The Toronto Police Department is the single largest line item in the city budget - and they've asked for another large increase this year. But a recently concluded 10 year study of Toronto and other Canadian police forces thoroughly demonstrated that there is *no* correlation between police spending and reductions in crime. [1] In other words: spending more money on policing is not an effective way to address public safety concerns. Instead, Council should make investment in programs proven to enhance public safety by tackling the causes of crime - poverty, isolation, lack of opportunity - instead of the symptoms. Even leading police officers admit that this is a more effective approach. [2] Toronto is facing a budget crunch as it is. We can't afford to waste money on interventions that have been demonstrated not to work. Don't fall for the fearmongering and the slick PR. It's time to get real about crime by addressing the causes, instead of wasting money on symptomatic treatment. No more police budget increases; put the money into programs that work. Sources: [1] Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/police-spending-has-no-consistent-correlation-with-lower-crime-rates-new-canadian-study-says/article_eedff7f4-b3b9-11ee-81a9-ffea73dd6f71.html [2] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/18/tackle-poverty-and-inequality-to-reduce-says-police-chief

Sudanese people cannot continue to fight the RSF and SAF alone, the international community must support Sudanese liberation. They want to live free of violent and oppressive military-rule. A humanitarian catastrophe is growing with the following simultaneous crises: - 24.7 million are in need of CRITICAL humanitarian support - 70-80% of hospitals are out of service in conflict areas - Reported widespread rape and sexual violence are being used as a weapon of war against Sudanese women and children - 20.3 million people are critically food insecure - 19 million children are out of school

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Given concerns relating to misinformation, negative impacts on our society and democracy, impact on mental health, privacy, etc. it is imperative for us to move away from Facebook. And, progressive advocacy, environmental and humanitarian organizations such as Leadnow, CARE Canada, Oxfam, David Suzuki Foundation, Nature Conservancy, Nature Canada, etc. should lead the charge. They can do this by exploring ethical alternatives to Facebook and increasing their presence on these platforms. This could slowly draw people to more ethical platforms.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Tout est dit plus haut. Merci!

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. While I condemn and mourn the 1,200 people killed in the Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, I am deeply unsettled knowing that at least 17,487 Palestinians have been killed since then and that number continues to rise daily. Aid agencies warn that a humanitarian disaster in Gaza is worsening by the hour with most of its 2.3 million people homeless and trapped in a tiny, embattled coastal enclave, with little food, water, medical care, fuel or secure shelter. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. In a December 9, 2023 statement, Doctors Without Borders writes, "Israel has continued to indiscriminately attack civilians and civilian structures, impose a siege that amounts to collective punishment for the entire population of Gaza, force mass displacement, and deny access to vital medical care and humanitarian assistance...For humanitarians to be able to respond to the overwhelming needs, we need a ceasefire now." One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, many municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on your local Mayor and council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on Mayor Bob Wells and Courtenay City Council to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.

Over the past days and weeks, I have watched with profound grief as the civilian death toll in Gaza has mounted. After a promised pause, the Israeli military has resumed attacks on the people of Gaza. It is more clear now than ever before that what we really need is a permanent ceasefire. One way we can do that is to get more prominent politicians into the fray. Already, some municipal politicians have called on the Canadian government to support a permanent ceasefire. The more decision-makers who add their voices, the more pressure there will be on the federal government. Add your name to call on Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Councillors to come out in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza now.