Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Holiday Season Greetings to ALL

Throughout the year let us remember ALL those who gave their life so that today we can celebrate ALL the various holidays, thanks to a system of open and participatory democracy.

The best to everyone, your families, friends and associates along with many, many, many, many exciting, active and healthy years ahead for EVERYONE!

May your individual beliefs be with you throughout the year!

Warmest regards,

Peter Clarke 

All considered, raising the minimum wage is a poor policy!

Over the past decade stats along with common sense and logic confirm and have indicated that raising the cost of labour (increasing the minimum wage) reduces employment and employment opportunities.

Further, a minimum wage increase of 10% has proven to lead to an overall 5% to 6% employment reduction in employment opportunities for our teens and youth according to the U of T professor and respected economist Morley Gunderson.

Raising the minimum wage by 15%, 20% or 25% will not increase 

employment for anyone and would do them a great disservice. It further would contribute to the deterioration in the quality of our labour force.

Also, higher labour costs ultimately show up in higher prices. All considered, raising the minimum wage is a poor policy.

”Should a policy be enacted that gives 10 people an extra $40 a week, but whacks the 11th girl or guy? Shouldn't the terrible disruption to the lives of those who are fired be more of a concern to us than the extra money for those who are not? Is it right to redistribute from the worse-off poor to the better-off poor?”

There are more effective ways to help the poor that do not destroy employment opportunities. Such as an earned income tax credit that gets money to the working poor or a tax subsidy for firms that hire low-wage workers.

Both are without the disincentives that accompany all increased minimum wage politically expedient policies put forth by politicians as endorsed by their respective political parties and supported by their lobbyists and union contributors.

Religious Expressions confined to Houses of Worship, Not the Service Counters or Halls of Governments.

Governments that are formed by religious doctrine and use the power of government to support a religious belief undermines democracy and a free society.

Religion or religious cultures must not be used as the essential device for holding a democratic society together.

In an open, transparent and honest democracy there must always remain a separation between religion and government.

Religious neutrality by government demands that the halls, offices and institutions of the government are not used as the places for religious expression by any individual employee’s religious or atheist’s beliefs.

Diversity within a democracy cannot be defended by the male’s individual’s political-religious cultural traditions that coerce, female children, young girls and women to be self stigmatized and isolated within Canadian communities by demanding that they wear a religious symbol such as the niqab and burka!

For over 1400 years Muslim women have been explicitly prohibited by their religion from covering their faces and identity if they wished to pray in the Ka’aba, holiest house of God and the Muslim’s grand mosque!

As such in Quebec and throughout Canada, with all our customs, traditions and respect for women and children, our governments must not now be obliged to accept those who are committed to wearing a niqab or burka in government offices or institutions.

Quebec’s and Canada’s freedom of religion must recognize, rely on and uphold the truth and reject the false and wrongs of an interpretation of the Muslim religion that continues to be used to impose the worst king of no freedoms and stigmatization of women and children.     

The government of Quebec is showing leadership with the introduction of a values charter for government workers.

That at least attempts once and for all to take the veil off the lies Islamists use as propaganda in promoting their political-religious ideology.  

The wearing of a niqab or burka is coerced barbaric cultural traditions that have NO connection to Islam or the Quran and further limits the fundamental rights of women and children.

By banning the wearing of a niqab or burka by government employees the Quebec government is effectively telling Muslims specifically and others generally to practice one’s religion at home or in a place of worship and adopt one of Quebec's and Canadian values for the respect of women and children. 

For over 1400 years Muslim women have had to remove such cultural veils if they wished to pray. It is past time that the niqab and burka be permanently banned in all Canadian and Provincial government offices and institutions.

Multiculturalism a Failure in Quebec and Canada?

The Liberal Party’s cherished socialist progressive socialist ideologies for a communal society—built on shared values of divergent cultures crammed within Canada’s national boundaries—have caused endless cultural conflicts rather than harmony. This vision has proven to be a failure throughout Canada, Quebec, and even in the European community of nations.

Unfortunately, many immigrants who have come to Canada over the past 40 years have done so to benefit from social programs—such as free healthcare and taxpayer-funded handouts—rather than to contribute meaningfully to society. Politicians who have used taxpayer funds to bolster their agendas have exacerbated this issue.

