~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1999, the United Nations condemned Ontario for publicly funding the education
system of one faith and no other.

http://www.educationfairness.ca/ads/PrintAd1.pdf


ULC Charter
http://blog.documents.angelfire.com/ULCharter.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indecency Rules & Profanity News
http://www.congoo.com/news/related?channel_id=1&story_id=38929965

Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council
Statement of Principles and Practices
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/corp/CTVShows/20031023/corp-StatePP


<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>


~ new age spiritual multifaith & non-denominational

http://www.omc.ca

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«


Bookmark:
AngelGoddess Newsmuse
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/angelgoddess-newsmuse
ProBono/PSA Newsgroups -
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/aicap-aifap
                                 /activist-newsmuse
                                 /itech-cyberlaw
                                 /celebrity-busts
                                 /cfs-melatonin
                                 /psych-meds-ingredient-concerns
                                 /yogaandmeditation

   ^..^  ^..^  ^..^  ^..^ ^..^ ^..^

                            \0/
                            /|\




Friends are quiet angels, who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble
remembering how to FLY....

(\( )/)

<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>

"we have to do the best we can. this is our sacred human responsibility" -
albert einstein

<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>


"Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.
--Theodore Roosevelt".

<>--<>--<>--<>-<>--<>--<>--<>--<>-<>--<>--<><>--<>--<>-


Exercising Our First Amendment Rights!
Any attempts to intercept this message violate Title 18 U.S.C. 2511(1) of
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). All violators subject to fines,
imprisonment or civil damages, or both!

ie. LEGAL NOTICE TO ALL CANADIANS/FOREIGNERS
INCARCERATED IN AMERICAN PRISONS
http://www.angelfire.com/mi2/aicap/aicapnotice.html

{obstruction of incoming legal mail/monthly list reminder file}



========================================================================

From:   "Canadian Club of Toronto"

Subject: Partner Event with Power of Women- Oprah's Lifeclass The Tour

Date:   Fri 03/02/12 01:03 PM


Oprah's Lifeclass The Tour
Advance Registration Invitation *100 Tickets Available


Date: April 16, 2012
Time: 8:00AM to 2:00PM
Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building)
Registration by Phone Only: 1-866-883-6568 (Reference Canadian Club of Toronto)


Dear Members & Guests,

On behalf of The Canadian Club of Toronto we are pleased to present you and your
guests with an incredible opportunity.  For the first time ever, Oprah Winfrey
will be broadcasting live in Canada! For a limited time, members and guests of
the Canadian Club of Toronto are able to register tickets for Oprah's Lifeclass
The Tour scheduled in Toronto on Monday April 16th, 2012 at the Metro Toronto
Convention Centre! Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis.

Guest Speakers Include:

• Oprah Winfrey, Philanthropist, Film Actress, Producer and Talk Show Host

• Anthony Robbins, Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author and Peak Performance
Strategist

• Iyanla Vanzant, Best Selling Author and Empowerment Specialist

• Dr. Deepak Chopra, Best Selling Author and Co-Founder of The Chopra Centre for
Wellbeing

• Bishop T.D. Jakes, Best Selling Author, Founder and Senior Pastor of The
Potter's House

Ticket Options:

For a limited time, members and guests of the Canadian Club of Toronto can
register General seating tickets at a rate of $169. Executive tickets are
available at $229. Emerald tickets are available at $395. Prices subject to HST
and $7.50 service charge per transaction.

All sales are final. Speakers and date subject to change. Please note ending
time may vary because this is a live event.

Register by phone only: Call Toll Free 1-866-883-6568 to purchase your tickets.

** The Canadian Club of Toronto is a proud communications partner of this event.
Please call 1-866-883-6568 for more information. **


Canadian Club of Toronto  Phone: 416-364-5590 Fax: 416-364-5676

======================================================================




From:   "Amnesty International USA"

Subject: Don't Miss: Jon Stewart, Kristen Wiig, Coldplay, and more this Sunday!

Date:   Fri 03/02/12 05:51 PM


A Bad Night for Dictators. A Good Night for Free Speech. March 4th.

Psst. The secret's out!

Jon Stewart, Kristen Wiig and Coldplay are just around the corner warming up for
this Sunday's Secret Policeman's Ball in New York City. For just one night at
Radio City Music Hall, a star-studded lineup of musicians and comedy favorites
will pay hilarious tribute to free speech and Amnesty International's human
rights work.

Don't worry about not having tickets because you can laugh along with us in the
comfort of your own home. Watch the Ball live online on EpixHD.com on March 4th,
7PM ET/4PM PT! You'll even be able to chat with other viewers on Twitter during
the show.

So maybe it's not a secret that we at Amnesty International are not the funniest
people around. But thankfully, we've got people like Eddie Izzard, Sarah
Silverman and Russell Brand to be in charge of the funny department this Sunday.

Who else will be around to ruffle some dictator feathers? Seth Meyers, Fred
Armisen, David Cross,and even The Muppets, that's who. And that's just a
fraction of the stars that will be there to crack us up for a good cause.

The only thing serious about The Secret Policeman's Ball is that there is going
to be some serious belly-clutching laughter. You really don't want to miss out.
So tune in Sunday evening for some crazy hilarity in support of our fight for
human rights worldwide!

And don't forget to watch it live on EpixHD.com with your free Epix trial!

The Amnesty Team

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org

======================================================================

Provincial News:
Ontario Developing 'First-ever' Immigration Strategy
Published on Mar 02, 2012 - 03:42 PM

Footnote: Written by: Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

McGuinty Government Establishing An Expert Roundtable On Immigration
To help build a stronger economy, Ontario will develop its first-ever
immigration strategy.

A new expert roundtable, led by Julia Deans, will help develop the strategy and
examine ways that immigration can best support Ontario's economic development
and help new Ontarians find jobs.

Ontario remains the number one destination for newcomers to Canada yet it is the
only province currently without an immigration agreement with the federal
government. The new provincial immigration strategy will help to inform and
shape discussions with the federal government towards an agreement.

Skilled new Ontarians are fundamental to our economic future. That's why the
McGuinty government is calling on the federal government to share responsibility
for immigration so that Ontario and Canada can continue to grow stronger
together.

QUICK FACTS
Ontario receives more immigrants than all the Western provinces, all the
Atlantic provinces and the three territories combined.
Newcomers make up 30 per cent of Ontario's labour force.

In 2001, the Federal Skilled Workers Program accounted for 77 per cent of
economic landings to Canada. By 2010, that number had fallen to 46 per cent.
More than 60 per cent of these newcomers have historically landed in Ontario.

The Federal Skilled Workers Program has a current backlog of over 300,000
applicants - many of whom want to come to Ontario.
The roundtable will consist of business people, employers, academics and other
experts within the field of immigration and labour market needs.

The roundtable will provide its recommendations to the government in summer
2012.

QUOTES

"Both Ontario and Canada have a shared responsibility when it comes to
immigration and helping new Canadians find jobs. When Ontario grows and prospers
so does Canada. That's why the new expert roundtable will help us develop the
first-ever Ontario Immigration Strategy to support our case for an immigration
agreement with the federal government and build a stronger economy."

– Charles Sousa
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration


"As Chair of the expert roundtable, I look forward to exploring ways to maximize
the economic benefits of immigration to Ontario and improve the social and
economic integration of our newcomers."

– Julia Deans
Chair, Expert Roundtable on Immigration


http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&func=display&sid=13481

---------------------------------------------------------------------



Ontario's poor need to make some noise
Published On Fri Mar 02 2012

Anti-poverty protesters hold a banner inside the Chateau Laurier Hotel while
Premier Dalton McGuinty makes a speech at the Canadian Club of Ottawa last
month. (Feb. 9, 2012)
PATRICK DOYLE/THE CANADIAN PRESS

Simon Black

During the last two weeks in Ontario politics, we have seen a tale of two
reports. The Drummond report has received a great deal of attention and rightly
so: as the Star's own Martin Regg Cohn put it, "Cutbacks are back and bigger
than ever. And this time, they're here to stay." Millions of Ontarians, but
especially the poor and middle class, stand to be impacted should the government
act on Drummond's recommendations.

Yet another report, that of the Commission for the Review of Social Assistance,
slipped under the media's radar and was greeted with little fanfare by the
government and general public alike. This report discusses different approaches
to improving some of the key areas of the province's welfare system and is an
important step in the broader review process headed by ex-StatsCan chief Munir
Sheik and former United Way of Greater Toronto CEO Frances Lankin.

The review of social assistance plays a key role in the provincial government's
poverty reduction strategy, announced by the premier and welcomed by
anti-poverty advocates back in 2008. Sheik and Lankin have embarked on an
extensive consultation process, speaking with social workers, policy experts,
business leaders, people with lived experience of poverty, and anti-poverty
advocates. Their final report, which will make recommendations that will enable
government to "remove barriers and increase opportunities for people to work,"
is to be released this summer.

While the Drummond report takes a largely hands-off approach to social
assistance, deferring to the work of the commission, much in it runs counter to
the spirit and stated goals of both the review of social assistance and the
broader strategy of poverty reduction. For one, Drummond recommends rolling back
the Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), a subsidy that helps low-income families
provide for their children. The OCB has been partially credited with the small
but nevertheless important reduction in child poverty Ontario has seen over the
past few years.

But more generally the report is silent on the concerns of the poor, from
much-needed increases in child-care funding to the construction of more
affordable housing. Drummond was, after all, primarily tasked with discerning
where to make cuts, not how to expand social programs.

If acted upon, Drummond's austerity package could well push Ontario's
unemployment rate into double-digits. With the federal government's continued
reticence to expand eligibility for employment insurance, thousands more
Ontarians could turn to a welfare system that currently does more to punish than
help the poor, who have yet to recover from the 22 per cent cut to welfare
imposed by the Harris Tories back in 1995. McGuinty has raised rates slightly,
but these increases have not kept up with inflation. If welfare was to be
returned to pre-Harris levels, the government would have to raise rates by close
to 60 per cent. You can be sure that such an increase is not in the cards in the
current political climate.

So the next few years, likely the next decade, look tough for low-income
Ontarians. Lower child-care subsidies, larger waiting lists for social housing,
persistent unemployment and more people caught in the dire dilemma of whether to
feed the kids or pay the rent. Changes to employment standards and labour law,
which could create the conditions to lift people out of poverty, will be derided
as "unfriendly to business."

How then do the poor make gains in a climate of austerity? Before we mine
history for answers we must first ask: "Who are the poor?" The obvious answer
is, "those living at or below the poverty line," but many of us live one
paycheque away from poverty. What happens to social assistance and other social
supports should be a concern for us all.

And as a recent Metcalf Foundation report concluded, between 2000 and 2005 the
number of working poor increased by 42 per cent, numbering 113,000 people in the
Toronto region alone. Those numbers have certainly risen since the Great
Recession began in 2008. And an even larger number of people are near-poor. The
poor are not only those living on social assistance.

Before the great labour struggles of the 1930s and '40s, the poor were, like
today, both working people and those out of work. Those struggles led to the
legitimization of unions, the construction of the welfare state, and a greater
share of society's wealth going to labour.

In the 1960s, unions and anti-poverty organizations pushed for the expansion of
social programs and lessened inequality. They marched, they protested, they made
noise.

In the mid-1980s, anti-poverty, labour and women's groups mobilized to influence
the direction of the provincial Liberal-NDP coalition's social assistance
review. Poor people's marches snaked through three of Ontario's largest cities.
The end result was a 25 per cent increase in welfare rates and the humanization
of many aspects of a stigmatizing and punitive system.

History shows us that poor people's silence will be met with government
inaction. As American academics Frances Fox Piven and Richard Cloward put it in
their classic book Regulating the Poor, "A placid poor get nothing, but a
turbulent poor sometimes get something." The Drummond report tells poor people
they must wait. Now it is up to the poor to reply: "We will not."

Simon Black is a researcher in urban social policy at the City Institute at York
University and a member of Peel Poverty Action Group.


http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1140339--ontario-s-poor-\
need-to-make-some-noise

----------------------------------------------------------------------



Income tax changes eliminate refunds for many Ontario residents
Published On Fri Mar 02 2012

By Ellen Roseman
Personal Finance Columnist

Ontario residents with low to moderate incomes may get a nasty surprise when
filing their 2011 tax returns.

Their refunds are disappearing, thanks to a low-key provincial decision to stop
giving lump sum tax credit payments once a year.

Instead, it has combined several tax credits into the Ontario Trillium Benefit.
This will be paid monthly, starting in July, to those who receive relief for
energy costs, rent, sales tax and property tax.

The government made the move after consulting welfare experts, who said a
monthly benefit would provide a steady income flow to pay bills.

But that's no consolation to people who expected to get a lump sum refund.
They're furious to get a promise of monthly payments later this year instead of
a windfall at tax time.

Bill Worden, a senior, just did his tax return and found he owed $123.

"I was counting on the provincial tax credits to pay some bills," he said.
"We're told nothing. Why do I have to pay when I should be getting a refund?"

Janice Meighan wrote a letter to the editor, saying she resented seeing the
government tell her how to budget her finances.

"Taxpayers need to be outraged at this intrusion by the Conservatives," she
wrote, assuming (mistakenly) the Harper government made the change.

I also heard from a self-employed dog walker, who earned $14,500 in 2011, and
can't use her Ontario tax credits to offset what she owes in federal tax.

"She'll have to send $350 to the federal government to get a $400 tax rebate (in
the end) from the Ontario government," her mother said. "But how is she supposed
to get that $350 to send in the first place?"

It's ironic to see a government plan aimed at helping people to budget creating
new cash flow problems for some taxpayers

"Seniors, in particular, aren't crazy about it," Finance Minister Dwight Duncan
said in an interview. "They like getting the money once a year."

"We're looking at ways of allowing people to choose. There are some
administrative issues, but it seems perfectly reasonable to me."

Under the current system, the province holds onto people's money until the end
of the year, he said. And under the new system, payments flow to them on a
monthly basis.

Some low-income people file their taxes early in November or December, going to
tax preparation firms that pay them advances on their refunds (for a 15 per cent
fee).

They use the refunds to buy Christmas gifts or pay for holiday expenses, said
Cleo Hamel, a senior tax analyst with H&R Block Canada.

"Low income people are accustomed to receiving these benefits at tax time. This
is a huge change. Many are very confused and ask us, `How come you're not giving
me this money?'

"They may be facing a tax bill and a long wait until they get the benefit from
the Ontario government in July."

In the budget handed down last March, the Ontario government said the change was
designed to "better align the timing of the assistance with the expenses that
people face."

To smooth the transition, it would pay 2011 tax credits to qualified taxpayers
in two instalments last year (July and December) and two more instalments in
March and June of this year.

As a result, low-income people would receive their tax credit payments earlier
than they would have if the schedule had not been changed.

The advance payments seem to have made little impact. Many taxpayers and tax
preparers were caught unaware of the change, judging from the feedback I've
received.

The government should have run a mass media publicity campaign to let people
know what was coming. Instead, it's dodging an outcry from those who feel let
down.

Ellen Roseman writes about personal finance and consumer issues. You can reach
her at eroseman@....


http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1140158--income-tax-changes-eliminate-re\
funds-for-many-ontario-residents?bn=1

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Thirteen Downtown Eastside SROs to get $116-million renovation
BY JOHN COLEBOURN, THE PROVINCE
MARCH 3, 2012

The Dominion Hotel, located at 210 Abbott St. in Vancouver, is one of the 13
historic structures targeted under the Single Room Occupancy initiative (SRi).
Photograph by: Submitted , BC Housing

The provincial and federal governments have announced a partnership that will
see 13 single-room occupancy hotels in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside renovated
and restored.

The federal government will contribute $29.1 million through the P3 Canada Fund
and the province will contribute $87.3 million toward the project.

Rich Coleman, the Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for
Housing, told The Province on Saturday he expects the major renovation to be
complete in about three years time.

"We bought 24 buildings in Vancouver and this is work on 13 of those 24," he
said, noting this is the first phase.

All of the rooms are SROs, and there are about 900 units in the project.

Coleman notes some of the buildings purchased were in rough shape.

"They were not all terrific buildings when we bought them," he said.

Many of the buildings are 100 years old and Coleman said they plan on restoring
the buildings, keeping the heritage features intact.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said cleaning up some of the rundown units will
help in fighting the homeless problem facing the city.

"The challenge of tackling homelessness continues to be a top priority for
Vancouver, and we are pleased to have the province of B.C. and the government of
Canada coming together to improve living conditions for many of our most
marginalized and vulnerable citizens," Robertson said in a release issued
Friday.

"The renewal and renovation of these 13 SROs is another important step toward
our goal of ending street homelessness by 2015 ..."

jcolebourn@...

© Copyright (c) The Province


Read more:
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Thirteen+Downtown+Eastside+SROs+million+renovati\
on/6247383/story.html#ixzz1oBbEx3pR

---------------------------------------------------------------------



Sears to close 3 stores in Canada, 670 jobs at risk

A woman carries a shopping bag while leaving the Sears store in downtown
Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, March 2, 2012. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The Sears logo is seen on a television for sale, in Springfield, Ill., on Nov.
15, 2011. (AP / Seth Perlman)

Jane Armstrong, CTVNews.ca

Struggling retailer Sears Canada Inc. will close three stores in Vancouver,
Calgary and Ottawa after striking a deal with landlord Cadillac Fairview
Corporation, which will take back the leases for $170 million.

The move comes as the department store retailer attempts to revamp operations
amid declining sales. Sears has already chopped 470 jobs across Canada.

There are 670 employees at the three stores slated to close. Sears Canada
spokesman Vincent Power said the retailer will attempt to find jobs for those
workers at nearby Sears outlets. Most employees are part time workers so "it's
doable" that many affected workers will find jobs, he said.

However, there is no guarantee all workers will find replacement jobs.

In a statement, the retailer said Cadillac Fairview made Sears an offer it
couldn't refuse.

Sears Canada Chief Executive Officer Calvin McDonald, who took over the helm
last year, put a positive spin on the store closings, saying the deal gives the
retailer the cash needed to upgrades other stores.

"Overall, this is a very advantageous agreement for Sears Canada," McDonald said
in a statement.

"While we had no plans to close stores, the transaction for these three specific
locations provides an attractive financial benefit for the Company which
strategically allows us to drive growth in areas which can be most beneficial."

Retail analysts said they're not surprised Sears moved to offload three big-city
department stores.

It's no secret Sears has struggled over the past year as it faces competition
from discount retailers Wal-Mart and Winners. Next year, U.S. discount retailer
Target Corp. will open a string of outlets across Canada.

Sears Canada may be following the example of its U.S. parent company, Sears
Holdings, which has closed stores south of the border.

"From Sears' point of view, it was perhaps a matter of the right opportunity
coming along at the right time," Ed Strapagiel told CTV.ca.

"This may be serendipity. Cadillac Fairview put this offer on the table probably
knowing that Sears was struggling and would be receptive to this deal.

"And Sears gets $170 million, which is not chicken feed."

Strapagiel said Sears has talked a lot about rebranding, but the look of the
stores hasn't changed much in years.

"Sears hasn't put a dime into their stores in many years," Strapagiel said.

"They've been kind of at sea in terms of what they stand for in the Canadian
marketplace and what they mean for Canadian consumers. They haven't done a good
job of . . . cutting out their piece of the market."

Last year, McDonald attempted to streamline Sears' operations by focusing on
house wares and furniture. And last month, he slashed prices on thousands of
store items.

It's still not known who will take over the leases in Vancouver, Calgary and
Ottawa, though Strapagiel said he's certain Cadillac Fairview has retailers on
standby.

"You don't get rid of a tenant unless you have whoever's moving in right behind
you."

In the past, U.S. department store chain Nordstrom has said it wants into the
Canadian retail market.


http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120302/sears-canada-retail-stor\
es-120302/20120302/?hub=CalgaryHome

======================================================================

From:   "Canadian Club of Toronto" events

Subject:   New Event - 7th Annual Women in Public Life Luncheon

Date:   Tue 03/06/12 01:15 PM

Andrea Horwath
Leader, Ontario's New Democrats

7th Annual Women in Public Life Luncheon

DATE - Wednesday, April 25, 2012
TIME - 11:30AM (Registration/Doors Open) to 1:50PM
LOCATION - Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Canadian Room
TICKETS - $75/$65 Members; Premium Tables of 10 $1500; Regular Tables of 10 $750

-In partnership with-

Equal Voice
On April 25th, The Canadian Club of Toronto and Equal Voice will, once again,
join forces to spotlight women in politics at the Seventh Annual Women in Public
Life Luncheon.  For more than ten years Equal Voice has been promoting the
election of more women in all levels of government.  This year we are pleased to
announce Andrea Horwath, Leader of Ontario's New Democrats, as our keynote
speaker and Equal Voice's EVE award recipient.

Andrea Horwath is the Leader of Ontario's New Democrats. Elected Leader in 2009,
Andrea brings energy, honesty and compassion to a party that offers sensible
solutions to the challenges facing people in Ontario...MORE

Canadian Club of Toronto  Phone: 416-364-5590 Fax: 416-364-5676


http://www.canadianclub.org

======================================================================

Study: OAS key to keeping seniors out of poverty


This article was published by iPolitics.ca  on February 1st 2012.  To see this
article and other related articles on the iPolitics website, please click here.

