Over 80% of the GHGs driving dangerous climate change are caused by the burning of fossil fuels. We need to replace fossil fuels with clean energy. Electrification is the best option to replace fossil energy. We need to expand our grid capacity and remove barriers to clean renewable generation. Without expanded interprovincial electricity transmission, provinces like Saskatchewan will not develop its world class solar and wind resources. The federal government can remove the barriers to clean energy by strengthening interprovincial transmissions by building the Clean Energy Corridor from coast to coast. This is a national project akin to building the railroad: Electric Federalism provides the path to a Net-Zero future!

We all – the desperate patients, the burned out nurses, the struggling doctors, the other healthcare workers, researchers, and administrators, even the politicians and, certainly, the voters – know that a remedy is urgently needed for the crisis in the health care system. Dangerously overstretched nurses, doctors, and paramedics, closed Emergency Rooms, the chronic shortage of family doctors, the migration of burned out medical professionals – especially nurses – to the private sector or to retirement, the failure to collect and transparently share data that reports resource levels and medical outcomes to allow Canadians to assure themselves that the system is working. These are just some of the issues that need attention and support. Canadians have long believed that healthcare is a right and are baffled that this situation has been allowed to develop. It is more than time that our elected leaders fulfill their responsibilities and solve the health care funding impasse.

If these planned changes occur, commercial aircraft will fly directly over our homes at 6,000 feet or less. This will occur 24 hours per day based on their plans. This website explains the imperative: https://nooverflights.com/

"Libs of TikTok" is a very large social media account run by Chaya Raichik - and she also maintains a store through Ottawa-based Shopify. Rather than try to describe Raichik and her work, let's just review her own words and news coverage: - She has openly described herself as a "stochastic terrorist" on her Twitter profile. [1] - On Tucker Carlson's show, she said: "The LGBTQ community has become this cult" and "they brainwash people to join". She went on to say "It's unlike anything we've ever seen I think. It's extremely poisonous." Prompted by Carlson to explain why, she said - and I want to stress that I have copied the quote here in its entirety and verbatim - "I think they're evil. And sometimes we try to break it down a lot, we discuss why this is happening, what's happening and whatever, and I think sometimes the simplest answer is, like, they're just evil. They're bad people. They're just evil people. And they want to groom kids. They're recruiting." [2] - She made national headlines after her account shared false information about gender-affirming care at Boston Children's hospital, which then received a massive volume of hate mail, threatening phone calls, and a bomb threat. This followed earlier incidents where her account tweeted about a children's hospital in Nebraska which hosted an information booth at a Pride event, and another instance where the account tweeted about a children's hospital in Pittsburgh which had created an informational video about puberty blockers - in both cases, these tweets were followed by waves of harassment directed to those hospitals accounts, and received comments such as "Pedophiles" and "We will destroy you". [3] The "pedophiles" comment may refer to Raichik's constant use of the word "grooming" to imply that any time LGBTQ+ people are in any way visible to children, they are "grooming" those children to become LGBTQ+. The Anti-Defamation League has explained that this is a false and malicious narrative, with the term "groomer" weaponized to equate LGBTQ+ people with pedophiles and demonize them. [4] It is this weaponized, malicious term which adorns all of the products that Raichik sells through Shopify. [5] Shopify has a clear policy against stores that promote hate, under which it has removed stores and products from groups like Proud Boys, QAnon, even former President Trump. [6] Raichik isn't slipping under the radar, though; Shopify is well aware of her account, and has indicated that it won't withdraw her store, and accepts businesses "with various worldviews". [7] However, the founder of Check My Ads, an adtech disinformation watchdog, has reported that multiple sources have indicated to her that the COO of Shopify, Kaz Nejatian, was personally stepping in to protect certain Spotify accounts. [8] Nejatian is no stranger to right-wing politics; he was formerly a staffer in Immigration Minister (and later Alberta Premier) Jason Kenney's office. [9] He is also one of the original board members of the True North Centre for Public Policy, a digital media platform which partnered with Rebel Media to take the Trudeau government to court, and whose Editor-In-Chief is Candice Malcom - Nejatian's spouse. [10] Despite the above reporting, we can't know the real reason Shopify continues to allow Raichik to sell her merchandise prominently labeled with a term that the ADL reports is used explicitly to demonize the LGBTQ+ community, and which the ADL also confirms leads to targeted violence and harassment (harassment and bullying are against the Shopify Acceptable Use Policy, as is promoting or condoning hate or violence against people based on gender, sexual orientation, or "other forms of discriminatory intolerance". What we can know is this: Chaya Raichik openly calls the LGBTQ+ community "evil people". We know she uses her very large platform to spread demonstrably false information about the LGBTQ+ community. We know that when she does, targeted harassment and threats have been shown to follow. And we know that Shopify is providing her with the means to make money from her actions. It's time for Shopify to make up their minds. Either they lose Raichik's business - or they lose ours. Sign the petition calling on Shopify to end their business relationship with Raichik and close her store. On March 1st, we will deliver the petition to Shopify and give them one month to close the account. If they do not do so by March 31st - International Transgender Day of Visibility - we will launch a nationwide boycott campaign, targeting Shopify and its top customers. Raichik is based in the US. Maybe she thinks that using a Canadian company helps insulate her from responses by her US-based critics. Maybe she's right. But this is *our* turf. And in the Canada we work towards, hate is not a for-profit enterprise. We will not stand aside while the LGBTQ+ community is under attack. It starts by signing your name. It ends by taking Raichik's store off of Shopify - and rising up, together, for decency, dignity, and solidarity. [1] https://xtramagazine.com/culture/shopify-selling-hate-libs-of-tiktok-241436 [2] https://twitter.com/Esqueer_/status/1607741993089892353?s=20&t=MhqVf1QRma__2Nfw35P9ig [3] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/boston-childrens-hospital-warns-employees-far-right-online-harassment-rcna43376 [4] https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/what-grooming-truth-behind-dangerous-bigoted-lie-targeting-lgbtq-community [5] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lgbtq-activists-libs-of-tik-tok-shopify-1.6662359 [6] See 5 [7] See 5 [8] https://twitter.com/nandoodles/status/1596271991694278656?s=20&t=5-3_0G-f1iEvwk0lNCZgXw [9] https://dailyhive.com/calgary/premier-kenneys-e-commerce-posts-spark-online-backlash [10] https://pressprogress.ca/right-wing-media-outlet-accredited-for-leaders-debate-is-also-registered-as-a-charity-for-immigrants/

