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.

1. Protecting Free Speech: The right to free speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies. When universities, which should be bastions of open discourse and critical thinking, suppress lawful protest, it threatens everyone's freedom to express their views. 2. Upholding Human Rights: The situation at York University highlights broader issues of human rights and justice. Supporting the protestors means standing up against the oppression and silencing of marginalized voices, particularly those advocating for the rights of Palestinians. 3. Academic Freedom: Universities should be places where ideas can be freely discussed and debated. Actions that punish students for their political views undermine academic freedom and the integrity of educational institutions. 4. Solidarity with Students: The students at York University are exercising their rights to peaceful protest and free expression. Showing solidarity with them reinforces the importance of these rights for all students and supports the next generation of activists and leaders. 5. Preventing Precedent: If York University's actions go unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent for other institutions to follow. It's crucial to push back against such measures to prevent a wider erosion of rights on campuses and beyond. 6. Moral Responsibility: Witnessing injustice and remaining silent contributes to the perpetuation of that injustice. By taking action, you help to create a more just and equitable society. 7. Global Impact: The issues raised by the protestors at York University resonate beyond Canada. They are part of a larger global struggle for human rights and against systemic oppression. Your support contributes to a worldwide movement for justice. 8. Empowering Change: Every voice and action counts in the fight for justice. By caring and taking a stand, you join a collective effort that can bring about meaningful change and hold those in power accountable. Caring about this issue means standing up for fundamental rights, supporting those who are fighting for justice, and contributing to a society where freedom of expression and human rights are respected and upheld.

For residents of the Upper Sunshine Coast (from Saltry Bay to Lund including Powell River) this will mean a one way trip of a minimum of 6 hours with no guarantee that the ferries will run on schedule and have adequate space for medical travellers. There is very limited public transit (2-3 days per week, 1 trip per day) between the Saltry Bay ferry and the Langdale ferry so medical travellers without a private vehicle would need to stay overnight or longer to catch the one bus that connects the 2 ferries.  It is unclear if Vancouver Coastal Health will cover accommodations for those without a private vehicle.  Tell the BC Ministry of Health to move the health services of the Upper Sunshine Coast to Vancouver Island Health to ensure timely access to basic health services, responsible use of tax payer dollars and reduced demand on the understaffed BC Ambulance Service.

1.  Allowing dividends is exactly parallel to allowing gamblers to collect winnings without cashing in chips.  Nobody in the world can collect his winnings without cashing in his chips.  Why allow shareholders to collect winnings without selling shares?  How are shareholders different from any other gambler? 2.  Allowing a company to own shares in another company means that a company is betting against itself.  It is a blatant conflict of interest when a company must make decisions which favour itself over the owned company.

This could be the difference between the survival and extinction of our species and the planet we depend on. It doesn't matter what we like or want, or what is convenient. Nor does it matter what is traditional, or what we're used to. The only thing that should truly matter is what is absolutely necessary for our survival and that of our planet. We have no other home. All I know for sure is for the sake of our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the planet they need to survive, eating all animal products must stop now or they simply won't make it. Period. Full Stop. For the love of your families, and all that you hold dear in your hearts, I beg you to please stop eating all animal products right now. We can do this, we must do this .Our families lives depend on it.

Youth are the leaders of today and tomorrow. They are eager to make a difference and are more than capable to adopt the right of voting - now. Youth can often feel discouraged by news in the world and helpless. Giving 16-year-olds the right to vote will help youth realize the potential they have and give them the ability to make that small difference. I learned about the importance of youth in democracy from my grade 8 teacher. The knowledge I gained helped me grow into a more confident student who could make a difference by following their passions. Lowering the voting age will open up the possibilities for youth. They will feel valued in our society and eager to be involved. Give youth this opportunity - and they can give back.

It's a public give a consideration even if at this time they don't have solar panels but may consider have solar panels install at a later date. 

First Nations have deliberately been excluded from commerce and development and cannot create wealth under current regime! The current system encourages regression, decay and non value on lands tgat otherwise could be used to lever funds for development and business! 

The Nahmint watershed, an area on Vancouver Island between the road to Uclulet-Tofino and Alberni Inlet, is home to old-growth forests and vast plant, fish, bird and mammal biodiversity.  However, BC Timber Sales has 4 cutblocks full of old-growth in the area on its auction list for 2024. There is currently no engagement plan to consult with local first nations, scientists or stakeholders to protect these areas.  Since the Nahmint is a sensitive fisheries watershed it must be managed with the health and integrity of the salmon habitat as a priority. Any planned logging must demonstrate that it will not result in any further negative effect to this sensitive watershed.  Anything less is read as wilful disregard of standard professional planning processes. We are poised to make a formal complaint to the Forest Professionals BC body that abides by the FPBC's Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct: Sections 22 and 57, " all registrants are responsible to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and the protection of the environment. In this time of climate disruption and loss of biodiversity, we need to protect BC's 2% remaining old-growth forest ecosystems that help stabilize air humidity, air temperatures, mountain terrains, produce rain clouds and oxygen, habitat for many species at risk and absorb carbon dioxide. These forests perform many interrelated environmental services that are worth more standing and are under relentless attack from a faceless corporate logging industry.

It is important for others to join in signing this petition to demonstrate to President Lachemi, Professor Beebe, and Dean Peng the significant opposition to the Islamophobic and anti-Palestine views held by David Frum because those views are not representative of the TMU community, but even more importantly, they are harmful and incite violence.

Development in close proximity can put our drinking water at risk. The Grow Norfolk Study identified that any proposed development must be evaluated for "... the protection, conservation and careful management of the surface and groundwater resources to ensure safe drinking water supplies are maintained for however long they are needed.” Reference: https://engagenorfolk.ca/growth-management-study Simcoe Residents have a voice. Call your councillors. Attend the council meeting on May 22nd at 5pm.

Students have been reporting they avoid going to the washroom during the day because they do not feel that it is a safe space for them – their privacy is not guaranteed. The cleanliness of the washrooms is also of concern, with the need for more dedicated caretaking time spent on ensuring these spaces meet the hygiene standards required to prevent the spread of infections (to which over the past two years, Rousseau has fell victim). The experience of going to the washroom in their current state creates feelings of insecurity, anxiousness, uncertainty, and overall poor hygiene. These reports from students run contrary to the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board’s Facilities policy which indicates: “Hamilton‐Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) believes in maintaining equitable, efficient and sustainable schools and other board facilities that provide safe and high-quality learning and working environments for students, staff and the community.” You can appreciate that students who avoid using the washroom for an entire school day is a true reflection that the environment being provided for them is not safe nor a high-quality learning environment. The parent community at Rousseau Public school are imploring the school board to allocate funds to improve the washroom facilities at the school so that students feel comfortable and safe using these necessary spaces. We recognize that the school board is in a tough position as the intention to rebuild the school building is strong, however after many years of unsuccessful applications for funding, it is time to recognize that the Board now needs to direct money towards the upkeep of the building in order to improve the facilities that students need to use daily. The health and wellbeing of our children depend on it. Sincerely, The Rousseau School community