Research prepared for the federal government shows that the old-age benefits
cited by Stephen Harper as perhaps unsustainable are a key factor keeping
seniors out of poverty.

The technical, 80-page paper shows that without Old Age Security or the
Guaranteed Income Supplement, more than a third of women and more than a quarter
of men in their 60s would fall below the poverty line.

"The OAS programs have a significant influence on the incidence of low income,"
the report's author, Richard Shillington, wrote.

By region, the benefits are most important in the Maritimes and the North, while
seniors in Alberta are not as dependent on public pension benefits to make ends
meet.

Women are generally far more dependent on OAS and GIS than men. Single seniors
are also vulnerable.

The paper, titled Evaluation of the Old Age Security Program, was written by
social policy researcher Shillington in 2009, on a contract with the
Ottawa-based econometrics firm Informetrica Ltd. It was prepared for the Human
Resources Department.

The research was obtained by the Canadian Labour Congress through an
access-to-information request and provided to The Canadian Press.

"The OAS/GIS makes a huge contribution to the reduction of poverty in old age,"
said Andrew Jackson, chief economic for the labour congress.

Prime Minister Harper announced last week that the public pension system is on
an unsustainable fiscal track and needs a serious overhaul.

He has not released specifics, but officials and cabinet ministers have let it
be known they are eyeing the OAS, since its costs — when combined with the GIS —
are expected to rise to $108 billion in 2030 from $41 billion this year.

There are several ways to cut costs, but the likely leading option is to
gradually raise the age when seniors can begin collecting the benefits to 67
from today's 65.

"We will implement any changes fairly, allowing lots of notice and time to
adjust," Alyson Queen, a spokeswoman for Human Resources Minister Diane Finley,
said Wednesday.

The presumption, said Jackson, is that people will simply work for an extra two
years. But he says that's not an option for many vulnerable people.

"Raising the age of eligibility for OAS/GIS from 65 to 67 would likely result in
a very significant increase in poverty for persons aged 65 to 67, unless they
were able to find an alternative source of income," he said.

"That is possible for some, but many older workers in their 60s are in ill
health or are engaged in providing care for others."

OAS and its cousin, GIS, are intricately entwined. About 98 per cent of
Canadians are eligible to receive OAS when they turn 65. In order to get the GIS
top-up for low-income seniors, they first need to qualify for OAS.

So raising the eligibility age of OAS would imply a corresponding increase in
the age to receive GIS, unless legislation were passed to change the rules.

The research paper shows that OAS and GIS improve the average senior's standard
of living by about $7,000 a year.

The benefits are central to the average person's well-being. Generally, OAS
makes up 26 per cent of seniors' incomes. For people who receive GIS as well,
that percentage rises to 36 per cent, the research shows.

And for seniors of "modest" incomes, OAS and GIS provide about 70 per cent of
their incomes, the paper said.

The benefits become more and more important as seniors age, especially women.

But even for those in their 60s, the benefits are often the difference between
making ends meet or not, the paper says.

The data shows that for women between 65 and 69 years old, 35.4 per cent would
fall below the low-income measure — one of the main ways Statistics Canada
measures poverty. But with the benefits from OAS and its related top-ups, the
incidence of low income is 14 per cent.

For men between 65 and 69 years old, 26.8 per cent would fall below the
low-income measure without OAS and GIS benefits. But with the benefits, their
poverty rate is 11.4 per cent, the paper shows.

While Shillington wrote the paper three years ago, he said in an interview that
the conclusions remain relevant. Numbers may change slightly, but the study
looks at large quantities of income tax data over many years and major shifts
are slow to happen.

"The differences would not be relevant for policy decisions," he said.

The study underlines why the government needs to review the public pension
system now, Queen said on behalf of Finley.

"By taking prudent measures today, we are ensuring OAS remains sustainable for
future generations."

Both Shillington and Jackson says they're concerned that if the government says
seniors can't collect OAS and GIS until they are 67, many people won't be able
to keep working.

Their needs may drive up provincial welfare costs, or they may simply be left
without a social safety net, since welfare is often denied to people who own
homes, said Shillington.

"Certainly the provinces would have to expand welfare," he said.

Despite the Conservatives' insistence that OAS and GIS are not sustainable in
the long run, government documents and many economists say that even though
costs are rising, the government can afford them if it wants to.

But if the government chooses to cut OAS costs, it doesn't have to raise the
eligibility age, Shillington said. It could claw back more of the money from
high-income individuals, or apply the claw-back to family income instead of
individual income.

© iPolitics.ca

http://www.carp.ca/2012/02/09/study-oas-key-to-keeping-seniors-out-of-poverty/

----------------------------------------------------------------------



Is CARP's "Hands off OAS" campaign starting to take root?


This article was published on the Financial Post website on February 21st 2012. 
To see this article and other related articles on the Financial Post website,
please click here.

Judging by the muted remarks about Old Age Security made by Minister of Human
Resources Diane Finley Tuesday, the Conservative government is starting to tread
very carefully about phasing in changes to the OAS program.

As colleague Scott Stinson reported here this afternoon, Finley said little that
hasn't been said before but emphasized that "today's seniors will not be
affected."

The thrust of the talk to the Canadian Club in Toronto was that long-documented
demographic pressures (falling fertility and aging population) are putting
pressure on the retirement system. But now we have the minister's personal
assurance there will be no changes for seniors already collecting OAS (and thus
the GIS). She added there won't be any impacts for anyone "close to retirement,"
although it's not yet clear how close "close" is.

Is 57 "close" to retirement?

I was out of the country last week when the latest round of OAS blowback
occurred but was informed by a concerned friend that "close" to retirement means
being older than 57, based on various media reports. As Morneau Shepell chief
actuary Fred Vettese wrote in our Saturday paper — here — with respect to
raising OAS eligibility to 67,  "We have already been assured it won't happen at
least until 2020, so it will not affect Canadians over 57."

We won't know for sure until next month's federal budget but odds are anyone
still in their 50s will at worst experience only a slight impact if OAS is 
gradually hiked from age 65 to age 67. Given the huge number of votes already
retired seniors command, not to mention million of baby boomers on the cusp of
retirement, I can't imagine the Tories would dare to radically change the rules
in mid-stream for either cohort. Younger people 45 and below are a different
story but they still have plenty of time to prepare for what will be likely a
phased-in rise in OAS eligibility.

As Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page said before CTV's Question Period on
February 12th, the government has known about the old age demographic for
decades. The week before his office released a report that suggested Ottawa can
afford to enhance senior benefits, despite the Prime Minister's contention that
the current model is unsustainable. Page said it was a "bit disingenuous" to put
the blame for a looming fiscal crisis on the rise in OAS recipients.

Of course, the Conservatives are free to float such a proposal in the hope it
will be greeted with shrugs of indifference. But that was never going to happen.
Predictably, CARP (which represents both seniors and boomers 45 plus) has
responded with its "Hands off OAS" campaign, which you can find here.

CARP vice president of advocacy Susan Eng says OAS is responsible for only 2% of
the nation's GDP and the government could find bigger savings in health care.
Besides, "If they get pension reform right, people don't have to even care about
OAS." That said, CARP's members are "raging mad" because such a basic attack on
the social safety net was never mentioned in last spring's federal election
campaign.  70% of CARP's members are already retired and presumably not directly
impacted by the planned OAS changes.

Eng says CARP was disappointed by the lack of substance in Finley's luncheon
speech Tuesday:

We poll our members regularly and in this case, their opinion is that making
this change unilaterally will affect their votes. Over 4,000
members voiced their opinion on the poll that we issued last Friday … If the
government is bound and determined to make this change, then there should be a
full public review of all the facts and evidence with all the stakeholders at
the table.

Echoes of "Hands off our RRSPs" campaigns past

This campaign reminds me of a long-ago trial balloon to tax RRSPs, which
resulted in a similarly named "Hands off our RRSPs" campaign. The RRSP tax never
happened, although RRSPs are ultimately taxed anyway when they become Registered
Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). And of course if RRSPs and RRIFs become big
enough, they will result in a clawback of OAS benefits. I still wouldn't rule
out a sneakier adjustment of clawback rules for the semi-affluent rather than an
across-the-board hike in the OAS eligibility age.

CARP vice president of advocacy Susan Eng says OAS is responsible for only 2% of
the nation's GDP and the government could find bigger savings in health care.
Besides, "If they get pension reform right, people don't have to even care about
OAS." That said, CARP's members are "raging mad" because such a basic attack on
the social safety net was never mentioned in last spring's federal election
campaign.  70% of CARP's members are already retired and presumably not directly
impacted by the planned OAS changes.

Eng says CARP was disappointed by the lack of substance in Finley's luncheon
speech Tuesday:

We poll our members regularly and in this case, their opinion is that making
this change unilaterally will affect their votes. Over 4,000
members voiced their opinion on the poll that we issued last Friday … If the
government is bound and determined to make this change, then there should be a
full public review of all the facts and evidence with all the stakeholders at
the table.

Echoes of "Hands off our RRSPs" campaigns past

This campaign reminds me of a long-ago trial balloon to tax RRSPs, which
resulted in a similarly named "Hands off our RRSPs" campaign. The RRSP tax never
happened, although RRSPs are ultimately taxed anyway when they become Registered
Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). And of course if RRSPs and RRIFs become big
enough, they will result in a clawback of OAS benefits. I still wouldn't rule
out a sneakier adjustment of clawback rules for the semi-affluent rather than an
across-the-board hike in the OAS eligibility age.

© The National Post


http://www.carp.ca/2012/02/22/is-carp%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%9Chands-off-oas%E2%80%9D-\
campaign-starting-to-take-root/

----------------------------------------------------------------------



Canada's poor seniors targeted by Tory OAS cutbacks, CARP says

This article was originally published in the Vancouver Observer.  To view this
article and other ones like it on the Vancouver Observer website, please click
here.

Canada's advocacy group for seniors is crying foul after another Conservative
government announcement on old age pensions yesterday revealed… nothing new at
all.

During a highly anticipated pensions speech yesterday, Human Resources Minister
Diane Finley added her weight to an increasingly cloudy debate on changes to
Canada's Old Age Security (OAS) system, the latest since Prime Minister Stephen
Harper boasted of coming reforms to stave off costs in Davos, Switzerland
several weeks ago.

"They are manufacturing a crisis," said Susan Eng, advocacy vice president of
CARP: A New Vision of Aging, in an extensive interview with the Vancouver
Observer. "I am disappointed they would treat an important issue like this.

"There's absolutely no need for them to do it this way… reciting the same basic
talking points which have not been accepted by people. Because the government
has not given any real details, everybody is guessing. Our members and others
like them are fearing the worst."

CARP (formerly the Canadian Association of Retired Persons) has launched a
"Hands Off OAS" campaign, and said that cuts to pensions – speculated to include
extending the retirement age from 65 to 67 – will hurt the poorest Canadians,
many of whom are seniors. According to CARP, 250,000 seniors fall into the
low-income rate.

The latest salvo in the pensions controversy came after Finley defended her
government's as-yet undefined pension reform – namely, a coming wave of retiring
Baby Boomers, demographic shifts, and escalating costs to the system – at a
major speech Tuesday before the Canadian Club in Toronto.

Seniors outraged over erosion of safety net

Implicitly addressing critics like CARP and the New Democratic Party (NDP),
Finley insisted that pension reform "is not a crisis we invented" – but the bulk
of her speech seemed aimed at younger Canadians, not current retirees who the
government said will be unaffected.

The government has asserted that OAS costs will skyrocket from today's $36
billion to $108 billion by 2030.

"People who are middle age and younger today … can be assured that they will
have these social programs properly funded, fiscally responsible, that they'll
be there for them in the future," she told the Canada Club audience, which
included Eng. "It's the next generations of Canadians who will have to shoulder
the burden," she said. "The next generations who will have their own families to
raise, their own mortgages to pay, their own student and household debt to
manage.

"Inaction is simply not an option. Something must be done."

In earlier comments by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, he suggested that pension
changes would not kick in until at least 2020, but Flaherty's staffers
subsequently clarified the record that earlier pension reforms may be in the
works. By contrast, Finley said the upcoming budget will begin the reforms.

"Although policy hasn't yet been announced, I can tell you that the upcoming
budget will ensure steps to protect retirement income," she said. "I personally
assure that there will be no changes for seniors currently collecting benefits.
Nor will there be any impacts for anyone close to retirement."

But CARP members – who are primarily but not exclusively retired – are on the
whole outraged, according to internal polls cited by Eng.

"For lower-income people, this is going to have a massive impact," she said.
"(The Conservatives) say nothing about protecting them, even though they've had
ample opportunity; it's been three weeks since they dropped the bombshell (in
Davos).

"The ones hurt most by this change are low-income people who are just hanging
on. (Seniors) know how much it takes to make ends meet – they don't want this
effected for their children and grandchildren. This is the population that grew
up in the '60s and '70s – they care about Canada's social safety net."

© The Vancouver Observer

http://www.carp.ca/2012/02/24/canada%E2%80%99s-poor-seniors-targeted-by-tory-oap\
-cutbacks-carp-says/

======================================================================


Sign up for updates -
http://www.carp.ca/category/advocacy/campaigns/hands-off-oas/

=====================================================================

======================================================================

Clinics cancelling surgeries over drug shortage
Published On Fri Mar 9 2012

Video: Colonoscopy doctor faces drug shortage

Dr. Michael Smith says he'll have to shut down his Mississauga Colonoscopy
Centre due to a national shortage of some drugs will force him to stop offering
colonoscopies.

By Megan Ogilvie
  Health Reporter

The nationwide shortage of critical medication is starting to hit patients in
the Toronto area, with some being notified that elective surgeries and
procedures have been delayed or cancelled.

The first wave of disruption in patient care is being seen at a privately run
hospital specializing in hernia repair and at colonoscopy clinics that operate
outside hospitals.

Related: Drug shortages loom over Canadian hospitals

Related: Drug shortage forces Ontario hospitals to share medication



Hospices in the GTA are also concerned about their supplies of injectable
painkillers used to ease the final days of life.
As news broke this week of production problems at Sandoz Canada Inc., much of
the focus centred on hospitals, some of which rely on more than 100 different
generic drugs produced at the company's Boucherville, Que., facility.

But some smaller health-care institutions say they are not receiving appropriate
guidance from the provincial Ministry of Health on how to deal with the drug
shortage and worry their patients will be left waiting too long for care.

Sandoz, a Swiss generic pharmaceutical giant that makes chemotherapy drugs and
other intravenous medicine key for surgical and hospital care, was given a
warning letter by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration in November, 2011
regarding quality concerns. A March 4 fire that broke out in the company's
Quebec facility has caused production to be suspended until March 12, further
exacerbating the problem.

The Shouldice Hospital on Friday confirmed to the Star that some elective
surgeries have been postponed due to the drug shortage. The privately run
institution, which takes OHIP cards for payment, is a surgical hospital with 89
beds that specializes in hernia repair.

Daryl Urquhart, Shouldice's director of business development, said the hospital
has temporarily postponed some surgeries for patients who would require higher
doses of anesthetics — a group of drugs affected by the Sandoz shortage — to
stretch supplies and ensure the institution remains open for the remainder of
its patients.

He said the "precautionary, preemptive step" will help the hospital serve the
"vast majority — 95 per cent or more — of our patients."

"We are postponing surgeries that are low-priority, elective cases until such
time we are confident those cases are better served in a safe manner without
jeopardizing healthcare to other patients," Urquhart said. Shouldice conducts
about 7,500 surgical procedures every year.

On Friday, the Mississauga Colonoscopy Clinic started cancelling all patient
procedures scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of next week.

Dr. Michael Smith, the clinic's owner, said he will run out of a key medicine —
the widely used sedative Midaxolam — by the end of day Monday.

Though privately owned, the Mississauga Colonoscopy Clinic — considered an
ambulatory clinic by the ministry — bills OHIP for performing colonoscopies on
patients, many of whom are being screened for colorectal cancer. Smith said
there are approximately 50 such clinics in Ontario and that his performs about
3,400 colonoscopies each year.

After becoming aware of the drug shortage Thursday morning, Smith said he
quickly contacted the ministry for advice.

"They said they were allocating some medications to hospitals, but didn't seem
aware of the needs of ambulatory clinics," he said, adding that his clinic is
also in very short supply of painkillers, including Demerol. "This shortage is
affecting the whole province and country, but it seems that we (ambulatory
clinics) have been overlooked in the big equation."

If he is unable to secure supplies of the needed drugs, Smith said that he will
shutter his clinic and layoff his eight-member staff until the shortage problem
is solved.

Martin Gillen, administrative director the Rudd Clinic/Provis Group — the
largest endoscopy group in Ontario performing about 50,000 procedures each year
— said the group's four stand-alone clinics have no more than a two-weeks supply
of critical drugs.

"Our present supplies on hand will allow us to continue engaging in our
procedures comfortably for another one to two weeks and then we run out of
medication supplied by Sandoz," Gillen said. If the clinic is unable to secure
another supplier, Gillen said some procedures will have to be delayed or
patients will have to decide whether they want to undergo procedures without
pain medication.

The drug shortage is also starting to affect patient care at hospices in the
GTA, said Karina Wulf, manager for palliative services at the Etobicoke-based
Dorothy Ley Hospice and who called the situation "very concerning."

The main concern for physicians treating patients at the end of life is a
scarcity of injectable painkillers, including morphine, which Wulf said is
critical to help a patient manage pain in the final days.

On Friday, four hospices, including the Dorothy Ley Hospice, held a conference
call to discuss best practices in the face of the protracted drug shortage. One
strategy that will be implemented immediately is to treat patients with oral
medications for as long as possible to stretch supplies of the injectable
painkillers.

But, Wulf said, that can only be an interim strategy since swallowing often
becomes difficult at the end of life.

"We are trying to be as preemptive as possible and at same time making sure we
do have some injectable medications for each individual in case we really do
need them," Wulf said.

So far, she said, the health ministry has not yet contacted the Dorothy Ley
Hospice about whether it will be allocated additional drugs if needed.

It was not clear Friday whether the ministry has started to prioritize access to
critical medication in the province.

According to a ministry spokesperson, the government has not received reports of
drug shortages in any health-care facilities.

"At this point in time, the ministry is focused on ensuring the continuity of
services in acute care, long-term care, home care, and palliative care
settings."

A technical advisory group, assembled by the province, will help support this
work, the spokesperson said, which includes the "prioritization of existing
supply should that be necessary."


http://www.thestar.com/living/article/1144125--clinics-cancelling-surgeries-over\
-drug-shortage?bn=1

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Northern Ontario deaths probed for links to discontinuing OxyContin
Published On Fri Mar 9 2012
By Tanya Talaga
  Queen's Park Bureau

As Ontario weans itself off the powerful pain reliever OxyContin, the provincial
coroner's office is investigating three deaths in the north.

OxyContin was removed from the list of drugs paid for by the Ontario government
at the end of February. It is being replaced with OxyNEO, a new formulation of
the drug that is reportedly harder to crush and abuse.

The death of one unidentified man in the Thunder Bay area is a caution for
physicians as they switch patients from OxyContin to other opioids.

"There is certainly a basis for concern," said Dr. Michael Wilson, regional
supervising corner in northwestern Ontario.

Two other deaths that could involve OxyContin are being investigated by Wilson's
office. "I'd just say there are other cases that there may be similar
circumstances."

Alarm bells have sounded for months on the consequences of discontinuing
OxyContin use and the drug's addictive powers. First Nations chiefs have called
at least two states of emergencies, requesting police and health services help,
on reserves due to crime waves fuelled by addiction. Pills can cost up to $400
for one — and addicts will stop at nothing to get their fix.

"Times have changed and are challenging for people sometimes living from one hit
to the next," Wilson said.

It is estimated nearly 10,000 First Nations people are addicted to the drug in
northern Ontario, Mike Metatawabin, deputy grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation
recently told the Star. NAN is a political organization representing 49 First
Nations.

"We have been working for three years, largely on our own, to deal with these
problems," said Metatawabin.

"The scale of our drug abuse problem is of a magnitude not seen elsewhere in
Ontario. This scale is compounded by our lack of health services and lack of
professional expertise to provide local treatment."

The Thunder Bay area man who died last month was receiving OxyContin through the
federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, which provides drug coverage for
more than 800,000 registered First Nations and Inuit people. The drug was taken
off that formulary on Feb. 15.

His doctor took him off OxyContin and switched the patient to another opioid.
"Really, it doesn't matter what long-acting opioid a patient is being switched
to," said Wilson. "They all have varying levels of cross-tolerance and obviously
the potencies vary."

It is uncertain if the deceased man, whose identity cannot be released for
privacy reasons, suffered from an error in how the medication was prescribed or
if he was not taking his substitute medication properly, Wilson added.

Current prescriptions for OxyContin are directly transferred to the new
incarnation of the drug, OxyNEO. New prescriptions for OxyNEO are being given
out under exceptional access only.

British Columbia, Ontario, the Atlantic provinces and Saskatchewan have all
switched to OxyNEO use but under tighter controls.

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews said she is keenly aware of the problems
surrounded by OxyContin addiction and has assembled a working group of experts
tasked with developing immediate and medium-term solutions.

