Greenpeace opposes nuclear energy. Young climate activists say that’s ‘old-fashioned’ – CBC News [2023-09-07]

— Posted inSociety, Technology — 1 min read

Young climate activists in Europe are calling on Greenpeace to drop its “old-fashioned” stance against nuclear energy.

Activists from five EU countries have launched the Dear Greenpeace campaign, asking the well-established environmental organization to get on board with what they see as a necessary tool in the fight against climate change.

“It’s a message of desperation from my generation to theirs,” Ia Aanstoot, an 18-year-old Swedish climate activist, told As It Happens host Nil Köksal.

“We are really, really desperate to have them in the struggle against fossil fuels. And it feels like a betrayal for them to be going up against nuclear power.”

Greenpeace and other critics of nuclear power, meanwhile, say it continues to be too dangerous, polluting, and cost-prohibitive to be a viable solution to the climate crisis.

Read more here:

CBC News
September 7, 2023

Just four organizations bid to operate London’s first homeless hubs – CTV News [2023-09-06]

— Posted inPoverty — 1 min read

Council’s options may be limited when they choose locations and lead agencies to operate the first low-barrier service hubs for Londoners experiencing homelessness.

According to a publicly available list posted on city hall’s Bids and Tenders website, nine organizations participated in a Request for Proposals (RFP) process— but only four submitted a bid.

Agencies that are bidders:

  •  London Health Sciences Centre
  •  CMHA Thames Valley- Addiction and Mental Health Services
  •  Atlohsa Family Healing Services
  •  Youth Opportunities Unlimited

The RFP closed at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept, 5.

After initially participating in the RFP process, Ark Aid Street Mission decided not to submit a bid.

Read more here:

CTV News
September 6, 2023

Dictionary.com embraces ‘they,’ adds hundreds of new words – Mashable [2023-09-06]

— Posted inSociety — 1 min read

The lexicographers and editors at Dictionary.com know a long-lasting trend when they see one.

For its latest update, the digital dictionary will now use the gender-neutral “they” or “their” instead of “he or she” or “his or her” in entries where there’s no reason to be specific about gender, or where the language can be streamlined. In some cases, pronouns will be omitted altogether if they’re unnecessary.

The dictionary-wide change affects hundreds of entries.

For example, the definition of folk singer appeared with binary-gendered pronouns: “a singer who specializes folk songs, usually providing his or her own accompaniment on a guitar.” The new version replaces the pronouns with “their.”

Read more here:

Mashable
September 6, 2023

Elon Musk ‘likes’ trending #BanTheADL posts as white supremacist ad runs on platform – Mashable [2023-09-01]

— Posted inSociety, Technology — 2 min read

Over the past 24 hours, the hashtag has been trending on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The trending hashtag refers to the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish anti-extremism civil rights organization.

Even more concerning is that X owner Elon Musk has signaled support for the attacks against the ADL on the platform.

Within the same time frame, numerous X users have also reported being served an X-approved advertisement on the platform that promotes white supremacy.

It all started on Thursday when ADL Director Jonathan Greenblatt published a post on X which shared that he had a “productive conversation” with the company’s CEO Linda Yaccarino about hate speech on the platform.

“I had a very frank + productive conversation with @LindayaX yesterday about @X, what works and what doesn’t, and where it needs to go to address hate effectively on the platform,” Greenblatt posted in a since-deleted post. “I appreciated her reaching out and I’m hopeful the service will improve. @ADL will be vigilant and give her and @ElonMusk credit if the service gets better… and reserve the right to call them out until it does.”

Read more here:

Mashable
September 1, 2023

‘Life or death’: LGBTQ2 people warn on dangers of school pronoun policy changes – Global News [2023-09-01]

— Posted in2SLGBTQ+, Youth — 1 min read

As debate continues over policies requiring parental consent for youth under 16 to change their name or preferred pronouns in some schools, members of Canada’s LGBTQ2 community say such legislation could put some at risk of abuse, harassment or even homelessness.

The concerns come as Saskatchewan and New Brunswick recently put in place such laws.

When asked earlier this week about whether Ontario will implement similar policies, the province’s education minister said parents should be “fully involved” in “life-changing” decisions involving their children.

But some LGBTQ2 youth say it’s not always an easy conversation to have.

Searlait Finley, a 19-year-old who recently graduated high school in Saskatoon, says while she had a positive experience when she came out to her own parents, not everyone gets that reception.