Some of the drugs currently in short supply are crucial for maintaining the health of Canadians. Parents who have searched pharmacy aisles unsuccessfully for medication to bring down their child's fever know how serious this situation is. One of the drugs I use to control my moderately severe case of restless legs, ropinirole, can't be obtained in Canada now. My doctor has prescribed a similar drug, pramipexole, which most Canadians on ropinirole will now be taking. How long will it take before there's a short supply of this drug too? This drug is also used to decrease the symptoms of Parkinson Disease. These drugs are needed not only for quality of life, but are essential in ensuring I and many others can sleep at night. It doesn't take many days without sleep before people become psychotic and then die. Prime Minister Trudeau has likened the drug shortages to a shortage of oranges, clearly having no understanding of the seriousness of the situation. This shortage is turning Canada into a third world country. It's critical that Canada do something about it!

We all deserve to lead happy fulfilling lives and none of us should have to worry about our most basic needs. Canada is a very rich country, yet some of our most vulnerable citizens cannot afford some of the most basic necessities of life. A large number of people on ODSP cannot afford to regularly eat and have to make devastating choices each month like whether to pay rent/utilities or to buy groceries. A shocking number of people on ODSP are homeless. We could choose to take care of the most vulnerable now and it should be an easy choice. Recipients of CERB got $2000 a month. Odsp should be at least equal to what CERB was. Let's not sweep this issue under the rug any longer. It's an atrocity that Canadian prisoners are better looked after than those with disabilities. Let's take action today and raise ODSP recipients out of poverty.