She urged physicians to follow national guidelines of appropriate prescribing of
narcotics. "It is very important physicians take this responsibility very
seriously," she said.

Pharmacists also need to be "ever vigilant" when they see prescriptions that
raise flags with them – that they circle back and make sure patients are getting
the right dosage of the drugs used now as substitutes, she added.

"OxyContin or OxyNEO should never be the first line when it comes to pain. There
are series of steps that physicians should take their patients through before
they arrive of what should be a last resort — Oxy," she said.

Ada Giudice-Thompson, vice-president of Advocates for the Reform of Prescription
Opioids, doubts the new form of OxyNEO will help stop abuse. "The majority of
people do not crush, do not snort or inject opioids — they take them as
prescribed by their doctor," she said.

"People become addicted. These are dangerous drugs. Do we talk about heroin as
the abuse of heroin or misuse of it? No."

Giudice-Thompson lost her 29-year-old son Michael in 2004 after he battled an
opioid addiction.

"We are dealing with dangerous addictive substances," she said. "They should
never be the first thing prescribed."

The retired teacher is urging greater training for the medical community
regarding the dangers of prescription opioid narcotics and addiction.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1144039--northern-ontario-deaths-prob\
ed-for-links-to-discontinuing-oxycontin

----------------------------------------------------------------------


see April 2012 issue of Zoomer Magazine
for articles

Seniors With Benefits

stating that delaying oas hits hardest where it's needed most.
almost 300,000 canadians over 65 still live in poverty, and many more straddle
the low-income threshold and struggle with old-age financial insecurity. between
2006 and 2009, nearly 128,000 more seniors became low income. of that amount, an
overwhelming 70 percent were women.
the hardest hit group of canadians are single, unattached women over 65, almost
20 percent of whom live under the after-tax low-income cut-off of approximately
$20,000 per year. more than 30 percent of single women between 45 and 65 are low
income.


--------------------------


expert q&a - breast self-exams

in general, for average-risk women, the task force feels that the evidence
suggests that there may be more harm from breast self-examination and clinical
breast examination by a physician than benefit in saving lives.  as noted, the
harm comes in the form of unnecessary anxiety and testing.

http://www.zoomermag.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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======================================================================

Date:   Mon 03/12/12 01:12 PM

From: Income Security Advocacy Centre <isac@...>

Subject: Choice in Tax Credit Payment Coming
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 19:36:09 +0000

Choice in Tax Credit Payments Coming

The Minister of Finance has recently stated that low- to moderate-income people
receiving provincial tax credits are going to be given a choice in how they
receive these credits – either in monthly cheques or in a lump sum.

A Star article from last Friday

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1140158--income-tax-changes-eliminate-re\
funds-for-many-ontario-residents

quotes the Minister as saying: "We're looking at ways of allowing people to
choose. There are some administrative issues, but it seems perfectly reasonable
to me."

And in a CTV "consumer watchdog" interview

http://toronto.ctv.ca/consumer/#TopVideoAn

conducted with the Minister earlier this week, he says the government
acknowledges that they "dropped the ball" on this issue by not properly
communicating the change to quarterly and monthly payments. He confirms that
they are going to let people choose whether to receive their tax credits in one
lump sum cheque or in monthly instalments.

However, the Minister is very clear that the change to a system that lets people
choose "won't happen this year".

We have been in touch with contacts in the Ministry of Finance asking that they
provide clear information on the administrative details of this policy change,
so that we can help people understand how best to proceed. As soon as we have
further information, we will share it with you.

In the meantime, previous ISAC materials on this issue may be of help to you and
people you work with. Two information sheets – one on the change to monthly
delivery and another on the related issue of the negative implications of using
tax preparation companies to file tax returns – are available on our website.

http://www.incomesecurity.org/documents/TaxCreditsPaymentandRefunds.htm

Please distribute this information to community contacts – both low-income folks
that you work with and other community-based organizations.

Jennefer Laidley
Policy & Research Analyst
Income Security Advocacy Centre

----

ISAC website: http://www.incomesecurity.org
Social Assistance Review website: http://www.sareview.ca


Social Assistance Review
The Social Assistance Review now underway is part of Ontario's strategy to
reduce poverty. Find out how you can get involved.

Resources for the Review
Visit the Resources page of our Social Assistance Review website to get tools
that will help you respond to the Review.

ISAC Public Legal Education Resources
Check out ISAC's public legal education materials on topics such as social
assistance rates, special diet supplement, Ontario Child Benefit, and more.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the ISAC E-list
originally through the CLEONet.ca website or the ISAC website at
http://www.incomesecurity.org .

Our mailing address is:
Income Security Advocacy Centre
425 Adelaide Street West, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M5V 3C1

Copyright (C) 2012 Income Security Advocacy Centre All rights reserved.

----------------------------------------------------------------------



[isac website]


Tax Credit Payments and Refunds

The way that some tax credits are being paid to low income people in Ontario is
changing.

ISAC has prepared two information bulletins related to these changes that we
hope will be helpful to you.

The first information bulletin describes the changes. It says:

how payments for three tax credits have been changing since 2009
how these payments are changing again in 2012
why these changes are being made
some of the implications of these changes
who is eligible for these tax credits
how to get help with filing your tax return, which you must do in order to get
the tax credits
action you can take to get government to provide more help for people with
filing their income tax return.
La version francaise est disponible ici.

The second information bulletin talks about a problem that some low income
people have had with getting their taxes done this year, in hopes of getting a
lump-sum tax refund. It says:

some companies that do people's taxes are asking people to enter into a contract
in order to get their taxes done
the contract means people have to sign up for a bank account and a debit card
they also have to change their direct deposit so that all tax-delivered benefits
go into this new bank account
both the bank account and the debit card charge high fees
the companies get paid first, when benefits get deposited into the bank account
there are other ways to get your taxes done that don't require you to enter into
these contracts
these other ways to get your taxes done are free.


----------------------------------------------------------------------



INFORMATION BULLETIN

The province of Ontario is changing the way that three refundable tax credits
are paid. This means that the amount of money you will get from the Ontario
government each month will change, which will affect your budgeting. It will
also have an impact on the tax refund you get when you file your taxes at the
end of the year.

The provincial government gives a number of tax credits to people in Ontario.
Three of these are refundable tax credits that people with low incomes can be
eligible for.

• The Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit
• The Ontario Sales Tax Credit
• The Northern Ontario Energy Credit

Eligibility for these tax credits is explained on page 3.

In the past, you got the money for these tax credits once every year in a
lump-sum refund after you filed your tax return. The lump-sum may have also
included money for other tax credits, like credits from the federal government.
And it may also have included a refund of income taxes you paid if you worked
sometime during the year.

Starting in July 2010, the money for two of these tax credits started to be paid
to you in cheques issued throughout the year. As of July 2011, the third of
these tax credits also started to be paid in regular cheques. See the table
below for more information.

	 2009 2010 2011

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit paid as refund after taxes filed paid as
refund after taxes filed paid in July & Dec
Ontario Sales Tax Credit paid as refund after taxes filed paid in Aug & Nov paid
in Feb, May, Aug, & Nov
Northern Ontario Energy Credit did not exist paid in Nov paid in Feb, July, &
Dec

Because you have been getting this money throughout the year, as of this year
you will no longer get these tax credits in a lump-sum refund. You may still get
a refund for other tax credits or for income taxes you paid if you worked during
the year. But these three provincial tax credits will not be part of that
amount. This may mean that you will not get a refund at all – but this will
depend on your individual situation.

In 2012, you'll get paid the money for these three tax credits separately for
the first half of the year. But starting in July 2012, the money for all three
of these tax credits will be bundled together and called the "Ontario Trillium
Benefit". The total amount of the tax credits for which you qualify will be paid
to you spread out over the entire year. So every month you will get an Ontario
Trillium Benefit cheque, or it will be direct deposited into your bank account.

	 Jan to June 2012

July 2012 forward

Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit paid in Mar and June Ontario Trillium
Benefit
paid every month

Ontario Sales Tax Credit paid in Feb and May
Northern Ontario Energy Credit paid in Mar and June

Remember, the Ontario Trillium Benefit is not new money. It is the Ontario
Energy and Property Tax Credit, the Ontario Sales Tax Credit, and the Northern
Ontario Energy Credit bundled together and paid to you every month. It replaces
the money that used to be paid as a lump-sum tax refund after you filed your
taxes, or that you got in regular payments in 2010 and 2011.

What is a "refundable tax credit"?

A "tax credit" is an amount of money that the government lets you deduct from
any income tax that you might owe. Tax credits can come from the provincial
government or the federal government.
A "refundable tax credit" is paid to you directly, even if you don't pay any
income tax. Usually, refundable tax credits are paid in a lump-sum refund after
you file your taxes.     A refundable credit is different from a "non-refundable
tax credit", which is an amount of money that you can claim on your income tax
return to help lower the taxes you owe.

Why is the government changing the way these tax credits are paid?
The goal of this change is to give people with low incomes a more stable and
steady source of income throughout the year. People who have low incomes – like
people on Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) –
will benefit from having more money every month.

This year, however, many people didn't know about this change. Many people with
low incomes, like people on OW and ODSP, were counting on getting the money in a
lump-sum tax refund to pay for things like Christmas presents or bigger items
that cost more, like furniture or winter coats and boots.

Next year, people will have to save up throughout the year – which is hard when
OW and ODSP incomes are so low. Often, any extra money that people get is spent
on regular costs of daily living, like rent and food.

How do I qualify for these tax credits? Am I eligible?

To get these credits between now and the end of June 2012, you have to meet
certain eligibility criteria:

• To qualify for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit: you must be 18
years or older, live in Ontario, and pay rent or property taxes for the place
you live in.
You could get up to $917 for 2011 from this tax credit. If you are a senior, you
could get up to $1,044 for 2011. The actual amount that you get depends on your
income and the amount of rent or property tax you paid in 2010.

If you live on reserve, are over 18, and pay home energy costs, you could
qualify for the energy portion of this credit. If you live in a public long-term
care home, you could also qualify for the energy portion of this credit.

• To qualify for the Ontario Sales Tax Credit: you must live in Ontario and be
19 years or older. If you are under 19, you might qualify if you have or had a
spouse or common-law partner, or if you are or were a parent and live or lived
with your child.
You could get up to $265 for 2011 for each adult and child in your family. The
actual amount that you will get depends on your income and the size of your
family.

• To qualify for the Northern Ontario Energy Credit: you must live in the north
(in the regions of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound,
Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, or Timiskaming) and pay property taxes or
rent for the place that you live in.

If you live on reserve, you have to pay energy costs, like electricity or
heating fuel, for the place you are living in order to be eligible. If you live
in a public long-term care home in the north, you have to pay accommodation
costs to be eligible.

Families can get up to $204. Single people can get up to $132.

Eligibility for these three credits that will become part of the Ontario
Trillium Benefit (when it starts in July 2012) will remain the same. The
difference is that you will get the money monthly.
How much money will I get?

Use the government's online tax credit calculator to determine how much your tax
credits will be:

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/taxcredits/CalculatorQuestions.asp

Do I have to apply for these credits?

You don't have to apply, but you do have to file your taxes – even if you don't
have any income to report. Remember to check the boxes on the part of the
provincial tax credit form that asks if you want the income tax credits.

If you don't file your tax return every year, you won't be able to get the money
for these tax credits or the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

How do I file my taxes?

Many people rely on tax preparation companies. They charge a fee and may want
you to sign up for a bank account and debit card that charges a lot of extra
fees when you use it.

See ISAC's Information Bulletin called "Tax Filing, Tax Credits, and Tax
Refunds" at http://www.incomesecurity.org/documents/TaxRefunds2011.doc for more
information.

There are ways to get your taxes done that won't cost you anything:

• Contact your provincial MPP or a local community agency, or ask your OW or
ODSP caseworker where you can get your taxes done for free.

• Contact your federal MP to find out about the Canada Revenue Agency's
Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.

• Check this website for the location of a free tax clinic near you:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/vlntr/nd-eng.html. Tax clinics run from
February to April.

• You have to file your taxes by April 30 of every year to get your taxes done
for the previous year and get your money without delay.

How do I contact my provincial MPP?

• To find out who your MPP is and get their contact information:

o Type in your postal code at this website
http://fyed.elections.on.ca/fyed/en/form_page_en.jsp.

o When it takes you to a new page, look for the name of your Electoral District.
It might be hard to see – you might have to click on the map to see the name.

o On that page, click on "Information on your Member of Provincial Parliament".

o You will be sent to a long list of all the MPPs in the Ontario Legislature.
Look down the list for the name of the person beside the name of your Electoral
District – that's your MPP. Click on their name to get their contact
information.

How do I contact my federal MP?

• Find your federal MP at this website:

http://canada.gc.ca/directories-repertoires/direct-eng.html#mp.
While you're talking to your MPP or MP, push for more free tax clinics:

• Tell them you want more free tax clinics for people on low incomes, and that
you want government to announce funding for them in 2012's provincial / federal
budgets.

• Tell them the government should take more responsibility for helping people
get their taxes done. The more government distributes money to people through
the tax system, the more important it will be that people file their taxes – and
get help to do so.
For more information about Ontario tax credits, visit the Ministry of Finance
website at:

http://www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/

======================================================================

[note from an ODSP recipient to govt - thanks for the notice, guys!
The tax clinic prepared my tax return last week and did not advise me of any
choices. Now, with no lump sum return in April, how do we pay for our annual
union dues, park permit, clean drive test, oil change, and license plate
renewals, to name a few bills. Not to mention, academy membership, CAA becomes
due next, etc. etc. Don't know how this can be stretched out to July this year,
but will definitely put me on a diet! (and am not overweight!) On top of this,
have Small Claims Court expenses vs. Ontario Ministry for past due
transportation expenses that keep adding up due to Court Clerk losing notarized
affidavits!]

======================================================================

http://www.ChangeDetection.com
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/angelgoddess-newsmuse

Rogers' Twitter tactic backfires as customers use hashtag to vent about lousy
service
Published On Fri Mar 16 2012

Rogers got on the wrong side of Twitter users Friday, as people used a Rogers
promotional hashtag to vent their frustration instead of wearing it on their
shirt, like this man in Vancouver, protesting Roger's rates with Apple iPhones.
RICHARD LAM/CANADIAN PRESS
Ashante Infantry Business Reporter

Rogers got up on the wrong side of Twitter Friday morning.

The hashtag #Rogers1Number, which the communications giant paid to have atop
Twitter's list of trending topics for 24 hours, saw hundreds of customers, past
and present, venting about unrelated issues, rather than celebrating the
company's new service, as its social media team likely intended.

The promotion — with the tagline "1 is the only number you'll need" — was meant
to highlight Rogers One Number which was launched last month as a free vehicle
to extend an individual's Rogers wireless number to their computer.

But respondents seemed to be talking about anything but.

"There was a period of 6 months where @Rogers overbilled me every month. Still
haven't heard a "sorry" #Rogers1Number #NotsoMuch," tweeted Kevin Richardson
under the handle @KoRichardson.

"@Rogers_Canada My internet connection is cutting out every 10 minutes. So
frustrated with your service. At my wits end here," wrote Hugh Fairplay under
the handle @SmlStakesGrind.

"STOP OVERBILLING, FIRE ALL YOUR RUDE SUPPORT PEOPLE, AND WORK ON UR PUBLIC
IMAGE...then consider using Twitter to promote #Rogers1Number," tweeted Ingrid
under the handle @cashmereclutch.

Social media engagement is worthy, despite the perils, maintained Keith
McArthur, Social Media VP at the company which was utilizing the sponsored
hashtag option for the first time.

"There's a risk, but the benefit is also that we do get feedback that we can
action, that we can pass on to different parts of the business and make our
products and services better," he said. "Some people are choosing to use this as
an opportunity to talk about things they like or don't like about the brand.
That's not new to us: we've been listening and responding to that kind of thing
before most other brands, so, we're okay with it."

Ironically, the campaign came about after noticing that the One Number service
was "by far the most positively received thing in social media" since the
company established such a presence in 2009, McArthur said.

@Aileen_Song, a rare positive commenter dealing with the hashtag's initial
intent, declared "#Rogers1Number is actually not that bad. Especially if you're
out of the country and you wanna call your friends for free."


http://www.thestar.com/business/article/1147462--rogers-twitter-tactic-backfires\
-as-customers-use-hashtag-to-vent-about-lousy-service?bn=1

----------------------------------------------------------------------



George Clooney released after arrest at Sudanese embassy protest in Washington
National Post Wire Services  Mar 16, 2012 – 2:33 PM ET |
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2012 7:41 PM ET


MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
George Clooney steps out of the Metropolitan Police station on March 16, 2012 in
Washington with his father Nick Clooney second district. The star and his
father, who works as a TV journalist, were released after their arrest earlier
in the day while protesting at the Sudanese embassy.

George Clooney tells reporters the arrest was his first and `let's hope it's my
last' after being released from police custody


George Clooney has been released by police after being arrested for "disorderly
crossing of a police line" during a protest at Sudan's embassy in Washington
against the country's blockade of humanitarian aid.

Surrounded by flashing cameras and TV crews, Clooney and his journalist father
Nick led more than a dozen prominent campaigners to the steps of Sudan's mission
in Washington's Embassy Row, ignoring several warnings by police to leave the
premises.

As officers escorted Clooney and the other campaigners in plastic handcuffs to
police vans, hundreds of supporters chanted slogans against Sudan's President
Omar al-Bashir and waved banners reading, "Sudan: Stop Using Food as a Weapon."

The Descendants star, a longtime activist for human rights in Sudan, met
Thursday with U.S. President Barack Obama after paying a clandestine eight-day
visit to South Kordofan in eastern Sudan, where aid groups say 250,000 people
are at risk of imminent food shortages.

"You never know if you are accomplishing anything…. We hope it helps," Clooney
told reporters after his release, adding that the arrest was his first and
"let's hope it's my last."

Activists have drawn parallels between the current crisis in Sudan's Southern
Kordofan and Blue Nile provinces and the violence almost a decade ago in the
western region of Darfur, where Khartoum sparked international condemnation by
violently suppressing a rebellion in a conflict that the United Nations
estimates killed some 300,000 people.


PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Clooney walks from the booking desk after being released from Washington
Metropolitan Police custody.

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Clooney (C foreground) and his father journalist Nick (C in front of his son)
are arrested for tresspassing.

Clooney said he saw hundreds of people fleeing in terror to the hills and into
caves in South Kordofan due to the constant buzzing of planes dropping bombs
meant for insurgents but which frequently kill and maim civilians.

The conflict has severely impeded agriculture in the mountainous region, leading
to fears of hunger. The U.S. has demanded that Sudan let in outside food
shipments, but Khartoum is deeply suspicious of U.S. intentions in the volatile
border region where its army is fighting rebels aligned with South Sudan.

The protest was orderly, with some campaigners waiting patiently for police to
bring another van. Inside Sudan's embassy, one woman could be seen snapping a
photo from the window before Clooney was taken away. He had been widely expected
to provoke police into arresting him.


http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/16/george-clooney-released-arrest-sudan-emb\
assy/

======================================================================


[books]


All That is Bitter and Sweet: A Memoir
by Ashley Judd
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/034552361X/internatio088-20


======================================================================

From:   "Amnesty International USA" <alerts@...>

To:   "ag news"

Subject:   Why was George Clooney willing to get arrested?

Date:   Mon 03/19/12 03:28 PM

What was actor George Clooney doing in jail, while Sudan's president and
indicted war crimes suspect Omar al-Bashir runs free?


Dear ag news,

The Internet was abuzz on Friday with the news. Actor George Clooney was
arrested, along with members of Congress and other civil society leaders, while
protesting human rights violations in Sudan at a Washington, DC, rally attended
by Amnesty International and other NGOs.

But they got the wrong man.

The real suspect? Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who remains at large
despite being indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of
war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur.

As Sudanese civilians suffer from starvation and indiscriminate bombing attacks,
al-Bashir continues on as Sudan's head of state, leaving war crimes in his wake
and travelling the globe with impunity.

No more hiding in plain sight, President al-Bashir.

It's time to arrest Omar al-Bashir and the three other Sudanese wanted by the
International Criminal Court and surrender them to the ICC for trial. Tell the
United Nations that as long as war crimes suspects are on the loose, civilians
will continue to be at grave risk.

The longer it takes to bring fugitives like al-Bashir to justice, the longer
civilians suffer. In Sudan, civilians are under fire as Sudanese Armed Forces --
under the leadership of yes, Omar al-Bashir -- conduct devastating and
indiscriminate bombing raids.

And the humanitarian crisis in Sudan is escalating. Livelihoods have been ruined
after years of Sudan's war-torn chaos, and al-Bashir's self-imposed blockade on
humanitarian aid to the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile regions puts countless
people at risk of hunger or starvation.

Friday's rally in response to the dire human rights situation in Sudan was
inspiring. More than a hundred activists joined George Clooney, congressional
human rights champions, and Amnesty's NGO partners to shine a light on Sudan's
ongoing human rights crisis.

Our message was clear -- fugitives from international justice like al-Bashir can
no longer be allowed to commit the worst crimes under international law with
impunity. They must be brought to justice.

Inaction has proven deadly in a suffering Sudan. But with your help, the next
high-profile arrest will be of a criminal fugitive from the ICC, not a Hollywood
celebrity.

