This is an affront to the beliefs of many who work to prevent the unnecessary suicide deaths of those suffering from such conditions as PTSD. I myself am recovering from PTSD and would not have the life I have now with my family if I had allowed myself to succumb to the temptation of suicide as a resolution. I understand that MAID will make it that those considering suicide may be more open to speaking with their doctor about these issues but without the proper tools and resources to refer patients to affordable mental health care ... suicide will look like the only option beyond more and more medications.

While we welcome the news of free dental care for low-income communities, we wish the Liberals and NDP had more ambition — to make dental care universal and accessible to everyone who needs it. Imagine you've had tooth pain for months now but you don't have private insurance or thousands of dollars to spare for treatment. The same bacteria that causes the toothache can travel through your body and lead to serious health conditions — like heart attacks. [3,4] If you agree everyone deserves to have access to good quality dental care regardless of how much they make, add your name to the petition now. Sources: [1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeu-jagmeet-singh-deal-government-1.6393021 [2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/dental-care-life-threatening-conditions-1.6397395 [3] see [2] [4] https://bc.ctvnews.ca/this-is-amazing-vancouver-dentist-likes-new-federal-program-but-questions-remain-1.5830465

Right now, we have a key opportunity to change the reckless actions of the oil and gas industry. The federal government is currently looking at a new policy — called an “emissions cap” — that could totally shift the game. [1] If done right, it could actually force oil and gas companies to wind down oil and gas production urgently, in line with the science. But only if it's done right. The oil and gas lobby is already trying to water down the cap on emissions, knowing the threat it represents to their profits. [2] We cannot stay silent. Together, we can show the government that the public demands bold and necessary action to address this climate crisis—and that the era of big oil and gas is over. Sign our petition now. Sources: [1] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/04/its-over-for-fossil-fuels-ipcc-spells-out-whats-needed-to-avert-climate-disaster [2] https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/

If you, yourself or if you know a friend or family member who had COVID and had suffered with the mild to moderate symptoms for weeks OR knew a friend or family member who went to the hospital and nearly died, perhaps they were mentally impacted by the experience and would value this level of support missing in the mental health system.

The cost of groceries, bills, and rent is skyrocketing. For the millions of Canadians with disabilities who are forced to rely on an inadequate fixed income, it means that making ends meet is a struggle. Putting more money in the pockets of people with disabilities is a crucial first step to ensuring everyone can meet their basic needs, put food on the table, and keep a roof over their heads. And in 2020, the federal government promised a new Canadian Disability Benefit [1] — but so far it’s failed to materialize. Here’s where you come in: On April 7, the federal government will release its budget: a crucial roadmap that determines where to spend money over the next year. [2] It’s the exact place where the government could turn their promise of the Canadian Disability Benefit into action, but so far they haven’t indicated whether there’ll be money in the budget for the new benefit or not. As the Finance Minister is getting ready to release the budget, a flood of emails from thousands of us could send a loud and clear message that Ontarians expect funding for the Canadian Disability Benefit in the budget. It could force her to think twice about releasing a budget without support for people with disabilities — but only if enough of us speak out. Send a message now. Sources [1] https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2022/03/07/disability-should-not-equal-poverty.html [2] https://financialpost.com/news/economy/federal-budget-to-be-delivered-on-april-7

Climate change is destroying the world piece by piece and taking hundreds of lives with it. Vicious floods and hurricanes, lethal droughts and heat waves, dying coral reefs, horrendous wildfires; these are just a taste of what's in store for the planet and everyone on it if nothing is done. We are in a code red; if action is not taken, it will only get worse and soon be too late! It is critical that bold action is taken now to reverse this catastrophe and one vital step is the transition away from fossil fuels of all kinds. Right now, progress is being made at a snail's pace, with corporations and government not understanding the seriousness of the situation. That's not fast enough! It's time they pick up the pace! My hope is that this campaign will encourage one of the biggest carbon polluters, heavy industries, to jump start their efforts and make real change towards a brighter future. This planet is my home, our home, and I can't just stand by and watch it be destroyed and watch everyone suffer along the way.

In over 2,000 classrooms province-wide, the FortisBC Energy Leaders curriculum is teaching children that natural gas is a “clean-burning fossil fuel” and a renewable alternative to coal and gas. FortisBC’s curriculum is certifiably false. Scientists consider natural gas a major driver of climate change. In fact, natural gas is on par with coal due to emissions that escape in its extraction process. And not only does FortisBC’s curriculum lie about the devastating climate impacts of natural gas; it also side-steps any discussion of viable energy alternatives like wind or solar, and skips over the devastating health impacts of fracking on communities in B.C. and abroad. The FortisBC curriculum is being peddled to overworked B.C. school teachers via work emails and trade shows, many of whom lack up-to-date educational resources on our province’s energy. This is a system failure. The climate crisis is here, and its impacts are undeniable: destructive flooding, deadly forest fires, and unprecedented heat waves. With the clock ticking down, our education system should be teaching our kids about ways to tackle the climate crisis—not make it worse. The fossil fuel industry has no place in B.C. classrooms. We join with CAPE (Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment), who released an open letter this week signed by over 100 health, educator, student, environment and community organizations, to end fossil fuel promotion in the province’s schools. [3] The B.C. government is already feeling the heat—but a massive petition could ramp up the pressure and force them to permanently ban corporate-created curriculum. Sign the petition now! SOURCES [1] https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/sailing-nowhere-liquefied-natural-gas-report.pdf [2] https://cape.ca/action/ban-fossil-fuel-promotion-in-bc-schools/ [3] see [2]

The poisoned drug supply has affected people and communities across Canada. No region or demographic group remains untouched. Many young people are being taken from us too early, but our legislators have the power to stop this! After Portugal decriminalized possession, deaths due to drug use dropped by 80%. We have the information, the expertise and the resources to stop these deaths. We just need our politicians to recognize the value of every life and change the policies that are killing people.

