There always have, and there always will be, people who will "work the system" to get as much money as they can; particularly during a crisis. When the Pandemic hit in 2020, it put the whole world into a state of emergency as everything shut down in response. CERB was put into place to help those who all of a sudden had to stay home, or who had to suffer cut, or even lost wages.  At first the eligibility requirements were reasonable: It was available to workers who [were]: • residing in Canada, who were at least 15 years old • who stopped working because of reasons related to COVID-19 or were eligible for Employment Insurance regular or sickness benefits or have exhausted their Employment Insurance regular benefits or Employment Insurance fishing benefits between December 29, 2019 and October 3, 2020 • who had employment and/or self-employment income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application, and • who did not quit their job voluntarily However, after the first period, another eligibility requirement was instated that made it virtually impossible for anyone to qualify: "When submitting a first claim, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for 14 or more consecutive days within the four-week benefit period of your claim. When submitting subsequent claims, you could not have earned more than $1,000 in employment and/or self-employment income for the entire four-week benefit period of your new claim." This ruling on the part of the CRA effectively changed the rules on every citizen in Canada after benefits were already approved for disbursement.  How can anyone, in 2020 or now, live on $1000.00 per 4 week period, when the costs of mortgages, rents, food, gas, electricity, and food have gone up to over $1000.00 per month?  The $1,000 per month eligibility requirement is unreasonable to the working poor, retirees, and disabled adults across the country who may have received COVID benefits. By setting that income limit to $1000.00, it ensures that nobody qualified for any COVID benefits despite the fact that millions of Canadians received them; some after calling CRA every week during the Pandemic and being assured that they were eligible. Even people on social benefits get more than $1000.00 per month, which is not enough to live on. As of 2024, people are now receiving the same treatment for all other COVID-19 benefits, which had more rigorous application systems in place. Why are we now being punished for benefits that we had to qualify for, and did qualify for, per CRA’s application portals? Spending time and resources pursuing individuals with no money to repay their debts is fruitless. Clawing back the money through carbon rebates, GST rebates, and tax returns, EIA, wage reductions, or fines will only ensure that those who are already struggling will struggle more.  It is in the best interest of all Canadians to provide a low income COVID benefits repayment amnesty. After all, the reduction of poverty has been a top goal of the Federal Government since 2015. Right now, people are struggling with inflation, unemployment, food insecurity, and housing insecurity. We pay our taxes, and it feels like we’re being kicked while we’re down.  Please consider taking this necessary and equitable step in reducing the burden for many. Canadians deserve better.

The current rules surrounding common law partnerships involving PWD also create an environment of inequity and instability. It is highly unjust to impose a tax-like burden on the common-law spouses of disabled individuals, leading to resentment, strained marriages, and increased suffering for all parties involved. PWD are effectively forced to choose between preserving their independence or placing unfair and discriminatory burdens upon partners who earn above a modest incomes. This dynamic also perpetuates outdated and sexist paradigms, particularly in heterosexual partnerships, where women often become solely dependent on men due to financial constraints. Furthermore, the current rules for common law partnerships involving PWD reinforce discrimination towards the poor and the disabled, discouraging PWD from pursuing stable marriages and stripping them of the limited independence they have been granted. We must strive for a society that supports and enables PWD to build stable relationships, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.

Since this ruling, Doug Ford’s government has said they will legislate to overthrow the OEB’s decision in favour of Enbridge and devleopers, who are furious right now. [2] The OEB’s landmark decision could encourage developers to install more affordable and energy efficient heating systems - facilitating the transition from heating Ontario’s buildings with fossil gas to green solutions such as geo-thermal and heat pumps, while also reducing energy bills for homeowners and tenants. Doug Ford’s government is standing in the way. If thousands of Ontarians show support for the recent OEB ruling, and for measures that will protect homeowners and renters and incentivize clean energy options, we can discourage the Ford government from intervening with legislation. Tell Doug Ford and Energy Minister Todd Smith - Hands off the OEB, Ontarians want affordable, green heating. Sources: [1] The Narwal: https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-energy-board-enbridge-gas/#:~:text=In%20December%202023%2C%20the%20Ontario,fuel%20use%20is%20winding%20down.&text=Days%20before%20Christmas%2C%20Ontario's%20energy,decision%20and%20a%20fiery%20response. [2] CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-energy-board-overruled-todd-smith-1.7068120

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

Clear cutting of Primary Old Growth Forests in BC is being accelerated in the name of green energy production - somehow even shipping our pelletized forests to be burned in the UK as a means to green wash their country's largest coal fired power plant. This large scale fraud not only expedites the destruction of what remains of Canada's old growth forests. It also works against the reduction of carbon emissions while stating the contrary. This is a massive scam that cannot be allowed to continue.