Join us in calling on the United Nations to step up its efforts to advance peace
and justice by providing the necessary support to make the arrest of Omar
al-Bashir -- and his fellow ICC fugitives -- a long-awaited reality.

For justice,

Scott Edwards
Advocacy, Policy and Research
Amnesty International USA

http://www.amnestyusa.org

=====================================================================

From:   <Elizabeth.May@...>

Subject: RE: Keep Canada connected: stop severe cuts to the CBC

Date:   Tue 03/20/12 05:40 AM


Thank you for your letter of concern regarding CBC's budget cuts.

  The Government of Canada is determined to cut funding to the CBC due to their
existence as a public broadcaster in Canada despite their promise to maintain or
increase funding to the CBC. Furthermore, recent years have shown that Canadian
media has become more and more concentrated in ownership. Taking these factors
into consideration, the CBC is under intense scrutiny and an uncertain future.

The Green Party of Canada is a strong supporter of the CBC and free media due to
their valued role as information providers. The Green Party would like to see
the diversification of media ownership in Canada and strengthen the depth and
breadth of news reporting, especially in local news. In addition, the Green
Party would provide increased base funding to the CBC to further support
television and radio programming in both French and English. A further
description of our position on media in Canada and our support for the CBC can
be found at www.greenparty.ca/vision-green. In addition to this position, I will
continue to show my support for the CBC in the House of Commons.

You can also print, sign and return – postage free – a petition in support of
the CBC that I will table in the House of Commons:


http://elizabethmaymp.ca/get-involved/defend-the-cbc

Thank you for your letter and I encourage you to continue advocating this issue
to inform others of this important topic.

Sincerely,


Elizabeth May O.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada

  ==================================================================

From:   <bob.rae@...>

Subject: Re: Keep Canada connected: stop severe cuts to the CBC

Date:   Wed 03/21/12 11:43 AM

On behalf of Liberal Leader Bob Rae, I would like to thank you for your e-mail
in support of the CBC and its funding.

Please be assured that the Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the indispensible
role played by CBC/Radio Canada in providing national, regional and local
programming, including news coverage and services to linguistic minorities
throughout Canada.  The CBC/Radio Canada plays a vital role in preserving and
promoting Canadian culture.

Our national broadcaster must be able to carry out its important work without
uncertainty about where its funding will come from.  Any cuts in funding would
jeopardize the CBC's long-term viability and continued tradition of Canadian
programming. Liberals have always been strong supporters of the CBC and public
broadcasting. This contrasts with many Conservatives who have long argued that
the CBC is a waste of taxpayers' dollars, is a "bloated crown corporation."
Given their loathing of this vital Canadian institution, it comes as a shock to
no one that this government is planning to cut the CBC's budget by 5% next year
in order to battle a massive deficit of their own making. Rest assured that we
will fight any attempt by Stephen Harper to gut the CBC's budget.

We would invite you to add your name to our petition and send a strong message
to the Harper Conservatives to keep their hands off our CBC. 
http://lpc.ca/handsoffourcbc

Please be assured of continued strong Liberal support for CBC/Radio Canada.

Yours sincerely,


Colin McKone
Office of the Liberal Leader

====================================================================

Fwd: Posting to DAWN list-serve
Posted by: "Barbara Anello" barb.anello@...   barbara.anello
Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:25 pm (PDT)

[Attachment(s) from Barbara Anello included below]

Please contact Alisa Grigorovich, (PhD Candidate, York University) at
email: alisag@... tel: 416-629-1035
if interested in participating

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: a g <househippo13@...>
Date: Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 10:58 PM

Hi,

I was wondering if you could please post that attached study flyer to the
DAWN list-serve?

I am a PhD student at York University and I am doing a thesis research
project
on older gay,lesbian,and bisexual womens experiences of accessing and
receiving home care services in Ontario.

The goal of my research is to see whether in-home care services in our
community adequately support older gay, lesbian and bisexual women and
explore
what changes need to be made to home care services to ensure that they are
supportive of and relevant to older gay, lesbian and bisexual womens needs.

This research has been approved by the York University Research Ethics
Board and
is supervised by Drs. Pat Armstrong, Marc Stein and Tamara Daly.

I am looking for women from Ontario who are:
-55 years or older
-identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual
-are currently receiving in-home care services or have received home care
services sometime in the last 5 years.
-Would agree to participate in an interview answering questions about
their experiences accessing and receiving home care services.

** All participants will receive a $20 gift card**

I was wondering if you may be able to pass the attached information about my
home care study to anyone who may be be interested in participating.

Thank you for your help,
Alisa Grigorovich
PhD Candidate, York University
Toronto, ON, Canada
alisag@...
416-629-1035
Attachment(s) from Barbara Anello


<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>
DAWN Ontario Women with disAbilities e-list
* List norms & F.A.Q. Page:  http://dawn.thot.net/list.html

Ontario Appeal Court strikes down ban on brothels
Two sex-trade laws ruled unconstitutional
By Geoff Nixon, CBC News
Posted: Mar 26, 2012 6:37 AM ET

Terri-Jean Bedford, left, and Valerie Scott, right, react to the Ontario Court
of Appeal decision that struck down a ban on brothels. The court also ruled that
sex workers should be able to pay others to help protect them. (Patrick
Morrell/CBC)

Lawyer for sex-workers 13:11
Reaction to prostitution ruling 6:03

Ontario's Court of Appeal has ruled that sex workers should be able to legally
take their trade indoors and pay staff to support them.

The court released a decision Monday on an appeal of Superior Court Judge Susan
G. Himel's high-profile ruling that three provisions of the Criminal Code
pertaining to prostitution should be struck down on the grounds that they are
unconstitutional.

The Ontario appeal court agreed with two-thirds of Himel's ruling, namely that
the provisions prohibiting common bawdy-houses and living off the avails of
prostitution, are both unconstitutional in their current form.

Ontario's Court of Appeal agrees that sex workers should be permitted to work in
safer locations and pay others to help protect them, but not that they should be
able to communicate with their clients in public places. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
But the court disagreed that the communicating provision must be struck down,
meaning that it "remains in full force" and the existing ban on soliciting will
continue.

Both Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and Ontario Attorney General John Gerretsen
indicated that their respective departments would review the decision before
deciding how to proceed.

"As the Prime Minister has said, prostitution is bad for society and harmful to
communities, women and vulnerable persons," Nicholson said in a statement
released by his office.

"We are reviewing the decision and our legal options."

The Ontario court said it will strike the word "prostitution" from the
definition of "common bawdy-house," as it applies to Section 210 of the Criminal
Code, which otherwise prevents prostitutes from offering services out of fixed
indoor locations such as brothels or their homes.

However, the court said the bawdy-house provisions would not be declared invalid
for 12 months, so that Parliament can have a chance to draft Charter-compliant
provisions to replace them, if it chooses to do so.

Concern for sex workers still on the street
Valerie Scott of Sex Professionals of Canada said most sex workers in the
industry today are already operating indoors.

While Scott said she welcomed the court's ruling, she expressed concern for sex
workers who are still out on the street.

"I do worry about my street colleagues. What are they going to do?" Scott said
Monday at a news conference in Toronto.

"We have to figure out something to make these women and men safe."

Terri-Jean Bedford, a dominatrix and former prostitute, said sex workers are
much better off working indoors where they do not face the same risks.

"When you are out on the street, the laws are horrible … and they move people
into the shadows," Bedford told CBC News Network Monday.

Ability to hire help
The court also said that the prohibition of living off the avails of
prostitution – as spelled out in Section 212(1)(j) of the Criminal Code – should
pertain only to those who do so "in circumstances of exploitation," and will be
amended to reflect that.

The changes to the "living-off-the-avails" provision will not come into effect
for 30 days.

Scott said that allowing women to work with others and hire staff is another way
of making sex work safer.

"When you have people around, generally, you don't see as much violence."

In the preamble to its judgment, the court said prostitution is legal in Canada,
with "no law that prohibits a person from selling sex, and no law that prohibits
another from buying it."

While the court acknowledged that "prostitution is a controversial topic, one
that provokes heated and heartfelt debate about morality, equality, personal
autonomy and public safety," it said the questions before it were about whether
the laws being challenged were unconstitutional or not.

Looking forward
Lawyer Alan Young, who represented three women who brought forward the
application to have the provisions declared unconstitutional, said the appeal
court's decision had ushered in a "new era" for sex workers.

Lawyer Alan Young says the appeal court's decision has ushered in a new era for
sex workers. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)
"I am thrilled that the Court of Appeal has done the right thing," Young told
reporters after the court released its judgment Monday.

"They may not have gone as far as the Superior Court judge, but when you
actually look at the result, they've done the right thing in terms of modifying
the law so that sex workers will not face the same risks they face on a daily
basis."

Nikki Thomas, the executive director of Sex Professionals of Canada, said sex
workers have long been living in a legal limbo in which prostitution is legal
but many particular modes of operation are not.

Thomas said now is the time for sex workers to make their voices heard, while
their issues are on the agenda.

"We cannot wait for the Supreme Court [of Canada] to rule before we all of a
sudden decide that this is something that needs to be addressed," Thomas said.

"The public overwhelmingly supports legal reform. Nobody thinks that the laws on
the books are good laws and the absence of good laws is not an excuse to keep
those bad laws on the books."


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/03/26/ontario-appeal-court-sex-trade-la\
ws-monday.html

======================================================================

From:   Income Security Advocacy Centre <isac@...>

Subject:   McGuinty Government Seeks Balance on the Backs of the Poor

Date:   Mon 03/26/12 12:28 PM


Income Security Advocacy Centre - ISAC

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT SEEKS BALANCE ON THE BACKS OF THE POOR

For Immediate Release


TORONTO (26 March 2012) – Two days before the 2012-13 Ontario Budget,
Premier Dalton McGuinty has chosen to break faith with the poorest in
Ontario.

The Premier has been quoted in all Ontario's major newspapers as saying
that social assistance rates will be frozen this year, and that the
scheduled increase in the Ontario Child Benefit will be slowed.

"Freezing people's incomes when the cost of everything keeps rising is
not a `balanced approach'," said Jennefer Laidley, Research and Policy
Analyst at the Income Security Advocacy Centre. "The Premier seems to
think that people on assistance should be grateful that rates aren't
being cut. They're not grateful. They're despairing that once again,
this government doesn't recognize the depth of the poverty they're
living in."

A single person on Ontario Works currently receives $599 per month.
Single people make up the largest category of OW recipients, at 58% of
the caseload. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) has an even
higher proportion – single people make up 77% of the caseload. Singles
on ODSP receive only $1,064 per month.

"Statistics Canada just released the latest Consumer Price Index, which
shows that prices have increased in Ontario by 2.9% over the last year,"
said Laidley. "A 0% increase to social assistance rates is effectively a
cut in the ability of people on assistance to afford even the basics."

Freezing social assistance rates will save government at least $60
million this year. Delaying the increase in the Ontario Child Benefit,
which has been a significant help to people living in poverty, will save
$90 million. $150 million is less than 1% of the government's $16
billion deficit, but would make a big difference to the incomes of
people living in poverty in Ontario.

"Despite saying he doesn't want to balance the budget on the backs of
poor families and children, it seems that's just what the Premier is
doing," said Laidley. "We'll be watching to see just how the Premier
defines `a balanced approach' when the entire budget is released on
Tuesday."
   __________________________________________________________________

Read the Premier's comments in these newspapers:
The Ottawa Citizen:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf\
90&id=dc6db7ae6d&e=fae5b0f927
The Toronto Star:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf\
90&id=2ed62ff58b&e=fae5b0f927
The Globe and Mail:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf9\
0&id=2134b08eeb&e=fae5b0f927
The Toronto Sun:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf\
90&id=17df7da3fa&e=fae5b0f927


Social Assistance Review
The Social Assistance Review now underway is part of Ontario's
strategy to reduce poverty. Find out how you can get involved.
   Links:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf9\
0&id=d2e8e70fac&e=fae5b0f927

Resources for the Review
Visit the Resources page of our Social Assistance Review website to
get tools that will help you respond to the Review.
   Links:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf\
90&id=9e2381e76e&e=fae5b0f927

ISAC Public Legal Education Resources
Check out ISAC's public legal education materials on topics such as
social assistance rates, special diet supplement, Ontario Child
Benefit, and more.
   Links:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf9\
0&id=09cf2f858c&e=fae5b0f927

======================================================================

From:   Maureen O'Reilly [OurPublicLibrary.to] <action@...>

Subject:   Update on negotiations with the City

Date:   Thu 03/22/12 10:07 AM

Dear Torontonians,

As someone who loves our public library, I want you to have my first-hand and
personal account of why negotiations between library workers and the City have
stalled, and libraries temporarily closed as a result.

It is not for a lack of trying. We worked around the clock last weekend,
extending the deadline several times trying to find a solution. At the end, the
City's negotiators would not budge from their demand for the right to fire
librarians and staff anytime they want, for whatever reason they want.

This is the stumbling block.

In all good conscience, it is a demand that we cannot accept. Especially after
you and thousands of others defended our public library with such passion and
conviction. For if we did, the door would be wide open for Mayor Ford and his
allies on Council to fire the staff that run your neighbourhood branch, then
close it. Or, to fire staff to make it easy to privatize entire library
services.

The key for Mayor Ford is to have the unfettered right to fire library staff.
That would allow him to close branches, cut programs and privatize services at
will.

When the 2012 Library budget was passed, we escaped deeper cuts by just one
vote. Luckily for library lovers, one of Mayor Ford's allies on Council was
absent that day. So we will have the same struggle to protect our public library
during next year's budget process. In the meantime, Mayor Ford is preparing by
trying to win the right to chop over half the entire staff of the Toronto Public
Library.

Don't forget, since 2011 Toronto Public Library service for the Hospital for
Sick Children has been cut, service to Bridgepoint Hospital has been cut, the
Urban Affairs Library closed, and the service desk for the Centre for People
with Disabilities at Toronto Reference Library has been closed.

The Library Board refuses to say why they are so keen to have these new powers
to fire staff. But it must be so important that they are willing to shutter our
public library to win this right.

After Mayor Ford campaigned on a promise to cut gravy but not services, I will
leave it to others to draw their own conclusions.

Many people have asked me what they can do to help.

Please send a message to your Councillor right away. Ask that they do everything
in their power to get the Library Board back to the bargaining table and to drop
their demands for the right to fire at will so we can get back to work serving
you. Our online action system will send a copy of your message to the chair of
the Library Board and members, so please send your message even if your
Councillor supports our public library.

I pledge to you that I will do everything I can to protect the library that we
all love while making sure it is re-opened as soon as possible.



Yours sincerely,


Maureen O'Reilly
President
Toronto Public Library Workers Union
OurPublicLibrary.to

OurPublicLibrary.to is a network of people dedicated to preserving the integrity
of one of the world's greatest public library systems, the Toronto Public
Library and is sponsored by the Toronto Public Library Workers Union.


======================================================================

ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY NIGHT 2 7 . 0 3 . 2 0 1 2 P. 06
By ILIANA KAKOURIS
Carly Heffernan is dedicated to
making Toronto laugh, one show at
a time.
She is well known for her role in
the all-female sketch show, She Said
What, and is one of the comedians
in Second City's Live Wrong and
Prosper.
Heffernan talked to t.o.night about
her part in the show and working at
Second City.
Q. What is it like working at
Second City?
A. It is the best job in the world!
You get to go out every night and
make people laugh, which is good for
the mind, body and soul.
Q. Can you explain a bit about
the Second City education
program?
A. They have a great program set
up, and has really expanded recently.
They've really gone above and
beyond to make it family-friendly,
such as taking out the swear words
and inappropriate content, and they
have tailored shows for specific
issues. I know that they did an antibullying show, which was received
really well. That has been such a
prevalent issue in schools. They have
also expanded into having a program
called Puppet Co., which puts on
shows for kids and families with
these fantastic puppets and great
actors! It is so visually appealing for
the kids that they are on the edge of
their seats the whole time.
Q.  What is Live Wrong and
Prosper?
A.  It is a collection of individual
scenes that stand on their own and
come together in some instances.
The show explores the overall scene
of our wants over our needs, and how
we strive to satisfy them in 2012.
Q. What is it like working with
director Chris Earle?
A.  He's great! He is a veteran
director, so there was a lot of
expectation and he has absolutely
surpassed all expectations. He
directs with a really keen eye and he
is always pushing us to work to the
height of our intelligence. And that
is always really challenging, but also
really fulfilling.
Q. Who else do you work with on
the show?
A. The cast is Ashley Comeau, Jason
DeRosse, Nigel Downer, Alastair
Forbes and Inessa Frantowski. Our
musical director is Matthew Reid.
Q. Do you have a favourite
comedian you look up to?
A.  It would probably have to be
Catherine O'Hara, she's great. Also
Steve Martin, because of his ability
to play so real, and the humour that
comes from that.
Live Wrong and Prosper runs tonight to Thursday
at 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10:30
p.m.; and Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Second City
Theatre (51 Mercer St.). Tickets are $24-$29 and
can be purchased by visiting http://www.secondcity.com
or calling 416-343-0011

http://www.tonightnewspaper.com/pdf/3-134.pdf

---------------------------------------------------------------------


The Sister Accord
http://www.thesisteraccord.com/

=====================================================================

From:   "OCAP" <ocap@...>
To:   ocap@...

Subject: [ocap] Ontario Budget Declares War on Poor and Working People

Date:   Wed 03/28/12 04:36 PM

OCAP statement on 2012 Ontario Budget

Ontario Budget Declares War on Poor and Working People.
Liberals cut Community Start-Up allowance, drive down welfare/ODSP
rates,
impose wage freeze...

The 2012 Ontario Budget, delivered by the Liberal Government, but
designed
by Bay Street, goes under the title 'Strong Action for Ontario'.  In
reality, however, it is a blueprint for action to impose the burden of
the
crisis on everyone but the rich.  Public Services will be under attack
as
the Government works to reduce spending by some $17.7 billion over the
next three years.  The workers who deliver those services will face a
wage
freeze and an unprecedented attack on their pensions.

As already announced by Dalton McGuinty, this Budget includes measures
that will deepen the crisis of poverty in Ontario.  A planned $100
increase in the Ontario Child Benefit will be put off until July of 2013
and social assistance rates will be 'frozen', which in real terms means
a
cut in income once again.  People on Ontario Works are living on incomes
that are a devastating 60% lower than they were in 1995 and over 20%
lower
than when the Harris Tories left office.  Now, that wretched sub poverty
income will continue to be driven down further by the ‘poverty
reduction’
Liberals as the cost of food and other necessities increases
significantly.

A particularly disgusting move by this government is the elimination of
a
benefit known as 'Community Start-up and Maintenance Allowance'. At
present, CSU is only available to people every two years, but is the
only
way that people can get the funds to move, to buy much needed furniture,
or to pay for emergencies such as when the power has been cut off. It is
also an essential benefit for women fleeing abuse as a means to get
started in a new and safer location, and for people coming out of
institutions trying to re-start their lives on the outside. As with all
benefits on the books for OW and ODSP, it is irrefutably insufficient
and
has in the last few years under the Liberals become increasingly harder
to
access. But to cut even the meager scraps of a start-up allowance shows
the true intentions of the Liberal budget.

On top of the elimination of the CSU, all other discretionary health
benefits under Welfare (OW) and Disability (ODSP) will now be capped
meaning that access will be severely limited. Funding for these benefits
(dental emergencies, eye glasses, etc) will be cut over the next 3
years.
This newest round comes on top of the previous cuts to the Special Diet
allowance which in and of itself has massively reduced the health and
well-being of those on assistance.

The freeze on corporate tax breaks they reluctantly included in the
budget
in the hopes of preventing the defeat of their minority government and
an
election, will leave intact the tax changes that have handed billions
over
to the richest in society. We are somehow expected to be grateful or see
it as a good thing for this freeze on corporate taxes as though this
means
‘we’ (the poor AND rich) are all ‘taking a hit’.  But this
isn’t about
fairness and it isn’t even about money. If it was, they wouldn’t be
taking
it from people on assistance and the poorest Ontarians, they would go to
those who have the money. Withholding and freezing welfare ‘saves’ the
province $90 million. This is a drop in the bucket – only .072 of the
total budget, and nothing in comparison to the benefits bestowed on the
private sector and corporations. While we have faced round after round
of
attacks on our incomes and wages, the top 1% of income earners have in
fact doubled their income since 1980, but today are paying half the
taxes.
Even if corporate taxes had been raised back to the previous 14%, it
would
have generated a staggering $2billion in just one year. But no, that was
not on the table in the 2012 Budget, because no matter how they spin it,
this is really about class, and a war has been declared against poor and
working people.

We see in the proposals of TD banker Drummond, and the follow through of
Finance Minister Duncan, not just the continuation of Harris' work, but
a
transfer of wealth from poor to rich that puts Harris to shame. Thursday
we will also face Harper's attacks on the Federal level. What we need to
remember is that this isn't in isolation and isn’t happening in a
vacuum.
What we are facing on all three levels of government is in fact a global
austerity agenda that is being directed against poor communities and
workers on an international scale.  It is an attack that can only
intensify.  We can not afford to let them get away with these opening
shots.