We are at a critical point in history. The protection of human rights is a battle, which, when lost, is punishing to reclaim. We must stand strong for everyone. No-one must be left behind. The world cannot be run by bullies, sociopaths and thieves.

Improving children's and teenagers mental health in Ontario: Mental health has been around for century's and has continued to affect children and teenagers physical and mental well-being. Research conducted by Garcia & Elliott states that the closures of schools are impacting the learning and retention of previously taught material for children and teenagers. The closures of schools are impacting children’s and teenager’s mental health as they are feeling less confident in their work and feeling a lack of motivation which then creates children and teenagers wanting to give up on life. Perhaps enforcing schools to be open and finding different support systems within the schools, will help improve children’s and teenager’s mental health during covid-19. With schools being closed for a long period of time and now reopening has caused many children and teens feeling depressed and an increase of their anxiety as they don't know what to expect next. There needs to be better support systems for children and teenagers in our Ontario community today, if not it will continue to become worse and nothing will change but the lives of our future children and teens. Lets be the change in our community and use our voices to help support children and teenagers who are suffering in silence with mental health damage inside.

Vladimir Putin's sudden, unprovoked and brutal launching of a war on Ukraine is an atrocity happening in real time. Putin has expressed that he believes the Ukraine is "historically Russian territory" - and he has backed his words with armed military assault across the length and breadth of the nation. (1,2) While the world reels and looks for ways to sanction Russia, Ukrainians are suffering and dying in their homes. Canada must lead the way in offering solace and safety to the persecuted innocents of Ukraine. We must immediately create a priority path to refugee status for all Ukrainians impacted by the war criminal Putin's aggression, and waive all fees to entry. Canada has created priority refugee paths before for those affected by violence (3). We must do so again, for all Ukrainians whose lives have been upended by hostile invasion. Canada can and must lead by example. While the world looks for ways to bring peace and security back to Europe, Canada can offer our own peace and security to the Ukrainians who have just had it ripped away at the point of a bayonet. Prime Minister Trudeau: lead by example and expedite a fee-free, priority path for Ukrainian refugees immediately. Sources: 1. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/putin-russia-ukraine-history-speech-rcna17132 2. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-vladimir-putin-moscow-66891d68fe3d51fbed4b1758cc49d501 3. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/afghans-canada/priority-processing.html

We largely have Robert "Bicycle Bob" Silverman to thank that today Montreal is ranked the best city in North America for bicycling. There were basically no bike facilities here in 1975 when Silverman co-founded the bike advocacy group, Le Monde à Bicyclette. Nor were local authorities receptive to improving things. When bridge and metro authorities refused to let cyclists cross the St. Lawrence River, Silverman called a press conference and came dressed as Moses, asking the Almighty to part the river waters. This stunt earned him front section coverage in major daily newspapers, helping to sway public opinion in favour of bicyclists’ rights. Opening bridges and the metro to cyclists were among Silverman´s many successes over decades of work. He also went to jail for “illegally” painting some of the first bike lanes in Montreal, a city that now boasts almost 1,000km of bike lanes and paths. Silverman was involved in much more than just urban cycling. As one example, he helped organize some of the first outdoor volleyball courts in Montreal, promoting a cooperative and inclusive sport. Like bicycling, outdoor volleyball has now grown popular. Silverman gave much to Montreal, yet lived precariously for many years without much money. Now, it is time for Montreal to return the favour and publicly recognize the life work of this great man. We largely have Robert "Bicycle Bob" Silverman to thank that today Montreal is ranked the best city in North America for bicycling. There were basically no bike facilities here in 1975 when Silverman co-founded the bike advocacy group, Le Monde à Bicyclette. Nor were local authorities receptive to improving things. When bridge and metro authorities refused to let cyclists cross the St. Lawrence River, Silverman called a press conference and came dressed as Moses, asking the Almighty to part the river waters. This stunt earned him front section coverage in major daily newspapers, helping to sway public opinion in favour of bicyclists’ rights. Opening bridges and the metro to cyclists were among Silverman´s many successes over decades of work. He also went to jail for “illegally” painting some of the first bike lanes in Montreal, a city that now boasts almost 1,000km of bike lanes and paths. Silverman was involved in much more than just urban cycling. As one example, he helped organize some of the first outdoor volleyball courts in Montreal, promoting a cooperative and inclusive sport. Like bicycling, outdoor volleyball has now grown popular. Silverman gave much to Montreal, yet lived precariously for many years without much money. Now, it is time for Montreal to return the favour and publicly recognize the life work of this great man.