity for us to do so.  We can't force woman to stop breast feeding on buses or trains and we can't force them to stop bringing strollers on, why should we force men to close their legs? This is sexism plain and simple and it cannot be passed. If we lose, this will be a big blow to men's rights, and if we win not much will change and we will continue being able to keep our legs open on buses. This petition is sponsored by CAFE (Canadian Association for Equality) http://equalitycanada.com/

Click on this line to sign the petition.

The $240-million-dollar computer Grinch that stole Christmas.

FAMILIES ON SOCIAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVE BAD NEWS 48 HOURS BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE

Ontarians who rely on Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program are still not receiving cheques or deposits in spite of promises from the Liberal government that the problems with their new computer system would be fixed in time for the holidays. Cindy Forster, Ontario NDP Critic for Community and Social Services and MPP for Welland, says this is unacceptable.

“It’s 48 hours until Christmas Eve, and people on OW and ODSP are finding out that new computer system rolled out by the Liberals is still broken,” said Forster. “This is one of the toughest times of the year for families on Social Assistance. The Liberals were warned for a year that this computer program had problems, but the Liberals rolled it out right before the Christmas holiday. They went ahead, and now some of the most vulnerable Ontarians are paying the price. Again.”

Problems with the new computer software became apparent last month when the $240 million system failed to send cheques or complete deposits to people across Ontario, and some recipients received as little as $5. The software has been plagued with problems across North America. Something Ontario was well aware of.

Frontline workers estimate that 36,000 Ontarians were paid the incorrect sums earlier this month.

“The holidays should be a time for joy and hope. Instead, the Liberals are throwing families into chaos, with many wondering how they’ll make it through the holiday season,” continued Forster.

Kathleen Wynne had previously dismissed the problem as a “glitch” while her Minister said the problem was a “slight glitch” and cast doubt on these families saying she found it “very difficult to validate some of the anecdotes.”

Save Bala Falls from Wynnes' Avarice!

Save the Bala Falls!

Save Bala Falls! Click on the photo to sign the petition.

The Bala falls is the one and only iconic heritage of the charming, historic town of Bala, Ontario. It has been used as a portage by Native voyagers on their way to Lake Couchiching and back, as well as fur traders, and explorers. Its significance lies in its connection to both the past and present, and once gone it cannot be replicated or replaced.

However, now the province of Ontario, together with a 'for-profit' outfit, is pushing through a plan to destroy Bala Falls as we know it. Why? For the purpose of making more money.

So how much is heritage worth? To a cynical, uncaring, avaricious government, apparently not much. But to the people of Bala it is priceless.

Please sign this petition and pass it on. Thank You.

Click here to sign the petition to save Bala Falls

Double-dipping at Wynne Ontario's hog trough

This is not the the first time an official has taken advantage of the system. During her time as chair of Ontario Power Generation (earning over $2.2 million, including a $300,000 limousine service) Eleanor Clitheroe billed  the crown corporation $214,000 in car allowances.

The point is, nobody noticed! Not an accountant, not an auditor, Nobody! Not only is it (minimally) unethical on the part of the officials, but incompetence on the part of those who should have been watching over this.

Incredible.

Union says Ontario welfare software riddled with 'design flaws'

TORONTO -- A new computer system tasked with administering social assistance in Ontario is creating "chaos" as staff waste valuable time trying to get it to work rather than helping their clients, the union representing welfare caseworkers says.

Carrie Poole-Cotnam with the Canadian Union of Public Employees said the revelation a bug in the software erroneously queued up $20 million in overpayments to welfare and disability recipients earlier this week was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The $240-million Social Assistance Management System is riddled with "design flaws" that see workers jumping through hoops just to do basic tasks -- such as adding a new child to a welfare case, a move which now takes "over 100 steps" from six before, she said Sunday.

Where do you even begin to address this issue for its ineptness and incompetence?