A slogan that was popularized in the unemployed movements of the 30’s
was
‘United we eat, divided we starve’. This should ring true for us again
today. A common front of unions and communities must be organized to
resist this Budget, those who have drawn it up and those who stand to
profit from austerity. Duncan himself has stated that he expects
'protest
on the lawns of Queens park'. We need to not only make this a reality,
but
take a long and hard look at the power we have, and the power we need to
create, for a serious and sustained movement capable of creating the
economic disruption that can defeat their austerity and make the rich
pay.

Fight to Win.
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, March 2012

http://www.ocap.ca
416-925-6939

_______________________________________________
ocap mailing list

From:   Income Security Advocacy Centre <isac@...>

Subject:   Budget 2012: Tell Them What You Think

Date:   Wed 03/28/12 11:03 PM

Income Security Advocacy Centre

Ontario Budget 2012: Have Your Say

The 2012 Ontario Budget is deeply disappointing for the nearly 900,000
men, women, and children in Ontario who currently rely on Ontario Works
and the Ontario Disability Support Program for income and other
necessary benefits.

The Budget includes a freeze on social assistance rates and a delay in
increasing the Ontario Child Benefit to the promised maximum of $1,310
per child per year – which will also hurt low-income working Ontarians.

But the Budget also includes cuts to other social assistance benefits of
$30 million this year alone, and directions on restructuring OW and ODSP
employment supports services. These announcements severely constrain the
discussions that are currently underway through the Social Assistance
Review.

Both the Liberals and the NDP are looking for feedback on Budget 2012 –
we need to tell them that the budget deficit cannot be resolved on the
backs of the poor.

We're asking people to contact both the Liberals and the NDP, and tell
them:

      * The freeze to social assistance rates will hurt the poorest
people in Ontario – people on assistance need an increase that will let
them keep up with the rising cost of living;
      * The Social Assistance Review must be allowed to complete its work
before government makes any decisions on other changes; and,
      * The full Ontario Child Benefit should be implemented now.

Answer the Liberals' survey at:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf9\
0&id=9e3254fd65&e=fae5b0f927

Contact the NDP at:
http://incomesecurity.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=095b12c98935ecaadd327bf9\
0&id=3307a47bd2&e=fae5b0f927
==============================================

Metro - Brothels soon in your backyard?

Geisha, a prostitute working at the Chicken Ranch brothel, sits on the porch in
Pahrump, Nev., in this 2009 file photo. Residents have started ...

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/local/article/1136492--brothels-soon-in-your-bac\
kyard

http://1click.indiatimes.com/article/0dlm6Ge5LreAW?q=Toronto

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/local/brothels-in-the-backyard

http://www.i4u.com/2012/03/toronto/brothels-soon-your-backyard

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/77549-brothel-ruling-means-sex-work-coul\
d-get-safer-advocate-says

------------------------------------------------------------------------

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In 1999, the United Nations condemned Ontario for publicly funding the education
system of one faith and no other.

http://www.educationfairness.ca/ads/PrintAd1.pdf


ULC Charter
http://blog.documents.angelfire.com/ULCharter.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Indecency Rules & Profanity News
http://www.congoo.com/news/related?channel_id=1&story_id=38929965

Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council
Statement of Principles and Practices
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/corp/CTVShows/20031023/corp-StatePP


<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>


~ new age spiritual multifaith & non-denominational

http://www.omc.ca

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«


Bookmark:
AngelGoddess Newsmuse
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/angelgoddess-newsmuse
ProBono/PSA Newsgroups -
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/aicap-aifap
                                 /activist-newsmuse
                                 /itech-cyberlaw
                                 /celebrity-busts
                                 /cfs-melatonin
                                 /psych-meds-ingredient-concerns
                                 /yogaandmeditation

   ^..^  ^..^  ^..^  ^..^ ^..^ ^..^

                            \0/
                            /|\




Friends are quiet angels, who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble
remembering how to FLY....

(\( )/)

<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>

"we have to do the best we can. this is our sacred human responsibility" -
albert einstein

<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>--<>


"Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.
--Theodore Roosevelt".

<>--<>--<>--<>-<>--<>--<>--<>--<>-<>--<>--<><>--<>--<>-


Exercising Our First Amendment Rights!
Any attempts to intercept this message violate Title 18 U.S.C. 2511(1) of
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). All violators subject to fines,
imprisonment or civil damages, or both!

ie. LEGAL NOTICE TO ALL CANADIANS/FOREIGNERS
INCARCERATED IN AMERICAN PRISONS
http://www.angelfire.com/mi2/aicap/aicapnotice.html

{obstruction of incoming legal mail/monthly list reminder file}



========================================================================

http://www.ChangeDetection.com
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/angelgoddess-newsmuse

From:   Andrea Horwath <NDPcaucusoutreach@...>

Subject:   You spoke up

Date:   Thu 03/29/12 04:16 PM


This week the government unveiled a Budget that will affect every person across
this amazing province.

It would have been easy to make a snap decision but it's too important. That's
why I wanted to hear from people like you.

I asked for your input and you've delivered.

We've received thousands of emails and calls from everyday Ontarians like you.

This morning, I took some of your questions and concerns directly to Premier
McGuinty. I'd like to invite you to watch them here -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coemDfsvXDo&feature=youtu.be .

We heard that many of you are concerned about your job and whether it will be
there for you, and many people were concerned about the rising cost of life. We
also heard that people are concerned about the future of healthcare in Ontario.
From day one we've been determined to make this minority government work.
Unfortunately, it often seems like New Democrats are working alone. That only
makes us more determined. You can count on our team to stand up for you: for
your jobs, your health and the affordability of everyday life.

Your voices matter.

Thanks for speaking up.

Andrea Horwath
Leader, Ontario's New Democrats


PS: If you haven't yet shared your thoughts about the budget, visit our site
http://ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/ or call 1-855-ONT-BDGT (668-2348).

Copyright © 2012 ONDP Caucus, All rights reserved.
You checked the box 'Yes, I want to be contacted via email' when you completed
the Budget survey here: http://ondpcaucus.com/yoursay/index.php
Our mailing address is:
ONDP Caucus
Queen's Park
Main Legislative Building
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A5
Canada

======================================================================


CBC News Alerts

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Old Age Security eligililty to rise to age 67 by 2023

  For the latest on this breaking story, visit
http://links.cbc.ca/a/l.x?t=jncickefcfmphjpeelcagpofjn&M=1&v=4

http://www.cbc.ca/news/live/2012/03/2012-federal-budget.html


---------------------------------------------------------------------



Ontario to consider hearings into OAS changes

In an interview on CBC Radio's The House, Ontario Finance Minister
Dwight Duncan calls Jim Flaherty's attacks on Ontario "little
temper-tantrums," and tells host Evan Solomon Ontario may hold public
hearings on proposed changes to Old Age Security.

Full Story:
http://links.cbc.ca/a/l.x?t=jncickegkcmlhlpjjmpmapmkaa&M=11&v=4


[full story below:]


Politics

Ontario to consider hearings into OAS changes
Finance Minister Duncan calls Flaherty's attacks against province 'temper
tantrums'

CBC News Posted: Mar 31, 2012 9:16 AM ET

Ontario finances 'badly mismanaged,' Flaherty says
Budget cuts won't leave provinces short, Flaherty says
The House - March 31, 201248:30

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan thinks his federal counterpart should
leave public attacks aside and instead focus on working together with Ontarians.

In an interview airing Saturday on CBC Radio's The House, federal Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty told host Evan Solomon that Ontario is a "badly managed
province, it's been mismanaged for eight or nine years now."

Flaherty repeated those comments throughout the day on Friday, in other media
interviews, and again during a speech to the Canadian Club of Toronto.

The luncheon speech was touted as an opportunity for Flaherty to promote the
budget he had tabled the day before, which he did — but not without criticizing
the Ontario government for its own recent budget and its fiscal track record
since Liberal Dalton McGuinty took over the premier's office.

When asked to comment on Flaherty's attacks against him, Duncan told Solomon, "I
don't know what prompts Mr. Flaherty to have these little temper-tantrums."

"I think we should leave these little fights aside and work together the way we
did during the downturn. I think that's what Canadians and Ontarians expect,"
Duncan said.

Impact of federal changes on the provinces
Proposed changes to Old Age Security and the federal guaranteed income
supplement will mean that some seniors will have to turn to the provinces for
additional social assistance starting in 2023.

Duncan told Solomon, "I'm thinking we may even have hearings across the province
to get people's input into these changes."

When Solomon asked Duncan whether there was already a system in place to
compensate the provinces, Duncan said "no."

Flaherty conceded "it is a long way out," but the federal government "will
compensate the provinces for costs they would not have otherwise incurred if we
had not changed the age of eligibility."

"We have made the commitment in the budget, in writing, explicitly," Flaherty
said.

Duncan told Solomon that what worries Ontario is "the hamfisted approach to
jails, where they are not providing us with compensation, forcing additional
costs in what I would largely call a very political step."

Duncan has been critical of the federal government's controversial omnibus crime
bill, which would see the provinces foot the bill for the building of new
prisons.

Ontario has estimated Bill C-10 will cost the province up to $1-billion in
prison costs alone.

NDP denounces proposed changes to OAS
New Democratic Leader Tom Mulcair also denounced the proposed changes to what he
called "people's retirement incomes."

Mulcair told Solomon that the work done by Kevin Page, the parliamentary budget
officer, "demonstrated clearly that the system was sustainable."

Raising the age of eligibility means the Conservatives are "taking money out of
people's pockets, money they had counted on to retire," the Opposition leader
said. "You're going to go on welfare. That's what the Conservatives are telling
Canadians who are working hard all of their lives."

Flaherty said "this has nothing to do with pensions. The Canada Pension Plan is
stable and solid for the next 75 years. This is a social program funded by
Canadian taxpayers."

"We want to make sure that it is sustainable, that it exists in the future, and
by bumping the age of eligibility we can be assured that that will happen,"
Flaherty said.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/31/pol-the-house-flaherty-mulcair-\
duncan.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------



Federal budget 2012: Ottawa axes National Council on Welfare
Published On Fri Mar 30 2012
Laurie Monsebraaten
Social Justice Reporter


Anti-poverty groups are shocked, but not surprised, Finance Minister Jim
Flaherty axed the National Council of Welfare in Thursday's budget.

The independent, federally-appointed body was created by an act of Parliament in
1969 to advise the minster of human resources on poverty in Canada.

But since the Harper government was elected in 2006, it has ignored the
council's research and advice on how to address growing income disparity across
the country, activists say.

"If the government actually heeded the council's advice, they'd be saving a
whole lot more than the $1 million per year they have been spending on the
council," said Rob Rainer of Canada Without Poverty.

A spokesperson for Human Resources Minister Diane Finley said the $1.1 million
council and its eight Ottawa-based staff are being cut next year to reduce
duplication.

"Many non-governmental organizations . . . provide quality independent advice
and research on poverty-related issues," said Alyson Queen.

"We continue to take poverty issues very seriously, investing in skills,
training and support for families to ensure every Canadian has the opportunity
to fully participate in the economy," she added.

However, Rainer and others said their organizations rely heavily on the
council's "excellent" research to inform their work.

The council's annual report on welfare incomes in Canada is the only
comprehensive analysis of social assistance across the country and how it
interacts with federal benefits, he said. The council has also produced
authoritative reports on child care, child benefits and low incomes in Canada.

Its latest report, "The Dollars and Sense of Solving Poverty," released in
August, showed that it would cost $12.6 billion to give some 3.5 million poor
Canadians enough money to live above the poverty line. However, the economic and
social consequences of poverty cost Canadians twice as much, the report found.

"So, I guess we don't want to know anything about poverty or how to solve it,"
said NDP MP Olivia Chow (Trinity—Spadina).

"Without the information, no one will be able to report on how many people this
Conservative government is leaving behind," she added. "It's called out of sight
and out of mind. And don't get in the way."


http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1154445--federal-budget-2012\
-ottawa-axes-national-council-on-welfare

----------------------------------------------------------------------



CBC's regional stations might bear brunt of cuts
Published On Fri Mar 30 2012

Jordan Himelfarb
Special to the Star


CBC executives will tell employees next Wednesday how the public broadcaster
intends to absorb the $115 million funding cut prescribed in Thursday's federal
budget.

An internal memo distributed by CBC president Hubert Lacroix says the
broadcaster will stay mum about how it will adapt to its new economic reality
until a town hall meeting next week.

Lacroix also said that, while the reduction will have a "significant impact" on
the organization and its services, management is working on a plan that "will
meet our financial reality head-on without overly compromising our strategy."

But many observers are skeptical such a plan is possible, especially just three
years after the organization let go nearly 800 employees in the wake of a $179
million advertising shortfall. "We've already trimmed the fat," said a former
CBC executive who asked not to be named. "Now we're looking at arms and legs."

The lobby group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting warned Friday that the cuts
would have a "rapid and severe" impact on the CBC, possibly including "the death
of Radio 2," the closure of international bureaus, and the addition of
advertising to radio.

The group added that the cuts could mean "reduced depth, quality, diversity and
distinctiveness of CBC News" — a problem that former CBC president Robert
Rabinovitch sees growing already.

In an interview with The Network, a new Toronto Star website dedicated to a
discussion of the CBC and public broadcasting, Rabinovitch said that "the
quality of writing and editing is depressing; (CBC News doesn't) have the staff
to produce the quality of work that they used to be able to produce."

Many observers believe that the brunt of the cuts will be borne by regional
stations, which the CBC claimed to be its top priority in the five-year plan the
corporation released in February of last year.

"These cuts pose a serious threat to the CBC's ability to provide services to
the 6,000,000 Canadians who live in towns of 50,000 people or less and who would
otherwise get no service," the former CBC decision-maker said.

Ian Morrison, head of the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, told the Star that
while the CBC may claim that the regions are its top priority, the organization
will have little choice in the current context but to reallocate funds to
entertainment and sports television, by far its most profitable services.


http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1154633--cbc-s-regional-stat\
ions-might-bear-brunt-of-cuts

----------------------------------------------------------------------




SATURDAY, 31 MARCH 2012

Rogers eases son's pain with $1,500 compensation offer
By Ellen Roseman, | Fri Mar 30, 2012

It's the stuff of nightmares. Your father dies in February and you save two of
his voicemail messages to use in a video celebrating his life.
Later, you get a telemarketing call from Rogers, offering to upgrade your
wireless plan. The cost is $1 more a month.

You say yes, but you forget to ask about preserving your phone messages. Rogers
fails to tell you the messages will be deleted during the upgrade.
You realize you have no other recordings of your father's voice and you ask
Rogers for compensation. But what is the right amount?
Chris Whelehan sent his complaint to five media outlets earlier this month.
Since he works as a paralegal, he considered going to court. But he wanted to
try other options first.
"I've contacted Rogers many times about this. They say they cannot retrieve the
lost messages and they're sorry," he said.
"I asked for some type of compensation — none was freely offered — and they
offered a $70 discount over a one-year period on my iPhone service."
He declined the offer and said he'd be switching carriers. Nothing helped.
"Note that I'm a loyal and complete customer. Rogers gets about $350 of my money
every month.
"This is a clear example of a large corporation having absolutely no heart."
I often slam Rogers for its service, but I know the telecom giant can come
through for people in a jam.
I sent his email to the office of the president, which raised the offer to $150.
Whelehan felt it still wasn't enough.
Then, I asked if he'd tried the ombudsman's office. He didn't know there was one
or how to contact it.
Rogers was the first Canadian communications company to set up an ombudsman's
office in July 2009.
The mandate "is to provide an impartial and fair lens through which to view
customer inquiries, investigating both sides of an issue and assisting the
parties in reaching a fair and reasonable resolution," said the 2010 report.
(It was published last May and is available at Rogers' website.)
The first ombudsman, Don Moffatt, used customer complaints to rewrite many of
Rogers' policies. Of the 1,893 complaints he dealt with in 2010, more than seven
in 10 were wireless-related, he said in his report.
Kim Walker took over the ombudsman's job after Moffatt retired last year. She's
putting the finishing touches on the 2011 report to come out shortly.
Walker responded to Whelehan's email right away, asking for consent to review
his file. The ombudsman's office is separate from customer service and the
office of the president, though it's in the same building.
"I can't thank you enough for putting me in touch with Kim Walker," Whelehan
told me less than 24 hours later.
"She was very compassionate, as she was party to a similar situation some time
ago that stuck with her and she felt the need to make this right on an urgent
basis.
"They have offered — and I have accepted — a $1,500 credit to my account."
Who says a large corporation doesn't have a heart?
The Rogers ombudsman sympathized with a grieving son who wasn't told the
shocking consequences of accepting a telemarketing deal. And she raised the
previous offer tenfold.
Rogers is smart to create a higher level of appeal. Now it needs to broadcast
the message widely and help customers find the ombudsman without going to the
media first.
Ellen Roseman writes about personal finance and consumer issues. You can reach
her at eroseman@... or www.ellenroseman.com


http://www.mediaintoronto.com/2012/03/rogers-eases-sons-pain-with-1500.html


[fyi: rogers owes this moderator a year in credits for non-repair of half cable
channels when paying for best package - partner also died in 2006 a week after
their modem was returned and account has been under estate name since! so why
such discrimination against a disabled  academy voter suffering from domestic
abuse to top it! and don't think eroseman isn't aware of this!]

---------------------------------------------------------------------


29 Mar 2012
24 Hours Toronto
STEPHAN DUSSAULT
QMI Agency

Few phone fines despite thousands of complaints

Canada's broadcast watchdog handed out just four fines to illegal telemarketers
last year despite a record 130,656 complaints, QMI Agency has learned.
JACK BOLAND, QMI AGENCY

Canadians registered 130,656 complaints against telemarketers that violated the
National Do Not Call List. Of those, only four received fines.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission says it prefers
education over punishment for companies that violate the National Do Not Call
List and bother Canadians in their homes.
By the CRTC'S own admission, 85% of all citizen complaints are legitimate.
"These (offenders) are often small businesses that were not aware of the law,"
CRTC spokesman Denis Carmel told QMI Agency. "We prefer to send notices and to
educate businesses."
The list, which debuted in 2008, requires most telemarketers to register with
the CRTC and pay a fee for the right to place calls. Businesses aren't allowed
to call Canadians who register their numbers on the list, although newspapers,
charities and political parties are exempt. Companies that have done business
with a client in the past 18 months are also exempt.
A Harris/decima survey conducted last year found 15% of Canadians on the list
said they received more calls than ever before.
"It is i mpossible to completely eliminate these calls," Carmel said.
"When they first call you, simply mention to them that you would like them to
remove your number." But the CRTC came down hard on the few offenders it decided
to fine.
In 2010, Bell Canada paid a record $1.3 million on behalf of subcontractors who
pestered Canadians on the list. Ironically, Bell Canada is in charge of managing
the list.
Some 10,656,000 telephone and fax numbers appear on the list.

http://eedition.toronto.24hrs.ca/epaper/viewer.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------



29 mar 2012
24 Hours Calgary
CANADIANS PRO LEGALIZING BROTHELS: SURVEY


CANADIANS ARE LARGELY
supportive of the recent court decision to allow hookers to work legally in
bordellos. A Forum Research Poll released exclusively to QMI Agency on Wednesday
showed that 47% of Canadians approve of the landmark decision to legalize
brothels, compared to the 36% that disagree. The poll of 1,638 Canadians 18 and
older was conducted on March 26, just hours a er an Ontario Court of Appeal
ruling struck down laws that prohibit prostitutes from operating out of a
brothel.


http://outside24.pressdisplay.com/epaper/da/viewer.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Toronto Star
Saturday, March 31, 2012

GTA

The State of Sex in the City

People connected to the sex trade in various ways talk about their lives and
what the landmark prostitution ruling means to them

[cannot get this printed article with google search - included an already legal
independent outcall to hotels escort who will not be affected by this law]

---------------------------------



Editorial Comments on Legalized Brothels: pros and cons
Toronto Star - Saturday

[also could not get this printed version with google search]

----------------------------------



Talking Points: Will Ontario court's brothel ruling really protect prostitutes?
Published On Sat Mar 31 2012

Retired dominatrix Terri-Jean Bedford.
LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR
Sarah Barmak
Special to the Star

The Issue: On Monday, the Ontario Court of Appeal struck down as
unconstitutional some of Canada's prostitution laws, arguing that sex workers
should be able to ply their trade from the relative safety of brothels and hire
support staff. Proponents of the decision hailed it as a move that would protect
prostitutes. Others, including the prime minister, had different ideas.

Former prostitute Valerie Scott, who was involved in the court case: "We're
almost real citizens (now). . . . I didn't think I would see it in my lifetime,
but here we are."

From the court's decision: "Prostitution is a controversial topic, one that
provokes heated and heartfelt debate about morality, equality, personal autonomy
and safety. . . . It is not the court's role to engage in that debate."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reacting to the ruling: "We view prostitution as
bad for society and we view its effects as particularly harmful for our
communities and women, and particularly for vulnerable women, and we will
continue to oppose prostitution in Canada."

Former teen prostitute Katarina MacLeod: "There's going to be no (police) sweeps
(of brothels anymore) . . . . What about the girls that are trapped inside
there? There's no voice for the voiceless any more and it just disgusts me that
we're in a world where this is looked at that this is okay."

