Do people really want to hear the truth?

“Tolerance and apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.” 
– Aristotle

Most people say they want to hear truthful feedback but really want to hear only good things about themselves or their work.

Most people don't really want the TRUTH. 
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the TRUTH.


How often do we say things that aren't completely true in order to make someone — usually ourselves — feel better? How often do we subtly — or at least we think subtly — position things so they appear in a better light?

Unfortunately, the answer is often.

We position messages to gain buy-in. We present things in a light that we think will make it easier for others to accept. Maybe we don't outright lie, but we gently massage the truth to make it more acceptable, more likely to be embraced.

Canada has a revenue problem

Canada doesn't have a spending problem, it has a revenue problem.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

"The federal government is the smallest it's been since before the Second World War. Federal total spending as a share of the economy stands at 13% of GDP, its lowest point in the past 60 years. The last time the government was this small we had no national health care plan, no pension plan, no guaranteed income supplement, no employment insurance. Federal revenues have been diminished by cuts to the corporate tax rate, regressive income tax policies, and tax evasion on an ever-widening scale."



Where Finance Minister Bill Morneau can find tens of billions of dollars for his budget:

1. Restore the corporate tax rate
Canada's corporate tax rate has been slashed again and again under Liberal and Conservative governments since the late 1980s.

One of the justifications for cutting corporate taxes was that it would create jobs and increase business investment – in the end, cutting corporate taxes did not accomplish either of those goals.

Meanwhile, rather than creating jobs or reinvesting in the economy, Canadian corporations are hoarding more and more of their profits.

2. Cancel income-splitting
3. Close the stock option loophole
4. Close the small business loophole
5. Introduce an inheritance tax on wealthy estates

Federal Budget 2016 Highlights

Federal Budget 2016 Highlights

The Liberal government delivered its maiden budget Tuesday, March 22. A deficit of $29.4 billion in 2016-17, nearly three times the $10 billion promised during the fall election campaign, and a projected deficit of $17.7 billion in 2019-20 rather than the balanced budget that was promised in October.

$8.4 Billion For Aboriginal Programming

One of the earmarks of the budget is a commitment to spending on aboriginal issues. This includes:

- $2.6 billion over five years for primary and secondary education on First Nations reserves, including language and cultural programs, plus $969.4 million over five years for education infrastructure.

 $1.2 billion over five years for social infrastructure for Aboriginal Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit and northern communities.

- $10.4 million over three years for new women's shelters in First Nations communities, and $33.6 million over five years and $8.3 million ongoing for support services.

- $40 million over two years for the inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.

Changes To Child Benefits

The Liberals will be changing the structure of Canada's child benefits, ending income splitting and other tax credits for families and parents.

This means: 

- $10 billion more over two years for a new Canada child benefit, absorbing and replacing both the Canada child tax benefit and the universal child care benefit. Targeted to low and middle-income families, the government says the new benefit provides an average increase of nearly $2,300 in 2016-17.

- An end to income splitting for couples with children, the children's fitness tax credit and the children's arts tax credit.

Changes To Employment Insurance

The government will spend $2.5 billion over two years on a suite of changes, including reducing the required work experience for new entrants and re-entrants; halving the two-week waiting period; extending a pilot project to allow claimants to work while collecting benefits; simplifying job-search requirements; and extending the benefit eligibility window in specific regions with a higher unemployment rate.

Veterans Rewarded, Military Purchases Delayed

- $5.6 billion more in benefits to veterans and their families over five years, including a disability award that increases to $360,000, retroactive to 2006, and an earnings loss benefit to injured vets of 90 per cent of pre-release salary. The government is also re-opening nine veterans' service offices across the country and adding a 10th.

- Planned National Defence purchases worth $3.7 billion — ships, planes and vehicles — are being deferred indefinitely.

..But Military Purchases Delayed

Planned National Defence purchases worth $3.7 billion — ships, planes and vehicles — are being deferred indefinitely.

More Benefits For Seniors

The budget includes $3.4 billion over five years to increase the guaranteed income supplement top-up benefit by up to $947 annually for single seniors, and restore the old age security eligibility age to 65 from 67.

Small Business Tax Rate Unchanged

The Liberals broke a major campaign promise to cut the small business tax rate. Instead, the rate will remain at the current 10.5 per cent on the first $500,000 of active business income.

Grants For Students To Increase

The Liberals will spend $1.53 billion over five years to increase Canada student grants to $3,000 from $2,000 for low-income students, to $1,200 from $800 for middle-income students and to $1,800 from $1,200 for part-time students.

$2 billion over three years is also earmarked for a new strategic investment fund for infrastructure improvements at colleges and universities, in partnership with provinces and territories.

