School closures, lockdowns causing youth skills gap crisis: poll

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0
School closures, lockdowns causing youth skills gap crisis: poll

A new report by a human resources group is sounding the alarm about an impending skills gap crisis in Canadian youth, due to pandemic-related school closures and lockdowns.

The survey, conducted in August by Express Employment Professionals, found more than four in five Canadians think the pandemic has created a “lost generation of students” lacking the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace. 

Meanwhile, 43% of people polled said Canada is not doing enough to help students recover and adjust to school closures and lockdowns. 

“The disruptions to education will mean a whole generation or more is falling further behind,” said Express CEO Bill Stoller in a news release. 

“Getting back to the pre-pandemic status quo won’t be enough, and Canadians are in general agreement that we’re witnessing the creation of a ‘lost generation.’” 

Polls results also show that 78% of Canadians think that there are both long-term and short-term challenges faced by youth in school and at work. 

Among the negative impacts highlighted by participants were students’ ability to socialize (81%), mental health problems (81%), development of hard skills (77%) and development of soft skills (76%). 

“The start of this new school year is an inflection point with big implications in the coming years,” said Stoller. 

“Intervention now is imperative to save this ‘lost generation’ and the good news is it’s not too late. Change will take a concerted effort by many entities, but it’s well worth the investment.”

Other organizations across the country, including pediatric hospitals, have called on governments to re-open schools and facilitate in-school learning to avoid what they call a “mental health crisis” among youth. 

PPC senate candidate wants to deal with vaccine mandates, radical gender ideology

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0
PPC senate candidate wants to deal with vaccine mandates, radical gender ideology

One of the three candidates being fielded by the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) in Alberta’s upcoming senate elections said that he would use his position to tackle what he calls the “rising tide of illiberal thinking” in Canada. 

Kelly Lorencz, who ran in the 2021 election under the PPC banner in Red Deer – Mountain View, told True North that he would place what’s good for Canada at the centre of his priorities. 

“As a Senator, I would be interested in stemming the rising tide of illiberal thinking in this country. We’ve talked plenty about vaccine mandates and lockdowns, and I would certainly attempt to deal with those issues. But, there are other issues of importance to Canadians too,” Lorencz wrote in an emailed statement. 

“Freedom of speech is being replaced with safe spaces, biology is being replaced with radical gender ideology, and we’re allowing Canadian interests to be replaced with global interests. In examining legislation, I’d first explore whether issues are good for the West, and secondly whether they are good for Canada as a whole.”

As reported by True North in September, Lorencz is running alongside two other PPC candidates Ann McCormack from Mannville and Nadine R. Wellwood of Cochrane.

According to the 2021 federal election results Lorencz came in third place with 12% of the vote in the riding which ultimately went to incumbent Conservative MP Earl Dreeshen. 

Currently, Alberta is the only province which holds Senate elections, yet the final decision on who is appointed to the Canadian Senate, ultimately lies with the prime minister. 

When it comes to the Senate, Lorencz said that the institution is “not currently being used to its full potential” and that he would help alleviate Western alienation if elected by Albertans. 

“Rather than being an entity that holds the government to account, it has been operating as a rubber stamp. The Senate is intended to give equal voice to the people of Canada’s distinct regions. Having a strong voice for Alberta in the Senate would go a long way to ease the sentiment of Western alienation,” said Lorencz. 

“Listening to the people of this province and appointing the person they choose to represent them is the first step to establishing a fair deal for Alberta. The Senate can and should function as a way to stop the ever-increasing centralization of the federal government.” 

Conservatives suspend national councillor who launched petition to recall O’Toole

Andrew Lawton
-
0
Conservatives suspend national councillor who launched petition to recall O’Toole

A Conservative Party of Canada national councillor who launched a petition to recall Erin O’Toole as Conservative leader has been suspended from his position for 60 days, True North has learned.