Read more here:

Global News
September 1, 2023

Saskatchewan, New Brunswick naming changes means ‘life or death’ for trans kids: Ien – CTV News [2023-08-31]

— Posted in2SLGBTQ+, Society, Youth — 1 min read

Canada’s minister for women, gender equality and youth says policies in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick that require parental consent before students under 16 can have schools use their preferred pronouns and names puts transgender and nonbinary kids in a “life-or-death situation.”

And while Marci Ien declined to comment on whether Ottawa sees a role for itself in any potential court challenges, the cabinet minister said the Liberal government is keeping an eye on what unfolds.

“What I can tell you is that we’re watching closely as this develops,” she told The Canadian Press in an interview Wednesday.

“Obviously anything is possible, but I’m not going to comment on anything hypothetical at this time.”

Saskatchewan recently became the second jurisdiction to change its policy around pronoun use and name changes for students younger than 16, making it a rule that teachers must first seek permission from those students’ parents. The provincial government says the change originated out of concerns from parents and a desire to apply one uniform policy across all school divisions.

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CTV News
August 31, 2023

The Mental Illness-Violence Link: What the research shows about a complicated and uncomfortable connection – Psychology Today [2023-08-30]

— Posted inMental Health — 1 min read

The recent shooting in Jacksonville has predictably renewed the public debate on violence and mental illness. The same sequence plays out after every horrible incident: First, there is the accusation, often from right-leaning lawmakers, that mental illness is what is driving our dizzying rate of mass shootings and that more needs to be done to protect the public from dangerous people. Soon following are emphatic statements from mental health advocacy groups that no real association between mental illness and violence exists and that those with mental health problems are far more likely to be victims of violent actions then perpetrators.

These arguments vigorously bounce around for a while on the news cycle and in social media, thoroughly confusing any well-meaning individual who is honestly trying to understand the issue, until the debate just fizzles out (until the next shooting).

Is there any way we can move this discussion forward to a place of real understanding? Actually there is, but it requires a little more time than a soundbite, and a shift from more dogmatic political positions to one that requires a bit of nuance and acceptance of complexity.

Read more here:

Psychology Today
August 30, 2023

24 Sussex may be replaced with new residence for PMs, feds say – Global News [2023-08-29]

— Posted inMiscellaneous — 1 min read

The prime minister’s problem-plagued official residence could be replaced instead of restored, though the government says its plans are not complete.

A spokesperson for Procurement Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said building a new residence is among the options being considered as the department comes up with a plan for the future of 24 Sussex, but any conversations about that are at very early stages.

The minister’s office said it is working with the National Capital Commission to develop a plan that it aims to release soon.

The historic house overlooking the Ottawa River is in dire need of repairs for everything from electrical work to windows, doors and the roof.

A 2021 report estimated it would cost at least $36.6 million just to complete the deferred maintenance on the main residence, which was built in 1868. Bringing it up to code would likely cost millions more.

Read more here:

Global News
August 29, 2023

Ottawa warns LGBTQ travellers they could be hit by U.S. state laws – CBC News [2023-08-29]

— Posted in2SLGBTQ+ — 1 min read

Global Affairs Canada has updated its travel advisory for the United States by warning LGBTQ people that some state laws may affect them on their travels.

“Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws,” said the new advisory, posted Tuesday morning.

The advisory sends visitors to a government web page providing broad information on how members of the community could be targeted while travelling to foreign countries.

That advice tells travellers to beware of laws that criminalize same-sex activities and relationships, or target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

That advice also warns travellers that laws to curb vagrancy and public nuisance incidents could also be used to target them in an effort “to criminalize 2SLGBTQI+ people.”

Read more here:

CBC News
August 29, 2023

Meta’s news block hits Indigenous communities harder, Six Nations publisher says – CBC News [2023-08-29]

— Posted inIndigenous, Technology — 1 min read

The publisher of a First Nations newspaper based in Six Nations of the Grand River, Ont., says she’s “extremely concerned” about the impact on Indigenous communities of Meta blocking news content in Canada.

“In many cases, they’re in very isolated areas and for Facebook to pull a stunt like this, it can cause so many problems for our people to get information to them,” Lynda Powless, publisher of Turtle Island News, told CBC Hamilton.

“First Nations are in precarious positions to begin with … these are communities that just even have problems getting to the internet.”

Meta — which owns Facebook and Instagram — began ending the availability of news on those sites in Canada earlier this summer in response to the passage in June of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which takes effect by the end of this year.

Now links and content shared by Canadian news outlets on Meta’s sites can’t be viewed by people in Canada. Users in Canada also can’t view news from organizations outside of Canada.

Google has threatened similar action.