Marie (not her real name), a former sex worker in Montreal who became a
prostitute as a teen and gave it up when she was 30: "It's hypocritical — it's
merely legitimizing pimps into businessmen. . . . Prostitution is not a choice,
it is a reality. Legalizing bordellos is simply telling men it's okay to go
there. . . . The violence against women is not on the street, it's between four
walls. There are escort services, massage parlours, all operating now with
organized crime and street gangs. Bordellos will be the same."

Former Montreal prostitute Julie: "This isn't a choice and it's not a job.
There's no more security in doing this inside a bordello. . . . Minors are going
to still be in prostitution and their numbers will increase."

Bob Hughes, head of the AIDS Society of Kamloops Wellness: "Anything that
supports . . . programs and efforts to assist women to get off the street and
working in the sex trade to a safer indoor setting should be applauded . . . .
women who are out on street-level sex trade are (at) far more risk of harm than
if they're indoors."

Terri-Jean Bedford, a dominatrix and former prostitute who was also part of the
case, saying working inside a brothel protects women: "When you are out on the
street, the laws are horrible . . . and they move people into the shadows. . . .
We're not sex slaves. We're not going to give it away. We're not going to lay
down and take the beatings any more like the police and the federal government
would like us to."

Valerie Scott, before the ruling: "It's a matter of life and death. . . . In
what other legal occupation is a worker not permitted by law to take any
security measures?"

Editorial, Calgary Herald: "The ruling, however, is naive. It presumes that
prostitutes, male or female, will operate their businesses like walk-in clinics,
presumably with all the licensing prerequisites of any business. . . The grim
reality is that prostitution is mostly practised by the drug-addicted, the
mentally ill and the desperately poor. For these, a licensed brothel will matter
little."

Sarah Barmak


http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1154354--talking-points-will-ontario\
-court-s-brothel-ruling-really-protect-prostitutes


[just like Orwell predicted: the government (and now the press) will support
pornography and lower class prostitution]

----------------------------------------------------------------------


Mallick: Why are we talking ourselves into Brothel City?
Published On Fri Mar 30 2012

"All women should be shown a viable way out of the sex trade," said Angel Wolfe,
whose mother Brenda was killed by Robert Pickton.
LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR

By Heather Mallick
Star Columnist

Prostitution is a rotten thing, dangerous, filthy and soul-destroying. And yet
male customers keep it going, along with an endless PR campaign — in tandem with
activist prostitutes — about catering to its inevitability.

But is it inevitable? Throughout history, people have taken dangerous drugs,
committed suicide, raped their offspring and behaved appallingly and
self-destructively in a huge expandable array of acts, but we don't shrug and
say, "Such is life." We work with great passion to put a stop to it. As we
should.

So why are Torontonians suddenly so passive in response to the Ontario Court of
Appeal decision allowing brothels? We aren't even waiting for the appeal to the
Supreme Court of Canada. We're rolling over for the sexual small-business
mentality and considering making it easier for brutes to rent the bodies of
desperate women and men.

We are now earnestly discussing how brothels are okay really, and accepting the
self-serving advice of madams that condo towers are full of lite-whorehouses
anyway and that a red-light district is simple good sense. You know, for that
type of person, we think patronizingly. But we're being scammed.

It's patronizing reverse-liberalism. We think we're being kind to prostitutes
when in fact we're skating away from the hard work of helping them. It's too
much trouble to contemplate fixing the root problems they face: their poverty,
despair, drug addiction and sheer lack of life options. And for so little
gratitude! So we curl up like possums and pass ourselves off as humane.

If Toronto is in fact thick with mom-and-pop brothels — the implication being
that these cosy places offer butter tarts in the parlour for gentleman callers —
then we and our children are sharing the elevators with johns. We're in more
danger inside than we are outside from falling glass. If I don't want
prostitute-buyers in my neighbourhood, I shouldn't be blithe about their
marching about the neighbourhoods of the poor.

I don't like these men and I won't tolerate feeding their sexual ineptitude. Let
them wash up, buy women a drink and take their chances like the rest of us. This
is Toronto, not a Chicken Ranch.

Street sex workers have to be protected from violent men. It's up to the police
to do that. The fact that the Vancouver police aggressively ignored the
Vancouver women who disappeared at the hands of serial killer Robert Pickton is
not a reason to give the police a pass. As Angel Wolfe, the daughter of Brenda
Wolfe, one of Pickton's first victims, said tearfully and angrily after the
ruling, "I believe that all women should be shown a viable way out of the sex
trade."

Who knows better than this brave young woman? When we give up on fighting
prostitution, it means we are bowing not just to johns but to incompetent cops.

Why not fight prostitution itself? It's a great battle that should never cease.
In 1847, Charles Dickens came up with an idea for a refuge for London women
selling their bodies to survive. This "house of fallen women," named Urania
Cottage, was financed by Dickens' friend, an heiress named Angela Burdett
Coutts.

For 16 years, until Dickens' own domestic life fell apart, it provided a home,
care and feeding for street women so poor we can hardly imagine it today. It
trained them for the meagre work available to poor Victorian women — mainly
sewing and housekeeping — and also offered passage to the colonies for female
Oliver Twists wanting to escape their past lives.

Yes, it was patronizing. Yes, it was punishing. But it offered a life raft.

The magnificent Dickens always wanted to improve lives being lived, throwing
himself into causes with a scary energy and eloquence. I can't imagine what he'd
say if he heard us today saying, yes, if our daughters "want to" provide oral
sex to buy the drugs they're hooked on, who are we to deny them?

And how wearying it would be to try.

I see this fatigue in many fields now. Why shouldn't wealthy Canadians pay South
Asian surrogates to endure embryo implantations and bear them children? If
vaginas are nice earners for prostitutes, why shouldn't underperforming wombs be
pressed into trade too? By all means, buy the kidneys of the poor of Eastern
Europe. They do have two, after all.

We're sliding down the slipperiest of slopes. Every organ is a commodity.
Where's the harm?

The harm can be seen on the faces and bodies of prostitution's victims. The
damage to their heart's core is invisible, but that doesn't make it
incalculable.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1154464--mallick-why-are-we-talking-ourselve\
s-into-brothel-city

======================================================================



[Toronto Star Entertainment]

By Richard Ouzounian
Theatre Critic

Kelly Ripa: from All My Children to Regis Philbin to Ben Mulroney

SUPPLIED PHOTO
Kelly Ripa is bringing her popular talk show to Banff.

Mar 30, 2012


Kelly Ripa isn't going anywhere.

That's an unusual state of affairs for the popular 41-year-old host of Live!
With Kelly, seen weekdays at 9 a.m. on CTV.

Not only does her energetic interviewing style make her seem like a helicopter
always about to take off for somewhere exciting, she's getting ready to present
her show next week from Banff, Alta.

Right now, however, she's stuck in traffic and our interview is conducted on a
cellphone to the background soundtrack of Manhattan car horns squawking their
anger over the latest gridlock.

"If I let everything that goes wrong in the world bother me, I'd go crazy," she
laughs in that distinctive voice that has retained just a trace of her New
Jersey accent. "If you've got 10 things on the go one day and five of them fall
through, you're still batting .500, which is pretty great in anybody's book."

Ripa's visit to Banff will mark the third time she's broadcast the program from
Canada, the first two with her longtime co-host Regis Philbin, who retired last
November. The duo went to Niagara Falls in 2006 and Prince Edward Island in
2010, both visits yielding visible results in tourism. Banff is hoping for the
same, which is the reason Travel Alberta forked out $1.5 million to make this
happen.

"I'm so excited about going there, because I always wanted to be an outdoorsy
mountain girl, but I grew up along the Jersey Shore and never saw a mountain
except on postcards," she says.

She was born in Stratford, N.J., on Oct. 2, 1970 to a homemaker mom and a bus
driver dad who went on to be a labour union president.

"There was always a lot of love and laughter in the house, and tons of fun. My
mom and dad are the reason I am who I am today. What you see on the show is just
the way I used to act at home. Add my husband and you've got a support system
that every woman should have."

Ripa admits she's almost invariably nice on camera and that's certainly how she
comes across in an interview but credits that to the fact that "I mostly talk to
nice people and I give back what I get. That's easy. But treat me with
disrespect and you'll learn real fast that I'm from Jersey."

Ask Clay Aiken. Back in 2006, the singer-songwriter actually covered Ripa's
mouth with his hand to block a question and the whole world soon knew how
unhappy she was about it. "I'm no pushover," she says unapologetically.

She was also no actress or so she thought until Grade 6, when her school's
theatre director, Jim Beckley, got an idea that would shape the direction of
Ripa's life.

"I was not a good singer and our school only did musicals then, so I wasn't even
going to try out until Jim asked me to. He thought I was a natural performer and
so he gave me a lead in the next show."

That sounds great until you realize the show was the Gilbert and Sullivan
operetta H.M.S. Pinafore and Ripa had been cast as the soprano love interest,
Josephine, with many demanding solos.

Ripa's solution was "to turn songs like `Sorry Her Lot' into a full-blown
sitcom, with me sobbing and blowing my nose."

Gilbert and Sullivan may have done a 360-degree revolution in their graves, but
the New Jersey audience loved it.

"And I learned something very important. When you get an audience laughing, you
get them on your side. And if you can laugh at yourself, they're bound to like
you even more."

It's a lesson Ripa learned well. It also explains that while some of her
seemingly ingenuous on-air comments and outbursts of "too much information"
about her personal life may be spontaneous, that doesn't mean they're not part
of a long-term strategy.

Ripa didn't have to wait too long after school before landing her first big
break, playing the character of Hayley Vaughan on the long-running soap opera
All My Children from 1990-2001.

"When you're playing a character, you only see things from your point of view,"
recalls Ripa. "When I got the role, I thought I would be a glamorous soap star
with long nails and cascading hair and wonderful clothes, but I wore the same
outfit for a year because I was a runaway. It didn't matter. Audiences loved her
because she was an underdog."

Although she loved doing the show, it's surprising to hear her declare that "I
try never to look back because it's so painful to look at myself." I ask if
there was some emotional trauma connected with that period and she bursts into
laughter.

"No! I'm talking about looking at my bad acting! I just cringe when I see those
early shows. Thank God they were all so generous and let me learn on the job,
because I learned a lot"

She also met her husband, Mark Consuelos, who was her co-star on the program.
They married in 1996, have been happily together ever since and have three
children.

The problems of being a popular soap star helped prepare Ripa for the attention
she had to face as the host of a hit show.

"People would come up to me all the time and talk to me like I was Hayley.
They'd even call me Hayley. I don't think they knew my real name.

"I played a recovering alcoholic and so when I'd be out at dinner with my
husband, they'd see me drinking a glass of wine and turn on him for enabling me.

"It could get pretty hairy!"

Her next big role took her in totally the opposite direction and she loved it.
Starting in 2003, she spent three seasons on the sitcom Hope & Faith, playing
Faith Fairfield, a former soap star who moves in with her sister Hope (Faith
Ford), wrecking havoc on her family life.

"I absolutely loved playing that role. I could bring everything I knew about the
world of soap opera to it, but the character was so juicy! We've all met people
who are that self-involved. It doesn't really matter what you're saying. They're
only waiting for you to stop talking to tell you what they think.

"There's something very compelling about that level of narcissism and it was so
liberating to never have to be nice."

But the big job of her career had been running in tandem with these other gigs
for several years.

In 2000, she went on what was originally called Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee
as a guest host and soon became the obvious choice to share the sofa with
Philbin, which she did from Feb. 5, 2001 until he retired last November.

"I was truly a fan of Regis and Kathie Lee from the beginning, and when I got
the gig it's like everybody who watches the show got the gig as well."

There's going to be a new co-host named soon, but Ripa is mum on the subject,
preferring to talk about how much snowshoeing she plans to do when in Banff and
conveying genuine excitement about one of her co-hosts in the coming week.

"I'm going to be working with Ben Mulroney on April 5 and I hear he's just like
Canadian royalty."

Well, I told you Kelly Ripa was a nice person.

FIVE FAVE PEOPLE IN KELLY RIPA'S LIFE

MARK CONSUELOS

He's not just my husband; he's my co-host in life.

ANDERSON COOPER

He makes me more aware of what goes on in the world, near and far.

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD

If she hadn't been such a success on the program first, I wouldn't be there to
follow her now.

REGIS PHILBIN

He's not just the greatest storyteller in the world, he showed me that the bad
things that happen to me in my life aren't always bad things.

JOSEPH & ESTHER RIPA

My parents. They really showed me what a married couple should look like. Mark
and I have taken great inspiration from watching them.


http://www.toronto.com/article/720229--kelly-ripa-from-all-my-children-to-regis-\
philbin-to-ben-mulroney

======================================================================




Singer Robin Thicke honoured by Juno nomination
Singer plans to attend show on Sunday
The Canadian Press

Posted: Mar 28, 2012 6:13 PM ET
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2012 6:21 PM ET

Singer Robin Thicke performs on the Today show in December. Peter Kramer/ NBC /
Associated Press / Canadian Press


Given that he was born and raised in the balmy climes of Los Angeles, Robin
Thicke didn't exactly grow up dreaming of the day he would be nominated for a
Juno Award.

Still, the 35-year-old — who holds dual citizenship by virtue of his father,
celebrated Canuck actor Alan Thicke — was tickled to find himself among the
nominees for R&B/soul recording of the year at Sunday's show. Even if he's never
really considered himself Canadian.

"I was very honoured — it's nice to be nominated in dad's home [country]," the
personable singer said when reached via telephone this week.

"The nomination is just, it's very sweet. Very kind. When you make your music,
you want as many people to hear it and love it as possible. It's nice when your
peers — or a meeting of the minds — thinks you've made something of quality."

Oh, and just in case you were wondering...

"I definitely knew what the Junos are."

For the record, the rule of eligibility is simple: Thicke could be nominated for
a Juno because he holds Canadian citizenship and he put out music during the
right timeframe.

"We're Canadian — we like to be more inclusive," joked Melanie Berry, president
of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which puts on the Junos.

Still, the inclusion of a well-known American crooner did raise some eyebrows.

Toronto's Melanie Fiona, who is nominated alongside Thicke for R&B/soul
recording, admitted she was surprised to see his name among the nominees, even
though the two singers are friends.

"I was like, 'I didn't realize Americans are getting nominated at the Junos,"'
the two-time Grammy-winning Fiona said during a recent interview.

"But afterward, I was like, 'Oh right, he is, he's Canadian.' We actually crack
about that all the time, whenever I see him. He's like, 'Well, I'm a
half-Canadian.' So we definitely have that bond.

"I'm glad that at least when he's around me, he reps it proudly, because I rep
it proudly all the time."

Thicke, meanwhile, has only positive memories of spending time in Canada as a
child.

He remembers coming to Brampton, Ont., to visit his grandfather at Christmas and
during the summer, when the family would go boating together (his mother is
singer and former Days of Our Lives star Gloria Loring).

Thicke says he has equally fond memories of visiting relatives in Edmonton and
Vancouver.

Thicke is nominated for his collaboration with Lil Wayne, seen here performing
in March during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TexasJack Plunkett/
Associated Press
"I spent a lot of time in Canada," said Thicke, who's married to Mission:
Impossible — Ghost Protocol star Paula Patton.

And unlike some prominent homegrown nominees, Thicke actually plans to attend
the show in Ottawa this Sunday.

"Just for fun, [I'll] come hang out," said Thicke, who's nominated for his Lil
Wayne collaboration Pretty Lil' Heart.

"I never turn down a good party."

Still, even with his Canuck credentials, the surprising nomination mainly made
Thicke think of his father.

"My dad has total Canadian pride. My dad is ... a lover of all things Canadian."

The elder Thicke even co-hosted the Junos with Burton Cummings way back in 1983.

Like many Juno-related matters, Robin Thicke was gleefully unaware of that piece
of trivia.

"No he didn't!" he said with palpable surprise, laughing.

"I love it. I didn't even know that. See? That's my point. You can't do anything
in Canada without my dad having been a part of it."

© The Canadian Press, 2012


http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/arts/story/2012/03/28/robin-thicke-juno-nomination.htm\
l

======================================================================

From:   Ian Morrison - FRIENDS <ian.morrison@...>

Subject:   CBC singled out for vindictive cuts

Date:   Thu 03/29/12 06:08 PM


In today's Budget, the Harper government has broken its election promise and cut
the CBC's budget by 10% - this is $115 million!

This will require CBC to cut hundreds of staff, including some of the most
famous personalities from flagship TV and Radio shows, thereby incurring heavy
separation costs, putting further downward pressure on programming.

We were expecting something like this, but it's shocking when you consider the
impact of these cuts:

The death of Radio 2

Reduced depth, quality, diversity and distinctiveness of CBC News
CBC Radio will be less relevant to Canadians
Canadian bureaus in major cities around the world will be closed
Further reductions to cultural programs
CBC Television will look a lot more like private-sector commercial channels
The Table below (Budget 2012, page 269) shows how CBC has been singled out for
cuts in the "Heritage Portfolio", where other cultural institutions, such as the
Canada Council and the National Gallery have been spared:

[graph in email received does not copy!]

We are not going to take this lying down!

Now we have to mobilize CBC's supporters – 8 out of 10 Canadians –
http://www.friends.ca/poll/10453
to hold Stephen Harper's government to account in the years leading to the next
election, when the impact of what Harper has done today will be painfully
obvious.

Thanks for standing with us as we move forward with this fight for Canadian
culture and democracy! You will hear from us again soon.

Regards!


Ian Morrison
Spokesperson
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent watchdog for Canadian
programming
and is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party.


Full Report
http://www.friends.ca/files/PDF/fcb-28nov11-report.pdf


http://www.friends.ca

http://www.friends.ca/press-release/10639
[no graph in news release either!]

http://www.friends.ca/files/PDF/HerComm.cbc.f28.pdf


--------------------------------------------------------------------


Bookmark!
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/angelgoddess-newsmuse
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/aicap-aifap

======================================================================

Table A1.11
Planned Savings - Heritage Portfolio
millions of dollars
http://blog.documents.angelfire.com/TableA1.11.pdf

I've Loved You So Long

Kristin Scott Thomas (Actor), Elsa Zylberstein (Actor), Philippe Claudel
(Director) | Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | Format: DVD
5 stars

Actors: Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein, Serge Hazanavicius, Laurent
Grévill, Frédéric Pierrot
Directors: Philippe Claudel
Writers: Philippe Claudel
Producers: Sylvestre Guarino, Yves Marmion
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: French
Subtitles: English
Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other
countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 1
MPAA Rating:
Studio: Columbia/Tristar Vid
Release Date: Feb 10 2009
Run Time: 117 minutes
ASIN: B001M72J68
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#2 in DVD > Art House & International > By Country > France
#3 in DVD > En français > Drame > Drames psychologiques
#13 in DVD > Art House & International > By Original Language > French

Kristin Scott Thomas is brilliant as Juliette, freed from prison after serving
15 years. Enigmatic, reserved, yet ready to re-enter life cautiously, Juliette
moves in with her younger sister, Lea (Elsa Zylberstein), a literature
professor, and the latter's husband Luc (Serge Hazanavicius), who worries about
allowing Juliette into a home with two young children (related to the reason she
was convicted in the first place). Also in the house is Juliette and Lea's
father (Jean-Claude Arnaud), mute from illness. Writer-director Philippe Claudel
slowly reveals details about the nature of Juliette's crime as she takes a job
in a hospital records department and is wooed by a colleague. Other forces in
Juliette's life--people asking questions, a visit to her dementia-suffering
mother, tensions between her and Lea--slowly tease out the mystery behind her
actions and takes viewers to a conclusion that adds an element of surprise but
ties things up too tidily. Claudel cultivates an aura of naturalism and
no-frills storytelling that allows dramatic developments and revelations to
unfold easily. The film borders a bit on soap opera, but the grace and
intelligence of Thomas' performance, offset by Zylberstein's more emotional
work, is never less than compelling. --Tom Keogh

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001M72J68/internatio088-20

======================================================================

whitney houston succembed to drowning, says coroner

the cause of whitney houston's death was accidental drowning, it has been
revealed.  long-term cocaine use and heart disease contributed to the
48-year-old singer's death on feb.11, according to the los angeles county
coroner's office.  the star, who was found dead in the bathtub of her suite at
the beverly hilton hotel on the eve of the grammy awards ceremony, also had
marijuana, allergy medication, an anti-anxiety drug and a muscle relaxant in her
blood, according to the toxicology report.
"we are saddened to learn of the results," said patricia houston, whiteney's
sister-in-law and former manager, "although we are glad to now have closure."

http://www.hellomagazine.ca

[printed april, 2012 - could not find one unedited version with specific
toxicology results online!]

========================================================================

No child's play
Apr. 1, 2012
Written by: Marilyn Linton, QMI Agency

Vaccines aren't just for kids, experts say. So roll up your sleeves, grown-ups!
(Veronica Henri/QMI Agency)

Except for our annual flu shot, most of us think vaccines are just for kids.

British actress and former Bond girl Jane Seymour was no different - until she
got sick and discovered her illness could have been prevented with a simple
vaccine. The actress, known most recently for her TV role on Dr. Quinn, Medicine
Woman, has since campaigned widely to raise awareness of adult vaccines,
including during a trip last year to Canada.