Under progressive doctrines of state multiculturalism, it has become glaringly obvious that various cultures are encouraged to live separately—apart from the Canadian mainstream and even from each other. This segregation fosters isolation rather than integration, ultimately leading to cultural clashes, extremism, and even the growth of homegrown terrorism.

Many immigrants arrive with cultural and religious baggage that perpetuates the clash of civilizations from their home countries. These ideologies and practices often run counter to Canadian laws and values. By residing in isolated enclaves, they avoid embracing Canada’s way of life, laws, and cultural fabric. This has been tolerated far too long, despite contradicting the values Canadians fought to preserve in two world wars.

While respecting cultural differences is important, Canada and Quebec must function as one national community—not merely as a coexistence of segregated cultural groups. Forcing Canadian citizens to adapt to external cultural practices or laws undermines our identity. Try such policies in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East and see how they are received!

Canada was founded on Judeo-Christian values, recognizing the supremacy of God and the rule of law. Immigration policies must ensure that newcomers accept and embrace the principles of unity and integration. Those unwilling to integrate should not be welcome in Canada or Quebec.

Moreover, Canadians must not tolerate extremism or racism from anyone, regardless of colour, creed, or background. Equality must be the cornerstone of our society—ensuring no individual’s rights are valued over another’s, whether those rights pertain to race, religion, gender, or ideology.

Prioritizing Underprivileged Canadians First

Before addressing the needs of newcomers, Canada must prioritize its own underprivileged citizens. Neglecting the most vulnerable Canadians risks creating resentment among them, as they may perceive immigrants as receiving preferential treatment while they remain in poverty.

1. Address Poverty: Robust social programs should uplift struggling Canadian citizens through affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and job training.
2. Equitable Resource Allocation: Transparent allocation of resources ensures citizens feel their needs are prioritized without favouritism toward immigrants.
3. Employment Prioritization: Policies that prioritize Canadian-born workers for jobs will help stabilize economic disparities.

By addressing these issues, we can ensure underprivileged Canadians feel valued and supported before expanding resources to integrate newcomers.

A Balanced Approach to Immigration

Canada must adopt immigration policies that balance respect for cultural heritage with integration into Canadian society:

• Language Proficiency: Free or subsidized English and French classes must be mandatory for newcomers to break language barriers.
• Civic Education: Programs to teach Canadian laws, rights, and responsibilities will encourage respect for our nation’s values.
• Integration Over Isolation: Housing policies that disperse immigrants across communities can prevent ethnic enclaves, fostering inclusivity.
• Skills-Based Immigration: Focusing on immigrants who bring economic value ensures newcomers contribute to society while reducing strain on resources.

Moving Forward with Unity

If Canada fails to prioritize its citizens while fostering meaningful integration, we risk deepening cultural divides. A strong immigration policy that emphasizes unity, mutual respect, and shared Canadian values is not just an ideal—it is a necessity.

Canada must remain a place of opportunity and freedom, but these values can only thrive when we ensure that all Canadians, new and old, share a commitment to the national community. Let us honour the sacrifices made for this country by fostering a united and equitable society for all.

Sources

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/09/06/pq_debate_on_values_bringing_irreconcilable_differences_to_the_surface_hbert.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/09/07/quebecs_charter_canada_still_has_work_to_do_on_multiculturalism.html

Syria Represents the Unknown of Known or the Known of Unknown

If Sarin gas was used by either the government forces or the army deserters and rebels there is also evidence as reported by the UK news, Independent that the Government let British company export nerve gas chemicals to Syria! 

www.independent.co.uk/n ...

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, a 'call to action', appears to have been based solely on the USA version for a new world order of might is right?

Syria a sovereign country has been in a civil war going on nearly three years and for anyone to assume that it is only the leader of the Syrian government and its forces that continues to solely have access to chemical weapons in such a war-torn country is asinine or blind to the realities of war.

Any fool can start a fight but it takes a statesman to negotiate a peaceful solution to a conflict.

Syria is NOT a threat to the people of the USA nor is it a national security issue. 