10-Year Green Infrastructure Plan
The Liberals' green infrastructure plan includes:

- $2.2 billion over five years in water and wastewater treatment and waste management
- $2 billion over two years for a low-carbon economy fund
- Over $1 billion over four years to support future clean technology investments
- $345.3 million over five years to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada and the National Research Council to take action to address air pollution.

Researching Foreign Homebuyers
The Liberals will spend $500,000 to help understand the role of foreign homebuyers in the country's housing market.

The government says comprehensive and reliable data on the number of homes sold to foreign buyers does not exist right now.

Syrian Refugee Program Cost
The marquee Liberal commitment to Syrian refugee resettlement could end up costing taxpayers close to $1 billion.

The budget provided an additional $245 million over five years to bring in the remaining 10,000 people needed to meet the Liberal promise to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016.

More National Parks
$142.3 million over five years will be spent to add new national parks and improve access during the 150th anniversary of Confederation.

Money For Affordable Housing Needs
The Grits will provide up to $178 million over two years for the provinces for urgent affordable housing needs.

Canada's Food Safety System
The budget earmarks $38.5 million over two years to strengthen and modernize Canada's food safety system.

                                               ********************

Canada's infrastructure:
It's a lot less money than it originally promised, but is willing to pick up more of the tab for cities and provinces.

During the election campaign, the Liberals said they would add just over $5 billion in new infrastructure spending this year and a further $5 billion next year.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau plunged Canada towards a deficit of $29.4 billion,  showed no path towards balance.

The Liberals are ditching a promise to cap how much high-income individuals can claim through stock option deductions.

They've indefinitely postponed its election promise of reducing the small business tax rate to nine per cent.

The rate will remain at the current 10.5 per cent on the first $500,000 of active business income.

This video shows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau extolling support for lowering the small business income tax rate during the federal election:

They postponed, for now, a promised multimillion-dollar plan for flexible parental leave and better access to compassionate care benefits for those who provide care for seriously ill family members.

The budget did not include the Liberals' promise to invest $3 billion over four year in better home care services, such as in-home caregivers, financial support for family care, and palliative care.

The cultural sector received a $1.87 billion boost over five years Tuesday in a Liberal budget that aims to reshape the narrative of the economy.

To do that, storytellers and musicians, artists and journalists all need investment, the Liberals said as they presented a budget that followed through on a key promise to restore funding to the CBC but delayed or trimmed promised funds for other groups.

"Believing in innovation is also believing in the talent and in the creativity of Canadians." 
~ Finance Minister Bill Morneau 

During the campaign, the Liberal promised to restore and increase the CBC's budget and will begin with a $75-million injection this year, followed by $150 million a year over until 2020-2021.

Pierre Trudeau: what's like living next to the USA

Pierre Trudeau once said, living next to the United States is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant: "No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast....one is affected by every twitch and grunt."

Fukushima .... No Bliss in This Ignorance

Fukushima evacuations were not worth the money, study says

The costs of evacuating residents from near the Fukushima No. 1 plant and the dislocation the people experienced were greater than their expected gain in longevity, a British study has found.


The Dirty, Deadly Front End of Nuclear Power -- 15,000 Abandoned Uranium Mines

The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster is a Serious Crime

It's not just cancer! Radiation, genomic instability and heritable genetic damage


Cancer is just one of of the outcomes of the genetic damage inflicted by nuclear radiation, writes Chris Busby, and perhaps one of the least important. Of far greater long term significance is the broad-scale mutation of the human genome, and those of other species, and the resulting genomic instability that causes cascades of heritable mutations through the generations.

Fukushima Radiation Out Of Control - Worst In Years

Fukushima Nuke Fuel Now Said 'All Over The Place'

16 US Ships That Helped With Fukushima STILL Radioactive

TEPCO Bungles Fukushima Cleanup as Defective Robots 'Killed' by Radiation

Cleanup efforts at the shuttered and leaking Fukushima nuclear plant hit the skids this week as officials were confronted with a new and unexpected challenge: radiation levels are so high that a particularly damaged reactor cannot be accessed, even by robots.

Highest-Paying Jobs For People Who Hate Math

Mathematician =
Math requirement score: 100)

Guidance Counselor
Median salary: $50,000
Math requirement score: 31

Hearing Aid Specialist
Median salary: $50,000
Math requirement score: 31

Marriage / Family Therapist
Median salary: $51,671
Math requirement score: 28

Camera Operator, Film or TV
Median salary: $55,000
Math requirement score: 28

Occupational Therapist
Median salary: $56,957
Math requirement score: ?