It's obvious public health has made great strides in reducing common illnesses
that in the past killed many children - everything from measles to polio. But as
Vancouver's public health and preventive medicine specialist Dr. Bonnie Henry
points out, there is no strong public health program for adult immunization.
"Sometimes they get neglected," she says.

Ad

Not only do adults need booster shots, but they also need to know their own
personal immunization history - something most of us assume is our doctor's
responsibility alone.
"We tend to be quite complacent," says Henry. "It's really important to know
that immunization is not just for children."

But that's what many North Americans do think - despite the fact that more than
40,000 adults die each year of vaccine-preventable diseases. The fact many
adults don't realize the benefits of vaccination do not end in childhood is what
prompted the American Academy of Microbiology to convene an expert panel on the
subject and publish a report entitled Adult Vaccines - a Grown Up Thing to Do.

Adults need to be vaccinated because the immunity we received from the vaccines
we got as children can wane over time, says Henry. "A booster for tetanus and
diphtheria, given as Td, should be taken every 10 years. And adults should also
have a single dose of pertussis vaccine."

Tetanus is all around us, she explains. "It's a bacterium that lives in the soil
and can produce a very severe illness. Luckily most of us have been immunized,
but that immunity wanes over time."

In BC in 2007, three people died from their tetanus infection and all started
out with minor cuts to the skin.

Adults over 65 and those with conditions that increase their chances of
complications should receive one dose of pneumococcal vaccine. That vaccine,
Henry explains, protects against a bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
People die from this severe form of pneumonia every year - it's what struck Jane
Seymour a few years back.

All adult vaccines are recommended by Canada's National Advisory Council for
Immunization (NACI), a board on which Henry sits. NACI also recommends a
shingles vaccine for people over the age of 60.

"It doesn't prevent all cases, but it diminishes the severity of the disease and
reduces the probability that you'd develop the accompanying nerve pain," says
Henry. (The shingles vaccine, however, is not covered by most health programs;
it's cost, a whopping $250.)

Some physicians also recommend that adults receive vaccines against Hepatitis A
and B, especially those who travel outside North America.

As for whose job it is to remember what vaccine you had and when, Henry says
everyone should keep their own record (find one at www.immunize.ca) and talk to
their doctors about getting up to date.

"All adult vaccines are effective and safe," she adds. "In flu shots, for
instance, having a serious adverse reaction is rare compared to the probability
of getting sick."

What's a vaccine?

In Adult Vaccines: A Grown Up Thing to Do, it's explained that a vaccine is a
substance that teaches your immune system to recognize a pathogen - a
potentially harmful microorganism. Drugs like antibiotics can fight some of
these pathogens after they make us sick, but only vaccines can prepare our
immune system so certain pathogens never make us sick in the first place.
Download the report at http://www.academy.asm.org.

What and when?

* Keep track of your immunizations by downloading a card from
http://www.immunize.ca .

* For a full list of adult immunizations recommended for Canadians, go to
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca .

Good riddance!

Polio is on its way to being eradicated, says Dr. Bonnie Henry. India – one of
four countries where polio is still present – has been polio free for a year.
Polio is still found in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Smallpox is the first
disease we have totally eradicated, and the smallpox vaccine is no longer
routinely offered.

Herd this?

Herd immunity is a buzz phrase in immunization circles. It's when you have
enough immunity in the surrounding population (or herd) that it provides a
measure of immunity for people (or animals) who have not developed immunity.

Living healthy only gets you so far

Adults who shun their recommended vaccines say they do other things to stay
healthy - like eating well and exercising. But healthy living can only do so
much. Think of getting your shots as "insurance," says Dr. Bonnie Henry. And
adults who are immunized help to protect the very young around them. Adults who
are no longer immune to pertussis, for instance, can pass it to young children
who become seriously ill.

BY MARILYN LINTON, QMI AGENCY

http://chealth.canoe.ca/columns.asp?columnistid=7&articleid=32730

----------------------------------------------------------------------



Toronto Public Health worried
OxyContin addicts could overwhelm detox clinics
Published On Sun Apr 01 2012

By Megan Ogilvie
Health Reporter


One month after OxyContin was replaced with a harder-to-abuse pill, Toronto
Public Health warns treatment and detox programs are already stretched beyond
capacity.

As street supplies of the prescription painkiller dry up, public health
officials are concerned that clinics won't be able to cope with people seeking
addiction treatment.

Staff also say the switch in drugs, coupled with the province delisting both
forms of the narcotic from the Ontario drug benefit program, could cause an
increase in overdose deaths as addicts are forced to turn to more harmful drugs,
such as heroin.

And they worry people are getting hurt as they experiment with how to abuse the
replacement drug, OxyNeo.

A report, to be tabled Monday at the Toronto Board of Health meeting, will urge
Health Minister Deb Matthews to make the drug Suboxone — a drug similar to
methadone that is used to treat opioid addiction — more easily available to
patients who need it.

Currently, Suboxone is only available through the province's Exceptional Access
Program — the mechanism that allows doctors, on behalf of their patients, to
request access to drugs not listed on the provincial formulary.

"We certainly anticipate there will be more people seeking treatment from opiate
withdrawal of OxyContin," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's chief medical
officer of health. "For some clients, Suboxone is more appropriate … It would be
helpful if the provincial government would streamline access."

On March 1, Purdue Pharma replaced OxyContin with OxyNeo, a tablet the
manufacturer says is harder to crush, and therefore harder to abuse by snorting
or injecting.

At the same time, Ontario delisted both narcotics from the province's drug
benefit program to make it more difficult for physicians to prescribe — and
patients to get — the drugs.

The move was made to curb the number of people who get addicted to OxyContin,
which is sold on the street for its heroin-like high. The drug causes hundreds
of overdose deaths each year.

Toronto Public Health agrees provincial action was needed to curtail the
addiction epidemic. But Monday's report highlights the negative affects that
could arise from the policy change.

One concern is that addicts who are unable to get OxyContin will turn to
potentially more harmful drugs, such as heroin or fentanyl, another prescription
opioid available as a skin patch. People who abuse fentanyl cut the patch into
pieces, scrape off the drug and inject it for the high.

"Fentanyl can lead to more overdoses, it's much more potent," said Dr. Rita
Shahin, associate medical officer of health at Toronto Public Health. "When
injecting a (crushed) tablet, you know the dose you are getting. With a patch,
you don't know the dose. It's more concerning when people are not able to judge
the dose they are using."

There are also signs that people in Toronto are starting to abuse OxyNeo by
heating up the gel capsule and injecting the substance, Shahin said.

"It's a concern to us because we don't know what the impact will be of injecting
it, especially since it's a gel formulation."

Front line staff are monitoring the OxyNeo situation and are contacting U.S.
health professionals for advice on how to prepare harm reduction materials,
Shahin said. The reformulated version of OxyContin was introduced in the United
States in 2010.

Dr. Anita Srivastava, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at
the University of Toronto, said removing Suboxone from the province's
Exceptional Access Program would be a clear benefit to people who are addicted
to opioids.

"It's important to have more than one option for our patients," said Srivastava,
who includes addiction medication as part of her practice.

Right now, doctors who believe their patients would benefit from Suboxone must
go through a lengthy process to request the drug be funded by the province. In
its report, Toronto Public health called the approval process, which can take up
to three months, "cumbersome and restrictive."

Srivastava said both methadone and Suboxone are effective treatments for opioid
addiction, with each having its own set of risks and benefits. Suboxone, for
example, is less potent than methadone so there is less risk of overdose,
especially for patients who are heavy drinkers, she said.

She said many of her patients are unable to afford Suboxone on their own and do
not want to wait out the three-month approval process for the drug.

"Patients should be given a choice. The more we have in our arsenal to treat
addiction the better we can treat it."

The spokeswoman for Health Minister Deb Matthews told the Star on Friday that
the Ministry has been in touch with the manufacturer of Suboxone and is
"interested to get any information from them to help evaluate whether this drug
should be available more broadly."

On March 12, Ontario detailed its strategy to help OxyContin users find
addiction treatment. The plan was released after the government faced weeks of
criticism for not being prepared to handle mass withdrawals.


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1154978--toronto-public-health-worried-oxyco\
ntin-addicts-could-overwhelm-detox-clinics

----------------------------------------------------------------------



New immigrants are the `hidden homeless'
Published On Mon Apr 02 2012

Anthony Rozario can smile about his subsidized apartment now, but the
Bangladeshi father and his wife used to share a small Scarborough apartment with
three adult children.
VINCE TALOTTA/TORONTO STAR
Nicholas Keung
Immigration Reporter

Anthony Rosario, his wife and three adult children shared a two-bedroom
apartment in Scarborough when they first came from Bangladesh in 1998.

At times, they also shared their already crowded dwelling with other families,
converting available space into bedrooms.

Space was tight but so was their budget, with their $900-a-month rent eating up
half the family's monthly income.

Up until February, Rosario and his wife, Mary, were still sharing their
two-bedroom apartment with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

"It's tough to live with so many people in so little space, but you are bound to
live like this when you don't have money," said Rosario, 61, a bakery chef, who
two months ago finally moved into a subsidized seniors' apartment after four
years on the waiting list.

But a new study on immigrant housing warns that thousands of newcomers continue
to live in "hidden homelessness" — in shared, overcrowded housing — an issue
that has grown more acute, especially in Toronto, where affordable rental units
are in short supply.

The national study by Metropolis, an international network of researchers in
immigration policy, found most newcomers reported spending more than 50 per cent
of income on housing, with 15 per cent spending 75 per cent or more.

"Financial difficulties force many newcomers to share accommodations that are
often poor quality, overcrowded and unsafe," says the report.

The report is based on national housing data and surveys of 600 migrants in
Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In Toronto, where the average wage is $69,000,
most newcomers surveyed had incomes under $20,000.

"New rooming houses are being created in the suburbs, in locations without
rooming house regulations. Often illegal, suburban rooming houses can offer
deplorable housing," the report continued.

Newcomers also face discrimination in the housing market, with refugees,
temporary residents, single parents, large families and people who do not speak
English or French facing the greatest challenge, said University of British
Columbia professor Daniel Hiebert, the study's lead author. "The housing
situation generally improves over time for most immigrants but there's a
fraction of the immigrant population where the challenges remain and persist for
a long time," he said.

In Toronto, the vacancy rate for rental accommodation fell to 2.1 per cent in
2010, well below the 3 to 4 per cent threshold, a decline more "sustained and
dramatic" compared with other immigrant gateway cities, the report states. (The
city's vacancy rate in 2011 fell again to 1.4 per cent.)

Since the 2008 global financial meltdown, the report says, construction projects
were cancelled and the number of apartment starts fell by almost 50 per cent in
the city.

The recent supply of apartments is mostly intended for the condominium market,
which has increased from 22.1 per cent of all starts in 1996 to 44.6 per cent in
2010.

Since 2000, the Toronto Housing Databank found that units with rents between
$600 and $900 have decreased by 66,069, while those with rents between $901 and
$1,500 and over have increased by 48,760.

"With rising rents, the loss of inexpensive rental units, and disproportionate
growth in condominiums, the supply of affordable accommodation for newcomers,
particularly those with children is limited," said the study, whose Toronto
section was led by York University professor Valerie Preston.

Toronto is home to the largest stock of social housing in Canada, with 127,545
units of rent-geared-to-income housing in which residents pay no more than 30
per cent of total income before taxes on housing. However, almost 90,000
households are on the waiting list, meaning wait times of four to 21 years.

The study calls for a national housing strategy by all levels of government and
the redesigning of housing services for newcomers.

Vacancy and average rents in Toronto in 2010

Vacancy rateRent

Studio2.3%$778

1-bedroom2.4%$952

2-bedroom1.9%$1,118

3-bedroom or more1.6%$1,305

Dwelling (unit) starts in Toronto by type:

200820092010

Detached11,3088,1309,936

Semi2,3622,0321,654

Townhouse4,6122,9184,365

Apartments23,93012,86913,240

Precarious Housing & Hidden Homelessness Among Refugees, Asylum Seekers and
Immigrants


http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1155144--new-immigrants-are-the-hidde\
n-homeless-hidden-homelessness-a-growing-problem-for-canada-s-newcomers

----------------------------------------------------------------------



Canuck Housewives:
The Real Housewives of Vancouver

Don't miss the 2-Hour Premiere Event Beginning at 9pm ET|PT on Wednesday, April
4th!

The world's number one lifestyle reality franchise goes Canadian. Joining Orange
County, New York City, Atlanta, New Jersey, Beverly Hills, Miami, D.C. and most
recently, Athens, Israel and France, The Real Housewives of Vancouver is the
first Canadian installment of the internationally acclaimed series.

The Real Housewives of Vancouver, the year's most buzzed about new Canadian
lifestyle reality series, takes viewers on a wild ride into the never before
seen world of Vancouver's wealthiest and most fabulous women. The first season
dives into the everyday lives of Jody, Christina, Reiko, Ronnie, and Mary,
revealing intimate and often outrageous details about their relationships,
career triumphs and pitfalls, sex lives and family drama.


http://www.slice.ca/shows/realhousewivesvancouver/default.aspx?Title_ID=273301


[note from this moderator, who is an academy voter, isn't receiving Slice TV's
digital cable signals, and apparently this is one of the few shows, along with
all the other real housewives, and the Toronto-shot Covert Affairs (as well as
Tori and Dean and Millionaire Matchmaker) that don't have back up channels!
already tried to reason with Bravo Canada, but they seem to have no interest in
audience concerns!]

======================================================================

Your Post-Federal Budget OAS and GIS Update
Low-income seniors left in the breach

Without special provision for seniors with low-income, people in need of income
support who cannot wait the extra two years for their OAS and GIS will have to
turn to provincial income support programs. Although the Government will
compensate provinces and territories for net additional costs they face
resulting from the increase in the age of eligibility for OAS benefits, these
individuals would presumably have to apply for social assistance programs, which
carry both stigma and are unlikely to match the OAS/GIS pension amounts.

The delayed and gradual changes notwithstanding, the OAS changes repudiate the
government's original reasons for going after the OAS. In the first instance,
the government stated that OAS changes were necessary in the face of the massive
Baby Boomer generation. The government argued that there were simply too many
Boomers to sustain funding the OAS. As it happens, the gradual and delayed
changes to OAS mean that most boomers will... Read more

Government ignores CARP members on OAS
Expect Poor to Apply for Welfare

OAS changes will hurt, not help next generation; vague promises to confer with
provinces to protect some low income people is not enough.

CARP members will be disappointed that the federal government ignored their call
to leave OAS alone or at least make provision for those who will depend on OAS.
Even those resigned to changing OAS spending would rather see changes to the
threshold than changing the age of eligibility. According to CARP Polls in the
past two months, CARP members roundly reject raising the OAS eligibility age and
see better ways to help younger Canadians- such as increasing job opportunities.
Read more - 
http://www.carp.ca/2012/04/03/your-post-federal-budget-oas-and-gis-update/

OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2012

OAS changes will hurt, not help next generation; vague promises to confer with
provinces to protect some low income people not enough: CARP

Toronto, ON: CARP members will be disappointed that the federal government
ignored their call to leave OAS alone or at least make provision for those who
will depend on OAS. Even those resigned to changing OAS spending would rather
see changes to the threshold than changing the age of eligibility. According to
CARP Polls in the past two months, CARP members roundly reject raising the OAS
eligibility age and see better ways to help younger Canadians– such as
increasing job opportunities.

As was widely anticipated, the federal government announced changes to the
eligibility rules for Old Age Security benefits by raising the age from 65 to
67. But notwithstanding the widespread concerns, there will not be specific
measures that will protect low income pre-retirees – just some provision for
groups already on government assistance. Without special provision for them,
other people in need of income support who cannot wait the extra two years for
their OAS and GIS would have to turn to provincial income support programs.
Although the Government will compensate provinces and territories for net
additional costs they face resulting from the increase in the age of eligibility
for OAS benefits, these individuals would presumably have to applied for social
assistance programs which both carry stigma and are unlikely to match the OAS
pension amounts.

The Budget states that the government proposes to:

Gradually increase the age of eligibility for Old Age Security (OAS) and
Guaranteed Income Supplement benefits from 65 to 67. This change will start in
April 2023, with full implementation by January 2029, and will not affect anyone
who is 54 years of age or older as of March 31, 2012.

This proposed legislative change to the age of OAS/GIS eligibility will not
affect anyone who is 54 years of age or older as of March 31, 2012. Thus,
individuals who were born on March 31, 1958 or earlier will not be affected.
Those who were born on or after February 1, 1962 will have an age of eligibility
of 67. Those who were born between April 1, 1958 and January 31, 1962 will have
an age of eligibility between 65 and 67. For example, someone born in April 1960
will be eligible for OAS/GIS at age 66 and one month.

There is acknowledgement of the problem of those who would not be able to wait
the two extra years with the special provisions for certain groups but not
anyone else.

The Government will ensure that certain federal programs, including programs
provided by Veterans Affairs Canada and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada that currently provide income support benefits until age 65,
are aligned with changes to the OAS program. Without such an alignment,
individuals receiving benefits from these programs would stop receiving them at
age 65 and face an income gap until age 67 when they become eligible for OAS and
GIS. The alignment will ensure that these individuals do not face a gap in
income at ages 65 and 66.

The Government will discuss the impact of the changes to the OAS program on
Canada Pension Plan (CPP) disability and survivor benefits with provinces and
territories, who are joint stewards of the CPP, in the course of the next
triennial review. The Government will compensate provinces and territories for
net additional costs they face resulting from the increase in the age of
eligibility for OAS benefits.

"The prospect of waiting two additional years before receiving OAS has alarmed
especially low income earners who do not readily see how they can change their
circumstances no matter how long it takes to phase in the changes.

At the very least, eligibility for GIS and provincial benefits should have been
de-coupled from OAS eligibility or provision should have been made to replace
the additional income support for those most in need, especially single seniors.
Extending support for the very vulnerable – those already on government support
programs – is welcome but should be extended to all those in need.

Nonetheless, CARP members would rather the government look elsewhere for
budgetary savings", said Susan Eng, VP Advocacy, CARP.

The Budget also proposes to improve flexibility and choice by allowing Canadians
the option of deferring take-up of their OAS benefits to a later time and
receiving higher annual benefits. The adjusted pension will be calculated on an
actuarially neutral basis, as is done with the CPP.

This would not result in any budgetary savings and would benefit only those who
can do without the income support.

In recent CARP Polls™ the vast majority of CARP members said

They objected to the anticipated rise of the eligibility age, and said it would
affect their vote
They preferred the Parliamentary Budget Officer's assessment of the
sustainability of continuing the OAS spending as it is to that of the
government, and
They strongly believe that there were better ways to secure the future for the
younger generation – such as by creating job opportunities for them rather than
cutting OAS.
"For the most part, CARP members knew that their own OAS will not be affected
and do not see how cutting OAS spending would help future generations.  Instead,
they are calling for measures that will create job opportunities for them as a
better way to secure their future.  Rather than selfishly guarding their own
interests, as has been suggested, CARP members and other older Canadians are
defending an important part of the social safety net and do not want to see it
torn up for their children and grandchildren", added Eng.

CARP polls its members in its twice monthly e-newsletter. Over 4,000 responded
to the poll immediately following the speech in Davos at which the OAS changes
were first suggested. In the latest poll, issued Friday March 23, 2012, CARP
members continue to demonstrate their opposition to raising the OAS eligibility
age. However, those who consider the change to be inevitable wanted a softening
of the impact through a provision for single seniors or decoupling OAS and GIS.
This did not occur except for the limited category of people already on
government assistance.

While CARP members do not accept the government's argument that OAS makes the
budget unsustainable, preferring the opposite assessment of the Parliamentary
Budget officer by six fold, when asked how to reduce the OAS budget, most of the
CARP members prefer lowering the maximum eligibility threshold over lowering the
clawback threshold or raising the eligibility age.

To counter arguments that the OAS changes are necessary to help future
generations, two thirds of CARP members think that the budget should include
stimulus to provide job growth for youth, and even more support more
apprenticeships for youth or keeping high value jobs in Canada as a solution to
youth unemployment. There is wide agreement these measures will do more to
secure the future for youth than altering OAS.

One positive note is the Proactive Enrolment for OAS and GIS Benefits

The Budget  proposes to put in place a proactive enrollment regime for OAS and
GIS.

As part of the Administrative Services Review, initiated in Budget 2010, the
Government is pursuing additional standardization and consolidation
opportunities to improve the way it delivers services to Canadians while
generating operational savings. In the context of this initiative, the
Government will improve services for seniors by putting in place a proactive
enrolment regime that will eliminate the need for many seniors to apply for OAS
and GIS. This measure will reduce the burden on seniors of completing
application processes and will reduce the Government's administrative costs.
Proactive enrolment will be implemented in a phased-in approach from 2013 to
2015.

Members are most likely to support taxing the wealthy or reducing the civil
service as budget-cutting measures, and are far more likely to suggest these
than changing OAS. Both mothballing our submarine fleet and reducing our order
of fighter jets are seen as more acceptable cost-cutting measures than raising
the age of eligibility for OAS from 65 to 67



The vast majority of members think that military budgets must be subject to the
same scrutiny as domestic budgets, and that Canadians can support the military
and responsible military budgeting at the same time.