Read more here:

CBC News
August 29, 2023

Poor mental health, violence among threats to children in Canada: report – CTV News [2023-08-29]

— Posted inMental Health, Poverty, Society, Youth — 1 min read

Unintentional and preventable injuries, poor mental health and violence against children and youth have been identified as some of the top threats to children in Canada, according to a new report from Children First Canada.

Released by the national charitable organization Tuesday, the sixth annual Raising Canada report is based on research conducted by researchers at the University of Calgary, the University of Toronto and McGill University.

Researchers compiled existing data and conducted interviews with youth, parents and subject matter experts to come up with the findings.

“This last year kids have experienced unprecedented challenges due to the ‘tripledemic’ of RSV, Influenza and COVID-19, and they continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic with significant impacts to their mental and physical health,” Sara Austin, founder and CEO of Children First Canada, stated in a news release.

“There is a persistent myth that Canada is one of the best places in the world to raise kids, but the facts show otherwise.”

Read more here:

CTV News
August 29, 2023

Bruce County mayor resigns after accusing First Nation in Ontario of being ‘poor and unclean’ in recording – CBC News [2023-08-29]

— Posted inIndigenous — 1 min read

The mayor of South Bruce Peninsula has resigned after he was caught on tape making racist comments about a nearby First Nation community, the Ontario town announced in a statement Tuesday.

Garry Michi was recorded in an audio clip posted Friday by an anonymous individual questioning the federal government’s decision to fund a water treatment plant on the Chippewas of the Nawash Unceded First Nation, also known as Cape Croker.

The comments drew immediate fire from Indigenous groups that called for Michi’s resignation, which came following an in-camera meeting Tuesday at the township office.

“We would again like to offer our sincere apologies to the people of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and to all First Nations communities,” read a statement issued by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

“The people from local First Nations communities are our neighbours and they are our friends. The town wants to reiterate that it does not support or agree with any of Mr. Michi’s comments posted in an audio clip on Aug. 25, 2023.”

Read more here:

CBC News
August 29, 2023

‘The minister was aware of what we are doing’: St. Thomas’ affordable housing plans making noise across Ontario – CTV News [2023-08-28]

— Posted inHousing — 1 min read

St. Thomas, Ont. is quickly making a name for itself when it comes to provincial leaders.

“That really showed this year at the AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) conference,” said Joe Preston, St. Thomas’ mayor.

“Almost every minister we asked for a deputation with said ‘Yes’. Last time we got three out of eight or something. This time it was seven,” he said.

Premier Doug Ford even gave a shout out to Preston during his opening speech at AMO. Ford referred to Preston as ‘Mayor Let’s Get it Done’.

Preston and other city representatives were thrilled to meet with Steve Clark, minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, who actually was aware of what was happening in his city. He credits local MPP Rob Flack with promoting his riding.

They spoke about new housing development ‘The Station’ and the need for funds to complete ‘Project Tiny Hope’ (PTH).

“[Clark] was well informed on [PTH], and knew where we were with The Station opening,” said Preston.

Read more here:

CTV News
August 28, 2023

Caught on tape: Indigenous groups demand mayor’s resignation following ‘racist’ commentary – CTV News [2023-08-28]

— Posted inIndigenous — 1 min read

“I can understand to be poor, but you can be poor and clean,” is what South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Garry Michi was recorded as saying in an audio clip released to the public via SoundCloud last week.

In the audio recording, uploaded to SoundCloud by user SaubleSam, Michi is questioning the fiscal sense to build a water treatment plant for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation along the Bruce Peninsula, who have been under a boil water advisory since January 2019.

“What I’m saying is where’s all this going to end. 20 or 25 years ago, they put a water treatment plant up at Cape Croker. It got ruined because they didn’t maintain it, now we’ve spent $65 million up there to put hydrants and a new water treatment plant, and 75 per cent of the those houses, I mean, they should be torn down,” Michi said in the recording.

As a result of the recording, which has been authenticated by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula as being from Mayor Garry Michi, the Chippewas of Nawash leadership are calling for his immediate resignation.

Read more here:

CTV News
August 28, 2023

Racism partly to blame for worse health outcomes of Indigenous women: study – Global News [2023-08-28]

— Posted inIndigenous — 1 min read

Racism and the lack of primary care providers mean off-reserve First Nations, Metis and Inuit women and girls have poorer health overall compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts, says a study by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Compared with non-Indigenous females, those in the three distinct groups reported a higher prevalence of diagnosed chronic diseases and worse mental health, including mood or anxiety disorders, says the study, which noted Canada’s colonial history of residential schools, forced or coerced sterilization and destruction of traditional lands.