Bert Chen, an elected national councillor for Ontario, accused O’Toole of having “betrayed the principles that the Conservative Party is founded on” by flip-flopping on a range of issues throughout his unsuccessful campaign to unseat Justin Trudeau.

The day after the Sept. 20 election, Chen started campaigning for a referendum on O’Toole’s leadership through a Change.org petition, which has since amassed nearly 5,200 signatures.

The vote to suspend Chen at a Tuesday evening national council meeting was 10-7, according to a source with direct knowledge of the meeting. The source said O’Toole, who sits on national council by virtue of being the party’s leader, was among the 10 to vote to suspend Chen.

Chen declined an interview, but in a statement said he was “disappointed” in the decision.

“I’d like to apologize that I will not be able to serve you as your National Councillor for the next 60 days,” he said in a statement directed to Conservative members. “I am disappointed in National Council’s decision today to silence Conservative members that have lost confidence in the leadership of Erin O’Toole.”

Chen said his calls to remove O’Toole have been representing the views of his constituents, Ontario’s Conservative party members.

“The Conservative Party is as (sic) a democratic party and my role as an elected Ontario National Councillor is to represent the views of members – and most want Erin O’Toole removed as leader for selling out their beliefs for a failed attempt at power,” he said.

In a statement emailed to True North, Conservative president Rob Batherson confirmed the suspension.

“Following complaints by grassroots members of the Conservative Party of Canada about the conduct of National Councillor Bert Chen, National Council exercised its authority under Article 8.13 of the Party’s Constitution to suspend Mr. Chen from National Council for up to 60 days,” Batherson said.

“The Secretariat Committee of National Council will investigate these complaints and make a recommendation to National Council as to whether Mr. Chen has acted in a manner that is ‘improper or unbecoming, or likely to adversely affect the interest or reputation of National Council, the Leader, or the Party.”

Batherson also said possible violations by Chen of the National Council code of conduct will be reviewed.

In a September CBC interview, Batherson warned that Chen could be removed from the council for “attacking” O’Toole.

According to the Conservative Party of Canada constitution, national councillors must affirm a “commitment to the principles and policies” of the Conservative party and its constitution.

Section 8.13 of the constitution empowers councillors to “remove a National Council member whose conduct is judged improper or unbecoming, or likely to adversely affect the interest or reputation of National Council, the Leader, or the Party, at a meeting called for that purpose.”

Invoking this section requires a two-thirds majority, whereas section 8.14, which deals with suspension of a national councillor, requires only a simple majority.

The constitution allows for appeal to an arbitration committee.

Do you #FeelSafe yet? If not, you should #StayHome.

Anthony Furey
-
0
Do you #FeelSafe yet? If not, you should #StayHome.

Even with all the COVID-19 protocols Canada has in place, some people still feel unsafe and are vouching for more government restrictions.

Rather than learning to live with COVID-19, those who feel unsafe believe more restrictions on everyone is the correct path forward.

Anthony Furey says if you still don’t #FeelSafe yet, you should maybe #StayHome.

Senator Yuen Pau Woo attended celebration of Chinese Communist Party rule

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0
Senator Yuen Pau Woo attended celebration of Chinese Communist Party rule

A Canadian senator who has frequently courted controversy for pro-Beijing remarks attended a ceremony celebrating 72 years of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule in Vancouver, BC. 

According to theBreaker.news, Senator Yuen Pau Woo appeared alongside Chinese Deputy Consul General Wang Chengjung at the October 2, 2021 ceremony which took place near the Vancouver 2010 Olympic centre. 

Woo attended the event only a week after Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were freed from Chinese prisons following a deal struck by US Justice Department prosecutors and Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. 

The senator, who was appointed to the position by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016, was the only federal government representative to attend. 

Attendees took photographs in front of opposing Chinese and Canadian flags according to broadcasts on the Chinese government-linked channel Phoenix TV. 

The event was co-hosted by the Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations and the Canada Sichuanese Friendship Association which both have associations with the CCP’s foreign influence networks, the United Front. 