For surveys, please visit: http://www.imakenews.com/carp/ scroll down and hit
"see results" – for previous issues, see archives list at bottom of newsletter.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to
advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring
financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from
discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and
expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and
services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is
dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members
in support of CARP's mission.

For further information, please contact:

Pam Maher 416.607.2475
Communications coordinator
p.maher@...

Michael Nicin 416.607.2479
Policy Development and Government Relations
m.nicin@...
Negin Shamshiri 416.607.2471
Researcher
n.shamshiri@...

for
Susan Eng
Vice President Advocacy
s.eng@...

CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada
or visit our website: http://www.carp.ca


EY FINDINGS

April 3, 2012: Both mothballing our submarine fleet and reducing our order of
fighter jets are seen as more acceptable cost-cutting measures than raising the
age of eligibility for OAS from 65 to 67

Members are most likely to support taxing the wealthy or reducing the civil
service as budget-cutting measures, and are far more likely to suggest these
than changing OAS.

Those who believe changes to OAS are inevitable (close to one half) are evenly
split between softening the impact through a provision for single seniors or
decoupling OAS and GIS. Most opt for lowering the eligibility threshold income
of $121,000 when specifying a cost-savings measure for OAS.

Two thirds agree the budget should include stimulus to provide job growth for
youth, and even more support more apprenticeships for youth or more difficult
targets like keeping high value jobs in Canada as a solution to youth
employment. There is wide agreement these measures will do more to secure the
future for youth than altering OAS.

The vast majority of members agree that military budgets must be subject to the
same scrutiny as domestic budgets, and that Canadians can support the military
and responsible military budgeting at the same time.

Members aren't convinced there is enough access to hospice care in their
provinces and the vast majority agree this should be covered under the Canada
Health Act.

While the majority of members agree only generic drugs should be covered when a
brand name is available too, they do not agree only one medication should be
covered for each condition. Thus, they want choice in types of therapies, but
don't care about brands.

The vast majority are aware of the move to stiffer sentencing for elder abuse,
close to half have seen or heard CARP mentioned in the media in the past two
weeks and four-in-ten have seen or heard mention of Susan Eng during that
period. Recall is primarily of changes to OAS, and also of stiffer sentencing
for elder abuse. This must be considered very high awareness and message
penetration and recall, even given the extremely involved audience.

The Conservative party has improved its standings, as has the NDP, while the
Liberal Party has declined in voter affection. The Conservatives still dominate,
the Liberals are in second place and the NDP are third.

To view a copy of the full report complete with Charts and Graphs, please click
here - http://www.carp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Pre-Budget-Report.pdf

Seniors in need, caregivers in distress: What are the home care priorities for
seniors in Canada?
New Health Council of Canada Report Supports CARP's Advocacy


The report argues that we need to provide better homecare support to the growing
number of seniors who want to age at home. Using data collected on seniors who
receive publicly funded homecare in Canada, it provides a snapshot of the ways
in which homecare is inadequate and varies across the country. Read more

Ontario Budget Will Improve Home Care Delivery

Budget finally concedes that it costs taxpayers more to provide seniors' care in
a long-term care home than it does to support seniors


Older Ontarians can look forward to positive action and investment on the home
and continuing care front, amidst the reported doom and gloom of Ontario's
austerity budget. The centrepiece of last week's 2012 Ontario budget as it
affects older Ontarians is the comprehensive attention paid to "Providing the
Right Care, at the Right Time, at the Right Place". Read more

CPP Enhancement and PRPP Position

Ontario government reiterates some of CARP's pension reform concerns


CARP is encouraged by the Ontario government's renewed commitment to CPP
enhancement and investor protection on PRPPs (Pooled Registered Pension Plans).
In last week's budget, the government affirmed that Ontario will continue to
work collaboratively with other provinces and the federal government to ensure
that PRPPs prioritize the interests of members and that implementation of
pension innovation in the form of PRPPs should be tied to CPP enhancement as
part of a comprehensive approach to pension reform. Read more

Ontario LIFs Hardship Rule Change

Those under financial duress will no longer need to shell out several hundred
dollars to access their own money


In last year's Ontario budget, the government committed to a review of the rules
governing locked-in accounts as a part of a larger project to modernize
provincial pension rules. The government has completed its administrative review
of the financial-hardship unlocking program announced in the 2011 Budget, and
intends to restructure the program to create a simpler, more streamlined process
to access locked-in funds. Read more

Ontario's Drug Plan - A Canadian Outlier

CARP explains the changes to the ODB and outlines who will be affected


The 2012 Ontario budget calls on wealthy seniors to pay a larger share of their
drug costs, in a move described as "fair and efficient". Ontario is currently
among the very few provinces that do not have income testing on drug benefits.
However, seniors in Ontario pay less for drugs than seniors pay in other
provinces and will continue to receive some of the best coverage in Canada even
after the income testing is implemented. Read more

Cutting OAS hurts Country's most Vulnerable Citizens

Canadian Medical Association Professionals Say OAS Cutbacks will Hurt the Health
of Low-Income Seniors


"Cutting back on Old Age Security targets the most vulnerable citizens in our
society," said Dr. John Haggie, CMA president. "It means that many seniors will
have to choose between heating, eating and paying for their prescriptions. In
that case, they'll forfeit their drugs." Read more

Save, and save a lot, Ontario finance minister says
PRPPs are a "weak-kneed" response to the retirement income problem- calls for
CPP-enhancement

Surveys show few Canadians are saving enough money for their retirement years,
which will put more pressure on their families and provincial health and welfare
budgets once they reach old age, Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said. "I
don't think we are taking this seriously enough as a society," he said. "I don't
just mean the federal government." Read more

Caregiver's Diary: Travel Plans
Dad is extremely well-traveled - he travelled the world for work and travelled
some more with mother after he retired


My widowed 88 year old father recently sent one of his "Letters from Serenity
Towers" to the family. In it he talked fondly of traveling, and mentioned two
trips he thought he might like to take - one out west to the Rocky Mountains
where oldest brother and younger sister live. The second trip that interested
him was to St John's. Serenity Towers has a sister-residence there, and
residents of the chain get to stay free in any one of them. Read more

Scammers Love Tax Time
A friendly tax season notice from CARP

Information sharing and awareness go a long way when it comes to preventing
these crimes. We would like members should be aware of the many kinds of
internet, telephone and door to door scams. Read more

Customer Comments: Reactions to the Federal Budget
Will it be bye bye Charlie Brown for Harper come election time?


The federal budget said OAS changes will happen between 2023-2029 (six years).
The retirement age change from 65 to 67 (24 months) happens over 48 months (four
years). Seniors get screwed at a much quicker rate (fully by Jan 2027 I believe)
than the budget suggests. Read more

Published by CARP
Copyright © 2012 CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada. All rights reserved.


======================================================================


CARP Post-Budget Poll Results

1. Finance Minister Flaherty presented the federal budget last Thursday. How
much do you agree this budget meets the needs of older Canadians and those on
fixed incomes?
Agree strongly 87 Votes  5.8 %
Agree 267 Votes  17.7 %
Disagree 383 Votes  25.3 %
Disagree strongly 709 Votes  46.9 %
DON'T KNOW 66 Votes  4.4 %
Total 1512 Votes

2. In the budget, the age of eligibility for Old Age Security was raised from 65
to 67, starting in 2023. How much do you agree with this budget provision?
Agree strongly 228 Votes  15.1 %
Agree 310 Votes  20.5 %
Disagree 307 Votes  20.3 %
Disagree strongly 642 Votes  42.5 %
DON'T KNOW 25 Votes  1.7 %
Total 1512 Votes

3. The government has given several reasons for raising the OAS age - which of
the following do you accept as a good reason?
OAS spending is unsustainable 164 Votes  10.8 %
The number of younger workers supporting seniors will diminish from 4 to 2 246
Votes  16.3 %
Many other OECD countries have increased their age of retirement to 67 69 Votes 
4.6 %
If OAS spending is not cut, future generations will have no OAS at all 114 Votes
7.5 %
We need to help future generations 71 Votes  4.7 %
There is no good reason to raise the OAS age 792 Votes  52.4 %
OTHER 30 Votes  2.0 %
DON'T KNOW 26 Votes  1.7 %
Total 1512 Votes

4. The government acknowledged that poor seniors will have trouble waiting the
extra two years but only provided for those already on federal government
assistance or CPP disability pensions and said that they will reimburse the
provinces for additional costs for seniors who seek social assistance. What is
your reaction to this?
Good idea, those who need help will get it 281 Votes  18.6 %
Good idea, this will limit overall spending on OAS 85 Votes  5.6 %
Good idea, provinces will bear the load 13 Votes  0.9 %
Good idea, OTHER 28 Votes  1.9 %
Neither a good idea nor not such a good idea 82 Votes  5.4 %
Not such a good idea, people will not apply for social assistance 94 Votes  6.2
%
Not such a good idea, provinces will waste money on more bureaucracy 135 Votes 
8.9 %
Not such a good idea, OAS is a pension not welfare 698 Votes  46.2 %
Not such a good idea, OTHER 45 Votes  3.0 %
DON'T KNOW 51 Votes  3.4 %
Total 1512 Votes

5. There are three options for reducing the cost of OAS. Which of these would
you have preferred?
Reducing income at which eligibility ceases from $121,000 Reducing income at wh
630 Votes  41.7 %
Reducing income at which OAS starts to be clawed back from $69,000 362 Votes 
23.9 %
Raising age from 65 to 67 as specified in the budget 352 Votes  23.3 %
DON'T KNOW 168 Votes  11.1 %
Total 1512 Votes

6. The age for OAS will begin to rise gradually in 2023 for those Canadians who
are now 54 or younger. By 2029 all Canadians will have to wait until age 67 to
receive OAS. By that time, most of the Baby Boomers will have already received
their OAS. What do you think of the timing of the phase-in of the proposed
change to the OAS age?
The change should come sooner to include more Baby Boomers 188 Votes  12.4 %
The change should come later to exempt everybody older than 45 today 99 Votes 
6.5 %
The change is planned at the right time 347 Votes  22.9 %
There should be no change to the age for OAS 820 Votes  54.2 %
DON'T KNOW 58 Votes  3.8 %
Total 1512 Votes

7. Are you more likely to vote for the government, less likely to vote for the
government or neither more nor less likely to vote for the government because of
the decision to change the age for OAS?
More likely to vote for government 155 Votes  10.3 %
Would have voted for government anyway 164 Votes  10.8 %
Neither more nor less likely to vote for government 300 Votes  19.8 %
Less likely to vote for government 403 Votes  26.7 %
Would not have voted for government anyway 467 Votes  30.9 %
OTHER 3 Votes  0.2 %
DON'T KNOW 20 Votes  1.3 %
Total 1512 Votes

8. In the budget, the government committed to $2 million a year supporting the
Third Quarter program, which connects employers seeking experienced employees
with older workers seeking employment, primarily in remote or one-industry
towns. How much do you agree this is an effective way to create jobs and lower
unemployment for older workers in those communities?
Agree strongly 128 Votes  8.5 %
Agree 503 Votes  33.3 %
Disagree 146 Votes  9.7 %
Disagree strongly 87 Votes  5.8 %
NEVER HEARD OF THIRD QUARTER 580 Votes  38.4 %
DON'T KNOW 68 Votes  4.5 %
Total 1512 Votes

9. The government will continue to support the Targeted Initiative for Older
Workers (TIOW) program with $25 million a year to assist older workers in
vulnerable smaller communities. This money is given to the provinces to design
their own employment programs which vary across the country. How much do you
agree this is an effective way to create jobs and lower unemployment for older
workers?
Agree strongly 77 Votes  5.1 %
Agree 453 Votes  30.0 %
Disagree 224 Votes  14.8 %
Disagree strongly 123 Votes  8.1 %
NEVER HEARD OF TIOW 567 Votes  37.5 %
DON'T KNOW 68 Votes  4.5 %
Total 1512 Votes

10. How successful do you think the TIOW program will be at finding jobs for
older Canadians?
Very successful 24 Votes  1.6 %
Somewhat successful 343 Votes  22.7 %
Not very successful 398 Votes  26.3 %
Not at all successful 189 Votes  12.5 %
NEVER HEARD OF TIOW 438 Votes  29.0 %
DON'T KNOW 120 Votes  7.9 %
Total 1512 Votes

11. The government has also committed to bringing in legislation requiring
federally regulated employers like banks, airlines and telecommunications to
insure their employee long term disability plans from now on. How much do you
agree this will be an effective protection for employee long term disability
benefits in case of bankruptcy?
Agree strongly 194 Votes  12.8 %
Agree 786 Votes  52.0 %
Disagree 178 Votes  11.8 %
Disagree strongly 74 Votes  4.9 %
DON'T KNOW 280 Votes  18.5 %
Total 1512 Votes

12. How much do you agree this protection should have been made retroactive to
protect, among others, the Nortel pensioners?
Agree strongly 262 Votes  17.3 %
Agree 513 Votes  33.9 %
Disagree 359 Votes  23.7 %
Disagree strongly 115 Votes  7.6 %
DON'T KNOW 263 Votes  17.4 %
Total 1512 Votes

13. In the budget, the government committed to cutting the military's budget by
5% from $20 billion to $19 billion a year. How much do you agree this is a
reasonable sacrifice on the part of the military.
Agree strongly 327 Votes  21.6 %
Agree 702 Votes  46.4 %
Disagree 255 Votes  16.9 %
Disagree strongly 144 Votes  9.5 %
DON'T KNOW 84 Votes  5.6 %
Total 1512 Votes

14. The government also committed to saving $5.2 billion by 2015 through cuts to
19,000 civil service jobs, 12,000 through lay offs and 7000 through attrition.
How much do you agree this is a reasonable move in a budget which the government
says is all about job creation?
Agree strongly 374 Votes  24.7 %
Agree 465 Votes  30.8 %
Disagree 364 Votes  24.1 %
Disagree strongly 245 Votes  16.2 %
DON'T KNOW 64 Votes  4.2 %
Total 1512 Votes

15. How much do you agree that Minister Flaherty's budget will help Canada grow
and achieve prosperity, while protecting the most vulnerable?
Agree strongly 85 Votes  5.6 %
Agree 364 Votes  24.1 %
Disagree 505 Votes  33.4 %
Disagree strongly 423 Votes  28.0 %
DON'T KNOW 135 Votes  8.9 %
Total 1512 Votes

16. Are you more likely to vote for the government, less likely to vote for the
government or neither more nor less likely to vote for the government because of
this budget?
More likely to vote for government 155 Votes  10.3 %
Would have voted for government anyway 168 Votes  11.1 %
Neither more nor less likely to vote for government 303 Votes  20.0 %
Less likely to vote for government 388 Votes  25.7 %
Would not have voted for government anyway 474 Votes  31.3 %
OTHER 3 Votes  0.2 %
DON'T KNOW 21 Votes  1.4 %
Total 1512 Votes

17. Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan presented that province's budget last
Tuesday. In it, single seniors earning more than $100K and couples earning more
than $160K will pay a higher deductible for their drug benefits, 3% of net
income. How much do you agree with this budget provision?
Agree strongly 470 Votes  31.1 %
Agree 767 Votes  50.7 %
Disagree 111 Votes  7.3 %
Disagree strongly 77 Votes  5.1 %
DON'T KNOW 87 Votes  5.8 %
Total 1512 Votes

18. How likely would you be to apply for a home renovation tax credit designed
to make your home more accessible?
Very likely 237 Votes  15.7 %
Somewhat likely 442 Votes  29.2 %
Not very likely 732 Votes  48.4 %
DON'T KNOW 101 Votes  6.7 %
Total 1512 Votes

19. If you were able to renovate your home to make it more accessible, would
this allow you to live in your home longer and avoid going into assisted living?
Yes 753 Votes  49.8 %
No 357 Votes  23.6 %
DON'T KNOW 402 Votes  26.6 %
Total 1512 Votes

20. How much do you agree the budgetary cost of a home renovation tax credit
like this is worth the benefits?
Agree strongly 199 Votes  13.2 %
Agree 677 Votes  44.8 %
Disagree 235 Votes  15.5 %
Disagree strongly 73 Votes  4.8 %
DON'T KNOW 328 Votes  21.7 %
Total 1512 Votes

21. The Stanley Cup playoffs will start next week. Which of the following best
describes your reaction to this?
Who cares? 651 Votes  43.1 %
I'll watch as many games as I can 200 Votes  13.2 %
Oh no, Peter Mansbridge and The National will get bumped every night! 78 Votes 
5.2 %
I'll only watch as long as my team is in it 49 Votes  3.2 %
I'll only watch as long as a Canadian team is in it 142 Votes  9.4 %
I might watch part of a game or two 305 Votes  20.2 %
I'll pretend I'm following so I have something to talk about 45 Votes  3.0 %
OTHER 32 Votes  2.1 %
DON'T KNOW 10 Votes  0.7 %
Total 1512 Votes

22. If a federal election were held tomorrow, which party's candidate would you
support?
Conservative 492 Votes  32.5 %
Liberal 336 Votes  22.2 %
NDP 355 Votes  23.5 %
Green Party 42 Votes  2.8 %
Bloc Quebecois 0 Votes 0 %
OTHER 12 Votes  0.8 %
UNDECIDED 275 Votes  18.2 %
Total 1512 Votes

23. Where do you live?
Newfoundland 11 Votes  0.7 %
Nova Scotia 56 Votes  3.7 %
PEI 12 Votes  0.8 %
New Brunswick 34 Votes  2.2 %
Quebec 42 Votes  2.8 %
Ontario 928 Votes  61.4 %
Manitoba 38 Votes  2.5 %
Saskatchewan 34 Votes  2.2 %
Alberta 117 Votes  7.7 %
BC/Territories 240 Votes  15.9 %
Total 1512 Votes

24. What is your gender?
Male 979 Votes  64.7 %
Female 533 Votes  35.3 %
Total 1512 Votes

======================================================================


Posted on Tuesday, April 03, 2012 (EST)

Katy Perry and Russell Brand were unable to live up to their marriage vows, but
Brand is certainly walking the talk over his earlier announced intent to keep
their divorce rancor free.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand at the UK premiere of his new film, Arthur Tuesday,
April 19, 2011 at the O2 Arena in London. Photo Credit: PR Photos


April 03, 2012, (Sawf News) - Katy Perry and Russell Brand may not have been
able to live up to their marriage vows, but Brand is certainly walking the talk
over his earlier announced intent to keep their divorce rancor free.

According to TMZ, Brand has relinquished all rights on a $6. 5 million house
that he and Katy bought together following their marriage.

Sources tell the website that Brand's opting out of the property is part of a
property settlement between the estranged couple.

In early February, Perry and Brand filed documents in Los Angeles Superior Court
stating they had reached a "comprehensive written settlement of all issues."

Brand, 36, could have asked Perry, 27, for $20 million as settlement as they had
no prenuptial and the law entitles him to half their combined income while
living together, a period during which Perry is believed to have made $40
million, a large part of which came from her tour.

Brand and Perry married in October 2010. Brand filed for divorce on December 30,
citing "irreconcilable differences."

http://www.sawfnews.com/Gossip/68514.aspx


----------------------------------------------------------------------




Exclusive: Kris Humphries "Doing Anything He Can" to Humiliate Kim Kardashian
Post-Split
CELEBRITY NEWS
APRIL 3, 2012 AT 6:42PM
BY ALLISON CORNEAU


Kris Humphries and Kim Kardashian
Credit: Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images
Six months after confirming the end of their marriage, Kris Humphries is still
out to get Kim Kardashian.

As the couple's divorce takes far more than twice as long as their 72-day
marriage, insiders tell the new issue of Us Weekly New Jersey Nets player
Humphries has a master plan to destroy his reality star ex.

PHOTOS: Why 2011 was a struggle for Kim

Though the 27-year-old NBA star initially tried to stall the divorce by filing
for an annulment based on fraud, Humphries has since changed his tune, doing
whatever he can to keep his name in the headlines. "He's doing anything he can
to get her attention," a Kardashian confidant tells the new issue of Us Weekly.
"She would grant a divorce in a second. But he won't sign the papers. He won't
let go."


Kim Kardashian
PHOTOS: Inside their doomed wedding

Among Humphries' tactics to get his ex's attention: making bizarre legal demands
that threaten to expose the Kardashian family, like reportedly requesting in
February that the divorce proceedings be televised.

Despite his actions, a Humphries source insists the basketball player is a good
guy. "Kris is not a conniving person; he just wants to clear his name because it
was tarnished," says the source.

VIDEO: Kim gets flour-bombed -- and returns to the red carpet!

But a Kardashian insider disagrees, telling Us that back-and-forth-fighting
plays into his plan. "Kris wants money and he wants fame."

After what she went through with Humphries, "Kim doesn't care if she never sees
another camera again," says a source of the 31-year-old mogul, who recently
launched her True Reflection perfume. "She is just a totally different person."

VIDEO: Kim has a breakdown on TV over her failed marriage

Argues Kardashian herself: "I have no regrets, as crazy as that might sound.
What you do with these experiences makes you a better, stronger person."


Read more:
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kris-humphries-doing-anything-he-c\
an-to-humiliate-kim-kardashian-post-split-201234#ixzz1r5yx1cby

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