"Here we have a government that is so arrogant that they're not even prepared to apologize for this mistake, nor can they guarantee that it's not going to happen again," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

First, imagine winning the $50M jackpot. Untold wealth, right? Well, the $240 million the hot shots at Queen's Park sqaundered on this computer system is nearly 5-times that amount. FIVE TIMES $50M! That's 2,400 Rolls Royces sitting your driveway, 240 million-dollar homes at your disposal, 2,400 hundred charities you could gift with $100,000 apiece, etc. AND ITS YOUR MONEY! Can you dig it?

Rick Mercer tells it like it is: Tories spend $620M to tell you how good they are. *Barf*

"The final circle [of Hell] is basically sitting in a room watching Canada Action Plan ads over and over again on a loop."

Yeah, Rick Mercer really does not like the new ad campaign from Canada's Conservative government. His latest rant targets commercials promoting the government's new slate of tax cuts, the largest of which will send cheques to Canadian parents on the eve of the next federal election.

The measures have not yet been approved by Parliament, but the government is airing the the ads now -- at taxpayers' expense.

Mercer also takes issue with another recent ad promoting government services for veterans. The CBC host has been a regular critic of Conservative policy, attacking the government for failing to show respect to veterans who criticize measures such as closing support offices. He has also spoken out on allegations that injured soldiers were booted from the Canadians Forces before becoming eligible for benefits.

The NDP has said it will lodge a complaint with Advertising Standards Canada (ASC) about the ads for the tax plan. Last year the ASC ruled that government ads for the Canada Jobs Grant , which had also not been approved by Parliament (or the provinces), were inaccurate and unclear. Both ad campaigns include a small print text disclaimer at the end of the ads which reads "subject to parliamentary approval."

Stephen Harper's government has deployed ads under the Action Plan banner on a wide number of subjects since the campaign debuted in the wake of the financial crisis. While Mercer says the Tories are not the only government, past or present, to use such ads, he says they have "turned it into a fine art."

"They have spent over 620 million tax dollars on such advertising since they’ve been elected. Partisan advertising has become like doping in sports. Those who do it, defend it. But we all know it’s designed to give one party an unfair edge. And we all know it’s cheating."

 Source: The Huffington Post.

15% reduction in auto insurance premiums? Not. It's all in the bold print.

Kathleen Wynne has gone to battle in the board rooms of the auto insurance industry, and has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. In fact, while she was fighting for our cause with tea and crumpets, she gave the ‘enemy’ several lucrative gifts for good measure. So, please, ‘Blunder Woman,’ don’t do us any more ‘favours.’

The Ontario legislature has passed a bill aimed at reducing car insurance premiums an average of 15 per cent by next August.

The government says the bill will help tackle fraud to lower costs for insurance companies, which "is expected to help lower insurance rates for Ontario drivers."

The bill, which was supported by the Progressive Conservatives but opposed by the New Democrats, is also supposed to help those injured in collisions settle disputed claims faster.

The NDP forced the then-minority Liberal government to agree to legislate a 15 per cent cut in car insurance rates in exchange for allowing the 2013 budget to pass.

The government promised to bring the rates down an average of eight per cent in the first year, but admitted last month that so far they have seen only a six per cent decrease.

New Democrat Jagmeet Singh says insurance companies saved $2 billion a year when the Liberals changed regulations in 2010 to cut the cap on payouts for routine accident claims in half, but never passed the savings on to drivers.

The bill calls for more oversight of the billing practices of health clinics that treat accident victims, and allows only licensed service providers to be paid directly by insurers.

It also moves a dispute resolution system for injured drivers from Ontario's insurance regulator to an existing tribunal run by the Attorney General's office, which the industry has said would eliminate one step in the appeals process.

Read more: http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/ontario-passes-bill-to-cut-auto-insurance-rates-an-average-of-15-per-cent-1.2111099#ixzz3JjX7EHgt

From income splitting to raising child benefits, Harper goes where the votes are...

By the time Wynne and the auto insurance industry get finished watering-down the 15% reduction legislation there won't be any water left in Lake Ontario!

Can you think of a bigger insult on Remembrance Day than to refuse to honour Canada's war dead?