Without a declaration of war by the United States senate and congress an attack against Syria by the USA ordered by the President of the USA would not be legal by its' own constitution, its own laws or those of the world court.

This so-called Syrian opposition is made up of armed forces deserters, Syrian exile members of the de facto groups like the SNC (Syrian national council), FSA(free Syrian army) and non-Syrian fanatic extremists for a free Palestine along with the Muslim brotherhood for Sharia law and all are doing battle against the Assad regime and the Syrian people.

A fraudulent unelected group of individuals, mainly from foreign countries, who call themselves the Syrian National Council claiming to be the opposition forces for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources. 

Under a banner of the SNC or FSA these opposition forces, for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources as they previously stated, have been and continue to kill innocent woman, children, youth and the elderly all of whom are Syrian people?

They continuing bombings in Damascus and throughout Syria, that have the fingerprint tactics used by al- Qaeda, fundamentalist Sunni Muslim terrorist groups and others from throughout the region in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Egypt and Jordan, by these heavily armed opposition forces comprised of rebels, insurgents, army deserters and terrorists can attest to the Syrian government’s claim that Syria is fighting Islamist militants steered from abroad!

How can Canada, the USA and other western powers support such radical extremists and fanatical religious non elected but self anointed individuals and armed forces deserters and terrorists who call themselves the opposition and then proceed to intentionally detonate 10 kilos of highly flammable explosives in the centre of Damascus next to a primary school, shops and a mosque?

I cannot understand how a fraudulent unelected group of individuals, mainly from foreign countries, under a banner of the SNC or FSA the opposition forces who call themselves the Syrian National Council and claim to be the opposition forces for the protection of the unarmed citizens of Syria and its resources themselves continue to kill innocent woman, children, youth and the elderly all fellow Syrians?

These groups claim they do not have chemical weapons and it's only the government forces! 

If one believes that then one believes in the tooth fairy.

They call the government of Syria uncivilized yet it was the government of the USA that used napalm and Agent Orange in Vietnam and used depleted uranium and white phosphorus in Fallujah, Iraq and not to be outdone, Britain firebombed Dresden and other German cities in WW2 and the USA dropped nuclear bombs twice on Japan!

You be the judge on this proposed illegal limited and narrow bombing by the USA on yet another sovereign country by the President of the USA in assisting the so-called Arab Spring uprisings!

ADDITIONAL 

Russia asks Turkey for info on sarin terrorists

Did you know Turkey caught Syrian rebels with sarin gas back in May?

http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/151261/russia-asks-turkey-for-info-on-sarin-terrorists.html

America's President Says He Is Prepared to Order Military Action, but Wants Support First From Lawmakers

·                                 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324463604579046902682624072.html?mod=WSJEurope_hpp_LEFTTopStories

·                                  

           Syrian rebels jail and torture American photographer! They are no better than the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and more barbaric in my opinion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/world/middleeast/american-tells-of-odyssey-as-prisoner-of-syrian-rebels.html?hp&_r=0

·         

Toronto a Sanctuary for Violent Youth and Huggers of Law Breakers?

Wait a minute here. First off, this young man contrary to what his friends have said obviously had not at all adjusted well to living in Canada or the Canadian way of life.

What he did was unacceptable. He broke the laws of the country he came to reside in when he first exposed himself on public transit, then provoked a situation, put innocent transit riders at risk and in harms way by brandishing a knife demanding that they get off the streetcar in the middle of the night.

In my humble opinion, such actions are not those of a person who is flourishing in Canada! 

Many questions have to be answered starting with the reason why he left his job and for what reasons, why he moved out of his fathers residence and who had he been with just prior to his illegal actions of hijacking a public transit vehicle?

Also was this TTC streetcar driver the same person who Mr. Yatim junior previous had a confrontation and attitude problem with?

A scrawny 110 ten pounds of sweet, very loving kind-hearted and well-adjusted guy in civil society does not go around exposing himself, brandishing knife or gun and hijacking public transit vehicles and demanding everyone get off and then further start taunting and calling police officers f... ing pussies

Are these the actions of a law-abiding well adjusted teenager with respect for the rights of others and authority as learned or was taught by his youthful friends and family?