A few weeks ago, former Conservative cabinet minister and diplomat Chris Alexander called for the senator’s resignation after he promoted a column which claimed that Canada took Meng “hostage.” 

“The United States, assisted by Canada, took Meng hostage in the first place as part of its trade-and-technology war with China; Beijing swiftly retaliated by jailing the Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor,” the column wrote.

Alexander accused the senator of being a “mouthpiece for foreign propaganda” and violating his oath. 

“(Woo) has violated his oath as a Canadian Senator & should resign,” Alexander said on Twitter.

 “Mouthpieces for foreign propaganda, including those backed by China’s United Front Work Department, should have no place in Canada’s parliament.”

Manitoba RCMP report 11% drop in rural crime levels

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0
Manitoba RCMP report 11% drop in rural crime levels

Manitoba RCMP officers have some good news for rural residents in the province after new figures indicate that rural crime rates have dropped significantly over the last year.

Between August 2020 and August 2021, crime reported to police fell 11% in rural areas. 

The highest drop of 17% was experienced in the East District, which encompasses the communities of Selkirk and Gimli. Meanwhile, the West District which includes Brandon and Dauphin saw a promising 13% drop.

The lowest crime drop was reported in Manitoba’s North District, where towns like Churchill and Thompson reported a drop of 2% in police-reported crime.

In the East District, almost every category of crime experienced a significant decrease. Both assault and robbery were down by 29% over the reported time period, while property crimes fell by 23%. 

Earlier this year, the Mantioba government moved to tighten laws around farm security and trespassing on rural properties.

The move was aimed to curb recent incursions by animal rights activists and other unauthorized entries. 

“That’s part of it. Obviously, if people are entering a facility unauthorized and posing a danger to … the safety and biosecurity, this is what’s really looking to address that,” said Agriculture Minister Blaine Pedersen.

“It is not specifically for [activists], but it does cover that element.”

One of the bills put forward by Manitoba’s ruling Progressive Conservatives would make it easier to prosecute people who trespass on large properties. 

Albertans will finally have a say on Canada’s equalization program

Candice Malcolm
-
0
Albertans will finally have a say on Canada’s equalization program

Canada’s system of fiscal federalism and equalization is fundamentally broken and Albertans are finally being given the chance to do something about it.

During next week’s municipal elections, Albertans will have the rare opportunity to participate in direct democracy and vote on the fairness of Canada’s equalization program. Specifically, they will be asked whether equalization payments should be removed from the constitution.

While a “yes” vote will not change the program immediately, it will send a strong message to the political class that Albertans are not on board with Canada’s equalization program.

To discuss the referendum and the broken system of equalization, True North’s Candice Malcolm is joined by the Executive Director of Fairness Alberta Dr. Bill Bewick. Bill is the man behind equalizationreferendum.ca and the lead spokesman for the “yes” campaign.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANDICE MALCOLM SHOW

Toronto District School Board to release youth climate activism guide this fall

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) will be releasing a youth climate activism guide this fall in partnership with the City of Toronto. 

According to the TDSB’s Annual Report 2021: Climate Action, the guide is “designed to support youth in mobilizing their communities towards climate action.”

“To introduce TDSB educators to the youth climate action guide, it will be highlighted during the 2021 fall EcoSchools kick-off workshops and featured in an EcoSchools webinar during the 2021/22 school year,” the report says.

“To assist school teams with the planning and implementation of climate action projects, one-on-one support will be offered and piloted in the 2021/22 school year.”

TDSB officials did not respond to a query from True North on whether the board will ensure the guide remains apolitical.

According to the organization For Our Kids Toronto, the guide will target students from grades seven to 12. 

“The guide will contain climate goals and initiatives for all ages and will help create pilots for community climate action in neighborhoods throughout the city,” For Our Kids Toronto wrote. 

In 2019, the TDSB encouraged and supported students to walk out of their classrooms and protest as part of a global call to action. 