Plastic bottles end up in the waste stream and littering the landscape. Estimates suggest less than a third of plastic drink bottles get recycled in the U.S. As many as 34 billion plastic bottles end up in the oceans each year. But this is a solvable problem as companies like Coca Cola actually produce refillable containers in some markets. We should mandate that for Canada. https://www.fastcompany.com/90721672/refillable-soda-bottles-coca-cola https://oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/3.2.2020_just_one_word-refillables.pdf Another obvious example is food packaging -- is it necessary to package tomatoes in single-use plastic? This case is more nuanced in some cases due to food spoilage concerns. But certainly sometimes I can buy tomatoes in bulk. If the packaging cost is borne by the producer, the bulk tomatoes would have the advantage and over time waste is reduced. https://foodpolicyforcanada.info.yorku.ca/plastic/

On Wednesday, Premier Danielle Smith unveiled her plans for Alberta’s healthcare system which - if enacted - could be a slippery slope to the end of public healthcare in Alberta. Her plans would dismantle Alberta Health, replacing it with a new set of organizations which will be under her government’s direct control - giving her the power to do whatever she wants. Leaked documents indicate it could put the jobs of 250,000 healthcare workers at risk. At a time where the public healthcare system is already crumbling in crisis and suffering from understaffing - this is unacceptable. Smith has yet to directly address how many jobs will be affected by these new plans, or how much it will cost. If thousands of us sign a petition calling on her to reverse these plans, we can show Smith that her proposal is deeply unpopular, and get her to go back to the drawing board and build a healthcare plan that really addresses the needs of all Albertans. Image credit: Alberta Newsroom

Without the backing of our Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), Bill 140 faces the risk of being shelved, depriving our schools, students and education workers of the chance for a healthier learning and working environment. Clean indoor is important: Health and Safety: Poor air quality can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and the spread of infectious diseases. Ensuring that the air quality in schools meets current standards is a fundamental step in protecting the well-being of those who spend significant amounts of time in educational settings. Educational Outcomes: There is a well-documented link between air quality and cognitive function. Cleaner air can improve concentration, productivity, and overall academic performance. Transparency and Accountability: By mandating the public reporting of CO2 levels, this bill promotes transparency, allowing parents and the wider community to be informed about the air quality in schools and childcare centers. This information is critical for ensuring accountability and pushing for necessary improvements. Proactive Health Measures: The requirement for an Air Quality Action Plan ensures that there are predefined steps to take when air quality drops, potentially preventing health issues before they arise and ensuring a quick response to any air quality concerns. Economic Sense: Investing in better air quality has economic benefits. By reducing the number of sick days for both students and staff, there is less disruption to learning and work, which has a positive impact on productivity and educational outcomes. Additionally, the long-term healthcare savings from preventing air quality-related illnesses can be substantial. Setting Standards: Ontario currently lacks clear regulations for indoor air quality in schools, putting students and staff at a disadvantage. Implementing such standards would not only protect them but also position Ontario as a leader in educational health and safety standards. Global Competitiveness: Other regions that have adopted similar measures have seen positive outcomes. Supporting this bill would allow Ontario to keep pace with global best practices in educational and childcare environments, making it a more attractive place to live, work, and learn. Long-Term Benefits: The investment in air quality monitoring and improvement is not just a short-term fix; it's an investment in the future health and cognitive abilities of the community’s children. Healthy students are more likely to grow into healthy adults, contributing positively to society. With the support of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), we can implement vital measures like Bill 140 to ensure our schools have clean air, thereby securing a safer, healthier, and more academically conducive future for our students and education workers.

Over 22% of Canadians have a disability, and yet there is no law in Canada requiring that housing be accessible. Seniors and people with disabilities are struggling in housing which does not meet their needs. The cost of building a new apartment is the same whether it is accessible or not, so why are we not building accessible housing?

Please sign this petition if you believe that everyone deserves access to safe and affordable housing - it's not just a need; it's a human right!

More than 4.5 million Canadians — often those who need it most — are left out of Canada’s federal energy efficiency programs. The federal government has strong public support for expanding low-income energy efficiency. According to polling conducted by Abacus Data for Efficiency Canada, 72% of Canadians either strongly support or support government funding toward energy efficiency for low-income housing. This support spans across rural and urban populations, owners and renters, all income groups, voters for all political parties and in all regions [1]. Canada will not meet its net-zero emissions goal without upgrading the buildings where low-income Canadians live. Without a national federal energy efficiency solution, low-income Canadians are vulnerable to rising energy costs due to inflation and carbon taxes. As Canada moves to net-zero emissions, higher income Canadians will be able to escape fossil fuels, leaving lower income Canadians with the burden of paying higher costs for fossil fuel distribution networks [2]. We have a chance to achieve this in the 2024 federal budget – but we must act quickly. Budget negotiations are happening right now. [1] https://www.efficiencycanada.org/polling-canadians-support-low-income-energy-efficiency/ [2] Efficiency Canada, Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget, Sept 2022, https://www.efficiencycanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Efficiency-Canada-submission-to-Budget-2023-consultations.pdf

Rapidly winding down emissions from fossil fuel extraction and burning is key to preventing climate collapse. Like cigarettes, fossil fuels are harmful products. If cigarette advertising isn't allowed on transit, why is fossil fuel advertising?