Now after the fact,  why are some of these previous passengers claiming, after the fact that they were in no immediate danger or threatened by this drug high knife provoking passenger?

As they now claim no perception of threat, so why then did they not group together and disarm this skinny kid as opposed to fleeing the streetcar and leaving it to the police who did not run yet perceived a threat of self-defence and thus demanded that he drop the weapon and not move towards them or he would be shot?

As tragic as it was this young man was obviously high on marijuana or other illegal drugs and decided to end his life with the assistance of the officers, in my humble opinion.

The bottom line in any confrontation with police is NOT to refuse an order to drop any weapon that one is obviously holding be it a knife, bat, scissors or gun.

Unless one wishes to commit suicide!

  

Source

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/28/toronto-police-criticized-for-shooting-of-cornered-man-brandishing-a-knife-on-empty-streetcar/#disqus_thread

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/07/31/streetcar_witness_says_crazedlooking_sammy_yatim_wasnt_a_real_threat.html

A Subway Funding and Congestion Solution.

City streets represent the most utilized and fastest commuter transportation mode and account for 75% of Toronto's daily commuters by people, cars, trucks and vans.

Tearing up these streets to put streetcar tracks or LRTs, with or without right-of-ways, and reduce the available road width usage for these daily commuters and commerce purposes are NOT visionary or leadership.

Toronto's previous mayor Miller should have upgraded the City's and TTC's outdated signalling systems and traffic signals before borrowing close to a Billion dollars for new streetcars and subway vehicles in my humble opinion. 

LRT cost forecasting, as witnessed with the ST. Clair line (call it a streetcar or LRT) and the Eglinton LRT already $400 Million over budget and not even a third of the way completed, are continually underestimated in costs while overestimating the demand. 

Reports by non elected technocrats and bureaucrats are slanted in order to produce unrealistic cost figures that favour and constitutes technical justification for political-public works programs rather than real economic or technical criteria. 

Streetcars or LRT's are in NO way the solution to any cities transit requirements across Canada that have populations of over 2.6 million residents. If one wishes to see how engineers, planners and bureaucrats have screwed up a pedestrian, cyclists, autos, vans and commerce transit within a city go to Zurich, a city of less than 400,000 that is congested with inner city streetcars, LRTS or whatever one wishes to label them.

What Toronto urgently requires is funding from the province and the federal government for construction of a Scarborough subway today not tomorrow, replacing and upgrading the TTC signalling system coupled with the upgrading of all existing four-way traffic signals throughout the city, now, and within 3 to 5 years start construction on the DRL and then 2 years later finish the Sheppard subway connection to Scarborough and Spadina.

Now for the funding to accomplish all this is rather easy if the politicians had the political courage and the best interest of citizens in mind and not their respective unelected political parties.

A transit and infrastructure levy of 2% should immediately be required from all corporations operating and doing business in any province of Canada that has annual gross revenues in excess of $500 million dollars. This would be their mandatory investment for doing business within Canada. 

This levy would be designated solely for communities that already have an existing subway operation. Like it or not there is just no way Individual taxpayers and property taxes can continue to absorb and bear the brunt for transit and infrastructure costs in Toronto or any Canadian city.

Corporations, banks, unions and organizations like individual taxpayers all have an obligation when it comes to funding costs for transit and infrastructure within our cities.  

Its either a 2% tax levy now or a minimum 10% tax in the very near future for corporations with annual gross revenues that exceed half a billion dollars in my opinion. 

Sources

http://timestoronto.blogspot.ca/2013/05/metrolinxs-future-liberal-ontario-is.html

http://timestoronto.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-subway-funding-and-congestion-solution.html

Up Dates:

Nobody knows what it will really cost for subways, streetcars or LRT’s

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/transportation/2013/07/19/ttc_says_scarborough_subway_costs_a_best_estimate.html

The United States, Canada and other leading world economies that want multinational corporations to pay more taxes.

http://www.thestar.com/business/economy/2013/07/19/world_finance_chiefs_threaten_to_force_multinationals_to_pay_more_taxes.html

Sources

http://timestoronto.blogspot.ca/2013/05/metrolinxs-future-liberal-ontario-is.html

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/18/province-will-provide-estimated-1-4b-to-build-scarborough-subway/