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Health Canada isn’t helping Canadians cut salt intake
Friday, April 20th, 2012
Apr 19 2012
… why here in Canada is our fast food even more sodium-laden than in other countries? … Health Canada has indeed recognized that our sodium-rich foods are putting our health at risk. So what does this government agency do to help Canadians reach recommended targets? Not much… the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will no longer police food labels. It’s just the latest in a number of moves that appear to be putting corporate health before the health of Canadians… With the government relinquishing its watchdog status, there is nothing to motivate companies to correct inaccurate and potentially misleading information that may make their products appear healthier.
Tags: Health, ideology, standard of living
Posted in Health Policy Context | No Comments »
It would help if Andrea Horwath had a billionaire onside
Friday, April 20th, 2012
Apr 19 2012
Conservatives have managed to peddle policy changes — notably tax cuts for the rich — that offer no benefit to ordinary citizens and in fact undermine public welfare by depriving government of revenue needed for social programs. They’ve pulled this off partly by being sneaky, but also by forcefully defending their positions. This has enabled them to present themselves as tough and principled — even when there’s no principle beyond enriching themselves and their allies — giving them an aura of strong leadership. By contrast, their opponents have often come across as unable or unwilling to articulate the case for progressive policies.
Tags: budget, ideology, standard of living, tax
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
Why economically troubled nations should emulate Germany
Friday, April 20th, 2012
Apr 19 2012
German industry is no less productive and innovative than its top peers, including Korea, Japan and the U.S. Yet organized labour in Germany has long had a significant role in corporate governance, as members of corporate supervisory boards. And Germany has long required employers to provide mandatory five-week vacations to workers… Germany… has not attempted, simplistically and foolishly, to slash its way back to robust health. Indeed, that Germany remains in robust economic health is a vindication of the social-welfare state.
Tags: economy, ideology, participation, standard of living
Posted in Policy Context | 1 Comment »
The uphill battle to save democracy in Canada
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
Apr 18 2012
“People blame Parliament for being dysfunctional, but I think it’s really our political parties that are the issue”… Loat says individuals should take full advantage of today’s social media, which has made it easier to engage like-minded citizens. Loat says it is critical to understand that politicians are now starting to pay far greater attention to Twitter and Facebook than just about any other media outlet. By themselves, these suggestions won’t change the status quo. Neither will individuals working in isolation.
Tags: participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Inclusion Debates | No Comments »
The increasing inequality gap
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Apr 14 2012
We know for a fact that there is a direct correlation between levels of income and the rate of poverty, chronic disease, addiction, mental illness and incarceration… The fastest way to close the inequality gap is by making our taxation system fairer. A slight increase on the wealthiest, as suggested by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, is a step in the right direction. – / – I don’t begrudge Ontario’s millionaires their millions. But I also don’t think it’s too much to ask them to pay a little more when so many in the province have been asked to sacrifice so much. To me it’s a question of fairness.
Tags: budget, ideology, poverty, standard of living, tax
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
Injection sites should be supported
Sunday, April 15th, 2012
Apr 14 2012
Those in the policing community who oppose these sites should reconsider the horrific consequences of their opposition to a proven, cost-effective, evidence-based program that reduces the harmful side effects of drug use, and in the process enhances the safety of police officers and other emergency workers… It is about time we start treating drug use and drug addiction for what it is, namely a public health problem.
Tags: crime prevention, Health, ideology, mental Health, rights, standard of living
Posted in Child & Family Debates | No Comments »
At 30, the Charter of Rights has reshaped our society, for the better
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Apr 14 2012
[It] transformed us from being a parliamentary democracy to a constitutional one… At root, the Charter empowers the people… That is its great, enduring value… Under a series of vigilant judges who did not hesitate to strike down bad laws, or to “read in” rights when justice required, the Charter has come to affect most aspects of our lives. As Justice Claire L’Heureux-Dubé once put it, memorably, the Charter “stretched the cords of liberty” and enfranchised us all.
Tags: featured, ideology, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality Policy Context | No Comments »
Is it time for tougher standards on political marketing and advertising in Canada?
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Apr 13 2012
It’s a case of double standards or, more to the point, one standard for the private sector, none for politics. Canada’s political parties don’t have to adhere to the advertising code that protects Canadians from false, misleading or offensive pitches in the private sector. Give someone a black eye in commercial advertising, in other words, and face formal sanction. Give your political opponent a black eye, though, and you could just end up with more votes.
Tags: ideology, participation, rights
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Funding cuts could unshackle Canadian civil society
Saturday, April 14th, 2012
Apr 14 2012
… the Conservatives may have done Canada a favour. Deprived of federal funding, independently-minded activists will have to learn new ways of ethically raising money from individuals, communities, and businesses. By multiplying their revenue sources, social justice groups will reduce their vulnerability to single-source arm-twisting. By going private, they will no longer have to worry about offending government ministers. This new, American-style approach to promoting social justice could be a good thing.
Tags: budget, ideology, participation, rights
Posted in Inclusion Debates | No Comments »
Liberals warn teachers, doctors over pay
Friday, April 13th, 2012
Apr 12 2012
Mired in debt and at risk of an election by late May, Ontario’s minority Liberal government took dead aim at teachers and doctors Thursday in a bid for public support to keep their wage hike demands to zero. Education Minister Laurel Broten warned elementary teachers of 10,000 layoffs unless they accept a pay freeze while Health Minister Deb Matthews told physicians “I am here to stand up for taxpayers.”
Tags: budget, economy, tax
Posted in Debates | No Comments »
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