Prior to the Global Climate Strike which was inspired by teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, parents received a note from the school board indicating students would not be academically penalized for leaving school to attend protests. 

Critics have accused Thunberg and the Global Climate Strike of politicizing concerns around climate change. 

In the past, Thunberg has made controversial comments including threatening to put politicians who aren’t fighting climate change “against the wall” – a common idiom that can refer to political executions. 

Additionally, Thunberg has been linked to the far-left political extremist group Antifa after a photograph emerged of her along with her parents wearing Antifa slogans and merchandise. 

Proof of vaccination required for marriage licenses in Oakville

Jonathan Bradley
-
0
Proof of vaccination required for marriage licenses in Oakville

Couples looking to tie the knot in Oakville, Ont. are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Town of Oakville said in a statement that starting Sept. 22, people have to provide identification and proof of vaccination or a valid exemption prior to an appointment for a marriage license or a ceremony. Appointments for marriage licenses and ceremonies that have been booked prior to Sept. 22 will not require proof of vaccination. 

While marriages will be able to be held inside Oakville Town Hall as of Nov. 4, the Town of Oakville said the request for proof of vaccination applies to indoor use of recreation and culture facilities and the ServiceOakville counter at Oakville Town Hall. 

The vaccine mandate applies to people who are 12 years old and older and individuals who do not show proof of vaccination or fail to provide an approved exemption will be barred from entering the facilities and participating in indoor programming. 

“The town’s requirements exceed the province’s proof of vaccination regulations in an effort to provide added protection to our community and town staff from COVID-19,” said the Town of Oakville. 

Residents of Oakville are not the only ones affected by the town council’s vaccine mandate. Town of Oakville employees, members of Oakville Town Council, any person representing or acting on behalf of the town, contractors and tenants are also required to be vaccinated.

In September, the Ontario government unveiled its own vaccine passport system, which requires Ontarians to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to access certain businesses and settings.

The Ontario government also enforced a vaccine mandate for anyone entering Queen’s Park. 

Cambridge Member of Provincial Parliament Belinda Karahalios says the new rule will prevent her and other elected officials who are either unvaccinated or do not wish to disclose their vaccination status from criticizing the government.

“This is a disgraceful and undemocratic ruling that sets a dangerous precedent,” the New Blue Party MPP said. 

Unvaccinated Quebec nurses to have license suspended amid staffing shortage

Cosmin Dzsurdzsa
-
0
Unvaccinated Quebec nurses to have license suspended amid staffing shortage

Amid a nursing shortage in Quebec, thousands of nurses in the province could be suspended without pay if they refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Roughly 15,000 healthcare workers could be suspended without pay beginning on October 15, 2021, according to Health Minister Christian Dube. 

Additionally, the Quebec Order of Nurses has said that it will be suspending nursing licenses of any nurse who is not fully vaccinated beginning on Friday. 

Unvaccinated healthcare workers in Quebec have banded together to challenge the law. According to Natalia Manole, a lawyer who is representing them in court, the nurses believe that alternatives like regular testing can ensure their workplaces remain safe. 

“Most of them are not going to go back to health care if it stays. Some love their jobs and are dedicated; they work so many hours and shifts,” said Manole. 

“(The order) is not reasonable. A decree is supposed to be made in the public interest; our position is that this is not in the public interest.”

At the same time, the Quebec government is hastily attempting to boost the numbers of nurses in the industry by offering bonuses as high as $18,000 due to an urgent staffing shortage. 

“We need you. Quebecers need you,” said Quebec Premier 

The province is currently short of 4,300 nurses and hospitals in Quebec are being forced to cancel surgeries to deal with the shortage. 

Other provinces, including British Columbia, are experiencing a shortage in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Recently, three BC emergency departments were forced to shutter their doors due to unspecified staffing issues.

Local residents attempting to access the emergency services were either told to dial 911 or attend an emergency room nearly an hour and a half drive away. 

1...960961962...1,460Page 961 of 1,460
© True North 2025 | Terms of Service and Privacy Policy