This issue was brought to my attention when learning that my Uncle Ken, who is living off of ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program) due to his chronic disability of Multiple Sclerosis, cannot access affordable internet. Unfortunately, there is a significant lack of affordable internet options for those on ODSP or other similar provincial support programs across Canada.  For those who are already at a disadvantage, not being able to afford the internet leaves them more isolated and exacerbates their vulnerability. To access virtual programs and services in the community, internet service is required. The people who need these services the most are the ones who cannot afford to participate. The safety and well-being of recipients and their families rests on their ability to access information, connect with loved ones, attend support programs virtually, as well as attend medical and other necessary appointments. There are peer support, social programs and counseling services currently offered virtually and these are a lifeline to those who live alone and suffer a disability. As the pandemic has shown us, access to the internet is essential and a human right. At a time when MAID is free but the cost of living is so high, equitable access to services is essential if we are to value the lives of our most vulnerable.

Doug Ford lied. Last month he tabled a piece of legislation — Bill 23 — to eviscerate our pristine Greenbelt, breaking his promise to leave it alone. [1] This bill is an attack on the environment and democracy — all under the guise of expanding housing. [2] Bill 23 would allow Ford to take 7,400 acres of farmland and natural areas and strip environmental protections that protect wildlife, keep our drinking water safe, guard wetlands, and ensure flood protection. [3] To pave over our Greenbelt, Ford is undermining the planning power of municipalities, forgoing requirements for public meetings and overriding the ability of communities to appeal decisions. [4] And housing experts and advocates have been clear: with a focus on making money, the bill will actually limit the ability to build new affordable rental housing and jeopardize the affordable housing that exists. [5,6] All the while, corporate land developers are set to profit big from this plan. [7] Public outrage is growing — and there’s still time to stop this Bill from going through. Will you sign this petition to help show mass public support and demand Bill 23 is stopped? Sources: [1] https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/11/04/ontario-backtracks-on-greenbelt-pledge-with-plan-to-allow-housing-on-7400-acres.html [2] https://ontarionature.org/bill-23-what-you-need-to-know-blog/ [3] https://www.nationalobserver.com/2022/11/10/opinion/sacrificing-ontario-scarce-green-space-sprawl-giant-mistake [4] see 2 [5] https://acorncanada.org/take_action/doug-fords-bill-23-destroys-existing-affordable-housing-builds-more-luxury-condos-scrap-it-now/ [6] https://uwaterloo.ca/news/media/q-and-experts-more-homes-built-faster-act-or-bill-23 [7] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gta-developers-own-greenbelt-land-swap-1.6648273

The locations for these "developments" have been chosen solely based on the, suddenly reduced, assessed price of the land and no other considerations. Deals are being made without due diligence behind closed doors. All efforts to question these decisions are met with silence from the government and developers. Thousands of Nova Scotians are protesting these maneuvers, yet no explanation of the method behind this madness has been offered.

Ultimately, locals and visitors who read the current Cadboro Bay signs as their only knowledge of the site are missing pieces of its history. We believe that updating this sign will promote truthful conversations about our colonial past and present, and plant seeds for a decolonial future.

Right now, there is no program like it available and a full-time caregiver like me do not get any financial support for taking care of a disabled senior parent. Turning to Ontario Work for a little bit of support is only temporary as OW is not for caregivers. Some nations like Australia and Europe offer similar programs for caregivers, then why not Canada or Provinces or Municipals.

I hope you join me in this campaign. I'm asking for your help. I have heard from many families and vulnerable people now unsure on how they can remain safe this winter, or how to protect their grandparents or their family members. They have to work or go to school, some are low-income seniors unable to afford better masks, or disabled struggling to get by and laughing at the idea that they can afford better masks. I hear from vulnerable people concerned that others around them are maskless and coughing or ill. Some don't even know there are better masks. They need our help now. They deserve health equity. And if provincial mask mandates come this fall or winter, which I expect, let's make them work better. You can help by signing this petition. If you want to learn more about masks and N95 respirators, you can check out the pinned thread at the top of my twitter page, Bill Comeau @Billius27.