Well that's what some Muslims are doing, and the Essex School Board thinks it's quite alright!

Source: "Lest only some of us forget" ~ Ezra Levant QMI AGENCY

Sign the petition: http://www.loveitorleave.ca/

It’s Remembrance Day. But not for everyone. The Greater Essex County District School Board in Ontario circulated an e-mail to the 75 schools it runs in places like Windsor and Leamington. The memo says teachers should be prepared to exempt Muslim students from Remembrance Day.

“Some families may be reluctant to have their children attend your location municipality’s ceremonies. Please note that meaningful alternate activities should be provided at the schools for those families who do not wish their children to participate in any Remembrance Day ceremonies.”

In case you were wondering which families they might be referring to, the school board didn't say specifically but pointed teachers to two Muslim-themed websites, including the story about the first Muslim soldier in the Canadian Forces who wore a hijab, an Islamic head covering.

But Remembrance Day is a central part of Canada. It remembers our history, and the men and women who fought and died to keep us free. It is not a dark day, an embarrassing day, a racist day or a day of shame.

t is a day of remembering why we are free, and what we stand for, and who sacrificed to make us this way.

It’s not a religious day, like Christmas. It’s a day for everyone.

It’s a disgrace that any family would object to it – especially an immigrant family who came here to benefit from our country. It would call into question the basis on which they applied for and were granted citizenship.

And even if some old bigot from a backwoods village in Pakistan or Somalia doesn’t want to respect Canada, that’s where our schools come in and teach those bigots’ kids and grandkids what it means to be Canadian.

Harper announces another $4.6B in family and child benefits. What did seniors and singles get out of it? ... The Bill!

Recently, Harper announced another $4.6B in tax credits and subsidies for families with children. This is on top of the $17.5B that will be spent on these two classifications by the end of this year.

In case you missed it, Harper announced two big changes in family and child benefits. The first is a tax credit, worth up to $2,000, calculated by letting the higher-earning spouse in a couple with kids transfer up to $50,000 of income to the lower-earning spouse. In total, Canadian families will pay $1.9 billion less in taxes as a result of this income-splitting measure in 2015-16.

The second is a boost to the so-called Universal Child Care Benefit, from $100 to $160 a month for each child under the age of six, as well as a new $60-a-month payment for each kid aged six to 17. This measure will cost Ottawa an estimated $2.6 billion in 2015-16.

Harper also announced a hike to the deduction for child care expenses, to $8,000 a year from $7,000, which is, no doubt, of great interest to moms and dads paying for daycare, but overall, this measure is expected to amount to only about $65 million for 200,000 tax-paying families.

Total expenditure = $4.6 BILLION

To see the full article, goto: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/sorting-out-who-wins-with-harper-s-family-tax-package-004412765.html

Take note: Corporations are rich enough to set-up job-creation programs to help their communities, and yet they are axing peope ... BIG TIME!

Scotiabank axes 1,500 jobs

Source: CBC Business News

When you're a bank raking in more than $6 billion in profit this year, the optics aren't good when your newly minted CEO comes out and announces you plan on firing 1,500 employees, 1,000 of them across Canada. It's a big, ugly number that's sure to dominate the news cycle

But that's exactly what Scotiabank CEO Brian Porter did this week, saying the bank would be streamlining its workforce as part of a cost-cutting plan that also includes writing down hundreds of millions of dollars.

The reaction was swift, and predictable, with critics panning the company's apparent heartlessness in their slavish devotion to the almighty dollar. But as Don Pittis wrote in one of our most-read stories this week, there's nothing particularly shocking about it.

Banks are in the business of making money, and there's nothing wrong with that. That's good for them, good for their shareholders, good for their employees — and good for Canada, Pittis wrote.

Scotiabank has long had a reputation for being one of the more international banks we have, with a track record of expanding into areas where it sees growth, like it did in Asia and Latin America decades ago. Sometimes those bets don't go well, but more often than not they do. Banks must manage their risk, so if they think it's a time to retrench a little before the next bout of expansion, that may prove to be best for everyone in the long run.