Librarian
Median salary: $57,629
Math requirement score: 31

Railroad Conductor / Yardmaster
Median salary: $58,594
Math requirement score: 31

Probation Officer
Median salary: $58,843
Math requirement score: 22

Plumber
Median salary: $59,073
Math requirement score: 31

Police, Fire or Ambulance Dispatcher
Median salary: $59,519
Math requirement score: 28

Correctional Officer
Median salary: $59,744
Math requirement score: 31

Court Reporter
Median salary: $60,000
Math requirement score: 10

Sonographer / Ultrasound technician
Median salary: $60,678
Math requirement score: 28

Information Security Analyst
Median salary: $62,839
Math requirement score: 31

Midwife
Median salary: $69,634
Math requirement score: 31

Lawyer
Median salary: $71,777
Math requirement score: 28

Police Officer
Median salary: $74,884
Math requirement score: 28

Police Detective
Median salary: $81,447
Math requirement score: 28

Boilermaker
Median salary: $84,489
Math requirement score: 31
*Boilermakers fashion custom metal objects in various heavy industries.

Compliance Manager
Median salary: $71,474
Math requirement score: 31

Professor Of Law, English, Art, etc.
Median salary (associate professor): $100,439
Math requirement score: 22 to 28
Postsecondary teachers in these fields have low math requirements: Foreign languages, law, criminal justice/law enforcement, philosophy, religion, art, drama, music, cultural studies, political, science, communications, history, library sciences, education.

Renewable Energy Ideas

(1)

We need to start paying attention to how Denmark is generating its electricity


Denmark has managed to set another world energy record, generating over 42 percent of its electricity in 2015 through wind turbines alone, the highest proportion for any country

Hopefully, Denmark can serve as an example to other countries that it is possible to have both ambitious green policies with a high proportion of wind energy and other renewables in the energy supply, and still have a high security of supply and competitive prices on electricity

(2)

10 Incredible Renewable Energy Solutions From Around the World

1. Gravity-Powered Irrigation

2. Saltwater Powered Air-conditioners

3. Paper-thin Printed Solar Cells

4. Tire Waste Upcycling

5. Friendly Resource Technology

6. Wecyclers

7. Solar Suitcases

8. Bike Sharing Systems

9. Carbon Negative Plastic

10. Floating Schools 

(3)

5 Countries That Prove the World Doesn’t Need Fossil Fuels

Costa Rica

Since the start of 2015, Costa Rica has gone 100% green. 

Denmark

Denmark is now the leading country in the world for wind power.

Scotland

Sweden
Sweden is also developing advanced biomass energy systems

Finland

Top 5 countries in renewable energies

Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Austria, Denmark

(4)

99% of Costa Rica’s Electricity Came from Renewable Energy in 2015

Costa Rica reached the 99 percent renewable energy mark with the aforementioned mixture of hydroelectric plants, which provide 80 percent of the country’s energy, with wind, biomass, and solar power. The country’s large river system and heavy rainfall also aided the efforts, in spite of the fact 2015 was a particularly dry year.

Costa Rica still has huge goals beyond just aiming for a 100 percent carbon neutral status by the year 2021. Ultimately, according to ICE, Costa Rica wants to shift its transportation industry away from fossil fuels, and officials also want to add new geothermal sources, which currently provide 15 percent of the nation’s energy.

(5)

Scotland’s Answer to Energy Crisis is Making the US Look Foolish

Wind turbines generated enough electricity to meet the needs of 97% of Scottish households last year


(6)

Researchers Discover How to Use Living Plants to Generate Usable Electricity

Plant-e’s technology is the first to produce electricity from plants without damaging them.

Plant-e is a Dutch company

Soon a Woman On Canadian Bill

Finance Minister Bill Morneau confirmed that Canada’s next set of new banknotes will feature a woman. The surprise announcement coincided with an Ottawa press conference celebrating International Women’s Day.



"Anne of Green Gables"


"Anne of Green Gables" is not a historical person, but is nevertheless an important one. She's the titular protagonist of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel about an orphan girl who is sent to live on a farm on Prince Edward Island.

Louise Arbour
Former Supreme Court of Canada judge and High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations.

Margaret Atwood
Celebrated author behind works such as "The Handmaid's Tale" and the "MaddAddam Trilogy."

Roberta Bondar
Canada's first female astronaut. Second Canadian astronaut in space.

Kim Campbell
Canada's first female prime minister.

Emily Carr
One of Canada's most famous painters, responsible for works depicting Pacific Northwest settings such as "Big Raven."

Sheila Fraser

Former auditor-general of Canada, responsible for a report on the Sponsorship Scandal which played a role in the eventual toppling of the Liberal government.

Agnes MacPhail
The first woman ever elected to Canada's House of Commons.

Beverley McLachlin
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Joni Mitchell
Canadian folk singer respected the world over for songs such as "Both Sides, Now."

Lucy Maud Montgomery
Author of "Anne of Green Gables" and other literary works.

Alanis Morissette
Former teenage dance-pop artist who would go on to record as an alternative musician, topping the charts with hits such as "You Oughta Know" and "Ironic."