Researchers used data for all females aged 15 to 55 from the annual Canadian Community Health Survey between 2015 and 2020. That amounted to 6,000 people from the three distinct groups and 74,760 non-Indigenous females, all in their reproductive years.

“Indigenous females waited longer for primary care, more used hospital services for non-urgent care and fewer had consultations with dental professionals,” says the study, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Read more here:

Global News
August 28, 2023

Yale University settles lawsuit alleging it pressured students with mental health issues to withdraw – CTV News [2023-08-26]

— Posted inMental Health — 1 min read

Yale University and a student group announced Friday that they’ve reached a settlement in a federal lawsuit that accused the Ivy League school of discriminating against students with mental health disabilities, including pressuring them to withdraw.

Under the agreement, Yale will modify its policies regarding medical leaves of absence, including streamlining the reinstatement process for students who return to campus. The student group, which also represents alumni, had argued the process was onerous, discouraging students for decades from taking medical leave when they needed it most.

The settlement is a “watershed moment” for the university and mental health patients, said 2019 graduate Rishi Mirchandani, a co-founder of Elis for Rachael, the group that sued. It was formed to help students with mental health issues in honor of a Yale student who took her own life.

Read more here:

CTV News
August 26, 2023

‘Almost died a few times’: Northern Ontario city of Sudbury grapples with opioids – Global News [2023-08-25]

— Posted inSubstance Use — 1 min read

Crystal Plume sits in the shade of a tree near a busy intersection in downtown Sudbury and carefully injects fentanyl into a vein on the back of her hand before licking the speck of blood left behind.

The 36-year-old who regularly panhandles in the northern Ontario city says her substance use disorder has worsened in recent years and she’s lost many friends to opioid overdoses.

“Before there used to be the drunks, the winos, but you don’t see those anymore,” says Plume.

“Everyone is using drugs now. It’s the fastest and easiest way to numb your pain. I was only smoking at first, now I smash it.”

Plume says she turns to opioids as a way to deal with past domestic abuse and other personal trauma. She lives with a friend who also uses opioids and says they’ve both come close to fatal overdoses.

Read more here:

Global News
August 25, 2023

Grab a tissue while you can: Kleenex tissues to be discontinued in Canada – CTV News [2023-08-24]

— Posted inMiscellaneous — 1 min read

Have an issue? Grab a tissue — before they’re pulled off of shelves in Canada.

Kimberly-Clark is discontinuing its consumer facial tissue business in Canada, citing “unique complexities.”

In a written statement issued Thursday, the company confirmed to CTVNews.ca that Kleenex consumer facial tissues would no longer be sold in Canada as of August 2023.

Other products, however, such as Kleenex professional facial products, which are specifically targeted for the business market, Kleenex consumer hand towel products, along with other Kimberly-Clark brands including Cottonelle, Viva, U by Kotex, Poise, Depend , Huggies, Pull-Ups and Goodnites will remain in the Canadian market.

Read more here:

CTV News
August 24, 2023

Ontario cities watching as London rolls out first-of-its-kind homeless response – CBC News [2023-08-23]

— Posted inHousing, Poverty — 1 min read

Municipal leaders dedicated the final day of the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) conference to discuss collaborative solutions to homelessness as a housing crisis continues across the province.

AMO looked to its host London, along with Kingston — two cities that are taking the lead in tackling the situation, while also providing support to the most vulnerable.

London’s soon to be implemented whole of community system response has piqued the interest of other politicians who asked questions about how to enact a similar system in their jurisdictions, according to Mayor Josh Morgan who detailed the plan to delegates on Wednesday.

“I see municipalities united on this issue,” Morgan told reporters. “All through this conference, people are looking at things that London is doing and saying ‘How do we bring those best practices here’? There’s a commitment to supply services to communities where they’re at.”

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CBC News
August 23, 2023

Fail fast— make corrections— move forward: Mayor Morgan’s unvarnished take on rollout of homelessness strategy – CTV News [2023-08-23]

— Posted inHousing, Poverty — 1 min read

Some frank talk by London Mayor Josh Morgan may be aimed at managing community expectations for London’s upcoming Whole of Community Response to Homelessness ahead of a series of public meetings.

On Wednesday, Morgan co-hosted a session in front of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, along with Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, about their communities’ similar homeless strategies that combine low-barrier service hubs and supportive housing units.

Morgan acknowledged the political courage of city council to back a strategy that is still evolving.

“We have to accept that we are playing a game that’s never been played before,” admitted Morgan in a matter-of-fact tone. “That means we are going to make a mistake. And we are going to get criticized, fairly heavily at times, for that mistake.”

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CTV News
August 23, 2023