Alice Munro
Nobel and Giller Prize-winning author of short-story collections such as "Open Secrets," "Runaway" and "The View from Castle Rock."

Anne Murray
This country music artist is the first ever Canadian woman to attain gold record status in the United States.

Jeanne Sauve
The first female to serve as governor-general of Canada.

Laura Secord
A prominent figure in the War of 1812, Laura Secord is known for walking an enormous length to warn James FitzGibbon that the Americans planned a surprise attack on a British outpost.

Emily Stowe
The first woman to practise medicine in Canada, and a suffragette.

Harriet Tubman
Known as a "conductor" of the Underground Railroad, Tubman escaped slavery in the U.S. and helped hundreds of slaves to freedom in Canada and the Northern states.

Shania Twain
Canadian country and pop music star, famous for hits such as "Man! I Feel Like a Woman."

Hayley Wickenheiser
Four-time Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player.

All good candidates. But my personal choice is:

Political activist Nellie McClung was one of the strongest voices of the women's suffrage movement across Canada. She helped stage a mock parliament in Manitoba in 1914, that satirized what people claimed were the dangers of allowing women to vote and helping win support for the campaign.

Statedinner - JustinTrudeau

The state dinner — the first for a Canadian prime minister since Bill Clinton extended an invitation to his golfing buddy, Jean Chrétien, in 1997.

We need basic income in Canada

Basic income, also known as a guaranteed annual income.

Canadians face immense challenges. Many families struggle to pay the rent; they can’t afford their children’s school supplies or school trips. Many rely on donations at the food bank just to feed their families.

In numbers, one in seven Canadians live in poverty. That’s over five million people — including over one million children. And there are an estimated 150,000 - 300,000 people homeless. Last year close to 900, 000 Canadians used food banks every month, with over one third of those children.

We also have increasing income and wealth inequality that is changing the core of our society. The Conference Board of Canada gave Canada a “C” grade for inequality, ranking us 12th out of 17 countries studied.

But why a basic income?

What we have done for far too long is simply not working. Even with all the social supports in place, the resulting income is often only enough to maintain a family in poverty. At their worst, existing policies and programs actually entrap people in poverty.

This is why we need a new way.

http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a33?RT=TABLE&themeID=3874&spMode=tables&lang=eng

http://homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/how-many-people-are-homeless-canada

https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/Hunger-in-Canada/HungerCount-2015.aspx

CANADA: Poll shows support for Basic Income Guarantee leads opposition by 4 percentage points

This idea is supported by a majority of Canadians, a 2013 Environics poll found. Interestingly, this support does not fall along party lines or political philosophy. People across the political spectrum support a basic income.

In the 1970s, Canada piloted a basic income program known as ‘Mincome,’ in Manitoba, primarily in the town of Dauphin. Research done by Evelyn Forget from the University of Manitoba found that as a result “hospital visits dropped 8.5 per cent. Fewer people went to the hospital with work-related injuries and there were fewer emergency room visits from car accidents and domestic abuse. There were also far fewer mental health visits. 

Poverty is costing us all -- as much as $30 billion a year by one estimate -- by slowing the economy, forcing up our tax bills, increasing health care costs and crime.

On the other hand, the now closed National Council of Welfare put the poverty gap in Canada at $12 billion in 2011. That is what they said it would take to get everyone up to the poverty line.

If these numbers are correct, it’s obvious which one makes more economic sense.

 http://www.oafb.ca/assets/pdfs/CostofPoverty.pdf

The political illiterate

“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in the political events.  He doesn’t know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics. The imbecile doesn’t know that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.”

~ Bertolt Brecht

Canadian Tax cheats

The government made a sweetheart deal with millionaire tax-cheats. This is unacceptable for Canadian taxpayers

Canada Revenue offered amnesty to wealthy KPMG clients in offshore tax 'sham'
Federal authorities demanded secrecy in no-penalty, no-prosecution deal to high net worth Canadians

Does Voting Actually Matter?

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. 
The people who cast the votes decide nothing. 
The people who count the votes decide everything.”

What industries create more jobs in Canada than the oil industry?

Did you know that the beer industry creates way more jobs in Canada than the oil industry?

Should Alberta consider building an oil refinery?

Why is Alberta so opposed to refining bitumen right at the site?

Why Rachel Notley's Alberta NDP is still considering building an oil refinery? 

Ontario Progressive Conservatives' New Logo

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives have unveiled a new party logo as part of their rebranding exercise under new leader Patrick Brown.

The new logo merges a red P and a blue C with a green leaf joining the two letters.

Ontario Conservatives - you have something green stuck in your teeth :

Or you may look at it, this way:

I don't understand how people can think the green in the new Ontario PC logo is pot. Oh, wait...